Sulphur council members at the board’s regular meeting on Monday heard from a few frustrated citizens and business owners regarding recent notices placed on tornado-ridden properties in Sulphur.
While most of the notices read in part: “The City requires the following action to be taken: Removal of tall grass & weeds, all storm debris & clean up lot, etc. Action must be started within 10 days of mailing date of this notification,” some notices went out saying the clean up had to be completed within 10 days. The notices also said a hearing date must be scheduled within 10 days after notice to determine if the City requirements have been met.
Local business owner Gary Mensch addressed council members regarding the notices placed on his properties, much of which have already been cleared. Mensch told council members he feels there is a “real lack of communication along with the question of who is in charge.” He told members he has been to city hall to address his situation and can’t seem to get a straight answer or gets passed off to someone else. Jennifer Mayo-Searcey, owner of Flower Bluff Manor, also addressed council members regarding her notice and ask the city to present detailed plans of what is expected within the next 30 days so rebuilding can get started.
Both properties are located in the downtown area hit hard by the April 27 tornado.
City Manager Andy Freeman told everyone in attendance that the letters were necessary to open the conversation between property owners and the city to determine where they are at in the clean up process. Freeman also said it was necessary for the possible FEMA reimbursement process.
Council members gave authorization to city officials to obtain two separate Bridge Loans for the FEMA Debris Removal as well as the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation Water Project. The request is for an amount not to exceed $3.5 million on each account.
Since state law requires funds to be available at the time of awarding any bids, the loans are necessary to ensure no delay in awarding bids on the two projects.
Members tabled payment of $321,874.25 to CD Brown Construction for Invoice No. 1 of the irrigation water mains project until the funds are available.
Bill Wright updated the board on the Sulphur Task Force, saying while several meetings have been held with great feedback and input, more is still needed. The purpose of the Task Force is to prepare a recovery plan for downtown and present it to the council, Wright said. The next meeting of the Task Force will be August 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Artesian.
Several agenda items regarding amending ordinances were deemed “No Action Taken.” The ordinances in question pertained to several commissions established in the city charter that require board members. The council members approved the ordinances as stated, but tabled naming any members to the boards. The commissions included the City Planning and Zoning Commission, Sulphur Development Board, Board of Adjustment and the Historic Preservation Commission. Each commission will consist of five voting members and some will also have non-voting members and ex officio members. Most of the boards require the members to live in the city limits of Sulphur.
Council members also approved amendment to the Mobile Home Ordinance for mobile home placement in the city limits. The new amendment will go into effect as of August 12, 2024. Existing mobile homes in Sulphur will be grandfathered in and will not be affected.
Members approved a revision of Parkhill Task Order No. 3 for a bridge project on West Muskogee Street that was previously approved at the July meeting. The lump sum engineering fee total was listed as $19,450 and it should have read $54,000.
Several members of the Artist of the Arbuckles addressed council members regarding the lease agreement between the city and the artists. Council members approved extending the lease agreement with the group in 2021, but have never given the artists a copy of the lease agreement which is now needed for insurance purposes.
City Attorney Les Wesberry told the board he would get with artist officials and complete the agreement and bring to council for approval.
A resolution allocating use of the lodging tax funds for an ad in the Chickasaw Country magazine was approved.
Council members approved action on a Disaster Assistance Agreement for Emergency and Major Disasters between the City of Sulphur and the State of Oklahoma. The agreement allows the city to possibly receive financial aid from the state.
City officials requested the establishment of three separate fund accounts for various projects currently in progress. Accounts for the Plaza Funds, FEMA Disaster Funds and the OWRB/ Chickasaw Nation Grant Funds were approved by the board.
Action was approved on water rights and real property agreement for exploratory drilling and permanent water well access to water on private property as a part of the OWRB.Chickasaw Nation Project.
Bids to replace the water main along Wynnewood Avenue were all rejected at the request of the city manager. He said the project will need to be rebid because all previous bids exceeded the amount ofARPAFunds available to do the project.
Lastly, the board approved action on Chickasaw Nation Sub-Award Agreement Amendment regarding the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation Project to extend the completion date.
In consent agenda the board approved the following:
•payment to FirstNet, a branch ofAT&T for cell phone service in an amount not to exceed $900.00;
•approximate payment amount of $15,000.00 and $10,000.00 to Finish Line for fuel expenses for June;
•payment of $78.00 to David Wilson for pulley repairs;
•payment of $675.00 to Compliance Resource Group for police pension physical for Kolton McGaha
•payment of $320.00 to Chigley & Co., LLC for hats for the fire department;
•payment of $317.27 to COPS Products for officer McGaha boots and uniform pants; and
•payment of $500.00 to Traffic Signals, Inc. for setting up school zone lights.
In correspondence and updates, City Manager Andy Freeman updated members on the ongoing city projects. Freeman said Myers Engineering has hired CD Brown Construction to finish the work at the fuel farm at the airport; audit by Dept. of Aeronautics revealed work on lights at airport is needed; ODOT Tap Grant for sidewalk project on Broadway; city auditor is still waiting on payroll calculations to finish audit; still looking for employment attorney for personnel policy; and still waiting on insurance from storms.
Freeman told members a special meeting of the board will be held August 26 at 2:00 p.m.
All five members were present at the meeting.
