In a 3-2 vote, Sulphur Council members rejected a request by Corey Stevens regarding land access for testing and permanent water well drilling in regard with the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation Grant at the regular monthly meeting Monday night.
City officials said the ‘contract with Stevens did not specify total land cost if the wells were successful. Members rejected allowing City Manager Andy Freeman to renegotiate the contract. The vote to reject came after a lengthy executive session to discuss the contract terms. Members also approved for the city manager to scan additional properties in regard to the project in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.
Members voted unanimously to approve the contract with Del Sol for the tornado debris recovery. The firm was selected at the November meeting following the application process.
A representative from the firm was on hand at the meeting and addressed council members of preliminary findings and to answer any questions from council members.
She stated the debris pile at limb yard, Rock Creek and maximizing insurance claims are the most pressing issues right now.
Members adopted an ordinance establishing policy and procedures for the Open Records Request Act as is required by state statutes.
A quote from RFD Construction for ceiling repairs at the library was approved by council members. According to City ManagerAndy Freeman, three juveniles were allegedly attempting to secure a door on the gable of the library that allows access to the HVAC when two of the three fell through the ceiling. Total cost for repairs is $2491.00, however the Southern Oklahoma Library System requested the city to pay half the cost and the library association would pay the remaining half. When asked if the juveniles were injured, officials stated no. Members agreed to pay for half the cost out of the library restricted funds. The library receives funds from oil land leases and royalties from donated land mainly in Stephens County. The funds received are restricted to the needs, maintenance and upkeep of the library.
The board accepted the resignation of Craig Lemley from the Sulphur Development Board, but tabled renaming a replacement until a candidate can be found.
The 2025 meeting date schedule for the city and Sulphur Municipal Authority were both approved at the meeting, however the holiday dates for both entities was tabled.
Changes being proposed for 2025 holiday dates did not line up with the dates listed in the personnel policy.
A Resolution of the City of Sulphur to the county election board calling for the annual city election for Ward 2 and Ward 4 council members was approved.
City Council
In other agenda action, members approved the following:
•setting the annual salary for council members per the city charter;
•renewing contract for City Attorney Les Wesberry, Jr.;
•approved franchise agreement on between the City of Sulphur and Cable One, Inc. DBAas Spar-klight but increased the fee from 2% to 5% and increased liability insurance from $1 million to $2 million; and
•the annual generator maintenance renewal with Clifford Powers for $17,085.00.
The following agenda items were tabled at the meeting:
•payment of $362,842.81 to CD Brown Construction for Invoice No. 5 of the OWRB/ Chickasaw Nation Project;
•payment of $58,915.00 to Myers Engineering for services on the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation Project; and
•payment of $36,193.25 to Beytco, Inc. for Invoice No. 2 on the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation Project.
In correspondence and updates, Freeman told members he is working on a Workshop for Council members for December 16 at 4:00 p.m. followed by a special council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
In the treasurer;s report, Ginger Cornell told members sales tax collections had rebounded some and SMA funds are still holding steady.
All five council members were present at the meeting.
