Sulphur City Council members approved the rehiring of City Manager Andy Freeman during the regular monthly meeting Monday night. The vote was three for with two abstentions.
Following a short executive session, members returned and voted to rehire Freeman and enter into contract negotiations.
During public participation, citizen Tara Mullins addressed the board regarding notification received by the state auditor’s office on April 17 of an investigative audit of the City of Sulphur by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector’s office. The audit request, she said, was made by District Attorney for District 20, which includes Murray County. Mullins told members she had spoken with the state auditor’s office who informed her of the impending audit.
Council members reelected Darrell Cole as mayor and Alan McKay as vice mayor for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Members also approved Dan Gordon as alternate signatory in the absence of the mayor and vice mayor.
In other action, members approved a measure authorizing the city manager to apply for public assistance from the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) for damages from the April 27 tornado.
A letter of agreement with the NRCS for a plan to repair the bank of Rock Creek due to storm damage was also approved.
Roof bids for three city buildings that were requested before the recent storm were presented at the meeting. Members approved the bids for new roofs for the city hall as well as the American Legion.
The bid for the Arbuckle Historical Museum was tabled because it also included inside repairs that now have become more extensive after the recent storm and rains.
Members approved an agreement between the City of Sulphur and QT Pod, LLC for credit card services at the airport fuel farm as well as an agreement with US Bank National Association for processing the credit card transactions when the fuel farm is complete and operational.
The board approved a quote in the amount of $20,687.78 to replace the Generac transfer switch at the wastewater treatment plant as a result of the April 27 storm.
Payment of $7,572.49 to Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the construction permit for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB)/ Chickasaw Nation project was also approved by the board.
In final agenda action, members agreed to wave penalties on delinquent accounts for the month of May.
Other agenda items tabled at the meeting included:
• action on seeking legal counsel estimates for law firms to review the city personnel policies;
•action on ordinance adopting the 2018 International Codes; and
•action on property easement agreement with James Harden on property west of town.
In consent agenda the board approved the following:
•amendment to increase the approximate amount of payroll for May City of Sulphur by $100,000.00 and Sulphur Municipal Authority by $100,000.00 due to the April 27, 2024 storm;
•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 April;
•payment of $474.98 to Command Communications for radio ad antenna;
•payment of $73.50 to Sulphur Times-Democrat for job posting;
•payment of $172.44 to Sulphur Times-Democrat for roofing bid publication;
•payment of $84.75 to Sulphur Times-Democrat for Ordinance 2024-1 publication; and
•setting FY 2024-2025 City of Sulphur and Sulphur Municipal Authority budget schedule.
In correspondence and updates, City Manager Andy Freeman updated members on the ongoing annual city audit; fuel farm at airport; OWRD/Chickasaw Nation Grant; lead line repair bids, etc.
During the public participation, Shane Hale told members he is planning a benefit with all proceeds to be earmarked for the downtown city plaza. Hale’s goal is to raise at least $100,000.00 during the event.
Laura Carter, a local home health aid, addressed council members regarding the need for a handicap accessible public storm shelter even though it is not a requirement.
All five council members were present at the meeting.
