Julie Ferguson, the city’s grant administrator, explained the application must be discussed at a special public hearing meeting. The city commissioners held the public hearing before their regular meeting Monday at the Sallisaw Civic Center.
Ferguson said the company has asked to remain anonymous until the grant is in the works.
“The company requires confidentiality,” Ferguson said.
City officials said the company was involved in food distribution and possibly food processing. The city is seeking the $500,000 grant to buy an empty industrial park building to be leased to the company. When and if the grant is approved the company must then announce its name, purpose and financial information to take advantage of a lease from the city for the building.
Ferguson said it is expected that, if plans work out, the company will hire 100 to 110 employees in the first three years of locating in Sallisaw. It is a requirement of the CDBG grant that the company hire so many people, Ferguson explained, adding the company plans to hire at least three times as many employees as is required.
Ferguson explained to city commissioners the grant would be used by the city to not only purchase a building but also rehabilitate the building so that it meets building codes and the lease agreement. The grant money would do both, she said.
The city is likely to get the grant, Ferguson said, adding that Sallisaw has been successful seeking grants through the Department of Commerce.
She said, “Part of the money is from the stimulus package.”
City Manager Bill Baker told the commissioners that the grant requires the city retain the property and lease it to the company.
Baker said, “I am going to ask the economic authority to purchase this building.”
Later in the meeting the commissioners, acting as the economic authority, did “Direct staff to enter into negotiations for the property.”
The commissioners discussed moving forward with the project during an executive session.
Ferguson said later the company “is really pushing hard for this.”
She said the city may expect to hear within 60 days whether or not the grant has been awarded.
Other business
•Commissioner Willis “Butch” Lamb, Ward 1, and Commissioner Clayton Meadows, Ward 3, were sworn into office by City Judge John Cripps. Lamb and Meadows drew no opponents in their races for re-election and took office automatically.
•Plaques were awarded to Bobby Smith, wastewater treatment plant operator, and John Smith, landfill superintendent, who have both retired. Mayor Shannon Vann presented the plaques. A drop-in reception honoring city retirees will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sallisaw Civic Center.
•Members of the Sallisaw Electric Department received certificates of appreciation from the city of Marlow. Vann also presented the certificates and noted the employees went to assist Marlow with a major power outage during a winter ice storm.
•Commissioners approved adoption of an ordinance allowing the hotel/motel tax to be collected on a monthly basis, by the 15th of the month, rather than on a quarterly basis. The ordinance also adds a provision for failure to file bond when required that would subject the offending party to a $70 fine. Baker noted the tax is collected and banked for use by the Sallisaw Youth & Recreation Commission which plans to build sports fields on the city’s east side.
During administrative reports Baker noted that Sallisaw has the highest unemployment rate — at 12 percent — in the state.
The city, Baker said, “is frantically trying to turn that around.”
A new business in town will help reduce that unemployment rate, Baker said.
Keith Skelton, assistant city manager and finance director, reported the city’s sales tax receipts were down again for the February-March collections, by about $36,000.
Baker also reported that the city has advertised for bids on an airport project to overlay the apron and taxiway with new material for maintenance. Baker said he wished to open bids as soon as possible, on April 22, so the project may begin.
City administrators also plan to start work on the city budget next week, and Baker said it is hoped the city’s annual budget retreat for city commissioners will be May 18 and 19.
