City manager reports busy schedule for city

While working for the city may often be viewed by the public as being a cushy job, Sallisaw City Manager Keith Skelton disagrees.

In his administrative report to the City Commissioners at their monthly meeting Monday, Skelton outlined an abundance of activities as well as challenges which occupy his staff.

“Things remain busy for city staff. We continue to wrap up projects and implement other projects we have on the table,” he told the commissioners.

“As you are aware, ODOT contractors have started milling and paving Cherokee Avenue from Wheeler east to I-40. This project was much needed, and we are very happy that the state has completed this project. The city was able to obtain several loads of asphalt millings from this project. These millings have been hauled to the wastewater treatment plant for placement on the road surrounding the lagoons.

“Final plans have been submitted to ODOT for the Highway 59 North utility relocation. We are now awaiting ODOT approval for the next step,” Skelton said in his written report.

“Our Street Department has been very busy the last few months. They just completed a complete rebuild of a large portion of the landfill entry road, and are currently working on a collapsed drainage line in the Choctaw/Cherokee intersection area. This line was originally installed when Cherokee was four-laned many years ago. We have other drainage line issues of the same type along Cherokee, which will need addressed in the near future. We have plans to also discuss this issue with ODOT.”

Challenges

“We continue to run up against supply chain issues for several material needs of the city. Mostly, these issues surround electric line supplies such as conductors and transformers,” Skelton reported. “We continue to monitor this situation and also monitor the actions of the American Public Power Association as they continue to work with Washington on these issues.”

Evaluating

“City staff continues to evaluate equipment needs of the city. We are obtaining various price quotes and plan on applying for USDA equipment grants to assist with purchasing,” Skelton reported.

Successes

“The city recently completed a very successful Public Power Week. During the week, our electric department performed several demonstrations at the local schools. We also sponsored public power coloring contests, with the winners receiving pizza parties for their class,” Skelton told the commissioners. “I would like to thank the personnel at the electric department, Skylar Fullbright and Katie Horton, for coordinating all these events. They all did an excellent job.”

Progress

“The Sallisaw PD, myself and representatives of the chamber and Sallisaw Main Street recently met with a group who represent those who participate in various cruise night events in the community. This was brought about by the last cruise night, and the perception that the Sallisaw PD was performing excessive traffic stops. We had a very productive meeting and dispelled some of the misconceptions about the event,” Skelton reported.

Event permits

“Over several months now, we have been issuing event permits for various community events that take place utilizing public property, streets or right-of-ways,” Skelton outlined for the commissioners in his written report. “As we have issued these, we have also been working on tweaking the permits to better meet the needs of the community. We continue to perfect these, as well as preparing an event permit information packet.”

Upcoming events

• 10Box grand opening at 9 a.m. Nov. 16

• Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Nov. 17

• Community Thanksgiving dinner 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 23 at Sallisaw Middle School

• Thanksgiving holidays, Nov. 24-25

• Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10

• Chamber Membership Luncheon noon Dec. 14 at First United Methodist Church

• Christmas holidays, Dec. 23-26

• New Year’s holiday, Jan. 2