Commissioners approve spending, weigh in on texting while driving

Sallisaw City Commissioners on Monday approved spending more than $350,000 on the city’s behalf, and amended a city ordinance regarding texting while driving.

At their monthly meeting, the commissioners approved the purchase of a 2020 Peterbilt Model 520 side-load sanitation truck from J&R Equipment, Oklahoma City, in the amount of $285,000.

“Staff has recently tested a side-load sanitation truck. The purpose of the test was to see how well a dual-axle truck this size would operate in the community and on our streets. The truck has operated well, and is capable of servicing about 80% of our sanitation customers,” City Manager Keith Skelton told the commissioners. “Given the results of the test, staff would like to proceed with purchasing this unit. The truck is in excellent condition, and has been used as a demo unit by J&R Equipment. The current mileage on the unit is 30,904. The approximate cost of this unit if ordered today would be $410,000.”

The commissioners also approved a 48-month lease-purchase agreement to purchase the unit. $50,000 has been budgeted for the first year of the contract. It is estimated monthly payments will be about $6,511.

The side-load truck is expected to be more efficient, and will require only one operator, Skelton said. The city will continue to use the rear-load trucks, but will be able to staff with three operators. “This allows a faster and safer operation, and frees up personnel for the Curbie truck.”

Skelton told the commissioners future plans are for the city to purchase a smaller, single-axle side-load truck for areas the larger truck will not serve.

The commissioners also approved the purchase of three 200-amp Trip Saver reclosers and 10 110-amp Trip Saver reclosers from Border States Electric Supply, Joplin, Mo., in the amount not to exceed $40,000. The purchase order is in the amount of $38,138.90.

“Approval of this purchase order will allow staff to purchase trip savers, which will replace fuses and will try two times before shutting the line off. These operate similar to the breakers in the sub. A breaker in the sub will try three times before line disconnection,” Skelton said.

The commissioners further approved a purchase order for the repair of lights at I-40 exit 308 to SignalTek of Oklahoma City in the amount of $29,209.87.

“The repair work to the I-40 lights at exit 308 was more extensive than anticipated, resulting in additional costs,” Skelton told the commissioners. “SignalTek spent extensive time troubleshooting the lighting circuits in order to determine what repairs were needed. To save time and additional costs, the lighting had to be repaired, so SignalTek continued with the repairs once the issues were determined.”

Even though the lights are part of the I-40 interstate system, the city is responsible for the repairs, Skelton explained. The invoiced amount is for repairs from April 1, April 12, May 2526, Sept. 30 and Oct. 5-6.

“To account for this expense, we have adjusted a budget item that was set aside for traffic cameras at Choctaw and Cherokee [avenues]. We had budgeted $30,000 for this traffic camera project. Since ODOT will reinstall the traffic loops at this intersection during their asphalt overlay project, we will not be installing cameras at this time. The budgeted amount for traffic cameras will be used toward the payment of the SignalTek invoice,” Skelton said.

The commissioners did not only allocate expenditures, but also took steps that could result in receipt of funds.

A resolution was approved authorizing application for American Rescue Plan Act grant funding from the Oklahoma Water Resource Board. The application is due to the OWRB on Nov. 30.

If received, grant funds would be used for a water loop from U.S. 59 South, west on Drake Road to Shiloh Road and north to Lenington Road; and for a sewer extension project on Drake Road, west of U.S. 59 South, to Shiloh Road.

Fee schedule updated

The commissioners also approved updates to the city’s master fee schedule for fees associated with new electric and water connections.

“ This update addresses connection fees associated with new electric and water connections,” Skelton explained. “Given the current volatility of the cost of electric and water materials, it has become increasingly hard to calculate new connection costs. This update removes the set costs of connections and lists connection fees as ‘At cost plus 8% to cover portions of labor.’ As new connections are needed, the last purchase order issued for the materials will be used to calculate the fees required for new electric and water connections. These changes are noted in Section 4 of the master fee schedule. Staff notes that the ‘plus 8%’ does not apply to the purchase costs of commercial transformers.”

Ordinances amended

The commissioners approved amending the Code of Ordinances related to texting while driving. Before declaring an emergency and amending the ordinance, Section 94-170(b) only covered “non-commercial” drivers. Oklahoma Statutes have separate regulations for “non-commercial” and “commercial” drivers. The new city ordinance now applies to all drivers.

The commissioners also approved repealing Article IV, Section 102-223.1.b of Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinances and adding a new ordinance related to granting a special use permit for the showing of swine by school students. Approved with the emergency clause, the ordinance updates the ordinance adopted at the October meeting, which only specified students participating in FFA, but should have included students who participate in 4H. The corrected ordinance addresses students who are “currently enrolled in educational programs or groups that participate in the showing of swine.”

Agreement approved

An agreement was approved between the city and Garver LLC for professional services at Sallisaw Municipal Airport.

“On July 11, 2022, the road approved Garver as the Engineer of Record for the Sallisaw Municipal Airport. This master agreement for professional services officially allows Garver to begin work as our Engineer of Record, or ‘consultant,’ on airport projects,” Skelton said.

According to the agreement, funding will be in place prior to execution of any work order for Garver services. Capital improvement projects are typically funded at 90% by the FAA, Skelton said.

The commissioners also approved a work order for Garver in the amount of $63,830 for professional services, and authorized Garver to begin work on replacing the existing runway lighting system, guidance signage and wind cone with segment circle.

Policy revised

A revision to the city’s healthy work vision policy was approved by the commissioners, which will allow the city to be eligible for possible grant funding.

“Staff is proposing changes to our healthy vision policy in order to meet the requirements of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), which will make us eligible for more grant funding through this organization,” Skelton told the commissioners.

“Established by voters, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is a state grant-making trust devoted to preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease, Oklahoma’s leading causes of death. By awarding grants to schools, communities, state agencies and partner organizations, TSET works to improve the health of Oklahoma’s citizens. It also funds research and emerging opportunities in the public and private sectors. TSET initiatives are addressing Oklahoma’s most pressing public health issues, and creating healthier places for all Oklahomans to live, work, learn and play,” Skelton said.

The TSET Healthy Incentive Grant for Communities is designed to help municipalities adopt and implement best and promising practices for tobacco- free environments, access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities in an effort to improve the health and quality of life for residents.

In order to become eligible for certain types of TSET grants, organizations are asked to implement certain wellness policies throughout their organization.

“Staff recognizes that certain aspects of this policy will be a work in progress and subject to availability of funding in future budgets. This is noted in the policy,” Skelton said.

Misconceptions dispelled A group representing citizens who participate in cruise nights was on the agenda to address the commissioners about concerns and ideas to make the cruise events more successful, but no one from the group was present at the Monday meeting.

“ 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. We had a very good meeting with them. This was brought about by the last cruise night, and the perception that the Sallisaw PD was performing excessive traffic stops. [The group] had a lot of misconceptions about what happened that night. But we had a very productive meeting and dispelled some of the misconceptions about the event,” Skelton told the commissioners. “We were able to bring information to that meeting and dispel a lot of that misconception.” Drake Prairie Estates

The commissioners approved the Sallisaw Planning Commission’s recommendation of a plat for Drake Prairie Estates, a residential housing addition located on West Drake Road. The Planning Commission approved the item at its Nov. 1 meeting.

The commissioners also approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation to rezone from agriculture (A-1) to residential (R-1) the 31-acre tract for Drake Prairie Estates.

Title transferred

The commissioners authorized the transfer of title for a 2005 Dodge S15 pickup to Wayne Moody. The pickup was declared surplus at the Sept. 12 meeting, and was advertised for sealed bid. Moody’s bid was the only one received for the amount of $6,861.

Other business

• Commissioners acknowledged Military Service Credit on the city’s retirement plan for Charles Richardson. Under the city’s retirement plan, service credit for benefit purposes includes the last continuous period of full-time active duty service in the uniformed services in one of the five branches of service. Credited service is for a maximum of two years.

• Mayor Ernie Martens reappointed Carol Copeland to the Sallisaw Library Board for a three-year term expiring in November 2025.

• Commissioners approved regular meeting dates for 2023 to be at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month.

• Commissioners received an update on the financial status of the city and activities of the finance department.

• Commissioners received an update on economic development and grant activities.