City targets abandoned properties for demolition

The Sallisaw City Commission conducted public hearings on Monday to determine if properties located at 501 N. Walnut Place and 503 N. Walnut Place are a public nuisance.

The properties are vacant and have been a public nuisance for several years, with multiple cleaning/ mowing and property maintenance issues. The structures are unsecured and beyond repair.

The city has had to maintain the properties due to owner abandonment. There are currently five unpaid cleaning and mowing bills for the property at 501 N. Walnut Place, and two unpaid cleaning and mowing bills for the property at 503 N. Walnut Place. All have been certified to the Sequoyah County clerk and are now liens. The Building Development Department has safety concerns for children residing in the area, and officials recommend removal of the structures.

City commissioners also approved a purchase order in the amount of $34,070 to Robertson Electrical and Mechanical of Van Buren, Ark., for the purchase of two Burmese Submersible Solids handling pumps for the underpass on Cherokee Avenue.

The current pumps at the underpass are old and in bad condition, and were rebuilt in 2018-19. The impellers appear to be defective due to sand and bearings are also faulty. Therefore, current pumps are deemed inadequate during heavy rainfall, which results in flooding and traffic detours.

City commissioners approved a purchase order in the amount of $40,408.49 to Vermeer Great Plains of Catoosa for the purchase of a Vermeer BC1000 gas wood chipper for the tree trimming department.

City commissioners approved an ordinance updating the minimum yard requirements for A-1 and A-2 zoning districts, and established minimum pen requirements for the housing of swine under a special use permit. The updated ordinance had previously received approval from the Sallisaw Planning Commission.

The city commission also approved an ordinance updating the Sallisaw Municipal Court fee schedule and establishing monetary penalties.

The city commission received a presentation of fiscal year 2022 audit from Foresight Advisory and Consulting, as well as an update on current and future projects, including:

• The street department remains busy repairing several major drainage pipe issues. Replacement of a large drainage pipe was recently completed at the corner of Choctaw and Cherokee avenues, and crews are currently working on Lucy Street repairing an area where water has washed underneath another drainage pipe.

• Continued work on a water/stream issue affecting the Phase II expansion of the landfill. On Dec. 5, staff, consultants and a representative from the Corps of Engineers had a very productive meeting on how to refile the city’s application and review several ideas on mitigation of the issue.

• Staff has identified a drainage area that runs on the south side of the Cherokee underpass pump house. The drainage area extends south to Port Arthur. Parts of the drainage ditch along the pump house are collapsing and must be rebuilt. The street and electric departments are working on planning this repair, and also coordinating with the railroad to clean out the drainage area running along the west side of the railroad to Port Arthur.

• Staff continues to monitor the cost of a street overlay program, and is expected to make a determination sometime after the first of the year. Another issue that has become apparent is the need for more street repairs similar to those described. The street department must be free for a few months to prepare roads for overlay.

The city commission also received updates on economic development and grant activities, as well as administrative reports.

City Hall will be closed Dec. 23 and 26 for the Christmas holiday, and Jan. 2 for the New Year’s holiday.

The next meeting of the city commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 9 in the City Council chambers.