Sports complex to get covers for dugouts

The day has come for the Sallisaw Youth League’s requests to be granted.

After several years of asking the city for covers on the dugouts at the Sallisaw Sports Complex, this is the year it happens.

The city commissioners Monday night approved $87,000 for the purchase and installation of 16 metal dugout covers.

Additionally, the Cherokee Nation donated $25,000 toward the project.

“Staff recently worked with the Sallisaw Youth League to obtain quotes for the installation of metal dugout covers at the sports complex fields,” Sallisaw City Manager Keith Skelton told the commissioners. “Sixteen covers will be added.”

“With the assistance of the Cherokee Nation, which donated $25,000 toward the project, staff is ready to move forward with this project,” Skelton said.

IPS Construction of Sallisaw earned the construction contract, beating out two other Sallisaw companies.

The commissioners also approved $28,250 for removal and installation of a traffic signal pole on the southeast corner of Kerr Boulevard at Cherokee Avenue.

The traffic signal pole was damaged on March 3, 2022, by a semi as it was turning. More than 11 months later, on Feb. 17, SignalTek of Oklahoma City was able to install a new pole.

Then in December 2022, at an additional cost of $12,672, SignalTek moved the foundation of the traffic signal pole, along with conduits, further from the turn radius to prevent future damage to the pole.

A claim was filed with the truck driver’s insurance company, and payment for damages has been received in the amount of $28,676.04.

Charles Richardson (left), a 25-year city employee who is retiring, received a commemorative watch Monday from Sallisaw City Manager Keith Skelton. LYNN ADAMS | TIMES

The commissioners also conducted a public hearing to determine if property located at 306 S. Dogwood Street is a public nuisance.

The structure was damaged in a fire on Nov. 16, 2022, and was a total loss. There are safety concerns with the building due to the lack of structural integrity. The openings have been boarded up. It is the city Building Development’s opinion that the structure is beyond repair and should be removed.

This agenda item was heard at the commissioners’ Feb. 13 meeting, at which time family of the deceased property owner said they were pursuing transferring the title to their name, and would obtain a demolition permit in order to remove the structure. The family was granted an additional 30 days to pursue the title transfer and structure demolition.

No permit was issued, and there has been no progress on the dilapidated structure.

Therefore, the commissioners determined that the property is a public nuisance and said the structure should be removed. The decision becomes official today, which is the 30th day of the extension granted in February.

The commissioners also approved an execution of deed to transfer property that was declared surplus in July.

Bids were solicited for the property at 514 W. Argyle Avenue. A bid from Adam and Angela Rodgers in the amount of $4,020 was the lone bid received by the March 1 deadline.

The city attorney prepared Resolution 2023-01 and a quit claim deed for the commissioners in anticipation of the transfer being approved.

Other city business

• The commissioners amended the Sallisaw Code of Ordinances by adopting a new section for an ordinance requested by Police Chief Terry Franklin that changes fees for two citations. The ordinance changed the technology fee from $15 to $25, and established a drug fee of $25 to be used by the Sallisaw Police Department for drug-related costs of operation and/or prosecution.

• The commissioners also approved two investment requests for certificates of deposit, both for 273 days. The Sallisaw reserve CD was approved for investment with Armstrong Bank at 4.15% interest. In addition, the Cemetery Fund CD was approved for reinvestment with National Bank of Sallisaw at 4.06%. Both financial institutions were the high bidders.

• On Aug. 8, 2022, commissioners approved up to $326,000 for the purchase of vehicles. The vehicles were requested from a Ford dealership, but the vehicles still have not made it into production. Therefore, the commissioners approved rescinding their approval from seven months ago, thus freeing up funds and allowing the city to look for other vehicles. The city needs to purchase half-ton and three-quarter-ton work trucks, transit vans for telecommunications and compact trucks for meter-reading services and code enforcement.

• City Manager Keith Skelton reported to the commissioners that on March 6, Sallisaw NOW Coalition sponsored a mock crash at Sallisaw High School. “The event was well attended, and very interesting to watch. If you haven’t seen one of these in the past, I highly recommend trying to watch one in the future.”

He also said the parks department recently installed six dog waste stations at Jay Reynolds and Sequoyah walking trails. In addition, city staff has begun looking at possible grants to assist in the rehabilitation of the Jay Reynolds Park walking trail. The parks department is also soon expected to replace the boards in the wooden bridge and paint the railing.

• Robin Haggard, director of finance, reported that the city financial staff is heavily involved in preparation for the city council budget meetings. She asked that staff be notified as soon as possible if commissioners have any projects they wish to be considered.

• Keith Miller, Business Development director, reported that on March 2, he, Haggard and Skelton met with Oklahoma Department of Transportation staff in Muskogee to discuss the status of the Highway 59 North utility relocation project. “The meeting went very well,” he told the commissioners, “and both sides are ready to proceed with the project.”

Key points coming out of the meeting were that a new agreement between ODOT and the Sallisaw Municipal Authority would not be needed, the “Buy American” contract clauses will not be required and the city has received notice to proceed with the project. With all plans earning approval, the city will soon begin the bidding and material purchase processes as we work through the final details.

Miller also briefly updated the commissioners on the Main Street lighting project, the city water and sewer projects, and the airport runway lighting project. In addition, he reported on the police department building repair, landfill expansion, walking trail bathroom and swimming pool projects.

• Skelton told the commissioners that the city is currently recruiting for a dispatcher/jailer for the police department, maintenance technician for the parks department and equipment operators for multiple departments.