Commissioners approve lower speed limit

Sequoyah County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday to lower the speed limit from 45 to 35 mph on Ray Fine Drive in Roland, and 4450 Road North Main Street, also known as Highway 100 in District 2, in Gore.

District 2 Commissioner Beau Burlison said the road, located on Gore Landing Road north of Ray Fine Boulevard, has several residents who live there and a lot of traffic access to Marvel Trout.

“We just want people to know we’re slowing traffic down in that area and make it safer,” Burlison said.

In other business, the commissioners approved a yearly contract for fiscal year 2023-24 for the Sequoyah County Health Department.

They also approved a lease purchase with the option to own for a 2023 Cat 140 GC Grader with warranty on Sourcewell from Warren Cat for District 2. Burlison said the new grader will be leased for five years, and they will decide if they wish to purchase the grader at the end of the lease.

Two items discussed and approved were to choose a “letter of choice” for county bridge inspection contracts and inspection responsibility for compliance with National Bridge Inspection Standards. District 3 Commissioner Jim Rogers said the annual action taken by the commissioners allows them to choose a certified Oklahoma Department of Transportation inspector for the bridges located in Sequoyah County, which can grade the conditions of the bridges and qualify them to “bump up to the front of the line” when County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) funding becomes available, Rogers said.

“We want qualified people to inspect our bridges. There have been some bridges that were not even rated for school buses to cross,” he said.

The commissioners decided to go with the Eastern Oklahoma Circuit Engineering District 2 to do the inspections.

Approved also were bids for two properties submitted by Stephen Diamantides dba S.D. Acquisitions: $485 for Lot 21, Block 5, in Valley View Addition and $465 for Lot 64, Block 1, Lakeview Addition.

Under new business, the commissioners approved a utility and encroachment affidavit for Indian Road Site A and Site B for District 2. Burlison said the action was just to finalize the paperwork for the Indian Road project, which is now in use. Burlison said a formal road dedication will be held sometime in the near future, according to Cherokee Nation tribal officials.