More questions than answers stall ordinance change for skeet, trapshooting practice

The sound of gunshots in close proximity to schools and childcare facilities usually results in anxiety, if not panic. And the Sallisaw City Commissioners are wanting to avoid unnecessary angst for the community.

So when the commissioners revisited on Monday a proposal Sallisaw High School agriculture teacher Garrett Graham brought before the commissioners on February 10 requesting an ordinance change to allow skeet and trapshooting practice near the school, the commissioners found there were more questions than there were answers.

“I spent 15 years as an Ag teacher. The blue and gold and FFA are very dear to me. Shooting sports is something that’s very important to the current FFA program, and something I fully support,” Mayor Ernie Martens told the commissioners. “But when I put my mayor’s hat on, what I can foresee happening is that even at 3:35 [p.m.], we’re going to have kids at the early childhood center that are going to hear gunfire. We’re going to have folks over in the housing addition that’s going to hear gunfire. We’re going to have people all out in that part of town that’s going to hear gunfire, and they’re going to get a little goosey about it and they’re going to wonder what’s going on. I think that the police department and the school’s going to get lots of calls and lots of complaints.”

“I think a Saturday practice would be the best-case scenario, to shoot on Saturdays whenever the school’s not in session and the early childhood center’s not in session and People Inc. is not in session. But that’s just my opinion, and I wasn’t asked my opinion about this, but that’s kind of like what I’d like to see,” Martens offered.

“But I’ve got a lot more questions before I have any answers. Again, I’m fully in support of the FFA programs and what they do, it’s just that this is kind of something new and overreaching that we’ve never taken a look at. I think they’ve got it a little bit backwards. I sure would like to see school board approval before we take a look at it. I just think we have to make sure we do it in the right way, because I don’t want blowback coming on us, because we’re going to get some blowback if we don’t do it the right way,” Martens said, summarizing reservations expressed by some of the commissioners.

The commissioners were presented a proposal stipulating the location near the high school where practice would occur. The skeet and trapshooting team currently practicing at an off-campus location. In addition, an exception to the current ordinance related to carrying concealed weapons and the discharge of firearms would require that any practice would be under the direction of an Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports Program certified instructor. Also the size of permitted ammunition is stipulated, and that anyone discharging firearms must be students at the school and members of the team or coaches.

The commissioners tabled the agenda item until a later date, and noted that tabling their decision does not affect the current season. If the ordinance change is eventually approved, the team would be able to use the campus site next school year.

Ward 1 Commissioner Kenny Moody (right) is sworn in Monday by City Manager Brian Heverly. Moody’s three-year term begins April 14.

Ward 3 City Commissioner Julian Mendiola (right) is sworn in Monday by City Manager Brian Heverly. Mendiola’s new three-year term begins April 14.

In other business

• Ward 1 Commissioner Kenny Moody and Ward 3 Commissioner Julian Mendiola were sworn in Monday for new three-year terms that begin at noon April 14. Neither incumbent commissioner drew an opponent for the February 11 election. Moody was appointed on July 8, 2024, to fill Ronnie Lowe’s unexpired term. Mendiola was appointed in July 2013 to fill an unexpired term, and has been unopposed in all subsequent elections.

• City Manager Brian Heverly was appointed as authorized agent for the city for the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund.

The city commissioners also approved:

• A supplemental watershed agreement for the Sallisaw Creek Watershed, updating construction cost estimates for the rehabilitation of Sallisaw Creek Site 33. “Approval does not obligate the city monetarily or obligate us to any financial or physical activity whatsoever,” Heverly said.

• An audit engagement letters with Jana Walker, CPA, of Woodward for fiscal year 2025 audit services and landfill calculations.

• An engagement letter for professional services with RS Meacham CPAs of Clinton. Fees for providing consulting services related to city financial matters will not exceed $25,000. Services provided include general accounting and work-paper preparation, annual financial statement preparation, annual financial statement audit coordination and general advisory assistance and technical support.

• Payment of a $600 overage on a purchase order issued to Gray Brothers of Poteau for the purchase of a skid steer for the Parks Department. The purchase was approved Feb. 10 in the amount of $65,400, but availability was unknown, “and still has an unknown availability,” Heverly said. Another skid steer is on the Gray Brothers lot, but it has a $1,200 option included. The company agreed to split the cost with the city in order to complete the purchase. Therefore, the final cost is $66,000.

• A purchase order issued to Techline Inc. of Cleveland, Okla., in the amount of $27,063.59 for electric system stock materials.

Three bids were received. The lowest bid was from Arkansas Electric Cooperatives for $21,370. But the bid did not quote all requested items or used different part numbers. Staff requested utilizing the second lowest bidder, Techline. A third bid was received from Anixter for $32,852.20.

• A purchase order issued to Dunn Ford of Stigler in the amount of $49,610 for the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-350 4×4 truck for the Tree Trimming Department. A second quote was from John Vance Fleet Services of Guthrie for $50,323.

• A purchase order issued to John Vance Fleet Services of Guthrie in the amount of $36,513 for the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Colorado pickup for the Meter Reader Services Department. A second quote was from Dunn Ford of Stigler in the amount of $38,959 for a 2024 Ford Ranger 4×4. This replaces a 2009 Ford Ranger.

• Extending the stay of condemnation of properties to allow for the sale of the properties at 2412 E. Cherokee Avenue (old Ed’s Truck Stop) and 2550 E. Cherokee Avenue (old golf course). The dilapidated structures were condemned at the Feb. 10 meeting. The stay allows for the purchase of the properties to proceed, and gives the new owners the opportunity to develop and present a plan to remediate the conditions.

• An engineering contract between the city and Nell, Harvell and Associates in the amount of $11,100 for engineering services and upgrade related to sanitary sewer system improvements for the Elm Street/Locust Street sewer line replacement project.

• Awarding a contract to Larry Williams of Greenwood, Ark., in the amount of $84,377 for sanitary sewer system improvements for the Elm Street/Locust Street sewer line replacement. Three quotes were received. Williams was the lowest. Other quotes were received from Royal Ridge Construction for $115,247 and Patriot Underground Solutions Specialist for $324,400.

• Purchase orders for Happy Playground in the amount of $35,383 and Modern Fencing in the amount of $13,298.22 for a dog park at McGee Park. The city was awarded a $50,000 grant from the TMobile Hometown grant program to create the dog park. Happy Playgrounds is a single-source vendor that can provide dog park equipment and installation. The city has an existing relationship with the vendor, and has been very satisfied with past work on Brushy playground, Splash Pad, etc. Equipment included in the quote is for small and large dog areas with features such as ramps, jumps, doggie waste cans, two water fountains, etc. Happy Playgrounds will install all equipment, except for water, which city staff will install. Modern Fencing will install 6 feet tall black vinyl- coated chain link.

• Action discussed during a five-minute executive session to consider employee disability in order for the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund to waive the 10% additional income tax for early distribution of employee-only retirement contributions for a nonvested city employee.

Administrative reports

• Economic development. George Bormann, economic development director for the city, reported that 5,400 people visited QuikTrip on Friday, the day after the convenience store opened. The foot traffic was more than Walmart received that day. “It’s a great addition to our community. I have a friend that works there who said, ‘My goal is for QuikTrip to be the second biggest producer of sales tax generation for the city’,” Bormann said.

Bormann

Bormann presented a photo and video tour of Millison Castings Technology’s robust expansion project, which includes machines that “weigh up to 200 tons.” He also said Wholesale Electric Company, located at the old NAPA building, “if it’s not open now, it’s going to open soon.” He also noted that Casey’s General Store is currently undertaking an expansion project, and that the sale of EZ Mart was completed last week. “ Three regionally recognized brands are in the process of potentially locating here, they’ve been approved by their internal real estate departments and they’re in final negotiations,” Bormann said, without providing details. “We’re excited about it. They’re brands that will shore up some leakage that we’ve got going out to Fort Smith and different communities.

“As we’ve seen these quality jobs take place — from Millison to the ODVA to Aviagen to the petroleum parts manufacturer that we’ve got coming — as that medium income increases, that expendable income increases for households, we’ll see more of those retail come. That whole south corridor, you’re going to see some retail and quick-service restaurants and the hotel (Holiday Inn Express), who knows what else.”

• Current city projects. Keith Miller, building development director, reported that the pool project is on schedule following winter storms, the Drake/Lenington Water Loop construction is about 95% complete, the Drake east water utility has begun and is on schedule, and the landfill cell is clearing the last hurdle to being certified to open. Leachate water testing has been sent off, with final approval needed from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Haggard

Heverly

• Finance. Robin Haggard, city finance director, reported that “financial status is doing good. Sales tax from February was $659,000, that’s down $9,000 or $10,000 from this time last year. The use tax was $139,000, that was an increase from last year.” For the period ended Feb. 28, the city is eight months into its current budget, which represents 67% of the budget. General fund revenues are at 66%, and expenses are at 66%. Sallisaw Municipal Authority total revenue is 71%, and overall expenses are 53%. The annual budget retreat is scheduled for May 20-21.

• City manager’s report. Brian Heverly said AMI water meters are expected to be installed in June, AMI electric meters are not scheduled to be available until October or November, contract amendment was signed with landfill/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advisor, with a permit not expected until fall, competition for an OWRB development grant is delaying the bid process for the soccer fields, but the goal is for the fields to be complete for use next spring, and the Parks Department has made some improvements to drainage at the McGee softball fields. Heverly also announced that “Spruce Up Sallisaw” will be March 2429, which will include some sidewalk work, participation in Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, park maintenance, rain barrel class offered, Curbie service for senior citizens, work on residential tin horns, tree work around Brushy Lake, Rock Branch drainage work and “Chunk Your Junk” on March 29.

Martens

• Supplemental report. Mayor Ernie Martens said the Sallisaw Farmers Market starts on April 5. Currently, there are about 40 spaces available, but more than 65 people have asked space. “ The Farmers Market may have to come to the council or to the city sometime in the near future to go ahead and expand the Farmers Market over into the library lot. Requests for slots in the Farmers Market are just overwhelming. It’s just unbelievable how many people are asking to get in, which is great for a town this size.”

Sallisaw Municipal Authority

The Sallisaw Municipal Authority approved a lease agreement between the SMA and Chili Wainscott dba Lazy W Productions for use of the rodeo grounds, which will not conflict with any events already scheduled.

Sallisaw Economic Authority

Heverly reviewed “a partial list of the debts” that a bond just passed will pay off for NHS Sequoyah Hospital.

“It is not a complete list, it is a partial list, but it is most of it,” Heverly told the trustees. He said the intent is to bring the final list in April.

“There were three loans that were paid off at closing, which was a huge chunk of the bond money,” Haggard added.

Hospital administrator Stephanie Six said there was $2.37 million left after closing, which will be applied to the remaining outstanding debt.