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CITY OF CATOOSA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 4, 2008
I: Meeting Convened:
A: A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Catoosa was held and called to order by Mayor Rita Lamkin at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, the 4th day of February, 2008, at Catoosa City Hall, 214 S. Cherokee, Catoosa, Oklahoma. The meeting was held in compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and was posted in accordance therewith at least 48 hours in advance at City Hall for the purpose of discussion, consideration and possible action on the following agenda items.
B: Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Rita Lamkin.
C: Roll Call: The following council members were present for this meeting: Sandy Myers; Robert Brown; Linda Paylor; Cathie Langston; Vice Mayor Mike Appel; Mayor Rita Lamkin and the City Attorney, Timothy P. Studebaker. Council member, Penny Chambers was absent from this meeting.
The following staff members were present for this meeting: Judy Scullawl, City Clerk, R.J. Phillips, Administrative Assistant; Al Pringle, PWA Director/Maintenance Supervisor; Denus Benton, Fire Chief/ Emergency Management Director; Doug Alexander, City Engineer; Paul Whitmire, Assistant Police Chief and John Mines, Police Department Lieutenant.
D: Approval of Minutes for 1/22/07 Pre- and Regular Meeting : A motion was made by Sandy Myers and seconded by Robert Brown to approve the minutes for the January 22, 2008, pre- and regular meeting.
The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
E: Approval of Claims: A motion was made by Vice MayorMike Appel and seconded by Robert Brown to approve the claims as listed including the purchase order to Sage Software, Inc. in the amount of $3,234.00.
The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
II: PUBLIC COMMENTS:
David Stuart, CNE: Gave an update on some of the things going on at the Casino. Mr. Stuart advised the construction was going very well and they have completed their requirements with council on the letter and the meeting with ODOT. Mr. Stuart recounted the discussion during that time about the project and how it was laid out on the property. Mr. Stuart said the agreement was entered into without not being able to solidify where things were going to go and it has been determined that there will be a restaurant that is off trust property. So you will be glad to hear that because, that will be a benefit to the city and I am pleased to be able to do that. We couldn’t at the time, and I know we negotiated in good faith and we have a payment to the city and we are going to stick by that as well as that sales tax will come to the city. A couple of other items we are moving forward is with ODOT on our contribution with the tribe to help accelerate the construction of I-44. And that has not actually been signed yet but we are still working with them. It is a substantial contribution that would help the city and all of us including the school. We are looking at an entrance way. Some sort of an entrance to Catoosa on the property there where Speedy’s used to be. We are putting a fence around it. It is going to be a little nicer. And we are going to work with you on how you want that to look. It won’t be to fancy but it will be cleaned up to be made to look nicer. We have not looked at what we are going to do with that property long term. Right now it is a staging area. So those are just a few things I thought it would be a good to bring you up to date on. I know the trust application for land is coming up and you are aware of that.
Mayor Lamkin: Are you at liberty to tell us the name of the restaurant that is going on the non trust land?
David Stuart: Not now but it will be soon. You will be happy.
Vice Mayor Mike Appel: Is there any particular reason why you want to put that other piece of property into trust?
David Stuart: Well, not really. No there is no hidden agenda here. It is policy of the tribe to put land in trust. That particular property, we do not have any plans for it at this time. Really we are just following the Chief’s lead in getting that in trust. No special plans on anybody’s part that I am aware of.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Mayor Lamkin declared the public hearing open and advised this public hearing is for the purpose of receiving comments and suggestions in applying for a grant for sidewalks and trails, “Catoosa Safe Routes to School” FY 2008. To receive parent, student and School District opinions on location, design and safety issues of walking and biking to school for children.
CristiGoettel, INCOG: The “Safe Routes to School” is a grant put out there by ODOT. There is a million dollars a year for the next five years. There are infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure projects. The infrastructure would be like sidewalks, bike lanes, cross walks, different things of that sort. Then there is also a non infrastructure component which is educational. I have been working with your city planner on the Cherokee Elementary, Helen Paul and the Middle School as far as putting the travel plan together for this fiscal year.
City Planner, Jim Hodges: We took some surveys and had a meeting with the principals with the two elementary schools. It seemed like a lot of their concerns were dangerous missing sidewalks. They discouraged students from biking. We have had encouraged biking on Cherokee because of the street condition. I think more children would bike to school along Cherokee if there were sufficient sidewalks. So we have about $200,000.00. I talked to Doug Alexander, City Engineer he advised that a 5ft. sidewalk would be about $22.00 a foot. A ten foot sidewalk would use up the funds pretty quickly. In trying to get a ball park figure, we thought perhaps from around Elm or Oak down Cherokee to Pine would be this year’s project with street lighting along that area. And then next years project could be from Pine Street on down to 193rdEast Avenue.
Mayor Lamkin: Regarding the ball park figures that you and the city engineer have been working on, we could have 10ft wide sidewalks on both sides of Cherokee from Pine Street to Ford Street for the $200,000.00 or we could elect to do sidewalk from Wells Middle School all the way up Cherokee just on one side for the same amount of money. Is that correct?
Jim Hodges: We get into the width, 5ft versus 10ft and we could have a combination of these.
Mayor Lamkin: The dead line for sending in the pre-application is on the 7th. Is that correct?
Jim Hodges: Yes that is right. And we do not have to be real specific.
Mayor Lamkin: Well the purpose of this public hearing was to give the school, parents, students, business people and residents an opportunity for some input. Do we have anyone wanting to contribute their input?
George Linnahan, Principal WellsMiddle School: I was contacted in regards to the City’s efforts to do this grant and I am very pleased to see opportunity for kids. Our surveys that we turned in showed, at least the Middle School, most of our kids ride a bus or parents bring them to school. This is my ninth year in Catoosa Schools and a lot of time we have kids that walk from Rolling Hills. There is a lot of time rather than be unsafe walking the street they walk in tall grass getting wet up to their shins. Safety is another issue. When we have ballgames after school a lot of the kids will stay at school and they will walk to the restaurants. And they are walking in the middle of the street. I just want to say I appreciate this. I think it fits into the safe and healthy schools. I applaud everyone for their work on this grant and I just hope it goes through and whatever I can do to help just let me know.
Mayor Lamkin: There being no one else wishing to speak, I declare this public hearing closed.
III: AGENDA ITEMS:
ITEM #1: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Travel Plan Endorsement and approval for Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Grant for “Safe Routes to School”. (Mayor Rita Lamkin) (See Enclosures)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Sandy Myers to
approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Travel Plan Endorsement and approval for Oklahoma Department of Transportation Grant for Safe Routes to School. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #2: Mr. Tom Jenkins with “Firemark Consulting” to give report on grant writing for the FY 2006-2007.
Mr. Tom Jenkins with Fire Mark Consultants: If it pleases the council I would like to discuss Items 2, 3 & 4 simultaneously. FY 2006-2007 was a good grant year for us and we are finding that out a little late in the game. A lot of our grants, due to the timing of the Federal Government’s budget year, we have been in kind of a pending status for a long time. Currently we have three (3) grants pending. One is a Fire Prevention Grant which is important. The second one is an equipment grant. And then most importantly a grant we have been trying to get for several years. It is highly competitive and is very low on the funding priority from the Federal Government as a grant. It is similar to the Cops Grant. It provides money to help hire firefighters. On that note, I want to bring to light a short little research paper I have provided each of you before the meeting. This will help you see why this grant is so important. And all those grants are currently pending. We are in hopes of receiving some good news on the jewel of all those grants. The one we have been working the hardest to secure over the last couple of years. The City of Catoosa Fire Department is an extremely busy fire department. It is a busy department if you just consider the raw data. It is even a busier department when you consider the per capita and per paid firefighter data. If you look at the 2006 data, you can see that run volumes by suburb that Catoosa holds its own with Bixby, Claremore and Coweta Fire Departments with seven and eight firefighters per shifts. Catoosa is without 24hr paid staffing yet. And when especially you consider the calls per on duty firefighter, you can see that Catoosa rises to the top. And that is not a good thing. That means we are taxing our firefighters, both paid and volunteer alike with a high call load, with a lot of demands placed on them. And as you can see, this is not a new trend. Year to year the growth and call volume for the Catoosa Fire Department has been significant. It has staggering affects on the volunteer ranks and the paid ranks alike when you consider burn out, time spent away from families and that sort of thing. In 2006 and 2005 you see there was a 20% growth respectively those years. And so we have applied for grants that will help alleviate these concerns.
ITEM #3: Discussion, consideration and possible action on renewal of contract with “Firemark Consulting” for grant writing for the Fire Department. (Mr. Tom Jenkins, Firemark Consulting)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Sandy Myers for renewal of contract with “Firemark Consulting” for grant writing for the Fire Department in the amount of $4,500.00. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #4: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve or disapprove applying for a grant on behalf of the Fire Department administered by the Department of Homeland Security “SAFER Grant” for recruitment and retention of two (2) firefighters.(Chief Denus Benton &/or Tom Jenkins, Firemark Consulting)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Sandy Myers to approve applying for a grant on behalf of the Fire Department administered by the Department of Homeland Security “SAFER Grant” for recruitment and retention of two (2) firefighters. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #5: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve or disapprove the purchase of a “Tester” for testing electrical current for the Fire Department. (Chief Denus Benton)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Cathie Langston to approve the purchase of a “Tester” for testing electrical current for the Fire Department, quantity of four (4) at $275.00 each plus $50.00 shipping for a total amount of $1,150.00 from Hansen Enterprises. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #6: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve or disapprove the purchase of two (2) bunk beds complete with mattresses the total amount not to exceed $1,545.00 for the Fire Department. (Chief Denus Benton)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Linda Paylor to approve the purchase of two (2) bunk beds complete with mattresses the amount not to exceed $1,545.00 with the choice of beds to be at Chief Benton’s discretion to be paid from the Fire Department Fund. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #7: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve or disapprove the purchase of (16) sixteen Glock tactical gun lights, light holder and holsters. Total amount for all equipment listed is $2,500.00 and to be paid from the Police Department Training & Operations Account. (Chief Raymond Rodgers/Lt. John Mines)
A motion was made by Cathie Langston and seconded by Vice Mayor Mike Appel to approve the purchase of (16) sixteen Glock tactical gun lights, light holder and holsters for a total amount of $2,500.00 to be paid from the Police Department Training and Operations account. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #8: Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve or disapprove the purchase of Web Gear for Class-C police uniforms for a total amount not to exceed $3,145.60 and to be paid from the Police Department Training and Operations Account. (Chief Raymond Rodgers/Lt. John Mines)
A motion was made by Sandy Myers and seconded by Robert Brown to approve the purchase of Web Gear for Class-C police uniforms for a total amount not to exceed $3,145.60 and to be paid from the Police Department Training and Operations Account. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #9: Discussion, consideration and possible action on rescinding City Council’s action on July 16, 2007 regarding a fenced vehicle impoundment area located on the north side and east end of the Police Department. (Vice Mayor Mike Appel)
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Cathie Langston to approve rescinding City Council’s action on July 16, 2007 regarding a fenced vehicle impoundment area located on the north side and east end of the Police Department. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #10: Discussion, consideration and possible action on appointing a committee to research the feasibility of having a “RecyclingCenter” in Catoosa. (Mayor Rita Lamkin)
A motion was made by Mayor Rita Lamkin and seconded by Vice Mayor Mike Appel to appoint Linda Paylor, Cathie Langston and Maggie Jacobsen to a committee to research the feasibility of having a “RecyclingCenter” in Catoosa. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
ITEM #11: Discussion, consideration and possible action on authorizing studies to be performed regarding City of Catoosa’s Lagoons, DEQ Orders and Sanitary Sewer System/Treatment Plant. (Mayor Rita Lamkin)
A motion was made by Mayor Rita Lamkin and seconded by Vice Mayor Mike Appel to authorize studies to be performed by our engineer in conjunction with any of the city staff to be performed regarding the City of Catoosa’s Lagoons, DEQ Orders and Sanitary Sewer System/Treatment Plant which includes the lift station for Spunky Ridge, the amount not to exceed $10,000.00”. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
IV: NEW BUSINESS:
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Mike Appel and seconded by Mayor Rita Lamkin to approve loaning to the Catoosa Historical Society the City of Catoosa’s collectors copy of the Official State Centennial Commission Photographic and Text Book titled “Celebrating Oklahoma” by Mike Klemme. This book is to be displayed and cared for, for an indefinite time and either party may elect to end the agreement at anytime. The motion passed with the following votes: Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
V: COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS: NONE
Ward No. 1 Council Member Penny Chambers
Ward No. 2 Council Member Sandy Myers
Ward No. 3 Council Member Robert Brown
Ward No. 4 Council Member Linda Paylor
Ward No. 5 Council Member Cathie Langston
Ward No. 6 Council Member & Vice Mayor Mike Appel
Mayor Rita Lamkin
Municipal Attorney Timothy P. Studebaker
City Clerk Judy Scullawl
Administrative Assistant R. J. Phillips
City Treasurer
VII: ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City Council, a motion was made by Cathie Langston and seconded by Linda Paylor to adjourn (9:11 p.m.). The motion passed with the following votes: Penny Chambers-aye; Sandy Myers-aye; Robert Brown-aye; Linda Paylor-aye; Cathie Langston-aye; Vice Mayor Mike Appel-aye; Mayor Rita Lamkin-aye.
Approved on this_____ day of _________________________, 2008
______________________________ ________________________________
Judy Scullawl, City Clerk Rita Lamkin, Mayor
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