Council Chambers
Municipal Building
February 27, 2007
The McAlester City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at 6:00 P.M. after proper notice and agenda was posted February 23, 2007, at 5:00 P.M.
Present: Buddy Garvin, Haven Wilkinson, Sam Mason, Donnie Condit, Greg Rock, Travis Read & Don Lewis
Absent: None
Presiding: Don Lewis, Mayor
Staff Present: Mark Roath, City Manager; Bart Van Nieuwenhuise, Assistant City Manager; Robert Ivester, City Attorney & Cora Middleton, City Clerk
INVOCATION
Councilman Donnie Condit
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Don Lewis led the pledge of Allegiance.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES—PRECEDING MEETINGS
Minutes of the Special Meeting held on February 6, 2007, and Regular Meeting held on February 13, 2007, were approved, as distributed.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
Consider Action to Rescind Resolution No. 94-14 Establishing a Reserve Fund for Subtitle “D” to Comply with Federal Mandated Subtitle “D” Regulations
Councilman Mason moved to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 94-14, seconded by Councilman Wilkinson.
Before the vote, Bart Van Nieuwenhuise explained that this was a resolution and not an Ordinance. He stated that the title contained a typographical error.
There was no further discussion, and the vote was taken as follows:
AYE: Councilman Mason, Read, Rock, Condit, Wilkinson, Garvin & Mayor Lewis
NAY: None
Mayor Lewis declared the motion carried.
Consider Action to Approve Memorandum of Understanding for Quality Finishing, Inc. Councilman Condit moved to approve a Memorandum of Understanding for Quality Finishing, Inc. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wilkinson.
Before the vote, Mr. Bill Blankenship distributed a handout to the Council and then addressed the Council. He stated that the information that the Council had been given explained how his company intended to use the funds if the City partnered with QFI.
There was discussion among the Council concerning the number of employees the company intended to hire, and who would be responsible for maintaining the employment records.
Councilman Rock asked Mr. Blankenship if he had attempted to apply for these funds through a traditional loan or line of credit with one of the local banks.
Mr. Blankenship stated that the 21 new hires would be part of the 30 jobs created by this agreement, his company would be responsible for maintaining the employment records and he would report to the Council each quarter if the Council requested such a report. He also stated that had not applied for a loan with any of the local banks.
Mr. Jimmy Williams and Mr. Jim Mills addressed the Council in favor of the Memorandum of Understanding. Their thoughts were if the City can help new business come or relocate to the City, the Council should be able to help an existing business.
There was more discussion among the Council as to how many hours employees would work, what benefits were offered and why the company had not approached a bank first.
Councilman Rock stated that the City was not a bank or financing company.
Mr. Blankenship stated that the employees would work 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. He stated that he could not offer health insurance but he offered vacation and bonuses.
Councilman Read stated that he had several problems with this item, including the contract. He stated that the contract did not mention how the City would monitor the number of employees. And the agreement stated that the obligation would end on March 1, 2010 but it did not mention when the obligation would begin.
Councilman Mason stated that the neither City nor MEDS should operate under the guise of a bank and in this instance it seemed that was what was requested of the City. He also stated that this could open the City up to other businesses requesting this same type of aid.
There was no further discussion, and the vote was taken as follows.
AYE: Councilman Condit, Garvin & Mayor Lewis
NAY: Councilman Wilkinson, Mason, Rock and Read
Mayor Lewis declared the motion failed due to lack of majority vote.
Discussion on Oklahoma Department of Commerce Grant Offer Regarding Water and Sewer Improvements for FY 2006 Small Cities CDBG Project
Bart Van Nieuwenhuise stated that RESOLUTION NO. 06-13, had been approved on April 25, 2006. This resolution authorized the Mayor to execute all documents related to the application and implementation of a proposed CDBG project. He stated that this project was for proposed water and sewer improvements that would benefit low and moderate income families in McAlester. He further stated that on February 2, 2007, the ODOC had informed the Mayor that the City had been approved for a grant in the amount of $79,500.00.
There was discussion concerning the area of the City that would benefit from this grant and it was stated that most of the area would be in third Ward.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Mayor Lewis introduced the new City Manager, Mark B. Roath.
Mr. Roath thanked the Council for offering the job to him, he stated that he had been out in the community and he looked forward to meeting more of the citizens.
Mr. Roath reported that the Open House had been very successful. He also stated that the Assistant City Manager had mentioned to him that the CDBG Compliance Audit for the Duraline Rail Spur had gone very well. He mentioned that there was a Special Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 6:15 P.M.
MAYOR, COUNCIL, COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Garvin stated that the new overpass construction at Hereford Lane and Highway 69 would begin in March. He also stated that he would like to see the proposed shopping center project come back before the Council. He stated that this could increase sales tax revenue and help the City continue to grow.
Mayor Lewis stated that the bid opening for the debris cleanup had been conducted last Monday, February 26, 2007, at 10:00 A.M. and that a Special Meeting would be scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 6:15 P.M. to move forward with the cleanup.
Mayor Lewis stated that the Parks Department had been conducting the cleanup for the City Parks. He also stated that there had been a 4:00 P.M. ground breaking that afternoon for the new Girl Scout building in Chaney Park.
Mayor Lewis stated that the Centennial Committee was meeting and they would continue to work on the Centennial projects. He stated that the Charter Review Committee had basically completed their recommendations and they would go to the public with their recommendations before any changes would be put on a ballot. He stated that their meetings were on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Concurrence in the Mayoral Appointment of Mr. Tom Glenn to the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee Replacing Mr. Gene Walker
Councilman Rock moved to concur with Mayoral appointment of Mr. Tom Glenn to the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee replacing Mr. Gene Walker. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mason.
Before the vote, Councilman Rock stated that the Committee and the City was lucky to have Mr. Glenn join the Committee.
There was no further discussion, and the vote was taken as follows:
AYE: Councilman Read, Condit, Wilkinson, Mason, Rock, Garvin & Mayor Lewis
NAY: None
Mayor Lewis declared the motion carried.
(APPROVAL OF CLAIMS TO BE PAID AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE) – FISCAL TRANSACTIONS
Councilman Condit moved for approval of claims as follows: General - $105,275.24; CDBG Grants Fund - $282.50; Capital Outlay Lease/Loan - $14,499.68; Nutrition - $61.23; Revolving Evidence - $119.07; SE Expo Center Fund - $2,929.24 and E-911 - $2,084.51. The motion was seconded by Councilman Garvin.
There was no discussion, and the vote was taken as follows:
AYE: Councilman Condit, Rock, Mason, Garvin, Wilkinson, Read & Mayor Lewis
NAY: None
Mayor Lewis declared the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Condit moved for the meeting to be adjourned, seconded by Councilman Mason. The vote was taken as follows:
AYE: Councilman Read, Condit, Wilkinson, Mason, Rock, Garvin & Mayor Lewis
NAY: None
Mayor Lewis declared the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:09 P.M.
ATTEST:
__________________________
Don R. Lewis, Mayor
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Cora Middleton, City Clerk