Hears from public on possible cooling centers

The Okmulgee City Council voted to approve the budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year during their meeting Tuesday evening.

Each board member was provided a copy of the 2023-24 budget, which was discussed at a public hearing on June 8.

Resident Rose Lynch asked the council to consider locations for cooling centers around Okmulgee, both for the unhoused and other residents needing resources to stay cool as the temperatures rise.

There was some discussion about the responsibility of the city to provide such resources, with Mayor Baldwin asking, “The city actual- ly provides it, or is it an organization?”

Lynch responded that it’s often both, saying that she spoke with the mayor of Checotah, who told her that the city helps to provide that. She also said that Tulsa is able to provide these centers through a mix of non-profit and faith based organizations.

City Manager Rick Pearson told Lynch that if she could assemble a list of volunteers to work a cooling center “it might be doable.”

— Also at the Meeting

• The council approved the minutes from the meetings on May 16, and 30.

• They approved a resolution to surplus two 2003 Ford Rangers, a 1996 Dodge Dakota, Massey Ferguson Tractor 393, a Hyster forklift, a Poulan mower, and a Craftsman mower.

• They also approved a Quit Claim Deed from the MCN for the property commonly known as the DHS building.

• The council then held an executive session to discuss two items: Item one was regarding communication between the city council and city attorney concerning a pending investigation in the case of Denise McCrary vs City. Item two was about communication between a public body and its attorney concerning a pending investigation. This was regarding the Okmulgee Municipal Airport and the Economic Development Agreement with Covington Aircraft Engines, Inc.

• Once the council returned from executive session, they voted to deny the claim on item one and take no action on item two.

• The council also approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police.

• Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice told the council that the new stop signs at the intersection of 13th and Muskogee were placed there to address the speeding that was becoming a problem for residents with children in the area. Chief Prentice also reported that the officer shot last month is “really sore, but is recovering.”

• Councilman Bill Bryant commended the city’s water cleaning efforts saying “4.4 million gallons per day that was taken out of the lake, cleaned, and shipped to each person’s house, plus people outside of the city– I find that very impressive.” Councilman Baldridge added to this saying that the water is also meeting the EPA guidelines.

• There was also talk about a “Friends of the Park” group or committee that would assist with park upkeep and beautification.

— Municipal Authority

• Approved a resolution adopting the FY 2023-24 budget for the Okmulgee Municipal Authority.

• Mayor Baldwin mentioned seeing thousands of campers at the lake.

— Economic Development Authority

• Approved a resolution adopting the FY 2023-24 budget for the Okmulgee Economic Development Authority. — Community Trust

• Approved a resolution adopting the FY 2023-24 budget for the Okmulgee Community Trust.