Board approves letter of intent for hazard mitigation plan
PATRICK FORD
NEWS EDITOR
Court Newkirk, Director of the Okmulgee Area Development Corporation, asked the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners to form a study group to look into viable land for an industrial park.
“We have the OBC which is going to be built this next year,” Newkirk said, “We’re also working with private landowners on the west side of town in the western industrial area to improve their property, but that still doesn’t put us in the ballpark of having a really single location for a significant industrial park.”
Newkirk mentioned some 250 acres on the south end of town, once referred to as the “south industrial park” as a possible location. He said the area already has some infrastructure – water, sewer and some power lines – but that companies don’t want their employees or work trucks going over an ongrade crossing to get in and out of the park.
After some discussion, Commissioner Erik Zoellner said that he liked the idea and felt it was worth exploring, and asked that it be put on a future agenda as an item to discuss and potentially take action on.
Later in the meeting, and in addition to his weekly report, Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore spoke to the board about signing a letter of intent for the hazard mitigation grant.
“This does not obligate the County, it just starts the process,” Director Moore said. “Part of that process is you guys obviously saying ‘move forward.’” He informed the board that this first part of the 75/25 grant would be for storm sirens at a number of locations around the county. The board subsequently approved the letter of intent.
The August and September officer’s reports from the Sheriff ’s Office were approved.
As for blanket purchase orders, there was one for District 2 – Cintas for $700.
The only submitted utility permit was from District 1 – RW7.
There were two error corrections to move funds that were incorrectly placed into the court clerk fund over to the Sheriff ’s fund.
The commissioners also approved an update to bank signatures, adding two new employees from the treasurer’s office.
Two more items related to the Bristlecone Rd. Project were approved: 324A claims and a Bluie- Administrative settlement.
A previously tabled MOU with the Muscogee Nation was also approved.
Undersheriff Smokey Patchin requested a Safe Grant for the Okmulgee County Sheriff Office’s recently established SET unit. Patchin stated the funds would be used to pay overtime incentives. The board approved the request unanimously.
