The Okmulgee City Council met Tuesday to discuss a wide range of issues, including future elections, equipment leasing, sanitation outsourcing and downtown parking.

The evening’s meeting began with a prayer from Reverend Johnny Wagner of Calvary Baptist Church.

The council moved to approve minutes from previous meetings held on Aug. 20 and 29.

A resolution calling for an election for the Council Member at-Large was passed. Mayor Mickey Baldwin explained that candidates interested in the position must file between Dec. 2 and Dec. 4.

One of the evening’s key agenda items involved reaffirming equipment leasing agreements made in prior fiscal years, ensuring these agreements would continue into the fiscal year 2024-2025.

One of the discussions of the evening focused on the submission of an application for funding through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. The funds, stemming from a Volkswagen settlement, could provide Okmulgee with nearly $1 million to replace five trucks that have reached the end of their service life.

According to the city, the grant covers 100 percent of the cost of the trucks, with the city only responsible for administrative and registration expenses. Mayor Baldwin expressed hope that the city could tap into the available funds and anticipates hearing whether the grant is approved by November.

Chief Danny Owen introduced a new potential system for the police department, called GeoSafe, to enhance efficiency and officer safety. The system integrates digital citation tools with officer tracking technology, allowing real-time monitoring of officer locations. This would replace the city’s current, less effective system, Digitaker, with costs remaining approximately the same. Council members showed support for this upgrade.

The council also authorized the submission of a 2024 Justice Assistance Grant application, with funding of up to $10,000. OPD Chief Owen explained that the money would be used for crucial law enforcement equipment, including electronic ticketing systems and radar guns.

The meeting took a technological turn as Randy Butler of Blue Peak Fiber presented a $3-4 million investment plan to expand high-speed fiber internet across Okmulgee. This initiative would bring fiber internet with speeds of up to 10 gigabytes to both residents and businesses. Butler highlighted that this investment is entirely private equity, and the expansion would bring a percentage of revenue back to the city through cable services. The council expressed strong interest in the project.

Council members discussed the possibility of outsourcing residential sanitation services due to ongoing difficulties maintaining garbage trucks and retaining CDL-certified drivers, which has led to frequent repairs and operational delays.

City manager Ricky Pearson outlined the city’s challenges in keeping up with repairs and staffing, adding that private companies might provide better service at a similar cost. No final decision was made, but the council approved Pearson’s request to explore contracts with private companies for residential sanitation services, while the city would continue to handle commercial waste. The move aims to improve service while controlling costs.

— Boy Scout Nylen Gentry’s Eagle Scout Project Update During public communications, Boy Scout Nylen Gentry updated the council on his Eagle Scout project, which involves converting workout equipment in the YMCA Park into a “storybook walk” for children. Gentry reported that he is awaiting copyright approval for the storybook and plans to start removing the old equipment by November. He also shared that the total cost for new wood posts for the project is estimated at $3,625. The council encouraged him to return with a final financial plan and committed to helping secure funding to bring the project to life.

— Community Concerns Over Water Meters Shalon Simmons, a local property owner, took the floor to address issues regarding water meters for her building on East Sixth Street. Simmons, who had already paid $4,500 to replace meters that had been removed by the city years ago, expressed frustration that three of the four meters she paid for had yet to be installed. City Manager Pearson assured Simmons that one additional meter would be installed the following day and pledged that the others would follow as soon as meter covers became available. Simmons thanked the council for addressing the issue but pressed for more timely resolutions.

— Addressing Housing & Zoning Issues

Resident Jerome Curry brought forward a long-standing issue with the city’s zoning code, which he said has prevented him from installing a manufactured home on his property for over 20 years. Curry emphasized that modern manufactured homes are built to new standards and should not be confused with traditional mobile homes. He noted that similar homes have been allowed in nearby areas, raising concerns over the city’s inconsistent zoning practices. The council acknowledged Curry’s concerns and agreed to review the zoning code as part of its broader efforts to improve housing availability in Okmulgee.

Several public comments reflected on the city’s growing needs. Local business owner Rhonda Mc-Curdy expressed her concern about downtown parking shortages, urging the council to consider diagonal parking. McCurdy noted that the lack of parking spaces has cost local businesses customers, as many find parallel parking too difficult or inconvenient. She also pointed out that business owners and employees often occupy parking spaces for long hours, further limiting availability for customers. The council expressed its intent to revisit the parking issue, acknowledging that Okmulgee’s growing downtown needs better parking solutions.

Meanwhile, veteran Lonnie Johnson introduced a plan to provide housing for veterans in Okmulgee.

— Public Safety & Homelessness

The meeting also included updates on public safety concerns. Council members discussed the increase in tent encampments as winter approaches. Property owners are urged to secure vacant homes to prevent people from seeking shelter in them as the weather cools.

— Economic Boost from Filming

Margaret Hess from Okmulgee Main Street presented an exciting report on the economic impact of recent film productions in the area, including “Sarah’s Oil” and “The Last Rodeo.” These productions have brought millions in direct spending to Okmulgee, and Hess emphasized the potential for further growth in the local film industry. Okmulgee’s designation as a “film-friendly” city has opened up new opportunities to host productions, with at least two more projects scouting locations in the area.

Hess proposed creating a more formal strategy to attract future productions, including appointing a dedicated film liaison and developing a local inventory of film-ready locations.

-City Council meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Okmulgee City Hall Water Department building. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in local discussions and decision-making.