City Council Meets In Lengthy Agenda Monday
It appears the Sulphur Fire Department will have to wait a little longer before getting a new substation to replace the structure destroyed in the 2024 tornado.
The building which was located behind the post office, was used to house tanker trucks and other fire equipment for the department.
Council members requested an update on the engineering plans for the building at Monday night’s council meeting since the deadline is looming to get the project at least started or completed. City Manager Andy Freeman said the deadline was now around April 21 but an extension could be requested from FEMA to exten , but there is no guarantee it would be granted.
Parkhill Engineer Brian Mitchell told members that the fire department wanted to re-arrange the building and the scope of the project would change from time to time speaking wit the department, resulting in the delay of the engineering plans. Mitchell stated the project is more complex that just building a metal pre-engineered building. Mitchell did tell members the project had been moved to the front, but he did not give a definitive time to present to the council for approval. Some insurance money as well as FEMA funds have been received to replace the building, but it is not clear if the money received will cover the cost.
Mitchell also updated members on the Muskogee Street Bridge that was washed out during the tornado. Mitchell said they are currently waiting on the City of Sulphur work crews to move a water line before moving forward with the replacement of the bridge. Freeman told the board he would get with the employees to get to the line moved.
Several representatives from entities working on the water well drilling on the Stevens property, east of Sulphur, were present at the meeting to give an update and requested approval of a changer order on the project.
The original request on the agenda was for Downey Construction for two additional zone samples and additional time to wait for the water quality analysis in the amount of $27,261.90. The well depth is at 1,150 feet which is 50 feet more than originally approved. After a lengthy discussion from all entities involved, City Attorney Tom Marcum suggested no action be taken on the original agenda item and move it to new business to allow for a new change order received that day (Monday).
Freeman told members the new order included additional charges of more than $49,000.00 ($7,500.00 per day) for the past 6-7 days while waiting on approval by council members for the change order so the project could move forward. In the end, members approved the new change order in the amount of $80,819.70.
Members approved three resolutions and two ordinances that could possibly aid the city in receiving a $100,000.00 Oklahoma TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust) Grant. If received the money would be used to install playground equipment either in Portman Park or in other locations within the city.
The Resolutions approved include: (1) supporting and promoting Farmers’ Markets, community Gardens and Food Pantries; (2) supporting and promoting active living; and (3) the City of Sulphur committing to adopt and implement a workplace wellness policy.
Also approved was an Ordinance of the City of Sulphur for the prevention of youth access to tobacco, nicotine and vapor products. The board approved amending the City of Sulphur Municipal Code to regulate smoking and the use of tobacco and vapor products on municipal property.
Council Meets
Members tabled a proposal by Rupak Gautum to donate property located at 202 East Tulsa to the City of Sulphur until more information can be obtained.
The council took no action on requests by members of the Artists of the Arbuckles to pay the OG&E and City of Sulphur utility bills for the building location on Muskogee Street that was damaged in the tornado. Spokeswoman for the group told members since they haven’t been able to get back in the building, all their funds have been depleted. Council members took no action on the request since, legally, the city cannot pay the bills.
Members also approved the following agenda items at the meeting:
•contract for street paving project with Pavers, Inc.;
•a bid for $34,500.00 by RFD, LTD to remodel art gallery building;
•a hearing date of December 8 for the proposed zoning ordinance amendments and zoning map;
•amendment #1 to extend Del Sol Consulting Inc. contract from November 15, 2025 to November 15, 2026;
•proposed budget for the OEM Revolving Fund;
•payments to MAPCO Services Inc. for invoices for debris removal monitoring in the amounts of $27,442.75, $23,997.00, $23,338.88 and $27,981.89;
•payments to MO Equipment for debris removal invoices in the amounts of $$43,589.32; $170,467.23, $48,319.71 and $145,202.72;
•proposed budget for FEMA Disaster Funds; and
•payment of $5,250.00 to RJR Enterprises, Inc. for Splash Pad repairs.
In the consent agenda, members approved the following:
•payment not to exceed $900.00 to FirstNet for cell phone service;
•payment not to exceed $25,000.00 to Finish Line for November fuel costs;
•payment of $328.00 to Provinyl Solutions for fire department embroidery; and
•employee stipends based time of employment. Employees who have been employed a year or more will each receive $375.00 and employees with less than a year will receive $31.25 per month with a minimum stipend of $100.00. Total cost for the employee stipends is $6,631.25.
All five members were present at the meeting.
