(Cushing, Okla.) Evert Rossiter, who served as commissioner for nine years, and Joe Manning who served off and on for a total of 17 years were presented plaques by City Manager Steve Spears, honoring them for their service at the regular monthly meeting of the Cushing Board of Commissioners Monday evening.
“It’s my privilege to present these plaques to you,” Spears said, thanking them for their service to the community.
Commissioner Tommy Johnson echoed Spears’ sentiment saying, “it has been a pleasure working with these two gentlemen who have worked hard for the good of the city.”
In comments from commissioners, Commissioner Terry Brannon expressed his appreciation of Manning and Rossiter and their help in “pushing the city ahead” and their “heart and passion” for Cushing.
In opening ceremonies, prior to the special presentation, Manning asked for a moment of silence noting the sudden passing of Sergeant Adam Harp of the Cushing Police Department. The silence was followed by a prayer given by Ken Murrell, pastor of the Cushing Church of Christ, and the Pledge of Allegience led by Commissioner Rossiter.
Two proclamations were made by Chairman of the Board Manning – one declaring the week of Apr 13 – 17 as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in the City of Cushing and one declaring the month of April as “Fair Housing Month.”
Cushing Board of Commissioners Business:
Aquatic Center Admission Price Increase
During a study session held last week, commissioners discussed ongoing subsidizing of the Aquatic Center and the possible need to increase the price of admission. Spears said when it opened in 1999, the original admission pricing was based on a “break even structure.” Since then, however, rising cost of maintenance along with other necessary expenditures such as staffing, have led to the need for subsidizing.
Commissioner Brannon asked Spears to speak a little bit about some of those expenses.
Spears said the aquatic center requires staffing of approximately 15 people who rotate through different station to meet water park requirements.
“We rotate them through to the different stations, including breaks, to ensure focus,” Spears said.
New hires are only paid minimum wage, but those who return receive a little more in order to retain a good mix of new and experienced personnel.
Original admission prices were $3.00 for 7 and over and $2.00 for 6 and under. In 2007, the admission prices were increased to $3.25 and $2.25 respectively and in 2013, prices were increased to $3.50 for those 7 and over.
Commissioner Don Amon had two suggestions during Monday night’s discussion – “no quarters and add nachos.” Although the “no quarters” suggestion didn’t pan out, nachos are being taken as a consideration as a possible new menu item for the concession stand.
Commissioners voted unanimously to increase admission prices across the board by $.25 and to look at the possibility of raising concession prices in hope of decreasing the amount of subsidy each year.
The new price of $3.75 for ages 7 and over and $2.50 for ages 6 and under will be implemented this season. Upon comparison of other water parks/aquatic centers in communities, most of similar size, Cushing Aquatic Center’s new pricing is still lower than most.
Wagoner: $4.35 – all ages
Miami: $2.00 – 13 & under; $3.00 – 14 & older
Woodward: $4.00 – 12 & under; $5.00 – 13 & over
Grove: Free – 2 & under; $4.00 – 3 & over
Edmond: $4.00 – 5 & under; $7.00 – 6 & over
Animal Shelter Project
Commissioners voted to proceed with the animal shelter project by approving unanimously a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a letter of agreement for architectural and design sevices with Graber & Associates, PC.
Originally, McCool & Associates, the same architectural firm used for the Cushing Safety Center, was to be used. However, when an agreement of terms could not be reached, it was decided to pursue a different firm. Spears said Grabers’s proposal excludes necessary civil engineering, offsite utility extensions and service connections. Spears said he believes this work can be accomplished “in house.” The goal for the project is to complete it for under $185,000. Graber was the architect on the Library renovation and expansion.
2015 Street Improvement Project
Spears reported Quapaw submitted the lowest of five bids received with a total of $377,870.00 which exceeds the budgeted amount of $360,000.00. He told commissioners, if approved, staff plans to reduce the project to the budget by a change order at a later date.
Brannon said while he would like to see more streets improved, he didn’t want to use money not already appropriated in the budget. He asked Spears if it was possible to use the city’s asphalt shaving machine to make some of the improvements in order to save money. Spears said the proposed streets are in “too bad of shape” to be able to do that.
The Cushing Street Department provides a list of streets most needing improvements each year based (at least in part) on recurring need of maintenance and most traffic.
Commissioners approved unanimously the resolution to execute a contract with Quapaw Company for installing asphaltic concrete and milling.
Service Center Insulation Project
Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a purchase order to Heartland Spray Foam Insulation in the sum of $21,470.00 for installing insulation in the Service Center shop building. Heartland was came in the with lowest bid which includes scraping off all the old insulation prior to installation of the new.
Rates for Equipment Use
A resolution was passed unanimously adjust the cost for use of City/CMA equipment. According to Spears, the last time the charges were updated was April 1991. The charges are used for abatement of weeds, trash and junk, the repair of City/CMA property, FEMA disaster assistance and mutual aid. The proposed new rates are based on the FEMA’s Schedule of Equipment Rates,” local rental costs or the city’s cost of operation considering depreciation and maintenance.
One ordinance was passed relating to the purchasing authority of the City Manager to authorize payment, as they come due, of claims which impose a late payment penalty and such late payment date occurs prior to the meeting wherein payment of claims are regularly presented; and, providing for an emergency. Spears explained the ability to do so, will in turn, save the city money by not incurring late fees.
The ordinance was passed unanimously.
Acknowledgment of Expiring Terms on Library Advisory Board
It was also acknowledged there are three expiring terms on the Library Advisory Board. The terms expiring June, 2015 are: Jaime Griffith, Sara Payne Keyes and Scott Haynes. Anyone interested in applying to be on the board may contact LaDawn Conner or Steve Spears. Recommendations for appointments will be made at the May or June meeting.
City Manager’s Report
Spears reported a nationwide recruitment will begin soon for an Assistant City Manager with experience in economic development. He also said they are looking into what grants may be available for certain sewer and street projects.
Spring clean-up was a huge success with 389 citizens taking advantage of free dumping at the transfer station and a total of 170 tons in refuse being hauled either from the transfer station or curbside pickup.
Along the same lines, Spears said a work study will be schedule to go over possible options regarding recycling and more discussion regarding curbside trash pickup.
Cushing Municipal Authority Business
Clothing Purchase
The Board approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Macco Promotions in a sum not to exceed $11,000 for 55 pair of flame resistant jeans and 55 flame resistant long sleeve tee shirts for the Electric Distribution Department.Spears explained, although Macco was not the lowest bidder, upon further examination the lowest bidder, Compliance Advantage, LLC shirts contain 7% polyester which was specifically prohibited in the specifications in the bid packets. Also, the life expectancy was less than the shirts bid by the second lowest bidder, Macco. The Board voted unanimously to go with Macco Promotions.
Real Estate Purchase
The CMA Board recessed to go into executive session before returning to discuss and vote on a resolution authorizing and directing the execution of a contract for the purchase of real estate from Oklahoma Oilwell Cementing Company. The purchase price of 7.562 acres for the purchase price of $2500 per acre (and contains other provisions relating thereto) was approved. The real estate purchase is expected to be the location for building a new Electric Department headquarters.
Regular meetings of the Cushing Board of Commissioners are held the third Monday of each month and are open to the public.
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