(Cushing, Okla.) From airport taxiway projects, to a loan commitment for a new hotel – all indicators at Monday night’s Commission meeting point to continued growth in Cushing.
All agenda items were approved unanimously by those making up the necessary quorum: Commissioners Carey Seigle, Jim Hogrefe, Joe Manning and Tommy Johnson. Chairman of the Board Evert Rossiter was not present due to a family emergency, leaving Vice Chairman Manning to preside over the meeting.
Following opening ceremonies, veteran James O’Kelley presented Cushing Police Chief Terry Brannon a donation check in the amount of $260 from American Legion Post 108 for youth services. “Thank you,” Brannon said. “That was really nice.”
City business began with Manning making two proclamations – one proclaiming October 2 – 8 as “Arts and Appreciation Week” in Cushing and the other proclaiming the month of October, 2011 as “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in Cushing.
Agenda highlights included the approval of contract with JLT Corporation in the sume of $34,940.40 for the crack seal, seal coat pavements project at the Cushing Regional Airport. Bids received for the hangar taxiway project construction were rejected since the single bid exceeded available grant funds. City Manager Steve Speers said the project will go back to bid next year. Typically 95 percent of Cushing airport projects are funded through federal grants.
Another item discussed and approved, a resolution for an addendum to the agreement with McCool and Associates on the Public Safety Center project to pay an additional $8500 for the engineering design to reconstruct Central and Seay Streets. The resolution came about after the Board proposed rebuilding both streets during study sessions on the Public Safety Center.
Under Cushing Industrial Authority business, a resolution authorizing a loan in the amount of $250,000 from Cushing Industrial Authority to Cushing Hospitality, LLC, as an economic development incentive to construct a three story franchise hotel in Cushing.
According to a draft of the resolution, $200,000 will be paid to Cushing Hospitality, LLC on the date of its first construction loan draw on the project and $50,000 will be provided by way of off-set for the waiver of permit fees and inspection fees including building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing fees. It also includes waiving water and sewer tap fees and also provide an electric transformer for the project.
According to Spears, a groundbreaking for the hotel (to be located at the corner of Main and Little) should be in the near future.
Spears also reported on the status of Fountaine Bleu Apartments. The city’s 10-year HUD contract ended Sept. 19th, however, the Section 8 project has been extended for another 30 days. He said he has been contacted by several interested parties in the possible purchase of the property. Section 8 representatives recently met with Fountaine Bleu residents regarding vouchers being provided and to assure them no one will be left out in the cold.
Cushing Board of Commissioners meetings are held the third Monday of each month in City Hall and are open to the public.
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