(Cushing, Okla.) Monday’s meeting of the Cushing Board of Commissioners started on a high note with four proclamations for the month of April and then proceeded to become somewhat of a debate.
Typically, Commissioner Carey Seigle has been the lone “nay sayer” at City meetings, often raising questions and taking stands on certain issues. However, the one casting the first ‘NO’ vote Monday night was Commissioner Joe Manning.
Manning raised questions regarding a resolution to execute a contract with Beasley Technology for the purchase and installation of a complete security camera system for the new Cushing Public Safety Center.
“Why so many cameras?” Manning asked. “This is a police station. Do we really need all these? It doesn’t make sense to me on a building full of police officers.”
Deputy Police Chief Tully Folden explained the 27 cameras will be placed in various places – inside and out of the center – and that most of the 27 would, indeed, be on the police side of the building. Security was cited as one of the primary reasons for several of the cameras, but City Manager Steve Spears pointed out some would be to reduce liability of the city should someone make an accusation of something toward an officer or staff member.
In spite of Manning’s objections, the resolution passed with a 4 to 1 vote. The purchase price of $56,798 includes installation of the CCTV system.
A resolution requesting the purchase and installation of a complete fire station alerting system for the safety center also underwent scrutiny.
Fire Chief Chris Pixler explained the system meets only the minimum requirements of an alert system and would provide an audible alert as well as a visible alert in high noise areas. Pixler also pointed out since the department doesn’t currently have such a system, having this alert could improve I.S.O ratings. (I.S.O. ratings of a community has a direct effect on insurance premiums individuals pay on their homes and especially commercial buildings. The lower the I.S.O. rating on a scale of 1 to 10, the better the insurance rates are. Currently Cushing has an I.S.O. rating of 5.)
Commissioner Jim Hogrefe said he thought the cost ($68,787.90) was “ridiculous,” but voted yes – “with reservations.” The resolution passed with 4 yes votes and a single no from Seigle.
Another hot topic of the evening was a resolution for the City Manager to negotiate and then execute a lease agreement with Good Shepherd Hospice for the property located at 1001 East Cherry. The property was formerly occupied by Payne County Health Department. Commissioners Manning and Seigle both opposed the resolution but for different reasons. Manning wanted the property to be open for other “bidders” and Seigle held fast to his belief “the city shouldn’t be in the real estate business.”
Manning stated several times it had nothing to do with hospice, but that he felt other businesses meeting the medical zoning criteria should be allowed to bid prior to making a decision.
The resolution No.15-2012 passed with 3 yes votes and 2 no votes.
Commissioners also heard from a couple requesting a conditional use permit to place a mobile home on their property at 914 South Noble. The couple’s request came after their original home on the lot was destroyed by fire. Rossiter asked why they didn’t just build a new home instead of being subjected to having to appear before the commission every five years requesting a new conditional use permit. They explained the cost to build a conventional home is a minimum of $77/sq.ft. and since they need one large enough to accommodate their six children, it just wasn’t feasible with their budget.
Their request was approved 3 – 2, with Manning and Seigle each casting a no vote. Manning explained he never votes yes on conditional use permits for mobile homes.
Seigle also voted against authorizing an audit engagement letter with CBEW Professional Group, LLP for the 2011-2012 audit.
“I think we need to allow others to bid for it,” Seigle explained.
All other items passed with the exception of a resolution regarding a complete phone system for the Cushing Public Safety Center which was tabled to allow for more bids.
The Cushing Hospital Authority Board accepted funds from Marian Gilkerson, Cushing Regional Hospital Foundation director, in the amount of $8,374.38 for the purpose of providing funds for equipment for the hospital. The funds came from a donation made by Enbridge.
Chairman of the Board Evert Rossiter proclaimed the month of April as “White Cane Month,” “Fair Housing Month,” and “National Autism Awareness Month” as well as the week of April 10 – 16 as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in the City of Cushing.
Representatives from each, with the exception of Fair Housing, were present to receive the proclamations.
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