The city is applying for a $450,000 grant to help fund construction of the one million gallon water storage tank east of town. If approved, those funds would be through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) offered through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Meeting in a special city council meeting Monday night, the council heard Ernie Moore explain the project estimated cost would be $1.3 million and the city's share amounting to $850,000 if the grant is approved. If approved, the Eastern oklahoma Development District (EODD) would administer the grant process for eight percent of the total. The city's share of the money is already part of a loan from the Bank of Oklahoma.
"You have a good shot at it," he said. Moore is the executive director for the EODD. Moore explained the grant process is a competitive one with other communities also seeking some of the state dollars. He pointed out part of the project is needed to help with fire suppression and would require a letter from fire chief David Bullard. One of the items missing on the grant "check list" is a consent order from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). "That will cost us points," he said. Mayor Jennifer Clason said while the city did have to comply with a state consent order at one time, there is no such letter today, "because the water is all good."
From the audience, frequent city critic Howard Sheward said he didn't "know if Henryetta is ready to see another grant." He was asking about an alleged $3.3 million grant supposedly to be used to remove houses in the city.
"This has no bearing on that grant, you should direct those questions to the council," Moore said.
After the meeting, council members and city officials were asked about the grant and none could recall one being available in the past two to three years.
Following the steps required to start the grant process, council members agreed to designate a public works director position for the city. The city will be advertising in the coming weeks for a person to fill that spot.
Council members also approved the release and severance package for former city manager Ted Graham. No amounts were made public because the package has not been formally agreed to by Graham.
Following a short executive session, the council reaffirmed Donna White as interim city manager and allowed her to adjust the pay and job duties.

Watch the meeting video here.