Newly-appointed council member Ronnie Duke was officially sworn in Tuesday night.
duke swearThe ceremony was held prior to the start of the July meeting with mayor Jennifer Clason reading the oath of office. Duke will be filling the at-large council seat vacated by the resignation of Bill Goodner last month.
During the nearly 40-minute-long meeting, approval was given for the purchase of two used 2015 Dodge Chargers for the police department.
Police chief Steve Norman said the cost would be $32,000 for each. One will replace a wrecked police car that insurance paid $23,000. He pointed out the original vehicle was purchased for $21,000.
Both vehicles had around 55,000 miles and would be coming from the Missouri Highway Patrol. He explained the factory power train warranty would be good for five years or 100,000 miles.
He pointed out the department, “has had good luck with the Dodge Chargers.”
Council members approved payment to Shoney’s restaurant for $10,027.05 for the 2.5 percent taxed sales from April 1 through June 30, 2018. That money will be reimbursed by the Henryetta Economic Development Authority.
HEDA will also reimburse the city $8,000 for a hotel market feasibility study. That study payment was approved by HEDA at the monthly meeting June 9.
“This was brought to HEDA. We have three hotels that have an interest in coming here,” said Clason. “Feasibility studies are something most cities do anyway.
Council members unanimously agreed to pay for the study.
Another reimbursement from HEDA will be $10,000 for the Jim Shoulders Monument to be placed at Nichols Park.
That monument is going to be in place Aug. 25 in time for the 25th Jim Shoulders Living Legends rodeo to be held Labor Day weekend.
Kaye Ashley and Aaron martin were reappointed to the board of adjustments and Jill Frances reappointed to the planning and zoning board.
A 30-day extension was given to the owners of a home at 901 West Cummings to allow them to have more time for repairs.
It originally had been placed on an abatement list to be torn down. The home owners wanted the property to be removed from the abatement list but code enforcement officer Jody Agee said he wanted to see more progress on the renovation.