Non-profit organizations will be able to use the civic center at no charge following Tuesday night;’s city council meetings.
The council agreed to waive the fees for schools groups and non-profits changing a decades-old policy.
“This way the city manager can give approval without those groups waiting until the council meeting,” said mayor Jennifer Munholland.
That action came after the council approve to waive rental and deposit fees for the Henryetta VFW Post 539 to use the center for a June 21 blood drive. Council members also increased the spending limit for acting city manager Donna White from $5,000 to $10,000 without needing council approval.
By a 3-1 vote, council members ended any further extensions and agreed to abate a house at 105 East Smith. That abatement was first brought up last September and a series of 30-day extensions given in the hopes it would be rehabilitated
A series of photos taken the morning of April 20 were shown indicating no progress had been made. Code enforcement director Jody Agee said no applications for electrical or plumbing licenses had been requested. Councilmember Michael Dickey was the sole dissenting vote. Giving approval for the abatement were Munholland, Christy Jeffcoat and Janna Dugan.
The council appointed Dickey to the Henryetta Economic Development Authority board. He takes Munholland’s place. Munholland said she already sits on five boards and authorities.
The city manager’s report indicated water intake at the water treatment plant had been torn apart and parts have been ordered. City crews are catching up on street repairs following the extreme weather.
The H.O.T.T. trails brought in 4651 in use fees in March. Munholland pointed out the off-road trail had been built with volunteer labor. The only expense on the project was purchase of a gate leading to the parking lot.
New sand is going to be placed at the Nichols Park Volleyball and beach area.
Council members approved a $39,590 contract with Myers Engineering for rehabilitation work at the Jim Hall lake spillway.
Following a short executive session, council members accepted the contract with the Firefighters union.
Following the meeting, the rehabilitation project at the Nichols Park caretaker’s house was discussed.
Steve Sanford told council members at the March meeting he had received donations to fund the project.
He was told private donations were not allowed by law for a city owned project. “We had this issue a few years back with the beach house and a bank account had been set up,” said Munholland. She went on to say the city was told by the Oklahoma Municipal League that money for that project had to be donated to the city and earmarked for that specific project.
“As far as I know, there isn’t any opposition to the work,” she said. “The park is a treasure. We have spent a lot of money there.” She cited work by the unions and Joshua Craig as well as others improving the site.
Sanford said he will present a series of renderings showing how the building could look following repairs and renovations at the May city council meeting.
“We have multiple people who scrutinize everything we do and don’t want your head on the chopping block,” she told him.