The Ponca City Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 23, 2021. Mayor Homer Nicholson called the meeting to order, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Commissioner Chapman, Commissioner Scott, and Commissioner Taylor were present. Commissioner Bodick was absent.
Consent Agenda
Under the Consent Agenda, the City Commission approved the minutes of the Ponca City Board Of Commissioners regular session held August 9, 2021; a resolution appropriating money for the payment of claims against the City of Ponca City; a resolution amending the operating budget of various funds for Fiscal Year 2021-22; a resolution appointing members to various boards and commissions and establishing the terms of office thereof; a supplemental agreement No. 5 with Koss Construction Company and Subsidiary of Topeka, Kansas to rehabilitate runway 17-35 and improve airport drainage in the add amount of $124,878.64; and the Fiscal Years 2021-2023 collective bargaining agreement between the City of Ponca City and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #103.
City Manager’s Report
Under the City Manager’s Report, City Manager Craig Stephenson reported that vaccines are available for no charge at the Kay County Health Department and many other locations in Ponca City, Allegiant Utility Services is installing new electric meters on houses and businesses through October and the Cluck, Oink, Moo 5K Run will be held prior to the Cherokee Strip Cook Off on Saturday, September 11 at 7:00 a.m.
New Business
Under New Business the City Commission approved a resolution amending the agreement establishing OMAG (Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group). OMAG was formed in 1977 by cities and towns. They have grown through the years and now provide services to over 500 municipalities in the State of Oklahoma. As members needs changed throughout the years, OMAG has added liability, workers’ compensation and property coverages to their portfolio of risk management services. Oklahoma is OMAG’s only market, and municipalities their only customers, making them uniquely positioned to provide risk management services to municipalities. They understand the risk associated with local government in Oklahoma. The resolution provides that the City of Ponca City agrees to the proposed amendment to the agreement establishing OMAG, Article III to extend it into perpetuity. Craig Stephenson, City Manager serves on the Board of Trustees for OMAG. The City of Ponca City participates in the Liability Protection Plan and Property Protection Plan.
The City Commission also approved a contract with Oklahoma Roofing and Sheet Metal, LLC of Oklahoma City for Building #4 roof replacement at the Ponca City Regional Airport in the amount of $204,780.00.
The City Commission also approved establishing two-hour parking on both sides of Grand Avenue from the railroad to Fifth Street. Mayor Nicholson, Commissioner Chapman, and Commissioner Scott voted in favor of the motion; Commissioner Taylor abstained. Development Services received a written request to re-establish two-hour parking on the north side of the 300 block of East Grand Avenue. Until 2009, Grand Avenue had two-hour parking signs posted in every block between 1st Street and 5th Street. The City then initiated a streetscape project that included the replacement of the old lighting and poles that lined both sides of the streets, as well as new traffic poles and mast arms that were more appropriate for the historic fabric of downtown. All of the two-hour parking signs were removed and City staff made the decision not to replace them. The signs were not an attractive feature attached to the new decorative light poles and more importantly, staff were desirous to allow parking demand to dictate where two-hour parking was most appropriate. Almost immediately, the merchants/owners on the south side of the 200 block of East Grand petitioned to have two-hour parking re-established in that block. A year later, owners on the south side of the 100-block asked that a portion of that block be two-hour parking as well. Since that time, there have been no further requests to re-establish two-hour parking on Grand Avenue until this most recent request. By placing a two-hour limit on the use of on-street parking spaces, the intent is to turn over the parking spaces on regular intervals, permitting customers the opportunity to frequent establishments along this corridor. The most common complaint received by staff comes from merchants/owners who observe individuals parking in spaces for a long period of time, sometimes all day. The Police Department is responsible for enforcing the two-hour parking and will respond to complaints only if there is two-hour parking signage posted in the subject block. Requests for stop signs, changes in speed limits and other matters involving traffic movements are heard by the Planning Commission, who act as the City’s Traffic Committee. At their Special meeting held on August 10, 2021, the Planning Commission heard comments from a number of local merchants and property owners, both for and against the two-hour parking restriction.
An executive session was held for the purposes of conferring on matters pertaining to economic development, the purchase of real property and International Association of Fire Fighters negotiations. No action was taken.
PONCA CITY UTILITY AUTHORITY
Consent Agenda
Under the PCUA (Ponca City Utility Authority) consent agenda, the PCUA Trustees approved the minutes of the PCUA regular session held August 9, 2021; a resolution appropriating money for payment of claims against the PCUA; a resolution of the PCUA amending the operating budget of various PCUA funds for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and the submission of the monthly operating statement to Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
New Business
Under PCUA New Business, the PCUA Trustees voted to approve a request for authorization to advertise for bids to construct two Network Operation Centers for Phase 4 and Phase 5 of the Fiber to the Home Project.
