David Swayze

The City Council meeting agenda included consideration and potential action regarding an Interlocal Agreement with Circuit Engineering District No. 4 for signage and sign shop services. Discussion was planned for the abatement of nuisance conditions at 101 West Broadway. A proposal from 4-Seasons Heating & Air for installing a new heating and air system for the Police Chief Office and Dispatch Office was to be approved. The status and progress of signage and airport projects were also scheduled for discussion.

The council discussed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 and decided to solicit bids for hay to be cut, baled, and removed from the Okemah Industrial Park and Okemah Municipal Airport. Action on the collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #237 and an ordinance amending Title 4 of the Okemah City Code regarding vacant buildings were both tabled until the next meeting. Updates were given on signage and airport projects. Board members inquired about signage project updates, police staffing levels, economic development opportunities, street repairs, and the city's equipment maintenance schedule.

The Okemah City Council meeting included discussions and possible actions regarding declaring certain properties as surplus and authorizing the City Manager to sell them. The council considered approving a quote for the purchase of a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD and a 2026 Chevrolet 1500 Police Pursuit Crew Cab 4WD. They also discussed and considered action on the REAP 2025-26 Verification of Payment. Project statuses for signage and the airport were reviewed, followed by City Manager comments and inquiries from board members.

The Okemah City Council held a meeting to discuss and take possible action on various items, including approving the city's holiday schedule and the schedule of regular meetings for 2026. They considered approving Parkhill as the general consultant engineer contractor for the airport construction phases 2 and 3, as well as approving a hangar lease agreement with Cody Fisher. The council also discussed approving an independent operator agreement with Glasgow Mobile Aircraft Maintenance, LLC for aircraft maintenance services at the Okemah Municipal Airport, and approving transient hangar rates. They considered declaring certain properties as surplus and authorizing the City Manager to sell them. Additionally, they discussed removing and appointing members to the Okfuskee County E-911 Board and approving payment of an invoice for crusher run. The council also discussed the status and progress of signage and airport projects, and the City Manager provided comments. Finally, there were comments and inquiries from board members.

This Project Plan outlines an economic development initiative for the City of Okemah, Oklahoma, focused on establishing a tax increment financing district to drive significant commercial growth. The plan aims to foster a destination community by facilitating essential infrastructure improvements and incentivizing private capital investment along Interstate 40. Key objectives include attracting major investment, creating employment opportunities, enhancing the tax base, and promoting economic stability through various commercial, retail, hotel, and restaurant developments.