Norma Dellinger

The McAlester Public Works Authority convened a regular session to address various agenda items. These included confirming actions taken on City Council matters such as claims, tort claims, and appointments to the Association for Landfill Financial Assurance (ALFA). Additionally, resolutions related to the CDBG project, including closeout, citizen participation, grant applications, leverage funds, anti-displacement plans, fair housing proclamation, and agreements with Parkhill for grant preparation and project administration, were confirmed. The authority also discussed municipal advisor services for water system improvements, engineering services for the 2021 CDBG Water Project, replacement of the Water Treatment Plant Clarifier Drive Unit, completion of the 2019 CDBG Sewer Project Phase II, cleaning services for city buildings, and adoption of the City of McAlester's budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

The meeting included a public hearing and action regarding a request to close public ways or easements for a section of Harrison Avenue. The Community Development Director presented the staff report, noting an agreement with Summit Utilities regarding utility access. Also, there was a public hearing and action on a Re-Plat for Steven Taylor Industrial Park Subdivision, presented by Ms. Clifton, to divide remaining lots owned by the city for future conveyance and marketing, including areas for American Li-On and Amazon. The commission also received a staff report on the 2025 Oklahoma Planning Conference & APA-OK Awards, where McAlester received three awards. Commissioners inquired about current building permits.

The McAlester Public Works Authority meeting involved confirming actions taken on various City Council agenda items. These included claims, ratification of the Code of Conduct, accepting a bid for the Downtown Fire Hydrant Replacement, ratifying a change order for an increase in square footage, authorizing the purchase of a new GRADALL model, and amending the budget for fiscal year 2020-2021.

The council discussed and updated the Steven Taylor Industrial Park, including improvements to its marketability. They reviewed changes, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's Site Ready Certification Program, and steps to further improve the park's marketability. The council also considered contacting existing businesses, marketing the Simonton building, and opening up the clearing project to the community.

The McAlester City Council met to discuss the Hotel/Motel tax and its potential uses. The discussion included input from citizens and council members regarding increasing the tax, the amount of the increase, and how the revenue should be allocated. Suggestions included earmarking a percentage for a new library and directing funds towards a major project like air conditioning the Expo area. The council considered the overall average of Hotel/Motel tax charged in surveyed cities and the importance of keeping the ballot language broad enough to not restrict the city's options.