TheChandlerCityCouncil voted to renew the employment contract for City Manager Jason Orr at its regular meeting on May 12.
The Council went into executive session to discuss the contract, which is customary for annual employment renewals, and later voted to approve his contract with some minor amendments. They also voted to allow City Attorney LarryLenoraandOrrto move forward with a settlement as proposed, which was also discussed during the executive session.
The Council approved several ordinances that were passed at previous meetings. This included rezoning a plot on E 1st Street from unzoned to general commercial, adding data centers to the “UsePermittedonReview” section of City of Chandler Zoning Ordinances and authorizing the execution of documents for the sale of property in front of the Chandler Senior Center and old Econolodge to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA).
The Council also approved an additional artwork and merchandise agreement with Jerry Mc-Clanahan for McClanahan Park. The artist didn’t want to receive royalties on his works, but agreed to allow the use and sale of it by the City of Chandler if he could purchase the items at wholesale prices.
City of Chandler Intern Benjamin Boateng gave a presentation on proposed improvements at the Chandler MunicipalGolfCourse that would turn it into a revenue generating facility. Some of the areas that Boateng highlighted for improvement were aging clubhouse facilities, erosion and drainage issues, storage and maintenance areas that aren’t in good shape, as well as the course only being nine holes. No action was taken on the plan, but Boateng will begin working for the City this summer.
The Council tabled a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma for cross deputization of law enforcement officers so that the city attorney and tribe’s attorney could refine the agreement.
The Chandler Municipal Authority (SMA) approved several pay apps and change orders prior to the Council meeting.These included Pay App #5 from W.L.McNattandCompany for $183,098.25 for the McClanahan Park project; EMILY KALKA Editor Four Chandler High School drama students have been nominated for Discovery Awards based on their performances in the spring musical “Shrek.” Three are competing for the chance to represent Eastern Oklahoma at The Jimmy Awards this summer.
James Kerr was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Donkey, Bethany Descher was nominated for BestActress for her role as Fiona, Reagan Moehlewasnominated for Best Student Choreography, and Weston Miller was a wild card nomination for his role as Farquad.
Kerr and Moehle were featured on the Discovery Awards social media for being among the highestscoring nominations from all participating schools. Kerr, Descher and Miller will perform at The Discovery Awards showcase competition on May 29 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for the chance to compete at the Jimmy Awards, according to their drama teacher, Inda Jo Conway.
“The Discovery Awards embracestheimportanceof arts and theatre education in our school systems by highlighting and awarding excellence in eastern Oklahoma high schools currently producing musicals,” the awards website said. They also encourage and foster the growth of new programs in schools that don’t currently have them.
To be nominated, participating high schools must register, and then professional arts adjudicators attend their musicals and nominate the top two performers from each production. In the spring, all of the nominees attend a week-long master class workshop. At the end, they will compete in a showcase competition at the Tulsa PAC. The best actress and actor overall will win an all-expense-paid trip to represent EasternOklahomain NewYork City, the website said.There, they will attend another week-long master class workshop and then compete nationally on a Broadway stage in front of Broadway producers and directors at the Jimmy Awards.
Previous Jimmy Awards competitorsincludeBroadway star Renee Rapp (Spring Awakening, Mean Girls), who won in 2018, and Tony-nominated actress Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon, Hadestown), who was a Jimmy finalist in 2013.