The Meeker Town Board has scheduled an Open Public meeting for discussion only of the proposed annexation of around eight square miles into the Town limits.
The special meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 and will be held at the First Baptist Church in Meeker.
During the Town Board’s most recent meeting, the Town Administrator Jeff Wilbourn said, “We need to have this annexation meeting so people can understand what we are trying to do.
“This is just a question and answer meeting and we’ll see if we can answer the questions,” Wilbourn noted.
The Town Board members stressed, “We are not making a decision that night.”
Vice Mayor Aaron Head emphasized, “I don’t want the public to think we’ve already made up our minds.”
Town Board member Lanny Thompson stated, “This town cannot grow without annexation.”
Wilbourn added, “I think we need to do the meeting in March.” With that, the board settled on that date.
Wilbourn also mentioned that Pastor Joe Brown had offered his First Baptist Church as the location to hold the meeting which the Board decided to do.
The Board also voted to take no action to allow employees to carry concealed firearms on city property and into city hall.
At a previous meeting, board members discussed the idea and authorized Wilbourn and Police Chief Trent Norton to look into it.
But the board was informed during its meeting last week that it’s against the law. In a letter from OMAG’s General Counsel Matt Love, addressed to Town Clerk and Treasurer Mary Conner, he informed them of that fact.
Even if open carry is allowed in Oklahoma, it’s not allowed in municipal buildings and in other circumstances, board members were advised.
Regarding the Town’s Planning Commission, the board voted 5-0 to table the matter until legal counsel James Hodgens can look into it more. The board was considering possibly just scrapping it and leaving the duties up to Wilbourn as Town Administrator.
However, once they began discussing it and looking into it, Hodgens discovered the Commission was formed by ordinance on Feb. 9, 1982. He told the board, “It would have to be repealed.”
He further advised them Wellston had attempted something similar to what they were wanting to do “and Wellston got in a lot of trouble,” he added. In other business, the Town Board:
Heard a detailed presentation from OGE representative Kimberly Adams. She discussed in detail the franchise agreement that OGE has with the Town of Meeker will expire in the near future and that a franchise election will be needed.
Took no action regarding the water usage of Growth and Development for the Meeker Community Garden. Wilbourn advised the Board there is no meter on it.
Approved signers on checking accounts.
Declared several items surplus. Rescheduled the June 20, 2022 board meeting to June 21 due to Juneteenth now being a federal holiday.
Decided not to rent out City Hall until further notice due to COVID-19.
Accepted the resignation of Trustee Billy Walker from the Town Board.
Meeting as the Public Works Authority, the Trustees voted to accept the low bid from Tri Star Utilities for the Town’s sewer infrastructure project.