The Chandler Municipal Authority (CMA) awarded the bid for the water treatment expansion project to Orr Construction for $16,077,019, while also approving a resolution to apply for a loan not to exceed $5 million from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to help fund the project.
Orr Construction was the lowest bid for the project; however, all bids came in higher than initial estimates, with Robert Mullins from SRB Engineering attributing it to rising electrical costs, with current prices having a 200 to 300 percent markup. They are working to find ways to lower costs, with the engineer saying they have so far found $584,000 in cuts.
Following the approval of the bid, the CMA approved an engagement letter with The Public Finance Law Group for bond counsel to find ways to make up the difference, which could range from $3.7 million to $4 million, depending on how costs are lowered.
The counsel advised that if the City joins a pooled bond sale with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board set to take place in November-December this year, it can lower the loan application costs. The CMA authorized the loan application. They also discussed contributing $1.25 million from the water capital fund, which would leave about $1.5 million in emergency reserves and avoid an immediate customer rate increase.
The City Council approved the appointment of Dean Evans (one year), Heather Ledford (one year), Jason Thompson (two years), Jeromy Clayton (two years) and Carl Martin (three years) as trustees of the Chandler Economic Development Authority. Evans and Ledford received unanimous votes, while the others were mixed. Martin received 3-1 with one abstention, Clayton received 3-2, and Thompson received 4-1.
There was discussion among the council over potential conflicts of interest. Councilperson Robin Crouch voiced concerns over Martin, who is an independent real estate agent at Premier Realty, which is also Mayor Kent McVey’s place of work.
“I’m not saying that you would do anything wrong, but I’m saying that we shouldn’t put the city in a position where we have to constantly worry about a conflict of interest and constantly worry about whether someone’s disclosing their conflict of interest,” she said.
City Attorney Larry Lenora said the law is clear that any members of a public trust cannot receive any benefi ts, financial or otherwise, from any dealings with the authority. If there is a financial arrangement that might impact them, they are required to disclose it and not accept any compensation unless it’s disclosed. He said that if it were his client, he would advise not accepting any money that goes through the authority.
McVey said it is not his or Martin’s intention to take advantage of the situation, adding that Martin’s expertise and connections will be invaluable. He added that he had conversations with Martin, and he understands that if something should come up that involves him, he would absolve himself.
“I’ll restate what I said, that probably 97 to 98 percent of all the commercial work that has been done in Chandler in the last 30 years has been either done by myself or by Carl Martin. And I think, I don’t know how you could not want to have that kind of experience on this board,” he said.
Crouch also asked for clarification on the connection between Thompson and Cowan Group Engineering, a firm used by the City. Thompson is the key principal for Dodson-Thompson-Mansfield, PLLC. The land survey division of the company was acquired by Cowan about two years ago.
The CMA approved a notice of award and contract with W.L. McNatt and Company for $1.633 million for the McClanahan Park Project. The site plan includes about 30 new parking spots, with an overflow gravel lot. There will also be upgraded electrical to facilitate food trucks and sound equipment, among other amenities.
City Manager Jason Orr said the expanded amenities (lighting, parking, power distribution, etc.), which were added after public feedback, drove up the cost from the initial estimate of $1 million to $1.2 million. However, the CMA Cap Fund has sufficient cash flow, and even with all the current projects, it should never get below $1.4 million.
The Council passed the Proposed Ordinance for Wind Energy Conversion Systems, with the plan to adopt the official ordinance at next month’s meeting. The ordinance sets guidelines and setbacks for any wind energy conversion systems within city limits, limiting them to AG 1 and 2. They also set height limits, with turbines not allowed on properties less than five acres. The highest is 80 feet, which is allowed on properties of 20 acres or more.
The Council approved a stop sign at the intersection of Hwy 66 and Addams Avenue next to Casey’s and a dead-end sign at the intersection of East 6th Street and Allison Avenue. They tabled an official naming policy for streets and parks, with the intention of clarifying some of the language and bringing it back.
it 7-7, but that turned out to be the high water mark for the Lions,. Lone Grove put up two more scores in the first quarter and went to take a 36-7 lead before Ritchie hit Wade for a long pass to set up his own one-yard for the score with 2:42 left in the third quarter.
That made the score 35-13, which is where it stayed until Lone Grove scored on a defelected pass with 2:13 left in the game.
Along the way, Ritchie connected with Kale Winters for what would have been a third touchdown, but it was called back because of a penalty.
Kickoff will be at 7 Friday, following coronation of the Homecoming queen at 6 p.m.