The Meeker Town Board this week authorized Administrator Dickie Walton to spend up to nearly $90,000 toward the renovation of Glenn Crest Park.
Walton predicted the park could be almost fully operational by late August with everything that is planned for the renovation.
The Board authorized Walton to spend up to $88,275. He told them that is the amount in the account now for the renovation and all that money has come from donations.
In an earlier interview, Walton pointed to the sources of those donations including $60,000 from a local businessman, $22,000 from a grant TSET has provided and $6,000 from the Meeker Growth and Development Committee.
The first expense will be purchasing almost $60,000 worth of playground equipment for the park.
Walton told the board, “If you authorize me tonight to spend this money, I will order the playground equipment Tuesday morning and it should be built and arrive here by early July.”
He said he and board members Donna Weber and Jeff Wilbourn had traveled to Newcastle recently to view this same type of equipment.
The purchase includes two sets of playground equipment, Walton said, one for little kids ages 2-5 and another for bigger kids ages 5-9. Also, 5,642 square feet of mulch with a safety border around is being ordered.
Walton remarked, “I’m not through haggling yet over the price of the mulch and border.”
When the renovation is completed, it will include space for T-ball, basketball, volleyball, picnic tables and park benches. A parking lot will be paved with asphalt.
“I had sand brought in already by the county today,” Walton advised.
Walton plans to have four 8-feet picnic tables and four five-feet park benches and he’s seeking donations to help pay for them.
He also told board members, “We could go over the $88,275. But I made a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce last week, both banks have committed funds, though we don’t know the amounts, and so has the Indian Health Service.
“Gordon Cooper Technology Center may help us, too,” he added.
Walton said, “I figure the total project will cost between $90,000 and $100,000.”
In other business, the board approved the completed CDBG contract for the new fire station construction and accepted all closeout documents, authorizing all final payments for administrative services to COEDD in the amount of $9,000.
The CDBG grant totaled $150,000. Paul Simpson, of COEDD, who is Region 5 rural fire defense coordinator, explained total project cost was $152,992.
Mayor Aaron Head said Fire Chief Robbie Ballard has advised him there will be a ribbon cutting and Open House in the near future to dedicate the new fire station.
The board also ap proved a 60-month Sonic Wall Security Appliance with a five-year gateway security suite from Vyve for $107.77 per month for the Meeker Police Department.
Board members approved the 2020-2021 General Budget for the Town of Meeker that totals $734,528 and approved a resolution officially adopting the budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.
They took the same action later on the 2020-2021 budget for the Public Works Authority that totals $474,955.
Board members agreed Monday night to reopen City Hall for rental to the public beginning July 15 and they set new rates.
A city employee may not rent City Hall for free more than two times a year, they decided.
People will be required to pay a cleaning deposit and if it’s clean after they have used it, that deposit will be refunded, if not clean, the town will keep it.
People renting the facility will be charged a $100 fee and there will be a $50 key deposit required as well.
In other business, the board:
Agreed to pay Russell and Williams, CPA, one-half of $6,850 in the amount of $3,425 for the 2019-2020 audit.
Later, took the same action meeting as the PWA.
Agreed to pay Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group $11,084 for the 2020-2021 renewal participation agreement for the OMAG Worker’s Compensation Plan and also approved using the escrow amount from OMAG of $1,862.44 to reduce the premium for Worker’s Compensation, Property, or General Liability and Auto Policy premiums.
Accepted the resignation of Richard Coleman from the Meeker Planning Commission since he now sits on the Town Board and appointed Billy Walker as his replacement on the Planning Commission Under the consent agenda, approved allowing Chris Eulberg a building permit to construct a 3,136 square feet house and a 1,200 square feet shop at 201 Decker Street in Meeker.
Meeting as the PWA, approved hiring Diana Rodgers as Office Assistant to replace Sonya Meshquekennock.
Under the PWA, also agreed to $958.83 in utility charge offs from the period July 2019 through June 2020.
And also approved the 2020-2021 renewal participation agreement for the PWA for the OMAG Worker’s Compensation Plan with a premium of $4,334.