Meeker’s Town Board of Trustees this week voted to approve a proposed business plan and change the name of the Meeker Growth and Development Authority to just Meeker Growth and Development.
In doing so, they agreed to create the Meeker Trust Authority.
The Trustees also agreed to replace two part-time positions in the Meeker Police Department with one full time position.
Regarding the name change and business plan, Leslie Wilbourn, who has been chairman of the Meeker Growth and Development Authority, proposed the new plan and the name change.
She explained to the Trustees that the Meeker Growth and Development Authority is really not living up to its by-laws and mission that were created in 2008.
She told the Trustees she would step down from chairman of what is now to become only the Meeker Growth and Development and be part of the Meeker Trust Authority.
Wilbourn advised Trustees that Meeker Growth and Development would focus on activities like they have in the past, citing the Pumpkin and Pecan Festivals and the Community Garden as examples of those kinds of activities.
The Meeker Trust Authority will turn its attention and focus, she said, to seeking new businesses that can be brought into the Town of Meeker and the area.
Trustees also voted in favor of waiving the 2024 itinerant vendor/business permit for the Meeker Farm and Craft Market/Community Garden. Nikki Chew explained the reasoning for waiving the permit for each of those itinerant vendors and Trustees agreed.
Those businesses will still be responsible for paying applicable sales taxes, she further noted.
Assistant Meeker Police Chief Scott Wilson addressed the Trustees on replacing the two part-time positions with a full-time officer. “It’s become very hard for us to hire part-time officers because no one wants to work part-time,” he advised the Trustees.
“That would give us six full time officers,” he informed them.
“We’re stretched as far as we can now. We need the spot,” he continued.
Trustee Lanny Thompson made the motion to approve Wilson’s request, Vice Mayor Mike Orman seconded it. Joining them in favor were Mayor Donna Weber and Trustee Mike Melton.
Trustee Aaron Head was unable to attend Monday night’s meeting.
In other business, the Trustees: Took no action on making changes to a garage sale ordinance adopted by the Council on Jan. 19, 2021.
Approved paying $9,385.25 to OMAG for liability insurance for the plan period running Nov. 1, 2023 to Nov. 1, 2024.
Agreed to declare a Savin copier for Town Hall as surplus and to declare a Savin copier for the Meeker Police Department as surplus.
Meeting as the Public Works Authority, they: Approved opening a new bank account at BancFirst for disbursement for the REAP grant.
Agreed to paying $3,343.75 to OMAG as the PWA portion of the liability insurance.
Approved a Change Order with Sunrise Construction LLC.