Sallisaw Commissioners Discuss Railroad-related Projects

Sallisaw city employees reported the new fence alongside the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Sallisaw was found on Monday to be damaged in two places.

Clayton Lucas, city manager, told the city commissioners that, although the railroad did install the fence beside the rails, the fence belongs to the city, which is responsible for repairs. Lucas said it appeared someone hit the fence with a vehicle where it is damaged next to the parking lot at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in downtown Sallisaw.

Commissioners noted they and the city have received word that the railroad will be installing lights and arms at the Dogwood Street crossing.

Mayor Jim Hudgens asked the staff to contact Kansas City Southern railroad about placing an intermodal facility east of the city landfill on the city’s east side. Hudgens said he noticed Fort Smith and Van Buren are to work on an intermodal station. An intermodal facility is defined as the point between freights’ origin and destination where a load is transferred at least once from one mode of transport to another. At one time there was an intermodal facility in Sallisaw along Port Arthur, but many residents complained of the noise.

Hudgens pointed out that the city had acquired a large tract of land east of the landfill, which is close to the rail line and the rural location would be a good place for an intermodal.

In other business the city commissioners approved funding for several projects. They approved the following:

-the election results from June 13 when AOG’s proposal to continue service to the city was approved by voters;

-a contract with Jerry’s Excavation of Hulbert for $922,152, for the relocation of the city waterline for the widening of U.S. Highway 59;

-the purchase of a brush chipper for $42,650;

-the purchase of 624 poly carts for an amount not to exceed $32,000;

-additional engineering fees, not to exceed $9,237.50, for utility relocation along U.S. Highway 59;

-a resolution for an $800,000 10-year loan from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the relocation of utilities along U.S. Highway 59;

-the request to vacate from Britt Howington the plat known as Diamond Rock Estates so that it may be sold.

As the Sallisaw Municipal Authority the commissioners approved:

-contracts with rural Waters Districts 3 and 4 and C.D. Water Systems for the purchase from the city of treated water; contracts include an increase of 40 centers per 10,000 gallons;

-documents on the $800,000 loan from ODOT;

-the consulting services agreement with Uptown Services for DiamondNet, at a cost of $9,000 annually plus travel expense;

-renewal of an agreement with APTIV Digital for software and services (for DiamondNet).

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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