City Honors Sallee for Service on Planning Commission

Albert Sallee, center, was presented with a plaque recognizing his 39 years of service to the Sallisaw Planning Commission. Mayor Jim Hudgens presented the award, and said he valued Sallee as a friend. Sallee was accompanied by his wife, Jerry, right, and other family members. The presentation was at the city commission meeting on Monday evening.

After the plaque presentation, Bill Tackett of the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) explained new programs to the city commissioners. He explained OMG has Recognition and Retention Programs that could return about $30,000 a year to the city. One of the programs involves the training of city commissioners. A regional OMAG training has been scheduled in October in Sallisaw. The other program could return money to the city if no insurance claims are filed against the city with OMAG.

Keith Miller, city building development director, reported to the commissioners about a study conducted by himself and the planning commission on small or tiny homes, also known as mother-in-law homes. He said there is little information in other city codes and ordinances about small homes, or if someone wishes to have a subdivision of nothing but small homes. He said small homes should be considered differently than mobile homes, and should be placed on a foundation or concrete slab, not on wheels as mobile homes are. The commissioners asked Miller to continue formulating codes and ordinances they will consider later.

The commissioners also:

-approved $35,000 contract with Neel, Harvell and Associates for a traffic Impact Study in the Roy Frye Jr. Industrial Park;

-approved a pay request for $191,246 for the I-40 Delaware Bridge Water Line Replacement Project, the money is to be reimbursed to the city by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT);

-approved the purchase for an amount not to exceed $67,000 to Hudiburg Chevrolet of Oklahoma City for the purchase of two Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit SUVs;

-approved a $222,098 grant from Federal Aviation Administration for the rehab of the taxi, runway and apron at Sallisaw Airport, the city has a $25,000 match for the $247,776 project;

-approved the award of a contract for $805,660 to McKee Excavating Inc. of Prague for the relocation of sewer lines along U.S. Highway 59 north, this portion of the relocation will be reimbursed by ODOT;

-condemned property at 1100 S. Opdyke as a public nuisance;

-convened in executive session of discuss negotiations concerning employees and representatives of employee groups, the commissioners took no action when they reconvened;

-and heard from city Manager Clayton Lucas that Kansas City Southern railroad officials will meet with the city on Aug. 23 to discuss an intermodal partnership near the landfill, which will help clean up their facility in Sallisaw.

Acting as the Sallisaw Municipal Authority, the commissioners approved a contract with APTIV for Digital Guide Services for Diamond Net.

Lucas reported on the flooding in Sallisaw over the weekend, and that the old wastewater treatment plant had to be shut down when it became inundated.

Hudgens asked that the city inspect easements and drainage ditches to be sure that flooding and rainwater can run off without being slowed by debris.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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