News Staff Writer

City Manager Craig Stephenson reported Monday that Project Amnesty resulted in 367 warrants cleared, with revenue of $38,586.17.

The program, which ended Sunday, offered residents with outstanding warrants and fines a 25 percent discount if they were paid in full during the two-month program.

Stephenson said a similar amnesty program was offered in 2003. At that time, 521 cases were cleared with revenue of $39,792.75.

He made the announcement during Monday's work session of the Ponca City Board of Commissioners.

Stephenson also announced Ponca City will enter into FEMA's Community Rating System program as a "Class 6" beginning in May 2010.

"This is a tremendous rating and staff should be commended for accomplishing this quality of rating," Stephenson said. "Any flood insurance policy on property within the flood plain will receive a 20 percent discount. For properties in Ponca City which have flood insurance and are not in the flood plain, the discount will be 10 percent."

Stephenson said the discount for Ponca City being a Class 6 CRS Community will appear on the flood insurance premium invoice sent once per year to all flood insurance policy holders.

"This is possible based on all the stormwater activity done over the past few years," Stephenson said.

He reminded commissioners that Ponca City was almost kicked out of the National Flood Insurance Program several years ago for a lack of controlling and monitoring activities in the flood plain, which would have meant that residents would not have been able to get flood insurance.

"New flood plain maps, the stormwater master plan, flood plain regulations and having three Certified Flood Plain administrators on staff made this possible," Stephenson said.

Stephenson also addressed the senior food program.

"Staff has met with members of the senior community and have put into place the method on how seniors will be fed on Fridays at least through January 2010," he said.

"With donations from Walmart of $1,000, Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino of $500, Southwinds Casino of $500, Head Country BBQ and the cooperation of the Community Health Foundation which will handle the funds, seniors at the Ponca City Senior Center on Fridays will receive a meal catered from Head Country," he said.

Homebound seniors will still receive their meal from Wheatheart Nutrition Center, delivered on Thursdays.

"There is a belief that the State Legislature will take measures after the first of the year to return funding to the senior feeding program," Stephenson said.

Another item Stephenson reported on was lighting in the parking lot at the Marland Mansion.

"At the last Commission work session, David Keathly mentioned the parking lot at the Marland Mansion lacks enough lighting and he was concerned for visitors in the evenings," Stephenson said. "Ponca City Energy will be installing two aluminum street lights on the inside west wall of the Mansion parking lot this week."