The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Business Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 7 at 8 am. Kelly Cross called the meeting to order.

Under sub-committee reports, Cross shared that Mayor Homer Nicholson will be holding a workshop on public speaking on Thursday, April 11 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Pioneer Technology Center (PTC). The cost is $10 and includes lunch. For more information or to reserve a spot, call the Chamber Office.

A presentation was made following the meeting to Winterrowd Talley Architects recognizing them as the March Business of the Month.

Next month’s Cash Mob will be held at Frazier’s Osage Restaurant at 3113 E. Highway 60 on Thursday, April 6 Zach Trantham provided the Chamber Report.

Trantham thanked everyone that attended Rich Cantillon’s retirement reception at Ponca City Country Club last month.

The Chamber has had their fox art statue delivered and installed in front of their building on Thursday, Feb. 23.

The Ponca City Leadership class went to Oklahoma City for their session on state government on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8.

There will be a ribbon cutting on Friday, March 10 at 2 pm for Curb Appeal, LLC at the Chamber Office.

The Chamber will host a school board candidate forum on Friday, March 17 in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall.

Ponca Young Employees (PYE) will be holding a brunch on Saturday, March 18 at the Ponca City Country Club from 10 am to noon.

The next Party at the Palace auction planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 4 pm at the Ponca City Country Club.

The next Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, March 23 at the Conoco Museum.

The Chamber is currently accepting applications for the Larry Hughes Leadership Award. Nominations are due to Tiffany Hermann by Friday, March 24 at 5 pm.

The second of three Ponca Politics legislative updates with Senator Bill Coleman and Representatives Ken Luttrell and John Pfieffer will be held on Friday, March 24 at City Hall at noon.

The school support staff reception has been scheduled for Thursday, April 13 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Chamber Office. The Chamber is currently accepting donations for door prizes.

Following the report, members of the committee went around the room to report on various community happenings.

Rick Hancock extended an invitation for people to attend the Party at the Palace planning meeting on Wednesday, March 22 at 4 pm at the Ponca City Country Club. They are still working on gathering sponsors and are also working on the objective to sign-up new chamber members this year.

Angela Spicer with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma shared an update.

March 22 will be the fourth part in their six part series on dementia at the Caroyln Renfro Center from 12 pm to 1 pm, this series is free for the public to attend.

The Hospice Bowling Tournament is now sold out with all lanes full for all three time slots. The tournament will be on Saturday, April 1.

The Senior Resource Network Committee will be holding their next “Seasons of Aging” in May with a focus on nutrition.

Kat Long with Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) provided an update.

The Small Business Pitch-Off competition is coming up soon with the deadline for business plans on Wednesday, March 22.

An internship fair is scheduled at Ponca City High School on Thursday, March 23. Business wishing to participate are asked to contact Liz Leaming at the PCDA office.

Business on the Balcony will start up on Tuesday, April 11.

City Central is currently at 82% occupancy.

Mayor Homer Nicholson provided an update.

City staff were provided with their directions to work under budget. The city must provided their budget to the state by the end of May and it is often a stressful time of year.

The annual Ponca City Spring Clean-Up will be held from April 22 to April 29.

The Ponca City Citywide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 22.

The new rodeo arena bleachers have been installed.

The city is getting ready for several mill and overlay projects including one on Mockingbird from Pecan and going east.

The City has received $2 million thanks to Congressman Frank Lucas to restore the transportation depot. Willy’s Car Wash is coming along.

Tidal Wave Car Wash is still under negotiation.

The Ponca City Senior Center on W. Grand is closed as it is receiving a complete overhaul. It expected to be completed in summer. They are currently operating out of the First Presbyterian Church.

The Public Safety Center continues to have delays. It is anticipated to be completed by summer.

Pioneer Apartments north of the Pioneer Woman are moving along on production.

Freedom Homes on Bradley and 5th has started performing major dirt work.

Broadband is moving along east of 14th and is anticipated to be finished by summer.

The project to replace the eight inch water line at Hartford Ave. between Northeast Woodland and El Camino is anticipated to be completed by next week.

The Mayor is working on two condemnation lawsuits. The Enid waterline from Kaw Lake to Enid has run into two property owners south of town that will not give them a lease.

The City Commissioners approved a resolution designating the City of Ponca City as a Bee City USA Affiliate. They also approved funding for the central business district to have water run to their buildings that want to update and get sprinkler systems.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4 at 8 am.