The Ponca City Board of Commissioners held their regular monthly session on Monday, May 8 at 5:30 pm.

Mayor Homer Nicholson called the meeting to order.

The Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda. Items on the Consent Agenda are those that are deemed to be non-controversial and routine in nature by the governing body. The items on the consent agenda are as follows: - The minutes of the Ponca City Board of Commissioners work session held on April 17, 2023, the work session held on April 18, 2023, and the regular session held on April 24, 2023.

- A resolution appropriating money for payment of claims against the City of Ponca City.

- A resolution designating certain city employees as purchasing officers with authority to make purchases against city and municipal trust appropriations.

- A resolution amending the operating budget of various funds for Fiscal Year 2022-23.

- A resolution appointing members to various board and commissions, and establishing the term of office thereof.

Following approval of the Consent Agenda, comments were heard from the commissioners.

Commissioner Rob Bodick gave a shout-out to the people who turned out for the celebrations of E.W. Marland’s 149th birthday on Saturday, May 6 at the Marland Grand Home. The event featured reenactors and the presentation of a citation recognizing Marland’s role in establishing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Commissioner Paul Taylor shared that there were a good many events on Saturday, May 6 including the Ponca City Airport Fly-In Breakfast, Cars and Coffee, and many more.

Commissioner Kelsey Wagner shared that she had the opportunity to go on a police ride along on Friday, May 5. She applauded the Ponca City Police Department (PCPD) on the work they do within the community and advised that PCPD will have police academy next year.

Next on the agenda, City Manager Craig Stephenson shared his report.

The Great American Clean-Up of 2023 will be on Saturday, May 13 at Lake Ponca from 9 am to 11 am. The public is invited to participate, everyone will meet up at the pavilion across from the boat ramp on the public side on the day of the event. Registration can be done by phone at 580-7670430.

A new kayak rental kiosk is located at Lake Ponca.

A total of 590 tons of debris was removed during the annual Spring Clean-Up last month, and there were 341 visits to the landfill.

The city is in the process of de-annexing the old Whirlpool site along west Highland.

Zach Trantham, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Tourism Coordinator, provided the Commissioners with a report on tourism in Ponca City.

Since last October, Ponca City has had visitors from 37 states, as well as international visitors from Canada, England, France, India, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Ponca City participates in the TravelOK.com’s giveaway for a destination in Oklahoma. Last year’s winners were from Prague during the weekend of the Vet- eran’s Parade; Trantham received an email from the winner after their stay with a glowing review of their time in Ponca City. It was at this point that Trantham emphasized the importance of hotels, restaurants and shops as first impressions for tourism in Ponca City.

Since last October, the “What’s Happening Ponca City?” videos were nominated at the Redbud State Tourism Awards for Best Social Media Campaign in the state of Oklahoma. The current host for the videos is Jenna Wynes.

Last year saw the largest Veterans Day parade in Ponca City with 122 entries and more flyovers than previous years.

The first PonCon was held last November and had over 800 attendees.

Trantham also spoke to several of the publications for tourism including the 2023 Red Carpet Country Guide and the 2023 Green Country Guide. Ponca City also advertised in the 2023 Oklahoma Fishing Trail, with the ad promoting Kaw Lake along with Ponca City.

The largest tourism shows that the Ponca City Chamber attends are in McAllen, Texas, Wichita, and St.Louis.

Trantham shared that “Ice on the Plaza” has been nominated for the “Outstanding State Attraction” award. Ponca City won this award three years ago with Vortex Alley Brewing. The awards will be held in June.

Following Trantham’s report, the Commissioners voted to recess into the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCAU) meeting.

The Commissioners approved the PCUA Consent Agenda which included the following items: - The minutes of the PCUA regular session held on April 24, 2023.

- A resolution appropriating money for payment of claims against PCUA.

- Acknowledgement of a septic hauler use permit and DEQ consent for United Rentals DBA reliable onsite services for calendar year 2023.

The Commissioners then voted to return to the Commissioners meeting, and then voted to convene in executive session to discuss negotiations with the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) and the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police).