The Ponca City Board of Commissioners held a regular session at City Hall on Monday, June 5 at 5:30 pm.

Mayor Homer Nicholson called the meeting to order.

The Commissioners had a lengthy Consent Agenda this session. The Consent Agenda lists items deemed to be noncontroversial and routine in nature. The following are the items on the June 5 Consent Agenda approved by the Commissioners: - The minutes of the regular session held on May 22 - 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 applications for annual Fiscal Year 2023-24 - A resolution amending the operating budget of various funds for Fiscal Year 2023-24 - A resolution appointing members to various boards and commissions, and establishing the terms of office thereof - A resolution establishing petty cash accounts in amounts allocated by the governing body for use in making payments for costs incurred in operating municipality - A renewal agreement between the City of Ponca City and Ponca City Main Street (PCMS) in the amount of $35,000 - A renewal agreement between the City of Ponca City and United Community Action Program, Inc. for transportation services provided by Cimarron Transit subject to appropriation in the amount of $25,000 - A renewal agreement between the City of Ponca City and NOYS (Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center and Shelter, Inc.) subject to appropriation in the amount of $15,000 - An agreement to provide funding for Santa Buck Giveaway in the amount of $5000 - An agreement the City of Ponca City and the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for the Chamber to operate the Ponca City Tourism Bureau for the purpose of encouraging, promoting and fostering the convention and tourism development of Ponca City - A contract award for road construction materials to the lowest and most responsible bidder available for July 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023 - The Fiscal Years 20232026 collective bargaining agreement between the City of Ponca City and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #103, and authorize the Mayor to sign - An annual agreement with United Safety & Claims, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 - The receipt of an additional $193,975.20 in CDBGCV funds for Contract No. 18118 CDBGCR20 from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) Program and approve a budget modification as required, and execute all other necessary documents.

Following approval of the Consent Agenda, City Manager Craig Stephenson provided his report by first having 101 Rodeo representatives, Tyler Mayse and Cory Goodno, speak.

Both expressed their appreciation to the citizens of Ponca City, the various departments within the City of Ponca City, the police, and the airport for making the weekend possible.

“This is the largest three day rodeo in Oklahoma. And we want to continue to do that, to improve this thing, make it bigger and better. And more impactful across the country,” said Mayse.

Stephenson resumed his report with some updates.

Stuever Dirtworks, LLC began their contract on Prospect and Union on Monday, June 5. Phase One encompasses the eastbound lanes of Prospect Ave., shifting all eastbound traffic to the westbound inside lane. Additionally, the traffic lights at Union and Prospect will place red for the duration of Phase One.

The Ponca City Chamber will be hosting their Elected Officials Picnic on Thursday, June 15.

The Ponca City Independence Day Fireworks Show will be out at Wentz Pool with 150 tickets at $15 per person available.

The new Ponca City Public Safety Center is anticipated to have the fire suppression system tested, one of the last steps needed before opening, they will still need inspections from the Fire Marshall and the building contractor.

Next were several public hearings on two items.

The first was an ordinance detaching certain tracts of land from the corporate limits of the City of Ponca City. These tracts were located in what is informally known as the “Whirlpool site”. In 1985, the City of Ponca City extended the city limits two miles westward and took in 80 acres in anticipation of the Whirlpool corporation opening up a manufacturing facility in Ponca City. The site was marketed for many years, but no company used the site.

The Commissioners voted to de-annex the tracts of land.

The second item, was an ordinance authorizing the closing of a public street lying between Block 36 and Block 47 of townsite of Lynchville addition to the City of Ponca City located in the 100 block of West Cherry Avenue. The street is one by name only and does not physically exist. The west half was vacated in the 1930s.

The Commissioners voted to close the street.

Under new business, the first item was an appeal by Donald Joergensen II regarding the determination by the Administrative Hearing Officer of a public nuisance and the necessity of building condemnation and removal of property, and improvements located at 317 South Perry Street.

Evidence was provided that the building was board and secured since Feb. 3, 2023. The City has known about since Sept. 28, 2022 and received three police calls to the house; and several squatter calls have been made to this property in the last six months. Drug paraphernalia was also found at the site.

The representative for the appeal left the building prior to this item coming up on the agenda.

The Commissioners voted to deny the appeal.

The Commissioners then voted to approve a resolution authorizing an ambulance service agreement with Kay County, Oklahoma to receive a 1/16th proportionate share of all funds derived from a Kay County, Oklahoma sales tax of 1/3 of 1%.

The Commissioners approved the final change order acknowledging final acceptance and authorizing final payment to Evans and Associates Construction on Project No. SST 23-7, mill and overlay of Union Street, Gary Ave. to Liberty Ave., and Prospect Ave. from Pecan Road to 1450 feet east in the amount of $493,407.70.

Finally, the Commissioners approved a contract with Northwest Controls Systems, Inc. and authorized the Mayor to execute the necessary documents for Ponca City - City Central Rehabilitation - Fifth Floor Project Gen 23-7 in the amount of $388,050. This project helps to finish the new HVAC system for the fifth floor of City Central by using digital thermostats instead of the old pneumatic system. This company is the only one authorized to work on this project in the region.

The Commissioners then voted to adjourn the Commission meeting and enter into the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA) meeting.

The Commissioners voted to approve the PCUA Consent Agenda which included the following items: - The minutes of the regular session held on May 22 - A resolution appropriating money for payment of claims against PCUA - An annual pledge and guarantee document which is part of a participation agreement with ALFA (Association for Landfill Financial Assurance) With no new business, the Commissioners then voted to adjourn the PCUA meeting.