The Ponca City Board of Commissioners held their regular session on Monday, Jan. 25th at City Hall at 5:30 p.m.

All items on the Consent Agenda were deemed non-controversial and were approved.

The City Manager’s Report was next on the agenda and Craig Stephenson, City Manager, discussed the City of Ponca City’s Residential Ice Storm Tree Debris Only Collection and let the public know that is still ongoing. The Street Division is currently working in section 13 and the Park Division is working in section 14. There are 21 sections in total and as of Jan. 22, 2021, city crews have removed 4,388.6 tons or 20,898 cubic yards of debris from the community.

Stephenson also let the community know that the Christmas Tree Recycling mulch will be available beginning January 28, 2021, this Thursday, until it is gone. Those who are interested will need to bring their own shovels and storage devices.

The City Manager also reported that the City of Ponca City’s Residential Autumn Leaf Collection will end on Feb. 5, 2021 and residents who wish to have their leaves removed must follow the specific guidelines. These guidelines include that loose leaves will not be collected and bagged leaves will be picked up free of charge with the maximum rate being ten bags per pickup day. Bagged leaves may be picked up by special pick-up anytime of the year by calling Solid Waste at 580-767-0411. Special pick-ups carry a minimum charge of $39.09.

Stephenson also discussed that all day Commission Meetings are scheduled for April 19 and April 20, 2021. These days are to allow the various departments of the city to present to the public what they do with the funding appropriated to them in serving the community. Another announcement by the City Manager is that the City Commission election for Seat #4 will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021.

Under the New Business category, the first item discussed was the Community Development Block Grant Program(CDBG-CV) and what it entails. The purpose of this program and the Citizen Participation Plan is to provide for and encourage citizen participation, particularly by low and moderate income persons who reside in areas where these funds are proposed to be used. This plan was approved and all the application requirements under the Cares Act (CDBG-CV) program have been met. The total amount of the funding for this grant is $612,680.00 and it is divided into the groups of Rent and Mortgage Assistance for $300,000.00. The assistance will be provided to eligible applicants in the form of a grant in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00 per household per year to bring their account current. Utility Assistance will total $200,000.00 and will be used to provide assistance to income eligible utility customers of the City of Ponca City as well as other utility providers, who are subject to a disconnect notice or have been disconnected already and need financial assistance to restore utility services. This assistance will be available in the form of a grant in the amount of $500.00 as a one time payment to bring their account current.

Thirdly, will be the Food Bank funding under the CDBG-CV Program and this portion totals $78,000.00. This will assist income eligible applicants in the City of Ponca City who are in need of groceries and will help to eliminate food insecurity. New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA) provides a food pantry in a familiar grocery store setting and with this funding, NERA will be able to increase by 50% the allowable groceries local residents are currently eligible to receive with help to provide sufficient food for an entire four weeks. Activity Delivery Costs of six percent are also factored in and these delivery costs total $34,680.00 and will be paid to NERA as well. Examples of these costs include personnel costs, materials, office supplies and other expenses required to implement and manage the projects. The CDBG-CV program was approved.

Other items under the New Business category of the meeting were also approved, including the bids for Street Improvement Projects involving concrete pavement reconstruction from Prospect Avenue to 14th street and Third St. South 100 block on the East side and Fourth St. North 100 block on the West side. Both of these projects were also approved and the meeting was adjourned.

The Ponca City Utility Authority meeting immediately followed and all items were approved.

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners encourage attendance by members of our community at city meetings and for any further information please call the City Clerk’s Office at 580-767-0304 or by visiting this link on the City of Ponca City page via Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/City-of-Ponca-City-OK-115761141785634/