Questions about the intended use of a piece of property located on North Okmulgee Street were answered during Monday’s meeting of the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners.
Questions about the intended use of a piece of property located on North Okmulgee Street were answered during Monday’s meeting of the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners.
Former District 2 Commissioner and veterans Robert Hardridge and Marvin Lowe were in attendance and addressed the board and attendees.
Grover Wind, director of the Veterans Affairs of the Muscogee Nation, was going to speak, but due to another engagement, Hardridge spoke on his behalf.
“We’re here to represent the Veterans National Cemetery that is being proposed to be built,” Hardridge said. “I don’t have a lot of information to say, but wanted to let you know and the public know that it is indeed a proposed project that has been put on delay.”
He stated there are preliminary plans that will be shown to the board.
“Our concern mainly are the ditches and the water runoff or water retention,” Hardridge said. “I think the water retention will be better once the groundwork is done, cause there is an awful lot of water that comes off of that.”
Spearheaded by the Muscogee Nation, a Veterans National Cemetery will be located on the northeast corner of Okmulgee and Tank Farm Road (Fairgrounds Road).
“The project is indeed in the process, it has just been delayed,” Hardridge said. “We are hoping to be able to work with the county… From experience, there is a water runoff issue down to the south, but hopefully with the cooperation of the tribal roads and county, and with the city… We’ll be coming to you from time to time to get your opinion on what to do and we want to work with the county.”
Hardridge stated the cemetery will have two entrances, one on Okmulgee and the other on Fairgrounds Road, which may need to be widened.
“I know they will be nice, wide entrances and exits, and the place will be fenced with wrought iron,” Hardridge said. “It does have the support of the U.S.Veterans Affairs, the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, at Arlington, and we also worked with the local cemeteries getting proper information.”
The cemetery will be for all veterans, however, a small section of the land will be used for burial of Native citizens.
Also addressing the board were several county residents in District 1 who thanked the commissioners for getting the roads impacted by the recent flooding back to passable for those who live in the area.
A resident informed the commissioners that before the flooding, a mobile home was on schedule to be delivered. However, temporary fixes has caused a delay in the delivery.
“We knew you guys were overloaded,” the citizen said.
Commissioner Ron Ballard informed them that crews were in the area and hopefully there would be some solutions soon to the road problem.
Another resident informed the board about the intersection of Bixby and Ferguson Road, and the high grass and trees and brush causing dangerous driving conditions. Assistance in helping with the problem was offered if needed.
Judge Pandee Ramirez stopped by briefly to thank the commissioners for assistance in getting the air conditioning back up.
“That let our jury trial go on,” she said, “but I hope it’s not off your radar because I don’t know if it’s completely fixed at this point, but from the District Court we wanted to thank you all for working so hard on it.”
County Treasurer Vonna Lampkins gave an update on the recent property sale.
“There were three properties that were redeemed from the sale, Lampkins said. “ With this sale, after these three were redeemed, the tax amount we collected was $56,380.82. It sold for a total of $221,478.20. So we had a total received of $225,858.20.”
Any overage of funds not collected after a year, will then be split between county, cities and schools for disbursement.
Agenda items approved were:
• Minutes from June 13 meeting.
• Officers’ Report: Election Board in the amount of $1,247.44; and Treasurer’s Office, $34,494.94.
• Blanket Purchase Orders: District 1, S&H Auto Parts, $1,000 and Cintas, $800.
• Resolution to renew county Lease Purchase Agreements for FY 2022-23 for all three districts.
• Surplus Highway Funds from FY 2021-22 to FY 2022-23.
• Monthly Appropriations.
• Claims in the amount of $466,018.40.
Among the agenda items tabled by the board was action on the roofing materials and services proposal with Garland/DBS; resolution on proposed district boundaries and the sale of property located at 5005 N. Wood Drive.