Reinstatement of Henryetta Parks Board discussed
Various board appointments were approved during Tuesday’s regular session of the Henryetta City Council.
Councilmember Janna Cluck was named to the Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA), by a 3-2 vote, with the no votes cast by members Steve Sanford and Vernon Van Meter.
Other appointments made were:
• Mayor Michael Dickey to the Eastern Oklahoma Development Authority
• Mayor Michael Dickey to the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD)
• Scott Lawrence to fill Van Meter’s unexpired term on the Board of Adjustments. The term will expire May 2025.
• Shane Smith to Board of Adjustments
• Keith Green, David Bullard and Todd Groff to the Planning and Zoning Board
• Jill Francis to the Henryetta Economic Development Authority • Aaron Graffman and Kayla Hurn to the Henryetta Housing Authority A discussion was held on a request by Bruce Jones to add horseshoe pits at Nichols Park, as another way to draw more people to the city and park.
Jones proposed putting four horseshoe pits in an area just west of the caretaker’s house. He estimated that the cost would be about $1,500 for wood materials, with very little upkeep needed.
Councilmember Jennifer Munholland suggested locating them near the volleyball court in a lower area near the lake. Mayor Dickey added that he would like to find a different place, not in the front area of the park. An area closer to the ball fields was also suggested.
“It’s definitely something we should pursue,” the mayor said.
The council tasked Jones with taking a look at what the cost would be and would discuss at a later time.
On the agenda was an item brought up by Councilman Sanford. He is seeking to reinstate the Henryetta Parks Board.
Sanford read the city ordinance which established the board, which would be comprised of at least seven members from the community. He shared a list of candidates that would be interested in serving on the advisory board. He also noted the ordinance states a hotel/motel owner should be on the board.
Munholland stated the Parks Board was dismantled due to an issue several years ago with the payment on a receipt.
“We talked to OMAG and they said ‘you can make a one-time payment, but you have to dismantle that board because you hold liability for allowing them to make the city responsible,” Munholland said. She also inquired as to why people could not come to the council with ideas for the parks.
Sanford stated the ordinance does not give the Parks Board the ability to spend money, but he sought a board that would look after the parks and people could share their ideas with the board, and they would then bring it to the council to decide yes or no.
The matter was tabled until more details on the previous decision was researched.
Edward G. Nelson, Jr. addressed the council regarding the property he owns located at 1207 W Gentry.
Nelson purchased the property in January with the intent to remodel it. Since then, he has changed his mind and wants to sell the property to another investor. He came to the monthly council meeting asking for 30 days to start remodeling work.
“The house is structurally bad,” Henryetta Code Enforcement officer Jody Agee said. “If you want to tear it down, there is nothing stopping you.”
The house has had no utilities servicing it for several years. Nelson stated that the prospective new owner wants to remodel the home.
The council voted to keep the house abated, and stood by their original decision. Nelson was told he was free to sell it, but the home would remain on the list for demolition.
Posey Construction was awarded a bid to resurface the parking lot at 419 West Trudgeon. The bid was $24,750, which will cover resurfacing the lot, removal of existing concrete to make the surface level. There will be no markings done for parking. The cost will be reimbursed by HEDA.
Council approved a Letter of Engagement with Crawford & Associates, P.C. for accounting services for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
A request to annex three tracts of land into the corporate city limits of Henryetta by Ratilal Patel was also approved. The area is just west of Dewey Bartlett, west of the city, and will be rezoned for commercial use, making it available for future business growth. This item had been tabled from the April 18 meeting, to allow for legal publication.
The council moved into an executive session to discuss the contract with the Henryetta International Association of Fire Fighters (Local #2788). That contract was approved upon their return to open session.
The board tabled action on adding fencing along the railroad right-of-way at Caboose Park. Councilmember Sanford stated he had been in touch with the Burlington Northern Railroad, and they wish to do an on-site visit. The railroad company may pay half of the $14,700 estimate for 300 feet of fencing.
Other items approved were:
• Financial Reports for April
• Minutes of meetings held in April
• Claims for the month of April
• Budget Amendments #23-9 for Fiscal Year 20222023
• Payment to Bank of Oklahoma in the amount of $41,216.67 for 2015 Note Series monthly payment
• Payment to AEP/PSO in the amount of 25,925.23 Under New Business, the matter of food trucks and the possibility of an ordinance regulating them was brought forward to the council. More information will be sought on how other towns deal with food trucks and their fees. The matter will be discussed during next month’s regular meeting.
