Henryetta City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, with the council discussing various financial approvals, property abatements, and community event requests.

The meeting opened with routine matters, including the approval of the consent agenda, which covered financial reports for September, the minutes from the previous meeting, and claims for the month of September.

The council then approved a payment of $40,023.88 to the Bank of Oklahoma for the 2015 Note Series monthly payment, followed by a payment to AEP/PSO in the amount of $32,860.92.

A request from Tristen Demmitt to waive the deposit and rental fees for the use of the Civic Center on December 20, for a community-wide Christmas dinner was approved. The council voted to waive the rental fees but kept the deposit in place to cover potential damages.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on a request from the Henryetta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The Housing Authority sought a waiver for accrued payments in lieu of taxes totaling $25,817.91, spanning fiscal years 2021 through 2023. Coun- cil members questioned why these payments had been waived in the past and whether this practice should continue.

A representatives from the Housing Authority explained that the funds typically go back into maintaining the low-income housing provided to residents, emphasizing the importance of reinvesting in the community. Despite their explanation, the council chose to table the request, citing the need for further review by the city attorney before making a final decision.

The council tackled several property abatements, with many properties receiving 90-day extensions during previous meetings to allow owners time to make significant improvements. Properties considered were:

• 211 N 9th Street (owned by Leroy Freand) – abatement approved • 901 W Cummings Street (owned by Jeremy Scott & Joyce Moore) 30-day extension granted • 206 E Scott Street (owned by Katherine Valle & Sir Pharoah Henley) – 90-day extension granted

• 405 N 11th Street (owned by Danielle Vanhagen & Tommy W Smith, Jr.) – abatement approved

• 322 E Beach Street (owned by Roy Michael Taylor) – abatement approved • 304 W Moore Street (owned by Brent Davis) – 90-day extension

• 303 W Cummings Street (owned by David R & Linda A Retherford) – 30- day extension

• 1512 W Trudgeon Street (owned by Michael A Ponce II) abatement approved Another item on the agenda was the approval of an agreement between JD Young and the City of Henryetta for a new Richo IMC300f copier for the Henryetta Fire Department. The council agreed to the terms of the contract, recognizing the need for updated equipment to support the department’s operations.

The council also took action on several community- focused initiatives, including the approval of a request from the Henryetta Park, Recreation & Tourism Board to allow Hallmark Christmas to reserve the Gazebo Park for a holiday event on December 7. The council showed strong support for the event, which is expected to attract many residents and spread holiday cheer throughout the city.

The meeting concluded with a report from City Manager David Bullard, who provided updates on several ongoing city projects:

• Sewer Line Work at Casey’s: The project is progressing, with completion expected soon.

• City Building Roof Replaced.

• Airport Improvements: Significant upgrades are in progress, enhancing the facility for the local aviation community.

• Water Booster Station: Efforts continue to improve water pressure in certain areas of the city, with the 4th Street Booster Pump Station being a major focus.

Bullard also addressed plans to improve signage throughout Henryetta by replacing old, faded signs with more uniform and visible replacements. Additionally, the city is preparing for road overlay projects, with new asphalt being laid on several streets once the fiscal year budget allows.

Following the regular City Council meeting, the Henryetta Municipal Authority convened to address a few additional items. The Authority approved payments, including $37,962.14 to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and $20,379.87 to Myer’s Engineering for work related to the West Warren Road water storage tank project. A change order from Quicksilver, extending the contract for the 4th Street Booster Pump Station by 60 days, was also approved.