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Ted Wright -- last update 9/16/2003 (cityComisSept15.html) www.cvilleok.com Copyright 2003

Pink Line Down Main St. Discussed
Sept. 15, 2003
City Commission Meeting
City Charter Changes In The Works
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Mayor Sirmon was absent from the Sept. 15th City Commission / Municipal Authority meeting and Vice Mayor Stan Sallee presided.

A warranty payment of $4875 to SBC was approved for the 911 System. SBC had agreed to move the 911 System from the temporary police headquarters to the new headquarters (at 11th and Center) for no cost. But, without the warranty on software and hardware, there would have been no guarantee of a timely and successful move.

Collinsville Downtown, Inc. applied for and received a $500 Avon Pink Ribbon Grant. This will allow Collinsville to be one of only 35 cities nation-wide and one of two in Oklahoma to officially participate in this national event to increase cancer awareness. The event will occur on Saturday Oct. 18th at noon. After a lengthy discussion to work out logistics to minimize the impact on restraunt businesses and city personnel during a Saturday lunchtime, the closing of Main street was approved. The exact number of blocks and the amount of time to remain closed was left open. Details were to be finalized between the City Manager and Downtown Inc a few days before the event. The number of cancer survivers, family and other volunteers that would be participating will drive the final parameters. The concept for the event has volunteers painting a (temporary) pink line down the middle of Main Streets nationwide. Ribbons and balloons were discussed as alternatives to paint. Contact Julie Stanley or the Downtown, Inc. office for more information or to volunteer.

The city commission is moving in the direction of a city charter change, which if approved by city voters, would significantly change the way city officials are elected and how city elections are conducted. Based on a work session last month and discussion at this commission meeting, Ken Underwood (City Attorney) will draft modifications to the city charter which would then need to be acted on by the commission and then voters. A key change would have all city voters voting on all commissioners (not just those residing in a particular ward). The commissioners would still need to be ward residents. The commissioners' terms of office would be staggered to prevent a total change in commission personnel at one election. Another possibility discussed was having the mayor be selected from within the commission rather than being voted on separately. The city election process would also be turned over to the Tulsa County Election Board.

The commission approved a $30,000 transfer from the Sales Tax Reserve to the General Fund.

No action was taken, but possible membership in the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (Met) was discussed. There would be a $31,060 annual membership, and other capital costs related to a recycling center. The city is phasing out the old recycling center at 156 St. N. and 5th St.

The Collinsville Municipal Authority denied Tort claims of $5770 (by Ed and Linda Lynn) and $246 (by Martha Manley) as a result of a sewer backup on Labor Day. Two homes were affected when a main sewer line became clogged. City Attorney, Ken Underwood, stated that there was no sign of negligence on the city's part and the claims had to be denied by State Statute.

The authority also approved acceptance of a Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Consent Order due to occasions when Collinsville's discharge water quality exceeded DEQ discharge limits. The cause of the spikes in readings are not known. The city will continue to monitor and investigate. The city operates a wastewater collection system and flow through lagoon wastewater treatment works discharging into the Caney River. The DEQ reported 20 readings since Jan. 2002 that were beyond limits. Those readings occurred in 10 different months. City Manager, Mike Tinker, indicated the city suspects some individual or business may be illegally dumping chemicals into the sewage system. The DEQ order listed five tasks the city is to complete: By Oct. 2003, begin investigation to identify the problem substance in the wastewater. By Nov. 2003, submit an engineering analysis of the treatment facility. By Dec. 2003, submit an industrial user survey. By Jan. 2004, prepare and distribute education material to wastewater collection system users. By April 2005, complete investigation to identify problem substance in the wastewater. By July 2005, submit report of findings to DEQ.

-- Ted Wright -- 9/16/2003 -- www.cvilleok.com