City Council gives go-ahead to major waterline project

The Blackwell City Council met Thursday to recognize three members of the Blackwell Public Power Department as Employees of the Month, and to discuss a new housing development that might go into the former Huston School site on west Vinnedge Avenue.

The meeting began with the recognition of Paul Epperly, Dale Moulton and Darrell Steelmon as the city’s Employees of the Month. Blackwell Public Power Manager Greg Sixkiller presented the men with their awards.

The three were recognized for their tireless and meticulous work in making sure "every nut and bolt" at the electric department’s warehouse was accounted for as part of the department's new inventory system, Sixkiller said.

Sixkiller said the trio had been working since October to detail every inch of the warehouse and enter it into an online database.

To begin the business portion of the meeting, Tina Cavin gave the Blackwell Public Library report. She told the Council that check-out numbers were up from January through March. She also said Blackwell citizens were using the library’s resources, including the WiFi hot-spots, fax machine and printing services, especially during tax season.

Cavin said the library had received several shipments of highly anticipated new books and has a display for Women’s History Month.

Next, the Council received a budget report from Chief Financial Officer Russ Meacham, who said the City of Blackwell’s financials were in “very good shape.”

City Manager Jerry Wieland addressed the Council in his report, noting that city officials were preparing for budget meetings. He said things were looking good across the board.

He also said Blackwell’s Streets & Parks Department and the electric department were highly praised during the winter weather in February.

He said he received many positive calls from residents and businesses, including the school system. Callers acknowledged city workers for their expedient efforts in response to road conditions and scattered power outages.

The matter of an electrical agreement between the Town of Braman and the City of Blackwell was tabled and will be discussed more in a future meeting.

The City Council then approved reviewing and sending notice to contractors for bidding on an expansive waterline project for College, Bridge and Padon avenues between 4th and 13th streets, as well as Oklahoma Ave. between 4th and 8th streets and McKinley between 4th, 9th and 10th streets. The project was borne from a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant for waterlines, fire hydrants, valves and more.

The city is putting up $522,960 for the project.

The last item on the Council’s agenda was approving bid specifications for light bars, sirens and other equipment to outfit the Blackwell Police Department’s 2022 Ford SUVs, which were budgeted for the year. The Council approved advertising for bids.

In the Blackwell Facilities Authority meeting, Wieland spoke to the Council about an agreement with Hance Pyrotechnics for the annual 4th of July fireworks display. The display would cost $12,800 and be paid for with tourism funds.

Wieland said the fireworks company is requiring cities and organizations to sign contracts because of the high demand for celebrations and shows, as well as the limited availability of resources following the pandemic. The Council spoke highly of the last few years’ fireworks shows and unanimously approved the item.

Finally, the Council convened in executive session to discuss the possibility of a new housing project. If approved, the project would be built at the site of the old Huston School, which closed several years ago. The matter was discussed, but no action was taken. More discussion will occur in the future.