Hi Friends & Neighbors,
I took time out from the hustle and bustle and attended the Vinita Council Meeting Tuesday evening at 5:30pm. We all stood with our hands over our hearts and pledged allegiance to the United States of America. Everytime I recite it aloud I am struck by the importance of being loyal to our nation and to God. I take very seriously the part about liberty and justice for all.
Mayor Hiesley and Director of Operations Delbert Bowers requested their spending limit without council approval be raised to $5,000. Mayor Hiesley explained that costs for supplies have increased and there was an instance of a valve needed for the refurbishment of the water trane and it had to be approved by council last evening, so it was a delay that inconvenienced the progress at the water treatment plant. Passed unanimously.
A previous invoice from PEC(Professional Engineering Consultants for the Waste Water Plant was approved this time, but there was an amendment of $170.00 less than the previous amount submitted. Passed unanimously.
The council authorized the purchase of a Wafer style butterfly valve from Furmanite for $3,065.00. This was the valve needed for the water filter trane at the water treatment plant. Passed unanimously.
The council took actions and authorized changing engineering consultant for the wastewater services to Water PAQ Engineering, Inc. This is the new engineer that is working on the water treatment plant also.
The next item on the agenda was discussion and consideration on a lawsuit pertaining to the automated meter reading system and WiFi system. The city attorney suggested that the council skip this item at the moment and go into executive session, then return to open session and vote on this issue. Following is the item listed on the agenda and it is verbatim and very long, but worth reading.
Discussion, consideration and possible action on authorizing a lawsuit pertaining to the automated meter reading system and WiFi system including, without limitation: a) adopting a resolution authorizing the City Attorney and Mayor to bring suit against parties they deem liable to the City of Vinita and/or the Vinita Utilities Authority for theories including, but not limited to, misappropriation of public property, violation of the Open Meeting Act, violation of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes, violation of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, breach of contract, equitable relief and fraud; authorizing the Mayor to sign and/or attest the lawsuit Petition; and, authorizing the City Attorney and Mayor to make expenditures they deem necessary and proper in pursuing the rights of the City of Vinita and the Vinita Utilities Authority, including the hiring of experts and court reporters; and b) determining the scope of legal services to be performed and the payment source, rate and structure. Lawsuit will involve, among other things, a determination of whether or not the following documents are legal, valid and binding upon the City of Vinita or the Vinita Utility Authority:
There is more, but the rest is about the documents in question and whether they are all legal and binding to the City of Vinita. It's a lot to comprehend, but it's taken over three years to get to this point and it will take longer to pursue the lawsuit, but I'm telling you it's worth the effort and money because our town and people didn't deserve this, so now maybe things can be amended and made right.
The VUA meeting was adjourned and the Mayor proceeded to bring to order The City Council Meeting.
The first item on that agenda was the plat for Cobblestone Creek Estates subdivision. The planning commission approved the annexation and made 2 or 3 recommendations on spelling of street names, etc;. The council proceeded with the vote and it passed unanimously. This is the subdivision West of Sequoyah St. and Tahlequah St.
The council took action on the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Vinita and Craig county to establish an agreement to continue ambulance service to the City and Craig county. The city will pay $8,640.00 per month as will the county to subsidize Mercy Regional Ambulance. The city will be saving money and there will be an ambulance placed at Cleora in Delaware county. They have their own 522 Trust and they collect money from advalorem taxes to maintain an ambulance over there, but by three entities sharing the cost burden it's made easier for everyone. It's a win win situation for the City of Vinita and the ambulance at Cleora will be able to cover the Ketchum area which is in Craig County.
The council tabled a reduction in force of the Fire Dept. This firefighter was used to supplement manpower on the ambulance, but is no longer required now with the new agreements and arrangement. This issue will probably be re-visited again next council meeting, but I'm not positive.
The council accepted the resignation of a Library employee. He was a recent hire and his resignation was accepted by the council.
The City Treasurer gave a brief report and stated that the first 3 months of the new fiscal year showed improvement in revenue. He explained that VUA revenues are climbing and water revenues were up the first three months of the fiscal year which included July, August, and September. The increase could be attributed to the heat we had this summer and lack of rain, but that's only my opinion. He did state that garbage, court, cemetery and franchise tax revenues were all up also. He basically said the increases weren't going to heal the tight finances, but every little bit helps. I paraphrased that part.
The last item was another executive session concerning the Railroad crossing on Delaware and discussing the demotion, disciplining or resignation of Joseph Hart, pursuant to Title 25 O.S. Section 307(B)(1).
When they returned from executive session the city attorney stated that a hearing on the railroad crossing has been scheduled for February 2, 2012 with the OCC and it will take place before a special referee.
There was no action taken on the matter concerning Joseph Hart. Mr. Hart asked the council and Mayor what that meant and the Mayor stated there was no action taken. Mayor Hiesley told Mr. Hart he would meet with him the following morning if he wished to meet.
The meeting was adjourned.
I realize this is lengthy, but it's very important to understand what's going on in our town. I'll try to write something really fun next time. Heck, I might even take a picture of something really pretty, I wonder what that could be............mmmmmm, but;
Until Later,
Okie Girl @ Home
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