Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Hello citizens and neighbors,

A quick update on the goings on in the great city of Vinita, Oklahoma. All the City Council people were present, along with the Mayor, City Attorney and Director of Operations.

In the VUA meeting they approved the purchase of 2 flow meters and software, user license and 2 scissor rings for $11,207.00. This will in the long run save money because in the past the city had to hire someone to come in and do this testing. A very sensible purchase in my opinion.

The first trane at the water treatment facility is be back flushed and it's very close to going back online after being refurbished. That's #3 trane. As soon as it's back online, then #4 will be taken down and refurbished and checked for corrosion, trouble spots, numerous other things that are part of the rehabilitation process. The screens in #4 are going to replaced because they have corrosion that can't cleaned, so the engineer recommends replacing them. The cost is $6,470.00 and includes screens, gaskets and strainers. These will be purchased from Siemens. This is a major company involved in building water systems all over the country.

The Director of Operations hinted that #4 may possibly be less expensive to refurbish than #3, but I don't think they'll know until it's offline and empty and inspected.

There was no new business and then they entered executive session about the AMR meter lawsuit. They re-entered open session and no action.

On the city side of the meeting they had to approve some funds being moved because of the ambulance subsidy. Since the agreement with the county, and Delaware county and City of Vinita the subsidy is costing the city more, but on the bottom line it should even out because the city isn't providing manpower for the ambulance service now. The salary of one firefighter that worked on the ambulance is being saved and that can be applied to the increased subsidy.

The police department went over their fuel budget by $865.00 year to date. There's still four months left until the end of the fiscal year, so be prepared for more overages. I realize gasoline prices are affecting some of this, but I think it's time for the Vinita Police Department to cut back. They have the largest budget of any department in the city, and our streets have been sacrificed, so it's time they need to sacrifice.

The fire department received a grant from FEMA to purchase two fire trucks. The old red truck which is a 1978 model will be retired and the grass fire truck which is a 1991 model will be retired. They mentioned that FEMA wouldn't allow these to be sold to other fire departments. They also mentioned transferring the truck used for grass fires to another city department. I say let's look at cutting back on some city vehicles. The tags, insurance and gasoline alone has to be astronomical. We cannot keep every vehicle when they are replaced. By the way, the city's part on these new fire trucks will be $16,861.00. It kind of hits a sore spot with me that the fire department and police department are always getting new equipment, but in this case where FEMA is giving $337,220.00, we would be foolish not to accept it.

The only other important item on the agenda was by councilor Jim Wisdom. He had ask for an accounting of  some financials from the Chamber of Commerce last July, 2011. They haven't been forthcoming. The city gives the Chamber a subsidy from the hotel/motel tax and they want a financial report detailing how some of the money is being spent. Travis Hartley, incoming President of the Chamber visited with some members of the council and said he would take this back to the board members. He related that they are having a meeting on March 20th, so the council tabled it and will re-visit this issue the first council meeting in April. Mr. Hartley stated that the Chamber has a 501(c) private business status with the IRS. That's different from a not for profit agency I believe.

There were a couple of requests relating to the North Park for an Easter egg hunt and the Bill Morgan Sports Complex for a block of time for a league.

The Excelsior street project will begin Monday, March 12, 2012 and they have roughly 180 days to complete the project. Be aware of that road closure and utilize Canadian and Illinois or the crossings North of Illinois.

Department head reports were addressed. Nothing major to report. The council requested a written report from the department head of Parks and Cemetery. He affirmed he would comply with the request.

That's it folks!

Until Later,
Okie Girl @ Home