Op-Ed: Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell Appointed as Secretary of Workforce Development

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As your Lieutenant Governor, I have had the privilege of visiting with countless businesses in all 77 counties. Most of the time, I’m included in celebrations – welcoming a new company coming to town or breaking ground on an expansion. I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate those economic development wins, and I’m particularly excited when those happen in rural Oklahoma.

As I visit with business owners, there is one consistent woe they each share with me: available and qualified workforce. In smaller areas, recruiting workforce has become a vicious cycle of poaching workers from other local businesses, leaving their neighbor with the same challenging hole to fill.

A low unemployment rate is certainly something to celebrate. We recently hit a state record low of 2.7%. This tells us that Oklahomans are working and living our state motto, “Labor Omnia Vincit,” or “Work Conquers All.” But this coupled with the number of open jobs and the national and international demand to move to Oklahoma to take advantage of our pro-business environment leads to a workforce shortage that remains difficult to resolve.

Unprecedented growth in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and our continued dominance in energy have made Oklahoma in-high-demand for business relocation and expansion. The pipeline of companies considering Oklahoma is at an all-time high, and the list of wins over the past 18 months speaks for itself: Enel, Model 1, CymSTAR, Pratt & Whitney, and several others account for 7,548 new jobs and over $4 billion in investment, with 53% of those wins happening in rural areas.

But the workforce challenge remains, which is why I’m excited to make an impact as the Secretary of Workforce Development. Through this position, I’ll not only be able to continue the positive momentum of business recruitment and expansion, but I’ll also be able to help set our existing businesses up for success by helping to fill quality jobs with quality workers.

We will go about this in a few ways. First, we need to focus on increasing Oklahoma’s labor force participation rate, which is currently at 61.4%. This means that only 61.4% of available workers are currently employed. For comparison, Kansas is at 66.8%. Getting Oklahomans to work is going to be no small feat, but I’m looking forward to working with the HELP task force to understand barriers to workforce entry for mothers, particularly the cost of childcare. I’m also looking forward to connecting with the Department of Rehabilitation Services to understand opportunities for Oklahoma’s disabled citizens. Working with re-entry programs for incarcerated workers and veteran re-entry programs are also high on my list.

Our CareerTech system also provides an opportunity for low-cost training and education for the most in-demand jobs in our state. Working with them helps both existing and potential businesses create a workforce pipeline uniquely trained for their specific needs.

We also must invest in public education. In the 2021-2022 school year, 3,460 Oklahoma teachers were emergency certified. This totaled 7.7% of the total teacher population, a massive increase from the mere 0.2% we had in the 2012-2013 school year. That number is unacceptable. We need to work with teachers to ensure they’re getting the resources and support they need to stay. Oklahoma’s future workforce is sitting in our classrooms, and they deserve a high-quality education from professional educators.

While I wish that was enough, we must look outside the state to fill the workforce gap. Marketing our low cost of living, low tax rates, family values, and overall quality of life to recruit workers to Oklahoma is the last piece of the complicated workforce puzzle.

As the Secretary of Workforce Development, I certainly have my work cut out for me, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. Championing Oklahoma businesses and showcasing Oklahoma to the world is my favorite thing to do. Imagine that.

City of Sand Springs Announces New Planet Fitness at Riverwest Development

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The City of Sand Springs and League Capital, LLC announced on Tuesday the latest addition to the Riverwest Development.

A newly constructed 20,000 square foot Planet Fitness being developed by Tulsa-based League Capital, LLC, will be operated by Excel Fitness Holdings, a leading franchisee of Planet Fitness from Austin, TX.

The state-of-art fitness facility will be located at 100 W. Morrow Rd, within the Riverwest Development, in the heart of Sand Springs’ rapidly growing retail, commercial, and entertainment corridor.

“Sand Springs is excited to welcome Planet Fitness to our community and their inclusion puts an exclamation mark on the end of the Riverwest project that has been one of the most impactful projects funded by Vision 2025,” said Mayor James O. Spoon.

“When our City Manager approached us with the possibility of having a Planet Fitness in Sand Springs, I visited one of their locations in Tulsa,” said Councilman Mike Burdge. “I was very impressed with their dedication to being part of the community; especially to the health of our students.”

Construction on the approximately $8,000,000 project will commence this summer with hopes to achieve completion this calendar year. The facility will add another key quality of life component servicing Sand Springs and the surrounding communities by providing a high-quality fitness experience at an exceptional value, in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment.

The Sand Springs Planet Fitness will include brand new cardio machines and strength equipment, a 30-Minute Express Circuit, 60” HDTVs spanning the length of the gym, and fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, all geared toward promoting an active lifestyle.

“This marks the 12th location from our franchisee group in the state and, as one of the largest franchisees in Oklahoma, we’re excited to become a part of the Sand Springs community,” said Excel Fitness CEO CJ Bouchard.

“We are focused on each individual community where we have a club and thrilled to create a workout environment where everyone in Sand Springs feels accepted and respected.”

“Our Sand Springs club will have the best of the best when it comes to fitness, with plenty of cardio to make sure you can get in and out for a workout on any schedule,” said Bouchard.

Excel Fitness Holdings is a leading Planet Fitness franchise group based in the Austin area with over 125 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Utah. Excel Fitness has built a team culture that focuses on elevating the member experience by developing exceptional health clubs and delivering world-class customer service. The team is passionate about building communities through fitness and supporting their local markets through employment and memberships opportunities that positively impact lives.

League Capital, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in commercial real estate. Founded in 2009 in Tulsa, OK. Roy Brashears with Orion Real Estate represented the Seller (City of Sand Springs) and Paine & Associates, LLC represented the Buyer (League Capital, LLC).

“We are pleased to play a meaningful role in developing this project in conjunction with our long-standing and valued client -Excel Fitness Holdings,” said League Capital Managing Member Matthew C. Mardis.

“We would like to thank all of the representatives with the city of Sand Springs, as they have been a pleasure to work with throughout this process.”

“We would like to thank our design team - GS Helms, Cedar Creek Consultants, and Wallace Design Collective; our legal representatives Eller & Detrich, and our lending partner American Bank & Trust, for assisting us in bringing this project to fruition.”

Small Businesses Find Success in Oklahoma Incubators

Sand Springs Home Trustee Erik Stuckey (left) shakes hands with former Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce President Kyle Smith outside The Link small business incubator in downtown Sand Springs.

Business incubators nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable. These programs provide client companies with business support services and resources tailored to young firms. The most common goals of incubation programs are creating jobs in a community, enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses in a community, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies.

The role of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in the incubator process is to certify the incubators and to ensure the incubators meet certain standards of excellence.

Two core principles that characterize effective business incubation include:

1. The incubator aspires to have a positive impact on its community’s economic health by maximizing emerging companies’ successes.

2. The incubator itself is a dynamic model of a sustainable, efficient business operation.

These incubators provide:

• Flexible space and leases

• Access to office services and equipment

• An on-site incubator manager as a resource for business advice

Exposure to a network of outside business and technical consultants, often providing accounting, marketing, engineering and legal advice; and assistance with financing and marketing.

Currently, 31 certified small business incubators are operating in Oklahoma, with tenants ranging from small service companies to high-tech research and development operations and manufacturing entities.

During 2020, Oklahoma incubator managers were asked to complete a questionnaire to document their activities for the current reporting period. The following statistics are based on the information received from the responding incubator managers:

Currently 1,165 jobs are provided by 109 small business located in incubators.

More than 1,000 small businesses have located in a small business incubator throughout the life of Oklahoma’s Certified Small Business Incubator Program.

More than 500 of those have graduated from the program or relocated to a larger facility.

1,373 people are currently employed by 259 of the graduated businesses that remained in the state.

Here are just a few success stories from those business throughout 2020:

Aircraft Logistics Group, LLC Acorn Growth Companies Oklahoma City, Okla.

The success of Aircraft Logistics Group, LLC continues to be a compelling story for incubators. In 2017, the company completed the sale of a significant portion of its loan portfolio to a strategic buyer in the aerospace and defense sector that carried forward the mission of airborne intelligence missions in support of the global war on terror. The sale represented an 8x return on invested capital and a 46% gross internal rate of return.

Generation FSH Hemphill Create Tulsa, Okla.

Generation FSH is a new tenant of Hemphill Create, specializing in welding and fabrication service. The owners of the company saw an opportunity to start their family business at Hemphill in October 2020. The husband and wife duo wanted to leave the shuffle and control of the corporate grind and bet on themselves. Duane Grundy is a welder and fabricator, while his wife Shavonne Grundy handles corporate affairs. Gaining perspective from Hemphill’s successful family business has helped further the Grundy’s outlook on success and provided historical data and industry knowledge to add to their repertoire of talent.

Flexibility and support are key to success in these unprecedented times. Hemphill has offered companies a safe haven to grow and explore business strategy and growth in spite of the on-going global pandemic.

Mortgage Solutions Financial The LINK Sand Springs, Okla.

Mortgage Solutions Financial started at The LINK by occupying two private desk spaces. The company has flourished, doubling the initial number of employees. They have outgrown their work space three times and now occupy three office suites. Their growth and financial standing has far exceeded their expectations. They anticipate graduating from The LINK incubator soon.

Indigo Technology Group The Forge Tulsa, Okla.

Indigo Technology Group, a Tulsa based software company, uses their scalable technologies as a platform to launch other startups alongside industry veterans. As a technology platform, they become a multiplier when coupled with domain experts, cutting the costs and shortening ramp-up time to profitability. Indigo has successfully helped launch several growth-oriented companies and highlights their achievements through Indigo’s annual “Technology Showcase” each spring.

Commerce will be highlighting incubator business success stories in upcoming issues of the New Pioneer – signup for our E-Newsletter. Find out more about certified Incubators or locate an Incubator near you.

CPHS Freshman Academy and STEM Center receives Excellence in Construction Award

KKT Architects and L.D. Kerns Contractors were recently awarded the Excellence in Construction Eagle Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma for their work on the new Freshman Academy and STEM Center at Charles Page High School in Sand Springs. The project was entered in the Institutional $10-25 million category.

The 58,000 square foot addition to the high school unified the district’s high school students for the first time in decades, replacing the old Central Ninth Grade Center in downtown. The project included 24 classrooms (including four STEM classrooms), a cafeteria/commons space, administrative offices, and a grand lobby and entrance.

KKT previously shared an Eagle Award with Flintco LLC for their $1.3 million renovation at the Ed Dubie Field House in 2011, and won an AIA Oklahoma Award of Excellence Merit Award for their work at Charles Page Library in 2003.

Sand Springs City Council approves new dispensary, minimum wage increase for City jobs

Samuel’s Jewelry is the planned site for a new medical marijuana dispensary.

The Sand Springs City Council approved a Specific Use Permit for a new medical marijuana dispensary at their last Monday evening meeting. Samuel Newport applied for the permit on behalf of Westside Wellness, which will be located in the Samuel’s Jewelry building at 1138 East Charles Page Boulevard. The building will likely be split in half with a new interior wall, and the two businesses will operate independently with separate entrances.

Councilman Phil Nollan posed the question “How much is enough for our little town, as far as the number of dispensaries?” Although many residents have voiced objections to the rising number of marijuana businesses in the town, the City actually has little ability to restrict them from opening.

“We’re limited to the SUP process,” said City Attorney David Weatherford. “So if the restriction deals with a valid concern about the impact on adjoining property or the impact on infrastructure, that’s something you could look at. The problem is, the Planning Commission looked at all that and didn’t impose any of that. You have a lot of freedom to do a lot of things, but you may be challenged on it someday by someone, and you have to be able to defend it. Why did we put that restriction on this business as opposed to someone else?”

“If we’re going to put that kind of restriction on one business, then we have to on another,” added Vice Mayor Patty Dixon. “I mean, maybe there’s too many glass shops for me, or too many mobile glass people for me, or too many pharmacies. If we start going there, then it’s going to be discriminatory and we just can’t do that.”

“I’m a proponent to let the market play out,” said Councilman Beau Wilson. “We saw the vape stores come in. They were strong and heavy. Now where are they? I think that this competition will weed out a lot of lesser competitors, so to speak.”

Councilman Nollan was also concerned about signage, and expressed a desire for Westside Wellness to be discreet with its branding. City Planner Brad Bates allayed that concern by pointing to zoning regulations that already limit all businesses according to the size of their building.

Ultimately Nollan moved to approve the SUP, and Council unanimously passed the measure.

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Sand Springs Ward map.

In other news:

Council unanimously approved a resolution of Notice of Election for City Council members from Ward 5, Ward 6, and the At-Large position. Those seats are occupied by Wilson, Brian Jackson, and Mayor Jim Spoon, respectively. Wilson has occupied his seat since 2015, Jackson since 2009, and Spoon since 2015. Terms are three years, and councilmembers are non-partisan unpaid volunteers.

The filing period for Council will be from December 7th through December 9th, and declarations of candidacy must be filed at the City Clerk’s office at 100 East Broadway, in Room 200 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The primary election, if needed, will be held on February 9th. The general election, if needed, will be held on April 6th.

Council unanimously approved a minimum wage of $13.01 for benefit-eligible City jobs. The existing minimum wage was $10.40.

Council unanimously approved a $30,000 transfer of appropriations for the purchase of a new Animal Welfare vehicle. Those dollars were originally budgeted for new cat cages, but the shelter recently acquired new cages through a grant program, and ongoing issues with the existing vehicle have altered the department’s priorities.

Council unanimously approved a professional services agreement with Schuermann Enterprises at a cost of up to $59,780 to upgrade and automate systems at the Sand Springs Water Treatment Plant. Currently, the five water filter units at the plant each have their own flow meter, but the City plans to install a single combined meter that will help with better water quality and reduced chemical usage.

Council unanimously approved final acceptance of a wheelchair ramp installation project. The City recently awarded C&F Concrete a project installing 21 wheelchair ramps to sidewalks across the city, funded by a 2018 General Obligation Bond measure.

Council unanimously approved a resolution awarding a bid to Vexus Contracting in the amount of $94,000 for modernization of the elevator at the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum. Vexus had the lowest of five bids.

Council unanimously voted to re-appoint Judy Treat, Michael Miller, and Steve Lane to serve additional three-year terms on the Sand Springs Economic Development Authority.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Sarah Tvzynka to serve an unexpired term to July 2021 on the Sand Springs Development Authority.

Council unanimously voted to approve an ordinance amending the zoning map for a property at 214 North Wilson. The vacant lot was previously zoned Residential, but was changed to Commercial Shopping. If a pending sale proceeds as planned, the property will be combined with an existing parking lot to the south, and a new laundromat will be constructed.

Has investing become an extreme sport?

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This past weekend my family decided to be a part of a team building event at Extreme Water Sports in Oklahoma City, OK. This is a U.S Olympic and Paralympic training site that allows regular individuals to partake in many adrenaline inducing activities. Whitewater rafting, by far is the most exciting and dangerous activity offered at this facility. I avoid risk by nature and wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into but figured I could handle it. I was not prepared for what happened next.

After listening to a short and totally inadequate safety speech by our guide, we headed out to conquer the rapids. As the roar of the rapids filled our ears our guide yelled, “We’ll go through this course three times. Do you want to go aggressive now or later?!” The six of us in the raft chose later. At the first spillway I realized I had made a big mistake. The waves smashed into my face as our guide yelled, “Row forward!”

As I thought, “Ok, that wasn’t so bad,” we hit the next rapid and I found myself ejected out of the raft and into the swirling rapid along with two others from our group. I was dunked repeatedly, and terror engulfed me as I was pulled under the raft by the raging current. I could not remember a thing from the prior safety instructions. Needless to say, I was saved and was unscathed, except for a few scrapes, bruises, and drinking gallons of river water. I am forever in the debt of our guide!

As I was reflecting on my “near death” experience I realized that as investors there are many parallels between white water rafting and what we have experienced over the past year or so. Our guide gave me some really good advice, however, in the moment I forgot it all. Here’s what he said…

“YOU HAVE TO THINK LOGICALLY!” - If you have to rescue someone that has been thrown out of the raft, you must grab them by the shoulder straps of their life jacket and dunk them under the water to get buoyancy and momentum needed to drag them into the raft.

When I was in the water I wasn’t thinking logically, I was in survival mode. I would have fought against someone trying to dunk me to pull me in the raft. The same applies to investing, when the market has dropped drastically all the investor thinks about is survival and your survival instincts scream, “Get out! You can’t recover from this! At least you won’t lose any more!” This is where retirement plans capsize and never recover. Sticking to a plan when you are going through the volatility of the market is a must if you are to make it out. Benjamin Graham summed up this sentiment best when he said, “The investor’s chief problem - and even his worst enemy - is likely himself.”

“LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDE AT ALL TIMES.” - Whether I was in the water or in the raft, it was the precise and timely instruction of the guide that got me through any situation that I was encountering. If I could hear his voice over the roar of the rapids, I was ok. Trust me, he received a big tip at the end because I felt that I owed him my life!

There is a reason you hire an advisor. It’s not for the good times, nor is it only for the bull markets; a real advisor proves his worth when the going gets rough and things get crazy. This is because he knows that he is handling your future livelihood. As long as you are able to hear your financial advisor’s voice, allow him to shred the narrative and follow his promptings. If you can do this, you will be ok. Don’t jump ship, hang in there. This is what he was trained to do. You were smart to hire your advisor so trust yourself, listen to your financial professional because they are there to help you succeed. Your financial advisor will celebrate your financial successes because when you succeed, they too are successful.

“SOMETIMES ALL YOU CAN DO IS HUNKER DOWN” - There were times our guide would yell, “GET DOWN!” This meant to lock your feet in, hunker down, and hold on because we were about to hit a massive rock or rapid. He was diligent in watching out for what we were approaching, and his verbal commands were an indication of his concern for our safety. Most importantly, he knew that in that moment, we were safest in the vessel and by not jumping ship.

There are times when the best course of action is hunkering down. No one knows the exact future of the markets, the economy, or what the results of the elections will be. Choosing a financial advisor is like selecting a long-term whitewater rafting guide, but more personal because you are selecting an individual to build an intimate relationship with based upon your future financial needs and/or goals. You have to trust that your advisor will guide you through the process of putting together a strategy that will be ready for such a time as this. You also have to trust that you have been properly allocated and diversified before any indications of a market decline. Through carefully selected and diversified investments, your advisor will guide you through hunkering down and holding on for the ride. You’ll pray it ends sooner rather than later, but if you listen to your financial advisor, you’ll be able to hold on and come out safely on the other side.

Daran Tucker, ChFC
LPL Investment Advisor Representative
www.f-p-r.com

City of Sand Springs announces Community Survey

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces the latest Community Survey, now being made available for residents of Sand Springs. The 2020 survey is an update of a previous survey completed five years ago which identified citizen feedback on items ranging from public safety to park priorities. City officials experienced a strong response from the public then, and incorporated those survey results into the City’s comprehensive plan- a major planning tool which aides in policy and decision making for the city.

“The community survey is an important tool for engaging our citizens. It provides vital feedback on the wants, desires and preferences of the community. Results from this survey will be used to help create long term goals and actions plans that will improve the city in the future”, stated the City’s Planning Director Brad Bates.

The Community Survey can be accessed in several ways for citizens to participate. The survey can be found online at: www.sandspringsok.org/556/community-survey-2020 A link to the survey will also be shown on the City’s Facebook page. Citizens can also request a printed hard copy M-F at the office of the City Planner at 100 E. Broadway in downtown Sand Springs, and simply return the completed survey to that office.

“Information gathered from this important survey will be incorporated into our comprehensive plan by creating priorities and action plans that can be carried out by staff and council to improve our entire community”, added Bates.

To add interest, the City will be conducting door prize drawings from survey respondents. Three randomly selected winners will receive prizes including a Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf experience and gift cards in the Sand Springs community for great food and shopping.

The deadline to submit your Community Survey is Monday, November 23, 2020.

Sand Springs City Council meeting addresses upcoming community improvements

The Sand Springs City Council held a lunchtime meeting Wednesday to hear updates regarding ongoing and upcoming projects in the public works and parks departments.

Council held a Zoom call with representatives from the University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Quality Communities on ways to improve the City’s downtown streetscape. The IQC is a program within the University’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture that partners with local communities to create concepts and suggestions for helping cities reach goals like improving safety, aesthetic, and economic development.

The IQC has previously worked with the towns of Pryor, Luther, Hooker, Waurika, Chickasha, Altus, Wewoka, and Oklahoma City. They also hold a biennial Placemaking Conference with students, advocates, and civic leaders to learn from leading experts. Councilman Beau Wilson was appointed to be the Council’s representative at the November conference, along with City Planner Brad Bates, and Community Development Director Grant Gerondale. Participation in the conference is free to the city.

Representatives from the University will study downtown Sand Springs and take input from City and community leaders on ways to improve the community space, including landscaping, and improving safety on sidewalks and crosswalks.

Wilson expressed a desire to try and create a downtown atmosphere where people will shop, eat, and actually spend time hanging out. He cited Broken Arrow’s success in the Rose District as an inspiration.

Councilman Mike Burdge expressed a desire to look at more than just the downtown area and to try and tie downtown into River West and the areas beyond. An ongoing Main Street expansion project will connect the downtown and River West areas to Sheffield Crossing and Case Community Park when it is complete. “Let the landscape show that’s the future… we need to do something to direct growth,” said Burdge. “We need to do something that will help everybody know we’re going that direction.”

“More than anything, we’ve got to make our sidewalks walkable,” added Councilwoman Nancy Riley. “We can’t do anything with our downtown if people are not able to walk on our sidewalks without falling over.” Councilman Brian Jackson wants the City to make safety upgrades to crosswalks across heavy traffic areas like the intersection of Morrow Road and Highway 97.

According to Bates, the City has a sidewalk inventory list that includes current sidewalk conditions across the city and prioritizes them. Bates also talked about the different sidewalk possibilities that Council could consider when it comes time to improve or replace downtown paths. Decorative, stamped, sidewalks offer aesthetic appeal, but can be difficult for disabled citizens to navigate.

Bates also talked about the possibility of creating gateway entry points to the Triangle District, with signage and maps located along Katy Trail, historical markers, and other ways to push people towards downtown. Gerondale challenged the IQC to create a design that would tie in River West with downtown so the two districts feed off each other.

According to Bates, next summer the City will be looking into shaving down road levels that have grown too high from past overlays. “If you look at the street levels right now, they’ve kind of been built up and built up in their arch, and kind of created slopes everywhere in downtown. So a lot of that’s going to get milled out and they’re going to try and lower that base level back down to a useable level that doesn’t have a crown to it.”

Public Works Projects Administrator T.J. Davis gave an update on long term project plans to improve downtown drainage. According to Davis, a 2009 study on the City drainage systems identified 55 needed projects that need to be completed at at an estimated cost of $78 million, and the top ten most-needed projects totaled $39 million.

The City recently began a project to address downtown flooding issues that have affected many businesses. Phase 1A was tied into the ongoing Main Street renovation project, and is replacing a 1920s-era 48-inch storm sewer from Highway 412 south to the Arkansas River, and 80% of it is being funded by federal grants. That drain pipe is being replaced by a new 96-inch pipe and levee penetration. The $8.5 million Main Street project is expected to be completed several months ahead of schedule by the Spring of 2020.

Phase 1B will add additional piping improvements on First Street from Garfield to Main, and northbound on Garfield. That project will cost an additional $1 million to complete, and that area is not eligible for federal grants, meaning the City will have to come up with local funding.

Phase Two would create a second trunk line on the eastern half of downtown that would add an additional levee penetration at an estimated cost of $7.5 million.

One of the recurring themes of the meeting was how to fund the various projects that the City is interested in, and how to balance growth improvements with standard maintenance and repairs. Drainage improvements are typically funded via storm-water utility fees, which generate about $1 million per year for construction revenue. Compare that $1 million in annual revenue to the $78 million needed to complete the 2009 project list, which doesn’t even account for unforeseen issues like the section of 10th Street that collapsed during a July flash flood.

Any downtown beautification/safety/economic development projects that the City chooses to take on based on the IQC’s recommendations would likely need to be funded by a General Obligation Bond election, but the City has committed to capping their millage rate at 13 and voters already passed more than $18 million in bond measures less than three years ago.

Gerondale gave a presentation on the Keystone Ancient Forest tower project. The City plans to purchase and relocate a disused 100-foot 1950s-era fire lookout tower from the Oklahoma Forestry Service that is currently located in Cookson. The tower will eventually be erected on the KAF hiking trails and will have a new observation platform at the top.

The City currently has $118,000 available for the tower project, and needs an additional $54,000 to move the tower. They need an additional $330,117 to fully fund the project, which would pay for the relocation, painting, new wooden planks, concrete footing, and hand railing, as well as design and construction of a new observation deck.

The Keystone Ancient Forest is already a popular tourist destination that attracts hundreds of visitors every weekend it is open. A visitor center is currently under construction, and when the center and the tower are open to the public, the City will begin branding and marketing the park.

McTeacher's Night raises $1500 for grants to Sand Springs teachers

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When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Oklahoma, it resulted in the cancelation of the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Sand Springs Education Foundation. When the Sand Springs McDonald’s found out, they stepped up to help out.

McDonald’s held a fundraiser Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and pledged to donate 20% of all sales to the foundation’s Grants for Teachers program. But they also committed to donating a minimum of $1,500, regardless of turnout.

“I think everyone in the community understands how supporting (the SSEF) are for teacher grants,” said District Superintendent Sherry Durkee. “They work really hard to scour the community in terms of fundraising to make sure they’re very supportive. What happens now is they will form a grant committee and teachers are submitting those (applications) right now and then before Thanksgiving they’ll be visiting site by site to give those grants away for innovative ideas for the classroom.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the event in many ways. In a normal year, district teachers take over behind the counter to serve up food and give the kids some familiar faces to look for. This year there was no indoor dinning available, only carry-out and drive-through. District personnel were on hand to greet customers in the drive-through, however. The event was also moved to the morning time.

McDonald’s stepped up and not only made a big donation to the foundation, but they also held a laptop giveaway for registered customers. Kelly Durborow was selected as the winner of the Lenovo computer. Event organizers expect to make the event an annual occurrence in Sand Springs.

Sand Springs McDonald's to donate 20% of Saturday morning sales to school district

The Sand Springs McDonald’s will be hosting a fundraiser for the Sand Springs Education Foundation Grants for Teachers program Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The popular McTeacher’s Night fundraiser will be moved to the morning time, and 20% of food sales will be donated to the SSEF with a minimum of $1,500.

The Education Foundation was unable to host its annual Hall of Fame Banquet this April, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which amounted to a loss of approximately $30,000 in fundraising that the organization relies on. Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson helped organize the McDonald’s event to help make up for that loss.

Sand Springs Public Schools personnel will be on hand to greet customers, and there will be a “Sand Springs” balloon sign available for photos. There will also be a free laptop giveaway, and the winner will be called at 2:30 p.m.

The Sand Springs McDonald’s is located at 99 South Highway 97.

Sand Springs City Council meeting focuses on pandemic

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building to approve city contracts and discuss the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Councilman Brian Jackson requested that Council discuss a resolution concerning a COVID-19 Emergency Plan. At the July 27 meeting Council instructed City staff to prepare a detailed plan of safeguards that should be considered by Council if the Oklahoma State Department of Health designates either the city or county as being in the “High Risk Phase,” or if the city should reach 500 active cases.

That plan was presented at the August 24 meeting, but no action was taken by Council to approve it. The proposal would have included the following guidelines:

• Mandate the wearing of masks for all citizens in public business establishments.

• Close all dining areas of restaurants, limit purchases to take-out or curbside services.

• Close all bars and clubs.

• Close schools to on-site instruction.

• Close hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, exercise facilities, tattoo parlors, etc.

• Close entertainment venues.

• Hold a virtual meeting with local religious leaders regarding the current dangers of public gatherings.

Council once again took no-action on the resolution, but could do so at a future meeting should case numbers continue to rise in the city. Police Chief Mike Carter stated that his people are monitoring infection levels at the city, county, and ZIP-code level.

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As of Wednesday, there are 70 active cases in Sand Springs. That number reflects an increase of 14 over the past four days, but is still below the all-time peak of 74 on September 8th. Five Sand Springs residents have died from the virus.

There are 1,583 active cases in Tulsa County. It holds an Orange Alert Level from the OSDH with 18.3 cases per 100,000 citizens. However, Sand Springs only accounts for 4.3% of those cases.

“I think this is very important to keep in front of us,” said Jackson. “Our chief responsibility is to protect the citizens.” Mayor Jim Spoon expressed a desire to revisit the topic monthly for however long the pandemic continues.

In other news:

Council unanimously approved the Sand Springs Pogue Airport Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The Federal Aviation Administration requests a five-year plan each year in order to receive FAA and Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission grants.

Council unanimously approved a Vacation of Deed and Release of Restrictive Covenants for a property that was recently sold to WEBCO.

Council unanimously approved a Right-of-Way contract with Phillips 66 for a new pipeline project. An existing 12-inch pipeline that predates - and is located beneath - the Keystone Lake needs to be replaced and relocated. The City of Sand Springs has agreed to grant an easement through undeveloped park property in the Country Meadows Estates subdivision. The easement will total 1.27 acres, and the total park property is nine acres. The parks department believes that the easement will not interfere with any future park development.

Council unanimously approved a Professional Services Agreement with Craig and Keithline, Inc. for infrastructure design on a nine-acre lot in the Sheffield Crossing development. The City purchased the land from OmniTRAX and recently completed demolition of an old Sheffield Steel Mill building to make room for commercial development and a new roadway over the Arkansas River levee into Case Community Park.

Council also approved an amendment to an existing agreement with Craig and Keithline for the original 18-acre tract of the Sheffield Crossing Development that has already seen roadwork and the construction of a Chick-fil-A. They recently completed preliminary infrastructure designs for the area along Morrow Road, west of the Ascension Medical Clinic. The new amendment will focus on two parcels of land along Highway 97, north of Chick-fil-A, as well as a 2.5-acre plot south of Chick-fil-A but north of the railroad tracks.

Council unanimously approved the acceptance of $101,994.52 in Tulsa County Community Development Block Grant funds for the replacement of a water line along the west side of North Lincoln Avenue between 6th Street and 8th Street. The deteriorated line will be upgraded from 4” cast iron to 8” PVC, and will cost an estimated $168,021.

Council unanimously approved a 15-day extension to the deadline for awarding a contract on the Keystone Ancient Forest Tower project. The City is looking to relocate an existing 100-foot fire lookout tower from Cookson, Oklahoma to the KAF hiking trails.

Council unanimously approved a supplemental appropriation of $20,720 for Parks Maintenance Facility Security. The Parks Department has reported increased criminal activities at the maintenance facility, with multiple break-ins of vehicles and storage containers, stolen vehicles and equipment, and broken windows on vehicles and equipment. The funds will be used to purchase security cameras, perimeter fencing, and a gate.

Council unanimously approved final acceptance of golf course renovations at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge. While the clubhouse renovations are ongoing, the course itself has been completed and will host the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce annual tournament this Friday as its first event. The course is not yet open to public play, and the Chamber event has sold out. The $2 million renovation project was approved by Sand Springs voters in a 2018 General Obligation Bond election.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Justin Sean Tockey to serve the remainder of Merle Parson’s unexpired term on the Sand Springs Board of Adjustment through May 2021. Tockey previously served on the Sand Springs Development Authority and was required to vacate that seat.

Council unanimously approved an update to the Floodplain Management Plan. The plan is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for participation in the Community Rating System program. Because of the City’s participation in the program, residents are provided a 15% discount toward the purchase of flood insurance. The Meadow Valley neighborhood in particular has been designated as a Repetitive Loss Community due to multiple floods within a 10-year period, but the Town West and Candlestick Beach neighborhoods are also at-risk and suffered damage during last year’s spring flooding.

Council unanimously approved an update to the Emergency Operations Plan. The plan is required for State and Local Assistance (SLA) grants from the State Office of Emergency Management.

Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tulsa Community College Campus Police. The Sand Springs Police Department has agreed to investigate any serious offenses that occur on TCC property, as well as any officer-involved shootings or in-custody deaths where a campus officer is a suspect.

Council unanimously voted to approve a zoning amendment for Sullivan’s Body Shop at 20 West 41st Street. The property was previously zoned Commercial Shopping, but was changed to Commercial General to allow for automotive painting.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the transfer of real property from the City of Sand Springs for the purpose of economic development and redevelopment. A Charter Compliance for Disposition of Property ordinance is required for the City to sell any real estate. This ordinance applies to a 14-acre plot of land along Wekiwa Road that was purchased from the Sand Springs Home in 2013 as a potential site for the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center, as well as the nine acres recently purchased from OmniTRAX in the Sheffield Crossing Development. The ordinance does not necessarily indicate that the City is currently negotiating the sale of either property, only that they now have the freedom to do so if an opportunity should arise.