Senate District 37 candidate Rick Hardesty speaks at community forum

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Rick Hardesty, a Republican candidate for Senate District 37, spoke at the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce candidate forum at Tulsa Technology Center Monday morning in Sand Springs.

The following is a transcript of his opening remarks. Candidates were given a five-minute time limit, followed by a question and answer session.

"What I'm hearing is, we need to get our schools better funding. We need to get more money into our education system. To me that makes sense as a small business owner in needing to have a viable workforce and things like that...The reason I started running, the main reason, was I sat and watched...and they have practically closed every school over there and it kind of got me angry.

Normally I'm not that politically involved, but after seeing all this going on I decided that our legislators that we currently have in Oklahoma City aren't really doing the job that they're supposed to be doing. That's looking out for the best interests of our state, not just a few corporate entities. 

The reason I think I can do a fairly good job over there is that I also do real estate, and in real estate we negotiate stuff every day. That's what real estate is. If I take a contract with a customer to sell their house or sell their business, I'm gonna get them the exact highest price we can get. And vice-versa. If I'm working with a buyer, I'm going to get them a property as cheap as I can. So every day, we're negotiating and I'm good at it. 

It's gonna take the citizens in the community to get together with public forums and let them know exactly how you feel.

We have over 75 different business tax incentives in Oklahoma in the name of promoting new business. They're not working. Very few of them give us a return on our investment and that's by their own studies. We have a tax incentive commission and they randomly pick different ones. And of the last report they did, ten out of the eleven that they did had a negative impact on our state. The businesses that are taking advantage of the tax incentives are the larger corporate people who are trying to hit a home run. 

I think that we had the opportunity to get our horizontal well drilling credit back to 7% and we missed out on it. In Oklahoma they've been paying 1%. Now it's 2%, which is far below the national average. If they go to Texas they're going to pay 11-13%. If they go to North Dakota they're going to pay 13%. In Oklahoma they pay 2%. I think it's time to do away with that. That was set up in times for if oil prices dropped below $15 per barrel. That's costing us hundreds of millions of dollars a year that could go toward other things. 

In all the surveys that are taken to attract businesses into Oklahoma, good education system was the number one answer to attract corporations and companies to start businesses in Oklahoma. It's not tax incentives. We need to get our priorities straight, put money back where it matters. That's my goal."

Downtown Sand Springs experiencing growth and restoration with several new businesses

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YellowHouse Market and Boutique is the newest business coming to downtown after buying out Deja Vu Decor. 

A city's downtown business district is often considered the heart of the community. In Oklahoma, where municipalities are almost fully dependent on sales tax revenue for general operations, a healthy downtown can be paramount to a healthy economy. 

If City officials and local businesses have their way, Sand Springs will soon be one of the premier downtowns in the State to spend the weekend shopping and sightseeing. 

In the recently-approved Sand Springs 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the City identified having an assorted variety of downtown restaurants, businesses, and services as vital to creating a sense of place within a community. The plan sets a goal of enhancing the downtown area as one of the primary focal points of the community.

Beau Wilson Insurance.

In the past, downtown Sand Springs has struggled with attracting both patrons and quality business establishments. Vice-Mayor Beau Wilson attributes the lack of customers to lack of quality retail, the curb appeal of many older buildings, and a failure to market downtown as a destination for Sand Springs. He also says that this is beginning to change.

"Downtown has a number of thriving boutiques and antique shops," says Wilson. "We are beginning to see citizens reinvest in our historic downtown." Beau Wilson Insurance opened in the historic Boone-Rose Building at 17 East 2nd Street this past November. The building was constructed in 1924.

"When I was looking to relocate my business to Sand Springs, there was no other location but downtown in my opinion. My wife, business partners and I were fully committed to finding a location in downtown...and it has been an honor to restore and revitalize a piece of our town's history." 

Dog and Duck Antiques.

Just two doors down from Wilson, Chris and Julie Bedokis opened Dog and Duck Antiques at 21 East 2nd Street on Memorial Day weekend. The couple already had a small booth at the Vintage Stables on Main Street but decided to open their own facility. The store didn't open with much fanfare initially, and is tentatively planning on a Grand Opening event later this year.

Another newcomer to the downtown area is YellowHouse Market & Boutique. Lisa and Mike Miller first opened YellowHouse at the Livi Lee's Shopping Center in October, but just nine months later they're already planning on relocating to a larger facility in the downtown business district. 

The new YellowHouse location will be at 122 North Main Street in the former Chastain's Department Store building. "We did buy a new building. It's a larger space. It's going to help us reach Sand Springs with more clothes, more goodies, and lots of fun," said Lisa Miller in a Facebook Live announcement. The Millers plan to stay open in their current location until the new building's remodel is complete.

The Chastain's building, constructed in 1931, has been owned and operated by Laurie Joslin for the past two decades. At one point she owned the Kindred Spirits novelty shop in the front and The Back Porch Cafe in the back. The Back Porch Cafe acquired a front porch after Joslin purchased the building next door and relocated the diner. She rebranded as The Lunch Box, then rebranded again as Chastain's Casual Cafe and Catering. Eventually the buildings were separated and Joslin opened DejaVu Decor while the old restaurant building was purchased by Boomarang Cafe.

Joslin and her husband, Mark, have plans to relocate their business to The Antique Depot in Skiatook, but will still reside in Sand Springs. They plan on featuring their house in the 39th Annual Pilot Club Parade of Homes later this year.

Chip and Annette Stacy opened Stacys' Resale Shop at 12 East 2nd Street in September of 2016 and recently expanded to their neighboring storefront for a music and guitar shop. The store boasts a large array of modern and classic comic books, records, 8-track cassettes, CDs, jewelry, knives, home decor, furniture, and more. 

The shop is filled with dozens of classic Les Pauls, German fiddles, and other unique instruments and collectibles. Looking up at the walls is like a trip through a museum. Original Black Sabbath, Jim Morrison, Joan Jett, Elvis, Willie Nelson, and other vinyl records wallpaper the store.

Troy and Stephanie Cleveland opened The Vintage Stables on Main in 2016 and performed one of the most notable restorations in recent years. The bright red barnstyle building could easily serve as a stop sign, telling drivers to pull over and shop. 

WSB Designs, LLC.

It's not all shopping in downtown, either. After the passing of Reverend Terry Scott in October, Future Vision Ministries closed their office on the Triangle and sold to local builder William Bell. Bell recently showcased a house in the Tulsa Parade of Homes and is still renovating his new studio. The front of the building pays homage to its prior resident with a quote from Scott. 

Unfortunately, not all classic buildings can be saved. In April of 2012, a fire devastated a historic building housing the Sand Springs Beauty College and Covington Credit. The skeleton remained until 2016 when it was demolished by the Sand Springs Home and construction began on a new retail/office building.

Left, damage from the 2012 fire is cordoned off with caution tape. Right, a new building is erected in the same location.

"The City has made tremendous strides in the past few years to give downtown its identity and purpose," says Wilson. "Under the excellent leadership of City Manager Elizabeth Gray and her staff, we will continue to see downtown prosper."

"As a city, we have some of the most talented employees. Many of whom donate their own time and particular talent and skill-sets to make Sand Springs better. Take the Triangle for example. Jeff Edwards and Grant Gerondale and the entire Parks Department took on that project making it what it is today...it truly is our employees who make the difference and will be the engine behind fueling the growth of downtown."

"I can remember a day when I was a kid when downtown seemed like a ghost town. Especially when all of the growth and emphasis was to the south of Sand Springs...Urban renewal and suburban sprawl were the catch phrases of the day. Rather than restore old buildings, it was easier to tear down and build something new, or reface old buildings with a new modern facade, losing that building's history entirely."

As to the future, Wilson says that the current City Council is committed to saving Sand Springs history. He would like to see downtown business owners take a more active role in beautifying their buildings, with further investment by both the city and its businesses. 

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Battman Collision Repair has served Sand Springs for more than a decade

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Battman Collision Repair has been doing business at 702 East Pecan Street in Sand Springs since 2005.

Owned and operated by native Sandite Mark Battenfield, the shop has built a reputation of small town values and dependable service for more than a decade. With nothing but five-star ratings on both Google and Facebook, Battman is the best-reviewed auto shop in Sand Springs.

The Sand Springs auto shop offers top-of-the-line services including dent repair, body repair, painting, bumper repair, damage appraisals, glass replacement, pin stripes, insurance claims, and full restoration. The shop doesn't perform routine maintenance, choosing to focus their expertise on collision-related repairs. 

Battenfield was introduced to the automotive lifestyle by his father, and he spent much of his younger days restoring Ford Model-As and Jeeps. After working for sixteen years at the box factory in Sand Springs, he decided to go to work doing custom paint jobs. Over time, his friends would come to him for help with car repairs and he learned there was a lot more money to be made in accident repair than paint work.  

The shop has been at its current location since its inception, but initially only occupied a small portion of the building. As time passed, the community has been good to Battman and they were able to expand and take over the full building. 

Mark Battenfield's retired Creek County Sheriff's cruiser on display at the first-annual Harper's Hut Classic Car Show.

A frequent sponsor of free community events like the Harper's Hut Classic Car Show and the Harper's Hut Day of Giving, you can often see Battenfield's retired Creek County Sheriff's cruiser drawing crowds wherever he takes it.

The police cruiser isn't the only popular icon Battman is known for. The shop was the "home" of a well-known stray dog named Daisy for years. Battenfield says Daisy roamed the area along Charles Page Boulevard for more than half a decade before being struck by a vehicle on the Keystone Expressway. Battenfield, a dog-lover, put a house out for Daisy and she would often sleep at the shop. In her seven years of sleeping there, she never once allowed Battenfield or an employee to pet her. 

Customers of Battman will want to make sure they check out Battenfield's office, as it could easily pass as a museum of classic auto culture. Collectible models and other vintage accessories will entertain any child and make a grown man feel like a child again. 

Battman is just one example of the small-town businesses that make Sand Springs such a unique and fun place to live and work.

Battman Collision Repair
702 E. Pecan St.
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
918.245.8200
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday
Saturday by appointment only
Website
Facebook
 

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Janeway Castle Stone Estate & Venue opens in Sand Springs

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Janeway Castle Stone Estate & Venue held an Open House event Sunday afternoon in Sand Springs. The new wedding and event facility offers more than 10,00 square feet on a forty-acre forested lot.

The estate was previously the home of Kenny and Tonya Janeway and family, but after the last of her kids moved out Tonya says she wanted to see the home bring joy to new couples. Tonya and Ashlynn Janeway manage the facility, but clients will need their own wedding/event coordinator.

The grounds are fifteen minutes from downtown Sand Springs, just a hair outside of the Sand Springs fence-line in Creek County. The three-story house includes multiple bedrooms, front and back balconies, WiFi, a billiards room, and a personal theater. The digital-projection theater has nine leather reclining seats.

Also on the grounds are a pool, jacuzzi, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit. With forty acres at their disposal, the Janeways plan on future improvements including a small lake and chapel. 

Parties can reserve the facility for a single day for $5,000 or $8,500 for a full weekend. The single day package lasts from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, while the weekend package is from 5:00 p.m. on Friday to noon on Sunday. 

Janeway Castle is located at 16162 West 61st Street and can be reached at 918.640.8051.

*This article has been corrected to reflect the square footage as 10,000, not 7.500 as previously reported.

 

City of Sand Springs accepts $2 million donation, sets date for upcoming bond election

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Nine-time State Champion Cheyenne Walden receives the "Heart of the City" award at Monday night's City Council Meeting.

The Sand Springs City Council held a regular meeting Monday night at the City Municipal Building. 

Mayor Mike Burdge presented recent Charles Page High School graduate Cheyenne Walden with a Mayoral Proclamation and the first-ever Heart of the City award for her accomplishments in competitive running. She is the most decorated athlete in school history and will run for Oklahoma State University in the fall.

SEE RELATED: Cheyenne Walden receives "Heart of the City" award from Mayor Mike Burdge

The City formally accepted a $2 million check from Mike and Pat Case. The Cases pledged the donation last year to help with the River City Park renovation. The park will be renamed Case Community Park at its grand re-opening this fall.

Click HERE to view recent photos of the park construction.

Human Resources Director Amy Fairchild gave a brief educational presentation regarding her department. According to Fairchild, the City has 199 full-time, thirteen part-time, five seasonal and one contractual employee. There are currently seven vacant positions, including three in the police department.

Click HERE to view open positions in the City of Sand Springs.

The Council unanimously approved the use of $99,474.00 to purchase four police pursuit units. The department will purchase two Ford Police Interceptor SUVs and two Dodge Chargers.

Council unanimously voted to approve the Parks Advisory Board's recommendation to terminate the Use Agreement with the Sand Springs Round Up Club. They also declared the rodeo grounds as surplus, allowing them to auction off valuables and demolish what's left.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Round Up Club petition hopes to reverse eviction from City park

Council unanimously approved a Deed of Dedication by the Sand Springs Home, officially dedicating South Lincoln Avenue as a public road. The City has been maintaining the road for a number of years under the assumption that it was a public road.

Council approved a new one-year contract with the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority (MTTA) in the amount of $49,368. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for a complete update to the City Comprehensive Plan. The plan has not been updated since 2002.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs approves new comprehensive plan for next fifteen years

Council unanimously approved the renaming of two park sites. The City Garden Park will be renamed the Inez Kirk Garden Park in honor of former City Manager Inez Kirk. The Inez Kirk Soccer Complex will also be renamed. City Officials are waiting to announce the new name pending the notification of the namesake's family.

Council unanimous approved a resolution adopting the 2017 Sand Springs Police Department Policing Plan.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs adopts new 2017 Policing Plan

Council unanimously approved a resolution creating a new fireworks discharge permit classification. Previously the City only allowed the use of Class 1.3G (large professional) fireworks by organizations, and the use of Class of 1.4G (small consumer) fireworks by private individuals at a residential address. The new permit allows for organizations to hold public fireworks shows with 1.4G fireworks. The Class 1.4G individual use permit is $20, the Class 1.4G entity use permit is $40, and the Class 1.3G use permit is $100.

Council approved November 14, 2017 as the date for the 2017 General Obligation Bond election. The State of Oklahoma is already holding a Special Election that date to fill legislative vacancies.

SEE RELATED: City Council prepares for upcoming bond election, discusses new roads and economic incentives

The Sand Springs Municipal Authority met immediately following the Council meeting and approved the use of $58,770 to purchase a Ford F550 pickup for use in the Water Maintenance & Operations department.

Several citizens were appointed to various advisory boards. All positions are three-year terms with the exception of the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board, which is a one-year term.

  • Nancy Riley was reappointed to the Board of Adjustment by unanimous vote.
  • Troy Cox was reappointed to the Development Authority by unanimous vote.
  • Joe Shelton was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
  • Jason Mikles was reappointed to the Planning Commission by unanimous vote.
  • Mary Eubanks was appointed to the Economic Development Authority by unanimous vote.
  • Ronald G. Cloud was appointed to the Parks Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Elizabeth Gray was appointed as an alternate to the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board by unanimous vote.
  • Dr. William Tom Campbell, Jr. was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Robert J. Flennor was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.
  • Dr. Mark Manahan was reappointed to the Airport Advisory Board by unanimous vote.

Residents give their opinions on Sand Springs in online survey

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In the fall of 2015, the City of Sand Springs launched an online survey for residents of Sand Springs. More than 600 individuals responded, representing more than 3% of the population.

43.9% of residents view the image of Sand Springs as Good. 19.7% of residents have a negative view of the City. 44.5% of residents believe non-residents have a Below Average view of the City. 55.4% of residents believe non-residents have a positive image of Sand Springs.

28.4% of residents rank the quality of life in the city as High, 66.9% ranked it as Moderate, and 4.7% ranked it as Low.

79.8% over residents rank the quality of Public Safety as above average. 1.2% rank it as below average. 82.9% of residents are satisfied with Police services in Sand Springs while 1.8% are dissatisfied. 90.6% of residents feel safe while walking alone in their neighborhood. 71.3% of residents feel safe walking in downtown Sand Springs at night.

85.9% of residents are satisfied with Fire response services. 84.9% of residents are satisfied with the Emergency response service provided by the Fire Department.

49.3% of residents would definitely support a funding mechanism to hire additional police and fire personnel. 44.5% would possibly support it, and 6.1% would not support it. 

85.4% of residents are satisfied with the variety of housing for sale. 63.9% of residents are satisfied with the variety of housing for rent. 81.6% of residents are satisfied with the overall condition of housing.

76.5% of residents have a favorable view of the appearance of downtown. 74.7% of residents are satisfied with the appearance of the business areas outside of downtown. 

89.9% of residents sited Additional Retail/Restaurants as the primary development need in Sand Springs. 75.4% of residents listed Hardware/Home Improvement as the top retail need in Sand Springs. 93.2% of residents desire more Sit-down Establishments. 49.3% of residents visit Tulsa to eat very frequently. 

46.3% of residents would definitely like to see an increase in establishments providing night life opportunities. 71.1% of residents would definitely support the redevelopment of old industrial areas as something else other than industrial.

47.5% of residents definitely support the construction of the Sand Springs Dam, 43.9% would possibly support it, and 8.6% would not support it. 64.3% of residents would definitely support development of the Arkansas River, 30.9% would possibly support it, and 4.8% would not support it.

51% of residents definitely support a system of city-wide trails, 41.2% would possibly support it, and 7.8% are opposed. 

35.9% of residents would like to see additional Residential Development West of town, 31.6% said South of town, 24.4% said North of town, and 8.1% said East of town. 70.3% of residents are in favor of the annexation of additional lands into City Limits. 34.8% of residents support additional multi-family apartment complexes, with 24.9% opposed. 

25.7% of residents are dissatisfied with the Sand Springs Parks and Recreational Opportunities. 36.1% are dissatisfied with the quantity/quality of parks in Prattville. 33.5% are dissatisfied with the quantity/quality of parks on the North side.

73.6% of residents cited a need for the demolition or redevelopment of blighted areas. 35.4% of residents said the Street and Road Conditions were in the greatest need of public improvement. 59.8% of residents believe Sand Springs road conditions are the same as other communities, while 27.6% believe they are better and 12.7% believe they are worse.

If public funding is required to improve the city, 66.1% of residents would support a dedicated sales tax, 33.1% would support a revenue bond, 31.2% would support a property tax, 21.6% would support development fees, and 15.8% would support a surcharge on utilities. 

City of Sand Springs approves new comprehensive plan for next fifteen years

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The Sand Springs City Council recently voted to adopt a new "Sand Springs 2030 Land Use Master Plan," updating the city comprehensive plan for the first time since 2002. City employees first began the new plan in fall of 2015 and it was approved by the City Planning Commission in May.

The plan hopes to anticipate future development and provide a flexible tool for evaluating development proposals. 

Chapter I: Community History and Background

The first chapter of the plan is taken from Carl E. Gregory's The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. The chapter recounts the tale of Charles Page's acquisition of wealth and land, his charitable exploits, and his steps to develop the community that would become Sand Springs.

The town began with the relocation of a failing orphanage, the construction of the Sand Springs Home, the founding of the eighty-acre Sand Springs Park, the formation of the Sand Springs Railway, and finally the incorporation of the City in 1912 with approximately 400 citizens. 

Charles Page's generosity included the offering of free land to citizens and a $20,000 relocation bonus for companies. In 1918 he established a "Widow's Colony" alongside the Home. He recruited the relocation of the  Kerr Glass Manufacturing Company, Commander Mills, Southwest Box Company, and Sinclair Prairie Refineries. Less than ten years after its incorporation, the community had grown to more than 4,000 individuals.

In 1965 the City annexed the Prattville community on the south side of the Arkansas River, and in 1969 the City chartered a Council-Manager form of government.

Chapter II: Plan Development

In the fall of 2015, the Planning Department launched a community survey that received more than 600 participants. In the summer of 2016 an interactive map was presented to the community, allowing them to identify what type of development they would like to see in which parts of the community. It received over a hundred suggestions, including a revitalization effort along Charles Page Boulevard and a desire to see the site of the former Gerdau Steel Mill utilized.

Following the community surveys, input was also requested from each of the City departments regarding their needs and desires. Community property owners were contacted regarding their desires for undeveloped properties under their ownership, as well as developmental challenges and difficulties they have encountered. The public school district was consulted regarding future plans for growing the district. 

Chapter III: Social and Demographic Factors

The 2030 projected population by INCOG (Indian Nations Council of Governments) is 23,083 in Sand Springs. At the 2010 Census, Sand Springs had a total population of 18,906 residents, an increase of 8.3% from the 2000 population of 17,451. 

In 2010, the median age of Sand Springs was 36.5 years. The population was 81.8% white, 2.4% African-American, and 8.8% Native American. The average household had 2.63 occupants. The city had a higher employment rate than Tulsa County, Osage County, and the Tulsa Metro. The median household income in 2013 was $54,381, also higher than the Tulsa Metro, Tulsa County, and Osage County.

Chapter IV: Goals and Action Plan Strategies

Land Use

Goal 1: "Sand Springs will be a well-coordinated and planned community with uses that complement and support infrastructure improvements."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs will utilize sound land use planning principals that encourages the appropriate placement of a variety of housing, commercial, recreational, entertainment, and employment options throughout the community."

Goal 3: "The City will maintain land development regulations to manage future growth and development in a manner that protects environmental resources."

Quality of Life

Goal 1: "Sand Springs will be a community that encourages people to be active and healthy and that promotes healthy living and sustainability. This will be accomplished by providing opportunities for active living to all ages year round."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs will have a network of trails, sidewalks and bicycle transportation systems that safely connect parks, schools, libraries, neighborhoods, shopping areas, museums, and other historic sites."

Goal 3: "Sand Springs will be a community that has access to expanded health and wellness care, in addition to attempting to increase the availability of health food choices available to the community."

Goal 4: "The City shall be an aesthetically pleasing community based on a solid foundation of code enforcement and in seeking opportunities to improve zoning and development codes."

Goal 5: "Sand Springs shall have desirable/appealing parks offering recreational opportunities for the community."

Goal 6: "The City will strive to have park equality by providing its citizens throughout the City parks that are well manicured, maintained, and functional for optimal enjoyment."

Goal 7: "Develop Case Community Park into a regional destination by implementing strategically planned park improvements and enhancements, thus creating a public space that is inviting, functional, appealing, and sustainable."

Goal 8: "Continue to develop the Keystone Ancient Forest into a premiere nature preserve/hiking venue in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area."

Goal 9: "Develop City-owned Sports Facilities into premiere venues with top quality playing surfaces, lighting, and amenities."

Infrastructure

Goal 1: "The City of Sand Springs strives to meet or exceed requirements of the EPA and ODEQ regulations at all times in constructing, maintaining, and operating all Water Treatment Pumping, Distribution and Storage Facilities and Systems."

Goal 2: "The City of Sand Springs strives to meet or exceed requirements of the EPA and ODEQ - for providing contemporary and adequate treatment facilities & operations to meet or exceed effluent discharge quality requirements, while making appropriate accommodations for conveyance and collection systems for treatment.

Goal 3: "Plan for new street improvement projects that provide for priority replacements & upgrades to maintain the best possible drivability with sufficient number of lanes, and include provisions for maximum feasible multimodal mobility."

Goal 4: "Plan for rehabilitation/new improvement projects that provide for priority replacements & upgrades to maximize stormwater detention and drainage efficiency and capacity."

Goal 5: "Plan to be a City that takes preventative measures to prevent damaging of the Earth's ecosystems and in order to maintain a high quality of life Sand Springs citizens and the Tulsa Metropolitan Area by managing and disposing of their waste efficiently and safely."

Downtown Area

Goal 1: "Sand Springs shall have a lively, active, and pedestrian oriented downtown with a mix of uses such as restaurants/bars, boutiques, shops, offices, and housing.

Goal 2: "Reinforce and enhance the City's downtown as one of the primary focal points of the community."

Public Safety

Goal 1: "Sand Springs Emergency Services will have excellent law enforcement/firefighter customer service that meets the needs of the citizens now and in the future."

Goal 2: "Sand Springs shall be a community with safe neighborhoods, shopping, and employment areas."

Goal 3: "Sand Springs will proactively maintain/replace public safety technology, equipment, and fleets in order to provide an effective capable workforce."

Goal 4: "Develop, Design, and Construct a Municipal Safety Facility."

Goal 5: "Develop and Maintain a Community Policing Plan."

Economic Development

Goal 1: "The City of Sand Springs will strive to promote local commerce, trade, and commodities by strengthening working relationships with the local/regional Chamber of Commerce, existing businesses, and institutions."

Goal 2: "Aggressively pursue new local, regional, or national restaurant and retail businesses."

Goal 3: "Identify and complete projects that will beautify Sand Springs, assisting with marketing and economic development."

Goal 4: "Evaluate and consider the acquisition of real estate for future development purposes."

Goal 5: "Encourage and engage Subdivision and Multi-Family Developers/Developments."

Goal 6: "Develop an Economic Development website resource hub and strive to educate and advance the objective of all involved with the City to be involved in assisting with economic development as possible."

Goal 7: "Sand Springs will have a strong independent local economy that compliments the surrounding region but is not dependent on it."

Chapter V: Future Development Plan

"The Plan is a policy document that lays out the blueprint of how the community should grow over time and where certain uses should be placed relative to their intensity. Other factors such as underlying zoning patterns, adjoining communities land use plans, and future capital improvements also played a role in determining where the land use categories were placed. However, the plan is a plan and is not inflexible or concrete. From time to time, there will be certain uses that are proposed that will merit additional evaluation and create the possibility for Plan amendments."

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat to hold Wine & Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend

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In recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is thrilled to announce a return for the third year of the POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival. Presented by Blue Sky Bank, this year’s festival will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.

“The Wine & Jazz Festival continues to provide a unique experience for residents and travelers in northeast Oklahoma.” said Trisha Kerkstra, general manager at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat. “Last year, we added a wine/jazz dinner on Friday night and a champagne jazz brunch on Sunday. They were so well received, we decided to add a few more surprises for this year. Thanks to our sponsors and the fabulous growing jazz talent in Tulsa, we are delighted to provide performance opportunities for professional and student musicians.”

Headlining the event is the lively 17-piece Swunky Face Big Band Orchestra, featuring acclaimed Tulsa vocalist Branjae.

“With Branjae’s captivating stage persona, coupled with the swing sound of Swunky Face, we’re confident festival goers will find it hard to stay in their lawn chairs,” said Kerkstra. “It promises to be a spirited and entertaining festival all around.” 

The Wine & Jazz Festival is supported by VisitTulsa, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, as well as the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC).

“In addition to attracting national events to the Tulsa area, we also help cultivate and develop promising home-grown attractions,” said Ray Hoyt, president of VisitTulsa and Tulsa FMAC. “The POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival has already proven to be a runaway success, and we’re excited about the potential this event has to draw visitors from across the region.”

The Zuits, a high-energy swing, jazz and funk band, will kick off the music Saturday at 4 p.m. Also performing is bluesy jazz band Darrell Christopher and the Ingredients, the expressive Cynthia Simmons Quintet, and the hot jazz of Mischievous Swing, reminiscent of the sounds of French cafes and Gypsy camps.

Tickets are $15 each, with free admission for those 17 and under. Attendees will be able to purchase wine from some of Oklahoma’s best wineries and enjoy a variety of local food trucks. Additional events include a wine and jazz dinner Friday night and a champagne brunch Sunday morning.

Tickets and a variety of packages, including accommodations and meals, are on sale now through POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat’s website or by calling 918-425-2112.

Nestled in the Osage Hills, POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat is located ten minutes from downtown Tulsa. For more information on POSTOAK, visit postoaklodge.com.

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat opens new Willow Cafe

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The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for the new Willow Cafe at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat in northwest Tulsa Friday morning.

POSTOAK lies just a mile outside the Sand Springs fenceline in the Osage Hills area at 5323 West 31st Street North, Tulsa.

While the lodge specializes in large events like weddings, reunions, and corporate retreats, they are also available for single night and weekend rentals for "leisure guests."

The Willow Cafe is the latest in a long list of amenities including a year-round outdoor swimming pool with two hot tubs, horseshoes, putting greens, croquet, basketball, volleyball, fishing, and a zip line tour with six lines totaling 3,865 feet. The facility is situated on more than 1,000 acres of hiking grounds.

POSTOAK is just ten minutes from downtown Tulsa, surrounded by rolling hills with bicycle lanes, and a short drive from the Gilcrease Museum and Tulsa Botanical Gardens.

"Our mission is to deliver first class service everywhere, every day," said General Manager Trisha Kerkstra. "We have a vision to be Oklahoma's number-one desired lodging destination. We try to work together for the good of our guests."

The Cafe is open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It carries baked goods, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, ice cream, alcohol, and coffee products.

POSTOAK will also be hosting a Labor Day Weekend Wine & Jazz Festival. Tickets are $15 for adults, with free admittance for children 17 years and younger.

Precision Optical has served Broken Arrow for more than two decades

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Precision Optical has been doing business in Broken Arrow for more than twenty years. Founded by George and Mary Dakil in 1994, the store features one of the largest selections of sunglasses and prescription eyewear in the Tulsa area.

Precision carries popular brands like Ralph Lauren, Ray Ban, Kenneth Cole, Vogue, Vera Bradley, and Covergirl, just to name a few. Their products range from tradition frames to rimless, regular sunglasses and prescription, and safety glasses and sporting brands as well.

Humans first began using eyeglasses sometime in thirteenth century Italy. In 1784 Benjamin Franklin invented the bi-focal lens and Americans have been cranking out creative eyewear ever since.

Precision Optical is up to date on all the latest trends, fashions, and most importantly, technology. From anti-reflection coating and polarized lenses to transitions lenses and sports goggles, all of your eyewear needs can be filled at Precision Optical in Broken Arrow.

Whether you're new to eyeglasses or have been wearing them all your life, George can help you with whatever your needs are. From alternative materials for individuals with polycarbonate allergies, to innovative materials such as wood and bamboo, Precision Optical is the place to go for Broken Arrow eyeglasses. 

Located at 520 South Elm Place, Precision Optical is located right in the heart of Broken Arrow, just four minutes from the Elm Exit of the Broken Arrow Expressway. 

Not only is Precision Optical a great place to purchase new lenses, they are also a great place to repair your broken frames. Whether your problem is the hinges, the nose pads, or bridges, they have state of the art methods for repairing your eyewear. 

Whether your needs are medical or aesthetic, shopping or repair, Precision Optical is your full-service Broken Arrow optical one-stop-shop. With decades of experience and a love for their industry, you can count on good service, a warm smile, and attention to your needs and budget.

Click here to visit Broken Arrow's premier optician online.

Harper's Hut demonstrates true corporate citizenship and culture of giving

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Jarrett Sabelo serves snow with a smile at the 2016 Harper's Hut Summer Kickoff. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

William Nozak wasn't born or raised a Sandite, and before 2014 he didn't have any ties to the Sand Springs area. A graduate of Victory Christian Center and Oral Roberts University, Nozak dabbled in a number of fields before ending up in shaved ice. To an outsider, there's no apparent reason why he wound up in Sand Springs.

With a Masters in Business Administration, Nozak taught at Tulsa Community College, Platt College, Career Point College, and Kaplan University before serving four years as the Director of Education at the American Institute of Medical Technology. He self-produced three albums, owned a disc golf store, and owned three Oxi Fresh franchises in Northern California.

So how does a singing professor with really clean carpet end up running a snow cone stand in Sand Springs? He cites the Holy Spirit as his influence.

Of course, as an experienced entrepreneur, he did his homework. "I had a war report on my wall of every snow cone stand in Tulsa. I didn't want to go to an area already being served," says Nozak. But despite having lease opportunities in growing cities like Owasso and Broken Arrow, where he was living at the time, he still found himself opening shop in Sand Springs just a mile and a half down the road from an established competitor with a decade of experience.

Within a month of opening, Harper's Hut Shaved Ice was voted the "Best in the World" by readers of the Tulsa World. Since then, his business has expanded to Mannford and Glenpool and he has opened successful coffee and marketing businesses as well.

Despite having two little ones to take care of, Nozak still finds plenty of time and resources to give back to the community that has supported his businesses these past three years.

Every year, the Hut hosts a Summer Kickoff, a Summer Block Party, and a Classic Car Show. All three are free and open to the public. Both the Summer Kickoff and the Block Party feature inflatable jump houses, obstacle courses, games, toys, prizes, face painting, food, and, of course, snow cones.

The Hut isn't just a snow cone stand to Sand Springs, it's a neighbor. It's a family member. It's everywhere. It can be found at Sandite football games, at Chillin & Grillin Festival, at Herbal Affair, in the River City Parks concession stand, in Terry's Classic Coneys.

You can have the Hut at your birthday, or have your birthday at the Hut. They cater weddings and other celebrations. They have ice chests full of flavored snow that you can order, they do snow ball fights for Church that Matters and other organizations, and they do free summer movie nights on their inflatable big screen. 

Most importantly, they've been a valuable contributor to the Sand Springs community these past three years and they have even bigger plans on the horizon for the town that they've adopted. Since opening their doors three years ago, the Hut has raised more than $25,000 for local charities, schools, and other organizations. 

Harper's Hut makes their values clear in their mission statement, "to improve our communities by providing affordable desserts, family-fun events, and by supporting non-profit organizations promoting family, and Christian values."

This Saturday is the 2017 Summer Kickoff, and once again Harper's Hut is putting their money where their mouth is. This year 100% of sales will be donated to James Mission, a Tulsa charity that benefits foster children, orphans, widows, and displaced families. As always, the event will be filled with free festivities like inflatables, games, face painting, music, and giveaways. 

Click here for more information on the Summer Kickoff!

Harper's Hut Summer Kickoff to honor lost Sand Springs foster kids

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The Harper's Hut Summer Kickoff is back for the third straight year and it promises to be as big as ever!

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice and Java opened in Sand Springs in 2014, and for the past three years they have kicked off the summer season with one of the biggest free parties around.

Every year there are inflatables, games, music, face-painters, and tons of great giveaways. Not only will Harper's be giving away "Sno Yo" cards for free snow cones, but they'll also be giving away "Cold Cards" for free shaved ice all summer long! This year there will also be a petting zoo and a classic cop car on scene for photos. 

Green Country Federal Credit Union, Battman Collision Repair, Master Lube & Car Wash, Sand Springs Autosource, and Integrity Pest Management are all contributing to the festivities. 

In the past the snow cones have been free during the Summer Kickoff. This year you'll have to pay for your snow, but it's going to a good cause. 100% of shaved ice sales will be donated to James Mission.

James Mission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with locations in Tulsa and Nowata that helps provide care for orphans, widows, foster children, and displaced families. The Resource Center at James Mission provides clothing, shoes, toiletries, toys, and other household items. They have sizes ranging from preemie to 18 years old for boys and girls, summer and winter. 

In addition to the physical needs they meet, they also offer a place for biological parents to have supervised visits with their children in DHS custody and offer connections, resources, and training for long-term relief. On average, they provide for 60 children a week.

According to Oklahomafosters.org, more than 9,500 children in the State of Oklahoma are in DHS custody, and approximately 2,000 of those children are waiting to be adopted. 

In 2014 a Sand Springs police officer and his wife lost a two-year old girl they were fostering in an accidental drowning. This past year, a Glenpool officer who lives in Sand Springs and his wife also lost a child. Harper's reached out to those families to see how they could help and were put in contact with James Mission.

Harper's Hut aims to make as big of a contribution as possible to help James Mission care for these kids and wants to invite anyone and everyone to attend their party. The Summer Kickoff is being held in memory of Teagyn Rose and Corey, the two children who were lost. Harper's has previously named a snow cone after Teagyn, called the "Busy Rose."

This year's event will be held Saturday, June 3rd from 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Harper's Hut is located at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard in Sand Springs, next to the Cinema 8.

City Council approves improvements to town infrastructure, discusses latest accomplishments

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The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. Outgoing Board of Adjustment Chairman Randy Beesley was presented with a Mayoral Proclamation, Marketing Manager Kasey St. John provided a presentation regarding the Sand Springs Marketing department, and numerous appointments were made to City Boards.

SEE RELATED: Board of Adjustment Chairman Randy Beesley receives Mayoral Proclamation

St. John expressed pleasure with the success of the City's goals for the past year. The City recently held the Second Annual Ancient 5K at Keystone Ancient Forest, participated in the Tulsa Home and Garden Show, and hosted the 28th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival with more than 20,000 attendees. A self-guided "Historic Tour" has been created on the City of Sand Springs website, and physical signage will be placed throughout the city by the end of the fiscal year. 

St. John set a goal to have a facebook following equal to 10% of the city's population by the end of the year--a feat which they easily surpassed with more than 3,500 followers at press time. A Sandite Pride News story shared on the City's facebook page is currently their most viewed post of all time. City officials have attended 18 major events this year to promote Sand Springs. The City is also working to redesign and relaunch the official website. A promotion website, SeeSandSprings.com, was launched this past year to help attract businesses and developers.

City Council unanimously approved $100,000 for use in installing a "Public Safety Hardened Room" in the Case Community Center. The funding for the project is part of a public safety sales tax that went into effect in January. 

Council unanimously approved $25,000 for use in rehabilitating the Shell Lake Dam, which is currently approaching the century mark in age.

Council unanimously approved $31,085.68 to continue partnering with the Metropolitan Environment Trust (M.e.t.) for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The City has utilized M.e.t. services for more than thirty years. M.e.t. accepts fluorescent and CFL light bulbs, oil-based paints and paint thinner, flammable liquids, lawn chemicals, automotive fluids, cooking oil/grease, aerosols, household and car batteries, household cleaners, and pool chemicals at no additional charge to City residents.

Council unanimously approved a request from CHC Kirkwood LIHTC LP for a Resolution of Support for a tax credit to rehabilitate a 76-unit housing development located at 400 E. 6th Street. Kirkwood Senior Apartments are a Multifamily complex for elderly and handicapped residents, located next to Charles Page High School. The tax credit, if approved, will come from State funds and will not affect City finances directly. The complex hopes to invest $3 million in property and housing improvements.

Council unanimously approved the use of $93,767.31 in Vision funding to purchase and install ten LED colored lights beneath the USHWY 412 overpass to "bridge" the downtown community with the new River West development. 

Board Appointments:

  • Mike Burdge, Brian Jackson, and Patty Dixon were appointed to the Council Appointment Committee for a one-year term.
  • Mike Burdge, Jim Spoon, and Patty Dixon were appointed to the Council Finance and Development Committee for a one-year term.
  • Jim Spoon and Christine Hamner were appointed to the Council Legislative Committee for a one-year term.
  • Beau Wilson, Phil Nollan, and Christine Hamner were appointed to the Council Public Works Advisory Committee.
  • Mike Burdge was appointed to the INCOG Board of Directors for a one-year term with Elizabeth Gray as an alternate.
  • Mike Burdge was appointed to the INCOG General Assembly for a one-year term with Elizabeth Gray as an alternate.
  • Mike Burdge was appointed to the INCOG Legislative Consortium for a one-year term with Elizabeth Gray as an alternate.
  • Brian Jackson was appointed to the INCOG Tulsa Metropolitan Area Transportation Policy Committee for a one-year term with Derek Hamil (sp?) as an alternate.
  • Cathy Burdge and Richard "Rick" Barnett were appointed to the Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board for a three-year term. 

In other news:

  • Sand Springs Fire Department Driver Ray Hall recently won the 2017 Mountain Bike National Championship. He competed in a 50-mile long course with major elevation changes and rough terrain.
  • The City of Sand Springs received their 27th consecutive Government Finance Officers' Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.
  • According to Finance Director Kelly Lamberson, the City is "doing well with our spending, remaining below projections by 16.1 percent."
  • Sand Springs Police Sargent Jason McGinnis was named the Rotary Officer of the Year. McGinnis is a U.S. Navy vet, who was in charge of 50 caliber machine guns. According to Police Chief Mike Carter, he is a driving force behind Special Olympics funding and the Sand Springs leg of the torch run.
  • Rumble strips were recently installed on 41st Street between Prattville and Berryhill at a cost of $18,000. 
  • Captain Jeremy Wade was named the Rotary Firefighter of the Year. According to Fire Chief Mike Wood, "(Wade) is a phenomenal employee, always goes above and beyond." He has been with the SSFD for nearly sixteen years.
  • The Fire Department recently hired Sand Springs local Zachary Mosley. "(Mosley) is going to be a great rookie for us. He hit the ground running this morning and we're glad to have him," said Wood.
  • Sand Springs recently received an improved Insurance Service Office Class Two rating that places the department in the top 1% of Oklahoma communities and in the top 2.8% in the nation.

Ashton's Boutique launches new website for online shopping in Sand Springs

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Ashton's Boutique has been open for business for three years, and the quaint Prattville shop owns the market on that side of town as the only store in Sand Springs carrying certain high-end products.

From Vera Bradley and Rustic Cuff to Dear John Denim, Z-Supply, and Bridgewater Candles--Ashton's Boutique offers a number of zip code-protected market favorites that can only be found at the local family-owned business.

Ashton's is located at 3401 S. 113th W. Ave across from Domino's Pizza, next door to Serendipity Salon and Spa. It is perfectly located for a girls' day out as customers can relax at the spa then satisfy any shopping needs right next door.

However, they're also taking into account the number of locals who prefer to dodge the register and build their wardrobe online. Ashton's partnered with Nozak Consulting to build out a user-friendly online store. 

Mother-daughter duo Ashton and Teresa started the business so that Ashton would have more time to spend with her kids, but that doesn't mean they give any less than 100% to providing the best Sand Springs shopping experience possible. The family-friendly business is the perfect place to find wedding gifts, home decor, baby shower gifts, and more.

Ashton and Teresa visit marketing sessions in Dallas several times a year to make sure they're up to date on all the newest fashions and trends, as well as to make sure they're bringing home the best products at the lowest prices.

Not only do they make sure they're bringing America's best to Sand Springs, but they're also supporting fellow local businesses in the process. The Vintage Pearl and Rustic Cuff jewelry are handcrafted right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Not local, but still Made in America are Bridgewater candles. The South Carolina-based company donates enough money to Rice Bowls to feed a child three meals a day. Rice Bowls, a South Caroline nonprofit, supports 56 orphanages in 8 different countries.

Summer Ellis jewelry is another quality Made in America product carried at Ashton's. Summer Ellis produces dainty but eloquent designs in sterling silver and 14k gold with all real stones. You can often see Summer Ellis worn by Johanna Kerns of HGTV's Fixer Upper. 

Looking for quality footwear? Glitterflops are hand-embellished in Whitesboro, Texas with Swarovski Elements and are made from the finest leathers and Memory Foam rubber. All shoes come with a six-month warranty, so if you lose any stones or have a blowout, you can send your shoes to Texas and get them back as good as new!

These are just a few of the great American products available at one of Sand Springs's finest boutiques! All of Ashton's inventory is viewable online and many products can be ordered online as well.

Next time you're in the Sand Springs area, you have to visit this Grade-A establishment!

Sand Springs Police Department invites community discussion of City Policing Plan May 18th at CPHS

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Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter provided a presentation regarding the Sand Springs Policing Plan at last week's Sand Springs City Council Meeting and discussed alterations made since their last presentation. He also gave updates on ongoing actions taken by the department.

The Department plans on listing all officers, employees, council members, and City administrators online for better transparency. They removed a section of the plan calling for increased penalties. They removed a plan to build jail space for long term holding of individuals with warrants.

The Department has increased the amount of written and verbal warnings in 2017, with a third of all citations issued being warnings without fines. External vests are becoming more common. They are collaborating with businesses along Wekiwa Road to combat aggressive panhandlers.

According to Carter, the department has seen a "dramatic cut down on meth labs in the last couple of years. The department also has an officer on the Hispanic Affairs Commission who is fluent in Spanish and able to translate.

Carter also touched on current issues in the national climate such as immigration status. "If there is a victim of a crime, our first job is to protect and serve, regardless of immigration status. But we are not a sanctuary city." Carter wants anyone in Sand Springs to feel safe calling the SSPD without fear of being checked for credentials. However, he also said that Sand Springs cooperates with State and Federal investigations into individuals' immigration status and will make arrests on behalf of other agencies.

The police department has also made efforts to involve the community in review processes. Citizens have been involved on review boards for Use of Force investigations and complaints. "Nothing we do should be secret," said Carter. "We work for the community."

Sand Springs partners with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations when looking into Use of Deadly Force and In-Custody deaths. 

The Sand Springs Police Department maintains an active social media presence through their official Facebook page. They will be holding a "Pop with a Cop" day at the Charles Page High School cafeteria on May 18th where citizens can meet officers, ask questions, and fellowship over a cold can of cola. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Department recently partnered with House District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan on House Bill 2159, which would authorize the Oklahoma Tax Commission to cancel the current registration on a defendant's motor vehicle should they fail to appear in court or enter a plea for unpaid fines, rather than having an arrest warrant issued. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 80-16, but died in the Senate General Government committee.

The Department recently celebrated a successful "Food for Fines" program that allowed people to pay outstanding fines and warrants without fear of arrest. More than 100 people had warrants recalled because of the event, which brought in 6,118 pounds of canned food for Sand Springs Community Services. 

Officers are in their second year of physical fitness testing with the University of Tulsa.

The Department is also working on officer retention efforts. According to Carter, the department is four positions down from last year. The Chief cited competitive wages and a national anti-cop climate as reasons for difficulty in recruiting and retaining experienced officers. 

In Other News:

  • Council unanimously passed the Consent Agenda, consisting of "routine" money transfers and resolutions considered to be standard in nature. Councilman Jim Spoon was absent from the meeting.
  • Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 17-36, adopting the Fiscal Year 2018 Master Fee Schedule. Councilor Phil Nollan commented, "Our fees are 50% higher than our competitor cities. I would like for us to take a look at that again in the future. Sand Springs has had an issue growing in the last few decades compared to other cities. A lot of things have changed to help us grow, but I feel like there's more areas we can continue to improve."
  • Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 17-37, adopting the FY2018 Budget. Finance Director Kelly Lamberson discussed an ongoing negative trend in Sales Tax Revenue.
  • Council sent back to committee a previously-approved plan to place a large City Logo on the McKinley West Tank. Alan Ringle, of Ringle Development, and Kenneth Benton, a resident in the area, protested the plan. According to research done by Ringle and Councilman Nollan, the previously approved logo was illegally sized for Tulsa County, who has jurisdiction over the property. 
  • Council approved Ordinance 1299 by a 5-1 vote with Nollan voicing dissent. The ordinance requires backwater valves in all sanitary sewer building drains. "I openly do not support this," said Nollan. "I hate to make a new requirement that will cost homeowners or new developers extra money." Ringle also spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
  • Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1300, effectively rezoning 721 N. Garfield Ave. from Residential Single-Family to Residential Duplex.
  • Councilman Brian Jackson gave a report on a "Sandite Power Hour" volunteer session where twenty individuals painted a hallway at Angus Valley Elementary.

ODOT looking at suspending construction work, commission defers award on new highway contracts due to funding concerns

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At its Monday, May 1 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission took unprecedented action on new construction projects due to the ongoing state budget crisis. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation also updated commissioners on proposals being considered by the legislature that would affect transportation funding and the impacts to construction already underway. 

Due to the uncertainty of state funding to pay current obligations, ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson reported to commissioners that the department had asked several construction contractors not to start work on 12 projects that were awarded in previous months. Additionally, Patterson has asked the eight field division engineers to prepare a plan of how to safely and responsibly suspend work on more than 80 road and bridge projects already under construction in the event that the deteriorating state funding trends continue.

“Suspending current highway construction due to a proposed reduction in state funding is not something ODOT has ever been faced with, but we are preparing for it now,” Patterson said. “Without a reliable stream of revenue coming in, it wouldn’t be fiscally responsible to keep incurring construction expenses that we have an obligation to pay.”

A fuel tax increase is a revenue replacement proposal under consideration by the legislature that would partially offset the proposed cuts. 

Patterson also noted that issuing new bonds to offset budget cuts is not a fiscally viable option, as in previous years. The agency has more than $485 million in outstanding bond debt, which costs about $57 million annually in debt service. Since 2010, the legislature has authorized several ODOT bond issues to help offset funding diverted from transportation. Now, the agency's cash balance has been depleted to the point that ODOT is no longer able to cover the required payments up front necessary to receive bond proceeds. 

Citing funding concerns, the commission voted to defer award of new highway construction contracts for this month, approving contracts financed with only federal and county funds. Highway projects deferred include bridge work on Shields Blvd. over I-35 in Moore and I-35 over US-77 near Davis as well as pavement rehabilitation on SH-11 in Grant County and SH-45 and SH-132 in Garfield County.

Commissioners did award 11 contracts totaling $18 million to improve county roads and bridges in nine counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Beaver, Caddo, Choctaw, Coal, Garfield, Johnston, Kingfisher, Nowata and Pawnee counties. A list of all awarded contracts may be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the April 2017 letting and clicking Go and then Award.

The eight-member panel, appointed by the governor to oversee the state’s transportation development, awards project contracts for road and bridge construction every month. The next meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 5.   

Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.

City Council prepares for upcoming bond election, discusses new roads and economic incentives

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The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting earlier this month and discussed proposals for an upcoming General Obligation Bond Election. All of the proposals are still in their early stages and will likely be reworded, reorganized, and tweaked before being presented to the public. Council will hold public hearings on the proposals before they are finalized.

Proposal One relates to streets and roadways and in its current form would total $3.565 million. $1.445 million would be directed towards street overlays and repairs, while $2.06 million would be used to construct a new roadway over the levee separating River City Parks from OmniTRAX. 

The new road would help alleviate traffic delays along Wilson Avenue between Morrow Road and US-64. Proposal One would also provide the City with new equipment for overlays, as well as street sign production.

Proposal One passed unanimously, minus Councilman Brian Jackson, who was absent.

Proposal Two relates to Public Safety equipment and software and would total $2.27 million total.

$1.137 million would be used to acquire new safety computer equipment and software. According to Police Chief Mike Carter, the SSPD are having frequent failures with the current software used for recording criminal activity.

The other $1.133 million would be used to replaced a 27-year old ladder truck. According to Fire Chief Mike Wood, the current vehicle is an open cab truck which is unsafe and no longer produced, and only has single-point seat belts. The truck has continued maintenance issues, the internal waterway is extremely corroded and could cost $50,000 to $100,000 to fix. The Aerial Master Stream failed at a mower shop fire a few years ago, there was a motor failure in 2006, and pump failures have also plagued the vehicle. The water tank is too small, the truck is crowded and poorly designed, and it's the only ladder truck in the department. The SSFD has applied for federal grants to replace the truck annually for the last decade but haven't received one yet.

Proposal two passed unanimously.

Proposal Three would provide for a renovation of the clubhouse at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course. The clubhouse would be redesigned to a more open event center concept. "We're doing well at the golf course and we want to maintain that reputation as one of the better golf courses in the Tulsa area," said Mayor Mike Burdge.

The proposal would also provide for parking lot lighting and electrical work at the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex, as well as Museum improvements, neighborhood park improvements, a new playground at Angus Valley, and neighborhood trail improvements around Pratt Elementary and Clyde Boyd Middle School. 

Part of the funding would be used to build a visitor's center at Keystone Ancient Forest. According to Parks Director Grant Gerondale, current guided hikes are ran off a truck tailgate. The only bathrooms on the premises are port-o-johns. An observation tower would also be built in the forest.

One point of contention around the proposal was $3 million to be used for building a memorial for military, police, and fire. The proposed memorial would include the names of more than 5,000 Oklahoma servicemen and women with a water feature and a fire feature for retiring flags. The memorial would be built in the OmniTRAX development area next to the new City Public Safety facilities. 

While all six council-members were in favor of building a memorial, debate arose surrounding how much should be spent and whether the memorial should stand as an individual proposal.

Ultimately, Councilman Jim Spoon moved that the proposal be approved with the memorial limited to $1 million instead of $3 million. The measure passed 4-2 with Councilwoman Patty Dixon and Councilman Phil Nollan voting against.

Proposal Four totaled $3.2 million and relates to equipment, building upgrades, and software. The funding would provide for the purchase of a commercial track hoe, a bulldozer, a Vactor truck, and city-wide beautification and landscaping. The City's water-treatment facility in particular would receive substantial landscaping improvements. 

Proposal Five regarded economic incentives and land acquisition. Previous economic incentives provided for through bond issues led to the recruiting of Reasor's, Webco, and Wal Mart. 

Proposals Four and Five were passed unanimously, though Councilman Spoon noted that they should consider separating the beautification aspect of Proposal Four into its own item. 

Payless ShoeSource to shutter 400 U.S. locations, including Sand Springs and Sapulpa

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This Payless ShoeSource at Springs Village in Sand Springs is one of hundreds expected to close across the U.S.

Payless ShoeSource announced Tuesday that is has filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in United States Bankruptcy Court and will be closing nearly 400 under-performing locations in the U.S.

The Payless locations in Sand Springs and Sapulpa are among twelve Oklahoma stores that will be closing as part of the restructuring.

Payless CEO Paul Jones commented, “This is a difficult, but necessary, decision driven by the continued challenges of the retail environment, which will only intensify.”

“We are confident that this process will also enable us to leverage Payless’s existing strengths to succeed,” said Jones.

Consumers will have full access through the Payless corporate website www.paylesscorporate.com to information about the location of stores at which they can shop if their current store is being closed, as well as information about going-out-of-business sales.

Payless is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere, operating approximately 4,400 stores in more than 30 countries since its founding in Topeka, Kansas in 1956.

Sand Springs Parks Department wins State Park Maintenance Rodeo

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council held a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. 

The city's Park Maintenance Workers were recognized for winning the first annual Oklahoma Recreation and Park Society Park Maintenance Rodeo. More than 40 workers from nine teams participated in the inaugural event. Kevin Rouk took second place in both the Plant/Week Identification Test and the Backpack Blower competition. Shawn Cole and Matt Hoover took third place in the Nail Drive and Backhoe Skills Course, respectively. Cole and Hoover then teamed up for the Truck/Trailer Obstacle Course and took first place. Sand Springs and Ardmore were tied for first place at the end of the competition and Shawn Cole won the title for the Sandites with a Nail Drive tie-breaker.

"Often times, government work goes unnoticed," said a memo from Projects & Facilities Manager Jeff Edwards. "It's likely because the work is performed quietly, behind the scenes, and while families and individuals are working themselves. What our staff does notice is the tireless efforts these gentlemen accept on a daily basis. They are true stewards of what great government can do for a community to make it a better place to live and play. They are quite deserving of recognition not only for their daily work ethic, but also their successes in winning the first ever State Park Maintenance Rodeo." 

The City also received a routine report from an auditor who recognized that the City of Sand Springs has "presented fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the government activities..."

The Council approved the use of $1,430,278 for the reconstruction of 81st West Avenue from Charles Page Boulevard to East 10th Street. The project is estimated to cost $4,767,592, but 70% of that will be requested from the Federal government. The project will include substantial grading and drainage improvements, a left turn lane, as well as a sidewalk with crosswalk push-buttons and signals. 

Council approved a Construction Manager at Risk Contract with Crossland Construction Company to manage construction of the Sand Springs Public Safety Facility. The new safety facility will be constructed in the Sheffield Crossing development.

Council approved the use of $246,256 for the replacement of the Highway 51 Standpipe. The contract was awarded to Circle P Welding, Inc, who also replaced the Coyote Trail Standpipe. The existing water tower was constructed in 1984 with a glass lining and will be replaced with a 125,000 gallon welded steel tower. The tower is expected to begin construction in March with a 120 calendar day contract time. 

At the recommendation of Fire Chief Mike Wood, the Council approved an ordinance to allow the Sand Springs Fire Department to dissolve their existing local pension board and rely upon the State pension board. According to Wood, the local board has simply been an inconvenience and the department recently voted to eliminate it.

Council passed ordinance No. 1295, designed to simplify the existing purchasing policies of the City. 

Council voted to accept a grant of $70,105 from the Tulsa County Urban County Funds, and to match it with $71,895 of City funds, for the purpose of replacing approximately 700 feet of deteriorated 6-inch sanitary sewer line with new, upgraded 8-inch sewer line along North Washington Avenue from 6th Street to 8th Street. 

Council was presented with a letter from Sand Springs Community Services Manager Janet Eicher with the final count on the Food For Fines program. The program, which allowed outstanding fines to be paid through canned food donations, generated 6,118 pounds of contribution.

Sand Springs has officially met the criteria to become a Certified Healthy Community according to the Oklahoma Department of Health. There are three levels of certification and Sand Springs received the highest honor--Excellence. 

Sand Springs City Manager Elizabeth Gray was named the Business Person of the Year by the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Jim Bridenstine for her "outstanding and invaluable service to the community."

Oklahoma Senate Republicans announce 2017 legislative agenda

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Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz and members of the Senate Republican Caucus announced their 2017 legislative agenda Thursday at the state Capitol. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and the Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday unveiled a 2017 legislative agenda with a focus on long-term solutions to build a more prosperous Oklahoma.

“This agenda is our vision of how we’ll make an already great state even better. Because the decisions we make at the Capitol have a long-term impact, it’s important we have a plan of where we want to guide Oklahoma in 5, 10 and 20 years. Senate Republicans are united in our desire to implement ideas and policies that will help our state’s economy grow and put us on a long-term path to prosperity. Helping our economy grow means more good-paying jobs for Oklahoma families and more resources to fund core government services without raising taxes,” said Schulz, R-Altus.

Senate Republicans unveiled the agenda at press events in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

“With a bold vision and leadership, our state can be a model that shows free-market, conservative ideas can empower the individual and foster a thriving economy. There are challenges ahead in the short term, but we want Oklahomans to know we are planning for the long-term and are working on policies that will benefit Oklahoma families and businesses,” said Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

The 2017 Senate Republican Agenda:

 A MORE PROSPEROUS OKLAHOMA

  • Streamline and eliminate excessive regulations to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
  • Provide more stability, reliability and transparency in the state budgeting process.
  • Promote economic development and the diversification of the state’s economy.
  • Support transportation infrastructure including the eight-year plan.
  • Identify job-creating tax incentives, and eliminate ineffective tax incentives by supporting the work of the Incentive Evaluation Commission.

 INVESTING IN FUTURE GENERATIONS

  • Respect and support teachers by removing obstacles that interfere with a teacher’s ability to help students learn and achieve.
  • Reduce administrative costs and overhead in an effort to increase teacher salaries.
  • Allow parents, taxpayers, and local school boards to more closely direct and increase the quality of education in the classroom.
  • Ensure accountability measures provide parents and taxpayers a useful and accurate reflection of school performance and student achievement.

A SAFER OKLAHOMA

  • Support law enforcement officers and the rights of the citizens they are sworn to protect.
  • Monitor the implementation of criminal justice reforms.
  • Provide oversight of law enforcement agencies and promote cooperation to eliminate duplication.

A HEALTHIER OKLAHOMA

  • Promote access to quality health care services especially for rural and underserved areas of Oklahoma.
  • Encourage “block grant” programs from the federal government that empower Oklahoma to infuse free-market principles into health care plans.
  • Reduce waste and duplication at health care agencies, and utilize innovative health care delivery methods.
  • Work with private and public sector partners to address mental health and substance abuse issues.

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES

  • Improve foster care and adoption services in Oklahoma, and strengthen support for foster families.
  • Reform social service programs so they offer economic mobility and help end dependency on government assistance.
  • Eliminate restrictions on non-profits and faith-based organizations that help fill the gaps in social services.
  • Continue Oklahoma’s commitment to defending the sanctity of life.

SUPPORTING VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

  • Work to minimize licensing challenges for military spouses due to relocation.
  • Support public-private partnerships to develop a comprehensive health care system.
  • Ensure Oklahoma veterans are connected with existing mental health and social service programs.
  • Increase protection of service members’ financial and contractual rights when mobilized or deployed.