Artist Josh Butts adds new section to silo mural

Tulsa artist Josh Butts is putting the finishing touches on his "See Sand Spring" mural this week, and adding a new section to the mural through a private commission.

Begun in September of 2017, the mural was put on delay due to its proximity to power lines and had to be partially redesigned.

The City of Sand Springs commissioned the mural, located on an abandoned Monarch Cement silo, along with another piece in downtown Sand Springs. "The Waiting Station" was completed earlier this year. The two murals totaled $49,500 and were funded through a hotel tax designed to promote tourism. 

Ray and Emilie Tucker, owners of the Riverview RV Park where the silo is located, hired Butts to add large three-dimensional American Bald Eagles to the silo on its eastern side. "We wanted to highlight the eagles which have nested along the river for years," says Emilie Tucker. 

"We just felt like the silo needed something more to finish it out," said Ray Tucker. Originally the mural was supposed to wrap around to that side with the image of Charles Page pulling back a curtain to unveil the city, but the plan was scrapped for safety reasons.

Riverview RV Park is located at 11450 OK-51.

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java unveils new "Little Free Library"

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java added a new "Little Free Library" to their Sand Springs snow cone stand Tuesday.

The miniature outdoor library is accessible at all hours and runs on an honor system. Readers of all ages are encouraged to take a book or leave a book that they have finished reading.

According to the Children's Literacy Foundation, 61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate children's books in their homes. The Little Free Library organization aims to help the low-income community share their resources and encourage reading.

The Harper's Hut library is an official Little Free Library and also contains books for adults and teens as well. 

The Harper's Hut library is the third little library in Sand Springs. Other locations are 11 South Vermeer Ave and 4201 South Walnut Creek Drive.

Sand Springs has two public libraries, but they are only open 53 hours a week, most of which conflicts with school or work for many people. The 24/7 self-help model of little libraries offers an alternative for children in desperate need of literature.

Harper's Hut is a Sand Springs company with half a dozen locations in the Tulsa metropolitan area. The original Sand Springs stand was opened in 2014 by William Nozak and is located at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard.

Harper's can also be found at the Case Community Park splash pad and at 3110 South 65th West Avenue in Berryhill. Nozak says he is also working on a little library for the Berryhill location.

Sandlot Sno-Balls celebrates new Prattville location with ribbon cutting

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Sandlot Sno-Balls held an official ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Prattville shaved ice stand.

The snow cone stand first opened in late June and is the second location for the business. 

Brad Crain opened Sandlot at the former JwY's Tropical Ice location in the Warehouse Market parking lot at 250 South Highway 97 in 2015.

The new stand is in the Prattville Center at 5 West 41st Street alongside Lee's Charburgers, Minuteman Pizza, and Terry's Classic Coneys. This location is also the only snow cone stand in Sand Springs with a drive-through. 

Sandlot serves a traditional New Orleans-style snowball finely shaved from a solid block of ice. 

City Council passes demolition order for historic grocery store building

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The Sand Springs City Council approved an abatement and demolition order against the former Tilley's Grocery Store at Monday evening's regular monthly meeting.

The historic two-story stone building at 400 N. Cleveland Ave. was heavily damaged by fire in September of 2016 and has remained roofless and hollow ever since.

Built in the 1920s, the grocery store was owned and operated by former City Councilman Kim Lee Tilley and wife Janie for more than twenty years before being vacated. The grocery store went under various names and owners for most of its history, and at times was a laundromat and barbershop. 

According to the resolution, property owner Dale Chronister has until September 5 to begin restoring the property, otherwise the City will demolish the structure. 

In other news:

Council renewed a ten-year tax incentive agreement between the City of Sand Springs and Reasor's LLC. The City recruited the grocery store chain to Sand Springs in 2011 through a $2 million incentive, creating more than sixty jobs at the long-vacant Wal Mart facility in Prattville.

Council accepted a $65,045 bid from Tim Mills Fence Company for 6,400 feet of white vinyl fence. The company will have until October 1 to complete the installation along the city's highway corridors. 

Council approved the purchase of a Toro Reelmaster mower for the City sports fields. The $55,027.93 mower will be funded initially by the City but will be reimbursed over a three-year period by the Baseball, Soccer, and Softball organizations who lease the parks. 

Council approved a $188,702.47 contract with L&M Office Furniture to furnish the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center. 

Council approved a $113,387.00 contract with Southwest Solutions to purchase storage lockers, explosive cabinets, high density shelving, gun lockers, armory storage cabinets, etc. for the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center.

Council approved a $34,211.00 expenditure to provide a School Resource Officer for the Sand Springs Public School District. 

Following the Council meeting, the Sand Springs Municipal Authority approved $99,547.24 to purchase two new Toro Greenaster 3150-Q lawn mowers and a Toro Workman utility vehicle for the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course. 

Tulsa Bone & Joint opens new Sand Springs clinic

Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates celebrated the grand opening of their new Sand Springs clinic Thursday afternoon at the Springs Village shopping center.

The clinic will provide orthopedic urgent care services and scheduled orthopedic care, including follow-up care and physical therapy. The clinic is located at 3917 S. Highway 97.

Chief Executive Officer Linda Gunter, Chief Operations Officer CJ Daley were both on hand for the ribbon cutting, as were numerous City, County, and State representatives. 

"(Tulsa Bone & Joint) is a welcome addition to the service life of Sand Springs," said Mayor Mike Burdge, who also coaches Charles Page High School Track and Cross Country. 

"I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have Tulsa Bone & Joint coming here to House District 66," said State Representative Jadine Nollan. "I actually was a patient last summer. When I was at the Capital, I had a shoe malfunction and had to go make sure my back was okay. They took very good care of me so it's wonderful to have you here."

DiAnne Adams, DO, will serve as provider for the clinic. Dr. Adams joined Tulsa Bone & Joint in 2017 as a member of the Urgent Care team. Dr. Adams is board certified in Family Medicine and received her Fellowship in Sports Medicine from St. Elizabeth in Edgewood, Kentucky. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. 

Dan Skierski, DPT, will oversee physical therapy at Tulsa Bone & Joint Sand Springs. Skierski has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine and has been a physical therapist at the main campus of Tulsa Bone & Joint since 2014.

The 4400 sq. foot clinic and physical therapy space will also house an X-ray machine to allow for fast diagnoses and on-site evaluation and treatment. The clinic will welcome walk-in patients as well as scheduled appointments. The clinic phone number is 918-236-4504.

"Since I've been here there's been so much growth in Sand Springs," said Chamber of Commerce President Kristen Cepak. "We've seen so much growth, development, improvements of different things. I come from Austin, Texas and I am proud to live in Sand Springs. I am absolutely proud to live here and wouldn't think of leaving. It's absolutely an adorable town and I love it. I'm so excited to have Tulsa Bone & Joint here."

Sand Springs Spirit Grant Workshop Set for July 30

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs recently announced a Spirit Grant workshop on July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Case Community Center (1050 W. Wekiwa Rd.) in Sand Springs. The workshop is free and open to the public. Following a brief overview of the City's new Spirit Grant program guests are invited to ask questions and learn more about for this new local economic development grant program.

Earlier this week, the City announced the Spirit Grant- a competitive grant program intended to boost economic development in Sand Springs. The program is looking for new events or projects and expansions of existing events or projects to primarily generate sales tax and tourism in the community. Community beautification and quality of life projects in Sand Springs are also eligible.

Spirit Grant projects can range from as little as $500 to projects costing $5,000 or more. With that range in mind, the grant amount will range from $400 to a maximum of $4,000 for any single grant award. Once the project has been completed, the applicant may submit original invoices for reimbursement from the City.

Examples of types of Spirit Grant awards include:

• advertising and marketing expenses designed to attract and draw tourism to Sand Springs
• group advertising campaign to support local merchants that results in more local sales
• community cleanup efforts
• special event designed to increase tourism to Sand Springs
• exterior building facade upgrade (awning/painting/landscaping/lighting of business workplace to improve outward appearance)
• group project to provide new community facilities or improvements to existing
• public art (murals, statuary, etc.)
• historical interpretation or other displays relating to Sand Springs

Grant applications will be reviewed by the City. Successful grant applications will be graded on many factors, with a focus on each grant's potential to add value to the community.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.sandspringsok.org or contact the Spirit Grant Team at (918) 246-2504 or spiritgrant@sandspringsok.org

City of Sand Springs announces Spirit Grant program

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces the creation of the Spirit Grant program, a competitive grant program intended to boost economic development in Sand Springs. Spirit Grants are designed to enhance local retail sales, tourism and strengthen community development and beautification in Sand Springs. There will be a Spirit Grant workshop later this month, with grant applications becoming available on the City of Sand Springs website (www.sandpspringsok.org) August 1.

"We're not giving money away, however this program comes close as long as we have strong projects to consider. These grants will be a strong incentive for local citizens, clubs and business to make a positive impact on our community in a short amount of time,"  stated Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director for the City of Sand Springs.

Grant applications may be submitted by individuals, businesses or groups to partially fund programs or projects designed to attract people to Sand Springs to shop, dine or recreate in the City of Sand Springs. Applications can also be submitted to enhance the outward appearance of buildings, businesses or other places in the greater Sand Springs community.

Applicants will need to commit to a 20% cash contribution in order to potentially receive an 80% Spirit Grant award from the City, which combined, will create the total grant award amount. Once the project has been completed, the applicant may submit original invoices for reimbursement from the City. Grant applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis and reviewed by city staff.

The program is looking for new events or projects and expansions of existing events or projects to primarily generate sales tax and tourism in our community. Community beautification and quality of life projects in Sand Springs are also eligible.  Projects should have a positive financial impact on the City. Ideally, projects should add value to the community in light of the cost of the grant.

"We're looking forward to seeing some great concepts and ideas from our citizens," stated Gerondale, who invites the public to attend a Spirit Grant workshop happening at 7 p.m. on July 30, at the Case Community Center. 

Successful grant applicants (upon written notice by the city) will have one year to complete the grant project and submit for reimbursement. Projects can be completed before the one year deadline, however projects not completed within the deadline risk reimbursement of funds.

Spirit Grant projects can range from as little as $500 to projects costing $5,000 or more. With that range in mind, the grant amount (80% of the total project which is reimbursable to applicants by the city) will range from $400 to a maximum of $4,000 for any single grant award. 

An applicant may receive more than one award per fiscal year, and may submit an application over multiple years.

Examples of types of Spirit Grant awards include:

• advertising and marketing expenses designed to attract and draw tourism to Sand Springs
• group advertising campaign to support local merchants that results in more local sales
• community cleanup efforts
• special event designed to increase tourism to Sand Springs
• exterior building facade upgrade (awning/painting/landscaping/lighting of business workplace to improve outward appearance)
• group project to provide new community facilities or improvements to existing
• public art (murals, statuary, etc.)
• historical interpretation or other displays relating to Sand Springs

Grant applications will be reviewed by the City. Successful grant applications will be graded on many factors, with a focus on each grant's potential to add value to the community.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.sandspringsok.org or contact the Spirit Grant Team at (918) 246-2504 or spiritgrant@sandspringsok.org

Sand Springs City and Chamber of Commerce partner to create small business incubator in downtown

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The Sand Springs Municipal Authority unanimously voted Monday evening to move forward with plans for a partnership with the Sand Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. 

The City of Sand Springs will lease the old Public Works facility at 109 North Garfield to the Chamber of Commerce at an amount of $1.00 per year, giving the Chamber room to develop a business incubator in the heart of downtown.

The Chamber will sublet office space to upstart businesses at a rate lower than most downtown office space. They will also provide resources to help young businesses get to a point of profitability that they can eventually move into the large amount of vacant downtown storefronts.

The terms of the agreement allow for either party to cancel the lease with a 90-day written notice for any reason. The City will receive 25% of the sublease revenue, while the Chamber will keep 75% to help with their economic development projects. The City will also receive a quarterly financial report and monthly update on the occupant businesses. 

The Chamber will take possession of the building in "as-is" condition and will be doing a self-funded remodel to convert the building for their purposes. 

Chamber President Kristin Cepak says it will take the Chamber about nine to twelve months to get the incubator program off the ground. The Chamber is working with The Forge, a curriculum-based certified business incubator in Tulsa, and 36 Degrees North, to create a fully certified program through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

In Other News:

Council authorized City staff to apply for Programming of Tulsa Urbanized Area Transportation Alternative Funds. The City is working to construct a sidewalk along the western side of 81st West Avenue from Tenth Street to Park Road. 

Council unanimously passed Ordinance 1321 amending City zoning codes for the potential passage of State Question 788. Should medical or recreational marijuana ever be legalized in the State of Oklahoma, growers, processors, and retailers would have to apply for Specific Use Permits. 

Council unanimously passed Ordinance 1322, aligning the City with State statutes regarding underage access to tobacco. The ordinance prohibits possession or sale of vapor products to youth under age 18.

City Council approved a $165,096.00 contract renewal with Superion LLC for financial software. 

Council approved a $31,636.80 purchase order to upgrade all City employees to Microsoft Office 2016.

Council approved the purchase of 49 Dell PCs for Police, Fire, and Municipal Court departments in the amount of $37,240.

Council approved supplemental appropriations totaling $1,047,000.00 from the Municipal Authority Water Utility Fund to prefund building, golf course, museum, and park improvements. The water fund will be reimbursed when certain voter-approved bond packages are sold. 

Council approved a $29,662.27 service agreement with Motorola Solutions to upgrade Police Department communications systems.

Council approved $107,397.00 for the purchase of three 2018 Ford Police Interceptor SUV units and one 2019 Ford Taurus unmarked detective units.

Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding and $3,214.75 payment to the Indian Nations Council on Government for 9-1-1 mapping and MSAG services. 

Council approved $261,708.00 to subsidize EMSA services for the city. 

Council approved $47,485.00 to furnish the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center and Fire Station No. 2. 

Council accepted a $29,635 bid from Candle Electric for electrical work in Case Community Park. Candle will work to replace buried electrical wiring feeding the roadway lights. They returned the lowest bid out of three companies.

Council approved a final payment of $6,860.00 to Lambert Construction for their work in building a hardened storm shelter at Case Community Center.

Council approved an agreement renewal with the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.e.t.) in the amount of $33,132.00 for operating the Sand Springs Recycling Program. 

Council unanimously appointed Merle Parsons to the Board of Adjustment.

Council unanimously appointed Sharon Weaver to the Sand Springs Development Authority.

Council unanimously appointed Thomas Askew and Paul Shindel to the Planning Commission. 

Council declared three residential lots as surplus, authorizing sale for residential development. The lots, located at 301 N Franklin Ave, 307 N Franklin Ave, and 505 W Broadway St, were donated in lieu of payment of liens.

Council approved $394,908.00 for the purpose of replacing Precision Approach Path Indicators and constructing a new Electrical Vault at Pogue Airport. 

Sandlot Sno-Balls opens new Prattville shaved ice stand with drive-through

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Sandlot Sno-Balls is bringing shaved ice back to south Sand Springs. 

Owned by Sand Springs native Brad Crain, the New Orleans-style snowball business unveiled their new location Tuesday morning in the Prattville Center on 41st Street. 

Sandlot first opened for business in the summer of 2015 at 250 South Highway 97 in the parking lot of Warehouse Market (now Cox Cash Saver). JwY's Tropical Ice had a stand in that location for more than a decade before Crain purchased the business and opened Sandlot. 

The new Prattville location is Sandlot's first expansion since incorporating three years ago, and will create six new part-time jobs. It is the only snow cone stand on the south side of Sand Springs.

The Sweet Pink Shack sold snow cones and pineapple whips in the parking lot of Cheezie's Pizza just across the street from the Prattville Center from 2014 to 2017, but decided not to reopen this summer. 

Snow cone connoisseurs will no longer have to cross the river to get their shaved ice fix. Nor will they need to exit their vehicle. Sandlot Prattville is the only Sand Springs snow cone stand with a drive-through. 

The stand has safety barricades to separate the drive-through from pedestrians, and there will be outdoor seating for customers to hang out. Crain asks customers to please be patient for the first week as they've never had to man both a drive-through and walk-up before. 

The Prattville Center is jamming in recent years with Lee's Charburgers joining Minuteman Pizza and Terry's Classic Coneys to provide plenty of dining options for local Sandites. There are also multiple shopping locations and a live music venue. Now patrons of those establishments will have a dessert option in the same shopping center. 

The stand offers all the same flavors as their original location, with the exception of sugar free flavors and pineapple whip. It also features the "latest and greatest block-shaver on the market," says Crain. 

Sandlot is open from noon to 10:00 p.m. and can be reached at 918.813.1233.

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice celebrates Grand Opening of new Berryhill location

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java celebrated the grand opening of a new snow cone stand Thursday afternoon.

Fellow business owners and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce members traveled to Berryhill to congratulate CEO William Nozak and Berryhill co-owner Jeff Lyles on their new venture at 3110 South 65th West Avenue. 

The new stand is located in the parking lot of New Home Free Will Baptist Church in the unincorporated community of Berryhill, immediately across the street from Berryhill Elementary South, and less than a quarter mile from Berryhill Elementary North and Berryhill High School. 

Harper's Hut opened its first stand at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard in Sand Springs in 2014 and has been steadily growing ever since. 

Harper's unique flavors and image can be found at the Case Community Park concession stand in Sand Springs, the Sapulpa Aquatic Center, and Sungate Pool in Tulsa. Nozak owned a stand in Mannford for three seasons before the land they leased was sold for development, and that stand has now been relocated to the Sand Springs location. The Berryhill hut is the original building where the company got its start.

"We've been blessed," says Nozak. "The  community has stood behind us. Other stands have opened, Starbucks has come to town with cold drinks, and we still have a flourishing brand."

Part of Harper's success can be attributed to its family friendly environment, which includes far more than a simple snow cone. Patrons are welcome to hang out at the huts, host birthday parties, and more. 

The Sand Springs stand is fully stocked with corn hole, frisbees, footballs, soccer balls, hula hoops, and numerous other games and activities. In addition to colorful picnic tables, there are also unique hangouts for children like a dugout and a pirate ship. The Berryhill stand is just starting out but will soon include many activities of its own. 

Jeff Lyles, an Assistant Band Director at Sand Springs Public Schools and Berryhill graduate, will run the stand together with his wife, Amanda. Their stand kicked off with a bang and beat the Sand Springs location in sales on day one. 

To book Harper's Hut for a private party or to get information on opening your own stand, contact 918.671.6352. Harper's provides shaved ice, espresso, Italian sodas, smoothies, and more for birthday parties, festivals, weddings, corporate events, and more. 

First Tuesday on the Triangle concert draws crowds to downtown Sand Springs

An artist from ZegART Studios paints a flower during the downtown concert.

Let Slip The Dogs headlines the First Tuesday on the Triangle concert series.

Matthew Mitchell, The Broadway Barber, stops by to grab dinner from a local food truck after a long day of cutting hair.

Jeremy Myers, Kingdom Concessions, serves up Sonoran hot dogs at Tuesday on the Triangle.

Let Slip The Dogs headlines the First Tuesday on the Triangle concert series.

The "First Tuesday on the Triangle" concert series kicked off this week in downtown Sand Springs and organizers are calling the first event a success despite unseasonably high temperatures that may have kept some Sandites at home.

Let Slip The Dogs battled the heat with some cool tunes, performing a broad selection of covers ranging from The Cure to Stevie Wonder.

Local shop owner Stormy Miller opened up the show with guitarist Brian Parker. Though he didn't play any instruments, Miller was instrumental in getting the event organized. His store, The Harvest World Market, sponsored the concert stage and helped secure sound equipment.

Several local food trucks were on hand, including Mannford-based Kingdom Concessions with Mexidogs, elote, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Jeremy and Tammy Myers served up Sonoran-style hot dogs, wrapped in bacon, and topped with refried beans, pico de gallo, and their secret Mexisauce. 

House District 66 candidate Rusty Rowe used the opportunity to meet local constituents, while his Democratic primary competitor, Angela Graham, took the evening off from campaigning and enjoyed the show with her son.

Several local businesses and organizations set up booths around the Triangle, including the Sand Springs Women's Chamber, who works to promote child literacy. The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum was also on hand, taking donations and selling raffle tickets for the Blue Dog Art Exhibit. 

SEE RELATED: Blue Dog art takes Sand Springs by storm

The concert series has an off-and-on history in Sand Springs, being organized by different organizations throughout the years.

The current face of the downtown revitalization is the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition, founded in 2017 by Joni Sporleder (Joni's on the Triangle Hair Salon), Susan Whitley (Yesterday to Now Antique Mall), and Jennifer Barretto (Chinowth and Cohen Realtors). 

The Small Business Coalition worked together with the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs to host the inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which drew over a thousand people in December. The Tuesday on the Triangle series is the first event that the Coalition has hosted entirely on its own.

While the Chamber of Commerce works hard to improve the overall economy of the city, the Coalition, which includes several Chamber members, aims to host several events throughout the year to try and increase foot traffic into local restaurants and retail shops. 

First Tuesday on the Triangle won't be held in the month of July, due to the Sertoma Fireworks Show on July 3rd at Case Community Park. The concert will return on August 7th, followed by September 4th, and October 2nd. 

The Coalition is also working on festivities for various holidays as well as a poker run and car show in the near future. 

VetIQ Petcare holds ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sand Springs Walmart

VetIQ Petcare held a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new Sand Springs location Friday morning, and will hold a Grand Opening celebration on Saturday with adoptable animals from Sand Springs Animal Welfare.

Located on the front side of the Walmart Supercenter at 220 South Highway 97, the clinic is only accessible from the parking lot, and cannot be entered through the retail store. 

PetIQ has distributed its products through the retailer for years, and expanded to veterinary services in January with the acquisition of VIP Petcare. 

VetIQ has a landlord-tenant relationship with Walmart and plans to open more than 1,000 locations nationwide by 2023. The first twenty clinics are expected to open by the end of June, and Oklahoma is spearheading the launch with the first three locations opening last month in Bartlesville, Edmond, and Duncan. 

The clinic provides only routine petcare such as checkups, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and nail trimming, and does not offer surgical services or overnight boarding. They also work directly with the Walmart Pharmacy to offer on-site prescription services. Walk-in services are available and no appointment is required.

VetIQ is currently running several special discounts, including free rabies vaccines, $10.00 nail trimming, and $10.00 microchipping through the end of July.  

The Sand Springs location will be open seven days a week, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

New trail soon to begin along Highway 97 in south Sand Springs

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The Park Road Trail connecting Adams Road with the Sand Springs Lake is nearing completion. 

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announced Thursday that a new trail improvement project is scheduled to begin next week. The HWY 97 Trail Extension Project is funded in part by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and is designed to connect Sand Springs' vast trail network from 34th Street to 41st Street in south Sand Springs. All of the trail's routing will align on the eastern side of HWY 97.

"This is an important link for trail connectivity," stated City Engineer Derek Campbell. "As we move toward even greater trail synchronization with existing trail segments in Sand Springs, this link allows trail users to navigate in our town from north to south in a safe, well planned route."

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The trail's construction is slated to commence on Monday, June 4, and should last 120 calendar days, barring any weather delays. The trail surface will be ten (10') foot wide and will be constructed of concrete. During the trail's construction there will be temporary closures at some commercial entrance drives which are connected to HWY 97. The construction plans instruct the contractor to keep at least one lane of each entrance open at all times during the work.

Citizens may have recently noticed the nearly completed Park Road Trail project, which also serves to better trail access within the community.

For information, photos and project updates on this trail project and other improvements around the Sand Springs community please follow the City of Sand Springs page on Facebook.

Proposed golf course cell tower draws controversy at City Council

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Monday night's monthly Sand Springs City Council meeting focused heavily on a controversial cell tower in the works at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course.

The municipal golf course owned by the City has been approached by Branch Communications, who wants to build an 85-foot cellular tower for AT&T on golf course property. The "stealth tower" is designed to resemble a pine tree and would not obstruct fairways.

According to Branch VP Mark Kenser, AT&T previously had an antenna atop the McKinley Water Tower for twenty years, but was denied a lease renewal.

Kesner said the company has been looking for a location for a new tower for two years, but has been severely limited due to topography and zoning restrictions. 

According to Kesner, the tower needs to be within a half-mile of its current location, and very little of that area is usable. Multiple private land owners have been approached, but none were interested in leasing or selling property. 

Kesner says AT&T would prefer to build a 150 ft. tower but dropped to eighty due to Municipal and citizen aesthetic concerns. 150 feet would be necessary to maintain current coverage, and eighty feet will offer the poorest coverage allowed by federal regulations. 

Several citizens spoke in opposition to the tower due to the obstruction it would impose on the natural view. Bill Denton, a residential developer, was concerned about the impact the tower will have on his property value and ability to sell homes.

Realtor Diane Robbins said she owns enough land for a thirty-plot subdivision, which already has a preliminary plat. She was also concerned about the impact the tower would have on property value. Realtor Dana Box echoed Robbins' comments.

Former City Councilman Dean Nichols spoke on behalf of Councilwoman Patty Dixon, who was absent due to a family medical emergency. According to Nichols, Dixon was firmly against the tower but was unable to be present for the vote.

Nichols also asserted that the income the City will be receiving from AT&T is far less than it should be when compared to what other companies have been known to pay. If the agreement with Branch is approved, the City will lease the property for $1,200 per month.

According to City Attorney David Weatherford, the question on the agenda was specifically regarding whether or not the tower was an appropriate use of land, and did not actually affirm a contract with the company. 

City ordinances require Antenna and Supporting Structures go through a Specific Use Permit process to prevent objectionable uses of land where zoning wouldn't specifically prohibit the placement of said equipment. 

If the tower is built, it would also have room to hold up to three additional carriers.

In other news:

Municipal Judge Tom Askew administered the Oath of Office to three new police officers. Jerrod Raglin, William Paarmann, and Cody Ziegler were sworn in with the Sand Springs Police Department.

Council unanimously approved a supplemental appropriation of $207,250 from the Water Utility Fund to pave the parking lot at Jerry Adair Baseball Park in Case Community Park. Voters approved the project as part of a general obligation bond package in 2017, but the bonds have yet to be sold to fund it. 

Council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing the City Municipal Court to try misdemeanor drug offenses, rather than sending them to the County for prosecution. Police Chief Mike Carter believes offenders will get more contact and help at the local level.

Council unanimously voted to greenlight a pilot program for traffic signage in residential neighborhoods. The City will begin placing signs with parking restrictions at the entrances to housing additions rather than along the streets. 

Council unanimously approved $382,249 for the purchase of a new wastewater vacuum/jet rodder truck. Citizens voted to fund the purchase in a November 2017 general obligation bond issue.

Council unanimously approved a $50,000 contract with Crawford & Associates for accounting and consulting services. 

Council unanimously approved a $34,160 contract with Arledge and Associates, P.C. to audit the City finances. 

Council unanimously approved the 2018 Sand Springs Police Department Policing Plan. 

Council unanimously approved an increase of $32,835 to an existing $317,179 contract with Sapulpa Digging, Inc. for the 2018 Sanitary Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project. 

Council unanimously approved a $54,305 one-year extension to an existing agreement with the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority for bus transit services in the Sand Springs area. 

Council unanimously approved the Final Plat for the Rivercrest Addition, a fourteen-lot 4.82-acre subdivision near East 31st Place and South 113th West Avenue.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Mike Burdge, Brian Jackson, and Patty Dixon to the the Council Appointment Committee.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Burdge, Dixon, and Jim Spoon to the Council Finance and Development Committee. 

Council unanimously voted to appoint Dixon, Spoon, and Christine Hamner to the Council Legislative Committee. 

Council unanimously voted to appoint Hamner, Beau Wilson, and Phil Nollan to the Council Public Works Advisory Committee.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Arron Montross and Kathe Crapster to the Parks Advisory Board. 

Council unanimously voted to appoint Burdge to the Indian Nations Council on Governments (INCOG) Board of Directors with City Manager Elizabeth Gray as an alternate. 

Council unanimously voted to appoint Burdge to the INCOG General Assembly with Gray as an alternate.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Burdge to the INCOG Legislative Consortium with Gray as an alternate.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Jackson to the INCOG Tulsa Metropolitan Area Transportation Policy Committee.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Wilson to the Sand Springs Economic Development Authority Trust. 

Council unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2019 Master Fee Schedule. 

The Sand Springs Municipal Authority meeting was held after City Council.

Municipal Trustees unanimously approved a thirty-year ground-lease contract with Ullrich Aviation at $3,531.33 per year for fifteen T-Hangars at Pogue Airport.

Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Joe Stephenson and David Kvach to the Airport Advisory Board.

Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Elizabeth Gray and Derek Henley to the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board. 

Walmart celebrates Grand Re-Opening with donations to local charities

The Walmart Supercenter department store located at 220 South Highway 97 in Sand Springs held a Grand Re-Opening ceremony Friday morning to celebrate a recent remodel.

The three-month renovation project updated the floors, paint, signage and layout of several departments. The store remained open throughout the project.

A non-emergency veterinary clinic will soon open inside the store, which also includes SmartStyle Hair Salon, Arvest Bank, McDonald's, Regal Nails Salon & Spa, and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. 

Walmart presented donations to three local nonprofits as part of the celebration, namely $2,500 to DaySpring Villa, $2,000 to Light of Hope, and $2,500 to the Tulsa Boys' Home.

DaySpring Villa provides shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or sex trafficking. Light of Hope assists families and individuals struggling with addiction. The Tulsa Boys' Home is a shelter and school for wards of the State and drug-addicted minors.

Walmart first opened at its current location in 2003, and was surrounded by a new shopping center, Charlie's Chicken, Rib Crib, and many other businesses within a few short years.

The area surrounding Walmart is seeing a boom in recent years with the development of the River West and Sheffield Crossing commercial sites nearby. The $10.7 million Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center is currently under construction just across the street from Wal-Mart.

Sam Childers presented Outstanding Citizenship Award, Burdge reelected as Mayor

Sam Childers was posthumously recognized with the John M. Hess Award for Outstanding Citizenship at Monday evening's Sand Springs City Council meeting. Childers' daughter was on hand to receive the award.

Childers served on the Sand Springs City Council, Municipal Authority, Citizens' Water Study Committee, Planning Commission, and the Pogue Airport Advisory Board over several decades. He passed away in January of this year.

An early backer of the Keystone Ancient Forest campaign, Childers donated land to the conservation and has a trail named in his honor. The Childers family trust recently pledged to donate $7,500 for the naming rights to a visitors' center planned at the preserve. 

Municipal Judge Tom Askew administered the oath of office to Councilors Beau Wilson, Brian Jackson, and James Spoon, who were recently elected to three-year terms ending May 2021. 

Mike Burdge was unanimously reelected to a one-year term as Mayor for the thirteenth time since taking office in 1996. Phil Nollan was unanimously elected to his first one-year term as Vice Mayor. 

City Manager Elizabeth Gray presented each member of City Council with a small commemorative memento in recognition of their hard work. City Council is an elected volunteer position and members do not receive compensation. 

In other news:

Council unanimously approved $45,065.00 for the purchase and installation of a new Court Management software system at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center, funded by a 2017 public safety bond.

Council unanimously approved $49,512.00 for the purchase of fifteen Noptic NV3 cameras with LED spotlights for police patrol cars, funded by a 2017 public safety bond.

Council unanimously approved $25,420.70 of public safety bond funds for the purchase of an IRecord Universe IP Turnkey Recording System. The system will be installed at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center interview rooms.

Council unanimously approved $137,715.21 of general obligation bond funding for the purchase of new Network Infrastructure and Firewall hardware.

Council unanimously approved a $190,332.00 agreement with Craig and Keithline for services relating to infrastructure planning at the Sheffield Crossing Development. 

Sand Springs City Council plans for major infrastructure, new commercial development

The former Gerdau steel mill is now prime commercial real estate being marketed by the City of Sand Springs.

The City of Sand Springs moved forward with plans for a major expansion and improvement project on Main Street at Monday night's City Council Meeting.

The passage of Resolution No. 18-41 authorized the City to deposit $944,748 with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as the City's 20% share of the project. 

The Design Agreement dates back to 2008 and the project will finally go to bid in August. Sand Springs Project Administrator T.J. Davis expects to see dirt work begin by the end of the year.

Main Street will be reconstructed from Third Street to its current terminus at 404 South Main Street, and will be extended west to a new intersection at Highway 97. 

A frontage road will also be constructed from Main Street to the Highway 412 on-ramp at Lincoln Avenue. 

Council also passed a resolution regarding the development of Sheffield Crossing, a plot of land recently purchased by the City with the goal of retail and commercial development. 

The eighteen-acre development is located West of Highway 97 between Morrow Road and the Arkansas River. Much of the land will be preserved with the goal of attracting a home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot, but City leadership will consider other proposals in the meantime.

The passage of Ordinance No. 1316 declares the land as surplus and authorizes the City to sell the property at Council and Manager's discretion. 

Council also passed Ordinance No. 1317 declaring as surplus a fourteen-acre plot of land on the Southwest corner of 129th West Avenue and West Wekiwa Road, also with the goal of commercial development. 

In Other News: 

• Council unanimously voted to reappoint Municipal Judge Michael King and Assistant Judges R. Jay McAtee and Thomas Askew to two-year terms. 
• Council unanimously voted to reappoint Larry Johnston to a three-year term on the Board of Adjustment.
• Council unanimously voted to reappoint Patty Dixon to a three-year term on the Planning Commission.
• Council unanimously voted to reappoint Ronald Cloud to a three-year term on the Parks Advisory Board.
• Council unanimously voted to cast votes for Ponca City Manager Craig Stephenson and Bartlesville City Manager Mike Bailey to serve on the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group Board of Trustees for a three-year term.
• Council unanimously voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.
• Council unanimously approved the use of $293,177.00 for the purchase of new Public Safety software. The funding for the software comes from the passage of a November 2017 General Obligation Bond. The system will cover Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management, Mobile computing, Automatic Vehicle Location, Jail Management, Property and Evidence, and more. 
• Council approved an ordinance requiring the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats over six months of age, with a hobbyist exemption for show animals. Hobbyists will be allowed to keep up to six unfixed animals on their property at a given time, with a $20 annual permit.
• Council approved the final plat for Stone Crest Addition, a 14.726-acre subdivision on 41st Street across from Westwood Estates. 
• Council approved a final payment of $52,642.14 to CMSWillowbrook for the installation of an LED light system under the Main Street overpass. The total cost for the project was finalized at $85,987.14. 

Myers Marketing celebrates Grand Opening of new downtown location

Myers Marketing Management and We Are Sand Springs magazine celebrated the grand opening of their new location Saturday morning during Herbal Affair.

Myers Marketing is owned by Sand Springs locals Danielle and D.A. Myers. The company offers Social Media Management, Website Design, Search Engine Optimization, Brand Development, Video Production, Logo Design, and many other forms of traditional and modern marketing.

Myers' bimonthly magazine We Are Sand Springs provides 32 pages of full color stories, articles, and special features highlighting life in Sand Springs. They promote the aspects of Sand Springs that make the town unique, such as its history and founding by Charles Page, its beautiful parks, generous businesses, and successful schools. Copies of the magazine are mailed directly to Sand Springs homes free of charge, and can be found at businesses throughout town. 

We Are Sand Springs also publishes a calendar each year filled with coupons and important dates such as festivals, holidays, and the Sand Springs Public Schools and Chamber of Commerce calendars. 

The new office space for the company is located at 118 North Main Street and offers a place for locals to hang out and rest their feet while shopping downtown Sand Springs. They offer Dip 'n' Dots ice cream, games, and showcase local art. Sand Springs artist Jade Crawford is currently showcasing her work and sales of the art will go towards a summer mission trip to Tanzania with Asking For the Nations.

Prattville QuikTrip reopens after five months of rebuilding

The QuikTrip convenience store located at 2 West 41st Street in South Sand Springs reopened at 6:00 a.m. Thursday after being closed for nearly half a year. 

The store's expansion project began more than a year ago with major groundwork and the existing store was closed and demolished in the fall.

The new building is approximately 6,000 square feet, an expansion of nearly 1,800 over the previous facility. The store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and boasts a large selection of hot foods from their QuikTrip Kitchens.

QuikTrip is a privately-owned company founded in Tulsa in 1958. It first expanded to Sand Springs with its 300th store in 1992. The company operates more than seven hundred stores in eleven states with more than 22,500 employees.

The company ranks 33rd on Forbe's list of largest privately held companies with a $9.7 billion value in 2017. It is the second-largest private company in Oklahoma. QuikTrip is number 22 in the nation on the Fortune list of Best Workplaces for Millennials. 

Sand Springs dedicates Inez Kirk park in honor of former City Manager

The City of Sand Springs rededicated the City-Garden Park at 101 East Broadway Street in honor of former City Manager Inez Kirk.

Kirk was the City Manager for Sand Springs from 1977 to 1986 and died in office on January 23, 1986.

Kirk's family and friends planted a pink rose bush in honor of her nickname, the Iron Rose. A group of more than thirty family members, friends, and former coworkers turned out to honor her and celebrated her life with her favorite candy, licorice. 

"This park is very special to me," said current City Manager Elizabeth Gray. "I came here and prayed before I went in for my interview (for City Manager)." 

"I remember what Sand Springs used to be compared to what it is today," said Mayor Mike Burdge. "Inez was very instrumental in changing the character and the integrity of government in Sand Springs. 

The Soccer Complex at Case Community Park was named in her honor for many years, but City leaders decided it would be more appropriate to recognize her with the park next door to the City Hall building she worked at. 

"Mom loved her family, and the people at City Hall were also her family. She loved each and every one," said Kirk's daughter, Pat McConnell. "Her passion was for this city. I can tell you that mom would be overwhelmed by the fact that the City has chosen to honor her like this, and she would be amazed at how many people still remember her and talk about her."