The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved the name “Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs” for the new commercial development being planned on the site of the former Sheffield Steel Mill. They also changed the Highway 97 entry street name from “Huskey Boulevard” to “Huskey Avenue.”
The development was originally planned under the name “Sheffield Crossing,” and was going to be a private development owned by OmniTRAX. OmniTRAX dropped development plans and sold 18 acres to the City of Sand Springs in 2017, but retained the name “Sheffield Crossing, LLC,” leading Sand Springs to adopt the name Sheffield Plaza in their October meeting. For branding purposes, because the name Sheffield Crossing has been used for the past few years, they decided to change the name again to “Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs,” with OmniTRAX’s permission, to piggyback on the established monicker.
The Highway 97 entrance to the development was recently named “Huskey Boulevard” in honor of former Assistant Police Chief Jesse Huskey, who is the only Sand Springs Police Officer to die in the line of duty. Because the future of the development is unclear, and the ultimate shape and landscaping of the road has yet to be determined, they decided to avoid the term “Boulevard” which typically indicates “a wide street lined with trees.”
In other news:
Census Specialist Joshua Etheridge gave a presentation regarding the U.S. 2020 Census. There will be four ways for individuals to respond to the census, including paper forms, internet, over the phone, or in-person on April 1, 2020. Etheridge assures the public that the online database is far safer than even the best online banking apps. He also stressed the importance of making sure every single resident is registered, even the homeless, due to the impact it has on federal allocations. The Census Bureau will be hiring in January at an average minimum wage of around $15.00/hour. In addition to canvasing, there are also jobs that can be done from home. According to Etheridge, veterans receive priority in the hiring process.
Stormwater Technician Jon Odle gave a presentation on washing your car, and the importance of not allowing runoff including soaps to enter the stormwater system. According to Odle, detergents are damaging to local water-based environments such as streams, rivers, and lakes. Car Wash businesses send their runoff to the wastewater system, not into the environment. Washing your car over gravel or grass, instead of in your driveway, uses the soil as filter, lessening the impact of detergents on waterways.
Council unanimously approved the use of $80,260.93 for furnishing City Hall, which is currently undergoing an extensive remodel. The money comes from a recent auction of surplus City property.
Council unanimously approved an Emergency Management Performance Agreement between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management.
Council unanimously approved a mid-year benefit change to the City employee health-plan, adding a high-deductible option.
Council unanimously approved a resolution affirming dilapidation public nuisance administrative hearing findings against properties at 1106 North Garfield Avenue, 517 North Washington Avenue, 1018 and 1018 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, and 719 North Franklin Avenue.
Council unanimously approved a supplemental appropriation of $102,000 from the Emergency Reserves fund for repairs at Case Community Park following the spring flooding.
Council unanimously approved a $35,000 expenditure for repairing the infield playing surfaces of the Will Ramsey Softball Complex in Case Park.
Council unanimously approved a $45,281.40 expenditure for replacing playground surfacing throughout Case Park.
Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the lowest and best estimate for the purchase of an arched trellis for Zackery Park, not to exceed $30,000. Zackery Park is a planned micro-park that will be located in the RiverWest Shopping Center.
Council unanimously awarded an $84,000 bid to Precision Lawn Care for a tree planting and maintenance project along the city’s highway corridors. The City hopes to improve the aesthetic appeal of the community as viewed from the highway in order to impress and attract potential developers. Precision will care for the trees for a six month period, then the City will take over.
