City Council commissions new sidewalks, murals, vacant property acquisition

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The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening and handed out a series of mayoral proclamations recognizing the Charles Page High School Wrestling Team for their State Championship wins this season.

The City of Sand Springs was recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Center for the Advancement of Wellness for achieving the certified healthy designation of "Excellence." They were also awarded the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer's Citation of Merit for the exterior rehabilitation of Page Memorial Library, which now houses the Sand Springs Historical and Cultural Museum. 

Parks Director Grant Gerondale provided a presentation on ongoing Parks Department projects. The department has been executing controlled burns at the Keystone Ancient Forest over the past months to keep overgrowth under control. They are also establishing a controlled burn line and trail that will be approximately three miles long when complete. According to Gerondale, the forest receives approximately 3,500 visitors per year.

The River City Park renovation is well under way. The department has planted nearly 200 new trees in the largest re-foresting project in the history of the city. Two new playgrounds have been installed that Gerondale described as "second to nothing in the U.S." The disc golf course is being relocated deeper within the park and is being expanded to a full 18-hole course. There will also be a "Thunder Cares" Court built in the park.

The park is still seeing extensive use in spite of ongoing construction. The Will Ramsey Softball Park and Inez Kirk Soccer Complex both saw more than fifty teams apiece at tournaments this past weekend and the BMX track has seen increased use in the past year. The Jerry Adair Baseball Park and the Soccer Complex are both undergoing expansion with the addition of new fields. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Town Development History

Council unanimously approved the transfer of $51,578 from the ODOC Home Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund. The ODOC Home Fund was part of a federal program established in the 1990s to provide low-interest loans to elderly residents for home repairs. That program has long since been defunct and the funds have sat dormant for more than a decade. The money will now be used to acquire and combine vacant properties where dilapidated houses once stood in older neighborhoods. 

Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the use of Community Development Block Grant funding for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of 10th Street between Adams Road and Ray Brown Park.

Council unanimously approved an agreement between the City and the Sand Springs Public School District authorizing the use of $47,862.00 for the use of enhanced security systems, including video camera installation. 

Council unanimously approved the use of $1,500,000 to construct a new building to replace Fire Station #2 in Prattville. The current building has undergone multiple remodels that have failed to improve upon chronic roof leaks, a history of mold issues, and an overall inadequate design.

This disused mill on old Highway 51 will soon serve as a welcome sign to the City. 

Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the execution of several projects, including the commissioning of a series of murals around the community. One location planned to be the recipient of a beautification project is the abandoned silo on the property of Riverview RV Park on old Highway 51 in Prattville. 

Sand Springs Fire Station #2 to receive $1.5 million new facility

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council approved the use of $1,500,000 to design and build a new building to replace Fire Station #2 in Prattville in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening.

The current building has undergone multiple remodels that have failed to improve upon chronic roof leaks, a history of mold issues, and an overall inadequate design. 

The original facility was designed primary as a garage for holding volunteer fire department trucks. Eventually a single living quarter was constructed, then a second story was added in the 1980s. The residential structure also encroaches outside the property line by four feet along the west wall.

The apparatus bays use residential-quality garage doors and the ceilings are too low to allow proper routine maintenance. Whenever snow accumulates on the access drive the garage doors don't open high enough to allow the trucks to exit, meaning fire fighters have to keep the exits shoveled at all times.

Proposed floor plan for new facility.

Fritz Baily, P.C. estimates that all-new construction would cost approximately $1,357,020 as opposed to $1,237,376 for total renovation of the existing station. New construction would add more than 3,000 square feet as well as establish far better functionality.

The replacement building will be built further south and east of the current station so that the current facilities will remain open until construction is complete. 

The facility will be single-story, allowing for faster response time. It will also include multiple shower rooms to provide more privacy. The current facility holds a common restroom, which will be impossible to use if and when the Fire Department hires female fire fighters.

One of three proposed plans for replacing the existing station.

One of three proposed plans for replacing the existing station.

One of three proposed plans for replacing the existing station.

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - road game
    • Bixby High School, 601 S. Riverview Dr., Bixby OK 74008
  • 7:00 p.m. Regular Sand Springs City Council Meeting

Tuesday

  • 9:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Boys Golf Tournament
    • The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge. 1801 N. McKinley Rd., Sand Springs 
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Soccer - road game
    • Booker T. Washington High School. 1514 E. Zion St. Tulsa OK 74106
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Soccer - road game
    • Booker T. Washington High School. 1514 E. Zion St. Tulsa OK 74106

Thursday

  • 9:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Girls Golf Tournament
    • The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge. 1801 N. McKinley Rd., Sand Springs
  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - road game
    • Broken Arrow High School. 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Friday

  • 4:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Track and Field
    • Stillwater High School. 1224 N. Husband St. Stillwater, OK 74075
  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Highway 97 Rivalry home game
    • 405 W. 55th St. Sand Springs
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Girls' Soccer - road game
    • Enid High School. 611 W. Wabash Ave. Enid, OK 73701
  • 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Boys' Soccer - road game
  • Enid High School. 611 W. Wabash Ave. Enid, OK 73701

Saturday

  • 12:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game
    • 405 W. 55th Street, Sand Springs

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Governor Mary Fallin Appoints Former Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez as Secretary of State

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OKLAHOMA CITY –  Governor Mary Fallin today announced today that former Oklahoma Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez is re-joining her Cabinet to fill the vacant position of secretary of state.

Lopez will begin his new duties Monday, March 27. His appointment still must be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.

Lopez succeeds Mike Hunter, whom the governor appointed last month as attorney general.

As secretary of state, Lopez will serve as a senior adviser to the governor on policy, economic and legislative issues. He served as the governor’s secretary of commerce from 2011 until 2013.

“Dave Lopez has been a successful businessman and tremendous civic leader with connections all around the nation,” said Fallin. “He brings a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to the post and I’m delighted to have him back on my Cabinet. He will help in my efforts to implement pro-growth, fiscally responsible and conservative policies to move this state forward.”

Lopez is a longtime civic and community leader and currently serves as an independent consultant.

From 2013 to 2014, he served as interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools while the school board launched and concluded a national search for a permanent superintendent.

Lopez previously served as president of Oklahoma City-based American Fidelity Foundation, a charitable foundation that gives grants for economic development, education, human services and the arts. Before joining American Fidelity Foundation, Lopez served as president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

Prior to that, he had a 22-year career with SBC Communications (now AT&T), including serving as president of SBC Oklahoma and as president of SBC Texas.

“I’m honored to once again serve in the governor’s administration and look forward to working with her to grow Oklahoma’s economy and bring more jobs and opportunities to our state.”

Lopez serves on numerous boards, including the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Banc First Corp., Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, University of Oklahoma College of Education Board of Advisers, University of Central Oklahoma Foundation and Wes Welker Foundation.

He has received many honors and awards including induction into the Oklahoma City University Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor, the Corporate Advocate Award from the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Oklahoma City chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Lopez earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University.  He and his wife, Lana, live in Oklahoma City and have five children and eight grandchildren.

Senator Mark Allen expresses concern over discarded federal grant money

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma’s lack of a series of certifications may be keeping millions in federal transportation grants out of the state’s hands, according to State Senator Mark Allen.

Allen, R-Spiro, who also chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said expanded federal grants are available for Oklahoma’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), but the state must be Core Certified first. ODOT has also been working to get the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Before Oklahoma can be Core Certified, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) must also complete the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plan (IRP) projects, which were originally set to be completed in 2009.

“Once Oklahoma is Core Certified, ODOT can apply for up to $2.5 million in expanded CVISN federal grants each year. These grants are available to state Departments of Transportation, and those monies can go towards upkeep and enhancing our transportation capabilities,” Allen said. “Unfortunately, Oklahoma was not able to apply for expanded CVISN grants in January 2017, because we are not yet Core Certified.”

ODOT has very conservatively estimated that the delay in the state’s Core Certification has cost the CVISN program in excess of $2.5 million.

“The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has known of these requirements and deadlines for years. Even though federal grants have been extended many times, every year the Corporation Commission refuses to comply,” Allen said. “Timelines are created and ignored. Deadlines have been extended, only to expire for lack of action. Furthermore, every year the possibility of millions of dollars in expanded federal grants go unused.”

Allen says the financial situation is now dire in Oklahoma. In addition to the current state budget crisis, he’s concerned that Oklahoma’s open CVISN grants are under “terminal” extension, which means these grants cannot be further extended.

“State monies will now have to be used for what could have been paid for by federal grants. Money was set aside to fund IFTA and IRP, but we will lose that money later this year,” Allen said. “ODOT tells us that the CVISN program will run out of federal grant money on December 31 of this year, and they don’t have a funding solution at this time. To date this year, we have lost $100,000 in already awarded grant money because we are not Core Certified. ODOT estimates we will lose an additional $400,000 of already awarded grant money at the end of this year because the project required for Core Certification will not be completed until May, 2018.”

Senate Bill 592, authored by Allen, who serves as the Transportation Chair, moves the enforcement of size and weights from the OCC to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Allen says DPS is the logical agency to assist ODOT in becoming Core Compliant, as they are the only agency able to enforce federal regulations.

“Once Core Certification is completed, we can apply for funds for technology at the ports of entry. Weigh In Motion (WIM) scales and license plates readers are reimbursable expenses. Technology can be upgraded on the interior weigh stations. We could enhance our ability to scan trucks across the state, and we can start with virtual weigh stations that are not manned 24/7. Data can be used to show us where we need to place emphasis on enforcement decisions. Infrared sensors can be utilized to check brakes,” Allen said. “But the most important thing we can do is make Oklahoma roads safer.” 

The funding for these improvements relies on Oklahoma becoming Core Certified. ODOT can apply for federal grants again in January 2018. Allen said ODOT and DPS will work together to make Oklahoma Core Compliant. The state can be certified in January 2018 and expanded federal grants can be available in September.

This Week in Sand Springs

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Monday

  • Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Planning Commission has been canceled. 
  • 6:00 p.m. Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Board of Adjustments
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - road game
    • Moore High School, 300 N. Eastern Ave, Moore, OK 73160

Tuesday

  • 4:30 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - Highway 97 Rivalry road game
    • 631 N. Brown, Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - home game vs. Moore
  • 6:00 p.m. Regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Museum Trust Authority

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Golf
    • Page Belcher Golf Course, 6666 S. Union Ave, Tulsa OK 74132
  • 5:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Softball - home game vs Barnsdal
  • 6:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - home game vs Muskogee

Friday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Tennis - Muskogee Tournament
    • 3200 East Shawnee Bypass, Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Golf - Jenks Tournament
    • South Lakes Golf Course - 9253 S. Elwood Ave. Jenks, OK 74037
  • 4:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Varsity Track & Field - Broken Arrow meet
    • 1901 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Bartlesville/Collinsville Tournament
    • 2400 W. Broadway St., Collinsville, OK 74021
    • 11:00 a.m. vs Rogers
    • 4:00 p.m. vs Parkhill Christian Academy
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - Stillwater Tournament

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Boys' Varsity Tennis - Claremore Tournament
    • 2001 N. Sioux Ave, Claremore, OK 74017
  • 8:00 a.m. Charles Page High School Girls' Varsity Tennis - Muskogee Tournament
    • 3200 East Shawnee Bypass, Muskogee, OK 74403
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Baseball - Bartlesville/Collinsville Tournament
    • 2400 W. Broadway St., Collinsville, OK 74021
    • 12:30 p.m. vs Hillcrest
    • 5:00 p.m. vs Fort Osage
  • Charles Page High School Varsity Soccer - Stillwater Tournament

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Submit posters and information to SanditePrideNews@gmail.com 

The Power of Partial Improvements: dozens of volunteers clean up Sand Springs park

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More than fifty individuals came together this past weekend in Sand Springs to help with a massive cleanup effort in a now-defunct Tulsa County Park. (SUBMITTED).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Power of Partial Improvements began simply, as a group of friends with a passion for nature and the Oklahoma waterways. The river rats have spent ample time cleaning up the shores of local lakes and rivers over the years, making a point to leave the area cleaner than they found it on every outing. 

In November of last year Brian Hunter, Joseph Alchami, and Ashley Sorrell decided they needed to do more. The trio officially incorporated their new nonprofit and began a mission to change the culture in Oklahoma.

"We want to start a movement," said Hunter, the Executive Director. "Our number one goal is to inspire community involvement. Little by little, partial improvements can make a difference."

Left to right: Joseph Alchami, Ashley Sorrell, Brian Hunter--founding members and Power of Partial Improvements staff. (SUBMITTED).

They took the first big step toward inspiring community involvement last Saturday when more than fifty volunteers gathered together to clean up the Arkansas River shoreline in Sand Springs. The average worker spent nearly four hours trying to clean up the largest illegal dumping ground in the Sand Springs area.

Estill Park, once located along Wekiwa Road, west of Sand Springs, has been a dumping ground for decades since the closure of the park in the 1980s. But despite not being an official park anymore, it still gets its fair share of use. ATVs can often be heard through the trees of the overgrown property, and fishermen utilize the access point at Euchee Creek year-round.

SEE RELATED: The Land That Time Forgot: Estill Park and Wekiwa Road

More than thirty syringes were recovered from the Arkansas shoreline. (Submitted).

American Waste Control donated four roll-off dumpsters to the effort, each of which was completely filled by the end of the day. The volunteers didn't stop there. They also loaded up as many trucks and trailers as possible and got to dump it all for free thanks to the American Environmental Landfill. 

All sorts of strange items were found. Two abandoned cars were stuck in the sand along the river. Multiple abandoned boats were in the area. A few deer carcasses had been dumped by poachers. Most importantly, they were able to remove 30 syringes from the area.

More than 200 tires were piled high in the entrance to the property and the organization is working together with Danny Smith at Same Day Tire and Auto Repair in Sand Springs to get them removed and recycled. Hunter also cites the Tulsa County Conservation District and Bruce Hardy with Tanglewood Nurseries as critical to the success of the project. "Bruce made it happen," said Hunter. Hardy spent the full day on the project, running the loader for the dumpsters. "That was incredible. We wouldn't have gotten half as far as we did without him."

"We're really trying to reach out to the younger community and get them to care," said Hunter. "The community needs to come together to say, 'It's not okay to dump here.' We really want to help lift the burden on government entities."

Volunteers filled four dumpsters with trash Saturday along the Arkansas River. (SUBMITTED).

Despite the massive improvements made Saturday, Hunter says they're not done yet. The nonprofit plans on putting together future large-scale clean-up days every two months in the near future, and expects to return to the former Estill Park area again soon. 

"I would never have expected it to be so big. They answered the call...we know something great will happen from this." 

For now, the group maintains a Facebook group with more than 1,400 members where fellow activists can network and make plans for smaller cleanup days.

Visit their website at www.powerofpartial.org

The Land That Time Forgot: Estill Park and Wekiwa Road

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Sunset over the Arkansas River, as seen from the mouth of Euchee Creek. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Case Community Park, previously known as River City Park, is the flagship of the Sand Springs Parks Department. While the City is partnering with philanthropist Mike Case and using Vision 2025 funding to give the 100-acre park a $6.2 million dollar face-lift, another once-great park sits just a mile down the road--seemingly forgotten by many in its community.

SEE RELATED: Mike and Pat Case donate $2 million for massive park renovation; Sand Springs breaks ground

Estill Park was once a beloved recreation destination, sitting just a hair outside of Sand Springs city-limits. Now it's a dumping ground with little risk of repercussions. The mile-and-a-half-long Tulsa County park stretched from Euchee Creek in the East to Shell Creek in the West and featured a parking lot, a playground, park benches, and pavilions. At its eastern boundary there was a boat ramp, now destroyed, where fishermen and recreational boaters could launch into the Arkansas River. 

The mouth of Euchee Creek in August of 2012. (Google Earth).

"It was a garden of Eden," says former park-goer Ralph Emigh. "It was absolutely an awesome place. For a kid growing up in the seventies it was a romantic place with the fire pits and the river going by."

Today, former park-goers wouldn't recognize it. The area is still used for fishing, four-wheeling and shooting guns. At present time, two abandoned vehicles sit in the sand, riddled with bullet holes and vandalism. Charred boat hulls sit in ruin. One of the vehicles has been reported stolen, according to a Sand Springs Police officer. However, the property is under the jurisdiction of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, who says the vehicle would be too difficult to remove due to how far out in the riverbed it is.

The park isn't the only thing that has been neglected. A daily drive down Wekiwa will send your car to the shop for an alignment and new shocks in no time. The guard rails are broken down and overgrown with weeds. Fallen trees and limbs still lay beside the road from a tornadic system that devastated the area in March of 2015.

"If you don't have roads, people don't travel and use the resources," says Dr. Josh Turley, who has already declared his candidacy for the Tulsa County Commissioner election in 2020. "I hate that we have land there that should be accessible, but people can't use it. We're not focusing where we need to be focusing."

Turley compares the loss of Estill Park to that of the lower section of Chandler Park. Tennis courts, pavilions, picnic tables, and more have all been closed to the public for a decade since an ice storm riddled the area with debris in 2007. The County decided it was easier to abandon the area than to clean it up and reopen it.

The west side of Tulsa County has definitely endured some neglect in past years. But things may finally be on the upswing.

In April of 2016 Tulsa County voters approved a 0.05% sales tax renewal, $3,000,000 of which is slated to go toward reconstruction of a two-mile stretch of Wekiwa from 129th West Avenue to Shell Creek. The Vision Tulsa funding will provide for reconstruction of the roadway with a new base, new asphalt surfacing, and wider shoulder and guard rail placement. Welcome news--but long overdue. According to a Vision Tulsa report, the road is considered to be in "Very Bad Condition," with average daily traffic between one and two thousand. 

County Engineer Tom Rains says the Wekiwa Road project is still in the earliest stages, and plans have to be drawn. He expects it will be two years at the earliest before the project is complete.

Chandler Park will also receive $4,350,000 in Vision Tulsa funding for a new swimming pool and upgrades to the youth baseball fields. $1,000,000 of that will go to re-developing the lower-level park. The Master Plan for the park renovation was released in May of last year and calls for nearly $19 million in total costs, with more than $2.5 million for the lower level. The County approved the plan, but hasn't come up with a way to fund it yet.

Creek drainage improvements were made in 2013 to prevent the creek from flooding. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Euchee Creek, Estill Park's eastern boundary, received a big improvement in 2013. Sand Springs first began a study of the Euchee Creek watershed in 2003 due to flooding concerns, and reconstructed the mouth of the creek in 2013. During that process the City cleared a section of trees and radically improved accessibility from Wekiwa. 

The Euchee Creek area in particular is a historic landmark. The Oklahoma Euchee (also spelled Yuchi) tribe today are enrolled as citizens in the Muscogee Creek Nation. According to a May 2005 Report on Cultural Resources prepared by the Guernsey Consulting firm, the mouth of the Euchee once held a Creek Nation community center before Sand Springs was even incorporated. The tribe later relocated to present-day Sapulpa, where their national headquarters is to this day.

Much of the property was donated to Tulsa County by the Estill family in the 1970s, and upon the closure of the park, it was given to the State Highway Department. The Sand Springs Home Trust owns a piece of the land west of the Euchee, and the City of Sand Springs purchased the eastern side in 2013 with plans to build new Police and Fire Stations on the property. The expected site for those facilities has since been relocated to the Sheffield Crossing development on Morrow Road. The City is limited by an agreement with the Home Trust on what it can do with the land. 

The mouth of the Euchee was the base of a massive cleanup effort this past weekend. Newly-founded Tulsa-based nonprofit organization The Power of Partial Improvements spearheaded an all-day event in the former Estill Park area that drew more than fifty volunteers over the course of the day. 

SEE RELATED: The Power of Partial Improvements: dozens of volunteers clean up Sand Springs park

Funding cuts could reverse transportation progress, centerline rumble strip projects coming to highways

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At its Monday, March 6 meeting, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission and Oklahoma Department of Transportation were presented with a national award recognizing the agency’s partnership with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. Pictured, from right, are Transportation Commission Chairman David Burrage, ODOT Maintenance Division Engineer Brad Mirth, Legislative and Policy Administrator Montie Smith, KOB Executive Director Jeanette Nance and ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson.

SUBMITTED - Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, March 6 meeting include a discussion about the state’s budget and the impacts of funding cuts to highway maintenance, recognition of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s anti-litter efforts and approval of several centerline rumble strip and resurfacing projects statewide. The commission also awarded contracts for resurfacing and added shoulders on SH-66 in Oklahoma County and bridge rehabilitation on US-64/SH-51 (Broken Arrow Expressway) and SH-11 in Tulsa and on I-35 in Garvin County.

Following the recent announcement of a revenue failure and cuts to state agencies, Transportation Commission Chairman David Burrage, Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley and ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson had a frank discussion about the negative impact of state funding cuts, the state’s recent bond rating downgrade and the overall downward budget trend on ODOT and the state’s competitiveness.

“In the past decade, we’ve seen major improvements to our bridges, but that’s only part of the infrastructure issues that need to be addressed,” Burrage said. “With the same budget shortfalls facing our state year after year, we need to let the taxpayers know that further cuts to transportation funding will hurt the current and future condition of roads and bridges in Oklahoma.”

Video of this discussion can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/207192854. Since 2010, a total of nearly $437 million in state funding has been cut from ODOT.

Patterson restated to the commission that funding proposals being considered by the state legislature, including motor fuel tax measures, would not increase funding to ODOT. In fact, the governor’s proposed executive budget would direct nearly all motor fuel tax revenue to ODOT while sending the income revenue that the agency currently receives back to the state’s general fund, a move that would not increase ODOT’s budget.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Executive Director Jeanette Nance presented the commission and ODOT with the State Agency Partnership Award from Keep America Beautiful in recognition of the department’s partnership in anti-litter efforts. The award was previously given to ODOT in 2012 and 2014 for its work with KOB to conduct litter cleanup events statewide. Thanks to efforts by ODOT and other agencies in 2016, volunteers with KOB were able to help state and local governments in Oklahoma avoid millions of dollars in litter cleanup costs. The department estimates that it costs $5 million annually to clean up litter along highways.

The commission voted to award several contracts for installation of centerline rumble strips to help improve safety on undivided highways in different parts of the state. Similar to shoulder rumble strips, the centerline pavement will be milled to produce vibrations and noise to alert drivers who drift from their lane. The department plans to deploy this safety improvement statewide to help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by crossover collisions. A full list of locations receiving centerline rumble strips is attached.

Commissioners approved contracts to resurface and add paved shoulders to SH-66 near Luther and rehabilitate bridges on US-64/SH-51 (Broken Arrow Expressway) and SH-11 in Tulsa and rehabilitate two I-35 bridges near Pauls Valley and Wynnewood in Garvin County. They also approved contracts for numerous pavement improvement projects, including resurfacing on I-40 near Elk City, US-70 near Hugo and US-77 in Norman.

In all, commissioners awarded 46 contracts totaling more than $87 million to improve bridges, highways, interstates and roads in 32 counties. Contracts were awarded for projects in Atoka, Beckham, Caddo, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Creek, Dewey, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Mayes, Nowata, Oklahoma, Osage, Ottawa, Payne, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Roger Mills, Rogers, Seminole, Texas, Tulsa, Wagoner and Woods counties. A list of all awarded contracts may be found by visiting www.odot.org/contracts, selecting the February 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. April 10, one week later than usual.  

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

ODOT to begin resurfacing US64 in Sand Springs on Monday

/ Sandite Pride News/

A $2 million project to resurface approximately five miles of US-412/US-64/SH-51 between 161st W. Ave. (over Shell Creek) and 81st W. Ave. in Sand Springs is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6. 

Crews will be patching sections of the roadway before the resurfacing operations start. Drivers should be alert to crews and equipment moving into the area on Monday and can expect delays throughout the project, especially during peak travel times.

Lane closures will be announced in the Traffic Advisories section of www.odot.org as they are scheduled. Drivers can sign up to receive the daily traffic advisories by clicking the “Sign Up For News & Alerts” link on the main page of this website.

The overall project is expected to complete in early summer 2017, weather permitting.

Additionally, a contract was awarded for bridge rehabilitation work in Tulsa County, Sen. Dan Newberry and Rep. Glen Mulready recently announced.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the project will involve bridge rehabilitation work on several roads and bridges on I-44 Gilcrease Expressway ramp over the I-244 western junction in Tulsa.

Newberry, R-Tulsa, said the State Transportation Commission awarded the nearly $6 million contract to Becco Contractors, Inc. The Tulsa company was the lowest of three bidders for the job, said Mulready, R-Tulsa.

Once construction begins, the project is estimated to be completed within eight months.

Oklahoma Senate passes REAL ID bill; measure heads to governor for signature

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The full Senate gave its approval to House Bill 1845, the REAL ID Act, on Tuesday.  The measure, co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin for her signature.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to bring Oklahoma into compliance with the federal REAL ID law. The measure, House Bill 1845, is co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall.

“The Oklahoma Senate approved a measure that solves a problem the vast majority of Oklahomans wanted us to tackle. This bill brings us into compliance with the federal REAL ID law but also offers an opt-out for those who don’t want a REAL ID license,” said Schulz, R-Altus. “Solving this issue has always been primarily about national security. This measure ensures the countless Oklahomans who work on military bases maintain access to those facilities so they can continue their important work supporting the men and women in our Armed Forces.

“This bill also means Oklahomans will continue to enjoy the convenience of using an Oklahoma driver license to board a commercial flight. I want to thank my Senate colleagues for supporting this legislation and working quickly to get it passed this session. I also appreciate Governor Mary Fallin and House Speaker Charles McCall for their leadership in moving this issue forward,” Schulz said.

The legislation ensures Oklahomans who choose to get the REAL ID compliant driver license or ID will be able to use that identification to fly or to enter federal facilities while also giving citizens the option of choosing a non-compliant driver license or ID.  HB 1845 now goes to Gov. Fallin for her signature.

“The passage of this legislation is a great example of how the Legislature can get things done when lawmakers come together and work toward a common goal. I’m optimistic we can carry this momentum forward and continue to cooperate on ideas and policies that will help us build a more prosperous Oklahoma,” Schulz said.

ALDI and St. Francis Urgent Care to open new locations in RiverWest Development

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

It was a busy night at the regular Monday Sand Springs City Council meeting. Recently-elected Councilwoman Christine Hamner was sworn in to serve an unexpired term for the vacant Ward 4 seat. Announcements were also made regarding the RiverWest and Sheffield Crossing developments.

Ward 4 City Councilwoman Christine Hamner was sworn in by Municipal Judge Mike King at Monday night's City Council meeting. (Photo: Kasey St. John). 

Hamner won a fairly close special election against former State Senator Nancy Riley earlier this month to replace former Vice-Mayor John Fothergill. Fothergill vacated his position after being appointed as chief deputy to Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith. Hamner is a clinical supervisor at a foster care agency, with master's degrees in educational leadership and counseling, as well as a bachelor's in psychology. 

SEE RELATED: To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Christine Hamner

Rick Stuber, Architect for El Maguey gave a brief presentation regarding the construction status of the restaurant's new location in the RiverWest development. Stuber described the new layout as "more intimate" and upscale than the restaurant's existing location, comparable to the finer Mexican restaurants of Tulsa. The Ayala family is currently projecting a late March opening.

City Manager Elizabeth Gray gave an update on the overall RiverWest development. According to Gray, the German-based discount grocery store ALDI closed last week on the property immediately next door to El Maguey.

Additionally St. Francis Warren Clinic will be expanding in Sand Springs with an urgent care facility in RiverWest. "We're very excited to see them expanding and investing in our community," said Gray.

"Our company has been in business 45 years...through the years you learn a few things," said RiverWest developer Barry Tapp of Tapp Development. "One of the things I've learned is the rarity of a council like this. To find a council with vision like this one is extremely rare," said Tapp. "This is a great project, and it's come a long way in the last two years." Tapp announced plans to purchase the piece of property immediately behind the new Starbucks location in RiverWest. "We're about to start a $2 million dollar project there."

Zach Johnson spoke on behalf of OmniTRAX and the Sand Springs Railway. The demolition of the former Gerdau steel mill is expected to begin in the next 40-60 days after the current asbestos removal project is complete. The retail section of Sheffield Crossing will encompass approximately 25 acres. "I think it's going to be transformative for generations for our community," said Gray. Following the presentation, the council voted unanimously in favor formalizing a previously unofficial development agreement approved last year with OmniTRAX.

Council approved a one-year contract extension with Precision Lawn Care for continued maintenance of City properties. Council also approved a contract with American Demolition to visually improve the Katy Trail and U.S. Highway 412 corridor and remove various sections of brush and overgrowth.

Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Levee District 12 to begin the process of evaluating and repairing the district levee. Former councilman Fothergill spoke on behalf of Tulsa County, who will also be participating in the agreement, urging council to approve. In the event that the Federal Emergency Management Agency decided to decertify the levee, flood insurance premiums could skyrocket for businesses and homeowners in the Sand Springs flood-plane.

Council approved a $65 adoption fee for dogs and cats in the Sand Springs Animal Shelter.

Council approved an alteration to their existing "Open and Transparent Act." According to City Attorney David Weatherford, the existing policy has been nearly impossible to comply with due to policies such as uploading City Budgets within an hour of their approval. Mayor Burdge clarified that they are not doing away with their Open Records policy, simply making it easier and more realistic to comply with.

Senate Appropriations Committee on Education approves teacher pay increase legislation

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Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education heard six measures to raise teacher pay on Wednesday. (SUBMITTED).

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education met Wednesday and approved half a dozen measures to increase teacher pay in Oklahoma. Senator Jason Smalley, R-Stroud, chairs the subcommittee. He said with 48 members, there were several different ideas of how much the raises should be and how to pay for it.

“Six different pay raise bills were filed, and we gave the authors a chance to present their thoughts and ideas and advocate their positions,” Smalley said. “My next step will be to meet with our Appropriations Chair, Senator Kim David. Ultimately one bill will move forward so we’ll look at these six plans and try to mold them into the best possible legislation.”

The pay plans approved by the subcommittee included:

  • SB 8 by Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee
  • SB 97 by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair
  • SB 137 by Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso
  • SB 309 by Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
  • SB 316 by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City
  • SB 618 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa

“We heard teacher pay increase proposals ranging from $500 to $10,000. There are different ideas about whether it should simply be across the board or if the minimum salary should be raised. Some members have suggested that the funding could be found by targeting tax preferences or by increasing certain taxes,” Smalley said.  

“When you consider that just a $1,000 pay raise would be about $60 million, it can add up very quickly. We need to determine the size, how it will be paid for and if a phase-in plan is necessary,” Smalley said. “There’s a great deal to decide, so the time to talk about it is now and not wait until April or May.”

Sand Springs heads to the polls this Tuesday: a look at the candidates

/ Tulsa County Election Board/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Many Sand Springs residents will head to the polls this Tuesday, and some will have two ballots. Tulsa Technology Center Zone 5, comprising most of Sand Springs and Owasso, will vote between Roy D. McClain and Danny Hancock for the vacant Board of Education Office 5 position. Sand Springs Ward 4 will vote between Christine Hamner and Nancy Riley for the vacant position on the Sand Springs City Council.

The Board of Ed Zone 5 seat was previously held by John Selph, first elected in 2008, who resigned last June only six months into his second seven-year term. Board members meet once monthly and are compensated $25 per meeting.

Danny Hancock is a lifelong Sand Springs resident and Tulsa Tech graduate with 28 years in the construction industry. He is a member of the Tulsa Tech Education Foundation, a program advisor for Tulsa Tech and the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, and a construction manager at Cowen Construction. He earned a Plumbing Program Certificate from TTC and an Associate’s Degree in Construction Technology from OSUIT. He also serves on boards for the Plumbing Contractors of Eastern Oklahoma Association (PCEO), and was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin to his current term on the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC).

Roy McClain is an Owasso resident, Oklahoma State University graduate, and currently works as a Community Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble. He was a Personnel Administrative Specialist in the U.S. Army, a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives serving District 71, and an Adjunct Professor for Community Care College. He has worked as a political advisor for Steve Gallo for State Representative and Steve Gallo for County Commissioner. He holds a degree in Economics from OSU and has been with Barnes and Noble since 2010.

The Sand Springs Ward 4 seat was vacated in December by John Fothergill, who was hired as Chief Deputy to County Commissioner Karen Keith. Fothergill was serving as Vice-Mayor at the time. City Council member is an unpaid position, meeting seventeen times annually. Terms are three years, with the Mayor and Vice Mayor being elected annually by the council.

SEE RELATED: To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Nancy Riley

SEE RELATED: To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Christine Hamner

 

To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Christine Hamner

/ Sand Springs City Hall/

Photo courtesy of Amber Clark Photography.

Hello neighbor,

I'm running for City Council for Ward 4 and wanted to reach out again to ask for your vote on February 14th. One of the central goals of my campaign has been to meet and connect with as many community members as possible. I started walking neighborhoods in late December, knocking on doors to hear directly from you about issues that are important in our community. As a result of those efforts, neighbors have shared the following needs for our city: a recycling program, more retail development, more sit down restaurant options, and better safety and signage for our busiest streets in the district. Your vote would allow me to be your representative at the city to make sure your voice, concerns, ideas, and solutions are heard.

For those of you I have not been able to connect with yet, here is a little more information about me. My husband Clint and I have been married for 10 years and we have one daughter, Paisley. I hold two master's degrees in educational leadership and counseling, both from Northeastern State University. Additionally, I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Rogers State University. I have worked in the field of human services for the last 11 years providing services and advocating for those within the social service community. I am a clinical supervisor at a foster care agency and hold two professional licenses in the state of Oklahoma. I am inspired by my work in helping others build on successes, providing solution focused resolutions, inspiring others to reach their goals, and advocating for those within the social service community.

I am encouraged by the people I serve, and want to continue to make a difference in the lives of others and my community. I have enjoyed visiting with those who live in Ward 4, and I look forward to working with you to ensure the needs of the community are met. If elected, I will continue to be a representative of the ward regarding the issues that are important to you. If I missed meeting with you in your neighborhood, please call or message me. I would love to hear from you and would be honored to have your vote on Tuesday, February 14th.

Christine Hamner
918-809-2453
hamner4ward4@gmail.com

To the people of Sand Springs, from City Council candidate Nancy Riley

/ Sand Springs City Hall/

Dear Voters of Ward 4:

I ask for your vote on Tuesday for City Council in Ward 4.

As a 30 year resident of Sand Springs, I have a true respect for our history and culture of service.  Our city was founded by Charles Page on the ideal of serving others. I have served the residents of Sand Springs in many ways: public service, social service clubs and government boards. I appreciate the spirit of service.

However, with 30 years of residency, I have also watched other cities grow and prosper in ways Sand Springs had not. It is my desire to work with our city in its development to benefit its citizens. We have several unique opportunities ahead due to diligent service of numerous Sandites that I want to be part of. It is my aim to look for ways to expand this growth through cooperation of Federal, State and County governments, without increasing the financial burdens to Sand Springs.

I ask for your vote on Tuesday as we "Honor our past and press toward the future."

Sincerely,
Nancy Riley
Nancy Riley for City Council

Governor Mary Fallin Issues Two-week Burn Ban for Tulsa and Osage Counties

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Mary Fallin today issued a two-week burn ban for much of the state because of extreme weather conditions and extraordinary fire danger.

The governor's burn ban supersedes all county burn bans currently in place. It expires Feb. 24.

The ban covers 53 counties: Adair, Atoka, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Haskell, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Latimer, Le Flore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Marshall, Mayes, Murray, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.

"Critical fire weather and worsening drought have created conditions very conducive to wildfires," said Fallin. "A burn ban is now necessary to reduce the risk of preventable wildfires and to protect lives and property.”

Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, recommended the ban based upon an analysis of fire activity, wildland fuel conditions and the predicted continued drought as criteria for recommending the ban.

The governor urged people to be extremely vigilant because conditions are ripe to spark a large fire.

"Citizen actions can certainly play an integral role in minimizing fires,” Fallin said. “We are asking everyone do their part to help prevent fires and to keep our families and businesses safe from harm.”

“Oklahoma Forestry Services’ wildland fire crews and fire departments across the state have experienced extreme wildfire behavior in recent days, resulting in fires that are both difficult to contain and pose an increased risk to firefighters on the ground,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma state forester. “We are expecting conditions to continue to deteriorate with only minimal chances for drought-breaking rainfall in the future.”

Unlawful activities under the ban include campfires, bonfires, and setting fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes, as well as igniting fireworks, burning trash or other materials outdoors.

As part of the governor’s burn ban, there are exemptions for a number of items, such as welding and road construction. For more specific information and details, visit www.forestry.ok.gov/burn-ban-information or call Michelle Finch-Walker with the Oklahoma Forestry Services at (580) 236-1021.

Senate committee approves bill for construction of Health Lab

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation Wednesday to construct a new state health lab. Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, is the author of Senate Bill 236 to authorize the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue nearly $59 million in bonds for the construction of the new facility. 

David said the lab has faced losing its accreditation since 2008, which would be detrimental and extremely costly for the state, and this year the legislature must act.  

“The Oklahoma Health Lab is at serious risk of losing its accreditation, which will shut the lab down and the state will have to outsource all services at an additional cost of $9 million annually,” said David, Senate Appropriations Chair. “The lab provides crucial health services for not only the state but for counties and the public as well. Their work includes diagnosing and preventing the spread of communicable diseases, identifying terrorist events and providing newborn screenings for inherited metabolic disorders. We must ensure those services are not interrupted.”

Built in 1972, the Health Lab is one of the oldest in the nation. Numerous assessments by the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the College of American Pathologists and other organizations since 2008 have concluded that the facility is outdated and not capable of supporting technically advanced work. The building is also prone to flooding and has an unreliable heat and air system that can negatively impact tests performed on site.

In 2015, the Long Range Capital Planning Commission identified $349 million in total critical capital needs and the health lab was at the top of the list.

The Department of Health estimated the cost of a new 49,000 square-foot lab would be $40 million in 2009. Today, they estimate the cost will require a 20-year bond for $58.5 million.  

David pointed out that the use of bond financing for the project will not increase the state’s debt as nearly half the state’s tax-backed bond debt will be paid off by 2020. 

Governor Mary Fallin Names Patrick Wyrick to Fill Vacancy on Oklahoma Supreme Court

/ Oklahoma Supreme Court/

OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Mary Fallin today named Patrick Wyrick to serve as a justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Wyrick, 35, succeeds Steven Taylor, who retired from the bench last year.

Wyrick has served as solicitor general in the Oklahoma attorney general’s office since 2011. As solicitor general, Wyrick represented the state of Oklahoma before the U.S. and Oklahoma supreme courts, and other federal and state courts. He also authored attorney general opinions and served as a key legal adviser to a variety of state officials.

“Patrick Wyrick is well positioned to tackle the difficult constitutional questions the Oklahoma Supreme Court must confront,” said Fallin. “He has litigated several significant constitutional law cases involving almost every frequently litigated provision in our state constitution. I have confidence he will perform his new duties with integrity and professionalism.”

The Supreme Court appointment is Fallin’s first on the nine-member court.

Supreme Court justices serve on the court as long as they are able and must appear on the ballot and be retained by voters every six years, according to state statute.

Fallin selected Wyrick from three applicants submitted to her by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. The governor must choose from those three.

Applicants had to be 30 or older and a practicing attorney or judge for at least five years.

Wyrick, a fourth-generation Atoka native, has deep ties in the 2nd Judicial District, and has remained involved in the family business, Wyrick Lumber Co., which has locations in Atoka and Hugo.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to represent my hometown district as a member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court,” Wyrick said. “I will continue to work hard and do my best to serve the people of this great state. I have committed myself to public service, and my years as Oklahoma solicitor general have offered me the opportunity to routinely litigate cases before the Supreme Court. I am uniquely familiar with the high court’s jurisprudence.”

Wyrick earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology/criminology from the University of Oklahoma and his juris doctorate from OU’s college of law.

Before joining the attorney general’s office, Wyrick worked as an associate attorney at the law firm of GableGotwals and as a law clerk to Judge James Payne in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Oklahoma in Muskogee.

Wyrick and his wife, Jamie, have three children, twins Cole and Carter, and Claire.

Senate Judiciary Committee Moves on Slate of Judicial Reforms

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Oklahoma City – The Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday approved a series of bills aimed at reforming the judiciary, including a series of legislative referendums that would reshape the way judicial appointments are made.

“These are important reforms that would shift the balance of power in the judicial appointment process in Oklahoma away from trial lawyers and back to the people. The governor and the members of the Oklahoma Senate are directly elected by the people and on behalf of the people should have more say in which judges are appointed to the bench. These measures, which now move on to the full Senate for consideration, present a variety of common-sense options to implement much-needed judicial reform,” said Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus.

Sen. Anthony Sykes, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was author of several of the judicial reform bills.

“Oklahomans have been reminded countless times of the need for judicial reform in Oklahoma. If we don’t have these discussions about judicial reform, then we’re putting ourselves at the mercy of a system that puts too much power in the hands of trial lawyers instead of the hands of the duly elected representatives of the people of Oklahoma,” said Sykes, R-Moore.

Among the measures authored by Sen. Sykes:

  • Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 42, which, if approved, would allow voters to decide whether to change the Oklahoma Constitution to require a partisan election of Supreme Court justices and Court of Criminal Appeals justices.
  • SJR 43, if approved, would allow voters to decide whether to amend the judicial appointment process to model the federal system. Under this proposal, the governor would nominate candidates to fill judicial vacancies and the Oklahoma Senate would confirm or deny the governor’s appointment. The Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) would rate the governor’s judicial nominees as either “qualified” or “not qualified.”
  • SJR 44, if approved, would allow voters to decide whether to amend the Constitution to modify the judicial nominating process. Under this proposal, the JNC would provide the governor with five qualified nominees to fill a judicial vacancy, instead of the current recommendation of three nominees. The governor would be allowed to reject those nominees and request five new nominees. The governor would then select one nominee, whose name would be forwarded to the Oklahoma Senate for confirmation.

Additionally, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the following measures:

  • SB 699, by Sykes, would require all appellate justices and judges to retire when their combined age and years of service equaled 80.
  • SB 700, by Sykes, which allows the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate and Speaker of the Oklahoma House to appoint three attorney members each to the JNC board.
  • SB 702, by Sykes, which adjusts the counties included in the Supreme Court judicial districts.
     
  • SB 708, by Sykes, which requires a district judge to have served as lead counsel in at least three jury trials before being elected or appointed to serve on the bench.
  • SJR 14, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, would allow Oklahoma voters to decide whether to amend the Constitution to require 60 percent of voters approve the retention of a judge.
  • SB 213, by Dahm, which would change the boundaries of Supreme Court judicial districts to correspond with the number of congressional districts in Oklahoma plus adding at-large positions.