News
Bartlesville
Posted: Jul 08, 2024 9:36 AMUpdated: Jul 08, 2024 9:36 AM
CITY MATTERS 7-8-24
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Tom Davis
Appearing on COMMUNITY CONNECTION, Assistant City Manager Laura Sanders, City CFO Jason Muniger, Development Director Larry Curtis, Public Works Director Keith Henry and City Enigneer Michah Siemers brought listerners up to date with city matters.
Laura Sanders said twenty Bartlesville residents graduated on Monday night from the City of Bartlesville’s inaugural Citizens Academy. The academy is a free interactive program designed to familiarize the general public with the roles, services and operations that comprise Bartlesville city government.
City CFO Jason Muniger announced that the city sales tax colletion was us for this month by 1.89% or $38,000.
Development Director Larry Curtis reminded business owners that all City of Bartlesville-issued business licenses expired on June 30, which marks the end of the City’s fiscal year. Renewals are due by the end of July.
He said that a link to pay online by credit card will be provided in the email, but payment may also be made in-person on the first floor of City Hall or by mail at: City of Bartlesville, Attn: Community Development Department, 401 S. Johnstone Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003. Please reference the number at the top of your invoice in all three methods.
Laura Sanders reminded citizens that the City Council recently voted to approve a contract with JJ Keegan to conduct a comprehensive strategic review of the Adams Golf Course management model. Golf Professional Jerry Benedict will retire Aug. 16, which has facilitated the need to explore management options at the course going forward.
As a contractor to the City, Benedict is not an employee of the City but acts as the department’s director. Benedict owns the vehicles and other equipment used at the course, excluding maintenance equipment, as well as the retail merchandise that is sold at the clubhouse. These items will be purchased by the City upon his retirement, as contractually required.
“Approval of this contract will allow the consultant, JJ Keegan, to examine how we are operating the golf course today and compare that to more current trends and options we may not even be aware of,” said Assistant City Manager Laura Sanders. “We’ll use those results to determine how best to move forward at the course in the future.”
The cost for the services is $15,000 and will be paid for through the General Fund.
Larry Curtis anounced a new process for renting the city's soccer fields and Michah Siemers said the city's new Pickleball Courts are almost ready to open.
City staff will soon begin burning debris taken by Bartlesville residents to the temporary disposal site established following the May 6 tornado.
Public Works Director Keith Henry said that to comply with the conditions of the permit issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, we essentially have to burn it one piece at a time. It’s going to take a long time.”
Efforts to collect debris caused by the tornado have concluded, with the disposal site now closed and curbside collection ended.
Keith Henry said city staff is working to put together documentation showing how much debris was collected and other information required to proceed with applying for FEMA and State reimbursement grants and matching funds for costs incurred through hours worked, fuel and vehicle use in the days following the storm.
“It likely won’t be a fast process, but we will work through FEMA and the State to pursue options for reimbursement,” Henry said. “We have staff working to compile the required information now.”
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