Ponca City Board of Commission meeting minutes Nov. 13

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Nov. 13. Mayor Homer Nicholson called the meeting to order, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance.  Commissioners Robert Bodick, Paul Taylor and Kelsey Wagner were in attendance.  Commissioner Garrett Bowers was absent.

Consent Agenda

Under the Consent Agenda, the City Commission approved the minutes of the Ponca City Board of Commissioners regular session held Oct. 23 and work session held Nov. 6; A resolution appropriating money for the payment of claims against the City of Ponca City; A resolution amending the operating budget of various funds for Fiscal Year 2023-24; and a resolution authorizing the expenditure of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds for the City of Ponca City’s Home Buyers Assistance Program, and authorizing Ponca City’s Finance Director  to make any and all related payments as outlined in the program guidelines outside the scheduled encumbrances procedure currently in place for the City of Ponca City payables and approving manual pay payments made to date under contract.

Reports

City Manager Craig Stephenson announced that Autumn Leaf Collection is underway and will run thru Jan. 19.

• Bagged leaves placed in the regular refuse collection area will be collected free of charge until Jan.19. Bagged leaves will be picked up at the rate of 10 bags per pickup day.

• Loose leaves should be placed within three feet of the front curb, but not in the street gutter. If leaves are raked or blown into the street gutter they may clog the storm drains. Leaves found blown or raked into the street may result in a citation (per city code).

• No un-containerized leaves will be collected in alleyways.

• No mulched leaves or leaves mixed with grass will be collected except by special pickup. 

• Leaf collection is available by special pickup anytime during the year by calling 580-767-0411. Special pickups carry a minimum charge of $42.69.

Ponca City Main Street Review

Maci Graves, Ponca City Main Street Executive Director reviewed Main Street’s current four point approach strategies for economic vitality, design, organization and promotion, as well as community transformation efforts through arts and entertainment and community connection. 

Graves reviewed upcoming events associated with Ice on the Plaza: Nov. 17, Centennial Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony and Rink Grand Opening; Nov. 17-18, Holiday Open House Weekend; Nov. 19, Christmas Micro-Mini Photo Sessions; Nov. 25, Small Business Saturday; Dec. 1, Lighted Christmas Parade; Dec. 2, Santa Claus; Dec. 10, Kids Skate Free; Dec. 16, Live Penguins & More; Dec. 17, Reindeer Club; Dec. 23, Live Penguins & More; Dec. 31, Last Skate Day.  For more information, please go to www.downtownponcacity.com.

New Business

Under New Business, commissioners approved a resolution setting dates for municipal election and runoff election, if necessary, stating offices to be filled, setting filing period, stating term of office, specifying qualification for said offices in accordance with City Charter, that all offices may be filled by voting at large, directing the election be conducted as a non-partisan election by the County Election Board; and authorizing the Mayor to sign a proclamation calling these elections.  The resolution establishes filing periods and setting a date of election for the positions of Commissioner No. 2 and Commissioner No. 4, to be held Feb. 13.  Commissioner Position No. 2 is currently held by Paul Taylor, and Commissioner Position No. 4 currently held by Robert Bodick.  Should no candidate receive a majority of the votes in the general election, a runoff election shall be held on April 2. 

An Executive Session was held for the purposes of discussing negotiations with the International Association of Fire Fighters.  No action was taken.

PONCA CITY UTILITY AUTHORITY

Consent Agenda

Under the PCUA Consent Agenda, the PCUA Trustees approved the minutes of the PCUA regular session held Oct. 23; A resolution appropriating money for the payment of claims against the PCUA; and the purchase of a Case 721 G from Associated Supply Company, Inc. of Oklahoma City in the amount of $266,757.20.