Water issues on tap at council meeting

By Susan Brittingham
Features Editor

May 14, 2008 10:38 am

— Water — selling it and disposing of it — was the main topic of conversation at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
The council approved water purchase contracts with both Pittsburg County Rural Water District No. 6 and the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.
The wholesale water rate contracts establish a new rate of $2.56 per 1,000 gallons for both entities effective this past Jan. 1.
Next, the council approved a resolution supporting a CDBG small cities water and sewer project in southwest McAlester.
David Medley, the city’s utility director, noted that the city of McAlester accepted a $79,500 grant offers from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on Feb. 21, 2007.
The total cost of the project is $159,000 and “$79,000 of that has to come from the city in the form of a matching grant,” Medley said.
The project was included in the approved Fiscal Year 2007-2008 city budget, so the funds are available, according to City Engineer George Marcangeli.
The resolution was required by the Department of Commerce.
In addition, the council had to approve a residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan for a CDBG small cities water and sewer project in southwest McAlester.
Medley said no one would be displaced by the project.
Next Lisa Sutterfield spoke about the E-911 system, and the addressing and mapping of Pittsburg County for the project.
The council decided to table the item until the next city council meeting. One reason was because Ward 1 Councilor Weldon Smith wanted to know all of the particulars of why Interact Public Safety Systems was being recommended by the 911 board.
Another is that the agreement would be through the city and the county, and the county has not yet approved it or shown that they have the money in place for it.
Interact Public Safety Systems is asking $245,788 while Wilburton-based KEDDO is asking $178,950, but “can’t meet all of the qualifications,” according to Sutterfield.
Before the meeting ended, Smith talked briefly about Pride in McAlester and how so many people have volunteered to help clean up the city.
Large Dumpsters will be at Hutchison Park parking lot at Fourth and Short, and at B & Jefferson Park parking long through Saturday.
The locations for next week have not been determined yet.
Hazardous materials can be taken to the Southeast Expo Center May 31 and June 1, courtesy of Triad Transport.
Anyone interested in taking part in Pride in McAlester can call 429-0062, 429-0071, or 429-0340. Meetings are held every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at 1011 E. Carl Albert Pkwy., next door to Payless Shoe Source.
Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029.