Done deal

The search for a site on which to build a new Purcell Municipal Hospital is over after the city council voted Monday to pay $450,000 for a 13-acre tract south of Zeck Ford.

Darin Miller with Miller Architects told the council that a search committee had identified a number of possible sites, settling on this one as the best option.

During negotiations, the owner of the land, Dr. Douglas Brant, agreed to sell seven acres and donate an additional six acres.

Miller told the council that a creek on the property isn’t an issue.

He said the sale will close in 90 days.

For now the council approved a $15,000 earnest money payment to Brant.

The council also approved an exception to the city’s facade ordinance for a building at 527 W. Eel River St., and declared 103 W. Huron St., a dilapidated structure.

The brick home is where animal control officers removed 32 dogs in August.

The residents – James J. Trammell, 54, and Elizabeth Trammell, 51 – are both charged in McClain County District Court with three felony counts of animal cruelty. Arrest warrants for both are outstanding.

Code enforcement officer Teddy Boles told the council the interior of the home is a health hazard.

Although the city has cleaned up debris from outside the house, estimates to clear the inside of trash and debris are more than $5,000.

“For a little extra we can make it an empty lot,” Boles said. “Neighbors are concerned and they’ve expressed their concerns to us.”

The council tabled for 90 days action declaring 607 W. Jefferson St., dilapidated.

The owner is cleaning the property and plans to raze the structure within six months.

The council approved seven ordinances bringing the city’s code book into compliance with the 2015 edition of International Building Codes.

Also approved was an ordinance to put an 18-ton weight limit on 230th Street between State Highway 74 and Johnson Road.

Mayor Ted Cox was notified by a county commissioner that heavy frak truck traffic on the road is expected to reach 400 trips per day.

The road was recently repaved by the city at considerable expense.

In other business, the council:

• approved budget amendments totaling $1,993.39 for travel and training, $21,652.44 for reimbursements from Insure Oklahoma, $4,305.25 for plan review and inspections on The Village on Green and $35,888 for the Lake Trails Project;
• denied a tort claim from Alyssa Lutz, and
• approved a resolution giving notice to the McClain County Election Board that the city’s primary election will be February 11.