Clinton based Domino Food & Fuel officially purchased the old Purcell Municipal Hospital property with the stroke of a pen for $1,250,000.

The contract was approved by the Purcell City Council at its regular November meeting Monday night at the Community Room of the Purcell Police Service Building.

Construction is expected to begin in the near future on the property.

The council approved an amended fee schedule between Smith-Roberts Land Services, Inc and the city for acquisition of additional property for the I-35 and SH-74 interchange making the total contract $236,070.

All but two of the properties for the project have been settled. However, an escrow account will be set up so as not to impede the project, city officials said.

Red Hill Remediation (stairs and trees) has been added to the city’s capital improvement plan but no funds can be dispersed out of the plan until an actual plan is in place. Along those same lines, city officials are in the process working to get crosswalks and traffic signals to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, enhance pedestrian safety especially for students, and provide sidewalks near the current junior high. Officials report there are grants available for such a project.

The council approved the appointment of Elisabeth Baker to fill the vacancy of Chris Hurt to the Parks &  Recreation Advisory Board and Chelsea Semkoff to fill the vacancy of Bud Hardcastle to the Cemetery Board.

A measure to pass a resolution to enter into an inter-local agreement between the city, McClain County 911 Trust and McClain County for dispatch services was tabled. The city pays the salaries for dispatchers and the county owns the equipment.

In the PMH quarterly report, income versus expenses continues to do well. Officials said that is partially due to Pauls Valley not having a hospital and patients from there and the surrounding communities coming here.

The hospital is looking at other services to improve income. The hospital staffing issue is vastly improved with only one opening currently available. The hospital continues to add cash to the cash on hand account and a lot of positive reviews continue to come in.

The culture shift at the hospital is evident, PMH CEO/CNO Chris Wright said. He said he would rather have one nurse in it for patient care than 10 who were just wanting to fill a shift.

Interim City Manager Bobby Elmore reported both ends of the road around the city lake are close due to the installation of Lights from the Heart display.

Also:

• The drainage issues at the Purcell Train Depot will be funded by BNSF since they own the property. The city owns the building
• The city and Caesar Martinez are working on a contract for his company to continue maintaining the flower beds on Main Street because it is more economical than the city maintaining them
• Before Southbrook can submit plans for Southbrook II,  a north-south roadway off Adams has to be completed.