Council has busy agenda

Purcell’s City Council had a very busy and lengthy regular December meeting Monday night at the Purcell Police Service Building.

Police Chief Bobby Elmore said the department received a $50,000 donation from The Chickasaw Nation for a Jersey Tactical JTC Pro Claw and accessories. 

The council approved a petition to vacate an alley in Block 3 of Purcell.

Original livestreaming was trial run for six months.  Monday night the council approved continuing livestreaming regular and special meetings.  Now the city is looking into equipment to improve the broadcast on Facebook Live.

Aurora Torres was appointed to the Library Advisory Board to serve a three year term.

The council approved Resolution No. 22-C08 committing $94,500 for repairs of Johnson Avenue in the city limits and applying for $283,500 grant from the Municipal Road Drilling Activity Fund McClain County.

These are funds that have been set aside by the state, received from oil companies, for damages done to roads due to oil and gas drilling activity.  Partnering with McClain County who offered labor and equipment used in work to prepare the area for re-paving next spring if the grant is awarded.  Wilson Lyles noted they had already finished their portion of the work. 

The council approved a change order for $16,831 for electrical requirements on the new hospital.

The council approved the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Financial Statement Audit.  Bob Dillon noted that the city’s financials are in good shape.

City Manager’s Report

I-35 Interstate right-of-way acquisitions have begun.  Acquisition should be completed by September 2023.

Canadian Avenue Sewer Lift Station project work has commenced.

Medial office building is on track to be completed at the end of February 2023.

Pending projects at the hospital include completing a permanent road, removing temporary roads, water retention pond and paving church parking lot.

The bridge and asphalt project at the lake has been completed.  Next projects include lighting, backfill, sodding, signage, benches and trash cans.

Lights From the Heart now has a QR code for donations as an option to cash.  Donations are up this year over last year’s high level.

Giving Time: 91 children’s coats will be delivered to Delta Community Action this Friday.  69 purchased by city employees, remainder purchased by the Purcell Employee Committee  consisting of Serena Melton, Brandi Idlett, Kim Barnes, Katie Spencer, Hailey Fowler and Dana Miller.

Treasurer’s Report

Sales tax through October 2022 is up 7.92 percent over last year or $189,139; up 10.46 percent over budget or $243,962.

Use tax through October 2022 is up 9.04 percent over last year or $21,029; up 8.74 percent over budget or $20,399.

Tobacco tax through October 2022 is down 13.87 percent over last year or $2,898; down 12.88 percent over budget or $2,663.

Electricity in October 2022 had a positive variance of $39,422 vs last year; YTD the variance is positive $675,662.

Water in October 2022 had a positive variance of $105,294 vs last year; YTD variance is a positive $286,473.

General fund in October 2022 the expenses were above revenues by $18,527; YTD expenses were above revenues by $207,416.

Public works in October 2022 the expenses were below revenues by $504,207; YTD expenses are below revenues by $266,953.

Billing: Software updates delayed billing statements. Staff worked over the weekend to get bills printed on December 5.  Utility payment due date is extended to December 20 and the utilities cutoff date has been pushed to December 27 to allow for the delay and holiday.

No official action was taken from two executive sessions at the meeting.

A special meeting was scheduled for December 12 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall to discuss the Main StreetScape project.