At its July regular meeting at the Police Service Building the Purcell City Council was told the route for the new turnpike has been altered slightly.

Originally the turnpike was to end at Johnson Road, but now it will end closer to Purcell – somewhere between the Purcell on-ramp to I-35 and Johnson Road.

That was the word from Interim City Manager Bobby Elmore in his report to the board.

Elmore also informed the council that the kiosk is up and running at city hall and two people are looking at hangar space at the airport.

“We had a good day at the lake,” Elmore said of the June 26 patriotic celebration. “The fireworks went well and we are already planning for a bigger and better celebration next year.”

A grant for a new boat ramp, originally applied for in 2019, appears to have gained traction. Some additional paper work is needed to get the process going.

Elmore said the city didn’t have any damage from the wind storm the night of July 4.

Elmore also said a meeting about the stairs at Red Hill is scheduled for July 14 at 11 a.m. at city hall downstairs. Those in attendance will get a tour of the stairs in their current condition and be updated on the rehabilitation.

Assistant Public Works Director Marcos Castillo told the public works authority the new water tower will be built at SH-39 and Bryant.

“It will be bigger and better than the old one that is forced to be moved due to the new turnpike coming in,” Castillo said.

The council approved moving the south access to Southbrook Addition from the west side of the treatment plant to the east side of the plant.

They also approved, in a 4-1 vote, an ordinance declaring a moratorium until July 6, 2027 on the acceptance of an application for a data processing center in Purcell.

Adam Demorest cast the no vote.

The PPWA board voted approval of purchasing a new engine for the Vactor from BlueFin Water Solutions for $45,013.35. Castillo said a whole new truck would cost $500,000.

The board also approved the buyout of a lease/purchase agreement on an E60 R2-Series Bobcat Compact Excavator from Bobcat for $35,335.29.

Council members, in addition to Demorest, present were Bob Bruehl, Jay Tate, Tara Phillips and Greg Wheat.