The City Council meeting, held Nov. 17, was brought to us by the letter "P", for persistence, and that's not just because it ended at 9:40 p.m. It seemed like almost every item required extra consideration. Council members Sid Willis and Don Johnson were absent. Willis had back surgery and Johnson was out of town. The triple meeting started with a special meeting and presentation by Barbara Burleson, City Planning Director.

Burleson explained the various components of planning, and how each applies specifically to various aspects of planning. These components include the Comprehensive Plan, which is called "I Believe in Altus" and the Unified Code, or "Vision 2020". She explained that we have the Altus City Planning Commission, which recommend to the City Council. We also have the Altus Metropolitan Planning Commission, which is concerned with planning in the 3-mile band surrounding Altus. We also have a Board of Adjustment. This board handles appeals in zoning, and is not an advisory board, but has its own power.

City planning in the US all originates from the Standard of City Planning, published in 1928. Oklahoma adopted city planning standards a bit later, in 1947. Burleson's presentation helped inform all present and some of her information seemed to clarify other items which came up during the meeting. It especially fit with the appointment/reappointments of the Planning Commission members.

After the presentation, Burleson took questions. One statement was made by council member, Jack Smiley. He said that it takes 6 council members to negate a Planning Commission decision. It takes only 5 members to approve one. Council member Rick Henry asked where the Land Use Plan comes in. It is part of the Comprehensive Plan. Council member Scot Simco asked if, since the Land Use Plan needs to be updated every 5 years, does the city have the capability to redesign the map each time? No. That is usually contracted out. It was suggested that the city may contract out the job to SWODA.

The special meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. and the Municipal Trust Authority meeting was called to order. The consent agenda, minus some very specific items questioned by council member Perry Shelton, was approved. Shelton has a sharp eye for detail and makes certain every penny is spent wisely. Those expenditures in question all were reasonable and the council approved those remaining items.

The MTA meeting agenda usually includes presentation of the financial report by Joe Don Dunham, Finance Director. According to him, the city has $98,000 in expenditures over its current revenues for the year, compared to last year. The sales tax revenues have been down. Utilities' collection has had a slight reduction, but was more than projected. Some of the city expenditures are a given, since we are in the middle of a large MAPS project. Dunham's report was approved.

Due to holidays, the MTA will not meet on Dec. 1 or 15, but will meet Dec. 8 and 22. These changes were approved by members.

Normally, the city takes bids on parts and services required, but in some cases there may be only one provider. In those cases, there is a provision for sole source procurement. The council approved an item for repair parts which were unique, in the amount of $10,593 for use at the Southeast Wastewater Treatment facility. With that last item, the MTA meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m. and the City Council meeting was called to order.

Mayor T.L Gramling named Tommy Phillips the Employee of the Quarter, for July, August and September. Phillips is a supervisor in the Electric Department where he has served for 19 years. Dan Scott, Electric Dept. Superintendent, said that every time it lightnings, Phillips' wife must put him out of the house, because he's always helping with city when there's trouble. Congratulations, Tommy, for a job well done.

Despite the packed house, there were no comments from the public. Once more member Shelton had questions on the consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda included paying Timberlake Construction Company in the amount of $1,045,974.60 for 22% of completed work for the construction administration of the Altus City Hall and Safety Facility. The invoice is to be paid from sales tax revenue note, series 2009. Approval was made without the certain items and then after each had been scrutinized, those items were approved.

The City Council meetings will also be changed to fit the holidays. The meetings will be Dec. 8 and 22, not 1 and 15 as originally set. This matter was approved. A discussion followed regarding holiday dinners. Each year the city sets aside a $2500 fund for a Christmas Banquet. The City Council members and their spouses do the serving. The last banquet was held 4 years ago at the VFW. Employees are now given the choice to attend a banquet or choose a paid day off from work. Since that time, the employees have chosen the time off with their families. Now that fund is just sitting there looking for a good deed to do. Randy Marple, of Parks and Recreation, proposed that some of that fund ($1348.50) be used to fund a Thanksgiving dinner for the Dept. of Corrections inmates on Monday, Nov. 23. Scot Simco asked about what employees do for Christmas parties without the banquet. Most departments hold their own parties, at their own expense. The proposal to fund the Thanksgiving dinner for DOC inmates was approved.

Joe Don Dunham presented an item to authorize an accounting write-off for an uncollectible aviation fuel account with Texas Air Charters, Inc., for $13,469.55. City Attorney, Catherine Coke, explained that the business has moved leaving no address and that their attorney has died. The council approved the write-off but, with persistence committed to still trying to find the company.

Chief Mike Patterson and Rick Steen of DHS introduced the Joint Response agreement between the two entities. This is mandated, but also memorializes what the two organizations have committed to years ago. It was quickly approved by the council.

Perhaps many in the audience were present for the next item, which was a public hearing on the final plat acceptance of the Family Life Ministries addition. This addition is necessary for the construction of the Family Life Outreach, Inc.'s new facility and its need for storm water drainage. Much discussion was held on the septic versus eventual sewer system lift station which would be required. The addition started out to be 5-acre parcels with septic tanks. Now if it develops, the thought is that there should be a lift station. The addition was approved and the church can now begin to build.

The next item was an appeal by property owner Ralph Van Oostrum concerning the Dilapidated Building Commission order related to 521 N. Grady. A PowerPoint presentation of the comparative progress this house or houses was shown. Over two years the house has bounced back and forth from one owner, Van Oostrum, to another. Van Oostrum, a member of the Board of Adjustment, has seemed to have had good intentions, but lacked something to fix the abode to meet city standards. The front of the house looks decent, but the back of it looks like a unit seen in a third world country. Council member Simco suggested kindly that Van Oostrum donate the land to Habitat for Humanity to give some loving family a good home. Van Oostrum seemed to think about that option. The council wavered on the best course of action. Persistence prevailed. Van Oostrum would not be given another 6 months to see what he could do. They asked Van Oostrum find out exactly what he'd need to do to bring the house up to code, if he intended to keep it. Now, he has until the next council meeting to make a plan. The council voted to table this issue until the Dec. 8 meeting.

Discussion followed regarding how to best purchase aviation fuel for the city. There was a proposal to acknowledge Hooten Oil Company's third party credit card processing and authorize electronic funds transfer for a WingPoints contract between KRS and a Fixed Base Operator. This will save the city and provide upgrades in security for cardholders.

Tony Picinich of Southwestern Youth Services asked the council to approve the program Choices, or First Offender program service agreement. This is a 17 1/2 hour program that helps intervene in the lives of young people who appear to be headed the wrong direction. Early intervention is a key to success. The council approved the agreement.

One of the biggies of the evening was the amending the Political Participation and Activities policy to allow an employee of the City to file for public office while still employed by the City, requiring resignation if elected. The amendment does stipulate that the employee cannot campaign while on duty or in uniform. The council had seen this information before, but Council member Peggy Risinger explained her involvement with the committee on this issue. She said a thorough study had been conducted on the issue. She said she had not voted in favor of this policy change, but had now become "comfortable" with it, if it can be monitored. Chief Patterson spoke to this matter. He said that young officers on his force have come to him, having been pressured, being told who they will vote for. Patterson wanted to say that anyone who feels pressured can go over their supervisor's head and ignore the chain of command if this situation happens. Simco also said no one can go with you into that voting booth. Attorney Coke reminded the council that this policy change does not affect those who are covered by collective bargaining, unless they grieve the process. Based on all this information, the council voted to approve this change for city personnel. A Resolution 2009-55 was then approved to change the city Employees Policies and Procedures Manual to enact the previous item's approval for city employees to be able to seek public office.

In executive session, Council discussed the employment, appointment, promotion of Steve Perry, Water/Sewer Superintendent, and in open session voted to approve Resolution 2009-56 to add the position of Water/Sewer Superintendent to the list of the City Department Heads, effective immediately.

The annual contract for the City Attorney was up for renewal The job description was modified and will be introduced in the Dec. 22 meeting. Also during executive session the annual evaluation of the Fleet Maintenance Director, was discussed and approved in open session to give him a cost of living increase.

Under "Mayor's appointments" were Altus City Planning Commission reappointments of 3-year terms for Winston Higgs, Ward II, and Linda Buxton, Ward III, both to expire September 2012; the appointment of Linda Copeland for a 3-year term to expire September 2012; and the appointment of John Bailey to serve the remainder of the Ward I 3-year term to expire March 2011. These were all approved by the council. In addition, one more appointment was made by the Mayor. Mark Router, a journeyman electrician was appointed to the City of Altus Electric Board. This board is an advisory board for the council.

MIke Nettles, City Administrator, thanked the city for sending him to the League of Cities conference. In discussing the stimulus funds from the federal government, Nettles, wanted jobs for our community that are permanent, not running out in a few months. He said we, as a country are running up a lot of debt.

Council members comments:

Shelton: none

Brown: He gets inquiries into the air industrial park. Nettles answered that, with issues with QMA and First State Bank, that makes finding a launch client hard to find right now.

HEnry: He said it's no secret that he's been hammering on the Planning Commission. He's read every word of the Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Code. He's a professional by day. An interesting thing happened the day after he voted not to purchase a trencher for the electrical department. His son called and said they had no electricity. The solution? He needed a trencher. Dan Scott and the gang got the power right back up - by using a trencher.

Risinger: She's had a death in the family and has appreciated the floral arrangement and Linda's (Walker) arranging everything.

Simco: He said life is fine.

Smiley: He appreciated going on the League of Cities conference. He's happy with the current planning commission and said they'll do a good job.