The Altus City Council held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at noon. All members were present except B.F. Roland and Jack Smiley.

The meeting was called to consider hiring qualified electrical personnel to help the City of Altus with reconductoring and relocating electrical lines. These lines are those involved in the Park Lane and Falcon Road projects. The City already went out for bids on the work twice and received no bidders.

Electrical Superintendent Dan Scott explained that the project is small and coming up at the wrong time of year. Many areas have projects they are trying to complete before winter. In addition to that, Scott said that oil fields are paying twice as much for electrical work they need completed. “It’s supply and demand,” he said.

These lines involved in the Park Lane and Falcon projects must be relocated by Nov. 1. If the lines are not completed by that time, this seriously jeopardizes the funding for the projects. That’s $8 million for Park Lane, $900,000 for one side of Falcon and $1.2 million for the other side, (totalling $10,100,000).

Scott said he’s called from Florida to Utah and everyone in Oklahoma. Edmond might be able to spare a few days to help Altus. The City of Altus only has two bucket trucks, Scott said. This job requires seven. The most challenging section of the job, according to Scott, will be the five or six poles just north of Falcon on Veterans, going up a slight hill. “Basically we’re hiring trained professional labor to do this work.” The City has already done some of the work but they lack the manpower for the whole project. The City will supply all the materials for the projects.

The Council approved authorizing staff to negotiate a contract with a prospective contractor to bring these qualified professionals to get this work done while the clock is ticking.