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The Altus Municipal Authority (AMA) and the City Council met Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 6:30 in Council Chambers. Rick Henry arrived at the AMA meeting later, and Rick Steen came into the Council meeting after it started.

In the AMA meeting, the Consent Agenda was approved it in its entirety. Items included: approval of minutes for the Altus Municipal Authority Meeting on August 7, and approving a claim from Pro Presenters, Inc. in the total amount of $4,314.06 for the Altus High School Renovation and Addition to be paid from MAPS sales tax; from the Old Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2011-2012 for the Enterprise Fund totaling $6,156.90; from the New Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2012-2013 for the Enterprise Fund totaling $1,836,180.56.

Chief of Operations, Bob Stephenson told the trustees about a request from M&B Contracting to provide a water tap on the City’s water line along the east side of Challenger Blvd. Water is requested to provide dust control at an aggregate crushing operation. The City’s waterline is located within the Jackson County Water District. The City will ask permission for this water tap. The trustees approved the process.

Kenny Combs, Sanitation supervisor said that the landfill is down to one piece of working machinery. He requested the trustees vote to authorize staff to obtain bids to repair the transmission on the Landfill Caterpillar D7R Dozer. This is estimated to cost about $15,000 to $20,000 and take two to three weeks. City Finance Director James Wilson, said there are funding sources to get the equipment repaired. The trustees approved obtaining bids for the repair. Bids on the compactor repair will be opened on Aug. 29. Taking those bids was approved by the trustees in a previous meeting.

The trustees voted to authorize the Electric Department to surplus the old relay cabinet and relays from Tamarack Substation and donate cabinet and relays to OMPA for training purposes per Altus Code, Section 2-112 (b) (1). The cabinet has a tin scrap value of $7.50 per hundred lbs. The relays have no resale value.

The trustees voted to authorize the Electric Department to go out for sealed bids, to purchase Mobile Radio’s; New Console for E-911; replace coax for repeater at Water Tower, and move repeater at old PD to meet the Narrow Banding per FCC Mandate effective January 1, 2013.

There was no new business, the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m., and was followed by the City Council meeting.

The Council members approved the Consent Agenda minus one item set apart by Chad Osborne. The agenda included: minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting on August 7; from the Old Budget: purchase orders for FY 2011-2012 for the General Fund totaling $1,984.00; from the New Budget: purchase orders for FY 2012-2013 for the General Fund totaling

$100,864.76, for the Workers Comp Fund totaling $61,871.01, the Assurance Fund totaling $155,915.05, the Airport Fund totaling $4,567.09, the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund totaling $6,000.00, the Emergency 911 Fund totaling $427.00, an Estimated payroll for August 30, 2012 as follows: Salaries - $315,835.00, Part Time Wages - $ 11,545.00, Overtime - $ 7,415.46, Contractual OT - $ 0.00, Incentive, License Pay - $ 6,303.00, Employer Paid Taxes - $ 23,128.00, Employee Paid Taxes - $ 66,325.35, Employer Paid Benefits - $111,056.00, Employee Paid Benefits - $ 51,165.27, Workers Comp - $ 13,070.00

For a total estimated amount of: $605,843.08, Payroll figures for July 19, Prior Estimate / Actual: Salaries - $320,358.00 $314,475.70, Part Time Wages - $ 16,185.00 $ 14,270.19, Overtime - $ 6,125.46 $ 4,795.14, Contractual Overtime - $ 12,923.46 $ 11,358.05, Incentive, License Pay - $ 6,653.00 $ 6,145.35, , Employer Paid Taxes - $ 23,829.00 $ 23,049.44

Employee Paid Taxes - $ 63,762.47 $ 66,143.65, Employer Paid Benefits - $118,750.00 $121,423.69, Employee Paid Benefits - $ 48,053.70 $ 50,998.88, Workers Comp - $ 13,627.00 $ 14,871.75, for a total amount of: $630,267.09 $627,531.84, Percentage of Difference .04% lower than prior estimate; acknowledge monthly reports and minutes as follows: CableOne, Fleet Maintenance Report, Southern Prairie Library System.

The item that Osborne wished to be pulled out, was from Department four, the Legal Department. It was the 7.6 hours billed to the City by John Vincent for the Policies and Procedures Manual work. It totalled $574.20 and had not been approved by Council.

In discussion on the item, City Attorney Catherine Coke said she has a requisition for the bill and that the staff decided that procedure was best. Mayor Webb said the new Policies and Procedures Manual will have a way to expedite procurement of professional services. Osborne said that the invoice hadn’t been approved. Jack Smiley said there’s no way to track the amount spent on legal services. In speaking with James Wilson, Smiley said there should be a plan to track these legal service expenditures. On approving this item, the vote was four to three with Osborne, Henry and Smiley dissenting.

The Council members received a comment from Altus citizen, Sybil Hollenbeck concerning a carport she had erected in front of her home which is in violation of City Code. She was given a signed permit to construct the carport, but it was based on the carport being located in the back. Hollenback failed to call to have the installation inspected by the City after the foundation was poured. The carport has been there one year and came to the City’s attention because a neighbor applied to put in two carports. Planning Director Barbara Burleson said the voters decided not to have carports in the front yards back in 1983. Hollenback was told she can go to the Board of Adjustment to apply for an exception.

The Council members voted to 1) approve Resolution No. 2012-30 accepting an FAA Grant offer for an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) project for Altus/Quartz Mountain Regional Airport to “Rehabilitate Airfield Pavement”. This resolution also authorizes the Mayor and City Attorney to execute the Grant Agreement upon receipt from FAA; and approves awarding the construction contract to the lowest bidder, Double Bit, Inc. subject to receipt of the FAA grant.

They also voted to approve Ordinance No. 2012-21 accepting the recommendation of the Altus City Planning Commission changing the zoning on the property east of Wilmes Super Store from Agriculture (A) to Auto-Urban (AC).

The matter of the 1414 East Cypress property was discussed and photos were shown to demonstrate the weeds, trash and vehicles accumulated at that address, in addition to an old mobile home. The owner and her daughter were present and explained their side to the Council. After much discussion, the Council voted seven to one, with Henry dissenting, to give the owner 90 days in which to develop a plan of action with the City Planning Department and get it worked out, with 30 days to clean up the weeds and debris and 60 days to clear all fire hazards.

Resolution No. 2012-31 was approved authorizing the City of Altus to make application as Applicant to SWODA for the FY 2013 Community Expansion of Nutrition Assistance (CENA) Program grant funds for the Altus Senior Citizens Center in the amount of $5,000 to purchase kitchen equipment, all for the benefit of senior citizens.

The Council voted to approve Resolution No. 2012-32 to voice the City’s support for Altus Air Force Base to be chosen as the Formal Training Unit (FTU), final basing decision for the KC-46A, aerial refueling aircraft. This resolution was read by Mayor Webb, stating the base’s long history with the city, its influence and many contributions to Altus.

Stephenson gave the Council a report on MS4 Stormwater Management Program. The Council and audience watched a 22- minute stormwater video. Major points of the report and video were: we all live in a “watershed”, it’s up to each of us to take care of our water supply, and the requirements of MS4 will hold us accountable for our water quality.

There was no new business.

Mayor Webb appointed Altus City Planning Commission: Linda Buxton, Ward III and Linda Copeland - At-Large (lives in Ward IV).

In City Council member’s comments and reports:

Mike Patterson asked if the City had received any policies manuals from other sources to use as templates for the proposed Policies and Procedures Manual. The Mayor said OML will help them with a list, but won’t coordinate policies. OMAG will help, said Matt Coppock, Human Resources director. Coppock said one remark has been made, that a 121 page-long Policies and Procedures Manual is too long. “OMAG is our best bet,” Coppock said.

Rick Steen said he’d like it added to the next agenda that the City consider hiring a City Engineer.

Rick Henry said he thought we should get out of the MS4 program, though he understands that everyone needs to do their part (in water quality). He said it (MS4) puts more restrictions on growth, and that growth is the way out of economic stagnation. He’s frustrated with the limitations put on those who wish to build here.

Chad Osborne said he’s received many calls regarding the need to put the audience participation back in the AMA/Council meetings.

Scot Simco agreed on the audience participation section and asked it be limited to a certain length of time to prevent even longer meetings. He also asked that stormwater issues be put on the next agenda to address the requirements that were placed on those building the new Dollar General. He also wished to discuss the criteria on the Blackboard System. He was thankful for the rain and said, “God bless.”

Jack Smiley said prayers were certainly answered with the rain and cooler temperatures.

Perry Shelton said to keep praying for more rain. He said City Administrator Elizabeth Gray puts out a snapshot report on stores and shops in the City. He likes that. At the end of the report, it shows the gasoline and diesel consumption reports and he noticed that each department used their exact average amount. Others pointed out it was the first month of the fiscal year and their monthy consumption would be their average for that month. Perry also asked for information on the counting of utility poles for which CableOne and AT&T pay the City. He asked if that could be added to Gray’s report. Shelton also liked Bob Stephenson’s reports on Tom Steed.

Bob Stephenson said there is 44,000 acre feet of water at Tom Steed. All four member cities/towns of the Mountain Park Water Conservancy are allotted 10,000 acre feet per year. Frederick and Snyder are on water rationing, the latter having used more than its allocated water. Steen asked when it would be time for Altus to go to an odd-even watering system. Stephenson said he’ll come back with more information on that at the next meeting.

City Administrator Elizabeth Gray said it was good to go to Alaska and get her things, but also good to return home.

Mayor Webb said it was nice to have both James Wilson and Gray back. He’s looking forward to Rodeo time. Welcome visitors and encourage them to dine and stay the night. He said, “We appreciate them coming to Altus.”

The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.