The Altus Municipal Authority (AMA) and the City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The AMA, with all members present, used an amended agenda.

The Consent Agenda included: approval of minutes for the Altus Municipal Authority Meeting on September 4, for the Old Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2011-2012 for the Enterprise Fund totaling $2,734.97, for the New Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2012-2013 for the Enterprise Fund totaling $1,826,127.00. The Consent Agenda was approved in its entirety.

The trustees voted to award a bid to Lawton Communications of Lawton, for the purchase of (65) sixty-five, 45 Watt Motorola PM 400 Mobile Radios; and (33) thirty-three Motorola CP200XLS Hand Held Radios in the amount of$31,833.00, contingent upon funding.

Using the amended agenda, the trustees also approved to waive the sealed bid requirement and authorize staff to solicit verbal quotes for the purchase of the E911 Dispatch Package, including either a new or never in service (used) console, under Sections 2-89—-2-91 of the Altus Code 1980, in the best interests of the City, contingent upon funding. This is due to time constraints to be compliant to new Federal law Jan. 1, 2013.

The trustees voted to authorize publication of an RFP (Request For Proposal) for potential contract services for “flatbed” trash pick up. It is not known yet whether it will be monthly, quarterly or other time frame for proposed trash pick up.

The trustees voted to authorize the purchase and installation of two (2) compaction wheels and re-power the Landfill’s Caterpillar 826 Compactor from the low bidder, Landfill Equipment, at a cost of $69,400.00. Sanitation Superintendent Kenny Combs said there is only one piece of heavy equipment currently working at the Landfill now.

They also voted to authorize rental of a landfill compactor for one month at the rate of $7,500 with freight charges F.O.B. Altus of $4,500 for a total fee of $12,000. This will bridge the gap during the month the compactor will be repaired.

Trustees voted to award a Contract to Fox & Dreschler, Inc. for engineering services to design water line relocations along Falcon Road and authorize the Chairman to sign the Contract. Part of this is paid from a Strategic Military Planning Grant.

In executive session, the trustees discussed the purchase or appraisal of the north 135 feet, approximately 18,000 square feet of 1210 North Grady Street, the former Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Dealership. This was proposed to be used for a Senior Citizens Center to be funded out of MAPS Project Funds. In open session, with several senior citizens in attendance, the trustees voted that this was “not the right time, nor the right building” for the Senior Citizens Center. There were some questions from some audience members and the Council decided to have the MAPS projects on the next agenda, Oct. 2.

There was no new business. The AMA adjourned at 7:39 p.m. when the City Council meeting began with all members present.

In the newly re-instituted “comments from the audience” section, Cynthia Armstrong from U.S. Humane Society and other concerned citizens spoke on the sensitive subject of euthanasia options for animals at the Altus Animal Shelter. (See sidebar)

The Consent Agenda included: approval of minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting on September 4, for Old Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2011-2012 for the General Fund totaling $132.00, for New Budget: approval of purchase orders for FY 2012-2013 for the General Fund totaling $106,735.30, Workers Comp Fund totaling $7,591.53, Assurance Fund totaling $165,709.19, Airport Fund totaling $28,692.52, Street & Alley Fund totaling $307.20, purchase orders for FY 2012-2013 for the Emergency 911 Fund totaling $436.97; approving an Estimated payroll for September 27, 2012 as follows:Salaries - $309,886.00, Part Time Wages - $ 9,538.00, Overtime - $ 7,415.46, Contractual OT - $ 0.00, Incentive, License Pay - $ 6,093.00, Employer Paid Taxes - $ 22,503.00, Employee Paid Taxes - $ 65,076.06, Employer Paid Benefits - $109,990.00, Employee Paid Benefits - $ 49,581.76, Workers Comp - $ 12,953.00, for a total estimated amount of: $593,036.28; Payroll figures for August 30 Prior estimate / Actual Salaries - $315,835.00/$312,762.53, Part Time Wages - $ 11,545.00 /$10,224.59, Overtime - $ 7,415.46 /$7,815.03, Contractual Overtime - $ 0.00/ $ 0.00, Incentive, License Pay - $ 6,303.00 /$6,145.35, Employer Paid Taxes - $ 23,128.00 /$21,928.63, Employee Paid Taxes - $ 66,325.35 /$59,873.60, Employer Paid Benefits - $111,056.00 /$46,630.79, Employee Paid Benefits - $ 51,165.27/ $24,715.70, Workers Comp - $ 13,070.00 /$ 0.00, for a total amount of: $605,843.08 /$490,096.22; Percentage of Difference 23.6% lower than prior estimate.; third payment of the month has no workers comp or insurance deductions taken out of employees’ paychecks. This was not considered when the estimate was given for this payroll resulting in a lower figure; acknowledge monthly reports and minutes as follows: CableOne, Fleet Maintenance Fuel Report, Main Street Altus. Council member Perry Shelton excluded one item. The rest was approved. After discussion that item was approved.

Council received a report from Shelton, on the Golf Course Committee regarding progress and status of The Greens of Altus Golf Course. The grass isn’t dying, Shelton said. There are some bugs that need to be sprayed. Shelton said they needed some equipment to keep the investment healthy. The list of equipment tallied $33,000 to $55,000. Council voted to approve, six to two the Committee recommendation to advertise for a Part-Time Maintenance worker to cover when the groundsman is not there. Jim Herrin resigned from the Greens and Sean Garrison has been volunteering at the Greens and is making improvements there. The two dissenting votes were made by Council members Chad Osborne and Mike Patterson.

Progress on abatement of the public nuisances by the property owner at 1414 East Cypress was demonstrated through photos shown by Planning Director Barbara Burleson. Largely through the efforts of a consortium of locals, Altus Opinions and Discussions Group on Facebook, the property has been transformed. The weeds are under control; the fence is being reconstructed. All but one inoperative vehicle has been removed. The owner secured the mobile home. Council member Rick Steen said there was a nice article in the paper on the project. Burleson recommended that the owner work with Code Enforcement to complete the project. Mayor David Webb said that this project demonstrates what community involvement can do. He commended all involved for their efforts.

Utility Manager Janice Berryhill asked for Council to vote to approve filling the position of one (1) full-time Meter Reader in the Meter Services Department and authorize staff to advertise for this position. Council member Scot Simco recommended they hire two Part-Time employees to cover more hours than one Full-Time position. This was approved.

The Council voted to approve a new Accounting position with a salary of up to $60,000 plus benefits and the reallocation of existing budgeted funds. This is a net zero impact on the budget. Again, the vote was six to two, with the two dissenting votes made by Osborne and Patterson.

In a companion item to the AMA, the Council voted to award a Contract to Fox & Dreschler, Inc. for engineering services to design water line relocations along Falcon Road and authorize the Mayor to sign the Contract.

In executive session, the Council discussed the annual evaluations for the Sanitation Superintendent and the Water/Sewer Maintenance Superintendent. They also discussed a negotiation update between the City of Altus and the FOP Lodge #120. In open session, Council voted to approve the annual evaluations for both employees and approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the FOP for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, authorizing execution by the Mayor and City Clerk.

There was no new business, and no Mayor’s appointments.

City Council member’s comments and reports included:

Scot Simco: asked Bob Stephenson for an update on the stairs for the Water Treatment Plant. They are almost complete. Scot also said the Chamber of Commerce Banquet is Thursday Night, Sept. 20 and the guest speaker is our Governor Mary Fallin.

B.F. “Jr.” Rowland: said he appreciated the hard work of the City employees.

Rick Henry: regarding the 1414 E. Cypress project, with all the volunteers that stepped up, that is part of why he loves this city. “That’s who we are. That’s what we do.” On the Ford building, he said it’s “Not this building; not this time”. MAPS will get done. He’s not stressed about MAPS. All the projects will get done. He’s confident of that.

Rick Steen: “When do we get the rate study results back?”

Mayor Webb said “When they get it done.” They had personnel turnover and said they didn’t have data when they did.

Mike Patterson: said he’s the chairman of the Policies and Procedures Committee and they’re waiting on samples from other communities.

Matt Coppock: said that the copy of the Altus Policies and Procedures Manual was sent to OMAG. They’ll make recommendations and samples and those recommendations will be given to the committee.

City Administrator’s comments and reports: Elizabeth Gray announced that she’s received a scholarship to attend an OML Conference. Girl’s basketball sign-ups end Thursday. Boy’s wrestling ends Sept. 27. Little League Football starts Saturday. The only MADD Walk in Oklahoma will be held here in Altus, with a blood drive held in conjunction on Saturday at the City Reservoir.

Mayor Webb’s comments and reports: The City employees are involved in many improvements in the City. He saluted Sean Garrison’s efforts at the Greens of Altus. He said many have been involved in the Main Street improvements. “These are all economic development projects” Webb said. “Folks see these things fast.” Think of the KC-46 project and the people who may be seeing our town soon. “Jump right in and find something to get involved in. Be proud of our community.”

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.