A special meeting was called regarding the Hotel/Motel tax projects here in Altus. This meeting was held before the Altus Municipal Authority meeting and the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m. After several worthy projects were presented before the council, they decided to allocate the funds and stipulate which ones would be funded at a later date.

The Altus Municipal Authority (AMA) meeting was held following the special meeting with all members present, except Rick Henry and Jack Smiley.

Council member Perry Shelton had selected 2 items on the consent agenda to discuss. The remainder was approved. Following discussion, the 2 items were also approved. The consent agenda included: approval of the minutes of the special meeting March 2 meeting, and minutes for the March 2 regular meeting; purchase orders (POs) for the 2009 - 2010 Fiscal Year for the Enterprise Fund for $817,704.67; POs for FY 2009-2010 for the Ice Storm-related purchases totaling $11,223.86; a $481,624.16 claim for the completion of the Altus City Hall and Safety Facility, paid from Sales Tax Revenue Note, Series 2009.

The financial report was presented by City Finance Director, Joe Don Dunham, including all purchases over $5000. The storm related purchases totaled $13,531 and non-storm related were $1,027,188.

The council reviewed and approved the annual audit by Ronald C. Cottrell and Joe Don Dunham. Cottrell and staff had a "good opinion" of both the AMA and the City Council books. The deficiencies from last year were corrected. There were some exceptions on the EDC audit and recommendations that the contract with Great Plains Recreation be changed to incorporate the auditor's suggestions.

Bob Stephenson gave the council an update on the storm debris abatement. The City of Altus has collected between 80,000-100,000 cubic yards of tree debris from the ice storm. The council, based on Stephenson's recommendation, approved an emergency RFP for limb and storm debris pick up. This RFP would be for an approved contractor to conduct 2 passes over the city to remove and dispose of tree debris.

The council voted to approve the AMA Resolution No. 2010-05 which will impose a $3.00 per month trash and garbage fee to recover expenses incurred during the ice storm at the end of January. This had been tabled from the March 2 meeting. A companion Emergency Ordinance was to have put the fee into collection faster. It did not pass by enough of a margin. This fee will be collected in 30 days and last for 17 months.

The council approved the sale of scrap sold from the Electric Department. The total amount was $43,879.

There was no new business.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

The Altus City Council met following Altus Municipal Authority meeting, at 8:05 p.m. All council members were present except Jack Smiley and Rick Henry.

The council tabled recognizing the Altus High School Swim team for excellence, and the AHS Wrestling team due to Spring Break.

Mayor Gramling presented the Employee of the Year Award to Tommy Phillips, Foreman in the Electric Department. This is Phillips' 20th year of service to the City of Altus.

Gramling, noting it was very hard to keep this next award secret, presented the Department Head Award of the Year to Human Resources Director / Public Relations Officer Matt Coppock.

In the comments from the audience section, Rosalyn Hall, Executive Director of the local American Red Cross presented gifts to the council on behalf of the Red Cross and the 2010 Census.

The consent agenda was approved in total. Several consent agenda items include: approval of the March 2 City Council meeting and special meeting of March 2; purchase orders for: the FY of 2009-2010 for the General Fund $121,626.85; Workers Comp Fund $560; Assurance Fund $144,684.50; Donation Fund $232.50; Airport Fund $7,683.01; Street & Alley Fund $2610.41; Emergency 911 Fund $187.46; and purchases for the ice storm related purchases $9,799.84. There is also payroll in the amount of $371,018.81 and overtime of $9,261, totaling $380,279.81. The following reports were received: Cable One, Fleet Maintenance Fuel Report, Main Street Altus, Southwestern Youth Services, Inc. for Jan. and Feb., and the Swimming Pool.

The council, by a 5-1 vote, approved the adoption of Emergency Ordinance 2010-04 imposing a $3.00 month Storm Recovery fee to the existing garbage and trash fees and declaring it an emergency to be effective Mar. 17, 2010. But 6 members needed to agree on this emergency proposal and the vote was 5-1. The fee will go into effect in 30 days. This fee will last for 17 months.

The council voted to table a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Altus and Altus Air Force Base. This MOU outlines procedures to be followed when disposing of limb debris from the January ice storm. Further research will be done regarding details of the MOU.

The council approved an extension on the City's lease on the western half of Hangar 33 at the airport until June 2011, or until a new hangar is constructed, whichever comes first. This will be done under the same conditions from Southwest Technology Center.

The final plat for the Hunter Pointe Addition Part VI was approved by the council. Resolution N. 2010-06 was approved to accept the final plat of Hunter Point Part VI. The preliminary plat for Hunter Pointe Addition Part VII was also approved.

The council authorized staff to seek bids for demolition of 20 dilapidated residential buildings in the City of Altus.

Resolution 2010-07 was adopted to approve a Fair Housing program in Altus.

In executive session, the council discussed a pending tort claim filed by Lazaro Cuellar-Duran for electrical damages in this home at 1021 N. Chalmers in Altus. The tort claim was denied.

They also discussed the evaluation of Bob Stephenson, Public Works Director, The evaluation of Bob Stephenson was approved and he will receive a step-increase. The negotiation updates between the City of Altus and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Lodge #120, and the the City of Altus and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) were discussed as points of information.

There was no new business.

Mayor T.L. Gramling made the following appointments to the Senior Citizens' Center Committee:

Peggy Rising, Chair person Perry Shelton, Co-Chair, Bob Beers, Rick Steen, Orenta Thompson, Nina Sanders, and Charlotte Moberly.

City Administrator Mike Nettles said that those going to the annual Quail Breakfast in Washington DC will meet at 7 a.m. 3-17 at the Friendship Inn Restaurant. When they come back the QMA auction will be held (March 26 and 27. There will be an after event meeting in the recent ice storm at the Altus Library March 22 at 11 a.m. Have a great week and see you in the airport or in Washington DC.

City Council members comments:

Peggy Risinger - said she will enjoy working on the Sr. Citizens Center Committee with her co-chair Perry Shelton. She was pleased with the members who were chosen for the committee.

Scot Simco - Bobby Jones would like to meet with the committee too. Simco wants people to know they can email Matt Coppock on the City page (www.cityofaltus.org and click on Citizen Concern System). He said people are not really hearing what the $3 dollar fee is for. Bob Stephenson put questions regarding recycling on the system and only 33 people responded. But 75% were for a recycling drop-off location.

Don Johnson - none

Perry Shelton - none

David Brown - said he wants the city and citizens to know that September is a long way off. Be vigilant in your efforts to help clean up the debris.

Sid Willis - said he felt uninformed about Scot Simco's radio interview. (See Tempers flare)

Mayor T.L. Gramling's comments: He wants to select one person like Matt Coppock and Mike Nettles to present information to the media.

The council meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.