City makes quick work of monthly agendas

by Todd Brooks

The Comanche City Council and Comanche Public Works Authority (PWA) made quick work of their agendas last Tuesday.

In the PWA portion, it was announced that the city had met the requirements for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority’s Competitive Utility Program (CUP) for the fifth straight year.

The city’s recertification was approved by the OMPA board at its December meeting. Following the board’s approval, a check was sent to the City of Comanche for $20,000. The city also qualfied for two awards which will provide discounts on the power invoice from OMPA.

According to a OMPA news release, “CUP is a voluntary program, started in 1995, that provides OMPA’s 42 members with a way to evaluate and improve the operation of their electric utility, and make them better able to compete in the electric utility industry. The program provides two types of reward - recognition, in the form of certification; and financial rewards, which include the check for $20,000.”

The PWA voted to use the money to purchase power poles. City manager Chuck Ralls said the city alternates using the money it receives from the program to purchase poles one year and transformers the next.

In the city council portion of the meeting, council members voted to add kayak rental at Comanche Lake.

Ralls originally presented a plan where there was a self-serve kiosk where people could swipe credit cards, get a kayak and then return it after they were finished. The estimated cost for the set-up was $10,700.

Council member Amanda Duke, however, had some concerns about the city’s liability.

“What if a 14-year-old steals his mom’s credit card, uses it to get a kayak and then gets in an accident,” Duke asked.

She said that while she felt having kayaks was a good idea, she would prefer for the city to purchase kayaks and rent them out through the lake office.

“That way, we can put a face to who is renting them,” Duke said.

It would also save money up front for the city. Ralls estimated the cost of four kayaks at $1,200.

The rest of the council agreed and voted to do the kayak rental through the office. The rest of the council included member Austin Myers and mayor Smokey Dobbins. Members Wanda Moore and Sharon Rounds were absent.

In other business, the city agreed to accept the $12,500 proposal of Tri-State Paving to repair the City Hall parking lot. Money for the project will come out of capital improvement funds.

The council also agreed to solicit bids for a street project that would make repairs on Hickory from 9th to Rodeo; 8th from Patterson to Oak Main; and Wilson from 9th to 4th.

The vote came after the council had accepted a $45,000 REAP grant to cover the cost of the project and consulting.

In another agenda item, the council approved a building permit for Trey Clinkenbeard for the construction of a meat processing plant at 1200 Texas Ave. The council voted to wave the inspection fee and only charge for the building permit fee.