New team takes office

Last night the new Snyder City Council was sworn in just before their first council meeting. New mayor Gary Anderson and council members Bob Sproat and Teresa Mills joined incumbent Clay Oxley and the only councilman who was not up for election, Spud Kirk.

Following call to order and roll call, Mayor Anderson called for public participation.

Jimmy Jones, Joyce Jones and Dee Richardson, from the Snyder Public Library board, spoke in this forum since their request to be on the agenda had been denied by the previous mayor. The group spoke to the council regarding leaks in the library ceiling and water coming in from the north wall and standing in floor. A list of these and other needed repairs was presented to the council.

The council agreed the repairs need to be taken care of and promised to give the matter their attention.

Amy Hill announced her request to be on the agenda regarding the police force had also been denied by former mayor Buster Spurlin, and she asked to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

After determining there was no other public participation, the council voted to convene in executive session at 7:15, with items of discussion listed as:

a. Police Department
b. Swimming Pool Working Manager - review submitted applications and possibly hire
c. Swimming Pool Lifeguard - review submitted applications and possibly hire
d. Terry Taylor - police officer
e. Full-time Water/Sewer Operator ("In-Town" Worker) Vacancy

An hour and twenty minutes later the council returned to open session with city attorney Shane McLaury reading the minutes of the executive session.
No action was taken on the police department.

The council voted to hire Cheryl Rhodes as swimming pool manager at a salary of $8.00 per hour with an increase to $8.50 after she gets her lifeguard license. They agreed to allow Mayor Anderson and Ms. Rhodes to hire the lifeguard.

Police officer Terry Taylor's salary was raised to $10.75 as previously agreed upon his completion of CLEET.
The council agreed to advertise to fill the position of full-time water/sewer operator.

Police chief Joe Janz presented an operations briefing on his department, reporting no current problems. He stated that some officers need to attend required continuing education classes, emphasizing that the classes are usually only one day and often are at no cost.

The police department currently has four full-time officers including the chief, and four reserve officers.

Fire chief Bill Graves reported he had contacted the grant writer and applied to FEMA for a grant with 5% matching funds. The grant writer only gets paid if the grant is received, and her fee will come from grant money.
Graves said two new emergency sirens have been installed, one behind the Farmers Co-op and one behind the old Phillips 66. They are activated by a radio located in City Hall.

Graves also reported he had surveyed the flooding around the city following last week's heavy rains which totaled over five inches. Lack of drainage for the two creeks coming through the city is responsible for much of the flooding according to Graves. With water from the drains along main street (Highway 183) flowing into the creek it fills much faster than before the highway was rebuilt. Mayor Anderson asked Graves to show him the problem areas.

In regard to a Ford fire truck erroneously advertised for bids as surplus property, the council agreed to reject all bids received and re-advertise for bids on the correct truck, a 1968 Chevrolet. Oklahoma Municipal League was contacted on the legality of rejecting the bids and confirmed it is legal.

Letters will be sent to the bidders explaining the situation and inviting them to bid on the Chevrolet.

The fire department continues to seek the location of cellars and basements in the city. Citizens may report the location of their storm shelters to city hall. A list will be kept by the fire department to aid in locating anyone trapped following a storm.

New business included a report that DEQ will be performing an exercise this week at the water plant to determine emergency readiness, and McLaury stated he has prepared a model ordinance regarding tattoo parlors and licensing fees in the city as requested by the previous council. The ordinance will be placed on next month's agenda.

After some discussion on approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and treasurer's report, the council voted to authenticate the items, due to Spud Kirk being the only council member present at the last meeting. Payroll and first of month purchase orders were encumbered until the next scheduled meeting and warrants and claims were presented.

The council adjourned and Snyder Public Works Authority convened.
A request has been made for the city to install a sewer line and lift station to the old car dealership south of town. A water/fire restoration business is considering purchasing the property if they can get these items. The matter was tabled pending receipt of more information on estimated cost.

SPWA minutes and treasurer's report were authenticated and the rest of the agenda items were approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.