City holds public hearing

The City of Snyder held a public hearing to discuss the possibility of submitting a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Monday evening prior to a special council meeting. Clyde Morgan, SWODA, attended the meeting to help explain the grant and answer questions.

Cost estimates for rehabilitation of the water storage tank were prepared by city engineer Steve Cesar with a total estimated project cost of approximately $163,725 to $164,295. The grant will require the city to provide matching funds and a citizen participation plan.

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Snyder Council approves grant application, nixes hiring of additional police officer

Snyder City Council met in special session Monday night to discuss applying for a CDBG grant for refurbishment of the city water tower and budget/cost saving measures for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Approved were:

• Resolution 2010-6, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2010 Water and Wastewater Construction Project Matching Funds Commitment, with matching funds not to exceed $12,000
• Resolution 2010-7 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2010 Water and Wastewater Construction Program, for funding to rehabilitate the water storage tank
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2010 Water and Wastewater Construction Program Citizen Participation Plan, which provides for public hearings to insure that all citizens have the opportunity to be involved in the project

City Treasurer Patti Locklear presented budget balances through February, showing dwindling balances with city hall and the police department reflecting lack of funds to meet the next month's bills. Discussion to alleviate some of the expenses centered around payroll. City councilman Teresa Mills said to date there have been no cuts in salary, but overtime has got to stop.

Police Chief Johnny McBee presented police department figures in open session after City Attorney Shane McLaury instructed the council that budget measures could not be discussed in executive session as had been requested. Also on the agenda was the possibility of hiring a fourth full-time officer.

After examining the numbers the council agreed that the only place to cut expenses is in payroll and by parking one of the three police department vehicles. There are questions about the finance contract on the Ford Explorer and Crown Victoria, which were purchased before McBee became chief, so selling one may not be an option. McBee stated the Explorer is staying parked most of the time.

The department has three full-time officers and one reserve who is not yet firearm  certified. The council suggested that no officers be allowed to carry a firearm until they have been certified.

McBee had asked to hire another officer to alleviate paying overtime, but the council voted him down. To provide funds for the next month, the council agreed to pull money from the Street and Alley fund not to exceed $10,000 with zero overtime. McBee was instructed to curtail all overtime which will require some times without an officer on duty. The PD budget will have to be adjusted by the month until the new fiscal year.

The Animal Control budget was touched on, with AC Officer Jerry Taylor reporting costs include an average of $125 per month to the Altus animal shelter for animals that have not been claimed after the city's 72-hour hold. He said some pet owners do not want to pay the fine to get their pets back, instead just letting them go. Sixteen animals were taken to Altus during March. Other expenses are dog food and vehicle expenses.

Overtime in the water department was discussed with Mayor Gary Anderson suggesting an additional employee is needed to be trained for the water plant to alleviate overtime. One person is required at the plant almost 24/7 due to the instability of the facility. There are currently four full-time Public Works Authority employees, with two able to oversee the water plant. Anderson said they have only been using three inmate workers and probably need to go back to using five.

The council discussed hiring temporary employees who would not require benefits as a possiblity. Furloughs and other cost-cutting measures were mentioned. Locklear said an approximate $20 per water customer additional income will begin after April 1st, which will help. The shortfall in the city hall budget was not addressed during the meeting, but in a phone call to Locklear Tuesday, she said the mayor had been meeting with her today to see where funds can be pulled from other departments for the upcoming month.

Also on the agenda was a resolution approving a Kiowa County District 3 Emergency Medical Service loan commitment to purchase a new ambulance. The City of Snyder, Town of Mountain Park and Town of Roosevelt must sign an agreement in order for the EMS to borrow money.

Ambulance service employees James Glover and Scooter Mitchell were present at the meeting, but none of the ambulance board members attended. The council and McLaury questioned the amount of indebtedness and initially tabled the matter. Glover and Mitchell got busy and secured the needed information before the meeting adjourned, and the council voted to rescind the earlier motion and agreed to the resolution, with the loan amount not to exceed $70,000.

Under public participation Councilman Clay Oxley asked about getting the yield sign at 7th and H repaired. It has been bent over for some time. In response to a question about street repairs, Mayor Anderson stated materials have been ordered and now that it's warmer those will begin again.

In new business Locklear asked about Spring Cleanup which is usually in April or May. The first bulk pickup day for the new trash collection program will be April 14, so that was designated as Spring Cleanup for this year. Bulky items should be placed at the curb before collection day and residents should call the toll-free number 877-592-5030 to request a bulky waste collection. Calls should be made by the close of business on the Tuesday before collection day (April 13).

Letters went out with the April water bills announcing the bulky waste collection procedures. IESI will collect bulky waste one time a month, on the second Wednesday of each month beginning April 14.

Examples of bulky items include old furniture, appliances such as water heaters, washers, stoves, televisions, etc. (excluding items containing gaseous refrigerants); grass trimmings, leaves and debris bagged in no larger than 30-gallon bags; tree limbs, bundled, less than two inches in diameter in lengths of no longer than 48 inches or exceeding 50 lbs.; old clothing; and boxes and other packaging. Volume of bulky waste to be collected will be limited to no more than a total of three cubic yards per work order with a limit of one work order per household per month. This does not include construction or demolition waste.

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Public Works Authority implements contractual increase for rural water district

Snyder Public Works Authority reviewed Rural Water District No. 4 contract rates at their meeting Monday night and tabled budget discussion and hiring an additional water plant operator.

The contract with the water district allows an annual rate adjustment in accordance with the consumer price index or an increase of 3% annually which was overlooked in 2009. The council voted to adopt the increase for 2009 and 2010 for a total increase of 6%.

Water superintendent Mark Shelton was away at training, so budget discussion and hiring an additional operator were tabled until the April 19 regular meeting.

Friends of the Snyder Public Library meeting tonight

Friends of the Library will have their March meeting tonight (March 25) at 7 p.m. at the library. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Membership in the Friends group is $10 per year. Proceeds from memberships are used for day to day operations of the library, including purchase of books, carding materials, shelving, and cleaning supplies. Becoming a member does not obligate you to volunteer or participate in any way, although more volunteers are always appreciated. Membership may be paid at the library.

Please consider joining us in keeping our library going and growing.

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Benefit for Kathi Martin planned

Tickets are being sold for a drawing to benefit Kathi Martin of Blair. Kathi, who was diagnosed with cancer last August, is the wife of David Martin, the regular UPS driver for the Snyder area. Proceeds from the drawing are to help with medical expenses.

A new, handmade saddle with silver inlay, donated by Mickey Reeves, Lone Wolf, will be given away at a drawing during the awards assembly at the Blair School Gym on May 17. Along with the saddle is a saddle blanket and metal saddle stand. Tickets are $1 each and are on sale at the office of the Kiowa County Democrat in Snyder, or by calling 580-563-2486 or 580-481-4364.

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Southern Kiowa Chamber of Commerce membership drive underway

The annual membership drive of the Southern Kiowa Chamber of Commerce is underway. Dues are $25 for business memberships and $10 for individuals. Dues may be paid to Dean Holland, president, or Charlotte Kirk, treasurer. The Chamber includes Snyder, Mountain Park and Roosevelt and the surrounding communities.

Plans are underway for this year's Fall Festival with Dean Holland in charge of the train rides and carnival rides; Candace Thurmond, concert; Charlotte Kirk, vendor booths; George Garrison, outhouse races; and Pam Holland, light pole and  yard decorations. New additions to the festival include an evening concert planned to be held in the James Blaine Fieldhouse and a yard decorating competition will be added to the light pole decorations.

New officers for 2010 are: Dean Holland, president; George Garrison, vice president; Candace Thurmond, secretary; Charlotte Kirk, treasurer; Carrie McNeill, Snyder board member; and Linda Ratliff, Mountain Park board member.

Council approves increase in water and sewer fees
 

New rates for water and sewer fees were established at Snyder's regular city council meeting Monday night.

Resolution 2010-1 establishing fees for water and sewer service was voted in to be effective April 1st. The first 2,000 gallons of water increased from $15.59 to $17.50 with each additional 1,000 gallons going from $2.60 to $3. Sewer fees increased from a flat rate of $6.75 per month, per customer, to $13.50. Minimum monthly bill for residential customers will be $59.15 and $64.20 for commercial.

City Clerk Tammy Biddle said this will bring Snyder's rates more in line with other towns of the same size. According to an OML survey, only three other towns have a flat rate on sewer, the lowest of which is $16.50 per month. These rates have not been raised in two years, while costs to the city have increased. Plans are to tie the rates to the cost of living index, with a built-in yearly increase. This should keep the fees from going up too much all in one jump.

Rates for the Town of Mountain Park and Comanche County Rural Water District No. 4 were not increased at this time. Mountain Park currently pays $1.75 per 1,000 gallons and the rural water district pays $2 per 1,000. New rates for these bulk water customers will be established as plans are made for a new water plant.

In an e-mail from Fire Chief Bill Graves, he requested a rate increase of $1 for fire transfer fees. This fee was overlooked earlier in the year when the council increased fees for other community services. The increase will bring the fire department fee to $2 per month. Resolution 2010-5 establishing fire transfer fees was passed.

An update of the Snyder Municipal Code Books by SWODA was approved. According to Biddle, current books are difficult to use, very convoluted and out of date. The books were last updated in 1988.

City attorney Shane McLaury said an update is recommended at least every 10 years. The current books in a "terrible mess," he said. Each council member, the mayor, clerk and attorney should have a copy.

SWODA prepares the books for $3,000 on a two-year contract with the city providing copies of each ordinance.

The council agreed to amend the fire department budget to include the FY 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded by FEMA. The grant totals $83,420. The Federal share is 95% or $79,249 of the approved amount and the fire department contributes $4,171. The funds will be used for equipment per Chief Graves' discretion.

Assistant Police Chief Terry Taylor gave an update on disaster recovery. He said an emergency plan has been approved and an site has been approved for disposal of limbs and storm debris. Mayor Gary Anderson said Taylor has worked very diligently pulling all the information together and is to be commended for all his work.

One bid was received for auditor for the period ending June 30, 2009. Jackie Graves' bid of $15,000, which is the same amount as the previous year, was accepted.

Crawford and Associates submitted the only bid for financial statements in the amount of $24,450. The council had been dissatisfied with Crawford's work preparing last year's statements because they took so long to receive them, but has discovered the delay was due to Snyder's former city clerk not providing information in a timely manner and not providing complete information. Crawford stated their personnel had asked them not to bid on Snyder because last time was so much trouble. They had to send personnel to city hall to find information needed. Biddle and City Treasurer Patti Locklear assured Crawford that record keeping has improved and all information will be provided. The council accepted the bid.

A citizen complaint was received regarding junk cars cluttering the yard at 400 10th street. The council voted to begin nuisance abatement proceedings.

Effective November 2008 all cities are required to have a code enforcement officer who has completed certification training. Employees of a municipality employed or otherwise assigned to enforce provisions of Section 22-111 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall complete certification training specifically applicable to such section as adopted and administered by the Oklahoma Code Enforcement Association, an internationally recognized model code organization, career technical education program, or an institution of higher education. The certification training shall be completed within one year of employment or assignment for such enforcement.

Council member Spud Kirk said having a trained officer gives the city "a leg to stand on" in enforcing actions. The council agreed it would be beneficial to have someone who has been trained and knows the requirements for enforcement.

The council had previously approved Animal Control Officer Jerry Taylor as Snyder's code enforcement officer when reviewing his job description. It was agreed that he would be best to do the job as long as he keeps within a 32 hour work week. They said he is in a better position to observe violations since he patrols the town regularly in his animal control duties. The council approved sending Taylor to Basic Code Class at a cost of $185.

Minutes of the February 16 regular meeting, March 1 special meeting and March treasurer's report were approved.

Payroll of $23,623.16 was approved with council member Teresa Mills casting a "no" vote. Mills requested that hours be shown on future payroll statements. She questioned why Police Chief John McBee appears to be working less than a 40 hour week while other officers are putting in overtime. Department heads were recently instructed to cut out overtime due to budget constraints. "We didn't hire him to work part time and receive full time benefits," she said. Mayor Anderson said he'd have to look into it and placed the issue on the agenda for the March 29 special meeting.

First of the month purchase orders, warrants and claims in the amount of $24,900.18 were approved.

Following executive session the council agreed to convert the city treasurer position to a full time 40 hour work week with full time benefits at current pay rate.

Only one application was received for the swimming pool manager. Kirk stated the applicant was very qualified for the job, but voiced concern that the position had a short advertising period. The council voted to table the matter until the Mar. 29 special meeting and re-advertise the position. Applications will be taken until 3 p.m., Mar. 12. Full job description and applications are available at city hall.

Under new business, McLaury reported Randy Archer had contacted him on behalf of the Mountain Park Master Conservancy District. The district has voted to allocate the small remaining portion, 130 acre ft., of non-allocated water to the three owners, Snyder, Altus and Frederick at no additional charge.

SPWA has short agenda

Snyder Public Works Authority convened at 8:50 p.m. and make quick work of a short agenda.

The resolutions for water, sewer and fire transfer fees were approved as written along with minutes of the Feb. 16 regular meeting, Mar. 1 special meeting and March treasurer's report.

The council approved a budget amendment withdrawing $18,056.84 from the Rural Development Reserve Account and placing it in the water plant account. The reserve account was overfunded and Rural Development approved the withdrawal providing funds are used to pay past due accounts payable of the water system.

Payroll was encumbered with council member Clay Oxley voting "no." First of month purchase orders, warrants and claims in the amount of $39,478.34 were encumbered.