|
|
City Beat
Your city, your news
April 5, 2022
|
|
|
|
Welcome to City Beat, a free weekly e-newsletter containing the latest news and information about the City of Bartlesville and related topics. Get yours delivered each week! http://bit.ly/2eaFETx
|
|
More work planned for Hillcrest Drive project
Glitch discovered in material; Closures likely early summer
|
|
A glitch with some of the material used to complete the Hillcrest Drive Rehabilitation Project last fall has City contractors planning a partial do-over — and yes, closures will be involved. But there will be no additional cost for taxpayers for the repairs, Director of Engineering Micah Siemers said this week.
"Essentially, the contractor discovered that somehow a substantial amount of shale was present in the top lift of asphalt and brought this to our attention," said Siemers. "This became visible once traffic had been on the road for a month or so. The shale isn’t as strong as limestone which is what the aggregate in asphalt is supposed to consist of, and it became clear that there was an issue when the shale particles started fragmenting and breaking at the surface."
Siemers said the specification allows for a very small amount of shale or other “deleterious” materials to be present in the paving, but "this appeared to exceed what could be considered acceptable."
"Unfortunately, the material testing methods we employ would not catch this," Siemers said. "We test for density, air voids, gradation, and compaction, but we don’t actually test the makeup of the aggregate, which is certified by the materials supplier as part of their asphalt mix design. We are fortunate that we are working with a great contractor who identified the deficiency and stepped up immediately to help us find a fix for it.”
"The issue became visible in the form of what appeared to be streaks on the pavement when it rained a few weeks after the asphalt had been opened up to traffic. The streaking identified by the contractor basically revealed that some of the aggregate at the surface of the roadway had fractured once exposed to traffic, and the now-exposed particles of shale were 'bleeding' when exposed to the rainfall. We followed up with our testing lab to come up with a way to quantify how much shale made its way into the mix and compare those results with what the specifications allow, and the results exceeded what is permissible."
Siemers said asphalt is laid in "lifts," and that Hillcrest was built with two three-inch-thick lifts of a coarse asphalt mix called a base course and one two-inch-thick lift of a finer asphalt mix called a surface course.
"We tested all three lifts and, fortunately, the shale is isolated to the top two-inch lift, so we can replace that rather than all of the asphalt," he said. "We are currently working with the contractor and the supplier to replace these materials and go back in and mill off the top two inches of the roadway and re-lay it with asphalt that meets the specifications.
"This is part of the process on our projects. We provide a specification for the work and if the workmanship or materials don’t meet the specifications, sometimes they have to be redone. In this case, it was just a bad batch of asphalt and out of the contractor’s control. It is unfortunate, but it has to be done to ensure our taxpayers are getting what they paid for."
No additional taxpayer cost is involved in the reconstruction.
"The cost of the materials and labor will be decided between the supplier and the contractor," he said.
Siemers said the project is likely to begin in June.
"We're targeting early summer for this to avoid closing the road while the nearby Bartlesville High School is still in session," Siemers said. "That will help reduce traffic congestion in the detour areas and will be generally better for all concerned."
Siemers said while partial closures are an option in these types of projects, closing the road completely to allow contract crews maximum work time will shorten the overall project considerably.
"We anticipate total closure of the roadway will allow the entire project to take two to three weeks, if that," he said. "We understand this is an inconvenience, but we believe it's the best way to remedy the situation with the least interruption."
Siemers said the faulty material does not pose an immediate safety issue but could result in the road deteriorating before it otherwise would.
"It could affect the quality of the roadway over time," he said. "We don't know that for certain, but there is a reason the materials are designed the way they are, and it's best to take care of this now to ensure the long-term safety and overall life-span of the road."
Detours will be in place to reroute traffic just west of the roundabout at Silver Lake Road and Price Road and on Shawnee Avenue near Bartlesville High School.
The $2.2 million project, approved by voters in the 2013 Half-cent Capital Improvement Projects Election, involved reconstructing Hillcrest Drive from the Caney River to just north of 20th Street. The new roadway consists of two 12-foot-wide drive lanes with six-foot-wide asphalt shoulders. Turn lanes were added at Shawnee Avenue and 20th Street, and a pedestrian path in the area was constructed by maintaining some of the existing roadway.
Follow City Beat for updates on this story.
|
|
Cherokee Bridge reconstruction underway
ODOT project includes realignment of Delaware, Highway 123
|
|
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is set to begin the Cherokee Bridge reconstruction project this week. The project includes replacing the State Highway 123 Bridge over the Caney River and realigning the bridge/intersection east of its current location.
The State-owned bridge is located north of the intersection of Hensley Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue. During the reconstruction process, the bridge/intersection will be realigned to Hensley Boulevard and Delaware Avenue, approximately one block east of the current location.
The City Council approved a resolution Monday for a traffic signal maintenance agreement with ODOT for a signal at the new intersection,
"With the City’s input, ODOT decided to realign State Highway 123 with Delaware Avenue rather than Cherokee Avenue, as this allows a large portion of the new bridge to be constructed prior to closing State Highway 123 to remove the existing bridge," said Director of Engineering Micah Siemers. "This alignment also eliminates the awkward five-leg intersection at Cherokee and Hensley."
Siemers said ODOT completed a traffic study to determine traffic signal needs with the new alignment, which concluded that a signal will still be warranted at Cherokee Avenue and Hensley Boulevard despite the realignment. He said the City will continue maintenance responsibilities of that signal in addition to the new one.
"Maintenance and operation of traffic signals has always been the responsibility of municipalities," he said. "The City of Bartlesville operates and maintains all of the traffic signals on U.S. Highway 75, U.S. Highway 60, and State Highway 123, which are located within our city limits."
ODOT contract crews will relocate utilities and construct the new bridge piers before closing Highway 123 and removing the existing Cherokee Bridge, Siemers said.
"They need to utilize the embankment material on the existing bridge at the new alignment, so they will have to close the highway once they are ready to begin that work," he said. "Lane closures will also occur on Hensley while they reconstruct the intersections at Cherokee and Delaware during the project, which is expected to take approximately two years to complete. More than likely they will build out a half at a time so Hensley can remain open to traffic, but would be reduced to one lane in each direction."
|
|
Lee Lake Complex to get new parking lots |
|
Thanks to voter-approved funding in the 2020 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Sales Tax Election, new parking lots are on tap for the Lee Lake Complex, Civil Project Engineer Shelley Charles said this week.
The City Council on Monday approved a contract with CEC Corporation for engineering services on the project, which will consist of constructing new parking lots at Lee Lake and Cooper Dog Park, both of which are located in the Lee Lake Complex, 2200 S.E. Adams Blvd.
"The new asphalt lots will replace the existing gravel lots at Lee Lake and Cooper Dog Park, and a new road will be installed connecting the new parking areas with Daniels Fields parking to the west," Charles said. "The project also involves removing the westernmost and easternmost drive approaches onto Adams Boulevard and constructing a new 75 x 120 yard soccer field south of the lake, along the east side of the existing fields."
The total cost of CEC’s proposed contract is $23,600. The project will likely be let for bids this summer, with construction anticipated to start late summer or early fall.
|
|
|
Pools could open Memorial Day weekend
Sooner expansion project not likely to cause delay in opening
|
|
The City-owned Sooner and Frontier swimming pools are tentatively set to open for the season Memorial Day weekend — if work on the Sooner Pool Expansion Project doesn't cause delays, Director of Engineering Micah Siemers said Monday.
"The good news is that we are on track to have Sooner up and running in time to open for the season over Memorial Day weekend," Siemers said. "That is assuming we don't have any weather-related delays or issues come up with the project."
Siemers said the contractor on the project currently plans to have Sooner Pool "filled, balanced, and started" by mid- to late-May, giving the Richard Kane YMCA, which operates the pools for the City on a contract basis, a potentially narrow time frame "to make sure everything is good to go on their end."
Siemers said a possible threat to the schedule is work that has to be done on the main drain.
"One thing that could be a hold-up is the new pre-fabricated main drain, because it has to be installed before they can plaster," he said.
Siemers said contract crews are wrapping up replacing broken skimmers at Frontier and should have that done by the end of next week.
"At that point, it’s just a waiting game on getting warm enough temperatures to paint the surface of the pool, but they have set an end date for that of May 4," he said. "That will give the City and the YMCA time to get it up and running for the season, if everything goes according to schedule."
Work on the expansion project got underway earlier this year. A discretionary project included on the 2013 Half-cent Sales Tax extension ballot, the project involves the construction of two 45-foot slides, group shelters and other general improvements to the existing Sooner Pool facilities located in Sooner Park, 420 S.E. Madison Blvd.
The $2.8 million project also includes rehabilitating the existing lap pool surface and construction of a new parking lot, which should be completed prior to the pool opening in May, Siemers said. He said the new features won't be installed until July and August, but that the work won't interfere with use of the pool.
|
|
Public turns out for Strategic Plan meetings
Online survey to be available soon for additional public input
|
|
Several Bartlesville residents turned out last week for public meetings held to gain input on the City of Bartlesville's Strategic Plan. The plan will provide direction for the City’s organizational practices and goals for the next three to five years.
Contract consultant Patrick Ibarra of the Mejorando Group was in town March 28-29 to kick off the planning process. Ibarra facilitated two public meetings held at the Bartlesville Community Center, as well as workshop sessions with members of the City Council and City employees.
In all, approximately 80 local residents turned out to share ideas about the City's strengths, challenges, trends and potential associated outcomes. Common themes discussed include affordable housing, economic development, street improvements, sidewalk construction, diversity issues, volunteerism and homelessness.
Ibarra pointed out the strategic plan is separate from the City budget, which determines how taxpayer money is spent.
"The strategic plan isn't about money, it's about time," he said. "The City can do anything it chooses, but it can't do everything. This plan is an opportunity to identify the things are most important for Bartlesville and identify where City leaders and staff should spend their time."
In the next step of the process, the City will launch an online questionnaire to gain more input from the public. The survey should be available next week. The Survey Monkey link will be available in City Beat, on the City's Facebook page, City of Bartlesville GOV, and at www.cityofbartlesville.org.
Information from all sources will be compiled and presented to the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which will narrow the focus further and develop mission and vision statements and determine core values for the plan. The committee consists of Mayor Dale Copeland, City Manager Mike Bailey, Community Development Director Lisa Beeman, Human Resources Director Laura Sanders, Director of Engineering Micah Siemers, and Chief Communications Officer Kelli Williams.
The entire process is expected to wrap up by June 22, with possible council consideration for adoption during its July 5 meeting.
"We are very pleased with the level of public and employee participation in this process so far and want to thank everyone who took the time to attend one or more of the meetings last week," said Bailey. "We look forward to continued interest in this project and a finished strategic plan that will help identify which areas of focus will best move Bartlesville forward and shape the direction of our organization over the next several years."
Photo: Patrick Ibarra of Mejorando Group leads the discussion during the Strategic Plan Community Conversation meeting held last week at the Bartlesville Community Center.
Follow City Beat for updates on this story.
|
|
Water reuse project recognized
|
|
Brad Dunkle named FOP Officer of the Year |
|
Bartlesville Police Department Cpl. Brad Dunkle was honored Saturday after being named Officer of the Year by the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 117.
Born in Bartlesville, Dunkle grew up and attended school in Dewey, graduating from Dewey High School in 2007. He attended Pittsburg State University on a track scholarship and began his law enforcement career with the Dewey Police Department in 2011.
He joined the Bartlesville Police Department on Oct. 23, 2017, assigned to the Patrol Division's evening shift. During that time he became a member of the BPD Special Operations Team and served as a Field Training Officer, training new officers on the evening shift portion of their rotation. On May 8, 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was assigned to the day shift, where he currently serves. He will soon attend instructor school for Law Enforcement Driver Training.
Dunkle and his fiancé Aspen have two sons, Maverick and Tucker.
"Cpl. Dunkle started with the Bartlesville Police Department in 2017, and since that time he has made our department a better place," said Police Chief Tracy Roles. "Cpl. Dunkle treats everyone with unconditional respect. He epitomizes what a peace officer should be. He is compassionate, caring and fair. We are so fortunate to have Cpl. Dunkle on the BPD Team. I am so proud of him and his selection as the Officer of the Year."
Photo by Jay Hastings
|
|
City utility rate increases take effect July 1
Council OKs remaining 4 years of recommended 5-year cycle
|
|
The City Council on Monday approved proposed utility rate increases that will take effect July 1 for all City water, wastewater and solid waste service customers.
The increases are based on five-year recommendations from consultant NewGen Strategies and Solutions after the company completed a comprehensive cost of service and rate design for City utilities last year. The City Council at that time opted to incorporate increases for the current fiscal year rather than the recommended five, but readdressed the issue during meetings held last month and Monday night.
"The rate increases for all City services — water, wastewater, and solid waste — for the average customer, who uses about 6,000 gallons of water per month, is an approximately 7.5 percent, for Fiscal Year 2023," said CFO/City Clerk Jason Muninger. "It drops slightly each year after that, with 5.5 percent in 2024, 5.2 percent in 2025, and 4 percent in 2026."
The five-year rate plan will recover the cost of operations and capital needs through 2026, which includes the purchase of a new Automated Meter Infrastructure system, upgrades to the City's sanitation collection equipment and ongoing wastewater infrastructure needs.
Automated Meter Infrastructure system
According to Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen, a new AMI system is needed due to high failure rates with the current system.
"In 2013, the City installed an automated meter infrastructure system for water meters that replaced existing, manually-read meters with meters that automatically read and reported data at predetermined intervals to the City," Lauritsen said. "The cost of that system was $3.8 million. Unfortunately, it has not worked as promised, and we have experienced a 98 percent failure rate with the meter transmitters. This has resulted in the replacement of the transmitters on 16,086 of the City's total 16,403 meters."
Lauritsen reported to the council in March that Mueller Water Products, the company contracted for the existing system, has experienced high failure rates not only in Bartlesville but other municipalities as well, and that the product has fallen far short of what was promised by the company upon implementation.
"City staff has replaced 18,925 nodes, a small part that sits on top of the meter and serves as the meter transmitter," Lauritsen said. "This means we've replaced this part on the entire system plus some. Additionally, there are large delays in receiving warranty parts, and the City is now entering into the pro-rated portion of the warranty."
He said that between 2023-2028, it is anticipated the current system would cost an additional $300,000 per year to continue replacing the meter transmitters. He said the City could opt to stay with Mueller and pay $350,000 for a necessary upgrade along with the additional $300,000 per year for component replacements, or install a different AMI system. A new system with Mueller would cost approximately $1.5 million; however, while the company has verbally agreed to guarantee the system's performance, it declined to do so in writing, Lauritsen said.
The rate increases include the cost to install a new system under a different provider for an estimated $7.5 million. This option is required to interface with the City's software system to allow online bill payment, which is another of the many functions promised with the existing system that failed to deliver as promised, Lauritsen said. A final option would be to go back to manual reads for an estimated $250,000 plus to the cost of associated software.
Water
The water rate increases approved by the council Monday allows for the anticipated purchase of a new AMI system and continues implementation of inclining block rate structure and capital improvement fees.
Water rate increases and Water Capital Investment Fees approved by the council Monday will cost the average residential customer a total of approximately seven percent more beginning July 2022, with similar increases occurring in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Wastewater
Similar increases were approved for wastewater and Wastewater Capital Investment Fees. Capital needs that include the impending expansion of the existing Chickasaw Wastewater Treatment Plan and improvements to the City's four pump stations and pipelines necessitate the increases in wastewater rates. In all, upgrades to wastewater infrastructure is expected to cost upwards of $60 million.
Solid waste
Solid Waste services rates will increase $1 per month for the next three years to cover equipment costs, bringing the total cost for residential use with one cart from $17 per month currently to $20 in 2025, with no increase planned for 2026.
For details about the increases, the NewGen report, or anticipated revenues generated by the utility rate increases, see www.cityofbartlesville.org.
|
|
City to provide utility service to new casino
Osage Nation to voluntarily pay 5 percent of hotel revenue
|
|
The City of Bartlesville will provide wastewater infrastructure and services to the new Osage Casino currently under construction west of Bartlesville thanks to a vote of the Bartlesville City Council on Monday.
The Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise is developing property for use as a casino, hotel and supporting food service approximately 1 mile west of Bartlesville along U.S. Highway 60 and has requested City sewer service for the property with a privately financed public improvement, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said in a report to the City Council last week.
"The Osage Nation will construct a lift station and force main to pump wastewater from their development to the City’s collection system, which is located north of the intersection of State Highway 123 and Frank Phillips Boulevard," Lauritsen said. "The development of this property is anticipated in phases, with the first phase generating an estimated 125,000 gallons of wastewater per day."
Lauritsen said the City’s wastewater collection system downstream of the proposed connection has the capacity to accommodate this phase of development. However, he said, the casino’s discharge will require future downstream improvements to ensure no bypasses occur during rain events over two inches, as the goal of the City’s collection system is to convey peak flows generated during a 2.25 inch rain event.
The Tribe will financially participate in the upgrade of the City’s downstream collection system through a separate agreement, Lauritsen said.
"The agreement stipulates that the Osage Nation will design and construct the lift station and force main in accordance to applicable City, State, and Osage Nation regulations," Lauritsen said, noting that ownership of the pump station and pipeline will be transferred to the City once the system is complete.
The Tribe will pay the City $625 per month for the first 60 months to cover the operation and maintenance of the lift station and pipeline, after which the monthly fee may be adjusted annually to reflect increases in operational and/or maintenance costs.
The council voted 5-0 on Monday in support of the sewer system/services agreements, as well as a related but separate agreement in which the Tribe agrees to pay the City of Bartlesville five percent of all revenues derived from the rent of hotel rooms.
"Essentially, the Osage Nation will voluntarily pay the same hotel tax rate as they would if they were in our jurisdiction in exchange for these services," said City Manager Mike Bailey. "To be clear, this is not a tax, because the property is not located within the city limits of Bartlesville. But as we are under no obligation to provide these services to a business outside our jurisdiction, it is a way to alleviate the concerns of local hotels and restaurants who are, and which are therefore subject to the local lodging tax."
According to Osage Nation officials, the development will include 102 hotel rooms. The casino is targeted to open around the end of this year or early 2023.
|
|
Trash routes adjusted for upcoming holiday
City offices closed April 15; Friday routes serviced April 13
|
|
Most City offices will be closed on April 15 and Friday trash routes will be amended next week due to the Good Friday holiday.
Collection next week for Friday solid waste customers will be on Wednesday, April 13. Trash must be placed at its normal collection point no later than 6 a.m. on April 13 for collection.
The recycling center will also be closed April 15.
Police and fire services will continue uninterrupted. Services will resume as regularly scheduled on Monday, April 18.
|
|
|
Free yard debris pick-up set for May 9-13
The City of Bartlesville will hold its next free residential yard debris collection May 9-13. The event is typically held twice each year, in the spring and fall, to help Bartlesville solid waste utility customers dispose of dead leaves and other yard debris for no extra cost.
The collection is for the following items only:
- Leaves
- Grass
- Lawn clippings
- Limbs and branches if cut in lengths no longer than four feet and bundled (may not exceed 50 pounds)
During this week only, yard debris bags will not require yard waste stickers, and clear or colored bags are allowed. The collection is for private residences only; no commercial collections will be made. There is no limit on the number of bags a resident can put out for the collection. Extra bags or items of household refuse outside the cart must have the red refuse sticker attached.
For more information, contact the Solid Waste Department at 918.338.4130.
|
|
High stroller
Ian Martinez, 2, takes a walk recently on the City-owned Pathfinder Parkway pedestrian bridge. The bridge was restored several years ago when members of the community purchased new wooden bridge planks to replace aging infrastructure. The community-driven project was spearheaded by Bob Pomeroy. The Martinez family's plank is the first plank from the bottom.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Martinez
|
|
BPD's inaugural Youth Academy planned for July 6-8
If you're between the ages of 13 and 17 and are interested in a law enforcement career or simply curious about what it's like to be a police officer, Bartlesville Police Department has something for you.
Youth ages 13-17 are invited to sign up for the police department's inaugural BPD Youth Academy, which will be held July 6-8 at Tri County Tech, 6101 Nowata Road. Some of the items covered include fingerprinting, K-9 demonstrations, traffic stops and tools of the police belt.
"We're very excited about the Youth Academy program and hope everyone who is eligible and interested will consider attending," said Police Chief Tracy Roles.
For more information or to sign up, contact BPD Administration at 918.338.4050.
|
|
|
Hydrant testing, flushing continues
Water Distribution crews began testing and flushing fire hydrants in the following zones last week. Flushing and testing will continue until all zones are complete.
Zone 1 — Oak Park Addition
Zone 2 — Will Rogers Street south to Hensley Boulevard, from the railroad tracks west to Highway 123.
Zone 6 — 11th Street south to Sand Creek, from the Caney River west to the railroad tracks.
Zone 8 — Kenwood south to Nowata Road, from the Caney River east to Washington Boulevard.
Flushing will occur from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until the areas are complete. Discoloration of water can occur during the testing and flushing process. Please use caution when laundering clothes.
|
|
BAHM's '3rd Thursday' series continues April 21
The Bartlesville History Museum will be open from 6-8 p.m. April 21 for attendees to enjoy the exhibit “HERstory: A Collection of Women’s Stories From Our Community, State, & Nation.”
At 6:30 p.m. Education Coordinator Betty Keim will present “The Way We Wore,” on the history of fashion. Light refreshments will be served and kids may spend some time coloring at the HERstory coloring station while adults listen to the presentation.
The museum is located on the fifth floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave., and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum entry is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, contact BAHM at 918.338.4290 or history@cityofbartlesville.org.
|
|
Jobs/open positions
The City of Bartlesville is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
|
|
Board, Committee & Commission Openings
The City of Bartlesville has numerous boards, committees and commissions that are driven by citizen volunteers. All citizens are encouraged and welcome to apply.
Board applications are available online and in the city manager’s office, located on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Applications are kept on file for two years. To view a complete list, see Boards, Committees & Commissions.
The City currently has openings on the following committees/boards:
- Two openings on the White Rose Cemetery Board
- One opening on the Park Board
|
|
Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918.338.4132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
