City Beat December 15, 2021

City Beat

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December 15, 2021

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News & Updates

Local sales tax revenue up 13.62 percent

Year to date revenue up $1.4 million over anticipated budget

Capping off a six-month stretch of double-digit increases, City of Bartlesville sales tax revenue is up again when compared to the same period last year, CFO/City Clerk/Treasurer Jason Muninger said Monday.

"The most recent sales tax report shows an increase of $217,000 in revenue for December's collection compared to December 2020," Muninger said. "That's an increase of about 13.62 percent for the period."

Muninger said revenue is up about 13.62 percent for the fiscal year as well, and about $1.4 million over the anticipated budget. The City's fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

"Our last six months have been great, but we've actually had above-average returns going back about a year," Muninger said. "We have consistently had $1.8 collections every month, with one $1.9 million month, for the past six months. Keep in mind a $1.8 million collection is rare under any circumstance, and to have six in a row is simply unheard of. We're in unchartered territory."

Muninger points out the largest collection months for a typical year are yet to come.

"We should see holiday sales reflected in the January and February reports," he said.

The increases are likely due to a combination of more local spending and an influx of government and tribal stimulus funding into the local economy, Muninger said.

"Obviously, the bubble is going to burst at some point and we will eventually be comparing back to these larger numbers," he said. "So lower percentage gains over the prior year will be expected at that point, but I'm eager to see how long we can continue to hold the pace we're holding."

Muninger said other municipalities across the state are also reporting increases in sales tax revenue.

Photo by Michael Wray

Repair work

Street Department crews work to repair concrete on Frank Phillips Boulevard just east of U.S. Highway 75. The north, westbound lane has been closed to traffic for several weeks to accommodate waterline valve replacements, completed in recent weeks by Water Utilities Department crews. The lane should be reopened mid- to late next week.

Police respond to shooting at local tavern

Police Chief Tracy Roles said Tuesday that the professionalism, training and work ethic of Bartlesville Police Department officers and the department's partnerships with area agencies are to thank for the seamless handling of an incident at a local tavern Monday that left two men dead.

Local police responded to reports of a shooting at the Kickstand Saloon, located at 1812 S.W. Frank Phillips Blvd., around 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

Arriving on a scene Roles called "tense and chaotic," officers quickly discovered two men had been shot and that the suspect, later identified as Gregory Rogers, of Tulsa, had fled on foot.

"Inside, officers discovered two male individuals who had both suffered gunshot wounds," Roles said. "(Both) were transported to (Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Hospital) and died of their injuries."

Rogers, a Tulsa resident, reportedly sought medical treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa for a gunshot wound to his forearm following the shooting, but left prior to receiving treatment, Roles said. Rogers later turned himself in to Tulsa police. BPD worked with the hospital, EMSA, and Tulsa Police Department in obtaining information and executing a search warrant to secure evidence in the case.

"We're very fortunate to have these types of partnerships," Roles said.

Killed in the incident were Austin Standeford and Van Parson, both employees of the Kickstand Saloon.

"We feel this was an isolated incident and that at no time, other than people in the bar, were citizens or visitors in Bartlesville in danger," Roles said.

Roles commended BPD staff for their quick response and professional handling of the case.

"I would like to commend our staff," he said. "Within a minute, we had an officer on the scene. I've been reviewing body-worn camera footage this morning, and it was a very intense scene with a lot going on. It was evolving very, very quickly.

"I want you all to know that your police officers responded in the most professional, ethical (way) — and with ultra respect — to a very difficult scene. It speaks to their professionalism and their dedication to our great city. Our detectives responded in the most professional manner and have been working diligently to bring closure to this case since 8:30 (on Monday)."

Rogers is charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of felony possession of a firearm.

Photo by Jay Hastings

Council Action

Council OKs contractor for pipeline project

Proposed First Christian Church donation rejected in 3-2 vote

During a special meeting Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a contract for the construction of a pipeline and pump station to facilitate the ongoing water reuse project.

A second agenda item, the proposed lease/donation of the First Christian Church property, was voted down pending possible inclusions to the Memorandum of Understanding, a document outlining the terms of the agreement between the City and FCC.

Water reuse pipeline project

The council voted 5-0 to award a construction contract for the Effluent Reuse Pipeline and Outfall Cascade — part of the multi-phased Water Reuse Project — to Paragon/KSL for $4,035,505, well below the $6 million budget for this portion of the project.

The reuse system involves the construction/installation of infrastructure that will consist of a pump station at the wastewater treatment plant and an underground pipeline transporting the water to the Caney River just south of the County Road West 1500 bridge. This will allow the City to utilize treated wastewater to augment the yield of the Caney River during periods of drought, which serves as one of the City’s main water sources.

For Bartlesville and the surrounding communities that rely on the City’s water resources, the water reuse project means expanding the area’s potable water supply decades into the future by extending the resources of Hulah Lake, one of the City’s primary water sources, by approximately 25 years and providing approximately 35-70 percent of current water supply needs.

The system is expected to cost around $7.75 million, which will be funded partially through grant funding but primarily with Water Capital Investment Fees. The pipeline construction is expected to take about 15 months to complete. It is anticipated the Water Reuse Project will be online by June 2023.

Proposed FCC lease/donation

In other business, a proposal to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and First Christian Church for the lease and eventual donation of the church property located at 520 S. Osage Ave. was voted down in a 3-2 vote.

Councilors Paul Stuart of Ward 2, Billie Roane of Ward 4 and Mayor Dale Copeland, who represents Ward 1 on the council, voted "No" to the item after a motion was made and seconded by Trevor Dorsey of Ward 5 and Vice Mayor Jim Curd of Ward 3, respectively.

The council was set to consider the agenda item during the regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 6 but took no action on the matter after Curd announced there was still work to be done in drafting the MOU to satisfy both parties.

In presenting the item Tuesday, Curd said the necessary changes had been made. If approved, the City would have agreed to lease the property, which is north of the Bartlesville Community Center and east of the Price Tower and the taxpayer-funded Unity Square Park, for $1 per year plus operation and maintenance costs, with final acceptance of the donation contingent upon securing financing to renovate the facility before July 1, 2023.

Stuart and Roane stated they were voting "No" on the item pending the inclusion of language addressing insurance issues pertaining to the property and the naming of a second and possibly third Power of Attorney, in addition to current POA local attorney Drew Ihrig. Had the motion passed, Ihrig would have been authorized to convey the property to the City (or another entity, should the provisions of the MOU not be met), on behalf of FCC upon the City obtaining financing to renovate the structure. Copeland, whose vote broke the tie, said he was voting No "out of an abundance of caution."

During the Dec. 6 meeting, the council authorized City staff to issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant to complete a conference center feasibility study, which will include the church as a possible location for the center, if the study indicates one is needed. City staff is in the process of drafting a Request For Proposal for the study. For more information about this project, see City Beat, Dec. 8.

Your Questions

Silver Lake & Tuxedo stop light a maybe; no change on Popeye's

By Kelli Williams

Are there any plans to place a stoplight at Silver Lake Road and Tuxedo? It is often difficult to turn on to Tuxedo.

There are no plans to install a traffic control signal at the intersection of Silver Lake Road and Tuxedo Boulevard outside potentially installing one in a future phase of the Price Fields Renovation Project.

The multi-phased project, recommended in the 2009 Park and Recreation Development Plan, is currently nearing the end of its third phase. Overall, $8.8 million in voter-approved funding has been utilized for the project, resulting in the construction of four new softball fields, the replacement of the four main fields in the central portion of the complex, as well as improved parking and the addition of restroom and concession facilities.

Additional phases depend on voter approval in a future capital/bond election. If approved, future phases will likely include alignment with the Silver Lake Road and Tuxedo Boulevard intersection — including a traffic control signal at the intersection — as well as improved access into and out of the complex, emergency access to the complex, reconstruction of the larger fields on the south end of the complex, additional parking, batting cages and additional storage.

Popeye's: No change

Last I had seen, Popeye's was still planned, but someone said it was under the same franchisee as Taco Bueno, which now has a "Now Available" sign. I wish it meant tacos were now available. Got any info?

Whether or not Popeye's is still coming to Bartlesville is City Beat's most asked question by far. The answer is that it is still coming, at least as far as anyone knows. They haven't said they're not coming, after all, and local media — the Examiner-Enterprise newspaper, to be exact — reported in July that the project is set to start up again around April 2022. Calls by the Community Development Department to representatives of Smitco, the franchise company that will be operating the restaurant, to obtain updated information have not been returned. A quick search via the Internet indicates Popeye's and Taco Bueno are owned by the same parent company, Sun Holdings Inc.

Polycarts: The law

Is it ok to move someone's trash cans after they have set them out for pickup? An individual is moving mine weekly to park and is putting them out in the driving part of the road and not against the curb where I've placed them.

According to Bartlesville Police Department officials, there is no law that prohibits a City-issued polycart from being moved unless it is moved in such a way that it impedes traffic, as suggested here, or violates some other law. The best thing to do in this circumstance is to contact BPD and speak with an officer about your situation.

Briefs & Announcements

BPD to offer 'Ride with the Chief' on holiday

Chief Roles, police staff to offer free rides on New Year's Eve

Police Chief Tracy Roles and Bartlesville Police Department staff will once again offer safe transportation between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve to anyone who might have enjoyed the holiday festivities a little too much.

The department provides the free service each year as part of its Arrive Safe Program.

"The goal of this event is to minimize impaired driving in our city," Roles said. "We want to do our part to help ensure that everyone arrives home safely after celebrating the holiday, so we hope people will take advantage of this offer in the interest of public safety."

If you have consumed alcohol, don't drive, Roles says. Call dispatch at 918.338.4001, tell the dispatcher you want to take the chief up on the offer to arrive safe and give them your location. Roles or other BPD staff will come to your location and provide you with a safe ride home, within the Bartlesville City limits. There is no cost for this service.

For more information, contact Roles or Capt. Jay Hastings at 918.338.4050.

History museum continues 3rd Thursday series

The Bartlesville Area History Museum will continue its Third Thursday series this week, on Dec. 16. As a part of the festivities, the museum will offer a hot chocolate bar, snacks and a Christmas craft for kids. Crafting will take place at 6:30 p.m., and a guided tour of the main gallery will be offered at 7 p.m. The Museum will be open from 6-8 p.m.

"This will be a great time to take in the exhibit 'End of the Line: The Short History of Bartlesville’s Interurban Railway,'" said Museum Coordinator Delaney Williams. "The exhibit is new for December and will only be on display until Feb. 25, 2022.

Museum entry is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, contact the museum at 918.338.4290 or history@cityofbartlesville.org. The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on the fifth floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave.

EAC News

Gina Vaught named Employee of the Month

Fiscal Technician Gina Vaught has been named Employee of the Month for December by the City Employee Advisory Committee.

The EAC consists of City employees who meet regularly to discuss and identify needs for City employees who are not represented by a bargaining agent.

Vaught was selected for the honor after being nominated by Network Administrator Beth DeGeer.

"For several years Gina has managed the City’s Salvation Army angels, coordinating receiving angels, signing them out, and making sure all of the City’s angels are taken care of," DeGeer said. "She even collects money and does the shopping for those who wish to donate but don’t wish to shop.

"She makes the season brighter for lots of children, and she makes it easy for City employees to take part in this program."

Vaught received a $25 voucher for Price's Meat Market, $25 in Chamber Bucks and eight hours of special vacation pay.

City Manager Mike Bailey, right, presents Fiscal Technician Gina Vaught with $25 Chamber Bucks and a $25 Price's Meat Market certificate. Vaught was named Employee of the Month for December by the Employee Advisory Committee.

Do you know a City of Bartlesville employee who deserves special recognition? Let the EAC know! Email your information to EAC@cityofbartlesville.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

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: