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City Beat
Your city, your news
February 5, 2019
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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!
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Project Update
Contract awarded for Kiddie Park upgrades
Whaling Construction has been tapped by the City Council to complete voter-approved improvements to Kiddie Park — an amusement park for youngsters located on the southwest side of Johnstone Park in Bartlesville.
The council voted Monday to approve a contract with the company to replace fencing around Kiddie Park — a project approved by voters in the 2018 General Obligation Bond Election — in addition to adjacent street and Pathfinder Parkway Trail improvements utilizing funds from the 2017 G.O. Bond and the 2013 half-cent sales tax extension.
The project includes the installation of a decorative fence and entry lighting for Kiddie Park, a mill and overlay of the roadway along the east side of the park, an extension of the Pathfinder trail along the east side of the road and the installation of bollards along the sides of the roadway. The fencing and gates around the east half of Kiddie Park will be eight-foot decorative aluminum fencing, while the west half will be eight-foot chain-link.
According to Director of Engineering Micah Siemers, the project started out solely as replacement of the existing Kiddie Park perimeter fencing with a more decorative fence and an upgraded entryway. However, when staff began working on the project it was clear more needed to be done to improve pedestrian safety and aesthetics for the areas just outside the park. Funds were then identified for making some roadway improvements and extending the Pathfinder Parkway from an existing trailhead to a point further into Johnstone Park.
"The current configuration of the roadway and entrance into the Kiddie Park is troublesome at best," Siemers said. "Two way traffic and erratic parking on the east side of the road create the opportunity for pedestrian-vehicle conflicts when the Kiddie Park is active. The new configuration will provide one-way traffic from our new parking lot, located just south of the Kiddie Park, to a point where the road loops into Johnstone Park.
"There will be a series of decorative bollards that will separate the roadway from the Pathfinder extension as well to improve safety and provide an actual trail connection to Johnstone Park rather than the current configuration that essentially uses the road as Pathfinder. Not only will this project improve safety, but it will look a lot nicer than it does right now."
Siemers said the road is currently a combination of weathered asphalt and gravel.
"We hated to make the nice improvements to the Kiddie Park but still have a decomposing roadway running right past the gate," he said.
Siemers said work on the parking lot began last week.
Funding for the project comes from several sources, including 2018 General Obligation Bond funds for the fence upgrades, 2017 G.O. Bond street savings for the roadway portion of the project, and half-cent sales tax funds allocated for Pathfinder improvements as part of the 2013 half-cent sales tax extension.
The contract with Whaling Construction, a Bartlesville company, is $302,379. Work is expected to begin around the end of February to facilitate completion prior to the Kiddie Park opening for the season in May.
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Project update
Palmetto Drive Project gets OK from council
The City Council voted 5-0 to approve a contract for work on the Palmetto Drive Rehabilitation Project — an Oak Park street project that includes rehabilitating the pavement on Palmetto Drive from Sooner Road to Virginia Avenue.
The rehabilitation includes approximately 3,125 square yards of concrete panel replacement and 364 feet of curb and gutter replacement. The council approved a contract with KSL Dirt Works to complete work on the project at a cost of $276,045.
The project, which is one of the City's preventative maintenance projects approved as part of the 2018-19 Fiscal Year Capital Budget, utilizes savings from the 2014 issuance of the 2012 General Obligation Bond. A total of $350,000 is budgeted for the project.
Work on the project is set to begin in March.
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Project update
TCUS design plan is 60 percent complete
Committee discusses lighting, stage cover, water feature
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The Tower Green Design Committee met last week at City Hall to discuss design plans underway for the Tower Center at Unity Square project — a project included in the voter-approved 2018 General Obligation Bond Issue.
The $1.75 million project involves the construction of a community gathering space between the Bartlesville Community Center and the Price Tower. Silas Street in that area will be closed to accommodate the project.
Project architect Scott Ambler of Ambler Architects addressed the committee during the meeting, saying he wanted to update committee members on the design plan, which is currently about 60 percent complete.
The committee took no formal action during the meeting but discussed several items, including lighting, trees, the stage cover and parking. Highlights from the discussion include:
- The inclusion of 56 more parking spaces in the area than exist today
- The addition of 20 new, sizable trees
- The inclusion of a 30-foot by 60-foot stage cover
- An effort to utilize only plants native to Oklahoma
- Retaining the existing fountain, which is likely to include "bubblers" and LED lighting, retain statue
- Space to include pathway, ground and tree lighting in addition to ambient lighting from Price Tower and Community Center
- Electrical capacity will be available at the base of every tree
- Possible inclusion of copper and/or red stained concrete on the stage/stage cover
- Installation of electrical, water and storm water systems as well as internet capability
The committee also discussed ideas involving the future inclusion of a water feature at the space. The committee discussed but did not seek City Council approval to use funding allocated to install a splash pad at Johnstone Park for a water feature at Tower Center at Unity Square. However, the committee revisited the idea last week. Some committee members appeared to favor raising money separately for a water feature at the site, though seeking council approval to use the Johnstone Park funds remains a possibility. Vice Mayor and Committee Chair Alan Gentges suggested that some local groups have already donated or plan to donate to enhance the project — funds that could possibly be used for a water feature at the space. (Arvest Bank recently donated $10,000 for the Tower Center at Unity Square project.) Gentges also asked Ambler to compile a "list of wants" so all items on the table can be reviewed more in-depth.
The committee also discussed a possible date to hold a groundbreaking ceremony at the site. The ceremony will likely be held sometime during the last week of March. The date will be announced in
City Beat
, the City's website,
www.cityofbartlesville.org
,
Facebook
,
Twitter
and local media.
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Eastland Center parking lot revision underway; still no word on Popeye's
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What's going on in the Eastland Center parking lot?
Parking lot revisions, including the installation of several islands, are underway at the Eastland Shopping Center to facilitate the relocation of Big Lots to the former Hobby Lobby store location. Big Lots remains open at its current location at 3001 S.E. Frank Phillips Blvd. Hobby Lobby, of course, relocated some time ago to the southwest end of the shopping center.
Is Popeye's still coming?
The City of Bartlesville — including its economic development arm, the Bartlesville Development Authority — has no new information regarding the location of a Popeye's restaurant in Bartlesville. The restaurant is presumably still set for construction at the former Sooner Motel site on U.S. Highway 75.
City Beat readers may recall the BDA was authorized some time ago to reimburse the company for the demolition of the motel to make way for construction of the new restaurant. But those funds won't be released until the company obtains a Certificate of Occupancy from the City, which has not yet occurred.
This doesn't mean the company isn't making plans that the City and/or BDA are unaware of, but construction cannot start until the proper permits are obtained, and the City's Building and Permit Office has received no applications on behalf of the restaurant.
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All in the family
Randy Henry, right, retired recently after 32 years of service with the City of Bartlesville. Henry, along with his father, Gene Henry, center, and brother, Keith Henry, left, have a combined total of 110 years of service with the City.
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A reception was held recently for Waste Water Equipment Operator Randy Henry, right, who will retire from the City of Bartlesville on April 1. "We wish Randy well in this next chapter of his life and thank him for all his work for the City of Bartlesville," said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen, left.
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Randy Henry retires after 32 years
Waste Water Equipment Operator Randy Henry announced his retirement recently from the City of Bartlesville after 32 years of service.
Henry began his employment with the City in July 1987.
"Randy spent his entire tenure with the City at the Waste Water Maintenance Department and retired as an equipment operator," said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen. "He has a wonderful work ethic and tremendous knowledge of the sewer system. Randy is consistent and always conscientious about his work, and he will be missed."
Randy Henry isn't the only Henry to make a life-long career of serving the citizens of Bartlesville. His father, Gene Henry, retired in 2006 after 45 years of service — most recently as a construction inspector with the Engineering Department, and Randy's brother, Keith Henry, began working for the City in 1984 and currently serves as the Public Works director.
Randy Henry will retire effective April 1.
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Chews named EAC Employee of the Month
Blake, Bret Chew recognized for aiding family in lake incident
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Bartlesville Firefighters Bret Chew and Blake Chew have been named Employees of the Month by the City of Bartlesville Employee Advisory Committee.
According to a letter submitted to the EAC by Ryan L. Dingman, the father-son duo were spending the Christmas Eve holiday fishing with family on Oolagah Lake when calls went out regarding a boat that had sunk on the lake.
"The Chews were contacted with the location of the vessel, which happened to be less than a mile from their location," Dingman writes. "With no hesitation, they ended their fishing trip and went straight to the stranded family, who had managed to get mostly out of the 40-degree water and climb into a tree."
Dingman said the four victims were rescued by the Chews.
"This currently put nine people in their boat," Dingman said. "Another local fisherman arrived shortly after who took the four victims on his boat and back to the ramp where EMS crews were waiting.
"While there were several people and agencies involved I feel these men fulfilled their duty as firemen to the fullest by not hesitating to do whatever it took to rescue these victims while being off duty … I hope these men can get the recognition they deserve."
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Do you know a City of Bartlesville employee who deserves special recognition? Let the EAC know! Email your information to EAC@cityofbartlesville.org.
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City Manager Mike Bailey presents City of Bartlesville firefighters Bret Chew, above, and Blake Chew, below, with free movie tickets and a $25 Chili's gift card. Both firefighters were named the Employee Advisory Committee's Employee of the Month for February. They will also receive eight hours of special vacation.
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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 located
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 the following committee/board openings:
- Three openings on the Bartlesville Library Board
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Job Listing
The City of Bartlesville is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
Applications are being accepted for firefighter positions through Feb. 16. Applications for police officer positions are being accepted as well. See
www.cityofbartlesville.org
for more information.
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Do you have questions you would like to see answered or addressed in City Beat? Let us know! Email kwilliams@cityofbartlesville.org, attn. City Beat.
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Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918-338-4132
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