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In a first for the state, the City of Bartlesville has been selected to receive the Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious George F. Ames PICES Award for its water reuse system project, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said this week.

"The EPA accepts nominations nationally for several annual awards including the 'Exceptional Project' category, which is what we have been selected to receive," Lauritsen said. "The nomination is based on the City's funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and an evaluation of the project's ability to meet certain criteria. The award we have received for the water reuse project is for 'Excellence in Problem Solving.'"

The EPA also issues excellence awards for Innovative Financing, System Partnerships, Community Engagement, and Environmental and Public Health Protection. Nationally, 27 state entries were submitted to the EPA for PISCES Award consideration, with only five being selected as "exceptional," OWRB Marketing & Outreach Manager Tonya White said. White helped coordinate information for the City's nomination for the EPA award.

"In April, I reached out to Mr. Terry Lauritsen to provide background information, system details and one-on-one communication in understanding the uniqueness of this particular project," said White. "Terry’s time and input was essential in the development of the 2021 PISCES Nomination Form. Congratulations to you and those involved in the recognition of your forward thinking and creative approach. This national platform will expose other systems to solutions which may not have been previously considered."

The project is expected to cost upwards of $8.2 million, including funds already spent on right of way property, a feasibility study and improvements to the Caney River Pump Station. The City has utilized grants and low-interest loans through the OWRB's State Revolving Fund to pay for the system, which will be repaid with Water Capital Investment Fees.

For more information, see Water Reuse Report January 2022.

The Bartlesville Police Department has a new Mobile Command Unit thanks to a donation by Phillips 66. Ann Oglesby, Phillips 66 vice president, Energy Research & Innovation, left, and Mike Stewart, Manager, Bartlesville Facilities, right, presented the vehicle to BPD Capts. Kelley Thomas, second from left, and Kevin Ickleberry last month. "We are thankful to Phillips 66 and their kind and generous donation," said Police Chief Tracy Roles. "The BPD plans to use the donation as a Mobile Command Unit. The MCU will be utilized during major incidents in Bartlesville and to aid surrounding agencies. We are excited for this opportunity to have an additional tool to help keep the citizens of our wonderful community safe, and we are so very thankful for the tremendous partnership with Phillips 66."

Lights for two City park facilities are set for installation this summer after 16 lights and poles were salvaged from the Price Fields Renovation Project.

Twelve of the lights will be installed at Robinwood Soccer Fields, located at 2200 S.E. Frank Phillips Blvd., and four will be placed at the City Skate Park, located in the Lee Lake Complex on Adams Boulevard east of Silver Lake Road.

"We were able to salvage 16 athletic field light poles with metal halide fixtures from the Price Fields Renovation Project, and we're planning to repurpose that equipment at the Robinwood Soccer Fields and the City Skate Park," said Director of Engineering Micah Siemers. "We have had multiple requests for lighting at these facilities, so this is no doubt welcome news.

"We're working on the design now and hope to advertise for bids for construction by mid-February. If all goes well, installation could begin by late spring or early summer."

The Highway 123 Bridge replacement is an Oklahoma Department of Transportation project, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration. The project involves removing the current bridge, located over the Caney River on State Highway 123 (also known as Hensley Boulevard), and constructing a new bridge east of the current bridge to align the bridge intersection at Hensley and Delaware Avenue.

ODOT opened bids on the project in November 2021 and have awarded the contract to BECCO Contractors. Construction is anticipated to begin sometime this spring, possibly in May. ODOT has not provided a set start date yet, but ODOT staff is reportedly in the process of working with BECCO to finalize the construction schedule. City staff are in communication with ODOT about the project and will provide more information as soon as a start date is determined. Follow City Beat for updates on this project.

Almost. The project, approved by voters in the City's Half-cent Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) Sales Tax Election, consists of upgrading 1,707 auditorium seats at the BCC. The seats are being installed in sections, 300 seats at a time. Contract crews are installing another round this week, so two more rounds are expected to wrap up the project. Total completion of the project is targeted for early March.

In celebration of Valentine's Week, the City-owned Bartlesville Area History Museum will host a special event — "Date Night on the Interurban" — from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 17. The event will be held at the museum, located on the fifth floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave., and will be themed around the Interurban Railway. A period-accurate meal will be served, and Pioneer Gallery will be adorned with vintage-inspired decorations for Valentine’s. Attendees can take in the special exhibit, “End of the Line: The Short Life of Bartlesville’s Interurban Railway.”

Tickets for the event are $15.05 and must be purchased by Feb. 13. See details on the "Events" tab of the Bartlesville Area History Museum Facebook page. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. For more information, contact the museum at 918.338.4290 or [email protected].

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.

For more information, visit the City's website, www.cityofbartlesville.org.

For an application or more information, visit the City's website, www.cityofbartlesville.org.

Do you have questions you would like to see answered or addressed in City Beat? Let us know! Email [email protected], attn. City Beat.

Kelli Williams, Editor

401 S. Johnstone Ave.

Bartlesville, OK 74003

918.338.4132