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Record of Proceedings

McAlester City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyMcalester, Oklahoma
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:16

We have Mother Jane here to do our invitational plate.

Speaker 2

0:24

Let us pray.

0:26

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon these who hold office in McAllister, the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people through Jesus Christ our Lord.

0:42

Amen.

0:44

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

Speaker 1

1:02

Then I have the land acknowledgement.

1:04

The Choclound Nation Reservation is located within the original home land of the Caddo and Wichita peoples.

1:08

The Pawnee and Eric Car have ancestral ties here.

Unassigned speaker

1:11

The

Speaker 1

1:11

Shawnee and Quapah established settlements in this region during the 1700s and early 1800s, while the Osage and Kiowa visited the area.

1:18

The Quapal tribe ceded this land by treaty to the United States before it was later ceded to the Choctaw Nation.

1:23

Shortly after being the first to endure the Trail of Tears and Death, the Choctaw people arrived here, followed by the Chickasaw who lived among them before moving further west.

1:30

Through this acknowledgement, we remember those who came before us, honor the sovereignty and traditions of the native peoples who remain connected to this land to commit ourselves to respect the partnership of indigenous communities, past, present, and future.

Speaker 3

1:50

Here

Unassigned speaker

1:52

about

Speaker 3

1:52

right

Speaker 1

1:53

here,

Speaker 3

1:53

Bady Mayor.

Speaker 1

1:55

Here and we have a quorum.

2:00

Whereas early childhood literacy provides a stronger foundation for lifelong learning and academic achievement and future success.

2:07

Whereas reading with children from an early age helps build language skills, encourages imagination, strengthens family connection, and helps repair children to enter school ready to learn.

2:16

Whereas access to age appropriate books in the home gives families additional opportunities to make reading a regular part of everyday life.

2:23

Whereas Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides enrolled children from birth to the age five with new age appropriate book each month at no cost to their families.

2:32

Whereas the availability of the Imagination Library to families in the calester community supports local efforts to encourage reading, strengthen early childhood development, and expand access to books for young children.

2:43

Whereas if the success of literary early literacy initiatives uh depend on the continued support of parent caregivers, educators, community organizers, and local partners committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.

2:56

Whereas investigating investing in the educational foundation of Calester's youngest residents, strengthen families, schools, and the future of the entire community.

3:07

Now therefore, I just a few men of the city of McCallester do hereby proclaim September 25th, 925.

3:13

Uh, as Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pittsburgh County Day in the city of McAllister encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to read with young children, support early literacy efforts and to help connect eligible McAllister families with opportunities to place books on the hands in homes of children throughout our community.

3:30

All right, I think we have some

Speaker 4

3:33

early readers.

Speaker 1

3:34

Some early readers here for a picture.

Speaker 3

3:47

Go on there with Mayor.

Speaker 4

3:54

I was going to say

Speaker 5

4:03

to you.

Speaker 1

4:03

All right, come on in.

Speaker 5

4:08

Do you need a book?

4:10

Well, you know, it should come here.

4:11

No,

Unassigned speaker

4:12

no.

Speaker 5

4:19

Okay.

4:22

All right, everybody.

4:26

Three.

Speaker 4

4:42

You can take the book that's with you that you had, you can take it home with you.

4:44

Miss Dolly has sent those to all of us.

4:48

Yes.

Speaker 5

4:52

Oh, you want to go up there?

4:53

You want to be on city council?

Speaker 1

5:08

Move on to citizens' comments on non-agenda items.

5:11

Business may address the council regarding an item that's not listed on the regular agenda.

5:15

Residents must provide their name address any more number.

5:17

Council request comments be limited to five minutes.

5:19

We didn't have anybody sign up.

5:22

No one here to speak.

5:24

All right, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

5:26

All matters listed on the consent agenda, considered routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion.

5:30

There will not be separate discussion of these items.

5:33

That item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately.

5:36

Does anybody think anything pulled?

5:39

All right, I'll take a motion to approve items A through I.

5:43

Motion Councilor Boatright second counselor Beatty.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Cemetery Management██████████████████████████26%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Native American Affairs███3%
Public Safety███3%
Public Engagement██2%
Transportation Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

McAlester City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

The McAlester City Council held its regular meeting on September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Justin Few presided with all council members present. The meeting began with a proclamation declaring September 25, 2026 as Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pittsburgh County Day in McAlester, followed by early literacy recognition with children. No public comments were made on non-agenda items. The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, held a public hearing on cemetery fees, and took action on nine scheduled business items. Key discussions included a $999,721.03 bid for the 6th Street Reconstruction Project, multiple utility infrastructure contracts, and a tabled ordinance to increase cemetery service fees.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the August 25, 2026 Regular Workshop and Regular Council Meeting.
  • Approved claims for August 19, 2026 through September 1, 2026.
  • Authorized the Mayor to sign a resolution for Supplement No. 9 to the McAlester City Code of Ordinances.
  • Concurred with the Mayor's appointments of Steve Harrison (term to expire July 31, 2029) and Kaleb Swboni (term to expire July 31, 2028) to the McAlester Park Board.
  • Indefinitely postponed Tort Claims No. 219163-1-KH, No. 219163-2-KH, and No. 219212-1-LN.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public signed up to speak on non-agenda items. During the public hearing on the cemetery fee ordinance, no one from the audience offered testimony, and the hearing was closed without comment.

Discussion Items

  1. 6th Street Reconstruction Project Phase 1 – Public Works Director Tommy Hill presented the bid from S3 Construction LLC in the amount of $999,721.03. Staff recalculated unit prices and found S3 beat the next lowest bidder (D. Kerns) by $3.75. The project covers from Carl Albert Parkway to just south of the railroad tracks. Utility work (water lines) by ISG and the Choctaw Nation was completed ahead of schedule. Construction is expected to start in 2–3 weeks after contract execution.
  2. Fire Engine Radios – Assistant Fire Chief Benny Brooks requested approval for Muskogee Communication to install new radios in the 2026 fire engine for $3,114, funded by the county quarter excise tax for fire services. Approved unanimously.
  3. Firefighting Bunker Gear – Brooks also requested $13,145 from the same fund for bunker gear (boots, coats, pants) for three new hires, fitted individually. Approved unanimously.
  4. East Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan Amendment 1 – Interim Utilities Director Jared Cottle explained this is a follow-up task order (amendment to Work Order 2502311) for Garver LLC, increasing the total from $14,000 to $130,000. The study is required under a DEQ consent order and will evaluate the east plant's needs, including a combined single plant option versus separate plants. Timeline: report due by end of 2026. Council discussed cost comparisons and environmental permitting for creek flows. Approved unanimously.
  5. Flocculator Replacement Project Completion – Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Luke Anderson reported the project by Machining & Valve Automation Services, LLC was completed in five days. The upgrade allows lower VFD hertz and power savings. Water loss was minimized (drained ~750,000 gallons instead of 1.25 million gallons). Final payment of $36,930 authorized. Approved unanimously.
  6. Wallace Development Hydraulic Analysis – Jared Cottle presented a $15,000 work order for Infrastructure Solutions Group to analyze water distribution needs along Peaceable Road, anticipating development and possible takeover of a rural water district. The analysis will use the city's water model to recommend pipe sizes. Approved unanimously.
  7. Water Treatment Plant Facilities Plan – Cottle presented a $149,207 agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. This three-part study will: (1) assess long-term plant capacity and unit capacities; (2) optimize chemical usage through operational analysis; (3) develop a solids management plan for sludge disposal. Jacobs has operational expertise and will provide three data points (local vendor recommendations, global best practices, and their own analysis). Approved unanimously.
  8. TH Rogers Canal Repair Project Completion – Environmental Resources Manager Sophia West reported the project by Drake's Construction, LLC was completed and final inspection passed. Final payment of $8,910 authorized. Approved unanimously.
  9. Cemetery Fee Ordinance – Community Services Director Doug Basinger presented the ordinance amending Chapter 26 (Cemeteries) and Chapter 48 (Fees) to increase fees, as recommended by the Cemetery Board. Key changes: opening/closing fees from $400 to $800 (doubled); lot fees nearly doubled; disinterment and overtime fees increased; Babyland (children under 5) remains free. Councilor Woodley expressed concern about the magnitude of the increase, particularly the opening/closing fee, stating it “kicks them when the family's down.” She suggested incremental increases or CPI adjustments instead of a sharp rise. Basinger noted the city's fees are still at or below comparables from other cities and private cemeteries like Memory Gardens. Discussion included operational costs (equipment, labor, jackhammering rocks). Council decided to table the ordinance to gather more data on comparables and consider incremental increases. The Cemetery Board meets every two months (next likely in October/November), but a special meeting could be called. The item was tabled without a vote.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent agenda items and scheduled business items (1–8) were approved unanimously by voice vote (council members present: Boatright, Beatty, Woodley, Stone, Wansick, Mayor Few).
  • The cemetery fee ordinance (Item 9) was tabled pending further review of fee comparables and consideration of incremental increases or CPI-based adjustments. Council requested staff bring back data at a future meeting.
  • The meeting then convened as the McAlester Airport Authority, McAlester Public Works Authority, and McAlester Economic Development Authority, each approving their minutes from August 25, 2026, and concurring with the City Council's action on Consent Agenda Item C (claims). The Public Works Authority additionally concurred with City Council Items 4, 5, 6, and 7. All motions carried unanimously.
  • City Manager Ken Wimer praised the utilities crew for handling five major water line breaks over the weekend in extreme heat. He announced a vacation absence (Sherri Swift acting city manager until Monday, then Windy Night through the following Friday).
  • Councilor Stone reported a positive comparison to roads in Lansing, Michigan, and reminded the public of the Free Fair and a quilt fundraiser.
  • Mayor Few acknowledged ongoing traffic issues at the Highway 7 group and stated the city is working on long-term solutions for that intersection.

Meeting Transcript

We have Mother Jane here to do our invitational plate. Let us pray. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon these who hold office in McAllister, the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. Then I have the land acknowledgement. The Choclound Nation Reservation is located within the original home land of the Caddo and Wichita peoples. The Pawnee and Eric Car have ancestral ties here. The Shawnee and Quapah established settlements in this region during the 1700s and early 1800s, while the Osage and Kiowa visited the area. The Quapal tribe ceded this land by treaty to the United States before it was later ceded to the Choctaw Nation. Shortly after being the first to endure the Trail of Tears and Death, the Choctaw people arrived here, followed by the Chickasaw who lived among them before moving further west. Through this acknowledgement, we remember those who came before us, honor the sovereignty and traditions of the native peoples who remain connected to this land to commit ourselves to respect the partnership of indigenous communities, past, present, and future. Here about right here, Bady Mayor. Here and we have a quorum. Whereas early childhood literacy provides a stronger foundation for lifelong learning and academic achievement and future success. Whereas reading with children from an early age helps build language skills, encourages imagination, strengthens family connection, and helps repair children to enter school ready to learn. Whereas access to age appropriate books in the home gives families additional opportunities to make reading a regular part of everyday life. Whereas Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides enrolled children from birth to the age five with new age appropriate book each month at no cost to their families. Whereas the availability of the Imagination Library to families in the calester community supports local efforts to encourage reading, strengthen early childhood development, and expand access to books for young children. Whereas if the success of literary early literacy initiatives uh depend on the continued support of parent caregivers, educators, community organizers, and local partners committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading. Whereas investigating investing in the educational foundation of Calester's youngest residents, strengthen families, schools, and the future of the entire community. Now therefore, I just a few men of the city of McCallester do hereby proclaim September 25th, 925. Uh, as Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pittsburgh County Day in the city of McAllister encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to read with young children, support early literacy efforts and to help connect eligible McAllister families with opportunities to place books on the hands in homes of children throughout our community. All right, I think we have some early readers. Some early readers here for a picture. Go on there with Mayor. I was going to say to you. All right, come on in. Do you need a book? Well, you know, it should come here. No, no. Okay. All right, everybody. Three. You can take the book that's with you that you had, you can take it home with you. Miss Dolly has sent those to all of us. Yes. Oh, you want to go up there? You want to be on city council? Move on to citizens' comments on non-agenda items. Business may address the council regarding an item that's not listed on the regular agenda. Residents must provide their name address any more number.

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