Shawnee city commissioners approved support for an interchange at Bryan Street and Interstate 40 this week, but Mayor Linda Peterson said the city is willing to help residents in the affected area who still have concerns.
Peterson told City Manager Brian McDougal that as a result of some of the issues that were raised during a Feb. 23 public hearing regarding the interchange, as well as phone calls and e-mails received by her and other commissioners, she believed the city manager should work with the public to answer their questions.
“We need to funnel them to you to mitigate the issues,” she said to the city manager.
Several residents who spoke during the hearing said they were concerned they might lose their homes or property when the interchange is constructed. Others who voiced concerns said they feared for the safety of their children if high traffic resulted from the introduction of an interchange.
Still others were concerned that vandalism or theft could become an issue when more people begin entering the area as a result of “opening up” Bryan Street for the interchange.
McDougal said he was willing to meet the request of the mayor and help direct those with inquiries to the appropriate sources if unable to answer the questions himself.
However, he said that there “has not been a lot of communication my direction, for or against the interchange.”
Commissioners also learned from McDougal that testing of some water meters around town began this week. The meters will be studied to see if the city could save money and water if it were to invest in new meters.
The meters were set to be pulled Monday but replacement meters hadn’t arrived from the vendor, causing contractors to wait before removing the old ones, McDougal said.
Testing should take several weeks, and McDougal said city staff would “probably see something in April” regarding the results of the meter study.
City Commissioner John Winterringer said the idea of having digital meters that can electronically transmit data, including possible leaks at residences, seemed to him to be a positive move for the city to make.
“If I have a leak and they tell me the same or next day, that’s a good thing,” Winterringer said. “I can save money immediately by getting it repaired before I lose a lot of water. I think this shows the city is taking action to conserve water.”
Winterringer said he and other commissioners will have more questions about the meters “as we get closer” to make certain the meters will benefit the city and its citizens.
In addition to possible new meters for the city, citizens could see a change in their trash service, depending on the results of bids received for the city’s waste removal contract.
The bids went out several days ago and are due back March 15.
Vice Mayor Pam Stephens said she has military orders to be out of the country around the time that the bids should be received but that she would like to see some presentations given by potential contractors before the commission makes a final selection.
She also stressed that she wanted to be involved in the voting process.
Commissioner Carl Holt said he agreed Stephens should be at the meeting the night commissioners approve the award of a contract bid.
“I think it’s important that every one of us is here,” Holt said.
As for negotiations regarding the bid awarded for work at the terminal building of the airport, McDougal said he had “not heard back from the architects regarding the final points.”
Lighting was the high-ticket item included in the bid, the city manager said. However, city staff is considering alternative vending options to bring that cost down, he said.
McDougal also told commissioners some of the funding for the parking area and driveway at the terminal would come from the city’s Streets Department.
Commissioner Frank Sims said he understood that costs should be kept as low as possible but requested from the city that they “just don’t compromise the vision.”
For information regarding future Shawnee City Commission meetings, call the city manager’s office at 878-1601 or visit www.shawneeok.org.
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Johnna Ray may be reached at 214-3934.
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Shawnee city commissioners approved support for an interchange at Bryan Street and Interstate 40 this week, but Mayor Linda Peterson said the city is willing to help residents in the affected area who still have concerns.
Peterson told City Manager Brian McDougal that as a result of some of the issues that were raised during a Feb. 23 public hearing regarding the interchange, as well as phone calls and e-mails received by her and other commissioners, she believed the city manager should work with the public to answer their questions.
“We need to funnel them to you to mitigate the issues,” she said to the city manager.
Several residents who spoke during the hearing said they were concerned they might lose their homes or property when the interchange is constructed. Others who voiced concerns said they feared for the safety of their children if high traffic resulted from the introduction of an interchange.
Still others were concerned that vandalism or theft could become an issue when more people begin entering the area as a result of “opening up” Bryan Street for the interchange.
McDougal said he was willing to meet the request of the mayor and help direct those with inquiries to the appropriate sources if unable to answer the questions himself.
However, he said that there “has not been a lot of communication my direction, for or against the interchange.”
Commissioners also learned from McDougal that testing of some water meters around town began this week. The meters will be studied to see if the city could save money and water if it were to invest in new meters.
The meters were set to be pulled Monday but replacement meters hadn’t arrived from the vendor, causing contractors to wait before removing the old ones, McDougal said.
Testing should take several weeks, and McDougal said city staff would “probably see something in April” regarding the results of the meter study.
City Commissioner John Winterringer said the idea of having digital meters that can electronically transmit data, including possible leaks at residences, seemed to him to be a positive move for the city to make.
“If I have a leak and they tell me the same or next day, that’s a good thing,” Winterringer said. “I can save money immediately by getting it repaired before I lose a lot of water. I think this shows the city is taking action to conserve water.”
Winterringer said he and other commissioners will have more questions about the meters “as we get closer” to make certain the meters will benefit the city and its citizens.
In addition to possible new meters for the city, citizens could see a change in their trash service, depending on the results of bids received for the city’s waste removal contract.
The bids went out several days ago and are due back March 15.
Vice Mayor Pam Stephens said she has military orders to be out of the country around the time that the bids should be received but that she would like to see some presentations given by potential contractors before the commission makes a final selection.
She also stressed that she wanted to be involved in the voting process.
Commissioner Carl Holt said he agreed Stephens should be at the meeting the night commissioners approve the award of a contract bid.
“I think it’s important that every one of us is here,” Holt said.
As for negotiations regarding the bid awarded for work at the terminal building of the airport, McDougal said he had “not heard back from the architects regarding the final points.”
Lighting was the high-ticket item included in the bid, the city manager said. However, city staff is considering alternative vending options to bring that cost down, he said.
McDougal also told commissioners some of the funding for the parking area and driveway at the terminal would come from the city’s Streets Department.
Commissioner Frank Sims said he understood that costs should be kept as low as possible but requested from the city that they “just don’t compromise the vision.”
For information regarding future Shawnee City Commission meetings, call the city manager’s office at 878-1601 or visit www.shawneeok.org.
———
Johnna Ray may be reached at 214-3934.
