Council Goes Forward on Land Purchase
After much discussion, the Grove City Council voted 3-2 to continue to pursue 48 acres of land near the Grove Airport for future airport development. Councilors Dave Helms and Carolyn Nuckolls voted against the motion.
Last year the council had voted to proceed with application to the FAA for a grant to purchase 57 acres of land owned by Mike Prather but before the grant had become available the loan term expired. Prather has since sold about 10 acres of the land making the entire plan one that must begin again.
Everyone agreed that the city needs more land for economic development but could not promise that the land purchase would be used strictly for airport related industry. "It would not be honest to tell the FAA that the land will be used for airport use and then use it for non-aviation use," Mayor Nuckolls said.
The 48 acres still needs to be appraised and a new application filed with the FAA for 90% funding, if the purpose is to be for airport related industry. "But if GIDA wants to buy it, they should buy it, and not use smoke and mirrors," said one meeting attendee. City Manager Bill Galletly said GIDA has only $25,000 in the bank and could not afford any purchase at this time.
Galletly said "if we were to get the grant and acquire the property we would need to annex it and re-zone it to protect the investment for airport related business. Cost to the city would be about $12,000 although the exact purchase price is still unknown. "We need the land, but there is no way to predict the future and guarantee that it would be used for aviation related development," he said.
In other action, Council:
--Held a public hearing, with no discussion, on the Community Development Block Grant for expansion of Pride Plating.
--Named Jeff Stout "Employee of the Month." Stout has served seven years as Fire Marshall for the city and began his city employment 16 years ago as a street worker.
--Declared May 6 as White Cane Day in conjunction with the Lions Club humanitarian efforts in its work for the blind.
--Approved a contract for July 4 Fireworks Display in the amount of $13,500 with DDT Fireworks LLC of Adair, Ok.
--Approved a bid of $57,000 to APAC of Oklahoma for paving the parking lot at All-State Tank, using a grant of $44,690 from Grand Gateway. The difference will be paid by All-State Tank.
--Corrected a 1993 scrivener's error in a rezoning ordinance by adopting Ordinance No. 363 Nunc Pro Tunc (now for then).
--Voted to deny a tort claim from Tom M. Richards Sr. at the request of the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, the city's insurance carrier.
--Appointed Jean Bohannan to another five year term on the Library Board.
--Went into Executive Session to discuss the Grand Lake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #171 negotiations.
Last year the council had voted to proceed with application to the FAA for a grant to purchase 57 acres of land owned by Mike Prather but before the grant had become available the loan term expired. Prather has since sold about 10 acres of the land making the entire plan one that must begin again.
Everyone agreed that the city needs more land for economic development but could not promise that the land purchase would be used strictly for airport related industry. "It would not be honest to tell the FAA that the land will be used for airport use and then use it for non-aviation use," Mayor Nuckolls said.
The 48 acres still needs to be appraised and a new application filed with the FAA for 90% funding, if the purpose is to be for airport related industry. "But if GIDA wants to buy it, they should buy it, and not use smoke and mirrors," said one meeting attendee. City Manager Bill Galletly said GIDA has only $25,000 in the bank and could not afford any purchase at this time.
Galletly said "if we were to get the grant and acquire the property we would need to annex it and re-zone it to protect the investment for airport related business. Cost to the city would be about $12,000 although the exact purchase price is still unknown. "We need the land, but there is no way to predict the future and guarantee that it would be used for aviation related development," he said.
In other action, Council:
--Held a public hearing, with no discussion, on the Community Development Block Grant for expansion of Pride Plating.
--Named Jeff Stout "Employee of the Month." Stout has served seven years as Fire Marshall for the city and began his city employment 16 years ago as a street worker.
--Declared May 6 as White Cane Day in conjunction with the Lions Club humanitarian efforts in its work for the blind.
--Approved a contract for July 4 Fireworks Display in the amount of $13,500 with DDT Fireworks LLC of Adair, Ok.
--Approved a bid of $57,000 to APAC of Oklahoma for paving the parking lot at All-State Tank, using a grant of $44,690 from Grand Gateway. The difference will be paid by All-State Tank.
--Corrected a 1993 scrivener's error in a rezoning ordinance by adopting Ordinance No. 363 Nunc Pro Tunc (now for then).
--Voted to deny a tort claim from Tom M. Richards Sr. at the request of the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, the city's insurance carrier.
--Appointed Jean Bohannan to another five year term on the Library Board.
--Went into Executive Session to discuss the Grand Lake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #171 negotiations.
posted by Editor | 1:10 AM
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