Parham: I'm Done Trying to Fire Galletly

"I am done trying to fire Galletly," Larry Parham told The Observer this week. "We need to make the city whole again, get over this, and wait for the April elections," he said.

But at Tuesday night's City Council meeting the gloves came off as he took city manager Bill Galletly to task for not readily providing him contracts from APAC Construction on the 18th street bike path, which he says was built without Council approval; his denial of a request to place on the Agenda the matter of termination of Galletly, and Parham's direct dealings with several city employees, which is against state statute Title 11 Section 10-107.

As to the legality of the bike path construction, Acting City Attorney Ron Cates said he had not read the contracts and could not offer a legal opinion until he had an opportunity to read them.

Galletly said the explanation was simple: A previously approved bike path at a cost of $161,000, based on concrete and extending down Shundi to 9th street, was removed at his request when the construction bid came in at more than $500,000 over engineer's estimates. The bid for construction was "quantity bid" and included X tons of asphalt some of which was leftover from the roadway portion so the decision to use the leftover amount on the bike path was made. The asphalt pathway is on 18th street only and cost $48,000 and "we are still $29,000 under the bid and the entire project is finished."
Parham and Councilman Gary Bishop are upset that they were not given the opportunity to OK the asphalt path.
Cates said "we have an issue, perceived differently, and it needs to be reviewed as to whether the bike path construction is lawful or unlawful" and said he would review the documents and offer a legal opinion. Council then approved the Purchase Order Register with the exception of payments of $54,441 and $995 for the 18th street construction project.

Last week Parham went to City Hall and demanded that the matter of employment issues of Galletly be put on the Agenda for Executive Session, a meeting which involved City Clerk Bonnie Buzzard, who works for Galletly, not the Council. Buzzard was put in the middle of a volatile situation which upset her to the point of having to take two days of sick leave.
According to state statute, only the City Manager and City Treasurer report to Council; "Council and its members may not give orders on ordinary administrative matters to any subordinates of the city manager either publicly or privately." (Title 11, Sec 10-107, Limitation of Council Authority).
Galletly said "we have a policy for issuing information. People who wish information file a written request with the receptionist who in turn gives it to the City Clerk and City Manager who respond with the information. One cannot just walk into employee's offices and demand they stop work and answer their request. This policy came about a couple of years ago after the Earl Shero matter," Galletly said.
Galletly suggested that the council and city staff have a joint work session to work out these issues for the future and Council agreed.
On June 6 Council voted 5-0 to terminate Galletly as City Manager but rescinded the vote Aug. 4 since they could not agree on the third version of a consulting contract offered to Galletly. At issue was a "hold harmless" clause in this contract.

Council went into Executive Session at 8:19 p.m. on the matter of litigation from Gary Metcalf v. City of Grove and came out at 8:52 p.m., taking no action on the issue.

In other Council action Tuesday night,
--the winning entry in the city Flag Contest was selected (see separate story)
--deleted the matter of entering into negotiations with GRDA for long-term land lease agreement.
--approved a Bonfire for Sept. 28 for Grove High School Student Council, provided the current burn ban is no longer in effect.
--approved fees of $5,440 to LandPlan Consultants for Grove Streetscape Phase 2 work with ODOT.
--heard an update from Precision Communications regarding a new wi-fi system (see separate story)
--denied a tort claim from Sherri Alberin who slipped in the city's swimming pool.
--denied a request from Sheep Shed Ministries for waiver of Civic Center fees; however Councilman Gary Bishop offered to pay the fee of $500 for the group, with Councilman Parham then offering to pay half of the $500.
--approved a street closing request to the Grove Chamber of Commerce for Sept 14 Cruise Nite.
--heard from Allied Waste Services regarding contract revisions on trash pickup (see separate story)
--moved the location of the new Verizon Cell Tower due to problems in acquiring the land at the previously approved location, with the new tower now planned to be built on city owned property.
--tabled action on a request from former city attorney Dorothy Parker for payment of her legal expenses in conjunction with the Grand Jury investigation last June.
--authorized the Mayor to sign a grant agreement with FAA for land purchase at the Grove airport.

Trash Pickup Issue Put on Fastrack

Representatives of Allied Services, Inc. of Galena, KS pretty much gave the City Council a trashy ultimatum at Tuesday night's meeting: Pay more for half the service, or say goodbye effective Oct. 1.
However City Attorney Ron Cates said their current contract does not allow for such changes and a new contract would be required. "The existing contract may only be adjusted 3% upwards and the company should have given the city 60 days notice prior to Sept. 3," he said. "You have changed the deal and we need to re-bid," he added.

So now the issue is on a fast track with Council, which must make decisions quickly or the city may be faced with no trash pickup Oct. 1.

Wayne Crouse, owner of Jerry's Dock Service, went into the trash collection business two years ago and said he could provide the service at less cost than Allied Services "because they have huge overhead, insurance expenses, corporate shareholders and heavy executive payroll." Crouse said he has already been given loan approval by a local bank to acquire additional trucks and can have 500 commercial containers here in 30 days. He said the income from his service would remain in this area and not be exported to Nashville and other cities where Allied has offices.

Allied had proposed an increase to $9.02 per month per residence for once weekly service, or $14.50 per month per residence for twice weekly service.
Council voted 5-0 to direct staff to seek other bids and not accept the Allied Services proposal. Galletly said they would be working on it "tomorrow morning."

Observations...

Why are Grove's gasoline prices so much higher than Joplin, Bartlesville or Tulsa? We've watched this phenomenon all summer with Grove prices as much as 20 cents higher per gallon. It continues, with prices in Grove at $2.85 Wednesday (down from $2.99) with Tulsa's at $2.74. We've noticed that prices here jump up quickly, but come down very slowly…This Week's Rumor Department: Rumor #1: The City Manager has started work on the proposed cemetery location north of the city even though Council has not voted on a site as yet.
Answer: A concrete pad is being built for the Grove Police Dept at its pistol range, near the proposed North cemetery site.
Rumor #2: The city manager opposes Chili's restaurant coming to town. Answer: He is actually working to bring Chili's to Grove plus another chain restaurant.
If you have Rumors you want checked out, please send your Rumor to Rumor Manager, The Grove Observer, at groveobserver@yahoo.com…

GIDA, Council, Updated on Wi-Fi System

Three months ago Troy Kyman, head of Precision Communications in Grove, came to Council to advise he would be constructing a new high speed wireless system for the Grand Lake area, to be up and running sometime in August.
Tuesday night he briefed the Grove Municipal Services Authority board and City Council on the progress.
"The 5.8 ghz system is up and running and we are taking subscriptions now; the 900 mghz system will be up within 7-10 days," he said. The 5.8 sytem will cost $35.50 a month, the 900 system $39.50 a month, with speeds up to 3 mgb up and down available at additional cost.
"We can make it as fast as customers want it," he told the groups, although the normal speed will be around 750 up and down. Free dial up service comes with the wireless product, he said. The 900 system is still undergoing tests and problems have come up with RF interference, but equipment has been ordered to take care of that problem, Kyman said.
Two additional towers are in the construction process, with a Center tower already working, he said.
At the Council meeting, City Manager Bill Galletly praised Kyman for his work in developing a much needed system for Grove and the Grand Lake area. "He stepped up and is providing a good thing," Galletly said.
The 900 system blasts through trees while the 5.8 system is line of sight; customers will be fitted with the system that best works for their individual locations. Kyman said he eventually plans to build "hot spots" at the Civic Center and state parks for laptop connections. The system will also offer voice over internet service.

GMSA Board OK's Engineering Study

Grove Municipal Services Authority board members were split 3-2 this week over whether to authorize an engineering study for $44,000 to expand water service south of Honey Creek which would also include an examination of the current water treatment facilities and a new water tank. Voting nay were Craig Criger and Carolyn Nuckolls.
"We cannot keep up the water pressure now, at Buffalo Shores South and other areas south of the bridge and we need additional facilities," City Manager Bill Galletly said at the meeting. "We are addressing current issues and making an investment in the future."
Galletly told the board "we are dealing with a high growth environment."

Tim McCrary of Rose &McCrary Engineers addressed the group; a previous study in 2002 done by Crafton & Tull has been provided to GMSA and Archer, but a new study is necessary which will be more comprehensive, the board was advised. McCrary said his firm could do the work "but I'm not here to squabble; I can't compete with Archer as I have only 13 employees."

In other action the board:
--approved a settlement of a tort claim by Pete Crow, Grove Sun Daily, in the amount of $2,509 for water damages due to a faulty valve.
--rejected bids for construction of a water/gas/sewer lines to four hangars at the Grove airport; low bid was $212,389. A city estimate was $50,000. One of the hangar owners, Larry Parham, said the four owners would probably get together and dig a trench and co-op the work with the city, and install a grinder pump unit.
--approved a bid for $29,188 for a new tractor for the maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant.
--voted to retain an engineer for $15,000 to $20,000 to draft and get approval for a sludge management plant from the wastewater treatment plant. The city currently takes the sludge to Kansas and dumps it; with the new facilities the city can treat the sludge, bag it and sell it for flower beds. The end product is the same thing sold in stores as top soil.
--approved the use of ductile liner instead of PVC pipe, the result in a change ordered by ODOT for the increased depth of a water line for the downtown project.
City Manager Bill Galletly reported that the voluntary reduction in water use has worked and the city has adequate fire protection now; the voluntary request will continue for the time being.

Brogden Appointed to Airport Trust Board

Bob Brogden, Grove Businessman, was nominated to the Grove Municipal Airport Trust Authority board by Mayor Carolyn Nuckolls this week, replacing Gary Tripensee, whose term expires Aug. 31. However, a second appointment will need to be made, as Max Schuermann resigned at Monday's board meeting saying he was moving out of Delaware County.
City Council approved the Brogden appointment by a vote of 3-2, with Councilors Gary Bishop and Larry Parham voting nay.
In addition to Tripensee, Mike Jacobs, president of Jacobs Manufacturing Corporation based near the airport, applied for the position. Terms of service are for four years.
The new appointments will drastically alter the makeup of the airport board, which has been a source of irritation the past year over transfer of property to the city. Last fiscal year the board spent $9,176 in legal fees fighting with the city.
Councilman Larry Parham said "I am amazed that someone with years of experience in purchases of more than $1 million would not be appointed," referring to Tripensee.

City Flag Contest Winner Picked

Grove now has an official city flag, thanks to the efforts of local citizen Connie Brewer, who came up with the idea of a city flag contest several months ago.
City Council voted the winning flag from five finalists at Tuesday's meeting, shown here.
The winning design was from Carl Fowler, owner of a Kansas City graphics design firm, who heard about the contest. Originally from Carl Junction, Mo. Fowler spent a lot of time on Grand Lake in previous years while growing up.
The city will now solicit bids from several flag makers on a 3x5 foot flag which can be purchased by local businesses and residents. It eventually may be on the front of tee shirts as well.

P&Z Changes Waiting on Council

Photo at right illustrates some of the proposed changes in city ordinances which would prevent this type of clutter. This Grove residence has a travel trailer, a seadoo, abandoned truck and a sailboat all parked in the backyard, exposed to street traffic and neighbors.
A joint Council/P&Z Meeting to review the proposed changes was cancelled and now Council awaits the entire package of changes.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV)

It was only $6.30.

It would have put about two gallons of gas in my vehicle—depending on the whim of whomever decides to raise or lower gas prices on any given day. But it wasn’t my money.

Oh, I had it in my possession. It was weighing down my billfold. More precisely, it was weighing on my heart.

I was in a hurry—who isn’t these days? I had paid for some photos at a local store and stuffed the change in my billfold without thinking. I was leaving town for the weekend and I couldn’t wait to get to the lake where I craved solitary time with the Lord.

I was probably five minutes out of town when I realized that I had received too much change. As I recalled the exchange with the young photo clerk, I remembered him counting out my money. It suddenly dawned on me what he had done.

Instead of giving me the correct change out of a $10 bill, he had actually given me the amount I owed for the photos. Neither one of us had caught the mistake. Both of us probably had our minds on weekend plans. I certainly did.

It was five days later before I found the time to return to the store. I asked to speak to the manager. When I told him my story, he checked the records and confirmed that the register had been $6.30 short that day. I opened my billfold and counted out six $1 bills and 30 cents in change.

Two other store employees, who witnessed our conversation, were amazed that I had returned to correct the mistake. One said, “Most people wouldn’t have bothered.”

In the past, I didn’t bother. I figured it was the store’s loss and my gain when I was given too much change at the time of a purchase. I didn’t feel convicted to fix the oversight.

But that was before I knew my savior personally. When you enter into a relationship with the Lord, your whole outlook changes. You come to a place within yourself where you know that you have to please Him. Nothing else matters.

I was listening to one of my favorite TV pastors the other day. One of the things she mentioned was our duty to please the Lord. Duty? I had never thought of it as a duty.

I turned to my dictionary where I looked up the definition of “duty” and its synonyms. Duty means responsibility. Other words that mean the same include assignment, commission, commitment, mission, obligation, service, task and undertaking.

We have a responsibility to God. You may consider it mere pocket change. He sees it as your mission to live your life for Him.

Are you living out your life for Him? It’s your duty, you know.


Carol Round is a retired Jay High School journalism teacher who now resides in Claremore, OK. Readers can reach her at carolaround@yahoo.com.

Local Punt, Pass & Kick Contest Set

Local youth age eight through 15 will join millions of other kids nationwide this weekend as they compete for the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick National Finals.
The local competition will be held at the Grove High School Football Field this Sunday, August 20 beginning at 1: 30 pm.
The event is being sponsored by the Grand Lake Family YMCA.
“Millions of kids compete nationwide each year but only 32 make it to the Finals,” said YMCA program director Marc Manning. “Boys and girls compete separately in four age divisions, each of them launching one punt, one pass and one kick with scores based on distance and accuracy.”
Winners in each age group advance to the regional competition with an opportunity to compete for even greater rewards.
Registration begins at 1 pm Sunday and a birth certificate is required.
For further information call the Grand Lake Family YMCA at (918) 786-5774. The Grand Lake YMCA is located at 206 Elk St. in the old library building.