Council OK's ESPN Bassmasters Funding

Citing less than expected increases in sales tax revenues, Councilman Larry Parham led an effort to kill funding to the Grand Lake Association in connection with this year's ESPN Bassmasters Tournament June 21. He and Councilman Gary Bishop voted against a $50,000 appropriation, despite the fact that the event last year drew an estimated 17,000 people over three days and worldwide publicity for the city of Grove.

The measure passed 3-2 at Tuesday night's regular meeting, with councilors Nuckolls, Ryan and Helms voting for it. Last year's appropriation was $75,000 but the association returned $27,000 of it to the city. "There is no doubt that it benefited Grove," Parham said, before voting against the motion to appropriate $50,000.

In other action:

--Council voted 5-0 to amend two city ordinances to provide for "Grove Second Saturdays" that will allow merchants, musicians or vendors the opportunity for a sidewalk sales downtown from April to October.
--Voted 5-0 to amend the city's rules on parking spaces and off-street parking requirements for commercial only; the changes relax previous rules regarding the number of spaces required for businesses and enlarge individual spaces from 9x18 to 10x20 feet, commercial only.

--Voted 5-0 to delay action on a contract to Garver Engineers for engineering services for the Grove Municipal Airport for $48,800, at the request of the engineer.

--Voted 5-0 on a policy regulating placing items on the Council Agenda by the council members themselves. Regular agenda items may be placed on the agenda by the City Manager or any one council member, directing the city manager to do so; Executive Session agenda items may be placed on the agenda by the City Manager or any two council members, directing the City Manager to do so. Council members may not instruct the City Clerk, as she reports to the City Manager.

--Voted 5-0 on an employment agreement between the city and Interim City Manager Debbie Mavity regarding salary and policies.

--Voted 5-0 on a new City Accounting Policy.

--Voted 5-0 to advertise for filling the position of City Manager due to the retirement of Bill Galletly two weeks ago, and notify those who responded to a previous ad last August to see if they were still interested. A Masters Degree is preferred, but not required. Galletly had a Masters Degree in public administration and spent 30 years as a city manager.

Mavity told the Council that construction on the new Verizon Cell Tower had begun and is to be completed within 20-35 days and that debris removal from January's ice storm is in its final stages. To date the city owes $69,523 to a private contractor, reimbursable at 87.5% from FEMA and the State of Oklahoma. "The going rate is $7 per cubic yard and we are paying about $2," Mavity said. Grove's contract calls for payment by the ton, not cubic yards. The city wide cleanup is about 70% done, she reported.

Councilman Gary Bishop will be in charge of this year's Trash Off Day April 21, where volunteers cleanup roadways and parks of litter. Councilman Dave Helms, who had been in charge of the event, elected not to run for re-election this year.