News from City Hall...

Molinda Parker has been hired as the city's new Director of Planning, who will oversee planning and zoning administration, building inspections, code enforcement, the 911 program, and planning and zoning issues, according to Acting City Manager Debbie Mavity. Parker comes to Grove from Bossier City, LA. where she held a similar position…Equipment is being brought into place for construction of the new Verizon Cell Tower with groundbreaking probably occurring next week…The crew hired by the city to pick up tree debris has completed work in Zones 1-4, 7-9, and are currently working on zones 5, 6, and 10, with 11 and 12 left to do. "People need to make sure they push their debris to the right of way area next to the street, or FEMA will not allow the pickup," Mavity said. FEMA has several "monitors" in the city to insure that the work crews do not go on private property. The work crews will make a final swing, again, throughout the city with dates to be announced in advance, Mavity said. So if you have not sawed up your timber and pushed it to the curb, please do so now…Mavity and former city manager Bill Galletly met with representatives of Simmons on Tuesday with no decision reached, with attorneys for both to get together next week and hopefully reach an agreement. Simmons owes the city about $900,000 for gas used for a period of two years, says the city, and has paid about half to date…Even with the Simmons payment, water, sewer and gas rates will still increase slightly on June 1 under Ordinance 526, to put GMSA in the black and fulfill an agreement regarding the loan for utility relocations along Highway 59. GMSA is currently "in the red," Mavity said this week. Base rates for water will not increase, but usage above 3,000 gallons will increase 10% for 2007; base rates for sewer will not increase, but rates above 3,001 gallons will increase by 10%; natural gas base rates inside the city limits will increase from $1.93 per MCF distribution to $2.12, or 10%; with similar increases for people outside the city limits. For 2008 and beyond, all rates will automatically increase by an amount equal to any increases in the Oklahoma Consumer Price Index each year, up to and including 5% unless authorized by City Ordinance.