Guthrie voters approved a 15-year, three-quarters of a penny city sales tax increase nine months ago for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Now, it appears a first round of projects is headed to a city council vote for approval.
In a special City Council Workshop held last week on the third floor of City Hall, council members discussed projects for the current fiscal year (2017). The video of the complete workshop follows this article.
With an approximate $3.2 million allotted for the year, the council identified three major projects.
Atop of the CIP list is a ladder truck for the Guthrie Fire Department, which was the first fire department established in Oklahoma during the land run. Currently, the department operates without the critical piece of fire apparatus after retiring their 1991 truck for failing the annual safety certification testing required by national standards.
Fire Chief Eric Harlow presented the council with a proposal from the manufacturer with a price tag of $934,225 proposal.
“We should have done this a long time ago,” council member Brian Bothroyd said on the subject of purchasing the truck.
The second highest CIP need identified was 10 police cruisers for the Guthrie Police Department with an estimated price tag of $725,000. The council appeared to be in agreement, but did not offer much dialogue at the workshop.
A splash pad was the third highest dollar amount CIP project on the council’s list and collected the most conversation.
Bothroyd stated he would enjoy having a splash pad, but says the council needs to look at more critical needs. Mayor Steve Gentling pointed out that citizens voted (in a poll) youth activities as the third highest need in the community.
“I think the splash pad is a real positive thing for our community,” Gentling said of the proposed $333,000 project.
The conversation turned into where the splash pad would be located. Council discussed locations of the potential splash pad at Highland Park, Mineral Wells Park, Ritzhaupt Park and the property currently occupied by Banner School.
Councilmember Ed Wood believes Highland Park should remain a historic park, while others on historic commissions also believe Mineral Wells Park should appear as a historic park. However, city officials believe Mineral Wells allows the highest visibility for the pad. The lack of space and parking issues were discussed for Ritzhaupt Park (17th and Noble Ave.).
Many of the council members showed interest in the idea of the Banner School property on the city’s west side. With water and sewer utilities already provided, the full city block would allow space for the pad, restrooms and adequate parking.
Other projects, include street improvements ($215,000), a new basketball court in Mineral Wells Park ($170,000), two tennis courts in Highland Park ($230,000), disc golf course improvements ($10,000), powder coating of the historic light poles and brackets in the downtown area ($7,000), a cab tractor for the Parks Department ($80,100), improvements at Guthrie Library to accommodate ADA accessibility requirements ($45,000), renovation in the emergency dispatch department ($40,000), payment of debt service of $3 million ($220,000), lighting at the Water Treatment Plant ($17,000) and improvements to City Hall including replacement of worn carpet ($57,000) and audio improvements for GTV20 inside council chambers ($12,500).
Additional details and decisions about these projects are expected at the next City Council and Guthrie Public Works Authority meetings.
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