June 17, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• City Hall Renovations: Renovations will begin next Monday, starting on the second floor for approximately three months, then moving to the first floor. City staff will be temporarily relocated during this period.
• Staff Retirement: Doretta Doyle, the afternoon receptionist for 20 years, retired today.
• Community Event: The Tinker Air Force band will perform a concert at the amphitheater at The Station on Thursday night, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Police Department Recognition: The More Police Department Color Guard presented the colors at the Thunder game tonight.
• GO Projects Update: While visible construction may seem slow, significant work is happening behind the scenes, including coordination with utility companies and securing easements. More construction is anticipated to begin on these voter-approved projects after the railroad underpass is completed, estimated to be 📅 16-18 months from now for projects like Eastern Avenue reconstruction.

Key Decisions & Votes

FY 2025-2026 Annual Budget Approval

The City Council approved the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, adopting Resolution Number 11125. This budget includes conservative revenue estimates, significant capital outlays, and cost-of-living adjustments for city employees. The More Public Works Authority also approved its FY 2025-2026 annual budget (Resolution Number 27125).

Eastern Avenue Reconstruction Project Amendment

Council approved Amendment Number Three to the agreement with Garver LLC, adding $12,650 for additional design services and legal descriptions for the Eastern Avenue reconstruction project (Northeast 12th Street to Southeast 19th Street). Revisions included a block retaining wall for More Central Church of Christ and adjustments to legal descriptions for property owner negotiations.

Southwest 19th Street & Santa Fe Intersection Improvement

An agreement with Pinnacle Consulting Management Group for $103,350 was approved for right-of-way acquisition services for the Southwest 19th Street and Santa Fe intersection improvement project. This ODOT project involves title searches and appraisals for 10 parcels.

Fire Station Alerting Radios

The purchase of four Harris XL-185M mobile radios and associated licensing and accessories from L3 Harris for $24,930.40 was approved. These radios will be used for fire station alerting systems, standardizing the Harris brand across fire department equipment.

Public Safety Center Backup Power System

Council approved the replacement of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) for the switchgear portion of the backup power generator system at the Public Safety Center by Nixon Power Services for $32,850. This is a sole-source purchase to replace a partially failed computer system.

Vice Mayor Election

Council elected Kathy Griffith as the new Vice Mayor.

Pioneer Library System Board Appointment

The appointment of Gwen Barrow as the More representative to the Pioneer Library System Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning 📅 July 1st, 2025, was approved.

Commercial and Industrial Waste Disposal Contract Revision

A revision to the contract with Republic Services for commercial and industrial waste disposal, effective 📅 July 1st, 2025, was approved. This revision increases the annual rate from 4% to 5% and includes a one-time 10% reset to offset increased costs due to inflation. (Councilman Adam Webb abstained from this vote).

CNG Gas Transport Module Purchase

The purchase of a CNG gas transport module from Baytech for $225,000 as a sole-source provider was approved. This module will allow the city to safely defuel and refuel CNG vehicles for maintenance and provide a contingency for refueling the system in emergencies.

Fraternal Order of Police Contract

Following an executive session, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 contract between the City of More and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 131.

Cleveland County Case Action

Following an executive session, the City Council voted to proceed as directed regarding Cleveland County case number CJ 2023-1524, filed by Kane Law Office on behalf of Jerry Webb against the City of More.

Financial Matters 💰

• FY 2025-2026 Annual Budget:
  • General Fund sales tax projected at $35.7 million, a 1.1% decrease from the FY25 budget.
  • Use tax projected at $6.05 million, a $150,000 decrease from the FY25 budget.
  • Capital outlay of $1,157,000 budgeted across departments.
  • Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs): 2.8% for non-union, 3% for police, and 5.43% for fire personnel.
  • Half-cent sales tax will fund residential street construction on Jordan Drive, Northeast 7th, Highland Drive, Nail Parkway, Arnold Avenue, Northwest 2nd, and Chestnut Drive, along with joint sealing and sidewalk maintenance.
  • Police capital outlay includes $1,500,015 for eight new vehicles.
  • Fire Department budget includes $886,538 for a modular container training structure.
  • Quarter-cent sales tax and hotel/motel tax will fund new restrooms at Buck Thomas Park, a Courage League field, parking lot improvements, additional electrical infrastructure at Buck Thomas Park, a playground fence at Central Park, a shade pavilion at Little River Park, a basketball court at 5th and Markwell Park, drainage improvements at Philip 66 Park, and replacement of the splash pad at Apple Valley.
  • The total budget is $130,611,000, a decrease from FY25's $133,400,000.
• Garver LLC Amendment: $12,650 for additional design services.
• Pinnacle Consulting Management Group Agreement: $103,350 for right-of-way acquisition services.
• Harris Radios Purchase: $24,930.40 for fire station alerting systems.
• HMI Replacement: $32,850 for the Public Safety Center backup power system.
• Republic Services Contract: Annual rate increase from 4% to 5% and a one-time 10% reset for commercial and industrial waste disposal.
• CNG Gas Transport Module: $225,000 for defueling/refueling CNG vehicles.

Public Comments

• No public comments were received at the public hearing on 📅 June 2nd regarding the annual budget.
• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Agenda Summary Table