[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6667718,"mediaKeyId","2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b","parentId",2255962,"title","Votes at a glance: New Castle approves utility bill adjustments, land-use actions, bridge engineering and appointments","audioSeconds",2194,"startMs",3084000,"endMs",890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b&start=3084&end=890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b/thumbnail_3084000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6667718/Newcastle/McClain-County/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-New-Castle-approves-utility-bill-adjustments-land-use-actions-bridge-engineering-and-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667718-5fbad144372f924e11f099da167068b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170259&Signature=oDNKWCw5ufHHjfCANYp1Kc2WWNyc2uLnLiNraI6oDqQyohyXb4bRd8MV~0TqxJg2l5YeDLyhj7NjsF9zuLY4JlH~V1RmAQwESK~nHccBkGjfQha~GIrMce3EBiitM~gjz39OgyeJ9gmearlNtTUtPI1ohc-HK8PKhohJXTYeOQU8gh87bBzxkUNfVcIYrWKhoCXoFlVPrgoC05636b-lkUjGtZhtLnPfEoopaLztoVmsR8XTfOOVPe1NYzLzdgTJD52Gz9ZsLa22JibnGOfNflbnMgdPRR9b6nP7BuLc9bfWCnwlId6bzeiDVQsPzNpGr5LR~MxYRgVCUPnyj1Hebw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newcastle","date","2025-02-11T01:07:22.923Z","article","The New Castle City Council and New Castle Public Works Authority took a series of formal actions on Feb. 10, approving adjustments to customer utility accounts, moving forward on a property purchase contingent on appraisal and financing, adopting multiple planning and zoning recommendations, approving an engineering agreement for two small bridges on the Walker Drive extension, and making board appointments.

Utility accounts and adjustments
- Account 12332102 (1321 Brooks Drive, Farrell Volmer): Council continued the matter to the next regular meeting. Outcome: continued.
- Account 11002001 (9 SE Fourth Street, Nancy Dozer): The council approved adjusting the September water bill to the 12‑month average after Dozer told the council she returned after Labor Day to find a garden hose had been left on and saw a one-month charge of $264. Outcome: adjustment approved and customer directed to provide repair receipts to the city clerk.
- Account 07355901 (4000 S Harvey Creek, J.D. Own Property, LLC): The council approved an adjustment for a December 2024 bill after the owner described a water-main break near the meter. Outcome: adjustment approved; staff requested receipts for repairs.
- Multiple other account items were continued or approved under the consent agenda.

Real-estate and property
- Real-estate purchase agreement (9880? Sixteenth Street, Newcastle): The council approved the city attorney’s revisions and authorized execution of the purchase agreement contingent on receipt of the appraisal and financing. The agreement is contingent on satisfactory appraisal and financing; staff said the appraisal had not yet arrived.

Planning and zoning actions
- Brush Creek PUD name change to “Lakeview” (preliminary and final plat for a 25.43‑acre development at SE 16th & S Portland Ave): Approved; staff said building‑permit applications for phase 1 have begun and only the name was changing.
- Rezoning requests approved: (a) Rezoning of a 15‑acre parcel at 1951 NW 8th Street (owners Steve and Nikki Kochel) from E‑1 Suburban Estate residential to AG — to allow an accessory building in front of the dwelling; (b) Rezoning of 5 acres at 2129 S State Hwy 76 (Gary Nettle) from AG to E‑1 Suburban Estate residential to facilitate a future lot split. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval of both items.

Infrastructure
- Walker Drive extension — bridges A and B: The council approved an agreement with Crafton Tull / the engineering team to design the two smaller bridges on the Walker extension. Staff said engineering for both bridges was estimated at about $39,000 and that if engineering is completed before the bid date for the larger bridge, there is potential to bid and build the bridges in sequence to save costs. Staff noted the locations had FEMA review and that county purchasing for steel could reduce material costs.

Appointments
- Multiple appointments to planning/zoning boards were approved for three‑year terms through Feb. 2028.

How the council voted
Most items were approved on motions that were seconded and carried by recorded “yes” votes during roll call. Several items were continued to a future meeting when applicants or appraisals were not yet available.

What was not decided
Several items were continued for lack of appraisal or applicant representation and will return to a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NPWA/City Council Regular Meeting, February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 10 meeting the New Castle City Council and Public Works Authority approved multiple utility-bill adjustments, several planning and rezoning requests, a property purchase agreement contingent on appraisal and financing, an engineering agreement for two bridges on the Walker Drive extension, and several board appointments.","taxTitle","Newcastle, McClain County, Oklahoma","taxId",61935,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6667724,"New Castle amends contractor rules to exempt owner-builders, lowers registration fee",1022,1634000,2656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b&start=1634&end=2656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6667724/Newcastle/McClain-County/Oklahoma/New-Castle-amends-contractor-rules-to-exempt-owner-builders-lowers-registration-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667724-bb676cb2e06b3543724f1f890c3b2419/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170259&Signature=f4WtynMv~Danh1telGHmJf5uDuQPfNTuSMhlCWzlwvZqV~g9KQ8~PrS-j31tE8LufVUL0IOxhGZwQmfzit-WrKPlZodb-hjgLsKNKPjdNzQHzFgw~Oo0llIgSq4Eh1vo0-0aTtBWrmxfpP~6cLT-7~6iBzh2CRNRZiYtaLbJYJK0fFhxQNSvC8H5Lku5m0hf3Qp1-pphToWSXqhXEwRkYKr40c5a1vnb7jUHWxwrH7dEv79VKNzO1O8TihQlo9DdKe6KHtS8qN1K0ZsqOTvGeydOEMUMlIIpwaMePhaSlM7cuu1J7KweQPBnD2A5HmQKphQjNEv-0c6X9g-eOFfMWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Castle City Council on Feb. 10 approved amendments to Chapter 150 of the city code clarifying who must register as a general contractor and lowering the registration fee.

City staff said the ordinance change clarifies that a homeowner or property owner acting as their own contractor does not need to pay the general-contractor registration fee or show liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, while contractors working on other people’s properties must register and show the required coverage.

A staff member leading the discussion told the council, “It does not require a general contractor's license for a homeowner or property owner that's gonna be acting as their own contractor. Therefore, they don't have to pay the permit fee.” The staff member added, “This way, it protects homeowners as well.”

Council members asked whether the change is a registration or a license and how the city would enforce coverage. Staff said the amendment is principally a clarification following adoption of the 2018 building code: the item cleans up language in Chapter 150 and Appendix A, reduces the initial fee from $200 to $100, and sets the renewal at $50. Staff explained that trades such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical remain separately licensed and that the registration helps verify liability insurance and workers' compensation for contractors working on others' property.

During the discussion council members raised implementation questions: whether proof of coverage could be checked at the time of permit application, how registrations would be associated with a company when multiple contractors work under one business name, and what enforcement tools the city would have if a contractor repeatedly failed to meet obligations. Staff said registrations and insurance documents would create a paper trail that city staff could review and use to flag repeat offenders.

Planning commission staff recommended approval. The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance amendment. The motion passed with no further amendments.

The ordinance change applies citywide and does not alter trade-specific licenses; it clarifies the general-contractor registration requirement, adds an explicit homeowner exemption for owner-build projects, and reduces the registration fee and renewal amount.

Council members said staff will monitor implementation and enforcement and that staff will continue outreach about the change to local builders and permit applicants.","The City Council approved amendments to Chapter 150 clarifying that homeowners acting as their own general contractors are not required to hold a general-contractor registration, reduced the registration fee and clarified insurance and workers-comp expectations for contractors working on others' property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6667714,"City says wastewater plant on track to begin operations in May",47,566000,613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b&start=566&end=613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255962-6ab01af4b90a15e0ec73621b5a95856b/thumbnail_566000.jpg","/articles/6667714/Newcastle/McClain-County/Oklahoma/City-says-wastewater-plant-on-track-to-begin-operations-in-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667714-20985022e9f4608353501f94d9466fb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170259&Signature=O6jJHwolMYixCJ6xpPEvYKWTSwR7urTvxe93u2go1WeODlBHjzT6NU5RyulKGTDmh3oiiuoZ~gXa2mbhh9nI8RHuXhMgXL8VqsMNSngg1Z3J9MwJXnVC-r0N~kIdzmNdrFFmO7YwF8ow1amDF5-nlcsW~v8vX1RjkCfiUbwbD9YtVREqG7GfTE4VyM0975c8laWxETI~pDz~1xQwjNpuHgjVwfg6k3IrbJjq-tJUznCpxqQmrwuBzwo4VmNveKGUq~zG05Tm7-paV8Y80iY3Mq3JBPSfaNx1AIi4JWti0mjfmKbsXj-KbIUlSWyu7OGYMPmDpVDkLHP0Lwv-jxCUNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff told the New Castle Public Works Authority on Feb. 10 that the wastewater-plant inflow line is complete, interior painting and admin building work are underway, and staff expects the plant to be operational by May.

A staff member who reported on the plant’s progress said crews had completed the inflow line work and that inspectors recently approved interior paint colors; staff confirmed a status update meeting is scheduled for the coming Wednesday. “They still believe that we will have that wastewater plant operational by May of this year,” the staff member said.

The update did not include a revised budget or an exact date for turnover to operations; staff said they will continue to brief the council as remaining construction, testing and permitting steps conclude.","Public Works staff reported construction and interior painting of the new wastewater plant are underway and that staff expects the plant to be operational by May, subject to completion of final work and testing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: New Castle approves utility bill adjustments, land-use actions, bridge engineering and appointments

New Castle amends contractor rules to exempt owner-builders, lowers registration fee

City says wastewater plant on track to begin operations in May