[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6610704,"mediaKeyId","2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62","parentId",2901979,"title","Stormwater coordinator outlines cleanup work and priority projects, flags floodplain limits","audioSeconds",426,"startMs",1325000,"endMs",1751000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62&start=1325&end=1751","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62/thumbnail_1325000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610704/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Stormwater-coordinator-outlines-cleanup-work-and-priority-projects-flags-floodplain-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610704-11cd64ed0cde0cd8e676624314e93bd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776254795&Signature=aOAEDy52gFjEehw1XsU1n0Hcbfi-nCfYNfwRQScVMaviQSZSqoltL4rkFUBVPEKnbrlyz1BEdrolQCJKe3zoM7eLcsu4fEgk8MFFSHKY~fxOaneEf9i3FQjQvgNaDuWDB3EDeVMhduJavM-Ns2JHHLI~H97spEd1nYvumP7-i8hP8y-3IsoUE3D58E47weV6hZXxJBTekhZKGJ~tSN3opCeFTX996dmQwwfLsFAfZ0zZg7n5rctGbgAk6UDb7oC6Dq9DhL2Pueh~VhhWWjPFt5FLyFhZlz2qXPASAC5H-h-5pnz5GYuvpHeMRk8Tm-nZZJthw2BGAon3cYbBMtqnzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mcalester","date","2025-04-08T23:35:23.833Z","article","Sophia West, McAlester’s environmental programs coordinator and stormwater manager, briefed the council on stormwater work, upcoming projects, permitting constraints on blue-line streams and a county-coordinated levee/ditch repair funded in part by a grant.

West said the city’s stormwater team has been active in clearing ditches and culverts and provided quantitative figures during the report. “The last past 4 months, they've cleared 755 yards of panels and ditches...they have collected 203,720 pounds,” West said as she summarized recent cleanup volumes. She said she will present a fuller report at the first council meeting in May.

West reviewed a master drainage priority list of projects the city plans to address, some in-house and some contracted because of scale and cost. Projects she highlighted as approved to move forward included: an in-house storm pipe replacement on West Brewer Road (Ward 5); replacement of an 18-inch drainage pipe on Comenci Avenue (Ward 6); reestablishing a ditch at 14th and Timberland (Ward 2) to curb runoff reaching homes; and a multiyear, contracted MacAuley Regional Airport stormwater drainage improvement project (Phase 1), which will be a multi-year effort and had bids opened the same day as the meeting.

West also discussed a levee/levee-breach issue near the softball complex where floodwaters displaced the levee; the city and the Pittsburgh County Emergency Operations Center were awarded a grant to address the problem with a combination of in-house and contracted work. She warned that work in federally regulated blue-line streams requires Army Corps of Engineers permits (a 404 permit) and can take about 90 days to process.

Council members asked about specific localized flooding problems — including recurring flooding on West Polk — and about whether the recently awarded wildfire/forestry grant could be leveraged to remove trees in some channel stretches. West cautioned that the Corps is often resistant to large-scale vegetation removal because plantings stabilize stream banks, but she said staff will continue exploring overlapping grant opportunities subject to permitting limits.

West invited the public to the stormwater advisory committee meeting later in the month and offered FEMA and city resources for residents to identify floodplain boundaries and get more information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New - Regular City Council Meeting, April 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city’s environmental programs coordinator reported on stormwater-clearance work, upcoming in-house and contracted drainage projects, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for blue-line streams and a grant-funded levee/levee-breach effort tied to the softball complex and regional drainage.","taxTitle","McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma","taxId",53915,"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},6610709,"Council approves final change order for water-system improvement project",299,1178000,1477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62&start=1178&end=1477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62/thumbnail_1178000.jpg","/articles/6610709/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-approves-final-change-order-for-water-system-improvement-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610709-80beb67374d6cd239d59793b9791b1d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776254795&Signature=oKNRUoVxnNS0o~9~Zj5rAgVV9G7CRwMNvsEGrIXTKUpJ0IBnVqSBIB6dkxGt5IGk-8RsCbqS0xSkxjPsjeJVrxhKYVgDLkNhB3xDep6t9WRUlaydFZ~T~KYURO-itzTMK58naXHsXhgwQTeh2glEh9hndJyu6I4TKaJ8g7-c9ygTWn3U59qn9RHSWWJajE7hiGZ989fwUGu-uRzP5xJxd7ZUrSjC4bhoc7sK0EXb1Xcf3IphlQ7GQViQ1QnNkRGmoBpMVpmGeVWtolP~wgkpQ8iOA0HLyMwaFxgm8Ur7PSADoNiAjDvIflGLr5EnTSrzWT~aqlG9VDahIdCHbL~v2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council approved change order No. 4 for Timco Blasting Coatings Inc. related to Public Works Project No. 9, a water system improvement that runs from Stonewall to Buffalo Tower and includes work on Second and Third streets.

City staff described the change order as the final reconciliatory adjustment for the multi-million-dollar project. “As part of the project...we would find water lines that we didn't know were there. Had to be tied and connected. ... So, several million dollar project in our final change orders of $2,324,” a staff speaker said while reviewing the final reconciliation. The agenda and the meeting packet list the change order amount as $2,354; the council approved the change order in the meeting.

A motion to approve was seconded by Councilor Gilmore; roll call recorded yes votes from Councilors Boatwright, Gilmore, Roden, Beatty and Pugh (as recorded in the roll), and the motion carried. Staff said the work is complete and that the council will be asked at a future meeting to accept the project as complete once all contractor paperwork is submitted.

The action authorizes the reported final reconciliation change order and begins the administrative closeout steps tied to the project.","The council approved change order No. 4 for the PWS RF Project No. 9 (water system improvement) for Timco Blasting Coatings Inc.; the change order was described as a small final reconciliation item and council accepted the project's completion status will be returned to the council at a later meeting.",{"_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},6610714,"Council approves medical-overlay use permit for property at 1005 N. Strong Blvd",145,1103000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62&start=1103&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","/articles/6610714/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-approves-medical-overlay-use-permit-for-property-at-1005-N-Strong-Blvd","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610714-f4f0c955535a4cecdb0d5243c18df4a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776254795&Signature=RUHWeuR3hnN78UahXYQya8tU7so2uPwWJBmNl23WQYE6FvNWLeYC4MJY-cmzLzbXebveQQjhRpGo~8iViK6Z9~JQL5UCCRYSj3s9TcTtdt2~Q6uECrRkxtVOmGK2ue5KLTgpBe7sB8l26A3ZhIfFQCMquuK1HaiXMUBtk0~ih7KLtNbtzZoG~uPrzoHKx48PchE6eTJWu0JTjYh1HrupQZ70R6x63uQN3gtfusIyOCJwi3Bp2j6v-HqpovAExytjeuN9Gm25Mo-DOho3Qbsnq0jMKHt6j5-Iep4oyBQSOpKYI9SRNvvS-aRpuAuywjn8JgGRrlhUvW079I5fdc0YWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council unanimously approved a resolution granting a use permit in the Medical Overlay District for the property described as Lot 1, East 20 feet of Lot 2, and associated parcels at 1005 North Strong Boulevard to allow medical staff facilities, offices and related meeting or educational uses.

Planner Miss Clifton told council the property lies within the medical overlay district the city adopted previously and that the proposed use — staff offices and sleeping quarters for medical personnel — met the overlay’s requirements after review. “This property is owned as H-1, and this is within that medical overlay district that we had passed several years ago,” Miss Clifton said. She added that the Planning Commission reviewed the application on March 18 and unanimously recommended approval.

Councilor Beatty moved to approve the resolution; Councilor Boatwright seconded. Roll call recorded unanimous support (Vice Mayor Beatty, Councilor Boatwright, Councilor Gilmore, Councilor Woodley, Councilor Stone, Councilor Roden and the mayor), and the motion carried.

Planner Clifton said the application included preliminary plans and that building permits and inspections would follow the council’s approval. The council did not attach additional conditions beyond standard permitting and overlay requirements.","The council unanimously approved a use permit in the Medical Overlay District for a property at 1005 North Strong Boulevard to allow staff facilities and related uses, after the Planning Commission recommended approval.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610718,"Council rejects street-name change request for small Summit Ridge court",771,452000,1223000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62&start=452&end=1223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6610718/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-rejects-street-name-change-request-for-small-Summit-Ridge-court","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610718-229c0c921b36767fb627836f6bd51285/orig.mp4?Expires=1776254795&Signature=EsFJqzVrPeVY2hpdFn8xXlWo-fE~5Uit~JeoI0ws1o92utCzNdY4F8aLKkyMgqxgQ0Pf5EfkPouSXkar9xvIjWPpkuUWZDCi6j9lWYvQTW15x2PmyAN0I3AVA9C1eNkp~BWDvRJiROlAskPFmluz-DyLAL~h0Rzfd7ZDaENFEJmzipOufMTsbgc2aL9MH2M~HzZVOW8dTlO~kCVUWeuce2wHO8N6ZQwEFxP2qJP5xHvdTvTn0iNkzLSk3hNxBr4MoNbDp7Uj5thAItsfHEcG~OkD-Leb1QYK6IyPqrLBbaPkySWx3jZsSK1hVsZbTBsWFYsd1sAxgi1kzq~j8LWWiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council voted down a request to change the name of a short court in the Summit Ridge subdivision, rejecting the applicant’s request to rename the court to Grace Court. Council members voted against the change after a public hearing and discussion of address impacts.

Planning staff said the application affected a short cul-de-sac with only one currently addressed structure; the Planning Commission recommended approval by a 5–3 vote. Planner Miss Clifton told council that notice for the request followed the city code’s publication requirement. “Section 94-180 of the McAlester City Code requires publication,” Miss Clifton said during the hearing.

Applicant Daniel Bensky (addressing the council as the property owner) said he was seeking the change because mail and business matters were being affected and because of the modern cultural perception of the existing name. “I get a lot of mail. I'm doing the home office running of the business...my house is the only house that will ever have an address on this court,” Bensky told the council. He also said he had spoken to nearby lot owners but could not confirm whether they had been personally notified.

Council discussion ranged from past name changes to the lack of formal written criteria for renaming streets. Several council members noted the city has processed multiple street-name changes in recent years for a variety of reasons, including commemorations. One council member framed naming as a discretionary, political decision for the council.

A motion to approve the name change failed on roll call. The transcript records yes votes from Councilor Stone and the mayor and no votes from Vice Mayor Beatty, Councilor Woodley, Councilor Roden and Councilor Boatwright; the motion failed. Planning commission and staff records are in the meeting packet; the council did not adopt a policy establishing objective criteria for future name-change requests during the session.

Because the request involved a single addressed structure in a residential area, questions about 911 address assignment and whether future lots would take different addresses were raised. Miss Clifton said 911 addressing practices determine initial addressing based on which way a structure faces. Councilors did not direct staff to draft new renaming criteria at this meeting.","The McAlester City Council voted down an applicant request to rename a short court in the Summit Ridge subdivision (affecting one addressed structure) from its existing name to Grace Court; the planning commission had recommended approval 5–3.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610722,"McAlester council accepts $5.862 million community wildfire mitigation grant",66,356000,422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62&start=356&end=422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901979-3496a89babc38cc0fa927a726eeeae62/thumbnail_356000.jpg","/articles/6610722/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/McAlester-council-accepts-5862-million-community-wildfire-mitigation-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610722-9125567d99b861d5560053c90ca2b77c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776254795&Signature=arz3rQKJ180-HpJa4XzeY9cG4gz-ahPBa6tODv-STmQc7FhsMZEFoOScrNTPDN5jB8a6-eEcYp9bNWBIMnqZLPmzdE~AaoVKk3ySW0j0-ObUY8vm0XYyTkMrjT5x6nUUud~tcz6bIqO8~rWjfviONzdAzclaZoz7dOCt74ZYtDAII~Dyg4Llkw78IZWQH0FcLpjKJpJoRQO8ZwCY2FLv0HZvByZ7kPOKFISV9tsBLgOe5~iza70gmPTxZN8JecaheTIDTk4pUxAXbwVP5nzNE0ugKQC0zPoq8a2i3Lrrjio3DS1rK5FKHhP-BaQlrfDqJdc1CX0klstWWypHXcrcNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McAlester City Council on a unanimous vote accepted a $5,862,000 Community Wildfire Mitigation grant from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and authorized the mayor to sign the contract.

City staff told the council the award was first granted in May of last year but that federal and state processes delayed the city’s request for council approval. “It has taken this long for me to come to you to ask you to approve the award because the federal authorities and the state authorities took a long time to come up with the processes and procedures for dispersing the grant,” a staff member told the council. “So, it's for $5,862,000 and once that is done, then we'll be able to proceed, initiating activities.”

The council approved the acceptance by motion from Councilor Boatwright, seconded by Councilor Stone. A roll call recorded yes votes from Boatwright, Stone, Beatty, Gilmore, Woodley, Roden and the mayor; the motion carried.

Council members did not detail specific projects in the meeting; staff said accepting the award is the step required to begin grant-funded activities. A separate agenda item proposing a contract award tied to the Community Wildfire Defense Grant was later stricken by staff and will be brought back at a later date for council consideration.

The grant was identified on the agenda as coming from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Acceptance authorizes the mayor to execute the contract so the city can proceed with implementing activities once state and federal processes are complete.

The council took the action as part of the scheduled business portion of the meeting and moved on to other agenda items at the same session.","The McAlester City Council voted to accept a $5,862,000 Community Wildfire Mitigation grant from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and authorized the mayor to execute the contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stormwater coordinator outlines cleanup work and priority projects, flags floodplain limits

Council approves final change order for water-system improvement project

Council approves medical-overlay use permit for property at 1005 N. Strong Blvd

Council rejects street-name change request for small Summit Ridge court

McAlester council accepts $5.862 million community wildfire mitigation grant