[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,87,97],{"_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",6610227,"mediaKeyId","2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc","parentId",2904856,"title","Council approves new golf-course operator lease and $1 ground lease for college foundation; residents back new operators","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",1293000,"endMs",2402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc&start=1293&end=2402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc/thumbnail_1293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610227/Seminole/Seminole-County/Oklahoma/Council-approves-new-golf-course-operator-lease-and-1-ground-lease-for-college-foundation-residents-back-new-operators","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610227-a87c9e733c80de7c2622032576b5f23e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621559&Signature=D1dgApEZd2Yao0RK73qgDbvyE6XvOlVp5rPBP0pedPvsD5cq3x4zgbDRcSDFNvnaUhpDLmu1eiu0JUmB2IczstmBgboeSFD~NkcWVMbIj1Do9tTXVTzL-vS6U3h-CG7rmlfaxuCbgGLXm6vc-sPd~D7JrSOfRGAiht-BwmC5vB0c-uq1Egi8irmZ9Os2TtAyHo4QH92le24RaOtiF3W3CxhhHnKsfr1bStRO3jwpldYMGBByKxU70NS7B19lHUq7v~ztdFpfakKcR0SIEmy0~vQAVW9pe1-N90nGmdLKtLadBcLvjd142xcL9Ezx1D1F~1Y--0RtRb2IAFjmnA2OQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seminole","date","2025-04-09T03:16:00.613Z","article","The Seminole City Council on April 14 approved two actions intended to support operations and reuse of facilities adjacent to Jimmy Austin Golf Course.

Council approved a proposed lease with BDW Management Group for operation of the city golf course and clubhouse, a 60-month agreement at $150,000 per year payable in monthly installments of $12,500 and subject to annual budget approval. Council added an amendment clarifying that the city, as lessor, will be responsible for replacement of greens while the lessee is responsible for routine maintenance. City staff and council discussed that the current golf-course budget is $132,000 and that the BDW proposal represents an increase that will be considered during the next budget cycle. The motion to approve the lease amendment passed on a roll call vote.

Several residents and stakeholders spoke in favor of the new operators during the public comment period. Tyler Gohagen, who said he lives in the Lakewood addition, described the group seeking to operate the course as \"well positioned\" to expand play and tournaments and said, \"we have a unique opportunity where the management is stepping down, and we have a group that is coming ... these 3 guys are equipped to not only continue what is already happening, but to expand on that.\" Ronnie Williamson and Brian McElveen, Seminole High School’s boys and girls golf coach, also urged support; McElveen said the proposed operators had expressed interest in junior-golf initiatives and a \"first tee\" program.

Representatives for the prospective operator described planned capital investments, including a remodeled pro shop, reopening and upgrading the clubhouse kitchen for hot food service, hire of three to five additional staff, and introduction of software for tracking rounds and membership metrics to report to the city. City staff said they will document improvements with before-and-after photos and provide early reporting so council members can monitor progress.

Separately the council approved a ground lease with the Seminole State College Educational Foundation that conveys certain real property in Seminole Municipal Park — a building adjacent to the golf course that had been used for batting cages and has since sat vacant — for $1 per year. The foundation requested a 10-year initial term with a single five-year renewal, and the council voted to approve the longer term. Under terms discussed by city staff, any commercial subtenant would be subject to conditional-use review to ensure uses are compatible with the park and a requirement that a majority of tenant revenue be taxable sales so the city receives sales-tax proceeds. City staff said the lease contains provisions allowing action — including permit revocation — if a tenant departs materially from the park’s recreational purposes.

Both lease votes were passed by roll call. Council members said the proposals will be included in next year’s capital and operating discussions; staff noted some improvements will proceed immediately but that larger remodels will be staged to avoid closing the course during the summer season.

The city manager and planning staff said the council will receive implementation reports and occupancy metrics from the operator and the educational foundation as the leases take effect.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council April 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Seminole City Council approved a five-year operating lease at $150,000 per year for the municipal golf course, and separately approved a $1-per-year ground lease with the Seminole State College Educational Foundation for a vacant building in the municipal park.","taxTitle","Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma","taxId",70709,"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},6610232,"City managers tell council $782,118 shortfall remains on $44 million wastewater project",8084,1143000,9227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc&start=1143&end=9227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","/articles/6610232/Seminole/Seminole-County/Oklahoma/City-managers-tell-council-782118-shortfall-remains-on-44-million-wastewater-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610232-7f91144fd00b32f427ce3664765e29d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621559&Signature=mv~CWfRtL3dFclzjp1X284IuTA2zIsJo2lZoQTql0fmbmlYFkRXT8rZr8ZihARdmg~KVoFrjTrZHQJWAQvPrk2UlkZAmUoZys0eWeFqEQkln0sgZiRYTF-5uAdO2Au~DcyUHBX3iZ9WlJ7yUGjj3nD2x6n2pyGl3nT7wEUmzn4XgpQ~D35oXgCcJO6z~pTcnQTNdTufD7aTK-qzG7wW~cS1orzaVh9KAnljcPUgxNLFDynscbfBYwhx3Xb~Ww~REs5zWLKqUg-bstg9Xh4aJIr7wtEzcHvjHeOmSniqifj330npUYh05oqlD-ScptXLNy-hSs5T3UoUrYX1km6slRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seminole city staff told the City Council on a funding update that the municipal wastewater treatment plant project will require additional local funding beyond previously planned sources.

City Manager Steve Saxon said the project’s construction bids pushed the expected cost far above the original $21 million planning figure, and that the city now estimates a $44 million financing need. \"We went to the USDA and they agreed to loan the additional dollars and give a $2,000,000 grant,\" Saxon said. \"Taking into account the sales tax and loan, we're short about $782,000, to be exact, dollars 782,118.\"

The shortfall emerges after the council previously agreed not to extend one half-cent sales tax and after engineers returned construction bids that doubled earlier estimates. Saxon told the council the city received a loan offer from USDA that covered most of the new cost but left the $782,118 annual funding gap for debt service and operations.

Saxon outlined several options to close the gap: reducing staff or operating budgets, deferring capital improvement projects, increasing sewer customer fees (staff estimated roughly $189,000 of revenue for each $5 added to a typical monthly bill), or raising sales tax by an eighth or quarter cent. He presented three example “recipes” combining those moves, noting the council would need to select the mix it prefers before construction is complete.

Council members asked clarifying questions but did not take action at the meeting. Saxon and staff said they will continue pursuing grant opportunities and will bring more detailed budget proposals to the council in the upcoming budget work sessions.

If the council does not adopt new local revenue or spending reductions, staff warned the city will have to identify the money when it finalizes the capital and operating budgets for the year in which the plant opens. Saxon said crews are roughly 40% through construction and that the plant is expected to open in early 2026, meaning the council needs to settle funding decisions in the next budget cycle.

The presentation and supporting slides are posted on the city website for public review; staff asked the public to review the material and told the council the city will return with alternative funding scenarios and more precise cost models during budget deliberations.","City staff told the Seminole City Council that a $44 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant will leave the city about $782,118 short of covering annual debt and operating costs and presented a menu of options including staff cuts, capital deferrals, a sewer-rate increase and a small sales-tax increase.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":79,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":82,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610217,"Votes at a glance: council approves invoices, ordinances, contracts and contracts related to utilities, leases and zoning",2013,3156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc&start=1143&end=3156","/articles/6610217/Seminole/Seminole-County/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-invoices-ordinances-contracts-and-contracts-related-to-utilities-leases-and-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610217-f1d04c7a9afb3ad3806e445a72149018/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621559&Signature=P4neq~IRkW0HxxB~zr46fQIpRJd5H91YidZaHVw0tOzOpEMySOxC6RlDvf~7gwnx6Oev4tyeCSJdrqJSuLwPSBFIvXK3Zoz7POFTjbLmUqLlVafolTzeCj8OuDOgdLW41d85YcJIBKOWWvG7PD2f-PkRjRe0IcTYgx3~0u1qLmaZsGy6j22i1YpceSyxxmyKX~R9~gNEEbP2GbSxQDBHwJay30xBbF~kU~K5FOBKoD636HwdI3JEp3XnmtubCYpflgqCGhXMUxigVvmJ20GulgieSNw02HyX~hKu4Bz7sfWcNMBvDDyfgpBjbN9oZFWupM6-jNha6ME4bwxhD0f0tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seminole City Council recorded roll-call approval for a series of routine and agenda items during the meeting. The items below summarize each formal action recorded on the public record.

- Crossland invoice No. 6 — Approved to draw $2,618,934.01 for work completed at the Seminole Wastewater Treatment Plant. Motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Crossland invoice No. 7 — Approved to draw $1,279,602.50 for work completed at the Seminole Wastewater Treatment Plant. Motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Wall Engineering invoice No. 16 — Approved in the amount of $19,159.65 for project inspection services at the wastewater treatment plant. Motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Addendum with Miller Tippens — Council approved an addendum allowing Miller Tippens to award bids for a pre-engineered building; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Award (pre-engineered building components and erection) — Council approved the low-bid awards for pre‑engineered building components to Alliance Steel and erection to Leonard Building Company (low bid reported in the meeting materials); motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Pro‑shop/pre-engineered building construction low bid (agenda item) — Council approved the low bid for the pre‑engineered building for the family entertainment center; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Lease with BDW Management Group — Approved (see related article) with amendment clarifying green replacement responsibilities; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Ground lease with Seminole State College Educational Foundation — Approved conveyance for $1 per year for building adjacent to the golf course, term 10 years plus one 5-year renewal; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Resolution No. 2025-01 — Declared May as Fair Housing Month for the City of Seminole; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Ordinance No. 1305 — Rezoned the Austin Townhomes site from R-3 multifamily to R-4 townhomes; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Ordinance No. 1306 — Amended Title 17 (Utilities) to collect a 2.9% price increase from central disposal effective July 1, 2025, as provided in the contract clause; motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Fireworks production contract — Approved contract with Rainbow Fireworks Inc. for the Fourth of July celebration in the amount of $16,000, with a $8,000 deposit; roll-call vote passed (8 yes, 1 no).

Where a roll call was recorded, the meeting minutes and audio show the names and recorded votes on the public record. The council did not finalize other pending budget decisions (notably the wastewater funding gap) and did not take further votes on rate or sales-tax changes at this meeting.","At the meeting the council approved multiple budget and contract items by roll call, including wastewater-construction invoices, a pro‑shop/building pre-engineered‑building award, a $150,000-per-year golf-course lease (amended), the Seminole 2045 plan, fireworks contract and two ordinances updating zoning and refuse-collection pricing.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610222,"Seminole adopts 'Seminole 2045' comprehensive plan after year-long community process",1079,4749000,5828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc&start=4749&end=5828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904856-c9aa2683f81af6180ca292b213cc70dc/thumbnail_4749000.jpg","/articles/6610222/Seminole/Seminole-County/Oklahoma/Seminole-adopts-Seminole-2045-comprehensive-plan-after-year-long-community-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610222-4ec3be0909ae9b74a2348a321604584a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621559&Signature=QAWq8Enj9KrygtqvZSDx45if-rNvsLlpvisYfk~hKm9jDJnY4q5fERDNUx5qgmGZWo54ntin6YMh-NP0hhcux-otCU75SeRZgoxG8y8PL5crh-mx5hXSfQDPpmpk6~zlaXXMJLtzDueTfKK5HF6HXE-EXn2ZskCa90Nrc-MIm0Cu4P~idIl1mpbLDPmKcR215eFy~H28LYy8VT6Or93H5Ob57XZwenbNGbabznKULLCQFDvsnnGL6tmXHIU1Bh1sHiaEK9jwDoPcKkKcY2zE5mDn3hoZl0kFd-hRMysw3imY-GZgX2URKwusEqiyvJzbArP0DvN-WBF2CcXJ2PfaEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seminole City Council voted to adopt “Seminole 2045,” the city’s updated comprehensive plan, following a presentation from the consultant team that led a year-long update process.

Consultants Brandon McDougall and Catherine Renner presented the plan’s structure and key recommendations, summarizing the community engagement that produced priorities such as downtown revitalization, improved pedestrian safety, expanded restaurant and family-entertainment options, and stronger community programming for youth and families. \"People in Seminole are looking for a thriving, connected, livable Seminole,\" McDougall said, summarizing the vision that guided the plan.

Renner described the engagement program — seven public meetings, multiple surveys, and online outreach — and said the plan will be followed by a land-use tools diagnostic to align city ordinances and subdivision rules with the new policy direction. The adopted plan includes three “toolkits” covering thriving places, connected places and livable places, a future land-use map, a list of 10 catalyst projects, and recommended implementation steps with timing and rough cost estimates.

Councilmembers asked questions about flood-related priorities and were told the plan complements earlier drainage and stormwater studies; staff pointed to specific citations in the catalyst projects for stormwater, a community rating system review and consideration of impact fees or a stormwater utility.

The council approved the plan by roll call vote and staff said the next step will be the land-use diagnostic and subsequent ordinance updates to implement the plan’s goals.","The City Council adopted the Seminole 2045 comprehensive plan after consultants summarized a year of community engagement, highlighting priorities including downtown revitalization, pedestrian safety, and infrastructure coordination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves new golf-course operator lease and $1 ground lease for college foundation; residents back new operators

City managers tell council $782,118 shortfall remains on $44 million wastewater project

Votes at a glance: council approves invoices, ordinances, contracts and contracts related to utilities, leases and zoning

Seminole adopts 'Seminole 2045' comprehensive plan after year-long community process