[{"_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",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6258316,"mediaKeyId","3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054","parentId",3148492,"title","Muskogee council authorizes city manager to negotiate two SROs for Hilldale after hours of public comment","audioSeconds",470,"startMs",655000,"endMs",1125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054&start=655&end=1125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054/thumbnail_655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258316/Oklahoma/Muskogee-council-authorizes-city-manager-to-negotiate-two-SROs-for-Hilldale-after-hours-of-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258316-0d0f366d41ec72fd77e38f67836da468/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618706&Signature=RJ5UhBt-1DtOHX8RkVeBF-ePFgod9JQi4H4DzUtNE9s4iA7AN0VfUt4Asn5fQI4uvRH8ylTVZ6SLyplJs9LWGh5fcXN0mgScdJGSaR4LxI~gu882nIwMzXMU3aYLCoFEntqjujLBJBstbsvhWE9UVojsX-AY9iWrsQ5mU3pZk7FjbD152e4grvnT1Q3EMLdoOv5nhbFV1MGi~Pmrq2Mx7CgRjaROAp1Hek33CYis4wNMOZDwFOGzr36dnFvrUysYMwl246cVdzmPDPwVoDj8Hx-ctm6zlQ4v~zKyffbfwY5kzbo8hDzAikwLTluVLnnsmNtAYP7WlTD-WzB0WAARgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Muskogee, OK","date","2025-04-29T16:51:53.297Z","article","Muskogee — The Muskogee City Council voted unanimously April 28 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Hilldale Public Schools to furnish two uniformed police officers to provide school-based security and serve as school resource officers. The vote follows more than an hour of public comment from students, teachers, parents and school leaders pleading to keep Officer Ford and Officer Jones stationed at Hilldale campuses.

The action authorizes the city manager to negotiate the terms of a contract with Hilldale Public Schools; the council’s motion and roll call approved sending that recommendation to the city manager. The item as written on the agenda described providing two uniformed officers to “provide law enforcement security for functions and act as the school resource officers for the school district campuses.” The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

Why it matters: Hilldale serves more than 2,000 students and school and community leaders said the SROs do more than respond to emergencies — they build daily relationships, support students with trauma and help de-escalate incidents. Speakers repeatedly said that removing the current officers would break long-standing bonds that staff and students rely on.

Muskogee Police Chief Teehee told the council the department is under heavy staffing pressure and offered a compromise: keep one officer permanently at Hilldale while the department shifts staffing to patrol, with the hope that a strong hiring class will let the department restore a second dedicated SRO later. “We are 25% short of our patrol staffing,” Chief Teehee said in remarks to council. He described officer burnout and said if the council keeps two officers at Hilldale without department agreement, the chief would have to reassign personnel from other units to cover patrol needs.

Superintendent Eric Puckett of Hilldale Public Schools told the council Hilldale has paid 75% of the SRO contract and that the matter is not primarily about money but about continuity and training specific to school environments. “This has nothing to do with money. It has 100% to do with people and staffing,” Puckett said, urging the council to support the contract recommendation that would keep the two-officer arrangement in place.

Dozens of Hilldale staff, students and parents spoke during public comment. Student Kenley Moore said, “Every day when I walk through the doors, I feel safe. A big part of that is because of them.” Several teachers and the superintendent read letters and student notes describing how the SROs de-escalate incidents, help in medical emergencies and serve as trusted adults for at-risk students.

Councilors asked city attorneys and staff for clarity about authority: the council can recommend and authorize the city manager to negotiate a contract, but the city manager — under the charter — has exclusive authority to finalize and execute certain contracts and the police chief retains operational control of personnel deployment. City attorney and staff reiterated that the council’s vote would be a direction to the city manager, not a binding reassignment order of individual officers.

Council action and next steps: The council’s vote authorized the city manager to negotiate with Hilldale Public Schools for two uniformed officers. Council members indicated they expect the city manager to consider the council’s support for Hilldale in negotiations; however, the chief emphasized that final assignment of officers is subject to the department’s staffing realities. Council members said they would follow up with the manager and police command as negotiations proceed.

Votes at a glance: The motion to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Hilldale Public Schools for two uniformed school resource officers passed unanimously (roll call: all members voting “yes”).

Community context: Speakers and school leaders stressed that Hilldale’s SROs interact with more than 2,000 students, staff and families daily and that the program has long included training tailored to school settings. Several speakers urged the city to pursue a solution that preserves the current officers while addressing police staffing shortages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Muskogee — The Muskogee City Council voted unanimously April 28 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Hilldale Public Schools to furnish two uniformed police officers to provide school-based security and serve as school resource officers.","taxTitle","City of Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma","taxId",62213,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258296,"Council confirms board appointment, fills Ward 1 seat and approves retirement/settlement actions",0,6240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054&start=6240&end=6240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054/thumbnail_6240000.jpg","/articles/6258296/Oklahoma/Council-confirms-board-appointment-fills-Ward-1-seat-and-approves-retirementsettlement-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258296-cf1f1ea1f2b69ebf5603a6e518355a71/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618706&Signature=gjHJ5dfkG06akOUMXKbuZmaHOJp32ZDl1IObe-nMfES-p3YSx53W93JgCQVJ1bThQxigzeuh67SVFAgEkA931dJFEbdYtYG1nnLYNGF33RQU5CzTZSyfUp3Dw1qRR7~LTskr6CyNeHMzjiwKS389k~TPP004mLx8XRuLjCTdiPid9XhCALplJvzOgeumgkLqAnXFY-TZOFJHt2V2QpffOkKabySo3DWhDASaBJrPGi29IDAa0h88O1ulcWmtHXCHoXa7S3RrcaqkoUehgklsFNLYdKXx4kxhV0bMiT2ScKmELAPgfvbV9BuCwVBsMiWYFdW-f~xKSH9Wk-YBfvaF5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muskogee — At its April 28 meeting the Muskogee City Council approved a slate of administrative and personnel items, including board appointments and several actions following closed-session discussions.

Appointments and council seat: The council appointed Robert Watts to the airport board for a four-year term beginning May 1, 2025, and approved the appointment of Mike Brawley to fill the Ward 1 council seat created by the resignation of CB Abel; Brawley’s term runs until the next regular municipal election as provided in the city charter. Roll-call votes for both appointments were unanimous.

Executive-session outcomes: The council convened multiple executive-session items under Oklahoma statutes covering labor negotiations, disability retirements and workers’ compensation claims. Following closed-session discussion, the council approved disability retirement requests for three employees (identified in executive session by employee numbers) and approved settlements for several workers’ compensation claims. Motions to approve the retirement determinations and claim settlements were adopted on recorded votes.

Why it matters: The appointments fill governance roles needed for municipal boards and restore a full complement of council members for Ward 1. The executive-session approvals complete personnel and liability decisions that city staff described as necessary to fulfill retirement and workers’ compensation obligations.

Implementation: The city clerk’s office and human resources will process the appointment paperwork and retirement/settlement documents. The council directed city staff to execute the necessary paperwork arising from the executive-session approvals.

Votes at a glance: Airport board appointment (Robert Watts) — approved unanimous; Ward 1 appointment (Mike Brawley) — approved unanimous; motions approving disability retirements and workers’ compensation settlements — approved unanimous.","Council appointed Robert Watts to the airport board, appointed Mike Brawley to the Ward 1 council seat, and approved disability retirement requests and workers’ compensation settlements after executive session.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258301,"Council approves two rezones for single-family use and residential‑agricultural use",60,855000,915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054&start=855&end=915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054/thumbnail_855000.jpg","/articles/6258301/Oklahoma/Council-approves-two-rezones-for-single-family-use-and-residentialagricultural-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258301-480e454d7704373f0d232d4c0556a901/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618706&Signature=LzzkZWjrb~XAb3-PoA8WlLWdwwxhVDVxiam3oLRUK~WtAXxEOOezJ41U5W0GtuxMPTrZhkNObITRnN-Ftoqzd6aqjHgwbaoN3VgqQg8efZt15SLvrkpdhc39UiWNkmyYOktxmjQNakUxv6GCfgL5lnPsoZbKC5DQ3mtQM~MT75tlM6S-1US9KSPl3ZUbsTWftGCx0B1q7fony-8iGhuQcpJz5QHPv4eYetDYoc8vSMbd7VAXgItojtusZpl51cgNWO9Cg1iZNG69WPGFu5bFVjOaIPbcMn1h~5k8mDxiWs3ZnCfsc80K1rr3RnD~GETtsQHH48RIieNitGxLWJM9Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muskogee — The Muskogee City Council voted April 28 to approve two separate rezoning requests presented by staff.

The first request, Ordinance No. 42‑53‑A, rezones the property at 1507 East Otmalge from C‑1 (local commercial) to R‑1 (single-family). Staff reported the property already contains a single-family home, that the request conforms with the 2013 future land‑use plan and recommended approval.

The second request, Ordinance No. 42‑54‑A, rezones 3720 South Cherokee Drive from R‑1 (single-family) to RA (residential‑agricultural). Staff said the intended use is single‑family residences with small-scale livestock; the request also conforms with the future land‑use plan and staff recommended approval.

Both rezones passed on unanimous roll-call votes with no public opposition shown at the hearings.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 42‑53‑A (1507 East Otmalge) — approved unanimous; Ordinance 42‑54‑A (3720 South Cherokee Drive) — approved unanimous.

Outcome and next steps: Staff is authorized to update the official city zoning map to reflect the changes.","Council approved two separate rezones: 1507 East Otmalge from local commercial (C‑1) to single‑family (R‑1) and 3720 South Cherokee Drive from single‑family (R‑1) to residential‑agricultural (RA). Both requests conformed to the future land-use plan and passed unanimously.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258305,"Council approves ordinances targeting sidewalk sitting, camping and derelict structures amid calls for services",35,938000,973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054&start=938&end=973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054/thumbnail_938000.jpg","/articles/6258305/Oklahoma/Council-approves-ordinances-targeting-sidewalk-sitting-camping-and-derelict-structures-amid-calls-for-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258305-7b3d5f285096d45624e2a615945c16ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618706&Signature=fMOmpJeAdBMYYcGDNaHbdKY68meMfVbG7jgHswIytmOWNRxi42KDxCTUBpnARh5dStYMyRzUXwLY9wKreyr9M563urDl~46uyYMe52d8Np608BkTrvNKUuQOOHWbVw0oLR62H40kbRAa3vhQ8~6ul8gI3tNKdz0ONya9LK3lGKHpGzffU5OOFkr7luINEOkQ9ck5cgxcTio~WpfajvwWy1Zx9qWYqfAtu8MrwlHkHYQSGgCJDNi4C3iHqeWf9RzbSRu6P2r~BDzQhi4Y47y4R3QihluD-WOFd-m9KbmWk5G5w5~F3zEiUllD8v7JZvEANnI0CbaUYTV7eavjd5KJag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muskogee — The Muskogee City Council on April 28 approved a package of ordinances aimed at public safety and code enforcement related to homelessness: a prohibition on sitting or lying on public sidewalks, an unauthorized camping ordinance, and related updates to penalties and nuisance definitions for vacant or derelict structures.

Councilor Tracy Hoose introduced the set of ordinances as part of a broader effort to address health, safety and business impacts tied to encampments and unsecured vacant structures. The council approved Ordinance No. 42‑59‑A (prohibition on sitting or lying on public sidewalks), Ordinance No. 42‑60‑A (unauthorized camping), Ordinance No. 42‑61‑A (penalties) and Ordinance No. 42‑62‑A (amendments to nuisance definitions). Each ordinance passed on roll call with unanimous support.

Why it matters: Council members said the measures are intended to give the city additional options to address behaviors that pose public-health, safety and cleanliness concerns — for example, unauthorized tent encampments near businesses and unmaintained vacant buildings that have been entry points for trespass and fires. Supporters said enforcement tools could protect business owners, first responders and unhoused residents themselves.

Council debate and concerns: Several councilors and commenters stressed they did not intend to criminalize homelessness. Councilor Hoose and others said the ordinances are paired with work by a homeless task force; however, council members and public speakers asked the city to identify daytime places and service connections for people who are unhoused. “We need some designated place for them to go to have those resources pulled,” a speaker said, urging that enforcement be paired with placement options and outreach.

Council action: The ordinances set misdemeanor penalties (including a $50 fine for some violations) and allow code enforcement for owners of vacant buildings that are not secured or maintained. Council also approved a standalone ordinance to create statutory penalty provisions that align with enforcement of the new rules. Staff and council members said police and outreach partners will target enforcement toward behaviors rather than criminalizing homelessness per se.

Next steps: Council members encouraged additional work by the homeless task force and staff to identify daytime resource locations, coordinate with providers and publish enforcement protocols that emphasize referrals to services when possible. The council’s vote authorizes enforcement mechanisms; implementation will involve police, code enforcement and social-service partners.","The city adopted multiple ordinances that ban sitting/lying on public sidewalks, unauthorized camping, and expand penalties and nuisance definitions; council members and commenters stressed the need for services and a daytime resource center as enforcement tools are considered.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6258310,"Muskogee council calls July election for 0.5% CIP sales tax, adds polling-place list",75,730000,805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054&start=730&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148492-5c9459a72953553041790ea191e78054/thumbnail_730000.jpg","/articles/6258310/Oklahoma/Muskogee-council-calls-July-election-for-05-CIP-sales-tax-adds-polling-place-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258310-ae296f3ae189c1d0c78be09bf5f1604a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618706&Signature=nBT7tqF2TDbzCrXD-6GkTRAjBFT3PixRIkOqgaLZRd2Ff-sklPmxstI96kXLXRK5GlmFD0KGK73GR5mp6Vq-jGEKFOjoGh9sZT6keAqG948NakyGuNR3LGuHNHcw-SvS4m7wa26Xqatnq28~YOMColyg1AvcrpsVO73DafDw~LpxrDKGY~4zXEZ2SPya4CJo0uR54B76d5zwGvhbvb~nxUY9dc9M50DGZb6y8Mp9Eo8O85fikcilGITzrtbPmhAwoG033uI4r524py-P5rNRt51int2vT5loUk8hY4w9SCrDTFf6TeoDLmOuL3kFUUKhkfc5ujpC9sy8HzC0uvj9Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muskogee — The Muskogee City Council approved a resolution and an accompanying ordinance April 28 to place a proposed one-half of 1 percent excise (sales) tax before voters in a special election in July 2025.

The resolution (No. 3029) calls the special election; the ordinance (No. 42‑63‑A) sets the proposed tax’s effective dates (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2033) and lists the capital projects the revenue would fund, including street maintenance, library rehabilitation, downtown revitalization, Hatbox upgrades, public-works facility rehabilitation, city hall work, civic center HVAC and a $2 million contract to construct a berm to protect the port and wastewater infrastructure.

City staff said the ordinance and the resolution were amended on the dais to include the jurisdiction’s polling-place list; the council also noted two precincts were closed because they had no registered voters. City staff recommended approval and described the ordinance as the formal step to put the measure before registered city voters.

Why it matters: The proposed sales tax would replace an expiring capital improvement program (CIP) revenue stream and, if approved by voters, would fund infrastructure projects city officials say are priorities for safety and economic development.

Public comment on the item emphasized transparency. Resident Ron Dean urged the council to publish a full accounting of how the prior CIP funds were spent — vendor lists, amounts and project-level details — before asking voters to approve a new measure. “One of the easiest ways to give confidence to the public before they go to the ballot is to show them how the $24 million from the past CIP was used,” Dean told the council.

City staff responded that the ordinance and resolution called the election and that project details appear in the ordinance background; staff also distributed an amended resolution to include the polling places supplied by the county.

Council action and votes: The council unanimously approved the resolution calling the election and the ordinance (42‑63‑A) authorizing the 0.5% excise tax; roll-call votes were recorded as unanimous. The ordinance sets the proposed tax to begin Oct. 1, 2025, if voters approve. The resolution adds polling locations and notes that Precincts 40 and 45 are closed because they contain no registered voters.

Next steps: The city will publish election materials and the polling-place list, and proceed with the July special election. Council members indicated a willingness to accelerate publication of the prior CIP expenditure details to address community requests for transparency.","Council approved a resolution and ordinance calling a July 2025 special election on a proposed 0.5% sales tax to fund capital projects, and amended documents to include polling places. The measure appears on the ballot as Ordinance 42‑63‑A.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Muskogee council authorizes city manager to negotiate two SROs for Hilldale after hours of public comment

Council confirms board appointment, fills Ward 1 seat and approves retirement/settlement actions

Council approves two rezones for single-family use and residential‑agricultural use

Council approves ordinances targeting sidewalk sitting, camping and derelict structures amid calls for services

Muskogee council calls July election for 0.5% CIP sales tax, adds polling-place list