[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6062198,"mediaKeyId","3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b","parentId",3280105,"title","Residents urge council to retain community resource officer, citing mentorship and prevention","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",2255000,"endMs",2639000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b&start=2255&end=2639","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062198/Oklahoma/Residents-urge-council-to-retain-community-resource-officer-citing-mentorship-and-prevention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062198-e3ef8b2aefa7149ef8a124e2d8be70b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770815274&Signature=FZhjV09Bv7h4a-75Aktgl~MKbIWvOhtc430rKFg~2rG98RNtGwj5PGV2c4w2FnVTJbYXT0hyjH4OkMBsbpBA7ErbbwvRdNAS-TXRvzjF0oCIktqO7uiiXKxtso5o9SkRIJ1AXBcTpxBiQhaS-D4e9YZyUwShLtzdbrCMKPBe5j312nIzvK9GmPjT7XfQHxdsGKlllfbaVAzc1hqGTDtxwFlqlmQ1S~I5lHVx6JktEF7OwT4T8NV6rsWpHmxxLDDcqyF9PKpCvq1MBUsYGRm2t7J~sGBA4KO0HMxGVQwra1Cx8yoCNPMjmHmLPuaUM3XlgTFf~BvWS~ZiWxc9XokIgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Muskogee, OK","date","2025-05-13T11:27:36Z","article","Several residents used the public‑comment period on May 12, 2025, to urge the City of Muskogee to retain a community resource officer who serves across the city rather than moving that officer into a single school assignment.

Lynette Gunn, a Ward 1 resident and retired VA behavioral health nurse, said a resource officer serves as a community bridge that helps students, parents and school staff access social services and health care and can prevent property damage, injuries and overdoses. Gunn said she reviewed the National Association of School Resource Officers’ materials on certification and believes certified officers provide valuable prevention and referral services.

Laurie Thompson, another resident, described the work of Officer Ron Mayes as city‑wide and mentorship‑focused. Thompson said Mayes attends sports and community events across Muskogee and that his presence “prevents issues before they even reach the school doors.” Thompson told the council, “Eliminating his role doesn’t increase safety. It weakens it,” and recounted examples of the officer’s community presence and influence on young people.

A separate commenter raised concerns about fluoride in the water and asked the council to consider stopping water fluoridation; that comment was a public‑comment item rather than an agenda item and did not lead to council action that evening.

Council minutes show these comments were part of the public‑comment segment; no formal council action on resource officers was recorded at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Works & Finance Meetings - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment the same evening, multiple residents urged the City of Muskogee to keep a community resource officer position—testifying that the officer serves as a city‑wide mentor and prevents problems before they reach schools.","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":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062203,"Muskogee council transfers youth prevention funds to Neighbors Building Neighborhoods; one abstention",113,1959000,2072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b&start=1959&end=2072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b/thumbnail_1959000.jpg","/articles/6062203/Oklahoma/Muskogee-council-transfers-youth-prevention-funds-to-Neighbors-Building-Neighborhoods-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062203-9e0f8c58cdea5ffa03911e2b98d6d6fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770815274&Signature=nb-gQvA0oRWlJ1~XMkPCn3fXwxXOzWFRMpxS37SUH3tWb-r31I2IewuPRLCeRnxcPZsl-ffFBl1XCwVR-11mAzCY~avMBVG5d7W-vz3SBQMKbS319fH2i~jnZKyeCuyfs8eCV6VHKgsYid5DOFjnhjII83b~UaSIuUXUZFEn9df3iELTMRbFYqEKpEBNgA3i-8lZlEMwxQDskBu3~imklGA3fNUNuTQY7IUcNcsMpT7V-MO1t5eFY7oudv7dRv6whUarojFylP6-ThhESNAvMKohjK2dVTFIsSlcFvJACxDr7L63zT5ERDGYAMzZA3bIL0YjiEFtgKsVAbR7RUjE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Muskogee City Council on May 12, 2025, approved transferring unused funding from a youth alcohol prevention program to the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods prevention program for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with one abstention recorded.

Councilwoman Melody Cranford presented the request, saying the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods program includes prescription drug take‑back initiatives, sharps disposal and other items aimed at reducing youth access to controlled substances. Cranford said the move is a proactive prevention approach focused on getting prescription drugs out of homes.

During discussion, a council member clarified the funds would come from the drug forfeiture account and the fines division, and staff confirmed the transfer should be included in the 2025–26 budget. The motion to move the funds passed on a roll call with Councilor Derek Reed recorded as abstaining; all other members voted yes.

Councilors directed staff to place the transfer in next fiscal year’s budget; no additional conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.","Council approved moving unused youth alcohol prevention funds to Neighbors Building Neighborhoods for prescription take‑back and related prevention activities for FY 2025–26; the funding source was described as drug forfeiture and fines accounts and one councilor abstained.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062208,"Council extends War Memorial trustees' terms and approves several plats and replats",83,1476000,1559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b&start=1476&end=1559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6062208/Oklahoma/Council-extends-War-Memorial-trustees-terms-and-approves-several-plats-and-replats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062208-98f44a2613c330499fbfff244544bb56/orig.mp4?Expires=1770815274&Signature=j9BBiQBtI31PIpfYTLW3lR3wwbyJPjYEQKuoC7Mb6rRrDieDMjhJcCY3235wqlH3Hi8ksH6aSsqdY9QT1P6iYrWar1seDGBTWP-RUj32bIqv8a5721IqKa16ZROw55eNW6mCWij3B9yeKxwQDFxkuG55WKdtFJSSzS5FHKyMHFq0mWQcy4qxoKZP19adGGY3YfkTDeS81WEWBvx9QR6D-yB6QUbGcVFSY~d9-r8P37znaQSUWTMRd6SUWJlw6sSJW1HC33a4oee8dwctkul0F5gN1641g3a~CsuGGJE01MFRm5lL38upH7QkeDw3JnjuyDyUp4c6OnD8YUQFnqXjhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 12, 2025, the City of Muskogee City Council approved an ordinance amending the War Memorial Park Trust Authority trustees’ terms and granted approvals for a replat and three preliminary/final plats intended for retail and residential development.

The council adopted Ordinance No. 4265a to change trustee terms from three years to five years for the War Memorial Park Trust Authority. A trustee representative told the council the change is intended to provide continuity for board members overseeing planned capital improvements and ongoing fundraising efforts.

Planning staff presented a replat application for a 4.47‑acre retail development behind the T‑Mobile site off Shawnee Avenue; staff said the plat consolidated several lots into one and noted the subdivision review committee approved the replat in April 2025. The council approved the replat.

Councilors also approved the York Peak addition preliminary and final plat, covering about 4 acres on South York Street and intended for three residential lots; staff said the plat had subdivision review committee approval from April 29, 2025. The council granted approval for the Fairway Bridge development preliminary and final plat, a 7.51‑acre single‑family residential development at Smith Ferry Road and Gulick Street, which staff said carries PED zoning consistent with surrounding areas.

Councilors voted unanimously on the ordinance and the plat and replat approvals during roll calls recorded in the meeting minutes.","The council approved Ordinance No. 4265a to lengthen War Memorial Park Trust trustees’ terms from three to five years and granted preliminary/final plat or replat approvals for multiple residential and retail developments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062213,"Muskogee receives annual MS4 stormwater report; monitoring for impaired waterways planned",318,1619000,1937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b&start=1619&end=1937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b/thumbnail_1619000.jpg","/articles/6062213/Oklahoma/Muskogee-receives-annual-MS4-stormwater-report-monitoring-for-impaired-waterways-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062213-e65c5d3a78e54f90c8e49d6e772ee8e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770815274&Signature=oMeXE5R9hfl33BruZq8NeAPrFsiEWM-y~HhvxR7no3r52-4RwinNbrmgWRcByusm9n4ANtgP1Dfmq-UFApvdf92QAgi~HRGjv2CNnt1cDvM9UowY8GhYN9SH~0K-jK9Z1RI~3XFv8eIqZ9KB4HO-I8CuoSPnahfkAk1YD69kOkb4VvOoYHyFuLIgLZ8ft7ROd~lhmoAon761XrF47h~Ey5FNiSuww-oUGLANuPim5y26Wk8kPOhbBAGn4Wr1MVObXvi9BLgbojiCxqCZsN717xh8RVJ61HZ44EQavYni5KQcHzYpqKphF0UVAyqw6anKpTqLCOaHD0q9RSjUFHxmnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Muskogee on May 12, 2025, received its annual Phase II stormwater report and heard that staff will begin water‑quality monitoring for impaired waterways this year under Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements.

Abigail Wright, environmental technician in Public Works, told the council the city’s MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) program includes six minimum control measures and a range of best management practices aimed at preventing pollutants from entering storm drains. Wright said the city plans to begin sampling for bacteria by 2025 at selected sites on impaired water bodies.

Wright gave performance figures for 2024: public involvement events including an Azalea cleanup that drew 1,214 volunteers; two household pollutant collection events; and 20,286 residents recycling materials at the city recycle center. On enforcement and inspections, staff recorded 92 reported illicit discharge complaints and completed 42 dry‑weather screening inspections. Construction site runoff control work included 653 construction inspections. Maintenance metrics included 2,883 curb miles swept, drainage maintenance on 1,042 miles of channel, and 1,750 bags of litter collected by city crews.

Wright said the DEQ’s new total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirement requires updated best management practices for impaired water bodies; she identified the Arkansas River and Cootie Creek as impaired for bacteria and said the city has selected monitoring sites and plans to start sampling this year.

No council action was required; council members thanked staff for the report.","City environmental staff presented the 2024 Phase II MS4 stormwater report to the council, reporting volunteer and inspection numbers and saying the city will begin bacterial water‑quality monitoring for impaired water bodies this year as required by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062218,"Muskogee council approves park repairs, utility work, equipment purchase and final payments",177,1039000,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b&start=1039&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280105-cb5157bcc1b51b385eae6661124cab7b/thumbnail_1039000.jpg","/articles/6062218/Oklahoma/Muskogee-council-approves-park-repairs-utility-work-equipment-purchase-and-final-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062218-b26c04a6bc5f8e27130a0519dec600f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770815274&Signature=GLXjhjE8iFDsVBy9UMs3GrajiRMZ0j9huiJYl~MbWi14WbuEGwuKgMFMJ6G76Y5UVKs1lFlMPQsxtqEthat6filq7ybrI~RUAe1f1uoME9qJBf660VGTLZksrRJGtUZsC1GCyk7sZ-fG3wrNx7iqt3G5MhJBubcwFUTQ0Rcx8Y~TM83s4kvgSNimtjr70c2GIdL1ZYnC3EVtkl8q2S862v~bqjYCpNrXmzczbD5x-YdTDl~TtNf~qh519sOVLeidIcMqzsvvQEAI5hJRHbTyicUtAzng1d4u60-qyITIncJG432JZ-zvhihVoqQCnoOBxPRo8JO9YUyyMFE1nLwdtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Muskogee City Council on May 12, 2025, approved a series of capital projects, final payments and an equipment purchase covering park repairs, a pedestrian bridge replacement at Honor Heights Park, a new backhoe for parks crews and the closeout of a multi‑phase waterline interconnect project.

City staff told the council the waterline interconnect work concluded under budget and included more than 80 service connections and more than 18,000 linear feet of new water main; staff recommended approval of the final payments and purchases listed on the agenda.

Staff presented a low bid of $89,800 from PCC Sports for the Spalding Park pickleball/tennis resurfacing and restriping work and recommended award. The council voted unanimously to accept the bid. Staff also described a planned replacement of a pedestrian spillway and bridge at Honor Heights Park that will use a prefabricated weathered‑steel pedestrian bridge and a new cast‑in‑place weir; the council voted unanimously to award the $360,000 contract to Cook Consulting LLC for that work.

Parks staff recommended purchase of a Kubota L47TLB backhoe/loader under Sourcewell cooperative pricing at $78,267.58, with an estimated $17,255 savings off list price through the cooperative purchase. The council approved the purchase as presented.

The council approved final payment of $53,600 to Sligar Medi Mechanical LLC to close out the Civic Center HVAC remodel, a project staff described as a $1,072,000 job that delivered two 200‑ton chillers, new pumps and three 1,000,000 BTU boilers and associated piping and controls.

On a larger utilities item, staff recommended approval to close out Cook Consulting LLC’s Waterline Interconnect Package C. The agenda listed an anomalous dollar figure; staff clarified the overall waterline project was about $3.7 million and that the work came in roughly $275,000 under bid. Staff reported the package included more than 80 service line connections, more than 30 fire hydrants, over 18,000 linear feet of pipe (sizes from 3/4 inch to 12 inch), and repairs to roadways, curbs and driveways. Older mains from 1911 and 1949 were taken out of service and decommissioned; some 24‑inch lines were filled with concrete for safety. The council voted to approve the final payment paperwork as recommended.

All of the above agenda items passed on voice roll calls in which the council members recorded affirmative votes; no dissenting votes were recorded on the capital and final‑payment items presented that evening.

Council approval allows staff to proceed with contracting, equipment acquisition and project closeout steps described during the meeting.","The City of Muskogee approved multiple capital projects, final payments and an equipment purchase on May 12, 2025, including park resurfacing, a pedestrian bridge replacement, a backhoe purchase and the closeout of a major waterline interconnect project; staff said the waterline work finished under budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to retain community resource officer, citing mentorship and prevention

Muskogee council transfers youth prevention funds to Neighbors Building Neighborhoods; one abstention

Council extends War Memorial trustees' terms and approves several plats and replats

Muskogee receives annual MS4 stormwater report; monitoring for impaired waterways planned

Muskogee council approves park repairs, utility work, equipment purchase and final payments