[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6561452,"mediaKeyId","3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5","parentId",3290549,"title","City declares civil emergency after late‑April flooding; announces SBA loans and volunteer relief services","audioSeconds",4985,"startMs",5215000,"endMs",10200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5&start=5215&end=10200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5/thumbnail_5215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561452/Oklahoma/City-declares-civil-emergency-after-lateApril-flooding-announces-SBA-loans-and-volunteer-relief-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561452-4d9d7beed8f9d39b7ac831f5c27e1941/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440140&Signature=Wse27h1K9fbCJ7syg3oc7RbI68p4-aXlsB4zkoAAaKC~IDmBTT5vHwchyG0kI-mHR6YnJ6C-Xs36BThC6cfsyoSTvoDpPE7JmBJLT8DnYHVs98I6GaeNs785gbgdZlWgDA1ENwjlJ4CxTTHc23Qh2becFknvG5iWO0aurWnAy4EVxCAwtkG6-0zTQDNpQKezxn-6bknIERuwjXpiXKLgcetBL~~I~iJ~x2JdljCapILbBhGEDO2pU-opYFVzEQb81nF-6sVM~bOEfhZS48yaCka2MVcfSzDCCnhc2GUoxyvdYahSrd3Uc-jioiVFwCUcXByv8-NZ5uZF5hGKrDh-Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings","date","2025-05-14T02:05:01Z","article","The Lawton City Council on May 13 declared a civil emergency for the city after widespread damage from heavy rain and flash flooding that began in late April.

Mayor Hankins Booker praised the coordinated response by city staff, police, fire and public works and said the effort demonstrated government functioning as intended. The city manager reported that the Federal Small Business Administration will offer low‑interest disaster loans to eligible residents and businesses; staff said they would publish guidance and links to the state damage-report portal (oklahomadamage.gov) to document household and business losses.

City staff also announced that the Oklahoma Baptist relief team will operate from Cameron Baptist Church for roughly 30 days to provide free remediation services — removing damaged drywall, carpet and other flood‑soaked materials — and that residents who need assistance should contact the relief team. Staff emphasized that reporting damage to the state portal will support requests for federal disaster declaration and additional aid.

Separately, the council adopted a formal proclamation of civil emergency (declared effective May 13, 2025) to enable the mayor and mayor pro tem to promulgate reasonable regulations and to assist the city's ability to access emergency funds and to document losses for federal assistance.

Why it matters
The civil-emergency proclamation and public announcements about SBA loans and volunteer remediation teams are intended to accelerate recovery and to document damage for potential federal assistance. The volunteer remediation effort provides immediate help for homeowners and reduces public‑health risks from mold and standing water.

What happens next
City staff will publish links and guidance on reporting damage to the state portal and will coordinate with the Oklahoma Baptist relief team and other partners to connect residents to free cleanup services. The city will pursue applicable federal assistance following documentation and damage assessments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 13, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor and city staff described the city's emergency response to flash flooding, declared a civil emergency for access to funds, and announced SBA low-interest loans and a volunteer relief program operating from Cameron Baptist Church.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma","taxId",69683,"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},6561458,"Council directs manager to review Museum of the Great Plains relationship after museum posts during flood response",1281,9152000,10433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5&start=9152&end=10433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5/thumbnail_9152000.jpg","/articles/6561458/Oklahoma/Council-directs-manager-to-review-Museum-of-the-Great-Plains-relationship-after-museum-posts-during-flood-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561458-1d23d8cb9b50cdfd62631f5dac202249/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440140&Signature=PAL0ce5ZeBEMd2JHvrJTBai7L3lvikz2ky7N68e9Dtxws-BT39~MO61BuTuxcYwahUg1niH1AaTBaHT6~0ntAIa3JcdvJp8s9uICEBYz0FUN32LzEwSwQmKXWfc~fsmlKVXL6on2nklVvOoCtvibE21u21P5Ss4QTo12q3QvNDRwNMA5uJnWwuHvTTEaSswkcrYA1heIydFGEoN3-7DpY7k46lCseQwQUjRUHQzh8vLZ8MVLpx47AT-y~lUWPkzWDU1XmNzFxQ00H6rj0A0iLgycuOKi34vJ9s2GeNQjNRy1kIKAMXq1uGlaPyGwfbX65HHTEsM8Gq9PYWxF7SU-nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council on May 13 publicly addressed a dispute with the Museum of the Great Plains after museum social-media posts during the recent flooding criticized the pace of repairs and urged citizens to contact council members.

Mayor Hankins Booker and multiple council members said the posts lacked context because the city had already programmed capital funding and provided operational support. The city manager and deputy city manager said staff had offered interim assistance and had been coordinating long-term repairs, but those offers were declined by museum staff. Council members described the museum as an authority and a trust whose board should communicate nominations, reappointments and requests through the city clerk and city manager instead of public-facing social posts that could distract emergency response.

After extended discussion, council voted to direct the city manager to produce a report with recommendations. The motion calls for a comprehensive review that should include: a 5‑, 10‑ and 20‑year vision for the museum; an assessment of how the museum can better serve youth and families; a 10‑year funding and grant-seeking record and concrete steps to secure outside funding; options to make the museum more self-supporting; recommended changes to the trust indenture (including possible changes to board appointment procedures); clarified reporting and point-of-contact protocols between the authority and the city; and any other measures the manager recommends to strengthen the relationship. Council requested the report be returned within a short timeline so the city and museum can reconcile communications and governance processes.

Council members said the public timing of the museum's posts during a community-wide flood response created unnecessary confusion and stressed that differences should be handled through professional channels. City staff said the museum is programmed in the city CIP and that staff have been coordinating design and funding steps; staff will include those timelines and the status of committed funds in the requested report.

Why it matters
The museum is a city trust authority and a cultural asset. Council members said clearer governance, appointment and communications protocols are needed to ensure coordinated use of city CIP funds and to avoid public messaging that conflicts with emergency management and city priorities.

What happens next
City staff were directed to prepare a report that includes funding history, grant-seeking efforts, recommended changes to the trust indenture, point-of-contact protocols, and options for strengthening the museum's long-term sustainability. The council set an expectation that the report be returned in the near term for review and possible action.","Council members said social-media posts by the Museum of the Great Plains during the April flooding created confusion about city support; council directed the city manager to return a comprehensive report on governance, funding and communication protocols.",{"_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},6561462,"Council approves cluster of dilapidated-property orders, debt authorizations and several funding measures",13739,1037000,14776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5&start=1037&end=14776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290549-ecc47eb9c3d76b5339ecd3b038efddf5/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6561462/Oklahoma/Council-approves-cluster-of-dilapidated-property-orders-debt-authorizations-and-several-funding-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561462-e8181606479d0d76ed6259a4fe835715/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440140&Signature=Y-hpIjJdvnSNFYq3hS6H5LN~agPS1YdJ6PLwgP7s8liTLNyWQBP9-ceeen71cldGUEIHCN6g5nLu2nYV4PRckLHcTkaXdyfF-MUYO2nRb3e0Fb2l1iBzRt7aJtvZSuIwEGBCUftnKcGiDKdPmvtycu2Fudvu9bXUJyXuOcV23ysRpiLby4maoBzv7GoMrSPlxGNkB7HUo~bQCOFXFkxUhfpJmVrkPc0ETBkWsej6ODqd1pZRDi9mWjax5b2WvCrN8MMYjeYZrcgMN~b4HppAI9DFw-0nwcbL891Oe2dHk3OXQp7V1sNq51x9jlnGghEho8krOxU432V7ALsZLGMapQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawton City Council on Tuesday approved a package of enforcement and financing actions, including a multi-property resolution to declare scores of structures dilapidated and several separate funding and administrative measures.

The council voted to adopt resolutions finding multiple properties to be dilapidated and authorizing abatement proceedings. City staff presented an omnibus list of addresses for formal action; council members moved, seconded and approved each property action in individual roll calls. Public commenters who own or manage properties on the list told council they are pursuing repairs or demolitions and were advised by staff how the city's D&D (dilapidated and dangerous) process works.

Staff also presented and council approved two debt-related items after public presentation and brief discussion. The council approved a resolution authorizing the Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority to reissue a revenue note in an amount not to exceed $9,350,000 and to sell the note to Arvest Bank. The council separately approved parameters for issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025, in the principal amount of $3,150,000 and set the sale timetable so bids can be received and awarded next month.

The council also approved a limited-support agreement of $10,000 to the Health Advocacy Center of Southwest Oklahoma to support identification and operation of a safe, trauma-informed space where sexual-assault victims can receive coordinated multi-agency care.

On capital work, the council considered change order No. 1 for the McMahon Memorial Auditorium renovation, a request that would add $725,428.92 to the contract (raising the contract from $7,333,138.45 to $8,059,595.65) and add 70 calendar days. Council members pressed staff and the contractor for supporting documentation. After discussion the council moved to delay final action and return the item to the next regular council meeting to allow members to review the change-order backup; the motion to defer carried unanimously.

Council also considered a request to accept project closeout and retainage release for City Hall renovation work (a $365,156.68 retainage). Council voted to table that acceptance indefinitely pending completion of outstanding contract requirements and paperwork from the contractor.

In executive-session business the council approved a settlement resolving seven pending Comanche County actions titled City of Lawton v. Great Plains Improvement Foundation and related parties; the city will pay a total of $174,401.98 and obtain releases as described in the settlement documents.

Other procedural measures included passage of a City Code ordinance aligning permit expiration dates for tattoo and body-piercing artists and parlors, the annual parameters for GO bond sale, and routine agenda motions. Where residents addressed individual dilapidated properties, council members emphasized the D&D process is designed to help owners bring properties back into compliance through permits and monitored progress.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution: 558 Northeast Carver Street — declared dilapidated; abatement authorized; approved.
- Items 2–6 (extensions/continued remodeling authorization): 1812 Southwest D Avenue; 1511 Southwest Texas Avenue; 1512 Southwest Doctor Charles W. Whitlow Avenue; 1701 Southwest F Avenue — staff recommended continuing permits/extension; council approved each request.
- Omnibus dilapidated-property resolution (multiple addresses presented on the agenda for D&D action) — council considered each property and approved resolutions declaring the structures dilapidated and authorizing abatement as set forth in the resolutions.
- Waiver & reaffirmation (2211 Northwest Baltimore Avenue) — council waived the six‑month reconsideration policy and reaffirmed the prior dilapidated-structure resolution to restart the compliance timetable; approved.
- Airport Authority revenue note (not to exceed $9,350,000; sale to Arvest Bank) — approved.
- General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025 (parameters; $3,150,000) — council set the sale timetable and parameters; approved.
- McMahon Memorial Auditorium change order No. 1 ($725,428.92 increase; add 70 days) — action deferred to the next council meeting for additional backup documentation.
- City Hall project: release of retainage ($365,156.68) — tabling accepted until contractor completes outstanding items and submits final paperwork.
- Health Advocacy Center limited support agreement ($10,000) — approved to support a trauma-informed SANE/victim space.
- Ordinance: Tattoo/body-piercing permit expiration alignment (effective 07/01/2025) — approved.
- Settlement: City of Lawton v. Great Plains Improvement Foundation (seven Comanche County cases) — settlement approved for $174,401.98 and release of future claims related to the listed properties.

Why it matters
The omnibus D&D actions create a unified, enforceable path for dozens of properties the city has identified as unsafe, combining code enforcement with opportunities for owners to obtain permits and complete repairs. The debt authorizations provide financing options for the airport authority and maintain the city's annual bond program. The McMahon auditorium change order and the City Hall retainage matter to local capital budgets and local construction timelines. The settlement closes long-running litigation involving properties formerly mortgaged to the city.

What happens next
Staff will return the McMahon change-order backup at the next regular council meeting, per the council's direction. City finance staff will proceed with the public-notice and bidding timeline for the GO bond sale, and the airport authority and city will complete required closing steps for the revenue note sale.
","At its May 13 meeting the Lawton City Council approved an omnibus resolution declaring multiple structures dilapidated, authorized two borrowing measures for the airport and general-obligation bonds, approved a $10,000 agreement supporting a SANE/victim space, and postponed a $725,428.92 change order for the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City declares civil emergency after late‑April flooding; announces SBA loans and volunteer relief services

Council directs manager to review Museum of the Great Plains relationship after museum posts during flood response

Council approves cluster of dilapidated-property orders, debt authorizations and several funding measures