Muskogee City Council approves $3.05M Hall of Fame contract, multiple infrastructure and union agreements; tables economic development item

The City of Muskogee City Council on Jan. 13 approved multiple construction contracts, final payments and labor agreements and amended the contract of the interim city manager while tabling one economic development matter to Jan. 27.

The most significant award was a $3,047,338 low-bid contract to AC Owen Construction for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame remodel (project 2024006). The council also approved final payments and project contracts across public works, parks and other departments, accepted a grant application from the Muskogee Fire Department for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, and ratified collective-bargaining agreements with three employee unions.

Why it matters: the Hall of Fame project and several infrastructure contracts involve multi-hundred-thousand-dollar city expenditures and advances building and stormwater work in neighborhoods. The labor agreements and the amendment to the interim city manager's contract affect ongoing operations and personnel costs.

Key details and statements

- Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame remodel: The architect of record and staff recommended awarding the low bid to AC Owen Construction. Council members voted to award the contract; staff said the contractor had been out to the site and that the firm's proposed schedule was shorter than other bidders.

- Fire department grant application: Fire Chief Moore said the department is "in desperate need of a new rescue truck," and recommended approval to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant that requires a 10% local match.

- Walnut Creek subdivision final payment: Staff reported completion of the Walnut Creek infrastructure project, describing concrete streets, curb and gutter, sidewalks, sewer mains and stormwater improvements; staff recommended final payment to Cook Consulting in the amount of $213,083.39.

- Ketch Basin (stormwater) repairs: Public works staff described replacing open-mouth catch basins with a grate-and-frame design to reduce clogging and improve drainage. Staff estimated the approved $200,000 not-to-exceed contract would replace about "28 to 30" basins in the first round and said the initial focus would be northeast neighborhoods.

- Historic preservation survey: Staff recommended awarding a $68,658 contract to Terracon Consultants Inc. for an intensive-level survey of the central business district (roughly bounded by Cherokee, Martin Luther King, 7th and Elgin) to identify properties for potential National Register designation.

- Housing rehabilitation: The council approved awarding the rehabilitation contract for eight single-family structures from the 2021-22 grant period to EKA Consulting (bid amount $225,704). Staff said prior bidders were unable to fulfill commitments and the project is being rebid to finish the program.

- Contract awards and final payments: The council approved abatement contracts to 5 Star Demolition LLC (weed/grass/trash abatement and dilapidated personal property abatement), roofing and rehabilitation payments to Heritage Hills Roofing and Harness Roofing, and Cook Consulting work on drainage. Staff recommended each and the council approved them by roll call.

- Lease and appointment: The council approved a five-year lease renewal and expansion for the armory building tenant (Traferra) and approved the appointment of Mike Brawley as Ward 1 commissioner to the Urban Renewal Authority (term through Aug. 31, 2025). Staff said the tenant had invested in building improvements that will remain with the property.

- Ordinance and resolution: The council approved Ordinance No. 4247a to update municipal employees' retirement board election and membership language, and passed Resolution No. 3020 supporting an Oklahoma Department of Transportation grant application for improvements to U.S. 69.

- Executive session outcomes and labor contracts: After an executive session, the council agreed to table economic development project ED202406 until the Jan. 27 meeting. The council voted to amend the interim city manager Roger Coleman's contract as discussed in executive session. No action was taken on the city attorney or city clerk employment matters. The council also approved contracts presented for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 95, International Association of Fire Fighters Local No. 57, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers Local No. 2465.

Votes at a glance

- Finance committee minutes (Sept. 9, 2024): approved (roll call: Dan Hall Yes; Melody Cranford Yes; C.B. Abel Yes; Shirley Hilton Flannery Yes; Tracy Hoose Yes; Jamie Stout Yes; Deputy Mayor Derek Reed Yes; Mayor Patrick Kale Yes).

- Claims (Nov. 16, 2024'Jan. 3, 2025): approved (same roll call pattern of Yes votes).

- Muskogee Fire Department AFG grant application (10% local match): approved (roll call Yes from council).

- Abatement contract (weeds/grass/trash) to 5 Star Demolition LLC: approved (Dan Hall abstained; other members Yes).

- Abatement contract (dilapidated personal property) to 5 Star Demolition LLC: approved (record shows approval by roll call; Dan Hall did not vote Yes on the first abatement item and earlier indicated an abstention on a similar item).

- Terracon Consultants Inc. intensive-level downtown survey ($68,658): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- EKA Consulting rehabilitation contract for eight single-family structures ($225,704): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Final payment to Cook Consulting for Walnut Creek ($213,083.39): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Final payment to Heritage Hills Roofing for Swim & Fitness Center roof ($298,500): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Ketch Basin repair contract to Cook Consulting LLC (not to exceed $200,000): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Final payment to Harness Roofing for Roxy Theater roof ($29,948.30): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame remodel contract to AC Owen Construction ($3,047,338): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Public works committee minutes (Sept. 9, 2024): approved (roll call Yes).

- Armory building lease (add accessory building, 5-year term) with Traferra: approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Appointment of Mike Brawley to Urban Renewal Authority (Ward 1, term to Aug. 31, 2025): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Ordinance No. 4247a (Municipal Employees Retirement Board housekeeping/amendments): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Resolution No. 3020 (support for ODOT grant for U.S. 69 improvements): approved (unanimous roll call Yes).

- Executive session items: ED202406 (economic development) ' tabled to Jan. 27; interim city manager Roger Coleman ' council voted to amend the contract as discussed in executive session; city attorney and city clerk items ' no action required; three union contracts (FOP Lodge 95, IAFF Local 57, AFSCME Local 2465) ' approved as presented (roll calls recorded as Yes).

What the council did not decide

The council tabled ED202406 to Jan. 27. The executive-session discussions about the city attorney and city clerk resulted in no open-session action.

Next steps

Staff and contractors will proceed under the awarded contracts and payments; the council will revisit the tabled economic-development item at the Jan. 27 regular meeting.

Quotes in this report come from remarks recorded in the Jan. 13, 2025 City of Muskogee meeting transcript.