Muskogee council approves $3.05 million hall remodel, multiple public works contracts and three labor pacts

The Muskogee City Council on Jan. 13 approved a slate of construction contracts, final payments, labor agreements and administrative actions, including a $3,047,338 award for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame remodel and authorization for the Muskogee Fire Department to apply for a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) that requires a 10% local match.

Why it matters: The approved contracts and final payments cover downtown rehabilitation, neighborhood drainage work, roof and pool center repairs, and a major cultural renovation that will affect the city’s downtown inventory of public facilities and capital spending in the coming year. The council also approved three labor agreements that conclude ongoing negotiations with public-safety and municipal worker unions.

The largest award was to AC Owen Construction for $3,047,338 to remodel the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Mr. Brieves, the project presenter, said the architect of record recommended the low bidder; the architect and staff reported confidence in AC Owen’s schedule and past work. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Councilmembers Dan Hall, Melody Cranford, C.B. Abel, Shirley Hilton Flannery, Tracy Hoose, Jamie Stout, Deputy Mayor Derek Reed and Mayor Patrick Hale voting yes.

Council also approved final payments and project awards across multiple departments:

- The council authorized final payment of $213,083.39 to Cook Consulting for the Walnut Creek subdivision infrastructure project, which staff said included concrete streets, curb and gutter, sidewalks, water and sewer mains, stormwater improvements and a detention pond. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved final payment of $298,500 to Heritage Hills Roofing and Construction for the swim and fitness center roof replacement (project 2024002). Staff described the work as roughly 21,000 feet of TPO roofing with coping caps, flashing and gutters. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved final payment of $29,948.30 to Harness Roofing Inc. for the Roxy Theater roof project (project 2024004). Staff described parapet work, coping caps, localized brick pointing and facade sealing. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council awarded a bid of $225,704 to EKA Consulting to complete rehabilitation of the remaining eight single-family structures from the 2021–22 grant period (rehab area 10). Staff said the award follows a rebid after a previously selected contractor was unable to fulfill obligations. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved Terracon Consultants Inc. for an intensive-level historic survey of the central business district at $68,658. When asked what the central business district covers, Mr. King identified the boundaries as roughly Cherokee Street (east), Martin Luther King (north), Seventh Street (west) and Elgin Street (south). The motion passed unanimously.

- The council awarded abatement contracts (weeds, grass, trash/debris and dilapidated personal property) to 5 Star Demolition LLC as the lowest and best bidder on two separate but related items. On the weeds/grass/trash abatement item Councilmember Dan Hall recorded an abstention; all other members voted yes. The motion passed. The dilapidated personal property item passed with unanimous recorded yes votes.

- The council approved a contract not to exceed $200,000 to Cook Consulting for Ketch Basin repair work in older neighborhoods, with staff estimating roughly 28–30 catch-basin replacements concentrated in the northeast part of town (Gibson to York, Beacon to Olshawnee / Eastside Boulevard). Staff characterized the work as labor‑intensive with concrete boxes, grates and curb/ gutter replacement. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved the Muskogee Fire Department’s request to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase a heavy rescue vehicle; Fire Chief Moore said, “We are in desperate need of a new rescue truck,” and staff said this is the department’s second consecutive year applying. The motion to approve the application passed unanimously; the grant decision and matching funds will be determined if/when the grant is awarded.

Administrative and personnel actions:

- The council approved Ordinance No. 4247a amending Chapter 2 (administration) article language for the Municipal Employees Retirement Board to update meeting frequency, election timing and membership terms; staff characterized the changes as housekeeping to reestablish the board and initiate a new election cycle. The ordinance passed by roll call vote with all members voting yes.

- The council approved Resolution No. 3020, a letter of support for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s application for federal “rebuilding America infrastructure with sustainability and equity” grant funding for improvements to U.S. 69. Staff recommended the resolution; the motion passed unanimously.

- The council appointed Mike Brawley to fill the Ward 1 seat on the Urban Renewal Authority through Aug. 31, 2025. The motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved a proposed lease extension and expansion for the armory building and an accessory building on East Davisville Road (tenant: Traferra). Staff said the tenant invested roughly $200,000 in improvements to the main armory building and will receive rent credits for those tenant improvements; the auxiliary building work was estimated at about $14,000 and will be repaid via monthly rent credits. The motion passed unanimously.

Executive session outcomes and labor contracts:

- The council convened an executive session under the cited provisions of Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes on several matters. After returning to open session, the council tabled the economic development item (Project ED202406) to the Jan. 27 meeting.

- The council voted to amend the contract for Interim City Manager Roger Coleman as discussed in executive session; the motion passed on roll call with all members present voting yes.

- The council reported no action required regarding the city attorney and city clerk personnel items discussed in executive session.

- The council approved negotiated contracts as presented with three employee groups: 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. Each contract motion passed on recorded roll calls.

What the council did not decide: Staff said the economic development proposal (Project ED202406) will be returned for additional consideration and was specifically tabled to Jan. 27. The council did not finalize any new capital budget appropriations during this meeting; many items recorded were contract awards, final payments or authorizations to apply for grants.

Votes at a glance (selected): All recorded roll-call votes listed below reflect the transcript roll calls. Unless noted, the recorded vote was Yes from: Councilmember Dan Hall, Councilmember Melody Cranford, Councilmember C.B. Abel, Councilmember Shirley Hilton Flannery, Councilmember Tracy Hoose, Councilmember Jamie Stout, Deputy Mayor Derek Reed and Mayor Patrick Hale.

- AC Owen Construction (Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame remodel): Yes (unanimous) - Cook Consulting final payment (Walnut Creek): Yes (unanimous) - Heritage Hills Roofing final payment (Swim & Fitness Center roof): Yes (unanimous) - Harness Roofing final payment (Roxy Theater): Yes (unanimous) - EKA Consulting rehab award ($225,704): Yes (unanimous) - Terracon Consultants survey ($68,658): Yes (unanimous) - 5 Star Demolition (weeds/grass/trash abatement): Dan Hall abstain; others yes (motion passed) - 5 Star Demolition (dilapidated personal property abatement): Yes (unanimous) - Cook Consulting (Ketch Basin repair, NTE $200,000): Yes (unanimous) - Muskogee Fire Department AFG application (authorize application, 10% match if awarded): Yes (unanimous) - Ordinance 4247a (Municipal Employees Retirement Board changes): Yes (unanimous) - Resolution 3020 (support ODOT grant application for US 69): Yes (unanimous) - Appointment: Mike Brawley to Urban Renewal Authority (Ward 1): Yes (unanimous) - Labor contracts with FOP 95, IAFF Local 57, AFSCME Local 2465: Yes (each unanimous)

Staff and presenters who spoke on record included Fire Chief Moore, Mr. King (city staff), Mr. Stewart (stormwater), Mr. Rigney (project lead referenced), Mr. Reece (project presenter), Mr. Brieves (project/architect), Interim City Manager Roger Coleman and City Attorney Katrina Bodenhamer. Detailed project descriptions, dollar amounts and roll-call outcomes are recorded in the minutes and the meeting transcript.

Looking ahead: Several of these items will require follow-up implementation steps (contract negotiation and execution by the city manager, project mobilization by contractors, grant award decisions and budget tracking). The economic development matter (Project ED202406) was specifically delayed until Jan. 27 for further consideration.