Tahlequah council approves appointments, engineering work, grant agreements and hires outside counsel

The Tahlequah City Council on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 approved a slate of appointments, contract modifications and intergovernmental memoranda and authorized outside legal counsel for pending litigation.

Most immediately affecting operations, the council approved a permanent, full‑time fire service dispatcher position funded through a county firefighters association sales tax allocation and related city funds; affirmed appointments and reappointments to the Tahlequah Public Works Authority (TPWA); authorized additional tasks to the citywide drainage master plan under the existing engineering contract using new grant funds; and agreed to memoranda of agreement with the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to enable future construction and design work.

Why it matters: the approvals commit city staff time and local matching funds, shape near‑term infrastructure planning (drainage, sidewalks and crossings), and alter governance on the municipal utilities authority. The council also authorized hiring outside counsel in two pending lawsuits discussed in executive session.

Key council actions and context

- Fire dispatcher: The council approved creating a full‑time fire dispatcher position that will cover roughly 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.; funding is provided through sales tax proceeds associated with county firefighters and related allocations. Chief Baker explained the role will provide a dedicated fire dispatch capability for most hours of the day.

- TPWA appointments and representation: The council affirmed the appointment of Stephen Myers to the municipal utility board (Tahlebaw/Tahlequah Public Works Authority) and approved a separate five‑year reappointment for another board member (listed in the packet as "Mark the issue" in the transcript). Council discussion included Chief Baker and other speakers urging greater council representation on the TPWA board to improve coordination on water, sewer and fire‑safety infrastructure such as hydrants and road access.

- Drainage master plan: Council approved authorizing the mayor to execute a professional services amendment to add concrete drainage analysis, downtown drainage analysis and drainage criteria updates to the citywide drainage master plan currently under contract with the engineering firm in the packet. Staff said roughly $202,500 in additional grant funds were available, and the city would provide a 10% match (stated in the meeting as $20,500).

- Cherokee Nation MOA: The council authorized a blanket memorandum of agreement with the Cherokee Nation so the city may construct road and bridge projects with city forces if the Nation requests assistance; the Nation would reimburse material costs from its allocated funds after satisfactory completion.

- ODOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) MOA: The council approved entering an MOA with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to move forward on pedestrian and bicycle improvements along South Muskogee Street from Chickasaw Street to Goingsnake. Staff reported the city received a TAP award “a little over $800,000,” and the city agreed to provide at least a 30% match. Staff also said the agreement is the first step to select an engineering firm jointly with ODOT; final scope and design will return to council for approval.

- Other routine approvals: The council accepted a $3,295 per‑cut mowing bid for specified city properties; adopted a resolution supporting City Administrator Taylor Taneyhill’s appointment to the Oklahoma Municipal League District 2 board; and approved a corrected quitclaim deed for property on Gwen Avenue to reflect the intended legal description.

- Executive session outcome: After executive session on pending lawsuits, the council authorized the city attorney to engage outside counsel Brandon Lee Yates to represent the city in one matter; the meeting record states no votes were taken in executive session itself.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting)

- Full‑time fire dispatcher (consent item L): approved (motion seconded; roll call affirmative votes recorded). (Transcript evidence: meeting discussion and subsequent roll call.) - Appointment: Stephen Myers to municipal utility board: approved (roll call recorded: Councilors Allen, Barry, Baker, Myers and others voting yes). (Transcript evidence.) - Reappointment (packet item listed as "Mark the issue") to TPWA: approved (motion carried; recorded yes/no votes in transcript). (Transcript evidence.) - Reappointment of Scott Wright to TPWA: motion initially made but failed for lack of second; ultimately motion to deny carried. (Transcript evidence.) - Drainage master plan amendment (additional tasks / $202,500 in grant funds; 10% match): approved (motion carried; roll call recorded). (Transcript evidence.) - MOA with Cherokee Nation for bridge/road assistance: approved (motion carried). (Transcript evidence.) - MOA with ODOT (TAP award for South Muskogee Street): approved (motion carried). Staff said the TAP award is "a little over $800,000" and that the city will provide a minimum 30% match; final design and expenditures will return to council for approval. (Transcript evidence.) - Mowing contract ($3,295 per cutting): approved (motion carried). (Transcript evidence.) - Resolution supporting Taylor Taneyhill’s OML District 2 appointment: approved (motion carried). (Transcript evidence.) - Quitclaim deed correction for property at 612 and 630 Gwen Avenue: approved with modification to correct deed date/description (motion carried). (Transcript evidence.) - Authorization to employ outside counsel (Brandon Lee Yates) for pending litigation: approved (motion carried following executive session). (Transcript evidence.)

Discussion vs. decision: The article distinguishes council discussion (for example, Chief Baker’s comments urging additional TPWA council representation and staff Q&A on grant match and schedule) from formal actions recorded by motion and roll call. When numeric details were unclear in the audio/transcript (see drainage master plan funds and some project totals), the council record shows the staff explanation and the roll‑call outcomes were explicit.

What comes next: Staff will return to council with final scope and contract documents for the drainage plan additions and for the ODOT TAP project once an engineering firm is selected; the Cherokee Nation MOA creates a framework for future reimbursable work requests.

Ending note: Council adjourned after completing the listed agenda items and executive session.