Guymon council tables school-fee waiver, authorizes bids for soccer complex and dump truck, orders demolition of collapsed house

The Guymon City Council on an unspecified regular meeting day voted to advertise for construction bids on the National Soccer Complex Phase 2 and for a new dump truck, approved an order of determination to demolish a collapsed house at a city property, and appointed a new member to the airport advisory board. The council tabled a request from Guymon Public Schools to waive electrical permit and inspection fees for a new elementary school pending legal advice.

The actions came after staff presentations and legal counsel flagged a possible constitutional prohibition on waiving fees. City Attorney Petty told the council “article 10, section 14 of the Oklahoma constitution prohibits, doing that,” and said he had consulted the Oklahoma Municipal League handbook and would seek further guidance from the league’s general counsel. Council voted to table the school-fee request until Petty can report back; the motion to table passed with five aye votes.

Why it matters: the council’s decisions move several capital projects and public-safety steps forward while deferring a developer/school fee question that could have fiscal and legal implications for the city.

Votes at a glance

- Waive electrical permit and inspection fees for new Hedrick Hitch Elementary School (requested by Guymon School): TABLED. Motion to table passed, 5 ayes. City Attorney Petty referenced Article 10, Section 14 of the Oklahoma Constitution as the legal issue preventing immediate action. No formal fee reduction was approved.

- Advertise for bids: National Soccer Complex Phase 2 (additional parking and continuous sidewalks): APPROVED to advertise for bids. Councilmember votes recorded as five ayes.

- Advertise for bids: one new and unused dump truck for the street department: APPROVED to advertise for bids. Council recorded five ayes.

- Accept golf cart/path master plan (recommended by the golf board): ACCEPTED. Motion passed with five ayes; plan recommended by Gary Geist and the golf board.

- Appointment: Eric Lamas to the airport advisory board (to fill the term of Brent Brooks, term ends 2027): APPOINTED. Motion passed with five ayes.

- Order of determination for dilapidated structure at Lot 11, Block 33, Funk Addition (also referenced as 909 Ellison / 909 North Elston): APPROVED. Council approved the order to proceed; staff said the demolition project would be bid and tentatively scheduled to start and complete between Nov. 7 and Nov. 21.

Details and context

School fees: The council took up a written request from Guymon Public Schools asking the city to waive electrical permit and inspection fees for construction of a new elementary school. City Manager Shannon introduced the item and thanked school staff for communications. City Attorney Petty said he had researched the matter, found no controlling attorney general or appellate opinion specific to schools, and had contacted the Oklahoma Municipal League counsel; he recommended against waiving the fees until he receives legal authority to support such action. Petty said he would notify the manager and council immediately if he receives contrary guidance.

Soccer complex: Staff told the council the city secured a $650,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to move the National Soccer Complex to phase 2, prioritizing parking and sidewalks rather than adding another field. The Phase 2 scope presented includes a continuous loop of sidewalks, two additional pavilions with bleachers and gates sized for maintenance access, and 178 additional parking spaces in the gray-shaded plan included in the council packet. Staff said design work has begun and recommended authorizing advertising for construction bids so work can proceed when contracts are awarded.

Street department equipment: Staff described the existing dump truck as old and unsafe and asked the council to authorize advertising for bids on one new, unused dump truck to be paid from the street department budget. Council approved the request.

Golf cart/path plan: The council accepted a golf cart master path plan recommended by the golf board and presented as a phased project to be completed as funding becomes available. Gary Geist (recommended by the golf board) was identified as the plan’s point of contact.

Airport board appointment: The airport advisory board recommended Eric Lamas to replace Brent Brooks. Council appointed Lamas to fill the vacancy; the motion specified Brooks’ term ends in 2027.

Dilapidated structure: Staff member Smith recapped that the dilapidated-structure case began in January, that the city completed required statutory steps including notice and hearing, and recommended proceeding with an order of determination for the collapsed building at Lot 11, Block 33 of the Funk Addition (addressed in the packet as 909 Ellison and later cited in motions as 909 North Elston). Smith said the city would advertise the demolition for bid and tentatively schedule the work to start and be completed between Nov. 7 and Nov. 21.

Invoices: During the Guymon Utilities Authority portion of the meeting the authority approved payment of an invoice from Hydro Resources Mid-Continent for $54,127.05 to repair Water Well No. 21.

What was not decided or remains pending: Council did not approve any fee waiver or reduced-fee program for the school request. Petty said he would return with legal authority if available. The soccer complex and dump-truck items were limited to authorization to advertise for bids; no construction contracts were awarded at the meeting.

Speakers quoted or cited in council action

City Attorney Petty (City Attorney) — cited legal prohibition; “article 10, section 14 of the Oklahoma constitution prohibits, doing that.” Staff member (presenter on soccer complex) — described scope and the $650,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Phase 2. Staff member Smith (city staff presenting dilapidated-structure case) — recapped process and said the demolition would be bid and tentatively scheduled between Nov. 7 and Nov. 21.

Ending

Council members repeatedly approved procedural steps that allow staff to move capital projects into the bidding phase, while deferring an immediate fee waiver for a new school pending legal review. Additional follow-up is expected when City Attorney Petty reports back on the constitutional question or if staff brings contracts back for final approval.