Vinita authorizes PSO land purchase near Biltmore Air Sports Complex and approves airport entrance project work

The Vinita City Council voted Tuesday to authorize Mayor Josh Lee to complete the purchase of land from Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) that surrounds the Biltmore Air Sports Complex, and separately approved an amendment to the city's airport consulting agreement to advance design of a new entrance road and parking area at Vinita Municipal Airport.

Mayor Josh Lee told the council the purchase had been under negotiation for about a year and the city hopes to close within roughly 45–60 days. He described the acquisition as an opportunity for youth recreation and local economic development and said the city was able to secure a land swap to preserve an area designated for recreational use.

The council also approved Amendment No. 16 to the professional airport consulting services agreement with LBR Inc., authorizing design work for a new entrance road and parking area on the east side of Vinita Municipal Airport. Staff said the work would support a planned terminal site and that the city’s anticipated share of any project would be in the range of 5%–10%, funds already included in the current and prior budgets for this purpose.

Council member Riley moved to approve the PSO land purchase authorization (resolution 3,875); the motion, seconded by a colleague, passed unanimously. Council later approved the LBR amendment by motion of Heer and second of Lucas (recorded on the agenda as item 9), with council members noting federal and state funding (including FAA and ODAA) would be used where available and that designs would be returned to council for review.

No final purchase documents or construction contracts were signed at the meeting; the council’s actions authorized staff to complete the transaction and proceed with consultant work that will be subject to future council approvals.