Atoka approves $65,550 payment for headworks; staff warns road design and bidding delayed by shutdown

The Atoka governing bodies approved routine consent items that included a $65,550 payment to HCCO for the wastewater headworks project and moved on to staff reports with project updates.

City Manager Danny Daley told the council that final electrical work for the headworks is anticipated through December and that the project includes delivery of a final "pistol-grip" grid system. Staff described the pistol-grip as a shredding mechanism intended to tear sludge into smaller pieces before it proceeds through treatment processes.

Separately, during the Industrial Development Authority meeting, members questioned the economic development director about a road project (referred to in the packet as Wall). The director said design had been scheduled for late September but that the federal government shutdown had delayed procurement activity, putting a planned November bid and award at risk. "Everything's running behind," the economic development director said, adding the office receives weekly updates and must push timelines as necessary.

The consent agenda containing the HCCO payment and other routine items passed by roll-call vote. Councilmembers and trustees did not amend the headworks payment during the meeting; staff noted the operational purpose of the pistol-grip component when asked by council members.

The meeting did not identify additional funding sources or an updated total project budget beyond the consent payment; staff said they would continue providing progress updates.