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Tuttle council approves rezoning, cemetery columbarium, equipment purchases and pursues multiple grants
Summary
At its March meeting, the Tuttle City Council approved a rezoning for a business site, appointed a planning‑commission member, authorized purchase of an 80‑niche columbarium and related $50,000 cemetery budget amendment, approved multiple equipment and software purchases and authorized pursuing several grant opportunities including a county HMPG siren‑replacement grant.
TUTTLE — The Tuttle City Council on [date not specified in the transcript] voted on a string of routine and substantive items, approving a rezone for a commercial property, an appointment to the planning commission, several capital purchases and agreements to pursue state and federal grant funding for infrastructure and emergency equipment.
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2025‑02 (PC‑25‑07), authorizing a rezone of property at 7530 East Highway 37 from A‑1 agricultural to C‑5 general employment to allow a detail shop proposed by petitioner Dylan Weaver. Planning staff told council the planning commission recommended approval 3–0 and no members raised objections during the council vote.
Council also confirmed Chuck Berryhill to fill Position 2 on the planning commission for the current term ending June 30, 2026. The motion to appoint Berryhill passed on a roll‑call vote.
In cemetery business, council approved purchase of an 80‑niche columbarium from Central Burial Vaults in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to locate near the Fairview Cemetery chapel and later approved a matching $50,000 budget amendment to move funds from the cemetery fund balance into the cemetery capital‑outlay account to cover the purchase. Staff said the unit would provide 80 niches (each intended to hold two urns) and that a future fee schedule adjustment would be required before sales.
City manager Slattery reported the city recently joined a municipal natural‑gas procurement coalition and presented a cost comparison showing substantially lower per‑unit charges and a much smaller invoice during a recent cold spell than the city experienced with the prior supplier. “So I just wanted to share a positive scenario, and it's a win for us. It's a win for our customers,” Slattery said, describing active market management and reserve purchases as the reason for lower costs.
The council approved several equipment purchases and budget amendments brought forward by staff: - A 2025 Chevrolet 3,500 dump‑bed truck for public works (approximately $64,009). - Five SCAG zero‑turn mowers from Country Equipment for $75,195, including no‑flat tires for reduced downtime and better resale value. - Records‑management software (RMS) for the police department from Tyler Technologies; staff amended the purchase to $87,027 to include the first‑year annual fee, and said the cost is 100% reimbursable through a violent‑crime grant. - MSA G1 SCBA breathing apparatuses from Casco Industries for $207,004.99 with a 50% reimbursable match; council also approved a budget amendment to record $195,000 in CIP revenue from an awarded ARPA grant that will cover half the cost.
Council approved a proposed grant‑writing agreement between the GMC Utility Trust Authority and Choosing Charity LLC (principal Sherry Sanders) to pursue federal and state infrastructure funding on behalf of the trust. Staff described three tiers of projects the agreement will target: an immediate roughly $10 million water‑storage project, a medium‑term 24‑inch water line, and a long‑range 48‑inch regional transmission project that would serve multiple communities.
On emergency communications, staff was authorized to submit a Notice of Intent and apply for the State of Oklahoma HMPG county grant (a 75/25 match) to replace six over‑20‑year siren heads and pursue related communications upgrades if awarded.
Business handled by the city’s authorities included acceptance of contract and bonds from Slattery Construction Corporation for a lift‑station rehabilitation project and TPWA approval of the low bid from NPL Mid America LLC for the State Highway 76 gas‑line project (bid ~ $816,000.79). Cowen Group had reviewed bids and recommended acceptance.
Most motions passed on roll‑call votes with no recorded dissent. The council adjourned and the meeting transitioned to routine action by the city’s development and public works authorities.
What’s next: Several items approved tonight require follow‑up administrative steps: staff said the columbarium will return with recommended fee schedules when ready; grant awards (RMS reimbursement, ARPA, HMPG and utility‑trust grants) will require future council acceptance and budget entries if the city receives funding.
(Reporting based only on the transcript of the Tuttle City Council meeting; dates and external documents mentioned in the discussion are recorded as stated by speakers.)
