Muskogee council approves routine claims, contracts, permits, grants and appointments; directs staff on tourism authority

The Muskogee City Council on Jan. 12 approved a slate of routine and development items, including minutes, claims, equipment purchases, contracts, permits and appointments.

Key votes at the meeting included approval of finance committee minutes of Dec. 1, 2025 (motion carried; Mayor Patrick Kale recorded an abstention), acceptance of claims for city departments covering Nov. 22, 2025 through Jan. 2, 2026, and a budgeted purchase of a 2026 Chevy crew‑cab pickup for the Emergency Management Department for $51,819.24 from Joe Cooper Chevrolet. Emergency Management staff said the vehicle replaces a 14‑year‑old unit and will serve as a backup and a mobile‑command platform.

The council approved final payment and change order No. 1 to Apex Central Incorporated for project No. 24007 (citywide mill and overlay) in the amount of $680,371.55. Staff said the full contract totaled just under $1.7 million and completed work on 20 streets under the package.

Council accepted Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality permits for a new Dollar General at 3681 Chandler Road: WL000051251007 (construction of 464 linear feet of 8‑inch PVC potable water line) and WL000051251008 (construction of 517 linear feet of 8‑inch PVC sanitary sewer line). Staff said the utility line extensions will be privately owned for one year before dedication to the city. Council also accepted a $30,000 Oklahoma Department of Commerce grant to market retail sites at Shawnee and Highway 69.

Appointments confirmed included Carla Wiggs and Tracy McGee to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Tammy Howe as the Ward 4 representative to the Urban Renewal Authority. During public comment, Charles Crawford raised concerns about a perceived conflict between the city charter and the city code related to board appointment authority and cited under‑nomination of commissions in recent years; councilors discussed rotation‑based appointments and confirmed the nominees.

In a special meeting the council approved a resolution to create a tourism grant advisory committee to make recommendations for awards from hotel/motel tax revenue; staff described a committee of seven members plus three ex‑officio participants (tourism director, economic director and Chamber of Commerce president). Following an executive session conducted under Title 25, Section 307(B)(4) of the Oklahoma statutes, the council voted to direct staff to proceed as discussed regarding the dissolution of the Muskogee Tourism Authority, a public trust managed by Oxford Productions.

All items brought to roll call in open session were approved by majority votes recorded on the meeting record; where roll call notations indicated, most motions passed unanimously of members present, with one recorded abstention on the finance‑minutes item.

The meeting adjourned after the executive‑session items; staff were directed to implement the post‑session steps discussed in closed session.