Trust approves surge-facility contract, defers one item and hears lake-level update

At its November 18 meeting the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust approved several routine and procurement items, deferred one agenda matter and heard a general manager report on reservoir levels before adjourning.

Trustees approved routine business including minutes of the Nov. 4 meeting and the consent docket. The concurrence docket included change orders with the City of Oklahoma City related to the Strong Neighborhoods initiative around 24th/25th Street in the Harvey area; the chairman said, "There are no awkward funds involved in this item," and trustees approved the concurrence item.

The trust ratified and approved an addendum awarding a contract to Archer Western Construction for interim surge facilities at the Colgate, Ada and Macomb pump stations. Larry Hare described the project context: the pipeline includes three new pump stations at Atoka, Stonewall and Konawa and the interim surge facilities will be built where existing pump stations are being skipped (Macomb, Colgate, Ada) to manage minor surges.

On Item 6c, Trustee Stonecipher said a lawyer who planned to speak was out of state and requested a two-week deferral. Stonecipher moved to defer Item 6c to the December 2 meeting; the motion was seconded and passed.

General Manager Browning reported on lake levels: Heffner down about 2 feet, Draper down about 1.7 feet, Canton nearly a foot above full pool, and Atoka and McGee down around 4 feet. Browning said the department expects significant rainfall over the next weeks and noted reservoirs typically fill in spring.

With no citizens signed to speak, the chairman adjourned the meeting.