Atoka council adopts public‑participation policy, authorizes fire department to seek brush‑truck grant and approves city‑sponsored Fourth‑of‑July parade

Atoka City Council on Monday approved Resolution 2026‑10, adopting a public‑participation policy for the council and related boards and commissions, authorized the fire department to apply for a first‑responder grant to replace an aging brush truck, and approved a city‑sponsored Independence Day parade, officials said.

The council discussed the draft public‑participation policy with the city attorney, who noted a clerical numbering error in the attachments and said the proposed policy was on attachment No. 4. "The proposed policy is on attachment number 4," the city attorney said, and recommended correcting a duplicated "Section 4" so it reads sequentially.

Council members then voted to adopt the resolution. The motion was moved and seconded and carried on roll‑call votes recorded by the clerk.

Emergency management director Travis Mullins described the fire‑department request to seek a first‑responder (brush‑truck) grant, saying the department has three brush trucks and one older unit is increasingly unreliable. Mullins said the department wants to replace a truck taken into heavy service: "We've got 3 total in the city... Brush 5 is out of downtown station. It's a 2007 model... Our backup truck is a '96 GMC 3,500 series," he said, and added that the replacement bed was priced at $86,004.31.

Council members questioned technical options and costs. Mullins said a modular bed would add roughly $40,000 and that the department is pursuing multiple grant opportunities, including USDA programs, to cover chassis and bed costs. Mullins said the city will apply and return to the council after grant award amounts are confirmed; the council then authorized the application and empowered the mayor and staff to complete required paperwork.

During public requested agenda time, resident Dallas Wilson asked the council to allow an Independence Day parade on July 4, with a proposed start about 10 a.m., no entry fees and coordination through the chamber of commerce. Council members discussed route options (North and South Main onto Fourth to Delaware), vendor involvement and whether the city should sponsor the event for insurance purposes. The chair moved to approve a city‑sponsored parade and directed staff to coordinate maps and logistics with the chamber; the motion passed on roll call.

Separately, the Atoka municipal authority moved an item from consent to the business agenda and approved payment number 15 to HCCO in the amount of $332,950.45 for a project referenced in the meeting transcript as the "Hedbrook project" (the transcript later also refers to the "Edwards project"; the record contains both spellings). A participant said Wall Engineering expects remaining work to be complete by the end of the month to mid‑next month.

The council had no further comments and adjourned the morning session. The Took City Industrial Building Authority also met, approved its consent items and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2026‑10 (public‑participation policy): adopted by roll call. - Fire department: motion to authorize application for a first‑responder/brush‑truck grant and to authorize the mayor and staff to process paperwork: approved by roll call. - Independence Day parade: approved as a city‑sponsored event; staff directed to coordinate logistics with the chamber: approved by roll call. - Municipal authority payment to HCCO (payment no. 15): $332,950.45 approved by roll call (project name in transcript appears as both "Hedbrook" and "Edwards").

Next steps stated in the meeting: staff will correct the policy numbering, the fire department will submit grant applications and return with award details if funding is offered, and staff will work with the chamber to finalize parade maps and vendor coordination.