Harrah City Council approves park façade, electric service and fire bunker gear; Blacksmith Park funding discussed

The Harrah City Council on Jan. 15 approved several capital and public-safety purchases and debated a separate park budget increase.

Council voted unanimously to remove and replace the facades of the large pavilion and bathroom at Heritage Park at a stated cost of $25,709.90. Vice Mayor Steve Scalzo made the motion, and Councilmember Bill Lisby seconded it; all five members voted in favor.

Council also approved installing electric service at Jorski Chevy Park after hearing staff note a corrected combined installation cost of $28,383.68 and asking staff to attempt to negotiate a lower price with OG&E. Scalzo made the motion and Tim Rudek seconded it; the vote was unanimous.

For the Fire Department, Council approved a purchase order for bunker gear in the amount of $44,962.50 from North America Fire Equip Inc.; the motion was made by Jennifer McCammond and seconded by Scalzo and passed on a unanimous vote.

Council discussed a proposed $75,938 increase to the Blacksmith Park budget for improvements including erosion control (rip rap), a frost-free hydrant for irrigation, edging to protect planting mounds and other amenities intended to strengthen potential grant applications. Vice Mayor Scalzo noted that no formal design plans had been presented; Councilmember Tim Rudek suggested pursuing grant funding and directed staff to install a frost-free hydrant where needed. Councilmember McCammond asked staff for a detailed budget breakdown and a design plan for a future meeting. No formal motion was taken on the Blacksmith Park budget at this meeting.

The actions completed at the meeting were procedural and budgetary rather than policy-setting; staff said they would continue outreach (including contacting neighboring Choctaw and Oklahoma County on Triple X Road coordination) as projects advance.