Council split on timing of appointment

Following a lengthy executive session Tuesday evening, and by a 3-2 vote, Henryetta has a new city manager.

Before the meeting began, retired Henryetta Police Chief Everett Allen was honored for his service with the city and his efforts setting up a shooting range at Nichols Park. Mayor Jennifer Munholland read a proclamation dedicating the range and named it the Everett G. Allen Shooting Range. He retired from the city after 32 years of service.

Ron Casey, who serves as Public Works Director, was named as the new city manager. He has been employed by the city for over 25 years.

Casey assumes the post from Donna White, city clerk, who was named interim city manager about six years ago. White will return to serve as clerk/treasurer.

Council members Michael Dickey and Janna Duggan, both voted against the decision. They stated they were not opposed to Casey, but were not in favor of the way the selection process was handled.

Before entering into executive session, Dickey said he had his reservations about making a decision since it was so close to the municipal election on April 4. He called it a ‘thinly veiled attempt’ to get someone in there.

Applications for the city manager position were published in the Henryetta Free-Lance in March (8, 10, 15), but Dickey stated the council had not sat down and discussed the criteria.

“We just only advertised in the Free-Lance and it’s not doing the town or city justice in effectively trying to seek a city manager, in my opinion,” he said.

After return to the open session, the council approved the Henryetta Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge #115) Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Bargaining Agreement.

Councilmember Christy Jeffcoat stated she had been waiting to make the motion for a new city manager in favor of Casey for four years, and cited his long hours of work and assistance in the Public Works Department. She made the motion to appoint Casey, with a oneyear contract, and a salary of $74,000.

Agenda items approved were:

• Financial Reports, Minutes and Claims for February.

• Payment to Bank of Oklahoma in the amount of $41,216.67 for 2015 Note Series monthly payment.

• Payment to AEP/ PSO in the amount of $25,759.67.

• Land deeded from Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA) to City of Henryetta located at 419 West Trudgeon for usage of public parking. (Item was tabled on Jan. 17)

• Use $600 from Hotel/ Motel Tax for Cruise Knight for bounce house and sanitation stations.

• Waiver of rental and deposit fees for Civic Center on April 5, for Congressman Josh Brecheen Town Hall Meeting.

• Allowed Lighthouse of Hope Evangelistic Center (Pastor Jerry Page) to use the property behind O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on June 1-13 for the purpose of holding a tent rival.

• Warren Cat Repurchase Agreement related to the following machines owned by the City of Henryetta: 318 E CAT (Trackhoe), 420 F CAT (Backhoe), 299D2 CAT (Skid Steer)

• Appointed Jennifer Munholland for negotiations with the International Association of Firefighters (Local #2788) for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Bargaining Agreement.

• Memorandum of Understanding between District 25 District Attorney, ATF, Checotah Police Department (City of Checotah), Eufaula Police Department (City of Eufaula), Okmulgee Police Department (City of Okmulgee), Henryetta Police Department (City of Henryetta), Morris Police Department (City of Morris), Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Department, Beggs Police Department (City of Beggs), Dewar Police Department (City of Dewar), and the McIntosh County Sheriff ’s Office. The city has been a part of the District 25 Violent Crimes Task Force for several years.

• Bid for $2,501 from Brenton Furer for mowing and baling of hay on various city properties. Three bids were received.

During the meeting of the Henryetta Municipal Authority, the following agenda items were presented:

• Approval of payment to OWRB (ORF08-0015-DW) in the amount of $37,962.14 for monthly payment.

• Agreement between Commercial Power Solutions, LLC and City of Henryetta for the scheduled maintenance of the emergency power system(s).

• Payment of Invoice No. 221179-12 to Myers Engineering in the amount of $7,397.60 for engineering fees. (CDBG/REAP Emergency Water Main Replacement near Railroad from Corporation Street to Nelson Avenue)

• Approved Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 3 to Orr Construction, Inc. in the amount of $67,376.70 for Waterline Replacement from Corporation St. to Nelson Avenue.

• Approved Short Form Agreement between the City of Henryetta and Myers Engineering, Consulting Engineers, Inc. for the 4th Street Booster Pump Station.

• Approved Short Form Agreement between the City of Henryetta and Myers Engineering, Consulting Engineers, Inc. for the replacement of 750,000 gallon West Water Storage Tank Project.