Last Updated on March 6, 2024, 7:39 PM | Published: March 6, 2024
BETHANY, Okla. — On Tuesday, the Bethany City Council took action on an improved wastewater treatment plant contract and a long-term capital improvement plan, but stalled on finding a date for the anticipated city planning workshop.
Wastewater plant improvement contract
Last month, both the Bethany and Warr Acres city councils were presented a contract with the Bethany/Warr-Acres Public Works Authority (BWAPWA) to take out a $30 million loan for much-needed repairs and improvements to the Bluff Creek Wastewater plant.
While Warr Acres approved their contract with little discussion, the Bethany council denied the contract 5-4 on the basis that it was not reviewed by their attorney before the meeting.
On Tuesday, Bethany City Attorney Robert Ray Jones Jr. presented the Council with a new contract that addressed the concerns council members raised last month.
The new contract specifically limits the Authority to an indebtedness not to exceed $30 million, which was not present in the old contract.
Additionally, the new contract adds that the Authority must report to the City of Bethany and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board revenues, expenses, and staff changes monthly. These reports will be added to the minutes of the Bethany Public Works Authority meetings for the public.
Bethany will still be responsible for 66.67% of the loan as originally proposed, but the new language makes sure that this investment guarantees a right of use and potential ownership stake if the Authority were to dissolve.
As for the contract that Warr Acres approved, Bethany City Attorney Ray Jones suggested that they should revote.
“I would strongly encourage them to revote, to make sure their contract is correct.”
The Bethany council voted to approve the contract unanimously.
Capital improvement plan
Now that the city knows what the wastewater treatment plan will cost, they have room to consider long term capital improvements within Bethany city limits.
The multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) touches on street, park, public safety, water, and sanitary sewer improvements and ranks them by priority so the City can effectively maintain areas of neglect.
While exact costs and funding sources have not been established, the document lists GO bonds, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), STBG-UZA, and Transportation Alternative Program grants as potential funding sources for the plan’s several-dozen proposed projects.
It should be noted that the plan is not absolute, and the City will have the opportunity to pursue the projects at their discretion as funding sources become available.
The future Capital Improvement Plan agenda packet from the meeting can be found here:
03-05-24-Agenda-Packet-proposed-capital-improvement-planWorkshop’s future is uncertain
In the City’s new business, City Attorney Ray Jones proposed that the council take time to figure out a date for the city planning workshop, as instructed by the council in a previous meeting.
The workshop had been in limbo for weeks, as email exchanges to find a day never materialized. Constituents have begun contacting council members asking for a specific date.
City Manager Elizabeth Gray suggested a date that some on the council disagreed with, not wanting to have the quorum on a weekday.
“We have to do this on a Saturday morning at a convenient location so that everyone can attend with advanced notice,” Council Member Steve Palmer argued.
While some on the Council agreed and discussed a Saturday they could all meet, Mayor Nikki Lloyd closed the item after insisting the conversation was inappropriate for the meeting and after an exchange of words with Council Member Marilyn McPhail.
“Council members, I don’t think this is the time to schedule for everybody, and we don’t have a full council here tonight,” Mayor Lloyd said before having a dispute with Council Member McPhail over talking out of turn.
“Can you please explain to me why?,” McPhail asked.
“No, actually I’m not… I think you’re trying to strong-arm right now,” Mayor Lloyd responded.
After some arguing, Mayor Lloyd promptly closed the item and moved on. The future of the planning workshop is unclear.
The next Bethany City council meeting is scheduled for March 19th, at 6:30 PM.
Damian Powell is our government reporter for the smaller municipalities in the OKC metro such as Moore, Norman, Bethany, and Warr Acres. Damian is studying Political Science at the University of Oklahoma.
