Last Updated on February 24, 2024, 12:16 AM | Published: February 24, 2024
On Tuesday, the Warr Acres City council met and discussed a variety of City business items.
Here’s what you should know:
- Council Member Lynda Steele vied for the Vice-Mayor position, but the Council appointed Council Member Scott Tribbey in the final vote
- Warr Acres Mayor and Council recognized Putnam City orchestra for their New Year’s concerts in London.
- Warr Acres Public Works department updated the council on upcoming smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system.
- The Council approved their portion of the proposed contract for nearly $30 million in upgrades to the Bluff Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant that serves both Bethany and Warr Acres. (Reported earlier.)
Council picks Tribbey as vice-mayor
The Warr Acres council was tasked early in the meeting with nominating and appointing the City’s acting vice-mayor.
Nominated by council member Debora Morris, council member Lynda Steele first made her case as a candidate for vice-mayorship.
Councilmember Steele acknowledged her status as a new member, while also explaining why she’s a good pick for the spot in a speech to Council and citizens.
“While I am new to this Council, I am not new to what it takes to be an effective vice-mayor… I have been a soldier, an artillery gunner, a blue collar employee, a tradesman, business owner, non-profit founder, a public speaker, a state candidate, and I’ve been a mother during all these roles in my life.”
After her speech, the vote was called. Lynda Steele’s bid for vice-mayor failed to pass in the council.
With no other active nominations at that moment, Ward 2 council member Scott Tribbey was nominated by council member Judy Myers to be Vice-mayor.
The council appointed council member Tribbey without discussion.
Mayor, Council recognizes exceptional Putnam City orchestra program
Mayor Roger Godwin took some time on Tuesday to recognize the talent of some local high school orchestra students and their director, Collin Waddell, who were all invited to play in the London New Year’s Day Parade.
240 students and chaperones from all three Putnam City high schools — West, North, and Original — were invited to play in London and celebrate the new year.
Putnam City orchestra students pause for photos with Big Ben
Mayor Godwin applauded the efforts of the PC orchestra, saying that “It’s a really big deal to me and this council that we show up… I love that we have people that are so talented they are asked to go [internationally].”
Each of the students and chaperones received a signed letter from the Mayor thanking them for representing the City of Warr Acres overseas.
Warr Acres sanitary sewer evaluation study approaches new phase
The Warr Acres public works department will continue the ongoing sewer sanitation study with a new phase planned to start in the near future.
Beginning in late March or early April (depending on when the weather makes up its mind), the Public Works department will start smoke testing almost all the City’s sanitary sewer system.
Crew smoke tests sanitary sewer lines in Fayetteville
Residents may see localized traffic disruptions as officials blow non-toxic smoke into the system to pinpoint leaks and bust those tapping into the system illegally.
Testing should be complete by early summer.
Over the last couple of months, Public works has inspected 700 manholes with plans to clean half of the City’s sanitary sewer system. Citizens may have already been alerted by staff about road diversions related to ongoing cleanings.
The next Warr Acres city council meeting is scheduled for March 19th, at 6:00 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.
