2025.02.04 Jenks CC / JPWA Meeting 6PM

This meeting covered a range of important topics for the city, including a new agreement with the police department, updates on city ordinances, and the purchase of new equipment for public works. The council also heard from citizens about local events and potential city projects.

Key Takeaways

• Police Union Agreement: A new two-year contract was approved for the Fraternal Order of Police, aiming to make pay more competitive.
• Tobacco Ordinances: New rules were put in place regarding tobacco retailers and smoking in public places, aligning with state law and potentially opening up grant opportunities.
• Hydro Excavator Purchase: The city approved the purchase of a hydro excavator for public works, which will help with essential infrastructure inspections and is partially funded by a grant.
• Veterans Appreciation Day: A proclamation was requested to declare November 9th as Jinx Veterans Appreciation Day, and a proposal was made to lease a city-owned farmhouse to the VFW.
• Elm Street Construction: Updates were provided on traffic flow and adjustments being made due to ongoing construction on Elm Street.

Police Department Agreement Approved

The council discussed and approved a new two-year collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge number 146 for fiscal years 2024-2026. This agreement includes pay increases, with an average of about 9.5% in the first year and further increases in the second. The goal is to make the city's compensation for police officers more competitive with other agencies. Council members expressed support, noting that improved pay and benefits are important for recruiting and retaining officers. The increase in hours allocated for lodge business was also discussed and understood as necessary for the department's representation at various levels of the FOP organization.

New Ordinances Address Tobacco and Public Smoking

Two ordinances were passed that aim to align the city with state laws regarding tobacco and youth access. Ordinance 1663 establishes new regulations for tobacco product retailers, including a 300-foot distance requirement from schools or youth facilities for new stores. Existing retailers are unaffected unless they seek license renewal. Ordinance 1664 addresses smoking in public places and indoor workplaces, prohibiting smoking on city-owned property and in most indoor workplaces. These measures are part of an effort to meet requirements for grants from the Tobacco Endowment Settlement Trust (TSET), which could provide significant funding for city initiatives, including trail development.

Purchase of Hydro Excavator

The Jinx Public Works Authority approved the purchase of a hydro excavator from Ditch Witch of Tulsa for $828,000. This equipment is needed to meet state mandates for residential inspections of water lines, with the city needing to inspect over 1,800 service lines. The hydro excavator allows for more efficient and safer digging, reducing the risk of hitting utility lines. The purchase will be funded through the Water Maintenance building and Improvement account. A $10,000 grant from OMAG was also approved to help offset the cost. The staff expressed satisfaction with the equipment, having rented a similar unit previously.

Citizen Comments and Proclamations

During the citizen comments section, Rick Evans brought forward two key requests. First, he asked for a proclamation declaring November 9th as Jinx Veterans Appreciation Day to honor local veterans. Second, he proposed leasing a city-owned farmhouse at 106 Ann Street to the VFW for $1 per year for 20 years. He highlighted that Jinx is one of the few cities in Oklahoma of its size without a VFW post and that the farmhouse could serve as a valuable community resource, potentially offering counseling services for veterans. Nearby residents were reportedly pleased with the idea.

Elm Street Construction Update

Mr. Carr provided an update on the ongoing construction on Elm Street, acknowledging the traffic challenges residents have experienced. He explained that the city is working with the construction observation team and engineers to address traffic flow issues, particularly at intersections like 121st and Elm. Adjustments have been made to lane usage and traffic signal timing to improve flow and safety. While some initial issues with left-turn lanes and signal timing were noted, the situation has reportedly improved, and the city is continuing to monitor and respond to citizen concerns. The long-term vision for the completed project was also mentioned as a reason for patience during the construction phase.