2025.07.01 Jenks CC / JPWA Meeting 6PM

The Jenks City Council and Public Works Authority met on July 1, 2025, for a quick session. Key topics included updates on the low-water dam project, the Elm Street construction, and the Jenks Chamber of Commerce agreement. The meeting also touched on public input opportunities for the Ranch property and upcoming community events, highlighting the city's ongoing development and community engagement efforts.

Community and Faith

The meeting started with Reverend Dr. Rebecca Wesson from St. James Presbyterian Church. She shared updates on her congregation's focus on expanding education and fellowship ministries. A new initiative, Pub Theology, will launch on July 10th at Eerie Ale Brewery in Jenks, inviting the public to discuss faith in a relaxed setting. St. James Presbyterian Church is located at 11970 South Elm Street, about two miles south of Reasor's.

Reverend Wesson then led a prayer, expressing gratitude for the city's leadership and the community's ability to discuss important matters freely. She noted the privilege of focusing on things like celebrating freedom and creating recreational spaces, acknowledging that other places face greater challenges.

City Operations and Public Input

Animal Welfare Spotlight

There was no animal welfare spotlight at this meeting. The Chief mentioned that despite efforts, no animals were adopted, citing a busy week.

Citizen Comments

Charlotte Montgomery addressed the council regarding the Bentley Ranch item from a previous agenda. She pointed out that both the zoning change and the Planned Unit Development (PUD) required public hearings, allowing for discussion on various issues like fire access and nodes and links. She stressed the importance of consistency in the city's vision and requirements for amenities across developments, urging the council to apply similar standards to Bentley Ranch as they did to Frasier Meadows, Frasier Falls, and Kimberly Estates.

Council members discussed the need for a more standardized process for future subdivisions, suggesting a meeting with city planner Marseilles to create a consistent package of requirements. This would help avoid making decisions on the fly, especially for unique projects like Bentley Ranch.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda, which includes routine items, was approved without further discussion.

Sanitary Sewer Easement for Raw Development

Item three concerned a sanitary sewer easement for the Raw Development plat, located south of the Creek Turnpike and east of the Tulsa Premium Outlets. This project includes the Raw restaurant, a potential hotel, and other sites. The easement is necessary because the 10-acre property lacks direct access to the city's sanitary sewer system. An incentive was approved to connect the property to a lift station southwest of the mall, requiring land for the utility line.

Major Projects Update

Low-Water Dam Project

Assistant City Manager Robert Carr provided an update on the low-water dam project. Meetings were held with the City of Tulsa, Muscogee Creek Nation, and engineering firms to move the project forward. The engineering firms are under contract with the City of Tulsa, which is covering the engineering costs. The goal is to reach a 10% design stage to estimate project costs.

A key discussion point was the construction contracting method. The agreed-upon approach is a construction management at-risk contract. This involves selecting a construction firm early in the design process to collaborate with engineers and the project owner. This early involvement helps identify potential issues and cost implications, especially given the unforeseen underground conditions expected for the dam.

Future workshops will cover dam gate selection (early August) and environmental considerations, along with east and west bank developments (September). The 10% design is expected by January, with a final design and preliminary cost report available by the end of February next year. The Mayor noted that Tulsa's commitment to the project seems strong, with Mayor Nichols and other council members actively engaged. Environmental concerns, such as bald eagle nests and specific fish and bird species, will be addressed in the environmental impact study.

Elm Street Project

Robert Carr also updated the council on the Elm Street construction project. Paragon Contractors began work on Phase One (111th to 121st Street) in early January. Initial delays were caused by AT&T's underground utilities, which needed relocation. AT&T started their relocation in mid-April, several months after Paragon began work, limiting Paragon's ability to fully staff the site.

Key Takeaways:

• AT&T's relocation is expected to take another three to four weeks on the west side of Elm Street before moving to the east side.
• Unsuitable soil conditions, not identified during design, have been encountered along the west side. A solution involves adding cement to stabilize the soil, which may create dust.
• Rain has also slowed progress.
• The project is still on schedule for completion around October of next year, including both sides of the road, a trail, and a new fence along Fox Run.
• Phase Two, extending to 131st Street, will be advertised soon.

Future Planning and Community Engagement

Ranch Property Open Houses

Three open houses are scheduled to gather public input on the Ranch property (400 acres west of the turnpike), which will become a permanent park and open space:

• Thursday, July 10th: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, July 22nd: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
• Saturday, August 9th: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Online input will also be available.

INCOG Go Plan Open House

INCOG (Indian Nations Council of Governments) will host an open house on July 2nd, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, at the city building. They will present plans for a sidewalk and trail system extending from Turkey Mountain through Jenks, potentially connecting to the future low-water dam trail. This is an opportunity for public input on proposed sidewalk and trail improvements, especially in Ward One.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Box addressed requests to ban fireworks, stating he would not support a permanent ban. He noted that the $20 permit fee for fireworks is not for revenue but to help the fire department track where fireworks are being set off, aiding public safety during the Fourth of July.

He also announced Sharklahoma, a month-long event at the Oklahoma Aquarium. The bull shark dive contest, which he participated in last year, began yesterday. Registration is $10, with proceeds benefiting the Family Fish Funds, which helps underprivileged children visit the aquarium.

Committee Reports and Public Safety

Committee reports will be formalized quarterly, with monthly updates as needed. The idea of a Parks Committee was discussed, encouraging public participation in the Ranch property open houses to shape its future.

Councilor Murray is seeking citizens for a Public Safety Committee. This committee will focus on promoting the police and fire departments and EMS responders, rather than being a review board. Individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement, first response, civil engineering, or heavy construction are encouraged to participate, especially given concerns about road safety.

Jenks Public Works Authority (JPWA)

Consent Agenda

The JPWA consent agenda was approved.

Jenks Chamber of Commerce Agreement Addendum

An addendum to the professional services agreement with the Jenks Chamber of Commerce was presented. This addendum provides more detailed budget information and outlines Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The Chamber will provide quarterly reports with budget updates and KPIs, including event attendance, sponsorships, vendor participation, and social media insights. The total contract amount from the city remains at $219,000, with additional revenue from special events and programming.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Chamber:

• Event attendance
• Sponsorships
• Event vendors
• Business participation
• Upcoming events and chamber engagement
• Event survey results
• Year-over-year comparisons (where available)
• Marketing and social media insights (followers, website traffic, newsletter)
• Discover Jenks magazine distribution data
• Business engagement (staff visits, economic impact interviews)

The Chamber differentiates between community events (e.g., Symphony and Suites, focusing on local engagement) and tourism events (e.g., Sharks in the Park, attracting outside visitors and generating sales tax). A newly formed Tourism Committee, including representatives from the aquarium, Riverwalk, and local businesses, aims to track tourism impact more effectively.

Closing Remarks

Mayor Box concluded the meeting with a reflection on Independence Day, emphasizing the importance of appreciating freedom and the sacrifices made for the country. He encouraged citizens to find pride in the nation's achievements, regardless of political affiliation. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.