Poteau City Council approves Twyman Park facelift
The Poteau City Council approved an initial facelift to Twyman Park during Monday night’s meeting at Poteau City Hall.
Poteau Mayor Scotty White told the council members that a first proposal was given them in their packets in which there will be new playground equipment for Twyman Park, which was the favored site for the “new” park location by White and council members B.J. Johnson, Connie Shockley and Phillip Zearley. Johnson is in favor of having artificial turf installed on the park grounds instead of using mulch and gravel, and City of Poteau Parks and Cemetery Director Billy Cripps said that one issue he has been dealing with is gravel being put into the toilets at the restrooms at Twyman Park. White said he wanted to make sure the “new” park catered to “smaller children and big kids” while Councilman Tommy Robertson wanted to make sure the facility was handicapped accessible.
White said the budgeted cost for the project is $200,000.
The City Council also approved an animal rescue contract with the Artemis Project which is located near Sugarloaf Mountain and Hackett, Ark., basically letting that entity replace 3 Girls Animal Rescue, which closed its doors in January. Whenever the Artemis Project picks up a stray or unwanted pet that the City of Poteau would pay for the Artemis Project’s services.
White gave statistics showing the need for setting up the contract with the Artemis Project. He said that in January, there were 45 dogs and two cats taken in while two other animals were put down for their aggressive nature. However, in February, those numbers rose to 67 dogs and five cats, with eight animals being put down — some for health issues. He said that the normal cost is about $40 to $50 per animal, but the cost got up to as high as $90 when the City of Poteau was using LeFlore County Veterinary Clinic vet Dr. Randolph Stokes.
The need White sees deals with getting the pets spayed or neutered, but spokespersons from the Artemis Project said that, unlike 3 Girls Animal Rescue that wanted exclusive rights to the job, it is more than welcome to let other such entities get involved.
The lone property issue on the agenda for the City Council dealt with 900 South Witte Avenue, but City of Poteau Code Enforcement Officer Mark Collins told those present that the individuals are making headway in cleaning up the property. Collins’ recommendation was for the City Council tabling taking any action about cleaning up the property, then revisit the situation at the April meeting. Collins did tell the owners that they had better come through or they would be fined.
The City Council approved the recommendation of both the City of Poteau Personnel Committee and Poteau Fire Department Chief Jon Pickel to hire Howard Bandy as a volunteer firefighter.
The City Council also approved the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to award full-time benefits to City of Poteau Water Department staff member Andrew Black, animal control officer Jason McMurray and City of Poteau Street Department staff members Johnathon Diedrich and Eddie Phillips.
City of Poteau Billing and Collections/ Information Technology staff member Phillip Bennetzen received a 15-year service pin from White, who also recognized Chris Ward who was approved by the City Council to be appointed to the City of Poteau Planning Commission to replace the recently-retired Lavon Williams.
The City Council, the Poteau Industrial Authority and the Poteau Public Works Authority all three approved payment of purchase orders as signed and approved by the City of Poteau Finance Committee, the acceptance of department reports and budget transfers for February.