City Seeks Grant for Five Year Capital Improvement Plan

By Alisha Thompson
Councilmen made quick work of a 4 page agenda Monday night in an hour and twenty minute long meeting. Abatement orders, budget talk and department reports dominated conversations for the night. Councilmen Josh Oakley and Jeremy Bumgarner were absent.
A Public Hearing was held prior the council meeting to discuss Orders of Abatement for violation of of Davis City Code Section 5-2-3: Public Nuisance Enumerated (Stagnant Water Bodies, Dangerous Structure, Fire Hazard) and 5-3-2 Accumulation of Deposits of Weeds and Trash at three properties: 110 South Fifth, 606 E. Main Street and 300 South E Street.
Interim City Manager Susie Suther said that the property at 110 South Fifth has appeared on agendas for abatement several times since the owner’s death. A property owner has come forth and is working with the City of Davis.
The property at 606 E. Main was torn down in the fall after a fire damaged the home. The owner lives in Alabama and Suther said she thinks they have interest in selling it. The vacant lot is not being cared for and has become a nuisance.
The property at 300 South E. Street, like the other two, has been listed for summary abatement with existing liens on the property from the city. The property will go up for a Sheriff’s Sale in June. The lot is vacant with a small building on the property.
All properties will receive a 72 hour notice to deal with code violations, if not dealt with, the city will clean the property, adding all associated costs to liens on the individual properties.
Austin Marks with SODA spoke to the council about the CDBG Community Block Development Grant for Capital Improvement Projects for 2025. SODA will assist the City of Davis and develop a 5 year Capital Improvement Plan. The field of activity for this project will consist of General Government Inventory, Transportation, Water, and Wastewater Inventory. The Local Advisory Planning Committee will review the Needs and Capital Improvement Summary for each category. The LPAC will develop a Draft Plan from the Needs and Capital Project Summary. The draft copy of the CIP Plan will be displayed for 30 days for public review. A public hearing will be held to discuss the final draft plan. The LPAC will create a recommendation to the City Council for review and approval. The City Council Will then vote to approve a Resolution accepting the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Davis. Maps will be provided to the City.
Council Meeting
All councilmen approved minutes of April 14 meeting minutes. Minutes from the April 23 meeting and claims were approved with Councilman Clint Grinstead abstaining from both items.
Orders of abatement for properties at 110 South Fifth, 606 E. Main Street and 300 South E Street were approved. Suther said hours and expenses will be tracked for all properties.
Suther did note that the property owner at 606 E. Main Street knew the property was being taken down in the fall but hasn’t contacted the city since then. The property owners at 300 South E. Street have never contacted the city. It is believed the owners are deceased.
Resolution #708 allows application for the Community Development Block Grant for Capital Improvements for Project Fiscal Year 2025.
Mayor Brian Davis was authorized to sign all documents pertaining to the Community Development Block Grant for Capital Improvements for Project Fiscal Year 2025. Resolution #709 was approved for the Fair Housing Resolution required for this project. The resolution states that if anyone is displaced from Capital Improvements that the city will work with the resident. There will be no displacements since this is the planning phase for projects. Southern Oklahoma Development Association will administer and assist the city with the grant if awarded.
Resolution #707 was accepted by councilmen to grant a variance for property owners at 411 South Second Street wishing to place a new home on the lot. The south side was short 10 feet requiring the request for the variance to be granted by the council. Mayor Davis abstained from the vote.
D’Andra Parsons will replace Heath Foster for a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Oklahoma Library System.
Rahal-Henderson Willis will prepare financial statements for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 audit.
Davis Municipal Authority
The minutes of the April 14 meeting were approved by all trustees. The minutes of the April 23 and claims were approved with Trustee Grinstead abstaining.
An account will be established with Core & Main, a vendor that will be used for the Public Works Department.
The next council meeting meeting is Monday, June 9 at the council chambers located at 308 South Third Street. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.