If you only read one thing: this meeting was about streets, drainage, softball growth, and an Irish delegation coming to town.
🚧 Big Money: Street Overlay Project Approved
Council approved a $558,546 contract with McKenzie Asphalt for a major street overlay project.
Covers 19 blocks
Uses 4,381+ tons of asphalt
Work expected to begin May or June
Cherokee Ave removed due to upcoming water line work
Park Ave (4th to 7th) added instead
Streets included:
South First, South E, South West, East Morris, East Court, East Park (two sections), and Second Street.
Translation: a serious push on infrastructure before paving season gets packed.
💵 Paperwork Correction on Railroad Project
Council had to undo a previous vote because of incorrect paperwork.
Original final payment approved: $79,211.25
Corrected final payment: $107,811.25
Project: Stonewall Railroad Crossing (bore under railroad tracks)
Same project, corrected numbers. Bureaucracy doing bureaucratic things.
✈️ Airport Drainage Improvements
Council approved:
$213,936.65 contract with Mayer Specialty Services
Part of a 10-phase airport stormwater improvement plan
Expected to take only a few days once contracts finalize
Basically: fixing drainage at the airport before it becomes a swimming pool.
🚜 New Equipment Purchase
Council approved buying a VX75 Vacuum Excavator for $202,740.
Purpose:
Clear storm drains and catch basins
Improve street drainage
Address flooding at intersections
Delivery expected in late April.
It shoots high-pressure water and vacuums debris. It is the city’s new giant industrial shop-vac.
💧 Budget Amendment
Council amended the FY 2025–2026 budget to:
Use stormwater fund balance for equipment
Add funding for airport drainage (over original $200,000 budget)
Adjust funding related to the softball project
Overall theme: drainage, drainage, drainage.
🏞 Mullen Park Improvements
Two approvals:
$4,494 change order to move electric lines underground (safer, cleaner)
$26,283.90 partial payment to Lowe Construction
Total park project cost: about $311,000
🥎 Softball Complex Expansion
Southeast Youth Sports reported:
700+ attendees in a single day
Estimated $30,000 local economic impact
Growing participation and sponsorships
They requested more play nights and tournaments.
Council approved hiring an additional full-time groundskeeper to support expanded operations.
Translation: youth sports are becoming real economic drivers.
🛣 New Citizens Street Improvement Commission Created
Council:
Approved creation of a Citizens Street Improvement Commission
Passed emergency clause so it takes effect immediately
Approved appointments:
Tim Isenberg (At-Large)
Fred Ettner (Ward 2)
Rodney Quickle (Ward 6)
More oversight and focus on street planning.
Given how much money is going into asphalt and drainage, this makes sense.
🌍 Sister City Visit: Ireland
Workshop discussion focused on welcoming a delegation from Midleton, Ireland in March.
Highlights:
3–4 day visit
Choctaw Nation tour included
School pen pal launch at Puterbaugh
Public Library visit
Culminates in St. Patrick’s Day Festival March 14 (1–4 p.m.)
Formal Sister City agreement expected Fall 2026 when McAlester travels to Ireland.
This is culture + education + economic development positioning. It is more strategic than it sounds at first glance.
📌 Consent Agenda Items
Approved recent meeting minutes
Approved claims (Feb. 4–17)
Denied a tort claim filed by Casey Lemons
Accepted Planning Commission 2024–2025 Annual Report
Routine housekeeping.
Overall Themes
Heavy emphasis on infrastructure and drainage
Strategic investment in youth sports as economic development
Formalizing long-term street oversight
Expanding international partnership efforts