TPWA board learns about purchase of bucket trucks

Oct. 20—Members of the Tahlequah Public Works Authority board on Oct. 20 heard reports on the progress of the sewer and wastewater plant construction and purchase of new bucket trucks.

Board member Mark Gish asked for clarification on an item on the financial statement for $429,000.

"Those were the two bucket trucks," Finance Director Beth Bailey said.

General Manager Mike Doublehead said Gary Stephens, electric superintendent, found the trucks.

"After being told it would be four to five years before TPWA could get a bucket truck, and one truck would cost $490,000, Gary got wind of some availability, and we were able to get two for almost the price of one. They were delivered two weeks ago," Doublehead said.

The company the trucks were purchased from Florida Power and Light, and TPWA has a contract with the company to produce a specified number of trucks.

"They also have to produce a percentage over that in case hurricanes or storms come through and damage them. If those aren't sold, they have an opportunity to sell those back on the market, and Gary was successful in finding those," Doublehead said.

Board member Sherry Baker asked Bailey about an item on the report from Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp.

"Where are LED floodlights being used, and are there multiples, and where are those placed?" Baker asked.

The lights are put in residential areas, and for an extra fee, the homeowners can rent the lights. This is another source of income for TPWA, Bailey said.

Bailey reported on the financial statement for September.

"The electric department revenue was $2,615,708, and expenditures were $1,665,367, with a net income of $950,341," Bailey said. "The water system and plant revenue was $604,622, with expenditures of $256,505. Teehee water plant expenditures were $124,277, and Tenkiller water plant expenditures were $71,828. The water system and plant net income was $152,011."

For the sewer system and wastewater system plant, revenue was $333,322 and expenditures were $133,739, and wastewater treatment plant expenditures were $178,484.

"Sewer system and wastewater system plant net income was $21,097," Bailey said.

Gist said the monthly net income figures were the highest since he has been on the board.

"We are getting ready to go into where we will lose money during fall and spring," Bailey said.

On the electric revenue, $83,000 was due to property and damage recovery for a street light that was destroyed.

"When you see these kind of numbers, that's why you see Oklahoma Department of Transportation going to roundabouts," Doublehead said. "There aren't any traffic lights [so none] to repair."

Steve Tolar, HUD Engineering, gave a report on the various projects that are ongoing and proposed. An item calling for the approval of two water treatment pumps was tabled.

"After review of the pump bids, there were many inconsistencies and we did not get a bid for pumps we purchased last time," Tolar said.

Contractors continue to make progress on the head works at the wastewater plant. Landscapers are planting native trees, but there is still a lot to be done, Tolar said.

"The intent of the project is to provide a visual barrier of native species so the plant facilities cannot be seen from the Cherokee Nation historic site adjacent to the plant," Tolar said. "We hired a landscape architect to put together a plan and one of the issues important to the Nation was constructing a visual barrier, and it should consist of all native varieties that already exist in that area."

TPWA is responsible for continued maintenance for the next five years. If any trees die, TPWA will be responsible for replacing them with the same native species. Walnut trees grow in that area and are required to be used in the visual barrier.

Approval was given for an item to pay $2,139,269 for water line needed in the relocation portion of the widening of Muskogee Avenue. Also approved were invoices for HUD Engineering for services rendered.

A meeting was held between TPWA and Grand River Dam Authority, along with managers from Pryor, Wagoner and Sallisaw to talk about financing a new generating unit at GRDA, which is called unit 4.

"They are looking to finance that for a range between $400-$600M. They are currently looking at interest rates and will replace unit 2 which is a coal-fire plant," Doublehead said.

What's next

The next TPWA meeting will be Friday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. at the utilities office, corner of College and Delaware.