Bike trails get boost, Claremore citizens recognized

Sep. 30—Monday evening's City Council meetings will revisit the purchase of right-of-way for a Reavis Road project and the Frederick Road project along with another payment on the Lake Dam project.

City Engineer Garrett Ball and City Planner Kyle Clifton will be presenting invoices for reimbursement as well as payment.

Discussion and possible action on bids for the new Lake Ranger Station will be presented by Joe Kays, city parks manager.

The Council meets 6 p.m. at City Hall, 104 South Muskogee Avenue on the northeast corner of Muskogee and Patti Page Blvd.

Council meetings begin with the Cultural Development Authority meeting agenda, which is followed by the Public Works Authority meeting and then the regular City Council meeting. Elected city councilors make up the governing body for each of these entities.

The PWA agenda includes: — approval of City of Claremore reimbursement for invoice for $17,610.00 for the purchase of a Reavis Road right-of-way (Ball). — approval of City of Claremore reimbursement for invoice for $56,624.90 for the purchase of Frederick Road right-of-way (Ball) — approval of Luckinbill Construction payment number eight in the amount of $104,251.17 for the Lake Dam project (Ball).

The City Council agenda includes: — a quarterly Small Business and Retail update from Meggie Froman-Knight, executive director of Claremore Economic Development, along with Terri May Peters. — payment of claims including "actual salary" for city employees for "September 2" in the amount of $609,916.60. Salaries include contractural agreement for "Fire Union dues, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, fire pension, police pension, retirement fund, insurance and United Way contributions.

Council members will also take up planning and zoning issues, to be presented by City Planner Kyle Clifton, including possible action to close two alleys, final plat of estates at Forest Park IV and Forest Park V.

Citizens, city workers recognized

At the September 5 Council meeting, Police Chief Steve Cox recognized Claremore citizens Justin Merrick, Dusty Lee, Jordan King and Ethan Grimmett for "going above and beyond to assist the Claremore Police Department.

In two separate incidents, citizens were called upon to assist in medical emergencies.

Justin Merrick and Dusty Lee were recognized for their actions on May 12 at the William Barnes Child Advocacy Center charity golf tournament at Heritage Hills Golf Course. A participant went into cardiac arrest on the course. Citizens Merrick and Lee jumped in to help save and stabilize him until paramedics arrived. Police officer Mark Isaac was off-duty helping at the event as well and administered CPR.

Ethan Grimmett and Jordan King were recognized for their actions on May 21 at Claremore High School graduation where they assisted with carrying a citizen from the stands so medical treatment could be provided. Grimmett graduated from CHS and is currently at college. His brother Noah accepted award for him.

Two Claremore firefighters were recognized for reaching 35-year marks in their careers with the CFD.

City Clerk Sarah Sharp completed OMAG's Front-Line Leadership Academy.

The annual Skate with a Cop event was reported to have engaged over 12 police officers and 220 children. Officer James Epperson was recognized for his leadership for this community engagement event.

Property purchase expands bike trails

In other action, the city purchased 18.5 acres adjacent to the current mountain bike trails at Claremore Lake for expansion of the trail system. This property will add up to one and a half miles to the trail. The property was purchased from Donald Ray Willis for $312,000.