http://cityofsandsprings.com Current news in Sand Springs, OK en-us Copyright 2007 - City of Sand Springs http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1154 F 189, 2008 Although the sights and sounds of fireworks are quickly fading from memory following the long Fourth of July weekend, City officials will have the benefits of legal bangs and booms fresh on their minds for weeks to come. They’ll be assessing whether the City’s ordinance legalizing the discharge of fireworks proved an effective tool in regulating displays by individual residents. So far, the results are encouraging. “Given that the ordinance is in its first year, I’d say it was an all around success,” said Asst. Police Chief Mike Carter. “We may want to do some tweaking before next year, but the ordinance overall accomplished its goal of responsible fireworks usage during a specified period.” Sand Springs was one of several communities in the Tulsa area which adopted an ordinance this year allowing fireworks in residential areas during the Independence Day holiday. The practice had previously been banned for three decades with little effectiveness. Residents were required to purchase a fireworks permit for $20 which allowed them to discharge fireworks between noon and 11 p.m. on July 3rd and 4th. Each permit included conditions that encouraged safe and responsible activities. Some 266 permits were purchased – including more than 100 permits bought on the final day, July 3rd. Permit sales generated $5,320 in revenues to help offset Police and Fire Department overtime costs to enforce provisions of the ordinance. Three extra police officers and the fire marshal were on duty during the holiday period checking for fireworks permits and answering fireworks complaints. Some 126 fireworks-related calls were logged from July 2nd when the extra patrols began through July 5th. Officers wrote 25 citations and eight warnings, Carter said. In 88 cases, officers confirmed residents had a valid permit to discharge fireworks. Officers were unable to locate four incidents that citizens reported. One person was arrested – a juvenile who threw a rock and firecracker at a passing fire truck. There were no reports of property damage or injuries caused by fireworks in the city limits, Carter added. One person in unincorporated Tulsa County sustained an eye injury from a firecracker. Each citation carries a $254 Municipal Court fine. “The permit process enabled us to step up our enforcement efforts and curb the irresponsible usage of fireworks that can lead to annoyances, damages and injuries,” Carter said. “It was rewarding to find that a large number of residents discharging fireworks were doing so with a permit and in compliance with the regulations.” Fire Marshal Stan Smith, who helped coordinate permit sales and personally patrolled neighborhoods on July 4th and 5th, said he found most residents very pleased with the new ordinance. “Most everyone seemed very happy to see us out patrolling in their area, and I had many people tell me how happy they were with the permits,” Smith said. A few complaints have been received concerning fireworks, and Carter and Smith are encouraging residents to let their opinions be known about the ordinance in general and any fireworks-related concerns in particular. “The first year was a work in progress, and it worked out well. However, we’re always interested in making improvements for future years,” Smith said. “We welcome any feedback from citizens and will certainly use their input in any adjustments we make to the ordinance.” Citizens can e-mail their thoughts on fireworks to info@sandspringsok.org. Or, they can call the City’s action line at 246-2600. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1153 F 185, 2008 July’s hot weather has all but melted most memories of last December’s epic ice storm. Yet, scattered reminders still line streets in several Sand Springs neighborhoods. Some residents have continued to place tree limbs at the street curb anticipating collection by the City’s Street Division. Many of the limbs were either dropped by the ice storm and are just now being brought to the street, or were weakened by the ice storm and subsequently fell during spring storms. The City of Tulsa is collecting limbs downed during a June 1 severe thunderstorm. The same storm had only minimal impact on Sand Springs, according to Street Division Supervisor Carla Hayes. “We did not experience the sustained high winds from that storm, and our tree damage was very minor compared to what occurred just a few miles east of us,” Hayes said. “As such, the Street Division is not collecting limbs from street curbs in Sand Springs.” The aftermath of the December ice storm left street curbs lined with large limb piles, prompting the City to hire a disaster recovery firm to remove and dispose of them. The firm’s work was completed by March. The latest round of limb placements is sporadic, Hayes said. “Typically, there are just a few limbs or a small pile of limbs scattered about the neighborhoods. In addition to their unsightliness, they can be a harborage for rodents and a collection point for litter,” she said. Although the major collection effort is long over, the City is still providing two options for tree limb disposal. Each month, a free “Chipper Day” tree limb disposal program is available at the Street Division facility, 8620 W. 21st St. Tree limbs up to 2 inches in diameter can be brought to Chipper Day for shredding into mulch. No stumps are accepted. Users must present a current City utility bill showing residential refuse service for access. The next Chipper Day is Saturday, July 12, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. In August, Chipper Day will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2. Residents can also cut their tree limbs into 4-foot sections and tie them in bundles for collection by the City’s Solid Waste Division. Up to eight bundles with a weight limit of 25 pounds per bundle can be placed with a residential polykart for regular trash collection. For those wanting additional collection services, an extra pickup or bulk pickup service can be arranged for a fee. For further information on Chipper Day or Solid Waste Division collections, call the City’s Public Works customer assistance line at 246-2588. Tree limbs that are not disposed of can become a public nuisance. Following the ice storm, the City coordinated volunteer groups to remove tree limbs from eligible occupied residential properties. “That program was highly successful, and virtually every resident in our community who needed a helping hand got one,” said Neighborhood Services Director Andy Templeton. “Unfortunately, we have had to remove tree limbs from a number of vacant properties using the public nuisance abatement process.” To date, the City has abated tree limbs from around two dozen properties at a cost of about $7,000. Those monies will ultimately be recovered as a lien on the property’s taxes. “Considering that we have about 7,500 residential properties in the city limits, the number we have had to take to abatement is very small,” Templeton said. “Our community has done an excellent job overall in recovering from a disaster that still scars the landscape in other areas of the region.” Some vacant lots have been targeted for illegal tree limb dumping. According to Hayes, several City-owned lots in the Meadow Valley area recently experienced illegal dumping. Persons caught dumping tree limbs on City property could face a substantial littering fine. “We are working in that area to make sure the dumping stops,” Hayes said. “Anytime we have to devote resources to cleaning up someone else’s mess, it takes away from our other duties.” Residents should also not dump tree limbs in creeks and streams. In addition to littering concerns, the debris could clog water flows during rain events and cause flash flooding. Hayes noted the City has received funds to begin creek cleanup work from the ice storm, but the project will likely take many months to complete. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1152 F 176, 2008 Changes are planned in the City of Sand Springs’ trash collection schedule to accommodate the upcoming Independence Day holiday. The timing of the holiday will also affect the monthly “Chipper Day” tree limb disposal program at the City’s Street Division facility. City offices will be closed on Friday, July 4th, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. There will be no City trash collection on that day. Residential customers who normally have their trash collected on that day will need to have their polykarts out two days earlier, on Wednesday, July 2, for collection. Polykarts should be at the street curb by 6 a.m. to assure collection. Also, the City’s monthly Chipper Day, normally scheduled for the first Saturday of the month, will instead be held the second Saturday, July 12th, at the Street Division facility, 8620 W. 21st St. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tree limbs 2 inches in diameter or less can be brought to Chipper Day for disposal at no cost. A current City utility bill showing refuse service is needed for access. Residents can get free mulch and firewood, if available, on Chipper Day. For further information, call the Public Works Customer Service Line at 246-2588. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1151 F 176, 2008 The City of Sand Springs is planning to fast track additional improvements to the Angus Valley Acres sanitary sewer basin to solve some of the excessive flow issues that occurred following recent heavy rains. The Public Works Engineering Division is currently preparing an expanded list of priorities designed to reduce groundwater infiltration into the sewer lines, as well as expand capabilities at the lift station that pumps sewage from the area for treatment. Bids will be sought to begin improving deteriorated lines this summer, and construction should begin later this year, according to Public Works Director Derek Campbell. “The conditions in some Angus Acres neighborhoods that resulted from the recent rains were unacceptable and necessitated prompt action to continue our improvement projects,” Campbell said. “By expanding the scope of our work and expediting construction as much as we could, we hope to lessen or eliminate the chances of such conditions occurring in the future.” Sand Springs received a 1.5-inch rainfall in about a 20-minute period on June 18th. That rain event followed a similar rainfall the previous day and added to June’s record 9-inch rainfall total. Ground water from the rains penetrated deteriorated pipes that were installed when Angus Acres was developed in the early 1970s. Following the June 18th storm, sewage overflows were noted at several manholes in neighborhoods near Trinidad Drive and Bermuda Avenue. Additionally, sewage water flowed from private residential cleanout pipes into yards and eventually street gutters. Wastewater Division employees augmented the lift station’s pumps at 129th West Avenue and Trinidad Drive with a vacuum truck to reduce the flows. The situation eased early in the morning on June 19th, and flows returned to normal by that afternoon. Wastewater crews washed down sidewalks and driveways and treated all affected areas with a disinfectant while the City’s street sweeper cleaned affected streets. All the overflows were reported to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality as is standard practice, Campbell said. In addition to the overflows, several residents reported they were unable to flush their toilets. Campbell explained the high flows in the City’s sewer lines could cause this to occur. Since 2000, the City has invested $335,000 to rehabilitate deteriorated lines and manholes in the Angus sewer basin. However, that has only upgraded about a quarter of the 32,000 lineal feet of original clay tile piping. Another $125,000 was earmarked in the 2009 fiscal year budget, which starts July 1st, to continue the work. That number will likely grow. “We are looking at ways we can increase the number of dollars available so we can rehabilitate more lines,” Campbell said. “We will likely put some other projects on hold and shift their funding to expand this work.” In addition to rehabilitating the lines, the upcoming project will increase the size of the pressurized line that sends sewage from the lift station toward the City’s treatment plant. Combined with electrical upgrade at the lift station, more sewage can be pumped at a faster rate. Also, monitoring devices will be installed in key areas to electronically measure and report flows on a real-time basis. “This will show us what the flows are and help us identify areas where infiltration is still occurring,” Campbell said. “It will also alert us when inflows are increasing at a rapid rate so we can respond more quickly and address issues before overflows occur.” He added the upcoming work will address priority areas identified by on-site inspections and camera testing inside the lines. Complete rehabilitation of all lines, with a cost currently estimated at $2 million, will likely need to be completed in phases. “We are going to continue working on the most deteriorated areas and see how far we can get in reducing the infiltration. From there, we will be able to use our monitoring devices and data we continue to gather in the field to plan subsequent phases,” he said. “It is very likely that significant sections of the original piping are still serviceable and will not need rehabilitation for a few more years.” Several Angus residents have pointed out that new developments in the area may be straining the system. However, Campbell noted they were built with modern pipe materials that do not contribute to infiltration. “Under normal conditions, the system’s capacity can adequately handle existing levels of development with room for more growth,” he said. “This is more a matter of getting older lines buttoned up so our flows can stay steady even during rainy periods.” City Manager Douglas Enevoldsen said expediting improvements to the Angus basin are necessary both for public health and quality of life. “The patience of residents affected by this situation is commendable. Their frustrations are understandable,” Enevoldsen said. “It is our goal to move as quickly as we can within our legal and financial means to get this situation taken care of so that they can continue enjoying the quality of life they have in Angus Acres.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1150 F 176, 2008 With the Independence Day holiday just days away, it is fireworks season in Sand Springs. For the first time in more than three decades, discharging fireworks will be legal in Sand Springs’s city limits from noon to 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 3rd, and Friday, July 4th. However, residents must buy a fireworks permit to avoid being busted for the bang. The annual public fireworks display at River City Park, sponsored by Sand Springs Sertoma Club, will be held at dusk on Thursday, July 3rd. The free festivities begin with a performance by the Sand Springs Community Chorus at 8 p.m. Concessions will be available. Families are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets, and make an evening of it. “Watching a professional fireworks display like the one at River City Park, or at the numerous other venues in the area, is the safest way to experience the thrill of fireworks on Independence Day,” said Sand Springs Fire Marshal Stan Smith. “For those who want to have their own private fireworks displays, we are stressing safety.” Safety starts with a trip to the City’s Fire Administration Office, 108 E. Broadway (next door to City Hall), to purchase a City fireworks permit. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays through July 3rd. Permit holders must be at least 18 years old and must agree to conditions that will help prevent injuries or fires from private fireworks displays. The permit requires that a responsible person, at least 18 years old, monitor the area when fireworks are being discharged by persons under age 18. Fireworks can only be discharged on non-combustible surfaces, like a driveway or a patio, at least 25 feet from a nearly building. Fireworks can be used on residential streets adjacent to the permit holder’s home – provided the street is not greater than 26 feet wide. All fireworks debris must be cleaned up afterward. Permits can be revoked if fireworks are misused. The permit fee is $20 – cash only. Those who discharge fireworks without a permit may pay a far greater price. Extra police officers will be patrolling city streets during the holiday and writing tickets to persons without permits. Violators could face a maximum $254 Municipal Court fine. Fireworks sales are still prohibited in the city limits. However, many individuals and non-profit organizations have set up fireworks stands in surrounding areas of Tulsa, Creek and Osage counties.  By state law, fireworks stands are only able to sell certain types of fireworks such as firecrackers, sparklers and cone fountains. They must be clearly marked as “Explosives 1.4G” and must have directions printed on the product label. Improper or careless use of fireworks is an invitation to tragedy, Smith said. Fireworks injuries often involve serious burns, or permanently disfigured hands, eyes or feet. Fireworks can be especially dangerous if used by children in unsupervised situations. “Fireworks bring out both excitement and curiosity in children. Unfortunately, they often do not understand the danger involved and the caution needed to handle them,” Smith said. “Parents often overestimate their children’s ability to handle fireworks. Even sparklers can have tragic consequences when used carelessly.” He added: “Adults are not immune from injury either, especially if they’ve had a long day of recreation that includes the use of alcohol.” Careless use of fireworks can also catch clothing on fire, and can spark grass or building fires. “We’ve been very fortunate that we have not had any major injuries or fires caused by fireworks in our community in recent years. I hope that record continues this year with some of the safeguards we have put into place through the permit process,” Smith said. “We don’t want the 4th of July’s boom to turn to a bust for anyone.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1149 F 170, 2008 Several recent rounds of heavy rain have flushed out sanitary sewer problems in the Angus Acres development in southwest Sand Springs. Rain water is finding its way into the sewer system at levels that overwhelm its capacity. Rehabilitating the lines is a top priority, and the City is making significant investments to make that happen, according to Asst. City Engineer Jesse Vaverka. However, there’s still a lot of work to do. Since 2000, the City has spent $335,000 to rehabilitate deteriorated pipes, repair manholes in the area and increase lift station capacity. Another $125,000 is budgeted to continue the work in the coming year. However, only about 6,500 feet of the 32,000 feet of pipes serving Angus Valley have been rehabilitated. “It would cost us between $1.5 million and $2 million in today’s dollars to rehab the entire system,” Vaverka said. “We don’t have the immediate resources to do all the work at once, so we are prioritizing our needs and working through them incrementally.” The Angus Acres sewer system was installed when the subdivision was built in the early 1970s. Developers dug trenches in the underlying limestone shelf and installed clay piping. Vaverka noted the practice and materials would not be acceptable by today’s development standards. Currently, the Angus system serves around 1,000 homes. “In several areas, the piping has begun to deteriorate. Since there’s no place for the water to go in the trench, it eventually finds its way into the pipes where they have deteriorated,” Vaverka said. Rehabilitation projects have inserted a continuous polyethylene pipe into the original clay pipe – eliminating the traditional joints that tend to separate with age. Sewer line connections from each home are also replaced. As a result, infiltration of ground water is eliminated. The first rehabilitation projects in 2000 and 2001 refurbished about 4,400 feet of line and repaired several leaky manholes. Reported sewage overflows ceased after that work was completed until last year, Vaverka said. The wet spring and continued deterioration of the original lines caused a new round of overflows that wastewater workers could not keep up with. Engineering staff began an immediate process to locate the most deteriorated lines and assembled a new rehabilitation project. Earlier this year, contractors inserted more than 2,000 feet of new polyethylene piping into the deteriorated mains at a cost of $117,000. “The project was not included in the City’s original budget last year, but we recognized the need to get on top of this and continue reducing the infiltration problem,” said Public Works Director Derek Campbell. “We were able to measure our success by bringing groundwater infiltration down to a controllable level. However, we still have a lot more to do out there.” This year’s heavy rainfall has picked up where last year’s left off, Campbell said. In the last several weeks, Wastewater Division crews have been using a vacuum truck to help alleviate excessive inflows near the 129th West Avenue and Trinidad Drive lift station. Sewage from the entire area comes to the lift station, where it is then pumped eastward and northward through a series of pipe systems to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. The lift station’s pumps have been working around the clock in recent days. When combined with the vacuum truck operation, sewage overflows have been avoided. In the coming year, $100,000 is budgeted to rehabilitate more deteriorated piping, and $25,000 is allocated to make improvements to the pump station. Engineers will continue to prioritize the lines most critically in need of improvements. Individual residents may also be asked to do their part by assuring their sewer pipes are water tight and their cleanout caps are in good repair and securely fastened. Any time a public sewer overflows, the City reports the incident to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Campbell noted. Although the Angus Acres collection system may seem large, it only represents about 5 percent of the City’s 120 miles of public sewer lines. Campbell noted funding for the repair work comes from the third-penny sales tax dedicated to water and sewer capital improvements. “Like most other cities, we have aging infrastructure throughout the City that requires ongoing maintenance and improvements to keep it functioning properly,” Campbell said. “It is a challenge at best for our available funding to keep pace, and we will need to look at how we can provide more adequate revenue streams in the future to keep our sewer systems flowing.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1148 F 170, 2008 A deluge of rainfall Wednesday morning caused swollen creeks near the Meadow Valley subdivision to leave their banks, breached a weir in the Rolling Oaks Subdivision and washed out a bridge on Wekiwa Road. The 1.5-inch rainfall occurred mostly in a 20-minute time span shortly before 8 a.m. Falling on ground saturated by other recent heavy rains, it didn’t take long for the torrential rainstorm to cause problems. The City’s flood siren in the Meadow Valley subdivision on Highway 51 was activated around 11 a.m. as water left the banks of Fisher Creek and Anderson Creek – flooding nearby 29th Street. Sand Springs Police officers alerted residents that flooding was occurring, and vehicles parked in the street were moved. The waters began receding around lunch time without getting into any homes. Police disbanded their operations around 1 p.m., according to Asst. Chief Mike Carter. No injuries or property damages occurred. Fisher Creek crested at nearly 14’ shortly after noon and was continuing to fall. Anderson Creek crested at 7.7’ about the same time and was also falling. Street flooding in Meadow Valley usually occurs when Fisher Creek exceeds 11’ in depth. Around 9:30 a.m., a weir impounding a detention pond at 35th Street and Rolling Oaks Drive developed a breach and began spewing water from the pond into the street and nearby drainage channel. No houses were flooded. Both the weir and pond are owned and maintained by the Rolling Oaks Homeowners Association. City Public Works crews responded to perform emergency stabilization work. Temporary repairs were completed around 2 p.m. The homeowners association will be responsible for making permanent repairs with guidance from the Army Corps of Engineers. Rushing water on Sand Creek undermined a bridge on Wekiwa Road just east of 209th West Avenue. Tulsa County road crews closed the bridge to traffic as the southwest corner continued to sag. The bridge will likely have to be replaced. Although the sun appeared shortly after the morning storm passed, more storms are expected over the next two days before a high pressure system takes hold this weekend. With saturated conditions, little additional rainfall will be necessary to cause flash flooding. The recent rains are also having an impact on Lake Keystone and the Arkansas River. At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Lake Keystone stood at 745.7’ above sea level – 22.7’ above normal with two-thirds of the flood storage capacity in use. Water was being released from Keystone Dam at the rate of 24,500 cubic feet per second. Lake levels and release rates are expected to continue rising in the coming days. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1147 F 168, 2008 Like many other communities in Oklahoma, summertime brings more than searing heat to Sand Springs. It brings stinging mosquitoes. The proliferation of mosquitoes is more than just a pestilence. With the threat of West Nile Virus increasing in recent years, they have become a public health concern. The City of Sand Springs and Tulsa City County Health Department have programs designed to mitigate mosquitoes in public areas. However, the best form of mitigation literally starts in residents’ own back yards, according to City Code Enforcement Officer Keith Taylor. High grass and dormant water are excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. With recent heavy rains, there are plenty of both to go around, Taylor said. “If people aren’t mowing their yard on a very frequent basis, they are likely headed for trouble. The rain and warm, humid air causes grass to go into grow overdrive,” Taylor said. “Weekly mowings will barely keep ahead of it.” Standing water in yards and untreated water in swimming pools are an invitation for mosquito breeding. Residents need to channel water so it does not pond in their yards. Also, swimming pools need to be treated with chemicals or completely drained. The number of citizen complaints about high grass has risen sharply in recent weeks. By City ordinance, grass exceeding 12 inches in height is considered a public nuisance. However, Taylor said the problems often start before then. “The average lawnmower can’t cut grass that is 12 inches high – especially when we have periodic rains that keep the grass from completely drying out,” he said. “Residents who do have to wrestle with grass that high in their yards often end up tearing up their lawn equipment.” He added he’s also heard people complain about the cost of gasoline to run lawn equipment. In years past, fuel costs were not really a consideration. “They’re feeling a pinch at the pump when they fill up that gas can. What used to cost them just a few dollars to fill up now costs $10 to $20. That’s real money to most people,” he said. For those residents who do not mow, the City will begin a public nuisance abatement process and ultimately assess the costs of mowing to the property’s taxes. In addition to actual mowing costs, the City assesses a $150 administrative fee. “What may have been a $50 or $80 mowing job is now a $200 or more mowing job. People find out really quickly that they do not want us to be their lawn service,” he said. In some cases, the mowing may also come with a hefty court fine of up to $200 for each day the public nuisance continues. Dormant and abandoned swimming pools appear to be a worsening problem this year as people are finding it more costly to keep them maintained, Taylor said. Even if residents are not going to use their pool this summer, they need to keep the water treated or properly cover it. Pools that are no longer usable should be dismantled or filled in. “An uncared for swimming pool is not only a mosquito haven, it is an attractive nuisance for curious children and a tragedy waiting to happen. It needs to go if it cannot be properly taken care of,” Taylor said. Swimming pools that are not cared for are also considered public nuisances and can be abated by the City similar to a high grass nuisance. Property owners can also receive court fines for failing to maintain their pools. To report high grass or swimming pool nuisances, call the City’s Neighborhood Services Department at 246-2572. Mosquito issues can be reported to the City’s Public Works Department at 246-2588. Reports can also be e-mailed from the “Report A Problem” link on the City’s website: www.sandspringsok.org. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1146 F 165, 2008 Sand Springs Mayor Bob Walker’s challenge to get more children catching the reading bug this summer has turned into an epidemic. Walker issued a challenge to local children in May to read more books than children in other Tulsa County communities through the Tulsa City Library System’s Summer Reading Program. This year’s program theme is “Catch the Reading Bug.” “I’m glad to see children are contracting the reading bug at an amazing rate. The local numbers are phenomenal, and other communities are also coming down with it as well,” Walker said. Three weeks into the program, 477 children and 94 teens had signed up at Charles Page Library. At Pratt Library, 708 children and 95 teens had signed up. Overall, 1,374 local children are infected with the summer reading bug – up nearly 45 percent from the 948 children who signed up during the same period in 2007. Page Library is leading all other libraries in Tulsa County with a 78 percent increase in children reading. Its 56 percent increase in teen reading is a respectable third to libraries in Owasso and south Tulsa. Pratt Library is also holding its own in the friendly competition. “I’ve been invited to visit the kids recently during some of their programs at the libraries. The turnout and enthusiasm are really something – the reading bug has really been infectious,” Walker said. The Summer Reading Program is sponsored each year by the library system as a way to keep children’s reading skills fresh between school years. Those who successfully complete the free program by Aug. 3rd will earn a medal of achievement and coupons for free food and entertainment. They are also eligible for several prizes – including bicycles, computers, children’s performances and other fun things. Additionally, those who complete the program will receive a free ticket to “Library Summer Reading Program Night” at Drillers Stadium on Aug. 8. Children can still contract the reading bug by picking up a Summer Reading Program log at Charles Page Library, 551 E. Fourth St., Pratt Library, 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., or at any other library in Tulsa County. To complete the program, children must read at least eight books and make four visits to the library during the summer. Those who read 12 additional books will also receive a plush stuffed ladybug toy as a bonus. Further information is available on the Tulsa City-County Library website at: www.tulsalibrary.org. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1145 F 164, 2008 June’s sales tax disbursement to the City of Sand Springs garnered a slight increase for City coffers compared to a year ago – ending the 2008 fiscal year within budgetary forecasts. The disbursement from the Oklahoma Tax Commission totaled $822,167 – up $8,333 or 1 percent from the $813,834 received in June 2007. The disbursement reflects sales in the last half of April and the first half of May. The City collects a 3.5-cent sales tax for every dollar of goods purchased from businesses within the city limits. Two cents goes to general governmental operations. Another penny goes to fund water and sewer capital improvements, and a half-cent funds street improvements. With the 2008 fiscal year wrapping up, City sales tax revenues total $9,932,578 – up $350,544 or 3.7 percent from the $9,582,034 received in the same period during the 2007 fiscal year. The newly adopted City budget for the 2009 fiscal year, which starts July 1, anticipates continued modest growth of 1.5 percent over current revenues. “Even though the national economy is bumpy and larger portions of families’ budgets are being consumed by high energy prices, there are still many items that people shop for in our community on a regular basis that provide sales tax revenues,” said City Manager Douglas Enevoldsen. “We will continue to rather conservatively budget any revenue growth from sales taxes in the coming year, to make sure we are not impacted too much should the national economy slow down.” Sales taxes represent the largest source of revenues for general operating programs and services such as public safety, streets and parks. Sapulpa’s sales tax check for June totaled $953,060, down 1.5 percent from the previous year. Owasso received $1,432,256, up 14.6 percent from the previous year. Broken Arrow received $2,235,554, down 1.1 percent from the previous year. Jenks received $356,091, up 8.8 percent from the previous year. And, Bixby received $585,327, up 3.4 percent from the previous year. Tulsa’s sales tax check for June totaled $17,425,605 – up 4.7 percent from the previous year. The City of Sand Springs’ use tax disbursement from the OTC for June totaled $23,602. For the 2008 fiscal year, use tax collections have totaled $293,155 – up $13,459 or 4.8 percent from the $279,696 received for the 2007 fiscal year. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1144 F 164, 2008 Sand Springs city officials will be putting the walk back in sidewalks in the coming weeks by putting the brakes on residents who use them for a parking lot. Cars parking on the sidewalk or otherwise blocking the safe passage of pedestrians on a sidewalk are a violation of the City’s parking ordinances. As more residents have gone afoot to beat higher fuel prices, more calls have been received in the Neighborhood Services Department about vehicles blocking their way. Even more troubling, the vehicle blockages impact handicapped residents who rely on clear sidewalks to help them get where they are going. The problem has been especially acute in older areas of the city where a sidewalk replacement program has been ongoing for many years using Community Development Block Grant funds. The sidewalk improvements were designed to link residential areas with public facilities such as schools, churches, parks, the post office and downtown businesses. “Many of the homes in this area have limited driveway space. When everyone is home and the vehicle crunch is on, some people have been using the sidewalk as their second driveway,” said Code Enforcement Officer Keith Taylor. “Not only is parking on the sidewalk a neighborhood detraction, it blocks those who are using them for their intended purpose.” Most subdivisions built in the last 15 years are required to have sidewalks. Although wider driveways and bigger garages usually cut down on sidewalk parking, some residents in those areas let vehicles straddle the sidewalk as an extension of their driveway. “The result is the same – people using the walk can’t get through and often have to go into the street to get around the cars parked in the driveway,” Taylor said. Taylor hopes residents will use some common courtesy when it comes to keeping their vehicles off sidewalks. For those who don’t they may find a warning notice or a Municipal Court citation under their vehicle’s windshield. As alternatives to parking on or blocking the sidewalk, residents can park their vehicles on most residential streets. Taylor noted many side streets are good parking locations because they have less traffic. Many residents have widened their driveways to accommodate more vehicles. And, residents who have a rear yard with access to a public alley can add a parking area there. New or enlarged driveways and parking areas must be constructed of a dust-free all-weather surface – typically asphalt or concrete. “In some circumstances particularly in older neighborhoods, we try to work creatively with residents to solve their parking problems. However, those are very individualized cases where topography or other issues limit access. In general, people need to have a hard surface under their vehicle’s tires – and not a sidewalk,” Taylor said. Vehicle parking is not allowed in front yards by City ordinance. And, inoperable vehicles cannot be parked out in the open. Taylor said it’s distressing to see operable cars parked on the sidewalk when an inoperable car takes up driveway space. “There are many options for that old junker that hasn’t run in years,” he said. “Local scrap yards will pay cash for vehicles, and many non-profit groups offer donation programs for old cars that translate into income tax deductions.” He concluded: “We as a community and nation are going through a significant transition in our vehicle usage right now with high fuel prices. People are rediscovering walking as a viable form of transportation, and we don’t want anything to get in the way of that.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1143 F 164, 2008 For Sandites getting squeezed at the gas pump, riding the bus to and from Tulsa can help squeeze out savings – both on family budgets and gas. And thanks to City Council action at its June 9th meeting, Tulsa Transit buses will be rolling up and down Sand Springs streets for another year with no change in service schedules. Curb-to-curb paratransit services will also continue to be available for eligible handicapped residents. Through a partnership with the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Transit, the City of Sand Springs helps supplement operating costs to provide 15 round trips between the city and downtown Tulsa each day, and six round trips on Saturdays. The Route 114 fixed bus route extends from downtown Tulsa through Gilcrease Hills and northwest Tulsa before reaching Sand Springs segment at 65th West Avenue and Charles Page Boulevard. From there, the bus travels along Charles Page Boulevard and through downtown Sand Springs before looping northward to 10th Street. It ends its route on the south side of Wal-Mart, 220 S. Highway 97. The first bus leaves Wal-Mart at 5:07 a.m. weekdays and 6:27 a.m. on Saturdays. The last bus arrives at Wal-Mart at 7:28 p.m. weekdays and 5:57 p.m. on Saturdays. Buses generally run on an hourly schedule on weekdays and about every two hours on Saturdays. Click here for the full schedule for the Sand Springs bus route. For a complete schedule, as well as connecting buses to other parts of Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Jenks, contact Tulsa Transit at 582-2100 or visit their website at www.tulsatransit.org. Cash fare for the bus is $1.25 (one way) with free transfers when additional bus routes are needed to complete a rider’s journey. Special ride passes and senior discounts are also available. Under the new contract with Tulsa Transit, Sand Springs will pay $44,000 to supplement the cost of service – a 10 percent increase over the $40,000 supplement that had been paid annually for the previous three years. “Our costs are part of a partnership with Tulsa Transit and its parent trust, the City of Tulsa, to share overall costs for extending bus service to Sand Springs,” said City Public Information Officer Andy Templeton. “The bus service has shared benefits for both communities, and the transportation link has a storied history that dates back to the days of interurban trolley service.” He added the City has had a contract for Tulsa Transit bus service for about three decades. As a regional transit system, Tulsa Transit receives operating funds from federal and state sources – as well as fare revenues. Sand Springs and Tulsa split the remaining costs. The Sand Springs portion of the fixed bus route carries more than 20,500 passengers annually – about five people getting on or off the bus on average for each trip, Templeton said. The paratransit service, which is necessary to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, transports about 5,000 people annually – mostly for medical appointments and shopping. “In terms of our supplement, we are meeting fixed bus route passengers about half way. We are paying about $1 in supplement for every $1.25 they put into the fare box,” he said. “As more people find the bus a practical solution to soaring fuel prices, our supplement per passenger will decrease. “Additionally, there are economic and quality of life issues to consider,” he added. “The bus lets people who cannot drive or who do not own a car live here. Also, the service brings workers and shoppers from Tulsa to our community – further contributing to our economic and tax base.” The paratransit service equates to about a $4 city supplement per trip. Passengers pay a $2.50 fare. The higher costs are due to the individual scheduling for each trip and the specialized wheelchair accessible vehicles involved. “When you look at all the direct and indirect costs of paratransit service, we likely could not afford to provide that on our own for our supplement cost,” Templeton said. “For the riders, it is far more functional than a cab and far less expensive.” Although the fixed bus route’s localized service may not always practical from a time standpoint, the bus does offer amenities such as wireless internet to make that time productive. Riders can also catch up on other work tasks, read the newspaper or just relax and avoid the stress of driving and parking. “Using today’s mileage cost calculations, it costs the average motorist around $8 to take their car for a round trip to and from downtown Tulsa. A trip to midtown or south Tulsa costs around $15. For a modest time investment, the bus offers substantial cost savings,” Templeton said. And as summer’s “Ozone Alert” season heats up, riding the bus gets less expensive and helps protect the environment. Cash fares for bus rides are 50 cents on Ozone Alert days. “The pain we are experiencing at the gas pump has us all thinking about transportation alternatives. Through our partnership with Tulsa Transit, we will be seeking out the best ways to provide those alternatives as our community shifts its focus toward other forms of transportation beyond the gas guzzler.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1142 F 163, 2008 Sand Springs City Council adopted a Resolution of Appreciation at its June 9th meeting recognizing State House Speaker Chris Benge for his crucial role in getting a State bond funding program approved that includes $25 million in matching monies for building or refurbishing low water dams on the Arkansas River in Sand Springs, Tulsa and Jenks. The resolution, presented to Speaker Benge by Mayor Bob Walker, read as follows: WHEREAS Sand Springs’ future growth, commerce and quality of life are largely tied to developing the Arkansas River as a resource that unites all areas of the community and provides a venue to attract visitors to the Tulsa metropolitan region; WHEREAS the City of Sand Springs in its Strategic Plan, the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce in its Bridge 2 Tomorrow report, and several other regional agencies and entities have recognized the need for Arkansas River development as a top priority for regional benefit; WHEREAS the recent passage of a $475 million bond package includes a $25 million component to match expected regional and federal funding components to build a low water dam and pedestrian bridge at Sand Springs, as well as build a similar dam in Jenks and improve the existing low water dam at Tulsa’s Zink Lake, as vital infrastructure for Arkansas River development; and WHEREAS The Hon. Chris Benge, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Sand Springs’ District 68 Representative, was instrumental is negotiating the bond package and its low water dam component; NOW, THEREFORE, I Bob Walker, as Mayor of the City of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and on behalf of the Sand Springs City Council, do hereby recognize House Speaker Chris Benge for his diligent efforts that will affirm the Arkansas River development process in the Sand Springs and Tulsa area, and will give residents and visitors alike a greater appreciation of the Arkansas River as a regional recreational and quality of life resource. Adopted by motion and vote of the City Council this 9th Day of June, 2008. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1141 F 162, 2008 For drivers who must wait in long lines of stopped traffic while a train crosses Highway 97 just north of the Arkansas River bridge, time seems to stand still. The mid-morning crossings of the Sand Springs Railway train to and from the Gerdau Ameristeel plant often blocks the roadway for several minutes and backs traffic up southward across the river bridge and northward to the Sand Springs Expressway. Tie-ups also occur when the railway occasionally has to deliver to the plant during the late afternoon hours. Like citizens who attended the June 9th City Council meeting, Council members want to find alternative solutions that will lessen impediments to traffic at the grade crossing. Council adopted a resolution asking that the Oklahoma Transportation Commission examine federal and state funded options to build an overpass over the railway crossing or find “an alternative bridge location that would provide multiple benefits to the region.” Ward 6 Councilman Kim Tilley, who has frequent train crossing interruptions to his travels from south Sand Springs to areas north of the Arkansas River, said the resolution is a starting point to address an issue that he receives many complaints about. “The Highway 97 bridge is the only connection we have across the river, and the traffic on it increases each year as our community grows,” Tilley said. “When a train blocks the roadway, it stifles our ability to get back and forth.” He added: “I certainly recognize the Railway’s value to our community’s industrial employers – and specifically to Gerdau Ameristeel’s plant. Those long strings of train cars going in and out of the plant mean people are working. I hope we can work together to find ways to co-exist and prosper.” Under Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulations, a train can block a crossing a maximum of 20 minutes. Railroad officials have tracked times that the crossing is blocked to make sure they are compliant, according to Railway Vice President Bill Macormic. “I’ve been stuck in traffic myself when our train is going in or coming out of the steel mill. Although we often only block the roadway for 10 minutes or so, it seems like forever when you are sitting there,” Macormic said. “We want to be good citizens in the community, but our options to access Gerdau – which is our largest customer – are limited,” he added. The train usually pushes 30 to 50 cars into the plant weekday mornings and pulls a similar number out. Cars entering the plant mostly contain scrap metal which is recycled into steel products. Outbound traffic contains empty cars, steel products from the plant, and billets that can be used in subsequent steel-making processes. On some occasions, the outbound train stops to pick up cars destined for the nearby Wellington Industries plant. The move adds extra minutes to the time that the train occupies the Highway 97 crossing. “From a railroading standpoint, it’s a good move for us to pick those cars up at the end of the train as we’re coming out of the plant and drop them off. Otherwise, if we picked them up on the head end, we’d have to leave cars potentially blocking the crossing while we dropped the cars off at Wellington,” he said. “We try to do everything we can to minimize blocking crossings. However, we have to serve our customers and maintain a certain schedule,” he added. “As our traffic has picked up, the number of times we have to block crossings and the duration of those blockages has increased.” Asst. City Manager Kevin Nelson said the recent increase in complaints is likely due to the Railway’s increased business and the continual increase in traffic on Highway 97. The roadway currently carries between 30,000 and 40,000 vehicles a day. The Railway is working cooperatively with the City to find short-term solutions to crossing blockages – especially regarding access by emergency vehicles. “We both recognize the importance of minimizing impediments to traffic on Highway 97 and the critical role the highway’s river crossing plays in linking both sides of our community,” Nelson said. “We recognize the railroad’s right and need to cross the highway, and hope to work out mutually acceptable plans to assure public safety is preserved.” In the long term, Nelson said an overpass or additional bridge location would be the ideal solution. However, the City has no funding available for such a project, and the Railway would likely not be a participant since its tracks are already at grade. The resolution asks for assistance consideration, but sets no timeframes. Nelson said an overpass or alternative bridge are likely many years away. “Such an overpass, if it could be engineered, would be an extremely expensive project. Therefore, there may be a more cost effective solution in working toward another bridge crossing such as the Gilcrease Expressway project at 57th West Avenue,” Nelson said. “The resolution provides such flexibility to find the most practical long-term solution to this issue.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1140 F 162, 2008 City Council continued tightening the City’s financial belt Monday evening, June 9th, by adopting a 2009 fiscal year budget that trims five employee positions, continues leaving vacant employee positions unfilled and provides no general salary increases for employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements. The FY-09 budget, which takes effect July 1st, in a continuation of significant cost reductions made earlier this year when Council revised the 2008 fiscal year budget. The spending package includes no new services or initiatives, and limits capital spending primarily to replacement needs. City Manager Douglas Enevoldsen characterized the overall $32.8 million budget as a “steady state” or “status quo” funding plan that “helps us surmount a mountain of fiscal challenges.” The City is currently experiencing a $2 million funding gap that will be closed through the next two years’ budgets, Enevoldsen said. By taking two years to close that gap, the impact on essential city services can be lessened. He said the funding gap was caused by several factors – including overly optimistic budget forecasts in years past, wet and cool weather last summer which resulted in lower water sales, and costs incurred during the epic December 2007 ice storm. “This budget process was a significant challenge to our finance and administrative staff. We had a hard mountain to climb and had to make some very difficult decisions. However, I believe we have prepared a solid spending plan that will enable us to maintain most of our services at current levels while preserving the integrity of our financial position,” Enevoldsen said. He added: “As in years past, the general fund budget places its greatest emphasis on public safety.” Revenues are expected to increase modestly in FY-09. Sales taxes are expected to generate slightly more than $10 million – a 1.5 percent projected increase over the current budget. Franchise taxes on private utilities are expected to generate around $1.3 million – a 21 percent increase attributed to higher rates, growth trends and a percentage point increase in the franchise fee charged by Oklahoma Natural Gas approved by Council. Water revenues are also expected to increase 7.8 percent to $6.8 million in FY-09. Enevoldsen noted the sources of the projected increase are split between previously enacted rate adjustment and hope that consumption levels will return to more normal levels. Like many other Oklahoma cities and towns, the City of Sand Springs relies on utility revenues to supplement general governmental operations. Water sales are the largest utility revenue generator. In formulating the FY-09 budget, city staff began by removing one-time FY-08 expenses such as the America Downtown Action Plan. They then annualized expenses for positions or programs that were only partially funded in the 2008 fiscal year. “We then had to build in unavoidable increased expenses into the budget, which were substantial, to just maintain our operations at or near current levels for the coming year,” Enevoldsen said. Fuel costs are expected to increase $223,800 in the coming year. Utility costs are expected to go up nearly $293,000. Another $150,000 increase is included to cover the state’s unfunded portion of December ice storm cleanup costs. And, the City’s supplement for EMSA ambulance service increased $20,759. Also, the FY-09 budget includes an additional $227,570 to fund the second year of a collective bargaining agreement with police and firefighters. “We had to be creative in finding areas to cut expenses or shift costs,” Enevoldsen said. “Since individual departments had previously trimmed their budgets earlier this year, there was little or no room to find savings there. We had to think in more significant terms.” Through a partnership with the City of Tulsa, cost increases to provide Tulsa Transit bus service were reduced $150,000 from original cost estimates with no change in services. A similar partnership with the City of Sapulpa reduced the scope of monitoring services for the Skiatook Lake water system and saved $135,000. By changing health insurance providers, the City saved $285,362 when compared to an increase that the former provider would have charged. “The most significant savings were realized by shifting staff costs for engineering and project management from operating funds to capital improvement funds,” Enevoldsen said. “These costs would normally be charged to individual projects if outsourced, and by shifting their costs to specific projects, we were able to save $326,000 in operating funds.” Still, the cost savings were not enough to avoid impacts on City personnel, he said. Eight vacant employee positions in several departments that were frozen during the 2008 fiscal year will remain frozen in FY-09. Also, four full-time employees and one part-time employee will be laid off in various departments. Eligible employees will be offered a severance package. “It is my understanding that this is the first time in modern memory that we have actually had to lay employees off,” Enevoldsen said. “This was a very difficult decision, but we felt it was the best decision in the overall interests of our organization and its ability to provide services.” He added that eliminating positions was a more appropriate approach to resolving the City’s long term fiscal challenges than mandating unpaid furloughs for all employees, as was done in 2003. City employees other than police and firefighters covered by collective bargaining agreements will not see a general salary increase. The City is honoring the pay increases included in the second year of those two-year agreements. Most short-term capital spending was eliminated from the FY-09 budget except for ongoing replacement needs such as computer hardware, mowing equipment and police cars. Funds are also included to replace a standby electrical generator that was destroyed during a recent severe storm. Street improvement funds include $2 million to begin design work on the widening of Highway 97 between Second Street and Morrow Road. Another $2 million is included to begin preliminary work for an access road from Highway 97-T to Pogue Airport. Both projects are primarily funded through state and federal sources. Two large water projects are included in the FY-09 budget. A $1.08 million project will install a 12-inch waterline on Highway 97 north of the City. A $359,000 project will install a 12-inch waterline from 225th West Avenue to the Coyote Trail storage tank. A $175,000 project paid mostly with federal and state funds will improve the south landing approach to Pogue Airport. And, an $890,000 allocation is included in the FY-09 budget to help fund the estimated $2.9 million cost to improve drainage on Main Street from the downtown area to the Arkansas River. Enevoldsen noted the 2010 fiscal year budget will likely look similar to the FY-09 budget. Even if restaurants and shops begin opening at River City Crossing during that budget year, their revenues will only help the city restore services to current levels. “At this time, there is no magic solution to our financial challenges,” he said. “We must continue to work from within to make our organization as efficient as we can through better utilization of funding resources, personnel, and investments in equipment and technology.” He added: “With every challenge, there are opportunities. In financial terms, the mountain is high. However, beginning with the FY-09 budget, we will start our climb sure-footed with the confidence that the summit is well within reach.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1139 F 155, 2008 Sand Springs residents who sustained tree limb damage during recent severe thunderstorms have two disposal options available to them. Tree limbs no greater than two inches in diameter can be disposed of at the City’s monthly “Chipper Day” this Saturday, June 7, at the Street Division facility, 8620 W. 21st St. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A current City utility bill showing refuse service is needed for admittance. Stumps are not accepted. Tree limbs are shredded into mulch, which is available to the public for gardening and composting. Free firewood is also available while supplies last. As a second option, residents can cut their tree limbs into lengths of four feet or less, and then tie them into bundles for stacking next to their trash polykart for collection by City Solid Waste Division crews. Up to eight bags or bundles can be placed with the polykart for weekly pickup without an additional charge. For further information on either option, call the City’s Public Works Department at 246-2588. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1138 F 155, 2008 There are about 2,000 storm drainage structures in the City of Sand Springs that get routinely cleaned by City Street Division employees. But with the recent heavy rains, keeping up with the cleaning chore has been anything but routine. That’s where help from citizens would be greatly appreciated, according to Public Works Director Derek Campbell. A few moments spent clearing debris from the drain inlet will help the drainage system do its job when the next gully washer strikes. “We’ve had some extreme storms lately that have sent all sorts of debris into the streets. That debris ends up in the gutters or ditches, and ultimately clogs our inlets,” Campbell said. “The 3 to 5 inches of rain we received early last week had our crews scrambling to unclog those drains. The violent nature of last weekend’s storms brought more debris and plenty of water to wash it down to the drains.” At the height of Sunday morning’s storm, winds were reported in excess of 60 m.p.h. and rain was falling at a rate of 8 inches per hour. “Those are extreme conditions that will challenge the design capacity of any drainage system,” Campbell said. “We were fortunate that the intensity only lasted a brief period, or else we would have had more substantial drainage issues.” The massive onset of water caused minor street flooding in low-lying areas and briefly swelled local creeks and streams before subsiding. A check of area streets Monday morning found numerous storm drain inlets in the City clogged with tree limbs and leaves. “We do not have enough manpower to get to every drain quickly, so we are calling on citizens to help us out,” Campbell said. “If they can clean off the inlet grate nearest to their house and put the debris in their trash polykart, they will be helping their neighbors and us when the next rain hits.” Another round of storms is expected later this week. If residents observe storm drains or other drainage structures clogged with silt or other debris beyond the inlet, they can report it to the Public Works Department at 246-2588. Residents are also reminded that it is illegal to blow leaves or grass clippings into the street, or to place debris in the gutter. Ultimately, those materials will end up at the storm drain inlet and cause a clog and potential flooding of streets and nearby homes. A more environmentally friendly way to dispose of yard wastes is through mulching or composting. Yard wastes can also be bagged and set next to polykarts for collection by City Solid Waste Division crews. Up to eight bags can be set out each week for collection at no additional charge. Intense storms with high winds and large amounts of rainfall are not uncommon at this time of the year. The City’s worst wind storm in modern memory occurred on June 19, 1992 – downing 300 trees and damaging 1,500 others. A similar storm occurred June 9, 1995. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1137 F 151, 2008 City crews are working to clean streams and creeks of tree debris left from last December’s ice storm. However, the process will be ongoing for many months and will focus only on flood protection functions. Although the City reached an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on March 27 to fund creek and stream cleanup, the City has yet to receive FEMA’s share of the funding. In the interim, City employees are routinely clearing debris from accessible chokepoints – bridges and culverts. Cleaning will only be done along the normal water flow course of the creek or stream. That does not include adjacent banks or nearby yards. “There has been some confusion on the part of residents about the level of cleaning that the City can do given the resources available,” said Storm Recovery Coordinator Mike Carter. “We are only able to restore creeks to a level that is acceptable for the City’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rating. This is not a manicuring effort.” Recent heavy rains caused some citizens to become frustrated with a small stream located near 51st Street and Redbud Drive. Water reportedly entered a storage building and backed up into nearby yards. The stream – like most of the 52.6 miles of creeks and steams in the city limits – is on private property. Street Division crews cleared debris from a culvert on 50th Street, west of Redbud Drive, within an hour of the flooding report and had the stream flowing again. The following day, crews returned to the area and removed more than 22 cubic yards of debris. Two rounds of storms May 26-27 had dumped between 3 and 5 inches of rain on the area, according to Street Division Supervisor Carla Hayes. “We know that particular area is a chokepoint for debris, and we routinely make sure it is cleaned out,” Hayes said. “We responded to the citizens’ reports as quickly as we could given the fact that there were many imminent flooding issues that day caused by the heavy rains.” She added: “When we have heavy rains, our number one priority is to keep the creeks and streams flowing. Beyond that, we have to wait until conditions improve before we can remove additional debris.” No other imminent flooding situations were reported during the recent storms. Carter noted that the City originally requested up to $2 million to fully clean the creeks and streams of storm debris. However, FEMA guidelines would not allow reimbursement for cleaning beyond the NFIP standard. “We have always cleaned to the NFIP standard and will continue to do so. However, with the significant level of debris involved, it is going to take time,” he said. “Adjacent property owners can help us and their neighbors by removing debris along creek and stream banks adjacent to their yards.” Hayes explained storm debris continues to wash down creeks and streams with each rain. The City has used nature’s assistance to its advantage in some places to help move debris from inaccessible areas. Crews currently have to cut and remove tree limb debris by hand. When received, FEMA funding will allow the City to retrofit an existing backhoe with claw attachments for more efficient removal when the debris reaches structures such as bridges and culverts. Funds will also pay for two additional temporary laborers to assist in the cleanup. Hayes said she can understand residents’ frustration, but she agreed with Carter that they also need to be understanding and realistic. “We have many urgent drainage situations when heavy rains occur, and they will continue to be exacerbated by debris from last December’s ice storm for months or even perhaps years to come. We give imminent flooding reports top priority, but it is unreasonable to expect us to be everywhere instantaneously,” she said. She added the crews that are assigned to clean creeks and streams are also responsible for mowing numerous City properties – including highway rights-of-way. Also, the crews are still contending with people dumping storm debris in creeks and steams, as well as along roadsides and on City-owned properties. For those still needing to dispose of tree limb debris from the December ice storm, the City offers a monthly Chipper Day disposal program at no charge to residents receiving City refuse service. The next Chipper Day is Saturday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Street Division facility, 8620 W. 21st St. A current City utility bill showing refuse service is needed for access. For further information on Chipper Day or to report debris clogs in creeks and streams maintained as drainage ways, call the City’s Public Works Department at 246-2588. “We are eager to help, and we ask for a little patience and kindness in return,” Hayes said. “Our employees on the scene encounter knee deep mud, snakes, mosquitoes and other hazards when cleaning out these creeks and streams. And, the employees who receive telephone reports also have their hands full assigning priorities. A warm smile and thank you are always appreciated.” http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1136 F 148, 2008 Starting June 1, local utility customers can opt out of enrolling in Sand Springs’ TotalCare ambulance subscription program with EMSA or the Rural Fire Protection subscription program for the coming year. Opt out forms are available at the Fire Administration Office, 108 E. Broadway, or by calling 246-2548 during regular business hours. The deadline to opt out of either or both programs is June 30. Unless they opt out, Sand Springs utility customers within the EMSA Ambulance service area are assessed a $1 TotalCare subscription fee on their monthly utility bills. The program covers all out-of-pocket expenses should a member of the customer’s household need emergency ambulance services. Residential customers living outside Sand Springs’ city limits but within the Sand Springs Fire Department’s service area are assessed a $3 optional fee to cover all out-of-pocket expenses should Sand Springs firefighters respond to a call at their home or property. Both subscription programs were implemented a year ago and have proven to be very successful, according to Sand Springs Fire Chief Mark Joslin. The Sand Springs TotalCare subscription covers costs charged by EMSA to provide emergency ambulance services throughout its Tulsa and Oklahoma City network. The City’s cost for the EMSA TotalCare program in the coming fiscal year is $85,860. “The program has been well embraced by the community – with only about 1 percent of eligible customers opting out last year,” Joslin said. “With the cost of a typical emergency ambulance call exceeding $1,100, a mere $12 annual subscription paid in $1 monthly increments is an extreme value.” Tenants of multi-family facilities that are not participating in Sand Springs TotalCare can purchase their own annual TotalCare membership through EMSA for the retail price of $43.68. For further information, contact EMSA’s TotalCare hotline at 396-2888. The Rural Fire Subscription program received similar support from the community last year, Joslin said. For a $36 annual subscription paid in $3 monthly increments, residents can save a lot of concern and expense should a building, vehicle or grass fire occur on their rural properties. “Most homeowners’ insurance policies provide less than $1,000 in coverage for the cost for a fire department response. In reality, the average charge for a rural house fire response by the Sand Springs Fire Department is at least $2,000,” Joslin said. Funds from the subscription program are paying for a new $408,047 Spartan Gladiator pumper truck currently being built for the City by Crimson Fire Protection Inc. When delivered this fall, it will replace a front-line service pumper that’s more than a dozen years old and will allow the fire department to retire a pumper that’s three decades old. Those who opt out of the TotalCare or Rural Fire Subscription fees will still be assessed a mandatory fee to financially supplement EMSA Ambulance service and the Fire Department’s first responder program. The $2.25 monthly fee on utility bills for in-city residents and $2.50 monthly fee on utility bills for rural residents pays the $126,909 operating supplement to EMSA for the coming fiscal year. It also provides funds for the tiered emergency medical service response system provided by local firefighters. Fees are not assessed to utility customers who receive ambulance or fire protection services from another provider unless that provider has entered into an agreement to collect its fees through the City. Joslin also noted both subscription programs are available to residents whether they have insurance or not. For those with insurance, participants agree to allow EMSA or the Fire Department to seek reimbursement for eligible costs from insurance carriers. The City has engaged a firm to seek those reimbursements. The firm also seeks collection of response fees when applicable from individuals who are not enrolled in the subscription program. http://sandspringsok.org/news-entry.php?cat=1063&id=1135 F 148, 2008 Sand Springs residents who want to legally have some snap, crackle and pop on Independence Day need to snap up a fireworks permit from the City to avoid getting popped with a hefty fine. Permits to legally discharge fireworks at individual residences in the city limits from noon to 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, will go on sale weekdays from June 2nd through July 3rd at the City’s Fire Administration Office, 108 E. Broadway. The permit fee is $20. Office hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. City Council adopted an ordinance this spring that allows residents to discharge common fireworks on specific dates and times such as the Independence Day holiday. Fireworks will remain banned in the city limits at all other times. Prior to adoption of the ordinance, fireworks had been banned in Sand Springs’ city limits for more than three decades. However, that had not stopped their usage, according to Fire Marshal Stan Smith. “The ban had limited effectiveness because it was very hard to enforce. By adopting the permit system, we enable residents to discharge fireworks in a legally and responsible manner during the two-day Independence Day holiday period and can step up enforcement against violators,” Smith said. He added: “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go see a professional display. However, the permit is available for those who want to enjoy them on their own property.” Revenues from permit fees will be used to help fund additional police officers during the holiday. Persons caught discharging fireworks without a permit or who misuse their permit are subject to a Municipal Court citation and a maximum $200 fine plus court costs. Police will be enforcing the permit ordinance aggressively. Upon filling out a permit application and paying the fee, residents will receive a permit with their receipt attached to it. The receipt must remain attached to the permit when displayed to validate it, Smith said. The permit must be displayed in a location easily visible for police officers and other city enforcement officials while fireworks are being discharged. Only persons age 18 and older can obtain a fireworks permit, and this person must be within 100 fee of the area where fireworks are being discharged. Residential street areas can be used to discharge fireworks. However, all trash and debris must be cleaned up as soon as it is safe to do after usage. Fireworks cannot be discharged on collector or arterial streets – typically roadways with pavement surfaces wider than 26 feet. Also, fireworks cannot be discharged in City parks or other public properties. City officials may deny a permit request if the discharge of fireworks at a specific location would be considered dangerous or otherwise detrimental to the public’s welfare. http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1042 F 360, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1041 F 359, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1032 F 350, 2008 Regular Meeting of the City Council of Sand Springs. Municipal Authority meeting immediately following. Contact For More Info: 918-246-2500  Click here to view City Council Agendas and Minutes http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1275 F 339, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1276 F 339, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1273 F 337, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1272 F 336, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1271 F 336, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1040 F 333, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1038 F 332, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1265 F 325, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1267 F 325, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1261 F 323, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1031 F 322, 2008 Regular Meeting of the City Council of Sand Springs. Municipal Authority meeting immediately following. Contact For More Info: 918-246-2500  Click here to view City Council Agendas and Minutes http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1255 F 311, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1256 F 311, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1250 F 308, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1251 F 308, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1252 F 308, 2008 http://sandspringsok.org/events-entry.php?cat=1065&id=1030 F 301, 2008 Regular Meeting of the City Council of Sand Springs. Municipal Authority meeting immediately following. Contact For More Info: 918-246-2500  Click here to view City Council Agendas and Minutes