Report: TPWA contractors conflict with private workers

Mar. 15—Construction workers on Tahlequah Public Works Authority contracts often run into confrontational situations with property and business owners while working with expansion projects, tree trimming and installing utility lines in easements.

During a discussion of invoices for approval for Cook Consulting and HUB Engineering, Trustee Sherry Baker asked Steve Tolar, HUD Engineering, about an altercation she witnessed between a business owner and construction workers relocating a water line on Muskogee Avenue.

"I witnessed almost a brawl between some of the workers and a business owner," Baker said. "Is that something these workers are having to deal with frequently?"

Tolar said it happens often, but not to the point of violence, even though these business and property owners have been informed by the city. Tolar said when transmission lines for a project were constructed across the property of an owner who had signed over easements, there were many other angry land owners.

Mayor Suzanne Myers said a lot of effort has gone into making sure the public and business owners were aware of the construction efforts on South Muskogee Avenue and how it would affect them.

"What we chose as a city prior to construction on the South Muskogee project is we walked business-to-business with a pamphlet of information and a personal contact with each business owner," Myers said.

The city also held a public meeting during which 35 business owners attended to lay out the plan, and to allow questions, Myers said.

"That's what we are trying to implement from our perspective is the communication to avoid these situations," Myers said. "So in a public forum if we are asked if we contacted the business owners, we can say yes, we did in three different manners: one by mail, in person and the public forum."

General Manager Mike Doublehead said this problem is frequent with tree-trimming operations.

"Sadly, its confrontational more often than it should be," Doublehead said.

The purpose of the Tahlequah Public Utility Board, which meets prior to the TPWA meeting, was established by the Tahlequah City Council. TPWA is a public trust created under the laws of the state of Oklahoma.

"The five members of the TPUB, under the trust, automatically become members of trustees of the TPWA trust," said Harvey Chaffin, attorney for TPWA. "The TPUB is a vehicle by which the city can appoint the members of the TPWA trust."

The only things under the TPUB authority are the city street lights, Chaffin said. The reason the lights are not under the city's authority is because when the trust was created, it was felt that some function needed to stay with TPUB to justify its existence. TPUB was created in the 1950s.

The financials for TPWA were outlined by Finance Director Beth Bailey for the board's approval.

The electric department had revenue in February of $1,863,093; expenditures were $1,162,750, with a net gain of $73,342. The water system and plant had an operating revenue of $556,782. Water distribution expenses were $305,651. Teehee water plant expenditures were $92,460, and the Tenkiller water plant had $76,411. Net gain for the water department came to $82,259.

The sewer system and wastewater treatment plant had operating revenue of $370,140 and sewer collection expenditures were $142,029. Wastewater treatment plant expenditures came to $133,345 with a net gain of $94,766. Warehouse expenditures were $60,573. Administrative revenue was $44,011 and expenditures were $173,195, and non-operating revenue was $60,650. Apportionment to the city was $109,741.

Net income for all departments was $828,277. Capital expenditures for the electric department were $6,421 and for the water department $23,375 and the sewer department was $138,865. Total capital expenditures for February were $168,662.

What's next

The next TPWA meeting is April 19, 9 a.m., at the TPWA office at 710 W. Choctaw.