Aug. 13--McAlester city councilors voted Tuesday to finish a park for skateboarders thanks to a large donation from a local businessman.

McAlester Community Services Director Mel Priddy told the city council that Bob Wallace plans to donate $90,000 over the next five years to finish work at Connally Park. Wallace, of Wallace Management Company, asked that the city finish work on the skateboard park by next spring.

The 6.4 acre park is at Electric Avenue and Strong Boulevard, and includes skateboard equipment purchased several years ago, also with donations.

Priddy said Wallace's donations will allow the city to install the remaining planned skate equipment, build new bathrooms, and add a picnic shelter, tables and a water fountain.

He said Wallace planned to write the first $20,000 check for the donation this week.

Mayor Kevin Priddle asked city attorney Joe Ervin to draft a memorandum of understanding for the donation contract.

Ward 5 Councilman Buddy Garvin asked about some form of aknowlegement to recognize Wallace's generosity and City Manager Mark Roath said plans are in the works.

"Certainly, we're in the largest recession we've seen in almost a generation, and for someone to step up with what's almost a six figure commitment, that's great," the mayor said.

The council also approved the following agenda items unanimously:

--Designation of Oct. 24 as Make a Difference Day in McAlester at the request of Maureen Harrison, coordinator for Minor Home Repair Projects of the Make a Difference Day Committee.

--A resolution supporting the 2009 Oklahoma Main Street Program revitalizing the Historic Central Business District of the city. The resolution supports the McAlester Main Street Program's participation in the state program.

--A one-year lease of a corporate hangar at the McAlester Municipal Airport for $1,700 per month to EASTOK. The 80-by-80-foot hangar had been leased to the Choctaw Nation for the same amount until May. The tenant moved out because a new hangar had been built by the Nation in Durant.

--Amended the city budget, including acceptance of $20,000 from Wallace and spending $90,000 for skate park improvements, leaving a $12,018 budget balance in the city's General Fund; authorizing expenditure of $50,000 in carryover state police forfeiture funds for police department supplies; authorizing expenditure of $8,000 in carryover federal police forfeiture funds for police department supplies; and spending $20,630 in Economic Development funds for changes in a utility project at 14th Street and Village Boulevard.

--Authorized a $136.80 credit change order for the 2008 Water Treatment Plant Modifications Enhanced Coagulation Project. The amount reflects a deduction of 18 feet of concrete.

--Authorized final payment on the same project to its contractor, Northern Equipment Co. of Grove. The total contract amount, including the $136.80 credit, was $778,390.04, and the final payment amount was $38,926.34.

--Agreed to a $20,629.45 change order for the 14th Street and Village Boulevard Utility Extensions project for water and sewer lines at those streets along U.S. Highway 69. The change order includes $11,000 to bore lines under a property owner's driveway as required for the owner's easement; and $9,629.45 for additional sewer line and a manhole at Union Ironworks. Utilities Director David Medley said the Ironworks company had already given the city a $9,629.45 check for reimbursement for the expense, to be deposited pending council approval.

--Renewed a one-year contract for wireless communication services with U.S. Cellular.

--Approved a $75,000 engineering contract for a Stormwater Management Program to meet state environmental requirements under a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Contact Kandra Wells at kwells@mcalesternews.com.

-----

To see more of the McAlester News-Capital or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mcalesternews.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, McAlester News-Capital, Okla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

AMEX:USM,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.