The $7.2 million water project has been completed and the $2.2 million sewer project is about half finished, so now the City Council is turning its attention to city streets.

“It’s going to be expensive,” City Manager Jeb Jones told the Council at Monday’s monthly meeting.

An expert with the Eastern Oklahoma Development District quoted a price of about $4.3 million.

And that doesn’t cover all of the 204 streets within the city limits.

Replacing the water lines was paid for by a combination of grants and a hike in water rates.

Streets are a different matter.

“Funding through our budget would be prohibitive,” Jones said.

Grants are a long shot.

“We will apply for grants, but when a small town like Eufaula has to compete against state agencies and tribal agencies, it is very competitive. Success will be tough.”

Obvious options are an increase in property taxes and/ or sales taxes.

Property taxes put the burden solely on property owners, Jones said. Sales taxes spread the burden around to everyone, including tourists.

A 1-cent sales tax increase that would generate approximately $8.5 million, according to Jones.

But how the funding is to be obtained will be discussed at a later date.

Funding would be for streets, and possibly other capital improvement projects as yet to be determined.

For now, the city needs to hire an engineer to evaluate the street issues.

The Council gave Jones permission to hire someone to survey the streets and find out what the problems are.

One of the problems will be which streets to replace or repair.

“Lakeshore Drive may be important for some people, but not others,” Jones said.

Which means politics will play a part in the decision- making process. Jones said not every ward will be touched by the project, but some streets in every ward will be.

The City Manager emphasized that this is just the start of conversations about the complex issues involving streets.

“In the past, in 2019, the Council at that time discussed streets, but because it was at the beginning of the water project and moving forward with the sewer project, it was not the time to address streets. We would have had projects stepping on other projects.

“We’re talking serious money here.”

Perhaps $756,000 per mile of streets, or more.

Library

The Eufaula Memorial Library was a major topic of discussion at the Monday meeting, attended by several members of the Friends of Eufaula Memorial Library and the Library Board of Directors.

Kathy Seibold, newly appointed Executive Director of the Eastern Oklahoma Library System, which oversees the Eufaula Library, made a presentation about the library’s current condition and future plans.

FEML President Gail Rose also spoke to the Council, outlining FEML’s hopes and plans for the future, also some criticisms and voice support for expanding the current building or erecting a new facility.

Kathy Seibold

Seibold praised the Council for the city’s help in repairs to the library, which closed a month ago to rid the building of black mold as well as to make repairs to the building.

“The water damage has been taken care of; the siding on the eaves have been replaced and painted,” Seibold noted.

A major issue still facing the building is windows, which leak and caused a lot of water damage. And provided a feeding ground for termites, who at the sheetrock around the windows.

Jones said the buildings five windows will be replaced, but will cost about $18,000, to be paid for with capital improvement funds.

Seibold said other work is needed, including replacing much of the carpeting.

She would also like the walls to be repainted and bathroom stalls replaced.

“This would add value to the money already in the building,” she said.

The library is raising $55,000 for the additional projects – including $10,000 form Friends of the Library, $10,000 from library trustees, $7,000 from various companies in town and, hopefully, a $30,000 grant from a local foundation.

Jones said French drains need to be installed to direct water away from the building.

Seibold also said she would like to update the agreement that has been in effect with the city for years.

“It is out of date, so this is good time to look at a new agreement,” she said. “It would basically be the same agreement that was originally signed but updated.”

No firm date has been released as to when the library will be completely reopened. Until then much of the library business is being conducted at the Community Center.

Gail Rose

In a letter presented to the Council, Rose noted that FEML has been a strong voice for the library in the community since 1987.

She was critical of a number library issues.

“We are library patrons, educators, community leaders, business professionals and family members,” she said. “We value the library for the resource it is, serving all of our community, promoting education and keeping us all connected.”

She thanked the city for making the repairs to the building.

But she asked the Council to consider a number of issues, including: a larger meeting room or second meeting room; a larger workroom for staff; a break room for staff; and small private conference rooms.

Also, a drive-up book drop where book returns can go directly into the building; more floor room for more shelving; more storage; and more parking.

“We wish to be on record that we require the maintenance repairs be completed immediately so that the Library can reopen. We also require that ongoing maintenance must be a higher priority than it has been.”

She asserted that closing the library was avoidable.

“We fully support the operation and expansion of the Library. We support expanding the current building. We support the construction of a new library building.

“We, the Friends of Eufaula Memorial Library fully support all activities of the Library.

“We are dedicated to being a voice for Library needs. You may be assured that we will be vigilant in this. We look forward to working well with the City of Eufaula to see that the Library continues to be maintained and further expanded. I and all of the Library supporters thank you.”

Other business

– approved declaring nine shotguns, one Public Works vehicle and two Police Department units as surplus, authorizing the city manager to dispose of the surplus items.

– the Council approved the low bid of $61,452.90 by Winslett Heat and Electric for electrical work at the new fire station.

– approved the rezoning of 28 acres of frontage road on the west side of town from Agricultural to Commercial.

The land lies on the north side of SH 9, between Buck Street and Helms Small Engine Repair.

– appoint Ward 2 Council Member Tisha Morgan to the Board of Directors of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District to complete a three-year term that ends June 30,2025.

Morgan was not at the meeting and therefore not on hand to decline the unanimous decision by the board.

This is largely an honorary position. The City Manager generally attends the EODD meetings in place of the elected official.