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SUMMER 2010
CONTENTS GATEWAY ENID Responsibly Investing in Enid’s Future . . . . . . . .03
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CITY EMPLOYEES’ SAFETY AND WELL-BEING Implementing Safety Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .07 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: Safety Dept. Helps Officer Corbin . . . . . . . . . . . .09 GONE TO THE DOGS Dog Park Grand Opening at Crosslin Park . . . . .10
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COMMUNITY STRENGTH Goal Surpassed to Raise $9.76 Million . . . . . . . .12 WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY Construction Begins This July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 CITY DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
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This magazine is an effort by the City of Enid to better communicate with Enid residents. If you have suggestions or topics you’d like to see addressed in future editions, please write:
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Eagle Marketing Attn: Enid On The Move 227 W. Broadway Enid, OK 73701 Mayor - John Criner City Manager - Eric Benson www.enid.org (580) 234-0400 Produced by Eagle Marketing, 227 W. Broadway, Enid, OK. Information gathered and written by Trina Walker and Liz Cady, with contributions by Eva Lightsey. Graphic designer Lynne Benkendorf, and photographer Rachel Hancock.
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GATEWAY ENID:
Projects Aimed at Responsibly Investing in Enid’s Future by Trina Walker Gateway Enid is a multipart plan meant to enrich and preserve the history of our community, while encouraging economic development for future growth and posterity. This bridging of the past and the present will make Enid a destination for new forms of entertainment including athletic events, business conferences, performances, and private functions. Bartlesville, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Ardmore, Norman, Midwest City, and Woodward are all communities who have recently invested in facilities with the purpose of improving the quality of life for residents, as well as attracting visitors. These communities have all experienced a return on their investments. A special election held on August 24, 2010, will let the people of E nid determine how to proceed with the Gateway Enid project. The $20 million bond extends a current tax. This means no new taxes. In fact, under the Gateway Enid bond, the city’s tax rate will decrease upon passage of the bond. If approved, the City of Enid is prepared to match funds with
an additional $20 million. Passing the bond will fund the construction of a new events center, renovation of Mark Price Arena, and the Cherokee Strip Conference Center. The project also includes the beautification of downtown streetscape, a greenbelt connecting downtown to Owen K. Garriott, and signage leading visitors to the area. The Gateway Enid project is about more than just improving the aesthetics of downtown. The project is an investment in Enid with long-term economic benefits for the entire community. As people are drawn to Enid, local business will grow, new business will come, and new jobs will be created. City commissioners Don Rose, Drew Ritchie, and Todd Ging were integral in the formation of the Gateway Enid Committee. Rose says consultants from Global Spectrum and Hunden Strategic Partners were helpful in determining the feasibility of the project. Architect David Greusel designed the plan for the overall project. The committee is made up of busi ness leaders, educators, medical profes-
sionals, and workers from area industry. The committee’s purpose is to gauge the level of community support for the project, and to determine exactly what the plan should entail. The committee assured Enid residents that local input and flavor is part of the plan. “We’ve done our background work to make sure it will work and make a big impact on our town,” said Rose. “The projects all complement each other to create a blueprint to move Enid forward responsibly.” Molly Helm, a member on the Gateway Enid Committee and marketing director for Autry Tech, says the new events center will provide a venue for large groups as well as smaller break out rooms. This lends itself for business conferences as well as more intimate gatherings, and formal occasions. “We gathered input from the community and bounced ideas around to deter3
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THERE ARE CERTAIN BUILDINGS THAT ARE MORE THAN JUST STORES, MUSEUMS, AND SPORTS COMPLEXES.
Some buildings act as ties for generations, as symbolic gestures that demonstrate that no matter how many years pass, the community is the same.
Mark Price Arena, otherwise known as the Convention Hall, is one such building. It was built as a tribute to those Gar field County boys who fought in WWI, and over the years, the use of the building has adapted to fulfill a purpose: a music hall, a gathering place for citizens, an opera hall, a dance auditorium, a stand-in cour troom, an office for city of ficials, a political arena, a wrestling arena, a graduation hall, and finally, a basketball arena. Now, much like the people it has housed, the arena is faltering to age. There have been numerous articles on the value of keeping such a building, and ther e have been those who have ar gued for the contrary. There is one undisputable factor however. Every generation of Garfield County has seen the inside of Mark Price Ar ena. Memories are housed there, and of course, history lives there. With admirable people belonging to the Greatest Generation becoming fewer and fewer, let us not forget that there are buildings also belonging to the same r evered generation. MARK PRICE - CONVENTION HALL HISTORY • In 1919, the mayor of Enid proposed a bond issue for the construction of a building to memorialize WWI soldiers from Garfield County. • The building was constructed at a cost of $500,000. • The hall is four stories tall with a ceiling height of 40 feet. • Famous people were hosted here: o Famed musician John Phillip Sousa o 1920’s opera star Madam Schumann Heinck o Pavlov and her Russian dance troupe o Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys o Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians o President George H. Bush • The hall was the site for a murder trial in 1933. • The building played a role in the 1970’s movie Dillinger. • Renamed the Mark Price Arena in 1993 after basketball player Mark Price, who played for Georgia Tech and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 4
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mine what Enid needed to move forward. We then looked at how it will work and what it will look like,” said Helm. The importance of adding final details to the project like signage, lighting, and streetscaping came from the committee. An example the committee looked to was the streetscaping and themed signage used in Bricktown in Oklahoma City. “We want to do these pr ojects in a first-rate manner,” Helm said. “We want companies looking to Enid for possible expansion to kno w we’re open for business.” The historic nature of downtown Enid makes it a draw for visitors. Gateway Enid highlights the history of our community by turning historic buildings into usable, economically prosperous space. The esthetic charm of downtown buildings and of Mark Price arena will be reflected in the design of the ne w facilities. Helm envisions a busy downtown hosting business conferences and conventions with stores and restaurants for the visitors to enjo y during breaks. Mark Price Arena is known and loved by Enid residents. This building, while rich in history, is currently sitting empty and unusable due to its condition. Continuing to maintain a building that is unusable to the public is not economically feasible. Enid has a 6A high school with limited spor ts facilities. The renovation will bring Mark Price Arena up to ADA compliance and pr ovide an auxiliary building for Enid Public Schools. Basketball practice courts, wrestling, cheerleading, and volleyball are other school athletic activities which will be housed in the ar ena. While the primary function of Mark Price will be for EHS athletics, the community will still have use of the building for other functions. The closing of Mark Price has forced Enid High basketball games to be held on the NOC campus. According to Rose, this may be a good shor t-term solution, but it cannot continue indefinitely. The events center would create a brand new home for Enid High Basketball, as well as a venue to host regional tournaments. Aesthetics and historic value aside, it is estimated that, if approved by voters, the city will see a 5 per cent revenue growth each year. This adds up t o an increase of $35 million in annual retail sales in one y ear alone. Building at a time when constr uction costs are lower will allow the project to be completed in a fiscally responsible way. Rose, who has a background in construction, is familiar with the business. “Prices are down now because of competition in constr uction,” he says. “We have a great opportunity to lock-in historically low construction costs and save taxpayers’ money.” Other recent city projects including bridges and the police station hav e come in under budget due to these lo wer costs. “This is a good indicator that no w is the time to get the best bang for y our buck,” said Rose. Holding off the project will only delay needed r epairs, and allow more damage to occur to the old str ucture due to lack of use. Gateway Enid is building new facilities and revitalizing the old so Enid can compete with other communities for business oppor tunities. Enid will also be better positioned to attract and retain talented people to our community, Rose said. “The city is giving the people the oppor tunity to invest in Enid’s future and to hopefully bring new and exciting things to the city,” said Rose.
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BUILD IT and they will come...
A view, looking north towards Mark Price Arena, of the proposed concept for Gateway Enid.
“Build it and they will come.” This famous line from “Field of Dreams” may sound cliché when applied to Gateway Enid, but for more than a decade, Enid city com missioners have had the idea of building a downtown center for entertainment, retail, and conferences. The desire of past and pr esent commissioners is to encourage business growth in Enid through the beautification of a historically significant part of our community. City Commissioners Don Rose, Drew Ritchie and Todd Ging have been instrumental in bringing the ideas formulated through the years into one comprehensive plan designed to create a space for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. “This plan did not begin with the current commission…the idea has been simmering for a long time,” says Ging. “We are just sitting in the right time and place to make it happen.” With the support of the Enid community, now could be the time to turn ideas into reality. On
August 24th, voters will decide the future of Gateway Enid. A roundtable discussion with Rose, Ritchie and Ging targeted many of the key elements of the plan. • FIRST AND FOREMOST passing the Gateway Enid bond will NOT raise taxes. The tax support is an extension of taxes for the 2008 bridge bond. • GATEWAY ENID IS A $20 MILLION bond with an additional $20 million being contributed by the City of Enid. • THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX LEVY will actually DECREASE from about 7 to 5 mills.
• A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY and competition within the building industry, makes now the perfect time financially to build and get more for the money. 5
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“I like that we can do this with lower taxes and still r etain 70 percent of our capital improvement fund,” said Ritchie. “We have the funds to complete Gateway Enid without putting any other city projects on hold and we do not have to touch the rainy day fund.” • GATEWAY ENID WILL RENOVATE the failing Mark Price Arena. This landmark of downtown can once again become a vital entity within the city. • ENID HIGH ATHLETICS will have an auxiliary space for sports and activities including basketball, wrestling, and cheerleading. • THE RENOVATION OF MARK PRICE ARENA will make it an appealing space to be used by outside groups and organizations to host a variety of events. • THE NEW EVENTS CENTER is designed as a venue for all occasions. It is expected to draw new business conferences and seminars as well as host formal entertaining functions like dances, receptions and concerts. • THE EVENTS CENTER WILL BECOME A SPORTS CENTER hosting Enid High basketball and regional tournaments. The success already seen at David Allen Memorial Ballpark will now carry over to other sporting events. • THE EVENTS CENTER WILL PROVIDE 73,000 SQUARE FEET of floor space with 39,000 square feet of exhibit space. “There is over whelming support to save Mark Price Arena. As I am talk ing to groups, they just want to know if Gateway Enid will save Mark Price…and it will,” says Ritchie. Gateway Enid brings the center of Enid into focus. A two-block gr eenbelt connecting downtown to Owen K. Garriott creates a pedestrian friendly area where visitors are encouraged to walk and enjoy the atmosphere Enid has to of fer. “With the completion of Gateway Enid, downtown will become a des tination place. New r estaurants, clubs and shopping will all find a home as more and more people are drawn to the events that ar e occurring in Enid,” said Rose. 6
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• GATEWAY ENTRANCES built along Owen K. Garriott on Grand and Independence will lead visitors to downtown. • AN OPEN AIR AMPHITHEATER built into the grassy slope will be set up for outdoor concerts and events. • STREETSCAPE from Garriott to Maple pulls the entire downtown together creating a pedestrian friendly space. • INCREASED TRAFFIC WILL ENCOURAGE RETAIL GROWTH as people spend more time and money shopping at local businesses. • NEW PARKING SPACES will be built south of the events center and Mark Price Arena. BUILD IT AND THEY WILL STAY. Ging, Rose and Ritchie all express concern over the loss of talented individuals to other communities. Keeping talent her e at home and attracting new talent to Enid is a goal of Gateway Enid. “Businesses will not only have new meeting space and confer ence capabilities, but in time they will also have a vibrant downtown to help attract and retain their employees,” said Rose. “I tr uly believe this investment will not only change the appearance of Enid but change the perception of how people outside our community think of our city.” • INCREASING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will provide new jobs and more opportunity for individuals to thrive and succeed in Enid. • EXISTING BUSINESSES WILL BENEFIT by the increase in overall revenue as the events center attracts visitors to local attractions. • MORE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, restaurants and shopping will improve the quality of life and attract new people to Enid. “The city is giving the people of Enid the opportunity to invest in themselves and to hopefully bring new and exciting things to the city,” said Rose. “We want to create venues downtown that provide entertainment such as spor ting events, concerts and trade, not only for the citizens of Enid but for all the people of northwest Oklahoma.”
GATEWAY ENID WILL BOOST THE LOCAL ECONOMY. “The majority of the work will be done by local companies putting local people to work,” said Rose. “A variety of local contractors and material suppliers will par ticipate in the construction of these projects.” Gateway Enid is a boon for the entire community, not just downtown. Businesses throughout town are expected to benefit fr om the increased revenue being generated, including the Chisholm Trail Expo Center. “We are not competing for events with the Expo Center,” said Ritchie. In fact, he expects it to have a positive effect on the Expo’s business. The current lack of meeting space available in Enid makes the new events center a major need cur rently lacking in the community. “The Expo Center is ver y well designed for agricultural events, home shows and monster tr uck shows. They are well designed for a John Michael Montgomer y concert and other events that need a ver y large venue,” said Ritchie. The Enid News & Eagle r eported
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that Steve Barnes, executive director of the Expo Center, sees the project as beneficial for Enid. Barnes does not know how much duplication to expect, however he says they (the Expo Center) often receive calls looking for meeting space. “There are events better suited for downtown and some better suited for the fairgrounds,” he said. “I don’t think there will be major competitiveness between us and downtown, because they are two separate venues for two separate needs.” THE TIME FOR GATEWAY ENID IS NOW. “To have a city step up and say we are equal partners in this is unheard of,” said Ritchie. “It is not to our (commissioners) credit that the funds are available, it is to the city staff’s credit and their due diligence that the city is in the financial situation to af ford to help fund the project if the bond passes.”
CITY EMPLOYEES’ SAFETY AND WELL-BEING COME FIRST with the Safety Department
By Trina Walker
At the City of Enid, there are many issues the citizens hear about on a r egular basis, but sometimes it is what is behind the scenes that keeps things r unning smoothly. The safety of city employees and helping them to r eceive proper care when an injury occurs is a high priority. Safety Director Billy McBride has spent the past two and a half y ears working to build and implement safety protocol for the City of E nid and its 503 employees. With City Manager Eric Bensons’ backing and promotion of safety in the city offices, the safety department has been improving each year. Cooperation between Autry Technology and Safety Coordinator/Trainer Lance Pendergraft has helped in making the city ’s safety department a success. This partnership keeps the training classes updated with the ne west information. “The fantastic thing about par tnering with Autry Tech is that we get the most recent, high tech training available,” says McBride In 2009, there were 172 train7
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WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS ON THE JOB? ACA Coordinator/Risk Manager Chris Stein steps in after an injur y to help employees return to work. Serving as a liaison between the City, the medical community, and the injured employee, Stein is there to help employees get the care needed for a full recover y. • Non-emergency medical evaluations at Bass Occupational Medicine. • After performing the initial assessment, evaluation, and treatment plan, it is then assessed if the injury is consistent with an occupational injury, and which worker’s compensation category will cover it. • Even if the employee refuses treatment, the injury must still be reported to the Oklahoma Safety and Health Administration. • Anything requiring more than basic first aid, time off work, or modified duties is a recordable injury and is reported to OSHA. In order to keep track of incidents and problems, Stein stresses the importance of reporting everything from minor accidents to injur y. “We want to know how and when you are hur t. Minor injuries can be avoided if we become aware of the problem,” Stein elaborates . 8
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ing classes held with more than 1200 students enrolled. In the past, employees had to drive to Tulsa or Oklahoma City for certain classes Now, training is held at multiple times and is offered locally to decrease travel and lodging expenses, as w ell as time away from work for employees. “We take the training to each department, so the employees can train close to their workplace. We go to animal control, to the police station, to the treatment plant…We go everywhere to make training accessible and convenient for our employees,” McBride explains. As the work environment changes, so does the required training. Blood Born Pathogens is a required course for all employees, and one that McBride takes very seriously. He uses the scenario of coming up on a car wreck with a child inside. A well-meaning person will want to help, but that child may hav e AIDS or hepatitis, and if that person is not protected, he could take something home to his family. “A lot of the guys come in cracking jokes and acting silly, but this class becomes solemn very fast. When they see the alternative, it makes them think,” he continues. Though this scenario is extreme, it is imperative for city employees to be prepared for all situations. E mployees working in water treatment need to take confined space training, while equipment operators will take forklift training to learn how to safely work around machinery. New courses are added as needs arise, such as mower safety, which might seem like common knowledge, but many forget the risk inv olved. These courses, along with McBride’s visibility in the department, act as reminders for employees to be safe on the job. “This is what the safety depar tment was developed to do…Generate awareness,” says McBride. So far, the program is producing significant results, with the number of accidents dropping from 112 in 2007, to 84 in 2008. And, in 2009, that number dropped even further to 58 accidents. Monthly meetings help to keep everyone up to date with any new issues experienced.
While proper training has reduced accidents for workers, the public can play a role as well. By simply paying more attention and slowing down around road crews and public safety officers, the public can help to make a difference. “People are in a hurry and they don’t always pull over for our road crews. We have flashing lights on our vehicles, but Enid has experienced so much construction over the past two years that the public does not pay as much attention to flashing lights. Our guys have to be on watch all the time,” explains McBride. This prompted the City to be pr oactive in making changes to keep morale high, and city crews have switched to wearing high intensity yellow vests instead of the standard orange. McBride hopes this brighter color will keep his men safe when working on the road. The automation of the trash tr ucks is another area in which the City has improved working condition, and raised the morale of the depar tment. Instead of the back-breaking, and often dirty work, the men can now take pride in their appearance and work without worrying about the bag breaking mid-toss and dumping its contents all over them. McBride gets much credit from councilmen and various organizations for improving safety among city employees, but he insists it is the combination of the training by Lance Pendergraft, and Chris Stein’s attention to employees that has made the department the success it is today. All in all, the safety depar tment and the City are here for its employees. “We have hard working people, and it is my job to make sur e they go home the same way in which they arrived,” McBride declares.
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Safety Department Helps Officer Corbin Return to Work AFTER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Even when all safety pr otocol is in place, tragic accidents can still happen. In 2008, the Four th of July festivities at the Meadow Lake Park ended as usual. As families headed home after enjoying a day of celebration, Enid police of ficer Tommy Corbin was per forming his job directing traffic. This, however, was not going to be just another night on the job for Corbin. Anxious to get home, a motorist attempted a U-tur n at the intersection of Rupe and Cleveland and in the process he hit Corbin, thr owing him onto the windshield and back onto the r oadway. “I saw the headlight out of the cor ner of my eye,” Corbin remembers. Sustaining significant injur y to his back, shoulders and knees, as well as stitches to his head, Corbin required immediate medical attention. His accident became a crash course for the City of Enid’s Safety Depar tment, which was still in the early stages of development. Corbin was assigned to case worker Susan Adair with Comp Choice in Oklahoma City. Between Adair and ADA/Risk Manager Chris Stein, Corbin had contacts to help him thr ough the process of receiving medical treatment without losing any pay. “[Chris Stein’s] job is monumental when it comes to coordination,” says Corbin. “When I went for an EKG, the hospital needed my med number. I picked up the phone and called Chris, and he had it. He always r eturns calls and takes care of all the details.” The goal of the Safety Depar tment was to get Corbin fixed and back to work. “I did not want to have to retire out on disability. I wanted to get back on duty,” he explains. Corbin’s entire family benefited from the assistance of the Safety Depar tment following the accident. “It took our str ess away…I did not have to hire an attorney,” said Corbin. “They made sure my bills were paid, and a fair settlement was made.” Corbin has been placed back on light duty , and continues to receive treatment for his injuries. He recently underwent another knee surgery to repair some damage, but he fully expects to be back on the job as soon as he is able. The Safety Department took a ter rible situation and worked to make it better for Corbin. Throughout this ordeal, Corbin has built a rapport with Chris Stein and City Manger Eric Benson, and the Safety Depar tment has exceeded his expectations. 9
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Crosslin Park Has
GONE to the
DOGS By Trina Walker
Big dogs, little dogs, white, brown, and black dogs all showed up for the grand opening of the dog park at Crosslin Park. Megan Wright, executive assistant to City Manager Eric Benson, worked to promote the park. Wright, a self proclaimed lover of dogs in all shapes and sizes, was very pleased with the tur nout at the grand opening. “It is good to see dogs socializing and having fun,” Wright says. “This has been one of the most well received projects completed by the City.” The day was kicked of f with a leash cutting ceremony performed by Enid Mayor John Criner, and Nicole Winfield, marketing consultant for Eagle Marketing, helped 10
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promote the grand opening by bringing area businesses to the event. Winfield estimated about 150 to 200 people were at the grand opening with their dogs. Visitors enjoyed free nail trims for their dogs by the Brass Poodle, as well as the chance to win prizes, including free vaccinations by Enid Pet Hospital. The Felt Bird, the Groom Closet, 4RKids, Enid SPCA, Callie’s Creations, and Pet Sense also par ticipated by setting up booths or pr oviding some type of doggie r elated giveaway. Winfield is also making use of the park for her dogs. “I’ve taken my dogs back several times since the grand opening, and there are always people with dogs out ther e. It is fun to see them r un as far as they can and just be dogs.” W infield says the water entry is a par ticularly popular feature of the park. While the park is up and r unning, there are still future projects planned in order to keep fur thering the experience for dogs and owners, such as cr eating more shade by building canvas tent structures, and extra spraying to control the stickers and weeds.
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CAMPAIGN TO HONOR THE PAST Reveals the Strength of Today’s Community
By Trina Walker
When our forefathers settled this land, there were no roads, no shopping malls, and no drive-thr u restaurants. The City of Enid was once an open plain of waving grass, rich soil, and pr omise. This promise of a prosperous future brought settlers to the Cher okee Strip. Their determination built the foundation for the thriving community of today’s Enid. To honor these early settlers and those who followed in their footsteps, the Museum of the Cher okee Strip was established on the Phillips University campus. Relocated to its cur rent location next to Gover nment Springs Park in the 1970’s, the museum, with its unique architectural style, has become a landmark in Enid. In 2005 a campaign began to transfor m the museum into the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Through the combined ef forts of the Sons and Daughters of the Cherokees Strip Association, Phillips University Legacy Foundation, and the Oklahoma Historical Society, this museum is being r ebuilt and expanded into a Regional Heritage Center. The center in Enid is the first of four heritage centers that the Oklahoma Historical Society hopes to build acr oss the state. With the success of the campaign in Enid, the Historical Society is one step closer to fulfilling their ultimate goal of building multiple centers. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center Pr esident Andi Holland says it is the dedication of the Enid community that has allowed this expansion to happen. The original goal was to raise $8 million. This amount 12
has been surpassed with a raised total of $9.76 million. “This is the largest private fund drive in Nor thwest Oklahoma, and the reason for that is community support,” elucidates Holland. “We had such a stor y to tell, but our facility was not matching-up. As dr eams kept forming, the project continued to grow.” An astonishing 84% of the donations came fr om members of the Enid community, and after renovations, the center will double in size fr om 12,000 to 24,000 square feet.
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Andi Holland, President - Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
While many may still think of the center as a museum, it is far mor e than that. “This is a center wher e you can research, learn, and experience our history. We engage the public,” she furthers. A research station located in the basement provides workspace and computers for public access to his toric records. Holland says the heritage center archivist’s office is located here to assist people in their research efforts. Also located in the basement is a data center for Phillips University. This public space will allow alumni to pull up r ecords and data involving the university. Though many renovations have been made, the extension continues the pyramidal, dome style ar chitecture of the original str ucture. A new glass atrium entrance “will light-up like a diamond on the plains” says Holland. Also on display will be the Failing Rig, which was originally built as a portable oil rig and used to drill the first water wells in the ar ea. GEFCO in Enid continues to pr oduce these rigs to drill water wells and shallow oil and gas wells. With all of the new advances in the Heritage Center, the old museum still has a prominent place. It is now a 2000 square foot traveling exhibit hall, tying together Enid’s vivid past and even brighter future. “We will be able to keep things
fresh and new by bringing exhibits from other museums across the country,” she says. Visitors entering the lobby can stop in the gift shop or continue into the Great Hall. Here they will see the donor recognition wall and a series of three murals depicting the geology of the land and its uses prior to the
GALLERIES IN THE HERITAGE CENTER WILL INCLUDE: ◆
The Great Hall Gallery
◆
At the End of the Day Galler y ◆
The Land and the People Galler y ◆
The Dave Donaldson Oil and Gas Galler y ◆
The Enid Gallery ◆
The Phillips University Gallery
Land Run in 1893. In a theater complete with wagon wheel seats, vis itors can watch a shor t film taking them on a historic jour ney of the Land Run. A special feature is a camp scene diorama depicting a pioneer family. The realistic scene will feature an authentic wagon, camp fire, and night sounds. While viewing the diorama, visitors will be able to listen to a voice-over recording telling stories
of actual families who made the Land Run. While much of the focus of the center is on the time prior to, and immediately following the Land Run, Holland says it is also impor tant to tell people of the pr ogress the community has made leading up to today. The history of oil and gas pr oduction, aviation, and the for mation of Enid as a major population center ar e also featured themes throughout the center. “A very respectful and beautiful gallery dedicated to displaying the artifacts of Phillips University is an important part of the museum,” says Holland. Phillips University was the first private university in the state. Phillips alumni have been instr umental in the success of the heritage center renovation. While the university is no longer in operation, the Phillips legacy continues through their active foundation, scholarship fund, and alumni. In addition to enlarging and upgrading the public space, the r enovation has improved the center’s storage capacity. Improvements include a quarantined receiving room, and temperature/humidity controlled storage rooms. An underground garage is large enough for antique tractors, vintage cars, and other over-sized items. The construction of the building was one phase in the completion of the center. Phase two is the time consuming process of building the exhibits. Exhibits ar e currently being constructed in preparation for the grand opening in the fall. “There is a lot of work left to do, but it has been ver y challenging and fulfilling,” says Holland. “I am taken aback when I think of how suppor tive everyone in the community has been.” The mission of the Cher okee Strip Regional Heritage Center is “to tell the extraordinary stories of settling the Cherokee Strip, and share the inspiring lessons of leadership with future generations.” Thanks to the overwhelming support of the Enid community, this mission is being fulfilled. Holland eagerly awaits the day the public can see how a small dr eam grew beyond expectations to build a tribute to our past and futur e.
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ENID’S by
D thefolartnydyfiellar E D N A P X E 0%, enabling a 10
!
capability
tire TED the en AUTOMsAte department, h solid wa ection wit
Purchased
TWO new
Planted HUNDREDS of trees across the city and in center medians.
ing coll streamlin arts. Instigated c ly o p llection new debris co new yard system.
fire trucks!
32% increase in sales at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center.
a to rface are n Lake su ontrol and li s s ro C TRIPLEDe enhanced flood pc portunities. provid recreational o expanded
BUILT
Crosslin Lake Dog Park & Hoover Park Splash Pad. Added a NEW CHILDREN’S feature to Crosslin Park and new equipment at Hidden Park.
INE NEW
BRIDGES
hing N ers have d or refurbis Building mergency respon e re u s city. to en the entire access to OPENED a new tennis facility at Crosslin Park.
Initiated FREE TRADE ZONE status.
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SUPER Accomplishments Commen
ced c
Repaired and restored
FIVE PEDESTRIAN bridges!
onstructi on of a NEW waster w $36 MILLIO ater trea N tm
ent plan captured t and 25% construc savings in tion cos t! Opened NEW apartme ROOSEVELT nts, a S PARK dollar ad IX MILLION dition!
City crews mow
1200 MILES OF GRASS
HOSTED JUNIOR COLLEGE WORLD SERIES!
every week!
NEW
EPD building will open on schedule and under budget
Made
$5 MILLION in street repairs!
Complete d Wheat C apital Ro ad
for NEW
ACCESS to
Vance AF B
.
Initiated $ 9 improvem 00,000 worth of road ents at W oo constructe d new eq dring Airport and u lighting a nd ramp re ipment hangar, run way, pairs!
Fourth year in a row for a
BALANCED CITY BUDGET!
Complete d drainage $1.4 MILLION channel fo control. r flood CLEANED AND R three mil EALIGNED drainage es of ditches.
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A PENNY SAVED Spotlight on the legal department By Eva Lightsey
A penny saved is a penny ear ned. Benjamin Franklin’s adage is one City Attor ney Andrea Chism and her staff have taken to hear t, by taking on mor e work for themselves to do in-house and making some small changes. The legal depar tment has done its par t to keep the City of Enid under budget, even with all of the improvements and advances of the last two years. The legal department previously subscribed to both print and online legal r esearch tools. By cancelling the print subscription and changing to a dif ferent company for online resources, they now have access to mor e sources at a lower cost.
This saves the City $7,000 annually.
Chism implemented an expiration date on letters that allow contractors to purchase materials for City construction projects without paying sales tax. Pr eviously, those letters did not expir e, making it possible for the contractors to use them indefinitely, and causing the City to lose sales tax. The legal department has started reviewing and investigating tort claims under $500 in house. Over eight months, this has saved the City approximately $4,000 in administrative fees that would have been paid to insurance companies. In December 2009, the City was ser ved with a lawsuit over a tor t claim. Normally, the insurance company would have assigned an attor ney and the City would be responsible for a $10,000.00 deductible. Instead, Chism kept the case - and won shor tly thereafter -
Andrea Chism, City Attorney
saving the City $10,000.
The legal department has collected approximately $40,000.00 from insurance companies for accidents involving City vehicles and/or pr operty. Another $2,000 has been collected dir ectly from the individuals at fault by getting Gar field County Courts to order reimbursements in county criminal cases. After the City’s contracted engineering fir m was unsuccessful at satisfying the bond r equirements of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), Chism wrote a performance bond that satisfied ODEQ. Her timely action may have pr evented the loss of several million dollars in stimulus funds by avoiding further delays in getting the water r eclamation plant out for bid, and making sur e it met the deadline.
This magazine is an effor t by the City of Enid to better communicate with Enid residents. If you have suggestions or topics you’d like to see addressed in future editions, please write:
WHAT’S your story?
Eagle Marketing, Attn: Enid On The Move 227 W. Broadway Enid, OK 73701 or email fbaker@eaglemkt.com
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ENID’S NEW WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN JULY
By Liz Cady
There are many things in this world consider ed to be classics. Things most people would love to have, like a 1971 Chevy Cor vette, a 1967 Ford Mustang, a 1954 Water Pollution Control Facility… Well, maybe not that last one. No matter what ter minology is used (vintage, classic, or old school), water pollution contr ol facilities just do not fit into that list. After all, a vintage water pollution contr ol facility is a nice way of saying, “outdated and insuf ficient” for the task at hand, especially since between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. However , the need for clean water nearly tripled during the same time, meaning the need to advance water r eclamation facilities has increased exponentially. And for that ver y reason, the City, for some time now, has been examining the best way to get Enid’s wastewater tr eatment updated with the newest technology. After much consideration, the decision is: Out with the old and in with the new! Beginning in July, construction will start for Enid’s new water reclamation facility and is expected to be completed within two years. This gr ound-breaking project will be the r ealization of a long pr ocess in which city officials have spent much time figuring out how a new facility would best fit into Enid’s city budget. Not only did the cost of this pr oject factor into the decision, but also the City conducted numer ous studies and reports to evaluate the most feasible site and tr eatment technology. Jacob’s Engineering was hired by the City in October 2007 to refine these studies and figur e the preliminary estimates, and final design for the new facility . “Originally, our estimate for this pr oject was about $45 million,” says Jeff Gratzer of Jacob’s Engineering. “However, due to the economy, this project is now costing significantly less while also updating Enid’s water reclamation with the best technology available to us.” 17
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With new regulations in treatment plants, Enid’s new water reclamation facility will not only adhere to current regulations, but also keep Enid updated for many years to come. Currently, the existing facility has an average daily flow capacity of 8.5 million gallons per day. The new water reclamation facility will have the ability to handle a pr ojected flow of 12 million gallons per day, which means Enid can continue to grow in all aspects, fr om families and homes to new businesses.
WHAT DOES A WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY DO? • Removes solids found in wastewater, such as sand, rags, solids and plastics. • Reduces pollutants. • Restores enough oxygen in the water to support life.
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On average, each person in the U.S. contributes 50-100 gallons of wastewater every day.
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CITY DIRECTORY Please note that any extension can be dialed dir ectly when using the 616 pr efix.
CITY HALL 580-234-0400 ADMINISTRATION City Manager Eric Benson Ext. 7245 ebenson@enid.org Asst. City Manager Joan Riley Ext. 7281 jriley@enid.org Exec. Assistant Megan Wright Ext. 7246 mwright@enid.org POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief of Police: Brian O’Rourke 616-7002 policechief@enid.org For Emergency Dial 911 FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief: Phil Clover Ext. 7151 pclover@enid.org For Emergency Dial 911 LEGAL DEPARTMENT
HUMAN RESOURCES Employment Director: Sonya Key Ext. 7205 skey@enid.org COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Court, Tickets
Water, Streets, Sewers, Parks
City Attorney: Andrea Chism Ext. 7262 achism@enid.org Assistant City Attorney: Jennifer O’Steen Ext. 7263 josteen@@enid.org City Clerk: Linda Parks Ext. 7271 lparks@enid.org GRANTS RESOURCE MANAGER Andrie Winters Ext. 7247 awinters@enid.org EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Severe Weather / Disaster Preparedness
Mike Honigsberg 249-5969 mhonigsberg@enid.org
Planning, building permits, codes
Planning Administrator Chris Bauer Ext. 7217 cbauer@enid.org CODE DEPARTMENT Toby Pritchett: Ext. 7216 Frank Haley : Ext. 7219 Angela Rasmuson: Ext. 7221 Crystal Valdez: Ext. 7220 Jimmy Davis: Ext. 7223 FINANCE Director: Jerald Gilbert Ext. 7280 jgilbert@enid.org UTILITY SERVICES Scott Morris Water bill, new residents
Ext. 7251 smorris@enid.org PUBLIC SERVICES Public Services Director Jim McClain Ext. 7303 jmcclain@enid.org Assistant Director Rob Camp rcamp@enid.org Ext. 7304 Parks & Storm Water Spvsr Melvin Key Ext. 7310 mkey@enid.org Fleet Mgmt. Supervisor Ben Painter Ext. 7305 bpainter@enid.org Solid Waste Supervisor Kim Letteer Ext. 7315 kletteer@enid.org Streets & Traffic Spvsr. Jerry Crawford Ext. 7326 jcrawford@enid.org
Safety Director Billy McBride Ext. 7277 bmcbride@enid.org Lance Pendergraft Ext. 7278 lpendergraft@enid.org ADA Coordinator Chris Stein Ext. 7279 cstein@enid.org Technical Services Sprvs. Bill Hole Ext. 7336 Water Dist. Supervisor Ron Osmos Ext. 7341 rosmos@enid.org Water Prod. Services Sup. Bruce Boyd Ext. 7341 bboyd@enid.org Wastewater Mgmt. Sup. 249-4919 Landfill Manager Don Cornell Ext. 7381 dcornell@enid.org ENID PUBLIC LIBRARY Director: Michelle Mears Ext. 7918 mmears@enid.org MEADOWLAKE GOLF COURSE Public golf course
Golf Pro: Cody Lack 234-3080 clack@enid.org PEGASYS Public access television
Director: Wendy Quarles 237-0099 wquarles@pegasys.org WOODRING AIRPORT Director: Dan Ohnesorge 616-7386 dohnesorge@enid.org EPTA-Public Transportation Kim Watkins
233-7433 or 233-RIDE kwatkins@enid.org
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Hoover Park
Splash Pad