CITY OF MUSKOGEE ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Residents of Muskogee,
2024broughtmuchsuccesstoourcommunity.
Funds from the 2019 CIP Sales Tax funded multiple projects in 2024, including street improvements, new gear for police officers and firefighters, major improvements at the Muskogee Swim & Fitness Center,andmore.
Muskogee continues to flourish economically. Multiple new businesses opened in Muskogee in 2024, including The Break, Watson’sChophouse,TheMarketonBroadway,andOliveGarden.The City’spartnershipwithPortMuskogeebroughtthreemajorprojectsto our community in 2024, including facilities for Polaris, Stardust Power, andCoreScientific.
The future is bright for Muskogee, and I am thrilled to be leading our Cityintoaprosperousera.Thankyouforyourcontinuoussupport.
RogerKolman InterimCityManager CityofMuskogee
ABOUTOURCITY
The City of Muskogee operates under a council-manager form of government. Our City Council is comprised of eight members elected by ward and a Mayor, who is elected at large. This group votes on policy decisions and hires the City Manager, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the City of Muskogee.
The Mayor presides at meetings of the Council, is recognized as the head of City government for ceremonial purposes, and has no administrative duties. Council elects a Deputy Mayor from its members. Two councilmembers are elected from each of
ABOUTOURCITY
City Council meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month in the Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall. Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Each meeting is also streamed on Suddenlink Channel 14, the City of Muskogee’s website, and on the City of Muskogee Facebookpage.
TheMuskogeeMunicipalAuthoritymeetsimmediatelybeforetheCityCouncil meetingonthefourthMondayofeachmonthintheCouncilChambers.Public Works and Finance Committee meetings are held on the second Monday of eachmonthat5:30p.m.AllmeetingsareheldintheCouncilChambers.
Citizens may speak at City Council meetings by filing a form in advance. Formstospeakonagendaitems,orgeneralcomments,canbefoundonour websiteorattheCityClerk’soffice.
Completedformscanbeemailedtocityclerk@muskogeeonline.org.Allforms requesting to speak must be received by the City Clerk at least 15 minutes beforethebeginningofthemeeting.
All Muskogee residents are encouraged to be involved with City Council meetingsandengagewithcouncilmembersandtheMayor.
PUBLICSAFETY
In 2024, Chief Johnny Teehee was recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve He was awarded the Patriotic Employer award for his support given to officers who were recently deployed. MPD was also awarded the Above and Beyond Award for their support of veteran officers. Chief Teehee was nominated by Officer Robert Lynch, who has served in theArmyNationalGuardfornearlytwodecades
AllofficerswiththeMuskogeePolice Department received new body cameras.
MPD Chief Johnny Teehee accepted a $5,000 donation from the Cherokee Nation and tribal councilmember Mike DobbinsinSeptember.Thefundswillbe usedtopurchasenewequipmentMPD's physical fitness facility, which is availableforallofficerstouse.
PUBLICSAFETY
The Muskogee Fire Department was able to purchase new bunker gear for its firefighters. The funds were provided by the 2019 CIP Sales Tax. The department intends to purchase additional bunker gear and an extractor in 2025. An extractor is a tool used to remove the dangerous chemicals produced by fire.
InOctober2024,MFDfirefightersheldanemergencyresponsetrainingsessionwithUnion Pacific near Cherokee Street and MLK. Firefighters completed an additional hazmat training session in September. Annual training sessions keep Muskogee firefighters preparedtoprotectourcitizensduringemergencies.
PUBLICWORKS
In September, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded a grant worth $2.8 million to the City of Muskogee. The funds will be used to reconstruct roads and storm sewer improvements near 32nd Street and Denver Street. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025.
STREETIMPROVEMENTS
The City of Muskogee continues to improve streets across our community. Public Works completed multiple improvements, with assistance from the 2019 CIP SalesTax.ScanthisQRcodetosee an interactive map showing what has been completed in Muskogee sofar.
In2024,crewscompleted:
25milesofimprovementsinthe
SoutheastZoneofMuskogee
12milesofimprovementsinthe
SouthwestZoneofMuskogee
Crewsrepaintedsectionsofcertain roadsinMuskogee:
BorderStreet,between31stand32nd Streets,receivednewasphaltin2024.
The Economic Development Department plays a vital role in fostering new economic opportunities for housing projects and retail enterprises in our community. 2024 witnessed significant growth in Muskogee, with numerous newbusinesseslaunchingandseveralexistingonesundergoingrenovations. Weareeagertoseewhat2025hasinstoreforMuskogee.
PORTMUSKOGEE
Polaris Technologies announced a $100 million dollar investment at Port Muskogee in February. The company will be building a data center at John T. Griffin Industrial Park, and will be Muskogee’s first operational data facility.
Core Scientific broke ground on a data center facility in November 2024. Core Scientific specializes in bitcoin mining and CoreWeave.
Stardust Power, an American manufacturer of battery-grade lithium products, announced its decision to build a facility in Muskogee’s Southside Industrial Park. This will also be the first large-scale refinery for batterygrade lithium in the United States
The data center facility is expected to boost Muskogee’s economy by creating jobs in the tech/AI sector with salaries exceeding $65,000 a year.
The site is expected to be operating by 2026.
PARKS&RECREATION
The inaugural Oktoberfest was held at the Muskogee Civic Center in September. Hundreds gathered for traditional German food, music, and games, including a krug carry, eating contests, and keg bowling.
Parks & Recreation hosted the 2024 Azalea 5K & Fun Run at Honor Heights Park in April. The event is part of the annual Azalea Festival.
PARKS&RECREATION
The City of Muskogee hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Grandview Park in November 2024. Renovations, which were jointly funded by the 2019 CIP Sales Tax and a matching grant, included new adventure playground equipment, a halfmile paved bike loop, and an off-road bike trail.
The Muskogee Swim & Fitness Center reopened in September 2024 following extensive renovations. Walls were removed to provide additional space, which was filled with new and updated equipment.
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