2024 Annual Report

EDITION

2024

CITY OF MUSKOGEE ANNUAL REPORT

Table of Contents Welcome

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Mission Statement

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About Our City

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Public Safety

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Public Works

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Street Improvements

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Economic Development

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Port Muskogee

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Parks & Recreation

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Come Join Us

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2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

FROM YOUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER

Dear Residents of Muskogee,

2024 brought much success to our community.

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, and more.

Muskogee continues to flourish economically. Multiple new businesses opened in Muskogee in 2024, including The Break, Watson’s Chophouse, The Market on Broadway, and Olive Garden. The City’s partnership with Port Muskogee brought three major projects to our community in 2024, including facilities for Polaris, Stardust Power, and Core Scientific.

The future is bright for Muskogee, and I am thrilled to be leading our City into a prosperous era. Thank you for your continuous support.

Roger Kolman Interim City Manager City of Muskogee

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MISSION STATEMENT

It is a privilege to make our neighbors’ lives better every day!

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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ABOUT OUR CITY 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 Muskogee’s four wards and set initiatives and goals for city operations. These initiatives serve as guidelines for City staff to follow to serve our community.

Back row: Dan Hall, Dr. Tracy Hoos, Melody Cranford, Tom Martindale, Shirley Hilton-Flanery, Jaime Stout, and C.B. Abel Front row: Deputy Mayor Derrick Reed, Former City Manager Mike Miller, Mayor Patrick Cale, City Clerk Tammy Tracy, and City Attorney Katrina Bodenhamer 2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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ABOUT OUR CITY 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 Facebook page.

The Muskogee Municipal Authority meets immediately before the City Council meeting on the fourth Monday of each month in the Council Chambers. Public Works and Finance Committee meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are held in the Council Chambers.

Citizens may speak at City Council meetings by filing a form in advance.

Forms to speak on agenda items, or general comments, can be found on our website or at the City Clerk’s office.

Completed forms can be emailed to cityclerk@muskogeeonline.org. All forms requesting to speak must be received by the City Clerk at least 15 minutes before the beginning of the meeting.

All Muskogee residents are encouraged to be involved with City Council meetings and engage with councilmembers and the Mayor.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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PUBLIC SAFETY 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 the Army National Guard for nearly two decades.

All officers with the Muskogee Police Department received new body cameras.

MPD Chief Johnny Teehee accepted a $5,000 donation from the Cherokee Nation and tribal councilmember Mike Dobbins in September. The funds will be used to purchase new equipment MPD's physical fitness facility, which is available for all officers to use.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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PUBLIC SAFETY 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.

In October 2024, MFD firefighters held an emergency response training session with Union Pacific near Cherokee Street and MLK. Firefighters completed an additional hazmat training session in September. Annual training sessions keep Muskogee firefighters prepared to protect our citizens during emergencies.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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PUBLIC WORKS 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.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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STREET IMPROVEMENTS The City of Muskogee continues to improve streets across our community.

Public Works completed multiple improvements, with assistance from the 2019 CIP Sales Tax. Scan this QR code to see an interactive map showing what has been completed in Muskogee so far.

In 2024, crews completed: 25 miles of improvements in the Southeast Zone of Muskogee 12 miles of improvements in the Southwest Zone of Muskogee

Border Street, between 31st and 32nd Streets, received new asphalt in 2024.

Crews repainted sections of certain roads in Muskogee: Gulick Street from Augusta to Peak Country Club from Hancock to Monta Independence from B Street to L Street

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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 new businesses launching and several existing ones undergoing renovations.

We are eager to see what 2025 has in store for Muskogee.

NEW BUSINESSES IN 2024 The Break Watson’s Chophouse Harvey D’s Vintage Pub House The Market on Broadway

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

NEW SHAWNEE CORRIDOR BUSINESSES & RENOVATIONS IN 2024 Olive Garden Burlington Bomgaars expansion Goodwill Retail & Training Center QuikTrip at York & Shawnee Walmart Renovations

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PORT MUSKOGEE

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.

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 2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

Core Scientific broke ground on a data center facility in November 2024. Core Scientific specializes in bitcoin mining and CoreWeave.

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 operating by 2026.

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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.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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PARKS & RECREATION

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.

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.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

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WORK WITH US BENEFITS INCLUDE 100% employerpaid health, vision, and dental insurance Paid vacation & sick leave Membership at Muskogee Swim & Fitness Center 12 paid holidays 2 floating holidays Longevity pay Wellness Clinic

CONTACT US 918-682-6602 info@muskogeeonline.org muskogeeonline.org

2024 ANNUAL REPORT - CITY OF MUSKOGEE

Scan this QR code to find the latest openings with the City!

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2024 ANNUAL REPORT

PO Box 1927 Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402