City Manager’s
OCTOBER 2025
Letterfrom the CityManager
HelloMuskogee,
ItishardtobelievethatsixmonthshavealreadypassedsinceIbecameCityManager.Insome ways,itfeelslikeIjustunpackedmyboxes,andinothers,itfeelsasthoughIhavebeenpartof TeamMuskogeeforyears.Actually,Istillhaveanentiregaragefullofboxes,butIdigress.
Fromdayone,myfamilyandIhavebeenwelcomedwithopenarms.Thekindness,hospitality, andprideofthiscommunityarewhatmakeMuskogeesuchaspecialplacetocallhome.Ihave seen it in the dedication of our city staff, who work tirelessly to serve our residents with professionalism and heart I have seen it in our business owners, neighborhood leaders, and volunteers who show up day after day to make Muskogee stronger And I have felt it in the countlessconversationswithcitizenswhoshareideas,hopes,andgenuineloveforthiscity.Each interaction,whetheritisatacommunityevent,thecoffeeshop,orjustonthestreet,reinforces whatIalreadyknow,Muskogee’sgreateststrengthisitspeople.
Astheyearbeginstowinddown,itfeelsnaturaltopauseandtakeinthesemomentsthatremind uswhattrulymatters.
Aswemovefromthebusynessoffallintothewarmthoftheholidayseason,thereisafamiliar sense of excitement in the air Today, we had the windows open at City Hall, and the workers outsidewereplayingChristmasmusic Hearingthosefamiliartunesdriftthroughtheairliftedour spiritsandremindedusthatthisseasonhasaspecialwayofbringingpeopletogether.Itisthose small, unexpected moments that remind us how fortunate we are to live and work in a communityfilledwithjoyandconnection.
Crews have begun transforming Honor Heights Park into the breathtaking Garden of Lights, a Muskogee tradition that turns winter nights into something magical. Families will pile into their cars,rolldownthewindows,andtakeinthedazzlingdisplaysthatstretchthroughthepark.The glowofmillionsoflights,thesoundsofChristmasmusic,andthelaughtersharedalongthedrive create a sense of warmth and wonder that captures the true spirit of the season It is a celebration of everything that makes Muskogee shine, not just with light, but with the joy and togethernessthatdefinewhoweare.
Thesepastsixmonthshavebeenatimeoflearning,listening,andlayingthegroundworkforthe work ahead. There is still much to do, but also so much to celebrate. I am grateful for every employee,everypartner,andeveryresidentwhocontinuestomovethiscityforwardwithfaith, patience,andpurpose.Together,wehavealreadymadegreatprogress,andIamconfidentthat thebestisyettocome.
ThankyouforallowingmetobepartofMuskogee’sstory Iamproudofhowfarwehavecome, andIamevenmoreexcitedforwhereweareheaded,together
In ChiefJohnnyTeehee
2,469
1,436
Officers handed out candy to children during Muskogee’s Boo-nanza event
Officer Pevehouse, Antar, and Lieutenant Warrior delivered a presentation on the Medical Support Unit at the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The session was met with great enthusiasm and garnered national media attention.
PublicWorks/Stormwater&Recycling
MichaelStewart,Director
MichaelStewart,Director
DidYouKnow?
The City uses Routeware, a smart software system that improves waste collection efficiency and customer service. It optimizesroutestosavetimeandhelpscrewsserveresidents more effectively With real-time tracking, drivers can quickly reportissueslikeblockedaccessormissingcarts,ensuringclear communicationwithcustomers.
PublicWorks/Streets
MichaelStewart,Director
Street resurfacing on “O” Street (pictured above) and Hayes Street(picturedbelow).
WasteWaterTreatment
Gallonsof WasteWater TreatedinOctober
GallonsofWasteWater TreatedinFY2026
4,370,000
523,035,000
StormSewerImprovementatElginand10thStreet (picturedbelow).
Catch all of the latest City of Muskogee information every Tuesday morning on the Muskogee Minute with City Manager Kendal Francis, live on OkieCountry101.7.
CityManager’sMonthlyReport FireMarshalsSupportingFederal TaskForce
FoodTruckInspectionEvent CouncilorCranfordreceives Education&CommunityService Award
HouseholdPollutantCollectionEvent BigNewsMuskogee-Academy SportscomingtoMuskogee WISHWalkstoEndDomestic Violence
CityOfficesClosed-October13th CityAnnouncesformationof Tourism&ExpositionDepartment Faith&BlueEvents SignupforHyperReach SeeClickFixSignup&information PoliceDepartmentRecruiting YardWastePick-up MuskogeeMinute Parks&Rec.Newsletter LatestCityCouncilmeetingvideo FAQ’s-UtilityRateAdjustment StateofMuskogee Upcomingdates RemainingHolidays2025
Parks&Recreation
MarkWilkerson,Director
October Accomplishments:
Rainwaterrun-offwasaddedtothe southCentennialTrailwestof7 Street. th
HonorHeightsParkclosedtotraffic forGardenofLightspreparation.
RepairsmadetoHatboxSports Complexlighting.
ESPORTS
The ESports Arena is set to open in December,locatedat600AltamontStreet(picturedbelow).
A beautifully crafted swan sculpture, created by Papilion Manager Robin Aguirre, was featured and auctioned at the MoonlightandMonarchsevent
HumanResources
MaggieEaton,Director
The Human Resources Department plays a crucial role in supporting the City’s workforce. HR is in charge of managing and coordinating employee benefits, ensuring that employees have access to health insurance, retirement plans, and other vital programs. They maintain the confidentiality of personnel files, publish job announcements, recruit new talent, and hire staff. Additionally, HR oversees payroll processing to guaranteethatemployeesreceivetheirpayaccuratelyandontime.
MaxineSlusser,Planning&CommunityDevelopment OfficeAdministratorI
SamanthaDickey,Utilities/RevenueManager
WilliamBonham,AutomotiveMechanicI
GarrettMartin,AutomotiveMechanicI
Vacancies
EmergencyManagement
TylerEvans,Director
TheEmergencyManagementDepartment providedassistancetomultipledepartments, including:Police(4incidents), Fire(4incidents), County(2incidents), PublicWorks(1incident)
CommunityOutreach:
CoordinatedwithPD,PublicWorks,and otherCitydepartmentsforthe HomecomingParade.
ParticipatedinandassistedwithNational NightOut.
ProvidedlighttowerstoMainStreet MuskogeefortheBoo-nanzaeventand assistedPDwithcommunityrelations Supportedtheannual“BooontheFlu” eventatHonorHeightsPark.
Emergency Management received a Commendation fromGovernorStitt.
DennisRead,Director
AnimalControl
Tourism&Exposition
JustinO’Neal,DirectorofTourism&Exposition
ProjectsDepartment
JeffreyReeves,ProjectManager
ProjectHighlight
N.CountryClubDrainage–N.CountryClubandChandler. Thisprojectisnearcompletion. Curbtobepoured Gradingandhydroseeding(anerosioncontrolmethodthatis sprayedontopreparedsoilandcreatesaprotectivelayerforareas pronetoerosion)tobecompleted.
SidewalksstillneedtobeaddedtofacilitatethecrosswalkatCountry ClubandChandler.
RFQsfortheBroadwayDistrictMasterPlanwereadvertisedandselection processandnegotiationswitharchitectareunderway.
Awardedjobs
GrandviewParkRestroomFacility,locatedatGrandviewPark. S.CountryClubRoadImprovementslocatedatS.CountryClubRd. andChandlerRoad,includesreconstructionsof1,263LFofCountry ClubRoadsouthofChandlerRoad.
OngoingProjects
OklahomaMusicHallofFame,401S 3 St rd SouthsideSewerImprovements/IndustrialPark
ThreeRiversMuseumRoof,220ElginSt. RawWaterAssessment
HonorHeightsSpillway&PedestrianBridge OkmulgeeCurbRampImprovements
WaterTreatmentPlantPumpImprovementsandFlowMeter,Hyde Park
CivicCenterHVACWaterTreatmentRenovation
KeetowahLiftStationStationNo.16
Goingouttobid
CivicCenterAirHandlerUnits(AHUs)and Controls
MuskogeeLibraryHVAC
WaterlineInterconnectsPackage“D” 24 StreetSidewalk th
HatboxSoccerFieldImprovements
ScissortailOffsiteImprovementsWaterLine Upgrade1
SmithFerryRoadWidening
