Published: August 04, 2009 02:36 pm      

Commissioners discuss property bids

The Mayes County Commissioners approved opening bids for county property and answered questions from a former commissioner during the weekly meeting Monday.

County Treasurer Demecia Franklin said she’s trying to get four pieces of property back on the county tax rolls, and needed commissioners to approve the opening bids.

Opening bids were approved at $50 for a 10-acre tract, $60 for a 2.5-acre tract and $10 for a one-acre tract. Another $50 opening bid was approved for a house and land in Langley.

Franklin called the property in Langley a “nightmare,” and said “if we don’t do something with this little jewel, we’re going to have this forever.”

Franklin estimated the amount owed on the house in Langley is $1,100.

District 3 Commissioner Melvin Pritchett asked Franklin to include that all bids are subject to commissioners’ approval.

Franklin said she’d advertise the property auction in a local newspaper, and bring the bids and deeds back to the commissioners for approval and signatures.

During citizen’s comments, former county commissioner John Mozingo asked the commissioners about a section of Gaither Road which belongs to the city of Pryor.

County Commissioner Alva Martin said Gaither Road belongs to the county, except for the portion which extends south of 5th Street. That portion belongs to the city of Pryor.

Mozingo asked why the county would furnish the equipment and labor to fix the road, when the city’s population is over 5,000. Mozingo said he thought the county would only provide equipment and labor if the town’s population was below 5,000.

“What does it hurt if they pay for material and we go in and help them out?” asked Martin.

He explained Pryor helps the county out by cleaning the courthouse parking lot, trimming limbs and providing equipment when needed at no cost to the county.

“You need to work together and help one another,” said Martin.

After the meeting, Martin clarified the county can provide equipment and labor for a road which is inside Pryor’s city limits as long as the road is a continuation of a county road in a section line.

In other business:

• The commissioners tabled two bids for pre-cast concrete box culverts. The two bids were $52,636.50 from Hydro Conduit and $33,660 from Spurlock.

• The board approved renewing the maintenance agreement for courthouse elevators from Schindler Elevator for $321 per month.

• The commissioners approved a resolution and application for a $50,000 O.D. Mayor Foundation grant for facilities at the new District 2 property in Chouteau.

• A $9,860 claim for payment was approved for the Salt Creek Branch Low Water Crossing project.

• The board approved a maintenance agreement for the generator at the jail with Clifford Power Systems for $610 per year.

• T County Highway appropriations were approved, including $62,036.93 for District 2, $62,036.93 for District 3 and $169,945.99 for District 1. A portion of the money for District 1 is money from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for major collection roads during the 2007 ice storm.