Sand Springs City Council honors outgoing Chamber of Commerce President Kristen Cepak

The Sand Springs City Council honored outgoing Chamber of Commerce President Kristen Cepak with a Certificate of Appreciation for her years of service at their recent Monday meeting. Cepak recently announced she will be moving to Texas to care for her ailing parents, but hopes to return to Sand Springs in the future.

Mayor Jim Spoon recognized Cepak for nurturing relationships between the City government, the School District, and local businesses. Cepak has overseen a period of significant growth in Chamber membership, has helped grow the annual Chillin ‘n’ Grillin Festival, and launched a Hometown Holiday Christmas Festival. She oversaw the return of the Leadership Sand Springs program, the launch of the Small Business Initiative, and the expansion of the Chamber into a new building with the creation of a business incubator.

The Chamber of Commerce is still accepting applications for the President position. For more information, visit this link.

In other news:

Council unanimously approved a specific use permit allowing Eagle’s View RV Park to expand into an adjacent property at 20601 West Wekiwa Road. 

Council approved a specific use permit for a marijuana growing facility at 1150 East Charles Page Boulevard. Jinyu Green, LLC plans to open the facility in a building adjoining the old K-Mart building at the Harris Shopping Center. Council had a split 5-2 vote with Councilors Brian Jackson, Phil Nollan, Mike Burdge, Patty Dixon, and Jim Spoon voting in favor with Nancy Riley and Beau Wilson dissenting. 

Council unanimously approved an Engineering Design Agreement with Keithline Engineering for work relating to ten downtown asphalt overlay project.

Council unanimously approved two interlocal agreements with Tulsa County for 41 other overlay projects throughout residential neighborhoods on both sides of the river. 17 projects are scheduled for Fall of 2020 and 24 are scheduled for Fall of 2021. 

Council unanimously approved a $48,990 expense to purchase a golf simulator from Trackman Simulator Solutions for the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf clubhouse. The simulator will expand the ability of the course pros to offer private lessons and training. The funding will be provided by a 2018 General Obligation bond election.

Council unanimously approved a zoning change from Agricultural to Commercial Shopping for the former ODOT building on the southeast corner of 41st Street and Highway 97. The land was recently sold at auction to a developer who is planning an Urgent Care facility for the location.

Council unanimously approved a resolution awarding the Keystone Ancient Forest Visitor Center construction project to Bravo Builders. The $927,000 facility will serve as the face of the historic nature preserve and hiking grounds that have been steadily growing as a regional destination for nature lovers across Oklahoma. The building is expected to be completed by the New Year of 2021.

Observation tower being purchased for Keystone Ancient Forest.

Council also unanimously approved a transfer of appropriations of $108,000 from the Highway Brush Removal/Cleanup fund to the Keystone Ancient Forest Observation Tower fund. The City will be purchasing a disused 100-foot fire lookout tower from the Oklahoma Forestry Service. The “Beaver Tower” is currently located in Cookson, Oklahoma and is listed with the National Historic Lookout Register as an item of historical and cultural significance.

Council unanimously approved a $28,038 expenditure to Aaron Fence Co. for fencing repairs at the Will Ramsey Softball Complex in Case Community Park. 

Council unanimously approved a fourth one-year extension to the existing mowing contract with Precision Lawncare of Tulsa, LLC. The extended contract will last through June 30, 2021 at a cost of $258,734 then will go up for public bid in 2021. 

Council unanimously approved the final plat for the Second Sunrise Addition, a one-block five-lot subdivision on the northeast corner of 6th Street and Industrial Avenue.