Sand Springs churches donate $4,000 for police and fire Christmas bonuses

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The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance presented a $4,000 check to the City of Sand Springs at Monday night’s regular City Council meeting. The donation will be used for Christmas bonuses for City Firemen and Police Officers. HillSpring Associate Pastor Matt Barnett presented the check to Mayor Mike Burdge, Police Chief Mike Carter, and Fire Chief Mike Wood.

City Council unanimously approved a resolution allowing for the use of Municipal Reserve Funds for the advanced funding of various General Obligation Bond Projects. These accounts will be reimbursed following the bond sales.

Voters approved $12,165,000 in bond projects in November of 2017, but the City has only sold $3.5 million thus far in order to keep the millage rate under 13 mills.

In Other News:

Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the Tulsa Metro Chamber OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda for 2019. Click here to read the agenda.

Council unanimously approved a Specific Use Permit for a medical marijuana growing facility at 1106 West Wekiwa Road.

Council unanimously approved a resolution affirming dilapidation public nuisance findings against properties at 11 West 35th Street, 418 North Grant Avenue, and 108 North Roosevelt Avenue. The buildings are slated for demolition on or after January 8.

Council unanimously approved the purchase of a 2019 Ford F-250 from Bill Knight Ford for Sand Springs Animal Welfare in the amount of $28,423.

Council unanimously approved a $34,709 payment to Aaron Fence Company for the replacement of 2,400 feet of fence at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Council unanimously approved a $45,750 payment to Garrow Construction for the replacement of 3,000 feet of deteriorated Campbell Creek Road water line.

Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting an investment policy for the City of Sand Springs and the Sand Springs Municipal Authority, providing clear guidance in regards to oversight, guidelines, and limitations of investments.

During the subsequent Municipal Authority meeting, Trustees unanimously approved the Shell Lake Dam Breach Plan, Revision 13.

HillSpring Church celebrates 10 years under Senior Pastor Brent Kellogg

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Mayor Mike Burdge speaks at HillSpring Church, recognizing Brent and Jeri Kellogg for ten years of service as the Senior Pastors. 

HillSpring Church recently celebrated a decade under Senior Pastor Brent Kellogg and wife Jeri. The church held a surprise banquet in the Kelloggs's honor Sunday evening with guest speakers including fellow community pastors and Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge. 

Kellogg came to HillSpring, then known as Cornerstone Church, in 2003 as the Youth Pastor before taking over Senior Pastor duties in December of 2007. He and Jeri have a son, Landon, and a daughter, Kalei. 

"Pastors have always been my heroes," said  Burdge. "I have had opportunity to sup with a few governors and senators and congressmen, and I'll leave all of them to come sit with the pastors in Sand Springs."

Burdge talked about his efforts to increase involvement in the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance, and how crucial Kellogg's involvement was. "Now the Ministerial Alliance has come together. The (Thanksgiving) Community Service that we have here, I've been going to for forty years. We've had some good ones and some not so good ones, but even the best of them I saw did not hold a candle to what when on here (at HillSpring) that night." 

Kellogg, an Oklahoma State alumni, is blindfolded and dressed up in Oklahoma Sooner gear.

He also spoke on the level of cooperation that has been going on between different denominations in Sand Springs recently. "God spoke to me thirty years ago and He said His desire in these last days was to bring the body of Christ together over denominational barriers. It has been burning in my spirit ever since then to see congregations like you guys. This is a special place." 

Burdge read aloud a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing Kellogg for his success as a Christian Radio broadcaster, his service to HillSpring in various capacities since 2003, his volunteerism within the Sand Springs community including ministerial service, as well as serving on the recent Citizens' General Obligation Bond Committee, and for continuing "to share the love of Christ each and every day, in word and deed throughout the city."

Kellogg's mother told stories of his childhood, how his first word after "momma" and "daddy" was "Hallelujah." When he was about three years old, he would line up his teddy bears and stuffed animals and preach to them using a plant stand as a pulpit. 

She also spoke highly of Jeri, saying "you can't separate a man from his wife and recognize his accomplishments without recognizing her too. She has such a heart for God, a passion and love for him. I'm so proud of how she serves the Lord with her talents and how she serves her family."

Church That Matters Senior Pastor Rusty Gunn and Harvest Church Lead Pastor Steve Allen also spoke highly of Kellogg. 

"Church, you are blessed by having this pastor," said Gunn. "His leadership here is phenomenal in our city. He steps up to the plate at every opportunity to make a difference in the name of Jesus. He is a uniter. I know that he has united you as a church body, but not just that. He has united the greater body of Christ here in our city and I'm so excited to continue to follow on this journey that we're on together as the Lord continues to bless our city because of you and your leadership."

Allen diverged from the high praises and cracked jokes instead. "I understand you've been here for fourteen year. Four of those were as youth pastor, but we know we can't count those because youth pastors don't really work."

"I appreciate the great advice you've given me...things like 'it's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission,' 'what your congregation don't know don't hurt them,' and 'never let your congregation know as much as you or they'll think that they're your equal,'" joked Allen. 

HillSpring has been heavily involved in community events such as the Salvation Army "Army of Stars Banquet" and "Boo on Broadway," as well as contributing to the Ministerial Alliance's annual Christmas Bonus donation to the Sand Springs Fire and Police Departments.

HillSpring meets on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and on the first Wednesday night of the month at 6:30 p.m. They are located at 8801 West 41st Street and can be found online at www.hillspring.tv

Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance donates $4,000 for police/fire Christmas bonuses

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Left to right: Pastors Todd Nance and Steve Allen present Fire Chief Mike Wood and Police Chief Mike Carter with a donation towards Christmas bonuses for the departments. 

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance presented a check for $4,000 to Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood to be used for Christmas bonus checks for the police and fire departments.

Carter spoke on the recent passage of five General Obligation Bond proposals and the wide margins of their approval. Proposal five was the closest vote with 58% in favor. "It was the biggest leap of faith for our community but we think it'll have the biggest payout," said Carter. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs voters approve new infrastructure and park improvements, economic incentives

Formerly a power plant and fire station, this building could one day be the home of a micro-brewery and restaurant. 

Council approved a promissory note between the City of Sand Springs and the Loaded Brewing Company, extending an existing note to March of 2018. The City first issued the note to SpringLoaded Brewery in 2014, allowing the brewery to make property improvements at 221 South Main Street with the goal of purchasing the building and opening a microbrewery/restaurant. The brewery has received five extensions while they continue to look for investors.

A "hardened-room" storm shelter planned for Case Community Center. 

Council approved a $45,000 purchase order for parks supplies including benches, park tables, and trash cans. The money will come from a 2014 GO Bond fund.

Council approved a change in zoning for a 39-acre section of land on the north side of 41st Street, immediately next to HillSpring Church. The property was previously zoned commercial and has undergone extensive property improvements to be used as a private residence with agricultural buildings and livestock.

Council approved a $136,000 contract with Lambert Construction Company for construction of a hardened-room (storm shelter) at Case Community Center. Lambert had the lowest of seven bids. 

Conceptual rendering for the new Fire Station No. 2 to be built in Prattville. 

The City received ten bids for the construction of Fire Station No. 2 and Builders Unlimited of Tulsa was recommended to Council by Chief Wood. The resolution passed unanimously awarding Builders Unlimited a $1.4 million contact.

Council approved a resolution to "adopt a kettle" from Salvation Army. The City will gather volunteers to man a fundraising kettle at Reasor's for a ten-hour shift.

Sand Springs churches donate $4000 to Sand Springs Police and Fire for Christmas

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council recently held their regular monthly meeting and representatives from the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance were present to present the Police and Fire Departments with a $4,000 donation for the purpose of Christmas bonuses. 

Harvest Church Pastor Steve Allen, HillSpring Church Pastor Brent Kellogg, and First Church of the Nazarene Pastor Rod Thelander presented the annual donation to Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood. 

Oklahoma Municipal League representative Missy Dean presented awards to employees who have served the city for 25 years. Police Captain Jay Barnett, Captain Todd Enzbrenner, Lieutenant Gary Everett, Deputy Chief John Mars, Fire Driver Charles Bowman, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Kenneth Boswell, Water Maintenance Operations Supervisor Donnie Wicker, and City Clerk Janice Almy were all recognized.

Storm Water and Utilities Technician Jon Odle gave an annual address to the Council regarding the City of Sand Springs Storm Water Plan. Odle discussed the damage done by citizens dumping leaves, grass clippings, and other debris into the street and stormwater drains. He suggested the City find ways to educate the community about the subject. 

The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1293 amending existing zoning code. Under new regulations, minimum aesthetic standards have been set regarding the amount of visible metal a building may be constructed of. Each side of a new building will be limited to certain percentages of visible metal, though exceptions may be granted through the Board of Adjustment. The ordinance does not apply to existing buildings and is modeled after existing regulations passed in neighboring communities. 

Council also approved Resolution No. 17-14, adopting a Safe Routes to School policy for the City of Sand Springs. The policy sets in place an outline for the City to follow when evaluating streets or other improvement projects that will provide safer and more efficient ways for pedestrians to travel to and from school. 

This was Vice Mayor John Fothergill's last meeting with City Council as he will be vacating his seat before the Spring election. The two-term Ward 4 councilman was recently approved as a chief deputy for the Tulsa County Commission and is legally unable to hold dual offices. 

Christine Hamner and Nancy Riley have filed to run for the vacant seat this Spring. Riley is a former Republican then Democratic State Senator. She also ran for Council against Fothergill and the late Pastor Terry Scott. She came in second in the primary election, defeating Scott, then lost to Fothergill in the runoff. 

Back to School in Sand Springs

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Several community organizations are hosting Back to School events in the coming weeks.

Trinity Baptist Church will be hosting a Back to School Bash from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13th at 13 West 40th St. in Sand Springs. The church will be providing games, food, inflatables, and free haircuts. It is also a gym in the hit game Pokémon Go!

The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a Back to School Bash Sunday, August 14th at the Tulsa Tech campus at 924 East Charles Page Boulevard.

The event will last from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will offer free haircuts and school supplies.

Sand Springs Community Services is hosting a three-day Back to School program in which they will be distributing backpacks, school supplies, and clothing vouchers. The program is only available to Sand Springs, Anderson, and Keystone students with proof of enrollment and proof that the child received free lunches las year.

The event will take place Monday, August 15th through Wednesday, August 17th. SSCS will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day, and on Tuesday will reopen from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Angus Valley Elementary is having their Back-to-School Night Monday, August 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet your teacher and the principal, Mrs. Noel. You can also fill out applications for free and reduced lunches, as well as sign up for the Salvation Army’s after school program.

Pratt Elementary is hosting their Meet and Greet event on Thursday, August 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The PTO will have a table set up for memberships and new spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Northwoods, Limestone, and Garfield Elementary will hold Meet-n-Greet events Monday, August 22nd, the day before school starts. Northwoods and Garfield will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Limestone will last from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.