News Updates

Timely Matters

The Tulsa City Council tabled a proposal Oct. 30 that would have allocated $1.6 million from the 2006 third-penny sales tax package to implement an electronic-ticketing system for the police department and an electronic time-and-attendance system for all city employees.

None of the councilors objected to the technological upgrades, but many said using money from the sales tax package at this point would be inappropriate. The e-ticketing system would cost $400,000, while the time-and-attendance system would cost $1.2 million.

"I think it's a great idea and we need to do it, but we need to find a different source of funding," Councilor Rick Westcott said. "Those funds are committed by city ordinance, and it's too early to say we're going to have any surplus of funds from the third penny."

City staff told the council earlier in the week that money for the two systems is available from the sales tax package because of savings on purchases of computers and vehicles, but Westcott said there is no way to be certain there will be a surplus until all projects in the package have been completed. Once all items in the package have been finished, however, Westcott would be willing to use any remaining funds on the proposed systems.

Councilor G.T. Bynum, on the other hand, said money from the third-penny sales tax package should not be spent on items other than those listed when Tulsa residents voted for the tax.

"I don't agree with going in and changing the third penny after the voters have approved it -- that destroys the citizens' confidence in the process," he said. "They're voting on those items we bring forward and when we go back and change the package, it's bad for everybody."

Council Chair John Eagleton, who brought forth the e-ticket initiative, however, said he still hopes to pass the measure.

"I believe the other councilors in their desire to be prudent financially have made a tragic and sad decision to put off what would have saved lives," he said, adding that the electronic-ticketing system would also increase income for the city. "I strongly desire to make this work, so I will put up with the time delay."

Wells Done

The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board will round out its 14th year by reaching two landmarks in environmental restoration. Through voluntary contributions paid by Oklahoma's oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners, the OERB has provided a practical and economical remedy for more than 9,000 abandoned well sites -- at no cost to the landowner.

"Many Oklahomans stake their legacy on these lands," said Dewey Bartlett, Jr. Chairman of the OERB. "We are honored to take those abandoned sites that onlookers may regard as eyesores, restore them, and make the land a center of a family's pride and joy once again."

The OERB began its work in 1994 with an original list of 17 remediation projects. As of October 15, 2008, the OERB had completed the remediation of 9,120 well sites.

"We have more work to do," says Steve Sowers, Environmental Director at the OERB. "There are counties we have not yet reached and we know those landowners deserve our services."

To date, remediation projects have been completed in 64 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. Currently, the OERB is working in 29 of the state's counties.

In just the past two fiscal years OCC field inspectors have referred more than 1,400 sites to OERB for surface remediation. The board encourages the general public to submit sites through its Web site, OERB.com, or by phone, 1-800-664-1301.

Fill My Cup

The City of Tulsa's AB Jewell Treatment Plant has made a change in the treatment used for drinking water. This change has reduced chemical usage, costs, and the City's overall environmental footprint.

An article about this change in the treatment process, written by City of Tulsa engineer Tyler Gipson, was published in the August 2008 AWWA publication of Opflow.

The article discussed a study conducted by the A.B. Jewell Water Treatment Plant staff from 2006-2007. The study found that the Plant could effectively maintain pH control by the addition of sodium hydroxide alone. This process change does not adversely affect water quality within the City's water pipes.

The elimination of this chemical has resulted in a reduction of 1.4 million pounds of treatment chemicals per year and a savings of over $75,000. In addition, the process change will save approximately $10,000 annually in electric costs.

The overall environmental footprint is also reduced by lowering soda ash mining and transportation from its source. Eliminating this amount of chemical is equal to 30 less chemical truck deliveries each, meaning less fuel used, less road time for vehicles, and less paperwork. Soda ash is a natural resource obtained by mining with diesel-powered equipment.

The Great Outdoors

The BOK Center is proud to continue the inaugural ONEOK Outdoor Concert Series. The festival was developed with the goal of promoting local talent and enlivening downtown Tulsa. The concerts will run through November 30th. The concerts are slated for the BOK Center's expansive outdoor plaza on Third Street, just steps from the new arena. The shows feature a variety of music genres including rock, country, red dirt and Christian contemporary.

The Fall Outdoor Concert Series is open to everyone, anyone from professionals who may be looking for a way to spend an evening to avid concert goers who may want to come early to miss the crowds. Outdoor refreshments and beer may be purchased during the ONEOK Outdoor Concert Series. For more information visit bokcenter.com