By Michael Pineda
There was a change of the guard Monday evening as leadership on the Ardmore City Commission turned over.
John Alfred Credle, Jr. was nominated and voted in as the mayor. David Plesher was voted as the vice mayor. Credle has served the past year as the vice mayor.
As part of the turnover, Nancy Sjulin was presented with a gavel, scrapbook and portrait that was displayed in City Hall in recognition of her service in the role of mayor for the past year.
“I just want to say thank you for your wonderful service, and time and dedication to the office of mayor,” Credle said.
He thanked her and said there were big shoes to fill but broad shoulders to stand on.
Both Sjulin and fellow commissioner Sheryl Ellis took the oath of office from Special District Judge Carson Brooks after being elected to a new term on the commission. Ellis was unopposed and Sjulin won an election in April.
During the meeting, an amendment was approved to the Depot Park Drainage Project to determine a water surface elevation in the amount of $9,000. It will be used for the design of a parking lot to serve a proposed new building on South Washington Street.
A storm on April 19 took out drainage structures and part of the pavement on Holiday Drive and Refinery Road. The commission approved a contract with Fox Engineering to develop plans for the replacement of cross drains and road repair. The cost of the contract is $45,700.
In a non-flood related item, a right-of-way and permanent easement purchase for the next phase of the Kiowa Street project was approved in the amount of $68,424.24. City Manager Kevin Boatright said the plan is to continue the new road at Merrick Circle to 12th Avenue and broaden Kiowa Street at the intersection while eventually adding a new traffic light at the intersection.
He told the commission that citizens who live in the Western Heights Subdivision are excited about the new traffic light because they can only turn right onto 12th Avenue due to traffic.
Engagement letters were also approved with Casey Russell and Crawford & Associates for the end of the year audit. The contract with Russell is $25,500 and the contract with Crawford & Associates is $58,000 plus expenses.
On the consent agenda, there were a number of board appointments approved. Brett Matherly was approved to serve a first three-year term on the Ardmore Public Library Road.
Charles Davenport, Amy Walker Paul and Jim Robertson will each serve first five-year terms on the Lakeview Golf Advisory Board. Jessica Fannin will serve a second three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Debra Kuester will serve a first three-year term.
