 The Monday morning meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners was bitter sweet as the Commissioners said farewell to one of their own. District #1 Commissioner Bob Jackson has served Osage County for 45 years and Monday Commissioners Scott Hilton and Darren McKinney signed his resignation. Jackson attended his final Commissioners meeting Monday morning and will officially retire July 31.
During the meeting the Commissioners spoke with Mike Fisher from the Osage County Courthouse Building Review Committee, along with other members, regarding progress since their last update. Fisher informed the Commissioners that the Committee had began reaching out to local city governments regarding possible options to renovate the existing or build a new County Courthouse. Fisher stated they had received a lot of resistance from Skiatook Residents, who feel a new Courthouse would not benefit them and felt there should be an Annex in Skiatook as had been previously discussed. District #2 Commissioner Scott Hilton agreed and stated an Annex was part of the original plan and would be an integral part of passing the initiative on a ballot. The Commissioners gave the Committee permission to add a Skiatook Annex to their planning and mission statement. The Osage County Board of County Commissioners will meet again next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska.  Monday morning, Brett Selvidge from Samaritan EMS returned to the meeting of the Osage County Commissioners to deliver their weekly report. Selvidge informed the Commissioners that the license application was completed and would be submitted after they received the contract letter from the County Commissioners, which was signed moments later.
Once the application is submitted the license should be approved by August 5, at which time Samaritan EMS will be able to operate in Osage County. Selvidge announced they have completed more than $1,500 in repairs to the leased ambulance from Barnsdall and are only awaiting new emergency lights from the manufacturer. Selvidge also stated they have received a a large number of paramedic and EMT applications for the new positions in Barnsdall, and the organization does not believe they will have any difficulty filling full-time or part-time positions. The County Commissioners continue to be encouraged by the progress Samaritan EMS has made over the past 3 weeks, and are excited for the service to begin serving Osage County.  The Osage County Board of County Commissioners held their regular meeting Monday morning. This week the Commissioners received quarterly reports from Kay Kelley from E911, Jake Bruno from Planning and Zoning, and Jerry Roberts from Emergency Management.
Kelley announced that E911 has been working closely with the City Councils from Avant and Barnsdall to have a EMS charged added to their utility bill, both councils have approved the fee. Hominy EMS has also been working with Prue and Hominy City Councils to add a EMS charge to the city's utilities in order to supplement cost, both measures are still in progress. Jake Bruno, from Planning and Zoning stated that they have been working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, State Zoning, and FEMA to adjust the flood plain reports for the county. Bruno also said that they have been working with Tulsa Botanical Gardens and the organization will soon be coming to the County to apply for a Liquor License to host weddings. Jerry Roberts highlighted during his report that their spring water drive was very successful bringing in close to 1000 cases of water for the 53 fire departments across the County. The Osage County Board of County Commissioner will meet again next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska.  It's Cavalcade time once again in Pawhuska. This year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Annual International Roundup Clubs Cavalcade and it all officially begins Monday, July 18.
While Cavalcade officially begins Monday, there are several events this weekend. The Cavalcade Warm up will take place Saturday evening with Pole and Barrel Exhibitions. Monday evening is Queen Horsemanship at 7pm, and the Rodeo begins Tuesday. Each Day the Morning Performance begins at 9 o'clock and Wednesday through Saturday the Grand Entry and Evening Performances will begin each night at 7. Tuesday evening is the Pawhuska Street Dance in Downtown Pawhuska. The Street Dance will also play host to the 104.9fm KRIG and Doenges Family of Autos Real Country Showdown finale from 7:30 -8:30. Headlining the Pawhuska Street Dance is music from Riders Ford. Real Country 104.9fm will also be broadcasting from Cavalcade Wednesday morning from 10 until noon. Each night come out to the Fairgrounds for the Dance Under the Stars, and enjoy music from John Baumann, Cory Morrow, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, and Cody Johnson. You can see the complete schedule of events on the Cavalcade website at http://www.cavalcaderodeo.com, you can also follow along with all things Cavalcade on their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cavalcaderodeo. Come out to Cavalcade all next week at the Osage County Fairgrounds in Pawhuska.  The Pawhuska Cavalcade is quickly approaching, and for much of the community it is an “all hands on deck” event. However, organizing and hosting such a large event each year does not come about without it's share of hiccups.
Earlier this year the Osage County Board of County Commissioners signed and began the bid and building process to improve the Osage County Fairgrounds. Coming to the fairgrounds in the near future is a new OSU Extension Services building and an updated bathroom/shower facility. Contractors have began working on the new extension building, but to begin the process space had to be created. It was announced by Cavalcade Organizers that the building housing bathrooms and showers at the fairgrounds had been removed to make room for the new buildings. This would mean that the hundreds of campers attending and participating in Cavalcade this year would need to plan accordingly. As a result many Cavalcade campers were understandably upset and disappointed, and calls began to stream into the Osage County Commissioners Office. However, the issue was quickly resolved by the Commissioners, specifically District #2 Commissioner Scott Hilton, and showers will available for the event. Organizers announced on their Facebook Thursday afternoon that a shower trailer would be available Friday.  Tuesday the Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce met for the regular monthly meeting. Chamber President Claud Rosendale introduced special guest speaker Public Relations adviser Brett Rush from Enbridge Energy. Rush explained a little about what Enbridge Energy does, including offering Safe Community Grants and Community Investment Grants.
Rosendale also discussed that beginning in September the chamber will need to elect new officers. Rosendale, who has served as Chamber President for almost three 2-year terms is term limited and cannot be nominated President this year. Also, Chamber Treasurer Reverend Paul Overholt, after serving the chamber for 12 years has chosen to step-down. The chamber created a nomination committee and will vote for new officials at the next chamber meeting on August 9.  Brett Selvidge and Charles Vetters from Samaritan EMS spoke briefly at the Monday morning meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners. Selvidge informed the commissioners that Samaritan had brought members from their team to pick up the Ambulance from Barnsdall to take the vehicle for inspection and detailing. Selvidge also mentioned that they were almost finished with the license application to begin operations in Osage County, however will need certification from the County Commissioners before submitting.
The Commissioners, specifically Scott Hilton were excited to see the progress Samaritan has made in the week since their contract was signed, and the commissioners are ready for Samaritan to begin serving the citizens of Osage County. Samaritan EMS will return next week for another weekly update and to receive the signed agreement from the Osage County Commissioner. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday morning at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska. Water has returned to the Hulah Water District Osage #20. However, customers should expect low water pressure.
Crews will be working on the system early next week to remedy the problem. Customers should expect normal water pressure to return after crews have completed. Until the issue is resolved, Hulah Water District Osage #20 recommends customers boil their water as a precaution. Stay tuned for updates as they become available. The Hulah Water District Osage #20 is currently without water. Sharon Walkman from District #20 has more information.
Walkman said, once water is returned, customers should expect low water pressure, and should take the precaution to boil water before use. Stay Tuned we will keep you up to date for any changes  The Osage County Commissioners held their weekly regular meeting Tuesday morning, rather than Monday, due to the observation of Independence Day. During the weekly meeting the Commissioners signed contracts for the new fiscal year, including contracts for Nutrition Program meal delivery and site agreements, updated lease agreements for equipment, and signed contracts with the Pawhuska and Fairfax Hospitals.
The Commissioners also held a discussion with Oakridge Builders, who are contracted to oversee the building of a new OSU Extension services facility at the Osage County Fairgrounds. Originally the contract also included a new restroom and shower facility, but due to the estimated cost to build the restrooms the contract has been updated and the restrooms have been removed. The total cost of the new contract for the Extension Facility is $1,030,853, however Oakridge is confident they will be able to complete the project under budget. The restroom and shower project will be redesigned and a new contract will be sent out for bids. The Osage County Board of County Commissioners will meet again next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska. |
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