Mayor-elect John Tyler Hammons got his first intensive lesson in city government operations at a retreat held Saturday at Whitlock Wish House.

Hammons and seven of the eight City Council members attended. The eighth councilor, David Ragsdale, was there for part of the session. City Manager Greg Buckley and various department heads met with them for roundtable discussions.

Hammons was not the only person who had to ask questions like "What is a CIP?" The need for a CIP was on the list of almost every group around the room as they worked on what the city needs most.

CIP is the acronym for Capital Improvements Program - projects like water, sewer, street and Civic Center improvements financed by a special sales tax. The last CIP tax has expired.

"This is great," Hammons said of the retreat. "I'm learning a lot and I feel everyone in the room is learning a lot."

Dr. Jim Phillips and Dr. David Kern, both of Northeastern State University's marketing and management program, donated their time to serve as facilitators, Buckley said. The meeting cost the city $400 to $500 for food, beverages and meeting space.

It was not a time for public input. Only councilors and city officials were permitted to participate. Buckely said the meeting was for establishing concerns and needs to help in preparing the city's plans and its budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Those attending were divided into five groups and asked to prepare a list of the city's needs and make other lists of goals.

Among the needs listed:
An improved E-911 system.
Better communication with the public.
Improvements to city hall, including better security.
Improvements to the city�s sanitary sewer system as dictated in a consent order issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
Reviews and revisions of the city utility rates.
Increasing the city hotel/motel tax, with most groups suggesting a portion of the tax be earmarked to help fund Muskogee Development
Annexation of more land into the city, with one group specifically asking annexation further north on Main Street and further south on York Street.

The annexation of property on North Main has been discussed over the last two years because of construction of Muskogee Community Hospital just beyond city limits.

Many of the suggestions drew no question or comment, but one group�s call for improved relationships between the city's east and west sides spurred a discussion.

Councilor David Jones said he thought the east-west controversy died when the school system dropped its two junior high schools.

Newly elected Councilor Jackie Luckey said people living on the west side have the perception that the east side of town is growing faster in economy and structures than the west side.

City Manager Greg Buckley, who has held that position only a few months, disagreed with that perception.

"From my perspective, most of that (development) is going on the west side," he said, referring specifically to the development of new motels and an IHOP restaurant on U.S. 69 and retail development along Shawnee Bypass.

The main difference City Councilor Jim Ritchey said he sees in east side versus west side is that voters turn out in much greater numbers on the east side.

The councilors also discussed studying the city charter for possible updates.

Ritchey said he would like to see the mayor's term changed from two years to four years. He also would like to see some type of pay for city councilors and the mayor.

Ritchey said many other towns offer compensation for those positions.

"It costs us a great deal to perform our duties," Ritchey said.

Bob Luttrell, also a newcomer to the council, said he has lived here 30 years and serving on the council is a way for him to give back to the community, that he doesn't expect pay.

Hammons said that with gas at more than $3 a gallon and the necessity of having a cell phone, he feels it would make it easier for people to serve.

"It's not a full-time job and doesn't have to have full-time pay," Hammons said. "A little stipend would not hurt."

On its list of programs that could be implemented within the next year, the group was unanimous that a top program this year should be getting the Muskogee Foundation enabled. The foundation will oversee the expenditure of funds from the leasing of the hospital.

They also listed as possible projects that could be accomplished in the next 12 months. Their preliminary list included:
Continuing housing rehabilitation and derelict housing removal and cleanup of the city.
Annexing property.
Hiring a public information officer so that all media relations would go through a single person and to serve as sort of a lobbyist for the city.
Extending the boundaries for planning and zoning to three miles beyond the city limits.



Reach the mayor

John Tyler Hammons said Saturday he intends to stay in touch with the public but doesn't have a cell phone number to publish at this time.

However, anyone with Internet access may e-mail him at jthammons@hammonsformayor.com.