By Traci Chapman
Published on June 7, 2008

City Council passed a resolution Tuesday breaking the dam on the city’s participation in a study aimed at finding a “permanent” water source.

The plan is a cooperative effort by members of the Central Oklahoma Water Resource Authority to jointly fund a $890,000 feasibility study of the Kiamichi basin. City Manager David Cockrell said the project’s aim is to determine the costs and problems associated with obtaining water from Kiamichi and transporting it to Mustang.

The city’s share is about $14,700, Cockrell said, and costs are being borne by each city based on 2000 census population. COWRA is a public trust comprised of El Reno, Yukon, Mustang, Calumet, Okarche, Union City and Canadian County. Other participating cities include Chickasha, Del City, Goldsby, Moore, Norman, Shawnee, Oklahoma City, Seminole, Midwest City and Edmond.

Mayor Jeff Landrith and Ward 2 Councilwoman Kathleen Moon questioned the need for the contract. Cockrell said the study is “imperative” for Mustang’s future water, and the city could not afford to “go out on its own” to fund its own search for water sources.

“It’s a commitment I believe we should make,” Cockrell said. “Water is our future — we can’t just sit back and hope we’ll be able to find sources. This is a good investment for the city.”

The resolution was passed 6-1, with Moon voting against the proposal.

In other business, Council:

-Approved a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation that will allow the city to move forward with Phase I of the Mustang trail system. Under the contract, the city will receive $15,360 from ODOT to help fund the project. Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles said the design phase of the trail — which will initially run from Wild Horse Park to the back of the fire department property — will take about three months.

-Approved a resolution allowing the city to move forward in securing financing for the wastewater treatment plant. Construction is scheduled to begin on the facility in late spring or early summer 2009.

-Approved an update of regulations proposed by Richard Rolison, community development director, which will update the city’s comprehensive plan. Planning Commission recently approved the changes.

-Approved an update in fencing and lighting requirements for commercial properties abutting residential lots. Developers will now be required to construct concrete block, brick or stone masonry fences — rather than opaque wood fencing, as previously required — on lots being developed adjacent to residential property.

-Awarded a bid for bunker equipment to Casco Industries in the amount of $38,400. The bulk of the equipment’s cost was funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, with the Fire Department shouldering the $1,920 balance, Fire Chief Carl Hickman said.

-Reappointed three members to the Mustang Public Library Board of Trustees. Bill Edwards, Ruth Daubenspeck and Charlene Anderson will each serve a three-year term expiring in June 2011.