The Madill City Council’s monthly meeting was on March 12. Items one through five were general housekeeping items. Item six was to discuss and take action on an interlocal agreement from Marshall County Jail between the City of Madill and Marshall County for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30,2025; council moved to approve.
Item seven was to discuss and take action on approving a zoning change from Agricultural to R-2 residential for the purpose ofbuilding single family homes located in the south half of the southeast quarter, section 33, township 5 south, range 5 east, Indian Meridian, Marshall County. At the 1000 Block of South 5th Ave. in Madill; the council moved to approve. Madill Planning and Zoning approved this same item on March 6.
Item eight was to discuss and take action on approving a zoning change from R-3 Residential to R-2 Residential for the purpose of building single family homes located in the south half of the southeast quarter, section 33, township 5 south, range 5 east, Indian Meridian, Marshall County. At the 1000 Block of South 5th Ave. in Madill, Okla.; council moved to approve. Madill Planning and Zoning also approved this same item on March 6.
Item nine was to discuss and take action on renewing the rental contract agreement between the City of Madill and Evolve. The council moved to approve the agreement at $ 5,000 per month from December 1, 2023 to December 1, 2024 . Item ten was to discuss and take action concerning any matter not known or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting this agenda. During this time, City Manager James Fullingim brought up the matter of the Sand Mine off of Highway 70 north of Madill at Simpson Road.
Fullingim stated that he had been invited to hear the concern of residents near the proposed operation. He continued on to say that the concern for the city was over the possible contamination to the city’s water supply, Huani Lake.
“My concern is that, from the city stance,” Fullingim said. “Huani creek runs into Huani Lake, which is our primary drinking source for water. There are alot of questions that I would like to have the answers to.”
Fullingim invited Dan Little, owner of the property Unisands is leasing for the operation known as the Oteka Quarry, to address the council. Little said he understood the cause for concern and was happy to address those.
Little asked that everyone look at the science and that the sand mine would benefit Marshall County by creating jobs and tax revenues. Fullingim asked about the protest deadline of March 21 that was noted on the protest petition letter being handed out.
“Do we [the city] have time to look at this before you take another step forward,” Fullingim asked. “Because we have not had time to review it. What I am asking is for more time.”
Little said that he would be happy to set up a special meeting with the city, himself and those that are/have been advising him. Little clarified the deadline.
“The March 21 deadline for the department of mines is their deadline to protest,” Little said. Council member Mary Ann Hale asked about the type of mine and if it would be similar to the Mill Creek Mine, and if this operation would have its own water reservoir. Little stated that it would, he continued to add that it would be highly regulated.
Mayor Travis Williams asked Little if the mining would be staying above the aquifer or if it would go into the aquifer. Little replied, “not necessarily and I am not entirely sure where the aquifer is.”
After some continued discussion between Little and the council members about natural springs and aquifers, councilman Fred Stanley asked Little if would be opposed to bringing in the people that have been advising him on the operation to answer questions from the council. Little said he was not opposed.
Stanley asked Little if the primary source of water for the operation would be from Lake Oteka. Little stated that it would be, that the water would be pumped in as the lake is on the north side of the operation site.
Fullingim and Stanley asked about the protest deadline for the department of mines and if there was a hearing date set yet. Little stated that a hearing date was yet to be set and the deadline date of March 21 was set by the department of mines. The council discussed the concerns of the drinking water and how the people have a right to express their concerns and that is the job of the council to represent the people of Madill and what they want. They continued to discuss the water supply, natural springs and how they will be affected by the water usage at the mine operation.
The final decision of the council was to set a date for a special hearing on Friday the 15 at 2:00 p.m. At that time, Little would be able to bring in his advisers on the operation and the city would be able to have the city’s engineer, Wayne Burker, present; to decide whether the council would be sending in a protest letter on behalf of the city of Madill.
Item 11 was the city financial reportof$291,683.78 in sales tax revenues, $34,385.74 in use tax, revenue at 108.72% due to money from the Chickasaw Nation for road work and expenses at 79.52%. Item 12 was the city manager's report from Fullingim.
Fullingim, Williams, and Vice Mayor Davis were able to tour ESRO recently to see the new equipment that has been installed to help with the waste that was being sent to the city’s waste treatment plant. There has been progress at the baseball fields with clearing the trees and brush and there has been more community involvement into getting the fields ready.
The city has been preparing sewer lines for the new Dollar General Store, hoping to be done by April so the city can turn the property over to Dollar General by July so that they are able to open by August.
Item 13 was for unscheduled public appearances (limited to five minutes per appearance) in which local resident, Alajandra Salas, shared information about her profession as a Stenographer. Salas said she wants to draw awareness to the demand for professionals in the field of stenography and how it would be beneficial to the community.
The Madill City council meets at 5:15 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Library Room at the Fred Stanley Center. City Councilmembersare,Mayor TravisWilliams, Vice Mayor Bobby Davis, Mary Ann Hale, Terry Rushing, Fred Stanley, and City Manager James Fullingim.. Meeting agendas are available upon request. The phone number to city hall is (580) 795-5586