What’s new
Water plant refinancing to save $1.3 million
The Bartlesville Municipal Authority and Bartlesville City Council took actions on Monday that will allow the City to refinance its loan for the Ted D. Lockin Water Treatment Plant, saving taxpayers roughly $1.3 million over the remaining 14-year loan period.
Free yard debris collection set for May 3-7
The City of Bartlesville’s free yard debris collection is set for the week of May 3-7. Residents may place their leaves, grass, lawn clippings and other yard debris at the curb in bags on their normal trash collection day during that week, for collection by Solid Waste Department crews.
ConocoPhillips announces termination of airport management
The City-owned Bartlesville Municipal Airport will soon be back under management of the City following an announcement that ConocoPhillips will terminate its lease-operating agreement with the City in August.
Search for new fire chief to get underway
The City Council approved a contract with Strategic Government Resources to assist in recruitment for a new fire chief. The move comes following the announcement that current Fire Chief John Banks will retire later this year.
Council votes to extend COVID-19 resolution
The City Council voted 4-0 this week to extend a resolution that put into place several COVID-19 provisions including a requirement that masks or face coverings be worn by anyone visiting or working at enclosed City-owned facilities. The resolution, adopted by the council on November 2020, was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
Land transfer for BPS ag program gets OK
The City Council on Monday approved a tentative agreement to deed land to Bartlesville Public Schools for its agricultural program, contingent upon the school district securing funding to construct the necessary facilities.
Q&A: February water main breaks total nearly half of annual average
With the below-zero temperatures, Tulsa had hundreds of water main breaks with water flowing down streets all over town and backhoes digging holes and closing streets. Every TV newscast showed them digging and adding another 50 or so breaks to the growing total. My question is, how did we compare in Bartlesville? I did not see publicity on this issue. I’m sure we probably had some, but not like Tulsa. Is our infrastructure better than Tulsa’s? I don’t remember hearing about an excess of breaks and street repairs. Are we doing something right?
According to Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen, the City logged a reported 19 main breaks between Feb. 10 and Feb. 26 — a fairly substantial number considering the city normally averages 40 main breaks per year, or approximately three per month.