The Custer County Board of Commissioners tabled the road use agreement with Invenergy based on suggestions from the district attorney’s office.
Invenergy is working on a wind turbine project in Blaine and Custer counties and plans to fully start construction sometime this winter. Before construction can start, the company needs to have a road use agreement with Custer County, which will allow them to move heavy equipment on county roads and run a transmission line above roads.
Assistant District Attorney Rick McPhearson said he had some concerns about the contract, specifically dealing with a third-party liability clause and where the transmission line would be running.
Allie James with Invenergy said she would revise the agreement to address the concerns and will send it back through a future meeting.
In other news, the board accepted a bid from Dietz Welding & Bridge Construction for the District 1 bridge project. The bid was $19,000 for labor and equipment. Construction materials and demolition have been provided by the county.
The board approved a resolution regarding the CARES Act funds, which just documents what accounts the funds were distributed. The board also approved a resolution to accept CED auction policies.
The board approved a $500 transfer for the Custer-Washita Family Treatment Court from maintenance and operations to travel. The board also approve blanket purchase orders and purchase orders for payment.
The board received a brief update regarding the courthouse window project. Installation almost is complete in the judges’ offices. Currently, windows are being installed in the new portion of the district attorney’s office.
In unforeseen business, County Emergency Management Director Mike Galloway said the machine which makes the hypochlorous acid has been set up and ready to go at SWOSU. The university will maintain the machine as well as make the disinfectant and purchase the materials.
The machine makes the disinfectant with air, distilled water and soft water pellets. The county will continue to maintain full totes of the disinfectant at Clinton Public Schools and the Clinton Fire Department.
In addition, Gov. Kevin Stitt has requested President Donald Trump declare a major disaster for areas damaged by the recent ice storms. Currently, 13 Oklahoma counties have been added to the request with more to be added as damages are surveyed.
Custer County has exceeded its $100,000 requirement to apply for FEMA aid with the debris in Arapaho, Butler and Custer County alone, according to Galloway. Clinton and Weatherford have more than all three of the previously mentioned town together.
The disaster declaration would be the first step in receiving FEMA assistance.