CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Police chief awards metal of valor … – Tahlequah Daily Press

Tahlequah City Council members on Monday night unanimously approved the appointment of an assistant police chief, and a medal of valor for heroism was awarded to a police officer for her role in capturing a murder suspect.

Tahlequah Police Chief Nate King awarded a medal of valor to Officer Ohavyah Soto for gallantry and extraordinary heroism for her part in apprehending a suspect in an incident that left two people dead and another injured.

“On the night of Oct. 18, tragedy hit Tahlequah. We had an event of gun violence in which two people lost their lives and another was injured,” King said.

About six different agencies were hunting for the suspect, King said. Soto was reported to be in foot pursuit of the man.

“We were at the industrial park; she was in foot pursuit at Braum’s, the other side of town. She was there at the diner and she recognized him. [Soto] had the situational awareness to intercede, was assaulted by him, and gave chase, in Crocs.” King said.

Soto, who was off duty, called to let the rest of the force know where she was and what was going on, King said.

“And probably if it wasn’t for her actions that night, we may not have caught him that night, and I don’t know who else may have lost their life that night. The man was not in his right state of mind. Unarmed, plain-clothed, [she] put her own life in danger,” King said.

King also announced the promotion of Dexter Scott, president of the Fraternal Order of Police and training officer, to assistant police chief. Scott will take over the position left by the retirement of Steve Young.

Public comments were given by local CPA Dr. John Uzzo and former Mayor Sue Catron before the items on the agenda were discussed.

“Sequoyah County, city of Sallisaw, Northeastern Health System audit completed Mar. 31, 2022 has some very unfavorable comments about the operation and its abilities. On page 2 of the audit – and keep in mind the audit is six months in arrears – concluded, ‘in our judgment… substantial doubt about the hospital’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time,’” Uzzo said.

Uzzo said the hospital lost $11 million, and the audit is six months late.

“I suggest the council look at this matter seriously, because we need our hospital,” Uzzo said.

Catron spoke about the financial reports as of the end of September. There were several agenda items related to finances, and Catron wanted the council to know that on June 30, 2023, the general fund had $2,015,025.

“As of the end of September, it was [negative] $1,131,107,” Catron said.

Mayor Suzanne Myers spoke about the success of Trunk or Treat, and said that at last count, there were over 4,000 attendees.

“Record numbers of people were there, and that is partly to do with the coordination of two of our city employees, and we wanted to give them special recognition tonight,” Myers said.

{span}Sanitation Superintendent Chris Armstrong and Executive Assistant Karen Murphy received recognition for the coordination of the event.{/span}

The first reading of an ordinance on the closing of Wilcox Circle, was addressed by Ray Hammons, code enforcement.

“The vacature of Wilcox Circle has been requested… and it was the recommendation of the planning commission to allow the vacature of that street with the caveat that Ballentine [Road] be brought up to city code on the south side of Ballentine with curb, guttering and sidewalk,” Hammons said.

Steve Worth, the petitioner, commented on his request. He noted that sidewalks had been added since the motion that was approved by the planning commission.

{span}”It would be ‘required to meet city specifications’ was the motion, and sidewalks would be [required],” said City Administrator Taylor Tannehill.{/span}

{span}Human Resources Director M’Lynn Pape presented a request for a $1,500 one-time incentive for employees to be in the Nov. 17 paycheck, and council unanimously approved the request.{/span} Pape also received approval on her request to add a retiree health and dental benefit beginning Nov. 1.

An ordinance to streamline the city’s hiring process was approved. This allows for any position at the budgeted amount to be approved administratively, with no further action by the council required. The same would apply for budgeted raises.

A contract with Freese and Nichols, a firm that will do a master drainage plan for the city, was approved. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay up to 90% of the cost, with the city picking up the remainder of around $80,000.

“Last month [council] approved the award of this grant, [and] a few months prior to that, we hired this group to write the grant for us. Within that grant it stated, ‘If you get the grant, you will be given the opportunity to do the actual study,’” Tannehill said.

The contract amount is around $773,000. Kale Farmer, a representative of the firm, answered questions about the length of time needed and scope of the project.

“The scope is first to get an inventory of the storm sewer system within the city limits of Tahlequah and identify floodplain hot spots,” Farmer said. “There are some localized drainage issues that have not been included in the [FEMA floodplain mapping].”

Ward 2 Tahlequah City Councilor Keith Baker asked if these would be used to clarify any questions with FEMA when it comes to the flood maps. Farmer said they could be. The period of performance runs until 2026, but Farmer said his firm does not anticipate it taking longer than 15-18 months, as laid out in their proposal.

A grant was accepted from the BJA Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership FY 2023 grant for $20,228. King said that a vest costs up to $1,800 each and the grant would pay for half of that amount.

“Officer Soto has almost $5,000 worth of equipment, including the vest, on her person when she goes to work,” King said.

The council went into executive session to discuss confidential communications related to the City of Tahlequah v. Springwater, LLC et al. No discussion and no action was taken upon returning to regular session.

What’s next

The next Tahlequah City Council meeting is Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. In Thursday’s TDP, Police Officer Ohavyah Soto will be featured in Everyday Heroes.