The City of Pryor is seeking a federal grant to increase the water flow capacity at a railroad bridge.

In last Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Jimmy Tramel said he is applying for a grant of $1 million for a project at the Salt Branch reservoir. The mayor said when the Salt Branch Creek floods up to the tracks, the railroad bridge washes out and homes get flooded.

The city asked the railroad to change the flow capacity of the bridge, but Tramel said the railroad refused. If the city gets the grant, the plan is to increase the capacity of the water flow without affecting the railroad. Tramel said the project would eliminate 70 percent of the flooding at the railroad bridge.

The project cost is $1 million because the city cannot close the railroad bridge while making the improvements.

The City of Pryor will pay DeShazo, Tang & Associates $28,000 for architectural and engineering plans on the city’s new park building.

Councilman Drew Stott asked if the engineering amount would remain the same no matter the size of the building. Tramel said the architectural plans are required by the building inspector for all businesses.

Stott said he is concerned that the $28,000 will be

wasted if the city has to reduce the size of the building. The current park building is sitting in a floodway, violating city ordinance.

“We have to relocate the building,” said Tramel. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

Councilman Roy Ray said, “We should look into reducing those fees.”

Ray said the required engineering fees are a hindrance to businesses coming into town. Ray said he doesn’t understand the high fees when all the city is paying the engineer for is the plans.

Tramel said the city has had recent complaints from businesses coming into town because of the required architectural fees.

“We’re going to have to adhere to it, too,” said Councilwoman Lucy Belle Schultz.

Councilmen Stott, Ray and Leonard Barnes voted against the motion to pay for the engineering fees.

Council approved an agreement between the city and Mayes Emergency Services Trust Authority for mutual aid extrication.

Stott questioned section four of the agreement, which states the condition of equipment is the sole responsibility of its owner.

City Attorney Randy Elliott explained the agreement between the emergency responding agencies is simply stating the agencies are responsible for their own actions. For example, if one agency were to wreck a vehicle or cause injury to a victim, the other party would not be liable.

Councilmen Ray and Barnes voted against council’s decision to increase membership rates at Pryor Creek Recreation Center. Shane Simpson, director of PCRC, said the rec center has not increased its fees since opening its doors four years ago.

Ray asked why the rates should be raised with the way the economy is.

Simpson said the rec center has lost revenue the last three or four months.

“Eventually it’s going to have to happen,” Simpson said, pointing out that equipment costs are rising.

Councilman Garry Harris said PCRC may lose business by raising fees, but agreed the facility isn’t bringing in enough revenue. Tramel said utilities and insurance have also increased.

• The library is getting new barcode scanners and slip printers from Book Systems for $3,880. Funds will come from the library’s capital

outlay.

• The library is purchasing three new staff computers from Dell Computers. Dell’s quote was $3,778.65. Other quotes came from Hewlett-Packard, $4,986 and Apple, $4,277.85.

• The street department is paying $4,501.65 to Keystone Equipment for the repair of the tire loader.

• The police department is getting property and evidence software from Tracker Products at a cost of $4,755.80. The software will have an annual renewal rate of $2,000.

• The city is paying InterTribal Software Consultants $3,804 for a renewal of Laserfiche software support and maintenance from Feb. 17 to

Feb. 17, 2011.

• Chelsea Keen resigned from her child watch position at PCRC.