McAlester meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

McAlester Council to weigh lodging tax, water payments; no decisions yet from recent meetings

No decisions have been reported from McAlester government meetings held over the past two weeks, as minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential item on the horizon is the City Council's Aug. 25 meeting, which will consider raising the lodging tax to 10% and approving water system payments.

Recent meetings (agenda only)

City Council — Aug. 11

The council's agenda included filling the Ward 4 seat vacated by Mike Brooks, with Janet Wansick named as the proposed appointee, and a resolution calling a special election on Nov. 3, 2026, for a proposed tax ordinance. The council also considered budget amendments, zoning code changes, and fire department equipment purchases, including $8,910.00 for 10 hand-held radios from Muskogee Communications and $665.00 for five Barriair Hoods from Casco Industries. An application to the OLDCC for a Regional Water Supply Resilience and Capacity Planning Initiative was also on the agenda.

Audit and Finance Advisory Committee — Aug. 13

The committee's special meeting agenda included presentations on the city's pension actuarial funding report and GASB financial reporting statements by Marsh & McLennan Agency, and a report on non-uniform pension investments by Morgan Stanley. Possible action on the investment report was listed, but no minutes have been published.

Firefighter Pension Board — Aug. 14

The board met to consider a retirement application for Brett Brewer and to approve minutes from an Aug. 4, 2025 special meeting. No action has been reported.

Planning Commission — Aug. 18

The commission held a public hearing on renaming McAlester Archery Park at 2350 W Highway 270 to The Bill Derichsweiler Archery Park. The agenda also included a progress report on the Land Development Code Update Project and ethics training. Minutes from the July 21 meeting were on the consent agenda.

Upcoming meetings

City Council — Aug. 25, regular meeting

The council will hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance to increase the lodging tax to 10%, with revenue allowed for tourism and economic development. It will also consider an ordinance amending cemetery board rules, final payments of $112,240.40 for Kinkead Water System Improvements (DWSRF Project #13), Change Order #1 for $66,750.00 for Choctaw Water System Improvements (DWSRF Project #20A), and a sidewalk café permit for Urban Wineworks at 115 E Choctaw Ave.

City Council — Aug. 25 workshop

A separate workshop will discuss four items: whether to dissolve the Parking Authority Trust or appoint new board members, whether to seek voter approval for a 1% sales tax increase for street repairs, the Community Advisory Committee's status and potential future ordinances, and filling Parks Board vacancies. No official action is scheduled.

Coming up

• **City Council regular meeting** — Aug. 25, agenda includes lodging tax, water payments, and cemetery board changes.
• **City Council workshop** — Aug. 25, discussion on parking authority, sales tax, and advisory committee.

Both meetings are open to the public. Official agendas and minutes are available from the city clerk's office.

McAlester City Council lined up property purchases, TIF talks, and firefighter contract negotiations in late July

McAlester's City Council and advisory boards held a packed schedule of meetings in late July, with agendas covering real estate purchases totaling more than $530,000, Tax Increment Financing discussions, firefighter contract negotiations, and several zoning and variance matters. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration — not confirmed outcomes.

City Council — July 28: Property purchases and budget amendments

The McAlester City Council's July 28 agenda included several real estate and financial items:

• **Purchase of 326 E Carl Albert Parkway** from Union Iron Works DBA Bemac Supply for **$365,000.00**.
• **Purchase of 2227 Green Meadows Circle** for **$169,155.00**.
• **Final payment of $213,936.65** to Mayer Specialty Services, LLC for Airport Stormwater Improvements Phase 1.
• An ordinance to amend the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget.
• An ordinance amending the City Manager's Defined Contribution retirement plan.

The agenda also referenced a friendship agreement with a municipality in Italy. No minutes are available yet, so it is not confirmed which items received final approval.

City Council — July 21: TIF boundaries, appointments, and firefighter negotiations

The July 21 City Council agenda included discussion and possible action on several items:

• Establishing **Tax Increment Financing (TIF) boundaries** and methods for creating incentives for the TIF program.
• Appointing **Shelly Howard** to fill a vacancy.
• Setting the council meeting schedule.
• Approving meeting minutes.

A separate General agenda for July 21 scheduled the council's annual ethics training, presented by Christian Rinehart of the Oklahoma Municipal League, followed by an executive session to discuss negotiations with the International Association of Firefighters on the FY 2026–2027 collective bargaining agreement. Any actions from that executive session could be taken in open session.

Planning Commission — July 21: Subdivision plat and rezoning

The McAlester Planning Commission was scheduled to discuss a final plat for the 'Wallace Shops' Subdivision and hold public hearings on:

• **Rezoning 321 W Adams** from **R-1B to C-2**.
• An ordinance amending **Chapter 62 Article II Division 3** regarding the **Board of Adjustment**.

The commission also had approval of its June 16, 2026 regular meeting minutes on the agenda. The meeting was set for McAlester City Hall – Council Chambers, 28 E. Washington.

Board of Adjustment — July 21 and July 29: Variance for 210 W Monroe Avenue

The McAlester Board of Adjustment had variance request BA #206 on its agenda for 210 W Monroe Avenue. The applicant seeks relief from front yard setback (25 feet) and side yard setback (5 feet) requirements in the R-1B Single-Family Residential District.

The July 21 agenda listed a public hearing on the variance and approval of June 22, 2026 special meeting minutes. The July 29 agenda listed a public hearing on the same variance, consideration of July 21, 2026 special meeting minutes, and staff reports.

What this means for residents

The property purchases and budget amendments on the July 28 agenda involve public funds and could affect city assets and services. The TIF discussions could shape how the city uses tax incentives for future development. The firefighter collective bargaining negotiations relate to employment terms for fire department personnel. The rezoning request at 321 W Adams and the variance at 210 W Monroe Avenue could affect land use in those neighborhoods.

Coming up

August 4 — City Council (TIF Committee): The Peaceable Road Project TIF Committee will meet to hear a presentation from Variant Investments, discuss the possible length of the TIF, and hold an executive session regarding economic development for the project. Residents interested in how tax increment financing may be used for the Peaceable Road Project may want to attend.