Hooker City Council Meeting: 05/01/25, 6:30 pm 

• Approve/Disapprove:  

• Purchase Order via Consent Agenda.

• Cost Abnormality addressed by Mayor.

• An unexplained expenditure was validated by the mayor.

• The mayor's uncle required emergency maintenance for his equipment.

• New Tire for a Skid-Steer.

• APPROVED.

• Treasurer’s Report: 

• Council members inquired about the state of fuel sales, and fuel storage levels at the Hooker City Airport.

• Currently undetermined; fuel panel reading is scheduled for Monday.

• Budget Report: 

• N/A.

• There was no discrepancy or concern raised regarding the state of the budget.

• Department Head Reports: 

• Library Department: 

• Library-to-receive grant money from the county.

• This grant has not been applied for in 7 years.

• This was evidently due to difficulty in applying, though the Library Head said she had no issue.

• Application Filed.

• Invoice Submitted.

• “It was not even difficult.”

• The money received can ONLY be used for new books.

• Estimate Funds:

• $500.00.

• Maintenance Department: 

• The Sprinkler used to maintain the landfill was fixed today.

• The pool is filled and open.

• The pool's paint is chipping and needs repainting for next season.

• The pool is still under warranty.

• Police Department: 

• The District Attorney is paying for A-1 classes for officers.

• Department received $1,000 from the District Attorney from Cash Seizures.

• K-9 Police Sub-Department: 

• It’s been a slow month.

• Officers built training walls for the dogs.

• The walls were commented to be of high quality.

• Code Enforcement Department: 

• Issue documentation this month:

• 5 Permits.

• 1 Cleanup Letter.

• Fire/EMS Department: 

• Renovation planned on the main building.

• Pour of concrete to stabilize & reinforce foundation.

• A water meter needed to be moved during.

• New Ambulance:

• The vehicle was reported to enter the production line today.

• It is estimated to be slightly less than a year to complete.

• Project supported with funds provided by Texas County.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Approval of Purchase:

• Police Tahoe Vehicle.

• Not yet fitted for K-9 duties.

• Additional cost required to upfit the vehicle for K-9 Unit use.

• Work will include structural refit, installation of additional systems, and installation of a kennel.

• Additional Cost:

• $11,000.00.

• Total Estimated Cost:

• $56,000.00.

• Motion:

• Regarding Purchase Request:

• Purchase of Police Tahoe approved for an amount up to:

• $60,000.00.

• Purchased vehicles must be below 50,000 miles.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Approval of Purchase:

• Tack Oil.

• For Chip Sealing Project.

• County Commissioners inspected several problem roads in Hooker.

• The roads in-question need repair, with large chunks missing in several areas.

• Most of the damage is on the road's edges; along the gutters.

• In need of Chipping.

• Tack Oil Cost:

• Approximately $14,000.00 per truckload.

• Project to-begin:

• 05/13/25. 

• Overall Project Cost:

• $28,000.00 to $30,000.00.

• Motion:

• Approved for an amount up to:

• $30,000.00.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Regarding City Improvements:

• Location:

• Valley Gutter.

• Glaydas Street.

• Hooker, OK.

• The current Slope of the gutter is too deep; damaging vehicles that cross it and generally hindering transit in-town.

• The improvement plans are to widen the gutter to reduce its slope.

• Will replace sections with concrete and rebar.

• New gutter should follow the same water flow line.

• Should have the same drain effect and prevent flooding.

• Council Members were concerned about the effect of the slope on low-riding vehicles that will be present at the annual Hooker Car Show.

• Low-riders, and older vehicles such as the Model-T.

• APPROVED.

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Appointment to Position:

• Molly Baird.

• Pool Employee.

• Hooker City Pool.

• APPROVED.

• Mayor’s Report: 

• The mayor expressed thanks to the TX County Commissioners for the constant help they provide resolving various issues throughout the year.

• New Business: 

• N/A.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker Municipal Authority Meeting: 05/01/25, 6:30 pm 

• Treasurer’s Report: 

• N/A,  

• No notable items/issues present on report.

Old Business: 

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Regarding the city's Sewer Rates & Expenses, and all items related to.

• Inquiry from Council Members:

• What is the cause of this discrepancy?

• Costs were high in 2020.

• Costs were low in 2023.

• Reasoning:

• A one-time-event:

• A pipe burst and took time to repair.

• A broad swath of Sewer Expenses was grouped together.

• Council members debate about approving an arbitrary raising of sewer expenses when no outstanding need is present.

• The Sewer lines will need replacement eventually.

• Money will need to be set aside to address this eventually.

• Landfill Sprinkler.

• Is a 1970’s model.

• Is vital equipment but is outdated.

• Potential increase:

• 5% ($0.75) increase to conduct replacement of sewer infrastructure in the future.

• Motion:

• 5% increase in sewer expenses.

• For this year, and 5 years afterward.

• For the purpose:  

• capital improvements on city infrastructure.

• NO ACTION.

• There was no Second to the initial motion.

Agenda Items: 

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Regarding the city's Gas System, and all items related to.

• To be readdressed at a later date.

• It is too early for the Gas Index.

• NO ACTION.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Amendment of Standards:

• Gas Sales Contract:

• West Texas Gas, LLC.

• Gas Marketing Dept.

• A change in transport fees:

• Current Fees:

• $0.85 per MMBtu (British Thermal Units).

• New Fees:

• $0.95 per MMBtu (British Thermal Units).

• West Texas Gas is changing the contract.

• “Hooker doesn’t really have a choice if they want gas.”

• APPROVED.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker City Council Meeting: 04/03/25, 6:30pm 

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Approval of previous meetings minutes.

• March 3, 2025.

• APPROVED.

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Purchase Orders.

• Via Consent Agenda.

• Includes “Cemetery Chemical Spray Treatment”.

• APPROVED.

• Treasurer’s Report: 

• Currently working on a Draw Down (official withdrawal on funds) with the Airport.

• Estimated Amount:

• $30,000.00 to $40,000.00.

• Budget Report: 

• Lawyer fees make up a noticeable chunk of the city’s recent expenses.

• Department Head Reports: 

• EMS Department:

• The city’s newly acquired ambulance is working well under recent function/stress testing.

• Library Department:

• A large amount of state & federal funding, initially provided to the library for various services, has been cut due to recent DOGE cutbacks.

• The library is struggling to source funding in the time before the government financials can balance out.

• Maintenance Department:

• The council members compliment the quality of the submitted report.

• The report is comprehensive, here are some key points:

• 22 tons of asphalt was recently acquired for road patching.

• 4 loads of caliche and gravel were recently acquired for road repairs.

• Chip Sealing Situation update:

• The state cannot fully conduct chip sealing work.

• The state requires that the city conduct the chip sealing preparation work.

• The state can conduct the bulk of chip sealing work after.

• Used oil is NOT a viable substitute for the oil required for chip sealing work.

• This was an inquiry by council members at prior meetings.

• Code Enforcement Department:

• Recently distributed documents to inform of recent code changes.

• An overall report was submitted to the council regarding recent incidents, and detailed changes.

• Police Department:

• A large amount of state & federal funding, initially provided to the Police Department for various services, has been cut due to recent DOGE cutbacks.

• K-9 Vehicle Situation updates:

• A used Tahoe is viable for purchase and retrofit as a K-9-unit vehicle.

• A local task force has an extra K-9 vehicle that they may be willing to sell.

• Ford Explorer (New).

Agenda Items: 

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Approval of Pool Employees.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Complaints:

• Rick McMichael.

• Need a speed bump in the area:

• Golf & Lorenz Street.

• East side of the street.

• Issue initially caused by unlicensed drivers.

• NO ACTION.

• The council requires more information on the area's property boundaries before deciding.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Complaint:

• Rick McMichael.

• Street is in terrible condition:

• Lorenz Street.

• NO ACTON.

• The street is already part of planned/ongoing improvements.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Resolution #2025-4:

• Amending landfill fees.

• Regarding changes to resident fees & non-resident fees.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Complaint:

• Al Loughridge.

• Alley behind the house is in terrible condition.

• 112 Memorial Street.

• NO ACTION.

• The original complaint was withdrawn due to improvement enacted by city maintenance staff.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Street Closure Request:

• For the Mesta Memorial Run.

• Broadway Street (Glaydas to Alley).

• April 19, 2025.

• 7:00 am to Noon.

• Presented by:

• Robin Cook.

• The HALO youth organization.

• The event will include food vendors (food trucks) to supply concessions to attendees of the event.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Bi-Weekly Hooker Market.

• The creation of a regular Farmers Market event to promote engagement in the community.

• Can promote economic growth for farmers and small businesses.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Appointment:

• Molly Clement.

• Ward 4 Representative.

• For an unexpired term.

• A Full 4-Year term.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Approval of Parks Sign Updates.

• Several signs in the city’s public parks have deteriorated significantly.

• Repair and replacement of these signs in needed:

• Current conditions:

• Falling and/or breaking apart.

• Losing paint, and/or unreadable.

• Outdated.

• Etc.

• Expected Cost:

• $2,700.00.

• Funds to-be taken from the financial windfall resulting from recycling efforts.

• APPROVED.

• Additional Park Signs added to the maintenance list.

• Amount allotted for project:

• Up to $4,900.00.

• New Business: 

• N/A.

• No new business presented by council members.

• Mayor’s Report: 

• The city has received a larger than average amount of complaints regarding the road DIP on Mainstreet.

• The DIP damages almost any vehicle that drives over it.

• Everyone in town hates the DIP.

• The DIP is necessary for proper water drainage on Mainstreet.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker Municipal Authority Meeting: 04/03/25, 6:30pm 

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Approval of previous meetings minutes.

• March 3, 2025.

• APPROVED.

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Purchase Orders.

• Via Consent Agenda.

• APPROVED.

• Treasurer’s Report: 

• The report clarified several expenses associated with civic improvements.

• APPROVED.

Agenda Items: 

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Regarding the city’s gas system & all items related thereto.

• NO ACTION.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Regarding the city's sewer system & all items related thereto.

• The city's rates are low when compared to the rates of other cities in the region.

• The city may need to increase fees to keep up with the other cities in the region.

• The mayor emphasized that the city’s focus should stay on whether the City of Hooker is losing money or not on the service, and NOT whether the city is keeping up with the region.

• The benefit of Hooker’s citizens should be a priority.

• However, the City of Hooker is losing money on several other services.

• An increase of rates of 5% over 5 years may be necessary.

• TABLED.

• The council requires more information before deciding on the sewer system.

• Regional economic conditions.

• The current system of rate & fees.

• Necessary & vital fees.

• Redundant fees.

• Etc.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker City Council Meeting: 03/03/25, 06:30 PM 

• Treasurer's Report: 

• Well installation is impacting city finances slightly.

• Budget Report: 

• Through 67% of the year so far.

• Attorney fees are the only noticeable expense this month.

• Fees for city utilities will need to be increased.

• City is losing money w/ current rates.

• Not sustainable.

• Issue placed on next meeting's agenda.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Ordinance 2025-1.

• Yearly deposit of funds.  

• For Volunteer Fire Department memberships.

• Notes:

• Has not been updated recently.

• $88.00 per person, per year.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Clean Up Week.

• April 15th – 19th 2025.

• Event:

• It is an annual event.

• Roll-offs conducted at Landfill.

• Open hours to-change April 1st. 

• APPROVED.

• Date set for April 22nd – 26th. 

• Discussion & Possible Action: 

• Equipment Purchase.

• Equipment:

• Police Chevy Tahoe.

• K-9 specifications.

• Update:

• Intended unit already purchased.

• New replacement found.

• Same model overall.

• Has a “Door Popper” system.

• System designed to automatically “pop-open” the vehicles doors in the case interior temperature reaches unsafe levels for the dog-officer.

• New vehicle is $8,000.00 cheaper.

• NO ACTION.

• The Police Chief will keep looking for an acceptable vehicle replacement.

• Department Head Reports: 

• Library Department:

• N/A.

• The Library Department Head did not attend the meeting.

• Absentee Notes:

• Dr. Suess & Dickens are planned for future readings.

• Library is receiving assistance from high school students.

• Many don't have money for projects at home; receiving aid instead by assisting the library.

• Maintenance Department:

• Regarding ongoing road repairs.

• Accounting department wishes for half-and-half material costs.

• The Accounting Department will pay for Chip Seal.

• The Maintenance Department will pay for Oil.

• Council made an inquiry on if “Used Motor Oil” would be viable for use in road repair.

• City and local farmers could supply large amounts for cheap.

• Department will potentially hire a welder to conduct repairs on deteriorating fences around public roadways.

• City Pool to-open soon.

• Underground water leak still needs to be repaired.

• Police Department:

• Recent multi-department search warrant was conducted in-town for drugs.

• Execution of warrant was very successful.

• Police Vehicle battery not charging properly.

• Model year:  

• 2018.

• Current Mileage:

• 78,000 Miles.

• Vehicle needs a new alternator.

• Vehicle may need a new ECU.

• Mayor Report: 

• City Pool opening soon.

• An individual is interested in the Pool Manager Position.

• State High School Basketball Tournament soon.

• This Thursday.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker Municipal Authority Meeting: 03/03/25, 6:30 PM

• Treasurer’s Report:

• No discrepancies found in the report.

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• Regarding the City Gas System.

• No gas index yet.

• Still processing.

• Updates:

• City water-tower now runs on a gas system.

• Gas line replacement/installation has completed.

ADJOURNED

Hooker City Council Meeting: 02/06/25, 6:30pm. 

• Approve/Disapprove: 

• Purchase Orders:

• Inquiry made by council members.

• 2 new expenses on the list.

• Response:

• Yearly 911 expenses.

• Costs increased this year due economic shifts.

• Treasurer's Report: 

• The city's general fund has increased this month.

• The increase was (partially) due to the sale of extracted natural gas.

• The council was in high spirits as a result of this information.  

• Department Head Reports: 

• Maintenance Department:

• 2 employees are out due to sickness.

• Work on repairing water leaks is delayed due to personnel shortages.

• New dump-truck has yet to be tested.

• Still undergoing preliminary maintenance.

• Maintenance Head recommends the purchase of a new dump trailer.

• City Landfill is no longer financially viable.

• Not cost effective.

• Specifically, “Roll-offs”.

• Issue raising prices as people would be motivated to flood the city dumpsters rather than dump properly.

• Landfill is filling up, necessitating more work to contain/expand it.

• Complicated by the lack of personnel and equipment.

• Seward County Waste Management is raising their pricing.

• This makes collaborative services w/ Hooker City Landfill more expensive.

• New fencing is ready for deployment.

• Community service workers to-be used in fence construction.

• Library Department:

• Department head recently attended a virtual group meeting hosted by the Oklahoma State Librarian.

• Meeting was regarding state regulations, and discussion on a new proposed state bill.

• New Oklahoma State Bill has been proposed that would allow the state to determine what media is classified as “illicit” or “Pornography”.

• State librarians are concerned as this bill (if passed) would allow the state to enact censorship.

• Library staff all passed/acquired state librarian certification.

• Police Department:

• City animal shelter is over-capacity.

• 7 dogs in-facility.

• Facility limit is 6 dogs.

• Several are Pitbulls.

• 1 Pitbull is pregnant.

• Department wishing to replace K-9 department vehicle.

• New “Tahoe” is selected as a possible replacement.

• $57,900.00.

• Department head recommends the lease-to-purchase program.

• Not preferred by council members.

• “I would rather get a bank loan.”

• City Clerk:

• City ordinances need to be revised.

• Specifically, a city ordinance that has been unchanged since 1984.

• Medical Department:

• Ambulance Report:

• 14 ambulance runs last month.

• 8 ambulance runs this month, so far.

• 4 ambulances run today.

• Agenda Items: 

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• Landfill fees.

• City is losing money on “Roll-off” services.

• Issue raising prices as people would be motivated to flood the city dumpsters rather than dump properly.

• Action:

• Acceptance of new proposed fee changes for the Hooker City Landfill.

• Fees are doubled for non-residents.

• Construction waste is no longer accepted.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• Gas Utility Deposit Fees.

• City needs to increase the initial deposit cost for new residents.

• Often, new residents leave without notifying anyone, or clearing their accounts/debts.

• The deposit usually cannot cover costs.

• Market gas prices are increasing.

• Action:

• Increase Gas Utility Deposit Fee.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• Water Utility Deposit Fees.

• City needs to increase the initial deposit cost for new residents.

• Often, new residents leave without notifying anyone, or clearing their accounts/debts.

• The deposit usually cannot cover costs.

• Action:

• Increase Water Utility Deposit Fee.

• APPROVED.

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• Change Credit Card Convenience Fee.

• Change:

• From 3% per transaction.

• To 3.5% per transaction.

• The change is needed due to variations in fee cost from different card providers.

• Visa charges more than necessary.

• Mastercard works fine.

• Discover works fine.

• No one uses American Express.

• Action:

• Increase the Credit Card Convenience Fee.

• From 3% per transaction.

• To 3.5% per transaction.

• APPROVED.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker Municipal Authority Meeting: 02/06/25, 6:30pm. 

• Agenda Items: 

• Discussion & Possible Action:

• The Hooker City Gas System.

• 900 feet of steel gas piping is being replaced.

• Work will continue once this section is completed.

• NO ACTION.

ADJOURNED 

Hooker Municiple Authority Meeting: 12/05/24, 6:30PM.

City Gas System Report:

o Price rose:

369.

Was 206.

o NO ACTION.

Chlorine Equipment to-be made surplus.

o Switched to Liquid-Chlorine system.

For City drinking water purification system.

o Replacing prior Gas-Chlorine system.

Was incredibly unsafe to use.

City worker was hospitalized.

o APPROVED.

Easement request from Aaron Witt.

o 124 W Glaydas St.

o To reroute sewer line to allow access for building drainage.

Original line (through building w/ deteriorating foundation) has been

shut down years ago.

Is now unusable.

Requestor wishes to establish new tap into nearby sewer line.

For the purpose of drainage.

Plans to reinforce building

Hooker City Council Meeting: 12/05/24, 6:30PM.

Department Head Reports:

o Maintenance:

Water Well No. 4 Broken.

Fixed.

City Driver completed back surgery.

Airport:

New gas pumps full paid-off.

o Cameras to-be installed to monitor gas pumps.

Gas Tanks required calibration.

o Cameras to-be installed to monitor gas tanks.

Cameras to-be installed on City Water Tower.

Stolen Trailer:

Trailer stolen from city storage.

o 16ft trailer.

City still investigating theft.

Insurance refuses to pay.

o Over 3 years old.

o Not properly secured.

Despite being in a locked storage yard.

Wire fence (potentially barbed wire) to-be installed around sewer

outlet to restrict access.

o Code Enforcement:

Request submitted for permission to demolish redundant corner-

building to allow room for renovation.

Requests to have fences built.

X2 requests.

o Police Report:

Recently conducted a city-wide drug sweep w/ K9 units.

Guymon provided addition K9 units to assist.

No drugs found.

Female dog w/ litter rescued.

7 were adopted by hooker residents.

The mother & rest of the litter were sent to rescue center in

Woodward.

New police Chest-Cams.

Have new Live-Access feature, allowing department officers

to-be directly monitored in-the-field live.

Full system (w/ infrastructure) to-be installed next week.

Page 2

o Ambulance Report:

Ambulance building renovation ongoing.

New carpet installed.

Currently working w/ Fire Marshal to ensure the building

meet mandated architecture code standards for Ambulance

storage buildings.

o Library Report:

New Microfilm Reader machines installed.

Includes training material on proper use.

New app integration:

“Libby” reading app.

Promoting app w/ training material regarding proper app use.

Promoting Amazon Wishlist for the Library.

Allows public crowd funding to support the library beyond

what city funding can provide.

o Day-to-day equipment.

o New books.

o Group programs.

To support the various free summer activities

the library hosts regularly.

Concerns over potential “Bad publicity”.

o “May seem like a government entity asking for

handouts.”

Agenda Items:

o Mowing Bids:

Park Mowing Bids.

X2 bids offered.

Winner: Kerr Mowing Services, ($19,500).

Golf Course Mowing Bids.

X2 bids offered.

Winner: Kerr Mowing Services, ($20,900).

Cemetery Mowing Bids.

X3 bids offered.

Winner: Kerr Mowing Services, ($19,000).

o Fire Department Application:

Greg Barnes.

Recently moved into town w/ his family.

Wishes to join the Hooker Fire Department.

Page 3

o All members of the Fire Department approved his

application.

APPROVED.

o Ordinance No. 2024-6:

Amending section 150.41 of Permit Fees.

To make it easier to adjust fees regularly.

Changes will be made w/ Resolutions rather than City

Ordinances.

Fee structures will be adjusted as-needed.

APPROVED.

o Potential Action:

Surplus on City Hall LED sign.

Technician reported, after inspection, that the board is

lighting components are likely fried.

o On-board computer is fine.

o Other components deteriorated (sun & weather).

o Not fixable.

o Need to buy a replacement.

Original was $11,000.

APPROVED.

Mayor Report:

o Highschool Football playoff game this friday.

Will attend state championship is Hooker wins.

o Sunday Cross-Country event.

Fundraiser.

A “Fancy Picture” to be available in the Silent Auction.