Pool staff honored at Council meeting; 6th Street Project updated

The Blackwell City Council convened last Thursday night for their first August meeting where the staff of the Blackwell Memorial Pool was recognized as employees of the month in light of their service through the summer which was cut tragically short by the vandalism that shut the pool down in July.

The meeting began with City Manager Jerry Wieland recognizing the pool staff.

“This season was a great success,” said Wieland, “we appreciate your attention to detail in helping to catch that unfortunate incident. We will make the pool better next year, and we all just want to say thank you.”

Next the council heard from department heads.

Brad Severson, Code Enforcement, noted that Hutton Pharmacy had just completed their final inspection and would be opening shortly at their new location on Doolin. Steverson also notified the council that CMC had just installed their new system and expansion and would be bringing more jobs to Blackwell.

New signs at various businesses were also coming to Doolin. Pizza Hutt is also moving along with their planned drive-through window.

Blackwell Fire Department Chief Cory Hanebrink was not present for the meeting and in his place was the newly appointed Assistant Fire Chief Seth Brown who informed the council that thanks to the department’s new state-of-the-art drone they were able to assist in finding a missing person in Grant County.

Blackwell Public Library’s Director of Operations Talyn Spence then gave her report to the Council, informing them of their increased library card enrollment as well as their food box program which just ended last week as well as their annual Summer Reading Program which also came to a close in July.

“The Food Program was great,” Spence said, “the issue was how quickly they went, but it was a great program.” Spence said the Library distributed a total of 3,000 meals to the community through the boxes.

Next the Council heard from Street Department Manager Chuck Anderson who showed his appreciation for the Blackwell Memorial Pool staff and all the work they did through the summer.

“They did a really good job for this being the management’s first year. The better job they do, the easier my life is.”

Anderson informed the council that the Street & Parks Department redid the train tracks on Blackwell Avenue- “They’re not perfect, but they’re a lot better than they were.”

The Street & Parks Department also began their expansive 6th Street Project at Ferguson and are hoping to get to Blackwell Avenue by the winter.

Electric Department Manager Greg Sixkiller congratulated Anderson and the Street & Parks Department on their work during his report.

Of note, the night’s major item was Ordinance 2024-14 which establishes that a customer within the City of Blackwell pays for an upfront service and installation fee of electrical services over 200 amps.

The funds from his will go into much-wanted improvements to the City of Blackwell’s electrical grid and systems.

“This isn’t a unique situation,” said Greg Sixkiller, “this has been the practice of several electrical co-ops for many years. We used to pay the upfront cost, but with inflation and increased costs of everything, this is now a common practice to recoup costs.”

“200 amps is more than anyone needs, this won’t impact residential customers,” said City Attorney Bryce Kennedy. Sixkiler concurred.

“There’s maybe 2 customers right now that use over 200 amps,” said Sixkiller, “75% of customers are only 100 amps. More people are going to 200, but even new houses being built are only 100 amps. I don’t see this effecting very many people at all.”