The East Central Oklahoma Family Healthcare facility to be located in Henryetta took another step forward Monday when the lease agreement was approved.
Donna Dyer, administrator of the Wetumka-based organization, said she has been working with the Health resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as well as EPA and ODEQ to meet requirements for the facility. It is going to be built on land at the Shurden-Liest reclamation site.
She said a ground-breaking ceremony will be held in December or January. Construction is expected to start in April 2017 and take about a year to complete.
“I’m excited and my board is excited about the project,” she said.
It is expected to cost around $1.4 million with the majority of the funding coming from a grant from the HRSA.
When completed, the new facility will consolidate operations currently in two buildings already operating in Henryetta.
“It will be very state of the art,” she said. “We are totally electronic medical records.” She said there will be 12 exam rooms, a dental facility and x-ray facility.
“This will be something the city can be proud of,” she added. Some 30 people are projected to be employed when the facility is completed.
That agreement was made at a special city council meeting Monday afternoon.
At that same meeting, the council submitted the names of mayor Jennifer Clason, and council members Shannon Scott and Janna Duggan to be considered for the Okmulgee County Jail Board.
Council member Ronnie Duke had been nominated to be a member but was turned down. “According to the jail board it had to be the mayor,” he said. “They lied on that situation because Audie Cole served on that and Richard Larney served after he had stepped down as mayor.” he charged the board, “wanted somebody on there that would be a yes man.”
The three names were submitted and one selected by county commissioners.
In final action, the council disbanded the Henryetta Parks Board.
City attorney John Insabella pointed out there was not a need for an actual board when an individual or committee can make recommendations. “There just doesn’t seem to be a need for a board.”
“They are an advisory board only,” Clason said. She said by being a committee the group can give recommendations as well as not be obligated to follow the open meeting requirements.
Several times meetings could not be held due to a lack of a quorum.
“I think more people would be inclined to be involved if it is a committee,” she said. They could meet at any time or any place.”
“We want them to continue doing what they are doing,” Duggan said.
“They will still send recommendations to the city,” she added.
Duggan expressed concerned that there could be more than one committee.
“Any individual can come before the council,” Clason said.