MARLOW — In front of a packed council chambers the Marlow City Council approved the possible action of seeking a request for proposals for debris removal and possible disposal service in connection with the ice storm that came through Marlow Jan. 28.

Marlow City Manager Janice Cain said that the council will be accepting proposals at this time.

“We have over 20 proposals that have been sent to us for debris removal and possible disposal services,” Cain said. “We are looking at each of these proposals carefully and seeing which can be the best for us. We are not seeking the lowest bidder for this project but the one that will do the best job for us.”

Another action being taken on repairs from the ice storm was the approval of bids received for the roof replacements at City Hall, the Nutrition Center and at Garland Smith Public Library.

“United Contractor was the lowest bidder for replacing the Nutrition Center’s roof and City Hall’s roof for $41,999,” Cain said. “The Garland Smith Public Library roof will be replaced by J & L Construction for $11,625.”

Throughout the meeting Cain and other members of the council commended the people of Marlow for all that they had done during the ice storm.

“I can not say enough for the people here in Marlow,” Cain said. “They showed so much hospitality to those who came in to work on our power lines and told them how grateful they were for them. That says a lot about the people that we have here in Marlow.”

Cain also stated that because of the ice storm the council members and city workers were able to assess what needed to be worked on.

“This was a first for a lot of us and we came out of it stronger,” Cain said. “We have assessed the strengths and weaknesses during the storm and have come out more prepared in case there is another one in the future.”

The council also recognized Cain for her work with the Code Red program.

Marlow became the newest city to join the communications program, “Code Red,” that could save lives in case of natural or other disasters. Code Red is a reverse 911 call system, in which mass phone calls would be made through the city’s dispatch services to residents who have signed up for contact.

“It was important for communication to be kept with the people of Marlow,” Cain said. “We had people who left town and with the Code Red program they could be kept aware of any updates.”

The council also approved the Delta Community Action to submit a grant application for the Home Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Housing Program as Administration. “We were chosen by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to develop homes in Marlow,” Cain said. “Delta Community Action will be administrating the process.”

Cain said that Marlow has been involved with this program in the past and that the council was happy to make the approval.

“In the past we have rehabbed nine other homes here in Marlow,” Cain said. “We were pleased to approve Delta Community Action with this opportunity.”

The Council also recognized Chris Bullard for his 25 years of service to the City of Marlow as the City Clerk.

Bullard was presented with a plaque which he responded by thanking everyone in attendance for be present.

“I feel honored for being recognized by the council,” Bullard said. “It has been a pleasure working with each of the members of the council.”



— Matt Tillson is a reporter for the Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 142 or via e-mail matt.tillson@duncanbanner.com.