Crews are nearing completion of a project to replace 19 fire hydrants throughout Kingfisher.

The city commission last Tuesday unanimously approved the final invoice for installing the hydrants, which came in slightly over initial projections.

Risers had to be added to 13 of the 19 hydrants, which tacked an additional $5,850 for materials and installation.

The initial cost approved was $30,000 to Ryburn Construction Services to install 20 hydrants at $1,500 per hydrant.

Only 19 hydrants will have been installed ($28,500) and the added costs push the total to $34,350.

The project was aided by a grant from the Northern Oklahoma Development authority, which helped cover half of the initial costs.

Slezickey said one installation remains and city crews are also going back to clean up yards where previous installs have been made.

That approval came in the new business portion of the October regular meeting agenda.

Commissioners also approved the consent docket, which contained two facility use agreements with

Kingfisher Winter Nights.

One was for use of Oklahoma Park and the other a storage barn.

The agreements are the same used each year since Kingfisher Winter Nights began and run from Nov. 1 through March 1, said City Manager Dave Slezickey.

In scheduled business, commissioners approved an ordinance to vacate the north and south alley of Block 49, which is on the west side of the former First United Methodist Church at the corner of U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 33.

The ordinance was requested by Casey’s General Store, which plans a convenience store at that location.

Preliminary demolition work has already begun at the site, Slezickey said.

In other scheduled business moves, commissioners:

• Approved an invoice of $16,905 from Area Construction and Remodeling of Kingfisher for painting, carpentry and repairs to the new police station, which is the former Department of Human Services office.

Slezickey told commissioners the police department has begun moving some stuff over to the new building. “We’re hoping to be in by Thanksgiving,” he said of the complete move.

• Tabled approval of a conditional use permit for a metal building at 2401 S. 14th St. Although the planning and zoning board had approved the permit on its end, commissioners said they wanted more information on the proposed structure before approving.

• Approved the annual property and liability insurance policy with Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG). The policy is for $53,387, which is about $1,200 above last year’s cost.

Slezickey said the increase was due in part to the new police building and the upgraded playground equipment at the park (Playground of Dreams).

• Set Nov. 16 as the date for the city planning retreat.

• Declared a 1981 Ford 445 backhoe and 1990 Chevrolet one-ton flatbed dump truck as surplus. Both vehicles were used by the Cemetery Department and had recently been replaced with upgraded models.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Bill Tucker, Wendell Prim, Kyle Mecklenburg and Mayor Roxie Alexander.

Commissioner Richard Reynolds was absent.