Targeting issues and problems within the city’s infrastructure is becoming increasingly easier and more precise.

Mark Masoner of True North Mapping and Solutions addressed the Kingfisher city commission last Tuesday at its October regular meeting.

Masoner’s Ada-based company was hired to map the city’s electric, water and sewer systems through GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping.

He showed on a large screen the progress made in mapping the city’s utility systems since the process began in March.

He thanked the city personnel for providing “excellent support and service” to the project and said the city could now troubleshoot issues and problems as they occurred with pinpoint accuracy.

When asked by Mayor Geoff Covalt if that system could work in conjunction with the Nighthawk company’s automatic metering system that is also being installed throughout the city, Masoner said it would be very easy for both companies to accommodate.

Joining Covalt at the meeting were Vice Mayor Jeff Wittrock and commissioner Debbie Burpo.

Commissioners Dawn Taylor and Kyle Mecklenburg were unable to attend the meeting.

Also present were City Manager Jim Thomas, City Clerk Brittney Hladik, City Treasurer Anita James and City Attorney Jared Harrison.

Representatives from Kingfisher Winter Nights were in attendance asking for the approval for the use agreement of Kingfisher Park and storage space.

KWN lighted Christmas displays will be open for the public to view from Nov. 30 through Dec. 28.

The commissioners approved the usage agreement.

In a related measure, commissioners approved repairs to the train track in the park, which is heavily used for the duration of KWN’s time at the park.

A representative from the American Track company, which repairs small train tracks in the state, was at the meeting and discussed his appraisal of the park’s tracks.

He presented a proposal for repairing the track for the price of $59,824.87.

Thomas recommended that the commissioners approve the expense, as there were several areas of the track in bad condition.

Thomas said although city employees had made spot repairs off and on over the past several years, the tracks were now in such condition that they need a thorough repair job by professionals to ensure the train can be used nightly during the KWN season.

He said the company comes highly recommended from the City of Woodward and the Tulsa Zoo.

The commissioners unanimously approved the repair project with the understanding that all work would be complete before Nov. 30.

In other business, the commissioners unanimously approved the donation of 2019 Dodge Charger vehicle from the Kingfisher Police Department to Kingfi sher Public Schools.

Thomas said the vehicle would be repurposed so staff from the school system would be able to drive from different campuses in something other than their own personal vehicles, which is now the case.

He said the police department decals and lettering would be removed from the vehicle and school decals and wording will be applied.

They also unanimously approved the sale as surplus of a 2017 Dodge Charger from the police department through public auction.

Two payments to Atlas Paving were also approved for the Starlite Drive and Will Rogers Avenue projects for $168,744.01 and $237,496.74.

Covalt commented that the jobs were not completely done, with white paint striping and a few other details yet to be completed.

The commissioners approved the annual payment of $88,370.00 for property and liability insurance with Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG).

The commissioners also approved the Airport Authority’s purchase of $14,000 in aviation fuel at $3.58 per gallon.

During the financial report, James said expenses and income were following very close to budget, with 25 percent of the fiscal year now complete.