Kingfisher’s city commission is not yet at full strength.

Commissioners on Monday voted to table the appointment of a new commissioner to fill the void left by Geoff Covalt.

Covalt’s seat came open at a meeting last month when he was appointed mayor, a position that was left open upon the previous resignation of Roxie Alexander.

Commissioner Dawn Taylor could not attend Monday’s meeting due to illness, so Covalt and commissioners Debbie Burpo and Kyle Mecklenburg voted to delay the selection process until the October meeting when Taylor would be able to attend.

A brief ceremony was held to show appreciation to Alexander for her dedication to the community.

Alexander first served as a city commissioner before being elected mayor in 2020. Her term was due to expire in April 2024, but she resigned earlier this year due to health reasons.

In action items Monday, the commissioners voted to level the bathrooms at Shaw Park and approved going out for bid on improved bathroom facilities immediately.

City Manager Jim Thomas told the commissioners that he had visited Shaw Park and felt the community deserved “much better” restroom facilities than were currently standing.

“I think this is long overdue and with the splash pad operating for children now, Shaw Park has many more families visiting it and this community deserves first-rate restroom facilities,” he said.

The commissioners also approved to pay MA+ Architecture $20,000 for the programming and preliminary work done regarding the new proposed fire station.

The commissioners had voted earlier this year to put the project out for bid again after deciding to build a larger structure.

The $20,000 amount was the bill submitted by MA+ Architecture for all work done to date.

The commission also approved the collective bargaining agreement with the IAFF (firefighters union) Local 3434.

The Planning and Zoning Board recommended that Lot 9, Block 2 of the Kingfisher Industrial Park south of town be rezoned from Industrial-1 to Commercial- 2 for the construction of a proposed physical activity-workout facility by Alberto Muñoz.

The commissioners approved that request.

In other business, the commissioners approved the purchase of 21 additional 30- and 40-foot electrical poles for a total $24,786 and also the purchase and installation from Dale’s 81 Electric in Kingfisher of a three-phase generator to power the electrical plant to light the facility when the electricity goes down.

The cost of the generator was listed at $24,789.96.

Thomas commented that his first 60 days on the job had been very rewarding, and he remained very encouraged and impressed by the work ethic and cooperation shown by city employees.