LAWTON - The City Council recently approved measures that addressed drug prevention, rental of public space, a mutual aid agreement, and abatement of weeds, litter and dilapidated structures throughout town.
The City of Lawton, in partnership with the Comanche County Health Department, will apply for a grant from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board to finance opioid prevention efforts in the community.
The council approved a resolution that discontinues the practice of renting public spaces in City Hall.
In 2011 the city established fees for rental of space in the City Hall building. “Initially renting these public spaces was a great success,” Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk informed the council. “However, the level of interest in renting spaces at City Hall has dwindled significantly over the year,” particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Just one rental of chairs and tables and two rentals of City Hall spaces have been logged since June 2022, Burk said. None of Lawton’s six peer cities rents space in their City Hall building to the public, he added.
Neighborhood Services needs more contractors for its nuisance abatement program, Supervisor Josh White reported. In response, the council approved contracts with Tahah Lawncare & Landscaping of Geronimo and Joe s Backhoe Service of Lawton.
In a related matter, the council followed the recommendation of Parks & Recreation Director Larry Parks and awarded mowing and litter control contracts to Sonrise Adult & Teen Challenge, from Cache, and to Lawn Wizards, of Lawton.
The total cost for the mowing and litter control contracts for the next 12 months will be $1,434,000, records show.
The council also endorsed a Law Enforcement Services Mutual Aid Agreement between the City of Lawton and Lawton Public Schools.
The agreement authorizes LPS officers to enforce municipal criminal and traffic ordinances on school property and on specific streets, highways, roads, alleys and easements immediately adjacent to school property.