New School Resource Officer Hired and other Luther Town Trustees’ Action

Bison Blinds

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Terry Arps, a new Luther resident who attends meetings of the Luther Town Board of Trustees. He helped The Luther Register with this synopsis of the July 25 Special Board meeting. Highlights include the hiring of a new school resource officer, and likely appointment of a new Town Trustee. Thank you Mr. Arps for your citizen journalism for the Luther Register.

25 July 2019 Luther Board of Trustee Meeting by Terry Arps, citizen journalist.

ITEM:  A representative from Aberdeen Enterprizes gave a presentation on their company which provides collection services for court costs and fines.  Aberdeen already provides its service to 50 Oklahoma counties and 69 cities.  The presentation was favorably received and after extensive questioning, Trustees moved to a vote on action, Item 8.

Note:  Aberdeen finances its service at no cost to the city by adding a surcharge after the cost/fines are determined to be delinquent by Luther officials and submitted the company.  He takeaway is; If ticketed, pay your tickets in a timely manner and save the additional fee.

From Aberdeen’s website:

Our mission at Aberdeen Enterprizes II is to provide ways to resolve outstanding warrants, increase court recovery and reduce court costs, with a personal approach. We believe debtors can fully satisfy their debts by receiving respect, customized payment plans and direction to needed community resources from Aberdeen. We believe that counties and municipalities deserve a solution that generates additional revenue, while costing zero in collection expense and reducing court and jail costs.

Item 8:  Action was taken to Approve entering in a contract for Aberdeen to serve Luther as a new customer.

Item 9:  The signage at the old football fields had been researched to determine if Town of Luther (ToL) or the School District had controlling authority over the signs.  In collaboration with the School Board, Trustees voted to surplus the signs.

Item 10:  A final plan was for remodeling the vacant BancFirst building for use as a Town Hall / Police Station / Court Facility was accepted and Approved.  Solicitation of bids for the work may now move forward.

Item 11:  Unresolved citizen privacy and legal concerns resulted in a rejection and Disapproval of the submission by USTI to link Luther Court Records to LexisNexis for the town.

Item 12:  Discussion only of the Pros and Cons of a request by OG&E to provide their plant to the West potable water (for employee use only).  This would require extension of existing water pipelines to the North and West of current infrastructure.

Item 13:  Selection of a Town website service provider was Approved to Cavin Consulting.

Item 14:  Trustees Approved a bank lock box lease agreement allowing temporary access for BancFirst officials and residual safe deposit box (SDB) holders to transfer the content of their SDBs.

Item 15:  Mutual Cooperation Agreement between Edmond and Luther for Edmond to receive potentially adoptable animals; Approved.

Item 16:  Resume from Chelsea House for the position of Town of Luther Trustee was accepted and applicant was interviewed favorably.  Vote will be added to agenda of the next BoT meeting.

Item 17:  Officer Danielle Leonard was interviewed and Approved (hired) for the position as School Resource Officer. She has experience in corrections and is a former foster parent, and expressed excitement to serve in this role for Luther Public Schools. 

Item 18:  Ordinance No. 2019-17 was Approved for adoption.  The ordinance covers several offenses and penalties, and was modified to bring them in line with State guidelines and standards.

Item 19:  Utilization of an Emergency Clause for Ordinance 2019-17 was Approved, allowing the provision therein to take effect immediately.

New Business:

Steps forward for the Wildhorse Park Parks Project were discussed.  The Project includes a subsidized comprehensive concept and engineering plan for the upgrade and improvement of Luther parks facilities, and the Town will have to pitch in some funding for the engineering award with University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities. 

Thank you for reading, and participating in community news.