City Council to discuss new concessionaire for Ralph’s Resort

City of Lawton administrators are trying to identify a new operator/manager for the Ralph’s Resort concession on Lake Ellsworth.

City Council members, also acting in their capacity as the Lawton Water Authority, will listen to discussions about a new concessionaire today, when Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk provides a briefing on four proposals submitted for management and operation of that concession area. The current operators have said they will not renew their long-time lease when the current one expires Dec. 31, potentially marking the first time in decades the Perry family has not operated Ralph’s Resort.

Burk said earlier this month the city had solicited proposals from potential operators and has four to consider, with administrators seeking input from the council/water authority on what they want. Proposals range from a Perry grandson to the man who took over operations of the School House Slough convenience store and fueling system earlier this year.

When council members looked at the issue earlier this month, some discussion centered on whether the store should be repaired, or demolished and replaced with another structure because damage in the existing facility is so extensive. Council members ultimately decided they wanted a business plan in place before deciding on the building, and business plans were part of each proposal submitted by the four individuals/entities.

They included Ralph’s Family Resort LLC (David McCall), Lawton, continuation of the existing $1,000 annual fee plus 2 percent of gross, then increases in future years; Chris Bartlett (a Perry grandson), Elgin, $1,500 per year plus 3 percent of sales; Michael C. Greer, Apache, $4,000 and 5 percent of profits; and Schoolhouse Slough Convenience Store (Juan Rodriquez, who is operating the School House Slough store and fueling system), 5 percent after the first $75,000 from gross sales and lease payments received.

Each proposal included business plans for the concession area, to restore what is there and/or make improvements.

In another item started at the Nov. 5 council meeting, members will vote to amend the city code that sets the start time for regular council meetings.

Existing code sets that start time at 2 p.m., stemming from a decision the council made in 2020 to move what had been an evening evening for decades to afternoon. Earlier this year, the council voted to return to evening sessions, and has been meeting at 6 p.m. since August.

After extensive discussion at the Nov. 5 meeting about whether to return to that 2 p.m. time — and when — council members directed city staff to bring back an amended ordinance. But, they also indicated that meeting time will be re-evaluated in February, or six months after the 6 p.m. “trial” period began. City officials said last week the council’s original intent was for a six-month period at 6 p.m., then a re-evaluation to decide whether it would continue.

In other business, the council will consider amending its policies on harassment and sexual harassment, further defining some actions and directives for each.

City administrators said the council’s policy on sexual harassment has not been amended since November 1995. The new policy will further define sexual harassment and the various forms it may take (verbal, non-verbal, physical), and expand who will be covered by the policy. The process also includes some refinements to procedures to make complaints, and adds a section on city employees and their interaction with citizens or other non-employees.

In addition to definitions, the policy outlines how to make a complaint and to whom, as well as how complaints are to be investigated. It includes a separate procedure for complaints against the mayor, council members, and appointed officials or employees hired by the council.

The same procedures are in place for the policy on harassment, last updated in October 2023. But, the policy needs to reflect the “significant changes” in protected classes, as well as bullying that occurs in the work place, officials said. The updated policy, while defining harassment, bullying and harassing conduct, also adds interactions with citizens.