Lawton City Council to look at lakes improvement projects, new streets for mill and overlay

City Council members will look at $3 million worth of improvements proposed for recreation areas at city lakes when they meet today in a regular session that marks a return to a 6 p.m. start time.

Members also will consider approving a new list of mill and overlay street projects, as the city continues efforts to upgrade deteriorating city streets. Both items will rely on identifying funding sources, city staff said.

The lakes presentation, directed by the council itself, will allow Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks and Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk to outline projects designed to improve amenities or add new areas to concession areas on Lake Lawtonka and Lake Ellsworth. Council members have been mulling over potential ideas since completion of a lakes master plan last year, with specific emphasis to be given to what Halff Associates said is the city’s premiere concession because of its size and location: School House Slough on the east shore of Lake Lawtonka.

The city assumed operations of that concession when long-time operator Kent Waller retired Dec. 31, 2022, after running the popular area for 25 years. Earlier this year, the council approved an operations contract with Juan Rodriguez, who will run the concession’s general store and fueling system for the next five years. But, the council and city staff have been looking at other amenities there, as well the needs of other concession areas.

In their agenda commentary, Burk and Parks said city staff has met with the Lakes and Land Commission, outlining improvements crafted with an emphasis on “on identifying potential revenue generating improvements while addressing the most pressing deficiencies.” With council approval, city staff said it wants to initiate the process to complete that work, “subject to the availability of funding.”

Several projects are tied to School House Slough, including the most expensive: $1.25 million for road improvements, including work needed in the East Campgrounds. Many of the driving areas are deeply rutted, with little to no driving surface. A second proposal, estimated at $650,000, would build a parking area in School House Slough’s boat ramp area.

Other proposed projects include:

• Install bathrooms/showers in the East Campgrounds; estimated cost, $450,000 to install a pre-cast facility.

• Build dry stalls at Robinson’s Landing (Lawtonka) and Ralph’s Resort (Ellsworth); $180,000 each for 60-foot by 120-foot facilities that would hold 20 stalls each.

• Install sewer lift stations at School House Slough and Ralph’s Resort; $200,000.

• Replace/repair the roof and ceiling of the Ralph’s Resort store; $70,000.

• Add/replace dumpsters at both lakes; $30,000 for 40 new dumpsters.

• Architectural fees to redesign School House Slough and the East Campgrounds to incorporate new infrastructure and new camping sites; $60,000.

In other business, the council will act on a recommendation from its Streets and Bridges Committee to set a new list of streets in place that can be improved with mill and overlay. The process grinds off the top layer of asphalt and applies a fresh coat, providing a smoother driving surface while also giving the street another eight years of life.

Ward 4 Councilman George Gill, chairman of the Streets and Bridges Committee, said the process is a good way to improve city streets at less cost because mill and overlay is significantly less expensive than a complete street rebuild.

T&G Construction already has begun work on the final 15 streets in what had been the first of 40 streets included in the city’s mill and overlay program. Gill said the committee’s recommendation comes with the caveat that approval depends on identifying a funding source to cover the entire $6.6 million cost. City officials said approval of the Capital Improvements Program Extension proposal could provide those funds, through a one-quarter-percent permanent tax restricted to streets and bridges.