Published: October 06, 2008 11:48 pm         

Dog parks to be discussed tonight

Enid City Commissioners will discuss new dog park proposals and downtown parking challenges during the study session of the city commission today.

The study session begins at 5 p.m. in the lower level conference room at Enid Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Complex, 401 W. Garriott.

City commissioners have discussed establishing dog parks in two areas of town, both east and west sides. The parks were discussed along with potential locations at the Sept. 16 commission meeting.

The parks are to be designed as leash-free parks, where dogs would be allowed to roam and play, and owners will be responsible for cleaning up after the dogs.

At the September meeting, the commissioners discussed a location in Southern Heights for the east side dog park location, but no decisions have been made.

In other business, downtown parking spaces are in short supply, and the issue will be discussed by the city commission during the study session. Along with discussion of parking will be consideration of downtown parking fines. No decisions can be made during study sessions and the items are scheduled for discussion only.

Between the study session and the start of the regular meeting, Enid Fire Depart-ment will give a home fire sprinkler demonstration to the public. Fire Chief Phil Clover said the demonstration will be on the front lawn of city hall on the southwest corner. It is open to the public.

During the regular meeting, commissioners will discuss a workers compensation claim totaling $50,000 for Susan Nivison, a former Enid police officer.

Nivison is a 26-year police officer and in 2007 began having problems with her right shoulder, back and right hand. The city disputed the conditions were job-related, but the court determined injuries to her right shoulder and right hand were work-related and compensable, according to a memo from the city attorney’s office. Follow-ing surgery on her right shoulder the case was petitioned for $50,000 and all issues including continued medical treatment, temporary total disability, and permanent partial disability.

Commissioners also will discuss a resolution of a right-of-way agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the Willow and Oakwood roads improvement project.

The Willow and Oakwood intersection will be widened to five lanes. The agreement requires the city to acquire right-of-way, relocate utilities and remove encroachments. The fund budget totals $300,000, and the city obligation is estimated between $250,000 and $307,500 based on actual construction costs.