Durant City Council members discussed mineral interest leases and a pipeline easement during Tuesday’s meeting.

The council considered a pipeline easement with Mid-Continent Energy Corporation for property located between South 15th and 19th south of Mississippi toward an existing XTO pipeline on Sunnyside Road. Oil and gas will be transported from wells, which will be drilled from this site.

Tomlinson and council members Bobby Story and Leon Sherrer voted for the easement, while council member Thomas Marcum abstained.

The council also discussed leasing mineral interests to Mid-Continent Energy Corporation for approximately 9.1 mineral acres on property located in the same area as the pipeline easement. The lease provides for a three-year primary term and a 3/16th royalty interest.

Originally, the company presented one lease to the city, but after surveying the property, they found more minerals in the area, City Attorney Pat Phelps said. The company then drew up a second lease for the additional property.

Phelps said the leases could be put into one document and signed by the council. Contingent upon this, Tomlinson, Story and Sherrer voted in approval, with Marcum abstaining.

Durant Fire Chief Steve Dow asked the council’s approval for the department to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Services) grant.

The grant would provide for two years of funding for additional fire department personnel. The grant will provide salaries and benefits for two years to hire three on-line firefighters, with the city obligated to continue employment for one fiscal year beyond the grant period.

According to a memorandum, the approximate salary budget will be $30,000 with $12,000 in benefits per firefighter for a total request of $252,000. The grant is due Friday, Dec. 18.

The council unanimously approved the grant application.

The council also accepted the purchase of the old Oklahoma Highway Patrol building.

According to a memo from Phelps, the council previously gave permission to negotiate a purchase of the OHP headquarters from the Durant Chamber of Commerce. However, the council did not move to purchase the property.

The council approved the measure to clarify the record.

Joseph Marquadt, community development director, asked the council to approve the updated sign regulations and requirements.

He said the new ordinance will allow some temporary signs, which are now restricted, and give companies more leeway with sign designs. It would also protect people in residential neighborhoods.

When Marcum asked how long and how many temporary signs could be posted, Marquadt replied 45 days and one sign per company.

Marquadt said several out-of-town businesses looking to come to Durant have been confused by the current sign ordinance because of the gray areas.

Marquadt told the council he has shown the proposed ordinance to several businesses and they said it makes more sense. He also examined other city’s sign ordinances before drafting the revised regulations.

Marcum said he is concerned about the regulations for temporary signs.

The council tabled the matter, pending further review and possible revisions.

In other business, the council also approved the following:

— A resolution supporting city-wide energy efficiency and conservation efforts

— Authorizing donating old self-contained breathing apparatus to Bryan County County volunteer fire departments

— Accepting the deed for a tract of land on 49th Avenue to be used as an access road for the new fire substation located on that street

— Rejecting and re-advertising for bids for city hall roofing

— Supporting an energy grant application through the Recovery Act: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program

— Authorizing to bid for the design and construction of an REI access road and authorizing an Oklahoma Department of Transportation agreement for the project

Under the Durant Airport Authority Tuesday afternoon, Public Works Director Jerry Yandell said the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved the city’s grant request for the approximately 8,000 square-foot terminal building at Eaker Field. The grant is in the amount of $275,000.

He said the grant is in the submittal process and construction should start relatively soon. The weather has caused some delay, but the project is moving forward.

“It’s will be a construction zone for awhile,” Yandell said about Eaker Field, “but it will be good construction.”