Last week’s high-speed winds damaged many structures in central Durant, leaving approximately 2,000 OG&E customers without power, according to a Durant Daily Democrat article.

In response, Southeastern Oklahoma State University football team members volunteered to help with clean-up efforts, offering to do such tasks as paint buildings, clean cars, trim trees, pull weeds and rake leaves.

Durant City Council members recognized the team and Coach Ray Richards for their service to the community during a meeting Tuesday.

Richards, who accepted certificates for each person involved, said 80 to 90 men participated. The team split up into eight companies, or groups, for the clean-up project.

“It was a pleasure to do it,” Richards said, adding that the team enjoyed helping the community.

Richards said the community service project may become an annual event.

Durant Mayor Jerry Tomlinson also informally recognized city crews for their help with the storm’s aftermath.

“Last week ago tonight we had a major storm. I am personally proud with how the city responded to the storm,” Tomlinson said. “Durant was a beehive of activity.”

Council member Thomas Marcum agreed, adding that many city staff members did double duty as a result of the damage sustained from the heavy winds.

Council member Bobby Story said he was amazed how well the clean-up efforts went and how quickly crews got the city back in shape.

In other business, Grants Coordinator Becca Parr said that Durant is eligible to apply for a Small Cities Program grant.

Cities with a population between 15,000 and 50,000 can apply. This includes Durant, she said.

The projected project would make infrastructure improvements to Lloyd Plyler Park and the driver’s license exam facility between Fourth and Fifth avenues, Parr said. These improvements include ADA-compliant restrooms, new ball fields, parking and a concession stand.

“Making improvements to that park will be a major asset to the city,” Parr said.

The total grant money available statewide is $1.37 million, Parr said. Of that amount, $89,265 has been allocated for Durant. This will be a dollar-for-dollar, or 100 percent, cash match.

Out of 19 eligible cities across the state, 17, including Durant, have chosen to participate in the grant process. City Manager James Dunegan sent a letter of intent to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on April 7, expressing Durant’s desire to receive grant funds.

The grant allocations range from $57,511 to $107,019.

The city council approved the grant application, which is due July 24. The matter will now go to the park board for approval.

The council also approved a request to rezone a property located at 417 Criswell Blvd. from Highway Commercial Recreation C-2 to General Commercial C-3.

Community Development Director Joseph Marquadt said the land will be used for a Highway Inn Select hotel. The rezoning request was made because the building’s height could be 4 1/2 feet above what the current zoning allows.

Terry D. Miller, who is with Malaxmi LLC, the architect and developers for the Highway Inn Select, said the hotel will be three stories tall and have 70 rooms.

Other Highway Inn Select hotels are located in McAlester, Hugo, Atoka, Antlers, Broken Bow, Ada and Coalgate, said Miller, principal of T.D. Miller and Associates in McAlester.

The Council members also approved several bids for fire department equipment, including breathing apparatus, jackets and trousers and a fire hose.

The approved bid for self-contained breathing apparatus air packs was $88,990 from Wayest Safety Inc.

Fire Chief Steve Dow said this bid wasn’t the lowest or highest, but it was the best option because the air packs matched the current gear they carry.

“That’s what we want. We want the best,” Vice Mayor Ron Cross said about the bid.

The approved bid for completing 10 sets of protective jackets and trousers for structural fire fighting was $17,650 from North America Fire Equipment.

The approved bid for a nitrile covered 4-inch fire hose was $26,133 by Chiefs Fire & Safety.

Dow said the department asked businesses bidding on the fire hose to send samples of their product. Of the two who sent samples, the lowest bid was chosen.

All of the equipment is being purchased with Homeland Security grant funds, which require a 5-percent cash match.

The Durant council also approved the following:

— An ordinance to rezone a property located at 101 W. Arkansas from General Residential R-3 to Medium Industrial I-2

— Authorization for city auction to dispose of property that is no longer of use, seizures, found property and forfeitures

— Request from PRC to block Brookside Drive on July 11 for company family picnic

— Renewal of annual contracts with the non-profit organizations Big Five Community Services, Durant Main Street, Durant Historical Society, Durant Literacy Council and Durant Area Chamber of Commerce

— Resolution supporting continued participation in the Main Street Program

— Confirmation of Municipal Judge Ken Rainbolt; Assistant Municipal Judge Theresa McGehee; Planning Commission member Clint Whitehurst; Board of Adjustment members Dale Goad and Randy Downs; R.L. Williams Library Board/Durant Library Authority members Eleanor Lee, Gayle Gaither and Paul Buntz; Park & Recreation Advisory Board member Tim White; Organized Sports Committee members Curtis Armor, Tim Hampton and Kyle Wood; Keep Durant Beautiful members Bob C. Story and Kim Kampplain, and Airport Advisory Committee members Roy Boatner and Dan Craig

— Authorization to apply for 2009 Oklahoma Department of Transportation tree grant

— Authorization for Durant Main Street to operate an ice rink on Market Square

— Acceptance of air tug donated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for use at Durant Eaker Field