By BOB GIBBINS
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Permission was granted Wednesday evening for the 5K run associated with the annual Illinois River BalloonFest in the Industrial Park.
Trustee David Moore, who’s also the executive director of the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, said the run will start at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 16.
In addition to the $2 million BalloonFest insurance policy, Moore said the event will also have a $1 million policy through Track and Field.
Moore said 494 runners took part in the event last year.
He said other events will be held across the road from the Industrial Park.
The trustees also voted to allow Assistant City Administrator Kevin Smith to select the highest and best qualified bid for baling the hay in the Industrial Park.
Sealed bids are scheduled to be opened at 1 p.m. June 30 and bids will be received until noon that day.
The authority doesn’t have a scheduled meeting until July 16 and they would like to have the work completed as soon as possible.
In a related matter, Smith said the city is not requiring proof of worker compensation and liability insurance because City Attorney Park Medearis has verbally advised the city doesn’t need the insurance coverage. Trustee Steve Jones suggested getting a written opinion from Medearis.
“I just want to make sure our Is are dotted and Ts are crossed,” Jones said.
Board members also suggested getting a written contract with Steve Tyner for his work on the Industrial Authority Web site.
Smith told them he understood there was no written contract at this time, but there was a verbal agreement.
What’s next
The next regular meeting of the Tahlequah Industrial Authority will be Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
