Improvements to a local ballfield, employee pay raises and several routine agreements highlighted a busy January 20 meeting of the Vian Board of Trustees and the Vian Public Works Authority.

One of the most visible actions of the night came when trustees unanimously approved a project to upgrade the softball field at Armstrong Park.

The trustees voted to allow the Vian Community Trust to install new turf and shading at the field for use by the Vian Youth League.

In personnel matters, the council approved wage increases for two town employees. Trustees voted to raise the hourly pay of both David Garvin and Travis Reed to $20 per hour. Each motion was made by Kolbe, seconded by Smith, and approved unanimously.

The board also authorized an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the Sequoyah County Board of Commissioners for dispatch equipment, allowing the town to continue working cooperatively with the county on communications needs.

Routine departmental reports were accepted as well. Trustees approved the monthly police report regarding citations and budget figures, the fire department report on fire runs and water usage, and the sanitation, street, and parks report outlining current and upcoming projects.

The treasurer’s report, including prior meeting minutes, fuel reports, and purchase orders, was also approved without opposition.

An item to approve a formal process for open records requests was tabled for further consideration.

Immediately following the town meeting, the Vian Public Works Authority held its regular session.

After opening formalities, trustees voted to enter executive session to discuss three legal matters involving the authority: an ongoing lawsuit with the Sequoyah County Water Association, a Department of Environmental Quality case, and a notice of tort claim.

The closed session was held pursuant to state law allowing confidential discussion of pending litigation.

No action was taken on any of the legal items, and all three were tabled after trustees returned to open session.

The authority did approve its routine treasurer’s report, which included prior meeting minutes, purchase orders, and an Oklahoma Water Resources Board report.

With no further business to address, the meetings adjourned at 10:01 p.m.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.