City of Broken Arrow

BA native leads municipal court Broken Arrow Municipal Court has a new presiding judge following Judge Steven E. Edgar's retirement after 24 years of service. Judge Dennis Sagely, who has served Broken Arrow as the court's associate judge since 2005, was appointed to lead the court beginning July 1. "It has been my pleasure and honor to serve my hometown as an alternate judge for the past 19 years, and I am humbled and honored to be now able to serve as presiding judge," Sagely said. His most recent appointment resulted from a rigorous selection process. A nine-member Judicial Nominating Committee meticulously reviewed his qualifications and experience, and Mayor Debra Wimpee made the final decision. "I'd be honored to have Judge Sagely as our presiding judge," Mayor Wimpee said. Dennis Hill, Latonya Cundiff, Laura Greenleaf, Corey Else, Zane Anderson, Mark Harper, Robert Stubblefield, Steven Gray, and Joy Thorpe serve on the Judicial Nominating Committee. City Attorney Trevor Dennis thanked the committee for each member's "dedication and significant effort" in the selection process. Sagely's roots in the community run deep. He grew up in Broken Arrow and graduated from Broken Arrow High School, where he competed in wrestling. He attended Cornell University in New York on a wrestling scholarship and earned a degree in city planning. He then returned to Oklahoma to pursue a juris doctorate at the University of Oklahoma Law School. "My wife, Andrea, and I are both BA grads, as are our siblings," Sagely said. "She works for Broken Arrow Public Schools, and we raised our daughters (who just graduated) here, and we attend church here." For more than 20 years, he has practiced family law in Broken Arrow, a testament to his commitment to the community. In addition to his law practice, he will serve as presiding judge for Broken Arrow and Coweta, a position he has held since 2011.  Broken Arrow Municipal Court typically has three dockets a week. "There is significant work that goes into running the courts," City Attorney Trevor Dennis said. Alternate Judge Roger Long will cover approximately six dockets a month. "The good thing about Coweta is the court is only held on Thursday afternoons," Sagely said. "In Broken Arrow, we only have one Thursday docket a month, and that's our trial docket. I anticipate doing it the same way. I will do the morning, and Judge Long will conduct the afternoon trial dockets." Sagely has a two-year professional services contract.  "This is a great city, and I'm proud I get to try to impact it positively and with the consistency and fairness to which its citizens are entitled," Sagely concluded. 

Community mental health needs addressed Broken Arrow Police and Fire Departments are taking a collaborative approach to resolving emergency situations for people suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues.  Beginning July 1, care coordinators from Family & Children's Services and GRAND Mental Health will be embedded with first responders. "Embedding these care coordinators in both our agencies will help because they can connect our citizens with the needed services,” Maj. Stephen Garrett, BAPD, said at the City Council meeting on June 16. The need is great. Last year, the departments received 590 mental health crisis calls. Specifically, there were 301 residents taken into emergency protective custody, 92 overdoses, and eight suicides. For more, go to https://lnkd.in/gPj7Fp9A

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹��𝘆𝗲𝗲’𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻 We've all heard the adage, "See something, say something." City of Broken Arrow dump truck driver Will Remington did just that. Because of his efforts, a man wanted for domestic assault is now in custody at the Wagoner County Jail. Monday morning, June 24, Remington, who has been with the City of Broken Arrow for eight years, was picking up a load of ag base and delivering it to a road project at Events Park. For more, go to https://bit.ly/3VIjTxp

The New Orleans Square Block Party is back— bigger and better than ever, June 27-29, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., with concerts all three nights!     It's the event's fourth year, but the festival's first year to last three consecutive nights. It happens on the northwest quadrant of the intersection at New Orleans Street (101st Street) and Elm Place (161st E. Ave.). Admission is free for all three nights.     Broken Arrow may be the fourth-largest city in the state, but even more— we are friends, neighbors, and a community that comes together to celebrate America's independence. Here's what you can expect at this year's event:    —June 27, Country Music sensation Drake Milligan, who you may remember from America's Got Talent, is now on a worldwide concert tour, including a stop in Broken Arrow to get the party started Thursday night! Bring your lawn chairs, grab dinner at one of the several food trucks, and start the weekend a little early.    —June 28, Then, come back Friday night and enjoy an incredible concert lineup featuring John Cafferty of the John Cafferty & Beaver Brown Band, Alex Ligertwood, former lead singer for Santana, Kevin Chalfant, who performed with Journey and The Storm, John Elefante, former lead singer of Kansas, Johnny Edwards, former lead singer of Foreigner, and Billy Burnette and Bekka Bramlett, former lead singers of Fleetwood Mac. Then, stay to watch the spectacular fireworks display beginning at 10 p.m.     —June 29, On Saturday night, the music begins at 5 p.m. with St. Paul and the Minneapolis Allstars, featuring former members of Prince and the Revolution, The Time, and New Power Generation. Plus, Chicago Nights will perform, featuring former Chicago lead singers Jason Scheff and Bill Champlin, with Chris Rodriguez on guitar. And at 10 p.m., fireworks will light the Broken Arrow skies.  In addition to the concerts, a dedicated kid zone will feature inflatables, face painters, balloon artists, and a Touch-a-Truck with 20 different City/County vehicles. There will also be 90 merchant vendors showcasing unique products and services, 30 food trucks, a City Services area, and more! 

The summer issue of the Southwest Water Works Journal from Southwest Section AWWA is out now, and we are thrilled to highlight an article by our very own Assistant City Manager of Operations, Kenneth Schwab, on page 6. He shares his valuable insights on the importance of sharing experiences and the power of collaboration. His perspective is not only inspiring but also a testament to the values we cherish here in Broken Arrow. Check out the issue here: https://lnkd.in/g8j75VnE

Infrastructure improvements at Events Park have begun Construction has begun on the public infrastructure improvements for the Sunset at Broken Arrow Amphitheater project following the City Council's approval of a $17.7 million construction package prepared by Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. Since last week, the City of Broken Arrow Stormwater crew has been on-site at 21101 E. 101st St., removing trees and underbrush ahead of the construction of a new road that will connect Events Park to Washington Street, where it intersects with State Highway 51.    In an economic development agreement with Sunset at Broken Arrow, LLC, the City has committed to providing the public infrastructure improvements necessary to support the 12,500-seat amphitheater in Broken Arrow near Events Park.  For more, go to https://lnkd.in/gegbRJr8.

Congratulations to City Clerk Curtis Green, who was sworn in as a Region IV Director for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks this morning in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Region IV serves Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, with more than 640 members. Curtis Green is an example of a Broken Arrow leader who is making an impact in his field at all levels. We appreciate his service to our community! https://lnkd.in/gZ_nbcaT

4,801 - Total calls for police service 1,308 - Total calls for fire service 12,096 - Total calls into dispatch The men and women of the Broken Arrow Police Department and Broken Arrow Fire Department once again answered the call when needed in April. But it wasn’t just calls for service! They were busy with training, spending time within the community, career fairs, and more. Check out the City Manager’s Monthly Report to the City Council to learn more about how city employees worked for you last month.

𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 City Clerk Curtis Green has been named Region IV Director of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Green will be sworn in on May 22 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. "I felt an overwhelming sense of honor and responsibility upon being appointed as one of the Region IV Directors for the International Institute of Municipal Clerks," Green said. "This role inspires me to contribute even more passionately to the advancement of municipal clerks in our region." Established in 1947, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks is a globally recognized non-profit board. It serves as the leading organization for municipal clerks, shaping the profession and providing invaluable resources to its members. With a membership of approximately 14,500 worldwide, including 10,000 in the United States, the IIMC is a vital platform for professional development and networking. "In this new role, I look forward to working with a highly talented organization that brings quality professional development to municipal clerks," Green said.

This week, we hosted the quarterly new employee luncheon to welcome new employees to the City of Broken Arrow. We're thrilled to have these new faces on board and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in our community. 🤝🎉