Klimkowski named to Harrah City Council

By John Martin
Staff Writer

Longtime Harrah resident Bernadette Klimkowski has been appointed to the Harrah City Council, replacing Paul Wiegert as the Ward 1 representative since Wiegert has moved out of the Ward.

A native of Harrah, Klimkowski attended Harrah Schools and graduated from Harrah High School. She also retired from distinguished career teaching in Harrah Schools

“I am honored to be appointed to the city council. I have lived and worked in Harrah all my life and my family has been a part of the city’s history.
“I am interested in the future of Harrah and will serve the people in my district to the best of my ability,” she said.

Klimkowski will serve the remainder of Wiegert’s term.

Bernadette Klimkowski

CITY HALL The Council has approved the extension of office hours at City Hall currently in effect for the summer. Monday through Thursday, the offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. until further notice.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Through September 24, Farmers Market from 8 a.m. till noon every Saturday in Harrah Heritage Park. Fresh produce, fruit and homemade crafts available.
Sept. 10: Annual Harrah Day celebration.

SCHOOL RESOURCE

The Council also voted to approve an agreement with Harrah Schools to provide a Harrah Police Officer as the School Resource and Security Officer.
The “Interlocal Cooperation Act,” 74 Oklahoma Statute 1001, et Seq., permits agreements between independent school districts and municipalities when the purpose behind such an agreement is to further the efficient use of the respective power enjoyed by each entity.

Under terms of the agreement, the CITY shall:

1. Provide one (1) full-time police officer to serve as a School Resource Officer responsible for the Harrah Public Schools campuses as a total “community” environment, making a safer education and learning environment possible for students within that community. 2. Solicit continuing input from school administrators and staff, teachers, counselors, student leaders, students and parents to identify potential problems and resources available, and the strategies the officer will use at the Harrah Public School campus. 3. Provide the assigned officer a fully equipped police vehicle to be used as needs may require. 4. Investigate each incident of unauthorized entry or act of vandalism and provide the School District with a copy of said report. 5. Be responsible for worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and other benefits determined by the City of any assigned personnel performing services under this agreement. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT shall:  1. Pay to the city (9) equally monthly installments billed at $36.02 per hour in consideration for the services described herein, as compensation for such services. 2. Provide office space, as necessary, for the School Resource Officer at the High School Campus.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. By mutual consent, this Agreement may be amended to increase or decrease the services required and/or the compensation to be paid, so long as such amendments are in accordance with all applicable statutory fiscal expenditure requirements. 2. This agreement shall become effective July 1, 2022, and shall remain in effect through June 30, 2023, for those times when school is in session.  3. The School Resource Officer will serve as a regular police officer of the City at such times as they are off-duty from the School District for summer break, fall break, Christmas break, spring break or other dates when school is not in session or when such officer is not required under the terms of this Agreement, or during times when emergencies require the officer to perform duties in the City of Harrah. 4. The School District will not assign any duties to the City, which are contrary to any provisions of any constitution, statue, court ruling, law or regulation. The assignment of duties to the City by District will constitute a warranty of permissible activity.

For more about the City of Harrah visit cityofharrah.com