Interim City Manager Bobby Elmore told the Purcell City Council, in its regular monthly meeting Monday, that the inside demolition of the old PMH should conclude in a couple of weeks with outside demolition set to begin afterwards.

The council met at the Community Service Room of the Purcell Police Department Service Building and witnessed an award from the Sons of the American Revolution for Purcell properly displaying flags.

Also in the public comment portion of the meeting, Kasey and Kyan Knowles addressed the council about water taps.

The council heard a report from ODOT about the progress being made for the I-35 interchange and heard a report from PMH accountant Renee Barber that the hospital’s financial situation is improving with respect to funds and cash on hand.

Hospital CEO/CNO Chris Wright told The Purcell Register the hospital was at 90 percent capacity with respect to inpatient numbers with nine out of 10 beds occupied.

PMH Staff treated 50 patients in the ER, 99 outpatients for lab, ultrasound, CT, X-ray and Nuclear Medicine and had 12 cataract replacements all this week.

“It has been busy,” Wright said.

In the Purcell Public Works portion of the meeting, Purcell Banker Steve Sherman was appointed to replace Justin Blankenship, who recently resigned, on the PMH Hospital Board. Sherman’s term would be effective Dec. 30. 2024 to Jan. 31, 2029.

The board approved signing an agreement with Sullivan & Associates to design and contract administration engineering services, including bid documents and advertising, topographic survey and utility line locate services for construction of one water well with an alternate bid for construction of two wells. There will also be construction of a water collection line with an alternate bid for construction of two water collection lines.

PPWA Trustees added an alternative bid for three test lines if needed.

The city council passed an ordinance protecting animals that amended code of ordinances of the city, specifically for chapter 10, article nine for cruelty to animals. The ordinance repeals and replaces all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the new ordinance.

No action was taken in open meeting after executive sessions for either board.