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City Council Meeting

August 16, 2023 City Council Meeting

August 16, 2023 Norman, OK
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Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The city council discussed the future of the 718 N Porter property, including an offer to purchase from Cleveland County, and potential safety and capacity upgrades for the temporary shelter at 109 W Gray Street. Additionally, the council reviewed financial scenarios for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, considering the addition of new officers and the impact on the Public Safety Sales Tax fund. Staff was directed to gather more information and explore options for both topics, with a consensus to hold a joint session regarding the SRO program.

Key Decisions & Votes

Explore sale of 718 N Porter and upgrades to 109 W Gray Shelter

35:00

Council directed staff to further explore the offer from Cleveland County for 718 N Porter and to obtain quotes for installing a sprinkler system and making other upgrades at the 109 W Gray Street shelter to increase safety and capacity. One council member objected to the 109 W Gray upgrades.

Approved

School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Funding

1:28:00

Council discussed financial scenarios for expanding the SRO program. There was a consensus to hold a joint session with Norman Public Schools and County Commissioners to discuss a three-way agreement and funding. Council members also supported a budget amendment for the four voter-approved SRO positions.

No Action

Financial Matters

718 N Porter Renovation Allocation

City Council allocated funds for the renovation of 718 N Porter on June 13th.

$500,000

718 N Porter Rough Total Construction Cost

Estimated cost for construction and renovation of 718 N Porter.

$1.75 to $2 million

Offer to purchase 718 N Porter from Cleveland County

Offer received from Cleveland County for the property, plus closing costs ($10,000-$25,000).

$500,000

Estimated repairs for 718 N Porter (Cleveland County's estimate)

Cleveland County's estimate for needed repairs, not including additional items like HVAC, boiler, elevator, electrical.

$400,000

718 N Porter Appraisal (2020)

Appraisal value when the city received the property from the hospital.

$1.24 million

718 N Porter Recent Appraisal (Current Condition)

Recent appraisal value in its current condition, assuming $411,000 in deferred maintenance.

$1.1 million

718 N Porter Recent Appraisal (Fixed Condition)

Recent appraisal value if fixed.

$1.5 million

109 W Gray Street Shelter Firewatch Cost

Cost of maintaining a firewatch due to the lack of a sprinkler system.

$11,000 per month

109 W Gray Street Shelter Sprinkler Installation Cost

Rough estimate for installing a sprinkler system.

$50,000 to $75,000

109 W Gray Street Shelter Firewatch Cost (12-18 months)

Projected cost of firewatch if the shelter remains at 109 W Gray for 12-18 months.

$132,000 to $200,000

109 W Gray Street Shelter Upgrades (Sprinklers + Walls)

Preliminary cost estimate for installing sprinklers and removing walls to increase capacity and safety.

$200,000

Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund Balance (FY24 Adopted)

Projected fund balance at the close of the current fiscal year.

$345,000

Fire Station 5 Construction Cost (Scenario 1)

Assumed cost for building Fire Station 5, financed by bond proceeds.

$6 million

General Fund Subsidy for PSST (Scenario 1, FY25 onwards)

Projected annual subsidy from the general fund to cover PSST obligations (Fire Station 5) without adding the four mandated SROs.

Approximately $1 million in FY25, then $860,000 in out years

Cost per additional SRO (Scenario 2)

Assumed first-year cost per officer, including salary, benefits, and equipment ($17,500 one-time for equipment).

$134,000 per officer

General Fund Subsidy for PSST (Scenario 2, FY30)

Projected annual subsidy from the general fund after Fire Station 5 and the four mandated SROs are added.

Approximately $1.5 million per year

General Fund Subsidy for PSST (Scenario 3, FY29)

Projected annual subsidy from the general fund if 13 additional SROs are added (total 17 elementary SROs).

Approximately $6.5 million

General Fund Subsidy for PSST (Scenario 3, after bond proceeds)

Projected annual subsidy from the general fund for PSST operations after all bond proceeds are spent and 17 elementary SROs are added.

Approximately $4 million per year

Norman Public Schools (NPS) SRO Contribution

Current annual contribution from NPS to the SRO program, assumed to remain static.

Approximately $700,000

Cost for 10 County SROs (Year 1)

Estimated cost for the city to fund 10 County Sheriff's deputies as SROs in elementary schools for the first year.

Approximately $1.2 million

State Pilot Project SRO Funding

State funding for SROs, which would come back to the city.

$90,000 per school per year

SRO Overtime Cost

Overtime hours (over 3,100 hours) paid for SROs to cover elementary schools, equivalent to the cost of roughly 2.5 SROs.

Cost of roughly 2.5 SROs

Coming Up

Watch For

  • Joint session with Norman Public Schools and County Commissioners regarding SRO program
  • Recommendation for a contract to initiate a Public Safety study
  • Budget amendment for the four voter-approved SRO positions
  • Further discussions on the sale of 718 N Porter
  • Quotes for 109 W Gray Street shelter upgrades

Agenda Summary

Discussion regarding cities school resource officer program including the public safety sales tax

Presentation and discussion of financial scenarios for the SRO program, including the addition of 4 mandated SROs and a proposal for 13 additional SROs for elementary schools, and the impact on the Public Safety Sales Tax fund and general fund.

No Action

718 N Porter shelter relocation update and 109 W Gray Street shelter improvements

Update on the 718 N Porter property, including Planning Commission's vote against rezoning and an offer to purchase from Cleveland County. Discussion also included potential upgrades (sprinkler system, wall removal) to the temporary shelter at 109 W Gray Street to increase safety and capacity.

Approved

Executive Session

To discuss legal matters.

No Action