Meeting Summary
The City Council reviewed the final proposed FYE 2023 Capital Improvements Program budget, discussing various projects, funding, and future plans. The majority of the meeting focused on finalizing the ballot language for nine proposed charter amendments, including changes to council stipends, term lengths, the city attorney and auditor positions, and utility rate increases, all of which will go to a public vote on August 23rd.
Key Decisions & Votes
Stipend Increase for Mayor and Council Members
44:00Proposed to increase the Mayor's annual stipend to $8,100 and Council members' to $5,400, effective with the 2025 terms. Future increases to be determined by a compensation commission every three years.
Council Member Term Lengths and Start Dates
47:00Proposed to change council member terms to three years starting in 2025, with terms beginning on the first Tuesday following a scheduled runoff election starting in 2026.
Filling Vacant Council Positions
1:00:00Proposed to clarify that individuals appointed to fill a council vacancy will serve for the remainder of the term.
City Attorney Position Status
1:01:00Proposed to change the City Attorney position from a forecast protected position to an at-will position, appointed by a majority of council and removable with five council votes, mirroring the City Manager's appointment process.
Norman Regional Hospital Authority Board Membership
1:10:00Proposed to increase the Norman Regional Hospital Authority Board from nine to eleven members, allowing two members to be appointed from communities outside Norman that have NRH facilities.
Recall of Elective Officers Process
1:11:00Proposed amendments to the recall process, including using state law forms, revised clerk review timelines, publication notices, removing the 'only question on ballot' requirement, and addressing actions if more than four council members are recalled.
Utility Rate Election Threshold
1:19:00Proposed to allow the Council to impose utility rate increases of up to three percent without voter submission, provided a rate study has been conducted and reviewed by an appointed Utility Rate Commission.
Reapportionment Committee Process
1:21:00Proposed to appoint the reapportionment committee within 30 days of new precinct information release, give the committee 180 days from that release to redraw boundaries, and limit council action to adopting, rejecting, or sending back the committee's recommendation.
Creation of City Auditor Position
1:28:00Proposed to create the office of City Auditor, an at-will position appointed by council, tasked with advising on operational and financial audits for efficient and economical city government.
Financial Matters
Total Capital Improvement Projects Revenue
Total estimated revenue for 141 capital improvement projects, with major portions from capital sales tax, bonds, and user fees.
Capital Fund (PayGo) Availability for New Projects
Projected negative $3.3 million available for new projects in FYE 2023, negative $500,000 in FYE 2024, and $1.7 million available in FYE 2025.
General Fund Capital Outlay (FYE 23)
Includes $264,000 for computer replacements, $2.1 million for fleet replacements, and $1.3 million for department requests (furniture, traffic signals, body cameras, mosquito equipment, time clocks).
Public Safety Sales Tax Fund Capital Outlay (FYE 23)
Includes $287,000 for fleet replacements and $4,000 for computer replacements.
Westwood Fund Capital Outlay (FYE 23)
For department requests, including golf cart replacements and mower attachments.
Public Transportation and Parking Fund Capital Outlay (FYE 23)
Includes $625,000 for fleet replacements and $32,000 for Cleveland County Courthouse parking pay stations and cash lock boxes.
Enterprise Funds Capital Outlay (FYE 23)
Includes $8,000 for computer replacements, $3.2 million for fleet replacements, and $761,000 for department requests (mixer pumps, hoses, compactor, water wall replacement parts, vehicle, poly carts, dumpsters).
TMDL Compliance and Monitoring Plan
Project underway for FYE 2023.
Lake Thunderbird TMDL Data Analysis and Plant Update
Project underway for FYE 2023.
Engineering Design Criteria Update and Green Storm Water Infrastructure Review
Project underway for FYE 2023.
Traffic Management Center
Project underway for FYE 2023, for renovation and equipping of new location at North Base Building C.
Vehicle Wash Facility at North Base
Project underway for FYE 2023.
Downtown Transit Center
Project underway for FYE 2023.
New Bus Stops
Project underway for FYE 2023.
Municipal Complex Renovation
Project under construction for FYE 2023.
36th Avenue Northwest Utility Relocation
Project under construction for FYE 2023.
I-35 and Robinson Street West Side Project
Portion of a $6.1 million project that is now complete.
Classen Boulevard Sidewalks
Project under construction for FYE 2023.
Porter Avenue Streetscape Project
Estimated total cost for decorative lighting, pedestrian/ADA improvements, new bus stop, and landscaping.
James Garner Avenue Phase 2 Project
Estimated total cost for road improvements, roundabout, bridge, and trail extension. $4.8 million in federal funds secured.
James Garner Avenue Phase 2 Bridge Aesthetics and Public Art
Includes $215,000 for bridge aesthetics and $200,000 for public art at the Flood roundabout.
Gray Street Two-Way Conversion
Estimated total construction cost for converting Gray Street to two-way traffic with pedestrian/ADA improvements. $1.7 million in federal funds secured.
State Highway 9 Phase 4
Budget for the construction of a four-lane undivided rural section from 72nd Avenue to 108th Avenue East.
Norman's Surface Transportation Program Funding (FYE 23)
Secured funding for fiscal year ending 2023.
Norman's Surface Transportation Program Funding (FYE 24)
Estimated funding for fiscal year ending 2024 (not yet secured).
Vehicle Replacement Program (FYE 22)
Cost to replace 34 units in the current fiscal year.
Vehicle Replacement Program (FYE 23 Proposed)
Proposed cost to replace 16 units in the upcoming fiscal year.
Proposed Recurring Sidewalk Projects (FYE 23)
Total for various sidewalk programs including schools, accessibility, citywide, downtown, and horizontal saw cut.
Proposed Recurring Projects (FYE 23)
Total for capital outlay, street maintenance, facility maintenance, stormwater drainage, personnel, ODOT adjustments, ADA, bridge maintenance, driveway repairs, street striping, traffic calming, neighborhood improvements, building maintenance, and GIS mapping.
Bridge Maintenance (FYE 23)
Increased funding for bridge maintenance, up $250,000 from the previous fiscal year.
Increase to RTA Regional Transit Authority Contribution
Proposed capital budget amendment.
Land Use, Transportation, Stormwater, and Public Safety Studies
Proposed capital budget amendment for various studies.
Miller Historic District Driveways, Approaches, Gutters, Curbs, and Sidewalks
Proposed capital budget amendment.
Walking Trail Connecting Oakhurst and Wood Creek to Walmart
Proposed capital budget amendment.
Historical Markers
Proposed capital budget amendment.
Rock Creek Sidewalk (Porter to Hampden)
Councilmember Foreman requested adding this sidewalk project as an amendment.
Center City Tiff Fund Amendments (FYE 23)
Includes $100,000 for pattern zoning, $100,000 for urban design and implementation plan, and $300,000 for lighting along Legacy Trail (clarified as general fund for Johnson study).
Emergency Communications and Operations Center (EOC)
Budget for the 19,800 sq ft hardened facility, with $9.5 million from ARPA funds and $7 million from the Public Safety Sales Tax fund.
Fire Apparatus Replacement Program (FYE 23)
Budgeted for a fire engine and a staff vehicle.
New Neighborhood Parks (Norman Forward)
Future project under the Norman Forward sales tax fund.
Griffin Park Lease Payments (Norman Forward)
Ongoing lease payments of $80,000 per year for Griffin Park.
Canadian River Park (Norman Forward)
Future project under the Norman Forward sales tax fund.
New Trail Development (Norman Forward)
Future project under the Norman Forward sales tax fund.
Saxon Park Development (Norman Forward)
Future project under the Norman Forward sales tax fund.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- First reading for charter election ordinances: May 10th
- Second and final reading for charter election ordinances: May 24th
- Charter Election Date: August 23rd
Watch For
- Session on Enterprise Funds: May 17th
- Update session on TMDL for new council members
- Details on Rock Creek sidewalk project (Porter to Hampden)
- Upcoming amendment for HVAC and anesthesia machine for Animal Welfare (from FY22)
- Proposed general fund amendment for Police Department parking lot replacement
- Planning study session for Saxon Park development design concepts
- Presentation of a $45 million bridge maintenance bond program
Announcements
- Mayor Clark will join the meeting later; Councilmember Studley is chairing in her absence.
- Councilmembers Peacock and Hall are absent this evening.
- The FYE 2023 Capital Improvement Budget book is available on the city's website or from the finance department.
- The Traffic Management Center project location has been switched to Building C at North Base due to delays with the Emergency Communications and Operations Center (EOC).
- The Constitution Street Multimodal Path project bids in May and is expected to be under construction this summer.
- The Imhoff Road Bridge emergency repair project is substantially complete and open.
- The 36th Avenue Northwest widening project is pending federal funds, but the city is prepared to proceed once funds are secured.
- A public meeting for James Garner Avenue Phase 2 was held last week to complete the environmental assessment process.
- The State Highway 9 Phase 4 construction is scheduled to be completed in August 2022.
- The Emergency Communications and Operations Center (EOC) groundbreaking is hoped for November, with completion anticipated by spring 2024.
- The Canadian River Park project is towards the end of the Norman Forward cycle (2030) and is awaiting resolution of landowner litigation.
- A committee for reapportionment was appointed last week and will begin meeting soon.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding the FYE 2023 Capital Improvements Program budget
City staff presented the final proposed Fiscal Year Ending 2023 Capital Improvements Program budget, including revenue and expense breakdowns, status updates on significant projects, and proposed amendments across various funds. Discussions covered ongoing construction, pending federal funds, and recurring projects.
Finalize ballot language for upcoming Charter Election
Council reviewed and reached consensus on the ballot language for nine proposed charter amendments to be presented to voters on August 23rd. These amendments cover council stipends, term lengths, residency requirements, filling vacant positions, the City Attorney and City Auditor positions, Norman Regional Hospital Authority Board membership, recall processes, utility rate elections, and reapportionment procedures.