Meeting Summary
The city council meeting focused on various infrastructure and financial updates, including a potential bridge maintenance bond referendum and ongoing ODOT projects. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the community's Homeless Strategic Plan, outlining goals and year-one implementation priorities. Council members discussed the need for funding and collaboration on these critical issues.
Financial Matters
Bridge Maintenance Program
Estimated cost for a 10-year construction program to address 77 bridges in Norman, with 10 at risk and 5 structurally deficient.
City Fleet Fueling Facility Repairs
Estimated cost for critical repairs needed within the next three years for the facility built in 1998.
City Fleet Fueling Facility Replacement
Estimated cost for the full replacement of the city's fleet fueling facility.
ODOT State Highway 9 Phase 4
Budget for the ongoing construction phase of State Highway 9 from 72nd Street East to 108th Avenue East.
Surface Transportation Program Funding (FY22)
Funds secured from surface transportation programs for fiscal year 2022.
Surface Transportation Program Funding (FY23)
Funds secured from surface transportation programs for fiscal year 2023.
Surface Transportation Program Funding (FY24 Estimate)
Estimated funds from surface transportation programs for fiscal year 2024.
City Vehicle Replacement Program (FY21)
Amount spent on replacing 27 city vehicles and equipment in fiscal year ending 2021.
City Vehicle Replacement Program (FY22)
Amount spent on replacing 34 city vehicles and equipment in fiscal year ending 2022.
Recurring Sidewalk Projects (FY23)
Total proposed budget for various recurring sidewalk projects including schools, accessibility, city-wide, downtown, and trails.
Capital Outlay (FY23)
Proposed allocation from capital sales tax for general capital outlay.
Street Maintenance Projects (FY23)
Proposed allocation for street maintenance projects in the capital fund.
Maintenance of Existing Facilities (FY23)
Proposed allocation for maintaining existing city facilities.
Stormwater Drainage Maintenance (FY23)
Proposed allocation for stormwater drainage system maintenance.
Personnel Costs (Capital Fund FY23)
Proposed allocation for personnel costs within the capital fund.
ODOT Audit Adjustments (FY23)
Proposed allocation for ODOT audit adjustments.
ADA Sidewalk Compliance and Repair (FY23)
Proposed allocation for ADA compliance and repair of sidewalks.
Bridge Maintenance (Capital Fund FY23)
Proposed allocation for bridge maintenance, representing a 50% increase from the previous year.
Driveway Repairs (FY23)
Proposed allocation for driveway repairs.
Street Striping (FY23)
Proposed allocation for street striping.
Traffic Calming (FY23)
Proposed allocation for traffic calming measures.
Community and Neighborhood Improvements (FY23)
Proposed allocation for community and neighborhood improvements.
Building Maintenance Mechanical and Electrical (FY23)
Proposed allocation for mechanical and electrical building maintenance.
36th Avenue NW Tecumseh / Indian Hills Utility Relocation
Budget for the utility relocation project.
Porter Avenue Streetscape
Budget for the streetscape project from Robinson to Alameda.
James Garner Phase 2 Project
Budget for the second phase of the James Garner project.
Traffic Management Center
Budget for the Traffic Management Center project.
Transit Transfer Center Site Purchase and Remodeling
Budget for the purchase and remodeling of the Transit Transfer Center site.
City Vehicle Wash Facility
Total estimated cost for the city vehicle wash facility, with funding from general fund surplus, utilities authority, and ARPA.
Emergency Operations and Communications Center
Total funding for the EOC, with $9.5 million from ARPA and $7 million from the Public Safety Sales Tax fund.
Fire Apparatus Replacement (FY23)
Allocation for a fire engine and staff vehicle as part of the fire apparatus replacement schedule.
Ladder Truck Replacement
Allocation for a ladder truck as part of the fire apparatus replacement schedule.
Young Family Athletic Center
Total cost of the athletic center, funded by Norman Forward sales tax, Young Family Foundation donation, TIF fund, Norman Regional, room tax bond, and Norman Forward trails project transfer.
New Neighborhood Parks (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for future new neighborhood park developments under the Norman Forward fund.
Griffin Park Lease Payments (Future Norman Forward)
Total lease payments for Griffin Park over time, at $80,000 per year.
Canadian River Park (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for the Canadian River Park development.
New Trail Development (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for new trail development throughout town.
Saxon Park Development (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for the Saxon Park development.
Neighborhood Park Improvements (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for future neighborhood park improvements.
Traffic Improvements Project (Future Norman Forward)
Budget for traffic improvements, including a new signal at the Griffin Park entrance on Robinson Street.
Historic Museum Parking (Room Tax Fund)
Allocation for parking improvements at the Historic Museum.
Retiring 2002 Golf Course Bonds
Annual savings from retiring the debt on the 2002 Norman Musical Authority golf course bonds.
Young Family Athletic Center Bond
Amount of the bond issued for the Young Family Athletic Center, approved in August 2021.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Water rate increase effective April 5th
- ODOT State Highway 9 Phase 4 construction completion around August 2022
- Next ODOT State Highway 9 phase not until 2025
- Proposed FY23 budget overview meeting on April 19th
- First public hearing on proposed FY23 budget on April 26th
- Second public hearing on proposed FY23 budget on May 24th
Watch For
- Consideration of a bond referendum for bridge maintenance
- Implementation of the Homeless Strategic Plan's year-one priorities
- Development of a Housing Market Analysis and Affordability Studies RFP
- Rollout of 988 behavioral and mental health services
- Funding and construction of Fire Station 10
Agenda Summary
Bridge Maintenance Program
Presentation on the state of Norman's bridges, identifying 10 at risk and 5 structurally deficient, with an estimated program cost of $40-50 million over 10 years. Staff sought direction on a bond referendum.
City Fleet Fueling Facility
Overview of the current facility's challenges, including failed fuel line encasements and limited capacity, with estimated repair costs of $350,000-$500,000 and replacement at $1,650,000.
ODOT Projects along State Highway 9
Update on phases 1-4 of ODOT projects on State Highway 9, with Phase 4 (72nd Ave East to 108th Ave East) budgeted at $16 million and expected completion in August 2022. Future phases are planned for 2025.
Norman's Surface Transportation Program and Block Grant Funding
Presentation on secured federal funding: $11 million for FY22, $2.9 million for FY23, and an estimated $9.9 million for FY24.
City Vehicle Replacement Program
Details on vehicle replacement spending: $2,147,000 for 27 units in FY21 and $2,179,000 for 34 units in FY22.
Proposed Recurring Sidewalk Projects (FY23)
List of planned sidewalk projects including schools and arterials, accessibility, city-wide matching, downtown area, sidewalks and trails, and horizontal saw cut programs, totaling $420,000.
Proposed Recurring Projects in Capital Fund (FY23)
Overview of proposed capital fund allocations, including capital outlay, street maintenance, facility maintenance, stormwater drainage, personnel, ADA compliance, and an increased bridge maintenance component of $750,000, totaling $10,716,000.
Significant Projects (FY23)
Discussion of major projects such as 36th Ave NW Tecumseh utility relocation ($1M), Porter Ave streetscape ($4M), James Garner Phase 2 ($6.6M), Traffic Management Center ($2.4M), Transit Transfer Center ($1.2M), and City Vehicle Wash Facility ($1.8M).
Public Safety Sales Tax Fund Projects
Update on the Emergency Operations and Communications Center ($16.5M total, with $9.5M from ARPA and $7M from PSST) and the Year 7 Fire Apparatus Replacement program ($800,000 for a fire engine).
Norman Forward Fund Projects
Review of completed projects (Ruby Grant Community Park, Griffin Park phases 3&4, Rotary Park), underway projects (Griffin Park phase 5, Young Family Athletic Center, Reeves Park, Summit Valley Park, Senior Wellness Center), and future projects (new neighborhood parks, Canadian River Park, new trail development, Saxon Park, traffic improvements).
Room Tax Fund Projects
Discussion of upcoming projects including Historic Museum parking ($55,000), retiring debt on 2002 golf course bonds (saving $270,000 annually), and a $3.8 million bond for the Young Family Athletic Center.
Upcoming Challenges (FY23)
Presentation on various challenges for the upcoming fiscal year, including I-35 corridor study, public transportation, fleet replacement, new traffic signals, police facility updates, stormwater infrastructure, and rising construction costs.
Next Steps in Budget Process
Announcement of upcoming budget meetings: April 19th for an overview of the proposed FY23 budget, and public hearings on April 26th and May 24th.
Homeless Strategic Plan Presentation
Presentation by Homebase on the community's Homeless Strategic Plan, outlining three goals (secure housing future, increase access to emergency services, mobilize county-wide response) and five achievable year-one priorities, followed by extensive council discussion.