Meeting Summary
The city council received a positive external audit report for FY 2021, with a clean opinion expected. Major capital improvement projects, including the municipal complex renovation and Emergency Operation Center, were updated. Discussions focused on addressing funding gaps for the Young Family Athletic Center and Senior Wellness Center using general funds and reallocating Norman Forward trail project money. Future plans for ARPA funds, particularly for non-profit support and entrepreneurial grants, were also a key topic.
Key Decisions & Votes
External Audit Opinion
00:00The external audit firm, BKB, presented a near-final annual financial report for FY ended June 30, 2021, expecting a clean unqualified unmodified opinion with no significant issues.
Council Chamber Renovation Schedule
07:00The council chamber will be unavailable from December 15th to January 17th for renovations, including new carpet, lighting, ADA podium, and seating. The January 11th council meeting will be moved to January 18th.
Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Funding
09:50$9.5 million of ARPA money has been transferred and appropriated for the EOC project, bringing the total to $17 million, with groundbreaking hoped for early 2022.
Funding Gap Resolution for Young Family Athletic Center & Senior Wellness Center
13:40A proposal will be brought before council at the November 30th meeting to use general fund money and reallocate approximately $1.2 million from the new trail project to cover a net $800,000 funding gap due to increased steel prices and other costs.
Financial Matters
Annual Financial Report for FY ended June 30, 2021
Near final report presented by external audit firm BKB, expecting a clean unqualified unmodified opinion.
ARPA Money for Emergency Operation Center
$9.5 million of ARPA funds transferred and appropriated for the EOC project, contributing to a total of $17 million.
Funding Gap for Young Family Athletic Center and Senior Wellness Center
A net of approximately $800,000 above budget projections for these projects, proposed to be covered by general fund money and reallocation from the new trail project.
Reallocation from New Trail Project
Approximately $1.2 million from the new trail project proposed for transfer to cover funding gaps in the Young Family Athletic Center and Senior Wellness Center.
Coming Up
Tabled
- The January 11th Council Meeting was moved to January 18th due to chamber renovations and the Mayor's absence.
Deadlines
- Single audits are due to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by March 31st.
- EOC design contract amendment will be on the December 14th agenda.
- EOC CMAR contract award is hoped for at the January 18th meeting.
- A proposal to address funding gaps for the Young Family Athletic Center and Senior Wellness Center is expected at the November 30th meeting.
- State fund applications for infrastructure money are aimed to be submitted by mid-January.
- RTA cost estimates are due in January.
- The next capital presentation is scheduled for February 15th.
Watch For
- Final guidance on ARPA money from the federal government, anticipated in January 2021 but currently delayed.
- The impact of the new infrastructure bill on federal funding opportunities for various city projects.
- The development of an RFP process for non-profit support using ARPA funds, potentially involving United Way as a facilitator.
- Further discussions on entrepreneurial grants and the potential for incubator space, possibly at 718 Porter or the old library.
- Finalization of the I-35 Corridor Study and its implications for Norman's interchanges.
- Progress on public transit initiatives, including the bus transfer station and replacement buses.
- Considerations for purchasing land and rezoning areas for future regional transit authority stations.
- A comprehensive list of all projects for which the city is applying for state infrastructure funds, expected by the third week in December.
Announcements
- The external audit firm BKB expects to issue a clean unqualified unmodified opinion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
- The council chamber will be unavailable from December 15th to January 17th for renovations.
- The January 11th council meeting has been moved to January 18th due to chamber renovations and the Mayor's travel.
Agenda Summary
External Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021
Presentation of the near-final annual financial report by BKB, expecting a clean unqualified unmodified opinion. Discussion included the adoption of Gatsby 84 and delays in federal guidance for ARPA money affecting single audits.
Capital Improvement Budget Discussion - Recurring Projects
Review of proposed recurring projects for the next fiscal year's capital budget, including a suggestion for more money into the bridge program.
Update on Significant Capital Projects (Porter Streetscape, James Garner, Municipal Complex)
Updates on ongoing projects, including the start of work on James Garner and the municipal complex renovation, specifically asbestos removal and council chamber improvements.
Public Safety Sales Tax Fund Projects (Emergency Operation Center, Fire Apparatus Program)
Updates on the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) project, including the transfer of $9.5 million in ARPA funds, and the ongoing fire apparatus program.
Norman Forward Fund Projects (Completed, Under Construction, Upcoming)
Review of recently completed projects (Rotary Park, Ruby Grant, Skate Park) and updates on projects under construction or about to start (Griffin Park, Young Family Athletic Center, Senior Wellness Center).
Funding Gaps for Young Family Athletic Center and Senior Wellness Center
Discussion on a net $800,000 funding gap for these projects due to increased costs, with a proposal to use general fund money and reallocate funds from the new trail project.
Room Tax Fund Update
Brief update on the bond issue backed by room tax funding to help close the gap in the Young Family Athletic Center.
ARPA Money Allocation and Future Planning
Discussion on designated areas for ARPA funds (EOC, Water/Sewer, Broadband, Affordable Housing, Non-profit Support, 718 Porter) and the development of an RFP process for non-profit support and entrepreneurial grants.
Unfunded Needs and Future Projects (I-35 Corridor Study, Public Transit, RTA)
Discussion on future needs including the I-35 corridor study, public transit initiatives like the bus transfer station and replacement buses, and land acquisition for regional transit authority stations.