Meeting Summary
The City Council, acting as the Finance Committee, reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budgets for the Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and Airports departments. Presentations detailed operational plans, capital projects, and staffing adjustments. A proposal to add a second Community Relations Coordinator for Municipal Courts was discussed and tabled for a future vote. The council also approved entering an executive session to discuss potential litigation regarding the opioid epidemic.
Key Decisions & Votes
Executive Session for Opioid Epidemic Litigation
01:31:30The council voted unanimously to enter into executive session to receive confidential communications regarding potential claims or litigation by the city in response to the opioid epidemic.
Financial Matters
Utilities Department FY 2019 Budget
The proposed budget includes a 0.58% increase, with no increase in total positions by utilizing vacant positions. It outlines $621 million in funding sources and $384 million for the capital program, including the Atoka pipeline and Hefner-Draper interconnect.
Parks and Recreation Department FY 2019 Budget
The proposed budget includes a net reduction of 22 full-time equivalent positions due to outsourcing Civic Center operations, which will save approximately $3 million. It also requests $1.3 million for Bricktown Canal capital improvements, $600,000 for Will Rogers Park irrigation, and $1.3 million for Scissortail Park startup management.
Airports Department FY 2019 Budget
The airport trust budget is self-sufficient, with total sources of funds projected at $132 million, including airport charges, other revenues, carryover, and revenue bond proceeds. A significant capital outlay of $83.8 million is planned for infrastructure improvements and terminal expansion.
Additional Community Relations Coordinator for Municipal Courts
Discussion about adding a second Community Relations Coordinator to assist court patrons, improve efficiency, and reduce jail contract costs. Funding would likely come from reducing the general fund contingency.
Public Comments
No citizens signed up or came forward to provide public comments during the Finance Committee meeting or the reconvened Council meeting.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Motion to add an additional Community Relations Coordinator to the Municipal Courts budget (to be placed on next Tuesday's agenda for a vote)
Deadlines
- Budget adoption by the end of June (specifically, 15 days before July 1st)
Watch For
- Final budget approval (next Tuesday)
- Civic Center Music Hall operations agreement (amended agreement coming in next two weeks)
Announcements
- The Utilities Department was awarded $128 million from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for drinking water and clean water projects.
- The Parks and Recreation Department received a $300,000 donation for improvements to the Lightning Creek facility, providing five new soccer fields.
- The Parks and Recreation Department received a $200,000 National Park Service land and water conservation grant for the Route 66 park to complete a 100% handicapped accessible baseball diamond.
- The National Parks and Recreation Association held an Innovation Lab in Oklahoma City, bringing delegates from across the country.
- The Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department now has over a dozen certified parks and recreation professionals, including one certified Parks and Rec executive.
- Will Rogers World Airport now offers 29 non-stop destinations, the most ever, with recent additions including Frontier Airlines to Denver, Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio; American Airlines to Phoenix and Philadelphia; Via Airlines to Austin; and Southwest Airlines to Nashville.
- American Airlines is increasing aircraft capacity this summer, adding several hundred more seats.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer led by Councilman Green and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Stone.
Office of the Mayor
No items were scheduled under the Office of the Mayor for this meeting.
Discussion of Proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budgets (Finance Committee)
The third Finance Committee meeting dedicated to reviewing and discussing the upcoming departmental budgets.
Utilities Department Budget Presentation
Chris Browning presented the FY 2019 budget for the Utilities Department, covering funding sources, uses, staffing initiatives (without increasing headcount), capital projects like the Atoka pipeline, and regulatory compliance efforts.
Parks and Recreation Department Budget Presentation
Doug Kupper presented the FY 2019 budget for Parks and Recreation, highlighting recreation programs, grounds management, natural resources, the outsourcing of Civic Center operations, and community partnerships.
Airports Department Budget Presentation
Mark Cronenberg presented the FY 2019 budget for the Airports Department, detailing revenue sources, operating expenditures, completed infrastructure projects, air service development strategies, and future capital improvements.
Discussion on adding a Community Relations Coordinator for Municipal Courts
A discussion initiated by Councilman Stonecipher regarding the benefits and funding for an additional Community Relations Coordinator position within the Municipal Courts system.
Opportunity for Public Comment (Finance Committee)
Time allotted for citizens to address the Finance Committee on agenda items or other relevant topics.
Enter into Executive Session
A motion to enter executive session to receive confidential communications regarding potential claims or litigation by the city in response to the opioid epidemic.
City Manager Reports
City Manager Jim Couch had no reports to present to the council.
Citizens to be Heard
Time allotted for citizens to address the City Council on any matter.