Meeting Summary
The city council meeting primarily focused on budget presentations from the Police, Fire, and IT departments, detailing various cuts including frozen positions and reduced overtime due to revenue downturns. A significant decision was the approval of a resolution supporting a state tobacco tax increase. Additionally, the council heard public comments regarding solid waste issues and alleged police misconduct.
Key Decisions & Votes
Resolution Requesting State Legislative Support for Tobacco Tax Increase
1:58:00The City Council approved a resolution supporting a state legislative initiative to increase the tobacco tax by $1.50 per pack. This measure aims to reduce smoking rates, particularly among youth, and contribute to closing the state's budget gap, with potential positive impacts on healthcare access and the local economy. The vote was 6 to 2.
Upcoming Community Events
Coffee with Cops
Sponsored by Panera Bread, held in various divisions for community interaction.
Citywide Community Outreach Meetings
A successful meeting was held in Spring Lake in March, with more planned in different divisions.
Pack Summit and Forums
Held at the state capital, focused on 21st-century policing and procedural justice, involving several departments.
Jam and Hoopfest
A large and growing event held on the northeast side, attracting inner-city youth.
CALEA Re-accreditation
The Police Department, accredited since 2007, completed its re-accreditation process last month.
Financial Matters
Overall City Budget
Total budget of $1.2631 billion, a decrease of just over 1% from the current year. The general fund saw a more significant decrease of almost 5%.
Police Department Budget Cuts
48 police positions frozen, limiting total positions to 1,120. The overtime budget was cut by approximately $500,000.
Civilianized Fleet Administrator
A sergeant position retired and was civilianized, resulting in savings.
Civilianized Fire Dispatchers
Plan to reduce 18 fire dispatchers to 9 and replace them with 9 civilians, with the police department taking over call processing.
Fire Department Budget Cuts (Station 29)
21 positions for the proposed Southeast Oklahoma City Fire Station 29 were held vacant.
Fire Department Budget Cuts (Dispatch)
9 dispatch positions were deleted to consolidate Public Safety Communications.
Fire Department Budget Cuts (Corporal Positions)
2 Corporal positions were deleted.
Fire Department Line Item Increases
Various line items saw increases.
IT Department Budget Cuts
4 vacant positions were deleted across departmental systems, customer support, network, and division manager roles.
IT Department Expense Reductions
Savings were found by reducing external vendor support, increasing internal work, and cutting the IT training budget by half.
IT Department Operational Increases
Required operational increases went up by 1.8%.
IT Department Staffing Addition
An Assistant Support Specialist position was added to the server team for the utilities department's skate system and security.
Fire Facilities Assessment
A consultant's assessment identified needs for renovations across fire facilities.
Fire Fleet Replacement
The current funding source for fleet replacement expires in 2018; average total public safety fleet spending is about $10 million per year.
New Police/Fire Training Center
Preliminary report estimates for a new joint training facility.
Radio System Upgrade
Estimated cost range for a new radio system.
Public Comments
Two citizens addressed the council. One raised concerns about solid waste services, including issues with large trash pickup, a misplaced 'do not dump' sign, a neighbor's persistent trash can placement, and incorrect street naming. The second citizen reported an incident involving individuals in unmarked cars, allegedly claiming to be police officers, who pulled a gun on him without identifying themselves.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Staffing for Southeast Oklahoma City Fire Station 29 has been postponed.
Deadlines
- Budget adoption is scheduled for June 14th.
- The budget is set to take effect on July 1st.
- The deadline for questions submitted through BidSync for the radio system RFP is June 30th.
- Proposals for the radio system RFP are due July 26th.
Watch For
- Future bond initiatives for a new police/fire training center, fleet replacement, and facility improvements.
- Business analysis for Animal Welfare to implement digital signatures and mobile applications.
- The okc.gov redesign enhancements are planned to go live next Monday.
- Implementation of new credit card EMV pin and chip processing requirements.
- Completion of data center construction and migration of servers by the end of summer.
- Contract negotiation for the radio system upgrade is anticipated by the end of September.
Announcements
- A Ward 6 Parks meeting was held to discuss ideas for the upcoming 2017 bond issue, with a second meeting planned further south in the ward.
- New signage has been installed at 10th and Broadway by Public Works and the Traffic Department to enhance pedestrian safety.
- City Manager Jim Couch received an honorary degree from Oklahoma City University.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer and pledge.
Budget Meeting
Recessed council meeting to convene as the finance committee for budget presentations.
Overall Budget Presentation
City Manager and Doug Doler presented an overview of the proposed $1.2631 billion budget, noting a 1% decrease overall and a 5% decrease in the general fund, with 113 positions affected by revenue downturns.
Police Department Budget Presentation
Chief Bill Citty presented the Police Department's proposed budget, discussing issues like growing demand for services, violent crime trends, advanced technology, and procedural justice, along with budget changes including 48 frozen positions and overtime cuts.
Fire Department Budget Presentation
Chief Keith Bryant presented the Fire Department's proposed budget, addressing issues like personal safety measures, population growth impacting EMS, facility needs, and fleet replacement, with budget changes including holding 21 positions vacant for Station 29 and deleting 9 dispatch positions.
IT Department Budget Presentation
Shad Meldrum presented the IT Department's budget, highlighting system security, growing demand for services, business process improvements, and project workload versus capacity, with 4 vacant positions deleted and training budget cuts.
Public Comments (Ben Spencer)
A citizen spoke about issues with large trash pickup, an incorrectly placed 'do not dump' sign, a neighbor's persistent trash can placement on the street, and incorrect street naming in navigation systems.
Resolution Requesting State Legislative Support for Tobacco Tax Increase
A resolution was introduced and discussed, advocating for a $1.50 per pack increase in the state tobacco tax to reduce smoking rates and help close the state budget gap, with potential benefits for healthcare access and economic development.
City Manager Reports
The City Manager provided no reports.
Council Member Reports
Council members shared updates on a Ward 6 Parks meeting, new pedestrian safety signage at 10th and Broadway, and congratulated City Manager Jim Couch on receiving an honorary degree from OCU.
Public Comments (Michael Smith)
A citizen reported an incident where individuals in unmarked cars, allegedly claiming to be police officers, pulled a gun on him and treated him accusatorily, without providing identification.