Meeting Summary
The city council conducted a public hearing for the municipal budget and adopted a resolution to authorize tornado debris removal from private property. Several department heads, including Public Transportation and Parking, Airport, Public Works, Utilities, and Fire Department, presented their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, outlining operational plans, capital projects, and financial considerations. Key discussions included transit funding challenges, airport infrastructure improvements, and disaster preparedness.
Key Decisions & Votes
Public Hearing for Budget
02:00The public hearing regarding the municipal budget was held as required by state law. No citizens came forward to speak.
Resolution for Tornado Debris Removal
03:20A resolution was adopted, authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to FEMA to secure assistance for debris removal from private property following the May 20th tornado.
Upcoming Community Events
Community Meeting on Tornado Recovery
Held at Hillsdale College, explaining permit procedures for citizens to begin rebuilding.
Moore Norman Technical Center Permit Office
Located at SW 134th and Pennsylvania Ave, Business Development Building, open 9am-6pm, phone 297-103. For obtaining permits for debris removal and rebuilding.
Nelson Nygaard Study Public Meetings
Two public meetings held at the downtown library to solicit input on proposed transit route changes, with significant turnout.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Held at the fairgrounds, collected 83,000 pounds (41 tons) of material from approximately 700 residents, including computers, tires, ammunition, medication, and paint.
Financial Matters
Public Transportation and Parking Operating Budget
Proposed operating budget shows an increase of approximately 5.3%, driven by additional funding for enhanced bus services and new debt service for a parking garage.
Public Transportation Fare Increase
A proposed fare increase from $1.50 to $1.75 for a single ride ticket, intended to balance the budget and support increased service without cuts.
Airport Trust Total Forecasted Sources of Funds
Total forecasted funds for the Airport Trust, including service charges, new debt service, and other sources like oil and gas revenue and federal/state grants.
Airport Trust Capital Program
An extensive capital program for the upcoming year, balancing the trust budget.
Public Works Proposed Budget
Proposed budget for the Public Works Department, reflecting a decrease from the previous year due to the exclusion of an $8 million general fund resurfacing amendment from the prior year.
Utilities Proposed Operating Budget
Proposed operating budget for the Utilities Department, entirely funded by enterprise funds from customer service charges.
Utilities Capital Program
Capital program for water and sewer projects, representing approximately one-third of the total uses of funds for utilities.
Fire Department Operational Services Budget
The largest division budget within the Fire Department, primarily allocated to emergency medical services and fire suppression.
Fire Station 26 Construction Funding
Additional funding from the fire sales tax for the ongoing construction of Fire Station 26 at SW 119th and Rockwell.
Fire Department New Fuel System
Funding from the fire sales tax for an automated fuel system to replace the current paper-based tracking.
Fire Facilities Assessment
Funding from the fire sales tax for an RFP to hire a consultant to assess all fire department facilities and prioritize future needs.
Public Comments
No citizens wished to speak during the formal public hearing regarding the municipal budget.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Budget adoption: Next week
- Nelson Nygaard final recommendation: Mid-June
- Airport bond sale: Next week
- Airport consolidated rental car facility opening: First calendar quarter of 2015
- Fire Station 26 estimated completion: March of next year
- CNG fueling facility completion: August
Watch For
- Federal equity process for transit fare increase or route changes
- Initiation of new transit service (likely late calendar year)
- Airport signage study to improve wayfinding
- Design for certain terminal improvements (tunnel, elevators, escalators, generator, security checkpoints)
- Update to terminal expansion plan by 2019
- Portland Avenue realignment construction (first phase beginning end of this year, second contract later this year)
- Utilities cost of service study (Water Trust meeting June 18th)
- Fire Department RFP for facilities assessment
Announcements
- Frank Barnes was acknowledged for his tireless efforts in coordinating tornado recovery over the past three weeks.
- An office has been established at the Moore Norman Technical Center (SW 134th and Pennsylvania Ave) for citizens to obtain permits for debris removal and rebuilding after the tornado, open 9am-6pm.
- JC from Public Works was recognized for operating dam gates at the river during a power outage after his daughter's wedding.
- A new joint police and fire mobile command post, a state-of-the-art combined facility, is being set up near Bicentennial Park and will soon be fully functional.
- OG&E power outages in the metro area have significantly decreased from a peak of 95,000 to approximately 6,000 customers.
Agenda Summary
Item 4a: Public Hearing Regarding the Budget
A public hearing was held as required by state law, at least 15 days before the budget takes effect and is adopted. Citizens were given an opportunity to speak.
Item 4b: Resolution Authorizing Tornado Debris Removal from Private Property
A resolution was presented to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter necessary to ask FEMA for assistance with payment for debris removal from private property following the May 20th tornado.
Public Transportation and Parking Department Budget Presentation
Presentation and discussion of the 2013-14 budget for the Public Transportation and Parking Department, covering business plans, ridership, parking demand, and funding challenges.
Airport Trust Budget Presentation
Presentation and discussion of the 2013-14 budget for the Airport Trust, including sources and uses of funds, major issues, and capital improvement projects.
Public Works Department Budget Presentation
Presentation and discussion of the 2013-14 budget for the Public Works Department, detailing divisions, major budget changes, and strategic results.
Utilities Department Budget Presentation
Presentation and discussion of the 2013-14 budget for the Utilities Department, covering strategic plans, funding sources, operating and capital budgets, and key initiatives.
Fire Department Budget Presentation
Presentation and discussion of the proposed 2013-14 Fire Department budget, focusing on reducing fire fatalities, service demand, EMS, disaster preparedness, and facility conditions.