City Council Finance Committee Meeting

FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES February 8, 2018 The City Council Finance Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met at 4:00 pm in the Municipal Building Executive Conference Room on the 8th day of February, 2018, and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted in the Municipal Building at 201 West Gray and the Norman Public Library at 225 North Webster 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. PRESENT: Chair Allison, Members Wilson and Bierman ABSENT: none OTHERS PRESENT: Bill Hickman, City Council Member Steve Lewis, City Manager Anthony Francisco, Finance Director Suzanne Krohmer, Budget Manager Gala Hicks, Director of Human Resources Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent Terry Floyd, Development Coordinator Nick Kreimeier, Citizen Eleanor Bierman, Citizen Item 1, being: DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF OUTSIDE AGENCY REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS Anthony Francisco stated that each year as we start the budget preparation process we examine the requests for funding from the outside agencies that receive funding from the General Fund. Today we present a summary of the amounts they have received in the past few years and the amounts they are requesting for the upcoming fiscal year. The Committee will decide whether or not to approve the requested amounts. Chair Allison stated that this is an increase of $72,000 overall from last year’s funding to outside agencies. Multiple members of the Committee expressed interest in having a later discussion about sustainability for some of the outside agencies. Member Bierman stated that this should perhaps be included in the future proposals from all of the outside agencies. Francisco stated that while he was concerned about the funding for the General Fund, there are much larger issues than $72,000. Finance Committee Minutes February 8, 2018 Page 2 The Center for Children and Families is requesting an additional $20,000. Member Hickman stated that we need to be careful in becoming a key funder in social services with tax payer money. Chair Allison stated that maybe the Committee should just approve 50%, or $10,000, and inform the Center for Children and Families that if they require, they can request additional funding for the second part of the year later. Also, we should inform them that in the future we would like to see smaller increments every year instead of a large lump sum every few years. Member Hickman stated that the Committee should tell CART that they are fine with the additional $50,000 as long as they make a presentation based on the request for increase to the Community Planning and Transportation Committee (CPTC). All agreed this was a good idea. The Cleveland County Historical Museum is requesting an increase due to increase in cost of doing business. All of the Committee members were ok with this increase. There are no other increases to the base requests from outside agencies, so the Committee agrees with those funding requests. ****** Item 2, being: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE WESTWOOD FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER BUSINESS PLAN PROPOSAL Jud Foster gave the presentation. He stated that the Westwood Pool project was a Norman Forward project that is nearing completion. The amenities include a family slide, a 50 meter lap pool, diving area, lazy river, toddler features, etc. Jason Olsen, Interim Recreation Superintendent, continued the presentation. He informed the Committee of the proposed fee structure, which was decided based on market research of other comparable aquatic centers such as the one in Moore. We propose opening Memorial Day weekend and closing Labor Day weekend. The season would run a total of 94 days. Foster stated that the proposal is a break even proposal. Chair Allison does not think that the fee structure can cover the overhead of running the facility. Foster stated that the proposal is a break even proposal with 4%, or $28,375 of the revenue set aside for capital improvements. There is also a $35,000 set-aside for capital maintenance in Norman Forward. Member Hickman stated that advertisements posted on the Parks and Recreation page on Facebook should also be posted on the City’s page. City Manager Lewis stated that our approach has been to not put everything event wise on their page, but to try to prioritize what goes on the main City page. Olsen stated that he runs the Park’s page, and we are working with Claudia Deakins, who runs the City’s page, to coordinate events for the Westwood Pool. Finance Committee Minutes February 8, 2018 Page 3 Chair Allison stated that he is a little nervous about the management positions and their requirements, due to the facility going from a $200,000 facility to a $700,000 facility. The lever of expertise required will be considerably more, and it will be a challenge to find people at the rate of pay we are proposing. Foster stated that they share the same concerns and are in the process of developing a proposal for a full time Aquatics Director. Member Bierman asked what certifications were required for the old Aquatics Supervisor. Olsen stated that the old supervisor had aquatic supervisor certifications, but it was not required. They are required now, along with lifeguard and WSI certifications. Items submitted for the record: 1. Westwood Family Aquatic Center Business Plan Proposal ****** Item 3, being: SUBMISSION OF THE REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORTS Anthony Francisco gave a handout. The handout was a historic look at our residential permit revenues. There has been a down turn in the number of permits and licenses issued, so the revenue has gone down. Items submitted for the record: 1. Summary of Major Fund Revenue Sources vs. Budget FYE 2018 as of January 31, 2018 2. Summary of Major Fund Expenditures vs. Budget FYE 2018 as of January 31, 2018 3. Appropriations from Fund Balance FY18 4. General Fund Transfers over $50,000 between Expenditure Categories FYE 18 January 2018 ****** Item 4, being: SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT ON OPEN POSITIONS Gala Hicks stated the new building inspectors start in a couple of weeks. We have also selected someone as a Capital Improvements Engineer. The police have 14 vacancies to fill but we try Finance Committee Minutes February 8, 2018 Page 4 to get about 20 on board due to attrition. We currently still have to go through the physicals, polygraphs, and the training. Items submitted for the record: 1. City of Norman Position Vacancy Report dated 2/2/18 ****** Item 4, being: MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS None ****** The meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor