PC Board of Commissioners Hold Regular Session

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners met in regular session on May 24, 2021. Mayor Homer Nicholson called the meeting to order, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Consent Agenda

Under the Consent Agenda, the City Commission approved the minutes of the regular session held on May 10, 2021 and the work session held on May 17, 2021; a resolution appropriating money for the payment of claims against the City of Ponca City; a resolution appointing members to various boards and commissions and establishing the terms of office; and an authorization to advertise for bids for a street improvement project on Sixth Street, from Fresno Avenue to Hartford Avenue.

Sixth Street improvements include the removal of the existing damaged concrete pavement and the construction of new concrete pavement with curbs and gutters. The project will also include new concrete sidewalks, wheelchair ramps and driveway approaches. This section of pavement was severely damaged by a water main break several months ago. A water line replacement project was quickly expedited to replace the deteriorated 14-inch water main with a new 16-inch water main.  Funding for this project has been allocated in the upcoming fiscal year budget that begins July 1, 2021. The contract for this project will be awarded after the start of the new fiscal year. It is staff’s desire to start the bidding process in the current fiscal year and be ready to award and begin construction as early as possible in the new fiscal year. Forty-five calendar days of contract time is allotted for the completion of the repairs.  The project is funded through the City Street Sales Tax Capital Fund.

City Manager’s Report

Under the City Manager’s Report, City Manager Craig Stephenson reported that the City of Ponca City will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 31. Residential Refuse will not be picked up and the Landfill, Marland Mansion & Estate, Ponca City Senior Center, and Ponca City RecPlex will be closed on Monday, May 31. The Ponca City Library and Marland’s Grand Home will be closed Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31. Lew Wentz Golf Course will be open on Monday, May 31.

New Business

Under New Business the City Commission approved ordinances amending the City Code regarding utility services and approved the operating budgets of the various City funds for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which begins July 1, 2021.

The total budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is $113,418,457, a 6.81% increase over Fiscal Year 2020-21.

The General Fund budget represents $26,344,772 of the total expenditures, an increase of 6.2% over Fiscal Year 2020-21.

The budget includes $11,868,101 in capital improvements, a 12.6% increase over Fiscal Year 2020-21.

Sales tax revenues are budgeted at a 3% increase over Fiscal Year 2020-21.

Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Ponca City Energy rates are budgeted at a 1% increase over Fiscal Year 2020-21; Stormwater is budgeted at a $0.25 increase, and there is no increase in Ponca City Broadband rates. Utility rates have not increased since Fiscal Year 2017-18, except in Fiscal Year 2018-19 when Solid Waste increased 2% and Stormwater increased $0.25.

The City of Ponca City has responded to four disasters in the last two years, including the flood event in May of 2019, COVID-19 in March of 2020, the ice storm in October of 2020, and the Polar Vortex and subsequent snow storm in February of 2021. Stephenson commended the City employees for their dedication and commitment to providing high quality service.  Stephenson concluded his presentation to the City Commission by stating, “I would be remiss if I didn’t say thank you from myself and City staff for your time and effort in reviewing the proposed budget, as well as providing guidance in developing this policy document for next year for the community.”  The Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget is available for residents to review at the Ponca City Library, City Clerk’s Office and on the City’s website.

Also under new business, the City Commission approved Change Order No. 1 to A-Tech Paving and accepted all work as completed for the street improvement project on Prospect Avenue, 14th Street to 350 Feet West. To encourage the contractor to complete the project as quickly as possible, a $2,000 per day bonus/penalty clause was included in the contract. The phase one portion of the work was completed in eight calendar days, twelve days ahead of the allotted time.  The phase two portion of the project was completed in 13 calendar days, twelve days ahead of allotted time for phase two.  As such, the contractor earned twenty-four days early completion bonus of $48,000. This project was funded through the City Street Sales Tax Capital Fund.

PONCA CITY UTILITY AUTHORITY

Consent Agenda

Under the PCUA (Ponca City Utility Authority) consent agenda, the PCUA Trustees approved the minutes of the PCUA regular session held on May 10, 2021; a resolution appropriating money for payment of claims against the PCUA; a resolution amending the operating budget of various PCUA funds for Fiscal year 2020-21; and an authorization to submit the monthly operating statement to OWRB.

New Business

Under new business, the Trustees approved the operating budgets of the Water, Ponca City Energy, Ponca City Broadband, Solid Waste, Landfill Closure, Solid Waste Depreciation Reserve, Utility Billing, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Technology Services funds for Fiscal Year 2021-22.