[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6561599,"mediaKeyId","3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6","parentId",3289043,"title","Resident urges revision of proposed bus-route cuts that affect early-morning riders","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",8199000,"endMs",8391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6&start=8199&end=8391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6/thumbnail_8199000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561599/Oklahoma/Resident-urges-revision-of-proposed-bus-route-cuts-that-affect-early-morning-riders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561599-beb435b1705781152eb39b5b76007aa4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951017&Signature=iK6qrRiu0xumoULi17jKr8bDZ04e2O01~FUscvwOQHnDqk5q~BQ5RU9SQJv086YiIEAORdODk-U7w~wq3MyCzqM8mBFiuhwSFrGQUWMqWSZiOUUspfULCZx-8wxu~hE3AeFAvbLHrZSw-J18TrhWYhbK4eRih6cxwM8Tv6RHpKzGShiSRT1I~Db97O8G~JJNLI9x4Vl2jNJnciMVpn9KDAjsN79naDM5-0RR4lMZtejE5mQYlYxTIoCCTPentHofvIIGszkaJjrn1UsCbWzn~WYIbhPBwOupyqBNOea1Ya~K12Dpvn1rl-2Xf9oPAnqc1wKd1FigPCxr05JNIOp8JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oklahoma","date","2025-05-13T12:56:59Z","article","Sherman Effinger, an Oklahoma City resident, urged the council to reconsider proposed transit route adjustments that would reduce service on some lines and eliminate others.

Effinger said some proposed cuts would not reflect actual working hours and would harm riders who rely on early-morning service. He said he currently uses a 5:50 a.m. route that would fall outside the draft rush-hour protections and that cutting or moving that service would \"do a disservice\" to workers and students, specifically calling out impacts to riders traveling to the OU Health Sciences Center. He urged postponement or reallocation of service reductions and suggested reviewing overserved routes (he mentioned Route 10 and Route 18) as potential places to reassign capacity. \"If you slate it back farther, you're gonna run into more logistical errors with traffic and people missing their timelines,\" he said.

Effinger asked council and staff to review routing and service windows before cuts take effect and to consider the equity implications for riders without access to cars. The council noted the broader context of declining revenue and that the manager's proposed budget includes service reductions that staff must try to balance against available funds; no formal transit decision was made during the hearing.

Ending: Staff acknowledged the concern and the need to examine schedules and service levels; no vote or amendment occurred at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oklahoma City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident raised concern about proposed summer transit route cuts and early-morning service that serves students and workers, urging the council to reconsider proposed eliminations and to postpone cuts until alternatives are settled.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",69690,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561603,"Parents, students raise alarms after midyear cuts reduce part-time hours at Northwest Optimist",541,7324000,7865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6&start=7324&end=7865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6/thumbnail_7324000.jpg","/articles/6561603/Oklahoma/Parents-students-raise-alarms-after-midyear-cuts-reduce-part-time-hours-at-Northwest-Optimist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561603-a3b90cf3be7e72fa0490a8b46b8df6d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951017&Signature=h0OCu0i3u4wcY7SS15P-anRHVoiG-U1dEimccGNwPEWUXx0NRw1wBkQsq3tP7l6FsmRsZm~mo~WSdJdT60rOAxCK4s4gKlLhFpuTbusw2xV1efnCkmYZ8zB7etY6Udccj8v3Du7zuRTPB5xdXazY5w4U7bJa-zIhouw2LcCMTYkRjd-lWdkH3E~6M4k5ym1~6RAYPM8oy~HGKOc11Kq1sufLx7uBzcu4axcB6fIpQDdh5yEABc2XxFqrYgYs1yhmv-PCHC80Mmv52DHIy0YGJ4Hw6lWf0yXPpxUhHfsBStQLcKQq0EaNd9cKEJD8RG21~GCwm6S~neu9fJTioBG~4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents, students and Parks & Recreation staff told the council that reductions to part-time staff hours are reducing program capacity at the Northwest Optimist Performing Arts Center and other facilities.

Grace Carter, a student and homeschool participant, told the council she and about 50 other weekly homeschool attendees value the Optimist program and asked council to restore parks staffing. \"We cannot lose our staff. We cannot endure another round of budget cuts,\" Carter said. Several parents and program volunteers made similar appeals; one parent described the center as providing \"community and support\" that helps children develop confidence and skills.

Melinda McMillan Miller, parks and recreation director, explained that the changes were not a line-item cut in the FY26 proposed budget but a midyear correction: as the department's overall budget contracted over several years, its ability to absorb part-time wage overruns declined. She said the department had reduced the number of part-time hours available, sometimes moving a class to a different facility or reducing the number of offerings to remain within budget and to meet supervision and safety standards (staffing ratios). \"So it's not that the classes have been cut, it's the number of people who have the number of hour capacity in the budget to work,\" McMillan Miller said.

Council members and speakers urged the city to consider emergency funding ahead of summer programming and to prioritize long-term strategic planning for parks and youth services. A council member noted planned bond improvements that could include Northwest Optimist in future capital work but emphasized that those projects remain in planning at this stage.

Ending: No formal budget amendment occurred at the hearing; Parks staff said they are working to right-size operations and will continue discussions with council on priorities and options for restoring hours or using other funding sources.","Students, parents and Parks & Recreation staff described reductions to part-time hours and re-scheduling of classes at Northwest Optimist Performing Arts Center after midyear budget adjustments; Parks Director Melinda McMillan Miller said part-time wage capacity had been 'right-sized' to align with contracted budgets.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561609,"Fire Department presents FY26 budget and expands mobile integrated health teams",1477,3827000,5304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6&start=3827&end=5304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6/thumbnail_3827000.jpg","/articles/6561609/Oklahoma/Fire-Department-presents-FY26-budget-and-expands-mobile-integrated-health-teams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561609-6917e12272ec74b03cca04434c0081d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951017&Signature=YuMmS9FG6KyhywCg4yIHeu3zCnmoWlTAH8WXyCiOubudvVpu5xqInQU9rek5iMO2uf4JZdDjTfCnHMBdXoOBiagZLAY8QoROPYX2YZ6gCeN9PMrkdl7-DaeVgiRKrI3cf3bDU-gpkBA1DGPuPAOZu1nVyhgfYFyrdjDyEbSYzq8mqYk0hdLs44REiPCzl83F8QrgrEP42R0Az9sPMpESio3c2YXN5qPvYXG6nOyiCqiesKtqVVX~TjikeVdjpTP7epfZXHqIqgGZRh-VPGx7ktu9rbmePuTJD4JVr8PWshcON-Lh0jngnv98UrNio94z8yoR6BnHTGBFkpIY4amDyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Richard Kelly presented the Fire Department\u000fY26 budget and described operational metrics and new and ongoing programs, including the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program.

Kelly said the department would present a modest overall increase driven by personnel roll-ups and investments in facilities and technology. He said the proposal includes deletion of 15 positions associated with Engine 51 (a double-house engine at Station 1) and described that as a reduction in staffed apparatus; he said \"there will be no firefighters that are losing their jobs\" and that the department would absorb the positions internally and work to restore the company when funding and staffing permit. Kelly said the department would pursue federal SAFER grant opportunities to restore staffing if possible.

Kelly described a proposed 1.7-cent increase to the fire sales tax to support fire IT, station construction and remodels, and sleeping-quarters conversions (splitting large dorms into separate sleeping rooms to reduce sleep interruptions). He explained capital encumbrances for apparatus and long lead times for deliveries.

On medical and alternative response work, Kelly and Lori Brown Loftus, MIH program manager, explained the mobile integrated health care teams and their four units: crisis call diversion (inside 911), Crisis Response Team (paramedic + mental health professional), Alternative Response Team (lower-priority mental health/overdose response with peer supports), and a Community Advocacy Program focused on long-term supports. A video shown to council described MIH goals: \"make sure that when individuals are calling 911, they are able to get the absolute best and correct response.\" Kelly said the MIH alternative response units had 1,324 responses in a reporting period and an average response time of 16 minutes for that program, and that two peer recovery specialists and two health responders had been added midyear and were now codified in the FY26 proposal.

Kelly highlighted prevention work: the department has installed 5,708 smoke alarms through canvassing and calls and tracks turnout and travel-time benchmarks (turnout target: 60 seconds 90% of the time; structure fire travel-time target: six minutes 90% of the time). He said the department would continue facility upgrades and data-driven decision-making.

Council members praised MIH and urged broader public awareness; Kelly and staff said they were using public relations channels and would continue outreach.

Ending: The department's budget presentation concluded with requests for follow-up and no formal vote at this hearing.","Fire Chief Richard Kelly presented the department's FY26 proposal, which includes a reduction of staffing on one engine company, investment in station remodels and IT funded by a proposed fire sales tax increase, and formalizing four Mobile Integrated Health positions added mid‑year.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561614,"Utilities trust proposes $1.3 billion FY26 capital program; recycling contamination and service metrics raised",1374,1931000,3305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6&start=1931&end=3305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","/articles/6561614/Oklahoma/Utilities-trust-proposes-13-billion-FY26-capital-program-recycling-contamination-and-service-metrics-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561614-c29389caf0076d0b237d589a0cb00186/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951017&Signature=jC9E4jaYxd9DygFZ4kkDtSMBYmRUYJNZWjxwspUZ3YlvWyyvzA3nkxbn8zhA-LbjeM85w6SN1XyBhBgfsYsuZb3sk940caVqn7gV~gGRQmoYgXUyxg5GOqA-TAf0j~sTpKKJXN79KOtercFxtHYz1F134xZVVieGvfy8LTP1KiTV8XbRNay4BvofshHt4FgUSQSFtiM9ln8K4bZ~N7mR5pKkwsRmBLkX2Sis6f-o-NJqsmMWhpauXFAVu8a3GDXKcJ2RL1RUSXYwl4a-I-oPSarmhZSYhj1Dw5LUocbB3wbqM9brwyuXRzTi11MURhhN~sHIPGw1nxl7xT0kkySmWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vanessa Aguilar, business manager for the utilities department, presented the proposed FY26 budget for the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust and the city utilities operations.

Aguilar said the trust budget is proposed at $1,300,000,000 and described major funding sources and planned uses: roughly $732,000,000 in debt construction fund proceeds, about $576,000,000 planned for water projects and roughly $156,000,000 for wastewater projects as presented. She said service charges were expected to contribute about $517,000,000 and withdrawals from cash reserves approximately $22,000,000 to cover projects deferred from FY25. Aguilar added that about 70% of planned expenditures (approximately $897,000,000) are capital improvements and that $257,000,000 of projects were rescheduled from FY25 to FY26 primarily for financing reasons.

On operating and organizational changes, Aguilar said the utilities program shows an overall 6.6% adjustment over the FY25 adopted budget, that the department proposes adding two facility and plant mechanic II positions and a planner/scheduler, and that the total proposed headcount would be 828 positions. She described planned awards including final segments of the second Atoka pipeline, Overholser Dam structural improvements, and improvements at Deer Creek and Draper facilities.

During questions from council, recycling and contamination became a point of discussion. Chris Browning, utilities director, said household participation in curbside recycling is \"over 90%\" and that contamination is running \"about 30%\"; he said the department would like to reduce contamination below 20%. Browning explained that contamination frequently results from placing recyclables in plastic bags and said Waste Management processes and sells collected materials under contract. Council members asked for clearer public messaging and suggested site tours and outreach to show what happens to recyclables after collection.

Other operational metrics Aguilar highlighted included targets for customer calls answered within 30 seconds (target 85%) and solid-waste route completion by 5 p.m. (target 95%). Council members praised the department's national comparisons and asked staff to consider distributing performance slides in customer bills.

Ending: No formal action was taken; staff will provide follow-up outreach materials and consider additional public messaging on recycling and utility performance.","Vanessa Aguilar presented the FY26 utilities trust and city utilities budgets, highlighting large capital plans for water and wastewater projects and operational targets; council discussed recycling contamination and public communications about utility performance.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561619,"Public Works outlines FY26 budget with pavement management, staffing tweaks",915,861000,1776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6&start=861&end=1776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289043-1961136b0e02d123dd0da3bbac308cc6/thumbnail_861000.jpg","/articles/6561619/Oklahoma/Public-Works-outlines-FY26-budget-with-pavement-management-staffing-tweaks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561619-1c08e5f8d348d0c425c00a9a4b3952ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951017&Signature=ar6wWk4vNoTbOcP4ZZRk2tE5~BwlH7iPbj4VVcLoLL~p17vh30NiwT6Cz6-HUzn38w~vE6-kPBV2z7DE-RwKbSGmpbw5cAxcuqk6R-HE5Z~AQuyxjZx9SbFi883u1b7BI7NQ2nHvh7GK-DUXwdjd-19bzy8ixlz82jihkhFimblRKYoNnin8R-pV9SVCBsLqO950LiGZaTijf5LTFFDbp59aM-W2x6-W4psgbv9k-FCxBmBkZJQwA9mu0EhpvKuOs~NT9xi1~-ycMJAH8U7~bEUGm0PSLAbXhoQJc6vyoOVQxvff5uefhMT-Ojm2wyoeUZOL2hVSWJYnKmaCh4UoSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Debbie Miller, public works director, presented the Public Works portion of the proposed FY26 city budget and summarized major program priorities and line items.

Miller said the department\u000budget \"begins on the budget book, page C157\" and listed core functions and seven divisions, noting the streets division as the largest with 167 positions. She said the department maintains about 98,000 street signs, 8,951 street lane miles, 1,800 snow routes and 804 signalized intersections. \"We are reducing some of the asphalt materials in our budget. We're also implementing a crack seal program,\" Miller said. She also said the department added an assistant city engineer and deleted two vacant positions.

Miller showed the department's operating budget at about $60 million and said stormwater is the smallest division at roughly $4.3 million while streets and drainage comprise the largest share of operating dollars. She said total funding across sources was roughly $221,000,000 (as presented) and that about $55,000,000 in street impact fees had been identified, with $44,000,000 allocated to projects and dozens in design or construction.

Miller described several near-term initiatives: a pavement management system RFP expected in summer to improve condition assessment and performance modeling; a crack-seal program; and continued work on streetscapes funded by Better Streets Safer Cities. She said the department's goal is to resurface 100 miles per year but that available funds have reduced that capacity.

Council members asked for more detail on the alternative speed abatement (50/50 matching) program, and Miller said she would provide information on locations, device types and typical neighborhood cost (she estimated about $5,000 for speed humps as an example). On household hazardous waste, Miller said the city continues to evaluate options to collect sharps and that funding and logistics remain under consideration.

Miller closed by noting outreach efforts with developers and contractors (workshops, quarterly newsletters) and offering to provide follow-up materials to council on the programs and match costs.

Ending: The presentation moved on to the utilities department; no formal vote was taken on Public Works items during this hearing.","Public Works Director Debbie Miller presented the department\u0000proposal for the fiscal year 2026 budget, emphasizing pavement management, a crack-seal program, and modest staffing changes while noting declining capital from Better Streets Safer Cities projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges revision of proposed bus-route cuts that affect early-morning riders

Parents, students raise alarms after midyear cuts reduce part-time hours at Northwest Optimist

Fire Department presents FY26 budget and expands mobile integrated health teams

Utilities trust proposes $1.3 billion FY26 capital program; recycling contamination and service metrics raised

Public Works outlines FY26 budget with pavement management, staffing tweaks