Jenks committee reviews status, finances and delays on voter‑approved bond projects

City staff on the Jenks committee on capital projects reviewed the status and finances of voter‑approved bond projects from 2010, 2013 and 2020 and fielded questions about funding, schedules and remaining work.

The update was led by David Sims, the city’s new chief financial officer, who said the finance office compiled encumbrance and interest figures for the bond accounts. “For the last year, we earned approximately $96,000,” Sims said of the 2010 bond account; he said the 2013 bond account earned about $124,000 and the 2010/2013 reporting also shows a $130,000 encumbrance for a right‑of‑way acquisition on Elwood. Sims also said the 2020 bond had $9,700,000 encumbered for the Elm Street widening and smaller encumbrances tied to a railroad crossing improvement project.

The committee’s staff presenter (identified in the meeting transcript as Robert, staff member) reviewed project‑by‑project updates and emphasized that available bond balances vary by project and that some projects will need additional funding. Robert described ongoing work and constraints on several large projects, saying some items that were planned in earlier studies have been delayed as priorities and costs changed and as funding sources were pursued.

Why it matters: the bond programs fund multiple capital investments — street widenings, sanitary‑sewer work, lift stations, right‑of‑way purchases, trail and bridge repairs — and schedules and federal funding rules affect timing and cost. Several major projects remain active and will require additional funding decisions or coordination with state and federal partners before construction can be completed.

Major progress and constraints David Sims and staff summarized the finance picture across the three bond issues: interest earnings in multiple bond accounts, specific encumbrances for right‑of‑way and utility relocation, and remaining balances that vary by project. The presenters noted that interest income may be allocated by the city council and that bond language can require a percentage of funds to be spent on specified projects while allowing some reallocation of other amounts.

Elwood Avenue (111th to Main Street): staff reported that most utility relocations are complete except for Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG). ONG has not relocated a large pipeline that crosses the project area; ONG’s relocation could be treated as a federally‑funded expense (80% federal/20% local) if federal funds are used, but that would trigger Buy America/Build America procurement rules and could delay material delivery. Staff said federal funding applications through INCOG and ODOT for additional construction money are pending.

Elm Street widening (111th to 131st): construction of the north phase proceeded to mobilization, but the contractor was unable to start significant work because AT&T had not relocated facilities in the area staff expected prepared. Staff said AT&T’s relocation schedule and missed coordination delayed work by about three months; additional change orders for time and money are likely. Staff also said part of the Elm Street program remains in litigation over right‑of‑way compensation, which keeps some funds reserved for settlement.

Sanitary sewer and lift‑station work (106th lift station and force main; Victoria Pond): staff described large costs for the 106th Street lift station and its force main and said the force main currently routed across vulnerable locations will be rerouted to reduce wash‑out risk. The planned Victoria Pond lift‑station work is tied to decisions about the 106th lift station; staff said construction timing for Victoria is uncertain until the 106th work is resolved. A design phase for the 106th lift station remains in the schedule, with possible phased construction depending on nearby development needs.

Pedestrian bridge and water line replacement: staff said a pedestrian bridge inspection found corroded stringers and that the bridge will be repaired before the city replaces a water line that runs on the structure. Staff said they obtained a loan through the Water Resources Board to fund the necessary repairs and water‑line work and that the bridge deck likely will be replaced with concrete rather than asphalt for long‑term corrosion control.

Other projects and regional coordination: staff reviewed smaller roadway and trail projects, ODOT bridge work on Main Street (expansion joint/seal repairs), a planned trail that would connect the Turkey Mountain trail south to River District using a RAISE grant application (multimodal trail and amenities), and planning tied to a proposed Low Water Dam on the Arkansas River. Staff said the City of Tulsa is beginning a 10% preliminary design for the Low Water Dam, and that local appetite for funding will depend on cost estimates.

Funding and schedule issues Staff warned that some bond accounts will need additional money for remaining work. Examples given in the report include an Elm Street phase where encumbrances total roughly $11.7 million against an original $16 million project amount, and a phase 2 construction estimate that staff said is about $6.8–7.5 million, producing a shortfall. For Elwood, staff said design and right‑of‑way work improve eligibility for federal funding through ODOT/INCOG selection processes but do not guarantee awards. Staff told the committee that federal funding triggers different procurement and materials rules that affect schedule and costs.

Committee actions and next steps At the start of the meeting the committee approved minutes for prior meetings by voice vote after a member moved to approve and another seconded; the chair said there were no objections and the minutes were approved. Later, a committee member moved to accept the city report dated in the transcript as “fivetwelvetwenty 5”; after a second and no objections the chair said the motion carried. The meeting was later adjourned by voice vote.

Staff and committee members asked for ongoing updates on federal funding applications, utility‑relocation progress (ONG, AT&T, East Central Electric), potential litigation settlements for right‑of‑way, and how pending development will affect timing for lift station and roadway work.

The committee received the report and accepted it without objection; staff said they will return with follow‑up information as federal funding decisions, utility relocations and litigation progress allow.