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City manager outlines staffing changes, budget and open-meeting obligations for Parks and Beautification Committee
Summary
Del City staff told the Parks and Beautification Committee that a new parks-and-public-spaces staffing split will take effect July 1, the committee has a $12,500 annual allotment and a $6,000 OCCF grant is available for welcome beds, and committee members received training on Open Meetings and records rules.
City Manager JD Hawk briefed the Del City Parks and Beautification Committee on Feb. 3 about staffing, budgets and open-meeting obligations as the committee plans projects for 2026.
Hawk said the city will separate duties into a 'parks and public spaces' team focused on maintenance, design and watering and a 'recreation' role focused on activities; the reorganization will begin to take effect before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. "That'll be in full effect July 1 with the new fiscal year budget," Hawk said.
Hawk reviewed the committee's fiscal resources: an annual allotment of $12,500 is available to the committee, and the group also has a $6,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation earmarked for welcome beds. Hawk cautioned that the OCCF grant must be expended by June 30 and reminded members that any purchase above $10,000 requires city council approval. He also noted a restricted hotel/motel tax fund that supports horticulture projects and a temporary sales tax in place through 2033 that provides roughly $400,000 annually for major parks and recreation projects.
The city manager covered legal requirements for committee members, including the Open Meetings Act and open-records rules, and described practical steps to avoid inadvertent serial meetings, such as using blind-copy email and directing responses only to staff. "Everything is subject to open meetings and open records rules," Hawk said.
Hawk also offered staff support for grant-writing and project planning and suggested committee members bring project proposals and cost estimates well in advance to allow council consideration. He outlined practical examples (terracotta planters, river-rock edging and park equipment) and encouraged the committee to coordinate with the school system and local volunteers for murals and community plantings.
Committee members asked technical questions about planter durability and paint and confirmed staff will present procurement options and cost estimates at the next meeting.
