5-26-26 City of Oak Harbor Council Workshop

The City of Oak Harbor held a council workshop on May 26, 2026, focusing on several procurement and budget-related topics. Key discussions included a mid-contract report on the Sky Patrol falconer bird abatement pilot program, which costs $35,000 and has demonstrated an 80% reduction in seagull populations, potentially saving the city significant maintenance costs. The council also reviewed updates to the parks and recreation master fee schedule, proposing adjustments to labor inflation rates, cost recovery for external services, and new fees such as a $25 per hour commercial commissary kitchen rate. Financial analysis showed parks and recreation revenues cover about 13% of expenditures, with the remainder subsidized by the general fund. Additionally, the council discussed parking and permitting policies for oversized vehicles and RVs, balancing enforcement with community needs. Finally, a major focus was the infrastructure master plan, including water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation comprehensive plan updates, with a budget of approximately $933,000. This plan aims to address aging infrastructure primarily in the downtown area, coordinate with state and federal requirements, and guide future capital projects and utility rate decisions. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but several action items and policy directions were discussed to guide future procurement and budgeting efforts.