Meeting Summary
The Midwest City Council approved a 2.05% salary increase for non-bargaining city employees and addressed several dilapidated properties, including granting a conditional delay for one owner to obtain a building permit and complete renovations. Key decisions also included increased city insurance coverage due to legislative changes, approval of the Community Development Block Grant plan, and amendments to the Parks and Recreation Board ordinance and City Council candidate questionnaire. Public comments highlighted concerns about substandard housing conditions and the importance of city fund balances.
Key Decisions & Votes
Increased City Insurance Coverage
12:50Due to changes in the Governmental Tort Claim Act doubling liability exposure, the city approved increased insurance limits from $1 million to $2 million, with layered coverage up to $5 million to protect citizens from potential property tax burdens.
Community Development Block Grant Plan
20:40The 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Strategy and the 2025 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant funds were approved, authorizing the mayor and city manager to implement related programs.
Embark Bus Service Contract
32:00A contract for $236,749 with COTPA for the Embark Route 15 bus service for FY25-26 was approved, with a commitment to study route optimization to improve efficiency.
Mid America Park Basketball Courts
38:40An amendment for $40,300 was approved to develop construction documents for a new basketball court and rehabilitate an existing court at Mid America Park, extending the contract term.
Tree Board Appointment
39:40Susie Burns was appointed to the Tree Board for a term of three years.
Rezoning for Dog Grooming/Boarding Facility
47:50A resolution and ordinance were approved to amend the comprehensive plan and zoning map for 1015 & 1025 South Post Road to an SPUD, allowing a dog grooming and boarding facility with an express disallowance for animal sales.
Rezoning for Redevelopment at SE 29th & Douglas
50:00An ordinance was approved to amend the zoning map to PUB for a 14.5-acre site at the southwest corner of SE 29th Street and Douglas Boulevard, facilitating redevelopment for eating establishments, recreation, and retail.
Demolition of Dilapidated Building (1917 N St. Peter Ave)
52:30A resolution was passed declaring the structure at 1917 North St. Peter Avenue dilapidated and setting dates for its demolition and removal.
Conditional Delay for Dilapidated Building (2005 N St. Mark Ave)
1:07:00A resolution to demolish the structure at 2005 North St. Mark Avenue was conditionally delayed, requiring the owner to obtain a building permit by July 31st and complete renovations within six months (by February 2026). Failure to comply will result in the issue returning to council for abatement.
Demolition of Dilapidated Building (2201 N St. Mark Ave) by Owner
1:12:00A resolution was passed declaring the structure at 2201 North St. Mark Avenue dilapidated, with the owners agreeing to perform the demolition themselves upon receiving utility disconnections.
Parks and Recreation Board Ordinance Amendments
1:15:00Amendments to the Municipal Code for the Parks and Recreation Board were approved, establishing term limits, ward-based membership, mission, officers, city liaison, and sunset review.
City Council Candidate Questionnaire Amendments
1:21:00Amendments to the City Council candidate questionnaire were approved, including a footnote to inform candidates that ethics reporting now goes to the State Ethics Commission.
Salary Increase for Non-Bargaining Employees
1:25:00A 2.05% across-the-board increase to the base salary of city employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements was approved, effective July 1, 2025, with a commitment to equalize if FOP/Fire agreements result in higher increases.
Upcoming Community Events
Tinker Air Show
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., gates open 8:00 a.m. at Tinker Air Force Base. Visit tinkerairshow.org for details.
Tribute to Liberty
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park. Features Andrews Sisters tribute, Wise Guys Band, and fireworks at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Financial Matters
Increased City Insurance Coverage
Approval of increased insurance limits from $1 million to $2 million for liability claims, with layered coverage up to $5 million, in response to changes in the Governmental Tort Claim Act.
Embark Route 15 Bus Service Contract
Approval of the annual contract for bus service with COTPA, which includes a 5% increase for the upcoming fiscal year.
Mid America Park Basketball Courts Agreement
Approval of an amendment to the RL Shears Company PC agreement for the development of construction documents for new and rehabilitated basketball courts.
2.05% Salary Increase for City Employees
Approval of an across-the-board increase to the base salary of city employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Regional Park Playground Renovation
Future project for renovating the Regional Park playground, with funds already set aside.
City Fund Balances
Discussion on the importance of maintaining and potentially increasing city fund balances as a safeguard against future emergencies and the anticipated impact of I-40 realignment on sales tax revenue.
Public Comments
Residents raised concerns about uninhabitable and unsafe living conditions at Midwest Midi Manor Apartments, citing issues like electrical hazards, power outages, lack of hot water, pest infestations, and structural damage. Another citizen emphasized the critical importance of increasing city fund balances to prepare for potential federal funding reductions (FEMA) and the long-term economic impact of the I-40 realignment project on city sales tax revenue.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8 (from City Council agenda)
Deadlines
- July 31st: Owner of 2005 North St. Mark Avenue must obtain a building permit.
- February 2026: Owner of 2005 North St. Mark Avenue must complete renovations (six-month timeline from permit issuance).
Watch For
- Tinker Air Show (this weekend)
- July 4th Tribute to Liberty
- Study on Embark Route 15 bus service optimization
- Renovation planning for Regional Park playground
- Potential impacts of I-40 realignment on city sales tax revenue
Announcements
- Tinker Air Show aerial demonstrations are Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. on both days. More information at tinkerairshow.org.
- Midwest City's annual Tribute to Liberty will be held on July 4th at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., featuring the Andrews Sisters tribute and the Wise Guys Band. Fireworks will start at approximately 9:45 p.m.
- All city offices will be closed on Friday, July 4th, to observe the Independence holiday.
- Trash and recycling will be picked up on the preceding Wednesday due to the holiday.
- The compost facility will be closed on July 4th and July 5th.
- The household hazardous waste facility will be closed on July 4th.
Agenda Summary
Remainder of Consent Agenda
Routine agenda items not pulled for separate discussion.
Item 4 (Consent) - Additional Insurance Provisions
Approval of additional insurance provisions to address increased city liability exposure under the Governmental Tort Claim Act.
Item 5 (Consent) - Additional Insurance Provisions
Approval of additional insurance provisions to address increased city liability exposure under the Governmental Tort Claim Act.
Item 6 (Consent) - Additional Insurance Provisions
Approval of additional insurance provisions to address increased city liability exposure under the Governmental Tort Claim Act.
Item 7 (Consent) - States Insurance Coverage
Approval of States Insurance coverage as part of layered insurance to address increased city liability exposure.
Item 10 (Consent) - Consolidated Plan and CDBG Funds
Approval of the proposed 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Strategy and the 2025 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant funds.
Item 13 (Consent) - Embark Route 15 Bus Service Contract
Approval of a contract for fiscal year 25-26 with COTPA for the provision of Embark Route 15 bus service in Midwest City.
Item 14 (Consent) - Mid America Park Basketball Courts
Approval of Amendment #5 to the RL Shears Company PC agreement to develop construction documents for a new basketball court and rehabilitate an existing court at Mid America Park.
Item 17 (Consent) - Tree Board Appointment
Appointment of Susie Burns to the Tree Board for a term of three years.
Discussion Item 1 (PC 2213) - Rezoning 1015 & 1025 South Post Road
Public hearing and action on a resolution to amend the comprehensive plan and an ordinance to amend the zoning map from R6 to an SPUD for a dog grooming and boarding facility.
Discussion Item 2 (PC 2216) - Rezoning SE 29th & Douglas Boulevard
Public hearing and action on an ordinance to amend the zoning map to PUB for a property at the southwest corner of SE 29th Street and Douglas Boulevard for redevelopment.
Discussion Item 3 - Dilapidated Building 1917 North St. Peter Avenue
Public hearing and action on a resolution declaring the structure at 1917 North St. Peter Avenue dilapidated and setting dates for demolition.
Discussion Item 4 - Dilapidated Building 2005 North St. Mark Avenue
Public hearing and action on a resolution declaring the structure at 2005 North St. Mark Avenue dilapidated and setting dates for demolition.
Discussion Item 5 - Dilapidated Building 2201 North St. Mark Avenue
Public hearing and action on a resolution declaring the structure at 2201 North St. Mark Avenue dilapidated and setting dates for demolition.
Discussion Item 6 - Parks and Recreation Board Ordinance Amendments
Approval of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code Chapter 30 Parks and Recreation Article 3 Parks and Recreation Board.
Discussion Item 7 - City Council Candidate Questionnaire Amendments
Approval of amendments to the City of Midwest City Council candidate questionnaire.
Discussion Item 8
An agenda item that was postponed to a future meeting.
Discussion Item 9
An agenda item that required no further action.
New Business Item 10
An item requiring further language to be worked out.
New Business Item 11 - Employee Salary Increase
Discussion and action regarding a 2.05% across-the-board increase to the base salary of city employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.