Meeting Summary
The Midwest City Council approved the sale of $17.25 million in general obligation bonds and a 25-year non-exclusive franchise agreement with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, which will proceed to a special election. New members were appointed to the Traffic and Safety Commission, and an ordinance amending animal control regulations was passed. A citizen raised concerns regarding city code enforcement practices.
Key Decisions & Votes
Traffic and Safety Commission Appointments
20:00Nita Filter and Jamie Smith were approved as replacements for Kenny Stevenson and Gary Bachman on the Traffic and Safety Commission.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 Animals and Fowl
22:00An ordinance amending various sections of the Midwest City Municipal Code Chapter 8 related to animal control was approved.
Sale of General Obligation Bonds
25:00A resolution authorizing the sale of $17,250,000 in general obligation bonds was approved, and an emergency was declared.
One Gas Inc. Franchise Agreement
29:00An ordinance granting a 25-year non-exclusive franchise to One Gas Inc. (Oklahoma Natural Gas Company division) was approved.
Special Election for ONG Franchise Agreement
31:00A resolution authorizing a special election on June 11, 2019, for the approval or rejection of the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company franchise agreement was approved.
Executive Session for City Manager Position
36:00The council approved entering into executive session to discuss the employment, hiring, appointment, or promotion for the new city manager position.
Upcoming Community Events
Covered in Color
Charles J Johnson Park and Town Center Plaza; firm decision on event status by noon tomorrow.
Second Annual Community Cleanup
Mid-America Park, 9 a.m. to noon; free breakfast and lunch, prizes for most unusual trash collected.
Crews in for Coffee
Santa Fe restaurant parking lot; bring your new car, classic, or motorcycle for display; free coffee provided.
Annual Made in Oklahoma Fest
Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sheridan Midwest City hotel and Reef Conference Center; new this year: Friday night concert and beer and wine garden.
Financial Matters
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Grant
Grant awarded to Midwest City for 22 additional trees and benches for the Spirit Trails project.
General Obligation Bonds
Resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation bonds for the city.
Public Comments
A citizen expressed significant frustration with the city's code enforcement department, alleging that contractors hired by the city removed personal property from a recently purchased house before the new owner had adequate time to complete required cleanup and repairs. She highlighted concerns about the process and financial burden on citizens.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Decision on the 'Covered in Color' event by noon tomorrow.
- Special election for the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company franchise agreement on June 11, 2019.
Watch For
- Further discussion on the Plumbing Gas and Mechanical Board replacement (continued item).
- Item 4 to be brought back before council with changes.
- Discussions regarding the new city manager position following executive session.
Announcements
- Proclamation of April 2019 as Fair Housing Month.
- Proclamation of April 14 through 20 as National Telecommunicator Week.
- Proclamation of Tuesday, April 9th, as Sergeant Larry Jones Day, recognizing his retirement after 31 years of service with the Midwest City Police Department.
- Midwest City was awarded a $7,600 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation for 22 additional trees and benches for the Spirit Trails project.
Agenda Summary
Consent Agenda
Approval of routine agenda items by one motion.
Item 10 (Consent Agenda)
Item removed from the consent agenda for no action.
Discussion/consideration of appointing a replacement for Travis Jernigan to the Plumbing Gas and Mechanical Board
This item was continued from the last council meeting and further continued due to the absence of Mr. Moore.
Discussion/consideration of appointing replacements for Kenny Stevenson and Gary Bachman to the Traffic and Safety Commission
Consideration of Nita Filter and Jamie Smith as replacements.
Discussion/consideration of an ordinance amending the Midwest City Municipal Code Chapter 8 Animals and Fowl
Amending various sections related to impoundment, disposition, redemption, fees, area enclosures, sanitation, exemptions, and reclaiming animals, and deleting certain sections.
Item 4
This item was pulled from the agenda to be brought back before council with changes.
Discussion/consideration to consider and adopt a resolution authorizing the sale of $17,250,000 in general obligation bonds
Fixing the amount of bonds to mature each year, fixing the time and place of sale, and authorizing the city clerk to give notice, with an emergency declaration.
Discussion/consideration of an ordinance granting to One Gas Inc. acting by and through its Oklahoma Natural Gas Company division for a period of 25 years a non-exclusive franchise
Granting a non-exclusive franchise for transporting, distributing, and selling gas, fixing compensation, providing for submission to an election, and repealing conflicting ordinances.
Discussion/consideration of approving a resolution of the city of Midwest City, Oklahoma authorizing the calling and holding of a special election
Authorizing a special election on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, to submit the question of approving the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company franchise agreement to qualified electors.
Discussion/consideration of entering into executive session
Entering executive session as allowed under Title 25 Section 307 B1 to discuss the employment, hiring, appointment, or promotion for the new city manager position.