Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included the recognition of two Employees of the Month and a significant discussion and approval of a $2.7 billion general obligation bond program for infrastructure, which will be put to a public vote. A contentious debate also occurred regarding the city's obligation to provide legal representation for a former police officer involved in a use-of-force incident, with public comments expressing strong opposition.
Key Decisions & Votes
Resolution for Variance at 15700 South Penn
00:10:00A resolution authorizing and directing the city manager to prepare and file an application to the board of adjustment for a variance at 15700 South Penn was approved unanimously.
Rezoning 11239 Northwest Expressway
00:23:00An ordinance on final hearing to rezone 11239 Northwest Expressway from double A to R1 was approved unanimously after being deferred from July 1st.
Rezoning 6300 Northeast 63rd
00:24:00An ordinance on final hearing to rezone 6300 Northeast 63rd from double A to PUB 2063 was deferred for two weeks to the July 29th meeting for further discussion with the applicant and address community concerns.
Rezoning 3223 Northwest 178
00:36:00An ordinance on final hearing to rezone 3223 Northwest 178 from PUD 1891 to SPUD705 was deferred for two weeks to allow for further meetings with neighbors.
Rezoning 1130 Northeast 25th
00:37:00An ordinance on final hearing to rezone 1130 Northeast 25th from R1 PUD 388 and HNO to SPUD 1731 and HNO was approved unanimously.
Rezoning 1617 Northwest 16th
00:38:00An ordinance on final hearing to rezone 1617 Northwest 16th from R1 and UC to SPD 1732 was approved unanimously.
Declaration of Dilapidated Structures
00:42:00A resolution declaring listed structures as dilapidated was approved unanimously following a public hearing.
Declaration of Unsecured Structures
00:44:00A resolution declaring listed structures as unsecured was approved unanimously following a public hearing.
Declaration of Abandoned Buildings
00:45:00A resolution declaring listed buildings as abandoned was approved unanimously following a public hearing.
General Obligation Bond Program
00:55:00Resolutions related to a $2.7 billion general obligation bond program, including calling a special election for October 14th, were approved unanimously. This program includes 547 projects, with 56% dedicated to streets, bridges, and traffic, and does not require a tax increase.
Activation of Increment District D (Downtown MAPS)
00:57:00A resolution authorizing the activation of Increment District D of the downtown MAPS economic development project plan, specifically for the conversion of office to housing at First National, was approved unanimously.
Confession of Judgment (Hammock v. VOC)
00:58:00A resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment in the case of Hammock v. VOC was approved unanimously.
Legal Representation for Former Employee Joseph Gibson
01:17:00A resolution authorizing the firm Colin Zorn and Wagner to represent former city employee Joseph Gibson in the case of VU v. City of OKC was approved by a 7-2 vote, despite significant public opposition and council debate regarding the city's obligation to provide representation.
Acceptance of Binding Letter of Credit (Lock Supply v. City of OKC)
01:17:00A resolution authorizing the municipal council to accept a binding letter of credit for $725,158.56 in lieu of street impact fees related to the case of Lock Supply v. City of OKC was approved unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Denial
01:18:00Claims recommended for denial (items A through D) were approved unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Approval
01:18:00Claims recommended for approval (items A through D) were approved unanimously.
Financial Matters
Streetcar Insurance Coverage
Approval of the purchase and acquisition of streetcar insurance coverage for the benefit of the city and its participating public trust, effective July 1st, 2025, and authorizing the transfer of funds from the risk management international services service fund to the OCMA risk management property and casualty insurance administration fund.
General Obligation Bond Program
Approval of a $2.7 billion general obligation bond program for infrastructure, including 547 projects, with 56% dedicated to streets, bridges, and traffic. This program will be put to a public vote on October 14th and does not require a tax increase.
Increment District D Activation
Activation of Increment District D of the downtown MAPS economic development project plan, which will activate a 25-year clock for collecting increment from two buildings converted from office to housing. Harlo was given a $4.2 million incentive package from this.
Binding Letter of Credit (Lock Supply v. City of OKC)
Acceptance of a binding letter of credit in the amount of $725,158.56 in lieu of street impact fees related to the case of Lock Supply v. City of OKC.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily focused on two main issues: the city's decision to provide legal representation for a former police officer involved in a use-of-force incident, with strong opposition and calls for accountability, and concerns about a proposed rezoning project's impact on the environment and existing infrastructure. One resident also spoke about the challenges faced by the homeless community.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Rezoning 6300 Northeast 63rd (deferred to July 29th meeting)
- Rezoning 3223 Northwest 178 (deferred for two weeks)
Deadlines
- General Obligation Bond Program public vote: October 14th
Watch For
- Further discussion on rezoning 6300 Northeast 63rd
- Further discussion on rezoning 3223 Northwest 178
- Public engagement and education regarding the $2.7 billion bond program
Announcements
- Lester Caldwell recognized as June Employee of the Month for his detailed work order notes in the General Services Department.
- Nicole Le Moine recognized as July Employee of the Month for her administrative support in the Finance Department's risk management division.
- Congratulations to Eli Willlets and Ethan Holiday of Oklahoma for being first and fourth-round draft picks in the MLB.
- Councilman from Ward 3 thanked city employees and residents for their contributions to the bond process and acknowledged the fire and police departments for flood rescues.
- A young boy named Ryder, who was hit by a truck on Cemetery Road, is in the hospital, and the community is asked to pray for him.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Pastor Taylor Cave of South Walker Church of Christ, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by James Levi Pek, Eastston Odow, and Matteline Elizabeth Pek representing Scouting America Troops 177 and 6177.
Presentations of Resolutions (Office of the Mayor)
Recognition of Lester Caldwell as June Employee of the Month and Nicole Le Moine as July Employee of the Month.
Resolution for Variance at 15700 South Penn
Resolution authorizing and directing city manager or designated prepare and file an application to the board of adjustment for a variance at 15700 South Penn.
City Manager Reports
Report on claims and payroll, available at okc.gov.
Journal of Council Proceedings
Items A and B of the journal of council proceedings.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Item 11C deferred to July 29th. Several dilapidated, unsecured, and abandoned structures were stricken from the agenda due to owner removal or securing of properties.
Revocable Permits and Events
No items for discussion.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Items A through O of the OCMFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA)
Items A and B of the OCPA agenda.
Consent Docket
General consent docket items, with item H pulled for separate vote and item AJ for public comment.
Item H (Consent Docket)
Vote on an item related to AI facial analysis technology, with concerns raised about privacy and the vendor's past legal issues.
Item AJ (Consent Docket)
Joint resolution with Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Trust approving the purchase and acquisition of streetcar insurance coverage.
Concurrence Docket
No items for discussion.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Rezoning 11239 Northwest Expressway
Rezoning from double A to R1, deferred from July 1st.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Rezoning 6300 Northeast 63rd
Rezoning from double A to PUB 2063, with public opposition and concerns about comprehensive plan consistency and infrastructure.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Rezoning 3223 Northwest 178
Rezoning from PUD 1891 to SPUD705, deferred from May 20th and June 17th.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Rezoning 1130 Northeast 25th
Rezoning from R1 PUD 388 and HNO to SPUD 1731 and HNO.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Rezoning 1617 Northwest 16th
Rezoning from R1 and UC to SPD 1732.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing regarding listed dilapidated structures, with public comment.
Resolution: Declaring Structures Dilapidated
Resolution declaring listed structures as dilapidated.
Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures
Public hearing regarding listed unsecured structures, with public comment.
Resolution: Declaring Structures Unsecured
Resolution declaring listed structures as unsecured.
Public Hearing: Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing regarding listed abandoned buildings, with public comment.
Resolution: Declaring Buildings Abandoned
Resolution declaring listed buildings as abandoned.
General Obligation Bond Issue and Authorization
Resolutions related to a $2.7 billion general obligation bond program for infrastructure, including a presentation and calling a special election for October 14th.
Resolution: Activation of Increment District D
Resolution authorizing activation of Increment District D of the downtown MAPS economic development project plan.
Resolution: Confess Judgment (Hammock v. VOC)
Resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment in the case of Hammock v. VOC.
Resolution: Legal Representation for Joseph Gibson
Resolution authorizing the firm Colin Zorn and Wagner to represent former city employee Joseph Gibson in the case of VU v. City of OKC, with significant public and council debate.
Resolution: Accept Binding Letter of Credit (Lock Supply v. City of OKC)
Resolution authorizing the municipal council to accept binding letter of credit in the amount of $725,158.56 in lieu of street impact fees related to the case of Lock Supply v. City of OKC.
Claims Recommended for Denial
Items A through D of claims recommended for denial.
Claims Recommended for Approval
Items A through D of claims recommended for approval.
Comments from Council
Council members shared announcements, recognitions, and personal reflections.
Citizens to be Heard
Public comments from Michael Washington and Walter Young the Second on various topics including police accountability and homelessness.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned.