Meeting Summary
The City Council recognized Employee of the Month Lisha Meyers and outgoing Councilman Lee Cooper Jr. Key decisions included approving several rezonings, adopting new employment policies for municipal judges, and increasing the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust's commercial paper program to $500 million. A significant discussion occurred regarding the Deep Fork Trail and a proposed PUD for the Red Ridge Natural Preserve, which was ultimately approved despite calls for deferral.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Month Recognition
04:00Lisha Meyers was recognized as the April 2025 South Oklahoma City Kowanas Club Employee of the Month for her seven years of service in the police department's records division.
Councilman Lee E. Cooper Jr. Recognition
10:00Councilman Lee E. Cooper Jr. was recognized for his dedicated service to Ward 7 and the city, completing his second term on the City Council.
Appointments to City Trusts
27:00Appointments were approved for the Airport Trust, Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, and Water Utilities Trust.
Municipal Judge Appointment
28:30Edward Hasbrook was appointed as Municipal Judge for a term from July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2027.
Municipal Criminal Court Employment Policies
31:00A resolution was adopted to apply the city's employment policies, with modifications, to municipal judges.
Convention Center Booking Policy Update
40:00An updated booking policy for the Oklahoma City Convention Center was approved, modernizing booking guidelines (from 60 to 48 months out), adjusting peak room nights, and standardizing definitions.
Record Services Contracts Renewal (Morgan Towing)
50:00Item 9A, concerning the renewal of contracts with various record services, was struck from the agenda for further investigation into issues with Morgan Towing.
Consent Docket Approval
1:00:00The remaining items on the consent docket were approved unanimously.
Concurrence Docket Approval
1:00:30All items on the concurrence docket were approved unanimously.
Rezoning 10931 Northwest 10th
1:01:00An ordinance was approved on final hearing to rezone 10931 Northwest 10th from I2 to I3.
Rezoning 4100 Northwest 23rd
1:01:30An ordinance was approved on final hearing to rezone 4100 Northwest 23rd from R1 to C1.
Rezoning 721 Northeast 50th (Red Ridge Natural Preserve)
1:29:00An ordinance was approved on final hearing to rezone 721 Northeast 50th to PUD2055 and HNO for the Red Ridge Natural Preserve, despite a motion to defer for further trail study which failed 2-6.
Rezoning 723 Southwest 149th Street (Orr Family Farm)
1:30:30An ordinance was approved on final hearing to rezone 723 Southwest 149th Street from AA to PUD 2056 for an expansion of the Orr Family Farm.
Rezoning 1201 Southeast 25th
1:31:30An ordinance was approved on final hearing to rezone 1201 Southeast 25th from PUD 855 to SPD 1712.
Bricktown Food Truck Curfew Ordinance
1:32:30An ordinance establishing a curfew on food trucks in Bricktown was approved on its second hearing.
Declaration of Dilapidated Structures
1:33:30A resolution was approved declaring listed structures as dilapidated.
Declaration of Unsecured Structures
1:34:30A resolution was approved declaring listed structures as unsecured.
Declaration of Abandoned Buildings
1:35:30A resolution was approved declaring listed buildings as abandoned.
Confess Judgment (Haskins V C of OKC)
1:36:30A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Haskins V C of OKC.
Confess Judgment (Jacob v city of OKC)
1:37:00A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Jacob v city of OKC.
Claims Recommended for Denial
1:37:30Claims recommended for denial (Items A through C) were approved.
Claims Recommended for Approval
1:38:00Claims recommended for approval (Items A through C) were approved.
OKC Water Utilities Trust Indebtedness
1:40:00A resolution was approved to increase the commercial paper program for Aquit from $350 million to $500 million, requiring six votes to incur indebtedness and seven to waive competitive bidding, both met unanimously.
Upcoming Community Events
NOKCC Soccer Tournament
Cameron fields, expecting 250 teams and 40 different clubs.
Book Signing: 'Parks of Oklahoma City, a history'
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM at Scissortail Park with authors Brian Dhy and Bob Blackburn.
Financial Matters
ARPA Program Status Update
The city has committed all $122 million in ARPA funds by December 2024, with 30% spent and a target to spend all funds by December 2026. A resolution was approved to allow flexibility in moving funds between projects within categories.
Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust Commercial Paper Program
Approval to increase the commercial paper program from $350 million to $500 million to fund Aquit's capital plan. The program has high credit ratings (A1 P1) and the Water Trust has AAA ratings, leading to lower interest costs.
Claims recommended for denial
Three claims were recommended for denial.
Claims recommended for approval
Three claims were recommended for approval.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including support for and opposition to the Red Ridge Natural Preserve PUD in relation to the Deep Fork Trail, concerns about explosions near the Standard Iron and Metal facility, issues with private equity's impact on housing, and conditions in the county jail. One speaker also shared information about SBA disaster assistance.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 11C was deferred to May 20th.
Deadlines
- SBA disaster loan application deadline for physical damages: May 27th
- SBA disaster loan application deadline for economic injury: December 29th
Watch For
- The engineering report for alternative Deep Fork Trail routes is expected by the end of summer.
- Future appointments for Councilman Lee Cooper to city boards.
Announcements
- Lisha Meyers was recognized as the April 2025 South Oklahoma City Kowanas Club Employee of the Month.
- Councilman Lee E. Cooper Jr. was recognized for his dedicated service to Ward 7 and the city, completing his second term.
- Officers Michael Ber and Marco Herrera of the Hefner Division were commended for assisting a stalled vehicle on Northwest Expressway.
- The Deep Fork Trail groundbreaking for the first three phases was held, with Parks Commissioner Carol Sullivan recognized.
- Councilman James Cooper shared observations from Amsterdam regarding housing, bike infrastructure, and urban development.
- The US Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for damages from severe storms on November 2-3, 2024, in Oklahoma County and contiguous counties.
- Councilman Lee Cooper expressed gratitude for the Oklahoma City bombing memorial recognition and the Standard Iron proposal application efforts.
- Councilman Kinkle announced the big NOKC soccer tournament at Cameron fields from May 2-4, expecting 250 teams and 40 clubs.
- A new book, 'Parks of Oklahoma City, a history' by Brian Dhy and Bob Blackburn, was announced, with a book signing at Scissortail Park on May 10th.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation led by Pastor Jennifer Bergland, Pledge of Allegiance led by McKenzie Gibson.
Resolution recognizing Lisha Meyers as April 2025 South Oklahoma City Kowanas Club Employee of the Month
Recognition of Lisha Meyers for her seven years of service as a unit operations leader in the police department's records division.
Resolution recognizing Councilman Lee E. Cooper Jr. for his dedicated service to Ward 7 and all residents of Oklahoma City
Recognition of Councilman Lee E. Cooper Jr. for his extensive leadership and service, completing his second term on the City Council.
Appointments to the Airport Trust, Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, and Water Utilities Trust
Approval of appointments to various city trusts.
Resolution appointing Edward Hasbrook as Municipal Judge
Appointment of Edward Hasbrook as Municipal Judge for a term from July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2027.
Resolution adopting employment policies and procedures applicable to appointed members of the Municipal Criminal Court
Adoption of employment policies for municipal judges, aligning with those for other city employees with modifications.
City Manager Reports: Claims and Payroll
Report on city claims and payroll, available at okc.gov.
City Manager Reports: Status update on the city's ARPA program
Update on the city's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with all $122 million committed by December 2024 and 30% spent, targeting full expenditure by December 2026.
Journal of Council Proceedings (Items A and B)
Approval of the Journal of Council Proceedings.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Several agenda items were struck or deferred.
Revocable Permits and Events
No revocable permits or events were on the agenda.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items A through G
Approval of items on the OCMFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA) Items A through C
Approval of items on the OCPA agenda, including a presentation on the Convention Center booking policy.
Amendment and renewal of contracts with various record services (Item 9A)
Discussion and public comments regarding the renewal of towing contracts, with staff recommending against renewing Morgan Towing due to administrative issues.
Presentation on resolution to amend plats within Oklahoma City to remove discriminatory language (Item 9BB)
Presentation by Emma Winsky from the Human Rights Commission on a resolution supporting the removal of racially restrictive covenants from property plats.
Presentation on Project Galaxy, a proposed feature film, as an eligible project for the film incentive program (Item 9BC)
Presentation by Jill Simpson from the OKC Film Office on a faith-based feature film about the OKC bombing, seeking a 10% rebate from the city's film incentive program.
Consent Docket (excluding struck items)
Approval of the remaining items on the consent docket.
Concurrence Docket (Items A through P)
Approval of all items on the concurrence docket.
Ordinance on final hearing: Rezoning 10931 Northwest 10th from I2 to I3 (Item 11A)
Final hearing and approval for rezoning property on Northwest 10th Street.
Ordinance on final hearing: Rezoning 4100 Northwest 23rd from R1 to C1 (Item 11B)
Final hearing and approval for rezoning property on Northwest 23rd Street.
Ordinance on final hearing: Rezoning 721 Northeast 50th from PUD 1670, PUD 344 and HNO to PUD2055 and HNO (Red Ridge Natural Preserve) (Item 11D)
Final hearing and approval for rezoning property for the Red Ridge Natural Preserve, following extensive public comment and council discussion regarding its relationship to the Deep Fork Trail.
Ordinance on final hearing: Rezoning 723 Southwest 149th Street from AA to PUD 2056 (Orr Family Farm expansion) (Item 11E)
Final hearing and approval for rezoning property for an expansion of the Orr Family Farm, including a pumpkin patch and corn maze.
Ordinance on final hearing: Rezoning 1201 Southeast 25th from PUD 855 to SPD 1712 (Item 11F)
Final hearing and approval for rezoning property on Southeast 25th Street for a small addition to an existing area.
Ordinance on final hearing: Curfew on food trucks in Bricktown (Item 11H)
Second of two meetings for consideration of an ordinance establishing a curfew for food trucks in the Bricktown area.
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures (Item 11I1)
Public hearing on listed dilapidated structures.
Resolution declaring structures dilapidated (Item 11I2)
Declaration that listed structures are dilapidated.
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures (Item 11J1)
Public hearing on listed unsecured structures.
Resolution declaring structures unsecured (Item 11J2)
Declaration that listed structures are unsecured.
Public hearing regarding abandoned buildings (Item 11K1)
Public hearing on listed abandoned buildings.
Resolution declaring buildings abandoned (Item 11K2)
Declaration that listed buildings are abandoned.
Joint resolution providing an updated convention center booking policy (Item 11L)
Approval of an updated booking policy for the Oklahoma City Convention Center, modernizing guidelines and definitions.
Resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Haskins V C of OKC (Item 11N1)
Authorization for the municipal council to confess judgment in a legal case.
Resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without amending liability in the case of Jacob v city of OKC (Item 11O1)
Authorization for the municipal council to confess judgment in a legal case.
Claims recommended for denial (Items 11P1 A through C)
Approval of claims recommended for denial.
Claims recommended for approval (Items 11Q1 A through C)
Approval of claims recommended for approval.
Resolution approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (Item 11M)
Approval to increase the commercial paper program for Aquit from $350 million to $500 million to fund capital projects.