Meeting Summary
The City Council received updates on arena financing and approved the sale of $160 million in general obligation bonds. Extensive public discussion occurred regarding the Deep Fork Trail's completion and a proposed PUD for the Red Ridge Nature Preserve, which was introduced but not voted on. A consultant agreement for soccer parks was deferred for further review and council briefings.
Key Decisions & Votes
Sherry Westbrook Employee of the Month Resolution
20:00Resolution commending Sherry Westbrook for 42 years of service and for recovering over $11,000 for the city.
Midtown Walkabout Revocable Permit
39:40Approved a revocable right-of-way use permit for the Downtown OKC Partnership to hold the 10th annual Midtown Walkabout on April 12th.
Farmers Market District Spring Festival Revocable Permit
41:30Approved a revocable right-of-way use permit for the FMD Association to hold the Farmers Market District Spring Festival on April 5th.
Britton District Day Revocable Permit
43:40Approved a revocable right-of-way use permit for the Britton District to hold Britton District Day this Saturday, celebrating the streetscape opening.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
45:00Approved all items (A through E) on the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority docket with one motion.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA) Items
45:40Approved all items (A through D) on the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority docket with one motion.
GO Bonds Series 2025 Award Purchase
1:30:00Awarded the purchase of $160 million in general obligation bonds, Series 2025, to Goldman Sachs with a true interest cost of 3.936274%.
GO Bonds Series 2025 Ordinance
1:31:00Approved the ordinance related to the $160 million general obligation bond sale and granted an emergency declaration for its immediate effectiveness.
Dilapidated Structures Resolution
1:32:00Approved the resolution declaring listed structures as dilapidated following a public hearing.
Unsecured Structures Resolution
1:33:00Approved the resolution declaring listed structures as unsecured following a public hearing.
Abandoned Structures Resolution
1:33:00Approved the resolution declaring listed buildings as abandoned following a public hearing.
Confess Judgment Ford v City of OKC
1:34:00Authorized the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Ford v City of OKC.
Executive Session Moser v City of OKC
1:35:00Voted to enter executive session to receive confidential communications regarding Moser etc. v City of OKC.
Executive Session Simmons v City of OKC
1:35:00Voted to enter executive session to receive confidential communications regarding Simmons v City of OKC etc.
Upcoming Community Events
World Ranking Event with the International Canoe Federation
10 countries participating, competitions in whitewater slalom and kayak cross at Riverport Rapids. Prelude to the 2028 Olympics.
Tackle the Trails Event
Kick-off for Litter Blitz month, volunteers will clean over 100 miles of the city's trail system. Sign-up at okcul.com.
Midtown Walkabout
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Walker Avenue, celebrating 10 years with local businesses, a vendor market, family-friendly programming, and live music.
Farmers Market District Spring Festival
Noon to 5:00 p.m., in tandem with the farmers market, featuring an antique mall, approximately 100 vendors, nonprofits, a kids' area, food trucks, and three bands. The epicenter of the district will be closed.
Britton District Day
Noon to 5:00 p.m., with Britton Road closed between Olly and Francis. Commemorates the official opening of the streetscape. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Financial Matters
Arena Construction Financing Update
Update on the financing plan for the new arena, including the approval of $950 million in bonds and the recommendation of Goldman Sachs as the senior manager for the financing team.
Sales Tax Report
The March sales tax check showed nearly 3% growth, but the city is still 0.5% down for the year and $8.5 million below projections, indicating a challenging budget for the next fiscal year.
GO Bonds Series 2025 Sale
Awarded the purchase of $160 million in general obligation bonds to Goldman Sachs, representing the largest single bond sale in the city's history, with a true interest cost of 3.936274%.
Sherry Westbrook Reimbursement
Sherry Westbrook was recognized for discovering information that led to the recovery of funds for a damaged street light.
Soccer Parks Consultant Agreement
Discussion regarding a professional services agreement with Collective Best for analysis of soccer park operations, with a noted discrepancy in the contract amount between $72,000 and $122,000.
Public Comments
Fifteen citizens spoke regarding the Deep Fork Trail and the Red Ridge Nature Preserve PUD, emphasizing the importance of completing the trail for safety, connectivity, and accessibility, and urging collaboration with the Kirkpatrick Foundation. Concerns were also raised about a consultant agreement for soccer parks, citing inaccuracies and potential negative impacts on local clubs. One citizen spoke about the importance of trade education for youth.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 11A (Uncontested Continuance) deferred to April 22nd.
- Item 9AV (Soccer Parks Consultant Agreement) deferred to April 22nd.
Deadlines
- Deep Fork Trail alternative routes report from Half and Associates expected by early fall (around September).
- Final hearing for the Deep Fork Trail PUD (Item 9O) on April 22nd.
- Deferred vote on the Soccer Parks Consultant Agreement (Item 9AV) on April 22nd.
Watch For
- Potential future general obligation bond program funding for Deep Fork Trail Phase 3.
- Council briefings and further discussion on the soccer parks consultant report.
- Continued discussions and potential actions regarding the Deep Fork Trail easement acquisition.
Announcements
- April 2025 proclaimed Fair Housing Month.
- April 2025 proclaimed Litter Blitz 2025 Month, encouraging residents to participate in community cleanups.
- Sherry Westbrook recognized as March 2025 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for 42 years of service in Public Works.
- Chris Sorenson introduced as the new Executive Director for the Riverport Foundation.
- The city's AAA bond rating has been reaffirmed by Standard & Poor's and Moody's.
- New public art, 'Cloud Embrace' by Creative Machines, will be installed in Bricktown, funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant and the Inasmuch Foundation.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation led by Pastor Jeremy Jordan of Cross Timbers Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Aurora Gilbert representing Girl Scout Troop 736.
Proclamation: Fair Housing Month
Proclamation declaring April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in Oklahoma City, with remarks from Vanessa Johnson of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors.
Proclamation: Litter Blitz 2025
Proclamation declaring April 2025 as Litter Blitz 2025 in Oklahoma City, with remarks from Lauren of OKC Beautiful.
Resolution: Employee of the Month
Resolution recognizing Sherry Westbrook as March 2025 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for 42 years of service and recovering over $11,000 for the city.
City Manager Report: Arena Construction Financing Update
Brent Bryant, Assistant City Manager and CFO, provided an update on the financing for the new arena, including the RFP process and recommendation for Goldman Sachs as senior manager.
City Manager Report: Riverport Foundation Report
Mike Kop and Chris Sorenson provided an update on upcoming events, including the World Ranking event with the International Canoe Federation, and introduced Chris Sorenson as the new Executive Director.
City Manager Report: Sales Tax Report
Report on the March sales tax check, showing almost 3% growth but an overall 0.5% decrease for the year, $8.5 million below projections.
Item 6A & 6B: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of the journal of council proceedings.
Item 7: Request for uncontested continuances
Several items for unsecured and abandoned structures were stricken from the agenda as owners secured them. Item 11A was deferred.
Item 8A: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Downtown OKC Partnership
To hold Midtown Walkabout on April 12th.
Item 8B: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with the FMD Association
To hold the Farmers Market District Spring Festival on April 5th.
Item 8C: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with the Britton District
To hold Britton District Day this Saturday, commemorating the streetscape opening.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items A-E
Multiple items related to the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA) Items A-D
Multiple items related to the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
Item 9O: Introduction of an ordinance to amend PUD-1670
Proposed amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) related to the Red Ridge Nature Preserve, with significant public discussion regarding its impact on the Deep Fork Trail.
Item 9AV: Resolution waiving guidelines and provisions for the selection of a professional consultant
Agreement with Collective Best for analysis of soccer park operations at CB Cameron Soccer Park and South Lakes Soccer Park.
Remainder of Consent Docket
Various routine items on the consent docket not pulled for individual consideration.
Item 10A-F: Concurrence Docket
Various routine items on the concurrence docket.
Item 11A: Ordinance on final hearing
An ordinance previously deferred.
Item 11B: Ordinance on final hearing
Closing a portion of North South utility easement west of North Morgan Road near Memorial.
Item 11C: Ordinance on final hearing
Closing a portion of a 20-foot storm drainage easement east of Rockwell south of Melrose.
Item 11D: Award purchase of the $160 million City of OKC GO Bonds Series 2025
Awarding the bond purchase to Goldman Sachs.
Item 11E: Ordinance related to the $160 million City of OKC GO Bonds Series 2025
Approving the bond ordinance with an emergency declaration.
Item 11F1: Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures
Public hearing on listed dilapidated structures.
Item 11F2: Resolution declaring structures dilapidated
Declaring listed structures dilapidated.
Item 11G1: Public hearing regarding unsecured structures
Public hearing on listed unsecured structures (except those previously struck).
Item 11G2: Resolution declaring structures unsecured
Declaring listed structures unsecured.
Item 11H1: Public hearing regarding abandoned structures
Public hearing on listed abandoned structures (except those previously struck).
Item 11H2: Resolution declaring buildings abandoned
Declaring listed buildings abandoned.
Item 11I1: Resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment
In the case of Ford v City of OKC.
Item 11J: Executive session
On advice of municipal counselor to receive confidential communications regarding Moser etc. v City of OKC.
Item 11K: Executive session
On advice of municipal counselor to receive confidential communications regarding Simmons v City of OKC etc.
Item 13: Citizens to be Heard
Ronnie Kirk spoke about grants for educational systems and teaching trades.