Meeting Summary
The City Council approved the purchase of additional drones for public safety and renewed the School Resource Officer program contract with OKCPS, despite significant debate on both items regarding privacy, policy, and community impact. Several revocable permits for community events were approved, and an introduction was made for a proposed five-year utility rate increase. Discussions also included the future of the old jail and amendments to housing program policies.
Key Decisions & Votes
Purchase of additional Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)
16:50Approved the purchase of 10 additional drones per year for five years, expanding the fleet to 50, for use by police and fire departments as first responders and for crowd safety. Concerns about privacy and mental health crisis use were discussed.
Contract with Oklahoma City Public School District for School Resource Officer (SRO) program
46:00Approved the annual contract for the SRO program with OKCPS, reducing the number of SROs by one to 17. Discussion focused on the role of SROs, relationship building, and the presence of firearms in schools.
Upcoming Community Events
Holiday River Parade
Pre-show 6:30 PM, water skiing elves 7 PM, boats 7:45 PM, fireworks/laser show. Expected attendance of 6,000 people.
YRL Fall 2024 (Youth Rowing League)
Starts at 3 PM. Provides opportunities for middle and high school students, free for 90% Title One schools, no admission fee.
Bricker Treat
4-7 PM in Bricktown. Over 40 businesses as candy stops, spooky entertainment, photo ops, and characters (Bluey, Spider-Man, Barbie, Ghostbusters). Expected attendance of 17,000 people.
Oklahoma City Farmers Market District Fall Festival
Noon-6 PM. Street closure from Klein to Ellison on 2nd. Features vendors, food trucks, local cooking demos, a Kid Zone (bounce house, pumpkin bowling, crafts), petting zoo, touch-a-truck, and three live bands.
Financial Matters
Sales and Use Tax Report
Sales and use tax is declining, currently $3 million below budget targets. October preliminary numbers are not good, and the trend is being closely monitored for potential adjustments.
Use of TIF funds for small infrastructure projects
Third allocation of TIF funds for small infrastructure projects such as alleyway and sidewalk improvements, and small waterline extensions.
Allocation for Project Telephone (feature film)
Rebate allocation for 'Project Telephone,' a supernatural thriller feature film with an estimated $4 million budget, expected to generate $6.2 million in local economic impact.
Allocation for TIF 8 (Wiley Post Park North/USS Oklahoma City Memorial)
Allocation for the development of Wiley Post Park North, which will include the USS Oklahoma City Memorial and various park elements like river overlooks, a playground, and an amphitheater.
Water, Wastewater, and Trash Rate Increase
Introduction of a proposed five-year rate plan recommendation for water, wastewater, and trash collection services, driven by significant inflation in electricity, chemical, and labor costs, as well as capital infrastructure needs.
Public Comments
Public comments included concerns about the cost and privacy implications of additional drones, the effectiveness and necessity of armed School Resource Officers, the future of the old jail, and the impact of urban development on property taxes and quality of life. One resident also reported unresolved noise issues from a new business.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Boarding up the old jail (Item AC) - deferred for four weeks.
- PUD 2025 rezoning and amendment to master design statement (Item 11D) - deferred for two weeks.
- Item M (813 Northeast 35th Street) from the unsecured structures list - deferred for two weeks.
- Item I from the abandoned buildings list - deferred.
Watch For
- Public hearing on water, wastewater, and trash rate increases (October 22nd).
- Final hearing on water, wastewater, and trash rate increases (November 5th).
Announcements
- The Asian Night Market in Ward 2 was a successful event, attracting thousands and featuring diverse cultural performances.
- Councilman Hinkle urged community support for local businesses, noting 35 restaurant closures this year, and commended Public Works and Traffic for quick response to deficiencies on 66th Street.
- The East End Commercial District unveiled new banners, marking a significant step for the community.
- Langston University Homecoming is scheduled for next weekend.
- Councilwoman Nice urged gun owners to use gun locks following an accidental shooting involving a Millwood student and called for immediate action on lighting in Lower Bricktown following recent unfortunate events.
- The Oklahoma City Utilities Department Water Conservation Program 'Squeeze Every Drop' received the prestigious WaterSense Excellence in Education and Outreach Award.
Agenda Summary
Notification for council member Stone Cipher to assume the role of vice mayor for a six-month period beginning October 13th
Official notification regarding the assumption of the Vice Mayor role.
General Council Proceedings (Items A and B)
Routine procedural items from the General Council.
Request for uncontested continuances (11 S1 unsecured structures, 11 T1 abandoned buildings)
Several properties previously listed as unsecured or abandoned were secured by their owners.
Revocable permit with the River Sport Foundation for the Holiday River Parade
Permit for the annual holiday parade featuring floats, lights, water skiing elves, fireworks, and a laser show.
Revocable permit with the River Sport Foundation for the YRL Fall 2024
Permit for the Youth Rowing League event providing opportunities for middle and high school students.
Revocable Right-of-Way use permit with the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership to hold Bricker Treat
Permit for Bricktown's Halloween event featuring candy stops and entertainment.
Revocable Right-of-Way use permit with the FMD Association to hold the Oklahoma City Farmers Market District Fall Festival
Permit for the Fall Festival in the Farmers Market District, including vendors, food trucks, and family activities.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (Items A through M)
Routine procedural items for the Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (Items A through C)
Routine procedural items for the Public Property Authority.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) contract amendment
Amendment to the contract for unmanned aerial vehicles, including the purchase of additional drones for police and fire departments.
Boarding up the old jail
Spending $200,000 to board up the old jail to prevent further deterioration and improve appearance while future plans are considered.
Introduction for the use of TIF funds for small infrastructure projects
Third allocation of TIF funds for small infrastructure projects like alleyway and sidewalk improvements.
Contract with the Oklahoma City Public School District for the School Resource Officer program
Annual contract for the SRO program, with clarified roles and engagement guidelines, and a reduction of one SRO.
Remainder of Consent Docket
Various routine items on the consent docket.
Concurrent Docket (Items A through O)
Various routine items on the concurrent docket.
PC 10943 rezoning 2103 South Missouri Avenue
Rezoning from R1 (Single-Family Residential) to I-2 (Medium Industrial).
PUD 2009 rezoning 2014 Southwestern Avenue
Rezoning from R1 to mixed uses as an extension of the Wheeler District.
PUD 2024 rezoning 1101 North Coltrain Road
Rezoning for a two-family residential use and development.
PUD 2025 rezoning and amendment to the master design statement
Rezoning for an attached single-family development, with proposed amendments and concessions.
SPUD 1643 rezoning 2421 Southwest 112
Rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1643 to allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for a family member.
SPUD 1650 rezoning 10807 Southwest 29th
Rezoning from PUD 1976 and DD to SPUD 1650.
SPUD 1658 rezoning 3751 Southwest 15
Rezoning from PUD 1417, SRO, and AE2 to SPUD 1658, SRO, and AE2 for a development along the river.
SPUD 1660 rezoning 17516 Northwestern
Rezoning from SPUD 1333 to SPUD 1660.
SPUD 1661 rezoning 2200 Northwest 12 and 1215 North Barnes
Rezoning from R2 to SPUD 1661 to increase density.
SPUD 1664 rezoning 1912 Northwest 12
Rezoning from R2 to SPUD 1664 for multi-family development.
SPUD 1665 rezoning 1728 Northwest 13th
Rezoning from R2 to SPUD 1665 for increased density with mixed single, two, three, four family zoning.
Ordinance on Final Hearing closing a portion of the east-west right-of-way and Northwest 4th, a portion of the north-south right-of-way of north Harvey and a portion of the east-west alley in Block 47 of the Oklahoma City original Edition supplemental plat
Closing various rights-of-way in the original Edition supplemental plat.
Ordinance on Final Hearing closing a portion of a North South Valley in Block 15 of Nice Edition, a portion of the Lynwood Boulevard right-of-way and a portion of the north Klein Avenue right-of-way generally west of Northwestern Avenue and north of Northwest 6th
Closing various rights-of-way in Nice Edition and surrounding areas.
Ordinance on Final Hearing - Fee Updates
Cleanup ordinance on fee updates, presented for final consideration.
Ordinance proposal to be introduced today, set for public hearing October 22nd and final hearing on November 5th, relating to the general schedule of fees
Introduction of proposed rate increases for water, wastewater, and trash collection services.
Public Hearing - Consolidation of Building Code Boards
Second of three meetings on the consolidation of building code boards.
Public Hearing - Stormwater Fee
Second of three meetings on a stormwater fee.
Public Hearing regarding dilapidated structures
Public hearing for listed dilapidated structures.
Resolution declaring that the structures are dilapidated
Declaring listed structures as dilapidated.
Public Hearing regarding unsecured structures
Public hearing for listed unsecured structures.
Resolution declaring that the remaining structures are unsecured
Declaring remaining listed structures as unsecured.
Public Hearing regarding abandoned buildings
Public hearing for listed abandoned buildings.
Resolution declaring the buildings are abandoned
Declaring listed buildings as abandoned.
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust certifying that Project Telephone, a proposed feature film, is an eligible project and approving an allocation
Approving a rebate for a supernatural thriller feature film with significant local economic impact.
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust for an allocation to the city for TIF 8
Allocation for the development of Wiley Post Park North, including the USS Oklahoma City Memorial and various park elements.
Resolution approving amendments to the City of Oklahoma City Housing Programs policies for loan and Grant programs funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Amending policies to align with regulations, streamline language, update contractor rules, increase program limits, and adopt new property standards.
Claims recommended for approval
Routine approval of claims.