Meeting Summary
The first City Council meeting of 2024 included the recognition of a long-serving city employee and a review of the city's strong financial standing, despite a slight decline in December sales tax. Several rezoning ordinances were approved for various developments, including new schools, a farmers market, and a hotel. Discussions also covered bike lane infrastructure improvements and updates to public safety sales tax expenditures.
Key Decisions & Votes
Recognition of Joe Dell
03:30A resolution was unanimously passed to thank and commend Joe Dell for 31 years of dedicated service to the City of Oklahoma City.
Item 9 AF (Oklahoma City Housing Authority)
26:10An item related to the Oklahoma City Housing Authority was approved by a 7-1 vote, despite one council member's objection.
PUD 1973 Rezoning for Enterprise School
44:00The rezoning of 451 East Wilshire Road for the Belle Isle Enterprise High School was approved by a 5-2 vote, despite concerns raised about the school being an application-based institution and its impact on the local community.
Joint Resolution for Legal Representation
1:20:00A joint resolution with the OC MFA authorizing Collins Zorn and Wagner PC to represent city employees in the Sadi Long V City of Oklahoma City case was approved by a 5-3 vote.
Upcoming Community Events
MLK Day Gospel Extravaganza
MLK Day Program
St. John Missionary Baptist Church at 3 PM
OKC Branch NAACP Cross-Cultural Dinner and Program
Temple B'nai Israel at 6 PM
MLK Day Breakfast
MLK Day Job Fair
MLK Day Parade
Begins at 2 PM
Financial Matters
December Sales Tax Report
The December sales tax report (covering late October and early November) showed a 2.4% decline, though the city remains approximately $2.4 million above its annual target.
FY23 Audit Results (MFA, PPA, City)
The city received unqualified (clean) audit opinions on all 12 audited reports for FY23. The Municipal Facilities Authority's net position increased to $49.6 million, the Public Property Authority's to $74.9 million, and the City's total net position to $2.9 billion.
FY23 Public Safety Sales Tax Report (Police Portion)
The police fund balance increased from $34.6 million to $42.2 million. Total expenditures were $48.7 million, primarily for 220 officers ($26M), wage adjustments ($11M), and equipment/facility improvements ($5M).
FY23 Public Safety Sales Tax Report (Fire Portion)
The fire fund balance increased from $27.6 million to $33.3 million. Total expenditures were $53.9 million, primarily for 202 firefighters ($3.9M), wage adjustments ($13M), and equipment/tools ($6.7M).
Amendment to Fire Sales Tax Resolution (FY24)
A proposed amendment to the FY24 Public Safety sales tax resolution includes a $300,000 increase for the Advanced Life Support project (EMT/paramedic training) and a $200,000 increase for the Fire Technology project (software/website updates), totaling a $500,000 increase.
Public Comments
One citizen, Von Osan, spoke during the public comments section.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9ab (uncontested continuance)
- Item 11b (uncontested continuance)
- Item AC1 (dilapidated structures)
- Item AE1 (abandoned buildings)
Deadlines
- Federal and State Grant Awards audit is required to be completed by March 31st.
Watch For
- Economist Russell Evans will provide an update at the budget workshop in early February.
- Future applications to the Traffic Commission regarding traffic flow on 85th Street (related to Item 11 I).
- A public hearing for the amended Fire Sales Tax Resolution (Item 11 AF1) will be held at the next council meeting.
Announcements
- Joe Dell was recognized for 31 years of dedicated service to the General Services Department as Unit Operations Manager and Facility Maintenance Supervisor.
- The City of Oklahoma City has received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 40 consecutive years and expects to receive it for the 41st year.
- Council member highlighted Bayard Rustin, a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., whose contributions were often overlooked.
- MLK Day events will take place from January 13th to 15th, including a Gospel Extravaganza, programs at St. John Missionary Baptist Church and Temple B'nai Israel, a breakfast, job fair, and the third-largest MLK Day Parade in the United States.
- A positive economic report for Oklahoma City was shared, noting a 5.8% increase in wages, unemployment below 3%, rebounded retail sales, affordable housing (ranked #2 by Forbes), and a decreasing median age indicating youth retention.
Agenda Summary
Item 3: Office of the Mayor
Resolution honoring Joe Dell for 31 years of service as Unit Operations Manager for the General Services Department.
Item 5: City Manager Reports
Presentation of the December sales tax report, noting a 2.4% decline but remaining $2.4 million above target for the year.
Item 6: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of the journal of council proceedings.
Item 7: Request for uncontested continuances
Several items deferred, withdrawn, or secured by owner, including 9ab, 11b, 11c, 11 A1, 11 B, 11 E, and 11 ae1.
Item 8: Revocable permits and events
No revocable permits or events for the month.
OC MFA Item A
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 audit results for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority, Public Property Authority, and the City, showing clean audits and increased net positions.
OC MFA Items
Approval of all Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority items.
OC PPA Items A and B
Approval of Oklahoma City Public Property Authority items.
Item 9 AF
Separate vote on an item related to the Oklahoma City Housing Authority.
Item 9 AI
Discussion and approval of bike lanes on Villa from Northwest 10th to Northwest 62nd, including a four-way stop at 19th and Villa.
Item 9 AO-AS
Discussion on the first parking protected bike lane project, including ADA space adjustments.
Item 9 BJ
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Public Safety Sales Tax Report, detailing expenditures and fund balances for police and fire departments.
Item 9 (rest of consent docket)
Approval of remaining items on the consent docket.
Item 10 (concurrent docket)
Approval of items A through N on the concurrent docket.
Item 11 A
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PC 10906 rezoning 3850 South Prospect.
Item 11 B
Ordinance on Final Hearing, previously deferred.
Item 11 C
Ordinance on Final Hearing, withdrawn.
Item 11 D
Ordinance on Final Hearing, P 1970 rezoning 3778 South Check Hall Road from P 17882 to PUD 1970.
Item 11 E
Ordinance on Final Hearing, P 1971 rezoning 14924 Southeast 104th Street for a new farmers market.
Item 11 F
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PUD 1972 rezoning 10400 North Sarah Road from AA agricultural to PUD 1972.
Item 11 G
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PUD 1973 rezoning 451 East Wilshire Road for an Enterprise school (Belle Isle Enterprise High School).
Item 11 H
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PUD 1974 rezoning 902 Southwest 15th Street from R1 to PUD 1974.
Item 11 I
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PUD 1975 rezoning 8715 Broadway Extension for a redevelopment project including pedestrian connections and green space.
Item 11 J
Ordinance on Final Hearing, PUD 1977 rezoning 2501 South High Avenue for a school.
Item 11 K
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1509 rezoning 16003 North Classen Boulevard from R3 medium density residential to Spud 1509.
Item 11 L1
Amendment to a master design statement for Catholic Charities project at 1101 South Young's Boulevard, including internal sidewalks and building orientation changes.
Item 11 L2
Ordinance on Final Hearing, rezoning 1101 South Young's Boulevard to R4 and I1 light industrial.
Item 11 M
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1566 rezoning 4511 Madura Boulevard for a senior independent living facility.
Item 11 N
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1567 rezoning 501 West Memorial Road for a new Lincoln dealership, amending sign limitations.
Item 11 O
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1568 rezoning 112 Northwest 15th for town home development.
Item 11 P
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1569 rezoning 7116 Memorial Parkway from PUD 198 to Spud 1569.
Item 11 Q
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1570 rezoning 1039 Northwest 63rd Street for Bank 7 corporate headquarters redevelopment.
Item 11 R
Ordinance on Final Hearing, Spud 1571 rezoning 1615 Northwest 31st Street to allow for an existing house and a garage with a loft apartment.
Item 11 S
Ordinance on Final Hearing, rezoning 4400 Southwestern Avenue from C3 to R1 to allow utilization of an existing parking lot.
Item 11 T
Ordinance on Final Hearing, rezoning 105 Northeast 85th Street for a proposed 10-story hotel as part of 'the half' development.
Item 11 U
Ordinance on Final Hearing, establishing a reserve parking space for the physically disabled on the east side of South Dewey Avenue.
Item 11 V
Ordinance on Final Hearing, establishing 45-degree angle parking with a setback parking on North Lotti.
Item 11 W
Ordinance on Final Hearing, establishing a 90-degree angle on Lotti.
Item 11 X
Ordinance on Final Hearing, removing all parking controls on both sides of North Lotti.
Item 11 Y1
Public Hearing regarding the Adventure District Business Improvement Districts.
Item 11 Y2
Resolution adopting and confirming an assessment role for the Adventure District Business Improvement Districts.
Item 11 Z
Ordinance on Final Hearing, adopting and setting the assessment role year 23-24 for the Adventure District Business Improvements.
Item 11 AA
Ordinance to be introduced regarding the FMA Community Rating System and updated FEMA maps for Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties.
Item 11 AB
Public Hearing regarding the ordinance to change the financial director's name.
Item 11 AC1
Public Hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
Item 11 AC2
Resolution declaring structures are dilapidated.
Item 11 AD1
Public Hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Item 11 AD2
Resolution declaring structures are unsecured.
Item 11 AE1
Public Hearing regarding abandoned buildings.
Item 11 AE2
Resolution declaring buildings are abandoned.
Item 11 AF1
Public Hearing regarding a resolution amending the June 20, 2023 resolution approving certain fire listed and other sales tax expenditures.
Item 11 AG1
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority authorizing legal representation for city employees in the case of Sadi Long V City of Oklahoma City.
Item 11 AH
Recommendation to enter into executive session to receive confidential communications.
Item 11 AI
Claims A through E recommended for approval.