Meeting Summary
The city council meeting saw the recognition of Rodney Hatter as a Safety Star for life-saving actions and the extension of the Penalty Reduction Program. A significant decision was made not to extend the Prairie Surf Media lease due to plans for a new downtown arena, which drew public criticism. Additionally, an ordinance was introduced to change the Finance Director title to Chief Financial Officer, and various resolutions for dilapidated structures and legal claims were approved.
Key Decisions & Votes
Rodney Hatter Safety Star Recognition
03:00Rodney Hatter was commended for his life-saving actions on March 27, 2023, when he performed chest compressions on an unresponsive co-worker, saving their life.
Penalty Reduction Program Extension
04:40A resolution was approved to extend the Penalty Reduction Program until December 31, 2024, continuing a successful initiative that has collected significant funds and cleared numerous warrants.
Prairie Surf Media Lease Non-Extension
10:00Authorization was given to notify Prairie Surf Media that their lease will not be extended beyond December 2025, to keep the site open as a potential location for the new downtown arena.
Finance Director Title Change
25:00An ordinance was introduced to amend the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, changing the title of Finance Director to Chief Financial Officer to reflect the role's modern scope and align with comparable organizations.
Dilapidated Structures Resolution
27:00A resolution was passed declaring several listed structures as dilapidated following a public hearing.
Unsecured Structures Resolution
27:40A resolution was passed declaring several listed structures as unsecured following a public hearing, with one item previously struck.
Abandoned Buildings Resolution
28:20A resolution was passed declaring several listed buildings as abandoned following a public hearing, with one item previously struck.
Workers Comp Claim for Kevin Miller
29:00A joint resolution with OC MFA was adopted to approve a workers' compensation segregation claim on behalf of Kevin Miller.
Confess Judgment (Anthony V city of OKC)
29:30A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the case of Anthony V city of OKC.
Confess Judgment (Jackson V city of OKC)
30:00A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Jackson V city of OKC.
Upcoming Community Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Starts at 2 p.m. on Walker between 6th and Reno. Part of a day of events including a Solid March (9 a.m. from Freedom Center), Job Fair (Douglas High School), Bell Ringing (History Center), Program (St. Paul at 12:15 p.m.), and a Closing Ceremony (Marred Garden at 2 p.m.).
Kwanzaa Luncheon
To be held at the Willard D. Johnson Community Center.
Senior Wellness Center #3 Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Located in Northeast Oklahoma City, offering health and wellness impacts for the community, with programs already begun.
Retired Firefighters Annual Christmas Banquet
Financial Matters
Penalty Reduction Program
The program has collected $1,370,000 and cleared over 11,522 warrants as of the end of November.
FY24 Budget Transfer Report
A report providing information on authorized budget transfers for the fiscal year.
Project SAFE Grant
A grant from the Attorney General's office used to fund overtime for officers to engage with residents in high-crime areas, identify issues, and target crime.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke during the meeting. Joy Reen criticized the non-renewal of the Prairie Surf Media lease and the arena vote, alleging lack of transparency and negative economic impacts. Ronnie Kirk expressed concerns about gun laws, open carry, marijuana, business closures, and drug issues in the city.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 11C was deferred until March 26, 2024.
Watch For
- Public hearing for the ordinance to amend the Finance Director title to Chief Financial Officer on January 2nd.
- Potential final hearing for the Finance Director title change on January 16th.
- Executive session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations with IAF Local 7.
- Executive session to receive confidential communications regarding a pending claim against AT&T Oklahoma.
Announcements
- Rodney Hatter, a Parks and Recreation Department team member, was recognized as the second quarter 2023 City of Oklahoma City Safety Star for his life-saving actions.
- The Douglas High School Lady Trojans basketball team achieved a significant victory against Lawton High.
- A school resource officer at FD Moon was recognized for purchasing championship rings for young people who won their championship.
- The 30th anniversary of the first MAPS program was highlighted, with a recommendation to view a historical article and news interview.
Agenda Summary
Presentation and Resolution under Office of the Mayor
Recognizing Rodney Hatter as the second quarter 2023 City of Oklahoma City Safety Star for his life-saving actions.
4A Resolution declaring an extension to December 31st of next year of the penalty Reduction Program
Extension of the Penalty Reduction Program, which has collected over $1.37 million and cleared over 11,522 warrants.
5 City Manager Reports
Riversport quarterly report, Council priority update on enhancing recreational opportunities and community wellness, and FY24 budget transfer report were provided in packets.
6 Journal of council proceedings
Approval of items A and B from the journal of council proceedings.
7 Request for uncontested continuances
Item 11C deferred to March 26, 2024. Item L 2113 Southwest 22nd (unsecured structures) and Item G 213 Southwest 22nd Street (abandoned buildings) were stricken from the agenda.
8A Revocable Right-Way use permit with the OKC Martin Luther King Jr Alliance
Permit to hold the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday parade on January 15th on Walker between 6th and Reno.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) items A through O
Approval of various items on the OCMFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) items A through E
Approval of various items on the OCPPA agenda, including discussion on the non-extension of the Prairie Surf Media lease.
9D Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
9N Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
9H Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
9BM Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
9BN Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
9BS Consent Docket Item
Partnership with Love Grow Live for new landscaping and potential future enhancements at Diggs Park, a historical park.
9BZ Consent Docket Item
Project SAFE Grant from the Attorney General's office for addressing violent crime in high-crime areas through community interaction.
9CA Consent Docket Item
A specific item from the consent docket requested for a separate vote.
Remaining Consent Docket Items
Approval of all remaining items on the consent docket not previously voted on separately.
10 Concurrence Docket
Approval of items A through K on the concurrence docket.
11A Ordinance on Final Hearing
Closing the north-south alley in Block 101 of Fourth Stockyards Edition.
11B Ordinance on Final Hearing
Closing a portion of the private street public drainage and utility easement abutting lot 48 in Block 28 of Gardia.
11D Ordinance to be introduced
Amending the name of the finance director in city staff structure to Chief Financial Officer, reflecting a more modern and comparable title.
11E1 Public Hearing regarding the dilapidated structures
Public hearing for listed dilapidated structures.
11E2 Resolution declaring that the structures are dilapidated
Resolution declaring listed structures as dilapidated.
11F1 Public Hearing regarding the unsecured structures
Public hearing for listed unsecured structures, excluding one previously struck.
11F2 Resolution declaring structures are insecured
Resolution declaring listed structures as unsecured.
11G1 Public Hearing regarding the abandoned buildings
Public hearing for listed abandoned buildings, excluding one previously struck.
11G2 Resolution declaring the buildings are abandoned
Resolution declaring listed buildings as abandoned.
11H1 Joint resolution with OC MFA
Approving a workers comp segregation claim on behalf of Kevin Miller.
11I1 Resolution authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment
Authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the case of Anthony V city of OKC.
11J1 Resolution authorizing the municipal councel to conest judgment
Authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Jackson V city of OKC.
11K Executive session
To discuss collective bargaining negotiations for this fiscal year with the IAF local7.
11L Executive session
To receive confidential communications regarding a pending claim and investigation against AT&T Oklahoma involving 911 database maintenance Billings.