Meeting Summary
The city council meeting saw the approval of Community Health as the operator for Wellness Center 3, a significant step for senior wellness in Northeast Oklahoma City. A resident survey highlighted Oklahoma City as a top-performing large community for city services, though concerns about downtown safety and homelessness were noted. The council also approved a $54 million loan application for water utility projects, including wastewater treatment facility improvements and lift station upgrades.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Month Recognition
A resolution was passed to thank and commend Shemika Lee as the October 2023 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for her dedication as the Action Center Supervisor.
Vice Mayor Appointment
The notification that Councilman Bradley Carter will serve as Vice Mayor for the six-month period beginning October 13th was received and approved unanimously.
Travel Expenses for Council Members
A resolution was approved for travel expenses for Council Members Mark Stonecipher and Bradley Carter to attend the National League of Cities City Summit in Atlanta.
Wellness Center 3 Operator
Community Health was approved as the operator for Wellness Center 3, a new senior wellness center, following an RFP process and recommendation from advisory boards.
Special Permit for Drinking Establishment
An ordinance establishing a special permit for a drinking establishment at 808 Northwest 6th Street was approved with an emergency clause due to prior noticing delays.
Rezoning for Appliance Store Storage
Despite a recommendation for denial from the Planning Commission, the council approved Spud 1551 rezoning at 1233 Southeast 44th Street to allow for a metal storage building for an existing appliance store, aiming to improve neighborhood aesthetics.
Employee Retirement System Ordinance
An ordinance was approved to update the Employee Retirement System code, aligning it with the federal Secure Act 2.0 and clarifying language for zoo employees' retirement plan eligibility.
Water Utility Trust Indebtedness
The council approved incurring indebtedness for the Water Utility Trust through a $54 million loan application with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to fund wastewater treatment and lift station improvements.
Upcoming Community Events
Bricktown Trick or Treat
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Mickey Mantle from Sheridan to Torino and connecting alleyways will be closed. Expect 15,000-17,000 attendees with over 50 participating businesses.
Carne Diem
Langston University's Homecoming
Free Women in Leadership Symposium
Southern Nazarene University, featuring dynamic women speakers.
Ward 2 Meetup on Homelessness
5:30 PM - 7:45 PM at Tower Theater. Will include panel discussions on the 'Key to Home' program and current efforts, followed by a session for residents to meet with service providers.
Siri Hills Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
At the Siri Hills Baptist Church.
Financial Matters
Budget Transfers Report
The year-end report for FY23 on administrative budget transfers was presented.
Loan Application with Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Approval of a loan application for financial assistance in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program for Deer Creek wastewater treatment facility improvements, North Canadian wastewater treatment facility disinfection system, and lift station upgrades.
Claim from Isus Azelia
A claim submitted by Isus Azelia.
Claims Recommended for Approval
Various claims were recommended and approved.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Next bond project in 2025, with a focus on holistic street enhancements including sidewalks and walkability features.
- Social media is projected to become the number one source of information about the city next year.
- Ward 2 Meetup on Homelessness at Tower Theater on November 1st, 5:30-7:45 PM.
Announcements
- October is Arts and Humanities Month and Fire Prevention Month.
- Shemika Lee, Action Center Supervisor, was recognized as the October 2023 Employee of the Month.
- Councilman Bradley Carter will serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
- Kiana Tubbs, a former Ward 7 youth council member, was named student of the month.
- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; citizens are encouraged to get checked.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church hosted a medical checkup giveaway with a Pakistani doctor group.
- Ribbon cutting for the Aeronautical Training Center for the Moore Norman Technology Center took place last week.
- Ribbon cutting for Fire Station 38 in Southwest Oklahoma City was held.
- The Thunder won their preseason opening game against San Antonio.
- The Cobblestone neighborhood hosted a successful Neighbors Night Out.
- The Siri Hills Lions Club is hosting a pancake breakfast this Saturday.
- The Resident Fire Academy is accepting applications for next year.
- Oklahoma City ranks second for affordable family vacations and in the top 20 best places to travel in the United States, with tourism generating $4.3 billion in economic impact last year.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Pastor Larry Fuller and Cora Robinson.
Proclamation: Arts and Humanities Month
Proclaiming October 2023 as Arts and Humanities Month in Oklahoma City, recognizing the creative sector's contribution to economic growth and quality of life.
Proclamation: Fire Prevention Month
Proclaiming October 2023 as Fire Prevention Month, emphasizing risk reduction and fire safety.
Resolution: Commending Shemika Lee as October 2023 Employee of the Month
Recognizing Shemika Lee, Action Center Supervisor, for her seven years of service and leadership in managing non-emergency resident requests.
Notification: Councilman Bradley Carter to serve as Vice Mayor
Notification that Councilman Bradley Carter will serve as Vice Mayor for the six-month period beginning October 13th.
Resolution: Approving travel expenses for Council Members Mark Stonecipher and Bradley Carter
To attend the National League of Cities City Summit in Atlanta, November 16th-18th.
City Manager Reports: ETC Institute Resident Survey Presentation
Presentation of the 2023 resident survey results, highlighting overall positive perceptions of city services but also concerns regarding downtown safety and homelessness.
City Manager Reports: Budget Transfers Report
Year-end report for FY23 on administrative budget transfers.
Journal of Council Proceedings: Items A and B
Approval of the journal of council proceedings.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: Item 11h
Request to withdraw item 11h.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: 11 K1 unsecured structures
All items related to unsecured structures were stricken from the agenda.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: b2321 South Central Avenue
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: C 3023 South Kleer Avenue
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: F 8917 South Indiana Avenue
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: G 59 North Nebraska Avenue
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: I 11609 Twisted Oak Road
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: J 19009 Via Drive
Owner occupied the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: N 1541 Northeast 20th Street
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: R 1412 Southwest 33rd Street
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: S 11100 Southwest 40th Street
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: T 3828 Southwest 41st Street
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: U 2640 Southwest 43rd Street
Owner secured the property.
Request for Uncontested Continuances: Abandoned buildings (multiple items)
All listed abandoned building items were stricken from the agenda for the same reasons as unsecured structures.
Revocable Permits and Events: 8A Athletic facility use agreement with USA Touch
For competitive touch rugby activities at the Wendel Whisenhunt Sports Complex, October 12th-14th.
Revocable Permits and Events: 8B Revocable Right-of-Way use permit with Downtown OKC partnership
To hold Bricktown Trick or Treat on October 23rd, requesting street closures for pedestrian traffic.
Revocable Permits and Events: 8C Revocable Right-of-Way use permit with VI marketing and branding
To hold Carne Diem on October 20th.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OC MFA): Items A through F
Docket items for the Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OC PPA): Item A Golf Commission appointments
Appointments to the Golf Commission.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OC PPA): Item B RFP for operators for Wellness Center 3
Approval of Community Health as the operator for Wellness Center 3 at 30 Northeast 36th and Lincoln.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OC PPA): Item C
Docket item for the Public Property Authority.
Consent Docket: Item U Resolution recognizing Oklahoma City Housing Authority
Resolution recognizing the Oklahoma City Housing Authority as a sole source vendor.
Consent Docket: Remainder of consent docket
Approval of the remaining items on the consent docket.
Concurrence Docket: Items A through L
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: P 1963 rezoning 11503 Southwest 29th Street
Rezoning from daa agricultural District to P 1963 in Ward 3.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Spud 1550 rezoning 1105 Southeast 51st Street
Rezoning from R1 single family residential district to Spud 1550 in Ward 4, for expansion of an auto dealership.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Spud 1552 rezoning 1612 North Virginia Avenue
Rezoning from R1 single family residential district to Spud 1552 in Ward 6, for infill development.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Spud 1554 rezoning 1116 Northwest 49th Street
Rezoning from pod 1603 planned unit development District to Spud 1554 in Ward 2, to allow an existing office structure to remain.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Spud 1555 rezoning 20801 South S Road
Rezoning from doublea agriculture District to Spud 1555 in Ward 3.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: SP 576 establishing a special permit
To operate use unit 8333 drinking establishments sit down alcohol permitted in the dd-1 downtown transitional limited and DP Downtown parking overlay districts at 808 Northwest 6th Street, Ward 6.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Spud 1551 rezoning 1233 Southeast 44th Street
Rezoning from R1 single family residential C3 Community commercial and C4 General commercial districts to Spud 1551 in Ward 4, for a metal storage building for an appliance store.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Employee Retirement System changes
Ordinance to align with the federal Secure Act 2.0 legislation and clarify language regarding zoo employees' eligibility for retirement plans.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated structures
Public hearing regarding various dilapidated structures.
Resolution: Declaring structures dilapidated
Resolution declaring certain structures as dilapidated.
Public Hearing: Unsecured structures
Public hearing regarding various unsecured structures.
Resolution: Declaring structures unsecured
Resolution declaring certain structures as unsecured.
Public Hearing: Abandoned buildings
Public hearing regarding various abandoned buildings.
Resolution: Declaring buildings as abandoned
Resolution declaring certain buildings as abandoned.
Incurring indebtedness for the Water Utility Trust
Approval of a loan application with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for financial assistance in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, totaling just under $54 million for wastewater treatment and lift station upgrades.
Request to enter into executive session
To receive confidential communications from its attorney concerning the case of Deer Creek Water Corporation versus the City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust.
Claim recommended for denial: Isus Azelia
Claim submitted by Isus Azelia.
Claims recommended for approval
Approval of various claims.
Citizens to be heard
One citizen signed up to speak but was not present.