Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a resolution to place a proposal for a new downtown arena on a special election ballot for December 12th. The proposal includes a 72-month, one-cent sales tax, which would not increase the current tax rate, and a letter of intent with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 25-year commitment to play in the new arena. Additionally, a resolution for a Community Benefits Agreement was approved, aiming to ensure local job opportunities and living wages related to the arena project.
Key Decisions & Votes
Community Benefits Agreement Resolution
01:03:00Resolution declaring the city's intent to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement for the new arena, focusing on local hiring, living wages, and an apprenticeship program. A study group will be formed to explore a labor peace agreement.
Letter of Intent with Oklahoma City Thunder
01:04:00Authorization for the Mayor to sign a Letter of Intent with the Thunder, outlining terms for a new downtown arena and a 25-year team commitment contingent on voter approval of a sales tax.
Sales Tax Ordinance for New Arena
01:04:40Adoption of an ordinance for a one-cent, 72-month sales tax to fund a new arena, to go into effect after the Maps 4 tax ends, without increasing the current tax rate.
Emergency Adoption of Sales Tax Ordinance
01:06:00Emergency adoption of the sales tax ordinance to meet state election notice requirements, canceling a special meeting.
Resolution to Call Special Election
01:06:40Authorization for the Mayor to call a special election on December 12th for voters to consider the arena sales tax ordinance.
Resolution to Notify Election Board
01:07:00Direction to the City Clerk to notify the County Election Board Secretary of the special election on December 12th.
Upcoming Community Events
Fiestas De Las Americas festival and parade
Hosted by Capitol Hill Main Street to promote Latino cultures and traditions, including a parade, kids' activities, and cultural stages.
Art Fusion Fest
On Northwest 9th in Automobile Alley, featuring 15 live bands, 25 vendors, a pumpkin patch, live car painting, a beer garden, and food from local restaurants. Presented by Women in the Studio non-profit.
Red Earth Parade and Fall Fest
Parade starts at 10 AM, going down North Walker ending at Sheridan. Art Market and powwow at Myriad Gardens from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Hot Chocolate Run
On Kings of Leon Lane.
Town Hall Meeting on Arena Proposal
2121 South Portland, Oklahoma City.
Financial Matters
Quarterly Investment Report
City is earning more interest on managed funds.
Sales and Use Tax Report (September)
Sales tax down 0.7%, use tax down over 2%. Still $1.3 million over budget for the fiscal year.
Arena Funding Sources
Proposed funding includes a 72-month one-cent sales tax, at least $70 million from Maps 4 funds, and a $50 million contribution from the team. Minimum budget for the arena is $900 million.
Annual Arena Operations Budget
The city budgeted $10 million for arena operations in 2023, with actual costs at $7.5 million. Utilities cost about $1 million annually. Net cost after direct sales tax is about $5.3-5.4 million.
Tiff 2 Allocation for 520 West Main Project
Allocation not to exceed $1.9 million from Tiff 2 for a project at 520 West Main.
Collective Bargaining Agreement with FOP Lodge 123
Two-year agreement with a 4.25% wage increase in year one and a 3% pay plan adjustment in year two, plus a change from HMO to EPO insurance plan.
Public Comments
Public comments were extensive, with 36 speakers addressing the proposed arena. Supporters highlighted the economic impact, community unity, international brand recognition, and philanthropic contributions of the Thunder, emphasizing the need to maintain momentum and quality of life without a tax increase. Opponents raised concerns about the high public cost (95% of the $900M+ project), the team's low contribution (5%), the city's other pressing needs (housing, education, infrastructure), the lack of public input in the negotiation process, and the timing of the December special election, which is expected to have low voter turnout.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Special election on December 12th for the arena sales tax proposal.
Watch For
- Study group on the Community Benefits Agreement, including a labor peace agreement.
- Opening of Senior Wellness Center number three.
- Beginning of streetscape enhancement for the Britain District.
Agenda Summary
Office of the Mayor: Appointments to Arts Commission, Golf Commission, Urban Design and Trails Advisory, Stockyards Urban Design
Reappointments to various city commissions.
Item 4A: Resolution relative to other agenda items (Councilman Cooper's resolution)
Resolution declaring intent to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement for the new arena project.
City Manager Reports: Quarterly Investment Report
Report on the city's investment earnings.
City Manager Reports: Year-End Performance Report
Report on departmental performance measures for fiscal year 23.
City Manager Reports: Sales and Use Tax Report
Report on sales and use tax collections for September, showing a decline.
Item 6A & 6B: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of previous council meeting minutes.
Item 7A: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Review of items requested for continuance.
Item 8A: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Capitol Hill Main Street
To hold the Fiestas De Las Americas festival and parade on September 30th.
Item 8B: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Stephanie Heller
To hold Art Fusion Fest October 21st-22nd on Northwest 9th.
Item 8C: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Red Earth
To hold the Red Earth Parade and Fall Fest on October 14th.
Item 8D: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Ventures Endurance Events
To hold the Hot Chocolate Run on October 15th on Kings of Leon Lane.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items A-G
Various items under the OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items A-D
Various items under the OCPPA.
Consent Docket Adoption
Adoption of the consent docket after items were pulled for separate comment.
Concurrence Docket Items A-R
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Item 11A: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 12266 Woodland Hills Drive
Rezoning from PUD 1787 and PUD 275 to PUD 1956 to allow multi-family use.
Item 11B: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 8049 North Bryant
Rezoning from R1 and hno to PUD 1964 and hno to allow a guest house.
Item 11C: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 1229 Northwest 122nd
Rezoning from Spud 1058 to Spud 1536 to allow office warehouse use.
Item 11D: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 2801 North Hudson
Rezoning from r2hl and UC to spud1546hl and UC for a new property development.
Item 11E: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 1103 Northwest 11th
Rezoning from C4 to spud1548 to build a single-family home on an empty lot.
Item 11F: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 801 West Memorial Road
Rezoning from C3 to Spud 1549 to allow commercial development and expansion of an existing Pool and Spa retailer.
Item 11G: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 2004 North Martin Luther King Avenue
Rezoning from r301 and hno to spd1553 and hno to allow office and residential use, expanding a clinic.
Item 11H: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Rezoning 5424 Southeast 89th
Rezoning from C1 to Spud 1556 for a fast food restaurant.
Item 11I: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Special Permit 6200 Air Cargo Road
Establishing a special permit to operate above-ground flammable liquid storage.
Item 11J: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Special Permit 219 South Klein
Establishing a special permit to operate a drinking establishment in the Farmers Market District.
Item 11K: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Closing and Vacating Utility Easement
Closing and vacating a portion of a 10-foot wide utility easement north of Harrison and west of Stiles to consolidate property for development.
Item 11L: Ordinance on Final Hearing - No Parking Restriction
Establishing no parking anytime restriction on both sides of Northwest 75th from Meadow Lake to Meadow Lake Drive.
Item 11M: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Parking Space Conversion
Converting one parking space on the north side of Coal Court Drive from metered parking to 15-minute time-limited parking.
Item 11N: Letter of Intent with PBC Sports and Entertainment LLC
Authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Intent with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a long-term commitment and construction of a new Downtown Arena.
Item 11O1: Ordinance No. 27420 related to Taxation
Adoption of a special use tax ordinance for an arena, a one-cent sales tax for 72 months.
Item 11O2: Ordinance No. 27420 to be adopted with Emergency
Emergency adoption of the special use tax ordinance to avoid a special meeting.
Item 11P: Resolution to Call Special Election (Resolution 1)
Authorizing the Mayor to call a special election on December 12th to approve the arena sales tax.
Item 11Q: Resolution to Call Special Election (Resolution 2)
Directing the City Clerk to notify the County Election Board Secretary of the special election on December 12th.
Item 11R1: Public Hearing regarding an Assessment Role for the Downtown Business Improvement District
Public hearing on the assessment role for the Downtown Business Improvement District.
Item 11R2: Resolution adopting and confirming an assessment role for year 2023-2024 for the Downtown Business Improvement District
Adoption and confirmation of the assessment role for the Downtown BID.
Item 11S: Ordinance on Final Hearing adopting and setting the assessment role for the Downtown Business Improvement District
Adoption and setting of the assessment role for the Downtown BID.
Item 11T1: Public Hearing regarding an Assessment Role for the Stockyard City Business Improvement District
Public hearing on the assessment role for the Stockyard City Business Improvement District.
Item 11T2: Resolution adopting and confirming an assessment role for year 2023-2024 for the Stockyard City Business Improvement District
Adoption and confirmation of the assessment role for the Stockyard City BID.
Item 11U: Ordinance on Final Hearing adopting and setting the assessment role for the Stockyard City Business Improvement District
Adoption and setting of the assessment role for the Stockyard City BID.
Item 11V: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Council Meeting Schedule
Third of three meetings on the council meeting schedule.
Item 11W1: Amendment to Ambulance Code Ordinance
Proposed amendment to the ambulance code ordinance to clarify service providers and accountability of funds.
Item 11W2: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Ambulance Code as Amended
Adoption of the ambulance code ordinance as amended.
Item 11X1: Public Hearing regarding a joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Academic Development Trust
Public hearing on approving an allocation not to exceed $1.9 million from Tiff 2 for a project at 520 West Main.
Item 11X2: Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust
Approving an allocation not to exceed $1.9 million from Tiff 2 for the project at 520 West Main.
Item 11Y1: Resolution authorizing the Municipal Counselor to confess judgment
Confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Roscoe v. City of OKC.
Item 11Z1: Resolution authorizing the Municipal Counselor to confess judgment
Confess judgment without admitting liability in a case of Steelman v. City of OKC.
Item 11AA: Claims recommended for denial
Approval of claims recommended for denial.
Item 11AB: Claims recommended for approval
Approval of claims recommended for approval.
Item 11AC1: Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123
Approval of a two-year collective bargaining agreement with FOP Lodge 123.