Meeting Summary
The city council meeting addressed several key issues, including a detailed annual report on homelessness initiatives, which highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a contentious debate over proposed ordinances related to trespassing and encampments, which were ultimately struck down. The council also approved various financial matters, including budget amendments and extensions of existing programs.
Key Decisions & Votes
Appointments to various city boards and commissions
00:08:00The council unanimously approved appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Downtown Design Review, Oklahoma City Arts Commission, Oklahoma City Housing Authority, and Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority.
Executive sessions for appointed positions' salaries
00:08:40Motions were passed to go into executive session to discuss the annual salaries for the city manager, city auditor, and municipal counselor, to be held at the end of other business.
Proposed ordinances on trespassing and encampments
02:29:00After extensive public comment and council debate, proposed ordinances (items 4B, 4C, and 4D) aimed at addressing trespassing and encampments were unanimously struck from the agenda.
Extension of Penalty Reduction Program
02:35:00A resolution extending the Penalty Reduction Program to June 30, 2023, was unanimously approved, noting its success in clearing over 9,000 cases and collecting over $1 million.
Compensation for Municipal Judges
02:36:00A resolution establishing new compensation and benefits for municipal judges, including a retroactive effective date of July 1st, was unanimously approved.
Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District Assessment
02:40:00Resolutions adopting and setting the assessment role for the Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District for 2022-2023 were unanimously approved.
Emergency Ordinance for Food and Beverage Licensing
02:44:00An ordinance amending chapter 21 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, related to food and beverage licensing for special events, was adopted with an emergency clause to address compliance issues with health inspections.
Salaries for City Manager, City Auditor, and Municipal Counselor
03:26:00Resolutions establishing new annual salaries and one-time stipends for the City Manager, City Auditor, and Municipal Counselor, aligning with raises given to other city employees, were unanimously approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Small Business Saturday
Proclaimed by Mayor Holt, encouraging residents to support local small businesses during the holiday season.
Saints Santa Run
A revocable right-of-way use permit was approved for the event hosted by Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership.
Financial Matters
Capital Improvement Projects Fund
An increase was requested to restore the appropriated contingency, funded by fund balance.
General Fund Operating Reserve
Recommended transfer to the reserve fund based on exceeding 22% fund balance at year-end, as per financial policy.
Planning Department Grant-Funded Positions
Positions previously funded by grants will be moved to the general fund and reimbursed by grants to comply with HUD audit findings.
Public Works Street Repairs
Additional funding for street repairs, which are eventually billed back to utilities.
Hotel Motel Tax Fund
Restoring authority to transfer excess funds to the fairgrounds for capital maintenance, after already transferring $2.5 million this year.
Oklahoma City Tiff Fund
Pass-through transaction related to the Omni Hotel and Convention Center, using matching state funds to pay debt service.
Special Purpose Fund (Clutch Consulting)
Increase to spend donations from inasmuch and RNL Family Foundation towards the Clutch Consulting contract for homelessness initiatives.
Utilities Enterprise Fund
Additional authority needed due to increased pumping costs from a hot, dry summer and higher electricity/chemical costs, to be reimbursed by the trust.
November Sales and Use Taxes
Reported 7.7% growth in sales tax and 6% growth in use tax, with the city $13.5 million ahead of budget.
Purchase of Vehicles
Resolution authorizing the purchase of vehicles from state contract.
Public Comments
A large number of citizens spoke, overwhelmingly in opposition to the proposed trespassing and encampment ordinances. Many shared personal stories of homelessness, emphasized the need for compassion and housing-first solutions, and criticized the ordinances as inhumane, ineffective, and potentially unconstitutional. Several speakers referenced religious teachings on helping the poor and vulnerable, while others highlighted the financial costs of litigation and the existing challenges of the county jail system.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Further discussions on homelessness initiatives and strategies
- Budget preparations for increased funding for programs like 'Better Way' vans and Street Outreach teams
- Potential changes to food truck licensing fees and regulations
- Discussions regarding the Capital View neighborhood's concerns about a proposed project
Announcements
- Mayor Holt proclaimed November 26, 2022, as Small Business Saturday.
- Councilwoman Nice congratulated Dr. Matra Jones on her investiture as the first female and first woman of color president of OCCC.
- Councilwoman Nice recognized Kiara Thomas, a Ward 7 youth council member, for being featured on the front cover of a local paper.
- Councilwoman Nice expressed condolences for Princess Stevenson, an 18-year-old woman who was killed, and implored anyone with information to come forward.
- Councilman Cooper thanked Kip for inviting him to read to kindergarteners and expressed condolences for the victims of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs.
- Councilman Stonecipher wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
- Councilman Carter wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
- Councilman Greenwell wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and gave a shout-out to Pet Passages, a new pet funeral home in Ward 3.
Agenda Summary
Presentation: Small Business Saturday Proclamation
Proclamation recognizing and encouraging support for local small businesses.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Items A-E)
Appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Downtown Design Review, Oklahoma City Arts Commission, Oklahoma City Housing Authority, and Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority.
Executive Sessions for Appointed Positions' Salaries (Items F2, G2, H2)
Motions to go into executive session to discuss the annual salaries for the city manager, city auditor, and municipal counselor.
City Manager Report: Homelessness Initiative Annual Report (Item 5A)
Presentation by Lindsay Cates on the first annual report of homelessness strategies and progress, including data on the point-in-time count, Better Way program, and future initiatives.
Ordinances on Trespassing and Encampments (Items 4B, 4C, 4D)
Proposed ordinances related to trespassing on private and public property and prohibiting encampments.
Resolution: Extension of Penalty Reduction Program (Item 4E)
Resolution extending the Penalty Reduction Program to June 30, 2023.
Resolution: Compensation for Municipal Judges (Item 4F)
Resolution establishing compensation and benefits for municipal judges, with a retroactive effective date.
Journal of Council Proceedings (Items 6A, 6B)
Approval of previous council meeting minutes.
Requests for Uncontested Continuances (Item 7)
Continuances for various agenda items.
Revocable Permit: Memorandum of Understanding with Latinus Unitus (Item 8A)
MOU for a women's basketball league at Johnny Williams Municipal Gymnasium.
Revocable Permit: Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (Item 8B)
Right-of-way use permit for the Saints Santa Run on December 3rd.
OCMFA Agenda (Items A-F)
Various items for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority.
OCPPA Agenda (Items A-D)
Various items for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
Consent Docket (Item 9)
Approval of multiple routine agenda items.
Resolution: Purchase of Vehicles (Item 9L)
Resolution authorizing the purchase of vehicles from state contract.
City Manager Report: Budget Amendment (Item 9BP)
Presentation on proposed budget amendments for various funds, including Capital Improvement Projects, General Fund, Public Works, Hotel Motel Tax, Tiff Fund, Special Purpose Fund, and Utilities Enterprise Fund.
Concurrence Docket (Item 10)
Approval of multiple routine agenda items.
Ordinance: Moratorium Extension on PUDs and SPUDs (Item 4A)
Ordinance to extend the moratorium on signs with certain size display areas for PUDs and SPUDs.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: 508 North Kelly Avenue (Item 11A)
Rezoning from R2 and PUD 1550 to Spud 1442.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Alley Closure (Item 11C)
Ordinance to close and vacate a north-south and east-west alley in Block 10 of Oklahoma City Original Edition.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Personnel and Retirement Systems (Item 11D)
Ordinance relating to a cost of living adjustment for retirees.
Public Hearing: Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District (Item 11E1)
Public hearing regarding the Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District.
Resolution: Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District Assessment (Item 11E2)
Resolution adopting and confirming an assessment role for the Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District.
Ordinance on Final Hearing: Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District Assessment (Item 11F)
Ordinance adopting and setting the assessment role for the Uptown 23rd Business Improvement District.
Ordinance: Food and Beverages (Item 11G)
Ordinance amending chapter 21 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code related to food and beverage licensing for special events.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures (Item 11H1)
Public hearing regarding various dilapidated structures.
Resolution: Dilapidated Structures (Item 11H2)
Resolution declaring structures as dilapidated.
Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures (Item 11I1)
Public hearing regarding various unsecured structures.
Resolution: Unsecured Structures (Item 11I2)
Resolution declaring structures as unsecured.
Public Hearing: Abandoned Buildings (Item 11J1)
Public hearing regarding various abandoned buildings.
Resolution: Abandoned Buildings (Item 11J2)
Resolution declaring buildings as abandoned.
Public Hearing: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Item 11K1)
Public hearing regarding the acceptance of a joint award for the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
Resolution: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Item 11K2)
Resolution authorizing acceptance of the joint award for the 2022 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
Resolution: Emergency Medical Services Trust (Item 11L)
Resolution accepting beneficial interest in the second amended and restated Emergency Medical Services trust.
Joint Resolution: Settlement and Subrogation Claim (Item 11M1)
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority approving settlement and subrogation claim related to workers' compensation.
Executive Session: Legal Advice (Item 11N)
Executive session to receive confidential communications from attorneys concerning several legal cases.
Claims Recommended for Approval (Item 11O)
Approval of various claims.
Resolution: City Manager Salary (Item 3F1)
Resolution establishing a new annual salary and stipend for City Manager Craig Freeman.
Resolution: City Auditor Salary (Item 3G1)
Resolution establishing a new annual salary and stipend for City Auditor Matt Weller.
Resolution: Municipal Counselor Salary (Item 3H1)
Resolution establishing a new annual salary and stipend for Municipal Counselor Kenneth Jordan.