Meeting Summary
The City Council held its first teleconference meeting, approving a $5.5 million Small Business Continuity Fund to aid businesses impacted by COVID-19, including grants, forgivable loans, and technical assistance. They also approved the sale of over $111 million in general obligation bonds at favorable interest rates. A proposed ordinance to increase streetcar parking fines was deferred to July 21st to allow for signage implementation and data collection.
Key Decisions & Votes
Office of the Mayor - Appointments
05:00Approved various appointments to city commissions and noted Councilman Todd Stone's upcoming role as Vice Mayor.
Contract for Campus Resource Officers in Schools
20:00Approved the contract with OKC Public School District for campus resource officers, despite concerns raised about the cost and alternative uses of funds.
Rezoning 9507 West Memorial Road
30:00Approved the rezoning of property for modified office and residential use, following a reconsideration of the initial vote.
OKC Small Business Continuity Fund
50:00Approved a $5.5 million fund to provide financial assistance to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, offering grants, forgivable loans, and technical support.
Sale and Issuance of General Obligation Bonds Series 2020
1:15:00Awarded the purchase and authorized the issuance of $51,265,000 in general obligation bonds to JP Morgan Securities LLC at a true interest cost of 2.614628%.
Sale and Issuance of General Obligation Bonds Taxable Series 2020
1:20:00Awarded the purchase and authorized the issuance of $60,215,000 in taxable general obligation bonds to Citigroup Global Markets Incorporated at a true interest cost of 2.685850%.
Resolution Encouraging 2020 Census Response
1:35:00Adopted a resolution encouraging residents to respond to the 2020 Census and designating April 1st as Census Day, emphasizing its importance for federal funding and representation.
Upcoming Community Events
Food Giveaway by Restore OKC and Skyline Urban Ministries
Fed over 100 families with groceries via a drive-thru method.
Food Giveaway by Fairview Baptist Church
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - 'Cowboy Tim'
Gaining international recognition on Twitter for engaging content during museum closure.
Oklahoma City Zoo - 'Zoo at Two'
Online programming for public engagement during closure.
Financial Matters
General Obligation Bond Series 2010 Refunding
Authorization to issue refunding bonds not to exceed $35 million for the 2010 series, expected to achieve over 4% present value savings (approx. $1.5 million).
General Obligation Bond Series 2020
Award purchase and issuance of $51,265,000 in general obligation bonds with a true interest cost of 2.614628% to JP Morgan Securities LLC.
General Obligation Bonds Taxable Series 2020
Award purchase and issuance of $60,215,000 in taxable general obligation bonds with a true interest cost of 2.685850% to Citigroup Global Markets Incorporated.
OKC Small Business Continuity Fund
Allocation of $5.5 million from general obligation limited tax bond proceeds to provide financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Includes incentive payments (up to $10K), no-interest forgivable loans (up to $50K), low-interest loans ($50K-$100K), and technical assistance ($500K allocation).
Judicial Order 205 - Penalty Reduction Program
The Judiciary Committee will propose extending a penalty reduction program, which has collected $195,000 towards a $200,000 goal, on April 14th.
Public Comments
Three citizens spoke. Comments included concerns about the effectiveness of signage for streetcar parking violations due to human error, questions regarding the structure and eligibility criteria of the Small Business Continuity Fund (differentiating between grants and loans, eligibility for independent contractors, and application turnaround time), and offers to assist with outreach to minority-owned businesses.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8A1: An uncontested continuance item, deferred to April 28th.
- Item 8C: Ordinance on final hearing regarding parking penalties for blocking the streetcar, deferred to July 21st.
Deadlines
- April 1st: Census Day, encouraging all residents to respond to the 2020 Census.
Watch For
- Regular reports on the OKC Small Business Continuity Fund's applicants and disbursements at future council meetings.
- Judiciary Committee to propose extending the penalty reduction program (Judicial Order 205) on April 14th.
- Further federal and state government partnerships and actions to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Announcements
- This was the city's first teleconference city council meeting, conducted under state statute.
- If the teleconference is disconnected, the meeting will reconvene once audio is restored or continued to March 31st at 1:00 PM if restoration takes longer than 30 minutes.
- Councilman Todd Stone will become Vice Mayor on April 8th.
- Today is the last day of Women's History Month.
- It is Physicians Week, recognizing the work of physicians.
Agenda Summary
Item 2A-H: Office of the Mayor - Appointments and Notification
Notification that Councilman Todd Stone will become Vice Mayor on April 8th, and appointments to KATA, HP City County Health, Oklahoma City Park Commission, Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, Riverfront Design Committee, and Traffic Commission. Item C was corrected to John Milner.
Item 3: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of the journal of council proceedings.
Item 4: Requests for Uncontested Continuances
Item 8A1 continued to April 28th. Several items (8L1, 8M1, 8N1) related to dilapidated/unsecured structures and abandoned buildings were stricken from the agenda due to owners securing/removing them or needing re-notification.
Item 5: Revocable Permits
No revocable permits were listed.
OCMFA Items A-F
Items for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority.
OCPPA Items
Three items for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
OCEAT Item
One item for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust, typically claims and payroll.
Item 6F1: Consent Docket - Magnus Leadership Training
Presentation by Chief Gourley on a leadership training program for the police department, focusing on improving leadership and crisis management skills for all supervisors.
Item 6AS: Consent Docket - Contract with OKC Public School District for Campus Resource Officers
Discussion regarding the contract for police officers in secondary and high schools, providing security and deterrence at the request of the school system. Council members raised questions about the number of officers, specific schools, and the use of resources.
Item 6: Remainder of Consent Docket
Approval of the remaining items on the consent docket.
Item 7A-J: Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Item 8A2: Rezoning 9507 West Memorial Road
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from AA to PUD 1742 to permit modified office and residential use. Discussion included the deletion of a residential sprinkler requirement due to the property being outside the rural fire response time.
Item 8A3: Rezoning 1620 North Blackwelder Avenue
Application to rezone from SPUD 942 to SPUD 1162 to permit an Airbnb/home sharing in the Plaza District.
Item 8A4: Rezoning 3237 Northwest 192nd Street
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from PUD 1686 to SPUD 1194 to permit office development.
Item 8B: Close South 10 feet of West Park Place Right-of-Way
Ordinance on final hearing to close a portion of the right-of-way between Classen and Western, related to a senior housing development.
Item 8C: Parking Penalties for Blocking Streetcar
Ordinance on final hearing regarding increased parking penalties for blocking the streetcar route. Discussion focused on identifying 'hot spots' and the lack of current signage regarding fines.
Item 8D: Public Hearing - Feeding Animals in City Parks
Public hearing regarding an ordinance related to feeding animals in city parks and other city property.
Item 8E1: Award Purchase of $51.265M General Obligation Bond Series 2020
Awarding the purchase of general obligation bonds to the bidder offering the lowest true interest cost.
Item 8E2: Ordinance for Issuance of $51.265M General Obligation Bonds Series 2020
Ordinance providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds, prescribing their form, registration, and tax levy for payment.
Item 8F: Resolution Authorizing Sale of $51.265M General Obligation Bonds Series 2020
Resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation bonds.
Item 8G
Item G was stricken from the agenda.
Item 8H1: Award Purchase of $60.215M General Obligation Bonds Taxable Series 2020
Awarding the purchase of taxable general obligation bonds to the bidder offering the lowest true interest cost.
Item 8H2: Ordinance for Issuance of $60.215M General Obligation Bonds Taxable Series 2020
Ordinance providing for the issuance of taxable general obligation bonds, prescribing their form, registration, and tax levy for payment.
Item 8I: Resolution Authorizing Sale of $60.215M General Obligation Bonds Taxable Series 2020
Resolution authorizing the sale of taxable general obligation bonds.
Item 8J
Item J was previously stricken from the agenda.
Item 8K1: Public Hearing - Refunding General Obligation Bond Series 2010
Public hearing regarding the refunding of outstanding portions of the city's General Obligation Bond Series 2010.
Item 8K2: Resolution for Sale and Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds
Resolution providing for the sale and issuance of general obligation refunding bonds not to exceed $35 million.
Item 8L1: Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing regarding listed dilapidated structures.
Item 8L2: Resolution Declaring Structures Dilapidated
Resolution declaring certain structures dilapidated.
Item 8M1: Public Hearing - Unsecured Structures
Public hearing regarding listed unsecured structures.
Item 8M2: Resolution Declaring Structures Unsecured
Resolution declaring certain structures unsecured.
Item 8N1: Public Hearing - Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing regarding listed abandoned buildings.
Item 8N2: Resolution Declaring Buildings Abandoned
Resolution declaring certain buildings abandoned.
Item 8O1: Public Hearing - Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Amendment
Public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2020 budget amendment, primarily adding MAPS 4 funds.
Item 8O2: Resolution Adopting Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Amendment
Resolution adopting the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Item 8P: Joint Resolution - OKC Small Business Continuity Fund
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust approving an allocation of $5.5 million from GO limited tax bond proceeds for the OKC Small Business Continuity Fund to support businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Item 8Q1: Resolution - Salary Continuation for Lt. Kevin Bryant
Resolution approving a request for salary continuation for Lieutenant Kevin Bryant.
Item 8R: Resolution - Confess Judgment (Dawson v City of OKC)
Resolution authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without amending liability in the United States District Court case titled Dawson v City of OKC.
Item 8S: Resolution - Confess Judgment (Knutson v City of OKC)
Resolution authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without any liability in the United States District Court case styled Knutson v City of OKC.
Item 8T1: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 9A1: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
Item 10A: Resolution - Encouraging 2020 Census Response
Resolution encouraging residents to respond to the 2020 Census and designating April 1st as Census Day.