Meeting Summary
The City Council approved significant salary adjustments for the City Manager, Municipal Counselor, and City Auditor. Key ordinances were adopted, including the creation of a Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay District and an amended Planned Unit Development for Wilshire Boulevard after extensive negotiations. Additionally, new ordinances regarding firearms in vehicles and vaping of marijuana products were introduced for future consideration.
Key Decisions & Votes
Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay District
16:10An ordinance creating a Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay District was approved on its third and final hearing, with an emergency clause also approved.
PUD 1733 (1900 Northwestern Avenue)
21:40A Planned Unit Development for mixed-use commercial, office, and residential was approved, with an amendment to remove the 'without additional approval required for murals' clause.
PUD 1730 (4600 East Wilshire Boulevard)
38:40An ordinance rezoning the property was approved after an amendment was made to the proposed zoning request, resolving issues between the applicant and neighborhood representatives. The amendment included limits on lots, tree preservation, lot size, and buffer zones.
Personnel and Retirement Systems Ordinances
52:20Changes to the personnel and retirement systems ordinances, described as a tax update, were adopted on their final hearing.
Dilapidated Structures Resolution
1:01:00A resolution declaring several structures dilapidated was adopted following a public hearing.
Unsecured Structures Resolution
1:01:50A resolution declaring several structures unsecured was adopted following a public hearing.
Abandoned Buildings Resolution
1:02:30A resolution declaring several buildings abandoned was adopted following a public hearing.
Street Improvement Assessment District #1626
1:04:40A resolution adopting and confirming the assessment role for the Thornberry Place Street Improvement Assessment District was adopted, facilitating the conversion of private streets to public.
Executive Employee Pay Plan
1:12:40A resolution establishing a new executive employee pay plan for the Municipal Counselor and City Auditor was approved to aid in employee retention.
Management, Administrative, and Technical Support Pay Plan
1:13:50A resolution approving a pay plan with a one percent adjustment, continuing certain benefits, and a one-time $200 stipend for eligible employees was approved.
General Non-Represented Pay Plan
1:17:00A resolution approving the pay plan for full-time regular employees not covered by specific collective bargaining agreements or management plans was approved.
City Manager Salary Adjustment
2:35:00A resolution establishing a new annual salary of $257,911.43 for City Manager Craig Freeman, effective January 1, 2020, including a $7,000 car allowance and other benefits, was approved.
Municipal Counselor Salary Adjustment
2:37:00A resolution establishing a new annual salary of $207,684.17 for the Municipal Counselor, effective January 1, 2020, including a $7,000 car allowance and other benefits, was approved.
City Auditor Salary Adjustment
2:38:40A resolution establishing a new annual salary of $169,031.12 for City Auditor Jim Williamson, effective January 1, 2020, including a $7,000 car allowance and other benefits, was approved.
Councilwoman Nice Travel Reimbursement
1:19:20A resolution approving travel and reimbursement for Councilwoman Nikki Nice to attend the National League of Cities Waste Management Phoenix Open Sustainability Forum was approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Frozen Nose 5K
2 p.m. at Wheeler Park, benefiting Socks for Love. Participants encouraged to wear wacky socks.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Route from 6th Street and Walker to Reno in Walker. Theme: '40 Years Better Together'.
New Year's Day Rally
Outside the county jail, hosted by various organizations to raise awareness for incarcerated individuals.
Marcella Guthrie Scholarship Fund 26th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet
Embassy Suites Hotel.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Beta Ada Lambda Chapter 26th Annual Gospel Extravaganza
6 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Free admission.
Black Incorporated Spoken Word Event
7 p.m. Theme: 'Community or Chaos: Are We There Yet?'
Annual MLK Celebration
St. John Baptist Church, 5700 North Kelly.
Cross Cultural Program
6 p.m. at Temple B'nai Israel Church, 4900 block on North Penn.
MLK Prayer Breakfast
7 a.m. at the Reed Conference Center.
MLK Job Fair
Starts at 9 a.m., sponsored by TFCU.
MLK Opening Program
9 a.m. at the Freedom Center.
MLK Silent March
9:45 a.m., from the Freedom Center to the Oklahoma History Center.
MLK Bell Ringing Ceremony
11 a.m. at the Oklahoma History Center.
MLK Annual Program
12:10 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Northwest 7th and Robinson, featuring a panel discussion.
Financial Matters
Electronic Plan Review System
Ratification of a purchase order and approval of an annual maintenance contract for new software to streamline development plan review.
Street Improvement Assessment District Number 1626 (Thornberry Place)
Resolution adopting and confirming the assessment role for 127 properties to convert private streets to public streets, with an assessment of $3,850 per lot.
Allotment to Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Joint resolution for $60,000 to support ancillary infrastructure improvements, specifically for two city-owned alleys.
Municipal Counselor and City Auditor Executive Employee Pay Plan
Resolution establishing a new executive employee pay plan to aid in employee retention.
Management, Administrative, and Technical Support Pay Plan
Resolution approving a pay plan with a one percent adjustment over FY 2018-19 rates, continuing certain benefits, and a one-time $200 stipend for eligible employees.
General Non-Represented Pay Plan
Resolution approving the pay plan for full-time regular employees not covered by AFSCME, management, FOP, or fire.
City Manager Annual Salary
Establishment of a new annual salary for City Manager Craig Freeman, effective January 1, 2020, including a car allowance.
Municipal Counselor Annual Salary
Establishment of a new annual salary for the Municipal Counselor, effective January 1, 2020, including a car allowance.
City Auditor Annual Salary
Establishment of a new annual salary for City Auditor Jim Williamson, effective January 1, 2020, including a car allowance.
Public Comments
Public comments included concerns about the new state gun law and its impact on city safety, the city's ADA compliance and issues with scooter enforcement, and alleged discriminatory funding practices for farming initiatives on the northeast side of the city.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9a6 (SPUD 1126) was deferred to the January 21st meeting.
Watch For
- Ordinance change regarding pistols and motor vehicles (public hearing Jan 21st, final hearing Feb 4th).
- Ordinance change regarding vaping of marijuana products (public hearing Jan 21st, final hearing Feb 4th).
- Joint resolution for Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center allotment (final consideration Jan 21st).
Announcements
- Frederick Douglass High School formed the first National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice chapter in the country.
- The Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Kwanzaa celebration from December 26th through January 1st.
- Mr. Hamilton celebrated his 93rd birthday on January 2nd.
- A schedule of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events was provided, including a parade, scholarship banquet, gospel extravaganza, spoken word event, annual celebration, cross-cultural program, prayer breakfast, job fair, silent march, bell ringing ceremony, and a program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Agenda Summary
3a2, 3b2, 3c2
Motion to take a vote on going into executive session for three substantive items.
4a and 4b
Journal of Council Proceedings.
5. Requests for Uncontested Continuances
Deferrals and striking of various items from the agenda.
6a. Revocable Permit with Inmotion Oklahoma
For the Frozen Nose 5K on February 9th using Wheeler Park and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation River Trail.
6b. Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with the OKC Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition
To hold the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade on January 20th on Walker between 6th and Reno.
OCMFA Items a through f
Various items for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority, including a presentation on the new electronic plan review system.
OCPPA Items a and b
Various items for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
OCEA Trust Claims and Payroll
Claims and payroll for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust.
7. Consent Docket
Routine items grouped for a single vote.
8. Concurrence Docket
Routine items grouped for a single vote.
9f. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Creating a Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay District (third of three meetings).
9a1. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 8601 Southwest 89th Street from AA to RA2.
9a2. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 6022 East I-240 Service Road from I-1 and I-2 to R-4 for a senior housing center.
9a3. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Adding the Healthy Neighborhood Overlay District in the general area of the 73111 zip code (Northeast 16th to East Wilshire between Kelly and Bryant).
9a4. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 1900 Northwestern Avenue from PUD 201 to PUD 1733 for mixed-use commercial, office, and residential development.
9a5. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 940 North Macarthur Boulevard from C3 to PUD 1743 for a trucking business relocation.
9a7. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 4700 Northeast 36th from C1 to SPUD1163.
9a8. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 8013 Northwest 122nd Street from PUD 361 to SPD-1164 for an office retail development.
9a9. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 1137 Northwest 2nd Street from I2 to SPD-1165 for a brewery and mixed-use development.
9a10. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 225 East Britain Road from O2 to SPUD1166 to amend existing parking and add retail/parking structure.
9a11. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning various addresses in the 1300 block of Northwest 2nd Street from R3 to SPD1167 for small starter homes ('PC Minis').
9b. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Rezoning 4600 East Wilshire Boulevard from AA to PUD 1730, with high levels of official protests.
9c1. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Closing a portion of the right-of-way of North Blackwelder at 1631 Northwest 21st Street.
9c2. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Closing a platted utility easement in Westgate Marketplace 3, north of Southwest 15th and west of South Macarthur.
9d1. Special Permit
To construct a telecommunication tower (stealth design) in the R1 residential district at 3500 North Meridian.
9d2. Special Permit
To allow automotive sales in the C3 community commercial district at 1800 North Portland.
9e. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Changes to the personnel and retirement systems ordinances (tax update).
9g1. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Establishing 60-degree angle parking within a proposed setback parking area on the east side of North Florida near Northwest 23rd.
9g2. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Establishing one reserved parking space for the physically disabled within the proposed setback parking area on the east side of North Florida Avenue near Northwest 23rd.
9g3. Ordinance on Final Hearing
Removing two metered parking spaces from the west side of South Walker.
9h1 & 9h2. Public Hearings
Relating to amendments to motor vehicle and traffic ordinances (administrative authority for Public Works Director).
9i. Ordinance Change Introduction
Relating to miscellaneous provisions and offenses in the Oklahoma City Municipal Code regarding pistols and motor vehicles (to align with state law).
9j. Ordinance Change Introduction
Regarding vaping, to prohibit the smoking and vaping of marijuana products in the same manner that tobacco is prohibited.
9k1. Public Hearing
Regarding dilapidated structures.
9k2. Resolution
Declaring structures dilapidated.
9l1. Public Hearing
Regarding unsecured structures.
9l2. Resolution
Declaring structures unsecured.
9m1. Public Hearing
Regarding abandoned buildings.
9m2. Resolution
Declaring buildings abandoned.
9n1 & 9n2. Resolution
Adopting and confirming the assessment role for Street Improvement Assessment District Number 1626 (Thornberry Place).
9o1 & 9o2. Joint Resolution Introduction
With the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust regarding an allotment to the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.
9p. Resolution
Amending the current pay plans of the Municipal Counselor and City Auditor by establishing the executive employee pay plan.
9q. Resolution
Approving a pay plan with a one percent adjustment over FY 2018-19 rates and continuing certain benefits for management, administrative, and technical support positions, and for positions included on the City Auditor's and Municipal Counselor's pay plans, plus a one-time $200 stipend.
9r. Resolution
Approving the general non-represented pay plan established for full-time regular employees excluded from coverage by AFSCME.
9s1. Claims Recommended for Denial
Various claims recommended for denial.
10a1. Claims Recommended for Approval
Various claims recommended for approval.
11a. Public Hearing
Regarding the ordinance relating to vehicles for hire, specifically advertising on such vehicles.
11b. Resolution
Approving travel and reimbursement of travel-related expenses for Councilwoman Nikki Nice to attend the National League of Cities Waste Management Phoenix Open Sustainability Forum.
3a1. Resolution
Establishing a new annual salary for the City Manager.
3b1. Resolution
Establishing a new annual salary for the Municipal Counselor.
3c1. Resolution
Establishing a new annual salary for the City Auditor.