Meeting Summary
The City Council adopted the 2022 federal and state legislative programs with minor amendments. Resolutions to establish a redistricting committee and to add at least two additional wards both failed. The council also approved funding for a new distribution center, continued the emergency rental assistance program, and renamed the I-240 Sports Complex to the Douglas R. Cupper Sports Complex.
Key Decisions & Votes
2022 Federal Legislative Program
40:00Adopted the city's 2022 federal legislative program, with an amendment to change 'continued support and engagement' to 'continued engagement' regarding pandemic-related expenses and community support.
2022 State Legislative Program
40:30Adopted the city's 2022 state legislative program. A motion to add five human rights issues (subpoena power, enhanced remedies/penalties for discrimination/hate crimes, authority to award restitution, compel community service, and levy fines) to the state legislative priorities failed.
Redistricting Committee Establishment
57:00A resolution to establish a redistricting committee to review redistricting maps and provide public input was denied.
Addition of City Wards
1:16:00A resolution requiring the city council to add at least two additional wards to improve representation was denied.
Allocation to US Auto Force
1:20:00Approved a $400,000 allocation of GO bond funds to US Auto Force for a new distribution center, expected to create 40 jobs with an average wage exceeding $55,000 per year.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA 2)
1:30:00Approved an agreement with Communities Foundation of Oklahoma to administer the second round of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA 2) program, providing $6.2 million initially for housing and utility assistance.
Freedom Center Removal from MAPS 4 Plan
1:40:00Approved the removal of the Freedom Center from the MAPS 4 implementation plan at the request of its board, allowing private funds to be used for its renovation and reallocating MAPS 4 funds to the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center.
Renaming I-240 Sports Complex
2:10:00Approved the renaming of the I-240 Sports Complex to the Douglas R. Cupper Sports Complex in recognition of Doug Cupper's 46 years of service in parks and recreation.
Upcoming Community Events
Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival
Bricktown, Mickey Mantle Avenue. Features talented and diverse performances, free photos with Santa, and the lighting of the Bricktown Christmas tree.
Lights on Broadway
Automobile Alley. Open house for businesses, featuring light curtains and free photos with Snow Globe Santa.
Saints Santa Run
Midtown, using the Downtown Dash route. Includes a free kids dash, a one-mile fun run, a 5k, cash prizes for fastest runners, and most festive costumes.
Dog Day in December
Midtown. Community invited to bring pets dressed up for photos with Santa. Fundraiser for Midtown OKC.
Merry Midtown
Midtown. Holiday marketing campaign inviting the community to enjoy promotions from businesses, with festive red bows and holiday cheer.
Devon Ice Rink
Myriad Gardens. Open seven days a week.
Holiday River Parade
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Features Skiing Santa and elves, decorated motor boats, winter glow activities, indoor ice skating, curling, skiing/snowboarding, pictures and story time with Santa, laser light show, and fireworks over the river.
Predator Pass Opening
Oklahoma City Zoo. Features new cheetahs (Boomer and Pistol Pete) and African wild dogs.
Safari Lights
Oklahoma City Zoo. Offers both drive-through and walk-up options.
Financial Matters
2022 Federal Legislative Program
Advocacy for increased funding for transit, pandemic-related expenses, infrastructure investment, transportation, transit, airports, opportunity zones, economic development, and local grant programs.
2022 State Legislative Program
Advocacy for preventing fraud in sales tax collection, changes to Open Meeting Act, updating landlord/tenant act, changes to Capital Medical Center Improvement and Zoning District, supporting healthy food programs, addressing mental health for first responders, supporting regional transit authority revenue exploration, retaining economic development tools, maintaining clean air act.
Hotel Tax Report
Hotel tax revenue showed 68% growth compared to the last fiscal year at this time, and is 7% above the pre-pandemic period.
Allocation to US Auto Force
$400,000 allocation of GO bond funds for a new distribution center, creating 40 jobs with average wages over $55,000.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA 2)
Agreement with Communities Foundation of Oklahoma to administer $6.2 million (initial tranche) in federal funds for residential rental and utility assistance, with potential for an additional $9.3 million.
Freedom Center MAPS 4 Funds
MAPS 4 funds originally allocated for the Freedom Center will be reallocated to the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, as the Freedom Center secured private funding for its renovation.
ACOG Grant Application (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality)
Routine grant application to ACOG for congestion mitigation air quality money for bike lanes and infrastructure on Linwood from Chartel to Indiana.
ACOG Grant Applications (Public Works/Planning Projects)
Six top-scoring projects from Public Works and Planning recommended for ACOG grant funding, aiming to increase the scope of work for projects already funded by 2017 bond or Better Streets Safer City sales tax.
Investment Policy Update
Update to the city's investment policy to reflect changes in Senate Bill 281, allowing investment in state agencies' debt obligations (e.g., Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Grand River Dam Authority, Oklahoma Water Resources Board) if they meet investment-grade quality. Current portfolio is $1.9 billion.
Increase in Allocation to Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust
Approving an increase of $100,000 to a previously approved allocation of $1 million for the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust.
Public Comments
A resident from Ward 4 expressed concerns about the current ward redistricting process, stating that the inner city core of South Oklahoma City is split between five wards, diluting the voices of its largely working-class, multicultural, and immigrant population. He advocated for more wards and citizen involvement in the redistricting process to ensure better representation and inclusion.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 11c (Ordinance on final hearing, deferred to December 7th)
- Item 11f (Ordinance on final hearing, deferred to December 7th)
- Item 11v (Deferred to January 18, 2022)
- Item 11rk (Unsecured structure at 111 Southwest Perfect Western Avenue, deferred for two weeks)
- Item 11s1i (Abandoned building at 111 Southwest Perfect Western Avenue, deferred for two weeks)
Deadlines
- Results of ACOG grant applications expected in February 2022.
- US Auto Force tentative hiring to begin Q2 2022, full hiring Q3 2022.
- Freedom Center restoration to start as soon as possible after January 1st, with grand opening projected for August 2022 (or a little later).
- ERA 2 contract effective through December 31, 2025.
Watch For
- Potential modification to ERA 2 contract for an additional $9.3 million tranche of funds.
- Future discussions on adding more members to the Economic Development Trust.
- Future discussions on the Housing Authority board representation.
- Governor's decision on Julius Jones clemency hearing.
- Movement on 2030 MLK redevelopment.
- Reconsideration of ward parking signs.
- Advocacy regarding congressional redistricting maps.
Announcements
- Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11th, with thanks to all veterans and awareness for veteran/first responder suicide prevention (Mighty Oaks Foundation).
- Congratulations to EMBARK for unveiling 'RAPID' as the name for the city's first Bus Rapid Transit system, with excitement for future BRT lines.
- Predator Pass and Safari Lights at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
- Bogert Parkway street dedication ceremony was held at City Hall due to weather.
Agenda Summary
Item 4a: Resolution adopting certain federal legislative issues as the city of Oklahoma City's 2022 federal legislative program.
Established federal priorities for lobbying efforts, including pandemic-related expenses, infrastructure, transportation, and economic development.
Item 4b: Resolution adopting certain state legislative issues as the city of Oklahoma City's 2022 state legislative program.
Established state priorities for lobbying efforts, including local control, property issues, public trust clarification, public records protection, and EMS response.
Item 4c: Resolution establishing a redistricting committee to review redistricting maps.
Proposed creating a committee with community members to provide input on ward redistricting maps, aiming for increased transparency and representation.
Item 4d: Resolution requiring the council to add at least two additional wards.
Proposed increasing the number of city wards from eight to at least ten to improve representation for a growing and diverse population.
Item 8a: Resolution designating certain dates as free fishing days in Oklahoma City.
Designated specific dates for free fishing in city limits.
Item 8b: Revocable permit with the Riversport Foundation for the Holiday River Parade.
Approved a permit for the Holiday River Parade on December 4th, featuring a ski show, decorated boats, winter glow activities, and fireworks.
Item 9af: Resolution approving a grant application to ACOG for Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds for bike lanes on Linwood.
Approved a grant application for federal funds to support bike infrastructure.
Items 9y-ae: Resolutions approving grant applications to ACOG for various Public Works and Planning projects.
Approved applications for federal funds to enhance the scope of existing city projects.
Item 9bi: Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust allocating $400,000 to U.S. Auto Force.
Allocated GO bond funds to attract a new distribution center, creating 40 jobs.
Item 9bk: Resolution approving an agreement with Communities Foundation of Oklahoma for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA 2).
Approved continued administration of federal funds for rental and utility assistance.
Item 9bu: Resolution authorizing the issuance of an RFP for an operator for an innovation hall.
Authorized the city to seek proposals for an operator for a planned innovation hall.
Item 9bv: Resolution removing the Freedom Center from the MAPS 4 implementation plan.
Removed the Freedom Center from the MAPS 4 plan, reallocating funds to the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, as the Freedom Center secured private funding.
Item 11a: Resolution receiving the comprehensive plan amendment for land near 164th and Pennsylvania.
Received the planning commission's approval of an amendment to change land use topology from urban future/agricultural preserve to urban low.
Item 11b: Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 95 acres at 164th and Pennsylvania from AA to PUD.
Rezoned land to facilitate single-family residential development.
Item 11d: Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 424 Northwest 122nd Street from R1 to R2.
Rezoned property to permit duplex construction.
Item 11h: Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 330 Southwest 104th Street from AA to SPUD 1313.
Rezoned property to allow for an increase in personal storage facilities.
Item 11i: Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 1900 Linwood Boulevard from I2 to SPUD 1342.
Rezoned property to allow for additional uses (eating/drinking establishments, outdoor recreation, artistic murals), ensure existing buildings conform, and address parking issues.
Item 11j: Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 11901 Eckerd Drive from AA to SPUD 1345.
Rezoned property to allow for splitting a 4.98-acre lot into two single-family homes.
Item 11k: Ordinance on final hearing to close a 119-foot portion of a five-foot platted utility easement in Ward 8.
Closed a portion of a utility easement.
Item 11l: Ordinance on final hearing to amend Chapter 57, Article 5 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code.
Amended a section of the municipal code.
Item 11m: Ordinance on final hearing establishing a parking setback.
Established a new parking setback.
Item 11n: Ordinance on final hearing establishing two reserved parking spaces.
Established two reserved parking spaces.
Item 11o: Public hearing for an amendment to the ambulance code (second of three hearings).
Public hearing on proposed changes to the ambulance code.
Item 11p: Public hearing for the preparation of requests and specifications for wrecker service applicants (second of three hearings).
Public hearing on proposed specifications for wrecker service applicants.
Item 11q: Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
Public hearing on properties declared dilapidated.
Item 11q2: Resolution declaring structures dilapidated.
Declared specific structures as dilapidated.
Item 11r: Public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Public hearing on properties declared unsecured.
Item 11r2: Resolution declaring structures unsecured.
Declared specific structures as unsecured.
Item 11s: Public hearing regarding abandoned buildings.
Public hearing on properties declared abandoned.
Item 11s2: Resolution declaring buildings abandoned.
Declared specific buildings as abandoned.
Item 11t: Public hearing regarding a joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust approving an increase of $100,000 to a previously approved allocation of $1 million.
Public hearing on increasing an allocation to the Economic Development Trust.
Item 11t2: Joint resolution approving an increase of $100,000 to a previously approved allocation of $1 million to the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust.
Approved an increase in allocation to the Economic Development Trust.
Item 11u: Resolution updating the city's investment policy.
Updated the city's investment policy to reflect changes in state statute (Senate Bill 281) regarding allowable investments in state agencies' debt.
Item 11w: Resolution renaming the I-240 Sports Complex to the Douglas R. Cupper Sports Complex.
Renamed the sports complex in honor of Doug Cupper's service.
Item 11x1: Resolution authorizing a confession of judgment.
Authorized a confession of judgment.
Item 11y1: Resolution to enter into an agreed settlement.
Authorized entering into an agreed settlement.
Item 11z: Claims recommended for denial.
Denied specific claims.
Item 11aa: Claims recommended for approval.
Approved specific claims.