Meeting Summary
The City Council received an update on the COVID-19 vaccination efforts and the Delta variant surge. Key decisions included the approval of a new "A Better Way" program to aid individuals experiencing homelessness and the introduction of several Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allocations for downtown developments, such as the Boulevard Place residential project and the relocation of Griffin Communications. Discussions also covered various zoning changes and revocable permits for community events.
Upcoming Community Events
Hope Is Alive Sobriety Sprint
Using Wheeler Park and other locations; honors those lost to addiction and funds scholarships for recovery programs.
Oklahoma Paddle Sport Festival
Eastern basin in the Regatta Park zone of the Oklahoma River; includes international competitions, American Canoe Association championships, and a USO experience event.
Honeymoon Rockfest 2021
Wheeler Park; a music festival where some artists will officiate weddings on stage.
Paseo Arts Festival
Paseo Drive; 44th annual festival with artists, food vendors, and music acts.
Pride Parade
Downtown Oklahoma City; first time hosting the parade downtown.
Britain District Day
Britain District; celebrated new businesses and community gathering.
ESA Vintage Market
Proceeds will go towards the Willa D Johnson Endowment Fund.
Financial Matters
Mayor's travel expenses
Resolution approving travel expenses for the Mayor to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting.
Sales tax report (July)
July sales tax came in strong with approximately 20% growth, about $3 million over target for the start of the year.
Hotel tax report (July)
Hotel tax collections for July are expected to be around $1.5 million, approximately 14% down from the previous year.
'A Better Way' program funding
The total program cost is $271,000 annually, with a city contribution of $150,000, United Way contributing $120,000, and Inasmuch Foundation donating $10,000 for startup costs.
Commercial District Revitalization Program (39th Street)
An $18,000 contract to support the 39th Street commercial district revitalization efforts.
TIF allocation for Boulevard Place project
A TIF allocation of $1,500,000 from TIF 2 and $5,743,571 from TIF 13 to support the Boulevard Place residential development.
TIF 2 ancillary infrastructure
A TIF allocation of $500,000 from TIF 2 for various small ancillary infrastructure projects in the downtown TIF district.
TIF allocation for Griffin Communications relocation
A TIF allocation of $2,700,000, with $700,000 from TIF 2 and $2,000,000 from TIF 8, to support Griffin Communications' relocation to the Century Center.
Gold Funds allocation for Signify Health
A proposed allocation of Gold Funds to incentivize Signify Health to establish a new member engagement call center in Oklahoma City, creating 225 jobs.
Tax apportionment refunding bonds
Resolution approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust, resulting in nearly $15 million in savings through refunding opportunities.
Sales tax revenue bonds for Zoo
Resolution approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust for $25 million in sales tax revenue bonds to fund new capital improvements and master plan projects.
Salary continuation for Corporal Ragin Pile
Resolution approving salary continuation for Corporal Ragin Pile.
Confess judgment (Anthony Maricello)
Resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in a legal case.
Claims recommended for denial
Denial of various claims.
Claims recommended for approval
Approval of various claims.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke, urging the council to implement a mask mandate due to the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly the Delta variant, and its potential impact on children and hospital capacity. They emphasized the importance of vaccination and mask-wearing, citing scientific evidence and expressing frustration with the lack of decisive action.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 11d (SPUD 1817) deferred to August 17th
- Item 11g (SPUD 1268) deferred to August 31st
- Item 11e (PUD 1820) deferred to August 17th
- Item 11q (Fer Way Services LLC appeal) deferred to November 9th
Deadlines
- Public hearing for zoning ordinance (animal raising): August 17th
- Final hearing for zoning ordinance (animal raising): August 31st
- Public hearing for Boulevard Place TIF: August 17th
- Public hearing for TIF 2 ancillary infrastructure: August 17th
- Public hearing for Griffin Communications TIF: August 17th
- Public hearing for electric assisted bicycles ordinance: August 17th
- Final hearing for electric assisted bicycles ordinance: August 31st
- Final hearing for United Way parking (9bk/bl): August 17th
- Construction for N Portland street enhancement (9bh) anticipated to begin Spring 2022
Watch For
- Budget amendment discussions for expanding Police Athletic League (PAL) and FACT programs
- Further details on other affordable housing projects
- Timeline for 23rd to 36th street enhancement project
- Update on OETA potentially receiving the current Griffin Communications building
- Full FDA approval for Pfizer vaccine (hoped for by January)
- 5-11 age group vaccine approval (hoped for late September/October)
Announcements
- Carrie McBride was recognized as the August 2021 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month.
- The Oklahoma City Police Department is actively hiring for 150 officer positions.
- The Metro Park Neighborhood Association successfully organized a fence-building project to address loose animals and support residents.
- Britain District Day was held successfully this past Saturday, celebrating new businesses in the district.
- Restore OKC hosted an event for its summer interns, connecting them with professionals from various career fields.
- Alvin Jernigan Avenue toppers will be installed next Friday, August 13th, at NE 30th and Kelly, commemorating the former Northeast High School band director.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with an invocation from Pastor Landon Whitsett and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Barbara Young.
Resolution of Commendation for Carrie McBride
Recognition of Carrie McBride as the August 2021 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for her dedication and service in the Development Services Department.
Resolution approving Mayor's travel expenses
Approval of travel expenses for the Mayor to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting in Austin, Texas.
Ordinance to amend zoning and planning code regarding animal raising
Introduction of an ordinance to amend the use unit animal raising personal in the zoning code, expanding the types of birds regulated to include quail, doves, peafowl, and ostriches, and requiring non-conforming uses to comply within three months.
City Manager Reports
Update on COVID-19 vaccinations from Blaine Bolding of City-County Health and a report on July sales tax, which showed strong growth.
Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of the journal of council proceedings for items A and B.
Requests for uncontested continuances
Several items were deferred or stricken from the agenda.
Revocable Permit - Hope Is Alive for Sobriety Sprint
Approval of a revocable permit for Hope Is Alive to hold its fifth annual Sobriety Sprint on August 28th, using Wheeler Park and other locations.
Revocable Permit - Riversport Foundation for Oklahoma Paddle Sport Festival
Approval of a revocable permit for the Riversport Foundation to host the Oklahoma Paddle Sport Festival from August 19th through 24th, including international competitions and a USO experience event.
Revocable Permit - Skytech Data Solutions for Honeymoon Rockfest 2021
Approval of a revocable permit for Honeymoon Rockfest 2021, a music festival at Wheeler Park on September 18th and 19th, featuring on-stage weddings.
Revocable Permit - United States Army Reserve 401st Engineering Company
Approval of a revocable permit for the 401st Engineering Company to hold a family day and rafting operations training at Lake Stanley Draper Reservoir.
Revocable Permit - Paseo Artists Association for Paseo Arts Festival
Approval of a revocable permit for the Paseo Arts Festival, scheduled for September 4th through 6th on Paseo Drive.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items a-e
Approval of various items under the OCMFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items a-b
Approval of various items under the OCPPA agenda.
Consent Docket Item 9cd: Agreement with Mental Health Association of Oklahoma for 'A Better Way' program
Approval of a one-year agreement with the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma to establish the 'A Better Way' program, providing employment and housing resources for people experiencing homelessness.
Consent Docket Item 9cy: Ordinance regarding School Resource Officers (SROs)
Approval of an ordinance related to School Resource Officers, following a discussion on alternative approaches to youth intervention.
Consent Docket Item 9am: Commercial District Revitalization Program for 39th Street
Approval of an $18,000 contract to support the 39th Street commercial district revitalization efforts.
Consent Docket Item 9az: Arterial street resurfacing on SE 44th
Approval of a project for arterial street resurfacing on Southeast 44th Street.
Consent Docket Item 9bh: Declaring necessity for easements for N Portland street enhancement
Approval of declaring the necessity for acquiring certain easements for the North Portland street enhancement project (NW 10th to 23rd).
Consent Docket Items 9bk & 9bl: Parking for United Way at McKinley and NW 28th
Approval of items related to creating 45-degree angled parking and necessary ADA parking for the United Way facility.
Consent Docket Item 9ch: TIF allocation for Boulevard Place project
Introduction of a resolution to set a public hearing for a TIF allocation to support the Boulevard Place project, a 265-unit apartment development east of the Omni Hotel.
Consent Docket Item 9ci: TIF allocation from TIF 2 for ancillary infrastructure
Introduction of a resolution to set a public hearing for a TIF allocation of $500,000 from TIF 2 for various small ancillary infrastructure projects in the downtown TIF district.
Consent Docket Item 9cj: TIF allocation for Griffin Communications relocation to Century Center
Introduction of a resolution to set a public hearing for a TIF allocation to support the relocation of Griffin Communications to the Century Center.
Consent Docket Item 9ck: Gold Funds allocation for Signify Health member engagement call center
Introduction of a resolution to set a public hearing for a Gold Funds allocation to support Signify Health's establishment of a new member engagement call center in Oklahoma City.
Concurrence Docket Items 10a-k
Approval of various items on the concurrence docket.
Ordinance on final hearing at 8200 SW 74th St
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 8200 Southwest 74th Street from I2 to R2.
Ordinance on final hearing at 9101 N Overholser Dr
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 9101 North Overholser Drive from AA to RA (single family one acre rural residential).
Ordinance on final hearing at 11701 SW 29th
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 11701 Southwest 29th Street from AA to R1.
Ordinance on final hearing at 10801 Old Hwy 4 (PUD 1820)
Final hearing for an ordinance to rezone 10801 Old Highway 4 from I2 to PUD 1820, for a manufactured home development.
Ordinance on final hearing at 8524 N Sooner Rd
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 8524 North Sooner Road from AA to PUD 1823.
Ordinance on final hearing at 824 NW 68th
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 824 Northwest 68th Street from R1 to SPUD 1308, for expansion of the Oklahoma City Ballet campus.
Ordinance on final hearing at 8405 S Pennsylvania Ave
Final hearing and approval of an ordinance to rezone 8405 South Pennsylvania Avenue from SPUD 301 to SPUD 1321.
Ordinance relating to electric assisted bicycles
Introduction of an ordinance to modify municipal code to allow electric assisted bicycles on city trails, with specific classifications and regulations.
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures
Public hearing concerning various dilapidated structures.
Resolution declaring dilapidated structures
Adoption of a resolution declaring several structures as dilapidated.
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures
Public hearing concerning various unsecured structures.
Resolution declaring unsecured structures
Adoption of a resolution declaring several structures as unsecured.
Public hearing regarding abandoned buildings
Public hearing concerning various abandoned buildings.
Resolution declaring abandoned buildings
Adoption of a resolution declaring several buildings as abandoned.
Resolution approving tax apportionment refunding bonds
Adoption of a resolution approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust for tax apportionment refunding bonds.
Resolution approving sales tax revenue bonds for Zoo
Adoption of a resolution approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust for sales tax revenue bonds to fund new capital improvements.
Appeal of Fer Way Services LLC
Appeal from Fer Way Services LLC regarding a denied request to provide a statement of no adverse impact to DEQ.
Resolution approving salary continuation for Corporal Ragin Pile
Adoption of a resolution approving salary continuation for Corporal Ragin Pile.
Resolution authorizing municipal council to confess judgment (Anthony Maricello)
Adoption of a resolution authorizing the municipal council to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Anthony Maricello v. City of OKC.
Executive Session (Robert Miller Jr. v City of OKC)
Vote to go into executive session to receive confidential communications from the municipal counselor regarding the case of Robert Miller Jr. v. City of OKC.
Claims recommended for denial
Denial of claims recommended for denial.
Claims recommended for approval
Approval of claims recommended for approval (items a through c).
Items from Council
Council members shared updates and announcements regarding ward activities, community initiatives, and city department efforts.
Citizens to be Heard
Two citizens addressed the council regarding public health concerns.