Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting addressed various city matters, including an economic development update, commendations for outstanding individuals, and several planning and zoning cases. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a lengthy discussion and subsequent vote on extending the city's mask ordinance. The council also discussed the implementation of a new federal emergency rental assistance program and approved several general obligation bond-related items.
Key Decisions & Votes
Resolution recognizing Shane Williams as Teacher of the Month
00:26:50The council unanimously approved a resolution commending Shane Williams, a physical education teacher at Red Oak Elementary, for his selection as March 2021 Teacher of the Month by Moore Public Schools and Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Resolution commending Major Scott Grubbs as Employee of the Month
00:30:40A resolution was unanimously passed to commend Major Scott Grubbs, a fire liaison in the Office of Emergency Management, for his selection as March 2021 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month, recognizing his efforts in COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Appointments to various city boards and commissions
00:32:30The council unanimously approved appointments to the Board of Appeals Building Code, Bond Advisory Committee, Central Oklahoma Transportation Parking Authority, Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Advisory Board, Arts Commission, Oklahoma City Employees Retirement System, Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, and Riverfront Design Committee.
Extension of City Mask Ordinance (Emergency Ordinance)
00:34:50The council voted 6-3 to extend the city's mask ordinance until April 30, 2021. This was followed by a 7-2 vote to adopt the ordinance with an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Contract
01:26:00The council approved a contract with the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma to administer a new federal emergency rental assistance program, providing $19.6 million to help households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oklahoma City MAPS Investment and Operating Trust Indenture
02:02:00The resolution to approve the MAPS Investment and Operating Trust Indenture and appoint five initial trustees was deferred for two weeks. The deferral was made to allow for the addition of two more trustees, increasing the total to seven, with the aim of enhancing representation and financial expertise.
Upcoming Community Events
Play Ball Initiative
Took place at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, distributing bats, balls, hats, and free MLB online access to the community. Hope to repeat in the future.
Douglas Vaccine Pod
Successful vaccination event at Douglas High School, with community pastors volunteering. Efforts to continue vaccinations at this location are ongoing.
Financial Matters
General Obligation Bond Sale (New Money)
Approval for the sale of new money bonds from the 2017 GO bond authorization, scheduled for March 30th, 2021.
General Obligation Bond Refunding
Approval to refund outstanding 2011 GO bonds, anticipating approximately $3.5 million in present value savings over 10 years without extending the bond life.
Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Amendment
Modifies eight funds, including capital improvement projects, fire sales tax, general fund (for ice storm debris removal), grant fund (for COVID-19 related grants), hotel motel tax fund, internal service fund, medical services program fund, and zoo sales tax fund.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Federal funds allocated to Oklahoma City to provide emergency rental and utility assistance to households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
MAPS Investment and Operating Trust
Establishment of a trust to manage operating funds for various MAPS projects, with the goal of utilizing only a portion of annual earnings while preserving the corpus.
Sales Tax Report (February)
Sales tax saw a 4.6% decline for February, with a year-to-date decline of 4.1%. Use tax had another strong month, 12.6% above last year and $6 million above target.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke during the meeting. One expressed strong opposition to the mask mandate, citing concerns about individual liberty, negative impacts on mental health, and the effectiveness of masks. The other citizen spoke about a zoning item, requesting a continuance due to concerns about drainage, safety, and the impact of a proposed development on a nearby church property.
Coming Up
Tabled
- PUD 1801 (9e) deferred to March 16th
- SPUD 1270 (9i) deferred indefinitely
- CPE 1043 (9v 1&2) deferred to April 13th
- Oklahoma City MAPS Investment and Operating Trust Indenture (9ad) deferred to March 16th for revision to include seven trustees
Deadlines
- Current COVID-19 safety code expires March 5th, 2021 (extended to April 30th, 2021)
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program: 65% of funds must be spent by September 30th; total funds by end of year.
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program applications reopen Monday (March 8th), advertising push begins March 15th.
- General Obligation Bond sales on March 30th, 2021.
- RFP for MAPS Investment and Operating Trust professional due April 14-21.
Watch For
- Discussion on the MAPS Investment and Operating Trust with revised trustee numbers on March 16th.
- Final hearing for zoning item X on April 13th.
- EMSA's new program to pay individuals to attend EMT school and join the organization.
- Recommendations for water, wastewater, and solid waste management rates in June.
- Further updates on the federal support for the city's revenue shortfalls.
Announcements
- Congratulations to Councilors Nikki Nice and Todd Stone on securing another four-year term.
- New convention center completed on time and under budget, positioning Oklahoma City for hospitality growth.
- Zach Craig joined the organization as the new president of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Amazon's additional warehouse with over 500 positions, Sky Dweller Aerospace (75 employees), and North Star Scientific (40 employees) announced.
- Over 1,500 new jobs anticipated from existing companies since Q4 2020.
- 32 new projects added to the economic development pipeline.
- Dozens of new retailers opened in 2020.
- Legislative session monitoring for preemption, unfunded mandates, regional transit bill (SB 967), protection of transportation plan funding, private property rights regarding guns, and economic incentives.
- Oklahoma City County Health Department and Ward 2's Historic Asian District co-hosted a virtual town hall on vaccination process in various languages.
- State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister holding ongoing conversations about equity in schools.
- Jared Shadeed and staff working on the Mayor's Homelessness Task Force recommendations.
- Kristen Terkelson working with EMBARK on Ward 2's upcoming Northwest OKC BRT.
- Peak 36th dispensary in Ward 2 features art by Denise Duong, transforming an abandoned gas station.
- Randy Marks and Robbie Kinsel inviting participation in public art conversations for Belle Isle Library.
- Recognition of International Women's History Month and upcoming Black Women's History Month in April.
- Tribute to Mark Ruffin, a pioneering downtown Oklahoma City developer and civic leader.
Agenda Summary
3a
Economic Development Update from Roy Williams, President of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
3b
Resolution recognizing and commending Shane Williams on his selection as the March 2021 Teacher of the Month.
3c
Resolution of commendation for Major Scott Grubbs on his selection as the March 2021 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month.
3d-k
Appointments to various city boards and commissions.
4a-b
Journal of Council Proceedings.
5
Requests for uncontested continuances.
11a
Ordinance to be introduced and adopted with an emergency amending Chapter 23 entitled Health and Sanitation (Mask Ordinance).
OCMFA Items a-c
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority agenda items.
OCPPA Items a-c
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority agenda items.
OCETA Items a-c
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust agenda items, including a presentation on the dissolution of OCETA and merger with the Water Utilities Trust.
7a-bn
Consent Docket, including presentations on an amendment to the comprehensive plan, a grant for the scree streetscape project, park improvements, the Oklahoma City Boulevard project, bridge and trail improvements, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, General Obligation Bond program items, and an agreement with EMSA.
8a-p
Concurrent Docket.
9a
Ordinance on final hearing, 17600 Southeast 59th Street, from AA to RA.
9b
Ordinance on final hearing, 12106 Penny Drive, from R1 to PUD1796.
9c
Ordinance on final hearing, 301 East Britain Road, from R1 to PUD1797.
9d
Ordinance on final hearing, 1101 South Morgan Road, from C3 to PUD1799.
9e
Ordinance on final hearing, PUD 1801.
9f
Ordinance on final hearing, 9749 Northwest Expressway, from C3 to PUD1802.
9g
Ordinance on final hearing, 3303 Northeast 23rd, from AA to PUD1803.
9h
Ordinance on final hearing, 5401 West Memorial Road, from PUD 1446 to PUD1804.
9i
Ordinance on final hearing, SPUD 1270.
9j
Ordinance on final hearing, 13600 Southwestern Avenue, from SPUD 628 to SPUD 1275.
9k
Ordinance on final hearing, 820 Southwest 134th Street, from AA and C3 to SPUD 1276.
9l
Ordinance on final hearing, 1200 South Meridian, from I-1 to SPUD 1279.
9m
Ordinance on final hearing, 17121 Southeast 59th Street, from AA to SPUD 1280.
9n
Ordinance on final hearing, 1216 and 1218 Northwestern, from C4 to SPUD 1281.
9o
Ordinance on final hearing, 1127 Northwest 56th Street, from R1 to SPUD1247.
9p
Ordinance on final hearing, 2800 Northwest Grand Boulevard, from PUD 478 to SPUD 1283.
9q
Ordinance on final hearing, 10400 South Western Avenue, from AA to SPUD 1284.
9r
Ordinance on final hearing, 2649 Northwest 14th Street, from R1 to SPUD 1285.
9s
Ordinance on final hearing, 2600 Northeast 63rd Street, from PUD 280 to SPUD 1287.
9t
Ordinance on final hearing, 10000 South Sunny Lane, from AA to SPUD 1288.
9u
Ordinance on final hearing, 600 North Broadway Avenue, from DTD-1 to SPUD 1289.
9v 1&2
Public hearing and resolution for CPE 1043.
9w
Public hearing regarding the amending of the June 16, 2020 City Council Resolution approving certain Fire Other Sales Tax expenditures and/or projects for this fiscal year.
9x
Ordinance regarding the alarm permit process and false alarm calls.
9y 1&2
Public hearing and resolution regarding dilapidated structures.
9z 1&2
Public hearing and resolution regarding unsecured structures.
9aa 1&2
Public hearing and resolution regarding abandoned structures.
9ab 1&2
Public hearing and resolution regarding the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Amendment.
9ac 1&2
Second public hearing and resolution regarding the amending of the June 16, 2020 City Council Resolution approving certain Fire Other Sales Tax expenditures and/or projects for this fiscal year.
9ad
Resolution approving Oklahoma City MAPS Investment and Operating Trust Indenture and accepting beneficial interest for the City of Oklahoma City in said trust and trust indenture and approving the appointment of the five initial trustees.
9ae
Resolution approving the request for salary continuation for Lieutenant Thomas Austin.
9af
Resolution approving the request for salary continuation for Corporal Ryan Williams.
9ag
Resolution authorizing the Municipal Counselor to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Poe Martin and NM versus City of OKC.
10a1
Claim recommended for approval.