Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media to convert the Cox Convention Center into a film and television studio, aiming to create jobs and economic development. Several rezoning requests were approved, including a significant one at 7201 North Hudson Avenue after an agreement to split the application. The Council also authorized an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the panhandling ordinance, despite public opposition.
Key Decisions & Votes
Recognition of Katie Wonderly
04:00A resolution was adopted recognizing and commending Katie Wonderly for her selection as the December 2020 Teacher of the Month by Putnam City Public Schools and Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Cox Convention Center Lease Agreement
30:00A lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media was approved, allowing them to use the Cox Convention Center as a motion picture and television studio for an initial 5-year term, with options for renewal.
Rezoning at 7201 North Hudson Avenue
1:09:00The application was split: the East portion (multiple tracts) was approved for I2 zoning, and the West portion (17-acre tract) was remanded to the Planning Commission for a PUD, including a requirement for Hudson paving extension.
Rezoning at 133 R1
1:13:00A motion was approved to send the rezoning application back to the Planning Commission for consideration as a PUD, with amended fees, to address concerns about potential medical marijuana uses in rural areas.
Rezoning at 16007 South Jordan Avenue
1:16:00The rezoning application from R1 to I2 was approved.
Rezoning at 19301 North May Avenue
1:17:00The rezoning application from R1 to R1 ZL (Zero Lot Line) was approved.
Rezoning at 1230 North C Train
1:18:00The rezoning application from PUD 1646 to R1 was approved.
Rezoning at 271 North C South Cemetery Road
1:38:00The rezoning application from AA to PUD 1778 was approved, with an amendment requiring fencing along the western boundary of the property.
Rezoning at 113000 West Britton Road
1:39:00The rezoning application from R1 to PUD 1780, adding commercial uses to the corner of Britton and Mustang, was approved.
Rezoning at 2246 Northwest 36th
1:43:00The rezoning application from R1 to SPUD 1252, for 10 residential units, was approved.
Rezoning at 2410 Northeast 23rd
1:48:00The rezoning application from SPUD 718 to SPUD 1262, for a community education and business development project, was approved.
Rezoning at 21 Northeast 14th Street
1:50:00The rezoning application from R1 to SPUD 1170 was denied due to significant protest and the applicant not revising the plan to reflect agreed-upon changes.
Closure of Southwest 7th Street Portion
1:51:00An ordinance to close a portion of Southwest 7th west of South Chartel was approved.
Closure of Northwest Third Street and Alley
1:52:00An ordinance to close a portion of Northwest Third Street and an alley east of North Chartel and south of Northwest Fourth was approved to assist workforce affordable housing development.
Closure of Milwood Public School Easements
1:52:00An ordinance to close utility easements within the Milwood Public School campus east of North MLK was approved to facilitate facility development.
Pre-qualification of Contractors Ordinance
1:55:00An ordinance changing the process for contractors from licensing to pre-qualification was approved.
Dilapidated Structures Resolution
1:57:00A resolution declaring certain structures dilapidated was adopted, excluding those deferred.
Unsecured Structures Resolution
1:58:00A resolution declaring certain structures unsecured was adopted, excluding those previously struck.
Abandoned Buildings Resolution
1:59:00A resolution declaring certain buildings abandoned was adopted, excluding those struck or deferred.
COVID-19 Relief Funds Plan Amendment
2:00:00A resolution amending the Coronavirus Relief Funds Plan was approved to reflect a $1M allocation for OKC Public Schools and create a new category for public entity mitigation measures.
Appeal of Panhandling Ordinance Case
2:36:00Authorization was granted for the Municipal Counselor to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of McCraw et al V. City of OKC, concerning the panhandling ordinance.
Financial Matters
Cox Convention Center Lease Agreement
Lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media for a 5-year initial term with options to renew for up to three additional years. PSM will ramp up rent and utility contributions over the lease term.
39th Street Streetscape Project
Construction contract award for a street enhancement project near 39th and Barnes, part of the Better Streets Safer City program.
OKC Public Schools Air Filtration
Agreement to reimburse Oklahoma City Public Schools for air filtration system renovations using CARES Act funds.
Senior Health and Wellness Center #3
Proposed budget for the construction of the Senior Health and Wellness Center #3 at 36th and Lincoln.
Coronavirus Relief Funds Plan Amendment
Amending the plan to reflect the $1M for OKC Public Schools and creating a new category for public entity mitigation measures, reducing the COVID-19 response reserve.
Community Cares Resident Support Program
Update on expenditures for rent, utilities, and retraining from CARES Act funds.
OKC Small Business Continuity Program
Update on total funding allocated and expended across four distinct rounds of applications for grants, technical assistance, and loans.
Utilities Customer Service Delinquencies
Report on over 16,000 past due utility accounts with an average balance of $1,100, totaling approximately $8.3 million delinquent.
Public Works Capital Improvement Plan (FY21-25)
Overview of the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for Public Works, covering street, drainage, bridge, and sidewalk projects.
Utilities Department Capital Improvement Plan
Overview of the Capital Improvement Plan for the Utilities Department, focusing on water, wastewater, and solid waste projects, including the second Atoka pipeline.
Public Comments
Public comments included opposition to rezoning applications, with concerns about gentrification and the impact on the African-American community. There was also strong opposition to the city's decision to appeal the panhandling ordinance to the Supreme Court, with a call for compassion and reallocation of funds to address homelessness. One speaker expressed approval for a community-focused development project.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9B deferred to January 5th.
- Item 9K deferred to December 22nd.
- Items 9G1B and 9G1D (dilapidated structures) deferred to the next council meeting.
- Item 9I1C (abandoned building) deferred to the next council meeting.
Deadlines
- CARES Act funds for OKC Public Schools air filtration projects must be completed and operable by December 30th.
- Community Cares Partners retraining program deadline for partners is this Friday (December 11th).
Watch For
- Final report on the Small Business Continuity Program in January.
- Public Works and Utilities Capital Improvement Plan to return for approval on December 22nd.
- Local Business Utilization Program presentation to the council soon.
Announcements
- Councilman Cooper thanked the Boys and Girls Club and Sisu Youth for meeting to discuss connecting youth services and addressing homelessness.
- Councilman Cooper thanked Brew Brothers in the Britton District for their work.
- Councilman Cooper congratulated Putnam Heights on their Christmas ceremony and new brick markers.
- Councilman Stone congratulated Musgrave Pennington on their new bylaws.
- Councilwoman Nice expressed condolences for Dr. Melvin Todd and Mr. Andre Head, who passed away due to COVID-19 complications, and urged continued caution.
- Councilwoman Nice mentioned Hope Centers operating in churches and upcoming community giveaways at Northeast Missionary Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
- Councilman Stonecipher expressed condolences for Mike McCulla, former Chief of Staff for Andy Coats and Ron Norick, who passed away from COVID-19.
Agenda Summary
3A
Resolution recognizing and commending Katie Wonderly on her selection as the December 2020 Teacher of the Month.
4A & 4B
Journal of council proceedings.
5
Request for uncontested continuances and striking of items from the agenda.
OCMFA Items A-D
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority agenda items.
OCPPA Item C
Lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media for the Cox Convention Center to be used as a motion picture and television studio.
OCPPA Items A, B, D
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority agenda items excluding Item C.
OCEAT Claims and Payroll
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust claims and payroll.
7 (Consent Docket)
Approval of the consent docket, including various routine items and informational presentations.
8 (Concurrence Docket)
Approval of the concurrence docket items A through I.
9A1
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 7201 North Hudson Avenue, rezoning from R1 to I2, split into two applications.
9A2
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 133 R1, rezoning to AA.
9A3
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 16007 South Jordan Avenue, rezoning from R1 to I2.
9A4
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 19301 North May Avenue, rezoning from R1 to R1 ZL (Zero Lot Line).
9A5
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 1230 North C Train, rezoning from PUD 1646 to R1.
9A6
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 271 North C South Cemetery Road, rezoning from AA to PUD 1778.
9A7
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 113000 West Britton Road, rezoning from R1 to PUD 1780.
9A8
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 2246 Northwest 36th, rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1252.
9A9
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 2410 Northeast 23rd, rezoning from SPUD 718 to SPUD 1262.
9B
Request for uncontested continuance for an item.
9C
Ordinance on Final Hearing at 21 Northeast 14th Street, rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1170.
9D1
Ordinance on Final Hearing to close a portion of Southwest 7th west of South Chartel.
9D2
Ordinance on Final Hearing to close a portion of Northwest Third Street and the east-west alley right-of-way east of North Chartel and south of Northwest Fourth.
9D3
Ordinance on Final Hearing to close utility easements within the Milwood Public School campus east of North MLK.
9E
Ordinance on Final Hearing relating to pre-qualification of contractors.
9F
Public Hearing regarding an ordinance change relating to personnel and Retirement Systems.
9G1
Public Hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
9G2
Resolution declaring structures dilapidated.
9H1
Public Hearing regarding unsecured structures.
9H2
Resolution declaring structures unsecured.
9I1
Public Hearing regarding abandoned buildings.
9I2
Resolution declaring buildings abandoned.
9J
Resolution amending the Coronavirus Relief Funds Plan and the subcategory allocations contained therein.
9K
Item previously deferred regarding a developer.
9L1
Authorize the Municipal Counselor to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of McCraw et al V. City of OKC (panhandling ordinance).
9L2
Potential executive session.
9M
Executive session on advice of the Municipal Counselor to receive confidential communications from its attorney concerning the race discrimination of Rubin Laquesi.
10A1
Claim recommended for approval.