Skip to main content
Civic Transparency Platform
City Council Meeting

December 8, 2020 City Council Meeting

December 8, 2020 Oklahoma City, OK
Watch Video
Subscribe

Get notified when new summaries are available.

Meeting Summary

TL;DR

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

04:00

A 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.

Adopted

Cox Convention Center Lease Agreement

30:00

A 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.

Approved

Rezoning at 7201 North Hudson Avenue

1:09:00

The 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.

Approved

Rezoning at 133 R1

1:13:00

A 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.

Tabled

Rezoning at 16007 South Jordan Avenue

1:16:00

The rezoning application from R1 to I2 was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 19301 North May Avenue

1:17:00

The rezoning application from R1 to R1 ZL (Zero Lot Line) was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 1230 North C Train

1:18:00

The rezoning application from PUD 1646 to R1 was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 271 North C South Cemetery Road

1:38:00

The rezoning application from AA to PUD 1778 was approved, with an amendment requiring fencing along the western boundary of the property.

Approved

Rezoning at 113000 West Britton Road

1:39:00

The rezoning application from R1 to PUD 1780, adding commercial uses to the corner of Britton and Mustang, was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 2246 Northwest 36th

1:43:00

The rezoning application from R1 to SPUD 1252, for 10 residential units, was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 2410 Northeast 23rd

1:48:00

The rezoning application from SPUD 718 to SPUD 1262, for a community education and business development project, was approved.

Approved

Rezoning at 21 Northeast 14th Street

1:50:00

The 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.

Denied

Closure of Southwest 7th Street Portion

1:51:00

An ordinance to close a portion of Southwest 7th west of South Chartel was approved.

Approved

Closure of Northwest Third Street and Alley

1:52:00

An 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.

Approved

Closure of Milwood Public School Easements

1:52:00

An ordinance to close utility easements within the Milwood Public School campus east of North MLK was approved to facilitate facility development.

Approved

Pre-qualification of Contractors Ordinance

1:55:00

An ordinance changing the process for contractors from licensing to pre-qualification was approved.

Approved

Dilapidated Structures Resolution

1:57:00

A resolution declaring certain structures dilapidated was adopted, excluding those deferred.

Adopted

Unsecured Structures Resolution

1:58:00

A resolution declaring certain structures unsecured was adopted, excluding those previously struck.

Adopted

Abandoned Buildings Resolution

1:59:00

A resolution declaring certain buildings abandoned was adopted, excluding those struck or deferred.

Adopted

COVID-19 Relief Funds Plan Amendment

2:00:00

A 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.

Approved

Appeal of Panhandling Ordinance Case

2:36:00

Authorization 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.

Approved

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.

$1,700,000

OKC Public Schools Air Filtration

Agreement to reimburse Oklahoma City Public Schools for air filtration system renovations using CARES Act funds.

$1,000,000

Senior Health and Wellness Center #3

Proposed budget for the construction of the Senior Health and Wellness Center #3 at 36th and Lincoln.

$11,717,000

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.

$37,715,000

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.

$51,000,000

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.

$1,700,000,000

Public Comments

4 citizens spoke

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.

Gentrification and displacement Impact of rezoning on residential areas Panhandling ordinance and homelessness Police response times and mental health crisis intervention Community development and education

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.

Adopted

4A & 4B

Journal of council proceedings.

Approved

5

Request for uncontested continuances and striking of items from the agenda.

Approved

OCMFA Items A-D

Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority agenda items.

Approved

OCPPA Item C

Lease agreement with Prairie Surf Media for the Cox Convention Center to be used as a motion picture and television studio.

Approved

OCPPA Items A, B, D

Oklahoma City Public Property Authority agenda items excluding Item C.

Approved

OCEAT Claims and Payroll

Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust claims and payroll.

Approved

7 (Consent Docket)

Approval of the consent docket, including various routine items and informational presentations.

Approved

8 (Concurrence Docket)

Approval of the concurrence docket items A through I.

Approved

9A1

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 7201 North Hudson Avenue, rezoning from R1 to I2, split into two applications.

Approved

9A2

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 133 R1, rezoning to AA.

Tabled

9A3

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 16007 South Jordan Avenue, rezoning from R1 to I2.

Approved

9A4

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 19301 North May Avenue, rezoning from R1 to R1 ZL (Zero Lot Line).

Approved

9A5

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 1230 North C Train, rezoning from PUD 1646 to R1.

Approved

9A6

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 271 North C South Cemetery Road, rezoning from AA to PUD 1778.

Approved

9A7

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 113000 West Britton Road, rezoning from R1 to PUD 1780.

Approved

9A8

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 2246 Northwest 36th, rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1252.

Approved

9A9

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 2410 Northeast 23rd, rezoning from SPUD 718 to SPUD 1262.

Approved

9B

Request for uncontested continuance for an item.

Tabled

9C

Ordinance on Final Hearing at 21 Northeast 14th Street, rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1170.

Denied

9D1

Ordinance on Final Hearing to close a portion of Southwest 7th west of South Chartel.

Approved

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.

Approved

9D3

Ordinance on Final Hearing to close utility easements within the Milwood Public School campus east of North MLK.

Approved

9E

Ordinance on Final Hearing relating to pre-qualification of contractors.

Approved

9F

Public Hearing regarding an ordinance change relating to personnel and Retirement Systems.

Information Only

9G1

Public Hearing regarding dilapidated structures.

Information Only

9G2

Resolution declaring structures dilapidated.

Adopted

9H1

Public Hearing regarding unsecured structures.

Information Only

9H2

Resolution declaring structures unsecured.

Adopted

9I1

Public Hearing regarding abandoned buildings.

Information Only

9I2

Resolution declaring buildings abandoned.

Adopted

9J

Resolution amending the Coronavirus Relief Funds Plan and the subcategory allocations contained therein.

Approved

9K

Item previously deferred regarding a developer.

Tabled

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).

Approved

9L2

Potential executive session.

No Action

9M

Executive session on advice of the Municipal Counselor to receive confidential communications from its attorney concerning the race discrimination of Rubin Laquesi.

No Action

10A1

Claim recommended for approval.

Approved