Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting primarily focused on honoring outgoing City Manager James D. Couch for his 31 years of public service, including naming a municipal building after him and declaring "Jim Couch Day." Key decisions included the acquisition of the Boomer Sports Complex, allocation of funds for affordable housing, and approval of significant indebtedness for water utility projects. Public comments addressed renaming Eastern Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and amending oil and gas drilling ordinances.
Key Decisions & Votes
Commendation for James D. Couch, City Manager
26:00A resolution was adopted to commend James D. Couch for his 31 years of public service, including 18 years as City Manager, highlighting his achievements in water resources, MAPS programs, and economic development.
Naming of Municipal Office Building
26:00The office building at 420 West Main was resolved to be named the "James D. Couch Municipal Office Building" in lasting commemoration of his service.
Jim Couch Day
26:00January 2, 2019, was declared "Jim Couch Day" in Oklahoma City to honor the longest-serving City Manager.
Acquisition of Boomer Sports Complex
34:00The acquisition of the Boomer Sports Complex on 240 was approved, utilizing 2017 GEO bond funds for land acquisition and development, to retain eight softball fields and expand city-operated sports complexes.
Allocation of GEO Limited Tax Bond Proceeds for Affordable Housing
40:00A joint resolution was approved to allocate $600,000 in GEO limited tax bond proceeds to provide economic development incentives for the expansion of affordable housing opportunities.
Incurrence of Indebtedness by Aqua (Clean Water)
43:00A resolution was approved for Aqua to incur $50 million in indebtedness for clean water funding through the State Revolving Fund program, primarily for pipelines and wastewater projects.
Incurrence of Indebtedness by Aqua (Drinking Water)
44:00A resolution was approved for Aqua to incur $30 million in indebtedness for drinking water funding through the State Revolving Fund program, primarily for treatment and water line replacement projects.
Upcoming Community Events
Ward 7 Developer's Forum
6:00 PM at Metro Tech
Financial Matters
Boomer Sports Complex Acquisition
Acquisition of the Boomer Sports Complex to retain eight softball fields and expand city sports offerings, funded by 2017 GEO bond funds.
OKC Business Improvement District Assessment Roll Revision
Administrative correction to the assessment roll for the downtown Business Improvement District due to duplicated properties.
Annual Fee for Investor-Owned Utilities/Rural Electric Cooperatives
Approval of an annual fee assessed on investor-owned utility or Rural Electric Cooperatives.
Affordable Housing Economic Development Incentives
Allocation of GEO limited tax bond proceeds to provide economic development incentives for affordable housing expansion.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan
Approval for Aqua to incur indebtedness for clean water projects, including pipelines and wastewater.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan
Approval for Aqua to incur indebtedness for drinking water projects, including treatment and water line replacement.
Public Comments
Citizens spoke on two main issues: proposing the renaming of all of Eastern Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and requesting amendments to oil and gas ordinances to increase setback distances for new wells and ban waste disposal within city limits, citing public health and safety concerns.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Discussion on renaming Eastern Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
- Review of proposed amendments to oil and gas ordinances regarding setbacks and waste disposal
Announcements
- The new City Manager, Craig Freeman, will be sworn in at 5:01 PM today in the council chambers.
- Councilman Nice thanked city employees for inviting him to help deliver new bicycles before Christmas.
- Councilman Greiner wished everyone a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2019.
Agenda Summary
Resolution of commendation for James D. Couch
A resolution honoring City Manager James D. Couch on his last day after 18 years as City Manager and over 31 years of public service to Oklahoma City.
Journal of council proceedings (Items A and B)
Approval of the minutes from previous council proceedings.
Requests for uncontested continuances - Item 9d (PUD 1687)
Request to withdraw PUD 1687.
Revocable permits
No items were presented for revocable permits.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items A through K
Routine business items for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) three items
Routine business items for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust - Claims and payroll
Approval of claims and payroll for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust.
Consent Docket (excluding A0)
Approval of routine items on the consent docket, with item A0 pulled for separate consideration.
Consent Docket Item A0 - Boomer Sports Complex Acquisition
Acquisition of the Boomer Sports Complex on 240, utilizing 2017 GEO bond funds for land acquisition and development.
9a1: Zoning case at 2313 Northwest 10th Street
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from R2 to PUD 201 in Ward 6.
9a2: Zoning case at 3701 Northwest 192nd
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from AA to PUD 1086.
9a3: Zoning case at 70300 Northwest 164th
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from PUD 1368 to PUD 1698.
9a4: Zoning case at 130130000 North Sara Road
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from PUD 445, 1578, and 1595 to PUD 1699.
9a5: Zoning case at 2808 Northwest 18th Street
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from R2 to SPUD 1089 in Ward 6, primarily for a garage apartment.
9b1: Amendment to Master Design Statement (related to 9b2)
Amendment to the master design statement for the property at 7600 North Kelly Avenue.
9b2: Ordinance on final hearing at 7600 North Kelly Avenue
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone property from R1 to SPUD 1091, to permit the addition of brick columns around a temple property.
9c: Closing an alley west of Broadway and south of Northwest 14th
Ordinance on final hearing for the closure of an alley in Ward 6.
9e: Ordinance revising assessment roll for OKC Business Improvement District downtown
Administrative correction to the assessment roll for the downtown Business Improvement District due to duplicated properties.
9f: Ordinance regarding annual fee assessed on investor-owned utility or Rural Electric Cooperatives
Final hearing for an ordinance concerning an annual fee assessed on investor-owned utilities or Rural Electric Cooperatives.
9g1: Public hearing for 9g2
Public hearing for the joint resolution approving the allocation of GEO limited tax bond proceeds for affordable housing.
9g2: Joint resolution approving allocation of GEO limited tax bond proceeds
Approving the allocation of $600,000 in GEO limited tax bond proceeds for economic development incentives to expand affordable housing opportunities.
9h: Resolution approving incurrence of indebtedness by Aqua ($50M)
Resolution approving Aqua to incur $50 million in indebtedness for clean water funding through the State Revolving Fund program, primarily for pipelines and wastewater projects.
9i: Resolution approving incurrence of indebtedness by Aqua ($30M)
Resolution approving Aqua to incur $30 million in indebtedness for drinking water funding through the State Revolving Fund program, primarily for treatment and water line replacement projects.
Items from Council
Council members shared updates, announcements, and well wishes.
City Manager Reports
No specific reports were given, but the swearing-in of the next city manager was mentioned.
Citizens to be heard
Public comments were received on renaming Eastern Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and amending oil and gas ordinances.