Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included a commendation for city employees' record-breaking Heart of the City campaign, raising over $612,000 for local charities. Financial reports for various city authorities and the city's comprehensive annual financial report were presented, all receiving unmodified opinions from external auditors. Key decisions were made regarding zoning changes, a revocable permit for the Thunder Run, and the adoption of ordinances for shared vehicles and pre-qualification processes.
Key Decisions & Votes
Heart of the City Campaign Commendation
00:02:00A resolution was passed commending city employees, department coordinators, and federations for their generosity and hard work in raising a record $612,000 for local charities through the Heart of the City campaign.
Revocable Permit for Thunder Run
00:23:00A revocable right-of-way use permit was granted to the Professional Basketball Club LLC for the Thunder Run event on December 29th, including a Rumble Fun Run and a 5k.
Financial Reports (MFA, PPA, OCET, CAFR)
00:36:00Multiple financial reports for the Municipal Facilities Authority, Public Property Authority, Environmental Assistance Trust, and the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2018 were presented and approved, all receiving unmodified opinions.
Zoning Change at 8516 N Classen Blvd
00:41:00An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 8516 North Classen Boulevard from R1 to I1, with unanimous Planning Commission approval and no protests.
Zoning Change at 14500 S Sooner Rd
00:41:50An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 14500 South Sooner Road from PUD 1422 to PUD 1697, continuing the development of a commercial corridor.
Zoning Change at 301 NW 96th St
00:42:40An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 301 Northwest 96th Street from R1 to SPUD 1080, allowing for modified light industrial with live-work uses.
Zoning Change at 640 NW 150th St
00:43:20An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 640 Northwest 150th Street from R1 to SPUD 1083, allowing for single-family live-work and administrative professional offices.
Zoning Change at 9701 Boardwalk Blvd
00:45:00An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 9701 Boardwalk Boulevard from R1 and C3 to SPUD 1084, with an amendment to remove multi-family residential.
Zoning Change at 710 N Classen
00:46:30An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 710 North Classen from PUD 1173 to SPUD 1087, removing payday lending agencies from the permitted uses.
Zoning Change at 1553 SW 44th
00:47:10An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 1553 Southwest 44th from R1 to SPUD 1088, permitting the sale of dietary supplements, oils, and skincare products.
Zoning Change at 1025 N Tulsa
00:47:50An ordinance was approved to rezone the property at 1025 North Tulsa from C4 and I1 to SPUD 1090, allowing for additional warehouse uses for a paving company.
Shared Vehicle Ordinance Amendments
00:51:00Amendments to the shared vehicle ordinance, providing a licensing and revocable permit structure for scooters and other shared vehicles, were approved.
Shared Vehicle Ordinance Final Hearing
00:55:00The shared vehicle ordinance, with the approved amendments, was adopted on final hearing to regulate and manage scooters and other shared vehicles in Oklahoma City.
Pre-qualification Process Ordinance Amendments
00:55:50Amendments to the ordinance regarding the pre-qualification process for contractors working in the right-of-way were approved, allowing the review board to update classifications more periodically.
Pre-qualification Process Ordinance Final Hearing
00:57:00The ordinance regarding the pre-qualification process, including the approved amendments, was adopted on final hearing.
Streetcar Construction Zone Ordinance
00:57:30An ordinance relating to fees and the Municipal Code, specifically concerning streetcar construction zones and safety regulations, was adopted on final hearing.
Employee Retirement System Ordinance
00:59:00An ordinance amending Article 5 of Chapter 52 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, relating to the Employee Retirement System and defining 'complete separation of employment' for pension benefits, was introduced and adopted with an emergency clause.
Dilapidated Structure Resolution
01:01:00A resolution was approved declaring a structure as dilapidated after a public hearing.
Unsecured Structures Resolution
01:01:40A resolution was approved declaring several structures as unsecured after a public hearing.
Abandoned Buildings Resolution
01:02:20A resolution was approved declaring several buildings as abandoned after a public hearing.
Confess Judgment - Ellis V City of Oklahoma City
01:02:50A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the United States District Court regarding Ellis V City of Oklahoma City.
Confess Judgment - Saxon V City of Oklahoma City
01:03:20A resolution was approved authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the case of Saxon V City of Oklahoma City.
Joint Resolution - Brewer V City of OKC
01:03:50A joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority was approved, authorizing legal representation for various city employees in the case of Brewer V City of OKC.
Claims Recommended for Denial
01:04:20Claims recommended for denial were approved.
Claims Recommended for Approval
01:04:50Claims recommended for approval were approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Heart of the City Campaign
City employees raised a record $612,000 for local charities, exceeding their goal by $32,000. Funds benefit United Way, Allied Arts, Regional Food Bank, and Community Health Charities.
Thunder Run
A Rumble Fun Run at 9:00 AM and a Thunder 5k at 9:30 AM.
ASME Charitable Efforts
Includes feeding the needy at Salvation Army, community block parties with Capitol Chamber of Commerce, blood drives, and a bike giveaway for Christmas (goal of 100 bikes).
Streetcar Grand Opening
Celebrated 25 years of MAPS, with high ridership, entertainment, and community engagement downtown. Many people combined streetcar use with scooters.
Windsor Area Business Group Christmas Function
Celebrated Christmas in different parts of the world, well-attended and growing annually.
Holiday River Parade
Extremely packed event with Santa Claus, very successful.
Ralph Ellison Library Holiday Party
Assisted by young people from Jack and Jill of America, included toy giveaways and card making for assisted living centers.
Ward 7 Developers Forum
Well-attended with great information, to be continued in January.
Financial Matters
Heart of the City Campaign Funds Raised
Record total raised by city employees for local charities, exceeding the goal of $580,000.
Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Net Position
Healthy net position, relatively flat from the prior year, primarily used for city operations insurance programs.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Net Position
Healthy net position, decreased by $8.8 million from prior year, partly due to OPEB accounting change and Civic Center Foundation loan. Golf system and Fairgrounds show negative net positions due to debt and capital financing.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCET) Net Position
Very healthy net position, decreased by $4.3 million from prior year, primarily due to OPEB accounting change.
City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Net Position
City has a net position of $2.1 billion, a decrease of $140 million from prior year, with $293 million of that decrease attributed to the OPEB accounting change. Total city and entities net position is $3.6 billion.
General Fund Balance (Budgetary Basis)
Increased by $19 million, mainly due to a quarter-cent sales tax increase and improved revenue collections.
Public Safety Sales Tax Report
Annual report confirming that FY18 expenses from police and fire sales tax funds complied with the adopted resolution and journal entry of judgment. Funds 220 police positions and 202 fire positions.
Mount Vernon Apartments Acquisition/Renovation
Application for Gold AHP funding to finish renovation of the 92-unit affordable housing property. Total acquisition and initial renovation loan was $4.3 million.
Sales Tax Report
Sales tax showed 17.7% growth (4.6% underlying growth), $1.3 million over target. Use tax is $7.5 million over target, partly due to online retailers remitting.
Public Comments
Public comments included a presentation from Hearts for Hearing about their services for deaf children and gratitude for the city's action on a billboard issue, and a presentation from ASME on their charitable efforts in the community. A representative from Lime also spoke regarding the shared vehicle ordinance.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Employee Retirement System ordinance needs to be adopted before the end of the year.
Watch For
- Boulevard landscaping projects to be completed by summer 2019.
- Center section of Boulevard landscaping plans to be brought to City Council soon.
- Report on Ethics Commission practices in other cities.
- Continuation of Ward 7 Developers Forum in January.
- Final meeting of the Couch era on January 2nd.
Announcements
- City employees raised a record $612,000 for the Heart of the City campaign.
- Hearts for Hearing provides services for deaf children across Oklahoma, including free hearing aids and diagnostic testing.
- ASME is engaged in various charitable efforts, including feeding the needy, community projects, and a Christmas bike giveaway.
- The streetcar grand opening was a tremendous success, with tens of thousands of riders and positive community engagement.
- A lost 'rainbow bear' is seeking its owner after the streetcar opening.
- The Holiday River Parade was a very successful event.
- The Ralph Ellison Library held a holiday party.
- The Ward 7 Developers Forum had great attendance and will continue in January.
- A six-year-old sent a thank you note for the new Lake Overholser Park.
Agenda Summary
Item 3a: Resolution Commending City Employees
Resolution commending city employees, department coordinators, and Heart of the City federations for their generosity in the Heart of the City campaign.
Item 4: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approval of the Journal of Council Proceedings.
Item 5: Requests for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for uncontested continuances, with several items withdrawn.
Item 6a: Revocable Permit for Thunder Run
Revocable right-of-way use permit with the Professional Basketball Club LLC to hold the Thunder Run.
MFA Docket Items A-F
Approval of various items on the Municipal Facilities Authority docket, including financial reports.
OCPPA Docket Items A-C
Approval of various items on the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority docket, including financial reports.
OCET Docket Items A-C
Approval of various items on the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust docket, including financial reports.
Item 7a: City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Presentation and approval of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Item 7j: Downtown Lighting Upgrades
Allocation of 2007 Geo Bond funds for downtown lighting upgrades, specifically to address issues with Project 180 lights and transition to LED technology.
Item 7p: Boulevard Landscaping Final Plans (End Sections)
Final plans and specifications for the landscaping of the end sections of the Oklahoma City Boulevard project.
Item 7ad: Boulevard Landscaping Final Plans (Center Section)
Final plans and specifications for the landscaping of the center section of the Oklahoma City Boulevard project.
Item 7aq: Public Safety Sales Tax Report
Annual report reviewing expenses from the prior year for the police and fire sales tax funds.
Item 7an: Mount Vernon Apartments Funding
Application for allocation of Gold AHP funding to finish the acquisition and renovation of Mount Vernon Apartments (now Yorktown Apartments) for affordable housing.
Item 7: Consent Docket
Approval of the consent docket items.
Item 8: Concurrence Docket
Approval of the concurrence docket items (8a through 8d).
Item 9a1: Zoning 8516 N Classen Blvd
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 8516 North Classen Boulevard from R1 to I1.
Item 9a2: Zoning 14500 S Sooner Rd
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 14500 South Sooner Road from PUD 1422 to PUD 1697.
Item 9a3: Zoning 301 NW 96th St
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 301 Northwest 96th Street from R1 to SPUD 1080.
Item 9a4: Zoning 640 NW 150th St
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 640 Northwest 150th Street from R1 to SPUD 1083.
Item 9a5: Zoning 9701 Boardwalk Blvd
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 9701 Boardwalk Boulevard from R1 and C3 to SPUD 1084, with an amendment to remove multi-family residential.
Item 9a6: Zoning 710 N Classen
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 710 North Classen from PUD 1173 to SPUD 1087.
Item 9a7: Zoning 1553 SW 44th
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 1553 Southwest 44th from R1 to SPUD 1088.
Item 9a8: Zoning 1025 N Tulsa
Ordinance on final hearing to rezone 1025 North Tulsa from C4 and I1 to SPUD 1090.
Item 9b: Withdrawn Item
Item 9b was withdrawn at the beginning of the meeting.
Item 9c1: Shared Vehicle Ordinance Amendments
Amendments to the shared vehicle ordinance.
Item 9c2: Shared Vehicle Ordinance Final Hearing
Ordinance on final hearing regarding shared vehicles (scooters and bike share).
Item 9d1: Pre-qualification Process Ordinance Amendments
Amendments regarding the ordinance on the pre-qualification process.
Item 9d2: Pre-qualification Process Ordinance Final Hearing
Ordinance on final hearing regarding the pre-qualification process.
Item 9e: Streetcar Construction Zone Ordinance
Ordinance on final hearing relating to fees and the Municipal Code, specifically concerning streetcar construction zones.
Item 9f: Public Hearing on Taxation Ordinance
Public hearing regarding an ordinance relating to taxation, amending Article 5 of Chapter 52 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code regarding annual fees assessed on investor-owned utilities or Rural Electric Cooperatives.
Item 9g: Employee Retirement System Ordinance
Ordinance to be introduced and adopted with an emergency clause, addressing IRS regulations on 'complete separation of employment' for pension benefits.
Item 9h1: Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structure
Public hearing regarding one dilapidated structure.
Item 9h2: Resolution - Dilapidated Structure
Resolution declaring the structure as dilapidated.
Item 9i1: Public Hearing - Unsecured Structures
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures (with some items removed).
Item 9i2: Resolution - Unsecured Structures
Resolution declaring the structures as unsecured.
Item 9j1: Public Hearing - Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing regarding abandoned buildings (with some items removed).
Item 9j2: Resolution - Abandoned Buildings
Resolution declaring the buildings as abandoned.
Item 9k1: Resolution - Ellis V City of Oklahoma City
Resolution authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the United States District Court regarding Ellis V City of Oklahoma City.
Item 9l1: Resolution - Saxon V City of Oklahoma City
Resolution authorizing the municipal counselor to confess judgment without an admission of liability in the case of Saxon V City of Oklahoma City.
Item 9m1: Joint Resolution - Brewer V City of OKC
Joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority authorizing legal representation for various city employees in the case of Brewer V City of OKC.
Item 9n1: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 10a1: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
Item 11: Items from Council
Discussion of various topics by council members, including an Ethics Commission, community events, and the streetcar launch.
Item 12: City Manager Reports
Report on sales tax and use tax figures.
Item 13: Citizens to Be Heard
Opportunity for citizens to address the council.