Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included several recognitions for outstanding public service and community contributions. Key decisions involved approving economic development incentives for Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., an access roadway agreement with Paycom, and amendments to the city's Housing Programs Policy. The council also received a comprehensive update on the city's transportation system, covering street conditions, trails, sidewalks, and public transit, while citizens voiced concerns regarding homelessness and the lack of public restrooms in parks.
Key Decisions & Votes
Access Roadway and Traffic Improvement Agreement with Paycom
01:07:00Approved an agreement to improve traffic flow and safety in and around the Paycom facility, acknowledging Paycom's significant growth and job creation.
Amendments to City Housing Programs Policy
01:44:00Approved changes to the city's Housing Programs Policy for HUD-funded loan and grant programs, including relaxing SMI program policies, increasing minimum payments to $100, and streamlining project bidding.
Allocation of Economic Development Incentives for Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
01:50:00Approved a joint resolution with the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust to allocate $250,000 in general obligation limited tax proceeds for job creation and economic development incentives.
Upcoming Community Events
Opening Night & Finale 5K
Bicentennial Park. Modern streetcar will be open and free until 2 AM.
Holiday River Parade
6:00 PM in The Boathouse District. Free family event, professional skiers show, Santa escort, fireworks.
First AME Church 12th Annual Christmas Bazaar and Fashion Show
Speakers from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber on entrepreneurship.
Developers Forum Part 2
Metro Tech, 6:00-7:30 PM, featuring Planning Director Aubrey McDermott and Alliance for Economic Development President O'Connor.
Windsor Hills Neighborhood Association & Shopping Center Event
1:00-3:00 PM, celebrating Christmas and other cultures, with a free showing of The Polar Express at 3:00 PM at the movie theater.
Financial Matters
Annual Fee on Rural Electric Cooperatives
Increase in annual fee on RECs to maintain parity with franchised utility providers following a city sales tax rate increase.
Housing Program Loan Minimum Payments
Minimum payments on general repayment loans for housing programs to be raised from $75 to $100.
Economic Development Incentives for Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
Allocation of general obligation limited tax proceeds for job creation and economic development incentives.
Public Comments
Citizens raised concerns about the increasing homeless population, the lack of guaranteed shelter beds, and the inadequacy of public transportation for accessing shelters. Another speaker highlighted the critical need for public restrooms in city parks, especially in newly developed areas, to accommodate children and teenagers.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9e (PUD 1687) was deferred.
Watch For
- Public hearing for ordinance on annual fee for utilities (December 18th)
- Final adoption for ordinance on annual fee for utilities (January 2nd)
Announcements
- Debbie Martin was honored for over 50 years of public service, with December 3rd declared Debbie Martin Day.
- Sherri Gately was recognized as the December 2018 Teacher of the Month.
- Steven Fuller was recognized as the December 2018 Employee of the Month for his contributions to the Finance Department.
- The Bricktown tree lighting festival was held on November 23rd.
- Bricktown Water Taxi is offering free rides Thursdays through Sundays.
- First AME Church is hosting its 12th annual Christmas Bazaar and fashion show this Saturday, featuring speakers from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber on entrepreneurship.
- A Developers Forum Part 2 will be held on Monday at Metro Tech from 6:00-7:30 PM, with Planning Director Aubrey McDermott and Alliance for Economic Development President O'Connor speaking.
- Mayor Holt attended the Menorah lighting ceremony representing the first day of Hanukkah.
- Councilman Greiner suggested visiting other cities with state legislature and governor's staff to learn from their experiences with municipal issues.
- The Windsor Hills Neighborhood Association and Shopping Center are sponsoring an event this Sunday from 1:00-3:00 PM to celebrate Christmas and other cultures, with a free showing of The Polar Express at 3:00 PM.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer and the pledge.
Resolution Honoring Debbie Martin
Resolution from the County Commissioners recognizing Debbie Martin for over 50 years of dedicated public service to Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County, declaring December 3rd as Debbie Martin Day.
Resolution Recognizing Sherri Gately as Teacher of the Month
Resolution recognizing Sherri Gately as the December 2018 Teacher of the Month by the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Resolution Recognizing Steven Fuller as Employee of the Month
Resolution recognizing Steven Fuller as the December 2018 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for his work as a Municipal Accountant III in the payroll division.
Journal of Council Proceedings (Items 4a and 4b)
Review and approval of previous meeting minutes.
Requests for Uncontested Continuances (Item 5)
Several items (6c, 9e, 9k1a, 9k1j, 9k1k, 9k1z, 9k1af, 9l1, 9l1j, 9l1k, 9l1x, 9l1aa) were struck or deferred due to various reasons including weather, owner securing property, or need for re-notification.
6a: Revocable Permit with Arts Council of Oklahoma City Inc.
To hold Opening Night and the Opening Night Finale 5K on December 31st and January 1st in Bicentennial Park. Includes a donation of $5 per Santa Run participant to OKC Inc. due to cancellation of the Santa Run.
6b: Revocable Permit with Oklahoma City Events and Entertainment
To hold the Holiday River Parade on December 16th at 6:00 PM in The Boathouse District, celebrating 25 years of MAPS with Jim Couch as Grand Marshal.
OCMFA Items (A, B, C, D)
Approval of various items under the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority, including discussion on Douglas Park improvements in Ward 7.
OCPPA Claims and Payroll
Approval of claims and payroll under the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust Items
Approval of three items under the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust.
7L: Request for Proposals for a Consultant to Update City's Development Codes and Subdivision Regulations
To advertise for a professional consultant to update the city's development codes and subdivision regulations, a 4-year process to improve efficiency and align with the 2015 comprehensive plan.
7R: Acceptance of Western Avenue Streetscape Project
Acceptance of a streetscape project on Western Avenue (between NW 18th and NW 23rd Street), transferring maintenance responsibility from the contractor to the city.
7W: Access Roadway and Traffic Improvement Agreement with Paycom
Agreement to improve traffic flow and safety around the Paycom facility, recognizing Paycom's rapid growth and hiring.
7AD: Lagoon Closure Bid for CB Cameron Soccer Fields
Approval of a bid for lagoon closure, marking the beginning of improvements and expansion for the CB Cameron soccer fields.
Remaining Consent Docket Items (excluding 7L, 7R, 7W, 7AD)
Approval of all other items on the consent docket.
Concurrence Docket (Items 8a-i)
Approval of all items on the concurrence docket.
9a1: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 3705 N Meridian Ave
Rezoning from SPUD 7-02 to General Office District.
9a2: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 6601 E Britton Rd
Rezoning from AA to PUD 1680 for an 80-acre development allowing 30,000 sq ft lots, with accommodations for a protester.
9a3: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 1233 NE 6th
Rezoning from R2 to SPUD 1077.
9a4: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 4538 S May
Rezoning from C3 to SPUD 1078 to permit a food truck within a former shopping center.
9a5: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 3441 NW 50th
Rezoning from R1 to SPUD 1079.
9a6: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 10709 N Rockwell
Rezoning from SPUD 1033 to SPUD 1081 to permit a hair salon.
9b1: Amendment to Master Design Statement - 715 NW 64th
Amendment related to the development of a personal storage facility.
9b2: Ordinance on Final Hearing - 715 NW 64th
Rezoning from O2 to I2 for a personal storage facility, with design by Rand Elliott and specific landscaping agreements.
9c: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Alley Closure
Closing 280 feet of an alley between NW 5th and 6th east of the railroad to consolidate property.
9d: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Special Permit for Drinking Establishment
Special permit to operate a drinking establishment in the DTD2 downtown transitional district at 814 West Sheridan.
9f: Ordinance on Final Hearing - Removing Metered Parking
Removing metered parking on the south side of Park Avenue, as recommended by the fire marshal for the First National Center development.
9g: Public Hearing - Ordinance relating to Schedule of Fees (Chapter 60)
Public hearing for an ordinance amending Chapter 60 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, Title 2, regarding the schedule of fees.
9h: Ordinance Introduction - Taxation (Annual Fee on Investor Owned Utilities and Rural Electric Cooperatives)
Introduction of an ordinance to increase the annual fee on Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) to align with the city's sales tax rate increase, aiming for fairness with franchised providers. Estimated revenue increase of $75,000 annually.
9i1: Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structures (A-L)
Public hearing regarding multiple dilapidated structures.
9i2: Resolution Declaring Structures Dilapidated
Resolution declaring multiple structures as dilapidated.
9j1: Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structure in HP District (16 NE 15th)
Public hearing regarding a dilapidated structure at 16 NE 15th in an HP district.
9j2: Resolution Declaring Structure Dilapidated (16 NE 15th)
Resolution declaring the structure at 16 NE 15th as dilapidated.
9k1: Public Hearing - Unsecured Structures (A-AE)
Public hearing regarding multiple unsecured structures (excluding those previously struck).
9k2: Resolution Declaring Structures Unsecured
Resolution declaring multiple structures as unsecured.
9l1: Public Hearing - Abandoned Buildings (B-Z)
Public hearing regarding multiple abandoned buildings (excluding those previously struck).
9l2: Resolution Declaring Buildings Abandoned
Resolution declaring multiple buildings as abandoned.
9m: Resolution Approving Amendments to City Housing Programs Policy
Approving amendments to the city's Housing Programs Policy for HUD-funded loan and grant programs, including clarifications, increased participation in SMI areas, and streamlined bidding processes.
9n1: Resolution Authorizing Confession of Judgment
Authorizing the Municipal Counselor to confess judgment without admitting liability in the case of Daniels V City of Oklahoma City.
9o1: Resolution Authorizing Representation
Authorizing Richard Smith, Sherri Cabs, and Thomas Tucker to represent and defend city employees William City and A. Towel in the case Brewer V City of OKC.
9p1: Claim Recommended for Denial (Progressive Insurance Company)
Claim from Progressive Insurance Company.
10a1: Claims Recommended for Approval
Approval of various claims.
Extra Item 2: Joint Resolution with Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust
Approving the allocation of $250,000 in general obligation limited tax proceeds for job creation and economic development incentives for Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
12: City Manager Reports - Transportation System Update
Presentation on the council priority 'Developing a Transportation System that Works for All Residents,' covering updates on street conditions, sidewalk and trail construction, commute times, and public transit ridership and frequency.