Meeting Summary
This city council meeting was Mayor Mick Cornett's last, and much of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing his 14 years of service. Key recognitions included the city's Tree City USA status, the Maps for Kids Trust, and Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week. The council also approved several zoning cases and discussed financial policies.
Key Decisions & Votes
Financial Planning Policies Amendment
01:31:00The council approved an amendment to the city's budget and financial planning policies, increasing the general fund operating reserve from 8-15% to 14-20% and setting targets for capital maintenance funding.
Firefighters Collective Bargaining Agreement
01:38:00The collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters was approved, with appreciation extended for their patience and the ability to offer better salaries this year.
Convention Center Hotel Financing Plan
01:28:00The council confirmed the financing plan for the Convention Center Hotel, authorizing up to $106 million in financing and committing city support to the Economic Development Trust if revenues fall short.
Bond Sale Award and Ordinance
02:10:00The council approved the award of the tax-exempt bonds for $82.75 million to Citigroup Global Markets and the taxable bonds for $40.99 million to Raymond James and Associates, along with the associated ordinances.
City Manager, Municipal Counselor, and City Auditor Salary Adjustments
02:14:00The council approved a 2.964% salary increase for the City Manager, Municipal Counselor, and City Auditor, renewed car allowances for the City Manager and Municipal Counselor, and increased the car allowance for the City Auditor.
Upcoming Community Events
Festival of the Arts
The 52nd annual Festival of the Arts will be held downtown. Opening ceremonies are at 11:00 AM on April 24th.
McNelly's Pub Run
This charity run benefits Positive Tomorrows. Participants can sign up via McNelly's Facebook page.
Live on the Plaza
The Plaza District Art Walk features live music, shopping, food trucks, and special performances. The April 13th event has an Earth Day theme.
OU HSC Health Dash
A request from the University of Oklahoma Community Health Alliance to hold the OU HSC Health Dash was approved.
Ward 7 Economic Development Town Hall
Held at the Great Mount Baptist Church, 10:40 Northeast 42nd Street, to provide an update on TIF district number nine.
Vietnam Exhibit 'Welcome Home'
Opening at 10:00 AM at the History Center, honoring Oklahomans who died in the Vietnam War and featuring stories of Vietnamese refugees.
Easter Festival
Sponsored by the Windsor area business group, on Northwest 23rd Street just east of Meridian, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with activities for kids.
Financial Matters
Convention Center Hotel Financing
Authorization for financing the Convention Center Hotel, with a city commitment to provide financial support if revenues are insufficient.
Water Assessment District
Public hearing and approval of an ordinance to set the assessment roll for a water assessment district in Ward 8.
Tax-Exempt Bond Sale
Awarded to Citigroup Global Markets with a rate of 3.1659%.
Taxable Bond Sale
Awarded to Raymond James and Associates with a rate of 3.40%.
Sales Tax Revenue Report (March)
Sales tax revenue for March was up about 11% (excluding the additional quarter-cent sales tax), aligning with Russell Evans' predictions.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke during the public comments section. One raised concerns about Costco's compliance with legal processes, and the other proposed a gun registration system with tracking chips for AR-15s and bump stocks.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Claim for property damage by Eric Fischer (deferred for 4 weeks for further investigation)
Watch For
- Further information on the property damage claim by Eric Fischer
- Public hearing on April 10th and final adoption on April 24th for the interim alcohol sales license ordinance
Announcements
- Mayor Mick Cornett's last city council meeting, with numerous tributes and recognitions for his 14 years of service.
- Oklahoma City recognized as a Tree City USA for the 13th consecutive year.
- April proclaimed as Litter Blitz 2018 month, encouraging community clean-up efforts.
- Recognition of the Maps for Kids Trust trustees for overseeing the construction and renovation of school facilities.
- April 8th-14th proclaimed as Public Safety Telecommunicator Appreciation Week.
- Appreciation extended to firefighters for their patience and the new collective bargaining agreement.
- Thanks to Tommy and Gabby Noble for their work with the OKC soccer club and the economic impact of soccer fields.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Pastor Marty Grubbs led the invocation, and Councilman Stonecipher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tree City USA Recognition
Oklahoma City was recognized for its 13th consecutive year as a Tree City USA.
Litter Blitz 2018 Proclamation
April was proclaimed Litter Blitz 2018 month, encouraging community clean-up.
Maps for Kids Trust Recognition
Trustees of the Maps for Kids Trust were recognized for their 17 years of service in overseeing school construction and renovation.
Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week Proclamation
April 8th-14th was proclaimed Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week.
Resolution Honoring Mayor Mick Cornett
A resolution was passed to thank and commend Mayor Mick Cornett for his 14 years of service.
Item 3a, c, d, e
Motion for these items.
Item 3f, g, h
Motion to move these items into executive session.
Journal of Council Proceedings (March 13th and February 27th)
Receive the journal for March 13th and approve the journal for February 27th.
Requests for Uncontested Continuances
Several items were stricken due to owner actions or need for re-notification.
Revocable Permit: Festival of the Arts
Request from the Arts Council of Oklahoma City to hold the Festival of the Arts.
Revocable Permit: McNelly's Pub Run
Request from McNelly's to hold the McNelly's Pub Run.
Revocable Permit: Live on the Plaza
Request from the Plaza District to hold Live on the Plaza.
Revocable Permit: OU HSC Health Dash
Request from the University of Oklahoma Community Health Alliance to hold the OU HSC Health Dash.
Revocable Permit: Whiskey Chicks Patio
Request from Whiskey Chicks Parlor LLC for a patio service.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA)
Meeting of the MFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA)
Meeting of the PPA with three items.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
Meeting of the OCEAT with three items.
Consent Docket
Approval of the consent docket, with item 7Q highlighted for its importance to the downtown park's public art piece.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of the concurrence docket.
Zoning Case 9a1 (6801 SW 3rd St)
ABC issue for expansion of a restaurant to serve alcohol.
Zoning Case 9a2 (5900 N May Ave)
ABC issue.
Zoning Case 9a3 (2101 E Grand Blvd)
Rezoning from R-4 general residential to I-3 heavy industrial.
Zoning Case 9a4 (6900 N Santa Fe Ave)
Rezoning from R-1 single-family residential into a new PUD.
Zoning Case 9a5 (520 N Meridian Ave)
Rezoning from I-2 moderate industrial into a new simplified PUD for a brewing incubator with a taproom.
Zoning Case 9a6 (2527 NW 179th St)
Rezoning from R-1 single-family residential into a new SPUD.
Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan (9b1)
Request to amend the comprehensive plan to remove the employment reserve layer and designate an area as urban low intensity.
Final Hearing on Comprehensive Plan Amendment (9b2)
Final hearing for changing County Line Road from AA to R-1 single-family, with the applicant agreeing to detention ponds.
Closing an Easement (9c)
Ordinance on final hearing to close an easement associated with Chisholm Creek.
Repeal of Street Right-of-Way Ordinance (9d)
Ordinance to repeal a previous ordinance closing a street right-of-way in Ward 7.
Public Hearing: Water Assessment District (9e)
Public hearing regarding a water assessment district in Ward 8 and setting the assessment roll.
Interim Alcohol Sales License Ordinance (9h)
Introduction of an ordinance to allow interim licenses for convenience and grocery stores to sell strong beer and wine, aligning with state law changes.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures (9i)
Public hearing regarding various dilapidated structures.
Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures (9j)
Public hearing regarding various unsecured structures.
Public Hearing: Abandoned Buildings (9k)
Public hearing regarding various abandoned buildings.
Convention Center Hotel Financing Plan Confirmation (9l)
Confirmation of the financing plan for the Convention Center Hotel.
Modify Financial Policies (9m)
Amendment to the city's budget and financial planning policies.
Collective Bargaining Agreement with Firefighters (9n)
Approval of the collective bargaining agreement.
Item 9o
Item moved to executive session.
Item 9p
Item moved to executive session.
Item 9q
Item moved to executive session.
Item 9r
Item moved to executive session.
Item 9s
Item moved to executive session.
Item 9t
Item moved to executive session.
Claims Recommended for Denial (9u1a)
Claim for property damage by Eric Fischer.
Claims Recommended for Denial (9u1b, c, d, e)
Several claims recommended for denial.
Claims Recommended for Approval (10)
Approval of claims recommended for approval.
Ordinance Regarding Loose Animals (11a)
Amendment to an ordinance to include trailer houses and mobile homes as dwellings, addressing issues with roosters near residences.
Award of Tax-Exempt Bond Sale (9f1)
Award of the $82.75 million tax-exempt bond sale to Citigroup Global Markets.
Ordinance for Tax-Exempt Bond Sale (9f2)
Ordinance related to the tax-exempt bond sale.
Award of Taxable Bond Sale (9g1)
Award of the $40.99 million taxable bond sale to Raymond James and Associates.
Ordinance for Taxable Bond Sale (9g2)
Ordinance related to the taxable bond sale.