Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting began with a proclamation for Allied Arts Month, highlighting its economic and cultural impact. Key decisions included the unanimous approval of several zoning cases and revocable permits. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on the new Convention Center, detailing its design, budget, and schedule, and a budget amendment for the Better Streets Safer City initiative.
Key Decisions & Votes
Allied Arts Month Proclamation
00:03:00The Mayor proclaimed February 2018 as Allied Arts Month in Oklahoma City, recognizing its contribution to economic development, quality of life, and youth arts education. Allied Arts launched a campaign to raise $3.125 million.
Appointments
00:10:50A motion for appointments was unanimously passed by the council.
Journal of Council Proceedings
00:11:15The journal for January 16th was received and the journal for January 2nd was approved unanimously.
Uncontested Continuances
00:11:50Several items (9 G 1, H 2, 9 H 1 item F, and G) were stricken as the owners had secured continuances.
Revocable Permit for Adrenaline Run
00:12:40A revocable permit was granted to the University of Oklahoma's College of Pharmacy Alumni Association for their annual Adrenaline Run on the Health Science Center campus.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
00:14:00Two items for the OCMFA were unanimously approved.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
00:14:40Two items for the OCPPA, including a joint resolution for a lease and management agreement with Langston University for the Northeast Wellness Center, were unanimously approved.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEIT) Items
00:15:50Two items for the OCEIT were unanimously approved.
Consent Docket
00:16:30The consent docket was unanimously approved after presentations on specific items.
Concurrence Docket
00:27:00The concurrence docket was unanimously approved.
Zoning Case 9a1 (ABC Issue, Ward 7)
00:27:50An ABC issue at 409 East California Avenue in Bricktown was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a2 (ABC Issue, Ward 3)
00:28:30An ABC issue at 4420 West I-40 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a3 (Ward 4)
00:29:10A zoning case at 12321 Southeast 44th Street, changing from AA Agricultural to RA Single-Family One Acre Rural Residential, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a4 (Ward 6)
00:29:50A zoning case at 1320 Northwest First Street, changing from R3 Medium Density to I1 Light Industrial, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a5 (Ward 3)
00:30:50A zoning case at 3300 North Cimarron Road, changing from I1 Light Industrial and I2 Moderate Industrial to I1 Light Industrial for an RV campground, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a6 (Ward 1)
00:31:40A zoning case at 11900 West Hefner Road, changing from AA Agricultural and R1 Single-Family to a new R1 Single-Family, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a7 (Ward 3)
00:32:20A PUD application for an 88.5-acre large lot gated single-family residential subdivision with private streets at 8601 Southwest 29th Street was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a8 (Ward 3)
00:37:30A PUD application at 601 North Czech Hall Road to add hotel uses for two Marriott concepts was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a9 (Ward 7)
00:39:00A zoning case at 1708 Northeast 23rd Street, changing from R1 Single-Family and C4 General Commercial to a new PUD to allow medical use and bring the property into compliance, was approved unanimously with an emergency clause due to time constraints for clinic opening.
Zoning Case 9a10 (Ward 7)
00:41:40A zoning case at 17608 Northwestern, changing from C3 Community Commercial in a PUD to a new simplified planning and development to permit two single-family homes, was approved unanimously.
Amendment to Master Design Statement (Ward 7)
00:42:20An amendment to the master design statement for development along Broadway extension was approved unanimously.
Ordinance for Parks Department
00:45:20An ordinance for final hearing regarding the parks department, aligning language in city codes, was approved unanimously.
Reserved Parking Space for Disabled (Ward 6)
00:46:00A request by Midtown Church of the Nazarene for a reserved parking space for the physically disabled on North Lea Avenue was approved unanimously.
School Day Parking Restrictions (Ward 2)
00:46:30School day parking restrictions in Ward 2 were approved unanimously.
Parking Issue (Ward 7)
00:46:50A parking issue on North Rhode Island in Ward 7 was approved unanimously.
Reserved Parking Space for Disabled (Ward 7)
00:47:20A reserved parking space for the physically disabled on North Rhode Island Avenue was approved unanimously despite public comment.
Public Hearing on Dilapidated Structures
00:50:50The recommendations regarding dilapidated structures were approved unanimously after public comment.
Public Hearing on Unsecured Structures
00:53:50The recommendations regarding unsecured structures were approved unanimously after public comment.
Public Hearing on Abandoned Buildings
00:54:50The recommendations regarding abandoned buildings were approved unanimously after public comment.
Budget Amendment Presentation
01:00:50A budget amendment, including the Better Streets Safer City sales tax fund and use tax fund, and general fund increases for public safety, was approved unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Denial
01:12:40Claims recommended for denial were approved unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Approval
01:13:00Claims recommended for approval were approved unanimously.
Upcoming Community Events
Allied Arts Month
Proclaimed by the Mayor, recognizing the arts' contribution to economic development, quality of life, and youth education. Allied Arts launched a $3.125 million campaign.
Adrenaline Run
Organized by the University of Oklahoma's College of Pharmacy Alumni Association on the Health Science Center campus. Sign-up available through DG Road Racing or the College of Pharmacy website.
Neighborhood Alliance Leadership Conference
A seminar for neighborhood leaders to become involved in city leadership, with 135 attendees.
Financial Matters
Allied Arts Campaign
Allied Arts launched a campaign to raise this amount to support arts and cultural organizations.
Better Streets Safer City Sales Tax Fund
New fund for the temporary one-cent sales tax, expected to bring in this amount this fiscal year and $240 million over 27 months for street resurfacing, streetscape, sidewalks, trails, and bike infrastructure.
Better Streets Safer City Use Tax Fund
New fund for the temporary use tax, expected to bring in this amount this fiscal year, primarily for public safety capital projects like fleet replacement and police/fire equipment.
General Fund Increase (Quarter-Cent Sales Tax)
Increase due to the additional quarter-cent sales tax, unfreezing 48 police and 21 fire positions, adding 81 police and 39 fire positions, and increasing overtime funding. Total general fund budget is now $415.2 million.
Public Works Positions
Five new positions in Public Works (engineering, project management, financial management) funded through chargebacks to the Better Streets Safer City sales tax fund.
ODOT Refund
Refund received from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for various projects, split between the Capital Improvement Projects Fund ($360,000) and a Special Purpose Fund ($310,000) for street projects.
Oklahoma City Tax Increment Financing Fund
Increased due to higher fund balance, to be moved to the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust for TIF district activities.
Total City Budget
Overall budget increased by $55.5 million, bringing the total to over $1.4 billion.
City Debt Report
Total city debt as of June 30, 2017, with the largest portions being Geo bond debt ($770 million) and water/wastewater related debt ($586 million). The city maintains strong bond ratings (A+ to AAA).
Public Comments
Public comments included appreciation for community work, concerns about lack of development and funding in the northeast side of Oklahoma City, and personal experiences with law enforcement and the justice system.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning Case 9c (PUD in Ward 4 at 12321 Southeast 119th Street) was deferred for two weeks to allow for further discussion with the applicant and residents.
Deadlines
- Public hearing on March 15th for amendment to the downtown Maps economic development project plan.
- Final approval of Convention Center plans by City Council on February 27th.
- Convention Center bids to be advertised on February 28th.
- Convention Center contract approval in June.
- Convention Center groundbreaking at the beginning of June 2018.
Watch For
- Impact of federal infrastructure funding on Oklahoma City.
- Continued efforts to address streetlight outages, particularly on Lincoln between NE 23rd and 36th Street.
- Trash collection day changes, especially for Ward 1 residents.
- Further updates on the Convention Center project, including public art integration and pedestrian connections.
Announcements
- February 2018 is Allied Arts Month in Oklahoma City.
- Allied Arts has launched a campaign to raise $3.125 million.
- A public hearing on March 15th will address the amendment to the downtown Maps economic development project plan.
- Streetlight outages are being addressed through coordination with OG&E, city resources, and a new downtown advocacy role.
- Allen Contracting completed bridge work on I-235 Broadway extension a day ahead of schedule.
- Trash collection days are changing next week; residents should check notifications and the city website for updated schedules.
- The Convention Center project is on track for final approval, bidding, and groundbreaking in the coming months.
- The city's total debt as of June 30, 2017, is approximately $1.7 billion, with strong bond ratings.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Dr. Kenneth West led the invocation, and Councilman McAtee led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Allied Arts Month Proclamation
Proclamation of February 2018 as Allied Arts Month, recognizing its economic and cultural contributions.
Item 3: Appointments
Motion for appointments.
Item 4a: Journal of Council Proceedings (January 16th)
Receive the journal for January 16th.
Item 4b: Journal of Council Proceedings (January 2nd)
Approve the journal for January 2nd.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests to strike items 9 G 1, H 2, 9 H 1 item F, and G due to owners securing continuances.
Item 6: Revocable Permits
Request for a revocable permit for the University of Oklahoma's College of Pharmacy Alumni Association's Adrenaline Run.
Recess Council Meeting, Convene Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Two items for the OCMFA.
Adjourn OCMFA, Convene Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
Two items for the OCPPA, including a joint resolution for a lease and management agreement with Langston University for the Northeast Wellness Center.
Adjourn OCPPA, Convene Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEIT)
Two items for the OCEIT.
Adjourn OCEIT, Reconvene Council Meeting with Consent Docket
Approval of the consent docket.
Item 7a: Joint Economic Development Agreement with Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust and MD Building Products
Agreement for MD Building Products to add 105 new jobs in Ward 7.
Item 7: Concurrence Docket
Approval of the concurrence docket.
Item 9a1: Zoning Case (ABC Issue, Ward 7)
ABC issue at 409 East California Avenue.
Item 9a2: Zoning Case (ABC Issue, Ward 3)
ABC issue at 4420 West I-40.
Item 9a3: Zoning Case (Ward 4)
Change from AA Agricultural to RA Single-Family One Acre Rural Residential at 12321 Southeast 44th Street.
Item 9a4: Zoning Case (Ward 6)
Change from R3 Medium Density to I1 Light Industrial at 1320 Northwest First Street.
Item 9a5: Zoning Case (Ward 3)
Change from I1 Light Industrial and I2 Moderate Industrial to I1 Light Industrial at 3300 North Cimarron Road for an RV campground.
Item 9a6: Zoning Case (Ward 1)
Change from AA Agricultural and R1 Single-Family to a new R1 Single-Family at 11900 West Hefner Road.
Item 9a7: Zoning Case (Ward 3)
PUD application for a large lot gated single-family residential subdivision at 8601 Southwest 29th Street.
Item 9a8: Zoning Case (Ward 3)
PUD application at 601 North Czech Hall Road to add hotel uses.
Item 9a9: Zoning Case (Ward 7)
PUD application at 1708 Northeast 23rd Street to allow medical use and bring the property into compliance.
Item 9a10: Zoning Case (Ward 7)
Change from C3 Community Commercial in a PUD to a new simplified planning and development at 17608 Northwestern to permit two single-family homes.
Item 9b: Amendment to Master Design Statement (Ward 7)
Amendment to the master design statement for development along Broadway extension.
Item 9c: Zoning Case (PUD in Ward 4)
PUD application at 12321 Southeast 119th Street, recommended for denial by the Planning Commission.
Item 9d: Ordinance for Final Hearing (Parks Department)
Ordinance to align language in city codes for the parks department.
Item 9e1: Reserved Parking Space for Physically Disabled (Ward 6)
Request by Midtown Church of the Nazarene for a reserved parking space on North Lea Avenue.
Item 9e2: School Day Parking Restrictions (Ward 2)
School day parking restrictions.
Item 9e3: Parking Issue (Ward 7)
Parking issue on North Rhode Island.
Item 9e4: Reserved Parking Space for Physically Disabled (Ward 7)
Reserved parking space on North Rhode Island Avenue.
Item 9f: Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on various dilapidated structures.
Item 9g: Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on various unsecured structures.
Item 9h: Public Hearing Regarding Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing on various abandoned buildings.
Item 9i: Presentation on Budget Amendment
Presentation by Doug Dollar on the budget amendment for the Better Streets Safer City initiative and other financial adjustments.
Item 9j: Executive Session
Motion to approve an item requiring executive session.
Item 9k: Executive Session
Motion to approve an item requiring executive session.
Item 9l: Executive Session
Motion to approve an item requiring executive session.
Item 9m: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
Items from Council
Council members shared updates and concerns, including the State of the Union address, infrastructure funding, Amazon/JPMorgan Chase/Berkshire Hathaway healthcare initiative, education, streetlight outages, and the Neighborhood Alliance Leadership Conference.
City Manager Reports
Presentation on the Convention Center by Adam Pollock and a debt report by Kenny Sudo.
Citizens to be Heard
Public comments from Ronnie Kirk, Manuel Kirk, Michael Washington, and John Bates.