Meeting Summary
The City Council recognized three outstanding employees of the year: Debbie Martin, Corporal Caleb Timmons, and Captain Jason Buzzard. Numerous zoning cases and traffic commission items were approved, and the Adventure District Business Improvement District resolution and ordinance were adopted. The council also received an update on the city's strong financial management, including its Triple-A bond rating and the status of impact fee collections.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Year Recognitions
12:00The council formally approved the recognition of Corporal Caleb Timmons as Firefighter of the Year and Captain Jason Buzzard as Police Officer of the Year.
Item 3d
12:40An unspecified item was brought to a vote and passed unanimously.
Journal of Council Proceedings
13:00The council approved the journal for December 5th and received the journal for December 19th.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OC MFA) Items
13:50Three items on the OC MFA agenda were approved unanimously.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCP PA) Items
14:10Three items on the OCP PA agenda were approved unanimously.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Claims and Payroll
14:30Claims and payroll for the OCEAT were approved unanimously.
Consent Docket
17:15The entire consent docket, including various routine items and informational updates, was approved unanimously.
Concurrence Docket
17:30The concurrence docket was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a1 (814 W Sheridan)
19:30An ABC issue for a new bar concept in Ward 6 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a2 (15220 Northwestern Ave)
20:00An ABC issue in Ward 8 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a3 (13002 N Penn) Ordinance
21:00The ordinance for a zoning case in Ward 8, related to Torchy's Tacos, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a3 (13002 N Penn) Emergency
26:30After reconsideration, the emergency request for the Torchy's Tacos zoning case, to expedite liquor licensing, was approved by a 7-1 vote.
Zoning Case 9a4 (1921, 1925, 1929 NE 25th St)
24:00Rezoning from R1 to R4 for a 12-unit apartment complex in Ward 7, bringing it into compliance, was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a5 (312 NW 69th St)
24:45Rezoning from R1 to I2 (moderate industrial) in Ward 2 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a6 (2501 NE 14th St)
25:15Rezoning from R1 to R2 (medium low density residential) in Ward 7 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a7 (8801 SW 59th St)
28:45An amendment to a PUD in Ward 3 to expand a senior (55+) gated residential development by eliminating a commercial retail track was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a8 (3801 S Post Rd)
29:15A new PUD in Ward 4 was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case 9a9 (5936 Broadway Ext)
30:15Rezoning from C3 to a new SPUD in Ward 7 was approved by a 7-1 vote.
Close Easement 9b (Rose Neath Heights)
30:45The request to close an easement in the Rose Neath Heights Addition in Ward 7 was approved unanimously.
Adventure District BID Annual Review Resolution
31:45The resolution for the annual review of the Adventure District Business Improvement District was adopted unanimously after a public hearing with no speakers.
Adventure District BID Ordinance
32:15The ordinance related to the Adventure District Business Improvement District was passed unanimously.
Sewage Disposal Industrial Waste Regulations Review
32:50The required five-year review of the city's industrial waste regulations was approved unanimously.
Traffic Commission Items 9f1-f12
33:00A series of twelve traffic commission items, primarily concerning 2-hour parking restrictions in Wards 6 and 7, were all approved unanimously.
Amendment to City's Consolidated Plan with HUD
38:45An amendment to revise CDBG budgets, reallocating $450,000 from a revolving loan fund to SNI programs and internal housing rehab, was approved unanimously.
Legal Expenses 9h
39:00Payment for legal expenses was approved unanimously.
Executive Session 9i
39:15The council determined that an executive session was not needed for this item.
Executive Session 9j
39:30The council determined that an executive session was not needed for this item.
Claims Recommended for Approval/Denial 9k
39:45The claims recommended for approval or denial were approved unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Approval 10a
40:15Additional claims recommended for approval were approved unanimously.
Upcoming Community Events
Opening Night
The Arts Council's annual New Year's Eve celebration, featuring a ball drop and fireworks, was successfully held despite cold temperatures.
Financial Matters
John F Kennedy Park and McKinley Park Improvements
Approximately $1.1 million will be spent on improvements for both parks, with construction beginning in February and expected to finish in summer 2018.
CDBG Budget Revision
An amendment to the city's consolidated plan with HUD to revise CDBG budgets, moving $450,000 from a revolving loan fund. $250,000 will go to SNI programs and $200,000 to internal housing rehab programs.
Legal Expenses (Item 9h)
Approval of payment for legal expenses.
Claims Recommended for Approval (Items 9k and 10a)
Approval of various claims.
Financial Management Report
The city maintains a Triple-A bond rating, though Moody's has a negative outlook due to past economic challenges and reserve draws. The general fund unbudgeted reserve is at 15.9%, within the 8-15% policy. Sales tax accounts for approximately 53% of the general fund budget, projected to rise to 55-56% with an additional quarter-cent. The City Employee Retirement System is 105% funded, Police 100%, and Fire 65%, with Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) at 9% funded. Impact fees are being collected into dedicated escrow accounts by district and will initially fund traffic studies.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 3e (needs to be reworded and brought back)
Watch For
- I-40 downtown maintenance by ODOT, expected to last approximately one month and include Robinson and Gaylord ramp closures.
- Interstate 44 bridge work, particularly in the southern area, expected in the coming months.
- Planning and public meetings for the next year's CDBG action plan, starting next month.
- A potential modification of Moody's negative outlook on the city's bond rating, possibly later next fall after more history of budget stabilization is observed.
Announcements
- Debbie Martin was recognized as the 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Year for 45 years of service.
- Corporal Caleb Timmons was recognized as the 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Firefighter of the Year for his heroic rescue of a mother and child from a fire.
- Captain Jason Buzzard was recognized as the 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Police Officer of the Year for his 22 years of service and leadership in technology projects.
- An update on body-worn cameras was provided: 'training the trainer' is underway, with department-wide training starting in February, aiming for all officers to be trained by February 13th.
- Larry McAtee was recognized for his continued work in sign cleanup efforts across various neighborhoods.
- The Arts Council was commended for the successful 'Opening Night' New Year's Eve event, including the ball drop and fireworks.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Major Thomas McWilliams of the Salvation Army and Councilman Stonecipher.
Recognition of Debbie Martin
Recognized as 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Year for 45 years of service as Chief of Staff of the City Council office.
Recognition of Corporal Caleb Timmons
Recognized as 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Firefighter of the Year for his bravery in rescuing a mother and child from an apartment fire.
Recognition of Captain Jason Buzzard
Recognized as 2017 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Police Officer of the Year for his 22 years of service, overseeing the data system unit and instrumental work on technology projects.
Vote on Employee of the Year Recognitions
Formal vote to approve the recognition of the Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year.
Item 3d
An unspecified item requiring a separate vote.
Item 3e
An item that needed to be reworded and brought back to the council.
Item 4a: Journal of Council Proceedings
To receive the journal for December 19th.
Item 4b: Journal of Council Proceedings
To approve the journal for December 5th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Review of requests for uncontested continuances.
Item 6: Revocable Permits
Review of revocable permits.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OC MFA) Items
Three items on the agenda for the OC MFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCP PA) Items
Three items on the agenda for the OCP PA.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Claims and Payroll
Review of claims and payroll for the OCEAT.
Consent Docket
A collection of routine items approved without individual discussion, including mentions of sign cleanup efforts, Sheraton Walker parking garage, John F Kennedy and McKinley Park improvements, and professional services for the Adventure District.
Concurrence Docket
A series of items requiring concurrence.
Item 9a1: Zoning Case, Ward 6, 814 West Sheridan
An ABC issue for a new bar concept featuring karaoke, live music, foosball, and craft beers.
Item 9a2: Zoning Case, Ward 8, 15220 Northwestern Avenue
An ABC issue related to a zoning case.
Item 9a3: Zoning Case, Ward 8, 13002 North Penn
A zoning case for Torchy's Tacos, with an emergency request for liquor licensing due to prior misinformation.
Item 9a4: Zoning Case, Ward 7, 1921, 1925, 1929 Northeast 25th Street
Rezoning from R1 (single-family residential) to R4 (general residential district) to bring a 12-unit apartment complex into compliance.
Item 9a5: Zoning Case, Ward 2, 312 Northwest 69th Street
Rezoning from R1 (single-family residential) to I2 (moderate industrial).
Item 9a6: Zoning Case, Ward 7, 2501 Northeast 14th Street
Rezoning from R1 (single-family residential) to R2 (medium low density residential).
Item 9a7: Zoning Case, Ward 3, 8801 Southwest 59th Street
An amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to eliminate a commercial retail track and expand a senior (55+) gated residential development.
Item 9a8: Zoning Case, Ward 4, 3801 South Post Road
Approval of a new Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Item 9a9: Zoning Case, Ward 7, 5936 Broadway Extension
Rezoning from C3 (community district) to a new SPUD (Specific Plan Unit Development).
Item 9b: Close Easement, Ward 7, Rose Neath Heights Addition
A request to close an easement in the Rose Neath Heights addition.
Item 9c: Annual Review and Movement on Adventure District Business Improvement District
Public hearing and adoption of a resolution for the annual review of the Adventure District Business Improvement District.
Item 9d: Ordinance on Adventure District Business Improvement District
An ordinance related to the Adventure District Business Improvement District.
Item 9e: Annual Review of Sewage Disposal Industrial Waste Regulations
A review of industrial waste regulations, required by the EPA every five years.
Item 9f1-f12: Traffic Commission Items
A series of twelve items from the Traffic Commission, primarily concerning 2-hour parking restrictions related to a 2007 bond issue streetscape project in Wards 6 and 7.
Item 9g: Amendment to City's Consolidated Plan with HUD
A proposed amendment to revise CDBG budgets, moving $450,000 from a revolving loan fund to SNI programs and internal housing rehab.
Item 9h: Legal Expenses
Approval of payment for legal expenses.
Item 9i: Executive Session
Consideration of whether an executive session was needed.
Item 9j: Executive Session
Consideration of whether an executive session was needed.
Item 9k: Claims Recommended for Approval/Denial
Review of claims recommended for approval or denial.
Item 10a: Claims Recommended for Approval
Review of additional claims recommended for approval.
Item 11: Items from Council
Council members raised questions and provided updates on various topics, including I-40 maintenance and the Arts Council's Opening Night event.
City Manager Reports
Craig Freeman provided an update on the council priority of 'Maintaining Strong Financial Management,' covering bond ratings, reserves, sales tax reliance, and impact fees.
Citizens to be Heard
Opportunity for citizens to address the council.
Executive Session
Consideration of whether an executive session was needed.