Meeting Summary
The City Council approved two new neighborhoods for the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative and adopted an Alternative Speed Abatement Program. Financial audits for city authorities and the comprehensive annual financial report received clean opinions. The council also approved funding for water utility projects and received updates on solid waste rerouting and recycling program delays. Public comments included concerns about business code enforcement, food truck parking, and strong condemnation of a former mayor's recent remarks.
Key Decisions & Votes
Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI) New Neighborhoods
50:00Capitol View and Capitol Hill were recommended and approved as the two new neighborhoods to participate in the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative program starting in 2018. The program aims to achieve long-term economic sustainability through community engagement and public/private investments.
New Fire Station Approval
52:20Final plans and specifications were approved for a new fire station to be located at Southeast 164th and Douglas.
Quiet Zone Extension
53:00The quiet zone was extended from downtown up to Wilshire, with stakeholders raising $250,000 matched by 2007 geo bond funds.
Apartment Age Restriction Removal (9a9)
1:02:00A zoning case was approved to remove a 55+ age restriction from a 157-unit apartment complex at 3708 South Douglas Avenue, allowing the owner to rent to a broader population.
Senior Independent Living Facility Zoning (9b1, 9b2)
1:05:00An amendment to the master design statement and an ordinance were approved to rezone a site on South Main Avenue to a PUD, allowing for a 112-unit senior independent living facility with assisted living and memory care services.
Alternative Speed Abatement Program Adoption
1:25:00The council adopted the Alternative Speed Abatement Program, formerly known as the traffic calming program, which will allow neighborhoods to apply for tools like driver feedback devices and speed humps to curb speeding traffic. The program will be funded by individual applicants.
Water Utility Trust Funding for Construction Projects
1:27:00A resolution was approved enabling the Water Utilities Trust to accept up to $76 million for drinking water related construction projects through the state revolving fund program.
Upcoming Community Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Downtown, going up Automobile Alley. Contact 405-306-8440 for involvement.
Christmas into W
Windsor Hills Shopping Center, organized by the Windsor area business group. Included booths, free movie, and free food.
Financial Matters
Heart of the City Campaign
Annual fundraising campaign by city employees for local charities. This year 3,240 employees raised $567,879. Over $5 million raised since 2007.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Audit
Unmodified opinion on the audit; net position of $35 million, unchanged from last year.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Audit
Unmodified opinion on the audit; net position of $74 million, a decrease of $6.7 million due to depreciation of capital assets.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Audit
Unmodified opinion on the audit; net position of $55 million, an increase of $7.3 million due to net income.
City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Unmodified opinion on the audit; net position of $2.3 billion, an increase of $167 million (8%) from FY16, primarily due to increases in capital assets. Received the Government Finance Officers Association award for excellence in financial reporting for the 34th consecutive year.
Water Utility Trust Construction Projects
Resolution to accept up to $76 million in funding from the state revolving fund program for drinking water related projects.
Sales and Use Tax Report
December report shows sales tax 2.6% over projections ($2.7 million in general fund) and use tax up 2.2% over projections (23% over last year).
Public Comments
Two business owners expressed concerns about the city's enforcement of a vague and outdated 'adult novelty shop' ordinance (Chapter 30) against their new Adam & Eve store, arguing for fairness compared to other businesses and a review of the ordinance. A food truck owner requested a revision of parking meter rules to allow longer parking times without moving, citing the industry's economic contributions. A citizen strongly condemned a former mayor's recent controversial comments and advocated for the preservation of the Freedom Center as a civil rights landmark.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning case at 8801 Southwest 59th Street (Item 9a5) deferred to January 2nd.
Deadlines
- January 16th: Public hearing for Parks Commission Secretary Designation.
- January 30th: Final adoption for Parks Commission Secretary Designation.
- February 5th: New solid waste collection routes begin.
- July 2018: New large recycling cart collection program begins.
Watch For
- Further discussion and potential revision of Chapter 30 (miscellaneous provisions and offenses) ordinance regarding adult novelty shops.
- Review of parking enforcement policies for food trucks.
- Documentation of development along Robinson Avenue and south of I-40.
- Preservation efforts for the Freedom Center on the northeast side.
Announcements
- City employees were recognized for their generosity to the Heart of the City campaign, raising $567,879 this year and over $5 million since 2007.
- Debbie Hampton was wished a happy birthday.
- The Water Utilities Trust was recognized for winning a drinking water award.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with an invocation led by Brian Prince and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resolution: Thanking City Employees and Heart of the City Coordinators
Resolution recognizing city employees and department coordinators for their dedication and generosity in the annual Heart of the City fundraising campaign.
Item 3 BC and D: Appointments
Consideration of appointments to various city positions.
Item 4a: Receive Journal of Council Proceedings for December 5th
Receiving the official journal of council proceedings from December 5th.
Item 4b: Approve Journal of Council Proceedings for November 21st
Approving the official journal of council proceedings from November 21st.
Item 5: Requests for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances on items 9j1e (816 SE 49th St W) and 9k1i (8096 28 SE 29th St) due to owner repairs/security.
Item 6: Revocable Permit for OKC Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Request from the OKC Martin Luther King Jr. coalition to hold the annual holiday parade.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Consideration of various items related to the OCMFA, including financial audits.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
Consideration of various items related to the OCPPA, including financial audits.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
Consideration of various items related to the OCEAT, including financial audits.
Consent Docket
Approval of multiple routine items grouped together, including discussion on Item AC (Quiet Zone extension), Item R (Fire Station approval), and Item 7m (Public Art for Senior Wellness Center).
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items from other boards or commissions.
Item 9a1: ABC Issue (3903A South Western Avenue)
Request to permit beer and wine sales at Lock Tropicana restaurant.
Item 9a2: ABC Issue (8204 Southwest 89th Street)
Application for an ABC-2 permit.
Item 9a3: ABC Issue (9200 North Council Road)
Application for an ABC permit.
Item 9a4: Zoning Case (808 Northwest 70th Street, R-1 to I-2)
Rezoning from R-1 Single-Family Residential to I-2 Moderate Industrial District.
Item 9a5: Zoning Case (8801 Southwest 59th Street, PUD to new PUD)
Rezoning from an existing PUD to a new PUD.
Item 9a6: Zoning Case (2525 Northwest 112th Street, R-1 to new PUD)
Rezoning from R-1 Single-Family Residential to a new PUD.
Item 9a7: Zoning Case (7820 South Penn, PUD to new SPUD)
Rezoning from an existing PUD to a new SPUD to allow residential use in an existing hair salon business.
Item 9a8: Zoning Case (8216 Northwest Expressway, C-3 to new SPUD)
Rezoning from C-3 Community Commercial to a new SPUD for an auto repair facility, bringing a non-conforming use into compliance.
Item 9a9: Zoning Case (3708 South Douglas Avenue, PUD to new SPUD)
Rezoning from an existing PUD to a new SPUD for a 157-unit apartment complex to remove a 55+ age restriction.
Item 9b1: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (South Main Avenue, PUD amendment)
Amendment to the master design statement for a PUD on South Main Avenue to allow a senior independent living facility.
Item 9b2: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (South Main Avenue, PUD ordinance)
Ordinance related to the PUD amendment for a senior independent living facility on South Main Avenue.
Item 9c1: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (1140 Northwest 13th Street, SPUD amendment)
Amendment to the design statement for an SPUD at 1140 NW 13th Street to correct concerns and allow individual unit sales for an already built project.
Item 9c2: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (1140 Northwest 13th Street, SPUD ordinance)
Ordinance related to the SPUD amendment at 1140 NW 13th Street.
Item 9d1: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (Northwest 27th Street, master design amendment)
Amendment to the master design statement for a property on Northwest 27th Street.
Item 9d2: Comprehensive Plan Adjustment (Northwest 27th Street, ordinance)
Ordinance related to the master design amendment on Northwest 27th Street.
Item 9e1: Sidewalk Issue (Ward 3, SPUD amendment for rehab facility)
Amendment to an SPUD to add a detailed description of use for an existing drug and alcohol rehab facility.
Item 9e2: Sidewalk Issue (Ward 3, SPUD ordinance for rehab facility)
Ordinance related to the SPUD amendment for the drug and alcohol rehab facility.
Item 9f1: Right-of-Way (Vacate alley in Ward 7)
Request to vacate an alley in Ward 7.
Item 9f2: Right-of-Way (Vacate right-of-way in Ward 6, Plaza District)
Request to vacate a right-of-way to increase parking in the Plaza District.
Item 9f3: Right-of-Way (Close right-of-way in Ward 7)
Request to close a right-of-way in Ward 7.
Item 9g1: Right-of-Way (Close alleyway at 2501 Northwest 37th Street, amendment)
Amendment related to closing an alleyway at 2501 NW 37th Street due to vagrancy and trash concerns.
Item 9g2: Right-of-Way (Close alleyway at 2501 Northwest 37th Street, ordinance)
Ordinance related to closing the alleyway at 2501 NW 37th Street.
Item 9h: Public Hearing (Sewer Discharge Issues, Industrial Pretreatment)
Public hearing regarding discharge issues with city sewers, part of the EPA-required five-year review of industrial pretreatment.
Item 9i: Introduce Item (Parks Commission Secretary Designation)
Introduction of an item to designate city staff as the secretary for the Parks Commission, rather than a board member.
Item 9j: Public Hearing (Dilapidated Structures)
Public hearing concerning dilapidated structures.
Item 9k: Public Hearing (Unsecured Structures)
Public hearing concerning unsecured structures.
Item 9l: Public Hearing (Abandoned Buildings)
Public hearing concerning abandoned buildings.
Item 9m: Public Hearing (Removal from Abandoned Buildings List)
Public hearing concerning the removal of properties from the abandoned buildings list.
Item 9n: Annual Adjustment (Firefighter Health Insurance)
Annual adjustment to the health insurance for retired firefighters.
Item 9o: Revision (Police Policy)
Revision of police policy.
Item 9p: Resolution (Alternative Speed Abatement Program)
Resolution to adopt the Alternative Speed Abatement Program, formerly known as the traffic calming program, to address speeding in neighborhoods.
Item 9q: Resolution (Water Utility Trust Construction Projects)
Resolution enabling the Water Utilities Trust to accept up to $76 million for drinking water related construction projects through the state revolving fund program.
Item 9r: Executive Session Related Item
Item related to potential executive session, but no executive session was needed.
Item 9s: Executive Session Related Item
Item related to potential executive session, but no executive session was needed.
Item 9t: Executive Session Related Item
Item related to potential executive session, but no executive session was needed.
Item 9u: Executive Session Related Item
Item related to potential executive session, which was needed.
Item 9v: Claims Recommended for Denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial.
Item 10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval.