Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several revocable permits for community events, including the Down Syndrome Festival and 5K, the AMP Festival, and WestFest. They also discussed and approved an agreement with Airbnb for the collection of hotel occupancy taxes, while acknowledging concerns about short-term rental regulations. A detailed presentation was given on the proposed Atoka pipeline raw water transmission line, focusing on Canadian River crossing alternatives and costs.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Month Recognition
05:10Shantel Craig from Public Works was recognized as the August 2017 Employee of the Month for her dedication and professionalism.
Appointments
06:00A series of appointments were unanimously approved by the council.
Journal of Council Proceedings
06:15The journal for July 18th was received and the journal for July 5th was approved.
Down Syndrome Festival and 5K Revocable Permit
08:30A revocable permit was granted to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma to hold their festival and 5K on September 23rd, expecting 6,000 attendees.
AMP Festival Revocable Permit
10:00Revolve Productions received a revocable permit to hold the AMP Festival, an all-female art and music festival, on 9th Street.
WestFest Revocable Permit
11:40The Western Avenue Association was granted a revocable permit to hold WestFest on August 19th, featuring an outdoor stage, indoor stage, and local vendor market.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority Items
12:30Four items under the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority were unanimously approved.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority Items
13:00Items under the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority were unanimously approved, including an upgrade to the Civic Center sound system with a hearing loop.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust Items
14:00Two items under the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust were unanimously approved.
Agreement with Airbnb for Hotel Occupancy Tax Collection
14:30An agreement with Airbnb was approved, allowing them to collect the city's 5.5% hotel occupancy tax and remit it monthly, with an effective date of September 1st.
Subdivision Bond Acceptance (Item N)
25:00Councilman Griner's motion to deny the acceptance of a subdivision bond in lieu of improvements for a property zoned in a PUD in 1984 was approved, due to concerns about a connection to a residential neighborhood.
Zoning Case 9A1 (7011 West Hefton Road)
27:50An ordinance on final hearing for an ABC2 application was approved.
Zoning Case 9A2 (823 Southwest 31st Street)
28:40Rezoning from R1 single family residential to O1 limited office district was approved.
Zoning Case 9A3 (15125 North Council Road)
29:30Rezoning from AA Agricultural to R1 single family residential district was approved.
Sewer Issue 9B
30:20A sewer issue that had a public hearing was moved forward and approved.
Parking Ordinance Changes (Item 9C)
42:00Proposed changes to Chapters 32, 33, 56, and 60 regarding on-street parking, electric vehicle spaces, pedicabs, disabled exemptions, taxi use, impounded vehicle fees, and additional payment methods (pay-by-plate technology) were approved.
Parking Fee Schedule Changes (Item 9D)
42:30Changes to Chapter 60, the schedule of fees for parking, were approved, consolidating to a consistent 2-hour parking zone at $2 per hour.
Unsecured Structures Public Hearing (Item 9E)
47:00Items related to securing properties that are deemed unsecured were approved.
Abandoned Buildings Public Hearing (Item 9F)
47:30Items related to abandoned buildings were approved.
Investment Policy Update (Item 9G)
52:00An updated investment policy was approved, clarifying the treasurer's authority regarding banking relationships and adding federal Home Loan Bank letters of credit as an option for collateral.
Land Issue Near the River (Item 9H)
52:30A land issue near the river was approved without the need for an executive session.
Item 9I
52:50Item 9I was approved without the need for an executive session.
Claims Recommended for Approval (Item 10)
53:10Claims recommended for approval were unanimously passed.
Upcoming Community Events
Down Syndrome Festival and 5K
Starting at 8:00 AM, closing Mickey Mantle between Sheridan and Reno from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Website: DSfestivaland5k.com. Expecting 6,000 people.
AMP Festival
All-female art and music festival on 9th Street, closing the alley east of Broadway to Oklahoma Avenue from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Features 14 live music performances and over 60 artist tents.
WestFest
From noon until 10:00 PM. Features an outdoor stage, Will Rogers indoor stage, and a local vendor market. Website: westfestokc.com.
Red Andrews Park Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon cutting for the renovation of Red Andrews Park.
Plaza District Meeting
Councilman hosted a meeting to discuss the upcoming bond issue.
Brierwood Ice Cream Social
Councilman thanked Brierwood for the ice cream social and opportunity to present on the Geo Bond program.
West 10 Group Meeting
Meeting with apartment managers along Northwest 10th Street at Intrust Bank, with a police department presentation on drugs.
Financial Matters
Airbnb Hotel Occupancy Tax
Agreement for Airbnb to collect the city's 5.5% hotel occupancy tax, estimated to generate over $20,000 annually based on 2016 data.
Investment Policy Update
Policy updated to clarify treasurer's authority and allow Federal Home Loan Bank letters of credit as collateral, potentially reducing monitoring costs and offering fixed value collateral.
Hotel and Motel Tax Report
End-of-year report shows hotel and motel tax down 3.3% below prior year, but only 1% below projections, with a 3% increase in the 4th quarter.
Federal HUD Funding Allocations
HUD funding is slightly up this year, with the Home program slightly down, but overall holding steady, which is considered fortunate given potential cuts.
Strategic Investment Program (SIP)
Funded by 2007 General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds, the SIP program supports job creation and economic growth, with $63 million allocated to date, aiming to generate up to 12,000 new jobs.
Retail Policy Sales Tax Rebates
City uses a performance-based retail policy for large-scale projects with regional appeal, rebating a percentage of the 2% sales tax portion to encourage new revenue.
Public Comments
Public comments included concerns about the new parking meter system's cost and implementation, and criticisms regarding the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) and other economic development initiatives, alleging they favor the wealthy and neglect low-income communities. One speaker also raised concerns about access to a park area.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning Item 9A4 deferred until August 29th
Deadlines
- September 1st: Effective date for Airbnb to start collecting Oklahoma City hotel taxes
- September: Expected receipt of sales tax from Airbnb
Watch For
- New class of Youth Council members to be introduced next week
- Further geotechnical information and design refinement for the Atoka pipeline Canadian River crossing
- Frontier Airlines new routes: Orlando (November 1st), Denver (November 1st), San Diego (Spring 2018)
Announcements
- Shantel Craig from Public Works recognized as August 2017 Employee of the Month.
- Red Andrews Park ribbon cutting today at 4:00 PM.
- Councilman thanked Brierwood for an ice cream social and opportunity to present on the Geo Bond program.
- West 10 Group hosted a meeting with apartment managers and police department on drug awareness.
- Councilman highlighted Item 7Q, an agreement with artist Cranic and Bro Art and Design for art in the Municipal Courts Building.
- Councilman highlighted Item 7AQ, the annual agreement with the Youth Council, thanking Debbie Martin and Leadership Oklahoma City for their involvement.
- Update on the Senior Health and Wellness Center: over 3,400 members, with full classes and well-attended seminars. All About Chai has opened there.
- City Manager mentioned two additional reports in the packet: Hotel and Motel Tax (down 3.3% but only 1% below projections, strong 4th quarter) and Federal HUD Funding Allocations (slightly up overall).
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Pastor Gary Jones from Eastside Church of Christ led the invocation, followed by Councilman Stonecipher leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Employee of the Month Recognition
Shantel Craig, Clerical Aid three in the Stormwater Quality Division of Public Works, was recognized as the August 2017 Employee of the Month.
Item 3: Appointments
A series of appointments were presented for approval.
Item 4A: Receive Journal for July 18th
To receive the journal of council proceedings for July 18th.
Item 4B: Approve Journal for July 5th
To approve the journal of council proceedings for July 5th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances and to strike certain items from the agenda.
Item 6A: Revocable Permit for Down Syndrome Festival and 5K
Request from the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma to hold their annual festival and 5K.
Item 6B: Revocable Permit for AMP Festival
Request from Revolve Productions to hold the AMP Festival, an all-female art and music festival.
Item 6C: Revocable Permit for WestFest
Request from the Western Avenue Association to hold WestFest.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Four items presented to the OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
Items presented to the OCPPA, including discussion of a sound system upgrade at the Civic Center.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
Two items presented to the OCEAT.
Consent Docket (excluding Item N)
All items on the consent docket were voted on together, with the exception of Item N.
Consent Docket Item N: Acceptance of Subdivision Bond
Motion to deny the acceptance of a subdivision bond in lieu of improvements for a property in a PUD.
Concurrence Docket
Individual considerations on the concurrence docket.
Item 9A1: Zoning Case (7011 West Hefton Road)
Ordinance on final hearing for an ABC2 application.
Item 9A2: Zoning Case (823 Southwest 31st Street)
Rezoning from R1 single family residential to O1 limited office district.
Item 9A3: Zoning Case (15125 North Council Road)
Rezoning from AA Agricultural to R1 single family residential district.
Item 9A4: Zoning Case
Zoning item.
Item 9B: Sewer Issue Public Hearing
Public hearing for a sewer issue discussed previously.
Item 9C: Parking Ordinance Changes
Proposed changes to Chapters 32, 33, 56, and 60 regarding on-street parking, including electric vehicle spaces, pedicabs, disabled exemptions, taxi use, impounded vehicle fees, and pay-by-plate technology.
Item 9D: Parking Fee Schedule Changes
Changes to Chapter 60, the schedule of fees for parking, consolidating to a consistent 2-hour parking zone at $2 per hour.
Item 9E: Unsecured Structures Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding various unsecured structures.
Item 9F: Abandoned Buildings Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding various abandoned buildings.
Item 9G: Establish/Revise Policy for Investment of Municipal Funds
To establish and revise the policy for the investment of municipal funds in the custody of the treasurer.
Item 9H: Land Issue Near the River
A land issue near the river.
Item 9I
An item requiring a separate vote.
Item 10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
City Manager Report: Atoka Pipeline Raw Water Transmission Line
Presentation on the project history and alternatives for crossing the Canadian River, recommending microtunnel bores for new and future pipelines.
City Manager Report: City Council Priority Briefing - Strong Financial Management
Presentation on maintaining strong financial management, including bond ratings, general fund reserves, and sales tax reliance.
City Manager Report: City Council Priority Briefing - Robust Local Economy
Presentation on encouraging a robust local economy, including job growth, average weekly earnings, the Strategic Investment Program (SIP), and retail policy.
City Manager Report: Will Rogers World Airport Employments
Presentation on employment growth at Will Rogers World Airport, air service development, and future plans.
City Manager Report: Hotel and Motel Tax
End-of-year report on hotel and motel tax revenue.
City Manager Report: Federal HUD Funding Allocations
Report on the status of federal HUD funding for the city.