Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a redevelopment agreement with Omni Hotels for a new Convention Center Hotel, a project expected to significantly boost the city's economy and convention appeal. The meeting also addressed routine city business, including zoning cases, personnel policy updates, and the annual Emergency Operations Plan. A key concern highlighted in the annual citizen survey was the condition of city streets.
Key Decisions & Votes
Convention Center Hotel Redevelopment Agreement
01:23:00The City Council approved the redevelopment agreement with Omni Hotels for a 600-room Convention Center Hotel, with a public contribution of $85.4 million and Omni contributing $150 million. The hotel is expected to open concurrently with the new Convention Center and a parking garage.
Zoning Case: 6929 South Sunna Road
00:32:45A zoning case in Ward 4 to change 6929 South Sunna Road from I2 moderate industrial to a new PUD was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case: 3714 Northwest 9th Street
00:34:30A zoning case in Ward 3 for 3714 Northwest 9th Street, including an amendment to the master design to limit future housing to duplexes or triplexes, was approved.
Special Permit for Public Middle and High School
00:37:00A special permit was approved for a public middle school and high school to operate in a C3 Community Commercial district in Ward 5, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation.
Zoning Case: 13730 North Douglas
00:39:50A zoning case in Ward 7 to change 13730 North Douglas from AA agricultural to RA2 single family 2 acre rural residential district was approved, despite a Planning Commission recommendation for denial.
Ordinance for Water Service Termination for Non-Payment of Wastewater
00:44:00An ordinance was introduced to establish a procedure for terminating water service for non-payment of wastewater service charges, particularly for properties served by other public entities like the City of War Acres. A public hearing is scheduled for August 1st.
Traffic Commission Items (Parking Issues)
00:47:00Several items from the traffic commission related to parking issues, primarily around the new Police Department headquarters at 700 Call Cord, were approved.
Personnel Policy Revisions
02:02:00Revisions to the city's Personnel Policies were adopted, including changes to hiring preferences, criminal background checks, social media use, smoking policy (to include vaping), and customer service incentive programs.
Annual Emergency Operations Plan Adoption
02:07:00The annual Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was adopted, incorporating a new Hazard Vulnerability Analysis Annex to address non-natural hazards previously removed from the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Water Conservation Plan
02:14:00A joint resolution with the Water Utilities Trust to approve a consolidated water conservation plan was approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Marina at Draper Lake Offering Food
The marina at Draper Lake will begin offering a small menu of burgers and hot dogs, initially on weekends.
Financial Matters
Convention Center Hotel Public Contribution
The city's public participation in the Convention Center Hotel project, representing 36% of the total project cost, to be funded through revenue bonds repaid over 25 years.
Omni Hotels Developer Contribution
Omni Hotels' private investment in the Convention Center Hotel project.
Omni Hotels Annual Land Payment
Annual land payment from Omni Hotels to the city, escalating by CPI for 25 years.
Omni Hotels Minimum Ad Valorem Tax Payment
Minimum annual ad valorem tax payment from Omni Hotels for 30 years or until the termination of the TIF district.
Sales and Use Tax Collections (July)
Sales tax was up 1.5%, slightly under projection. Use tax was up 21% over last year, primarily due to Amazon internet sales.
Sales Tax Proposal Letter of Intent Modification
Modification to a letter of intent on the sales tax proposal to allow for temporary funding of police overtime (Viper program and minimum staffing) and fire apparatus maintenance until new officers are online.
Public Comments
Public comments were heard on the dilapidated structures agenda item, with one property owner requesting more time due to a fire and bankruptcy, and another citizen expressing general opposition to property demolition and the Convention Center Hotel project. Support for the Convention Center Hotel was voiced by representatives from Loves Travel Stops, the Skirvin Hilton, and the Laborers Union, while another citizen questioned the need for public subsidy and the potential for privately funded alternatives.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Public hearing for water service termination ordinance: August 1st
- Final hearing for water service termination ordinance: August 15th
- Final plans for Convention Center: End of August
- Bidding for Convention Center: First quarter of next year
- Groundbreaking for Convention Center: February/March next year
Watch For
- Subcommittee meeting on Convention Center final plans: September
- Economic Development Trust bond issue: Summer 2018
- Amendments to TIF project plans and existing agreements for hotel funding
Announcements
- Marina at Draper Lake will start offering a small menu of burgers and hot dogs, initially on weekends, starting August 5th.
Agenda Summary
Item 3: Mayor's Appointments
Series of appointments from the office of the mayor.
Item 4: Journal of Council Proceedings
Receive journal for July 5th and approve journal for June 20th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests to strike several items from the agenda due to owner compliance or removal.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Seven items on the MFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
Three items on the PPA agenda.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
Two items on the EAT agenda.
Consent Docket Individual Considerations
Discussion and vote on items from the consent docket, with item AM2 voted on separately.
Convention Center Presentation (Item AZ)
Presentation on the 60% drawings, budget, traffic solutions (roundabout at 7th Street), and potential elevated pedestrian connection for the new Convention Center.
Concurrence Docket
Items on the concurrence docket.
Item 9A: Zoning Case 6929 South Sunna Road
Rezone from I2 moderate industrial to a new PUD in Ward 4.
Item 9B: Zoning Case 3714 Northwest 9th Street
Rezone in Ward 3, with an amendment to the master design.
Item 9C: Special Permit for Public Middle and High School
Special permit to operate a public middle school and high school in a C3 Community Commercial district in Ward 5.
Item 9D: Zoning Case 13730 North Douglas
Rezone from AA agricultural to RA2 single family 2 acre rural residential district in Ward 7.
Item 9E: Ordinance for Water Service Termination
Introduction of an ordinance regarding termination of water service for non-payment of wastewater service charges.
Item 9F: Traffic Commission Items
Series of items from the traffic commission, mostly in Ward 6 and a couple in Ward 7, related to parking.
Item 9G: Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on various dilapidated structures.
Item 9H: Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on various unsecured structures.
Item 9I: Public Hearing Regarding Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing on various abandoned buildings.
Item 9J: Public Hearing Regarding Removal from Abandoned Buildings List
Public hearing on removing properties from the abandoned buildings list.
Item 9K: Convention Center Hotel Redevelopment Agreement
Approval of the redevelopment agreement with Omni Hotels for the Convention Center Hotel.
Item 9L: Hotel Funding Plan
Approval of the funding plan for the Convention Center Hotel.
Item 9M: Modify Letter of Intent on Sales Tax Proposal
Modification to a letter of intent on the sales tax proposal to address police and fire staffing needs.
Item 9N: Personnel Policy Revisions
Adoption of revised Personnel Policies.
Item 9O: Annual Emergency Operations Plan Adoption
Annual adoption of the Emergency Operations Plan.
Item P: Water Conservation Plan
Joint resolution with the Water Utilities Trust to approve a water conservation plan.
Item Q: Resolution Approval
Approval of a resolution.
Item R: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial.
Item XA: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
City Manager Reports: Annual Citizen Survey
Presentation of the annual citizen survey results by Chris Taian from ETI, highlighting resident satisfaction and priorities.
City Manager Reports: Sales and Use Tax Collections
Report on sales and use tax collections for July.