Meeting Summary
The City Council approved budgets for the Municipal Facilities Authority and Public Property Authority, and discussed the ongoing redevelopment of the First National Building. Key decisions included denying a controversial zoning request for a wedding chapel due to incompatibility with the rural residential area and approving amendments to the animal ordinance after a public hearing. A significant discussion also occurred regarding a council member's conduct at a school board meeting.
Key Decisions & Votes
Zoning Case for Wedding Chapel
01:19:30A request to rezone 6400 East Wilshire Boulevard from Agricultural to a Planned Unit Development for a wedding chapel was denied. The Planning Commission had recommended denial, and significant neighborhood protest cited incompatibility with the rural residential character, traffic concerns, and environmental impacts.
Amendment to Animal Ordinance (Cat Return Exception)
01:34:40An amendment proposed by Councilman Griner, which would have maintained an exception allowing individuals who trap cats to decide against their return, failed to pass.
Amendments to Animal Ordinance
01:35:30The proposed amendments to ordinances related to animals, which remove an exception regarding the return of community cats, were approved. The Council requested a report in one year to assess the program's effectiveness.
Ordinance to Amend Chapter 8 (Animal Welfare)
01:47:40An ordinance to amend Chapter 8 of the municipal code was approved. This ordinance aims to enhance public safety, establish enhanced penalties for violators, and clarify requirements for reclaiming impounded animals.
Upcoming Community Events
Bricktown Back to School Bash
Along the Bricktown Canal, featuring characters, games, and a massive school supply drive. Includes a Duck Derby fundraiser for the Newspapers in Education program.
Vietnamese American Memorial monument inauguration
Located in Ward 2, marking a decade in the making for the monument.
Red Dirt Carnival (Episcopal Youth Convention)
At 7th and Robinson in Ward 6, geared towards Oklahoma themes with food trucks and Energy Thunder representation. Expecting approximately 1300 youth from across the United States.
Financial Matters
OC MFA Budget
The Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority budget was approved at $109 million, representing a 7% increase over the prior year. Health insurance comprises the largest portion at nearly $65 million.
OC PPA Budget
The Oklahoma City Public Property Authority budget was approved at $68 million. Fairgrounds accounts for $30.6 million, Maps contracts for $13.3 million, and Golf for $10.9 million.
First National Building Redevelopment
The city is supporting the redevelopment of the First National Building through a TIF district with a budget of $40 million (ad valorem tax) and approximately $5 million (sales tax).
Jail Contract (Item 7CN)
The contract with the jail is approximately $1.4 million, noted as being lower than previous years due to efforts to reduce incarceration rates.
Maps Park Foundation Annual Management Fee (Item 7BL)
An annual management fee and support for operations and management for the Maps Park Foundation, funded from the general fund.
Alliance for Economic Development Funding (Item 7BM)
Funding for the Alliance for Economic Development, utilizing Tax Tiff, Gold funds, and the general fund.
Public Comments
Public comments were heard on several zoning requests, including a highly contested wedding chapel development which was ultimately denied due to significant neighborhood opposition citing incompatibility, traffic, and environmental concerns. There was also extensive public input on proposed amendments to the animal ordinance, with speakers expressing strong views both for and against the return of community cats, often citing concerns about overpopulation, property damage, and humane treatment. Additionally, citizens shared experiences regarding vicious dogs and the responsiveness of emergency services.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning case for 3714 Northwest 9th Street (Item 9A4) was deferred for two weeks until July 18th.
Watch For
- A report on the effectiveness of the amended animal ordinance is expected next summer.
Announcements
- July proclaimed as Home Energy Aid Month in Oklahoma City, encouraging support for energy assistance programs.
- Salvation Army Majors Dan and Mary Matthews were welcomed to the community, noting their work in helping over 1,000 families with over $132,000 in energy aid.
- The contract for Red Andrews Park has been awarded, with construction set to begin in June 2017, acknowledging partnerships with Midtown Renaissance and others.
- The After School Network was congratulated for their successful work with students at FD Moon and Jean Fields Elementary School.
Agenda Summary
Item 3: Appointments
Series of appointments to various boards and commissions.
Item 4A: Journal of Council Proceedings
To receive the journal for June 20th.
Item 4B: Journal of Council Proceedings
To approve the journal for June 13th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances on agenda items.
Item 6A: Revocable Permit
Request from Friends of Multisport Inc to hold the 24 the Hardway event in Ward 8.
Item 6B: Revocable Permit
Request from Newspapers and Education to hold the Bricktown Back to School Bash on August 12th in Ward 7.
Item 6C: Revocable Permit
Request from the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma City for the Vietnamese American Memorial monument inauguration in Ward 2.
Item 6D: Revocable Permit
Request from the Episcopal Church foundation of the Diocese of Oklahoma to hold the Red Dirt Carnival on July 12th in Ward 6.
Item 6E: Revocable Permit
Request from OKC to hold the Lake Stanley Draper duathlon in Ward 4.
Item 6F: Revocable Permit
Request from Friends of Multisport Inc to hold the Redman Triathlon and half Triathlon in September in Wards 1, 2, and 8.
OC MFA Budget Adoption
Adoption of the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority budget.
OC PPA Budget Adoption
Adoption of the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority budget.
OC EAT Budget Adoption
Adoption of the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust budget.
Consent Docket
Approval of various items on the consent docket, including professional service agreements, park contracts, property sales, and financial matters.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Item 9A1: Zoning Case
Rezone 11000 South Meridian Avenue from I2 (moderate industrial) to I1 (light industrial) district.
Item 9A2: Zoning Case
Rezone 3801 Northwest 23rd Street from R1 (single family) to a new Spud for a barber shop.
Item 9A3: Zoning Case
Rezone 1010 Northeast 7th Street from R2 (medium low density residential) and C3 (community commercial) to a new Spud for the Paige Woodson development.
Item 9A4: Zoning Case
Rezone 3714 Northwest 9th Street from I1 (light industrial) and R1 (single family) to a new Spud.
Item 9A5: Zoning Case
Rezone 1425 Northwest 122nd Street from PUD 1134 to Spud 980 for commercial development.
Item 9B1: Close Drainage Easement and Street Right-of-Way
To close a drainage easement and street right-of-way near 55th and Miller in Ward 2.
Item 9B2: Spud for Three Houses
To approve a Spud to put three houses on a lot in Ward 2.
Item 9C1: Telecommunications Tower
To allow a telecommunications company to build a tower in Ward 1.
Item 9C2: Automobile Dealership Permit
To approve a permit for an automobile dealership on 39th Street in Ward 1.
Item 9D: Zoning Case
Rezone 6400 East Wilshire Boulevard from DU (Agricultural) to a new PUD for a wedding chapel.
Item 9E1: Amendment to Animal Ordinance
Proposed amendment to keep the exception for trappers to decide if cats are returned.
Item 9E2: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to Ordinances Related to Animals
Amendments to ordinances related to animals, specifically concerning the return of community cats.
Item 9F: Public Hearing on Capitol Hill Business Improvement District Assessment Role
Public hearing on the proposed assessment role for the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District.
Item 9G: Ordinance Adopting and Setting Capitol Hill Business Improvement District Assessment Role
Ordinance to adopt and set the assessment role for the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District.
Item 9H: Continuation of Labor Agreement
Continuation of the labor agreement with AFSCME while negotiations continue.
Item 9I: Continuation of Labor Agreement
Continuation of the labor agreement with the Police while negotiations continue.
Item 9J: Continuation of Labor Agreement
Continuation of the labor agreement with the Firefighters while negotiations continue.
Item 9K: Resolution
A legal resolution requiring approval.
Item 9L: Resolution
A legal resolution requiring approval.
Item 9M: Resolution
A legal resolution requiring approval.
Item 9N: Resolution
Resolution to initiate litigation to collect back Hotel taxes from the Mega China Hotel.
Item 9O: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims against the city recommended for denial.
Item 10A: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims against the city recommended for approval.
Item 11A: Ordinance to Amend Chapter 8
Ordinance to amend Chapter 8 of the municipal code regarding Animal Welfare officers and the judicial system, focusing on public safety, enhanced penalties, and reclaiming impounded animals.
Item 11B: Resolution
Resolution to authorize continued work with the Oklahoma City Public School system, formalizing the process.