Meeting Summary
The city council meeting featured presentations on the Open Budget OKC website and a comprehensive park tree inventory. A proclamation was issued for Ralph Ellison Day. Roy Williams provided an economic development update covering college graduate retention, legislative priorities, criminal justice reform, and the Innovation District. Key decisions included allocating $10 million in Tiff funds for the OKCPS administration building renovation and approving the quiet zone for a railroad corridor. The council also approved numerous revocable permits for community events and discussed the preliminary design report for the new Convention Center. A contentious discussion regarding a loan extension for a downtown development project and a public speaker threatening legal action concluded the meeting.
Key Decisions & Votes
OKCPS Administration Building Renovation Funding
01:04Allocation of $10 million in Tiff 2 funds for the renovation of the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration building at 615 Classen.
Railroad Quiet Zone Implementation
01:06Acceptance of the quiet zone for the railroad corridor between Northeast 23rd Street and Northwest 16th Street, expected to be fully operational by Thursday or Friday.
MAPS Senior Wellness Center Additional Funding
01:24Approval of an additional $159,000 for the MAPS Senior Wellness Center for necessary safety and operational improvements.
Modern Streetcar Autonomous Vehicle Study
01:35Approval of an amendment to the Jacobs contract to study the possibility and potential benefits of autonomous streetcar operations to reduce long-term operating costs.
Street Closure in Ward 7 (Emergency Ordinance)
01:49Approval of a street closure in Ward 7 with an emergency ordinance to allow immediate fencing and prevent illegal dumping.
Upcoming Community Events
Bricktown Freedom Music Festival
Parking lot north of Bricktown Brewery, closing Oklahoma Avenue from Sheridan to Main Street, benefit for Warriors for Freedom and Water for Africa.
Auto Show 5K
North Grand, starts and ends inside the Bennett Center, free pass to auto show for participants.
Run Lucky 5K and Mission Mile Fun Run
Ward 6, fundraiser for Leukemia Lymphoma Society, register at runlucky.com.
Eats on 8th
Ward 6, between Harvey and Robinson.
Open Streets OKC
23rd Street between Robinson and Western, and Walker from 23rd to 30th Street, health and wellness theme, 12:00-4:00 PM.
OCU Race for the Stars
Around Oklahoma City University campus, benefits Children's Rehab Center.
GoGirl Run 5K and Half Marathon
Mickey Mantle Plaza at Bricktown ballpark, women's only event celebrating health and wellness, partnering with Stevenson Cancer Center.
Prayerful Walk for Immigration
Begins at Santa Fe South Charter School (SW 52nd and South Penn), concludes at Frontline Church on Broadway, 8:00 a.m.
Senior Health and Wellness Center Ribbon Cutting
11501 North Rockwell, 2:00 p.m.
Financial Matters
OKCPS Administration Building Renovation
Allocation of Tiff 2 funds for the renovation of the administration building at 615 Classen.
MAPS Senior Wellness Center Add-on
Additional funds for the Senior Wellness Center for safety and operational improvements.
Metropol Better Living Center Funding Agreement
Community Development Block Grant funds for community development public facilities, specifically to rehab an adult center at 1407 Northeast 10th Street.
General Obligation Bond
Discussion of a $90 million General Obligation Bond.
Hotel Tax Ordinance Changes
Implementation of a service charge for credit/debit card payments of hotel tax to offset processing fees.
Rick Dell's Loan
Discussion of a loan repayment due tomorrow, previously extended multiple times.
Public Comments
Rick Dell requested an extension for a $997,000 loan repayment for a downtown development project, citing project delays and economic headwinds. The city manager and council declined, stating previous extensions and the need for the revolving fund. Michael C. Washington expressed strong dissatisfaction with the council's procedures, alleging denial of First Amendment rights and threatening legal action, particularly regarding downtown development funding and perceived inequities.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9K (Assessment District filing fees) deferred to March 14th
Deadlines
- GO Bond survey deadline: Today (February 28th)
- Rick Dell's loan repayment: Tomorrow (March 1st)
Watch For
- Discussion on payday lending legislation (city level action)
- Further coordination on Convention Center hotel connection and traffic flow
- Announcement of healthcare services at the Senior Wellness Center
- Northeast task force recommendations and school consolidation decisions
- Brookings Institute study on Innovation District to be announced in April
- DC Fly-in on May 3rd and 4th
- Public hearing for hotel tax ordinance changes on March 14th, final adoption on March 28th
Announcements
- February 28th is the acceptance day for the Quiet Zone for the railroad corridor between Northeast 23rd Street and Northwest 16th Street, expected to be sealed by Thursday or Friday.
- Tonight (February 28th) is the last General Obligation Bond workshop from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metrotech Technology Center.
- CNBC Business recently rated Oklahoma City as the #1 city in the United States for retirement purposes.
- A ribbon cutting for the first Senior Health and Wellness Center is scheduled for today (February 28th) at 2:00 p.m. at 11501 North Rockwell.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with an invocation by Pastor Brad Davis and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Micky.
Open Budget OKC Presentation
Presentation on a new digital platform, openbudgetokc.com, for public access to the city budget, developed with Code for OKC volunteers.
Proclamation for Ralph Ellison Day
Honoring Ralph Ellison, an internationally renowned writer and Oklahoma City native, proclaiming March 1, 2017, as Ralph Ellison Day.
Economic Development Update
Roy Williams from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce provided updates on college graduate retention, legislative session priorities (teacher pay, performance-based incentives, gun legislation, criminal justice reform), the Innovation District study, and increased prospect activity.
Park Tree Inventory Project Presentation
Presentation by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and Oklahoma State Forestry Service on a comprehensive inventory of trees in the city's park system, including data points, environmental benefits, and proactive management strategies.
Appointment of Dr. Kagel to City-County Board of Health
Appointment of Dr. Kagel to the City-County Board of Health.
Journal of Council Proceedings (February 14th)
Receive the journal for February 14th.
Journal of Council Proceedings (January 31st and February 7th)
Approve the journal for both January 31st and February 7th.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Several items (9 F1 item D 222 SE 20th, 9 G1 item E 412 S Robinson, 9 G1 item I 2315 NW 32nd, 9 H1 item B 412 S Robinson, 9 H1 item F 222 SE 20th, 9 H1 item I 2315 NW 32nd) were stricken due to new owners or secured properties.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit with BT Concepts LLC (Bricktown Freedom Music Festival)
To hold a benefit concert with John Michael Montgomery on April 8th, closing Oklahoma Avenue from Sheridan to Main Street.
Right-of-Way Use Permit with DG Productions (Auto Show 5K)
To host a 5K run on March 11th on North Grand as part of the 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Auto Show.
Request from DG Productions (Run Lucky 5K and Mission Mile Fun Run)
To host a fundraiser for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society on March 12th in Ward 6.
Right-of-Way Permit with Glee Soul Food (Eats on 8th)
To hold a food event on the third Saturday of each month in Ward 6, between Harvey and Robinson.
Request with Oklahoma City County Health Department (Open Streets OKC)
To hold a health and wellness event on April 2nd on 23rd Street between Robinson and Western, and on Walker from 23rd to 30th Street.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit with Oklahoma City University (OCU Race for the Stars)
To hold a race on March 18th around the Oklahoma City University campus to benefit the Children's Rehab Center.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit with Ultramax Sports (GoGirl Run 5K and Half Marathon)
To host a women's only running event on March 19th starting from Mickey Mantle Plaza.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Meeting
Two items on the agenda for the OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Meeting
Four items on the agenda for the OCPPA.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Meeting
Two items on the agenda for the OCEAT.
Consent Docket (excluding AM, BC, BA)
Various routine items on the consent docket.
Consent Docket Item AM (Tiff money for OKCPS admin building)
Allocation of $10 million in Tiff 2 funds for the renovation of the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration building at 615 Classen.
Consent Docket Item BC (MAPS Senior Wellness Center add-on)
Approval of an additional $159,000 for the MAPS Senior Wellness Center.
Consent Docket Item BA (Modern Streetcar autonomous vehicle study)
Amendment to the Jacobs contract to study the impact of autonomous vehicles on public transit, specifically the streetcar system.
Concurrence Docket
Routine items on the concurrence docket.
Zoning Case 9 A1 (ABC issue for Ted's Cafe Escondido)
Rezoning for a new Ted's Cafe Escondido at 15124 Leighton Court.
Zoning Case 9 A2 (ABC issue for Samurai Restaurant)
Rezoning for a Samurai restaurant at 1630 NW 23rd Street.
Zoning Case 9 A3 (Industrial rezoning)
Rezoning from I1 (light industrial) and R mh2 (manufactured home park) to I2 (moderate industrial district) at 7720 South Sheirs Boulevard.
Zoning Case 9 A4 (Residential rezoning)
Rezoning from R1 (single family residential) to R1 ZL (single family residential zero lot line district) at 19500 North May.
Zoning Case 9 A5 (Office rezoning)
Rezoning from O1 (limited office) and O2 (general office) to O2 (general office) at 7009 North Classen Boulevard.
Zoning Case 9 A6 (PUD for Westberry Golf Course)
Application for a PUD on the old Westberry Golf Course, reducing density and prohibiting traditional apartments.
Zoning Case 9 A7 (Spud near Penn Square)
Rezoning from O1 (limited office) and O2 (general office) to a new Spud at 5644 North Penn.
Zoning Case 9 A9 (Spud on Meridian)
Rezoning from R1 (single family residential) to a new Spud at 1704 North Meridian Avenue.
Zoning Case 9 A10 (Spud on South Penn)
Rezoning from AA (Agricultural) to a new Spud at 112000 South Penn, with a modification to save trees.
Zoning Case 9 A11 (Residential rezoning)
Rezoning from R1 (single family residential) to R2 (duplex residential) at 1601 Northwest 45th Street, for two standalone single-family homes on one lot.
Zoning Case 9 A12 (Spud modification)
Modification in a PUD at 4800 South Sunny Lane Road.
Zoning Case 9 A13 (Spud for Mercy Health)
Rezoning from AA (Agricultural) to a new Spud at 11900 Northwest Expressway to allow Mercy Health to build a health complex.
Item 9B (PUD modification)
Modification in a PUD in Ward 4.
Item 9C (Street closure in Ward 7)
Request to close a street in Ward 7 to prevent illegal dumping.
Item 9D (Street closure in Wheeler District)
Request to close a street in the Wheeler District.
Item 9E (Hotel and motel tax ordinance changes)
Introduction of an ordinance to implement a service charge for credit/debit card payments of hotel tax to offset processing fees.
Item 9F (Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures)
Public hearing on dilapidated structures.
Item 9G (Public hearing regarding unsecured structures)
Public hearing on unsecured structures.
Item 9H (Public hearing regarding abandoned buildings)
Public hearing on abandoned buildings.
Item 9I (Public hearing regarding removal from abandoned buildings list)
Public hearing on removing properties from the abandoned buildings list.
Item 9J (Plaque for Pam Henry)
Resolution requesting the Mayor's Committee on Disability Concerns to place a privately funded plaque in honor of Committee Member Pam Henry.
Item 9K (Assessment District filing fees)
Resolution to amend prior resolutions regarding filing fees for special improvement districts, allowing the city engineer to set new fees and removing requirements for business improvement districts.
Item 9L (Amateur Soft Association)
Item related to the Amateur Soft Association.
Item 9M (Claims recommended for denial)
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 10 (Claims recommended for approval)
Claims recommended for approval.
Item 11A (New schedule of meetings)
Solidifying the new schedule of council meetings.