Meeting Summary
The City Council addressed mid-year budget cuts totaling $8.8 million due to sales tax shortfalls, resulting in 39 position reductions across various departments. Significant progress was reported on the MAPS 3 Modern Street Car project, with a $50 million construction contract awarded and a target opening of November 2018. Updates were also provided on the Lake Draper Trails project, which is moving forward with community support and budget adjustments.
Key Decisions & Votes
Mid-Year Budget Amendment
19:00The city adopted a budget amendment to reduce the general fund by $8.8 million, including $4.4 million in department cuts, $2 million in capital spending, and $2.8 million from contingency, due to a $9.2 million sales tax projection reduction. This resulted in 39 net position reductions across various departments.
MAPS 3 Modern Street Car Mainline Construction Contract Award
30:00The council approved the award of the mainline construction contract for the MAPS 3 Modern Street Car project to Herzog Contracting for $50 million, which was under the engineer's estimate. This moves the project towards a November 2018 opening.
Rezoning South Rockwell Avenue
57:00An amendment to the zoning application was approved, followed by the approval of rezoning a property on South Rockwell Avenue from agricultural to a Planned Unit Development, allowing for 135 residential lots with larger lots matching an adjacent neighborhood.
CRA Hotel Historic Landmark Status
55:20The council approved the historic landmark status for the CRA Hotel following a final hearing.
Upcoming Community Events
OKC Turkey Tracks 5K run and 1-mile fun run
Benefits Toys for Tots. Registration available at www.dgRoadring.com or on race morning.
Cowboy Christmas parade
Located in Stockyards City, between South Penn and South Agnew. Includes an art show and Santa Claus.
Financial Matters
Mid-Year Budget Reductions
Due to a $9.2 million reduction in sales tax projection, the general fund budget was reduced by $8.8 million, impacting departments ($4.4M), capital spending ($2M), and contingency ($2.8M).
Sales Tax Collections (November)
November sales tax collections were 1.8% below last year and 3.7% below target.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Rule Changes Impact
The city's response to FLSA rule changes affects 71 employees with a net effect of approximately $22,000.
Public Comments
Two citizens addressed the council. One advocated for a 20-cent raise for AFSCME Local 2406 city workers, citing rising insurance costs and low morale. The other presented an offer from Kusac Meat Company to donate their plant to the city to resolve an 8-year relocation matter.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9E deferred until the December 6th meeting.
- Items 9Q, 9R, and 9S moved to Executive Session.
Deadlines
- Primary code requirements for the first Wellness Center expected by December 7th.
Watch For
- Preliminary list of Geo Bond projects (before the bond workshop).
- Discussion on earthquakes at the upcoming bond workshop.
- New data from the transit rider survey (in a few weeks).
- Anticipated opening of the first Wellness Center in late January.
Announcements
- The developer of the Lantana Apartments on 10th Street is making improvements.
- The okc.gov/geo website for the Geo Bond is an excellent resource, including an online survey.
- Construction on the first Wellness Center is nearing completion, with primary code requirements expected by December 7th and an anticipated opening in late January.
- The Public Transportation and Parking Department plans to conduct annual customer surveys, biennial non-rider surveys, and specialized surveys for the Hispanic market and downtown residents.
- EMBARK is providing bus passes for high school students to encourage transit use.
- The city has effectively managed the impact of Fair Labor Standards Act rule changes, affecting 71 employees with a net cost of approximately $22,000.
Agenda Summary
Item 4: Receive and Approve Council Journal
Receive the journal for November 8th and approve the journal for October 25th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests to strike several property-related items from the agenda due to owners securing properties or needing re-notification.
Item 6A: Revocable Permit for OKC Turkey Tracks
Request to hold the fifth annual OKC Turkey Tracks 5K run and 1-mile fun run on Thanksgiving Day to benefit Toys for Tots.
Item 6B: Revocable Permit for Cowboy Christmas Parade
Request to hold the Cowboy Christmas parade on December 3rd in the Stockyards, including an art show and Santa Claus.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OC MFA) Meeting
Standard meeting of the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OC PPA) Meeting
Meeting of the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority, including discussion on an active duty military fee for Trosper Park golf course.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Meeting
Standard meeting of the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust.
Consent Docket
Approval of various routine items, including discussions on road widening/resurfacing on West Reno and Martin Nature Park improvements.
Presentation: Mid-Year Budget Cuts
Presentation on the mid-year budget reduction due to sales and use tax shortfalls, detailing $8.8 million in cuts and 39 net position reductions.
Presentation: MAPS 3 Modern Street Car Project Update
Update on the status of street car vehicles, maintenance facility construction, rail delivery, and the award of the mainline construction contract.
Presentation: Lake Draper Trails Update
Update on the three projects comprising the 13-mile Lake Draper Trail, including community feedback and budget adjustments.
Item 9A: Final Hearing on CRA Hotel Historic Landmark Status
Public hearing and decision regarding the historic landmark status of the CRA Hotel.
Item 9B: Item Withdrawn
An agenda item that was removed from consideration.
Item 9C: Final Hearing for Zoning Case - South Rockwell Avenue
Rezoning request from DU-A (agricultural) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) for a property on South Rockwell Avenue, with an amendment to adjust lot sizes and density for a residential development.
Item 9D1: Close Right-of-Way at 1220 Northwest 51st Street
Request to close a public right-of-way in Ward 2.
Item 9D2: Close Right-of-Way at Southeast 30th west of South High
Request to close a public right-of-way in Ward 7.
Item 9E: Item Deferred
An agenda item postponed to the next meeting.
Item 9F1: Traffic Commission Item - Establish 45-degree Parking
Recommendation from the Traffic Commission to establish 45-degree parking in Ward 2.
Item 9F2: Traffic Commission Item (Ward 2)
Recommendation from the Traffic Commission for an item in Ward 2.
Item 9F3: Traffic Commission Item (Ward 2)
Recommendation from the Traffic Commission for an item in Ward 2.
Item 9G: Public Hearing Regarding Smoke Detectors
Public hearing on an ordinance concerning smoke detector requirements in rural areas.
Item 9H: Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on properties identified as dilapidated.
Item 9I: Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on properties identified as unsecured.
Item 9J: Public Hearing Regarding Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing on properties identified as abandoned.
Item 9K: Public Hearing Regarding Removal from Abandoned Buildings List
Public hearing on properties to be removed from the abandoned buildings list.
Item 9L: Public Hearing Regarding Capital Improvement Plan
Public hearing on the city's Capital Improvement Plan.
Item 9M: Item Not Requiring Executive Session
A routine item for approval.
Item 9N: Item Not Requiring Executive Session
A routine item for approval.
Item 9O: Item Not Requiring Executive Session
A routine item for approval.
Item 9P: Item Not Requiring Executive Session
A routine item for approval.
Item 9Q: Item Requiring Executive Session
An item requiring confidential discussion.
Item 9R: Item Requiring Executive Session
An item requiring confidential discussion.
Item 9S: Item Requiring Executive Session
An item requiring confidential discussion.
Item 9T: Claims Recommended for Denial
Review and decision on claims against the city recommended for denial.
Item 10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Review and decision on claims against the city recommended for approval.
City Manager Report: Transit Survey Presentation
Presentation of findings from the recent Rider and Non-Rider survey conducted by ETC Institute, highlighting awareness, usage, satisfaction, and barriers to public transit.
City Manager Report: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Rule Changes
Report on the city's response to FLSA rule changes, affecting 71 employees with a net cost of approximately $22,000.
City Manager Report: November Sales Tax Collections
Report on November sales tax collections, which were 1.8% below last year and 3.7% below target.