Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several revocable permits for community events, including the Festival of the Arts and Open Streets OKC. Key financial decisions included the successful award of general obligation and limited tax bonds at historically low rates. A public hearing on proposed impact fees revealed significant disagreement between city staff and commercial developers regarding fee comparisons and potential economic impact, leading to a 30-day deferral for further discussion.
Key Decisions & Votes
Impact Fees Ordinance Deferral
01:47:00The final hearing for the proposed impact fees ordinance was deferred for 30 days (until April 26th) to allow city staff and commercial developers more time to reconcile data and assumptions regarding fee comparisons with other cities and potential economic impacts.
Award of General Obligation Bonds
01:49:00The city awarded the purchase of $77.5 million in tax-exempt general obligation bonds to Piper Jaffrey at a record-low interest rate of 2.492626%.
Award of General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds
01:51:00The city awarded the purchase of general obligation limited tax bonds for economic development to Robert W. Baird and Company at a record-low interest rate of 2.95436%.
Festival of the Arts Revocable Permit
00:30:00A revocable permit was approved for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City to host the 50th annual Festival of the Arts at its new location in Bicentennial Park, with streets closing April 8th-29th.
Paycom Software Economic Development Agreement
00:46:00A joint economic development agreement was approved with Paycom Software, supporting their expansion in Ward 8 and the creation of an anticipated 667 new positions, with 170 expected in 2015.
Severn Trent Water Utility Contract
00:49:00Despite community concerns regarding past DEQ fines, the contract with Severn Trent was approved after staff and council members expressed confidence in Severn Trent's corrective actions and commitment to close monitoring.
Upcoming Community Events
Litter Blitz 2016
Kick-off tonight at 4 PM at Memorial Park. Register at OklahomaCityBeautiful.com.
National Walking Day
Encourages a 30-minute walk, share on social media with #ahalaceup.
Heartwalk
Bricktown Ballpark. Register at OKHeartWalk.com.
Open Streets OKC
Noon to 4 PM, Uptown 23rd and Paseo Arts districts. Website: openstreetsokc.com.
Festival of the Arts
Opening ceremonies at 11 AM on the west steps of City Hall. Event at Bicentennial Park (between Civic Center and City Hall).
OU Health Dash
Health Sciences Center campus. Fun run at 9 AM, 5K at 9:30 AM. Benefits Good Shepherd Clinic.
Rugged Maniac 5K
Event to be held in Ward 7.
Financial Matters
Joint Economic Development Agreement with Paycom Software
Paycom is expanding in Ward 8, anticipating 667 new positions, with 170 offered in 2015.
Severn Trent Water Utility Contract
Discussion regarding past DEQ fines in Hugo and management issues, but staff and Mayor expressed confidence in corrected issues and strong monitoring for the new contract.
Atlas Contract for Expo Center
Concerns raised about difficulties and delays with the Expo Center construction, with staff disagreeing with the contractor's public responses.
Award of General Obligation Bonds
Awarded the purchase of $77.5 million in tax-exempt general obligation bonds to Piper Jaffrey at a record-low interest rate of 2.492626%.
Award of General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds
Awarded the purchase of general obligation limited tax bonds for economic development to Robert W. Baird and Company at a record-low interest rate of 2.95436%.
Abandoned Building Program Fine Collections
Fines are trending up, but collection of public safety call bills is low, with the city exploring lien foreclosure options.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily focused on the proposed impact fees ordinance. Commercial developers expressed strong concerns about the methodology for comparing fees with other cities, the potential negative impact on development, and the significant increase in costs. They requested more time to work with staff to align data and explore alternative revenue sources. Residential home builders, while generally against impact fees, indicated they were close to agreement with staff on specific amendments to the ordinance, but also raised concerns about the residential sector bearing a disproportionate share of traffic impact fees. One citizen apologized for past tactics and vowed to pursue concerns through proper legal channels.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning case in Ward 2 (Item 9A): Deferred until April 5th
- Item 11A: Deferred until April 5th
Deadlines
- Final hearing for the ordinance on arched entry signs: April 19th
- Final hearing for the Impact Fees ordinance: April 26th
Watch For
- Further discussions and potential amendments to the Impact Fees ordinance
- Development of a policy for foreclosing on liens for abandoned properties
- Streamlining of the abandoned building citation program
Announcements
- Proclamation of April 2016 as Litter Blitz 2016.
- Proclamation of April 6th as National Walking Day.
- Proclamation of April 3rd as Open Streets OKC Day.
- Recognition of city staff, bond counsel, and financial advisors for their work on the successful bond sales.
- Update provided on the Abandoned Building Program.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Proclamation: Litter Blitz 2016
Proclamation declaring April 2016 as Litter Blitz 2016, an annual effort to clean up Oklahoma City.
Proclamation: National Walking Day
Proclamation declaring April 6th as National Walking Day, encouraging physical activity.
Proclamation: Open Streets OKC Day
Proclamation declaring April 3rd as Open Streets OKC Day, promoting non-motorized activity in city streets.
Item 3: Appointments
Consideration of appointments to various city positions.
Item 4A: Receive Journal for March 22
Receiving the journal of council proceedings for March 22.
Item 4B: Approve Journal for March 15
Approving the journal of council proceedings for March 15.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances for items 9A and 11A.
Item 6A: Revocable Permit - Arts Council of Oklahoma City
Request to host the Festival of the Arts at Bicentennial Park.
Item 6B: Revocable Permit - Oklahoma City County Health Department
Request to hold the Open Streets OKC event.
Item 6C: Revocable Permit - University of Oklahoma's Community Health Alliance
Request to hold the OU Health Dash event.
Item 6D: Revocable Permit - Rugged Races LLC
Request to hold the Rugged Maniac 5K event.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Consideration of two items under the OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
Consideration of five items under the OCPPA.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Claims and Payroll
Consideration of claims and payroll under the OCEAT.
Consent Docket (excluding Item 7S)
Approval of multiple routine items on the consent docket.
Item 7S: Joint Economic Development Agreement with Paycom Software
Agreement supporting Paycom Software's expansion and job creation.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Item 9A: Zoning Case in Ward 2
A zoning case in Ward 2.
Item 9B1: Award Purchase of General Obligation Bonds
Awarding the purchase of $77.5 million in tax-exempt general obligation bonds.
Item 9B2: Emergency Ordinance for General Obligation Bonds
Emergency ordinance related to the issuance of general obligation bonds.
Item 9C1: Award Purchase of General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds
Awarding the purchase of general obligation limited tax bonds for economic development.
Item 9C2: Emergency Ordinance for General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds
Emergency ordinance related to the issuance of general obligation limited tax bonds.
Item 9D: Public Hearing - Impact Fees
Public hearing on the proposed impact fees ordinance.
Item 9E: Exams for Second Lieutenant Promotional List (FOP)
Housekeeping item regarding exams to establish a promotional list for Second Lieutenant.
Item 9F: Executive Session
Motion to move an item into executive session.
Item 9G: Claims Recommended for Denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial.
Item 10A: Claims Recommended for Approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval.
Item 11A: Deferred Item
An item previously deferred.
Item 11B: Ordinance on Arched Entry Signs
Introduction of an ordinance to permit large arched entry signs for lots an acre or larger in rural areas.
City Manager Report: Abandoned Building Program Update
An update on the progress and challenges of the city's abandoned building program.