Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several key items, including the appointment of Pat Ryan to the Planning Commission, a revocable permit for the "Opening Night" New Year's Eve celebration, and a new truancy ordinance. They also adopted a new Emergency Operations Plan for outdoor warning sirens, shifting to a threat-based sector activation, and approved the Arts Master Plan. Financial reports highlighted a decrease in the city's overall net position due to pension reporting changes, and sales tax collections were below target. A discussion on the use of $8 million from the fund balance for road repairs was scheduled for a future meeting amidst concerns about economic uncertainty.
Key Decisions & Votes
Planning Commission Appointment
04:00Pat Ryan was appointed to the Planning Commission.
Opening Night Revocable Permit
10:00A revocable permit was granted for the 'Opening Night' New Year's Eve celebration.
MFA Financial Report
32:00The financial report for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority was approved.
PPA Financial Report
33:00The financial report for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority was approved.
OEA Trust Financial Report and Solid Waste RFP
46:00The financial report for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust was approved, and staff was authorized to negotiate a new solid waste collection contract with Waste Management.
Wheeler District Ferris Wheel Zoning
1:00:00A zoning change from R1 to SPUD was approved for the Wheeler District Ferris Wheel project at 1301 Southwestern Avenue.
North St. Charles Street Closure Zoning
1:00:40A zoning case to close a portion of North St. Charles Street in Ward 3 was approved.
Truancy Ordinance
1:02:30A new truancy ordinance was approved, despite concerns about parental notification and enforcement consistency.
Retirement System Changes
1:03:10Minor changes to the city's retirement system were approved, with an emergency declaration for IRS compliance.
Housing Discrimination Ordinance
1:08:10An ordinance concerning housing discrimination was approved for final hearing, with a floor amendment for LGBT protections to be considered.
Airport Traffic and Parking Ordinance Introduction
1:12:00An ordinance to modify Chapter 10 (Aviation) for traffic and parking regulations at Will Rogers World Airport was introduced.
Non-ASME Managers Pay Plan Adjustment
1:13:00A resolution to approve a pay plan adjustment for managers not part of ASME, whose benefits historically reflect ASME agreements, was passed.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (NW 10th & Cemetery Rd)
1:17:00An amendment to Plan OKC changing land use from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity at Northwest 10th and Cemetery Road was approved.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (NW 164th & County Line Rd)
1:17:10An amendment to Plan OKC changing land use from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity at Northwest 164th and County Line Road was approved.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (SW 44th & Mustang Rd)
1:17:20An amendment to Plan OKC changing land use from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity at Southwest 44th and Mustang Road was approved.
Art Master Plan
1:19:40The city's Art Master Plan, outlining 13 priorities for public art, was approved.
Emergency Operations Plan (Warning Annex)
1:38:00The Warning Annex of the Emergency Operations Plan, introducing a threat-based sector activation for outdoor warning sirens, was approved.
Neighborhood District Identification Street Marker System
1:44:00A resolution establishing a formal system for neighborhood sign toppers on city street signs was approved.
Claims Recommended for Denial
1:54:00Claims from Ronnie Hagen and Mrs. Wallace regarding a collision with a city vehicle were denied due to insufficient evidence and conflicting accounts.
Claims Recommended for Approval
1:54:30All claims recommended for approval were passed.
Smoking Ordinance (No Teen Vaping)
1:55:00An ordinance prohibiting vaping for minors was approved.
Smoking Ordinance (No Smoking in Parks)
2:02:00An ordinance prohibiting smoking in city parks, with an exemption for golf courses, was approved.
National League of Cities Travel Expenses
2:02:30Travel expenses for attendance at the National League of Cities conference were approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Opening Night
Celebration with four venues (City Hall, Downtown Library, OKC Museum of Art, Civic Center) and a finale at Centennial Park. Venues kick off at 7 PM, food trucks from 5-5:30 PM.
Finale 5K
Starts at 4 PM on Couch Drive, making its way to the Sky Dance Bridge and back.
Financial Matters
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Net Position
Net position of $39.7 million, a decrease of $3.7 million due to depreciation of capital assets and health insurance expenditures exceeding contributions.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Net Position
Net position of $87.8 million, a decrease of $7.6 million primarily due to depreciation on capital assets at Chesapeake Arena and the fairgrounds, and $1.7 million in fairgrounds repair expenses. Golf courses and fairgrounds funds have negative net positions.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OEA Trust) Net Position
Net position improved to $35.3 million, an increase of $5.4 million, primarily due to revenues exceeding expenditures.
City Overall Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Net Position
Net position of $1.9 billion, a decrease of $227 million from the previous year, mainly due to a change in financial reporting standards requiring recognition of net pension assets and liabilities.
General Fund Fund Balance
General fund balance of $75.4 million, an increase of $66 million from last year, largely from MAPS 3 projects. Projected to be between 12-13% of the general fund budget after committing $8 million for resurfacing.
Sales and Use Tax Collections (December)
Sales tax collections for December were 2.8% below last year and 3.4% under target. Year-to-date collections are 1.2% below last year.
Public Comments
Two individuals, Ronnie Hagen and Mrs. Wallace, spoke regarding their claims for denial related to a collision with a city tractor-trailer, expressing frustration over the lack of compensation for injuries and vehicle damage. John Mingo complained about being fined for parking on his grass driveway, alleging discrimination against low-income residents and older homes. Joe Sarge Nelson offered general remarks and well wishes to the council.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Claim Q9, Q1J Thomas Webb deferred to January 12, 2016.
- Discussion regarding the $8 million fund balance for road resurfacing to be placed on the council agenda for February 9th.
Deadlines
- IRS requirement for retirement system changes to be in place before the end of the year.
Watch For
- Final hearing on the Housing Discrimination Ordinance on January 5th.
- Public hearing on the Airport Traffic and Parking Ordinance on January 5th, with final adoption set for January 12th.
- Financial conference with Russell Evans on February 6th.
Announcements
- Troop 94 was present at City Hall working on their Citizenship in the Community merit badge.
- The city's accounting staff and external auditors BKD were recognized for their work on financial reports.
- Dr. Goodloe provided a demonstration of the EMS system's cardiac arrest resuscitation protocol, highlighting the use of the rescue pump device and high survival rates in Oklahoma City.
Agenda Summary
3A: Appointment of Pat Ryan to the Planning Commission
Consideration of the Mayor's appointment of Pat Ryan to the Planning Commission.
3B, C, D: Executive Session for Salary Evaluations
Opportunities to go into executive session to discuss salary evaluations.
4A: Receive Journal of Council Proceedings for December 8th
To receive the journal of council proceedings from December 8th.
4B: Approve Journal of Council Proceedings for November 24th
To approve the journal of council proceedings from November 24th.
5: Request for Uncontested Continuance for Claim Q9, Q1J Thomas Webb
Request to defer the claim of Thomas Webb.
6: Revocable Permit for Opening Night
Consideration of a revocable permit for the 'Opening Night' New Year's Eve celebration, presented by Caitlyn Carter and Peter Delisi.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Financial Report
Presentation of the financial report for the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority by Craig Freeman.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Financial Report
Presentation of the financial report for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority by Craig Freeman.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OEA Trust) Financial Report and Solid Waste Collection RFP
Presentation of the financial report for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust by Craig Freeman, and a presentation on the Solid Waste Collection Request for Proposals by Bob Gardner with SCS Engineers.
Consent Docket
Approval of items on the consent docket, with items X and Y stricken.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
9A: Zoning Case at 1301 Southwestern Avenue (Wheeler District Ferris Wheel)
Zoning case to change R1 single family and scenic river overlay design to a new SPUD for the Wheeler District Ferris Wheel project.
9B: Zoning Case to Close a Portion of North St. Charles Street
Zoning case in Ward 3 to close a portion of North St. Charles Street.
9C: Final Hearing on Truancy Ordinance
Final hearing for an ordinance dealing with truancy.
9D: Final Hearing on Retirement System Changes
Final hearing for minor changes to the city's retirement system.
9E: Public Hearing on Housing Discrimination Ordinance
Public hearing for an ordinance concerning discrimination in housing.
9F: Public Hearing on Taxi Industry Licensing Modifications
Public hearing for small modifications to licensing dealing with the taxi industry.
9G: Introduction of Ordinance to Modify Chapter 10 (Aviation) for Airport Traffic and Parking
Introduction of an ordinance to modify Chapter 10 of the municipal code to include special provisions related to parking and vehicle traffic at Will Rogers World Airport.
9H: Resolution to Approve Pay Plan Adjustment for Non-ASME Managers
Resolution to approve a pay plan adjustment for managers not part of ASME but historically linked to their benefits.
9I1: Amendment to Plan OKC at Northwest 10th and Cemetery Road
Amendment to the comprehensive plan changing land use designation from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity.
9I2: Amendment to Plan OKC at Northwest 164th and County Line Road
Amendment to the comprehensive plan changing land use designation from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity.
9I3: Amendment to Plan OKC at Southwest 44th and Mustang Road
Amendment to the comprehensive plan changing land use designation from Urban Reserve to Urban Low Intensity.
9J: Resolution to Approve the Art Master Plan
Resolution to approve the city's Art Master Plan, developed with an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
9K: Resolution to Approve the Emergency Operations Plan (Warning Annex)
Resolution to approve the Warning Annex, a portion of the city's Emergency Operations Plan, introducing a new threat-based sector activation policy for outdoor warning sirens.
9L: Resolution to Establish Neighborhood District Identification Street Marker System
Resolution to establish a formal process for neighborhood sign toppers on existing city street signs.
9M: Resolution
A resolution requiring a separate vote.
9N: Resolution
A resolution requiring a separate vote.
9O: Resolution
A resolution requiring a separate vote.
9P: Executive Session to Discuss Collective Bargaining with the Police
Request for an executive session to discuss collective bargaining with the police.
9Q: Claims Recommended for Denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial, including those from Ronnie Hagen and Mrs. Wallace regarding a collision with a city vehicle.
10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval.
11A: Smoking Ordinance (No Teen Vaping)
Ordinance concerning the prohibition of vaping for minors.
11B: Smoking Ordinance (No Smoking in Parks, Golf Course Exemption)
Ordinance prohibiting smoking in city parks, with an exemption for golf courses.
11C: Travel Expenses to the National League of Cities
Approval of travel expenses for attendance at the National League of Cities conference.