Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several revocable permits for upcoming Halloween events and established a new business improvement district in the Adventure District. A contentious zoning request for a residential development on Southwest 59th Street was approved, with conditions addressing concerns about aerobic septic systems and drainage. The Council also adopted its state and federal legislative agendas and received updates on the city's annual performance and a projected sales tax shortfall, leading to an announced hiring freeze.
Key Decisions & Votes
Zoning for 10101 Southwest 59th Street (PUD)
01:14:00The Council approved the rezoning from AA Agricultural to a Planned Unit Development, allowing for a mix of half-acre and one-acre lots, with conditions to include HOA maintenance requirements for aerobic septic systems in the PUD language.
Ordinance for Equestrian Trails
01:19:00An ordinance was approved to allow for the creation of separate equestrian trails along the river, distinct from existing paved bike paths.
Ordinance on Knife Regulation
01:25:00An ordinance was adopted with an emergency clause to bring city laws into compliance with a new state statute that preempts municipalities from regulating knives.
Business Improvement District in Adventure District
01:30:00A public hearing resulted in the approval to create a Business Improvement District in the Adventure District.
Firefighters Bargaining Agreement
01:32:00The bargaining agreement with the firefighters' union was successfully concluded and adopted by the Council.
State Legislative Agenda
01:59:00The Council adopted its legislative agenda for the upcoming state session, focusing on local control, transit funding, and protecting the sales tax base.
Federal Legislative Agenda
02:00:00The Council adopted its federal legislative agenda, prioritizing the Remote Transactions Parity Act, transportation funding, and support for Tinker Air Force Base.
Upcoming Community Events
Olympic Trials
To be held at the new Whitewater facility in Oklahoma City, with a US Olympic Committee Roadshow also visiting.
Trick-or-Treat Night
Encouraged for afternoon and early evening hours; households should indicate participation by turning on porch lights.
Haunt the Hill
Hosted by Capitol Hill Mainstreet Inc. on Southwest 25th Street in Capitol Hill.
OKC Halloween Parade and Costume Party
Starts at 7:00 p.m. on Broadway, near Automobile Alley, featuring Buddy the dinosaur balloon.
OKC Pride Halloween Block Party
From 8:00 p.m. until midnight on Northwest 39th Street between Penn and Barnes, with live music, DJ, costume contest, and vendors.
A Rundown Scary Place
A charity 5K, Fun Run, and costume contest starting at 16th and Indiana in the Plaza District. Sign-up begins at 8:00 a.m.
Financial Matters
Claims Recommended for Denial (Galanda Ketrin)
A citizen claimed $929 for fence damage, attributing it to the city's neglect of easement maintenance. City staff denied liability, citing natural conditions and private property maintenance responsibilities.
Claims Recommended for Denial (Dale Blake)
A citizen claimed damage to his mailbox by a city truck. City staff clarified the damage was likely caused by an independent contractor (Waste Management) and referred the claimant to them.
October Sales Tax Collections Report
Total sales tax collections are within 0.1% of last year but are $1.6 million under target. Use tax is down 20% ($2.5 million), resulting in a total shortfall of over $4 million year-to-date.
Hotel Tax Collections
Hotel tax collections are up 3.6% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, showing relative strength.
Public Comments
Several citizens spoke regarding a proposed PUD development, raising concerns about increased density, the environmental and maintenance issues of aerobic septic systems, and potential exacerbation of flooding. Another citizen disputed the denial of her claim for fence damage, arguing city responsibility for easement maintenance. A separate citizen reported mailbox damage by a city contractor. One individual addressed personal matters and requested a meeting with a council member.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- November 1st: Effective date for the state statute regarding knife regulation.
Watch For
- Further refinement and expansion of programming related to the media and safety ordinance.
- Discussions on the location and synergy of future senior wellness centers.
- Ongoing monitoring of sales tax collections and potential budget impacts.
Announcements
- Allan Ashley, Chief of Sports Performance for the United States Olympic Committee, visited to discuss the Whitewater facility and upcoming Olympic trials.
- October 31st was officially proclaimed as Trick-or-Treat Night in Oklahoma City, with safety guidelines provided.
- Oklahoma City Beautiful presented awards to various organizations for their outstanding cleanup and beautification efforts across the city, including the overall winner, Friends of Martin Park.
- A hiring freeze will be implemented starting November 9th due to declining sales tax collections.
- Happy Birthday was extended to Debbie Martin, Councilman Pettis's assistant.
Agenda Summary
Item 3: Appointments
Consideration of two appointments to city positions.
Item 4: Journal of Council Proceedings
Receive the journal for October 13th and approve the journal for September 29th.
Item 5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests to strike several items (9 H1 item a, 9 H1 item I, 9 i1 item C, 9 i1 item J) from the docket as owners had secured the properties.
Item 6a: Revocable Permit for Haunt the Hill
Request from Capitol Hill Mainstreet Inc. to host 'Haunt the Hill' on Southwest 25th Street.
Item 6b: Revocable Permit for OKC Halloween Parade and Costume Party
Request from OKC Events and Entertainment to host the parade on Broadway near Automobile Alley.
Item 6c: Revocable Permit for OKC Pride Halloween Block Party
Request from OKC Pride to host a block party on Northwest 39th Street.
Item 6d: Revocable Permit for A Rundown Scary Place
Request from Perinatal Center of Oklahoma to host a charity 5K, Fun Run, and costume contest in the Plaza District.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Consideration of five items under the OCMFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
Consideration of two items under the OCPPA agenda.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
Consideration of claims and payroll under the OCEAT agenda.
Item 7: Consent Docket
Consideration of the consent docket, including an annual contract with the Homeless Alliance and funding for ADA ramps and sidewalks.
Item 8: Concurrence Docket
Consideration of the concurrence docket.
Item 9A: Zoning Case, 13236 Northeastern Avenue
Final hearing for rezoning from R-1 Single Family to a new Simplified Planned Unit Development (PUD) in Ward 7.
Item 9B: Zoning Issue, 10101 Southwest 59th Street
Final hearing for rezoning from AA Agricultural to a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) in Ward 3, with public comments on density, aerobic systems, and flooding.
Item 9C: Ordinance for Horseback Riding Trails
Final hearing for an ordinance to allow horseback riding in certain areas along the river, with separate equestrian trails.
Item 9D: Criteria for Future Demolitions
Final hearing regarding the criteria selected for future demolitions.
Item 9E1: Metered Parking on Main Street
Traffic Commission item regarding metered parking on Main Street near Hudson in Ward 6.
Item 9E2: Parking Issue near 187th in May
Traffic Commission item regarding a parking issue near 187th in May in Ward 8.
Item 9F: Ordinance to Comply with State Knife Law
Introduction and final hearing for an ordinance to align local regulations with new state law preempting cities from regulating knives, including an emergency clause.
Item 9G: Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on properties identified as dilapidated structures.
Item 9H: Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on properties identified as unsecured structures.
Item 9I: Public Hearing Regarding Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing on properties identified as abandoned buildings.
Item 9J: Public Hearing Regarding Removal of Property from Abandoned Building List
Public hearing on one property in Ward 5 recommended for removal from the abandoned building list.
Item 9K: Public Hearing to Create Business Improvement District in Adventure District
Public hearing for the creation of a Business Improvement District in the Adventure District.
Item 9L: Resolution for Tiff 11 Appointments
Resolution to approve three at-large appointments for Tiff 11.
Item 9M: Executive Session Item
Item requiring discussion in executive session.
Item 9N: Executive Session Item
Item requiring discussion in executive session.
Item 9O: Executive Session Item
Item requiring discussion in executive session.
Item 9P: Bargaining Agreement with Firefighters
Consideration of a bargaining agreement with the firefighters' union.
Item 9Q: Claims Recommended for Denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial, including a claim for fence damage due to easement maintenance.
Item 10: Claims Recommended for Approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval, with one citizen speaking about a denied claim for mailbox damage.
Item 11A: State Legislative Agenda
Recommendations from the Council's legislative committee for the state legislative agenda.
Item 11B: Federal Legislative Agenda
Recommendations from the Council's legislative committee for the federal legislative agenda.