Meeting Summary
The city council meeting included several ceremonial items, such as the launch of the Festival of the Arts and recognition of state champion basketball teams from Deer Creek and Mustang High Schools. The council also heard an economic update from the Chamber of Commerce and addressed various zoning cases and public hearings regarding dilapidated, unsecured, and abandoned structures. A resolution expressing strong support for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math's state funding was unanimously approved.
Key Decisions & Votes
ABC Issue - 10912 North Rockwell Avenue
01:03:36The ABC2 application for 10912 North Rockwell Avenue was approved, having received unanimous planning commission approval and no protests.
ABC Issue - 6200 North Robinson Avenue
01:04:45The ABC application for 6200 North Robinson Avenue was approved. A motion for emergency approval failed due to insufficient votes.
ABC Issue - 1234 Northwestern Avenue
01:09:59The ABC application for 1234 Northwestern Avenue was approved, having received no protests and previously having an overlay.
Zoning Case - 1501 North Broadway Avenue
01:10:48The zoning application to change 1501 North Broadway Avenue from R4 General Residential to C4 General Commercial District was approved, consolidating properties into the same zoning classification.
Zoning Case - 2808 West Lindsay Avenue
01:12:47The zoning application to change 2808 West Lindsay Avenue from R1 Single Family to I2 Moderate Industrial District was approved to allow for expansion of a towing facility.
Ordinance for Final Hearing - 1290 Southeast 29th Street
01:18:24An ordinance to rezone 1290 Southeast 29th Street from AA to RA Single Family One Acre Rural Residential District was approved, aligning with the comprehensive plan for the area.
Close Platted Utility Easement - Ward 8
01:20:53A request to close a portion of a platted utility easement in Ward 8 due to a minor encroachment by an office building was approved.
Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structures
01:29:50The public hearing regarding dilapidated structures was approved, with specific cases being addressed and property owners given time to make repairs.
Public Hearing - Unsecured Structures
01:30:26The public hearing regarding unsecured structures was approved.
Public Hearing - Abandoned Structures
01:30:50The public hearing regarding abandoned structures was approved.
Claims Recommended for Denial
01:32:00Claims recommended for denial were denied.
Claims Recommended for Approval
01:32:30Claims recommended for approval were approved.
Resolution of Support for Oklahoma School of Science and Math
01:47:00A resolution expressing strong support for continuing state funding for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math was unanimously approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Brigadoon Performance
Oklahoma City University, tickets available by calling 405-208-5000. Abby and Lucas performing Saturday evening at 8 PM.
49th Annual Festival of the Arts
Opens at 11 AM today, open until 9 PM nightly, 11 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Free admission, parking available downtown. Features 144 visual artists, live entertainment, local food, and eco-conscious practices.
Deer Creek Girls Basketball Team Recognition
Recognized for winning their third consecutive Class 5A Girls State Basketball Championship.
Mustang Boys Basketball Team Recognition
Recognized for winning their first Class 6A Boys State Championship with an undefeated season.
UCO Chesapeake Boathouse Opening
Ribbon cutting for the new boathouse on the Oklahoma River, featuring a music venue and art gallery.
Rebuilding Together Block Build
First-time event in Oklahoma City, focusing on rebuilding 10-12 houses on a single block (14th Street and Ellison) in the Classen Ten Penn area.
Dia del Niños
Held at Heronville Elementary School, with a fantastic crowd.
Oklahoma Watch Public Meeting
Public civic discussion of problems affecting South Oklahoma City, held at Capitol Methodist Church.
Financial Matters
Tinker Air Force Base Efficiencies
Lieutenant General Bruce Litchfield initiated efficiencies saving the Air Force operations over $1.4 billion.
K-46 Maintenance Facilities Construction
Construction for K-46 maintenance facilities at the former BNSF yard will involve about half a billion dollars in investment over the next three years.
Boeing Research Function
Boeing is creating a new research function for military and commercial aircraft, starting with 50 employees and anticipating ongoing growth of high-paying jobs.
Job Creation Incentives and Historic Tax Credit Bill
Significant efforts are being made to protect job creation incentives and the historic tax credit bill at the state legislature.
Tourism Industry Annual Payroll
The travel industry in Oklahoma County generates a $953 million annual payroll from 32,900 jobs.
Tourism State Tax Revenues
Tourism in the Oklahoma City metro generates $158 million annually in state tax revenues.
Tourism Local Tax Receipts
Tourism in the Oklahoma City metro generates $84 million annually in local tax receipts.
Oklahoma School of Science and Math Alumni Economic Activity
Alumni and graduates of the Oklahoma School of Science and Math represent $40 million in economic activity per year.
GE Foundation Donation to OSSM
The GE Foundation is donating $400,000 to the Oklahoma School of Science and Math for a program called STEM Empowers.
Zoo Friends Capital Campaign
Zoo Friends successfully raised $4.5 million for the zoo hospital, funding about half of the project.
Zoo Friends Grant Support for Education
Zoo Friends generates about $50,000 annually in grant support for education programs, allowing underserved schools to visit the zoo.
Hotel Tax Collections
Hotel tax collections are very close to target, less than half a percent away.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke during the public comments section. One resident addressed the dilapidated state of his home, requesting assistance for repairs, while another raised concerns about repeated rental intrusions and burglaries, seeking help from the police department.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning cases 9D1 and 9D2 (PVO 91 and PVO 92) deferred until April 28th.
Watch For
- Public hearing for the ordinance regarding creel limits and fish size on April 28th, with a final hearing on May 5th.
- Conceptual designs for zoo parking from Lee Engineering next month.
- New zoo website to go live in the fall.
- Construction documents for Sanctuary Asia (second phase of elephant project) by mid-summer.
Announcements
- Lieutenant General Bruce Litchfield will retire from Tinker Air Force Base in June, replaced by General Lee Levy.
- Boeing is adding approximately 65 people per week to their workforce in the market.
- Oklahoma City MSA unemployment rate is 3.6%, the second lowest among large metropolitan areas.
- Tracked oil and gas layoffs in the metro total 642.
- Economic development team is working on 25 projects with potential for over 6,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in capital investment.
- Two public announcements regarding economic development are anticipated within the next month.
- The zoo's Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital is wrapping up construction and will open next month, with a donor appreciation event this Thursday.
- The GE Foundation is donating $400,000 to the Oklahoma School of Science and Math for the STEM Empowers program.
- The zoo had record attendance of 1.2 million guests in 2014 and is on pace to do the same this year.
- Zoo Friends has 27,000 member households, a 5% increase from last year, and a 77% retention rate.
- Zoo Friends' Zootroop group is geared towards young professionals (20-33 years old).
- The zoo supports five focal wildlife conservation projects globally and locally.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Pastor Robert Rose and Councilman Greiner.
Ceremonial Item: Oklahoma City University Performance
Abby Sherrill and Lucas Parents performed a song from Brigadoon, promoting the upcoming OCU production.
Ceremonial Item: Festival of the Arts Proclamation
Proclamation for the 49th Annual Festival of the Arts, recognizing its significance and volunteers.
Ceremonial Item: Deer Creek Girls Basketball Team Recognition
Resolution congratulating the Deer Creek Lady Antlers on their third consecutive state championship.
Ceremonial Item: Mustang Boys Basketball Team Recognition
Resolution congratulating the Mustang Broncos on their first state championship and undefeated season.
3A: Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update
Roy Williams provided an update on economic development, Tinker Air Force Base, Boeing growth, legislative efforts, unemployment rates, oil and gas impacts, and tourism.
3D: Appointments for the Port Authority of the Greater Oklahoma City Area
Appointments for the Port Authority were considered.
3E: Resolution to Approve Mayor's Travel Expenses
Resolution to approve travel expenses for the Mayor to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting.
4A: Receive Journal for April 14th
The journal of council proceedings for April 14th was received.
4B: Approve Journal for April 7th
The journal of council proceedings for April 7th was approved.
5: Request for Uncontested Continuances
Several items were continued or stricken from the agenda.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Three items under the OCMFA were considered.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
Three items under the OCPPA were considered.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
One item regarding claims and payroll under the OCEAT was considered.
Consent Docket
The consent docket was approved, with one item (7P2) specifically highlighted for discussion regarding street improvements.
Concurrence Docket
Three items on the concurrence docket were approved.
9A1: ABC Issue - 10912 North Rockwell Avenue (Ward 8)
ABC2 application for 10912 North Rockwell Avenue.
9A2: ABC Issue - 6200 North Robinson Avenue (Ward 2)
ABC application for 6200 North Robinson Avenue, with a failed motion for emergency approval.
9A3: ABC Issue - 1234 Northwestern Avenue (Ward 6)
ABC application for 1234 Northwestern Avenue.
9A4: Zoning Case - 1501 North Broadway Avenue (Ward 6)
Rezoning from R4 General Residential to C4 General Commercial District.
9A5: Zoning Case - 2808 West Lindsay Avenue (Ward 6)
Rezoning from R1 Single Family to I2 Moderate Industrial District.
9B: Ordinance for Final Hearing - 1290 Southeast 29th Street (Ward 4)
Rezoning from AA to RA Single Family One Acre Rural Residential District.
9C: Close Portion of Platted Utility Easement (Ward 8)
Request to close a portion of a platted utility easement due to a minor encroachment.
9D1 & 9D2: Zoning Cases (PVO 91 and PVO 92)
These items were deferred until April 28th.
9E: Ordinance Introduction - Creel Limits and Fish Size
Introduction of an ordinance to realign creel limits and fish size in Hefner and Overholser lakes to state standards.
9F: Public Hearing - Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing regarding various dilapidated structures, with specific cases discussed.
9G: Public Hearing - Unsecured Structures
Public hearing regarding various unsecured structures.
9H: Public Hearing - Abandoned Structures
Public hearing regarding various abandoned structures.
9I: Executive Session (Not Needed)
A motion was made to strike this item as executive session was not needed.
9J: Executive Session (Needed)
A motion was made to move this item into executive session.
9K: Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial were considered.
10A: Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval were considered.
11: Items from Council - Resolution for Oklahoma School of Science and Math
Resolution expressing strong support for continuing state funding for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math.
11: Items from Council - City Manager Reports (Oklahoma City Zoo Update)
Dwight Lawson provided an update on the zoo's animal collection, attendance, social media, revenue-generating opportunities, and future projects.
11: Items from Council - City Manager Reports (Hotel Tax Collections)
An update on hotel tax collections was provided.
12: Citizens to be Heard
Two citizens addressed the council regarding public records and personal property issues.