Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several revocable permits for community events and adopted ordinances for sewer fee adjustments and biking regulations. A proposal to remove parking restrictions on Northeast 16th Street was denied after public input. Presentations were given on public art for the new police headquarters and the multi-phase MAPS 3 I-44 trail project, both of which were approved as part of the consent docket.
Key Decisions & Votes
Sewer and Sewage Disposal Fee Adjustment Ordinance
The council adopted an ordinance to adjust fees related to sewer and sewage disposal.
Parking Restriction Removal on NE 16th Street
A motion to approve the removal of parking restriction signs on the north side of Northeast 16th Street was denied by a vote of 1-8, following public comments and council concerns about increased student parking and neighborhood clutter.
MAPS 3 I-44 Trail Project Preliminary Reports
Preliminary reports for all three phases of the 8.15-mile multi-use I-44 trail project, connecting Lake Hefner to the Oklahoma River, were approved.
Central Maintenance Facility Phase 3
The preliminary report for Phase 3 of the Central Maintenance Facility, including administrative offices and warehouse space for general services, was approved.
Public Art for New Police Headquarters
Staff was authorized to negotiate a contract for a public art installation by Gordon Huther at the new police headquarters, incorporating memorial stones.
Budget Amendment for FY15
A budget amendment totaling $15.8 million was approved, adjusting for debt service, MAPS public schools sales tax fund changes, and increased animal welfare donations, bringing the overall budget to $1.1 billion.
Biking and Automobile Interaction Ordinance
An ordinance mirroring state law regarding the interaction between bicycles and automobiles was adopted, providing police with additional flexibility for enforcement.
Upcoming Community Events
Oklahoma City University Opera 'The Coronation of Poppea'
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM at the Oklahoma City University box office. Tickets are $10.
Beck's Automotive Western Avenue Block Party
14th annual event to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
RunLucky 5K
5th annual event raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Live on the Plaza
Monthly block party featuring live music, artist vendors, and open shops/galleries in the Plaza District.
O City St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starts at 11:00 AM, proceeding from downtown Oklahoma City east on Sheridan through Bricktown. Second annual event.
Financial Matters
Central Maintenance Facility Phase 3
Preliminary report for the construction of administrative offices and warehouse space for general services, part of the 2007 bond issue.
Public Art Installation for New Police Headquarters
Commission for a public art piece by Gordon Huther to be installed at the new police headquarters, incorporating memorial stones.
MAPS 3 I-44 Trail Project
Preliminary reports for three phases of the multi-use trail connecting Lake Hefner to the Oklahoma River along the I-44 corridor.
Contract Award to Atlas Paving Company
Contract for street resurfacing and repairs at 12 locations, roughly in the vicinity of Northwest 10th to 13th on Class and Francis Chartell Lee Walker.
Budget Amendment (Item 9F)
Adjustments to the debt service fund, Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area MAPS public schools sales tax fund (IT support, project management reimbursement), and the Animal Welfare special purpose fund due to higher donations.
Public Comments
Two citizens spoke regarding a proposed ordinance to remove parking restrictions on Northeast 16th Street. One resident advocated for removal due to shared driveways and parking difficulties, while another opposed it, citing concerns about increased parking by OU Medical Center students/faculty, potential clutter, and negative impacts on property values and neighborhood continuity.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 9I was moved to executive session for discussion.
Deadlines
- Central Maintenance Facility: Complete final plans in June 2015, award construction in August 2015, complete project in August 2016.
- MAPS 3 I-44 Trail Project (all 3 phases): Final plans by June 2015, construction beginning September 2015, completion June/Summer 2016.
- Ferris Wheel at Wheeler District: Expected to be operational by May 2015.
Watch For
- Timeline for the MSA project adjacent to the Central Maintenance Facility, as EMSA is actively seeking to acquire private developments for street frontage.
- A bus shelter at Walker and 59th Street, requested by Councilman David Greenwell for the Hope organization.
- A resolution honoring the late Municipal Judge Paige Morgan at a future meeting.
- Increased efforts and potential legal research regarding the issue of unsolicited phone books and 'litter on a stick' signs.
Announcements
- Danielle Peterson from Oklahoma City University performed a musical number from their opera 'The Coronation of Poppea'.
- Susan Cross, Administrative Coordinator in the Utilities Department, was recognized as the March 2015 South Oklahoma City Quantis Club Employee of the Month.
- Kristen Veils is leaving her post at the Plaza District after seven years of leadership.
- MAPS 3 sidewalks are being installed across Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
- A Ferris wheel is coming to the Wheeler district, with operations anticipated to begin by May 2015.
- Municipal Judge Paige Morgan passed away last week; a resolution will be presented at a future meeting.
- Discussion was held regarding unsolicited phone books in driveways and 'litter on a stick' signs, with calls for increased enforcement and removal efforts.
- A special sign sweep is planned for April as part of the spring cleanup in Oklahoma City.
- City Channel 20 is broadcast in Canadian County within Oklahoma City limits, and a YouTube stream is also available 24/7.
- A tour of the new police headquarters will be held following the conclusion of the council meeting.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer and the pledge.
Presentation by Danielle Peterson from Oklahoma City University
Musical performance from the OCU opera 'The Coronation of Poppea'.
Recognition of Susan Cross as Employee of the Month
Resolution commending Susan Cross as the March 2015 South Oklahoma City Quantis Club Employee of the Month.
Item 3: Appointments of 3B, C, and D
Motion on council appointments.
Item 4A: Receive Journal of Council Proceedings for February 24th
Receipt of the council meeting journal.
Item 4B: Approve Journal of Council Proceedings for February 17th
Approval of the council meeting journal.
Item 5A1: Revocable Permit for Beck's Automotive Western Avenue Block Party
Request to hold the 14th annual block party to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
Item 5A2: Revocable Permit for DG Productions RunLucky 5K
Request to hold the 5th annual RunLucky 5K on March 15th for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Item 5A3: Revocable Permit for Plaza District Live on the Plaza
Request to continue holding the monthly Live on the Plaza event on the second Friday of each month.
Item 5A4: Revocable Permit for Prodigal O City St. Patrick's Day Parade
Request to hold the 2nd annual O City St. Patrick's Day parade on March 14th.
Item 6: Request for uncontested continuances (9C1, item A and 9E1, item B)
Requests to strike items related to 1713 North Jordan due to renotification needs.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Five items, including a presentation on the Central Maintenance Facility Phase 3.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) Items
Two items on the agenda.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
Two items on the agenda.
Consent Docket
Consideration of multiple routine items, including public art for police headquarters, MAPS 3 trail project preliminary reports, and a contract award for street resurfacing.
Concurrence Docket
Consideration of two items.
Item 9A: Ordinance for final hearing (Sewer and Sewage Disposal Fee Adjustment)
Final vote on an ordinance adjusting fees related to sewer and sewage disposal.
Item 9B: Ordinance for final hearing (Parking Restriction on NE 16th Street)
Final vote on an ordinance regarding parking restrictions on Northeast 16th Street after public hearing.
Item 9C: Public Hearing regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on structures deemed dilapidated.
Item 9D: Public Hearing regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on structures deemed unsecured.
Item 9E: Public Hearing regarding Abandoned Buildings
Public hearing on buildings deemed abandoned.
Item 9F: Budget Amendment
Amendment to the budget for debt service, MAPS public schools sales tax fund, and animal welfare donations.
Item 9G: MFA Item (Workers Compensation Segregation Claim)
Consideration of a workers compensation segregation claim.
Item 9H: Item
Consideration of an item not requiring executive session.
Item 9I: Item
Consideration of an item requiring executive session.
Item 9J: Claims recommended for denial
Motion to strike claims recommended for denial from the agenda.
Item 9K: Claims recommended for denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial.
Item 10: Claims recommended for approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval.
Item 11A: Ordinance from Council (Biking and Automobiles interaction)
Consideration of an ordinance mimicking state law regarding the interaction of bicycles and automobiles.