Meeting Summary
The City Council recognized the February 2015 Teacher of the Month and approved several zoning cases, including one for a passenger rail facility. Key financial decisions included approving the cancellation of an Environmental Assistance Trust contract and the allocation of significant HUD and CDBG disaster relief funds for infrastructure and water treatment plant upgrades. The council also introduced an ordinance for industrial discharge fee adjustments and launched an abandoned buildings program.
Key Decisions & Votes
Recognition of Elena Killacke as Teacher of the Month
04:30Resolution passed unanimously to recognize Elena Killacke for her achievements and dedication to education.
Traffic Signal Improvements (MFA B)
10:50Approved the installation of signal lights, including one at Hefner and Ann Arbor, which will be re-evaluated for current necessity as it is a 2007 bond project.
OCEAT Contract Cancellation
15:00Approved the cancellation of a contract, paying the contractor for completed tasks, and discussed a new, larger contract for solid waste facilities and waste hauler bidding.
SW 15th and Council Road Improvements (W-2)
18:00Approved a 2007 bond project to resurface the road from SW 29th north to SW 8th, improve the intersection, and enhance safety with cooperation from Waste Connection and Western Heights School.
Czech Hall National Register Nomination (Item U)
19:00Approved the execution of a nomination for the Czech Hall of Oklahoma City (515 SW 6th Street) to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Zoning Case 9a1 (18100 Hog Back Road)
22:50Approved rezoning from C3 Community Commercial to AA Agricultural District, with an emergency motion due to the property owner needing to move a house.
Zoning Case 9a2 (820 South Council Road)
28:00Approved rezoning from R1 Single Family to a new PUD for mixed-use development, including industrial and commercial uses, with conditions for appearance corridor guidelines and future site-specific plan review.
Zoning Case 9a3 (7020 NW 150th Street)
29:40Approved rezoning from an existing PUD to a new PUD to allow for commercial development in a relatively undeveloped area.
Zoning Case 9a4 (1601 North Sooner Road)
31:00Approved rezoning from R1 Single Family to a new SPUD for the development of a passenger rail facility, with an emergency motion.
Abandoned Buildings Program Implementation
39:00Approved the declaration of 25 properties as abandoned buildings, initiating a program to track these properties, assess public safety costs from police/fire calls, and bill property owners.
HUD & CDBG Disaster Relief Funds (9f & 9g)
48:00Approved the use of HUD and CDBG block grants totaling $33.4 million for tornado disaster relief, including infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation, storm shelters, drainage planning, and significant upgrades to the Draper treatment plant.
Upcoming Community Events
Love Your City Day
Held at Elemental Coffee, organized by the Better Block Group, encouraging citizens to sign up for commissions and boards.
Financial Matters
Contract Cancellation (OCEAT)
Cancellation of an existing contract, with payment for completed tasks. A new, larger contract with SCS will cover future solid waste facility needs and options for privatized waste hauler bidding.
HUD & CDBG Block Grants (State Allocation)
Funds for infrastructure improvements (resurfacing/reconstructing 4.5 miles of arterial streets, Stone Meadows neighborhood streets), single/multi-family housing rehabilitation ($1.7 million), storm rooms/shelters ($1 million), and drainage master planning.
HUD & CDBG Block Grants (Draper Treatment Plant Improvements)
Improvements to the Draper treatment plant's electrical system, installation of permanent generators for 100MGD production, and potential replacement of suction flume and additional generator for 150MGD capacity.
Industrial Pre-treatment Fee Adjustment
Proposed ordinance to modify industrial pre-treatment fees to recover program costs, eliminating annual renewal fees and adding a monthly volume-based fee. Public hearing set for February 24th, adoption for March 3rd.
Hotel Tax Revenue
Reported a continuous increase in hotel tax revenue, with 43 out of the last 48 months showing an increase, reflecting significant growth in tourism and convention business.
Public Comments
Citizens raised concerns about police department complaints, code enforcement issues, and increased storm drainage affecting the Lakeview neighborhood due to adjacent development. Questions were also posed regarding TIFs and city funding allocations.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Public hearing for Industrial Discharge Fee Adjustment on February 24th
- Final adoption of Industrial Discharge Fee Adjustment on March 3rd
- Follow-up on construction traffic management and material laydown at Hefner Road and Woodbridge Road.
- Posting pictures of removed Bicentennial Park monuments on the city website to gather historical information.
- Discussion on the implications of assisted living centers operating in R1 single-family residential zones, particularly regarding commercial activity, neighborhood notification, and the 'five unrelated persons' zoning rule.
- Follow-up on storm drainage issues in the Lakeview neighborhood due to development in War Acres, including site visits by city engineers and potential conversations with the City of War Acres.
Announcements
- Elena Killacke recognized as Teacher of the Month for February 2015 by Edmond Public Schools Foundation and Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
- Tim Rogers introduced as the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma County Library System.
- Convention and Visitor Bureau reported significant increases in sales leads (up 22%), potential room nights (up 49%), and bookings (up 20%). Leisure tourism, including motor coach bookings, also saw substantial growth. Hotel tax revenue increased for 43 of the last 48 months, and the city's hotel occupancy rate (65.3%) exceeded the national average. The new 'OKC is Seeing is Believing' branding is well-received.
Agenda Summary
Resolution recognizing Elena Killacke as Teacher of the Month for February 2015
Recognition and commendation for Elena Killacke's selection as February 2015 Teacher of the Month by the Edmond Public Schools Foundation and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Item 3 (Council Agenda - Appointments B, C, and D)
Appointments to various council positions.
Item 4a (Receive Journal for Feb 3rd and 10th)
Receive the journal of council proceedings for February 3rd and 10th.
Item 4b (Approve Journal for Jan 27th)
Approve the journal of council proceedings for January 27th.
Item 5 (Request for Uncontested Continuances)
Requests to strike specific addresses from unsecured buildings and abandoned buildings lists due to owners securing the properties.
MFA B (Traffic Signal Improvements)
Installation of signal lights, specifically at Hefner and Ann Arbor, as part of 2007 bond listed projects. Discussion included re-evaluating the need for the light.
OCPA (Claims and Payroll)
Approval of claims and payroll for the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority.
OCEAT (Contract Cancellation)
Cancellation of a contract with a payment for completed tasks and discussion of a new, larger contract with SCS for solid waste facilities and waste hauler bidding.
W-2 (SW 15th and Council Road Improvements)
A 2007 bond program project to resurface the road from SW 29th north to SW 8th, improve the intersection, and enhance safety at SW 15th and Council Road, in cooperation with Waste Connection and Western Heights School.
Item U (Czech Hall National Register Nomination)
Execution of a nomination for the Czech Hall of Oklahoma City (515 SW 6th Street) for the National Register of Historic Places.
Consent Docket (General)
Various items on the consent docket.
Concurrence Docket
Various items on the concurrence docket.
Item 9a1 (Zoning Case: 18100 Hog Back Road)
Rezoning from C3 Community Commercial to AA Agricultural District.
Item 9a2 (Zoning Case: 820 South Council Road)
Rezoning from R1 Single Family and Scenic River Overlay District to a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) for mixed-use, including industrial and commercial, with appearance corridor guidelines.
Item 9a3 (Zoning Case: 7020 NW 150th Street)
Rezoning from an existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) to a new PUD for commercial property in a relatively undeveloped area.
Item 9a4 (Zoning Case: 1601 North Sooner Road)
Rezoning from R1 Single Family to a new Simplified Planned Unit Development (SPUD) for a passenger rail facility.
Item 9b (Industrial Discharge Fee Adjustment)
Introduction of an ordinance to modify industrial pre-treatment fees to help recover total program costs, with a proposed three-year implementation plan.
Item 9c (Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures)
Public hearing regarding properties declared dilapidated.
Item 9d (Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures)
Public hearing regarding properties declared unsecured.
Item 9e (Public Hearing: Abandoned Buildings)
Public hearing to declare properties as abandoned buildings, initiating a program to track properties, assess public safety costs, and bill owners.
Item 9f (Public Hearing: HUD & CDBG Block Grants - State Allocation)
Public hearing on the use of HUD and CDBG block grants from the state's allocation for tornado disaster relief, totaling $33.4 million for Oklahoma City.
Item 9g (Public Hearing: HUD & CDBG Block Grants - City of Moore Allocation)
Public hearing on the use of HUD and CDBG block grants from the City of Moore's allocation for tornado disaster relief, specifically for water treatment improvements at the Draper treatment plant.
Item 9h
Item requiring separate vote, executive session not needed.
Item 9i
Item requiring separate vote, executive session not needed.
Item 9j
Item requiring separate vote, executive session needed.
Item 9k
Item requiring separate vote, no update needed.
Item 9l (Claims Recommended for Denial)
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 10 (Claims Recommended for Approval)
Claims recommended for approval.
December 31st Quarterly Investment Report
Presentation of the quarterly investment report.