Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included a performance from Oklahoma City University, recognition of the employee of the month, and several zoning case approvals. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a detailed presentation and discussion regarding the expanded concept for the new Oklahoma City Convention Center, which was ultimately approved. The council also addressed various other agenda items, including water impact fees, utility theft, dilapidated structures, and the city's legislative programs.
Key Decisions & Votes
Expanded Convention Center Concept
00:55:00The City Council approved the expanded concept for the new Oklahoma City Convention Center, increasing its size to 275,000 square feet of net rentable area at an estimated cost of $221-227 million. This decision aims to attract larger conventions and improve operational efficiency.
Water Impact Fees
01:30:00A resolution regarding water impact fees was passed unanimously by the council.
Police Issue on Utility Theft
01:30:40A public hearing item concerning the police issue on utility theft was moved forward unanimously.
Dilapidated Structures
01:31:00A public hearing item regarding dilapidated structures was passed unanimously.
Unsecured Structures
01:31:20A public hearing item regarding unsecured structures was passed unanimously.
Water Utilities Trust Indebtedness
01:31:40A resolution authorizing the Water Utility Trust to convert short-term commercial paper debt into long-term revenue bonds, not exceeding $95 million, was approved.
City Council Priorities
01:33:00A resolution adopting the city council priorities and new measurements from the council workshop was passed unanimously.
Bicycle Safety Measures
01:38:00Two measures aimed at improving the safety of bicycle riders were referred to the traffic commission for review.
Council Meeting Scheduling
01:38:40An item to repeat the council scheduling of meeting every other week was introduced, with a final hearing set for November 18th.
State Legislative Program
01:39:00The City of Oklahoma City State Legislative program, as presented by the legislative committee, was adopted.
Federal Legislative Program
01:40:00The federal legislative program, as presented by the legislative committee, was adopted.
Upcoming Community Events
Puccini's Suor Angelica and La Fonte de Sotilege
Performed by Oklahoma City University's Fine Arts community. November 14th and 15th at 8 PM, November 16th at 3 PM. Tickets available online at okcu.edu or at the box office.
National Eating Healthy Day
Proclaimed by Mayor Mick Cornett. Encourages citizens to eat healthier and prepare healthy meals.
Financial Matters
Continuum of Care Grant Application
The city will be applying for approximately $3.4 million in competitive grant funds from HUD for homeless programs, which are not decreasing annually.
Convention Center Expanded Concept Cost
The expanded concept for the Convention Center is estimated to cost between $221 million and $227 million, an increase of approximately $35 million from the validated concept.
Utility Relocation Costs for Convention Center
Estimated cost for relocating utilities (ATT, Cox, Chickasaw Telephone, OG&E, ONG, Sprint) for the Convention Center project, accommodated within the budget.
Water Utilities Trust Revenue Bonds
Authorization for the Water Utility Trust to issue long-term revenue bonds to refund short-term commercial paper debt, with the sale expected in December or January.
Public Comments
Representatives from the American Heart Association spoke about childhood obesity prevention and the challenges many residents face in accessing healthy food options, particularly in low-income areas. They offered to be a resource for policy implementation.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning case PC-103.79 (item 8B) deferred until November 18th.
Deadlines
- Final hearing for council meeting scheduling item (10B) on November 18th.
Watch For
- Judges' decision on the cost of land acquisition for the Convention Center.
- Further discussions on the panhandler issue and related public awareness campaigns.
- Potential impacts of declining oil prices on the city's budget.
Announcements
- Caitlin Crabill from Oklahoma City University performed "Senza Mama" as a preview for Puccini's Suor Angelica.
- Kerry Medley was recognized as the November 2014 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month for her 15 years of service in the MAPS office.
- An anonymous citizen donated over $27,000 for a van for the Oklahoma City Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT).
- The Science Museum is redesigning its entrance and exit and making improvements to its adventure area.
- The Britain Road expansion project is moving forward, with north lanes paved and south lanes underway, expected completion in Spring 2015.
- The Oklahoma City Museum of Art reported a 30% increase in attendance, a budget surplus, and a 29% increase in membership, with upcoming exhibitions including 'Intent to Deceive' and 'Peter Carl Faberge'.
- The MCare open enrollment period saw a net increase in participants, though single-family participation is declining.
- Councilman Meg Salyer thanked the Miller neighborhood for hosting her at their meeting and acknowledged their positive reaction to a recent incident.
- Councilman Meg Salyer highlighted the success of the Teach for America program in Oklahoma, which has grown to 500 teachers and is developing local leaders.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with a prayer by Pastor Craig Wright and the Pledge of Allegiance.
OCU Performance
Preview performance of Puccini's Suor Angelica by Caitlin Crabill from Oklahoma City University.
Employee of the Month Recognition
Recognition of Kerry Medley as the November 2014 Employee of the Month.
Appointments (3B-F)
Approval of various appointments.
Journal of Council Proceedings (4A-B)
Receive and approve the Journal of Council Proceedings.
Uncontested Continuances (5)
Requests for uncontested continuances on various items.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA)
Meeting of the MFA to address six items.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA)
Meeting of the PPA to address three items.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (EAT)
Meeting of the EAT to address four items.
Comprehensive Plan Presentation
Presentation by Chris Varga on the Continuum of Care grant and homeless programs.
Convention Center Schematic Plan Presentation
Presentation by Todd Both on the concept design for the new Oklahoma City Convention Center, including validated and expanded concepts.
Consent Docket
Approval of the consent docket, with item AV (Convention Center proposal) voted on separately.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Zoning Case 8A1 (1100 N Broadway)
ABC issue in Ward 6, related to a restaurant and wine bar development.
Zoning Case 8A2 (6701 S Rockwell)
Rezoning from agricultural to moderate industrial (I2).
Zoning Case 8A3 (2121 Westwood Blvd)
Rezoning from single-family to moderate industrial (I2) to align with existing use.
Zoning Case 8A4 (7525 S Styles)
Rezoning from single-family to light industrial (I1).
Zoning Case 8A5 (229 NW 60th St)
Rezoning from single-family residential to light industrial (I1).
Zoning Case 8A6 (1050 N Morgan Rd)
Rezoning from agricultural to moderate industrial (I2) for a manufacturing plant, with an emergency clause.
Zoning Case 8A7 (701 N Kilpatrick Turnpike)
Rezoning from various classifications to single-family residential (R1).
Zoning Case 8A8 (3900 SW 149th St)
Rezoning from moderate industrial (RE2) to agricultural (AA), with an emergency clause.
Zoning Case 8A9 (330 SW 104th St)
Rezoning from a simplified PUD to a new SPUD for personal storage.
Zoning Case 8A10 (1122 Linwood Blvd)
Rezoning from various classifications to a new SPUD for Love Link Ministries.
Zoning Case 8A11 (8320 N May Ave)
Rezoning from a PUD to a new SPUD.
Zoning Case 8B
PC 103.79, deferred at the applicant's request.
Water Impact Fees (8C)
Final hearing on water impact fees.
Police Issue on Utility Theft (8D)
Public hearing regarding the police issue on utility theft.
Dilapidated Structures (8E)
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
Unsecured Structures (8F)
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Water Utilities Trust Indebtedness (8G)
Resolution regarding the indebtedness of the Water Utilities Trust.
City Council Priorities (8H)
Resolution adopting the city council priorities from the council workshop.
Executive Session (8I, 8J, 8K, 8L, 8M)
Items moved to executive session for discussion.
Claims Recommended for Denial (8N)
Claims recommended for denial.
Claims Recommended for Approval (9)
Claims recommended for approval.
Bicycle Safety Measures (10A)
Measures introduced by Councilman Ryan to improve cyclist safety.
Council Meeting Scheduling (10B)
Item introduced by Councilman White to repeat the council scheduling of meeting every other week.
State Legislative Program (10C)
Review and adoption of the City of Oklahoma City State Legislative program.
Federal Legislative Program (10D)
Review and adoption of the federal legislative program.
City Manager Reports
Reports from the City Manager, including updates from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and MCare enrollment.
Citizens to be Heard
Public comments from Samantha Bender and Tess Hardison of the American Heart Association.