Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included the recognition of the August 2014 Employee of the Month, Vivian Dong, and several uncontested continuances were approved. Key discussions revolved around a new water and wastewater rate structure designed to encourage conservation and fund capital improvements, as well as a review of the city's revenue enforcement program. The council also introduced an ordinance to streamline procedures for surplus property and held public hearings on food truck regulations and river-related issues.
Key Decisions & Votes
Employee of the Month Recognition
00:04:00Vivian Dong, Municipal Accountant II in the payroll department, was recognized as the August 2014 Employee of the Month for her dedication and professionalism.
Journal of Council Proceedings
00:06:00The council proceedings for July 29th were received and the journal for July 15th was approved unanimously.
Uncontested Continuances
00:06:20Several items for uncontested continuances were approved, with multiple items being struck due to owners securing the properties.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
00:09:00The OCMFA meeting was convened and adjourned, with all items passing unanimously.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
00:09:40The OCPPA meeting was convened and adjourned, with all items passing unanimously.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
00:10:00The OCEAT meeting was convened and adjourned, with all items passing unanimously.
Website Redesign Contract
00:11:00A contract for the redesign of the OKC.gov website was approved to make it more citizen-interactive and user-friendly.
MAPS 3 Sidewalk Initiative - Alignment 22
00:13:00A contractor was awarded for the MAPS 3 sidewalk initiative, Alignment 22, which will install a sidewalk on the west side of North Meridian from NW 23rd to NW 36th.
Zoning Case: ABC Issue (Ward 8)
00:14:00A zoning case for a new Tucker restaurant on North May at 150th was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case: PUD Redesign (Ward 3)
00:15:00A zoning case at 12945 West Reno to redesign an existing PUD into a new PUD was approved, incorporating significant open space, lakes, and integrated residential and commercial areas.
Zoning Case: Church and Parking (Ward 7)
00:24:00A zoning case at 33 Northwest 144th Circle to allow for a church and parking area was approved unanimously.
Zoning Case: Simplified PUD (Ward 1)
00:25:00A zoning case at 10549 Northwest 10th Street for a simplified PUD was approved unanimously.
Close and Vacate Public Utility Easement (Ward 7)
00:26:00A request to close and vacate a public utility easement on East Reno Avenue in Ward 7 was approved unanimously.
Close Utility Easement (Ward 8)
00:26:30A request to close a utility easement on Northwestern Avenue in Ward 8 was approved unanimously.
Close Right-of-Way (Ward 6)
00:27:00A request to close a right-of-way on South Harvey Avenue and adjacent streets in Ward 6, in preparation for the MAPS 3 Central Park downtown, was approved unanimously.
Special Permit Request: Auto Dealership (Ward 2)
00:27:30A special permit request to operate an auto dealership in Ward 2 was approved unanimously.
Ordinance: Streamline Surplus Property Procedures
00:28:00An ordinance to streamline procedures regarding surplus property was approved unanimously after a final hearing.
Ordinance: Noise Ordinances
00:28:30An ordinance related to noise ordinances was approved unanimously after a final hearing.
Public Hearing: Food Truck Regulations
00:29:00Changes to food truck regulations, including options for annual licensing, were approved unanimously after a public hearing with support from food truck operators.
Public Hearing: River-Related Issues
00:34:00A public hearing regarding issues along the river was held, and the item was approved unanimously.
Water and Wastewater Rate Structure Introduction
00:34:30An ordinance proposing amendments to chapters 47, 55, and 60 of the municipal code regarding sewage utilities and general schedule of fees, including a new inclining block rate structure for water conservation, was introduced for a public hearing on August 26th and potential adoption on September 9th.
Utility Fee Changes Introduction
00:54:00An ordinance proposing changes to three utility fees, including construction meter deposits and turn-on/turn-off fees, was introduced for a public hearing on August 26th and final adoption on September 9th.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures
00:55:00A public hearing regarding dilapidated structures was held, and the item was approved unanimously.
Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures
00:55:30A public hearing regarding unsecured structures was held, and the item was approved unanimously.
Executive Session Item
00:56:00Item 8L, which may have required an executive session, was approved without one.
Item 8M
00:56:30Item 8M was struck from the agenda.
Claims Recommended for Denial
00:56:50Claims recommended for denial under item 8N were denied unanimously.
Claims Recommended for Approval
00:57:10Claims recommended for approval under item 9A were approved unanimously.
Financial Matters
Revenue Enforcement Program
The Revenue Enforcement Program has averaged $1.6 million annually in additional revenue since 2001. Recent changes, including a business closure program by the Tax Commission, have yielded significant funds, and administrative fees to the Tax Commission will be cut in half, saving Oklahoma City an additional $2 million per year starting July 1, 2015.
Water and Wastewater Rate Structure
Proposed changes to water and wastewater rates include an inclining block structure to encourage conservation and fund a $2.2 billion capital improvement program over the next 10 years, including a second pipeline to Lake Atoka. System development charges for water will increase from $100 to $1,000 for a typical home over three years.
Utility Fee Changes
Proposed changes to utility fees include increasing the construction meter deposit from $563 to $1,000, increasing the 40-hour notice fee from $15 to $20, and eliminating the turn-off fee while adding a $25 turn-on fee.
Public Comments
Joe Serge Nelson commented on the city's transit system, commending a recent article about a city leader using transit and advocating for the existing bus system over the streetcar, highlighting its flexibility and economic benefits.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8A3 (Zoning Case) deferred for two weeks, to be discussed on August 26th.
Deadlines
- Public hearing for water and wastewater rate structure and utility fee changes on August 26th.
- Final adoption for water and wastewater rate structure and utility fee changes on September 9th.
- Five-year Capital Improvement Plan to be submitted to council in two weeks.
- Planning Commission to officially review the Capital Improvement Plan in September.
- Public hearing for the Capital Improvement Plan on October 7th.
- City Council to adopt the Capital Improvement Plan at the October 7th meeting.
Watch For
- Additional information on alternatives for fixed-income residents regarding water rate increases.
- Engagement with home builders regarding proposed impact fees.
- Presentations from Public Works, Parks, MAPS, and Utilities on their projects in the coming five years as part of the CIP review.
Announcements
- Vivian Dong was recognized as the August 2014 Employee of the Month.
- Bob Poncel, City Treasurer, presented an update on the Revenue Enforcement Program.
- Doug Dallar, Budget Director, presented an overview of the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Pastor James Jones and Councilman Mcky.
Employee of the Month Recognition
Recognition of Vivian Dong, Municipal Accountant II, for August 2014.
Journal of Council Proceedings
Receive council proceedings for July 29th and approve journal for July 15th.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Approval of various uncontested continuances, with several items struck.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Convene and adjourn as OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
Convene and adjourn as OCPPA.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
Convene and adjourn as OCEAT.
Consent Docket
Approval of items on the consent docket.
Individual Considerations - Website Redesign
Discussion and approval of a contract for the redesign of the OKC.gov website.
Individual Considerations - MAPS 3 Sidewalk Initiative
Discussion and approval of a contractor for MAPS 3 Sidewalk Initiative Alignment 22.
8A1 - Zoning Case (Ward 8)
ABC issue for a new Tucker restaurant on North May at 150th.
8A2 - Zoning Case (Ward 3)
Redesign of a PUD at 12945 West Reno.
8A3 - Zoning Case
Zoning case deferred for two weeks.
8A4 - Zoning Case (Ward 7)
Zoning case at 33 Northwest 144th Circle for a church and parking.
8A5 - Zoning Case (Ward 1)
Simplified PUD at 10549 Northwest 10th Street.
8B1 - Close and Vacate Public Utility Easement (Ward 7)
Close and vacate a public utility easement on East Reno Avenue.
8B2 - Close Utility Easement (Ward 8)
Close a utility easement on Northwestern Avenue.
8B3 - Close Right-of-Way (Ward 6)
Close a right-of-way on South Harvey Avenue and adjacent streets for MAPS 3 Central Park.
8C - Special Permit Request (Ward 2)
Special permit request to operate an auto dealership.
8D - Ordinance for Final Hearing
Ordinance to streamline procedures regarding surplus property.
8E - Ordinance for Final Hearing
Ordinance regarding noise ordinances.
8F - Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding food truck regulations.
8G - Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding issues along the river.
8H - Ordinance Introduction
Introduction of an ordinance amending chapters 47, 55, and 60 of the municipal code regarding sewage utilities and general schedule of fees (water/wastewater rates).
8I - Ordinance Introduction
Introduction of an ordinance amending chapters 55 and 60 regarding utility fees (construction meters, notice fees, turn-on/off fees).
8J - Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
8K - Public Hearing
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
8L - Executive Session Item
Item that may have required executive session.
8M - Item to be Struck
Item 8M was struck from the agenda.
8N - Claims Recommended for Denial
Claims recommended for denial.
9A - Claims Recommended for Approval
Claims recommended for approval.
Items from Council
Council members had no items to discuss.
City Manager Reports - Revenue Enforcement Program
Presentation by Bob Poncel, City Treasurer, on the Revenue Enforcement Program.
City Manager Reports - Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Presentation by Doug Dallar, Budget Director, on the five-year CIP.
Citizens to be Heard
Public comments from Joe Serge Nelson.