Meeting Summary
The City Council addressed a contentious special permit for Cedar Ridge mental health facility, ultimately approving it despite neighborhood concerns regarding adult patients and safety. New ordinances were introduced concerning purchasing and non-commercial public speaking noise. The Council also reviewed the latest citizen survey results, which highlighted street conditions as the top priority for residents.
Key Decisions & Votes
Zoning Case: 1101 Northwest 38th Street
17:55The Council unanimously approved the rezoning of 1101 Northwest 38th Street from R1 single family residential to a new simplified planned unit development to allow for a home office.
Special Permit: Cedar Ridge Mental Health Facility
01:05:20Despite a motion to deny failing (1-7), the Council approved a special permit for Cedar Ridge at 6505 Northeast 50th Street, allowing the facility to continue operating with adult beds as it has for over a decade, with added security measures.
Urban Agriculture Ordinance
01:15:05The Council unanimously approved the urban agriculture ordinance, which essentially brings the city back to the old ordinance.
Modify Tiff 2 Budget Ordinance
01:16:05The Council unanimously approved the ordinance to modify the budget on Tiff 2 after its final hearing.
Award of Bonds
01:17:35The Council unanimously approved the award of a series of bonds, which received a very favorable bid at a rate of 3.48%.
Upcoming Community Events
Downtown Dash
Starts and finishes at St. Anthony Hospital, runs through Midtown, Heritage Hills, Mesta Park. Fundraiser for downtown Oklahoma City initiatives. Part of the 'Run This Town' race series.
Midnight Streak
Annual 5K race, moving to Northwest 11th and Broadway, running through Automobile Alley, Midtown, Mesta Park, Heritage Hills, and Sosa. Part of the 'Run This Town' race series.
Sizzlin 6K
First-year race, starting inside the Cox Center, running down Robinson to the River trails, and finishing inside the Cox Center. Promotes fitness and health.
Financial Matters
May Dam control house bid (Item 6V)
Bid for leveling the May Dam control house was almost twice the engineer's estimate due to specialty work involving piping in the foundation.
Project 180 streetscapes downtown (Item 6U)
Bids for Project 180, Project 7 (Olive Park and connecting streets), came in significantly over budget. The project was cut into two smaller segments to shorten the timeframe and reduce contractor risk.
Award of bonds (Item 8I)
The city received a very favorable bid for the sale of a series of taxable gold bonds.
Proposed Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Program
Staff recommended a 50/50 funding plan with property owners, committing up to $100,000 annually from the city for sidewalk repairs.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily focused on Item 8B (Cedar Ridge special permit). Supporters, including mental health professionals and family members, emphasized the critical need for mental health beds and the quality of care provided, urging approval to avoid losing vital services. Opponents, primarily neighborhood residents, expressed concerns about safety, property values, and the facility's compliance with previous permits, particularly regarding the mixing of adult and juvenile patients and elopements. One citizen also spoke during the 'Citizens to be heard' section about personal experiences with police and customer service issues.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 6AU (consent docket item with incorrect amount) will be brought back at the next city council meeting.
- Item 8C (zoning case at 6701 South Rockwell Avenue) was referred back to the Planning Commission to allow the applicant to modify the application for an I2 (industrial) zoning.
Watch For
- Public hearing for Item 8F (Purchasing ordinance changes) on July 29th, with final adoption on August 12th.
- Public hearing for Item 8G (Non-commercial public speaking and noise ordinance) on July 29th, with final adoption on August 12th.
- Further discussion on transportation-related issues from the citizen survey in a couple of weeks.
- A report from legal concerning the Oklahoma Supreme Court lawsuit involving the ATT rate case in executive session in a couple of weeks.
Announcements
- Condolences were extended to Jack Cornett and his family on the passing of his wife of 67 years, Joanne Cornett.
Agenda Summary
Item 3A: Appointments
Motion on council appointments.
Item 4A: Journal of Council Proceedings
Receive the journal for July 1st.
Item 4B: Journal of Council Proceedings
Approve the journal for June 17th.
Item 5: Request for uncontested continuances
Requests to strike several items from the consent docket and other agenda items due to errors or owner compliance.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) convenience
Motion to adjourn the OCMFA convenience.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) convenience
Discussion and vote on PPA items, including basketball floor replacement for the arena and Lincoln Park Golf Clubhouse.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) convenience
Discussion on developing recommendations for improvement, including a consultant to look into a 'zero waste city' or 'zero landfill' concept.
Item 11B (moved up): Presentation on Maps Senior Center
Update on the design and programming of the first MAPS Senior Center, located at North Rockwell and Northwest 112th Street, including a hybrid fitness pool and social spaces.
Consent Docket
Vote on the consent docket, including a new item 6S.
Concurrence Docket
Vote on the concurrence docket.
Item 8A: Zoning case in Ward 2
Rezone 1101 Northwest 38th Street from R1 single family residential to a new simplified planned unit development to allow a home office.
Item 8B: Special permit in Ward 7
Application for a special permit at 6505 Northeast 50th Street to allow Cedar Ridge facility to continue operating with adult beds.
Item 8C: Zoning case in Ward 3
Rezone 6701 South Rockwell Avenue from AA agricultural to R1 single family residential district.
Item 8D: Personnel and Retirement Systems
Public hearing on an item introduced at the last meeting concerning personnel and retirement systems.
Item 8E: Urban agriculture
Public hearing on an item introduced at the last meeting concerning urban agriculture.
Item 8F: Purchasing ordinance changes
Introduction of an item to modify the city's purchasing ordinance, including changes to surplus property disposal, procurement agent signing authority, revenue withholding, and construction bid limits.
Item 8G: Non-commercial public speaking and noise ordinance
Introduction of an item to amend noise ordinances regarding non-commercial public speaking with amplification, making it unlawful if plainly audible within a dwelling.
Item 8H: Modify Tiff 2 budget
Final hearing on an ordinance to modify the budget on Tiff 2.
Item 8I: Award of purchase of bonds
Award of a purchase of a series of bonds.
Item 8J: Dilapidated structures
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
Item 8K: Unsecured structures
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Item 8L1: Revocable right-of-way permit
Request from Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. to hold the Downtown Dash on August 9th.
Item 8L2: Revocable right-of-way permit
Request from Oklahoma Contemporary Arts to hold the Midnight Streak.
Item 8L3: Revocable right-of-way permit
Request from One Healthy Bod to hold the Sizzlin 6K.
Item 8M: Resolution for HUD lead-based paint regulations
Resolution to put the city in compliance with HUD regulations regarding lead-based paint for projects receiving federal funds built prior to 1978.
Item 8N: Resolution from The Parks Commission
Resolution to name a trail out at Martin Park Nature Center.
Item 8O: Executive session
Motion to strike an executive session item.
Item 8P: Executive session
Motion to move an item to executive session.
Item 8Q: Claims recommended for denial
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 9: Claims recommended for approval
Claims recommended for approval.
City Manager Report: Citizen Survey
Presentation of the latest citizen survey results by Chris Statham, highlighting overall satisfaction, service perceptions, and top priorities.
City Manager Report: Sidewalk Maintenance Plan
Discussion and recommendation for a sidewalk repair and replacement program, including a proposed 50/50 funding plan with property owners.
City Manager Report: Potential development at Reno and Hudson
Report on a potential development at Reno and Hudson, involving the transfer of city-owned property to urban renewal for an RFP process.