Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a $3.5 million incentive for Cabella's, despite significant debate regarding the city's retail incentive policy and potential impact on local businesses. A new full-service restaurant, Gudis, received approval for an ABC overlay after addressing neighborhood concerns about parking and noise. Additionally, the council approved the allocation of $10.6 million in CDBG disaster recovery funds for street, drainage, and housing rehabilitation projects.
Key Decisions & Votes
Cabella's Incentive Approval
50:00The City Council approved a $3.5 million incentive for Cabella's, despite concerns raised about the project's alignment with the city's retail incentive policy and the potential for 'corporate cronyism'.
Gudis Restaurant ABC Overlay
1:09:00The council approved an ABC overlay for Gudis, a new full-service restaurant on NW 23rd Street, after the owners presented plans to address neighborhood concerns regarding parking and noise, and committed to a restaurant-focused business model.
CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds Allocation
1:24:00The council approved the allocation of $10.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for long-term disaster recovery projects, including street improvements, drainage projects, and housing rehabilitation programs following recent tornadoes and storms.
Upcoming Community Events
Do Draper Twice Duathlon
Lake Stanley Draper
Fireworks Display
Downtown Oklahoma City
OKC Fest
Downtown Oklahoma City, Myriad Gardens
Splendor in the Gardens
Myriad Gardens outdoor dinner
Urban League Banquet
Thunder on the River
River, for Boy Scouts and inner-city youth
Financial Matters
Professional Service Agreement with Oklahoma City Metro Alliance
Agreement for public inebriate facility and first step programs, including a budget for taxi service for exiting individuals.
Contract for Health Inspection Services
Annual agreement with the Oklahoma City County Health Department to perform inspections and event licenses.
Bike Route Improvements
Funding for new on-street bike route improvements across the City of Oklahoma City.
Alliance for Economic Development Contract
Allocation for additional services, including land use studies.
Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust Budget
Transfer of funds from the city's general fund to the Chamber of Commerce for economic job creation efforts.
Cabella's Incentive
A financial incentive package approved for Cabella's to locate in Oklahoma City.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds
Allocation of federal grant dollars for long-term recovery from May 20th and May 31st tornadoes and severe storms, funding street repairs, drainage improvements, housing rehabilitation, and planning.
Line of Credit Extension (Tiff District 2 & 3)
Extension of a variable rate line of credit for downtown Tiff Districts 2 and 3, with an increased budget for hotel and commercial projects.
Line of Credit Extension (Dell Tiff 4 & 5)
Extension of a line of credit for Dell Tiff Districts 4 and 5, with a current principal of $6 million.
MAPS for Kids Tiff Allocation
Reallocation of Tiff funds for the MAPS for Kids administration project to the Oklahoma City Law School's new headquarters.
Tiff Allocation (Ward 4 Capitol Hill Library)
Allocation of Tiff funds for the expansion of the Capitol Hill Library.
Housing Program Policy Amendments
Updates to the housing program, including a new rehab spending limit and increased hemp expenditure limits.
Sales and Use Tax Collection Report
Report indicating total sales and use tax collections for the year were within $0.5 million of the $250 million estimate, with strong performance in the last quarter.
Public Comments
Public comments included a local business owner expressing concern about the Cabella's incentive's impact on smaller retailers, while also welcoming competition. Residents and business associations supported the Gudis restaurant project, though some neighborhood representatives suggested a more restrictive zoning approach for long-term control. Another citizen spoke about property maintenance issues in specific areas of the city.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Public hearing for the Retirement Plan Ordinance Amendment (Item 8D) on July 15th.
- Public hearing for the Urban Agriculture Ordinance Correction (Item 8E) on July 15th.
- Public hearing for the Sale of GO Bonds (Item 8F) on July 15th.
Watch For
- Future discussions on the city's retail incentive policy, particularly regarding 'cannibalization' of existing businesses and regional incentive strategies.
- A workshop to review the policy on 'contract zoning' (SPUDs) and its long-term implications for property value and development.
- Recommendations from staff regarding the use of extra manpower in the budget for vacant buildings, with a focus on code enforcement.
- A workshop to discuss the city's legislative program and strategies for future state and federal advocacy.
- A council presentation on the status and financial report of MAPS projects, potentially televised or held in the evening.
- Clarification and communication of the city's policy for tree and brush pickup, including costs for exceeding free limits.
- Consideration of providing legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford representation in zoning cases.
Announcements
- July 2014 was proclaimed Park and Recreation Appreciation Month in Oklahoma City, recognizing the department's management of 153 parks and over 7,000 acres.
- The city recognized various organizations receiving Professional Service Agreements for commercial revitalization and economic development efforts across the city.
- Leadership Oklahoma City's contract for the youth leadership/youth council program was highlighted, welcoming new director Amber.
- GE facility and Baker Hughes were recognized for choosing to locate or stay in Ward 7, with thanks extended to the Alliance.
- The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation was recognized for operating the Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser, with plans for improvements like a zip line and rock climbing walls.
- The Mayor was congratulated on his new appointment to the US Conference of Mayors.
- The Boathouse Foundation, OG&E, Clay Bennett, and the Oklahoma City Thunder were thanked for hosting 'Thunder on the River,' a week-long camp for inner-city youth at the river.
- Councilman David Greenwell highlighted the 100th anniversary of Cherokee Apache artist Allan Houser's birth and suggested acquiring his sculptures for permanent display at Will Rogers Airport with private funding.
- Councilwoman Meg Salyer commended the volunteers and staff on the MAPS oversight committees for their progress on projects like senior health and wellness centers, trails, and sidewalks.
- The success of the OKC Fest, a three-day festival with diverse events downtown and at the Myriad Gardens, was celebrated.
Agenda Summary
Item 3: Appointments
Consideration of appointments to various committees, including discussion on the Northeast Renaissance project and the use of Tiff Districts.
Item 4A: Journal of Council Proceedings
To receive the journal for June 17th.
Item 4B: Journal of Council Proceedings
To approve the journal for June 10th.
Item 5: Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances, with several items (8H1, B1145 Carter Drive, F1334 Lafayette Drive, Q2236 SW 30th, S1933 NW 37th, U2625 SW 51st, W900 NW 88th) being stricken as owners secured properties, and item 86 (child care ordinance) also struck.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA)
Consideration of various items, including a resolution approving retainer agreements with legal counsel and an accident claim involving a City attorney.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA)
Consideration of various items.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT)
Consideration of claims and payroll.
Consent Docket
A collection of routine items, with several pulled for individual discussion, including contracts for health services, bike route improvements, professional service agreements, and the Cabella's incentive.
Consent Docket Item BS: Cabella's Contract
Approval of a $3.5 million incentive for Cabella's, debated for its alignment with the city's retail incentive policy and potential impact on local businesses.
Concurrence Docket
A collection of routine items.
Item 8A1: Zoning Case Ward 8 (23000 W Memorial Rd)
An ABC issue approved by the Planning Commission.
Item 8A2: Zoning Case Ward 7 (1404 SE 20th St)
Rezoning from R1 (single family residential) to I2 (moderate industrial) for a company expansion.
Item 8A3: Zoning Case Ward 8 (19800 N May)
Rezoning from R1 (single family) to R1 ZL (single family zero lot line) consistent with adjacent zoning.
Item 8A4: Zoning Case Ward 3 (4606 S MacArthur Blvd)
Rezoning from R1 to I2 to conform with surrounding properties.
Item 8A5: Zoning Case Ward 4 (5400 S Anderson Rd)
Rezoning from DU-A (Agricultural/Airport Environs) to a new Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Item 8B: Zoning Case Ward 6 (730 NW 23rd St)
An ABC issue for Gudis, a full-service restaurant with a rooftop patio, seeking an alcohol overlay.
Item 8C
This item was struck from the agenda.
Item 8D: Retirement Plan Ordinance Amendment
An ordinance amendment to bring the city's retirement plan into compliance with IRS code by changing actuarial assumptions based on increased life expectancies.
Item 8E: Urban Agriculture Ordinance Correction
A correction to the urban agriculture ordinance to re-establish the one-acre minimum parcel size for allowing chickens, which was inadvertently removed.
Item 8F: Sale of GO Bonds
Introduction of an item regarding the sale of general obligation bonds.
Item 8G: Dilapidated Structures (Public Hearing)
A public hearing regarding several dilapidated structures.
Item 8H: Unsecured Structures (Public Hearing)
A public hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Item 8I: Grant Dollars from Department of Commerce (Public Hearing)
A public hearing to approve the allocation of $10.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for long-term disaster recovery projects.
Item 8J1: Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Triathlon Club)
A request from the Triathlon Club of Oklahoma City to hold the Do Draper Twice Duathlon.
Item 8J2: Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Western Enterprises)
A request from Western Enterprises to hold a fireworks display in downtown Oklahoma City.
Item 8K: Extend Line of Credit (Tiff District 2 & 3)
Extension of a $10 million variable rate line of credit for the downtown Tiff Districts 2 and 3.
Item 8L: Extend Line of Credit (Dell Tiff 4 & 5)
Extension of a line of credit for the Dell Tiff Districts 4 and 5, with a maximum of $8 million.
Item 8M: MAPS for Kids Tiff Allocation
An allocation of Tiff funds for the MAPS for Kids administration project, changing the site-specific allocation to the Oklahoma City Law School's new headquarters.
Item 8N: Tiff Allocation (Ward 4 Capitol Hill Library)
A Tiff allocation for the expansion of the Capitol Hill Library.
Item 8O: Policy Amendments to Housing Program
Approval of policy amendments to the housing program to comply with new home rule regulations, including changes to lead-based paint policy, rehab spending limits, and the home exterior maintenance program.
Item 8P: Rename portion of Civic Center Park
A recommendation from the Parks Commission to rename a portion of Civic Center Park in honor of Frank J. Hightower.
Item 8Q1: Extend Labor Agreement
Extension of an existing labor agreement.
Item 8Q2: Extend Labor Agreement
Extension of an existing labor agreement.
Item 8Q3: Extend Labor Agreement
Extension of an existing labor agreement.
Item 8R: Executive Session Resolution
Approval of a resolution for an executive session.
Item 8S: Executive Session
This item was struck as an executive session was not needed.
Item 8T: Executive Session
This item was struck as an executive session was not needed.
Item 8U: Executive Session
An item requiring an executive session for an update from the municipal councilor's office.
Item 8V: Executive Session
This item was struck as an executive session was not needed.
Item 8W: Claims Recommended for Denial
A public hearing regarding claims recommended for denial.
Item 9: Claims Recommended for Approval
A public hearing regarding claims recommended for approval.
Item 10A: Appoint Special Judges
Appointment of special judges, expanding the pool due to current needs and providing experience for future judge openings.
Item 10B: Legislative Consulting Services (State)
Approval to advertise for consulting services at the state legislative level.
Item 10C: Legislative Consulting Services (Federal)
Approval to advertise for consulting services at the federal legislative level, following the stepping down of a long-serving consultant.