Meeting Summary
The city council meeting included proclamations for Police Appreciation Month and Building Safety Month, and recognized the budget staff for national awards. Key decisions involved approving several zoning cases, the annual Consolidated Plan, and revocable right-of-way permits for community events. A public hearing was held for a proposed chicken ordinance, which will be voted on at a future meeting.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket
40:50The council approved the consent docket, which included various administrative and project-related items, such as equipment purchases, street projects, and zoning approvals.
Economic Incentives for Tapstone Energy
59:00Despite concerns raised about diversification, incentivizing behavior that might occur naturally, and the past performance of the company's leadership, the council approved negotiations for economic incentives with Tapstone Energy.
Zoning Case for New PUD at 163000 South Pennsylvania Avenue
01:42:00The council approved a zoning change from R1 to a new PUD for a residential development. This decision was made despite neighbor protests regarding density, traffic impact, and the developer's inability to construct a masonry wall due to an oil and gas easement.
Zoning Case for New Simplified PUD at 1415 Northeast 63rd Street
01:45:00The council approved a zoning change to allow a new office building for Cole's Garden, with specific conditions on construction hours (8 AM to 5 PM) and ensuring all entrance and exit traffic is solely on 63rd Street.
Emergency Clause for Zoning Case at 1415 Northeast 63rd Street
01:46:00An emergency clause was approved for the zoning change related to Cole's Garden, allowing the ordinance to take effect immediately.
Zoning Case for Industrial Expansion at 809 North Tulsa
01:52:00The council approved a zoning change to I2 Moderate Industrial for a distribution warehouse expansion. This approval followed the applicant's efforts to address neighbor concerns regarding traffic on Northeast 8th Street and commitments to street improvements.
Fifth Action Year of the Consolidated Plan
02:14:00The council approved the Consolidated Plan, which outlines a 5-year strategy for providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities primarily for low and moderate-income persons, including the application for federal grants.
Amendment to Campaign Contribution Ordinance
02:24:00The council approved an amendment to the campaign contribution ordinance, changing the definition of relatives whose contributions do not require reporting from 'first degree' to 'second degree'.
Campaign Contribution Ordinance
02:24:00The campaign contribution ordinance, incorporating the approved amendment regarding second-degree relatives, was passed by the council.
Upcoming Community Events
March for Babies
Myriad Gardens, 2-mile route, expecting 3,000 walkers, with a $300,000 fundraising goal.
Autism Peace Walk
Combination 1-mile fun walk and 5K.
Financial Matters
Liquid Handling Robot
Purchase of a liquid handling robot for the DNA lab to automate DNA processing.
Fire Station Alerting System
Installation of a new alerting system in fire stations to improve response times and differentiate apparatus dispatch.
Street Widening Project
A street widening project that is less costly due to not including an intersection.
Tiff 2 Grants for Residential Apartment Developments
Grants provided for two residential apartment developments (St. Anthony's campus and Level West on Second in Oklahoma), with discussion on the necessity of grants versus loans and the definition of blighted areas.
Kerr Park Renovation Project
Partnership project for the renovation of Kerr Park, with city bond funds and a significant contribution from Sandridge.
FY15 Budget
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, totaling $1.1 billion, with a general fund budget of $413.9 million, an increase of 3% from the original FY14 budget. Includes funding for 80 new positions across various departments.
Public Comments
Public comments were heard regarding the proposed chicken ordinance. Supporters highlighted benefits such as fresh eggs, happy chickens, educational opportunities for youth, companionship for seniors, and contributions to urban sustainability. Opponents expressed concerns about potential issues like smell, noise, enforcement challenges, negative impacts on property values, and the appropriateness of such activity in urban residential areas.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Budget adoption on June 10th.
Watch For
- Budget hearings for departments in the coming weeks.
- A vote on the chicken ordinance on May 13th.
- A potential future meeting segment focusing on economic incentives in general.
Announcements
- The City of Oklahoma City received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 28th year and the Special Performance Measures Recognition (one of 29 jurisdictions nationally).
- May 2014 was proclaimed Police Appreciation Month, recognizing the OCPD for a significant drop in the homicide rate in 2013 and their excellent work during the Arts Festival and Marathon.
- May 2014 was proclaimed Building Safety Month, acknowledging the efforts of the International Code Council and city staff in ensuring safe construction.
- A presentation was given on the Kerr Park renovation project, a partnership between the City and Sandridge, with an estimated completion by Spring 2015.
- SMG presented on Chesapeake Energy Arena operations, economic impact, and upcoming events, highlighting the arena's significant contribution to the city's economy.
- The FY15 budget was presented, outlining new positions and financial projections.
Agenda Summary
Journal of Council Proceedings
Receive and approve the Journal of Council Proceedings for April 22nd and April 15th.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests to strike items C2645 Northwest 24th Street, D520 Southwest 28th Street, and 8i from the agenda.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Items
Four items, including discussion on separate bidding for engineering contracts for drain work and an appealed workers' compensation claim.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Items
Three items, including a question regarding insurance proceeds for Civic Center roof storm damage.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
Approval of items under the Environmental Assistance Trust.
Consent Docket
Approval of various items including a liquid handling robot for the DNA lab, a fire station alerting system, street widening and improvement projects, a PUD for Kim Ray, channel cleaning, and a MAPS 3 trail contract. Also included $4 million in Tiff 2 grants for residential apartment developments.
Negotiate Economic Incentives with Tapstone Energy
Discussion and vote on negotiating economic incentives with Tapstone Energy.
Zoning Case (Ward 5, 163000 South Pennsylvania Avenue)
Request to rezone from R1 to a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) for a residential community. Discussion included concerns from neighbors regarding density, traffic, and a proposed wall.
Zoning Case (Ward 7, 1415 Northeast 63rd Street)
Request to rezone from PUD and Urban Conservation District to a new Simplified PUD for a new office building at Cole's Garden, with amendments for construction hours and access.
Emergency Clause for Zoning Case (Ward 7, 1415 Northeast 63rd Street)
Motion to approve an emergency clause for the zoning case at 1415 Northeast 63rd Street.
Zoning Case (Ward 3, 809 North Tulsa)
Request to rezone from R1, Manufactured Mobile Home Park, and I1 Light Industrial to I2 Moderate Industrial for a distribution warehouse expansion, after addressing neighbor concerns.
Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing concerning various dilapidated structures.
Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing concerning various unsecured structures.
Consolidated Plan Presentation
Presentation and approval of the fifth action year of the Consolidated Plan, outlining a 5-year strategy for housing and economic opportunities for low/moderate income persons.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (March of Dimes Foundation)
Request to hold the March for Babies event on May 3rd, starting and finishing at the Myriad Gardens.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Autism Peace Walk)
Request to hold the Autism Peace Walk on May 3rd, including a 1-mile fun walk and a 5K.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Whiskey Chicks Parlor)
Request to establish outdoor beer and food service in Bricktown on Reno Avenue.
Salary Continuation for a Firefighter
Approval of salary continuation for a firefighter.
Ordinance Amendment (Campaign Contributions)
Co-sponsored by Councilman Ryan and Shadid, proposing an amendment to change 'first degree' to 'second degree' relatives for non-reporting campaign contributions.
Public Hearing (Chicken Ordinance)
Public hearing for a proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens, with a suggested amendment to require enclosed roaming areas. Public comments were heard for and against the ordinance.