Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting included the swearing-in of Mayor Cornett and recognition of the Douglas High School basketball team and a Teacher of the Month. Numerous zoning cases, permits, and financial claims were approved. A comprehensive economic development update highlighted new business locates and retail growth, while a public comment regarding a persistent public nuisance prompted a request for further investigation into nuisance definitions and enforcement.
Key Decisions & Votes
Recognition of Douglas High School Boys Basketball Team
08:30The City Council congratulated Douglas High School for winning their fifth consecutive Class 4A Boys State Basketball Championship.
Recognition of Kent Hathaway, Teacher of the Month
13:50Kent Hathaway was recognized as April 2014 Teacher of the Month for his art education and student sculpture achievements at Mustang Elementary School.
Appointment of Councilman Shadeed as Vice Mayor
24:30Councilman Shadeed was appointed to serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
Journal of Council Proceedings
25:00The journal of council proceedings for April 1st was received, and the journal for March 25th was approved.
Uncontested Continuances
25:40Requests for continuances were approved, with some items (8c1b, e, f, g) stricken due to owner action or re-notification needs.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
27:00All items presented under the OCMFA were approved.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA) Items (North Care Binding Term Sheet)
39:00The binding term sheet with North Care for the senior citizens facility was approved, outlining planning, sublease provisions, fee structure, and oversight.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
39:40Pay claims and payroll for the OCEAT were approved.
Consent Docket
40:00All items on the consent docket were approved.
Concurrence Docket
40:30All items on the concurrence docket were approved.
Zoning Case 8a1 (ABC issue at 5516 West Memorial Road)
41:30An ABC permit for alcohol sales at 5516 West Memorial Road was approved, consistent with other restaurants in the area.
Zoning Case 8a1 (Emergency Clause)
41:50The emergency clause for item 8a1 was approved.
Zoning Case 8a2 (10624 Southwest 29th Street)
42:30Rezoning from R1 single-family to a less intense planned unit development at 10624 Southwest 29th Street was approved.
Zoning Case 8a3 (700 Virginia Drive)
43:50Rezoning from R1 single-family to I2 moderate industrial district at 700 Virginia Drive was approved, connecting existing I2 parcels.
Zoning Case 8a4 (12120 Southwest 44th Street)
45:00Rezoning from AA agricultural to a planned unit development at 12120 Southwest 44th Street was approved, which will bring water to the area.
Zoning Case 8a7 (721 West Britton Road)
46:40Rezoning from R1 single-family and C3 community commercial to a new simplified planned unit development at 721 West Britton Road was approved.
Zoning Case 8a8 (1432 Northwest 7th Street)
47:50Rezoning from R2 medium low density residential to a new simplified planned unit development at 1432 Northwest 7th Street was approved, for potential senior housing at the old Dunbar school.
Special Permit 8b (Community Recreation Use)
49:00A special permit to operate a community recreation use at the Woodson Park area for a soccer complex was approved.
Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures 8c
49:30Actions regarding dilapidated structures were approved.
Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures 8d
49:50Actions regarding unsecured structures were approved.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Festival of the Arts)
50:00The permit for the 48th annual Festival of the Arts was approved.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Color Run)
56:00The permit for the Color Run on Northeast 50th Street was approved.
Salary Continuation 8f
56:20Salary continuation was approved.
Companion Items 8g, 8h, 8i (Accident Settlement)
57:00Three companion items related to reclaiming health insurance costs due to an accident were approved.
Item 8j
58:00Item 8j was struck from the agenda.
Claims Recommended for Denial 8k
1:08:00The claim by Don Schramm regarding alleged illegal seizure of personal property by city code enforcement was denied.
Claims Recommended for Approval 9
1:09:00Claims recommended for approval were approved.
Upcoming Community Events
Festival of the Arts
Downtown, opening ceremonies with past and present mayors, 125th anniversary of the land run activities, children's art field, storytelling, composting initiative, new food vendors, 144 fine artists, 20+ Oklahoma artists, sculpture park, Plaza District artist collaboration, 3 stages, 200+ performers, Art Moves pop-up performances.
Color Run
Northeast 50th Street.
International Bio Show
San Diego, over 70 Oklahoma individuals representing startups, educational institutions, and companies seeking financing/partners.
Governor's Cup Recognition Event
Not specified, university competition for business plans, 18 companies have emerged from this competition.
Financial Matters
Sale of Water to Edmond
Agreement with the City of Edmond for the sale of water, including a new provision for Edmond to provide water at city limits where Oklahoma City lacks infrastructure, promoting inter-municipal coordination.
Claims Recommended for Denial
Claim by Don Schramm for alleged illegal seizure of personal property by city code enforcement, which was denied by the council.
Claims Recommended for Approval
Various claims recommended for approval by the city.
Public Comments
John Silver spoke about ongoing issues at the Will Rogers Park Plaza shopping center, specifically concerning bars at 3034 North Portland. He detailed incidents of gunfire, drug dealing, noise complaints, and general public nuisance activity over 30 years, attributing the problem to the property owner's choice of tenants. He urged the city council to be proactive in addressing this public safety and welfare threat.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8a5 (deferred until April 15th)
- Item 8a6 (deferred until April 29th)
Watch For
- Vote on American Indian Cultural Center (tomorrow)
- Rescheduled visit from the Secretary of the Air Force to Tinker Air Force Base
- Announcement of new key retail development person for the Chamber of Commerce
- International Bio Show in San Diego (June)
- Governor's Cup recognition event (Thursday night)
- Expansion of the Greater Grads program to nearby colleges and universities in Kansas and Arkansas
- Summer internship program (June)
- Streetscape construction on Northwest 10th and Meridian
Announcements
- Pastor Teron Gaddis from Greater Bethel Baptist Church led the invocation.
- Mayor Mick Cornett was sworn in for another term.
- The Douglas High School boys basketball team was recognized for winning their fifth consecutive Class 4A state championship.
- Kent Hathaway, art teacher at Mustang Elementary School, was recognized as April 2014 Teacher of the Month for his innovative art programs and national award-winning student sculptures.
- The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce provided an economic development update, highlighting the passage of the Quality Events Act and Film Rebate Extension, progress on the American Indian Cultural Center, a successful Washington D.C. fly-in, and significant business locates (Baker Hughes, Northrop Grumman).
- The Chamber reported steady activity in recruitment, with 53 out of 98 existing companies planning to add jobs this year.
- Retail development is seeing success, including the acquisition of Chesapeake property by Ohio Development Company Glencher and the groundbreaking for Phase 3 of the outlet mall expansion.
- The bioscience sector is active, with an upcoming International Bio Show and the Chamber receiving the Hall of Fame Leadership Award from the Oklahoma Bioscience Association.
- Entrepreneurship initiatives, including the Governor's Cup, have led to 18 new companies in Oklahoma.
- The Greater Grads program is expanding to attract talent from out-of-state universities, and the annual career fair saw 82% of employers planning interviews and 76% of students likely to stay in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma City received several accolades: 7th best metro for small business (Business Journals), 4th best leading location for new businesses (Area Development Magazine), 7th fastest growing metropolitan city (CNN Money), 9th most affordable city (Forbes), and 10th best metro for prime-age workers (Forbes).
- The Festival of the Arts is implementing a five-year strategic plan to achieve a near zero-trash event through composting and recycling, which has already won national recognition.
- The Friends of Northwest 10th Street held their seventh annual community fair.
- The Windsor Area Business Group hosted ULI folks to discuss plans to reinvigorate the commercial area along Northwest 10th Street, including a streetscape project.
- Broadway and Automobile Alley have implemented new street striping to change the traffic flow, creating a new grid system.
- Council members visited Tinker Air Force Base and noted the unique community relationship with service members.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Pastor Teron Gaddis led the invocation, and Councilman Griner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Swearing-in of Mayor Mick Cornett
Mayor Mick Cornett took the oath of office for his new term.
Recognition of Douglas High School Boys Basketball Team
The Douglas High School boys basketball team was congratulated for winning their fifth consecutive Class 4A State Championship.
Recognition of Kent Hathaway, Teacher of the Month
Kent Hathaway, art teacher at Mustang Elementary School, was recognized as April 2014 Teacher of the Month.
Presentation from Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Roy Williams provided an economic development update, covering legislative priorities, business locates, retail development, bioscience, entrepreneurship, and talent attraction.
Appointment of Councilman Shadeed as Vice Mayor
Councilman Shadeed was appointed to serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
Journal of Council Proceedings for April 1st and March 25th
The journal of council proceedings for April 1st was received, and the journal for March 25th was approved.
Request for Uncontested Continuances
Requests for continuances were approved, with items 8c1b, e, f, and g being stricken due to owner actions or re-notification.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) Items
Items under the OCMFA were approved.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA) Items
The binding term sheet with North Care for a senior citizens facility was approved, outlining planning, sublease provisions, fee structure, and oversight.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Items
Pay claims and payroll for the OCEAT were approved.
Consent Docket
All items on the consent docket were approved, including an amended lease agreement for the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, a landscaping maintenance agreement with the Boathouse Foundation, a revocable permit for river use, and a water sale agreement with Edmond.
Concurrence Docket
All items on the concurrence docket were approved.
Zoning Case 8a1 (ABC issue at 5516 West Memorial Road)
An ABC permit for alcohol sales at 5516 West Memorial Road was approved, consistent with other restaurants in the area.
Zoning Case 8a1 (Emergency Clause)
The emergency clause for item 8a1 was approved.
Zoning Case 8a2 (10624 Southwest 29th Street)
Rezoning from R1 single-family to a less intense planned unit development at 10624 Southwest 29th Street was approved.
Zoning Case 8a3 (700 Virginia Drive)
Rezoning from R1 single-family to I2 moderate industrial district at 700 Virginia Drive was approved, connecting existing I2 parcels.
Zoning Case 8a4 (12120 Southwest 44th Street)
Rezoning from AA agricultural to a planned unit development at 12120 Southwest 44th Street was approved, which will bring water to the area.
Zoning Case 8a5
This item was deferred until April 15th.
Zoning Case 8a6
This item was deferred until April 29th.
Zoning Case 8a7 (721 West Britton Road)
Rezoning from R1 single-family and C3 community commercial to a new simplified planned unit development at 721 West Britton Road was approved.
Zoning Case 8a8 (1432 Northwest 7th Street)
Rezoning from R2 medium low density residential to a new simplified planned unit development at 1432 Northwest 7th Street was approved, for potential senior housing at the old Dunbar school.
Special Permit 8b (Community Recreation Use)
A special permit to operate a community recreation use at the Woodson Park area for a soccer complex was approved.
Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures 8c
Actions regarding dilapidated structures were approved.
Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures 8d
Actions regarding unsecured structures were approved.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Festival of the Arts)
The permit for the 48th annual Festival of the Arts was approved.
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit (Color Run)
The permit for the Color Run on Northeast 50th Street was approved.
Salary Continuation 8f
Salary continuation was approved.
Companion Item 8g (Accident Settlement)
This item, related to reclaiming health insurance costs due to an accident, was approved.
Companion Item 8h (Accident Settlement)
This item, related to reclaiming health insurance costs due to an accident, was approved.
Companion Item 8i (Accident Settlement)
This item, related to reclaiming health insurance costs due to an accident, was approved.
Item 8j
This item was struck from the agenda.
Claims Recommended for Denial 8k
The claim by Don Schramm regarding alleged illegal seizure of personal property by city code enforcement was denied.
Item 8l
This item was moved into executive session.
Claims Recommended for Approval 9
Claims recommended for approval were approved.
Items from Council
Council members discussed concerns about code enforcement, praised community events, and noted infrastructure improvements.
City Manager Reports
No reports were given by the City Manager.
Citizens to be Heard
One citizen spoke about a public nuisance at a shopping center.