Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several proclamations, including Open Streets OKC Day and National Poetry Month. A significant decision was the approval of a resolution to appoint a Review Committee for a new Tiff District in Northeast Oklahoma City, aimed at spurring economic development. The Boathouse District provided a comprehensive update on its ongoing development, events, and community programs, highlighting its growing national and international recognition.
Key Decisions & Votes
Restaurant ABC License Approval
01:03:00Approved the ABC license for a new restaurant along Memorial in Ward 8, noting the area already has several establishments with similar licenses.
Parking Restriction Ordinance
01:05:00Approved an ordinance to restrict parking on the west side of North Hudson from 4th to Robert S. Kerr between 7 AM and 9 AM to alleviate traffic congestion near the county courthouse.
General Obligation Bond Issue Emergency Ordinance
01:09:00Adopted an emergency ordinance related to a general obligation bond issue, which required emergency action due to insufficient council members present at a previous meeting.
Taxable GO Bonds Emergency Ordinance
01:10:00Adopted an emergency ordinance related to taxable GO bonds, requiring emergency action due to insufficient council members present at a previous meeting.
School Crossing Criteria Ordinance
01:12:00Approved an ordinance amending chapter 32 of the City Municipal Code regarding school crossing criteria, following a public hearing with support from school officials.
Tiff District Review Committee Appointment
01:32:00Approved a resolution to appoint a Review Committee for the creation of a new Tiff District in Northeast Oklahoma City, focusing on economic development along key commercial corridors.
Upcoming Community Events
Open Streets OKC Day
Northwest 23rd Street from Robinson to Western, noon to 4 PM. Features over 40 participating organizations and open businesses, promoting active transportation and community health.
National Poetry Month
Celebrates American poets and promotes poetry reading and writing. Includes the Oklahoma Youth Lore event.
Oklahoma Youth Lore
Held at the new Patients Lating Library at 1 PM, showcasing student poetry from across Oklahoma.
Western Avenue Block Party
Closing one block of Western Avenue for a car show and head shaving event to raise money for pediatric cancer research, aiming to reach a $1 million fundraising milestone.
Gatewood Gator 5K
Organized by Gatewood Elementary School to raise funds for a new playground and track, with a Kaboom playground build scheduled for May 3rd.
Live on the Plaza
The sixth year for this event series in the Plaza District, noted for its growth and family-friendly atmosphere.
CHK Central Boathouse Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking ceremony at 3 PM on site, marking the start of construction for a new facility that will bring music and art to the river.
Financial Matters
Mayor's Travel Expenses
Resolution approving travel expenses for the Mayor to testify before a US Congressional Committee.
Claims recommended for denial (Items 8N1 A and B)
Approval of the recommendation to deny specific claims.
Claims recommended for approval (Item 9A1)
Approval of claims recommended for payment.
March Sales Tax Report
March sales tax was approximately $160,000 below target when combined with use tax. Year-to-date sales tax is down about $4 million, though use tax is slightly over target.
TSET Grant for Boathouse District
A grant awarded to the Boathouse District to support youth fitness programs and provide transportation access.
Public Comments
One citizen, Michael Hinton, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation for the City Council's efforts in driving Oklahoma City's economic development and overall renaissance, particularly downtown.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8 B W 3 PC 10362 (deferred to April 29th).
- Item 8 I 1 (deferred to April 1st).
- Don Shram's claim (deferred for two weeks).
Deadlines
- Item 8 B W 3 PC 10362 deferred until April 29th.
- Item 8 I 1 deferred until April 1st.
- Don Shram's claim deferred for two weeks until April 8th.
- Ordinance for cancellation of meetings set for final hearing on April 1st.
- CHK Central Boathouse groundbreaking on Thursday at 3 PM.
Watch For
- Blight study for a new urban renewal area north of Northeast 23rd Street.
- Development of a Tiff project plan and continued community engagement for the Northeast Oklahoma City Tiff District.
- Boathouse District events: National Team Trials (April), Central Youth Event, Big 12 Championship, Stars and Stripes River Festival (May), World Championship (September).
- Installation of the zipline across the Oklahoma River (around April 14th).
- Further development and community engagement for the Whitewater Center.
Announcements
- Mayor Cornett proclaimed March 30, 2014, as Open Streets OKC Day.
- Mayor Cornett proclaimed April 2014 as National Poetry Month.
- Councilman Larry McAtee reported on a trip to Boston regarding vacant and abandoned buildings, emphasizing a vision for zero dilapidated buildings in Oklahoma City.
- Councilman Pete White returned to the council after an absence.
- Councilman Meg Salyer highlighted the Broadway Automobile Alley shop hop and the lighting of the BU sign.
- Councilman John Pettis thanked the council, the Alliance for Economic Development, and The Daily Oklahoman for support regarding the Tiff District initiative.
- Mike Knopp provided a comprehensive update on the Boathouse District, including the return of water, new world-class race course, upcoming national and international events (including a World Championship in September), Olympic Training Site renewal, athlete housing, youth programs, Riverport Adventures attractions, and future projects like the zipline and Whitewater Center.
Agenda Summary
Resolution approving travel expenses for the Mayor
To testify before the US Congressional Committee in Washington D.C. on March 27, 2014.
Receive the Journal of Council Proceedings for March 18, 2014
Official record of previous council meeting.
Approve the Journal of the Council Proceedings for March 11, 2014
Official record of previous council meeting.
Request for uncontested continuance for item 8 B W 3 PC 10362
Applicant requested deferral.
Request for uncontested continuance for item 8 H1 item h 2432 Southwest 50th Street
Owner has secured the property.
Request for uncontested continuance for item I 2505 Southwest 52nd Street
Owner has secured the property.
Request for uncontested continuance for item 8 I 1 (assessment District on Southeast 134 Street)
Deferred due to an error in the address.
Consent Docket Item 60
Specific request for proposals to identify professionals for art handling, installation, and removal for the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Concurrence Docket
Items approved without separate discussion.
Item 8 (Items requiring separate votes): Restaurant ABC license approval in Ward 8
Approval for a restaurant along Memorial in an area with existing ABC licenses.
Item C1 (Ward 6): Ordinance to restrict parking on the west side of North Hudson
Parking restriction from 4th to Robert S. Kerr between 7 AM and 9 AM to ease traffic congestion near the county courthouse.
Item C2 (Ward 7): Ordinance for final hearing
Ordinance presented for final hearing.
Item C3 (Ward 7): Ordinance for final hearing
Ordinance presented for final hearing.
Item C4 (Ward 7): Ordinance for final hearing
Ordinance presented for final hearing.
Item D: Ordinance to introduce and adopt with emergency amending ordinance number 24846
Related to a general obligation bond issue, emergency adoption needed due to previous council attendance.
Item E: Ordinance to introduce and adopt with emergency amending ordinance number 2447
Related to taxable GO bonds, emergency adoption needed due to previous council attendance.
Item F: Public hearing regarding ordinances related to motor vehicles and traffic
Amending chapter 32, Article 2, Division 3, Section 32-72 concerning school crossing criteria.
Item G1: Public hearing regarding dilapidated structure at 707 South Lee Avenue
Discussion regarding a dilapidated property, with mortgage holders requesting an extension to address the issues.
Item H1: Public hearing regarding unsecured structures
Public hearing on unsecured structures.
Item 8J1: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit for Bex Automotive Inc.
To hold a Western Avenue Block Party on April 13th.
Item 8J2: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit for Gatewood Elementary School
To hold the Gatewood Gator 5K on April 12th to raise money for a playground and track.
Item 8J3: Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit for Plaza District Association
To hold the 'Live on the Plaza' series of events.
Item 8K: Resolution authorizing the counselor to confess judgment
Settlement for less than the authorized amount.
Item 8L
Item requiring separate vote.
Item 8M
Item requiring separate vote.
Item 8N: Claims recommended for denial (Don Shram's claim)
Citizen spoke regarding alleged illegal seizure of property during city abatement.
Item 8N1 A and B: Claims recommended for denial
Other claims recommended for denial.
Item 9A1: Claims recommended for approval
Claims presented for approval.
Item 9A: Ordinance to introduce and set for final hearing the cancellation of certain meetings
Ordinance to introduce and set for final hearing the cancellation of certain meetings in the upcoming year.
Item 9B: Resolution appointing a Review Committee for a new Tiff District in Northeast Oklahoma City
First step to consider creating a new Tiff District along Northeast 23rd and Martin Luther King corridors to spur economic development.