Meeting Summary
The City Council approved routine items and received updates on major MAPS 3 projects, including Oklahoma River improvements, the Adventure District streetcar line feasibility study, and sidewalk construction. A significant zoning request for 2953 Northeast 23rd Street was denied, and concerns were raised regarding an $800,000 over-purchase of radios highlighted by a state audit. A permit was approved for the Carne Diem fundraiser, and several community events and recognitions were announced.
Key Decisions & Votes
Recognition of Michael Spellis
03:00A resolution was unanimously approved recognizing Michael Spellis of Taft Middle School as October 2013 Teacher of the Month.
Zoning Case 2953 Northeast 23rd Street
57:00An application to rezone property from R1/I2 to a new Planned Unit Development was denied due to concerns about existing non-compliance, junk/debris, and the desire to maintain residential character for economic development along Northeast 23rd Street.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit for Carne Diem
01:05:00A permit was unanimously approved for VI Marketing and Branding to close the 100 block of Park Avenue on October 25th for their 11th annual United Way fundraiser, Carne Diem.
Upcoming Community Events
Carne Diem (VI Marketing and Branding fundraiser for United Way)
100 block of Park Avenue, 10 AM - 2 PM, chili cook-off.
Orr Family Farm Grand Reopening
Recovered from May tornado, open for business.
Latino Community Development Agency Lunch
Held at the Cowboy Museum, recognized Reuben Aragon.
Leadership Oklahoma City 'Compass Rose' Dedication
Public art sculpture dedicated at The Boathouse District, 25 feet tall, by artist Owen Merrill.
Regatta Festival
Held on the Oklahoma River, hosted rowing events and other activities.
117/118 Block Festival
Organized by African-American males on Northwest 117th and 118th Streets for neighborhood cleanup and community gathering.
Millwood Alumni Band March
Councilman John Pettis will be marching and playing the tuba.
Financial Matters
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust claims and payroll
Routine approval of claims and payroll for the trust.
Grant Agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture
Grant for emergency debris removal in far south Ward 5, limited between Western Avenue and Pennsylvania. Councilman Box requested extending the area to I-44.
Project 180 Contract Award (Package 6A)
Contract awarded to Rudy Construction for the next phase of Project 180 downtown streetscape improvements, covering DNA McGee, NW 4th/Robinson, N Robinson, and Robert S Kerr.
Radios from State Audit
Discussion regarding an over-purchase of radios, valued at $800,000, which are now being disposed of at a significant discount (reclaiming $114,000). Concerns were raised about the procurement process and lack of interchangeability.
Claims Recommended for Denial
Routine approval of claims recommended for denial.
Claims Recommended for Approval
Routine approval of claims recommended for approval.
Public Comments
Citizens expressed concerns about alleged bad business practices and racial issues, questioned the financial viability and purpose of the streetcar project, advocated for limiting city bidding processes to local companies, and supported the extension of the Northeast rail line study to include the Adventure District.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8A2 (Zoning Case) deferred to October 15th
Watch For
- Public hearing on OG&E Smart Grid Communications Towers ordinance on November 5th.
- Public hearing on ordinances restricting food sales from vehicles around the Memorial on November 5th.
- Further updates on Project 180 downtown streetscape construction, with phases continuing through Summer 2016.
- Future discussions on the Adventure District line, potentially extending the study and exploring public-private partnerships.
- ACOG study on regional rail corridors (Edmond, Norman, Tinker/Midwest City connections) with early findings presentation in the next week or two.
- A written report from the city auditor regarding the process of the radio over-purchase.
Announcements
- Michael Spellis of Taft Middle School was recognized as October 2013 Teacher of the Month.
- Councilman David Greenwell will serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
- New construction for Project 180 downtown streetscape improvements will begin soon, affecting DNA McGee, Northwest 4th Street and Robinson intersection, North Robinson from Park Avenue to DNA McGee, and Robert S Kerr from Harvey to Broadway.
- Master Sergeant Scala was commended for an inspirational presentation at the Harvest Hills Homeowners Association meeting.
- Orr Family Farm had its grand reopening after recovering from the May tornado.
- The Latino Community Development Agency was recognized for its work, with Reuben Aragon succeeding Pat Finnell as Executive Director.
- Leadership Oklahoma City dedicated a new public art piece, 'The Compass Rose,' at The Boathouse District.
- Mike Knopf and staff were thanked for organizing the four-day Regatta Festival on the Oklahoma River.
- African-American males on Northwest 117th and 118th Streets organized a block festival for neighborhood cleanup.
- Councilman John Pettis will march with the Millwood alumni band, playing the tuba, this coming Friday.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Drew Freeman, pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, and Councilman Larry McAtee.
Resolution recognizing Michael Spellis as Teacher of the Month
Resolution commending Michael Spellis of Taft Middle School as October 2013 Teacher of the Month by the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools and Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.
Notification of Councilman Greenwell as Vice Mayor
Acknowledgment that Councilman David Greenwell will serve as Vice Mayor for the next six months.
Receive Journal of Council Proceedings for October 1st
To officially receive the journal of council proceedings.
Approve Journal of Council Proceedings for September 24th
To officially approve the journal of council proceedings.
Requests for Uncontested Continuances (Item 8D1 Item B: 2308 Northwest 13th Street)
Request to strike the item as the owner has secured the property.
Requests for Uncontested Continuances (Item G: 928 Northeast 32nd Street)
Request to strike the item as the owner has secured the property.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) items
Consideration of two items for the OCMFA.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) items
Consideration of three items for the OCPPA.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) claims and payroll
Consideration of claims and payroll for the OCEAT.
Consent Docket
Approval of the consent docket, including presentations on MAPS 3 projects and discussions on various items.
Zoning Case: 2953 Northeast 23rd Street
Application to rezone property from R1 Single Family Residential and I2 Moderate Industrial to a new Planned Unit Development.
Ordinance: OG&E Smart Grid Communications Towers
Proposed ordinance to allow higher lightning protection and towers (up to 70 feet) for OG&E smart grid communications between substations.
Ordinances: Restrictions on Food Sales from Vehicles
Proposed ordinances to reduce the restricted area around the Oklahoma City National Memorial to a one-block radius and allow special events with permits.
Public Hearing regarding Dilapidated Structures
Public hearing on a list of dilapidated structures.
Public Hearing regarding Unsecured Structures
Public hearing on a list of unsecured structures.
Revocable Right-of-Way Use Permit: VI Marketing and Branding - Carne Diem
Permit request to close the 100 block of Park Avenue for the 11th annual Carne Diem fundraiser for United Way.
Item 8F (Executive Session)
Item related to executive session.
Claims Recommended for Denial
Consideration of claims recommended for denial.
Claims Recommended for Approval
Consideration of claims recommended for approval.