Meeting Summary
The City Council meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the approval of the EMSA budget and a detailed presentation on vacant and abandoned buildings, which highlighted significant financial burdens and proposed solutions. Key decisions were made on several zoning cases, with one particularly contentious PUD being approved despite strong community opposition. The discussion around senior wellness centers was deferred for four weeks to allow council members more time to review proposals and engage in further dialogue.
Key Decisions & Votes
EMSA Budget Approval
00:27:00The EMSA budget for FY 2013-2014 was approved, including a rate increase for emergency transport from $1,300 to $1,500 and a per-mile rate increase from $9 to $12. The monthly fee for the medical service program will also increase from $3.65 to $4.35, then to $4.40, and $4.45 in subsequent years.
Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Report
00:30:00The report on vacant and abandoned buildings was received, and staff was directed to develop a vacant building registry ordinance and pursue legislative changes for cost recovery and land banking. This initiative aims to address the financial burden and negative community impact of these properties.
Zoning Case 8A1 (Aztec School)
01:34:00A zoning case for Aztec School at 2600 General Pershing Boulevard was approved, changing its zoning from I2 Moderate Industrial and R1 single-family to a new planned unit development. This allows for the construction of a new facility for the school.
Zoning Case 8A2 (1300 NW 17th St)
01:36:00A zoning case at 1300 Northwest 17th Street was approved, changing its zoning from R1 single-family to a new simplified planned unit development for an infill multi-family project, with a commitment to sidewalk maintenance.
Zoning Case 8A3 (901 N Portland Ave)
01:38:00A zoning case at 901 North Portland Avenue was approved, changing its zoning from R1 single-family residential to a new simplified planned unit development.
Alley Closure in Ward 7
01:38:00A request to close an alley in Ward 7 was approved.
Zoning Case 8C (92000 SW 44th St)
01:39:00A contentious zoning case at 92000 Southwest 44th Street was approved, changing its zoning from R1 single-family residential to a new planned unit development, with an amendment to include additional fencing along the south property line. This was approved despite a recommendation for denial from the planning commission and significant community opposition regarding density and property values.
Zoning Case 8D (13615 Southwestern)
01:59:00A zoning case at 13615 Southwestern was approved, changing its zoning from AA Agriculture to a new planned unit development. This was approved with an amendment to include the Putnam City Baptist Church proposal in contract negotiations, and the overall decision was deferred for four weeks.
Public Safety Contract Extensions
02:48:00Extensions of contract agreements with public safety bargaining units were approved until new contracts for the fiscal year can be successfully negotiated.
Judicial Appointments and Salaries
02:51:00Ordinances relating to the terms of office for judges, the appointment of Judge James as Chief Municipal Judge and Judge Austin and Judge Morgan for three-year terms, and an increase in salaries for all judges by 3.1% were approved. The fee for special judges was also increased from $50 to $100 per day.
Upcoming Community Events
River Lighting and Races
Thousands attended the river lighting and races, highlighting the success of the river project.
Walkability and Placemaking Workshop
Held by the Urban Land Institute and Oklahoma City's Office of Sustainability, focusing on improving walkability and placemaking around I-240 in South Oklahoma City.
North Little Rock Senior Wellness Center Visit
A bus trip for staff and council members to visit the senior wellness center in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Financial Matters
EMSA Emergency Transport Rate Increase
Emergency transport rate increased from $1,300 to $1,500, and per-mile rate from $9 to $12. Monthly medical service program fee increased from $3.65 to $4.35, then to $4.40, and $4.45.
Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Cost
Estimated annual cost to the city for additional public safety services due to vacant and abandoned buildings.
River Project Phase 2 Budget
Total budget for Phase 2 of the river projects, including LED lighting, cable crossover markers, timing huts, and gateway enhancements.
Waste Concrete and Asphalt Disposal Contract
Approval of a contract for the disposal of waste concrete and asphalt, with the second-lowest bidder selected due to hauling constraints.
Jet Aviation Fuel and Maintenance
Resolution authorizing open market purchase of Jet Aviation fuel for police helicopters and maintenance on the fuel system.
Urban Renewal Payment
Payment to urban renewal from TIFF 8 funds, returning money used for the Devon redevelopment deal.
Senior Wellness Centers Subsidies
Proposed operating subsidy for the City County Health wellness center, with the possibility of reduction through partnerships and memberships.
Judges' Salary Increase
3.1% increase in salaries for all municipal judges, aligning with other city employees.
Special Judges Fee Increase
Fee for special judges increased from $50 to $100 per day.
Sales Tax Check
The last sales tax check for the year was 1.3% over target, equating to approximately $2.6 million.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily focused on the vacant and abandoned buildings report, with strong support for aggressive action, and the contentious zoning cases, where residents expressed concerns about density, property values, and infrastructure. There were also comments regarding the senior wellness centers, with calls for more information and consideration of transportation issues.
Coming Up
Tabled
- EMSA emergency transport rate increase (deferred for two weeks)
- Medical service program fee increase (deferred for two weeks)
- Senior wellness center proposals (deferred for four weeks for further review and negotiation)
Deadlines
- EMSA rate increase implementation: August 1st (potential delay due to deferral)
- Council Road project completion: Mid-July
- MacArthur Boulevard project completion: End of summer
- NW 192nd Street/Portland to May project completion: Spring 2014
Watch For
- Legislative changes for vacant building cost recovery and land banking
- Development of a vacant building registry ordinance
- Negotiations for senior wellness center contracts
- Next bond program for street improvements (candidates for 2016-2018)
Announcements
- Elena Troya became an American citizen today, celebrated by Councilwoman Meg Salyer.
- The City County Health Department has a long-range plan for other wellness campuses, with the next greatest need areas identified as South Oklahoma City and Northwest Oklahoma City.
Agenda Summary
Appointments (A, B, C, D)
Series of appointments to various boards and commissions.
Item 8I (Medical Control Board Presentation)
Presentation by Dr. Goodloe on the EMS system and the Medical Control Board's budget.
Item 8I1 (Medical Control Board Budget)
Approval of the Medical Control Board's budget.
Journal of Council Proceedings (4A, 4B)
Receive and approve the Journal of Council proceedings for June 18th and June 11th.
Request for Uncontested Continuances (Item 5)
Requests for continuances on various agenda items, including striking items from the consent docket and ordinances for minor corrections.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA)
Discussion and vote on MFA items, including an amendment to an engineering contract and renewal of pricing agreements.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPA)
Vote on OCPA items, with one item moved to executive session.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (EAT)
Discussion and vote on EAT items, including a preliminary report on energy efficiency in city buildings.
Consent Docket
Approval of various items on the consent docket, including pricing agreements and renewals.
Item AK (Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Report)
Presentation and discussion on the report addressing vacant and abandoned buildings in Oklahoma City.
River Project Phase 2 Update
Presentation by Tim Johnson on the update of Phase 2 of the river projects, including lighting, infrastructure, and signage.
Consent Docket Individual Considerations (6H4, 6Y1, 6CA, S.8, AN, AP, AO, AS.3, CE)
Discussion and questions on specific items within the consent docket, including waste disposal, maps for kids budget, and road improvement projects.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Item 8A1 (Zoning Case: Aztec School)
Zoning case in Ward 6 at 2600 General Pershing Boulevard, changing from I2/R1 to PUD.
Item 8A2 (Zoning Case: 1300 NW 17th St)
Zoning case in Ward 6 at 1300 Northwest 17th Street, changing from R1 to simplified PUD.
Item 8A3 (Zoning Case: 901 N Portland Ave)
Zoning case in Ward 3 at 901 North Portland Avenue, changing from R1 to simplified PUD.
Item 8B (Alley Closure)
Request to close an alley in Ward 7.
Item 8C (Zoning Case: 92000 SW 44th St)
Zoning case in Ward 3 at 92000 Southwest 44th Street, changing from R1 to PUD, with a recommendation for denial from planning commission.
Item 8D (Zoning Case: 13615 Southwestern)
Zoning case in Ward 5 at 13615 Southwestern, changing from AA Agriculture to PUD, with a recommendation for denial from planning commission.
Item 8E (Ordinance Corrections)
Ordinance with minor corrections.
Item 8F (Ordinance Introduction)
Introduction of an ordinance proposing amendments related to microbreweries, storage buildings, paving surfaces, and fencing.
Item 8G (Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures)
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures, with specific properties discussed.
Item 8H (Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures)
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures, with specific properties discussed.
Item 8I2 (EMSA Budget)
EMSA budget for FY 2013-2014.
Item 8I3 (EMSA Rate Increase)
Enactment of EMSA rate increases for emergency transport.
Item 8I4 (Medical Service Program Fee Increase)
Enactment of changes to the medical service program monthly fee.
Item 8I5 (EMSA Agreement)
Annual agreement with EMSA regarding services and capital property.
Item 8J (Draper Duathlon)
Request to hold the Draper Duathlon in early July on Lake Draper.
Item 8K (Urban Renewal Payment)
Payment of an obligation to urban renewal from TIFF 8 funds.
Item 8L (Senior Wellness Centers)
Discussion and vote on proposals for senior wellness centers, with a motion to amend the resolution to include the Putnam City Baptist Church proposal for negotiation.
Item 8M1 (Public Safety Contract Extension)
Extension of contract agreements with public safety bargaining units.
Item 8M2 (Public Safety Contract Extension)
Extension of contract agreements with public safety bargaining units.
Item 8M3 (Public Safety Contract Extension)
Extension of contract agreements with public safety bargaining units.
Item 8N (Executive Session)
Item for executive session.
Item 8O (Resolution Approval)
Approval of a resolution.
Item 8P (Executive Session)
Item for executive session.
Item 8Q (Executive Session)
Item for executive session.
Item 8R (Executive Session)
Item for executive session.
Item 8S (Executive Session)
Item for executive session.
Item 8T (Claims Recommended for Denial)
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 9A (Claims Recommended for Approval)
Claims recommended for approval.
Item 10A (Judges' Ordinance Amendment)
Ordinance amendment relating to terms of office for judges, changing June 30th to July 1st.
Item 10B (Judicial Appointments)
Resolution appointing Judge James as Chief Municipal Judge and Judge Austin and Judge Morgan for three-year terms.
Item 10C (Presiding Judge Appointment)
Resolution appointing Judge James as the presiding judge.
Item 10D (Vice Presiding Judge Appointment)
Resolution appointing Judge Morgan as the vice presiding judge for the first year.
Item 10E (Judges' Salary Increase)
Increase in salaries for all municipal judges by 3.1%.
Item 10F (Special Judges Fee Increase)
Increase in fee for special judges from $50 to $100 per day.
Extra Item (Executive Session)
Motion to move an extra item to executive session.