Meeting Summary
The city council meeting focused heavily on the aftermath of the May 20th tornado, with the Mayor announcing a task force to review emergency response and building codes. Key decisions included the denial of a controversial zoning request for a commercial parking lot in a residential area and the approval of a funding plan for a quiet zone along the railroad corridor, supported by private donations and city funds. The Parks and Recreation Department also presented its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Key Decisions & Votes
Zoning for Tax Office
00:54:50A zoning request to permit an existing tax office was deferred for two weeks due to an unsubmitted easement for a sight triangle on the corner.
Zoning for Commercial Parking Lot
01:21:40A controversial zoning request to convert a residential lot into a surface parking lot for an undisclosed commercial tenant was denied due to strong neighborhood opposition and concerns about commercial encroachment and lack of transparency regarding the full development plan.
Quiet Zone Funding Plan
02:07:00The funding plan for the Quiet Zone project along the railroad corridor, aimed at reducing train horn noise and improving safety, was approved. The plan includes contributions from TIF, general fund, and private donations.
Upcoming Community Events
Charlie Christian International Music Festival
Held at the Bricktown Ballpark and Lower Bricktown Plaza, featuring traditional events like jam sessions and a battle of the bands.
Red Earth Festival Parade
Staging on Southwest 2nd Street, circling the Myriad Gardens, with approximately 100 entries.
Classen 10-Pin Community Festival
Held in McKinley Park.
Juneteenth Festival
Hosted by Perry Publishing and Broadcasting Company in Ward 7.
Lupus Foundation Annual Walk
Starts at 8:00 AM at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Concert for Tornado Victims (Chevy Center)
Begins at 5:30 PM at the Chevy Center, with proceeds going to victims.
Concert for Tornado Victims (Chesapeake Arena)
Held at the Chesapeake Arena.
Financial Matters
Boeing Local Incentives
Discussion regarding $4.5 million in local taxpayer subsidies for Boeing jobs, questioning their necessity given state incentives and job location.
TIGER Grant Application
Resolution authorizing an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a $13.5 million TIGER Grant for an Intermodal Transit Hub.
TIF 8 Allocations
Oklahoma County Annex Building renovation and parking garage renovation receiving allocations from the County's portion of TIF 8 funds.
Quiet Zone Funding Plan
Approval of a funding plan for the Quiet Zone project, with a total estimated cost of $3.9 million. Phase 1 funding includes $1.72 million from downtown TIF, $185,000 from OCMFA, $500,000 from the general fund (Ward 6 allocation), and $668,700 from private sources. BNSF's contribution is through reduced project costs.
Sales Tax Report
The sales tax report showed a slight decrease of 0.5% from the previous year, attributed to an adjustment for prior months, with projections remaining stable.
Parks and Recreation Department Budget FY14
Proposed operating budget for the Parks and Recreation Department for Fiscal Year 2014.
Public Comments
Five citizens spoke in strong opposition to the zoning request for a commercial parking lot at 1009 Northwest 49th Street. Their comments highlighted concerns about commercial encroachment into residential areas, a perceived lack of transparency from the applicant regarding full development plans, the setting of negative precedents, and the importance of protecting existing housing stock and honoring previous agreements with the neighborhood.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Zoning case at 1324 Southwest 44th Street (Item 8A5) deferred for two weeks.
Deadlines
- Claims of Robert Boone and Northwest Optimus deferred to June 11th.
Watch For
- Further work by the tornado response task force on building codes and school preparedness.
- Arrival of a new 48-foot combined fire and police command truck in the coming weeks.
- The next phase of MAPS 3 sidewalks, with a contract award expected at the next meeting for the first group.
- Future discussions on streetcar funding and property owner contributions.
- An announcement from Councilman John Pettit regarding health challenges in ZIP code 73111.
Announcements
- Mayor expressed gratitude for the extraordinary public safety response to the May 20th tornado.
- A task force has been formed with Councilman Hawaii and Greenwell to review the city's response to the tornado, building codes, and school preparedness.
- The Health Department administered approximately 600 tetanus shots following the tornado.
- The City Manager provided paid days off for city employees whose homes were affected by the storm.
- Councilman James announced a North Car Coronado Heights neighborhood association meeting.
- Councilman Larry praised the Fire and Police Chiefs for their professionalism at the command center.
- Councilman David thanked The Rock Church and St. Andrews United Methodist Church for hosting emergency operations.
- Councilwoman Meg congratulated the Miller neighborhood for a successful house tour and the Paseo Arts Festival for its success.
- A pop-up restaurant at the Myriad Gardens raised over $45,000 for tornado victims.
- Councilman John announced an upcoming health initiative for ZIP code 73111.
- Councilman Pat urged the city to encourage utility companies to be more responsive to project delays and suggested reviewing contract awarding methods to include incentives for prompt work.
Agenda Summary
Item 3a, b, c
Series of appointments to various city boards and commissions.
Item 4a
Receive the Journal of council proceedings for May 14th.
Item 4b
Approve the Journal of council proceedings for April 30th and May 7th.
Item 5
Requests for uncontested continuances, including striking several dilapidated and unsecured structure items and deferring two claims.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) items
Items related to the Municipal Facilities Authority.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) items
Items related to the Public Property Authority.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) items
Items related to the Environmental Assistance Trust.
Consent Docket
A collection of routine items, including project extensions, funding discussions, and TIF allocations.
Concurrent Docket
Four items presented for concurrent consideration.
Item 8A1
Zoning case at 1535 Southeast 25th Street, changing from I1 Light Industrial to I2 Moderate Industrial District.
Item 8A2
Zoning case at 11701 Southwest 59th Street, changing from a Planned Unit Development to an R1 Single Family Residential District.
Item 8A3
Zoning case at 1401 Southwestern Avenue, changing from I2 Moderate Industrial, R1 Single Family Residential, and a Scenic River Overlay Design District to a new PUD for a temporary outdoor event venue at the Downtown Air Park.
Item 8A4
Zoning case at 735 Southeast 15th Street, changing from R1 Single Family Residential, C3 Community Commercial, and a Scenic River Overlay District to a new SPUD.
Item 8A5
Zoning case at 1324 Southwest 44th Street, changing from R1 Single Family Residential to a new Simplified Plan Unit Development to permit an existing tax office.
Item 8A6
Zoning case at 3115 South May Avenue, changing from R2 Medium Low Residential to a new Simplified Planning Development for a small commercial business.
Item 8A7
Zoning case at 505 Oakdale Drive, changing from R1 Single Family Residential to a new Simplified Plan Unit Development for an indoor tilapia facility.
Item 8A8
Zoning case at 1169 Northwest 56th Street, also including 1163 and 1165 Northwest 57th, changing from R1 Single Family Residential to a new SPUD for a residential project.
Item 8B
PUD 1484 North Missouri Avenue, changing from R1 Single Family Residential District to PUD 1484 Plan Unit Development District for new homes as part of a strategic neighborhood initiative.
Item 8C
Ordinance on Final Hearing recommended for approval, closing a portion of the Northwest utility easement in Block 3 Stonebridge West Edition.
Item 8D
Ordinance on Final Hearing recommended for denial, concerning 1009 Northwest 49th Street, changing from R1 Single Family Residential District to a SPUD for a surface parking lot.
Item 8E
Ordinance on Final Hearing for the Parks and Recreation Cultural Affairs section of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code 2010, amending Chapter 38.
Item 8F1
Public Hearing regarding animals, amending the Municipal Code to include friendly, socialized cats as eligible for the community cats project.
Item 8F2
Public Hearing regarding animals, updating several fees at Animal Welfare, including vaccination and adoption rates.
Item 8G
Public Hearing regarding dilapidated structures.
Item 8H
Public Hearing regarding unsecured structures.
Item 8I
Allocation for a housing project in Ward 7.
Item 8J
Revocable Right-of-Way Permit request for the Red Earth event.
Item 8K1
Request to hold the Classen 10-Pin Community Festival.
Item 8K2
Request from the Perry Publishing and Broadcasting Company to hold the Juneteenth Festival.
Item 8L
Resolution receiving an amendment to the OKC plan related to an employment land study.
Item 8M
Ratification of the emergency declaration made by the city manager in the wake of recent storms.
Item 8N
Item for which Executive Session was not needed.
Item 8O
Item for which Executive Session was not needed.
Item 8P
Item for which Executive Session was not needed.
Item 8Q
Claims recommended for denial.
Item 9A1A
Claim recommended for approval.
Item 10
Items from Council, specifically a resolution to approve the funding plan for the Quiet Zone.