Meeting Summary
The City Council introduced the FY14 budget, which for the first time exceeds $400 million for the general fund and $1 billion overall, including 40 new police officers and $1 million for transit. They also approved a new water conservation plan with tiered outdoor watering restrictions based on lake levels and received a report on a community arts program study.
Key Decisions & Votes
Appointment to Bond Advisory Committee
07:00Mike Dober was appointed to the Bond Advisory Committee.
Journal of Council Proceedings
07:30The Journal of council proceedings for April 23rd was received, and the Journal for April 16th was approved.
Municipal Facilities Authority Items
10:30Three items presented to the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority were approved.
Public Property Authority Items
11:45Three items presented to the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority were approved.
Environmental Assistance Trust Claims and Payroll
12:25Claims and payroll for the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust were approved.
Consent Docket
19:00All remaining items on the consent docket, after individual considerations were pulled, were approved.
Concurrence Docket Item 7A
19:30The single item on the concurrence docket, related to the Civic Center, was approved.
Zoning Case: 1420 North May Avenue (ABC issue)
20:20A zoning case allowing a restaurant at 1420 North May Avenue to serve alcohol was approved.
Alley Closure in Ward 6
22:30The closure of a 20-foot alley between Walker and Dewey north of 8th Street was approved, following an easement agreement between the applicant and an affected property owner.
The Oco District Final Hearing
23:15The item related to The Oco District was approved after its final hearing, with an emergency motion also passing.
Introduction of Lake Atoka Truck Use Item
24:40An item regarding restrictions on recreational truck use on Lake Atoka was introduced, and a public hearing was set for a future date.
Public Hearing: Dilapidated Structures
25:10The items under the public hearing regarding dilapidated structures were approved.
Public Hearing: Unsecured Structures
26:00The items under the public hearing regarding unsecured structures were approved, with one owner confirming ongoing efforts to secure their property.
Consolidated Plan for HUD Grants
35:00The annual Consolidated Plan, outlining the city's strategy for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants, was approved.
Water Conservation Plan
51:00A new water conservation plan, including tiered outdoor water use restrictions based on lake levels, was approved.
Surplus Weapon for Officer Chad Perry's Father
51:20The weapon issued to the late Officer Chad Perry was declared surplus and approved for transfer to his father.
Resolution for Item 8J
51:40A resolution for Item 8J, which did not require an Executive Session, was approved.
Item 8K to Executive Session
51:55Item 8K was moved to Executive Session for discussion.
Item 8L to Executive Session
52:10Item 8L was moved to Executive Session for discussion.
Strike Item 8M
52:25Item 8M was struck from the agenda as an Executive Session was not needed.
Upcoming Community Events
National Law Day
Oklahoma City Police Department awards banquet
Oklahoma City Police Department memorial service
Oklahoma state law enforcement memorial service
National Police Week
National Police Officers Memorial Day
Firefighter Fill the Boot Week
Arts Festival
Held at the Myriad Gardens
Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon
Included participants from 9 countries and 47 states, with a moment of silence for Boston Marathon victims.
Film Row Final Friday walk
Financial Matters
HUD Funding for Consolidated Plan
Expected funding for the coming year is $6.5 million, a decrease from $9.5 million in 2010. This includes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) grants.
FY14 Budget Introduction
The general fund budget for FY14 exceeds $400 million for the first time, and the total budget exceeds $1 billion for the first time.
Transit Funding
An additional $1 million is allocated for transit program enhancements, representing a 7.7% increase in transit funding.
April Sales and Use Tax Report
The sales tax check for April was down 7% under target and 4.2% under last year, marking the first decrease in 18 months.
Public Comments
Two citizens addressed the council. One proposed a 'Worldwide Silver Rights Movement' to combat homelessness and address city/state deficits, urging Oklahoma City to lead this initiative. The other advocated for a city-wide ban on horse slaughter, presenting a resolution and ordinance for council consideration.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 8A2 (PUD 1476) deferred until September 10th
Deadlines
- HUD Consolidated Plan submission: May 15th
- Mayor's Development Roundtable: May 15th (morning)
Watch For
- Nelson Niggard bus routing public presentation: May 21st (12 pm & 5 pm at downtown library)
- Public hearing for uses of trucks for recreational uses on Lake Atoka: In a couple of weeks
- Budget presentations by departments: May 7 (Police, Development Services, IT), June 4 (Fire, Airports, Public Transportation and Parking)
- Budget adoption: June 11th
- Report on 1% for public art
- Report on cloud seeding analysis
- Report on the impact of new workers' compensation legislation on the city's self-insurance
Announcements
- May 2013 was proclaimed as Police Appreciation Month in Oklahoma City.
- May 6th through 11th was proclaimed as Firefighter Fill the Boot Week in Oklahoma City to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
- The Nelson Niggard bus routing proposal is expected to be available on the OKC gov website prior to the public meetings.
- The Arts Festival held last week was congratulated for its success.
- The Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon held last weekend was commended for its organization and community impact.
- Film Row had its first successful Final Friday walk, adding to the city's cultural events.
- A class of third and fourth graders from St. John Episcopal was welcomed to the council meeting.
- Robbie Kinsel presented a report on the Cultural Plan and Community Study, highlighting findings and next steps for community arts programs.
- The FY14 Budget was introduced, marking the first time the general fund exceeds $400 million and the total budget exceeds $1 billion.
Agenda Summary
Item 3A: Appointment of Mike Dober to the Bond Advisory Committee
Appointment of Mike Dober to the Bond Advisory Committee.
Item 4A: Receive the Journal of council proceedings for April 23rd
Receive the Journal of council proceedings for April 23rd.
Item 4B: Approve the Journal of council proceedings for April 16th
Approve the Journal of council proceedings for April 16th.
Item 5: Requests for uncontested continuances
Requests to strike item 6Q, defer item 8A2 (PUD 1476) until September 10th, and strike several items under 8E1 and 8F1 due to owner actions or new ownership.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (OCMFA) items
Three items for the OCMFA, including an RFP for private investigation services.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (OCPPA) items
Three items for the OCPPA, including a question regarding trash in the river east of Eastern Avenue.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) claims and payroll
Claims and payroll for the OCEAT.
Consent Docket (remaining items)
Various routine items on the consent docket not pulled for individual consideration.
Item R: City's ability to self-insure and Workers Comp legislation
Discussion on the potential impact of proposed workers' compensation legislation on the city's self-insurance operations.
Item J: Wesley Hospital added to National Register of Historic Places
Discussion regarding the addition of the former Wesley Hospital building to the National Register of Historic Places, noting owner's request for tax credits.
Item T: Sidewalk locations
Discussion regarding the criteria and list used to determine sidewalk locations.
Item U: Ward 7 project (Whitewater facility) engineering and construction costs
Discussion on increased engineering fees and construction costs for a project in Ward 7, specifically the Whitewater facility, due to moving from conceptual drawing to design phase and site prep.
Item K1: Northwest 23rd Streetscape Project bid announcement
Discussion regarding the approval to announce for bid the streetscape project on Northwest 23rd Street from Ann Arbor to Tulsa, with work expected to begin in June 2013.
Item 7A: Concurrence Docket item at the Civic Center
A single item on the concurrence docket related to the Civic Center.
Item 8A: Zoning case at 1420 North May Avenue (ABC issue)
A zoning case concerning a restaurant's ability to serve alcohol in an area with existing similar establishments.
Item 8B: Close a 20ft alley in Ward 6
Request to close an alley located between Walker and Dewey north of 8th Street, with an easement agreement reached between the applicant (SSM Healthcare) and an affected property owner (Hollis Properties).
Item 8C: Final hearing regarding The Oco District
Final hearing for an item related to The Oco District, with an emergency motion also considered.
Item 8D: Uses of trucks for recreational uses on Lake Atoka
Introduction of an item regarding restrictions on the use of trucks for recreational purposes on Lake Atoka, with a public hearing to be set for a future date.
Item 8E: Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures
Public hearing concerning various dilapidated structures listed on the agenda.
Item 8F: Public hearing regarding unsecured structures
Public hearing concerning various unsecured structures listed on the agenda, including one property where the owner is actively securing it.
Item 8G: Public hearing regarding the Consolidated Plan
Public hearing and presentation on the annual Consolidated Plan for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants, outlining funding and programs for community development.
Item 8H: Water Conservation Plan
Presentation and discussion on the city's water conservation plan, including proposed tiered outdoor water use restrictions based on declining lake levels.
Item 8I: Declare Surplus weapon issued to officer Chad Perry
Request to declare the weapon issued to the recently deceased officer Chad Perry as surplus and transfer it to his father.
Item 8J: Resolution (no Executive Session needed)
A resolution for which an Executive Session was not required.
Item 8K: Item requiring Executive Session
An item that required discussion in Executive Session.
Item 8L: Item requiring Executive Session
An item that required discussion in Executive Session.
Item 8M: Item struck from agenda
An item that was struck from the agenda as an Executive Session was not needed.