Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several appointments, zoning changes, and parking modifications. A significant discussion was held regarding a proposed reduction in the maximum cost of living adjustments for city retirees from 4% to 2% to improve the retirement system's funding status, with public and final hearings scheduled for April. The council also received an extensive report on the city's 30-year-old street lighting policy, initiating a review for potential updates.
Key Decisions & Votes
Appointments to Boards
Series of appointments including Gloria Griffin to the Maps 3 Citizen Advisory Board.
Zoning Case for RV Storage and Sales
Rezone 11626 North I-35 service road from C3 Community Commercial and I1 Light Industrial to a Simplified Planned Unit Development to allow RV storage and sales.
Street Closure
Approval to close part of a street in Ward 7.
Annexation of Right-of-Way
Final hearing for the annexation of a 33-foot right-of-way near Rockwell and 63rd.
Parking Conversion on 9th Street
Convert parallel parking to 45-degree angle parking on the north side of 9th Street between Walker and Hudson to increase available parking.
Retiree COLA Adjustment Introduction
Introduction of an item to reduce the maximum cost of living adjustments for eligible retirees from 4% to 2%, setting public and final hearings.
Live on the Plaza
Approval for the 'Live on the Plaza' event to continue throughout the summer, featuring artists, live music, and food vendors in the Plaza District.
Upcoming Community Events
Litter Blitz 2013
City-wide cleanup effort by Oklahoma City Beautiful. Volunteers can sign up at Oklahomacitybeautiful.com to receive supplies and clean public spaces.
Friends of Northwest 10th Street Litter Blitz Cleanup
Cleaning 10th Street from I-44 to the lake.
23rd Street Restoration Project Meeting
Mayfield Middle School, hosted by Public Works and Planning Department.
Dia de los Ninos
Southwest 29th Street (two blocks closed), a family-fun event customary in Latin American countries, organized by the Hispanic Chamber.
Live on the Plaza
Plaza District, host artists, live music, outdoor artist market, food vendors.
Financial Matters
Employee Retirement System COLA Adjustment
Proposal to reduce maximum cost of living adjustments for eligible retirees from 4% to 2% to improve funding status from 87% to 96% and reduce employer contribution rates.
Tinker Air Force Base Furloughs
Discussion of pending furloughs at Tinker Air Force Base, potentially reducing a $75 million payroll by 20%, which will impact Oklahoma City and surrounding communities.
Sales and Use Tax Collections
Report on strong sales and use tax collections for the month, showing recovery from a previous dip.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Cultural Plan presentation (moved to April 2nd)
Deadlines
- Registration for Place Making conference (April 3rd) is this Friday.
Watch For
- Discussion and vote on reducing retiree COLA (public hearing April 2nd, final hearing April 9th)
- City funding air traffic controllers at Wiley Post Airport
- Staff recommendations for updating the Street Lighting Policy
Announcements
- The Curtis A. Short Cityscape Award was presented to Joe Hodges and Sherry Rice Rhodes of St. Anthony and SSM Healthcare of Oklahoma.
- Mayor Cornett proclaimed April 2013 as 'Litter Blitz 2013 Days' in Oklahoma City, encouraging citizens to participate in the community cleanup organized by Oklahoma City Beautiful.
- Councilman Shadid encouraged attendance at a Place Making conference at OU in Norman on April 3rd, with registration closing this Friday.
- Councilman McAtee announced neighborhood meetings for River Park, Windsor Forest, and Meridian Hills, a Litter Blitz cleanup on NW 10th Street on April 4th, and a 23rd Street Restoration Project meeting on April 2nd.
- Councilwoman Salyer highlighted efforts by the Hispanic Chamber to create a business improvement district on SW 29th Street and host a 'Dia de los Ninos' event in mid-April, as well as improvements at Crystal Lake by City Care and a strategic planning session for the Uptown 23rd Street group.
- Councilman Skip acknowledged the relocation of Lansing Building Products to 500 North Ann Arbor and announced the resignation of Wayne Williams from the Maps 3 Citizens Advisory Board due to health, with Dr. Gloria Griffin appointed as his replacement for Ward 7.
- Kathy O'Connor was recognized for her interview in The Chronicle newspaper regarding the JFK housing project.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Opening of the meeting with an invocation by Pastor Stephen Brooks and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Meg Salyer.
Presentation of Curtis A. Short Cityscape Award
Award presented to Joe Hodges and Sherry Rice Rhodes of St. Anthony and SSM Healthcare of Oklahoma.
Proclamation of Litter Blitz 2013 Days
Mayor Cornett proclaimed April 2013 as Litter Blitz 2013 Days, with Lisa Synar of Oklahoma City Beautiful providing details on participation.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Items 3a-e)
A series of appointments, including Gloria Griffin to the Maps 3 Citizen Advisory Board.
Journal of Council Proceedings (Item 4a)
To receive the Journal of council proceedings for March 19th and to approve the Journal of council proceedings for March 12th.
Request for Uncontested Continuances (Item 5)
Various items deferred or stricken from the agenda, including Item 8C (deferred to April 9th), Item 8D (deferred to April 2nd), several dilapidated/unsecured structure items stricken, and the Cultural Plan presentation (moved to April 2nd).
Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Meeting
Convened as the Municipal Facilities Authority for three items.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Meeting
Convened as the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority, including discussion of the Lincoln Golf Course Clubhouse award.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (EAT) Meeting
Convened as the Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust.
Consent Docket
Approval of items on the consent docket.
Concurrence Docket
Approval of items on the concurrence docket.
Zoning Case in Ward 7 (Item 8A)
Rezone 11626 North I-35 service road from C3 Community Commercial and I1 Light Industrial to a Simplified Planned Unit Development to allow RV storage and sales.
Close Part of a Street in Ward 7 (Item 8B)
Approval to close part of a street in Ward 7.
Item 8C
Deferred until April 9th.
Item 8D
Deferred until April 2nd.
Annexation Item (Item 8E)
Final hearing for the annexation of a 33-foot right-of-way near Rockwell and 63rd.
Create New Parking Along 9th Street (Item 8F)
Convert parallel to 45-degree angle parking on the north side of 9th Street between Walker and Hudson to increase available parking.
Introduction of Ordinance Regarding Retiree Cost of Living Adjustments (Item 8G)
Introduction of an item to reduce the maximum cost of living adjustments for eligible retirees from 4% to 2%, with public hearing set for April 2nd and final hearing for April 9th.
Public Hearing Regarding Dilapidated Structures (Item 8H)
Public hearing for items listed under 8H concerning dilapidated structures.
Public Hearing Regarding Unsecured Structures (Item 8I)
Public hearing for items listed under 8I concerning unsecured structures.
Live on the Plaza (Item 8J)
Approval for the 'Live on the Plaza' event to continue throughout the summer, featuring artists, live music, and food vendors in the Plaza District.
Executive Session (Item 8K)
Item moved into executive session.
Item 8L
Item was struck from the agenda.
Claims Recommended for Denial (Item 8M)
Consideration of claims recommended for denial.
City Manager Report - Street Lighting Policy
Presentation and discussion by Eric Winger on the city's 30-year-old street lighting policy, including current practices, costs, and recommendations for future updates.
City Manager Report - Sales and Use Tax Collections
Report on strong sales and use tax collections for the month.