Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several uncontested continuances and consent docket items, including resolutions for the Oklahoma River Whitewater facility and the Fairgrounds master plan. A permit for the Martin Luther King Jr. parade was approved despite concerns from Broadway merchants regarding business impact and communication. Discussions also covered water conservation efforts and the positive customer service survey results for the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Key Decisions & Votes
Mayoral Appointments
02:00Two appointments made by the Mayor were approved by the Council.
Journal of Council Proceedings
02:30The Journal of Council Proceedings for January 8th and January 2nd were received and approved unanimously.
Uncontested Continuances
02:50Several items related to dilapidated/unsecured structures were stricken as owners had secured or removed them. An amendment for the OKC Municipal Public School Trust was struck to be brought back next week.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Items
06:00Three items on the MFA agenda were passed unanimously.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) Items
06:30Two items on the PPA agenda were passed unanimously.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) Claims and Payroll
07:00Claims and payroll for the OCEAT were passed unanimously.
Consent Docket
07:30The consent docket, including resolutions for the Whitewater facility and Fairgrounds master plan, was passed unanimously.
Public Hearing on Dilapidated Structures
1:00:40Items under the public hearing for dilapidated structures were passed unanimously.
Public Hearing on Unsecured Structures
1:01:10Items under the public hearing for unsecured structures were passed unanimously.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Permit
1:21:00A revocable Right-of-Way permit for the Martin Luther King Jr. parade was approved, despite concerns from local businesses regarding the route and its impact.
Executive Session for Municipal Judges
1:22:00The Council approved moving into executive session to discuss the performance of municipal judges.
Upcoming Community Events
Blue Cross Blue Shield Adventure Zone Opening
Includes youth ropes course, zip line, and cloud bounce.
Zipline across the river completion
American Idol Filming
One whole episode filmed in the Devon Boat House and Boat House District.
Stars and Stripes River Festival
Continues to expand.
Head of the Oklahoma
Continues to expand.
World Championship Marathon
Expected to bring 30 countries to Oklahoma City.
Friends of Northwest 10th Street Saturday Picnic
Planned with events to involve children and provide education.
Financial Matters
Oklahoma River Whitewater Facility
MAPS 3 funding is $60 million. Private investment in the Boat House District is approximately $40 million.
Fairgrounds Master Plan Phase 1 Budget
Initial budget for Phase 1 of the Fairgrounds Master Plan, with a contract let for construction.
Fairgrounds Master Plan Phase 2 Budget
Budget for the building itself, including utilities and paving.
Professional Services agreement with the Windsor area business group
Funding to help the Windsor area business group mobilize businesses along the Northwest 23rd Street corridor, part of a $4 million bond for a streetscape project.
Land acquisition for South MAPS 3 Park
Discussion on acquiring land for the south side of the MAPS 3 Park, noting it would not affect other MAPS projects monetarily and could prevent price escalation.
Public Comments
Public comments primarily focused on the Martin Luther King Jr. parade permit. Merchants along Broadway expressed significant concerns about the parade's negative impact on their businesses, including loss of revenue, crowd control issues, lack of communication from organizers, and inadequate facilities (restrooms, trash). They requested better communication and route adjustments. One citizen spoke in favor of the parade, emphasizing the importance of the holiday, while another property owner supported parades on Broadway but stressed the need to balance community events with business needs.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Amendment to the program implementation plan with the Oklahoma City Municipal Public School Trust (Item 8D) will be brought back next week.
- Resolution to modify the time frame for land acquisition on the south part of the MAPS 3 Park will be brought back to Council next week or two.
Watch For
- Council to advertise for bids for Phase 1 of the Fairgrounds Master Plan in February.
- A meeting will be facilitated after the MLK Jr. parade with organizers, property owners, and staff to discuss future parade routes and address concerns.
- The Water Trust is likely to issue water conservation rules for the city.
- Further discussions on permanent water conservation measures for Oklahoma City.
- Potential development on the east side of the airport for aviation, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and office components.
Announcements
- Dr. Harvey Potts led the invocation and Councilman Gary Mars led the Pledge of Allegiance.
- University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is moving ahead with their boat house project this year, which will include an art and music venue.
- The Chesapeake boat house has completed its renovation, adding features like a rock climbing wall.
- The Chesapeake Finish Line Tower and Devon Boat House received an architectural award.
- The Blue Cross Blue Shield Adventure Zone, enhancing the playground area with a youth ropes course, zip line, and cloud bounce, is expected to open in March.
- The SandRidge Youth Pavilion is progressing, featuring the tallest Sky Trail structure of its kind in the world.
- The zipline connection across the river is expected to be completed by Memorial Day.
- The Oklahoma River is undergoing phase two improvements, including stadium lighting and a wind screen.
- The canal connection to Bricktown is well underway, linking downtown to the river.
- American Idol will be filming an entire episode in the Boat House District, debuting tomorrow.
- Adaptive rowing and paddling programs are expanding, as are youth outreach programs, Dragon Boat leagues, and Senior Dragon Boating.
- Congratulations to Alicia Clifton, second runner-up in the Miss America contest.
- The Chesapeake Energy Arena received very positive results from its customer service survey, ranking highly among comparable NBA facilities.
- The Friends of Northwest 10th Street were commended for their efforts in bringing resources to the area, including adult classes and a Saturday picnic plan.
Agenda Summary
Office of the Mayor and two appointments
Consideration of two appointments by the Mayor.
Journal of Council Proceedings for January 8th
To receive the Journal of Council Proceedings.
Journal of Council Proceedings for January 2nd
To approve the Journal of Council Proceedings.
Request for uncontested continuances
Requests to strike several items related to dilapidated/unsecured structures and an amendment to the program implementation plan with the Oklahoma City Municipal Public School Trust.
Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) items
Three items under the MFA agenda.
Oklahoma City Public Property Authority (PPA) items
Two items under the PPA agenda.
Oklahoma City Environmental Assistance Trust (OCEAT) claims and payroll
Claims and payroll for the OCEAT.
Consent Docket
A collection of routine items, including a resolution for property acquisition for the Oklahoma River Whitewater facility and the Fairgrounds master plan.
Public hearing regarding dilapidated structures (8A1)
Public hearing on listed dilapidated structures.
Public hearing regarding unsecured structures (8B)
Public hearing on listed unsecured structures.
Revocable Right-of-Way permit to hold the Martin Luther King Jr. parade (8C)
Consideration of a permit for the MLK Jr. parade, with discussion on route impact and business concerns.
Item 8D
An item that was previously on the agenda.
Executive session to discuss water issues (8E)
Opportunity to enter into executive session to discuss water issues.
Executive session to discuss the performance of the municipal judges (8F)
Opportunity to enter into executive session to discuss the performance of municipal judges.