City Council Meeting Notes

[David]

April 7, 2015 (Video)

• Preliminary report delivered on Intermodal Transportation Hub (Report | Slides | Presentation)
• New Bricktown logo unveiled (Slides | Presentation)

[David]

April 14, 2015 (Video)

• Council members sworn in for new terms (Ceremony)
• Councilman McAtee takes turn as Vice Mayor

A few things that jumped out at me when listening to the stream on Tuesday that were not listed in the notes were a presentation for a new Walmart Supercenter at I-44 & SW 104th St as well as a presentation from the municipal counselor's office on when passing an ordinance as an emergency ordinance is allowed and/or necessary.

[David]

April 21, 2015 (Video)

Chamber highlights strengths in economic development update (Video)
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President Roy Williams touted the ongoing diversification of the local economy Tuesday in an economic development update for the Council. Williams said the diversification should help Oklahoma City weather the effects of the current energy industry slowdown. Williams said an example of the diversification is the estimated 65 jobs added to the local market each week as part of Boeing's investments here. Oklahoma City's unemployment rate has improved to 3.6 percent since the beginning of the year, good for second-best nationally for a large city, Williams said. Williams also highlighted the nearly 33,000 local jobs supported by the hospitality, travel and convention industry in detailing the need for continued growth in that employment sector.

Council voices support for Oklahoma School of Science and Math (Resolution | Video)
The Council voted Tuesday to issue a resolution expressing support for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math, encouraging the Oklahoma State Legislature to maintain or improve its funding. The public school, located in Oklahoma City, is among many state-funded schools and education programs that could be subject to spending cuts depending on the outcome of the current legislative session.

Baby boom spurs visitor growth at Oklahoma City Zoo (Presentation | Video)
The recent baby boom at the Oklahoma City Zoo highlighted Zoo Executive Director Dwight Lawson's update Tuesday to the Council. The zoo recently celebrated the births of Achara, an elephant, and Rubi, a gorilla. The babies join a number of other recent births at the zoo, including Achara's sister Malee, Rupert the rhinoceros and a litter of African wild dogs. The Zoo welcomed more than 1 million visitors in a year for the first time in 2014.

Hotel tax collections up 5.2 percent this year (Report)
Hotel tax collections in the current fiscal year are up 5.2 percent, according to a report issued Tuesday to the Council. The collections are slightly below the target of 5.6 percent. Hotel taxes fund convention and tourism promotion, fairgrounds improvements and sponsorship of local events. Collections in the current fiscal year are about $10.6 million.

[David]

April 28, 2015 (Video)

City donates paint to help paint inner-city homes
The Council voted Tuesday to donate 300 gallons of surplus paint to the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma to help paint inner-city homes. The Alliance will use the paint June 22-25 during an effort to help give some inner-city houses a much-needed facelift.

Council approves agreement with firefighters union (Agreement)
The Council also voted Tuesday to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 157, the union that negotiates on behalf of City firefighters. The agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2014, and effective for the fiscal year ending June 30. The agreement includes an across-the-board raise of 0.93 percent and a slight increase in the amount the City pays for each firefighter enrolled in the union's health and welfare benefits.

Lincoln Park Golf Course Clubhouse ribbon cutting almost here (Presentation | Video)
Parks and Recreation Director Doug Kupper provided an update Tuesday to the Council on the Lincoln Park Golf Course Clubhouse renovation, which culminates in a ribbon cutting Friday. The $2.25 million renovation was funded the 2007 General Obligation Bond issue and provided the clubhouse's full-scale renovation since its construction in 1960. The renovation should help attract lucrative tournaments and non-golf events, along with providing improved revenue from food and retail sales.

Council approves Campbell Park partnership
An affiliate of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation will soon begin to manage Campbell Park. The Council voted Tuesday to approve the partnership, under which Campbell Art Park, LLC, will operate and maintain the park, which is adjacent to the Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center currently under construction. The agreement lasts for 25 years and can be renewed by mutual consent in five-year increments. The City will remain responsible for infrastructure like sidewalks and street lighting along with major repairs, and the Campbell Art Park group will take over ground and lawn maintenance, custodial services, solid waste removal and other aspects of the park's operation.

April sales tax collections report released (Report | News release)
The April sales tax report shows General Fund collections in Oklahoma City were down 5.5 percent compared to the same month last year, missing the monthly target by 5.6 percent. The April report includes collections for the last half of February and the first half of March, which totaled about $16.6 million. That’s about $986,000 below the target. Combined year-to-date sales and use tax collections for the General Fund are below the target by 0.4 percent, which is about $961,000.

Consolidated Plan paves way for federal grant funds (Presentation | Video)
The Council voted Tuesday to adopt the 2015-202 Consolidated Plan and 2015-2016 First Action Year Plan, which is a prerequisite for receiving federal formula grant funds. The City uses such funds in a variety of programs to strengthen neighborhoods.

[David]

May 5, 2015 (Video)

Proposed 2016 City budget introduced (Video | Presentation | News Release | Budget Book)
City Finance Director Doug Dowler on Tuesday introduced the proposed City budget for the 2016 fiscal year. The Council will spend the next several meetings considering the budget, and could make amendments to it before its expected adoption at the end of June. The $1.25 billion proposed budget will fund the City's operations from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

Contract for online auction services could earn City $1M (Agenda Item | News Release)
The City could earn at least $1 million in the next fiscal year by auctioning surplus property online. The Council voted Tuesday to approve a one-year contract with GovDeals.com through the National Joint Powers Alliance to auction surplus City property. Selling items through online auctions allows the City to access the national and sometimes even international marketplace, which may fetch a better price for certain items than selling them locally. For example, the City recently sold an old barge worth about $1,600 on the local scrap metal market for $20,000 to an Alaskan buyer through an online auction.

City to negotiate development agreements with Boeing, Paycom (Boeing Agenda Item | Paycom Agenda Item)
The Council also voted Tuesday to initiate negotiations on Economic Development Agreements with The Boeing Company and Paycom Software Inc. In such agreements, the City typically provides economic incentives for companies that create new quality jobs locally. Paycom, which already has economic development agreements with the City related to more than 1,000 current or future employees, expects to need an additional 423 local employees in the coming years. The jobs come with an average first-year wage of about $51,000, and Paycom will construct a new building at their current headquarters to accommodate them. Boeing expects to make capital investments of about $80 million over the next three years as it adds 900 local jobs with an average first-year wage of $90,000.

Survey results in for solid waste management service alternatives (Agenda Item | Survey Summary | Video | Presentation)
Consultants delivered survey results to the Council on Tuesday regarding potential alternatives to the City's current methods of solid waste management. Alternatives considered included adding recycling for rural customers and changing the type of recycling available to all customers. In general, the survey showed OKC residents are supportive of more recycling capabilities, but are reluctant to switch to "pay-as-you-throw" solid waste collection models.

Convention and Visitors Bureau issues quarterly report (Video | Report)
Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau President Mike Carrier delivered his quarterly report to the Council on Tuesday, revealing that OKC's tourism numbers continue to be trending in the right direction. The bureau has booked 12 future horse shows through the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, which should generate an estimated $150 million in direct spending. That's 81 percent of the bureau's annual goal.

Update delivered on City Council Priorities (Video | Presentation)
The Council received an update Tuesday on two of its six official Priorities: Maintain Strong Financial Management and Promote Thriving Neighborhoods. Finance Director Craig Freeman reported the City's financial position remains strong thanks to thoughtful management policies. Planning Director Aubrey Hammontree highlighted efforts to help needy families buy and rehabilitate homes, and Development Services Director Bob Tener discussed the abandoned buildings program's effect on saving money on emergency services and improving nearby home values.

Quarterly Investment Report released (Report | Report Attachments)
The most recent Quarterly Investment Report was delivered to the Council on Tuesday, showing the City's amortized earnings for the quarter as $1.49 million. The annualized return for the quarter of 0.58 percent is reflective of the short-term interest rate remaining near zero since 2008.

[David]

May 12, 2015 (Video)

Council convenes as Finance Committee (Video | Overview | Budget Book | New Release)
The Council convened Tuesday as the Finance Committee to continue consideration of the proposed City budget for the 2016 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The Council will hold Finance Committee meetings every other week until the middle of June, when the budget is set for adoption. Tuesday's meeting started with a budget overview presentation, followed by budget presentations for the Information Technology, Police and Fire departments. The following Finance Committee meetings will feature presentations from other departments.

Information Technology proposed budget features data center (Video | Presentation)
The proposed budget for the Information Technology Department includes a new data center for the City's servers and data management. The City's digital storage needs increased by almost half in just one year as technological advancements and storage demands continue.

Body-worn camera funds included in proposed Police budget (Video | Presentation)
The proposed Police Department budget includes 26 new police officer positions and funding for the City's pilot program for body-worn cameras. Work is ongoing to develop policies and procedures for the program, which will cost about $340,000 for new civilian employees and contract services for the one-year pilot program.

Proposed budget for Fire includes 21 new positions (Video | Presentation)
Oklahoma City will have 21 new firefighters if the Fire Department's budget wins Council approval. The budget proposal also includes funds for facility maintenance and records management software. The Fire Department's goals include responding to fire calls in the City's outlying areas within seven minutes 70 percent of the time by fiscal year 2018.

[David]

May 19, 2015 (Video)

Council funds study regarding multi-modal transit on Classen (Agenda Item)
The Council voted Tuesday to approve a $10,000 contract with the University of Oklahoma's Institute for Quality Communities to perform a study on multi-modal transportation options on Classen Boulevard between W Reno Avenue and NW 23. OU students and faculty will work with the City's Commercial District Revitalization Program and the Urban Land Institute of Oklahoma to deliver a report recommending short- and long-term strategies to improve transportation, mobility, safety, walkability and bikeability on Classen.

Report delivered on Capitol Hill Library renovation and expansion (Agenda Item | Full Report | Presentation | Video)
Architects delivered a preliminary report Tuesday on the design of the Capitol Hill Library renovation and expansion, which is set for a construction start this winter. The library will get a significant interior and exterior renovation along with improved infrastructure, furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Tennis Center improvements to include indoor courts (Agenda Item | Full Report | Presentation | Video)
The Council also received an update Tuesday on the improvements to the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. The preliminary report details the climate-controlled indoor courts, and also smaller courts for children and improvements to outdoor courts.

Artists sought for new Police headquarters art (Agenda Item | Call to Artists)
The Council approved a Call to Artists Tuesday for art in the interior of the new Police headquarters, which is set for completion later this year. The City has $40,000 for art in the interior of the new building as part of the City's 1 percent for Art ordinance. The ordinance requires the City to spend 1 percent of the construction budget for City facilities on art.

Lightning Creek drainage improvements plan moves forward (Agenda Item)
The City will soon seek bids from contractors to take the next steps in drainage improvements for the Lightning Creek area. Construction is expected to begin later this year on a drainage basin near SW 29 and S Santa Fe Avenue, which should help alleviate drainage issues along Lightning Creek. The creek is one of the most flash flood-prone waterways in the City.

[David]

May 26, 2015 (Video)

Council convenes as Finance Committee (Budget Book | News Release)
The Council convened Tuesday as the Finance Committee to continue consideration of the proposed City budget for the 2016 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The Council will hold another Finance Committee meeting June 9, and is set to adopt the budget June 16. Tuesday's meeting started with the Public Works Department budget presentation, followed by budget presentations from the Utilities and Airports departments. The June 9 meeting will feature presentations from the Development Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Transportation and Parking, and Planning departments.

Public Works budget includes $47.5M for street, drainage projects (Presentation | Video)
The proposed budget for the Public Works Department includes $47.5 million for street, traffic and drainage projects. Numerous widening, resurfacing and other projects are planned for the upcoming fiscal year, many of which are part of the nearly $500 million in 2007 general obligation bond issue projects for streets and drainage. The Public Works Department oversees 8,171 lane miles of roads within Oklahoma City's 621-square mile area. Other Public Works projects for the next fiscal year include work on Project 180, putting the finishing touches on the new Police Department headquarters, the City Hall lawn renovation and the Intermodal Transportation Hub linking the MAPS 3 Modern Streetcar with rail service.

Water main replacements, extension next for Utilities Department (Presentation | Video)
The Utilities Department plans to replace or extend nearly 40 miles of water mains in OKC during the next fiscal year. The water main projects join improvements to the City's water treatment plants and wastewater system upgrades as highlights of the department's proposed budget for the 2016 fiscal year. Adding additional compressed natural gas-powered side-loading trash trucks is also planned for the next year.

Will Rogers World Airport anticipates passenger record in FY 2016 (Presentation | Video)
Will Rogers World Airport is edging ever closer to two million passengers per year, with nearly 1.97 million passengers expected to set a new record in the next fiscal year. A highlight of the Airports Department's proposed budget for next fiscal year is the scheduled completion of the $5.3 million consolidated rental car facility, which is on S Meridian Avenue north of the airport. Several other projects are helping the airport to meet continued rising demand.

[Plutonic Panda]

5 takeaways from this week's Oklahoma City Council meeting | News OK

[Plutonic Panda]

Looks like OKC is going to vote to protect the LGBT community similar to what Norman did. This is very good news!

Oklahoma City To Vote On LGBTQ Housing Protections - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[David]

And it passed 5 to 4. The no votes are a little disappointing, as was the rationale behind some of the debate by the council beforehand, but at least it passed. It's notable that of the four or five residents who spoke before the vote, nobody opposed it.

[Pete]

And it passed 5 to 4. The no votes are a little disappointing, as was the rationale behind some of the debate by the council beforehand, but at least it passed. It's notable that of the four or five residents who spoke before the vote, nobody opposed it.

Who voted against it and why?

[LocoAko]

Who voted against it and why?

https://twitter.com/LauraEastes_OKC/...10409260953600

Laura Eastes
‏@LauraEastes_OKC
Ordinance passed 5 to 4 with Greiner, McAtee, Greenwell and Stonecipher voting against.

Some hints as to why...

https://twitter.com/benfelder_okc/st...07147036151808

Ben Felder
‏@benfelder_okc
On Jan. 5, 2016, Councilman Stonecipher says there has not been enough debate over protecting LGBT citizens from housing discrimination.

https://twitter.com/benfelder_okc/st...07445699952640

Ben Felder
‏@benfelder_okc
Stonecipher says this is an issue for Congress.

https://twitter.com/benfelder_okc/st...14879587909632

Ben Felder
‏@benfelder_okc
Stonecipher said this was an issue for the federal government. Once again, you play the local control card as you see fit.

https://twitter.com/benfelder_okc/st...14288761507840

Ben Felder
‏@benfelder_okc
Larry McAtee was the only one to vote against that was outspoken with his disapproval of same-sex marriage and relationships.

https://twitter.com/benfelder_okc/st...14584770281472

Ben Felder
‏@benfelder_okc
Greenwell said he was "disturbed" by the idea of taking away a landlords right to be against same-sex relationships.

I don't want to derail this thread too politically, but I can't roll my eyes hard enough at Greenwell's logic here.

[Pete]

Holy cow, that is really disappointing from Greenwell in particular.

[checkthat]

Who voted against it and why?

You could probably guess but Greiner, Stonecipher, Greenwell, and McAtee voted Nay. There is a very lengthy discussion, about an hour, and I have not had the chance to watch the entire thing. Seems like Stonecipher wants to be able to debate the other side of the issue more and Greenwell seems to imply protections already exist. Will watch later but here is the link to the start of the discussion:

https://youtu.be/hfFOdxXslfI?t=3485

[LocoAko]

Good thoughts and summary from Ben Felder on the issue, I think.

https://www.facebook.com/btfelder/po...06893360684069

[TheTravellers]

Stonecipher, man, voted against him with good reason, he does *seem* open to discussion about it, though I wonder how real his openness is...

[ljbab728]

I'm not sure exactly what this means based on what I see in the article, but:

Council includes LGBT protections in Oklahoma City's housing discrimination ordinance | NewsOK.com

Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, the sponsor, said the council should consider restoring the city's Human Rights Commission as well.
Once Shadid's amendment had passed, the council voted unanimously to adopt the updated ordinance.

[JohnH_in_OKC]

Tuesday night, I luckily tuned in to channel 20 and saw a replay of this historic vote of Oklahoma City's City Council. One cogent remark made by Pete White who said it was a dispute between a minority group of people asking for their constitutional rights vs a group of people who thinks land ownership gives them the right to decide to whom they can rent their property. Pete White voted to affirm the rights of LGBT people. If you click on the Oklahoman's video coverage of the Council, Pete White's comments start at :30 minutes and then at :52 minutes he presents the challenge that both sides have concerning their constitutional rights: City Council Approves LGBT Housing Protection

Even though I'm not an LGBT, I applaud our council members and mayor for this historic vote. Dr. Ed Shadid is my City Council representative and he is the author of this amendment.

[David]

From all the time I've spent watching the stream, Pete White is probably my favorite council member.

[Pete]

From all the time I've spent watching the stream, Pete White is probably my favorite council member.

I spoken with him many times and completely agree.

Super sharp guy who has a great passion for Oklahoma City and has devoted a good chunk of his life serving the community.

[baralheia]

I'm extremely glad that this passed, and that Pete White is my ward's council member. It's most definitely a step in the right direction.

Sadly, the dissenting votes are getting coverage in national news sources, painting our city in a pretty bad light even though the ordinance passed. Oklahoma official opposes LGBT housing protections because gays might try living over his garage

[Plutonic Panda]

I'm extremely glad that this passed, and that Pete White is my ward's council member. It's most definitely a step in the right direction.

Sadly, the dissenting votes are getting coverage in national news sources, painting our city in a pretty bad light even though the ordinance passed. Oklahoma official opposes LGBT housing protections because gays might try living over his garage

So I noticed religion is already included in the protection against discrimination. I wonder how he would view an atheist renting an apartment owned by a Christian?

Very sad to see that we are getting this kind of PR though it is deserving. I am glad to see it passed but at the same time appalled at how many members voted against it.