December 30, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Employee of the Month: Jason Redmond, Talent Development Coordinator in Human Resources, was recognized as the December 2025 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employee of the Month.
• Penalty Reduction Program: A significant effort to re-publicize this program will begin on 📅 January 1st.
• Capital Improvement Plan: The plan will return to the council for final approval on 📅 January 13th.
• New Arena Project: Design activities are scheduled through the second quarter of 📅 2027, with bidding and construction continuing through the second quarter of 📅 2029. Construction is slated to begin in 📅 April 2026, with an aim for completion in 📅 2028. A preliminary report is expected in a few weeks, and final plans this year.
• Deep Fork Greenway: Recommendations and all necessary information regarding the alignment are expected by 📅 March.
• Rezoning Application (1422 NW 17th): This item was deferred to the 📅 January 13th meeting.
• Rezoning Ordinance Introduction (10000 N Council Rd): The final hearing for this item was set for 📅 February 10th.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Employee of the Month Resolution: A resolution commending Jason Redmond was approved unanimously.
• Penalty Reduction Program Extension: A resolution extending the penalty reduction program was approved unanimously. This program, in existence since July 2019, allows individuals with Class A misdemeanor offenses in warrant status to address their cases at a reduced rate, avoiding jail time. To date, it has addressed 10,997 cases, dismissed 3,616 failure-to-appear warrants, and collected $1.7 million.
• Classen Boulevard Bike Lanes Resolution: A resolution (Item 4B) was passed 7-2, directing staff not to proceed with the current plan to remove traffic lanes for bike lanes on Classen Boulevard from 10th Street to Sheridan. Instead, staff is to explore alternative options for enhancing bike infrastructure, including improved intersection striping and connections to existing bike lanes on Chardell and Western Avenues. The City Manager committed to reporting back within 60 days on the feasibility, design, and implementation timeline for proposed bicycle crossings and to meet with the cyclist community.
• Journal of Council Proceedings: Items 6A and 6B were passed 7-2.
• Municipal Facilities Authority (MFA) Agenda: All items (A-M) were approved unanimously.
• Public Property Authority (PPA) Agenda: All items (A-E) were approved unanimously.
• Consent Docket Item 9G (Rezoning Ordinance Introduction): A motion to amend this item to set the final hearing for 📅 February 10th was passed unanimously. The item was then approved as part of the consent docket.
• Consent Docket Item 9AJ (Receiving Comprehensive Plan Amendment): This item was passed 5-1.
• Consent Docket (Remaining Items): All other routine items on the consent docket were approved unanimously.
• Rezoning Applications:
  • 9350 NW 122nd (from AA to R1): Approved unanimously.
  • 8617 South Santa Fe Avenue (from R1 to PUD 2102, with related master design statement amendment): Both the amendment and the rezoning were approved unanimously.
  • 3925 Northwest 178th (from PUD 1895 to PUD 2112): Approved unanimously.
  • 1800 Northwest 15th (from PUD 1767 to PUD 2113): Approved unanimously.
  • 13200 North Midwest Boulevard (from RA to PUD 2115): Approved unanimously, noting the withdrawal of protests.
  • 7900 North Oklahoma (from PUD 1965 to PUD 2116): Approved unanimously.
  • 7300 South Sunny Lane (from I2 to PUD 2118): Approved unanimously.
  • 2701 North Portland (from O2 to SPD 1778): Approved unanimously. The applicant presented plans for a multi-family redevelopment focusing on walkability and community integration.
  • 13327 North Rockwell (from PUD 907 to SPD 1788): Approved unanimously.
  • 1220 North Gardner (from PUD 1131 to SPD 1789): Approved unanimously.
• Special Permit (2120 Northwest 23rd): An ordinance establishing a special permit for drinking establishments in the C4 UD and TT districts was approved unanimously.
• Dilapidated Structures Resolution: A resolution declaring certain structures dilapidated was passed unanimously.
• Executive Sessions: Motions to enter executive sessions for items 11V1 and 11W1 were passed unanimously.

💰 Financial Matters

• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP):
  • The Maps Office anticipates executing $1.6 billion in capital expenditures over the next five years, utilizing funds from Maps 3 (excess collections/interest), Maps 4, TIF ($30.5 million), Arena Sales Tax, and the 2025 General Obligation Bond. Major projects include the Foster Center, renovations of 107 neighborhood parks, the Restoration Center, the Multi-purpose Stadium, U-centers, and the Crisis Center.
  • The Parks Department expects to spend over $300 million on capital projects in the next five years, primarily from General Obligation Bonds, trails, impact fees, and Better Street Safer City funds. Key projects include the replacement of Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center, improvements to Kuper Sports Complex, Earlywine Golf Course, Lono Park, and phases one and two of Swisher Park.
• Sales Tax Report: Sales tax for the month decreased by 4.6%. However, use tax saw a 46% growth due to a correction from previous remittances. Combined sales and use tax are currently $2.5 million over target for the fiscal year.
• Film Incentive Program: A resolution was presented for an allocation not to exceed $69,385 for Filmmaker's Table LLC for a scripted television series. The project anticipates $693,852 in Oklahoma City expenditures and an estimated economic impact of $1.48 million.

Public Comments

• Steve Hunt (2825 NW 57th):
  • Expressed concerns regarding the city's contracts with private equity-backed firms, specifically Premise Health (MFA Item A) and Club Car (PPA Item A). He highlighted a "2820 model" where a percentage of the contract is guaranteed to the private equity firm.
  • Questioned the use of Omnia Partners, a private equity-backed intermediary, for price negotiations on the Club Car contract instead of city staff.
  • Raised a question about the financial implications and risks to taxpayers of granting Omnia a 90-day float on city repayment obligations.
• Anthony Carfang (2324 NW 26th Street):
  • Advocated for a "safe systems approach" in city design, prioritizing safety over speed and convenience, particularly in the context of Classen Boulevard.
  • Suggested that traffic calming measures, including adding bike lanes to underutilized corridors, are effective in reducing crashes.
  • Questioned how the City Manager would reconcile council desires that might conflict with engineering safety assessments, especially if the council's resolution to maintain six lanes on Classen Boulevard goes against best engineering practices for traffic calming.

Agenda Summary Table