Oklahoma City Council tackles zoning issues before holiday break
Reporter Michael Kimball live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Tuesday morning. Read about agenda items and discussions below.
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Published: December 18, 2012
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Reporter Michael Kimball live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Tuesday morning. Read about agenda items and discussions below.
@OKC_Beat
8:38 a.m.
Today's #OKC Council meeting is under way. Light agenda today.
8:43 a.m.
We're starting off with a talk about the Pioneer Library System, which the city built a couple of libraries for.
8:44 a.m.
There's a library out in south OKC that the city built with bond money that's part of that system.
8:48 a.m.
RT @NewsOK: Follow Michael Kimball, @OKC_Beat, for live updates from the Oklahoma City Council meeting. newsok.com/live-updates-f…
8:52 a.m.
Right now, the city is honoring Mike DeGiacomo, a beloved city employee who recently passed. Background: newsok.com/oklahoma-city-…
8:52 a.m.
You can watch today's meeting on Cox channel 20. Check out an agenda or watch live online here: okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet…
8:56 a.m.
There will be some talk about bus benches later today -- the city is looking to build some more.
8:56 a.m.
Not much else on the agenda, but that only means there could be more time for broad policy debates in council comments. We'll see.
9:03 a.m.
Some morning for you. @stevelackmeyer says project changes show #OKC leaders listening to residents. okne.ws/T3xIAU
9:04 a.m.
Some morning reading for you. @stevelackmeyer says project changes show #OKC leaders listening to residents. okne.ws/T3xIAU
9:07 a.m.
Read Inouye's war record: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_In… MT @NewsOKPolitics Sen. Inhofe Comments on Passing of Sen. Inouye blog.newsok.com/politics/?p=44… …
9:09 a.m.
Ed Shadid is asking questions about consent agenda items. One is related to the state auditor's investigation: Bkgnd: okne.ws/Rrmq6T
9:10 a.m.
One of the consent agenda items is related to the contract at the heart of that auditor's investigation. A minor contract in this case.
9:10 a.m.
Shadid wants to know why the city released the contractor from its performance bond.
9:11 a.m.
It's a very long answer, but the short version is that it made sense for the city. Jim Couch has said much the same before, and that...
9:11 a.m.
The city attorney is making the point now that it would have been very expensive and complicated to litigate it, perhaps more than bond.
9:14 a.m.
Awww. RT @KristyYager We will miss @OKC_Beat. This is his last city council meeting. Welcome aboard new beat reporter @ZekeCampfield.
9:17 a.m.
More morning reading. RT @ZekeCampfield Oklahoma City public art to get integrative direction okne.ws/VMznJt
9:20 a.m.
Pete White and Pat Ryan are talking about some of the downtown beautification projects, asking to make sure city preserves historical value.
9:21 a.m.
Referencing the Civic Center park, which some people were upset about. Wanting to make sure historical elements retained.
9:22 a.m.
I've got at least one more (hopefully) good story coming for this weekend. It's related to violence in OKC.
9:24 a.m.
RT @Maps3: The MAPS 3 Fairgrounds and River subcommittees meet today. See agendas here: ow.ly/gc9VI
9:27 a.m.
On to the zoning cases today. I don't think there's anything really notable, but we'll see.
9:36 a.m.
Zoning, zoning, zoning.
9:46 a.m.
Zoning, zoning, zoning ... for example, this one is for a restaurant in the Memorial corridor to be able to serve alcohol.
9:50 a.m.
Now it's an apartment complex zoning case. This will be a long one. People always seem to be opposed to apartments.
9:56 a.m.
Whenever anyone starts their zoning protest monologue with "I'm going to tell you my story," get comfortable.
10:03 a.m.
The widow of Bob Kalsu is one of the people speaking out against the apartment complex right now. Kalsu is a local hero.
10:03 a.m.
Kalsu played football at OU and then for the Buffalo Bills and was killed in action in Vietnam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Kalsu
10:04 a.m.
Kalsu and Pat Tillman are the only NFL players to die in combat.
10:05 a.m.
The apartment complex in question would be at 10700 S May Ave.
10:19 a.m.
While waiting out this zoning case, I'll point out I'm not a doomsday prepper for having my last day be Dec. 20. It's a coincidence. #Mayans
10:21 a.m.
Mayor: "If you have something new to say," we'd love to hear from you."
10:33 a.m.
Guys we are still on this apartment complex.
10:34 a.m.
My 5,000th tweet was lamenting the length of a zoning issue during my last #OKC Council meeting. That is very fitting.
10:38 a.m.
FYI, apartment zoning passes. 8-1 vote, only Mayor Cornett voting against it. Rarely happens that Cornett is sole dissenter, but twice 2day.
10:42 a.m.
We're on the bus benches item. Not sure if that will end up being talked about much today or not.
10:58 a.m.
On bus station benches, Shadid highlighting some ridiculously placed bus benches. Calls placement "a sick joke."
10:59 a.m.
Showed 1 bench behind bushes, 1 on a sharp incline, 1 right by the road w/ no sidewalk. Shadid says these are billboards, not functional.
11:04 a.m.
Moving on. A few items remain. Hard to say how long it will take.
11:08 a.m.
Mayor Cornett had to leave, so now Gary Marrs gets in his chair as Vice Mayor for remainder of the meeting.
11:12 a.m.
Riveted, obviously. RT @zachnash @OKC_Beat and @ZekeCampfield in the @cityofokc press box : twitpic.com/bn4by7
11:12 a.m.
Here's an update to Project 180. Coming from Public Works Director Eric Wenger.
11:13 a.m.
Brb for quick interview w/ police chief, @ZekeCampfield will let you know if anything interesting comes up.
11:26 a.m.
I'm back.
11:26 a.m.
A quick aside to preview my weekend story, probably my last at The Oklahoman.
11:26 a.m.
I'm taking a look at the data to see what kinds of weapons Oklahoma City residents have used to defend themselves recently.
11:26 a.m.
Also, I'm looking at the data to see how officers encounter assault weapons in the field.
11:27 a.m.
I spoke with Police Chief Bill Citty about it. Check out the story Sunday or Monday, most likely, in @TheOklahoman.
11:28 a.m.
RT @ZekeCampfield: Wenger: $176 million in funding available for Project 180; budget matches that.
11:37 a.m.
Let me tell you how much I wanted my last council meeting to be 3+ hours despite a rather insignificant agenda (in grand scheme of things).
11:51 a.m.
We're on comments from council now. So basically the end of the meeting. We'll see how long it takes.
11:52 a.m.
Skip Kelly kicks off saying we need a national conversation about the safety of children. (I agree.)
11:57 a.m.
Calls for more police officers in the city coming from the council as well. City added new officers this year for first time in two decades.
11:57 a.m.
Police Chief Bill Citty has said city still needs more officers.
12:05 p.m.
Citizens to be heard features a transit advocate. Get comfortable.
12:13 p.m.
And thus concludes today's #OKC Council meeting. The council is off the next two weeks for the holidays. Thanks for joining.
12:13 p.m.
PSA: Remember to follow @ZekeCampfield, who takes over this beat as of Friday. This will turn into a personal account.
If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.
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