Planning for transit hub, streetcar dominates Oklahoma City council discussion
Reporter Zeke Campfield live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Wednesday morning. Read about discussions and agenda items below.
Reporter Zeke Campfield live tweeted from the Oklahoma City Council meeting Wednesday morning. Read about discussions and agenda items below.

@ZekeCampfield
9:08 a.m.
I will be live tweeting council meetings like our previous city reporter, Michael Kimball did, but expect some bumps along the way!

9:10 a.m.
First council debate of the new year: bus stop benches. Discussion centered around contractors for bus bench advertisers.

9:11 a.m.
City's transit director, Rick Cain, says advertising should make 70-80 percent of bus benches generate revenue

9:11 a.m.
Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid skeptical that contractor needed for such benches; proposes advertising, etc., be done in-house instead.

9:13 a.m.
Agenda for this week's meeting: okc.gov/AgendaPub/mtgv… -- It's also streaming video online!

9:18 a.m.
Now the juicy stuff: MAPS 3 program coordinator unveiling new project requirements for transit streetcar plans

9:19 a.m.
Propulsion system, final route, track type -- streetcar issues which will be answering during coming investigation stage

9:21 a.m.
Prgm Coordinator Mike Mize: Subcommittee, city transit officials gave input in developing project requirements.

9:21 a.m.
Mike Mize: Should single contractor will design, implement, construct and operate streetcar?

9:22 a.m.
Mike Mize: Chances for federal assistance in first phases of streetcar "pretty slim"

9:22 a.m.
Mike Mize: Contractor in process of developing public meetings, agendas for streetcar project. Should happen in next couple of months.

9:25 a.m.
Shadid questioning process for setting route of new streetcar. Says subcommittee shouldn't have final say, but should set "starting point"

9:25 a.m.
Shadid: Route should consider both streetcar needs but also interfacing with other downtown projects, needs

9:26 a.m.
Shadid: We need the maximum amount of people looking at that route

9:28 a.m.
Shadid: Streetcar should be incorporated into Core to Shore, downtown park project

9:29 a.m.
Mike Mize: Those concerns have been expressed to streetcar development contractor. Contractor met with designers of convention center, park

9:30 a.m.
Mize: Contractor has hired subconsultant to look at economic impact of transit "and not just assume the route of the LPA is the final route"

9:30 a.m.
Mize: They are looking at the current preferred route as well as other routes

9:32 a.m.
Councilman David Greeenwell: I hope we have not determined at this point what the route is or will be.

9:33 a.m.
Councilman Pete White: Public input, meetings valuable to developing MAPS projects

9:34 a.m.
White: Public input, meetings process makes projects easier to swallow even for those who aren't satisfied with final result

9:35 a.m.
White: Is there funds to do a small streetcar loop downtown to tie park, convention center, memorial together?

9:36 a.m.
Gary Marrs: What study determined where route ought to go? I don't have a good answer for that

9:39 a.m.
Councilwoman Meg Salyer: Incorporate streetcar plans into all public transit plans for the city

9:40 a.m.
Councilman Skip Kelly: Was MAPS vote limited to strictly streetcar, or are we in position to define future transit programs?

9:41 a.m.
Mayor Mick Cornett: Intent was to build streetcar as circulation system for downtown, but MAPS dollars can be used for other transit prjcts

9:42 a.m.
Councilman Larry McAtee: We said 10 mill for hub, 120 mill for streetcar. Streetcar was to be designed within those limitations.

9:44 a.m.
Kelly: If you have lines that are already established that eliminates a major cost

9:44 a.m.
Kelly: Streetcar should connect to "Adventure District," i.e. zoo, science museum area

9:45 a.m.
Mize: Investigative standards phase will give contractor chance to "optimize the 130 million dollars" for streetcar

9:46 a.m.
Cornett: Propulsion, route will be discussed. We'll get it as right as we can. I have confidence in subcommittee.

9:48 a.m.
Transit conversation ends on Cornett's comments; now moving on to claims, other routine business.

9:52 a.m.
We're talking about a claim filed by a resident who broke her teeth on an icy sidewalk. City attny says claim was not filed on time.

9:52 a.m.
Fall was in December, 2010; claim was filed in November, 2012. Claim was designed, but woman claims she did not know extent of damage.

9:54 a.m.
Kelly: We can't exceed limitations established by state, despite empathy we can't approve a claim that is barred by law.

9:58 a.m.
Claims over, now councilors to make their comments

9:59 a.m.
Shadid: EK Gaylord, Santa Fe station not maneuverable by pedestrians

10:00 a.m.
Shadid: Public transportation director advocating to take 35 feet of right of way on EK Gaylord and give to pedestrians -- "that is heaven"

10:03 a.m.
Shadid: Three peds, one biker hit by cars on EK Gaylor corridor last year

10:03 a.m.
RT @BenAllenKOSU: I can unlock my lips, finally. @KOSURadio is expanding, with a studio in downtown OKC!!!!!! bit.ly/10OdXD4

10:04 a.m.
Pete White: OKC lost a true leader with death of former councilor, mayor Patience Latting

10:05 a.m.
Here's the NewsOK story on former Mayor Latting's death at age 94 okne.ws/Ve3paw

10:05 a.m.
Councilman Greenwell: Latting showed a lot of courage in running for office. Council "not as pleasant" then as it is today.

10:06 a.m.
Also note: Latting will lie in repose at city hall on Thursday; flags to fly at half-mast

10:06 a.m.
Councilwoman Salyer: Latting not only a tremendous role model, but a fabulous neighbor

10:08 a.m.
Councilman Kelly: Thank you mayor, council for naming NW library after Latting last year

10:09 a.m.
Public Works Director Eric Winger to discuss intelligent transportation system implementation now

10:10 a.m.
Winger: 2007 funding authorized study of 18 corridors - now want to expand to all intersections in the city

10:11 a.m.
Winger: $12.3 million budget; will reduce travel time, emissions, gas consumption

10:13 a.m.
Winger: System allows for city to monitor traffic signals wirelessly

10:15 a.m.
Winger: Ready to implement final corridors, as outlined in 2007 bond issue; project should be complete by 2014

10:15 a.m.
Winger: System allows for monitoring and managing 700-plus intersections remotely

10:16 a.m.
Shadid: How can you interface wireless system with proposed transit system projects?

10:18 a.m.
Winger: Still capable of detecting cars on cross-streets waiting for red lights

10:19 a.m.
City Manager Jim Couch: Sales taxes 6.7 percent over target in November

10:26 a.m.
First @mkimball011 and now @MeganRolland -- The Oklahoman is losing some of its most reliable, hard-working reporters.

10:31 a.m.
Council meeting comes to anti-climactic end. Thanks for bearing with me through my first live tweet session.
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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