[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6195832,"mediaKeyId","3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96","parentId",3859218,"title","City council approves long-term agreements to keep Thunder in Oklahoma City after debate over community benefits","audioSeconds",2690,"startMs",1359000,"endMs",4049000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96&start=1359&end=4049","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96/thumbnail_1359000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195832/Oklahoma/City-council-approves-long-term-agreements-to-keep-Thunder-in-Oklahoma-City-after-debate-over-community-benefits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195832-1d3083c7291ff23609da93071bab2923/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000662&Signature=BU60wcZ2xV3MPtq1czxakWF3Qs6yFBK-st27X5QufL7TAzR4633kBJR6D-eG~tCex39nLdgUaxULZmCsfWw78xQuT2j89SUtdhLtmLvnFl~eFdLGBPUKVLvUqt0YC8G0ELmrXDzYzsDxsnle8VuCyk6t0SbDzrJohq3H2X7G~dk1uqieyvWVYsBCjly27Q8EHiZoeO5Lu8OMBjsc2ajEoHM0~p-1~h2nlNui9riigMnpxNxtUm-CqvgEEXZOHvuzLQLChyCNE8v-XrdioElxhGwR0xvd~N5ewLrZ~-rh14373iQWuwGpBm3QVNi-whcyR-glKmsYf9NUnxbg4ryr7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oklahoma","date","2025-06-18T12:51:01.553Z","article","Oklahoma City — The City Council on Tuesday approved a set of agreements aimed at securing the Oklahoma City Thunder and a new arena for the next generation, formalizing a 25-year use license for the team and companion operating and concessions contracts while preserving preferential rights for the existing Paycom Center site.

The measures — the use license agreement (often called the lease), a preferential-rights agreement for the old arena site, a food and beverage (concession) agreement and a facilities-management (operator) agreement — passed on 8–1 votes despite heated public comment and a failed council amendment to remove two community-benefit provisions.

The package matters because it cements the team’s long-term commitment to the city and creates contractual mechanisms for capital replacement and facility operation. City staff described the new use license as a 25-year commitment from the team with up to three 5-year renewals, which together can extend the relationship to 40 years. City officials said the new agreement simplifies the license fee structure and creates an arena capital-improvement fund seeded by several sources, including per‑ticket facility fees and proceeds from any sale or lease of the old Paycom site.

Assistant City Manager and CFO Brent Bryant summarized key financial terms. “When they move into the new arena, it’s $58,000,” he said of the annual use-license fee as negotiated for the new facility; that fee will increase in early years and then be tied to CPI increases subject to caps. Bryant and other staff also described liquidated‑damage provisions and a team contribution to construction: the team committed $50,000,000 toward a minimum‑budget arena that city documents set at $900,000,000.

The council and public focused heavily on the community benefits incorporated into the facilities‑management agreement. Council previously approved a community benefits framework and staff and ASM (the proposed operator) included two provisions that drew both public praise and opposition: a workforce intermediary to prioritize hiring from underserved neighborhoods and language intended to ensure “all jobs in the arena” receive compensation commensurate with the city’s wage standards. Supporters, including school and labor representatives, urged stronger protections — notably a labor‑peace neutrality clause that would bar an operator from hiring consultants to oppose union organizing; speakers said this would give workers the chance to organize free of interference.

Labor and education advocates cited local workforce statistics and asked the council to use the arena as an opportunity to connect underemployed residents to career pathways. Jessica Cifuentes, who identified herself as representing public‑school District 3, urged the council to “ensure a fair compensation for all people — all means all,” and to target hiring in neighborhoods near the arena.

Opponents of the wage and hiring mandates warned that contractual wage requirements could interfere with private employers and subcontractors. Council debate reflected that split: Councilman Carter moved to delete the two contested provisions (items 18.j and 18.k in the facility agreement); that amendment failed 4–5. Council members supporting retention said ASM had already accepted the provisions and that the protections were modest, targeted measures meant to ensure public benefit from a city‑facilitated deal.

Formal actions taken by the council included approval of: (1) the use license agreement (8–1), (2) the preferential‑rights agreement for the Paycom site (8–1), (3) the food and beverage agreement (8–1), and (4) the facilities management (operator) agreement (8–1). A separate motion to remove the two community benefits provisions was defeated 4–5.

City staff said the agreements also create an arena capital improvement fund that will be capitalized from several sources (team event fees, proceeds from the sale of the existing site and any future arena site leases/sales, and remaining MAPS‑4 proceeds). Officials noted the city will remain responsible for capital expenditures on the new facility and for maintaining standard levels of service.

Looking ahead, staff said the development agreement establishes a construction timeline with an objective to open by mid‑2028, with a legal backstop allowing no later than mid‑2030, and that a seven‑year facility assessment regime will guide capital reinvestment. Council members who opposed the labor‑peace inclusion indicated they would continue discussions with labor and operator representatives, while supporters said they would press the operator and their partners to implement robust outreach to train and recruit residents from neighborhoods with high unemployment.

Speakers and council members asked staff to track and report on implementation: how many jobs are created, how many hires come from targeted neighborhoods, and whether subcontractors are complying with wage expectations. City officials said they expect further implementation details to be worked out jointly with ASM and the team as the project proceeds.

Notes: The agreements and council votes are part of a complex package the city negotiated after a December 2023 ballot measure that approved a new arena plan. Public comment at Tuesday’s meeting focused on workforce and wage protections; supporters sought a stronger labor‑peace clause, which did not make it into the executed agreements. Council set final related actions for later formal documentation and continuing implementation oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oklahoma City Council Meeting - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Oklahoma City — The City Council on Tuesday approved a set of agreements aimed at securing the Oklahoma City Thunder and a new arena for the next generation, formalizing a 25-year use license for the team and companion operating and concessions contracts while preserving preferential rights for the existing Paycom Center site.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",69690,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195819,"Council unanimously appoints new presiding and vice‑presiding municipal judges",297,835000,1132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96&start=835&end=1132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96/thumbnail_835000.jpg","/articles/6195819/Oklahoma/Council-unanimously-appoints-new-presiding-and-vicepresiding-municipal-judges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195819-0ff57a09b83c5cbf67c7670f4d5d6edc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000662&Signature=iYArGwJ-a1MOIIXEPoR2ns4mR99UxqDMNyk5RojR9qF2nCDF~kLpD34FGvyeb8dIPx7gGmdZFgjYlJzRBapIKCm0goN2a2xioxcqwJ4PLrOVXNVMGgu3mY3rWbAmaRyj4n9fp3a5GV8tWvw2lmFBGDrIHJz20TiprEw7iaThDpSjpK6LIRZjq~jNVer-wOjUvnzyOmQUBywKJXrKF0DAFXI80Ny4kYEiiwbzvVtNWJ0umXFBd7vi6jHJE4GNShjaCWNo-UxiRIYJPGOTQM-jFKcxUgzXM8ijuJceNdv4W9Cvp0~Wsd0TSU7NHPPQUvl0Y95KqxX9eNe6bzbV9g2Xkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oklahoma City — The City Council unanimously approved two judiciary committee recommendations on Tuesday, appointing Donald O’Kiffin as presiding municipal judge and Edward D. Hasbrook as vice presiding judge following the retirement of Presiding Judge Philippa James.

Councilman (judiciary committee chair) reported the committee met in a special session and recommended the two appointments. The committee’s report noted Judge O’Kiffin’s prior service as a municipal judge since 2015 and earlier experience as a special judge, and said Judge Hasbrook has served as a municipal judge since Jan. 3, 2017.

Council members praised Judge Philippa James for her work modernizing the municipal court system; the committee noted she recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Oklahoma County Bar Association. The council then voted on the two resolutions: the presiding judge resolution passed unanimously; the vice presiding judge resolution also passed unanimously.

Notes: The appointments are the formal actions required to fill municipal court leadership following Judge James’s announced retirement; the resolutions were introduced by the judiciary committee and advanced by council vote.","The council approved resolutions designating Donald O’Kiffin as presiding judge and Edward Hasbrook as vice presiding judge after the judiciary committee recommendations; both votes passed unanimously.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195824,"Council adopts amended home‑sharing fee plan after debate; consultant and software to support enforcement",1549,8010000,9559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96&start=8010&end=9559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96/thumbnail_8010000.jpg","/articles/6195824/Oklahoma/Council-adopts-amended-homesharing-fee-plan-after-debate-consultant-and-software-to-support-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195824-48de75cd1f8aad52ba1936a844a03718/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000662&Signature=lOn45G5z4qQD6cv7OKZ3s56zgnkeHARvD36rxL5p3FZJk5aBh6nO9S~QbBMjtI9lgvPVv645PEpgytvaoN7dkiI06O~WiJKXNIqdJFNm3F2L4H~jk3K6tIKRP82BCDUFaTdpX7ZZoIAhRFayiIRwU4KeG9PQ0UQU-PJF0m2EPD6bL44OBce3Y42cWFVMWznvMOU3HUqvrvGxho8OFlAXmtMF0qCf9lJ23h7DuXtsF6TF0z~KnVxH6PaWt5EBD9QI8VPcsr9axomq1B4Mut8UyxwpuTsCW19b2n6yq-QFjOVzeMMVCE0SovCqZN9kt-LOyfxA3J83QSxf7aH1MU-RlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oklahoma City — The City Council on Tuesday adopted an amended set of changes to home‑sharing (short‑term rental) licensing and fees, after public comment from hosts and industry volunteers and an extended staff briefing on enforcement tools.

The final ordinance (as amended) passed 8–1. The adopted change preserves a higher initial special‑exception fee while reducing renewal burdens: staff proposed and council adopted keeping an initial $1,100 application fee for special exceptions while setting renewal fees at $7.50 to reduce the financial burden on repeat applicants.

The short‑term rental discussion followed months of staff focus on regulation and enforcement. Planning Director Jeff Butler told council that concern centered on the cost burden for licensing, particularly for operators who must renew repeatedly or appear before the Board of Adjustment for special exceptions. Butler said the administration is proposing the compromise of a full initial fee and a much smaller renewal fee.

Several local hosts and community volunteers urged the council to avoid penalizing responsible hosts while stepping up enforcement against unlicensed operators. Libby Ross, who identified herself as an Airbnb community volunteer leader, urged the city to wait for a new compliance platform and use it to help separate well‑managed hosts from bad actors. Melinda Erwin, a long‑time resident and host, said she participated in a city focus group and urged more targeted enforcement rather than sweeping fee increases.

Staff told council they have engaged a contractor to assist with enforcement and compliance work and that new software will help identify unlicensed listings. Staff described the vendor role as including a 24/7 hotline, access to property‑manager information so the vendor can coordinate responses to complaints, and complaint tracking to inform Board of Adjustment decisions. City staff said the consultant and software are intended to bring unpermitted hosts into compliance and to provide reliable complaint histories to help the board make renewal decisions (for example, granting multi‑year renewals to operators with no complaints).

After public comment and a short staff presentation, council approved an amendment to the ordinance (vote 7–2) and then adopted the amended ordinance on final hearing (vote 8–1). Council members said they supported the compromise fee structure and stressed continued work to streamline permitting and to improve outreach for compliant hosts.

Notes: The adopted fee structure and enforcement tools aim to reduce the number of unpermitted short‑term rentals and to ease the administrative burden on compliant operators. Staff said more program details about the enforcement consultant’s contract and the rollout timing for the compliance software will be provided as implementation proceeds.","Council approved amended short‑term rental (home sharing) fee changes after public comment from hosts and managers; staff will deploy a consultant, a 24/7 hotline and new compliance software to identify unlicensed listings and support enforcement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6195828,"City unveils $2.7 billion 2025 bond package and sets October election after broad public outreach",2938,3771000,6709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96&start=3771&end=6709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859218-325ec858f2bef22494a5f1ad433b5f96/thumbnail_3771000.jpg","/articles/6195828/Oklahoma/City-unveils-27-billion-2025-bond-package-and-sets-October-election-after-broad-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195828-c9bbf27491a3cb712bc0f650ff798a77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000662&Signature=X1639Yz299hImV6YdadYb7wV11ElkQVgZEYCfg-an5DVfvtMu1eDohUhfAQ-61Wy0HGp2vMq7k5ujvKlrKK~XnZ-Y7-qhbgCM6uy5F0WD8VJ6ZgKtVemWAadiqEvykYDzSTfZt~KDen3~OBHEBlRJJB9NCrwsSjODCDlzEUvVduYJIRKmlDPbMqLjT-u-LTVUMcpZEjE245SXr6fIaGT1eDqVYlB-PyyMI9819VZFZhtxaoMEY-T9G~Gc3-ArUYe~rbVsclj81AaLS9YAJkCRHF8EDo9gBpiStL9XFK2Jfh6ykJEgQKmiTqpJ5PsxjZFT8-vZmWVO1JdQ1UoeZB-JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oklahoma City — City staff on Tuesday introduced a proposed $2.7 billion bond program that would fund 11 propositions including streets and bridges, traffic systems, drainage, police and fire facilities, transit, parks, libraries and economic development, and set a special election for Oct. 14.

The City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city to call the election and to adopt a proclamation initiating the ballot measures; the council will consider final adoption July 15 before sending the measures to a fall ballot.

City staff said the bond list is the product of an extended public engagement and prioritization process. Assistant City Manager Aubrey McDermott said staff held 24 in‑person events, eight open houses, 16 pop‑up community events and an expanded web presence that drew more than 14,000 visits. Residents and stakeholders submitted roughly 6,030 project ideas via an interactive map, McDermott said, and planning staff used a scoring framework to trim a needs list from about $7 billion to a fiscally realistic package.

Debbie (last name given in staff materials) and other department leaders told council the adopted package targets core infrastructure: 76% of projects are designated critical infrastructure and about 56% of bond dollars are allocated to streets, bridges and traffic improvements. Staff said the streets proposition alone accounts for roughly half of the package — about $1.35 billion — and includes residential and arterial resurfacing, 27 street‑widening projects, and roughly 150 miles of sidewalks prioritized for school and park access.

Other highlights staff presented: funding for 44 drainage projects (identified from a long‑running complaint database and basin studies), an annex and laboratory for police and municipal courts, seven fire projects including four new stations and completion of a public safety training center, transit facility needs and a downtown parking garage that staff said could support monthly parking and rail passengers, and economic development and community‑support programs including $50 million for affordable housing. Staff said they also included contingency “unlisted” funds to address future cost escalation or unforeseen needs during the bond implementation period.

Council members praised the breadth of the outreach and the emphasis on basic infrastructure while noting the need to balance investments across wards. City Manager Craig Freeman emphasized the city’s ongoing commitment to maintain an average millage rate in the neighborhood of 16 mills and said the program is structured to use the city’s bonding capacity without proposing a tax increase.

Next steps: Planning Commission recommended the bond package to council. Council scheduled a final hearing and adoption for July 15; if adopted the ballot would be set for Oct. 14. Staff said additional resident engagement and project‑level outreach would continue through the summer and fall to refine program details and implementation plans.

Notes: The bond package and vote are city‑level capital decisions; specific project lists, timelines and financing plans will be developed once council completes the authorization steps and as staff refines cost estimates and schedules.","City staff introduced an 11-proposition, $2.7 billion bond program focused largely on streets, bridges and traffic control, set for a possible Oct. 14 ballot after council approved a resolution to call the special election.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City council approves long-term agreements to keep Thunder in Oklahoma City after debate over community benefits

Council unanimously appoints new presiding and vice‑presiding municipal judges

Council adopts amended home‑sharing fee plan after debate; consultant and software to support enforcement

City unveils $2.7 billion 2025 bond package and sets October election after broad public outreach