#OKC BOXSCORE

Streetcar route testing to begin

Streetcar testing moves onto downtown streets this week. Monday, a "clearance" test is planned on the 2.3-mile loop that connects Bricktown with Chesapeake Energy Arena, the new convention center complex and park, and Myriad Gardens. Tuesday, overhead wires will be tested. If all goes as planned, a truck will pull a streetcar around the Bricktown loop on Thursday evening. Things to know:

• Downtown motorists must learn to share the road with streetcars.

• Cars that are parked blocking the tracks could be towed.

• The clearance test is to check for trees that must be trimmed.

• Testing on city streets is expected to continue for six months.

Of note: Contractors hit a major milestone by completing the Bricktown loop on time. They should complete installing tracks for the longer downtown loop in October.

Greiner earns MBA

Ward 1 Councilman James Greiner graduated this month with a Master of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma Christian University. Greiner completed his MBA with a concentration in Finance. His undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University is in graphic design. Greiner works at Hobby Lobby as a graphic design project coordinator.

Holt receives Jaycees honor

Mayor David Holt is among 2018's Ten Outstanding Young Americans named by JCI USA, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. JCI USA is a civic and community service organization. Honorees will be recognized at a ceremony Sept. 29 in Denver. Holt, 39, is a former state senator from Oklahoma City. He was elected mayor in the February primary and took office April 10.

They said it

"It just doesn't even seem moral to give them $1.7 million."

— Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, commenting on a proposal to provide $1.7 million in public job-creation subsidies to Amazon, the Seattlebased online mega-retailer. Amazon plans to construct a warehouse and shipping terminal at Will Rogers World Airport. Shadid characterized the proposal as a "regressive transfer of funds" from the taxpayers' perspective. The city council votes Tuesday on whether to authorize city staff to negotiate an agreement with Amazon.

Streetcar construction

MAPS 3 streetcar system construction continues throughout downtown. For updates, follow the weekly downtown area traffic advisory online at okc. gov. Streetcar service is to begin in December.

Present/absent

Mayor David Holt and seven of the eight city council members attended last week's meeting. Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis was absent, four days after being charged with embezzlement and intentionally failing to file state tax returns. Pettis has resigned effective May 31.

Stonecipher to seek second term

Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher said he expected to seek re-election next year. The first-term councilman said he wants to keep tabs on voter-authorized road projects and additional hiring by the police and fire departments. He said his experience would benefit Ward 8 residents as he works over the next several years to be sure projects stay on time and on budget.

The week ahead

The Oklahoma City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.

• The council will adopt procedures for appointing an interim replacement for Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis, who faces allegations of converting donations to charity to his own use.

• The council will call a special primary election for Aug. 28 and special runoff primary, if necessary, for Nov. 6, for voters to choose a candidate to serve the remaining three-plus years of Pettis' term.