#OKCBOXSCORE
Trial set in sex shop zoning case
A trial is set for Sept. 21 in Oklahoma City Municipal Court on the zoning complaint against the upscale sex shop Adam & Eve. Code enforcement officers initiated action against Adam & Eve in November, alleging the business violates a 1997 ordinance forbidding “adult novelty” stores within 1,000 feet of a residence. Adam & Eve is at 2905 NW 70, just off May Avenue. The owners also have a location on East Main Street in Norman. Court records say Oklahoma City has assessed a $178 fine against the business. Officials said the city received a complaint about the business the day it opened.
Council authorizes opioid litigation
The Oklahoma City Council took a step toward joining other cities in litigation aimed at recovering costs incurred because of the opioid crisis. Critics say pharmaceutical manufacturers failed to fully disclose the dangers of addiction posed by their products. The council authorized the city attorney to negotiate an agreement with outside counsel to represent the city in a proceeding known as a multi-jurisdictional lawsuit. The outside lawyers would be paid out of any settlement the city receives.
Of note: A memo from the city attorney says opioid use in Oklahoma City is “approximately 60 percent higher than the national average.”
City offers lead testing
Oklahoma City’s Utilities The Oklahoma State Fair will be from Sept. 13-23 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Department is offering free lead and copper testing for water customers who have lead water service lines. Water customers eligible for testing include those with houses built before 1960. City staff will deliver a test kit to eligible households, and households will receive a letter with the results. Results also will be added to a state Department of Environmental Quality database.
Request testing: Call 2973483 or email water@okc. gov.
State Fair tickets on sale
Tickets for the 2018 Oklahoma State Fair were to go on sale beginning Saturday. This year’s fair runs Thursday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 23. Features include Disney On Ice “Dare to Dream” and the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour & Concerts.
Details: For information, go to www.okstatefair. com. Box office hours at the Bennett Event Center are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Park demo contract approved
The city council approved a $425,850 contract with Midwest Wrecking Co. to clear away the old Hubcap Alley auto scrapyards and parts suppliers along the west side of S Robinson Avenue between Interstate 40 and the Oklahoma River. The property is being cleared to make way for the lower section of the MAPS 3 downtown park.
They said it
“Most of the individuals who live in these houses work . ... We would like to change the vernacular a little bit and talk more about work force housing instead of ‘affordable’ housing.”
— Cathy O’Connor, president and chief executive officer of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, discussing criteria and guidelines for the new affordable housing initiative authorized by voters in the 2017 bond election. Voters approved $10 million to provide incentives for developers to include affordable units in residential and mixed-use developments. Preference is given for developments in mixed-income neighborhoods with access to quality schools and transit.
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 begins in December.
Present/absent
The eight city council members attended last week’s meeting. Mayor David Holt was absent, away on a family vacation; Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer, the vice mayor, presided.
Calendar
The Oklahoma City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. July 17 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.