Firefighters install free smoke alarms

Federal law enforcement grant released

The Oklahoma City Police Department will receive a federal grant that was held up while the U.S. Justice Department feuded with cities including Chicago over “sanctuary” policies. Police Chief Bill Citty shifted a victims’ services coordinator and sex offender registration duties onto the general fund when the 2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) was delayed. Sanctuary cities limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, a point of contention for the Trump administration. Oklahoma City was affected despite not having so-called “sanctuary” policies.

Of note: Citty says he intends to put the $275,000 grant toward buying a new bomb robot.

Grants fund airport upgrades

Oklahoma City received grants from the Federal Aviation Administration for improvements at Will Rogers World Airport. Here’s a rundown:

• $3.2 million: Structural rehab of the terminal bridge deck on the passenger dropoff/ticketing level.

• $879,822: Replace the backup generator in the system to keep airfield lighting on during power outages.

• $245,700: Implement a pavement management program to keep ahead of maintenance needs for taxiways and runways. A similar system is used to evaluate the condition of city streets.

Of note: Taxiway lighting and signs also will be replaced at Wiley Post Airport.

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.

• Streetcar operator training is slated to begin this week, with streetcars running in simulated service on the Bricktown loop. Look for streetcars running north on Hudson adjacent to Myriad Botanical Gardens, east on Sheridan into Bricktown, west on Reno coming out of Bricktown, and turning south on Robinson at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Oklahoma City firefighters assisted by Red Cross volunteers distributed 116 smoke alarms in a one-day canvass of an inner northwest-side neighborhood on July 28. Firefighters concentrated their effort in a neighborhood where a man was killed in a fire earlier in the month in a house with no smoke alarm. Oklahoma City firefighters will bring residents a free, long-life smoke alarm and install it. Fire deaths are at a 12-year high in Oklahoma City with half the year left to go.

• Get a free smoke alarm calling 316-2337 (English or Spanish) or online at SmokeAlarmsOKC.com or GratisAlarmsOKC.com.

Breweries’ taprooms get green light

The city council adopted new zoning regulations for restaurants, bars and taverns, updating and streamlining procedures for allowing sales and consumption of alcohol. Fans of local beers will be heartened to know the new rules clarify that taprooms are a “permitted accessory use” to a brewery. Councilwoman Meg Salyer said breweries in Ward 6 were getting set to open taprooms and asked to move the effective date of the changes up a month, to Aug. 30. The council agreed unanimously.

Present/absent

by The mayor and the eight city council members attended last Tuesday’s meeting. The council voted:

• To approve resurfacing the Bert Cooper Trails at Lake Hefner. It is the first trails project financed by proceeds of the 1-cent MAPS for streets sales tax approved by voters last September. Cost: $770,000.

• Set the stage for the start of construction in September on Omni Resorts & Hotels’ convention center headquarters hotel, by approving an economic development agreement. Taxpayers’ subsidy for development of the $235.5 million hotel at the MAPS 3 convention center complex is $85.4 million.

Senior center proposals due

The city council set an Oct. 30 deadline for proposals from organizations interested in being the operating partner for the fourth MAPS 3 senior health and wellness center. The council listed three “preferred” areas for developing the center. The first two were selected based on studies showing the greatest need, based on demographics and health outcomes. The council added the third preferred location at the request of Ward 3 Councilman Larry McAtee. They are:

• Southwest side, between SW 104 and SW 164 streets, and west from Santa Fe to Portland.

• Northwest side, between NW 23 and NW 63 streets, and west from Pennsylvania to Portland.

• Southwest side, between Reno and SW 59, and west from May to Cemetery Road.

Of note: The first MAPS 3 senior health and wellness center opened at NW 115 and Rockwell. The second is in Capitol Hill, at 4021 S Walker. A northeast-side site is being sought for the third center.

Calendar

The Oklahoma City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.