OKC Civic Life
Marijuana sales tax revenues multiply
Marijuana sales tax revenues more than doubled in July from the same month a year earlier as the business grew exponentially in Oklahoma City. So far this year, marijuana sales have produced $4 million for the city. For perspective, overall sales tax revenue is about $40 million per month. Here's what marijuana sales generated each of the past six months, according to the city treasurer's office:
• April, $339,888.37
• May, $437,473.05
• June, $499,543.25
• July, $550,912.14
• August, $498,598.85
• September, $471,861.27
Police-fire training center moves ahead
Construction of the police-fire training center authorized by voters in 2017 is expected to cost $33.2 million. The city council this month authorized the Public
Works director to negotiate a design contract with Oklahoma City architects ADG. The training center will be built in the vicinity of NE 4 and Bryant, east of Interstate 35 near Douglass Park, on the north bank of the North Canadian River. The complex will include a 64,000-square-foot main building and K-9 kennels.
They said it
“In a world where frequently there's not a lot of hope ... teachers get to spend every single day with a whole lot of hope because it's in our classroom.”
— Amanda Girdler, who was recognized last week by the city council for her selection as teacher of the month by The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City. “It's the hardest and holiest work that there is,” she said, “and teaching is the greatest honor of my life.” Girdler has a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma and teaches fifth-grade math and science at Taft Elementary School. She also coaches football and basketball.
Tweet of the week
“Judge upholds Oklahoma's absentee voting laws”
— @TheOklahoman_. Follow election news in The Oklahoman and subscribe at oklahoman.com.
Present/absent
The mayor and all eight city council members attended the Sept. 15 meeting.
• The council met privately for 47 minutes to discuss the recent federal appeals court ruling overturning a controversial panhandling ordinance.
• The council approved final plans for the lower section of the MAPS 3 downtown park. Construction bids are due Oct. 7; the budget is $20.5 million.
Briefly: Convention center delayed
• The MAPS 3 convention center construction completion date is pushed back two weeks to Oct. 25 — three days because of rainy weather and 11 days due to COVID-19 delays in materials deliveries. Ceilings, walls and carpets are nearly done, building systems are being tested, and the south parking lot is being paved.
• Utilities Director Chris Browning said last week few customers who are behind on their bills seem to be taking advantage of CARES Act-funded programs that offer help. Currently, about 13,000 household accounts are in arrears, owing $6.2 million.
Calendar
• The Oklahoma Senate Rules Committee meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 230 at the Capitol for a “study of the 2020 reforms to the Open Meetings Act and future opportunities to leverage technologies to better serve Oklahomans.” Pandemic rules for virtual meetings expire Nov. 15.
Worth noting: The Oklahoma City Council last met in person March 17.
• Scissortail Park observes its one-year anniversary with a concert Saturday evening on the great lawn featuring singer-songwriter John Fullbright. The MAPS 3 downtown park opened last September with a concert by the Kings of Leon. Social distancing precautions will be in effect for this year's celebration.
• The city council meets at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 29. Find the agenda with instructions for dialing in under the “Government” tab at okc. gov.
Calendar: Voter countdown
• Oct. 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election; registration is necessary to request an absentee ballot.
Of note: As of last Wednesday, 212,137 Oklahoma voters had requested absentee ballots.
• A voter registration drive is Saturday, 11 a.m to 1 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church parking lot, 2301 NE 23 St.
• Voter registration drives are Tuesdays at Northeast Town Center, 1148 NE 36 St.; Thursdays at JFK Park, 1824 NE 16 St., and Sundays at Spencer Shopping Center, NE 23 Street and Spencer Road. Times are 4 to 6 p.m., through Sept. 29.
• Voter registration drives are Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 4 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Learn more at the Oklahoma State Election Board, ok.gov/elections, or call your county election board. In Oklahoma County, call 713-1515.