City manager names city's first diversity officer
Shalynne Jackson, a University of Oklahoma graduate, has been named the city of Oklahoma City's first Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer. City Manager Craig Freeman announced the appointment last week. Jackson grew up in Oklahoma and is moving from Arkansas, where she is a consultant and labor relations manager. Her duties will include training, coaching, guidance and education, the city said in a news release. At OU, Jackson majored in criminology and human relations and earned a master's degree in human relations.
Of note: Jackson will report directly to the city manager.
Mask ordinance likely to be extended
The city council is to vote Tuesday on extending Oklahoma City's mask ordinance until March 5. The ordinance requires that masks be worn indoors, in most public places, to limit the spread of coronavirus. The nine-member council has consistently had the seven votes required for uninterrupted extensions since the measure was first adopted July 17.
Of note: According to Friday's COVID19 situation report from Oklahoma City's emergency management office, Oklahoma is on pace to record nearly 900 COVID-19 deaths this month alone. That is more than the total recorded in the first six months of the pandemic and would exceed the previous monthly record, set in December.
Quote of the week
“To all those who will sail aboard the USNS Muscogee Creek Nation, I wish you fair winds and following seas.”
— Navy Acting Under Secretary Greg Slavonic, at last week's ceremony to officially name the USNS Muscogee Creek Nation (T-ATS 10). The outdoor ceremony was held at the nearly complete First Americans Museum, which is to open Sept. 18. The vessel will be a Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship, powerful enough to tow Navy warships in open water and capable of conducting wide-area surveillance and search missions. It could be ready for commissioning in about two years.
Calendar
The city council meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave. Find the agenda under the “Government” tab at okc.gov.
• Monday is a holiday; city offices are closed. Make-up day for trash and recycling pickup is Wednesday. Bus and streetcar service are free, on regular schedules.
• The Regional Transportation Authority has scheduled a virtual town hall at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 as it begins development of a transit plan for its six member cities.
• The city council's annual budget workshop is Feb. 9.
• City council primaries in Wards 1, 3 and 4 are Feb. 9. Early in-person voting will be Feb. 4-5. The U.S. Postal Service recommends returning mailin ballots by Feb. 2.
Council candidates skip MAPS 4 vote
According to county election board records, four of the nine candidates for Oklahoma City Council in Ward 1 failed to vote in the Dec. 10, 2019, MAPS 4 election. They are Bradley Carter, Nana Abram Dankwa, Josh Debolt and Shay Varnell.
Of note: Among six candidates in the Ward 3 race, Kelli Payne and Allen Swanda failed to cast a ballot on MAPS 4. In the Ward 4 race, all three candidates voted in the MAPS 4 election.
Facts and figures
• Oklahoma City Utilities Director Chris Browning reported last week that crews removing ice storm debris had picked up more than 60,000 tons of downed tree limbs and shrubbery so far. Initial estimates of about 100,000 tons of debris city-wide appear to be on the low side, he said.
Present/absent
The mayor and all eight city council members attended the Jan. 5 meeting.