OKC CIVIC LIFE
Belle Isle Library renovation begins
The $ 5.5 million renovation of the Belle Isle Library, opened in 1963, is expected to be completed by early 2022.
A modern structure will wrap around the original mid-century modern exterior, preserving the iconic look nicknamed “Millennium Falcon” or“Star ship Enterprise."
The library ,5501 N Villa Ave., will be about 10,000 square feet bigger when the renovation and expansion is finished, creating room for a much larger meeting area, study rooms, children's programming space, a dedicated area for teenagers and a studio “makerspace.”
The new library will have new furniture, new computers and more parking. Bright colors, floor-to-ceiling windows in some spaces and modern materials will make use of natural light to freshen the library's look and feel.
During construction, the library is operating from a temporary facility at 3621 Northwest Expressway.
Belle Isle Library shares its name with the former dairy f arm and amusement park developed by Anton Classen that were located nearby.
I t was t he Metropolit a n Library System's fifth location. Today, there are 19 libraries.
Video lawsuit settled
The Oklahoma City Council agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a federal lawsuit by Patrick Roth, who made l i ve video and comments about an OKC police sergeant and alleged his constitutional rights were violated in an ensuing altercation. A city attorney's memo said Roth travels the country recording police officers and other governmental officials and employees “in an attempt to elicit a constitutional violation." The memo said the officer was not asleep in his patrol car.
Water rate study set
The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust agreed to have a consultant recommend updates to the city's rate structure for water and wastewater service. Utilities executives expect the study to begin this fall, with a final report due next summer. The last study was done four years ago, and rates are adjusted each year on Jan. 1. The new rate structure is expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2022. The estimated cost for the study is $400,000.
Of note: Utility rates cover operations, maintenance and capital i mprovements. The current $1.7 billion, five-year capital i mprovements program includes construction of the second Atoka pipeline from southeastern Oklahoma.
Quote of the week
"The more we can do to educate our customers that we work with you, we help you, we do a good job and sometimes the stuff that gets out on social media, it's just wrong."
— Ward 8 Councilman and Water Utilities trustee Mark Stone cipher, re marking on complaints that circulate on social media about water bills. "Sometimes we have people complaining about their water bill," he said, "and they get on social media and then it turns out, when we go out ... it's an internal problem, something's the matter with the irrigation system, some thing' s the matter with the number of times in the day they water their yard, or there's a problem with the pool."
Water settlement delayed
The Water Utility Trust agreed to a one-year extension, to Sept .30,2021, of the deadline for meeting conditions necessary for official enactment of the 2016 water settlement among the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations, the state of Oklahoma and the city of Oklahoma City. The congressionally approved settlement preserves tribal interests and clears the way for Oklahoma City to use its Sardis Lake water. All parties agree with the extension, a memo to trustees said.
Facts and figures
•The Oklahoma City Council called a special election for Nov. 3 on nine city charter amendments largely aligning the charter with state law.
• The city council agreed to payments of up to $250,000 each from a $2 million COVID-19 relief fund for live entertainment venues.
Present/absent
The mayor and all eight city council members attended last week's meeting.
Calendar
The city council meets by teleconference at 8: 30 a. m. Sept. 1. For teleconference instructions find the agenda under the "Government" tab at okc.gov.