City Council Election Update
With tight races in all four wards, you can have a real impact on this election by sharing information about the candidates and their positions, as well as encouraging friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to get out and vote!
There have been a number of articles and opinion pieces about the candidates in our area newspapers. The links below provide additional insight into the positions of the candidates and their background.
Overall Editorials
Oklahoma Gazette
Ward 2
Oklahoman
Oklahoman Q&A
Oklahoma Gazette
Ward 5
Oklahoman
Oklahoman Q&A
Oklahoma Gazette
Ward 6
Oklahoman
Oklahoman Q&A
Oklahoma Gazette
Ward 8
Oklahoman
Oklahoman Q&A
Oklahoma Gazette
Early voting for Tuesday's election begins tomorrow at each county election board office. Early voting is available on Friday, February 25th and on Monday, February 28th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To find directions to your County Election Board, or to find your polling place for Tuesday's election, visit these web sites:
Oklahoma County Election Board, 713-1515
Canadian County Election Board, 295-6031
Cleveland County Election Board, 366-0210
Wards 2, 5, 6 & 8 are in an election year.
Neighborhood Alliance will be cosponsoring
"Meet the Candidates" events in these wards.
WARD 6 - Tuesday, February 22, 6:30pm
at Hawthorne Elementary School
2300 NW 15th (Corner of NW 15th and Youngs Blvd.)
Cosponsored by Trolley Track Coalition
WARD 8 - Tuesday, February 22, 6:30pm
at Fenwick Community Clubhouse,
16801 Fenwick Blvd, Edmond OK 73012 (not mapped accurately online, refer to the above link only)
The Club House is located at the corner of Fenwick Blvd and NW 167th St., just two blocks north of NW 164th, between Western and Penn; in the heart of beautiful Fenwick commons. (Seating and capacity limited to 65). Cosponsored by Fenwick Garden Village HOA.
WARD 2 - Thursday, February 24, 6:30pm
at Putnam Heights Elementary
1601 Northwest 36th St.
Cosponsored by Putnam Heights Preservation.
WARD 5 - Thursday, February 24, 6:30pm
at St. Andrews United Methodist Church
2727 SW 119th Street Oklahoma City, 73170. Contact Cohosted by Lakeridge Run IV HOA
Phone: 405-692-4242
This City's not gonna plan itself!
We need your input to help guide City Planners in their creation of Oklahoma City's long-range plan.
Oklahoma City Planners want to know what's important to neighborhoods...
What are your challenges?
What are your strengths?
This is a hands-on workshop. You will get the inside scoop on planOKC, speak to city planners and learn how you can participate. You will be given
the opportunity to join a steering committee and to become a planOKC ambassador to bring important input surveys to your neighborhood or
community group. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard!
Thursday, July 15, 6pm
Dinner catered by Cookin' 4 You!
This event is free, bring as many as you want, but everyone must be registered!
Langston University OKC
4205 N Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Registration required, click here:
planOKC Dinner Workshop
Don't miss this opportunity, sign up today!
City hopes to curb yard parkers
In an effort to reduce blight in neighborhoods and keep home property values from declining the City is increasing the fine for yard parkers from $10 to $100.
“Yard parking is a persistent problem in a number of Oklahoma City neighborhoods,” Code Enforcement Manager Charles Locke said. “The practice is an eyesore and can quickly become a neighborhood epidemic. If we can stop yard parking, we can dramatically enhance the way our community looks.”
More than 8,400 yard parking complaints were logged by the City’s Action Center in 2009. Most violations occur in aging neighborhoods with one-car garages.
Yard parking also causes damage to water and sewage lines and can impair drainage for neighbors.
It’s a violation of City ordinances to park any type of vehicle on an unimproved surface (grass or lawn) in a residential area. This includes the front, side or back of your yard or even a vacant lot. Violations may be reported to the Action Center at 297-2535 or online at www.okc.gov. Code Enforcement Inspectors will check the reported location and issue citations if violations are found.
The new ordinance takes effect July 1.
Collection crews will begin picking up household items from flood-damaged homes in Oklahoma City on June 21.
Crews will concentrate their efforts on neighborhoods primarily in far northwest Oklahoma City identified as having extensive flooding.
Residents in these neighborhoods should separate their debris and place it into three different piles within 10 feet of the curb.
1. Destroyed personal property such carpet, drapes, furniture, clothing, TVs and computers.
2. Refrigerators and other items containing Freon will be collected on a separate pass. By law, residents are required to remove their refrigerator or freezer door before setting it out. Food should be removed as well.
3. Household hazardous waste such as pool chemicals, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil and gasoline will also be collected on a separate pass.
Collection crews will not pick up building material such as sheet rock and lumber. Homeowners should contract with a private company to remove these materials.
Homeowners in the affected neighborhoods are asked to avoid parking along the street since it could hinder access to the debris.
Commercial property owners who sustained flood damage should contract with a private company for debris removal.
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Editor’s Notes: Contractors expect to complete a second pass of debris collection in the southeast Oklahoma City neighborhoods affected by the tornado on June 17.
Mandatory Water Ban Ends
Oklahoma City has ended the mandatory outdoor watering ban that was implemented following a 36-inch main break on May 22 in NW Oklahoma City.
The replacement pipe arrived in Oklahoma City yesterday about 9:30 a.m., ahead of schedule. Contractors immediately began the repair and worked
through the night. The repair went smoothly, and the system is back to normal operations.
City officials appreciate citizens’ participation in the watering ban and apologize for all inconvenience and frustrations the main break caused them this week.
The City of Oklahoma City has implemented a mandatory outdoor watering ban for all residences and businesses served by the Hefner Water Treatment Plant. The ban applies to properties basically bound by:
The ban is in force to help maintain adequate water pressure that is critical for fire protection and drinking water needs.
· North of NW 36th Street
· West of Western Avenue
The following communities are also included in the outdoor watering ban:
· Warr Acres
· The Village
Citizens in northwest Oklahoma City and the surrounding communities should turn off sprinkler systems and refrain from outdoor watering until late Saturday or until further notice.
A 36-inch water line on Hefner Road east of Meridian broke Saturday night, and caused a 24-inch and 12-inch main in the area to also break. The 24-inch and 12-inch mains have been repaired by City crews. Loss of the 36-inch water line is causing low water pressure in an area.
Water pressure is increasing in the affected area but some customers have very low water pressures. Water pressures will remain lower-than-normal until the main is repaired. Repair efforts are under way and should be completed by late Friday.
Citizens can help shape Oklahoma City’s future by participating in a kick-off meeting for the City’s new comprehensive plan called planOKC.
Officials will introduce planOKC, describe ways to get involved in the planning process and discuss how citizens and City planners can work together to create a healthy, sustainable community.
The public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 6 in the City Council Chamber of City Hall, 200 N Walker.
The quality of Oklahoma City’s long-range plans depends on input and opinions from citizens. Citizens are encouraged to get involved by attending the May 6 kick-off meeting, joining the planOKC distribution list or inviting a City planner to speak at their organization’s next meeting.
To register for the May 6 kick-off meeting, get more information, send questions and feedback and join the planOKC distribution list, visit www.okc.gov/planokc.
Here’s a chance to get rid of old junk and debris: Free Landfill Day. Oklahoma City residents may take a truckload to a participating landfill between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, May 1.
Each residential household may drop off one load using a passenger vehicle or a single-axle truck up to a 1-ton and one trailer up to 16-feet long.
A current original water bill (no photocopies accepted) or a printout of an electronic bill is required as proof of residency. Bulk waste rules and regulations also apply to Free Landfill Day. Simply put, that means no appliances containing Freon or other refrigerants, household hazardous waste, tires, oils, car batteries, propane tanks, pool chemicals or electronic waste.
Please, no commercial account holders or commercial waste haulers.
Participating landfills:
· East Oak Landfill – 3201 Mosley Rd. (N.E. 36, east of Sooner Road, south side of street)
· Oklahoma City Landfill d/b/a Southeast Landfill – 7001 S. Bryant
· Oklahoma Landfill d/b/a Waste Connections – 7600 SW 15
· Northeast Landfill – 2601 N. Midwest Boulevard, Spencer, Okla. (construction and demolition materials only)
For more information about Free Landfill Day, call Utility Customer Services at 297-2833.
People who enjoy hunting for used treasures can log on to http://www.okc.gov/services/garage_sale to view garage sale listings throughout Oklahoma City.
The garage sale tracking system maps the location of permitted garage sales occurring within the Oklahoma City limits. The listing is free to those who get the required permit for their garage sale.
Oklahoma City residents who plan to host a garage sale must purchase a garage sale permit first. Permits are $7 and can be paid for over the phone by calling the City’s Licensing Division, 297-2606.
Resident’s whose utility bill is in good standing with the City can purchase a permit by calling 297-2606. The charge will be added to their bill. The permit number must be visibly posted at the garage sale location.
Each household is allowed two garage sales annually. The sale must be held between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and each permit is good for three consecutive days.
Garage sale signs are not allowed on utility poles, traffic sign poles, medians or in the City right of way.
Other ways to get a garage sale permit:
· Visit the License Division at 420 W. Main from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· Download a permit application from www.okc.gov and mail it to the address above.
· Call 297-2606 two weeks ahead and staff will mail an application to you.
Tornado Sirens 101
As tornado season approaches, Oklahoma City officials want to remind residents what to do when they hear tornado sirens sound in Oklahoma City.
In Oklahoma City, the sirens mean the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for one or more counties that Oklahoma City stretches into. The City sounds all of its sirens in the county for which a warning has been issued.
The sirens are resident’s cue to go indoors and immediately turn on a television or radio and get information about the storm’s intensity and location.
“Activating all of the sirens may irritate some residents, but it is incumbent on us to err on the side of safety,” Oklahoma City’s Emergency Manager, Police Sgt. Frank Barnes said. “We want to give all residents sufficient time to take protective actions.
“We know it can be sunny on Midwest Boulevard in the eastern half of Oklahoma City while a tornado is brewing near Rockwell in the western part of the City. Severe weather and tornados move, and drivers need to know what they might be traveling into. It also gives people an opportunity to call family and friends in the threatened area to make sure they heard the warning.”
Sirens sound for three minutes each time they are activated and are sounded each time a new warning is issued. It’s important to know that when the sirens stop, it does not indicate the threat of a tornado has passed. Oklahoma City does not give an “all clear” signal.
Those who need to take cover should bring a battery-operated or all-hazards weather radio with them so they can track the storm and will know when danger has passed.
There is no uniform statewide or nationwide policy on when to sound tornado sirens. Different cities have different policies.
Oklahoma City tests tornado sirens at noon on Saturdays when there is no threat of severe weather.
This is the fourth time the Tree Bank and the City have teamed up for the effort. Funding for the program comes through a grant from the Houston-based Apache Foundation.
Individuals who want a free tree must pre-register. Registration begins Friday, March 19 at 9 a.m. There are two ways to register:
1. Residents may go online to www.okc.gov/releaf and click on the registration link.
2. Residents without computer or Internet access may call (405) 604-0041.
Only people living inside the corporate limits of Oklahoma City are eligible to receive a free tree. This includes residents who are served by Oklahoma City Police and/or Fire. Having an Oklahoma City utilities bill is not a sole qualifier. The program is open to private residences only, and there is a limit of one tree per household.
Distribution will take place on Saturday, April 24 at the OSU-OKC Physical Plant, 930 North Portland Avenue. Residents must bring their photo ID and registration confirmation card to pick up their tree.
For complete program details or questions, log on to www.okc.gov/releaf, or call 604-0041.
City offices to close for holiday
There will be no “big blue” refuse and recycling collection service. If your regularly scheduled pickup day is on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, please take the Big Blue refuse carts and Little Blue recycling bins to the curb by 6 a.m. Wednesday, January 20.
Metro Transit bus service will not be affected by the holiday.
Citywide Sign Sweep begins next week
Oklahoma City’s Sign Sweep Task Force will be out removing and disposing of illegally placed signs located along City right of ways, medians and utility poles November 16-20. Dozens of two-person crews will sweep City streets in a concentrated effort to rid the City of litter-on-a-stick before the Thanksgiving holiday. Hard-to-remove signs and banners will be tagged with green stickers and removed at a later date. The City’s Action Center receives more than 1,000 sign complaints each year. The fine for repeat offenders is $500. For more information about sign enforcement, call 297-2328.
Photo with the Mayor and City Council City Hall, West Side Steps 8:00am on Tuesday, September 15th!
National Night Out:
A Photo Opportunity with the Mayor and Council for your whole Neighborhood!
Click here to Reserve your seat by email!
Meet: City Hall, 200 N. Walker, West Entrance
Time: 8:00am
Agenda:
• Picture at 8:00am
• Proclamation in Council Chambers at 8:30am
• Finished by 9:00am (or you can stay for the whole Council meeting if you choose)
Prizes!!!
• $50 Target Gift Card awarded to one lucky attendee
• $100 Target Gift Card awarded to the Neighborhood with the most attendees!! (Last years winner had 11 people there)
• Every attendee will get a signed, color copy of the Photo
Come Join Us!!
Call us for more information:
Neighborhood Alliance, 528-6322
Community meeting set to discuss growth plan for far northwest Oklahoma City
People interested in learning about land use recommendations for far northwest Oklahoma City are invited to a community meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. at Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Rockwell Campus, 12777 N. Rockwell, Building 7, Construction Trades Building, Room 101 South.
The area being discussed is approximately north of Wilshire Boulevard and west of Broadway Extension (I-235).
This is the second and final planning meeting for far northwest Oklahoma City. The plan is expected to be finalized and adopted this fall.
According to Comprehensive Planning Manager Susan Miller, once the plan is finished it will guide the future of far northwest Oklahoma City.
The Northwest Sector Plan process is a shared effort between citizens and the City’s Planning Department to address growth and development in northwest Oklahoma City over the next 20 years.
Plans for the Southwest and Southeast Sectors have already been adopted and the Northeast Plan is underway.
Information on the sector and feedback forms can be found at www.okc.gov/planning/nwsector. For more information, call Ken Bryan at 297-2574.
City’s new billing system changes utility bill account numbers
Oklahoma City’s Utility Customer Service has implemented a new billing system. As a result, all trash and water accounts now have new 12-digit account numbers, replacing the old system’s 13-digit account numbers. Customers who pay through an online banking service offered by banks or credit unions should take note and change their utility bill account numbers in their payee lists.
If a customer moves, the system will create a new account number, and will no longer recognize the old 13-digit number. This could prevent proper posting of the payment.
Customers will need to use the new account number to take full advantage of new bill imaging features now available to bank payment systems. The new account numbers will have no impact on customers who already pay through okc.gov, Automatic Bill Crediting or by mail or drop off with the payment portion of the bill. The new account numbers are already in the system.
If an old number is used, the SAP system will recognize it, and payment will be properly posted. However, it’s always a good idea to keep your account records up to date and prevent possible problems.
The new account numbers are on utility bills received in July.
Track traffic accidents on www.okc.gov
1/19/2009
Message From the Board
12/17/2008
Residents can now avoid congested streets and interstates by tracking traffic accidents online at www.okc.gov. The real-time traffic tracking system pinpoints the exact location accidents have occurred within the city limits and whether it involved an injury.
“By using this new online tool, citizens can determine the best routes of travel and areas to possibly avoid,” said City Manager Jim Couch.
To view the traffic tracker, log on to the City’s Web site, www.okc.gov, and click the traffic report icon in the upper right of the page or type www.okc.gov/traffic in your web browser. The traffic tracking system was a joint project between Oklahoma City’s Information Technology and Police Department.
In addition to tracking accidents reported, visitors to www.okc.gov can now view video produced by City Channel 20 on-demand.
Also launched today is a new application that gives visitors to okc.gov the ability to view programs like the Mayor’s Magazine, From City Hall, City News, Police Forum and other programs on-demand. Viewers can also watch “How Do I?” a series of programs that explains how to use City services.
Animal Welfare offering “spay or pay”
12/16/2008
Starting January 15 pet owners reclaiming their dog or cat from the City’s Animal Shelter it is neuter, spay or pay.
The Oklahoma City Council, today, approved an incentive to waive impoundment, board and care fees if owners have documentation that their dogs and cats were sterilized prior to being picked up or if pet owners allow the shelter veterinarian to spay or neuter the pet at no charge before it is released.
The ordinance also allows a waiver of up to $150 for dogs and cats held in a special boarding area for rabies observation if the animal is sterilized prior to reclaim by the owner.
The goal of the City ordinance is to increase the number of sterilized animals in the community and the number pets reclaimed while reducing future overpopulation.
Animal Welfare estimates 90 percent of pets impounded aren’t claimed.
“One of the best things about this ordinance is that it rewards owners for doing the right thing,” Catherine English, the City’s Animal Welfare Superintendent said. “We want to reward those people who are coming to the shelter, reclaiming their pets and choosing to spay or neuter.”
Owners who choose not to sterilize their pets upon reclaim will be required to pay the impound fees and board and care fees in full.
City Council approves new ambulance program
12/16/2008
The Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously today to implement Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA’s) TotalCare program citywide for $3.65 per month per household. The service will begin on October 1, 2009.
Households will automatically be enrolled in TotalCare, though residents may choose to opt out of the plan in September.
Under the new ordinance, residents participating in the program will pay no out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance rides given by EMSA to permanent members living in their household.
The fee will be billed on homeowner’s City utility bill. The first billing cycle begins on October 1, 2009, which is the first day coverage begins for participants.
When a participant is transported to the hospital by EMSA for an emergency, the ambulance service will collect money from the resident’s insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.
Residents will be able to opt out of the program from September 1 to September 30, 2009 by calling Utilities Customer Service, accessing their account at www.okc.gov or by submitting a form. No action will be needed for homeowners wanting to participate in the program.
The Council also agreed to send a recommendation to the EMSA Board of Trustees to increase the rate for emergency EMSA ambulance transport services from $720 to $1,100. The increase aligns Oklahoma City’s ambulance transport rate with those charged in Tulsa, but is still cheaper than fees in Midwest City and Norman. Oklahoma City’s last increase was in 1995.
Program details will be sent to households this summer explaining the ambulance program and providing opt out information. The ambulance program was established to help cover the difference between what it costs to provide an effective ambulance service and the revenue brought in by EMSA. The City’s support for EMSA in the 2008-2009 is budgeted $4.1 million and will continue to rise over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I participate, who is covered?
A: All permanent residents of your household, regardless of their age or whether they are a blood relative of the utility account holder. The person just has to reside in your household. Someone simply in town visiting is not covered. A good test is whether the person receives bills and mail at your address.
Q: I have insurance and/or Medicare. I don’t get anything by participating.
(Isn’t it like I’m paying for the same thing twice?)
A: If insurance/Medicare always paid 100 percent of ambulance claims, you’d be correct. But the reality is this: insurance and Medicare deny about 30 percent of all ambulance claims. If this happened to you and you weren’t participating, then you would be personally responsible for paying EMSA’s charge of $719.71 plus $9 per mile. Even when insurance/Medicare approve claims, many people still have a financial burden – a $50 to $250 deductible, a 20 percent co-payment like with Medicare or the difference between the billed charge and how much insurance will cover. If you participate in the program, you have no out-of-pocket costs for EMSA emergency ambulance transports. Whatever insurance/Medicare pays is counted as payment in full.
Q: I have Medicaid. Why should I participate?
A: Medicaid patients have no out-of-pocket costs for emergency ambulance service when Medicaid approves the claim. However, when Medicaid denies claims, the patient becomes personally responsible for paying EMSA’s full billed charge. By participating in this program, you’d have no out-of-pocket costs for EMSA emergency transports – even when Medicaid denies the claim.
Q: What constitutes an emergency transport?
A: An emergency transport occurs any time EMSA transports you to a hospital emergency room for urgent, unscheduled treatment of an unforeseen medical condition.
Q: Do participating customers receive benefits for non-emergency transports, too?
A: EMSA non-emergency transports are fully covered if your insurance or other third-party coverage provides benefits for the service. That is, EMSA will accept as payment-in-full whatever your insurer pays on the transport and you won’t be subject to out-of-pocket costs. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance won’t pay for the non-emergency transport, you’ll be charged a reduced fee, which is 40 percent off EMSA’s standard non-emergency rate. A completed
physician certification statement must be provided for a non-emergency transport to be covered. As an example, if you
take an EMSA ambulance to the doctor’s office for a flu shot it will not be covered by TotalCare.
Q: What constitutes a non-emergency transport?
A: A non-emergency transport is a medical transfer that does not have a hospital emergency room as the final destination.
For example, EMSA often transports individuals to nursing homes just after hospital discharge.
Q: Are there any excluded services?
A: Yes. The TotalCare program does not provide benefits for non-emergency transports without a physician certification
statement. Also, repetitive transports for services such as dialysis, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not included.
TotalCare does not cover non-emergency transports to and from doctors’ offices, dentists’ offices, physical therapy centers and other facilities. Transports outside of EMSA’s service area are also not included. It’s a good idea to call EMSA at 396-2888 to discuss eligibility before requesting non-emergency service.
Q: If I opt out but later change my mind, can I resume participation?
A: Only during the following September. Customers may change their election only during the annual September
election period.
Q: If I opt out next September will I have to opt out every September?
A: No. Once you have made your choice to stay in the program or opt out, that decision will carry forward each year unless you contact the Utilities Department in September to change your status.
Q: I pay the EMS fee at my home, but my husband lives in a nursing home. Does he need a separate membership?
A: No. A participating utilities customer does not need to purchase a separate membership for a spouse in a nursing home.
Q: I pay for utilities at my two rent homes, in addition to my residence.
Are my renters covered if I only pay the EMS fee on my home?
A: No. EMSA does not afford benefits to utility account holders, but rather to individuals living at participating addresses.
Verification is made based by comparing the home address of the patient to a database of participating addresses.
Q: I live at “ABC” Apartments. I want to opt out.
A: Only the utilities account holder has the ability to opt out of the program. In most apartment complexes, water, trash pickup and other municipal utilities are paid by the property owner – meaning the property owner is the customer, not the individual tenant, and thus the property owner makes the decision on the EMS utility assessment on behalf of all his tenants.
Q: I live at “ABC” Apartments. I want to opt in.
A: If your landlord does not opt out of the program, you will receive benefits. However, even if your landlord opts out, you may purchase a TotalCare membership for your own family directly from EMSA. You can call EMSA at 396-2888.
Q: How is the fee calculated for multi-family customers?
A: It’s the number of residential units at the property multiplied by .5. The .5 number was chosen to reflect variances in occupancy and tenant turnover. The resulting figure is rounded down to the lowest whole number. For example, if there are 95 units at your complex, 95 times 0.5 is 47.5 – so the lowest whole number is 47. Then, Utilities Customer Services would multiply 47 by $3.65 – that’s what the monthly fee would be.
Q: I have an active EMSA TotalCare membership. What does this mean for me?
A: Your membership is set to expire after June 30, 2009. The Oklahoma City utility bill program won’t go into effect until September 1, 2009. EMSA is working on a plan to ensure that there’s no gap in coverage for current members. You won’t have to pay both the City and EMSA, though.
Q: Will EMSA still have TotalCare?
A: Yes, for people living in nursing homes and in apartment complexes that opt not to participate, and for those living outside of city limits.
Q: I own/operate a nursing home/assisted living facility. What does this mean for us?
A: Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are classified as commercial customers. This service is available only to residential utility customers. But, residents of your facility can purchase an individual membership by contacting EMSA directly. There are no group or facility-wide memberships for commercial customers.
Q: I work in Norman (or other community EMSA does not serve), but EMSA doesn’t respond out there.
What happens if I need an ambulance then?
A: EMSA is Oklahoma’s largest ambulance service, providing care in 16 communities (Oklahoma City, Edmond, Bethany, Mustang, Nichols Hills, Piedmont, The Village, Yukon, Warr Acres, Lake Aluma, Arcadia and Valley Brook, plus Tulsa, Bixby, Sand Springs and Jenks). Your program benefits will apply to transports within EMSA’s service area. If you need an ambulance while at work – or if you’re on vacation in another state, for that matter – a different ambulance provider
will respond and you may be responsible for paying out-of-pocket charges.
Q: What about people who don’t have insurance?
A: If they participate, they have no out-of-pocket costs for EMSA emergency service. The amount they’ve paid through their utilities bill is considered payment in full.
Q: What about if I need an ambulance while on business in Tulsa?
A: EMSA will respond, and your transport to a Tulsa hospital emergency room would be covered. However, an ambulance transport back to Oklahoma City from Tulsa would NOT be covered – as it would result in the ambulance leaving the service area during the transport.
Q: I live outside of Oklahoma City but receive an Oklahoma City utility bill. What does this mean for me?
A: Only those water customers residing within Oklahoma City limits are eligible to participate.
Q: I live in Midwest City, Harrah (or other community not in EMSA’s service area). What does this mean for me?
A: EMSA does not service your community, so this does not affect you – except that if you need service while in Oklahoma City, you can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality of EMSA care.
Q: Why is this necessary?
A: Currently, the City of Oklahoma City funds ambulance service via our general municipal fund, which is the same way we pay for street maintenance, many public safety programs and other expenses. Funding ambulance service via a special fee will free up some general fund tax dollars for other community needs. And, in return, citizens will receive TotalCare benefits.
The HOA received the following letter from the city Health Department when filing a complaint about the rat problem.
Response Letter: City Health Department Reponse
Latest "Rat Problem" News
Letter from the City of Oklahoma City Concerning the "Rat" Problem:
Single Service Request Aknowledgment Letter
10/30/2008
Troy, with the City County Health Department, said "it (the Rat issue) is a really Big Problem" all along the 178th and other areas. The first area to get hit is west of us around Valencia. As far as he can determine the City neglected to mow the open fields and along the street for a long time. Then the builders came along and mowed. The builders and developers would not bait because of the liability to themselves. The most they will do is put out pans of 7UP.
Troy has talked to our City Council Rep............so he is aware of the extreme out-of- control problem. Troy also has been out to speak to some HOAs. He mentioned Valencia specifically. In the meantime, Troy urges Homeowners and neighborhoods to do the following:
* Put out bait if they want.(only in our own yards)
* Don't feed pets outside.
* Keep all our yards and open areas continually mowed.
* Keep trash can lids closed tight.
If anyone wants to talk directly to Troy he sounds very nice and concerned for us. He said call him. You can reach him between 7:00 am and 9:30 am Monday thru Friday. If it goes to his voice mail, he will return your call the next morning between those same hours.
Troy
405-425-4485
Neighborhood Alert
10/23/2008
Auburn Meadows has been over run with sewer rats ever since the construction of NW 178th
street began. Apparently due to the relocation of storm sewers beneath the ground, the
construction crews have disturbed the habit of many rats, causing the rats to escape and go
everywhere. Residents of Auburn Meadows have been buying rat traps (rats, not mice) and
placing them across their lawns.
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10/22/08
City Charter Updates on November 4 Ballot
Five City Charter updates will be among the many decisions Oklahoma City voters make
when they go to the polls on November 4.
Four of the propositions update Mayor and City Council Charter provisions and one proposition
adopts State law and language prohibiting City officials and employees from entering into or
benefiting from City contracts.
A citizen task force recommended the proposed Charter changes:
Proposition 1: City Council Vacancies – In the event a vacancy occurs on the Council, this
update provides for a temporary appointment so the ward won’t be without representation for more than 30 days. It also calls for an election as soon as possible after the seat is vacated.
Proposition 2: Mayor and City Council Qualifications – This update reduces the eligible age
to run for Mayor or City Council from 25 to 21 years old. It also requires a person to be a resident
of the ward they hope to represent for at least six months.
Proposition 3: Vice-Mayor Selection – Clarifies that each Councilmember will serve as
Vice-Mayor for six months, according to seniority. When several Council members are sworn in on
the same day they will serve as Vice-Mayor in alphabetical order, according to their last name.
The Vice-Mayor assumes the duties of the Mayor during his or her absence.
Proposition 4: Mayor and City Council Pay – This update would increase the Mayor’s salary from $24,000 to $48,000 annually and each Councilmember’s salary from $12,000 to $24,000 annually. If the proposition passes, the current Mayor or Council members do not get the pay increase unless they are elected to a new term.
Proposition 5: City Officers or Employees Prohibited Interest in City Contracts – The City Charter currently prohibits City officers, including the Mayor, Council and Council appointees, and City employees from contracting, selling, buying or leasing property from The City of Oklahoma City. This update adopts and replaces the current Charter language with State law.
The State Constitution and statutes require that residents vote on changes to the City Charter. If voters approve the changes, the Governor must also sign them before they take effect as law.
Oklahoma City voters will receive a separate ballot with the Charter Update Propositions. A sample ballot is available on the City’s Web site, www.okc.gov. For more information contact the City Clerk,
297-2391.
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