City council approves Tinker deal, Cox Cable rate hike, grant pact

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Dec 4, 1996 by Matt Driskill Journal Record Staff Reporter

Money was the common thread woven through Tuesday's City Council meeting as the board approved financing a new facility at Tinker, allowed Cox Cable to raise its rates and approved a grant agreement with the downtown YMCA.

City officials decided to join forces with Tinker to finance and construct a new maintenance facility that officials hope will enhance Tinker's chances of avoiding the base closure commission.

According to a memo written by City Manager Don Bown, Tinker faces new regulations beginning in 1998 that deal with paint removal and application to prevent corrosion to the aircraft based there and those being repaired. "Several alternatives have been considered to reduce these delays and assure that this critical activity remains a part of Tinker's maintenance mission," Bown wrote to the city council. The most cost effective alternative is to construct a corrosion control facility on Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust property located east of Douglas Blvd. with a taxiway connection to the Air Logistics Center, Bown said. The Oklahoma City Airport Trust is the appropriate vehicle to finance, construct and lease a corrosion control facility, Bown wrote. The project requires: * Acquisition by the trust of sufficient property rights from the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust. * Approval of a lease between the trust and the federal government and its contractors with terms adequate to fully secure financing and construction of the corrosion control facility. * Federal commitment to provide funding for the infrastructure needed to connect the facility to Tinker. Bown said requests for proposals will be issued in December. Meanwhile, the council also approved an agreement that will send a $1.2 million grant to the downtown YMCA from funds received by Oklahoma City after the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. The YMCA is currently working to renovate its new headquarters, which was donated by Oklahoma Publishing Co., which also paid for restoration of the exterior of the structure to its original condition, demolition of the interior to make it ready for renovation, demolition of the printing facility, and to provide the cleared site to the YMCA. The structure will house the corporate offices of the YMCA as well as the administrative offices of the Camp Classen Branch. The additional space in the building will be offered to other nonprofit organizations at cost of operation. In order to complete the renovation of the donated structure, the YMCA requested a $1.1 million grant for the OPUBCO building and $148,390 to secure its bomb damaged building. Council approved an allocation of $1.2 million on March 26. The YMCA has been preparing plans and specifications for the project since that time. The insurance proceeds from its claims for damage and other donated funds will be used to construct the child development center and the fitness facility. Meanwhile, the council also approved a rate increase sought by Cox Cable of Oklahoma City. With the increase, complete basic cable service with tax was raised to $26.46 per month from $24.79. The 1992 Cable Act restored limited regulatory authority to municipalities.