Meeting Summary
The City Council approved various administrative items, including minutes and a consent docket. Key decisions included the approval of a final plat for Ward Edition and a special use permit for the Red Brick Bar expansion. However, a rezoning request for a second dwelling unit on a 10-acre property was denied due to concerns about density and environmental impact, and an ordinance to increase the contract approval threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 was postponed for further discussion.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
01:00City Council study session, conference, Finance Committee, and joint authority meeting minutes were approved.
Women's History Month Proclamation
02:00The Mayor's proclamation recognizing March 2020 as Women's History Month in Norman, celebrating women's achievements and the centennial of the 19th Amendment, was acknowledged.
Consent Docket Approval
05:00A block of 35 routine agenda items (6-41, excluding 29) covering appointments, financial reports, bids, easements, and contract amendments were approved.
Final Plat for Ward Edition
29:00The final plat for Ward Edition, located at the northwest corner of Classen Boulevard, Highway 77, and Highway 9, was approved by a vote of 7 to 1, despite council member concerns about traffic and environmental impact.
Special Use for Red Brick Bar Expansion
38:00An ordinance was adopted on second and final reading to grant special use for a bar/lounge/tavern and live entertainment venue for the expansion of Red Brick Bar at 311 and 313 East Main Street.
Rezoning for Second Dwelling Unit (13300 E Deer Creek Rd)
1:19:00An ordinance to rezone a 10-acre property from A-2 Rural Agricultural to PUD to allow for a second permanent dwelling unit for aging parents was denied unanimously due to concerns about density, watershed protection, and setting a precedent.
Postponement of Contract Approval Threshold Increase
1:27:00An ordinance to increase the City Council contract approval threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 was postponed to the March 24th meeting for further discussion with the city manager.
Upcoming Community Events
Depot Pop-up Concert
7 PM - 9 PM at The Depot, featuring flute and guitar duo The New Cleo Okra (Larry Hammett and Miranda Arana) and an art exhibit by J. Arnold.
League of Women Voters Centennial Celebration
7 PM at Midway Deli, celebrating the 2020 centennial of women's right to vote.
Ward 4 Meeting (Census Presentation)
10:30 AM - Noon at Norman's Central Library (Red Bedroom), focusing on the importance of the Census.
Public Informational Meeting: 36th Avenue Northwest Widening Project
6 PM - 8 PM at North Haven Church, for the project from Two Counts Road to Indian Hills Road.
Live Work Play by Norman Next
6 PM - 9 PM at The Mercury, for Norman residents aged 21-40, featuring live music and giveaways.
Ward 7 Meeting
Likely at Cobblestone Creek Clubhouse or Reeves Park, discussing the Census and other issues.
Ward 8 Meeting
Discussing Census information and a Sutton Wilderness cleanup.
Community Planning and Transportation (CPT) Meeting
4 PM at City Hall, discussing transit ridership, rural road striping and stop signs, and a Norman fruit-tree initiative.
Financial Matters
Temporary Easement from Theo's Marketplace
Temporary easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 14)
Temporary easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 15)
Temporary easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 16)
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 17)
Temporary easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 18)
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company (Item 19)
Temporary easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from 36 North LLC
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from 36 Northwest LLC (Item 21)
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Easement from 36 Northwest LLC (Item 22)
Easement for the Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension.
Change Order Number 1 to the Contract with H and H Plumbing and Utilities Incorporated
Increased the contract amount by $25,303.86 for a revised total of $1,444,763.86, and extended contract time by 30 days for water line installation to Reeves Park and quantity rectification.
Contract with Freese and Nichols Incorporated
To provide engineering design criteria, standard specifications, construction drawings updated, and city ordinance review, with budget transfers between project accounts.
Contract with Cohen Group Engineering
To provide engineering design services for the James Garner Avenue widening project from Acre Street to Devi Street as part of the 2019 bond projects.
Resolution Appropriating Community Development Block Grant Funds
Appropriating funds received from Community Development Block Grant funds to public transit operations.
Resolution Appropriating 2019 Transportation Bond Funds
Appropriating funds from the 2019 transportation bond account to be used for the Porter and Acres intersection bond project.
Resolution Authorizing Joint Petition Settlement of Workers Compensation Commission Case of Darren Hyatt
Directing the legal department to file settlement and authorizing the finance director to purchase Workers Compensation Commission judgment from the risk management insurance fund.
Resolution Authorizing Joint Petition Settlement of Workers Compensation Commission Case of Christopher Bozeman
Directing the legal department to file settlements and directing the finance director to purchase Workers Compensation judgment from the risk management insurance fund.
Public Comments
Public comments included questions from Norman North Environmental Club students about recycling services and bin availability, a citizen expressing grief and concern over a recent gun violence tragedy, and a council member reflecting on the complex, intersectional history of women's suffrage and the importance of amplifying diverse voices.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Ordinance 1920-40 amending Chapter 8 of the city code to change the requirement of City Council approval for all contracts exceeding $25,000 to $50,000 (postponed to March 24th meeting).
Deadlines
- Early voting for Super Tuesday is Thursday and Friday at the Cleveland County Election Board (8 AM to 6 PM).
- Census 2020 starts on March 12th and runs until the end of April; vital for federal funding.
Watch For
- Further discussions on Norman Forward and fiscal responsibility in capital projects.
- A formal report on homeless issues and the point-in-time count by Michelle Evans and Lisa Craig.
- Discussions on public health and public safety priorities.
- Updates on transit ridership, rural road striping and stop signs, and a presentation on a Norman fruit-tree initiative at the Community Planning and Transportation (CPT) meeting on Thursday.
- Ward 8 Sutton Wilderness cleanup event.
Announcements
- Recognition of the League of Women Voters for their professional forums during City Council elections.
- Appreciation for first responders for their role in averting tragedies and limiting damage.
- Update on the warming shelter, which will close on Sunday, having served nearly 200 individuals, with a formal report on homelessness and the point-in-time count coming soon.
- The decision regarding the petition initiative was deemed invalid, unfreezing city funds and alleviating concerns about severe budget cuts for the next fiscal year.
- Encouragement for all citizens to vote in upcoming elections, including primaries and county initiatives, and to participate in local government.
- Emphasis on the 'Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' hierarchy for environmental sustainability, with a call to reduce consumption as the primary step.
- Discussion on the importance of the Census 2020 for securing federal funding, with an estimated $1,800 per person per year for the city.
- Council members shared personal reflections on a recent gun violence tragedy in the community and the impact on families.
- Council members discussed voter apathy in municipal elections and the need to encourage greater participation.
- An upcoming Ward 8 Sutton Wilderness cleanup event will be co-hosted with Mayor Clarke.
Agenda Summary
Approval of City Council Study Session Minutes of January 7, 2020; City Council Conference Minutes of January 14, 2020; City Council Finance Committee Minutes of January 16, 2020; and City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Financing Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2020
Approval of various City Council and joint authority meeting minutes.
Proclamation Proclaiming the Month of March as Women's History Month (Proclamation No. 1920-28)
A proclamation by the Mayor recognizing and celebrating the achievements of American women and the centennial of the 19th Amendment.
Consent Docket (Items 6-41, except 29)
A block of routine agenda items approved by unanimous consent.
Mayor's Appointments to Animal Welfare Oversight Committee and Public Safety Oversight Committee
Appointments of Rod Hall DBM to the Animal Welfare Oversight Committee and Kenny Orr to the Public Safety Oversight Committee for Ward 8.
Submission of the Finance Investment Report as of January 31, 2020
Submission of the monthly financial investment report.
Submission of the Monthly Departmental Report for the Month of January 2020
Submission of the monthly departmental report.
Bid for the Installation of Pavement Markings for the Traffic Control Division
Approval of a bid for pavement marking installation.
Bid Contract and Bonds with Wind Construction Company Incorporated for the Water Reclamation Facility Waste Sludge Blower Replacement Project
Approval of a bid contract and bonds, authorizing the utilities director to purchase materials and budget appropriation from the water reclamation fund balance.
Easement Donation by the University of Oklahoma for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a permanent easement donation.
Temporary Easement from Theo's Marketplace for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a temporary easement.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a temporary easement.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a temporary easement.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a temporary easement.
Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Temporary Easement from Fowler Holding Company for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of a temporary easement.
Easement from 36 North LLC for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Easement from 36 Northwest LLC for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Easement from 36 Northwest LLC for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of an easement.
Permanent and Temporary Easements Donated by OG&E for Legacy Trail Multimodal Path Extension
Acceptance of multiple easements donated by OG&E.
Amendment Number Two to the Contract with E&E Lawn Care LLC
Extending the contract for mowing, securing structures, and removal of health nuisances and easement obstructions through March 31, 2021.
Amendment Number One to the Contract with Givens Property Maintenance LLC
Extending the contract for mowing, securing structures, and removal of health nuisances and easement obstructions through March 31, 2021.
Change Order Number 1 to the Contract with H and H Plumbing and Utilities Incorporated
Increasing the contract amount and extending time to install a replacement water line to Reeves Park and rectify quantities for Jenkins Avenue crossing.
Amendment Number One to the Contract with Studio Architecture
Providing additional design, bidding, construction administration, and as-built services for Sanitation truck wash, sanitation container maintenance, and household hazardous waste facilities.
Contract with Freese and Nichols Incorporated
Providing engineering design criteria, standard specifications, construction drawings updated, and city ordinance review, with budget transfers between project accounts.
Contract with Cohen Group Engineering
Providing engineering design services for the James Garner Avenue widening project from Acre Street to Devi Street as part of the 2019 bond projects.
Contract with the Oklahoma Tax Commission
For the administration of sales tax and use tax.
Resolution Appropriating Community Development Block Grant Funds to Public Transit Operations
Appropriating funds received from Community Development Block Grant funds to public transit operations.
Resolution Appropriating 2019 Transportation Bond Funds for the Porter and Acres Intersection Bond Project
Appropriating funds from the 2019 transportation bond account for the Porter and Acres intersection bond project.
Resolution Accepting the Transfer of a Vehicle from the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (EMBARK)
Accepting a vehicle for public transit services, agreeing to maintain it in compliance with federal requirements, and authorizing the city manager to execute contracts and request FTA approval.
Resolution Authorizing Joint Petition Settlement of Workers Compensation Commission Case of Darren Hyatt
Directing the legal department to file settlement and authorizing the finance director to purchase Workers Compensation Commission judgment from the risk management insurance fund.
Resolution Authorizing Joint Petition Settlement of Workers Compensation Commission Case of Christopher Bozeman
Directing the legal department to file settlements and directing the finance director to purchase Workers Compensation judgment from the risk management insurance fund.
Final Plat for Ward Edition
Approval of the final plat for Ward Edition, located at the northwest corner of Classen Boulevard, Highway 77, and Highway 9.
Ordinance Granting Special Use for a Bar/Lounge/Tavern and Special Use for Live Entertainment Venue in C3 Intensive Commercial District
For property located at 311 and 313 East Main Street, allowing the expansion of the Red Brick Bar.
Ordinance 1920-34 Rezoning 13300 East Deer Creek Road from A-2 Rural Agricultural District to PUD Planned Unit Development District
A request to rezone a 10-acre property to allow for a second permanent dwelling unit for aging parents.
Ordinance 1920-40 Amending Chapter 8 of the City Code to Change the Requirement of City Council Approval for All Contracts Exceeding $25,000 to $50,000
An ordinance to increase the threshold for City Council approval of contracts and purchases for efficiency and modernization.