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City Council Meeting

September 11, 2019 City Council Meeting

September 11, 2019 Norman, OK
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Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The City Council approved a special election on November 12, 2019, for a 1/8 of 1% sales tax to fund public transit, replacing a portion of an expiring county jail tax. Lee Hall was appointed as the new Ward 4 Councilmember. The council also acknowledged Constitution Week and Hispanic Heritage Month, and approved numerous consent docket items covering various city projects and contracts.

Key Decisions & Votes

Appointment of Ward 4 Councilmember

04:00

Lee Hall was unanimously appointed as the new Councilmember for Ward 4, following a recommendation from the Ward 4 selection committee.

Approved

Public Transit Sales Tax Ordinance

27:00

Ordinance 1920-16, authorizing a special election on November 12, 2019, for a 1/8 of 1% sales tax to fund public transit, was adopted on second and final reading. The ordinance was amended to state that the tax would end upon the successful adoption and implementation of a dedicated funding source (rather than specifically a sales tax levy) by the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma.

Adopted

Resolution for Special Election

59:00

A resolution providing official notice to the Cleveland County Election Board for a special election on November 12, 2019, regarding the public transit sales tax, was unanimously adopted.

Adopted

Upcoming Community Events

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Ecclesia Pueblo de Dios on Boyd, cultural performances, food from over 20 different countries, open to the community.

September 13, 2019

Second Friday Artwalk

6-9 PM, Historic Downtown Norman.

September 13-14, 2019

Norman Film Fest

Visit NormanFilmFest.com for schedule and locations.

Financial Matters

Fire Department Hose Purchase

Authorization for the purchase of 51 100-foot sections of 5-inch rubber supply hose from Casco Industries.

$26,265

Urban Concrete Pavement Project Contract

Acceptance of a bid and approval of contract with Central Contracting Services for the urban concrete pavement project FYE 2020 locations bid one.

$308,235

Sidewalk Horizontal Saw Cutting Project Contract

Acceptance of a bid and approval of contract with Precision Concrete Cutting of Oklahoma LLC for the FYE 2020 sidewalk horizontal saw cutting project.

$39,900

Special Claim by Serenity Irish

Approval of a special claim submitted by Serenity Irish for damages to her vehicle.

$1,862.55

Porter Avenue Streetscape Project Contract Amendment

Amendment number two to the contract with Cabinet's Engineering increasing the contract amount for additional design services.

$185,500

Central Library Public Art Project Change Order

Change order number one to the contract with Kirkpatrick Forest Curtis PC and Paul Cox Edge Studio for the Norman Forward Central Library public art project.

$579

24th Avenue Construction Phase One Project Agreement Amendment

Amendment number one to a project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for construction of 24th Avenue from Lindsay Street to Alameda Street phase one with signals.

$94,304.60

24th Avenue East Widening Phase Two Project Agreement Amendment

Amendment number one to a project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for construction of 24th Avenue East widening project Phase two from Alameda Street to Robinson Street.

$65,576.20

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Contract

Norman Utilities Authority contract with Clean Earth of Alabama Incorporated to provide a household hazardous waste collection event.

Not to exceed $102,000

Custodial Services and Water Testing Contract

Contract with Office Pride of Oklahoma City and More to provide custodial services for parks and recreation facilities and water testing for Little Axe Community Center.

$62,940 annually

Andrews Park Skate Park Project Engineering Contract

Norman Municipal Authority contract with Cabinet's Engineering to provide professional engineering services for the Andrews Park Skate Park project.

Not to exceed $95,700

Homeland Security Grant Funds Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding with the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security regarding grant funds for statewide information sharing, critical infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity projects.

$854,000

Traffic Signal Equipment Repair Appropriation

Resolution appropriating funds from the risk management miscellaneous reimbursements refunds account to repair and replace traffic signal equipment or traffic signs damaged in traffic collisions.

$51,229.92

Video Detection System Appropriation

Resolution appropriating funds from miscellaneous revenues reimbursements refunds account to offset funds for a video detection system at Jenkins Avenue and Felguard Street.

$6,741.91

Public Comments

13 citizens spoke

Public comments largely focused on the proposed sales tax for public transit, with some speakers expressing concern over its regressive nature and suggesting the use of existing TIF funds as an alternative. Other comments touched on the clarity of ballot language, the importance of public transit, and broader city priorities, including the ongoing discussion about the University North Park TIF.

Regressive nature of sales taxes Utilization of TIF funds for public transit Clarity and nuance in ballot language Importance and expansion of public transit services Alternative funding sources (e.g., municipal income tax) City budget priorities and moral documents Environmental initiatives (styrofoam recycling) 9/11 remembrance Railroad crossing issues

Coming Up

Deadlines

  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: November 2, 2019, at the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot.
  • Special Election for Public Transit Sales Tax: November 12, 2019.

Watch For

  • Future discussions on the University North Park Tax Increment Finance (UNP TIF) project plan.
  • Expansion and improvement of public transit services, including restoring Saturday service and new routes.
  • Ward 8 meeting: Sunday, September 29th, 1:30-3 PM, Fire Station 7 (environmentally focused, RTA discussion).
  • Ward 7 meeting: Mid-October (sales tax proposal, Norman Forward projects, Reese Park project).
  • Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting: Thursday, September 26th, 4 PM (cannabis zoning, railroad crossing issues).
  • Ward 6 meeting: October 7th, 7 PM, 12th Avenue Rec Center (transit tax, other topics).
  • Ward 3 meeting: October (location to be announced).

Announcements

  • The week of September 17-23, 2019, is proclaimed as Constitution Week in Norman.
  • September 15-October 15, 2019, is proclaimed as Hispanic Heritage Month in Norman.
  • A Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will be held this Saturday (September 14) at Ecclesia Pueblo de Dios on Boyd, featuring cultural performances and food from over 20 countries.
  • The Norman Police Department celebrates its 100th anniversary this Saturday.
  • The Norman Fire Department celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
  • Councilmember Hall will hold her first Ward 4 meeting on Wednesday, September 25th, from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Norman Central Library (Rooms A & B).
  • The Second Friday Artwalk is on September 13th from 6 to 9 PM in Historic Downtown Norman.
  • The Norman Film Fest is this weekend, Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th; schedule and locations available at NormanFilmFest.com.
  • A new initiative for styrofoam recycling is being launched; residents can collect clean #6 styrofoam (separated by packing vs. food) and bring it to the hazardous waste event on November 2nd.

Agenda Summary

Item 3: Approval of Minutes

Approval of the City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Financing minutes of August 27, 2019.

Approved

Item 4: Appointment of Lee Hall

Appointment of Lee Hall as Ward 4 Councilmember, as recommended by the Ward 4 selection committee.

Approved

Item 5: Proclaiming Constitution Week

Proclaiming the week of September 17-23, 2019, as Constitution Week in the City of Norman.

Acknowledged receipt

Item 6: Proclaiming Hispanic Heritage Month

Proclaiming September 15-October 15, 2019, as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Norman.

Acknowledged receipt

Item 7: Consent Docket (Items 8-26)

Approval of routine agenda items 8 through 26 by one motion.

Approved

Item 8: Rezoning Property

Ordinance 1920-5 rezoning property located west of 12th Avenue southeast and 3/4 mile south of Cedar Lane Road from A1 general agricultural district to R1 single-family dwelling district.

Approved

Item 9: City Manager's Change Order Report

Submission of the City Manager's change order report.

Information Only

Item 10: Fire Department Hose Purchase

Authorization for the purchase of 51 100-foot sections of 5-inch rubber supply hose from Casco Industries for the Fire Department.

Approved

Item 11: Urban Concrete Pavement Project Contract

Acceptance of a bid and approval of contract with Central Contracting Services for the urban concrete pavement project FYE 2020 locations bid one and adoption of a project agent resolution.

Approved

Item 12: Sidewalk Horizontal Saw Cutting Project Contract

Acceptance of a bid and approval of contract with Precision Concrete Cutting of Oklahoma LLC for the FYE 2020 sidewalk horizontal saw cutting project and adoption of a project agent resolution.

Approved

Item 13: Declaration of Surplus Equipment

Declaration of surplus and/or obsolete equipment and materials and authorizing the sale or disposal thereof.

Approved

Item 14: Special Claim by Serenity Irish

Approval of a special claim submitted by Serenity Irish for damages to her vehicle when struck by a police vehicle.

Approved

Item 15: Porter Avenue Streetscape Project Amendment

Amendment number two to the contract with Cabinet's Engineering increasing the contract amount for additional design services for the Porter Avenue Streetscape bond project.

Approved

Item 16: Central Library Public Art Project Change Order

Change order number one to the contract with Kirkpatrick Forest Curtis PC and Paul Cox Edge Studio for the Norman Forward Central Library public art project and final acceptance of the project.

Approved

Item 17: Bicycle Skills Park Construction Project

Final acceptance and final payment of the contract with Progressive Bike Ramps for the bicycle skills park construction project.

Approved

Item 18: 24th Avenue Construction Phase One Amendment

Amendment number one to a project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the construction of 24th Avenue from Lindsay Street to Alameda Street phase one with signals and adoption of a resolution.

Approved

Item 19: 24th Avenue East Widening Phase Two Amendment

Amendment number one to a project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for construction of 24th Avenue East widening project Phase two from Alameda Street to Robinson Street and adoption of a resolution.

Approved

Item 20: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Contract

A Norman Utilities Authority contract with Clean Earth of Alabama Incorporated to provide a household hazardous waste collection event and performance bond.

Approved

Item 21: Traffic Signal Interconnect Upgrade Agreement

A maintenance agreement contract with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the traffic signal interconnect upgrade on 12th Avenue East between Alameda and Robinson and adoption of a resolution.

Approved

Item 22: Custodial Services and Water Testing Contract

Contract with Office Pride of Oklahoma City and More to provide custodial services for the parks and recreation facilities and water testing for Little Axe Community Center.

Approved

Item 23: Andrews Park Skate Park Project Contract

A Norman Municipal Authority contract with Cabinet's Engineering to provide professional engineering services for the Andrews Park Skate Park project and budget appropriation from the Norman Forward fund balance.

Approved

Item 24: Homeland Security Grant Funds MOU

A Memorandum of Understanding with the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security regarding grant funds for statewide information sharing, critical infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity projects.

Approved

Item 25: Traffic Signal Equipment Repair Appropriation

Resolution appropriating funds from the risk management miscellaneous reimbursements refunds account to be used to repair and replace traffic signal equipment or traffic signs damaged in traffic collisions.

Approved

Item 26: Video Detection System Appropriation

A resolution appropriating funds from miscellaneous revenues reimbursements refunds account to be used to offset funds previously allocated from the traffic signal account to fund the cost of the entire video detection system necessary to accommodate traffic changes made by the University of Oklahoma.

Approved

Item 27: Public Transit Sales Tax Ordinance

Ordinance 1920-16 authorizing a special election on November 12, 2019, to submit to voters the question of approving or rejecting a 1/8 of 1% sales tax for public transit systems, effective April 1, 2020, and ending upon successful adoption of a dedicated funding source by the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma.

Adopted

Item 28: Special Election Resolution

Resolution to the Secretary of the Cleveland County Election Board providing notice of a special election to be held on November 12, 2019.

Adopted

Item 29: Public Comments

Opportunity for citizens to address the City Council on matters not on the agenda.

Information Only