Meeting Summary
The City Council adopted new ordinances for utility vegetation management and tree protection, aiming to enhance urban forestry and standardize utility practices. A resolution to establish a Charter Review Commission was postponed to a future study session. The council also approved a comprehensive consent docket and heard public comments on various local issues.
Key Decisions & Votes
Charter Review Commission
08:20A resolution to establish a Charter Review Commission for a targeted review of the city charter was postponed to an April 4th study session to allow council members to review proposed amendments.
Utility Vegetation Management Ordinance
30:50An ordinance adding Article 19 to Chapter 10 of the city code, establishing regulations for utility vegetation management, including notice requirements and best management practices, was adopted on its final reading.
Tree Protection Ordinance
54:20An ordinance adding Article 10 to Chapter 10 of the city code, establishing regulations to protect healthy and significant trees, defining provisions for tree removal applications, and emphasizing the role of a city forester, was adopted on its final reading.
Upcoming Community Events
Voices of Inclusion Gala
Sam Noble Museum on the University of Oklahoma campus.
Criminal Justice Forum
6 PM at the Central Library, discussing fines, fees, bail, and pretrial release.
Norman's Original Nighttime Mardi Gras Parade
7 PM in historic downtown Norman.
Second Friday Art Walk
Historic downtown Norman.
Sutton Wilderness Cleanup
In Ward 8, with Councilmembers Scott and Clark, assisted by Parks and Rec and Stormwater Division.
Pickleball Event
4-6 PM at the 12th Avenue Rec Center, free to attend.
Senior Visioning Conference
10 AM, to discuss the Senior Center.
Joint Ward Meeting (Clark & Biermann)
6 PM at Fire Station #9, discussing the Vision for Norman and the April 2nd vote.
Ward 7 Meeting (Holman)
Cobblestone Creek Clubhouse.
Ward 8 Meeting (Scott)
1:30 PM to 3 PM at Fire Station #7.
Sierra Club Legislative Forum
Financial Matters
Permanent utility easement from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
For the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay Street to Robinson Street.
Permanent utility easement from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
For the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay Street to Robinson Street.
Permanent easement from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health
For the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay to Robinson.
Contract with Play Well Group Play Works Inc.
For the Prairie Creek Park project.
Authorization for expenditure under contract with Smith Roberts Land Service
To provide right-of-way acquisition services for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening project.
Amendment to contract with ADG
Increasing contract amount for additional program management services for Norman Forward projects.
Amendment to contract with Freese and Nichols
Increasing contract amount to provide assistance with utility billing implementation.
Amendment to contract with Tyler Technologies
Increasing contract amount for additional professional services for ERP and Municipal Court management software.
Contract with Cardinal Engineering
To provide engineering design, bidding, and construction management services for the Interstate Drive water line replacement project.
Contract with Pepsi beverages company
For exclusive sale of Pepsi products and acceptance of a signing bonus.
Project agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation
For the 24th Avenue Northwest and T Drive T Circle intersection signalization and widening project (city's local share).
Contract with Interpersonal Frequency
To provide website evaluation, content management, and redesign of the city of Norman's website.
Resolution appropriating funds from risk management account
Received from insurance companies and the responsible party to repair and replace traffic signal equipment and traffic signs damaged in traffic accidents.
Public Comments
Three citizens addressed the council. One thanked the council for postponing a charter review item and requested written amendments for future discussions. Another appealed to the council to abolish abortion in Norman, citing religious and historical arguments. A third inquired about the status of the bus system transfer from OU to the city.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Resolution establishing a Charter Review Commission (postponed to April 4th for a study session).
Deadlines
- Voter registration deadline for the April 2nd election: March 9th.
Watch For
- A study session on March 12th will provide an update on the transfer of the bus system from OU to the City.
- The April 2nd vote on stormwater utility and transportation bonds.
- A Sierra Club Legislative Forum on Thursday, February 28th.
Announcements
- The City Council meeting was not visible on cable due to a computer crash but was available on YouTube.
- The Stormwater Division Policy Manual will be available on the city's website following its approval.
- A Criminal Justice Forum will be held this Thursday, February 28th, at 6 PM at the Central Library, discussing fines, fees, bail, and pretrial release.
- A Senior Visioning Conference will take place on March 15th at 10 AM to gather feedback on the Senior Center.
- Councilmembers Clark and Biermann will host a joint Ward meeting on March 25th at 6 PM at Fire Station #9 to discuss the Vision for Norman and the upcoming April 2nd vote.
- Norman's Original Nighttime Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled for Friday, March 1st, at 7 PM in historic downtown Norman.
- The Second Friday Art Walk will be held on Friday, March 8th, in historic downtown Norman.
- The Pioneer Library System was thanked for its Black History Month events.
- The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi were thanked for hosting the Ebony Awareness Bowl and mentoring middle school students.
- The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) officially kicked off, with Norman being part of the initiative to bring regional public transit, including commuter rail, to the Oklahoma City area.
- Councilmember Holman announced a tentative Ward 7 meeting for March 27th at the Cobblestone Creek Clubhouse.
- Councilmember Scott announced a Ward 8 meeting on March 31st from 1:30 PM to 3 PM at Fire Station #7.
Agenda Summary
Approval of City Council minutes
Approval of City Council retreat minutes of July 28, August 2, and September 18; special session minutes of September 18, 2018, and February 5, 2019; conference minutes of October 25; Finance Committee meeting minutes of January 17, 2019; joint City Council's stormwater committee minutes of January 17; study session minutes of January 29; and City Council Norman utilities authority, Norman municipal authority, and Norman tax increment financing minutes.
Proclamation of Women's Day and Women's History Month
A proclamation proclaiming Friday, March 8, 2019, as Women's Day in the city of Norman and the month of March 2019 as Women's History Month.
Resolution establishing a Charter Review Commission
A resolution establishing a Charter Review Commission for the purpose of conducting a targeted review of the Norman City Council Charter and to report its findings to City Council.
Ordinance rezoning 4221 West Grey Street
An ordinance upon first reading rezoning 4221 West Grey Street from BC Center City Form-Based Code to CC PUD Center City Planned Unit Development.
Finance Director's Investment Report
Submission of the finance director's investment report as of January 31, 2019.
Monthly Departmental Reports
Submission of the monthly departmental reports for the month of January 2019.
City Manager's Change Order Report
Submission of the city manager's change order report.
Easement Acceptance (Department of Mental Health)
Acceptance of a permanent utility easement from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay Street to Robinson Street.
Easement Acceptance (Department of Mental Health)
Acceptance of a permanent utility easement from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay Street to Robinson Street.
Easement Acceptance (Oklahoma Department of Mental Health)
Acceptance of a permanent easement from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health for the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay to Robinson.
Easement Acceptance (University of Oklahoma)
Acceptance of a permanent public easement donated by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma for the Segment D water line project.
Contract with Play Well Group Play Works Inc.
Acceptance of a request for proposal and approval of a contract and subsequent bonds with Play Well Group Play Works Inc. for the Prairie Creek Park project and adoption of the project agent resolution.
Expenditure Authorization (Smith Roberts Land Service)
Authorization for expenditure number one under the contract with Smith Roberts Land Service to provide right-of-way acquisition services for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening project.
Amendment to contract with ADG
Amendment number two to a contract with ADG increasing the contract amount for additional program management services for current and additional Norman Forward projects.
Amendment to contract with Freese and Nichols
Amendment number three to a contract with Freese and Nichols increasing the contract amount to provide assistance with utility billing implementation.
Amendment to contract with Tyler Technologies
Amendment number one to a contract with Tyler Technologies increasing the contract amount to provide additional professional services for installation, configuration, data conversion, training, and project management of enterprise resource planning and Municipal Court management software.
Final acceptance and payment (Lippert Brothers)
Final acceptance and final payment of a contract with Lippert Brothers for the Norman Forward Griffin Park Phase One Northfield improvements project.
Addendum to contract with Ball Clubs of Norman
Addendum number one to a contract with Ball Clubs of Norman for the use of Baseball Complex at Reeves Park.
Contract with Cardinal Engineering
A contract with Cardinal Engineering to provide engineering design, bidding, and construction management services for the Interstate Drive water line replacement project.
Contract with Pepsi beverages company
A contract with Pepsi beverages company for the exclusive sale of Pepsi products at various concession operations throughout the Parks and Recreation Department and acceptance of a signing bonus.
Contract with After Tech Computer Recycling
A contract with After Tech Computer Recycling for recycling of city surplus computer and electronic equipment for a period of three years.
Contract with Francis Solar and Electric Vehicles Systems provider
A contract with Francis Solar and Electric Vehicles Systems provider to submit a grant to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to be used to build electric charging stations at four locations in the city of Norman.
Project agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation (24th Avenue NW)
A project agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the 24th Avenue Northwest and T Drive T Circle intersection signalization and widening project for the city's local share and adoption of resolution R1819-81.
Project agreement with Oklahoma Department of Transportation (Traffic Signal Upgrade)
A project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the traffic signal upgrade project emergency vehicle preemption system phase one and adoption of resolution R1819-82.
Contract with Interpersonal Frequency
A contract with Interpersonal Frequency to provide website evaluation, content management, and redesign of the city of Norman's website.
Resolution authorizing compromise settlement (Lenny Brian Mulder)
A resolution authorizing compromise settlement of the claims filed by Lenny Brian Mulder under the Oklahoma workers compensation statutes in Lenny Brian Mulder versus the city of Norman workers compensation claim.
Resolution appropriating funds for traffic signal repair
A resolution appropriating funds from the refunds reimbursements miscellaneous risk management account received from insurance companies and the responsible party to repair and replace traffic signal equipment and traffic signs damaged in traffic accidents.
Resolution donating surplus equipment to Jones Oklahoma Police Department
A resolution donating used body armor and other surplus equipment to the Jones Oklahoma Police Department.
Resolution urging Oklahoma State Legislature to pass HB 2456
A resolution urging the Oklahoma State Legislature to pass House Bill 2456 creating the Youth Mental Health Protection Act prohibiting healthcare and mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to persons under 18.
Resolution adopting the Stormwater Division Policy Manual
A resolution adopting the Stormwater Division Policy Manual dated February 2019, contingent on voter approval of ordinance 01819-28.
Ordinance amending city code for Utility Vegetation Management
An ordinance amending the city code to add Article 19 to Chapter 10 titled Utility Vegetation Management and setting forth notice requirements and best management practices for vegetation management and maintenance activities by utility companies operating in the public rights-of-way.
Ordinance amending city code for Healthy and Significant Trees
An ordinance amending the city code by adding Article 10 to Chapter 10 establishing regulations to protect healthy and significant trees and defining provisions for applications to remove trees.