Meeting Summary
The City Council held a study session to review the Kim Leghorn parking strategic plan and discuss revisions to the proposed transportation bond. The council provided direction to staff on both items, indicating an intent to adopt the parking study's concepts and generally endorsing the revised transportation bond project list, with specific requests for further detail and adjustments.
Key Decisions & Votes
Direction on Kim Leghorn Parking Strategic Plan
00:59Council members expressed comfort with adopting the study's concepts at a future meeting and volunteered to serve as representatives to collaborate with Cleveland County on the next steps for implementation.
Direction on Transportation Bond Project List Revisions
01:58Council generally endorsed the staff's proposed changes to the transportation bond project list, including converting Cedar Lane to federal funding and limiting the Main/Gray conversion to Gray Street only, to meet the bond threshold. Further details on Gray Street's scope and timing, and a change to the 48th Avenue West sections, were requested.
Financial Matters
Parking Strategic Plan Budget
Discussion on potential revenue generation from well-managed parking, consolidating funds, and initial losses turning into returns. Capital cost for 200 new parking meters mentioned.
Transportation Bond Program Costs
The total program cost was revised from $125 million to $146 million, then reduced to $141 million with proposed changes. The local bond share was brought down to approximately $72 million to fit within the property tax levy threshold.
Cedar Lane Road Project Funding
Proposed conversion of the Cedar Lane Road project from local to federally funded, generating $7.5 million in additional federal funds and reducing the local bond share.
Main and Gray Street Conversion
Proposed reduction in scope to Gray Street only (two-way conversion), reducing the project cost from $10 million to $5.3 million.
Indian Hills Road Acceleration
A $2 million placeholder was included in the bond to accelerate an ODOT project for Indian Hills Road, contingent on an agreement with ODOT.
36th Avenue SE Industrial Road
An additional $700,000 was added to the 36th Avenue SE project as the city's local share for an EDA grant to build an industrial road connecting to John Saxon Boulevard.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- January 8th: Council to adopt transportation bond ballot
Watch For
- Formal adoption of Kim Leghorn Parking Strategic Plan and recommendations
- Collaboration between City Council representatives and Cleveland County on parking implementation
- Detailed scope and timing for Gray Street conversion project
- Revised sections for 48th Avenue West project
- Study session on stormwater bond program (December 18th)
Agenda Summary
Kim Leghorn Parking Strategic Plan
Presentation and discussion of the final report, including recommended management structure, financial considerations, and implementation steps for parking in downtown Norman and the county complex.
Transportation Bond Discussion
Review of updated cost estimates for proposed transportation projects, discussion of funding strategies to meet the bond threshold, and proposed changes to project scopes and timelines.