Meeting Summary
The City Council approved the selection of Springsted Waters as the recruitment firm for the new City Manager, though with a split vote. A significant resolution was adopted to end the University North Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project's sales tax and ad valorem increment, with a request for the statutory TIF committee to provide a recommendation within 30 days. Discussions also highlighted ongoing challenges with land acquisition for Norman Forward projects and the city's commitment to supporting Norman Public Schools' School Resource Officer program.
Key Decisions & Votes
City Manager Recruitment Firm Selection
1:28:00The City Council approved a contract with Springsted Waters to provide recruitment services for the selection of a new City Manager. The decision was met with a split vote, with some council members preferring SGR due to regional experience.
University North Park TIF Termination
2:00:00The City Council adopted a resolution to end the University North Park (UNP) TIF project cost funding mechanism, including both sales tax and ad valorem increment, immediately. The resolution also directs staff to prepare proposals to use general fund revenues to support the Norman Public Schools' School Resource Officer program to mitigate any financial harm from the TIF's early termination. The statutory TIF committee is requested to provide a recommendation within 30 days.
Upcoming Community Events
Small Business Saturday
Encourages residents to shop at small businesses throughout Norman.
AFSCME Toy Drive
Collecting new, unwrapped toys at City Hall, Utility Billing (Building C), and Municipal Court (Building B) for the Norman Christmas Day community dinner.
Beloved Community Series: Education
East Library, 3051 Alameda.
OU Loves Norman event
Promoting shopping local, location likely Union courtyard.
Pickleball
12th Avenue Rec Center.
Ward 8 Meeting/Holiday Potluck
Fire Station 7 (by YMCA).
Ward 7 Meeting
Reeves Park (city-owned building), discussion on Senior Center location.
Ward 6 Meeting on Stormwater
12th Avenue Rec Center.
Food and Shelter Community Thanksgiving
Seeking donations and volunteers.
Financial Matters
Easements for 24th Avenue East bond project
Acceptance of multiple easements, including payments of $71.50, $19,533.75, $26,580, $13,240, $1,960, $23,160, $11,650, and $1,720.
Purchase of generator for Fire Station #1
Purchase of one generator from Faith Electric.
Amendment to contract with Garber LLC (WRF improvements)
Increasing contract amount by $89,300 for additional construction administration, observation, and warranty assistance services.
Contract with Garber (composting improvements)
Contract to provide preliminary design services for coke composting improvements.
Appropriation for traffic calming project
Appropriating funds from the capital fund balance for a traffic calming project on Hemmed-in Avenue.
Contract with Springsted Waters for City Manager recruitment
Contract for recruitment services and budget appropriation from the general fund balance.
Public Comments
Public comments largely focused on the need for an indoor aquatic center, with several swimmers and community members expressing strong support and suggesting potential locations like Ruby Grant Park. Concerns were also raised about the University North Park TIF's impact on local businesses and the need for its termination. Other topics included tree preservation, homelessness, and parking at Legacy Park.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Discussion on Senior Center location (study session on November 20th).
- Land acquisition for Norman Forward projects (indoor aquatic center, indoor sports facility, softball/football complexes) remains an ongoing challenge.
Deadlines
- Police Advisory Board applications due December 1st.
- AFSCME Toy Drive donations due December 14th.
- Statutory TIF Committee recommendation due within 30 days of resolution passage.
Watch For
- Future bond issues for stormwater, transportation, and Senior Center projects (potential public vote in April).
- Tree ordinance draft from the Community Planning and Transportation Committee to be presented to Council early next year.
- Updates on a permanent solution for animal rescue ramps at Legacy Park pond.
Announcements
- Small Business Saturday on November 24, 2018, encouraging residents to support local businesses.
- AFSCME Local 2275 is hosting a toy drive for the Norman Christmas Day community dinner, collecting new, unwrapped toys through December 14th at City Hall, Utility Billing, and Municipal Court.
- The second installment of the Beloved Community Series on Education is Thursday, November 15th, 6:30-8:00 PM at the East Library.
- The OU Loves Norman event, promoting shopping local, is Wednesday, November 14th, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
- Pickleball is happening on Wednesday at the 12th Avenue Rec Center.
- Ward 8 meeting/holiday potluck on December 2nd at Fire Station 7.
- Ward 7 meeting in December at Reeves Park to discuss Senior Center location.
- Ward 6 meeting on Sunday, December 2nd at 2:30 PM at 12th Avenue Rec Center to discuss stormwater proposals.
- Norman Citizens Advisory Board for the Police Department is accepting applications through December 1st.
- Food and Shelter Community Thanksgiving is on November 22nd, seeking donations and volunteers.
- Discussion on diaper-changing stations in publicly available restrooms will continue at the council conference session on November 27th.
- The Parks Department won an Award of Excellence for the Westwood Park project and several awards in an equipment operating contest, including first place in the backpack blower contest.
Agenda Summary
Approval of Minutes
City Council Conference minutes of September 11, 2018, City Council conference minutes of October 9, 2018, and City Council/Norman Utilities Authority/Norman Municipal Authority/Norman Tax Increment Financing minutes of October 23, 2018.
Proclamation for Small Business Saturday
Proclaiming Saturday, November 24, 2018, as Small Business Saturday in the City of Norman.
Consent Docket Items 6-33 (excluding 9 and 29)
Routine agenda items including rezoning, code amendments, change order report, acceptance of easements for 24th Avenue East bond project, grant of easements to OG&E, generator purchase for Fire Station #1, contract amendments for WRF improvements and Certified Local Governments grant, final acceptance of contracts for Sooner Theater and sidewalk cutting, contract with Chickasaw Telecommunication Services, contract with Garber for composting, contract with Oklahoma Fiber, resolution reaffirming health and wellness, and resolution supporting Lake Thunderbird title transfer.
Item 6: Ordinance rezoning 103 West Apache Street
Rezoning property from Center City form-based code to Center City Planned Unit Development.
Item 7: Ordinance amending code for communication facilities
Amending the code to change section title, add definitions, update terminology, clarify language for commercial communication towers, and add regulations for small self-wireless facilities.
Item 8: Submission of City Manager's change order report
Submission and directing the filing of the city manager's change order report.
Items 10-19: Acceptance of easements for 24th Avenue East bond project
Acceptance of multiple easements from Carla Connect Lee and MARH Properties LLC for the 24th Avenue East bond project from Lindsay Street to Robinson Street.
Item 20: Grant of easement to Oklahoma Gas and Electric
Grant of an easement to Oklahoma Gas and Electric for installing underground electrical service for the Westwood Tennis Center indoor court facility project.
Item 21: Consideration of grant of easement to Oklahoma Gas and Electric
Consideration of a grant of an easement to Oklahoma Gas and Electric for installing underground electrical services for the Westwood Tennis Center indoor court facility.
Item 22: Purchase of one generator from Faith Electric
Purchase of one generator in the amount of $26,150 to be used at Fire Station number one.
Item 23: Amendment number four to contract with Garber LLC
Increasing the contract amount by $89,300 for a revised contract amount of $5,193,200 to provide additional construction administration, observation, and warranty assistance for WRF phase two improvements and maintenance additions.
Item 24: Amendment number one to contract with Oklahoma Historical Society
Changing the scope of work for the certified local governments grant.
Item 25: Final acceptance and payment of contract with Son Construction Services
Final acceptance and final payment of contract for the Sooner Theater dressing room renovation project.
Item 26: Final acceptance and payment of contract with Precision Concrete Cutting of Oklahoma
Final acceptance and payment of a contract for the sidewalk horizontal saw cutting project.
Item 27: Contract with Chickasaw Telecommunication Services
Providing for payment of a three percent fee in lieu of franchise fee for revenue generated from fiber-optic conduit use along East Etowah Road for five years.
Item 28: Contract with Garber
Contract in the amount of $106,900 to provide preliminary design services for coke composting improvements.
Item 30: Contract with Oklahoma Fiber
Granting access to the city's right-of-way for installing fiber for Internet services and providing for video service provider fee for five years.
Item 31: Resolution reaffirming community and employee health and wellness
Calling for a review of health and wellness policies, encouraging collaboration with partners, and authorizing grant application submission for the T-SET Healthy Communities Incentive Program.
Item 32: Resolution expressing support for transfer of Lake Thunderbird title
Expressing support for the transfer of the title of the Norman project Lake Thunderbird to the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMCD), requesting COMCD undertake operational analysis, and urging preservation of recreational aspects.
Item 33: Resolution appropriating $20,000 for traffic calming project
Appropriating $20,000 from the capital fund balance for a traffic calming project on Hemmed-in Avenue.
Item 9: Submission of the Citizens Financial Oversight Board annual report
Presentation and acknowledgement of the annual report from the Citizens Financial Oversight Board (CFOB).
Item 29: Contract with Springsted Waters for City Manager recruitment services
Contract to provide recruitment services to the council for the selection of a city manager for the City of Norman and budget appropriation from the general fund balance.
Item 34: Resolution requesting recommendation from statutory review committee on University North Park TIF
Resolution requesting a recommendation from the statutory review committee on how to end the University North Park (UNP) TIF project cost funding mechanism, including sales tax and ad valorem increment, as soon as possible without unduly harming Norman Public Schools, and directing staff to prepare proposals for funding the SRO program.