Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a comprehensive consent docket, including significant purchases for fire and police departments and various infrastructure contracts. Key ordinances were adopted for rezoning St. Joseph's Catholic Church, vacating an easement for St. Thomas More Church, conforming city code to new state liquor laws, and ratifying the University North Park Business Improvement District assessment role. Public comments raised concerns about Campus Corner traffic management, taxi accessibility, and the use of civil asset forfeiture funds.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket Approval
20:00The City Council unanimously approved the consent docket, which included various appointments, financial reports, and contracts for city services and infrastructure projects.
Rezoning for St. Joseph's Catholic Church
39:50An ordinance was unanimously adopted on final reading to rezone property at 421 East Acres Street to a Simple Planned Unit Development (SPUD) district, primarily to allow for wayfinding signage on the church campus.
Closing Utility Easement for St. Thomas More Church
47:30An ordinance was unanimously adopted on final reading to close a 134-foot portion of a 5-foot utility easement at St. Thomas More Church, enabling the construction of a covered passage between existing and new church buildings.
Amending City Code for State Liquor Laws
54:00An ordinance was unanimously adopted on final reading to amend city code sections, conforming definitions of alcoholic and intoxicating beverages and addressing public consumption of spirits, effective October 1st, 2018, in line with new state regulations.
University North Park Business Improvement District Assessment
59:00An ordinance was unanimously adopted on final reading to ratify the 2019 assessment roll for the University North Park Business Improvement District, which funds maintenance and enhancements for Legacy Park and Trail.
Upcoming Community Events
Operation School Bell Day Open House
809 Mall Street from 5 PM to 7 PM
Ward 5 Meeting
10:30 AM at Thunderbird Baptist Church
Legacy Rotary Club Car Show
Lindsey Street, starting at 10 AM
Cleveland County Fair
Cleveland County Fairgrounds (Porter and Robinson)
Financial Matters
Purchase of two digester sludge pumps for water reclamation
Authorization for the Norman Utilities Authority to purchase two digester sludge pumps.
Purchase of one pumper tanker truck for the fire department
Authorization for the purchase of a pumper tanker truck from Pierce Manufacturing.
Purchase of a motor vehicle barrier system for the police department
Authorization for the police department to purchase a motor vehicle barrier system, funded by state seizure and restitution funds.
Contract for 24th Avenue Southeast waterline relocation project
Approval of a contract with WEB Construction for the waterline relocation project.
Contract for sewer maintenance project FY 2014 Phase Two
Approval of a contract with PM Construction and Rehab LLC and IBR South-Central LLC for the sewer maintenance project.
Special claims for damage to buried cable
Approval of claims from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company AT&T Oklahoma for damage caused by the stormwater division.
Change order for Rock Creek Road waterline replacement project
Approval of Change Order Number Two, increasing the contract amount for the Rock Creek Road waterline replacement project.
Contract for engineering services for Robinson waterline replacement project Phase Three
Approval of a contract with Alan Plumber and Associates for engineering services.
Purchase of 130 Taser conductive energy weapons
Approval of a contract with Axon Company for Taser units, funded by seizure and restitution funds.
Funding for police motorcycles and homeless identification program
Appropriation of federal seizure and restitution funds for two police motorcycles and to purchase IDs/birth certificates for Norman's homeless community.
Compromise settlement of a worker's compensation claim
Resolution authorizing settlement of a claim filed by Brandon Ingram.
Purchase of shelter management software for Animal Welfare Center
Appropriation of funds from the animal welfare donation account to purchase software for pet reunification.
University North Park Business Improvement District (BID) assessment
Annual assessment for BID maintenance and enhancements. For 2019, property owners are assessed $125,000 and TIF funds $75,000.
Public Comments
Public comments addressed several operational and policy concerns, including challenges faced by Uber/Lyft drivers on Campus Corner regarding designated pick-up/drop-off areas and safety during late-night congestion. Questions were raised about the city's progress on taxi accessibility for disabled individuals and the status of discussions regarding the OU arena development. Concerns were also voiced about the city's approach to Bird scooters and suggestions were made to potentially reallocate asset forfeiture funds to the Animal Welfare Center.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- State liquor laws and conforming city ordinances become effective October 1st.
- Invoices for University North Park BID assessments will be sent by November 1st, with payments due March 31st, 2019.
- The Main Street Enhancement Project is expected to be finished in early September.
- The transportation bond will be coming up in February.
Watch For
- Further discussion regarding the University North Park arena development.
- Addressing current city budget problems and the future of TIF 2 projects (cultural and lifestyle centers).
- Solutions and funding for significant flooding issues in the city.
- Transparency and a paper trail regarding a $320,000 payment by the city to the CDL, including a potential waiver of attorney-client privilege.
- Updates on tree ordinances, following concerns from developers.
- An update on OU's demand for $300,000 in funding.
- Continued public input and discussion on the stormwater utility.
Announcements
- Thursday, September 6, 2018, is proclaimed Operation School Bell Day in Norman.
- City offices will be closed on September 3rd in observance of Labor Day; sanitation services will operate on their regular schedule.
- Parks crews are working 10-hour days to catch up on mowing due to recent weather conditions.
- The Main Street Enhancement Project is approximately 60% complete and is expected to finish in early September.
- The Norman Pride Festival was a success, with the city participating by not charging for the use of Gray Street.
- Norman magician Rob Lake is on America's Got Talent; citizens are encouraged to vote.
- Public education regarding the changes to high-point beer laws, effective October 1st, is suggested.
- Citizens are encouraged to donate blood to the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
- Harold Highfill was publicly thanked for his extensive service to the city.
- The 6th stormwater open house will be held on Thursday at the Chamber offices on Grace Street from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Agenda Summary
Approval of City Council Community Planning and Transportation Committee minutes of June 26 2008 teen city council special session minutes of August 14 2018 and City Council Norman utilities Authority Norman municipal authority and Norman tax increment financing minutes of August 14 2018
Approval of various meeting minutes from June and August 2018.
Proclamation proclaiming Thursday September 6 2018 as operation school bell day in the city of Norman
A proclamation recognizing the Assistance League of Norman's Operation School Bell program, which provides clothing to children in need.
Consent Docket (Items 6-24)
Approval of routine agenda items by a single motion, including appointments, financial reports, and various contracts and resolutions.
Confirmation of nominees to Norman Youth Council
Confirmation of individuals nominated to serve on the Norman Youth Council.
Consideration of the mayor's appointments to Ruby grant ad hoc group in the Norman election commission
Consideration and approval of mayoral appointments to the Ruby Grant Ad Hoc Group and the Norman Election Commission.
Submission of the finance directors investment report as of July 31st 2018
Presentation of the city's investment report for July 2018.
Submission of the monthly departmental reports for the month of July 2018
Presentation of monthly reports from various city departments for July 2018.
Submission of the city manager's change order report
Presentation of the city manager's report on change orders for ongoing projects.
Authorization from the Norman utilities authority to purchase two digester sludge pumps in the amount of sixty eight thousand seven hundred dollars from Bertram products Inc for the water reclamation
Authorization for the Norman Utilities Authority to purchase two sludge pumps for water reclamation.
Authorization from the purchase of one pump pumper tanker truck in the amount of six hundred and fifty seven thousand seven hundred and seventy eight dollars and five cents from Pierce manufacturing through Conrad fire equipment utilizing the houston/galveston area contract
Authorization for the purchase of a pumper tanker truck for the fire department.
Authorization for the purchase of a motor vehicle barrier system from security pro USA in the amount of sixty three thousand eight hundred and forty dollars for the police department and budget appropriation from the state seizure and restitution fund balance
Authorization for the police department to purchase a motor vehicle barrier system, funded by state seizure and restitution funds.
Contract with w eb construction in the amount of 1 million five hundred and eighty three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars and fifty cents and the subsequent bonds for the twenty fourth avenues southeast waterline relocation project and adoption of the project agent resolution granting tax-exempt status
Approval of a contract for the 24th Avenue Southeast waterline relocation project and related bonds.
Bid and approval of a contract with p.m. construction and rehab LLC and ib r south-central LLC in the amount of 1 million three hundred forty eight thousand five hundred and one dollars and the subsequent bonds for the sewer maintenance project FY e 2014 phase two
Approval of a contract for the Phase Two of the FY 2014 sewer maintenance project.
Acceptance of a permanent right-of-way easement donated by the city of Norman for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening from Tecumseh Avenue to Indian Hills Road
Acceptance of a donated permanent right-of-way easement for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening project.
Acceptance of a permanent utility easement donated by the city of Norman for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening from Tecumseh Avenue to Indian Hills
Acceptance of a donated permanent utility easement for the 36th Avenue Northwest widening project.
Special claims submitted by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company AT&T Oklahoma and the amount of two thousand five hundred and seventy three dollars and thirty one cents for damage to a buried cable by the stormwater division while repairing a storm water pipe located at 2606 Richardson Drive
Approval of special claims for damages to a buried cable caused by the stormwater division.
Change order number two to a contract with central contracting services increasing the contract amount by one hundred and eighteen thousand one hundred and fifty two dollars for a revised contract amount of eight hundred and thirty six thousand two hundred sixty six dollars for the Rock Creek Road water line replacement project final acceptance of the project and a budget transfer between the project accounts
Approval of a change order increasing the contract amount for the Rock Creek Road waterline replacement project, final acceptance, and budget transfer.
Contract with Alan plumber and associates in the amount of two hundred and eighty thousand to provide engineering services related to final design bidding and construction administration for the Robinson waterline replacement project phase three located between twenty fourth Avenue Northwest and flood Avenue
Approval of a contract for engineering services for the Robinson waterline replacement project Phase Three.
Contract with axon company in the amount of two hundred and seventy two thousand five hundred and thirty-eight dollars for the purchase of a hundred and thirty Taser conductive energy weapons under a technology assurance program to replace units that are no longer serviceable for a period of five years and budget appropriations from the seizures and restitution fund balance
Approval of a contract for the purchase of 130 Taser conductive energy weapons, funded by seizure and restitution funds.
Resolution appropriating seventy four thousand from the federal seizures and restitution fund balance to provide funding for two police motorcycles and associated equipment as well as to purchase state identification cards driver's licenses or birth certificates for members of Norman's homeless community
Resolution to appropriate federal seizure and restitution funds for police motorcycles and identification for homeless individuals.
Resolution authorizing compromise settlement of a claim filed by Brandon Ingram under the provisions of the workers compensation statutes of Oklahoma in the case of Brandon Ingram versus the city of Norman Workers Compensation Commission case
Resolution to authorize a compromise settlement for a worker's compensation claim.
Resolution appropriating two thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars from the animal welfare donation liabilities account to purchase shelter management software for the Norman animal welfare center to better facilitate reunification of lost pets with their owners
Resolution to appropriate funds from the animal welfare donation account for shelter management software.
Ordinance rezone this rezoning property located at 421 East acres street from r3 multi-family dwelling district and c2 general commercial district to a spud simple Planned Unit development district
Rezoning of St. Joseph's Catholic Church property to a Simple Planned Unit Development (SPUD) district to allow for wayfinding signage.
An ordinance closing part of the utility easement located on lot one block once a Thomas Moore Church edition
Closing a portion of a 5-foot utility easement at St. Thomas More Church to allow for construction of a connecting structure.
An ordinance amending all sections of the code to conform to state regulations concerning the definitions of alcoholic beverages and intoxicating beverages in addressing the consumption of spirits in public place effective October 1st
Amending city ordinances to align with new state liquor laws, effective October 1st, regarding alcoholic beverage definitions and public consumption.
Adopting and ratifying the assessment role for diversity North Park Business Improvement District establishing the time in terms of payment of assessments fixing penalties to be charged for delinquent payment of assessment or installment setting forth tracts or parcels against which the assessments are being adopted ratified and levy directing the city clerk to prepare sign a test and record with cleveland county clerk following passage of the payment deadline a claim of lien for any unpaid amount due and assessed against a track or parcel of land
Adoption and ratification of the 2019 assessment roll for the University North Park Business Improvement District.