Meeting Summary
The City Council approved various minutes and a proclamation for Emergency Services Week. Key discussions revolved around the FYE 2019 budget, which projects a significant general fund deficit, and the proposed University North Park TIF expansion. Environmental initiatives, including a commitment to 100% renewable energy and an incentive program for energy-efficient homes, were also highlighted.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
01:00The City Council approved the special session minutes of April 24th, study session minutes of May 1st, conference minutes of May 8th, Norman utilities authority, municipal authority and tax increment financing minutes of May 8th, and special session minutes of May 15th, all of 2018.
Emergency Services Week Proclamation
01:50The City Council acknowledged receipt of a proclamation declaring May 20th through 26th, 2018 as Emergency Services Week in Norman.
Consent Docket Approval
05:00Items 6 through 24, covering various rezonings, reports, bids, contracts, and resolutions, were approved by unanimous consent.
Scheduling FYE 2019 Budget Adoption
1:31:00An agenda item was scheduled for June 12th to formally adopt the FYE 2019 City of Norman budget and the Norman Convention and Visitor's Bureau budget.
Land Use Plan Amendment for 750 East Imhoff Road
1:35:00A resolution was adopted to amend the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan, changing 750 East Imhoff Road from high density residential to mixed-use designation to allow for commercial uses in existing front buildings.
Rezoning 750 East Imhoff Road
1:37:00A resolution was adopted to rezone 750 East Imhoff Road from a medium family dwelling district to a SPUD (simple Planned Unit Development), a companion item to the land use plan amendment.
SPUD Amendment for Tanglewoods Addition Setback
1:40:00An ordinance was adopted to amend the Tanglewoods Addition SPUD, reducing the front yard setback from 50 feet to 20 feet for Lot 8, Block 1, to accommodate construction while preserving natural terrain.
Closing Platted Building Line in Tanglewoods Addition
1:42:00An ordinance was adopted to close a 50-foot platted building line located on Lot 8, Block 1, Tanglewoods Addition, as a companion item to the setback reduction.
Upcoming Community Events
Norman Pride fundraiser
Lazy Circles, 1-9 PM, featuring music, art, and craft beer.
Movies in the Park
Lions Park, showing Black Panther.
Summer Breeze Concert Series
Lions Park, featuring Jacob Tovar and the Saddle Tramps.
Second Friday Artwalk
Historic Downtown Norman, featuring music and art.
Sooner Disc Golf Club 40th Annual Norman Pro-Am
Pro players will compete at Northeast Lions or Griffin Park.
Financial Matters
Finance Director's Investment Report
Submission of the investment report as of April 30th.
City Manager's Change Order Report
Submission of the City Manager's change order report.
Griffin Park Phase One Northfield Improvements Project
Contract with Lippert Brothers Inc. for improvements, with a change order decreasing the amount.
Park Maintenance Building Fire Repairs
Change order with Phoenix Construction Services for repairs to the park maintenance building damaged by fire, with final acceptance and budget appropriation from the risk fund balance.
Main Street Paving Project
Contract with Rudy Construction Company for paving Main Street from Jones Street to Porter Avenue, including a resolution for tax-exempt status and budget transfer.
Storm Siren Unit 43 Repair/Replacement
Resolution appropriating funds from the reimbursements, refunds, miscellaneous risk management account to repair and replace damaged storm siren unit 43.
FYE 2019 City of Norman Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets
Public hearing on the proposed budgets, which project a $4 million general fund deficit for the fiscal year.
Norman Convention and Visitor's Bureau Inc. Budget
Public hearing on the Convention and Visitor's Bureau budget and annual plan of work, funded by a 5% guest tax.
Public Comments
Public comments largely focused on the city's budget challenges and the proposed University North Park (UNP) TIF expansion. Proponents argued the TIF was essential for economic growth and revenue generation, while opponents raised concerns about cannibalization of existing businesses, lack of independent analysis, and the sustainability of the city's financial practices. Other suggestions included hiring an internal auditor, selling unused city property, increasing hotel-motel taxes, and prioritizing social services. Environmental initiatives and civic engagement were also discussed.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- HERS pilot program begins July 1st.
- Budget adoption scheduled for June 12th.
- ADA transition plan study winding up in the next few weeks.
Watch For
- Future discussions on the University North Park TIF zoning and finances.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee (CPTC) meeting on May 24th to discuss CART, Green Building Code, low-impact development, and tree ordinance.
- Council retreat in August for setting goals.
- A future public vote on a stormwater utility.
Announcements
- Proclamation of Emergency Medical Services Week (May 20-26, 2018) was acknowledged.
- The Visit Norman team won a Merit Award for best overall marketing campaign, best website, and best partnership from the state's travel industry association.
- An open house was held for the new Wastewater Reclamation Facility, marking the largest single infrastructure investment in the city's history.
- Bike to Work Day and a Police Memorial Service were held on Friday.
- The Eastside Business Association held a cleanup event this past weekend.
- Councilmember Holman and Clark will be conducting a joint ward tour soon.
- Councilmember Clark will host a ward meeting at Franklin Baptist Church on June 9th at 10:30 AM.
- The Sooner Disc Golf Club held its 40th annual Norman Pro-Am tournament.
Agenda Summary
Item 3
Approval of City Council special session minutes of April 24th, City Council study session minutes of May 1st, City Council conference minutes of May 8th, City Council Norman utilities authority municipal authority and tax increment financing minutes of May 8th, and city council special session minutes of May 15th, all of 2018.
Item 4
Proclamation proclaiming the week of May 20th through 26th, 2018 as Emergency Services Week in the city of Norman.
Item 5
Consent docket for items 6 through 24.
Item 6
Rezoning the property located at 4712 North Porter Avenue from an A2 rural agricultural district to a SPUD simple Planned Unit Development.
Item 7
An ordinance upon first reading amending the city code concerning licensure and occupational tax for establishments selling alcoholic beverages and consistency with state law to be effective October 1st, 2018.
Item 8
Submission of the Finance Director's investment report as of April 30th.
Item 9
Submission of the monthly departmental reports for the month of April 2018.
Item 10
Submission of the City Manager's change order report.
Item 11
A bid for the purchase of chlorine gas for the water treatment facility.
Item 12
A bid for the purchase of fluoride water for the treatment facility.
Item 13
Consideration of acceptance of request of a proposal, approval of a contract with Lippert Brothers Inc. in the amount of $900,000, change order number 1 decreasing the contract amount by $28,448 for a revised contract amount of $871,552 and associated bonds for the Norman Forward Griffin Park Phase One Northfield Improvements Project.
Item 14
Acceptance of a temporary roadway easement from the United States Department of Interior to provide access to a new communications tower near the intersection of Highway 9 and 144th Avenue Southeast in connection with the Emergency Communications System Project Phase 3.
Item 15
Consideration of a site plan amendment from Nathan Kindholtz to locate a snow cone stand in the Homeland parking lot at 2600 West Robinson Street.
Item 16
Conveyance of title by warranty deed from the City of Norman to Cedar Lane Homeowners Association to transfer 2.05 acres of real property located adjacent to the Cedar Lane Park site that was in excess of parkland dedication requirements.
Item 17
A change order with Phoenix Construction Services increasing the contract amount by $10,563.48 for a revised contract amount of $90,649.50 for the repairs to the park maintenance building damaged by fire, final acceptance of the project and budget appropriation from the risk fund balance.
Item 18
A contract with Account Management Resources for collection services related to past due utility accounts.
Item 19
A contract with Rudy Construction Company in the amount of $286,327 and associated bonds for the Main Street paving project from Jones Street to Porter Avenue, adoption of a resolution granting tax-exempt status and budget transfer between project accounts.
Item 20
A resolution appropriating $33,720 from the reimbursements, refunds, miscellaneous risk management account to repair and replace damaged storm siren unit 43.
Item 21
A resolution establishing a procedure allowing building permit fees charged pursuant to a section of the Norman City Code to be adjusted and satisfied as an incentive for residential homes achieving a certain Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores.
Item 22
A resolution establishing the E911 telephone fee rate for the calendar year 2019.
Item 23
A resolution adopting the Environmental Control Advisory Board's updated recommendations to implement the Mayor's Climate Control Agreement requiring the preparation of an action plan to implement said recommendations and providing for a progress update to City Council on a semi-annual basis.
Item 24
A resolution expressing a commitment to endeavor to transition the city to 100% renewable energy and committing to appoint a subcommittee of the Environmental Control Advisory Board to develop an outline for the transition.
Item 25
A public hearing regarding the FYE 2019 City of Norman proposed operating and capital budgets and the Norman Convention and Visitor's Bureau Inc. budget with detailed annual work plan.
Item 26
A resolution amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan to remove 750 East Imhoff Road from the high density residential designation to mixed use designation.
Item 27
A resolution rezoning property located at 750 East Imhoff Road from a medium family dwelling district to SPUD simple Planned Unit Development.
Item 28
An ordinance amending the Planned Unit Development established with Ordinance 01011-46 to reduce the front yard setback from 50 feet to 20 feet for Lot 8, Block 1, Tanglewoods Addition.
Item 29
An ordinance closing a 50-foot platted building line located on Lot 8, Block 1, Tanglewoods Addition, a Planned Unit Development.