Meeting Summary
The City Council approved various meeting minutes and acknowledged a proclamation for Small Business Season. The most significant action was the unanimous approval to purchase a 3.23-acre tract of land for $74,290 from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, intended for a permanent homeless shelter. Public comments highlighted neighborhood concerns about safety and impact, while council members emphasized the need for a permanent solution and future collaboration on design and mitigation.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of City Council and Committee Minutes
00:58Various city council, NUA, NMA, NTIF, Study Session, Oversight, Finance, and Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting minutes from late 2023 to 2025 were approved.
Proclamation of Small Business Season
02:40A proclamation designating November through December 2025 as Small Business Season, with November 29th, 2025, as Small Business Saturday, was acknowledged.
Placement of Items on Consent Docket
37:30Items 3 through 26 were moved to the consent docket for a single vote.
Approval of Consent Docket
39:00The consent docket, including items 3 through 26, was approved unanimously.
Purchase of Land for Permanent Homeless Shelter
1:30:00The City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to purchase a 3.23-acre tract of land on Reed Avenue from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for $74,290, intended for a permanent homeless shelter.
Upcoming Community Events
Ward 3 Listen and Learn
West Norman Public Library, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ward 4 Quarterly Meeting
225 North Webster (Development Center), 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Norman Christmas Parade
6:00 PM
Winterfest Tree Lighting
7:00 PM at James Garner statue
Financial Matters
Purchase of 3.23-acre tract of land for permanent shelter
Interlocal agreement with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for land on Reed Avenue.
Norman Boys and Girls Club donation
Funds raised through a bet related to OU football performance.
Public Comments
Public comments were primarily focused on two main topics: the proposed land purchase for a homeless shelter and a future rezoning application on Shiakqua Street. For the shelter land purchase, residents expressed concerns about neighborhood safety, traffic, property values, and environmental impact on Bishop Creek, requesting more planning, oversight, and community involvement. Some supported the purchase due to the urgent need for a shelter and the favorable price, advocating for mitigation measures. During miscellaneous comments, residents also voiced strong opposition to a proposed 24-unit apartment building on Shiakqua, citing concerns about traffic, neighborhood character, parking, and density. Other topics included city council pay, economic development accountability, and a recent ICE detainment incident.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 4 (Shiakqua SPUD rezoning) - potential delay of vote in December
Watch For
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on December 17th at 4 PM (discussion on Lindsay Street project)
- Future discussions and design process for the permanent homeless shelter on Reed Avenue
- Vote on Shiakqua SPUD rezoning at a future council meeting
Announcements
- Happy holidays to everyone, hope everybody has a safe holiday season.
- Shout out to the Adult Wellness Center for hosting a great gala.
- Huge shout out to Kennedy Elementary and its principal for their work, improving test scores, and promoting diversity.
- Shout out to city employee Michelle for receiving a distinguished Keep Oklahoma Beautiful award (Towering Spirit Award).
- Reminder to volunteer for Food and Shelter's annual Thanksgiving dinner giveaway and the Christmas dinner, and to support foster families in Norman for Christmas gifts.
- Support local businesses, shop Norman, especially on Small Business Saturday (November 29th) and throughout November/December.
- Ward 3 'Listen and Learn' event at West Norman Public Library tomorrow night (6-8 PM).
- Ward 4 last quarterly meeting on Saturday, December 6th, 9:30-11:00 AM at 225 North Webster.
- Norman Christmas parade on December 6th at 6 PM.
- Thank you to all who serve on city boards and commissions.
- Reappointments: Ingger Gaffreda to Environmental Control Advisory Board, Deborah Cretzinger to Norman Regional Hospital Authority, Steve Gillis to Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dr. Lacy Anderson to Norman Regional Hospital Authority.
- Shout out to City of Norman transportation engineer David Risland for installing stop signs in a neighborhood.
- Over $20,000 raised for the Norman Boys and Girls Club through an OU football bet.
- Welcome to the scouts attending the meeting.
- Winterfest next week: Christmas parade starts at 6 PM, tree lighting at 7 PM at the James Garner statue.
- Thanks to Kennedy Elementary for inviting the Mayor to read to kids.
- Thanks to Norman High for inviting the Mayor to talk about local government; students are eager for the library to reopen.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting will be on December 17th at 4 PM due to Christmas.
- Encouragement to support OU football team in their upcoming game.
- Correction for the record: Robert Bruce is the council member for Ward 3.
- PACE team officer Lieutenant McAuer serves on the Food and Shelter board, and the culture is shifting regarding trespassing and shopping carts enforcement.
- Optimism for a second mental health crisis response van with three mental health care workers to be hired.
Agenda Summary
Approval of City Council Conference Meeting Minutes
Minutes from March 25, 2025, April 22, 2025, July 22, 2025, August 12, 2025, September 9, 2025, and October 28, 2025.
Approval of City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Minutes from March 5, 2024.
Approval of City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority Meeting Minutes
Minutes from July 1, 2025, and July 22, 2025.
Approval of City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes
Minutes from October 15, 2024, January 7, 2025, January 21, 2025, April 15, 2025, May 6, 2025, and August 5, 2025.
Approval of City Council Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes from December 14, 2023.
Approval of City Council Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes from October 16, 2025.
Approval of City Council Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes from October 23, 2025.
Proclamation of Small Business Season
A proclamation designating November through December 2025 as Small Business Season, with emphasis on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, as Small Business Saturday.
Consent Docket Items 3-26
Routine agenda items placed on the consent docket for unanimous approval.
Consideration of Interlocal Agreement for Land Purchase (K-2526-102)
Purchase of a 3.23-acre tract of land from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for $74,290, intended for a permanent homeless shelter.