Meeting Summary
The Norman City Council meeting included the immediate resignation of Council Member Mononttoya, which led to extensive public and council discussion regarding civility, social media conduct, and mental health. The council unanimously approved several rezoning ordinances and preliminary plats for commercial and residential developments. Additionally, ordinances were adopted to align city regulations with new state laws concerning mobile food establishments and campaign finance disclosures.
Key Decisions & Votes
Proclamations
00:01:40The council acknowledged receipt of proclamations for Pedestrian Safety Month and Healthy Aging Month.
Consent Docket (Items 3-22)
00:19:00Items 3 through 22 on the consent docket were approved unanimously.
Rezoning North Flood Avenue Property (Item 23)
00:29:40An ordinance rezoning property north of West Tecumseh Road on North Flood Avenue from A2 Rural Agricultural District and I2 Heavy Industrial District to Spud Simple Planned Unit development was adopted.
Preliminary Plat for North Flood Business Park Addition (Item 24)
00:30:50The preliminary plat for North Flood Business Park Addition was approved unanimously.
Amendment to St. James Park Rezoning Ordinance (Item 25)
00:40:50An amendment to reduce the front yard setback for development area 2 from 25 feet to 20 feet for the St. James Park rezoning ordinance was approved.
Rezoning St. James Park Property (Item 25 as amended)
00:49:40The ordinance rezoning property near Classen Boulevard and Cedar Lane Road from R1 to PUD for St. James Park, as amended, was adopted.
Preliminary Plat for St. James Park Addition (Item 26)
00:50:50The preliminary plat for St. James Park addition was approved unanimously.
Preliminary Plat for St. James Center, Section Two (Item 27)
00:56:40The preliminary plat for St. James Center, section two, was approved unanimously.
Rezoning Hutner Drive Property (Item 28)
01:00:40An ordinance rezoning property at 5451 Hutner Drive from PUD to I1 Light Industrial District was adopted.
Preliminary Plat for Hutner Drive Industrial Park (Item 29)
01:01:50The preliminary plat for Hutner Drive Industrial Park was approved unanimously.
Rezoning West Robinson Street Property for Special Use (Item 30)
01:06:40An ordinance rezoning property at 3250 West Robinson Street from C1 to C2 with special use for a bar, lounge, or tavern (Cruz N Auto Spa) was adopted.
Mobile Food Establishment Regulations (Item 31)
01:18:40An ordinance amending sections related to mobile food establishments to align with new state laws was adopted.
Campaign Disclosures and Expenditures (Item 32)
01:23:40An ordinance amending section 2-301 and repealing article 10-11 concerning campaign disclosures and expenditures to comply with new state legislation was adopted.
Upcoming Community Events
Perusa Chambi's Exploring Life and Death in the Andes photography exhibition
Firehouse Art Center
Old Sukstalking Voluntary Neighborhood Association annual neighborhood night out
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Ruth Updegraff Park and Mor Lindsey Historical Museum
OTAA Public Meeting
5:00 PM at Norman North High School, Nancy O'Brien Center
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4:00 PM at City Hall and live-streamed on YouTube
Watershed cleanup event
9:00 AM at Sutton Wilderness
Financial Matters
Grant for Line Maintenance Facility
City received a $2 million grant from OWB for the construction cost of the line maintenance facility.
Day Labor Van Funding
Opioid settlement money was used to fund the day labor van program.
FY25 General Fund Deficit
The general fund ended FY25 with a $5.8 million deficit, requiring a draw-down from reserves.
FY26 Projected General Fund Shortfall
A projected $7.2 million shortfall for FY26 is anticipated, potentially leaving the general fund near mandated reserve minimums.
Sales Tax Revenue Shortfall
Sales tax revenue came in $1.8 million below estimates last year and is currently flat.
TIFF Fund
A $4 million fund from a Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFF) is currently unspendable due to issues with the TIFF.
Monthly Sales Tax Revenue
Sales tax is down $469,513 from the budget number.
Monthly General Fund Revenue
General fund revenue is down $2,757,540.
Monthly Expenses
Expenses are up by $1,528,610.
Public Comments
Public comments were extensive, particularly during the miscellaneous comments section. Key themes included concerns about council member conduct, social media use, and the importance of civility and mental health in public discourse, especially following a council member's resignation. Citizens also raised questions about the rationale and transparency of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and Simple Planned Unit Developments (SPUDs), impacts of new developments on stormwater runoff and traffic, the city's financial health (deficits, sales tax, TIFF funds), and the need for a formal code of conduct for council members. Transparency regarding campaign finance reports and HOA notifications for developments were also discussed.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- November 1st, 2025: Ordinance amending mobile food establishment regulations becomes effective.
- November 1st, 2025: Ordinance amending campaign disclosures and repealing related articles becomes effective.
Watch For
- OTAA public meeting on September 24th at Norman North High School.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on September 26th at City Hall.
- Further discussion on the day labor van data at the next month's oversight committee.
- Updates to the city's zoning ordinance and subregulations to align with the new land use plan.
- Potential future discussions on park permits and metered parking for mobile food vendors.
- Release of the Raft Ellis study on city finances.
Announcements
- Council Member Mononttoya announced her immediate resignation as council member for Ward 3.
- Mayor Holman affirmed commitment to upholding First Amendment rights and maintaining respectful, orderly meeting environments.
- Ward One: A barber is providing free haircuts on Sundays in the park lot of Lindsay by Taco Bell and the Plasma Center; a message of support for those feeling hopeless and needing help was shared.
- Ward Four: Hispanic Heritage Month is observed until October 15th; Perusa Chambi's photography exhibition 'Exploring Life and Death in the Andes' runs until November 2nd at the Firehouse Art Center; the Old Sukstalking Voluntary Neighborhood Association is hosting their annual neighborhood night out on September 25th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Ruth Updegraff Park; congratulations were extended to organizers of Porchfest and Ink the Block party; data from the day labor van (Opportunity Knocks litter cleanup crew) showed 279 referrals, 63 riders, 42 receiving services, 1 permanent employment, and 23.96 tons of trash removed.
- Ward Five: Citizens were encouraged not to despair regarding the Oklahoma Turnpike Association's new route for the South Extension, with assurance that efforts to oppose it will continue.
- Ward Six: A watershed cleanup event is scheduled for October 18th at 9:00 AM at Sutton Wilderness.
- Ward Eight: The city received a $2 million grant from OWB for the construction cost of the line maintenance facility.
- Mayor Holman announced a public meeting regarding the OTAA new route on September 24th at 5:00 PM at Norman North High School, Nancy O'Brien Center; the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting is on September 26th at 4:00 PM at City Hall and live-streamed.
Agenda Summary
Proclamations
Proclaiming October as Pedestrian Safety Month and September as Healthy Aging Month in the City of Norman.
Item 23
An ordinance rezoning property generally located north of West Tecumseh Road on North Flood Avenue from A2 Rural Agricultural District and I2 Heavy Industrial District to Spud Simple Planned Unit development.
Item 24
A preliminary plat for North Flood Business Park Addition, a simple planned unit development generally located one quarter mile north of Tecumseh Road on the east side of Flood Avenue.
Item 25
An ordinance rezoning property generally located near the northeast corner of the intersection of Classen Boulevard and Cedar Lane Road from R1 single family dwelling district to PUD planned unit development.
Item 26
A preliminary plat for St. James Park addition, a planned unit development generally located one quarter mile east of Classen Boulevard on the north side of Cedar Lane.
Item 27
A preliminary plat for St. James Center, section two, located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Cedar Lane Road and 24th Avenue Southeast.
Item 28
An ordinance rezoning property located at 5451 Hutner Drive from PUD planned unit development to I1 Light Industrial District.
Item 29
A preliminary plat for Hutner Drive Industrial Park, a replat of lot 2 block one value place edition generally located 1 half mile south of Indian Hills Road on the east side of York Drive.
Item 30
An ordinance rezoning property located at 3250 West Robinson Street from C1 Local Commercial District to C2 General Commercial District with special use for a bar, lounge, or tavern.
Item 31
An ordinance amending sections 20-10008, license required through 20-1013, outside sales of article 20-X, food services, and appendix A, city of Norman fee schedule, to implement changes consistent with new state laws relating to the licensure, regulation, and inspection of mobile food establishments and mobile food preparation vehicles.
Item 32
An ordinance amending section 2-301 to remove mention of Norman Election Commission repealing article 10-11 titled campaign disclosures and contributors contributions and expenditures of the code of the city of Norman.