Meeting Summary
The City Council adopted several proclamations, including commendations for Norman North and Norman High students' philanthropic efforts, Arbor Day, Leadership Oklahoma Day, Norman Music Festival Day, and Peace Officers Memorial Day/National Police Week. The first public hearing for the FYE 2026 budget was conducted. A significant discussion led to the postponement of the Rock Entertainment District phasing plan to May 20, 2025, due to pending litigation. Additionally, several land use and zoning amendments, along with associated preliminary plats for new developments, were approved.
Key Decisions & Votes
Resolution commending Norman North and Norman High students
01:00Resolution commending students for their philanthropic efforts and community service was unanimously adopted.
Proclamation proclaiming Arbor Day
05:00Proclamation for Arbor Day on April 25, 2025, was unanimously acknowledged.
Proclamation proclaiming Leadership Oklahoma Day
07:40Proclamation for Leadership Oklahoma Day on May 1, 2025, was unanimously acknowledged.
Proclamation proclaiming Norman Music Festival Day
10:00Proclamation for Norman Music Festival Day on April 26, 2025, was unanimously acknowledged.
Proclamation proclaiming Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week
12:00Proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2025, and National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025) was unanimously acknowledged.
Consent Docket Items 6-28
25:00Items 6 through 28 were placed on the consent docket and subsequently approved unanimously.
Open Public Hearing for FYE 2026 Budget
26:00Motion to open the first public hearing for the FYE 2026 city and capital budgets passed unanimously.
Close Public Hearing for FYE 2026 Budget
40:00Motion to close the first public hearing for the FYE 2026 city and capital budgets passed unanimously.
Rock Entertainment District Phasing Plan
57:00Motion to postpone consideration of the Rock Entertainment District phasing plan to May 20, 2025, passed by a vote of 5-4, citing pending Supreme Court litigation.
Preliminary Plat for Charleston Ridge Industrial Building
58:00Preliminary plat for an industrial building at West Tecumseh Road and Charleston Road was unanimously approved.
Resolution Amending Land Use Plan for 281 West Tecumseh Road
1:04:00Resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan for 281 West Tecumseh Road from low-density residential to commercial and from future to current urban service area was unanimously adopted.
Ordinance Rezoning 281 West Tecumseh Road (Self-Storage)
1:05:00Ordinance rezoning 281 West Tecumseh Road from A2 to PUD for a self-storage facility was amended to include 2-foot setbacks and multi-family use in specific areas, then adopted unanimously on second and final readings.
Preliminary Plat for Tecumseh Road Storage
1:06:00Preliminary plat for Tecumseh Road storage was unanimously approved.
Resolution Amending Land Use Plan for I35 and West Indian Hills Road
1:30:00Resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan for the I35 and West Indian Hills Road intersection was unanimously adopted.
Ordinance Rezoning I35 and West Indian Hills Road (North Norman Village)
1:31:00Ordinance rezoning the I35 and West Indian Hills Road intersection from A2 to PUD for North Norman Village was amended to allow 2-foot setbacks and include multi-family in specific areas, then adopted by an 8-1 vote on second and final readings.
Preliminary Plat for North Norman Village
1:32:00Preliminary plat for North Norman Village was approved by an 8-1 vote.
Upcoming Community Events
Arbor Day Observance
3:00 PM at the Earth Day Festival in Reeves Park, including a tree planting presentation.
Norman Music Festival
Downtown Norman, free independent music festival for all ages.
Electronic Waste Event
Reeves Park, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, for dropping off electronic waste.
Cultural Unity Parade
11:00 AM, downtown by the courthouse, organized by Racism Stinks.
Earth Day Festival
Noon to 5:00 PM at Reeves Park, featuring vendors, live music, food, and environmental information.
Norman Law Enforcement Memorial Service
10:00 AM at Legacy Park Amphitheater (1898 Legacy Park Drive).
Financial Matters
FYE 2026 City and Capital Budgets
First public hearing for the proposed budget. Projected total revenues are $306.9 million (3% increase), total expenditures $295.2 million (1% decrease). General fund revenues are estimated at $107.1 million (1% decrease), and expenditures at $111.2 million (2% increase), with public safety accounting for 24% of total expenditures and 70% of operating expenditures being personnel costs. Concerns were raised about sales tax reliance and potential deficit spending.
Rock Entertainment District Phasing Plan
Discussion included potential financial damages to the city if the economic development agreement is defaulted due to non-approval of the phasing plan. Public comments questioned the high cost per square foot for retail/restaurant space ($563), reduction in housing units (795 to 677), and hotel investment ($50M to $25M) in the developer's plan, as well as the low cost per unit for medium-density housing ($104,000).
North Norman Village Development (I35/Indian Hills)
Public comments raised concerns about the development's cost to Norman under current development cost structures, potential for increased service demands (water, sewer, fire, police), and its impact on the city's budget due to being 'edge development'.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a wide range of topics including concerns about the FYE 2026 budget's reliance on sales tax, potential deficit spending, and the financial implications of new developments. Significant input was provided regarding the postponement of the Rock Entertainment District phasing plan, with citizens expressing views on legal jurisdiction, the referendum process, and potential contract defaults. Other themes included the need for community service officers, AI integration, hybrid police vehicles, zoning requirements, the importance of green spaces, and the impact of development on traffic and noise. Miscellaneous comments addressed the ward one council member vacancy, the details of the arena phasing plan, police responsibility for arrestees' well-being, and issues with Norman Forward programs and the central library.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Rock Entertainment District Economic Development Agreement phasing plan: Postponed to May 20, 2025
- Items 38 and 39: Withdrawn for discussion at the April 29, 2025 meeting
Deadlines
- FYE 2026 budget final public hearing: May 27, 2025
- Council consideration for FYE 2026 budget adoption: June 10, 2025
Watch For
- Study session on the capital fund: May 6th
- Study session on the enterprise funds: May 20th
- Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling on the referendum petition regarding the Rock Entertainment District
Announcements
- Norman Music Fest setup is underway downtown; attendees encouraged to enjoy and stay safe.
- Electronic Waste Event will be held at Reeves Park on May 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Delays in big trash pickup are occurring, and the city is working to address them.
- Tori Tedar Laughlin was recognized for serving on the Parks Board.
- April is Alcohol Awareness Month; Council Member Grant highlighted the adverse impacts of alcohol misuse and advocated for a sobering center in Norman.
- Congratulations were extended to Norman High and Norman North students for their successful Spud Week and Tiger Palooza fundraising efforts.
- Leadership Oklahoma program was highly recommended for those interested in civics and regional issues.
- Council members recently met with Oklahoma representatives in Washington D.C. to discuss housing, infrastructure, airport improvements, and the National Weather Center's importance.
- A Cultural Unity Parade, organized by Racism Stinks, will take place downtown by the courthouse on May 3rd at 11:00 AM.
Agenda Summary
Resolution commending Norman North High School and Norman High School students
Commending and extending appreciation for extraordinary philanthropic efforts and community service activities in the 2024-2025 school year, raising over $326,000 for local charities.
Proclamation proclaiming Friday, April 25th, 2025 as Arbor Day
Recognizing the importance of trees and encouraging tree planting, noting Norman's 21st consecutive year as a Tree City USA.
Proclamation proclaiming Thursday, May 1st, 2025 as Leadership Oklahoma Day
Commending Leadership Oklahoma for its commitment to educating and inspiring leaders across the state.
Proclamation proclaiming Saturday, April 26th, 2025 as Norman Music Festival Day
Recognizing the annual free independent music festival held downtown from April 24th-26th.
Proclamation proclaiming Thursday, May 15th, 2025 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11th-17th, 2025 as National Police Week
Honoring law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and recognizing their service.
Consent Docket Items 6-28
Routine agenda items grouped for unanimous approval.
Conducting and closing the first public hearing for the FYE 2026 city of Norman and capital budgets
Presentation of the proposed budget, including projected revenues and expenditures, followed by public comments.
Adoption, rejection, amendment, and/or postponement of the phasing plan required by the Rock Entertainment District Economic Development Agreement
Consideration of the developer's phasing plan, with legal discussion on default and pending Supreme Court ruling.
Preliminary plat for an industrial building in the Charleston Ridge edition
Approval of a preliminary plat for a 3,500 sq ft warehouse office building on a less than half-acre industrial property.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan for 281 West Tecumseh Road
Changing the designation from low-density residential to commercial and from future urban service area to current urban service area.
Ordinance rezoning property located at 281 West Tecumseh Road from A2 Rural Agricultural District to PUD Planned Unit Development District
Rezoning for a self-storage facility with specific aesthetic, storm water, and operational commitments, including a 75-ft north setback and additional building as a buffer.
Preliminary plat for Tecumseh Road storage, a planned unit development located at 281 West Tecumseh Road
Approval of the preliminary plat for the self-storage facility.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan for I35 and West Indian Hills Road intersection
Changing the designation from mixed-use and parkland to mixed-use, and from future urban service area to current urban service area, and removal from special planning area four.
Ordinance rezoning property located near the southwest corner of the I35 and West Indian Hills Road intersection from A2 Rural Agricultural District to PUD Planned Unit Development District
Rezoning for a large mixed-use development including commercial, multi-family (1,500 units), and single-family residential (143 units) with significant green space and parkland.
Preliminary plat for North Norman Village, a planned unit development located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Indian Hills Road and 36th Avenue
Approval of the preliminary plat for the North Norman Village mixed-use development.
Items 38 and 39
Items withdrawn by staff for additional discussion.