February 26, 2025 City Council Meeting

The request for a special use permit for the Maxwell electric substation was postponed until the district court makes a decision on the possession of the property due to ongoing condemnation proceedings.

An ordinance was adopted to amend zoning to establish restrictions on tobacco and e-cigarette retailers, prohibiting them within 300 feet of facilities primarily used by persons under 21, with a legal non-conforming use for existing businesses.

An ordinance was adopted prohibiting smoking and vaping of marijuana on all municipal property, including municipal vehicles, and removing previous exemptions for parking lots and Westwick Golf Course.

An ordinance was adopted prohibiting the furnishing and possession of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products to anyone under 21, and restricting their display or self-accessible sale to minors.

An ordinance was adopted to codify the Animal Welfare Oversight Commission, establishing its duties, powers, and term limits, making it a permanent committee.

An ordinance was adopted to increase the number of members for the Board of Adjustment and Norman Election Commission, amend Planning Commission membership, decrease Board of Appeal terms, and add tree protection oversight to the Board of Park Commissioners, thereby repealing the Tree Board and Green Belt Commission.

An ordinance was adopted to update various animal welfare definitions, repeal pet licenses in favor of microchipping, strengthen regulations for exotic animals, add sections for community cats, and amend sections on abandonment, confinement, and cruelty to animals.

An ordinance was adopted to rezone 428 Buchanan Avenue for a four-story mixed-use residential and commercial building, approving variances related to frontage, setbacks, and signage due to unique lot conditions and lack of alley access.

An ordinance was adopted to grant a special use permit for Wildwood Community Church to construct a new 12,000 sq ft Student Center and gym, including a waiver for exterior masonry requirements.

TET Grant Funding

The Parks Department is seeking gold level grant funding, which is contingent on the approval of certain smoking ordinance changes.

More Norman Tech Center Bond Issue

A $90 million bond issue for the More Norman Tech Center expansion is on the March 4th election ballot.

Sales Tax Collection

Sales tax collection is reported to be down 1%, or 5% when accounting for inflation.

Transit Revenue

Discussion included potential ways to increase transit revenue through fixed bus route fares, increased contributions from OU for the rideshare program, and higher per-ride fees.

Items 1-11 on Consent Docket

Routine agenda items designated for approval by one motion.

Item 12: Special Use Permit for Electric Substation

Consideration of a special use permit for Western Farmers Electric Cooperative to construct an electric substation off 72nd Avenue, needed due to OEC load growth and existing capacity constraints. The Planning Commission had previously rejected this item.

Item 13: Ordinance Amending Zoning for Tobacco and E-cigarette Retailers

Consideration of an ordinance amending sections of the zoning ordinance to establish restrictions on tobacco and e-cigarette retailers, prohibiting them within 300 feet of facilities primarily used by persons under 21.

Item 14: Ordinance Adding Prohibited Activities on Municipal Property

Consideration of an ordinance adding prohibited activities on municipal property, specifically regulating or prohibiting smoking and vaping of marijuana on all municipal property, including municipal vehicles.

Item 15: Ordinance Prohibiting Furnishing and Possession of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products to Anyone Under 21

Consideration of an ordinance prohibiting the furnishing of and possession of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products to anyone under the age of 21, and prohibiting their display or self-accessible sale to minors.

Item 16: Ordinance Adding Duties and Powers to the Animal Welfare Oversight Commission

Consideration of an ordinance to codify the Animal Welfare Oversight Commission, establishing its purpose, duties, powers, and term limits, making it a permanent committee.

Item 17: Ordinance Increasing Board and Commission Members, Amending Planning Commission, Repealing Tree Board and Green Belt Commission

Consideration of an ordinance increasing the number of persons for the Board of Adjustment and Norman Election Commission, amending Planning Commission membership, decreasing terms for the Board of Appeal, adding oversight over tree protection to the Board of Park Commissioners (thereby repealing the Tree Board and Green Belt Commission), and increasing the concurring vote required for the Board of Adjustment.

Item 18: Ordinance Adding Definitions for Animal Welfare, Repealing Pet Licenses, etc.

Consideration of an ordinance adding definitions for abandoned animal, community cat, cat caregiver, trap neuter return, and exotic and native wildlife, updating language for Animal Welfare supervisor, deleting duplicative TNR language, repealing pet licenses, adding requirements for zoos, adding a section for Community cats, and amending sections on abandonment, confinement, cruelty to animals, and nuisances.

Item 19: Ordinance Rezoning Property at 428 Buchanan Avenue

Consideration of an ordinance rezoning property located at 428 Buchanan Avenue from Center City Form Based Code district Urban General Frontage to Center City Planned Unit Development District for a four-story mixed-use residential and commercial building.

Item 20: Ordinance Granting Special Use for Wildwood Community Church

Consideration of an ordinance granting a special use permit for Wildwood Community Church at 1501 24th Northeast for a new 12,000 sq ft Student Center and gym, including a waiver for exterior masonry requirements.