Meeting Summary
The city council meeting featured a heartwarming presentation where Officer Jenny Brian received a $75,000 mortgage payoff from the Farzaneh Family Foundation and the Chickasaw Nation. A zoning ordinance for undersized lots was adopted. The majority of the meeting focused on an extensive discussion regarding a potential new location for the homeless shelter on the Griffin campus, with staff providing initial assessments and council members debating various solutions for homelessness.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket Approval
22:40Items 2 through 19, comprising routine administrative matters, were unanimously approved as part of the consent docket.
Zoning Ordinance Adoption (Second Reading)
30:50The ordinance to permit R1 single-family dwelling district uses for undersized lots, addressing conflicting zoning dates, was unanimously adopted on its second reading.
Zoning Ordinance Adoption (Final Reading)
31:20The zoning ordinance regarding undersized lots was unanimously adopted on its final reading, completing the legislative process for this item.
Upcoming Community Events
Mortgage Payoff Presentation for Officer Jenny Brian
Officer Jenny Brian received a $75,000 mortgage payoff from the Farzaneh Family Foundation and the Chickasaw Nation, facilitated by Mayor Hiac, due to her terminal illness to ensure stability for her children.
Resource Fair and Warrant Clearing Event
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at The Well (210 South James Gardner). Organized by Oklahoma Indig Defense System, Transition House, and Norman Public Library, offering ID replacement, benefit sign-up, housing, mental health, legal services, and warrant clearing.
Norman Police Academy Graduation
2:00 PM, public ceremony lasting approximately 30 minutes, graduating six new officers.
Cookout with a Cop
Hosted by Sergeant Jeff Casas and the Norman Police Department at the Vicksburg Apartments, fostering community connection.
Skunk Dog Cookout
Hosted by 'Racism Stinks' nonprofit, featuring 1000 hot dogs, encouraging community unity.
Police Department Skills Camp
9:00 AM - noon at the WFAC, free to attend for students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grades, focusing on coaching, advocating, and mentoring.
Norman's Race Against Racism (5K)
Second annual event hosted by 'Racism Stinks'.
Financial Matters
Officer Jenny Brian's Mortgage Payoff
The remaining balance of Officer Jenny Brian's mortgage, paid off by the Farzaneh Family Foundation and the Chickasaw Nation.
Grey Street Shelter Renovation Budget
Estimated cost for previous renovations, including sprinkling the building.
Proposed Griffin Campus Shelter Renovation Estimate
Initial estimated costs for preparing the vacant building on the Griffin campus for shelter services, depending on issues found.
718 Porter Property Sale Funds
Funds from the sale of the 718 Porter property, which were previously considered for improvements to the 109 West Gray shelter and later folded into the capital budget.
Hotel Voucher System Proposal
Mayor Hiac's suggestion to allocate funds for hotel vouchers as an alternative to a building-based shelter.
Public Comments
Public comments primarily focused on the ongoing homelessness crisis and the future of the Grey Street shelter. Many speakers expressed concerns about downtown crime, property values, and the effectiveness of the current shelter model, advocating for more comprehensive, transitional, or multi-layered solutions like sobering centers or permanent supportive housing. Others strongly supported 'A Friend's House' and urged against closing it without a viable alternative, emphasizing the need for safe shelter and case management. Questions were also raised about the proposed TIF district for an arena and its financial implications.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Emergency Operations Center ribbon cutting postponed to August
Deadlines
- Resource Fair and Warrant Clearing Event: Wednesday, July 24th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Norman Police Academy Graduation: Thursday, 2:00 PM
- Utilities Department to begin in-house recycling collection: August 1st
- Police Department Skills Camp: August 12th-13th, 9:00 AM - noon
Watch For
- Updates on the potential homeless shelter location on the Griffin campus
- Further discussions on alternative homelessness solutions, including sobering centers, group homes, and voucher systems
- Potential partnerships with Norman Regional, Red Rock, and Cleveland County for social services
- Exploration of permanent supportive housing and affordable housing initiatives
Announcements
- Council Member Peacock announced that funding has been secured for a Hawk system at Ruby Grant Park for a pedestrian crossing on 36th Street.
- Council Member Grant announced a Resource Fair and Warrant Clearing Event on Wednesday, July 24th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at The Well (210 South James Gardner), offering various critical services.
- Council Member Hinkle announced the Norman Police Academy graduation on Thursday at 2:00 PM and that the ribbon cutting for the new Emergency Operations Center has been postponed to August.
- Council Member Holman announced the Norman Police Department's implementation of 'spider technology' for automated text message updates on service requests and a free Police Department Skills Camp for 6th-8th graders on August 12th-13th.
- Council Member Holman also announced that the city's Utilities Department sanitation crew will begin collecting all curbside recycling in-house starting August 1st, aiming for cost savings and improved customer service.
Agenda Summary
Presentation: Officer Jenny Brian, Farzaneh Family Foundation, and Chickasaw Nation
A presentation recognizing Officer Jenny Brian and the charitable efforts of the Farzaneh Family Foundation and the Chickasaw Nation in paying off her mortgage.
Items 2-19 on Consent Docket
Routine items approved by unanimous consent, including a Hawk system at Ruby Grant Park for a pedestrian crossing on 36th Street.
Item 20: Ordinance upon second and final reading, the zoning ordinance to permit R1 single family dwelling District uses for undersized Lots where subdivisions existed at zoning ordinance adoption lines of the subject Lots touch lands other under other ownership
An ordinance to reconcile conflicting dates in subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances, allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on smaller lots without requiring Board of Adjustment variances for lot size.
Item 21: Discussion regarding a possible location for the homeless shelter and closure of The Grey Street location
A discussion initiated by Council Member Holman about a vacant building on the Griffin campus as a potential new site for a homeless shelter, including staff's preliminary assessment, timeline, and cost estimates, alongside broader discussions on homelessness solutions.