Meeting Summary
The city council discussed the V Griffin visioning master plan, with consultants gathering input on potential mixed-use development, preservation of green space, and historic buildings. A proclamation for Juneteenth Day was acknowledged. The council unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing an energy incentive program for residential buildings. The most contentious items involved the proposed Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF, where the council voted to call a special election for August 27, 2024, or the next legally permissible municipal election date thereafter, but subsequently failed to pass a resolution to conduct a community survey on the TIF.
Key Decisions & Votes
Acknowledge Juneteenth Proclamation
00:41:00The mayor's proclamation of June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth Day was formally acknowledged by the council.
Place items 2-19 on consent docket
00:46:00Routine agenda items were grouped together for a single vote.
Approve consent docket
00:46:40All items on the consent docket were approved.
Adopt energy incentive program ordinance (second reading)
01:00:00The ordinance to establish an energy incentive program for residential buildings was adopted on its second reading.
Adopt energy incentive program ordinance (final reading)
01:00:40The ordinance to establish an energy incentive program for residential buildings was adopted on its final reading.
Amend resolution for special election (Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF)
01:47:00An amendment was passed to include 'or the next legally permissible municipal election date thereafter' to the resolution calling for a special election on the TIF.
Adopt resolution calling special election (Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF)
01:50:00The resolution, as amended, to call a special election on August 27, 2024, or the next legally permissible municipal election date thereafter, for the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF was adopted.
Amend resolution for survey (Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF)
02:14:00An amendment to include a specific deadline of July 16, 2024, for the survey results was not adopted.
Adopt resolution directing survey (Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF)
02:30:00The resolution to appropriate $15,000 for a public survey on the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF failed on a tie vote.
Upcoming Community Events
Juneteenth Festival
Reeves Park, 6 PM to 10 PM
Reading with Love (PFLAG event)
St. Stephen's Church, 11 AM to 12 PM, focusing on LGBTQIA+ themes for ages 3-5.
Equality Club (Firehouse Art Center)
3 PM to 5 PM, promoting equality through creative expression of visual arts.
Game Night at Adventurers Guild
905 North Flood, 4 PM to 10 PM, for neurodivergent individuals and allies.
Artwalk
6 PM to 9 PM
Water Reclamation Plant Tour
3000 East Robinson, 10:30 AM to 12 PM, for elementary and middle school students and families.
Vacation Bible School
Antioch Baptist and Alam Baptist
Financial Matters
Energy Incentive Program
Builders can receive a partial credit on building permit fees (e.g., $364 for a 2600 sq ft home) for constructing homes above energy code standards.
Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF
The proposed TIF has a maximum obligation of $600 million, which includes a $230 million principal for the project and significant interest costs over a 25-year financing period.
Survey for Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF
A resolution proposed appropriating funds for a public survey on the TIF.
Central Library reopening
Estimated cost to reopen the library due to mold remediation and other issues.
Central Library legal fees
Estimated legal fees to recoup costs from the vendor for library construction issues.
Food tax elimination
The elimination of the food tax is expected to have no impact on the city's general fund.
Beekeeper application fee
A $5 fee for beekeeper applications, with a suggestion to eliminate it.
Salvation Army shelter proposal
A proposal from Salvation Army for shelter operations was over $200,000 less than the awarded contract.
Lost payroll at shelter
Over $20,000 in lost payroll was identified during an auditor's investigation of the shelter contract.
Public Comments
Public comments were heard on the energy incentive program, the special election for the TIF, and the proposed survey for the TIF. For the energy incentive program, all 6 speakers were in favor. For the special election, 15 speakers supported a public vote, and 2 opposed it. For the survey, 14 speakers offered mixed opinions, with many expressing concerns about survey design, timing, and potential bias. Miscellaneous comments covered turnpikes, library funding, animal shelter, and general TIF concerns.
Coming Up
Tabled
- The Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF project plan and related zoning/plat applications have been continued multiple times at the Planning Commission, with the next consideration scheduled for June 13, 2024.
Watch For
- Planning Commission meeting on Thursday at 5:30 PM for the Rock Creek Entertainment District site plan, plat, and resolution.
- Two public hearings on the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF are expected in July at City Council meetings (likely July 9th and July 23rd).
- City Council Oversight Committee meeting this Thursday at 4 PM to discuss emergency shelter, harm reduction, and central Norman zoning overlay.
- Water Reclamation Plant tour on June 18th from 10:30 AM to 12 PM.
Announcements
- Council member Peacock thanked attendees and noted low attendance at budget meetings.
- Council member Schuler thanked attendees and requested respectful discussion.
- Council member Grant announced June as Pride Month and listed several LGBTQIA+ community events.
- Council member Montoya provided contact information and noted sales tax revenue was down while use tax revenue was up.
- Council member Nash announced a City Council Oversight Committee meeting, a Water Reclamation Plant tour for youth, and local Vacation Bible School programs.
- Mayor Hia had no announcements.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding the V Griffin visioning master plan
Consultants from RDG presented and gathered input from council members on the future development of the V Griffin site, focusing on mixed-use, housing, green space, connectivity, and preservation of historic buildings like the chapel.
Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma proclaiming Wednesday, June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth Day in the City of Norman
Mayor Hia read the proclamation, and Ms. Polly Henderson accepted it on behalf of the Norman Juneteenth committee.
Consent Docket (Items 2-19)
Routine agenda items grouped for approval by one motion.
An ordinance amending sections of the building code to establish an energy incentive program for residences achieving a HERS ER score less than seven points lower than the residential energy code requirement as adopted by the City of Norman at a given time.
This ordinance codifies an existing energy credit program that incentivizes builders to construct homes with energy efficiency above state minimum standards, offering a partial credit on building permit fees.
A resolution calling and holding of a special election on the 27th day of August 2024 for the purpose of submitting the question of approving or rejecting the establishment of an increment District Number Four, a sales tax increments district, and increment District number five in Ad Valorem District located in the Rock Creek Entertainment District located east of Interstate 35 between Tumy Road and Robinson Street.
A resolution to put the approval or rejection of the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF to a public vote.
A resolution directing the city manager to engage a qualified firm to conduct a survey regarding the proposed Rock Creek Entertainment District to gauge community support for the proposed tax increment financing of the project with results to be provided to the city council prior to its consideration of the Rock Creek Entertainment District proposal and providing for an appropriation of funds in the amount of $15,000.
A resolution to appropriate funds for a public survey to assess community support for the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF.