Meeting Summary
The city council held a study session to receive updates on two significant community initiatives. Red Rock Behavioral Health Services presented their comprehensive services and plans to construct a new crisis center in Norman. Additionally, an update on the city's water reuse pilot program highlighted its successful demonstration of treating wastewater to drinking water standards for Lake Thunderbird augmentation, having recently received a letter of support from the DEQ.
Financial Matters
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services Budget and Assets
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services reported an annual budget of $77 million, serving approximately 18,000 clients last year. The organization has nearly $100 million in assets and no long-term debt, indicating a strong financial position.
SAMHSA Grant for Equal Ops Program
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services was awarded a federal grant of $1 million per year for four years from SAMHSA to fund their 'Equal Ops' program, which focuses on addressing social determinants of health.
Coming Up
Watch For
- Red Rock Behavioral Health Services' acquisition of land and construction of a new crisis unit in Norman.
- Deployment of Red Rock's 'Equal Ops' van for social determinants outreach.
- Further steps in the water reuse project, including a Waste Load Allocation Study, Engineering Report, and consensus building with the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health (CCD) board.
- A third-party review of the water reuse pilot by the National Water Research Institute.
- Cost analysis for direct portable reuse as part of the city's water and sewer master planning process.
Agenda Summary
Presentation from Red Rock Behavioral Health Services regarding the new Red Rock crisis center
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services provided an overview of their comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services, including 24/7 mobile response, outpatient care, and programs addressing social determinants of health. They detailed their financial stability, growth, and plans to build a new, state-of-the-art crisis unit and Urgent Recovery Center in Norman to replace their current aging facility at Griffin Hospital, which is slated for closure.
Discussion regarding the water reuse pilot program
Garver consultants presented an update on the city's water reuse pilot program, which successfully demonstrated the ability to treat wastewater to drinking water standards for augmenting Lake Thunderbird. The presentation covered the project's history, regulatory milestones (including a recent letter of support from the DEQ), pilot technologies, and data on the effective removal of nutrients, pathogens, PFAS, and other micropollutants.