Meeting Summary
The City Council approved the first step in creating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for a proposed entertainment venue in University North Park, despite concerns about transparency and lack of a detailed project plan. They also voted to appropriate nearly $1 million from the general fund to expand the School Resource Officer (SRO) program by four positions, fulfilling a voter-approved mandate from 2014. Additionally, significant progress was made on two major housing developments: the luxury Franklin Woods PUD and the city-backed affordable housing project, Crimson Flats.
Key Decisions & Votes
Franklin Woods Land Reclassification
01:08:00Approved moving 60.5 acres at 36th Ave NW and Franklin Road from future to current urban service area, changing designation to mixed-use, and removing it from special planning area five for a new PUD.
Franklin Woods Rezoning
01:28:00Approved rezoning the Franklin Woods property from A2 Rural Agricultural to PUD Planned Unit Development District on second and final reading.
Franklin Woods Preliminary Plat
01:34:00Approved the preliminary plat for the Franklin Woods Addition, allowing for the development of single-family, commercial, and luxury apartment units.
Crimson Flats Rezoning
01:38:00Approved rezoning the Crimson Flats property from PUD to SPUD (Simple Planned Unit Development) for an affordable housing project on second and final reading.
Crimson Flats Preliminary Plat
02:08:00Approved the preliminary plat for the Crimson Flats Addition, paving the way for 75 affordable housing units.
Crimson Flats Development Contract
02:12:00Approved a contract with Milestone Property Development LLC for the Crimson Flats project, including a city loan of $5.5 million in ARPA funds and up to $500,000 for site work.
Destin Landing Preliminary Plat
02:18:00Approved the preliminary plat for Destin Landing Addition, a 301-unit single-family development south of Cedar Lane Road.
Destin Landing Lift Station Contract
02:35:00Approved a contract with Farani Development for a monthly lift station fee for the Destin Landing development to cover operation and replacement costs.
University North Park TIF Committee Formation
03:08:00Approved a resolution to begin the process of creating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the proposed University North Park entertainment venue by appointing a statutory Review Committee.
School Resource Officer Program Expansion
04:47:00Approved appropriating $999,995 from the general fund to add four School Resource Officers (SROs) to the Norman Police Department, fulfilling a 2014 voter-approved mandate.
AIM Norman Steering Committee Amendments
05:00:00Approved multiple amendments to the AIM Norman steering committee resolution, including removing a resigned member, appointing Inger Gria as Chair, Siobhan Evans as Co-Chair, and clarifying subcommittee application and approval processes.
Upcoming Community Events
Styrofoam Recycling Event
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Central Norman Library. Bring clean styrofoam for repurposing.
Environmental Excellence Awards
City of Norman staff nominated for maintenance rodeo, City of Norman nominated as affiliate of the year.
Financial Matters
Crimson Flats Affordable Housing Project
City to loan developer $5.5 million in ARPA funds at 3% interest over 30 years for the project.
Crimson Flats Site Work Contribution
City to contribute up to $500,000 for site work on the Crimson Flats property to enhance federal funding competitiveness.
Destin Landing Lift Station Fee
Contract authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lots in Destin Landing for operation and replacement.
School Resource Officer Program Expansion
Appropriation from the general fund for the initial cost of adding four SROs (prorated salaries, vehicles, equipment).
SRO Program Recurring Cost
Annual recurring cost for the four new SRO positions.
Public Comments
Public comments were extensive and highly polarized, particularly regarding the proposed TIF for the entertainment district and the expansion of the SRO program. Many expressed strong opposition to the TIF due to lack of transparency, perceived cronyism, and skepticism about economic benefits, urging postponement until a detailed plan is public. On SROs, some supported the voter-approved mandate for safety, while others raised concerns about the school-to-prison pipeline, the effectiveness of armed officers in mental health crises, and the need for more mental health professionals. The Red Dirt Collective's food pantries in parks also garnered support, with speakers emphasizing their importance for food-insecure families and criticizing perceived city opposition.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- December 1st, 2023: Deadline for subcommittee applications for AIM Norman steering committee
Watch For
- Future discussions on the University North Park TIF project plan
- Public Safety Assessment results and potential PSST3 conversation
- Negotiations on Norman Public Schools' contribution to SRO program costs
- Proposal for a revolving fund for ARPA loan repayments for affordable housing
- Future phases of Destin Landing development
- Environmental Excellence Awards (Friday)
Announcements
- Adult Wellness and Education Center (Senior Center) opened yesterday.
- City received a $2 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for new meters.
- City staff took first place in the 2023 Oklahoma Recreation and Park Society maintenance rodeo.
- City of Norman nominated as affiliate of the year for Environmental Excellence Awards.
- Redrock Urgent Recovery Clinic awarded funding to run a community-based Mental Health Service.
- Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all.
- Encouragement to shop local on Small Business Saturday (November 25th).
- Reminder about the Black Friday parking lot photo contest to highlight underutilized parking.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding tax increment financing under the local development act
Presentation on the TIF process, constitutional basis, local development act, how TIFs work, eligible areas, and steps to create a TIF district.
Consideration of adjourning into executive session is authorized by Oklahoma statutes title 25 section 307 B4 to discuss pending litigation in the case of Flores versus the city of Norman and the case number
Discussion of pending litigation.
Approval of the city council special session minutes of April 20th 2021 August 1st 2023 August 8th 2023 three and the finance committee meeting minutes of October 19th 2023
Approval of past meeting minutes.
Presentation of a civilian service medal and certificate to Mrs Kaylee mckenny and Mrs Kean cross for their exemplary assistance to First Responders
Recognition of two students for assisting first responders in a fentanyl overdose incident, saving three lives.
A proclamation proclaiming the month of December 2023 is National impaired driving prevention month
Proclamation for impaired driving prevention.
A proclamation proclaiming Saturday November 25th 2023 is small business Saturday
Proclamation for Small Business Saturday.
Consent Docket (Items 5-35)
Routine agenda items approved by one motion.
Move property located at the northeast corner of 36th Avenue Northwest in Franklin Road from future urban service area and place it in the current urban service area and from medium density residential designation and place it in the mixed use designation and remove it from special planning area five
Reclassification of land for the Franklin Woods development.
An ordinance upon second and final reading rezoning property located at the northeast corner of 36 Avenue Northwest in Franklin Road from A2 rural agricultural District to PUD planned unit development District
Rezoning for the Franklin Woods development.
A preliminary plat for Franklin Woods addition to planned unit development
Approval of the preliminary plat for Franklin Woods.
An ordinance upon second and final reading rezoning property located on the northeast corner of Oakhurst Avenue and East imhoff Road from PUD planned unit development District to Spud simple planned unit development District
Rezoning for the Crimson Flats affordable housing development.
A preliminary plat for cl Crimson Flats addition a simple planned unit development
Approval of the preliminary plat for Crimson Flats.
A contract with Milestone property Development LLC in connection with the above described property and authorizing the city manager or his designate to execute any documents on behalf of the city to actions including issuance of letters or of comment or relating to the transaction and budget transfer
Contract for the Crimson Flats affordable housing project, including city loan and site work contribution.
A preliminary plat for Destin destined Landing addition a planned unit development generally located south of Cedar Lane Road and one4 Mile West of 36th Avenue Southeast
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Destin Landing single-family development.
A contract by and between the Norman Utilities Authority and farani development authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed Lots in the destined Landing development for the operation and replacement of the destined Landing lift station
Contract for a lift station fee for the Destin Landing development.
A resolution to consider approval of a project plan and creation of one or more tax increment districts under local development act directing project plan appointing a Review Committee directing the Review Committee to make findings as to eligibility and financial impact if any on taxing jurisdictions and the business activities within the district and directing the Review Committee to make a recommendation with respect to the proposed project
Resolution to initiate the TIF process and appoint a Review Committee for the proposed University North Park entertainment district.
A resolution appropriating $999,995 from the general fund balance for expansion of the school resource officer program
Appropriation of funds to add four School Resource Officers.
Amendment to one amendment number one to resolution R2 32452 creating an ad hoc steering committee to work with the city of Norman's consultants in the creation of the city's area and infrastructure master plan aim Norman to name a replacement for a steering committee member acknowledging the addition of the Parks and Recreation master plan adding the list of partner adding to the list of partners clarifying the process of selection of committee members and setting forth attendance requirements for steering committee members
Amendments to the AIM Norman steering committee resolution regarding membership and leadership.