Meeting Summary
The city council received an update on the affordable housing project, selecting Gorman Management Company for the Crimson Flats development and discussing potential city infrastructure investment. A significant debate occurred regarding the expansion of the School Resource Officer program, leading to its indefinite postponement to allow for further discussion with Norman Public Schools. Several land use and financial items were approved, including a bank consolidation project and a manufacturing facility expansion, and the compensation for the new city auditor was fixed.
Key Decisions & Votes
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Expansion Funding
01:17:00The council voted to indefinitely postpone a resolution to appropriate $995,995 from the general fund for the expansion of the SRO program. This decision was made to allow for further discussion with Norman Public Schools regarding joint funding and the use of state grants.
Armstrong Bank Consolidated Project Rezoning and Land Use Plan Amendment
01:37:30The council adopted a resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan and rezone property south of East Cedar Lane Road and east of Classen Boulevard from Special Planning Area 7 to Current Urban Service Area, retaining mixed-use designation for the Armstrong Bank project.
Armstrong Bank Consolidated Project Preliminary Plat
01:39:30The preliminary plat for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project, including a new branch bank and conceptual plans for retail, senior living, office, and multi-family units, was approved.
Chasm Advanced Materials Rezoning
01:49:00The council adopted an ordinance on second and final reading to rezone property at 2501 Technology Place from I-1 Rural District to a PUD Planned Unit Development District, allowing for the expansion of outdoor gas storage for carbon material manufacturing.
City Auditor Compensation and Employment Agreement
01:55:00The council adopted an ordinance fixing the compensation for the new city auditor, Shakira Kalnick, and approved her employment agreement, including an emergency clause for an earlier start date.
Upcoming Community Events
Keep Norman Neat program
City providing resources and supplies for group cleanups in parks and across Norman.
Monarch Festival
Andrews Park
Share Center Opening
At Food and Shelter for Friends, serving all Cleveland County residents in need of food.
Ward 6 Big Trash Day
For Ward 6 residents.
Financial Matters
Affordable Housing Project ARPA Allocation
Initial allocation of federal ARPA funds for affordable housing, used for land purchase and project financing. Original allocation was $6.4 million, with $180,000 reallocated to the Emergency Operations Center.
Potential City Infrastructure Investment for Affordable Housing
Discussion of city providing upfront infrastructure improvements (e.g., Imhoff widening, drainage pond) to make the affordable housing project more competitive for OFA funding.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Expansion Appropriation
Proposed appropriation from the general fund balance for the expansion of the SRO program, including startup costs for four new officers (vehicles, uniform, gear). Recurring cost for four officers is $647,684, with $345,200 for four police cars.
Parks Fee in Lieu of
Discussion of developers making a calculated payment to the city in lieu of building a public or private park within a development, with funds presumably used for nearby parks.
Bridge Maintenance Bonds
Upcoming election on October 10th for bridge maintenance bonds, a 10-year bond package to fund bridge maintenance.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including strong support for and opposition to the postponement of SRO funding, with concerns about safety, community discussion, and racial disparities. The proposed Entertainment District generated discussion about the potential for a unique Weather Museum/STEM center versus the financial viability and impact of a large arena. Concerns were also raised about homelessness, park safety, and the need for comprehensive solutions, as well as issues of voter fatigue and the importance of local elections. The new city auditor's role and independence were also discussed.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Resolution R-2324-7-0 appropriating funds for the expansion of the school resource officer program (postponed indefinitely, with intent to bring back after meeting with NPS)
Deadlines
- Splash pads closed: September 29th
- Bridge maintenance bonds vote: October 10th
- New bus route system goes into effect with new Transit Center opening: October 16th
- Affordable housing OFA application deadline: January 25, 2024
- Affordable housing OFA award: March 2024
- Affordable housing project completion: Summer of 2026
Watch For
- Meeting with Norman Public Schools regarding SRO funding (potentially joint meeting, before October 24th)
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting: Thursday at 4 PM (discussion on public transit ridership report and upcoming bus route changes)
- Council Oversight Committee meeting: Second Thursday of every month (update on homeless report and A Friend's House demographics)
- Initial Master agreement/term sheet with affordable housing developer: October
- Final agreements and zoning approval for affordable housing: November
- Pre-development for southern part of Armstrong Bank development: Thursday
Announcements
- Condolences expressed for the family of Levi Wilkins, a former city firefighter and Ward 4 resident.
- Water main breakage on the east side, causing reduced water pressure, with scheduled repairs Wednesday night from Midnight to 3 AM.
- Recognition of students and a new intern in the city manager's office.
- Concern expressed over the lack of a proclamation acknowledging National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15) and Indigenous People's Day (Oct 9).
- Ward 6 Big Trash Day on October 21st.
- Keep Norman Neat program announced by the city, providing resources and supplies for group cleanups.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4 PM to discuss public transit ridership and upcoming bus route changes (effective Oct 16th).
- Council Oversight Committee meeting on the second Thursday of every month for updates on the homeless report.
- The Share Center at Food and Shelter for Friends opened last Monday, serving all Cleveland County residents in need of food.
- Monarch Festival coming up this weekend at Andrews Park.
- Reminder about the Norman Police Department meeting from August 29th (available on YouTube) discussing crime and homelessness.
- Encouragement to vote on October 10th for bridge maintenance bonds.
Agenda Summary
Update on the affordable housing project
Presentation on the Crimson Flats project, including background, ARPA funding, state and federal tax credits, RFP process, selection of Gorman Management Company, property overview, unit mix, amenities, and future timeline.
Approval of city council study session minutes of June 20, 2023, city council special meeting minutes of July 26, 2023, August 2, and September 5, 2023
Approval of various city council meeting minutes.
Proclamation of the mayor proclaiming the week of September 17 through 23, 2023, as Constitution Week
A proclamation recognizing Constitution Week in the city of Norman.
Proclamation of the mayor proclaiming the month of October as Pedestrian Safety Month
A proclamation recognizing October as Pedestrian Safety Month in the city of Norman.
Consent Docket Items 4 through 18
Approval of routine agenda items placed on the consent docket.
Resolution R-2324-7-0 appropriating nine hundred thousand nine hundred ninety-five dollars from the general fund balance for the expansion of the school resource officer program
Consideration of appropriating funds for additional School Resource Officers.
Resolution R-2324-12-0 amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan so as to rezone property located south of East Cedar Lane Road, East of Classen Boulevard and west of 24th Avenue Southeast
Amendment of the land use plan and rezoning of property for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project.
Ordinance number 023243 upon second and final reading rezoning property located south of East Cedar Road, East of Classen Boulevard and west of 24th Avenue from the I-1 Light Industrial District and place the same in a PUD Planned Unit Development District
Second and final reading of an ordinance to rezone property for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project.
Preliminary Plat PP23243 for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project
Approval of the preliminary plat for the Armstrong Bank Consolidated project, including a new branch bank and conceptual plans for future development.
Contract K232432 between the Norman Utilities Authority and Armstrong Bank authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee
Approval of a contract for the collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lots in the Armstrong Bank consolidation project.
Ordinance number 023248 upon second and final reading rezoning property located at 2501 Technology Place from I-1 Rural District and place the same in the PUD Planned Unit Development District
Second and final reading of an ordinance to rezone property for Chasm Advanced Materials to allow for expansion of outdoor gas storage.
Ordinance number 0232415 upon second and final reading fixing the compensation for the city auditor
Second and final reading of an ordinance to fix the compensation for the newly appointed city auditor.
Contract K232476 an employment agreement between the city and Shakira Kalnick setting forth the terms and conditions of employment as the city auditor
Approval of the employment agreement for the new city auditor, Shakira Kalnick.