Meeting Summary
The City Council discussed the School Resource Officer program, opting to continue discussions on staffing and the temporary use of county deputies. They adopted the Young Family Athletic Center's facility policy manual and approved a budget amendment for its operation despite public concerns. A significant decision was made to place a $50 million Bridge Maintenance Bond initiative on the October 10th special election ballot.
Key Decisions & Votes
Minutes of April 11, 2023
00:27:00The minutes from the April 11, 2023, meetings of the City Council and associated authorities were approved unanimously.
Young Family Athletic Center Facilities Policy Manual
01:09:40The operational policy manual for the Young Family Athletic Center, outlining fees, memberships, and partner agreements, was adopted by a vote of six to one.
Amendment to FY23-24 Operating Budgets
01:29:50Amendments to the fiscal year 2023-24 operating budgets, including the creation of the Athletic Facility Special Revenue Fund, were adopted by a vote of six to one.
Norman 2025 Land Use Plan Amendment (1001 N University Blvd)
01:36:00A resolution to amend the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan, removing property at 1001 North University Boulevard from Special Planning Area 3, was adopted unanimously.
Rezoning Ordinance (1001 N University Blvd) - Second Reading
01:37:30Ordinance 0222345, rezoning property at 1001 North University Boulevard from light industrial to a simple planned unit development district, passed its second reading unanimously.
Rezoning Ordinance (1001 N University Blvd) - Final Reading
01:38:00Ordinance 0222345, rezoning property at 1001 North University Boulevard, passed its final reading unanimously.
$50M Bridge Bond Election Ordinance - Second Reading
01:59:00The ordinance calling for a special election on October 10, 2023, to consider a $50 million bond issue for bridge maintenance, passed its second reading unanimously.
$50M Bridge Bond Election Ordinance - Final Reading
02:00:00The ordinance calling for a special election on October 10, 2023, for the $50 million Bridge Bond, passed its final reading unanimously.
Notice of Special Election (October 10, 2023)
02:00:50A resolution formally notifying the Cleveland County Election Board of the special election to be held on October 10, 2023, was adopted unanimously.
Upcoming Community Events
Art Walk
Chuck E. Cheese Grand Reopening
6-8 p.m.
Sage at Cobblestone Grand Opening
4-6 p.m. at the entrance to Cobblestone Creek Golf Course
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4 p.m. at City Hall
Norman Bridge Maintenance Bond Program Election
Ward 6 Big Trash Day
Financial Matters
SRO Overtime Costs
Approximately $102,000 was spent last year on overtime for police officers to cover elementary schools due to SRO staffing shortages.
Estimated Cost to Hire 17 New Police Officers
Budgeting for 17 additional police officers, at an estimated $100,000 per officer, would require almost $2 million in additional annual funding.
Young Family Athletic Center Construction Cost
The total construction cost is $42 million, with $7 million contributed by Norman Regional Health Care Systems and $4 million from the Trey Young Family Foundation, leaving approximately $31 million from taxpayer funds.
Athletic Facility Special Revenue Fund
A new fund established with budgeted revenues and expenditures of $973,000 for fiscal year 2023-24, aiming for a break-even operation.
Water Fund Budget Increase
The water fund budget is projected to increase revenues by $3 million in the current fiscal year due to the voter-approved water rate increase.
Norman Forward Fund Allocation
$80,000 was allocated for the Griffin Park Parkland lease with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health.
Bridge Maintenance Bond Program
A $50 million bond initiative proposed for a special election to fund the replacement and rehabilitation of 18 bridges over a 10-year period.
Property Tax Increase for Bridge Bond
If approved, the $50 million Bridge Bond would result in an estimated property tax increase of 2.44 cents per month for a $100,000 home.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics, including concerns about the Young Family Athletic Center's public access and the Norman Regional Hospital's rent-free space, the necessity and timing of the $50 million Bridge Bond election, and extensive discussion on homelessness. Regarding homelessness, speakers expressed support for the 718 N Porter shelter, shared personal experiences with unhoused individuals, debated the effectiveness of current strategies, and discussed crime rates and police staffing. Other comments included the Oakhurst Park food pantry, ADA compliance at a local business, and city maintenance issues.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Discussion on the School Resource Officer program will continue at next week's study session.
Deadlines
- Voter registration for the October 10th election: September 15th
- Absentee ballot deadline for the October 10th election: September 25th
- Early voting days for the October 10th election: October 5th and 6th
- Norman Bridge Maintenance Bond Program Election: October 10th
Watch For
- Norman Public Schools Board meeting: Next Monday
- Public update from the City Manager and Police Department on crime and homelessness: Expected at an upcoming council meeting (next two meetings)
- Policy recommendations for the placement and maintenance of food pantries.
Announcements
- The Oakhurst Park food pantry is not closing; policy recommendations for its placement and maintenance are being developed.
- Residents are encouraged to sign up for Norman News at normanok.gov/Norman-Dash-News for city information and events.
- Observations from a tour of the low barrier shelter were shared, noting caseworkers, reading individuals, elderly men and women, and employed individuals.
- Art Walk is scheduled for this Friday.
- The unhoused population information page is live on the city's website, providing action plans and studies.
- A word of caution was given regarding hyperbolic rhetoric, citing an incident involving an unhoused individual and a vigilante.
- Ward 6's Big Trash Day is scheduled for October 21st.
- Tommy Martin was recognized for completing 50 years of service to the City of Norman.
- Chuck E. Cheese will have its grand reopening on August 9th from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Sage at Cobblestone, a new 55+ Independent Living Center, will have its grand opening and tour on August 16th from 4 to 6 p.m.
- The Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on August 24th at 4 p.m. will provide updates on public transit and road construction projects.
- The City Manager and Police Department will prepare a public update on crime and homelessness for an upcoming council meeting.
- The Mayor provided comparative crime statistics for Norman against other cities, emphasizing perspective on violent crime.
- Thanks were extended to Parks and Rec, the Norman Tourism Bureau, and the Norman Sports Authority for the recent beatball tournament.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding the city's school resource officer program
Discussion on staffing shortages within the Norman Police Department for SROs, potential use of Cleveland County deputies in elementary schools on a temporary basis, and funding challenges related to the Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) and school district contributions.
Consideration of adjourning into executive session
To discuss pending litigation in the case of Thompson versus Norman Regional Hospital at all and possible litigation associated with Travis King versus city of Norman.
Consideration of the city council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes of April 11, 2023
Review and approval of the minutes from the April 11, 2023, meetings of the City Council and associated authorities.
Resolution adopting Young Family Athletic Center facilities policy manual for the operation of the young family athletic center by The Parks and Recreations department
Adoption of the operational policy manual for the new Young Family Athletic Center, including fee schedules, membership options, rental rates, and definitions of community and operational partners.
Conducting and closing a public hearing for consideration of an amendment fiscal year 2023-24 city of Norman and Norman Utilities Authority operating budgets creating an Athletic Facility special Revenue Fund in appropriating anticipated Revenue
Public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2023-24 operating budgets to create a new Athletic Facility Special Revenue Fund, adjust the Water Fund, and allocate funds in the Norman Forward Fund.
Amendment fiscal year 2023-24 city of Norman and Norman Utilities Authority operating budgets creating an Athletic Facility special Revenue Fund in appropriating anticipated Revenue
Adoption of the proposed budget amendments for the fiscal year 2023-24 operating budgets, including the new Athletic Facility Special Revenue Fund, Water Fund adjustments, and Norman Forward Fund allocations.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan to remove property located at 1001 North University Boulevard from the special planning Area 3 designation
Amendment to the city's land use plan to change the designation of property at 1001 North University Boulevard.
Ordinance number zero two two two three four five rezoning property located at 1001 North University Boulevard from i1 light industrial district to Spud simple planned unit development District (second reading)
Second reading of an ordinance to rezone property at 1001 North University Boulevard from light industrial to a simple planned unit development district for a precious metals manufacturing facility.
Ordinance number zero two two two three four five rezoning property located at 1001 North University Boulevard from i1 light industrial district to Spud simple planned unit development District (final reading)
Final reading of the ordinance to rezone property at 1001 North University Boulevard from light industrial to a simple planned unit development district.
Ordinance calling a special election to be held on the 10th day of October 2023 for the purpose of submitting to the registered qualified electors of said City the question of the issuance of bonds of said City in an amount not to exceed the sum of 50 million dollars to be issued in series to provide funds for the purposes of constructing reconstructing repairing improving and rehabilitating bridges in the city... (second reading)
Second reading of an ordinance to call a special election on October 10, 2023, for a $50 million bond issue dedicated to bridge construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, and rehabilitation.
Ordinance calling a special election to be held on the 10th day of October 2023 for the purpose of submitting to the registered qualified electors of said City the question of the issuance of bonds of said City in an amount not to exceed the sum of 50 million dollars to be issued in series to provide funds for the purposes of constructing reconstructing repairing improving and rehabilitating bridges in the city... (final reading)
Final reading of an ordinance to call a special election on October 10, 2023, for a $50 million bond issue dedicated to bridge construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, and rehabilitation.
Resolution giving the secretary of the Cleveland County election board a notice of special election to be held on October 10, 2023
Formal resolution to notify the Cleveland County Election Board of the special election scheduled for October 10, 2023.
Miscellaneous comments
Opportunity for citizens to address the City Council on any topic not on the agenda.