Meeting Summary
The City Council adopted several ordinances, including amendments to the Center City Form-Based Code, various International Building Codes, and the controversial rezoning for Midway Grocery to allow outdoor entertainment. Discussions also covered the ongoing streetery pilot program, the upcoming water rate election, and the FY2024 budget. The Norman Youth Council was recognized, and several community events and financial matters were highlighted.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of minutes
27:00Approval of the city council special meeting minutes of March 14, 2023, and other related minutes.
Rezoning 1309 South Berry Road
58:00Ordinance rezoning property from R1 Single-Family Dwelling District to Spud Simple Planned Unit Development District for two single-family homes.
Preliminary Platt for Coop Abode Addition
01:00:00Approval of the preliminary plat for a planned unit development located on the east side of South Berry Road.
Amending Center City PUD for 231 West Main Street
01:06:00Ordinance amending the Center City Planned Unit Development to allow specific tenant signage and modify landscaping.
Adopting and amending 2018 International Fire Code
01:19:00Ordinance adopting and amending the 2018 International Fire Code, including fee updates.
Adopting and amending 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
01:21:00Ordinance adopting and amending the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code.
Adopting and amending various International Building Codes
01:28:00Ordinance adopting and amending the 2018 International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, 2020 National Electric Code, and 2018 International Residential Code.
Rezoning 601 West Eufaula Street (Midway Grocery)
02:26:00Ordinance rezoning property from C1 Local Commercial District to Spud Simple Planned Unit Development District to allow outdoor entertainment uses.
Fixing compensation of City Attorney
02:29:00Ordinance fixing the compensation of the City Attorney.
City Attorney Employment Contract
02:31:00Approval of the contract setting forth the terms and conditions of employment for the City Attorney.
Upcoming Community Events
Westwood Family Aquatic Center Summer Season Kick-off
Daily public hours 1-6 PM, Twilight swim 6-8 PM Mon-Sat.
Jacobson House Native American Art Center Grand Reopening
Located in Ward 4, significant renovation completed.
Mayfair Festival
Return of Norman's festivals on Campus Corner.
Norman Next Summerfest Pool Party
6:30-8:30 PM at Westwood, free to public, food trucks, breweries, live DJ.
Financial Matters
FY2024 City of Norman Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets
Second public hearing held for the nearly $300 million budget, with public comments on various aspects. Final adoption scheduled for June 13.
Water Rate Election
Discussion of the upcoming June 13 election for water rate increases, which have not occurred since 2015. Town halls scheduled for public education.
Building Code Fees Update
Proposed increase of base and re-inspection fees from $25 to $35 (not updated since 2006), introduction of a $200 after-hours inspection fee, and formal inclusion of a $4 state remittance fee per permit.
Bridge Maintenance Fund
Public suggestion to increase the bridge maintenance fund by $200,000 annually until it reaches $3 million, addressing 11 bridges in dire straits. Discussion of a potential bond program.
Equipment Auction Funds
Clarification that funds from selling old vehicles (e.g., fire trucks, trash trucks) are returned to the fund from which the original purchase was made.
Recycling Insourcing and Compost Facility Improvements
Public suggestion to insource recycling (requiring three new trash trucks) and purchase a sifter and bagger for the Compost Facility to sell compost. Staff is looking into insourcing recycling.
Police Capital Equipment Budget
Public concern over the 2023 revised budget for police capital equipment ($2.5 million) significantly exceeding the estimated ($1.2 million) and the 2024 estimate ($0.5 million).
Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund for Fire Truck
Confirmation that the PSST fund has adequate balance to cover the cost of a ladder truck, though it would reduce the fund balance significantly.
City Attorney Compensation
Ordinance fixing the compensation of the City Attorney and approval of her employment contract.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a wide range of topics, including the FY2024 budget (water rates, bridge maintenance, recycling, police equipment), the proposed Midway Grocery rezoning (noise, parking, quality of life, property rights, city enforcement, neighborhood division), building code fees, and broader concerns about public safety, crime rates, homelessness, and distrust in city leadership and enforcement. Many expressed strong opinions both for and against the Midway Spud, highlighting the division within the neighborhood.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Streetery program (pilot continuation, revisit in six months)
Deadlines
- Artist grants at the NAC (May 30)
- Final adoption of FY2024 City of Norman budget (June 13)
- Water rate election (June 13)
Watch For
- Center City form-based code amendments (June Planning Commission, July Council)
- Gray Street two-way conversion (October bid opening, Summer/Fall 2024 completion)
- Main Street two-way conversion (future study)
- Public Safety Infrastructure ballot (November)
- Citizen's Academy applications (website)
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting (This Thursday at 4 PM)
- Staffing recommendations for SEC crowds (next fiscal year's budget)
Announcements
- Water rate election town halls: Monday, June 5th, 6-7 PM at Whittier Middle School; Tomorrow night at Norman East Library.
- Westwood Family Aquatic Center kicks off summer season on Thursday, May 27th, with daily public hours 1-6 PM and Twilight swim 6-8 PM Monday-Saturday.
- Jacobson House Native American Art Center had its grand reopening this past Saturday in Ward 4 after significant renovations.
- The Mayfair festival returned successfully on Campus Corner.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting this Thursday at 4 PM at City Hall, covering public transit, road construction, and sidewalk projects.
- Final adoption of the nearly $300 million city budget is on June 13th; available online and in print.
- Deputy Clerk Ellen Usri is retiring this Thursday.
- Councilmember Schuler is getting married this weekend.
- Applications are available for the 2023 City of Norman Citizens Academy.
- Tuesday, May 30th, is the deadline for artist grants at the NAC (three $1,000 grants for Norman residents).
- Norman Next is hosting a Summerfest pool party at Westwood on Sunday, June 4th, 6:30-8:30 PM, free to the public with food trucks and a DJ.
- Recognition of the 22-23 Norman Youth Council for their service and learning about city departments.
- An officer encountered a young man attempting to break into a vehicle, who fired a gun at the officer; no injuries, suspect apprehended. Appreciation for police officers' service.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding center city form-based code amendments
Proposed revisions to the required build line along Boyd Street and various text updates, including recodification references, engineering design criteria, and certificate of compliance site plan requirements.
Discussion on the streetery program
Review of the temporary outdoor expansion permit pilot program, including feedback on aesthetics, parking, and safety barriers. Consensus was reached to continue the program and refine its guidelines.
Approval of minutes
Consideration of approval of the city council special meeting minutes of March 14, 2023, and other related minutes.
Recognition of the 22-23 Norman Youth Council
Introduction and recognition of 17 high school students who completed their term, learning about various city government departments and operations.
Consent Docket (Items 6-25)
Routine items placed on the agenda for approval or acknowledgment by one motion.
Second public hearing for FY2024 city of Norman proposed operating and capital budgets
Public comments were received regarding the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, addressing topics such as water rates, bridge maintenance, recycling, and police capital equipment.
Ordinance No. 0222329: Rezoning property at 1309 South Berry Road
Rezoning property from R1 Single-Family Dwelling District to Spud Simple Planned Unit Development District to allow for two single-family houses on a one-acre site with a shared drive, maintaining low density residential use.
Preliminary Platt for Coop Abode Addition
Approval of the preliminary plat for a planned unit development located on the east side of South Berry Road, creating two lots with shared access and associated public improvements.
Ordinance No. 0222330: Amending Center City PUD for 231 West Main Street
Amending the Center City Planned Unit Development to allow specific tenant signage (for Hatch and Sidecar) and modify landscaping by removing a rain garden and adding planter boxes.
Ordinance No. 0222340: Adopting and amending the 2018 International Fire Code
Updates to align with state standards, including adjustments to re-inspection, base, and after-hours fees, and the removal of the NFPA code for annual inspections to streamline enforcement.
Ordinance No. 0222341: Adopting and amending the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
Updates to align with state standards for property maintenance.
Ordinance No. 0222342: Adopting and amending various International Building Codes
Updates to align with state standards for the 2018 International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, 2020 National Electric Code, and 2018 International Residential Code.
Ordinance No. 0222333: Rezoning property at 601 West Eufaula Street (Midway Grocery)
Rezoning property from C1 Local Commercial District to Spud Simple Planned Unit Development District to allow new outdoor entertainment uses, including amplified music and catered events, with specific stipulations on operations, noise abatement, and parking.
Ordinance No. 0222343: Fixing the compensation of the City Attorney
Ordinance to set the compensation for the City Attorney, consistent with charter requirements.
Amendment of Contract K223-157: City Attorney Employment Contract
Approval of the contract setting forth the terms and conditions of employment for Catherine Walker as City Attorney, formalizing her position as a direct employee of the City Council.