Meeting Summary
The city council held a special meeting on February 28, 2023, to discuss the complex Home ARP allocation plan for homelessness assistance. During the regular meeting on February 14, 2023, council approved a $100,000 contract with Neighborhood Alliance, adopted a new city code and updated engineering design criteria, and authorized a special election on May 9, 2023, for a proposed increase in the hotel occupancy tax. Austin Ball was also appointed as the new council member for Ward One.
Key Decisions & Votes
Adjourning into Executive Session
26:20Motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss pending litigation associated with Jazz Investment Group LLC versus the City of Norman.
Ward One Council Vacancy
29:30Austin Ball was nominated and appointed to fill the council vacancy in Ward One.
Whittier Middle School 50th Anniversary
31:00A resolution was passed recognizing and commending Whittier Middle School for its 50th anniversary.
Contract with Neighborhood Alliance
1:19:00A $100,000 contract with Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma for the Norman Neighbors program was approved by an 8-1 vote.
Strong Towns Ad Hoc Committee
1:35:00Resolution appointing community members and setting ground rules for the Strong Towns ad hoc committee was adopted.
Historic Berry Farms Exemption
1:37:00Items 29 and 30, concerning a partial exemption for Historic Berry Farms, were postponed to March 14th due to an agenda error.
City Code Recodification
1:56:00Ordinance adopting and enacting a new, reorganized city code was passed on second and final reading, consolidating and updating existing ordinances.
Engineering Design Criteria Update
2:25:00Ordinance amending the city's Engineering Design Criteria and standard specifications for public infrastructure was passed, updating documents from 1996/2006.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Increase
2:54:00Ordinance authorizing a special election on May 9, 2023, for voter approval to increase the hotel occupancy tax from 5% to 8% was passed.
Special Election for Hotel Tax
2:59:00Ordinance formally calling a special election on May 9, 2023, for the hotel occupancy tax increase was passed.
Upcoming Community Events
Whittier Middle School 50th Year Anniversary
Neighborly Normanites Workshop
Legal Issues for HOAs in Norman Workshop
Neighborhood Conference
10 AM to 2 PM at the main library, includes free breakfast and lunch
Norman StreetWise (City departments speed dating)
One Mashup (Norman Arts Council fundraiser)
Financial Matters
Home ARPA allocation
Total funding awarded to the city for homelessness assistance.
Home ARPA administrative funds
Portion of the Home ARPA allocation designated for administrative costs.
Home ARPA Supportive Services
Funds allocated to get the permanent supportive housing project off the ground.
Home ARPA for actual project
Remaining funds for the actual permanent supportive housing project.
Contract with Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma
Funding for the Norman Neighbors program activities.
Norman Music Fest state grant potential
Potential grant amount if declared a 'quality event'.
Hotel Occupancy Tax increase
Estimated additional annual revenue from increasing the tax from 5% to 8%.
Public Comments
Public comments were heard on the Neighborhood Alliance contract (supportive, seeking clarification on police partnership), the Strong Towns committee (concerns about process, connection to the comprehensive plan, Garver LLC's role, and perceived elite-driven process), city code recodification (supportive), and the hotel occupancy tax increase (concerns about economic impact, potential deterrence to visitors, allocation flexibility, and potential crowding out of local use for Norman Forward projects). Miscellaneous comments included reflections on the 'city as a business' metaphor, concerns about recent jail deaths, and the non-renewal of the warming shelter contract.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Items 29 and 30 (Historic Berry Farms exemption) postponed to March 14th
Deadlines
- Public comments for Home ARP plan: March 20th
- Home ARP plan submission to HUD: March 31st
- One Mashup (Norman Arts Council fundraiser) prices increase: March 1st
- Statewide election (recreational marijuana): March 7th
- Hotel occupancy tax special election: May 9, 2023
- Home ARP funds expenditure deadline: September 30, 2030
Watch For
- Public hearing for Home ARP: March 14th
- Approval of substantial amendment to 2021 action plan (related to Home ARP): March 14th
- RFP process for Home ARP developers/providers after HUD approval
- Comprehensive land use plan contract/committee discussions (expected April)
- Discussions on incentivization of sustainable stormwater development
- Review of Engineering Design Criteria every two years
- New Central Transit Hub opening in Fall 2023
- Discussions on warming shelter contract renewal
- Discussions on police policies for people in crisis
Announcements
- Norman Economic Development Coalition launched a four-month visioning process; interested residents can apply at oneorman.org.
- Resolution for Norman Music Fest (Item 26) will allow it to apply for a potential $250,000 state grant.
- Thanks extended to emergency response personnel, utility companies, and citizens for their efforts following the recent tornado.
- Residents impacted by weather are encouraged to check the city's website and social media for information and resources, including shelter and traffic updates.
- Access issues in the Eagle Cliff area, with only two ways in/out for 2,000 residents, were highlighted by recent weather; a project to connect Cedar Lane to Jenkins Avenue is in the long-range transportation plan.
- Replay of the Community Planning and Transportation Committee (CPTC) meeting from last Thursday is available on the city's YouTube channel, covering traffic around schools, train derailment emergency response, and public transit updates.
- The CPTC meets every fourth Thursday of the month at 4 PM.
- A statewide election regarding recreational marijuana is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 7th.
- Non-residents are asked to avoid driving through tornado-damaged areas in Ward 5 to prevent congestion and allow access for residents, first responders, and utility companies.
- Donations of water and essentials are still needed in Ward 5, particularly in areas without power.
- Residents are warned to vet contractors carefully after the tornado and use local, trusted sources to avoid predatory practices.
- Ward 4 donation drop-off is available at Yellow Dog Coffee; Annie's Roughhouse is temporarily sheltering lost pets.
- Ward 4 reappointments include Lee Krumholtz, Misty Grantham, Peggy Stockwell, and Trey Carson.
- The Norman Arts Council's annual fundraiser, 'One Mashup,' is on March 25th, with ticket prices increasing on March 1st.
- The new Central Transit Hub on Porter and Comanche is on track to open in Fall 2023.
- Congratulations extended to Bree Montoya Carson and new council member Austin Ball.
- Thanks given to various agencies and organizations (OUPD, OG&E, Noble PD, Cleveland County Sheriff, Highway Patrol, National Weather Service, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, local churches, OU Athletics) for tornado relief efforts.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding the Home American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation plan
Presentation on the $1.56 million Home ARPA funding from HUD, targeting assistance for qualifying populations (homeless, at-risk, fleeing domestic violence, under 30% median income) through permanent supportive housing (targeting 12 units), Supportive Services, and non-profit capacity building. Public comment period runs until March 20th, with a public hearing on March 14th. The plan is due to HUD by March 31st, and funds must be expended by September 30, 2030.
Consideration of adjourning into executive session
To discuss pending litigation associated with Jazz Investment Group LLC versus the City of Norman (Cleveland County court case number CJ 2021 144 K).
Consideration approval of the minutes
Review and approval of previous meeting minutes.
Nomination and appointment of an eligible person to fill the council vacancy in Ward One
Nomination and appointment of Austin Ball to fill the vacant council seat for Ward One.
Administering the oath of office and seating of council member elect Austin Ball Ward One
Ceremonial administering of the oath of office to the newly appointed council member for Ward One.
Resolution commending and extending recognition to the students and faculty at Whittier Middle School for the 50th year anniversary of Whittier Middle School
A resolution to recognize and commend Whittier Middle School on its 50th anniversary.
Consent Docket (Items 5-16, 18-27)
Approval of routine items grouped into a consent docket.
Contract with Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma
Consideration of a $100,000 contract with Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma for the Norman Neighbors program activities, including workshops and neighborhood organization support.
Resolution appointing community members and alternatives to the Strong Towns Ad Hoc Committee
Resolution to appoint members to the Strong Towns ad hoc committee to serve as part of the leadership team for the Community Action Lab and setting forth ground rules for participation.
Resolution granting a partial exemption from current standards related to proposed Historic Berry Farms with advancement to the short-term or short form plat process located at 1300 West Lindsay (and companion Item 30)
Consideration of a resolution concerning a partial exemption for Historic Berry Farms.
Ordinance zero two two two three two three upon second and final reading adopting and enacting a new code for the city
Ordinance to adopt and enact a new, reorganized city code, consolidating and organizing existing ordinances, updating references, and repealing obsolete ones. No substantive changes were made, but renumbering will occur.
Ordinance number zero two two two three two four upon second and final reading amending the city of Norman standard specifications and construction drawings in the engineering design criteria for Street stormwater water life sanitary sewers dated February 28, 2023
Ordinance to amend the city's Engineering Design Criteria (EDC) and standard specifications/construction drawings, updating documents from 1996/2006 to incorporate green infrastructure, complete streets, ADA guidelines, and new stormwater data.
Ordinance zero two two two three two five upon second and final reading contingent on voter approval to increase the excise tax upon the gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from rents received from occupancy of hotel rooms
Ordinance proposing to increase the hotel occupancy tax from 5% to 8%, with the additional 3% allocated 75% to Visit Norman (for a sports commission and venue enhancement fund) and 25% to the Arts Council. This increase is contingent on voter approval.
Ordinance zero two two two three two six upon second and final reading authorizing the calling of a special election on the ninth day of May 2023
Companion ordinance to Item 33, formally authorizing the calling of a special election on May 9, 2023, for voter approval of the proposed hotel occupancy tax increase.