Meeting Summary
The City Council discussed the FYE 2024 Capital Improvements Program budget and the FYE 2025-28 Capital Improvements Plan, highlighting numerous ongoing and upcoming projects, funding challenges, and potential impacts from the Access Oklahoma Turnpike. Key decisions included the adoption of a rezoning ordinance for 10001 Etowah Road and the approval of the consent docket, which included funding for the Emergency Operations Center despite concerns about the source of funds.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
1:00:20The minutes from the City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority meeting of November 22nd, 2022, were unanimously approved.
Proclamation of Random Acts of Kindness Day
1:02:00The mayor's proclamation declaring Friday, February 17th, 2023, as Random Acts of Kindness Day in the city of Norman was unanimously acknowledged.
Proclamation of Black History Month
1:05:00The mayor's proclamation declaring February 2023 as Black History Month in the city of Norman was unanimously acknowledged.
Consent Docket Approval
1:16:00Items 5 through 24 on the consent docket, including the funding for the Emergency Operations Center, were unanimously approved. Council members noted the intent to revisit the EOC funding source at a future meeting.
Rezoning 10001 Etowah Road
1:30:00Ordinance 0222321, rezoning property at 10001 Etowah Road from A2 Rural Agricultural District to PUD Planned Unit Development District to allow for temporary commercial dirt mining, was adopted by a vote of six to two.
Postponement of Recodification Ordinance
1:31:00Ordinance 26, a recodification ordinance, was postponed to February 28th to correct the notice for its second reading.
Upcoming Community Events
Norman Mardi Gras parade
Downtown Norman, 7 PM, theme 'Phoenix Rising', followed by an awards ceremony at The Depot.
Financial Matters
FYE 2024 Capital Fund Status
Projected negative $3 million for new capital projects in FYE 2024, negative $1.2 million in FYE 2025, and approximately $6 million available in FYE 2026, primarily due to Debt Service reserves.
36th Avenue Northwest Widening Project
Construction budget of $17.8 million, with potential cost reduction of $4.9 million (to $12.8 million) if the Turnpike proposal reduces project boundaries. Project is pending federal funding.
Porter Avenue Streetscape Project
Estimated cost of $5.7 million, with $2.8 million secured in federal funding.
James Garner Phase Two Project
Estimated cost of $9.5 million, with $4.8 million secured in federal funding.
James Garner Phase Three Project
Estimated cost of $6.7 million, fully funded through the bond program.
Gray Street Two-Way Conversion Project
Estimated cost of $5.4 million, with $1.7 million in federal funds and an additional $500,000 from CRRSAA funds awarded.
Potential Savings from Turnpike Proposal (2019 Bond Program)
Estimated savings of $8.4 million for Indian Hills Road (48th to I-35) and $2.1 million for the Indian Hills and I-35 interchange, totaling $10.4 million.
Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Funding
Secured $2.9 million in FY23, $8.6 million in FY24, and anticipated $1.4 million in FY25.
City's Vehicle Replacement Program
Replaced 16 units in FY23 for $2.1 million. Annual fleet replacement needs were estimated at $6.4 million in 2013.
Recurring Sidewalk Projects (FYE 2024)
Totaling $420,000 for various sidewalk programs including schools, accessibility, city-wide, downtown, and horizontal saw cut.
Proposed Recurring Projects (FYE 2024)
Totaling approximately $12.4 million for projects conducted annually.
State Highway 9 Multimodal Projects
Local matches of $220,000 (48th to 60th) and $307,000 (60th to 72nd) for Transportation Alternatives Grants.
Alameda Road Diet Project
Awarded a TA Grant with a $57,000 local match.
Lindsey Street Sidewalk Project (12th to 24th)
Awarded a TA Grant with a $145,000 local match.
Young Family Athletic Center
A $41 million project funded by Norman Forward ($22.5M), hotel/motel tax bonds ($3.8M), Norman Forward transfers ($2.7M), Young Family Foundation ($4M), Norman Regional ($7M), and OU Park fund ($2.7M).
Senior Wellness Center
A $14 million project funded by Norman Forward ($8.5M), CARES Act ($3.9M), Norman Regional Hospital System land swap ($426K), and potential property sale ($1.2M), with general fund covering interim gaps.
Reese Park Project
A $10 million project, with $9 million from Norman Forward and $1 million from Community Sports Parks projects.
Griffin Park Project
A $14 million project fully funded by Norman Forward.
Emergency Communications and Operations Center (EOC)
A $17.1 million project funded by ARPA ($9.5M) and PSST ($7.8M). An overrun of $760,000 was covered by unspent ARPA funds, with council expressing intent to revisit the funding source.
Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Apparatus Replacement
FYE 23 spending of $800,000 for an engine and staff vehicle. A request for $2.1 million for a new ladder unit in FYE 24 exceeds the remaining $1 million in the program, requiring additional funding.
IT Infrastructure and Microsoft System Upgrades
Estimated cost of $3 million to complete necessary upgrades.
Public Comments
Public comments raised concerns about the city's legal department's interpretation of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the impact of a recent rezoning near the OU Motel on approximately 100 residents (including 20 children) facing displacement, and the need for better notification procedures for affected citizens. Other comments included a reminder about crosswalk safety and a recommendation for a book on breathwork.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Recodification ordinance (postponed to February 28th)
Watch For
- Final proposed capital budget for FYE 2024 and CIP plan for fiscal years 2025-28 (May 2nd meeting)
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) updates on proposals and budget impacts (March)
- Potential GEO bond referendums for bridge maintenance/repair, 36th Avenue Northwest, and Norman Forward 2
- I-35 Corridor study
- Access Oklahoma Turnpike plan effects on the city
- Public transportation developments
- Purchasing and zoning of land for various stations
- New traffic signals on state highways and city arterials
- Fleet replacements
- IT infrastructure and Microsoft system upgrades (estimated $3 million)
- Bridge replacements and major maintenance
- Stormwater infrastructure projects
- Renovations and upgrades for the fleet fueling facility
- Sidewalk gap closures throughout town
- Escalating construction costs impacting projects
- Multiple master plan updates
- Traffic Management Center staffing
- Griffin Hospital land purchase and possible redevelopment
- Possibility of a new arena in the University North Park (UNP) area with OU joining the SEC
- Amendment to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) funding source to be brought forward at a future meeting
Announcements
- Main Street road projects have started, impacting several sections for approximately 30 days, with at least one lane remaining open.
- Residents are encouraged to check poly carts and pick up litter due to recent windy weather.
- Today, February 14th, is election day, with polls closing soon for a school bond, odd-numbered ward elections, and a school board race.
- The Norman Mardi Gras parade, themed 'Phoenix Rising,' will take place on Saturday, February 18th, at 7 PM in downtown Norman, followed by an awards ceremony at The Depot.
- The Community Planning and Transportation Committee will meet next Thursday, February 23rd, at 4 PM in the study session room, covering public transit and road construction updates.
- Residents are encouraged to watch the replay of the City Council conference on the city's YouTube channel for details on the capital budget and upcoming projects.
- A sponsored advertisement for Strong Towns is pushing out a community survey, which residents are encouraged to participate in to inform comprehensive planning and development.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding the FYE 2024 Capital Improvements program budget and FYE 2025 through 28 Capital Improvements plan
Presentation and discussion on the city's capital improvement projects, funding sources, and future plans, including updates on various bond programs and Norman Forward projects.
Approval of the city council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes of November 22nd, 2022
Review and approval of the minutes from the previous joint meeting.
Recognition of participants of the Norman Chamber of Commerce Tomorrow's Leaders program
Formal recognition of students participating in the leadership development program.
Proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman Oklahoma declaring Friday February 17th as random acts of kindness day in the city of Norman
A proclamation encouraging residents to perform acts of kindness.
Proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman Oklahoma proclaiming the month of February 2023 is Black History Month in the city of Norman
A proclamation recognizing and celebrating Black History Month.
Consent Docket (Items 5-24)
A collection of routine agenda items approved by a single motion.
Ordinance 0222321 upon second and final reading rezoning property located at 10001 Etowah Road from A2 rural agricultural District to PUD planned unit development District
Rezoning a 40-acre property to allow for temporary commercial dirt mining, with future plans for a farm pond.
Recodification ordinance (Item 26)
An ordinance for recodification, postponed due to a notice error for the second reading.
Item 27
An agenda item that was withdrawn by the applicant.