Meeting Summary
The City Council approved significant funding for the Imhoff Creek bank stabilization project, totaling $8.2 million through federal grants and ARPA funds. Key decisions also included approving a new single-family residential development and a special use permit for the Hillel building at OU to rebuild its facility. The meeting featured a farewell to Councilmember Lee Hall and public comments primarily addressing the city's approach to homelessness and the need for support for Norman Caravans.
Key Decisions & Votes
Hazard Mitigation Grant for Lower Imhoff Creek Phase 1
N/AAuthorized submission of a grant application to FEMA for Phase 1 improvements of Lower Imhoff Creek, leveraging a 90-10 federal match for the $3.8 million project.
ARPA Funds for Lower Imhoff Creek Phase 2
N/AAppropriated $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to finance Phase 2 of the Lower Imhoff Creek bank stabilization project, estimated at $4.4 million.
Land Use Plan Amendment for The Villages Edition
01:30:00Amended the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan to change property at the northwest corner of Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue from Mixed Use to Low Density Residential for a new development.
Rezoning for The Villages Edition
01:31:00Approved the rezoning of property at the northwest corner of Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue from a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to a new PUD to allow for the development of 109 single-family homes.
Preliminary Plat for The Villages Edition
01:32:00Approved the preliminary plat for The Villages Edition, a planned unit development for single-family homes.
Special Use Permit for Hillel Building
01:40:00Granted a special use permit for the OEL Foundation (Hillel) to rebuild its facility at 494 Elm Avenue, allowing for a church/temple/place of worship in an R-3 multi-family district.
Settlement of City of Norman vs. Ron Ashley
N/AApproved a settlement in the case of City of Norman versus Ron Ashley in the amount of $210,000.
Financial Matters
Amendment No. 3 to Crossland Construction Company Contract
Additional costs for asbestos abatement for the Municipal Complex Renovation Project.
Amendment No. 4 to GE Johnson Construction Company Contract
Construction management at risk services for the Young Family Athletic Center.
Amendment No. 5 to Crossland Construction Company Contract
Construction manager at risk services for the Senior Wellness Center.
Revocable Right-of-Way License and Agreement with The Custard Factory
Annual fee for placement of string lights and poles within the public right-of-way.
Interlocal Agreement Contract with EMBARK
To provide transit services for the City of Norman from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Norman Utilities Authority Contract with Stanley R. Sindelbach
Agricultural lease of property at 4020 East Tecumseh Road.
Contract with Norman Economic Development Coalition for ARPA Funds
Use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for qualifying economic development expenditures.
Appropriation of ARPA Funds for Business Incubator Programs
Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act entitlement funds for the implementation of business incubator programs by NEDC.
Settlement of City of Norman versus Ron Ashley
Approval of a settlement in pending litigation.
Lower Imhoff Creek Bank Stabilization Project - Phase 1
Total estimated cost for Phase 1 improvements, with a significant portion expected from a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant.
Lower Imhoff Creek Bank Stabilization Project - Phase 2
Funding for Phase 2 of the bank stabilization project using American Rescue Plan Act entitlement funds.
Public Comments
Speakers expressed strong disappointment and anger regarding the city's decision not to contract with Norman Caravans for on-demand transit services for the homeless. They rebutted the city's stated reasons, emphasizing the critical and unique nature of Caravans' services, the urgency of the homelessness crisis, and the closure of the warming shelter. Concerns were also raised about the lack of shade at the upcoming athletic complex.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Ordinance O-2122-48 (OG&E franchise) postponed until August 9, 2022
Deadlines
- RFP for next warming shelter closes Friday
Watch For
- Council retreat to discuss priorities for the upcoming council year
- Responses to the RFP for re-establishing a warming shelter
Announcements
- A fentanyl crisis is impacting Cleveland County and Norman, leading to multiple overdoses and a shortage of Narcan. Residents are urged to be aware and warn those with addiction problems.
- Councilmember Lee Hall was recognized and thanked by multiple council members for her dedicated service, mentorship, non-partisan approach, and significant contributions to the community, particularly Ward 4, as she concludes her final council meeting.
- The Council will hold a retreat next month to discuss priorities for the upcoming council year, seeking feedback from constituents.
Agenda Summary
1. Mayor's Appointments
Appointments to the Citizens Oversight Committee for Tax Increment Finance District Number Two, Economic Development Advisory Board, Greenbelt Commission, and Norman Regional Hospital Authority.
2. Appointments of Municipal Court Judges
Appointments of Drew Nichols as Presiding Judge, Gail Blaylock and Blaine Nice as Associate Judges, and David Porch as Acting Judge of the Municipal Court for terms beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024.
3. Finance Director's Investment Report
Finance Director's Investment Report as of May 31, 2022.
4. Monthly Departmental Reports
Monthly departmental reports for the month of May 2022.
5. City Manager's Contract and Change Order Report
City Manager's contract and change order report.
6. Final Plat for The Summit Valley Edition Section 3
Final plat for The Summit Valley Edition Section 3, generally located one half mile north of Highway 9 and one half mile east of 24th Avenue Southeast.
7. Amendment No. 3 to Contract with Crossland Construction Company
Amendment No. 3 to the contract with Crossland Construction Company, increasing the contract amount by $492,185.38 for additional costs associated with asbestos abatement for the Development Center portion of the Municipal Complex Renovation Project and budget appropriation.
8. Authorization of Reducing Retainage for Contract with Flintco
Authorization of reducing retainage for the contract with Flintco from five percent to 2.5 percent for the North Base Complex Phase 1 Project.
9. Amendment No. 4 to Contract with GE Johnson Construction Company
Amendment No. 4 to the contract with GE Johnson Construction Company, increasing the contract amount by $2,653,243 for construction management at risk services for the Young Family Athletic Center.
10. Amendment No. 5 to Contract with Crossland Construction Company
Amendment No. 5 to the contract with Crossland Construction Company, increasing the contract amount by $423,737 for construction manager at risk services for the Senior Wellness Center and budget appropriation.
11. Revocable Right-of-Way License and Agreement with The Custard Factory
Revocable Right-of-Way License and Agreement with The Custard Factory in the amount of $100 per year, allowing placement of string lights and poles within the public right-of-way.
12. Interlocal Agreement Contract with Central Oklahoma Transportation Parking Authority dba EMBARK
An interlocal agreement contract with Central Oklahoma Transportation Parking Authority dba EMBARK to provide transit services for the City of Norman from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $3,560,195.
13. Norman Utilities Authority Contract with Stanley R. Sindelbach
A Norman Utilities Authority contract with Stanley R. Sindelbach in the amount of $450 per year for an agricultural lease of the property at 4020 East Tecumseh Road.
14. Contract with Pinnacle View for Lease of Property
A contract with Pinnacle View for the lease of property located at 307 West Gray Street for a period of three years, subject to annual appropriation of funds.
15. Contract with Norman Economic Development Coalition
A contract with Norman Economic Development Coalition for the use of $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for qualifying economic development expenditures.
16. Resolution Appropriating ARPA Funds for Business Incubator Programs
A resolution appropriating $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act entitlement funds from the Special Grant Fund balance to be used by the Norman Economic Development Coalition for the implementation of business incubator programs.
17. Conveyance of Title by Quit Claim Deed for 531 East Sym Street
Conveyance of title by quit claim deed for property located at 531 East Sym Street to the Norman Affordable Housing Corporation for use as a rental house for households at or below the 80 percent median family income threshold.
18. Resolution Authorizing Meshek & Associates LLC to Submit Hazard Mitigation Grant Application
A resolution authorizing Meshek & Associates LLC as an agent for the City of Norman to submit a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Phase One improvements planned for Lower Imhoff Creek.
19. Resolution Appropriating ARPA Funds for Lower Imhoff Creek Bank Stabilization Project
A resolution appropriating $3,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act entitlement funds from the Special Grant Fund balance to be used to fund Phase Two of the Lower Imhoff Creek bank stabilization project.
20. Resolution Establishing Procedures for Building Permit Fee Adjustments
A resolution establishing procedures to allow building permit fees to be adjusted and satisfied as an incentive for residential homes achieving certain Home Energy Rating Index scores and extension of the pilot program to June 30, 2024.
21. Resolution Setting Forth Process for Council Vacancy
A resolution of the Council of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, setting forth a process for Council to follow in the event of a vacancy on City Council.
22. Resolution of the Norman Utilities Authority for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program
A resolution of the Norman Utilities Authority agreeing to file an application with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for financial assistance through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, with the loan proceeds being used for the purpose of financing advanced water metering improvements for the City of Norman and approving a professional services agreement.
23. Recommendation from City Attorney to Approve Settlement
Recommendation from the City Attorney to approve a settlement of City of Norman versus Ron Ashley in the amount of $210,000.
24. Consideration of Postponement of Ordinance O-2122-48
A consideration of postponement of Ordinance O-2122-48 until August 9, 2022, an ordinance granting Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, an Oklahoma corporation, a franchise contingent upon approval by the voters at a special election on January 10, 2023.
25. Resolution R-2122-111 Amending Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan
Amending the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan to remove property located on the northwest corner of Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue from the Mixed Use designation and place the same in the Low Density Residential designation.
26. Ordinance O-2122-40 Rezoning Property at Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue
Upon second and final reading, rezoning property located at the northwest corner of Imhoff Road and Oakhurst Avenue from the PUD Planned Unit Development District to a new PUD Planned Unit Development District.
27. Consideration of a Preliminary Plat for The Villages Edition
Consideration of a preliminary plat for The Villages Edition, a planned unit development.
28. Ordinance O-2122-43 Granting Special Use for Church/Temple
Upon second and final reading, granting special use for a church, temple, or other place of worship in the R-3 Multi-family district at 494 Elm Avenue (Hillel building).