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City Council Meeting

February 23, 2022 City Council Meeting

February 23, 2022 • Norman, OK
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Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The City Council continued its discussion on water connection fees, reaching a consensus to propose a 25% increase for new developments and to commit to a biennial review of these fees. Additionally, the council adopted an ordinance to rezone 115 South Peters Avenue for a mixed-use development featuring residential lofts, including an ADA-compliant unit, and commercial space.

Key Decisions & Votes

Water Connection Fees

00:50:00

The council reached a consensus to propose a 25% increase in water connection fees for new developments and committed to reviewing these fees every two years. This decision aims to align developer contributions with resident rate increases and ensure funding for future water capacity needs.

Approved (in principle)

Rezoning 115 South Peters Avenue

01:21:00

Ordinance 2122-33 was adopted, rezoning 115 South Peters Avenue from C3 to SPUD. This allows for the redevelopment of a historic building into a mixed-use property with five upstairs residential lofts and one ground-floor ADA-compliant residential unit, while maintaining commercial presence.

Adopted

Upcoming Community Events

March 24

Joint Ward 2 & 4 Meeting on Water Rate Increase

6:30 PM at the Central Library in the Red Bud Room

Date TBD

Ward 3 Town Hall on Water Rate Increase

Library in Ward 3

March 3

Ward 5 Town Hall on Turnpike Issues

7:00 PM at Crosspoint Church

March 23

Ward 6 Water Rate Meeting

6:30 PM at the East Side Library

Date TBD

Joint Ward 7 & 8 Meeting on Water Rate Proposal

City Hall or Downtown Library

Date TBD

Ward 7 Meeting on Water Rate Proposal

Cobblestone Creek neighborhood clubhouse

Sunday

Crown's Tea

3:00 PM at the Central Library

Next Thursday and Friday

Congress of Mayors

Mayor Clark to give State of the City speech

March 5

Common Grounds Coffee Festival

Cleveland County Fairgrounds, benefiting Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity

March 5

Shamrock Run

1:00 PM at Ruby Grant Park

Financial Matters

Special claim submitted by Bethel Baptist Church

Damage to an entryway awning by a city sanitation truck.

13937

Permanent water line easement from Hermann Robert US Revocable Trust

For the Flood Avenue water line replacement project.

8500

Change order number two to Contract 2021-01

Increasing contract and adding 127 days for the Robinson Water Line Replacement Project Phase 3.

59043.05

Amendment number three to Contract 2021-97

Increasing contract for construction management at risk services for the Young Family Athletic Center.

22659079

Amendment number two to Contract 2021-115

Increasing contract for construction of the Norman Forward Senior Wellness Center project.

2758145

Contract 2122-93

Purchase of real property located at 4020 East Tecumseh Road for the groundwater treatment site.

800000

Contract 2122-96

Reimbursement agreement with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative for sharing costs of transmission line relocation for the 36th Avenue bond project.

446469.13

Resolution 2122-96

Appropriating funds from the general fund balance to be deposited into the Net Revenue Stabilization Fund (rainy day fund).

183039

Resolution 2122-97

Appropriating funds from the general fund balance to update and improve Andrews Park playground to full Americans with Disabilities standards.

350000

Public Comments

1 citizen spoke

One citizen, Cindy Rogers, spoke, expressing concern about the historical lack of consistent review and increase of connection fees despite previous ordinances and studies. She emphasized the importance of a balanced view for funding program expansions and the financial impact of not recouping costs for new capacity.

Water connection fees Sufficiency of funding for new capacity Accountability for biennial reviews Historical promises vs. actions

Coming Up

Deadlines

  • Budget public hearing process begins in April.
  • Ordinance for 25% connection fee increase to be set for first reading on March 8th.

Watch For

  • Potential solutions for Dutch Brothers traffic concerns.
  • Outcome of the water rate increase proposition on the April 5th ballot.
  • Update on police and fire contract negotiations.
  • Further discussion on electronic scooters by the Community Planning and Transportation Committee.
  • Future exploration of horizontal water well concepts.
  • A resolution to codify the biennial review of connection fees.

Announcements

  • Councilmember Schuler was re-elected for a full term. She will meet with city staff to discuss solutions for Dutch Brothers traffic concerns. OG&E has addressed the damaged power pole on 24th Avenue SW and Boyd. A joint Ward 2 and Ward 4 meeting on the water rate increase proposition will be held March 24th at 6:30 PM at the Central Library.
  • Councilmember Berlin will organize a town hall meeting on the water rate increase at the Ward 3 library.
  • Councilmember Hall reminded of the Center City Administrative Delay Ad Hoc Committee meeting on Thursday, February 24th at 11:30 AM. She also highlighted the Norman Central Library's new social worker to assist with various community needs.
  • Councilmember Tortorello will host a town hall on turnpike issues on Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00 PM at Crosspoint Church.
  • Councilmember Foreman was re-elected for a second term. She will host a water rate meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd at 6:30 PM at the East Side Library. She announced she will be out for approximately four weeks after surgery on March 25th.
  • Councilmember Holman encouraged Ward 7 residents to watch for details on a joint Ward 7 and Ward 8 meeting regarding the water rate proposal, and possibly an additional Ward 7 meeting. He recognized the ribbon cutting for the new transit, parks, and fleet maintenance facility. He also announced the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4:00 PM in the study session room to resume discussion on electronic scooters.
  • Councilmember Peacock expressed gratitude to Ward 8 voters for his re-election.
  • Mayor Clark announced the return of Crown's Tea at the Central Library on Sunday at 3:00 PM. She was elected Speaker of the House for the Congress of Mayors and will give the State of the City speech next Thursday and Friday. She also announced the Common Grounds Coffee Festival on March 5th at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds and the Shamrock Run on March 5th at 1:00 PM at Ruby Grant Park.
  • The City Manager provided a weather update: OU and Norman Public Schools will move to virtual programs through tomorrow, public works crews are winterizing roads, and public transit and solid waste services are anticipated to be in full operation.

Agenda Summary

Continued discussion regarding connection fees

Discussion on the Raphtelus analysis of water connection fees, public meeting feedback, and potential increases to fund capacity expansion.

Consensus to propose a 25% increase and commit to biennial review

Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma proclaiming the month of March 2022 as Irish American Heritage Month

Official recognition of March 2022 as Irish American Heritage Month in Norman.

Acknowledged

Consent Docket (Items 2-27, excluding Item 9)

Approval of routine administrative and financial items, including various reports, claims, easements, contract changes, and budget appropriations.

Approved

Ordinance 2122-33 upon second and final reading rezoning 115 South Peters Avenue from C3 Intensive Commercial District to SPUD Simple Planned Unit Development District

Rezoning request for a property to allow for a mixed-use development with residential lofts and commercial space, including an ADA-compliant unit.

Adopted
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