Meeting Summary
The City Council received a comprehensive update on Norman's transit system, including discussions on microtransit and future plans. They adopted an ordinance to allow and regulate community resource refrigerators. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Eagle Cliff West development, which was ultimately rejected across multiple related agenda items due to concerns about environmental impact and compliance with land use plans. The council also postponed a decision on accepting a donated forensic tool.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
01:03:00The City Council approved various minutes from previous City Council, committee, and authority meetings.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
01:04:00The Mayor's proclamation of October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month was acknowledged, with a representative from the Women's Resource Center accepting it.
Consent Docket
01:16:00The consent docket, comprising items 3 through 24 (excluding item 11), was approved unanimously after an amendment to remove item 11.
GrayKey Digital Forensic Tool Donation
01:25:00The decision to accept a donated digital forensic tool from Operation Underground Railroad was postponed to October 26th to allow for further research into the donor organization's background and practices.
Community Resource Refrigerators Ordinance
01:48:30An ordinance amending city code to exempt and regulate community resource refrigerators, establishing permit requirements, safety guidelines, and posting requirements, was adopted on second and final reading.
University North Park Business Improvement District Ordinance
01:50:30An ordinance adopting and ratifying the assessment roll for the University North Park Business Improvement District, establishing payment terms and penalties, was adopted on second and final reading.
Eagle Cliff West Urban Service Area Designation
02:26:00A resolution to remove property for the Eagle Cliff West development from future to current urban service area designation was rejected by the council.
Eagle Cliff West Rezoning Ordinance
02:27:00An ordinance to rezone property for the Eagle Cliff West development from agricultural to single-family dwelling district failed due to a lack of a motion to adopt or reject.
Eagle Cliff West Preliminary Plat
02:27:30The preliminary plat for the Eagle Cliff West development failed due to a lack of a motion to approve or reject.
Eagle Cliff West Lift Station Fee Contract
02:28:00A contract authorizing the collection of a monthly lift station fee for the Eagle Cliff West development failed due to a lack of a motion to adopt or reject.
Upcoming Community Events
Coffee & Conversation with Councilmember Hall
10 AM at Gray Owl Coffee
Hocus Pocus Movie Night
7 PM at Lions Park
E-waste Event
9 AM to noon at Reeves Park
National Fitness Court Launch
3 PM at Francis Cape Park
Brewtoberfest
Lazy Circles
OU Homecoming
Crop Walk
1:30 PM at Andrews Park
Red Dirt Sunday
2 PM at Legacy Park
Ruby Grant Park Youth Football Fields Ribbon Cutting
5:30 PM at Ruby Grant Park
Ruby Grant Park Public Art Installation Ribbon Cutting
6:30 PM at Ruby Grant Park
Move with the Mayor (Tennis)
10 AM at Westwood
National Night Out
6 PM to 9 PM at the mall
Financial Matters
FY22 Transit Budget
Budgeted expenses of approximately $7.1 million (or $5.4 million without fleet replacement costs) and various revenue sources including FTA grants, public transit sales tax, and interlocal agreements.
Transit Public Safety Maintenance Building
Construction cost of $7.5 million, primarily funded by a $5.1 million FTA CARES Act grant, capital funds, and public safety sales tax.
Transit Transfer Station
Budget of $1.2 million for the purchase and remodel of a downtown transfer station, with the old Chase Bank at Porter and Comanche being a potential location.
Norman Housing Authority PILOT Waiver
Waiver of payment in lieu of taxes for fiscal year 2021.
MacArthur Associated Consultants LLC Contract Amendment
Increased contract amount for additional design services for the Gray Street two-way 2019 bond project.
Nash Construction Company Change Order
Increased contract amount for FY22 sidewalk concrete projects using previously allocated funds.
Flintco LLC Change Order
Increased contract amount and added 58 calendar days for various changes to project design for the North Base Complex Project Phase One.
Public Transit Revolving Fund Agreement with ODOT
Agreement for distribution of funds to be used for establishing, expanding, improving, and maintaining Norman's urban public mass transportation services.
Downey Contracting LLC Contract
Contract for construction manager at risk services for the Misty Lake Dam repair, plus a construction management fee.
Park Hill Smith and Cooper Incorporated Contract
Contract for construction oversight services for the Misty Lake Dam repair.
Norman Regional Hospital Medical Park Edition Section 2 Traffic Impact Fee
Payment of a traffic impact fee.
Park Hill Edition Section 4 Fee
Fee for the deferral of street paving and sidewalk improvements in connection with Tecumseh Road.
Red Sky Ranch Phase One Fee
Fee for the deferral of street paving and sidewalk improvements in connection with 48th Avenue Northwest.
On-Demand Paratransit Pilot Program Cost Estimate
Rough cost estimate for a potential on-demand paratransit pilot program.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics. For the community refrigerator ordinance, speakers expressed support for the initiative while raising concerns about electrical safety and the necessity of liability insurance. The Eagle Cliff West development generated extensive public input, with residents and an engineer detailing adverse impacts on downstream properties, including increased stormwater runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and the use of outdated environmental data. Miscellaneous comments included appreciation for the council's work, frustration with staff reports, and the need for updated city standards and proactive problem-solving.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Donation of GrayKey digital forensic tool (postponed to October 26th)
Watch For
- Implementation of the Go Norman Transit Plan (new routes, transit center, longer hours, Sunday service, fair study, land use integration)
- Potential on-demand paratransit pilot program
- Exploration of microtransit zone options
- Future RTA (Regional Transit Authority) voter ballot initiative
- Further research into the GrayKey digital forensic tool donor (Operation Underground Railroad)
- Discussion about smart meter technology
Announcements
- Reminder for large trash pickup in Ward 2 (Wednesday pickup this weekend).
- OU Advocates is a 24/7 resource for the OU community for domestic violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking (405-615-0013).
- Speedy recovery wishes for Helen Bartlett.
- National Night Out has been moved to Monday, October 25th, from 6 PM to 9 PM at the mall.
- Coffee & Conversation with Councilmember Hall on Wednesday, October 13th, at 10 AM at Gray Owl Coffee.
- Movie night featuring Hocus Pocus at Lions Park on Friday, October 15th, at 7 PM.
- E-waste event sponsored by the City of Norman at Reeves Park on Saturday, October 23rd, from 9 AM to noon.
- Launch of the first National Fitness Court at Francis Cape Park on Friday, October 15th, at 3 PM.
- Ward 6 big trash pickup day is Saturday, October 23rd.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting will be next Thursday at 4 PM at City Hall.
- Ward 7 trash pickup for Wednesday service will be this Saturday.
- Ribbon cuttings at Ruby Grant Park on Monday, October 18th: 5:30 PM for youth football fields and 6:30 PM for the 'Gems' public art installation.
- Pilot project for reverse angled parking has been introduced on one block of James Garner Boulevard.
- Brewtoberfest at Lazy Circles on Friday, October 15th.
- OU Homecoming is Saturday, October 16th.
- Crop Walk at Andrews Park on Sunday, October 17th, at 1:30 PM.
- Red Dirt Sunday at Legacy Park on Sunday, October 17th, at 2 PM.
- Last Move with the Mayor event for 2021 will be tennis at Westwood on Saturday, October 23rd, at 10 AM.
Agenda Summary
City of Norman Transit Update
Presentation and discussion regarding mass transit and microtransit services, including current operations, the long-range Go Norman Transit Plan, and potential pilot programs for on-demand paratransit and microtransit zones.
Approval of Minutes
Consideration of approval for City Council, Community Planning and Transportation Committee, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes from various dates.
Proclamation 2122-8
A proclamation of the Mayor proclaiming October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Norman.
Consent Docket (Items 3-24, excluding 11)
Approval of multiple routine agenda items including rezoning ordinances, waivers, certificates of survey, site development plans, contract amendments, change orders, and resolutions.
Item 11: Donation of GrayKey Digital Forensic Tool
Consideration of accepting a donation of a GrayKey digital forensic tool and one-year service license from Operation Underground Railroad for use by the police department in child exploitation investigations.
Ordinance 2122-17
Amending section 10-204 to exempt registered community resource refrigerators and adding sections 13-3601-13-3606 regarding definitions, permit requirements, location, safety, and posting requirements for community resource refrigerators.
Ordinance 2122-20
Adopting and ratifying the assessment roll for the University North Park Business Improvement District, establishing payment terms, and fixing penalties for delinquent payments.
Resolution 2021-115
Removing property located half mile south of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of Jenkins Avenue and extending southeast to 12th Avenue Southeast from future urban service area designation to current urban service area designation (Eagle Cliff West development).
Ordinance 2021-44
Rezoning property located half mile south of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of Jenkins Avenue and extending southeast to 12th Avenue Southeast from A2 Rural Agricultural District to R1 Single Family Dwelling District and from A1 General Agricultural District to R1 Single Family Dwelling District (Eagle Cliff West development).
Preliminary Plat for Eagle Cliff West Edition
Consideration of a preliminary plat for approximately 41.46 acres located half mile south of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of Jenkins Avenue and extending southeast to 12th Avenue Southeast.
Contract 2122-17
Contract with Shaz Investment Group LLC authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lots in the Eagle Cliff West development for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Eagle Cliff lift station.