Meeting Summary
The City Council approved a $500,000 vaccine incentive program, including funds for vaccination pods, at-home services, and incentives for city employees and residents. Emergency repairs for the Imhoff Creek Bridge were approved, reallocating over $1.4 million from other capital projects. Several zoning and financial items were approved via the consent docket, and four development-related items were postponed to October 12th for further negotiation.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
00:26City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes from various dates were approved unanimously.
Proclamations
00:27Proclamations for Pain Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Constitution Week were acknowledged unanimously.
Consent Docket (Items 5-22)
00:41A block of 18 routine agenda items, including ordinances, contracts, grants, and financial matters, were approved unanimously.
Imhoff Creek Bridge Emergency Repair
00:42Declaration of an emergency and approval of a $1,446,950 contract for repairs to the Imhoff Creek Bridge, with funds transferred from other capital projects. This was part of the consent docket.
Vaccine Incentive Program
01:07Resolution 2122-34, appropriating $500,000 in ARPA funds for a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, was adopted. An amendment to limit funding and remove incentives failed.
Postponement of Item 24
01:49An item was postponed to October 12th at the applicant's request to allow for negotiations with neighbors and the POA.
Postponement of Item 25
01:51An item was postponed to October 12th.
Postponement of Item 26
01:52An item was postponed to October 12th.
Postponement of Item 27
01:53An item was postponed to October 12th, with a public comment suggesting re-evaluation of lift station numbers during negotiations.
Upcoming Community Events
Public Transit Ride-Alongs
Opportunity for the public to experience public transit and ask questions of Mr. Johnson.
Blessing of Foam Densifier
At University Lutheran Church, recognizing their coalition for churches caring for creation and their grant-funded machine for recycling styrofoam.
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
At City Hall, discussing public transit, ridership reports, and road construction projects.
City Bus Ride-Along with Councilmember Holman
Opportunity to discuss city matters while riding the bus.
International Parking Day
A global public participatory art project where street parking spaces are temporarily repurposed into tiny parks and places for art, play, and activism.
OU President's Inauguration
President Joseph Harroz Jr. will be inaugurated.
Tibetan Monks Sand Mandala
At St. John's Episcopal Church, a diverse and rich art creation. More information on Norman Cultural Connection's Facebook page.
Clash for a Cause Softball Tournament
Norman Fire Department won, raising $22,000 for CCFI.
Play in the Park Event
At Ruby Grant Park, hosted by Parks and Recreation Department.
Play in the Park Event
At Colonial Estates, hosted by Parks and Recreation Department.
Financial Matters
Workers Compensation Insurance
City's application for permission to carry its own risk without workers compensation insurance.
Special Claims by Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
Expenses incurred at the Cleveland County Detention Center.
Quality Jobs Incentive to Norman Economic Development Coalition
Payment in accordance with development agreement.
Donation from Armstrong Bank
To be used for the Norman Police Department's National Night Out event.
Change Order Number 4 to Contract 1920-46 with Cimarron Construction Company LLC
Decreasing the contract amount for the Gray Street and Tonoa Street Water Line Replacement Project.
Final Payment for Gray Street and Tonoa Street Water Line Replacement Project
Final payment to Cimarron Construction Company LLC.
Change Order Number 2 to Contract 1920-123 with Jordan Contractors Incorporated
Increasing the contract amount for the FYE 2017 Sewer Maintenance Project Phase 2.
Final Payment for FYE 2017 Sewer Maintenance Project Phase 2
Final payment to Jordan Contractors Incorporated.
Grant from United States Bureau of Reclamation
To conduct a pilot study of treatment process to confirm feasibility of indirect potable reuse.
Contract 2122-24 with Southwest Water Works LLC
For the Flood Avenue Water Line Replacement Project.
Contract 2122-42 with Cardinal Engineering
For the McCullough Street Reconstruction Project.
Contract 2122-49 with ADGPC
For the development of the Public Works and Utilities Facilities Master Plan.
2020 Continuum of Care Planning Grant
From the Department of Housing and Urban Development for coordination of activities related to homelessness.
Community Block Grant COVID-19 Award
From the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
Amendment Number 1 to Contract 2021-97 with GE Johnson Construction Company
Increasing the contract amount for construction management at-risk services for the Youth Young Family Athletic Center.
Emergency Repairs to Imhoff Creek Bridge
Total contract amount for emergency repairs.
Vaccine Incentive Program
Appropriation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for COVID-19 vaccinations and incentives.
Public Comments
Public comments covered a range of topics including the vaccine incentive program, community refrigerators, senior center fees, municipal power, and water infrastructure. Regarding the vaccine program, some expressed opposition to using taxpayer funds for incentives, citing studies on their ineffectiveness and advocating for alternative uses of funds like bridge repair or homeless services. Others supported the program, emphasizing the need for increased access, particularly for homebound individuals, and the economic benefit to local businesses through gift cards. There was also a call for quick implementation of community refrigerator policies and a suggestion to measure electricity use by marijuana growers.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Items 24, 25, 26, and 27 were postponed to October 12th.
Deadlines
- Vaccine incentive program to end by November 30th.
Watch For
- Discussion on bridge infrastructure funding as part of the 2023 capital budget.
- Future legislation regarding medical marijuana regulations.
Announcements
- Councilmember Hall announced public transit ride-alongs continuing through September on Fridays and recognized University Lutheran Church for their foam densifier grant and volunteer efforts.
- Councilmember Forman announced his re-election bid and plans for a ward meeting in the fall.
- Councilmember Holman reminded about the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting next Thursday at 4 PM, his city bus ride-along this Friday, and encouraged shopping at local businesses.
- Councilmember Peacock highlighted International Parking Day on September 17th.
- Mayor Clark congratulated OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. on his inauguration, encouraged visiting the Tibetan monks' sand mandala at St. John's Episcopal Church, congratulated the Norman Fire Department for winning the Clash for a Cause softball tournament, and announced upcoming Parks and Recreation Play in the Park events on September 19th and 26th.
- City Manager Darrell Pyle recognized Finance Director Anthony Francisco as the Municipal Clerk Treasurer or Finance Official Member of the Year and Mayor Brea Clark as Mayor of the Year for cities over 5,000 in population for 2020.
Agenda Summary
Approval of Minutes
Approval of City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes from various dates in February, March, April, June, July, and August 2021.
Item 2: Proclamation of Pain Awareness Month
A proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the month of September 2021 as Pain Awareness Month.
Item 3: Proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month
A proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the month of September 2021 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
Item 4: Proclamation of Constitution Week
A proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the week of September 17 through 23, 2021, as Constitution Week.
Item 5: Ordinance 2122-1
Upon first reading by title, closing a portion of a 17-foot utility easement located within Lock One, Block One, TSTB Edition, Section 1, 601 12th Avenue Northeast.
Item 6: Ordinance 2122-19
Upon first reading by title, amending Chapter 20 of the City Code to prohibit head-in parking in spaces reserved for reverse angle back-end parking.
Item 7: Ordinance 2122-16
Upon first reading by title, amending Chapter 13 and Chapter 22 in the zoning ordinance to add permitted and special uses for medical marijuana waste facilities and to implement changes and resolve inconsistencies resulting from 2021 state law updates regarding medical marijuana.
Item 8: Workers Compensation Insurance Application
Consideration of the city's application for permission to carry its own risk without workers compensation insurance.
Item 9: Special Claims by Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
Special claims submitted by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office for expenses incurred at the Cleveland County Detention Center on July 3, 2021.
Item 10: Quality Jobs Incentive Payment
Payment of quality jobs incentive to the Norman Economic Development Coalition in accordance with Contract 1314-106 University North Park Tax Increment Finance District Number Two Development Agreement Number Six as amended.
Item 11: Acceptance of Donation from Armstrong Bank
Acceptance of a donation from Armstrong Bank to be used to purchase services and items for the Norman Police Department's National Night Out event and budget appropriation.
Item 12: Easement 2122-15 to OG&E
Easement to the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company relating to the construction of the Norman Parks Maintenance Facility and Transit Maintenance Facility buildings located at the North Base Complex.
Item 13: Change Order Number 4 to Contract 1920-46
Change order with Cimarron Construction Company LLC decreasing the contract amount, adding calendar days, and final acceptance and payment for the Gray Street and Tonoa Street Water Line Replacement Project.
Item 14: Change Order Number 2 to Contract 1920-123
Change order with Jordan Contractors Incorporated increasing the contract amount, adding calendar days, and final acceptance and payment for the FYE 2017 Sewer Maintenance Project Phase 2.
Item 15: Contract 2122-15 with US Bureau of Reclamation
Accepting a grant to conduct a pilot study of treatment process to confirm feasibility of indirect potable reuse.
Item 16: Contract 2122-24 with Southwest Water Works LLC
Contract and associated bonds for the Flood Avenue Water Line Replacement Project and budget transfer.
Item 17: Contract 2122-42 with Cardinal Engineering
Contract for the McCullough Street Reconstruction Project and budget transfer.
Item 18: Contract 2122-49 with ADGPC
Contract for the development of the Public Works and Utilities Facilities Master Plan and budget appropriation.
Item 19: 2020 Continuum of Care Planning Grant
Consideration of a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be used for the coordination of activities related to homelessness, approval of Contract 2122-50 and budget appropriation.
Item 20: Community Block Grant COVID-19 Award
Consideration of a CDBG COVID-19 award from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus, approval of Contract 2122-57 and budget appropriation.
Item 21: Amendment Number 1 to Contract 2021-97
Amendment with GE Johnson Construction Company increasing the contract amount for construction management at-risk services to provide earthwork, site clearing, mass excavation, and construction contingency for the Youth Young Family Athletic Center.
Item 22: Emergency Repairs to Imhoff Creek Bridge
Declaration of an emergency for emergency repairs to the Imhoff Creek Bridge and approval of Contract 2122-59 with Haskell Lemon Construction Company, adoption of a resolution granting tax-exempt status and budget transfers and appropriation.
Item 23: Resolution 2122-34 - Vaccine Incentive Program
Appropriating $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds of 2021 from the special grants fund balance to be used for COVID-19 vaccinations, including pods, at-home services, and incentives for employees and residents.
Item 24: Postponement Request
Request for a four-week postponement of an item at the request of the applicant to allow for negotiation with neighbors and the POA.
Item 25: Postponement Request
Request for postponement of an item.
Item 26: Postponement Request
Request for postponement of an item.
Item 27: Postponement Request
Request for postponement of an item.