Meeting Summary
The City Council continued discussions on several proposed charter amendments, including term expirations, filling vacant council positions, recall elections, utility rates, and TIF provisions, with some items requiring further data and discussion. The Council adopted a resolution encouraging COVID-19 prevention measures and approved ARPA funds for the Norman Arts Council. A resolution to appropriate ARPA funds for a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program was tabled for further review of legalities and program details.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
50:00The City Council and associated authorities approved various meeting minutes from July 2020 to August 2021.
Women's Equality Day Proclamation
51:00The Mayor's proclamation designating August 26, 2021, as Women's Equality Day in Norman was adopted.
Consent Docket
1:07:00Items 3 through 20, covering various routine administrative and financial matters, were approved unanimously.
COVID-19 Prevention Guidance Resolution
1:33:00A resolution encouraging residents to follow CDC guidance for COVID-19 prevention, including mask-wearing and vaccination, and affirming businesses' right to require masks, was adopted by a 7-2 vote.
NMA Room Tax Revenue Note (Item 21)
1:37:00A resolution approving the Norman Municipal Authority's issuance of a $3,882,000 Room Tax Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2021, with an interest rate of 1.89% to RCB Bank, was adopted unanimously.
NMA Room Tax Revenue Note (Item 22)
1:38:00A companion resolution authorizing the Norman Municipal Authority to issue its Room Tax Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2021, for $3,882,000 at 1.89% interest, was adopted unanimously.
ARPA Funds for Norman Arts Council
2:09:00A resolution appropriating $100,000 of ARPA funds for the Norman Arts Council's subgrant programs was adopted unanimously.
Special Use Permit for Car Wash
2:16:00An ordinance granting a special use permit for an automobile service station and car wash in the C1 local commercial district was adopted on second and final reading by a 7-2 vote.
ARPA Funds for Vaccine Incentives
2:05:00A motion to table the resolution appropriating $500,000 of ARPA funds for a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program until September 14th was passed unanimously due to legal and logistical questions.
Upcoming Community Events
Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting
10 AM at the Little Axe Community Center, focusing on well water issues.
Embark Public Transit Ride-Along
10 AM at stop 4117 (Webster and Tonawa), Route 10, with a staff member.
Community Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting
4 PM, in this committee room.
Virtual Teen Book Club
6 PM, register on the Pioneer Library System website.
Move with the Mayor (Golf)
9 AM at Westwood, with golf pro Rick Parish providing instruction. Range balls and clubs provided upon request.
Student Resident Round Table
For students aged 6-12.
Embark Public Transit Ride-Along with Mayor Clark
Details to be announced.
Financial Matters
NUA Authorization to purchase wood grinder
Authorization to purchase one horizontal wood grinder from Roto Chopper Incorporated, utilizing a GSA contract.
Donation for Fire Station equipment
Donation from the Cleveland County Justice Authority to purchase airbags and chemical monitors for Fire Stations 5 and 6.
Donation for Fire Department cardiac monitor
Donation from the Cleveland County Justice Authority to purchase one Zol X Series cardiac monitor for the Norman Fire Department.
Change Order #2 to Contract 2021-6 (Urban Concrete Project)
Decrease in contract amount for the FYE 2021 Urban Concrete Project 2021 Locations, with final acceptance and payment.
Change Order #2 to Contract 2021-9 (Interstate Drive Reconstruction)
Decrease in contract amount for the Interstate Drive Reconstruction Project, with final acceptance and payment.
Change Order #1 to Contract 2021-77 (Water Treatment Plant Improvements)
Increase in contract amount for the Norman Water Treatment Plant 36-inch Filter Effluent Pipe Improvements Project, with final acceptance and payment.
Contract 2122-32 for custodial services
Contract with TRT Enterprises LLC to provide custodial services for the city's public transportation fleet and fleet maintenance facilities.
Change Order #1 to Contract 2021-104 (12th Avenue SE Drainage Improvements)
Decrease in contract amount for the 12th Avenue Southeast Drainage Improvements near Sawgrass Drive Project, with final acceptance.
Change Order #1 to Contract 2021-112 (12th Avenue SE Paving Improvements)
Decrease in contract amount for the 12th Avenue Southeast Paving Improvements near Sawgrass Drive Project, with final acceptance.
NMA Room Tax Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2021
Issuance of a note by the Norman Municipal Authority with an interest rate of 1.89% to RCB Bank.
ARPA money for COVID-19 vaccinations incentives
Appropriation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations, including gift cards and a lottery.
ARPA money for Norman Arts Council
Appropriation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to supplement the Norman Arts Council's subgrant programs, supporting 23 arts organizations.
Public Comments
Public comments were received on several items. Regarding the COVID-19 prevention resolution, speakers expressed both strong support for mandates and concerns about personal freedom, mask efficacy, and vaccine safety. On the vaccine incentive program, comments included opposition to using taxpayer funds for incentives, questions about legality (lottery), effectiveness of incentives, and suggestions for alternative uses of ARPA funds. For the Norman Arts Council funding, speakers generally supported the arts but some questioned the use of ARPA funds for this purpose versus other community needs like tourism or struggling businesses. Miscellaneous comments addressed public transportation in rural areas and the reliability of electricity.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Resolution 2122-34: Appropriating $500,000 of ARPA money to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations (postponed to September 14th).
Watch For
- Further discussion on charter amendments, specifically regarding recall election thresholds and utility rate adjustment mechanisms.
- Further discussion on TIF provisions, including the possibility of a supermajority council vote for approval, to be held in a future study session.
- Details and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program after further vetting of legal and logistical questions.
Announcements
- City Clerk announced election date limitations for 2022 due to redistricting: February, April, June, August, November.
- Councilmember Studly thanked city staff for moving a fire hydrant on Grace Street and encouraged residents to report issues to ward1@normanok.gov or 405-876-9170.
- Councilmember Hall thanked constituents, noted focus on streets, parking, and sidewalks, encouraged participation in Neighborhood Alliance focus groups, announced voter registration forms are available at City Hall, and promoted Embark public transit ride-alongs on Fridays in September (first one Aug 27th at 10 AM, stop 4117 Webster and Tonawa). She also recognized Dr. Carrie Evenson, Stormwater Director, for her tireless work as she departs.
- Councilmember Tortorello announced a Ward 5 town hall meeting on Saturday, August 28th, at 10 AM at the Little Axe Community Center to discuss well water issues.
- Councilmember Foreman acknowledged the one-year passing of former Councilmember David Perry.
- Councilmember Holman thanked residents in Cobblestone Creek and along Jenkins Avenue for their engagement on local projects and encouraged attendance at the Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursdays at 4 PM.
- Councilmember Peacock announced that the City of Norman has started providing live closed captioning for streaming public meetings on its official Vimeo channel.
- Mayor Clark thanked the Depot and volunteers for the Summer Breeze Concert Series, announced an Embark ride-along on Friday, September 3rd, a virtual teen book club on Thursday at 6 PM, and a 'Move with the Mayor' golf event at Westwood on Saturday at 9 AM. She also announced her first student resident round table on Monday for ages 6-12 and noted no meeting on September 7th due to the OML conference and Labor Day.
- Appointments were confirmed for the 2021-22 Youth Council, Human Rights Commission, Norman Housing Authority, Public Safety Oversight Committee, and Reapportionment Commission.
Agenda Summary
Continued discussion regarding possible charter amendments
Discussion on proposed charter amendments concerning term expirations, filling vacant council positions, recall elections, utility rates, and TIF provisions.
Item 1: Approval of minutes
Consideration of approval, rejection, amendment, and/or postponement of various City Council, NUA, NMA, and NTIF Authority minutes from July 2020 to August 2021.
Item 2: Proclamation of Women's Equality Day
A proclamation of the Mayor proclaiming Thursday, August 26, 2021, as Women's Equality Day in the City of Norman.
Items 3-20: Consent Docket
Routine agenda items including Youth Council nominations, Mayoral appointments, financial reports, NUA authorization to purchase a wood grinder, donations for fire department equipment, various contract change orders, a custodial services contract, a sidewalk accessibility project bid, a lease agreement extension, property settlement agreements, and a 911 emergency telephone fee rate resolution.
Item 25: Resolution 2122-36
Setting an expectation that residents follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including mask-wearing in public indoor spaces and vaccination, and affirming businesses' ability to require masks.
Item 21: Resolution 2122-32
Approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Norman Municipal Authority, issuing its Room Tax Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2021, and related agreements.
Item 22: Resolution 2122-33
Authorizing the Norman Municipal Authority to issue its Room Tax Revenue Note, Taxable Series 2021, in the aggregate principal amount of $3,882,000, and related agreements.
Item 23: Resolution 2122-34
Appropriating $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations.
Item 24: Resolution 2122-35
Appropriating $100,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) entitlement funds for the furtherance of the Norman Arts Council subgrant programs.
Item 26: Ordinance 2122-2
Granting a special use permit for an automobile service station and car wash in the C1 local commercial district near 36th Avenue and Rock Creek Road.