Meeting Summary
The City Council reached consensus on a revised funding strategy for the 2019 Transportation Bond projects, including a federal fund transfer to the Gray Street two-way conversion and submitting new projects for 2024. A vaccine incentive program using ARPA funds was also supported. Several land use and zoning items for the Uplands Edition were postponed for further review, while an ordinance exempting tribal nations from the transit guest room tax was adopted.
Key Decisions & Votes
Transportation Bond Funding Strategy
Consensus was reached to request the transfer of $1.7 million in federal funds from the Jenkins Avenue and Constitution Street combined project to the Gray Street two-way conversion project for 2023. Staff was also directed to submit James Garner Avenue Phase 3, Jenkins Avenue, and Constitution Street separately for 2024 federal funding. This strategy aims to leverage federal funds more effectively under new ACOG scoring metrics, injecting $1.7 million into the program for Gray Street and allowing more time for complex coordination on Jenkins Avenue.
Vaccine Incentive Program Proposal
Council reached consensus to move forward with a proposal for a vaccine incentive program using ARPA funds, including a $25,000 cash prize and $475,000 for $50 gift cards to local businesses for those getting vaccinated. The program aims to increase vaccination rates in Norman and support local businesses, with a formal council action to appropriate funds expected at the next meeting.
Consent Docket
Routine administrative and contractual items, board appointments, and grant notices were approved in a single motion.
Purchase of Electric Transit Bus
1:59:00Authorization to purchase one 35-foot electric transit bus from Gillig for $940,242, utilizing a federal grant covering 70% of the cost. This purchase will replace an aging bus in the fleet, with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing emissions, leveraging federal funds.
Justice Assistance Grant Acceptance
2:15:00Acceptance of a $26,222.56 grant from the Department of Justice, with $23,600 allocated to the Norman Police Department for a Faro 3D crime scene scanner. The scanner will enhance crime scene investigation efficiency and accuracy, providing better evidence for court proceedings.
Uplands Edition Preliminary Plat
2:19:00The preliminary plat for the Uplands Edition, located at the northwest corner of 36th Avenue Northwest and West Indian Hills Road, was approved. This item reinstates a previously approved but expired preliminary plat for a residential development.
Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan Amendment (Uplands/Eagle Cliff South)
3:00:00A resolution to amend the Norman 2025 plan to move property from the future urban service area to the current urban service area designation was postponed until September 14th to allow for further clarification on staff recommendations, address resident concerns regarding flood plain and traffic impacts, and review changes made since the Planning Commission meeting.
Zoning for Uplands/Eagle Cliff South
3:00:00An ordinance to rezone property in the Uplands/Eagle Cliff South area to R1 single-family homes was postponed until September 14th as part of a group of related land use items for further review and discussion.
Preliminary Plat for Uplands/Eagle Cliff South
3:00:00The preliminary plat for the Uplands/Eagle Cliff South development was postponed until September 14th as part of a group of related land use items for further review and discussion, specifically regarding the inclusion of detention ponds and potential impacts.
Lift Station Agreement for Uplands/Eagle Cliff South
3:00:00A lift station agreement related to the Uplands/Eagle Cliff South development was postponed until September 14th as part of a group of related land use items for further review and discussion.
Transit Guest Room Tax Exemption
3:17:00An ordinance to add an exemption from the transit guest room tax for tribal nations and clarify other exemptions was adopted on final reading. This amendment recognizes tribal nations as sovereign governments, exempting them from the tax when paid directly, and clarifies other exemptions for government and non-profit entities.
Upcoming Community Events
Second Friday Art Walk
Summer Breeze at Lions Park
Free concert
Ward 5 Town Hall
10:00 a.m. at Little Axe Community Center, discussing well water issues and county projects.
Ward 7 Neighborhood Meeting (Cobblestone Creek)
4 p.m. on Saw Grass Drive, to address specific issues.
Financial Matters
2019 Transportation Bond Program
Total program of $139 million, with $72 million from bond proceeds and anticipated $67 million in federal funds.
Porter Avenue and Acre Street Intersection Project
Project is running approximately 10% under budget.
Jenkins Avenue and Constitution Street Funding
Original anticipation of nearly $4 million in federal funding, received $1.7 million. Seeking $5 million for Jenkins and $4 million for Constitution separately in future applications.
Gray Street Two-Way Conversion
Proposed to receive $1.7 million in federal funds.
James Garner Avenue Phase 3
Proposed to receive federal funding, freeing up bond funds.
Traffic Management Center
A 2022 project, ranked for federal funding.
Indian Hills Road and I35 Interchange Match Funds
A 2028 project seeking funds to expedite ODOT improvements.
36th Avenue Northwest Raise Grant
Application submitted for a federal grant combining a half-mile bond project with 2 miles south.
Vaccine Incentive Program
Proposed $25,000 cash prize and $475,000 allocated for $50 gift cards to local businesses.
Electric Transit Bus Purchase
Total cost $940,242, with $679,500 (70%) funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant. City match is approximately $260,742.
Justice Assistance Grant
$26,222.56 total grant, with Norman's portion of $23,600 for a 3D crime scene scanner.
Amendment to NUA and Shaz Investments Group LLC Contract
Authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lots in Turtle Crossing.
Amendment to NUA and RGN Group Incorporated Contract
Extending engineering services for Wastewater flow metering equipment through August 31st, 2022.
Change Order with Web Construction Incorporated
Final payment of $16,493.99 for the 36th Avenue Northwest Phase 1 waterline relocation project.
Resolution Transferring James Garner Funds
$3,265,232 transferred from James Garner Phase 1 to James Garner Phase 2.
Resolution Accepting FTA Grant
Acceptance of $679,500 for the low or no emission vehicle program.
Transit Guest Room Tax
Current rate is 5%, generating approximately $1.3 million annually.
Public Comments
Public comments included concerns about federal grants increasing political power, support for the electric bus purchase, strong support for the police department's grant for a 3D scanner, appreciation and thanks for the tribal tax exemption, and concerns regarding traffic impacts from new developments, mosquito problems from detention ponds, and the importance of youth sports and hotel tax revenue.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan (Uplands Edition).
- Ordinance to rezone property for Uplands Edition.
- Preliminary plat for Uplands Edition.
- Lift station agreement for Uplands Edition.
Deadlines
- September 23rd: ACOG meeting to consider Gray Street funding transfer.
- August 24th: Next City Council meeting to discuss ARPA funds balance, a resolution for mask wearing, and an update from Dr. Bratzler.
- October: Anticipated report on opportunities to improve the lives of the homeless population; decision on 36th Avenue Raise Grant.
- September 14th: Postponed land use items (Uplands Edition) to be reconsidered.
- August 19th: Finance Committee meeting.
- August 19th: Norman Public Schools starts.
- August 26th: Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting.
Watch For
- Consideration of the new federal infrastructure bill and its impact on transportation and transit funding.
- Further discussions on ARPA fund allocation.
- Homeless shelter contract security.
- Completion of Mhof Road bridge construction.
- Impacts of OU student return on traffic and local businesses.
- Oversight Committee's continuing review of boards and commissions.
- Ward 5 Town Hall discussion on well water issues.
- Ward 7 neighborhood meeting on Cobblestone Creek issues.
- Updates on public transit ridership and transportation bonds at the Community Planning and Transportation Committee.
- Ongoing conversation in the Business and Community Affairs committee about vacant storefronts.
- Changes to the hotel motel tax.
- Potential for additional large prizes for the vaccine incentive program.
Announcements
- Construction has started on the Mhof Road bridge, expected to be several months ahead of schedule.
- OU student move-in is occurring this week and over the next two weeks, with classes starting August 23rd; residents are encouraged to show grace and be aware of increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Council Member Berlin announced potential absence from August 23rd to September 4th for military duty.
- The Oversight Committee will meet on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. to continue discussing the review of boards and commissions.
- Council Member Terrell's next town hall is scheduled for August 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the Little Axe Community Center, discussing well water issues and county projects.
- The website www.Normanstreets.com is available for information on street projects and public feedback.
- Council Member Holman will host a neighborhood meeting in Cobblestone Creek on Sunday at 4 p.m. on Saw Grass Drive to address specific issues.
- The Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting is on August 26th at 4 p.m. for updates on public transit and transportation bonds.
- Increased pedestrian presence is expected in Norman due to student move-in and school starting.
- Council Member Peacock encouraged watching the Business and Community Affairs meeting online for discussions on vacant storefronts.
- The Finance Committee meeting is next week, August 19th, to discuss regular updates and the hotel motel tax.
- Second Friday Art Walk is this Friday.
- Norman Public Schools starts on August 19th; drivers are urged to be cognizant of school crossing areas.
- Summer Breeze at Lions Park is on August 22nd.
- Citizens are urged to get vaccinated.
Agenda Summary
2019 Transportation Bond project conversation
Discussion on funding strategies for federal transportation dollars, including shifting funds for Gray Street and submitting new projects for 2024.
Consent Docket (Items 1-16)
Acknowledgment and approval of routine administrative items, minutes, appointments, reports, and various contracts and resolutions.
Approval of the city council special session minutes of November 17, 2020, city council special session minutes of June 22, 2021, and the city council Norman Utilities Authority Norman Municipal Authority and Norman tax increment Finance Authority minutes of July 27, 2021
Approval of past meeting minutes.
First reading ordinance to Grant special use for an automobile service station car wash in the C1 local commercial district for lot three and block one of Prairie Creek Edition Section 5 near the southwest corner of 36 Avenue Northwest and Rock Creek Road 2331 36 Avenue Northwest
Ordinance for a special use permit for an automobile service station and car wash.
The mayor's appointments to boards and commissions
Mayor's appointments to the Ada Citizens Advisory Committee, Board of Adjustment, Greenbelt Commission, Board of Parks and Commissioners, Public Arts Board, and Public Safety Oversight Committee.
Acknowledging receipt of the city manager's contract and change order report
Acknowledgment of the city manager's contract and change order report.
Notice of intent to apply for emergency Solutions Grant Corona relief 2 funding
Notice of intent to apply for $400,000 in grant funding from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for the operation of the city of Norman emergency shelter.
Consent to encroach for lot three block one smoking Oak 2 Edition 1715 smoking Oak Drive
Consent for an encroachment.
Norman rural certificate of survey for bird Acres
Certificate of survey with a variance in private road requirements and acceptance of easements located north of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of 48th Avenue Southeast.
Norman rural certificate of survey for John Dalton Ridge
Certificate of survey and acceptance of easements located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Post Oak Road in 60th Avenue Southeast.
Norman Royal certificate of survey for mhof Acres
Certificate of survey with a variance in the minimum acreage requirement for tracts 1 and 2 and acceptance of the easement.
Norman rural certificate of survey for Cottonwood Flats
Certificate of survey with variances in private road width, minimum acreage, and front building setback width, and acceptance of easements.
Amendment to the contract between the Norman Utilities Authority and Shaz Investments Group LLC
Authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lots in the Turtle Crossing development.
Amendment to the contract between the Norman Utilities Authority and RGN Group Incorporated
Extending engineering maintenance, repair, installation, and reporting services for permanent Wastewater flow metering equipment through August 31st, 2022.
Change order to the contract with Web Construction Incorporated for the 36th Avenue Northwest Phase 1 waterline relocation project
Final acceptance of the project and final payment in the amount of $16,493.99.
A contract memorandum of understanding with the Norman Regional Hospital Authority
For the development of the Porter Health Village and conveyance of property.
Resolution of the Norman Municipal Authority transferring $3,265,232 from the James Garner Phase 1 Project to be used for the James Garner Phase 2 project
Resolution transferring funds between phases of the James Garner project.
Resolution accepting the award of $679,500 through the Federal Transit administration's fiscal year 2021 low or no emission vehicle program
Resolution accepting a federal grant for a low or no emission vehicle program and authorizing application submission.
Authorization to purchase 1 35 ft electric Transit bus from Gillig
Authorization to purchase an electric transit bus for $940,242 utilizing a state contract.
Public hearing regarding acceptance of a grant for a Faro 3D crime scene scanner
Public hearing and acceptance of a $26,222.56 grant from the Department of Justice for a 3D crime scene scanner for the Norman Police Department.
The preliminary plat for the Uplands Edition
Preliminary plat for a planned unit development located at the northwest corner of 36th Avenue Northwest and West Indian Hills Road.
Resolution amending the Norman 2025 land use and transportation plan
Resolution to amend the land use plan for property near Cedar Lane Road and Jenkins Avenue, moving it from future to current urban service area designation.
Ordinance to rezone property located half mile south of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of Jenkins Avenue and extending Southeast to 12th Avenue Southeast from the A-2 rural agricultural district to the R-1 single-family residential district
Ordinance to rezone property for single-family residential use in the Uplands/Eagle Cliff South area.
Preliminary plat for Eagle Cliff West Edition
Preliminary plat for the Eagle Cliff West Edition, located half mile south of Cedar Lane Road on the east side of Jenkins Avenue.
Resolution approving a lift station agreement between the city of Norman and the Norman Utilities Authority and the applicant for the Eagle Cliff West Edition
Resolution approving a lift station agreement for the Eagle Cliff West Edition.
Ordinance to add an exemption from the transit guest room tax ordinance for tribal Nations
Ordinance amending the transit guest room tax to include an exemption for tribal nations and clarify other exemptions.