Meeting Summary
The City Council unanimously voted to repeal Ordinance 2021-49, effectively ending the city's COVID-19 mask mandate, citing low case numbers and updated CDC guidance. The meeting also featured a comprehensive presentation on the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget for enterprise funds, covering sanitation, water, and water reclamation services, with discussions on current rates, future projects, and potential water rate increases.
Key Decisions & Votes
Repeal of Ordinance 2021-49 (COVID-19 Mask Mandate)
33:00The City Council voted to repeal the city's mask mandate, making it effective immediately. This decision was influenced by current low COVID-19 case numbers in Oklahoma and new CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals. Private businesses and federal transportation can still require masks.
Upcoming Community Events
Movie in the Park series
Date is not yet confirmed.
Vaccine clinic at Irving Middle School (Mutual Aid Fair)
Pfizer vaccine will be available for eligible children.
Walk-in vaccine clinics (Norman location)
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM at the Cleveland County Health Department.
Walk-in vaccine clinics (Moore location)
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM at the Moore Cleveland County Health Department location.
Financial Matters
Sanitation Fund
Budget overview for FY22, including fleet replacement, landfill expenses, and recycling contractor costs. The fund balance is projected at $7.7 million.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility Construction
Major project from FY21 to be completed in FY22.
Container Maintenance Facility Construction
Major project from FY21 to be completed in FY22.
New Sanitation Facility
Major project to start in FY22.
Compost Facility Scale House
Major project to start in FY22.
Water Fund
Budget overview for FY22, including interim water purchase contract with Oklahoma City. The fund balance is projected at $3.2 million for FY22, but a negative $13 million for FY23 due to construction timing.
Interim Water Purchase Contract with Oklahoma City
Cost for 1 million gallons per day take or pay, with a 4.7% increase from 2021.
Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMCD)
Norman's budgeted share for the replacement of a raw water line in Lake Thunderbird.
Fleet Replacement (Water Fund)
Purchases for water treatment and line maintenance.
Robinson Water Line Phase 2
Completed project from Brookhaven Creek to water tower.
Robinson Water Line Phase 4
Completed project from 24th Northeast to water treatment plant.
Segment D 24-inch Water Line Phase 5
Completed project from Timberdale to Chautauqua Jenkins and Jenkins from Timberdale to Constitution.
Parsons Water Line West of Campus
Completed project.
Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant Improvements
Completed project including UV disinfection, ozone treatment, and a new chemical building.
Backwash Tower Rehabilitation
Completed project.
FY15 Water Well Supply Lines
Project from FY21 to be completed in FY22.
Robinson Water Line Phase 3
Project from FY21 to be completed in FY22, from 24th Northwest to Flood.
Gray and Tonhawa Street Water Line Replacement
Project from FY21 to be completed in FY22.
Interstate Drive Water Line Replacement
Major new water project for FY21-22.
Water Line Replacement Flood Robinson to Venture
Major new water project for FY21-22.
James Garner Water Line Replacement (Library to Robinson)
Collaboration with Public Works.
James Garner Water Line Replacement (Main to Duffy)
Collaboration with Public Works.
Porter Water Line Replacement
Collaboration with Public Works.
Jensen Jenkins Water Line Replacement
Major new water project for FY21-22.
Urban Water Line Replacements and Fire Hydrant Valve Upgrades
Annually completed by line maintenance crews.
South Lake Edition Waterline Replacement
Major new water project for FY21-22.
Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)
Initial phase for smart meters, requiring an additional $17 million in later years.
Well Field Blending
Solution for DEQ chlorination requirement, requiring an additional $16 million in FY23.
Corrosion Control Study
To ensure compliance with current industry standards under the lead copper rule.
Cybersecurity (Water Fund)
Related to the American Water Infrastructure Act.
Water Tower Coating
Related to the American Water Infrastructure Act.
Line Maintenance Building
Delayed to FY23, split equally between the Water Fund and Water Reclamation Fund.
Flood Avenue Water Line Grade of Robinson
Future project, delayed from FY21 to FY25.
Annual Water Line Replacement Program
Delayed from FY21 to FY26.
Robinson 30-inch Water Line (24th Northeast to Flood)
Delayed from FY21 to FY23.
Alameda 24-inch Water Line (24th Northeast to Carter)
Delayed from FY23 to FY25.
Hall Park Waterline Replacements
Delayed from FY21 to FY24.
Southeast Norman Water Tower
Delayed from FY23 to FY27.
Water Reclamation Fund
Budget overview for FY22. The ending fund balance is projected at $892,000 for FY21 and $45,919 for FY22.
Centrifuge Replacement Project
Major project from FY21 carried into FY22.
Reused Pilot Study Project
Major project from FY21 carried into FY22.
Storage Building (Water Reclamation)
Deferred to FY23.
Main Control Building Renovation with Laboratory
Deferred to FY23.
Sewer Maintenance Fund
Revenue from a $5/month sewer maintenance rate and a $0.50/month capital improvement charge, funding pay-as-you-go projects.
Bishop Inner Center Interceptor Replacement (Sewer Maintenance Fund)
Project in FY21-22, with additional funding from the Sewer Development Fund.
Brookhaven Creek Interceptor (Sewer Maintenance Fund)
Project in FY21-22.
Sewer Maintenance Project 17
Project currently in construction.
Sewer Maintenance Project 18
Project currently in construction.
Sewer Maintenance Project 19
Project currently in construction.
New Development Excise Tax Fund
Revenue from new construction building permits, projected at $1.4 million for FY22 ($1.1 million residential, $300,000 commercial).
Summit Valley Interceptor
Project for FY22, with additional funding from the Water Reclamation Fund.
Bishop Inner Center Interceptor Replacement (New Development Excise Tax Fund)
Project for FY22, with additional funding from the Sewer Maintenance Fund.
Brookhaven Creek Interceptor (New Development Excise Tax Fund)
Project for FY22, with additional funding from the Sewer Maintenance Fund.
Future Southeast Lift Station
Project for FY22.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Decision on Norman Public Schools' mask policy for summer school (May 24th)
- First reading for proposed water rate increase (October 2021)
- Water rate increase to be placed on the ballot (November 2021)
Watch For
- Substantial revisions to the University of Oklahoma's COVID-19 mitigation strategies (very near future)
- A Memorandum of Understanding with Johnson Controls regarding an incinerator for energy use (next handful of weeks)
- Exploration of options for more frequent bulk trash pickup (e.g., quarterly) and alternative collection methods.
- Analysis of feasibility and cost for weekly residential recycling or providing a second recycling bin option.
- Investigation into the possibility and cost of implementing commercial recycling services.
- Further information and discussion regarding the firm yield of Lake Thunderbird and strategies to secure the city's water supply.
- A detailed proposal for a water rate increase to fund critical infrastructure projects, including a disinfection plant, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and water pipe replacements.
Announcements
- Dr. Bratzler was thanked for his invaluable medical guidance throughout the pandemic, with recognition that Norman's restrictions significantly impacted case reduction.
- The City Council was thanked for their unanimous support in making difficult decisions during the pandemic.
- City Attorney Catherine Walker clarified that private businesses can still require masks and federal mandates for public transportation remain in effect.
- The city plans to collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce to disseminate updated guidelines to local businesses.
- Dr. Cook, a pediatrician and member of the Norman Public Schools Health Task Force, affirmed the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 12-16.
- Jackie Knack from the Cleveland County Health Department reported Norman's vaccination rates: approximately 40% of residents aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, and about 80% of the 65+ population in Norman is fully vaccinated.
- The Cleveland County Health Department is offering 'strike teams' for pop-up vaccine clinics, and interested groups can contact the department to schedule one.
- Norman Regional Health System is currently reporting single-digit COVID-19 patient numbers, and COVID-19 is no longer the most prevalent virus at the hospital.
- Dr. Cook emphasized the importance of vaccinating children to protect them from severe outcomes like Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and to contribute to community immunity.
- The city's website will be updated with current COVID-19 information and a frequently asked questions section to assist residents during this transition.
Agenda Summary
Ordinance 2021-49: Repealing Article 11 COVID-19 Pandemic of Chapter 10 of the Code of the City of Norman
An ordinance repealing the city's mask mandate and related capacity limitations, eliminating a reference in section 15-506, declaring an emergency, and providing for the severability thereof.
Discussion regarding the proposed FY22 City of Norman Budget Enterprise Funds
Presentation and discussion of the fiscal year 2022 budget for sanitation, water, and water reclamation funds, including current rates, major projects, and future financial needs.