Meeting Summary
The City Council approved several key items, including a special use permit for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house redevelopment and an amendment to direct historic district appeals to the Board of Adjustment. Numerous proclamations were acknowledged, recognizing various awareness months and community efforts. Public comments primarily focused on advocating for the use of federal COVID relief funds to establish municipal broadband internet.
Key Decisions & Votes
Approval of Minutes
02:00Minutes from several past meetings (September 2020, January 2021, March 2021) were approved unanimously.
2021 Human Rights Award
29:50Resolution 2021-106 was adopted, awarding the 2021 City of Norman Human Rights Award to K Ham for her long-standing service and dedication to human rights and equality in the community.
Consent Docket Approval
1:15:30Items 13-33 (excluding 32, which was withdrawn) on the consent docket were approved unanimously, covering various contracts, reports, easements, and appropriations.
Monterey Edition Preliminary Plat
1:37:00The preliminary plat for the Monterey Edition (Phase 3) was approved. This is a reissuance of an expired plat, with considerations for an active oil well on site including a 125-foot setback and fencing.
Special Use Permit for Alpha Chi Omega House
1:59:00Ordinance 2021-30 was adopted on second reading, granting a special use permit for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house at 1115 College Avenue. This allows for the construction of a new 3-story, 87-bed facility, with stormwater detention and specific tree preservation/replacement plans.
Special Use Permit for Alpha Chi Omega House (Final Reading)
2:00:00Ordinance 2021-30 was adopted on final reading, granting a special use permit for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house at 1115 College Avenue.
Historic District Appeals Process Amendment
2:13:00Ordinance 2021-31 was adopted on second reading, amending the zoning ordinance to direct historic district appeals first to the Board of Adjustment, a change mandated by a district court ruling.
Historic District Appeals Process Amendment (Final Reading)
2:14:00Ordinance 2021-31 was adopted on final reading, amending the zoning ordinance to direct historic district appeals first to the Board of Adjustment.
Upcoming Community Events
Bishop Creek Watershed 12th Avenue Southeast Cleanup
1 PM to 3 PM, meet at the west end of Colonial State shopping center.
Earth Day Park Cleanup
Check Norman Parks and Recreation Facebook page for details.
Drive-in Movie: Trolls World Tour
Check Norman Parks and Recreation Facebook page for details.
Ruby Grant Park Cleanup
Sign-up link on social media or email Councilmember Peacock for info.
Wood Creek Cleanup
1 PM to 3 PM.
Move with the Mayor
9 AM at Saxon Park off Highway 9.
Norman Police Department Conversation on Asian Community Safety
Zoom meeting, check NPD Facebook page for registration.
Rain Barrel Pickup
BACA Discussion on Neighborhood Alliance
Tune in to the committee meeting.
Financial Matters
Certified Local Governments Program Application
Application for funding to the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office.
Donations for Animal Welfare Center
Acceptance of donations from citizens and memorials.
Municipal Complex Renovation Project Amendment
Amendment to contract increasing amount for Development Center construction.
Ruby Grant Park Parking Lot Appropriation
Appropriation from Community Parkland Fund for parking lot construction.
Ruby Grant Park Parking Lot Appropriation (Room Tax)
Appropriation from Room Tax Fund for parking lot construction.
James Garner Avenue Project Amendment
Amendment to contract increasing amount for professional engineering design services.
Legacy Park and University North Park Maintenance Appropriation
Appropriation from Tax Increment Finance Fund for various maintenance repairs.
Public Comments
Five citizens spoke during miscellaneous discussion. Three speakers advocated for the city to use federal COVID relief funds to develop municipal fiber optic internet, emphasizing its importance for bridging the digital divide, emergency preparedness, accessibility for vulnerable populations, and economic benefits. One citizen requested police assistance in recovering stolen sentimental jewelry and medicine.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Item 32: Discussion and possible action regarding the Ward 2 City Council vacancy (withdrawn due to state preemption on election timing).
Deadlines
- Absentee ballot request deadline: Tuesday, March 30th at 5 PM.
- Rain barrel order deadline: End of this week.
Watch For
- Results of the traffic study for Cedar Lane and 36th stop signs (expected in about a week).
- Neighborhood meetings and cleanups for Southridge and Morningside/Ponca neighborhoods.
- Public meetings for Historic District Guidelines review on April 12th and April 19th.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4 PM.
- Updates on 2019 road bond projects (Jenkins Ave from Lindsay to Constitution, Constitution Ave from Jenkins to railroad tracks).
Announcements
- Street maintenance bond election on April 6th, with an interactive map of projects available on the city website.
- All Oklahomans eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting March 29th.
- Councilmember Biermann's last meeting will be the second meeting in April.
- Swearing-in of Councilmember-elect Studly will be at the first meeting in May.
- Bishop Creek Watershed 12th Avenue Southeast cleanup on March 27th from 1 PM to 3 PM, meeting at the west end of Colonial State shopping center.
- Neighborhood meetings and cleanups are being scheduled for Southridge and Morningside/Ponca neighborhoods.
- Historic District Guidelines public meetings tentatively scheduled for April 12th and April 19th (time and location TBD).
- Absentee ballot request deadline is Tuesday, March 30th at 5 PM (must be notarized).
- Earth Day park cleanup and a drive-in movie (Trolls World Tour) are planned for April; check Norman Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
- Big trash pickup will occur in April; dates listed on the city's Facebook page based on regular trash pickup days.
- Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday at 4 PM will provide updates on public transit and 2019 road bond projects (Jenkins Ave, Constitution Ave).
- Ruby Grant Park cleanup on April 10th.
- Wood Creek cleanup this Sunday from 1 PM to 3 PM.
- Move with the Mayor event at Saxon Park on Saturday at 9 AM.
- Norman Police Department hosting a Zoom conversation on safety issues for the Asian community; check NPD Facebook page for registration.
- Rain barrel orders can be placed by the end of the week, with pickup on April 2nd and 3rd.
- A Bloomberg Harvard US City Leadership Program summer fellow will assist Cynthia Allen, Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, in establishing the new position.
Agenda Summary
Approval of Special Session Minutes
Approval of various special session and authority minutes from September 2020, January 2021, and March 2021.
Resolution 2021-106
Awarding the 2021 City of Norman Human Rights Award to K Ham for exceptional achievement and leadership in promoting human rights and equality.
Proclamation: National Volunteer Month
Proclaiming April 2021 as National Volunteer Month, recognizing volunteers' contributions.
Proclamation: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month
Proclaiming April 2021 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, urging citizens to improve quality of life for children and families.
Proclamation: Earth Day and Green Norman Eco Month
Proclaiming April 22, 2021 as Earth Day and April 2021 as Green Norman Eco Month, encouraging environmental awareness and participation in events.
Proclamation: Arbor Day
Proclaiming April 30, 2021 as Arbor Day, encouraging tree planting and recognizing environmental benefits.
Proclamation: Fair Housing Month
Proclaiming April 2021 as Fair Housing Month, reaffirming commitment to equal housing opportunity for all citizens.
Proclamation: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
Proclaiming April 2021 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and April 2, 2021 as World Autism Day, to increase understanding and acceptance.
Item 13: Ordinance 2021-41 (First Reading)
Amending Chapter 10 of the City Code to prohibit smoking of marijuana and marijuana vaping in certain public places and deleting sections concerning prevention of youth access to tobacco for internal code consistency.
Item 14: Finance Investments Reports
Submission of the finance investments reports as of February 28, 2021.
Item 15: Monthly Departmental Reports
Submission of the monthly departmental reports for the month of February 2021.
Item 16: City Manager's Contract and Change Order Report
Submission of the City Manager's contract and change order report.
Item 17: Vehicle and Equipment Parts Management Contract
Request for proposal from NAPA Auto Parts Integrated Business Solutions to provide vehicle and equipment parts management and supply services and approval of Contract 2021-101.
Item 18: Purchase of Water Meter Components
Bid for the purchase of copper meter yokes for water meters, high density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) meter boxes with cast iron lids, and water line repair clamps for the Line Maintenance Division.
Item 19: Easement 2021-25
Acceptance of a permanent off-site sanitary sewer easement donated by Kent Connolly to serve the Artisan Crossing Edition, a planned unit development located north of Tecumseh Road and west of 12th Avenue Northwest.
Item 20: Easement 2021-75
Granting to the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative for installation of underground facilities for a new water well located in Falls Lakeview Park.
Item 21: Exchange of Title to Real Property
Exchange of title to real property by deed between the City of Norman and Highway 9 Land Company to correct a conveyance of inaccurately identified land and convey the correct and complete parkland grant for the Summit Valley Park site.
Item 22: Certified Local Governments Program Application
Submission of the Certified Local Governments Program 2020-2021 application for funding to the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office.
Item 23: Acceptance of Donations
Acceptance of donations from citizens and memorials to be used at the Norman Animal Welfare Center.
Item 24: Ruby Grant Park Development Project Final Acceptance
Final acceptance and final payment of Contract 1718-117 with Crossland Construction Company for the Norman Forward Ruby Grant Park Development Project Phase One.
Item 25: Municipal Complex Renovation Project Amendment
Amendment Number One to Contract 1920-130 with Crossland Construction Company Incorporated increasing the contract amount to provide for the guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the Development Center portion of the Municipal Complex Renovation Project.
Item 26: Grant Application for Low/No Emission Vehicle Program
Resolution 2021-103 authorizing the City Manager or his designee to submit a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration's Fiscal Year 2021 Low or No Emission Vehicle Program and expressing its commitment to secure funding for the local match if such grant is awarded and project approved.
Item 27: Ruby Grant Park Parking Lot Appropriation
Resolution 2021-105 appropriating funds from the Community Parkland Fund balance and Room Tax Fund balance to be used for construction of a parking lot at Ruby Grant Park.
Item 28: Contract Assignment (Cabinet Engineering to Garver LLC)
Resolution 2021-109 assigning Contract 1617-1 with Cabinets Engineering LLC to Garver LLC and transferring assignment of all rights and duties as consultant under Contract 1617-105 to Garver LLC.
Item 29: Contract Assignment (Cabinet Engineering to Garver LLC)
Resolution 2021-110 assigning Contracts 1819-87 and 2021-96 with Cabinets Engineering LLC to Garver LLC and transferring assignment of all rights and duties as engineer under Contracts 1819-87 and 2021-96 to Garver LLC.
Item 30: James Garner Avenue Project Amendment
Amendment Number Two to Contract 1617-105 with Cabinet Engineering LLC increasing the contract amount to provide additional professional engineering design services for the James Garner Avenue project from Acre Street to Flood Avenue.
Item 31: Legacy Park and University North Park Maintenance Appropriation
Resolution 2021-112 appropriating funds from the Tax Increment Finance Fund balance to fund various maintenance repairs at Legacy Park and University North Park.
Item 33: Contract Assignment (Cabinet Engineering to Garver LLC)
Resolution 2021-108 assigning Contract 1213-160 and 1213-165 with Cabinets Engineering LLC to Garver LLC and assigning all rights and duties as consultant under the contracts to Garver LLC.
Item 34: Preliminary Plat for Monterey Edition
Approval of a preliminary plat for the Monterey Edition, generally located one quarter miles south of Cedar Lane Road east of 12th Avenue Southeast, which is a reissuance of an expired plat for Phase 3.
Item 35: Ordinance 2021-30
Granting special use for a fraternity or sorority house for property located at 1115 College Avenue (Alpha Chi Omega), involving demolition of existing structure and construction of a new 3-story, 87-bed facility.
Item 36: Ordinance 2021-31
Amending the zoning ordinance to direct historic district appeals to the Board of Adjustment, following a court directive.