Meeting Summary
The City Council received an update from the Charter Revision Committee on various proposed changes, including council stipends, term limits, and the City Attorney's role. A significant decision was the appointment of Joe Carter to fill the Ward 2 council vacancy. The Council also rejected a federal grant for the Police Department intended for crowd control equipment, citing concerns about militarization and community relations.
Key Decisions & Votes
Ward 2 Council Vacancy
01:06:50Joe Carter was appointed to fill the vacant Ward 2 council seat by a 7-1 vote, following discussion about his past attendance and the need for immediate representation.
Justice Assistance Grant for NPD
02:40:00The City Council rejected a $26,222.56 federal grant for the Norman Police Department intended for crowd control equipment, software, and audiovisual upgrades, citing concerns about militarization, public trust, and federal strings attached to the grant.
Upcoming Community Events
Paint The Town Pink Day
An initiative by Norman Regional Health Systems to raise awareness of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment; encourages wearing pink and supports cancer patients.
Ward 8 Cleanup
Located at Saxon Park (off Highway 9 and 36 East) from 1 PM to 2 PM.
Financial Matters
Quality Jobs Incentive to Norman Economic Development Coalition (NADC)
Consideration of payment of quality jobs incentive to NADC in accordance with contract 1314-106, related to Emy's job creation under a Tiff development agreement. The incentive is paid for new jobs above a 2013 baseline and is capped at $770,000 over 10 years.
Bid and contract with Precision Concrete Cutting of Oklahoma LLC
For the FYE 2021 sidewalk horizontal saw cutting project.
Bid and contract with Flintco LLC
For the North Base Complex Project Phase One, including transit and parks maintenance facilities.
Bid and contract with Webb Construction Incorporated
For the urban asphalt pavement rehabilitation Capital Improvement Project Number One FYE 2021.
Contract with Enterprise Fleet Management
For the purchase of two 2020 Ford F-150 trucks.
Final acceptance and final payment of contract 1920-9 with Streets LLC
For the emergency replacement of the heating and air conditioning system at the Animal Welfare Center.
Change order number two to the contract with SilverStar Construction Company Incorporated
For the urban asphalt pavement rehabilitation Capital Improvement Project Number One FYE 2017 through 2019 and final acceptance of the project.
Change order number one to the contract with SilverStar Construction Company Incorporated
For the urban asphalt pavement rehabilitation Capital Improvement Project Number Two FYE 2017 through 2019 and final acceptance of the project.
Change order number one to the contract with Rudy Construction Company
For the alley reconstruction project Macy Street to Imhoff Street and final acceptance of the project.
Contract with Freese and Nichols Incorporated
For the Lake Thunderbird total maximum daily load (TMDL) monitoring data analysis and compliance and monitoring plan update.
Contract 2021-25 with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
For five-in-one billing payable on or after November 1, 2020, for urban public mass transportation services.
Contract with the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
For the collection of traffic data.
Year-end closeout resolution
Appropriating $1,943,392 from Federal Transit Administration Grant Revenue, $2,284.35 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund Disaster Recovery Grant revenue, and $335 from the sewer maintenance fund balance to close out year-end accounting entries for FYE 2020.
Resolution appropriating funds for year three of the Axon Technology Assurance Plan
Appropriating $27,600 from the seizure fund balance to provide funding for year three of the Axon Technology Assurance Plan (taser replacement).
Justice Assistance Grant for NPD
Grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for personal protective equipment for crowd management, web-based analytical software, and audiovisual upgrades for the Norman Police Department.
Public Comments
Public comments overwhelmingly opposed the acceptance of the federal grant for the police department. Concerns included the potential for police militarization, the impact on police-community relations, the perceived lack of necessity given Norman's history of peaceful protests, and the strings attached to federal funding (e.g., DHS/ICE cooperation). Some comments supported police preparedness and officer safety, and concerns about election day safety were also raised.
Coming Up
Tabled
- Charter Revision Committee items for further discussion at the upcoming Council Retreat.
Deadlines
- Election Day on November 3rd, including early voting days.
Watch For
- Council Retreat discussions on priorities, including the internal auditor position, use of seizure funds, Norman Regional Hospital board membership, TIFs, ethics ordinance, and utility rate elections.
- Further clarification on the exact policy for public speakers regarding name and address disclosure.
- Potential future budget items for police department audiovisual updates and software.
Announcements
- City Council will return to City Hall for in-person meetings in mid-November.
- Mitch Baroff was appointed as an alternate member of the Center City Form-Based Code Review Committee.
- The next Ward 8 cleanup event is scheduled for October 25th at Saxon Park from 1 PM to 2 PM.
- The recycling drop-off center, previously at the county fairgrounds, has temporarily moved to the Westwood complex.
- Restaurants can apply for a temporary outdoor expansion permit to utilize sidewalks and parking for expanded seating areas.
- An appeal was made for poll workers for the upcoming election, with training and compensation provided.
- Oklahoma has laws against electioneering and poll monitoring to ensure voter safety.
Agenda Summary
Charter Revision Committee Report
Presentation by Bob Thompson on the Charter Revision Committee's second quarterly update, covering proposed changes to council stipends, cell phone reimbursement, term limits, ward residency, resignation upon filing for other office, partisan elections, filling vacancies, City Attorney appointment/removal, City Auditor, ethics ordinance consequences, utility rate elections, Community Bill of Rights, Norman Regional Hospital Authority board membership, TIF voter requirements, Open Meetings Act loopholes, executive session restrictions, and ward boundary creation.
Nomination and appointment of Joe Carter to fill the council vacancy in Ward 2
Discussion and vote on appointing Joe Carter to the vacant Ward 2 council seat.
Approval of city council special session minutes of September 22nd 2020 and city council Norman Utilities Authority Norman Municipal Authority and Norman tax increment Finance Authority minutes of September 22nd 2020
Approval of previous meeting minutes.
Proclamation 2021-22 October 20th 2020 as Paint The Town Pink day
Proclamation recognizing October 20, 2020, as Paint The Town Pink Day to raise cancer awareness.
Proclamation 2021-28 proclaiming October 2020 as Code Compliance month
Proclamation recognizing October 2020 as Code Compliance Month.
Consent Docket (Items 9-38)
Approval of routine agenda items including resolutions, ordinances, contracts, plats, and financial matters.
Public hearing regarding acceptance of a grant in the amount of $26,222.56 to be used by the Norman Police Department for purchasing crowd control equipment, software, and audiovisual equipment
Public hearing and vote on accepting a federal Justice Assistance Grant for the Norman Police Department.