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City Council Meeting

August 26, 2020 City Council Meeting

August 26, 2020 Norman, OK
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Meeting Summary

TL;DR

The City Council discussed financial challenges for the 2019 Transportation Bond program due to changes in federal funding criteria, considering reshuffling projects to maximize federal dollars. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment and council debate regarding the postponement of a federal grant for School Resource Officers, which was ultimately postponed until no later than September 22nd. Several ordinances and resolutions related to utility line extensions and a medical marijuana processor were also adopted.

Key Decisions & Votes

SRO Grant Acceptance

1:56:45

The decision on accepting a $500,000 federal grant to hire four School Resource Officers was postponed until no later than September 22nd, 2020, to allow for full council representation and further community discussion.

Postponed

Medical Marijuana Processor Special Use Permit

2:20:40

An ordinance granting a special use permit for a medical marijuana processor at 3927 12th Avenue Northwest was adopted on second and final reading. The applicant clarified no expansion or on-site sales would occur, and they were willing to relocate if the surrounding land was developed.

Adopted

Legacy Trail Apartments Signage Amendment

2:30:45

An ordinance amending the Planned Unit Development for Legacy Trail Apartments to allow for a new electrical, halo-lit sign with a zero-foot setback was adopted on second and final reading.

Adopted

DEQ Permit Exemption for Utility Lines

2:40:40

An ordinance and two joint resolutions were adopted to establish a process for the city to obtain primacy for permitting small diameter water and sanitary sewer line extensions, eliminating the 30-60 day DEQ review period. The city also acknowledged receipt of the corresponding DEQ permits.

Adopted

Upcoming Community Events

Friday, August 28th at 2 PM

David Perry Memorial Service

Live-streamed, in-person attendance strictly limited.

September 1, 1995 (anniversary date)

iMat 25th Anniversary

Financial Matters

2019 Transportation Bond Program

Facing significant financial challenges due to changes in ACOG's federal funding criteria, potentially impacting the anticipated $67 million in federal matching funds for $72 million in bond funds.

Bid contract with EMC Services LLC for FYE 2021 sidewalk concrete project

Contract for sidewalk concrete project.

$345,100

Bid contract with SMC Utility Construction for 2015 water well lines project Phase 2

Contract for water well lines project.

$1,082,550

Temporary easement for Porter Avenue and Acre Street intersection project

Acceptance of a temporary easement.

$5,321

Temporary easement for Porter Avenue and Acre Street intersection project

Acceptance of a temporary easement.

$6,540

Temporary construction easement from North Porter Center

Acceptance of a temporary construction easement.

$8,900

Temporary construction easement from Goodman and Sons LLC

Acceptance of a temporary construction easement.

$76,800

City's application for permission to carry its own risk without Workers Compensation Insurance

Application for self-insurance.

$1,000

Grant for household hazardous waste facility and e-waste events

Acceptance of a grant to purchase equipment and hold events.

$2,317

Amendment number two to the contract with Integrity Energy Partners LLC

Amendment to investigate selling digestor biogas, with budget appropriation from Water Reclamation fund balance.

Amendment number one to the contract with TRRT Enterprises LLC (Strategic Janitorial Services)

Increasing contract amount for additional custodial services on Saturdays for public transit fleet.

$900 per month

Contract project agreement with ODOT for Robinson Street West of I35 project

City's share for the Robinson Street West of I35 project.

$1,314,000

Resolution 2021-28 appropriating funds for damaged traffic signal equipment

Appropriating funds from insurance reimbursements to repair and replace damaged traffic signal equipment or signs.

$49,565.78

Grant for School Resource Officers (SROs)

A $500,000 federal grant over 3 years to hire four SROs, requiring matching funds from the city.

$500,000

Medical marijuana processor special use permit

Applicant stated that denial of the permit would result in a loss of approximately $40,000 in income and the layoff of an employee.

Public Comments

60 citizens spoke

Public comments were primarily focused on the motion to postpone the vote on the SRO grant. Speakers were divided, with many urging an immediate vote to accept the grant for child safety and police support, citing existing SROs and the urgency of school safety. Others supported the postponement, emphasizing the need for full council representation, further community discussion on policing and racialized policing data, and concerns about the 'school-to-prison pipeline' and future funding obligations.

Support for immediate SRO grant vote for child safety Opposition to SRO grant postponement due to urgency and existing quorum Support for SRO grant postponement for full council representation Need for further discussion on policing, race, and SRO effectiveness Concerns about SROs contributing to the 'school-to-prison pipeline' Financial implications and future funding of SROs Importance of community input and data-driven decisions

Coming Up

Tabled

  • Acceptance of a $500,000 federal grant for School Resource Officers (SROs) (postponed to no later than September 22nd).

Deadlines

  • October 1st: Deadline for decision on the SRO grant acceptance.
  • September 8th: Programming resolution for bond projects to be on the agenda if Council directs staff to consider all 2019 Bond projects for federal funding.

Watch For

  • Staff will present a reconfigured 2019 Transportation bond issue projects list, showing which projects would receive federal funds and how timelines might change.
  • The James Garner project and Indian Hills I-35 exit issues are expected to be top-ranked for future federal funding.
  • A special meeting will be held on Tuesday to appoint the Ward 5 replacement and a citizen committee for Council Member Perry's replacement.
  • A State of the City speech will be delivered after the rescheduled Council retreat.
  • Continued discussion and efforts regarding citywide Wi-Fi.

Announcements

  • Condolences extended to the family of Council Member David Perry, who passed away.
  • Farewell and appreciation expressed for Kim Kamsky, Utilities Director, and Angel Lombardo, Public Works Director, upon their retirement.
  • Congratulations to Cara Joy McKee on her re-election to the District Four City Council in Tulsa.
  • Congratulations to new appointees to various city boards and commissions: Greg Burge, Lauren Schuler, Michaela Parker (Development Oversight Committee for Tiff District #2); Cody Franklin, Andrew Huet, Colin Zinc (Greenbelt Commission); Tab Alford (History District Commission); Kathy Billings, Chris Nanny, Marian Sarafi Por (Human Rights Commission); Mark Daniels (Planning Commission); Amy Buad (Tree Board).
  • A PSA was shared regarding following up on COVID-19 test results for children directly with the lab, rather than waiting for the pediatrician's office.

Agenda Summary

Discussion regarding ACOG's Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)

Presentation by Public Works Director Sean O'Leary on the ACOG Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), highlighting changes in federal funding criteria and potential financial challenges for the city's 2019 Bond program. Staff sought direction on whether to apply for federal funds for projects initially planned for local funding.

Information Only

Approval of minutes from July 28, 2020, and August 11, 2020

Approval of the city council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority minutes from previous meetings.

Approved

Resolution 2021-22 commending and extending recognition to iMat on their 25th anniversary

A resolution recognizing iMat for 25 years of providing emergency medical care to Norman citizens.

Adopted

Consent Docket (Items 6-40)

Approval of routine agenda items by one motion.

Approved

Ordinance 1920-59 upon first reading closing a portion of the alley rideway located in Block 68 original town of Norman

Ordinance to close a portion of an alley right-of-way.

Approved

Mayor's appointments of Greg Burge, Lauren Schuler, and Michaela Parker to the Development Oversight Committee for Tiff District Number Two; Cody Franklin, Andrew Huet, and Colin Zinc to the Greenbelt Commission; Tab Alford to the History District Commission; Kathy Billings, Chris Nanny, and Marian Sarafi Por to the Human Rights Commission; Mark Daniels to the Planning Commission; and Amy Buad to the Tree Board

Appointments to various city boards and commissions.

Acknowledged

Submission of the Finance Director's Investment Report as of July 31, 2020

Report on the city's investments.

Acknowledged

Submission of the Monthly Departmental Reports for the month of July 2020

Monthly reports from various city departments.

Acknowledged

Submission of the Public Safety Oversight Committee Annual Report for 2020

Annual report from the Public Safety Oversight Committee.

Acknowledged

Submission of the City Manager's Contract and Change Order Report

Report on city contracts and change orders.

Acknowledged

Bid contract and the associated bonds with EMC Services LLC for the FYE 2021 sidewalk concrete project and Adoption of a project agent resolution

Contract for sidewalk concrete project.

Approved

Bid contract and Associated bonds with SMC Utility Construction for the 2015 water well lines project Phase 2

Contract for water well lines project.

Approved

Acceptance of easements for the Porter Avenue and Acre Street intersection project (Items 14-23)

Acceptance of various temporary and permanent easements for the Porter Avenue and Acre Street intersection project.

Approved

Acceptance of easements for the Robinson Street West of I35 widening project (Items 24-26)

Acceptance of temporary driveway easements for the Robinson Street West of I35 widening project.

Approved

Norman World certificate of survey for Peebly Estates and accepted of eans located southw corner of East Franklin Road and 156th Avenue Northeast

Acceptance of easements related to Peebly Estates.

Approved

Consent to encroach for lot 9 block one Trails Edition Section 3 2019 morning dete Trail

Consent for an encroachment.

Approved

The city's application for permission to carry its own risk without Workers Compensation Insurance

Application for self-insurance for Workers Compensation.

Approved

Acceptance of a grant to be used to purchase equipment necessary for the future household hazardous waste facility and to hold two electronic waste collection events approval of contract 202-2816

Acceptance of a grant for hazardous waste and e-waste collection.

Approved

Approval of contract 20213 for the establishment of the Lake Thunderbird Watershed partnership as a formal Watershed group and budget appropriation from the special Revenue fund balance

Contract for the Lake Thunderbird Watershed partnership.

Approved

Amendment number two to the contract with Integrity energy Partners LLC to provide inest investigation of the possibility of selling digestor biogas and budget appropriation from the Water Reclamation fund balance

Amendment to a contract for investigating biogas sales.

Approved

Amendment number one to the contract with trrt Enterprises LLC doing business as strategic janitorial services increasing the contract amount by $900 per month for a revised contract amount of $5,100 per month to provide additional custodial services on Saturdays for the public transit Fleet

Amendment to a janitorial services contract for public transit.

Approved

Contract project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transport ration in the amount of $1,314 for the city share for the Robinson Street West of I35 project and resolution 20213

Agreement with ODOT for the Robinson Street West of I35 project.

Approved

Contract RightWay public utility and encroachment agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the construction of Robinson Street West of I35 project and resolution 202132653745

Agreement with ODOT for construction of Robinson Street West of I35 project.

Approved

Resolution 2021-26 authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lands in the Verana Landing development for the operation maintenance and replacement of the Summit Valley lift station

Resolution for collecting a lift station fee in Verana Landing.

Adopted

Resolution 2021-27 authorizing collection of a monthly lift station fee from developed lands in the veran landing development for the operation maintenance and replacement of the summit valley lift station

Resolution for collecting a lift station fee in Verana Landing.

Adopted

Contract 2021-47 a memorandum of understanding with the board of Cleveland County commissioners of Cleveland County and the Cleveland County Health Department to memorialize the commitments and obligations of the parties for the design planning and construction of the Cleveland County Wellness Square project

MOU for the Cleveland County Wellness Square project.

Approved

Resolution 2021-28 appropriating $49,565.78 from the refunds reimbursements miscellaneous risk management account receed from insurance companies to repair and replace damaged traffic signal equipment or traffic signs damaged and traffic collisions

Resolution to appropriate funds for repairing damaged traffic signal equipment and signs.

Adopted

Resolution adopting the small business relief package guidelines setting forth certain eligibility and ranking criteria and four funding programs for which general obligation bonds issued for economic and Community Development funds or federal funding provided for similar purposes may be allocated

Resolution adopting guidelines for a small business relief package.

Adopted

Acceptance of a grant in the amount of $500,000 to be distributed over 3 years for the United States Department of Justice Community oriented policing services to be used by the police department to hire four school resource officers approval of contract 20217 and budget Appropriations from the special Grant fund balance and the general fund balance to be used as matching funds as required by the Grant

Consideration of accepting a federal grant to hire four additional School Resource Officers.

Postponed

Ordinance 2021-1 to Grant special use for one and only one of the specific uses permitted in the M1 restricted industrial district specifically G medical marijuana processor any tier except that tier one and tier two will not be allowed to have on-site sales as Allowed by state law an A2 rural agricultural district for property located at 3927 12th Avenue Northwest

Granting a special use permit for a medical marijuana processor.

Adopted

Ordinance 2021-2 amending the plan unit development establish in ordinance 1415 d29 to amend signage requirements for lot one block one Legacy Trail Apartments Edition located at 2501 Pendleton Drive

Amending signage requirements for Legacy Trail Apartments.

Adopted

Consent to encroachment 1920-6 for lot one block 1 Legacy Trails Department Edition 251 Pendleton dra

Consent to an encroachment for Legacy Trails Apartments.

Approved

Ordinance 2021-5 adding article 6 water and sanitary sewer line extension or improve movement approval and sections 21-61 through 21605 to chapter 21 Utility Services of the city code to establish definitions creating a process for municipal exemption from certain state permits for water line and sanitary sewer line extensions systems and improvements and requiring compliance of the Department of Environmental Quality and city of noran Standards

Establishing a process for municipal exemption from state permits for small diameter water and sanitary sewer line extensions.

Adopted

Resolution 2021-29 a joint resolution of the city of Norman and the Norman Utilities Authority stating the attempt to attain and maintain an exemption of the state construction permit for Wastewater Mains 12 in or less in diameter in the intent to comply with the requirement of the exemption

Joint resolution to attain and maintain an exemption from state construction permits for wastewater mains.

Adopted

Resolution 2021-30 a joint resolution of the city of Norman and Norman Utilities Authority stating the attempt to attain and maintain an exemption of the state construction permit for water Ms 12 inches or less in diameter and the intent to comply with the requirements of the exemption

Joint resolution to attain and maintain an exemption from state construction permits for water mains.

Adopted

Submission and receipt of Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality sewer line permit slep 00142 0059 dated August 11 2020 for the construction permit exemption for sanitary sewer line extensions 12 inches or less in diameter

Acknowledging receipt of the DEQ permit exemption for sanitary sewer line extensions.

Acknowledged

Submission receipt of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality waterline permit wlp 00142 00058 dated August 11 2020 for the construction permit exemption for waterline extension 12 in or less in diameter

Acknowledging receipt of the DEQ permit exemption for waterline extensions.

Acknowledged

Miscellaneous Discussion

Opportunity for citizens to address Council and for Council members to make comments.

No Action

Consideration of adjourning into an executive session as authorized by Oklahoma statutes title 25 section 307 B3 to discuss the possible purchase of real property for a future bus transfer station located at 320 East Commu street

Motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss real property purchase.

Approved