January 17, 2024 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting: The applicant for the rezoning item related to the tattoo parlor ordinance (Item 10) can choose to move forward at the Planning Commission meeting on 📅 February 13th.
• Special Olympics Event: Congratulations to the Parks and Police Departments for a highly successful Special Olympics event held last Friday, attended by close to 1,000 people.
• Water Infrastructure Resilience: The city's water wells experienced no issues during the recent cold weather, thanks to improvements made after similar challenges in 2021.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Agenda Approved: The City Council approved the consent agenda, which included:
  • Receiving and approving minutes from the January 2, 2024, regular meeting.
  • Accepting permanent right-of-way and temporary construction easements from Kevin R. Raif and Pamela J. Raif (800.05 sq ft permanent, 400.08 sq ft temporary) for the South Bryant and Southeast Street and drainage improvement project.
  • Accepting permanent right-of-way and temporary construction easements from Leonard C. Mason and Cheryl Fay Mason (1,248.28 sq ft permanent, 1,662.49 sq ft temporary) for the South Bryant and Southeast 4th Street and drainage improvement project.
  • Adopting Resolution Number 7223, approving the December 2023 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program internal audit report.
  • Approving a one-year contract extension with Weaver and Tidwell LLP for CDBG-DR internal audit services.
• Financial Technology Support Specialist Job Description: The Council approved a new job description for a Financial Technology Support Specialist in the Finance Department, assigning it to pay grade 111. This change aligns the job title with evolving duties focused on technology tasks related to the Tyler Technologies' Munis system.
• Recreation Coordinator Job Description: The request to approve a revised job description for Recreation Coordinator (changing the title to Program Coordinator and assigning to pay grade 110) was tabled.
• Environmental Services Manager Job Description: The request to approve a revised job description for Environmental Services Manager (assigning to pay grade 117) was also tabled.
• Main Street Reconstruction Project Engineering Services: An agreement with Half Associates in the amount of 💰 $340,690 for professional engineering services for the Main Street reconstruction project (Broadway Avenue to Eastern Avenue) was approved. This is the fifth of six design-only projects approved by the 2023 GO bond voters.
• Eastern Avenue Reconstruction Project Change Order: Change Order Number Two (amended to Change Order Number Six) with Allen Contracting in the amount of 💰 $14,234 for traffic striping and a signal controller upgrade for the Eastern Avenue reconstruction project (Southeast 4th Street to Southeast 19th Street) was approved. The change order addressed additional mobilization for striping and an upgrade to the signal controller to support flashing yellow arrow movements.
• SW 19th Street and Santa Fe Avenue Intersection Project Amendment: Amendment Number One in the amount of 💰 $31,000 to the agreement with Freese and Nichols for additional hydraulic analysis and structural design of the drainage system for the Southwest 19th Street and Santa Fe Avenue intersection reconstruction project was approved. This was necessitated by a traffic study requiring further widening and the need to replace existing corrugated metal pipes with a concrete box for a pedestrian trail.
• Tillison Cabinet Shop Demolition Contract: A contract in the amount of 💰 $67,100 was awarded to Casey Demolition and Dirt Work for the demolition of the Tillison Cabinet Shop at 137 South 4th Street, which is needed for the Southeast Street Railroad Underpass project. Casey Demolition and Dirt Work was the lowest responsible bidder.
• Ordinance 1047-24 (Tattoo/Body Piercing Parlors): Consideration of Ordinance Number 1047-24, which proposed removing tattoo and/or body piercing parlors from the "retail sales and services restricted" use classification and adding them to the "personal services restricted" classification, was tabled. The Council requested staff to draft a new resolution exploring options such as a special use permit to allow for Council review and potential restrictions on these businesses.
• Radio Purchases: The budget to purchase three Harris XL 185M mobile radios and four Harris XL 95 portable radios from L3 Harris in the amount of 💰 $27,528.35 was approved. These radios will replace outdated 2006 Motorola models, utilizing the City of Norman's contract for a 4% cost saving.

Financial Matters

• 💰 Claims and Expenditures (City Council): Approved and ratified claims and expenditures for FY 2023 and 2024 in the amount of $3,573,419.21.
• 💰 Claims and Expenditures (Moore Public Works Authority): Approved and ratified claims and expenditures for FY 2023 and 2024 in the amount of $1,662,734.78.
• 💰 Claims and Expenditures (Moore Risk Management): Approved and ratified claims and expenditures for FY 2023 and 2024 in the amount of $35,811.63.

Public Comments

• Ordinance 1047-24 (Tattoo/Body Piercing Parlors): Two citizens spoke against the proposed reclassification of tattoo and body piercing businesses:
  • Nita Wallinger (908 NE 21st St, Avondale addition) expressed concerns that adult-only businesses like tattoo shops do not belong near family-oriented neighborhoods. She cited fears of increased crime, poor maintenance, noise, litter, and more serious issues like illegal drugs and sexual assaults, referencing internet stories and a specific Google review. She also mentioned personally observing illegal operations and worried about negative impacts on property values and other businesses in Avondale Square.
  • Arthur Raymond (824 NE 20th Pl, Avondale addition) reiterated that tattoo shops are not comparable to nail salons or barber shops and are not a good fit for the proposed location. He expressed concern that real estate values in the neighborhood would decrease, leading residents to sell their homes and move. He urged the Council not to change the wording of the ordinance.

Agenda Summary Table