December 3, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• Massage Therapy Ordinance: The new license year for massage therapy and bodywork services establishments will begin 📅 April 1st, 2026. A public hearing for this ordinance is scheduled for 📅 January 27th.
• Electronic Devices & Marijuana Ordinances: State laws for these ordinances became effective 📅 November 1st, 2025. A public hearing for these ordinances is scheduled for 📅 January 27th.
• Opioid Funds: The city will continue to receive opioid settlement funding through 📅 2037/2038. Council appropriation for proposed new positions is expected in 📅 early January/February 2026.
• Parking Trust: A resolution to approve the indenture and accept beneficial interest for the Norman Parking and Transit Authority will be on the 📅 December 9th agenda.

Key Decisions & Votes

Massage Therapy and Bodywork Services Ordinance

The Council discussed a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating massage therapy and bodywork services establishments to combat illegal activities, including human trafficking and prostitution.

• Key Provisions: The ordinance will require all massage therapy and bodywork services establishments to be licensed starting 📅 April 1st, 2026. A $50 fee will apply for new licenses, with $25 for renewals. Licenses may be denied or revoked for felony convictions (related to force, violence, sexual misconduct, drugs, or weapons), false application statements, or prior license issues in other cities within five years.
• Operational Requirements: Establishments will need to maintain cleanliness, post prices, keep appointment records for three years, obtain consent forms, register all employees, ensure providers wear appropriate clothing, and operate between 8 AM and 10 PM (with documented exceptions). Advertising must be non-misleading, and minors require written consent or a guardian's presence for treatment.
• Facility & Conduct: Cubicles or booths cannot have locked doors, and no one can reside or sleep overnight at an establishment. Professional conduct standards prohibit contact with sexual or genital areas (unless part of a legitimate treatment plan) and require client privacy with draping.
• Enforcement: Enforcement will primarily be complaint-driven and involve monitoring advertisements on "dark websites." Violations could lead to license revocation, criminal charges (fines from $50 to $750, up to 60 days in jail), or injunctive relief. The License Review Board, comprising the City Attorney, City Clerk, Police Department, Planning/Code Compliance, and sometimes the Health Department, will handle hearings.
• Zoning Code Cleanup: The ordinance will strike "massage parlors" and "sexual encounter centers" from the definition of adult entertainment uses in the zoning code to differentiate legitimate businesses from illegal operations.
• Outcome: Discussion, further review, with a public hearing scheduled for 📅 January 27th. Council members were encouraged to gather feedback from constituents.

Electronic Devices in School Zones and Construction Zones Ordinance

The Council reviewed a proposed ordinance to limit the use of electronic devices in school and construction zones, mirroring state law (House Bill 2263, effective 📅 November 1st, 2025).

• Prohibition: It will be unlawful to manually use, hold, or support a handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle in designated school zones and active construction or maintenance work zones.
• Penalties & Exceptions: The fine, including court costs, will not exceed $100 total (effectively a $15 fine plus $85 court costs). Exceptions include hands-free devices (Bluetooth, voice-activated), music, emergency communication, and official duties. Officers cannot demand a driver's phone without consent.
• Purpose: The ordinance aims to improve safety near schools and construction areas, ensure consistency with state law, and enhance local enforcement by allowing citations in municipal court.
• Outcome: Discussion, further review, with a public hearing scheduled for 📅 January 27th.

Marijuana Consumption and Secondhand Smoke in Vehicles Ordinance

The Council discussed an ordinance prohibiting the consumption of marijuana and inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke in vehicles, aligning with state law (Senate Bill 786, effective 📅 November 1st, 2025).

• Prohibition: It will be unlawful for any person in a motor vehicle on public roads to consume marijuana (including medical marijuana) or inhale secondhand marijuana smoke from another person.
• Open Container: The ordinance also prohibits the possession of an open container of marijuana in the passenger area, similar to alcohol laws. Marijuana must be stored in a locked trunk or enclosed compartment, inaccessible to the driver and passengers.
• Penalties: Violations will incur a $200 fine plus court costs, consistent with open alcohol container offenses.
• Enforcement: Police noted challenges in detecting marijuana impairment but emphasized training for officers to recognize active impairment. Oklahoma is a zero-tolerance state for marijuana in the blood if impairment signs are present. The goal is deterrence and public safety.
• Outcome: Discussion, further review, with a public hearing scheduled for 📅 January 27th.

Financial Matters

Use of Opioid Funds

The Council reviewed the city's opioid settlement and grant funds, discussing current allocations and proposing new uses for unallocated settlement funds.

• Funding Overview: The city receives approximately $248,000 annually from opioid settlement funds through 2038, with $830,000 currently unallocated. Additionally, the city has received competitive state grants totaling $190,000 (FY24) and $500,000 (FY25), which were passed through to the Virtue Center.
• Eligible Uses: Settlement funds must be used for evidence-based strategies in treatment, recovery, prevention, education, criminal justice, public safety, and oversight/coordination. Capital investments are not eligible.
• Current Allocation: The "A Better Way Opportunity Knocks" program currently utilizes $334,000 annually from settlement funds (plus $50,000 from Sanitation).
• Proposed Plan:
  • "A Better Way Opportunity Knocks" will transition to seeking future grant funding due to its cost exceeding the annual settlement allocation.
  • One-time expenses totaling $70,000 are proposed: $20,000 for additional Narcan for the Police Department and $50,000 for drug treatment at the Cleveland County Detention Center specifically for Norman residents (for long-term opioid withdrawal medication).
  • Proposed annual/recurring expenses totaling $237,500 include: $10,000 for Municipal Court/Community Court overtime, $20,000 for Proactive Community Engagement Team overtime, $100,000 for a Social Worker position (to assist police with mental health/overdose crises), $90,000 for a Community Resiliency Manager position (for grant management and coordination of unsheltered incident command), and $17,500 for an OU School of Social Work Intern stipend.
• Strategy: The existing $830,000 unallocated settlement funds will serve as "seed money" to initiate these programs, with future allocations re-evaluated in 2-3 years due to unpredictable state disbursements.
• Outcome: Discussion, council direction confirmed for the proposed allocations and new positions. Staff will draft job descriptions (with council input) and seek appropriation in 📅 early January/February 2026.

Public Comments

While no formal public comment section occurred, council members relayed community feedback and concerns during discussions:

• Massage Therapy Ordinance: Legitimate massage therapists expressed a desire to remove the "adult entertainment" stigma associated with their profession and sought clarity on enforcement, emphasizing that police should not proactively raid reputable businesses.
• Electronic Devices & Marijuana Ordinances: Concerns were raised about younger citizens and drivers being unaware of new state laws. Council members highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns, potentially involving signage at schools and outreach to universities.
• Opioid Funds: Business owners have expressed a need for mental health response services that are not police-led for non-threatening situations involving individuals in crisis.

Agenda Summary Table