Meeting Summary
Announcements
- 📅 Suicide Prevention Month: September is Suicide Prevention Month, with 📅 September 10th designated as Suicide Prevention Day. Citizens are encouraged to reach out to the 988 hotline for support.
- 📅 Art Walk: This Friday, 📅 September 12th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in downtown Norman.
- 📅 Porch Fest: Saturday, 📅 September 13th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the Miller Historic District. The event features 11 porches with live bands; attendees are encouraged to walk or park responsibly. More information can be found at porchfest.org for those interested in hosting their own.
- 📅 Ward 4 Quarterly Meeting: Saturday, 📅 September 20th, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Development Center (225 North Webster). Topics will include finalized retreat priorities and Development 101.
- 📅 Ink the Block Party: Saturday, 📅 September 20th, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the parking lot behind Oscillator Press, The Garage, and Oplis. This free, family-friendly street festival will feature live music, mural painting, an arts market, and large-scale woodblock printing using a steamroller.
- 📅 SEC Mayors Alliance Meeting: The inaugural meeting of the SEC Mayors Alliance is scheduled for 📅 September 10th, bringing together mayors from SEC cities to discuss shared challenges like game days.
- 📅 Oklahoma Municipal League Conference: City officials, including Mayor Holman and Council member Grant, are attending the conference this week in Oklahoma City, with a full day dedicated to homelessness issues.
- Citizen Committee Appointments: The Human Rights Commission is now fully staffed, and citizens are encouraged to apply for various city committees via the city website to get more involved in city policy.
Key Decisions & Votes
- Ward 5 Council Vacancy: The Council unanimously accepted the nomination from the Ward 5 candidate selection committee. Brandon Nofire was administered the oath of office and officially seated as the new Ward 5 Council member.
- Resolution for Michael Nash: A resolution extending appreciation to Michael Nash for his service as Ward 5 Council member from July 11th, 2023, to August 12th, 2025, was unanimously adopted.
- Proclamations Acknowledged:
- A proclamation declaring 📅 September 17th through 23rd, 2025, as Constitution Week in Norman was unanimously acknowledged.
- A proclamation declaring 📅 September 15th through October 15th, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Norman was unanimously acknowledged.
- Consent Docket Approval: Items 6 through 23 on the consent docket, covering various routine administrative matters, were unanimously approved.
- Preliminary Plat for 1508 Shady Brook Drive: The preliminary plat for a replat of lots 5, 6, and 7, block 2, Indian Point Estates, to create one additional developable lot, was unanimously approved. Access for the new lot will be via Cobblestone Creek (Pebble Beach Road).
Financial Matters
- No specific financial matters were discussed or voted upon during this meeting.
Public Comments
- Diana Hutzel (Ward 5): Congratulated new Council member Brandon Nofire, emphasizing the significant commitment required for public service. She suggested two improvements for city transparency and accessibility: adding ward information to agenda items and posting the City Council handbook on the city website.
- Stephen Ellis (Ward 4): Congratulated Council member Nofire. He urged the city to oppose Governor Stitt's "Operation Safe" expansion regarding unhoused people, arguing that rounding up unhoused individuals and dropping them off in Norman without adequate services is ineffective, harmful, and does not serve the community's interest.
- Cindy Rogers (Ward 4): Recommended a book on Oklahoma's water infrastructure. She questioned the County Commissioners' stance on the arena TIF vote, noting that two of the three parties (City Council and County Commissioners) seem to support a vote, and urged the Council to formally ask the third party (OU Foundation) to pause deadlines until a vote can occur. She also suggested that future TIF master plans should include alternative scenario analyses for due diligence.
- Evan Dunn (1400 Garfield Avenue): Associated himself with the comments of previous speakers and congratulated Mr. Nofire.
Agenda Summary Table
| Agenda Item | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination and appointment of Ward 5 Council member | Nomination and appointment of an eligible person to fill the council vacancy in Ward 5. | ✅ Brandon Nofire accepted unanimously |
| Administering the oath of office to and seating of Council member elect Brandon Nofire, Ward 5 | Administering the oath of office to and seating of Council member elect Brandon Nofire, Ward 5. | ✅ Oath administered, Nofire seated |
| Resolution extending appreciation to Michael Nash | Resolution extending appreciation to Michael Nash for serving as Ward 5 Council member in Norman, Oklahoma. | ✅ Adopted unanimously |
| Proclamation proclaiming Constitution Week | Proclamation proclaiming the week of September 17th through 23rd, 2025, as Constitution Week in the City of Norman. | ✅ Acknowledged receipt unanimously |
| Proclamation proclaiming Hispanic Heritage Month | Proclamation proclaiming September 15th, 2025, through October 15th, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Norman. | ✅ Acknowledged receipt unanimously |
| Consent Docket Items 6-23 | Routine agenda items placed on the consent docket for approval/acknowledgement by one motion. | ✅ Approved unanimously |
| Preliminary plat for 1508 Shady Brook Drive | A replat of lots 5, 6, and 7, block 2, Indian Point Estates, generally located 1/4 mile east of 12th Avenue Southeast and 1/4 mile north of Post Oak Road. | ✅ Approved unanimously |