August 13, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 August 17, 2025 (Saturday): Red Dirt Collective (RDC) will host another Mutual Aid Fair at Irving Rec Center from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
• 📅 August 19, 2025 (Tuesday): Proclaimed as World Humanitarian Day in the City of Norman.
• 📅 September 5, 2025: Proclaimed as United Way Day in the City of Norman.
• School Starts: Norman Public Schools (NPS) and other districts begin classes tomorrow, August 13, 2025. Drivers are reminded to watch for school speed zones, children walking, and stopping for school buses.
• Ward 5 Council Vacancy: Council Member Nash's last meeting was held. An appointment committee of Ward 5 residents will be formed within the next month. Applications for interested Ward 5 registered voters will be live on the city's website by the end of this week, with a week-long application period. The selection committee will interview applicants and recommend a candidate to the City Council for appointment, aiming for an appointment by the first or second meeting in September. The appointed individual will serve until an election in Spring 2026 (February or April runoff) to fill the remainder of the term, followed by a regular two-year term election in Spring 2027.
• Oversight Meeting (Thursday, 4:00 PM): Discussion will include shelter updates and public access to public restrooms at city facilities, covering challenges, solutions, and desired changes.
• Boards and Commissions: Citizens are encouraged to apply for vacancies on various city boards and commissions. Applications can be found on the city website under "Your Government" > "Boards and Commissions" > "Board Application." Applicants should also email their City Council member to express interest.

Key Decisions & Votes

• 2024 City of Norman Human Rights Award: The Council unanimously adopted a resolution awarding the 2024 City of Norman Human Rights Award to Ashley Creed. Ms. Creed was recognized for her work as co-founder of Red Dirt Collective (RDC) and director of its Mutual Aid Fairs, which provide free food, housing supplies, clothing, and various services to thousands of citizens.
• Proclamations Acknowledged: The Council unanimously acknowledged receipt of proclamations for World Humanitarian Day (August 19, 2025) and United Way Day (September 5, 2025).
• Visitable Incentive Program Ordinance: An ordinance amending building codes to establish a visitable incentive program for residences was unanimously adopted on both second and final readings. This program offers a building permit fee reduction (e.g., $420 for a 3,000 sq ft home) to builders who construct single-family homes, two-family homes, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) with specific features that make them easier for people with mobility impairments to visit or for residents to "age in place." These features include no-step entries, wider doorways, and minimum clearances in bathrooms and kitchens. The program is elective, not mandatory, and aims to encourage more accessible housing in the community.
• Minnick Materials Addition Preliminary Plat: The preliminary plat for Minnick Materials Addition, located at 6665 Interstate Drive, was unanimously approved. This plat facilitates the replacement of an existing building with a new one of similar size and location, bringing the site up to current code requirements. The project includes additional landscape areas to reduce impervious surfaces and improve stormwater runoff.
• Declaration of Ward 5 Vacancy: The Council unanimously approved the declaration of a vacancy in Ward 5, following Council Member Nash's departure.

Public Comments

• Trey Kirby (Ward 5): Expressed concern regarding OEC's refusal to provide individual electric meters for a proposed low-income housing project in East Norman, a HUD opportunity zone. The project aimed to offer housing under $800/month for veterans, elders, and low-income individuals, but OEC's requirement for a single large meter makes the project financially unfeasible for the developers.
• Cynthia Rogers (Ward 4): Advocated for enhanced due diligence regarding Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, specifically referencing the Rock Creek Entertainment District arena TIF. She suggested implementing an oversight board, requiring outside analysis for the statutory review commission, completing educational impact analyses (as required by TIF legislation), requiring a supermajority vote for TIF approvals, sending back significant TIF changes (over 10%) to the review commission, and allowing public votes on large TIFs (e.g., 25-year terms, high monetary value, or two years' worth of general fund budget).
• David De Villa (Ward 1): Inquired about the status of the land sale for permanent supportive housing near Tribe Village Apartments, citing rumors and residents' concerns about lease renewals. He also raised questions about security and crime rates in relation to new projects.
• Nancy Ashton (Ward 1): Followed up on the proposed land purchase for permanent supportive housing near Windham Senior Residences. She expressed frustration over the lack of updates since learning about the purchase agreement two and a half months prior, stating that residents' lives are "on hold" and requesting clarity on whether the project will proceed.
• Evan Dunn (Ward 1): Shared philosophical reflections on curiosity, science, and human nature, referencing authors like Bill Bryson and Carl Jung. He also expressed appreciation for outgoing Council Member Nash's insights and precision.

Agenda Summary Table