July 23, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• City Clerk Brenda Hall Recognized: City Clerk Brenda Hall was recognized for being named to the 2025 Municipal Clerks Honor Roll.
• Oscillator Print Camps: The last day to register for Oscillator Print Camps is 📅 Thursday, July 24th. Classes include relief, Tago, screen printing, ceramics, and cyanotype. Participants can display their work at the Second Friday Art Walk on 📅 August 8th at Oscillator Press (315 East Main).
• Bubbles in the Park: A resident-organized event will take place at Andrews Park on 📅 Saturday, July 26th at 4:00 p.m. Bubbles will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring more to share.
• Summer Breeze Concert: Featuring Kendrick McKinney and the OKC jazz scene at Lions Park on 📅 Sunday, July 27th at 7:30 p.m.
• Council Retreat: Scheduled for next month. Council members welcome policy suggestions via email to [email protected].
• Human Rights Commission Vacancies: Residents are encouraged to learn about and apply for vacancies on the Human Rights Commission via the City of Norman website (Boards and Commissions page).
• Heartland Flyer Funding: Assistant City Manager Shannon Stevenson was thanked for her work in securing $3.5 million in funding for the Heartland Flyer for the upcoming year. Citizens are encouraged to advocate for continued Texas state funding for future years.
• Boards and Commissions Applications: Residents interested in serving on any city boards or commissions are encouraged to apply through the City Clerk's office on the city's website.
• Griffin State Hospital Property Discussion: Mayor Holman mentioned a prior meeting (available on the city's YouTube channel) where staff from Griffin State Hospital discussed the future status and conceptual plans for the hospital property.

Key Decisions & Votes

Proclamations Acknowledged

• The Council unanimously acknowledged receipt of three proclamations:
  • Proclaiming September 2025 as National Service Dog Month in Norman.
  • Proclaiming July 2025 as Disability Pride Month in Norman, marking the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Proclaiming August 7th, 2025 as Purple Heart Day in Norman.

Consent Docket Approved

• Items 4 through 28, with the exception of Item 17, were unanimously approved as part of the consent docket.

Contract with Neighborhood Alliance Inc. (Item 17)

• The Council unanimously approved a contract with Neighborhood Alliance Inc. in the amount of 💰 $50,000 for Norman Neighbors activities.
  • Discussion: This is the fourth year of the contract, aiming to help volunteer neighborhood organizations (including HOAs and historic districts) with organization, cohesion, and addressing neighborhood issues. The program offers monthly training sessions, including how to form voluntary neighborhood associations and officer training. Three voluntary neighborhood associations have been successfully formed in the last 18 months.

Interlocal Agreement for Purchase of Griffin Community Park (Item 29)

• The Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the purchase of the Griffin Community Park real property.
  • Background: The city has leased this 156-acre property since 1983. Norman Forward funding in 2015 included land acquisition for this property. A 2019 lease agreement set annual payments of $80,000 (from Norman Forward funds) which were intended to offset the eventual purchase price. The city also secured a right of first refusal for state-owned land in Norman.
  • Outcome: The agreement binds both parties, and closing is anticipated within 30 days, making the city the record owner of the property.

Financial Matters

• Neighborhood Alliance Inc. Contract: The city approved a contract for 💰 $50,000 for Norman Neighbors activities.
• Griffin Community Park Purchase: The total purchase price for the 156-acre Griffin Community Park is 💰 $3,306,811.48. This amount will be offset by approximately 💰 $500,000 in past rental payments made by the city, resulting in an estimated 💰 $2.8 million due at closing. Funding will come from the Norman Forward fund balance and capital project fund allocations.

Public Comments

• Concerns about Spending and Transparency:
  • John Scamyhorn (Ward 1) expressed skepticism about the $3 million expenditure for Griffin Park, urging the Council to be circumspect with taxpayer money. He referenced past concerns regarding the lack of communication with residents about the Triad Village permanent supportive housing project.
• Support for Griffin Park Purchase:
  • Mayumi Wendler (Ward 2) supported the purchase of Griffin Park, appreciating that past lease payments would be credited towards the purchase price.
  • David Davila (Ward 1), a former Griffin employee, expressed satisfaction with the purchase but lamented the loss of jobs and the potential exacerbation of the homeless issue due to the hospital's relocation. He urged caution in future developments.
• Concerns about Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH):
  • Greg Stover (Ward 1, Windom Place) reiterated concerns from Windom Senior Living residents and the adjacent daycare about the proposed PSH project. He highlighted issues with security, lack of enclosure, and potential impact on residents, thanking council members for visiting to hear their concerns.
• Miscellaneous Requests:
  • Russell Rice (Ward 2) requested a cooling station for unhoused individuals, thanked the city for returning a parking spot to handicap status, and requested a stop light at James Garner and the railroad tracks due to safety concerns. He also thanked the council for the supportive housing purchase.

Agenda Summary Table