July 23, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• The City Council conference was held on 📅 Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.
• Discussion on the RDG Main Street Campus Master Plan will continue in the City Planning and Transportation Committee (CPTC) in 📅 August or September.
• The Norman Forward sales tax is scheduled to wind down in 📅 2031, with approximately six years remaining.

Key Decisions & Votes

RDG Main Street Campus Master Plan and Lemond International School Request

• A presentation detailed two concepts (Concept 3 and Concept 5) for the redevelopment of the former Griffin Hospital site. The plan aims to bridge the east and west sides of town, accommodate 5-8% of Norman's projected 20-25 year housing demand, offer urban density and diverse housing forms, reinforce core Norman, and potentially provide a home for the arts community.
• Council members generally favored Concept 3 for its strong street grid and potential for higher density.
• Decision: Council approved in principle the inclusion of Lemond International School within the future Griffin neighborhood master plan, either at its current location or a new urban-style school on campus.
• Outcome: Further discussion and refinement of the master plan concepts will take place in the CPTC in August or September.

Purchase of the Griffin Soccer Park

• Discussion focused on the acquisition of the Griffin Soccer Park, a property distinct from the former hospital site, located north of Robinson Street.
• The city has been leasing the park since 2018, with annual payments of $80,000 applied towards a potential purchase.
• Decision: The City Council approved the purchase of the Griffin Soccer Park for $3,306,811.
• Significance: This acquisition secures a long-term investment, with an estimated $20 million already invested in the land, improvements, and maintenance over the years.

Financial Matters 💰

• Griffin Soccer Park Purchase Funding: The $3,306,811 purchase will be funded through:
  • $1.9 million from the remaining Griffin Park lease allocation within the Norman Forward Fund.
  • $220,000 from savings in the Griffin Soccer Park remodel project.
  • $686,811 from the capital fund, sourced from complete or temporarily delayed projects.
• Norman Forward Fund Status:
  • $500,000 has already been paid for the Griffin Park lease from the initial $2.4 million allocation.
  • The fund currently holds a balance of over $9.8 million.
  • Remaining Norman Forward projects (neighborhood parks, new trail development, Canadian River Park, traffic improvements) had 2022 estimated costs of approximately $11 million.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Mentioned as an almost inevitable financing tool for the RDG Main Street Campus Master Plan redevelopment.

Public Comments

• A representative from the Citizens Financial Oversight Board for Norman Forward addressed the council regarding the Griffin Soccer Park purchase.
  • The board expressed strong consensus in favor of acquiring the property, recognizing its importance.
  • However, they issued words of caution regarding the upfront $1.9 million payment from the Norman Forward Fund. Concerns were raised about potential shortfalls for other voter-approved projects, citing rising construction costs (e.g., 2022 estimates for remaining projects are likely higher now) and recent negative trends in sales tax revenue, especially following the addition of the Senior Center project.
  • The board emphasized its responsibility to educate the council on the financial implications for meeting all voter-approved project expectations.
• Council acknowledged the caution but underscored the unique opportunity to purchase the property at a significantly reduced price compared to earlier estimates, emphasizing the need to secure the asset now.

Agenda Summary Table