June 18, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• The City Council held a special session on 📅 June 17th, 2025.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Public Hearing: Resolution 2425-111 - Dilapidated Structure at 1000 North Interstate Drive

  • The Council opened a public hearing to consider a resolution declaring the property at 1000 North Interstate Drive dilapidated and directing its removal.
  • City staff presented a detailed history of the property's deterioration since 2014, highlighting:
    • Extensive structural failures, water damage, mold, and non-functioning fire safety systems.
    • 56 code violations since 2017 and continuous unsecured access, leading to trespassing and safety hazards for first responders.
    • Multiple renovation permits expired without significant work, and owner's promises for improvement were not met.
    • The owner's company, Premier Hospitality Management, reportedly has 5 out of 20 hotels currently in foreclosure, including two in Norman.
  • Staff recommended adoption of Resolution 2425-111, which would:
    • Declare the building dilapidated and a public hazard.
    • Order the owner to remove the structure by 📅 June 18th, 2025, with completion by 📅 July 31st, 2025.
    • Authorize the city manager to solicit bids for city-led demolition if the owner fails, placing a high-priority lien on the property to recover costs.
  • Concerns were raised about potential delays if the owner files for bankruptcy, which could complicate the city's ability to recover demolition costs.

• Contract for Homeless Shelter Services with City Care

  • The Council discussed extending the contract with City Care for homeless shelter services.
  • Key contract change: The revised contract removes a previous restriction on reimbursing food expenses, acknowledging City Care's strong track record of securing donated food and the practical need for flexibility during emergencies.
  • City staff confirmed active efforts, in partnership with City Care, to secure a new, more permanent shelter location, noting significant progress.
  • Council members expressed strong support for City Care's work, highlighting their success in finding housing for 13 individuals in the last six months and their efforts to build partnerships with faith-based and business communities to diversify funding.

Financial Matters 💰

• 1000 North Interstate Drive:
  • Previous renovation permits in 2018 estimated construction at $5 million.
  • A materialmen's lien of over $200,000 was filed for structural repairs.
  • City demolition costs, if incurred, would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, secured by a high-priority lien on the property.
  • New financing of $15-18 million is being sought, but approximately $5-6 million would be used to satisfy existing mortgages, leaving a reduced amount for actual renovation.
• City Care Contract:
  • The shelter is currently 100% city-funded.
  • The contract includes an increase in the administrative allowance from 10% to 12.5% to fund a grant writer position.
  • The estimated cost for shelter services is approximately $42 per day per person.
  • City Care is actively working to secure grants and donations to reduce the city's sole funding responsibility.

Public Comments

• Support for City Care Contract: Several citizens spoke, urging the Council to approve the contract extension.
  • Commenters emphasized the critical need for shelter services, especially with rising temperatures, to prevent suffering and death among the unhoused.
  • They praised City Care's effectiveness and expressed hope for a more permanent, larger location(s) and for shelter employees to receive a living wage (noted as $15/hour).

Agenda Summary Table