Norman City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2025

The Norman City Council met on August 12, 2025, to conduct routine business, present awards and proclamations, consider a permanent visitable dwelling incentive program, approve a preliminary plat, and declare a vacancy in Ward 5 following Councilmember Nash's resignation. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 through 26 were approved unanimously by consent, covering routine approvals and administrative actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Rogers (Ward 4) spoke in support of the visitable dwelling program, sharing personal experience with making her home more accessible and urging the city to help others age in place.
• Evan Dunn (1400 Garfield Avenue) asked about the incentive amount and anticipated participation rate for the visitable program.
• Trey Kirby (miscellaneous comments) reported difficulty with OEC refusing to provide 10 individual meters for a planned low-income housing project in an opportunity zone, stating the utility insisted on a single master meter, which would make the developer responsible for the bill.
• Cynthia Rogers (miscellaneous comments) discussed due diligence for TIF districts, specifically the arena TIF, and urged council to require an oversight board, outside analysis, educational impact study, supermajority vote for major changes, and a public vote for large TIFs.
• David De Vila (Ward 1) asked for an update on the city's purchase of land near his apartment complex for supportive housing and raised concerns about crime and security.
• Nancy Ashton (Ward 1, Wendham Senior Residences) stated that residents have had no update for two and a half months regarding the city's purchase agreement for a lot in front of their building for permanent supportive housing, calling for an answer.
• Evan Dunn (miscellaneous comments) made philosophical remarks about curiosity, science, and Carl Jung, and praised Councilmember Nash's analytical skills.

Discussion Items

• Human Rights Award (2024): Ashley Creed, co-founder of Red Dirt Collective and director of its Mutual Aid Fair (which had ~250 participants in 2024), received the City of Norman Human Rights Award. The resolution was adopted unanimously. Creed thanked the council and emphasized collective action and the importance of local government serving all residents.
• Proclamations: The council acknowledged proclamations declaring August 19, 2025, as World Humanitarian Day (accepted by Akash Patel of the Happy World Foundation) and September 5, 2025, as United Way Day (to be delivered to Darren Wilson). Both were acknowledged unanimously.
• Council Announcements: Councilmembers thanked outgoing Councilmember Nash (Ward 5) for his service, announced new appointments to boards and commissions, reminded the public of the Ward 5 vacancy application process, and wished students and staff a good start to the school year.
• Ordinance 27 – Visitable Dwelling Incentive Program: Greg Clark, Development Services Manager, presented the program, which offers a building permit fee waiver (e.g., $420 for a 3,000 sq ft home) for single-family, two-family, and ADU builders who include visitable features (no-step entry, wider doors, bathroom backing, etc.). The program had been operating via resolution; this ordinance makes it permanent. After public comments, the ordinance was adopted on second reading (section by section) and final reading (as a whole), both unanimously.
• Item 28 – Preliminary Plat for MINIC Materials Edition: Located at 6665 Interstate Drive, this is a replat of an existing lot for a materials supplier that will demolish and rebuild a similar-sized building. The civil engineer, Caleb Morgan, stated the site will have less impervious area and meet all landscape and drainage requirements. The preliminary plat was approved unanimously.
• Item 29 – Declaration of Vacancy in Ward 5: Councilmember Nash announced his resignation effective immediately, citing his upcoming move and inability to give full attention to the ward. The council unanimously approved the declaration of vacancy. The mayor outlined a process: a selection committee of Ward 5 residents, a one-week application period, interviews, and an appointment by the first or second meeting in September, followed by a special election in spring 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Human Rights Award: Awarded to Ashley Creed (unanimous).
• Proclamations: Acknowledged unanimously.
• Visitable Dwelling Ordinance: Adopted on second and final reading (both unanimous). The program is now permanent; staff will conduct a lunch-and-learn to promote it.
• Preliminary Plat for MINIC Materials: Approved unanimously.
• Ward 5 Vacancy: Declared unanimously. The vacancy will be filled by appointment after a public application and interview process, with a target date of September 2025. A special election will follow in spring 2026.
• All other agenda items: Passed unanimously.