Norman City Council Meeting - Nov 26, 2025
Norman City Council Meeting Summary - November 26, 2025
The Norman City Council convened to finalize the approval of city minutes, acknowledge a Small Business Saturday proclamation, and discuss the acquisition of a new land parcel for a permanent homeless shelter, alongside several public comments regarding neighborhood impacts and future development concerns.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes from various City Council meetings, study sessions, committee meetings, and special meetings held between March 2024 and October 2025.
- Consent Docket Approval: Items 3 through 26 were placed on and approved via unanimous consent on the consent docket.
Public Comments & Testimony
Regarding the Reed Avenue Shelter Land Purchase:
- Residents expressing opposition/concern (Ward 4 & 7): Multiple residents from the Original Townsite and surrounding neighborhoods (Evan Taylor, Judy Moss, Dan Munson, Misty Lamb, Jeanette Coker, Karen Chapman) expressed strong concerns about the rapid timeline and potential negative impacts on their neighborhoods. Positions included demands for a delay until a formal planning framework, a citizens oversight committee, and a neighborhood impact assessment are established. Residents cited safety issues (theft, drug use, property damage), strain on Bishop Creek watershed, and the impact on existing property values. Misty Lamb and others emphasized that while they acknowledge the need for shelter, the current process moves too quickly and the neighborhood is already in a state of fear, requesting that the city not add a permanent structure without safeguards.
- Residents expressing conditional support (Ward 4): Steve Ellis expressed support for purchasing the land immediately due to its proximity to services and the need to house the unhoused for winter, but argued that neighbors must have a voice in the design without a veto power. He suggested amenities and potential neighborhood buyouts as mitigation. Cindy Rogers echoed the need to buy the land but strongly advocated for a designated police presence and community policing as a trade-off for the neighborhood impact. John McGraw supported the purchase but emphasized the need for residents to have a seat at the table during the planning phase.
- Residents expressing support for immediate action: Marguerite Larson (Ward 6) and Luigi Pulvani (Ward 4) argued for immediate purchase to ensure safety for the unhoused, noting that previous neighborhood votes supported shelter development and that delaying tactics act as a "soft no." Mayumi Wilson (Ward 2) suggested utilizing the land for a community garden due to its triangular shape and lack of buildable space.
Regarding the Chautauqua Street Rezoning (Item 4):
- Residents opposing rezoning: Michael Carter, Barbara O'Brien, Maggie Kaufman, and Joe Grobowski opposed the proposed 24-unit apartment building. Their positions focused on the degradation of neighborhood character, excessive traffic congestion on Chautauqua Street, lack of parking, inadequate stormwater management, and the potential for eyesores like rats and noise. Joe Grobowski specifically cited privacy concerns regarding overlooking his backyard.
Miscellaneous Public Comments:
- Immigration and Safety: Joel Rayburn urged the council to condemn the detention of Dr. Vahid Abedini by federal authorities and requested the Norman Police Department not collaborate with ICE.
- City Council Compensation and Economic Development: Dan Munson proposed increasing council stipends or providing healthcare benefits and opposed bond measures in favor of increasing the PSST (Public Safety Sales Tax). He also called for greater accountability in economic development partnerships.
- Mental Health and Shelter Models: Michael Gladson suggested mental health professionals rather than police presence as the primary solution to neighborhood issues. Jeanette Coker advocated for high-barrier shelter models.
Discussion Items
Reed Avenue Land Purchase for Homeless Shelter (Item 27):
- Staff Presentation: City Attorney Anthony Purinton presented an interlocal agreement to purchase a 3.23-acre parcel for $74,290. The site is proposed as a location for a permanent shelter, with construction tentatively scheduled for summer 2026 after necessary zoning, platting, and design work. The city intends to work with CityCare and Food & Shelter for operations.
- Council Deliberation:
- Councilmember Grant: Expressed support for the purchase but acknowledged the need to connect with neighborhoods. She highlighted that the timeline for construction is realistic rather than immediate, allowing time for community input. She noted that CityCare has a history of good neighbor agreements and that the new leadership at Food & Shelter may shift the operational culture.
- Councilmember Gansbury: Stressed the urgency of the issue, noting that vulnerable populations (pregnant women, seniors, veterans) are currently sleeping outdoors and that the project's delayed timeline (6 months) does not solve the immediate winter crisis. He emphasized the rarity of the opportunity to acquire state land at such a favorable price and the potential for future redevelopment of the broader Griffin property.
- Councilmember Bruce: Supported the purchase and the continued dialogue with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health regarding future opportunities, noting the state's accelerated timeline for filling the SSM behavioral health beds.
- Mayor Holman: Acknowledged the long, difficult road to this point and the valid concerns of residents. He clarified that while the purchase moves forward, the actual construction is a multi-year process. He committed to a collaborative approach where the city proactively engages neighbors on design and operational details, ensuring residents have a seat at the table for the future development.
- Outcome: The contract for the purchase was approved unanimously.
Miscellaneous Agenda Items:
- Councilmember Grant's Recusal: Mayor Holman and Councilmember Grant noted a conflict of interest for Grant regarding a separate item (Item 4) and her recusal from that specific discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Contract Approval: The contract (K-2526-102) to purchase the 3.23-acre property on Reed Avenue for $74,290 passed with a unanimous vote.
- Timeline Clarification: Staff and council confirmed that while ownership is being transferred, the earliest physical construction (prefab building) on the site is estimated for summer 2026, contingent on platting and design approvals.
- Community Engagement Commitment: Council, led by Mayor Holman and Councilmember Grant, committed to proactively engaging with neighborhoods in Ward 4 and Ward 7 to incorporate their feedback into the shelter design, including potential SPUD (Special Purpose Use District) controls for lighting, landscaping, and buffering.
- Next Steps: The city proceeds with the closing of the property in December 2025. Councilmember Grant indicated she will seek to facilitate neighborhood meetings regarding the Chautauqua Street rezoning and may consider postponing that vote pending further discussion.
- Alley Vacancy: Council confirmed the intent to vacate the alley behind the property to eliminate unauthorized camping opportunities, a process estimated to take 90 to 120 days.
Meeting Transcript
Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. All right. Approval of minutes. Item number one, approval of the City Council Conference Meeting Minutes of March twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-five, April twenty-second, twenty twenty-five, July twenty-second, twenty twenty-five, August twelfth, twenty twenty-five, September ninth, twenty twenty-five, and October twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-five. City council special meeting minutes of March fifth, twenty twenty four, City Council Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority meeting minutes of July first, twenty twenty five, and July twenty-second, twenty twenty five. City Council study session meet meeting minutes of October fifteenth, twenty twenty-four, january seventh, twenty twenty-five, January twenty first, twenty twenty-five, April fifteenth, twenty twenty five, May sixth, twenty twenty-five, and August fifth, twenty twenty-five. City Council Oversight Committee meeting minutes of December fourteenth, twenty twenty-three, city council finance committee meeting minutes of October sixteenth, twenty twenty-five, City Council Community Planning and Transportation Committee meeting minutes of October twenty-third, twenty twenty-five. I entertain a motion to approve the minutes. Motion to approve. Second. The motion on the floor is to approve the minutes. Council members, you may cast your votes. And the motion to acknowledge receipt. I'm sorry. The motion to approve the minutes passes unanimously. All right. Item number two, a proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the period of November through December twenty twenty-five as small business season with emphasis on Saturday, November twenty ninth, twenty twenty-five, as small business Saturday in the City of Norman. I need a motion to acknowledge receipt of the proclamation. Motion. Whereas Norman's small businesses are essential to our unique culture and local economy, driving job creation and community investment. And whereas national data confirms the power of small businesses with over 35 million small businesses creating most of the nation's new jobs and keeping an estimated 68 cents of every dollar spent within the local community. And whereas while the highly effective Small Business Saturday celebrates its 16th year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the City of Norman recognizes the need for sustained support. And whereas to maximize the impact for our local entrepreneurs, we are branding the period of November through December as small business season, encouraging residents to continually shop, dine, and utilize local services. And whereas Norman is dedicated to supporting these businesses, which preserve our city's character and vitality. And now, therefore, I, Stephen Tyler Holman, mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim the period of November through December 2025 as small business season, with emphasis on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, as small business Saturday in the City of Norman. And I urge all residents to enthusiastically shop small throughout small business season and continue this vital support all year long. Passed and approved this 25th day of November 2025. Hello, I'm Stephanie O'Hara. I have Cadoodles Toy Store and Norman. Very excited to be here. This is our son Smith, our daughter Stella, and my mother Nana, who all work at Cadoodles. Honorable Mayor Holman and members of City Council, thank you for this proclamation and for recognizing the importance of Small Business Saturday. It's an honor to accept this on behalf of all small businesses in Norman. Especially during the holidays, every purchase made locally helps support families in Norman and keeps Norman thriving. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and ho ho ho. All right, next up on the agenda is council announcements, and we'll start in Ward 1. Hello, Ward 1, those that are present, those at home, and everybody else in the city of Norman. Uh one, definitely happy holidays to everybody. Hope everybody has a safe holiday season. Also would like to give some shout-outs a little bit more than I usually do. One, I wanted to give a shout out to the people at our adult weldness center that hosted a great gal and had several different ones up here to help role play for their gal event that they had the other night. It was a great success, great turnout. Everybody there seemed to be having a really great time and everything at one of our Norman Ford projects and everything to celebrate our city. So that was really, really great to have. Also, a huge shout out to Kennedy Elementary. Kenny Elementary, I was proud to be able to serve as their legislature of a day over there, meeting the kids as they got off the school bus, getting to do their pep rally, a couple other different details over there, and building a relationship with them that we're going to move forward with to be able to do some bigger and better things to recognize some of our kiddos over there. But more importantly, want to shout out the principal over there. From the second you walked into the door that day, that principal personally out there greeting parents, greeting kids, knew every kid's name, knew every kid's personality, knew every kid's likes, meeting them, putting a smile on their face, the whole pep rally brought in actually Indian culture, had a guy teaching some about Indian language and some Indian games and everything like that, and really showing that diversity that we're great at in Norman and everything like that. So she's doing a really great job over there, improving test scores at a higher rank than most other cities are at this point in time and everything. So shout out to her and her staff over there.
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