Norman City Council Joint Meeting - March 17, 2026
Norman City Council Joint Meeting - March 17, 2026
The City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority held a reconvened meeting on March 17, 2026. The meeting primarily addressed two contracts with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority related to the East-West Connector project, both of which were postponed to a later date. Public comments and miscellaneous remarks were also heard.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Amy Windler (Ward 2) supported postponing item 21 (water well relocation contract) because the reconvened meeting had fewer attendees, allowing more public input later.
- Carlinda Gravel (Ward 4, First Courthouse) spoke about the historical significance of the First Courthouse neighborhood, its status as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) area, and the importance of maintaining distinct boundaries between residential and business districts. She urged council to carefully consider upcoming agenda items affecting the neighborhood.
- Unnamed speaker expressed concern about council members' behavior on social media, particularly referencing a podcast and the use of the term "the hoard" for Ward 4, which they found offensive.
- Unnamed speaker questioned the validity of the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) economic development agreement, suggesting amending the sales tax diversion from 100% to 50% over 25 years, and expressed concern about property tax increases due to the 100% ad valorem tax diversion.
Discussion Items
- Item 21: Contract K-2526-139 with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for relocation of water wells and water lines for the East-West Connector (between 48th Avenue NW and 24th Avenue NW). A motion to postpone was made and seconded. No council questions or public comments other than Amy Windler's support. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 22: Contract K-2526-156 with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for construction of 36th Avenue NW Phase 2 (from 700 feet north of Franklin Road to Indian Hills Road) for $2,200,000, along with maintenance and access agreements. A motion to postpone to the next regular council meeting on March 24, 2026, was made and seconded. Councilmember noted that multiple council members and public members were absent due to spring break and wanted to speak, justifying the postponement. The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 21 postponed unanimously to a future date (not specified).
- Item 22 postponed unanimously to the next regular council meeting on March 24, 2026, where it will be heard in regular order.
- No other votes or decisions were taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, and Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority reconvened meeting of March 10th, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Gandisberry. Here. Councilmember Peacock is absent. Councilmember Bruce? Here. Councilmember Grant present. Councilmember no fire. Here. Councilmember Hinkle? Here. Councilmember Blodgett. Here. Councilmember Dixon? Here. Mayor Holman. Here. We won't do the pledge, sorry. Okay. And item 21 is consideration of approval, acceptance, rejection, amendment, and or postponement of contract K-2526-139 by and between the City of Norman and the Oklahoma Termpike Authority for the East West Connector Utility Relocation Agreement for the relocation of water wells and water lines generally between generally located between Forty Eighth Avenue Northwest and 24th Avenue Northwest. I'll entertain a motion to approve, reject, amend, or postpone the contract. Motion to postpone. Are there any questions or comments about the postponement from council? Councilmember Lodge. Councilmember Grant? Oh no. Okay. Anyone else? This is an opportunity for members of the public to make comments regarding the postponement of this item. Are there any final comments? Hello, um, Amy Windler, Ward Two. I think it's a good idea to postpone this because the reconvening, there's not so many people here. So I would rather have a lot more people here to, you know, say what they need to say about this. Okay. Are there any final comments from council regarding this item? Seeing none. The motion on the floor is to postpone the contract. Council members, you may cast your votes. All votes have been cast in the motion to postpone contract K 2526 139 passes unanimously. Okay, item 22 consideration of approval, rejection, amendment, and or postponement of contract K-2526-156 by and between the City of Norman and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority in the amount of 2,200,000 for the construction of 36th Avenue Northwest Phase 2 project from 700 feet north of Franklin Road to Indian Hills Road and relating to the east-west connector and associated maintenance and access agreements. I'll entertain a motion to approve, reject, amend, or postpone the contract. Motion to postpone second. The motion on the floor is to postpone the contract to the next regular council meeting of March 24th, 2026, where it will be heard in regular order. Are there any questions or comments about the postponement from council? Seeing none. This is an opportunity for members of the public to make comments regarding the postponement of this item. Seeing none of the final comments from council regarding postponing this item. Seeing none. The motion on the floor is to postpone contract K-2526-156.
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