Norman City Council, Utilities Authority, Municipal Authority, TIF Authority, Parking and Transit Authority Meeting – July 28, 2026

The City Council of Norman, Oklahoma, held a joint meeting on July 28, 2026, to discuss and act on several agenda items, including a proclamation, a consent docket, zoning for a proposed homeless shelter, and ordinances related to camping on public property. The meeting included public comments on each major item and concluded with miscellaneous citizen remarks.

Proclamations

• Purple Heart Day (August 7, 2026): Mayor Holman read a proclamation declaring August 7, 2026 as Purple Heart Day in Norman. Commander Joe Gill of American Legion Post 88 accepted the proclamation and spoke about the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients, urging citizens to welcome home Vietnam veterans. The motion to acknowledge the proclamation passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2–17: The consent docket, comprising routine approvals and acknowledgments, was approved unanimously. These items were placed on consent by a prior motion and adopted without debate.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 18 (Shelter SPUD): Multiple speakers expressed positions:
  • Megan Strong (Ward not specified): Criticized repeated delays and urged approval, stating that leaving people unsheltered leads to encampments and that the same arguments recur.
  • Heidi Smith (Ward 5, Cleveland County Continuum of Care): Supported the rezoning as the “next right thing,” noting the permanent shelter is the top priority of the community’s home base plan and that the site was the 13th considered.
  • Evan Taylor (Ward 4, Original Townsite neighborhood): Stated he does not oppose the SPUD but asked for a permanent community-city dialogue, a named contact for the neighborhood, and a commitment to be “neighbors, not just a zoning decision.” He supported approval with ongoing relationship.
  • Lisa Schmidt (Ward 2, faith community representative): Voiced strong support, saying the shelter is a critical piece for serving vulnerable citizens, and thanked the council for taking the next step.
  • Alex Landfear (Ward 2): Supported rezoning, citing the ongoing homelessness crisis.
  • Marguerite Larson (Ward 6): Expressed excitement, stating the shelter is imperative for the community.
  • Mayumi Windler (Ward 2): Supported approval and provided statistics: 416 unique homeless individuals in 2025 with 28 housed; so far in 2026, 234 unique individuals with 36 housed. Believed a permanent shelter will increase housing connections.
  • Dan Strawn (Ward 6, Interim Chair of Home Together Norman): Urged approval, framing the SPUD as civic infrastructure that benefits the entire community by addressing homelessness and its impacts on all residents.
  • James Cromer (Ward 3?): Opposed, stating the land is a “swamp” and that the city makes engineering mistakes. He called for core samples.
  • Unnamed speaker (floodplain concerns): Raised issues about 2008 FEMA mapping excluding Griffin campus, floodway, chain-link fence in floodplain, and lack of plat. Noted the site plan could be changed without public hearing.
  • Russell Rice (Ward 2): Noted 33% of land is floodplain but building on non-floodplain area.
  • Rodney Johnson (Ward 2): Questioned why rezoning must happen now rather than after neighborhood agreements are finalized. Raised concerns about property values and lack of written guarantees for the neighborhood.
• On Item 19 (Postponement of Camping Ordinance): Speakers supported postponement:
  • Russell Rice supported indefinite postponement.
  • Electron Shaw (Ward 6) supported postponement, citing lack of public awareness and no alternative for unhoused people.
  • Marguerite Larson supported postponement, saying no substantial alternative existed.
  • Alex Landfear supported postponement, calling the ordinance antithetical to solving homelessness.
  • Evan Taylor argued against indefinite postponement, noting the issue will not go away and the ordinance needs work but should have a timeline.
  • Russell Rice (again) and others spoke to the postponement, generally favoring delay.
• Miscellaneous Comments: Several citizens raised concerns about storm debris, a water tower sponsorship (Dr. Pepper), and drainage issues from nearby construction. Lisa Schmidt praised utilities department for fast response to a water meter issue.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – SPUD for Norman Housing Hub (Homeless Shelter Zoning):
  • Assistant City Attorney Anthony Purinton presented the SPUD narrative, emphasizing it addresses only zoning, not operational details. Uses permitted: respite and unhoused overnight sheltering, with ancillary laundry, storage, dog kennel, staff areas, community garden/open space. Design criteria include 1-story buildings, max 40-foot roof pitch, 15-foot setbacks, high-quality exterior materials (masonry, stone, metal panels), one 75 sq ft sign facing away from Reed Avenue, lighting meeting commercial standards, two access points, and landscape screening. The property is triangular, bounded by Bishop Creek (natural barrier), and is currently unzoned state-owned land. Fencing: black vinyl coated on rear, solid stockade on front side. Protests received from 5.6% of area. Architect Sean Lorg (FSB) presented conceptual designs showing building orientation with lower slope toward street to reduce industrial appearance; intake and parking on east side; fire lane; dog run; separate fenced family play area; and community garden area not yet finalized. He noted no civil engineering yet.
  • Council discussion:
    • Councilmember Grant asked about children’s play area (confirmed separated family area) and community garden (possible in detention area). Also questioned low-impact development ideas; not in SPUD but possible. Fencing and floodplain concerns addressed.
    • Councilmember Gandisbury asked about detention pond fencing (confirmed not fenced).
    • Councilmember Bruce raised concerns about a promised “strategic plan” or “good neighbor agreement” with the neighborhood. Purinton stated discussions are ongoing, a trip to Dallas’ Bridge facility is planned, but no draft exists. Bruce expressed disappointment that no living document has been started.
    • Councilmember Grant noted that at the retreat, Reed improvement policy was discussed. She also noted that a citizen oversight committee for the shelter’s construction, similar to the animal welfare committee, had been discussed but not yet formalized.
    • Councilmember Kirby asked about storm shelter and backup generator. Architect confirmed a hardened area in the dormitories; generator not yet designed but advisable. Purinton clarified these are not in the SPUD.
    • Councilmember Grant pointed out that a neighborhood impact study and infrastructure schedule were recommended by the Planning Commission but are not part of the SPUD; those will require future council action.
    • Purinton repeatedly stressed that promises made tonight must be in the SPUD narrative; operational promises will come later via operator contract.
• Item 19 – Ordinance Prohibiting Camping on Public Property: Councilmember Gandisbury made a motion to postpone indefinitely, citing the Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act (HB 3985) which would take effect in November 2026 and could make the city liable for enforcement actions. She wanted to see how other municipalities handle the law before committing. Councilmember Dixon moved to amend the postponement to a specific date: October 27, 2026 (regular council meeting). The amendment passed, and the motion to postpone to October 27 passed unanimously.
• Item 20 – Companion Ordinance (Park Camping Prohibition): Councilmember Gandisbury moved to postpone to October 27, 2026, noting it is a companion to Item 19. City Attorney Knighton explained that if Item 20 were passed without Item 19, it would strike the current prohibition on camping at Sutton Wilderness (since the anti-camping language from the Sutton ordinance was to be moved to the new ordinance), effectively allowing camping there. Therefore postponing together preserves current rules. The motion passed 8–1, with Councilmember Kirby voting against.

Key Outcomes

• Purple Heart Day Proclamation: Acknowledged unanimously.
• Consent Docket (Items 2–17): Approved unanimously.
• Item 18 – SPUD for Norman Housing Hub: Motion to adopt on second reading passed 8–1 (Councilmember Kirby voting no). Motion to adopt on final reading passed 8–1 (Kirby no). The SPUD ordinance is approved, zoning the site for shelter use.
• Item 19 – Camping on Public Property Ordinance: Postponed to the October 27, 2026 regular council meeting. No further action taken.
• Item 20 – Parks Camping Prohibition Ordinance: Postponed to the October 27, 2026 regular council meeting. Motion passed 8–1 (Kirby no).
• Next Steps: Council will discuss the camping and parks ordinances in a future study session or committee. The shelter zoning is final; future steps include civil engineering, geotechnical testing, and developing an operator contract and good neighbor agreements.