Good evening and welcome to the City Council, Norman Utilities Authority, Norman Municipal Authority, Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority, and Norman Parking and Transit Authority meeting of September 22nd, 2026.

Madam Clerk, will you call the roll?

Councilmember Gandis Ferry?

Here.

Councilmember Deck?

Here.

Councilmember Bruce?

Here.

Councilmember Grant.

Present.

Councilmember Kirby?

Here.

Councilmember Steele?

Here.

Councilmember Bloggett is absent.

Councilmember Dixon?

Here.

Councilm are excuse me.

Mayor Holman.

Here.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

All right.

Proclamations.

Items one through five will be acknowledged with one vote.

Item one is a proclamation proclaiming the month of October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month in the City of Norman.

Item two, a proclamation proclaiming the month of October 2026 as pedestrian safety month in the City of Norman.

Item three, a proclamation proclaiming the month of October 2026 as community planning month in the City of Norman.

Item four, a proclamation proclaiming the month of October 2026 as National Bullying Prevention Month in the City of Norman.

And item five, a proclamation proclaiming the week of September 28, 2026 to October 2nd, 2026 as finance and accounting appreciation week in the city of Norman.

I'll entertain a motion to acknowledge receipt of the proclamations.

Motion.

All votes have been cast in the motion to acknowledge receipt of the proclamation passes unanimously.

And I'll recognize Ms.

Haley Henrikson, community engagement coordinator for the Women's Resource Center to join me at the podium.

A proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the month of October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month in the City of Norman.

Whereas domestic violence is a widespread and deeply harmful issue that affects millions of individuals and families across all communities, regardless of age, s uh race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religion causing long-term trauma, and whereas domestic violence awareness month began with the day of unity in October 1981, established by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to connect advocates across the country working to end violence in the home.

And whereas this month serves as a national call to raise awareness, support survivors, and honor those whose lives have been lost to acts of domestic violence, and whereas domestic violence takes many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, and addressing it requires prevention, education, community involvement, and comprehensive support services.

And whereas within the City of Norman, organizations such as Mary Abbott Children's House and Women's Resource Center provide vital support services, and at the state level, the 211 helpline offers a free, confidential crisis line available 24-7 to all Oklahomans.

And whereas the National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799 safe and offers confidential support 24-7-365.

And whereas we honor the resilience of survivors, the tireless efforts of advocates and service providers, and renew our commitment to creating a community rooted in safety, dignity, and justice for all.

Now, therefore, I, Mayor of the City of Norman, Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month in the City of Norman and urge all residents to take action, speak out, and support efforts to end domestic violence in all of its forms.

Passed and approved this 22nd day of September 2026.

Oh, you're not going back up there.

Well, Mayor Holman and members of the council.

On behalf of Women's Resource Center, we would like to thank you all for acknowledging the importance of recognizing our survivors that we that we help and deal with every day.

One in three women are impacted by domestic violence, and one in six men are impacted by domestic violence.

So it is a very prevalent thing that goes on in our communities.

If you just look around who's here, you can do some math.

But we do appreciate everything that you're doing to support and honor those that have been impacted by domestic violence.

So thank you very much.

Thank you very much for being here.

We all know that Oklahoma is usually either number one, I think we're number one right now in domestic violence and women that are assaulted or victims of violence through their intimate partners.

And I think we all know that it's more likely that someone is going to experience that through someone they know, not through a random stranger in their lives.

So thank you for all of you for being here and helping to continue advocating for changes here in the state of Oklahoma.

I think we can all do better.

So thank you.

Up next is Pedestrian Safety Month, and I'll invite David Rieseland, transportation engineer with the City of Norman to come on up.

Yes, we're going out of the Wheeler District on bike to work celebration a few months ago.

All right, a proclamation of the mayor of the city of Norman, Oklahoma, proclaiming the month of October 2026 as Pedestrian Safety Month in the City of Norman.

Whereas the City of Norman, Oklahoma is committed to the safety and well-being of all of it, all its residents and visitors, and whereas pedestrian safety is a fundamental concern and fostering a safe environment for pedestrians is essential for the vitality and health of our community.