Norman City Council Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Norman City Council, along with several related authorities, held a meeting on October 13, 2026, covering proclamations, a consent docket of routine items, zoning changes for an event venue and a large residential development (Cedar Lane), a lift station funding contract, a preliminary plat, and a bicycle safety ordinance (the "Idaho stop"). The meeting included extensive public comment on these items as well as broader fiscal and policy concerns.

Proclamations

• Item 1: Proclamation proclaiming October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Norman. Councilmember Blodgett, a breast cancer survivor, gave a personal address emphasizing screening, community support, and equity. She noted there are over 4.3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
• Item 2: Proclamation proclaiming Sunday, October 18, 2026 as CROP Hunger Walk Day. Brenda Willock, co-chair, reported the walk has raised nearly $600,000 over 42 years, with $45,000 raised last year (ranking 31st nationally among ~500 walks). Funds support local food banks and global relief.

Council Announcements

• Ward 2: No announcments.
• Ward 3: Thanked Citizens Academy participants; emphasized duty of citizenship.
• Ward 4: Highlighted first reading of item 4 (city auditor hiring), zoning code updates at NoranDEVcode.com, local events (Artober, Fall Fest), and birthday bash for The Standard.
• Ward 5: No comments.
• Ward 6: Thanked Ward 6 residents; announced invasive species removal at Sutton Wilderness, coffee chat on Octber 17.
• Ward 7: Date changed for Reeves Park kids' space groundbreaking to Octber 19 at 3 PM.
• Ward 8: Noted Councilmember Gannisbury met with Garden Village (Tulsa homeless facility) and is in de-escalation instructor training; he was absent.
• Mayor Holman: Thanked Citizens Academy; reported first meeting of the public safety ad hoc committee; announced ribbon cutting for new air traffic control tower at OU on Octber 21, bike trail rebuilding on Octber 24; mentioned council committee schedules.

Consent Docket

• The council unanimously placed items 3 through 47 (with the exception of item 22, postponed to Octber 20) on the consent docket and then unanimously approved the consent docket. Councilmember Bruce commented that 44 items on consent warrant careful attention from the public.

Item 48: Rezoning of 3201 Deskin Drive from I1 Light Industrial to spUD (Simple Planned Unit Development) for Event Venue

• Applicant Shannon Hinckley (Countdown Event Center) presented the request to rezone her event space, operating since Febuary 2025, to comply with zoning. She cited parking arrangements with neighbors and a typical event capacity below parking lot limits.
• Public comment: Stephen Ellis (Ward 4) expressed concern about spot zoning and set precedent; Cindy Rogers (Ward 4) echoed worries about parking for large events. Kimmerley Howard (Ward 6) and others supported the business and its accessibility features.
• Council discussion: Clarified that the spUD retains existing I1 uses; Mayor noted compatibility and hope for future zoning code update to avoid such requests.
• Vote: Unanimous on second and final readings.

Items 49-51: Cedar Lane Development (Rezoning, Lift Station Contract, Preliminary Plat)

Item 49: Rezoning of ~116 acres from PUD, A2 (Rural Agricultural), and Parkland to R1 (Single-Family) (412 lots plus one commercial lot), near 12th Avenue SE and Contre Lane Road

• Applicant Steve Rollins (Ark Engineering) presented the rezoning to allow higher density (from 31 estate lots to 16 single-family lots consistent with earlier phases) and 8.15 acres from A2 to R1, enabled by a new lift station.
• Public comment: Stephen Ellis and Cindy Rogers supportd increased density and developer paying its way; John Proctor (Indian Springs resident) expressed concerns about railroad crossing obstructions on Post Oak Road and traffic, but noted the extension of Skylar Way would provide a second access for his neighborhood.
• Council discussion: Noted the need for a future fire station in the area (city manager confirmed planning underway), the limited land along the railroad for future rail use, and that the lift station (item 50) would fund operations and maintenance.
• Vote: Unanimous on second and final readings.

Item 50: Contract with Cedar Lane LLC for Monthly Lift Station Fee

• City utilities director explained the fee would cover operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Cedar Lane lift station over a 20-year cycle, collected only from developed lots in the addition.
• Public comment: Stephen Ellis and Cindy Rogers praised the principle of development paying marginal costs; Ellis noted the pending Raftelis study to set appropriate fees; a citizen (JB Foote) argued fees only pass costs to consumers/renters.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.

Item 51: Preliminary Plat for Cedar Lane Addition

• Public comment: None.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.

Item 52: Ordinance Allowing Bicyclists to Safely Proceed Through Stop Signs or Red Signal Lights (Idaho Stop)

• City transportation engineer David Rieslin and Bicycle Advisory Committee chair Hal Cantwell presented the ordinance, which mirrors state law (passed in Oklahoma) to improve cyclist safety. They pledged public education for both cyclists and drivers.
• Public comment: Briane Zimmerman (Ward 2) and Randy Carter (Ward 5) supportd, citing momentum and safety benefits; Randy Carter noted cyclists already often act this way. Rodney Johnson (Ward 2) opposed, urging council to table for a safer definition of "safely proceed." Kimmerley Howard and others worried about younger cyclists and driver liability.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Bruce noted the ordinance simply enables municipal court enforcement of a state law. Councilmember Kirby raised liability concerns, particularly in rural areas (Ward 5) with high speeds and limited sightings. Councilmember Blodgett and vice mayor supportd; an amendment for speed limits above 35 mph was considered but not offered. The council discussd that e-bikes were deferred to a future update.
• Vote: Unanimous on second and final readings.

Miscellaneous Comments

• Stephen Ellis: Urged council not to oppose a trial on whether the statutory review committee did its job in the arena TIF case; noted sketchy bond (Goldman Sachs and Stifel found no path to investment grade) and urged council to avoid taking ownership of a bad deal.
• Cindy Rogers: Commented on e-bike issues and intersection sensor problems; criticized piecemeal approach to the Lindsay Water Tower lighting contract (item 22) and urged comprehensive cost data; provided bond issuer reports.
• Mike Read (first-time attendee): Criticized perceived disrespect from council members.
• JB Foote: Commented on city contracts combining surveillance and advertisement; high rents; need for progressive tax policy; argued the Idaho stop changes common sense; urged a trial for the TIF review committee.
• Rodney Johnson: Urged continued open discussion of de-annexation; expedited economic committee with real-world expertise; argued that Oklahoma City's Bricktown TIF succeeded.
• Kimmerzley Howard: Emphasized respectful use of the podium and thoughtful speech.
• Councilmember Bruce: Thanked staff for grants (~$35-40 million/y); notd de-annexation conversation should have ben led by Ward 5 residents.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on agenda items were unanimous.
• Proclamations acknowledge.
• Consent docket (items 3-47 except item 22) approved. Item 22 postponed to Octber 20.
• Item 48 (rezoning for event center) adopted on second and final readings.
• Item 49 (Ceder Lane rezoning) adopted on second and final readings.
• Item 50 (lift station contract) approved.
• Item 51 (preliminary plat) approved.
• Item 52 (Idaho stop ordince) adopted on second and final readings.