Public Meetings - Norman, Oklahoma

The Norman Board of Parks Commissioners met on August 7, 2025, to approve minutes, recognize the AIM Parks Subcommittee, review previously approved city council items, approve a public parkland decision for St. James Park Edition, accept a donation for the Firehouse Arts Center, receive the annual report from the Moore Lindsay Historical House Museum, and hear updates on Norman Forward capital projects and ongoing parks and recreation programs. All actions were taken unanimously. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes from May 1, 2025. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comments. Discussion Items - Special Recognition to AIM Parks Subcommittee: Staff presented plaques to subcommittee members for their work on the Ames Parks Recreation and Cultural Master Plan, a two-year process covering land, stormwater, transportation, and arts. Lee Hall, the subcommittee chair, thanked staff and highlighted the community's strong support for a comprehensive trail network, identified as a top recommendation. - Previously Approved City Council Items: Staff reviewed multiple items from June and July 2025, including: - The Westwood Master Plan presentation (no action taken, further presentation scheduled). - Adoption of the AIM master plan (June 24). - Amendments to contracts with RDG Design ($10,000 added) and GSB (Westwood Master Plan). - Final acceptance of sports lighting at YFAC (sand volleyball and pickleball courts). - Bid award to Downey Contracting for Bishop Creek Eco Park construction ($1 million, after value engineering from $1.8 million). - Lease-back of space at Irving and Whittier Recreation Centers for child care (25 years). - Emergency repairs at Westwood Family Aquatics Center ($75,000 for a mole issue at City Hall, and a separate leak repair at Westwood pool costing several thousand gallons per day). - Contract with Colton Craig Design for Westwood Golf Course beautification. - Interlocal agreement with the Department of Mental Health to purchase Griffin Park (including murals). Commissioners asked about a struck section on page 64 of the ordinance, a missing explanation for the Bishop Creek contract, and the ongoing Westwood pool leaks. - Public Parkland Decision for St. James Park Edition: Staff presented a detailed history of the St. James/South Lake edition, where the revised preliminary plat increased the total lots from 601 to 692. The required parkland increased from 3.96 to 4.5326 acres; 3.309 acres have already been collected. Staff recommended renewing the public parkland decision with the increased requirement, and to acquire additional adjacent land from the developer as it becomes available, using funds collected from nearby developments. The board approved the motion. - Donation for Firehouse Arts Center Jewelry Studio Renovation: The Firehouse Arts Center received a $15,000 grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Foundation, matched with $10,000 of their own funds, totaling $25,000 to renovate the jewelry studio. The renovation will double the space, allowing up to 12 students, and includes donated tools and a library from instructor Elise Bogart. Staff noted the work is a donation to the city. The board approved acceptance. - Annual Report from Moore Lindsay Historical House Museum: The museum reported 1,998 visitors in fiscal year 2024-2025, a 22% increase from the prior year. Programming highlights included new watercolor painting workshops and a 20% increase in children's classes. A $20,000 Arts Council grant was received (increased to $26,000 for the next two years), and a $10,000 OEC sponsorship is pending. The museum celebrated its 50th year. A commissioner asked about a high miscellaneous expense line item; the director will follow up. The board approved the report to be forwarded to city council. - Norman Forward Update: Staff reported $30,000 was spent on painting the silos at Griffin Park, with very positive public feedback. Other projects include Saxon Park (paused pending adjacent development), land exchange at Northeast Lions (RFP for playground to follow after acquisition), and ongoing work at Bluestem, Morgan, and other parks. The Norman Forward sales tax runs through 2030, with projects expected to continue into 2032. Canadian River Park remains in discussion with the Bob Moore family. - Parks and Recreation Division Updates: Staff gave updates on: - Educator's Day at YFAC (over 1,000 teachers served). - Westwood Aquatic Center switching to back-to-school hours. - Trey Young Academy tryouts (over 100 participants). - Youth volleyball league registration open. - Adult night at Westwood Aquatic Center (last big event of the season). - Labor Day Scramble at Westwood Golf. - Legacy Fest band auditions (battle of the bands for unsigned artists, deadline August 10, event September 13). - After-school program starting soon. - Cosmic Pickleball event (August 10, $5 for non-members, free for YFAC members). - Aqua Zumba with a national instructor. - Trey Young basketball camp at YFAC. - Indoor soccer open gym at 12th Avenue Recreation Center (Thursdays, 6-8 PM). - Park Development Update: Staff reported on: - Pre-work meeting for Bishop Creek Eco Park (mobilization next week). - Completion of rear courtyard and landscape at YFAC. - Community wildfire protection plan to be accepted by council. - Urban Forest Master Plan final draft review (to be presented next month). - Skate park repairs by American Ramp Company. - Creekside Bike Park work day. - Facility projects: Sooner Theater stage curtains, foundation repairs at the historic house (chimney not falling, just missing joist supports), depot sidewalk repairs, firehouse renovation and gutters. - Landscape renovation of Main Street medians (barren areas due to creek work). - Westwood Tennis Center lighting renovation (old court lights replaced). - Mowing schedule caught up to 7-10 day cycle; repairs to trail washouts at Sutton, Saxon, Ruby Grant. - Sandbur control complaints nearly eliminated. - Sod from OU football field donated to Adkins Crossing and Reeves Park. - Robotic mowers at Reeves Park performing well, with 3x weekly mowing at half the cost of contractor; annual maintenance planned; lifespan 5-7 years. Key Outcomes - Unanimously approved the minutes of May 1, 2025. - Unanimously accepted the special recognition for the AIM Parks Subcommittee. - Unanimously approved the public parkland decision for St. James Park Edition with the increased land requirement (4.5326 acres total). - Unanimously accepted the $25,000 donation for the Firehouse Arts Center jewelry studio renovation. - Unanimously accepted the annual report from the Moore Lindsay Historical House Museum and forwarded it to city council. - No formal votes were taken on the informational updates; all items were discussed and noted.

On August 5, 2025, the Norman City Council held a meeting to receive a presentation from Public Works on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) and flood insurance. Scott, the floodplain administrator, presented an overview of floodplain management, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and Norman's participation in the CRS, which provides premium discounts to residents. The meeting focused on a required flood insurance coverage assessment under CRS Activity 370, revealing significant declines in policy counts and exploring opportunities for improvement. Presentation Overview - Scott defined floodplains and regulatory flood zones, explaining that Norman's floodplain regulations exceed FEMA minimums, requiring a two-foot elevation above base flood elevation (versus one foot). - Norman participates in the NFIP and the voluntary CRS program. Norman is currently a Class 6 community, offering residents a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums for properties in the special flood hazard area (SFHA) and a 10% discount for those outside. - Key data presented: - 863 structures are located in the SFHA. - As of 2025, there are 251 NFIP policies in force, a dramatic drop from 489 in 2020. Single-family policies fell from 426 to 224. - 17 properties are designated as repetitive loss properties. - The average coverage per policy increased from $280,000 (2020) to $316,000 (2025). - Scott noted that only a small percentage (roughly 29%) of SFHA structures have flood insurance, which he considered concerning. - Reasons for the decline may include economic factors, mortgage payoffs, and a shift to private insurance; no definitive data is available. - Norman lost a grant for a flood warning system that could have boosted CRS points. The city is undergoing a CRS cycle verification visit and expects to remain a Class 6, lacking enough points to reach Class 5. Discussion and Questions - Council members asked about peer city rankings (Scott will provide a list of Oklahoma CRS communities). - There was discussion about identifying properties with mortgages to target outreach for increasing insurance coverage. - Scott described the strict no-build policy in the floodway, with an anecdote about a golf course outhouse requiring compensatory flow-through openings approved by FEMA. - Council inquired about hazard disclosure to homebuyers; Scott clarified that NFIP letters are sent annually to property owners in the floodplain. - The potential for a stormwater utility fee to earn CRS points (Activity 450) was noted. - Scott explained that a flood warning system would automate monitoring of stream gauges, providing alerts to the Emergency Operations Center (ECOC) and enabling faster deployment of barricades. Such a system would require capital investment since the grant was not secured. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the meeting served as a required informational presentation under CRS Activity 370. - The city will share Oklahoma CRS community rankings with the council. - Staff will explore options for improving the CRS classification, including revisiting a flood warning system or other creditable activities. - Council expressed interest in working toward Class 5 status, which would provide a 30% premium discount for residents.

The meeting opened with three proclamations, followed by council announcements, a consent docket, a pulled contract for neighborhood alliance activities, approval of a land purchase for Griffin Park, and public comments on various topics. All votes were unanimous. Proclamations - National Service Dog Month (September 2025): Proclaimed by the Mayor. Canine Companions representatives Jeannie Salman and Eileen Grubbs spoke about the work of service dogs and the organization's placement of over 8,000 dogs free of charge. - Disability Pride Month (July 2025): Proclaimed by the Mayor. Chris Nanny, a member of the ADA Citizens Advisory Committee, accepted. He noted that 15.5% of Norman's population (about 19,000 people) identify as having a disability. He highlighted ongoing accessibility improvements, including 27 intersection and sidewalk upgrades by Public Works and two inclusive playgrounds at Ruby Grant and Andrews Parks. - Purple Heart Day (August 7, 2025): Proclaimed by the Mayor. Ernest Martin III, commander of the American Legion, accepted. He noted over 24,000 veterans in Cleveland County and that the Legion has brought in over $9 million in disability benefits for county residents in the past year. Consent Calendar - Items 4 through 28 (with the exception of item 17) were placed on the consent docket and approved unanimously. These routine items included various contracts, reports, and approvals. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 17 (Neighborhood Alliance contract): Dr. John Scammyhorn initially spoke but was redirected; no public comment was offered on this item. - Item 29 (Griffin Park purchase): - Dr. John Scammyhorn (Ward 1) urged careful spending and expressed caution based on past experiences with the city's supportive housing project, but did not oppose the purchase. - Mayumi Wendler (Ward 2) supported the purchase, noting the credit for past rent payments. - Janice Oak expressed full support and urged fast-tracking. - Miscellaneous Comments (open forum): - Diana Hudzel (Ward 5) raised concerns about Norman's financial outlook, including the Central Library mold lawsuit, declining per capita income (adjusted for inflation, a $4,300 drop in buying power), falling sales tax revenues (down 8 of the last 12 months), and the city's large land area (nearly 200 square miles) relative to population (130,000). She suggested evaluating deannexation of outlying areas. - Mayumi Winler (Ward 2) echoed the deannexation idea and noted that June sales tax revenues were $1.78 million below budget, and general fund expenses were cut $7.61 million from budget. She also expressed concern about the shrinking of Frances Kate Park in the Griffin Hospital area conceptual plans. - Chris Nanny (Ward 1) raised safety concerns at the Wellness Center: lack of lifeguards at the pool, incomplete kitchen drains (hot water splashing on cooks), and restroom door locks. He also requested recycling collection at the center. - Evan Dunn spoke in support of the Griffin Park purchase and praised the city's asset portfolio. - David Davila (Ward 1) commented on the Griffin Hospital relocation, noting job losses and potential exacerbation of homelessness. - Greg Stover (Ward 1, Wyndham Place) expressed concerns about the planned supportive housing near his senior living facility, citing safety and lack of communication. - Russell Rice (Ward 2) requested a cooling station for the library, thanked the city for restoring the mayor's parking spot to a handicapped spot, and urged installation of a stoplight at the new James Garner cut-through near the railroad tracks. Discussion Items - Item 17 – Neighborhood Alliance Inc. Contract ($50,000): Councilmember Gansbury asked about the purpose. Staff explained it is a fourth-year contract to help voluntary neighborhood associations organize, providing training on forming associations, officer duties, and HOA basics. Councilmember Grant inquired about interest in other neighborhoods. Staff noted that three voluntary associations have formed in CDBG target areas (primarily Ward 4), and others (e.g., Original Townside) are active. The contract was approved unanimously. - Item 29 – Interlocal Agreement for Griffin Park Purchase ($3,306,480): Anthony Pierinson (city legal staff) presented the history: the city has leased the 156-acre soccer park from the state since 1983; Norman Forward (2015) included funding for land acquisition; negotiations stalled until 2023 when the state planned to relocate Griffin Hospital. The purchase price is based on a December 2024 appraisal. Past rent payments ($500,000) will offset the purchase price, leaving a net of $2.8 million from Norman Forward funds. The property is currently used for soccer fields and has received significant city investment. Council members Nash and Mayor noted the economic impact of soccer tournaments, the risk of losing the fields if sold to a private party, and the long-term savings. The agreement was approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Proclamations acknowledged unanimously. - Consent docket (items 4–28, except 17) approved unanimously. - Item 17 (Neighborhood Alliance contract) approved unanimously. - Item 29 (Griffin Park purchase interlocal agreement) approved unanimously. Closing expected within 30 days. - Council announcements included: congratulations to City Clerk Brenda Hall for being named to the 2025 Municipal Clerk's Honor Roll; upcoming community events (oscillator print camp, Bubbles in the Park, Summer Breeze concert); vacancies on the Human Rights Commission; and a study session on the Griffin Hospital property held earlier that day. - Councilmember Gansbury noted continued outreach to stakeholders (Wyndham Place, Middle Earth, The Meadows) regarding the supportive housing project.