Norman City Council approved a contract for road widenings on Imhoff Road, a plat for a KIA dealership and a contract to hire interim city attorney, Rick Knighton as the city attorney, at its regular meeting.
Rural certificate for Indian Hills Sports Complex
The news: Council approved a rural certificate for Indian Hills Sports Complex near the southwest corner of the intersection of Indian Hills Road and 60th Avenue NW. The property proposal consists of two 20-acre tracts with a clubhouse, soccer fields, restrooms, parking lot, barn and a single-family residential structure, according to a staff report.
The vote: The certificate was approved unanimously in the consent docket.
Final plat for Sooner KIA
The news: Council approved a final plat for Sooner KIA of Norman, a KIA dealership proposed for 418 Interstate Dr.
A staff report notes council approved a preliminary plat for the property on April 28, 2024 and the owners are replatting to construct a lot for the dealership. Public improvements include sidewalks and private improvements include a detention facility, according to the report.
The vote: The plat was approved unanimously in the consent docket.
Contract for Imhoff Road Widening – Crimson Flats Project.
The news: Council approved the transfer of $248,980 for a contract with Silver Star Construction, Inc. for the widening of Imhoff Road.
According to a staff report, Silver Star Construction, Inc., a Moore-based construction company, provided the lowest of three bids. The report adds, city staff recommends approving the contract with Silver Star Construction, Inc. because it has completed multiple projects in Norman and surrounding cities.
The road widening project is intended for public improvements for the Crimson Flatsa $14.5 million affordable housing project.
The report notes the project is expected to start in early 2025 and has a 60-day duration.
The vote: The contract was approved unanimously in the consent docket.
Public hearing for 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
The news: Council approved the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds and held a public hearing regarding the funding’s potential focus. No residents spoke during the public hearing.
According to a staff reportthe US Department of Justice announced $46,776 in grant funding was available to the city of Norman, the Moore Police Department and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. The report adds Norman’s recommended share is $30,205, Moore Police Department’s recommended share is $11,893 and Cleveland County’s recommended share is $4,679.
Projects identified for the focus of the funding include supplies, training and equipment for forensic technicians, crime and intelligence analyst training, data visualization software and training, the report notes. Moore Police Department will use the funding for five ticket printers and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office will use the funding for data forensic software, suspect trackers and interview recording equipment, according to the report.
The report notes the project is expected to start in early 2025 and has a 60-day duration.
What they’re saying: Norman Police Department Chief Kevin Foster, said the city receives the grant every year, which is primarily used for equipment, training and cameras.
“We get it every year. It is a formula-based grant,” Foster said. “They just base it off your crime rates and your population. We are (a) disparate population.”
The vote: Council unanimously voted to approve the grant and budget appropriations.
Contract to employ Rick Knighton as City Attorney
The news: Council approved a contract to employ Interim City Attorney Rick Knighton as city attorney.
The contract includes a $204,140 annual salary, automatic amendments for non-merit based salary adjustments including cost of living, term life insurance twice the amount of the annual base salary paid for by the city, up to 28 days of paid vacation leave, and consideration of increased compensation depending on performance evaluation. The city would also provide a laptop and mobile phone, and pay for “reasonable travel,” job-related expenses and licensing fees.
The contract prohibits Knighton from endorsing political candidates, making financial contributions, signing or circulating petitions, and seeking or accepting personal profit from holding office or confidential information.
According to a staff reportthe majority of council directed a contract with Knighton be brought forward. The report notes the contract’s terms align with discussions between Knighton and City Manager Darrel Pyle.
What they’re saying: Council did not have any questions regarding the contract.
Ward 2 Councilmember Matt Peacock said he has worked with Knighton since he was a litigator, adding he approves of the contract.
“It’s been a pleasure. He’s an outstanding member of our team,” Peacock said.
The vote: Council unanimously approved the contract to hire Rick Knighton as the city attorney.
-Conference meeting
Norman City Council discussed the Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Plan and updates regarding the city’s litter crew and wrap-around services at its conference meeting.
Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Plan
The news: Chip Nolen, planning manager for Embark OK and John Sharp, director of transportation and planning services for Association of Central Oklahoma Governments presented the Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Planwhich intends to “develop an intentional plan for a cohesive network of transit services that supports growth, promotes equity, enhances quality of life, and facilitates opportunity across Central Oklahoma,” according to the presentation.
Listed goals include providing communities with access to transit, creating a “reliable rider experience,” offering competitive service options and utilizing resources effectively. The presentation adds the project will assess local services and allow more “proactive” operations, define clear recommendations for operators to achieve an integrated network, and determine “responsible investments” to support long-term transit plans.
Nolen said the project is composed of assessment, evaluation and recommendation phases, with the project currently concluding the assessment stage. A virtual town hall regarding the Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Plan is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 11:30 a.m.
What they’re saying:
Sharp said the plan looks 25 years into the future, considering population growth to determine future public transit.
“It’s very important for the whole region to think forward like this,” Sharp said.
Nolen said the plan intends to create a regional transit system in central Oklahoma.
Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila said the plans are “essential” to Norman as the city deals with multiple other issues.
“It’s encouraging, for those of us that look at this growth, that this plan is coming up. We’ve got so many eggs on the pan that it’s hard enough to keep up with what we’ve got,” Heikkila said.
Litter crew
The news:Council discussed updates to Norman’s litter crew presented by Michele Loudenback, environmental and sustainability manager.
Loudenback said the current litter crew program is called “Opportunity Knocks” and uses opioid settlement money to focus on community members experiencing or recovering from Opioid Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder.
The program includes a roving outreach van that operates 3 days a week, hiring eight participants for $65 per day, according to the presentation. Loudenback said wrap-around services address homelessness through employment training and case management, which now include addiction recovery services.
Loudenback said the program intends to contact 200 individuals per calendar year and will submit monthly and semi-annual reports. Benchmarks listed in the presentation include having 25% of participants accessing recovery services, 10% enrolling in job programs, 20% submitting job applications and 25% achieving stable employment.
The presentation notes the proposed budget is $360,368 annually.
Loudenback said current plans include finalizing a contract, launching networking efforts, procuring necessary supplies and beginning operations in April.
What they’re saying:
Loudenback said the intention behind focusing on participants experiencing or recovery from addiction was to combine beautification with general social services.
“If we can help folks that are experiencing and or recovering from OED SUD, as well as improve community relations and make our city beautiful and provide an income to folks who don’t have it. Wow, right? Win, win,” Loudenback said.
City Manager Darrel Pyle said the program does not add “further constraint” on the general fund.
“Bless this woman, she’s a saint,” Pyle said. “It’s healthy for the general fund, it really is the way those dollars were intended to be used.”
Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila said the program should improve Norman.
“I was saying, over your career, and how many brilliant solutions you’ve come up with that are not only saving this money, they’re saving the space, making this place a better place,” Heikkila said.
This story was edited by Ismael Lele.
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