Norman City Council unanimously voted to include a homeless shelter project, street maintenance bond and a guest room tax increase on an April 7 ballot on Tuesday.
Homeless shelter
The news: Council approved the homeless shelter bond for the April 7 ballot.
Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen and Assistant City Attorney Kathryn Walker presented the $8 million homeless shelter bond.
The proposed shelter located on Reed Avenue will house up to 100 guests and will feature men’s and women’s dorms, family space, storage facilities and pet kennels, among other things, according to the presentation.
Olsen said city staff, in collaboration with operating partner City Care, helped create the conceptual design of the shelter.
Olsen said the expected cost of the shelter is $7.9 million and if there is leftover money, it could be used to further secure surrounding security if those concerns arise.
The project is estimated to be completed in 18 months according to Olsen.
What they’re saying: Ward 5 Councilmember Brandon Nofire asked how many guests the shelter could hold in the event of an emergency.
Olsen said the exact number isn’t available yet, but he believes the shelter could go over its limit in the event of an emergency.
Ward 3 Councilmember Robert Bruce asked if operational costs have been drafted yet.
Walker said since the facility will not be completed for 18 months, their goal is to work with City Care to see what fundraising and grants can be obtained.
Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Peacock asked if plans for a tornado shelter stayed intact for the shelter's current design.
Olsen said both men and women's dorms will be reinforced structures so in the event of a tornado guests can stay where they are.
The vote: Council unanimously approved to put the bond to vote on the April 7 ballot.
Street maintenance program
The news: Council voted to put the street maintenance bond on the April 7 ballot.
Public Works Director Scott Strutz presented the five-year street maintenance bond, which includes improvements to city and neighborhood roads.
The $35 million bond includes an increase of $8 million compared to the 2021 street maintenance bond. Sturtz said the bond isn't a new tax and the increase is due to property values increasing.
The street maintenance program started in March 2005. The program spans all eight wards and maintains Norman’s approximately 800 miles of streets and sidewalks.
What they’re saying: Peacock asked if this version of the program is setting up for the South Turnpike Expansion. The South Turnpike Extension is a part of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's ACCESS Oklahoma plan, a 15-year, $8 billion plan to develop new turnpikes and expand existing highways statewide.
In September, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority revealed a revised alignment for the South Extension Turnpike that would take the turnpike through Norman’s 48th and 60th avenues, from the East-West Connector at East Indian Hills Road to Interstate 35 at State Highway 74.
Strutz said staff did not consider the turnpike when putting the plan together.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman asked if all projects since 2005 have all been completed.
Strurtz said that they have a record of having funding left over to complete extra roadways.
“We typically do more than what was actually originally planned for,” Sturtz said.
Holman also asked to clarify that this project is not for new roads. Stutz confirmed the bond is only for maintenance.
The vote: Council unanimously voted to pass the ordinance. Norman residents will vote on April 7 bond.
Guest room tax
The news: Council approved a guest room tax ordinance to be added to the April ballot.
The plan would increase guest room tax from 8% to 10% and would include recreation vehicles, according to Walker.
The tax is applied to gross proceeds or rent derived from the rental of rooms or houses in Norman, according to a staff report.
Norman’s room tax is split between Visit Norman, the Norman Arts Council, Norman Parks and the Norman Sports Commission.
What they’re saying: Ward 1 councilmember David Gandesbery asked if Norman residents have to pay this tax if they stay in a hotel in Norman.
Walker said that Norman residents are exempt from the tax.
Holman asked what residents should do if they get charged this tax while staying at a local hotel.
Walker said residents can contact the city’s finance department to get the tax removed.
Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant asked if tribal members are also exempt from the tax.
Walker said tribal members are exempt from the tax and added if someone is staying for city or state function they are also exempt.
The vote: Council unanimously voted to pass the ordinance. Residents will vote on this matter on April. 7th.
Massage license
The news: Walker presented an ordinance that will add licensure requirements for massage therapy establishments. Walker said the ordinance follows an uptick in establishments using massage therapy as a cover for prostitution, drug trafficking and money laundering.
Walker said the city’s current ordinance leaves it unable to shut down these businesses. She said if they arrest an offender, they can get out of jail and be back in operation “within days.”
Licenses will initially be $50 and $25 for renewals. Licenses will not be granted if the applicant has been convicted of certain felonies, including but not limited to sexual misconduct, possession of drugs or weapons and violence. Licenses will also not be granted if the applicant has had a similar license denied, revoked or suspended by the city or other jurisdiction in the last five years according to the presentation.
Licensing requirements include a sanitary working environment, maintaining an appointment book for three years, appropriate clothing and no locked internal doors for service areas, according to the presentation.
Enforcement is expected to begin April 1, according to the presentation.
What they’re saying: Grant asked if this ordinance was supported by professionals in the industry.
Walker said the city met with four massage therapists to review the ordinance. She said the ordinance’s proposed language was tweaked based on the professionals' feedback.
Holman asked if other metro cities have a similar ordinance. Walker said Moore, Oklahoma City and Lawton have similar policies.
The vote: Council unanimously voted to pass the ordinance.
Charter amendments
The news: Council approved amendments to the city charter to be on the April ballot, including changing the start date of council members’ terms and adding qualifications for the city auditor position.
The change comes after the resignation of former City Auditor Shaakira Calnick in October due to municipal code requiring the city auditor to be a certified public accountant. Calnick worked for the city for almost two years, despite not being a certified public accountant, due to an incorrect job listing.
The proposed amendment would require potential city auditors to show proof of professional certification as well as a minimum of five years of professional experience in auditing, according to the ordinance.
The other amendment proposes council members’ terms start on the first Tuesday following the potential runoff election date.
What they’re saying: Holman said when he was first elected as mayor, it took five months for him to be sworn in.
“As time went on, people asked me 'how’s it being mayor?' and I’d be like, 'well actually I don’t get sworn in till July 1,' and they’d be like 'I feel like I voted for you last year,'” Holman said.
The vote: Council unanimously voted to put the ordinance on the April 7 ballot.
This story was edited by Macey Thaxton, Anusha Fathepure, Natalie Armour and Audrey McClour.
