Norman City Council heard a presentation for the Central Oklahoma transit plan and approved special use for a bar, lounge or tavern for a local car wash during its Tuesday meeting.
At the beginning of council’s regular meeting, Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya resigned her seat.
Ward 3 Councilmember’s resignation
The news: Montoya's resignation came after screenshots of now-deleted Facebook comments from June resurfaced on social media. In the screenshots, Montoya is seen engaging with another user in the comments of a KFOR-TV post about the “No Kings” protests, where she encouraged the user to perform acts of suicide.
What they’re saying: Audra Abbott, the user who interacted with Montoya in the Facebook comment discussion, addressed council, saying she forgave Montoya and was thankful for the support of the community.
“You can’t think that someone that disagrees with you is stupid or mentally ill,” Abbott said. “I want everyone in the community to know that we are still definitely pushing forward and making sure the people that represent us represent everyone, not just the people that voted for them.”
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman referenced the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying individuals often profit from political division.
“It’s easy to dehumanize someone if you just think of them as an ‘other.’ It’s easy to say hurtful things to them if that’s the way you look at them,” Holman said. “There are people out there who stand to benefit from our division.”
Multiple public comments called for Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant to also resign after a recent Facebook comment from Grant regarding Kirk’s death gained attention. In response, Holman clarified his authority to the council.
“The mayor is not the boss of these council members,” Holman said. “I have no ability to call for or demand any of their resignations. … They answer to the voters and the residents of their wards.”
Holman also addressed the date of Montoya’s comments, which were made in June, before he took office in July.
“I’ve been mayor for three months. I’m being asked to police the behavior and the speech of a council member that was done before I was mayor,” Holman said. “I can’t say that this is easy.”
Grant addressed their own support toward those struggling with mental health challenges.
“More than one council member, past and present, in a time of crisis has reached out to me and I’ve offered sympathy, support and resources,” Grant said.
After Grant’s comment to the room, attendees spoke from the audience that the situation was “embarrassing,” with some asking Grant, “What about your (Facebook) comment?”
After Grant addressed council, attendees spoke from their seats, calling the situation “embarrassing.”
“What about your (Facebook) comment?” one attendee asked.
Holman called for order, saying council was past the opportunity for public comment.
Rezoning to serve beer, wine at car wash
The news: Council approved special use for a bar, lounge or tavern for Cruise-In Auto Spa’s new location at 3250 West Robinson Street, which is set to open in January.
Luke Greenfield, Cruise-In Auto Spa director of operations, said the business was seeking a rezoning to acquire another beer and wine license.
In January 2024, council approved a beer and wine license for Cruise-In Auto Spa’s main location on Main Street for the business to serve beer and wine to customers in the waiting area.
What they’re saying: At the time of the prior license approval in 2024, Greenfield said the sale of beer and wine would give customers a place to relax while automotive maintenance is done.
Greenfield said the service has done well.
“It’s been a great success,” Greenfield said. “Customers are always happy when they can enjoy a beer while they’re waiting on their car.”
When asked about possible issues with quantity limits, Greenfield said it hasn’t been a problem.
“We set a drink maximum at three drinks,” Greenfield said. “We have yet to have to cut anyone off.”
The vote: Council unanimously approved the rezoning.
Transit plan presentation
The news: Council heard a presentation on the Central Oklahoma Long Range Transit Plan during a special meeting.
The 30-year plan includes 11 jurisdictions and five destinations, including Will Rogers International Airport and Tinker Air Force Base. According to the presentation, the goals of the plan include providing communities with transit access and offering competitive service options.
According to the presentation, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments projects an increase of 434,000 residents in Norman and the creation of 320,000 jobs by 2045 due to improvements outlined in the plan.
The total capital cost of the plan ranges from $500-725 million, with yearly operation and maintenance costs being estimated from $125-175 million.
What they’re saying: Holman noted the cost difference between the transit plan and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s proposed South Extension Turnpike.
“We could fully fund this entire program for the entire metro area to ride a train or whatever transit,” Holman said. “All of that could be funded almost twice for what they want to spend on just one section of the turnpike.”
Chip Nolen, EMBARKOK planning manager, told council he hopes to provide regular updates on the status of the plan.
“We’d like to update this five years from now,” Nolen said. “I don’t want this to sit on the shelf for the next 20 years.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Anusha Fathepure.
