Update — 10:03 a.m. June 9: State Rep. Jared Deck (D-Norman), along with Rep. Annie Menz (D-Norman) and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman), wrote in a statement Monday the ordinance does not reflect the intentions of Norman residents working to address homelessness and emphasized the agenda item is scheduled for discussion rather than a vote.
They wrote the ordinance would raise the cost of living and any council members associated with it should be held accountable.
"We are confident this proposal will be seen by the Norman City Council for what it is — an embarrassment that only furthers false narratives about our community and the work being done by extraordinary organizations and individuals on the ground, ..." they wrote. "The community of Norman puts our compassionate words into action by working to provide meaningful pathways out of homelessness and either into treatment or the workforce. There is too much at stake and too much to do to waste time on embarrassing proposals as this."
Update — 6:45 p.m. June 8: Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant wrote about state officials' comments in a Facebook post Monday afternoon, calling it ironic.
"I can’t be the only one who sees the irony of State and County leaders, who control far larger budgets and actual health departments, weighing in on our policy discussions when they are also responsible for policy failures at their respective levels of Government," Grant wrote. "Have we solved homelessness yet? Because from where I’m standing it looks like chaos and people not actually moving out of Norman despite the attempts to 'chase them out.'"
In a Saturday Facebook post, Grant clarified the ordinance will be discussed during council's special meeting Tuesday night and will not be present on the regular meeting agenda following the special meeting.
"It will not be voted on at the 6:30 Regular Council meeting as it's not an item on consent nor is listed as an item off consent," Grant wrote. "I know there are people who like to misrepresent the truth, but that's not how the process works."
In a comment on Grant's post, Ward 6 Councilmember Kimberly Blodgett wrote the city is working to address homelessness.
"Any temporary hosting situation would be an emergency measure to prevent people from having nowhere to go while the shelter is built. It is not intended to replace any obligation," Blodgett wrote.
Read our original story below.
State officials Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton have urged Norman City Council to reject an ordinance that would allow camping in residential areas.
The ordinance would establish a temporary emergency permit program authorizing camping under controlled conditions such as location, sanitation and health requirements. It would reduce unauthorized camping where ordinance requirements are not met in Norman, allowing only two people and one temporary shelter per permitted lot.
Council is scheduled to discuss the ordinance during its special meeting Tuesday night, but will not hold a vote on the item.
In a Monday Facebook post, Drummond wrote he had heard outrage from Norman residents over the discussion. He wrote his office is closely monitoring the process.
“I’ve heard from many people in Norman who are outraged over the City Council’s consideration of an ordinance allowing a homeless encampment adjacent to a residential property,” Drummond wrote. “My office is closely monitoring the process, and I stand with Norman citizens' firm opposition to this proposal. We can show kindness to those in need without compromising public safety or sanitation.”
In a Monday press release, Paxton urged council to reject the proposed ordinance.
“Allowing homeless encampments in residential neighborhoods is not the solution …” Paxton’s quote reads “This ordinance could also potentially expose the city to significant legal liability and neighborhood disputes.”
OU Daily reached out to Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman but did not hear back by the time of publication.
Camping requirements
The ordinance suspension would allow camping on certain eligible lots following location, sanitation and health and conduct requirements.
Lots eligible for camping must:
• Be a residential area
• Contain an owner-occupied dwelling
• Be owned by the applicant, who must consent in writing to city inspection and enforcement
• Be connected to functioning water and sanitary sewer service
• Not be subject to unresolved nuisance, dangerous building or health code violations
• Comply with spacing and visibility requirements
Temporary shelters must also follow specific location requirements:
• Camping can only occur within an area specifically approved by the city. Temporary shelters must be located in the front yard.
• Shelters may not be located within 15 feet of any public sidewalk, 20 feet of any street intersection, eight feet of any side property line and within any drainage easement or utility easement.
• Temporary shelters shall not obstruct vehicle sight distance, sidewalks, driveways, fire access or pedestrian travel.
• No camping shall occur in the public right of way.
There will not be a vote or public comment period during Tuesday’s special meeting when council discusses ordinance.
This story was edited by Reagan Rozzi and Audrey McClour.
