Norman City Council approved a preliminary plat for a groundwater facility and a resolution for temporary housing on properties impacted by wildfires at its regular meeting Tuesday.
During public announcements, multiple council members thanked first responders following their response to wildfires earlier this month. Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash said he would like firefighters to receive formal recognition.
Temporary housing for lots affected by fires
The news: Council approved a policy that allows residents affected by recent wildfires to live in temporary dwellings on the same lot as impacted permanent dwellings.
According to a staff report, temporary dwellings include mobile homes, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, tiny homes and other structures fastened to the ground. The report adds temporary dwellings must have adequate water, wastewater disposal systems and electricity.
The report notes property owners must apply for and receive a building permit within a year of the permanent dwelling’s destruction, but building and associated permit fees would be waived.
Earlier this month, multiple wildfires hit Norman, prompting several areas of the city to evacuate. At the same time, over 130 wildfires across the state prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt to issue a state of emergency in 12 counties, including Cleveland County.
According to the staff report, six dwelling units in Norman were destroyed as a result of fires.
The vote: Council unanimously approved the resolution in the consent docket.
Proclamations
The news: Mayor Larry Heikkila proclaimed April as “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month” and May 3 as “Cultural Unity Day.”
“(I) urge all citizens to dedicate ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families and to recognize that prevention starts with each of us,” Heikkila said.
What they’re saying: Gregory Roberts, president of Exchange Club of Norman, a nonprofit organization aimed at child abuse prevention, said the organization will host a lighting ceremony on April 1, where participants will illuminate a light for every confirmed case of child abuse in Cleveland County.
Richard Baxter, founder of #racismstinks, a nonprofit designed to alleviate racial divides, requested the proclamation for Cultural Unity Day.
Baxter said the nonprofit will host a Norman Cultural Unity Parade on May 3. The parade will feature 10 floats honoring different subjects, nationalities and ethnicities, including Native Americans, Latin Americans, African Americans and law enforcement, according to the proclamation.
According to the proclamation, the parade represents a commitment to rebuilding public trust in law enforcement, along with unifying communities.
“The cultural unity parade isn't just an event. It's a declaration that Oklahoma stands together,” Baxter said. “This parade is about more than celebration. It's about rebuilding trust in our law enforcement and the communities that they serve. It's about uniting people of all backgrounds under a shared belief that public safety belongs to all of us.”
Baxter took multiple pictures with council and city employees alongside an individual in a skunk costume, the nonprofit’s mascot.
Norman Groundwater Facility
The news: Council approved a preliminary plat for “Norman Groundwater Facility” at 4020 E. Tecumseh Road.
According to a staff report, the property contains 28 acres and one lot. The report adds the property will contain one access point on to Tecumseh Road and is expected to generate less than 100 trips on an average weekday.
The vote: Council unanimously approved the preliminary plat.
Tri-annual audit plan
The news: Council heard a presentation by City Auditor Shaakira Calnick regarding the city’s tri-annual audit plan, which includes fiscal years 2025-27.
According to the plan, the city auditor’s office estimated 5,592 hours will be available during the plan’s period. The plan notes 3,520 hours were allocated to scheduled audits and 2,072 hours were allocated to other audit services, such as unscheduled audit requests, investigations, audit plan development, committee participation and a fraud training program.
Calnick said there are eight high-risk audits throughout the city’s departments that should be audited within the next year, including one city-wide audit, three human relations audits, three finance audits and one utilities audit.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza.
