Norman City Council votes to postpone turnpike resolution, community members protest OTA

The Norman City Council voted to postpone a resolution to participate in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS Oklahoma project, a plan that would bring new turnpikes to Norman and surrounding Cleveland County communities, during its meeting Tuesday evening. 

7:49 p.m.

Public comment has concluded, and council has adjourned. 

7:41 p.m.

Residents are continuing to voice their opposition to ACCESS Oklahoma resolution to Norman City Council. 20 people have spoken, with 17 speaking against the resolution and project. Three speakers have discussed other matters. 

Amy Cerato, president of Pike Off OTA and Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation, asked council to hold a study session with the community to discuss the turnpike.

"We've given you nothing but facts for the past two years," Cerato said. "Writing a resolution with the OTA doesn't mean they're going to do what they say they're going to do, it just ties our hands."

Cerato asked council to stop giving the OTA construction permits until the resolution is sorted out. Several audience members stood and cheered for Cerato as she left the podium. 

7:12 p.m.

Public comments continue, with 10 people speaking against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's ACCESS Oklahoma plan. Residents have expressed concerns about the OTA's administration, the use of eminent domain and environmental effects in East Norman. 

Travis Wilson's property sits directly across from a proposed OTA turnpike. Wilson said he doesn't believe the city should "empower" the OTA any further with this resolution.

Randy Carter, Ward 5 resident and member of Pike Off OTA, said the OTA's request sounded like "a ransom note." Carter pointed to a presentation given at the July 30 council study session, when staff said the funding from OTA for city projects listed in the resolution could be in jeopardy should a resolution not be approved by Norman City Council. 

6:46 p.m.

Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant motioned to postpone the resolution due to their concerns with drafting the item and to allow council more time to review the resolution. 

The resolution will be reviewed at a study session next Tuesday and will be voted on during the Aug. 27 meeting. 

Public comment begins with Kelly Wilson, a Norman resident, thanking council for tabling the measure. 

Rob Norman, a lawyer who was a part of a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, asked council to not do anything to revoke a 2022 resolution opposing ACCESS Oklahoma.

6:30 p.m.

The Norman City Council is now entering its regular meeting, where it will vote on a resolution to participate in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS Oklahoma program. 

During a prior conference meeting, the council discussed postponing the resolution to allow more time to review the item before voting on it. 

Pike Off OTA members, protesting the resolution, have entered the chamber to speak during the meeting, wearing red shirts. 

5:54 p.m.

Council is adjourned until 6:30 p.m. this evening. A protest by Pike Off OTA, a grassroots anti-turnpike organization, is unfolding in the lobby of city hall. 

5:33 p.m.

Council is now discussing the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority resolution related to ACCESS Oklahoma, a $5 billion, 15-year long-range plan set to construct new turnpikes and improve existing highways. 

Council will vote on the resolution later this evening. 

Three of the plan’s new turnpike routes — the South Extension Turnpike, East-West Connector and the Tri-City Connector — have faced protests from Cleveland County residents. 

Two lawsuits have been filed since the project was announced in 2022, one alleging the OTA violated the Open Meetings Act and another challenging the authorization to construct these specific turnpike routes. 

In the Open Meetings Act lawsuit, a judge ruled against the OTA in December 2022, though the state Supreme Court later overturned that ruling in May 2023. 

In August 2023, the state Supreme Court ruled again in OTA’s favor in the authorization lawsuit, officially approving ACCESS Oklahoma. Construction of the turnpike system is expected to begin in late 2025, opening by the end of 2027, according to a city staff report. 

During the July 30 council meeting, two resolutions were presented: one given to the city by the OTA, and another written by Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash. According to a Facebook post from Nash, the resolution being presented to council tonight is a combination of the two. 

The resolution reads the OTA will improve and construct turnpike facilities in Norman while protecting and preserving the Lake Thunderbird watershed, the Canadian River Corridor, Norman’s drinking water supply and flood hazard areas as part of its ACCESS Oklahoma plan. 

For the city to participate “in good faith” with the OTA, Norman’s leaders are requesting that the OTA commit to environmental studies, alternative turnpike routes, the implementation of more mitigation measures and consulting with the city and residents.

The resolution states the city attorney and city manager are authorized and directed to take all necessary legal actions to enforce the city’s legal rights, including protecting Norman’s flood hazards, stormwater management plan, the Lake Thunderbird Watershed and Canadian River Corridor.

Interim Director of Public Works Scott Sturtz said he spoke to the OTA about conducting environmental studies. According to Sturtz, the OTA will do some environmental studies, but because the authority is not using federal funds, will not conduct all required studies using those funds.  

Sturtz said the OTA will need some permits from the city to begin construction. However, Sturtz is looking for more clarity on if the authority will need a floodplain permit from the city. 

Nash said he feels that council has not had a proper opportunity to review the resolution before voting on it this evening. Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant said they received a copy of the resolution on Tuesday, sent comments to city attorney staff, but those were not added in the resolution on tonight's agenda.

Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya said she hadn't had an opportunity to review the resolution at all, as she was out of state until Friday, when council agendas are released.

Ward 2 Councilmember Matt Peacock proposed the idea of postponing the resolution during the 6 p.m. meeting to allow council to review and comment on the amendment before voting on it.

Grant said they were in favor of postponing and asked council to devote time to explaining the legality of the city's rights during a public meeting. Most council members are in favor of postponing.

5 p.m. 

Members of the Norman City Council are meeting to discuss the city’s infrastructure needs related to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS Oklahoma transportation plan and a new meter infrastructure program. 

The meter infrastructure program will replace old meters with advanced meters that transmit readings wirelessly to Norman’s utility office. These upgrades will not cost residents anything, according to a video produced by the city about the program.

The project will be fully deployed by the end of 2025, according to a presentation by utilities consulting firm E Source and the city.