March 8, 2019 - In This Issue:
WORKING TOGETHER
TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
March 8, 2019 Weekly report to the Mayor and City Council 

MONDAY
March 11
TUESDAY
March 12
WEDNESDAY
March 13
THURSDAY
March 14
FRIDAY
March 15


4:00 p.m. 
Public Arts Board

4:30 p.m. 
Library Board

6:00 p.m. 
Animal Oversight

6:15 p.m. 
Bicycle Advisory






5:00 pm 
City Council Conference

6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting









5:30 p.m.
ECAB


4:00 p.m. 
Public Safety Oversight

4:00 p.m. 
City Council Oversight

6:30 p.m. 
Planning Commission








No 
Meeting


CITY MANAGER 
City Manager's Weekly Report Update

This Weekly Report is sent every Friday and serves as the City Manager's "update" to City Council on items that are useful for scheduling purposes and/or communicating with constituents on matters of interest. It also  provides details on special events, and  City-wide accomplishments. Some examples include:
  • Project kick-offs and completions
  • Initiatives that will affect service valued by our residents
  • Construction updates
  • Updates on inter-governmental relations, and
  • Special Recognitions for outstanding achievements
Vision for Norman: Open House Saturday
So far two Vision for Norman public open houses have been successfully completed with two more and a Ward 5 meeting scheduled for the upcoming week: 

Friday, March 8
Main Street Event Center
300 E. Main Street
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 9
Thunderbird Baptist Church
1416 142nd Ave. SE
10:30 a.m. to noon

Monday, March 11
Norman Public Library
Central Branch
225 N. Webster Ave. 
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.


A list of events as well as background information for each proposition, interactive maps, meeting posters, a digital brochure and other information can be found on the website at VisionForNorman.com . Videos are in the final stages of edits and will be posted throughout the upcoming weeks. The most recent one, titled Vision for Norman: Your Questions Answered, can be viewed on the City's YouTube page at https://youtu.be/qfEtESZbqH0


March Sales Tax
The general purpose sales tax remittance from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for the month of March (reflecting sales during the month of January) was $4,116,486.  This is a decrease of $222,748 (-5.13%) below March, 2018 levels.  Fiscal year 2018-1019 sales tax collections are now 1.92% above prior-year levels.
 
The general purpose use tax remittance for the month of March (reflecting sales of goods purchased outside of Oklahoma for use within Norman during the month of January) was $434.707.08.  This is an increase of $104,747 (+31.75%) above March, 2018 levels.  Fiscal year 2018-2019 use tax collections are now 37.58% above prior-year levels.


March Street Sweeping Schedule
For the month of March 2019, the Stormwater Division will conduct routine street sweeping activities on all arterial streets from 48th Ave W to 12th Ave E and Indian Hills Rd to Post Oak Rd. Residential curbed streets within the following areas will also be swept this month depending on weather and other work requirements:
  • 12th Ave E to 60th Ave E between Alameda Street and Cedar Lane Road
  • 60th Ave W to I-35 between Robinson Street and Main Street
 
Additional questions on street sweeping can be directed to the Stormwater Division, 329-2524 or pwstormwater@normanok.gov .



BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Resignations, Vacancies, Expired Terms (Members Still Serving), Upcoming Appointments and Reappointments   See Chart
FIRE
Incident Summary  (2/28/19-3/6/19)

*Fire Related
7
Overpressure rupture, explosion
0
Emergency Medical
186
Hazardous Condition
7
Service Call
23
Good Intent
30
False Alarm
27
Special Incident
0
Severe Weather
0
Total 280
 













MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS  

Map and Updates for the City of Norman's Major Infrastructure  Projects
ARTICLES
News Coverage, Documents and Articles That May Be of Interest to City Council
  • "New ordinance passed by council prohibits cutting down street trees" Norman Transcript 3/4/19  see article
  • "'Senior Center visioning conference planned" Norman Transcript 3/4/19  see article
  • "2 Norman city council members turn their backs on resident in protest of anti-abortion comments at meeting" KFOR 3/4/19   see article
  • "Norman City Council considers banning or limiting outdoor cats in study session" Norman Transcript 3/6/19   see article
  • "Vision for Norman open houses this weekend" Norman Transcript 3/7/19 see article
PARKS
PROGRAMS
Westwood Family Aquatic Center
Aquatics International, a national publication for Aquatic Professionals, hosted their 2019 Best of Aquatics Award's in Frisco, Texas last week.  Westwood Family Aquatic Center was awarded the "Best of Marketing" award. The marketing plan for the Westwood Family Aquatic Center was over a year in the making, studying other pool operations both locally and regionally.  Working with a local marketing company, "Bold Multimedia," City Staff implemented a marketing plan that led to a record-setting attendance of over 114,000 at Westwood in its first year.  Josh Holman, Aquatics Director and Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent accepted the award.


Pictured from left: Josh Holman, Aquatics Director;
Jason Olsen, Recreation Superintendent

2019 Summer Kids Camp
Registration for the 2019 Summer Kids Camp registration at the Irving, 12th Avenue, and Whittier Recreation Centers is now open. Summer Camp is open to children entering Kindergarten through 5th grades and will run from May 28 to August 9. The cost per participant is $140 per week. Activities will include games, crafts, field trips, swimming and other fun activities throughout the summer.


Whittier Recreation Center
Registration for the Whittier Discovery Camp is now open for this summer. The Whittier Recreation Center is joining the 12th Ave Rec Center and the Irving Rec Center in providing childcare this summer. Camp will meet from May 28th- August 9th from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. There will be indoor/outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports and recreation as well as water activities and field trips. Enrollment is open for campers ages 5-11. All campers must bring a non-microwavable lunch and drink.

Irving Recreation Center Spring Break Camp
Irving Recreation Center is taking registrations for Spring Break Camp which will be held March 18 through 22 for kids ages 5 to 11. There will be games, crafts, and a field trip. Contact Irving Recreation Center staff at 405-292-9774 to register for the Spring Break Camp.

Youth and Adult Sports
Registration for the 2019 Spring Junior Jammer Volleyball league is open and can be found at   www.juniorjammer.com . The registration fee is $70 and includes jersey. There are three leagues in this co-ed league: Junior (2nd-3rd grade), Jammer (4th-5th grade) and senior (6th-8th grades) that will play 6 matches plus a double elimination tournament. Games are played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Whittier and Irving Rec Centers.


Inaugural Senior Games 
Norman Parks Department is launching its first intramural  games for seniors with the Inaugural Norman Senior Games from April 3 through May 22. 
Adults ages 50 and up are invited to compete in a variety of events including 3 on 3 basketball, bowling, cornhole, golf, pickleball, swimming, tennis, table tennis, and a triathlon. The cost of registration ranges from $10 to $50 depending on the event and number of players.
For more information and to register visit 
PARKS
PROJECTS
2019 Summer Kids Camp
Registration for the 2019 Summer Kids Camp registration at the Irving, 12th Avenue, and Whittier Recreation Centers is now open. Summer Camp is open to children entering Kindergarten through 5th grades and will run from May 28 to August 9. The cost per participant is $140 per week. Activities will include games, crafts, field trips, swimming and other fun activities throughout the summer.


NORMAN FORWARD Senior Center Ad Hoc Group
The Senior Center Ad Hoc Group met again this week to review final plans for the Senior Center Visioning Session scheduled for March 15. The conference will be held at the Moore Norman Technology Center on Franklin Rd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jill Jackson-Ledford, a planning consultant with extensive experience in senior projects will facilitate the session. Other guest speakers from MAPS, OKC and Healthy Living, OKC will also participate. Those attending will have opportunities for input on programs and other comments relative to the planning for a new Norman Senior Center.

NORMAN FORWARD Westwood Tennis Indoor Facility
Crews have continued to work on the new indoor court facility. The painting contractor has been on-site to finish the interior work around the entryway. OG&E will be working on installing the new transformer for the building, which will allow the HVAC unit to be installed and made operational.  Also, Hellas Construction has begun to mobilize at the site and will be responsible for the interior nets, drapes, tennis court surface and all athletic furnishings that will be part of the new 2-court facility. Also, Flintco will begin the exterior concrete work and site cleanup this week-working towards a project completion in mid-April.  

NORMAN FORWARD Community Parks
The Parks Department received proposals on Monday from seven companies for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) work for Ruby Grant, Reaves and phase III of Griffin Park construction. Interviews of the top three rated firms will be scheduled for later next week, so we can begin to negotiate a CMaR contract with the selected firm or firms and have them on-board as soon as possible to work with the design teams at each park as the Construction Documents are being finalized. This will allow the construction packages to be bid according to a Guaranteed Maximum Price for each project at or below the defined budget for each park. Parks is currently reviewing the 60% Construction Document package for Reaves Park from Halff Associates, and are continuing to work on similar documents from Howell & VanCuren for the Ruby Grant Park project. Work is also underway to prepare an RFP for the new skate park for Andrews Park, which will involve community input meetings later this spring to make sure local skaters are involved in that exciting project for NORMAN FORWARD.

Westwood Family Aquatic Center
Preparations for the 2019 summer season are underway at the Westwood Family Aquatics Center. The pool is scheduled to start filling with water in April. Summer jobs are now open and Westwood is currently taking applications for lifeguards, slide and gate attendants, assistant managers, and more. Season passes are currently on sale and registration for aquatic programs including swim lessons will begin in March along with new programming such as junior lifeguard camp and a developmental swim team.
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Residential and Commercial Activity 2/28/19 - 3/6/19      Detailed Report

 
Type
Number
Combined Value
Average Value
New single family residence permits
7
$1,872,163
$267,452
New duplex permits 2
$480,000.
$240,000
Residential addition or alteration permits
12
(8 storm shelter)
$206,490

Demo permit
0


New single family residence applications
6
$1,485,820
$247,637
New duplex applications 0
Residential addition or alterations applications
3
(0 storm shelter)
$176,000


PUBLIC WORKS
STORMWATER
Bart Conner Drive Channel Repair Project West Main Street Bridge over 10 Mile Flat Creek
On December 6, 1994, a Cleveland County District Court Order required installation by the private property owner of ten 72" corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) and construction of a low water crossing immediately east of the CMPs to relieve the impoundment of water during flooding events caused by a privately constructed roadway at Ten Mile Flat Creek west of 48th Ave NW. The roadway was constructed to allow access to the private properties west of Ten Mile Flat Creek from West Main Street. In August 2007, a major flooding event washed out the CMPs and private roadway at this location, which negatively impacted vehicular access via Main Street to the private properties to the west.

Since the flooding event in 2007, there have been numerous discussions between the City of Norman and the three adjacent property owners regarding the best way to provide access to the properties to the west and how project costs should be shared. On June 27, 2017, City Council approved Contract No. K-1617-138 between the City of Norman and Arbuckle Properties, Inc., BellaRose, LLC, and Steven Rich, the property owners west of Ten Mile Flat Creek, for the funding and construction of the West Main Street drainage structure and single span bridge.

To improve access and stream flow at this location, the City of Norman, Arbuckle Properties, Inc., BellaRose, LLC, and Steven Rich are proposing to construct a new single span bridge structure over Ten Mile Flat Creek. The project will also involve stabilization of the stream banks with sheet piles and rip rap.

The bridge and channel project was designed by two licensed Professional Civil Engineers, Mr. Lester Sieger, P.E., and Mr. David Hendricks, P.E., under the direction of the private property owners. City staff has reviewed and accepted the engineering plans for the project using the same process as is used for all City capital projects.

The bid opening was conducted on August 16, 2018, and four contractors submitted bids. The Engineer's Estimate is $334,484.00. The lowest bid in the amount of $325,000.00, submitted by Construction Unlimited is $9,484.00 (3% percent) below the estimate. On September 25, 2018, Council approved Contract No. K-1819-43 with Construction Unlimited, LLC. Work on the project began in January 2019 with the installation of the temporary construction drive and is expected to be completed by August 2019.

PUBLIC WORKS
MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Main Street Bridge over Brookhaven Creek
Construction on the Main Street Bridge over Brookhaven Creek project began on Monday, August 13, 2018. This is a $4.9 million construction project awarded to Silver Star Construction Company of Moore, Oklahoma. This project has an expected completion date of June 2019. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering the construction of this project because federal transportation funds are being used. The project includes replacement of the bridge structure and associated roadway and 2300 feet or stream restoration along Brookhaven Creek . On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, a severe rain event caused the Main Street Bridge over Brookhaven Creek to collapse. It was agreed to keep the bridge structure closed to traffic and replace the entire structure at one time to save money and time on the project. 
 
The project involves the following items:
  • Stabilize the banks along Brookhaven Creek.
  • Construct a new box culvert bridge on Main Street and over Brookhaven Creek 
  • Concrete pavement on Main Street
  • Install an access road along Brookhaven Creek
  • Tree plantings    
   
Next week the contractor's activities are as follows:   
  • Weather permitting, continue installing roadway pavement and sidewalks on West Main Street
  • Continue installing turf-reinforcement matting along the west banks of Brookhaven Creek north of West Main Street Bridge 

State Highway 9 East Bridge over Little River
Construction began on September 10, 2018. This is a $5.3 million dollar construction project awarded to  Haskell Lemon Construction Company of Oklahoma City, and administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The project includes full replacement and widening of the State Highway-9 East Bridge over Little River, from two lanes to four lanes. The project will also reconstruct the east and west approaches to the bridge. The planned sequence of construction is to construct the south half of the bridge while keeping traffic on the north half. Traffic will be shifted to the south half of the bridge once it is completed, while the north half is under construction. The project is expected to be completed in March of 2019.     
 
The project involves the following items:
  • Widening the Little River Bridge over State Highway-9 East from two lanes to four lanes
  • Reconstructing the pavement on the approaches to the bridge.
Next week the contractor's activities are as follows:
  • Complete earth grading operations on south portions of the bridge.
  • Complete pile-driving operations for the bridge abutments on south portions of the bridge.
  • Begin forming for the bridge abutments on south portions of the bridge
     
James Garner Avenue - Phase I
Construction began on April 9, 2018. This is a $1.8 million dollar construction project awarded to Silver Star Construction Company of Moore, OK. The project includes reconstruction of the Acres Street intersection to improve safety and to meet Railroad Quiet Zone requirements.  The project will create the extension of James Garner Avenue between the railroad and the new Central Library. 

The project involves the following items:
  • Constructing a new roadway and intersection on James Garner Avenue and Acres Street along with a new Legacy Trail
  • Installing a new improved drainage system
Next week the contractor's activities are as follows:
  • Weather permitting the contractor plans to complete the sidewalk ramps and sidewalk on the north side of Acres Street and east of James Garner Avenue
PUBLIC WORKS
STREETS
FYE 2019 Urban Concrete Streets
The FYE 2019 Urban Concrete Streets portion of the 2016 Street Maintenance Bond Program was awarded to Central Contracting Inc. in the amount of $1,778,400. This work consists of select concrete panel replacement on 17 streets located within 7 urban Norman additions. Work began October 8, 2018.   Construction is underway on Boyd Street between 12th Avenue SE and Shiloh Drive. 

FYE 2019 Urban Asphalt Streets
The FYE 2019 Urban Asphalt Streets portion on the 2016 Street Maintenance Bond Program was awarded to Silver Star Construction Inc. in the amount of $1,651,700. This work consists of select asphalt maintenance on 22 streets located within 7 urban Norman additions. Work began on October 8, 2018. Current construction is underway in Ross's Addition at Chautauqua Ave. to Comanche St./Symmes St.  

FYE 2017 & 2018 Urban Road Reconstruction
The 2016 Norman Street Maintenance Bond Program includes Urban Roads Reconstruction Projects. The current two street projects are the FYE 2017 Lahoma Street from Gray Street to Nebraska Street and FYE 2018 Lahoma Street from Nebraska Street to Hughbert. These projects were awarded on March 13, 2018. The projects were bid together to allow continuity of construction and better unit costs for construction items. The projects were awarded to A-Tech Paving in the amount of $561,799.25 and $376,872.00 respectively. This work consists of reconstruction to widen the road to 26 feet and install curb and gutter to improve drainage. Existing sidewalks and ramps will be replaced to provide ADA accessibility. Driveways will be replaced within the public street right-of-way, and are designed to accommodate future sidewalks meeting ADA requirements. Construction of Phase 1 began on March 19, 2018, and is substantially complete. Phase 2 is expected to be completed by the end of June 2019.

Next week activities include:
  • Begin grading and sodding bare areas behind the curb at the intersection of Lahoma Avenue and Acres Street.
  • Continue with installation of drainage structures between Iowa Street and Acres Street
  • Continue with stabilization of subgrade between Acres Street and Iowa Street
  • Begin placement of base course of asphalt between Acres Street and Iowa Street
PUBLIC WORKS
DEVELOPMENT
Panda Express Restaurant
A new Panda Express restaurant will be located on the east side of Highway 77 just south of the new Starbucks on Lot 1B Block 1 of the South Lake Addition Section 11 replat.
 
All public improvements are existing and the facility will utilize the detention pond east of the site to detain additional runoff. The general contractor is currently doing site work and building construction.

Norman Pediatrics
A new pediatrics facility is being constructed on the east side of Healthplex Drive just south of the west side hospital on Lots 34A and 35 of N.R.H. Medical Park West Section 5. This plat was filed of record on August 13, 2010.
 
Public improvements consist of new water line and sidewalks. The sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and street paving are existing. Runoff will be conveyed to a privately maintained detention facility northwest of the property. The utility contractor is currently putting up the steel framing for the building.


PUBLIC WORKS
SIDEWALK PROGRAMS
FYE 2019 Sidewalk Program bid was awarded on July 24th, 2018 by City Council to Central Contracting Services in the amount of $441,750.00 for five projects to be completed throughout the fiscal year 2019.  
  • The Sidewalk Program for Schools and Arterials is used to construct new sidewalks adjacent to elementary schools that have no sidewalks and along walking routes to the schools. This year's project has three (3) locations. First, the east side of North Berry Road from Iowa Street to Denison Drive in the Cleveland Elementary School District; second, the south side of West Boyd Street from 650 feet east of 24th Ave. S.W. to Nancy Lynn Terrace in the Alcott Middle School district; and third, the south side of West Imhoff Road from Walnut Road to Castlewood Drive serving the McKinley Elementary school and the University of Oklahoma. Construction on Berry Road is scheduled to begin in Mid-March 2019.
PUBLIC WORKS
TRAFFIC
Traffic Calming Program
Staff received no new traffic calming program inquiries this week.

During the week of March 11, 2019, radar speed trailers will be deployed to the following locations:
  • Boyd Street, between Oklahoma Avenue and 12th Avenue SE (Ward 4)
  • Oak Tree Avenue, between 12th Avenue SE and Constitution Street (Ward 7)
  • 36th Avenue NW, between Carrington Lane and Franklin Road (Ward 8)
UTILITIES
Water Treatment
Lake Thunderbird water level is at the top of the conservation pool.  The average daily water demand for the week was 10.9 MGD (Million Gallons per Day).  

Water Treatment Plant staff invited the Department of Labor (DOL) safety inspector to visit the plant this week. This service is provided by the DOL to help facilities with safety.  The inspection comes with the promise no fines or penalties will be issued and the facility must correct any deficiencies found.  No deficiencies were recorded and the inspector was very impressed with the safety protocols in place. The inspector was also impressed with the good communicationWTP staff has with the contractor while this massive construction project continues. 

Water Treatment Construction 
The Water Treatment Plant was reduced to half capacity this week while the contractor worked on connecting the filter piping to the new UV building. Winter time demand is low so the wells and OKC connection was enough to supply the community without problems. 


Aerial view of the ozone contact building;  to the right are the new low lift pumps that will supply the building and just north is the old clarifier. 


Line  Maintenance
Water Line Maintenance reported only one water line break this past week

Environmental  Services
At the end of December, the Utilities Division submitted the 'Industrial Pretreatment Program Annual Report for 2018'.  Recently we received notice from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), accepting the report. An expert from the letter states, "The City of Norman is to be commended for the exemplary efforts to incorporate Pollution Prevention (P2) into the Industrial Pretreatment Program, the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Management Practices Program, being pro-active about recognizing potential waste streams, and helping mitigate these waste streams."

CITY OF NORMAN | 201 W Gray | Norman OK 73069
Mary Rupp, Interim City Manager
(405) 366-5402

"Working together to deliver exceptional service"