November 9, 2018 - In This Issue:
WORKING TOGETHER
TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
November 9, 2018  Weekly report to the Mayor and City Council 

MONDAY
November 12
TUESDAY
November 13
WEDNESDAY
November 14
THURSDAY
November 15
FRIDAY
November 16

City Offices Closed in Observance of Veterans Day


5:30 p.m. 
City Council Study Session

6:30 p.m. 
City Council Meeting


No 
Meeting 

No 
Meeting


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
Norman Animal Welfare Waives Adoption Fees Through Saturday
Norman Animal Welfare is holding an adoption event this week. All dog, cat, puppy and kitten adoptions are free through Nov. 10. The goal of the special event is to completely empty the shelter. 

THIRD ANNUAL LAKE THUNDERBIRD WATERSHED WORKSHOP AND CLEAN-UP EVENT
Approximately 50 people were in attendance at the Third Annual Lake Thunderbird Watershed Clean-up Event on Nov. 3 to learn more about stormwater and the Lake Thunderbird watershed. The goal of the event was to educate Norman citizens on the lake's water quality and the role stormwater plays. 
Attendees were also able to play an active role in removing pollution, in the form of trash, from the watershed. Overall, volunteers collected 138.6 pounds of garbage from the west side of Lake Thunderbird that may otherwise have ended up in the lake. 

Awards were given for the teams who collected the most trash by weight and the most unusual item. Cub Scout Pack 233 collected the most trash at 38.1 pounds. The Eco Warriors collected the most unusual group of items, which consisted of a jewelry box complete with earrings, pins, and bottles of perfume.

In addition to receiving information on the connection between stormwater runoff and Lake Thunderbird's water quality, participants received valuable information on other water quality-related activities and volunteer opportunities with Oklahoma Conservation Commission's Blue Thumb Program, the Oklahoma Water Survey, and the Thunderbird Sailing Club.


Cub Scout Pack 233 stands with the 38 pounds of trash they collected.
Fall Clean-up Results
Fall clean-up wrapped up last week with the collection of 386 tons on Saturday, making it the largest collection this year. In total 1,050 tons of bulky material was collected over the course of five weeks for a cost of $103,000. This program is possible through the combined efforts of employees from  Streets, Line Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Parks, Traffic and Water Treatment divisions. 

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Resignations, Vacancies, Expired Terms (Members Still Serving), Upcoming Appointments and Reappointments   See Chart
FIRE
Incident Summary  (11/1/18-11/7/18)

Fire Related
12
Overpressure rupture, explosion
0
Emergency Medical
206
Hazardous Condition
3
Service Call
31
Good Intent
37
False Alarm
14
Special Incident
0
Severe Weather
0
Total
303
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
Announcements
  • Cox Communications Local Franchising Authority - Broadcaster/Cable Network Negotiations see document 
  • Cox Communications Local Franchising Authority - Price Changes see document 

PARKS

Veterans Day Parade and Memorial Celebration
Parks staff is assisting with the organization of a Veterans Day Parade and Celebration that will take place on Nov. 11. The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Stephenson Research Center on South Jenkins Ave and travel north on Jenkins Ave. to Reaves Park.  A Memorial Ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Cleveland County Veterans Memorial at Reaves Park.  Major General Rita Aragon will emcee the event and Brigadier General Paul Costilow will be the keynote speaker.  Two helicopter will be on display, including a Chinook and two T-6 Texan Trainers, used for World War II pilot training, will perform a fly over. The Canadian River Cruiser Car Club will also have a number of classic cars on display at the event. 






Free Tree Giveaway 
In cooperation with the Oklahoma Tree Bank, the Apache Corporation of Houston provided 900 free trees to be given away to Norman residents this fall. All 900 of the trees were given away by the Parks and Recreation staff at Reaves Park on Nov. 2. The Parks and Recreation Department has given away 8,424 trees from the Apache Corp. to Norman residents since Fall 2007.


NORMAN FORWARD Westwood Tennis Indoor Facility
Flintco's dirt contractor has finished their work to get the site brought up to grade, compacted and tested, so the concrete contractor can begin the footing and slab construction for the new facility.  An agenda item is set for next week's Council Meeting to approve an easement to OG&E for the installation of the new service line to the building, which will be bored from the main service pull box on the golf course (by the driving range tee area) to the corner of the building, where it will supply the new HVAC, lighting and electric plugs. Work continues towards the scheduled completion in March of next year.






Cleveland County Historical House Museum
A contractor is working to replace the decking on the front porch ramp at the Moore-Lindsey House this week. Over the years, the ramp has suffered from exposure to damp, shaded conditions and will be replaced with TREX decking instead of wood. This will greatly prolong the life of the ramp; and since it is not part of the original construction  of the house, it is not required by preservation practices to be a wooden structure. The contractor will also be replacing four front porch columns, which have also succumbed to water damage in recent years.  A larger project is being prepared to be requested in the next Capital Budget to address other exterior improvements to the storm windows, house paint, roof and Carriage House finishes.

Firehouse Art Center
S&S Plumbing was on-site to replace the main gas service line to the building from the meter on McNamee Street, due to continued problems with leaks in the line. The repairs done at the building connection line earlier this year were still in good working order, however, additional leaks were detected which could not be located in the yard line. The new line has been inspected and approved by the City and ONG and the gas is back in service. Final replacement of the concrete removed to expose the old line and install the new one will be done next week.


Irving Recreation Center
The Irving Recreation Center continues to host an after school tutoring program. This free program takes place on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., and is open to youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade. 


PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Residential and Commercial Activity 10/25/18-10/31/18      Detailed Report

 
Type
Number
Combined Value
Average Value
New single family residence permits
14
$4,173,398
$298,100
Residential addition or alteration permits
12
(7 storm shelter)
$82,180

Demo permit
0


New single family residence applications
8
$1,732,600
$216,575
Residential addition or alternations applications
4
(1 storm shelter)
$136,200

Demo application
0


New two family residence applications 2 $450,000 $225,000


PUBLIC WORKS
MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
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:
  • Continue installing bridge headers on top of the piers (Phase 1)
  • Continue grading the banks along each side of the channel
  • Weather permitting; continue forming the bridge abutments (Phase 1)    
 
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 open James Garner Avenue at Acres Street, and close Jones Avenue at Acres Street in order to begin installing the drainage system, waterline and roadway pavement.
  • Begin installing the 8-inch waterline on Jones Avenue and Acres Street 
  • Complete sidewalk south of Acres Street
  • Begin installing Legacy Trail north of Acres    

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 south limits of the project covers an area along Brookhaven Creek that spans approximately two-thousand feet south of Main Street, with a north limit that spans three hundred-feet north of Main Street. The west project boundary is just west of Lamp Post Road and the east boundary is three hundred feet east of Willoway Drive.    
 
On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, a severe rain event caused the Main Street Bridge over Brookhaven Creek to collapse. On August 28, 2018, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation submitted Change Order No.1 which provided the funding to incentivize the contractor to expedite the Main Street Bridge construction by 15 days. Should the contractor achieve maximum incentive, the bridge will be open to traffic on November 26, 2018.  
   
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:   
  • Begin paving the east half of Willoway Drive   
  • Continue clearing channel along the west bank
  • Begin paving the westbound lanes of Main Street       

PUBLIC WORKS
STREETS
Lahoma Ave. from Gray St. to Hughbert St. 
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 began on March 19, 2018 and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2018.
 
Next week activities include:
  • Continue installation of drainage structure at the north leg of the Lahoma Avenue and Acres Street Intersection
  • Complete sodding bare areas throughout the project area.
  • Continue clean up between Tonhawa Street and Nebraska Street    
  
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.  Current construction is underway on Beaumont Dr. through Brandy Wine Ln./Biloxi Dr. 

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.  
 
PUBLIC WORKS
SIDEWALK PROGRAMS
Repairs of sidewalk in 8 locations through the City Sidewalk Reconstruction Program are underway throughout Norman. Work began Oct. 1 and is expected to be complete by Nov. 8. The Citywide Sidewalk Reconstruction Program , is intended to assist property owners in repairing existing sidewalks and constructing new sidewalks along an entire city block. Property owners who wish to participate in the Citywide Sidewalk Reconstruction Project will pay fifty percent (50%) of the estimated cost, with the City paying the remaining fifty- percent (50%) from funds allocated to this project. 


PUBLIC WORKS
TRAFFIC
Traffic Calming Program
Staff received no new traffic calming program inquiries this week.
 
During the week of November 12, 2018, speed trailers will be deployed at the following locations:
  • Oak Tree Avenue, between 12th Avenue SE and Constitution Street (Ward 7)
  • 24th Avenue NW, between Flood Avenue and Franklin Road (Ward 8)
UTILITIES
WATER TREATMENT
Lake Thunderbird water level is only about ½ inch above the conservation pool: in the flood pool. The Corps of Engineers continue to release water at a rate of just over 68 MGD (Million Gallons per Day). The average daily water demand for the week was 11.3 MGD.

Over half of the Water Treatment Plant will be taken off line starting Monday. The contractor will be connecting piping for the new ozone contractor. Operators will be using the OKC connection and all the water wells to keep up with demand. The new piping connection and necessary disinfection of all new facilities will take about a week to complete.
New Ozone contractor piping

The Water Treatment Plant Laboratory started collecting the first round of samples for the US Environmental Protection Agency's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule #4 this week. This rule requires utilities serving 10,000 customers or more to test water wells, surface water, finished water and blended water for the presence of 31 contaminants. Tests will run until June 2019 and must be completed by an accredited laboratory. The total cost of testing is about $32,000.

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

"Working together to deliver exceptional service"