April 12, 2019 - In This Issue
WORKING TOGETHER
TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
April 12, 2019 Weekly report to the Mayor and City Council 

MONDAY
April 15
TUESDAY
April 16
WEDNESDAY
April 17
THURSDAY
April 18
FRIDAY
April 19

12:30 p.m. Norman Housing Authority 

3:30 p.m. Norman Forward
Citizen's Financial Oversight Board

6 p.m. Greenbelt Commission




1:30 p.m. 
TIF No. 2 Oversight Committee

5:30 p.m. 
Study Session



11:30 a.m. Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau

5:30 p.m. Environmental Control Advisory Board 







4: 00 p.m. Finance Committee
 





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
Illegally placed signs to be removed April 18 
Norman Code Compliance Inspectors will perform a sweep of the City rights-of-way on Thursday, April 18 to remove illegally placed signage.
Under City Ordinance, signs are not permitted in City-owned rights-of-way without a Limited License, which is generally given for community awareness oriented signs. Here are some fast facts regarding placing signs:
  • Business signs are not allowed in the right-of-way, regardless of the level of establishment.
  • Temporary business signs are allowed on private property with a permit and some restrictions apply.
  • Political or election signs are not allowed in the rights-of-way except in front of a residential dwelling. These signs must not exceed 20 inches in height, measured from the ground, and 30 inches in width,and must be removed within 10 days of the election.
It is requested that illegal signs be removed from the rights-of-way by the adjacent property owners or occupants. Norman's City ordinances can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/NormanOrdinances.

Spring Cleaning Trash Pick up Schedule
The City of Norman's residential spring cleanup is underway for residents with regular curbside pickup. Residents should have all items out by 7:30 a.m. on the Saturday assigned of their collection. 

Items that can be collected include household items such as couches, chairs, mattresses and box springs, boxes or bags of clothing, planters and pots, washers and dryers, lawn mowers with no oil or gas, small sections of fencing that have been cut in half, grills, outdoor furniture and carpet remnants. Rolls of carpet cannot be collected.  Items should not be placed in trash carts, wagons or wheelbarrows.

Street Sweeping Schedule for the Month of April
For the month of April 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:
  • 48th Ave W to I-35 between Rock Creek Road and Indian Hills Road
Additional questions on street sweeping can be directed to the Stormwater Division, 329-2524 or [email protected] .


BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Resignations, Vacancies, Expired Terms (Members Still Serving), Upcoming Appointments and Reappointments   See Chart
FIRE
Incident Summary (4/4 /19-4/10/19)

*Fire Related
11
Overpressure rupture, explosion
0
Emergency Medical
219
Hazardous Condition
3
Service Call
28
Good Intent
58
False Alarm
20
Special Incident
0
Severe Weather
0
Total 339
 













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
  • "Norman City Council to interview 6 candidates for city manager position" OU Daily 4/8/19  see article
  • "'A flood of news from Norman" NonDoc 4/7/19  see article
  • "Vandal wanted to 'scare ... people of different
    races'" Oklahoman 4/9/19  see article
  • "Foster begins as interim NPD chief" Norman Transcript 4/9/19  see article
  • "Chromium-6 levels in Norman water safe despite exceeding one
    group's standards, experts say" OU Daily 4/7/19  see article
  • "Report points to an Oklahoma exodus" Journal Record 4/9/19   see article
  • "'Suit still active" Norman Transcript 4/11/19  see article
  • "'Norman case: Is a city ward Facebook page a protected public forum?" NonDoc 4/12/19  see article
  • "Main street to close today for art walk" Norman Transcript 4/12/19 see article
PARKS
PLANNING
NORMAN FORWARD Westwood Tennis Indoor Facility
The contractor has been working this week to apply the court surface and has begun hanging the court divider netting and material surrounding the courts. Other trades are completing their work on the entry vestibule, exterior hardscape and landscape and the remaining mechanical closeout items. Work will continue on exterior concrete and drainage systems through the month, along with the final landscape and signage for the project as we head towards a grand opening in early May. 


Norman Community Dog Park
Griffis Tree Farm worked this week to install the first group of 11 trees in the Dog Park, starting with the small dog area and the original large dog area (the middle section of the park). They will return next week to install 10 more trees in the west large dog area; with all trees being watered by the new sod irrigation installed last year, and supplemental watering coordinated with the volunteer group that helps with the park. Later this month, we will close the middle section and fertilize the heavily used areas and monitor that area to help it break dormancy and fill back in the bare areas created this winter. Also, OG&E had crews in the field this week working on getting the trail and parking lot lights back on leading to the dog park and along the road which goes through the disc golf area. 



George M. Sutton Urban Wilderness
A contractor is working on installing the last ecological education sign in the park, which describes the aquatic wildlife and landscape, similar to those placed at the end of last year for the prairie, woodlands and riparian areas. Also, they are putting several park etiquette and use signs at the various entries to the park. These will help park goers know the "do's and don'ts" of an urban wilderness; and are being placed at the main entry by the parking lot on 12th Avenue, as well as at the walk-in entrances on the south border (approached through Griffin Park) and the north border (accessed from the Rock Creek Road sidewalk).
PARKS
RECREATION
Fishing Derby at Griffin Park
The Parks and Recreation and Oklahoma Wildlife Departments announced the 2019 Fishing Derby at the Griffin Park Pond on Saturday, June 1 from 7:00-10:00 a.m. The Fishing Derby will include a freshly stocked pond filled with catfish and hybrid bluegill. Oklahoma Wildlife Department will be on hand to assist anglers. Fish limits are two catfish and 10 bluegills per child. Feel free to bring the whole family and fish on your own all day. Children must be supervised. It is the State of Oklahoma FREE Fishing Weekend so no registration or license is required.

Westwood Family Aquatic Center
Westwood Family Aquatic Center is open weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to purchase your season passes or to pick up your previously purchased passes. The public can also sign up for swim lessons, classes and activities.

Whittier Recreation Center
The 2019 Summer Sports Camps are open for enrollment. There are five camps, Junior Jammer Basketball, Sooner Jr. Football, Volleyball, Sooner Jr. Basketball and Shooting Camp, being offered through the month of June. To enroll and to find out more information go to, www.juniorjammer.com.

The Whittier Recreation Center is joining the 12th Avenue Recreation Center and the Irving Recreation Center in providing childcare this summer and registration for the Whittier Discovery Camp is now open. The camp is for ages 5-11 and 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.

Youth and Adult Sports
Junior Jammer Volleyball games started this week at both the Irving and Whittier Recreational Centers. Games will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings with children 2nd-7th grades participating in the league.

PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Residential and Commercial Activity 4/4/19 - 4/10/19      Detailed Report

 
Type
Number
Combined Value
Average Value
New single family residence permits
9
$2,580,910
$286,768
New duplex permits 0
Residential addition or alteration permits
23
(11 storm shelter)
$586,426

Demo permit
0


New single family residence applications
1
$200,000
$200,000
New duplex applications 0

Residential addition or alterations applications
4
(0 storm shelter)
$650,000


PUBLIC WORKS
STORMWATER
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. Pilings, bridge beams, side pans and bridge decking and guard rails have been installed, and concrete bridge paving has been poured. During the week of April 15, 2019, work on the bridge approaches and roadway will continue.


West Main Street Bridge over 10 Mile Flat Creek Bridge


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. On Monday April 15, eastbound and westbound traffic on West Main Street will switch to the south half of the roadway, so the contractor can begin reconstructing the north half of the roadway. Weather permitting; the West Main Street roadway will be completed on May 3, 2019.    
 
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:  
  • Remove roadway pavement on the north half of West Main
  • Begin soil stabilization on West Main Street 
  • Continue Installing sidewalk on the north side of West Main Street
  • Continue removing debris and vegetation along the west bank south of West Main Street
  • Continue grading the Brookhaven Creek banks south of West Main Street 

S
tate 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 Oklahoma Department of Transportation granted the contractor a 90 day contract time extension after conducting an analysis of the required work necessary to complete the bridge. This time extension establishes completion of the project in June 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 removing the north half of Highway 9 over Little River Bridge

Facing north on East Highway 9, April 3, 2019


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:
  • Sidewalk on the north side of Acres Street will be complete once pending contract issue has been resolved. The final segment of sidewalk is expected to be complete in a few weeks.   

  •  
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 of the 2016 Street Maintenance Bond Program was awarded to Silver Star Construction Co. in the amount of $1,651,700.This work consists of select asphalt rehabilitation on 20 streets located within 7 urban Norman additions. Work began April 04, 2019. Current construction is underway on Mayfair DriveAt this time it is estimated that the projects on this contract will be complete by May 17, 2019.


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:
  • Continue with grading and sodding bare areas behind the curb Acres Street to Nebraska Street.
  • Begin paving of base course between Nebraska Street and Iowa Street
  • Begin paving of surface course from Acres Street to Nebraska Street
PUBLIC WORKS
DEVELOPMENT
Summit Lakes Addition Section 11
Summit Lakes Addition Section 11 is generally located approximately ½ mile south of Alameda Street on the east side of 24th Ave SE. This final plat consists of 62 single family residential lots on 25.84 acres. There are 542 platted lots within the Summit Lakes Development. There are 170 lots remaining to be final platted.
 
Public improvements consist of sanitary sewer, water line, storm sewer, curb and gutter, paving, and sidewalks. A new storm water detention pond will be utilized at the southwest corner of the site for the conveyance of storm water and will be privately maintained by the property owner's association. The utility contractor has installed the sanitary sewer mains and is currently installing the storm sewer.


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 the building interior finish and the parking lot.



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 delayed and re-scheduled to begin on April 29, 2019.
PUBLIC WORKS
TRAFFIC
Traffic Calming Program
Staff received one new traffic calming program inquiries this week:
  • Carter Avenue, between Main Street and Robinson Street (Ward 4)
 
During the week of April 15, 2019, speed feedback trailers will be deployed at the following locations:
  • Lindsey Street, between Biloxi Drive and Oakhurst Avenue (Ward 1)
  • Meadow Avenue, between Old Farm Road and Berry Road (Ward 2)
  • Pickard Avenue, between Imhoff Road and McCall Street (Wards 4)
UTILITIES
Water Treatment
Lake Thunderbird water level is at the top of the conservation pool. The average daily water demand for the week was 11.9 MGD (Million Gallons per Day).
Three test wells have now been drilled as part of the water well field addition project. This project is part of the continuing effort to provide a greater reliable source of water for Norman. The next test well will be drilled the week of April 22.  The goal is to increase water production from the well field by 2 MGD.


Water Treatment Plant Expansion 
The new pumps serving the high pressure plane are anticipated to be operational Monday April 15. These high service pumps were taken out of operation in November to provide improvements to the intake pumping and be replaced with new high efficiency pumps. The new high pressure plane pumps are just part of the $33 million rehabilitation project that improves the aging infrastructure, improves chemical safety and provides for enhanced water quality.

The below photo is of the installation for the new line to transfer ozone to the contact basin.  This photo also shows the amount of disruption and construction the operators have to be mindful of.  This plant continues to be in operation 24 hours a day and with construction the landscape and hazards change every day making is a challenge for the operators.



Line  Maintenance
Water Line Maintenance reported three water line breaks this past week.

Engineering and Administration 
Engineering staff hosted a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, April 10 for the 'Parsons neighborhood'.  This is a water line replacement project for an eight block area.  It will replace very old, undersized and deteriorated water lines with new PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) water lines, new fire hydrants and valves. The neighborhood meeting was the first part of the design process to be able to address local concerns before the project is underway. The project was well received by residents at the meeting. 

Next Wednesday, April 17 is 'Water Appreciation Day' at the State Capital. Organizations with water interest such as, Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Oklahoma Water Environment Association and OML will have booths set up on the fourth floor between the Senate and House Chambers to speak with legislators about existing and emerging issues concerning water.  Utilities staff are members of several of these organizations and will be present at the Capital to answer questions.


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

"Working together to deliver exceptional service"