A sign posted outside City Hall noting that the June 8 budget meeting had reached capacity. Via Russell Rice, an administrator for the Social Injustice League of Norman
It all meant that at 6:30 p.m., June 8, the simmering pot was set to boil. City groups from all backgrounds would have the opportunity to speak on several law enforcement items, including the approval of the NPDâs budget and discussion surrounding two amendments made by Ward 1 Councilmember Brandi Studley to fund an unarmed non-police mobile crisis response program.
For some, however, four words not used surrounding council meetings in recent decades would prevent them from taking the podium.
Apr 11, 2021
Shown is the Financial Services Center on 111 N. Peters Ave. The Cleveland County commissioners are preparing to buy two floors of the building for unspecified reasons. Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
The price of two floors in an office building near the county courthouse shot up by $500,000 weeks before Cleveland County commissioners could buy it, The Transcript learned this week.
A purchase agreement for the third and fifth floors of the Financial Center building at 111 N. Peters Ave. was approved by commissioners 2-1 in March, with District 1 Rod Cleveland voting against it.
While an appraisal done in 2018 by Jim Artman valued the floors at $1.6 million, the commission will pay the list price of $1.8 million if it executes closing documents following an inspection period, The Transcript reported. Both floors total more than 12,000 of the total buildingâs 42,000 square feet.
County tried to negotiate for better deal on capital purchase normantranscript.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from normantranscript.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
2 hrs ago
A crew works Friday on the bathroom at Rotary Park. The project is part of an ongoing Norman Forward project. Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
A sharp rise in the cost of lumber amid shortages has builders scrambling to cope as municipalities like Norman keep an eye on outstanding capital projects.
The City of Norman has several ongoing bond and quality-of-life improvement projects it will continue to finish and launch as part of Norman Forward, the sales tax initiative adopted by voters in 2015.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the price of lumber is up 180% and has jumped the price of residential construction to $24,000 higher compared to April 2020. Other materials like windows and industrial grade appliances, which are made overseas, also are in short supply.
Apr 8, 2021
Editor s note: this story has been updated to reflect that Ward 5 Michael Nash voted no to appoint Joe Carter to Ward 2 in October 2020.
Mayor Breea Clark has decided against calling a special election for the Ward 2 vacancy, she told The Transcript Thursday.
The seat is empty after newly-elected Matt McGarry resigned weeks after the Feb. 2021 election to accept a position at an Ivy League institution, The Transcript reported.
Available dates for a special election are in September or November, with the regularly scheduled election just around the corner in Feb. 2022.
Clark said that option is not a timely one.