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RESOLUTION R-1516-99: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, NAMING THE CAT PORCH AT THE ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER “SARA’S SOLARIUM” AS A TRIBUTE TO SARA ELIZABETH MAISANO FOR HER DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO ANIMALS.
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BACKGROUND: In October 2008, the City Council adopted a citizen’s recognition policy outlining a procedure to name or rename city facilities. The procedure outlines the request be forwarded to the Community Planning and Transportation Committee (CPTC) for review and recommendation, and then sent to the City Council for consideration by Resolution. The policy establishes the guidelines for displays of public recognition in the name of an individual shall be considered for interior features or a portion or special section of a building, facility, or park area as a condition of a gift of cash or property or to honor meritorious service and leadership over a period of time. The guidelines also require 100% contribution for projects not previously budgeted.
DISCUSSION: Sara Maisano was an animal lover from the beginning of her life and got a job at Westwood Veterinary Hospital because she loved helping treat sick or injured animals. Sara’s life was cut short on June 27, 2013, while she was protecting a friend during a domestic violence attack. During construction of the new Animal Welfare Center a feature that Sara loved (cat porch) was removed from the project due to budgeting constraints. As a tribute to Sara, her parents decided to obtain the funds to ensure that the cat porch could be added back to the project. It was estimated the total cost would be approximately $9,000 and donations in excess of $21,000 were received in Sara’s honor.
On March 2, 2016, the CPTC reviewed a request from Jim and Alicia Maisano who requested that a plaque honoring their daughter, Sara, by naming the cat porch “Sara’s Solarium” as a tribute to Sara for her tragic loss of life and in order to keep her love and caring for animals on-going. The CPTC unanimously supported the request and recommended it be forwarded for City Council’s consideration.