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CONTRACT K-1617-119: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND FREESE AND NICHOLS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 FOR PHASE 1 OF STORMWATER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND BUDGET TRANSFERS FROM MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS.
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BACKGROUND: On August 23, 2016, Norman voters rejected the City's proposal for a Stormwater Utility Fee. Following the election, Mayor Miller formed a committee made up of Council Members Aleisha Karjala and Breea Clark as well as local volunteer Ms. Amanda Nairn to explore future options for additional stormwater funding. City Manager Steve Lewis, City Chief Communications Officer Claudia Deakins, City Stormwater Engineer Carrie Evenson and City Director of Public Works Shawn O'Leary assisted the Mayor's committee beginning in September 2016.
The Mayor's Committee conducted two public meetings and panel discussions in November 2016 and January 2017 on the topics of "The Health of Our Water" and "Stormwater Infrastructure". On November 29, 2016, City Council met in Study Session to discuss stormwater funding options with Mr. Trey Shanks, Freese & Nichols, Inc. (FNI). FNI is a private company that specializes in municipal planning, architecture and engineering. The company has particular expertise in the development of stormwater funding programs including stormwater utility fee systems for municipalities. In January, City Council met in Study Session to discuss the City's current and future dam safety policies, practices and funding issues.
DISCUSSION: On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Council met in Study Session to discuss the next steps in the development of Stormwater Funding Opportunities. The proposal from the Mayor's Committee includes the formation of a Citizen Steering Committee and a contract for services with FNI. If approved, FNI will provide expert assistance to the Citizen Steering Committee and the City Council over the next several months on the development of stormwater funding options for Norman. If t...
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