Norman City Council discussed the results of a homeless shelter survey and a potential guest room tax increase during a study session Tuesday.
Discussion of homeless shelter survey results
The news: Public affairs firm Amber Integrated conducted a survey in early December among a random pool of 339 registered Norman voters to gauge support for a potential homeless shelter following council’s purchase of 3.23 acres near Food and Shelter in November.
According to the survey, 81% of voters view homelessness as a serious issue, with 86% of voters believing homeless shelters are important to the community. 50% of voters are in support of a 20-year bond to build a permanent shelter.
Jackson Lisle, a founding partner of Amber Integrated, said the deciding vote to establish a permanent homeless shelter will come down to the 18% of residents who are unsure.
According to Lisle, 64% of voters said the city’s current overnight shelter should be moved. Lisle said 35% of voters were not aware of the current overnight shelter and 40% were aware of the shelter but not the details of its ownership or funding.
Voters’ strongest objection to a shelter was due to cost, tax and safety concerns, according to Lisle.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman encouraged council members to consider the results of the survey and talk to constituents before coming to a decision.
What they’re saying: Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant suggested educating residents on what the average property tax increase would be per house if the bond passes.
“It would be helpful to have that financial information so people could understand what exactly the impact on the property bill would be,” Grant said.
Discussion of homeless shelter cost, design
The news: The city is working with FSB Architects and Engineers to design the shelter, including Derrick Paus, design architect, and Shawn Lorg, commercial, civic and education market associate principal.
Paus and Lorg presented a cost estimate and design changes to council following their presentation of an initial shelter design Dec. 16.
The total estimated cost of the shelter is $7,923,828.12. This includes a $500,000 owner contingency for unexpected costs, according to Lorg. City Manager Darrel Pyle said this cost was in line with initial estimates.
The design includes two buildings: one designed to serve as a men’s and women’s dormitory, and the other intended to provide respite and family housing.
According to Paus, the initial dormitory was designed with a space for entry lines at the back of the building. The space was removed with the belief that the shelter being open 24/7 would decrease outside queuing.
Paus said due to this removal, the dormitory building design was expanded to increase the size of the multi-use area and office space.
The exterior of the building was changed to include a sloped roof to decrease costs, according to Paus.
Holman said in order to include the homeless shelter in a possible April bond election, council will conduct the first reading of the ordinance on Tuesday.
What they’re saying: Grant said council had previously discussed selling city-owned properties on Gray Street to help pay for the shelter’s construction and expressed support for resurfacing this idea.
Grant said they would like to talk to City Care, a nonprofit centered around homelessness support services based in Oklahoma City, about shelter costs and design. The city has a contract with City Care, which was approved in 2024, to help operate a homeless shelter in Norman.
Discussion of guest room tax amendments
The news: Council discussed raising the guest room tax ordinance from 8% to 10% and adding the definition of recreational vehicles to ensure the tax applies to spaces occupied by RVs. Holman said this applies to visitors and not those who live in RVs and mobile homes.
Norman’s room tax is split between VisitNorman, the Norman Arts Council, Norman Parks and the Norman Sports Commission.
The first reading of the ordinance will happen Tuesday with a vote planned for Jan. 27, according to Holman. If passed, the question would be on an April bond ballot.
What they’re saying: Holman noted an opportunity to take advantage of increased tourism during football season.
“We have a big season this fall coming up with visitors coming to Norman again,” Holman said. “Doing an April election allows it to go and be ready in place for the football season, but that doesn’t have to be our measure or gauge of what we should do.”
Discussion of potential city charter amendments
The news: Council discussed potential charter amendments pertaining to the stipend amount for council members and the start date of council member terms. Council previously discussed these amendments Oct. 28.
Council discussed increasing council member stipends. An elected officer stipend change was proposed in a public vote in 2022 that did not pass. The 2022 stipend change would have increased the pay for council members from a maximum of $100 monthly to an annual stipend of $5,400. The mayor’s stipend would have increased from a maximum of $100 monthly to an annual amount of $8,100.
Council also discussed moving term start dates up to the first Tuesday following the scheduled runoff date.
The first reading for the term start date amendment will be held Tuesday.
What they’re saying: Ward 1 Councilmember David Gandesbery noted Holman has not received a pay increase in his 13 years on council.
“How many other people in the general public work at a job that they’d stay with for twelve years and not get a pay raise of some kind?” Gandesbery said.
Holman said the public often doesn’t understand how much council members are paid.
“People’s jaws literally drop when I tell them that I make $100 a month as the mayor of Norman,” Holman said.
Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Peacock said he was in favor of postponing charter amendments to not overload an April ballot.
Grant agreed the stipend amendment could be postponed to a June ballot, but suggested the term start date amendment be added to the April ballot to begin what could be a lengthy process.
This story was edited by Macey Thaxton and Anusha Fathepure.
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