CM Grant

There’s a vacancy on the Human Rights Commission for someone who resides in Ward 4. This appointment is slated to happen in August.

Interested Ward 4 residents may apply here:

norman-ok.municodemeetings.com/bc/webform/b...

Happy Juneteenth! This year’s theme is "Resilience through arts and Black culture"

Our city celebrations kick off at 6 and run till 10 pm at Reaves Park. City admin offices are also closed today in observance.

🎆🎉🥳🎉🎆

For more info visit: NormanJuneteenth.com

#normanok #juneteenthcelebrations

What they're saying: During public announcements, Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant highlighted the program. "This has been something that's been in the works for years," Grant said. City Manager Darrel Pyle also highlighted Michele Loudenback, environmental and sustainability manager, for her work on the program. "This was brought about with the relentless pursuit of success by one Michele Loudenback's ongoing efforts to help improve the stormwater situation in Norman, to improve litter cleanup and to take full advantage of a relatively small revenue stream that will come to Norman over the next handful of years," Pyle said. "We were honestly scratching our heads thinking about the best way to put those dollars to their intended use here at Norman... we appreciate your consideration (of) this opportunity. It's been a heavy lift, but we have very powerful lifters on staff."

This program will provide employment opportunities and social services targeted toward individuals experiencing homelessness with a focus on those individuals impacted by OUD, SUD, and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Under this program, a City-owned van will operate three days per week, collecting up to eight participants per day from various locations within Norman for the day labor beautification initiative. Priority for participation will be given first to individuals experiencing or recovering from OUD, SUD, and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Participants will be transported to predetermined City-owned sites to perform community beautification tasks, such as litter removal. They will receive wages for their labor, meals, and opportunities for engagement with a Case Manager and Employment Specialist who will offer wrap-around social services, connections to care, and employment support. Additionally, the Case Manager and Employment Specialist will have flexibility to interact with participants outside the scheduled work activities, facilitating services in public spaces and other convenient locations. The agreement includes an initial one-year term, with provisions for up to four additional one-year renewals, for a maximum of five years. MHAO will oversee daily operational activities, including transportation, supervision, wage payments, and coordination of social services. Required reporting includes monthly and annual updates on participant outcomes related to performance metrics for program evaluation. The total contract amount for the first year is $383,633, and it would be primarily funded through the City's opioid settlement funds.

Good news: A Better Way Opportunity Knocks was unanimously approved Tues night. Operating 3 days a week, people will go to job sites, get wages, meals, and access to social services. Case Managers and Employment Specialists will offer support, including off-site services.
#normanok #mentalhealth

So annoying! 🤬

“The Norman City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2425-110 this week, which establishes policies for allowing residents affected by wildfires to inhabit temporary structures while rebuilding permanent structures.”

www.normanok.gov/news/policie...

#normanok #normanoklahoma #wildfires

Helen Grant stands outside polling station wearing a “I voted” sticker

Been busy, but not too busy to go vote on the Moore Norman Tech Center bond. Polls are open till 7 p.m. And FWIW poll workers are telling me it’s been slow.

www.oudaily.com/news/90-mill...

#normanok #oklahoma #normanoklahoma #vote #bondissue

I see them on my TikTok FYP all the time.

#normanok #normanoklahoma #oklahoma #unhoused #homeless #community #care #shelter #citycare

Edit to add: McFarlin also stepped up to provide dinner Thursday night.

Photo collage: A pair of friends holds a tray of food and a bag of clothing and blankets in front of shelter. Friends take a selfie at Opolis after doing the work, friends drop off food inside shelter, and Opolis worker fills pans with broccoli and cheddar casserole.

One of the ways A Friend’s House is staying open through these dangerous temps is that local businesses, like Opolis, are providing meals. Friends of theirs also donated brownies, blankets & clothes, & labor. Other entities that have provided food are Mission Norman, Food & Shelter, & Panera Bread.

Through community collaboration A Friend’s House will stay open 24/7 till Thursday Feb. 20th.

Needs will be assessed on Thursday and there could be a possible extension, if dangerous Winter Weather temperatures persist.

Winter Weather precautions and tips:
www.normanok.gov/news/city-no...

More info in link: www.normanok.gov/news/city-no...

#ward4 #cityofnorman #normanok #normanoklahoma #oklahoma #winter #weather #caution #cancellation #publicmeetings

I thought they ate krill and tiny things…climate change got them scavenging (j/k)

Norman residents protest Rep. Tom Cole over Elon Musk’s government ties Norman residents gathered outside Rep. Tom Cole’s office to protest what they say is the growing influence of billionaire Elon Musk.

Moms/grandmas/aunties (and a couple of uncles) did a thing here in Norman, Oklahoma: theblackwallsttimes.com/2025/02/13/n...

WARD 4 QUARTERLY MEETINGS HOSTED BY COUNCILMEMBER GRANT Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Time: 9:30-11:00 am Location: Norman Development Center, 225 N. Webster Avenue Topics Include: - The Power of an Organized Neighborhood with special guest speaker Mary Katherine Long, Norman Neighborhood Coordinator - Municipal Disaster Preparedness - Budget Updates/Feedback Session Other updates will include current Griffin Master Plan discussions and any other new information timely enough to share. Masking is encouraged. Masks will be available. Light snacks and beverages provided. Send Questions to: ward4@normanok.gov

First of the Ward 4 Quarterly Meetings kicks off Feb 22, 9:30-11 a in the Development Center (225 N Webster)

Link to event: www.facebook.com/share/1DX46B...

Do you have questions or may need accommodations? Let us know in advance by contacting: ward4@normanok.gov

OPEN CALL: QUEER JOY — UNCANNY ART HOUSE We are curating a special exhibition during Norman Pride this year showcasing queer joy in its many forms. We are looking for art that represents this theme and highlights the history of what it means...

Getting back into that art show saddle again between life, CC, and just everything under the sun. 🌈🦄🌈

Artist Open Call is now live. No submission fee. Deadline: March 31st. Space to show is limited.

More details in the link: uncannyarthouse.com/open-calls/q...

City of Norman receives $1 million in federal grant funding for affordable housing efforts City of Norman receives $1 million in federal grant funding for affordable housing efforts

I’m so proud of our City staff, who went hard to get this grant! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Highlight: “…Norman is uniquely positioned to set a new standard for inclusive, attainable, and forward-thinking approaches to housing affordability.”

#ward4 #normanok #oklahoma #affordablehousing

The Revolution Will Not be Televised
-take more Polaroids, take pictures with film
- put an actual pen to actual paper
- talk to people in person
- preserve banned books and science books
- participate in community gardens
- run for office or school board in your town

Just a reminder city-planned MLK Day of Service activities are being rescheduled owing to cold weather. I will leave off on some notes about the Poor People’s Campaign.

#oklahoma #mlkday2025 #poorpeoplescampaign #wealthgap #mlkday #mlkdayofservice #workingclass #multiracial #economicjustice

Graphic w/text: JAN. 15, 2025 2 P.M. - 5 P.M. WARRANT CLEARING City of Norman Municipal Court • Failure to Appear • Non-Traffic • Traffic • Outstanding Fines/Costs Options Offered • Set up a payment plan • Schedule a court date or cost hearing Municipal Court staff will be on location at THE WELL 210 S. James Garner Ave. ONE DAY ONLY QUESTIONS? Appear or call 405-366-5325

Winter themed graphic and text: RESCURCE fAIR Warrant Clearing Event January 15th, 2025 2PM-5PM The Well 210 S. James Garner Ave Norman, OK 73069 We Will Be Distributing Free Coats & Blankets Until Gone Come and join!

We have another Norman Resource Fair Wednesday, Jan 15th from 2-5 p.m. at The Well (210 S James Garner). The Resource Fair will be distributing free coats and blankets till they run out. If you have questions about warrant clearing protocols, call: 405-366-5325 and come prepared.

#normanok

US TikTok users flock to Chinese app Xiaohongshu in protest with TikTok ban looming As the threat of a TikTok ban looms, some U.S. TikTok users are flocking to Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu – making it the top downloaded app in the U.S.

“…Alexis Garman is a 21-year-old TikTok user in Oklahoma with nearly 20,000 followers. She joined Xiaohongshu on Tuesday…”

Noteworthy: b/c of other app bans Chinese and Americans haven’t really existed in the same social media landscape, but the mass migration is providing fresh perspective.

Idk if anyone is on TikTok, but the impending ban has Americans joking, yet def uneasy. I’m on as cm.helen.grant & hope that if Congress & Supreme Court are banning b/c “privacy/data/manipulation”, that this will apply to all apps and social platforms. Fair is fair, right? 🥲 #tiktokban #censorship

Not from Ward 4? Not a problem. These meetings are open to the public.

Re: vulnerable community members
I am very aware we have an uptick in many types of illnesses being passed around right now. Masking is encouraged and complimentary masks will be available.

Hope to see folks at the Development Center on Feb. 22 and if you have accessibility needs, let me know by emailing: ward4@normanok.gov

Graphic depicts development center and CM Grant 2025 QUARTERLY WARD 4 MEETINGS HOSTED BY COUNCILMEMBER GRANT SATURDAYS FROM 9:30-11:00 AM LOCATION: NORMAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 225 N. WEBSTER AVENUE • Feb 22: The Power of an Organized Neighborhood, Municipal Disaster Preparedness, Budget Updates/Feedback Session, and updates. • June 7: AlM Norman Overview, TIF District Masterplans, Council Retreat Priorities/ Feedback Session, Budget and updates. • Sep 20: Council Retreat Updates, Development 101, and updates. • Dec 6: 2025 Review/ 2026 Forecast, Regional Transit Authority, and updates.

Civic IQ is a really important to me. I hope that in lining up these topics and dates that Ward 4 constituents are some of the best versed community members in Norman! There will be Q/A time at the end of these meetings and flexibility to update on emergent topics of interest.

Just a reminder that the AIM Norman Open Houses take place today (12/10) and tomorrow (12/11)!

There will be updates/info for residents about the plan before feedback is sought. This will be the last time to provide feedback before the plan enters its final phase.

Learn more: AimNorman.com

Top image breaks down responsibility based on public or private ownership. If the lead is on the public side, it is the utility’s responsibility. If the lead is on the private side, it is the property owners responsibility. Bottom left image text: What is the City doing to reduce lead exposure in drinking water? The City's Water Treatment Plant uses lime to adjust pH and prevent corrosion in water pipes throughout the system. Operators measure corrosivity each day to ensure that parameters are met and adjustments to dosages are made if needed. Additionally, staff obtains regulatory lead and copper samples from homes each year under the Lead and Copper Rule. Results can be found on the annual & Consumer Confidence Report. The City's Line Maintenance Division is conducting field verifications to determine the material of all service lines and replacing lead lines when available. This work began in Fall 2023. The inventory map will be updated accordingly. Bottom right image text: Can I have my service line replaced? Public service lines may be replaced in conjunction with construction projects or in emergency situations. The City is working to identify all service lines containing lead and replacing them when able. During projects, the City will replace the service line in public spaces and can help provide resources to contact licensed plumbing contractors for property owners interested in replacing the private side. Replacements of the water service pipe on private property will be made at the property owner's expense. Property owners are strongly encouraged to take advantage of replacing their line during the replacement of the public side. More info: https://www.normanok.gov/LSLI

Top image: a blue dot indicates Jefferson Elementary school at 250 N. Cockrell Ave. is classified as non-lead. Bottom left image text: Legend Lead Service Line Inventory by Utility Account Service Address • Red - Lead • Orange - Galvanized Requiring Replacement • Yellow - Unknown • Green - Galvanized Not Requiring Replacement • Gray - Assumed Non-Lead • Blue - Non-Lead More info: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/acf3db6b7e5c413398c0f0657aea2201

The City’s Water Treatment Plant uses lime to adjust pH and prevent corrosion in water pipes throughout the system. However new EPA rules may affect existing lead lines.

Info: www.normanok.gov/LSLI

Map: experience.arcgis.com/experience/a...

HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING SURVEY The City of Norman is surveying residents to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The data will inform a five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan in collaboration with Cleveland County Emergency Management. Public input is crucial for prioritizing hazards and implementing projects to minimize risks to life and property. The plan is mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order for counties and municipalities to receive FEMA funding. One component of the HMP is public input. As the third-largest city in the state, input from the City of Norman and its residents is an essential part of that plan. Survey Link: https://tinyurl.com/59n9dxks

Example image: Please click on each activity to move it up or down as appropriate to reflect your ranked preference for each activity. The top activity should be the most important to you and the bottom item the least. Preparedness, Coordination, & Response: assure framework is in place for facilitating and coordinating response 1 and mitigation activities including integrating administration and enforcement plans for community operations :: 2 Structures/Infrastructure: designing and improving structures and infrastructure to eliminate or reduce impacts from natural hazards Education & Awareness: develop outreach strategies to promote • 3 awareness of hazard-specific risks and encourage participation in individual and community-wide efforts to reduce risk :: 4 Local Planning & Regulation: integrate mitigation into local bylaws, ordinances, and regulations to protect vulnerable resources and reduce risk Text: There are questions that ask you to rank by priority and need.

Pic of immersive reader script. Text: The immersive reader allows the survey questions to be read to participants. And there will be questions that ask about disabilities and health conditions.

Text: Many survey questions ask about your preparedness.

This survey takes about 5 mins to complete. We need Norman residents’ input to follow mandates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Public input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan is one way we secure FEMA funding during environmental disasters. Survey link: tinyurl.com/59n9dxks