Formal Citizen Demand to the Norman City Council

We, residents, property owners, taxpayers, and concerned citizens of Norman, request immediate action regarding City management, AIM Norman, water security, and future development.

A substantial portion of eastern Norman was annexed in 1961 in large part to protect the Lake Thunderbird watershed and Norman’s future water supply. Today, Norman is encouraging additional growth in and toward that same area while acknowledging the need for major future water-supply solutions.

Norman should not approve growth faster than it can secure the water and infrastructure required to support it.

1. City Manager

We ask Council to initiate formal consideration of removal of the current City Manager.

The next City Manager should prioritize:

• accountability of City staff and departments;
• correction of staff errors rather than automatic defense of them;
• professionalism, transparency, and responsiveness;
• respect for Council as the elected policymaking body;
• fair treatment of residents and property owners; and
• the long-term betterment of Norman.

Preference should be given to candidates with meaningful ties to Norman and a demonstrated commitment to the community.

Norman needs a City Manager who holds staff accountable on behalf of the public, not one whose primary role is protecting the existing administrative structure.

2. Reconsider and Redraft AIM Norman

Council should suspend and reconsider the portions of AIM Norman governing future land use and water planning.

Any revised plan should make adequate water supply, infrastructure capacity, and protection of the Lake Thunderbird watershed prerequisites to additional outward growth.

Unfunded, unbuilt, or unsecured future water projects should not be treated as existing capacity.

3. Temporary Development Pause

Until the water and land-use plans are reevaluated, Council should temporarily pause major discretionary development approvals that materially increase potable-water demand or development intensity.

Reasonable exceptions should remain for existing vested rights, issued permits, individual development on existing lots, and necessary public infrastructure.

This is not a demand to stop all construction. It is a demand to stop creating major new water obligations until Norman can demonstrate how they will be supplied.

4. Permanent “Water First” Policy

Before approving major new development, Norman should be required to demonstrate sufficient reliable water supply and infrastructure for existing residents, already-approved development, reasonable drought reserves, and the additional demand created by the proposed development.

Requested Action

We ask Council to place these matters on its agenda and publicly address:

1. removal of the City Manager;
2. reconsideration and redrafting of AIM Norman;
3. a temporary pause on major water-intensive development; and
4. adoption of a permanent water-capacity requirement.

If the City is unwilling to protect the Lake Thunderbird watershed and secure adequate water before promoting additional eastern growth, citizens will pursue lawful remedies to undo all or part of the 1961 annexations accomplished through Ordinances 13-11 through 13-20, detach the affected territory from Norman, and establish a new municipality committed to protecting the watershed and responsibly governing the area.

The territory was brought into Norman substantially to protect its water supply. If Norman abandons that purpose, continued inclusion of that territory within Norman should not be assumed.

Protect the watershed and secure the water supply, or citizens will pursue a different municipal government capable of doing so.