Carol Cole-Frowe
The Norman Transcript

Norman's new City Manager Steve Lewis brought his ideas and assessment of the current state of Norman city government to the city council's retreat Saturday.

And he said his highest priorities are rededicating the city staff to customer service and making it easier for people to work with the city.

"I want to improve the processes," Lewis said. "The whole interface of how we work with our citizens."

Lewis brought a spreadsheet with 31 goals he set for himself and city staff, ranging from finding funds for long-term water needs to improving traffic flow and neighborhood revitalization.

He said most departments are doing an "average to good job."

"We need to rededicate all of our employees to a customer service ethic," Lewis said. "More of a comprehensive approach."

Some restructuring of how the departments work together likely will be done, he said.
And Lewis said he would like his department heads to think of themselves more as part of a management team.

The planning department will get some special attention, and he's taking ideas from staff on the best ways to expedite and improve consistency with how builders and developers do business with the city.

"I know I have to come to that decision fairly quickly," Lewis said of any restructuring in the planning department.

The city is in between planning directors, with the recent retirement of longtime planning director Richard Massie. Lewis said the number of applications received for the opening was disappointing and he plans to readvertise the position.

Filling the assistant to the city manager position is another priority. It was vacated by Scott Martin when he was elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. Lewis said he may expand the position.

"That's not a position that I want to remain open long," he said.

Another key opening will occur when City Clerk Mary Hatley retires early next year.
"We have a very effective clerk's office already," Lewis said. "They're up in fifth gear already."

Some of Lewis' other goals included:

Aggressively pursuing the development of a transportation level of service or LOS policy and other access management projects.

Continually monitoring the Robinson Street Underpass project.

Developing a comprehensive plan to site and fund a new Norman Public Library.

Unifying the City's response to the Community Dialogue and Imagine Norman projects via a citizens' survey and development of an action plan.

Finalizing the development of the Ruby Grant Park master plan and funding options.

Continually monitoring the financial status and development of the University North Park Tax Increment Financing District No. 2.

Managing the development of the Storm Water Master Plan.

Developing additional drainage control measures in areas like the Lindsey/McGee area and along Imhoff Creek.

Ensuring the recently enacted curbside recycling program begins service on March1.

Finalizing the Little River Interceptor/Lift Station cost and operational issues.

Working to identify and propose actions to make Norman a more bikeable and walkable community.

Presenting additional programs and funding options for beautification and litter programs.

Preparing a white paper relative to proactive code enforcement.