The Norman City Council plans to discuss proposed changes to the city's animal welfare ordinance at its 5:30 p.m. discussion Tuesday, prior to the Council's 6:30 p.m. regular session.

Two of the proposed changes include a random, annual inspection plan for local kennels and the rule limiting the number of pets in a household. Other amendments would pertain to the display of tags, animal welfare group events, inadequate ventilation and confinement of pets in extreme temperatures, kennel license fees and enforcement procedures.

Other scheduled discussion topics include various change orders and architectural services for the new northwest fire station, including possible energy and environmental design (LEED) certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a national design standard for developing and rating sustainable buildings, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

In its regular session beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Council will consider a preliminary plat for Hames Addition at 920 N. Lahoma Ave. The 17,350 square feet of mini-storage space is expected to generate approximately 41 trips per day. No negative traffic impacts are anticipated, according to the city traffic engineer.

Council also will consider an amendment to ordinance, reducing the amount of surety required for concurrent construction from 200 percent to 125 percent. According to city staff, the 200 percent requirement is "well above the average" in comparison to nearby municipalities.

Following the regular session, Council will consider adjourning into executive session to discuss:

· the possible purchase of real property for library purposes;

· settlement of Laura Gardner-Bowman vs. the City of Norman, an action to recover damages for violations of the Oklahoma Workers Compensation Statutes, filed in Cleveland County District Court; and other grievance actions.

The consent docket includes recognition by Mayor Cindy Rosenthal of 22 healthy businesses selected by the Healthy Community Coalition for 2008; consideration of final plat for Carrington Place Addition; consideration of $5,000 grant from National Association of County and City Health Officials to be used by the Norman Office of Emergency Management to provide public outreach and education during Medieval Fair Friday through Sunday; acceptance of reimbursement of funds totaling $1.2 million from the Office of Emergency Management for winter ice storm damage during December 2007 and January 2008; appropriation of $480,000 from general fund for purchase of 12 new police vehicles funded through the public safety sales tax; appropriation of $13,397 from the Park Land Development Fund balance to be used for improvements at Sunrise, Kevin Gottshall, Walnut Ridge and Eastwood parks; a resolution adopting the revised Norman Bike Route map recommended by the Norman Bicycle Advisory Committee; and various proclamations, contract amendments and change orders.

Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com