Council honors outgoing Ward 5 member, animal‑welfare volunteer and issues civic proclamations

The Norman City Council used part of its April 14 meeting to recognize local volunteers and civic programs. Members unanimously adopted a resolution expressing appreciation to outgoing Ward 5 council member Brandon No Fire and presented the 2026 Norman Animal Welfare Volunteerism Award to Mark Howery.

Brandon No Fire, recognized for his seat service from Sept. 9, 2025 through April 14, 2026, thanked the selection committee and council and praised incoming Ward 5 councilor Trey Kirby. In remarks he said serving on council taught him how much work is required to run a city and expressed confidence in Kirby’s experience representing Ward 5.

Presenters Becca Bean and Dr. Joe Carter recounted Mark Howery’s decades of volunteer service—crediting him with helping guide shelter improvements, shepherding a bond measure and strengthening animal welfare ordinances. Howery, in accepting the award, emphasized that the improvement was the result of many volunteers and city staff working over decades.

The council also acknowledged several proclamations: designating April 12–18 as National Community Development Week (citing recent CDBG and HOME funding the city has received), proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month (invoking the federal Fair Housing Act), endorsing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month (noting Cleveland County child‑abuse investigation figures cited by speakers), proclaiming National Arab American Heritage Month and declaring April 25 Norman Music Festival Day. Speakers at those proclamations urged that proclamations be matched by action—particularly on child abuse prevention and fair housing outreach.

All recognition items and proclamations were approved by unanimous vote.