Broken Arrow City Council Meeting Summary - March 24, 2026

The Broken Arrow City Council met on March 24, 2026, in the evening for a regular meeting. The meeting included invocation, pledge of allegiance, approval of consent agenda items, several proclamations, presentations on financial audits and the upcoming bond package, public comments on development and short-term rental regulations, and adoption of ordinances. Key decisions included deferring a $20,000 Rooster Days Festival advertising contract to the tourism board, accepting the fiscal year 2024-25 audit, and advancing an ordinance to regulate concrete slurry discharge.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5K (Rooster Days Festival advertising): Councilmember requested referral to the Tourism Board before approval. The council tabled the item until April 7, 2026, or until the Tourism Board meets. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 5T (Drainage Advisory Committee recommendation): A citizen, Jason Langley, spoke in support of reallocating 2018 GO bond funds from design to construction for drainage improvements in South Fork Estate subdivision, noting ongoing issues. The council accepted the recommendation unanimously.
• The remainder of the consent agenda was approved as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jill Hatfield (College Street resident): Expressed concerns about noise, traffic, and road damage from the new Amazon facility under construction near her home. She questioned the city's transparency regarding notification, plans for street widening on College Street, and the status of a 180-unit apartment complex (Beacon Apartments). Staff (Rocky Hinkle) clarified that the property was rezoned to light industrial in 2020 with public notice given at that time. The mayor and city manager committed to follow up with answers from relevant departments.
• Amanda Sowell (The Space Place, short-term rental operator): Supported reasonable regulation but urged distinguishing between compliant, licensed operators and illegal, repeat problem properties. She described her family-oriented rental's proactive monitoring, low incident record, and financial challenges under additional costs. She advocated for stronger enforcement against unlicensed operators.
• Jeremiah Carlson (short-term rental manager): Recommended adopting a "safe harbor" policy similar to Plano, Texas, where operators who self-report nuisance incidents to police would not face automatic suspension. He also suggested an incentive-based fee reduction for compliant operators and opposed adding a hotel/motel tax on short-term rentals, citing recent revenue cuts from Airbnb fee structure changes.
• Jessica Page (citizen): Inquired about obtaining a copy of the proposed short-term rental ordinance and expressed interest in potentially using her home as an Airbnb. She acknowledged tourism board advocacy for a hotel tax but noted she is not opposed to short-term rentals.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations:
  • Declaration of April 2026 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. Adopted unanimously.
  • Declaration of April 12–18, 2026, as Telecommunicator Appreciation Week. Adopted unanimously. The mayor noted advocacy in Washington, D.C., to reclassify telecommunicators as professionals.
• Road Closure Presentation (Old Town Waterline Improvements): Charlie Bright, Director of Engineering Construction, notified the council of a month-long closure of Houston Street from South First to South Sixth Street starting soon. The closure is needed for waterline work (six feet from road shoulder) with equipment swing. Residents will have access. No formal vote required; presentation for information.
• Annual Financial Statements (FY24-25): Jake Winkler (Lich and Associates) presented a clean audit with no findings, no material weaknesses, and no significant deficiencies. The council accepted the presentation and financial statements unanimously.
• 2026 General Obligation Bond Package Update: City Manager Mr. Spurgeon gave the final update before the April 7 vote. He highlighted over two years of public engagement, seven surveys, dozens of meetings, steering committees, and three public forums. Nearly 130 projects are included in the package. He reported overwhelmingly positive public support and thanked staff and community partners. The council expressed appreciation for the transparency and effort.
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance Preview (Item 10): Trevor Burrus presented proposed amendments based on earlier work sessions. Changes included removing mandatory liability insurance, extending license compliance time from 90 to 180 days, allowing tax remittance by platforms, and not requiring license numbers on advertisements. Enforcement tools include criminal penalties (Class B misdemeanor), civil remedies, and potential district court injunctions against unlicensed operators. Council members and speakers discussed adding a safe harbor provision for self-reporting and possible fee incentives. The council directed staff to further review these recommendations and bring back a comprehensive ordinance.
• Concrete Slurry/Construction Materials Ordinance (Item 11): Ordinance 3907 makes it unlawful to discharge or track concrete slurry, wash water, or other construction materials into city rights-of-way or stormwater systems. Adopted unanimously with an emergency clause.
• Appointment to Board of Adjustment: Michelle Bergwall was reappointed to the Board of Adjustments for a term expiring May 1, 2028, after discussion about her prior absences. She committed to better attendance. Motion passed.
• Request to Appear Forms and Guidelines: Updated guidelines to clarify the mayor's authority to manage public comment for order, efficiency, and safety. Adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Rooster Days Festival advertising contract: Tabled to April 7 for Tourism Board review.
• Drainage improvements in South Fork Estate: Approved reallocation of GO bond funds.
• Kenosha Sidewalk Project: Awarded contract to Builder's Unlimited for $324,239.76 (low bid, below engineer's estimate of $382,184). Funded from 2018 bond sidewalk funds and street sales tax.
• PUD 2644-26 (Elijah Fields 3): Approved major amendment to increase maximum dwelling units from 182 to 186 and remove commercial designation on the corner of Tucson and Garnett Road. Future commercial development would require separate comprehensive plan change and rezoning.
• Annual audit notice of availability: Approved for publication.
• Short-term rental regulation: Staff directed to research safe harbor policy, fee incentives, and bring back a comprehensive ordinance for final adoption.
• Concrete slurry ordinance: Adopted with emergency clause, effective immediately.
• City manager updates: FY2027 budget process started; road improvements on 209th and Evans Road (from amphitheater partnership) completed; fire station #8 groundbreaking scheduled for March 31.