OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Broken Arrow City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026: Budget, Fireworks, and Data Center Moratorium

Meeting Portal — Monday, June 15, 2026
BodyBroken Arrow, Oklahoma
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, June 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:55:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:46

Call the Broken Arrow City Council meeting to order.

0:49

We have invocation by Pastor Rich Marinero.

0:54

Okay.

0:55

If we can bow our heads for word of prayer.

0:58

Thank you, Father God, for your hand of blessing over this city.

1:01

Tonight as the governmental body meets to make decisions, please give them wisdom and understanding they need.

1:08

Let them hear the still small voice within their hearts, and may your peace which surpasses all understanding be their guide.

1:17

We commit this meeting into your hands as well as this city with all the expansion that's happening.

1:23

Please shine your heart and your light to help the vision you place in their hearts and minds as leaders.

1:31

Please place your hand of protection over our citizens, city workers, police, and fire, and all those who serve in some capacity.

1:39

We believe broken error has a huge part to play in Oklahoma in the nation.

1:45

And may this city be an example of prosperity, leadership, unity, and faith.

1:50

In the name of the greatest example, God's only son who came to serve with kindness and humility.

1:57

Amen, guys.

1:59

That's all I have.

2:00

Thanks, Rich.

2:01

You are roll call.

2:04

Pickle.

2:05

Here.

2:05

Green.

2:06

Here.

2:06

Ford.

2:07

Here.

2:07

Parks.

2:08

Wimpy.

2:09

Here.

2:10

Please stand and join Councillor Ford for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:17

Attention, salute, pledge.

2:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:24

And she's a republic for which you stand.

2:34

Thank you, ma'am.

2:40

Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda?

2:48

I'll have a motion button, but I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as it stands.

2:54

We have a motion and a second, real quick.

2:56

Sorry.

2:57

We don't have buttons to press.

4:36

Now therefore, be it declared that the City of Broken Arrow hereby recognizes the semi-quincentenal celebration as an opportunity to educate, preserve, and innovate during this milestone anniversary.

4:47

So just wanted to make sure that we declared America 250.

4:51

So is that what Quincentennial means?

4:54

It does.

4:56

Thank you.

4:58

All right.

5:00

There is no action required on that item.

5:02

So item B, presentation and update on Broken Arrow's 250th birthday celebrations.

5:09

Perfect item after that.

5:12

Good evening, Mayor, Council, Mr.

5:14

Spurgeon.

5:15

You did that much better than I could have, for sure.

5:18

So I'm gonna provide just a little bit of an update on what activities we have for the 250th celebration.

5:25

And this is something that the mayor had um approached us about a several months ago saying this is a big deal, and Broken Arrow needs to do some great things and show off our American pride.

5:35

So as you said, we are joining communities from across the nation to celebrate the 250th birthday celebration.

5:42

So to kick it off, our first event is going to be the New Orleans Square Block Party event taking place on June 26th and 27th.

5:49

This is a family friendly event featuring entertainment activities and food, and both of those evenings will end with the fireworks display.

5:56

Then we are doing a time capsule ceremony on Tuesday, June 30th at Veterans Park.

6:01

City officials and staff will bury a 25-year time capsule, and the time capsule will preserve memories, milestones, and items that represent life and broken arrow today.

6:10

And each one of the city department directors have received a cylinder that they're gonna put mementos um for their respective departments.

6:17

Um and I just I do want to give a shout out to Ryan Bays and his team.

6:21

They've just done a remarkable job in putting that um task together for us.

6:26

Then the next event is Tuesdays in the park on June 30th at Central Park.

6:30

The city is hosting the fifth Tuesdays in the park concert, which will be grading nickels.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Data Center Regulation█████████████13%
Procedural█████████9%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Transportation Safety████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Broken Arrow City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026

The Broken Arrow City Council met on June 15, 2026, to discuss a wide range of topics including the FY2027 budget, fireworks enforcement, a data center moratorium, and several development projects. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a consent agenda approval.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Leanne Jackson spoke in opposition to data centers, citing environmental concerns, but encouraged the council to pass the moratorium to allow for public education.
  • Mike Sanders, a registered professional engineer, offered to answer questions about data centers, noting that large data centers generate their own power and do not consume grid power or pollute water.
  • Oscar (last name illegible) expressed support for the moratorium.

Discussion Items

  • America 250 Celebration Update: Lori presented a series of events including a block party (June 26-27), time capsule burial (June 30), Tuesdays in the Park concert (June 30), blood drive (250 pints goal), $2.50 pool passes on July 4, church bells tolling for 250 seconds, and a jet flyover on July 4.
  • Road Closure Notification: Charlie Bryant notified council of up to eight closures at 9th and Washington intersection (Lynn Lane and 91st Street) for widening, occurring between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to avoid rush hour.
  • Fireworks Enforcement Update: Fire Marshal Justin Sharp and Major Garrett outlined enforcement plans for July 3-4. City ordinance allows fireworks only on July 3-4 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with fines starting at $274 and doubling after 11 p.m. The new state law (Rockets Red Glare Act) does not supersede city ordinance. Enforcement includes four fire department teams and additional police officers before and after the holiday. Councilor Wimpy expressed long-standing opposition to fireworks inside city limits but acknowledged the enforcement plan.
  • SP 2852-2026: Conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling structure of 7,200 sq ft on a 13-acre lot. Planning commission recommended approval 4-0. Approved.
  • PUD 2802-2026: Planned unit development to reduce setbacks on an industrial lot at 809 E Jackson Place. Approved.
  • FY2027 Budget Adoption: Michael Spurgeon presented the $487,039,418 budget for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Approved.
  • Main Street Parking Configuration: Council approved changing back-in parking back to pull-in parking due to lack of enforcement and driver difficulty.
  • Hotel/Motel Tax Enforcement: Resolution to take legal action against Homewood Suites owner for unpaid taxes totaling approximately $82,000. Approved.
  • Noise Ordinance Waiver for Lacrosse Tournament: Broken Arrow Lacrosse Club requested a waiver for a 24-hour tournament on August 8-9 at Nein Heist Park. Council tabled the item to July 14 to allow neighbor notification.
  • Opioid Abatement Contract: Staff recommended Omni Institute for opioid abatement services; council approved.
  • Axon Enterprise Service Agreement: Five-year master service agreement for technology ecosystem (911, drones, body cams, tasers, etc.) with a savings of $6.8 million over the contract life. Approved.
  • Liberty Trail Retaining Wall: Awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction for $861,086.
  • Sixth Street Widening Project: Awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction for $227,405.
  • PUD 2820-2026 for Happy Hands: Planned unit development to allow school uses in office zone for deaf/hard-of-hearing education center. Approved.
  • Alternate Judge Appointment: Mayor appointed Jerry Lundy as alternate judge; approved.
  • Presiding Judge Reappointment: Dennis Sagely reappointed as presiding judge.
  • Preview Ordinances: Set for adoption: 3919 (muffler noise in Rose District), 3920 (scooters on sidewalks), and several easement and zoning ordinances (3924-3932).
  • Adoption of Ordinances: Easement closures (3921, 3922, 3923) adopted with emergency clauses; No-knock list ordinance (3918) adopted; Data center moratorium ordinance (3929) adopted until December 31, 2026, with emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • SP 2852-2026 approved.
  • PUD 2802-2026 approved.
  • FY2027 Budget approved (motion by Councillor Ford, seconded).
  • Main Street parking configuration changed to pull-in parking (motion by Mayor, seconded).
  • Hotel/motel tax enforcement resolution approved (motion by Councillor Parks).
  • Opioid abatement contract with Omni Institute approved.
  • Axon Enterprise agreement approved (motion by Councillor Ford).
  • Liberty Trail Retaining Wall bid awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction.
  • Sixth Street Widening bid awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction.
  • PUD 2820-2026 for Happy Hands approved.
  • Alternate judge Jerry Lundy appointed.
  • Presiding judge Dennis Sagely reappointed.
  • Noise waiver for lacrosse tournament tabled to July 14, 2026.
  • Preview ordinances set for adoption (no vote).
  • Ordinances 3921, 3922, 3923 adopted.
  • No-knock list ordinance (3918) adopted.
  • Data center moratorium (3929) adopted with emergency clause.

Meeting Transcript

Call the Broken Arrow City Council meeting to order. We have invocation by Pastor Rich Marinero. Okay. If we can bow our heads for word of prayer. Thank you, Father God, for your hand of blessing over this city. Tonight as the governmental body meets to make decisions, please give them wisdom and understanding they need. Let them hear the still small voice within their hearts, and may your peace which surpasses all understanding be their guide. We commit this meeting into your hands as well as this city with all the expansion that's happening. Please shine your heart and your light to help the vision you place in their hearts and minds as leaders. Please place your hand of protection over our citizens, city workers, police, and fire, and all those who serve in some capacity. We believe broken error has a huge part to play in Oklahoma in the nation. And may this city be an example of prosperity, leadership, unity, and faith. In the name of the greatest example, God's only son who came to serve with kindness and humility. Amen, guys. That's all I have. Thanks, Rich. You are roll call. Pickle. Here. Green. Here. Ford. Here. Parks. Wimpy. Here. Please stand and join Councillor Ford for the Pledge of Allegiance. Attention, salute, pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And she's a republic for which you stand. Thank you, ma'am. Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? I'll have a motion button, but I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as it stands. We have a motion and a second, real quick. Sorry. We don't have buttons to press. Now therefore, be it declared that the City of Broken Arrow hereby recognizes the semi-quincentenal celebration as an opportunity to educate, preserve, and innovate during this milestone anniversary. So just wanted to make sure that we declared America 250. So is that what Quincentennial means? It does. Thank you. All right. There is no action required on that item. So item B, presentation and update on Broken Arrow's 250th birthday celebrations. Perfect item after that. Good evening, Mayor, Council, Mr. Spurgeon. You did that much better than I could have, for sure. So I'm gonna provide just a little bit of an update on what activities we have for the 250th celebration. And this is something that the mayor had um approached us about a several months ago saying this is a big deal, and Broken Arrow needs to do some great things and show off our American pride.

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