Broken Arrow City Council Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Broken Arrow City Council met on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of a lengthy consent agenda, recognition of a youth city councilor selected for a national advisory council, a presentation and proclamation for the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse, discussion of a farmers co-op logo on the historic grain silo, public comments regarding the LifeRide program, approval of a sister city agreement with Rincón De Romos, Mexico, a film incentive rebate up to $55,000, a memorandum of understanding with the City of Bixby for Mingo Road improvements, award of the Aspen Avenue Improvements Phase 3 contract, discussion of the pole sign ordinance, approval of the Citizens Engagement Academy class roster, multiple ordinances including a scooter ban in the Rose District, several zoning amendments, and an executive session concerning DOJ investigations and potential litigation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda as a single block, including approval of meeting minutes of July 14, 2026; acceptance of various Drainage Advisory Committee and Planning Commission minutes; acceptance of multiple easements (detention, landscape, utility, waterline, sanitary sewerline) from property owners and the Broken Arrow Board of Education; approval of budget amendment; conditional final plats (The Grove I, Oakmont Hills); renewal agreements with Infinity Fire Protection Services and Squeegee Squad; specific use permit for a public safety telecommunications tower; final acceptance for public improvements at Regent Corner, Freddy’s, Christian Brothers Automotive, El Paso Office Building; reimbursement agreement with Explorer Pipeline; professional services agreement with Troutman Pepper Locke regarding RLUIPA and DOJ investigation; automatic aid agreement with Oak Grove Fire Protection District; amendment for Wolf Creek Pedestrian Bridge; interlocal agreement with Tulsa County; OHSO grant for impaired driving enforcement; Granicus renewal; Resolution No. 1760 Fiscal Year 2027 Manual of Fees; PUD for Salt Dome; lobbying services agreement with Steve Edwards; letter of agreement with Saint Francis Hospital South; interagency agreement with Tulsa County for TACIC; construction contracts for Bretton Woods and Central Park concrete panel replacements; amendments for Kenosha Street Sidewalk and Tiger Hill Retaining Wall; change orders for Houston Street Improvements; Resolution No. 1761 for bank signatures; additional expenditure authority for 9th Street Widening; rezoning for Tucson28; PUD amendment for 7Brew Kenosha; PUD and rezoning for Creekside Commercial; natural gas commodity supply award to Symmetry Energy Solutions; notification of contracts under $50,000; ratification of claims list check register dated July 27, 2026. (Roll call vote: all ayes)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Keith Hayes spoke about the LifeRide program, arguing that fees being collected function as taxes contrary to Oklahoma Supreme Court rulings. He stated he would not return to council on this issue, urged the council to fix the program, and raised concerns about responsiveness (calls not being answered). He expressed a loss of faith due to the council’s response to his prior concerns about Article 2-37.
• Ben Trook, resident and business owner in the Rose District, spoke in support of the scooter ordinance (item 11B). He noted his 13-year-old son has an e-bike capable of 50 mph and emphasized the need for a safe place for youth to ride, suggesting an adventure bike park similar to Rogers, Arkansas.

Presentations & Recognitions

• 7A – Youth City Councilor Breese Campbell was recognized for being selected as one of six young leaders nationally for the 2026-2027 National League of Cities Youth Advisory Council. State Representative Ross Ford presented a citation. Council members praised her leadership and civic engagement.
• 7B & 7C – Broken Arrow Community Playhouse provided an annual programming update, highlighting the start of its 47th season (productions: Sarah Plain and Tall, Addams Family, etc.), history of 46 years and over 300 productions seen by 136,000+ patrons. They announced a City Employee Night on August 22, 2026. The council then adopted a proclamation declaring August 21, 2026 as “Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Day.”
• 7D – Farmers Co-op Logo on Grain Silo: Engineering Director Charlie Bright presented options for placing the historical Farmers Co-op logo on the renovated grain silo. Former council member Mike Lester advocated for a visible logo (preferably high) to honor agricultural history. Council discussion favored a lower plaque or sign with historical narrative rather than a high painted logo. Staff will develop design options and bring back recommendations.

Discussion Items

• 9A – Sister City Agreement with Rincón De Romos, Aguascalientes, Mexico: City Manager Spurgeon outlined the benefits—economic development, educational exchange, cultural opportunities. Mayor Wimpee noted the growing Hispanic population in Broken Arrow. Council approved Resolution No. 1764 establishing the formal sisterhood agreement. (Roll call: all ayes)
• 9B – Film Incentive Rebate (up to $55,000): Tourism Manager Michaela Barton presented the request from Red Clay Studios for the film “A Body in the Woods” (budget $2.3M). The production will spend an estimated $350,000 in Broken Arrow, occupy ~300 hotel room nights, and hire 10–20 local professionals. The rebate is funded entirely by lodging tax. The council approved the incentive. (Motion and second; roll call)
• 9C – Mingo Road Improvements MOU with City of Bixby: The MOU allows Broken Arrow’s engineering staff to manage the project (101st to 111th Street, a boundary road) at no financial cost to Broken Arrow. Bixby will fund design and construction. Future cost-sharing for a potential NCOG grant match may be considered later. Council approved the MOU. (Roll call: all ayes)
• 9D – Award of Aspen Avenue Improvements Phase 3 Contract: Low bidder Cherokee Pride Construction, Inc. at $4,781,011.15 (six bids received). Staff confirmed the bid was two million dollars below engineer’s estimate but comparable to other bidders. The project is part of the 2018 bond package. Council approved the award. (Motion and second; roll call)
• 9E – Pole Sign Ordinance Discussion: Councilor Green initiated discussion on pole sign regulations, seeking clearer standards to reduce visual clutter and ensure consistency. Community Development Director Rocky Hinkle outlined current rules allowing pole signs in non-residential districts with masonry bases. Council expressed interest in reviewing sandwich board signs as well. Staff will develop recommendations by early 2027.
• 9F – Citizens Engagement Academy: Staff presented 35 applicants; the council approved the selection of 20 participants and 5 alternates for the inaugural class beginning August 27, 2026. Council discussed timeline and logistics. Approved.

Ordinances

• 11A – Ordinance 3947 (Cash Payment Rounding): Adopted to implement the Oklahoma Common Cents Act for cash transactions. Effective November 1, 2026. No emergency clause. (Motion and second; passed)
• 11B, 11C – Ordinance 3920 (Motorized Scooter Prohibition in Rose District): Prohibits operation of motorized scooters, e-bikes, and similar devices on sidewalks and pedestrian spaces in the Rose District. Exceptions for mobility devices. Emergency clause declared. Council and police chief expressed safety concerns. Adopted with emergency. (Roll call)
• 11D–11E: Ordinance 3934 (Pines at the Preserve 4 Rezoning): 119 acres from AG to RS-Single Family at 51st St and 209th E Ave. Adopted with emergency.
• 11F–11G: Ordinance 3936 (Snyder Family Rezoning): 22 acres from RMF and PUD-340 to RS-Preservation at 121st St and 161st E Ave. Adopted with emergency.
• 11H–11I: Ordinance 3948 (Aspen Creek Villas): 90.33 acres to RS-Compact at 121st St and 129th E Ave. Adopted with emergency.
• 11J–11K: Ordinance 3949 (Waterline Easement Closure): Adopted with emergency.
• 11L–11M: Ordinance 3950 (Waterline Easement Closure): Adopted with emergency.
• 11N–11O: Ordinance 3951 (Waterline Easement Closure): Adopted with emergency.
• 11P–11Q: Ordinance 3952 (Sanitary Sewer Easement Closure): Adopted with emergency.
• 11R–11S: Corrective Ordinance 3924: Corrected typographical errors in previously adopted ordinance. Adopted with emergency.
• 11T–11U: Ordinance 3940 (Realty One Group Dreamers Rezoning): Quarter acre to DM/DROD Area 6 at Broadway & Date Ave. Adopted with emergency.
• 11V–11W: Ordinance 3943 (East Broken Arrow Retail Rezoning): 7.5 acres from CG to CH at 71st St & Oneta Road. Adopted with emergency.
• 11X–11Y: Ordinance 3944 (Angus Acres Rezoning): 0.76 acres to Office Neighborhood at 71st St & 23rd St. Adopted with emergency.
• 11Z–11AA: Ordinance 3945 (D&B Processing Rezoning): 9.15 acres to Industrial Light at 91st St and Evans Road. Adopted with emergency.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda (all items passed unanimously).
• Recognized Breese Campbell as Youth City Councilor and her selection to the NLC Youth Advisory Council.
• Accepted the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse proclamation and presentation.
• Directed staff to bring back options for a Farmers Co-op historical plaque/sign at the grain silo.
• Approved Resolution No. 1764 for a Sister City Agreement with Rincón De Romos, Mexico.
• Approved film incentive rebate up to $55,000 for Red Clay Studios’ “A Body in the Woods.”
• Approved MOU with Bixby for Mingo Road improvements (no current financial obligation).
• Awarded Aspen Avenue Improvements Phase 3 contract to Cherokee Pride Construction ($4.78M).
• Discussed pole sign ordinance; staff to return with recommendations by early 2027.
• Approved the 20-member class for the Citizens Engagement Academy.
• Adopted Ordinances 3947, 3920 (with emergency), 3934, 3936, 3948, 3949, 3950, 3951, 3952, corrective 3924, 3940, 3943, 3944, and 3945, each with emergency clauses (except 3947).
• Entered executive session to discuss DOJ investigation under RLUIPA, pending litigation involving RWD #5, and 3226 South Elm Place lawsuit. No action reported following executive session.