Broken Arrow City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Broken Arrow City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, presentations on Tucson Street improvements and the Data Center Study Committee, public comments on several topics, and action on a voluntary annexation and a construction variance for Fire Station 8.

Consent Calendar

• Item AA (26-1224) – Approval to declare police canine Thor as surplus property and retire him to his handler effective August 21, 2026. Pulled from consent for individual discussion. Council member expressed gratitude for Thor’s service; motion to approve carried with a second. Approved.
• All other consent items (A through AT) were approved en bloc as part of the consent agenda after item AA was removed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Jackson – Submitted written materials and spoke in opposition to the 2026 rezoning request by the North American Islamic Trust Corporation, arguing that only the corporation had standing and that the City has authority to regulate corporations. Urged the Council to vote no on that change.
• Grady – Expressed concern that license plate readers (flock cameras) constitute unconstitutional searches under Supreme Court rulings (Carpenter v. United States, Chatry v. United States) and would expose officers to personal liability. City Attorney Trevor Dennis offered to research the issue; Grady declined, asserting his own legal interpretation.
• Chuck Rowland – Read an affidavit regarding destruction of property on PSO land sold to a for-profit company, claiming it was improper and harmed his property values. Alleged lack of due process and requested a response from the City.
• BJ Jennings – Citing constitutional principles, argued that a private company is clear-cutting property obtained improperly from PSO, contrary to the original grant, and that the City has not responded to previous notices. Called for correction.
• Martha Schmidt – Presented a notice and demand for liability of attorneys advising the City on constitutional matters, asserting that attorneys must swear affidavits that training aligns with state/federal constitutions. Demanded a response within 10 days.
• Al Pool – Asked who decided to spend $150,000 on an airport feasibility study. Reported informal polling showing ~500 opposed to an airport. City Manager Spurgeon later clarified the study was his recommendation as part of long-range planning. Pool expressed doubt about the feasibility and benefit.

Presentations & Recognitions

• 7A – Citation of Recognition – Mayor Wimpee presented a citation to Court Clerk Mikayla Pacin for being awarded the Oklahoma Municipal Court Clerks Association’s ‘Sara Bizzell Court Clerk of the Year Award’ for 2026. Council congratulated her.
• 7B – Update on Northeastern State University Activities – Tabled to the September 1, 2026 meeting.
• 7C – Tucson Street Improvements Design Options – Engineering Director Charlie Bright presented design options for widening Tucson Street from Olive to Aspen. Staff recommends a four-lane section (two lanes each direction) outside the commercial area to avoid expensive utility relocations (high-pressure gas line and PSO transmission line), saving $5–6 million. The intersection at Olive/Aspen will be fully built out. Council members expressed support for the cost-effective approach.
• 7D – Data Center Study Committee Update – City Manager Spurgeon detailed the creation of an internal committee (chaired by Assistant City Attorney James Walters) to study land-use and regulatory impacts of data centers during a six-month moratorium. Subcommittees are focusing on legal, community development, utilities, transportation, finance, economic development, public safety, and technical aspects. An RFQ for consulting expertise has been issued. The goal is to bring recommendations to the Council by end of 2026 or within the moratorium period. No data center is currently proposed; this is proactive due diligence.

Discussion Items

• 9A – Voluntary Annexation of ~75.48 Acres – Community Development Director Rocky Hinkle requested direction to publish a legal notice for the annexation of a property located 1/3 mile north of Washington Street (91st St) and west of Oneta Road (241st E Ave) in Wagoner County. The property owner (Robson Companies) intends to develop a single-family residential subdivision (total 215 acres) with extensive infrastructure improvements, including outfall sewers for Cambridge Estates, seven access points, 35–40% open space, and community engagement meetings. The property will remain zoned agricultural until a separate rezoning and PUD application is considered. Council approved the motion to publish the notice and set the public hearing for September 15, 2026.
• 9B – Construction Variance for Fire Station 8 – Engineering Director Charlie Bright requested a variance to allow concrete pours for Fire Station 8 to start as early as 2:00 AM on three to four occasions to avoid extreme heat. Contractor Myers Cherry Construction would notify adjacent residents 24–48 hours in advance. Council approved the variance with a motion and second.

City Manager Remarks

• Downtown Master Plan – The advisory committee held a public forum and will recommend a joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting to present ideas.
• Infrastructure – Water line repairs on South Main from 81st to 91st are complete; milling and overlay will finish by Labor Day.
• Citizen Engagement Academy – Kicks off August 27 with 20 selected residents; six classes in Phase I.
• School District – Thanked outgoing Superintendent Chuck Perry for his partnership; Steve Dunn will succeed him.
• Water Production – Production reached 26 million gallons due to heat; plant operated well.
• Build Act – Staff is preparing a presentation for the Council on how the state law will affect development.
• Airport Feasibility Study – Spurgeon defended the study as part of long-range planning for economic development, noting inquiries from business leaders and pilots. He clarified the study is a feasibility analysis, not a commitment. Council members confirmed they had responded to public inquiries.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved with item AA removed and separately approved.
• Canine Thor Retirement – Motion to approve item 26-1224 carried.
• Recognition – Citation presented to Mikayla Pacin.
• Tucson Street Design – No vote required; design option was presented for information.
• Annexation Notice – Motion to publish legal notice and set public hearing for September 15, 2026, approved.
• Construction Variance – Motion to approve variance for Fire Station 8 concrete pours carried.
• NSU Update – Tabled to September 1, 2026.
• Executive Session – Council recessed and moved to executive session to discuss pending litigation (Islamic Society of Tulsa lawsuit) and related requests for legal representation. No open session action reported.