Tulsa City Council Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Tulsa City Council met at 5 p.m. on April 15, 2026, in council chambers. The meeting opened with employee service recognitions, followed by consent items, public hearings, and votes on several ordinances and resolutions. Key topics included the sale of the Rudisale Regional Library, a code enforcement fee waiver request, and the approval of multiple zoning and budget items. Council members present: Lakin, Hall Harper, Archie, Dutton, Bellis, Gilbert, Bengal, and Dr. Wright. Councilor Hall Harper recused herself from Item 4Q.

Employee Recognitions

• The Council issued proclamations honoring city employees for years of service: Joshua Gibson (Fire), Timothy Ingram (25 years Fire), Timothy Robinson (25 years Fire), Michelle Piper (Finance, 20 years), Melanie Brickman (Human Resources, 20 years). Additional 35-year and 20-year employees were acknowledged in absentia.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1A–1D: Minutes of regular meetings on March 11 and 25, 2026, were approved unanimously (8-0).
• Items 2A–2C: Appointments and reappointments to the Route 66 Commission, Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, and Tulsa Arts Commission were approved unanimously (8-0).
• Items 4B–4P: Mayor's items including travel donations, event applications, and a special event application (St. Tori Bio Kerms on May 24, 2026) were approved with an emergency clause on 4B, vote 8-0. Public comment was received from John Huffines, who spoke in support of several items and offered prayers.
• Item 4R: Approved unanimously (8-0).
• Items 5A–5E: Final plat, rezoning applications, and comprehensive plan amendment were approved, with a friendly amendment to Item 5D adding a prohibition of dynamic display signs in the development plan. Vote 8-0.
• Items 7A–7F: Ordinances on second reading, including penny rounding, rezoning, budget appropriations ($2,500 and $967,713), and Indian Affairs Commission restructuring, were approved with an emergency clause on 7A. Vote 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4Q (Sale of Rudisale Library): Eight speakers addressed the Council. Heather Nash opposed the sale, alleging a conflict of interest because Councilor Hall Harper is founder of Black Wall Street Chamber, which owns Power Group (the buyer). She requested a delay until a written ethics disclosure is produced. Dr. Darnell Blackman (Chairman of Black Wall Street Chamber and Power Group) supported the sale, stating the open records act was followed and bidding was public. Christy Williams (Power Group board member) supported the sale, claiming misinformation and that the process was proper. Matisse Mason supported the sale, calling it a model for community-led revitalization. An associate pastor (not named) supported the sale, urging the Council to approve it. James Alexander opposed, asserting that federal funding rules (from 1959) were not followed and that money designated for North Tulsa is being misdirected. Jennifer Harmon questioned whether a written ethics disclosure was filed by Councilor Hall Harper and asked for clarification on the recusal process. A silent speaker was cut off after time expired.

Discussion Items

• Item 4Q (Rudisale Library Sale): Councilor Dr. Wright reported that the Tulsa City-County Library Commission followed proper procedures: independent valuation, public notice in the Tulsa World (Oct. 24 & 26, 2025), sealed bids opened Nov. 10, 2025, and award to Power Group. The new Rudisale Library at 1017 N. Greenwood Ave. is scheduled to open October 2026. She noted that ethics disclosures are due by May 15, and complaints can be submitted via Tulsa 311 or a fraud hotline. Councilor Bellis confirmed that Councilor Hall Harper recused herself, which is standard practice. Councilor Dutton emphasized that no self-profiting occurred and that the process was ethical. The item was approved 7-0 (Hall Harper recused).
• Item 8C (Code Enforcement Fee Waiver): Wesley Warsham requested waiver of a $300 administrative fee and related lien costs for a code enforcement case. He explained that a pile of brush and debris on his property was due to a broken tractor, and that he had volunteered his tractor for city trail maintenance. Code Enforcement Officer Brent Pitchford presented a timeline: notice issued Sept. 22, 2025 for tall grass, weeds, trash, and inoperable vehicles; second inspection Oct. 8; contractor abatement Nov. 17; invoice for $240 (8 yards of limbs) and $300 admin fee; lien filed Dec. 3. Current amount owed with fees is $687.27. Councilor Bengal moved to waive the administrative fee only, noting the gentleman still owes the $240 contractor fee. Motion seconded by Councilor Dutton and approved 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 4Q (Surplus of Rudisale Library): Approved 7-0. The property will be sold to Power Group, a community organization. Councilor Hall Harper recused herself.
• Item 8C (Administrative Fee Waiver): The $300 administrative fee was waived. Mr. Warsham must still pay the $240 contractor invoice within 60 days to avoid a new lien.
• Item 8B (Alternate for Vision Arts 7 Panel): Councilor Archie was selected by acclamation (7-0).
• Other Items: All consent calendar items and ordinances were approved as listed above.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned after completing all agenda items.