Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting - April 22, 2026
Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting - April 22, 2026
The Tulsa City Council met at 5 p.m. on April 22, 2026, for a regular meeting that included a proclamation, the mayor's FY2026-2027 budget presentation, public comments on several agenda items, and unanimous approval of consent items and ordinances.
Proclamation
- The council proclaimed April 22, 2026 as American Legion Family Day, honoring the service of veterans and the local American Legion posts (Post 1, Post 308, Post 1776). Council members noted that Post 1 is the longest continually active post in the United States and possibly the world.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes (Items 1A-1C): Approved unanimously. Included minutes from the special meeting on March 30, 2026 at 6 p.m., and regular meetings on April 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Mayor's Items (Items 4C-4Q): Approved with the emergency clause on 4C. Included resolutions and contracts, among them a resolution designating Tulsa and Sumi, Ukraine as friendship cities (4F) and a special event application for Holy Family Classical School Field Day (4M).
- Authorities, Boards, and Commissions (Items 5A-5C): Approved unanimously: final plat for Phoenix at 36 North Phase 1 (3.62 acres at 36th Street North and Peoria Avenue), final plat for Indus Elite (8.09 acres at 129th East Avenue and 11th Street), and rezoning Z7853 from RS-3 to CH at Southwest Boulevard and West 38th Place South.
- Ordinances – Second Reading (Items 7A-7C): Approved unanimously: corridor development plan at 63rd Street South and 105th East Avenue; rezoning Z7849 from IL to CS at Apache Street and Columbia Avenue; and MPD-8 rezoning for properties bounded by West 22nd Street, South Main Street, West Woodward Boulevard, and South Riverside Drive.
- Council Items (Items 8B-8C): Approved unanimously: a $915 donation from the Tulsa Community Foundation for Route 66 challenge coins, and travel authorization of $1,550 for Councilor Hall Harper to attend the Rebuilding the Village Conference in Omaha, Nebraska (May 5–8, 2026).
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Huffines spoke in support of Items 4F and 4M. He praised the friendship city resolution with Sumi, Ukraine, highlighting Sumi's resilience, spiritual heritage, and Christian faith. He also endorsed the Holy Family Classical School Field Day, emphasizing community and faith-based values.
- James Alexander Jr. spoke on Items 4H and 4I (HUD-related items). He criticized the City of Tulsa for failing to develop North Tulsa and alleged misuse of HUD funds over 50 years. He called on North Tulsa residents to demand their money and accused the city of systemic neglect of Black communities.
- Bernice Alexander spoke on Items 4H and 4I. She alleged the city has grossly misused HUD funds in North Tulsa, a predominantly Black area. She stated the Justice Department has requested information from her neighborhood group. She reported that all utilities had been shut off at her husband’s home and accused the city of trying to take his property. She warned of further action and urged equitable treatment.
Discussion Items
- Mayor’s Presentation of the FY2026-2027 Budget (Item 4B): The mayor presented a $1.22 billion total expenditure budget ($444 million general fund). Key highlights:
- Public safety comprises 57% of the general fund, including funding for two police academies (55 new officers), a fire academy (22 cadets), $7 million for fire apparatus, $25 million for the public safety center, and $18.9 million for municipal court/lockup space.
- Code enforcement: four new positions and $550,000 in operating support to reduce the 1,600-case backlog to under 30 days.
- Homelessness: $6.5 million from the Vision 2016 Fund (part of a $23.5 million commitment) to continue Safe Move Tulsa, which has housed nearly 120 people and closed five encampments since November 2025.
- Economic development: $18.5 million from Vision 2016 Fund for quality-of-life improvements; $19.5 million for affordable housing; $3 million for neighborhood improvements; $16 million for streets/transportation.
- Utility rate increases: typical residential customer will see an increase of $5.82/month, reflecting 7% water, 4.7% sewer, 7% stormwater, and 4% refuse increases based on multi-year modeling.
- The budget freezes 45 vacant positions and uses $40 million from the Vision 2016 Fund as a one-time bridge. The mayor emphasized the need for a long-term revenue solution.
- Council Announcements (Item 8A): Councilor Dutton announced a joint town hall with Councilor Hall Harper on April 27 at CrossOver Community Impact to discuss the vacancy improvement program. Councilor Hall Harper announced the Tulsa Reparations Summit (April 24–26) hosted by the Beyond Apology Commission, with national speakers. Happy Earth Day was noted.
Key Outcomes
- All items requiring votes (minutes, mayor’s items 4C-4Q, plats, ordinances, council donations/travel) were approved unanimously with no recorded dissent.
- The budget presentation was received; future public hearings will allow public comment on the budget.
- Items 6B (ordinances first reading) were forwarded to the next meeting without objection.
- No appeals or new business items were considered.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, and welcome to the 5 p.m. Tulsa City Council meeting. You can view this meeting on our Facebook page or YouTube channel, COTS Channel 24 or at Tgovonine.org. Assisting the council tonight are Jack Blair, City Attorney, Lori Doring, our Secretary to the Council, and Beth Tankard from the Council staff. If you wish to speak on an agenda item, please see Beth to complete a request to speak card prior to that item being read. You will not be allowed to speak on any item that has already been read. Please join us in pledging allegiance to the flag of our country and remain standing for a moment of silence. Something must be going on tonight. That's what it is, Mario. So good evening, everybody. Thank you for being here. So this proclamation is uh American Legion Family Day. Uh and the proclamation reads as such. Whereas since 1919, the American Legion has had the noble mission of serving and advocating for veterans and their families across the country, including the many citizens of Tulsa, and whereas the local Legion Posts, American Legion Post One, Post 308, and Post 1776, uh have a long and proud history of service to the nation, state of Oklahoma, and the city of Tulsa through programs supporting veterans, youth, and civic engagement, and whereas the City of Tulsa honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces and recognizes the continued contributions of veterans and their families to our community, and whereas the American Legion has designated the last Saturday in April as American Legion Family Day. And this year it also observes the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. The BFW is specifically for uh combat service overseas and the American Legion. You only have to serve one day of active duty service to be eligible to be a member. Um it was formed in 1919 and was brought up in concept, if I remember correctly, by Teddy Roosevelt Jr. right after World War One. Um so thank you for your service. And I think post one is the longest continually active post in the United States. Possibly in the world, possibly in the world, yes. So thank you for your service and thank you for your work to the community. So we're gonna come down here and take a photo come on up we'll see. All right, everyone must be on down to the way. Oh wow. She cannot see you. Oh, they left. All right, one, two, one, all right, got it. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Thank you. What I did see you down there. It's good to see you. All right, here we go. People wishing to speak on an agenda items are limited to five minutes total per meeting. Public input is a time for members of the public to provide insight on the agenda item due to the meeting format. Public input is not a time for a question and answer period. All comments should be relevant to the agenda item and directed to the council. We are using a an electronic timing system in front of the speakers at the microphone. There is a timer that will count down the time used. A green light means you can go, will indicate your time is running. Yellow light cautions you to that you have 30 seconds remaining and your allotted time and a blinking red light will be shown when your time has concluded. Uh we ask that you stay within your time limit so everyone wishing to speak is given equal time. Please keep the podium area railings and aisles free from recording devices and tripods, recording equipment and accessories, including tripods, must be set up in the media center. Good job, guys. Thank you very much. Tonight did a good job. Um, as posted on tonight's agenda, certain items are subject to consideration and possible approval, adoption, denial, amendment, or revision.
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