Partner Tulsa Board Meeting - April 23, 2026

The Partner Tulsa Board of Trustees convened on April 23, 2026, with a quorum present. The meeting covered consent agenda items, an amended affordable housing agreement, a retail consulting contract renewal, three community impact grants, a draft budget discussion, monthly budget actuals, and a comprehensive staff report.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda items A through E were approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Discussion Items

Item 5 – Amendment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund Agreement for 22 North Utica

• Vicky presented a request to approve an amended and restated agreement for the 22 North Utica project. A $1.4 million award from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund was made in 2024. The project has undergone changes, and the new timeline is approximately 18 months, with completion expected by the end of next year. The item was previously reviewed and approved out of the full review committee. The board approved the amendment unanimously.

Item 6 – Second Renewal of Retail Strategies Consulting Contract

• Michelle presented the second and final renewal option of the contract with Retail Strategies, originally awarded in spring 2024. The scope and budget remain unchanged from the prior year. Discussion included:
  • Trustee Tyler Duncan asked about measurables; Michelle cited contacts with new-to-Tulsa retailers, the IKEA project, and backfilling empty commercial spaces as key metrics.
  • Trustee Katie Plohocky questioned the benefit of attracting national brands versus investing in local Tulsa businesses. Michelle explained the dual approach: attracting national brands for sales tax revenue and a new small business director starting in May to support local businesses.
  • Trustee Paul Bracey expressed concern about the contractor working simultaneously for multiple municipalities and questioned loyalty. Michelle offered to provide a list of other clients and noted Tulsa’s proactive outreach (e.g., the IKEA soft offer).
  • Trustee Steve Mitchell argued that outsourcing provides credibility and reach that an internal hire cannot match, drawing parallels to industry practices.
  • Trustee Tyler Duncan noted the finality of this renewal; next year the board will go out for RFP. The motion to approve passed unanimously.

Items 7, 8, 9 – Community Impact Initiative Grant Agreements

• Staff presented three $30,000 grant agreements with Columbus Neighborhood Association, South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation (fiscal agent: South Tulsa Community House), and Tulsa Dream Center (fiscal agent for South Haven Neighborhood Association). The grants are part of a $90,000 set-aside for FY2026 to demonstrate the impact of small investments. The selection process involved collaboration with the Tulsa Planning Office, Mayor’s Office of Public Partnerships and Public Art, and city council recommendations. A data-driven rubric using the Neighborhood Conditions Index (NCI) was used.
  • Trustee Katie Plohocky commended staff for refining the selection process based on past feedback.
  • Trustee Tyler Duncan asked about handling outlier neighborhoods that are staples but score low on NCI. Staff acknowledged a discrepancy and will adjust weighting in the future; a fourth project (in the Neon Quarter) is being added to address equity.
  • All three grant agreements were approved unanimously by separate roll call votes.

Item 10 – Discussion of Draft Budget for FY2027

• Lynn presented the draft grants and operating budgets. The grants budget shows revenues equal expenditures. The operating budget reflects:
  • Removal of Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant monies from operating to grants fund (currently $104,000 excess).
  • Salaries include two new positions (director of small business and economic incentives manager, starting May 18).
  • Adoption of GovSense accounting system (with optional CRM) is included, increasing computer maintenance costs.
  • Legal expenses increased 25% due to additional TIF activity.
  • Travel and training increased for new staff and GovSense implementation.
  • Debt service still includes two remaining payments on revenue bonds (pay off in spring 2028).
  • Projected surplus of about $300,000, potentially rising to $650,000-700,000 once Oakview Group (OVG) revenue for Civic Center parkade is included.
  • Trustee Katie Plohocky requested a future report showing TIF revenues versus expenses (including administrative and legal costs) and similar data for small business support.

Item 11 – Monthly Budget to Actuals

• Lynn reported an operating surplus of $1.8 million versus an anticipated deficit of $200,000 at this point in the year. Key variances: higher legal costs due to TIF activity, and higher other services due to BBBRC activities (small dollar amounts). Overall financial position is strong.

Item 12 – Monthly Staff Report

• Gary presented on behalf of staff (Renita, Mike, Karen attending training). Highlights:
  • Working with ODOC and INCOG to submit recommended census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0.
  • Finalizing private activity bond application process.
  • Fair Oaks project plan changes; targeting LDARC meetings in May.
  • Crutch Rail project plan amendments moving forward.
  • Project Anthemeta announced for Fair Oaks Innovation Park; a microsite for the park launched.
  • A robotics trophy from Darnaby Elementary (partnering for after-school programs) was presented.
  • LATAM program (Latin America to Tulsa) by Tulsa Venture Capital recruiting biotech companies.
• Vicky provided updates on asset management: elevator modernization at Civic Center parkade (halfway through repairs), concrete repair study ongoing; Moton project RFP and disposition strategy; Archer property RFP (one proposal received, response needed in weeks).
• Gary noted that the term "urban renewal plans" is statutory and the blight study process is being updated by the Center for Economic Development Law to focus on lack of investment rather than property conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Amended and restated agreement for 22 North Utica (Affordable Housing Trust Fund) approved unanimously.
• Second renewal of Retail Strategies consulting contract approved unanimously (final option; RFP next year).
• Community Impact Initiative grants of $30,000 each to Columbus Neighborhood Association, South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation, and Tulsa Dream Center (for South Haven Neighborhood Association) approved unanimously.
• Draft budget discussed; final approval scheduled for next month. Trustee requested future data on TIF revenue vs. costs and small business support.
• Monthly budget to actuals noted as favorable.
• Staff directed to include full parking report in future packets.
• Meeting adjourned without objection.