0:11 All right, good evening, and welcome to the 5 p.m.
0:14 Tulsa City Council meeting today is Wednesday, May 6th.
0:19 You can view this meeting on our Facebook page, our YouTube channel, Cox Channel 24, or at Tgovonline.org.
0:28 Assisting the council tonight are Jack Blair, our city attorney, Lori Doring, Secretary to the Council, and Bailey Rogers, Council staff.
0:37 If you wish to speak on an agenda item, please see Bailey to complete a request to speak card prior to that item being read.
0:44 You will not be allowed to speak on any item that has already been read.
0:49 Please join us in pledging allegiance to the flag of our country and remain standing for a moment of silence.
1:01 And to the Republic for which it stands.
1:33 Go, Councillor Lakin.
1:58 Come on, this is the big proclamation.
2:03 We're gonna end up over here eventually, so let's just go over here in the center of the room.
2:07 We're just gonna get lined up for the picture that we're going to get to take.
2:12 So it's really my pleasure to get to read this proclamation in support of emergency medical services week.
2:20 Uh so this is signed by the mayor and all nine of the counselors, and it says, whereas IMSA is Oklahoma's largest provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care serving all citizens of Tulsa since 1977.
2:36 And whereas IMSA produces more than 95 million dollars annually in economic impact to the Tulsa area and the total operations across Oklahoma makes it the 12th largest EMS system in the United States.
3:03 And whereas IMSA plays a critical role in trauma service management, continuing health care provider education, community preparedness, and disaster response initiatives, and whereas IMSA is an international leader in clinical quality technological utilization and cost efficiency, serving as a model for EMS systems worldwide, and citizens are encouraged to honor the dedication and life-saving services that of IMSA professionals.
3:31 Now therefore, we, the mayor of the city of Tulsa and the Tulsa City Council, do hereby proclaim the week of May 17th through May 23rd.
3:40 So you've got a little while, emergency medical services week.
3:44 So again, thank you all for the roles that you play uh in the city of Tulsa and in Oklahoma City as well and in other uh little uh smaller towns and municipalities, but especially for the residents that live here.
3:58 Um we know that um when we call you, we have needs that we can't fix ourselves, but that you can fix on our behalf.
4:06 So thanks for what you do for all of us.
4:11 I know we just did this, but you know, cameras.
4:15 Okay, so um this is the center, right here.
4:19 Who's gonna hold that certificate?
4:22 Okay, so you guys put it here.
4:28 You can hold it like that.
5:07 So yeah, I mean it's not often you get to go with that.
5:24 People wishing to speak on an agenda items are limited to five minutes total per meeting.
5:29 Public input is a time for members of the public to provide insight on the agenda item due to the meeting format.
5:38 Public input is not a time for question and answer period.
5:42 All comments should be relevant to the agenda item and directed to the council.
5:46 We are using an electron electronic timing system.
5:50 In front of the speakers is a microphone.
5:52 There is a timer that will count down the time used.
5:55 A green light will indicate your time is running.
5:58 A yellow light will come on when you have 30 seconds remaining in your allotted time, a blinking red light will be shown when your time has concluded.
6:08 We ask that you stay within your time limit so everyone wishing to speak is given equal time.
6:14 Please keep the podium area railings and aisles free from recording devices and uh tripods, recording equipment and accessories, including tripods must be set up in the media center as posted on tonight's agenda.
6:27 Certain items are subject to consideration and possible approval, adoption, denial, amendment, or revision.
6:34 I call this meeting to order.
6:35 Please call the roll.
6:36 Counselor Dutton here.
6:40 Here, Counselor Gilbert.
6:49 Um item one receipt and filing of minutes.
6:52 1A, minutes of regular meeting held at 4 p.m.
6:55 on April 22nd, 2026.
6:58 B, minutes of regular meeting held at 5 p.m.
7:01 on April 22nd, 2026.
7:03 Do we have any speakers?
7:05 There are no speakers.
7:06 Sir Council discussion.
7:08 I move to approve items one A and B.
7:11 Please call the roll.
7:27 Items 1A through 1B are approved.
7:30 Two appointments and reappointments.
7:32 Simone Gitton's appointment to the Greater Tulsa Area African Affairs.
7:38 African Affairs Commission.
7:41 Anna Tao, reappointment to the Asian Affairs Commission.
7:45 Uh C Fatima, excuse me, reappointment to the Greater Tulsa Area Hispanic Latinox Affairs Commission.
7:56 Do we have any speakers?
7:58 We have one speaker, Mr.
7:59 John Hafines for items two A, B, and C.
8:10 I'm thankful for our honorable leaders.
8:15 I'm grateful for the honorable council.
8:17 Council Chair Karen Gilbert.
8:20 Honorable Vice Chair Christian Bangle.
8:22 Honorable Counselors, staff, team, and security.
8:26 We are thankful to the citizens of this great city of love, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
8:31 It is a joy to be with you on this sixth day of May in the year of our loving Lord Jesus Christ, 2026.
8:39 Appointments and reappointments.
8:43 Anna Tao, C, Fatima Linares.
8:46 May we continue to honor our volunteers.
8:54 There are no speakers.
8:56 Sir Council discussion.
8:57 Move to approve items two A through C.
9:01 Please call the roll.
9:13 Items 2A through T 2C are approved.
9:16 Any commissioners here this evening?
9:20 No, I don't see any either.
9:23 Uh three public hearings.
9:25 Three A public hearing to receive comments on a proposed ordinance amending Title 15.
9:29 Tulsa revised ordinances titled Franchise and Grants.
9:35 Chapter 3 titled 2011 Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Franchise granting a franchise for a term of 20 years, providing for a use and repair of rights of way, establishing engineering standards, defying grantees' duty to move or alter facilities, establishing a franchise rate of 4% of gross receipts requiring voter approval on this franchise at a special election on August 25th, 2026.
10:10 Move to enter public hearings.
10:13 Please call the roll.
10:26 Please call the first speaker.
10:28 There are no speakers.
10:31 Without objection, we will exit public hearings.
10:34 Four mayor's items for a report from the mayor or his designee on community events briefing on city activities, city efforts, and new business.
10:47 So the remaining items 4B through 4L will not be read aloud.
10:53 However, public comments will be received on these items.
10:57 Do we have any speakers?
10:59 We have one speaker, Mr.
11:01 John Huffines for items 4C and H.
11:11 Thank you, Counselors.
11:13 Yes, agenda item 4C.
11:16 A waterline easement donation by Temple Israel Inc.
11:21 of property located at 2004 East 22nd Place.
11:25 This act, this generous act expresses a steady flow of service, partnership, and care for our community.
11:33 May the waterline of God's love and his word, the Holy Bible, continue to flow into and through our great city, bringing life, strength, and unity to every neighborhood and every generation.
11:47 And may we continue to love and honor the beautiful nation of Israel, its people, its history, and its enduring spirit.
11:54 There is something meaningful about recognizing the connections that strengthen us both locally and across the world.
12:03 Temple Israel stands as a true asset to our city, a place of faith in God, heritage, and generosity.
12:10 Their contribution today adds lasting value, and their presence continues to enrich Tulsa in many ways.
12:18 Yes to agenda item 4C.
12:21 And God Almighty, we invoke your guidance.
12:25 Agenda item 4H, donate a donation from Tulsa Community Foundation to the City of Tulsa Animal Shelter Project.
12:34 This represents an investment in compassion and community partnership.
12:39 This generous contribution strengthens the vision for a shelter that provides safe, provides safe space, proper medical attention, and thoughtful placement for animals across our city.
12:53 It communicates a like commitment to stewardship, tending to lives entrusted into our hands, and building systems that serve with excellence.
13:03 Scripture speaks of caring for creation, and this project expresses this value in a practical way.
13:11 When we come together like this through leadership, generosity, and service, we have a sense of purpose, and everyone involved is lifted.
13:20 We give thanks to the Lord for the spirit of generosity behind this gift.
13:24 May his love continue to guide as this project moves forward.
13:29 The Tulsa Community Foundation continues to be a strong and faithful partner in the life of our city, and this gift adds a lasting impact and value for both people and animals.
13:42 Thank you, Counselors.
13:45 Is there council any council discussion?
13:48 Move to approve items 4B through 4L with the emergency clause on 4B.
13:54 Please call the roll.
14:03 Counselor Director Wright?
14:07 Items 4B through 4L are approved with the emergency clause on 4B.
14:13 Five Authority Boards and Commissions.
14:16 5A monthly status report from the Sales Tax Overview Committee on current activities and efforts.
14:25 And Linda Jenkins is here from the committee too.
14:31 STLC members have seen and heard some exciting updates this past month.
14:36 Our City Streets contact began his monthly report with the Gilcrease Museum Streets Projects are on time, on schedule, and on budget, and will be done in time to coincide with the new museum building's grand opening in early 2027.
14:53 Last week, on one of my frequent trips to check out these sites, I could see the progress.
14:57 The big hill along Gilcrease Museum Road has been cut down by 18 feet.
15:03 Attractive retaining walls are being poured and finished.
15:06 The museum private properties and housing addition entrances are being upgraded as necessary.
15:12 The intersections and walkways are getting attention, and I've not seen this much activity since I was a child growing up on nearby Reservoir Hill, watching Gilcrease Hill's housing development being built in the very early 1970s.
15:26 I was pleased to revisit Old Moton Hospital.
15:29 The last time I was there, I was a young teen accompanying my father, who is a local medical laboratory technologist on errands to the hospital to attend the April 30th, 2026 grand opening of the Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton, or simply the gym.
15:47 We toured the first floor and found the revitalized historic site well prepared to become the hub of an entrepreneurship and workforce development and an inspiration for future economic growth for North Tulsa.
16:02 Thursday, April 23rd, we attended the groundbreaking for the Airmen Center for the Tulsa Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.
16:11 It is planned to be it, it is planned to be a dedicated, well-equipped area in the center of the base, and one that will support operational readiness, health development and maintenance, and a continuing demonstration of our community support.
16:26 Continued support of the base may help us snag new jets in the next round of fighter upgrades.
16:32 Our F-16 Vipers are 40 years old and are and to be upgraded, we need to keep our best foot forward in supporting our Air National Guard.
16:43 My brother, his father-in-law, and my nephew have all been ANG guardsmen at the Tulsa facility and retired from service there.
16:51 That nephew continues as a civilian contractor, and our support for the 138th is unwavering.
16:58 Thank you, Councillor Lakin, as always for your support.
17:03 Our March 24th STOC monthly meeting was at the Tulsa Zoo to tour the construction site of the vast carnivores and African wilds build.
17:13 It is going wonderfully well, and the STOC is well pleased with its progress.
17:18 I missed the Bales Park ribbon cutting March 27th, but those who attended were very pleased with the latest all-inclusive playground completed by the city for Southwest Tulsa.
17:29 The next all-inclusive playground is being scheduled for Chamberlain Park as part of the park's current remodeling plans.
17:37 Great grandpa and I had our two-year-old great-grandson at Whiteside's all-inclusive playground two weeks ago.
17:45 The equipment is holding up well, and we all had a great time.
17:49 As to a water problem in the inner corner of the gymnasium at Whiteside, its causes being investigated, and preparations to repair it will be underway very soon.
17:59 Thursday, April 9th, STOC members toured the ongoing changes at Woodward Park.
18:05 I was out of state, but those who are there were very impressed by the construction of the upper terraces, stone retaining walls, irrigation and erosion work.
18:15 I counted six or seven segments of the 90-inch stormwater pipe, the concrete ones you can see from 21st Street, still above ground.
18:24 Last time I was by.
18:25 They began planting shrubs and ground cover plantings on the terraces in mid-March.
18:29 Project completion is expected this coming August 2026.
18:37 Construction on Johnson Park at 61st and South Riverside Drive is scheduled to begin soon, perhaps early this summer.
18:45 It will take a full year for the planned renovations.
18:48 Hopefully, it'll be ready for the kids next summer or early fall 2027.
18:53 Artists Ken Kelleher's Cry Baby Cry Anchorball Series statue is set to go in at the corner of Southwest Boulevard and South Riverside Drive near Crybaby Hill after a concrete pedestal is poured.
19:07 Geotech soil sample cores have been taken to decide on a stable location.
19:12 Completion of the work is promised in time for Tulsa Tuff 2026, which is June 5th.
19:19 My last concern today is what we heard about possible longer delays and higher costs for fire department equipment apparatus in the near future.
19:28 You may already be aware of it, but a brief statement from our Tulsa Fire Department contact this past month about construction times lengthening from the current one year to as long as four and a half years after order, depending on the size and complexity of the apparatus and costs to possibly increase from the 300 to 500,000 to more than 1 million dollars per unit is due to three fire apparatus manufacturing companies consolidating their companies into one, which would control two-thirds of the market and drive up costs and delivery times.
20:05 The International Association of Firefighters is urging the DOJ and FTC to look into possible antitrust business practices.
20:15 Parts and services could also become an issue for the older models.
20:20 I found a suitable starting point to understand the problem at IAF.org, and I would encourage the counselors and any interested others to read up on the causes and current litigation at the International Association of Firefighters Internet site.
20:49 As far as our year's attendance and schedules show so I didn't know, Counselor Dutton, do we have anybody that's in the pipeline coming through?
20:59 Are you still searching for someone?
21:03 Still working on it.
21:06 Just good to know what the progress is.
21:07 Thank you very much.
21:11 Do you have any questions?
21:17 Do we have any speakers on the STOC report?
21:21 We have one speaker, Mr.
21:23 John Huffines for items 5A.
21:33 Thank you, Counselors.
21:35 Yes, regarding authorities, boards, and commissions, agenda item 5A.
21:40 I'm grateful for the unity and harmony demonstrated by the Sales Tax Overview Committee as they come together to produce this report.
21:49 Their collaborative spirit strengthens trust and helps guide wise decisions for our city.
21:54 And under parks, we have seen supporting documentation regarding our public zoo, a place that celebrates the beauty of nature.
22:02 It offers a wonderful opportunity to appreciate creation and our creator, God, the father of our and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
22:10 And I also read where the elephants, Billy and Tina, are living alongside other elephants now and close attention is being given to their ongoing well-being.
22:23 Thank you, counselors, for your service, your thoughtful leadership, and your continued commitment to our community.
22:29 Thank you for always doing your best to help Tulsa be her best.
22:36 B rezoning application Z 7854 for CS to CG for property located east of the northeast corner of East 11th Street, South and South 131st East Avenue.
22:49 C rezoning applications, Z 7855 from RS3 to RM3 for multiple properties located on the northeast corner and the southeast corner of West 42nd Street South and South Union Avenue.
23:05 Do we have any speakers?
23:08 We have one speaker, Mr.
23:12 Justin De Bruin for item 5C.
23:16 Okay, you want to come up to the podium and speak?
23:25 Justin Abruin, Wallace Design Collective 123, Martin Luther King Jr.
23:29 Boulevard, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
23:32 I'm really just happy to answer any questions that you might have about the case.
23:36 Anyone have any questions?
23:38 Okay, no questions.
23:40 All right, thank you.
23:44 Is there any council discussion?
23:51 No, I uh spoke with um planning before the meeting.
23:57 And it's got this resolved.
24:00 Then I'll make a motion to approve items 5B and C.
24:05 Please call the roll.
24:20 Items 5B through 5C are approved.
24:26 First reading the following items in this section of the agenda will not be read aloud.
24:31 And without objection, items 6A through 6C will be forwarded to the next council meeting for action.
24:39 Seven ordinances, second reading, 7A ordinance naming increment district E of the amended and restated Tulsa International Airport Economic Development Project Plan as increment district number 26, City of Tulsa, and establishing the date for the creation thereof, ratifying and confirming the actions, recommendations, and findings of the review committee and the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission with regard to the increment district E ratifying and confirming the action of the City of Tulsa and enacting ordinance number 23475 that approved and adopted the Tulsa International Airport Economic Development Project Plan.
25:23 Establish the project area and establish increment district E, and is an acting ordinance number 25548, adopting and approving the amended and restated Tulsa International Economic Development Project.
25:39 Plan ratifying and confirming the action of the Tulsa County enacting the resolution that approved and adopted the Tulsa International Airport Economic Development Project Plan.
25:51 B ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to making supplemental appropriations of $5,000 recognized from a donation revenue within the general fund.
26:04 C ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to transfer available appropriations of 2060, 641 dollars and eighty-eight cents between account groups within the Emmett Till Cold Case Program Subfund.
26:28 D ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of 100,000 dollars recognized from grant revenues to be received from the Humana Healthy Horizons within the social and economic development non-federal grant subfund.
26:48 Do we have any speakers?
26:50 We have two speakers, James and Bernice Alexander for item 7C.
27:03 Good evening, Councillor.
27:06 One thing that is always bothering me about this Oakland uh cemetery is that highway.
27:13 And it is so close to that cemetery that it looks like part of it was taken away from the cemetery.
27:22 I can't remember, and I don't know anybody else that remembers, but that's a problem for me.
27:28 Uh another problem I have is that the city of Tulsa know where these people are buried, and people have come up here and uh it's been written about where the bodies were and where they were found.
27:45 And if you're gonna do something, do it for real.
27:49 Don't play about it.
27:57 Is there a council discussion?
27:59 Move to approve item 7A through D.
28:03 Please call the roll.
28:18 Um item 7A through 7D are approved.
28:22 Eight council items.
28:24 8A counselors' announcements and reports on current community events, activities, efforts, and concerns other than announcements and reports, and no discussion will ensue.
28:34 Anyone have any announcements?
28:38 I'm just going to remind District 5 residents that we do have our May meeting on May 12th from 6 to 7 at the Tulsa Tech campus there on Memorial, the Limley campus, and we will have representatives from uh the Tulsa Police Department and Code Enforcement.
28:54 So hope to see you out there.
28:57 8B proposed uh District 5 project that will use Council District Community Development Priority Project Funds from Improve Our Tulsa 2 for the construction of a sidewalk that will connect South Hudson Avenue and South Lakewood Avenue via East 636th Street Place in the amount of 575 dollars.
29:21 Do we have any speakers?
29:23 There are no speakers.
29:25 Council discussion.
29:27 Do you want to make the motion?
29:29 I move to approve items 8B.
29:37 Please call the roll.
29:47 Counselor Doctor Wright.
29:51 Yes, I do care about the kids.
29:57 Um item 8C request for waiver of administrative fees for work completed at 440 South 45th Avenue West Tulsa, Oklahoma.
30:10 We will hear from Theodore and or Susan Bowen.
30:14 Are you here this evening?
30:23 So on 62 625 of 25, which I realized was a long time ago.
30:29 But that's how how long it's taken to get to this point.
30:32 Uh I received a neighborhood nuisance complaint for 438 South 45th West Avenue, which is what and then we um after some discussion the because that address is 440 and 442 that I actually own.
30:48 So I did receive that.
30:50 Um a few days later I trimmed up the trees off the street, and way higher than the nine feet required and thought all was good.
31:00 Um then on 1025, so four months later, a contractor showed up and started trimming higher limbs again in the tree, and apparently there were some dead limbs in the up in the tree that I did not realize at the time that I trimmed them.
31:17 And if I had known that I would have been glad to take care of them, but I did I didn't realize that at the time.
31:32 There was a uh it was visit the the address was visited again, but I didn't know it had been visited, and I guess that was the reinspection of the neighborhood nuisance of the trees that were there.
31:47 So after they'd made that inspection, then through then three months later, the contractor showed up and to trim it up in the tree.
31:55 Uh again, I and if I hadn't known back on 714 that we've still had a problem if somebody had let me know I'd have been glad to take care of them, but I didn't know that.
32:04 And if they were that you know big of a danger, why did they stay there for three months when I could have taken care of them right away?
32:12 But uh and then uh and then the first I was aware of any of this was 1119 of 25 when I received a bill, which was almost five months after the initial um nuisance case was filed.
32:30 Um and that bill was for 1385.
32:33 Um I asked for a review on that and was told that a review was not allowed because it was greater than 10 days.
32:42 Well, that was the first I'd noticed I'd heard of any, you know, that anybody had been back out there from five months ago when I thought I took care of it.
32:49 And then there have been since then there had been multiple discussions about uh w you know what we were doing.
32:57 I'd asked uh Brent Pitchford who has been very helpful.
33:00 I can't I'm not here to you know bash anybody.
33:02 Uh he'd been helpful, uh, had been busy, hadn't been able to get back to me and answer you know, some of the questions I had, and then he did send me some pictures of the completed work.
33:13 Uh and uh what was I say there?
33:22 And I guess and told me that you know my only option was to come to the council meeting.
33:26 So uh then I sent an email and we worked through that.
33:30 So uh, you know, and uh on my you know, I I would have been glad to take care of it.
33:36 I have a lot of investment in West Sover there, and you know, try to take care of it, always provide good houses for my people, and you know, I just I would I like to have a shock months later I get a bill for something I thought was done, so asking for you know I realize they paid a contractor and that's part of the you know, but I if I'd known I'd taken care of it myself.
34:03 That was quick for a little drawn out process there.
34:11 Yeah, counselor Bellis, this is your item, yeah.
34:15 Um as a clarifying question, because I I understand your point about okay, I thought I had taken care of it.
34:22 It sounds like we don't really know if there was like another complaint maybe in the interim, though granted once code enforcement's out somewhere, they'll keep checking back.
34:30 Um, you live out of the area.
34:34 Yes, I live in in Sand Springs.
34:36 So you're close by.
34:38 That's what I was gonna just be I was just curious, and there are people who live those are all occupied properties.
34:45 So if there was like an imminent concern, someone like one of your tenants would have brought that to you, yeah.
34:50 Yeah, she calls it all the time for you know, I mean we're we're friends, honestly.
34:55 Okay, that's um that's helpful.
34:57 And then I know what it says right here, right?
34:59 Is just for the administrative fee waiver, not for the whole amount, but just pulse checking if my council colleagues have other questions.
35:10 Counselor Lakin, okay.
35:13 Explain the 438 thing.
35:15 You started out on that, and I I lost track of it.
35:17 That's a different property, yeah.
35:19 The 438 was the notice I got from the city.
35:23 I don't there is no 438.
35:27 It said 438, and I there is no 438, but they taped it to 442.
35:34 Which it's a duplex.
35:35 I it's a duplex, it's four forty and four forty-two.
35:39 But it said 438 on the notice.
35:41 Yes, but being that it was taped to my, you know, the door of the unit, she called me and I went and took care of the tree.
35:46 You know, I uh as I thought it was to be taken care of.
35:50 And so, yeah, I'm I'm still thinking though, we we also we mail and we post on the home.
35:56 So if something was mailed to 438, then it did not make it.
35:59 Uh it did not mail to 430.
36:01 Well, it it it mailed, I've got it.
36:03 Uh well, no, I didn't get it because she she called me, the tenant called me and said, Hey, we we got a notice posted on the door for the tree.
36:10 Okay, we don't know if the mail was received.
36:13 Yeah, so I don't know how where four thirty eight comes from.
36:16 Um I can't tell you because there is not one.
36:19 Okay, and then breakout on the you're just requesting a waiver of the admin fees, the three hundred bucks.
36:26 Uh my understanding is that's the best we can hope for, yes.
36:30 But like I say, I would have taken care of it if I'd known, you know, in the three months that four months that it took them to get there, I would have I have access to a lift, I could have gone up there and taken care of the tree.
36:29 But yeah, I didn't know so.
36:41 So you're not asking us to waive the fees for the limb removal of the for the dead limbs.
36:48 Whether I agree with it or not, no, because I I've already you know heard that you know that's I move approval of the waiver of the three hundred dollars.
36:56 Please call the roll.
37:08 Councilor Dictor Wright?
37:12 Your request is approved.
37:13 Will they send a new bill or should I just pay off of the one I have?
37:19 What really got me going was when they sent a collections letter and added another 300 to it.
37:24 Now, so I I'm curious.
37:25 Am I going to get another bill or do I just I don't.
37:30 I don't think you should get another billing statement.
37:32 I think you will get another bill.
37:34 We'll get another one, but I'll gonna make a note to have my counsel aid help follow up.
37:38 Um so we can and then also to double check about the address issue for future reference.
37:44 We'll get that fixed.
37:47 Item nine, new business.
37:49 There are no items this week.
37:50 Hearing of appeals, there are no items this week.
37:53 11 hearing of public comments.
37:55 This concludes the televised portion of our meeting per council rules.