Tulsa City Council Meeting - May 13, 2026: Vote on Ordinance to Redirect Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Funds Sparks Community Debate
Tulsa City Council Meeting – May 13, 2026
The Tulsa City Council met on May 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. for its regular meeting. The meeting opened with employee recognitions for Ursula Jones (IT, 25 years) and Cheryl Wilson (Water and Sewer, 25 years). The primary agenda included a public hearing (Item 3A) and a second-reading ordinance (Item 7B) concerning a proposed amendment to the Improve Our Tulsa 3 expenditure policy that would reallocate $5 million in voter-approved funds for the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan. After extensive public testimony and council debate, the council voted 9-0 to approve the amendment, which allows the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) to serve as the financial steward for the funds while prioritizing implementation of the master plan.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Lana Turner Addison – Chair of Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) and lifelong North Tulsa resident: Urged the council to preserve the $5 million for the master plan as approved by voters in 2023. Highlighted that approximately 2,000 residents participated in planning and that the process was transparent and community-driven. Opposed any diversion or reallocation of funds.
- Eugene Harris – GLC board member: Opposed reallocation, stating that any change undermines years of community effort. Asked the council to honor the vision of the master plan.
- Claiborne Talbert – District 7 homeowner within the plan area: Opposed taking money from the district and urged council members to uphold the voters' will.
- Gabrielle Alexander Trimble – HOA president and 40-year resident: Opposed redirecting funds, noting that voters showed up intentionally and that reallocation would create distrust.
- Tracy Chandler – Community activist: Acknowledged the community's work but recommended moving all funds under TEDC for proper administration, while following the plan.
- Isaac Stevens – North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative: Formally opposed any reallocation, reading a resolution that emphasized honoring the vote and rebuilding trust in democracy.
- Michelle Burdeaux – Resident: Asserted that the $5 million was a covenant between the council and voters. Argued that ordinance would dismantle community-led development. Called for GLC and TEDC to partner voluntarily rather than through a council-imposed takeover.
- Reggie Williams Jr. – 42-year-old North Tulsa resident: Stressed that voting must matter; changing course after the vote sends a message that votes do not count.
- Mario Johnson – Resident: Opposed any change, stating the process was open from the start and that there is no need to revisit decisions.
- Joe Williams – Former city councilor (10 years) and participant in the master plan working group: Strongly opposed reallocation. Said changing the plan would break promises made to constituents and asked the council to honor their word.
- Renita Wade – Interim Executive Director of Partner Tulsa: Clarified that Partner Tulsa never expected to administer the $5 million. Noted that feasibility studies are already underway via a USDOT grant, so using the $5 million for such studies would be wasteful.
- Ed Schar – Executive Director, Phoenix Development Council: Expressed confidence in TEDC to steward the funds effectively, citing TEDC's track record in North Tulsa.
- Nate Morris – District 3 homeowner and voter for the package: Supported the ordinance (7B), noting that the language prioritizes the master plan first and then aligned projects. Expressed trust in TEDC's leadership, specifically Rose Washington.
- Mary Williams – Resident: Reminded the council of their code of ethics and urged them not to prejudge GLC. Quoted Dr. King.
- Delana Jackson – President, BTW Legacy Club District 1: Requested that Councilor Hall Harper be included in discussions with Partner Tulsa.
- Darlene Daughter – Concerned citizen: Expressed concerns about trust in Partner Tulsa and GLC, and suggested that funds should be administered by TEDC due to its proven track record.
- Rose Washington Jones – CEO, Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC): Noted that an ordinance naming a financial steward was necessary regardless. Expressed excitement about feasibility studies being funded elsewhere, allowing the $5 million to be used for bricks-and-mortar projects. Committed to working with GLC and the community if TEDC is selected.
- Speakers on Item 7B (second reading): Lana Turner Addison, Heather Nash (grandmother of 1921 massacre survivor, opposed), Joe Williams (opposed, called for councilors to do the right thing), John Hall (Executive Director, GLC – described progress and requested partnership), James Alexander Jr. (opposed, criticized council and TDA), Bernice Alexander (opposed, urged honesty and transparency), Tracy Chandler (favored moving funds to TEDC while following the plan), Christy Williams (voter and planning participant – said voters did not choose an administrator; expressed concern about councilor exclusion from TDA decisions), Charlotte Combs (opposed, asked council to do right for all), Daryl Knox (small business owner – supported TEDC for its assistance during the pandemic), Berlinda Radney (favored the ordinance; argued that tweaks are necessary for implementation and that TEDC is better suited to generate wealth).
Discussion Items
- Councilor Dr. Wright: Emphasized that the process is working as designed; the ordinance does not override the will of the people but follows the expenditure policy. Noted historical harm by entities now claiming to help. Clarified that TDA still owns the land, not the community. Urged GLC and TEDC to meet and work together. Expressed confidence in TEDC's capacity.
- Councilor Dutton: Asked legal staff to clarify “prioritize” – it is a statement of intent, not a legal requirement; appropriation still requires council and mayor's office action.
- Councilor Lakin: Supported the ordinance, noting that Councilor Hall Harper, as the district representative, brought the item forward. Trusted TEDC's track record and pledged collaboration.
- Councilor Bush: Supported the ordinance, citing the need for a trusted administrator (TEDC). Emphasized that the funds stay in the master plan and that councilor Hall Harper's role must be respected.
- Councilor Archie: Supported the ordinance after meeting with stakeholders. Stated that voters did not vote on who administers the funds, only that $5 million goes to the plan. Expressed trust in Rose Washington and TEDC.
- Councilor Hall Harper (sponsor): Clarified that the ordinance only adds TEDC as an administrator; the master plan remains the priority. Defended her role as the elected voice for District 1, noting that she has tried for years to address issues behind closed doors. Cited TEDC's successful projects (Shops on Peoria, Oasis Fresh Market, Moton Gym, Save Our Homes). Stated that the ordinance respects both the voter mandate and the need for expert implementation.
Key Outcomes
- Employee Recognitions: Two employees honored for 25 years of service (Ursula Jones, Cheryl Wilson).
- Item 2A – Appointment: Michelle Burdex appointed to the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission (Greenwood Cultural Center seat). Approved 9-0.
- Item 3A – Public Hearing: Closed after 18 speakers. The hearing was for a proposed ordinance amending the Improve Our Tulsa 3 expenditure policy. No vote taken on the ordinance at that time (action occurred under 7B).
- Item 7B – Ordinance to Amend Expenditure Policy: Adopted on second reading (9-0). The amendment allows TEDC to serve as financial steward for the $5 million dedicated to the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan, with the condition that funds are prioritized first for implementation of the master plan and second for projects that align with the plan.
- Item 5A-H – Boards and Commissions: Approved final plats and rezoning requests (Patterson Farms Phase 1, Villas of Watercrest, and several rezoning applications) 9-0.
- Item 6A – Supplemental Appropriation: Approved 9-0 to appropriate $950,000 from Tulsa Community Foundation pledge revenues to the animal welfare shelter.
- Items 7A, 7C-F – Ordinances on Fees and Franchise: Approved 9-0 with emergency clause on 7A (fee schedule amendments).
- Item 8B-C – Special Election and Letter of Support: Approved 9-0 with emergency clause on 8B (ONGG franchise special election on August 25, 2026).
- Item 4B – Travel Donation: Approved 9-0 for KSU Tab assistance for Active Transportation Academy attendance.
- Announcements: Councilor Archie invited colleagues to West Tulsa Centennial pre-cruise bash on May 29. Council paid tribute to former Councilor Thomas Manser who passed away.
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, Cox Channel 24, or at Tgovonline.org. Assisting the council tonight are Jack Blair, Lori Doring, and Brandon Worley Council staff. If you wish to speak on an agenda item, please see Brandon 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 our flag of our country and remain standing for a moment of silence. All right, awesome. We have our cheerleaders here tonight. We're ready to do this. The woo-woo group, right? All right. The city of Tulsa has an incredible team of over 3,500 public servants dedicated to making all aspects of city government run smoothly. Each month the city council is pleased to recognize some of these exceptional public servants who have committed decades of their lives in their career with the city. And both of them read whereas these employees have dedicated years of service to the city of Tulsa, its officials, and its citizens, and therefore we uh Mayor Monroe Nichols and the Tulsa City Council do hereby express our sincerest appreciation for these employees' years of hard work, dedication, and continued service to the City of Tulsa and its citizens. And in witness thereof, we hereby set our hands on this 13th day of May 2026. And without these employees, we would not have a city. So we are greatly appreciative of them. So when I call your name, please come forward to receive your recognition. Um Ursula Jones. Ah, there she is. All right, Ursula is from uh the IT department, and she has put in 25 years of service. Oh, yeah. Okay, congratulations. Yeah, thank you so much for your service. We're gonna go down here for a quick root. Whatever you want to do. Congratulations. All right, thank you so much. Um, our next employee is Cheryl Wilson, water and sewer, twenty-five years. All right. Thank you so much. We're gonna go on down here. All right, I hope you guys have this on for next month on your calendar. All right. We have every month on our calendar. There we go. All right, the continued growth of the city of Tulsa is a direct result of the valued employees that serve our city twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They are a true representation of service, excellence, loyalty, and commitment. Their work does not go unnoticed, and their many sacrifices are truly appreciated. So, are you starting? All right, um, announcements. People wishing to speak on an agenda items are listed to five minutes. Uh 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 question and answer period. All comments should be relevant to the agenda item and directed to the council. We are using an electronic timing system in front of the speaker at the microphone. There is a timer that will count down the time used. A green light will let you know when your time has started, yellow light will let you know you have 30 seconds left, and red light will let you know when your time has concluded. We ask that you stay within your limits, time limits.
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