Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting - May 20, 2026

The Tulsa City Council met at 5 p.m. on May 20, 2026, to consider a public hearing on an ordinance reallocating sales tax proceeds for homelessness services, the FY 2026-2027 budget, appointments, special event permits, and an appeal of a nuisance violation. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of regular meetings held April 29 and May 6, 2026 (items 1A-1D) were approved.
• Appointment of Renee Ritter to the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority (item 2A) was approved. Councilmember Dutton noted Ritter's West Side advocacy and praised her inclusive spirit.
• Mayor's items 4B through 4Q, including special event applications and other routine items, were approved with the emergency clause on items 4B and 4C.
• Ordinances on second reading (items 7A-7E), covering rezonings, a major PUD amendment, and a budget appropriation of $199,570 from the Department of Justice, were approved.
• Initiation of zoning amendments to the neighborhood character overlay requested by the Renaissance neighborhood (item 8B) was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hoffines spoke in support of the Renee Ritter appointment and offered religious blessings on special event applications: St. Francis Tulsa Tuff events (items 4M and 4N), the Diocese of Tulsa Corpus Christi procession (item 4P), and Build in Tulsa's fifth anniversary celebration (item 4Q).
• During Public Hearing 3A (ordinance amending the 2017 limited purpose economic development sales tax expenditure policy), four speakers expressed support:
  • Alison Anthony (President/CEO, Tulsa Area United Way) highlighted collaboration through Safe Move Tulsa to move people from encampments into housing and stressed the need for sustained public funding.
  • Jeff Hall (Henry's Arrow Foundation on behalf of Harbor LLC) supported the public-private partnership for a new 180-bed low-barrier shelter and noted capital is the easy part; operations require public investment.
  • Mark Smith (CEO, Housing Solutions) credited the council's 3H task force and the initial $6 million Safe Move Tulsa investment. He reported six encampments decommissioned, with more underway, and noted partnerships with multiple organizations.
  • Mike Neal (Tulsa Regional Chamber) praised the ordinance's thoughtful approach and urged continued investment in public safety, economic development, and homelessness services.
• No public comments were offered during the public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 budget and capital plan (item 3B).
• During the nuisance appeal (item 10A), appellant Diana Anderson testified that the imminent danger notice was unjustified, the tree was not an imminent threat (citing the urban forester's assessment), and that code enforcement had engaged in harassment, including a prior incident involving police and profanity toward her aunt.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing 3A (Sales Tax Reallocation): Council accepted testimony but did not deliberate; the ordinance will proceed to a future meeting. The reallocation aims to fund homeless response system operations, Safe Move Tulsa, and low-barrier shelter support.
• Appeal 10A – Nuisance Hearing: Code enforcement representative Joseph Feathers explained that a standing dead tree limb notice was issued February 24, 2026, after an inspector observed two detached dead limbs 20–30 feet above a yard with children's toys. The urban forester later confirmed the tree was alive with a few dead limbs that could be pruned. The appellant removed the limbs before the administrative hearing, and the hearing officer upheld the notice. Appellant Diana Anderson argued the notice was an abuse of power and claimed ongoing harassment from code enforcement in a prior case. Councilmembers discussed the meaning of "imminent danger" and the importance of erring on the side of caution. Councilmember Dr. Wright noted the system worked but encouraged the appellant to file a formal complaint with the city about the alleged misconduct and offered to connect her with her district councilmember. The council took no action on the appeal, effectively upholding the hearing officer's decision.
• Council Announcements (Item 8A): Councilmember Bengal promoted the Route 66 centennial Capitol Cruise event (May 28–30, 2026), noting over 4,200 registered drivers and the need for 700 volunteers. Councilmember Archie added that BNSF had cleared overgrown vegetation along the railroad on Southwest Boulevard near Route 66. Councilmember Lakin wished her daughter a happy birthday.
• Procedural Matter: Councilmember Lakin requested that item 6A (first reading ordinance) be moved to the June 10 meeting to align with budget discussions; the council agreed without objection.

Key Outcomes

• All votes on consent items, appointments, ordinances, and council items were unanimous (8–0).
• The public hearing for the sales tax reallocation ordinance was held; the ordinance will return for a vote at a later meeting.
• The council voted for "no action" on the nuisance appeal (unanimous), leaving the hearing officer's decision intact without affirming the appellant's claims of harassment.
• Councilmember Dr. Wright will follow up with the appellant and district councilmember regarding the reported code enforcement conduct.
• Item 6A was moved to the June 10, 2026 council meeting.