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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Naturalization Ceremony and City Services Update - July 9, 2026

City Council — Thursday, July 9, 2026

BodyTulsa, Oklahoma

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, July 9, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 4:00:00

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

I stated earlier this is it is my pleasure to be here with you today for this naturalization ceremony.

0:06

This is the best part of my job.

0:09

If people knew what I did for work, everybody would want to do what I do.

0:13

Um, I'm very grateful to the city of Tulsa for allowing us to have these ceremonies here, and for the support that they give us.

0:24

Today, we will have the presentation of the colors by the Tulsa Fire Department and Tulsa Police Department, after which I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:34

If you at all please rise for the posting of the colors.

1:17

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:54

In today's ceremony, we have twenty individuals from nine different countries naturalizing.

3:04

You represent the strength of the world.

3:08

Thank you for coming here.

3:12

As I read through the countries in this ceremony, if you would please stand when the country that you are from read, take a moment, turn around, wave a little flag so somebody back there can get a photo, and then have a seat, and then I will read the next country in no particular order other than alphabetical.

3:45

Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Norway.

4:28

South Africa.

4:37

And Vietnam.

4:48

Now at this point in time, I will administer the oath of allegiance.

4:56

Those of you who are naturalizing today, please stand and raise your right hands.

5:02

And I'm gonna grab the podium because I have too many things in my hands.

5:14

Please repeat after me.

5:17

I hereby declare on oath.

5:22

That I absolutely and entirely.

5:26

Renounce and abjure.

5:29

All allegiance and fidelity.

5:33

To any foreign prince.

5:36

Potentate.

5:38

State or sovereignty.

5:41

Of whom or which.

5:44

I have heretofore.

5:47

Been a subject or citizen.

5:51

That I will support and defend the Constitution.

5:58

And the laws of the United States of America.

6:03

Against all enemies.

6:06

Foreign and domestic.

6:09

That I will bear true faith.

6:12

And allegiance to the same.

6:16

That I will bear arms.

6:19

On behalf of the United States.

6:23

When required by the law.

6:33

In the armed forces of the United States.

6:37

When required by the law.

6:41

That I will perform work.

6:44

Of national importance.

6:47

Under civilian direction.

6:50

When required by the law.

6:53

And that I take this obligation freely.

6:58

Without any mental reservation, or purpose of evasion.

7:05

So help me God.

7:08

Congratulations, you are now our newest United States citizens.

7:26

We will now hear from our keynote speaker, Deputy Mayor Crystal Reyes.

7:32

I have had the opportunity to work with her.

7:34

Sorry, you can be seated now.

7:37

I've had the opportunity to work with her on these ceremonies for many years now, and it is always a privilege to hear from her.

7:47

Thank you, Bruce.

7:49

And it's always been a pleasure to work with the USAS and Bruce and your team to host these.

8:19

Yes.

8:21

What a special day.

8:22

You are becoming citizens within a whole week of America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday.

8:27

So you're the first uh first uh group that we've had since that since that holiday um after July fourth.

8:34

Uh so congratulations.

8:35

And we always say now, whenever you drive by City Hall or family, you know, members visit you from out of town, you can say, I became a U.S.

8:42

citizen right there at City Hall.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Miscellaneous█████████████████████████████████████37%

Historic Preservation██████████████████18%

Community Engagement███████████████15%

Animal Welfare███████7%

Public Safety█████5%

Water And Wastewater Management████4%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Engineering And Infrastructure██2%

Legislative Policy██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Naturalization Ceremony and City Services Update - July 9, 2026

On July 9, 2026, the City of Tulsa hosted a naturalization ceremony at City Hall, during which 20 individuals from 9 countries (Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, Vietnam, and one unspecified) became U.S. citizens. The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the Tulsa Fire Department and Police Department, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the administration of the Oath of Allegiance. Following the ceremony, the meeting featured a series of informational presentations highlighting various city programs and services.

Keynote Remarks

Deputy Mayor Crystal Reyes delivered the keynote address, congratulating the new citizens and emphasizing that Tulsa welcomes immigrants. She noted that the ceremony occurred within a week of America's 250th birthday and shared her personal story as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She stated, "Immigrants strengthen our economy, neighborhoods, schools, arts organizations, our government, and every part of our social fabric."
Tabitha Edon, the city's immigrant and refugee affairs manager, gave closing remarks, acknowledging the journey of each new citizen and encouraging them to participate in civic life. She highlighted the city's language access program and opportunities to serve on boards and commissions (e.g., Asian Commission, Latino Commission).

Informational Presentations on City Services

The meeting included a series of pre-recorded or live presentations detailing various city initiatives:

Alternate Response Teams (ART1 and ART2): Staffed by firefighter paramedics and clinicians, these units respond to mental health crises and provide outreach to unhoused individuals. ART1 responds citywide; ART2 focuses on the downtown IDL area. About 20% of ART1 responses involve unhoused individuals. The programs aim to reduce 911 calls and connect people to social services.
TFD CARES (Community Assistance Referrals and Educational Services): Case managers connect high 911 utilizers to resources. A University of Tulsa study found a 70% reduction in 911 usage from January to March 2017. As of 2023, TFD CARES has reduced 911 utilization by 80% and resolves 52% of needs within two weeks.
Overdose Response Team: A community paramedic and a peer recovery specialist respond to overdose calls, provide harm reduction supplies (NARCAN, fentanyl test strips), and follow up. The city sees 8–10 overdose calls per day.
NCI Pilot Program: A neighborhood empowerment initiative partnering with police, animal services, code enforcement, and public works. The program has been implemented in Suburban Hills, Sequoia, and Charles Peach neighborhoods, achieving goals such as spay/neuter programs and cleanups.
Tulsa Transit Updates: The Peoria Aero BRT line has doubled ridership; the planned Route 66 BRT line aims to reduce travel time. Metrolink Tulsa recorded 2 million riders in 2023.
True Reads Water Meter Program: Starting in 2024, over 145,000 automated water meters will be installed over four years, including lead service line inspections.
Trail Systems and Parks: The Bells Park trail system opened in fall 2022 after a $190,000 donation, providing beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails. The Flat Rock Creek project in North Tulsa will include biking and walking trails, a fishing pond, and outdoor learning spaces.
Animal Services: The save rate at Tulsa Animal Services has increased from 67% in 2018 to nearly 80% in 2026. Microchip scanners are now available at all Tulsa Fire stations to reunite lost pets with owners.
Recycling and Stormwater Education: The city produces 450 tons of contaminated recycling waste per month. Public service announcements emphasized proper recycling and storm drain protection.
Historic Preservation Series: Several segments highlighted Tulsa's historic homes, cultural venues (Cain's Ballroom, Circle Cinema, Museum of Tulsa History), and downtown architecture.
Coyote Awareness: Information on co-existing with coyotes, including hazing techniques and pet safety.
Pedestrian Safety: The Tulsa Police Department enforces crosswalk laws; blind pedestrians have the right of way.
Zoning Process: Explanation of how rezoning applications move through the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and City Council.
Infrastructure Projects: Funding allocations for road repairs on South Memorial Drive ($75,000 from Vision funds, $150,000 from District 7 community development funds, and $100,000 from the city's general fund).

Key Outcomes

20 individuals were naturalized as U.S. citizens from 9 countries.
No formal votes or resolutions were taken; the meeting served as a ceremonial and informational session.

Meeting Transcript

I stated earlier this is it is my pleasure to be here with you today for this naturalization ceremony. This is the best part of my job. If people knew what I did for work, everybody would want to do what I do. Um, I'm very grateful to the city of Tulsa for allowing us to have these ceremonies here, and for the support that they give us. Today, we will have the presentation of the colors by the Tulsa Fire Department and Tulsa Police Department, after which I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. If you at all please rise for the posting of the colors. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In today's ceremony, we have twenty individuals from nine different countries naturalizing. You represent the strength of the world. Thank you for coming here. As I read through the countries in this ceremony, if you would please stand when the country that you are from read, take a moment, turn around, wave a little flag so somebody back there can get a photo, and then have a seat, and then I will read the next country in no particular order other than alphabetical. Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Norway. South Africa. And Vietnam. Now at this point in time, I will administer the oath of allegiance. Those of you who are naturalizing today, please stand and raise your right hands. And I'm gonna grab the podium because I have too many things in my hands. Please repeat after me. I hereby declare on oath. That I absolutely and entirely. Renounce and abjure. All allegiance and fidelity. To any foreign prince. Potentate. State or sovereignty. Of whom or which. I have heretofore. Been a subject or citizen. That I will support and defend the Constitution. And the laws of the United States of America. Against all enemies. Foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith. And allegiance to the same. That I will bear arms. On behalf of the United States. When required by the law. In the armed forces of the United States. When required by the law. That I will perform work. Of national importance. Under civilian direction. When required by the law. And that I take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation, or purpose of evasion. So help me God. Congratulations, you are now our newest United States citizens. We will now hear from our keynote speaker, Deputy Mayor Crystal Reyes. I have had the opportunity to work with her. Sorry, you can be seated now.

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