Public Works Committee Meeting - July 15, 2026

The Public Works Committee convened at 2:30 PM on July 15, 2026, to consider a range of agenda items including appointments, payments, land use matters, and two ordinances related to affordable housing. The committee heard presentations from staff and discussed several items in detail before forwarding recommendations to the full City Council.

Discussion Items

• Reappointment to Preservation Commission (Item 2): Susan McKee was presented for reappointment to the Tulsa Preservation Commission, representing Council District 4, with a term expiring October 1, 2028. She attended 7 of 10 meetings and expressed interest in preserving historic neighborhoods. The committee will vote on the reappointment at the July 22 City Council meeting.
• Payment of Attorney Fees (Item 3): A resolution authorizing payment of $223,561.50 for attorney fees to Tracy Lewis’s attorneys, plus statutory interest of $3,162.40 (total $226,723.90), from the sinking fund. The payment is for a judgment in case CJ-2022-2783. Chad Becker (Treasury) confirmed sufficient funds, and Michelle Modrew (Legal) explained the resolution corrected a previous omission of attorney fees. The committee discussed the history and approved forwarding the resolution.
• Adoption of Master Drainage Plan (Item 4): A resolution to adopt the February 2024 Pearl Creek, Swan Creek, Travis Park Master Drainage Plan and update the City of Tulsa regulatory floodplain map atlas. Joan Gottwick (Stormwater Planning) presented the plan, noting significant changes in the Travis Park area where the floodplain was remapped from the 1986 flood to the 100-year fully urbanized floodplain. The plan identifies problem areas and adds projects to the CIP inventory. Discussion included pipe sizing based on 100-year storm modeling and impacts on flood insurance premiums. The committee recommended approval.
• Skybridge Airspace Closure (Item 5): Ordinance amending a previous closure to reflect revised design of a skybridge at 711 S Boulder Avenue for Mayfield Investments. The new design slightly changed horizontal and vertical limits. No objections were received. The committee recommended approval.
• Sewer Easement Closure (Item 6): Resolution to vacate a portion of a sanitary sewer easement at 2258 E 31st Street after a new sewer line was installed and functioning. The committee recommended approval.
• Condemnation Resolutions (Items 7 and 8): Two resolutions authorizing condemnation of properties for sanitary sewer improvements in the Cold Creek Rehabilitation Relief area. Item 7 involved property at 1147 N College Avenue (owners unresponsive, $2,737). Item 8 involved multiple properties owned by Oakhurst Strategies Inc. (owner refused to respond). Both resolutions carried emergency clauses. The committee recommended approval.
• License Agreements (Items 9, 10, 11, 13, 14):
  • Item 9: License with AT&T for aerial fiber optic line over raw water flow line right-of-way in Rogers County. No adverse impact expected.
  • Item 10: License with Donna Chapel and Aaron Lenegan Chapel for decorative lighted archways and brick pavers at 305 E 19th Street. No objections.
  • Item 11: License with Hillcrest for monument sign in median on E 88th Street. Item 12 was a duplicate and was tabled for correction.
  • Item 13: License with BKL Buildings for raised sidewalk with handrails at 4901 N Domingo Road. The committee discussed maintenance responsibilities.
  • Item 14: License with Dominion Communications for buried fiber optic line under raw water flow lines in Rogers County. Depth meets standards. All license agreements were recommended for approval.
• Lien Waiver Ordinance for Affordable Housing (Item 15): Ordinance amending Title 49 to add a policy for waiving city liens (up to $10,000 per property) to promote affordable housing, provided the property has been uninhabited for at least six months, the new owner agrees to develop affordable housing within two years, and maintain affordability for 3–7 years. Staff clarified that the ordinance does not require the absence of private liens. The clawback provision allows recovery if conditions are not met. The committee discussed reporting requirements and agreed to quarterly reports to the Council. The ordinance had already passed first reading and will go to second reading at the Council meeting.
• Building Permit Fee Adjustment (Item 16): Ordinance fixing a typo in the referenced chapter number in the companion ordinance to Item 15. The committee recommended approval.

Key Outcomes

• The committee forwarded items 3–14 and 16 to the full City Council with recommendations for approval. Item 2 will be voted on at the July 22 Council meeting. Item 15 (lien waiver ordinance) and Item 16 (typographical fix) were discussed and will proceed to second reading at the Council meeting. No adverse votes or objections were noted for any item.