Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting – July 15, 2026

The Tulsa City Council held its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on July 15, 2026. The agenda included approval of minutes, public hearings, a mayor's report, consent agenda items, a report from the Sales Tax Overview Committee, and second-reading ordinances related to affordable housing and economic development. The council voted unanimously on all items.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (Items 1A–1B): Approved unanimously. These were the minutes of the regular meetings held at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on June 17, 2026.
• Public Hearings (Items 3A–3B): No public speakers. The council entered and exited public hearings without objection. Item 3A concerned the annual assessment roll for Tourism Improvement District No. 1 (hotels/motels with 110+ rooms). Item 3B concerned closing a portion of vertical airspace at 711 South Boulder Avenue.
• Consent Agenda (Items 4B–4S): Approved unanimously with an emergency clause on Item 4B. Items were not read aloud but included various routine approvals, donations, and a special event application.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Huffines spoke on consent agenda items 4D, 4J, 4L, 4M, 4O, and 4R. He expressed general support for the items, adding remarks about faith, community, and gratitude. He noted that the special event application (4R) is for a one-vehicle march of about 100 participants from Cicero's restaurant to Guthrie Green Park on July 25, 2026.
• James Alexander and Bernice Alexander spoke on Ordinance 7D (nuisance abatement cost waiver for affordable housing). They expressed strong opposition, arguing that the city is using such policies to force people out of their homes in North Tulsa, characterizing it as theft. Bernice Alexander cited a specific address (431 East Ute Street) and claimed the city's actions violate property rights, referencing the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as a historical context. She also criticized the city for failing to address sewage infrastructure in North Tulsa.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report – Presented by Carrie Fathergill, Public Advocate. Key announcements:
  • Cherokee Nation MOU: Signed earlier that day for a lung cancer screening initiative, culturally relevant, with future collaboration.
  • Safe Move Tulsa: Crossed 400 Tulsans housed (449 as of that day), including over 200 through rapid exit strategies. Nine encampments decommissioned.
  • T Town Home Catalog: Launched 18 pre-approved housing plans for developers to boost affordability.
  • Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force: Created by executive order, to deliver findings and strategies.
  • First Drone Delivery: Key permits received; no launch date announced yet.
• Sales Tax Overview Committee Report – Presented by Vice Chair Scott Grizzle. Highlights:
  • Vision Arts: Seventh round of funding awarded to 18 local arts organizations; one-third were first-time recipients.
  • Fred Johnson Park (61st & Riverside): Major redesign including covered basketball, three-section dog park (potentially larger than Hunter Park), skate park, and bioswales for stormwater. Groundbreaking August 7, 2026, completion August 2027. Under budget.
  • Woodward Park: Planting done, ponds filling, sod laid; completion expected September 2026.
  • Hicks Park: Parking lot redo planned due to stormwater issues; construction began that week, done in two halves to keep rec center accessible.
• Ordinances 7A–7D (Second Reading) :
  • 7A: Adoption of annual assessment roll for Tourism Improvement District No. 1.
  • 7B: Designation of Increment District A (Pearl District Neighborhood Economic Development Project Plan) as Increment District No. 27.
  • 7C: Adding a section to Tulsa Revised Ordinances to waive building permit fees for affordable housing, with conditions and a clawback provision.
  • 7D: Waiver of nuisance abatement costs and fees under specific conditions to promote affordable housing, also with a clawback provision.
  • Councilor Bellis clarified that these items are intended to make it more feasible to repair homes and create affordable housing, addressing blight and the housing crisis.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes (1A–1B): Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Public Hearings (3A–3B): Exited without objection.
• Consent Agenda (4B–4S): Approved unanimously (9-0) with emergency clause on 4B.
• Ordinances 7A–7D: Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Council Item 8B (Donation from Tulsa Community Foundation for Route 66 challenge coins): Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Council Announcements (8A): Councilor Archie announced a movie in the park event (Zootopia) at Reed Park on July 24, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m., sponsored by HF Sinclair and University of Village. Councilor Dutton announced a final NIO (Neighborhood Infill Overlay) meeting on July 30 at Sequoia Hills Baptist Church, and a McClure Park neighborhood association meeting on July 23 with Mark Smith addressing housing.