Tulsa City Council Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Tulsa City Council held its regular meeting on July 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included proclamations honoring employees for years of service, a report from the Mayor's office, public hearings, approvals of various resolutions and ordinances, and council announcements. Key actions included approval of a hotel tax increase to be placed on the November ballot, adoption of a floodplain map, and multiple rezoning approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hoffines spoke on several agenda items, offering prayers and expressing support for the city's employees, volunteers, and the proposed floodplain mapping updates.
• Aaron Griffith (on item 4E – floodplain map) requested that the Council not include an emergency clause to allow impacted property owners time to obtain floodplain determinations. He expressed concerns that the new boundaries were arbitrary and may result in inverse condemnation due to infill development, citing specific examples in Lewiston Gardens.
• Jay Helm (on item 4D) provided an update on a TIFF project, noting that the Phil Cave building had closed and architectural work was underway, and requested Council support for the state leverage act extension.
• James Alexander Jr. and Bernice Alexander (on item 4P) expressed dissatisfaction, stating they want their land and money restored.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report (Item 4A): Carrie Fothergill, Public Advocate, reported on cooling stations (John 316 Mission, Salvation Army, Tulsa Day Center, Tulsa County Social Services) and reminded residents of their availability. She noted that Chief Larson had retired after 47 years of service, and that the decommissioning website had helped over 500 people. Councilors Dutton and Dr. Wright raised concerns about cooling stations being concentrated downtown and suggested expanding to other locations (e.g., libraries, malls, fire stations) and stopping sweeps under overpasses. The Mayor's office agreed to follow up.
• Floodplain Map (Item 4E): Councilor discussion clarified that the emergency clause was not required for items 4D and 4E. Mr. Griffith’s concerns about the map boundaries were noted.
• Rezoning (Item 5C): A rezoning application from Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church Inc. was discussed. The Council approved it with an amendment restricting vehicular access to East 101st Street South to emergency vehicles only.
• Hotel Tax Ordinances (Items 7A, 7B): Two ordinances increasing the hotel tax from 5% to 9.9% and establishing revenue allocation for convention center and BOK Center renovations were introduced and approved with emergency clauses, subject to voter approval.
• Special Election (Item 8B): A resolution calling for a November 3, 2026 special election to let voters decide on the hotel tax increase was approved with an emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes (Items 1A, 1B), Appointments and Reappointments (2A, 2B), Resolutions 4B (condemnation for sewer improvement), 4C (condemnation of multiple properties), 4D-4P (including floodplain map and various items), all with emergency clauses where applicable.
• Approved with Amendment: Rezoning Z 7866 (Item 5C) with restriction on vehicular access.
• Approved: Items 5A-5F (excluding 5C already voted), including final plat for Battle Creek Park Phase 3 and other rezoning applications.
• Approved with Emergency Clause: Ordinances 7A-7H, including the hotel tax increase and budget appropriations; emergency clauses applied to 7A and 7B.
• Approved: Resolution 8B (special election for hotel tax) with emergency clause.
• Rescheduled: Item 10A (hearing of appeals) to August 19, 2026.