Urban & Economic Development Committee Meeting – July 29, 2026

The Tulsa City Council Urban & Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM in Room 411 of One Technology Center. Chair Anthony Archie presided. The committee considered nine agenda items, including appointments, budget amendments, housing initiatives, and a resolution urging additional early voting access in North Tulsa. The meeting was adjourned without a formal vote on items noted; most are scheduled for full City Council action on August 5, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2 – Athena Shanice Laws Appointment to Sales Tax Overview Committee: Replacing Charles Wilkes; current term expires Dec. 31, 2026, upcoming term expires Dec. 31, 2030. Laws, a North Tulsa resident and community leader, expressed her long‑time commitment to seeing change and oversight. Multiple councilors thanked her for her willingness to serve. Appointment will be voted on by the full Council on August 5.
• Item 3 – Omare Jimmerson Appointment to Parks and Recreation Board/Gilcrease Board of Trustees: Replacing Shane Fernandez; term expires May 1, 2030. Jimmerson, former deputy director of parks and founder of the Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative, shared her familiarity with the parks system. Councilors praised her expertise and commitment. Vote set for August 5.
• Item 4 – Budget Amendment Ordinance (Go Bond Transfers): Ordinance to transfer unencumbered appropriations between projects within the 2014 and 2020 Go Bond subfunds, totaling $7,470,398.86 across eight subfunds. Capital Budget Manager Paul Zachary explained the transfers are needed to cover inflationary cost increases and keep 246 outstanding projects on track. The committee received the presentation without objection.
• Item 5 – HUD Grant Funding Recommendations (Priority Needs Statement): Staff noted this item does not involve funding allocations but rather a required Priority Needs Statement for Program Year 2027. The needs (affordable housing, homelessness, low‑income support) remain unchanged from prior years. Councilor Bellis inquired about implementation barriers; staff cited federal regulatory shifts that have complicated tenant verification. The committee accepted the statement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 9 – Early Voting Resolution: Senator Julia Goodwin (State Senator) and Alicia Andrews (voter advocate) testified in support of the resolution. Senator Goodwin detailed a year‑and‑a‑half effort to secure a northside early voting site after the closure of the 555 North Denver location, which had served for 40 years. She noted that the county election board is bypassing August elections and that the current two sites (east Tulsa and south Broken Arrow) leave North Tulsa without access. Alicia Andrews emphasized equity and voter participation, stating that Oklahoma ranks in the bottom two for voter turnout and that adding a northside site would help. Councilor Bellis presented a population density map showing the two existing sites are far from the urban core. Councilor Dutton expressed concern about transportation barriers and low turnout in northeast Tulsa. Councilor Gilbert suggested including West Tulsa; Senator Goodwin responded that discussions have focused on North Tulsa and that the resolution’s language can be amended. Councilor Bangle questioned the committee’s purview over a county issue but acknowledged the permissive state law. Councilor Decter Wright noted the Denver site remains county‑owned and could be reactivated. Councilor Hall‑Harper called the lack of accommodation “vote suppression.” The resolution (with an emergency clause) was on the agenda for the same day’s full Council meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 – Resolution Approving TAO Indebtedness for Equitable Housing Demonstration Project: Resolution authorizes the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAO) to borrow up to $2 million from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation at 1% interest, for a Program‑Related Investment loan supporting the “Just Home” project. The project will create 23 affordable housing units for individuals returning from incarceration. Phase 1 (10 units) in districts 3 and 4 includes a dormitory‑style boarding house and a four‑plex; Phase 2 (13 units) will include on‑site case management. Robinson Properties will be the development and management partner. The loan will be repaid over 10 years with a balloon payment. Councilor Decter Wright asked about tenant vetting, inspection standards, and lease terms (6–12 months minimum). Councilor Bellis praised the dorm‑style concept as a model for affordable housing and suggested zoning code updates. Councilor Gilbert noted Robinson Properties’ good track record. The committee supported the item.
• Item 7 – Resolution Re‑establishing Crutchfield Neighborhood LDA Review Committee: The resolution declares intent to amend the Crutchfield Neighborhood Economic Development Project Plan (adopted August 27, 2025) due to construction cost increases of 10–20% across the catalytic projects. Mike Dickerson (Mayor’s Office of Economic Development) explained that the Local Development Act allows only a 5% administrative increase; a major amendment requires re‑establishing the Review Committee. The amendment will only adjust budget amounts, not change the project scope. No city funds are involved; costs come from the tax increment generated by the projects. The committee endorsed the step.
• Item 8 – Ordinance Amending Human Rights Commission Reporting: Ordinance amends Tulsa Revised Ordinances Title 5, Chapter 1, requiring the Compliance Official to provide quarterly reports of all complaints filed and deleting the requirement to file complaints with the City Clerk (in addition to the Compliance Official). Chief of Equity and Inclusion DeAndre Scott explained the changes make it easier for residents to file complaints (311 system, online, walk‑in) and modernize the process. Human Rights Commission Chair Drew France and Councilor Gilbert (sponsor) highlighted that the current process is operationally outdated and a barrier. Councilor Bellis discussed historical data‑sharing challenges and the need for meaningful trend reporting. Staff noted tentative discussions with Black Tech Street and Microsoft about a secure digital platform. The committee supported the ordinance as a precursor to broader human rights ordinance updates.

Key Outcomes

• Recommendations to Full Council (August 5, 2026): Items 2 (Laws appointment), 3 (Jimmerson appointment), 4 (budget amendment), 5 (HUD priority needs), 6 (TAO indebtedness), 7 (Crutchfield LDARC), and 8 (Human Rights ordinance) were all advanced with positive committee support.
• Early Voting Resolution (Item 9): The committee heard extensive testimony and discussion; the resolution was placed on the full Council agenda for the same day (July 29) with an emergency clause. The committee did not take a formal vote, but the resolution was moved forward for Council action.
• Directives: Staff for Item 8 will continue to explore a secure online complaint system and provide a template for quarterly reporting to ensure meaningful trend data. Councilor Bellis suggested further zoning code work to accommodate dorm‑style affordable housing, to be addressed in future planning commission proposals.