Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting – August 5, 2026

The Tulsa City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered a wide range of items including board appointments, a public hearing on an alley vacation, multiple resolutions and ordinances, committee reports, and a nuisance property appeal. Key actions included approval of a $2 million loan for an equitable housing project, denial of a stone donation, and approval of travel authorizations for several councilors.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments (Items 2A–2C): Athena Shanice Laws was appointed to the Sales Tax Overview Committee (replacing Charles Wilkes, term through 2030). Omare Jimmerson was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board/Gilcrease Board of Trustees (replacing Shane Fernandez, term through 2030). Morgan Jones was appointed to the HUD Community Development Committee (replacing Tracie Chandler, term through 2027). All three appointments were approved unanimously.
• Final Plat for Stratford Ridge (Item 5B): A final plat for 109 lots on 7 blocks (±3.51 acres) east of 11th St. and 161st E. Ave. was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alley Vacation (Item 3A): Chris Armstrong, owner of neighboring properties, expressed concern that the proposed alley closure at 316 E. 2nd St. would create hardships for businesses and limit access to parking. He noted that no prior information was provided beyond the meeting notice. Councilor Bellis clarified that the closure only applies to airspace where doors swing outward and should not block the alley.
• HUD Priority Needs (Item 4D): James and Bernice Alexander argued that HUD funds designated for North Tulsa are not being used properly, citing deteriorated infrastructure, targeted code enforcement, and a lack of community benefit. They urged the council to redirect funds to the intended area.
• Parks Board Accountability (Item 2B): James Taylor raised concerns about the Parks Board’s lack of publicly available policies, attendance standards, term limits, and conflict-of-interest safeguards. He noted that appointee Shane Fernandez missed 12 of his last 13 meetings and that the board has not produced governing policies despite requests.
• General Support (Items 4F, 4J, 4K): John Huffines spoke in support of the Tulsa Police Department, the We B Trees donation for Woodward Park, and the Habitat for Humanity deed of dedication.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report (Item 4A): Public Advocate Kerry Fothergill announced awards and events: Tulsa Global Alliance won Best Overall Program at the Sister Cities 2026 conference; two new Main Street programs (Sobo District and Pearl Main Street); August is Clear the Shelters month with waived adoption fees; and upcoming events at Fred Johnson Park and an honorary street sign ceremony for Dwayne Majet. Councilors discussed cooling stations, noting that current stations are donation-based and downtown, and requested expansion to city-owned facilities and other districts.
• Equitable Housing Loan (Item 4B): A resolution approving issuance of up to $2 million in indebtedness by the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity via a MacArthur Foundation program-related investment loan for the Equitable Housing Demonstration Project was approved with an emergency clause (unanimous).
• Anchor Stone Donation (Item 4L): A donation of 24 large boulders valued at $1,100 was denied on a 6-3 vote after discussion in committee. Councilor Gilbert noted the vote was not a reflection on the donor.
• Items 4C–4K: Approved with emergency clause on 4C (Joint Resolution to dissolve the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission).
• Sales Tax Overview Committee Report (Item 5A): Chair Ashley Webb reported that actual sales tax revenues exceeded budget estimates by 2% in July and $4 million year-to-date. He highlighted the Gilcrease Museum road expansion (on schedule), Fred Johnson Park improvements (groundbreaking Aug. 7), and concerns about the Dreamkeepers Park design (costs for a traffic light and road expansion not in budget) and the Crybaby Hill sculpture (storage costs of $2,500/month since January, totaling $20,000). Councilors expressed concern about ongoing costs and lack of transparency.
• Ordinances – First Reading (Items 6A–6C): Forwarded to the next meeting without action. These include supplemental appropriations for Gilcrease Expressway Bridge repair ($500,000) and a stadium improvement district ($34,200.89), and an alley closure ordinance.
• Ordinances – Second Reading (Items 7A–7F): Approved with emergency clause on 7A (adding a new Planning Commission chapter to Title 5). Other items include rezoning Z-7867 (RS-3 to IM), amendments to Human Rights Commission reporting, animal services fees, GO bond fund transfers, and closure of a stormwater detention easement.
• Council Items (8B–8I):
  • 8B: District 5 Project Plan No. 2 using $50,000 in Improve Our Tulsa 2 funds for a water fountain at Darlington Park (approved).
  • 8C–8E: Travel authorizations ($2,500 each) for Councilors Hall-Harper, Dutton, and Bellis to attend the Chamber 2026 InterCity Visit in Kansas City, MO, Oct. 5–7 (approved).
  • 8F–8H: Travel authorizations for Councilors Gilbert, Bengel, and Decter Wright (approved).
  • 8I: Travel authorization for Councilor Lakin (approved).
• Nuisance Appeal (Item 10A): Olusegun A. Adetula appealed a nuisance finding on his property at 5707 N. Frankfort Ave. The appellant expressed gratitude for the council’s efforts to prevent demolition. Code Enforcement presented a construction schedule. The council voted unanimously to deny the appeal, allowing the signed order and monitoring to proceed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Appointments (2A–2C), Equitable Housing loan resolution (4B), items 4C–4K (with emergency clause on 4C), final plat for Stratford Ridge (5B), second-reading ordinances 7A–7F (with emergency clause on 7A), District 5 water fountain (8B), travel authorizations (8C–8I).
• Denied: Donation from Anchor Stone Company (4L) on a 6-3 vote. Nuisance appeal (10A) denied unanimously.
• Forwarded: First-reading ordinances 6A–6C to the next meeting.
• Directed: Mayor’s office to follow up on cooling station expansion and storage costs for the Crybaby Hill sculpture. Council to consider attending Sales Tax Overview Committee meetings for more timely information.