Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting - August 26, 2026

The Tulsa City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The council considered and approved a wide range of items including appointments to boards, a $65.66 million bond sale, budget amendments, and three rezoning applications. Public comments were heard on appointments and on a rezoning application near the University of Tulsa. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (Items 1A-B): Approved minutes from the August 5, 2026 meetings at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
• Appointments (Items 2A-H): Approved eight appointments to the Tulsa Planning Commission and one to the River Parks Authority. Shane Hood (CD-5), Luisa Krug (CD-9), Lana Turner-Addison (CD-1), John Shivel (CD-9), Brian Humphrey (CD-9), Alejandro Garcia (CD-8), and Josh Walker (CD-4) were appointed to the Planning Commission with terms expiring in 2027–2029. Aaron Wing (CD-4) was appointed to the River Parks Authority replacing Shanese Slaton, term expiring April 1, 2027. (Councilor Gilbert recused from Item 2A.)
• Bond Resolution (Item 4B): Approved a resolution authorizing the sale of General Obligation Bonds Series 2026A in the amount of $65,660,000, with an emergency clause.
• Mayor’s Items (Items 4C-4E): Approved Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. 138332 with VOY Construction, LLC for $182,812.13 and 21 additional days for irrigation, plantings, fencing, and landscaping (CD-2); approved a $338.00 travel donation from Oklahoma 911 Management Authority for Darin Glodo and Jesus Villarreal to attend the Oklahoma Public Safety Conference; and approved a loan agreement from Gilcrease Museum to Denver Art Museum for the artwork “White Man's Buffalo” by C.M. Russell.
• Second Reading Ordinances (Items 7A-7F): All approved with the emergency clause on Item 7A. These included amendments to stormwater regulations (AO/AH flood zones), closure of two utility easements for the Housing Authority of Tulsa (3608 N. Quaker Ave.), and several FY 2026-2027 budget supplemental appropriations: $125,000 from Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for traffic enforcement; $441,084 from opioid settlement funds for the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team; $27,200 for TPD motorcycle safety classes; and $310,734.27 for golf course expenses.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 2A-2H: John Hoffines spoke in support of all appointments, commending the volunteers and employees.
• Items 4C-4D: John Hoffines spoke in favor, noting the value of landscaping and the importance of public safety training conferences.
• Rezoning Z-7868 (Item 5A): Four residents of South Indianapolis Avenue spoke in opposition to the rezoning and the proposed drive-thru restaurant. Maria Grace Clark, Paul Schoen (30-year resident), Sheila Jones (35-year resident), and Trina Bomber (since 1990) expressed concerns about increased traffic, safety risks, emergency vehicle access on the two-block street, and congestion exacerbated by bike lanes. They urged the council to visit the site and consider alternative access points.
• Lou Reynolds, attorney for the University of Tulsa, and architect Matt Peacock answered council questions, explaining that the rezoning only covers the parking lot (the drive-thru coffee shop could already be built by right under existing CH zoning). They presented a video of the developer’s Norman location showing only four cars in the drive-thru over 11 minutes during morning rush, and outlined mitigation measures including a no-left-turn sign, moving a no-parking sign to improve emergency access, a six-foot masonry wall, and lighting restrictions.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning Z-7868 (University of Tulsa area, NE corner of E. 11th St. S. and S. Harvard Ave.): Council debated the traffic impact of the proposed drive-thru and parking lot. Concerns centered on cut-through traffic on Indianapolis Avenue and game-day congestion. The developer stated that 16% of sales come from the drive-thru, with peak hours 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and that the parking lot would add about 50 spaces. Council discussed alternative ingress/egress, and the developer confirmed that the parking lot would have two exits onto Harvard and that drive-thru traffic would be forced to turn right toward 11th Street. The rezoning changes the parking lot from RS-3 to CH to match the existing CH zoning on the southern portion. The TMAPC had recommended approval 10-0-0.
• Rezoning Z-7869 (AG to RS-3, SW corner of E. 41st St. N. and N. Columbia Ave., CD-1): Approved as recommended by TMAPC (10-0-0).
• Rezoning Z-7870 (RS-1 to RS-2, east of SE corner of E. 16th St. S. and S. 85th E. Ave., CD-5): Approved as recommended by TMAPC (10-0-0).

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items were approved by unanimous roll call votes.
• The emergency clause on the bond resolution (Item 4B) and on the stormwater ordinance (Item 7A) were both approved.
• Items 6A-6D (first reading ordinances) were forwarded to the next council meeting without objection.
• The council acknowledged the residents’ concerns and committed to follow up on traffic and parking issues on Indianapolis Avenue regardless of the development.