Tulsa Development Authority Annual Meeting and Regular Board Meeting - August 27, 2026

The Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) and the TAO held their annual board meeting and regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, starting at approximately 9:00 AM. The meeting began with the TAO regular meeting, followed by the TDA annual meeting. Both sessions were combined into one extended meeting. Trustees reviewed and approved consent items, elected officers, appointed committee members, approved a contract for a strategic evaluation of Main Park Plaza, approved a public art installation resolution, authorized the sale of land for private redevelopment, and received updates on budgets, staff activities, and community initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items A through E) was approved unanimously by the TAO board after no items were removed for separate discussion.
• The TDA board approved the consent agenda consisting of minutes from the August 3 special board meeting and authorization of the TDA annual schedule for regular board meetings in 2027.

Discussion Items

• Election of Officers (TAO & TDA): Renita presented the slate of officers for the next year. For TAO: Vice Chair Andy McMillan, Treasurer Joan Parkhurst, Assistant Treasurer Lynn Kane, Secretary Aisha Blakely, and Assistant Secretary Erica Rivers. For TDA: Aisha Blakely (Secretary), Erica Rivers (Assistant Secretary), and Lynn Kane (Treasurer). Both slates were approved unanimously. Trustees expressed appreciation for continued service.
• Appointment of Committee Members: The TAO chair confirmed that all current committee members and chairs agreed to continue in their roles. No formal vote was needed; the chair appointed the committees as presented. Trustees noted the committee structure is working well.
• Main Park Plaza Strategic Evaluation Contract: Staff presented a contract with WT Partners for a strategic evaluation of the Main Park Plaza parking structure, not to exceed $24,500. The evaluation will analyze four options: reinvestment, concession/public-private partnership, sale, and redevelopment. The timeline is 6–8 months. This is intended as a pilot for an asset evaluation framework to be used across other properties. The contract was approved unanimously.
• Monthly Budget to Actuals Report (TAO & TDA): Lynn Kane presented the first-month budget report. Changes to the report format include a new icon (yellow clock) to denote timing issues rather than problems. Revenues were below budget due to timing of certain transfers (e.g., city management agreement, Hangar 80 lease revenue arriving in October). Incentive application fees were above budget due to invoicing the city for administrative fees after a rate increase from 1% to 4% for the affordable housing trust fund. Expenditures were minimal. The TDA budget report was similar, noting low revenues due to TIFIA grant reimbursement delays. Both reports were accepted without issue.
• Monthly Staff Report (TAO): CEO provided updates: current headcount is 18 plus one part-time marketing specialist; only one position posted (AmeriCorps). Office moving from floor 7 to floor 11 next month. Transition to legal name "Teo" is underway. Hosted AI workshops with Anthropic and Google for small businesses. Working on employee handbook (fifth draft) and applying for AEDO accreditation by January. Recent activities: toured University of Tulsa for workforce pipeline, sponsored Select Oklahoma conference and State of the State.
• Real Estate and Finance Report (TAO): Ashley reported: team selected as host for full-time AmeriCorps member; finalizing real estate coordinator job description; attended networking event with NAREB; toured North Star community project; MacArthur loan closed; ongoing preparation for Robison closing. A trustee requested a future map refresher of properties.
• Community Outreach Report (TAO): Gary provided updates: ULI workshop on innovative finance and asset concession grant scheduled for Saturday (select participants only); implementing community impact initiative with four cohorts (all project plans submitted); working on GIS data gaps for engineering analysis in Kirkpatrick Heights.
• Economic Development Report (TAO): Sanders reported: Maria's small business training events (26 attendees at one), workforce student engagement (over 1,500 this summer), upcoming drone racing event at Skyway 36. Business attraction highlights: IKEA sign up at Tulsa Hills; Green Hill Industrial Park (1 million sq ft pre-leased, additional 1 million under contract); retail strategies market visit. Sanders announced he is transitioning out of Partner Tulsa within two weeks, moving to a southern neighbor but remaining a supporter.
• Public Art Installation Resolution (TDA): Jamie Pearson (public art consultant) presented a resolution to approve a public art installation on a TDA-owned lot at Whittier Square. Project includes native landscaping, solar lighting, and a 2,000-pound steel sculpture painted by local artists. Funded by Oklahoma Main Street grant and matching funds from American Heritage Bank and Lesher Foundation (no city funds). Outreach included community input on the shape of Kendall Whittier. The sculpture will be part of a set of six around the neighborhood. Safety considerations: low-growing plants to discourage loitering, lighting to improve visibility. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Contract for Sale of Land (TDA): Staff presented a contract with GPM Properties for a multi-tenant unit at 752 East Queen Street, using the City's pre-approved T Town Home Catalog. This is the first project using the ready-made plans. The lot's exact number of units is still under determination with planning. The contract was approved unanimously.
• Staff Reports (TDA): Updates on Moton project (expecting parcel configuration drawings from fabric design), tour of completed home at 346 East Zion, quiet title work for recently acquired tax auction properties, and meetings on urban renewal plans. Also, the innovative finance workshop and community impact initiative were highlighted.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the consent agendas for both TAO and TDA.
• Election of officers for TAO (Vice Chair, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary) and TDA (Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer) approved unanimously.
• Appointment of all committee members and chairs for the coming year confirmed by the chair.
• Contract with WT Partners for Main Park Plaza strategic evaluation (not to exceed $24,500) approved unanimously.
• Resolution approving public art installation at Whittier Square (parcel south of Kendall Whittier Library) approved unanimously.
• Contract for sale of land at 752 East Queen Street to GPM Properties (first use of T Town Home Catalog) approved unanimously.
• Both monthly budget reports were received and accepted; no action required.
• Staff reports were received with appreciation; a future agenda item requested for an update on GLC agreements and elders council selection.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 AM.