Tulsa City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Tulsa City Council held its regular meeting on September 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting began with a color guard presentation from Booker T. Washington High School Air Force JROTC and recognition of city employees for years of service, including 45 years, 30, 25, and 20 years. The council then proceeded through a lengthy agenda covering appointments, a public hearing, mayor’s items, a rezoning overlay, multiple ordinances, and two council items. Key decisions included approval of a $7.6 million TSET grant for North Tulsa wellness, issuance of $65.66 million in general obligation bonds, adoption of Neighborhood Character Overlay for Florence Park, amendments to the Renaissance NCO, and a resolution supporting an eviction prevention and legal representation program.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (Items 1A & 1B): Approved unanimously. (Motion by Councilor Bellis, seconded.)
• Appointments (Items 2A-2C): Approved unanimously after a brief public comment from John Huffines in support. Appointments: Anne Chang to Asian Affairs Commission, Joyce Roberts to Human Rights Commission, Brian Humphrey to Greater Tulsa Area African-American Affairs Commission.
• Mayor’s Items (4B-4N): Approved unanimously with the emergency clause on 4B (Flood Insurance annual report). Included: award of GO bond sale, Gilcrease Museum loan extension, NAGPRA repatriation, multiple travel donations, and four special event applications. Public comment from John Huffines in support of items 4G, 4I, 4K, and 4L.
• Second Reading Ordinances (7B-7C): Approved unanimously with the emergency clause on 7B (CoxCom franchise). 7C amended the Renaissance Neighborhood Character Overlay to add development standards including a garage setback of 36 feet (amended from 18 feet).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5A (Florence Park NCO-2): Doug Lance opposed the overlay, citing concerns about driveway width limits (12 feet) and garage setback (18 feet), arguing these would restrict property owners and could create parking issues. Elaine Meek supported the overlay, stating it was needed to preserve the historic character of the 98-year-old neighborhood and prevent oversized homes that don't match the architectural style.
• Item 8B (Eviction Prevention Resolution): Five speakers:
  • Jack C. Wright described a case of a depressed tenant whose belongings were discarded during eviction, urging intervention for mental health support.
  • James Alexander Jr. noted over 1,400 evictions in Tulsa involving about 3,500 children, and called for innovation to avoid shifting costs.
  • A speaker (unnamed) expressed anger over the city’s handling of her husband’s inherited home, alleging the city boarded it up and left it open to vandalism.
  • Anna Barroso voiced full support, highlighting the short eviction timeline in Oklahoma (5 days from notice to default judgment) and the impact on Tulsa Public Schools students—at least 2,000 students evicted annually, with 71% becoming chronically absent. She urged passage.
  • Susan Nichols spoke as both a landlord and former eviction prevention worker, supporting the resolution for providing mediation and accountability for tenants and landlords.
• Item 8C (Travel for Councilor Hall-Harper): Two speakers:
  • Jack C. Wright opposed, criticizing Councilor Hall-Harper for focusing on white supremacy instead of local needs like a 24-hour emergency center in North Tulsa.
  • James Alexander Jr. supported the conference, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and learning from other cities.

Discussion Items

• Florence Park NCO-2 (Item 5A): Council discussed balancing character preservation with property rights. Councilor Bellis clarified that the overlay is a map amendment applying existing code to the neighborhood; BOA exceptions are available. Councilor Dutton noted that tearing down homes for McMansions is uncommon, but Councilor Bush countered with examples in Brookside/Maple Ridge where scraping and flooding occurred. Councilor Gilbert clarified that the NCO only allows accessory dwelling units by right, not duplexes or triplexes, and that Florence Park is older and less prone to such redevelopment.
• Eviction Prevention Resolution (Item 8B): Councilor Lakin explained the resolution was amended after earlier discussions to create a working group within the mayor's office, in consultation with the council and stakeholders, to design a program. The amendment specifies that representation is intended for genuine hardships (medical events, disasters, substandard housing) not solely inability to pay. Councilor Bellis emphasized that passing the resolution creates a collaborative table for all voices.
• Travel for Councilor Hall-Harper (Item 8C): Councilor Dector Wright explained the African American Leadership Conference in Omaha focuses on closing disparities in employment, education, housing, and entrepreneurship, and noted that some programs are already being implemented in North Tulsa. Councilor Hall-Harper was attending instead of the inner city visit.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes (Items 1A-1B): Approved unanimously.
• Appointments (Items 2A-2C): Approved unanimously.
• Mayor’s Items (4B-4N): Approved unanimously with emergency clause on 4B.
• Florence Park NCO-2 (Item 5A): Approved unanimously (9-0).
• TSET Grant Budget Amendment (Item 6A): Approved on first reading with waiver of charter and rules (9-0).
• General Obligation Bonds (Item 7A): Approved (9-0) and emergency clause approved separately (9-0).
• CoxCom Franchise & Renaissance NCO (Items 7B-7C): Approved with emergency clause on 7B (9-0).
• Eviction Prevention Resolution (Item 8B): Approved as amended (9-0). The council directed the mayor’s office to design a program in consultation with the council, landlords, tenants, and service providers.
• Travel Authorization (Item 8C): Approved (9-0) for Councilor Hall-Harper to attend the African American Leadership Conference in Omaha, NE from September 30 to October 3, 2026, at an estimated cost of $1,300.
• Ordinances First Reading (Items 6B-6I): Forwarded to the next council meeting for action (no vote taken).