Public Meetings - Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Tulsa City Council Public Works Committee met at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Room 411 of One Technology Center, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK. Chair Dutton presided, with Co-Chairs Hall-Harper, Decter Wright, and Bush. The committee received presentations on commission appointments, a proposed settlement payment, two downtown TIF district ordinances, a proposed human remains and cultural artifacts ordinance, and a travel authorization. Minutes were not available for the meeting. Discussion Items Appointments and Commission Recommendation - Marcia Bruno-Todd, CD-1, presented for appointment to the Human Rights Commission, replacing Dezeray Edwards for a term expiring July 1, 2027. Bruno-Todd, executive director of Leadership Tulsa and mother of four Tulsans, said she supported the commission's work on representation, disability/ADA issues, and veterans' communities. She was told the appointment would be voted on at the City Council meeting on October 28 at 5 p.m. - Eva Pena (Eva Peña Martin), CD-8, presented for appointment to the Tulsa Development Authority, replacing Elian Hurtado for a term expiring July 31, 2029. Pena described her engineering, operations, and community-development background, including helping create the Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Trust and developing 47 affordable housing units there over about three years. Her appointment was also scheduled for an October 28 council vote. - The committee considered a recommendation from the Greater Tulsa Area African-American Affairs Commission to replace its vacated Business Agents Networking Group seat with Blackwood, a community organization curating events for young African-American Tulsans and associated with Greenwood. A mayor's office liaison explained the recommendation; councilors discussed the commission's 12 organizational seats and whether organization-specific seats remain appropriate. The recommendation is scheduled for council action on October 28. Settlement Payment Resolution - Item 5 was a resolution authorizing payment of $21,923.23 from the Sinking Fund to plaintiff David Perry in David Perry v. City of Tulsa et al., with an emergency clause. The agenda lists the case as CJ-2026-4430; the transcript reads CJ-2026-430. Chad Becker from Treasury said the fund had sufficient cash and that repayment to the fund would be levied over three years. - City Legal explained the settlement arose from a July 20 collision at West 13th Street and South Denver Avenue involving a Tulsa police officer who entered an intersection on a red light with rear emergency lights but without full lights and siren. TPD determined the officer was at fault. There were no injuries; the payment covered damage to a new truck. - Councilors asked about officer training and the city's collision review boards. Legal staff described the TPD board and a separate general city board, point systems (typically 2 points for moving violations and up to 4 per incident; 10 points can lead to termination), and four voting members on the general board: management/asset management, city legal, a union member, and city safety. Legal staff said they could follow up on the officer's assigned training but could not discuss it in open session. A councilor suggested a future committee agenda item on the collision review board process. Downtown TIF Ordinances - Items 6 and 7 would designate Increment District J as Increment District Number 28 and Increment District K as Increment District Number 29 in the Second Amended Downtown Area Economic Development Project Plan. A Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity representative said the ordinances split the Philcade building TIF into two districts: District J would use sales tax increment and District K would use ad valorem and hotel/motel tax increment. He said this was needed for bond marketing and to maximize TIF proceeds because revenue streams begin at different times. After initially saying sales tax would start in January 2027, he corrected the start dates to February 2027 for sales tax and August 2028 for ad valorem/hotel-motel tax. - Councilors discussed TIF transparency and public access to TIF information online, and noted that a TIF is a gap-financing tool with time limits and community-benefit requirements, not a general fund pool. Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts Ordinance - Item 8 was an emergency-clause ordinance amending Title 7 (Cemeteries) to add Chapter 3, 'Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts.' It would establish procedures for protection, consultation, identification, treatment, and reinterment of human remains and cultural materials connected to racial violence or historically marginalized Black communities; require descendant-centered consultation; cover City projects and City-regulated development; and create a review panel. - Christy Williams and other members of the Beyond Apology Commission policy committee presented. They cited the 2008 discovery of skeletal remains during ballpark construction with no known follow-up, and later Greenwood-area development finds during Langston University Tulsa and BMX projects that were not properly preserved. Presenters said more than 5,000 artifacts from one project were put in boxes and bags and later misplaced, and that about 1,200 artifacts were lost or not in displayable condition. Councilor Hall-Harper noted the mayor recently transferred recovered artifacts to the planned museum project. Williams said some artifacts had to be sent to Norman, Oklahoma because no Tulsa facility could house them, and that culturally appropriate reinterment processes were needed. She pointed to the first mass grave reinterment using a kilt and bagpipes as not consistent with Black descendant traditions. - The proposed review panel was described as descendant-centered, including people with expertise in Black communities and not just one decision-maker. City Legal said the city cannot reclassify a state felony as a misdemeanor and that the draft ordinance defers to state, federal, or tribal law in 13 places. - The state archaeologist explained state antiquities law, burial-law requirements, law-enforcement notification, medical examiner coordination, and pre-development archaeological surveys. Dr. Stubblefield, a forensic anthropologist, raised concerns that the draft's stop-work language could interrupt the city's ongoing mass grave investigation in Oaklawn Cemetery, including DNA analysis and genealogical identification work, because each burial pit encountered could trigger a stop. She asked for an exception or separate track for intentional city investigations. She also explained state reinterment law and why remains are being returned to their original places in Oaklawn. - Councilors and staff suggested revisions: clarify the geographic scope and possibly map at-risk areas; treat intentional city investigations differently from inadvertent discoveries; use 'shall' instead of 'should' for descendant-community representation on the panel; require a written explanation when the city departs from documented descendant consensus; and strengthen pre-review of documented risk sites. Williams said the ordinance was still a working draft and amendments could be made. Hall-Harper said it would not be acted on that night; it would be revised and brought back for committee action the following week. Travel Authorization - Item 9 authorized an estimated $1,200 in travel expenses for Councilor Hall-Harper to attend the FirstRepair National Symposium in Evanston, Illinois, December 2-4, 2026, including registration, hotel, transportation, and per diem. Hall-Harper said the conference covered national best practices in reparations work. The committee adjourned after this item. Key Outcomes - Appointments for Marcia Bruno-Todd, Eva Pena, and the Blackwood commission recommendation were set for City Council votes on October 28 at 5 p.m. - The $21,923.23 settlement payment resolution, the two TIF district ordinances, and the travel authorization were presented and discussed; no committee vote on these items is reflected in the transcript. - The human remains and cultural artifacts ordinance was not approved. Councilor Hall-Harper said amendments would be drafted and the ordinance would return for committee consideration the following week.

The Tulsa Planning Commission held a special meeting on October 21, 2026, starting at 19:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. local time per the agenda). The commission reviewed and acted on several rezoning and amendment requests, including a contentious item regarding outdoor storage on an industrial property. All votes were recorded. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes from Meeting No. 3 (October 7, 2026) were approved unanimously (Commissioners Bullmash and Garcia abstained as they were not present at the prior meeting). - PUD-705-4: A minor amendment to permit a drive-through ATM at the northeast corner of East Reading Street and North Peoria Avenue (District 1) was approved unanimously on consent. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak on any agenda item. - For Item 3, the applicant, Lou Reynolds (Eller & Detrich, P.C.), representing Alpha Laval, presented in support of the amendment. He explained that the outdoor storage condition was inserted by a city councilor not from the district and without the applicant's knowledge, and that the adjacent district councilor now supports removal. Discussion Items - Item 3 – Z-7769-a (ODP Minor Amendment): Located north of East 11th Street and South 145th East Avenue (District 6). The applicant sought to add Outdoor Equipment & Materials Storage as a permitted use on an industrial property zoned I. Staff recommended denial, citing that the use was excluded by City Council in the original rezoning and that the amendment represented a significant deviation from the approved development plan. Commissioners debated the role of the planning commission versus city council. A motion to deny failed for lack of a second. A motion to approve passed 3–2 (Commissioners Bullmash and Garcia voted no; Humphrey, Krug, and Walker voted yes). - Items 4 & 6 – Z-7874 and CPA-133 (Related): A 0.09-acre remnant parcel at the northwest corner of East Skelly Drive and South Columbia Place (District 9). The applicant requested rezoning from RS-1 to OM and a land use change from Neighborhood to Multiple Use to consolidate the lot with an adjacent office property that has been used for 50–60 years. Staff recommended approval. Both items were approved unanimously (5–0). - Item 5 – Z-7875: Located east of the southeast corner of East 10th Street South and South Lewis Avenue (District 4). A rezoning from RM-2 to CH to support redevelopment of the historic Hawkes Derry building (recently added to the National Register of Historic Places) and add new housing. Staff recommended approval. Approved unanimously (5–0). Key Outcomes - Item 3 (Z-7769-a): Approved 3–2. The amendment will allow outdoor equipment and materials storage on the Alpha Laval site, which plans to employ 400 workers. The decision will be forwarded to City Council for final action, as noted by staff. - Items 4 & 6 (Z-7874 & CPA-133): Approved unanimously. The remnant parcel will be rezoned to OM and its land use designation changed to Multiple Use, enabling redevelopment of the larger office site. - Item 5 (Z-7875): Approved unanimously. Rezoning to CH will facilitate preservation of the historic Hawkes Derry building and new housing development. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after Commissioner comments.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Tulsa City Council Urban & Economic Development Committee met at One Technology Center, 4th Floor, Room 411, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK. The agenda advertised a 10:30 AM start; the supplied meeting timestamp is 2026-10-21 16:30:00+00:00. Chair Councilor Anthony Archie (District 2) called the meeting to order, with Co-Chairs Lakin and Bellis listed on the notice. The committee considered two appointments, three rezoning applications, a Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan amendment, and five fiscal year 2026–2027 supplemental budget ordinances. No meeting minutes were provided, and no public comment period appeared on the agenda. Appointments - Rex Trivedi was introduced as the appointee to the Asian Affairs Commission, replacing Hieu Le, with a term expiring January 1, 2029, from Council District 7. Trivedi said he has lived in Tulsa for more than 35 years, worked in hospitality, owned retail centers, served as vice president of the India Association, and was involved with the Hindu Temple of Greater Tulsa. He noted the recent India Fest drew a record number of attendees, including the mayor, and that a 5,550-square-foot event hall would open the following Sunday. Councilor Decker Wright welcomed him and said District 7 is underrepresented on boards and commissions. A City Council vote on the appointment was scheduled for October 28, 2026. - Brandon Jackson was introduced for reappointment to the Infrastructure Development Advisory Board, with a term expiring September 30, 2028; he had attended 10 of 11 meetings. Jackson, a development professional, said the board needs professional input to keep the market represented and to support new ideas. The City Council vote was scheduled for October 28, 2026. Rezoning Applications - Z-7871 (CD-8): Request by Susan Crockett/Meghan Hilborn for property north of the northeast corner of E. 101st St. S. and S. 74th E. Ave. to rezone from RS-1 to AG-R; the property owner is the Susan & Brian Crockett Trust. The Planning Commission voted 6–0–0 to recommend approval. Planning staff said the 2.5-acre lot exceeds the 1-acre AG-R minimum, and the owners want to keep an animal such as a horse as an accessory to a residence. Donkeys were mentioned, but staff said they are not allowed inside city limits. Some neighbors expressed concern about preserving the RS-1 zoning pattern rather than opposing the horse itself. Councilor Lakin asked that the item be put back on committee so she could meet with concerned neighbors before it moves forward. - Z-7872 (CD-6): Request by Vintage Housing, Inc. to rezone property west of the southwest corner of E. 3rd St. S. and S. 193rd E. Ave. from RS-3 to RM-1; the Planning Commission voted 6–0–0 to recommend approval. Staff said the approximately 10-acre former Sandberg Elementary school site had been closed about 12 years, and Vintage Housing planned senior housing with 60–80 units depending on funding, with possible future development on the remaining half. Two neighbors said they were not opposed; one newer resident thought it was not a fit; a planning commissioner commented that seniors should live in the middle of a neighborhood rather than along a large arterial street. - Z-7873 (CD-9): Request by Lou Reynolds for property west of the southwest corner of E. 36th St. S. and S. Peoria Ave. to rezone from RS-3 to CH; the property owner is QuikTrip Corporation. The Planning Commission voted 6–0–0 to recommend approval. Staff said QuikTrip planned to tear down and rebuild the store, with the new site plan moved toward the southwest corner. Redevelopment would require landscaping, street trees, parking-lot landscaping, and improved curb-cut standards that could help pedestrians. Neighbors who spoke through staff raised concerns about trash and litter blowing into the neighborhood. Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Resolution No. 3:1 of the Planning Commission, under Title 11, Oklahoma Statutes, was presented to adopt Comprehensive Plan amendments (CPA-134) reflecting the newly created City of Tulsa Planning Commission and documenting the plan-amendment process. Staff said the text amendments replace references to the former TMAPC, continue the City Council approval process, remove the prior 45-day automatic approval provision, and allow the planning director to initiate only cleanup-type amendments rather than policy shifts. No council questions or objections were recorded. Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Supplemental Budget Appropriations - $999,997 from Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant revenues for the Community Child Mental Health Sub-Fund; staff said this was the final-year appropriation of a four-year grant. - $410,000 from unassigned fund balance within the Walgreens Opioid Settlement Sub-Fund for ART II Program Expansion; budget staff said the appropriation extends the program one additional year and funds four positions: two FDO4s and two mobile integrated health care paramedics. - $40,000 from unappropriated fund balance within the Public Works Non-Federal Grants Sub-Fund for Citywide Traffic Engineering; staff said a vehicle struck a traffic signal, and this appropriation reimburses the fund from an insurance settlement. - $26,320,000 from unappropriated fund balance within the 2020 GO Bond Issue 7 Sub-Fund for streets, sidewalks, bridges, maintenance zone repairs, and cost-of-issuance projects. Council discussion raised whether any traffic-signal or walkability projects align with routes affected by recent Tulsa Public Schools closure decisions; members noted a large unfunded traffic-management queue and discussed coordinating with TPS and Public Works. - $39,340,000 from unappropriated fund balance within the 2024 GO Bond Issue 6 Sub-Fund for street repairs, bridge rehabilitation and repairs, sidewalk improvements, alleyway improvements, Tulsa Performing Arts Center improvements, and cost-of-issuance projects. A councilor questioned the $10 million PAC-related appropriation given uncertainty about the private side of the project and construction starting on the west/private side before the publicly funded east-side loading dock and infrastructure work. Staff said the public-side work was moving forward and suggested Mary Womble could provide the construction schedule. Key Outcomes - Rex Trivedi and Brandon Jackson were scheduled for City Council appointment votes on October 28, 2026. - Z-7871 was held/put back on committee for additional neighborhood outreach; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript. - Z-7872 and Z-7873 were discussed without recorded council objections; both carry Planning Commission 6–0–0 recommendations and remain on the published City Council schedule (October 28 and November 4, 2026, per the agenda). - CPA-134 and the supplemental budget ordinances were discussed with no recorded objections; the agenda lists subsequent City Council dates of October 28 and, for some items, November 4, 2026. - The meeting adjourned after agenda item 13; no end time was captured in the transcript.

The Tulsa City Council met in regular session at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the Council Chamber at 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK. The meeting opened with proclamations, followed by consent items, ordinance readings, and council business. No meeting minutes were available in the source package; this summary relies on the agenda and the official transcript. Proclamations - The Council proclaimed Thursday, October 22, 2026, as Lights On After School Day. Lauren Siebeck, Executive Director of the OP Project, said the organization's expanded-learning programs reached more than 12,000 young people in school year 2025-26 and saved Tulsa working families nearly $6.7 million in potential child care costs. She expressed support for continued council partnership to create opportunity for Tulsa youth. - The Council recognized city employees for years of service, noting the city has more than 2,400 public servants. Honorees included Andrea Alexander (Finance, 25 years), Davion Gonzalez (Fire, 25 years), George Sorrell (Fire, 25 years), Matthew Tavion (Fire, 25 years), Yahla Webb (Fire, 25 years), and E.J. Navoski (Planning and Neighborhoods, 20 years), with additional absent honorees from police, parks, public works, fire, information technology, and water/sewer departments. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the September 23, 2026 regular meetings held at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. - Approved Maureena Summers to the Ethics Advisory Committee, replacing Pam Ballard, with a term expiring December 1, 2028. - Approved Jordan Dora to the Greater Tulsa Area African-American Affairs Commission, filling a vacant seat, with a term expiring May 1, 2029. - Approved Mayor's Items 4B-4D and 4F-4K, with item 4E (surplus declaration for the 10-acre parcel at 2020 N. Mingo Rd.) pulled from the agenda. Items included: - $21,923.23 payment to plaintiff David Perry from the Sinking Fund for a judgment and attorney fee award in Case No. CJ-2026-4430 (4B, emergency clause). - Adoption of the August 2026 City of Tulsa Regulatory Floodplain Maps as the official floodplain maps (4C, emergency clause). - Right-of-way occupancy permit for Saint Francis Health System, Inc. (4D). - $799.00 registration donation from the Coretz Family Foundation for City Administrator Mike Miller to attend the Aspen Ideas: Economy Conference (4F). - Special event applications for First Methodist Tulsa Hullabaloo, 2nd Annual Car & Bike Show on Greenwood, Christ the King Cigar Dinner, Friendship Church Fall Fest, and BooHaHa (4G-4K). - Approved first-reading ordinances 6A-6G to be forwarded to the October 28, 2026 council meeting without objection. These included supplemental appropriations of $999,997 for SAMHSA child mental health, $26,320,000 for 2020 GO Bond Issue 7, $410,000 for Walgreens opioid settlement ART II expansion, $40,000 for citywide traffic engineering, $39,340,000 for 2024 GO Bond Issue 6, and ordinances establishing Increment Districts J and K as Increment District Numbers 28 and 29. - Approved second-reading ordinances 7C-7H, including $249,354.44 for Next Generation 911, the storm sewer easement closing for Saint Francis Hospital South expansion, a $6,044,000 transfer for the Spunky Creek East Branch Interceptor, $125,822 for Facility Maintenance Real Estate, $26,886 for the Police Forensic Laboratory, and $1,500,000 for Municipal Courts and Lockup. - Approved the $1,200 travel authorization for Councilor Hall-Harper to attend the FirstRepair National Symposium in Evanston, IL, December 2-4, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - John Hoffines offered prayer-like remarks in support of the appointments and several special event applications, describing the sponsoring organizations in positive terms. - Jana Davis raised concerns on Mayor's Item 4B, saying judgment and settlement payments appear item by item without a single public running total. She asked the Council to publish a consolidated accounting; Councilor Dr. Wright responded that the claim went through a collision review board, sinking fund reports are available on the city website from 2012 onward, and the case can be found on OSCN. - On 7A, Jana Davis expressed support for the downtown curfew but asked the Council to make it permanent, extend it beyond downtown, and give police full backing to enforce it. She cited large juvenile gatherings and shootings in multiple Tulsa locations in recent months. - Councilor Bellis said statistics showed her earlier skepticism about the curfew was not borne out, citing no downtown gun violence incidents over the summer. Councilor Dr. Wright clarified that a citywide youth curfew already exists and the downtown restriction applies Fridays and Saturdays at 9:00 PM; she moved to extend the sunset date to October 22, 2027. - On 7B, Debbie Tyler strongly supported the Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts ordinance, calling the city's historical treatment of victims atrocious and saying the city has a moral obligation to protect remains, return people to their families, and preserve artifacts. - On 7B, Jana Davis questioned why a new permanent review panel was being created under an emergency clause without a public hearing, arguing that good policy should be able to survive the normal 30-day public comment process. - On 8B, Jana Davis was recognized as a speaker but was told no time remained, so no further comment was heard. - The agenda listed three additional public comment speakers for item 11 - Julian Thomason, Timothy Kok, and Julie Horne - but the transcript contains no remarks from them after the televised portion of the meeting concluded. Discussion Items - Item 4A was called, but no representative from the mayor's office addressed the Council. - 7A - Downtown Curfew Extension: The Council considered an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 25691 to extend, rather than allow to expire, the downtown curfew provisions in Title 27, Chapter 28 of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances. After public comment and discussion, the Council approved the extension to October 22, 2027, with an emergency clause. - 7B - Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts: The ordinance was pulled from tonight's action after discussion in committee, with consensus to make amendments and bring it back on October 28, 2026. Public comments were accepted before the item was deferred; no vote was taken. - 4E - Surplus Property: Mayor's Item 4E, declaring the 10-acre parcel at 2020 N. Mingo Rd. no longer necessary for public use, was pulled and not voted on. - Item 8A - Councilor Archie invited the community to Tulsa Oktoberfest at River West Park in the Eugene Field neighborhood, running from October 21 through the weekend. - There were no public hearings, no authorities/boards/commissions items, no new business items, and no appeals. Key Outcomes - All council votes taken during the meeting were approved unanimously by council members present. - The downtown curfew will continue through October 22, 2027, rather than expiring on October 22, 2026. - Ordinance 7B was deferred to October 28, 2026 for amendments. - Item 4E was pulled and did not advance at this meeting. - First-reading ordinances were forwarded to the October 28, 2026 meeting.

The Greater Tulsa Native American Affairs Commission met on October 20, 2026, to discuss committee reports, receive updates on Native American Day and Dreamkeepers Park, and hear from special guests. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement and roll call, with 12 members present, achieving quorum. Chair Matt Roberts and Vice Chair Daniel Carter offered reflections on the commission's purpose and recent successes. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes from the September 15 meeting were approved after a motion to change the heading from "conclude televised portion of the meeting" to "adjourn." The motion passed unanimously. Special Presentations - Sobo Destination District: Tanya Kearney, director of sales at the Brute Hotel and executive director of the new Sobo District, presented on the district's boundaries, goals, and potential collaboration with the Native American community. The Sobo District is a new Tulsa destination district, approved in July 2026, covering South Boulder Avenue from 21st to 15th Street. Kearney highlighted plans for wayfinding signage pointing to Dreamkeepers Park and the Council Oak Tree, tree planting, decorative bike racks, and improved lighting. She expressed interest in working with the commission on future projects, such as Native American-themed murals and traffic box wraps. Parking concerns in the district were discussed. Sam Extance, city manager of destination districts, also spoke about the district's board expansion and grant opportunities. - Deputy Chief of Staff Visit: Brent Todd, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Nichols, addressed the commission. He thanked members for their work, particularly on Native American Day, and encouraged continued engagement. He discussed the appointment process for commission members, noting that while the mayor holds appointing authority, recommendations from commissioners are weighed, and he welcomed ongoing conversations about balancing tribal representation. Commissioner David Bible requested more commission input on appointments. Committee Reports - Native American Day (Commissioner Cheryl Poinower): The 10th annual Tulsa Native American Day celebration was the largest yet. Key statistics: over 22 schools participated, over 80 parade participants (including one tribal float with 200 walkers), nearly 72 vendors, and an estimated 5,000–8,000 attendees. Over 7,000 people watched the live stream. Sponsors included Cherokee Nation, Osage Casinos, One Oak, and 13 other organizations. The committee will hold a wrap-up meeting to plan improvements. Discussion of potential alternative locations for next year if Dreamkeepers Park is under construction. - Dreamkeepers Committee (Vice Chair Daniel Carter): The 29th annual Dreamkeeper Awards ceremony will be held on November 17 at the City Council Chambers. Eleven recipients were recognized, and nine attended Native American Day. A Tulsa World editorial featured the recipients. Refreshments will be provided. - Education Committee (Commissioner Dorcas Williams): Tulsa Public Schools voted on a consolidation plan to close 17 school sites. Native students' services will follow them to their new schools. The committee is preparing for Native American Heritage Month activities, including high school assemblies. - Public Relations Committee (Commissioner Stacey Lasky): Thanked the City of Tulsa for press coverage and Channel 6 for hosting. Tulsa World featured articles on Native American Day and Dreamkeeper recipients. - Cultural Committee (Multiple speakers): Reported on community engagement, including elders viewing the event remotely. Praised volunteers and sponsors. - Parks Committee (Commissioner David Bible): Presented the Dreamkeepers Park design. Key features include tribal gardens (west side on South Boulder), Dreamkeepers Point (monument area with flags of 39 federally recognized tribes and Dreamkeeper plaques), Sovereignty Plaza (flex plaza with food truck space), a natural playground, permanent stage, and significant green space. An open house for community feedback is scheduled for October 27 from 6-8 PM at Centennial Park Parks Department. The design accommodates a large stormwater drain and is within budget. Additional fundraising for interpretive signage is needed. The architects collaborated with Osage, Cherokee, and Muscogee Creek cultural departments. - Bylaws Committee: The meeting was postponed due to Native American Day; work on discussion drafts continues. Director of Tribal Policy and Partnerships Report Director Amanda Swope submitted a written report (summarized by Chair Roberts). Highlights: attended Oklahoma Hispanic Hall of Fame honoring Muscogee Creek Chief Hill; new Police Chief Jonathan Brooks sworn in and supportive of tribal cooperation; 50th anniversary of Council Oak Tree; Native American Day success; cultural center community group continues; billboard on allotment land at 11th and Yale, with Muscogee Nation exercising sovereign authority over tribal trust lands. Commissioner David Bible and Swope are working with Tulsa Parks to use Owen Park Community Center as a gathering place for the Native American community. Public Comments & Testimony Two guests introduced themselves: Joni McSpatten (grant strategist indigenizing professional education) and Tyler Duncan (owner of Horacle Coffee, looking for catering opportunities). No formal public comments on specific agenda items. Other Announcements - Muscogee Nation will host the Council Oak Ceremony on November 7 (time to be confirmed). - Tulsa Natives semi-professional basketball team (ABA) has their first game this Saturday. Key Outcomes - The September 15 meeting minutes were approved with amendment. - Commission members were encouraged to attend the Dreamkeepers Park open house on October 27. - The Dreamkeeper Awards ceremony is set for November 17 at City Council Chambers. - Deputy Chief of Staff Todd acknowledged the request for more commission input on appointments and will continue discussions. - The commission will maintain engagement with the Sobo District on future collaboration. - Next meeting will be on November 17 for the Dreamkeeper Awards.

Chair Drew France called the October 19, 2026 regular meeting of the Human Rights Commission to order. A quorum was not immediately present, preventing formal action, but the meeting proceeded with discussions and a presentation from a guest speaker. Guest Speaker & Discussion - Brentum Todd, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Nichols, addressed the commission. He expressed the mayor's office appreciation for the commission's role in representing diverse voices and acting as a recommending body, emphasizing the importance of aligning 2027 recommendations with the mayor's six core priorities to leverage existing momentum. - Todd highlighted the significant challenge of recruiting qualified Tulsans to serve on the city's Authorities, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs), describing it as a constant struggle to maintain a strong pipeline of candidates. He encouraged commissioners to actively help build this pipeline. Public Comments & Testimony - A member of the public raised a concern about the difficulty of getting a city code violation regarding a sidewalk addressed, expressing frustration with being directed back and forth between the police department and the 311 system. Chair France acknowledged the difficulty and offered to assist in routing the complaint to the appropriate department after the meeting. Discussion Items - 2027 Goals & Learning Agenda: Chair France presented a summary of a survey completed by 10 commissioners. Proposed topics for the 2027 calendar included learning from peer cities about human rights complaint processes, improving language access and 311 referral systems, disability rights, fair housing, immigrant and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, mental health access, veteran issues, and facilitating constructive dialogue. A commissioner strongly advocated for directly including community residents as speakers to ensure initiatives are done 'for them', not 'to them'. The commission agreed to form a working group to develop a structured 2027 learning calendar. - Improving Human Rights Complaint Process: LaKendra reported ongoing progress on digitizing the complaint process, including work on automated email response templates, a reference number structure, and a dedicated email address. Commissioners expressed interest in publicly publishing aggregated complaint data to increase transparency and measure progress. - Authorities, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs) Representation: The commission discussed methods to improve outreach in underrepresented districts. Suggestions included adding demographic questions to the application form (pending legal review) and creating better promotional materials. The discussion connected directly to Todd's earlier comments on the need for a stronger applicant pipeline. Key Outcomes - No official votes were taken due to the lack of a quorum. - The commission will finalize its 2027 goals and learning agenda at the next meeting on November 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM. - Ideas regarding the complaint process and ABC representation will be forwarded to city staff for feedback. - A working group will be established to schedule guest speakers and plan the 2027 calendar. Committee Reports - Fair Housing Committee: Shifted its senior services fair housing summit to Spring 2027 to better coordinate with partners during Fair Housing Month. - 2SLGBTQIA+ Committee: Distributed information on the human rights complaint process at the October 17th Pride Parade. The committee is also exploring a partnership with OSU for a community survey. - Veterans Affairs: Commissioner Starks announced the November 11th Veterans Day Parade, projected to be the largest in Tulsa history with over 140 floats, 5,000 marchers, a live performance of the 1812 Overture by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra with four howitzers, and a military flyover. - Native American Affairs: The Dreamkeepers Award Ceremony honoring 12 individuals is scheduled for November 17th. - Asian Affairs: Commissioner B highlighted effective bilingual outreach flyers used by other commissions as a model for the HRC. Announcements - Mayor Nichols' community conversations on public safety: October 26th - November 5th. - Black Educator Excellence Award Ceremony: October 27th. - Tulsa Equality Indicator Summit: November 4th. - Asian Affairs Luminary Award Ceremony: November 9th. - Humanitarian of the Year Award Ceremony: December 10th.

The Urban and Economic Development (UED) Committee held a comprehensive workshop on October 14, 2026, to debate a proposed ordinance creating an Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety (Title 16). The meeting featured detailed presentations from Emergency Management, Police, and City Security, alongside a presentation from the Terence Crutcher Foundation. The Public Safety Commissioner also briefed the council on inter-departmental coordination and data systems. Presentations from Public Safety Departments - Emergency Management (Adam Woodard): Woodard highlighted existing oversight from state and federal agencies and stressed the new department's focus on transparency. He worried the ordinance could duplicate efforts currently handled by existing layers of review. - Police Department (Chief Jim "Scott" Brooks): Chief Brooks provided a comprehensive overview of TPD oversight (e.g., 1,600 daily body-worn camera videos, 26-month retention, CALEA accreditation). He stated TPD had 64 investigations in 2025 (54 administrative, 10 citizen-initiated) from 272,000 calls. He expressed clear concerns that the ordinance could harm officer morale and recruitment but committed to holding a public transparency meeting on camera policies the following Monday. - City Security (Mark Hogan): Hogan reported only two citizen complaints in two years. He described the proposed office as "hurtful, redundant, and burdensome" because it implies distrust despite his department's strong record and lack of administrative staff for new compliance tasks. Discussion with Public Safety Commissioner Laura Roberts Commissioner Roberts detailed ongoing efforts to improve collaboration among her departments, including weekly meetings. She acknowledged significant data integration shortcomings, relying on siloed systems and spreadsheets. She is exploring the Peregrine data platform to improve analysis and transparency. She stated she did not pressure department heads to oppose the ordinance and expressed openness to collaborating with the council on a community oversight board, given that data and transparency improvements are a shared priority. Presentation from the Terence Crutcher Foundation Sam Robson, representing the Foundation, argued strongly for the ordinance's passage. He presented figures showing Tulsa has a fatal police encounter rate (9.5 per million) over double the national large-city average (4.4 per million). He highlighted the low 2% citizen complaint sustain rate and $47 million in settlements. He described the proposed office as a "review model" to ensure internal investigations are conducted properly, aiming to build community trust rather than discipline officers. Key Outcomes & Council Deliberations - No Committee Vote: The committee did not advance the ordinance, though it was scheduled for a full City Council vote later that day (October 14). - Council Division: The debate exposed a sharp divide. Supporters (Dr. Wright, Hall-Harper, Dutton) argued the ordinance is a necessary step to rebuild trust after years of inaction and poor community feedback. Critics (Lakin, Bangle) expressed fears of politicizing the police and duplicating effective oversight. - Transparency Path: Commissioner Roberts signaled a willingness to continue working on a collaborative oversight framework. Chief Brooks initiated his own transparency push outside the ordinance. The meeting highlighted a general consensus that the city's public safety data systems require significant investment and modernization to meet transparency goals, regardless of the specific oversight mechanism adopted.

The Greater Tulsa African American Commission (GTAC) met on 2026-10-14 to receive committee reports, hear from a guest speaker from the Mayor's Office, and take public comment. A newly appointed commissioner introduced herself, and the commission approved the prior meeting minutes by voice vote. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the prior meeting were approved by voice vote after a motion and second. Public Comments & Testimony - Oscar Gian of East Side Rise described the nonprofit's free citizenship application assistance. He reported that Tulsa city residents receive the $710 application fee fully reimbursed, and that the organization has reimbursed over $150,000 to families since he began working there. He noted that over 90% of applicants served self-identify as Hispanic and asked the commission to help spread the word to other communities. Contact: EastSideRise.org/naturalization. - Another speaker publicized the Tulsa Empowerment Network community meeting on the coming Saturday at 36th Street North Event Center, beginning at 9 a.m. Discussion Items - New commissioner introduction: Fifi Martin introduced herself as a transplant from Chicago via the Tulsa Remote Program, a procurement professional, 3D printer, and gamer. - Strategic Focus Committee: Chair Humphrey reported that the subcommittee is developing a survey/census of African American conditions in Tulsa, focused on economic mobility and conditions that positively or negatively affect African Americans across education, culture, and policy. The plan uses existing secondary research, quality indicators, and Impact Tulsa data to avoid duplicating efforts. Commissioner Margaret Love stressed not reinventing the wheel and involving community residents in deciding what is measured; subcommittee members agreed the tool would be disseminated to the community for input. The framework will go to committee chairs next, then to the full commission for a vote, with approval targeted for Q2 of next year (2027). - Policy Committee: Commissioner Dennis reported concerns about a proposed early voting location change from North Tulsa to East Tulsa and its effect on voter access. The location has since been moved back to North Tulsa. Commissioner Love said she wrote to the state, visited the election office, and that about 100 people submitted input; she opposed requiring North Tulsa residents, especially older voters without transportation, to travel farther. A commissioner named proposed alternate sites including Chandler Park and Tulsa Tech Broken Arrow and called that arrangement unacceptable. The committee is discussing additional polling and early voting locations and possible coordination with the Tulsa election board. - Community Engagement & Culture Committee: The committee is revamping the 'Green Book Guide to Tulsa' website using the Black Fox Tulsa site as a base, continuing newsletter distribution, and beginning to place newsletters at physical locations across the city. Future work may connect Black-owned businesses and help coordinate event scheduling. - Education Committee: The committee is preparing for the Dr. LeBurn Wimberly Educator Excellence Awards on October 27 at 6 p.m. Winners have been selected and will be contacted by the end of the week; their names were not disclosed publicly at the meeting. The caterer has been paid, and refreshments, certificates, cash awards, gift cards, a trophy, and a plaque are planned. Financial donations are still being accepted. - Human Rights Commission report: The HRC is revamping its complaint and compliance process so complaints, including ADA and housing complaints, can be filed online; access is currently difficult. Compliance Officer LaKendra Carter is working with the city IT department. Community testing will occur before launch, and commissions will be asked to help publicize the new system. Guest Speaker: Brentum Todd, Deputy Chief of Staff - Todd thanked commissioners and noted that several GTAC seats are open: currently three organization seats and one at-large seat are vacant. An incoming commissioner was meeting with city council the next day, and Todd encouraged people to serve through committees even if not appointed to a seat. - He listed Mayor Nichols' continuing priorities: putting 15,000 kids on a pathway to economic mobility, ending homelessness by 2030 by making it rare, brief, and non-recurring, increasing affordable housing stock, repairing relationships with the tribes, and making Tulsa more business- and economically friendly. - On the Greenwood Trust, Todd said it is a private charitable trust designed to raise $105 million. It was announced in June 2025, its executive director was selected in October 2025, and it was fully established in June 2026 with a national governing board and national advisory board. President and CEO Elena Beverly brings national experience, and Todd said announcements are expected soon. - On homelessness, Todd said the low-barrier shelter will open soon, and the annual point-in-time count's growth rate has decreased each year, with an actual decrease this year in the number of people experiencing homelessness. - On the 1921 Graves Investigation, Todd said the current field season is continuing at Oaklawn, with updates and volunteer opportunities available through the 1921 Graves Investigation Facebook page. Announcements - Commissioners Margaret Love and Maybelle Wallace were honored by Black Wall Street Tours; they received flowers, a $50 QuikTrip gas card, and a crystal award. - Love announced that she recently spent two days in Oklahoma City working on elderly population issues and plans to bring state legislative proposals on housing, food, and health care needs to the legislature. - The Greenwood Legacy Corporation has established a Council of Elders, with an induction ceremony on Saturday, October 24; Commissioner Patricia Carter Bickner is one of the elders. - The Rudy Center Regional Library on Historic Greenwood is open again: Monday–Thursday 9–9, Friday 9–6, Saturday 9–5, Sunday 1–5. - A reminder was given about the voluntary fixed natural gas price program through Oklahoma Natural Gas with an October 15 deadline. - Voters were reminded to vote November 3. - A commissioner asked attendees to vote in a national Ace Hardware contest with a $25,000 prize and a national commercial; voting runs daily until November 19. Key Outcomes - The previous meeting minutes were approved by voice vote. - The strategic focus plan is to go to committee chairs next, then to the full commission, with approval targeted for Q2 2027. - The education committee will contact educator award winners by the end of the week and host the awards ceremony on October 27. - The Human Rights Commission complaint process will move online, with community testing before launch. - The commission heard plans for continued election access work, Greenwood Trust announcements, and public safety community conversations; dates for the community conversations were included in the October newsletter. - The meeting was adjourned by motion and voice vote.

Consent Calendar - Approved, by unanimous vote, the minutes of the September 16, 2026 special meeting at 10:30 AM and the regular meetings at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. - Reappointed Larissa McNeil to the Human Rights Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2027, and Michelle Lara to the HUD Community Development Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2027. Both reappointments were approved unanimously. James Alexander and Bernice Alexander spoke against Lara’s reappointment, saying HUD community development had not produced needed change for North Tulsa; John Huffines offered general support for both reappointments. - Approved Mayor’s Items 4B–4K as a block, including a donation of Jave Yoshimoto’s “The Classics” laser-cut wood work to the Gilcrease Museum; a $2,500 International Co-Responder Alliance travel donation for Chief Justin Lemery to attend EuroCon in Limerick, Ireland, November 2–6, 2026; a $1,300 National Registry of EMTs travel donation for Chief Lemery to attend its annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, October 18–19, 2026; a $1,000 Welcoming America donation; and special event permits for Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa (October 21–25, 2100 S. Jackson Ave.), Tulsa Pride Parade and Tulsa Pride Festival 2026 (October 17), Skinnerfest Second Line Parade (October 18), Garth Brooks Street Party (October 22–24, 300 S. Denver Ave.), and Tulsa River Run (October 17, 1800 S. Riverside Dr.). Public Comments & Testimony - John Huffines expressed support for Mayor’s Items 4C, 4D, and 4J, including Chief Justin Lemery’s travel to Ireland and Ohio and the Garth Brooks Street Party. - Jaina Davis spoke against the Tulsa Pride Parade and Tulsa Pride Festival 2026 applications, saying she did not see the purpose of holding parades or festivals for Pride. - Agenda-listed evening public comments, after the televised portion of the meeting, were: Antoun Al-Khouri on road closures on Pine St. between Mingo Rd. and Memorial Dr.; Chance Stalzman on MetroLink Tulsa bus operator compensation and public costs when a driver leaves; Thomas Rice on City policing and due process concerns; and Karmen Glunt on a formal investigation request under Article II, Title 17 of the Tulsa City Charter. The supplied transcript does not include their remarks. Sales Tax Overview Committee Report - Committee chair Ashley Webb reported that 2016 and 2013 sales tax program revenues exceeded adopted budget estimates by about 8.7% for September, almost $1 million, and were more than $1 million above estimates year-to-date, about 5.3% above. - Webb highlighted upcoming Ben Hill Park improvements, a Dreamkeeper Park open house on October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Centennial Center, an October update on the South Tulsa/Jenks Lake dam project, and the East Side Center for Entrepreneurship groundbreaking. Ordinances – First Reading - Items 6A through 6G were not read aloud and were forwarded to the next Council meeting without objection. They included budget amendments for Next Generation 911 ($249,354.44), a storm sewer easement closure for Saint Francis Hospital South, a $6,044,000 TMUA sewer capital transfer for the Spunky Creek East Branch Interceptor, Facility Maintenance Real Estate appropriations ($125,822), Police Forensic Laboratory appropriations ($26,886), Municipal Courts and Lockup appropriations ($1,500,000), and a new Title 7 chapter on Human Remains and Cultural Artifacts. Ordinances – Second Reading - Item 7A, the CoxCom, LLC franchise ordinance, was pulled from the agenda. - Item 7B, closing a public way at 1419 N. 67th E. Ave. for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and School safety improvements, was approved unanimously. John Huffines spoke in support. Ordinance 7C – Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety - The Council heard 10 public speakers: five in favor and five in opposition. - Opponents included retired Tulsa Fire Department Deputy Chief Mark Seipe, who argued the ordinance barred former public safety officers from serving on the civilian board and called that discriminatory; Kari Soti, who raised concerns about cost, timing, structure, mayoral discretion, expanded scope, and public engagement; James Alexander, who said the board would lack subpoena power and would not work; Jack Seawright, who argued it would tie police hands; and Karen O’Brien, who questioned the appointment structure, volunteer expertise, and cost. - Supporters included Brittany Anderson, who described alleged code enforcement abuses; Julie Skye, who cited Human Rights Watch statistics showing Tulsa police used physical force on Black people 2.7 times more frequently than on white people, pepper spray 3.6 times, Tasers 2.9 times, dog bites 2.1 times, and force per arrest 18% more frequently, and said only two of 3,364 non-deadly force actions from 2012 through 2017 were found out of policy; Jamie Rodriguez, who compared oversight to other regulatory systems; Bernice Alexander, who described police conduct toward young people; and Emily Del Grasso, who called self-oversight a conflict of interest. - Council discussion included Councilor Dutton reading a supportive constituent letter and saying $47 million in lawsuit costs exceeded the estimated $500,000 cost of the office. Councilor Decter Wright asked to postpone the vote to build more collaboration and cited an Oklahoma City model with about 95% board agreement with officer decisions. Councilor Gilbert defended the ordinance as professional oversight and noted alternative paths such as charter amendments. Councilors Bush and Lakin raised concerns about existing oversight layers and technology gaps, with Lakin proposing a standing public safety committee instead. Councilor Hall Harper said the community had waited ten years and that the justice theme in Tulsa’s equality indicators continues to worsen. - A motion by Councilor Decter Wright, seconded by Councilor Dutton, to approve 7C failed on a roll-call vote: yes—Decter Wright, Hall Harper, Dutton, Bellis; no—Gilbert, Bengal, Lakin, Bush; abstaining—Archie. The motion failed 4–4–1. Council Items, Announcements, and Resolutions - Councilors announced domestic violence awareness month panels on October 19, 20, and 29, 2026; a Dreamkeeper Park open house on October 27; and a police chief transparency talk on October 19. - Item 8B, a resolution urging the Secretary of the Air Force to select the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa as the home of the next Air National Guard F-35A squadron, was approved unanimously. - Item 8C, an $799 registration donation from the Coretz Family Foundation for Councilor Hall-Harper to attend the Aspen Ideas: Economy Conference in Tulsa, was approved unanimously. - Item 8D, a $1,983.33 transportation donation from Williams Companies for Councilor Gilbert’s August 15, 2026 flight to Kansas City for the Tulsa Regional Chamber InterCity site visit, was approved on a divided vote; Councilors Decter Wright and Dutton voted no. Key Outcomes - Minutes, reappointments, Mayor’s Items 4B–4K, street-closing ordinance 7B, resolution 8B, and donation items 8C and 8D were approved as noted. - Ordinance 7C failed on second reading and was not adopted; council members indicated that alternative oversight or public safety committee proposals could be pursued. - Item 10A, the appeal by Steve Hightower in Demolition Case No. 122495-2026, was rescheduled. - No public hearings or new business items were on the agenda.