Public Meetings - Tulsa, Oklahoma

The board met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 9:30 AM on the 10th floor of City Hall and Technology Center. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, staff reports on waste and recycling, a financial update, a commercial waste fee setting vote, and a news update on operations and fleet. Consent Calendar - Meeting Minutes from August 25 and August 28 were approved unanimously. Staff Reports & Updates - Manager Report (Philip Peaks): Recycling contamination remained stable; 35 contaminated carts were recorded in August (5 carts removed). Diversion to AEL was 2.72% (crane issues ongoing). Illegal dumping totaled 26.34 tons; 6 investigations were ongoing (3 new, 3 ongoing). No citations written. Flock cameras received city permits and are being installed. DC (code enforcement/neighborhood) dumpsters: 63 dumpsters set, 153.37 tons collected. Green waste site saw 2,590 residents and 48 MOU customers. Bulky waste pickups: 2,555 stops in August. Discussion arose about mattress dumping in neighborhoods; the manager suggested coordinating with neighborhood dumpster events and grapple truck pickups. The bulky waste fee will increase to $20 on October 1. - Household Hazardous Products (HHP) Facility (Brian Lewis): In August, the facility served 464 customers (363 Tulsa residents, 101 non-residents), collected 36,390 pounds (approx. 79 pounds per customer). The swap shop had 198 customers and 779 items taken (1,781 pounds diverted). Customer numbers increased 16 from a year ago. The facility passed its annual DEQ inspection with no needed actions. Insulation and painting projects for temperature control were completed. - Great Tulsa Cleanup Program Update: The April 2025 cleanup had 973 participants, 64 groups, and 512 bags of trash. In April 2026, records were broken: 1,337 participants, 131 groups, and 1,013 bags collected (21 groups returning). Online waivers were introduced. Advertising cost $1,200 for targeted ads. The program was nominated and became a finalist for the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Government Excellence Award. Financial Report - Katie Myers presented the monthly financial report through August 31. Total revenues were $7,268,000 (17.34% of annual budget vs. 16.67% expected), $283,000 above target. Charges for services were $7.0 million, $125,000 over. Total expenditures, encumbrances, and commitments were $32,134,000 ($27 million encumbrances, $5.1 million actual expenses). The year-to-date spending percentage (including encumbrances) was 63% due to early-year contract encumbrances. Discussion Items - Commercial Waste Hauler Cost Calculation & Fee Setting (Gerald Black): Staff presented a cost calculation for commercial inspection and clean community fees. Residential cubic yards total 2.6 million (27% of combined residential and commercial); commercial cubic yards total 6.8 million (73%). The clean community fee (covering HHP, illegal dumping, dead animal pickup, supervised litter) was allocated 72% to commercial, resulting in a commercial rate of $0.55/cubic yard – the same as the current rate but now data-supported. The residential equivalent clean community fee was $0.57 for 96-gallon carts, $0.36 for 64-gallon, and $0.17 for 32-gallon. - News Update (Gary Percival, New Solutions): AEL issues continue (crane repairs). Battery fires, radiological, and sharps incidents were minimal. A battery responsibility bill is being drafted for the state legislature with a Senate author secured. Cart audits (routes to identify unpaid carts) have changed out about 2,300 carts, with roughly half as many remaining to be addressed. The new contract begins in two days; half of the new CNG truck fleet has been received and is being fitted with technology (WIS Technologies). Training and data rollout expected soon. Old CNG trucks have limited resale value. Key Outcomes - Vote on Commercial Waste Fee: A motion to adopt the commercial rate of $0.55 per cubic yard (supported by the cost study) passed unanimously. - Secretary Appointment: The board nominated and approved Adam (last name unclear) as secretary under the bylaws. - Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 27, at 3:30 PM in Conference Room 10 North at City Hall.

The Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) met on September 24, 2026, to consider routine appointments, approve a resolution reallocating funds, receive financial and staff reports, and hear an update from the Greenwood Legacy Corporation. The meeting was chaired by Ashley Phillipson with Carl Bracie as Vice Chair. All actions were approved unanimously. Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair - The board acknowledged the mayor's appointment for chair and vice chair. Ashley Phillipson was elected Chair, Carl Bracie as Vice Chair. Motion by Jennifer Griffin, seconded by Steve Mitchell. Unanimous approval. Resolution – Reallocation of Model Cities Funds to Community Impact Initiative - Lynn (TDA staff) reported discovering $115,000 in unused Model Cities funds. With city consent, staff proposed reallocating the funds to the Community Impact Initiative (CII) to sustain the program for a third year. CII builds capacity among neighborhood associations. The resolution specifies that future use of the money must be separately approved by the board. Discussion included the history of Model Cities (a 1960s federal anti-poverty program tied to urban renewal) and ensuring the funds align with the program's original intent. The board approved the resolution (motion by Carl Bracie, seconded by Steve Mitchell) with all four members voting yes. Monthly Budget to Actual Report – August 2026 - Lynn presented the TDA operating fund and pooled cash reports. Revenue items (TIFIA grant reimbursements) were one month behind but approved for payment on September 24. Expenses were timing-related. The Lansing Fund showed seasonal utility variances. No questions or actions taken. Staff Reports - Gary (Community Development): Provided updates on the Kaparick Heights Green and Master Plan grant. An engineering analysis (water, sewer, stormwater) is expected in October. New development scenarios based on infrastructure constraints will be presented in November, with community meetings tentatively scheduled. A cooperative agreement and land transfer with the Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) is being prepared. A joint RFP for missing middle housing on the northwest portion of the core site (near Emerson Elementary) is planned. The Community Impact Initiative has four cohort members; one (South Haven) lost its fiscal sponsor, requiring a new contract. - Keith (Real Estate & Asset Management): Black Wall Street Square Phase 1 construction is anticipated to complete in February 2027. The Moton site is awaiting revised conceptual configurations from the architect; drafting of a Phase 1 RFP has begun. Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) Presentation - Dr. Lana Turner Addison, GLC Board Chair, provided an update. Key points: GLC has transitioned from organizational development to implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan. Financial snapshot: GLC is tracking over $100,000 under budget for 2026 (budget $427,837.50). No expenses have been charged against the $2 million allocation held by Port of Tulsa/TDA; remaining funds estimated at $1.5 million. Governance: board currently has five members, expanding to up to 11 (including Council of Elders and Resident Council seats). Executive director search is pending with interim capacity being arranged. Council of Elders inauguration set for October 24. Requested continued partnership with TDA. No formal action taken. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of: mayor's appointment for chair and vice chair (Ashley Phillipson as Chair, Carl Bracie as Vice Chair). - Unanimous approval of Resolution to reallocate $115,000 from Model Cities fund to the Community Impact Initiative. - No other votes or formal actions taken. - Future agenda items: none requested. - Meeting adjourned unanimously.

The Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) met on September 24, 2026, to consider routine consent items, an amended development finance agreement for the Vulcan project, monthly financial and staff reports, and a resolution to reallocate Model Cities funds. Additionally, the board received an update from the Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) on the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan implementation. Key votes included approval of the consent agenda, the Vulcan project agreement (with one abstention), and a resolution to redirect $115,000 to the Community Impact Initiative. Consent Calendar - The board approved the consent agenda (items A through D) unanimously on a roll call vote. The items were routine and repetitive, including the acknowledgement of the mayor's appointment for chair and vice chair of TDA. Discussion Items Amended Development Finance Agreement (Vulcan Project) - Staff presented the amended and restated development finance agreement for the Vulcan project with 501 Boston Partners LC. John Wideman, bond counsel, explained the bond issue, historical tax credits, and the state leverage act. The board's obligation is to collect taxes and transfer them to the trustee bank to pay the bonds. Tyler Duncan recused himself due to a potential conflict and abstained from voting. The motion to approve passed 8-0 (with one abstention). A point of order noted that the October resolution would require a three-quarters vote. Monthly Financial Report - Lynn presented the financial report for August. Key revenue items: parking operations were $400,000 below year-to-date target, attributed to timing issues and event scheduling. Lease revenue of $146,000 is expected in October. TIP program administration will be $380,000 vs. budgeted $330,000. Parking makes up 56% of the entity's budget. A trustee raised concerns about over-reliance on parking revenue and suggested diversifying revenue streams, noting the MOU with Williams and the potential sale of parking assets. The five-year Treasury note is at 5%, and staff is looking to increase investment yields. The pooled cash balance was approximately $480,000 before a $212,000 city transfer. Monthly Staff Report - Renita provided an update on the TAO rebranding, new website (TAO.org) launching the week of October 5th, and new signage at Tisdale Parkway, downtown entrance, and Riverline. Staff headcount is 17 plus one intern; hiring for real estate coordinator and board secretary is underway with over 50 applicants. Staff goals will align with the strategic plan. - Gary provided updates on current projects: Philcade, Crutchfield, Pearl catalytic project, and Peacock on the Parkway (three new TIF districts, passed LDART, heading to planning commission). Future projects include South Tulsa districts (61st & Memorial, Ridge & Norris) with up to eight districts. Kirkpatrick Heights TIFIA grant milestones: infrastructure analysis due by end of month, development scenarios in November, community engagement meeting. The city's director of housing indicated the core site could be a candidate for $5 million in infrastructure money from the Improve Our Tulsa package. A joint RFP with the GLC for the northwest portion of the site (missing middle housing) is expected in December. Community Impact Initiative (CII) has four cohort members; South Haven Neighborhood Association is seeking a new fiscal agent. - Ashley reported on real estate: reviewing capital repairs budget for parking, working with Wallace on structural repair drawings, closing with Robisons scheduled for 9/29, and planning for the 2027 Developer Expo in February. - Community development: CII implementation, TIFIA grant work, and partnership with the Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC). A new cooperative agreement and land transfer agreement are being drafted. - Michelle reported on small business: Kitchen 66 training modules in Spanish, builders and backers cohort, target of 300 businesses per year for personalized coaching. Business services: helping developers create spec industrial space (six buildings upcoming, 100k to 400k sq ft). Business attraction: Taiwan trade visit, EPA brownfields grant ($500,000) awarded. Robison's work with TMUA to extend sanitary sewer to support Fair Oaks and the southern parcel. Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) Presentation - Dr. Lana Turner Addison, GLC board chair, provided an update. GLC has transitioned from organizational development to implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan. Governance: board of five members, expanding to nine plus seats for Council of Elders and resident council (max 11). Financial: 2026 budget $427,837, currently $100,000 under budget; estimated $1.5 million remaining after 2026. Council of Elders inauguration ceremony set for October 24th. Priorities over next 60 days: evaluate board nominations, advance executive director search (interim ED soon), complete council on-boarding, and continue land conveyance preparation. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Item 5 (Vulcan project): Motion to approve the amended development finance agreement passed 8-0, with Tyler Duncan abstaining due to recusal. - Resolution to reallocate Model Cities funds: The board unanimously approved a resolution to use $115,000 from the Model Cities fund to support the Community Impact Initiative (CII) for the next year. The funds were discovered by Lynn during financial cleanup, and the city consented to reallocation. The money will be used to sustain the CII program, which builds capacity in neighborhood associations. The board will separately approve the specific usage. - Monthly financial report was received and discussed; no formal vote. - Monthly staff report was received; no formal vote. - GLC update was presented and discussed; no formal action required.

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Committee held a special meeting on September 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Tulsa City Council Chambers. Vice Chair Scott Bjornsen presided in the absence of Chair Laura. The primary agenda item was the presentation of the Program Year (PY) 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) by Grants Administration, followed by a public hearing. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2026, meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - The committee entered the CAPER Public Hearing. No members of the public offered testimony or asked questions, and the committee exited the hearing without receiving any public input. Discussion Items - PY2025 CAPER Presentation: Grants Administration presented the CAPER, which covers the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the first year of the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan. The report details how the city spent approximately $9 million in entitlement funds from CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG programs, serving a total of 16,359 people. - Expenditures by Objective: Decent Housing represented 47% of spending ($4 million), Suitable Living Environments 30% ($3 million), and Economic Opportunities ($2 million, primarily through a revolving loan fund administered by TEDC). - Goal Performance: Staff explained variances in annual goals, noting that multi-year project timelines and current economic conditions (e.g., high housing costs and inflation for repairs) impacted achievements in housing rehabilitation and construction. Homelessness services and the HOPWA program (via Tulsa CARES) exceeded their targets. The remaining Coronavirus relief (CDBG-CV) funds were fully expended on transitional employment (CEO) and Meals on Wheels. - Data Collection and Staffing: Staff outlined different reporting mechanisms across grants and stated that limited staff capacity necessitates a minimum grant threshold to ensure effective administration. - Committee Discussion and Q&A: - Revolving Loan Funds: In response to a member's question, staff clarified that revolving loan funds are included as planned expenditures because they are estimated in the "expected resources" section of the annual action plan. - Project Documentation: A committee member suggested including photographs in future CAPER materials to visually demonstrate project outcomes. - Advocacy: Staff noted participation in the National Community Development Association (NCDA) conference to advocate for continued federal funding for community development. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: The July 9, 2026, meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - CAPER Presentation Received: The committee received and discussed the PY2025 CAPER. - Public Hearing Held: The CAPER public hearing was formally opened and closed with no public testimony. - Next Meeting Scheduled: The next regular meeting is set for October 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

The Budget and Special Projects Committee met on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 1:00 PM (One Technology Center, Room 411) to consider three ordinances. The meeting ran approximately 15 minutes over schedule and included extended debate on a proposed ordinance creating an Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety. No final votes were taken on that item; it was continued to a later meeting. Discussion Items Item 2 – Ordinance amending the FY2026‑2027 budget to reallocate $750,000 within the 2023 Temporary Sales Tax Fund for a River Parks Maintenance Building. - The ordinance makes unencumbered and unexpended appropriations of $750,000 between projects. Staff confirmed that all projects would receive their originally approved amounts. No questions or objections were raised, and the item advanced without further debate. Item 3 – Ordinance amending the FY2026‑2027 budget to appropriate $9,055.71 in grant revenue from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry – Forestry Services (Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Program) for tree planting expenses. - Councilor Dutton asked how many trees the grant would purchase; staff could not provide a specific number. Councilor Bellis noted that a neighboring city (Fluida) had adopted a policy requiring a certain percentage of trees planted on city property to be native species, and suggested exploring a similar requirement. Councilor Bellis also mentioned that during work on landscaping adjustments for new builds, a native species list was developed but no percentage requirement existed. The grant is overseen by sewer operations. The item was approved without objection. Item 4 – Ordinance adopting new Title 16 (Tulsa Revised Ordinances) titled “Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety,” creating the Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety and a Director position, a civilian oversight board, and establishing powers, duties, and reporting requirements. - Councilor Hall‑Harper and Councilor Decter Wright presented the ordinance, emphasizing that it had evolved over a decade of work and was broader than a 2024 Oklahoma City resolution—covering police, fire, 911, emergency management, animal control, security, and code enforcement. The proposed structure includes a full‑time Director (not a former city employee) and an 11‑member civilian board (one from each council district plus two mayoral appointees). The office would review completed investigations and make non‑binding recommendations; it would have no subpoena or disciplinary authority. - Councilor Gilbert (Chair) expressed that she could not support “independent oversight” and instead favored a civilian advisory board. She noted she had been working on her own proposal and requested more time for collaboration. - Councilor Bangle opposed the ordinance, stating he does not believe in “Monday morning quarterbacking” public safety personnel and has confidence in the current leadership chain. He called the proposal “overly expansive” and “symbolic.” - Councilor Bellis strongly supported the ordinance, arguing that it would provide proactive policy analysis, trend identification, and public transparency—functions currently missing. She noted that over the past decade she has never seen a policy change result from critical incidents, and that the city has lost ground on data transparency since the 2016 ransomware attack. - Councilor Dutton supported the measure, citing the 2016 Tulsa Commission on Community Policing (which included then‑Deputy Chief Jonathan Brooks) and a police scorecard showing only 39% public confidence in TPD. She stated that citizens have not had a meaningful voice and that the council’s only real oversight tool is legislation like this ordinance. - Councilor Archie indicated she was not opposed in principle but wanted to hear from new Chief Jonathan Brooks and to allow collaboration between Councilors Hall‑Harper and Gilbert. She also noted that Councilors Lakin and Bush were absent due to travel, and that misinformation about the proposal had circulated. - Councilor Hall‑Harper replied that she is open to collaboration but is “sick of the procrastination” over the past decade. She pointed out that every police chief since 2016 has asked for time to make changes, yet systemic issues persist. She emphasized that the ordinance is not about lack of confidence but about building trust and accountability across all public safety departments. - City Attorney Jack stated that the ordinance was carefully drafted to comply with collective bargaining agreements and legal constraints, avoiding subpoena power or disciplinary authority—unlike a previous version that was deemed impermissible. - Councilor Decter Wright noted that the ordinance includes a qualifying‑event threshold (e.g., discharges of a firearm, in‑custody deaths, felony‑level conduct) to limit the scope of reviews, and that the office would have no power to impose discipline or direct personnel actions. Key Outcomes - Items 2 and 3 were approved without recorded opposition and will move to the full City Council for second reading on September 30, 2026. - Item 4 (the public safety oversight ordinance) was not voted on. The committee agreed to continue the discussion to a future meeting (likely October 14, 2026) to allow for collaboration between Councilors Hall‑Harper and Gilbert, and to enable input from Chief Jonathan Brooks and absent council members. No firm deadline was set, but Councilor Hall‑Harper stressed that the process should not be delayed indefinitely.

The Tulsa City Council met on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for its regular meeting. The agenda and transcript list the meeting at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK; the supplied metadata cites the meeting date as 2026-09-23 11:00:00+00:00. Chair Karen Gilbert presided. No items were reported under appointments/reappointments, public hearings, new business, or appeals. Consent Calendar - Minutes (1A–1B): The Council approved, on a unanimous roll-call vote, the minutes of the September 2, 2026 regular meetings held at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. - Mayor’s Items (4B–4Q): The Council approved all mayor’s items on a unanimous roll-call vote. These included receipt/canvassing of certificates of votes from the August 25, 2026 election for Council Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 and the ONG Franchise; a Public Property Use/Occupancy Agreement with Tulsa Global District for decorative vinyl wraps on traffic control cabinets at six locations; a license agreement with 1500 Cherry Street, LLC for two wall-mounted blade signs at 1503 E. 15th St. S.; multiple utility/storm/sanitary sewer easement donations; donations from QuikTrip, Quik Print on Main, B’nai Emunah Synagogue, Kansas State University, Columbus Fire Department, and Oklahoma Homeland Security; and the Black Wall Street Nation Festival special event application scheduled for September 25–27, 2026, starting at 700 N. Greenwood Ave. - Final Plat 36N (5A): The Council approved the final plat for 36N — 21 lots, 10 blocks, ±32.18 acres at the northeast corner of E. 36th St. N. and S. Peoria Ave. — on a unanimous roll-call vote. - First-Reading Ordinances (6A–6C): Without objection, the Council forwarded these ordinances to its next meeting: a $750,000 reallocation within the 2023 Temporary Sales Tax Fund for the River Parks Maintenance Building; a $9,055.71 supplemental appropriation from Oklahoma Forestry Services through the Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Program; and an ordinance closing a detention easement at 1123 N. Garnett Rd. requested by Interiors One Properties, LLC for future expansion. - Second-Reading Ordinances (7A–7G): The Council approved, on a unanimous roll-call vote: the Florence Park Neighborhood Character Overlay 2 (NCO-2) rezoning (7A; TMAPC had recommended approval 7–0–1); the closing of a public way at 4022 E. 104th St. (7B); and FY 2026–2027 supplemental appropriations of $125,000 from Cherokee Health (7C), $25,000 from Telligen Community Initiative (7D), $413,630 from the U.S. Department of Justice JAG grant (7E), $293,750 from the Convention & Visitors Fund for managed entities/economic development (7F), and $20,000 from Cities for Financial Empowerment (7G). Public Comments & Testimony - Mayor’s items 4K, 4M, and 4O – John Huthines: Expressed support for the QuikTrip donation to the TPD Training Division for the “918 Day of Caring” project, the B’nai Emunah donation for the Welcoming Week Soccer Tournament, and the Columbus Fire Department travel donation for two fire chiefs to serve as assessors in Columbus, Ohio. - Item 5A – James Alexander: Opposed the 36N plat, saying the project is much larger than earlier plans, resembles “a small city,” and is “a mess.” He stated North Tulsa is “getting screwed” and asserted that Black residents cannot afford the homes because they are not considered creditworthy. - Items 7A, 7C, and 7D – John Huthines: Expressed support for the Florence Park NCO-2 overlay and for the Cherokee Health and Telligen grant appropriations. - Item 7H – supporters (7 of 10 speakers): - Carmen Glunt described 61 fatal officer-involved shootings she could verify since 2007, saying only the killing of Terrence Crutcher produced a ruling that the shooting was not criminally justified; one in ten cases resulted in a lawsuit or settlement; and all involved officers retained CLEET certification. She argued Tulsa has no independent mechanism to learn from such cases. - Deborah Tyler, whose son was shot nine times by a Tulsa police officer, said the photo of the incident has been viewed over three million times. She said the city has spent $60 million “protecting monsters,” demanded the officer be fired and his CLEET certification revoked, and urged approval of oversight. - Christy Williams said Tulsa has discussed oversight for 10 years and noted the city has spent millions of taxpayer dollars on policing-related settlements; she cited an 18-point decline from the 2018 baseline and quoted Ronald Reagan: “Trust, but verify.” She supported oversight as building trust. - Luke Bullinger quoted Christopher Hedges, said “rest in power” to Terrence Crutcher, and argued oversight is needed so democracy survives. - Jane Sampier, executive director of Still She Rises and former public defender with 17 years in courtrooms, supported the proposal. She said New York’s civilian complaint review board shows how an independent evaluator helps people feel seen, and that trust must be earned. - John Wilson supported feedback/review mechanisms for public safety; he cited a personal traffic stop, said Tulsa is one of 1% of U.S. agencies requiring a bachelor’s degree, and referenced a recent lawsuit against Tulsa Fire over pay as a communication failure. - Nate Morris supported the proposal, noting that 48 of the 50 largest U.S. cities have had civilian oversight of law enforcement while Tulsa has not. He called further delay unacceptable unless it leads to a near-term result. - Item 7H – opponents (3 of 10 speakers): - Sean McKenna, counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police, urged the Council not to adopt the ordinance at this time. He argued multi-layered oversight already exists (DA, OSBI, Attorney General, CLEAT, FBI, DOJ, courts, and CALEA accreditation for about 20 years); that the proposed office is not truly independent because it is mayor-appointed and city-funded; that the ordinance implicates mandatory subjects of bargaining under the Oklahoma Fire and Police Arbitration Act; that the mandatory 10-business-day wait before a final disposition is not advisory; and that the office would not reduce lawsuit exposure. - Heather Nash said she opposes the proposal because she believes the City Council should also be subject to independent oversight and review. She said she did not want oversight for police to be pursued while council oversight was “kicked down the road” for 10 years. - Jaina Davis opposed creating a new city department, calling it an expensive additional bureaucracy (about $500,000/year). She said answers should come from existing officials, that the mayor’s public safety commissioner should review the Jamerson file, that documents should be published online, and that “transparency is not Title 16.” - Email read by Councilor Decter Wright from Ginger Ward: Ward, a retired Tulsa 911 dispatcher with nearly 30 years in Tulsa’s public safety system, supported independent oversight covering police, fire, and 911. She cited the February 2025 crash that killed two Holland Hall teenagers, saying Tulsa Fire was not dispatched until 24 minutes after the initial 911 call and that an internal email was released only after open records requests and Oklahoma Attorney General intervention. She also cited the William Henry Jamberson case: about 24 years in prison on a rape conviction, evidence later found in TPD possession, DNA testing excluding him, the conviction vacated, and a $26.25 million settlement. Ward said employees need to raise safety concerns without fear and that independent review is needed for accountability and prevention. - Agenda discrepancy: The agenda listed Elizabeth Gray under Hearing of Public Comments to propose an annual Mayor’s Walk Against Domestic Violence in October, but the transcript does not include her remarks. After the Clerk announced item 11, the Council moved to the non-televised portion of the meeting. Discussion Items - Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety (7H): After testimony, Councilor Decter Wright, co-sponsor with Councilor Hall Harper, read Ginger Ward’s email and summarized the proposal’s history. She said the ordinance is one of several paths — ordinance, charter amendment, citizen initiative, or mayor’s executive action — and moved to continue 7H to the Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Council meeting to allow more time for colleagues to review counterproposals. Councilor Archie said the Council is “not going to do nothing”; he challenged opponents and Chief Brooks/Commissioner Roberts to present alternatives by Oct 14 covering use of force, technology management, data sharing, and internal affairs. Councilor Dutton said $500,000/year for 26 years equals $13 million, but Tulsa spent $52 million in settlements in 2025 and 2026, and no monetary value can replace a life. Councilor Bellis urged the Council to act with urgency so everyone’s loved ones make it home. Councilor Hall Harper pointed to the September 16, 2026 presentation and backup materials. Councilor Lakin asked that affected public safety agencies be brought to a public committee conversation before the next vote. Councilor Dutton asked that citizen stakeholders also have a place at the table. Staff said they would work to schedule additional committee discussion on September 30, 2026. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of minutes 1A–1B, Mayor’s items 4B–4Q, final plat 5A, and second-reading ordinances 7A–7G. - First-reading ordinances 6A–6C forwarded to the next regular meeting without objection. - Item 7H continued to Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM by unanimous roll-call vote. The Council directed scheduling for further committee discussion, including with affected public safety agencies, and set expectations for alternatives/reforms to be presented before that date. - No action was taken on the agenda item 11 public comment (Elizabeth Gray) because it was not reflected in the transcript; the meeting then proceeded to its non-televised portion.

The Tulsa City Council Public Works Committee met at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Room 411, One Technology Center, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK. Chair Bush presided; the agenda listed Dutton, Hall-Harper, and Decter Wright as co-chairs/committee members. The committee reviewed a Tulsa Development Authority reappointment, a Tulsa Housing Impact Fund update, floodplain management resolutions, and several property and easement items. No minutes were available for this meeting, and no final votes were taken during the committee discussion. TDA Reappointment Discussion (Item 2) - Steve Mitchell appeared before the committee for reappointment to the Tulsa Development Authority (TDA). The agenda listed a term expiring July 31, 2028, attendance at 7 of 15 meetings, and the appointment as Council District 4. - Mitchell said he has served on TDA since about 2014, grew up in Tulsa, attended Tulsa Public Schools, returned to Tulsa from Los Angeles in 2025, and works as an investor. He said he is proud to have over $100 million invested in North Tulsa and has 300 employees at Prior Aerospace and American Power Innovations, recently leased 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space on Marion, and expects to add about 200 more employees over the next 18 months. He later clarified that the $100 million is investor capital, including Oklahoma firefighters and teachers pension funds and Oklahoma tribal nations' capital, not solely his own funds. - Mitchell also cited large-scale development experience elsewhere, including 14,000 lots in an 8,000-acre parcel in western Phoenix and a 500,000-square-foot mall. - A council member questioned his 7-of-15 attendance record and asked what he had done for the western part of North Tulsa in District 1, saying his investments appeared concentrated in District 3 and northeast Tulsa. Mitchell responded that he does not know district lines and does not invest along district lines. - Another council member expressed concern about TDA decisions affecting District 1, including a past disagreement over dollar stores and food insecurity. She said she had requested a different appointee after Mitchell's previous term and described the reappointment as insulting because the Council had already made a decision. Mitchell said he had voted in favor of a Dollar General store after research and independent advice, and that he had helped recover 44 acres in Kirkpatrick Heights from OSU Tulsa. - Councillor Decter Wright said a county assessor list of 143 TDA properties showed 82 percent are in zip code 74106, which is District 1. She called the reappointment process highly irregular, said the Council had not gone through a process like this during her eight years at the table, and called questions about Mitchell's personal investments wildly inappropriate and unfair. She said her concern was about the process, not the person. - Other council members spoke in support of Mitchell, citing his business expertise, commitment to Tulsa Public Schools, willingness to serve, and experience on Partner Tulsa-related boards. - The chair said the Council vote on the reappointment, originally scheduled for September 30, would be rescheduled so the full Council could be present, and Mitchell would be notified. Tulsa Housing Impact Fund (THIF) Update (Item 8) - THIF President Chloe Doss presented THIF's first formal update on deploying IOT3 housing funds. Housing Partnership Network (HPN) is the managing member of the Tulsa Housing Impact Fund and provides staffing, underwriting, closing, and servicing. - THIF was incorporated in July 2025 and signed a contract with the City of Tulsa for IOT3 funds in January 2026. THIF's goal is to have 1,300 units committed and in closing by the end of 2026. - Capital raise: THIF reported a $120 million goal, with $101 million raised to date, or 84 percent, including $27 million in closing, plus $25 million in its pipeline. Commitments include City of Tulsa IOT3 funds, $27 million in local philanthropic commitments and grants, an additional $27 million senior debt facility in closing with Bank of Oklahoma, JP Morgan, and Charles Schwab, two PRIs totaling $10 million, and a $2 million grant for a developer accelerator program. The senior debt facility has an accordion structure that can expand to $75 million. - Deployment: Doss reported $7.25 million deployed in closed projects and $10.75 million in projects in closing. Three closed projects represent $62 million in total housing investment; three in-closing projects represent about $139 million in total housing investment. The presentation contained conflicting unit counts: 218 closed units and 345 in-closing units were cited later, while an earlier portion referenced 532 and 345 units. The discrepancy was not resolved during the meeting. - Pipeline: THIF reported about 90 prospective projects, roughly 5,600 potential housing units, and about $190 million in funding requests. Funding requests include about $93 million in IOT3 requests, more than the remaining IOT3 balance, and about $48 million in other program/TIP-type funds as transcribed. - Doss said IOT3 capital is the bottom floor and that without it these projects would not move forward. THIF acts as a gap filler, underwrites projects like a traditional bank, and uses flexible IOT3 financing only to fill the true gap. Developers learn about THIF through word of mouth, forums, website intake applications, and city referrals. - Jane Bowman, senior advisor to Mayor Nichols on housing, said the city has been actively referring developers to THIF and that many developers are already aware of IOT3 and how to access it through THIF. Councillors asked about policy barriers, zoning, permitting, inflation, tariffs, and how capital will be recycled; Doss said THIF works closely with Housing Forward and city staff on zoning, permitting, and regulatory improvements. Floodplain Management and RLAA Resolutions (Items 3 and 4) - City staff presented resolutions to adopt the City of Tulsa Floodplain Management Plan and Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA) Annual Progress Report 2025-2026, and the 2026 RLAA plans. Both items include emergency clauses. - Staff explained that a repetitive loss area is an area with federal flood insurance that has had two claims over $1,000 within a 10-year period. Tulsa still has 45 repetitive loss areas; some have had no claims since the 1984 and 1986 floods. - The last detailed property-level RLAA reports were prepared between 2017 and 2020. Staff said 11 reports have been rewritten and grouped by drainage basin to align with annual flood insurance letters. - Repetitive-loss status helps Tulsa prioritize stormwater projects, track flood damage and inundated roads, and evaluate benefit-cost analyses as part of the Community Rating System for the National Flood Insurance Program. - Residents can check floodplain information at cityoftulsa.org/floodcontrol, use the online GIS floodplain viewer, call 311 for a flood zone determination, and request an elevation certificate. Impacted property owners will receive letters with resources. Staff said they were willing to attend a town hall to explain the reports. Surplus Property, Easement, and License Items (Items 5-7) - Item 5: A resolution declaring 9415 S. Yale Ave. surplus. Asset Management staff said the city acquired the property through inverse condemnation due to a stormwater condition; there is no specific buyer and it will be offered for sale. - Item 6: An ordinance closing a detention easement at 1123 N. Garnett Rd., requested by Alan Betchan of AAB Engineering, LLC on behalf of Interiors One Properties, LLC. Public Works staff said the property is being redeveloped and the required detention facility has been re-oriented and completed, so the old easement can be closed. Staff recommended approval. - Item 7: A license agreement with CJT Real Estate, LLC for approximately 12 feet of parking lot on the west side of 3703 S. Harvard Ave. Public Works staff said the private use of public right-of-way has existed for about 40 years and is now being documented to protect public liability; if the city needs the right-of-way, restoration will be at the user's expense. Key Outcomes - No final votes were recorded during this Public Works Committee meeting. According to the agenda, action items are scheduled to go to the full City Council on September 30, 2026, except that the chair said the TDA vote would be rescheduled. - Staff recommended approval for the floodplain resolutions, the surplus property resolution, the detention easement ordinance, and the license agreement. - The committee heard the THIF update for discussion only; no action was taken. - Councillor Decter Wright said she would provide her list of 143 TDA properties to colleagues once confirmed by staff.

This meeting of the Tulsa Board of Adjustment (BOA) considered 10 applications for variances and special exceptions. The board approved 9 requests—some with conditions—and denied 2 items (one motion to continue the minutes and one special exception for a fence height increase). Decisions were reached on each case after staff presentations, applicant testimony, public comment, and board deliberation. Consent Calendar - Minutes of Meeting 1390 (September 8, 2026): The board voted 5‑0 to continue approval of the minutes to the October 13, 2026 agenda. (Motion by Hill, seconded; all in favor.) Public Comments & Testimony - BOA‑24096 (5535 South Urbana Avenue): Applicant David and Samette Britt requested a variance and two special exceptions for additions including a second garage. The board received comments from neighbors; no opposition was voiced during the hearing, but the board expressed concerns about the driveway width proposal. - BOA‑24097 (2405 East Mohawk Boulevard North): No public testimony was offered. - BOA‑24098 (5147 South Harvard Avenue): No public testimony was offered, but a board member noted a phone call from a concerned citizen who later was satisfied after clarification. - BOA‑24099 (13149 & 13151 East 11th Street South): No public testimony. - BOA‑24100 (1547 South College Avenue): No public testimony. - BOA‑24101 (4450 South 70th East Avenue): No public testimony. - BOA‑24102 (56 North Victor Avenue): A neighbor, Jim Griffin (two houses away), testified that the property has always been a single‑family home since 1989 and opposed the duplex use, citing no hardship. Staff clarified the lot was rezoned from RM‑1 to RS‑4 in November 1993, which may explain adjacent duplexes. - BOA‑24103 (4010 Park Road): No public testimony. - BOA‑24104 (4020 West Edison Street North): Two members of the public spoke. Hunter Jacob (525 North 41st West Avenue) opposed the plan due to poor communication by the developer, concerns about septic systems, utility easements, and prior conflicts. Bill McKee (owning 3820 West Edison) expressed full support, noting the development would improve the area. Discussion Items - BOA‑24093 – 1570 East 22nd Place South (Joshua Friesenhahn): Variance to reduce rear setback from 25 ft to 0 ft to attach a patio to an existing non‑conforming garage. The hardship cited was the unusual L‑shaped property line and pre‑existing garage. The board found the request minimal and consistent with the spirit of the code. Vote: 4‑1 (Hill opposed). - BOA‑24096 – 5535 South Urbana Avenue (David & Samette Britt): Three requests: - Special Exception (Extension of exterior walls with non‑conforming street setback): Reduce required street setback from 30 ft to 20 ft. Approved 4‑1 (Dumas opposed). - Special Exception (Driveway width increase): Denied unanimously. Board found the proposed 64 ft 9 in driveway excessive and out of character with the neighborhood. - Variance (Rear setback reduction from 25 ft to 19 ft 5 in): Approved 3‑2 (Hill, Dumas opposed). Board cited hardship from corner‑lot configuration and busy intersection. - BOA‑24097 – 2405 East Mohawk Boulevard North (Alyssa Folden): Special exception to increase fence height from 4 ft to 8 ft in the street setback (solid steel). Denied unanimously. Board found an 8‑ft solid fence at a major intersection would be out of character and harmful to neighborhood plans and sight lines. - BOA‑24098 – 5147 South Harvard Avenue (Jameson Shaffer): Special exception for self‑service storage facility (wine storage) in a CS district. Approved unanimously after clarifying the use and receiving no public opposition. - BOA‑24099 – 13149 & 13151 East 11th Street South (Ethos Architects): Special exception for low‑impact manufacturing (tortilleria) in a CG district. Approved unanimously as a light‑touch use with few employees and trucks. - BOA‑24100 – 1547 South College Avenue (Harold & Kim Voss): Three requests for an ADU and garage rebuild: - Special Exception for ADU: Approved unanimously. - Variance for ADU height (18 ft to 22 ft): Approved unanimously. Hardship: matching the roof pitch of the existing house. - Variance for street‑facing garage door setback (20 ft to 12 ft 2 in): Approved unanimously. Hardship: non‑conforming location of existing garage on a non‑conforming corner lot. - BOA‑24101 – 4450 South 70th East Avenue (Stokes Capital Investments): Special exception for large indoor assembly (gymnasium/fitness center, 250 capacity) in an IL district. Approved unanimously, deemed harmonious with nearby similar uses. - BOA‑24102 – 56 North Victor Avenue (Milton Monzon): Special exception to permit a duplex and variance to reduce open space per unit (5,000 sq ft to 4,327 sq ft) in an RS‑4 district. Both approved unanimously. Hardship for variance: home built prior to modern zoning code; the existing building was discovered to have been converted without prior approval, but the current owner did not create the condition. - BOA‑24103 – 4010 Park Road (Oklahoma Harm Reduction Alliance): Special exception for temporary use: Haunted Trail Ride in October 2026 (Thursdays through Saturdays, 6 pm–10 pm). Approved unanimously subject to conditions volunteered by the applicant (page 10.5 of the packet). - BOA‑24104 – 4020 West Edison Street North (RCJ Designs): Special exception to permit four detached houses in a CS district as part of a 14‑lot single‑family subdivision on a parcel previously proposed for an RV park. Approved unanimously after discussion acknowledging community concerns and the developer’s commitment to transparent communication. Key Outcomes - Minutes of Meeting 1390: Continued to October 13, 2026. - BOA‑24093 (22nd Place): Variance approved (4‑1). - BOA‑24096 (Urbana Avenue): One special exception approved, one denied (unanimous), one variance approved (3‑2). - BOA‑24097 (Mohawk Blvd): Denied unanimously. - BOA‑24098 (Harvard Ave): Approved unanimously. - BOA‑24099 (11th St): Approved unanimously. - BOA‑24100 (College Ave): All three requests approved unanimously. - BOA‑24101 (70th East Ave): Approved unanimously. - BOA‑24102 (Victor Ave): Both requests approved unanimously. - BOA‑24103 (Park Road): Approved unanimously with applicant’s conditions. - BOA‑24104 (Edison St): Approved unanimously. Next steps: Successful applicants must submit the case report with permit applications. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:20 p.m.

The Human Rights Commission of the City of Tulsa held its regular meeting on September 21, 2026, chaired by Drew France. The meeting focused on approving prior minutes, receiving committee reports, reviewing progress on two major goals (complaint process improvement and geographic representation on city boards), and discussing updates to the commission's action plan. Several committee updates were provided, and three new commissioners were introduced. Consent Calendar - The August 26 regular meeting minutes were approved by voice vote with no discussion or corrections. Discussion Items - Chair & Vice Chair Reports: Chair France recognized Commissioner Eller Murray for her Lemonade Project feature in the Tulsa World. The Humanitarian of the Year selection committee identified a 2026 honoree (Aliyah Shimmy), with the award ceremony scheduled for December 10 at 6 p.m. Vice Chair Rogers was welcomed back after a car accident. - Goal 1 – Complaint Process Access: Commissioner Eller Murray presented peer city research on complaint filing numbers. Commissioner Barros suggested integrating language access improvements into the revamped complaint process. Discussion included using language lines and technology (e.g., Google Translate) to remove barriers. City staff (Le Kendra) updated that an online complaint system is in development, with a sandbox demo available soon for the compliance committee; user testing with diverse community members was discussed. - Goal 2 – Geographic Representation on ABCs: Chair France reported that data on board/commission demographics has been collected and presented to the city council. Next steps include better advertising open positions, attending town halls, and tracking progress. Commissioner suggested obtaining a refreshed data set to measure change. - Review of HRC Goals & Action Plan: Chair France led a discussion on revisiting the April 2025 goals document. Commissioners agreed that significant progress has been made on Goal 1 (assessment and process improvement) and Goal 2 (data collection). Ideas for new goals included language access work and using the Equality Indicators report to guide future inquiries. Commissioner Meadows provided an update on the new Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, noting that ADA parking lot issues at City Hall were fixed within two weeks after being raised. - Committee Updates: - Fair Housing: Working with Life Senior Services on a 55+ housing summit (fall or spring). - Humanitarian of the Year: Aliyah Shimmy (CEO, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries) selected as 2026 honoree; ceremony December 10. - Compassionate Tulsa: Hosted first compassion cafe fundraiser for She Brews Coffee. - 2SLGBTQIA+: Tulsa Pride on October 17; subcommittees on community engagement and policy; planning a community survey with OSU research lab. - Veterans: Commissioner Starks reported on grassroots efforts that helped block the Take Care of American Veterans Act and advanced the Major Richard Star Act. - African American Affairs: Rudisill Regional Library opens October 3. - New Commissioners: Introduced Marcia Bruno Todd (Women’s Commission), V. Centers (Asian Affairs Commission), and Amy Aisa (Hispanic/Latinx Commission). - Announcements: Native American Day event October 12 at Dreamkeepers Park; national Witcher tennis camp for people with disabilities October 16–18; city council passed a resolution to create a landlord-tenant representation program. Key Outcomes - The August 26 minutes were approved unanimously. - The commission will update its goals and action plan at the next meeting, incorporating language access and possibly new objectives based on Equality Indicators. - The complaint process overhaul is progressing; a sandbox demo will be shown to the compliance committee soon, with a public rollout expected by end of 2026 pending further testing. - The Accessibility and Inclusion Committee is actively recruiting members. - The Humanitarian of the Year award ceremony is confirmed for December 10. - The meeting was adjourned by voice vote.