City Council Recap | April 2, 2025
- Tulsa City Council
- Apr 25
- 7 min read
The City Council met on April 2, 2025, for committee meetings and a regular meeting.
Below are the highlights of Council discussion and action items.
Urban & Economic Development Committee Meeting | 10:30am
Discussion Regarding Proposed Amendment to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Major Street & Highway Plan
Councilors discussed a proposed amendment to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Major Street & Highway Plan (MSHP) under the Tulsa Comprehensive Plan. The MSHP, which was last amended in 2018, provides a hierarchical street classification based on street width. The purpose of the plan is to identify roadways based on functional classification, which determines the widths of rights-of-way and number of traffic lanes.
The INCOG Transportation Technical Advisory Committee and INCOG Policy Committee proposed these amendments to the Major Street & Highway Plan. The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC) approved the amendments in March 2025 and recommended the City Council approve the resolution.
The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regular meeting on April 16.
Watch the discussion here
View the proposal here
Presentation & Updates from the Tulsa Regional Chamber on Current Activities
The Tulsa Regional Chamber presented updates to the Councilors regarding Economic Development, Tourism, and Legislative Advocacy activities.
Tourism Update
Representatives from the Chamber and other Route 66 destinations, with Brand USA, traveled to Europe on "The Great USA Road Trip Europe" to promote and encourage tourism of Route 66 ahead of its centennial celebration. The tour featured stops in Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany joined by journalists and industry professionals, including tour operators and travel agencies. Their next tour took them to Washington D.C. for "Destination Capitol Hill" with the U.S. Travel Association. This advocacy event included congressional meetings with a focus on ensuring federal policies are supportive of tourism.
Economic Development Update
The Chamber's Economic Development team focuses on three areas: company growth, supporting companies with workforce talent and promoting the Tulsa region in partnership with economic development.
The team highlighted its work encouraging the growth of Lufthansa Technik, and new company recruitments such as Agile Space and Sixt USA. Both recruitments hope to bring hundreds of jobs and spur further economic growth and outside company interest in Tulsa. To encourage future career advancements and workforce development, the Economic Development team provides programs for students to job shadow and learn more about prospective jobs in Tulsa. One program, Tulsa's NextGEN Talent program, pairs college-bound Black high school students with local companies to explore opportunities and experiential learning. So far, 120 applicants have applied for the program. Currently, the team is partnering with Tulsa Public Schools to help college-bound seniors with the resources they need to be successful. They are looking at other school districts, such as Union and Jenks, to expand the partnership. The team is also working with international site location consultants to recruit companies to Tulsa through marketing and promotion of Route 66.
Legislative Advocacy Update
The Chamber reported that many of their key legislative priorities are still being considered. This includes the Childcare Tax Credit, the exception for sprinkler systems in childcare homes, extending the sunset date for the Quality Events Act which will continue providing incentives to attract events and provide a positive economic impact, and removing the expiration date for the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission.
Watch the discussion here
Learn more about the Tulsa Regional Chamber's efforts here
Presentation by City Staff Regarding Proposed Implementation of Improve Our Tulsa 3 Housing Funds
Councilors held the first of multiple discussions regarding housing funds from the voter-approved Improve Our Tulsa 3 (IOT3) program to prepare for implementation. Today’s discussion featured an overview of the City’s past programs, studies and initiatives related to housing and key points for implementation.
A timeline of events was presented:
January 2023 – Mayor/Council Housing, Homeless and Mental Health (3H) Task Force convened to understand the needs of the community in addressing homelessness at the intersection of housing and mental health and create a strategy for the City to move toward solutions.
March 2023 – Citywide Housing Assessment released to identify the scope of housing shortage and cost of meeting the need for housing. The housing need was identified as 12,900 units over the next ten years and an investment cost of $370 million over the same period. Watch a presentation of the assessment here.
August 2023 – Improve Our Tulsa 3 (IOT3) sales tax program was passed by voters including $75 million for housing initiatives. The sales tax ordinance required the funding be allocated to implement a plan adopted by Resolution after recommendations from the 3H Task Force.
April 2024 – The City’s Path to Home initiative was launched including four goals and 33 action steps from the 3H Task Force to address community needs.
April 2024 – The Tulsa Housing Strategy was released which describes how Tulsa can meet the demand for 12,900 units described in the 2023 Citywide Housing Assessment. Watch a presentation on the housing strategy here.
November 2024 – The City Council passed the Resolution containing overarching principles that will guide allocation and appropriation of the IOT3 housing funds. It also defined five programming areas for fund allocations including grant funds, investment funds, acquisition funds, infrastructure, and funds for preservation and rehabilitation.
Finally, guiding principles for how the funds should be spent were discussed with an overview of funding programs, goals and targets.
The next discussion will feature a presentation and overview of sample practices for administering Improve Our Tulsa 3 (IOT3) housing funds, including a presentation on how cities identified in the Housing Strategy administered loan, grant and other housing incentive funds. The next discussion is scheduled for a committee meeting on April 16.
Watch the discussion here
View the presentation here
Budget & Special Projects Committee Meeting | 1:00pm
Discussion with City Departments Regarding the Status of Capital Program Implementation
Councilors discussed updates on current capital improvement projects with City departments. Updates are important because the budget process includes the annual appropriation of funds to carry out capital projects. Councilors must also consider the future operational costs of those capital projects.
The new City Architectural Building Services (CABS) group provided an update on parks and building projects. The City’s Public Works Department gave updates on road projects. Highlights include:
PARKS
A third of Citywide tennis court rehabilitation is complete
The second round will include about 20 more courts
Every court in the park system is scheduled to be converted or resurfaced by 2026
About 20 full playgrounds have been replaced
Another 20 playground improvements are underway with more in design
ANIMALS
The Animal Shelter expansion project closed bids for developers in February and the City is in the process of awarding a bid in the coming weeks
The Tulsa Zoo Carnivores and African Wilds project bid opened at the end of February, a contractor was selected and construction on the exhibit will begin soon
The Tulsa Zoo Elephant Encounter ribbon cutting was held in April and features an extensive renovation of the existing elephant interpretive center, outdoor spaces and barn
ROADS
Public Works has 350 ongoing projects using funds from three Improve Our Tulsa (IOT) packages
Last year, Public Works cleared about $270 million of construction projects
There are currently about 58 projects that will begin after utilities are completed
About $30 million in utility relocations have been cleared to date this year
OTHER PROJECTS
The Gilcrease Museum is approximately 93% built and is slated to be finished in September
The exhibits will be completed next year with a prospective opening date in early 2027
Three projects on Riverside Drive at Crybaby Hill are on hold to work out further details.
Watch the discussion here
View the Department project status reports here
See a map of road projects here
Updates & Council Discussion Regarding the Residential Care Center
Councilors discussed updates regarding the proposed Residential Care Center located on Mohawk Park Drive and East 39th Street. The City will submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the next five to ten days for a nonprofit organization to run the operations of the care center.
The Residential Care Center will be a referral-based facility with individual units and will serve as a temporary, transitional facility to help those experiencing homelessness attain permanent housing. The facility will include 59 units, with some dedicated for families, offer medical/mental health services, and have 24/7 staff and security.
The Board of Adjustment approved the special exception last September for the building to be classified as a transitional living facility, which places a cap of 120 days for an individual to stay for treatment. The Residential Care Center is still under construction and is scheduled to open operations late this summer.
Watch the discussion here
View the presentation here
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
CANCELED
Tulsa City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Vote on Proposed $500M in Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust Revenue Bonds Regarding the American Airlines, Inc. Project
The City Council approved the issuance of $500 million in Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust Revenue Bonds for American Airlines to rehabilitate its maintenance facilities and continue technical operations in Tulsa.
The technical operations facility is responsible for heavy maintenance such as aircraft overhaul and modification, engine repair and overhaul and component repair and overhaul. The facility also includes a brake and wheel center and handles engineering, supply chains, quality control, and training.
American Airlines moved its maintenance operation to Tulsa from LaGuardia in 1946 and is now the world’s largest commercial aviation maintenance facility.
The funds will support critical infrastructure upgrades to three hangers and improve conditions to perform aircraft maintenance performance.
Watch the committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on HUD Grant Recommendations for Project Year 2026
The City Council voted to approve the funding recommendations from the HUD Community Development Committee for Program Year 2026. The funding programs include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Funds.
Watch the vote here
Watch the committee discussion here
Watch the HUD discussion here
View the project proposals here
Monthly Status Update from the Sales Tax Overview Committee
The Sales Tax Overview Committee gave a monthly status update on current projects and priorities in the city. Some of the updates include the projected opening of the Chamberlain Park pool this summer, the near completion of facilities at McClure Park, ongoing street widening projects, and Route 66 art projects.
Watch the presentation here
View the STOC Reports here
Vote on the Green Waste Disposal Fee Amendment for Non-Residents & Commercial Customers
The City Council voted to approve a rate increase for Green Waste Disposal for non-residents and commercial customers from $2.64 per cubic yard to $5.28 per cubic yard. The increase is to cover the actual cost of the service.
The Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE) is implementing this increase in two tiers, this is the second tier. Customers can still take home free mulch from the site.
Watch the committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on the Closure of a Portion of a Public Way Located at 9907 S. 100th E. Pl.
The City Council voted to approve the closure of a portion of a public way located at 9907 S. 100th E. Pl. for an existing retaining wall. A public hearing was held per City Ordinance at the 5pm regular meeting on March 26. There were no speakers on this item. The request to close a portion of the right of way has been reviewed by City staff and representatives of various commissions, authorities, and private utilities with no objections.
View the proposal here