City Council Recap | February 2024

Tulsa City Council
Mar 6, 2024
1 min read

Updated: Mar 15, 2024

The City Council met on February 7, 21, and 28 for committee and Council meetings.

Below are highlights of Council discussion and action items.

| FEBRUARY 7

Beyond Apology Report Presentation

Representatives from Standpipe Hill Strategies and the Public Work Project at OSU-Tulsa presented the Beyond Apology Report to the Council.

The report stems in part from a Council resolution passed in June 2021 to establish a community-led process to evaluate the recommendations for reconciliation made in the State of Oklahoma’s Commission to Study the 1921 Race Riot report from 2001 and create short- and long-term recommendations to make significant progress toward restoring economic mobility, prosperity, and generational wealth for the 1921 Race Massacre survivors, their descendants, and residents of North Tulsa.

-View the presentation of the Beyond Apology report to the City Council here.

-Read the presentation here.

Tulsa Regional Chamber Presentation

The Tulsa Regional Chamber presented updates on Economic Development, Tourism, and Legislative Advocacy activities to the Council.

A highlight was the Tulsa Regional Tourism quarterly statement showing that the city is on pace to beat its record-setting numbers from last year.

-View the full presentation here.

District & Heritage Sign Program

The Community Development group from the City’s Department of City Experience presented on the launch of the District & Heritage Sign Program. This program is for destination districts, commercial corridors, and for organizations and groups to commemorate areas within the city with historic and/or cultural significance.

It aims to increase placemaking efforts in destination districts and commercial corridors, honor unique history and culture, help with wayfinding for locals and visitors alike, and enhance Tulsans’ attachment to their community.

-More information on the program is available here.

-View the presentation here.

Sales Tax Overview Committee Report

Update on the status of voter-approved capital projects from the Sales Tax Overview Committee.

-View the full report here.

-Watch the video presentation of the report here.

| FEBRUARY 21

Code Enforcement Multi‐Family Housing Program Presentation and Update

The Code Enforcement Team presented an update on the Multi-Family Housing Program to the Council. The program, developed by the City Council Habitability Working Group, aims to ensure safe and healthy living environments for residents of rental units.Code Enforcement has conducted over 600 investigations in the last six months and issued several health and safety violation notices. Their goal is to improve data-collecting and community education to aid compliance.

-Any resident experiencing unsafe living conditions in rental units can contact 311: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/connect/contact-the-city/

-Watch the presentation here.

-Read the report here.

| FEBRUARY 28

Crutchfield Neighborhood Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Project Update

Councilor Hall-Harper and Partner Tulsa gave an update and held a discussion on the Crutchfield Tax Increment Finance (TIF) project. The goal is to revitalize the area and attract more residents and businesses while improving connectivity to neighboring areas. Another update will be presented in 30 days at a committee meeting.

City Charter Amendments: Elected Officials’ Salary

Councilors discussed submitting a possible City Charter amendment to the voters to adjust the salaries for elected officials. The Councilors discussed various approaches to salary adjustments including estimations based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. This tool allows for cost-of-living adjustments such as the increased cost of food or housing.

The goals of these proposed changes are to:

Ensure access to elected office and representation reflects the community by adjusting for cost-of-living changes
Align more appropriately with other City employees and reflect the required skill set for some positions (For example, the City Auditor is required to be a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor)
Establish a process for regular adjustments based on the economy
Propose retirement options for elected officials

Charter amendments are required to adjust the salaries of the City Auditor and City Councilors, while the Council adjusts the Mayor’s salary through ordinance.

This agenda item, once finalized, will be brought to a Regular City Council Meeting on March 6 at 5 p.m. where it will be voted on to submit to the Legal Department for drafting ballot language.

-View the discussion here.

Mayor/Council Budget Retreat Debriefing

Councilors reviewed items discussed at the Mayor/Council Budget Retreat in January. The goal of January's retreat was to focus on strategic plans and priorities for Tulsa to be included in the FY24/25 Budget.

The Mayor will present the Budget to the Council on April 17. Visit tulsacouncil.org/budget for more information and important dates.

-View the presentation here.

Illegal Immigration Ordinance Discussion

Discussion continued on an ordinance drafted by Councilor Fowler titled “Use of City Funds to House, Accommodate, or Benefit Illegal Immigrants.” The stated purpose of this draft ordinance is “to ensure that City Funds are not used to house, accommodate, or benefit Illegal Immigrants. This ordinance aims to uphold federal laws and regulations regarding immigration while safeguarding the prudent use of taxpayer money, except where is required by the Federal Constitution.”

Councilors had many questions about how the proposed ordinance would be implemented and a robust discussion ensued. Councilor Fowler stated he would look at engaging the community before bringing the proposed ordinance back to the Council for more discussion. No action was taken on this item.

-View the Feb. 28 discussion here.

-View the Feb. 21 discussion here.

Tulsa Association of Pioneers Monument Discussion

Councilor Miller introduced discussion of the Tulsa Association of Pioneers Monument in Owen Park. Parks Director Anna America was present to provide background information on the monument. Director America also suggested the Council look into developing policy around monuments and naming recognitions. No action was taken on this item.

-View the discussion here.

Nightclub Nuisance

The City Attorney’s Office requested that the City Council pass a resolution declaring the noise and vibrations from the Rodeo Nightclub to be a nuisance, declaring it impractical for the City to summarily abate the nuisance, and expressing the Council's support for a lawsuit against the responsible parties for the purpose of abating the nuisance. Councilors approved the resolution.

| OTHER NEWS

Saving Our Homes Initiative (SOHI)

Councilors Vanessa Hall-Harper, Jeannie Cue, and Crista Patrick joined Tulsa Economic Development Corporation CEO Rose Washington to announce a program aimed at helping Tulsans at risk of losing their homes to tax debt.

Eligible low-income households can receive assistance of up to $4,000 for clearing home titles or paying back property taxes. To qualify for SOHI, applicants must reside in a Qualified Census Tract as defined by HUD, make less than 60% of Area Median Income, or reside in an area where over 25% of intended beneficiaries fall below the federal poverty line.

-Watch the press conference here.

-Learn more about the program here.

American Waste Control Proclamation

Councilors Jeannie Cue, Christian Bengel, and Laura Bellis visited American Waste Control in District 2 to present proclamations to Kenny Burkett and Paul Ross for their ongoing support of the Tulsa Christmas Parade. Their dedication contributed to making last year's parade a great success.

East Tulsa Business Incubator

Councilor Christian Bengel joined the launch of the East Tulsa Incubator which aims to boost entrepreneurship and create economic opportunities in the Tulsa Global District.

-More information: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/tulsa-launches-east-tulsa-incubator-to-boost-entrepreneurship-in-tulsa-global-district/

Wildfire Season Awareness

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been issued around Oklahoma. Here are some helpful measures you can take to prevent potential wildfires.