City Council Recap | June 5, 2024

The City Council met on June 5, 2024, for committee meetings and a City Council meeting.

Below are the highlights of Council discussion and action items.  

Budget & Special Projects Committee Meeting | 1:00pm

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City Budget and Capital Plan Discussion

Councilors held a discussion to review and make technical changes to the proposed City of Tulsa Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and Capital Plan. The changes supplement the addition of new positions and operational support to various departments, such as Animal Welfare, Code Enforcement, and Tulsa Fire Department.

The item was up for a public hearing and first reading at the 5pm Regular Council meeting. It will be up for Second Reading and voted on the next Council meeting on June 12.

View the technical changes here

Watch the Committee meeting here

Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm

Zink Lake Water Quality Concerns

This item has been rescheduled to another Committee meeting. Councilors will discuss with representatives from the Arkansas River Rights Coalition (ARRC) and Tulsa Area Arkansas River Advocates (TAARA) regarding concerns about the safety of Zink Lake and the Arkansas River.

City Council Meeting | 5:00pm

Public Hearing for Increased Assessments within Tulsa Stadium Improvement District No. 1

Councilors received comments from the public regarding a proposed Ordinance approving the increased assessments for parcels within the Tulsa Stadium Improvement District No. 1. The request for increased assessments of parcels of land result from changes in square footage and a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 3.4% to the service portion. The increases in square footage result from change in county data or a change in exemption status.

The Council voted to approve the Ordinance with the Emergency Clause to ensure compliance with the July 1 invoicing deadline.

Watch the public hearing here

Public Hearing for Proposed FY 24-25 Budget and Capital Plan

Councilors received comments from the public regarding the proposed City of Tulsa Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and Capital Plan. During the Council Budget & Special Projects Committee, Councilors discussed technical changes to the budget to accommodate new positions and operating costs in some departments.

The item will be back for Second Reading before being voted on at the next Council meeting on June 12.

Watch the public hearing here

Monthly Status Report from the Sales Tax Overview Committee

Councilors received a monthly status report from the Sales Tax Overview Committee on current activities and efforts. Here are the status updates on current and completed projects:

• The new Zink Lake and Williams Crossing pedestrian bridge are still slated to open Labor Day Weekend. The final details are being adjusted and monitored.

• Airport Infrastructure:

  • Spirit’s 16-inch tilted disc was delivered and installation was scheduled for the third week of May. With two weeks of installation time, the project is nearing completion.

  • American Airlines final $2,200 bill is being paid off now

• 36th St. N. between Martin Luther King Blvd. and N. Peoria is in its final phase of landscaping.

• Langston’s Healthcare Profession Complex project is expecting delivery and installation of replacement wood columns the week of June 10.

• The BMX final plat has been filed at the courthouse.

• Public Schools Safety First Initiative will be ready for the final walkthrough of each site starting in July.

• Updates on Route 66 beautification efforts such as the neon sign grants, project maintenance, and general repairs of vandalism.

• The U.S. Patton & Trademark Office awarded a certificate to the City of Tulsa, officially designating “The Capital of Route 66.”

• Oklahoma Tourism and ODOT created the standard statewide Historic Route 66 marker sign at about 125 locations and replacement Route 66 signs have been installed.

• Sprucing up Avery Plaza is ongoing to replace the original 28 bollards that are in various declining condition or missing. Bids were received in April and were awarded.

• Some repairs will be necessary for the Wayfinding signage at Mingo Rd. and the Interpretive Plaza south of the Mingo intersection will need repairs caused by accidents.

• Contracts for the next round of Vision Arts with Tulsa Art Commission will start after July 1 as the new Fiscal Year starts and funding becomes available for the next round of grants.

• Repairs and maintenance will continue at the municipal courthouse and other departments until the final move to the new Public Safety Center.

Watch the presentation here

Vote on Rezoning Application for a Public Safety Center

Councilors voted to approve a rezoning application for property located at E. 51st St. S. and S. 129th E. Ave. to permit uses for a Public Safety Center in District 7. This application was requested by the City Council and approval was recommended by the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC).

The proposed project would house the police department, fire department, as well as other departments. The Public Safety Center will not be used as a facility for detention and vehicle repair.

Watch the Council vote here

View the Committee presentation here