City Council Recap | March 12, 2025
- Tulsa City Council
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
The City Council met on March 12, 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 Crutchfield TIF District
This item returned to committee discussion to give the City of Tulsa and developers time to reach a solution for future developments. The city and developers reached a consensus to change the boundaries of the proposed Crutchfield Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district to support more affordable housing developments and increase revenue for the project area.
Due to the boundary changes, a new resolution will be drafted and brought to the Council for a vote at the next regular meeting on March 26 at 5pm.
Watch the discussion here
View the proposal here
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
Discussion with Public Works on Abandoned or Unused Facilities in Rights of Way
Councilors held a discussion with Public Works regarding abandoned or unused utility facilities in rights-of-way.
Facilities, per City of Tulsa Ordinance, refers to tangible things such as pipelines, conduits, meters, apparatus, structures and accessories that are partly or entirely located in the rights-of-way for the purpose of transporting, distributing and selling gas within the city for domestic, commercial and industrial use.
If the abandoned or unused facility is located above ground, or above grade, then it is the utility company’s responsibility to remove it. However, facilities located below grade are not required to be removed even if they are no longer in use. The responsibility of locating those facilities prior to digging lies with the property owner or excavator.
8-1-1 is a free national service provided by utility companies to ensure safety. Dial 8-1-1 at least a few days before digging and the local utility company will send locators to mark buried lines with painted lines or flags. Owners should note to avoid digging on, or 18-24” on either side of, the marked line.
Watch the discussion here
Learn more about 8-1-1 here
Discussion with Tulsa Fire Department Regarding Billing Practices for Hazmat Incidents
Councilors and the Tulsa Fire Department discussed billing practices for responding to hazmat situations.
Currently, when ONG is called to a potential gas leak, the Tulsa Fire Department responds to ensure safety. TFD charges $1,800 per hour to cover the cost of hazmat personnel and equipment, regardless of the number of units dispatched to the incident. Per ordinance, TFD determines the responsible party and bills them for the hazmat response unless that party has paid the annual fees-in-lieu as part of the city’s program.
Watch the discussion here
View the City of Tulsa’s Ordinances here
Tulsa City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Final Public Hearing and Vote on the Proposed Tulsa International Airport Development Plan
The final public hearing was held regarding the proposed amendments to the Tulsa International Airport (TIA) Economic Development Project Plan. There were no speakers on this item. Per City ordinance, two public hearings were held to gather public input on the item before coming to a final vote.
TIA seeks to increase their Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts to expand the property at the airport available for economic development opportunities, encouraging more companies to build and contribute growth and jobs in Tulsa. The Economic Development Project Plan consists of joint TIFs between the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County.
The Council voted to approve the item at the regular meeting.
Watch the Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on a Budget Amendment for District 4 Community Development Project - Kendall Whittier Main Street
Councilors voted to approve the budget amendment allocating $50,000 from District 4 Community Development funds for Kendall Whittier Main Street improvements.
In February, Councilor Bellis proposed the project ahead of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 to encourage visitors to tour historic Oklahoma main street neighborhoods.
The revitalization project will include:
Neon striping at Whittier Square
Adding a Route 66 Shield neon sign to Whittier Square
100 district wayfinding signs (50 in English, 50 in Spanish)
Utility box art installations
Whittier Square clock repairs
Streetlight pole banners
Public art installations at the entrance to Kendall Whittier
Open book art installation at the library
In addition to the District 4 funds, the Lesher Family Foundation donated $80,000 and American Heritage Bank contributed $130,000 in employee state payroll taxes for a grand total of $260,000 for the project.
View the Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on Allocating $10 Million in Stormwater Revenue Bonds for Hager Creek Improvement Project
Councilors voted to approve the appropriation of $10 million in Stormwater Revenue Bonds for Hager Creek improvements.
Three million dollars will fund the storm sewer relief line and flood control at Hager Creek. A storm sewer relief line is a component of a flood control system that diverts excess stormwater runoff from a main storm sewer to a separate outlet to prevent flooding during heavy rain events. Seven million dollars will fund the stormwater maintenance building expansion.
Watch the Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on Amendment to the Municipal Employees' Retirement Plan
The Council voted to approve the amendment to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement Plan. Per City ordinance, two public hearings were held at the 5pm regular meetings to hear public input before coming to a final vote.
After months of review by both a subcommittee and staff, the Municipal Employees’ Retirement Plan Board and the Legal Department recommended approval of the amendment.
View the proposal here
