City Council Recap | March 5, 2025
- Tulsa City Council
- Mar 26
- 6 min read
The City Council met on March 5, 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
Presentation by Council Staff & Mayor's Office on the Summary Report from the Mayor/Council Budget Retreat
City Councilors and Mayor Nichols discussed the main priorities established during the 2025 Mayor/Council Budget Retreat in January and highlighted key areas they would like to include in the budget.
Each year, the Mayor and City Council hold a budget retreat to discuss projects from the previous budget that are still ongoing and new initiatives to consider for the next fiscal year budget. After the priorities have been listed, the Mayor’s Office drafts a budget and presents it to the City Council. The Council holds special budget committee meetings on Wednesdays to discuss and amend the proposed budget. Public hearings are held during regular meetings to receive public feedback before the Council makes a final vote.
The main budget priorities for the upcoming budget are:
Homelessness: Ensure Every Tulsan Has a Safe and Sustainable Home
Public Safety: Make Tulsa the Safest Big City in America
Economic Development: Make it Easy, Affordable and Enjoyable to do Business in Tulsa
Children, Youth, & Families: Put 15,000 More Tulsa Children on a Pathway to Economic Mobility
Within each priority, Council and Mayor Staff proposed possible implementation plans based on needs within the City and available resources.
Watch the discussion here
View the Mayor/Council priorities here
Watch the Budget Retreat video here
Learn more about the budget and important dates here
View the current Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget here
Discussion on Budget Impacts of the Proposed Department Reorganization
Councilors and Mayor Nichols discussed the timeline and possible impacts of the proposed department reorganization. The discussion was requested by Councilor Bellis to help inform citizens on how the change aligns with mayoral goals and mayor/council budget retreat goals.
The proposed restructuring will be presented as an executive order from Mayor Nichols and must go to Council for the final vote, requiring a majority vote from the full Council to approve or deny the item.
Watch the discussion here
View supporting material here
Discussion on Proposed Budget Amendment Regarding the Office of Children, Youth, & Families
This follow up discussion included the Finance Department to clarify what sources of funding would be used for the proposed allocation of $115,000 to the Office of Children, Youth, and Families. The Finance Department reported one-time vacancy funds left over at the end of this fiscal year would provide the funding for the program. Funds for future fiscal years will need to be identified in the budget process.
In February, Mayor Nichols announced the establishment of the Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth, and Families (MOCYF). This office will be the first of its kind and serve as a collaborative hub for improving outcomes for children and families in Tulsa. It’s goal is to place 15,000 additional children on a path to economic mobility by 2030.
MOCYF is anticipated to be led by a local nonprofit, ImpactTulsa, under the direction of the Deputy Mayor. MOCYF will be responsible for implementing programs, policies, and other initiatives to achieve its goal.
The Council voted to approve the budget amendment at the 5pm regular meeting.
Watch the discussion here
Watch the February Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Learn more about MOCYF here
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
Discussion on Proposed Authorization of $39.885 Million in TMUA Revenue Bonds for Capital Improvement Projects
Councilors discussed a proposed TMUA Revenue Bonds sale of $39.885 million to be used in Capital Improvement projects.
The funding will be split into two series for 2025:
Series A: $18.595 million to be used for water transmission and distribution to cover the citywide Automated Meter Reading (AMR) meter replacement project as part of the TrueReads program. This will also include service line material inspections and replacement of meter boxes.
Series B: $21.290 million to be used for sewer capital projects:
Northside Wastewater Treatment Plan digester lid repair
71st Street Dewatering Facility & 81st Street access for heavy trucks to enter and exit the facility
Crow Creek Rehab & Relief
Phase 3 of project aiming to provide sewer service to unserved areas in the Spunky Creek Basin
Sewer system rehabilitation as part of the City of Tulsa SSO mitigation plan to prevent new, and remediate persistent, sanitary sewer overflows
Condition assessment of force mains based on highest to lowest risk score
The TMUA authorized the sale and authorization of the bonds, which is scheduled for March 25 and close on April 9. The Council voted to approve the item at the 5pm regular meeting.
Watch the discussion here
View the proposal and list of projects here
Discussion with City Administration & Housing Solutions Regarding Winter Shelter Operations 2024-2025
Councilors discussed the summary report from the winter shelter operations for the extreme cold storms in January and February, including a summary of operations and individuals served.
The report shows that during the extreme cold weather from January 5-11, emergency shelters served over 1,300, more than double their general capacity. Two additional shelters were opened; Tulsa Dream Center's West Campus and One Hope Tulsa - Rose Bowl. Over 200 volunteers donated their time provided thousands of meals, healthcare services, and veterinary services.
During the storm from February 17-22, emergency shelters served over 1,400 people and included the opening of the two additional shelters. A total of 176 volunteers from 36 agencies helped to provide more than 6,700 meals, healthcare services, and veterinary services.
The City of Tulsa worked closely with Houing Solutions, lead agency for A Way Home for Tulsa (AWH4T) and accredits the quick response and life-saving efforts to their partners such as first responders and nonprofit organizations including shelter and food providers.
Watch the discussion here
Presentation & Updates by the Pre-Hospital Community Healthcare Working Group
Council members of the Pre-Hospital Community Healthcare Working Group provided an overview of its work and updates on projects.
The working group consists of Councilors Hall-Harper, Gilbert, Bengel, and Decter Wright, and representatives from Tulsa Fire, Tulsa Police/911, and EMSA. It was established in 2022 for the purpose of analyzing the timeframe when a 9-1-1 call is placed to when a person arrives at a hospital to see what works and what needs improvement.
Some of the accomplishments included the increase in the Tulsa Fire Department's budget for new and updated medical supplies, planning for a consultant to analyze the pre-hospital system and make recommendations, and the addition of two new positions at 9-1-1 headquarters to support fire dispatch services.
Watch the discussion here
Tulsa City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Second Public Hearing Regarding the Municipal Employees' Retirement Plan
The Council held the second round of public hearings regarding the proposed amendments to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement Plan.
There were no speakers on this item. The Council is scheduled to vote on this amendment at the 5pm regular meeting on March 12.
View the proposal here
Sales Tax Overview Committee Monthly Status Update
Councilors heard updates on current projects from the Sales Tax Overview Committee (STOC), including the continuing improvements of Zink Dam coming in on budget, the near completion of the additional 6 miles of the Sanctuary Trails and two additional parking lots at Turkey Mountain, updates to trail maintenance, and the new Tulsa Zoo Carnivore’s Habitat.
Watch the discussion here
View the STOC report here
Vote on Allocation of $1.99 Million in Grant Revenues to the Community-Based Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiatives Program
The Council voted to approve the allocation of $1.99 million in grant revenues received by the Department of Justice to fund the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiatives Program.
The grant is intended to prevent and reduce violent crime in communities by collaborating with residents, local government agencies, victim service providers, community-based organizations, law enforcement, hospitals, researchers, and other community stakeholders. Tulsa Community Violence Intervention (CVI) also plans to implement strategies to strengthen the environments of specific neighborhoods affected by violent crimes by creating a network of positive social and physical conditions, community resources, and economic opportunities.
Watch the Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on Council Initiation for Proposed Zoning Code Amendment Regarding Roof Signs in the Central Business District
Councilors voted to initiation an amendment to the Tulsa Zoning Code regarding roof signs.
The rooftop signage amendment would allow rooftops signs in the Central Business District (CBD) in District 4. Currently, roof signs are only allowed in two areas: the Route 66 Overlay and the Downtown Entertainment District. Requests for roof signs outside of these areas currently require variances that are approved by the Board of Adjustment. Roof signs have become a more desirable feature in the Central Business District.
Next, the Planning Office will begin drafting an amendment to the zoning code and present it for a vote at a Planning Commission (TMAPC) meeting before being brought back to Council for a final vote.
Watch the Rooftop Signs discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on Council Initiation for Proposed Zoning Code Amendment to Add Provisions for Farmers Markets
Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper proposed the amendment following a request in 2024 by the Tulsa City-County Health Department to define farmers markets as a use in the zoning code and provide clear guidance to the community wishing to operate farmers markets in Tulsa.
Currently, the zoning code recognizes farmers markets as temporary uses that require permits yearly with limitations. The goal is to remove ambiguity in the zoning code and to permit and facilitate farmers markets as part of the Tulsa Comprehensive Plan to provide alternative options for fresh and healthy foods.
The next step is for the Planning Office to draft a recommendation to the Comprehensive Plan and present it at a Planning Commission (TMAPC) meeting for a vote. If approved, the item will come back to City Council during a regular meeting for a final vote.
Watch the Farmers Markets discussion here
View the proposal here
