City Council Recap | May 15, 2024
- Tulsa City Council
- May 17, 2024
- 1 min read
The City Council met on May 15, 2024, for committee meetings and a City Council meeting.
Below are the highlights of Council discussion and action items.
Urban & Economic Development Committee Meeting | 10:30am
Proposed Standards for Route 66 Roadside Attractions
Councilors discussed a proposed Ordinance that would amend the zoning code for the Route 66 Overlay to establish provisions for roadside attractions.
The Overlay was adopted by City Council in 2018 and applied to all portions of Route 66 with the exception of downtown. Since then, Route 66 was enhanced with new neon signage and new businesses. The current zoning code does not address roadside attractions and typically sign standards are applied to these structures. Since roadside attractions differ from traditional signage, the proposed amendments would establish criteria and a process for roadside attractions within the Route 66 Overlay.
The Ordinance will be voted on at the 5pm Council Meeting on May 22.
View the Roadside Attraction presentation here
Route 66 Commission
Councilors discussed legislation that would add the Route 66 Commission to local ordinances as its own entity to ensure its continuance.
The purpose of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission will be to advise the Mayor and Council on effective strategies to leverage tourism for economic development along the route, develop a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to promote the road, create awareness on the history, cultural importance, economic value, attractions, and business opportunities along historic Route 66, and advise on public efforts to maintain, redevelop, beautify and enhance it as an economic development engine for the City of Tulsa.
The proposed Ordinance is in response to the exponential growth of the duties of the Commission and programs involving Route 66.
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
Main Street Programs
Councilors discussed four proposed Resolutions supporting four Tulsa districts to be a part of the 2024-2025 Oklahoma Main Street Center with the goal of revitalizing these districts.
The Districts include:
Historic Greenwood District Main Street, Inc.
Kendall Whittier Main Street, Inc.
East Tulsa Main Street, Inc.
Tulsa Route 66 Main Street, Inc.
The Oklahoma Main Street Center was established in the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to assist small towns and cities to develop a public/private effort to revitalize their “Main Street” areas. The inclusion of the Historic Greenwood District, Kendall Whittier District, Tulsa Global District, and Route 66 District will continue to help in the effort of historic and economic preservation.
This item included a report on the accomplishments and highlights of each Main Street Program throughout the past year.
The items will be voted on at the 5pm City Council Meeting on May 22.
View the presentation here
EMSA Semiannual Report on Current Operations
Representatives from Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) provided updates on current operations and operating budget. EMSA also presented their future plans to further patient care including whole blood administration in the field and potential updates to mental health dispatching protocol.
View the presentation here
City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Revised Pedestrian Obstruction Ordinance
The City Council voted to approve an amended Ordinance prohibiting obstruction of any street, alley, crosswalk, driveway or trail used for the passage of pedestrians and establishing a penalty and affirmative defense.
At a Committee Meeting on May 1, Councilors Cue, Decter Wright, and Lakin gave a presentation on amending a Tulsa Ordinance prohibiting obstruction for the passage of pedestrians. The amendment would specify unpermitted obstructions in public rights-of-way, whether caused by signage, trash and debris, equipment, vehicles, individuals, or anything else, can interfere with the public’s use and enjoyment of the public’s rights-of-way. The penalty for violating this ordinance would stay a maximum of $100 plus costs, no jail time.
View the Committee discussion here
View the vote here
Zink Lake Infrastructure Funds
The City Council voted to approve the allocation of funds within the Long Range Capital Projects Fund to go toward Zink Lake amenities and infrastructure.
The funds would be used to improve parking spaces, create a boat ramp, improve ADA accessibility, and incorporate public art.
The City of Tulsa released a Water Quality Dashboard where the public has free access to updated results on water testing in the river.
View the Dashboard here
View the Committee discussion here
Hearing of Appeals- Nuisance Abatement
The Hearing of Appeals case regarding Stephen Buford of Quapaw Investments contesting the decision of the Nuisance Abatement Officer declaring six properties to be a public nuisance and should be abated has been moved to the 5pm City Council Meeting on June 12.
View the February 7 appeals hearing here
Proclamations
Emergency Medical Services Week
The Tulsa City Council presented a proclamation to EMSA declaring the week of May 19-May 25 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
EMSA is Oklahoma’s largest provider of pre-hospital emergency medical care, serving all citizens of the City of Tulsa since 1977. They produce more than $90 million dollars annually in economic impact to the Tulsa area and the total operations across Oklahoma make it the 12th largest EMS System in the United States.
EMSA employs more than 300 Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and support staff in Tulsa. The men and women of EMSA reduce pain and suffering by providing superior and compassionate service to those in need.
EMSA’s highly trained emergency medical professionals answer the call to duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They play a critical role in trauma system management, continuing healthcare provider education, community preparedness, and disaster and pandemic response initiatives.
EMSA is an international leader in cost efficiency, clinical quality, and technology utilization and development – serving as an example for EMS systems in the United States and around the world.
View the presentation here
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
The Tulsa City Council presented a proclamation to ABATE of Tulsa declaring the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
The City of Tulsa is well-known by motorcycle enthusiasts due to the surrounding rolling hills and the popularity of riding the historic Route 66. Safety on the road is of the utmost importance for all motorists and it is vital that all motorists are aware of everyone they share the road with, especially motorcycles.
The month of May is dedicated to increasing awareness of safety on the road in an effort to prevent motorcycle crashes and fatalities. These awareness campaigns have helped inform riders and motorists alike of motorcycle safety issues to reduce motorcycle related risks, injuries, and fatalities, through a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety.
The City of Tulsa continues to encourage motorists to enjoy riding in our city, as well as give riders and motorists mutual respect to make our streets and highways safe for everyone.
View the presentation here
