The City Council met on May 17, 2023 for committee meetings and a City Council meeting.
Below are the highlights of Council discussion and information on agenda items that action was taken on.
Council discussed an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022‐2023 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $38.58 from grant revenues to be received from the Department of Justice and to transfer unencumbered and unexpended appropriation balances of $15,535.50 between account groups within the Services for Trafficking Victims SubFund for the 2022 Human Trafficking Grant. This will be voted on at the 5pm meeting on May 24.
Council discussed an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022‐2023 budget to transfer available appropriations of $136,440.00 between account groups within the DNA Backlog reduction SubFund for the 2021 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Project. This will be voted on at the 5pm meeting on May 24.
Council was given resident feedback from the Improve Our Tulsa online Public Comment form. They also discussed several items related to Improve Our Tulsa including requesting the Election Board to conduct a non‐partisan special election on August 8, 2023 in order for citizens to vote on the Improve Our Tulsa project.
Councilors discussed the issue of abandoned shopping carts found throughout the City of Tulsa. This item was sponsored by Councilor Fowler.
Council met with James Wagner, the Director of the new Department of City Experience (DCE), on DCE priorities, department structure, objectives, and budget impact. You can view his presentation and the DCE overview here.
Council met with James Wagner, the Director of the new Department of City Experience, and Sherri Carrier, the Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter Manager, on current Tulsa Animal Welfare activities, efforts, and priorities, including a discussion on past and current budget needs.
Public Works Committee Meeting| 2:30 pm
Councilors met with the Director of the Streets and Stormwater Department and the Refuse and Recycling Systems Manager, on anticipated FY 2023‐2024 trash collection fees and charges. Residential waste collection services rates are expected to increase by 16%. For example, if you currently have a 96-gallon trash can, your current rate is $18.50/month and it will increase to $21.46. You can learn more and view the rate increase table here.
Councilors met with the Directors of the Streets and Stormwater and Engineering Services Departments, regarding the anticipated FY 2023‐2024 stormwater fees and charges. Stormwater rates will increase by 8.5%. Residential customers will see their total monthly stormwater bill increase from $9.80 to $10.63, or $0.03 per day. Streets and Stormwater has 972 miles of storm sewers, 16,194 manholes, 974 miles of roadside ditches, and much more that requires ongoing maintenance. This increase will also help fund nine new positions and equipment. You can view the entire presentation here.
Council met with representatives from the Tulsa Area Arkansas River Advocates (TAARA) regarding concerns about the safety of Zink Lake and the Arkansas River. This item was sponsored by Councilor Miller. Councilors have requested to meet with City of Tulsa Engineers and staff in the future to further discuss the work going into Zink Lake. You can find frequently asked questions about the Zink Lake on the City's website here.
City Council Meeting| 5:00 pm
Council recognized several City employees for their years of service at the City. This included:
Darren A. Fritz, Information Technology : 25 years of service
Kenneth B. Pitchford, Working in Neighborhoods : 25 years of service
James K. Rice, Asset Management : 25 years of service
Travis J. Yates, Police Department : 30 years of service
Michael E. Parsons, Police Department : 30 years of service
Derrick E. Alexander, Police Department : 30 years of service
Katherine M. Still, Police Department : 30 years of service
Councilors held public hearings for both the proposed renewal of the Improve Our Tulsa Capital Program the proposed City of Tulsa Fiscal Year 2023‐2024 Budget and Capital Plan. A second Public Hearing for the budget will be held at the 5pm meeting on May 24. Council will vote on the budget at the 5pm meeting on June 14.
Councilors heard the Monthly Status Report from the Sales Tax Overview Committee on current activities and efforts. The full report can be viewed here.
Council voted to approve an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2022‐2023 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $48,000,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant revenues from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to be received within the Fair Oaks Lower Bird Creek Grants SubFund for Lower Bird Creek Improvements.
Councilor Hall-Harper would like to remind community members of the upcoming Expungement Expo on Saturday May, 20 from 10am-2pm at 36th St. North Event Center 1124 E. 36th St. North Tulsa. This event is for offences that occured in Tulsa County only.
