City Council Recap | October 30, 2024
- Tulsa City Council
- Dec 13, 2024
- 7 min read
The City Council met on October 30, 20204, 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 Improve Our Tulsa Housing Program - Path to Home
Representatives for the Mayor-Council Housing, Homelessness and Mental Health (3H) Task Force presented a proposed resolution that would allocate $75 million in Housing Initiatives funding to Tulsa housing programs. The funds come from the voter-approved Improve Our Tulsa Housing Program funding package.
This $75 million is part of a 10-year funding goal of $370 million based on a housing study stating at least 12,900 units need to be made available in the next 10 years to meet the current housing demand.
The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regular meeting on November 6. If approved, the resolution will be submitted for the Mayor’s signature the following week.
View the discussion here
View the proposal here
Find more information on Path to Home here
Find more information on the 3H Task Force here
Discussion Regarding Proposed Rocket Engine Testing Facility
Representatives from Tulsa International Airport (TIA) and Agile Space Industries discussed a proposed rocket engine testing facility to be located at TIA. A resolution is needed to authorize the City of Tulsa to participate in the State of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Pooled Finance Product Development Program to provide economic development benefits in connection with the project.
Agile, a manufacturer based in Colorado, designs, manufactures, and tests rocket engines for the in-space segment of space travel. Its focus is on smaller engines that maneuver satellites, exploration vehicles, and other space vehicles while in space.
Agile plans to provide educational opportunities to inspire interest in the aerospace field by investing in STEM programs and partnering with Tulsa schools to allow students to experience the industry first-hand. The company aims to provide hundreds of jobs in the design, engineering, and testing areas of the facility.
The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regular meeting on November 6.
View the discussion here
View the proposal here
ARPA Budget Amendments
Housing Services
Councilors discussed a proposed ordinance that would allocate $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support a transitional living facility.
The funding will provide a safe and stable environment with services to help formerly homeless individuals and families who have no other housing options to achieve personal objectives and transition into permanent housing within 120 days. The transitional living facility will work in partnership with other local agencies for a comprehensive strategy to meet Path to Home goals.
The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regular meeting on November 6.
View the discussion here
View the proposal here
Airmen Center
Councilors discussed moving $2 million in allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the correct account to construct a new Airmen Center at the National Guard base in Tulsa.
ARPA funds were awarded to the Oklahoma National Guard (ONG) to construct the new Airmen Center in March 2024. After further discussion between the City and the ONG, it has been decided that the City will oversee the project. This transfer will move funds between project strings to account for this change.
This item was first presented to Councilors at a committee meeting in March from the Oklahoma National Guard 138th Fighter Wing. The facility will cater to all veterans by focusing on physical and mental health, as well as offer resources and services.
View the discussion here
View the funding proposal here
View the March presentation here
View the Airmen Center project proposal here
Route 66, 36N Comanche, City of Tulsa IT Upgrades, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa Animal Services
Councilors discussed a proposed ordinance that would allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to various projects within the City:
Beautification efforts along Route 66
Installation of public sidewalks around the redevelopment of 36N Envision Comanche project
Technology updates to meeting rooms at City Hall
Covering increased equipment cost to be installed at the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry's BAZAR Automated Micro-Convenience Store project
Capital improvements at the Tulsa Animal Services project
The Council is scheduled to vote on this item at the 5pm regualr meeting on November 6.
View the discussion here
View the proposal here
Discussion Regarding District 2 Community Development Projects at Route 66 Village and Bell Station
Councilors discussed an ordinance that would allocate funds to the District 2 Community Development Project at Route 66 Village and a new Bell Station.
Improvements at the Route 66 Village include three neon signs, improved sound proofing, accent lighting, building upgrades/maintenance of the Route 66 Main Street headquarters and detached garages for storage and safety, ADA improvements, landscaping, and installation of public art.
The new Bell Station project will include an enclosed courtyard that will house a Plymouth Prowler and Time Capsule and improvements to the surrounding landscaping at the Route 66 Village.
The goal is to continue to support Route 66 as an attraction for both residents and visitors to Tulsa.
District 2 Councilor Jeannie Cue first brought this project to the Council in September where it was approved by the Council at the 5pm regular meeting. This item is scheduled to be voted on at the 5pm regular meeting on November 6.
View the discussion here
View the Route 66 Village proposal here
View the Bell Station proposal here
View the September Committee discussion here
Presentation from the City Council Special Event Working Group
Members of the City Council Special Event Working Group gave a presentation on recommended improvements to the Special Events Permit Process.
Some of the issues identified with the permits process were permits being issued late, lack of clarity on anticipated security costs, and difficulty in ensuring adequate security staffing for special events.
Changes implemented to provide transparency and make the permit process timelier and more efficient include the creation of a SharePoint site connecting involved departments to easily access shared documents and communicate more effectively. Tulsa Police will also issue a standardized police staffing cost estimate form for new event organizers to provide more clarity. The group plans to work with TPD and the Asset Management Department to provide additional support for special events.
View the discussion here
View the presentation here
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
Discussion on Proposed Amendments to the Ethics Code Ordinance
Councilors discussed a proposed amendment to the Ethics Code Ordinance. The ordinance applies to all City Officials, which includes every currently serving City of Tulsa elected official, officer, employee, or member of a City of Tulsa board, commission, or committee.
The amendments would align the code with State Law, provide brighter and clearer guidance for officials, and establish a process for independent investigations, process adjustments and the Ethics Advisory Commission.
View the discussion here
View the presentation and proposal here
Presentation from the Water & Sewer Department on True Reads Program
Representatives from the Water & Sewer Department provided a presentation and update on the True Reads Project.
For small and residential customers, the True Reads installation will include Automated Meter Reading (AMR) replacement, meter box replacement, and service line inspections to find and remove any lead material if found.
So far, over 10,000 AMR Meters have been installed and the benefits include a 75% overall reduction in staff time, improved data management and accuracy, and an increase in employee safety and morale.
Residents that have service lines with unknown material will receive letters informing them of their service line material status, steps the city is taking to identify service line material and reducing lead in drinking water, the health effects of lead, and more. The letter is a requirement of federal regulations though no lead service lines have been found in the City of Tulsa to date.
View the discussion here
View the presentation here
Learn more about the True Reads Program here
Tulsa City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Vote on Public Infrastructure Improvements
Councilors voted to approve a resolution that will partially fund public infrastructure improvements for the intersection near Tulsa Hills at 71st St. and Elwood Ave. The upgrade will improve traffic flow during peak hours ahead of the construction of new retail development.
View the committee discussion here
View the proposal here
Vote on Tulsa International Airport Project Amendment
Councilors approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Tulsa regarding a major amendment to the Tulsa International Airport (TIA) Economic Development Project Plan. In September, the Council approved a similar Memorandum of Understanding with Tulsa County.
The amendment to the TIA Project Plan expands the acreage size of several TIF districts and adjusts the budget accordingly, as well as establishing a Review Committee to monitor and make recommendations on the Project Plan.
View the discussion here
View the proposal here
View the previous Committee discussion here
Vote on Housing Feasibility Zoning Code Amendment - Path to Home Recommendation
Councilors voted to approve the ordinance amending the Zoning Code regarding Housing Feasibility.
A 2023 housing study revealed a housing crisis in Tulsa that will require over 12,000 housing units in the next ten years, a 55% increase in current house production. The Planning Office conducted a three-part housing strategy presentation to Councilors during committee meetings to highlight the current housing lifestyles of Tulsans and the shortcomings in the current zoning code.
The proposed amendment will address six key concepts:
Allowing different housing types in Office & Commercial Districts
Hotel/Office-to-Residential conversions
Removing the time limit on special exemption approvals of manufactured housing
Adjusting the amount of cottage houses on a single lot
Reducing regulatory barriers for accessory dwelling units/backyard cottages
Reducing and simplifying mandatory parking requirements
The item was brought back to a committee meeting on October 16 to gather more information and research on parking requirements in other cities and how they compare to Tulsa.
View the September 25 Committee discussion here
View the proposal here
View the October 16 Committee discussion here
View the 2024 Housing Series Presentations here
Hearing of Appeals - Quickie Mart
Councilors heard an appeals case update from Code Enforcement and a representative of Quickie Mart, located on S. Peoria Ave.
In September, Councilors voted to continue the case to wait for a hearing from the Board of Adjustment regarding the relocation of skate ramps, adding soundproofing material, and installing a ten-foot fence next to the neighboring property. That Board of Adjustment meeting was cancelled, but a Quickie Mart representative updated the Council the large ramp was moved back and reduced in size, and temporary fencing was added.
Councilors voted to continue the case to December 4, pending the next Board of Adjustment hearing where Quickie Mart will apply for a special exception for the fence and ramp.
View the hearing here
