Council Recap | May 1, 2024
- Tulsa City Council
- May 3, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: May 6, 2024
The City Council met on May 1, 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
Rezoning Application for E. 36th St. S. and S. Braden Ave.
Councilors discussed the request for a rezoning application for multiple properties located on E. 36th St. S. and S. Braden Ave. from RS-2 to RT. The developer made the request to build townhomes on the property. Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC) voted to deny the zoning application. The developer requested the application be brought before the City Council to approve it.
During the 5pm City Council meeting, Councilors listened to neighbors share their frustrations about traffic problems and a lack of sidewalks making the neighborhood unsafe, and that the townhomes would make traffic worse. The Council voted 7-0 to send the application back to TMAPC for a request for RS-4 zoning or less and to evaluate whether an optional development plan could address concerns related to height restrictions, single-family, screening obstructions, lighting, and parking as they affect existing neighborhoods.
View the TMAPC meeting here
View the Committee discussion here
View the City Council meeting here
Sidewalk Obstruction Ordinance
Councilors Cue, Decter Wright, and Lakin gave a presentation on amending a Tulsa Ordinance prohibiting sidewalk obstruction for the passage of pedestrians. The amendment would define obstruction as interfering with the intended purpose of the sidewalk or rendering passage unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous. The penalty for violating this ordinance would stay a maximum of $100 plus costs, no jail time.
The Council will vote on the item at their 5pm City Council Meeting on May 8.
View the Committee discussion here
Resolution approving HUD Housing Grants
Councilors discussed a Resolution approving the Program Year 2024 Annual Action Plan and projected use of funds that will be provided by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds beginning July 1.
View the proposed grant recipients and amounts here
The Council will vote on this item at their 5pm City Council Meeting on May 8.
View the Committee discussion here
Budget & Special Projects Committee Meeting | 1:00pm
Municipal Court Budget and Potential Drug Court Program
Representatives from the Municipal Court gave a presentation on their staffing needs. The Municipal Court currently operates with 47 positions, 13 of which are grant-funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that will run out at the end of calendar year 2025. The proposal requests Municipal Court operations be included in the General Fund to maintain these positions.
View the presentation here
Representatives from the Municipal Court also discussed a potential Municipal Drug Court program to address Tulsa’s high arrest rates involving drugs or DUIs. In 2023, there were 815 drug-related offenses processed through the court. The Municipal Court handles drug cases that are considered misdemeanors, such as possession. The request is to establish a specialty program to help defendants end the cycle of drug use that leads to arrests. The program would include Mental Health services and Drug Treatment programs.
View the discussion here
Public Works Committee Meeting | 2:30pm
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Resolution
Councilors and a representative from the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity discussed four Resolutions that would allocate Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) dollars to assist in the construction of affordable housing in accordance with the City’s AHTF policy. The funding would go to the Maplewood Village Project, 61:4 Properties Project, Avera Living-Midtown Project, and Avera Living-Central Project. The projects totaled would bring 461 new units on the market within the next two years, 432 are considered affordable units, and requires renters to fall under 30%-60% Area Median Income.
At the request of Councilors, the Maplewood Project will be brought back to a Committee Meeting on May 8 before being voted on at the 5pm meeting.
View the discussion here
Storm Water, Water, Sewer and Trash Collection Fees and Charges for Services
Councilors met with the Public Works Department regarding anticipated 2024-2025 Stormwater, Water, Sewer and Trash collection fees and charges for services.
Residential water rates will not increase but proposed sewer rates would increase about $1.58 for median usage.
Residential customers could see their total monthly stormwater bill increase from $10.63 to $12.22, or $0.05 per day
For trash services, Public Works proposed a 9% rate increase.
By law, the City can't charge more than the cost of the service and can't make a profit.
View the discussion here
How can I get help paying my bill?
There are three main ways to get help with your bill, namely:
1. If you’re behind on your bill, call 311 to setup a payment plan. If you find yourself behind on utility payments, you can call 311 to setup payment plan through the automated system so you are able to make your utility payments on time to avoid any potential service disruptions due to non-payment.
2. Call 211 for assistance. 2-1-1 has various resources to help individuals and families in need. You can text “HELP” to (877) 836-2111 for help with food, rent, utilities and more. For more information, visit https://csctulsa.org/211eok/.
3. Utilize the Tulsa Financial Empowerment Center. The City of Tulsa and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa have an entirely free way for anyone to get help managing their finances. To schedule a no-cost appointment with a financial counselor who can help you create a budget, get rid of debt, and stay on top of your finances, visit www.goodwilltulsa.org or call (918) 820-7279.
District 5 Skelly Bypass Trail Rehabilitation
At the 5pm City Council Meeting on April 17, the Council voted to bring the project back to a Committee meeting to discuss the funding for the trail. Some Councilors were part of a community meeting where they heard from residents about the need for the project, but with a different source of funding. The original request for funding was through Improve Our Tulsa 2. The Parks and Recreation Department found unused funding for Trails and can allocate $300,000 to repairing the Skelly Bypass Trail and make it safe. To access these funds, the Council would first have to vote to deny the item asking for IOT2 funds.
At the 5pm City Council Meeting, Councilors heard from District 5 residents about the need of the project, but concerns over the funding. The Council voted 7-0 to deny the item and use other funds for the project.
View the committee discussion here
View the Council discussion here
City Council Meeting | 5:00pm
Second Public Hearing for Project Anthem
The Council held the second public hearing for Project Anthem to hear comments and concerns from citizens. The proposed Ordinance would make the City of Tulsa an Incentive District with a tax exemption of 85%.
Project Anthem is a $800 million Economic Development Project Plan in East Tulsa on 11th Street and the Creek Turnpike. The plan is to build a data center that sponsors a public-private partnership to bring economic growth to the area. There will be 50 new jobs created with an average yearly wage of $63,000 and generate up to $50 million in direct and indirect economic activity.
Some of the objectives of the project plan include:
Facilitate development of the Project
Support public education and school districts by only providing partial exemption
Support other governmental entities by only providing partial exemption
Repurpose and activate vacant/underutilized land
Enhance the tax base
The item was up for second reading and was passed by the Council.
View the Public Hearing here
View the vote here
Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation
The City Council presented a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness, combat stigma, and promote mental health resources.
One in five American adults experience a mental health condition each year. All people face challenges in life that can impact their mental health and access to appropriate care is crucial.
Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, impacting citizens across Tulsa, Tulsa County, and the State of Oklahoma. Awareness and integration of mental health resources across all pillars of society, such as education, medicine, justice, faith community, and industry, will enhance and improve individual, family, and community resilience.
The City of Tulsa encourages all citizens to educate themselves about mental health conditions, challenge the stigma by speaking respectfully about mental health, seek help if they are struggling with their mental health, support organizations providing mental health services, and work together to create a community where everyone feels empowered to prioritize their mental well-being and seek help when needed.
If you or someone you know need assistance, call 988 - Oklahoma’s Mental Health Lifeline to be connected with a trained behavioral health professional.
View the presentation here
Upcoming Events
District 6 Town Hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
6:00PM
Martin Regional Library - 2601 S. Garnett Rd.
Join Councilor Christian Bengel for a Town Hall Meeting where representatives from Code Enforcement, Utility Billing, Customer Care, Public Works, and TPD will be available to answer questions.
