2026-09-16 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes (approval scheduled October 14, 2026).

Regular meeting 5:20 PM to 6:36 PM; all 9 members present (Archie arrived 10:35 AM).
Continued rezoning ordinance SA-9 and alleyway closure from prior reading.
Approved major grant appropriations including $7.6M TSET North Tulsa Wellness Initiative and $413,630 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant.
Debated Public Safety Oversight ordinance; motion to continue to October 14.
Approved eviction prevention and legal representation program resolution.
Resolved approval of GO bonds, CoxCom franchise and zoning amendments from prior readings.

Rezoning application SA-9 to apply NCO-2 zoning for properties within Florence Park Neighborhood (E. 15th St. S., E. 21st St. S., S. Harvard Ave., Broken Arrow Expressway); TMAPC voted 7-0-1 to recommend approval; motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 9-0.

Second reading: motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 9-0; emergency clause approved 9-0.

Second reading with emergency clause: motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 9-0; emergency clause approved 9-0.

Amending NCO standards for Renaissance neighborhood; TMAPC voted 7-0-1 to recommend approval; second reading; motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 9-0; emergency clause approved 9-0.

Public hearing held 5:24 PM with no speakers; first reading of ordinance to close alleyway between lots 1-4 and 5-9, Block 113, Tulsa-Original Town Addition, requested by Kyle Gibson of Align Design Group (portion of alleyway previously closed); forwarded to next meeting.

New Title 16, Tulsa Revised Ordinances, establishing Office of Independent Review and Oversight of Public Safety with Director position and civilian oversight board; sponsored by Vanessa Hall-Harper and Lori Decter Wright; seven public speakers in support (Karmen Glunt, Deborah Tyler, Kristi Williams, Luke Buhlinger, Jane Sampeur, John Wilson, Nate Morris); three in opposition (Sean McKenna, Heather Nash, Jana Davis); Council discussion; motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis to continue to October 14, 2026 passed 9-0.

Resolution expressing intent to support establishment and funding; sponsored by Laura Bellis; five public speakers in support (Jack Seawright, James Alexander, Jr., Bernice Alexander, Ana Barros, Susan Nichols); motion by Laura Bellis seconded by Lori Decter Wright, passed 9-0.

Travel to Omaha, NE for African-American Leadership Conference, Sept 30 - Oct 3, 2026; estimated $1,300 (registration, hotel, transportation, per diem); motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 8-0 (Vanessa Hall-Harper recused 6:23-6:30 PM).

Anne Chang appointed to Asian Affairs Commission (replacing Sofia Noshay, term expires January 1, 2027, CD-4).
Joyce Roberts reappointed to Human Rights Commission (term expires July 1, 2027; attended 8/9 meetings, CD-6).
Brian Humphrey reappointed to Greater Tulsa Area African-American Affairs Commission (term expires May 1, 2029; attended 11/11 meetings, CD-9).
Motion by Lori Decter Wright seconded by Laura Bellis, passed 9-0.

$7,604,163.81 TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust) North Tulsa Wellness Initiative grant (waiver of City Charter and Council Rules & Order of Business for first reading approval).
$125,000 Cherokee Health Initiative Grant (Social and Economic Development Non-Federal Grants SubFund).
$25,000 Telligen Community Initiative Grant (Mayor's Office of Health and Well-Being).
$413,630 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Award (JAG Reimbursements Grants SubFund).
$293,750 from Convention & Visitors Fund (Managed Entities - Economic Development).
$20,000 Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (Office of Financial Empowerment expansion).
All budget appropriations forwarded to next meeting.

Flood Insurance Coverage Improvement Plan Annual Evaluation Report for 2026-2027 (with emergency clause) passed 9-0.
Resolution to award bid for GO Bonds Series 2026A sale to lowest and best bidder ($65.66M) passed 9-0.
Contract for loan extension of Charles M. Russell artwork "Bruin Not Bunny Turned the Leaders" from Gilcrease Museum to Sid Richardson Museum passed 9-0.
Deaccession and return to Tejon Indian Tribe per NAGPRA passed 9-0.
Several travel donations for professional development approved.
Public comment on air quality concerns from exhaust fumes at 1518 E. 5th Ct. by Daniel Dunlop.