All right. Good evening and welcome to the 5:00 PM Tulsa City Council meeting. You can view this meeting on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel, Cox Channel 24, or at tgvonline.org. Assisting the council tonight are Jack Blair, city attorney Lori Doring, our sec secretary to the council, and Brandon Warley, council staff. If you wish to speak on an agenda item, please see Brandon to complete a request to speak card prior to that item being read. You will not be allowed to speak on any item that has already been read. Please join us in pledging allegiance to the flag of our country and remain standing for a moment of silence. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Thank you very much. Um, tonight we have a proclamation for National Financial Literacy Day. Mayor, would you like to join us? It's not very often that we get the mayor here to join us for these proclamations. So >> So well, but not not enough. Not enough. I'm going to let you read. >> All right. Well, as proof the mayor of the city can read, we'll do it. >> Well, first, do we want to call up the >> Come on up. Come on up. >> Yeah. Bring the whole team up. All right. Um whereas National Financial Literacy Month is observed in April to promote awareness and action surrounding financial education and the continued stability of Tulsans and families everywhere. And whereas Oklahoma has been noted as having a lower than average financial literacy rate and many Tulsen many Tulsa citizens continue to face barriers to equitable financial resources and trusted guidance. And whereas the city of Tulsa's financial empowerment center provides free access to coun to financial counseling in an annual event in April in recognition of National Financial Literacy Month to allow citizens direct access to resources they need now more than ever. And whereas And whereas since 2020, the FEC has conducted 9,700 one-on-one financial counseling sessions and helped residents achieve over You ready? 1,527,372 in savings and 3 million We're not even done yet. Yeah, absolutely. And 3,644,828 in debt reduction. Now clap. Advancing financial financial stability and legacy building across the city. And whereas National Financial Literacy Month calls upon all Tulsans to actively engage in their financial well-being by seeking available resources and educating themselves while urging local government leaders to ensure equitable access to essential financial educational tools to empower citizens to obtain long-term prosperity. Now therefore, we the mayor of the city of Tulsa and the Tulsa city council do hereby recognize April 1st to 26 2026, sorry, 2026 as National Financial Literacy Day and witness thereof. And you have us all signed. Well, hold that right now. You have it all. All of us have signed here. So to Deantree, Amber, the team, Crystal, come on up. DEPUTY MAYOR REYES. AND TO EVERYBODY on behalf of all of us, happy National Financial Literacy Day. >> First off, do you guys want to say anything? >> Oh, yes. >> Amber, >> I just want to thank everybody who's standing here and those who want to be here who are not present. This is an act and labor of heart. is a labor a labor of love and passion that does not lie in one organization or institution. It takes a community to uplift a community. And I want to commend our director who leads these efforts every day with support from Kennedy. Thank you all. Thank you to all of our partners. We are greater together and I'm just excited about what's to come. Thank you. Well, I feel like DeAndre encompassed uh it really well, but I'll just say, you know, thank you to the city council. Thank you to me you mayor Nichols um for your intentionality and obviously deputy mayor Reyes uh around bringing the financial empowerment center here and making sure that that really was an area of focus for our city and really understanding that we need to make sure that financial literacy is available to all citizens and it's important for people to have opportunity and access financially. So, thank you all. >> Take 15. Hold up. We're going up there. One more. Perfect. Somebody left their phone. Hey, Steve. Good to see you. Uh, someone left their phone up front. >> April Fool's. >> All right. It's a recording device. >> All right. Announcements. Uh, people wishing to speak on an agenda items are are limited to five minutes total per meeting. Public input is a time for members of the public to provide insight on the agenda item due to the meeting format. Public input is not a time for question and answer period. All comment should be relevant to the agenda item and directed to the council. We are using an electronic timing system. In front of the speakers are a microphone. Uh there is a timer that will countd down the time used. A green light will indicate your time is running. Yellow light will come on when you have 30 seconds remaining and in your allotted time and a blinking red light uh will be shown when your time has concluded. We ask that you stay within your time limits. I >> bless you. Uh so everyone wishing to speak is given equal time. Thank you. Um please keep the podium area, railings and aisles free from recording devices and tripods. Recording equipment and accessories including tripods must be set up in the media center. As posted on tonight's agenda, certain items are subject to consideration and possible approval, adoption denial amendment or revision. I call this meeting to order. Please call the role. >> Councelor Hall Harper here. >> Councelor Archie >> here. >> Councelor Dutton >> here. >> Councelor Bellis >> here. >> Councelor Gilbert >> here. >> Councelor Bengal >> here. >> Councelor Dr. Wright >> here. Councelor Leak >> here. >> Councelor Bush >> here. >> All right. Um item number one, uh receipt of filing of minutes. There are no items this week. Two appointments in reappoint. A Sylvia Pal reappoint to the sales tax overview committee. Term expires December 31st, 2028. C. Scott, I I know I'm going to mess this up. Oz O >> as Bjuransson. Uh reappointment to the HUD community development committee. A term expires June 30th of 2027. Are there any speakers? We have three speakers. Our first speaker, Mr. John Hoffines. He's for two A, B, and C. >> We didn't read B, so right now it's just A and C. >> Thank you. >> Peace. Yes. Peace. I'm grateful for our honorable leaders. our honorable council chair Karen Gilbert, the honorable vice chair Christian Bengal, honorable counselors, staff, team, and security. We're thankful to the citizens of this great city of love, Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a joy to be with you on this first day of April in the year of our living Lord Jesus Christ, 2026. Yes. Appointments and reappoints. A, Sylvia Powell, reappoint to the sales tax overview committee. and C. Scott Asby Jornson reappointment to the HUD community development committee. Yes. May we continue to honor our volunteers and employees. Thank you, family. >> Thank you, Mr. Huffiness. Um, is there another speaker? >> Our next speaker, Mr. James Alexander Jr. for 2C. >> Good afternoon, counselor. I'm here to uh promote myself. I want to be on this uh committee and I should be. >> Thank you. Next speaker, >> Bernice Alexander for 2C. >> All right. All right. Is there council discussion on 2 A and C? Move to approve items 2 A and C. >> Second. >> Uh please call the role. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper. Yes. >> Councelor Archie. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dutton. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bengal. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright. >> Yes. >> All right. Now we will go back to 2B. Steven Mitchell. Reappoint to the Tulsa Development Authority. Term expires July 31st 2028. >> Move to deny item. >> Hold on. Do we have any speakers? >> We have three speakers. Our first speaker, Mr. John Hoffines for 2B. >> I pray for the wisdom of the Lord. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Aines. That's the only speaker. >> Uh, no, ma'am. We also have James Alexander Jr. for 2B. Once again, I'm promoting myself. I want to be on this committee. I can handle both of these committees. >> Is that it? >> And Bernice Alexander. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh, council discussion on 2B. >> Move to deny item 2B, Steve Mitchell, for reappointment to the Tulsa Development Authority. >> Second. >> All right. There's a motion to uh >> deny >> deny and a second. Will you please call the role? >> Nope. We have some council discussion. Council discussion. >> Do we have discussion? >> Okay. Discussion. >> Um yes. I would like to re uh state why I'm making this decision since it is such a rare occasion. This is the first time uh since I've served since 2016 that I have moved to deny uh an appointment to any authority board or commission. Um and so again, it's rare that that I've had to do to do this. Uh but I think it's important and I feel strongly about it. Um in 2018, and I'm going to give you a couple of examples why. In 2018, most of you uh either were if you weren't weren't serving probably saw in the news uh that I had a problem in my community regarding food insecurity and I was trying to address the proliferation of dollar stores in my community. Uh that ultimately resulted in a healthy neighborhoods overlay. But the proliferation of dollar stores causes and creates food insecurity and food deserts. And as the city councelor at that time, I went before the Tulsa Development Authority and asked them not to sell land to any more dollar stores in my community. And when I made that request, it was Steve Mitchell who looked me in my face and told me, "Your community needs these types of developments." and they pursued to uh build to sell land and build another grocery store in my community even though I shared why this didn't need to happen and what I was working towards in bringing a grocery store to my community. A a second instident that I feel that was very inappropriate is um a year maybe a year and a half ago uh the previous executive director for partner Tulsa who was a new hire at the time uh Mr. Mitchell asked him out for lunch and basically demanded it um as soon as possible when he once he uh was hired. Um and in that meeting he asked him to reverse a decision that he had made by dismissing a previous employee who was uh Casey Stowe at the time and he said he was sorry that he could not do that but there were reasons why he was dismissed and Mr. Mitchell went proceeded to tell him that if you want to stay in this community any amount of time then I would not recommend you making these types of uh major decisions so soon. I considered that a threat. Um I don't believe uh Mr. Mitchell has the empathy, the lived experience or the historical content that my community and let's let's be honest, Tulsa Development Authority, most of the land that they are making decisions on is in my district. This is an urban renewal community. We know hopefully what urban renewal is uh and how it has impacted black communities all over this country and these were federal policies and mandates uh that have that have been brought down. But I do not believe he makes decisions for the people and in the best interest. He he he will say I'm an economist and if the market dictates then that's what we should have. Well markets dictating destroys black, brown and poor communities. that is not an approach to addressing this. I simply don't do not believe that he has the empathy, the history, um the lived experience to serve in this seat to make decisions that impact my community. So I humbly ask my counselor, my fellow counselors to vote with me in denying this appointment so that we can reappoint someone that does have the empathy, the lived experience, the historical context uh and simply the care for my community. I think I need that and that's what I'm asking for. Thank you. >> Any other council discussion? >> I'll say something real briefly. Councelor Hall Harper, thank you for those comments. I just have a completely different experience with Mr. Mitchell. I find him to be extremely savvy from a business perspective, very helpful in his opinions as provided through the volunteer service that he's uh given and volunteered to the city and he's extremely uh generous and charitable in his works as well. So, um, I just have a different perspective and just wanted to make sure I provided that as well. >> Councelor Decker, right? >> Assembler White. >> Thank you. Uh, thank you, Chair Gilbert. Thank you, Councelor Hall Harper, for um, taking time in this very public meeting to say those things. I know that's not easy. And I know in the eight years I've been on council, I can't remember a time where we would um vote in a split vote on an appointment. We usually try to use diplomacy to avoid this kind of situation. Um, obviously councelor Leaken spoke in favor and I think any number of appointees that come before us. Any number of us up here might have personal interactions or professional interactions or civic interactions with those people where we may or may not um personally support but we vote in support because the mayor's brought them to us. So I just did want to elevate for those in the room and those watching at home and media um that it's extremely rare that you would even see this kind of conversation happening in this way because at the end of the day we are asking citizens to volunteer and to um give of their time and talent and expertise on an authority border commission. We have diplomatic and procedural ways to avoid these circumstances. And unfortunately, in this case, as you're seeing here today, those steps were taken, but not um effective in the way that they have been over the years. So, it's regrettable that we have to have such a public debate about anyone's service. Um but there is a reason that we have checks and balances between mayoral appointees and council confirmation. So, um, there's a motion and a second on the floor if we're done with discussion. >> We have councelor Denton. >> Yeah. So, I just want to bring back when he was at council last week um when he was asked about why he wanted to serve and at the end of that meeting he did a plug for data centers and I found that offensive when that's not what the item was about when he spoke and um him just giving us his experience or um why he felt he could serve on here would have been enough without a plug for pro data centers. >> Councelor Archie. >> Okay. I um I must have been late to this meeting. I didn't I didn't get to meet Steve. Um but is he here tonight? >> He is not here tonight. >> Okay. Um um what I'm looking at here of the 15 meetings he only made seven. So that's what I'm looking at. That's what you know it is very rare that someone would say uh you know vote no. I appreciate the support for Scott uh and Cynthia because both of those are in my district. Um, and I believe that if I were to bring substantive concerns about any appointee that my colleagues would take it, you know, very seriously. So, um, I have a lot of respect for council uh, woman hall Harper and I have tremendous amount of respect for councelor Leaken as well. Um, so I'm looking at I'm looking at the seven out of 15 right now. Uh >> so I so I serve with uh Steve Mitchell on the Teao board of trustees. So like councelor Leaken, I have a different experience with Steve. Um to councelor Dutton's point, I think when we bring people to the council, we give them wide latitude. So the fact that he said what he said about data centers, I don't think is relevant to the conversation. But I do respect every one of my single one of my colleagues up here. And so, um, I'm challenged about, you know, when we go through this process and and, you know, as councelor Paul Harper said, um, it's rare that you would go through this process. And as councelor director Wright said, you do want to kind of avoid this kind of discussion, especially when you've had the person come to committee um, and explain why they can want to continue serving. and um from my understanding she did try to approach this from uh a diplomatic standpoint and so um it it is a challenge and so I however I vote I would hope that uh my colleagues uh would understand that while I don't know know personally the concerns that councelor Hall Harper is we just might have different experiences and So, I I just want her to understand that um I hear her as a counselor and so I appreciate her expressing that publicly. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yeah, just real quick to councelor Dutton's point. Um you he is seeking u an appointment to the Tulsa Development Authority. So, so I think his comment relating to the data centers was just in relation somewhat to his professional expertise and his volunteer experience as well. Um, he his professional role is to um buy companies, make companies better. He's very successful at it. a lot of the companies that he has uh purchased um have remained in Tulsa, come to Tulsa, build in Tulsa, and so our economy is a lot stronger because of his investment. To councelor Archie's point, uh the seven of the 15, you know, he's been on this board for quite some time. Um and I don't know what his past attendance has been, but he does he does travel quite a bit. But when he is available and active, he does provide a lot of professional experience and insight that is different than levels that others can provide sometimes just because of the role that he has a as president of the company that he runs. And then he serves on boards of I don't even know dozens of companies as well. So that experience is pretty vital for a board like this one and the other one that he serves on as well. Uh, councelor Bellis, >> are you councelor Harper, did you want to say? >> Yeah, I just wanted to to add to what uh councelor Leo was saying and I can appreciate his business acumen, but it is that reason why he is not best fit for the decisions that TDA has to make in communities that have been disenfranchised. He is making business decisions and this is not a place for business decisions. This is a community that makes decisions based on the disenfranchisement that has happened historically for many many years in a community and that business acumen because he's saying hey if it makes money it's good that's not necessarily the case in this community that may be fine out of 101st and charitan but it's not when it comes to the historic Greenwood district in North Tulsa that is the very reason why he shouldn't be on this board because he is not making decisions based on people, based on a country and a city that puts profits over people. That is his experience. So, yes, he's doing what he's been trained and raised up to do. He's a rich white man who rarely even comes to North Tulsa, but he's making decisions that impacts the lives for decades of my community. >> I wish he looked would look into his background a little bit before making comments. >> I couldn't care less. >> I know you can't. He is making decisions based on my community. I come before you as a city counselor and tell you I'm facing a food insecurity issue. Please don't let any more dollar stores come in my district and you look at me and tell me your community needs these type. He knows better than I constituents voted for me. They didn't vote for him. They don't even know him. But he's making decisions that impact my community's lives and he's making them based on American capitalism business. And that has destroyed my people from the institution of slavery clearing up until today. Slavery was a business decision. And that's how he's making these decisions. >> All right. Councelor Bellis, do you want to make your comment now? >> Yeah. I um I wish that we were you know you mentioned council and thank you for mentioning you know he has served on this body for quite some time. I'm trying to remember the number of years he said I wish the conversation we were having in this moment got to be hey thank you for your service it's time to let someone else you know have an opportunity to serve in this space. I always think it's really healthy for boards and bodies to have natural turnover and have new voices and perspectives on them. And so I I wish we could do that. um though I know that's not what's before us right now. Um and I can appreciate that he has from his you know private equity lens a lot of economic experience but I am really struck by what councelor Al Harper is sharing with us especially when so much of what TDA does is so specific to North Tulsa. Um, and he did make clear with some of his language during committee meeting. And I'm not, you know, going to police every little word or thing that he said or did. You know, I know that he is a nuance person and you all have had, you know, different experiences and work with him, but I did find the way that he was talking about that community to sound barereft of a lot of information about it. Um, I know we didn't get a lot of time with um him to kind of dig into that more, but I I kind of I appreciate what councelor Archie said where, you know, if any one of us was bringing something like this forward, I would hope my colleagues really heard that heartfelt concern, especially if it's something that's not, you know, hasn't been pursued in 10 years of service. As councelor Harper said, hey, I've never asked this, but this has such a high impact. Um to me I just think healthy turnover also is present here. Um and when someone's making outsized decisions who lives in a different community um who has a really different um and understandably profit driven lens which people may have different values around I can really appreciate that that may not be a fit for making these very hyper local community specific decisions. Um, and so I I share the perspective of thinking that it just to me sounds like a time or an opportunity for a fresh voice at the table and I those don't come up often on a lot of these bodies. So that's just wanted to share what I'm kind of hearing or reflecting on with you all. >> Thank you for saying that. Um, Councelor Dutton and then Archie. >> Okay. I just want to thank my colleagues for expressing their opinions and uh perspectives on this gentleman and I appreciate um what councelor Archie also said seven out of 15 meetings he's attended less than half and that's huge when you are a volunteer and you want to say on a commission um that's a lot of mis meetings and to the point of what councelor Paul Harper also said about her district. Yeah, her people did elect her to represent them and apparently um standing up for harm reduction in her district was really important. And the fact that he did mention these data centers, I'm not uh going to let that go ex because they are predominantly on the east side and that's not harm reduction. And yeah, he might be a guy that does development and brings money to Tulsa, but on the backs of disenfranchised communities. And I just I can't go along with somebody that's that entitled to come in and make decisions for North and Northeast Tulsa. I just can't. The harm um I mean I don't think that anybody out south um at say 91st in Yale or Sheridan wants a data center over there. And so to promote it to me was really inappropriate. >> Councelor Archie. >> So no, I appreciate all of the conversation because I'm genuinely torn. Um I think that if Steve was here now, I would ask him to come forward and make a recommmitment of himself to North Tulsa and to collaborating with Councelor Hall Harper or just at TDA in general. if you're going to serve, there needs to be a u just a closer working relationship to just to recognizing, you know, our partnership with the council. But is this on? Okay. Um this question is more for councelor Leaken if if you don't mind an uh answering it. What do you think we would lose if we lost Steve from the board? Yeah, I I just think that he's one of the smartest business people that we have in the city. He's he's obviously been very successful in in life. Um, and he's able to bring so many different opportunities to the city because he's out he he's decided to live in Tulsa. He could I mean, he moved back from LA to Tulsa, which is where he's from. >> Um, he's a Memorial High School grad. Um, don't hold that against him either way. I know >> Chargers district five, >> go Chargers. >> I know. I knew you wouldn't hold it against him, >> but he's he's a person who said, "Look, this is my place and this is the city that I want to build. He's very charitably minded. He's very civically oriented. Um, I understand that councelor Harper had a runin on some things that were were said and he he just has different ideas. he he is a little bit more direct in that regard. Um, but when he's at the table, you tap into a mind and and a lot of experience that very few people in the city of Tulsa have. So, that's what we lose whenever we say to people like Steve, hey, look, you weren't here um, you know, seven but seven of 15 times. So, thank you for your service, but we don't need you. when he's when he's there the seven of 15 times, then he's very effective in providing input that that the entire group can or cannot take. It's still a diverse group. Um just like we're a diverse group up here. You know, there's some of us that have different kinds of abilities and that's what makes us a pretty strong council. Same thing with TDA, same thing with any ABC that we populate. So, I don't think it can look the same. I don't think it can be the same in every regard. So having additional insight, having that expertise is is really critical. And then beyond that, you have to you have to think what else does he do outside of the meetings? Being at a meeting is one thing. Um we're at these meetings, but how much work do we do outside of council that's also important? That's what Steve is doing for the city and providing lots of expertise, lots of guidance to either the mayor or the counselors or ABCs or just generally doing something for the good of the city. >> All right, counselor Bellis and then councelor Hall Harper. I think this is just making me curious kind of going back to my thought about his longitudinal service and I understand not wanting to lose certain perspective to me. I'm now hearing uh is this the best spot for that perspective to be situated or you know obviously this is someone who does care about our city more you know more broadly and I'm curious if there's some other entity that their perspective you know could serve on or be a voice on that might less disproportionately impact a specific district or a specific area. uh just just naming that I'm hearing that they bring a lot to the table in a really specific and niche lens that is of value but I am wondering that could be a value in a lot of different settings and given that disproportionate impact in one area I can understand that this may not be the best fit in perpetuity just voicing that there are a lot of different ways we could be leveraging and thanking people for their time and service and making sure that their voices are heard and that we can like you know learn and get resource from them. But maybe there's a different we have over 50 authorities, boards and commissions. So I'm just wondering if there's a different one that this person would be really helpful on as well if they want to volunteer or continue to collaborate with us in this way. Councelor Hall Harper, I >> I agree, councelor Bellis. Uh maybe the regional chamber is a better place uh for him to sit, but I will I will finally say that I I wholly think it was inappropriate for him to threaten uh a new employee of partner Tulsa uh with the fact that, you know, based on a decision that was made, if you want to stay around here any amount of time, I wouldn't recommend doing these things. Um I think that was wholly inappropriate. Wholly inappropriate. He had no authority to do that. Uh but he did, but he felt privileged enough to do it. And so >> to a black man. >> Yeah. The man was a black man. Yeah, >> that's true. >> Um so we have uh a motion to deny and a second. So Lori, will you please call the role? >> Councelor Le, >> no. >> Councelor Bush, >> no. >> Councelor Hall Harper, >> yes. Councelor Argie, >> how did you vote? Phil, >> no. >> And how did you vote? Uh, councelor Hall Harper. >> Well, she made the motion. >> I made the motion. >> This is a motion to >> So, it's a Yeah, right. So, you have to >> Yeah, we'll I deny. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So, yes, that's a yes. Just want to make sure. >> Thank you. >> Councelor Dutton. >> Yes. Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert, >> no. >> Councelor Bengal, >> no. >> Councelor Dector Wright, >> yes. >> Okay. Motion was approved to deny. >> All right. Um, item three, public hearings. Public hearing for the council to receive and consider proposed charter amendments. Is there a motion to enter public hearing? I move to enter public hearings. >> Second. >> Uh, we have a first and a second. Will you please call the role? >> Councelor Leak. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper. >> Yes. >> Councelor Archie? >> Yes. >> Councelor Dutton? >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis? >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert? >> Yes. >> Councelor Bengal? >> Yes. >> Councelor Dector Wright? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we are now in public hearing. Um, will you please call the first speaker? >> Yes. Our first speaker is Carmen Glunt for public safety oversight. >> Okay. And I'm sorry, Brandon, how many speakers do we have? >> Three. >> Okay. Thank you. Hello again. Okay. Um I think it's funny that it's financial lit literacy day because I feel like this is a pretty easy math problem. You know, public safety is about half of the Tulsa County budget, right? around like 240 million. And over the last couple months, we've spent how much of taxpayer money in civil rights settlements cases or excessive force or in wrongful imprisonment over 90 years that people have served for crimes that they were found innocent of. And those policemen retired after long careers while those innocent people sat in prison. And the recent cases are those police officers still working. How are they, you know, reprimanded? We don't know because Tulsa uh Fraternal Order of Police have fought to keep their uh disciplinary record secret. I think it's time that external independent oversight is due, especially for the city of Tulsa. I think the numbers show it and that for people that are stewards of our money and our tax dollars, I think your vote should be yes to at least send this to the valot ballot for Tulsa to vote on it. I think for it to die here would be an injustice to Tlsson, especially the ones that are at risk. Um, when we're not funding mental health care like we should when 36% of arrests are for people that have mental health care problems. I think there's a gap between the money that we spend for mental health care and the money that we're giving to police. And I think that at least police oversight for, you know, any complaints on public safety officers is time to do. And I and no offense to you, Miss Gilbert or Councelor Gilbert, but what you're working on with the safety commissioner is not enough. It's a it's a fancy suggestion box. We need actual oversight. So, I appreciate the work that you and Laura Roberts are doing, but it is not enough. And I appreciate the work that uh uh both of you have done for the um for the oversight charter amendment. Um it I know just from what we've been through, it shows that you guys care about what happens in Tulsa. And I know my mom also thanks you as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, please. Our next speaker is Nate Morris for public safety oversight. Okay. Um, good evening y'all. So, my name is Nate Morris, just for the record, as all of you know at this point. um district 3 homeowner and I'm speaking in favor of a charter amendment for broad public safety oversight. Um I've called Tulsa home for 14 years at this point. Uh and while I've lost track of the number of times I've come up before this microphone, some of you all might have been counting, but I've lost track. Um I have absolutely not forgotten the first time that I stood here. So in August 2013, I was preparing to teach students for another year at Tulset High School. I was teaching a lot of students that didn't have the resources that they needed to be successful. And so I came here and I voiced my concern about the city allocating an additional $500,000 um to buy an additional SWAT vehicle for the Tulsa Police Department. And it wasn't because I didn't think TPD deserved it. I just literally thought as a teacher, do y'all really need two of these? Um so no one at the on the DIS at that time needed to listen. Nobody needed to take any action. But I remember that one counselor did. Then councelor GT Biden made a motion to postpone the vote until the following meeting in order to give the council more time to review that request. For all of the public policy differences that I had with Mayor Binham, I will always remember that in that moment, he demonstrated to me that government can and should be responsive to the people it serves. For almost a decade, Tulsas have been coming here to this chamber asking for increased oversight of our public safety departments and increased accountability and transparency and collaboration to and with the broader Tulsa community. This call for oversight is far from new. So, just to give a high level overview of this long timeline, in 2016, Tlson's demanded change after the killing of Terren Crutcher while he was driving home unarmed from his classes at TCC. In 2017, Tulsson's called on the city to address the gross racial, social, and economic disparities that black and brown Tulsans have experienced in their interactions with law enforcements as laid out in the Tulsa equality indicators. In 2018, hundreds of Tulsans hundreds filled this chamber calling on this body to hold hearings around the those same racial disparities. In 2019, Mayor Binham called for the creation of an office of the independent monitor modeled after an office in Denver to specifically oversee internal investigations that were related to citizen complaints. And again, hundreds of Tulsen showed up to support that ordinance, but that effort fell short. In 2020, those calls were renewed again, but it didn't move forward. And so for the past six years, members of this body have time and again heard the concerns of Tulsans and time and again tried and tried to move something forward whether through an ordinance or now through a city charter, but it hasn't been successful. So we're at about a decade of residents of this city, including myself, still coming here and asking for the government to hear us, to acknowledge us, to be responsive. a proposed city charter amendment currently sits before this council and it's one that provides a very different vision for public safety oversight than the one that mayor Binham initially proposed. This oversight office would not focus specifically on one department, but it would cover the broad infrastructure of public safety across our city. And if I get any of this wrong, please correct me. This is my understanding. While this office would be able to use data and draft reports that could help inform policy improvements to better serve all Tulsans, it would not. In contrast with the original model proposed by Mayor Bham put a strict focus on discipline specifically for one department. Rather, this office would follow established models here in Oklahoma and across the country with a broadened lens to enhance accountability, transparency, and trust between Tulsans and their government. As was mentioned earlier in today's 2:30 meeting, Oklahoma City is one of those cities in our state that has leaned into this kind of oversight. And last year, Oklahoma City City City Council, just as we were talking numbers, while we were I was listening in on Facebook, but um Oklahoma City City Council allocated $1.2 million to begin implementing a list of recommendations made by its law enforcement task force. And one of those many recommendations was strengthening the Citizens Advisory Board to enhance that citizen oversight. And so I I I'll say I fully respect the conversation that was had earlier today to take more time to think this through. I I fully respect take being intentional and and careful um with something that is this important and I think honestly just my opinion that waiting until November to put this on the ballot is not a bad idea. I think is actually a wise choice given everything that's happening this summer. But I do hope that any pause is met with real work to internalize strengthen this charter amendment and ultimately give the people of Tulsa the opportunity to decide if this is something that we want. About 13 years ago, I walked into this chamber for the first time and a government official made sure that I knew that my voice as a Tulsen mattered. No one is asking for this body to vote for or against public safety oversight directly. We are simply asking you to ensure that our voices as Tulsans get heard. Thank you'all. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Our last speaker is Anna Baros for public safety oversight. Hi, good afternoon, Anna Baros. Um, I was not planning on speaking, but um, I wanted to let y'all know that there's a group of people here who have never been to a city council meeting. Um, they're part of a community advisory group that I run that has been, uh, you know, that that brings together service providers, teachers students parents uh to address barriers, um, to the success of families with young children in Tulsa, specifically around mental health. um around financial empowerment um and around child care and a big reason why you know we brought them here today is to see how our decisions made um and so I wanted to kind of model right like how you can share your your uh your opinion and your thoughts with uh a decision-making body and there have been a few of you have spoken to this group in the past so I came up here I signed up at the front and now I'm going to speak um in support of of what uh my friend Nate uh just spoke on, right? I have been an educator here in Tulsa uh for a very long time. I came here in 2018. While I'm no longer in the classroom, uh I now work at Impact Tulsa supporting the mayor's office of children, Youth, and Families as well. um throughout my time in the classroom and in my time now looking at every single day the data of our of our students um and their outcomes, there is nothing I think more pressing in this city than for us to figure out how to ensure that this is a city that's safe for everybody for all students, right? And so um when we're talking about as Nate mentioned like this has been a conversation for such a long time. Um, and so I just want to uh reiterate my support uh for an office of the independent monitor uh for citizen oversight knowing that um we are currently as the previous speaker mentioned spending millions of dollars uh to you know pay for lawsuits and and go through processes that are entirely avoidable. Um, you know, we're we're debating at the state level if we're going to spend about $200 million to support reading initiatives across an entire state, but we're spending locally $40 million on on lawsuits, right, that could have been avoided. Um, it just is is not something that I can ignore. Um, so yeah, I hope that uh that this is taken into consideration, right? You're able to speak your mind uh and share with decision makers. Um and that yeah, as as Nate mentioned, that we take the steps to actually put this in front of the people and actually move this forward. Um cannot emphasize enough how important it is for people to be able to exercise oversight um and to ensure that our our civic institutions are actually serving us. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Uh without objection, we will exit public hearings for mayor's item 4A, report from the mayor or his design on community events, briefing on city activities, city efforts, and new business. Seeing that the mayor is not left and does not have a design to speak on anything this evening. All right. Um the remaining items for B34H will not be read aloud. However, public comments uh will be received on these items. Uh do we have any speakers? >> Yes, we have one speaker, Mr. John Hoffines for 4B and E. Thank you, counselors. Yes. Agenda item 4B. This event highlights a time for remembrance, culture, and community gathering in Tulsa. Events such as this invite people to honor history while encouraging unity, and shared purpose. As people gather and conversations grow, many also look toward a deeper foundation for lasting hope, harmony, and unity. For many families and communities, this foundation rises from the love offered through Jesus Christ. Love that restores hearts, strengthens relationships, and brings people together across every background. The Lord's message continues to inspire renewal and genuine unity. In times of remembrance and celebration alike, the light of Christ offers a pathway forward where compassion, respect, and hope guide communities toward a future marked by peace and good will. And almighty God, we invoke your guidance. And I thought maybe I signed up for 4E also. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Uh this agenda item regarding security upgrades for the Gil Crease Division reminds us how much our community values the men and women who serve in law enforcement. Providing them with safe and welle equipped facilities helps them carry out their work with excellence as they serve the people of Tulsa. As we consider improvements that strengthen safety in our city, I'm grateful that we continue to build a culture of unity, respect, and love for one another. When neighbors lift one another up, and when leaders serve with wisdom, our whole city benefits. My lovely wife Bonnie. My lovely wife Bonnie and I have the joy of encouraging folks through music and prayer. And we continue to see how hope grows when hearts turn toward the love of Jesus Christ. His love brings people together and inspires us to serve one another with grace. Thank you counselors for your leadership and for seeking the peace and well-being of our city. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, do we is there any council discussion? >> Move to approve items 4B through 4H with the emergency clause on 4B. >> Second. >> Will you please call the role? >> Councelor Leaken, >> yes. >> Councelor Bush, >> yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper, >> yes. >> Councelor Archie, >> yes. >> Councelor Dutton, >> yes. >> Councelor Bellis, >> yes. >> Councelor Gilbert, >> yes. >> Councelor Bengal, >> yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright, >> yes. >> All right. Items 4B through 4H are approved with the emergency clause on 4B. Five, authorities, boards, and commissions. A monthly status report from the sales tax overview committee on current activities and efforts. Mr. Johnson, he was sitting right there. Do we have music to play in between? >> That's right. Just move forward. Okay. Um since no one is here to speak on that item, we will uh move forward. Uh 5B is Did Brandon come back in? >> Okay. Okay. Um five. All right. We're moving on. Uh 5B final plat for villas at uh Water Crest One consisting of 73 lots, six blocks on 15.5 acres located at the southwest corner of 131st Street South and South Sheridan Road. C final plat of cottages at Waterrest consisting of 84 lots on six blocks on 28.85 85 acres located on the northwest corner of 131st Street South and South Sheridan Road. D reszoning application Z7848 from CS to RM2 for property located west of the southwest corner of Charles Page Boulevard and South 49th West Avenue requested by Matthew Ward. Uh do we have any speakers? >> We have no speakers. >> Right. Is there council discussion? Move to approve items 5B through 5D. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Councelor Leak. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. >> Council. >> Yes. >> Archie. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Councelor Benel. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright. >> Yes. >> All right. Items 5B through 5D are approved. Six ordinances. First reading. The following items in this section of the agend agenda will not be read aloud and without objection items 6A through 6D will be forwarded to the next council meeting for action. Seven ordinances, second reading 7A, reconsideration of reszoning ordinance MPD uh 6 from AG to MPD6 for multi- multiple properties bound by US Highway 412 east of 41st Street South South 193rd East Avenue and South 273rd East Avenue. Um do we have any speakers on this item? We have no speakers. >> Any discussion? Move to approve item 7A. >> Second. >> Okay. Please call the RO. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper. >> Yes. >> Councelor Archie. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dutton. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bengal. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright. >> Yes. All right. Item 7 A is approved. B, re reszoning ordinance MPD6 from AG to MPD 6 uh for multiple properties bound by again US Highway 412 East 41st Street and South 193rd East Avenue and South 273rd East Avenue. Uh do we have any speakers? >> We have no speakers. Is >> there council discussion? >> Move to approve item 7B. >> Second. Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Um, can we be specific as to the the revised backup? >> Oh, on the motion. >> Let me read the italicized note. Move to approve item 7B with um the revised language as presented in the backup documentation. >> Second. >> Now, please call the role. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. Councelor Hall Harper. >> Yes. >> Councelor Archie, >> yes. >> Councelor Don, >> yes. >> Councelor Bellis, >> yes. >> Councelor Gilbert, >> yes. >> Councelor Bengal, >> yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright, >> yes. >> All right. Uh 7B is approved. Uh 7 C ordinance amending fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $10,000 uh recognized from grant revenues to be received from the internal um international association of chiefs on police within the victim's service technical assistant program sub fund. Uh D, ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of 50,000 uh dollars recognized from the unappropriated fund balance within the PD equitable sharing justice sub fund E. Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to transfer unencumbered and unexpended appropriations of 146,511 between account groups within the sexual assault kit initiative sub fund F. Ordinance amending fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to transfer available appropriations of $82,567 between projects and account groups within the American Rescue Plan Act subfund G. Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $41,010 recognized from available fund balance and transfer available available appropriations of $18,64649 between departments and account groups within the social and economic development non-federal grant fund. H. Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of 110,000 and 20,000 recognized from grant revenues to be received from Oklahoma Department of Commerce and a grant match of $90,000 transfer to be received from the cultural cultural and recreation nonfederal grants sub fund uh to transfer unencumbered and unexpected unexpended appropriation balance of $90,000 between departments and account groups within the 2014 sales tax fund. Um, we're going to read I separately. Uh, J, ordinance amending the Tulsa Revised Ordinances, uh, Title 35 infrastructure development by amending chapter 2 infrastructure development permits. Section 200 definitions and amending section 202 contracts, bonds, and insurance to eliminate the requirement uh, for filing the certificate of formal acceptance um, in the office of the county clerk. K. Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $5,390 recognized from grant revenues to be received from the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security within the Homeland Security Programs Sub Fund L. Ordinance amending fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to make supplemental appropriations of $22,532 recognized from the grant revenues to be received from Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation within the internet crimes against children sub fund. M ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget to transfer unencumbered unexpended appropriations of $196,000 uh 160 and 19 uh between departments within the 2025 vision capital fund. Do we have any speakers? >> We have two speakers uh for 7F. The first speaker James Alexander Jr. This has been a um a thorn in my side ever since it came up to the city council and how the city used it. Now, this money was sent to the city, county, and state for one reason. CO was going on and what the city did with this money very little was given to people to improve the conditions at that time and the conditions again was CO 19. Now, this is a transfer of $82,560 $667, but what's left for different projects and most of going to the courts was $3,462,000 $60 and this was to go to several different projectable courts. mental health initiatives, organization capacity, and community outreach. Now, you put on the end of this money what you should have done with the beginning of this money. And anybody wants to know what American Rescue Act is, look it up through the federal government. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Our next speaker is Bernice Alexander for 7F. >> Good evening, counselors. >> Good evening. First of all, I want to thank Miss Harper, Council Harper. I I brought this to her attention about the people on Virgin Street in North Tulsa requesting uh those speed bumps. And finally, the speed bumps are there. So I appreciate that whoever answered that request. Now more about the funds spoken of in this particular item. There's a big concern about the projects that these monies are being used to accommodate. I don't know if you all have done a study about even these organizations that you mentioned, but I plan to do one on this particular area. These are some very important areas that need to be dealt with. And I know you're moving money around and doing this and that. You have municipal courts down here. Community outreach, mental health initiatives, and organizational development and facility improvements. These are for funds. We continue to ask that these funds that are coming to the city of Tulsa be used for the purposes that they've been sent. Now, I heard quite a conversation just a few minutes ago about a individual seeking a position on a committee and how this person works so uh seemingly uh in a disrespected disrespectful way to the people particularly in the North Tulsa community. Now, we know we have a black and white issue here that we need to resolve in this city. It's a big one. My husband and I, we've been spending over 30 years working in the North Tulsa community and uh we have founded a support group organization that's registered with the state of Oklahoma concerning that area. And it hasn't been an area that has been seemingly represented by the people who sit on this council and say they representing that area. But work is getting done and a lot of it is getting done through federal complaints that our group has filed to get things done and we're continuing to work on the behalf of the people. So my whole point about this is when we receive funds for certain um reasons, we need to direct those funds to where we say that we're putting them because they don't go there a lot and particularly in the North Tulsa community. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Any other speakers, Brandon? >> We have no other speakers. >> Right. Is there council discussion? Move to approve items 7 C through M except 7 I. >> Second. Please call the role. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper. >> Yes. >> Councelor Archie. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dutton. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bengal. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dr. Wright. >> Yes. All right. Item 7 C through 7M excluding I has been approved. Going back to 7 I ordinance amending the title revised ordinances title five board commissions and committees. Chapter 5, Tulsa, Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission reorganizing for readability, re u restructuring commission's appointees and terms, providing for tribal delegates from the Muscogee Creek Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and the Oage Nation providing that the city of Tulsa director of tribal policy and partnerships or similar position in absence thereof shall be an exofficio non- voting member of the commission. Is there are there any speakers on this item? >> We have no speakers. >> Council discussion. Uh madam chair, I'd like to move to remand item 7i back to committee for further discussion by the council and an updated um presentation from those who requested the changes. Is there any objection? All right. and we'll put seven I back into in on a committee agenda. All right. Um eight council items 8A counselors announcements and reports on current committee events, activities, efforts, and concerns other than announcements and reports. No discussion will ensue. Councelor Dutton, are you sure you have an announcement? >> I am. >> Okay. >> Oh, I've changed my mind a couple times today already, so I appreciate that. councor. So on Tuesday, April 7th, um that is the election day by the way for school board and bond issue for TPS. So I want to say first and foremost everybody get out and vote. Very important. But also on that evening, councelor Vanessa Hall Harper and myself will have a joint town hall and the mayor's senior adviser of housing, Gene Bulmash, and the city deputy administrator and director of planning and neighborhoods, James Wagner, who also oversees code enforcement, will join the counselors to discuss a proposed new city program, the vacancy improvement uh program. The meeting details will be at the Tulsa Dream Center North Campus, 200 West 46th Street North. You can um go to the city council Facebook page of both councelor Harper and myself and get the details as well. Um I hope that the meeting is attended well as well as everybody voting before coming to the meeting. >> Thank you. >> Any other announcements? Councelor Bellis, >> Passover is about to start, so I just wanted to wish an enjoyable seder to all celebrate, but you're probably not watching this. Any other announcements? All right. Um 8B travel donation from the Tulsa Regional Chamber in the amount of $600 for council administrator Sarah Davis to travel to Kansas City, Missouri on April 6 through the 8th. in 2026 to attend the Tulsa regional regional chamber inner city visit scout trip. Uh do we have any speakers? >> We have no speakers. >> Is there council discussion? >> Move to approve item 8B. >> Second. >> Uh please call the role. >> Councelor Leaken. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bush. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hall Harper. >> Yes. >> Councelor Archie. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dutton. >> Yes. >> Councelor Bellis. >> Yes. >> Councelor Gilbert. >> Yes. only because everything is up to date in Kansas City. >> Councelor Bengal. >> Nah. Okay. >> Councelor D. Right. >> Yes. All right. Item 8B is approved. New business. Um, no business. No items this week. Hearing of appeals. No items this week. Hearing of public comments. No items. Uh, 12. We are adjourned. The best place for a pet is home.