[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546332,"mediaKeyId","3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00","parentId",3773899,"title","Tulsa committee reviews ordinance to standardize anti-discrimination language across city code","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",2333000,"endMs",2877000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00&start=2333&end=2877","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546332/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-committee-reviews-ordinance-to-standardize-anti-discrimination-language-across-city-code","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546332-55e4e75982555fcfbbc41cc560d1908e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978634&Signature=eTT3WAj5M4i1r7mv0~Yk0e0YOuCFP6vUd5Z7qKcsYLHgnaoL-SnwMDtUquTwfSp-HWAyXdK7Y4iKV90tgefRAYb-d10rvqT-c3mLkuU5s3tPAZRwatcZs~py8Zxp3LZ1ynDeMtALjf1Mvy0UoQUSIsQpS~oVylpIYPgkZVVgmPFpJSX8BBHz2zg95XQx1FVZaJXQn6A2xju1~VbL8b1mrw0le56ljuLNvZDZfc8jm3GYEMjxGvhg6dbbp1Vxi5P1k71E9VCVgkeBFFYBkmZDZf8LAQYOZ~lVfbreR1Ao3Sr-rMb6OGi2ctuEfEn3nctyfSls12gsiofCvGutugSp1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-06-11T10:30:00Z","article","The Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 discussed a proposed ordinance that would align anti‑discrimination language across multiple chapters of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances, add veteran status in some places and make age protections more consistent.

City legal staff and human‑rights advisers described the draft as largely technical cleanup that moves language already used in the housing section—specifically language on sexual orientation and gender identity—into a top‑level definitions section so it applies across other code provisions. ‘‘All this really does is it takes the definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity from the housing section and moves them up to the top, the definitions at the top, so that they're applicable to all sections,’’ said Jack (staff attorney), summarizing the proposal.

The change would keep the contractor‑compliance provision nearly unchanged so that city procurement and contracts are not broadly altered. The draft also includes a preamble noting that nothing in the chapter is intended to conflict with state or federal law.

Why it matters: committee members and human‑rights advocates said consistent language helps residents and staff know what protections the city offers. Several speakers pressed for improved access to the complaint process and for clearer definitions so residents know how to report discrimination.

Department of Resilience and Equity compliance officer LaKendra Carter described how complaints are handled and the volume the city sees: ‘‘In regards to discrimination complaints, regarding public accommodations particularly, I don't get very many of those,’’ she said, and added that accessibility and awareness of the complaint process remain barriers. Carter and other staff described steps already taken to make intake easier, including a phone intake option through 311, bilingual forms and efforts to provide mailed complaint forms on request.

Veterans‑rights advocates urged the committee to adopt explicit veteran‑status language. ‘‘When it comes down to the reporting side of it, we don't have a really good process for them,’’ said Josh Starks, a Human Rights Commissioner and veterans chair, urging both clearer code language and easier reporting.

Committee members discussed two legal decisions that shaped the debate: the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (interpreting Title VII to cover sexual orientation and gender identity in employment) and the 303 Creative decision related to compelled speech. Legal staff said Bostock’s reasoning supports reading existing prohibitions on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity, but recommended keeping the ordinance explicit and consistent because those terms have already been used in the city’s housing code.

Several council members urged caution about timing: the item had been scheduled to appear on the full‑council agenda on June 18, but some members asked to return the draft to UED for further edits and possible ‘‘friendly’’ amendments to the definitions and to clarifying language about federal preemption before sending it to the council.

Next steps: committee members said they will consider amendments and may place the revised ordinance back on a future UED agenda before the full‑council vote. Staff said the enforcement process would remain primarily conciliatory and mediation‑focused rather than punitive, and that separate work remains to increase public awareness of the complaint process.

Ending: The committee left the draft open for minor language changes and signaled it would continue discussion next week rather than pressing the item to final council action without additional committee review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Council Urban & Economic Development Committee - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 discussed a proposed ordinance that would align anti‑discrimination language across multiple chapters of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances, add veteran status in some places and make age protections more consistent.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546311,"Committee hears from two nominees for city commissions; votes scheduled for June 18",294,216000,510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00&start=216&end=510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6546311/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Committee-hears-from-two-nominees-for-city-commissions-votes-scheduled-for-June-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546311-ed177a03f9ffb105f0e7f56a0b847f2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978634&Signature=bOWf9CivguYQEU8UjZHcVU8ruOFCbmwKWA7S9Izj7AttGTZpbyzN5SfL8kVjlTDDFxmHxSvjk~UQjLIkLyPrWNPxHv8CDfx8GC1E-8fyYFTwK1JjUcsMcC1wHLXe6j2EsCxy5PiNT9KP0PCd89ELO0UceSHxw-6cr8XqVarnM-2yd0q2~mMWI5eEubqlHyaK53U1UCn~skT~tWruXWKyxV-CduNdp~hKkO8RxBhbO-S5UaWoLQuz-wtbN6kdggUPQvHHRIzCBUNJLDiklUXuXbetCSBZd~quDa9DI-JvL5KHaowLXogPymnqNCM1O1wvnrlZWBJt6VdxvIcUeEue3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two applicants appeared before the Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 as part of appointment items the committee previewed for the full council.

Joyce Arlene Roberts introduced herself as a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and as a commissioner on the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission. She said she represents the Indian Healthcare Resource Center of Tulsa on that board and serves on its board of trustees; she added that she has worked at American Electric Power for 28 years and cofounded its Native American employee resource group. Roberts is the nominee to fill a Human Rights Commission seat vacated by Kimberly Teehee; the term expires July 1, 2026. The committee noted Roberts’ dual roles and said the city values liaison work between commissions.

Sofia Magda Noche described 15 years of residence in Tulsa, a background of cultural and community work and a professional career in housing development and law. Noche said her family’s long history building cultural institutions informed her interest in public service; she told the committee she has worked on equitable housing projects including redevelopment in Kendall‑Whittier and North Tulsa and has owned a development company. Noche is the nominee to replace Tina Tran on the (transcript: \"Plantation Affairs Commission\") with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2027.

Both nominees were told their appointments will be placed on the council agenda for formal action on June 18 and that they are welcome to attend but are not required to be present for the council vote.

Ending: The committee did not vote on the appointments; both items were scheduled for the council’s June 18 agenda.","Nominees Joyce Roberts and Sofia Noche introduced themselves to the committee. Both will be placed on the June 18 council agenda for formal appointment: Roberts for the Human Rights Commission (replacing Kimberly Teehee) and Noche for a local affairs commission seat (replacing Tina Tran).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546316,"Committee hears multiple rezoning requests in Council District 3, including sign discussion for office property",473,1337000,1810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00&start=1337&end=1810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00/thumbnail_1337000.jpg","/articles/6546316/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Committee-hears-multiple-rezoning-requests-in-Council-District-3-including-sign-discussion-for-office-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546316-13b1ec1fc394d4a43da8b9fd8abb8ef1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978634&Signature=N-xWy2q6nv4f1AVxFJJ-cZnxrU3sTupX9SJ8tGMPNMoZRi3G7GYAFinlw3rGA4gXmX5EHPaeEwGiqbTVwKlIGzPv~3NXfXmH3GEYGNyQm4pypd61vJYF4Zu9qbUZV7V1CNzCi3Xwj8KflrxzxWdYWzJw-BtwIOtST~vAHvYOLluVQ2FHUz-TwA~IVwLYMwDt9NOYuA0cX7d7X3MySGh-6AGTuewwJWnqHGPVemNCP0fFKG1MD5Bl8MlHzHWRGfR6cPzE2uMTexV0g49fOwku1DuX5w3nThW5bfDIVjAszaX9Fr0jBfzjYjLNdVXEav2TVngQHVblrGh-qop0geMlNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 considered several rezoning applications in Council District 3 and heard staff, applicants and council members discuss development intent, neighborhood outreach and sign controls.

Key items discussed:
- Rezoning application B7811: request to rezone a roughly 10‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of East 506th Street North and North 104th East Avenue from AG (agricultural) to IM (industrial/modern industrial zoning) for employment land uses. Planning staff described surrounding mining operations and said the parcel is intended to be marketed for industrial uses in the future. Staff reported no neighborhood opposition and that the planning commission recommended approval.

- Rezoning application Z7813: request to change IL to AG for a property east of the northeast corner of East Apache Street and North 109th East Avenue. Staff said the parcel has functioned as a residence since the 1950s and that the IL zoning had been applied in 1975 but never used; owners requested AG so the house can be maintained and expanded (legal nonconforming issue). Planning recommended approval.

- Rezoning application Z7814 (ODP): request to rezone OL and RS1 to CS with an optional development plan for a multi‑tenant office building west of the southwest corner of East 401 First Street South and South Harvard Avenue. The applicant intends to replace an existing multi‑tenant sign with a digital display. Staff and councilors noted the property owner had met with neighbors and that neighbors reported no objections; however, the optional development plan (ODP) itself does not currently limit future sign designs or sizes. Several councilors suggested amending the ODP or adding a council amendment to restrict the sign to a monument style and a defined square footage so future owners could not later install a large pole sign without further approvals. The applicant will still need a Board of Adjustment variance if the sign is within 200 feet of residential zoning.

Why it matters: rezoning decisions change allowable uses and development patterns; the sign discussion centered on how to balance a property owner's ability to advertise tenants with long‑term neighborhood character and enforceable limits.

Next steps: staff said the items will proceed through the formal council process; committee discussion focused on potential council amendments (especially on the sign size/type) to be considered when the item appears before the full council.

Ending: Committee members encouraged applicants to work with neighbors and suggested language that would create a measurable, enforceable limit on future signs.","Committee reviewed several rezoning applications in Council District 3: a 10‑acre AG→IM request for employment land, an IL→AG change to regularize a long‑standing residence, and OL/RS1→CS with an optional development plan to allow a digital tenant sign (sign size to be decided).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546322,"EMSA tells committee it met response standards while pursuing workforce training and preparing FY26 budget",1989,5551000,7540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00&start=5551&end=7540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00/thumbnail_5551000.jpg","/articles/6546322/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/EMSA-tells-committee-it-met-response-standards-while-pursuing-workforce-training-and-preparing-FY26-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546322-9b7db076ee457bb99b3f58ba875a1a06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978634&Signature=hF~C541VRi66ghVVXA2TFnxwn65FrUNRCfoh7OhiwH5i2PfOyOzz8oerqMvHuLqZOqU7ssqEghLwWy30L17vyjOhCTJUuWkanRfLQrZWBFQxG20xDjztIaMUwt5XMwPpKfo1pxYLuLR~sQUQQGDKEDjiRa5rzMuu1Iz1ioyufZ59Tb5S39p00jtXwe1Zv9bzE83Jo2VBvZxpG-WBQL7i4Nc9~HHD7TQz5Cz9fZ0rbNUdFe7mXWON2coJRl4Yh~v5iVrgEvl9hrwpoYTDx5flyFiQjmnIdFX9TJmSR3UODV9jP7iGJy-gzICpSXOzf3nYbov6nsBstWjY~LS09RiXsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) presented a semiannual update to the Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11, outlining accreditation status, workforce programs, community outreach and the Eastern Division FY26 budget outlook.

EMSA President and CEO Jonna Easley said EMSA is one of the largest U.S. EMS organizations by transport volume and highlighted two external accreditations the agency holds: the CAAS accreditation (ambulance services accreditation) and designation as an International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) center of excellence for its communications center. ‘‘We are the largest EMS organization in The US, relative to transport volume,’’ Easley said.

Key operational points staff reported:
- FY26 budgeted transports for the Eastern Division: just over 93,000 (a roughly 1.2% increase over FY25 trends).
- Payer mix: roughly 70% of EMSA’s revenue comes from Medicare and Medicaid programs, which on average reimburse at or below cost.
- MCare (the city’s utility‑based program that supports low‑income residents): open‑enrollment metrics improved and enrollment/retention rose; EMSA reported annual MCare funding shortfalls because write‑offs exceed MCare funds drawn. EMSA said the city’s rate‑stabilization fund is used only as needed and that the fund balance is roughly $8 million (staff figure).

Workforce initiatives: EMSA described two in‑house training paths it operates to address staffing shortages: the EMSA Advantage EMT program (an employer‑funded pathway to EMT certification with no out‑of‑pocket costs for trainees) and an in‑house paramedic program that pays trainees while they are in school. Program results cited by staff: more than 75 Advantage graduates and 38 paramedic graduates since mid‑2022; EMSA said Advantage graduates now compose more than half of its EMT workforce.

Staff also reported they have sustained priority‑1 response‑time compliance at or above the industry standard used by the agency (90% target), and they continue to monitor hospital bed‑delay issues that can hold ambulances at emergency departments and remove units from the field.

Budget and fees: Laura Conger, EMSA chief financial officer, told the committee EMSA expects pressure on reimbursement from federal and state changes and that roughly 86.7% of operating revenue is patient revenue. EMSA said it has not raised transport fees in more than a decade and will undertake a comprehensive fee review, noting there may be opportunities to bill for some on‑scene interventions not currently billed under the structure now in place. EMSA said overtime and frontline compensation are the largest expense drivers.

Why it matters: EMSA’s revenue depends heavily on public payers that reimburse below cost; workforce and fee decisions affect both service levels and the city’s support structures such as MCare. Committee members asked questions about bed delays, overtime and how fee changes might interact with MCare enrollment.

Ending: EMSA offered to meet with council members and district meetings to discuss MCare enrollment and said it will provide more detailed fee and budget information as it completes its FY26 planning.","Emergency Medical Services Authority leaders briefed the committee on accreditations, workforce development programs, MCare enrollment trends and FY26 budget pressures driven by Medicaid/Medicare payer mix and staffing costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546327,"Committee hears $8 million TIF advance for WPX site and approves activation of airport TIF district for hangar and MRO development",535,675000,1210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00&start=675&end=1210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773899-bade621322ee8a13290d3c64bb9f7d00/thumbnail_675000.jpg","/articles/6546327/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Committee-hears-8-million-TIF-advance-for-WPX-site-and-approves-activation-of-airport-TIF-district-for-hangar-and-MRO-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546327-8e94eb0d7eb223c57f8f782195d22ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978634&Signature=furGrkkq7o9KtSvOUBYCAyxu1GClF0EJCeV-bk-PHEJSST~mEDLpotnlqQ7-ZqmMGByN5DuREWbz3few7aghnCBz4cYb9IBI8UWrL34m8t-uY3sgUImNsaWlI0mi5benRCS4Hj~LigcARI~eLcBXK-T9Ts8FF-xrh52GXjSjdqrDBsOIRaZ1yBW9tXmHBA0oqFOl32Qt95j7Qb~1xJAq1f8wCZwk2RzKJPZhEOycYmQcjRzsGLRUvME0zVAB2CgKwE2eeO8hNHWPyQ5dYR7f-1CLPZo8GT-uMB~55wWSqJB5wnGonRhtknmdHyQ53C6Co~2tFs-44ev6LJLzFBfpUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City legal and airport staff briefed the Urban Economic Development Committee on June 11 about two related measures: a resolution asking the council to allow the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAYO) to incur indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8,000,000 to advance a tax‑increment finance (TIF) obligation tied to a completed WPX property, and an ordinance to amend and activate a Tulsa International Airport project plan by renaming TIF District A to District Number 23.

Bond counsel John Weidman told the committee the planned borrowing would be a limited special obligation payable solely from ad valorem tax revenues generated in TIF District 15, not a city general obligation. ‘‘The only obligation on Tayo or the city of Tulsa is to actually transfer any TIF revenues from the district to the trustee to pay bonds. This is not an obligation to the city,’’ Weidman said, adding the obligation is payable only from the ad valorem (property) tax increment generated by the building.

Weidman and staff said the financing would be marketed to specialized purchasers and that competitive bidding was being waived because that market requires negotiated placement; KeyBank was engaged as the placement agent. Staff described prior similar transactions involving other TIF advances.

Airport staff described the project area the council would activate under the amended plan. Daniel (airport economic development lead) said the activated district covers a substantial portion of aeronautical development land between parallel runways and the crosswind runway, where hangars and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations are under development. He cited developers building general aviation hangars (Roger Hardesty and US Aviation) and a Kwik Trip hangar, and said Lufthansa has announced plans to grow in Tulsa and other airline investment interest exists.

Why it matters: activating the airport TIF district and advancing TIF proceeds would enable up‑front funding for incentives and infrastructure tied to existing and planned aeronautical development. Airport staff said new gates and an international terminal expansion are expected to enter service in 2026; the activated district would support hangar and MRO investment that staff say fosters high‑skill jobs.

Committee members pressed staff on timing and activation rules. Staff said the project plan allows activation through 2026 and that three of five project areas in the plan had been previously activated. Councilor questions focused on whether the district had been dormant and what runway‑adjacent parcels remained to be activated.

Next steps: Weidman said the resolution to allow TAYO’s incurrence of debt and the ordinance to ratify and rename the airport project area will appear before the full council next week for consideration; committee members were briefed but did not take a final council vote at the meeting.

Ending: Staff said the activation seeks to align the TIF timing with active development interest and that the measures will be presented to the council for final action.","Committee reviewed a resolution to allow the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity to incur up to $8 million to advance a TIF obligation tied to ad valorem taxes, and an ordinance to activate and rename a Tulsa International Airport TIF district (District 23) to support hangars, maintenance operations and future airline investment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tulsa committee reviews ordinance to standardize anti-discrimination language across city code

Committee hears from two nominees for city commissions; votes scheduled for June 18

Committee hears multiple rezoning requests in Council District 3, including sign discussion for office property

EMSA tells committee it met response standards while pursuing workforce training and preparing FY26 budget

Committee hears $8 million TIF advance for WPX site and approves activation of airport TIF district for hangar and MRO development