Tulsa City Council approves $30K settlement to Oklahoma Watch in open records case

In a recent meeting of the Tulsa Council Public Works Committee, significant discussions centered around two legal settlements involving the city, highlighting ongoing challenges related to transparency and accountability in local governance.

The committee addressed a resolution to authorize a payment of $30,000 to Oklahoma Watch and Whitney Bridal, stemming from an open records dispute. This case, which originated in 2022, involved disagreements over the accessibility of law enforcement records. Assistant City Attorney Hayes Martin explained that the city opted for a settlement after assessing the likelihood of success in court. The settlement was deemed a prudent choice to avoid prolonged litigation. Council members expressed interest in understanding the case details further, particularly regarding the records requested by Oklahoma Watch.

The second major topic involved a resolution for a $375,000 payment to Michael Delaney, related to an officer-involved shooting during a traffic stop in March 2020. The shooting was found to be outside of police policy, leading to a lawsuit for violations of Delaney's Fourth Amendment rights. Lawson Vaughn from the litigation division noted that the officer involved was terminated following the incident and faced criminal charges. The settlement was reached after mediation, with council members questioning the implications of the case and the officer's subsequent actions.

Throughout the discussions, council members raised concerns about the availability of case documents and the need for clearer summaries to aid public understanding. They emphasized the importance of transparency in these legal matters, particularly when significant sums of taxpayer money are involved. The committee agreed to consider providing more accessible information regarding such cases in the future.

As the council prepares to vote on these resolutions, the discussions underscore the ongoing need for accountability in city governance and the complexities involved in managing public records and legal disputes. The next council meeting is scheduled for July 16, where these resolutions will be formally approved or rejected.