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Council agenda includes several sinking-fund payments for judgments tied to police vehicle collisions
Summary
The council considered multiple resolutions authorizing sinking-fund payments to plaintiffs in motor-vehicle cases involving Tulsa police officers. Presentations described facts of each case and city legal/finance procedures; the transcript does not record recorded votes.
The Tulsa City Council agenda included a set of resolutions authorizing payments from the city’s sinking fund to resolve judgments and associated attorney-fee awards in several motor-vehicle cases involving Tulsa Police Department officers.
Treasury representative Chad Becker told the council finance can pay the judgments ahead of property-tax levies, then levy reimbursement to the sinking fund over three years; he said the sinking fund cash balance was $82,000,000 as of the meeting. City litigation staff described the underlying accidents, and several councilors asked for factual clarifications.
Cases discussed in sequence were: - Arlo Washington v. City of Tulsa et al., case CJ2022-3335 — proposed sinking-fund payment: $50,000 (plaintiff/attorney listing: Griffin, Reynolds & Associates). City litigation reported the officer went left of center with lights and sirens and was found at fault. - Nadine and Shanice Martin v. City of Tulsa et al., case CJ2020-3306904 — proposed payment: $52,500. Litigation said this collision occurred during a pursuit; the officer involved was not using lights and sirens and the plaintiffs were turning into a driveway. - Virginia Ferguson v. City of Tulsa, case CJ2023-1899 — proposed payment: $25,000. Litigation said a city meter reader rear-ended the plaintiff after the light changed to green; the city admitted liability. - Michael (last name in backup) v. City of Tulsa, case CJA2023-1446 (plaintiff Michael Goodgens referenced) — proposed payment: $125,000. Litigation said the officer ran a red light and t-boned the plaintiff, who was unconscious on EMS arrival and uninsured.
City legal staff explained medical liens and listed medical providers asserting liens in some cases. Councilors asked about how sinking-fund levies interact with county property-tax collections; city staff explained the county collects property taxes and remits the city portion for deposit to the sinking fund.
The transcript records presentations and council discussion but does not include recorded roll-call votes or final outcomes on the resolutions. Several councilors had clarifying questions and comments about liability facts and the finance process. Becker stated that, if the council approves payment, finance will issue payment and forward documents to the county to levy repayment to the sinking fund over three years.
