Tulsa Human Rights Commission approves new liaison notice rule, adopts twin goals to boost ABC diversity and modernize complaint filing

The City of Tulsa Human Rights Commission on Thursday approved changes to its operational processes and adopted two complementary goals: increase diverse representation across city authorities, boards and commissions, and modernize and streamline the city’s human‑rights complaint filing process.

The commission unanimously approved a change that asks liaisons and representatives to notify City of Tulsa staff by the second Monday of each month at 12:00 p.m. if they intend to present a "call to action" at the next regular Human Rights Commission meeting. The change is intended to give commissioners and staff time to review requests and make meetings more productive.

The vote followed a 40‑minute discussion that included a guest appearance by Mayor Monroe Nichols. "I want you to know that your input, your service on this commission is not something that I hope you never feel like you're wasting your time here," Mayor Monroe Nichols said, urging commissioners to be "aggressive" in pursuing issues that affect residents and offering the mayor's office as a resource.

Why it matters: The operational change is meant to shorten in‑meeting announcements and move substantive requests into prepared agenda items so the commission can respond with focused discussion and follow‑up. Commissioners also approved a working document that lays out two primary goals and a…