Tulsa City Council approves consent agenda including Habitat deed, budget amendments and rezoning; residents urge answers on North Tulsa impacts

The Tulsa City Council on Monday approved a multi-item consent agenda that included a deed dedication of property to Tulsa Habitat for Humanity, several plats and rezoning approvals, and multiple budget amendments totaling millions of dollars.

Council Chair Phil Lakin led the meeting where the council approved items 4B through 4R — including mayor’s item K, a deed dedication by Tulsa Habitat for Humanity of property at 22846 East Independence Street (Partial 670 B, TD Evans Subdivision). The motion to approve the block of items, which carried on a roll-call vote, also included emergency clauses on items 4B through 4D.

The approvals also covered land-use actions and plats — including rezoning application Z7807 (from RM2 to RS5) for property described in the agenda as the northeast corner of West Eighth and South 405th, the final plat for Stone Creek Hollow (30 lots, three blocks, four reserves), and a minor plat for “Costco North Tulsa addition” (one lot, one block, approximately 30.5 acres). Councilors also approved second-reading ordinances that amended the current budget for specified purposes: $300,000 for interest earnings/ arbitrage, $154,189 for fee-in-lieu funds for Vinsal Creek, $17,100,000 for citywide automated meter reading expenses, $19,620,000 for the Northside Waste Water Treatment Plant and area-wide sewer rehabilitation, and $200,000 for golf course appropriations.

The consent vote was unanimous among council members present. In public comment, some residents urged closer scrutiny of items affecting North Tulsa. James Alexander Jr., who signed up to speak on mayor’s item K, said he was troubled by the lack of supporting documentation for the Habitat deed and asked the council for more information. "This is a Habitat for Humanity, and it seems like what goes on in North Tulsa has a way of spreading to other areas in North Tulsa... there was no backup to this. And when there's no backup to this, it shows a big red sign to me," Alexander said.

Bernice Alexander, a Langston University graduate speaking during public comment, tied community concerns to broader local issues, saying, "I cannot understand the reason Tulsa's community rallies to remember Black Wall Street, but can ignore the local government's newest efforts to attack the African American community." She raised questions about Langston University's funding and ongoing infrastructure problems in North Tulsa, including past federal complaints about drinking water and sewer service.

John Huffines, another public commenter who addressed multiple mayor’s items during the meeting, voiced support for the Habitat item and for a special-event permit for a Good Friday procession. "I am in favor of this expense donation for Eric Lee who has been faithful for years," Huffines said about a travel donation for an employee to attend an industry conference, and he also urged approval of the procession permit.

Council discussion did not produce additional details on the Habitat deed during the meeting; councilors moved through the consent items and then took up other agenda business, including a separate resolution supporting a 10-year master plan for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. The council approved that addendum resolution (item 8B) as well; Mark Fry, CEO of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, thanked the council for support and described the project as a multiyear effort to update the center.

What the council approved: the consent package (items 4B–4R), plats and rezoning (items 5A–5D), several budget ordinance amendments (items 7A–7E), and a supporting resolution for the Performing Arts Center master plan. What residents asked for: clearer backup materials and more transparency on projects affecting North Tulsa and on support and funding for Langston University. The council did not provide additional public detail about the Habitat dedication or the specific development plans for the parcel during the meeting.

The meeting included announcements about neighborhood town halls, an open house for the GO Plan pedestrian and trails project, and other community outreach events.

Votes at a glance: items 4B–4R (approved, roll call recorded as all councilors present voting “yes”); items 5A–5D (approved); ordinances 7A–7E (approved on second reading); item 8B, addendum supporting the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust master plan (approved).