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Tulsa council adopts airport ordinance clarifying public expression limits at TIA and Riverside
Summary
The council approved an ordinance updating airport rules, including provisions that limit expressive activity to defined locations at Tulsa International Airport and Riverside Airport; council members discussed the scope and said staff may amend language if unintended consequences arise.
The Tulsa City Council voted to approve a package of airport-related ordinances on second reading, including an update that clarifies conducting expressive activity on airport property and establishes a permitting process for time, place and manner restrictions.
During discussion, Alexis (staff member) explained the proposed rule’s structure and said the definition of "airport property" encompasses the entire boundaries of Tulsa International Airport (TIA) and Riverside Airport. A council member raised concern that the ordinance’s definition of expressive activity appeared to reference only TIA and Riverside and asked whether that could unintentionally exclude other airport-owned property or locations; Alexis replied the definition was intended to apply across the full airport boundaries and that most requests historically have involved the TIA terminal area.
“It's really only requested at Tulsa International,” Alexis said, describing where such requests typically arise. Another council member said the language could be amended after adoption if necessary to address unintended consequences.
Councilors moved to approve items 7 a through f on second reading; the roll-call vote recorded “Yes” from Councilor Lakin, Councilor Bush, Councilor Hal Harper, Councilor Archie, Councilor Dutton and Councilor Bingle.
Why it matters: the ordinance sets a clear administrative process for expressive activity on airport property, balancing free-expression considerations with operational and safety concerns at the city’s two airports. The discussion indicates staff and council members are aware of potential ambiguity in geographic scope and are open to clarifying amendments.
Discussion vs. decision: the council discussed the intended geographic scope and permitting process (discussion) and then approved the ordinance package on second reading (decision). The transcript does not record an amendment adopted at the meeting; council members indicated the option to amend the ordinance later if needed.
Next steps: staff signaled willingness to revisit wording if locations beyond the TIA terminal are raised in future requests. The ordinance passed on second reading at this meeting per the transcript.
Vote: items 7 a–f — approved by roll call (Lakin, Bush, Hal Harper, Archie, Dutton, Bingle: all Yes).
