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Public Works Committee reviews three proposed sinking‑fund payouts totaling $1.105 million; no council vote recorded
Summary
Committee members heard presentations on three proposed payments from the sinking fund — $30,000 for Oklahoma Watch open‑records settlement, $375,000 for a 2020 officer‑involved shooting claim, and $700,000 for a First Amendment arrest settlement — and asked for more documentation; no formal committee votes were recorded.
The City of Tulsa Public Works Committee on Wednesday reviewed three resolutions authorizing payments from the city’s sinking fund to satisfy judgments or settlements in pending and concluded lawsuits totaling $1,105,000, but the committee did not record formal votes on any of the resolutions during the meeting.
Chad Becker of the city treasury told the committee there is sufficient cash balance in the sinking fund to cover the amounts and outlined the process by which finance will issue payment and levy repayments over a three‑year period if council approves. “Judgment has been approved by the court and the mayor,” Becker said about one case, and finance staff confirmed balances available in the sinking fund.
The three items presented were: - A proposed resolution to pay $30,000 to Oklahoma Watch and Whitney Bridal and their counsel Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, LLP, in case CV‑2022‑2584 (an open‑records dispute). Assistant City Attorney Hayes Martin said the dispute covered multiple records claims, including police reports and 911 audio; plaintiffs received one of the three contested records as a result of the proceedings, and the parties negotiated a settlement totaling $30,000 to cover attorney fees. - A proposed resolution to pay $375,000 to Michael Delaney and counsel Smolin & Reiten (case 21‑C‑V‑544). Lawson Vaughn of the litigation division summarized that the claim arose from an officer‑involved shooting on March 20, 2020: Delaney was shot in the left shoulder while fleeing a scene, a force review board found the shooting outside policy, and the officer was later terminated and indicted by a grand jury on reckless use of a firearm. Vaughn said motions for summary judgment were overruled and the city attended mediation and negotiated the settlement. - A proposed resolution to pay $700,000 to Sheila Buck and counsel Smolin & Breitman in case 21‑C‑V‑295. Michelle McGrew in City Legal said Buck was arrested June 20, 2020, at a political rally and alleged a violation of her First Amendment rights for wearing a shirt; the mayor authorized settlement negotiations and the two sides agreed to a $700,000 settlement to limit the risk of a larger attorney‑fee award.
Committee members asked for easier public access to court backup documents and for a succinct internal settlement summary on future agendas. Councilor Dr. Wright asked whether backup OSCN or PACER PDFs could be attached to agenda materials; legal staff and other members explained that court dockets can be lengthy and suggested providing a one‑page settlement summary that includes key facts, dates and the final dollar figure for council consideration. Councilor Dr. Wright also asked whether the officer in the Delaney case remained with the police department; Vaughn said the officer was terminated. Councilors discussed the possibility of an executive session if legal details required privileged discussion.
No recorded committee votes appear in the transcript. Committee members were advised that formal authorization is the City Council’s decision; the committee discussion focused on funding availability, case facts, and requests for clearer backup summaries for future agenda items.
