Public Works Committee reviews multiple appointments; council to vote March 5

The Tulsa Public Works Committee on a February meeting heard presentations and brief remarks from several candidates and existing members seeking appointment or reappointment to city advisory bodies, with formal City Council votes scheduled for March 5.

The session included applicants and incumbents for the Tulsa Stadium Trust, the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission, the Ethics Advisory Committee and other boards. Jordan Rodick introduced himself for appointment to the Tulsa Stadium Trust, saying he is a Tulsa native with a civil engineering degree and that he works at Wallace Design Collective. “I’m Tulsa native. Went to Oklahoma State, got a civil engineering degree…we’ve been fortunate to be involved in many of the projects, downtown and in the neighborhood,” Rodick said.

The meeting also heard from Maybelle Wallace, a long-serving member of the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission, who said she has lived in Tulsa for 95 years and wants to continue serving the commission. “I am a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I’ve been here for 95 years… I really feel that my purpose for being here is to, help the young people,” Wallace said. Marquise Dennis, who identified himself as founder and executive director of Birthright Living Legacy, outlined his work on family and fatherhood supports; he told the committee he currently chairs the commission’s policy committee and works with other groups to coordinate work across commissions. “I am Marquise Dennis, founder and executive director of a organization called Birthright Living Legacy,” Dennis said.

Jim Provenzano appeared for reappointment to the Ethics Advisory Committee and described his recent role on that committee and his data and governance experience. Brian Humphrey, a commercial lender and current commission member, also spoke briefly about his service and ties to economic development and planning work in the city.

Committee members thanked each candidate and incumbent for their service and noted that the Council will take votes on these appointments at the March 5 City Council meeting. No final vote or formal approval took place during the committee meeting.

The committee invited the appointees and interested members of the public to attend the March 5 council meeting, at which the council will consider the formal appointments.

Details recorded at the committee meeting indicate attendance and participation by several council members and by the applicants and incumbents who spoke. The committee did not make formal decisions at this session; the council vote will determine final appointments.