Tulsa committee reviews sinking-fund judgments, alley and easement closures and a driveway license request

The Tulsa Public Works Committee on an unspecified date discussed several administrative items including resolutions to use the city's sinking fund to pay court judgments, requests to close parts of public ways and easements for private development, a license agreement for a custom driveway at 6310 South Richmond Avenue, and a deferred request to declare property at 1620 East 12th Street surplus.

The discussion matters because the committee's recommendations affect city finances and property owners' ability to develop or clear title. Committee staff said sinking-fund payments are available to cover judgments, while Public Works staff described steps taken to relocate utilities or clear easements to allow building permits.

Treasury Division staff said the committee will be asked to authorize sinking-fund payments for multiple court judgments. "We are adequately positioned, for all 3 cases, to pay them, in accordance with how we generally pay from the sinking fund," Treasury Division staff member Chad Becker said. Becker also reported that "the sinking fund balance is 53,700,000 as of today." He said, however, that final payment from the sinking fund requires council approval and that finance will file…