Council interviews Tyler Dunton for economic‑opportunity seat; hears Jeff Dunn seek reappointment to utilities boards

Tyler Dunton, a local coffee‑shop owner and urban design graduate, appeared before the Tulsa City Council to be considered for appointment to the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity, replacing Martha Zapata.

Dunton told councilmembers he and his wife own a coffee shop near the Heights and described prior projects that he said informed his interest in community development, including work on a landing space in the Tulsa Global District and a proposed highway cap to reconnect areas cut by U.S. 244. “My name is Tyler Dunton. My wife and I own a coffee shop…we’ve been pretty civically engaged,” Dunton said during his remarks.

Councilmembers thanked Dunton for stepping forward and invited him to the council’s July 23 confirmation agenda at 5 p.m., the council said. The transcript indicates the appointment will be considered on that July 23 agenda; no confirmation vote was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The council also heard from Jeff Dunn, who sought reappointment to the Tulsa Utility Board and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority. Dunn identified himself as CEO of Mill Creek, said the company employs about 900 people and is headquartered in Tulsa, and called the utility boards “critically important” for stewardship of the city’s water and utility assets. The transcript lists Dunn’s TMUA term as expiring 04/30/2029 and records that he attends regularly; Dunn told the council he hoped to continue serving.

Councilmembers praised Dunn’s business experience and supported his continued service. Like Dunton’s nomination, Dunn’s reappointment was scheduled to appear on the council’s July 23, 5 p.m. agenda for confirmation; the transcript did not record a final vote.

What happened next: Both nominations were presented to the council for consideration and were set for confirmation on the July 23 agenda; no final action was recorded in the excerpt provided.