Council approves MOU to have city staff administer BRTA as TIF dollars are spent down
November 04, 2025 | Bartlesville, Washington County, Oklahoma
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City Manager Mike Bailey and Councilman Kirkpatrick said the proposal is intended to provide stable, qualified staffing as the BRTA's long-serving staff member, Chris, retires. Bailey said TIF 1 and TIF 2 have expired as districts but that approximately $4 million of previously captured increment remains available for BRTA projects; he described the city staffing proposal as an alternative to hiring a short-term executive director and said the BRTA would pay the city $150,000 annually for administrative services.
Councilman Kirkpatrick presented an overview of a draft "Rebuild Capitol Hill" concept that would target incentives toward owner-occupants, repairs to deferred maintenance, unlocking private investment and returning about 300 vacant units to the market in the Capitol Hill area. He said the program would prioritize measurable, rapid impact and owner-occupancy before broader investor incentives.
Councilmember discussion addressed the timing and need to move quickly because the BRTA staff transition is imminent. Bailey said the MOU must still be considered formally by the BRTA board (a meeting was expected Nov. 19) but asked council for approval to proceed with transition planning. Councilman Kirkpatrick moved to approve the MOU; the motion was seconded and the council recorded unanimous "ayes." The MOU passed.
The council then considered appointments to fill two BRTA vacancies. Councilman East recommended reappointment of Sarah Freeman and Philip Wright; the council seconded and approved both reappointments by unanimous vote.
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