Council Public Works Committee - 2026-05-06
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Public Works Committee meeting focused primarily on Route 66 asset maintenance challenges ahead of the May 30th Centennial celebration, revealing that the city owns numerous attractions across the corridor without a comprehensive maintenance plan or funding. The committee also approved an appointment to the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission, received an update on reduced HUD small business loan match requirements (from $1.5M to $400K), and discussed a $575,000 sidewalk project in District 5 connecting South Hudson and South Lakewood Ave.
Key Decisions (5)
Appointment to Greater Tulsa Area African American Affairs Commission
Michelle Burdick appointed to fill the vacant Greenwood Cultural Center seat on the commission. She has served 30 years at the Greenwood Cultural Center as program coordinator, public speaker, and on-site historian.
Retail Revitalization Loan Fund Match Reduction
Tulsa Housing Authority reduced their commitment to the Choice Neighborhood small business loan fund from approximately $1 million to $400,000. The city's required match correspondingly dropped from $1.5 million to $400,000. Remaining funds ($600,000+) will be available for other businesses in retail market study corridors and along the BRT.
ONG Franchise Election Resolution
Resolution calling for the Tulsa County Election Board to conduct a nonpartisan special election on October 25th for voters to approve or disapprove ordinance 25782 granting franchise to Oklahoma Natural Gas Company.
Title 49 Permit Fee Amendments
Ordinance amending administrative permit and license fees including 3% increase (inflation rate) for application and building permit fees, new fees for LOMER and city regulatory floodplain reviews, after-hour and weekend inspection fees for Public Works, and fees for posting more than two signs.
District 5 Sidewalk Project Discussion
Proposed $575,000 sidewalk construction connecting South Lakewood Ave to South Hudson Ave, east of 36th Place, near Bishop Kelly High School, Zaro Elementary, and Montessori school. Project uses Council District Community Development Priority Project funds and Improve Our Tulsa 2 funding.
Development Activity (2)
36th Street North Choice Neighborhood Development
Reinvention of old Comanche public housing as part of HUD Choice Neighborhoods program, includes community small business lending component with reduced $400,000 THA commitment matched by city funds
District 5 Sidewalk Connection
Sidewalk construction providing safe route to school for students at Bishop Kelly High School, Zaro Elementary, and Montessori school; connects to existing sidewalk network and bus stops along Darlington/Highland Park
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
City lacks comprehensive maintenance funding for Route 66 tourism assets, with departments discovering they own attractions they didn't know existed, highlighting systemic gap between capital construction and ongoing maintenance budgeting.
Sentiment
Route 66 Centennial celebration on May 30th driving urgent infrastructure improvements along the corridor, with east side assets (east of Yale) significantly underinvested compared to western portions.
Housing Demand
Tulsa Housing Authority reducing investment in 36th Street North Choice Neighborhood business lending from $1M to $400K due to financing constraints on other buildings in the development.
Infrastructure
City officials advocating for dedicated maintenance funds and fiscal impact statements to be required in future capital improvement RFPs to prevent recurring pattern of building assets without maintenance plans.