Join Councilor Bellis for a virtual District 4 Town Hall on Monday, March 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the following link: bit.ly/dist4townhall Guests include City Auditor Nathan Pickard and the new leader of Housing Forward, Tyler Parette. There will also be a question and answer session. If you have technical questions, email dist4@tulsacouncil.org. |
|
|
District 4 Community Development Project |
|
|
Last month, Councilors approved a District 4 Community Development Priority Project regarding improvements to the Kendall Whittier Main Street area. The project was proposed ahead of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 to encourage visitors to tour historic Oklahoma main street neighborhoods. The revitalization project will include:
Neon striping at Whittier Square Adding a Route 66 Shield neon sign to Whittier Square 100 district wayfinding signs (50 in English, 50 in Spanish) Utility box art installations Whittier Square clock repairs Streetlight pole banners Public art installations at the entrance to Kendall Whittier Open book art installation at the library
Councilor Bellis proposed using $50,000 from District 4 Community Development funds for the project. The Lesher Family Foundation donated $80,000, and American Heritage Bank donated $130,000 in employee state payroll taxes, for a grand total of $260,000. |
|
|
Update from the Legislative Forum |
|
|
In December, the City Council held the annual Legislative Forum to engage with Tulsa-area state legislators ahead of Oklahoma’s Legislative Session. The discussion aimed to bring forward issues concerning Tulsa residents and solutions through possible legislation. Councilor Bellis discussed the need for supporting family childcare homes with regard to building/fire codes. In late 2023, the City Council adopted changes to the zoning code to make it easier for childcare providers to offer at-home childcare services. While this helped create a path for more family childcare homes, the current international building code (IBC)/fire code adopted by the state requires costly commercial solutions, mandating fire suppression systems that are out of financial reach for most providers. Councilor Bellis requested support for a bill to reform statewide building and fire codes to make childcare more accessible. HB 1847 is now making its way through the state House! Other discussion items included giving municipalities the option to hear Board of Adjustment (BOA) appeals instead of going to District Court, recommending State and City leadership meet to discuss affordable housing opportunities, and recommending State funding for Justice Reform Programs such as the Special Services Court. |
|
|
Free Lead Water Testing Available |
|
|
Tulsa residents can request free lead testing by contacting 311. While lead was not commonly used at the time most water lines were constructed in Tulsa, connectors between the City and property lines on older homes may contain lead. The City is systematically carrying out a multi-year effort to replace water meters and check for lead as they go, but you don’t have to wait to get it checked. If you’d like to be more proactive, free lead testing is available for any utility customer upon request by contacting 311: |
|
|
Coming Up: It's Budget Season! |
|
|
Budget season is around the corner for the City of Tulsa. The Mayor and City Council met at the annual Mayor/Council Budget Retreat in January to highlight priorities and concerns raised by citizens and how they may impact the City’s budget. The top priorities included homelessness, public safety, economic development, and children, youth and families. Next, Mayor Nichols will work with his team to draft a proposed budget including the priorities discussed, and present it to the City Council. Then, the Council will hold committee meetings to review the budget and propose any changes or amendments. The public will also have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed budget during public hearings at the City Council regular meeting before it is considered and voted on. |
|
|
From January through March coyotes are most active for mating season. Coyotes have been longtime residents in Tulsa and while they usually stay clear of humans, your pets could still be targets. The best way to protect yourself and your pets is to utilize best practices to avoid confrontation: Always supervise your pets and don’t leave them unattended at night Remove food attractants such as bowls of pet food Remove any possible shelters that a coyote could make a den Respond appropriately when you come across a coyote such as clapping or making loud noises.
If you encounter an aggressive coyote, do not approach it and contact a Tulsa County Game Warden. Do not contact Tulsa Animal Services as they do not handle wildlife calls. |
|
|
Neighborhood Explorer Neighborhood Explorer is a collaborative tool that collects geographic data on Tulsa’s systemic challenges to help organizations create positive change in their communities. Nonprofits and organizations submit their research questions and Neighborhood Explorer provides data-driven responses showing how system changes can impact a community and predict changes over time. Organizations also have access to existing research questions to identify needs and resources in their area. The public is able to view this data, as well as current community goals and available community studies, so they can also play a role in shining a light on the needs of their community. |
|
|
State of Downtown Downtown Tulsa Partnership released its 2024 State of Downtown Annual Report, an in-depth and data-driven snapshot of ongoing development and economic growth in Downtown Tulsa. The report provides updates on development, workforce numbers, visitor experience, and more that have seen notable changes for the year.
Downtown Tulsa Partnership also updated its dashboard with the latest numbers for employment and visitor activity with comparisons to previous years. |
|
|
Neighborhood Conditions Index The Neighborhood Conditions Index (NCI) provides data-driven reports of unique characteristics and improvement areas for each neighborhood in Tulsa. The Tulsa Planning Office is now offering one-hour NCI workshops to organized neighborhoods covering: the neighborhood’s NCI report a walkthrough of available materials ideas on how to identify priorities available resources and potential next steps.
Neighborhoods can submit an interest form here. |
|
|
I hope you find this information helpful. |
|
|
Your City Councilor, Laura Bellis |
|
|
|
|
