Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulsa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
14 issues in water utilities with medium priority
Spunky Creek sewer interceptor acceleration
Landowners donated easements so sewer and stormwater projects can move forward — including Battle Creek Phase VI, the 11th Street Acres interceptor, and the Hughes sewer extension.
Citywide data integration gaps
Commissioner Roberts admitted the city runs on siloed Excel spreadsheets and legacy systems, making cross-department analysis hard. A Peregrine data-integration platform is being explored after the eight-year records-management project wrapped.
Fair Oaks sanitary sewer extension
The Robson family is working with TMUA to extend sanitary sewer to the southern portion of the 540-acre parcel and to the first phase of Fair Oaks retail development, with Meta providing local match.
Sewer backup settlement payment
A west Tulsa family's home flooded with sewage in November 2024 after roots intruded through a defect in an old city main line — 75% of the house was affected. The city is paying $125,000 from the Sinking Fund to settle the lawsuit, and councilors urged residents to report possible sewer line encroachments for inspection.
Condemnation for Coal Creek sewer improvements
The city is condemning a home on N. College Ave. and six Oakhurst Strategies properties near N. Harvard and N. Gary to install sanitary sewer improvements for Coal Creek Rehabilitation Relief.
Coal Creek sewer condemnations near N. Harvard and E. Marshall
The city needs seven parcels for Coal Creek sewer rehabilitation but can't get responses from the owners — one unreachable, one unresponsive. Judges will now help sort it out.
Tulsa Utility Board leadership and aging water system
Incoming utility board chairman Rick Hudson warned of an aging, decaying water and sewer system and a wastewater consent order that forced costlier borrowing — a heads-up on future rate pressure.
Stormwater and solid waste rate increases
Monthly stormwater fees would rise 7% to $14.65 and residential trash rates would be amended, both effective October 1 — that shows up directly on utility bills.
South Tulsa Dam project funding gap
The city, Jenks, and the Muscogee Nation all offered to put in more money, but the project still has a significant funding gap despite four cost-reduction concepts on the table.
Oklahoma Natural Gas 20-year franchise
ONG's franchise renewal sets a 4% rate on gross receipts and needs voter approval on August 25. The council held its required public hearing with no speakers.
Sewer extension to unsewered area near 46th and Lewis
The city is condemning a sewer easement after five months of no response from the property owner, so it can build the sewer project this summer that the whole neighborhood wants.
Crow Creek sewer rehabilitation
$5.35 million will fix about 10,000 feet of leaky sewer pipe and 100+ manholes between 15th and 36th Streets, cutting wet-weather overflows.
Haikey Creek fertilizer production project
A $48 million appropriation — $9.6 million in federal USDA grant money plus $38.4 million local match — for a fertilizer production expansion at the Haikey Creek wastewater plant is pending first-reading action March 4.
Utica Avenue stormwater replacement
A $438,220 change order will replace decades-old brick stormwater manholes and piping under Utica from Pine to Admiral, a roadwork project that has been hitting old brick structures throughout the mile-long corridor.