Apr 19, 2011
Warm Weather Code Violations
Apr 14, 2011
Polishing the Pearl
Apr 7, 2011
Burn Ban In Effect for Tulsa
Mar 16, 2011
The Results Are In
The result of the citizen survey showed that 51 percent of Tulsans surveyed believe we are headed in the right direction compared to 26 percent who do not. This two-to-one margin gives me great hope that the policies laid down in 2010 will provide a solid foundation as we move forward.
Other survey results are very encouraging:
- 77 percent have a positive perception of Tulsa as a place to live; 65 percent were satisfied with the appearance of the city; 75 percent are satisfied with the appearance of our parks;
- 75 percent support the KPMG initiatives and the benefit potential it holds; 70 percent support the spending proposals I intend to pursue in this next budget; 77 percent feel proud to be a Tulsan; and 78 percent want to start developing the river.
This direct feedback will be invaluable in our planning and responding to what Tulsans want for their city.
There are great opportunities that will come from this survey because it is truly a grassroots report.
This is what makes it so powerful and so likely to succeed.
When we began to plan for this survey it started with a simple question: "If you had 15 minutes alone with the mayor, what would you tell him was important for Tulsa to continue to be the great city it has always been?"
We asked, you spoke, we listened.
Now the action begins.
Best Regards,
Dewey BartlettMayor
Mar 14, 2011
Plan for Events This Week
With the influx of people in the downtown area, citizens who travel downtown can expect to see road closures for special event tents near the BOK Center and in the Blue Dome District.
Shuttle services will also be running more frequently, with longer hours than normal to accommodate NCAA fans throughout the weekend.
Will you be going to the basketball games?
Spring is Near
Tulsa Parks is already making summer plans and will open five pools this summer, the same number and the same pools as in 2010.
These pools are located at McClure, Reed, Lacy, Whiteside and Berry parks.
Admission fees to the pools will also be the same as 2010.
To physically prepare a pool for opening and to hire lifeguards, decisions on which pools to open are made in the late winter and early spring.
"While budget dollars haven't changed much since a year ago, we are making plans to make sure pools get open," says Lucy Dolman, Tulsa Parks Director. "Additionally, we have three more water playgrounds this year than 2010, plus one we're working on now. These playgrounds are very popular with children, are open longer, and are much more affordable to maintain."
Since 2010, three water playgrounds have been built at Maxwell, Chamberlain, and Owen. A fourth will be constructed at Whiteside. Funding for water playgrounds comes from 2001 and 2006 Sales Tax and Vision 2025 funding.
Applications for Lifeguard positions, as well as Summer Day Camp Leaders, are now available.
Mar 12, 2011
City Opens New CNG Fueling Station
Mar 11, 2011
Tulsa Is Looking for Citizens to Serve
Visit cityortulsa.org for more information.
Feb 25, 2011
Crews Patching Potholes; Trash Collections Back to Normal
About 150 Public Works employees were engaged in removing snow and spreading salt on Tulsa's streets. About 40 of those employees are from the Street Maintenance section and are now patching potholes.
Potholes are a year-round problem, but usually increase dramatically after snow and ice storms and extremely cold weather. The freeze-and-thaw of moisture on and in the pavement enlarges cracks and accelerates the formation of potholes.
Citizens are encouraged to report potholes, especially larger or deeper potholes with the potential to cause damage to vehicles or create hazards for motorists. Potholes can be reported online and providing information about the pothole location. Potholes can also be reported by calling the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100.
Trash and recycling collection crews for the City of Tulsa and its contractors also resumed normal collection routes this week. Any customers who's trash was missed during the snow storms can put their items out on regular collection days to be picked up.
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Jan 10, 2011
Tulsa's New Vision: What's Happening in 2011
The "seeds" of this new vision were planted in 2010 and will begin to bear results in 2011 and should give citizens a new sense of confidence in Tulsa's future.
KPMG
This first-of-a-kind review of the entire operation of City government was completed and will begin to be implemented making City government more responsive, cost effective and customer orientated. The challenges which government faces today must be met with a new form and purpose of government.
PLANiTULSA
The first update of the City's comprehensive plan in 30 years will begin implementation. Two main objectives in 2011 as first steps include: hiring a director of Planning to oversee that the strategies and recommendations are implemented in a timely, organized, and coordinated manner; updating the zoning code so that those recommended uses of land and space have a sense of balance, flexibility, livability, and opportunity.
Energy Master Plan
The City of Tulsa's first Energy Conservation Master Plan will be completed. Spanning across dozens of facilities and public improvements, the plan will identify where energy usage and costs can be conserved, where alternative types of energy can be used, and where capital energy improvements will provide the sustainability of public assets.
Arkansas River
For the first time since October of 2007, serious talk and movement on development of areas along the Arkansas River resumed. Early in 2011 an RFP will be issued for approximately 100 acres on the west bank of the river. Also in 2011 will be the start of the dialogue with the government leaders of the other river cities on the creation of a river development authority.
Taxes
The push to collect the sales and use taxes destined for the City of Tulsa will continue. With both a pending lawsuit to allow local collection as well as pending legislation to return the option to cities, this is the life blood for the City. Early in 2011 new private auditors approved by the tax commission will be allowed to audit local business for payment compliance.
Municipal Finance Task Force
With the Municipal Finance Task Force issuing its 13 recommendations in December, the start of the next legislative session in February will see several bills introduced by Tulsa that provide the City with fiscal options, flexibility, and opportunities to stabilize our fiscal house.
Citizens Survey
For the first time, a comprehensive citywide citizen's survey was launched in December. Over 100 questions on all aspects of city life in Tulsa is being asked of nearly 2,000 households. When the results are received in early 2011, a new plan of action, transparency, and accountability will be prepared.
Small Business Ombudsman
No business is more important to the economic health of Tulsa than the small business. Yet the size of government and its abundance of red tape can strangle the small business owner to death. To provide the responsive guidance which a small business needs getting through the maze of government regulations, a new, first-of-a kind Small Business Ombudsman position was created in 2010.
City/County Collaboration
It matters little to the citizens which government provides which services. All of the services are paid for by the same taxpayer. Up until recently, there was no recognizable relationship with the elected leaders of Tulsa County. That changed in 2010 with the issuance of an executive order creating the City County Collaborative Advisory Committee. In 2011, the leaders which will compose this committee will begin the exploration of partnerships and joint ventures.
IBM
Late in 2010 the City of Tulsa applied for one of the 50 IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants. Tulsa's request is for IBM support to determine the competitive challenges Tulsa faces against its peer cities in the development of businesses and the creation of jobs. Tulsa should know in early 2011 if it is selected for one of these awards.
Each of these pieces of the new vision was developed in 2010 even as we battled the worse recession in our city's history. As dark as those days appeared, a vision for a better Tulsa is at hand.
Jan 8, 2011
Get Lean Tulsa for 2011
Get Lean Tulsa's first health and fitness event of 2011 will kick off Saturday, January 8 with a one-hour workout at Sky Fitness & Well-being, 10121 South Sheridan Road.
This 12-week community fitness challenge event known as the
health4life REVOLUTIONT TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE will donate a portion of the registration fees to the Tulsa Parks.
The individual who experiences the greatest transformation in 12 weeks will win thousands in cash and prizes.
The grand champion and runner-ups from this 12-week program will be determined based on a point system, which includes their participation on GetLeanTulsa.com.
Sponsors of the health4life REVOLUTION!T TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE include:
Get Lean Tulsa.com,
KVOO,
KFAQ,
KXBL Radio,
Bonvoy Adventure Travel,
Sky Fitness & Wellbeing,
Fitso,
1260 Productions,
Shepard's Guide,
cornerstone4health CHIROPRACTIC,
P.C.,
Seelan, L.L.C.,
playingwithapro.com,
haleyGphoto,
Massage by Mona Lisa,
Pizza Shoppe of Bixby,
and The Mackintosh Inn.
For more information on this upcoming event, check out www.health4lifetulsa.com.
Jan 7, 2011
Tulsa Recycles Adds New Item in 2011
Those Tulsans who subscribe to City of Tulsa's recycling program may begin adding aluminum and steel food cans to their recycling items.
These cans should be rinsed thoroughly before adding them to other recyclables for pick up in the provided green 'Tulsa Recycles' bin.
Items accepted for recycling by the City of Tulsa include: aluminum; #1 and #2 plastic bottles with the lids removed; and clear, brown and green glass.
Please continue to place paper and newspaper in a separate container or bag to minimize the contamination of the paper by liquids.
To assist the contractor, recycling subscribers should continue to set recyclables at the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled collection day using the green 'Tulsa Recycles' bin.
If recyclables have not been collected by the end of the work day, or 6 p.m., please notify the City of Tulsa at 596-2100 (Mayor's Action Center) or 596-9777 (Recycling call line).
Jan 6, 2011
Sales Tax Rebate for Fix Our Streets
Residents must submit applications to the City of Tulsa each year to receive a rebate. Applications for the first year's rebate are due by April 15, 2011.
Dec 29, 2010
Tulsa is Moving "Fast Forward!
The FAST Forward plan will bring Tulsa up to speed with other mid-size cities in the country with a 30-year transit development plan that will include options of commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, streetcar, express bus, and conventional bus.
The mini-conference will cover a case study of Charlotte, NC as well as economic development and a panel discussion.
The event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, January 19
Mini-Conference: 2:00pm – 5:30pm
Public Open House: 6:30pm-8:30pm
TCC Center for Creativity
9th Street and Boston Avenue
Parking available on the NW corner of 9th and Boston
For more information visit www.FastForwardPlan.org
May 10, 2010
Volunteers for Mowing and Other Tasks
VOLUNTEERS FOR MOWING & OTHER TASKS SHOULD CONTACT MAYOR’S ACTION CENTER
Some 73 groups and individuals have responded to the City's mid-April call for volunteers to help with mowing, graffiti removal and other projects throughout Tulsa.
Crews have helped spruce up City cemeteries, mowed in parks and in medians and rights of way and helped remove or paint over graffiti on public and private properties.
Any groups or individuals wishing to volunteer to do any work on City of Tulsa property should call the Mayor’s Action Center, 596-2100, or complete the online “general contact” form which can be found on the city’s website at:
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/reporting/general-contact.aspx
The City has worked with volunteers for many years on clean-up projects and on efforts like the “Paint the Town” campaigns. Eagle Scout candidates and Boy Scout troops, church groups, school groups and others have performed many tasks like landscaping and flower planting on public properties
It is important that City managers and employees are aware when work is being performed on City properties or facilities. While volunteers for mowing and clean-up and other work are welcomed, it is important that such efforts don’t conflict with other activities or uses of the properties.
In April the City began trying to coordinate the efforts to make it more organized. The Mayor's Action Center, Public Works, Parks & Recreation and the Working in Neighborhoods Departments are working together to identify tasks that can be done by volunteers.
Since the announcement of the program in mid April, 43 groups have volunteered for mowing in neighborhoods and along streets, five have volunteered for mowing in city parks, and 25 have volunteered for graffiti abatement in neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Volunteers for mowing must have their own equipment. Public Works can provide paint and other supplies for graffiti removal.
Apr 15, 2010
Mark Your Calendar for Free Landfill Days
The Quarry, located on 46th Street North approximately 1-1/2 miles east of U.S. 169, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Tulsa utility customers can dispose of unwanted items, with some exceptions noted below, on those days. Participants must show a City of Tulsa utility bill or a driver's license with an address within the Tulsa city limits in order to be admitted to the landfill.
No items containing Freon refrigerant will be accepted (air conditioners and refrigerators). There will be a $2 fee for each discarded tire, which covers state fees for disposal and recycling of tires.
Loads in trucks and trailers should be secured and covered to prevent contents from blowing out onto roadways and creating traffic hazards.
Please note that there are two landfills on East 46th Street North.
Look for the Quarry Waste Management, Inc. signs.
Feb 25, 2010
BRIDGE Networking Event
The third annual networking event provides training opportunities for participants to learn more about: estimation and bidding processes, success in contracting, overview and accessing government contracting opportunities and more.
Mayor Bartlett will address the networking event and the City of Tulsa's Purchasing, Economic Development and Human Rights Departments will be in attendance to provide information on doing business with the City of Tulsa.
More information about BRIDGE is available online.