How will the council vote on Annexation?

[RecycleMichael]

I don't even know if they will have a vote on it. Apparantly KRMG thinks so.

Tulsa, OK) --A vote on fairgrounds annexation could be taken tonight. After a final public hearing on the proposal to annex Expo Square, Tulsa city councilors have scheduled a vote. Roscoe Turner, the councilor who brought forth the idea, says it's time to make a decision. Other councilors may want to hold off on a vote for a time. Insiders closely watching the debate predict if there is a vote tonight, it will be very close...possibly 5-4 one way or the other. The council meeting begins at 6pm.

5 to 4 vote?

I wonder if it will be down party lines. All of the county commissioners are republicans and there is a 5 to 4 split on the council with the republicans holding the upper hand.

I know that councilors Turner and Henderson have made statements for annexation and Christiansen has been against. Does anybody know any other councilors positions? Who is the potential swing vote on this?

[tim huntzinger]

I have no inside information but I think you are right and the Council will fold like a cheap suitcase to their County masters and back off.

[cannon_fodder]

It is a close call and the momentum has been towards no.  SO I'll call it a "NO" vote.  Odds are 100 pays 120.

[MichaelC]

Even though the GOP Councilors were at times VERY optimistic about annexation, I more or less expect them to join together and march lockstep into opposition.  The Tulsa GOP opposes it, the South Tulsa Crazies oppose it, the GOP in charge of the County obviously opposes it, the GOP Councilors will likely follow.

It may end up a 2-7 vote in opposition, no guarantees that all the Dems will vote for it seeing as how they have to tendency to have a conscience.  Even if you can swing all 4 Dems, you still have to break away 1 GOP.  Depending on the circumstances, that might be impossible.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelC

Even though the GOP Councilors were at times VERY optimistic about annexation, I more or less expect them to join together and march lockstep into opposition.  The Tulsa GOP opposes it, the South Tulsa Crazies oppose it, the GOP in charge of the County obviously opposes it, the GOP Councilors will likely follow.

The Tulsa GOP does NOT oppose annexation. The County Republican Convention voted not to have any statement regarding annexation in the party platform, either for or against.

As with most city issues, I would not expect a vote along party lines tonight.

[MichaelC]

My bad.  I vaguely remember reading up on that, I think on your blog.  Been a while though.

I may have been in for a nice surprise if you hadn't come along and ruined it for me.

[Conan71]

I think if they backed off and studied it a little longer and harder to make better justification for it, I'd be willing to listen.  So far, I think they are trying to cram this in without much aforethought.

No one (council, OTC, fair board, county) seems to have a clear idea about the big picture, or at least they are not sharing it publicly. I.e. how much the realistic revenue gain is and what the consequences of the lack of community-based policing during the fair would mean, or the cost of community-based policing should that philosophy change.

There are too many "ifs" that I've heard that I'm not comfortable with.

[RecycleMichael]

I am guessing that it is going to be a 5 to 4 vote, and for annexation.

I don't have any inside knowledge on this (really, I don't), but I am guessing that the swing vote is Eagleton. He seems the most inquisitive about the details and seems to be independent on most of his views.

I could be way off and I know that there will be discussion before they vote.

[Conan71]

When they were talking about it on KRMG at noon, I got a gut feeling they would vote for it.  They were dumb enough to ram-rod the EMSA deal through, so this should come as no surprise.

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I am guessing that it is going to be a 5 to 4 vote, and for annexation.

I don't have any inside knowledge on this (really, I don't), but I am guessing that the swing vote is Eagleton. He seems the most inquisitive about the details and seems to be independent on most of his views.

I could be way off and I know that there will be discussion before they vote.

That would be my guess.

[MichaelC]

I'm confused, came in a little late.  

Did it pass?

[Double A]

Yep, 5 to 4.

BTW, the Tulsa County Democratic Party passed a resolution in support of annexation and the elimination of the state share of sales tax collections at the fairgrounds. I hope our state legislators act on this.

[RecycleMichael]

Who voted for and against?

[Wrinkle]

Yea, Yea!

This pleases me greatly. Almost makes up for that stupid EMSA deal (not).

I don't care if proceeds amount to $1.67, the Fairgrounds should be a part of Tulsa, the City.

One thing I saw on the news which got me wondering, though, was Councilor Westcott stating 'sometimes Councilors' know more than the public, sometimes not' (may not be precise). But, it implied to me there was information yet unknown by the public, which I have suspected all along.

I'm feeling like it has to do with the Bell's tract and the potential corner where Driller's stadium is (if they move to downtown), and, since Murphy Bros already controls Big Splash, that leaves a LOT of potential development. IMO, that should have some City input/control. I personally feel that to be the issue here, along with the fear of audits and perhaps a clear revenue picture.

This should be some more to help FIX the County.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Who voted for and against?

For annexation:
Martinson, Eagleton, Barnes, Turner, Henderson

Against:
Carter, Wescott, Troyer, Christiansen.

For the emergency clause, someone switched votes, so that didn't pass.  I am not sure who switched, but I think Martinson.

Clearly not a partisan issue.