Tulsa City Council Deciding Which Projects Make Vision2 List

The Tulsa City Council is hashing out Tulsa's list of projects for Vision 2 at its meeting Thursday morning at City Hall.

The Council has to develop the list of projects for Tulsa's approximately $158 million share of the tax extension, should voters approve it.

The City Council has a list of about 30 projects based on recommendations from Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the list of projects suggested by citizens at public meetings.

9/19/2012 Related Story: Vision2 Supporters Say Time To Invest Is Now

Councilor Blake Ewing lobbied for a shorter list of projects with more funding for the top priorities to complete projects instead of just move them along.

"We're elected to make tough decisions, not to divide this pot up  nine ways to get everybody a little something," Ewing said. "We need to think big and act boldly. At some point we have to make hard decisions and that means somebody who has a great project isn't going to get funding. The River is transformative for our community."

Councilor Jack Henderson argued against as much as $71 million in funding for the Arkansas River, referenced a previous failed vote for river improvements.

"Don't try to make them take something they don't want," Henderson said.

Henderson pushed instead for $10 million in funding for expansion of the Gilcrease Expressway, which several councilors said should only get $5 million.

Councilor G.T. Bynum said the City Council had set a meeting Monday with the Creek Nation, Bartlett and the City of Jenks to talk about funding for a second dam near Jenks.

Keep checking here for new developments in this story, and News On 6 viewers can watch reporter Emory Bryan's report on News On 6 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.