Monday, May 28, 2007

What is INCOG?

INCOG describes itself as "a voluntary association of local governments serving Creek, Osage, Tulsa, Rogers, and Wagoner counties." Why is it needed? "Today’s communities face problems whose solutions often exceed the reach of a single local government." So, to fill the gap between our City Councilors' stubby limbs in City Hall and the neighborhood plats across the plaza, INCOG "provides local and regional planning, information, coordination, communications, implementation and management services...The council of governments is not a unit of government, but a voluntary association that comes together to build consensus in solutions to regional problems." So, "requests for zoning and land division changes for Tulsa and unincorporated areas of Tulsa County are handled by the Land Development Services Division...The staff makes recommendations to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, an advisory board to the Tulsa City Council and Tulsa County Commission. After proper zoning is acquired, Land Development Services staff processes the platting of the tract, if necessary. "These two services help ensure that the area develops according to approved guidelines. The staff also processes requests for zoning variances and special exceptions for the Tulsa City and County Boards of Adjustment." Makes sense. In theory, INCOG would be better insulated from special interest group pressure. Lest we think they are too removed, too undemocratic, unaccountable: "Citizens have a voice in the planning process through the Public Participation Program. For example, neighborhood associations are notified of rezoning and board of adjustment issues in their areas. Planning teams composed of members of neighborhood associations provide advice to the TMAPC on the Comprehensive Plan, zoning applications related to the plan and the capital improvements process." Their agendas are posted on their website here. Members are below; Executive Committee members are marked with an asterisk.
Maria BarnesCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Tex BayouthCity ManagerCity of Hominy
Roger BoomerCommissionerCreek County
Ray BowenMayorCity of Bixby
Clarence BrantleyCommissioner Osage County
Robert F. BreuningCitizen Tulsa County Towns
Shayne BuchananMayorCity of Glenpool
Mike BurdgeCity Council MemberCity of Sand Springs
Johnny BurkeCommissionerCreek County
Cason CarterCity Council Member City of Tulsa
Richard Carter, Vice Chair*City Council MemberCity of Broken Arrow
Bill ChristiansenCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Jim ClarkCommissionerOsage County
Dan DelozierCommissioner Rogers County
Magan DelozierRogers Co. Plan. Comm.Tulsa County
Stanley GlanzSheriff Tulsa County
Jim HargroveCommissionerWagoner County
Doug HaughtMayorCity of Sapulpa
Jerry HefnerCommissionerWagoner County
Mike HelmCommissionerRogers County
Jack HendersonCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Scott Hilton*CommissionerOsage County
Dana HudginsCommissioner Creek County
Richard KeckCitizenWagoner County Towns
Susan KimballCity Council MemberCity of Owasso
Rita LamkinMayorCity of Catoosa
Jon M. McGrathCitizenTulsa County
Randi Miller*CommissionerTulsa County
Robert MortonMayorCity of Coweta
Mike Nunneley*CitizenCreek County Towns
Fred PerryCommissionerTulsa County
John PippinCitizenOsage County Towns
Bud RickettsCity Council MemberTown of Skiatook
Stan SalleeMayorCity of Collinsville
John Selph, Chairman*CitizenTulsa County
Brant ShallenburgerMayorCity of Claremore
Ed SlymanCity Council Member City of Bristow
John SmaligoCommissionerTulsa County
Wes SmithwickCitizenTulsa County
Kathy Taylor*MayorCity of Tulsa
Kirt ThackerCommissionerRogers County
Craig ThurmondVice MayorCity of Broken Arrow
Roscoe TurnerCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Tom VincentCommissionerWagoner County
Vic Vreeland, Treasurer*MayorCity of Jenks
Rick WestcottCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Phil WoodAuditorCity of Tulsa
Cathy WortenCity Council MemberCity of Pawhuska
Ken Yazel Tulsa County AssessorTulsa County
Alternates:
John EagletonCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
William MartinsonCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa
Dennis TroyerCity Council MemberCity of Tulsa