During a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the City Council approved an agreement between the City and the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) for the year 2024. Community Development Director Larry Curtis explains the agreement and the services INCOG will provide to the City in this week’s Director’s Cut.
What is INCOG?
INCOG is a voluntary association of local and tribal governments in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area in Northeast Oklahoma. Established in 1967, it is one of 11 Councils of Governments in the state and one of several hundred regional planning organizations across the country. INCOG provides planning and coordination services to assist in making decisions about the future. This is achieved by a range of services including transportation planning, environmental planning, regional development, aging services, and public safety.
Does the City have a history with INCOG and what types of services has the organization provided to Bartlesville in the past?
In the past the city has had limited dealing with INCOG. We have joined with other communities on working on homeless information gathering.
What does the agreement approved by the City Council on Monday entail?
The City of Bartlesville and INCOG will typically work together on various community projects and services. For example, transportation planning services provided by INCOG could include roadway system planning, transit planning, bike and pedestrian planning, freight planning and other related functions. This would help ensure that the transportation system in Bartlesville meets the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Why are these services important for Bartlesville, and how will they benefit the City and Bartlesville residents?
INCOG’s services are important for cities like Bartlesville as they help ensure that growth and development are planned and managed in a way that is sustainable and beneficial for the community. By providing regional coordination, INCOG helps to ensure that planning and development activities are consistent and coordinated across different cities and counties in the region.
- Transportation planning: This might involve developing long-term transportation plans, helping to coordinate public transit services, or providing technical support for transportation projects.
- Environmental planning: INCOG could help Bartlesville with initiatives related to water quality, air quality, solid waste management, and similar environmental concerns.
- Regional development: This could involve coordinating economic development activities across the region, helping to plan for growth and land use, or providing data and analysis to support local decision-making.
- Public Safety: INCOG could help with emergency management planning, or coordinating regional responses to public safety issues.
- Aging Services: INCOG could also provide services aimed at supporting older adults in the community, such as coordinating meal delivery services or transportation for seniors.
How does the new agreement differ from past agreements?
The City has not been a member of INCOG and has not had any previous agreement. Previously, without any formal membership, Bartlesville may not have had structured access to the planning, coordination and other services provided by INCOG. While there may have been ad hoc collaborations or consultations, these would be on an individual basis and not part of a consistent, organized framework.
By becoming an Associate Member, Bartlesville will now be part of the INCOG organization, even if it does not have voting rights on the board. This membership comes with consistent access to the resources, services, and assistance that INCOG offers, from transportation and environmental planning to regional development and aging services. The city will likely have more opportunities to coordinate with other member governments in the region and engage in joint projects or initiatives.
This agreement formalizes Bartlesville’s relationship with INCOG, marking a shift from any past interactions or agreements. It could open up new possibilities for collaboration, regional integration, and access to resources and services that were not available or consistent before. However, the specific changes will depend on the details of the agreement and how the City of Bartlesville and INCOG choose to implement it.