* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:06] I AM JOINED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS [PRESENTATIONS] OF THE HOUSTON BLACK REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION. UH, WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE AT THE PODIUM NOW. UH, H-B-R-E-A HAS BEEN SERVING HOUSTON AREA COMMUNITIES FOR 75 YEARS THROUGH ITS EFFORTS IN EXERCISING ITS MISSION OF DEMOCRACY IN HOUSING THAT IS PROVIDING EQUAL AND AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSING AND OTHER ECONOMIC RESOURCES TO HOUSTONIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT HOUSING AND MAINTAINING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, STOCK IN THEIR CITIES. SO, VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HBRA WITH US TODAY. IT'S A CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS, ALONG WITH NA CELEBRATE REALIST WEEK ANNUALLY IN CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. SO WE'RE HONORED TO HOST REALIST WEEK IN HOUSTON WHERE THERE ARE OFFERINGS OF FREE WEALTH BUILDING STRATEGIES, FINANCIAL LITERACY SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS ON HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP AND VOTER REGISTRATION. SO, VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO H-B-R-E-E-A AND TO RECOGNIZE REALTY WEEK IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS THE HOUSTON BLACK REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION IS A LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS, A TRADE ASSOCIATION THAT UNITES REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE HOME OWNERSHIP FOR ALL AMERICANS, AS WELL AS TO IDENTIFY AND SECURE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE DESIGNATED AS REALTORS. AND WHEREAS H-B-R-E-A HAS A SPECIAL CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND FAIR LAND USE AND URBAN PLANNING POLICIES. OFTEN H BS REALTORS LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE, WHEREAS REALTORS SERVE THE HOME BUYING NEEDS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND OTHER MINORITY MINORITY GROUPS THROUGH NETWORKING ACTIVITIES AND COOPERATION BETWEEN APPRAISERS, DEVELOPERS, FINANCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS, ASSET MANAGERS, HOUSING COUNSELORS, MORTGAGE BROKERS, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, AND BROKERS OF ALL WHOM WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE HOME OWNERSHIP AFFORDABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND ATTAINABLE FOR OUR NATION'S HOME BUYERS. AND WHEREAS EVERY YEAR IN APRIL, NAB CELEBRATES REALTOR'S WEEK DURING THE COMMEMORATION OF NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH. THIS YEAR MARKS THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. THE HOUSTON BLACK REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION HELPED TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PASSING OF THESE MOMENTOUS LAWS THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING IN HOUSTON. REALTY WEEK WILL BE CELEBRATED THROUGH AN ADVOCACY DAY, YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY, FAIR HOUSING DAY, AND A COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING DAY. THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMENDS PRESIDENT FELICIA GUIDRY, AND THE HOUSTON BLACK REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND ITS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE MANY LIVES IT HAS IMPACTED. MAYOR, HAVE YOU WORKED MY WAY UP HERE? AND THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE, CAST SIX TATUM FOR ALLOWING US TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK A ASSOCIATION THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO HOUSTON'S PROGRESS. AND QUITE FRANKLY, JUST TO SHOW THAT YOU ALWAYS CAN CONTINUE TO LEARN MORE. I LEARNED THE TERM, THE REALIST, WE, AND, UH, I WANT TO, I WANT TO SAY, MAN, THAT'S A CELEBRATION THAT NOW WE DON'T HAVE TO USE TERMS THAT DON'T REPRESENT ALL OF US. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE MAKING HOUSTON A GREAT CITY, AND THEREFORE I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 7TH THROUGH THE 13TH IS REALTY WEEK IN HOUSTON. THANK Y'ALL. I AM MARLA LEWIS. I'M THE BOARD CHAIR OF THE HOUSTON BLACK REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION. I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US. THANK YOU MAYOR, UH, FOR HAVING US ON TODAY. TODAY IS SO, UM, IT'S A SPECIAL TIME FOR US BECAUSE AS YOU HEARD, UH, AS MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, MARTHA WAS TALKING, SHE SAID THAT THIS IS THE 56TH YEAR OF THE, UM, FAIR HOUSING. AND SO IT'S A SPECIAL TIME FOR US THIS WEEK. WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON ON APRIL 13TH. THAT'S THIS SATURDAY. WE'LL BE AT NORTH MAINE, CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST FROM 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM WE WILL HAVE ALL TYPES OF INFORMATIONAL, UH, CLASSES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT. IT IS A FREE EVENT, AND OUR JOB IS TO GET MORE AFRICAN AMERICANS INTO HOME OWNERSHIP, TO BRING THE WEALTH GAP, UM, THE, THE, UH, HOME OWNERSHIP RATE UP. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IF WE CAN ASK ALL OF THE REALTORS TO JOIN US FOR A PHOTO, WE DO. OH, WE HAVE MAYOR. [00:05:01] WE DO HAVE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE QUEUE. FIRST IS COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABBAT. THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR PRO TIM, AND THANK YOU MAYOR PRO, TIM, AND MAYOR FOR GIVING THIS WONDERFUL GROUP, THIS PROCLAMATION. I AM A BLACK REALTORS MYSELF FOR OVER 30 YEARS. AND SO, UM, BUT I AM IN NO WAY A MOVER AND SHAKER LIKE, UH, THIS GROUP IN FRONT OF US, BUT CERTAINLY I AM HONORED TO BE A PART OF IT. AND I HAD TO GIVE MY REGRETS FOR COMING ON SATURDAY. I HAVE, I THINK, SIX EVENTS, UM, IN DISTRICT D AND SO, BUT IF I CAN SWING OVER INTO ANOTHER DISTRICT, UH, I CERTAINLY WOULD BE HONORED TO COME AND AND FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU. BUT THIS IS A AWESOME GROUP AND, UH, I THINK, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM IS A, IS A REALIST AS WELL. AND SO, UH, CERTAINLY WE ARE VERY PROUD. I CAN SPEAK FOR HER ON THIS. VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. UH, WE HAD A GOOD TIME EARLIER TODAY. UH, WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE SPENT ALL DAY TALKING ABOUT THE REALITIES OF HOUSING AND THEN HOW YOU CAN LEVERAGE YOUR CURRENCY TO INFORM OUR LOCAL POLICY, LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL OF THE PARTNERSHIPS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOUR ORGANIZATION GROWING, UM, BEING MORE INVOLVED IN WHAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER AND THEN ULTIMATELY AFFECTING POLICY. SO CONGRATULATIONS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU. THANK YOU LADIES. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR AND MAYOR, PRO TEM, AND CERTAINLY, UH, TO H-B-R-E-A. CONGRATULATIONS. I THINK THIS IS A VERY WELL DESERVED, UH, REPRESENTATION OF WHAT YOU DO IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPING TO LOOK MUCH TO GREATNESS AND WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE IT. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. I'VE BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH A FEW OF YOU ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HOPE TO LOOK FORWARD TO DOING IT EVEN MORE. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH. THANK YOU HIM. UM, NEXT THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS FOR PROCLAMATION TO LANCE BERKMAN TO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR I'M SOON. UH, I AM CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS DAY AND THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS PROCLAMATION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY REPRESENTS HOUSTON PROUD AND WHY WE ARE THE KIND OF CITY THAT WE ARE BECAUSE OF THIS GENTLEMAN WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO OUR CITY, NOT ONLY IN SPORTS, BUT ALSO IN, UH, EVERYDAY LIFE AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY. UH, LANCE BERKMAN, ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE AND PRODUCTIVE HITTERS IN THE, THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ASTROS HALL OF FAME IN 2020. IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXCEPTIONAL 12 SEASONS WITH THE TEAM. HE WAS RECENTLY INDUCTED INTO THE HOUSTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024. LANCE BERGMAN MADE HIS BASEBALL LIFE IN HOUSTON AS A COLLEGE STAR, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STAND OUT, AND NOW AS A COLLEGIATE COACH, AS FIRST BASEMAN. LAST BURMAN NOTABLY PLAYED WITH THE HOUSTON ASTROS FROM 1999 TO 2010. HE SPENT A TOTAL OF 15 SEASONS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WITH THE HOUSTON ASTROS, THE NEW YORK YANKEES, AND THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS AND THE TEXAS RANGERS. LANCE BERKMAN IS A SIXTH TIME MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL STAR, AND WON A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THE CARDINALS. IN 2011, WILLIAM LANCE BERKMAN WAS BORN IN WACO, TEXAS, THE SON OF CYNTHIA, ANNIE AND LARRY JEAN BERKMAN. HE GRADUATED FROM CANYON HIGH SCHOOL [00:10:01] IN NEW BRONXVILLE IN 1994, WHERE HE WAS A STANDOUT BASEBALL PLAYER. LATER, LANCE ATTENDED RICE UNIVERSITY WHERE HE PLAYED COLLEGE BASEBALL FOR THE OWLS. THE ASTROS SELECTED HIM IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THAT YEAR'S AMATEUR DRAFT, AND HE DEBUTED IN THE MAJOR LEAGUE. IN 1999, LANCE BURMAN JOINED THE ASTROS VNET KILLER BEES LINED UP THAT INCLUDED JEFF BAGWELL AND CRAIG B. HE HELPED LEAD THE ASTROS TO THREE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES, INCLUDING THE CLUB'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD SERIES. IN 2005, LANCE BERKMAN WOULD PLAY THE 2013 SEASON WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS BEFORE DECIDING TO RETIRE AFTER A 15 YEAR CAREER. HE SIGNED A ONE DAY CONTRACT WITH HOUSTON ON APRIL 5TH, 2014, TO OFFICIALLY RETIRE A ONE DAY CONTRACT TO RETIRE AS AN ASTRO ACTIVE IN CHARITY WORK. FORBES RECOGNIZED HIM AS ONE OF THEIR 30 MOST GENEROUS CELEBRITIES FOR HIS VARIOUS DONATIONS TO ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND UNDERPRIVILEGED, UH, COUNTRIES. AND MAY 1ST LAST, BERKELEY WAS NAMED THE HEAD BASEBALL COACH OF HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, THE HUSKIES, AND WHICH I AM ALSO A PART OF THE BOARD OF REGIONS. AND I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT BECAUSE HE HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH TO THAT UNIVERSITY AS A CONTRIBUTOR, AS A BOARD OF REGION. AND THIS IS THE KIND OF CONTRIBUTION THAT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE PEOPLE. HE DIDN'T LEAVE IT ON THE FIELD. HE DIDN'T LEAVE WHAT HE HAS RECEIVED BY GOD BLESSING. HE TOOK IT OUT THERE AND HE'S HELPING OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO, UH, TO, TO FURTHER THEIR LIVES AND GIVE THEM THE POSITIVENESS. SO ON BEHALF OF THE THIS, I WANT TO PRESENT THIS MAYOR TO, UH, MY GOOD FRIEND AND BROTHER LANCE BERKMAN. AND ON THE BEHALF OF THE CITY AND OUR MAYOR, JOHN WHITMEYER, UH, LANCE, WE PRESENT THIS TO YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU. THANK YOU. WAIT, WAIT JUST A MINUTE, . HE JUST TOOK MY JOB AWAY, , AND I'M NOT, I DON'T GO AWAY THAT EASY, RIGHT? BECAUSE AS MUCH JOY, LANCE, AS YOU'VE BROUGHT TO HOUSTONIANS ON THE FIELD, IT'S MATCHED AND EQUALED BY YOUR JOINT TO THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S IN YOUR CHURCH WORK, YOUR COACHING, THE RAISING OF YOUR FAMILY. FOUR DAUGHTERS. THAT'S RIGHT. FOUR DAUGHTERS. I WATCHED THIS GENTLEMAN HIS CAREER AND I KEPT, I I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE FAMILY. JOHNNY BAKER. YEAH, JOHN, YOU OUGHT TO GET A PROCLAMATION FOR BEING JOHNNY BAKER'S SON-IN-LAW. YEAH. YEAH. BUT I KEPT SAYING, I KNOW HE WANTS THAT SON, BUT THE LORD IS IN CONTROL NO DOUBT. AS YOU WELL AWARE. SO YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL FOUR DAUGHTERS AND YOU'RE A MENTOR TO THE REST OF US FATHERS. THE TIME YOU'VE SPENT, YOU ALWAYS HAD TIME AWAY FROM THE BALLPARK. AND SO YOU'RE JUST SUCH A SUCCESS STORY FROM THE DAY YOU ARRIVED IN HOUSTON. YES. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN FOR DAVIS. THANK YOU. TO BE HONEST, RECOGNIZE A GREAT HUMAN BEING AND SOMEONE THAT BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY AND, AND, AND STILL BRING IN JOY ABSOLUTELY. TO YOUR COACHING. SO THANK YOU, PARTNER. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. YOU, I KIND OF FELT LIKE, IS THIS, OH, I KIND OF FELT LIKE I WAS ON TRIAL A LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW, STANDING UP HERE AND HAVING HIM READ THAT. BUT I THINK IF I WAS, I'D WANT YOU TO REPRESENT ME. 'CAUSE THAT WAS SOME NICE, NICE THINGS. UH, YOU KNOW, AS I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS DAY AND, AND ALL OF YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU REFLECT BACK ON YOUR EXPERIENCES AND MINE, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU COME TO A MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM AND YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND, AND SPORTS IS SUCH A GREAT TEACHER IN THAT WAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER. I MEAN, I'M FROM TEXAS, PLAYED WITH GUYS FROM CALIFORNIA, FROM NEW YORK, FROM THE MIDWEST, AND YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AND FLAVORS, AND YOU GOTTA COME TOGETHER TO DO A JOB. AND YOU GUYS ARE IN VERY MUCH THAT SAME SITUATION. WE HAVE A GREAT CITY OF HOUSTON, AND IT'S LARGELY BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELVES ARE WILLING TO SIT IN THOSE CHAIRS, HAVE THE HARD CONVERSATIONS, WRANGLE OVER THINGS. UH, BUT ULTIMATELY I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WANTS WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY. AND AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, JUST, I GUESS MY ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD BE DON'T, DON'T FORGET THAT YOU'RE WORKING FOR A COMMON GOAL. EVEN IF THERE'S DIFFERENCES, YOU KNOW, IN THE ROOM, WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING. AND, UH, YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. SO, I'M PROUD TO BE AN ADOPTED HOUSTONIAN, EVEN THOUGH I GREW UP IN CENTRAL TEXAS. THIS IS MY HOME NOW, AND I LOVE IT. SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. IT'S A HIGH HONOR. SO WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN QUEUE. WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. WELL, THANK YOU. UH, VICE MAYOR, UH, [00:15:01] LANCE, WHAT A, WHAT A TREAT TO GET TO, UH, SEE ONE OF MY FAVORITE ASTROS OF ALL TIME. BE HONORED IN, IN THIS WAY AS COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS WAS RUNNING THROUGH THAT. THERE'S A HIGHLIGHT REAL REEL PLAYING IN MY HEAD. A BUNCH OF HOME RUNS. THERE WAS A CATCH ON TOWELS HILL. THERE WERE A COUPLE FACE PLANTS. YEAH, . YEAH, THERE WERE, UH, A WHOLE LOT OF, UH, BUBBLEGUM POPPING. ANYWAY, UH, WE LOVED HAVING YOU, UH, PLAY FOR THE ASTROS. WE WISH YOU WERE ABLE TO PLAY AGAIN. UH, BUT WE DO HAVE THOSE HIGHLIGHT REELS, UH, THAT WE CAN WATCH. YOU'VE, YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH FOR THE COMMUNITY. UH, PLEASE KEEP THAT UP. AND, UH, JUST, JUST A JOY TO HAVE YOU WITH HERE WITH US TODAY. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER. WELL, LANCE, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE VERSUS OVER A MINUTE MADE PARK. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY, HAVING WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF PLAYERS OVER THE YEARS, AND YOU AND I DIDN'T GET TO WORK, WELL WORK WELL WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU HAD MOVED ON, BUT YOU DID COME BACK FOR THAT ONE DAY. BUT MARIAN HARPER, WHO YOU KNOW WELL, SAID TO ME, YOU KNOW, TWILA, I'M SORRY THAT YOU WEREN'T HERE WHEN HE WAS, BECAUSE YOU WOULD ADMIRE HIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. AND IT'S, UH, IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU TAKING THAT SPIRIT OF, OF COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK TO, AND TEACHING THE, THE YOUNG, THE YOUNG BALL PLAYERS COMING UP THAT THEY MAY BE BALL PLAYERS NOW, BUT THEY WON'T DO THAT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE THEIR NAME IN THE COMMUNITY AND DOING FOR OTHERS. SO, AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR PROAM AND COUNCIL MEMBER, THANK YOU FOR THIS. UH, I'LL SAY MR. BERKMAN, NOT LANCE. 'CAUSE GROWING UP AS A CHILD, YOU ARE WHO I WATCHED AND THE KILLER BEES, RIGHT? I FEEL OLD. UH, WE LOVED OUR KILLER BEES IN THE, UH, IT'S, I'M DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO NOT ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH RIGHT NOW, . BUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT YOU CHOSE TO RETIRE HERE IN HOUSTON, UM, YOU AREN'T JUST AN HONORARY HOUSTONIAN. YOU ARE A HOUSTONIAN FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE, UH, MAYOR AS YOU SAID ON THE FIELD, BUT ALSO OFF THE FIELD AND WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO, NOT JUST FOR THE GAME, BUT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. UH, AS SOMEONE THAT GREW UP WATCHING YOU, I KNOW THAT OTHERS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW UP LEARNING FROM YOU. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. UH, VICE MAYOR PRO TEM K PECK. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO WITH SPRING SPIRIT BASEBALL, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN MY COUNCIL DISTRICT. UM, AND HUNDREDS OF KIDS GO THROUGH THAT PROGRAM EVERY YEAR. AND, UM, THEIR LIVES ARE JUST COMPLETELY CHANGED BECAUSE OF THAT PROGRAM. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO WITH YOUR WORK WITH SPRING SPIRIT BASEBALL. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR A PROCLAMATION TO I LOVE 11TH, TO CELEBRATE THE ORGANIZATION'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY. ALL RIGHT. UH, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE, AND I'LL ASK, UH, THE ORGANIZERS TO PLEASE STAND UP WITH ME. Y'ALL COME ON UP. COME, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS BACK IN, COUNCIL MEMBERS BACK IN DECEMBER, UM, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING A VERY SPECIAL FESTIVAL IN DISTRICT C. IT WAS CALLED, IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR THEY DID IT. IT'S CALLED THE IHEART 11TH STREET FESTIVAL. AND, UH, THEY BROUGHT TOGETHER THESE ORGANIZERS, UH, OVER 30 BUSINESSES THAT PARTICIPATED NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS. UH, OVER 2,500, UH, RESIDENTS PARTICIPATED ALL TO NOT ONLY BRING ATTENTION TO THE CORRIDOR IN SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS AND BRINGING THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOGETHER, BUT ALSO TO RAISE OVER $20,000 FOR NEARBY PARKS. AND MAYOR, I THINK EVEN SOME OF YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN DOING THE FUNDRAISING FOR THESE SPECIFIC PARKS THEMSELVES. UH, SO IT WAS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL COMING TOGETHER. AND I HAD SAID THEN, AND I KNOW IT'S TAKEN SOME TIME, [00:20:01] UH, TO GET ON THE SCHEDULE THAT I REALLY WANTED TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE WORK, BECAUSE SO MUCH WORK GOES INTO PUTTING AN EVENT LIKE THIS TOGETHER. SO, WITH ME TODAY, UH, WE HAVE EMMANUEL NUNEZ WHO WILL INTRODUCE OTHERS, BUT WE HAVE FOLKS HERE REPRESENTING THE BUSINESSES ALONG THE CORRIDOR, UH, BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE, BUT ALSO NEW BUSINESSES THAT ARE COMING IN. WE HAVE, UH, FORMER PRESIDENTS OF THE HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION. WE HAVE PARENTS OF PTOS. THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT, AGAIN, HAVE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE 11TH STREET. UH, FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T AS FAMILIAR WITH THE CORRIDOR, WE HAVE SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT. UH, WE HAVE MURALS BY LOCAL ARTISTS. UH, WE HAVE THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL. WE HAVE THE HEIGHTS CORRIDOR, MARY, WHICH YOU'RE SO FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAIL THAT INTERSECTS RIGHT THERE. AND WE HAVE SO MANY SCHOOLS AS WELL, AND FAMILIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SO, UH, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE THESE EFFORTS COMPRISING NEIGHBORS, BUSINESS OWNERS IN ESTEEMED COMMUNITIES. THE I LOVE 11TH STREET ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO NURTURING A SENSE OF BELONGING ALONG THE HISTORIC 11TH STREET AND HOUSTON HEIGHTS, RECOGNIZED AS A PIVOTAL THOROUGHFARE WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 11TH STREET HARBOR'S BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL TO BLOSSOM INTO A DYNAMIC HUB FOR SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS, MUSIC, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DRIVEN BY A COLLECTIVE VISION, THE I LEVEL 11 STREET ORGANIZATION, ENDEAVORS TO EMPOWER LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ENTERPRISES, AND CURATING A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE FAMILIES CAN GATHER TO SHOP, EXCHANGE IDEAS, ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND RELISH IN LEISURELY STROLLS. THROUGH STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH NUMEROUS BUSINESS PROPRIETORS, SIGNIFICANT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE RESULTING IN TANGIBLE OUTCOMES THAT ENRICH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. PARTNERING WITH DOZENS OF BUSINESS OWNERS, THE I LOVE 11TH STREET ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO RAISE AND REINVEST UPWARDS OF $20,000 IN THE HEIGHTS LOCAL ECONOMY. THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL, HELP BRINGING LIVE MUSIC VENDORS AND ATTRACTING CROWDS OF THOUSANDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIVELY SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY. A PORTION OF THESE FUNDS ARE ALSO DELEGATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO AID WITH EVENT SAFETY AND LOGISTICS. FURTHERMORE, THE ENTIRE PROCEEDS FROM THE FESTIVAL ARE ALLOCATED TO FRIENDS OF LAWRENCE AND MILROY PARKS. A COMMENDABLE EFFORT AIMED AT REVITALIZING TWO CHERISH LOCAL PARKS. THE RESOUNDING SUCCESS OF THE FESTIVAL IS EVIDENCED BY THE RECORD BREAKING SALES REPORTED BY BUSINESSES LIKE LAUREL AND THREE DOG BAKERY EXEMPLIFYING THE PROFOUND POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL COMMERCE. THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMENDS THE I LEVEL 11 STREET ORGANIZATION IN ALL ITS PARTNERS. PRESERVING THE SPIRIT OF, EXCUSE ME, THE SPIRIT OF HOUSTON HEIGHTS, EMBODYING THE ESSENCE OF COMMUNITY VITALITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY. AND MAYOR, I KNOW YOU'RE ABOUT TO DECLARE THE DAY. UM, I DID WANNA ALSO EMPHASIZE, UH, WHAT 11TH STREET HAS DONE FOR THE HEIGHTS AND BRINGING TOGETHER SO MANY PEOPLE FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE AS A DRIVER, AS A WALKER FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE CROSSING STREETS. AND I BELIEVE RECENTLY, MAYOR, UM, JUST THIS YEAR, THE TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AWARDED THE 2024 IN-HOUSE PROJECT OF THE YEAR, SPECIFICALLY TO 11TH STREET. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN AND THE, THE LOT OF LOVE. I WANT TO TELL YOU JUST A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE HEIGHTS. MY FAMILY MOVED THERE WHEN I WAS FOUR AT 10TH AND HEIGHTS BOULEVARD. HEIGHTS BOULEVARD WAS THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE THROUGH THE NORTH AND SOUTH AREAS OF HOUSTON. AND HEIGHTS HOSPITAL WAS THERE ON 19TH STREET. SO I CAN RECALL AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, THE AMBULANCES FRIGHTENING ME AS THEY WOULD GO UP HEIGHTS BOULEVARD, SOME OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES. BUT FAST FORWARD, I'VE REPRESENTED THE AREA, NOT ONLY CURRENTLY, BUT FOR THE LAST 50 PLUS YEARS. A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW IS, IN 1981, 19TH STREET WAS BOARDED UP, BOARDED UP, ABANDONED AND CIVIC LEADERS CAME TO ME AND SAID, WE READ ABOUT THIS MAIN STREET PROJECT OUT OF AUSTIN WITH THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION. COULD WE NOT HAVE A SAME PROJECT FOR THE HEIGHTS? AND I SAID, WELL, IT'S FOR SMALL CITIES UNDER 50,000. SO I TALKED TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND I GAVE THEM THE HEIGHTS BACKGROUND. IT WAS A INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN CITY UNTIL THE THIRTIES AGREED TO GO WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, IF THE CITY WOULD ALLOW THEM TO REMAIN DRY, NO ALCOHOL, [00:25:01] LARGELY FROM THE CHURCH, BAPTIST INFLUENCE, BAPTIST TEMPLE, I CAN NAME OTHERS. SO I GOT THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO RULE THAT IT WAS ONCE A CITY UNDER 50,000. WE GOT A $50,000 GRANT. KATHY WHITMEYER WAS MAYOR, MATCHED THE 50,000. AND LOOK AT IT TODAY, IT JUST SHOWS WHAT A COMMUNITY CAN DO, BUT, UH, IT'S JUST UNHEARD OF. THAT 19TH STREET WOULD NOT BE THE VIBRANT COMMUNITY IS NOW, AND OF COURSE, THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEIGHTS. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION, AND IT'S WITH A GREAT PLEASURE. I SAY, THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 11TH, 2024 IS I LOVE THE 11TH DAY. GOOD TALK ABOUT WHITE LINEN DAY TOO. IF WE WANT, WE LOVE WHITE LINEN INHERITED RIGHT FROM OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NEW ORLEANS. AND MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR HISTORY. MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS SETTLED IN THE HEIGHTS ON HARVARD STREET WAY BACK WHEN, AND THE HOUSE IS STILL THERE, SO IT'S A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE. MANUEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO, UH, THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER AND TO THE MAYOR. UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, UH, RECOGNIZING THIS COMMUNITY EFFORT. UH, WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE IN FRONT, UH, OF ALL OF YOU. AND WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS, UM, BASICALLY WITHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER. THE SO MANY OF THE SCHOOLS, UH, THE BUSINESSES AND CENTRAL TO A GREAT FESTIVAL IS TO HAVE A STREET WHERE CARS ARE, UM, ABLE TO GO A LITTLE SLOWER. AND, UH, IT WAS JUST SUCH AN AMAZING DAY TO SEE PEOPLE OUT WALKING AND BIKING. UM, AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD, AS, UM, ABBY CAME, UH, AS COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY CAME AND REPORTED, WE HAD, UM, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 2,500 ATTENDEES. AND, UM, WE HAD MORE THAN 25, UH, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES THE DAY OF FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, LOCAL ARTISTS. AND IT WAS JUST AN AMAZING DAY TO, TO WATCH. I, THE ONLY THING IS THAT I WISH THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN MORE OFTEN. UM, I WANNA ALSO THANK, UH, ALL THE ORGANIZERS THAT, UH, WE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE, UH, COMING TOGETHER TO PUT THIS ON THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EVENTS WAS A HUGE HELP IN, IN BASICALLY HELPING US PRODUCE THE FIRST, THE FIRST, UH, ANNUAL ONE. AND, UH, WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS, THIS YEAR'S. UM, I LOVE 11TH FESTIVAL AS WELL. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, MAYOR AND, UM, COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE DO HAVE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN IN THE KIA. THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR PROTA AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN AND MAYOR. THANKS FOR THAT HISTORY ON 19TH. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ALL SHUT DOWN. I JUST REMEMBER FOR GOING OVER THERE. I GUESS IT WAS AFTER. WHEN WAS THAT? THE EIGHTIES. EIGHTIES, 81. WOW. OKAY. BOARD IT UP. BOARDED UP. OKAY, WELL, THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS. I LOVE 11TH STREET, MAN. ALL THE GOOD STUFF'S THERE. THAT KEO AT PEPE AT ATOR, SOPHIA YUM. THE SURF HOUSE. I JUST BOUGHT MY LITTLE GREAT NEPHEW, A A SURF, A A SKATEBOARD AT SURF HOUSE. YOU'VE GOT LAUREL, YOU'VE GOT BUCHANANS, YOU'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF GREAT STUFF. AND I, AND I'VE RECENTLY MET WITH SOME OF THE MOMS FROM, UM, THAT ARE RAISING MONEY FOR LAWRENCE AND MILROY PARKS. SO THANKS SO MUCH FOR GIVING THE PROCEEDS TO THOSE PARKS. THOSE ARE GREAT PARKS AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR, UM, BUILDING THEM UP. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS [00:30:04] COUNCIL JACKSON. [2:00 P.M. – INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, PLEASE BY YOUR HOT HEADS, GRACIOUS GOD, AS WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS IMPORTANT MATTERS. WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND WISDOM. YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. THEREFORE, WE SEEK YOUR DIRECTION IN OUR DECISION MAKING TODAY. HELP US LISTEN TENTATIVELY TO ONE ANOTHER WITH OPEN HEARTS AND MINDS. MAY WE NOT BE QUICK TO JUDGE OR CRITICIZE, BUT INSTEAD SEEK TO UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL GIVE US THE DISCERNMENT TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THE GREATER GOOD. WE TRUST THAT YOU WILL GUIDE US ON THIS PATH AND LEAD US TO REACH A CONSENSUS THAT REFLECTS YOUR WILL. MAY OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS BE GUIDED BY YOUR LOVE AND GRACE. IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. AMEN. PLEASE STAND FOR THE FLAG. [ROLL CALL AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING] SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. MAYOR WHITMEYER. PRESENT. COUNCILMAN PECK HERE. COUNCILMAN JACKSON? HERE. COUNCILMAN CAMAN. PRESENT. COUNCILMAN EVAN SHABAZZ. HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER. PRESENT. COUNCILMAN THOMAS? PRESENT, CONSTABLE HUFFMAN. PRESENT. COUNCILMAN CASTILLO? HERE. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. HERE. COUNCILMAN POLL WILL BE ABSENT. CONSTABLE CASTEX TATUM. HERE. CONSTABLE RAMIREZ. HERE. CONSTABLE DAVIS. HERE. CONSTABLE CARTER. PRESENT. CONSTABLE PLUMMER HERE. AND CONSTABLE ALCORN. HERE. WE NEED A MOTION TO DELAY THE MINUTES. CASTEX TATUM. MOVED ON. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. DO WE HAVE A CAYMAN FOR A PROCEDURAL CHAIR? UH, RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR A MOTION. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE SONYA RICO UP TO THE THREE MINUTE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST A SECOND FOR THREE MINUTES. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD, UH, CHRIS LARSON AT THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE AGENDA LIST. AND LETICIA, UH, GUTIERREZ AT THE TOP OF THE, AT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING SONYA RICO AT THE, AT THE, UM, THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST ON THE SECOND MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. THIRD FIRST SPEAKER. [PUBLIC SPEAKERS] UH, MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU CALL THE FIRST SPEAKER? CHRIS LARSON. WE GO STAND ONE OF THE MICS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. UH, MY NAME IS CHRIS LARSON AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. PLUS, UH, WE MANAGE, UH, CENTRAL HOUSTON. WE MANAGE THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. WE'RE TOUR THREE AS WELL AS THE HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. I'M HERE TO OFFER COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE HOURS OF ENFORCEMENT FOR ON STREET PARKING IN DOWNTOWN. AND GRANTED, I AM NOT HERE TO ARGUE AGAINST METERING ON STREETE PARKING. RATHER, I BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES WOULD YIELD MORE DESIRABLE RESULTS IF COUPLED WITH A BROADER PARKING MANAGEMENT STRATEGY COORDINATED WITH DOWNTOWN'S VAST SUPPLY OF OFF STREET OPTIONS. RATHER THAN CHANGING THE PARKING SYSTEM PIECEMEAL WHERE EACH INDIVIDUAL ACTION CREATES CONFUSION, ANGER, AND INEQUITY, WE SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND DESIGN THE BEST SYSTEM FOR HOUSTON. OUR GOAL SHOULD BE SIMPLE. WE SHOULD SEEK TO REMOVE THE PERCEIVED BARRIER TO DOWNTOWN THAT PARKING CREATES BY PROVIDING A RANGE OF EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND ACCESSIBLE OPTIONS FOR PARKING CUSTOMERS. MOREOVER, ANY CHANGES SHOULD BE PROCEEDED WITH A STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND TRANSITION PROGRAM FOR THOSE MOST ADVERSELY AFFECTED. WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS WILL BE HIT THE HARDEST BY THE PROPOSED SINGULAR CHANGE SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES ARRIVING BEFORE 6:00 PM AND OFTEN STAYING PUT, OUR STOREFRONT BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A HARD ENOUGH TIME FILLING SHIFTS AND FINDING WORKERS. AND THIS WILL CREATE ANOTHER HARDSHIP IF IMPLEMENTED AS PROPOSED IN A WELL-DESIGNED SYSTEM, WE WOULD HAVE ALTERNATIVES LINED UP TO HELP EASE THE TRANSITION TO THE NEW NORMAL. WELL-MANAGED CHANGES SHOULD COME WITH A SOLUTION FOR THOSE MOST ADVERSELY AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR MY COMMENTS. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK, UH, DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES, UH, BOTH MARTINEZ AND CASTILLO, WHO REACHED OUT TO ME PERSONALLY, UM, AND INQUIRED ABOUT MY THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE SINCE IT WAS ONLY FROM THEM DIRECTLY THAT, THAT I HEARD ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL. BUT ON BEHALF OF MY ORGANIZATION, WE [00:35:01] DO VOLUNTEER TO WORK ALONGSIDE OUR CITY LEADERS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PARKING MANAGEMENT STRATEGY DESIGNED TO BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR DOWNTOWN. AND ITS MANY STAKEHOLDERS. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. OKAY, CHRIS, UH, LET ME THANK YOU. AND, UM, CENTRAL HOUSTON FOR PROVIDING LEADERSHIP. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH A PREVIOUS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF DOWNTOWN THAT WHEN IT, THIS DISCUSSION CAME UP IN THE PAST, IT WAS WORKED OUT WHERE IT WAS A COMPROMISE. IF YOU ALLOW US TO HAVE PAST SIX O'CLOCK FREE PARKING, YOU COULD CHARGE ON SATURDAY. SO THERE WAS A BALANCE THERE THAT WE WOULD HAVE SATURDAY PAID PARKING, WHICH WAS NOT ALL THAT POPULAR, BUT CERTAINLY AS A TRADE-OFF TO DEVELOP BUSINESS, UH, ENCOURAGE RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT THAT WE WOULD STOP AT SIX O'CLOCK. THAT'S BEEN IN STANDING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. CAROL ALVARA PROPOSED IT, CARRIED IT WITH THE LEADERSHIP. ANOTHER THING I WAS GONNA ASK YOU WITH THIS, UH, PROBABLY INTERFERE IF YOU WENT TO PAID PARKING AFTER SIX WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT THAT WE'RE SO AGGRESSIVELY TRYING TO DEVELOP, WHICH WILL BRING ADDITIONAL CONVENTIONS, HOTEL, RESTAURANTS, RESIDENCES, DOWNTOWN, HELP, MOBILITY. SO YOU'VE GOT A REALLY FINE BALANCE, DO YOU NOT NOW WITH THE NEEDS AND CERTAINLY THE AFFORDABILITY OF RETURNING TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. YEAH, I THINK BALANCE IS THE CRITICAL WORD THERE, SIR. UM, AND, AND CERTAINLY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE ROLE THAT ON STREET PARKING PLAYS WITHIN OUR SYSTEM, UM, IT'S A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL SUPPLY AVAILABLE IN DOWNTOWN. UM, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY INCUMBENT UPON US TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO UNLOCK THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SPACES THAT ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCESSIBLE. UH, THAT'S THE REAL OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND UPON THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE GENERATED BY GETTING TO THIS POINT. UH, SO I APPRECIATE YOU PROVIDING THAT HISTORY. UM, AND WE CERTAINLY STAND BY TO BE PARTNERS TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST SOLUTION FOR DOWNTOWN MORE RECENT HISTORY. ARE YOU FAMILIAR THAT THERE IS SOME EFFORT ON CERTAINLY THE COUNCIL'S PART TO GET ENTERTAINMENT, LOUD NOISE BARS, RESTAURANTS, DRINKING OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND ONE OF THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WOULD TO BE TO ENCOURAGE THAT ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL, NOISE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, WHICH WOULD BE A WIN-WIN SITUATION. ARE YOU AWARE THAT ACTUALLY AS I RIDE THE WASHINGTON SHEPHERD CORRIDOR TALKING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, IF THEY ROUTINELY TELL ME IF WE COULD JUST GET FOLKS CONCENTRATED DOWNTOWN WHERE IT'S SO MUCH MORE ESTABLISHED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SO ABSOLUTELY. COULD YOU SEE IN FIRST YOU'D PROBABLY WELCOME THAT ADDITIONAL RETAIL. YES. AND, AND I WENT ON RECORD IN FRONT OF THIS COUNCIL LAST YEAR IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION OF THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, UH, RECOGNIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT CREATES. AND CERTAINLY WITHIN DOWNTOWN WE'VE GOT ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS WE'VE GOT AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A MIXED USE PLACE. YOU KNOW, IT'S A DYNAMIC NEIGHBORHOOD. UH, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY THAT OCCURS AND IT'S CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE CITY FOR THAT ACTIVITY. THANK YOU. AND THIS IS THE WAY THINGS SHOULD BE HANDLED, UH, IN TERMS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE. WOULD IT NOT BE BENEFICIAL IF INTEREST GROUP STAKEHOLDERS LIKE YOURSELF WOULD'VE AN OPPORTUNITY IN A COMMITTEE TO GIVE THE PROS AND CONS, UH, PROPOSALS? AND WE'D CERTAINLY WELCOME THAT OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS, UH, TO WORK TOGETHER ON A COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION THAT'S CERTAINLY THE BEST FOR DOWNTOWN. YOU WERE SOMEWHAT SURPRISED OR MAYBE TOTALLY SURPRISED WHEN YOU HEARD OF THIS. UM, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD OF IT WHEN, WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MARTINEZ AND CASTILLO, AS WELL AS YOUR OFFICE REACHED OUT TO ME LAST WEEK. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN, UH, MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT, UH, CHRIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW THAT YOU WORK SO CLOSELY WITH SO MANY OF US, UM, AS DOES THE TOURS, THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, UH, ON A HOST OF PROJECTS, AND AGAIN, FOR DISTRICT C GOING ALL THE WAY INTO BUFFALO BAYOU PARK AND THE BENEFITS THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE, UM, THAT ARE WORLD, WORLD RENOWNED. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOICE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, UH, AND LOOKING FOR OUT FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT PLAY SUCH A CRITICAL ROLE, UM, IN THE AREAS THAT YOU ALL ARE INVOLVED IN. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, CHRIS, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. UM, YOU KNOW, I WAS ALSO, UH, SURPRISED THAT YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF, OF, OF, YOU KNOW, THE PROPOSAL, UH, AGENDA ITEM. AND SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE COMING HERE SHARING, AGAIN, NOT NECESSARILY FOR AGAINST, JUST WANT TO PARTICIPATE APART, UH, WITH THE PROCESS. [00:40:01] UM, THE OTHER THING THAT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU TOUCHED ON IT, BUT WE ARE HAVING CHALLENGES, RIGHT? BUILDING CAPACITIES ARE ABOUT 50%. AND SO HOW, HOW WOULD THAT IMPACT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CHARTER TRYING TO DO TO ATTRACT FOLKS INTO DOWNTOWN? UH, ARE YOU ASKING HOW THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD PARK? CORRECT. WOULD AFFECT THINGS? I MEAN, GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK THE BIGGEST CONCERN WOULD BE WORD OF MOUTH AND CREATING, UM, A NEGATIVE IMPRESSION ABOUT, UH, THE PARKING EXPERIENCE IN DOWNTOWN. UH, PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS. YOU KNOW, IT'S A BIG CITY, UH, WITH A LOT OF AREAS TO, TO BE ABLE TO SEEK DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT. UM, AND SO DOWNTOWN NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO COMPETE IN THAT SPACE. ALRIGHT. AND, AND THIS STORY MADE, YOU KNOW, TOP OF THE FOLD IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE FOR A REASON. UH, PEOPLE CARE ABOUT DOWNTOWN. DOWNTOWN NEEDS TO BE HEALTHY FOR OUR CITY TO BE HEALTHY. UM, AND THESE KINDS OF SETBACKS, UH, CAN SERVEE AS SOMETHING THAT IMPEDES UH, THAT PATH TOWARDS SUCCESS. AND YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF, UH, UH, OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARKING TO BE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE FROM OFF ON STREET TO OFF STREET. THAT'S RIGHT. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? YEAH, SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING WITH PRIVATE, UH, PARKING OWNERS, UH, SO A NUMBER OF THEM THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO OPEN UP THOSE FACILITIES AT NIGHT. UM, MANY OF OUR PARKING STRUCTURES IN DOWNTOWN ARE BASICALLY A SINGLE PURPOSE, UH, PARKING STRUCTURE. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF DAYTIME EMPLOYEES THAT GO IN THERE, UM, AND THEN AT NIGHT THEY SIT EMPTY, RIGHT? SO THINKING ABOUT HOW WE UNLOCK ALL OF THAT POTENTIAL IN SUCH A WAY THAT IS BENEFICIAL FOR OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, AND QUITE FRANKLY, EASIER FOR HOUSTONIANS TO GET DOWNTOWN, WHETHER IT'S FOR AN ASTROS GAME OR FOR A NIGHT OUT THE TOWN, UM, WHATEVER REASON THEY WANT TO COME, COME DOWN, YOU KNOW, WE WANNA HELP 'EM DO IT. AGAIN, I, I JUST APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN, UH, TO CITY HALL TO, YOU KNOW, SHARE THESE, UH, THESE THOUGHTS. UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DEFINITELY CONTINUING TO, UH, HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING METERS IN DOWNTOWN IN THE FUTURE. THANK, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, CAN I, I, I PROBABLY MISSED IT IN YOUR OPENING, BUT YOU, DO YOU RUN A, YOU OWN A BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA? UM, I, I, I MANAGE THREE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SO CENTRAL HOUSTON, UH, WHICH IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION, OPERATES AS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR DOWNTOWN. UH, WE ALSO MANAGE, UH, THE HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. OKAY. GOOD. THANK YOU. YES, SIR. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, CHRIS, FOR BEING HERE. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. UH, YOU KNOW, COMING TO, UH, US LETTING US KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THIS, BUT YOU WANT MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AND, AND A MORE THOUGHTFUL APPROACH. UM, WE'RE ONLY GONNA GET THAT IF WE ENGAGE THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT THESE CHANGES WOULD IMPACT DIRECTLY. UM, WHICH, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY WAS NOT DONE IN THIS CASE. BUT, UM, GOING FORWARD, THAT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED. UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT WHO THESE CHANGES ARE GOING TO IMPACT, UH, AND WE'RE STILL HEARING FROM ORGANIZATIONS, UM, THAT COULD BE IMPACTED BY THESE CHANGES AND, AND THEIR THOUGHTS ON, ON THEIR, ON THE PROPOSAL. SO, UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK TOWARDS A SOLUTION MM-HMM . UM, AND BE A PART OF THAT. UM, YOU KNOW, AND AS, UH, SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS PART OF DOWNTOWN, UH, JUST KNOW THAT INVOLVING THE STAKEHOLDERS, UH, DOING THAT ENGAGEMENT IS GONNA BE A PRIORITY FOR ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER. BUT IF I COULD JUST ADD TO THAT VERY QUICKLY, UM, I BELIEVE IT'S A PART OF THE DNA, NOT ONLY OF OUR ORGANIZATION, BUT ALL OF US WHO MANAGE PUBLIC FINANCE TOOLS. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY OUR DECISIONS. AND ON STREET PARKING IS A PUBLIC RESOURCE. IT IS A PUBLIC ASSET, AND IT IS A SACRED AND, AND, AND LIMITED ONE. AND SO HOW WE MAKE BEST UTILIZATION OF THAT, I THINK IS A PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY. AND, AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET, ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT IT. THAT'S IT. GOOD JOB, CHRIS. AND CERTAINLY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. UM, HAVE A GOOD DAY AND LET'S STAY IN TOUCH. CERTAINLY, WE, WE NEED TO HAVE THIS DIALOGUE AS WE GO FORWARD. THERE'LL BE OTHER ISSUES AS WELL. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. BE SAFE. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. THANK YOU. NEXT, ROSALYN CAESAR, ROSALYN CAESAR, JOHN MANGUM TO BE FOLLOWED BY MICHELLE HARRIS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WHITMEYER, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I'M JOHN MANGUM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO AT THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY. AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERS OF THE EIGHT PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION, RESIDENT IN HOUSTON'S THEATER DISTRICT, THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY, THE HOUSTON BALLET, THE HOUSTON GRAND OPERA, THE HOBBY CENTER, THE ALLEY THEATER THEATER UNDER THE STARS, DECA AND, AND PERFORMING ARTS HOUSTON. I WANNA START BY THANKING COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR FOR YOUR LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS HERE IN HOUSTON AND FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR ORGANIZATIONS. YOU'VE [00:45:01] ENSURED THAT WE CAN BE RELEVANT, ACCESSIBLE, AND IMPACTFUL IN OUR CITY, AND THAT WE CAN OFFER DIVERSE PROGRAMMING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THAT I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE ALL OF US ARE OPPOSED, AS IT'S CURRENTLY STATED TO THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF PARKING METER HOURS IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. I'M GONNA KIND OF COVER SOME GROUND THAT MY FRIEND CHRIS THERE JUST COVERED. BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK FROM A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, AS PEOPLE THAT DO THEIR WORK AND LIVE IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON IN THAT THEATER DISTRICT, WE'D ENCOURAGE A COMPREHENSIVE PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY THAT LOOKS AT VISITORS TO DOWNTOWN HOUSTON AND TO OUR PERFORMANCES AND VENUES AND HOW THEY INTERACT. WE FEEL THE CURRENT PROPOSAL CREATES AN ADDITIONAL BARRIER TO ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT. WE WANT ALL OF HOUSTON TO FEEL WELCOME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IN OUR VENUES AND AT OUR PERFORMANCES. OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON DRIVING AWARENESS AND ACTIVATION OF THE THEATERS, PARKS, AND PUBLIC SPACES THROUGHOUT THE THEATER DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN COLLABORATIONS WITH HOUSTON. FIRST, DOWNTOWN HOUSTON PLUS MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND 7 1 3 WALKS. URBAN PATHS HAVE ACTIVATED THE AREAS AROUND OUR VENUES TO DRIVE INCREASED FOOT TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN AND HAVE PROVIDED EXPERIENCES THAT HELP SUPPORT OUR PERFORMANCES. ALL OF US HAVE FREE AND LOW COST TICKETS AVAILABLE TO A WIDE VARIETY OF GROUPS IN AN EFFORT TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACCESS. WE ALSO OFFER FREE PERFORMANCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR VENUES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. ACCESSIBILITY IS CRITICAL TO THE VIBRANCY OF THE THEATER DISTRICT. IT'S VENUES, BUSINESSES, HOTELS, AND RESTAURANTS. AND THE MANY OPTIONS OUR PATRONS HAVE, INCLUDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND MULTIPLE PARKING OPTIONS, HELP WITH THAT. BUT STREET PARKING IS THE ONLY FREE OPTION AVAILABLE DURING OUR PERFORMANCES IN THE EVENINGS. IT'S THERE FOR VISITORS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO USE OTHER OPTIONS. REMOVING FREE STREET PARKING AFTER 6:00 PM WOULD CREATE A BARRIER TO ATTENDANCE AT A TIME WHEN ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE DEVOTING SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE CAN ACCESS OUR PERFORMANCES, AND THAT OUR PERFORMANCES REFLECT THE DIVERSITY, CREATIVITY, AND ENERGY OF OUR GREAT CITY. WE RESPECTFULLY URGE THE COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN THE AVAILABILITY, AVAILABILITY OF FREE PARKING AFTER 6:00 PM AND WE HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK WITH YOU AS A RESOURCE AS YOU DEVELOP PLANS IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VERY GOOD. COUNCILMAN KAMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR JOHN, NOT ONLY AS A DISTRICT C RESIDENT, UH, BUT FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE ARTS. THANK YOU. UH, WE, MANY OF US ON COUNCIL HAVE A, AND INCLUDING, I KNOW WE WORKED WITH COUNCIL MAYOR, PROTO CASTEX, TATUM, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, MANY, MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL OF YOU DURING THE PANDEMIC. YOU ALL WERE THE FIRST TO CLOSE IN THE LAST TO OPEN, UM, OUR ARTS INDUSTRY WAS. SO EVERY INDUSTRY HAS BEEN IMPACTED, BUT ARTS IN PARTICULAR WAS ONE OF THOSE, UM, THAT REALLY STRUGGLED. AND I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO SUPPORT THAT. BUT YOUR VOICE ON THINGS LIKE THIS IS ALSO IMPERATIVE, UH, SO THAT THERE ARE NOT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT WE AS A CITY ARE LOOKING AT AS WE DO OUR BEST TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUES. UH, YOU MAY HAVE SAID THIS, AND I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED IT. UH, DOES THE SYMPHONY HAVE ITS OWN GARAGE? CURRENTLY, WE, WE DO NOT. OUR PATRONS PARK IN THE THEATER DISTRICT GARAGE, WHICH I BELIEVE IS PART OF THE HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION. AND THAT IS PAID PARKING AS WELL, CORRECT? YES. IT'S $15 A PERFORMANCE. $15 A PERFORMANCE. YES. OKAY. WELL, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR, AGAIN, DOING WHAT THE SYMPHONY IS DOING TO, AS YOU SAID, LOWER THOSE BARRIERS TO ACCESS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF, UM, OUR PERFORMING ARTS. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AND JOHN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON THROUGH THE ARTS. UM, MY ASK IS THAT, UM, WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP, BUT AS, AS WE CONTINUE THIS DIALOGUE, UH, WHEN IT COMES TO PARKING METERS SPECIFICALLY, UM, AND ANYTHING DOWNTOWN RELATED, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN DEFINITELY START RECRUITING MORE FOLKS IN THE THEATER DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE DIALOGUES AS WELL. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TODAY. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, JOHN. AND THANK YOU FOR, UM, OUR QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES THAT, THAT YOU PROTECT. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE PART OF IT, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALRIGHT, BE SAFE. NEXT. MICHELLE HARRIS. MICHELLE HARRIS, BLAIR ALT. HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS BLAIR ALT, AND, UH, I BELIEVE I AM JUST GOING TO BE CONTINUING A LITTLE BIT OF THIS. UH, BUT I AM, UH, I, I'M, I'M A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN. I'M A GRADUATE OF H-S-P-V-A IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, AND CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE, UH, HONORS COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD. AND AS A, UH, U OF H GRAD, I AM NO STRANGER TO PARKING ISSUES. MM-HMM . UM, BUT, UH, I DO WANT TO SAY HERE, [00:50:01] I I AM, I COME TO YOU AS A BARTENDER. I'VE BEEN A BARTENDER AT LITTLE DIPPER SINCE 2012, OR SORRY, 2014 WHEN IT OPENED. AND, UH, ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS ABLE TO STAY AT A BARTENDER FOR AL ALMOST A DECADE WAS BECAUSE OF THE FREE PARKING. UM, UNFORTUNATELY, METRO DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFE OPTIONS AFTER 2:00 AM AND OFTEN THE BARS ARE CLOSING AT THREE AND FOUR IN, IN THE MORNING. AND SO ME, UH, BEING ABLE TO GET HOME, UH, SAFELY DID REQUIRE ME USING MY PERSONAL VEHICLE. UM, THERE ARE OPTIONS, UH, IN OTHER CITIES WHERE, UH, THE CITY HAS WORKED WITH THE SERVICE INDUSTRY TO, UH, AUSTIN BEING OUR MOST NEARBY ONE, UM, WHERE THEY'VE WORKED WITH THE SERVICE INDUSTRY TO CREATE PARKING PASSES SO THAT WE COULD PARK IN THOSE GARAGES. I AM, I'M OPEN TO THAT. AND, UH, I ALSO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES BARTENDERS GUILD CHAPTER IN TOWN. SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SERVICE INDUSTRY PERSON TO BE A PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, I REALLY HOPE, UM, THAT WE CAN BE A PART OF THAT. THAT'S ALL. COUNCILMAN CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR, AND THANK YOU BLAIR FOR BEING HERE. I KNOW YOU'VE REACHED OUT. HELLO . UM, AND I WANNA SAY THAT YOUR PERSPECTIVE, THE SERVICE INDU INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE IS SO IMPORTANT. UH, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT MAKING THESE TYPES OF CHANGES, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT ALL TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS AND STAKEHOLDERS AND SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS ARE ONE OF THEM. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY AROUND THIS ISSUE. AND AGAIN, WE'RE ONLY GONNA BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS PROCESS AND CONVERSATION IF WE'RE DOING THIS IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY, UH, AND NOT, UH, DOING IT IN A RAPID WAY WHERE WE'RE NOT INCLUDING AND INVOLVING FOLKS, UH, DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THESE DECISIONS. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND WE WILL DEFINITELY KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT, UH, ANY POTENTIAL COLLABORATION, UM, WITH YOUR INDUSTRY GROUP, UH, ON WHAT WE DO MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT NATASHA BREED. NATASHA BREED RUBY ADAMS. I AM RUBY ADAMS. STEP OVER IN FRONT OF THE MIC. GO TO THE MIC, MA'AM. THANK YOU. I'M RUBY ADAMS, A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, AND I'VE LIVED AT MY RESIDENCE FOR, UH, SINCE 1971. I'M A PLANT LOVER. I GROW PLANTS, I SHOW PLANTS AND I BELONG TO SEVERAL OF THE CITIES, UH, PLANT ORGANIZATIONS, MD, SOCIETY OF HOUSTON, BLUE BONNET GARDEN CLUB, AND THE FERN SOCIETY. NOW, I'VE LIVED IN MY HOME FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS PAST SUMMER THAT I NOTICED MY PLANTS LOOKED UNHAPPY. UH, THEY WERE HAVING A BUILDUP OF A WHITE SUBSTANCE ON THE LEAVES. THE SOIL WAS TURNING WHITE AND THE POTS WERE DAMAGED WITH A WHITE CRUSTY SUBSTANCE THAT YOU COULD SCRAPE OFF. I CALLED THE CITY AS I BEGAN TO MOVE MY PLANTS INTO THE GARAGE FOR THE WINTER TO HAVE SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND CHECK MY WATER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND ASK THAT SOMEONE POSSIBLY CALL ME AND LET ME KNOW WHEN AND A POSSIBLY TIME SO I COULD BE HOME TO SHOW THEM WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. OKAY. THE FIRST PERSON CAME OUT ON A SUNDAY, WHILE I WAS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, BUT HE LEFT A NOTE SAYING MY WATER WAS OF GOOD QUALITY AND IT CLOSED THE CASE. I CALLED BACK IMMEDIATELY AND SAID THE CASE COULD NOT BE CLOSED 'CAUSE THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN SOLVED. SO THEY SENT SOMEONE ELSE OUT, A SECOND PERSON, HE TOOK A COUPLE VIALS OF THE WATER AND TESTED THEM AND SAID THE CHLORINE WAS GOOD. I SAID, THIS IS NOT A CHLORINE PROBLEM. SO THE THIRD PERSON CAME OUT, DID THE SAME THING, AND LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM. I COULD SHOW HIM, AS YOU SEE ON THE PICTURES THAT I PROVIDED FOR YOU, THAT THE PLANTS ARE SUFFERING FROM. YEAH. TIME HAS EXPIRED. YOU CAN GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD. THE, THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE PLANTS AND IF I DON'T SCRAPE IT OFF, IT, IT MAKES THE PLANT TO START TO DIE. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE AS A CITY OF HOUSTON CAN ONLY TEST FOR CHLORINE WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM. VISUALLY. I SEE THE PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST FOR WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH MY WATER. I'M THE ONLY PERSON I LIVE IN A CULDESAC OF AND IT'S AN OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD AND [00:55:01] I DON'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST FOR ANYTHING IN THE WATER. I JUST VISUALLY SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. IT HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I HAVE, I DIDN'T JUST START GROWING PLANTS. I'VE BEEN GROWING THEM SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER. AND AT THIS RESIDENCE FOR OVER 50 YEARS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE CHECKED WITH MY WATER TO SEE WHY THINGS ARE DIFFERENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SECOND PERSON THAT CAME OUT TO GOOGLE AND GET SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE MY WATER. I DID GOOGLE, IT WOULD COST ME FOUR TO $500 TO GET SOMEONE OUT TO TEST MY WATER. AND THE BIGGEST THAT MY CITY IS, I WOULD ASSUME THAT THEY HAVE A LAB SOMEWHERE THAT COULD TEST IT. AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT YOU'RE GIVING ME TO PRESENT MY PROBLEM. I HOPE IT CAN BE SOLVED. I DO HAVE SOME LIVE PLANS TO SHOW YOU, BUT I KNOW TIME IS OF ESSENCE. SO IF YOU WANNA SEE THEM LATER AND YOU CAN COME TO MY HOME EVEN AND SEE THEM. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM. UH, MAY APPROACH HIM. CA TATUM HAS QUESTION. HI, MS. ADAMS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN. I'M SORRY THAT YOU'RE HAVING THOSE ISSUES WITH YOUR WATER. I KNOW THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN TRYING TO HELP TO ASSIST, TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE COME OUT TO TEST YOUR WATER. I, I, MY QUESTION IS ACTUALLY FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO FIND OUT WHAT ELSE WE CAN TEST THE WATER. WE RECEIVED YOUR PICTURES MM-HMM . AND WE SEE WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE PLANTS. UM, DO YOU KNOW IF ANY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING? I KNOW YOU SAID YOU LIVED IN A CUL-DE-SAC, SO, UM, BUT HAVE YOU HAD ANY NONE OF MY NEIGHBORS GROW UP PLANTS. WE ALL ELDERLY AND I KIND OF TAKE CARE OF THEIR PLANTS AND SO NONE OF THEIR PLANTS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS. UH, WELL, I HAVEN'T, I HAVEN'T DONE THAT LATELY, PLANTING PLANTS FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE BEAUTY IN THEIR YARDS. BUT I HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT THEY, NONE OF THEM, I'VE THE WHEELCHAIRS AND THEY, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY'RE JUST NOT ABLE TO DO IT. AND I DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN MY SURROUNDING AREA THAT'S GROWING PLANTS. THEY HAVE HEDGES AND TREES, BUT NO, I, I GET IT. YEAH. SO I KNOW SAL IS HERE FROM PUBLIC WORKS. UM, WE'VE ASKED THEM TO SEE WHAT ELSE THEY CAN TEST THE WATER, UM, FOR, I KNOW THEY SAID THAT IT, YOU KNOW, YOUR CHLORINE AND, AND THAT YOUR WATER WAS FINE. BUT, UM, I'M GONNA SEE WHAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS AVAILABLE TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN TEST THE WATER FOR. UM, DO YOU HAVE, I, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU THINK IT COULD BE? AS I, AS, AS I'VE SHOWN MY PROBLEM TO FELLOW GARDENERS IN, IN THE CLUBS, AND THEY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE AN ABUNDANCE OF CALCIUM, BUT THAT'S JUST VISUALLY SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT'S WHITE AND I DON'T, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. I JUST KNOW THAT IT WILL KILL THE PLANTS AND IT, IT HASN'T HAPPENED BEFORE THIS PAST SUMMER. AND YOU SAID THAT YOUR WA YOUR HOSE WAS CEMENT CEMENTED TOGETHER. YOU CAN SEE WE HAD TO CUT THE HOSE. A BRAND NEW HOSE AND HOSE ARE NOT CHEAP. I HAD TO CUT THE HOSE IN ORDER TO GET IT LOOSE. NOW THE GUY THAT CAME OUT YESTERDAY AFTER HE FOUND OUT THAT I WAS SPEAKING TODAY, SAID, UM, THAT HE HAD THE PROBLEM. HE LIVES IN THE THIRD WARD AREA AND HE HAD THE PROBLEM IN HIS HOME WHERE IT WAS ACTUALLY, UM, HIS HOSE WAS ACTUALLY CEMENTED LIKE TO THE FAUCET AND HE HAD TO, UM, BREAK IT OR LOOSE. AND HE WORKS FOR THE CITY. RIGHT. SO SAL IS HERE. I'M, I'M GONNA HAVE YOU GIVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, UH, TO SAL AND WE'RE GONNA SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN TEST THE WATER FOR AND UH, WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU TO SEE IF WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT YOUR PLANS TO DIE. I KNOW YOU, YOU'VE BEEN, UM, VERY ACTIVE IN, IN MAINTAINING THE BEAUTY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. BUT WE'LL SEE IF, WHAT ELSE WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT TO TRY TO TEST THAT WATER. ALRIGHT, I APPRECIATE IT. EVAN SHABAZZ, COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND RUBY ADAMS. I LOVE RUBY ADAMS. SHE AND I WORKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS FOR THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU, BUT CERTAINLY NOT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. I WANNA ASK YOU, DO YOU DRINK FILTERED WATER OR DO YOU DRINK THE WATER THAT COMES THROUGH YOUR FAUCET? I DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. AND MY DAUGHTER JUST TOLD ME ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO NOT TO COOK WITH IT. SO I BUY WATER TO COOK WITH AND OF COURSE I BATHE WITH IT AND I DON'T DRINK IT. 'CAUSE I DON'T WANNA LOOK LIKE THAT WATER HOSE THAT YOU SEE ON THAT PICTURE INSIDE. SHE DON'T WANNA BE SEEN IT TOGETHER . SO, AND, AND I WOULD SUGGEST MAYBE YOU COULD GET, WHAT IS IT? UH, ONE OF THOSE FILTERS, THE BRI TO PUT, LET'S SEE IF I GOT A FILTER. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. I'M TALKING FOR YOUR, YOUR DRINKING WATER. OKAY. 'CAUSE OF COURSE I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING, BUT I KNOW THAT, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM WILL GET WITH SAL TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EVERYTHING THAT THE CITY CAN DO WILL BE, UH, [01:00:01] DONE. AND SO I THANK YOU FOR COMING AND I'M GONNA HAVE TO STEP OUTSIDE AND GIVE YOU A HUG. I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE, . THANK, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YES MA'AM. THANK YOU. NEXT, JENNIFER VY. JENNIFER RIZVI, MAR KHAN. SONYA RICO. GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. AS YOU ALL KNOW, MY NAME IS SONYA RICO AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF HOPE AFSCME LOCAL 1, 2 3 FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES UNION. A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT US AND SOMETHING THAT WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF IS THAT WE HAVE HAD A MEETING CONFER AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY NOW FOR 16 YEARS. A FEW YEARS AGO WE INTRODUCED OUR FIVE YEAR PLAN, AND STEP THREE WAS TO ELECT A PRO HOPE AND PRO-LABOR MAYOR. AND AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DONE THAT. WE WORKED REALLY HARD ON YOUR CAMPAIGN, MAYOR WHITMEYER, AS ON MANY OF YOUR CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGNS AS WELL IN 2023. SHABAZZ, UH, ABBY IS JACKSON, MARIO, JUST TO NAME A FEW. WE WERE HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT THE CHANGES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD MADE THUS FAR. WE'VE BEEN WITH YOU SEVERAL TIMES AND MADE YOU FULLY AWARE OF ALL OUR CONCERNS AND ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS AND ARE CONFIDENT THAT ALL WILL BE RESOLVED. AND WE DO WANNA RECOGNIZE THE RECENT, UM, CHANGE IN THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT. THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE REALLY HAPPY WITH AT THIS TIME. UM, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF BULLYING, RETALIATION AND INTIMIDATION CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND CONCEDE THAT THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN BIG CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WE MADE A GREAT CHOICE AND HAVE NOT SWAYED ON THAT. HOWEVER, AS WE HAVE STATED IN OUR MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL, WE ARE THE BACKBONE FOR THE CITY AND WE ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES. WITHOUT US, THE CITY OF HOUSTON SIMPLY COULD NOT RUN. WE ARE VERY MUCH OVERWORKED AND UNDERPAID AT ALMOST EVERY LEVEL. WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR NEGOTIATIONS FOR OUR UPCOMING CONTRACT WILL BEGIN NEXT TUESDAY ON APRIL 16TH. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION AND RESPECT THAT WE DESERVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THE MECHANICS IN THE FLEET MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT MAKE SURE THAT ALL CITY VEHICLES ARE OPERATIONAL AND THAT INCLUDES FIRE AND POLICE, THE 9 1 1 AND 3 1 1 TELECOMMUNICATORS. THEY MAKE SURE LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS AND OR MAJOR WATER MAINS, WATER OUTAGES AND STREET MAINTENANCE ARE HANDLED SO THAT FIRE AND POLICE CAN MAKE THE RESCUES ON ANY GIVEN DAY SOLID WASTE. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS. MAKE SURE THAT DEBRIS IS CLEARED FROM THE STREETS SO THAT FIRE AND POLICE CAN GET THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS. ALSO, MAKE SURE THOSE FIRE HYDRANTS AND THOSE WATER MAIN LINES HAVE WATER RUNNING THROUGH THEM. AS YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND, WITHOUT WATER, THE FIREFIGHTERS COULD NOT PUT OUT ANY FIRES. GENERAL SERVICES MAINTAINS A GOOD PART OF THE CITY FACILITIES AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE FIRE STATIONS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, HEALTH AVIATION, HPD AND HFD, NON-CLASSIFIED HITS LIBRARY, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, MUNICIPAL COURTS, HOUSING, AND MANY OTHERS THAT I MAY HAVE LEFT OFF ARE ALL JUST AS IMPORTANT. SO NOT ALL HEROES DRIVE A FIRE ENGINE OR POLICE CAR, BUT WE ARE JUST AS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US MAKE SURE THAT THIS CITY RUNS LIKE A WELL OLD MISS MACHINE. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GO AHEAD, SONYA. EACH ONE OF US PLAYS A CRUCIAL PART IN MAKING SURE HOUSTON AS THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN THE US CAN KEEP ITS RESIDENTS HAPPY. NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE WORK FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT A GOOD PART OF US ALSO LIVE HERE. SO WHEN YOU ALL HEAR THE MAYOR SAY TIER ONE REPORT TO WORK. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. VERY GOOD. FIRST OF ALL, LET ME THANK YOU, SONYA, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND, UH, YOUR MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE. HOPE IS, UH, VERY SPECIAL TO CITY OPERATIONS. AND YOU KNOW, I LOOK AT YOU AS FIRST RESPONDERS BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, BUT FOR YOUR MEMBERS AND ALL OF CITY EMPLOYEES. SO, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SITTING DOWN AND GOING TO WORK AND, AND, UH, BEING VERY FAIR AND CORRECT. AND THANK YOU. AND WE ALL, I, AND I'LL SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES, ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. CONTACT US WHEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE OF BULLYING, UH, DISRESPECT OR ANY OTHER ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE WORKPLACE. WITH THAT, COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR [01:05:01] SONYA, AND TO ALL OF, UM, OUR HOPE MEMBERS STANDING HERE. I KNOW YOU'RE STANDING HERE ON BEHALF OF SO MANY OTHERS, UH, 25,000 OTHERS THAT SHOW UP TO WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY AND GIVE BACK TO THIS CITY. UM, AND THE WHAT IN, WHAT IS THE TRUE ESSENCE OF PUBLIC SERVICE? UH, SO SONIA, I THINK YOU COMPLETELY AND PERFECTLY CAPTURED ALL THAT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES DO. UH, YOU MAY BE BEHIND THE SCENES OFTEN, BUT WITHOUT YOU, THE CITY CANNOT OPERATE AND YOU ARE THE BEST. THAT IS OUR CITY. UH, WITH THAT, I DID WANNA SAY, I HAVE A NOTE HERE. UM, THAT HOPE WILL BE AT THE CITY HALL ANNEX, I BELIEVE TOMORROW AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, UM, FROM 10 30 TO 1230 TO DISCUSS THE UPCOMING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, UM, YOUR AGENDAS, EVENTS THAT ARE UPCOMING. IS THAT CORRECT? I JUST WANT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OFFICES TO BE AWARE OF THAT, IF THAT'S THE CASE. YES, THAT IS TRUE. WE'LL BE THERE, UH, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 10 30 TO 1230, UH, FOR MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT AND AS WELL AS TO CATCH UP OUR EXISTING MEMBERSHIP WITH OUR ACTIVITIES. FABULOUS. AND I KNOW THAT CITY HALL STAFF, CITY COUNCIL STAFF, UH, CAN JOIN AS HOPE MEMBERS. WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE THAT IN OUR OFFICE. UH, SO WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Y'ALL ARE DOING. THANK YOU, ABBY. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. THANK YOU MAYOR AND SONYA. THANK YOU. UH, JUST TO PIGGYBACK A BIT ON, ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER KAM, UH, SPEAKING TO, UM, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS REACHING OUT, LETTING US KNOW WHEN Y'ALL COMING IN THE CITY HALL, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, AS A FORMER STAFFER, WE BENEFIT FROM THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO, UM, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE, UH, WE'RE NOT A CIVIL SERVANT PROTECTED, UH, WITHIN THE COUNCIL OFFICE. UM, AND SO I WANNA JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WITHIN DISTRICT EYE OFFICE AS WELL, WE WANNA BE JUST AS SUPPORTIVE AND APPRECIATE THE MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT THAT YOU'RE DOING ON THE FIRST FLOOR AT ANNEX. THANK YOU, JOAQUIN COUNCIL, MAYOR PLUMMER, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. UM, EVERYONE STANDING BEHIND YOU, I MEAN, YOU REALLY ARE. UM, YOU'RE THE MAJORITY, HONESTLY. I MEAN, AS, AS YOU SAID, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS, YOU ARE THE ONES THAT SHOW UP WHEN WE CAN'T DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. AND, UH, WE DEFINITELY CAN'T DO OUR JOBS WITHOUT YOU. SO JUST THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT YOU REPRESENT THEM WELL BECAUSE YOUR LEADERSHIP IS REALLY IMPORTANT. YOU SPEAK FOR THEM AND, UM, AND YOU DO IT IN SUCH AN EQUITABLE AND FAIR WAY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, AND I RESPECT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MA'AM. OH, MA'AM. BEING SONYA . THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO NEXT. LETICIA GUCCI. OH, THERE, SHE'S, HELLO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, UM, ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS LETICIA GUTIERREZ AND I AM WITH AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON, AND I'M THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIRECTOR FOR THE ORGANIZATION. UM, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TPC. TPC IS A, UM, UM, FACILITY NEAR MY PERSONAL HOME AND IN MY COMMUNITY THAT'S CONSISTENTLY WREAKING HAVOC, UM, CONSTANTLY FLARING AND EXPOSING US TO DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, INCLUDING PARTICULATE MATTER 2.5. UM, THIS SPECIFIC FACILITY HAS CURRENTLY SINCE 20 19 86 VIOLATIONS, UM, AND IT HAS EIGHT SCHOOLS, FIVE PLACES OF WORSHIP AND SEVEN PARKS, UM, INCLU, INCLUDING OUR VERY STATE-OF-THE-ART HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN, THIS SAME TPC, IT'S THAT IS LOCATED HERE IN HOUSTON, IS THE SAME TPC THAT BLEW UP BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 IN PORT NATURES. AND THEY HAD TO EVACUATE ALMOST SEVEN MILES RADIUS OF THAT COMMUNITY. I LIVE LESS THAN A MILE FROM TPC, AND AS I JUST MENTIONED, THERE'S APPROXIMATELY TWO OVER 2000 HOMES WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS OF THIS SPECIFIC FACILITY THAT HAS WAY MORE VIOLATIONS THAN THE ONE IMPORTANT NATURES. UM, THEY'RE CONSTANTLY FLARING AND UNDER REPORTING THE CHEMICALS AND THE FLARING INCIDENTS THAT THEY OMIT. IT'S A CONSTANT NUISANCE ON TOP OF THE LIST. THEY, THEY ARE ON TOP OF THE LIST, UH, FOR MAKING HOUSTON ONE OF THE DIRTIEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY. THE CITY'S OWN HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED $500,000 FROM EPA TO SPECIFICALLY MONITOR MANY SPECIFICALLY AROUND, UM, BENZENE AND OTHER DANGEROUS CA CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. UH, WE NEED HELP FROM YOU, MAYOR WHITMEYER, AS WELL AS CITY COUNCIL, TO ELEVATE AND LEND YOUR VOICE [01:10:01] AND TO ASK TCEQ TO NOT ALLOW THIS FACILITY TO CONTINUE OPERATING IN THE MANNER AT WHICH THAT IT HAS THUS FAR. I KNOW THAT YOU SEE THE PICTURE HERE, THIS IS ONE OF MANY. WE HAVE LIVE VIDEO ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES OF TPC CONSISTENTLY FLARING. WE CAN'T EVEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR AWESOME HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN. UM, IF THERE'S AN EVENT GOING ON, EVEN THE HOUSTON BOTANIC, UM, PEOPLE CALL US AND ASK, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THIS? WHAT ARE, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO REIGN THEM IN? UM, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE ARE ASKING, WE DID REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING WITH TCQ THAT IS HAPPENING, UM, THIS THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM AT RE SCHOOL, UM, TONIGHT VIA ZOOM AT 6:00 PM WE WILL BE HAVING A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING THAT EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO. I APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ THAT IT'S BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF THE, UM, ISSUES REGARDING THIS FACILITY. I KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER AS WELL, UM, UH, AREA ALSO, UH, COVERS SOME OF THE AREA THAT, UH, TPC IS CONSTANTLY, UM, WREAKING HAVOC ON. SO AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE HERE, UH, AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AND TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ? COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. ARE YOU, DID YOU NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO CLOSE UP, OR? I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT, AND I HANDED OUT THE, THE FLYER, BUT THANK YOU. DEFINITELY. SO JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK, LETICIA, UH, THROUGH AIRLINES, THROUGH HEALTHY PORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. I KNOW, UH, COUNCILOR PLUMMER'S BEEN AT, UH, CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL, UM, WHERE WE'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TPC, UM, AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT COMMUNITY'S AWARE OF, OF WHAT'S, WHAT'S AROUND US, RIGHT? AND SO I, WE'RE NEIGHBORS, SO I'M ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THIS, UH, FACILITY AS WELL. SO I DEFINITELY, I JUST WANT TO HELP, UH, ELEVATE THE WORK THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING. AND SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TO, UH, SPEAK UP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILOR PLUMMER. THANK YOU, MAYOR HOLLY TIA, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS DO. I HAVE A QUESTION. UM, ARE THEY UP FOR ANY LICENSE RENEWALS OR THEY ARE, YES. THEY'RE UP FOR THEIR FEDERAL OPERATING PERMIT, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE REQUESTING. AND WE'RE ASKING TCQ TO DENY AT THIS TIME DUE TO A LOT OF THE, UM, AGAIN, VIOLATIONS THAT THEY'VE HAD THUS FAR. JUST FYI, THE TPC THAT WAS IN PORT HS HAD 25 VIOLATIONS. THEY HAVE 86. AND AGAIN, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE A DOOMSDAY TYPE, BUT IF THEY CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD, THERE'S, I MEAN, THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THAT, OR TO NOT THINK THAT THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN PORT NATURES CAN HAPPEN HERE. DO YOU KNOW WHEN THEY, WHEN, WHEN THE TIME IS, WHEN THEY HAVE TO HAVE IT BY OR WHEN'S THE DEADLINE, DO YOU KNOW? UM, SO THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY TCQ REVIEWS ALL OF THE INPUT AND HAS UP UNTIL PROBABLY 30 DAYS AFTER THE LAST COMMON PERIOD IS EXPIRED, WHICH IS USUALLY AT THE, THEY'LL GIVE US TWO DAYS AFTER, SO IT'LL BE APRIL 13TH, AND THEN THEY TAKE IT BACK TO BE ABLE TO RULE AND VOTE IN FAVOR OR AGAINST. OKAY. AND THEN, UM, SECOND TO LAST QUESTION, THE, YOU SAID THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S BEEN OUT THERE AND HAS THEY HAVE VIOLATIONS? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY? I DON'T KNOW. IN TERMS OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT VIOLATION. I KNOW THAT, UM, WHEN LEE HAS BEEN OUT THERE IN THE PAST TO SEND OUT THEIR, UH, MOBILE AIR MO AIR MONITORING UNIT. UM, BUT AS I MENTIONED, I KNOW THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT JUST RECEIVED $500,000 FROM EPA TO SPECIFICALLY MEASURE, UM, THIS FACILITY AND THE CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS THAT THEY'VE BEEN OMITTING. OKAY. MAYOR, IF I COULD JUST MAKE A, A QUICK COMMENT, UM, JUST TO YOU DIRECTLY, TCEQ, THE, THE ISSUE IS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON'T GIVE THESE PERMITS. SO THERE'S, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT, THERE'S ALWAYS CONFUSION WITH COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND HOW THESE FACILITIES CONTINUE TO, TO BE AN OPERATION. AND SO WHEN THEY GET A VIOLATION, THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENT. WE, WE, WE MAY TAKE THE VIOLATION, UM, AND, BUT THEY, BUT TCQ STILL ALLOWS THE PERMITS TO GO THROUGH, AND WE, WE, WE, WE, I MEAN, WE WRITE SUPPORT FOR HUNDREDS OF THESE. I MEAN, IT'S RIDICULOUS, AND IT'S OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND THESE ARE OUR MOST POROUS, MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, UM, THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. AND SO I JUST, YOU KNOW, WOULD, WOULD REALLY ASK THAT FOR US TO FIGURE OUT SOME KIND OF WAY TO WORK IN A DIFFERENT, A DIFFERENT WAY WITH TCEQ. UM, A LOT OF THESE, A LOT OF THESE FACILITIES LIKE THIS, THEY'RE SO DENSE IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES. UM, AND, UH, AND WE JUST, THE, THE, THE, UM, THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THEM ARE KILLING US, LITERALLY. CORRECT. AND, AND SO, AND SO, I JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO JUST HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS AT [01:15:01] A STATE LEVEL TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. I MEAN, THERE'S ONE, UM, AND I'M BRINGING ANOTHER, BUT ONE SEA CEMENT BATCH PLANT, RIGHT? THEY'RE LITERALLY BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LBJ HOSPITAL. I MEAN, IT'S JUST REALLY A CHALLENGE. UM, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY GUIDANCE OVER THESE PERMITS, WE CAN'T PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. WHAT, WHAT I WILL ASK IS, AS I MENTIONED, IS JUST, YOU KNOW, HELPING ELEVATE THE CONCERNS, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC COMMENT AND SHOWING UP TO THE HEARING, BUT ALSO HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, JOINING US AT THE STATE LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ENACT BETTER LAWS ON THE STATE LEVEL SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP HAVING HEARINGS AROUND BAD ACTORS LIKE TPC. UM, AGAIN, THIS PICTURE THAT YOU SEE HERE, THIS IS THE NORM IN MY COMMUNITY. MY CHILDREN CANNOT GO THE HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN. AS A MATTER OF FACT, DURING COVID, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT A LOT OF YOUNGSTERS WERE DOING WERE PICNICS AND JUST TRYING TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE MY COMMUNITY. AND MY FAMILY COULD NOT DO THAT. THEY HAD TO GO TO THE WEST SIDE IN ORDER TO PARTAKE IN THOSE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF TPC AND THE WAY THAT THEY CONSISTENTLY JUST UN WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY, UM, DO THESE TYPES OF EVENTS. AND MAYOR, IF I CAN, AND LETICIA, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IT GOT TO A POINT TO WHERE, UM, THE PARTICULATE MATTER AIR QUALITY, UM, ISSUES. HARRIS COUNTY HAS A SPECIAL, LIKE, WE HAVE A SPECIAL DESIGNATION, BUT WHAT TCQ DOES IS THEY DON'T USE THAT SPECIAL DESIGNATION BECAUSE OUR AREA IS SO POLLUTED, THEY STILL USE NATIONAL STANDARDS. AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF CREATING OUR OWN STANDARD, WAS TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE STRINGENT FOR THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES TO OPERATE. AM I CORRECT? OKAY. CORRECT. AND YOU CAN ELABORATE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT MEETING STATE NOR FEDERAL STANDARDS RIGHT NOW AS IT PERTAINS TO THESE REGULATIONS. AND SO, AGAIN, UM, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO EXIST. WE NEED TO COEXIST WITH FACILITIES, BUT NOT UNDER THE WAY THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING AND CONSISTENTLY BOMBARDING US WITH HARSH CHEMICALS, CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS AND PARTICULATE MATTER THAT WREAKS HAVOC, NOT JUST ON REGULAR HUMAN LIFE, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, SAFE AND SOUND, BUT ALSO TO THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY HAVING UPPER RESPIRATORY ISSUES, CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES, PREGNANT MOTHERS, SMALL BABIES. UM, MY CHILDREN ACTUALLY ATTENDED PARK PLACE ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS HALF A MILE AWAY, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY SON WAS CONSISTENTLY HAVING UPPER RESPIRATORY ISSUES, AND IT WAS, HI, HIS PEDIATRICIAN THAT POINTED TO THIS FACILITY AS ONE OF THE CULPRITS FOR HIM, CONSTANTLY HAVING TO HAVE BREATHING TREATMENT. COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I TOO, JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT AND THANK YOU TO AIR ALLIANCE WHO CONTINUES TO BE SUCH AN IMPORTANT AND REPUTABLE, UM, ORGANIZATION AND PARTNER WITH THE CITY IN TACKLING ALL OF THESE ISSUES. UH, COUNCIL TO COUNCIL MEMBER, PLUMMER'S POINT, MAYOR, I BELIEVE, UH, IT WAS MENTIONED THERE IS A PUBLIC COMMENT, MAYOR, I WOULD ASK WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY IS ABLE TO AT LEAST SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO THIS, UM, SO THAT WE ARE ON RECORD WITH WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE, UH, RELATED TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS AROUND THEM. SO I, I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT CHORUS, IF THERE'S SOMETHING AS A CITY WE CAN BE DOING, UH, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS, EVEN IF WE CAN'T REGULATE, UM, ON OUR OWN, PER SE. UH, I KNOW THAT THIS ALSO BRINGS UP FOR ME, ISSUES AROUND TIER TWO REPORTING. UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A CITY WE HAVE PUSHED TIME AND AGAIN, UH, MAYOR, WHEN YOU WERE SENATOR AT THE STATE LEVEL, UH, THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY, UH, WITH OUR TIER TWO FACILITIES SO THAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF WHAT IS AROUND THEM. AND THAT'S JUST A BASIC, UH, BOTTOM LINE TRANSPARENCY OPPORTUNITY FOR US. I DO KNOW ALSO, AND I I'M SURE AIR ALLIANCE IS LOOKING INTO THIS, THAT THE EPA JUST ISSUED NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES, THOUGH I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT IMPACT WILL BE ON TPC. SO I'D APPRECIATE AIR ALLIANCES, UH, ANY INFORMATION YOU ALL HAVE ON THOSE NEW REGULATIONS AND THE IMPACT OF THAT, THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY, UH, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST, I HOPE THAT AS A CITY WE CAN BE, UM, PARTICIPATING IN BEING A VOICE FOR THROUGH THE DESIGNATED PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN SET UP. RIGHT. AND I APPRECIATE THOSE COMMENTS. AND AGAIN, WE, I DON'T WANNA SAY THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A DOOMSDAY TYPE OF EVENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE DON'T WANNA SAY SHOULD HAVE COULDA, WOULD'VE AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ANY SORT OF INFLUENCE WHATSOEVER INTO, YOU KNOW, THE STATE AND OUR TCEQ STATE REGULATORS THAT UNFORTUNATELY ARE UNDERFUNDED. AND WE UNDERSTAND [01:20:01] THAT, YOU KNOW, THEIR JOB IS VERY HARD. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TO PROTECT US AND TO PROTECT US FROM THINGS LIKE THIS. AND WE GENUINELY DON'T FEEL PROTECTED RIGHT NOW. AND SO WE'RE JUST HERE TO OBVIOUSLY LET YOU KNOW, MAKE YOU AWARE, AND FIND OUT WAYS, UM, FOR THE CITY TO ALSO PARTAKE IN WHATEVER CAPACITY THEY CAN TO ELEVATE, SUBMIT COMMENTS, AND ALSO SOUND THE ALARM AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'RE BEING WATCHED. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S IT. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PASTOR JAMES NASH, SHA COUNCILOR EVANS SHABAZZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD TAMIKA MOTLEY TO THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST. THOMAS SECONDS. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND, IS THERE, YOU MEAN TO BE NEXT? YOU MEAN THE NEXT SPEAKER? NEXT. AND TO ADD OR TO MOVE? NOT TO MOVE TO MOVE. SHE'S ALREADY ON THE TAMIKA, SHE'S ALREADY ON HERE TO MOVE ON THE SECOND, UH, MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. TAMIKA MOLEY. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I WROTE IT DOWN SO I DON'T FORGET WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND A FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR SON AND FALLEN CORRECTIONAL OFFICER JOVI AND MOTLEY. THE CORRUPT BUSINESS PRACTICES WITHIN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON MANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND EACH OF YOUR DISTRICTS, YOU'LL FIND THAT EITHER SOMEONE HAS A LOVED ONE THAT EITHER IS HOUSED IN THE UNITS OR WORK FOR THEM. THE PRISONS ARE HUGELY UNDERSTAFFED, DOES CREATING DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTS FOR BOTH INMATES AND STAFF. MAYOR WHITMEYER, I WANNA, UH, REMIND YOU OF SOMETHING, A STATEMENT THAT YOU MADE IN 2022 AFTER AN INMATE BY THE NAME OF GONZALO LOPEZ HAD ESCAPED PRISON AND KILLED FIVE INNOCENT PEOPLE. YOU SAID, IF TDCJ DON'T DEAL WITH THE ISSUES REGARDING STAFFING, THAT WILL EITHER PAY NOW OR PAY LATER. AND IF THEY PAID LATER, IT WOULD ONLY RESULT IN MORE LIVES LOST. WELL, THEY IGNORED THE WARNING. AND NOW WE ARE FACED WITH THE TASK OF TRYING TO GET JUSTICE FOR THE PREVENTABLE DEATH OF OUR BELOVED SON, WHO WAS A PROUD HU HOUSTONIAN AND GREW UP IN DISTRICT B THAT JUST STARTED OUT HIS CAREER IN CORRECTIONS. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT TDCJ IS IMPLODING AND INMATES AND GUARDS LIVES ARE PUT AT RISK EVERY DAY. I WANT TO ALSO STATE THAT THE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAS BEEN YET TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DRASTIC FAILURE IN LEADERSHIP THAT HAS LED TO SO MANY PREVENTABLE FATALITIES, INCLUDING THE NEGLIGENT DEATH OF OUR SON, JOVIAN. JUST LAST WEEK, AN INMATE WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN TO DEATH BY HIS CELLMATE, AND BY THE TIME A GUARD GOT AROUND TO DO ROUNDS, IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE ARE GUARDS THAT ARE COVERING THREE AND FOUR HOUSING UNITS BY THEMSELVES. HOW SAFE ARE THESE UNITS FOR ANYONE AT THIS POINT? THIS IS JUST A FRACTION OF THE ISSUES THAT IS PLAGUING OUR LOVED ONES. PLEASE STAND WITH US BY SAYING, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE SUMMER IS COMING, AND IT'S ONLY GONNA GET WORSE IF WE DON'T HOLD THE POWERS THAT BE ACCOUNTABLE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS SHABBAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, TAMIKA. OF COURSE, I'M PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR, AND THE, UH, CASE, THE TRAGIC DEATH OF YOUR SON, WHO WAS A PRISON GUARD, AND THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A PRISONER FROM, UH, I THINK IT'S, UM, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT, CONFINEMENT. MM-HMM . AND, UH, HE DID NOT COME OUT OF THAT ROOM. AND SO SHE'S BEEN TRYING TO GET ANSWERS REGARDING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SON. AND PERHAPS MAYOR, YOU KNOW, YOUR PREVIOUS GIG, YOU WERE VERY, VERY ENGAGED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND PERHAPS YOU CAN GIVE HER THE ASSISTANCE THAT SHE SEEKS. SHE HAS BEEN TRYING VERY, VERY HARD TO GET THE ANSWERS. UH, CER CERTAINLY A TRAGEDY. UH, BUT THIS IS A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS DOING EVERYTHING THAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. UH, HE WAS A GREAT SON, HE WAS A GREAT EMPLOYEE, BUT HIS UNTIMELY DEATH HAS CREATED SUCH A DISTURBANCE IN HIS FAMILY. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW HIS MOM CAN STAND HERE AND [01:25:01] EVEN, UH, CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. BUT GOD HAS GIVEN HER STRENGTH. SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO, MAYOR, TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO, UH, TAMIKA AND HER HUSBAND, AND SHE HAS A DAUGHTER AS WELL, THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD, MS. JACKSON. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, MS. MOTLEY, FOR COMING IN AND JUST BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WHO ARE VOICELESS. MM-HMM . YOU KNOW, UM, YOU KNOW, MY SON HAS BEEN, UM, IN THIS PRISON SYSTEM FOR 15 YEARS, AND I HEAR THE HORRIBLE, THE HORRIFIC STORIES, NOT JUST WITH, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE INMATES, BUT WITH THE STAFF AS WELL. AND SO IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU SPEAKING UP, SHARING YOUR STORY, UM, ADVOCATING ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS BEHALF. THAT'S HOW WE CHANGE THINGS. AND SO, LIKE I TOLD YOU, I'M HERE FOR YOU. WHATEVER I CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOU, I'M BEHIND YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT. UM, AND JUST KEEP IT UP, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT'S HOW WE CHANGE BY SPEAKING UP ABOUT IT. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SAL. THANK YOU, MS. MOTLEY. AND, UH, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED NUMEROUS TIMES AND, UM, I'M STILL PERPLEXED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR SON'S DEATH. UH, AND IT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO THE, THE ATTENTION OF THE HIGHEST AUTHORITIES, AND, UH, THERE'S STILL NOT A GOOD RESOLUTION TO IT. SO I, I CONCUR WITH WHAT YOU'VE SAID, UH, IN TERMS OF PREVENTION GOING FORWARD. IT IS AN ISSUE OF UNDERSTAFFING. AND, UH, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I WISH I COULD GIVE YOU AN EASY ANSWER FOR HOW WE DEAL WITH THAT UNDERSTAFFING. IT'S JUST A, IT'S A DANGEROUS LINE OF WORK. YOUR SON WAS BRAVE, UH, WAS ON THE JOB. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SAFEGUARDS THAT WERE IN PLACE LIKE A VIDEO CAMERA WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. YOU AND I GOT INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY WERE SENDING THE FORENSICS, OUTSOURCED IT TO TENNESSEE, AS YOU RECALL. SO THROUGH A LOT OF EFFORT, WE GOT THAT CORRECTED. SO IT'S A TRAGEDY THAT, THAT I'M PUBLICLY TELLING YOU I'M VERY SORRY FOR, AND LET'S HOPEFULLY, UH, MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE LEADERSHIP HEARS OUR VOICE AND DOES BETTER. I'VE WORKED WITH 'EM FOR YEARS. UM, CERTAINLY COUNCILOR JACKSON, MOST OF US HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ONE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. CERTAINLY I SPENT LONG HOURS INVOLVED IN REFORMS. A LOT OF WORK LEFT IS LEFT TO BE DONE. SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO BE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. I JUST WANNA SAY ALSO THAT, UM, NOTHING THAT WE DO IS GONNA BRING MY SON BACK. I BELIEVE THAT CERTAIN PARAMETERS, CERTAIN POLICY HAD, IF THEY HAD BEEN FOLLOWED, THAT HE WOULD STILL BE HERE. UM, SO OUR HOPE IS THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THIS DON'T HAPPEN TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S SON, YOU KNOW, OR SOMEONE ELSE'S DAUGHTER. UM, THERE ARE WOMEN WORKING IN THESE PRISONS. I THINK ABOUT A MONTH AGO, UH, A NURSE WAS ATTACKED BRUTALLY BY AN INMATE, AND SHE WAS LEFT IN A POD BY HERSELF. SO, UH, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S JUST AFFECTING, YOU KNOW, THE GUARDS, BUT THE INMATES AS WELL. AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. SO, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I THINK, UH, WHAT'S ON OUR MINDS, THE MEMBERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR SON WAS SUCH AN OUTSTANDING ENDING WORKER, AND, UH, WENT TO WORK FOR TDCJ AND WAS A CORRECTION OFFICER, DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT ON THE JOB THAT DAY, AND WAS ON A TEAM EXTRACTING AN INMATE FROM HIS CELL. THERE WAS A STRUGGLE AND THERE WAS STILL STILL MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. SO I WANTED EVERYBODY TO KNOW THE ROLE THAT HE WAS PLAYING. AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, AND TAMIKA, I JUST WANTED TO INVITE YOU TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE DISTRICT B FAITH-BASED ALLIANCE, AND WE HAVE SOME, UM, MINISTERS THAT ARE LIKE FOCUSED ON THE PRISON SYSTEM. AND SO WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU PART OF, YOU KNOW, SEE HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE AND BRING THEM IN TO KIND OF SUPPORT, OKAY. UM, YOUR EFFORTS AS WELL. OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NEXT, UH, PASTOR NASH, I BELIEVE IS NOT PRESENT. ANDREW PATTERSON. ANDREW PATTERSON. CAROLYN REHAN. CAROLYN TREHAN, OMAR O IV TO BE FOLLOWED BY YOLANDA GALLOWAY. AMAR IV. THANK YOU FOR THE CORRECTION. [01:30:25] THANK YOU. MAYOR MEYER, CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU MAYOR WIL, MY CITY COUNCIL. I'M A, UM, POSTGRADUATE OF THE U OF A SYSTEM AND THE A CC SYSTEM. AND I'M GOING THROUGH SOME HARDSHIPS RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS, UM, I WAS IN THE SCHOOL TRYING TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL, AND I WAS TRYING TO, UM, SEE IF Y'ALL CAN, UH, MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH ME. 'CAUSE I'M AN A DA PATIENT AND I'M, UH, I USED TO BE 2020, NOW I'M LIKE 2017 AND VISION. SO I WANTED TO SEE IF I COULD GET AN A DA WAIVER, UH, FOR MY NEXT, UH, JOURNEY. JUST TRY TO SEE IF I COULD GET SOMETHING AT TSU, UM, IF IT'S POSSIBLE. ANY, ANY QUESTIONS? UM, COUNCILOR THOMAS. COUNCILOR THOMAS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, MR. IS IT OMAR OR OMAR? AMAR. AHMAR. THANK YOU. UM, MR. OMAR. SO YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR WAIVER ON CAMPUS AT TEXAS SOUTHERN IN THE OFFICE OF DISABILITIES AND THE STUDENT SERVICES. SO WHEN YOU GO ON CAMPUS, GO TO THE STUDENT CENTER AND THEN ASK FOR THAT OFFICE AND THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR WAIVER AND THEN THAT CAN ASSIST YOU ON CAMPUS WITH ENROLLMENT AND YOUR COURSES. AND THEN YOU CAN TAKE THAT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU NEED TO GO. WHAT DID THEY DENY ME THERE? UM, THEY SHOULD NOT DENY YOU BASED ON FEDERAL GUIDELINES. SO, UM, YOU CAN GO TODAY, YOU CAN GO TOMORROW, YOU CAN GO THROUGHOUT THE, UM, OFFICE HOURS ALL WEEK AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF, OF YOU. WE DON'T DO THAT HERE AT THE, AT CITY COUNCIL. YEAH. LAST TIME I ATTEMPTED TO DO THAT, UM, THEY, THEY WAS TRYING TO TAKE ME TO JAIL. SO I HAD A 3 0 8 EM REAL QUICK. AND THEN THEY TOOK ME BACK TO MY, MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE WHERE MY MOM STAYED. AND WE HAD A BIG ARGUMENT. I DIDN'T WANNA BRING THAT UP. I, WELL, I DON'T WANT YOU TO, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING THAT UP EITHER. BUT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GOING BACK TO SCHOOL AND YOU NEED THAT WAIVER, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU. SO, UM, I'M SURE RENEE, WHO'S STANDING, THE GENTLEMAN IS STANDING NEXT TO YOU. UM, AND HE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THERE WON'T BE ANY APPLICATION WHEN YOU GET ON CAMPUS AND THEY CAN GET YOU THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED. OKAY? THANK YOU. WE'LL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU GO COS AND UH, HCC. THAT'S RIGHT, EVERYBODY. THAT'S RIGHT. GOD BLESS YOU YOUNG WITH MY COUNSEL AND YOU HAVE A NICE DAY. THANK YOU. YOU TOO, MY FRIEND. THANK YOU. NEXT YOLANDA GALLOWAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARIAN SCOTT. HELLO MAYOR. HELLO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS YOLANDA GALLOWAY. I LIVE AT 29 0 7 WAYNE STREET, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT B. UM, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE FIELD WARD CANCER CLUSTER, BUT WE HAVE ILLEGAL DUMPING AT 4 4 2 7 LIBERTY ROAD. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE EIGHT MONTHS AND THE CITY OF LAND BANK OWNS IT AND NO ONE'S DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT'S A SORE EYE WHERE I LIVE. I HAVE A BRAND NEW HOUSE, BEEN THERE SINCE 2017 AND I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CANCER CLUSTER. I'VE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE DUMPING AND I WENT TODAY DOWN, UH, LIBERTY ROAD AND LOCKWOOD. WE'VE BEEN HAVING A WATER LEAK FOR ONE YEAR. THEY COMPLETED TODAY FINALLY AFTER ONE YEAR. I HAVE THE FIRST DOCUMENT I SUBMITTED APRIL 7TH, 2023. AND THEY COMPLETED IT TODAY, THE WATER DEPARTMENT. SO I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT. BUT NOW I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ILLEGAL DUMPING ACROSS ON 4, 4, 2, 7 LIBERTY ROAD. IT CONSISTS OF DIRT, CONCRETE, GRASS, TIRES. IT'S, IT'S TERRIBLE. IT'S A EYESORE. AND I DID CALL THE LIBERTY, THE, THE HOUSTON BANK WHEN THEY FIRST BROUGHT THE FIRST LOAD IN TO LET THEM KNOW THAT SOMEONE WAS LEGALLY DUMPING. BUT NO ONE GOT BACK WITH ME. SO NOW I'M JUST, IT ENDS WITH, THERE'S A CHURCH RIGHT BESIDE IT. THEY, THEY DID GO IN AND TAKE SOME DIRT OUT BECAUSE IT'S FLOODING THE CHURCH. WE ARE FINNA HAVE APRIL SHOWERS, SO IT'S GONNA FLOOD THE CHURCH AND COME ACROSS THE STREET AND PROBABLY FLOOD ME OUT ALSO. SO I JUST NEED SOMETHING DONE FROM SOMEONE. I HAVE CALLED THE DISTRICT B MS. ASHA JACKSON OFFICE AND TALKED THE RAIN, BUT NO [01:35:01] ONE GOT BACK WITH ME. AND I'M SORRY I CAN'T CALL THE WHOLE LOT BECAUSE I WORK AT THE WATERFRONT AND I WORK A LOT, BUT I JUST NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS 'CAUSE IT'S A EYESORE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JACKSON. WHEN DID, UH, WHEN DID YOU FIRST CALL THE CITY? I CALLED THE CITY ON SEPTEMBER THE 19TH. DID YOU CALL 3 1 1? YES SIR. TELL ME ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE. WHAT, WHAT'D THEY SAY TO YOU? AND THEN IF ANYTHING, WHAT HAPPENED? OH, WELL, DON'T GET ME WRONG. THEY CAME OUT, TOOK PICTURES, THEY DID EVERYTHING. 3 1 1, THEN CAME OUT NEIGHBORHOOD, NEIGHBORHOOD. EVERYBODY THEN CAME OUT, SEEN IT. I'VE TALKED TO MR. HARRISON, I'VE TALKED TO EVERYONE. THE PEOPLE THAT OWNED THE LAND BANK, THEY CAME OUT, THEY TOLD ME IT'S GONNA COST 'EM $30,000 TO MOVE IT. I TOLD 'EM I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COST BECAUSE BEFORE THEN IT WAS CLEAR IT WASN'T A PROBLEM OR ANYTHING. THEN THEY GOT UPSET WITH ME. 'CAUSE MY CAMERAS, I DO HAVE CAMERAS, BUT THEY DIDN'T CONCE EXACTLY WHAT THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF THE TRUCKS. THEY CAME IN AND START HAULING. BUT I DID CALL THEM WITH THE FIRST LOAD COME IN BECAUSE I'M THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBOR THAT COMES OUT AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY STREET. I MEAN, I PAY THAT MUCH TAXES. I, I COME OUT AND SEE AND I WILL TALK TO YOU AND I ASK THE GUYS, WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING? WE, NO, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DUMPING OVER HERE. I SAID, BUT I HAVE THEIR NUMBER AND I'M FINNA CALL THEM. SO IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND I, AND I CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE ABOUT IT. SO, I MEAN, I JUST HAVE TO COME TO THE, TO MEETING TODAY TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. THE SITE'S ON WAYNE STREET, UH, IT'S 4 4 2 7 LIBERTY ROAD. BUT I LIVE AT 29 0 7 WAYNE STREET, WHICH I GUESS IS ACROSS THE STREET. YES SIR. AND IT'S RIGHT BESIDE THE CHURCH. OKAY. WE'LL MAKE, WE'LL MAKE ANOTHER RUN AT IT. THERE'S BEEN AN ELECTION SINCE THEN. . I KNOW AND I, AND I SEE YOU ON THE NEWS AND I SAID, I'M GOING SEE YOU. I TOOK OFF A WARRANT TO COME SEE YOU. YES SIR. YES SIR. I NEED SOMETHING DONE IN THAT. I SAID THAT STREET IS VERY BUSY, BUSY. I WORK WITH MS. JACKSON AND WE'LL, UH, WE'LL MAKE A SITE. OKAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND WE SOME SPEED BUMPS ON THAT STREET TOO, PLEASE. I MEAN, THEY, IT'S LIKE HIGHWAY 59 ON THAT STREET. IT'S RIGHT BY A STORE AND IT'S JUST, I MEAN IT'S JUST WHEW. HOW LONG YOU LIVED THERE? I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 2017 AND I'VE HAD, HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE CITY APPROVED ME MOVING IN. SO I WASN'T A PART OF THAT. OKAY. SLOW DOWN 'CAUSE YOU'RE A GREAT RESOURCE. SO YOU MOVED THERE IN 17? YES SIR. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE CANCER CLUSTER? HONESTLY, NO SIR. NO SIR. I'LL BE HONEST. HAVE PEOPLE INTERVIEWED YOU ON BEHALF OF THE CITY? NO, THEY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT? NO, WE DIDN'T COME. OR EPA OR UNION PACIFIC. HAS ANYONE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE? NO SIR. NO SIR. YOU'VE READ ABOUT IT OR HEARD ABOUT IT? I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT. BUT YOU'VE HEARD THE NEWS? I'VE HEARD THE NEWS AND I'VE SEEN THEM OVER THERE. YOU'VE HEARD LOT OF CLINICAL TALK. YEAH, BUT I HAVE, I'M NOT INTERESTED. A PROPOSED PROGRAM THAT'S SUPPOSED TO REACH OUT TO YOU AND HELP YOU RELOCATE. OKAY. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. OH, HOW'S THAT GONNA GO ON? OH, I JUST GOT HERE, BUT GO AHEAD. YEAH. HOW'S THAT GONNA GO ON? AND WE HAVE SO MANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS OVER THERE, . WELL, THANK YOU. I REPORTED BACK TO COUNCIL TWO MONTHS AGO. YEAH. THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY GETTING BETTER CITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES THAN ACRES HOME OR PERHAPS INDEPENDENT HEIGHTS. YEAH. SO WHEN I WAS THERE, MOST FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THOUGHT IT WAS A LAND PLAY GENTRIFICATION. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. AND WE WILL VISIT THE SITE OF THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, WHICH IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM ACROSS HOUSTON. YES, SIR. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND THANK YOU MS. GALLOWAY FOR, UM, COMING IN AND SHARING YOUR CONCERNS. UM, THE DUMP SITE, UM, THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ON LIBERTY ROAD AND WAYNE STREET, ACTUALLY THAT SITE WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, UM, BY JOSEPH BALLARD. AND I DROVE OVER THERE AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE PICTURES OF SOME OF THE TRUCKS THAT WAS DUMPING, UM, UM, AT, ON THE PARTICULAR SITE. IN FACT, HE FOLLOWED THE TRUCK, UM, AND HE SAID THE TRUCK WAS COMING FROM THE ST. ELIZABETH, UM, DEVELOPMENT. SO I TALKED WITH THE DEVELOPERS THAT'S WORKING ON THE ST. ELIZABETH DEVELOPMENT, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT THEIR DIRT, UM, THAT THEY HAVE DIRT RECEIPTS. AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING FOR, THE RECEIPTS SO THAT YEAH. THAT THEY, THEY SUPPOSED TO DUMP THE DIRT ON ANOTHER SITE, BUT THEY WAS DUMPING IT ON THE LAND BANK SITE. AND THE LAND BANK IS SAYING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO CLEAR IT OFF. UM, OUR, UM, PUB, UM, SOLID WASTE SAID THAT THEY CAN'T GO ON IT BECAUSE IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY. SO MY OFFICE HAS BEEN LIKE VERY INVESTED IN THIS PARTICULAR SITE. UM, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE NEED SOMEBODY TO CLEAN IT UP. RIGHT. YOU KNOW, IT'S A STANDSTILL, YOU KNOW? YEAH. IT'S JUST THERE. YEAH. AND, AND IT'S HAPPENING ON VARIOUS SITES THROUGHOUT FIFTH WARD BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION THAT'S HAPPENING. UM, AND SO IF WE CAN'T CATCH THE, THE DUMPERS [01:40:01] THEN, I MEAN, THEY DUMP TRASH AND THEY DUMPING DIRT. AND SO WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO, WELL, I DO HAVE VIDEOS OF THE TRUCKS MM-HMM . BUT I CAN'T, I CAN SEE THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER. MM-HMM. BUT IT'S LIKE IFFY. BUT I DO HAVE VIDEOS OF THEM COMING AND DUMPING AND I HAVE SOME PICTURES OF THE CHURCH, UM, TRUCKS. SO JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE, WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT. I'M GONNA PUT SOME EXTRA CAMERAS UP TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO CATCH THE PEOPLE WHO DUMP IN THE DIRT. RIGHT, RIGHT. BUT LIKE I SAID, IT'S CONCRETE AND TIRES AND IT'S GRASS GROWING NOW AND IT'S TRASH AND NOW IT'S FIXING RAIN AND THAT WATER IS COMING INTO THAT, INTO THAT CHURCH. MM-HMM . AND IT'S GONNA BE COMING CAUGHT MY WAY NEXT. SO MM-HMM. I MEAN, SOMETHING HAS TO GET DONE. I MEAN, IF WE HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND MY HUSBAND LIKE GOING A BULLDOZER AND GET THAT DIRT OFF OF THAT, IT GOT TO GO. I MEAN, SOMETHING HAS TO, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE BEING RESPONSIVE AND LA RAIN HAS, I MEAN SHE LEFT WHAT, IN 2022? SO IT'S PROBABLY WAS, UM, UM, ONE OF MY OTHER CONSTITUENT PERSONS THAT YOU TALKED WITH, BUT WE'VE BEEN ON IT. OKAY. OKAY. GOTCHA. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, MARIAN SCOTT, YOU GOT ME A PROJECT NOW. ROLAND CURRY, ALEXI O'MALLEY, ALEXANDER BILI IONIA. MARTY WILLIAMS, ZACH HUNG, DANIELLE BISHOP, STEVE WILLIAMS, PATRICK DIAN, SUSAN TI TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALEX ZOFF. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND THE HAVOC THAT IT'S WREAKING ON NEIGHBORHOODS EVERYWHERE. AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, NOT ON ANY OTHER KIND OF LEVEL. MY BROTHER LIVES IN WEST HAVEN ESTATE. I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS OR VIDEO BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THAT ON THE NEWS THE LAST FEW DAYS. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WITNESS TO WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS IS NOTHING NEW. IT HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 20 END OF 21. AND NOW WE ARE IN 24 CALLS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED. EMAILS HAD WENT UNANSWERED UNTIL FINALLY SOMEONE DECIDED TO LISTEN TO THE, TO THE RESIDENCE OF WEST HAVEN ESTATES. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AS AN AUNT. I HAVE A 2-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW. THE VIDEO THAT YOU SAW OF THE GENTLEMAN CARRYING THAT YELLOW BOW CONSTRICTOR OF THE PROSTITUTES LEAVING THAT, THAT IS WHERE MY NEPHEW WRITES HIS TRICYCLE. I AM FED UP, MY FAMILY IS FED UP. SOMEONE HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WE HAVE RULES, WE HAVE REGULATIONS, WE HAVE DEEDS, WE HAVE RESTRICTIONS, WE HAVE ORDINANCES. WHAT USE IS THAT? IF THEY ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED, WHAT USE IS IT IF THEY'RE NOT BEING PUT TO USE? WE DON'T LIVE IN AN ANARCHY. WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE RULES. WE HAVE EVERYTHING I AM FED UP. I AM TIRED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP THINKING THAT MY 2-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW'S GONNA GET SHOT BY A STRAY BULLET. WHO'S GONNA ANSWER FOR THAT? WHO'S GONNA ANSWER FOR THAT? BECAUSE I'M NOT HERE TO ASK. I AM HERE TO DEMAND SOMEBODY. WE'VE SEEN A FEW WHITE TRUCKS THE LAST FEW DAYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. SHOWING UP AT 11 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON ON A TUESDAY. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. THEY START COMING IN THURSDAY NIGHTS TILL MONDAY MORNING. YOU SAW IT ON TV. WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE BALCONY? 400 FEET DOWN FROM THAT IS BRIAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THE PERSON WHO IS RUNNING THESE UNITS, SHE'S PURCHASED FIVE ADDITIONAL HOMES, FIVE ADDITIONAL HOMES. AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S NO RESTRICTIONS YOU CAN IMPOSE ON BUYING HOMES IN THE AREA. BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO AS A CITY COUNCIL. I'M NOT GONNA ASK. I AM DEMANDING THAT SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING, SHOW UP AT 11 O'CLOCK ON A THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY START CHECKING IN, STAY THERE TILL THREE OR FOUR O'CLOCK THE NEXT MORNING WHEN YOU SEE THEM STRAGGLING OUT OF THE UNITS, CARS DROPPING PROSTITUTES OFF, [01:45:01] PICKING PROSTITUTES UP. WHAT IS THIS? WE HAVE LAWS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH FIVE UNITS WITH THE HOPES OF TURNING THEM PROBABLY INTO MORE BROTHELS. THAT'S MY GUESS. THAT'S MY ASSUMPTION. SHE LIVES IN THE AREA. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY ENOUGH. THERE NEEDS TO BE POLICE PATROLS AT NIGHT WHEN THEY ARE THERE. I'M DONE. JOHN HAS EXPIRED. LET ME ASK SOME, UH, I SEE YOUR ADDRESS. IS THAT THE LOCATION OR YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR NEPHEW LIVING WITH MY BROTHER LIVES IN POTOMAC AND I HAVE ANOTHER PROPERTY ON POTOMAC. POTOMAC. YEAH, THAT IS WHERE WEST HAVEN ESTATES IS, I'M SURE YOU KNOW. NO, I DON'T KNOW. UH, I'M GOING TO FIND OUT. WHAT'S THE CROSS STREET POTOMAC AND WHAT IT'S, SO ESSENTIALLY POTOMAC IS BETWEEN WOODWAY AND WESTHEIMER? NO, NO, NO. THE CROSS STREET SAN FELIPE. I I WASN'T GONNA ASK YOU FOR THE SPECIFIC NUMBER JUST OUTTA PRIVACY, BUT SAN FELIPE AND POTOMAC. SAN FE POTOMA, IT WAS ON THE NEWS ON CHANNEL 11, FOX ON 26TH THE OTHER DAY. YEAH, I MISSED IT. POTOMAC AND SAN PHILBY. OKAY. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH LEGAL TO COME UP WITH AN ORDINANCE. CERTAINLY IN THAT INSTANCE, MAKING IT A HOTEL. IT IS ON BOOKING.COM. AS A HOTEL, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT REMOVED OFF OF CASA MUNDO AS WELL AS TRAVEL LOCATION. I SENT THEM EMAILS AND I SENT THEM COPIES OF THE, UH, ARTICLES THAT WERE WRITTEN IN THE, IN, IN THE NEWS, THE VIDEOS THAT HAD GONE OUT ON KHLU 11 NEWS. SO I GOT THEM REMOVED FROM THOSE TWO, UH, WEBSITES. BUT IT'S, IT'S NOW SHE HAS IT ON HER INSTAGRAM AS BOOKING.COM. SO WHEN YOU GO ONTO BOOKING.COM, IT SHOWS UP AS A HOTEL, WHICH I KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED IN YOUR TALK REGARDING THIS, THAT IF THEY'RE CLASSIFIED AS HOTELS, THEN I THINK YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER, IT IS A HOTEL. THEY CHECK IN AND THEY CHECK OUT 10 GUESTS ALLOWED. I MEAN, THAT'S NOT A RENTAL, THAT'S NOT EVEN A SHORT TERM RENTAL IN MY OPINION. NO, THAT IS THE VERY EXPLANATION. UNDER EACH OF THE LISTINGS SAYS 10 GUESTS ALLOWED, NO PARTIES ALLOWED, NO SMOKING ALLOWED NOTHING. THIS, NOT THIS, NOT THAT NOTHING IS ALLOWED YET. IT'S, THEY JUST KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT. AND NOW SHE'S BOUGHT FIVE OTHER HOMES AND SHE'S LEASING ONE OF THE UNITS. UNIT D IS LEASED. COUNCILOR MCCAIN. NO, I'M SORRY. HUFFMAN. MS. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, I'M SURE THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS FILLED YOU IN ON THE MEETING THAT WE HAD WITH CHIEF NER AND THE COMMANDER OF MIDWEST STATION ON FRIDAY. AND THEY ARE GOING TO UP THE ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS ONE OF MY STAFFERS WAS OUT THERE THE SATURDAY NIGHT, YOU KNOW, BEFORE EASTER. UM, I 100% UNDERSTAND THAT. UM, THIS IS A PROBLEM NOW AND WE WANT AN ANSWER NOW, AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS GOING TO, IT IS GONNA TAKE TIME. UM, WE'VE HAD THAT LISTING REMOVED OFF OF VRBO, OFF OF AIRBNB, ALTHOUGH WE KNOW THEY'RE USING OTHER PLATFORMS LIKE TIKTOK AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS, THERE'S A CORRELATION TO THE BUSINESS CALLED CAMP THAT'S ON WESTHEIMER. ABSOLUTELY. THAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS PROBLEM. MM-HMM . UM, IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY IS THAT CLUB WREAKING HAVOC ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ABSOLUTELY. FOR NOISE AND THINGS LIKE THAT MM-HMM . UM, BUT THEN, UM, I WAS, I HEARD YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS A MADAM WHO GOES INTO CAMP MM-HMM . AND RECRUIT PEOPLE BACK TO THE POTOMAC SHORT TERM RENTALS TO GO THERE AFTER THE CLUB CLOSES. SO, UM, GO AHEAD. DID YOU? YEAH, I WANTED TO SAY, SO I TOOK MATTERS INTO MY OWN HAND AND I'M DOING MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND I DID THAT SATURDAY NIGHT AND I NOTICED EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. IT STARTS FROM CAMP AND THEY WALK DOWN POTOMAC AND THERE IS THE PARKING LOT OF BEARINGS, WHICH THE FRONT OF BEARINGS CLOSED DOWN BECAUSE OF THIS VERY SAME REASON. THAT IS WHERE THEY GET PICKED UP. THAT IS WHERE THEY GET PICKED UP AROUND MIDNIGHT, ONE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. AND THOSE BLACK CARS, THEY'RE EITHER A BLACK SUV OR A WHITE SUV DROP THEM AND TAKE THEM DOWN TO 1605 POTOMAC. NOW, I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO DO THIS. I'M, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DOING THIS INVESTIGATION OR THE LEGWORK OR WHATEVER, BUT I MEAN, IT'S JUST GETTING TO A POINT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN. I DON'T, I DON'T SEE ANYTHING GOOD COMING OUT OF THIS. AND NOW THAT SHE'S BOUGHT FIVE OTHER HOMES, I MEAN, SHE'S, I MEAN, THEY'RE PLANNING TO TURN IT INTO A WHOLE STREET OF BOURBON STREET IN, IN SPRING BREAK. THIS IS TANGLEWOOD. [01:50:04] THERE WAS NEVER ANY ISSUE LIKE THIS. AND I'M, IT'S BEYOND ASKING FOR HELP WAY BEYOND THAT POINT AT THIS POINT. 'CAUSE THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER TWO YEARS. AUGUST OF 23, THERE WAS AN INCIDENT THAT I PERSONALLY WITNESSED, A PROSTITUTE BANGING ON MY BROTHER'S DOORS HOUSE PLEADING FOR US TO LET HER IN BECAUSE THE PIMP WAS HOLDING HER HOSTAGE. THERE'S A POLICE REPORT FOR THAT. THAT'S OVER A YEAR AGO. NOTHING HAS CHANGED, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. NOTHING. AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. AND I'M SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING IN ON YOU, MS. HUFFMAN, BECAUSE GROVE MOMS ARE ALSO FED UP. I AM ON THAT EMAIL. I GET IT ALL THE TIME. AND IT'S STEMMING FROM EXACTLY YOUR RIGHT CAMP, WHICH IS LEASED OUT TO A LINE ENTERTAINMENT FOR A NICE CHUNK OF MONEY EVERY MONTH. BUT I MEAN, AT SOME POINT, UNLESS SOME, SOMETHING HAPPENS TO SOMEBODY OR SOMEBODY GETS SHOT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GONNA TAKE. AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE MY FAMILY, THAT'S FOR SURE. OR THE NEIGHBORS THAT LIVE THERE AND HAVE DONE NOTHING. WE DON'T PAY PROPERTY TAXES TO DEAL WITH THIS. NO. DONE. COUNCILMAN, COUNCILMAN KAMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, AND, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. I THINK IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS, WE HAVE REALLY BEEN STRUGGLING, UH, WITH THIS ISSUE. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR VOICE ON THIS. UM, YOU NOT ONLY LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR FAMILY, BUT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SAFETY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, FIRST AND FOREMOST. UM, I KNOW YOU SAID YOU'RE, YOU'RE DOING YOUR OWN INVESTIGATING. I WOULD JUST CAUTION AND PLEASE ASK YOU TO BE VERY SAFE AND CAREFUL, UH, SO THAT YOU'RE NOT PUTTING YOURSELF IN HARM'S WAY. UH, AND THEN MY QUESTION ALSO RELATED TO, I THINK THERE'S KIND OF TWO AVENUES THAT, UM, OUR OFFICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAYOR WHITMEYER ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW. ONE IS, UH, SHORT TERM RENTALS AS A WHOLE AND INDIVIDUAL HOUSES, BUT AS YOU BROUGHT UP WITH MULTIFAMILY THAT ARE OPERATING AS A HOTEL MM-HMM . THERE'S ALREADY ORDINANCES ON THE BOOKS THAT WE ARE HOPING, UM, WE CAN START TO ACT ON IMMEDIATELY, IF NOT AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE. SO, UM, I THINK YOU'VE RAISED KIND OF TWO DIFFERENT CHALLENGES, RIGHT? ONE WHERE SHE, THIS INDIVIDUAL APPEARS TO BE PURCHASING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, BUT THEN ALSO POSTING ON, YOU KNOW, AS A HOTEL MM-HMM . UH, A LOCATION THAT'S CURRENTLY CLEARLY NOT A HOTEL. UH, SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD SOME CLARITY TO THE DIFFERENT TRACKS THAT THE CITY IS LOOKING AT. BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU, UM, YOU KNOW, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNCIL MEMBER, HUFFMAN MAYOR, OF COURSE, WITH YOUR OFFICE PRETTY MUCH ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS OR ARE DEALING WITH THIS RIGHT NOW AND TAKING IT VERY SERIOUSLY. SO, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I'M, I'M READING YOUR MIND. YOU'RE TIRED OF THE TALK. I UNDERSTAND IT. YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE HEARD IT BEFORE. SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO YEAH. IS IN THE MEANTIME DEAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT MM-HMM . ALTHOUGH YOU DO KNOW THAT WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED MM-HMM . BUT WE'RE GONNA REDIRECT SOME. MM-HMM . I THINK WE NEED TO WORK WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY TO GET BUSY AND DO DRAW THE ORDINANCE THAT SPEAKS TO THIS, DEAL WITH IT AS A HOTEL, WHICH IS OPERATING AS, AND THEN I JUST WROTE DOWN, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO USE OUR NUISANCE STATUTES. MM-HMM . WHICH WOULD BE A MORE PERMANENT LEGAL SOLUTION. SO I MADE MY NOTES. WE'RE ALL COMMITTED, BUT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE DISCUSSED, AND I WOULD URGE YOU TO NOT TAKE HAND THINGS IN YOUR OWN HAND. GIVE, GIVE US A CHANCE. BUT, UM, YOU SHOULDN'T LIVE LIKE THIS. AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HEARD IT, BUT YOU'RE ABOUT AS ARTICULATE AS ANYONE I'VE EVER LISTENED TO IN TERMS OF NOW YOU GOT YOU. YOU'RE GIVING US A DIRECTION. SO GIVE US A CHANCE. I, I'LL, I'LL BE UP FROM HERE IN A WHILE. WE'LL GO TO WORK ON IT. COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER. COUNCILMAN ALCORN. COUNCILOR FLICKINGER. FLICKINGER. COUNCILMAN, OBVIOUSLY WHO OWNS THIS PROPERTY, HAS HARMED THE NEIGHBORS. HAVE THEY THOUGHT OF ALSO DOING ANY CIVIL ACTION, TAKING THEM TO COURT, SUING THEM AS FAR AS THE NEIGHBORS? YES. WHY SHOULD THE NEIGHBORS TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT BELONGS TO THE CITY? I'M NOT ASKING 'EM TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY. I'M THINKING THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ATTACKED FROM EVERY POSSIBLE ANGLE. ABSOLUTELY. THEY'VE BEEN HARMED BY THIS PERSON. THEY, THEY NEED TO GO AFTER 'EM. LIKE THE CITY NEEDS TO GO AFTER 'EM. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO, BUT THAT COSTS MONEY. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF ATTORNEYS THAT ARE TAKEN ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS. [01:55:01] I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THEIR NAME AND PASS THEM ALONG THAT, YOU KNOW, I, I HAVEN'T DEALT WITH MANY, BUT I KNOW YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD AND THERE'S BILLBOARDS EVERYWHERE FROM, I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, BUT YOU CAN'T EXPECT THE, THE, THE RESIDENTS TO TAKE ON ALL OF THE COMMITMENT AS FAR AS THIS IS CONCERNED. ALL IM SAYING. ALL TRYING THE TAX FRAUD. ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE BEEN FOR THREE YEARS. WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IS ARREST THE SEX WORKERS, PUT 'EM ON THE FIVE O'CLOCK NEWS. BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING ACROSS HOUSTON, WHETHER THE CUSTOMERS, WHATEVER, UM, THE, UM, USERS OF SEX WORKERS NEED TO BE PENALIZED AND PUBLICIZED. AND WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS, IS WHEN YOU DO HAVE ENFORCEMENT LIKE THE BINET AREA, THEY GO TO OTHER COMMUNITIES. MM-HMM . SO WE NEED A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. REMEMBER. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU. ALEX ZOFF TO BE FILED BY ROBERT SHERMAN, MAYOR WHITMEYER ESTEEMED, UH, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I'M ACTUALLY A NEIGHBOR, A DIRECT NEIGHBOR OF SUSAN. SO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ECHOES EVERY SINGLE WORD SHE SAID, AND MAYBE MORE. MY NAME IS ALEX JANOV, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF HOUSTON FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. ACTUALLY, I'D LIKE TO START WITH A BIT OF A GOOD NEWS. UM, WE FINALLY FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING LISTENED. AND IT ONLY HAPPENED AFTER THE LATEST MAYOR ELECTION. THAT'S WHEN WE FELT LIKE WE WERE RECEIVING RESPONSE. SO I KNOW I VOTED RIGHT. THANK YOU. UM, WE HAVE PLACED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF 9 1 1 CALLS AND VOICED OUR CONCERNS, EXCUSE ME, NUMEROUS TIMES TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN RESPONSE TO LAWLESSNESS AND HELPLESSNESS THAT WE FELT BEING SURROUNDED BY SHORT-TERM RENTALS. THERE HAVE BEEN DRUG DEALS, UNDERAGE GIRLS BEING BROUGHT BY THE DOZEN WILD PARTIES AND FIREARMS BEING DISCHARGED. AND OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, OUR TANGLEWOOD COMMUNITY BECAME WORLD INFAMOUS FOR SEX WORKER BEING HELD HOSTAGE AND TWO INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN A R RATED ACTIVITIES ON THE BALCONY. WHILE OUR NEIGHBOR WAS TAKING HER FIVE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, WE WERE TOLD TO CREATE YOUR OWN HOA OR HIRE YOUR OWN PRIVATE SECURITY. AND WE ALL FELT LIKE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY ARE FALLING ON US. ONE PERSON OPERATES TWO UNITS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME WITH IMPUNITY. SHE PROFITS FROM THE MISERY OF OUR EXISTENCE. SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE JUST PART OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT'S JUST AN OBNOXIOUS NUISANCE, BUT IN OUR CASE, IT'S JUST A FACADE FOR QUESTIONABLE OR DOWNRIGHT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THE NEIGHBORS WHO GAVE UP IN ONE ESCAPE AND SELL THEIR HOMES, THEY CANNOT DO THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TRUTHFULLY REVEAL THE PROBLEMS PLAGUING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. OUR PROPERTY VALUES ARE DROPPING, AND WE FEEL LIKE WITH PRISONERS IN OUR OWN HOMES, WE ARE AFRAID TO STEP OUT BECAUSE WE CAN RUN INTO THOSE THUGS. PEOPLE STOP WALKING AT NIGHT. THEY'RE NOT NEIGHBORS, THEY'RE NOT GUESTS. THEY'RE INVADERS AND THEY BRING FILTH, LITERALLY TO OUR DOORSTEPS. ONE BED ACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WASTAGE OF BOTH OUR AND CITY RESOURCES. IT'S TIME AND MONEY WE DESPERATELY NEED FOR THE CITY TO STEP IN AND PROVIDE LEGAL HELP. SIR, YOU TALKING ABOUT POTOMAC AS WELL? I'M SORRY? POTOMAC STREET. UH, SAME, SAME LOCATION, UH, UH, LOCATION. I COULD, NO, I'VE GOT A MAP. I'VE GOT A MAP. I WAS JUST MAKING CERTAIN IT'S, IT'S RIGHT. YEAH. YES. AND A COUPLE, SAME LOCATION. THERE'S AN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT CLUB, I BELIEVE THERE ON BARING OFF OF, OFF OF RICHMOND. IT'S JUST A BAR. BAR. JUST A BAR OR BAR. BAR. YEAH. BUT SO WE, WHATEVER. AND WHAT, WHAT SUSAN WAS DESCRIBING IS EXACTLY CORRECT. IT'S JUST A HANGOUT PARTY HOUSE. SO, OH, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE, THE SHORT TERM RENTAL LOCATION. YES, SIR. YEAH, SURE. GUILTY CARTER COUNCILOR CARTER. [02:00:02] WELL, YOU KNOW, UM, LISTENING TO, TO BOTH OF YOU AND, AND I, I, I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE YOUR CONCERNS AND, AND CERTAINLY THE MAYOR'S LISTENING COUNCIL'S LISTENING, YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA PICK ON THE MEDIA A LITTLE BIT BEHIND YOU. AND ANYTIME SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE, YOU CALL THE MEDIA AND THEY'RE ALL OVER IT. EVERYBODY SEEMS TO KNOW WHO SHE IS. YOU, YOU ALL HAVE REFERRED TO. SHE, SHE, SHE, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A NAME. IF YOU HAVE AN OWNER, WHETHER IT'S THE PATRONS, WHETHER IT'S THE PROSTITUTES, WHOMEVER, YOU KNOW, I, I WOULD CHALLENGE ALL OF OUR LOCAL NEWS MEDIA TO GET OUT THERE ON A THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN THEY'RE COMING OVER AND, AND SHINE THE, SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON SHE AND HER SERVICES OR WHATEVER. BECAUSE I MEAN IT, YOU KNOW, AS, AS COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN SAID, IT'S, THERE'S NOTHING CAN HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. EVERYONE'S AWARE OF IT, BUT, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU BRING IT TO LIGHT? CHANNEL 11 HAS COVERED IT. BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING HOW ALL MAJOR NETWORKS CAN SHOW UP AT ONCE AND, AND REALLY BRING THINGS TO LIGHT. AND THAT WON'T FIX THE LONG-TERM PROBLEM. BUT THAT MAY QUIET IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT. AND YOU, YOU'VE CALLED OUT CAMP, KAMP, I JUST LOOKED IT UP WITH A LIFE, HOSPITALITY. WE ALL KNOW WHO IT IS. YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO, TO THESE BAD ACTORS THAT EVERYONE KEEPS TALKING ABOUT. AND YOU GOT A CAMERA RIGHT BEHIND YOU. YOU KNOW, CALL THE MEDIA THAT. THAT'D BE MY, IF IT WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT'S THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO. SO THANK YOU. MAYBE IF I MAY SAY, WELL, WE CERTAINLY DID. MEDIA WAS THERE, UH, THEY CALLED HER. UM, SHE JUST HUNG UP. NOW I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE'RE DEFINITELY APPRECIATIVE OF THE EFFORT BY HOUSTON POLICE. UH, BUT THE SAME PERSON, SHE THREW A PART OF 40 PEOPLE. SHE WAS SELLING TICKETS TO THE PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, OUR PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. UH, PEOPLE WERE WALKING BY AND YELLING AT ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS, WHO, WHO'S ALSO HERE, SHUT UP LADY. TALK TO AIRBNB BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED TICKETS. NOW, THERE WERE THREE POLICE CRUISERS, SUPER NICE AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS, BUT AUDACITY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THEY WALKED BY, UM, BY THE POLICE, BY US. I WAS STANDING WITH THEM LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. THEY WOULD KEEP GOING TO THAT PLACE BECAUSE THEY PURCHASED TICKETS AND UH, THEY WANTED TO PARTY. UM, NOT MUCH POLICE CAN DO. UNFORTUNATELY. THEY STATED THAT IF THERE IS LIKE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION, YES, THEY'LL INTERVENE. BUT P UH, PEOPLE BEING OBNOXIOUSLY ALLOWED, THAT'S A DIFFERENT DIVISION. SO WE FEEL LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS. POLICE DOESN'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS. THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS ALL THE RIGHTS IS THIS INDIVIDUAL MAKING OUR LIFE HELL. AND, AND OBVIOUSLY MEMBERS, THIS IS A RESULT OF LACK OF RESOURCES. I MEAN, OUR CURRENT FORCE CAN ONLY MAKE SO MANY CALLS, RIGHT? UH, IT WOULDN'T BE OCCURRING IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE CONTRACT DEPUTIES, BUT WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER. SO THANK YOU. AND WE'RE GOING, GOING FORWARD. MAYOR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS. ROBERT SHERMAN. JOSEPH NIA. HELLO EVERYBODY. AND I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU AGAIN AFTER, UH, A LONG TIME. I HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYSTEM THAT I MADE. IT WILL GO AHEAD AND, UH, USE THE EXHAUST PIPE AND WE GET IT TO THE ZERO. SO ALL THE, ALL THE CHEMICAL IS IN THE AIR. YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT AND MAKE IT ZERO AND MAKE IT PERFECT AIR. SO THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE IS THE AFTER ABOUT, [02:05:01] I DID THAT ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND I WORK ON IT. AND RIGHT NOW I MADE IT MUCH PERFECT. AND WE CAN USE IT EVERYWHERE IN THE, IN ALL THE FACTORIES AND ALSO IN THE ALL DAY BUILDINGS. SO I AM READY TO DO THAT AND HELP YOU OUT TO LIVE BETTER AND TO HAVE AND TO HAVE BETTER FUTURE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE ASK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NO SPEAKERS. NEXT. CHARLES LEWIS. WE'RE FINE. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CHARLES LEWIS ORLEANS DREAMS. THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THIS TIME THERE. UM, I'M HERE OUT OF FRUSTRATION FOR MY WIFE. SHE OWNS A BUSINESS, OR SHE'S A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR THAT OWNS THE BUSINESS. UH, ASTON MALONE TEA AND PARTY ROOM, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE BRI FOREST BELTWAY AND BELTWAY AREA. AND THIS YOUNG WOMAN THAT I, I'VE MARRIED, SHE, SHE'S A FORMER FBI EMPLOYEE, UM, ALSO HAS SERVED THE HECK AS ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES AND HAS DECIDED TO START HER OWN BUSINESS. AND THAT BUSINESS WAS CREATED OUT OF A DESIRE FOR OUR YOUNG DAUGHTER TO HAVE A TEA PARTY. AND WHEN THAT IDEA CAME TO HER, SHE DID SOME PLANNING AND RESEARCHING AND FOUND OUT, HEY, THIS NICHE WAS NOT IN THE CITY. SO SHE STARTED THIS ABOUT, UM, TWO YEARS AGO, AND IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR, SHE DECIDED, IT'S GONNA TAKE ME SEVEN MONTHS TO GET THIS DONE. I'M GONNA STEP OUT. SHE QUIT HER JOB AND SAID, HEY, I'M GONNA DO THIS BECAUSE THAT'S MY PASSION. SHE'S HERE TODAY, SHE'S IN THE BACK, BACK THERE. COME ON UP. AND WHAT I'M COMING OUT OF THAT FRUSTRATION IS THAT THE SHEER BUREAUCRACY THAT WE'VE BEEN, SHE'S BEEN DEALING WITH, AND HER, HER, UM, KIND OF PAUSE TO SAY, I NEED TO FIGHT THIS. BECAUSE IF SHE FIGHTS IT, SHE FEELS SHE'LL BE DELAYED DUE TO THE PROCESS AND PROCESSES AND ISSUES FROM THE PERMIT DEPARTMENT, THE INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AS SHE'S BUILDING OUT HER FACILITY, HER HARD WORK AND EVERYTHING AND, AND PROCESSES AND SUBMITTING PAPERWORK HAVE EITHER BEEN DELAYED OR THEY'VE HAD ISSUES OR WEREN'T CLARIFIED, CLARIFIED FROM THE OFFICE IN WHICH SHE SUBMITTED THEM TO. SO NOW WE ARE TRYING, WE'RE IN THE YEAR AND A HALF WHERE WE ARE AT LEAST SEVEN MONTHS BEHIND IN LOSING PROFITS. AND WHAT I'VE, WHAT I ENDED UP DOING ON AT 12:00 AM ON APRIL THE EIGHTH, WAS SENDING AN EMAIL TO YOUR OFFICE, MAYOR WHITMEYER, STATING THAT WE HAVE COME UP AGAINST A LOT OF ROBOTS AND MOST OF THEM DELAYS AND ISSUES FROM THE, UH, FROM THE INSPECTION IN, IN CITY CONCERNING GETTING PERMITTING COMPLETED. AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY. HER HARD WORK. SHE'S RECEIVED NUMEROUS BOOKINGS. WE WERE PLANNED TO BE OPEN IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR. WE ARE STILL NOT OPEN AND WE STILL ARE WAITING ON SOME APPROVALS FROM THE CITY TO DO THAT. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING AS WE KNOW, AS HER BIGGEST THING IS SHE'S A PLANS AND PROCESS PERSON. SHE, WE CAME OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT. I'M A FORMER FBI AGENT. SHE IS, AND, AND ALSO A MILITARY, UH, MAJOR. SO I UNDERSTAND INSPECTIONS, I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. AND TODAY WE FEEL THAT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. YOU HAVE SAT DOWN WITH PERMITTING PROBABLY NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. YES. HAVE, THAT'S A REPORT I'VE RECEIVED. AND THE REAL STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW IS YOU USE PLYWOOD WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FIRE RETARDED. MM-HMM . SO DID THEY OFFER YOU A RESOLUTION OTHER THAN THE CITY'S JOB WAS, IS TO ENFORCE? SO THIS ORIGINAL, THE LICENSING RULES, SO YOU KNOW WHAT I DID IN MY OFFICE? I SAY I DID, THE STAFF REVIEWED IT AND MADE YOUR CASE FOR YOU. BUT [02:10:01] THE RULE'S THE RULE. CORRECT. AND SO THAT'S WHAT'S HOLD THE HOLD UP RIGHT NOW. SO, AND, AND AGAIN, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE RULES. WE'VE COULD, WE COULD HAVE MADE THE CHANGES. IT'S THE DELAYS THAT WE'VE DONE. WE HAD PLANNED TO BE OPEN IN DECEMBER. SURE. WE HAVE SUBMITTED SEVERAL, UM, SEVERAL PLANS WHEN THEY WERE RETURNED, THEY WERE NOT CLARIFIED, AND THEN THE DELAYS BECAME EXTENDED. FOR INSTANCE, THE PARTICULAR SITUATION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT EARLIER, BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOSING MONEY AND BECAUSE OF THOSE DELAYS, RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT 300,000 IN REVENUE LOSS LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR WE'RE LOOKING AT 150 TODAY. AND THEN NOW I'M BEING TOLD WE HAVE TO RIP THE WALLS OUT AGAIN. THESE RESOLUTIONS COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IF WE HAD CLARIFICATION ON THOSE ISSUES. WE SUBMITTED THOSE PLANS THREE TIMES, EVEN WITH THE WOOD ON IT. IF THAT CLARIFICATION WAS MADE EARLIER, WE COULD HAVE TAKEN THOSE WALLS OUT WHILE WE STILL HAD MONEY AND WE WEREN'T PAYING RENT INSURANCE AND THOSE THINGS. SO THOSE THINGS ARE STILL BEING DRAWN, BUT WE CAN'T MAKE ANY REVENUE. SURE. COUNCILMAN ALCO, THANKS FOR COMING. I, I MET YOUR WIFE AT AN EVENT AND WE, I KNOW THAT JORDAN ON MY STAFF HAS BEEN TALKING TO HER AND, AND WE OFFERED TO FACILITATE SOME MEETINGS. I THINK THERE WAS SOME ISSUES, UH, THAT THE ARCHITECT WAS TAKING CARE OF AND, AND THE MAYOR BROUGHT UP SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT TAKE PLACE. YOU KNOW, WHEN, WHEN YOU GET COMMENTS BACK, YOU KNOW, THEN IT'S JUST THE CLOCK STARTS ALL OVER. AND THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF THE PROBLEM. YOU GET, YOU GET THE COMMENTS AND THEN YOU, YOU GET, YOU DO THOSE COMMENTS, YOU ADDRESS THOSE COMMENTS, AND THEN YOU GOT THE WHOLE OTHER, YOU KNOW, 30 DAYS OR 21 DAYS OR WHATEVER IT IS, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING ELSE AND YOU GET THE WHOLE THING. SO, UH, THERE IS SOME STUFF ON OUR END THAT WE COULD, YOU KNOW, CONSOLIDATE AND BE MORE, YOU KNOW, CLEAR IN THE FIRST SET OF COMMENTS SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK AND BACK. BUT, BUT THAT, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU JUST SAID AS IT'S THAT WE'RE WAITING ON, ON THOSE CHANGES FROM THE LAST, LAST WEEK THAT REVISION. WELL, ALL I'D SAY IS WE HAVE A NEW PERMIT DIRECTOR, AND THUS FAR HE IS BEEN VERY, BEEN POSITIVE REPLACEMENT, UH, PROBABLY DOESN'T HELP YOU BACK SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR AGO. RIGHT. BUT, UM, THEY'RE LISTENING TO YOU RIGHT NOW AND I'LL ENCOURAGE 'EM TO KEEP TALKING, BUT, AND I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. UM, AND WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF REALTORS AND THEY'RE STARTING TO MOVE AWAY FROM, UM, TO, FROM PROMOTING, PUTTING THEIR BUSINESSES HERE IN HOUSTON. SO THAT'S INCREDIBLY HEARTENING FOR US BECAUSE WE'RE, WE LIVE IN HOUSTON, WE WANT BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL. WE WANT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO BE ABLE TO BE THRIVE TO THRIVE IN THESE AREAS. YES, SIR. COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN? NO, NO. OH, YOU'RE TRUE. OKAY. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. NEXT, JENNA WILEY. JENNA WILEY, MILLICENT HOLIDAY, LAYLA SAEED, NIA SADA, BIANCA FIERA, JOHN AUSTIN. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR MEYER AND COUNCIL. UH, MY NAME IS JOHN AUSTIN. I AM A PROUD CEO AND MANAGING MEMBER OF AUSTIN BUSINESS STRATEGIES. UH, WE'RE A, A CAPACITY BUILDING FIRM. UH, WE WORKED WITH SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND, UH, QUITE FRANKLY, THROUGHOUT THE US BUT I LOVE HOUSTON. I'M A A NATIVE LOUISIANA, BUT I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2001. SO I'M, UH, GOT MY HOUSTON ROOTS IN ME, UH, PRETTY DEEP WIFE AND FIVE GIRLS HERE WHO LIVE HERE. AND WE LOVE HOUSTON. UH, MY FIRM WORKS WITH SMALL BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE OWNED BY WOMEN AND, AND THOSE OWNED BY VETERANS. AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY CLIENTS THAT YOU JUST, UH, HEARD, HEARD FROM MR. STREAMS, UH, AND MS. UM, LEANNE. MY, MY, MY CONCERN IS AS A CONSULTING FIRM OF 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT, WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUILDING CAPACITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, MY CONCERN, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SPEAKING TO THE COUNCIL, SO EXCUSE ME IF I SEEM A LITTLE NERVOUS. I'M NORMALLY THE GUY BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT THE CONCERN IS, YES, THE PERMITTING PROCESS, AND I DON'T WANNA PUT IT UNDERNEATH THE RUG, BUT YES, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE COMING TO US FOR ADVICE AND THEY'RE SAYING, HEY, THE PERMITTING PROCESS IS HURTING SMALL BUSINESSES. UH, 40% [02:15:01] OF THE BUSINESS IS OWNED IN HOUSTON ARE OWNED BY WOMEN, 25% OF THOSE OWNED BY VETERANS. SO THOSE VETERANS AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES, AND WE KNOW THAT THIS CITY IS HURTING FOR GDP IF THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING TO GO ELSEWHERE FOR BEN WALLER, MONTGOMERY, ET CETERA. AND THERE'S AN ARCADE PERMITTING PROCESS. THAT'S THE ISSUE FOR BUSINESS THAT SH THAT'S JUST OPENING, HAVING TO PAY SBA LOANS, HAVING TO MAKE PERMITS, HAVING TO PAY THESE FEES. WHAT IS THE PROCESS OR WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY CLIENTS THAT THE CITY IS DOING TO EXPEDITE THAT PROCESS WHEN IN THE DAY OF AI WHERE WE CAN AUTOMATE SO MANY OF THESE PROCESSES? SO WHY ARE WE LIVING IN A 1970S PERMITTING PROCESS WHEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON WILL BE PROBABLY THE NUMBER THREE, UH, CITY IN THE NATION? YOU'RE GETTING A MIGRATION OF SO MANY PEOPLE COMING INTO THE CITY, BUT YOU'RE ALSO GETTING MET WITH A MIGRATION OF FOLKS LEAVING OUTTA THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND WE'RE SEEING WE'RE, WE'RE BOOSTING THE GROUND. THIS IS DATA YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE, BUT WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO BE IN HOUSTON. BUT LOOK, I CAN'T WASTE 300,000 IF THEIR FINANCIAL ACUMEN WASN'T WHAT IT WAS, YOU WOULD BE BANKRUPTING ANOTHER SMALL BUSINESS. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE CITY IS BANKRUPTING A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES WHO CAN'T TAKE OFF, WHO CAN'T. AND BRADFORD IN A BELTWAY IS A PROMINENT SPOT. SO WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY CLIENTS GOING FORWARD? AS A CAPACITY BUILDING FIRM? WE WORK IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. WE ARE VERY EFFICIENT IN THAT PROCESS, BUT HOW CAN WE HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THRIVE IN AN AREA WHERE HOUSTON REALLY NEEDS SMALL BUSINESSES TO DO WHAT IT, TO, TO DO WHAT IT HAS TO DO? AND AS A CONSULTING FIRM, MOST OF MY STAFF ARE WOMEN. SO THERE'S A CONCERN OF DO WE BRING OUR BUSINESS TO HOUSTON AND TO FAIL OR DO WE GO OUTSIDE THE CITY? SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, I WOULD LOVE TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH YOU TO GIVE YOU REAL TIME DATA TO SHOW HOW THESE BUSINESSES CAN WORK. BECAUSE IF WE HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT CAN THRIVE, EACH COUNCIL AREA HAS AN INCREASE IN GDP. IF YOU HAVE AN INCREASE IN GDP, YOU HAVE INCREASE IN TAXES. AND WHEN YOU WANT, HAVE THOSE VOTES PASSED, THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT VOTED YOU IN WILL BE THE SAME ONES THAT WILL ACTUALLY KEEP YOU IN OFFICE. BUT KEEP THE CITY RIGHT. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, SIR. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. YOU BET. NEXT AISHA ALI, STEP OVER THE MIC ONE. HI EVERYONE. I'M PUTTING THIS KAFI ON, BUT BEFORE YOU TUNE ME OUT COMPLETELY, DON'T WORRY. I'M NOT HERE TO GIVE YOU SOME KIND OF COMPASSION SPEECH, UH, ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEAD, OR I'M NOT HERE TO SHAME YOU FOR NOT ACTING AFTER SIX MONTHS OF A GENOCIDE. I'M REALLY HERE, UM, TO APPEAL TO YOUR SENSE OF EGO AND YOUR LEGACY AND YOUR DESIRE TO BE LIKED, RESPECTED, AND, UM, YOUR DESIRE FOR SELF PRESERVATION, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK PART OF WHAT DROVE YOU TO BE, BECOME A PUBLIC SERVANT. AND I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I'M A HOUSTON, UH, I'M A FELLOW HOUSTONIAN. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE. I WENT TO, UM, I BOUGHT A HOUSE HERE. MY CHILDREN GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL HERE. AND, AND REALLY THIS IS MORE OF A COURTESY TO MY FELLOW HOUSTONIANS. I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL FOLLOW THE NEWS, BUT, UM, THINGS ARE NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL. THEY BOND AN EMBASSY IN IRAN, AND SO THEY BOMBED AN IRANIAN EMBASSY IN DAMASCUS. AND EVEN BIDEN IS DISTANCING HIM FROM HIMSELF. NOW FROM BIBI NETANYAHU, THERE ARE MORE AND MORE VIDEOS COMING OUT DAY, DAY BY DAY, PROVING THAT THE GENOCIDE IS OCCURRING. AND, UH, THE ICJ WILL PROBABLY FIND IT TO BE BE A GENOCIDE. RIGHT NOW IT'S PLAUSIBLE, BUT YEAH, THE, THE RECEIPTS ARE THERE. UM, THERE'S A FORCED FAMINE. THERE ARE WAR CRIMES BEING COMMITTED, AND EVEN ELIZABETH WARREN SAID THAT IT'S PROBABLY A GENOCIDE. THAT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN. BUT I'M HERE WITH GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE. WE'RE NOW IN THE LIFECYCLE OF A GENOCIDE. UM, WE'RE PAST DENIAL AND NOW WE'RE FINALLY AT THE SCAPEGOATING PHASE. SO NOW IT'S FINANCIALLY, UH, SORRY, IT'S POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE NOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONDEMN, UM, THE GENOCIDE. BIBI NETANYAHU HAS BEEN HATED EVEN BY HIS OWN PEOPLE. EVEN CHUCK SCHUMER ASKING FOR HIS OUSTER, HIS OWN PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR HIS OUSTER. AND NOW IT'S, IT'S NOT SO EMBARRASSING OR AWKWARD TO SAY THAT YES, HE, UH, HE'S PRETTY MUCH PINED A LOT OF IT. AND HERE IN THE STATES, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE US AND ISRAEL ARE DISTINCT COUNTRIES, BUT, UH, THE GOOD COP, BAD COP THEATER IS REALLY JUST FOR US CITIZENS. UM, THE THING IS THAT THE GLOBAL POPULATION, THE GLOBAL, UH, GOVERNMENTS ARE NOT FOOLED. MANY COUNTRIES REFER TO THE USIS ISRAEL AS ONE ENTITY, AND THERE WILL BE, UH, POLITICAL RECKONING AND ILLEGAL RECKONING. EVENTUALLY, I'LL REMEMBER THE NUREMBERG TRIALS, RIGHT? UM, ISRAEL WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, IF NOT NOW, THEN LATER. AND I KNOW THAT HOUSTON HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THE OIL AND GAS CAPITAL AND PROBABLY FUELED MANY WARS, UH, AS PART OF THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX THAT OUR, UH, COUNTRY HAS. UM, BUT THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT JUST PHOTOS. THERE ARE PAPER TRAILS, FINANCIAL RECORDS, AND THERE WILL BE LEGAL RECKONING AND LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS. DID Y'ALL KNOW THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE PUTS PEOPLE IN PRISON? THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO THAT. AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS FINANCIALLY INVESTED IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL. OUR COUNTRY'S LEADERS WILL EVENTUALLY BE KNOWN AS GENOCIDE ENABLERS. LISTEN, IT'S BEEN, YESTERDAY WAS THE ECLIPSE. IT'S BEEN 30 [02:20:01] YEARS, UM, SINCE THE GENOCIDE RWANDA AND EVERYONE'S, SORRY, FRANCE, APOLOGIZE. THE UNITED STATES APOLOGIZE. THEY REGRETTED NOT ACTING SOONER, BUT WHY, SAY SORRY LATER WHEN IT'S SAFE TO ACT NOW WE CAN GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE. IT'S EASY TO SAY SORRY LATER, BUT IT'S WEAK AND TRANSPARENTLY DISHONEST. IT'S HARD TO BE THE FIRST TO STAND UP. I UNDERSTAND IT REQUIRES INDEPENDENT THINKING, A SPINE, NOTHING TO, BUT NOW YOU'RE IN THE SWEETEST SPOT WHERE THERE'S STILL TIME TO ACT. UM, AND REALLY YOU DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF POLITICAL LOSS TO DO SO. UM, YOU CAN JOIN THE 50 PLUS CITIES THAT SAID, UH, YOU KNOW, NO TO THE GENOCIDE BEFORE. IT WAS COOL. THERE REALLY NO POLITIC CONSEQUENCES AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. NO SPEAKERS. NEXT. WALTER BEARD, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO, UH, MOVE CHERYL HENDERSON AFTER WALTER BEARD. WE NEED A SECOND, HAVE SECOND MOTION MADE AND SECOND IS OBJECTION CHAIRS. THEN MOTION PASSES. SO MAYOR, IS IT ALL RIGHT? I'M MY RIGHT TO TALK. I MISSED YOU LAST TIME. I CAME ON ON THE SECOND AND THEY HAD A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON. SO I CAME IN, LIKE GOT IN AND YOU GOT OUT. BUT I WANTED TO MEET YOU. I SENIOR YOU, I'M FROM THE CALIFORNIA, FROM THE BAY AREA. I, I'VE BEEN IN THE MINISTRY FOR 30, 34 YEARS. BRANCH TO RIGHTEOUS IS MINISTRY AND I'M JUST FEELING IT IS IN MY HEART. I'VE BEEN GETTING CONFIRMATION OUT HERE IN HOUSTON. I'VE BEEN LIVING OUT HERE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. I'M GLAD YOU ARE A NEW MAYOR. I MISSED THE LAST MAYOR. UH, WE GONNA SAVE AMERICA AGAIN. AFRICAN AMERICANS IS UP FOR US TO SAVE AMERICA AGAIN. I MEAN, WE SAVING IN HISTORY BEFORE WE WAS IN A SITUATION WITH HITLER, THE WAR, EVEN THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS, I MISSED IT. I MISSED TO TELL YOU GUYS ABOUT THAT. BUT INDIANS WAS TELLING THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS, IF YOU GUYS DIDN'T HELP AMERICA, WE CAN WIN. BUT, SO FINANCIAL AMERICA'S IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION. I SEE HOUSTON IS ALSO IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION. I MORE SO WAS THE ONLY FOCUSING ON A, ON A WHOLE NATION TYPE OF SITUATION. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GIVE YOU 30, 30 SECONDS. WHATEVER YOU NEED TO FINISH. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DISTURB YOU. I'M REALLY WAITING FOR TRUMP TO BE REELECTED. SO I'M JUST GROOMING YOU TO DO WHAT? I'M WAITING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BE REELECTED. THAT'S MY GOAL. ONE OF MY CELEBRITIES THAT KNOWS ME AND THAT'S GONNA BE GIVING ME SUPPORT. I'M HOPEFULLY, BUT I NEEDED YOU TO TELL ME THIS. IF TRUMP WAS TO GET IN AND SIGN THE DOCUMENT, WILL I BE ABLE TO AVOID ALL THE SIGNATURES? IS IT A WAY I'M, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW OR NOT OR WHAT KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE. THIS REPARATION STUFF IS NEW. YEAH, SO I'M NOT EXPECTING, I DON'T KNOW. YOU GOTTA CHECK WITH HIM ON THAT. I DON'T KNOW. OKAY. THAT'S GOOD HOPE. BUT I RAN INTO A GUY YESTERDAY, I WAS TALKING TO A HOUSTON, AFRICAN AMERICAN. HE SAID HE'S READY, HE TOUCH AND AGREE WITH ME AND SAID WITH TWO OR THREE GET TO TOUCHED TOGETHER, RIGHT? HE SAID, YOU GONNA GET OUR REPARATION? I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE SOMEBODY MORE BIGGER, RIGHT? BUT HE SAID YOU FISHED THE DESCRIPTION. HE JUST CAME OUT AND TOLD ME, TOUCH AND AGREE WITH ME. I'M THE PERSON. VERY GOOD. I'M HUMBLE. I GOT A GOOD HEART. THANK YOU. I GOT THE THANK YOU. 30 SECONDS IS UP. THAT'S . THANK YOU. I'M AT IT, I'M AT IT, I'M AT IT. I'M GONNA BE PASSING THESE FLIES AROUND HOUSTON, SO IF YOU GUYS SEE 'EM, DON'T BE SURE SURPRISED. I'M TRYING TO GET GROOMED. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU CHERYL HENDERSON. GOOD EVENING. UM, MAYOR WHIP, THE MAYOR OF CITY COUNCIL. I'M SORRY, IT'S MY SECOND TIME COMING TO SPEAK. UM, I'M HERE AS A MEMBER OF NAC AND I AM HERE TO ASK THE, THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR DRAINAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, PROJECT TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RISK OF FLOODING THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH. UM, I'M, I'M HERE TO HERE TO ARGUE FOR THE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY THE SYSTEM DURING THE HURRICANE HARVEY, DURING THE RECOVERY, AND EVEN TODAY. UM, WHEN YOU ASK US HOW WE ARE GOING TO FUND THIS, AS MANY, MANY NEIGHBORS AND MEMBERS OF THE NAC UH, [02:25:01] GROUP THAT I AM, UM, I'M HERE, I'M HERE REPRESENTING, HAS TO REMIND, REMIND YOU YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ. IF SHE NEEDS MORE TIME, SHE CAN HAVE MY TIME. SURE. GO AHEAD MA'AM. OKAY, THANK YOU. UH, REMINDED YOU OF THE DRAINAGE IN INFRASTRUCTURES THAT WE NEED. UM, I LIVE IN DISTRICT DI HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT OUT. . I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN IKE AND HARVEY WHEN IT FLOODED, I STAYED IN, UH, GREENS POINT AND I STAYED, UH, OFF OF SCOTT STREET IN THIRD WARD. WHERE I STAY AT NOW, I HAVEN'T, I I HAVEN'T, UM, HAD ANY FLOODING WHERE I'M AT NOW, BUT THROUGHOUT THIRD WARD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S FLOODING AND IT'S, IT, IT GET REAL BAD. YOU HAVE BAD ACCIDENTS AND IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT ENOUGH DRAINAGE, UH, SYSTEMS THROUGH THE, TO RE LET THE WATER RECEDE. AND THEN YOU GOT SO MUCH STUFF FLOATING IN THE WATER, CHEMICALS AND EVERYTHING, AND IT'S REAL HARMFUL TO EVERYONE. AND WE JUST, WE JUST WANT TO KNOW IF WE COULD GET THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL TO GET TO GIVE US MORE MONEY TO HELP THAT PROGRAM GET, GET, YOU KNOW, HAVE MORE EFFECT. IT CAN'T GET IT OUTTA MY MOUTH, RIGHT? 'CAUSE I'M TRYING TO, I'M SO NERVOUS. GET, GET WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET IT, YOU KNOW, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO STOP ALL THE FLOODING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. COUNCILOR EVAN. EVAN SHA COUNSEL. MA'AM, JUST A SEC. COUNCILOR. THANK, THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, THANK YOU MS. HENDERSON. UM, I GUESS I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, UH, DISTRICT D, PARTICULARLY AROUND ROSEDALE. I LIVE, UH, IN THAT SAME AREA AND I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY, UH, FLOODING THAT IS GOING ON. THERE WAS SOME FLOODING GOING ON, ON ROSEDALE DOWN BY ST. MARY'S CHURCH. UH, BUT THAT WAS RECENTLY, UH, DONE AND THE DRAINAGE AND THAT'S GONE ON FOR YEARS RIGHT THERE BY THE COLUMBIA TAP. BUT THAT NO LONGER HAPPENS. SO I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FLOODING THAT'S GOING ON. NOT TO SAY THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE I'M NOT EVERYWHERE. SO IF YOU COULD GET THE INFORMATION TO MY OFFICE YES. AS TO WHERE THIS FLOODING IS OCCURRING. YES, MA'AM. UH, THERE IS ONE PLACE I, I, I DARE SAY THE BIKE LANES DO FLOOD, BUT I DIGRESS. BUT CERTAINLY, UH, . BUT CERTAINLY IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER AREAS, I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SO THAT WE COULD GET THAT ADDRESSED. YES MA'AM, I WILL DO THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT HAVE A NICE DAY. AN ANTHONY JOHNSON. ANTHONY JOHNSON, SOPHIA SAGER. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, AT A RECENT PROTEST ON THE FOURTH FRIDAY OF RAMADAN, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TARGETED AND ASSAULTED PEACEFUL PROTESTORS AND ATTEMPTED TO RUN THEIR HORSES THROUGH A CROWD OF PEOPLE USING THIS HORSE'S SKULLS TO HIT THEM. THREE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND THE CHARGES WERE NOT MADE CLEAR UNTIL SIX HOURS LATER. I HAVE WITNESSED PROTESTORS BEING UNLAWFULLY DETAINED, THEN DROPPED OFF AT RANDOM AT PLACES LIKE GAS STATIONS MILES AWAY FROM THEIR INITIAL LOCATION WITH NO FOLLOW UP TO BRING THEM BACK SAFELY. THIS IS NOT A NEW TACTIC, NOR IS IT EXCLUSIVE TO PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS OR PROTESTORS. IN GENERAL, THIS IS AN INTIMIDATION TACTIC FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BY POLITICIANS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN INCREASING HOUSTON'S ENORMOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE 264,000 UNINVESTIGATED CASES IN THIS REGION, SOME OF WHICH ARE HOMICIDE AND MISSING PERSON CASES OF NON-WHITE INDIVIDUALS PURPOSELY AND NEGLECTED TO EXCEED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER BE INVESTIGATED. YOU'VE ALSO BEEN MENTIONING THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLICE TO RESPOND TO GUN VIOLENCE. CAN I? YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. CAN I HAVE ONE MINUTE PLEASE? YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THERE WERE PLENTY OF POLICE AND THEIR HORSES READY TO ARREST PEOPLE WALKING IN THE STREETS. BRIEFLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ESCALATE THIS TO OUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS REGARDING THIS INCREASED HARM AND HOW IT IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY DIRECTED AT PROTESTORS OR ACTIVISTS AND IS A THREAT TO OUR MIDDLE EASTERN, NORTH AFRICAN AND SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND ESPECIALLY HOUSTON'S MOST VULNERABLE LIKE PEOPLE OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL SAYS THE PALESTINE IS AN INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN POLICY, YET YOU CONTINUE TO USE OUR SAX DOLLARS [02:30:01] TO INVEST IN MILITARISM ABROAD INSTEAD OF PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES LOCALLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU MA'AM. NEXT, EDUARDO DURAN WILL HILL. THIS COMPLETES THE LIST OF SPEAKERS. VERY GOOD. MEMBERS, WE RECESS [RECESS] UNTIL UH, NINE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. OUR CAPTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR THE WEEK APRIL 9TH AND 10TH, 2024 ITEM ONE. IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR THE 4% TAX CREDIT FOR THE FOLLOWING. APPLICANT'S CORDOVA APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. SO NEW HOPE HOUSING AVENUE C. ITEM TWO, PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR THE 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT FOR THE FOLLOWING APPLICANTS, THE ARBORETUM AT WOODLAND HILLS, CHISHOLM TRAIL APARTMENTS, AND WILLOW CREEK MANOR. ITEM THREE, REQUEST FROM MAYOR FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE BOARD OF THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY. ITEM FOUR, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $19,026,370 AND 82 CENTS AND ACCEPTANCE WORK ON CONTRACT WITH MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. ITEM FIVE, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,587,253 AND 28 CENTS AND ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT WITH GERDON ENTERPRISE LP. ITEM SIX, RUSH TRUCK TENDERS OF TEXAS FOR PURCHASE OF MEDIUM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. ITEM SEVEN, COBURN SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. FOR PURCHASE OF FIRE HYDRANT REPAIR PARTS. ITEM EIGHT, ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER SEVEN, ARTICLE THREE AND ARTICLE SIX OF THE CODE OF AVOIDANCES HOUSTON, TEXAS. ITEM NINE ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE RETAIL GAS UTILITY RATES OF CENTER POINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP, DBA CENTER POINT ENERGY INTAKE AND AS CENTER POINT ENERGY, TEXAS GAS, EXCUSE ME, ITEM 10, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $1,094,500 AND NO CENTS OUT OF AIRPORTS IMPROVEMENT FUND AWARDING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT JOE RIS, GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LLC FOR THE FIDS AND B-I-D-S-L-E-D LIGHTS, PHASE TWO TERMINAL, A PROJECT AT GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT. ITEM 11, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND DEVIN, CLAUDIA TL ICH TO SETTLE A LAWSUIT. ITEM 12, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING DERIVATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND TD INDUSTRIES INC FOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES. ITEM 13, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AND DERIVATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND TD INDUSTRIES INC FOR HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT SERVICES. ITEM 14, ORDINANCE SUBMITTING ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 19 2 91 FOR FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND YAMAHA GOLF CAR COMPANY. ITEM 15, ORDINANCE SUBMITTING ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 21 2 66 APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING INSTITUTE. ITEM 16, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AWARDING 18 TOWING GROVE TOW AND GO FREEWAY TOWING AND EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE AGREEMENTS. ITEM 17, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SECOND AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT FOR BURGLAR ALARM ADMINISTRATION SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND PMAM CORPORATION. ITEM 18, ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR AN AUTOMATED RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BETWEEN THE CITY AND CENTRAL SQUARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FORMERLY KNOWN AS TRITECH SOFTWARE SYSTEM TRON INC. ITEM 19 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND INDRA AIR TRAFFIC INC. ITEM 20 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH UNIVERSAL PROTECTION SERVICE, LP DBA ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY SERVICES ITEM 21 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE FIRST INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER, INC. ITEM 22, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION FOR AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION FOR THE FY 25 20 25 VIOLENT CRIME PROGRAM GRANT ITEM 23 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION FOR AN ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS THROUGH [02:35:01] THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION FOR THE FY 2025 HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT'S PAROLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVE GRANT ITEM 24 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION FOR AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE OFFICE OF THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR THE FY 20 20 24 25 SOLID WASTE GRANT. ITEM 25 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 12.627 ACRES OF LAND TO MEMORIAL HILLS UTILITY DISTRICT. ITEM 26 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 13 POINT 14 ACRES OF LAND TO REED ROAD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER TWO, ITEM 27 ORDINANCE CONSENTED TO THE CREATION OF WALLER COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER 55 CONSENTING CONSISTING INITIALLY OF 1,100 1 29 0.77 ACRES OF LAND ITEM 28 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 296,557 SQUARE FEET OF CITY FEE OWNED LAND LOCATED ALONG EAST LOOP AND WEST LOOP OF IH 45 AND EAST LOOP OF IH 10 AT THE TERMINUS OF JAMES STREET. AND ON 29 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $6,035,568 NO CENTS OUT OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM. CONSOLIDATED CONSTRUCTION FUND AWARDING CONTRACT TO PM CONSTRUCTION AND REHAB LLC ITEM 30. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $53,255,453 AND NO CENTS OUT OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM. CONSOLIDATED CONSTRUCTION FUND AWARDING CONTRACT TO LI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. ITEM 31 ORDINANCE GRANTED TO BIO CITY WASTE SYSTEMS, LLCA TEXAS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS. PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 39, CODE OF AVOIDANCES HOUSTON, TEXAS PROVIDING FOR RELATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS. FIRST READING ITEM 32, ORDINANCE GRANTING TO BRUMFIELD SANITATION SERVICES AT TEXAS SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. ALSO FIRST READING ITEM 33, ORDINANCE GRANTING TO EIO CARRYON DBA GREASE TRAP MAINTENANCE, A TEXAS SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. FIRST READING ITEM 34 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO HAMILTON ALLIANCE INC. IN INDIANA CORPORATION. ALSO FIRST READING ITEM 35, ORDINANCE GRANTING TO NORTHWEST CASCADE INC. FOREIGN FOR PROFIT CORPORATION. FIRST READING ITEM 36, ORDINANCE GRANTED TO PHOENIX POLLUTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. A TEXAS CORPORATION. ALSO FIRST READING, THIS IS THE END OF THE CONSENT AGENDA UNDER THE MATTER SALE CATEGORY. ITEM 37, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF SURPLUS VACANT LOT CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 12 POINT 22 ACRES AND LOCATED AT TEN THREE OH ONE STELLA LINK ROAD, HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THIS WAS TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, EVAN SHABAZZ THOMAS AND CASTEX TATUM. THIS WAS ITEM 22 ON AGENDA OF APRIL 3RD, 2024, ITEM 38, ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING MARKETING AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AND CBRE INC. THIS WAS TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, JACKSON CAYMAN, EVAN SHABA, THOMAS CASTEX, TATUM, AND CARTER. THIS WAS ITEM 23 ON AGENDA OF APRIL 3RD, ITEM 39, ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING AND MARKETING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AND CUSHMAN AND WAKEFIELD OF TEXAS, INC. A TEXAS CORPORATION. THIS WAS TAPED BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON KAMAN, EVAN THOMAS CASTILLO AND CARTER. THIS WAS ITEM 24 ON AGENDA OF APRIL 3RD, 2024. AND THEN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE MATTERS HELD. ITEM 40, ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 26 DASH 1 55 OF THE CODE AVOIDANCE, HOUSTON, TEXAS. THIS WAS ITEM 34 ON AGENDA OF APRIL 3RD, 2024. THIS COMPLETES THE READING OF THE AGENDA FOR THE WEEK APRIL 10TH, 2024. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT SESSION OF HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 9:00 AM IN THE WORDS I, CURRENT SECRETARY PAT JEFFERSON. DANIEL, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS TREAT EVERYONE THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED. HAVE A BLESSED AND FANTABULOUS DAY. THANK YOU MADAM SECRETARY. YOU'RE WELCOME. MY NUMBER ONE FAN. MY MY JOB IS DONE. MY JOB. WE NEED A MOTION ON MY ORDER. [RECONVENE] GOOD MORNING. IF COUNSEL WILL COME TO ORDER. MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL ITEM NUMBER THREE, APPOINT MR. METRO. ITEM THREE NEEDS A MOTION. CASTEX TATUM MOVED THOMAS SECONDS. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS, UH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND CERTAINLY COLLEAGUES. IT'S, UH, ONE OF THE PLEASURES OF MY JOB IS TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND AGENCIES THAT GOVERN THIS GREAT CITY. AND THIS MORNING WE ARE JUST VOTED IN NEW METRO BOARD MEMBERS. UH, I WAS VERY DELIBERATE IN MY CHOICES, REFLECTING OUR [02:40:01] COMMUNITY, PEOPLE THAT WOULD REPRESENT THE OPTIONS FOR OUR MOBILITY. AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PLEASED. IT IS BEEN REPORTED TO ME THAT IT'S THE ALL TIME HIGH OF WOMEN SERVING ON METRO, WHICH IS SOMETHING I THINK IS CERTAINLY A GOAL THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF. I HAVE TO TAKE SPECIAL ACTUAL INTRODUCTION OF OUR FIRST VIETNAMESE AMERICAN WOMAN APPOINTED, UH, JUDGE KATHY HAN AND I MET WHEN SHE WAS A MUNICIPAL JUDGE, THE FIRST VIETNAMESE AMERICAN MUNICIPAL JUDGE. I THINK SHE CERTAINLY THE FIRST ASIAN ON METRO REPRESENTING A VAST COMMUNITY IN HOUSTON, A VERY PROUD COMMUNITY. SO I'M SO EXCITED FOR THAT REPRESENTATION. OUR GOOD FRIEND, REVEREND PRESTON, CERTAINLY KNOWS THE NECESSITY OF OUR MOBILITY, REPRESENTING A COMMUNITY CHURCH ON YALE AND CROSS TIMBERS THAT I OFTEN CALL MY CHURCH. CERTAINLY HE REPRESENTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE, THE DOCTOR, WORK, SCHOOL, AND PROVIDE OPTIONS. CHAIR MORALES HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AS A MEMBER OF METRO WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. CHAD MCMILLAN, A LEADING COMMUNITY ADVOCATE FOR INCLUSIVITY INITIATIVES AND CHAMPION FOR HOUSTON'S DISABLED POPULATION. POPULATION CANNOT BE WITH US TODAY, BUT THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING BOARD THAT I HAVE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TO THIS BODY AND TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON. SO ELIZABETH BROCK BEING THE FIRST HISPANIC CHAIR, IS ALREADY MAKING IMPROVEMENTS, NETWORKING, TRANSPARENCY, LOOKING FOR ALL THE OPTIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN MOBILITY, SAFETY, CONVENIENCE AND RELIABILITY OF OUR TRANSIT SYSTEMS. SO THANK YOU MS. BROCK. AND, UH, AT THIS TIME I'LL ASK OUR NEW METRO BOARD MEMBERS TO PLEASE RISE AND LET US RECOGNIZE YOU. AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY ONE OF YOU. I'LL BE GLAD TO YIELD THE MIC TO, UH, IF, IF YOU'D LIKE KATHY. I MEAN, MISS JUDGE HAN, COME FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND CERTAINLY OFFERING UP PUBLIC SERVICE GOING FORWARD. MAY I, I I YIELD TO YOU. MAY I SAY A FEW WORDS? YES, MA'AM, PLEASE. UM, I'M VERY HONORED THAT MAYOR WI MY, UH, APPOINTED ME FOR, UM, TO BE ON THE METRO BOARD. I'M ASIAN, UM, COMING TO THIS COUNTRY FROM VIETNAM AS A REFUGEES THIS COUNTRY. WELCOME ME, WELCOME OUR FAMILY, AND PROVIDED US WITH DIFFERENT MEANS FOR US TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS. DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF MY, UM, SETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, MY FAMILY DEPENDED TOTALLY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONS. THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TOOK US TO GO TO GO TO JOBS, TO GO TO HEALTHCARE, TO, UH, DO GROCERY SHOPPINGS. UM, AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE USING, UH, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONS AND UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTY AND SOMETIME THE FRUSTRATION OF USING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. SO NOW SERVING ON THE METRO BOARD WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE, UH, TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON AND, AND HARRIS COUNTY. UH, AND AT LEAST, UM, A LITTLE BIT RETURNING THE KINDNESS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO TOOK US IN, GAVE US A HOME AND, UH, ALLOWING TO BE A PROUD US CITIZENS. SO, UM, BESIDES SERVING THE GENERAL PUBLIC, I ALSO WANT TO SERVE THE GROWING ASIAN POPULATION. MANY ASIANS ARE NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE SERVICES [02:45:01] OF METROS. AND, UM, WE NEED TO MAKE THE NEWCOMERS TO HOUSTONS AWARE OF THE SERVICE OF METRO AND MAKE THEM COMFORTABLE USING THE SERVICE. SO TOGETHER WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS, WE WILL CONTRIBUTE OUR IDEAS, OUR EFFORT TO MAKE METRO, UM, GREAT AGENCY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, MAYOR AND THANK YOU CITY COUNCILS. WELL, THANK YOU JUDGE HAN. AND YOU CERTAINLY ARE A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND CERTAINLY THE PROUD VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY. AND I WISH WE HAD TIME AND MAYBE WE WILL FOR YOU TO DESCRIBE YOUR LEAVING V SAIGON AS A BOAT PERSON WITH TWO YOUNG BABIES, NOT KNOWING WHERE YOU WERE HEADED TO RELOCATION CAMP, AND THEN TO LAND AND GO TO OUR LAW SCHOOL AND BE IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION IS CERTAINLY AN AMERICAN STORY THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN, AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD CERTAINLY HEAR AND LEARN ABOUT IT. SO I KNOW YOU MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR FAMILY PROUD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M BLESSED TO BE HERE. THANK YOU COUNCILOR MARTINEZ. AND YOU MIGHT ASK DR. JOHN TO STAND, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY DON'T, THEY, OUR FRIENDS DON'T KNOW THAT I GOT TO SPEAK AT Y'ALL'S WEDDING ABOUT A LONG TIME. IT'S VERY SIMILAR STORY TO YOURS IN TERMS OF BEING AN IMMIGRANT AND BEING SO SUCCESSFUL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. JUDGE HAN. JUDGE HAN, HOW YOU DOING? JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU. IT WAS, UH, ENJOYED HAVING A BRIEF CONVERSATION. WENT YOU EARLIER, EARLIER THIS MORNING. UM, WE DO HAVE A, A STRONG VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY IN, IN THE, UH, IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF HOUSTON, WHICH IS IN DISTRICT I. AND SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN DEFINITELY GET THOSE SERVICES TO THEM. UM, AND THEN JUST SPEAKING ON METRO IN GENERAL, UM, THE UNIVERSITY LINE WILL BE, WILL BE COMING THROUGH, UH, YOU KNOW, THE EAST END SPECIFICALLY ALONG LOCKWOOD. UM, AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO ALSO HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO BE HEARD THERE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU RECORDER. COUNCILMAN MCC CARTER. JUDGE HA, I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT UH, AS I SAT HERE AND, AND LISTENED TO YOU, I AM SO EXCITED TO GET TO KNOW YOU. ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS IS A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE, AND, UH, SHE'S TALKS OF HER STORY, WHICH I'M SURE IS VERY SIMILAR, UH, TO YOURS AND HER, HER YEARS IN HER CAMP. AND TO SEE YOU HERE AND TO SERVE AND GIVE BACK, JUST IT'S, IT'S HEARTWARMING AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO TELL HER ABOUT YOU. AND GOD BLESS YOU. AND, AND THANK YOU FOR, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND I KNOW YOU'LL DO A FANTASTIC JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S MY HONOR. YES. THANK YOU JUDGE HON. PASTOR PRESTON, YOU'RE NO STRANGER TO THIS HORSESHOE. WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUATION. I MIGHT SAY, JUST WANT TO SAY TO YOU MAYOR AND TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON, THANK YOU FOR THIS PRIVILEGE TO SERVE ON THE METRO BOARD. UH, IT IS OF CERTAIN WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO BE THE VOICE AT WILL BRIDGE THE GAP, UH, AS IT RELATES TO THE CITIZENS TRAVELING MOBILITY. WE DO KNOW THAT THOSE THAT ARE RIDING OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A SAFE RIDE, CLEAN RIDE AND CONNECTABILITY FROM ONE POINT TO THE NEXT IN A FAST AND EFFICIENT WAY. SO I'LL SERVE ON THE BOARD, UH, WITH GREAT PLEASURE. AND, UH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON. THANK YOU. PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. CONGRATULATIONS SO WELL DESERVED. WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE ON THE BOARD THAT UNDERSTANDS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SUFFERING WITH, AND THAT'S JUST THE INEQUITIES IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION, GETTING WHERE WE NEED TO GO, BEING TIMELY AND LIKE YOU SAID, IN A SAFE, IN A SAFE, UM, AND EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY. SO I KNOW YOU'RE DOING AN AMAZING JOB. IT'S SO WELL DESERVED AND I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU ON THIS BOARD. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, DAVIS. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, MY GOOD FRIEND. IT IS A JOY AND I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND MANY AROUND THIS HORSESHOE WHO MAY NOT KNOW YOU, BUT YOUR CON CONTRIBUTION TO THIS CITY IS, IS GREAT. AND YOU COME FROM A HISTORICAL CHURCH. I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT THE MAYORS IS, IS A PART OF WHAT GOES ON AT YALE STREET BECAUSE IT IS HISTORICALLY GREAT CHURCH AND A LEGACY AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY AND EVEN TO OUR PLANNED MINISTERS ADVISORY GROUP THAT WE WILL LAUNCH, WHICH YOU WILL BE A PART OF OUR, YOU KNOW, GROUP AS OTHER PASTORS. SO WE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU [02:50:01] AND WE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR SERVICE AND THEN YOUR APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR, I THINK IS ONE OF THE BEST. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND CONGRATULATIONS PASTOR PRESTON. IT'S GREAT TO SEE, UH, YOU TAKE ON ANOTHER CHAPTER OF SERVICE FOR THE CITY. AND I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA BRING SUCH A, A UNIQUE AND VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE TO THE METRO BOARD AND, UM, IT'S, IT'S JUST EXCITING TO, TO SEE THIS, UH, APPOINTMENT TODAY. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU PARTNER. COUNCILMAN JACKSON. COUNCILMAN JACKSON, UH, PASTOR, PASTOR PRESTON. PASTOR PRESTON. I JUST ONE MORE WANTED TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUES IN SAYING CONGRATULATIONS. I'M NOT SURPRISED. UM, YOU HAVE BEEN A RESPECTED LEADER IN OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR SO MANY YEARS, FOR DECADES, AND SO JUST EXCITED TO SEE YOU ON THE BOARD. WELL DESERVE, LOOK FORWARD TO OUR PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. UH, COUNCIL MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM. COUNCIL TATUM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE EACH OF THESE, UH, UH, APPOINTEES. I THINK THAT, UM, IT, IT'S ALWAYS WELCOME TO HAVE, UH, HOUSTONIANS TO SERVE ON THESE VERY IMPORTANT BOARDS. UM, GLAD TO SEE THAT. UH, TERRY MORALES WAS REAPPOINTED. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME WHEN SHE WAS FIRST APPOINTED, UM, WAS HER STORY ABOUT WHEN SHE USED TO RIDE THE METRO. AND I'LL NEVER FORGET HOW SHE STOOD IN FRONT OF US AND TALKED ABOUT HOW THAT EXPERIENCE HELPED HER TO PROPEL TO WHERE SHE IS NOW. SO I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU WERE REAPPOINTED, UM, TO THE METRO BOARD. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THESE NEW FOLKS ON THE BOARD. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU WILL DO. WORKING ALONGSIDE, UH, OUR, OUR CHAIR, UH, ELIZABETH GONZALEZ. BROCK. VERY WELL. TERRY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT? YOU'RE THE SENIOR MEMBER NOW, SO WISDOM IS A VERY EXPERIENCE MATTERS AS YOU WELL KNOW, IS MY MOTTO. YES, I DO KNOW THAT. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER FOR BEING REAPPOINTED. I'VE BEEN SERVING FOR SIX YEARS AND YOU KNOW, ALSO THANK YOU TO CITY COUNCIL FOR REAPPOINTED ME. UM, I'VE BEEN SERVING FOR SIX YEARS. THIS IS MY LAST FINAL TWO YEARS. AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER TATUM, FOR REMEMBERING THAT BECAUSE I, I WAS RAISED BY SINGLE MOTHER AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WAS OUR MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION ALL THROUGHOUT, EVEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. AND SO, UH, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT, UH, APPOINTMENT TO ME AND I THINK ABOUT MY MOTHER AND MY SIBLINGS AND WHAT WE WENT THROUGH ALL THE TIME WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS. AND SO, UH, AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING WITH THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND WHAT THE EXISTING ONES AND OF COURSE WITH A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, UH, CHAIR BROCK. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN PERSON BROCK, WE, UH, WE WELCOME YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME TO TELL US HOW HARD Y'ALL ARE GONNA WORK AND HOW INCLUSIVE Y'ALL ARE GONNA BE. WELL, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE DIVERSITY THAT'S REPRESENTED ON THE METRO BOARD THAT IS SO IMPORTANT. UM, WHEN I HEARD JUDGE HAHN TALK ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE, UM, IT REALLY BRINGS, UM, YOU KNOW, TEARS TO ME AND, AND KNOWING WHAT SHE'S BEEN THROUGH, HOW SHE'S PERSEVERED IS SO INSPIRING. UM, AND TO KNOW THAT TODAY IS A HISTORICAL DAY THAT MARKS THE FIRST, UH, VIETNAMESE WOMAN ON OUR BOARD IS, UH, TRULY INCREDIBLE. SO I WANNA, UM, SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT IS, THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT. AND, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND CONTINUING TO WORK WITH, UH, UH, DIRECTOR TERRY MORALES AS WELL. VERY GOOD MEMBERS, IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME, I'M GONNA GO TAKE A PICTURE WITH THIS HISTORIC, UM, SET OF METRO APPOINTMENTS. IT'S CERTAINLY A CONTINUATION OF MY COMMITMENT TO MAKE CITY HALL LOOK LIKE HOUSTON. SO IF Y'ALL WILL, UH, BE PATIENT, I'M GONNA GO TAKE A PICTURE. IN FACT, I'D JOIN AND ASK ANY OF YOU TO JOIN ME IF YOU'D LIKE TO. IT'S STILL INDIVIDUALLY, EVERYBODY. [02:55:01] IS EVERYBODY IN MEMBERS AT THIS TIME. [MAYOR'S REPORT] I'LL GIVE A QUICK MAYOR'S REPORT TO REPORT BACK TO YOU AND CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ FOR WORKING WITH MY OFFICE, DEALING WITH THE GALA MCGREGOR SENIOR LIVING FACILITY. IF YOU RECALL, MR. DUCKIN WAS HERE LAST WEEK COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LIVING CONDITIONS. UH, THEY WERE DEPLORABLE. MY OFFICE WENT WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. THE BUILDER WAS THERE, AND WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WHERE TODAY HE'S REPLACING THE FLOOR, WHICH WAS CREATING THE DUST SECURITY CAMERAS WILL BE RESTORED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. AND, UH, MR. DUCKIN SENDS HIS APPRECIATION TO, UH, THE COUNCIL THAT LISTENED AND ACTED. SO, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ, AND THANK YOU TO MY STAFF. REBECCA WILLIAMS WAS ON THE SCENE THERE, AND WE WILL CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP WITH THAT BEING AN EXAMPLE OF THE PRODUCTION THAT WE'RE CARRYING OUT. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS OF MY ADMINISTRATION. QUITE FRANKLY, I HADN'T KEPT UP WITH THE DAYS. UH, WE WORK HARD EACH AND EVERY DAY STARTING FROM 1201 ON DAY ONE. UH, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE START. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT I THINK FROM TALKING TO CITY EMPLOYEES AND CONSTITUENTS, THE MORALE OF CITY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IMPROVED. WE STILL HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY AS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, CERTAINLY FOLLOWED BY INFRASTRUCTURE AND CITY SERVICES. UH, I WAS AT THE CRESTWOOD CIVIC CLUB LAST NIGHT. THE REPORT IS THAT GARBAGE AND RECYCLING'S BEING PICKED UP IN THE SAME DAY. IT'S A GREAT START, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. BUT AS I KNOW HOW BUSY THE COUNCIL IS MOST DAYS, I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IT IS AND CERTAINLY HAVEN'T KEPT UP WHAT WITH WHICH NUMBER IN THE ADMINISTRATION IT IS. BUT I'M PLEASED WITH THE, UH, COLLABORATION, UH, OF PUBLIC SER UH, SAFETY AGENCIES [03:00:02] AND PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK PARTNERS AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT. BRIANIS RAMSEY AND ADRIAN GARCIA HAVE MET WITH ME AND ARE SHARING THE COST OF SOME VERY IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, ACTUALLY AGREEING TO SHARE THE COST OF SOME OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS. SO THAT'S EXCITING. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE LAND COMMISSIONER VERY SOON ABOUT HER STEPS FORWARD TO WORK CLOSER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND OUR COLLEAGUES. SO THAT'S VERY POSITIVE. WE'RE LISTENING TO HOUSTONIANS AND MY JUDGMENT LIKE NEVER BEFORE. THE TRANSPARENCY ACROSS CITY GOVERNMENT IS BEING RESTORED. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE. I WANT TO THANK HOUSTONIANS THAT, UH, HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE. PEOPLE COME UP TO ME IN PUBLIC AND SAY, HOW CAN WE HELP? THAT'S A VERY GOOD SIGN THAT PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR CITY. WE HAVE A GREAT CITY, GREAT PEOPLE, AND WITH SOME OF THESE OUTSTANDING APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE, THE CITY'S ONLY GONNA GET GREATER. BUT LET ME ALSO EMPHASIZE, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, CERTAINLY WITH OUR CITY FINANCES GOING FORWARD WILL BE A CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT WE CAN'T ADDRESS IF WE WORK TOGETHER LOOKING FOR REVENUE SOURCES, LOOKING FOR SAVINGS, D CUTTING OUT DUPLICATION, AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT. I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF HOT BUTTON ISSUES LIKE SHORT TERM RENTAL THAT WE MUST COME TO SOME RESOLUTION TO PROTECT LAW ABIDING PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS. I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR POLICE AND FIRE AND EMS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND LET'S NOT GO A DAY WITHOUT THINKING. OUR CITY EMPLOYEES HOPE WAS HERE YESTERDAY. PEOPLE ASK ME, WHAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PLEASURES YOU HAVE AS BEING MAYOR IS WALKING THROUGH THAT LONG BASEMENT HALL AND RUNNING INTO HOUSEKEEPERS AND STOPPING TO SHAKE THEIR HANDS. IT TRULY MAKES THEIR DAY. SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL THAT WHEN WE SEE CITY EMPLOYEES CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES, WE NEED TO THANK THEM. WITH THAT SAID, I'M READY TO GET ON THE AGENDA. THANK, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN, UH, AND CONTINUE TO, TO WORK LONG HOURS AND, UH, BRING US TOGETHER. OKAY, WE'RE READY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. [1.  PUBLIC HEARING to provide a Resolution of No Objection for the 4% Housing Tax Credit for the following applicants: CORDOVA APARTMENTS 6160 Madden Ln DISTRICT D – EVANS-SHABAZZ NEW HOPE HOUSING AVENUE C 7501 Harrisburg Blvd DISTRICT I - MARTINEZ ] ITEM ONE, MADAM SECRETARY. ITEM ONE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR THE 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT FOR THE FOLLOWING. APPLICANT'S ITEM CALLED DOBO APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN, SO NEW HOPE HOUSING AVENUE C AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE, NO SPEAKER SIGNED UP. ITEM IF THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, UH, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING ON THE SECOND MOTION. MAY 2ND CLOSE THE HEARING. ALL IN FAVOR OF THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM [2.  PUBLIC HEARING to provide a Resolution of No Objection for the 4% Housing Tax Credit for the following applicants: THE ARBORETUM AT WOODLAND HILLS SEC of FM 1960 & Woodland Hills D CHISHOLM TRAIL APARTMENTS 18204 Chisholm Trail WILLOW CREEK MANOR SEC Cossey Rd and Huffman-Kohrville Rd ] TWO, MADAM SECRETARY, ITEM TWO IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR THE 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT FOR THE FOLLOWING APPLICANT'S. THE ARBORETUM AT WILLAN HILLS, CHISHOLM TRAIL APARTMENTS, AND WILLOW CREEK MANOR. AND NO ONE SIGNED UP AND NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR ITEM TWO. OKAY. OH, SOMEONE'S RAISING THEIR HAND. OH, WE DO, WE DO HAVE SOMEONE. YES, SIR. COME DOWN FRONT. STATE YOUR NAME. WE STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE, SIR? UH, MATTHEW QUIST. MATTHEW WHAT? QUIST. M-A-L-M-Q-U-I-S-T. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE ARBORETUM AT THE WOODLAND HILLS. GO AHEAD SIR. GO AHEAD. UH, YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME. I THOUGHT THIS WAS MORE OF A Q AND A. NO, NO QUESTIONS. IT WAS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU HAD A, A STATEMENT. UH, WE THINK WE'RE, WE'RE CERTAINLY MEETING A NEED IN THAT AREA. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED IN BETWEEN BLO AND ATAS CASITA RIGHT OFF 1960. AND WE'RE A VERY EXPERIENCED DEVELOPMENT TEAM. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AREAS WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST. UH, THIS IS, UH, FIRST ONE IN THAT AREA, UH, I BELIEVE IN QUITE SOME TIME. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. I THINK WE'RE FINE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEED A MOTION? MOTION TO CLOSE. CASTEX TATUM. MOVE TO CLOSE THE HEARING ON THE SECOND MOTION MADE. AND SECOND, CLOSE THE HEARING. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. [CONSENT AGENDA] I AM SECRETARY, IF YOU'LL NOW PROCEED WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA. [03:05:02] I'M SORRY. UNDER THE ACCEPT WORK CATEGORY. ITEM FOUR HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. ITEM FIVE NEEDS A MOTION CAST. TA MOVE SECOND. MOTION MADE. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNDER THE PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF B CATEGORY. ITEM SIX AND SEVEN. NEED A MOTION CAST. TA MOVE COMMENT. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY ITEMS, REMOVE SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. EIGHT 12 THROUGH 15, 17 AND 18. 20 AND 21, 28 AND 30. THOSE NUMBERS AGAIN ARE EIGHT 12 THROUGH 15, 17 AND 18. 20 AND 21, 28 AND 30. NEED A VOTE ON THE BALANCE? JUST, JUST TO VOTE THAT BALANCE MEMBERS ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. [CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA] NUMBER ON ITEM EIGHT. MM-HMM . ITEM EIGHT. STARTING WITH FOUR. ITEM FOUR ON SECOND ITEM, MOVE CONSIDERATION. ITEM FOUR NEEDS A MOTION. COUNCIL, YOU NEED A MOTION? THOMAS MOVES. SECOND. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND HUFFMAN. COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN. THANK. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND I JUST WANNA SAY THAT I'M IN, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS. UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND, YOU KNOW, COUNSEL, THAT DISTRICT G WE'RE THE ONLY DISTRICT THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN HPD STATION OR STOREFRONT IN THE DISTRICT. AND I KNOW THAT, UH, MY RESIDENTS WOULD REALLY LIKE EITHER A STOREFRONT OR SOME PHYSICAL PRESENCE THERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. UH, JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. I ITEM EIGHT IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND GOOD MORNING COLLEAGUES. UH, I WANTED TO JUST EXPLAIN WHAT THIS ITEM IS BECAUSE I WAS VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE AS A CITY DID BACK IN MAY OF 22. UH, THIS RELATES TO CLEANUP LANGUAGE NOW, UH, WHEN OUR CURRENT MAYOR, UH, THEN SENATOR, UH, ACTUALLY CARRIED THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL. PRIOR TO THAT AS A CITY, WE HAD CARRIED, I BELIEVE WHAT WAS THE FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT ORDINANCE. UH, WHICH AGAIN, WE SAW THE SUCCESSES OF. AND, UH, MAYOR, YOU REALLY WORKED HARD AT THE STATE LEVEL TO BRING THIS LANGUAGE ABOUT SO THAT IT APPLIED STATEWIDE. UH, THIS IS CLEANUP LANGUAGE SO THAT WE FALL INTO COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW. UH, AND I WANNA THANK ALL OF THE PARTNERS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY, UH, THAT CAME TOGETHER. I KNOW THIS IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE. IT GIVES, UH, LAW ENFORCEMENT ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO CRACK DOWN ON SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW CAN RESULT, UH, NOT JUST IN THEFT, BUT IN, UH, SOME VERY TRAGIC VIOLENT CRIMES. AS A RESULT, UH, WE DO STILL NEED TO DEAL WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERSTATE, UH, IMPLICATIONS OF THIS, RIGHT? THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO AS A CITY AND AS A STATE. BUT, UH, MAYOR, I, I CERTAINLY WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT THIS ITEM BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE HOUSTON LED, AND THEN YOU AND OTHERS AT THE STATE REALLY CARRIED THE TORCH TO MAKE THIS, UM, A STATEWIDE POLICY THAT GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT ADDITIONAL TOOLS. WELL, THANK YOU. IT, UM, TOOK A LOT OF TEAMWORK AT THE STATE LEVEL. CAROL ARATA, PAUL BENTON COURT, OTHERS. BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE USED THE CITY ORDINANCE AS OUR MODEL. SO YOU NEED TO ALL TAKE, UM, SOME OWNERSHIP IN THIS PRODUCT, IN THIS NEW STATUTE, AND CERTAINLY ARTURO'S GOT IT. WHERE IT NOW, UH, COMPLIMENTS THE CITY'S, I MEAN THE STATE'S NEW OR, UH, STATE LAW. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTION, AND CERTAINLY THE ADMINISTRATION'S PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION DID A FINE JOB. WE ACTUALLY HAD A HEARING IN HOUSTON WHERE WE KIND OF VETTED ALL THIS, AND IT JUST SHOWS WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU ALL COME TOGETHER. SO, THANK YOU. JUST NEED, NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 12 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE TAG. POLLARD POLL TAGGED BY POLLARD? [03:10:01] YES. OKAY. TAGGED BY COUNCILOR POLLARD. MM-HMM . ITEM 13 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. TAGGED POLLARD POLLARD TAGS. ITEM 14 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. LEMME GET THAT REAL QUICK. COUNCIL MEMBER PECK. COUNCIL MEMBER PECK. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS, UM, LEASING GOLF CARTS FOR THE SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT AND, UM, PARKS AND RECREATION. AND SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LEASING VEHICLES, I JUST WANTED TO PUT A PLUG IN, UM, ABOUT LEASING MORE VEHICLES AT THE CITY. UM, WE DID THAT WITH CERTAIN HFD VEHICLES AND SAVED A LOT OF MONEY, SO IT MIGHT NOT WORK WITH EVERY VEHICLE AT THE CITY, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN LEASE MORE VEHICLES INSTEAD OF PURCHASING THEM, WE WOULD SAVE MORE MONEY. AND OUR, UM, WORKERS WOULD HAVE NEWER TRUCKS. SO MANY OF OUR, UM, VEHICLES AT THE CITY THAT AIR CONDITIONING DOESN'T WORK. UH, YOU KNOW, OTHER PARTS DON'T WORK. SO THIS WOULD HELP TO GET NEW VEHICLES, UM, MORE REGULARLY. THANK YOU. THAT'S WHICH ONE? 14TH. A VOTE ON NUMBER 14. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 15. ITEM 15 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER. COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER. UH, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN TERMS OF, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, VALID QUESTIONS, UH, AND THERE WAS SOME SUGGESTION ABOUT SENDING IT TO A COMMITTEE. YES, SIR. UH, THANK YOU. BUT IF YOU COULD TAG IT UP, BECAUSE THE CONTRACT I UNDERSTAND RUNS OUT APRIL 21ST AND IT'S, I'M HERE TO VOUCH THAT IT'S A VERY, UH, BENEFICIAL PROGRAM. CORRECT. UM, THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AND IF YOU'D TAG IT, WE WOULD WORK ON IT. I THINK THAT IF WE COULD REFER IT TO THE, UH, THE OPERATIONS, IT'S ACTUALLY THE NEW COMMITTEE, RIGHT? GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS TO, UH, SORT OF REVAMP IT, RECEIVING THE INFORMATION AS REQUESTED. THERE'S REALLY NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR ME TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH GIVING THE, UH, $800,000 FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF WHEN WE HAD GIVEN THEM 750 FOR A THREE YEAR PERIOD. UH, GIVEN HISD SCENARIO OF UNKNOWNS AND, AND ALL, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY BROTHER'S KEEPER IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND THE, UH, SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING INSTITUTE'S A GREAT NONPROFIT OUTTA CALIFORNIA. BUT I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT REVAMPING AND DEFINING OUTCOMES AND EXPECTATIONS. UM, SO THAT'S MY, MY, UH, CONCERN. WELL, THE CONCERN WOULD BE THAT THEIR CONTRACT EXPIRES APRIL 21ST. IF YOU, IF YOU SEND IT TO COMMITTEE, IT MAY NOT BE BACKED BY THEN, OR IF YOU TAGGED IT, WE COULD CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT, I'M ADVISED. BUT, UH, CERTAINLY YOUR CALL, IF, IF WE SEND IT TO COMMITTEE, COULD WE THEN, UH, REQUEST A AGENDA ITEM TO, TO, UH, EXTEND THE APRIL 21ST DEADLINE AND, AND GIVE IT ANOTHER, SAY, 30 DAYS. THEY HAVE THE FUNDING TO, TO CARRY THROUGH, THROUGH THE, THROUGH THAT PERIOD. POLLARD TAG. VERY WELL HOLLER TAGS AND WE'LL WORK OUT HOW TO, WE'LL WORK OUT GETTING IT TO COMMITTEE MOTION. WE'LL, WE'LL, UH, WE'LL GET IT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE FOR, FOR VETTING. I THINK YOU HAVE, YOU WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER AND, AND HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY. ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. I, I THINK IT'S A, A VIABLE, I THINK AT THE ONSET IT'S A VIABLE PROGRAM GIVEN THE CHANGES WITHIN HISD VERY WELL. SO YOU CAN'T TELL POLLARD TAGS. NEXT ITEM 17 IS AN ORDINANCE. THIS NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED MOTION PANELS. ITEM 18 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED TO VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER CANON COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, THIS ITEM, I JUST WANT TO, UH, SPOTLIGHT BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE AS IT RELATES TO, UH, THE NEW RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, RMS SYSTEM FOR HPD. UH, THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS THE NEW RMS SYSTEM ALONG WITH CAD WAS A PRIORITY ITEM. UH, WHEN I WAS SERVING AS CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY. I KNOW IT CONTINUES TO BE, UH, A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM FOR, UH, THIS CITY AND IN PARTICULAR HPD. AS WE TRANSITION THE SYSTEMS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONTRACT IS YET AGAIN BEING EXTENDED. I HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS AS TO MAYOR THE TIMELINE, BECAUSE WE DESPERATELY NEED THIS SYSTEM INTEGRATED. IT DOES TAKE TIME. UH, BUT WITHOUT THE NEW RMS SYSTEM, WE CANNOT BRING, UH, THE OPERATIONS OF HPD UP TO WHERE IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE, UH, TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICES. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN, BUT WE HAVE TO BE INVESTING IN THE TECHNOLOGIES [03:15:01] THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS. UH, SO I DO, JUST FOR TRANSPARENCY PURPOSES, WANNA EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS ANOTHER EXTENSION, UH, AS THE SYSTEM CONTINUES WITH THAT INTEGRATION PROCESS. BUT I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT THE RMS SYSTEM IS TO, UH, THE OPERATIONS OF HPD. OPPOSED? VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 20 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED TO VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 21 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. COUNCIL MEMBER CAMAN. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. YEAH, VERY BRIEFLY, MAYOR. I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, UH, MYSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN HAD BEEN WORKING ON A, ALONG WITH OTHERS RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION. UM, I DO SEE DR. STOUT IN THE AUDIENCE, SO I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HIM, THE WORK HE IS DOING, UH, WITH OUR PARTNERS. THE CONSOLIDATION OF, UM, OUR EVIDENCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST AND A, A STEP OF PROCESSES THAT WILL GET US THERE. AND, UH, MY QUESTION, I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, I DON'T WANNA STEAL YOUR THUNDER, BUT YOU HAD REQUESTED THAT THIS ALSO GO TO A COMMITTEE SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND HOW THE CONSOLIDATION PROCESS IS GOING TO WORK. UH, AND I JUST WANTED TO VERIFY THAT. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER, SHE'S YIELDING TO, SHE'S YIELDING TO ALCORN. COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN. YEAH. NO, I, I, I DID. I MEAN, THIS IS GREAT AND I'M READY TO PASS IT TODAY. I DON'T, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO GO TO COMMITTEE, BUT, BUT IT'S JUST, IT'S, IT'S A GREAT, I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE STARTING THIS. UM, DR. STOUT, WE'VE ALL BEEN, WE'VE BEEN, UH, ON THIS JOURNEY ALSO TRYING TO DO MORE MAYOR, UM, WITH THE COUNTY ON, WITH EVIDENCE. UM, THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DEFINITELY MERGE. UH, SOME TOGETHER. CA WE'VE TALKED ABOUT CASH AND DRUGS AND GUNS AND BASICALLY THEY'RE REALLY IMPROPER STORAGE OVER AT TRAVIS. UM, DANGEROUS STORAGE OVER AT TRAVIS. I'M GLAD WE'RE ADDRESSING SOME OF THAT WITH THIS, BUT, UM, I'M FINE WITH, WITH PASSING IT TODAY NOW. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER, COUNCILOR AND PLUMMER. THANK YOU. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THIS. AND HI, DR. OUT. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING ONE OTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION I THINK WOULD, I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON IS, UM, JUST THE CONSISTENCY IN TERMS OF DATA SPECIMEN COLLECTION. UM, OFTENTIMES IT'S DONE AT THE SCENE AND THERE REALLY ISN'T A STANDARDIZED WAY OF DOING IT. AND SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE DO HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE, UM, WE'RE FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON AND WE'RE, YOU KNOW, UM, INCARCERATING THE PERSON THAT'S, THAT'S DONE THE CRIME. SO, UM, I WOULD LOVE TO PUT THAT OUT THERE AND SEE IF WE CAN, YOU KNOW, DO THAT AS WELL. AND THAT'S IN TERMS OF JUST EFFECTIVE TRAINING TO OUR HPD OFFICERS, UM, JUST TO, YOU KNOW, IN A SPECIAL WAY OF COLLECTING THE INFORMATION IN A STANDARDIZED WAY. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. RAMIREZ? YES. UH, COUNCILOR RAMIREZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. YES. UM, THE ONLY ITEM BEFORE THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME IS 21, WHICH REALLY JUST, UH, MAKES SOME DEFINITIONAL CHANGES AND LAYS THE LEGAL GROUNDWORK FOR THE MORE IMPORTANT, UH, CHANGES THAT ARE TO COME. AND SO I HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION THIS MORNING WITH, UH, DIRECTOR STOUT AND AILA MANZ, UH, COUNSEL FOR THE FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER. AND, UH, THIS IS SORT OF JUST CROSSING THE T'S AND DOTTING THE I'S, UH, LEGALLY SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE OTHER, UH, ITEMS THAT ARE TO COME. BUT THIS IS JUST, UH, UH, SOME, UH, SOME DEFINITIONAL CHANGES. VERY GOOD. JUST NEED TO VOTE. DR. STOUT. OH, WE ALREADY VOTED. MM-HMM . WE ALREADY VOTED. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EMPHASIZE YOU NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. YOU KNOW, CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS A SYSTEM AND ANY COMPONENT OF IT NOT WORKING WELL AFFECTS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. AND YOU AND I HAVE MET MANY TIMES ABOUT HOW UNDERSTAFFED YOU ARE, UH, OVERWORKED. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST APPEAL TO MY COLLEAGUES WHEN WE DO THE BUDGET AND WE GO FORWARD WHEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCES. IT CERTAINLY INCLUDES YOUR SECTION BECAUSE I DO KNOW THAT THERE'S A BACKLOG OF WHETHER IT'S BALLISTIC TESTS OR RAPE KITS OR ALL THE ABOVE. UH, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT YOU NEED HELP. AND, UH, I WILL EVEN YIELD TO YOU AT THIS MOMENT TO EMPHASIZE THAT POINT THAT I, I KNOW PART OF IT IS GETTING THE QUALIFIED RECRUITMENT, UH, PERSONNEL, BUT, UH, GIVE US, GIVE US A TWO MINUTE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU AND, [03:20:01] AND WHAT IT MEANS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. OH, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY HERE. APPRECIATE SEEING Y'ALL. UM, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT AROUND THE PROPERTY STUFF, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE STEPS IN THIS PROPERTY. AND EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, NOT JUST THE LABORATORIES. IT AFFECTS THE EFFICIENCY OF OFFICERS, IT AFFECTS THE EFFICIENCY OF THE COURTS. AND AS COUNCILMAN PLUMMER WAS POINTING OUT, THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE STANDARDIZED WAYS OF COLLECTING EVIDENCE FOR THE 87 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY WHEN IT ALL ENDS UP IN THE SAME COURTS WITH THE SAME PROSECUTORS, IS A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US. UM, AS FAR AS RESOURCES, YES. YOU AND I HAVE TALKED FOR MANY YEARS NOW ABOUT HOW THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE I GOT HERE. YEAH. EVEN BEFORE YOU GOT HERE. UM, YOU AND I HAVE SAT LIKE THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES, HAVEN'T WE? YOU THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM FOR CRIME LABORATORIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. UM, BY THE OLDER I GET, THE LESS DELICATE I'M GETTING ABOUT IT. BASICALLY, CRIME LABORATORIES ARE MISSING A ZERO OFF OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED. WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST FUNDED CRIME LABORATORIES IN THE COUNTRY. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT AND I GET Y'ALL HAVE, I DON'T ENVY YOU ANY OF THE DECISIONS Y'ALL HAVE TO MAKE. UH, BUT I DO APPRECIATE MY BOARD PASSED A BUDGET THAT WILL HELP US START TO MAKE PROGRESS. AND I WILL EMPHASIZE IN THAT WHILE WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THOSE BACKLOGS RIGHT NOW, IT TAKES US TIME TO BUILD CAPACITY. I WISH WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO GET TO A POINT, WE COULD DO THAT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, BUT IT JUST WASN'T IN THE CARDS. SO WHAT WE INVEST IN NOW WILL HELP US HEAD OFF CHALLENGES OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS. UM, BUT I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL SUPPORTS YOU'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE US. VERY GOOD. I THINK WE STILL SHOULD EXPLORE COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY. I UNDERSTAND THE DISTINCTNESS OF THE BODIES, AND I CAN REMEMBER WHEN YOUR FORENSICS WAS TAKEN OUTTA HPT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE EVIDENCE AND THE ARMS LINKED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INVESTIGATORS AND, AND PROSECUTORS. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO STILL BE LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES. MM-HMM . MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY, BUT THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU MARIN. UM, YOU KNOW, DR. ST I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT, AND MAYOR, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT EVERYBODY HAVING TO COME TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION, WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER BRINGS UP THE FACT THAT DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS TEST THINGS DIFFERENTLY, RIGHT? THE STANDARDIZATION ACROSS THE BOARD, UM, AGAIN, THAT ALLOWS THE EVEN THE DA'S OFFICE TO MOVE FORWARD MORE EFFICIENTLY. UM, I, I DO WANNA COMMEND COUNCIL, NOT ONLY, UH, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE INCREASE THAT WE SAW IN THE FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER, BUT COUNCIL LAST YEAR ALSO PASSED A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT I HAD PUT FORWARD FOR AN ADDITIONAL, NEARLY $5 MILLION TO SUPPLEMENT. UM, AND TRY TO NOT MEET THE FULL GAP THAT'S THERE, BUT TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS. MAYOR, AS YOU TALK ABOUT, WE PUT IN MONEY, WHO ELSE IS PUTTING IN MONEY AND WHO ELSE NEEDS TO BE COMING TO THE TABLE? SO I DO BELIEVE AS A CITY, WE'RE PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS. WE ARE DOING THE WORK THAT IS NEEDED FOR CONSOLIDATION, FOR FUNDING. UM, BUT WE CERTAINLY NEED MORE PARTNERS AT THE TABLE. AND I HOPE, UH, FOLKS EARS PERK UP AT THE FACT THAT WE ARE CALLING ON OUR PARTNERS AND OUR FRIENDS TO, UH, STEP UP AND HELP WITH FUNDING THIS. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. DR. BANKS. THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR? WE ALREADY VOTED. VOTED. SORRY. OH, I GOT WORKED UP. SORRY. ITEM 28 ISN'T ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 30 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED TO VOTE. POLLER TAG POLLER. TAGS 30. NEXT ITEM [MATTERS HELD] 37, MAYOR PRO. MAYOR PROTE, CAST SIX. TATUM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO, UH, REFER THIS ITEM BACK TO THE ADMINISTRATION. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. WE ADD DEAR 38, I AMAM SECRETARY. 38. THANK YOU. ITEM 38 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 39 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. CASTILLO. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE TO DELAY THIS ITEM FOR ONE WEEK. CAYMAN [03:25:01] SECOND. YEAH, HE TOLD US ABOUT IT IN THE HALL BACK THERE. ALL IT'S DELAY. ONE WEEK. ALL IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. [SUPPLEMENTAL POSTING] NUMBER 40. HOLD ON. GIVE US ONE SECOND. ITEM 40 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED TO VOTE. DO YOU WANNA COGNIZE? UM, CASTILLO COUNCIL. MAYOR CASTILLO. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL MOVE TO REFER THIS ITEM TO THE PROPOSITION A COMMITTEE. SECOND. VERY GOOD. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR DISCUSSION. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? COUNCILOR POLLARD, REGARDING THIS MOTION? UM, I DON'T, AND I DON'T AGREE WITH THE NOTION THAT COUNCIL BROUGHT ITEMS ARE REQUIRED OR HAVE TO GO TO A COMMITTEE. WHEN THE VOTERS CAME TO THE BALLOT BOX LAST NOVEMBER, THEY DID NOT VOTE FOR OUR ITEMS TO AUTOMATICALLY HAVE TO BE REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OR TO EVENTUALLY DIE, OR WHATEVER'S GONNA HAPPEN IN THESE COMMITTEES. THEY VOTED TO ENSURE THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD THE ABILITY TO BRING ITEMS THAT WE COULD DISCUSS AS A BODY HERE IN CHAMBERS AND THEN GO FORWARD. NOW, IF THE ITEMS THAT ARE BROUGHT FORWARD ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY COUNCIL, THEN YOU CAN VOTE IT DOWN, YOU CAN DELAY IT, YOU CAN TAG IT. THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, LIKE EVERY OTHER AGENDA ITEM THAT COMES TO US. BUT TO SEND THEM TO A COMMITTEE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AUTHORS DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO A COMMITTEE. MM-HMM . I THINK IS GOING AGAINST THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CITY AS A BUSINESS. WE ARE A $6 BILLION SERVICES CORPORATION. LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIND REVENUE. OKAY? WE HAVE ALL THESE FISCAL BIG TICKET ITEMS IN FRONT OF US. THIS WAS ONE WAY THAT A FEW OF US CAME TOGETHER AND THOUGHT IT WAS CREATIVE TO EXTEND THE TIME FOR PARKING METERS SO THAT WE COULD BRING MORE REVENUE INTO THE CITY. I MEAN, THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS RAISE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES. SO WE CAME WITH THIS IDEA, AND THERE'LL PROBABLY BE MORE REVENUE GENERATORS THAT WE COME UP WITH, BUT THIS WAS JUST A SMALL IDEA THAT PEOPLE WOULD MAKE A SACRIFICE. NO ONE WANTS TO PAY ADDITIONAL FEES OR COSTS, BUT THIS WAS A WAY PEOPLE COULD MAKE A SACRIFICE FROM 6:00 PM TO 2:00 AM THE SAME SACRIFICE THAT THE PEOPLE MAKE FROM 7:00 AM TO 6:00 PM TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN MORE MONEY FOR THE CITY, RESTAURANTS, GROCERY STORES, BALL GAMES, CONCERTS, ALL THOSE TICKETS HAVE GONE UP. THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP. THOSE SAME COSTS ARE THEN PUT ON US TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN USE PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR SERVICES THAT WE GIVE TO THE PUBLIC. I HEARD TESTIMONY YESTERDAY FROM THE, THE, THE, UH, THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY, UH, THAT THIS COULD BE A BURDEN, THE HOUSTON BALLET, THAT THIS COULD BE A BURDEN. THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY, I THINK THEIR AVERAGE TICKET IS A HUNDRED DOLLARS ONLINE. IT SAYS THE AVERAGE TICKET FOR THE BALLET IS $60. THEY EVEN TESTIFIED THAT PEOPLE PAY FOR PARKING IN THE PARKING DECK FOR $15 FOR THE EVENTS. SO EVERYONE ELSE IS CHARGING AND GOING UP ON COSTS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT THE CITY TO DO. SO. THE DISHWASHERS DURING THE DAY, THE COOKS, THE WAITRESSES THAT ARE ALL IN THESE RESTAURANTS DURING THE DAY, THEY'RE PAYING FOR PARKING, BUT THE BARTENDER DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR PARKING IN THE EVENING. EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE A SMALL SACRIFICE. AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SAME ARGUMENTS YOU CAN MAKE FOR PAID PARKING DURING THE DAY, YOU COULD MAKE THOSE SAME ARGUMENTS FOR WHY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THE PAID PARKING DURING THE DAY AS YOU DO FOR WHY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE THE PAID PARKING IN THE EVENINGS. SO I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS MOTION. I DON'T AGREE THAT WE SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY SEND ITEMS TO A COMMITTEE, WHICH WE REALLY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS OF THAT IS AT THE MOMENT. AND IF WE DO WANT TO GET MORE ENGAGEMENT, WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR THAT THROUGH A TAG OR THROUGH A MOTION TO DELAY. LIKE WE'VE SEEN DONE TODAY. WE GET THESE ITEMS ON FRIDAYS AND WE'RE BACK IN HERE ON WEDNESDAY. IT'S LESS THAN A WEEK VOTING ON 'EM, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. NO ONE'S PUSHING THOSE TO A COMMITTEE. RIGHT? AND IT WAS IRONIC THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE A ITEM, MAYBE GO TO A COMMITTEE, AND I TAG THAT. SO I JUST WANT US TO REALLY BE CONSCIENTIOUS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, UNDERSTAND WHAT THE VOTERS PUT FORWARD FOR US TO DO, AND FOR US TO FOLLOW THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, TO BE ABLE [03:30:01] TO DISCUSS ITEMS HERE AS A COUNCIL BODY, NOT TO GO TO A COMMITTEE WHERE THE CHRONICLE REPORTED THAT COULD BE JUST MORE BUREAUCRATIC PILE UP. AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT WE WANT IT TO BE A WAY IN WHICH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BRING, BE ABLE TO BRING ITEMS JUST LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO VOTE ON THEM. YOU CAN VOTE UP, DOWN OR DELAY, BUT TO SEND TO A COMMITTEE, I THINK IS GOING AGAINST THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU JUST MADE THE BEST ARGUMENT I CAN THINK OF FOR HAVING A HEARING TO ALLOW THE PROS AND CONS TO BE DEBATED. YOU KNOW, A TAG DOES NOT BRING US TOGETHER, DOES NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO TESTIFY. SO SOMEONE THAT'S WORKED WITH A COMMITTEE SYSTEM THAT REALLY MEANT SOMETHING FOR 50 YEARS, I THINK A HEARING WOULD BE GOOD. WE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTERS. BUT I THINK THE VOTERS EXPECT US TO BE INFORMED AND TRANSPARENT AND INCLUDE THE PUBLIC, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, SO THE PROPOSITION ALLOWS US TO PLACE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT THOSE ITEMS ARE PRIVILEGED OR THAT THEY CANNOT BE TAGGED, OR THAT THEY CANNOT BE DELAYED, OR THEY CANNOT BE REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE. SO THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IS BEING HONORED. THAT WAS DONE WHEN THE ITEM WAS ALLOWED TO GET PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE AGENDA. UM, I THINK THAT THE ITEM IS A IDEA THAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER EXPLORED. AND WE HEARD SPEAKERS YESTERDAY COME AND TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY WERE NOT ENGAGED ON THIS DIRECTLY IMPACTED STAKEHOLDERS. UM, A COMMITTEE IS A GREAT PLACE TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS FOR US TO COLLABORATE AND TO FLESH THIS OUT INTO SOMETHING THAT COULD BE GOOD FOR THE CITY. THERE'S NO AUTOMATIC REQUIREMENT THAT EVERYTHING BROUGHT TO COUNCIL VIA PROP A WILL GO TO A COMMITTEE, UH, AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE EXAMPLES AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WE BRING ITEMS TO COUNCIL AND THEY GET PASSED OR THEY GET VOTED DOWN DIRECTLY. BUT THIS CLEARLY NEEDS MORE WORK. AND SO PUTTING IT INTO THE COMMITTEE, ALLOWING US TO WORK ON IT MORE, BRINGING SOMETHING BACK TO THE BODY THAT IS THOUGHT OUT AND CAN BE A BENEFIT TO THE CITY AS A WHOLE. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT. AND I DON'T SEE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS TODAY BEING IGNORED. COUNCIL. YOU MAKE A VERY PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT. AND I WOULD THINK AFTER TODAY TO PREVENT THESE DISCUSSIONS FROM BEING REPEATED, WE NEED TO DISCUSS RULE WHERE ANY MEMBER IN GOOD FAITH, ASKING FOR MORE TIME AND GOING THROUGH A HEARING PROCESS, OUGHT TO BE HONORED. IT'S JUST, IT JUST WORKS. IF YOU RESPECT SOMEONE'S WISHES AND THEY'RE DOING IT, AND YOU SEE THEY'RE NOT MESSING WITH THE SYSTEM, BUT THEY WANT MORE INFORMATION, THEY WANT CITIZENS TO COME TESTIFY FOR AND AGAINST. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULDN'T LET A COLLEAGUE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AFTER YOU'VE COMPLIED WITH THE VOTER'S, UM, INTENT. SO I THINK WE OUGHT TO VISIT A CONSISTENT RULE OF HOW WE HONOR EACH OTHER AND ALLOW A HEARING TO TAKE PLACE. COUNCILMAN DAVIS? THANK YOU, MAYOR. I, I WANT TO, UH, IDENTIFY TO CONSTABLE POLLARD THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY CORRECT THAT THE, THE VOTERS OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID VOTE TO GIVE THE COUNCIL THE PRIVILEGE OF THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADD SOMETHING TO THE AGENDA. UH, AND I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT, BUT MY CONCERN ON IS THE DETAILS TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM BECAUSE I SEE WHERE THE ITEM AS YOU PRESENTED IT WAS AWAY AN ORDER, ORDER FOR THE CITY TO RECOVER REVENUE BASED UPON THE BUDGET CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE. BUT MY CONCERN IS THE DETAILS TO IT. BECAUSE IF YOU ADD THE HOURS, AND THIS IS WHAT I THINK THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD DEFINITELY ADDRESS. IF YOU HAD THE HOURS, WOULD ALSO WOULD MEAN YOU'D HAVE TO ADD EMPLOYEES. YOU'D HAVE TO ADD MORE PEOPLE BECAUSE IF YOU'RE MOVING FROM 7:00 AM TO 6:00 PM IN THE EVENING, AND THEN YOU GOTTA GO TO 2:00 AM IN THE MORNING, SOMEONE HAS TO BE OUT THERE TO MONITOR OR, AND OR THE RIGHT CITATION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO VIOLATED. SO NOW MY CONCERN IS ARE WE REALLY SAVING ANYTHING OR ARE WE ADDING A NEW EXPENSE TO THE FACT OF MONITORING METERS? SO NOT OBJECTING TO THE IDEA, BUT I'M, I THINK, BUT YOUR INTENT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, AND YOU COULD CORRECT ME, IS THE FACT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO RECEIVE REVENUE IN ORDER FOR THE CITY TO, YOU KNOW, HELP WITH ITS BUDGET CHALLENGES. AND I CERTAINLY [03:35:01] COMMEND THAT EFFORT. I REALLY DO. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT US TO PUT OURSELF IN A POSITION THAT WE ARE ADDING ANOTHER COST SIGNS GOT TO BE PUT UP. THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER ADDITIONAL DETAILS THAT HAS TO BE DONE WITH THIS. AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT SAVINGS IS COMING FROM, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT TOTAL COST IS COMING FROM. SO THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN. SO I WOULD THINK IT NEEDS TO HAVE DISCUSSION AMONG THE COUNCIL, UH, IN ORDER FOR IT TO, TO GO FORWARD. COUNCIL MEMBER CA YOU KNOW, YOU, IF I COULD INTERJECT MYSELF AS I WAS SUGGESTING AND UNDERSTANDING A RULE THAT ANY ONE MEMBER COULD ASK FOR A HEARING, WE MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER ANY NEW TAX OR REVENUE SOURCE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO HAVE A HEARING JUST AS A SAFEGUARD AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST. WELL AT END OF THAT POINT TOO, BECAUSE MAYOR, WE HEARD FROM, WE HEARD FROM BUSINESS PEOPLE SURE. WE HEARD FROM EVERY CITIZEN, AND WE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO WORK. NO, YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE HAVING A, WE'RE HAVING ABOUT TO HAVE A COMMITTEE HEARING IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW. TALKING TO PROS AND CONS. THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF HAVING, AND IN FACT, I'LL REMIND EVERYONE THE, THE DISCUSSION IS WHETHER TO GO TO COMMITTEE OR NOT, NOT THE MERITS OR LACK OF, OF THIS PROPOSITION. COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I DO WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD FOR HIS, UH, LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING FORWARD IDEAS TO GENERATE REVENUE AS WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO FACE. SIMILAR TO WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ, I BELIEVE PECK AND HUFFMAN, DID I GET THAT RIGHT? UH, PUSHED FORWARD ON WATER BILL CHANGES THAT WERE THEN INCORPORATED. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD BE SEEING IS NEW IDEAS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE. UH, MAYOR, I WANTED TO CLARIFY, OR AT LEAST TAKE A STEP BACK, UM, BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING NOT JUST A DISCUSSION SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT ABOUT PROPOSITION A AS A WHOLE AND COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER, I REALLY TOOK TO HEART WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE INTENT OF THIS AS A TWO-WAY TRACK. THE OPTION TO BRING IT TO COUNCIL AND THE OPTION TO BRING IT TO COMMITTEE MAYOR. AND MY UNDERSTANDING, I CERTAINLY DON'T WANNA PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, IS A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO RESPECT THE WILL OF PROPOSITION A THROUGH COMMITTEE, UM, UNDER CHAIR HUFFMAN, UH, WHENEVER POSSIBLE. I DO BRING UP THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THERE MUST MAY BE SOMETHING TIME SENSITIVE THAT WE DO NEED TO BRING TO COUNCIL THAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY GET REFERRED BACK TO, UH, COMMITTEE OR A VERY SIMPLE AND BASIC CHANGE SO THAT IT DOES NOT GET MIRED IN THE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH DEPARTMENTS, ET CETERA. SO I WANNA BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ANY ABSOLUTES THAT WE ARE SAYING TODAY, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A CASE BY CASE BASIS. UH, I ALSO WANTED TO ASK CHAIR HUFFMAN, UH, LAST WEEK, MAYOR, WHEN I BROUGHT UP, UM, MY CONCERNS RELATED TO IF SOMETHING IS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE, UM, STANDARDIZED TIMELINES FOR A DEPARTMENT TO GET BACK IN RESPONSE TO, UM, THE PROPOSAL THAT IT BE BROUGHT UP IN A TIMELY FASHION AND THEN BE ALLOWED, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD AT COMMITTEE CHAIR. HUFFMAN, WOULD YOU MIND, I'LL, I'M, I YIELD TO YOU TO EXPLAIN WHAT, UH, YOU MAY BE WORKING ON AS A COMMITTEE SO THAT WE HAVE THOSE SPECIFIC PARAMETERS IN PLACE. UH, AND THEN I, I REQUEST MY TIME BACK. THANK YOU. YES. I MEAN, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING ON PARAMETERS AND DIFFERENT GUIDELINES. OF COURSE, WHEN SOMETHING GOES TO COMMITTEE, WE WANT ENOUGH TIME FOR DEPARTMENTS TO BE PREPARED TO HAVE INFORMATION OR IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT WE CAN GIVE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY AHEAD OF TIME SO THEY CAN COME TO COMMITTEE PREPARED FOR SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS. I KNOW THINGS WILL COME UP IN COMMITTEE AS THEY GO ALONG, BUT WE'RE WORKING ON THAT AND IT SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING VERY SOON. WONDERFUL. AND MAYOR, IF I, UH, MAY JUST ASK OF YOU, UH, AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED, IF I HAVE DISCUSSED, AS I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR STAFF, AS OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MENTIONED, THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE OPTION OPEN ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BRING THINGS DIRECTLY TO THE HORSESHOE AS NEEDED. THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS THAT NEED FURTHER VETTING THAT MAY NOT BE ON, UH, A CRITICAL TIMELINE THAT NEEDS TO BE PASSED, ET CETERA. BUT I DO WANNA ENSURE THAT THE INITIAL TOOL THAT THE VOTERS GRANTED COUNSEL IS PRESERVED SO THAT WE CAN BRING SOMETHING FORWARD AS NEEDED TO THIS HORSESHOE CAN PROCESS. AND I THINK THAT, UH, COUNCILMAN HUFFMAN'S GONNA GET INPUT FROM [03:40:01] ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE REFLECTIVE OF, OF THE INTENT. THERE'S PROBABLY IDEAS THAT WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED YET. I THINK QUITE FRANKLY, AT SOME POINT WE OUGHT TO HAVE A REAL MEANINGFUL COMMITTEE SYSTEM WHERE HEAR PROS AND CONS TAKE AMENDMENTS AND, UH, IMPROVE THE PRODUCT. I UNDERSTAND, UH, MAY I'D LIKE TO ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY ONE QUESTION THEN. CITY ATTORNEY. UM, BASED ON THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF, AND THE LANGUAGE OF PROPOSITION A, IS IT STILL, UH, PERMISSIBLE FOR A COUNCIL MEMBER TO BRING SOMETHING FORWARD TO COUNCIL DIRECTLY TO SET ON THE AGENDA AND HAVE IT BROUGHT FORWARD AS A VOTE, NOT AN AUTOMATIC REFERRAL TO A COMMITTEE? UM, AT THE STAGE WHEN IT COMES BEFORE COUNCIL, WHAT THE PROPOSITION LANGUAGE SAYS IS IT MUST BE CONSIDERED. THAT'S A PRETTY BROAD RANGE OF, OF, UM, OF THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN. I MEAN, I BELIEVE IT WOULD, IT COULD BE VOTED UP DOWN, IT COULD BE REFERRED BACK. IT COULD, THERE COULD BE A, A, A MOTION TO REFER TO COMMITTEE. I THINK THAT ALL IS WITHIN THE REALM OF THE WORD CONSIDERED, SO IT DOES NOT PRECLUDE A VOTE. YES. THANK YOU. EVAN CHABA, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD AND OTHERS THAT HAVE, UH, BROUGHT THINGS TO THE AGENDA. WHAT I WANT TO SAY AS A CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, I DON'T WANT THE COMMITTEE TO BE ALLOWED TO CHERRY PICK WHAT ISSUES SHOULD GO BEFORE THE BODY, NOR SHOULD WE BE GATEKEEPERS. I THINK THE COMMITTEE NEEDS TO DEFINE A PROCESS OF HOW THIS IS DONE, WHICH OF COURSE SHOULD INCLUDE LEGAL COUNSEL. BUT IN TERMS OF JUST SAYING, WELL, WE WANT TO HAVE THE ITEM ITSELF UP FOR DISCUSSION, I THINK THAT'S WHAT COUNCIL IS FOR. YOU BRING THOSE ITEMS, THE MERITS OF MOVING FORWARD, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. THOSE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED CERTAINLY IN COUNCIL. BUT THE ABILITY AND THE PROCESS TO BRING AN ITEM AS PER GIVEN TO US BY THE VOTERS, SHOULD BE PASSED ON TO THE COUNCIL ITSELF WITH THE PROCESS DEFINED AND WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. SO THAT IS MY POSITION ON IT. I DO NOT WANNA BE PUT IN THE POSITION OF BEING A GATEKEEPER TO DETERMINE WHAT AND WHAT SHOULD NOT GO TO THE BODY. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE MY POSITION CLEAR ON THAT. THANK YOU, UH, COUNCILOR RAMIREZ. WELL, WHAT A GREAT DISCUSSION THIS HAS BEEN. I PARTICULARLY TO WANNA, UH, COMMEND THE REMARKS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. I, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID. UM, SOME HAVE SAID THAT, UH, THIS PROP A COMMITTEE IS IN VIOLATION OF THE INTENT OF THE VOTERS. I, I DISAGREE. I THINK THE PROP A COMMITTEE IS IN FULFILLMENT OF THE INTENT OF THE VOTERS EVEN. SO, WE, WE DO NOT HAVE A BROAD POLICY THAT ALL PROP A ITEMS NEED TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE. AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD ADOPT THAT, THAT POLICY. I THINK EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, WHEN THEY, UH, PRESENT A PROP, A ITEM SHOULD HAVE THE, THE ABILITY TO TAKE IT FIRST TO THE PROP A COMMITTEE, SO THAT, OR SOME OTHER COMMITTEE FOR THAT MATTER, SO THAT, UM, THESE ISSUES CAN BE VETTED SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN COME FORWARD AND OFFER COMMENTS THE WAY THAT THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE ABOUT THIS, UH, PARKING METER, OUR EXTENSION PROVISION. AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO COMMEND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD, UH, FOR TRYING TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO, UM, UH, ALLEVIATE OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO SEND A LIST OF, UM, POTENTIAL REVENUE GENERATING IDEAS. AND, AND I THOUGHT THERE WERE SOME GOOD IDEAS THERE THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. BUT MY THOUGHT IS THAT IF WE, IF WE WORK THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, UM, STRUCTURE, THEN WE WILL CONSIDER, CONSIDER REVENUE GENERATING, UH, ITEMS IN A BROADER FRAMEWORK RATHER THAN JUST ON A PIECEMEAL AD HOC, UH, BASIS. AND SO, MAYOR, I, I AGREE WITH YOUR THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS EVERY REVENUE GENERATING ITEM SHOULD GO THROUGH A COMMITTEE OF SOME KIND. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. SO THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS. POLLARD. COUNCILMAN POLLARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, JUST WANTED TO, UM, GIVE MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS A, UH, RESPONSE. UM, IT WOULD NOT BE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES NECESSARY, UH, TO CARRY OUT THE INTENT OF THIS, UH, ORDINANCE. UH, THEY ALREADY HAVE FOUR SHIFTS WITHIN PARK HOUSTON THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO, UM, DO THE ENFORCEMENT, UH, FOR THIS ITEM. UH, WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT 30 TO $40,000 MAYBE JUST TO CHANGE OUT THE SIGNAGE. AND THAT'S JUST MANPOWER. [03:45:01] MANY OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE COULD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. UM, OUR OFFICE REALLY DID NOT GET MUCH RESPONSE FROM ANYONE AROUND THIS TABLE OR FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ITEM. UH, WE SPENT TIME MYSELF PERSONALLY AND MY OFFICE ON TRYING TO REACH OUT ON THESE ITEMS TO SPEAK ABOUT, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PARKING METERS TODAY. LAST WEEK WE SENT AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE FOR SPEED BUMPS TO A COMMITTEE. SO, UM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS OF US BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS THINGS IN A TRADITIONAL FASHION. UH, JUST LIKE THE ITEMS THAT COME UP EVERY WEEK THAT WE DISCUSS HERE, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO VOTE YES, NO TAG DELAY ON, UH, THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE THE SAME WAY. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR NEED CLARIFICATION, YOU HAVE A MECHANISM TO GET THOSE ANSWERS WITHOUT SENDING IT TO A COMMITTEE. I HAVE DOZENS OF IDEAS. SO DO I BRING ALL THOSE IDEAS AND HAVE TO GO TO A COMMITTEE? AND NOW WE ALL ARE SITTING AT COMMITTEES ALL WEEK DISCUSSING THESE IDEAS. 'CAUSE ALL WE NEED IS ONE PERSON PLUS TWO TO BRING IT FORWARD. AND NOW THEY'RE, NOW, THESE ITEMS AREN'T JUST BEING DISCUSSED HERE, BUT NOW WE'RE SPENDING OUR TIME THAT THIS COMMITTEE, WE'RE GONNA TURN CITY HALL INTO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, RIGHT? AND WE KNOW ALL OF THIS FUNCTION THAT HAPPENS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. SO I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD NOT, AS A COUNCIL BODY WANT TO KEEP THINGS HERE AT THE TABLE TO WHERE WE CAN DISCUSS THEM, UH, IN A TRADITIONAL MANNER. SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ALL ARE SAYING. I'M, I'M, I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH YOU ALL, AND I'M NOT HERE TO, UH, YOU KNOW, UM, BE ANTI, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT, UM, THE VOTERS INTENDED FOR US AS COUNCIL TO HAVE THIS SAME ABILITY AS THE ADMINISTRATION. AND AS WE DO NOT PUSH THE ADMINISTRATION'S ITEMS TO COMMITTEES, WE SHOULD NOT PUSH OUR OWN ITEMS TO COMMITTEE UNLESS THE AUTHORS WANT THEM TO GO THERE. AND THE AUTHORS OF THIS PARTICULAR ITEM DO NOT WANT THEM TO GO THERE. THANK YOU. IF I THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST FOR JUST TWO CLARIFICATION POINT. WELL, ONE CLARIFICATION POINT. WE'RE NOT MAKING THE DECISION RIGHT NOW THAT EVERY ITEM THAT GOES ON THE AGENDA IS GOING TO BE, NO, MA'AM. THIS IS, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I I SAY THAT OUT LOUD. AND THEN THE SECOND ITEM IS, WE ALSO WANNA BE CAREFUL INUNDATING OUR COMMITTEES. SO MY, MY RECOMMENDATION, UM, ON THE ITEMS, I DO THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN TERMS OF, UM, ITEMS THAT ARE BRINGING REVENUE STREAMS TO THE, TO THE, TO THE CITY, MAYBE WE CREATE SOME LEVEL OF AD HOC COMMITTEE TO WHERE WE'RE NOT INUNDATING ALL THE OTHER ONES. SO ANYTHING THAT'S GENERATING MONEY CAN MAYBE GO TO AN AD HOC COMMITTEE AS NECESSARY. I DON'T KNOW, I'M JUST PUTTING AN IDEA OUT THERE. OBVIOUSLY THE, THE BODY SHOULD DECIDE, BUT I DON'T THINK, I THINK THAT'S GONNA REALLY INUNDATE COMMITTEES IN TERMS OF HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE TO GO. I MEAN, IF COUNCILOR POLLARD HAS 10 IDEAS AND WE HAVE TO HEAR ALL OF THOSE IN MULTIPLE COMMITTEES ON TOP OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OTHER COMMITTEES, UM, I THINK IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE. SO JUST, JUST OPEN TO THE DISCUSSION TO THINK OF A DIFFERENT WAY OF BRINGING REVENUE, SPECIFICALLY REVENUE GENERATING CONCEPTS. WELL, I THINK WE NEED TO IN A DIFFERENT WAY. I THINK WE NEED TO CERTAINLY BUILD A CONSENSUS AND, AND SEE WHAT THIS BODY WANTS TO DO. AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN ASSIGNMENT FOR COUNCILMAN HUFFMAN'S PROP A COMMITTEE, UH, MEMBERS, IF I'VE TRIED TO DO ANYTHING IN THIS FIRST A HUNDRED DAYS AS BEING INCLUSIVE, UH, I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF A BODY MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE INCLUDED OR NOT TO BE INCLUDED. AND MY GOAL, AND, AND THEN ACTUALLY THIS DISCUSSION PROP A I'M TOLD CAME ABOUT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE COUNCIL MEMBER, IF I'D HAVE BEEN HERE, THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD IDEA, BRING IT. IT'LL GET ON THE AGENDA. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PETITION PROCESS LAST WEEK'S SPEED HUMPS THAT, THAT'S A REAL GOOD EXAMPLE. JUST COME FORWARD AND MAKE YOUR REASONABLE PROPOSAL. AND IT GETS ON THERE. IN TERMS OF HONOR AND TRADITION, TRADITION WENT OUT WITH PROP A WHEN THE VOTERS VOTED. WE DEPARTED FROM THE TRADITION OF A STRONG HANDED MAYOR. SO I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M LOOKING FOR INCLUSION TRANSPARENCY. AND LET ME CLOSE BY SAYING, COUNCILMAN POLLARD, WHAT IS MISSING IN THIS PROCESS WAS, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING YOUR COLLEAGUES IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS. BUT WE HAD THE PUBLIC HERE YESTERDAY SAID THAT THEY HAD BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS. SO [03:50:01] IF NOTHING ELSE, WE'RE EMPHASIZING TO THE PUBLIC, WE WANT THEM IN THE PROCESS. THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, THE STAKEHOLDERS KNOWLEDGE THAT WE DON'T HAVE. AND, UH, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES HAVE TO BE AVOIDED. AND I THINK QUITE FRANKLY, THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN A COMMITTEE. COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILMAN DAVIS AND I, I, I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH, YOU WANT TO SAY YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE WORKS. UH, IT'S A DELIBERATIVE BODY. THEY HAVE A COMMITTEE SYSTEM THAT WORKS. YOU CAN OFFER AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE BILLS PASS. SO IT'S A PRETTY OPEN PROCESS, UM, THAT QUITE FRANKLY HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN THIS BODY. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN POLLARD FOR THE CLARIFICATION, UH, IN REGARDS TO THE, TO THE, UH, SHIFTS. AND YOU SAID THEY'RE ALREADY PRESENT FOUR SHIFTS, IS THAT CORRECT? I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE OF THAT. SO IN OTHER WORDS, SO YOU'RE SAYING BY RAISING THE HOURS IS NOT GOING TO ADD ANY OTHER SHIFTS. OKAY. SO THEN MY QUESTION WOULD BE, AND THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, IS THAT I'M TRYING TO DETERMINE THAT'S GOING TO ADD A COST. AND YOU IN, YOU INDICATED 30 TO $40,000 IN REFERENCE TO WHAT? THAT WAS JUST FOR THE CHANGE OF THE SIGNAGE, THE CH FOR THE SIGNAGE? YES. OKAY. ALRIGHT. THE MANPOWER FOR THE SIGNAGE, IT, AND THIS IS QUESTIONS THAT WE COULD HAVE ANSWERED OVER THE, OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST WEEK, BUT THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL COST FOR PERSONNEL. OKAY. WELL NOW IN REGARDS TO IT COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK. I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER, MY CONCERNS IS THAT EVEN THE QUESTION OF US DISCUSSING IT, WOULD IT STILL WOULD'VE BEEN REMISS OF THE PUBLIC GIVEN THEIR OPINIONS? I, AND I'M WITH THAT WE COULD HAVE, MANY OF US COULD HAVE HAD QUESTIONS THAT COULD HAVE REFERRED BACK TO YOUR OFFICE, BUT THEN THE PUBLIC WAS OUT OF IT. FROM WHERE, FROM WHERE I SIT, YOU KNOW, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS IT. AS I SAID, BUSINESSES, UH, ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS, UH, EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED DOWNTOWN THAT CAME BEFORE US JUST ON YESTERDAY. I MEAN, WE HAVE FOUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS YESTERDAY. WE HAVE 25 TO TALK ABOUT TREES. THOSE FOUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS, TWO OF THEM WERE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF ENTITIES. UM, I I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. YEAH. THE PUBLIC IS ALWAYS GONNA BE A PART OF THE PROCESS BECAUSE THE PUBLIC HAS PUBLIC SESSION. THEY ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CALL US, EMAIL US. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS AND I DID A, UH, NEWS SEGMENT ON EVERY LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL LAST WEEK, THE WEEK BEFORE THE PUBLIC WAS AWARE. AND, UH, EVEN IF THEY WANT TO HAVE MORE ENGAGEMENT, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT BY DELAYING THE ITEM AND TALKING TO THEM JUST LIKE WE DO EVERY OTHER ITEM. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER PECK. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT AND THERE ARE CERTAINLY ITEMS THAT PROBABLY DO NOT NEED TO GO TO COMMITTEE, BUT WHEN WE DO HAVE SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ITEM THAT'S BEFORE US, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT QUORUM ISSUES AND WHO WE'RE ALLOWED TO ASK. AND IF IT'S VIOLATING THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT WHEN WE HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS. AND SO THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES HEARING IT IN COMMITTEE FOR ME, I WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE RATHER THAN VIOLATING ANY QUORUM ISSUES. AND SO IF WE COULD GET ANSWERS ON THAT, UM, WHETHER AT THE PROPOSITION A COMMITTEE OR AT THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, UM, ABOUT THOSE QUORUM ISSUES WHEN WE DO HAVE QUESTIONS, WHEN IT'S, UM, A CHARTER AMENDMENT INITIATED ITEM COMING BEFORE US. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO. MAYOR PROTE, CAST TATUM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE SUPPORT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT AND THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT FORTH THAT AMENDMENT GOT THE, THE VOTES FOR, UM, THIS SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN WITH THE STRONG MAYOR, FORMER GOVERNMENT, UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER, YOU HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT. UM, YOU'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT, THAT YOU PLAN TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT, BUT I THINK THE INTENT OF THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT WAS WHEN THERE IS NOT, UM, INCLUSIVITY OR WHEN WE NEED THOSE CHECKS AND BALANCES. AND I WANT TO CAUTION COUNSEL NOT TO DILUTE THAT OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE MAYOR WHITMEYER. IT MAY NOT BE A MAYOR WHO IS WANTING TO BE INCLUSIVE. AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE NEED TO PUT OURSELVES IN A BOX AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE INTENT [03:55:01] OF THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS THE CHECKS AND BALANCES FOR THE STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT. UM, IT DOES NOT HURT FOR US TO SEND ITEMS TO COMMITTEE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAINTAIN THE INTENT OF THAT PROPOSITION. AND EVERYONE THAT WAS HERE KNOWS FOR A FACT THAT THE INTENT OF THAT PROPOSITION WAS FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES IN THE STRONG MAYOR, FORMER GOVERNMENT. AND WE, I I HATE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PARKING METERS BECAUSE THE PARKING METERS, WHILE THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BRING IN MORE REVENUE, UM, THERE CAN POTENTIALLY BE SOME VERY SERIOUS ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO UTILIZE THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT. AND I DON'T WANT US TO TAKE THE ISSUE OF PARKING METERS AND MIX THAT UP WITH SOMETHING THAT MAY BE A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE WHERE WE NEED THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OF A STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT, WHETHER THAT'S IN THIS ADMINISTRATION OR EVEN WHEN WE'RE ALL GONE AND IT'S THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION AND SOMEBODY ELSE IS SITTING IN THE MAYOR'S SEAT. AND SO, WHILE THIS IS NEW FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T TAKE TWO STEPS BACKWARDS FROM WHAT THE PEOPLE INTENDED WHEN PROPOSITION WAS BROUGHT FORTH AS A CHARTER AMENDMENT. VERY WELL SAID. AND WISDOM IS A VALUABLE THING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ROLL CALL REQUEST MOTIONS. REFER THIS ITEM TO A COMMITTEE PROP. A COMMITTEE. MAYOR WHITMEYER. YES. COUNCILMAN PECK? YES. COUNCILMAN JACKSON? YES. COUNCILMAN CAMAN? YES. COUNCILOR EVAN AZZ? NO. COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER? YES. COUNCILOR THOMAS? NO. COUNCILMAN HUFFMAN? YES. COUNCILOR CASTILE? YES. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ? YES. CONSTABLE POLLARD? NO. CONSTABLE CASTEX TATUM? NO. COUNCIL RAMIREZ. YES. CONSTABLE DAVIS? YES. CONSTABLE CARTER? YES. CONSTABLE PLUMMER? YES. CONSTABLE ALCORN. YES. 13 4 13 4. HMM. 13. FOUR 13. AYE. FOUR NAYS. MOTION PASSES. NEXT. THAT COMPLETES THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. THAT'S IT. PAPA. [NON CONSENT - MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS] PAPA. WE'VE HAD A PRETTY GOOD ONE ALREADY. MEMBERS, . COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO, UH, DON'T HAVE A LOT TO SAY REGARDED PAPA, BUT I DO WANT TO, UH, SAY THAT I, I REALLY ENJOYED THE TOUR THAT WE HAD AT THE IAH, UH, ON LAST WEEK. I THINK IT WAS VERY, UH, UH, INFORMATIONAL AND IT GAVE US A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT THE CITY'S GONNA LOOK LIKE GOING FORWARD IN REGARDS TO HOUSTON BEING A FIRST CLASS CITY. UH, I THINK, UM, THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE SPENDING IS WELL SPENT, AND I THINK IT'S GONNA REALLY PUT THE CITY HOUSTON A LIGHT. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND OTHERS WHO TOOK US ON THE TOUR. AND IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HELPFUL. I ENJOYED IT. AND, UH, THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT MAKES HOUSTON THE FIRST CLASS CITY THAT WE ARE. THAT BEING SAID, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. SECOND CHAIR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, FIRST OF ALL, WANTED TO WELCOME MARK MITCHELL BACK ONTO THE DISTRICT E TEAM. UH, MARK HAD WORKED FOR DISTRICT E FOR DAVE MARTIN HAD, UH, LEFT A COUPLE YEARS AGO. WENT TO BAY A, UH, AND HAS NOW COME BACK AS MY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF. UH, I SPENT, AND ALONG WITH MY STAFF QUITE A BIT OF TIME OUT AT FREEWAY MANOR HERE, UH, THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR, FREEWAY MANOR IS A SUBDIVISION, UH, BETWEEN 45 AND OLD GALVESTON ROAD OFF EDGEBROOK. AND THEY WERE HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH SOME SQUATTERS. UH, THEY TOOK US ON A TOUR ONE DAY AND WE GOT TO ONE OF THE HOMES AND THEY OPENED UP THE DOOR OF THE BUS AND YOU COULD IMMEDIATELY SMELL THE GARBAGE. IT JUST ABSOLUTELY REEKED. UH, THEY HAD HAD RAW CHICKEN OUT THERE FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG. THE FLIES WERE EVERYWHERE. IN FACT, THERE WAS, UH, TWO POLICE CARS THERE WHEN WE HAPPENED TO PULL UP. UH, THE HOME HAD BEEN GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION FROM THE POLICE OFFICERS, UH, HAD A HOA MEETING THE NEXT DAY. UH, CHIEF NER WAS THERE, CHIEF SAT SATTERWHITE WAS THERE. UH, CONSTABLE JERRY GARCIA, A COUPLE OF THE COMMANDERS, UH, A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY. AND THEY WERE [04:00:01] VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH THE SQUATTERS. AND THIS SITUATION WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT WITH THE SQUATTERS BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOMES WERE DECEASED AND THEY'D HAD HOMELESS OR VAGRANT, WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL 'EM, MOVE IN. AND THE POLICE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SAY THAT THE PEOPLE STAYING THERE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE. UH, LUCKILY, UH, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DELGADO WAS ABLE TO ACTUALLY TRACK DOWN A DAUGHTER, UH, THAT, UH, IS STILL ALIVE, AND SHE IS NOW GIVEN THE POLICE THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE THESE PEOPLE. AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT. SO IT'S A BIG WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY. UH, BUT ALSO WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS, IN LOOKING AT THIS, IT APPEARS THERE IS NO SET PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, ELDERLY EXEMPTIONS, UH, DISABLED EXEMPTIONS, AND EVEN TAX DEFERRALS FROM A RESIDENCE. WHEN THE LAST PROPERTY OWNER HAS DIED, UH, HAS GOT ON THE PHONE WITH MIKE SULLIVAN. AND, UH, MIKE, UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, MIKE WAS FORMERLY A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, WAS THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, AND IS NOW ON HCAS BOARD. AND HE SAID, ESSENTIALLY, THERE, THERE IS NO AUTOMATED PROCESS TO DO THAT. NOW, THE ONLY REASON WE KNEW ABOUT THESE THREE HOMES WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE PROBLEMS. I'M SURE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER HOMES IN THAT COMMUNITY AND A TON OF HOMES ALL OVER THE CITY THAT THERE IS NO ONE LIVING THERE THAT IS ENTITLED TO THESE EXEMPTIONS. AND WITH THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION GOING UP TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS NOW, THERE IS A TON OF MONEY OUT THERE THAT IS LEGALLY OWED, THAT IS NOT BEING COLLECTED. AND WE'VE GOTTA FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE LAST PARTY IN A HOME THAT HAS A HOMESTEAD IS DECEASED, THAT THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION GETS REMOVED SO THAT THE TAXES ARE APPROPRIATE TO WHAT THEY SHOULD BE. AND I THINK THIS WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING US SOLVE SOME OF OUR PROBLEMS FOR, FOR REVENUE. VERY GOOD. NEXT, UH, COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AND, AND THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT ISSUE, COUNCIL MEMBER. UH, FIRST AND FOREMOST, MAYOR, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE, UH, YOU WERE IN FRIEDMAN'S TOWN ON FRIDAY MEETING WITH A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS. UM, AND I HOPE BEING BROUGHT UP TO SPEED ON A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS THAT HAD BEEN TAKING PLACE, UM, AS WE WORKED TOWARDS, UH, HOW TO RESPECTFULLY PRESERVE THE BRICK STREETS WHILE ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE, UM, IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS BEEN, UH, OVERLOOKED FOR FAR TOO LONG. I DID WANT WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE IS, I BELIEVE IT'S THE FINAL PUBLIC MEETING RELATED TO THIS EFFORT. UM, IT'S A FREEDMANS TOWN COMMUNITY MEETING ON APRIL 23RD FROM SIX TO 8:00 PM AT ROSE OF SHARON. UH, AND AGAIN, I WANNA THANK THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS, UH, OUR CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, UH, AND THE FREEDMANS TOWN CONSERVANCY. UH, THIS HAS BEEN A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT, A LOT OF COMMUNITY INPUT. SO MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING OUT THERE AND, UH, JOINING, JOINING THIS CRITICAL EFFORT. UH, SO REALLY HOPE ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS TURN OUT FOR THAT. AND THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE ON THE DESIGN CONCEPT REPORT FOR WILSON STREET AND ANDREW STREET. UH, I WANTED TO ALSO THANK, UH, MY STAFF AND GARDEN OAKS MONTESSORI. UH, WE STARTED UP AGAIN, OUR SAFE STORAGE INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HPD AND BE SMART. WE GAVE OUT OVER 50 GUN SAFES AND GUN LOCKS TO RESIDENTS, SPECIFICALLY PARENTS, UM, AS WE TALK ABOUT SAFE STORAGE, MAKING SURE THAT FIREARMS ARE STORED SAFELY SO THAT THEY CAN'T FALL INTO THE WRONG HANDS, UH, WITH UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. SO, UH, IF ANY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING US OUT, UH, AGAIN, WE ARE, UH, STARTING THOSE EFFORTS BACK UP AGAIN FOR THIS TERM. AND FINALLY, COLLEAGUES, I WANTED TO INVITE EACH OF YOU, UM, I'M PARTNERING WITH THE LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEXT WEDNESDAY AFTER COUNCIL FROM 1130 TO 1:00 PM YOU, YOUR STAFFS MAYOR. YOU AND YOUR STAFFS ARE ALL INVITED TO THE LEGACY ROOM AS PART OF THE SHOW. YOUR PRIDE, UH, CAMPAIGN. IT'S A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU GET TO SHARE WHAT PRIDE MEANS TO YOU. UH, BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND AS STAFF OF THE CITY TO SHOW, UM, THAT WE ARE WITH OUR LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY AS WE GO INTO PRIDE [04:05:01] MONTH. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. SO AGAIN, FROM 1130 TO ONE 30 NEXT WEDNESDAY AFTER COUNCIL IN THE LEGACY ROOM, PLEASE COME BY TO GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. I'LL SEE YOU IN THE LEGACY ROOM NEXT WEDNESDAY. AND THANK YOU FOR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE BRICK PROJECT. IT WILL GET DONE. AND, UH, IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING SEEING PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, SO YESTERDAY I HAD A MEETING WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND, UM, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. AND DURING THIS CONVERSATION I LEARNED THAT OF COURSE, THE TURS IS SUPPOSED TO SET ASIDE, UM, MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO THAT THE CITY CAN USE. UM, BUT THE TURS ARE NOT. THEY'RE THIS POT OF MONEY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO SET FOR THE CITY. THEY'RE USING IT FOR OTHER THINGS, AND IT'S NOT GOING TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING. UM, FROM MY CONVERSATION, UM, WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THEY'RE USING IT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, UM, AND OTHER PROJECTS. UM, MIDTOWN TURS, WE KNOW YEARS AGO WAS BUYING PROPERTIES IN THIRD WARD. NOW THEY'RE BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IN THIRD WARD, THEY WAS USING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOLLARS. AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR ADMINISTRATION TO DO, JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT, UM, BECAUSE THESE DOLLARS ARE SET ASIDE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WE NEED TO USE THESE DOLLARS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THEY SHOULDN'T BE USING IT TO FIX SIDEWALKS OR, YOU KNOW, DOING OTHER PROJECTS. IT SHOULD, IT'S THE CITY'S MONEY AND WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE CITY. SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOUR ADMINISTRATION CAN CHECK THAT OUT AND WE CAN USE IT FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. UM, YOU KNOW, I MEAN THE, THE, THE POT OF MONEY FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IS SCARCE. AND SO USING THESE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOLLARS CAN HELP FOLKS GET INTO, UM, MUCH NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SO THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION. THANK YOU. YES, THE NEW DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IS LOOKING INTO THAT AND CERTAINLY GWEN TILLISON'S ASSISTANT TO, UM, HOLD THE TURS AND MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ACCOUNTABLE ON THAT REGARD. SO THANK YOU COUNCILOR HUFFMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I KNOW WE'RE, WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE SHORT TERM RENTALS AND, UH, NOT THAT IT'S JUST A SHORT TERM RENTAL PROBLEM, BUT THERE'S ALSO CRIME PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THINGS LIKE THAT. I'D LIKE TO SEE, UH, I'D LIKE TO COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN, AND MAYBE THIS WILL BE THROUGH THE QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE OR THROUGH THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE CAN DO TO NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE SHORT TERM RENTALS, BUT, UM, THE BAD ACTORS, THE CLUBS IN THE AREA. I KNOW DISTRICT J HAS, UH, A PROBLEM AND IT, THEY BORDER G, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, WREAKING HAVOC ON OUR NEIGHBORS, UM, YOU KNOW, MY RESIDENTS. AND SO, UM, I'M JUST EXCITED TO, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. I TOTALLY AGREE. IN FACT, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCO AND I WERE TALKING THIS MORNING, WHAT ACTION PLAN WE COULD HAVE TO HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK, ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS FROM HEALTH TO PUBLIC SAFETY TO PUBLIC WORKS, JUST IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION WE HEARD ABOUT YESTERDAY, JUST MAKE IT SO UNACCEPTABLE AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THE, UH, THE USERS OF THESE FACILITIES. I THINK WE NEED TO DUST OFF PREVIOUS PROPOSALS DEALING WITH SHORT TERM RENTAL. IT IS A VIABLE INDUSTRY OF HAVE DONE PROPERLY, BUT THE CRIME ISSUE AND THE ABUSES ARE PROBABLY SEPARATE AND APART FROM JUST THE WORKABILITY OF SHORT TERM RENTALS. BUT, UH, I'M CONTACTING CHIEF FINNER AND I THINK WE NEED TO PUT A WORKING GROUP TOGETHER. WE, A COUPLE OF US EVEN SUGGESTED WE JUST GO OUT TO THAT SITE AND START EXPOSING IT FOR WHAT IT IS. SO, UH, COUNCILMAN POLLARD'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WORKING, UH, THE, AND BEING SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS AND THAT, WE NEED TO TAKE THAT MODEL TO POTOMAC AND ACROSS THE CITY AND JUST MAKE IT A ZERO TOLERANCE SITUATION. THE CHALLENGE IS, OF COURSE, THAT THE PRACTICE IS JUST RUN INTO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS. UM, SOME OF THE SAME PLAYERS, THEY'RE JUST GONNA RELOCATE. SO THAT BECOMES A ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUE. UH, CHARGING FOLKS, FINDING THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY AND EXPOSING THEM MAYBE THROUGH THE MEDIA OR CERTAINLY RIGHT HERE AT THIS, WITH THIS BODY. COUNCILMAN AL CORN WILL KEEP OUR THINKING HATS ON. IF, IF WE CAN ESTABLISH USING LEGAL CHANNELS THAT, AND WE PROPERLY IDENTIFY SOMEONE AND THEIR REPEAT OFFENDERS, MAYBE WE DO OUR OWN BOARD OF ACTORS AND, AND DISPLAY WHO'S CREATING THIS HAVOC ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. I DON'T KNOW. WE JUST GOTTA BE CREATIVE [04:10:02] AND, AND NOT, AND, AND PUT EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE. LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, USING OUR PUBLIC FORUM TO EXPOSE THESE PEOPLE. SO LET'S JUST CONTINUE THIS DIALOGUE. UM, IT'S BEEN AROUND A WHILE, BUT IT APPEARS GETTING WORSE AND WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO POP OFF. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND WITH REGARD TO THE SHORT TERM RENTALS ISSUE, OR I SHOULD SAY ISSUES BECAUSE THAT'S A VERY, UH, COMPLEX, UM, AREA OF DISCUSSION, I LOOK FORWARD TO DIGGING DEEPER INTO THAT, PERHAPS IN THE COMMITTEE SETTING. I DO WANNA NOTE THAT MY BELIEF IS THAT MOST OF THE OWNERS OF SHORT TERM RENTALS DO NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL. MANY OF THEM ARE JUST SINGLE HOMES IN, IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, AND, UH, TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE GOOD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, BUT AS IN EVERY, UH, AREA, YOU HAVE BAD ACTORS THAT RUIN IT FOR THREATEN TO RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE. AND SO, VERY COMPLEX ISSUE. I LOOK FORWARD TO DIG DIGGING DEEPER INTO THAT. I WANNA SAY, AS AN AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M REALLY ENJOYING GETTING TO VISIT, UH, THE VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THIS WEEK I WAS AT THE HOUSTON HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION MEETING AND GOT A VERY WARM RECEPTION THERE. I'M, I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE MEMBERS WHO WELCOMED ME IN. I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO AN ACTIVITY THEY'VE GOT COMING UP THIS WEEKEND. THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY, UM, SPRING HOME AND GARDEN TOUR WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EACH DAY FROM 12:00 PM TO 6:00 PM FOR A TICKET PRICE OF $35, YOU GET TO TOUR SIX HISTORIC, UH, BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN THE HEIGHTS AREA. SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, THAT'S PROBABLY A, A GREAT ACTIVITY. LAST WEEK I WAS AT THE FONTAINE PLACE IN SCENIC WOODS CIVIC CLUB IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON, DISTRICT B AND, UM, WAS, UH, GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THEM. UM, I KNOW A COUPLE OF, A FEW OF THEIR RESIDENTS HAVE SPOKEN OUT ABOUT A MARIJUANA DISPENSARY, SO WE ARE ABLE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THEM. I ENJOYED THAT DISCUSSION. AND THAT GROUP IS PLANNING FIRST ANNUAL TENNIS FAIR AND FUN DAY IN THE PARK. THAT WILL BE ON MAY THE FOURTH. UM, WE'LL START WITH, UH, A BIKE RIDE AT A 8:00 AM AND INCLUDE TENNIS, UH, BEGINNING AT, UH, 10:00 AM YOU CAN HOBNOB WITH ZENA GARRISON. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS. THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR BLEACHERS FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO SIT AND ENJOY THE TENNIS MATCHES. SO ENJOY MY, UH, OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT VARIOUS CLUBS AROUND THE CITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. THANK YOU. UH, MAYOR. UM, ON TUESDAY, APRIL 16TH, WE'LL HAVE OUR FIRST HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING WHERE WE WILL REVIEW A SERIES OF ITEMS RELATED TO HAWA, ESG AND SOME OTHER AMENDMENTS. UM, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE TO THE DISTRICT THAT WE'RE HOSTING OUR SECOND ANNUAL DEED RESTRICTION WORKSHOP ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH AT 10:00 AM AT TRACY G. OUR PARTNERS ARE RETURNING FROM FROST BANK, RICE AND RIGHTS ATTORNEYS, THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR, AND OTHERS. WE DO HAVE A REGISTRATION LINK, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT REQUIRED. WE'LL BE TALKING ALL THINGS CIVILITY, ORDINANCE, PROHIBITED YARD PARKING ORDINANCE IN SHORT TERM RENTALS. UM, THIS WAS A HIGHLIGHT, UM, IN LAST YEAR'S PROGRAMMING. AND I WANT ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR CIVIC CLUBS AND HOA MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE. UM, WE HOPE TO OFFER YOU SOME RE RESOLUTION WHERE YOU CAN HAVE LANGUAGE TO TAKE BACK TO YOUR HOA AND HOMEOWNERS SO YOU CAN UPDATE YOUR CO YOUR COVENANTS AND PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS, UM, BASED ON YOUR, BASED ON YOUR VALUES AND PRIORITY. ALSO, UH, COMING TO THE WEST SIDE, TO THE WEST, ALL BIKE RIDERS ON THE WEST SIDE. WE WANNA INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON SATURDAY, MAY 4TH, 2024. WE'RE MEETING AT ARTHUR STORY PARK RIGHT THERE OFF OF BELTWAY EIGHT. WE ARE HAVING A 10 MILE BIKE RIDE. PLEASE BRING YOUR PRAYERS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ON A BIKE IN QUITE SOME TIME. UM, BUT THIS IS A, UH, A RIDE THAT HAS BEEN PEOPLE POWERED AND DESIGNED WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MIND AS WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE COMPLETED, UM, UH, TRAILS THROUGH THE BAYOU PARKWAYS WITH PARK HOUSTON BOARD. THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CONNECTIVITY ON THE WEST SIDE. WANNA INVITE YOU, UH, TO JOIN US. MORE TO COME, BUT SAVE THE DATE BECAUSE IT'S GOING DOWN ON THE WEST SIDE. UM, ALSO THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS IN TERMS OF, UH, COUNCIL DISTRICT SERVICE FUND PROJECTS THAT ARE APPROVED AND FUNDED THAT ARE COMING TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. SPEED CUSHIONS ARE COMING TO WEST PARK VILLAGE AT $19,000. BRAISED FOREST AT $19,000. ASHFORD POINT AT [04:15:01] $67,000. WEST HOLLOW AT $60,000 IN PARK RIDGE AT $24,900. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR YOUR NOTICE TO PROCEED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THEN ALSO TO HIGHLIGHT TWO LARGE SIGNIFICANT CONCRETE REPLACEMENT PANEL PROJECTS COMING TO DISTRICT F BEL AIR WEST. THE NOTICE TO PROCEED FOR CONSTRUCTION HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. THIS IS A 120 DAY PROJECT FROM MARCH 25TH TO JULY 23RD. UM, ALL CONSIDERING WEATHER CONDITIONS. ALSO THOSE THAT LIVE NEAR WEST BELFORT AND SA UH, SOUTH DAIRY ASHFORD, WE HAVE A CONCRETE REPLACEMENT PROJECT THAT IS INITIATED, THAT'S A 24, UH, WEEK PROJECT. UM, PLEASE BE ON THE STANDBY AND GIVE US GRACE THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS HAPPENING ON THE WEST SIDE, BUT WITH CONSTRUCTION COMES IMPROVEMENTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AROUND THAT, WE'LL MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE THE PROJECT MANAGERS CONTACT INFORMATION. BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS EMAIL DISTRICT F@HOUSTONTX.GOV FOR ADDITIONAL, UM, ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. LASTLY, I JUST WANNA ENCOURAGE, UH, THOSE THAT ARE COMING OUT OF SCHOOL AND YOU NEED A SUMMER JOB THAT THE HOUSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT IS HIRING FOR LIFEGUARDS. THEY'RE HIRING FOR OTHER, UM, OPPORTUNITIES REGARDING SOME THE SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN. THERE'S AN INCENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE AS A, AS A LIFEGUARD. AS YOU KNOW, IN DISTRICT F WE HAVE ONE CITY, ONE CITY POOL, THE AT THE NEW ALE, EXCUSE ME, AT THE NEW ALE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER. PLEASE SIGN UP AS A LIFEGUARD, RECEIVE THE INCENTIVE OF $500 SO WE CAN MAKE SURE OUR CITY RESOURCES ARE OPEN. AND THEN LASTLY, UM, SIGN UP FOR THE SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FROM JUNE 10TH TO AUGUST 16TH. WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR YOUNG BABIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES. LAST YEAR WE HAD A WAIT LIST. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN USE OUR CITY RESOURCES. VISIT THE HOUSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT, OR YOU CAN CONTACT OUR OFFICE. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. MAYOR PRO TEAM CA TATUM, THANK YOU. QUESTION FOR COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. I KNOW THAT, UH, SUSIE RICE IS COMING FOR YOUR, UM, SHE'S ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE PROPERTY CODE. IF WE HAVE SOME, UH, RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT K, OPEN, OPEN, ALL THAT WE WANT TO ATTEND. YEAH, SUSIE RICE IS PHENOMENAL. SO OPEN TO ALL. YES, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU MA'AM. UH, COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN DISTRICT K. WANT TO, UH, THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL DAY EVENTS AND DISTRICT K THIS PAST SATURDAY WE HAD SOME GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE SOUTH HOUSTON CONCERNED CITIZENS COALITION, WESTBURY CIVIC CLUB. WE HAD VOLUNTEERS FROM BEL AIR HIGH SCHOOL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON NEW FAITH CHURCH, FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE CENTER POINT ENERGY, AND THE HOUSTON CLEAN CITY COMMISSION. MEMBERS ALSO WERE OUT THERE HELPING US ON OUR KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL DAY. UM, SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR DISTRICT K HOT TEAM WHO WENT BY AND PICKED UP ALL OF THE BAGS AND THE, UH, TREE DEBRIS THAT WE LEFT OUT THERE. UH, AND WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONTINUE TO, UM, THESE CLEANUP EFFORTS SO WE CAN KEEP OUR CITY AND DISTRICT A BEAUTIFUL. ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE ARE DOING A, UH, CROSSWALK SAFE, UH, EVENT IN DISTRICT A. WE, UM, YOU KNOW, GOT THAT PAINT WE HAD ALL BEEN WAITING ON. UH, SO WE ARE, UH, GETTING OUR CROSSWALKS, UM, REPAINTED AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE CLEARLY STRIPED. UM, SO IF YOU SEE A CROSSWALK AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN YOUR AREA NEAR THE SCHOOLS AND IT NEEDS RES STRIPING, REPORT THAT TO 3 1 1. AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO SEND THAT INFORMATION TO MELVIN HOPKINS IN OUR OFFICE AND WE CAN FOLLOW UP ON THAT. WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE, UH, CROSSWALKS ARE, ARE CLEARLY MARKED. AGAIN, WE WANNA CELEBRATE THE DISTRICT K GATEWAY PROJECT RECEIVED, UM, NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES AND THEY, UM, WILL CELEBRATE, UH, THAT AWARD AND THEY WON, UH, THE INNOVATIVE IN DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD. SO, VERY EXCITED TO CELEBRATE WITH THE HI CLARK REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, TURS 25 AND FIVE CORNERS ON THIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. HOT OFF THE PRESS, OUR NEWSLETTER CAME OUT TODAY. IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING IT, UM, YOU CAN EMAIL OUR OFFICE OR CALL US. WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS UP TO DATE ON THE PROJECTS AND EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY. GET CONNECTED WITH DISTRICT A, UH, BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE IT A GREAT DAY. PERFECT. UH, LAST MAYOR PROTE PECK. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, LAST MONTH, THE COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH, THE CAD AT THE HOUSTON EMERGENCY CENTER WENT DOWN. UM, IT WAS DURING A PLANNED ELECTRICAL UPGRADE, BUT I THINK IT WENT DOWN LONGER THAN ANYONE ANTICIPATED, AND THEY WERE RELYING ON MANUAL INFORMATION GOING OUT FOR MANY HOURS. AND SO, MAYOR, I'M HOPING WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE THAT WE CAN REALLY WORK ON THESE CAD ISSUES. THE UPGRADES [04:20:01] THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN AND I HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR, FOR MANY YEARS, UM, BUT ALSO, UM, NOT JUST THE UPGRADES, BUT ALSO BETTER CONTINGENCIES IN THE SYSTEM. UM, THEY JUST CAN'T KEEP RELYING ON MANUAL INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY DURING A HURRICANE. AND SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY, I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ENOUGH IMPROVEMENTS, NOT ONLY WITH THE CAD, BUT ALSO WITH THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY 9 1 1 EMERGENCY NETWORK. SO THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE MORE OFFICERS AND MORE FIREFIGHTERS, WHICH ARE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED, BUT WE'RE MISSING A KEY COMPONENT IF WE CAN'T GET THE INFORMATION TO THEM. SO WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES. AND THEN, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US THIS SATURDAY AT THE THIRD ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BRANCH. IT'S A FUN HFD VERSUS HPD SOFTBALL GAME. UM, BUT WE'RE HOPING EVERYONE WILL COME OUT TO MEET THEIR POLICE OFFICERS, THEIR FIREFIGHTERS. UM, CHIEF PENA AND CHIEF FINNER WILL BOTH BE THERE, AND THERE'LL BE FOOD ACTIVITIES AND CONCESSIONS AS A FUNDRAISER FOR SPRING SPIRIT, WHICH IS A GREAT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN DISTRICT A. UM, IT'S THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH AT 10:30 AM AT SPRING SPIRIT 8 5 2 6 PITNER. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AND, UH, MAYOR, WANTED TO DEFINITELY MAKE SURE I REACH OUT TO YOU ABOUT, UM, SEIU, WHO'S ABOUT TO START HAVING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, UH, AT THE GRBI ATTENDED THEIR CONVENTION KICKOFF THIS PAST SATURDAY. IT WAS, IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR ASKS, UH, WHICH IS $15 AN HOUR. UM, THEY'RE ALSO WANTING TO SEE IF, IF THEY WANTED TO BE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AS WELL, AND OF COURSE, BENEFITS. SO, UM, AS, AS THOSE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE, I'D LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU IN YOUR, IN YOUR, UH, OFFICE TO, TO SEE HOW WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE OF, OF THE JANITORS IN, IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT THIS SATURDAY, UH, UH, IN COLLABORATION WITH COUNCILOR CASTILLO AND COUNCILOR RAMIREZ WERE, UH, HOSTING A, UM, A THROUGH THE HISPANIC RESEARCH CENTER, A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FORUM, UH, WHERE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND BUFFALO BAY PARTNERSHIP WILL BE ATTENDING. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME OUT, UM, SHARE SOME OF THEIR INPUTS, UH, TO ALSO, OF COURSE, JUST GET INFORMATION. I THINK IT'S, UH, NEEDED INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN, UH, BEEN ASKED FOR, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, UH, OVER A YEAR. AND SO, UH, PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR THAT. IT'LL BE AT 10:00 AM AND THE ADDRESS IS 58 0 7, UH, NAVIGATION. UM, ALSO, I JUST WANNA CONGRATULATE, UH, THOSE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOUR OF THE HOUSTON, WHETHER YOU DID THE 20, THE 40, OR THE 60. UH, THIS PAST, UH, SUNDAY, I DID THE, THE 40. NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY I'LL DO THE 60. SO I INVITE OTHER, UH, COLLEAGUES TO PARTICIPATE AS WELL. UM, AND THEN JUST FINALLY, JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO KIPP WHO'S CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVING FAMILIES AND, UH, CHILDREN. VERY GOOD. COUNCILOR POLLARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, MAYOR, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVITATION, UH, TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WITH THE OFFER TO SUBMIT IDEAS TO YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION ON WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN, UH, WORK WITH YOU. INSTEAD OF ALWAYS HAVING TO BRING ITEMS OURSELVES, WE COULD WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO SO. I SENT YOU AN EMAIL, UM, THAT LAID OUT ABOUT FIVE IDEAS THAT I HAVE THAT I'M WILLING TO, UH, WORK WITH YOU OR ANYONE ON YOUR ADMINISTRATION ON THOSE. SO, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU. IF YOU DO CONSIDER ANY OF THOSE IDEAS SOMETHING THAT YOU BELIEVE IS VIABLE, UM, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH, UH, YOUR ADMINISTRATION TAKING THE LEAD, IF, IF IT EXPEDITES A WAY IN WHICH THESE IDEAS CAN COME BEFORE COUNCIL AND, AND GET A VOTE. UM, ALSO, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS AND I SENT OVER A LETTER A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WAS A FOLLOW-UP LETTER, UH, REGARDING THE, UH, PROPOSED FIREFIGHTER AGREEMENT. STILL WAITING TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM YOUR OFFICE ON THAT. IT'S BEEN, I THINK, OVER TWO WEEKS. UM, AND SO LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU ALL ON THAT AS WELL. SO, UM, THE THINGS THAT I BRING FORWARD, UM, DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, LED BY ME. AND SO I DO WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION, AND THESE IDEAS THAT I HAVE CAN FLOW THROUGH YOUR ADMINISTRATION. AND I APPRECIATE THE OFFER FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION, UH, TO BRING THEM TO YOU. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THOSE FIREFIGHTER QUESTIONS ARE IN LEGAL, AND CERTAINLY THEY'RE GONNA GET YOUR RESPONSES QUICK AS THE COURT WILL ALLOW, UH, YOUR ITEMS, UH, SUGGESTIONS OR PROPOSALS. I'VE LOOKED OVER 'EM. I WANT TO GET WITH YOU AND SEE HOW MANY OF 'EM YOU FILED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND WHAT BECAME OF, SO I COULD LEARN FROM YOU FROM, UH, THE HISTORY OF THOSE PROPOSALS AND HOW MUCH SUPPORT, OR DID THEY HAVE A HEARING OR, OR A VETTING. SO WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. UH, IT'S AMAZING WHAT [04:25:01] WE CAN GET DONE IF WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHO GETS CREDIT FOR IT. BUT, UM, NO, I, I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND, AND, UH, I, I WANT TO RESEARCH THOSE ISSUES AND GET YOU TO LET ME KNOW AT WHAT POINT YOU INTRODUCED 'EM AND, AND WENT PUBLIC WITH 'EM AND WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE YOU GOT. GREAT OPPORTUNITY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, THANK YOU ON, ON THE TASK FORCE OR KIND OF THE, THE WAY WE GO HIT SOME OF THESE BARS AND PLACES THAT ARE CAUSING A LOT OF TROUBLE. I, I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA AND SIGN ME UP ON WHOEVER I NEED TO WORK WITH TO, OR, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GONNA DIRECT THAT OR CHEAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN NEED A FIRE MARSHAL, A HEALTH OFFICIAL POLICE, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY ELSE WE CAN, WE CAN, WE, WE KNOW THEY, THEY'RE, MOST OF THE BUSINESSES IN THIS TOWN ARE DOING GREAT. WE CAN NAME THEM ON OUR HANDS, WHICH BUSINESSES THEY ARE. SO IT'S NOT GONNA SUCK UP A TON OF RESOURCES. AND YOU GOTTA, UH, YOU GOTTA, LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD DID ON BINET, YOU GOTTA KEEP HAMMERING 'EM. IT CAN'T JUST BE A ONE OFF. YOU GOTTA GO BACK AND WHACK AND BACK THREE OR FOUR TIMES TILL PEOPLE REALLY GET THE MESSAGE, HEY, THIS MAY BE ISN'T A GREAT PLACE TO GO AND DO OUR, YOU KNOW, NEFARIOUS THINGS BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA BE HERE EVERY WEEK. AND THE SAME THING ON THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS. WE KNOW THE ADDRESSES. I MEAN, PARK A PARK, A DRT OFFICER OUT THERE FOR, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE, A COUPLE WEEKENDS. I MEAN, THERE'S SOME LONGER TERM IS THINGS WE CAN DO ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR SURE. THE HOTEL ORDINANCE, IT'S, IT'S THE FIRST LOW HANGING FRUIT KIND OF THING I THINK WE CAN DO. UM, THERE'S COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT CAN MINE THE DATA, TELL US WHO THE OWNERS ARE OF THESE PROPERTIES THAT ARE PROBLEM PROPERTIES. SO WE'RE, SO WE'RE POTENTIALLY NOT, YOU KNOW, DOING SOME BLANKET THING THAT'S GONNA HURT SOMEBODY JUST TRYING TO MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY. I KEEP WONDERING WHERE ARE THE CONSTABLES? THIS IS, SO, YEAH. AND I JUST ASKED, UM, CONSTABLE, I JUST ASKED, UM, TABC, YOU KNOW, WE COULD MARSHAL A WHOLE SURGE YEAH. TO GO AFTER THAT PARTICULAR SPOT. AND I THINK THEY'VE DONE THINGS LIKE THAT IN THE PAST. LIKE, I REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN THE RICHMOND STRIP WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, HOPPING, I MEAN, THEY JUST HAMMERED THAT RICHMOND, I'VE BEEN THERE WHEN THEY HAD ZERO TOLERANCE. YEAH. EVEN LONGER BACK THAN THAT. MONTROSE AT ONE TIME, YEAH. HAD ALL THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD COME IN AND CRUISE DOWN WESTHEIMER. AND I'VE BEEN OVER THERE WHEN YOU BETTER NOT EVEN LOOK AT AN OFFICER IF YOU HAD A, A EXPIRED INSPECTION STICK OCCUR. SO, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANNA HARASS, BUT I, I ALSO THINK THESE PEOPLE, THEY'VE HEARD US TALKING ABOUT, OH, WE'RE GONNA DO THIS. WE'RE GONNA GET THIS TASK FORCE, WE'RE GONNA ADDRESS . BUT I MEAN, WE GOTTA JUST DO SOMETHING. WE GOTTA JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO SO AGREE, LIKE NEXT WEEKEND, THIS WEEKEND. I MEAN, WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA GET OUT THERE AND, AND WE'RE GONNA NEED A CITYWIDE EFFORT BECAUSE ALL WE'RE GONNA DO, IF WE GO TO THE POTOMAC AREA, WHICH WE WILL, IS GONNA DRIVE IT UP THE STREET. WELL, IN FACT, I'M TOLD A LOT OF THE BI NET, UH, WORKERS ARE NOW AT AIRLINE IN 45. YEAH. THAT'S WHAT THE HUMAN TRAFFIC, UH, FOLKS ARE TELLING ME. WE, THEY'RE RELOCATING. SO WE'VE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF A COMPREHENSIVE CITYWIDE CERTAINLY IN DEALING WITH LIKE THIS, THIS SHORT TERM RENTALS. WELL, UNTIL WE CAN DO A COMPREHENSIVE CITYWIDE THING, I THINK IT'S WORTH IT TO, TO MAKE SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME OF SOME OF THE PROBLEM PLACES, AND IT MIGHT DRIVE THEM SOMEPLACE ELSE, BUT AT LEAST AT LOOKS, AT LEAST WE'RE DOING SOMETHING. AT LEAST WE'RE, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMING UP HERE AND SAYING, OKAY, HERE, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. SO ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT ON THE BUDGET. UM, UH, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MELISSA DEBOWSKI ON A SCHEDULE. UH, I KNOW SHE'S GOT SOME, UM, SOME RESTRICTIONS BASED ON ALSO HAVING TO PASS THE CIPI KNOW YOU'VE GOTTEN SOME COMMENTS ABOUT LENGTHENING THAT PROCESS A LITTLE BIT, WHICH I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF, YOU KNOW, NOT TRYING TO CRAM ALL THOSE WORKSHOPS INTO TWO WEEKS, POSSIBLY GIVEN AN EXTRA WEEK IF, IF THAT'S AT ALL POSSIBLE. UM, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANNA MESS WITH THE CIPI DON'T WANNA, YOU KNOW, HURT THAT IN ANY WAY, BUT I, BUT I DO THINK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FIREFIGHTER SITUATION GOING ON, I THINK A MORE DELIBERATIVE KIND OF, A LITTLE BIT LONGER PROCESS MIGHT BE IN ORDER. SO, UM, WE'RE WORKING ON THAT SCHEDULE, COLLEAGUES AND, AND, UM, JUST, UM, MAKING A PLEA THAT WE COULD MAYBE BUILD IN AN EXTRA WEEK OR SO IN THAT PROCESS. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND TO COUNCILMAN ALCORN'S POINT, WE DO HAVE TO ELIMINATE THE BUREAUCRACY IN MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. JUST HAVE TO GET IT DONE. YOU KNOW, WE JUST, UM, COMMUNITIES ARE, ARE REALLY SUFFERING RIGHT NOW. UM, SO THAT, BUT ON A REALLY GREAT NOTE TODAY IS EID FOR MANY MILLIONS OF MUSLIMS ACROSS THE WORLD. AND I WANT TO JOIN, UM, MY MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN, UM, CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR COMPASSION, UNITY, FORGIVENESS, AND PEACE, NOT ONLY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT ALSO IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU. EVA BARAK. GOOD. COUNCILMAN CARTER. JUST WANT TO ADD TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALCORN AND HUFFMAN, UH, TALKING ABOUT THE SHORT TERM REYNOLDS AND THE BIGGER ISSUE OF, OF, UH, UM, THE POTOMAC ADDRESS. UH, YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY I WAS A BIT SURPRISED TO [04:30:01] WHEN I HEARD THE, THE OWNER OF ONE OF THE BAD NIGHTCLUBS. AND YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE TO REALLY GO TO THE, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IF YOU LE IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A PROPERTY AND YOU LEASE IT AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S LIKE REALLY BAD BEHAVIOR, THERE'S ACCOUNTABILITY THERE TOO. AND, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANNA BE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND, UH, IT'S, IT'S REALLY, UM, I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE HOLD THE, THE NOT ONLY THE, UH, TENANTS, BUT ALSO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSINESSES ACCOUNTABLE, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE. THE OTHER THING IS, UH, THIS PAST FRIDAY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT AIRPORT TOUR. JUST WANTED TO CERTAINLY GIVE A, A HUGE COMPLIMENT TO, UH, DIRECTOR CESAC AND HIS TEAM. THAT IS SUCH AN EXCITING PROJECT, THE EXPANSION, UH, AT THE AIRPORT TO GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THAT. I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR CITY AND, AND SO PROUD FOR OUR CITY. WE'RE ON THE, ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A, A WORLD CLASS, UH, AIRPORT SYSTEM. I WAS REALLY EXCITED. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND, AND THANK, THANK THE ENTIRE TEAM FOR TOURING US. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, THE DITCH NEGLECT, IT'S EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY WINDSHIELD TOUR WAS AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AS MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC EAST SOUTH UNION AREA CAME TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS AVENUES FOR IMPROVEMENT AND REVITALIZATION. ALSO, THE WESLEY, A ME CHURCH'S FORTHCOMING TRANSFORMATION INTO GOSPEL SQUARE MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR COMMUNITY'S HISTORY. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A 4.1 MILLION HUD GRANT AND THE LEADERSHIP OF CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEAD THE CHURCH HAS SET TO BECOME A CENTRAL HUB FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, A GOSPEL MUSIC MUSEUM, AND MUCH MORE. I WANNA THANK YOU MAYOR AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THAT ITEM UNANIMOUSLY. IT'S GOING TO BE A JOYOUS OCCASION WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THAT EDIFICE. IT'S ALSO GOING TO INCLUDE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ALSO, THE ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY AT THE SUNNYSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS AN INFORMATIVE EVENT. AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF NIKIA LEWIS AND ERIC CANTRELL, AS WELL AS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HARRIS COUNTY AREA ON AGING, WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT AND SHARE VALUABLE TIME WITH OUR RESPECTED ELDERS ON, UM, MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE MIDTOWN NOISE INITIATIVE SLASH HADLEY, UH, COMMUNITY MAYOR, I WILL, I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT THE PRIORITIZATION OF RESOURCES TOWARDS CURBING VIOLENT CRIME. BUT I MUST EXPRESS THE URGENT CONCERN OF OUR CONSTITUENTS REGARDING THE MIDTOWN NOISE INITIATIVE. THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS IS SIGNIFICANTLY, CAN, SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED, UH, BY THIS DECISION. AND THE PERSISTENT NOISE CHALLENGES ARE NOT JUST DISCOMFORTS, BUT ARE IMPACTING THE WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. I ADVOCATE FOR A BALANCED APPROACH THAT DOES NOT NEGATE OUR COMMITMENT TO NONVIOLENT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION TO FIND VIABLE SOLUTIONS. AND ADDITIONALLY, I URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO SWIFTLY ADDRESS THE PRESSING NEED FOR REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN OUR CITY. WE NEED POLICIES THAT WILL SAFEGUARD OUR NEIGHBORHOODS FROM THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS CAUSED BY THE USE OF THESE PROPERTIES ON, UH, THIS SATURDAY, APRIL THE 13TH, UH, THAT I HAVE A FEW EVENTS FROM 8:00 AM TO 12 NOON, THE SUNNYSIDE HEALTH AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, 44 16 REED ROAD. UH, JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT FOCUSED ON NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION ALONGSIDE THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF MY SORORITY, THE ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INCORPORATED. AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE GREEK TO COME AND HELP US. UH, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A SORROW. SO PLEASE COME OUT AND HELP US WITH THESE EVENTS ON SATURDAY. ALSO FROM 9:00 AM TO TWO AT MADISON PARK, 36 0 2 SEABROOK VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR OUR COMMUNITY CLEANUP INITIATIVE, AIMED AT ENHANCING THE BEAUTY AND VITALITY OF THE OST SOUTH UNION AREA. AND YOUR PARTI PARTICIPATION WILL CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO UPKEEP AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR DISTRICT. ALSO, THE HERMAN PARK AND CONSERVANCY WILL HAVE THE COMMONS GRAND OPENING FROM 9:00 AM TO 10 TO 12 NOON AT HERMAN PARK TO CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF THE COMMONS, A NEW 26 ACRE SPACE DESIGNED TO UNIFY OUR COMMUNITY AND ENHANCE OUR ENJOYMENT OF HERMAN PARK. AND FINALLY, THERE WILL BE A CELEBRATION A HUNDRED YEAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR DR. JOHN T BIGGERS AT THE BRI UH, BLUE TRIANGLE, YMCA, UH, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 3005 MCGOWAN STREET THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10:00 AM AS WELL. AND SO, IF YOU CAN COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR ANY OF THESE EVENTS, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE APPRECIATED. AND THANK YOU FINALLY, MAYOR FOR [04:35:01] THAT INTERVENTION AND, UH, BRINGING A RESOLUTION TO MR. DUCKIN AT THE GALA, AS WELL AS THE OTHER, UH, PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE. HE HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS AND CERTAINLY, UH, I THANK YOU, YOUR STAFF AND CERTAINLY THE DISTRICT D STAFF THAT HAS BROUGHT A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. AND THAT CONCLUDES WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION . THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO START BY ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO COME OUT THIS SATURDAY TO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT, UM, FOR THE PROPOSED HISPANIC RESEARCH CENTER AT 58 0 7 NAVIGATION BOULEVARD. UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS RAMIREZ MARTINEZ AND I HAVE BEEN, UH, WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS EVENT. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM AS MANY FOLKS AS POSSIBLE ABOUT, UH, WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THIS LOCATION AND, UH, GETTING INPUT AND FEEDBACK. I DO WANNA MENTION, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A OLD WAREHOUSE THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING RENOVATED. THE BUILDING IS NOT A DA ACCESSIBLE AT THE MOMENT, UH, SO JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND, BUT IT WILL BE IN THE FUTURE. UM, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR HER PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE SHOW YOUR PRIDE EVENT AND BRINGING THAT TO CITY HALL NEXT WEEK. UM, WE HAD OUR 10TH TOWN HALL THIS PAST SATURDAY OUT IN MELROSE. UM, THIS WAS OUR LAST SCHEDULED ONE. WE ARE GONNA DO ANOTHER ONE IN INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS, UM, IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BUT I WANT TO, UH, REALLY THANK ALL THE CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT WERE SO PRESENT THROUGHOUT ALL OF THESE EVENTS. UH, I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH THE RESIDENTS APPRECIATED BEING ABLE TO WALK DOWN THE STREET TO A SCHOOL, TO A COMMUNITY CENTER AND VISIT DIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC WORKS SOLID WASTE 3 1 1 BARK, YOU NAME IT. UM, THEY WERE SO WELL ATTENDED BY CITY DEPARTMENTS. UM, IT MADE SUCH A, A BIG DIFFERENCE AND, UH, BRINGING THE CITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS. UM, AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GONNA LOOK TO CONTINUE AS WE DO TOWN HALLS. UM, BUT IT, IT REALLY, UM, IT REALLY MADE A GOOD IMPRESSION ON THE, ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS THAT THEY, THEY CAME TO PARTICIPATE. UM, SPEAKING OF TOWN HALLS, THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, UH, CHAIRED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN AND, UH, IS LOOKING AT DOING SOME BUDGET TOWN HALLS, UH, BRINGING THAT PROCESS TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND GETTING TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON, ON HOW THE CITY SPENDS ITS MONEY. AND SO, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN, IN THOSE TOWN HALLS, AND I THINK THAT'S GONNA BE A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AS WE, UH, MAKE SOME BIG DECISIONS, UH, AROUND OUR BUDGET. UM, AND THAT'S ALL FOR ME. THANK YOU MEMBERS. BEFORE WE FINISH THE TOUR DAY, HOUSTON LAST SATURDAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. SO THINK APACHE ENERGY FOR SPONSORING IT, THEY'RE GONNA TAKE THE PROCEEDS WITH OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT PLANT OVER 2,500 TREES. IT WAS UNDER OVER 2000 RIDERS. SO IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. HOW GREAT DEMONSTRATING HOW GREAT HOUSTON IS PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK. THANK Y'ALL. AND, UH, WE ADJOURN. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.