[00:00:03]
[PRESENTATIONS]
COME TO ORDER.I'M GONNA ASK VICE MAYOR PRO TIMM PECK TO COME RESIDE.
'CAUSE I WANNA BE WITH OUR FRIENDS.
AND CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS FOR A PROCLAMATION TO MR. DAVID LAREDO FOR HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.
THANK, THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR VICE PRO TIM, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M SO GRATEFUL AND I AM TO, UM, PRESENT THIS BECAUSE ANYTIME I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO, UH, ANY VETERAN OF, OF ANY SERVICE THAT THEY SERVED IN, IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE.
UM, AS A VETERAN MYSELF, I'M ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR OTHERS, AND ESPECIALLY THIS ONE TODAY.
REACHING THE MILESTONE OF 100 YEAR BIRTHDAY IS A MOMENTOUS OCCASION, OFFERING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON DECADES OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CHERISH MEMORIES, AND PERSONAL GROWTH WITH GREAT ADMIRATION.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ALONG WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, JOINED IN CELEBRATING DAVID LAREDO ON HIS CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY.
DAVID WAS BORN ON MARCH 20TH, 1925 IN SENTIN, TEXAS.
AT JUST 10 YEARS OLD, HE BEGAN WORKING AS A COTTON PICKER IN THE FIELDS OF TEXAS.
FOLLOWING IN HIS FAMILY'S FOOTSTEP UP.
THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7TH, 1941, DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE.
WHILE WORKING AT A SHIPYARD IN HOUSTON, DAVID WAS DRAFTED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY ON HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY, MARCH 20TH, 1942.
HE COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP WALTERS IN MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS, BEFORE BEING STATIONED AT FORT MEAD, MARYLAND, AND THEN CAMP SHANKS, NEW YORK.
FROM THERE, HE WAS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS, TRAVELING TO NEW CA, NEW ZEALAND, AND EVENTUALLY NEW GUINEA.
ON JANUARY THE NINTH, 1945, DAVID'S UNIT LANDED IN THE PHILIPPINES AS PART OF THE SECOND WAVE OF TROOPS.
JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER ON MARCH 17TH, 1945, HE WAS WOUNDED WHILE LEADING A RECONNAISSANCE PATROL.
FOR HIS BRAVERY, HE WAS AWARDED THE CIVIL STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART.
DESPITE THE CONSTANT THREAT OF DEATH, DAVID'S FAITH IN GOD AND THE SUPPORT OF HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS HELPED HIM PRESERVE.
AFTER RECOVERING FROM HIS WOUNDS, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE OCCUPATION OF YOKOHAMA, JAPAN.
AND NOVEMBER, 1945, BEFORE RETURNING HOME THROUGH SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA, DAVIS'S JOURNEY IS A TESTIMONY TO HIS PERSEVERANCE SACRIFICE, AN UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO HIS COUNTRY.
FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF WORLD WAR II TO HIS SERVICE AT HOME, HE EXEMPLIFIES THE SPIRIT OF THE RESILIENCE AND DUTY.
ON MARCH 20TH, 2025, THE ENTIRE CITY OF HOUSTON WILL CELEBRATE DAVID LAREDOS 100 YEARS AND HIS LIFELONG SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY, EXTENDING HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE COUNTLESS LIVES HE HAS TOUCHED.
AND THE INVALUABLE LESSON HE HAS IMPARTED HIS UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO SERVE HAS EARNED HIM DEEP RECOGNITION.
GRATITUDE FROM ALL WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING HIM AND HIS LEGACY WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS TO COME.
HONOR DAVID AS WORLD WAR II VETERAN, A SILVER STAR RECIPIENT, A TRUE TO HANA HERO, WISHING HIM A JOYOUS 100 BIRTHDAY MAYOR.
[00:05:05]
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS CELEBRATION BEFORE COUNCIL.AND, UH, MRS. LAREDO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
UH, CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I WISH WE HAD TIME TO HEAR YOUR, YOUR STORY AND WHAT HOUSTON WAS LIKE WHEN YOU ARRIVED.
AND, UH, CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY TO OUR GREATNESS.
UH, ANOTHER THING IS YOU MAKE SOME OF US FEEL KIND OF YOUNG
IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THAT YOU SEE A HUNDRED YEAR OLD NAME
YOU'RE KIND OF A ROLE MODEL FOR SOME OF US.
SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOU'VE BEEN BLESSED, UH, WITH GOOD HEALTH.
AND I BET YOU STILL VOTE, AND I BET YOU STILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN LINE.
SO YOU REALLY ARE PART OF A GENERATION THAT, UH, HAS CREATED A GREAT CITY, AND THANK YOU.
AND YOU'VE NOT ONLY MADE US SAFE BY SERVING IN ARMED FORCES, BUT THANK YOU.
YOUR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN, UH, HELPING SEVERAL GENERATIONS APPRECIATE BEING HERE.
AND BEFORE I DECLARE THIS DAY, YOUR DAY, I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE OUR CONGRESSWOMAN, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY HOUSTON, BUT, BUT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU IN OUR NATIONAL CAPITAL.
SO LET ME YIELD TO COUNT OUR FRIEND, UH, CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA CONGRESSWOMAN.
AND, AND, UM, THANK YOU, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, AS I KNOW YOU'RE, YOU'RE A VETERAN, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO ALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT, IT IS A GREAT PRIDE TO BE HERE TODAY TO NOT ONLY CELEBRATE THE A HUNDRED YEARS, BUT ALSO CELEBRATE HIS CONTRIBUTIONS, UH, IN HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
UH, YOU KNOW, NOWADAYS WE KEEP HEARING STORIES AND HEADLINES OF CUTS HERE AND CUTS THERE THAT IMPACT OUR VETERANS AND CUTS HERE AND CUTS THERE.
THAT MAY, UH, CUT SOME OF OUR, UH, FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE MADE A PROMISE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU 'CAUSE YOU HELPED TAKE CARE OF US.
AND I WILL CONTINUE, UH, TO REMEMBER YOU, EVERY TIME I VOTE, EVERY TIME I LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT DEALS WITH VETERANS, BECAUSE YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL, NOT JUST, NOT JUST TO THE MAYOR BECAUSE OF THE AGE, BUT TO ALL OF US IN TERMS OF SERVICE AND LOYALTY AND GIVING TO OUR COUNTRY.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE WITH HIM.
WE SHARED A FEW STORIES AND, UH, MEMBERS, I FOUND OUT THAT I PICKED MORE COTTON THAN HE DID TODAY.
WELL, I'M GLAD THAT I COULD GO AND DO WHAT I DID THE BEST I COULD.
AND I HAVE SOME, UH, WORDS HERE FOR THE, IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD THAT I MADE IN YOUR BEHALF.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HERE'S A FLAG THROWN IN YOUR HONOR AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO MEMBERS, AND, UH, FROM ONE YOUNG MAN TO ANOTHER YOUNG MAN, THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 20TH, 2025, IS DAVID LAREDO DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I'LL CERTAINLY YIELD TOO, IF YOU'D LIKE TO, TO SPEAK FOR A MOMENT.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HERE FOR ME, BEING HERE.
LIKE I SAY, I WENT, I DID WHAT I COULD, THE BEST I COULD, AND I'M HERE.
WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN QUEUE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS MR. LAREDO.
I WILL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, COUNCILLOR DAVIS, MAYOR AND CONGRESSWOMAN, THANK YOU FOR HONORING MR. LAREDO.
UH, WE SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY, ACTUALLY ON THE 20TH.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOTH YOUNG MEN NOW, I FEEL LIKE, BUT, BUT NOW YOU MAKE ME REALIZE THAT I HAVE A LOT MORE TO DO, UH, IN LIFE.
UM, AND JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, MR. LAREDO, TO YOUR FAMILY, TO, YOU KNOW, TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, EVERYBODY THAT HERE TO, YEAH, JUST, JUST THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A ROLE MODEL TO US
[00:10:01]
IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS AND MR. LAREDO, YOU SAID THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOU BEING HERE.
NO, THANK YOU FOR US BEING HERE.
GOD BLESS YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
YEAH, MR. LAREDO, 100 YEARS DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED, AND I'M SO GLAD THAT WE WERE HERE TO HONOR YOU AND YOUR SERVICE AND ALL THAT YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR COUNTRY.
UM, YOU DESERVE ALL OF THIS CELEBRATION, THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, THE DAY OF THE CITY TODAY WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR DAY IN CITY HALL.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, CONGRESSWOMAN.
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE MAYOR WITH THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME PHOTOS, WILL YOU?
THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM TATUM, AND TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, AGAIN, WE HERE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION ON SOMETHING THAT IS CERTAINLY, UH, THAT ALL OF US NEED TO BE MORE AWARE AND EDUCATED UPON.
WHEREAS MARCH IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS AUTOIMMUNE AWARENESS MONTH TO SUPPORT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING THOSE IN HOUSTON, AND TO DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THESE OFTEN HIDDEN AND MISUNDERSTOOD CONDITIONS.
AND WHEREAS AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE OCCUR WHEN THE BODY'S IMMUNE SYSTEM MISTAKENLY ATTACKS ITS OWN HEALTHY CELLS AND TISSUES LEADING TO CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, PAIN, AND ORGAN DAMAGE.
AND WHEREAS THERE ARE MORE THAN 80 DIFFERENT AND AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, LUPUS TYPE ONE DIABETES AND
[00:15:01]
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, EACH OF WHICH CAN SEVERELY AFFECT THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE AFFECTED.AND WHEREAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, FOR EXAMPLE, MS IS AN UNPREDICTABLE, CHRONIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THAT ATTACKS THE CENTRAL NERVE SYSTEM AFFECTING MOBILITY, VISION, AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES.
MS IMPACTS INDIVIDUAL OF ALL AGES, ETHNICITIES, AND GENDERS, AND IS RECOGNIZED DURING MS AWARENESS WEEK, WHICH TAKES PLACE FROM MARCH 9TH THROUGH THE 15TH OF 2025.
AND THE GOALS OF THE AUTOIMMUNE AWARENESS MONTH ARE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, ENCOURAGE BETTER HEALTHCARE ACCESS, INCREASE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH, AND HIGHLIGHT THE PERSONAL STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH THESE CONDITIONS.
IT IS VITAL TO FOSTER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE EARLY DIAGNOSIS, REDUCE STIGMA, OFFER SUPPORT OF THOSE AFFECTED AND ADVOCATE FOR CONTINUED RESEARCH AND FUNDING.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON ENCOURAGED ALL RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE THE AUTOIMMUNE AWARENESS MONTH BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT THESE CONDITIONS, WEARING ORANGE TO SHOW SUPPORT, RECOGNIZING THE RESILIENCE OF THOSE LIVING WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND THEIR ADVOCACY.
WE ALSO HONOR THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL RESEARCHERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORK TIRELESSLY TO ADVANCE TREATMENT AND FIND CURES.
AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING, UH, THIS AWARENESS TO US.
I'VE CERTAINLY BEEN EDUCATED AND I THINK, UH, INFORMATION WILL SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, AND I'D LIKE TO YIELD TO OUR, OUR GUESTS TO, UH, ENLIGHTEN US MORE.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH, SO MUCH THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.
IT MEANS SO MUCH THAT YOU WOULD CAPTURE THAT IN A VERY PRECISE WAY IN HOW AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES AFFECT US.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF MY FELLOW MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WARRIORS, EVERYWHERE, THANK YOU CONGRESSMAN WILLIE DAVIS FOR THIS PROCLAMATION FOR MS. AWARENESS.
NOW, COULD YOU IMAGINE TO WAKE UP TO WHAT YOU THINK IS A TYPICAL DAY, YOU FINALLY MAKE IT TO GRADUATE SCHOOL, BUT SUDDENLY YOU GET HIT WITH A SHARP PAIN IN YOUR EYE, DIMINISHING YOUR VISION, YOUR SPEECH BECOMES SLURRED, YOUR LEGS STOP SUPPORTING YOU.
YOU CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO COMPLETE YOUR THOUGHTS.
THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY CHALLENGES AND STRUGGLES THAT WE FACE DAILY AS MS. WARRIORS.
THE UNIQUE PART OF MS. FIGHT IS OUR STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGES ARE INVISIBLE, BUT SOME OF US USE A CANE, A WALKER, ROLLATOR, OR A WHEELCHAIR.
BUT SOME PEOPLE USE NOTHING AT ALL.
EVERY MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WARRIOR YOU ENCOUNTER IS FIGHTING A FIGHT FOR THEIR MOBILITY, THEIR FAMILY, THEIR FUTURE.
NOW, EVERYONE OF YOU HERE TODAY HAS JOINED OUR FIGHT.
PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SPREAD MS AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY AS WELL AS SUPPORT THOSE FIGHTING BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS UNPREDICTABLE YET TO BE CURED AND HELPING WHERE YOU CAN.
AND THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 20TH, 2025 IS TUM IMMUNE AWARENESS MONTH IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
[00:20:49]
MEMBER MARTINEZ FOR A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.IF I CAN HAVE SEAN, UH, SCHULTZ, THE CEO.
UM, I THINK WE ALL, WE ALL HAVE RECOGNIZED AMERICAN RED CROSS, UM, UM, IN MAJOR DISASTERS.
UH, BUT I HAVE A PERSONAL STORY AS WELL THAT I WANNA SHARE.
UH, AND Y'ALL MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH, UH, JO.
UM, ABOUT FOUR, FIVE YEARS AGO, UM, DISTRICT GUY IN THE JAVIER AIRPORT HAD A APARTMENT FIRE.
IT'S A VERY SMALL APARTMENT FIRE, ABOUT 24 UNITS.
UH, BUT THESE FAMILIES WERE IMPACTED.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE THINK OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, ESPECIALLY FOR HURRICANES, RIGHT? DISASTERS DID, CHOSE WHATNOT.
BUT, UM, JOE ION, WHO WAS OUT IN THE LAMAR AREA, DROVE INTO HOUSTON.
UH, IT WAS RAINING, IT WAS COLD.
UH, WE HAD ABOUT 24 FAMILIES THAT WERE GONNA BE DISPLACED.
UM, BUT HE SHOWED UP, PROVIDED RESOURCES, UM, MADE SURE THAT THEY HAD THEIR, THEIR SOME FUNDS READILY ACCESSIBLE, SO THAT WAY IF THEY NEEDED TO GO FIND A, UH, THE NEAREST HOTEL, UH, TO STAY IN.
UM, BUT THEN ALSO HE WORKED WITH ME FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS AFTERWARDS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO GET, UM, FURNITURE, UH, MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE PLACED, UH, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT WAS CLOSE TO WHERE THEIR APAR THE FIRE WAS LOCATED.
UM, AND SO I, I, I'M THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEM HERE ALONG WITH THE MAYOR TO, TO, TO REALLY, UM, HIGHLIGHT A LOT OF WHAT AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS DONE, RIGHT.
THEY'RE, WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE A COMPASSIONATE ORGANIZATION.
THEY BRING DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYEES, UH, NOT JUST LOCALLY, BUT GLOBALLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE, UH, POPULATIONS AFTER A DISASTER.
AND SO I'M HAPPY TO, TO, UH, BRING THEM, BRING THEM HERE TODAY.
AND WE HAVE, UM, THE CEO WHO'S WITH US AS WELL.
AND SO I'LL READ A, A PART OF THE, UH, THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS THIS MARCH, THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMEMORATES AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH BY RECOGNIZING THE COMPASSIONATE ACTS OF PEOPLE IN HOUSTON AND RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.
AND WHEREAS SINCE CLAIRE BARTON FOUNDED THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, MORE THAN 140 YEARS AGO, GENERATIONS AFTER GENERATION HAS STEPPED UP, STEPPED UP TO DELIVER RELIEF AND CARE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD, BRINGING OUT THE BEST HUMANITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS, ADVANCING THIS NOBLE MISSION, THE VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS WHO NOW GIVE BACK THROUGH THE HOUSTON CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, REMAIN STRONG IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO PREVENT AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF TODAY'S EMERGENCIES.
AND WHEREAS IN HOUSTON, LOCAL AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT TO THE MOST VULNERABLE OFFERING, EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, AND COMFORT DURING DISASTERS, SUCH AS HOME FIRES, HURRICANES, TROPICAL STORMS. THEIR SELFLESS CONTRIBUTIONS ALSO INCLUDE DELIVERING BLOOD DONATIONS, SUPPORTING SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, SAVING LIVES THROUGH FIRST AID, FIRST AID, AND CPR, AND OFFERING INTERNATIONAL AID TO RECONNECT LOVED ONES SEPARATED BY GLOBAL CRISIS.
AND WHEREAS THE WORK TO UPLIFT HOUSTON, IT IS TRULY MADE POSSIBLE BY THOSE WHO ARE SELF SELFLESSLY, AN ANSWER THE CALL TO HELP WHENEVER AND WHEREVER IT'S NEEDED.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE MONTH OF MARCH IN HONOR OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, AND ITS VOLUNTEERS, REMARKABLE SERVICE.
THE CITY ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN THEIR COMMITMENT TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, OBSERVE AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH AND SUPPORT ITS HUMANITARIAN MISSION.
THANK YOU, COUNCILOR MARTINEZ.
AND, UH, WE COULD SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU RUN THE RESCUE OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND QUITE FRANKLY, OUR NATION.
UH, HERE IN OUR STORMS, OUR, OUR COOLING CENTERS OR WARMING CENTERS, WATER, FOOD, BEDDING.
UH, MOST ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR POSITIVE APPROVAL RATING.
REALLY, IT'S REALLY OUTSTANDING.
AND WHAT REALLY STRIKES ME MEMBERS IS YOU DON'T CARE WHICH COMMUNITY,
[00:25:01]
FAITH, ETHNICITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, YOU NEVER STOP TO THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU'RE SERVING OR WHERE THEY'RE FROM OR WHERE THEY'RE GOING.SO IT'S A REMARKABLE STORY, AND, UH, I'M CERTAIN WE'LL BE CALLING YOU SOON ON ANOTHER CHALLENGING SITUATION, NOT SOON.
THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 25TH, 20TH AS AMERICAN RED CROSS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
I, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW, SO THANK YOU, MAYOR.
ALSO, THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN, TO THOMAS AND AND JACKSON WHO CALL US REGULARLY WHEN THERE'S, THERE'S ISSUES AND CONCERNS WITHIN THEIR, THEIR DISTRICT.
EVERYONE HERE, FEEL FREE TO CALL US ANYTIME.
THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
THERE'S 4,000 VOLUNTEERS STANDING BY TO SUPPORT.
THERE'S ALSO 54 STAFF MEMBERS FROM LUFKIN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO, TO BROWNSVILLE, WHO ARE READY AND WILLING TO SUPPORT AT ANY MOMENT.
SO WE'RE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US THE MOST, WE'RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
COUNCIL MEMBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE RED CROSS, UM, AS THE, THE MAIN RIGHT HQ, UH, RESIDES IN DISTRICT C, BUT BEYOND THAT, AS SOMEONE THAT HAS GONE THROUGH RED CROSS TRAININGS, HAS VOLUNTEERED THROUGH THE RED CROSS, HAS WORKED WITH YOU ALL, HAS SAT THROUGH TABLETOP EXERCISES WITH YOU ALL WITH OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, UH, THE COLLABORATION, UH, IS INVALUABLE.
SO AGAIN, TO ALL OF THE, NOT ONLY STAFF, BUT VOLUNTEERS, THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ACROSS THE STATE IN THIS NATION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE'RE ALL HERE FOR YOU.
[2:00 P.M. – INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
PLUMMER, RECOGNIZED FOR THE INVOCATION.YES, I'D LIKE TO INVITE, UM, IMAM KASIM.
HE'S A DISTINGUISHED LEADER, RELIGIOUS LEADER, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE WITH OVER FIVE DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
AND OVER THE YEARS, HE SERVED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, VIRGINIA, PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO, UM, PLAYING PIVOTAL ROLES.
AND I HAVE TO SAY, UM, PRIMARILY IN MY MIND, THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY.
UM, HIS ACTIVISM HAS BEEN HIS LED UNSUCCESSFUL BOYCOTS AGAINST, UM, TO WEAPON SALES IN 1978.
IMAM CAEM IS ALSO A BOLD LEADER OF ADE, UH, MAGAZINE AND CO-FOUNDER OF BOLD, CURRENTLY SERVING, UH, AS IMAM AND DIRECTOR OF MA ALTO IN HOUSTON.
HE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE AND LECTURE, AND I WANNA SAY PERSONALLY, UM, IMAM KA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
UM, HE HAS A HEALTHCARE FACILITY, A FOOD PANTRY.
I MEAN, HE'S REALLY SERVES AS SAFE HAVEN A FIFTH WARD.
AND THIS RAMADAN, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR, FOR YOU TO BE HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UM, FOR THAT.
VERY GENEROUS AND PROBABLY UNDESERVED INTRODUCTION ON MY FAVORITE COUNCIL PEOPLE.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS, UH, INVITATION.
I HADN'T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE.
[00:30:01]
VERY BRIEF INVOCATION, I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE WHAT I'M GONNA BE PRAYING FOR SO THAT EVERYONE WILL UNDERSTAND.FIRST, I'M GONNA BE PRAYING FOR THE CITY GOVERNMENT, OUR HOUSTON CITY GOVERNMENT, TO UNDERSTAND THE ROOTS OF THE ISSUES.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM WE'RE DEALING WITH, WITH, WITH WHAT'S CAUSING, WE'RE DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS THEMSELVES, BUT THE ROOT OF IT.
AND I'M GONNA PRAY THAT ALMIGHTY ALLAH BLESSES THIS GREAT CITY GOVERNMENT TO LEARN HOW TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SO WE CAN BEGIN TO SOLVE THEM.
MAYBE NOT IN OUR LIFETIME, BUT IN THE NEXT, I'M GONNA BE PRAYING FOR, UH, MY DISTRICT B, UH, COUNCIL PERSON, TARSHA JACKSON, WHO I BELIEVE IS THE EPITOME OF, OF, OF, OF CIVIC WORK.
UM, I LIKE TO PRAY ALSO FOR, I REMEMBER AT LARGE, MY PERSONAL FRIEND AND SISTER, UM, LETICIA PLUMMER.
AND BY THE WAY, I'M PRAYING FOR HER TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE WOMEN ARE, KEEP ASKING ME, HOW COME THEY HAVEN'T SEEN YOU DURING RAMADAN? SO I COULDN'T ANSWER 'EM.
SO, SO YOU CAN ANSWER 'EM WHEN YOU GO DOWN, PLEASE.
UM, UM, AND ALSO FINALLY, BEFORE I OFFER THIS INVOCATION, I'M PRAYING FOR OUR MAYOR, UM, JOHN WHITMEYER, WHO I BEFRIENDED, UH, EARLY IN HIS CAMPAIGN.
I BEFRIENDED HIM BECAUSE I REALLY, I REALLY FELT THEN, AND I STILL BELIEVE HE'S VERY SINCERE, UH, IN HIS HEART.
WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS DISAGREEMENTS REGARDING, UM, UH, UH, CIVIC MATTERS AND WORLDWIDE MATTERS.
BUT I BELIEVE IN HIS HEART IS SINCERE.
BUT I PRAY THAT HE WILL ACTUALLY FEEL THE PAIN THAT HE CLAIMS TO FEEL.
WHEN I APPROACHED, UM, UM, UH, THE CANDIDATE THEN MAYOR WHITMEYER, AND I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN GAZA AND OTHER PLACES, HE SAID, I FEEL THEIR PAIN OUT OF ALL DUE RESPECT, AND I REALLY MEAN THAT SINCERELY.
OUT OF ALL DUE RESPECT, THE PEOPLE OF GAZA DON'T NEED ANY HELP FEELING PAIN.
THEY DON'T NEED YOUR HELP OR MY HELP FEELING PAIN.
WHAT I'M HOPING IS THAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT PAIN FEELS LIKE.
AND IF YOU DID UNDERSTAND WHAT PAIN FEELS LIKE, UH, UM, MY, MY RESPECTED BROTHER AND FRIEND, UM, WHITMEYER, THEN PERHAPS YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE VOCAL ON SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE OPPRESSION, THE, THE, UH, IMMORAL, THE, THE, UM, IN ALL THE EXPLOITATION AND GENOCIDE THAT IS HAPPENING, NOT ONLY IN GAZA, BUT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
AND WE HOPE AND PRAY TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN HOUSTON.
WHAT I NOW, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS OFFER MY PRAYER, WHICH IS A OPENING CHAPTER OF THE KORAN, BUT I'M ONLY GONNA DO THE ENGLISH.
THERE'S NO SENSE IN TRYING TO FLATTER YOU WITH ARABIC.
I WANT EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH OF WHAT I'M ABOUT TO OFFER.
FIRST, I'M GONNA OFFER THE OPENING, UH, OPENING CHAPTER, AND THEN A VERY SHORT THREE VERSE CHAPTER THAT'S LATER ON IN THE KORAN, JUST THAT TRANSLATION.
AND I WANT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, AND THE AUDIENCE, TO TRY TO INTERNALIZE THE DEPTH OF THE MEANING OF THESE WORDS WITH THE NAME OF GOD.
MOST GRACIOUS, MOST COMPASSIONATE PRAISE BE TO GOD, THE CHERISH AND SUSTAINER OF THE WORLDS MOST GRACIOUS, MOST COMPASSIONATE MASTER OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.
YOU DO, WE SERVE IN YOUR AID, WE SEEK, SHOW US THE STRAIGHT WAY, THE WAY OF THOSE UPON WHOM YOU HAVE BESTOWED YOUR FAVOR, NOT THE WAY OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ASTRAY AND EARNED YOUR DISFAVOR WITH THE NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST COMPASSIONATE, BY THE TOKEN OF TIME THROUGH THE AGES, SURELY PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS, WILL BE AT LOSS, ACCEPT THOSE WHO ARE CONSTANT WITH THEIR PRAYERS, CONSTANT IN DEEDS OF CHARITY, AND CONSTANT IN, IN, IN REMINDING EACH OTHER ABOUT THE REALITY, WHICH IS GOD, AND CONSTANTLY REMINDING EACH OTHER.
AND, AND THAT IS, THAT IS RECIPROCAL REMINDER.
YOU REMIND ME, I REMIND YOU TO BE CONSISTENT WITH PATIENCE, NOT JUST WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD, BUT PATIENCE WITH GOD'S PLAN, BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST PLANNERS.
WAS THAT SHORT ENOUGH? IS I OKAY WITH THE TIME? THANK YOU.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TWO, THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
[ROLL CALL AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING]
SECRETARY, YOU CALL THE ROLE[00:35:01]
MAYOR WHITMEYER.COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON WILL BE ASKING, COUNCIL MEMBER CAMAN PRESENT.
HERE MEETING A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF MARCH 4TH AND FIFTH.
[PUBLIC SPEAKERS]
UH, PROCEDURAL MOTIONS.I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE JOHN GEIST TO FOLLOW CAMERON ARMSTRONG UNDER THE THREE MINUTE.
I BELIEVE IT'S ACTUALLY THE AGENDA LIST.
UH, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULE TO MOVE.
I MEAN TO ADD FATHER NOEL
ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ.
UM, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE AMY ERICKSON UNDER THE NON AGENDA.
UH, THE, UM, OF THE AGENDA OF THE SPEAKER'S LIST.
ANYONE ELSE? I'LL FIND OUT IF NOT MADAM SECRETARY, WILL YOU CALL OUR FIRST SPEAKER? DOMINIQUE MAOP.
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR IN THE HORSESHOE.
I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN I TALKED, TALKED TO THE SECRETARY.
I WAS GOING TO, I'M TALKING ON 19 AND 20, NOT 20 AND 21.
NOW THAT PERTAINS TO A BOND THAT THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT DOWNTOWN TO REDO GRB IF I'M CORRECT, IF I'M NOT, PLEASE CORRECT ME.
MY THING IS, I DON'T CARE WHO DOES IT.
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THE HORSESHOE ITSELF.
A MANAGEMENT DISTRICT OR WITH IT.
GRB IS US PEOPLE ARE THE CITY WE OWN GRB.
NOW THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MAY BE MANAGING IT.
MY THING IS THOUGH, I AM CONCERNED, NUMBER ONE, UM, WITH THE POST STREET CLOSURE, I THINK THERE'S WAYS YOU CAN BUILD THIS WHERE POST STREET COULD GO FOR THE BUILDING.
WE HAVE IT AT ALBERT THOMAS CONVENTION CENTER UP THE STREET.
WE HAVE THE GREEN PURPLE LINE GOING THROUGH THE PARKING GARAGE.
THE, THE BIG POST OFFICE IN CHICAGO HAS THE DAN RYAN FREEWAY GOING THROUGH IT.
I THINK THAT COULD BE DESIGNED THAT WAY.
BUT AS THIS IS GOING, AND I'M WITH MY MATH, THERE'S $350 MILLION BETWEEN THE 2, 2, 2 THINGS.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ROBUST DISCUSSION.
NUMBER ONE, DO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON REALLY WANT THIS? AND HOW DID THEY WANT TO GO WITH IT? I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, ROBUST ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UH, WHAT THE CITIZENS REALLY WANT.
IF THIS WAS SAY, A METRO PROJECT GOING ON, ON CITY PROPERTY, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A BOND.
WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A REFERENDUM THAT'S PART OF CITY CHARTER.
AND, UH, THE GRB IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CITY.
UH, I THINK WE NEED, AGAIN, UH, WE NEED MORE BUS DISCUSSION.
SECONDLY, TOO, I'M GONNA SAY SOMETHING ABOUT I THINK THEY'RE, THEY'RE RUN DOWN, DOWN THE LIST.
I THINK WHEN THEY COME UP WITH THEIR BUDGETS, THEIR BUDGETS START TO BE THE SAME AS THE CITY.
'CAUSE MAYOR, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITH THE CIVILITY ORDINANCE BEING YOU HAD DOWNSTAIRS A MONTH AGO, YOU WANTED DETER TO CONTRIBUTE MORE.
I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE THE TWO SIDE BY SIDE, WHEN THEY COME AT THE SAME TIME, THEY CAN BUDGET AND THE CITY CAN BUDGET THAT FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MAYBE NEEDS TO COME BACK INTO THE CITY.
THE AIRPORT IS PART OF WHEEL, IS PART OF THE HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM, WHICH IS THE CITY.
WHY DOESN'T THE TERRACE COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY START GIVING MONEY TO THE AIRPORT AS WELL AS THE COUNTY'S MONEY THING? BEFORE WE REGISTER OUR CARS, THEY ACTUALLY COME INTO THE CITY.
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AT OUR BUDGET, WE NEED TO SEE WHERE CITY AND COUNTY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.WITH THAT, I HAVE NO OF A COMMENT.
I'M SENDING YOU BACK TO YOUR MAYOR.
NEXT CAMERON ARMSTRONG TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOHN GEIS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND, UM, I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN APPROVING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 49 TO CORRECT A MISTAKE THAT WAS MADE SOME TIME AGO, UH, REGARDING THE PROPERTY AT 2041 SHEPHERD DRIVE.
UM, THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HAS ALREADY REVIEWED THIS APPLICATION AND DETERMINED THAT 2041 NORFOLK WAS IN USE AS A COMMERCIAL ART GALLERY BEFORE THE SPECIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED IN 2011.
THE ORDINANCE ITSELF STATES THAT ANY PROPERTY IN USE FOR OTHER THAN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AT THE TIME OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED BY THAT ORDINANCE.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UH, CONSIDERED NUMEROUS EXHIBITS SHOWING UNANIMITY AMONG THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS OF THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON, THE MANIL COLLECTION, MEDIA SOURCES, ART CRITICS, AND OTHERS.
THAT 2041 WAS INDEED IN COMMERCIAL USE IN 2011 AND VOTED TO RECOMMEND THIS ORDINANCE, THIS AMENDMENT BASED ON THE FACTS AND THE ORDINANCE AS WRITTEN.
ADDITIONALLY, THE DEED RESTRICTIONS OF RICHWOOD PLACE SPECIFICALLY ALLOW COMMERCIAL USE OF THIS PROPERTY.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF DESIGNATED THIS AREA FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN A CITY WITH NO ZONING.
IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE FOR A PROPERTY UNRESTRICTED BY DEED TO BE SINGLED OUT FOR UNNECESSARY LIMITATIONS.
FURTHERMORE, THE APPLICATION TO ESTABLISH THE SMLS ORDINANCE NEVER INCLUDED.
THE EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT AND APPLICATION ALL EXCLUDED THIS PROPERTY FROM THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY.
THE PROCESS WAS NOT FOLLOWED CORRECTLY, YET THE PROPERTY WAS MISTAKENLY INCLUDED.
THIS AMENDMENT SIMPLY CORRECTS THAT ERROR.
AND FINALLY, THIS IS THE ONLY PROPERTY RESTRICTED BY CITY ORDINANCE BETWEEN I 59 AND WEST GRAY, A MAJOR COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR.
EVERY OTHER PROPERTY, EVERY OTHER PROPERTY ALONG THIS STRETCH REMAINS UNRESTRICTED.
THERE IS NO REASON FOR 2041 NORFOLK TO BE THE ONLY EXCEPTION.
SO ON DECEMBER THE 19TH OF 2024, THE PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEWED THESE FACTS AND VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CORRECT THE MISTAKE BY A STRONG MAJORITY.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORDINANCE, PROCESS, AND RESTORE THE RIGHTS OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
UH, MR. ARMSTRONG, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN.
I KNOW YOU'VE PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO THIS.
YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN, YOU'VE SPOKEN TO OTHER COLLEAGUES AROUND THE HORSESHOE, AND MY STAFF ALSO SPOKE WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
UM, AND I, I BELIEVE WE LET YOU KNOW, UH, I, WE'RE GONNA BE TAGGING THIS ITEM FOR A ONE WEEK DELAY BECAUSE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, UH, DIRECTLY WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE ALL THE T'S ARE CROSSED, I'S ARE DOTTED.
I KNOW WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATION HERE AS WELL 'CAUSE THERE WAS SOME NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION TO THIS.
UM, BUT WE WILL AGAIN, CAREFULLY CONSIDER THIS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH YOU AS YOU WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH OUR OFFICE.
NEXT JOHN, GUYS TO BE FOLLOWED BY AMY ERICKSON.
AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE RICHWOOD PLACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.
I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S OPPOSITION TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 49 TO RECLASSIFY A MINIMUM LOT SIZE PROTECTED PROPERTY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AS A COMMERCIAL LOT RESIDENTS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS IN 2011 TO ENSURE THAT THIS BLOCK FACE WAS PROTECTED BY THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE ORDINANCE.
THE PROPERTY WAS A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT THAT TIME THAT WAS BEING RENTED TO THE SKYDIVE ART COLLECTIVE.
THERE WAS NO PROTEST FROM THE PROPERTY OWNERS AT THAT TIME, STATING THAT THEY CONCERTED THIS RESIDENCE, A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
WHEN OUR ASSOCIATION HEARD ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THIS RESIDENCE IN 2010, OUR THEN PRESIDENT ASKED CITY OF HOUSTON CODE ENFORCEMENT TO SEE IF THE PROPERTY WAS BEING USED AS A COMMERCIAL SPACE AFTER
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TWO SITE VISITS.THE, UH, THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AT THAT PROPERTY.
THERE WAS NO COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE POSTED, AND NO COMMERCIAL PERMITS OR LICENSES HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE CITY.
AFTER THE SKY SKYDIVE, OUR COLLECTIVE MOVED.
THERE WERE TENANTS OVER THE YEARS, AT LEAST, THE HOUSE AS A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
MANY OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF THAT BLOCK SUBMITTED STATEMENTS OF OPPOSITION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND SEVERAL SPOKE AT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS, PLANNING STAFF PRESENTED THE APPLICATION TO THE COMMISSION WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION.
THE VOTE WAS EIGHT TO SIX IN FAVOR OF THE APPLICANT.
SO THERE WERE INDEED SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS THAT AGREED WITH US THAT THE PROPERTY WAS NOT A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE APPLICATION.
IT SEEMS THAT THE MINIMUM MILOT SIZE ORDINANCE IS NOT AS STRONG AS WE THOUGHT.
IF SOMEONE CAN COME IN 14 YEARS AFTER THE FACT AND HAVE IT AMENDED, WE URGE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE NO ON AGENDA.
UM, JUST FOR THE RECORD, MR. GEIS, AGAIN, WE'VE HEARD FROM MR. ARMSTRONG, WE'RE GONNA BE DELAYING THIS FOR ONE WEEK TO CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO THE DETAILS OF THIS, BUT IT'S THE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ENCOMPASSES THAT LAND USE RESTRICTION, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAND USE RESTRICTIONS THROUGHOUT MANTRAS IN THIS, IN THIS NATURE.
AND IT IS WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION? JUST VERY YES.
OR THEY SUPPORT THIS ITEM OR THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ITEM? I, SORRY.
DO YOU SUPPORT THE CHANGE OR NOT SUPPORT THE CHANGE? NO.
GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AMY ERICKSON EASTON RESIDENT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO BRING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER DESPITE YOUR DIFFICULT POSITION.
WHILE IT TOOK HOUSTON FIRST 45 DAYS TO MEET IN AN OPEN DOOR SETTING, WE WILL, WE WERE THANKFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED OR SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.
AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY, TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS, WE SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OF AN EXPANDED GRB AND ADMIRE THE RENDERINGS.
WE SIMPLY WANT ACCESS TO THE CONVENTION DISTRICT DOWNTOWN AND BEYOND.
A WALKABLE PARK IN 15 YEARS IS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR REMOVING A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE FOR VEHICLES, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, CYCLISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS.
A TWO-WAY LEELAND IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE IT MEETS A WEST BELT AT GRADE RAIL CROSSING NEAR CULLIN WITH APPROXIMATELY 30 DAILY ACTIVATIONS, AVERAGING 11 MINUTES EACH.
THAT'S 5.5 HOURS OF DAILY OBSTRUCTION.
IT LACKS SAFE CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE.
METRO ROUTES WOULD, UH, REROUTES WOULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT TRAFFIC FLOW.
AND THERE'S MORE, BUT I ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE.
ALSO, CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR A TWO-WAY LELAND, HOW LONG WOULD THE TRAFFIC PLAN APPLICATION, ORDERING, AND RECEIVING PROCESS TAKE? HOW LONG WOULD THIS STRIPING TAKE WITH OUR SINGULAR STRIPING MACHINE IN A SOLUTIONS FOCUSED MENTAL MENTALITY? WE, PEOPLE FOR POLK PROPOSE THAT HOUSTON FIRST RESUBMIT TO THE JRC WITH TWO SEPARATE APPLICATIONS.
ONE FOR CLAY, JACKSON, AND SHEEVER, A SECOND FOR POLK, HAMILTON, AND BELL.
THIS WOULD ALLOW WORK TO BEGIN ON THE FOUR LOTS WHILE PROVIDING TIME TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS FOR THE EAST WEST CONNECTIVITY IMPACTS.
THE DESIRE TO SLOW THIS PROCESS WAS THE CLEAR SENTIMENT OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS GATHERED IN THE COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMUNITY MEETING LAST NIGHT.
THINKING AHEAD IN THE JRC PROCESS, THE FAIR MARKET VALUE PAYMENT FOR OUR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS, SHOULD ONE NOT ENTER THE GENERAL FUND AND TWO, BE DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY FOR MITIGATING EAST END CONNECTIVITY IMPACTS THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SHOULD DEMAND THAT HOUSTON FIRST DO NO HARM TO THE EAST END, AND COMPENSATE ACCORDINGLY BY FUNDING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING GRADE SEPARATIONS AND MORE.
AND, UM, IF YOU DIDN'T COME LAST NIGHT OR YOU DIDN'T HAVE A STAFF, WE HAVE SOME PACKETS.
UM, AMY, UM, AND I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEAVE SHORTLY AS WELL, UH, BUT, UH, JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU, UH, FOR BEING THERE.
THANK YOU TO THE REST OF THE RESIDENTS FOR BEING THERE.
UM, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT, UM, HOUSTON FIRST STARTED JUST TRAIN TOO EARLY FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND I'VE SPOKEN TO THE MAYOR ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES.
UM, THOSE FIXES THAT WE ARE TRYING TO, UH, ACCOMPLISH, WHICH IS THE EAST, EAST, WEST LELAND.
UH, WE'VE GOT COMMITMENT RIGHT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, FROM PUBLIC WORKS.
WE WILL EXPEDITE THAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE DON'T HAVE A TIMELINE YET, UH, BUT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO STAY ENGAGED WITH YOU ALL.
AND AS YOU HEARD LAST NIGHT, UM, THE PRESIDENT, MICHAEL HAGMAN WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS IF NECESSARY OR WHEN NECESSARY.
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KNOW THAT WE, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THIS, THIS CONVERSATION CONTINUES TO BE FLUID.UM, YES, WE'RE LATE TO THE SHOW, BUT THE, WE STILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE, THE LELAND, UM, UM, WEST BELT INTERSECTION, UM, SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING OUR EYE ON AS WELL FOR A GREAT SEPARATION.
UM, AND SO WE HAVE ALL THE, ALL THE FOLKS THAT ARE NECESSARY METRO, UH, UM, UM, UNION PACIFIC, T DOT, HOUSTON, FIRST PUBLIC WORKS, AND THE MARRIAGE TEAM AS WELL.
SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN WORK THROUGH THESE, UM, THESE, THESE SOLUTIONS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
IN THE, UM, 23 DAYS THAT WE'VE KIND OF ORGANIZED AROUND THIS, WE'VE PRESENTED SOLUTIONS AND OTHER IDEAS AND DRAWINGS, AND THIS IS ALL JUST NEIGHBORS DONATING THEIR TIME, SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY, TAKING TIME OFF OF WORK TO BE HERE AND DO THESE THINGS.
SO IF WE CAN DO THAT WITH 23 DAYS, UM, HOUSTON FIRST AND HINZ AND POPULACE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING WITH THEIR BUDGET.
UH, RAMIREZ, COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ.
THANK YOU, AMY, FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHO'S HERE TO SPEAK ON, UH, THE ABANDONMENT OF POLK OR PROPOSED ABANDONMENT OF POLK.
I DO NOT THINK IF POLK IS TOO ABAN TO BE ABANDONED, THAT LELAND A TWO WAY LELAND IS AN EVEN TRADE.
AND I THINK I'VE ENCOURAGED HOUSTON FIRST AND I'VE ENCOURAGED, UH, PUBLIC WORKS TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL MEASURES, UH, SHOULD POKE BE ABANDONED, INCLUDING PERHAPS TURNING, UH, TEXAS INTO A TWO-WAY STREET.
UH, TURNING FRANKLIN INTO A TWO-WAY STREET AND, AND TO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS.
BUT, UH, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, UM, WE'RE THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT THIS AND VERY SENSITIVE TO, UH, THE NEEDS OF THE FOLKS ON THE EAST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN.
HORATIO LUNARO KIWANI NYLA KIWANI.
ANDREW KIWANI SANTIAGO DE LEON, FATHER NOEL EFO TO BE FOLLOWED BY IRMA GARCIA.
YES, VERY GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR.
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
YOU OFFER ME TO SAY A WORD OR TWO.
THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK THEY'RE DOING FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I WILL KEEP PRAYING FOR YOU AND FOR ALL YOUR COLLABORATORS IN HELPING TO BUILD A BEAUTIFUL CITY.
GREGORY, THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON.
I'VE BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS NOW, AND IT'S A LOVELY AREA AND A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, BUT IT CAN EVEN BE MORE BETTER.
CONCERNING THE CHALLENGE THE COMMUNITY FACED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THERE FOR THE ABANDONED CAME OUT OF HOMELAND HOME HOMELY ROAD.
WE KNOW THIS COUNCIL IS DISCUSSING CONTRACTS CONCERNING HORIZON, THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
WE HOPE THAT WHILE HORIZON IS ON THE AGENDA, THE COUNCILWOMAN JACKSON, OUR AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR, WILL WORK WITH US TO BRING HORIZON AND LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER FOR A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THIS DILAPIDATED, UH, PROPERTY.
I WANT TO SHARE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE, UH, COMING FROM NEW YORK ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR ME THERE, AND I HAD A FEW BREAK-INS IN THE CHURCH GROUNDS.
AND I, I SPOKE WITH THE ARCHBISHOP
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KANADO AND HE CAME TO MY HELP TO SUPPORT AND GIVE ME SOME FUNDS.AND I MOBILIZED THE COMMUNITY TO HELP REPAIR THE FENCE AND THE GATES.
AND WE HAVE SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAMERAS.
AND SINCE I DID THAT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY EXPERIENCE OF BREAKING AT ALL.
BUT I BELIEVE FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, THAT IF SOMETHING IS DONE IN THAT DILAPIDATED BUILDING, WHICH SERVES SOMEHOW LIKE A HANDOUT FOR CRIMINALS AND, UH, BAD, BAD BOYS AND GIRLS, UH, IT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELP LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY.
UH, THE GOSPEL WE PREACH IS ABOUT SERVICE.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED AND LOVE.
NEXT IMA GARCIA TO BE FOLLOWED BY WA JOAQUIN GARCIA.
I'LL BE TRANSLATING FOR HER TODAY.
I'M CHRISTOPHER GARCIA'S MOTHER
HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED THIS FEBRUARY 28TH.
HE WAS WRONG WRONGFULLY ACCUSED BY CLASSMATES.
UM, SINCE DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR OF 2024, THEY WILL BULLY HIM AND THREATEN HIM TO FIGHT HIGH SCHOOL.
THE PRINCIPAL OF HER HIGH SCHOOL ACCUSED HIM OF BEING A GANG MEMBER.
HE WAS SENT TO, UM, AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS SOME, UM, MANY TIMES, UM, JUMPED BY FIVE, SEVEN KIDS.
UH, SO THE PRINCIPAL DECIDED THAT HE WAS THE, THE GANG MEMBER WHO WENT, DECIDED TO, TO TRANSFER HIM TO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.
HE DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL BECAUSE HE WAS NOT THE ONE INITIATING THOSE FIGHTS.
HE STOPPED ATTENDING FOR HIGH SCHOOL SINCE DECEMBER.
HIS CLASSMATES WERE STILL BULLYING HIM THROUGH MESSAGES.
HE WAS DONE WITH THE 20 DAY, UM, PREPARATORY, UM, HIGH SCHOOL.
HE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WHITLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WAS THERE FOR IT'S THREE WEEKS TRYING TO PULL IT IN BECAUSE SHE KNOWS YOUR TIME IS, SHE KNOWS THAT MAYOR, YOU HAVE DONE POSITIVE CHANGES SINCE YOU WERE APPOINTED.
SHE'S ASKING FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT SO THAT NO OTHER MOTHER WILL GO THROUGH THIS PAIN.
[01:00:01]
TRYING TO, UM, GET IN TOUCH WITH THE INVESTIGATORS.THEY HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE PHONE.
THEY HAVE ALL THE PROOF, UH, NAMES, RECORDINGS, UM, EVERYTHING.
SHE'S ASKING THAT FIRST BEFORE ANY PRINCIPAL OR ANY OTHER TEACHER BLAME SOMEONE OF BEING THE THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO FIRST INVESTIGATE AND GO FURTHER.
NOT JUST ASSUME HE WAS JUST 15 YEARS OLD AND SHE DOES NOT WANT ANY OTHER MOTHER TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN.
WHICH, UH, LET ME INTERRUPT FOR A SECOND.
WHICH, WHICH SCHOOL FOR HIGH SCHOOL HE WAS ATTENDING FOR HIGH SCHOOL? FUR.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN THE SCHOOL, WHEN'S THE LAST TIME THAT YOU HAD AN INVESTIGATOR? ANY CONTACT? HPD.
SO WHEN, WHEN WAS THE LAST CONTACT, LIKE MEDIA OUTLETS HAVING, TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH, WITH INVESTIGATOR, BUT HE HAS NOT BEEN PICKING UP THE MEDIA.
BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY? I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT, UH, MY LAST CONTACT WAS LAST WEEK.
SO THEY ARE ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING.
AND YOU WERE IN CONTACT LAST WEEK? LAST WEEK? MM-HMM.
WE'LL, UH, LEMME GET MY STAFF.
MS. WILSON, ARE YOU AND LOUIE MAKE CERTAIN THE OFFICER WITH YOU, UH, THAT YOU HAVE A DIRECT CONTACT WITH HPD INVESTIGATORS? AND WE'RE SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS.
UH, IRMA, TERRIBLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TO BE HERE AND SHARE YOUR STORY.
I ALSO, UH, WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I HAVE A STAFF MEMBER HERE, UM, WHO DOES SPEAK SPANISH.
I KNOW JOAQUIN WILL ALSO COME UP AND, AND TALK AFTER YOU.
UM, AND WE ALSO HAVE SOMEBODY HERE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF, UH, GANG VIOLENCE PREVENTION AS WELL, WHO CAN ALSO, UH, VISIT, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT ALONG WITH, UH, THE MAYOR'S STAFF, MY STAFF, UH, WORKING WITH Y'ALL AND HPD, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOES CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
UM, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
HOW OLD WAS YOUR SON? HOW OLD? 15.
UM, GARCIA, UM, UH, VICTOR GONZALEZ.
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OKAY.LAURA GALLAGHER TO BE FOLLOWED BY NIKIA SIMS. HELLO, UH, RA PI STARTED IN SPANISH BECAUSE I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT YOU CAN'T TELL BY LOOKING AT ME THAT I SPEAK SPANISH.
A DRIVER, JOSE ARMANDO ES ARGUETA WAS STOPPED FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A FEW DAYS AGO AND WAS DETAINED WHEN AN ICE WARRANT SHOWED ON HIS RECORD.
YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE RISE COALITION.
AND I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR YOU TO END NON-SAFETY TRAFFIC STOPS SUCH AS THIS FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THEY MAKE THE COMMUNITY LESS SAFE IN MANY WAYS.
HOW DID THIS STOP MAKE HOUSTON SAFER? I WOULD LIKE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
I'VE BEEN HERE REPEATEDLY SAYING, UH, HEARING HPD SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PERSONNEL AND VEHICLES.
IS THIS HOW YOU WANT HPD TO USE THEIR SELF-DESCRIBED INADEQUATE FUNDING? WHILE THOUSANDS OF RAPE CASES INVESTIGATIONS GATHER DUST AS A TAXPAYER, AS A WOMAN, AS A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY A WHITE CITIZEN, I DON'T COULD HPDS PERCEIVE FUNDING GAP BE CLOSED BY DISPATCHING OFFICERS ONLY TO SITUATIONS THAT ACTUALLY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY.
RATHER THAN WASTING VALUABLE STAFF HOURS, MAKING PRETEXT STOPS, YOU HAVE THE DATA ABOUT HOW RARELY THESE PRETEXT STOPS PRODUCE CONTRABAND.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, PLEASE DON'T ASK ME AGAIN TO PRODUCE IT.
ASK HPD BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE REQUIRED TO TRACK IT.
IF A CRACKED WINDSHIELD IMPAIRS A DRIVER'S VISION, IT'LL BE A BETTER USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER.
IF THE CITY OFFERED A VOUCHER TO REPAIR IT, RATHER THAN USE HIGHLY TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CRIMINALIZE POVERTY AND OR ENFORCE UNPOPULAR FEDERAL LAWS OUTSIDE THEIR JURISDICTION, WE CAN CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.
I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN MY TESLA FOR YEARS.
QUERY WHY IT NEVER CAUSED ME TO FAIL A SAFETY INSPECTION AND WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN STOPPED FOR IT.
I WAS STOPPED FOR SPEEDING AND THE OFFICER MADE NO MENTION OF MY CRACKED WINDSHIELD.
COULD IT BE BECAUSE I'M WHITE OR DRIVING AN EXPENSIVE LOOKING CAR THAT I LOOK LIKE I BELONG IN RHPD PROFILING, WHOSE CRACKED WIND WINDSHIELDS WARRANT A PRETEXT STOP.
AFTER MY HUSBAND READ MY COMMENTS, HE REMINDED ME THAT HE HAS ALSO BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD FOR YEARS, PASSING SAFETY EXP INSPECTIONS AND NOT GETTING PULLED OVER.
UM, WHAT WAS DONE TO JOSE ARAND? I DO NOT WANT THIS DONE UNDER THE PRETEXT OF KEEPING STREETS OR COMMUNITIES SAFE FOR CITIZENS OR OLD WHITE LADIES LIKE ME.
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IF YOU WANT TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE, ENFORCE THE LEASH LAWS SO DOGS STOP ATTACKING MY ELDERLY DOG.AND SO MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE NEVER CAUGHT IN THEIR JAWS.
THIS IS AN URGENT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
AS YOU KNOW, FROM REPORTS OF DOGS ATTACKING CHILDREN, JOSE WAS NOT A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
LET OUR UNDOCUMENTED NEIGHBORS GET BACK TO WORK, CHURCH AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THIS WILL KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.
IF I'M ALMOST FINISHED, IF YOU ALLOW OR ORDER HPD TO CONTINUE THIS PRACTICE, AT A MINIMUM, YOU MUST ORDER HPD TO NOTIFY UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE FOURTH AND FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS, WHICH I'VE JUST PASSED AROUND TO YOU.
UH, MS. GALLAGHER, THANK YOU FOR COMING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CON CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE BEEN BEFORE COUNCIL WITH YOUR CONCERNS.
UM, I I DO SHARE YOUR CONCERNS.
I KNOW MY STAFF STAFF SPOKE WITH YOU.
GIVEN THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT HPD HAS, THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON VIOLENT CRIME AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
AND WHEN WE'RE UTILIZING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SUPPLEMENT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, THAT IS NOT THE ROLE OF HPD.
UM, IT ALSO CREATES A HUGE ISSUE IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHEN PEOPLE ARE FORCED BACK INTO THE SHADOWS WHEN WE CANNOT PROSECUTE THE REAL CRIMINALS BECAUSE WITNESSES ARE TOO AFRAID TO COME FORWARD AND TESTIFY, ARE TOO AFRAID TO BE IN THE PUBLIC, ARE TOO AFRAID TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS.
SO I JUST, I WANT TO THANK YOU.
I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF CALLS AND EMAILS, UM, ON THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT IT, IT IS DIRECTLY TIED TO PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN A VERY, A IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IS AFRAID AND IS BEING PUSHED BACK INTO THE SHADOWS.
UH, THANK YOU, UH, FOR YOUR REMARKS.
I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
I HAD A PEBBLES CRACK AND THEN WHEN IT SNOWED AND I TURNED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP, THE CRACK SPREAD THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED.
UM, I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED WHEN MY INSPECTION IS UP TO SEE IF I CAN PASS THE INSPECTION, BUT I APPRECIATE, UM, YOU RAISING THIS POINT.
COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD AND OUR OFFICES HAVE BEEN TALKING THROUGH, UH, SIMILAR ITEMS IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER, UM, WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE REALLY BEEN LEADING THIS CHARGE.
SO I WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT ALONE AND WHAT YOU ARE WITNESSING AND EXPERIENCING AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS AS WELL.
AND WE'VE BEEN CREATING SPACE TO LISTEN AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE REDEFINE PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO STAYING ENGAGED WITH YOU.
I KNOW YOU'RE IN CONTACT WITH DISTRICT C'S OFFICE.
UM, BUT THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION AND I'LL DEFINITELY TOUCH BASE ONCE MY INSPECTION IS DUE AND LET YOU KNOW HOW THAT TURNS OUT FOR ME.
AND I HEARD ABOUT THIS STORY ON NPR.
THEY HAD A SEGMENT ON THIS, UM, THE GUY BEING DETAINED AND THERE WAS MENTION THAT HPD DIDN'T USED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE ICE WARRANTS, BUT NOW WE DO.
IS THAT, IS THAT THE CHANGE? BECAUSE I GUESS WHEN YOU, WHEN WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEY LOOK AND NOW THEY CAN SEE THE ICE WARRANT.
'CAUSE I KNOW OUR POLICY IS NOT TO REALLY, WHAT I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A I'M SAYING IS THEY, THEY FOUND THIS ON THEIR WARRANT SEARCH.
MAY I REPLY? THAT'S WHAT I WAS INFORMED.
MY COMMENT IS THAT WE NEED TO STOP THE PRETEXT STOPS AND THEN IT WON'T MATTER IF THERE'S AN ICE WARRANT.
UM, JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AS WELL.
UH, MY OFFICE STARTED DOING, UM, YOU KNOW, THESE WORKSHOPS, LAWYER RIGHTS WORKSHOPS EARLY ON AS SOON AS WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS COMING DOWN, COMING DOWN THE PIKE.
AND, UM, UH, SO WE DO HAVE FOLKS LIKE FI WE DO HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE ALSO, UM, UH, UM, ATTORNEYS THAT ARE VOLUNTEERING TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND THIS.
AND SO, UM, I WANNA ALSO MAKE SURE THAT HPD IS BEING, IS FOCUSING ON, ON THE CRIME THAT IS HAPPENING, RIGHT? WE, WE KNOW THAT WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED.
THERE'S FOLKS THAT, UM, ARE DOING CELEBR UH, CELEBRATORY GUNFIRE ALL THE TIME ALONG THE BAYOU.
AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON, ON, YOU KNOW, THE LOCAL, LOCAL ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AND NOT BE, NOT REALLY DOING, YOU KNOW, THE PARTICIPATING ANY OF THE ICE RAIDS.
AND SO MY HOPE IS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WITH, WITH THE, THE AMOUNT OF, UH, OR THE LACK OF OFFICERS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON, ON WHAT IS NEEDED, UM, I WANNA REACH OUT TO YOU AS WELL, JUST SO THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, WHENEVER WE HOST FUTURE KNOW
[01:15:01]
YOUR RIGHTS, YOU CAN GET THAT OUT TO OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL.IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL NUMBER, ALCORN'S INQUIRY ICE HAD UPLOADED INTO, I'M GONNA FORGET THE ALPHABET, THE ACRONYM FOR IT, BUT OVER 700,000, UH, WARRANTS THAT THEY ISSUED, UH, FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COUNTRY.
ONE BUCKET WAS FOR VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE, THEIR APPREHENSION.
UH, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS IS, UH, IF YOU'RE COMMITTING CRIMES AND ARE POSING A A SIGNIFICANT THREAT, THAT IS ONE THING.
BUT THERE'S A SECOND BUCKET OF A LARGE POPULATION AND ALL THAT THEY HAVE DONE IS HAVE A CERTAIN IMMIGRATION STATUS.
IT'S AN IM, IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT, MEANING, UH, THEY HAVE NOT COMMITTED A CRIME.
IT IS SOLELY BASED ON THEIR STATUS.
AND HPD IS NOW ACCESSING THOSE AND CONTACTING ICE PER THE REPORTS.
IF TRUE MAYOR, I'VE ONLY BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION THROUGH THE MEDIA, UM, THEY ARE USING THAT INFORMATION THEN CONTACT ICE IF THAT ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT COMES UP, UH, ONCE THEY HAVE, UH, PULLED SOMEBODY OVER OR STOPPED SOMEBODY AND THAT, THAT'S WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
NIKIA SIMS. NIKIA SIMS, SYLVESTER JONES TO BE FOLLOWED BY STEVE WILLIAMS. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
MAYOR, ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS SEBASTIAN JONES AND UM, I'M A FORMER BUS OPERATOR WITH THE HOUSTON METRO.
AND, UM, I'M APPEALING TO THIS COUNCIL BECAUSE I PRESENTED A ISSUE WITH METRO.
UM, I PRESENTED AN ISSUE TO METRO, UM, BEFORE THEIR BOARD.
THAT IS WHEN, BEFORE THEIR BOARD TWICE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.
UM, IT WAS MET WITH, UH, DISREGARD.
AND THE ISSUE WAS MY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, UH, OF $585.
THAT TURNED INTO, UM, MEETING WITH TOM JASON, WHO IS THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO.
AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, I WAS TERMINATED FROM DALE SERVING THE FORT BEND COUNTY TRANSIT.
SO I HAVE WITH ME A TRAIL OF EVIDENCE, COMMUNICATIONS, UH, EMAIL, VOICE RECORDINGS.
THE VOICE RECORDINGS WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE, BUT IT SO HAPPENS I HAVE ALL OF THAT.
AND I KNOW THIS DOES CARRY, UH, SOME LEGAL RECOURSE.
NOW, MY REASON FOR COMING BEFORE YOU ALL IS 'CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO WITH THIS.
BUT APART FROM, FRANKLY, I JUST HAD A, A DREAM ACCORDING, ACCORDING TO MY PARTICULAR DENOMINATION BELIEF, I BELIEVE IN DREAMS. SO GOD SHOWED ME A DREAM THAT IT CAME BEFORE YOU GUYS.
SO, UM, ONCE AGAIN, I DO HAVE EVIDENCE, I DON'T KNOW, I KNOW I HAVE THREE MINUTES HERE, UH, WHICH ISN'T SUFFICIENT TO PROVE MY CLAIM OF BEING DEALT WITH WRONGFULLY AND THAT MY TERMINATION WAS A RETALIATION, UM, ADMINISTERED BY TOM JASON.
UM, METRO I KNOW IS INDEED A FINE COMPANY.
AND IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FINE PEOPLE WORKING FOR A COMPANY.
SOMETIME A PERSON MAKE A MISTAKE AND SOMETIME THEY DON'T WANNA OWN UP TO IT.
AND WHO IS ONE PERSON SUCH AS MYSELF TO GO UP AGAINST THE CEO SO I CAN PROVE THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF MEETING WITH SOME OF YOU ALL AFTER THIS, YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT WHAT, UH, COPIES THAT I HAVE TO GIVE TO YOU ALL ABOUT MY PARTICULAR CLAIM AGAINST METRO.
WHEN WERE YOU TERMINATED? WHEN WAS I WAS TERMINATED IN NOVEMBER OF 2021.
THREE YEARS AT LEAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
AND SO TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF, UH, BACKGROUND, MY, MY TERMINATION CAME AS A RESULT OF A,
[01:20:01]
UM, RANDOM DRUG SCREENING.AND IT WAS COCAINE FOUND IN MY SYSTEM.
I NEVER USED COCAINE, BUT I'M THINKING POSSIBLY IT GOT IN MY SYSTEM.
'CAUSE I DID ENGAGE IN SMOKING MARIJUANA, WHICH I KNEW THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE SOMETHING I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, DOING, BUT I GOT BACK INTO IT.
SO YOU'RE SPECULATING THAT YOUR MARIJUANA WAS LACED WITH COCAINE.
YEAH, IT SOUNDS REAL POSSIBLE.
YEAH, BECAUSE I, 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW NO OTHER WAY.
'CAUSE I'VE NEVER USED THAT STUFF.
BUT THAT TERMINATION CAME RIGHTFULLY SO.
YOU NEVER USED WHAT STUFF? THE COCAINE OR THE MARIJUANA? THE MARIJUANA.
I NEVER, I NEVER TOUCHED THAT, BUT I DID ENGAGE IN SMOKING SOME MARIJUANA.
SO I'M, I'M SAYING THAT I, I KNOW THE TERMINATION WAS RIGHTFULLY SO THAT THERE'S A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR THAT.
BUT I WAS ENCOURAGED BY KAREN KAUFMAN TO TAKE THE SAP PROGRAM, UM, GIVING ME HOPE FOR RETURNING TO METRO.
ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE IS NO COMING BACK TO METRO.
AND SO BASED ON THAT, WELL, I'VE ASKED FOR A REFUND, BUT ALL OF THIS IS IN A NUTSHELL, LIKE I SAID, I HAVE ALL THE EVIDENCE I KNOW TO PROVE.
DO YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY? I'M SORRY? DID YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY DURING THIS PERIOD? NO, I DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY.
I CONSULTED A LITTLE BIT WITH EEOC, BUT I DIDN'T GO FURTHER WITH THAT BECAUSE THE THOUGHT WAS TO COME HERE FIRST.
WELL, LET, LET ME RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET AN ATTORNEY IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A CLAIM AND YOU WERE WRONGFULLY RELEASED, OKAY? OKAY.
NEXT, STEVE WILLIAMS, PAUL DANCY TO BE FOLLOWED BY NINA TRAN.
UH, I, I, I SEE THAT THE CITY IS, IS CLEAN DOWNTOWN.
I I'VE BEEN IN RECOVERING FROM PROSTATE SURGERY AND I HADN'T BEEN DOWNTOWN SINCE YOU'VE BEEN MAYOR.
YOU GOT YOUR OWN STYLE, THAT'S FOR SURE.
UH, THAT'S, UH, I, I, I'LL CONCUR WITH THAT TOO.
UH, WHAT I WANNA SAY IS, UH, I'M KIND OF IN A DESPERATE SITUATION BECAUSE I, I, I, I GOT A COMPUTER AND I GOT ON THE COMPUTER AND I WAS TRYING TO GET AN EDITOR FOR A MANUSCRIPT.
AND, UH, SOME KINDA WHY I ENDED UP WITH, WITH, UH, AI, A, A, A LADY THAT WAS, WASN'T WHO SHE SAID SHE WAS.
AND, AND I ENDED UP LOSING $400.
SO, UH, UH, THAT KIND OF THREW ME OFF WITH THE COMPUTER.
AND I'M STANDING HERE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S ENOUGH BRILLIANT MINDS IN THIS ROOM THAT CAN DIRECT ME TO SOMEBODY THAT CAN.
I GOT, IT'S A HUNDRED PAGES AND I DON'T HAVE A TESLA, BUT I DO HAVE A LITTLE MONEY THAT SAVED UP THAT I CAN PAY SOMEBODY.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR THIS FREE, BUT THAT, THAT COMPUTER PUTTING, GETTING SOMEBODY TO DO IT, I, I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT NO MORE.
IT'S GOT ME WITH A HEADACHE RIGHT NOW, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S ENOUGH.
AND WHAT REALLY MOTIVATED ME, I GOT A CALL FROM, UH, UH, UH, UH, A, A INTERN FROM COUNCILMAN SHABAZZ YESTERDAY.
AND UH, UH, AND I SENT, I WANTED YOU TO SEE A COPY OF THE YEAH.
AND, UH, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S ABOUT IT.
I'M JUST, I'M JUST, I DON'T WANT TO THROW AWAY NO MORE MONEY.
AND I'M, I'M, I'M JUST WITH THE COMPUTER AND I KNOW IT'S SOME, SOME MINDS IN HERE THAT KNOW SOMEBODY THAT I CAN, WE GOT TWO OF THE BEST MINDS.
YOU'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED
WELL, HE GOT CASH, GAVE ONE TO UH, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW.
MY COMPUTER IS HUNG WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE LADY TO SEE IF I COULD GET HER AGAIN, I COULDN'T GET HER AGAIN.
MY COMPUTER IS HUNG UP RIGHT NOW.
SO, UH, YOU HAVE BEEN ON A COMPUTER.
HAVE YOU LEAVE THAT LADY ALONE? YEAH.
YOU LADY ALONE, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO? CHECK WITH OFFICER CAR.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOME ERIC CARR COULD REALLY GET TO THE
[01:25:01]
BOTTOM OF IN A HURRY.'CAUSE HP D'S GOT AN IT DIVISION AND THERE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A CRIME INVOLVED, BUT, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER HEADACHE, MAYOR.
BUT WHAT I WANNA DO, WHAT I, EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, THERE'S A HEADACHE.
WHAT I WANT TO DO, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS PAY SOMEBODY OR REFER SOMEBODY CAN REFER SOMEBODY TO ME THAT I CAN PAY.
WELL CHECK WITH MR. CARR WITH HPD AND HE'LL BE BACKED UP BY MS. WILSON IN MY OFFICE.
AND SHE'S ONE OF THOSE GREAT MINDS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THE ROOM.
WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHO GOT YOUR $400.
IT DON'T GET MUCH BETTER, SIR.
SIR, HERE'S ANOTHER GREAT MIND.
I'M NOT SURE IF, UM, I KNOW AN EDITOR OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT THE FACT THAT YOU CAME DOWN HERE, YOU'RE WILLING TO PAY SOMETHING TO SOMEONE FOR SOME HELP.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN, YEAH, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND YOU THE RIGHT PERSON.
SO I'LL, I'LL LEAVE YOU MY CARD AND LET'S STAY IN TOUCH.
UH, YOU KNOW, MIKE WATER BILL.
AND, UH, THREE YEARS FROM NOW, I HAVE, YOU KNOW, FROM $30 A MONTH AND IN THE SUMMER ABOUT $60 A MONTH, IT COME UP TO 200, 300 SOMETHING A MONTH.
AND I HAVE A AUTO AUTOPAY AND I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION ABOUT IT THEN.
NOW I, I HAVE IT, YOU KNOW, LIKE A YEARS FROM NOW AND I HAVE BE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, BLOOMING PEOPLE COME, COME IN AND CHECK.
AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BROUGHT ME NOT WORKING THEN, THEN SOME
AND THE NEPHEW DAYS THEY CALL AND TELL ME THAT THE, YESTERDAY, YOU KNOW, THE DAY THEY CALLED THE RE MY MOTHER IS RECLAIMING, BUT IT'S NOT LOOK LIKE THAT AT ALL BECAUSE NOTHING GOING ON.
AND UM, AND UM, THEN THEY TOLD THAT THE NIGHT, THE LAST DAY OF THAT DAY, I HAVE EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
AND I LIVE BY MYSELF SINCE MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO I HAVE TO BRING MY KID OVER HERE TO, FOR Y'ALL TO HELP ME OUT BECAUSE I'M IN A FIT INCOME BY MYSELF AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO DO THAT ANYMORE.
ANYTIME I CALL, THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY THE BILL.
LET MS. WILSON, CYNTHIA, WILL YOU, UH, FACILITATE HER TALKING TO PUBLIC WORKS? GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, TALK TO MS. WILSON, MA'AM OVER HERE BY THE DOOR AND SHE'LL GET PUBLIC WORKS TO REVIEW YOUR CASE.
JOE GRETA WILLIAMS DEL GRETA WILLIAMS. MARIE BROWN.
JOSEPH BALLARD TO BE FOLLOWED BY SANDRA ALLEN.
UH, I GOT A PROBLEM WITH, WITH, WITH POLITICIANS
[01:30:01]
COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND, UH, BEING SNEAKY AND NOT DOING ANYTHING.UH, I KNOW Y'ALL KNOW ABOUT THE CANCER CLUSTER.
IT KILLED WHOLE, OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY ALMOST.
UH, I'M SO, I'M SO FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY RIGHT NOW WITH EVERYBODY COMING IN OUR COMMUNITY, PROFITING OFF OUR COMMUNITY GRANTS HERE, GRANTS THERE, AND OUR COMMUNITY STILL SUFFERS FROM CANCER.
AND HERE YOU IS, COME, UH, MS. PLUM WITH A, A FILM AND THIS CANCER TESTING.
YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T EVEN TELL ME HOW MANY PEOPLE, THE POPULATION OF FIFTH WARD, YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN KNOW.
200 PEOPLE TO DO A CANCER STUDY OUTTA 19,000.
IF YOU GOT A GRANT THROUGH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, DON'T JUST, IF YOU ELIGIBLE, I'M ELIGIBLE.
MY THING IS, I THINK IT'S DISRESPECTFUL.
'CAUSE WHEN YOU HAD THAT PRIVATE MEETING HERE IN CITY HALL, AND I TOLD YOU PERSONALLY, AND I AIN'T COME HERE TO CAUSE NO CONFUSION, I'M JUST COME HERE TO FIGHT FOR MY COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN Y'ALL COME IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH, WITH THESE, THESE PLANS AND WHATEVER Y'ALL COME, IT SETS US BACK A LITTLE FURTHER.
WE TRYING TO GO, TRYING TO GO FORWARD.
WE AIN'T TRYING TO GO BACKWARDS.
WE ALREADY KNOW WE GOT COUNCIL.
I DON'T WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE I'M GONNA WORRY MYSELF TO DEATH AND DIE.
I'M GONNA KEEP ON FIGHTING UNTIL I DIE.
BUT THE THING IS, YOU COMING OUR COMMUTE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU TRYING TO RUN FOR OFFICE OR WHAT Y'ALL DOING.
IF, IF SHEILA COULDN'T DO IT, VER S BEST TURNER COULDN'T DO IT.
IF THE, IF THE, THE MAN FROM THE EPA IN WASHINGTON DC CAN'T DO IT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING DO? WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN? WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN AFTER YOUR FUNDS RUN OUT? DO YOU NOT DO, DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR ONE PERSON TO HAVE A COUNCIL STUDY? YOUR ORGANIZATION DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, BUT ONCE YOU DO ONE PERSON, THEN Y'ALL ARE JUST GONNA DRIFT AWAY.
I KNOW IT, BUT I, LIKE I SAID, I ASKED YOU TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY, BRING IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO SEE HOW THE COMMUNITY FEEL ABOUT IT.
AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE NO PUSHBACK 'CAUSE THEY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION.
BUT WHEN YOU GO DOWNSTAIRS AND DO SECRET STUFF AND Y'ALL HAVE THESE SECRET MEETINGS AND BRING IT INTO THE COMMUNITY, NOW YOU GOT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY UPROAR.
YOU EITHER WORKING FOR UP OR YOU WORKING FOR US OR YOU TRYING TO GET YOU SOME MONEY OR, OR MOVE UP IN, IN WASHINGTON DC I DON'T KNOW.
I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.
UH, LET ME, UH, YIELD TO COUNCILMAN PLUMMER.
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU WERE ANGRY VERY.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED A TON OF LOSS IN YOUR LIFE.
THE ONE THING YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO, YOU'VE NOT GONNA COME UP HERE.
YOU'RE NOT TO TELL ME I'VE DONE THAT ALREADY.
BUT I'M GONNA, I'M WELL STOP HAVING SECRET MEETING IN THE, I I'M SET THIS STRAIGHT.
YOU NOW, LEMME TELL YOU, LET TELL YOU SOMETHING.
YOU WERE THAT MEETING WITH HARRIS COUNTY.
DO CAN'T TELL ME NOTHING ABOUT FIFTH WARD.
AND YOU, YOU WERE IN GOOD MEETING AND YOU UP OUR COMMUNITY ARE DYING.
YOU HAD YOUR MOMENT ONE TIME YOU WALKED UP TO ME AND YOU SAID TO ME, THANK GOD SOMEBODY IS HELPING US OUT.
WHO SAID THAT? YOU SAID THAT WHEN YOU WALKED RIGHT UP TO ME, I AIN'T NEVER TALKED TO YOU.
I'M SAYING YOU MR. BALLARD LOVE US.
'CAUSE I AIN'T NEVER ASKED HIM ABOUT NOTHING.
WE CAN HAVE, WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, BUT WHAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO DO TO ME IS YOU'RE NOT GONNA DEFAME MY REPUTATION.
WELL, YOU'RE NOT GONNA DIS DISRESPECT OUR COMMUNITY.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA DISRESPECT OUR COMMUNITY.
OKAY, MR. BALLARD, THAT'S ENOUGH.
RESPECTFULLY, Y'ALL CAN AGREE TO RESPECTFUL THERE.
OUR COMMUNITY, COMFORT ENOUGH, OUR COMMUNITY, I UNDERSTAND.
AND WE STILL IN THE SAME POSITION.
BUT YOU CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE.
[01:35:01]
I JUST COME OUT AND MAKE A STATEMENT.I YOU'RE BEING INSULTING IS WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW.
NOW LET'S CONTINUE, BUT NOT HERE TODAY.
BUT WHEN IS IT BE, WHEN IT BE A RIGHT TIME? WHEN I, AFTER EVERYBODY DIE, I'M NOT GONNA DEBATE THE ISSUE WITH YOU.
I'M GOING TO HAVE AN ORDERLY MEETING.
I DON'T THINK IT, WE REACHED, I GOTTA GO TO JAIL NEXT SPEAKER.
UM, MR. JOHN WHITMEYER, HOW ARE YOU TODAY, SIR? I'M, I'M FINE, THANK YOU.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY SON ON THOSE KIDNAPPING CHARGES.
THE CASE NUMBER WAS H WITH HPD WAS 1 1 1 1 0 6 1 DASH 24.
I BURIED MY HUSBAND ON THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY THE 27TH OF FEBRUARY.
I WENT DOWN TO THE, UH, UT HEALTH BEHAVIOR SIGN CENTERS.
MY SON BEEN SITTING IN THERE SINCE AUGUST OF 2024.
AND I ASKED HIM COULD HE GET OUT AND COME TO HIS DAD'S FUNERAL.
UH, THE EDITH TURNER, SHE TOLD ME NO, WHICH IS HIS SOCIAL WORKER.
AND SO I CALLED HER BOSS, UH, MS. DONNA DAVIS AND ASKED HER.
AND, UH, SHE NEVER RETURNED MY CALL.
SO I GET A CALL FROM EDITH TURNER ON THE THIRD MARCH THE THIRD, THE FOLLOWING MONDAY.
MIND YOU, I I SAW MY SON ON THE 27TH OF FEBRUARY.
THE FUNERAL OF MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE 28TH.
MONDAY WAS THAT FOLLOWING WAS MARCH THE THIRD WHEN A NEW MONTH.
EDITH TURNER LEAVES ON MY VOICEMAIL.
YOUR SON HAS BEEN DISCHARGED TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE WITH A MAN NAMED MR. WASHINGTON.
SO SHE SAY HIS PHONE NUMBER IS (713) 767-2732.
I CALL HIM, HE TELLS ME YOUR SON AIN'T CAME HERE.
YOU NEED TO GO BACK OVER THERE AND TELL THEM, FIND YOUR SON.
SO I NEED TO KNOW WHERE IS MY SON AT? 'CAUSE I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND.
ALSO REST IN PEACE TO THE DEAD OFFICER OF PRECINCT FIVE.
CHRISTINA CALLER, SHE BROUGHT MY SON TO ME TWO YEARS AGO.
SHE BROUGHT ME THAT, THAT PRETTY LADY BROUGHT MY SON TO ME.
NATHAN HAS AUTISM AND HE ALSO HAS EPILEPTIC SEIZURES.
HE DIDN'T GET TO GRADUATE THIS YEAR.
HE'S BEEN SITTING THERE EVER SINCE HPD KIDNAPPED HIM WHILE WE WERE WALKING INTO SITE FAIR.
GETTING OFF THE BUS AND WALKING INTO SITE FAIR TO THE CARAWAY POST OFFICE TO PICK UP MY MAIL OUTTA MY PO BOX.
SO I NEED TO KNOW WHERE IS MY SON BECAUSE EDITA TURNER, DONNA DAVIS OVER THERE AT UT HEALTH BEHAVIOR SCIENCE CENTER IN THE DON BUILDING OFF OF 2 88.
THEY DON'T, THEY SAY MY SON AIN'T THERE NO MORE.
AND HE'S BEEN IN THERE EVER SINCE HPD PUT HIM THERE.
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE IS NATHAN ALLEN? IS MY SON DEAD? I JUST BURIED MY HUSBAND.
THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET HIM OUT AT THE LIMO TO COME AND PICK HIM UP FOR THE FUNERAL.
WHEN YOU KEEP SAYING THEY WON'T LET HIM OUT, OUT OF WHERE THEY WOULDN'T, THEY WON'T LET HIM OUT.
THE UT HEALTH BEHAVIOR SCIENCE, THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.
AND, UH, I WENT UP THERE, I HAD A VISIT WITH MY SON ON THE 27TH.
I TAKE HIM POPEYE'S CHICKEN EVERY TIME I VISIT HIM.
SO YOU WENT AND VISITED HIM AT THE LOCATION? MM-HMM
I'VE BEEN VISITING HIM EVER SINCE I CAME TO SEE YOU THE, THE LAST TIME.
IT WAS 2024 WHEN I CAME TO SEE YOU LAST TIME.
AND YOU HAD REFERRED ME TO ERIC CARR AND MS. UH, WILSON.
ERIC CARR HAS BEEN RUDE TO ME.
HE HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I EXPLAINED THIS TO HIM.
HE SAID, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A LAWYER.
FIRST OF MY SON WAS KIDNAPPED.
I'M WALKING DOWN THE STREET, WE MINDING OUR BUSINESS AND FOUR UNITS COME UP AND GRAB HIM.
RE REBECCA WILLIAMS IS GONNA VISIT WITH YOU IN MY OFFICE AND WE'LL TRY TO FACILITATE YOUR LOCATION.
I NEED TO, I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE'S, IS MY SON ALIVE? ALIVE? WE'RE GONNA DO THE BEST WE CAN.
I NEED TO KNOW BECAUSE I HADN'T SEEN HIM SINCE THE 27TH.
TALK TO REBECCA AND WE'LL, UH, FOLLOW UP.
AND YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.
[01:40:01]
NEXT MICHAEL MCKENZIE.REBECCA, SEE IF HE'S STILL THERE.
IF NOT, SEE WHEN HE WAS DISCHARGED AND THEN GET WITH ERIC CARR TO CHECK HPD RECORDS.
I DON'T THINK SHE LIKES ERIC CARR.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COUNTER STREAM MEDIA.
WE ARE MEDIA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
UM, ON THE WEEK OF MARCH 11TH.
VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE US AND VARIOUS COUNTRIES WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE VISITED HOUSTON, TEXAS.
I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THE PEACEFUL AND LAWFUL VISITORS MANHANDLE TRAMPLED ON BY HORSES AND TREATED WORSE THAN RIOTERS, WHO STORMED THE NATION'S CAPITAL.
THEY WERE HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIRFARE, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY, CORPORATIONS THAT ARE COLLECTIVELY WORTH $8 TRILLION WERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS FOR AN ANNUAL PETROCHEMICAL CONFERENCE.
EACH SET OF VISITORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HOUSTON ECONOMY BY STAYING IN HOTELS, BUYING PRODUCTS, AND EATING AT RESTAURANTS.
WE'RE AWARE OF THE MANY ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES THAT HOUSTONIANS FACE.
OUR CITY IS PRONE TO HURRICANES, FLOODING, EXCESSIVE HEAT, HOMELESSNESS, AIR QUALITY, CONCERNS, ILLEGAL DUMPING, CANCER, CANCER CLUSTERS, AND EVEN THE TAKEOVER OF OUR DISTRICT.
AND SO, WHILE THE ESTIMATED COMBINED NET WORTH OF THE COMPANIES IN HOUSTON FOR SALE WEEK IS $8 TRILLION, THERE WAS NO CONCERTED EFFORT TO GIVE BACK TO HOUSTON.
INSTEAD, THE CITY OF HOUSTON SERVED THE $8 TRILLION COLLECTIVE WITH TAXPAYER HORSES, HORSES AND POLICE FORCE TO SILENCE AND INJURE LAWFUL ADVOCATES TO HAVE WOMEN TRAMPLED ON BY HORSES AND MANHANDLED, WHILE SCENTING DOWN WAS NOT THE HOUSTON WE KNOW AND LOVE AT MOST, UH, THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN THE NATION AS THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN THE NATION.
AND ON BEHALF OF, UH, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND MY ORGANIZATION, COUNTER STREAM, BECAUSE I WAS, UH, PART OF THAT ORGANIZING, UM, TEAM TO HELP BRING THOSE INDIVIDUALS HERE I STAND BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TO SAY WE ARE SORRY AND WE STAND WITH YOU.
NEXT, BRENDA VETO, ISIDRO GARZA, ALICIA ROBERTS CAULFIELD TO BE FOLLOWED BY AMY DEN.
HELLO, MS. CAULFIELD, WE WE STAND.
FIRST I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD EVENING AND HELLO EVERYONE.
I'M A CITIZEN OF NORTHEAST HOUSTON.
MY NAME IS ALICIA ROSE CAULFIELD AND I COME BEFORE YOU, NOT IN OPPOSITION, BUT IN PARTNERSHIP, SEEKING REAL SOLUTIONS FOR A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN LONG OVERLOOKED.
AT 99 29 HOMESTEAD STREET, WE SEE NOT JUST AN ABANDONED SHOPPING CENTER, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, WHAT WAS ONCE A THRIVING HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY WHERE RETAIL SHOPS HAS SET EMPTY ITS POTENTIAL LOCKED AWAY SINCE 2012, THE HORIZON INTERNATIONAL GROUP AND MR. CASANI HAD HAVE OWNED THIS PROPERTY.
AND WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ITS FUTURE, NO MEANINGFUL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, WE UNDERSTAND THAT AS A BUSINESSMAN, MR. KANI MUST MAKE SOUND FINANCIAL DECISIONS.
WE RESPECT THAT AS A BUSINESS BUSINESSMAN.
HOWEVER, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT BUSINESS SUCCESS AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
THERE ARE REAL COMMITTED PARTNERS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WHO ARE EAGER TO COLLABORATE IN WAYS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL.
[01:45:01]
HOUSTON IS IN URGENT NEED.THANKS LORD OF DEVELOPMENTAL, OF DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS, JOB TRAINING, GROCERY STORES, MEDICAL CLINICS, AND SPACES WHERE FAMILIES CAN GATHER THE VERY ESSENTIALS THAT STRENGTHENS NEIGHBORHOODS HOODS.
RIGHT NOW, INSTEAD OF BEING A CATALYST FOR GROWTH IN WAYS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL, WE SEE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS, DRUG INFESTATION, NO MORALE BUILT IN THE CITY.
WE ARE NOT HERE TO DICTATE WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
NOR AM I HERE TO HINDER A BUSINESS DECISION.
I AM HERE TO ASK FOR PARTNERSHIP.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT TODAY, UH, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERING A $12 MILLION CONTRACT REGARDING THE AIRPORT SYSTEM.
A CONTRACT THAT MR. KWANI AND HORIZON INTERNATIONAL GROUP STAND TO BENEFIT.
WHILE THAT PROJECT MOVES FORWARD, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY AND HORIZON TO MEET WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, NOT AS ADVERSARIES, BUT AS PARTNERS TO EXPLORE SOME VIABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THIS LONGSTANDING ISSUE.
WE'RE ASKING FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
THANK YOU MAYOR, AND THANK YOU MA'AM FOR COMING FORTH.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION, A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH REGARDING THIS.
AND I, I DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON TODAY.
AND I KNOW THAT SHE HAS TALKED TO MR. HASANI, UM, REGARDING THIS.
AND, UH, TOMORROW WHEN SHE'S HERE, SHE'LL PROBABLY SPEAK TO THAT MATTER.
BUT YOU'RE, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE, YOU'RE WANTING TO DO THE RIGHT THING TO IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY.
AND CERTAINLY AS WE, UM, THROUGH THE CITY AWARD CONTRACTS, YOU KNOW, WE WANT GOOD PARTNERS, RIGHT? WE WANT GOOD PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS.
SO THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND, AND, UH, ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF YOUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT DOES MATTER.
WE GOTTA, IT'S A WIN-WIN WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.
MY HUSBAND WAS SAYING, LET'S MOVE OUT, LET'S MOVE.
BUT WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU'RE GONNA FIND SOME THINGS THAT ARE UN UH, LOVELY.
BUT I KNOW FROM GROWING UP IN THE COMMUNITY, UH, THAT WE DO NEED SOME HELP CHANGE JUST FOR PEOPLE TO EVEN GET THAT ADMONITION THAT THINGS CAN GET BETTER.
UM, MS. FER, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND MAKING YOUR, UM, YOUR INFORMATION PRESS YOUR CLAIM.
IS THERE SOMETHING ALONG WITH, IN DISTRICT B ON THE COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON, THAT'S SOMETHING, A PROJECT ON THE TABLE AS OF NOW, NO PROJECT, BUT I KNOW IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED ABOUT THAT PROPERTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
THE CONDITION OF IT, IS THERE SOMETHING ALREADY THAT'S PART OF THAT PROJECT? NOTHING IS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT WAS WHITEWASHED, UH, MAYBE A MONTH OR TWO AGO.
IT MAYBE, SO THAT WHEN YOU PASS BY, IT WON'T BE SO DISGUSTING.
HOWEVER, NOTHING HAS, AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERS OR MAYBE PEOPLE JUST HAVE NOT SAT I HAVE BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN HOUSTON.
AND, UM, IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE THAT WHEN THESE KIDS GET OUT, WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD? SO, MR. I'M HERE JUST FOR, FOR THAT.
I, IF WE CAN'T JUST COME TO THE TABLE, TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR HIM, FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED, I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE, UH, WORTHWHILE.
MR. SHAWNEE OWNS THE PROPERTY.
UM, SO HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED WITH COUNCILMAN JACKSON AND HIM IN REGARDS TO, I HAVEN'T.
WITH, UH, EARLIER, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN SOMETHING WAS COMING ABOUT THROUGH OUR CIVIC CLUB, I WORKED WITH OUR CIVIC CLUB PERSON, UH, AND THE, UH, COUNCIL PERSON AT THAT TIME WHEN SOMETHING WAS COMING TO THE TABLE.
BUT FOR SOME REASON, UH, I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S, UH, LACK OF TRUST.
[01:50:01]
IT IS.BUT I KNOW WE NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT OF WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN ARE SOME VIABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THAT COMMUNITY AND NOT, UH, BASED ON ANY ONE PARTICULAR PERSON.
BECAUSE MY INTEREST IS IN DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE, I'M MOVING OFF THE SCENE.
THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE COMING ALONG.
THESE PEOPLE NEED OPPORTUNITY.
I I WILL SPEAK TO COUNCILMAN JACKSON AS WELL, AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD COME TO SOMETHING.
I KNOW SEVERAL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THAT COMMUNITY.
AND, UH, SO I, I, I HEAR YOUR CONCERNS AND I THINK THAT I'M A MEMBER OF, UH, MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, A HOMESTEAD, UH, THERE, MY FATHER HAD STARTED A A, A SCHOOL THAT RAN SUCCESSFULLY FOR YEARS.
UH, IT'S NO LONGER THERE, BUT I STILL ATTEND CHURCH THERE.
SO WHEN I COME UP PARKER, THE VERY FIRST THING I SEE IS THAT, UH, MAYOR PROM TATUM.
I DID RECEIVE A, A MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, SHE IS, SHE TAGGED THIS ITEM THE WEEK BEFORE OUR BREAK, UM, SO SHE COULD GET MORE INFORMATION ON IT.
UM, SHE DID SAY THAT SHE HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. KANI.
UM, AND SO WHEN SHE RETURNS TOMORROW, SHE'LL BE ABLE TO, UM, ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY.
AND THEN ALSO SHE WANTED ME TO REITERATE THAT SHE WILL, UM, ALONG WITH HER STAFF, MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS ABREAST OF THE PROGRESS THEY ARE MAKING WITH THEIR CONVERSATIONS.
OKAY? SO THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.
NEXT AMY DEN, BE FOLLOWED BY ROY HURST.
I'M A CONCERNED EASTON RESIDENT, UM, WORRIED ABOUT MAINTAINING EAST WEST ACCESS FOR HOUSTONIANS WHO LIVE IN THE EASTON FIFTH WARD.
THIRD WARD, AND LIKE ME THAT LIVE OFF OF I 45 SOUTH THAT DEPEND ON POLK AS AN IMPORTANT DOWNTOWN CONNECTOR.
I FIRST LEARNED OF THE PROPOSED PLANS TO ABANDON POLK STREET ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2025 LAST NIGHT.
THE PUBLIC LEARNED, THERE ARE ALSO FOUR OTHER STREETS IN THIS PROPOSAL IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, INCLUDED WITH THE PROPOSED ABANDONMENT, WHICH WEREN'T PREVIOUSLY DISCLOSED.
I ATTENDED THE UNVEILING OF THE MAYOR'S AND HOUSTON FIRST PLANS ON MARCH 6TH.
AND AFTER THAT MARCH 6TH EVENT, IT WAS REPORTED PUBLICLY THAT THE MAYOR'S SOLUTION WAS TO MAINTAIN EAST WEST ACCESS BY MAKING LELAND A TWO-WAY STREET.
I PLANNED TO COME TALK TO Y'ALL LAST WEEK ABOUT THIS, BUT THE COUNCIL WAS OFF.
AND LAST NIGHT I GOT A CHANCE TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY MEETING HOSTED BY OUR DISTRICT EYE REPRESENTATIVE.
AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR HOSTING THAT AND ALL OF THOSE THAT WERE IN ATTENDANCE TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE IF YOU WERE THERE, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY'S NOT HAPPY ABOUT THESE PLANS BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA SEVERELY COMPROMISE AN ALREADY CONSTRAINED SITUATION.
WITH ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN FROM THE EAST, I WORK DOWNTOWN.
I COME DOWNTOWN FOR EVENTS OUTSIDE OF WORK IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AT DISCOVERY GREEN, THE THEATER DISTRICT AND OTHER EVENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
MAINTAINING THIS ACCESS FOR THOSE THAT WORK AND PLAY DOWNTOWN AND FOR STUDENTS YOU OF AGED DOWNTOWN AND SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW, HOUSTON IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THIS ISSUE IMPACTS EVERYONE COMING IN ON I 45 SOUTH AND OTHER CONNECTORS ON THE EAST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN.
THE SOLUTION TO MAKE LELAND A TWO-WAY STREET IN AND OUT OF DOWNTOWN IS NOT A COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
THAT DECISION IS NOT SUPPORTED BY TRAFFIC STUDIES OR ENGINEERING DETAIL OF ANY KIND.
AND THAT WOULD CONFIRM THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
IF YOU HAVEN'T TRAVELED LELAND STREET, I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT TODAY.
LELAND'S AN EXISTING THREE-WAY ROAD HEADING ONE WAY OUT OF DOWNTOWN.
IF IT'S MADE INTO A TWO-LANE ROAD, IT'S GONNA LOOK MAYBE LIKE ALABAMA STREET OVER IN MONTROSE, RIGHT? WITH A TURN LANE IN THE MIDDLE AND ONE LANE ON EITHER SIDE GOING OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.
THAT'S A CHALLENGING SITUATION TO HANDLE EXISTING VOLUME COMMUTING PATTERNS.
ONE WAY ON LELAND, MUCH LESS ABSORBING THE TRAFFIC THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE ON POLK OR MAINTAINING BIKE ACCESS THAT ALREADY EXIST ON POLK.
THERE'S ALSO NO GRADE SEPARATION ON LELAND, WHERE IT CROSSES RAILROAD TRACKS AT CULLEN.
SO IT'S CONSTANTLY BLOCKED BY TRAINS.
NOW THOSE IMPACTS ARE GONNA IMPACT TRAFFIC IN TWO DIRECTIONS, NOT JUST ONE.
LAST NIGHT, METRO ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL RUN THEIR BUSES ON LELAND.
IF POLK ACCESS IS CLOSED TO DOWNTOWN.
THERE ARE 5,500 DAILY RIDERS ON POLK ON THE 40 AND 41 ROUTES.
CURRENTLY AT THESE OPERATIONS FOR METRO GET MOVED TO POLK, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A SINGLE LANE OF TRAFFIC BOTH DIRECTIONS WITH METRO
[01:55:01]
BUSES ON BOTH SIDES RUNNING THEIR THEIR THING.SO METRO IS GONNA MAKE UP THE INCREASED DISTANCES BY ADDING MORE BUSES ON THAT ROUTE.
THAT ON LELAND TDOT IS ALSO GONNA START WORKING ON THIS DOWNTOWN CONNECTOR AS PART OF ITS PROJECT.
AND, AND, AND 2020, OH, SORRY, 2030 WITH A COMPLETION DATE IN 2037.
AND I CONFIRMED WITH T DOT LAST NIGHT.
THAT PROJECT GETS DIVIDED INTO TWO SEGMENTS.
SEGMENT D ONE AND UH, SEGMENT THREE, D ONE AND 3D TWO.
AND AS SOON AS TDOT HAS THE LANES TO REROUTE THAT TRAFFIC FROM 45 ONTO 69 IN PLACE, THEY'RE GOING TO DECOMMISSION THE PIERCE ELEVATED FURTHER CUTTING ACCESS ON THE EAST END AND PEOPLE COMING IN ON I 40 SOUTH.
PLEASE NOTE THIS CULT CLOSURE ALREADY PLANNED BY TDOT IS GONNA HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE COMMUTERS THAT I'VE MENTIONED AND IT'S ALREADY PLANNED.
SO WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE'RE PLANNING FUTURE PROJECTS LIKE THIS EXPANSION PLAN FOR THE GEORGIA BROWN, NOT ACTING LIKE IT'S NOT GONNA EXIST SINCE THE CONVICTION PROJECT IS GONNA NECESSARILY COINCIDE ALREADY WITH THAT TECH DOT PROJECT, WE HAVE TO TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT.
WE CAN'T BUILD ANOTHER NEW BUILDING AS PART OF THE, UH, GEORGE R. BROWN, WHICH IS ANOTHER BARRIER TO THE EAST END IN 20 26, 20 28, AND THEN CLOSE A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE INTO EAST DOWNTOWN, KNOWING THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE CLOSING ALL OF THESE ADDITIONAL ROUTES AS PART OF THE TECH PROJECT.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AND IT JUST COMPLICATES AN ALREADY TROUBLESOME HISTORIC DEFICIENT ACCESS SITUATION.
AND THE NEW PLANS DON'T ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM.
IT'S JUST GONNA MAKE IT WORSE.
ALRIGHT, I'M JUST GONNA SAY, PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS.
WE NEED AND DESERVE A BETTER DESIGN FOR OUR VISITORS CONVENTION CENTER THAT ALLOWS FOR ACCESS OF ALL HOUSTONIANS TO DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.
AND AS A CITY, WE SHOULD NOT IMPROVE PLANS THAT REQUIRE CLOSURE OF OUR STREETS WITHOUT HAVING REAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS EAST WEST ACCESS.
AND THIS PROJECT WARRANTS COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT FOR HOUSTON RESIDENTS AND TRANSPARENCY MATTERS.
WE NEED MORE TIME FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF THIS PROPOSAL.
THE APPLICATION ITSELF NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, AND WE NEED ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THIS ROOM TO UNDERSTAND THESE CONSTRAINTS AND WHY THIS CONNECTIVITY MATTERS TO EVERY HOUSTONIAN, NOT JUST LIKE THOSE, UH, LIKE ME THAT LIVE ON THE EAST END.
ONE CON MAN, I WOULD MAKE, YOU KNOW, TXDOT AND THE CITY AGREED TO THIS PREVIOUSLY BEFORE HOUSTON FIRST EVEN EMERGED AS A PROJECT HOUSTON AND TDOT NEGOTIATED THIS PLAN.
SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE REFERENCE MADE THE CAP 30 ACRES IN ITSELF WOULD'VE CLOSED OFF POPE.
UM, AMY, UH, I WANNA SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO VOICE CONCERNS.
UM, I AGREE AND YOU KNOW, MY COLLEAGUE, UH, COUNCILOR RAMIREZ ALREADY ALLUDED TO IT, AND IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS QUITE FRANKLY, EVEN AS A STAFFER, UH, YEARS BACK, UH, WE HAD ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LELAND, UH, WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT COMMERCE, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FRANKLIN, UM, HOW CAN WE INCREASE THAT EAST WEST CONNECTION.
SO I AGREE, LELAND IS IS, UM, IS NOT SUFFICIENT, ESPECIALLY WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
BUT THAT IS MY PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.
I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME ACCESS.
UM, BUT KNOW THAT I'M IN CONVERSATIONS WITH, UH, DIRECTOR MACKAY, UM, AND HIS TEAM ABOUT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE MOVING FORWARD.
UM, WHEN WE START LOOKING AT VEHICULAR EAST, WEST AXIS, UH, YOU BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OTHER, UH, POINTS WHERE POKE THE, THE BIKE LANE WILL ULTIMATELY STOP.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE.
UM, AND, AND THERE'S CONVERSATION ABOUT HAMILTON BEING A FRONTAGE ROAD OR A, A STREET, A REGULAR STREET AND A AND, AND SO THOSE THINGS ARE COMING.
I KNOW, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WITH AMY, YOU KNOW, THE, THE CART, THE CART'S BEFORE THE HORSE RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE ARE WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT WE'RE CATCHING UP.
AND I AM HEARING, AND I KNOW THE EAST END WELL, I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
I KNOW LELAND, I USED TO WALK TO KROGER'S WHEN I WAS YOUNG.
I KNOW THAT CONGESTION HAPPENS.
AND SO I'M LOOKING AT THAT HOLISTICALLY AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OUT HERE ON CITY COUNCIL.
AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE SHOWN UP, THEY SHOW SHOWED UP YESTERDAY TO THE MEETING.
UH, SOME OF THEIR STAFF HAVE SHOWN UP AS WELL.
AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ENGAGED IN WHAT'S GOING ON.
UH, I KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AS WELL, VERY WELL, VERY INTIMATELY.
AND SO I'M GONNA BE ADVOCATING CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE SOLUTIONS FOR, FOR YOU, FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE EAST END.
UH, QUITE FRANKLY, MY MOM WHO LIVES IN EAST LAWNDALE, MY BROTHER LIVES IN EASTWOOD, UH, AND THEN THIRD WARD AND FIFTH WARD RESIDENTS AS WELL.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.
[02:00:02]
IT'S NOT GOING ON DEAF EARS.AND, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MAYOR AS WELL.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, MS. JEN, AMY, I WAS GONNA MAKE SOME COMMENTS TO YOU THERE, PLEASE.
AND I, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING DOWN HERE AND, AND FOR YOUR WORDS PARTICULARLY ABOUT LELAND.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE FACT THAT YOU BROUGHT UP, WHERE'S THE STUDY THAT SAYS THIS IS THE RIGHT ALTERNATE ROUTE? WHERE'S THE DATA? UM, WAS THAT EVEN DONE? IT SPEAKS TO THE LEVEL OF THOUGHT THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE EAST END IN THIS WHOLE SCENARIO, RIGHT? IT'S JUST, WELL, HERE WE'RE GONNA MAKE LELAND A TWO-WAY THAT'S VERY KNEE JERK, BUT IS THAT THE BEST OPTION? ARE THERE OTHER STREETS THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING, UM, AS WELL? AND SO WE NEED TO, TO HEAR THIS FROM Y'ALL.
UM, I THINK THAT NO ONE ARGUES THAT THIS EXPANSION PROJECT IS, IS A BAD PROJECT, BUT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IS CLEARLY CAUSING SOME ISSUES.
AND SO YOU COMING HERE, YOU SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS, DOING RESEARCH, IT ALL HELPS.
UM, AND I APPRECIATE IT AND, AND CONTINUE, ENCOURAGE Y'ALL TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.
ALCORN, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN.
YOU ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND MAKE GREAT STATEMENTS.
I WANT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT DOT TIMING, UM, THE PROJECT D ONE, AND I'VE BEEN GOOGLING AROUND.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS FOR? YEAH, SO I GOT A CLARIFICATION FROM TXDOT LAST NIGHT BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE TIMELINES THAT THEY HAD ON, ON UP FOR THE N-H-I-P-P IS ARE, ARE ACCURATE.
AND JUST SO Y'ALL KNOW, I, I FOLLOWED THE T DOT PROJECT FOREVER.
I WAS WORKING WITH TANYA DEVO AND INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS AND BASICALLY WENT TO EVERY MEETING TEX DOT EVER HAD ON THE PROJECT AND WAS VERY INTEGRAL IN REVIEWING ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS WITH THAT PROJECT.
SO, UM, YES, IT'S, UH, EX 3D ONE AND THAT IS NOT REALLY ACTUALLY BROKEN OUT YET ON THE, UM, THEIR WEBSITE YET.
RIGHT? BUT THIS 3D IS APPROXIMATELY, THEY SAID, I MEAN, THEY'RE SAYING 2026 TO 2035, SOMEWHERE THEY SAID LAST NIGHT, MAYBE 2030.
THEY MIGHT START LOOKING AT SOME OF THAT AND THEN IT WOULD KIND OF COME 2037.
SOME OF THESE DATES ARE VERY FLUID, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE 'CAUSE THEY'RE STILL IN DESIGN AND THINGS FOR THAT PROJECT THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE YET.
SO, UM, SOME OF IT ALSO DEPEND ON HOW THE OTHER PIECES OF THE CONSTRUCTION ARE GOING BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL PHASED, AS YOU KNOW.
AND, AND THE PROPOSED ABANDONMENT OF POLK IS OCTOBER, 2026 OR, OR 2025.
UH, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU AMY FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY.
UM, JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD ABOUT LELAND IS THAT THE PLAN IS TO MAKE IT TWO WAY WITH TWO LANES GOING EASTBOUND AND TWO LANES GOING WESTBOUND AND A CENTER TURN LANE.
I'VE ALSO TOLD THAT WILL NECESSITATE TAKING AWAY ALL THE PARKING.
SO UNDER THAT VISION THERE, THERE WOULD BE NO PARKING ON LELAND.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S GONNA WORK.
I'M JUST SAYING WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT VISION RAISES ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, THE BRIDGE, THE LELAND BRIDGE OVER THE FREEWAY IS THREE LANES.
SO HOW YOU GO FROM THREE LANES TO FIVE LANES IS A QUESTION.
AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, ON THE EAST SIDE, AS YOU KNOW, UM, LELAND IS TWO WAY, AND I BELIEVE IT'S WHAT, FOUR LANES? THREE, YEAH, THREE WITH, UH, FOUR LANES, THE FLYOVER, UH, FOR THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC GOING ON TO ONTO BELL.
SO, UH, THAT RAISES A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN MY MIND, AND SO HOPEFULLY, UH, VERY SOON WE'LL BE GETTING MORE ANSWERS FROM HOUSTON FIRST AND PUBLIC WORKS.
BUT I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THE INFORMATION YOU PRESENTED, COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN.
UM, AS ONE OF THE EXPERTS THAT'S BEEN FOLLOWING THIS ALL ALONG, AND I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED, UM, IN ADVOCATING AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE WERE JUST BACK THERE TALKING AS WELL IN LINE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN'S QUESTION ABOUT THE TIMING OF ALL OF THIS.
GIVEN YOUR INVOLVEMENT, UM, AND THE CHALLENGES WITH THE, WITH I 45 ALONG THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR AND IN DISTRICT C, WE'RE NOW DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT OF THE INNER KATIE, RIGHT.
UH, BUT TO THIS POINT, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED AND COUNCIL MEMBER, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS, UM, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD TWO SIDE TWO ARGUMENTS.
[02:05:01]
TDOT THAT IS NECESSITATING THE CLOSURE.BUT NOW I'M, I'VE ALSO HEARD, UH, NO, IN FACT, IT'S, IT'S NOT TDOT.
AND I, AND I SUPPORT A NEW CONVENTION CENTER.
UH, THERE'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY IN ALL OF THIS, BUT COULD YOU JUST CLARIFY FOR ME SOME OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING, RIGHT? ABSOLUTELY.
SO TEXT DOT'S PROPOSAL, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT WAS PUBLICLY COMMENTED ON, I THINK THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS LASTED OVER 15 YEARS BEFORE THAT PROJECT WAS CAME TO COMPLETION.
LET'S CONTRAST THAT WITH THE 20 SOMETHING DAYS THAT WE'VE HAD TO CONSIDER THE GEORGIA BROWN EXPANSION ISSUE, UM, ONLY PROPOSED TO CLOSE POLK, UH, FOR THAT SECTION THAT GOES OVER, UH, 59, RIGHT? SO THAT'S THE LIMITED CLOSURE.
IT BASICALLY WOULD RESTART AGAIN AFTER YOU KIND OF DETOUR AROUND HAMILTON BACK AND DOWNTOWN.
SO IT WASN'T, IT'S JUST A, A SHORT CLOSURE, BUT IT WAS STOPPED IT FROM BEING A THROUGHWAY THROUGH THAT, THAT PART, THE PROPOSED GEORGE R. BROWN ABANDONMENT INCLUDES A PIECE OF POLK THAT STARTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DOWNTOWN, ON THE DOWNTOWN SIDE OF DOWNTOWN, NOT THE EAST SIDE FOR A COUPLE BLOCKS.
THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE TXDOT PLAN.
TXDOT HAS BEEN MADE THAT VERY CLEAR AT EVERY MEETING THAT THAT IS NOT PART OF THEIR PROJECT.
WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY.
ROY HURST TO BE FOLLOWED BY DOUGLAS PIERRE.
UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK, UH, UH, WITH REGARD TO CONCERNS OVER THE CLOSURE OF LK STREET AS WELL.
AND, UM, BASICALLY I JUST WANTED TO VISIT ESSENTIALLY WITH CLARIFYING, YOU KNOW, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ON THIS SUBJECT.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, PASSIONS HAVE BEEN RUNNING EXTREMELY HIGH ON THIS, BUT IT IS THE, IT IS BY VIRTUE OF AGREEMENT AMONGST THE MEMBERS OF THOSE OF US WHO ARE MEMBERS OF PEOPLE FOR POLK, THAT WE BASICALLY WISH TO.
THE MAYOR TOUCHED UPON IT EARLIER TODAY.
WE WISH TO EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE COME TOGETHER TO AGREE TO DISAGREE AGREEABLY, AND THAT WE CONDUCT OUR MEETINGS WITH DIGNITY OF RESPECT AND CIVILITY.
UM, WE DON'T, WE'RE NOT IN IT'S AMA TO OUR OBJECT, UH, OBJECTIVE TO ENGAGE IN ANY, ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, ANYTHING ON THE LEVEL OF, UM, TO, UH, UH, TO, TO, TO VILIFY OR ENGAGE IN ANY KIND OF, UH, CHARACTER ASSASSINATION OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.
UM, WOULD BASICALLY, AND BASICALLY WE'RE JUST PUSHING FOR THE COUNCIL TO VOTE NO WITH RESPECT TO THE ABANDONMENT OF POLK IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN EXTENDED TIMELINE FOR THE, UH, MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY INPUT ONTO THE SUBJECT.
AS YOU ALL HAVE JUST BEEN DISCUSSING WITH AMY OF ALL OF THESE ISSUES, WHICH HAVE YET TO BE DETERMINED, AND YET POLK IS STILL GOING TO BE CLOSED ANYWAY.
UM, AND BEYOND THAT, I WOULD ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE COUNCIL AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WHO WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT LAST NIGHT'S TOWN HALL AND, UH, TO ALL OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS.
UH, IT WAS EXTREMELY MEANINGFUL.
AND, UH, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT OFF TO.
I WAS HAVING A VERY, A VERY CORDIAL CONVERSATION WITH CHAIRMAN HACKMAN, AND I TURNED AROUND AND YOU WERE GONE.
AND I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL GRATITUDE TO YOU FOR HAVING HOSTED AND ORGANIZED THAT TOWN HALL.
IT, IT WAS MEANT A GREAT DEAL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
UH, ROY, JUST AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND FOLKS THAT ARE HERE, UM, KNOW THAT WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE ENGAGEMENT, RIGHT? THE MEETINGS WITH HOUSTON FIRST, THEY'VE COMMITTED TO HAVING MORE AS WELL.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WE FLUSH THROUGH ALL THESE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS THAT ARE GOING ON.
UM, MY TEAM WAS WORKING TODAY.
THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A, PROBABLY, PROBABLY ANYWHERES ABOUT 12 TO 15 QUESTIONS THAT WERE NOT
[02:10:01]
ANSWERED.UM, AND SO WE'RE TYPING THOSE UP.
WE'LL GET THOSE OUT TO EVERYONE AS WELL.
UM, WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE THIS ENGAGEMENT, ROY, UM, AND, AND KNOW THAT I'M, I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR, FOR, UH, YOUR VOICE AND YOUR, THE CONCERNS THAT YOU'RE BRINGING UP.
UM, MY COMMITMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE EAST WEST CONNECTION ACCESS, UM, IN, IN ALL FORMS, RIGHT? WHETHER IT'S PEDESTRIAN, CYCLISTS, VEHICULAR, UM, AND THEN ALSO HOW DO WE ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONGESTIONS THAT WE HAVE INSIDE OF THE EAST END THAT IF, LET'S SAY, LELAND IS THE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS, LELAND IS THE TWO WAY, UH, MOVING BACK AND FORTH KNOWING THAT THERE'S THE WEST BELT THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, BLOCKAGE AS WELL.
HOW DO WE PROVIDE GRADE SEPARATION? AND, AND SO I'M GONNA CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT AS THIS PROJECT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD, WE ARE FINDING SOLUTIONS THAT ULTIMATELY HELP THE EAST END IN, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS.
UM, AND SO, UM, WE'LL, WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT MEETING.
UM, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU TO THE GROUP FOR BEING HERE.
UM, AND CONTINUE TO CALL AND LEAN ON ME AND PUSH ME HOWEVER Y'ALL NEED TO.
WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT, UH, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ.
AND I ALSO AM COMFORTED BY THE FACT THAT YOU'RE NOT ONLY GOING TO BE HEARING ABOUT IT FROM US, YOU'RE GONNA BE HEARING ABOUT IT FROM YOUR FAMILY.
HELLO, MR. PIERRE TO BE FOLLOWED BY ISAAC DUPING.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS DOUG PIERRE, AND I'M IN MEMBER NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH AT THE CORNER OF HERS AND LANGLEY ROAD IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON.
AND A MEMBER OF TM AT A LEADER OF T AT TMO.
TODAY, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE LONG ABANDONED KMART ON HOMESTEAD.
UH, AFRICAN BEEN ABANDONED FOR 30 YEARS.
A GROUP OF CONCERNED NEIGHBORHOOD CITIZENS IN CHURCHES UNDERSTANDS HOW THE CITY, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS VOTING ON THE CONTRACT WITH THE HORIZON INTERNATIONAL, THE OWNERS OF THE ABANDONED PROPERTY.
WITH THAT BEING THE CASE, WE HOPE THE MAYOR COUNCILWOMAN JACKSON AT LARGE COUNCIL, UH, MEMBERS WILL WORK WITH US TO BRING HORIZON TO THE TABLE, WHAT THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS THAT CAN REALISTIC, THAT CAN DO SOMETHING THAT CAN REALISTICALLY BE DONE ABOUT THE PROPERTY, WHICH STARTS THE AREAS IN DESPERATE NEED OF GROCERY STORES AND COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
AND AGAIN, WE'VE, UH, BEEN IN CONTACT WITH YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER, AND SHE PLANS TO KEEP COMMUNITY UPDATED ON HER CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. KANI.
THANK, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
ISAAC DHAN, NEXT SPEAKER, VIRGINIA KELSEY.
VIRGINIA KELSEY TO BE FOLLOWED BY CRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ.
KELSEY, CAN YOU GET BEHIND THAT MICROPHONE THAT HELPS US? THANK YOU.
DO I NEED TO PUSH IT? NO, GO AHEAD.
UM, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU AND TO ALLOW THE CITIZENS OF OUR TOWN TO COME AND SPEAK.
I'M HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR NOR HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THE ORGANIZATION THAT OVERSEES DEED RESTRICTIONS FOR NOR HILL FOR MAINTAINING ITS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, ITS HISTORIC CHARACTER.
I'M ALSO A RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT, NOR HILL SUPPORTS THE CURRENT DRAFT OF THE NOR HILL DESIGN GUIDELINES AS PRESENTED BY THE HOUSTON OFFICE OF PRESERVATION, HOP ON DECEMBER 18TH.
CLEAR MEASURABLE STANDARDS ARE ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVING NOR HILL'S CHARACTER WHILE ALLOWING FOR GROWTH.
THESE GUIDELINES OFFER OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT.
THEY ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND FAIRNESS IN DECISION MAKING, BUT SPECIFICALLY, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ANOTHER OR A, A PART OF THAT IMPORTANT ISSUE.
INDIVIDUALS ARE SUBMITTING PLANS TO HOP AND THEY RECEIVE APPROVAL TO H HA FROM HAHC.
THEY THEN OBTAIN BUILDING PERMITS WITHOUT EVER SUBMITTING PLANS TO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS OR TO, YOU KNOW, SUCH AS OURSELVES.
WHEN SUBMITTING PLANS FOR PERMITTING, THE PERSON THAT SUBMITS THE PLAN, UM, SIGNS AN APPLICATION UNDER THREAT, A PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THEY ARE NOT VIOLATING THE DEED RESTRICTIONS.
[02:15:01]
THAT DOCUMENT WITHOUT EVER HAVING SUBMITTED PLANS.THERE IS NO, UM, THERE'S NOTHING TO, UH, SHOW THAT THE PLANS WERE EVER SUBMITTED.
PERMITS WILL BE GRANTED AND CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.
AND THEN THE ONLY MEANS THAT A NEIGHBORHOOD HAS AS A RECOURSE IS TO SUE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
MOST NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO DO SO, AND THEY ONLY DO SO IN THE MOST EXTREME SITUATIONS.
EACH VIOLATION THEN BEGINS TO JUSTIFY THE NEXT VIOLATION.
THEY SPIRAL BECAUSE ONE USES THAT EXAMPLE FOR THE NEXT VIOLATION.
YEARS AGO, THE CITY REQUIRED A LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM NEIGHBORHOODS TO SUBMIT AN OWNER SUBMIT WITH A SET OF PLANS.
WE REQUEST THIS POLICY BE REINSTATED.
THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO VERIFY DEED RESTRICTIONS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
HOW THE POLICY WORKED WAS JUST TO HAVE A LETTER STATING THAT IT HAD HAD APPROVAL.
THIS SIMPLE LETTER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, I'M PROPOSING THAT A SIMPLE LETTER THAT COULD BE STATED ON THE LETTERHEAD THAT A COMMUNITY HAS, UM, RECEIVED AND ENDORSES A PROJECT.
AND WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT IT COULD BE AN OPT-IN PROGRAM FOR NEIGHBORHOODS TO OPT INTO THIS PROGRAM.
IF A NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT HAVE AN ORGANIZATION, DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO, THEN THEY COULD CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROGRAM.
SO THERE'S A WAY OF PROTECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU KNOW, ONE ON THE DESIGN GUIDELINES, UH, I KNOW THAT DIRECTOR TRAN IS GONNA BE MEETING WITH Y'ALL.
UM, I'VE ALSO HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER ABOUT THEM TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS IS CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD.
UH, I KNOW THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS, IS, UH, ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THEIR ADOPTION AND APPROVAL.
AND THERE'S BEEN, UM, SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD.
BUT, UH, WE ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THAT PROCESS.
AND I, I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THINGS ARE NOT STUCK, UM, AND THINGS ARE NOT UNNECESSARILY DELAYED.
UM, AND SO I'M GONNA CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT.
UM, I WILL ALSO HAVE SOMEONE PRESENT, UH, AT THE CIVIC CLUB MEETING WHEN, WHEN SHE'S THERE, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE STAY INFORMED AND, AND ABREAST OF ALL OF THAT.
UM, YOUR SUGGESTION HERE ON THE, THE DEED RESTRICTION SIDE, IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO ME.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT, THAT I'M AWARE OF THE OLD POLICY, UH, THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR ABOUT, UM, LEARN MORE ABOUT IT AS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M HEARING ABOUT IT, BUT IT DOES SEEM LIKE A REASONABLE APPROACH, UH, THAT WE USED TO DO.
I'M NOT SURE WHY WE DON'T ANYMORE, BUT, UM, I WOULD, UH, AFTER LEARNING SOME MORE INFORMATION, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IT FURTHER WITH Y'ALL, UM, AND SEE HOW THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE REINSTATED.
CAN I SPEAK TO ONE ISSUE? SURE.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE MEETING, I'M PLEASED THAT THERE IS A MEETING.
WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THAT MEETING FOR A LONG TIME.
THEY ARE PLANNING TO RE POLL THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS A USELESS, IT'S USELESS BECAUSE IT, ALL IT'S GONNA DO IS SOMEWHAT DISFRANCHISED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCESS FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, AND LAST YEAR WAS VERY DEVOTED WITH MANY PUBLIC FORUMS. AND, YOU KNOW, THE, THE CITY'S SHORT ON MONEY.
WHY, WHY DELAY? I KNOW THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET CONSENSUS.
UM, AND THAT THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE, UH, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE DESIGN GUIDELINES.
UM, BUT IT, IT IS IMPORTANT AND AS FOLKS BRING UP CONCERNS OR ISSUES, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE REVISIONS.
THOSE ARE BROUGHT BACK, THE CIVIC CLUB, THE NEIGHBORS GET A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN.
UM, BUT I AM TOLD WE ARE, WE ARE NEARING THE END.
UH, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT GONNA GET STUCK IN AN ENDLESS LOOP, UH, OF THIS.
UM, AND AS NEW ADMINISTRATIONS COME, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY, UH, NEW FOLKS THAT COME ON BOARD, UH, DIRECTORS, LEADERSHIP, YOU NAME IT.
UH, BUT IT, YOU KNOW, KNOW THAT IT'S A PRIORITY FOR ME.
I RECOGNIZE IT'S A PRIORITY FOR Y'ALL AS WELL.
[02:20:01]
CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND TO PUSH FOR RESOLUTION IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN GUIDELINES.AND THANKS FOR COMING, VIRGINIA.
AND I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE.
WE'RE GONNA KEEP PUSHING ON THIS.
WE DON'T WANT IT TO JUST GET STALLED OUT ON THE DESIGN GUIDELINES.
I THINK VERY FEW OF THE, OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS HAVE THEM.
I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF LIKE A, WE, WE CREATED ALL THESE DISTRICTS AND THEN THIS HAS BEEN A BIG STICKING POINT, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE THAT, THAT MOVE FORWARD.
THEY HEAR US, THEY KNOW WE'RE WATCHING IT.
UH, ON THE, THE DEED RESTRICTIONS AFFIDAVIT, MAN, WE HAVE BEEN ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND THE BEND ON THIS ISSUE.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT HAPPENS IN SO MANY PLACES.
EVERYBODY JUST CHECKS THE BOX RIGHT ON.
I I, I'VE CONCURRED WHAT WHAT LEGAL PUSHES BACK ON IS.
SO, I LIKE YOUR OPT-IN THING BECAUSE, BECAUSE NOT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS VALID DEED RESTRICTIONS.
NOT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS, UH, YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU SAID, IF SOMEBODY, YOU'RE NOT, YOU DON'T ALLOW CARPORTS AND SOMEBODY BUILDS A CARPORTS AND THEN THERE'S SIX CARPORTS, ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT PART OF YOUR DEED RESTRICTIONS DOESN'T EVEN APPLY ANYMORE.
SO THERE'S ALL THESE KIND OF LEGAL THINGS.
SO THE LEGAL WILL SAY, THERE'S NO EASY KIND OF WAY TO DO THIS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO CHECK TO SEE IF SOMEBODY'S DEED RESTRICTIONS ARE UP CASE OR IF THEY'RE CORRECTLY INTERPRETING THEIR DEED RESTRICTIONS.
UM, ALL ALL OF THAT HAS COME INTO PLAY BECAUSE WE AGREE WITH YOU.
WE HATE WHEN PEOPLE COME UP HERE AND SAY, THEY JUST BUILT THIS WHOLE THING AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO NOW.
I LIKE MAYBE THAT THE, THE FEW NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD HAVE TO WHERE, YOU KNOW, SAY, BE ABLE TO MAYBE COME TO LEGAL AND SAY, ARE THESE DEED RESTRICTIONS GOOD? AND WE'RE GONNA DO A LETTER.
I, I, I THINK YOU'RE ONTO SOMETHING THERE.
AND THAT'S KIND OF A CREATIVE SOLUTION.
AND I'M, I'M WILLING TO GO DOWN THAT RABBIT HOLE AND, AND SEE WHAT IF WE CAN MOVE ON THAT I'D BE HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES THE BEST SOLUTIONS ARE SIMPLEST SOLUTIONS.
AND WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE IT SO COMPLICATED.
AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO APPLY TO EVERYBODY, BUT IT HAS TO ALLOW FOR THE POSSIBILITY, RIGHT.
I, I LIKE THE OPT-IN AND I, I PLEDGE TO YOU, I'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH LEGAL AND, AND PLANNING ABOUT, OR PUBLIC WORKS REALLY IS ACTUALLY WHERE THE PERMITTED THING GOES.
THEY, THEY DON'T, ALL THEY DO AT PUBLIC WORKS IS JUST LOOK TO SEE IF YOU'VE CHECKED IT.
THEY DON'T REALLY GO OUT AND DO ANYTHING.
SO IT'S REALLY LEGAL THAT, THAT I NEED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH.
BUT, BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING.
GREAT TO SEE NAMAS DAY, VIRGINIA, AND I DO YOGA TOGETHER
SANA, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, VIRGINIA.
I, I TOO, I WANTED TO JUST CHIME IN BECAUSE THE ISSUE YOU'RE RAISING IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS CHALLENGE.
AND I KNOW THAT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE APPROACHED LEGAL IN THE PAST AND BEEN TOLD NO.
UM, COUNCILOR ALCORN, I THINK THIS IS RIPE FOR, UH, DANNY NORRIS TO LOOK AT NOW TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
I, AGAIN, TO YOUR POINT, I LOVE NOT JUST THE OPT-IN IDEA, BUT MAYBE IT'S ALSO A, UM, JUST A REQUIREMENT THAT FOR THOSE WITH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, WHAT'S NEEDED IN THAT PACKET IS A LETTER FROM THEM THAT THEY HAVE REVIEWED THIS AS WELL, LIKE VERIFICATION FROM THEM THAT THEY HAVE REVIEWED IT.
SO IT'S NOT JUST DEPENDENT UPON, UM, THE BUILDER, UH, RIGHT.
BUT YOU HAVE A COMMITMENT, I KNOW IN YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER AND OTHERS THAT WE WILL, UM, GO BACK TO LEGAL.
UH, SO RANDY, I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING RIGHT NOW, UH, BUT WE WILL SEE WHAT WE COULD PROPOSE JUST TO ADD NOT AN OVERLY BURDENSOME STEP, BUT SOMETHING THAT CROSS CHECKS WHEN THESE THINGS ARE COMING ACROSS SOMEONE IN PLANNING'S DESK.
AND FOR IT TO BE A REQUIRE, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IS FOR EVERY HISTORIC COMMITTEE THAT IT BE A REQUIREMENT TO NOTIFY A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO SUBMIT A PLAN TO HAHC HAVE 30 DAYS, WHICH YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT TO HOP 30 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME.
IT DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO PASS.
YOU CAN BE IN DISAGREEMENT, BUT THINGS GO THROUGH THAT YOU HAD NO IDEA ABOUT.
AND IN DECEMBER ONE WAS MISLABELED BY HOP, IT WENT ON A CONSENT AGENDA, AND IT FREQUENTLY VIOLATED THE DEED RESTRICTIONS BY 20 FEET.
SO IF YOU COULD, I, I'M SURE ALL OF THIS YOU HAVE SENT OVER IN WRITING.
IF NOT WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, IF YOU COULD EMAIL THOSE TO US JUST SO WE HAVE SOME, UH, A SHELL TO GO OFF OF IN OUR INQUIRY, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
AGAIN, I'LL DEFER TO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, FOR YOUR AREA, BUT I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL STRUGGLING WITH RIGHT NOW.
[02:25:01]
NEXT SPEAKER, JANICE THOMAS.JANICE THOMAS TO BE FOLLOWED BY HELEN COLLIER.
UH, I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE THE MAYOR IN HIS ABSENCE AND ALSO MY COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON.
MY NAME IS SHANNON THOMAS, AND I'M STANDING HERE TODAY, UM, FOLLOWED BY NO BEFORE AFTER THE PI, FOLLOWED BY THE PEERS THAT, UH, SPOKE REGARDING, UM, THE, UM, ISSUE IN DISTRICT B, UM, WITH OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO SEEING POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE POTENTIAL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WE KNOW THAT WITH THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN TRANSFORM LONG ABANDONED KMART SHOPPING PLAZA ON HOMESTEAD INTO SOMETHING THAT TRULY BENEFITS THE PEOPLE.
FOR 30, 30 YEARS, THIS PROPERTY HAS REMAINED NEGLECTED, A WASTED SPACE THAT COULD, SHOULD, COULD, AND SHOULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE WELLBEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.
INSTEAD, IT STANDS AS A SYMBOL OF DISINVESTMENT WHEN WHAT WE NEED ARE SIGNS OF GROWTH AND RENEWAL.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS IN SERIOUS NEED OF MORE STORES AND ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES THAT SERVE THE DAILY NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES.
AS WE HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, YET WHAT WE HAVE IS A DETERIORATING PROPERTY THAT CONTINUES TO POST HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN WHO ATTEND NEARBY SCHOOLS AND OUR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO DESERVE A SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY.
A FRESH COAT, A FRESH COAT OF PAINT, DOES NOT ERASE THE DEEPER CONCERNS OF STRUCTURAL DECAY, ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, AND OVERALL IMPACT OF LONG LASTING LONGSTANDING NEGLECT.
BUT TODAY, WE ARE HERE TO ENCOURAGE ACTION AND PARTNERSHIP, NOT JUST TO ADDRESS THE HAZARDS, BUT TO CREATE REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT.
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED STAGNATION FOR FAR TOO LONG.
WE NEED DEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT THAT IF YOU LOOK AT ASSESSMENT AND DATA AS IT RELATES TO INCOME, AS IT RELATES TO, UM, SCHOOLS, UH, PERFORMANCE, UH, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, AND WE MUST ATTRACT BUSINESSES AND RESTORE SENSE OF PRIDE AND SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH THE INTERNATIONAL GROUP ON AGENDA TODAY FOR CITY CONTRACTS, WE URGE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON AND MEMBERS AT LARGE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING HORIZON TO THE TABLE.
NOT JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL, BUT A SERIOUS CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
WHAT CAN REALISTICALLY BE DONE WITH THIS PROPERTY? WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER 30 YEARS OF INACTION.
OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR SCHOOLS DESERVE MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT.
WE ARE READY TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, AND WE BELIEVE THAT WITH THE CITY'S LEADERSHIP, WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I DID WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER IS WATCHING AND SHE HEARD YOUR COMMENTS, UM, AND SHE SAID THAT SHE WILL REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO SHARE, UM, WHAT SHE AND MR. KANI HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING.
AND AGAIN, IF, IF, IF Y'ALL CAN REALLY JUST LOOK AT THE DATA IN THAT COMMUNITY, OUR ASSESSMENT, THAT THAT IS ON RECORD, UH, THE DATA AS IT RELATES TO SCHOOLS, UH, PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS THE INCOME AND ALL OF THAT, OF THAT COMMUNITY AND THAT NEED IT IS EXTREMELY NEEDED.
HELLO, MR. COLLIER, YOU FOLLOWED BY ALICE LOU.
UH, THANK YOU, UH, TO, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, CAIUS TATUM, UH, VICE MAYOR, PRO TEM, AND, UH, CITY COUNCIL.
UH, IT'S, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
UH, WE, UH, HANDLE A BOATLOAD OF BUILDING PERMITS THROUGH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UH, IT'S BEEN THOUSANDS, UH, OVER, OVER THE YEARS.
AND, UH, WE DO THAT FOR BUSY ARCHITECTS, CONTRACTORS, AND PROJECT OWNERS LIKE THE LBJ HOSPITAL THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
AND SO AS I'VE RECEIVED SOME TEXT MESSAGES AND SOME CALLS TODAY SAYING, HEY, HELEN, WHAT ARE YOU COMING TO THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY TO TALK ABOUT? PERMITTING, RIGHT? WHAT ARE YOU GONNA BE COMPLAINING ABOUT? WELL, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU, HUH? RIGHT? BECAUSE THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND SOME GOOD, GOOD FOLKS THAT WE WORK WITH, AND FOR US, THEY ARE OUR PARTNERS IN SAFETY, RIGHT? WHEN WE'RE PUSHING AND WE MAY CALL, WE MAY CALL WHEN WE'RE PUSHING, IT'S NOT ABOUT US, IT'S ABOUT THE GENERATIONS OF FOLKS THAT ARE GONNA BE GOING THROUGH LBJ HOSPITAL.
IT'S GONNA BE ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO ARE GONNA BE GOING THROUGH A NEW GROCERY STORE, RIGHT?
[02:30:01]
OR GOING THROUGH THE AIRPORT, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY.SO WHEN WE CALL AND WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS IN SAFETY, WE ARE TOGETHER.
AND SO I WANTED TO EXTEND MY THANKS AND MY GRATITUDE TO, TO THE FOLKS IN PERMITTING.
THEY GET, THEY GET YELLED AT AND IT'S STRESSFUL.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE, TO PROVIDE IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS BECAUSE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
I BELIEVE THE STATEMENT IS, ARE WE WORKING TOGETHER? WE'RE BUILDING TOGETHER, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU ANY OTHER TIME I HAVE LEFT.
YOU CAN GIVE IT TO THE FOLKS, GOES BACK TO COUNCIL.
BUT, UH, THERE'S HUGE OPPORTUNITIES, A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CONSTRUCTION IN HOUSTON.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND TAKING TIME TODAY TO SAY THANK YOU.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF CERTIFICATES.
UH, I'LL MAKE SURE THOSE GO TO THE APPROPRIATE, UH, SUPERVISORS.
YOU WANT, YOU WANT, YOU WANT US TO, UM, HAVE THE STAFF TO GIVE THEM OUT, OR YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE 'EM YOURSELF? UM, I THINK, UH, WHAT DO YOU THINK BEST? I WANT TO THINK, UH, YEAH, WHICHEVER WAY YOU WANNA DO IT.
IT, I THINK, YOU KNOW, 2, 2, 1 TO THE FIRE MARSHAL, UH, MARIAN, UH, SPAN.
SHE SAYS SOME GREAT FOLKS ARE WORKING IN HERS.
I WANT TO GIVE A CERTIFICATE AND DO SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THAT REGARDS.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT.
THREE BE FOLLOWED BY PHYLLIS KAPO.
GOOD TO SEE MANY OF YOU AGAIN.
UH, IT'S A NEW BUDGET SEASON, A NEW YEAR, AND WE'RE BACK.
I'M HERE WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE ONCE AGAIN TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY COMPLY WITH THE COURT RULING TO INCREASE A FLOOR DRAINER SPENDING THIS FISCAL YEAR AFTER THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT, THIS JANUARY REJECTED THE CITY'S SECOND APPEAL.
WE HOPE THE CITY WOULD FINALLY ACCEPT THE RULE OF LAW AND THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, BOTH OF WHICH MANDATE THAT THE CITY STARTING THIS YEAR TRANSFER AN ADDITIONAL $100.3 MILLION INTO THE D-D-S-R-F FUND FOR DRAINAGE BY JUNE 30TH.
BUT WE'VE BEEN ALARMED TO FIND THAT AS THE BUDGET PROCESS IS SET TO BEGINNING, THE ADMINISTRATION IS STILL PURSUING NEGOTIATION WITH THE PLAINTIFFS.
ON TOP OF THIS, THE CITY HAS RELEASED NO PLANS SO FAR ON HOW IT WILL INCREASE THE DRAINAGE SPENDING, WHEN THE FUNDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED, AND HOW THE INCREASED FUNDING WILL BE USED.
AND IN FACT, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND DEPARTMENT OF DRAINAGE STAFF HAVE INDICATED THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO PLANS TO INCREASE THEIR DRAINAGE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR OR TO INCREASE SPENDING THIS YEAR, NO PLANS.
AND FINALLY, THE CITYWIDE HIRING FREEZE, WHICH EXEMPTS POLICE AND FIRE AS USUAL, BUT NOT PUBLIC WORKS, WILL MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO ACTUALLY SPEND THE MONEY IF THE TRANSFER DOES HAPPEN.
TO BE CLEAR, IF YOU HEAR THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS OVERSTAFFED, THAT IS A LIE THEY'VE BEEN TELLING US FOR YEARS IN OUR MEETINGS, THAT THEY NEED MORE STAFF TO DELIVER THEIR CURRENT PROGRAMS, LET ALONE EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMS ACROSS THE BOARD.
HIRING FREEZES AND BUDGET CUTS IS NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
IT IS NOT PRECISE, IT IS INDISCRIMINATE.
THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH DOGE, AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY ANGRY ABOUT IT.
AND HOUSTONIANS ARE ANGRY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY TOO.
THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPEAL AGAIN.
AND IF THE CITY DOES TRANSFER A LOWER AMOUNT THIS YEAR, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OWED STAYS THE SAME, MEANING THAT THE TRANSFER IS HAPPENING EITHER NOW OR LATER.
THERE'S ONLY THE MATTER OF HOW RESPONSIBLY THE CITY WILL FACE THIS REALITY.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING THE RULING INCLUDE POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY AND ANOTHER BACK PAY REQUIREMENT, SIMILAR TO THE FIREFIGHTER SITUATION, WHICH WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY CATASTROPHIC.
UM, AND IT'S A SHAME THAT MAYOR MEYER'S NOT HERE RIGHT NOW, UM, BUT TO ALL CITY COUNSELORS, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CITY'S FINANCIAL POSITION, IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT FLOOD PROTECTION IN HOUSTON, AND IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, PLEASE SUPPORT THE NAC BY ASKING AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN TO THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION.
WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY.
UM, REALLY QUICKLY, ALICE, YOUR DISTRICT C RESIDENCE.
I'LL ASK IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ASKED.
AND I KNOW BUDGET SESSION IS ABOUT TO BEGIN AND Y'ALL ARE ALWAYS VERY, VERY ENGAGED, BUT PLEASE SEND THOSE QUESTIONS SO THAT WE CAN SUBMIT THEM.
WE DID ASK YESTERDAY AT THE BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS.
I'M SURE YOU HEARD THE DISCUSSION AND THE FINANCE INSTRUCTOR SAID, UH, NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY WITH THE PLAINTIFFS ON THIS.
SO, UH, AND I SAID VERY STRONGLY WE NEEDED TO KNOW THAT INFORMATION
[02:35:01]
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE BUDGET GETS GOING.AND SHE ASSURED ME THAT THAT WAS THEIR GOAL.
SO WE EXPECT TO HEAR SOMETHING ON THIS VERY SOON.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING UPDATES.
AND, UM, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE NEGOTIATIONS NATIONS ARE ACTUALLY ABOUT? LIKE WHAT THE SCOPE OF IT IS? UH, I DO NOT.
NEXT SPEAKER, FELIX KAUR, BE FOLLOWED BY SARAH HIRSCH.
UM, RESPECTED COUNCIL AND STAFF.
UH, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.
UM, MY NAME IS FELIX, UH, MEMBER OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.
WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF ALICE LIU ON, UM, THE AVALOR TAX DIVERSION.
MANY, UH, BUDGET OFFICES AND COUNCIL OFFICES ARE BEING LEFT IN LIMBO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE, UH, THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS TRANSFER IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN.
UM, SO A BIG REQUEST FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO OR FROM ME AND MANY RESIDENTS WITHIN NORTHEAST HOUSTON, UM, THAT HAVE HAD THEIR PULSE ON THIS CASE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
IT'S WILD TO THINK THIS BOAT HAPPENED A 15 YEARS AGO AND THEY'RE STILL LITIGATING IT.
UM, WE WOULD LOVE SOME TRANSPARENCY AND A TIMELINE, UH, ON WHEN THAT TRANSFER WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
AND, UM, ANOTHER THING, WE DO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE HERE TOMORROW, RIGHT OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL.
UH, WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS FROM THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE, BUT ESSENTIALLY TALKING ABOUT OUR DEMANDS, WHICH HAVE BEEN SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS YEARS OF, WE REALLY WANNA SEE THE LOCAL DRAINAGE PROJECTS PROGRAM, UM, INCREASE IN ITS BUDGET AS WE'VE SEEN ITS IMPACTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, SPECIFICALLY IN LAKEWOOD AND NORTHEAST HOUSTON.
VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THE ORIGINAL LAKEWOOD CHURCH WAS FOUNDED.
UM, WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANY OF Y'ALL THERE.
WE DID ORDER 75 TACOS AND WE WILL HAVE LOTS OF COFFEE.
SO COME GRAB BREAKFAST BEFORE SESSION.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE BRIEF, RIGHT? AND, UH, AND WE'LL BE GONE.
BUT, UH, WANNA WANNA INVITE YOU ALL TO COME STAND IN, SOLIDARITY WITH US AS WE TRY TO ORGANIZE AND FIGHT FOR, UM, SOME EQUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE INVESTED IN, NOT JUST NORTHEAST HOUSTON, BUT ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, THAT'S FROM LAST ONE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT.
THIS COMPLETES THE LIST OF SPEAKERS COUNCIL,
[RECESS]
WE STAND IN RECESS UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING AT 9:00 AM WOW.CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE CITY.
ITEM ONE IS REQUEST FROM MAYOR FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL A RO HISD APPOINTEE TO POSITION THREE OF THE REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ITEM TWO, REQUEST FOR MAYOR FOR CONFIRMATION.
THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL AURORA, HISD APPOINTEE TO POSITION THREE OF THE ST.
WE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ITEM THREE, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR HOUSTON AIRPORT ASSISTANT FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL COST AND ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT WITH ARCHER WESTERN CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
ITEM FOUR, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR GENERAL SERVICES FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT WITH MINE AND ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT WITH THE TIMES CONSTRUCTION INC.
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICES AT WINSOR PARK.
ITEM FIVE, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT MOUNT AND ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT WITH THE GERDON ENTERPRISE LP.
ITEM SIX, RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS FOR APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACTING MOUNT AND ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ON CONTRACT WITH PORTLAND UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION AND COMPANY LLC.
ITEM SEVEN, TITAN AVIATION FUELS FOR AVIATION, GASOLINE AND TURBINE FUEL.
ITEM EIGHT, APPROVING SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF OEM PARTS AND SERVICES THROUGH THE INTER-LOCAL PURCHASING SYSTEM.
VENDOR VANGUARD TRUCK CENTERS OF HOUSTON LLC.
ITEM NINE, APPROVED SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF POLY ME RACE CHAIN REACTION SYSTEMS WITH OMNIA PARTNER SUPPLIER FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY LLC ITEM 10, MCKESSON MEDICAL SURGICAL GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS LLC FOR HIV RAPID TEST KITS.
ITEM 11, APPROVED PRINTING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF A THREAT INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM SOLUTION AWARDED TO PRESCRIPTIVE DATA SOLUTIONS LLC ITEM 12.
ITEM 12, APPROVED SPINNING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICAL OXYGEN TANKS, CYLINDERS, AND ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE OMNI APARTMENTS CARPENTER SUPPLIER MATHESON
[02:40:02]
TRIAS INC.ITEM 13, AMEND MOTION 20 25 0 100 TO CORRECT THE NAME OF THE COMPANY FROM TELEDYNE FLIR SURVEILLANCE INC.
TO TELEDYNE FLIR DEFENSE, INC.
ITEM 14, CONSOLIDATED TRAFFIC CONTROLS INC.
FOR PURCHASE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL MODULES.
ITEM 1415, I'M SORRY, UH, FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY LLC FOR PURCHASE OF AN NUVN SYSTEM.
ITEM 16 HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEM 17 IS A RESOLUTION, EXCUSE ME, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF PROJECT APPLICATIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT TWO PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
ITEM 18 IS AN ORDINANCE MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS RELATED TO THE USE OF APPROXIMATELY 0.039 ACRE OF LAND OUT OF WAGNER PARK.
ITEM 19, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ISSUES OF CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, SOIL SUBORDINATE LIEN HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX AND PARKING REVENUE.
FLEXIBLE RATE NOTES SERIES C ONE ITEM 20, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF CITY HOUSTON, TEXAS SUBORDINATE LIEN HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX AND REVENUE AND PARKING REVENUE FLEXIBLE RATE NOTES SERIES C TWO ITEM 21 ORDINANCE ACCEPTING INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS FROM INSURANCE CARRIERS WHICH ARE PARTICIPATING IN LAYERED PROPERTY INSURANCE PROGRAM AND APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF GENERAL CITY OF HOUSTON PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY ITEM 22 ORDINANCE IN APPROVING PROPOSED GENERAL PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY PROPOSAL FROM MCG GRIP INSURANCE SERVICES LLC THAT IS LEASED AND MANAGED BY HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION.
ACCEPT PROPOSAL FROM HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
ITEM 23 ON ACCEPTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS FROM THE INSURANCE CARRIERS LISTED WHICH ARE PARTICIPATING IN LAYERED PROPERTY INSURANCE PROGRAM AND APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A GENERAL PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY FOR HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION LEASE PROPERTIES EXCLUDING THE GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER.
ITEM 24 ONLY ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF INSURANCE.
ITEM 25, ORDINANCE ADOPTING 2021 WINTER STORM SINGLE FAMILY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM GUIDELINES ITEM 26, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC.
ITEM 27 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE WOMEN'S HOME TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.
ITEM 28, ORDINANCE SUPPORT APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SECOND AMENDMENT TO SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE WOMEN'S HOME TO PROVIDE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSON WITH AIDS FUNDS.
ITEM 29 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING MODIFICATION TO LOAN BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AND MCGREGOR GROCERY LLC ITEM 30 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $3,838,564 AND NO CENTS OUT OF AIR FORCE IMPROVEMENT FUND APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO LEASE AGREEMENT WITH HOUSTON AVIATION PARTNERS LLC SUCCESSOR BY CONVERSION TO WOOSLEY AVIATION INC.
DBA MILLION AIR HOUSTON, EXCUSE ME.
ITEM 31, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND MESA AIRLINES INC.
ITEM 32 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $150,000 AND NO CENTS OUT OF AIRPORTS IMPROVEMENT FUND AS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND KIMBERLY HORN AND ASSOCIATES INC.
ITEM 33 ORDERS SUBMITTING ORDERS NUMBER 20 23 5 79 TO INCREASE MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND TD INDUSTRIES INC.
ITEM 34 ORDERS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THIRD AMENDMENT TO INCREASE SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS LICENSEE AND ZIONS BANK CORPORATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, DBA AMEE BANK, LICENSEOR ITEM 35 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AMENDING ORDINANCE 20 23 6 52 TO INCREASE MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ADAMS AND REESE LLP ITEM 26.
ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $400,000 AND NO CENTS OUT OF LIBRARY SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
ITEM 37 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND DENALI WATER SOLUTIONS LLC ITEM 38 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND SYSTEM INNOVATORS, A DIVISION OF NORTH HARRIS COMPUTER CORPORATION.
ITEM 39, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THIRD AMENDMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND QUEST MARK INFORMATION MANAGEMENT INC.
[02:45:01]
APPROVING AN AWARDING CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND AMER AMEX MOTORS AND CONTROLS LLC ITEM 41 ORDINANCE AWARDING CONTRACT TO EASTERN AVIATION FUELS INC.DBA TITAN AVIATION FUELS ITEM 42, ORDINANCE APPROVING, AUTHORIZING, AWARDING AND AWARDING CONTRACT TO BEAR SERVICES LP ITEM 43 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS AND MEMORIAL HIGH REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER FIVE, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS MEMORIAL HIGH REDEVELOPMENT ZONE.
ITEM 44 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF GO GATE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER EIGHT, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS GULF GATE ZONE ITEM 45, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 20 24 8 78 RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF MEMORIAL CD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 17, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS MEMORIAL CITY ZONE ITEM 46 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF HARRISBURG REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT, HONOR NUMBER 23 C DIFF, HOUSTON, TEXAS HARRISBURG ZONE ITEM 47 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS.
REINVESTMENTS ON NUMBER 27, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.
ITEM 48, ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE CREATION OF RICE VILLAGE MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ITEM 49, ORDINANCE SUBMITTING ORDINANCE 20 11 8 67 TO RECLASSIFY 40 41 NORFOLK.
ITEM 50, ORDINANCE CONSENTED TO THE ADDITION OF 4 5 3 0.2416 ACRES OF ATLANTA TO HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER 5 7 0 D ITEM 51.
ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $88,000 NO CENTS.
ITEM METRO PROJECTS CONSTRUCTION, D-D-S-R-F FUND APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
ITEM 52 HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEM 53, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING 5 25 5 70 50 1 CENTS OUTTA WATER AND SEW SYSTEM.
CONSOLIDATED CONSTRUCTION FUND APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND W-S-P-U-S-A INC.
ITEM 54, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FIVE, MEETING $425,000 AND NO CENTS.
CONSOLIDATED CONSTRUCTION FUND, AWARDING CONTRACT TO RELIANCE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LP ITEM 55.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING FOR THE REST OF THESE.
20 25 1 79 PAST FIRST READING, MARCH 5TH, 2025.
ORDINANCE GRANTING TO CITY WASTE LP.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING ITEM 56, ORDINANCE 20 25 180 PASS.
ORDINANCE GRANTING TO CLEAN WAVE SOLUTIONS.
THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND READING OR ORDINANCE.
ITEM 57, ORDINANCE 20 25 180 1 PASS OF COURSE.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE GRANT TO CPM BEN TECH, LLC ITEM 58, ORDINANCE 20 25 180 2 PASS FIRST READING ORDINANCE GRANTING TO CTJ VACUUM SERVICE LLC ITEM 59, ORDINANCE 20 25 180 3 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO THE FOG LLC ITEM 60, ORDINANCE 20 24 180 4 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO DANIEL WAYNE HOLDEN, D-B-A-M-R PUMPER SEWER SERVICE ITEM 61.
ORDINANCE GRANTED TO DTK FACILITY SERVICES LLC.
THIS IS THE END OF THE CONSENT AGENDA UNDER THE MATTERS HELD.
ITEM 62 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATE $12 MILLION IN NO SENSE OUT OF AIR FORCE RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT FUND AND APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIVE JOB WATER CONTRACTS BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND BRO AND ROOT INDUSTRIAL SERVICES.
LLC, HORIZON INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LLC, JAMEL AND SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LP INDY CONSTRUCTION PARTNERS, LLC AND SDB INC.
D-B-A-S-D-B CONTRACTING SERVICES INC.
THIS WAS TAGGED BY CONSTABLE JACKSON.
THIS WAS ITEM 26 ON AGENDA OF MARCH 5TH, 2025.
THIS COMPLETES THE READING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 19TH, 2025.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT SESSION OF HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 9:00 AM AND THE WHERE I CURRENT CITY 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 FANTA THIS DAY.
[RECONVENE]
TO ORDER PLEASE.[ADMIN REPORT]
OUR AGENDA IS THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT.RECOGNIZE CITY CONTROLLER AND THE FINANCE DIRECTOR,
[02:50:03]
MR. CONTROLLER.THIS IS THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31ST, 2025.
THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE IS PROJECTING AN ENDING FUND BALANCE OF $245.1 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.
THIS IS $117.9 MILLION LOWER THAN THE PROJECTION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
THE DIFFERENCE IS DUE TO BOTH LOWER REVENUE AND HIGHER EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS THAN THOSE OF FINANCE.
NAMELY, THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE IS ACCOUNTING FOR A LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT A HUNDRED $0.3 MILLION BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE DEDICATED DRAINAGE AND STREET RENEWAL FUND AT VALOREM.
WHILE FINANCES NUMBERS DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR THAT REQUIREMENT, BASED ON OUR CURRENT PROJECTIONS, THE FUND BALANCE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $55.3 MILLION ABOVE THE CITY'S TARGET OF HOLDING 7.5% OF TOTAL EXPENDITURES, EXCLUDING DEBT SERVICE AND PAY AS YOU GO AND RESERVE.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR REVENUE PROJECTION BY $1.6 MILLION FROM THE JANUARY, 2025 REPORT TO REFLECT THE SALE OF LAND, UH, FROM THE DECEMBER SORRY REPORT TO REFLECT THE SALE OF LAND TO TDOT FOR THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE CITY RECEIVED A $26 MILLION AUDIT ADJUSTMENT IN THE FEBRUARY REMITTANCE, REFLECTING DECEMBER RECEIPTS.
WHILE AUDIT RELATED ADJUSTMENTS OCCUR MONTHLY, ADJUSTMENTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE ARE UNPRECEDENTED.
IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, A TAXPAYER WAS SHIPPING ITEMS TO OTHER CITIES, BUT THE SALES TAX WAS MISTAKENLY REMITTED TO HOUSTON, AND THIS WAS HAPPENING OVER THE COURSE OF NEARLY FOUR YEARS.
BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH DIRECTOR DEBOWSKI AND THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THE STATE HAS RETURNED THAT $26 MILLION CHARGE TO US AND INSTEAD IMPLEMENTED A 43 MONTH NO INTEREST REPAYMENT PLAN.
OUR OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND OF COURSE, COORDINATE WITH FINANCE.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS BY A HUNDRED 0.5 PARDON $105.4 MILLION FROM THE JANUARY 25 REPORT TO REFLECT THE FOLLOWING.
AS NOTED, AN INCREASE OF A HUNDRED $0.3 MILLION IN THE CAPTURED REVENUE TRANSFER TO THE DEDICATED DRAINAGE AND STREET RENEWAL FUND AT VALOR TO REFLECT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DRAINAGE PROJECTS AFTER THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT DENIED THE CITY'S APPEAL IN EARLY FEBRUARY, AN INCREASE OF $3.5 MILLION IN SOLID WASTE TO SUPPORT HEAVY TRASH PICKUP SERVICES AND AN INCREASE OF $1.6 MILLION IN GENERAL GOVERNMENT DRIVEN BY A HIGHER TRANSFER TO PARKS, MAINTENANCE, RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT FUND DUE TO THAT SALE RELATED TO THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
MOVING ON TO THE CITY'S ENTERPRISE FUNDS IN THE DEDICATED DRAINAGE AND STREET RENEWAL FUND AT VALOREM NON-OPERATING REVENUES INCREASED BY A HUNDRED $0.3 MILLION.
AGAIN FOR THE DRAINAGE PROJECTS AFTER THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT.
RULING AND PROJECTIONS FOR ALL OTHER FUNDS REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM THE PRIOR MONTH FOR OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER AND BONDS, THE CITY'S PRACTICE HAS BEEN TO MAINTAIN NO MORE THAN 20% OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING DEBT FOR EACH TYPE OF DEBT IN A VARIABLE RATE STRUCTURE.
AS OF JANUARY 31ST, 2025, THE RATIO OF UNH VARIABLE RATE DEBT FOR EACH TYPE OF OUTSTANDING DEBT REMAIN WELL BELOW THAT THRESHOLD.
MAYOR, UH, MY OFFICE RECENTLY RELEASED A FISCAL YEAR 2025 AUDIT PLAN, A PLAN THAT WILL ENHANCE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY WORK TO OPTIMIZE CITY RESOURCES AND MAXIMIZE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
THE PLAN PRIORITIZES HIGH IMPACT AUDITS TO IDENTIFY COST SAVINGS, ELIMINATE WASTE, AND STRENGTHEN FISCAL OVERSIGHT AND OUTCOMES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS.
THE PLAN FOCUSES ON PERFORMANCE AUDITS TO ASSESS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN CITY OPERATIONS.
COMPLIANCE AUDITS TO ENSURE FINANCIAL POLICIES AND REGULATIONS ARE FOLLOWED, CONTRACT AUDITS TO SCRUTINIZE VENDOR AGREEMENTS AND SPENDING FORENSIC AUDITS TO DETECT AND PREVENT FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE AND COST RECOVERY INITIATIVES TO RECLAIM POTENTIAL REVENUE LOSSES.
THE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES FOLLOW-UP AUDITS TO TRACK THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PAST RECOMMENDATIONS, REINFORCING ACCOUNTABILITY, AND A CYCLE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN CITY OPERATIONS.
TO KEEP HOUSTONIANS INFORMED, THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE WILL PUBLISH QUARTERLY AUDIT REPORTS ON OUR WEBSITE, PROVIDING REGULAR UPDATES ON FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.
AND AS WE'VE ALREADY BEGUN TO DO, WE WILL PRESENT AUDIT FINDINGS DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS AS THOSE FINDINGS BECOME AVAILABLE.
IT'S WITH A HEAVY HEART MAYOR THAT I SHARE THE LOSS OF OUR DEAR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND PAUL PJ.
LORD PAUL WAS NOT ONLY AN, A VALUABLE PART OF OUR OPERATIONS TEAM AT THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, BUT ALSO A CONSISTENT SOURCE OF KINDNESS, POSITIVITY, AND INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HIM.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR OFFICE AND TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN, AND HIS PRESENCE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH PAUL'S WIFE, TAMIKA, HIS
[02:55:01]
FAMILY, HIS FRIENDS, AND HIS LOVED ONES.UH, HIS CELEBRATION OF LIFE WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 25TH AT 10:30 AM AT WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
I WOULD ALSO TAKE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF SYLVESTER TURNER.
I'LL BE LATE TO REST ON SATURDAY.
HE WAS MORE THAN A CONGRESSMAN OR A MAYOR MORE THAN ANY POLITICAL TITLE COULD CAPTURE.
HE WAS A DEAR FRIEND, A MENTOR, AND HE WAS A RELENTLESS CHAMPION FOR THE PEOPLE HE SERVED SELFLESSLY FOR OVER THREE DECADES.
I CONTINUE TO LIFT UP HIS DAUGHTER ASHLEY, HIS FAMILY, HIS MANY FRIENDS AS HIS COMMUNITY MOURNS, HIS PASSING WHEN HURRICANE HARVEY DEVASTATED HOUSTON IN THE SURROUNDING REGION.
IN 2017, MAYOR TURNER ROSE TO THE OCCASION LEADING WITH UNWAVERING STRENGTH AND COMPASSION.
BUT HIS COMMITMENT DIDN'T END WHEN FLOOD WATERS RECEDED.
HE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO REBUILD OUR CITY, ENSURING IT WAS BETTER PREPARED FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES.
BEFORE HIS TENURE AS MAYOR, HE SERVED IN THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1989 TO 2016.
HE WAS A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, EXPANDED HEALTHCARE ACCESS, AND STRONGER CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, ALWAYS PRIORITIZING THOSE IN NEED, EVEN IN TUMULTUOUS TIMES FOR OUR NATION.
HE REMAINED DEDICATED TO SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WITH UNMATCHED ENTHUSIASM.
IN HIS FINAL HOURS, HE FOUGHT FOR WHAT MATTERED MOST, SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR TEXAS FAMILIES.
FOR YEARS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TURNING TO SYLVESTER TURNER FOR GUIDANCE ON ISSUES BOTH LARGE AND SMALL.
AND LIKE A TRUE FRIEND, HE LISTENED, HE OFFERED EARNEST ENCOURAGEMENT ALL THE WHILE LEADING AND LIVING BY EXAMPLE.
NOW IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO CARRY FORWARD THE WISDOM AND SPIRIT PEACE SO GENEROUSLY SHARED WITH US.
I WILL MISS HIM DEARLY, AND I WISH HIM A PEACEFUL REST.
UH, THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN AND SHOULD HONOR MAYOR TURNER.
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN TWO OF THOSE.
FIRST, THE PORTRAIT GALLERY DOWNSTAIRS THAT DEPICTS EVERY PAST MAYOR AND HOUSTON'S HISTORY HAS STOOD WITHOUT MAYOR TURNER'S PORTRAIT FOR NEARLY 15 MONTHS.
AND WHILE IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN HIS PASSING TO CURE THAT DEFICIENCY, WE SHOULD NOT LET ANOTHER UNNECESSARY MOMENT PASS BEFORE AFFORDING THE SIMPLE AND DESERVED DIGNITY TO HIS FAMILY AND TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON.
SECOND, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC IN RENAMING THE DOWNTOWN STRETCH OF BAGBY STREET, SYLVESTER TURNER AVENUE, TO RENAME A PUBLIC STREET IN HOUSTON, PROPERTY OWNERS MUST SUBMIT A WRITTEN PETITION TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPRESENTING 75% OF OWNERS THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND CITY COUNCIL MUST THEN APPROVE THAT NAME CHANGE.
NOW ON THIS DOWNTOWN STRETCH OF BAGBY STREET, THE CITY ALREADY OWNS THE MAJORITY OF THAT PROPERTY, AND IN FACT, WE WOULD ONLY NEED ONE OTHER SIGNATURE TO MOVE THAT FORWARD.
IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE WOULD HAVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT TO TAKE THIS UP AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING WITH APPROPRIATE NOTICE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT WITH YOUR HELP, THIS CAN BE ONE OF MANY WAYS IN WHICH WE HONOR THE LATE GREAT SYLVESTER TURNER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL REPORT AND YOUR WORDS AND OUR CONDOLENCES, WHICH WE'LL MENTION AGAIN IN THE MAYOR'S REPORT OF MR. LORD'S FAMILY.
UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON HONORING MAYOR TURNER.
UH, IN REGARDS TO THE PHOTO, WE'RE WAITING FOR THE FAMILY TO DECIDE WHICH PHOTO THEY WOULD LIKE, AND IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR YOU TO DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND, UH, SEE THAT IT'S NOT A CITY HOLDUP AT ALL.
I'VE SPOKEN TO THE FAMILY, MAYBE YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT, BUT IT'S THE FAMILY THAT WE'RE HONORING, UH, ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SUBMIT THE PHOTO THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE.
SO, I WAS TO ASK BEFORE YOUR REPORT LAST NIGHT, YOUR HONOR, I RECOGNIZE, UH, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
THIS IS THE SEVEN PLUS FIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31ST, 2025.
FISCAL YEAR 25 PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON SEVEN MONTHS OF ACTUAL RESULTS
[03:00:01]
AND FIVE MONTHS OF PROJECTIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND.OUR REVENUE PROJECTION IS $9.4 MILLION LOWER THAN THE ADOPTED BUDGET, BUT 1.6 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE PRIOR MONTH.
THE VARIANCE FROM THE PRIOR MONTH PROJECTION IS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN SALES OF CAPITAL ASSETS TO REFLECT THE LAND SALE TO TDO FOR THE NORTHEASTERN HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
MOVING TO REVENUE, UM, MOVING TO SALES TAX REVENUES, AS THE CONTROLLER MENTIONED, UM, WE DID HAVE AN AUDIT FINDING FROM THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, UM, WHICH WAS REFLECTED IN OUR MONTHLY RECEIPTS FROM DECEMBER.
UM, SO THOSE SALES TAX RECEIPTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THAT EXTRAORDINARILY LARGE AUDIT, WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INCREASE OF 7.6% YEAR OVER YEAR.
UM, AS THE CONTROLLER MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AND HAVE, UH, RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE, UH, AUDIT FINDING THAT THEY WITHHELD SO THAT WE COULD ENTER INTO A REPAYMENT PROGRAM, UH, AGAIN, AT 0% INTEREST.
SO, UM, THANK YOU TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE FOR WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH US ON THAT.
UM, SO FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, OUR, UH, RECEIPTS, UM, IF NOT FOR THE AUDIT RETURN, UM, THE RECEIPTS WOULD'VE BEEN ABOUT FLAT COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR.
SO TO MEET THE CURRENT, UM, ESTIMATE OF SALES TAX, WE STILL NEED THE REMAINING MONTHS.
UM, WE'RE GONNA BE MONITORING THE REMAINING MONTHS, BUT AT THIS POINT, WE'RE NOT PLANNING TO CHANGE THE ESTIMATE FOR THE SALES TAX PROJECTION.
SO MOVING OVER TO EXPENDITURES, OUR EXPENDITURE PROJECTION IS 1.2 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND 5.1 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE PRIOR MONTH.
AND THAT VARIANCE IS DUE TO THE $3.5 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT FOR HEAVY TRASH PICKUP SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE 1.6 MILLION INCREASE TO GENERAL GOVERNMENT TO REFLECT THE FUNDING TRANSFER, UH, FOR THE REVENUE THAT CAME IN FROM TDOT, WHICH WILL BE, UH, GOING TOWARDS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT'S MAINTENANCE, RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT FUND FOR PARKS AND TRAILS PROJECTS.
SO WITH ALL OF THAT, WE'RE PROJECTING THE ENDING FUND BALANCE TO BE 363 MILLION, WHICH IS ABOUT 3.5 MILLION LOWER THAN THE PRIOR MONTH, AND REPRESENTS 14.3% OF ESTIMATED, UH, EXPENDITURES, LESS DEBT SERVICE AND PAY AS YOU GO.
THAT FUND BALANCE IS 173 MILLION ABOVE THE TARGET OF HOLDING 7.5% OF EXPENDITURES, EXCLUDING DEBT SERVICE.
AS THE CONTROLLER MENTIONED, THE MAIN VARIANCE, UM, FROM THEIR PROJECTIONS TO OUR PROJECTIONS, UH, PERTAIN TO THE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OF THE TRANSFER FOR D-D-S-R-F.
SO THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE STILL ONGOING BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PLAINTIFF, AND WE'RE PLANNING TO, UH, REFLECT AND UPDATE, UM, AND UPDATE THIS BODY AT A FUTURE DATE.
SO MOVING ON TO THE ENTERPRISE SPECIAL REVENUE AND OTHER FUNDS.
UM, AS MENTIONED, THE MAINTENANCE RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT FUND WILL IN, UH, REVENUES WILL INCREASE BY 1.6 MILLION TO REFLECT THAT FUNDING TRANSFER.
THANK YOU MAYOR, AND GOOD MORNING TO EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR, UM, PRESENTATIONS.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR ENDING FUND BALANCE ABOVE THE 7.5, UH, PERCENT MANDATORY THAT WE MUST KEEP THERE, UM, I THINK THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE HAS IT AT 55.3 MILLION, AND THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HAS IT AT 173 MILLION.
AND I KNOW YOU SAID THAT THE, UM, THE DIFFERENCE IS BECAUSE OF THAT $100 MILLION JUDGMENT THAT'S AGAINST US AND YOU WILL REPORT BACK AT A FUTURE DATE, IS THAT SOMETHING TO WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PLAINTIFF OR SATISFY THAT JUDGMENT BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR? SO IT'S, IT'S DEFINITELY OUR HOPE THAT WE'LL HAVE IT BEFORE WE PROPOSE THE BUDGET.
AND OUR DISCUSSIONS REGARDING, UM, A PAYMENT PLAN LUMP SUM, LIKE WHAT, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? BECAUSE THOSE TWO NUMBERS OF 55.3 MILLION AND 173 MILLION ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT.
AND I'VE, I'VE NEVER SEEN A PROJECTION THAT HAS US ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ALMOST 50 MILLION BASICALLY IN OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
SO, UH, WHAT, WHAT TYPE OF, UM, EXPECTATION CAN WE RECEIVE ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE WE WILL END UP HAVING TO DO REGARDING THAT 100 MILLION? I THINK IT'S STILL A LITTLE PREMATURE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
BUT YOU SAID YOU HOPE TO HAVE IT DONE BEFORE THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF MAY, WHAT? THE BEGINNING OF MAY.
AND I KNOW THAT THE CONTROLLER, YOU MENTIONED, UH, YOUR AUDIT PLAN, UM, HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT THAN,
[03:05:01]
UH, THIS FINANCIAL REVIEW, UH, BY ERNST AND YOUNG? YEAH, SO THE SERVICES THAT ERNST AND YOUNG ARE PROVIDING, UH, TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON ARE NOT AUDIT SERVICES.UM, THEY WOULDN'T CLAIM THEM AS MUCH.
WHAT YOU ALL APPROVED IN YOUR VARIOUS APPROVALS OF EY FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN FOR AUDITING SERVICES.
UM, THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS AROUND WHAT AUDITS ARE.
UM, AUDITS ARE INDEPENDENT, UH, IN NATURE, WHEREAS EY SERVES, OF COURSE, AT THE, AT THE PLEASURE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
UM, AND SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, AND, AND I'M HAPPY TO GO INTO DETAIL WITH YOU OFFLINE IN TERMS OF THE 37 NEW AUDITS IN THE AUDIT PLAN, UH, THE 10 ANNUAL PROCESSES THAT WILL BE A PART OF THAT.
UM, BUT AGAIN, THEY'RE COMING FROM A RISK-BASED PERSPECTIVE.
UH, WE FIRST WENT THROUGH WHAT'S CALLED AN ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT, AND IN FACT, UM, WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE'S SUPPORT, WE BROUGHT IN EY TO BE A PART OF THAT ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT.
UM, AND THEN FROM THERE, BEARING OUT THE RISKS AS AN INPUT, UH, BEARING OUT YOUR, UH, INPUT.
UH, YOU, YOU MAY RECALL HAVING BEEN INTERVIEWED BY MY TEAM OVER THE COURSE OF, UH, YOU KNOW, PREVIOUS MONTHS TO ASK WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS IMPORTANT, UH, TAKING IN INPUT FROM, UH, CONSTITUENTS, OF COURSE, THE, THE AUDITORS TOOK, UM, YOU KNOW, INTERVIEWED ME AS WELL ABOUT PRIORITIES.
AND, AND THROUGH THAT CAME UP WITH, UH, WITH WHAT'S A PRETTY LENGTHY, UH, AUDIT PLAN.
THOSE AUDITS WHILE, UM, THE POINT OF THEM IS FOR THE CITY TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, MORE EFFECTIVE, ET CETERA.
AND SO I WOULD GUESS THAT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, AND PERHAPS EVEN SEVERAL YEARS, UH, THAT THE AUDITS WOULD HAVE SOME LEVEL OF INTERACTION WITH THE WORK THAT EY IS DOING, UH, MAKING SURE THAT IF THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE, NEW INITIATIVES, THAT THEY WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED APPROPRIATELY, THAT, THAT THE EXPECTED IMPACT FROM A PERFORMANCE STANDPOINT OR A BUDGET STANDPOINT WAS COMING OUT OF THOSE INITIATIVES AND SO ON.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE AUDIT, UH, THE AUDITS WILL BE INDEPENDENT.
THE WAY THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED WILL BE INDEPENDENT, UM, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY OVERLAP WITH, UH, EYS WORK, IT'LL BE MORE THAN COINCIDENTAL, BUT, BUT EYS WORK WON'T DICTATE WHAT TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE OFFICE.
AND SO HOW MANY AUDITORS DO YOU HAVE WORKING ON THAT IN YOUR OFFICE RIGHT NOW? UH, WE HAVE A HEAD COUNT OF ABOUT 13 OR 14 WITH AN APPROVED HEAD COUNT OF 17.
HOW MANY WOULD YOU NEED TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE FOR A CITY OF THIS SIZE? UM, USE THE WORD EFFICIENT.
I, I DON'T THINK IT'S ABOUT EFFICIENCY AT THIS POINT.
IT'S ABOUT JUST SIMPLY HAVING THE CAPACITY.
AND SO WHETHER IT WAS WITH, UH, BUDGET OR, UM, OR SPOTS FOR FTES HERE AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, OR WHETHER IT WAS A CONSULTING BUDGET THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO CONTRACT OUTSIDE AUDITORS TO SUPPORT IN VARIOUS WAYS, UM, WE PRESENTED TO YOU, UH, AT BUDGET SEASON LAST YEAR, A PLAN, UH, TO GROW TO A BIT OVER 30 IN TOTAL HEADCOUNT.
AGAIN, TODAY'S APPROVED HEADCOUNT IS 17.
THAT 17 MAKES US THE SMALLEST AUDIT DIVISION OF ANY MAJOR CITY, UH, IN TEXAS, OF COURSE, WE ARE THE LARGEST CITY WITH THE LARGEST POPULATION AND THE LARGEST BUDGET AND THE LARGEST STAFF.
UM, AND, UH, WE WENT THROUGH A PEER ASSESSMENT, A PEER REVIEW, JUST, UM, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
UM, THEY, THEY PASSED US, BUT THEY DID COMMENT ON, ON THE SIDES OF THE TEAM AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, UH, TO US FOR AN OPERATION OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
AND SO, UM, YOU CAN EXPECT THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO CONTINUE, UH, THIS BUDGET SEASON, UH, AS WAS MADE CLEAR, UH, IN PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS.
BUT AT BFA COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS WEEK, UH, WE, UM, ARE THRILLED TO HAVE BROUGHT IN, UH, MS. JENNIFER PIERCE TO LEAD OUR AUDIT DIVISION.
AND, UH, SHE'S BEEN ON THE GROUND FOR JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
HER TOP PRIORITIES WERE THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT, AND THEN THE AUDIT PLAN, WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN DELIVERED TO YOU, UH, IN TERMS OF THINKING ABOUT A LONGER TERM VISION FOR, UH, FOR THE AUDIT DIVISION AND WHAT'S NECESSARY, I THINK THAT'S THE NEXT THING ON, ON HER PLATE AND DIRECTOR.
UM, LAST THING, AS YOU ALL ARE PROPOSING HOW TO SATISFY THAT A HUNDRED MILLION, WHAT, WHAT FINANCIAL OPTIONS DO WE HAVE? LIKE, WHERE WOULD WE, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS ON WHERE WE WOULD CAPTURE THAT MONEY FROM? WOULD IT ALL BE SOLELY FROM, UH, THE GENERAL FUND, OR DO WE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO US? SO THERE ARE SEVERAL INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE ALREADY, UM, UM, STARTED ON EVEN BEFORE THE ERNST AND YOUNG REPORT CAME OUT, UM, INCLUDING SOME INFORMAL PROCUREMENT
[03:10:01]
CONSOLIDATION.UH, WE'RE GETTING STARTED ON THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT, UM, RECOMMENDATION FROM ERNST AND YOUNG.
UM, SO WE'RE GOING TO, UH, YOU KNOW, WORK ON AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD AS MANY OF THOSE EFFICIENCY ITEMS THAT CAN HELP REDUCE THE OPERATING BUDGET, UM, OR FIND MORE EFFICIENCIES IN THOSE WAYS TO HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS.
I'M DIRECTOR HAS SIMILAR QUESTIONS, MORE SO ABOUT THE FINANCIAL TOOLS AVAILABLE, AVAILABLE FOR US TO CURE THE DELTA OF THE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
UM, ESPECIALLY, UM, GIVEN THE FACT THAT OUR FINANCIAL, STATE, STATE, UH, STATUS HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED OR THE OUTLOOK, RATHER THE OUTLOOK, A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK, RIGHT, RIGHT.
IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR WHOLE FINANCIAL POSITIONING MM-HMM
UM, SO IT'S HELPFUL THAT YOU, YOU SHARED THAT.
UM, I, I JUST WANT TO BUMP BACK UP TO YOU, AND I'M CURIOUS, UM, THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION WE HAVE ON THE, UH, BACK PAY, THE BONDS THAT WE JUST ISSUED LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRE.
SO, COUPLED WITH THAT, LIKE WHAT'S A, A MORE TRUE, UM, FINANCIAL POSITIONING? 'CAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HUNDRED MILLION FOR THE DRAINAGE FEE THAT WE HAVE TO PAY BACK, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION FOR THE, UH, BONDS THAT WE JUST INITIATED, RIGHT? SO, UM, IS THAT FACTORED INTO WHAT WILL HAVE REMAINING FOR THE FUND BALANCE? YES.
SO THE, UH, THE BONDS RELATED TO THE JUDGMENT SETTLEMENT, UM, THAT WERE ISSUED OVER THE SUMMER LAST YEAR ARE ALREADY, UH, THE REPAYMENT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROJECTIONS ALREADY, UM, THAT YOU SEE HERE.
AND IT'S ALSO, UM, PLANNED FOR IN THAT BUDGETARY GAP THAT WE TALK ABOUT FOR FY 26.
IT'S ALREADY FACTORED INTO THAT NUMBER.
AND WHAT'S THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THAT FOR FISCAL 26? AGAIN, FOR THE GAP, IT WAS AROUND $220 MILLION, UM, BEFORE WE HAD THE JONES JUDGMENT.
WHAT'S THE, WHAT'S THE PAYMENT OF THE JUDGMENT ITSELF ISOLATED OF THE BONDS ITSELF? UM, I WANNA SAY IT'S AROUND $30 MILLION A YEAR.
I THINK WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THE SPECIFICS.
I BELIEVE THAT IT'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO $45 MILLION, BUT WE CAN FOLLOW UP AND GIVE YOU YEAH, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HAVING A, A, A MORE COMPLETE CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR FULL FINANCIAL OBLIGATION AND EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS, BUT I APPRECIATE THAT.
UM, CONTROLLER, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS, UM, AND YOUR AUDIT FINDINGS.
UM, I STAND WITH YOU IN SUPPORT OF, UH, HONORING OUR FORMER MAYOR AND, UM, UH, CONGRESSMAN SYLVESTER TURNER.
AND I'M, I AM VERY CLEAR THAT, UM, UH, FORMER MAYOR, UH, SELECTED HIS PHOTO BEFORE HE LEFT THIS OFFICE, AND, UM, UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE UNABLE TO STAND WITH HIM, UH, WHILE THE PHOTO WAS INSTALLED AT CITY HALL.
UM, SO HOWEVER WE CAN EXPEDITE THAT, UH, I THINK WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR ALL OF US IN THIS HORSESHOE AND FOR THE PUBLIC.
SO I STAND WITH YOU AND FOR THOSE WHO, UM, WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE, UM, HONOR HIS LEGACY IN THE APPROPRIATE WAY.
SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE REMARKS.
AND I EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO PJ, UM, FOR THOSE OF US WHO, UH, UH, KNEW HIM SOCIALLY AND HIS WORK AND, UH, HIS CONTRIBUTION TO JUST, JUST THE WHOLE, UH, UH, BLACK HOUSTON COMMUNITY, UH, DEFINITELY WILL BE MISSED.
AND SO, UH, I EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR, TO THE WORKING TEAM, BUT ALSO TO HIS FAMILY.
UH, MR. CONTROLLER, FIRST OF ALL, CONDOLENCES ON THE LOSS OF MAYOR TURNER AND, UH, PJ.
UH, QUESTION FOR YOU IN REGARDS TO THE AUDIT PLAN.
UH, HOW, HOW MANY AUDITS DO YOU BELIEVE, UH, THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE CAN COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR? UH, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, UH, THE AVERAGE AUDIT, UH, HAS BEEN TAKING US ROUGHLY A THOUSAND PERSON HOURS, SO A PERSON COULD COMPLETE, UH, TWO ENGAGEMENTS IN A YEAR.
THAT'S A, THAT'S A BALLPARK FIGURE.
UM, WE'RE, AS, AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE, WE ARE MOVING, UH, THROUGH A TRANSITION THAT HAS GONE EXTRAORDINARILY WELL SO FAR WITH FIRST PRIORITY BEING THE ERA, THEN THE AUDIT PLAN.
UM, I, I MENTIONED TO COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD, THAT THERE WILL BE, UH, SOME WORK DONE IN PREPARATION FOR BUDGET SEASON AROUND, UM, WHAT THE RIGHT SIZE OF THE AUDIT DIVISION SHOULD BE.
UM, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT'S TAKING THOSE AUDITS FROM THE AUDIT PLAN AND GETTING THEM GOING IN TERMS OF SCOPE, LAUNCHING THEM, AND SO ON.
UM, I CAN'T SIT HERE AND SAY THAT BY JUNE 30TH, UH, WE'LL HAVE THIS MANY AUDITS COMPLETED, UH, FROM THE NEW PLAN.
THERE ARE ALREADY, THERE ARE SOME, UH, AUDITS THAT ARE ALREADY IN MOTION.
UM, THE REPORT THAT JENNIFER PIERCE PROVIDED ON MONDAY, UH, INCLUDED, UH, THE PHASES OF SOME OPEN AUDITS RIGHT NOW THAT, AND SOME ARE MOVING INTO, UH, THE REPORTING PHASE.
SO YOU'LL, AS WE HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY, WHEN AN AUDIT CONCLUDES, WHEN WE HAVE FINDINGS, WE'LL COME TO BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS AND PRESENT THOSE DIRECTLY, UH, TO YOU.
SO YOU CAN EXPECT THAT A COUPLE OF THOSE, UH, CERTAINLY WILL COME BEFORE YOU, BEFORE JUNE 30TH
[03:15:01]
OF THE AUDITS IN THE NEW PLAN.UH, I COULDN'T TELL YOU RIGHT THIS MOMENT, UH, WE HAD TO SCOPE THOSE OUT.
AND WHEN I SAY WE, I MEAN, JENNIFER AND HER TEAM NEED TO SCOPE THOSE OUT, LAUNCH THEM, AND AS SHE ALSO MENTIONED ON MONDAY, UH, A LOT OF THE PACE, UH, WOULD HAVE TO DO, UH, WITH THE SUPPORT THAT SHE GETS FROM DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS, UM, TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DATA TO PROVIDE ACCESS, UH, TO COLLEAGUES FOR INTERVIEWS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
AND IF, IF MEMORY SERVES, THE, THE AUDIT PLAN THAT WAS PROPOSED WAS SOMETHING LIKE 37 AUDITS.
OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME DO YOU THINK, UH, THOSE AUDITS CAN BE COMPLETED? UH, AGAIN, THAT'LL BE UP TO, UH, MS. PIERCE IN TERMS OF ESTIMATION.
UM, AND THEN AS SHE MENTIONED, THAT'LL BE UP TO THE, UH, RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HER AND THE COLLABORATION THAT SHE RECEIVES, UH, FROM OTHER CITY LEADERS.
AND HOW, HOW MANY AUDITS HAVE WE, UH, COMPLETED THIS YEAR? UH, I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW THE PAST FIGURES, AND I, I COULD VERY QUICKLY GET YOU THAT NUMBER.
UH, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IN THE PAST, WE'VE DONE SOMETHING IN THE BALLPARK OF EIGHT TO NINE AUDITS, UH, PER YEAR, OR I'LL SAY ENGAGEMENTS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S AN AUDIT, SOMETIMES IT'S A FOLLOW UP TO A PREVIOUS AUDIT, ET CETERA.
SO EIGHT TO NINE ENGAGEMENTS A YEAR.
AND I THINK WE'VE, WE'RE GENERALLY ON TRACK, UH, FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
UH, THE, THE ASPIRATION, UH, WITH MRS. PIERCE'S, UH, WITH MS. PIERCE'S JOINING OF THE TEAM, UH, WILL BE TO INCREASE, UH, BOTH THE QUALITY AND THE VOLUME OF THOSE AUDITS.
INFORMATION I HAVE IS, THAT ONE HAS BEEN COMPLETED THIS YEAR.
WOULD THAT BE CORRECT OR INCORRECT? I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE CORRECT, BUT AGAIN, WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU WITH THE SPECIFIC.
UM, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR REPORT.
UH, CONTROLLER, ALSO SHARE, UH, CONDOLENCES AS WELL, UH, FOR FORMER MAYOR CONGRESSMAN TURNER.
UM, AND MY COLLEAGUE ASKED A FEW OF THESE QUESTIONS ALREADY, BUT I JUST, UH, MORE SO ON THE PRIORITIZE, UH, PRIORITIZATION OF THE AUDITS.
UM, SO HE, HE HAD ASKED, RIGHT NOW, YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH ONES HAVE BEEN DONE CORRECT, OR WHICH ONES ARE IN MOTION IN TERMS OF THE AUDIT PLAN.
ZERO OF THEM HAVE BEEN DONE, RIGHT? 'CAUSE WE JUST GAVE YOU THE PLAN, YOU KNOW, TWO DAYS AGO.
AND ANY MOTION FROM YOU SCOPE YOU, UH, ALERT THE, THE, THE TARGET DEPARTMENT OR DIVISION THAT THAT AUDIT WILL START, YOU AGREE TO A LAUNCH DATE, THEN YOU KICK OFF, RIGHT? SO THAT'S THE, THE, THE, THE SORT OF PHASE.
SO ONE, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD ASKED, UM, THIS PA A FEW DAYS AGO AT THE BUDGET AND FISCAL AFFAIRS WAS, WHICH ONES ARE Y'ALL PRIORITIZING? WHICH ONES DO Y'ALL SEE THAT ARE, ARE GONNA BE, UH, MOST HELPFUL IN IDENTIFYING ANY COST SAVINGS, ANY WASTE, YOU KNOW, IDENTIFYING SOME OF THOSE TYPES OF, UH, UM, ACTIVITIES.
HAVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE, HAVE Y'ALL ALREADY DECIDED WHICH ONES Y'ALL GONNA PRIORITIZE? UH, NOT FINALLY.
UM, I KNOW THAT ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CHALLENGES THE CITY IS FACING, UH, ONES THAT WOULD DELIVER COST SAVINGS OR EVEN POTENTIAL, UM, ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE CITY WOULD FLOAT TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.
UH, ONE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS, AND I'D HAVE TO DIG FOR THE SPECIFIC TERM, BUT IT'S ANALYZING CONTRACTS, WHEREAS WE COULD GET A DISCOUNT FOR EARLY PAYMENTS.
UM, I, I, I BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE ONE THAT GOES OUT, UH, WITH SOME EXPEDIENCY.
SO, BUT OVERALL, UH, THERE'S A PRIORITIZATION METRICS, UH, MATRIX THAT IS A RESULT OF THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT.
UH, AND THOSE THAT EITHER SHOW UP AS HIGH ON RISK OR HIGH ON OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE THE ONES TO GET OUT OF THE DOOR FIRST, ASSUMING, UM, THAT WE HAD THE KIND OF COOPERATION ANOTHER THAT WOULD, UH, LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT WE COULD GET TO.
ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD ASKED WAS, UM, IS THE EY, UH, ENY REPORT BEING UTILIZED TO BE ABLE TO HELP PRIORITIZE THIS? IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ALLUDED TO AS WELL, WAS CONTRACTS THAT COULD BE A GOOD COST SAVINGS.
UM, ARE Y'ALL GOING TO UTILIZE THE IAN E EY REPORT AS WELL? YEAH, SO, UH, AS I MENTIONED IN MY COMMENTS EARLIER, UM, THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT, THAT IS WHAT LED TO THE AUDIT PLAN, UH, EY WAS INCLUDED, UM, IN THAT ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT.
UM, THE LEVEL OF INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO, UM, TO DATE, IS THE SAME INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
UH, I THINK WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE DEEPER CONVERSATIONS AND HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR WORKING PAPERS TO UNDERSTAND A BIT MORE, UH, DETAIL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT AUDITS WOULD BE MOST, UM, UM, EFFECTIVE AT THIS TIME.
UH, AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, WITH THE EFFORT TO NOT, YOU KNOW, DUPLICATE, UH, EFFORTS.
UM, AND SO TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, UM,
[03:20:01]
YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATION, UM, TO DATE, UH, THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVEN'T TAKEN PLACE.AND ALSO, AGAIN, OUTSIDE OF THE, THE REPORT THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND, AND EVERYONE CAN FIND ONLINE, YEAH, WE HAVEN'T, WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAIL.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT I WANNA KIND OF SPEAK TO, IS I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT DUPLICATING SERVICES, RIGHT? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING RID OF REDUNDANCY, WASTE AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.
AND I JUST WANNA ENSURE THAT, UM, AS YOU'RE DOING THESE AUDITS, THAT WE ARE TAKING SOME OF THE WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE, PAYMENTS THAT WE'VE ALREADY MADE, UH, TO, TO HAVE US UNDERSTAND, UH, WHERE THE CITY NEEDS TO BE GOING AS WELL.
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT THE AUDITS THAT, THAT ARE, THAT ARE HAPPENING.
UH, WE ALL WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING OUR FINANCIAL INSTABILITY THAT WE'VE HAD FOR DEC ALMOST A DECADE OR MORE.
UM, AND SO, UH, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AS WELL.
UM, AND, AND AGAIN, JUST, UM, YOU KNOW, IF MORE THAT WE, YOU CAN SHARE WITH US AS FAR AS PRIORITIZING, UH, THESE AUDITS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA BE BRINGING 'EM TO THE, TO, UH, WELL, LIKE BFA, I'M EXCITED TO SEE THOSE, THAT, THOSE RESULTS.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU SAY EIGHT TO NINE PER YEAR, UH, YOU KNOW, THE 37 ENGAGEMENTS THAT WE NEED TO DO, UH, HOPEFULLY WE CAN, UH, UP THAT UP, UH, UP THAT, THAT NUMBER UP, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL.
I AGREE WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT ON THE NEED TO, TO INCREASE THE VOLUME.
UH, I ALSO AGREE WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT ON THE DESIRE, UH, TO NOT DUPLICATE EFFORTS.
UM, THAT IS SPECIFICALLY WHY, YOU KNOW, WE SOUGHT OUT EY TO BE A PART OF THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT SO THAT WE WEREN'T NUMBER ONE, DUPLICATING EFFORTS, BUT ALSO SO THAT WE WEREN'T, YOU KNOW, MISSING THE BENEFIT OF HAVING THE INFORMATION, UH, THAT THEY HAD.
SO THEY SHARED WITH US AT THE TIME WHAT THEY WERE AUTHORIZED, UH, TO SHARE WITH US.
THAT IS IN THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT, UM, THAT WAS DELIVERED TO YOU LAST WEEK AND PRESENTED TO YOU EARLIER THIS WEEK.
UM, AND, AND WE WOULD, YOU KNOW, RELISH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR WORK, UM, AND, AND TO DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT LACK OF DUPLICATION.
UH, I DO WANNA REITERATE THAT THE WORK THAT WE DO IN AUDIT IS NOT WHAT EY IS DOING, RIGHT? RIGHT.
AND SO THERE MAY BE TIMES WHERE WE'RE AUDITING SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE ALSO, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT FROM AN ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE.
THERE MAY BE TIMES WHERE WE'RE AUDITING SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE ALREADY WORKED TO IMPLEMENT, AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT COMPLIANCE, EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY, OUTCOMES, AND SO ON.
UM, AND SO YES, THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD WORK, UM, HAND IN HAND WITH KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT EACH OTHER IS DOING IS ONE THAT I SUPPORT 100%.
I HOPE I HAVE YOUR SUPPORT IN THAT TOO.
UH, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR REPORT.
UM, CERTAINLY ONE THAT, UH, WE HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO, TO BOTH.
LET ME JUST TO RECAP SOMETHING I HEARD, UM, COMPTROLLER, UH, WHAT, HOW MANY, HOW MANY, I WAS TRYING TO WRITE DOWN HOW MANY AUDITS YOU DID IN 24.
UH, THE, I'M GOING BACK TO SOMETHING I PRESENTED TO YOU DURING BUDGET SEASON.
BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT OUR, UH, PRODUCTIVITY AS IT COMPARED TO SAN ANTONIO, FORT WORTH, ET CETERA.
AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE, UH, WE WERE COMPLETING EIGHT TO NINE ENGAGEMENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
NOW AGAIN, I USE THE WORD ENGAGEMENTS.
BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS THAT TAKE UP AN AUDITOR'S TIME THAT MAY NOT BE AN AUDIT, IT'LL KIND OF BE A FOLLOW UP.
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THEY PROVIDE.
UM, SO EIGHT OR NINE ENGAGEMENTS, UM, I BELIEVE THAT THAT PACE HAS ROUGHLY BEEN MAINTAINED, UM, OVER THE PAST YEAR, UH, THAT HAVING BEEN SAID.
UM, WE TALKED TO YOU IN MAY ABOUT ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT OF OUR THEN CITY AUDITOR GOING ON A SEARCH FOR A NEW CITY AUDITOR AND WANTING TO ENSURE THAT THAT LEADERSHIP WAS IN PLACE, UM, BEFORE WE, YOU KNOW, GOT OFF TO THE RACES ON DOING THIS IMPORTANT WORK.
UH, JENNIFER PIERCE JOINED THIS OFFICE IN JANUARY OF THIS MONTH, IMMEDIATELY GOT TO WORK ON THE ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT, UH, ON THE AUDIT PLAN.
UH, WE ALSO WENT THROUGH THE PEER REVIEW DURING THAT TIMEFRAME.
NOW IT'S ABOUT GETTING THESE AUDITS GOING, UM, BOTH IN THE SHORT TERM AND THEN ALSO TAKING A LONG TERM VIEW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT RESOURCES BOTH HUMAN AND, UH, YOU KNOW, FINANCIAL, THE DIVISION NEEDS, UH, TO BE ABLE TO DO ITS WORK, UH, IN THE BEST WAY IT CAN GOING FORWARD.
YEAH, I REMEMBER WE HAD THE CONVERSATION IN REGARDS TO THE BRINGING IN A NEW AUDITOR AND THE, THE COST OF THAT.
UM, SO OFFICIALLY THERE WERE EIGHT OR NINE ENGAGEMENTS, BUT THAT WAS NOT, BUT NOT OFFICIAL AUDITS THAT WAS DONE.
THAT, THAT HAS BEEN THE ROUGH PACE OVER THE COURSE OF, YOU KNOW, A THREE TO FOUR YEAR PERIOD.
AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE THAT POWERPOINT SLIDE IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT THIS MOMENT,
[03:25:01]
BECAUSE I PRESENTED IT TO YOU ABOUT NINE MONTHS AGO.BUT GENERALLY, UM, WHEN WE LOOKED BACK AT THAT TIME TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO OTHER, UH, MAJOR CITY AUDIT DIVISIONS, YEAH.
OUR AUDIT DIVISION HAD BEEN, UH, KEEPING UP A PACE OF EIGHT TO NINE ENGAGEMENTS A YEAR.
AND, AND, AND LEMME JUST SAY FOR THE RECORD, I, I DID LOOK INTO WHAT SOME OF THE NAME CITIES THAT YOU USE, COURSE, LIKE CHICAGO AND OTHER CITIES WITHIN THE STATE, AND THAT WAS A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT THEY BASICALLY CLASSIFIED THE CONTROLLER AND OR THE POSITION OF THOSE PEOPLE, UH, WHICH WAS VERY INTERESTING, WAS THE DIFFERENT, AND OF COURSE IT SHOWED A LOT LESS NUMBER OF, OF PAID SALARY, BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT'S DEBATABLE DEPENDING UPON THE LOAD, THE WORKLOAD, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT AUDITOR.
SO, BUT ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO TO KNOW EXACTLY IS THERE, IS THERE A COPY OF THAT? IS THERE A, OF THAT AUDIT FOR 24 THAT COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, THE ONE THAT YOU DID? ABSOLUTELY GOOD.
UM, LET ME, I'LL, I'LL TAKE THE NOTE AND WE'LL, UH, WE CAN RESURFACE THAT FOR YOU, SIR.
COUNCILOR CASTILLO, YOUR HONOR.
AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UH, CONTROLLER, YOU TOUCHED ON THE VACANCIES, UM, THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOUR AUDITORS.
HOW MANY VACANCIES ARE YOU CURRENTLY WITH AT THE AUDIT DIVISION? I BELIEVE THAT BOTH WITH CURRENT AND EXPECTED, UH, VACANCIES, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, THREE OR FOUR.
AND, AND IN A TOTAL APPROVED HEADCOUNT OF 17.
AND THEN FULLY STAFFED, WOULD THAT PUT Y'ALL AT IN A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE YOUR AUDIT PLANS AND YOUR ENGAGEMENTS AND NO.
SO AGAIN, FULLY STAFFED AT 17, WE ARE STILL THE LOWEST STAFFED AUDIT DIVISION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AMONG TOP FIVE CITIES.
WHAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL NUMBER YOU WOULD NEED TO BE AT? UH, AS I MENTIONED, I BELIEVE TO COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD POLLARD EARLIER, UH, WE PRESENTED A PLAN TO YOU LAST YEAR, UH, THAT WOULD GET US UP TO A HEADCOUNT OF JUST OVER 30, OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF YEARS.
UM, THAT WAS AN ESTIMATE LAST YEAR.
UH, WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP IN PLACE FOR THE DIVISION, AND, UH, I WOULD LIKE HER PROFESSIONAL, YOU KNOW, OPINION ANALYSIS, UH, TO COME BACK TO YOU WITH SOMETHING SPECIFIC.
SO, AGAIN, HAPPY TO RESHARE WITH YOU WHAT WE SHARED LAST YEAR ABOUT OUR ESTIMATES OF, UM, YOU KNOW, WHERE THOSE 30 PEOPLE WOULD SIT AND WHAT THEY, THEY WOULD DO AND THE VALUE THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE FROM IT.
UM, BUT YOU CAN EXPECT THAT THAT WOULD BE REFRESHED, UM, WITH MS. PIERCE'S OUTLOOK NOW.
AND HOW ARE, UH, HOW ARE Y'ALL UTILIZING TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP THE STAFF YOU DO CURRENTLY HAVE ON THE AUDIT SIDE, YOU KNOW, BE MORE EFFICIENT OR ARE THERE TECHNOLOGIES OUT THERE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING INTO TO BRING IN TO HELP, UM, THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON STAFF WITH THEIR AUDITS? THAT WOULD AGAIN, BE A, A QUESTION FOR MS. PIERCE.
I, UH, I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL AUDITOR BY BACKGROUND.
UM, BUT UM, IN TERMS OF WHAT SHE'S BRINGING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHAT SHE'S ACCUSTOMED TO, UH, VIS-A-VIS EFFICIENT AUDITS AND THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THOSE OR, OR THAT ARE HELPFUL TO ACHIEVING THOSE, UH, THAT'D BE A CONVERSATION TO HAVE, UH, WITH HER AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT WE CAN BRING BACK TO YOU.
UM, NOW THAT YOU'VE INQUIRED OF ME.
ANYONE ELSE? NOT THANK YOU, UH, CONTROLLER.
AND MELISSA, APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT? MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT MOTIONS MADE.
ALL IN FAVOR? SECOND, SAY YES.
THOSE OPPOSED NA REPORTS ADOPTED.
[MAYOR'S REPORT]
UH, UNDER THE MAYOR'S REPORT, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO KEEP MR. LORD THE, UH, CONTROLLER EMPLOYEE THAT HAS PASSED ALSO, UH, TO KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, HIS FAMILY.AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO ALSO KEEP DARRYL CARTER'S FAMILY IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, A FRIEND OF MANY OF OURS WHO WILL BE MISSED AND CONTINUE TO KEEP, UH, CONGRESSMAN TURNER FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS, AND ASK YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND RESPECT TO THESE LOSSES.
[03:30:02]
THANK YOU.ON A PLEASANT NOTE, TOMORROW MORNING AT NINE O'CLOCK, WE'LL HAVE THE MAYOR SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM IN, UH, THE WORTHHAM CENTER AT 9:00 AM I'D ASK EVERYONE TO COME AND SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR OUTSTANDING CITY EMPLOYEES.
SPEAKING OF OUTSTANDING CITY EMPLOYEES, I THOUGHT IT'D BE APPROPRIATE TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE TWO COLLEAGUES THAT WERE SCHEDULED AND WE'LL GET THEIR AWARDS IN THE MORNING.
THEY'RE 10 YEARS OF MERITAL RISK SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT GOES TO OUR VICE MAYOR PRO, JIM PECK.
AND ALSO ANOTHER OUTSTANDING CITY EMPLOYEE COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
10 YEARS, AND I'VE GOT THEIR PEN.
I PUT A REAL HIGH PREMIUM ON YOUR SERVICE.
WILL THIS WORK FOR YOU? Y'ALL WANT SAY SOMETHING?
[CONSENT AGENDA]
MADAM SECRETARY WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORY, ITEMS ONE AND TWO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION UNDER THE ACCEPT WORD CATEGORY.ITEM FIVE HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATIONS.
NEED A MOTION FOR ITEMS THREE, FOUR, AND SIX.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF B CATEGORY.
ITEM 16 HAVE BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NEED A MOTION FOR ITEMS 17 THROUGH 15? SEVEN THROUGH 15.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE RESOLUTION CATEGORY.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY.
ITEM 52 HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEMS 29, 30 AND 36 HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED AND WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THEY ARE RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING.
ITEMS 29, 30 AND 36 HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED.
ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.
THOSE NUMBERS AGAIN ARE 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, AND 49.
NEED A VOTE ON THE BALANCE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES AS OPPOSED NAY.
[CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA]
ITEMS MOVE FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.UM, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE, UM, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE WILL BE VOTING ON, UH, FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ITEM ONE, WHICH IS, IS TUR ONE.
IT'S THE FIRST TURS IN OUR, UH, CITY'S HISTORY OF THE LAMAR TERRACE, ST.
AND, UM, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE TS AS A BODY, UM, AND I THINK THE TS ARE AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WHO
[03:35:01]
SERVE ON THEM AND AS STRONG AS THE BOARDS.AND MR. MICHAEL ROW HAS DEMONSTRATED AS STRONG COMMITMENT, UH, TO THIS TUR INTO HIS COMMUNITY.
AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM AS HE'S HERE.
MICHAEL, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE STAND.
AND HE'S JOINED BY HIS, HIS FAMILY AS WELL.
UM, HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THIS CITY IS OUTSTANDING.
HE'S BEEN A TRUE SUPPORTER OF THE INITIATIVES THAT MY OFFICE RUNS.
AND I ASK FOR YOU ALL'S, UH, SUPPORT IN THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU, MICHAEL, FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY, MR. RAMIREZ.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF FIVE TOURS, BUDGETS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA THIS WEEK.
AND, UM, I JUST WANNA SAY, UH, IT WAS SUGGESTED BY OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT COUNCIL HAS OVERSIGHT OVER THE TS AND THE TS BUDGETS.
IF BY OVERSIGHT, IT MEANS, UH, THAT THE ITEMS APPEAR ON AN AGENDA THREE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THEM.
UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE MORE ENGAGEMENT ON THESE BUDGETS, WHICH ARE, ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
THEY INVOLVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE AGGREGATE AND, AND DESERVE MORE CONSIDERATION.
UM, LAST WEEK WE DID NOT HAVE COUNCIL MEETINGS.
WE DID NOT HAVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
WOULD'VE BEEN A GREAT TIME TO DELVE INTO THESE BUDGETS AND SEE WHAT IS IN THEM.
UH, DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
UM, AND SO I'M GONNA BE TAGGING THIS ITEM AND THE OTHER TOURIST BUDGETS AS WELL IN THE HOPES THAT WE GET MORE ENGAGEMENT AND MORE INFORMATION BEFORE WE VOTE ON THEM.
DOES HE RELEASE FOR DISCUSSION? DAVIS IS IN THE Q DISCUSSION.
I WANTED TO, UM, ALSO REEMPHASIZE THAT THESE FIVE ITEMS TO GIVING CONSIDERATION TO COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ'S REMARKS.
UM, TRY TO DO A DEEP DIVE INTO SOME OF THESE DOLLARS.
WE KNOW THAT WE AT A FINANCIAL CROSSROAD IN OUR CITY BUDGET-WISE.
AND, UH, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO, UH, JOIN IN WITH THAT BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT THESE ITEMS. OF COURSE, I SUPPORT TOURS, UH, AND FOR THEIR PURPOSE.
AND, BUT WE ARE AT A, IN MY OPINION, A VERY TURBULENT CROSSROAD.
AND I LIKE TO GIVE, UH, MYSELF AND OFFICE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO LOOK IN THESE TOURS AND EXPENDITURES BECAUSE, UM, THEY, THEY ARE REALLY A CONCERN, UH, FOR SOME TURS.
WE KNOW A STRONG, SOME TURS ARE WEAK.
AND, UH, AND THE CITY AT THE POINT IS AT A DEEP CROSSROAD.
SO I'M GOING TO JOIN IN WITH COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ ON THIS TAG.
WE, UM, HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT TERMS AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE, UM, CURIOUS ON HOW THEY WORK.
AND I THINK THAT ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES SHOULD GET THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED AS WE ARE APPROVING THESE BUDGETS AND MOVING INTO BUDGET.
DO WANT TO REMIND OUR COLLEAGUES THAT, UM, DIRECTOR TILLERSON WILL BE DOING A PRESENTATION ON TOURS TODAY DURING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
UM, AND WE DO DISCUSS THESE BUDGETS DURING, UM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS GETTING THE AGENDAS SO THAT WHEN WE ARE DISCUSSING EACH OF THESE TS BUDGETS AND HAVING THESE TS DISCUSSIONS IN COMMITTEE, UM, THAT OUR COLLEAGUES DO PLAN AND TRY TO BE AVAILABLE, UM, FOR THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
SO WE CAN TAKE A, A DEEPER DIVE IN THOSE.
AND I JUST WANNA ECHO SOME OF MY, UH, MAYOR PROTOS
[03:40:01]
SETTLEMENTS AS WELL.UM, JUST AS AN FY THE GULF GATE CHURCH MEETS TODAY AT THREE O'CLOCK AT THE BOTANIC GARDEN.
SO THIS IS NOT THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO HAVE, UH, CONVERSATIONS OR A DEEP DIVE IN, INTO WHAT HAPPENS AT THE TURS.
UM, AS I SHARED WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES, I FOLLOW MY TURS.
I EVEN ATTEND MY MEETINGS AS WELL.
I HAVE STAFF THAT ATTEND MONTHLY, AND I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE IT UPON OURSELVES TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE'RE ENGAGED AS WELL DO OUR PART, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT SLOWING DOWN PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, POSSIBLY, UH, AT, AT SOME TIME, UH, WHEN THEY'RE COMING BACK FOR, UH, A BOND CAPACITY INCREASE AS WELL.
UH, SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, COME TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS FOR SURE, BUT THEN ALSO KNOW THAT THESE ARE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
I SHARE THIS WITH, UH, MY CONSTITUENTS AS WELL.
WE HAVE RESIDENTS THAT ATTEND OUR TOURS MEETINGS.
UM, AND AGAIN, TODAY, GULF GATE TURS WILL BE MEETING AT THREE O'CLOCK AT THE BOTANIC GARDEN.
ITEM 43 HAS BEEN TAGGED BY COUNCILOR RAMIREZ.
JUST NEED, NEED A VOTE TAG TAGGED BY RAMIREZ.
NEXT, ITEM 45 IS AN ORDINANCE.
JUST NEED A VOTE TAG TAGGED BY COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ AND DAVIS AND DAVIS.
MAYOR, MAY I SPEAK ON THIS? THEY'LL RELEASE THE TAG.
COUNCILOR PECK, UH, MY MAYOR BROUGHT PECK IF THEY'LL RELEASE THE TAG FOR DISCUSSION, PLEASE FOR DISCUSSION.
UM, MAYOR, THIS ONE IS, UM, THE MEMORIAL CITY TARS, AND IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO THEIR BUDGET.
UM, THEY HAVE ENGAGED WITH BOTH, UM, MYSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN ON THIS PROJECT.
IT IS FOR, UM, AN ADDITIONAL DETENTION PROJECT THAT INCLUDES A PUBLIC SAFETY COMPONENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.
AND, UM, WE HAVE ALSO MET WITH THE MAYOR.
AND MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS.
IT'S CRITICAL FOR DISTRICT A AND THEN ALSO, UM, AS THE WATER FLOW SOUTH, ALSO FOR DISTRICT G AS WELL.
SO WE'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PROJECT.
NEXT ITEM 46 IS AN ORDINANCE TAGGED, TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, DAVIS.
THIS, UH, THIS ITEM HAD A NUMBER OF ERRORS IN THE BACKUP.
UH, I PLANNED ON TAGGING IT ANYWAY TO, TO GIVE HIM A WEEK TO GET IT CORRECTED.
UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT, UM, WHERE WE'RE GONNA WORK WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE TO GET THE DOCUMENTS TO UPDATED, UH, TO CORRECT SOME TYPOS.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO ON 46.
TAGGING NEXT ITEM 49 IS AN ORDINANCE.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, AND SHE ASKED ME TO TAG THIS ITEM ON HER BEHALF, SO I'M TAGGING IT.
[MATTERS HELD]
ITEM 62.IS IT ORDERED? JUST NEED TO VOTE.
ANYONE ELSE PASSES, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
[NON CONSENT - MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
COUNCILOR MARTINEZ IS RECOGNIZED FOR POPUP.UH, FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE, THE EAST END RESIDENTS THAT ATTENDED THE MEETING WE HAD THIS PAST MONDAY, ALONG WITH THIRD WARD AND FIFTH WARD RESIDENTS, UM, THAT HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE, UH, THE JRC PROCESS FOR POLK.
I ALSO WANNA THANK, UH, HOUSTON FIRST MICHAEL HECKMAN FOR COMING OUT, UH, ALSO LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, TOMORROW WE'RE HAVING THE, UH, BOARD MEETING AT 8:00 AM AT THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP, UH, PARTNERSHIP TOWER AT 7 0 1 EZ AMER, THE, THE LAS AMERICAS.
YOU'RE ALSO MORE THAN WELCOME.
UM, AND I ALSO WANNA THANK TDOT METRO PUBLIC WORKS REPRESENTATIVES FOR BEING THERE, UH, MAKING SURE THAT, UH, COMMUNITY HAD, UM, OPPORTUNITIES TO GET ANSWERS TO
[03:45:01]
THEIR QUESTIONS.I WANNA THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR, UH, PASSING ITEM 51 AND 17.
ITEM 51 WAS ADDRESSING QUIET ZONES.
IT GETS US A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO HAVING QUIET ZONES ALONG THE EAST END.
THESE APPLICATIONS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN, UH, IN THE QUEUE FOR AT LEAST, UH, 12 TO 13 YEARS.
UH, SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE, UH, PROGRESS BEING MADE.
AND THEN 17 WAS THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.
THERE'S TWO PROJECTS THAT, UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT AND, UH, SPLITTING COSTS WITH, UH, HARRIS COUNTY.
ONE OF 'EM WAS, AGAIN, THE QUIET ZONES, ABOUT 5 MILLION EACH FROM THE CITY AND THE, AND THE, AND THE, UH, THE COUNTY.
AND THEN, UH, BARRY GULLY, WHICH I SHARE WITH, UH, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, FRED FLICKINGER.
UM, IT, IT'S, IT'S GONNA ALLOW FOR BETTER DRAINAGE, UH, ALONG THE SOUTHEAST PART OF DISTRICT I.
AND EACH OF THOSE PRO, EACH OF THOSE, UH, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE GIVING THEM ABOUT 15 MILLION.
SO WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS.
UM, AND THEN, UH, TWO EVENTS THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS WEEKEND.
UH, THE FIRST ONE, IF YOU CAN JOIN US THIS SATURDAY AT 11:00 AM UH, TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE EXCITING UPDATES AT MASON PARK.
UM, I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS COME IN OVER THE PAST YEAR AS, AS TO WHAT UPGRADES ARE HAPPENING, WHAT'S WHAT'S BEEN DONE.
WE HAVE A, UM, A MASTER PLAN THAT WAS COMPLETED IN 2017.
AND SO NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT RENOVATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER, A NEW FIT LOT, OUTDOOR GYM, UH, AND OTHER AMENITIES TO THE HEART OF THE PARK.
AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS CAN COME.
IT'S GONNA BE AT NIGHT, UH, AT 11:00 AM AT MASON PARK.
AND THEN LASTLY, UM, THE, UH, BODY, BODY OF DOGS IS HAVING THEIR 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
UM, AND IT'S THEIR PETALS FOR PAWS, UH, BICYCLE FUNDRAISER I'VE RIDDEN IN THIS, UH, HISTORICALLY.
UM, AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS CAN COME OUT THIS SUNDAY.
UM, AND WE'RE MEETING, UH, AT THE, UH, AT BOLIOS, WHICH IS OFF OF LOCKWOOD AND, UH, TELEPHONE.
I WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE, UH, TO JOIN MY OFFICE, UM, NOT THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY, BUT THE NEXT SATURDAY, WHICH WILL BE MARCH 29TH AT 10:00 AM UM, AS WE JOIN IN COMMEMORATION OF THE NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY, UH, THAT CEREMONY WILL BE AT CLUB CREEK PARK, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 9 6 8 0 CLUB CREEK DRIVE.
UM, AS MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW, MY OFFICE HELPED, UH, CONSTRUCT THE HOUSTON VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL AND, UM, FOR NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY, WE'LL HAVE THAT CEREMONY.
THERE WILL BE BE MANY, UH, SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN THERE, UM, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UH, TO PAY OUR TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THAT, IN THAT WAR.
SO I INVITE YOU ALL TO COME OUT ON MARCH 29TH AT 10:00 AM FOR THAT CEREMONY.
UM, I WANNA CLEAR A COUPLE THINGS UP.
UH, MAYOR, I'VE HEARD IN THE, IN THE, THE NEWS AND THROUGH YOUR PRESS CONFERENCES, UH, THE MENTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BY MY OFFICE AS IT PERTAINS TO, UH, PROCUREMENT PROCESSES, UM, AND OUR CDSF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, UH, THAT WE'RE RUNNING IN JC CITY.
UH, MY OFFICE DOES NOT HIRE OR FIRE ANY CONTRACTORS OR VENDORS.
UM, WE FOLLOW ALL THE CITY PROCUREMENT LAWS.
WE'VE WORKED WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION ON WHATEVER PROCESS IS APPROPRIATE.
UH, THE VENDORS ARE CHOOSING ARE CHOSEN THROUGH AN INFORMAL BID PROCESS, UM, THAT WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH.
SO ANY ASSERTION OR INFERENCE THAT WE ARE SKIRTING ANY TYPE OF RULES IS FALSE.
AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF, UH, THOSE TYPE OF ASSERTIONS ARE NO LONGER MADE.
UH, BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS JUST PROVIDE SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S RULES.
AND, UH, ANYTHING SAID, INDIFFERENCE TO THAT IS WRONG.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE CONDOLENCES, UM, TO THE FAMILY OF PJ.
UH, HE'S A CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF MINE, UM, AND GERALD CARTER.
I MEAN, JUST, THIS HAS JUST BEEN A TOUGH MONTH FOR A LOT OF US.
UM, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, UM, MAYOR, REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSMAN TURNER, I MEAN, JUST IN HIS, YOU KNOW, AND, UM, THE FUNERAL WAS BEAUTIFUL.
AND SO WELL OH, REALLY GREAT SENDOFF.
UM, IN, IN SAYING THAT, I WANNA KIND OF SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT TOO IN A LOT OF WAYS.
UM, I WANNA INVITE OUR NEIGHBORS, CONSTITUENTS, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, EVERYONE REALLY AROUND THE NATION, UM, TO, TO VIEW OUR, UM, DOCUMENTARY.
IT WAS, UM, SUPPORTED BY ACCLIMATE, WHICH IS A, A COMPANY THAT REALLY FOCUSES ON DISEASES THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITIES, PRIMARILY, UM, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
YOU CAN SEE THE DOCUMENTARY ON OUR CITY OF HOUSTON'S WEBSITE THAT THE LINK IS THERE, AND IT'S ALL OVER OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL.
[03:50:01]
INVITE EVERYONE TO WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY TELLS THE STORIES OF FIFTH WARD AND WHAT THEY'VE STRUGGLED WITH FOR DECADES.AND, UM, I THINK IT'S A VERY, UM, WELL, WELL DONE DOCUMENTARY.
OUR GOAL IS TO GET NETFLIX, NETFLIX TO PICK IT UP.
UM, AND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE STORIES.
SO NOT JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.
SO I REALLY WOULD ENCOURAGE, UM, EVERYONE TO PULL THAT, PULL THAT UP.
WE PARTNERED WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE NATIONAL MINORITY OF EQUITY, UM, QUALITY FORUM.
AND I WANNA BE REALLY CLEAR ABOUT THIS, THIS, THIS EARLY DETECTION CANCER BLOOD TEST, UM, IS SUPPORTED BY THE INSTITUTION INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD.
IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE THAT REVIEWS AND MONITORS MEDICAL RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR RIGHTS, SAFETY, AND WELFARE IS PROTECTED.
THIS IS, UM, MANDATED BY FEDERAL REGULATION AND OVERSEEN BY THE OFFICE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTIONS, WHICH MEANS NOTHING UNLAWFUL, NOTHING EGREGIOUS IS HAPPENING TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I ENSURED THAT THIS, UM, THIS BLOOD TEST IS EARLY DETECTION.
IT'S ALLOW, ALLOWS US TO SAVE LIVES.
WE KNOW IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THAT IF WE DON'T CATCH CANCER EARLY, IT'S HARD TO, UM, TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.
I GOT MY RESULTS YESTERDAY, THANK GOD I'M GOOD.
BUT IT'S VERY, VERY WELL DONE.
IT'S SUPPORTED BY GRACE CLINIC, WHICH IS A LOCAL CLINIC IN THE FIFTH WARD THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS.
UM, AND SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THIS, WE, WE DO ONLY HAVE 200, BUT WITH THE OUTREACH THAT WE'RE SEEING, I'M HOPING THAT WE'LL GET FUNDING BY OTHER MAYBE PHARMACEUTICALS COMPANIES TO GET US MORE, UM, EARLY.
BUT WE HAD TO START SOMEWHERE.
THE INITIAL GROUPING IS OF THE ZONE, BUT WE ARE NOT EXCLUDING, WE'RE GIVING PEOPLE WITHIN THE ZONE, UM, TO, TO GET ENGAGED.
BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA WAIT FOREVER IF THESE FOLKS DON'T WANNA GET ENGAGED.
AND WE'RE GONNA EXTEND THIS OUT TO MORE, TO MORE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
SO, UM, I WANTED TO REALLY, REALLY BE VERY SPECIFIC THAT, UM, THIS IS NOT A CITY PROJECT.
IT IS A CITY SUPPORTED PROJECT, MAYOR, BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO YOUR OFFICE AND I KNOW THAT YOU WANT US TO, UM, TO TRY TO BRING SOME LEVEL OF ATTENTION AND HELP TO THIS COMMUNITY.
UM, THERE ARE NO FUNDS FROM THE CITY.
UH, AND SO I JUST WANNA, YOU KNOW, BE INCREDIBLY CLEAR, UM, ON THAT.
IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION, YOU, YOU CAN GO TO SHIFT CANCER.ORG.
UM, A LOT OF INFORMATION IS THERE, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO DO A LOT OF OUTREACH TO OUR COMMUNITIES TO LET THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.
UM, THESE SCREENINGS DON'T COME TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN, UH, BECAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.
AND, UM, AND WE JUST GET, WE JUST ARE OVER OVERLOOKED IN MANY WAYS.
SO, UM, SO PLEASE, YOU KNOW, PLEASE LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTARY.
WE NEED AS MANY VIEWS ON THAT AS POSSIBLE.
UH, THIS COMMUNITY NEED, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FIFTH WARD.
COUNCILMAN MCCARTER CASTILLO, COUNCIL MEMBER.
UH, YESTERDAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND TOUR THE 69TH STREET WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY.
AND, UH, TO MY COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT TO TOUR IT, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE IT.
UM, IT TREATS A QUARTER OF THE CITY'S, UH, WASTEWATER.
AND, UM, IT'S, IT'S A MASSIVE COMPLEX, UH, SOME VERY OLD TECHNOLOGY NOW.
UH, IT USED TO BE CUTTING EDGE AND THE VERY HARDWORKING, UH, EMPLOYEES OUT THERE KEEP THAT PLANT RUNNING.
UM, AND THEY, THEY DO SO WITH MORE CREATIVITY AND RESOURCEFULNESS.
AS THOSE, UH, PIECES OF EQUIPMENT GET OLDER, THOSE PARTS GET HARDER TO COME BY AND THEY BREAK DOWN MORE FREQUENTLY.
UM, WE ARE GONNA BE INVESTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO UPGRADING THAT WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY SO THAT IT CAN HAVE A, UH, EXTENDED USEFUL LIFE.
UM, AND I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO, TO SUPPORT THOSE PROJECTS AS THEY COME UP BECAUSE IT IS A VITAL PIECE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND, UM, JUST A, UH, A KUDOS TO THE EMPLOYEES OUT THERE WHO DAY TO DAY KEEP IT RUNNING.
THEY ARE ALSO RUNNING WITH VACANCIES.
UM, THEY'RE RUNNING SHORT STAFF.
UM, AND WE'D BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE IF THAT, IF THAT PLANT WENT DOWN.
SO IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT, UH, WE DO HAVE INVESTMENTS COMING, UH, THAT'LL KEEP THAT RUNNING FOR YEARS TO COME.
UM, I WANT TO INVITE FOLKS TO OUR LAST TOWN HALL, UH, THIS YEAR.
IT'S GONNA BE A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL.
SO, UM, DISTRICT WIDE, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE.
IT'LL BE APRIL THE NINTH, WEDNESDAY EVENING, UM, FROM FIVE 30 TO SEVEN.
WE WILL PUT OUT ALL THE LINKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, UH,
[03:55:01]
SO YOU CAN, AND, AND THROUGH THE NEWSLETTER.UM, BUT WE WILL, UH, HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES WE NORMALLY DO, UM, AVAILABLE.
YOU CAN CONNECT VIRTUALLY AND, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THERE.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE BARRIO DOGS COMING UP THEIR 15TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
UM, THEY WILL BE HAVING THEIR PEDAL FOR PAWS 10:00 AM THIS SUNDAY, UH, AT BOLIOS.
UH, IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOES SO MUCH IMPACTFUL WORK, UM, AROUND, UH, RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP.
UM, AND, UH, YOU CAN GET OUT THERE, YOU CAN RIDE YOUR BIKE, HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER'S GONNA BE NICE.
AND, UH, SUPPORT BARRIO DOGS THIS COMING SUNDAY.
AND FINALLY, I WANNA WELCOME CHRISSY ANO, WHO'S JOINING THE DISTRICT H OFFICE.
SHE'S THE NEW SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER.
SHE COMES FROM AFRO TECH HOUSTON, AND, UH, SHE HAS A BACKGROUND IN, UH, MARKETING AND EVENT COORDINATION AND EXECUTION.
SHE STARTED THIS PAST MONDAY, UM, AND SHE'S ALREADY, UH, HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
SO WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT H OFFICE, CHRISSY, AND, UH, EVERYBODY ELSE HAVE A GREAT DAY.
UH, I WANTED TO CERTAINLY EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES BEGINNING FOR THE, UH, PASSION OF OUR FRIEND BROTHER DERRICK CARTER AND HIS FAMILY.
WE WANT TO PRAY, UH, FOR THEM AS WELL AS ALL OF THE OTHER, UM, SERVANTS AND OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN, UM, OF RECENT PASSINGS.
AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO REMEMBER HIS FAMILY.
HE WAS A FRIEND TO MANY OF US, AND, UM, CERTAINLY GOING TO BE MISSED.
UM, THE WEEK BEFORE BREAK WEEK, I ATTENDED THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S GO BLUE HOUSTON PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, WHERE I PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
AND, UH, UH, THE MONTH OF MARCH AS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT COLON CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS IN MEN UNDER 50, AND THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF, OF CANCER DEATH IN WOMEN UNDER 50.
AND BLACK MEN HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF COLON CANCER DEATH IN HOUSTON, BUT IT'S ALSO PREVENTABLE.
COLON CANCER SURVIVAL RATE IS 91% WHEN FOUND EARLY.
SO PLEASE SPEAK WITH, UM, YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT GETTING, UH, SCREENED.
AND SO WE WANT TO BRING THAT ATTENTION TO, UM, TO ALL OF THOSE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, PUBLICLY ABOUT IT.
I ALSO WANT TO, UM, INVITE EVERYONE TO MY OFFICE NEXT TOWN HALL MEETING, AS WE DO TRY TO MEET FOUR PER YEAR, AS WE STATED LAST YEAR.
AND, UH, WE HAD ONE IN JANUARY.
WE WILL BE HAVING ONE IN APRIL, MONDAY, APRIL 21ST, 6:00 PM AT TRENDY MINDEN HALL COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND I WANT TO THANK, UM, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT THREE COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY FOR LENDING US THE VENUE THAT NIGHT.
AND ALSO WANT TO THANK VICE MAYOR PRO TIM, UH, AMY PECK FOR, UH, RESPONDING AND GOING TO RSPP TO OUR, UH, NIGHT.
WE HOPE TO BRING SOME INFORMATION.
WE HAVE A Q AND A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND ATTENDANCE, AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE HARVEY HOME BUYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO 0.0.
WE ALSO HOPE TO, IN THE VERY, VERY NEAR FUTURE, HAVE NEW NUMBERS ON STATISTICS.
I WANT TO THANK OUR MAYOR AND OTHERS WHEN WE DID OUR PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE YOUTH CRIME AND THE GROWTH OF YOUTH CRIME IN OUR CITY.
AND I WANT TO MAKE EVERYONE AWARE, THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PPP PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST, UH, AMIR IN HIS, UH, QUEST FOR REDUCING CRIME IN OUR CITY, AS WELL AS OUR POLICE OFFICER, LAW ENFORCERS AND OTHER, ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
AND IT SHOULD BE A VERY CONCERNING MATTER THAT MANY OF OUR TEENAGE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.
AND I WANT TO BE AGGRESSIVE WITH THAT IN REGARDS TO THAT.
UH, AND ALSO I JUST WANT TO DITO WITH COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD IN HIS RECOGNITION OF VIETNAM VETERANS, UH, HIS FATHER.
AND, UM, IN HONOR, HE WAS A VIETNAM VET BEFORE I WAS.
AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO COMMEND, UH, HIM RECOGNITION OF THAT.
ALL VETERANS OUGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED, UH, FROM THIS, FROM THE SERVICE THAT THEY COMMIT.
[04:00:01]
AND, UM, THAT'S ALL THAT WE HAVE, MAYOR.AND I KNOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO HOMELESSNESS, UM, IS HUGE.
AND SO THIS IS WHY I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP.
WE HAVE A LARGE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN DISTRICT G OFF OF OLD FARM ROAD.
IT'S DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO, UM, TO THE MARK WHITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MY OFFICE HAS BEEN INUNDATED WITH COMPLAINTS FROM THE SCHOOL, THE PTA PARENTS FROM THE RETIREMENT HOME THAT'S DIRECTLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.
UM, BUT THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT STILL EXISTS.
WE'VE GOTTEN REPORTS OF AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING, OPEN DRUG USE, PEOPLE WALKING NAKED NEXT TO THE SCHOOL WHEN THE SCHOOL'S IN SESSION.
UM, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, MY OFFICE WORKED WITH HPD WAS SOLID WASTE TO CLEAN UP THIS ENCAMPMENT.
THEY REMOVED, UM, YOU KNOW, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, SHOPPING CARTS, FURNITURE, A CAR THAT HAD RHODE ISLAND LICENSE PLATES ON IT.
UM, AND THEN WE HELPED THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE, YOU KNOW, RELOCATE THEM.
BUT HERE WE ARE IN 2025 AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S BACK AGAIN.
WE KNEW THAT JUST CLEANING IT UP WAS A SHORT TERM SOLUTION AND THAT WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THAT.
UM, BUT THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
IF THIS PROPERTY WAS OWNED BY A PRIVATE CITIZEN, WE WOULD BE OUT THERE FINDING THEM.
UM, YOU KNOW, DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS.
IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S NEXT TO THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
NOW, WE TALKED TO PUBLIC WORKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CLEARING THE LOT SO THAT WAY THERE'S A DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT INTO THE, THE PROPERTY.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE PROPERTY'S ALMOST 40 ACRES, IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO DO THIS.
AND SO I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS AND KNOW, MAYBE IT'S, AT ONE POINT WE TALKED ABOUT GETTING GOATS OUT THERE, BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE GOATS BECAUSE THEY'RE EATING THE THINGS LEFT BEHIND BY THE UNHOUSED.
UM, OR IF A CONTROLLED BURN OR SOMETHING.
I MEAN, I KNOW THAT IT'S EXPENSIVE, BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
AND SO I'M ASKING FOR HALT MAYOR, WE'VE GOTTA TAKE CARE OF THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, CITY ZONED IT FOR YEARS.
I LEARNED ABOUT IT YESTERDAY, SO YOU'LL IMMEDIATELY SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT.
UM, IT'S JUST, PARDON THE NEGLECT THAT'S BEEN PRESENT FOR YEARS, BUT, UH, I HEARD ABOUT IT YESTERDAY.
HAVE SPOKEN WITH CHIEF SATTERWHITE, WHO ASSISTED 30 PEOPLE TO RELOCATE LAST NIGHT, AND THERE'LL BE ANOTHER TEAM OUT TONIGHT.
UH, BUT PUBLIC WORKS SPOKE TO ME YESTERDAY ABOUT IT, UH, THE AVAILABILITY OF THE LAND, AND THEN IN THE DISCUSSION,
I WANNA COMMEND YOU, MAYOR AND YOUR STAFF ON THE INCENTIVIZED RETIREMENT, UH, PROGRAM THAT HAS JUST BEEN OFFERED.
UH, YOU MAY KNOW THAT THE ERNST AND YOUNG STUDY REVEALED, UH, THAT PERHAPS THE CITY HAS MORE EMPLOYEES THAN A CITY ITS SIZE NEEDS.
AND IT CERTAINLY REVEALED THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF, UH, SUPERVISORS WHO SUPERVISE A FEW DIRECT REPORTS.
UH, AND THAT IS NOT AN EFFICIENT WAY TO RUN A LARGE ORGANIZATION.
AND SO RATHER THAN PROPOSE MASS LAYOFFS, UM, MAYOR, YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO INCENTIVIZE RETIREMENTS, UH, WHICH MIGHT SEE THOUSANDS OF CITY EMPLOYEES.
TAKE US UP ON THAT OFFER, WHICH WOULD BE, YOU CAN RETIRE WITH THE BENEFITS THAT YOU'RE ENTITLED TO, UM, ALONG WITH THREE MONTHS PAY.
AND, UH, CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE THE, THE, THE CHANCE TO TAKE THAT OFFER BY THE END OF APRIL.
AND SO WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE THOUSANDS OF CITY EMPLOYEES TAKE US UP ON THAT, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A LOT OF COST SAVINGS AND WHICH ALSO MIGHT HELP US SOLVE PART OF THE PROBLEM OF TOO MANY SUPERVISORS WITH VERY FEW DIRECT REPORTS.
THAT'S A MUCH BETTER WAY, HUMANE WAY TO HANDLE IT THAN SIMPLY DOING MASS LAYOFFS.
AND, UH, YOUR TEAM, WHICH IS VERY BRIGHT AND IS COMING UP WITH ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO SAVE THE CITY MONEY AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF THAT IN THE FUTURE.
IT'S BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED, AND WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, NO DOUBT.
UH, WE HAVE A COUPLE ITEMS THAT HAVE ARRIVED.
UH, COUNCILMAN THOMAS, IF I COULD BRING THEM UP BEFORE I RECOGNIZE YOU.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO, UH, ADDRESS THEM.
TAG COUNTS BY, UH, TAGGED BY COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ.
[04:05:01]
ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES.WHAT ABOUT ON THE SHOT? COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS? SURE.
LET ME GET MY BEARINGS TOGETHER.
OH, IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE WEEK, UM, FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.
CREDIBLE, TWO WEEKS, SO, UH, I'M STILL COMING UP OUTTA THAT HAZE.
UH, BUT LAST WEEK, UH, IN THE DISTRICT WE HAD A THREE ALARM FIRE, UH, IN CHINATOWN, ACTUALLY AT METRO BANK, WHERE THE TRAN LAW GROUP IS.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK STATION 73 CENTER POINT AND PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, SOME OF THE POWER WAS OUT OVER THERE, BUT THEY DID A, A HERCULEAN JOB OF GETTING, UH, 60 PEOPLE OUT OF THAT BUILDING.
UH, AND IT IS A INCREDIBLE FIRE RIGHT THERE OFF THE BELTWAY IN BEL AIR.
UM, SO I WANNA THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK AND LET THE RESIDENTS KNOW THAT WE'RE MONITORING THE STATUS OF THAT.
ONCE THE FIRE MARSHAL, UH, DOES WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, WE'LL PROVIDE A, A A, A PUBLIC UPDATE AND TO, AND IN, IN TERMS OF, UH, DEMOLITION OF THAT BUILDING.
UM, ALSO ON, UH, THIS PAST SUNDAY, I HAD THE HONOR OF PRESENTING PILGRIM'S REST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH WITH A PROCLAMATION AND CELEBRATION OF THEIR 160 YEARS, UH, RECOGNIZING THEIR REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY, UH, THAT, THAT CHURCH ALONG WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CEMETERY STILL EXISTS, UH, AND ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FOOTPRINTS.
AND SO I'M, I'M, I WAS EXCITED TO, TO FELLOWSHIP AND, AND SERVE WITH THEM ON SUNDAY.
UH, AND ALSO ON SUNDAY, I HAD THE AWESOME OPPORTUNITY OF, UH, PARTICIPATING WITH THE HOUSTON MILLENNIALS, BOSSES AND HEELS.
I, I, THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I WAS OLD WHEN I WALKED IN ON A SUNDAY AND EVERYBODY HAD LIKE HEELS AND MAKEUP AND DRESSES ON, AND IT WAS JUST A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.
AND I DEFINITELY WAS LIKE, I'M A OLD LADY.
BUT I HAD A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MY FRIEND ERICA LEE CARTER WITH A, A CERTIFICATE FOR HER WORK AND OTHER, A YOUNG WOMAN DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE, BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
UH, LAST WEEK ON MONDAY, MARCH 10TH, I MODERATED A PANEL, AMERICA'S HOUSING COMEBACK PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, UM, AND WAS HONORED TO REPRESENT OUR CITY.
UH, ALSO I WAS APPOINTED TO THE AMERICA HOUSING COMEBACK ADVISORY COUNCIL, ALONG WITH, UH, MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER OF WASHINGTON DC SHE'S OUR CHAIR, UM, MAYOR MARK SHEPHERD, OUTTA CLEARFIELD, UTAH.
MAYOR ALAYA GASKINS OUTTA ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA MAYOR PAUL YOUNG MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE MAYOR CORY WOODS OUTTA TEMPE, ARIZONA.
AND MAYOR ANGELA BERNIE OUT OF REDMOND, VIRGINIA.
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO ADVOCATING FOR, UM, HOUSING OPTIONS ACROSS OUR NATION AS WELL.
UH, AND THEN LASTLY, NOT LASTLY, BUT LAST NIGHT WE HAD A WONDERFUL VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING WITH OUR HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS TEAM ON THE BOONE IN HACKBERRY PARK DETENTION PROJECT.
THIS IS A LONG AWAITED PROJECT, IT'S A $15 MILLION INVESTMENT IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE DRAINAGE.
AND SO WE WERE EXCITED TO HAVE A OVERWHELMING, UH, SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A, UH, WINTER 2026, BEGINNING WITH A, UH, COMPLETION DATE OF 2027, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.
AND AS AN ASIDE TO THAT, UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER, WE WERE, WE SENT OUT A EMAIL AS A REMINDER TO RESIDENTS, AND WE WENT, WE ATTEMPTED TO SEND THEM THE ENGAGE HOUSTON LINK, BUT ENGAGE HOUSTON WAS DOWN.
UM, AND SO IF THERE'S AN UPDATE ON THAT OR WHEN THAT'S GONNA COME BACK ONLINE, WE SPEND AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TIME PROMOTING ENGAGE HOUSTON MILLION DOLLAR PROJECTS ON THAT PUBLIC SPACE.
SO TO BUILD CREDIBILITY WITH OUR DEPARTMENT SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
'CAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN INFORMATION'S NOT AVAILABLE, IT ALLOWS THEM TO CREATE STORIES ABOUT WHAT THE CITY IS AND IS NOT DOING.
SO IF WE CAN HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT, WE'VE CONDITIONED RESIDENTS, UH, TO TRUST, TO LOOK AT, ENGAGE, RECEIVE THOSE UPDATES, AND WOULD APPRECIATE, UH, IF PUBLIC WORKS CAN PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE OF WHEN THAT PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TOOL WILL BE A AVAILABLE.
UH, AND THEN LASTLY, I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.
YOU READY TO GO? THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POLL FROM JAY CITY TOLD ME IT'S TIME TO WRAP IT UP.
IF MY OFFICE CAN BE OF ANY SUPPORT, UH, TO YOU, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US AT DISTRICT F@HOUSTONTX.GOV.
COUNCIL MAYOR PROM, CASTEX STATE, THANK YOU MAYOR.
WE DO HAVE OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY AT 2:00 PM UH, WE'LL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON, UH, AN OVERVIEW OF THE TS PROGRAM.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, UM, THAT WILL PRESENT ON THE MAIN STREET PROMENADE, AND THE OBO DIRECTOR WILL PRESENT THE DISPARITY STUDY RECOMMENDATION.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU ALL JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON.
[04:10:01]
WE DO HAVE 43, UH, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.SO WE ANTICIPATE THE MEETING WILL BE A, A GOOD, UH, ROBUST DISCUSSION.
UM, SO I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL ALSO JOIN AT THE 2:00 PM MEETING TODAY.
UH, HPD SOUTHWEST PIP MEETING IN DISTRICT K.
UH, THE HPD SOUTHWEST COMMAND WILL HOST ITS MONTHLY PIP MEETING ON TUESDAY, MARCH THE 25TH AT 7:00 PM AT THE QUELL RUN COMMUNITY CENTER.
UM, HOPE TO SEE, UH, RESIDENTS THERE.
THE DISCUSSION WILL BE ON JUVENILE AND MISSING PERSONS.
UM, AND THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS, SO HOPE TO, UM, HAVE RESIDENTS ATTEND.
UH, THE GREATER HOUSTON BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS HOSTING, PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES.
UM, SO IF THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES OUT THAT NEED HELP WITH MAKING SURE THEY'RE PREPARING THEIR TAXES CORRECTLY, UM, THAT WILL BE HOSTED ON MARCH THE 24TH FROM FIVE 30 TO 7:30 PM YOU CAN SEE THEIR SOCIALS FOR, UM, FURTHER INFORMATION.
AND THEN THE PORT AND METRO WILL ALSO BE HOSTING A BANKER'S FAIR TO HELP SMALL MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES, UM, TO GAIN ACCESS TO CAPITAL.
UM, AND THAT EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE 26TH, UM, FROM NINE TO 12:00 PM AT THE UNITED WAY.
UM, THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BE CONNECTED WITH OVER 25 PLUS LOCAL BANKS, UM, TO HELP WITH ACCESS TO CAPITAL.
SO AGAIN, THAT'S ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE 26TH FROM NINE TO 12:00 PM AT THE UNITED WAY, AND YOU CAN SEE BOTH OF THEIR SOCIALS ALSO.
UM, FOR, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, UM, I DO HAVE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT.
UM, I LIKE TO LIFT UP THE FAMILY OF VIVIAN, LOIS JOHNSON HARRISON.
UM, COLLEAGUES, YOU MAY KNOW THAT MS. HARRISON WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK EDUCATORS TO INTEGRATE THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BY TEACHING AT AN ALL WHITE SCHOOL.
SHE PASSED AWAY ON TUESDAY, MARCH THE 18TH, AT THE AGE OF 95, UM, DECADES LONG SERVICE IN HISD.
SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS AS AN, AS THE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR, UM, CELEBRATED NATIONALLY IN WASHINGTON, DC AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY HER FORMER STUDENT, ACTRESS, SINGER AND DIRECTOR FELICIA RASHAD, UM, AS RASHAD'S EARLY MUSICAL MENTOR.
UM, SO WE ARE LIFTING UP THAT FAMILY, UM, AND KEEPING THEM IN OUR PRAYERS AS WELL.
AND THEN FINALLY, TO END ON A NOTE OF JOY AND HAPPINESS.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR CHIEF OF STAFF, DEEDEE CHAVIS.
SHE WILL CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY ON MARCH THE 20TH.
SO Y'ALL SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DEEDEE.
AND THEN ALSO JOE GADSON, UH, WILL CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY ON TUESDAY, MARCH THE 25TH.
UM, LOVE CELEBRATING WITH OUR STAFF AND OUR TEAM.
BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE IT A GREAT DAY.
UM, I'M INVITING EVERYONE TO JOIN US TOMORROW, UM, AT 9:00 AM WE ARE HAVING OFFICE HOURS AT OUR SATELLITE OFFICE, UM, AT FREE PARK.
WE HAVE, UM, IT'S A ROOM THAT USED TO BE A STORAGE CLOSET THAT WE KIND OF CONVERTED INTO A SATELLITE OFFICE.
UM, AND IT USED TO BE A, UM, CITY PARK.
AND NOW COMMISSIONER BRIANIS HAS TAKEN OVER THAT PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER AND IS DOING AMAZING WORK THERE.
SO WE'RE THANKFUL THAT SHE HAS ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE OUR OR SATELLITE OFFICE THERE.
SO JOIN US TOMORROW, UM, FROM 9:00 AM AM TO NOON.
UM, AND FREE PARK IS LOCATED AT 6 8 1 8 SHADY VILLA LANE, AND OUR OFFICE IS ON, UM, THE, THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
IT'S CLOSEST TO THE PLAYGROUND.
ALSO JOIN US ON SATURDAY FOR OUR ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BRANCH.
IT'S OUR HPD VERSUS HFD SOFTBALL GAME.
UM, IT WILL BE LOCATED AT SPRING SPIRIT, THE PITNER CAMPUS, 8 5 2 6 PITNER ROAD.
THEY ARE ALSO HAVING A PARADE AT 10:00 AM TO, UM, CELEBRATE THE KICKOFF OF THEIR SEASON.
UM, FREE FAMILY, FUN, FREE FOOD.
UM, THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, SPRING BRANCH MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, MEMORIAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, SPRING SPIRIT, AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
CHIEF SATTERWHITE AND HIS TEAM ARE ON THEIR WAY TO FARM ROAD, SO YOU'LL SEE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE.