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I AM TRAVIS LEMONS AND YOU ARE WATCHING CITY PULSE HOUSTON TELEVISION'S HIGHLIGHT REEL FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITH PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE AND OVERALL CITY GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY BEING MAJOR.
WE START WITH TWO MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER.
HE HAS UNVEILED HIS PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AND OUTLINED A NEW FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS UNION THAT INCLUDES A SALARY INCREASE TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN NEW POLICE OFFICERS.
ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, IT REPRESENTS A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
ONE GROUNDED IN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, SERVICE DELIVERY, REFORM, AND A COMMITMENT TO RESTORING TRUST IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
INFRASTRUCTURE WAS RIGHT THERE IN THE TOP.
THIS BUDGET WILL SPEND ALMOST A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS ON DRAINAGE AND STREET REPAIRS.
EMORY THANK YOU TO PUBLIC WORKS AND RANDY FOR THEIR PRESENTATION.
QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES WAS A CONCERN ACROSS HOUSTON.
ILLEGAL DUMPING GARBAGE PICKUP.
LAST WEEK ON THE AGENDA WE BOUGHT 30 GARBAGE TRUCKS.
PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS WERE BUYING HUGE GARBAGE TRUCKS THAT STAYED IN THE SHOP WERE IMPROVING SOLID WASTE.
OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES LIKE OUR PARKS HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THIS BUDGET REFLECTS THE SERVICES THAT HOUSTONIANS EXPECT AND DESERVE.
AS FOR THE NEW FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER, UNION MAYOR WHITMEYER EMPHASIZES THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT GREATER BENEFITS.
WE WERE HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH RECRUITMENT RETENTION BECAUSE FORT WORTH, AUSTIN, OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, THE VILLAGES AND OTHERS WERE GIVING BETTER BENEFITS THAN HPD IN ANY JOB, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE.
MORALE MATTERS AND MORALE IS GOOD IN HPD, BUT THIS IS REACHING ALL TIME HIGHS.
THEY WANNA WORK FOR MAYOR WHITMAR AND MAKE SURE YOU SAY JOHN WHITMAR
THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HPOU COMES AFTER MORE THAN 1000 CITY OF HOUSTON EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT A VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE.
FOR OUR NEXT STORY, DOZENS LINE THE BASEMENT CORRIDOR OF CITY HALL TO HAND OVER BADGES AND SAVE FAREWELL AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE.
FEEL PRETTY GOOD
I CAN'T SHAKE EVERY 1059 RETIREES HAND, BUT THEY KNOW HOW I FEEL.
I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.
I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES.
I THINK I'M GONNA MISS MY COWORKERS.
MY TEAM, I'M GONNA MISS THEM THE MOST.
THE PEOPLE I GOT A CHANCE TO WORK WITH GOT GOT A CHANCE TO LEARN A LOT FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE.
21 YEARS IN MY HEAD THAT I NEED TO KIND OF LET GO.
OH, FIRST I'LL TAKE A FEW WEEKS TO JUST GET USED TO BEING RETIRED.
CHRIS, I'M GONNA ADJUST TO THE FACT THAT I DON'T HAVE TO GET UP AND FIGHT TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING.
THEN AFTER THAT, I'M GONNA BE ON THE ROAD.
I'M PLANNING ON TAKING A LITTLE TIME OFF, YOU KNOW, DECOMPRESS FROM THE CITY.
I'M GONNA TAKE A LITTLE BREAK AND THEN I'LL PROBABLY BE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB.
I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ANYMORE.
IT'S ALWAYS THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE YOUR JOB THE BEST.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'LL MISS THE MOST.
AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE READY TO RETIRE.
THEY'RE VERY UPBEAT, THEY'RE APPRECIATIVE, AND IT REALLY HELPS ME BE A BETTER MAYOR TO SEE THE RESULTS OF SOME OF OUR HARD WORK.
DID YOU KNOW ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PREVENT DEADLY WILDFIRES IS TO START A CONTROLLED FIRE? THE HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECENTLY CONDUCTED A PRESCRIBED BURN AT SYLVAN RODRIGUEZ PARK TO CLEAR DRIED PRAIRIE HABITAT.
TEAM TWO, TRAVIS AND DANNY FOR BURN TEAM TWO.
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ARE CONDUCTING A PRESCRIBED FIRE AT SYLVAN RODRIGUEZ PARK IN OUR PRAIRIE RESTORATION AREA.THIS IS GONNA BE THE MAIN ONE BURN, SO THAT THIS IS GONNA BE THE FIRE BREAK FOR WHEN THEY BURN THIS SITE.
WE TRY TO PREVENT WILDFIRES AND, UH, PRESCRIBED FIRE IS A WAY TO DO THAT.
UH, BY MANAGING THE EXISTING FUEL, WILDFIRES CAN REALLY, UM, GET BURNED PRETTY BAD IN THOSE CASES.
WE'LL PICK OUR TORCHES UP AND THEN BOUNCE OUT UNTIL WE CAN GET ANY SPOTS THAT GET OUTSIDE.
GIVE US A GOOD BURN EDGE ON THE NORTH SIDE.
WE'LL HAVE YOU START RIGHT HERE.
THE FIRE THAT'S GOING RIGHT NOW WILL JUST KEEP CREEPING SLOWLY BACK INTO THE UNIT.
OKAY, WIND STEADY HOUR WITHOUT FIRE.
A LOT OF THE PRAIRIE HABITAT WITHIN THE HOUSTON AREA HAS KIND OF DISAPPEARED BECAUSE IT'S BECOME OVERGROWN BY TREES AND TURNED INTO FORESTS.
SO SYLVAN RODRIGUEZ WAS A HISTORIC PRAIRIE HABITAT, AND ONCE WE START FIRE IN THE PRAIRIE, IT KILLS THOSE, UH, WOODY SPECIES.
DO YOU THINK IT'S GONNA CATCH YOU RIGHT THERE WITH ALL THAT GREEN? NO GRASSES HAVE REALLY DEEP ROOTS AND THEY LOVE FIRE.
SO EVEN IF YOU TAKE OFF THE TOP PART OF A GRASS WITH FIRE OR MOWING, THEY JUST COME BACK EVEN STRONGER.
IT'LL BE BLACK FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT YOU'LL START SEEING GREENS SPROUT UP AND REALLY YOU CAN SEE THE DEER COME BACK INTO THE PRAIRIE AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS WHEN THE THE NEW GREEN STARTS COMING OUT.
THE PRAIRIE WILL BE FULL OF DEER AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND AFTER A MONTH IT WILL BE FULLY GREEN AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE ANY BLACK ANYMORE.
NATURAL RESOURCES IN IS INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE PRAIRIE RESTORATION, FROM HAND COLLECTING THE SEEDS, PLANTING THE PLANTS, MOWING THE PRAIRIE, BURNING THE PRAIRIE WE WANNA BE INVOLVED IN, IN ALL OF IT.
AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS A FANTASTIC PARTNER FOR US.
WHEN CITY PULSE RETURNS, FLEET WEEK TO HOUSTON OPERATION, TAKE BACK AND USING THE FORCE FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
IN HOUSTON, A TACO IS NEVER JUST A TACO.
IT'S AN INSPIRATION FROM CONVERSATION.
IT'S WHERE HERITAGE AND AMBITION COME TOGETHER BECAUSE WE KNOW TOGETHER MAKES IT A MIXING.
HURRICANE SEASON IS FROM JUNE 1ST TO NOVEMBER 30TH.
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT OFFICE WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED.
HALF OF ALL FLOODED PROPERTIES HAPPEN OUTSIDE THE FLOOD PLAIN.
VISIT FEMA'S FLOOD MAP SERVICE CENTER TO KNOW YOUR FLOOD RISK.
INSURE YOUR PROPERTY BY FLOOD INSURANCE TODAY.
FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES TAPED UP TO 30 DAYS TO GO INTO EFFECT.
ALSO, MAKE SURE THE POLICY HAS ADEQUATE COVERAGE FOR YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY.
PROTECT PEOPLE AND PROPERTY FOR FLOOD HAZARDS.
DRIVING AROUND BARRICADES COULD BE A DEADLY DECISION.
DON'T DRIVE ON FLOODED STREETS OR IN AREAS THAT ARE PRONE TO FLOODING.
THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT OFFICE HAS LOTS OF HELPFUL INFORMATION ON HOW TO FLOOD PROOF YOUR HOME.
IF YOU ARE BUILDING IN THE FLOODPLAIN, FIND OUT WHAT PERMITS ARE REQUIRED@HOUSTONPERMITTINGCENTER.ORG.
BE AWARE OF SPECIAL REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT RULES FOR HOMES IN THE FLOODPLAIN.
FOR MORE FLOODPLAIN TIPS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL.
DUSK IS THE BEST TIME TO WATCH THE BATS TAKE FLIGHT FROM THEIR WA BRIDGE HOME.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.FLEET WEEK IS COMING TO HOUSTON THIS NOVEMBER.
HERE'S THE CALL BETWEEN ADMIRAL DARRELL CODDLE AND MAYOR WHITMEYER, WHERE THE INVITATION WAS ACCEPTED.
SO I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE OFFICIAL WORD.
YOU KNOW, YOU INVITED THE NAVY TO COME TO HOUSTON.
AND I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE GREAT NEWS THAT WE FORMALLY ACCEPT THAT INVITATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THE NAVY DOWN TO HOUSTON AND, UH, WE'RE GONNA DO FLEET WEEK HOUSTON IN NOVEMBER.
WELL, I UNDERSTAND DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH.
IT'LL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT FLEET WEEK IS, IS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, MEANING FIRST TIME IN HOUSTON.
WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT OUR MILITARY IN HOUSTON, THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.
SO, UH, YOU NEED, JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO ASSIST YOUR SAILORS WHILE THEY'RE IN PORT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY GET ANY, UH, FREE TIME.
YOU KNOW, THE ASTROS ARE HERE.
WE WANT TO, WE WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO, TO WELCOME YOUR SAILORS LIKE THEY DESERVE.
IT'S GONNA BE AT LEAST A THOUSAND SAILORS AND MARINES.
SO YOU'LL SEE THEM FLOOD THE ZONE AROUND YOUR GREAT CITY AND THEIR DRESS UNIFORMS. UH, WE WILL COORDINATE WITH YOUR TEAM, SIR.
WE WILL ARRANGE HUNDREDS OF EVENTS.
BY THE WAY, I WAS ALSO TOLD IT'S THE 250TH, UH, ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAVY IN THE MARINE CORPS, SO HELL WE'LL MANAGE TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY WHILE, WHILE THEY'RE IN TOWN.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE ACTUALLY A LITTLE OLDER THAN OUR COUNTRY BY ABOUT A YEAR, SO, UH, OUR NAVY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THAT 250TH IN HOUSTON WITH US.
THERE'S BEEN A STRANGE DISTURBANCES IN THE FORCE.
THANKFULLY, IT'S MAY AND MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU AS IT IS WITH ME.
THE STAR WARS ENTHUSIAST HOUSTON FAN GROUP HELD ITS ANNUAL FEED THE FORCE COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE TO CELEBRATE STAR WARS DAY.
THIS EVENT ORIGINATED IN 2015 TO HELP COMBAT THE DARK FORCES OF HUNGER IN THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY.
ALL DONATED NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS AND CANNED GOODS WENT TO THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK, WHICH RECENTLY LOST 11 MILLION IN FUNDING DUE TO FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS.
FINALLY, AT LARGE FIVE COUNCIL MEMBER SALLY ALCORN AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY TAKE PART IN OPERATION TAKEBACK.
IT'S A CAMPAIGN WHERE CITY EMPLOYEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF UNWANTED OR EXPIRED DRUGS.
HOWEVER, THE OPERATION EXTENDS BEYOND EMPLOYEES AS IT IS A TOOL TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF PHARMACEUTICALS.
TODAY WE'RE KICKING OFF OUR NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK WITH OUR PARTNERS FROM HOUSTON CITY HALL.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A SPECIAL DEAL FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
ALL 21,000 CITY EMPLOYEES CAN BRING BACK THEIR UNWANTED, UNUSED EXPIRED DRUGS RIGHT HERE TO THE CITY HALL ROTUNDA.
TODAY, THE DEA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS DOING A PREVIEW TO THE DRUG TAKE BACK DAY AND THE WILLARD FOUNDATION IS HERE WITH HCC STUDENTS.
ADMINISTERING AND DISTRIBUTING NALOXONE IF NEEDED.
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY BY CREATING SAFER ENVIRONMENTS AND EDUCATING OUR YOUTH TO UNDERSTAND THE RISKS AND THE IMPACT OF THESE SUBSTANCES THAT ARE FLOODING OUR STREETS RIGHT NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THESE MEDICATIONS OFF THE STREET FASTER.
WE CAN DO THAT, THE LESS CHANCE OF ABUSE AND OR DIVERSION OF THOSE PHARMACEUTICALS.
I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS CAUSE BECAUSE ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAD PASSED AWAY IN 2017 TO SYNTHETIC FENTANYL, AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE BECAUSE EDUCATION HELPS WITH OUR PREVENTION OF OPIOID OVERDOSES.
WE WANNA GET THEM OUTTA THEIR HOUSE AND IT'S JUST SO EASY TO BRING RIGHT HERE, DOWN HERE TO THE CITY HALL ROAD.
WE AT DEA HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY 16 YEARS, AND WE'VE COLLECTED 19 MILLION POUNDS OF MEDICATIONS DURING THIS PROGRAM.
THOSE ARE MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE STREET AND AGAIN, LESSEN THE CHANCE OF ABUSE AND OR MISUSE OF THOSE MEDICATIONS.
MY HOPE IS THAT WE GET MORE ATTENDANCE AND THEN THAT WE HAVE MORE FREE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
OKAY, THAT'S GONNA DO IT FOR CITY PULSE, FOR HTV HOUSTON TELEVISION, HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER AND KINDNESS IS FREE.