* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:03] A MAYOR [PRESENTATIONS] PRO TIM TO PRESIDE. OKAY. TODAY WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG LADY. I'M SO EXCITED TO BRING BEFORE COUNCIL. THIS IS LILY DEBOSE, AND SHE HAS STARTED LILY'S TOY BOX, UM, WHERE THEY HAVE GIVEN OUT OVER 96,000 TOYS TO KIDS. AND SO I'M GONNA READ THIS PROCLAMATION, WHICH EXPLAINS MORE OF THE CALLS, AND THEN I BET SHE'LL HAVE SOME WORDS FOR YOU. BUT WHEREAS ON JULY 22ND, 2025, LILY'S TOY BOX IS CELEBRATING ITS MISSION OF SPREADING JOY, COMFORT, AND HOPE TO CHILDREN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULT TIMES BY PROVIDING NEW TOYS AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES. AND WHEREAS LILY'S TOY BOX WAS FOUNDED IN 2017, BY THEN 8-YEAR-OLD LILY, AFTER WITNESSING THE DEVASTATION HURRICANE HARVEY BROUGHT TO CHILDREN IN HER COMMUNITY, SHE WAS MOVED TO ACTION BY A DESIRE TO BRING SMILES TO THOSE WHO HAD LOST EVERYTHING. AND WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN AS A SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS HAS SINCE GROWN INTO A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NONPROFIT WITH A WAREHOUSE IN HOUSTON, YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN 96,000 BRAND NEW TOYS TO CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS, MEDICAL CHALLENGES, POVERTY, AND OTHER HARDSHIPS. AND WHEREAS LILY'S TOY BOX PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE CORREA FAMILY FOUNDATION, JOSE ALTUVE, AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED. AND WHEREAS THE HEART OF LILY'S TOY BOX LIES IN ITS MESSAGE THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO FEEL SEEN, VALUED, AND CELEBRATED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON RECOGNIZES THE INCREDIBLE COMPASSION, LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION OF LILY AND HER SUPPORTERS, AND CELEBRATES THE POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACT OF LILY'S TOY BOX ON OUR BELOVED CITY. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, FOR BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION. UH, LILY, UH, I'M JUST SITTING HERE TRYING TO VISUALIZE 96,000 TOYS STARTED BY AN 8-YEAR-OLD YEAH. IN THE OPERATION. SO WE PROBABLY NEED YOU DOWN HERE WORKING AT CITY HALL TO HELP US ADDRESS SOME OF OUR CONCERNS. BUT TODAY IS YOUR DAY AND THE TOY BOX'S DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAY OF CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM LILY DEBOS AND LILY TOY BOX TODAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS ON JULY 22ND, 2025. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY. IT'S JUST SO EXCITING TO BE HERE AND SEE ALL OF YOU. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE GO TO THE LILLY'S TOY BOX. UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN, IT'S JUST A DREAM TO BE HERE AND TO MAKE ALL THESE KIDS HAPPY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, LILY, FOR BEING HERE. WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN QUEUE TO ADDRESS YOU. WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER. HI, LILY. HI. YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER ME, BUT I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL AND YOU GOT THIS STARTED. I RAN THE ASTROS FOUNDATION AND WE GAVE YOU MONEY. I'M GONNA COME OUT AND SAY HELLO TO YOU, BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND ALL YOU'VE DONE. I'VE JUST FOLLOWED YOU FOR ALL THESE YEARS, AND YOU JUST, IT'S AN SHOULD BE AN INSPIRATION TO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WHEN YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT AND YOUR HEART IN IT, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR CONTINUING TO STEP UP AND DO WHAT YOU DO. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY. . THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN LILY, CONGRATULATIONS. AND COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH US AND WITH THE CITY. UH, LILY, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A QUICK OPPORTUNITY. ARE YOUR, IS YOUR FAMILY HERE TODAY? YES. DO YOU WANNA INTRODUCE THEM? YES. SO THIS IS MY MOM, AND THEN THIS IS MY DAD, AND THIS IS MY AUNT LAW. WELL, UM, I HAVE NO DOUBT, UH, THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY A TRUE LEADER, BUT THAT YOUR FAMILY BACKS YOU 110%. SO TO MOM AND DAD, THANK YOU FOR JUST GIVING HER THE SPACE TO GIVE TO ALL OF US AND TO THE COMMUNITY. AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I THINK IN THE VERY FIRST LINE IT SAID THAT LILY WAS LOOKING TO BRING JOY, COMFORT, AND HOPE. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, AND ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIME OF HURRICANE HARVEY, WE COULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH JOY, COMFORT, AND HOPE. AND WE ALL KNOW THAT KINDNESS BEGETS KINDNESS. SO THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO. THANK YOU. LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. YES, TAKE A PICTURE. [00:05:07] AND MOM AND DAD, YOU DON'T WANNA COME UP HERE. WE'LL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, WHO IS PRESENTING A PROCLAMATION TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IN HONOR OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, HE ASKED TO BE ON THE ANNIVERSARY. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. UH, I AM JOINED BY OUR FABULOUS, UH, TEAM WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. UH, AND WHILE DIRECTOR PONSE, OUR FEARLESS LEADER, UH, COULD NOT BE HERE, HE, UH, HAS ANOTHER WORK COMMITMENT. UH, I'M JOINED BY OUR SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, UH, RONALDO HERRERA, AND I'LL LET YOU INTRODUCE THE REST OF THE STAFF. ALTHOUGH I KNOW EACH OF YOU PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE FORMALLY RECOGNIZED. UH, WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE, UH, THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE A DA. UH, THIS WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT GEORGE HW BUSH. UM, BUT WE ALL KNOW, AND I'LL EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT IT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND OPENED THE DOOR FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. AND HERE IN HOUSTON, WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL CONNECTION TO THE A DA, NOT ONLY THROUGH, UH, PRESIDENT BUSH, BUT WEST GRAY MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. AND HOUSTON ACTUALLY PART OF THE EFFORT TO PASS THE A DA HOSTING A PIVOTAL 1989 CONGRESSIONAL FIELD HEARING THAT DREW OVER 500 TEXAS ADVOCATES AND HELPED SPARK NATIONAL MOMENTUM FOR THE LEGISLATION. UH, AND I DO WANNA SAY THAT THE A DA DIDN'T JUST ADDRESS PHYSICAL BARRIERS. IT CHALLENGED SOCIETAL ONES, ENSURING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AS EVERYONE ELSE, AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR GREATER INCLUSION ACROSS ALL AREAS OF OUR LIVES. AND AGAIN, WITH MOPD, THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A CITY OFFICE THAT DOES THIS WORK, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION, ADVOCACY, OR EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, I'M GRATEFUL TO MOPD AS A LEADER IN TURNING THE SPIRIT OF THE A DA INTO REAL, UH, LIFE, DAY-TO-DAY ACTION. WHEREAS, UH, JULY 26 MARKS THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE A DAA LANDMARK PIECE OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW ON JULY 26TH, 1990. SO THIS COMING WEEKEND, WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL AREAS OF PUBLIC LIFE, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE A DA PROTECTS INDIVIDUALS WITH A BROAD SPECTRUM OF DISABILITIES, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, SENSORY, COGNITIVE, INTELLECTUAL, NEUROLOGICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. AND AFFIRMS THAT NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE OR IMMEDIATELY APPARENT, THE A DA HAS SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED ACCESS, EQUITY, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACROSS THE NATION AND WITHIN THE CITY. BY FOSTERING GREATER INCLUSION AND CIVIC LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICE, COMMUNITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EMPLOYMENT. OUR CITY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING UPON THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE A DA BY PROMOTING POLICIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT THE DIGNITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND FULL PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND ALL ADD IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR WEST GRAY MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. , THE CITY OF HOUSTON JOINS THE NATION IN COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE LEGACY AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. ON THIS IMPORTANT DAY, WE REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL HOUSTONIANS, RECOGNIZING THE FULL SPECTRUM OF BOTH VISIBLE [00:10:01] AND INVISIBLE DISABILITIES ACROSS OUR BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR ALLOWING US TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE DISABILITIES ACT BY NAMING, RECOGNIZING IT ON JUNE 26TH. THE A DA IS A REAL EXAMPLE OF WHERE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE. AND YOU HATE TO THINK WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT THIS ACT. UH, AND CERTAINLY THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE TEAM MEMBERS THAT CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION. SO THANK YOU. AND IT PLEASES ME. UH, THEREFORE I MAY OR JOHN WHITTEN, I HEREBY BROKE CLAIM JULY 26. 2025 IS THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU, MA'AM. RONALDO, DO YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. GOOD AFTERNOON. MAYOR WHITMEYER, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS RONALDO HERRERA AND I PROUDLY SERVE AS THE SENIOR COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ON BEHALF OF OUR DEPARTMENT, I BRING GREETINGS AND APPRECIATION WHILE OUR DIRECTOR ANGEL ETT DEEPLY REGRETS NOT BEING HERE IN PERSON TODAY. HE IS CURRENTLY REPRESENTING THE CITY OF HOUSTON AT A NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE OUT OF STATE. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM WHO ARE WITH US THIS AFTERNOON. MS. KIMBERLY BLANCHARD, OUR PROGRAM ASSISTANT WHO OVERSEES THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY REVIEW PAR PROGRAM, WHICH PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ASSESSING AND IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. AMANDA BOYD, OUR SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT, WHO IS THE, WHO IS OFTEN THE POINT, THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT FOR CONSTITUENTS SEEKING INFORMATION, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, OUR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TEAM, NORMA MADANO AND ANNA TAJA HARRIS, WHO WORKED DIRECTLY WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO CONNECT THEM WITH CRITICAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES. AS A CITY, HOUSTON IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO ENSURE THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT ONLY COMPLIANT WITH THE AMERICANS, WITH THE WITH DISABILITIES ACT, BUT ARE ALSO COMMITTED FOR TO FOSTERING ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN ALL FACETS OF CIVIC LIFE. THROUGH CONTINUED INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION, WE'RE MAKING STRIDES TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES. WHILE IT HAS BEEN 35 YEARS SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE A DA, THE WORK IS FAR YET FROM OVER, WE RECOGNIZE THAT ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT JUST A ONE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT, BUT AN EVOLVING INTEGRATION OF DIVERSE POPULATIONS. AND OUR OFFICE REMAINS COMMITTED TO MOVING THAT WORK FORWARD EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY CAYMAN FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT ON THE METROPOLITAN MULTI-SERVICE CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT. THE MMMC IS, UH, CONTINUES TO BE THE CORNERSTONE OF SERVING THE, UH, DISABILITY COMMUNITY HERE IN HOUSTON, AND ITS FUTURE TRANSFORMATION WILL ONLY DEEPEN ITS IMPACT. IN CLOSING, I WARMLY INVITE EACH OF YOU TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AT OUR HOUSTON DISABILITY CELEBRATION TAKING PLACE THIS SATURDAY, JULY 26TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM AT THE METROPOLITAN MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND, AND A FREE LUNCH. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE HOUSTON THE MODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, UM, TO EACH OF YOU. WE APPRECIATE THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO. ON BEHALF OF ALL HOUSTONIANS, CONGRATULATIONS ON 35 STELLAR YEARS OF DISABILITY ACT [00:15:25] CHAIR [2:00 P.M. – INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN PLUMMER FOR OUR INVOCATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. AND I AM EXCITED TO WELCOME PASTOR WHITE. UM, HE HOLDS AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM LIBERAL ROCK STUDIES WITH A CONCENTRATION OF BUSINESS FROM TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IN FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY. UM, HE EARNED HIS MASTER'S IN DIVINITY IN THE CHURCH OF ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP FROM TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. AND HE'S CURRENTLY STUDYING TO COMPLETE HIS DOCTOR OF MINISTRY IN THE BLACK CHURCH STUDIES OF ASHLAND, UH, THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY APPOINTED PASTOR OF WESLEY AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DECEMBER OF 2023 TO SPIRITUALLY LEAD THIS HISTORIC CENTURY OLD 1926, NOTABLE MINISTRY PASTOR WHITE LEADS AND GUIDES, WESLEY, A ME AS THE CONGREGATION NOW WORSHIPS IN A BRAND NEW BEAUTIFUL EDIFICE WESLEY MISSIONARY, I MEAN, I'M SORRY, WESLEY MINISTRY WORSHIP COMPLEX OFF OF HIGHWAY 2 88. AND I WAS REALLY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO, TO VISIT THERE, THEIR OPENING. AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL CHURCH. PASTOR WHITE AND HIS WIFE, REVEREND MARIA, ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DE DEDICATED MINISTERS TO THE GROWTH OF THEIR CHURCH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INNOVATIVE, UM, PROGRAMS. AND ONE THING THAT I WANNA SAY ABOUT PASTOR WHITE THAT'S INCREDIBLY SPECIAL IS THAT HE TAKES 10% OF HIS TITHES TO PUT BACK INTO COMMUNITY EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. AND SO AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME PASTOR WHITE TO GIVE US OUR INVOCATION OF TODAY. GOOD MORNING. I MEAN, GOOD AFTERNOON. LET US PRAY. WE COME THIS AFTERNOON FROM ALL ACROSS THE WARDS AND ALL ACROSS THE INNER LOOPS. AND TO PRAISE YOUR NAME FOR THE GIFT YOU'VE GIVEN US. CALL THE CITY OF HOUSTON BECAUSE COMMUNITY IS BIGGER THAN US BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN US. AND SINCE WE'VE COMMITTED INTO A COMMUNITY BIGGER THAN US, WE'RE CALLING ON A POWER GREATER THAN US. THAT'S WHAT BRINGS US TO THIS MOMENT IN TIME, ETCHED BEFORE THE BALCONIES OF GLORY, TIMES WHERE ADULTS ARE APATHETIC AND DIFFERENT AND INDIFFERENT TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY ONCE LIVED IN AND ACCUSTOMED TO BE TO THE RUN OF THE MILL. GOD MAKE OUR MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS ALLERGIC TO MEDIOCRITY, IMMUNE TO THE STATUS QUO, UNCOMFORTABLE WITH AVERAGE, AND NEVER SETTLING WITH THE WAYS THINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN. GOD, WE PRAY RIGHT NOW FOR HOUSTON TO BECOME A PLACE WHERE CRIME IS ELIMINATED. VIOLENCE IS VANQUISHED, DRUGS ARE ANNIHILATED. LARGE BUSINESSES ARE WELCOME. JOBS ARE PLENTIFUL. HOMES ARE SECURE. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE VIABLE. RESTAURANTS AND MOVIES ARE ENJOYABLE. AND COMMUNITIES THAT CARE ABOUT CHILDREN, GOD GIVE OUR MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS MINDS TO WHICH TO THINK HEARTS, TO WHICH TO LOVE OUR VOICES, TO WHICH TO SPEAK, AND HANDS TO WHICH TO HELP GOD. REMIND THEM THAT YOU'VE ALREADY ENDOWED THEM WITH SOLUTIONS TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN MAJOR PROBLEMS AND MINOR RESOURCES, SOLUTIONS TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN A WIDE DEMAND AND A NARROW SUPPLY SOLUTIONS THAT CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE JOBS AND THOSE WHO PROVIDE JOBS. GOD WILL BOMBARD HEAVEN RIGHT NOW ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THAT YOU'LL MAKE IT AN OASIS OF LOVE OR PLACE OF PEACE AND ENTITY WHERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THRIVES. BUSINESSES ARE BIRTHED, SCHOOLS FLOURISH. HOUSING VALUES INCREASE VOTERS VOTE. CHILDREN ARE ENLIGHTENED. THE POOR, EMPOWERED, AND SENIORS ARE SAFE. GOD, WE SEND TEXT MESSAGES TO HEAVEN RIGHT NOW ASKING THAT YOU WOULD BRING TOGETHER INSPIRED INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED COALITIONS, OPTIMISTIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND CARING COMMUN CORPORATIONS THAT WILL COLLABORATE UNDER INTENT TO SHARE TOGETHER, STRUGGLE TOGETHER, LONG TOGETHER, AND LIVE TOGETHER TO PROPEL THIS CITY FORWARD, TO CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN PARTY AND PRAY, SERVE AND SHOP, LEARN AND LIVE AND WORK OUT AND WORSHIP TOGETHER. GOD, WE SEND DMS INTO HEAVEN RIGHT NOW ASKING THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE CITY OF HOUSTON SO BIG AND SO BOLD, THAT THE WORLD WOULD TAKE NOTICE THAT PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS CAN REASON TOGETHER WITH, TO LEAD WITH LOVE, [00:20:01] GOVERN WITH GRACE, CREATE POLICIES THAT PROTECT AND HAVE A STAB SENSITIVE TO THE LEAST, THE LOST, THE LEFT BEHIND AND THE LEFT OUT. GOD RECALLING THE HEAVEN RIGHT NOW ASKING THAT YOU WILL SATURATE THE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS WITH YOUR PRESENCE SO ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN CAN WORK WITH EACH OTHER AND NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER. SO RESIDENTS WILL RESPECT EACH OTHER. CITIZENS WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT EACH OTHER. ORGANIZATIONS WILL EMBRACE EACH OTHER, INSTITUTIONS WILL EMPOWER OTHERS. SO WE'LL ALL BE REMINDED THAT THIS IS STILL THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. NOW, GOD, WE SEAL THIS PRAYER AND THE ONE THAT IS AND WAS AND IS TO COME. AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU PASTOR. WILL YOU PLEASE RISE, UH, THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL CODE. MS. SECRETARY, [ROLL CALL AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING] WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE MAYOR WHITMEYER. COUNCIL MEMBER PECK HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ. COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO WILL BE ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ WILL BE ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTEX TATUM. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER HERE AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN HERE NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF JULY 15TH AND 16TH. CASTEX TATUM, MOVE I SECOND. MOTIONS MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. PROCEDURAL [PUBLIC SPEAKERS] MOTIONS. COUNCIL MEMBER CAMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON. I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE JACK VALINSKI TO THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. UH, COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE DR. ANI UNDER GLADYS HAEL AND THEN MOVE JENNIFER HAD BELOW DR. DEJANI ON THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA. OKEY DOKE. IS THERE A SECOND? MOTION MADE? AND SECOND. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. THAT'S ALL. IF YOU'LL RECALL THE FIRST SPEAKER, PLEASE, MR. SECOND, JULIA OR ARUNA TO BE FOLLOWED BY FELIX KAPO. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUNIA, TEXAS HOUSERS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ADDITION OF THE $20 MILLION IN HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS AND THE $30 MILLION IN PRODUCTIONS OF REHABILITATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN THE DR 24 MONEY. WE KNOW THAT THIS MONEY FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS WON'T START IMMEDIATELY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE HOUSING PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY FOCUSING ON LAUNCHING THE WINTER STORM URI PROGRAM AND THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM AND THE HARVEY HOME BUYER PROGRAM AFTER THE DR 17 FUNDS WERE REPOSITIONED BY THIS GOVERNING BODY AS ADDITION TO THE ACTION PLAN, WE ALSO INCLU ASKED TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT ANY FURTHER REPOSITIONING OF THE FUNDS FROM DR 24 ARE PUT INTO REPURPOSING FOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS BECAUSE THESE PROGRAMS ARE ALWAYS OVERSUBSCRIBED. OUR SECOND REQUEST IS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING PUT DURING THROUGH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. AND IT IS IN COLLABORATION AND DIRECTLY WITH THOSE DEPARTMENT HEADS. FOR FAR TOO LONG, WE HAVE HEARD APPLICANTS WHO ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS BEING TOLD THAT THEY SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT SOMEONE IS HELPING THEM AND THEY SHOULD ACCEPT WHAT'S BEING GIVEN TO THEM. THIS IS NOT COMMUNITY CARE, NOR THIS DOES ACTUALLY ASSIST APPLICANTS IN SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVING A QUALITY HOME. WE NEED OVERSIGHT OF BUILDING STANDARDS AND THE QUALITY OF THESE HOUSES. IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT TO CONTINUE PUT FEDERAL DOLLARS IN THE SAME PROPERTIES, THEN THESE PROPERTIES MUST BE DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ARE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY HOUSING IS BEING BUILT WITH THESE FEDERAL FUNDS. ONE, ACTIVELY INVOLVING THE HOMEOWNER IN THE INSPECTION PROCESS, INCLUDING BEING PRESENT DURING THE INSPECTIONS, HAVING A POST INSPECTION CON CONVERSATION ONSITE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INSPECTION IS COMPLETED TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS, WHAT PASSED AND WHAT IS STILL DEFICIENT. ALSO, THIS GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY A HOMEOWNER TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. SECONDLY, TO SIGN OFF WITH THE SATISFACTION AND COMPLETION OF THE WORK AND THE APPROVAL [00:25:01] OF THE WORK BEFORE THE BUILDER IS RELEASED FROM THEIR CONTRACTS PAID AND NO LONGER RESPONSIVE TO THE HOMEOWNER'S REQUESTED FOR DEFICIENCY AND REPAIRS. I HAVE HEARD FROM HOMEOWNERS THAT SOMETIMES THEY ARE STRONG ARMED INTO SIGNING THESE DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND THAT IS NOT A PRODUCTIVE PROCESS FOR THESE HOMEOWNERS. THIRDLY, SURVEY THE HOMEOWNERS IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION AND DELIVERY OF KEYS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE, OF THEIR PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTERACTION WITH THE STAFF, THE BUILDERS, AND ANY UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT STAY OR CONCERNS. THEY STILL HAVE FOUR SURVEY THE HOMEOWNERS SIX MONTHS AND A YEAR AFTER THE COMPLETION AND DELIVERY OF THE KEYS TO ENSURE THAT MAJOR CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME UP ARE BEING CORRECTED OR THEY'RE BEING LOOKED AT BEFORE THE WARRANTY IS COMING UP AND ENSURING THEY HAVE A QUALITY PRODUCT. AND FIVE, HAVE A COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PREVIOUS HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS, BUILDERS AND HOUSING ADVOCATES TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAMS ARE WORKING IN ACCORDINGLY PRODUCING HOUSING QUALITY AND LED WITH COMPASSION, EMPATHY, AND UNDERSTANDING. AGAIN, I TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE BEST PRACTICES DOCUMENTS THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH YOU UPON YOUR TIME, HAS EXPIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I'M HAPPY TO CONNECT WITH YOU ALL FURTHER. THANK YOU. NEXT. THANK YOU FELIX. FELIX KAPO. YES. OSCAR THOMAS TO BE FOLLOWED BY MA LUCAS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER. BEFORE I PROCEED, I'D LIKE TO PASS OUT A FACT SHEET TO EACH ONE OF YOU ABOUT DISASTER. I HOPE EACH AND EVERYONE'S DAY IS GOING WELL. OH, FOR SURE. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS OSCAR L THOMAS AND I LIVE IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON, SPECIFICALLY DISTRICT K. HOW YOU DOING? COUNCIL WOMAN. THANK YOU. RIGHT, . I'M A LONG TIME COMMUNITY MEMBER, COMMUNITY LEADER, AND NOW AN ORGANIZER WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. AS WE DO AFTER EVERY NATURAL AND MANMADE DISASTER, WE JUMP INTO ACTION. AS WITH AFTER BUR AND A RECO DISASTER. LAST YEAR WE TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF FOLKS TO CONNECT THEM TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND HELP NAVIGATE VARIOUS PROCESSES. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE NUMBERS, WHAT WE SAW AND EXPERIENCED WAS THE LARGEST NEED AND LARGEST UNMET NEED IN HOUSING RELATED AREAS. THIS IS WHY WE APPRECIATE YOU LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY. WE DON'T TAKE THAT LIGHTLY. WE DEFINITELY DO APPRECIATE THAT YOU GAVE AN EAR TO THE COMMUNITY AMENDING YOUR INITIAL PLAN TO INCLUDE HOUSING RESOURCES, BUT I EMPHASIZE THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. 50 MILLION IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET NEXT TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THIS MONEY IS MEANT AND DESIGNED TO BE FOR HOUSING NEEDS, HOUSING RECOVERY. SO IT'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND SHORTSIGHTED NOT TO MAXIMIZE THESE DOLLARS FOR HOUSING BASED ON WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE BIG UGLY BILL THAT WAS RECENTLY PASSED AND THE DIRECTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE AREN'T OTHER FEDERAL RESOURCES COMING THIS WAY FOR HOUSING. THERE ARE NO MORE, NO MORE HELP COMING. YOU ARE THE ONLY AVENUE THEY HAVE. WOW. BASED ON THE PRIORITIES OF THE STATE, WE SHOULDN'T EXPECT HOUSING MONEY FROM THEM EITHER. THESE ARE THE DOLLARS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. WE IMPLORE YOU AGAIN, WE IMPLORE YOU TO USE THEM ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. BEFORE YOU VOTE TOMORROW, CONSIDER MOVING FUNDS FROM THE ENERGY GENERATION OR POLICE FIRE VEHICLE FUND TO EXPAND THE AMOUNT FOR HOUSING NEEDS. AND [00:30:01] AS I JOIN IN AND YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, AND ALSO SPEAK TO THE BETTER ANGELS OF EACH ONE OF YOU, AS THE MINISTER HAD PRAYED, THAT HE WOULD HOPE THAT THE GOODNESS OF GOD WILL RESIDE OVER HOUSTON. I HOPE THAT THAT SAME RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GOODNESS TOUCH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AS FAR AS YOUR VIEWPOINT TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS, THOSE SENIORS, THOSE DISABLED INDIVIDUALS, THOSE AREAS, THOSE PEOPLE IN AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED FOR YEARS. COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN. YES. YES. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I THINK THIS WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER ON THE AGENDA ITEM FOR THE CDBG DOLLARS. SO I DID WANNA THANK EVERYONE AND I SEE TOP IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL. SO I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE, OH, THERE ARE OTHERS. I APOLOGIZE. THEN I'LL JUST, I'LL KEEP IT VERY BRIEF. UM, IN TERMS OF, UH, TEXAS HOUSERS ONE, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS. IF TEXAS HOUSERS COULD PLEASE EMAIL US, UM, THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE LISTED OUT, I THOUGHT SOME OF THEM WERE VERY, UH, HELPFUL AND USEFUL AND I WOULD BE, I KNOW ALL OF US WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE, SO IT'S JUST A REQUEST TO PLEASE SHARE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. AND WE'LL LOOK THROUGH THIS. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT MA LUCAS TO BE FOLLOWED BY JACK TO BE FOLLOWED BY JACK VALINSKI. OOPS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FELLOW HOUSTONIANS COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR, YOU'RE ELECTED BY HOUSTONIANS TO SERVE US. PLEASE BEAR IN MIND YOUR OATH, WHICH YOU SOLEMNLY TOOK YOUR ALLEGIANCE IS TO US HERE AND TO THE CONSTITUTION. WE CAN ALL SUPPORT THE USE OF HPD RESOURCES IF ASKED TO ASSIST IN THE APPREHENSION OF DANGEROUS WANTED CRIMINALS IN OUR AREA, BUT NOT AS ANCILLARY FEDERAL THUGS AS A NATION WE DO NOT LIKE AND CANNOT TOLERATE THE WAY THESE RAIDS AND DETENTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT. ICE HAS NOW GOTTEN A FAT NEW BUDGET BIGGER THAN THE FBI AND DEA, IT DOES NOT NEED LOCAL SUPPORT. I URGE YOU TO KEEP HPD PERSONNEL FOCUSED ON LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AS IT WAS INTENDED. THANK YOU. COUNCIL, JUST A SECOND MA'AM. COUNCILOR CAYMAN? NO, BUT I'LL THANK MARI FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN DISTRICT C, UM, THROUGH OUR CIVIC CLUBS. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, JACK VALINSKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY NEIL AQUINO, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MAYOR, I WANNA THANK YOU. I WANNA THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE DIRECTOR UP HERE LAST WEEK AND HAVING A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT'S GOING ON AT SOLID WASTE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US EVEN KNEW ABOUT. UH, EVEN AS AN EMPLOYEE, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE. WE ALL KNEW THERE WERE PROBLEMS. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD. I HOPE THAT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR THAT I'LL BE UP HERE GIVING YOU ANOTHER THANKS FOR FIXING THE DEPARTMENT, BUT WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO. I WANNA BRING UP TWO ISSUES THAT I STILL THINK THAT NEED TO BE, UH, THOUGHT ABOUT AND WORKED ON. NUMBER ONE IS COMMUNICATIONS. I FEEL THAT, AND I DON'T SPEAK FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, BUT I THINK A LOT OF THEM ALSO FEEL THAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT. SIX WEEKS AGO, I REQUESTED A SPEAKER AT MY MEETING. THAT WAS A MONTH AGO, AND THAT WHOLE COMMUNICATIONS GOT LOST WITHIN THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT. THE DAY AFTER I SPOKE HERE, THE, THE, UH, CHIEF OF STAFF OF SOLID WASTE CALLED ME, APOLOGIZED TO ME AND SAID, I'LL BE AT YOUR NEXT MEETING, PERSONALLY, I WILL BE THERE. THEN I GOT A CALL SAYING, SHE CAN'T BE HERE. SO IT TOOK ME ALL THAT TIME TO FINALLY FIND OUT WHO WILL BE AT MY MEETING TONIGHT. AND I DIDN'T GET THAT ANSWER TILL YESTERDAY. THE SECOND ITEM IS FLEET. NOW WE KNOW THAT THE TRUCKS ARE BEING FIXED BY FLEET. I THINK WE NEED TO DO A BIG DIVE INTO FLEET. I KNOW WHEN I HAD A CITY CAR, THEY LOST MY CAR ONCE WHEN IT WAS OVER THERE AT FLEET, IT TOOK THEM A WHILE TO REALIZE, OH, WE SENT IT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE CAR. THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT. THEY FORGOT ABOUT IT TO, OKAY, YOUR TIME, JACK, TO, WE NEED TO KNOW IF, UM, THE, THE TRUCKS ARE GETTING WORK DONE BEFORE THEY FALL APART. WE NEED TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, DOES FLEET HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FIX THE TRUCKS? WE KNOW THE TRUCKS ARE OLD, THEY'RE GONNA BREAK, BUT WE KNOW WE NEED TO KNOW IF FLEET IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN [00:35:01] IN GETTING THOSE TRUCKS UP AND GOING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. NEXT, NEIL AQUINO TO BE FOLLOWED BY GLADYS HOUSE L THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON FOR PROVIDING THIS FORUM. MY NAME'S NEIL AQUINO WITH THE HOUSTON DEMOCRACY PROJECT. THERE WAS DEBATE HERE LAST WEEK OVER THE SO-CALLED CIVILITY ORDINANCE. MUCH CONVERSATION HAD TO DO WITH WHAT MORAL OBLIGATION, HOPEFULLY HELPFUL SERVICES AND ALSO LEGAL PUNISHMENTS THAT WOULD BE EXTENDED TO PEOPLE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO SLEEP. IN DOWNTOWN, IN EAST DOWNTOWN COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN SAID SOME MEN DIDN'T WANNA BE SENT TO AN ALL MALE SHELTER BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CITATIONS. A MUNICIPAL COURT PROCESS. THE UNHOUSED MIGHT FACE. MAYOR PRO TEM CASTEX TATUM SAID DISTRICT K RESIDENTS WERE OPEN TO THE ORDINANCE, BUT HAD CONCERNS ABOUT CITATIONS BEING ISSUED TO THE UNHOUSED. THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMPELS SOMEONE IN SOME CASES BY POLICE AND LEGAL CO COERCION INTO SYSTEMS THEY MIGHT NOT WANNA BE PART OF. MAYOR WHITMEYER SUMMED UP WHAT HE SAYS IS THE SPIRIT AND OUTCOME OF THE ORDINANCE. NO ONE IS GOING TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS UNLESS THERE IS A BED AND A PLAN TO GET THEM CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE? HBD TURNS OVER TO ICE. EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT PEOPLE TAKEN BY ICE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS IN A VITAL PART OF HOUSTON'S WORKFORCE. REPORT AFTER REPORT SHOWS THE GREAT MAJORITY ARE NOT CRIMINALS. WHAT OBLIGATIONS DO WE ASSUME AS HOUSTONIANS WHEN WE KNOW PEOPLE HBD HANDS OVER TO ICE MAY END UP IN THE ALLIGATOR TERROR FACILITY IN FLORIDA, THE TORTURE PRISON IN EL SALVADOR OR IN SOUTH SUDAN FROM THE GUARDIAN NEWS SITE. YESTERDAY, MARGARET SAID A MIAMI IMMIGRATION JAIL WERE SHACKLED WITH THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS AND MADE TO KNEEL TO EAT FOOD FROM STYROFOAM PLATES LIKE DOGS. FEMALE DETAINEES ARE MADE TO USE TOILETS AND FULL VIEW OF MEN BEING HELD THERE. AND WERE DENIED ACCESS TO GENDER APPROPRIATE CARE, SHOWERS OR ADEQUATE FOOD. IF YOU'RE GONNA INSIST ON WORKING WITH ICE, WHICH YOU SHOULDN'T, THEN THE CITY, EACH OF YOU AND ALL OF US ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTCOMES. YOU TALKED AT GREAT LENGTH LAST WEEK ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUTCOMES. YOU NOW HAVE THE INFORMATION FROM REPEATED PRESS REPORTS AND FIRST PERSON ACCOUNTS THAT DUE PROCESS IS BEING IGNORED. MANY FACILITIES ARE DIRTY AND NASTY, AND SOMETIME US CITIZENS ARE TAKEN. THE CURRENT CITY OF HOUSTON POLICY IS WE JUST GET THEM TO THE BOX CAR. IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY WHERE THE BOX CAR TAKES THEM. IN HIS CIVILITY ORDINANCE PRESENTATION LA LAST WEEK, CHIEF SATTERWHITE SAID THAT WHAT YOU ALLOW, YOU ENCOURAGE, YOU ACCEPT IT AS PREMISE. BY A 14 TO TWO VOTE, YOU ARE ALLOWING HPD TO TURN PEOPLE OVER TO ICE. YOU ARE ENCOURAGING WHAT ICE DOES AFTERWARDS BY DEMANDING NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I'M ASKING THAT THROUGH A PROPOSITION, A ORDINANCE, YOU ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO TRACK WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE. HPD TURNS OVER TO ICE. OUR CITY SHOULD CREATE A RECORD IN CASE DECENCY EVER RETURNS. AND THERE IS A CHANCE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. WE SHOULD CREATE A MORAL RECORD SO A FUTURE MAYOR AND COUNCIL CAN ACT MORALLY. I URGE EACH OF YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE MOMENT. PLEASE MEET THE CHALLENGE WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN BUSINESS AS USUAL. THE PARALLELS BETWEEN 1850S AMERICA, THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT, AND I SURE HAS A LOT IN COMMON TO THE, AND TO THE 1930S ARE CLEAR. ACT NOW, WHILE SOME CHANCE STILL EXIST, TO SAY YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. AND WHILE SOME HOPE STILL EXISTS OF CHANGING OUR CURRENT COURSE, NEXT GLADYS HOUSE ALE TO BE FOLLOWED BY DR. HAKEEM TAJANI PEACE. MOST PEOPLE FORGOTTEN THAT AMERICA WAS COLONIZED. I OVERSTAND THE RACISM THAT EXISTS, BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BIGOTRY THAT GOES ON TO THE DETRIMENT OF MY PEOPLE. IN APRIL, I FILED A COMPLAINT TO HPD TO ADDRESS A MONTH LATER, NO RESPONSE. SO I BEGAN TO FOLLOW UP AND I'M, I WAS ALWAYS MET WITH HOSTILITY AND BIGOTRY FROM A HIGH RANKING RANKING OFFICER, A LIEUTENANT. SO IN TURN, I GOT AN OFFICER I'VE BEEN KNOWING FOR A LONG TIME, JAMES OTTO, TO LOOK INTO IT FOR ME. AND HE DID WHAT HE COULD AND HE TOLD ME WHEN TO FOLLOW UP AND I DID. BUT ALL THAT DID WAS ANGER THE LIEUTENANT. 'CAUSE HE FELT LIKE I HAD GONE OVER HIS HEAD OR SOMETHING. BUT ANYWAY, IN JULY AT THE UM, PIP MEETING, UH, THAT'S HOSTED BY HPD, I WAS TOLD BY THE COMMANDER OR CAPTAIN KENNEDY TO FILE OR TO GIVE MY, UH, COMPLAINT VIA EMAIL TO OFFICER LURE. [00:40:01] AND I DID, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING YET. THEN THE CITYWIDE PIP MEETING IN JULY, THE CHIEF WAS EXPECTED TO BE THERE, BUT FOR SOME REASON HE DIDN'T SHOW. BUT HIS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CHIEF GUZMAN DID. AND I HANDED HIM IN WRITING THE, THE ENVELOPE TO GIVE TO THE CHIEF. NO RESPONSE. SO THIS HAS GONE ON AND ON TRYING TO GET ACTION ON A COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN SETTING UNADDRESSED AND HPDS CRIME DEPARTMENT FOR THREE MONTHS. NO WONDER THERE WAS A QUARTER OF A MILLION COMPLAINTS ON ADDRESS BY HPD. AND WHEN I WAS TOLD BY THE LIEUTENANT THAT IF HE ACCEPTED MY COMPLAINT JUST ON MY WORD, THEY WOULD NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE. SO THAT'S JUST NOT THE WAY YOU SHOULD DO BUSINESS. AND YESTERDAY I TALKED WITH AN OFFICER. IT SEEMS LIKE THE EVERYDAY OFFICERS WHO WORK THE STREET OR WHATEVER, I CAN GET BETTER ACTION FROM THEM, BUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS OUTTA THEIR JURISDICTION. SO I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT AND RATHER THAN REALLY ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS, INTERNAL AFFAIRS GOT INVOLVED. I DIDN'T NEED INTERNAL AFFAIRS, I JUST WANTED THAT DEPARTMENT, THE OTHER DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BUSINESS. AND SO THE CONCLUSION IS, I NEED YOUR HELP MAYOR IN GETTING A MEETING WITH THE CHIEF SO THAT HE CAN HEAR OUR CONCERNS FROM THE PUBLIC STANDPOINT, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THE QUARTER OF A MILLION COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. OKAY, MAYOR, ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK INTO IT? I'M, I'M LISTENING TO YOU AND WE WILL ADVISE THE CHIEF AND GET YOU IN TOUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU. NEXT, DR. HAKEEM TAJANI TO BE FOLLOWED BY JENNIFER HADO. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR C JUST BACK BIT. I, I'LL CALL YOU. HE'S FROM, HE CAME FROM NIGERIA, SO HE DOESN'T KNOW OUR PROTOCOL. , UM, UH, MAYOR, UH, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION AS THE CITY PREPARES FOR THE WORLD CUP, WE WANNA BRING AFRICA TO THE UNITED STATES, HOUSTON PARTICULARLY, AND TAKE HOUSTON TO AFRICA. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST YOUR PERMISSION, MAYOR TO HAVE, UH, MY BROTHER DO A PRESENTATION TO YOU, UH, ON, ON OUR BEHALF. THANK YOU. DO I HAVE YOUR PERMISSION, SIR? MAYOR? OKAY. THAT'S FINE. IS HE ON THE LIST? YEAH, THAT'S, I'M ASKING TO YOU MY TIME TO AFFIRM TO THE PRESENTATION. A MINUTE REAL QUICK. GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE. I STAND AND REPRESENT 1400000000.0% OUT OF AFRICA. AND WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A SPECIAL PROPOSITION AFRICA FOR AMERICA. I'LL OPEN TO THIS PARTICULAR PAGE BECAUSE IT SPEAKS TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON. YES. WHAT DO YOU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT BOOK? ? SO HOW MANY OF THOSE DO YOU HAVE? IT'S, IT'S ACTUALLY IN THIS BOX, BUT THIS IS SPECIAL BECAUSE THAT'S, IT LOOKS REAL SPECIAL. THREE CITIES, I MEAN THREE COUNTRIES, UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO, 48 COUNTRIES COMING FOR THE WORLD CUP. OKAY. NOW, FROM 16 CITIES, THE IDEA IS TO MAKE HOUSTON THE NUMBER ONE AND PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR THE WORLD CUP. THANK YOU. YOU'RE GONNA HAVE AT LEAST 6 MILLION VISITORS COMING IN. SO THE QUESTION IS, WHICH CITY ARE WE GOING TO GO TO? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE'LL PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE HOST COMMITTEE. IN FACT, MS. WILSON. PARDON? , GO AHEAD. WE'LL PUT YOU IN CONTACT. YOU HAVE GREAT IDEAS. OKAY. AND BEST PRACTICES. TALK TO MS. WILSON AND WE'LL PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE HOST COMMITTEE. OKAY? OKAY. OKAY. CAN I THANK YOU. PRESENT IT. YOU CAN GIVE IT TO MS. WILSON. THANK YOU. Y'ALL COME BACK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT JENNIFER HAD TO BE FOLLOWED BY ISAIAH LOPEZ. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JENNIFER HADIA. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON. WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING ADVOCACY NONPROFIT IN THE HOUSTON AREA THAT IS SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON AIR QUALITY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. AND IN PARTICULAR, [00:45:01] THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER WHO INTRODUCED THIS TOPIC AT COUNCIL LAST WEEK WHEN SHE ASKED OUR NEW SOLID WAGE MANAGE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ABOUT THE HOUSTON RECYCLING COLLABORATION ESTABLISHED VIA MOU IN 2022 TO CREATE THE ALL PLASTICS MUNICIPAL RECYCLING PROGRAM. YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING WHY AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON IS CONCERNED ABOUT A RECYCLING MOU. WELL, THE MOU CREATES A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND MULTIPLE PETROCHEMICAL COMPANIES TO SUPPORT CHEMICAL OR ADVANCED RECYCLING. THIS TECHNOLOGY IS A KNOWN SOURCE OF CANCER CAUSING AIR POLLUTION. AND THE NEW CHEMICAL RECYCLING FACILITIES ESTABLISHED VIA PARTNERSHIP IN THE MOU ARE ALSO LOCATED IN COMMUNITIES ALREADY SEVERELY OVERBURDENED BY POOR AIR QUALITY. I AM VERY WELL AWARE THAT WE HAVE A PLASTIC WASTE AND LANDFILL CRISIS IN HOUSTON, BUT I ASSURE YOU THAT CHEMICAL RECYCLING IS NOT THE SOLUTION. I ONCE AGAIN ASK COUNSEL TO CALL FOR A REEVALUATION OF THE HOUSTON RECYCLING COLLABORATION, THE MOU AND THE PLASTICS PROGRAM TO DISCUSS THE TRUE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MOU WAS NEVER BROUGHT BEFORE COUNCIL. IT WAS NOT VETTED IN A PUBLIC SETTING. AND MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE FACILITIES OR AWARE OF THE PROGRAM COMING INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH THESE KNOWN CANCER CAUSING AGENTS. SO AGAIN, I ASK THAT THE HOUSTON RECYCLING COLLABORATION BE REEVALUATED AND WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP WITH ANY INFORMATION OR DATA THAT MIGHT BE NEEDED AT THAT TIME. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. NEXT ISAIAH LOPEZ. LAURA GALLIER, SHELTON MODELIST. RANDALL CALLANAN. JOE AUGUST, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, OTIS MILES TO BE FOLLOWED BY VICTOR HEBERT. READY? UH, I'M HERE FIRST. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR COMING. HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD IN MAY AND EXPLAIN ABOUT THE GARBAGE TRUCKS AND THINGS. I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR DOING THAT, COMING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT I'M UP HERE ABOUT PERMITS AND MY DEED RESTRICTION. IN SENIOR WITH PLAZA, I RECEIVED A PERMIT FROM ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BILL A DUPLEX ON A PROPERTY THAT HAVE A PIPELINE THAT NEVER HAVE. I'VE BEEN THERE 52 YEARS, IT'S NEVER HAD AN ADDRESS. WHEN I SEEN THE ONES THAT THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE 55 0 6 YORKWOOD AND NO ONE HAVE THAT IN THEIR THING. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ABOUT IT, BUT I STILL WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE PERMITS ARE GIVEN. THESE PERMITS, THE BILL, MY DEED RESTRICTION REQUIRED THEM TO GET WITH THE CIVICS CLUB AND THEY HAVE TO APPROVE IT. AND WHEN THEY START BUILDING, WHICH THEY DIDN'T BUILD A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF AROUND WHERE I LIVE, THEY BUILD A FILLING STATION ON THE WRONG LOT. I CAME DOWN AND COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. NOBODY DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO I'M DOWN HERE. I HAVE TALKED TO EXXON ABOUT THE PIPELINE. THEY SAID NO ONE GONNA BILL ON THAT LOT, BUT THE CITY APPROVED IT. THAT'S WHAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND. THEY DIDN'T GET WITH NOBODY. THEY APPROVED IT. I HAD HOUSES BILL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THE CITY APPROVED IT, GOT THE PERMIT FROM. NOBODY DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT VIOLATED MY DEED RESTRICTION. I CAME DOWN HERE A WHOLE LOT OF TIMES, MAY OR NOT WHEN YOU WAS MAYOR, THE FORMER MAYOR, AND NOBODY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT SHOULD THEY WRITE PERMITS AND DON'T GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE THAT THE AREA THAT THEY WRITING IN THE PERMITS, SHOULD THEY APPROVE THEM IN THE PERMIT WITHOUT GETTING WITH THE CIVIC [00:50:01] CLUB IN THAT AREA? BECAUSE THE, THE DUPLEX THEY WANT TO BILL IS VIOLATE MY DE RESTRICTION. I'M COMING DOWN HERE BEFORE THEY START BUILDING BECAUSE THEY START DUMPING DIRT. NO SIGNS THAT THEY GONNA BILL. AND IF YOU LOOK AT HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL, WE DON'T NOW HAVE THAT ADDRESS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I BEEN, LIKE I SAY, I'VE BEEN BEEN THERE 52 YEARS. WE NEVER HAD IT BECAUSE IT'S A PIPELINE AND THEY WERE GONNA PUT IT OVER A PIPELINE. BUT HOUSTON PERMIT APPROVED IT. AND I TALKED TO CURTIS ABOUT THAT. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A APPLICATION FOR, TO GET THE PERMIT. LIKE I EXPLAINED TO KEVIN, I DID CONSTRUCTION A WHOLE LOT THAT WOULD NOT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE PLANS WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BUILD BEFORE YOU GET A PERMIT THROUGH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT. SO I'M TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO HELP ME WITH THAT. SO WE WON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT ANYMORE. YES, SIR. IS MR. SANDOVAL IN? YOU WANNA VISIT WITH THIS GENTLEMAN? TALK TO MR. SANDOVAL AND SEE IF HE CAN GET TO THAT RED TAPE FOR YOU. SAY AGAIN? SEE IF THIS GENTLEMAN CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT RED TAPE THAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING WITH, WITH THE RED TAPE. I'M JUST WONDERING YEAH. THE PROCESS THAT YOU YEAH. BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION. MAY I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH IT THERE, BUT, BUT WHEN THEY STARTED BUILDING, WHICH THEY STARTED BUILDING HOUSES OVER THERE, MAYOR MM-HMM . THEY SAID, WELL, WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE CAN'T TEAR IT DOWN. SEE, THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE FILED, OKAY. HE'S GONNA, HE'S GONNA VERIFY THAT FOR YOU. HE'S GOING TO VERIFY THAT FOR US TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A PERMIT AND SHOULD THEY BE ALLOWED TO BILL. OKAY. OKAY. WELL, OKAY. I I APPRECIATE THAT, ERIC, BUT I HOPE IT DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YEARS. I UNDERSTAND IT. BUILD STUFF OVER THERE. I UNDERSTAND. COUNCILOR JACKSON. THANK YOU MARYAM. THANK YOU MR. OTIS FOR COMING IN. YEAH, THANK, UM, I WILL, UM, MONITOR THIS SITUATION. I JUST LEARNED ABOUT, UM, THIS PERSON OR COMPANY THAT'S BUILDING A DUPLEX HOME. YEAH. THEY JUST APPLIED FOR THE PERMIT, SO I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE IT FOR SURE OR IF THEY JUST APPLIED FOR IT, BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT. UM, AND I WILL AGAIN WORK WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DONE CORRECTLY. YEAH. OKAY. IF ANOTHER THING WHICH YOU'RE LOOKING TO, HOW THEY GET A ADDRESS. THE ADDRESS? YEAH. 55 0 6, WHICH THEY NEVER HAD IT. OKAY. YOU KNOW RIGHT. SUBURBAN, NEVER PUT IT ON THEIR LIST IN THERE. AND THEY HAD, I HAVE A COPY OF THE BOURBON WHEN THEY BUILT IT IN 1979. MM-HMM . I HAVE A COPY OF IT. IT'S NEVER WAS THE ADDRESS THERE MM-HMM . WHEN THEY CAME OVER WITH THE PERMIT, THEY HAVE AN ADDRESS. RIGHT. YEAH. SO I HAVE ANTHONY ANTHONY'S IN THE, UM, AUDIENCE. ME. YEAH, HE'S SOMEWHERE IN THE AUDIENCE. SO GET WITH ANTHONY AND THEN WE WILL FOLLOW UP AND AGAIN, WORK WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S, THAT IT'S DONE CORRECTLY. WOULD YOU GET BACK WITH ME? YEAH, I WILL. OKAY. MS. JACKSON, I APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY. THANK ON ANTHONY. THANK YOU. UH, MAYOR PRO TATUM. THANK YOU MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE ALFREDA FRANKLIN TO THE TOP OF THE ONE MINUTE AGENDA. LIST MOTIONS MADE AND SECOND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WHITMEYER, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FELLOW CITIZENS. I'M DR. VICTOR ABERT AND I COME TO EXPRESS A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION GIVEN IN MY COVERDALE COMMUNITY ON SATURDAY, JULY 12TH, 2025. COVERDALE IS A HISTORICAL BLACK COMMUNITY, A SMALL BUT ROBUST COMMUNITY. I WAS BORN IN CARDALE IN 1942, AND I HAVE WITNESSED THIS GROWTH AND PROGRESSION TO THE PRESENT. BECAUSE OF DALE'S HEALTH, INCOME, AND SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC, IT CAN BE CONSIDERED SPECIAL, ESPECIALLY AS IT IS CONCERNED TO BE A FRESH FOOD DESERT. THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION OF JULY 12TH WAS ADVERTISED BY FLYER, ALLOWING, SHOWING A BOX OF FRESH BLUEBERRIES. TWO SPONSORS WERE NAMED OUR COUNCILWOMAN, MS. PECK, AND THE CARDALE CIVIC CLUB. THE IMPRESSION GIVEN WAS THAT THE [00:55:01] RESPONSIBLE PERSONS WHO KNEW CARDALE WOULD PROVIDE THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION. HOW WRONG THAT WAS. WHAT HAPPENED TO HOUSTON'S QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE? A BOX OF DORITOS, AND I HOLD THIS UP, WAS DISTRIBUTED. IT'S ONE OF THE PACKAGES AND A DRY FOOD PACKET THAT YOU HYDRATE. HEAT AND EAT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE RESIDENTS DISTRIBUTING DORITOS AND DESICCATED DRY FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY. RES ASSUMES THAT DORITOS AND DESICCATED FOOD COULD BE USED BY THE RESIDENTS FOR NOURISHMENT AND NUTRITION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THESE PACKAGES ARE SO-CALLED FOOD ARE JUST A CUT ABOVE NO NUTRITION AT ALL. THE CONTENTS OF BOTH BAGS OF EMPTY CALORIES ARE MUCH MORE DAMAGING TO THE LIVING AND HEALTH OF HUMAN BEINGS, ESPECIALLY CARDALE RESIDENTS. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. COUNCIL PECK, COUNCILMAN PECK AS MAYOR PRO. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY, SIR. MR. ABERT. SIR, IF YOU WANNA COME BACK. THANK YOU FOR, THANK YOU FOR, UM, EXPRESSING YOUR CONCERNS. I WAS AT THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION, UM, HOPE SO. HOPE CITY CHURCH. UM, THEY ARE DOING, UM, DAYS OF SERVICE IN JULY. THEY HAVE UPCOMING FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS, UM, IN TWO OTHER COUNCIL DISTRICTS AS WELL THIS MONTH. AND THEY ACTUALLY, UM, DISTRIBUTED ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN CARDALE. UM, I KNOW THAT THEY DID HAVE FRESH, UM, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES THAT THEY DISTRIBUTED. PERHAPS THEY RAN OUT AT SOME POINT, BUT THEY DID GET ALL OF THIS, UM, AS A DONATION, UM, THROUGH THEIR CHARITABLE NONPROFIT. SO THEY WERE GIVING OUT ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT THEY RECEIVED TO GIVE OUT. SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY JUST RAN OUT OF CERTAIN THINGS AT A CERTAIN TIME. ALRIGHT. BUT WE'LL DEFINITELY KEEP THAT IN MIND GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NICK. SAMUEL BARNES, THIS ONE. OH, OKAY. HELLO. HI, MY NAME IS SAMUEL BARNES. AND, UH, SO CURRENTLY MY LIVING STATUS RIGHT NOW IS HOMELESS. AND, UM, I'VE BEEN HOMELESS OFF AND ON FOR SIX YEARS, UM, USING DIFFERENT SHELTERS, DAY SHELTERS, GROUP HOUSES. UM, I PUT UP MY HOMELESS SIGN, UH, AND, UH, I USE FOOD PANTRIES, FOOD KITCHENS AND DIFFERENT PUBLIC AREAS AS FAR AS LIKE, UM, STORES, DOORS AND, UH, THE LIBRARY, UH, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC AREAS OF THE PARKS. AND SO I'VE BEEN MAINLY ON THE STREET, BUT I'M SAYING, UM, THAT'S JUST HOW, UM, SO I KNOW HOW TO SURVIVE. AND SO THAT'S HOW I'M SURVIVING AT THE MOMENT. BUT, UM, AND I'M ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER, UM, NIGHT SHELTER AT THE TI AT THE TIME. UM, I'VE USING, UM, I'VE BEEN USING DIFFERENT DAY SHELTERS, BUT I'M SAYING, UM, AND DIFFERENT, UH, BUT YEAH, SO, UM, GETTING THAT TOGETHER. BUT MY ISSUE, MY ISSUE IS WITH THE LIBRARY. SO THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND THIS IS THE, UM, THIS IS THE CITY, CITY HALL, YOU KNOW, WHICH HOUSE, UH, WHICH, WHICH HAS DIFFERENT, UM, CITY OF HOUSTON, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE AND THE MAYOR. SO, UM, THERE'S A NEW POLICY WITH THE, WITH THE, WITH THE LIBRARY ABOUT BAGS THAT THEY BRING IN. SO, UM, THE ISSUE IS JUST, UM, SO THERE'S A TWO BAG LIMIT FOR THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. UH, THIS IS THE DOWNTOWN ONE RIGHT HERE. UH, BUT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE, UH, A NEW POLICY FOR ALL OF THE, UM, HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS OF JULY 7TH, 2025, UH, 2025 OF THIS YEAR. UM, AND TODAY IS, AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED JULY 15TH, 2025. UM, BASICALLY, UM, JUST RECENTLY. SO I, I'M, I'M ACTUALLY NOT ALLOWED TO GO INSIDE OF THE LIBRARY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS A HOMELESS PERSON, BECAUSE OF MY BAG, IT'S A, IT WAS A BAND PUT ON THE BAG. IT'S NOT ACTUALLY ON THE HOMELESS PEOPLE. UM, THE, IT'S BASICALLY, UM, THERE'S A TWO BAG LIMIT. I UNDERSTAND. UH, IT'S WITH THE UNDERSKIRTS OF A SAFETY ISSUE BEING THE, UH, BEING THE REASON FOR THIS. AND SO, OKAY. BUT, UH, SO A TWO BAG LIMIT, BUT, UM, SO I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IT'S A SIZE LIMIT AS WELL. MY BAG, UH, IS OVER TWO FEET AND, UM, IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A DOUBLE BAG. SO, UM, IT'S A BULKIER BAG. UM, BASICALLY, UM, SO THE SIZE, SIZE POLICY IS THE THING THAT'S, UM, AN ISSUE FOR ME. UM, BECAUSE MY, AS A DUFFEL BAG, [01:00:01] IT WAS JUST, APPARENTLY IT IS ABOVE TWO FEET AND THE SIZE IS A LITTLE BIT TOO BULKY. THEY HAD A, A MODEL AND EVERYTHING. THEY HAVE A WHOLE PLAN ON, UM, A WHOLE PLAN FOR THESE BAGS NOT BEING LED INSIDE THE LIBRARY. AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE PERMANENT FOR THE LIBRARY. SO BASICALLY I CANNOT GO INSIDE OF THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY AND I'M A HOMELESS PERSON AND I LITERALLY GO THERE EVERY WEEK. BUT, UH, I'M SAYING LIKE, UM, YOUR TIME, I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A PERMANENT THING. SO, UM, IF THIS COULD JUST BE, UM, LIKE, UH, OVERTURNED. SO THAT'S WHY I COME 'CAUSE THIS IS THE, UH, CITY OF HOUSTON, SO MAYBE THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE PUBLIC HOUSTON, HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. MAYBE IT CAN BE OVERTURNED. UM, BUT UH, IT WAS WORTH A SHOT. UH, I DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD, UH, YOU KNOW, HAPPEN, BE SOMETHING THAT IS, UH, SOMETHING THAT IS PERMANENT IF FOR THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, I WOULD LIKE TO USE THE LIBRARY. UM, I USE IT EVERY WEEKEND, SO. ALRIGHT. UM, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT RICHARD ROGERS TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALEX GRANDSTAFF. I'M COMING HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE CIVILITY ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT IS BY FAR ONE OF THE LEAST CIVIL THINGS THIS CITY CAN DO. THIS EXPANSION IS NOTHING MORE THAN A CRUEL ATTACK ON A PORTION OF OUR POPULATION THAT NEVER ONCE CHOSE TO BE IN. THE SITUATION THEY ARE IN IS A CHOICE BY THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND MAYOR WHITMEYER TO DISREGARD AND DEVALUE HUMAN LIVES SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE CITY CAN IGNORE THE FAILINGS OF ITS CITY MEMBERS. AT NO POINT DOES THIS ADDRESS THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, NOR DOES IT HELP COMBAT THE ACTUAL FAILINGS OF SOCIETY THAT LED TO IT. AND THE AT VERY BEST EXASPERATES THE PROBLEM AS PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE NEXT TO NOTHING ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD ONTO WHAT LITTLE POSSESSIONS THEY HAVE. AND BY BEING WRAPPED UP IN OUR HORRENDOUSLY OVERTAXED JAILS AND COURT SYSTEMS WILL LOSE ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY MAY EVEN BE ABLE TO ATTAIN IN WORK OR GET OFF THE STREETS. NOT ONLY IS THIS INHUMANE AND CRUEL, THESE ACTIONS DO NOTHING MORE THAN COST TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND FORCE THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS TO BE EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE AS BY DOING SUCH THINGS. YOU DO NOT GET RID OF HOMELESSNESS. YET YOU SEE A GA A GREATER STRAIN ON BOTH OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, OUR LEGAL SYSTEMS, AND OUR COURTS. NOT TO MENTION FURTHER FILLING OUR ALREADY OVERCROWDED JAILS, AS MUCH OF YOU MAY BELIEVE IN THE VIRTUES OF AUSTERITY TIME. AND AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION AND BY BOTH COST AND ALLEVIATING THE PROBLEM IS LITERALLY GIVING AWAY MONEY. YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY. IT WOULD ACTUALLY COST USE AND TAXPAYERS LESS MONEY IF WE JUST GAVE THE HOMELESS POPULATION MORE MONEY TO FIND HOUSING AND PROPER SUPPORT FOR DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH STUDIES SHOWING UP TO 20% DECREASE IN THE COST AND PUBLIC RESOURCES COMPARED TO POLICIES LIKE THIS IS LITERALLY CHEAPER FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE TO BE GOOD TO THEIR FELLOW MAN THAN IT IS TO PERPETUATE THESE TRULY EVIL ACTS. BUT I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ONLY ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF BARBARITY THAT OUR MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO IMPOSE. I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS THE INSISTENCE ON SLICING OFF OUR NOTES DESPITE OUR FACE TO MAKE THE CITY AS A WHOLE LESS PLEASANT TO EXIST IN. BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE YOU TRYING TO ENFORCE A SLEEPING BAN, WHICH OUTRIGHT CRIMINALIZES THE IDEAL AMERICAN IMAGE OF BEING ABLE TO TAKE A NAP UNDER A TREE IN A PARK YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE SITTING ILLEGAL, WHICH EFFECTIVELY, WHICH EFFECTIVELY, WHICH ACTIVELY AFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR THAT ARE SIMPLY GOING ABOUT THEIR DAY BENCHES THAT YOU CAN NO LONGER SIT WITH YOUR SWEETHEART NEXT TO SEATS THAT ARE PAINFUL AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THE ELDERLY TO SIT DOWN IN YOUR NEXT MOVE WILL BE WALKING INTO T THE ILLEGAL, EFFECTIVELY MAKING IT NOT HAVING A CAR FROM THE LAB. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED SO THAT AS OUR CITY CAN BE UGLIER AND LESS PLEASANT TO EXISTENT, AND SO THAT WE CAN CHANGE OUT THE EYESORE OF HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS ONLY A STARK REMINDER OF OUR FAILINGS OF A SOCIETY FOR THE EYESORE OF HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE. THANK YOU. KIDS REPLACE WITH BARREN SPIKES. FAMILY STRUGGLING TO GET BY WITH IS DESOLATE AREAS OF THE CITY THAT NO MAN MAY TRESPASS UPON. THANK YOU TO PUNISH OUR DECISION AND NEVER MADE BY THE WHO THRUST UPON THEM BY CIRCUMSTANCES, SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, AS YOUR SOLUTIONS. I MIGHT MIND YOU NEVER ADDRESSES THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. THANK YOU NICK, ALEX GRANDSTAFF TO BE FOLLOWED BY CHARLES INGRAM, [01:05:05] ALL FOR OPENING THE FLOOR TO THE COMMUNITY DURING YOUR MEETING TODAY. AND I WISH TO RAISE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE DOWNTOWN CIVILITY ORDINANCE TO BE A 24 7 BAN UPON SITTING, LAYING OR HAVING THEIR PER, HAVING SOMEONE HAVING THEIR PERSONAL ITEMS ON THE SIDEWALKS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CHANGE IN THE ORDINANCE IS A PART OF EFFORTS TO END HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND I MUST QUESTION THE METHODS OF OUR DECISION MAKERS. I BELIEVE THE CART HAS BEEN PLACED BEFORE THE HORSE HERE AND THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY ARE BEING HURT BY POOR PLANNING AS A SOCIAL WORKER, DISABILITY AND L-G-B-T-Q RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND ANTI-VIOLENCE ADVOCATE, I FEAR THIS POLICY WILL PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST MARGINALIZED WITHOUT INVITING THEM INTO THE CONVERSATION ON HOW THEY CAN BEST BE SERVED. I FEAR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ARE BEING STRIPPED OF THEIR HUMANITY AND BEING TREATED AS AN EYESORE INSTEAD OF AS PEOPLE IN NEED. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, LGBTQ PLUS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ALL AT HIGHER RISKS OF BECOMING UNHOUSED AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES. AND IF YOU HOLD MULTIPLE OF THOSE IDENTITIES THAT RISK INCREASES. HOW IS THE CITY DEFINING ENDING HOMELESSNESS? ARE WE ENDING HOMELESSNESS BY IMPROVING OUR MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY NETS? WILL OUR HOSPITALS INPATIENT PROGRAMS BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH SOCIAL SERVICES TO PLACE PATIENTS IN STABLE HOUSING BEFORE RELEASING THEM? WILL WE DEDICATE RESOURCES TO HELP PAY FOR PEOPLE'S MEDICATIONS SO PEOPLE DO NOT END UP DISCHARGED ONTO THE STREET AND WITH NOWHERE TO GO BUT BACK DOWN INTO A MENTAL HEALTH SPIRAL? ARE WE ENDING HOMELESSNESS BY PILOTING UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PROGRAMS, INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IMPLEMENTING RENT CONTROL, OR DOING ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THE YAWNING GAP BETWEEN AVERAGE WAGES AND COSTS OF LIVING IN THE CITY? ARE WE ENDING HOMELESSNESS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO CAREER SERVICES? ARE WE FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS REPLACE THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND OTHER IMPORTANT PAPERWORK THAT OFTEN GETS LOST ON THE STREETS? ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT THE JOBS CAREER SERVICES OFFER PAY PEOPLE LIVING WAGES ARE ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE'S HEALTHCARE NEEDS? OR IS A CITY SIMPLY ENDING HOPELESSNESS BY HIDING AWAY PEOPLE'S PAIN BECAUSE IT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE? IS A CITY OF HOUSTON PAINTING OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AS A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY? WE LIVE IN UNSTABLE TIMES. MANY OF US ARE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK OR A SINGLE BAD EMERGENCY AWAY FROM AN EVICTION NOTICE TODAY WE HAVE SHELTER. TOMORROW WE COULD ONLY HAVE A BACKPACK OF OUR BELONGINGS. WHAT IS THE CITY DOING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BECOMING UNHOUSED BEFORE THEY ARE SHELTERING UNDER AN OVERPASS? I CALL ON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT ONLY TO REPEAL THIS NEWLY EXPANDED CIVILITY ORDINANCE, BUT TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING AND DEVELOP, WRAP, DEVELOPING WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT UNHOUSED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN REGAINING STABILITY AND SECURITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. THANK YOU. NEXT, CHARLES INGRAM. CHARLES, LONG TIME FRIEND TO BE FOLLOWED BY RICHARD ADAMS. HELLO AND GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR WHITMAR. AGAIN, I AM CHARLES INGRAM. I RESIDE IN THE ACRES HOME COMMUNITY AND I'M HERE TO ASK YOU ALL TO CONSIDER, UH, GIVING OR PUTTING UP SOMETHING IN THE MONTHLY SERVICE CENTER FOR OUR HUNDRED YEAR CELEBRATION. A HUNDRED YEAR CELEBRATION WAS AUGUST THE NINTH, 2010. OF COURSE WE HAD A PARADE AND ALL THAT WAS ESTABLISHED. AND THE GENTLEMAN THAT OWNED THE ASTROS, HE ALSO DID IT IN WITH OVER $27,000. BUT HAVING SAID THAT, IT DID NOT CULMINATE BECAUSE OF, OH, I'M NOT, I SHOULDN'T GO THERE. IT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE. BUT, UH, HAVING SAID THAT, UH, THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF, UH, BARACK OBAMA, RICK PERRY, AND ALL THOSE GENTLEMEN, THEY SENT IN A PROCLAMATION CONGRATULATING US ON OUR A HUNDRED YEAR CELEBRATION. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO DO IT BECAUSE, UH, UM, ALL Y'ALL ARE NEW. AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PUTTING UP SOME KIND OF A SITUATION IN THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER THAT WOULD EXEMPLIFY PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY SO THE PEOPLE CAN SEE IT, THAT WE HAVE INDEED DID THIS. AND THE COMMUNITY ITSELF, MY ORGANIZATION HAVE GIVEN OVER 49 SCHOLARSHIPS AWAY, WHICH IS LIKE A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER SCHOLARSHIP BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ALDEN KLEIN AND, UH, HISD. AND WE HAVE BEEN DORMANT SINCE 2020 BECAUSE I HAD COVID AND DIDN'T GET OVER IT FOR 2021. AND WE'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT DORMANT, BUT I'M REALLY HERE AND I WISH YOU WOULD CONSIDER GIVING US OR PUTTING SOMETHING UP AS A PART OF PRIDE. UH, WE DID CELEBRATE 200, PARDON ME, A HUNDRED YEARS. AND, UH, [01:10:01] WE HAVE THE, THE 11 SCHOOLS THAT, UH, ARE NAMED, UH, AFTER IN THE ALDEN DISTRICT. IT'S 11 SCHOOLS, UH, UH, SO FORTH. AND ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO BE DISPLAYED, UH, AS A POINT OF PRIDE IN THAT COMMUNITY. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT. AND, UH, BEING 80 SOMETHING PLUS YEARS OLD, I AIN'T GONNA BE HERE THAT LONG, SO I WANNA PUT SOMETHING HERE THAT WE HAVE DONE. BUT I FEEL NOW IT'S, IT'S A RE AND CAN BE CONSIDERED. AND I HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER THAT WE ARE A CITY. WE CALL IT ACRES HOME, TEXAS. AND WE WERE ASKING, AND WE ARE ASKING Y'ALL TO GIVE US SOME CONSIDERATION AND PUTTING SOMETHING UP THERE. STOP. AT LEAST THE PRESIDENT SENT SOMETHING, THE GOVERNOR SENT SOMETHING, AND MAYOR AND THE, UH, COMMISSIONER, I FORGET HIS NAME, WHEN HE WAS COMMISSIONER, THEY GAVE, AND, AND MR. WHITMEYER, SENATOR WHITMEYER, YOUR INVITATION WAS GIVEN TO YOU IN 2010 AND I THINK THAT YOU ATTENDED. SO THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU CHARLES. WE'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU. ALRIGHT. EXCELLENT IDEA. MR. JACKSON? SIR? YEP. CHARLES, MS. INGRAM, UH, TAR COUNCILOR DARCY JACKSON. THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU MR. INGRAM FOR ALWAYS, UM, UPDATING US AND KEEP US KEEPING US INFORMED ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY OF ACRE HOMES. UM, AS YOU KNOW, I WAS BORN RIGHT ON KNOX STREET, SIX TILL SIX KNOX STREET. AND SO, UM, I LOVE TO HEAR YOUR STORIES AND MY DAD'S STORIES AND, AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO KEEP THAT, THAT, THAT HISTORY ALIVE. I'M WITH IT A HUNDRED PERCENT. AND SO WE'D LOVE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU, THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD, MS. EDNA GRIGGS, YOU KNOW, IT'S A HUNDRED YEARS OF BAKER HOMES. LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO, UM, MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE, WE RECOGNIZE AND ELEVATE. SEE, THOSE STREETS WERE NAMED AFTER THE SOMEONE THAT WAS LIVING LIKE THE DI STREET, KNOX STREET, THOSE WERE YEAH. INDIVIDUALS THAT RESIDE IN THE ACRES HOME. YEAH. I WAS JUST AT THE, UM, PURIFIED PLANT AND I WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR WELL WATER, YOU KNOW, JUST TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE WELL WATER TASTES LIKE. YES. TASTES LIKE BACK IN THE DAY. SO I'M WITH YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT. UM, LET'S SIT DOWN AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO JUST RECOGNIZE AND ELEVATE OUR COMMUNITY, PLEASE. THANK YOU, MR. INGRAM. PLEASE. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR REV. GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO BE SEEN IN VERTICAL. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. UH, IS THERE SOMETHING PARTICULARLY THAT YOU ARE ASKING IN THAT CELEBRATORY PERIOD? IS THAT SOMETHING PARTICULAR THAT YOU, THE GROUP THAT YOU ARE WITH DOING? WHAT IS THAT? THE ASK. WE, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, MY ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT DORMANT BECAUSE WE LOST THREE PRESIDENTS FOR THIS COVID. BUT HAVING SAID THAT, WE GOTTA HAVE SOMETHING TO LASH ON AND MOVE WITH. AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR OUR YOUTH, AND BY PUTTING THIS ON DISPLAY MM-HMM . THEY CAN SEE THAT WE INDEED WERE ABOUT SOMETHING. WE INDEED GAVE AWAY 49 SCHOLARSHIPS. OKAY. WE INDEED LIVE IN A THREE, UH, HI, I MEAN, UH, THREE DISTRICT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. MM-HMM . AND THIS IS ALL, IS JUST TRYING TO PROMOTE PRIDE. I, I DON'T CARE ABOUT MONEY. IT'S WHAT'S THE HEART AND THE MIND IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO ESTABLISH THEN, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT GONNA BE HERE THAT LONG. GOT IT. AND I JUST WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE WERE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF HELPING THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WE'RE NOT ABOUT ALL THIS OTHER STUFF. GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU. FRAMING. YOU ARE SO WELCOME. ANYTHING ELSE? YES, MA'AM. COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABA. COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. MR. INGRAM, IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU. HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A LONG TIME. IT'S BEEN MAYOR. WE SERVED ON THE NAACP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE YES. FOR SEVERAL YEARS. YES. AND HE'S SUCH A GREAT PHILANTHROPIST. HE HAS SUPPORTED PRAIRIE VIEW A AND M UNIVERSITY. YES. I MEAN, ABOVE AND BEYOND. AND SO CERTAINLY I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TODAY AND WILL CERTAINLY SUPPORT, UM, THE HUNDRED YEARS ANNIVERSARY. I, WHEN YOU SAID PRAIRIE VIEW, I PRESENTED AN ENDOWMENT IN MY NAME. YOU DID IT. UH, YES. IT'S AN ENDOWMENT. SO, AND THAT'S WHAT I WANNA LET THE KIDS KNOW. YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL FREE DEAR HEART, JUST PASS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXAM AND THE COLLEGE EXAM. SO WE HAVE AN ENDOWMENT. WE HAVE AN ENDOWMENT, YOU KNOW, AND, AND I LIKE FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT. SO, UH, IT LOOK LIKE I'M PROMOTING MYSELF, BUT IT'S NOT. NO, I'M TRYING. NO WOMEN. NO. YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH FEEDS. YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I DID, BABE. I SO AND I SO APPRECIATED, YOU KNOW, MY, MY PRAIRIE VIEW ROOTS AND SO CERTAINLY STUDENTS IN GENERAL, BUT, UH, I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU AND, AND GIVE YOU YOUR ACCOLADES. WELL, THANK YOU FOR WHAT I KNOW PERSONALLY THAT YOU HAVE DONE. YES. WELL, YOU HAVE DONE WELL AND I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU REVEREND DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR, GIVE HIM YOUR TIME. RICHARD ADAMS [01:15:03] TO BE FOLLOWED BY CLEMENT MATHIS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL. MY NAME IS RICHARD ADAMS. I'M A 58-YEAR-OLD DISABLED VETERAN AND A SENIOR ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH BRONX IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE I LIVED IN SUBPAR HOUSING GROWING UP. AND I REFUSE TO GO BACK TO THAT RIGHT NOW. I LIVE IN SCOTT STREET, LOSS IN THIRD WARD. AND THERE ARE LD, ELDERLY PEOPLE BEING ABUSED AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. SCOTT STREET LAWS ARE RECEIVING FEDERAL SUBSIDIES, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET RICH ON THE BACK OF THESE SENIORS. I'VE ALREADY REACHED OUT TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHO IS ACTIVELY WORKING ON COMPLIANCE ISSUES. I'VE ONLY BEEN, BEEN HERE THREE, THREE MONTHS TO THREE MINUTES TO MAKE MY POINT. SO I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A PERSONAL EXAMPLE OF ABUSE. BACK IN MARCH OF 2024, I WAS BLEEDING FROM MY MOUTH ALL NIGHT BECAUSE OF DENTAL WORK. SO I WAS FEARFUL BECAUSE I HAD, I WAS TAKING BLOOD THINNERS. SO I CALLED 9 1 1 AFTER THE AMBULANCE ARRIVED AT THE PROPERTY. THEY CALLED ME TWICE ON MY PHONE TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO THE BUILDING. IT TOOK THEM 20 MINUTES TO REACH ME BECAUSE THE LEVER GIVEN TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS WAS INOPERABLE. SOMEONE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE IN ORDER TO BE A, FOR IT TO BE A CONCERN. THE LAST THING I WANNA SAY IS TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE LATE MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER, VISITED MY APARTMENT COMPLEX TO LOOK AT, LOOK AT IT, AND WHAT CITY THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAD INVESTED IN. AND I THINK HE WAS PROUD. I WAS A NEW TENANT THEN, AND I WAS PROUD. I'M NOT PROUD ANYMORE. I RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM THE HUD VASH PROGRAM AND I'M APPRECIATIVE. BUT PLEASE DON'T LET SCOTT SCOTT STREET AND OTHER PROPERTIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PEOPLE AND THE SYSTEM. STATE AND FEDERAL SUBSIDIES ARE THE SYSTEM. PLEASE BE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE. BY THE WAY, THE THE LOGO ON MY SHIRT IS A COMPANY THAT I STARTED TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS BECAUSE THE VA HOSPITAL ALMOST KILLED ME THREE YEARS AGO. I GUESS NOW I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR SENIORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU. NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON, HAVE THE PROCEDURAL MOTION. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, I MOVE TO SUSPENDER RULES TO ADD ALICIA PIPER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA. IS THAT NON AGENDA? YEAH. NO. OKAY. SO THREE MINUTE, BUT IT'S ON THE AGENDA. DO SECOND. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. AS OPPOSED NA MOTION PASSES LAMENT MATHIS TO BE FOLLOWED BY SARAZA PAGE. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. MAY I ADDRESS MY, UM, NAME THE RIGHT? CORRECT. I'M SARAH BELL EDWARDS AND I'M ALSO SARAH CHANTEL BELL. I'M THE SAME LADY. UH, MY ISSUE IS ONCE AGAIN TO ADD TO YOUR INVESTIGATION THAT YOU'RE DOING ON ME. I BROUGHT SOME INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN USE 'CAUSE SERGEANT CLARK HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR ME OR CONTACTED ME AT ALL. SO IF YOU, UH, I, AND THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE IS, IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, MY IDENTIFY WITH VITAL STATISTICS, MEDICAL, HOUSING, CARS, CAR LOTS, UM, A HATE CRIME. UM, THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE INVESTIGATED. I CAN'T FIND NOBODY TO, UH, INVESTIGATE. THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY A, WHEN YOU, I WAS LAST HERE, YOU TOLD OR GAVE A DIRECT ORDER FOR SOME, UH, ADVERSARIES TO DO A JOB THAT THEY DID NOT DO. SO I'M HERE ONCE AGAIN TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION TEAM. UM, HOPEFULLY, THANK GOD THEY DIDN'T STILL BREAK IN AND STILL THIS, UH, INFORMATION TO SHOW TO [01:20:01] TURN FOR CORRUPTION IS IN THE PRECINCT AND THE CITY HALL. SO THIS FILE FOR YOU IS FOR MR. MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER? IF I, IF I MAY, YES. OKAY. UH, AND I'M STILL AT THE SAME ADDRESS. UH, AND I'M STILL, UH, I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO DO THE SMALL BUSINESS WITH THE DISABILITY, UH, PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND MY NAME IS BEING USED SO UNGODLY AND, UH, IN ALL INSTANCES SPELLED DIFFERENT WAYS TO REARRANGE CHANGE AND ALL THIS TO GO MY SYSTEM ABUSE CASE. SO, UH, THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT WITH ME. IN ORDER TO DO A SMALL BUSINESS, YOU GOT TO HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER WITH YOUR IDENTIFY. SO THAT'S WHY I'M, UH, SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION TEAM. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. OKAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN HAVE NO MA'AM FOR REBECCA TO CALL ME, UH, OR, OR ANYTHING. NOT, NOT AT THE PRESENT TIME. OKAY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. UH, CAN PASS IT TO THE MAYOR. GIVE THIS LADY RIGHT BY THE DOOR. OKAY. OR LOUIE, TAKE THEM. LOUIE, HELP THE LADY. UH, THIS IS PERSONALLY FOR YOU SO IT WON'T BE PASSED AROUND TO ANOTHER STATE. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT. HI. I AM SISTER QUEEN RIVA. PAIGE IS MY NAME. UH, I'M HOMELESS AND I'M COMING HERE BECAUSE THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY IS RUN BY THE CITY, BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON. RIGHT. THE CITY WORKERS ARE MAKING SO MANY MISTAKES. HOW YOU CAN'T FIND MY SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER. MR. NICHOLAS REACHED OUT TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE TRIED TO FIND, THEY COULDN'T FIND ME IN THE SYSTEM FOR MY SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER. I HAD PERMANENT HOUSING. I LOST MY PERMANENT HOUSING BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS ABANDONED. WHEN I WENT TO TRAVEL WITH MY DADDY, THAT'S A VETERAN. TWO, MY HOUSING JUST CAME UP. I'VE BEEN HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT HOUSING. I WORK AT THE BEACON. I VOLUNTEER AT THE BEACON. SO SEVERAL HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR NAMES CALLED, BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND THEM. MY NAME CAME UP LAST MONTH AND I WENT TO GO GET A VOUCHER BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME FOR A ID. THEY SAID, WE CLOSED YOUR CASE. HOW YOU CLOSE MY CASE. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ME. HOW YOU CANNOT FIND ME WHEN I WORK AND VOLUNTEER AT THE BEACON. THEY JUST HAULED FIVE MEN THAT CAME FROM ANOTHER STATE. I AIN'T NEVER SEEN YOU HOMELESS PEOPLE. WE CONNECT AND WE KNOW EACH OTHER. HOW THESE FIVE MEN GOT HOUSING, YOU GOT PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT COMES TO THE BEACON AND EAT AND DRINK AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HOUSED. I'VE BEEN ON THE LIST FOR ONE, ONE YEAR, EIGHT MONTHS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN HOUSED. THEY TOLD ME TO SIGN MY NAME BACK UP ON HOUSING. SO I CALLED SEARCH, THEY SAY I SPEAK TO THE SUPERVISOR. SHE REACHED OUT TO ME. SHE SAID, I DON'T KNOW THE CASE WORKER THAT I HAD IF SHE'S NO LONGER WORKING THERE. SO TELL ME HOW THEY REACHED OUT TO ME. THEY DIDN'T CALL ME. THEY DIDN'T CALL ME ON MY CELL PHONE. THEY DID NOT EMAIL ME. THEY DID NOT FAX ME. THEY DIDN'T CALL THE BACKUP NUMBER. MR. NICHOLAS CALLED ME, HE EMAILED ME. SO HOW I CAN GET HIS MESSAGES BUT CAN'T GET MY NAME. WHEN MY NAME CAME UP TO BE HOUSED WITH A VOUCHER, YOU CAN'T FIND ME. I'M OUT THERE AT THE BEACON EVERY DAY. UH, UH, UH, WORKING IN THE KITCHEN OR WASHING DISHES WITH OTHER HOMELESS PEOPLE. THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT THEY GAVE A VOUCHER. THEY GOT AN APARTMENT YESTERDAY. I AIN'T NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. SO ARE THESE PEOPLE WORKING FOR THESE NON PROPERTY Y'ALL GIVING THIS MONEY TO, WHO ARE THEY GIVING THESE VOUCHERS TO? THEY FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY FRIENDS. 'CAUSE THEY NOT HOMELESS PEOPLE. IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT'S BEEN OUT HERE IN THE FRONT AT THE LIBRARY THAT COMES TO THE BEACON THAT NEED TO BE HOUSED. THEY'RE DOWN THERE BY SEARCH AND THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP THE PEOPLE DOWN THERE BY MANY. AND MA ALL THEM PEOPLE WENT TO A REFUGEE SHELTER THAT'S OVER FULL MS. PAGE. LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING. ARE YOU HOMELESS? YES I AM. WHERE'D YOU STAY LAST NIGHT? IN MY VEHICLE. IN YOUR VEHICLE? YES SIR. I DRIVE A TRAILBLAZER THAT THE BACK WINDOW THEN BROKE OUT BECAUSE OF THE STORM. THE POLICE STARTED GIVING ME A TICKET WHEN THEY NEEDED ME ON 45 AND 59 GIVING PEOPLE TICKETS. THAT'S SPEEDING. WHERE'D YOU PARK YOUR TRAILBLAZER? UH, MY, IT'S UH, GREENS POINT NOW IN THE, AND I CAUGHT THE 1 0 2 DOWN HERE. GREENSPOINT? YES SIR. GREENSPOINT PARKING LOT MALL. YOU DROVE IT DOWN HERE TODAY? NO, SIR. I CAUGHT THE 1 0 2, THE EXPRESS BUS TO GET HERE. DO YOU HAVE FAMILY? NO, SIR. NOT HERE. I GOT FAMILY IN VIRGINIA. I GOT FAMILY, UH, IN SEATTLE. THEY IN THE MILITARY. I WENT TO SEATTLE TO RELOCATE WITH MY SECTION EIGHT. I GET UP THERE PUBLIC SECTION EIGHT FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS. DIDN'T SEND MY PEOPLE, DIDN'T SEND THE PEOPLE UP THERE, MY VOUCHER. SO I LOST MY HOUSE. I ENDED UP COMING BACK TO HOUSTON, TEXAS UNTIL I GOT EXPEDITED HERE FOR, FOR A CASE. SO YOU HAVE NO FAMILY HERE IN HOUSTON? NO, SIR. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A HOUSE OR APARTMENT? UH, UM, MY HOUSING WAS, UH, TWO YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS HERE IN TEXAS. OKAY. SO FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN STAYING IN MY VEHICLE? SOMETIME I GO STAY AT A HOTEL WHEN THE RAIN 'CAUSE THE RAIN WHEN IT WAS RAINING. WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN IT'S 20 AND FREEZING? IT DON'T GET THAT COLD HERE IN TEXAS. ? [01:25:01] YEAH, I THINK SO. WELL, I WAS BORN IN GERMANY, BUT THE SNOW IS UP HERE, SO I'M FROM GERMANY. I CAN DEAL WITH THE COVID. IT DON'T GET COLD IN TEXAS. OKAY. SO YOU'RE WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING AT THE BEACON? I VOLUNTEER AT THE BEACON . OKAY. IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR CHOICE TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO? UH, BE IN AN APARTMENT. OKAY. MY NOTES GO THERE. I EVEN, EVEN, I EVEN WHEN I WENT TO CUNY HOME, THEY GOT ALL THEM EMPTY APARTMENTS OVER THERE. I WENT OVER THERE. WHY? I CAN'T BE OVER THERE. I PAY SOME, I CAN'T PAY THE FULL RENT, BUT I PAY SOMETHING. HOW DO YOU PAY AND YOU TALKING REMODEL IN 2028. THAT'S THREE YEARS FROM NOW. OKAY. AND I WAS ON A HOUSING LIST FOR 30 YEARS. THEY GAVE ME A FOUR BEDROOM VOUCHER FOR THE CUNY HOME. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GIMME A FOUR BEDROOM. MY OLDEST CHILD IS 33. MY YOUNGEST IS 27. LET ME ASK SOMETHING. DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN? YES, I HAVE SIX WHERE I JUST SAID VIRGINIA, SEATTLE. UH, ONE IN GERMANY AND ONE IN UM, COULD YOU RECONNECT WITH 'EM IF WE HELPED YOU? CAN I WHAT? GET BACK WITH THEM WITH MY CHILDREN. YEAH. THEY GROWN. YOU WANT ME TO GO LIVE WITH MY CHILDREN? WELL, I CAN'T LIVE ON MY OWN CITY. THE CITY HAS MESSED ME UP. NOT ME. I CAN PAY WHAT BROUGHT, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO HOUSTON? THEY EXPEDITED ME FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. COME BACK HERE ON A CASE THAT HAPPENED OVER THERE WHEN THE, DURING COVID, UH, UM, NOBODY WAS PICKING UP DEAD BY. MY DADDY PASSED AWAY. THEY BROUGHT ME BACK HERE SAYING THAT HE WAS, UH, HIS BODY WAS IN THE HOUSE FOR THREE, THREE WEEKS. THAT WAS THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE CITY EVEN CAME AND PICKED HIM UP. OKAY. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN HELP. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN MY NOTES HAS TRIED AND TRIED TO REACH YOU. OKAY. OKAY. I UNDERSTAND. THAT'S MY THING. I I REACHED OUT TO THEM HOW THEY TRY TO REACH ME BY PHONE. OKAY, WE'RE GONNA TRY ONE MORE TIME BY EMAIL. WILL YOU BE AT THE BEACON TOMORROW? TOMORROW IS WEDNESDAY. I CAN BE DOWN THERE, BUT THEY, THEY OPENED FOR A HOUSE. YOU WANT ME TO JUST GO DOWN THERE? I CAN BE DOWN THERE TOMORROW. YES, SIR. NO, I WAS GONNA MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD A CONTACT WITH YOU. OKAY. YOU WANT ME TO BE DOWN THERE? I CAN BE DOWN THERE. WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA GET REBECCA WILLIAMS TO NETWORK WITH A HOUSING AUTHORITY TO GO TO THE BEACON AND INTERVIEW TOMORROW AND SEE IF WE CAN GET YOU OFF THE STREETS. OKAY? THAT'S FINE. I'LL BE THERE. WHAT TIME YOU WANT ME TO BE THERE? I DON'T KNOW. YOU TELL ME. THEY OPEN UP AT SEVEN SEVEN IN THE MORNING? YES, SIR. AND THEY CLOSE AT 12. AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING. THEY GOT SURGE BIG HERE. THEY WORK FROM NINE TO 12, BUT THEY GET PAID FOR EIGHT HOURS. MM-HMM . SO THEY GET FREE MONEY AND NOT HELPING PEOPLE. WHAT ARE THEY DOING FOR THE REST OF THE HOURS? DO THEY PAY YOU FOR YOUR WORK? NO, I VOLUNTEER. DON'T GET A DIME, BUT I SIGNED UP FOR SIR. WELL, LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, IF I COULD, HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE TO YOUR NAME RIGHT NOW? YOU WANT ME TO TELL EVERYBODY MY BUSINESS? WHY? WHAT? I HAVE SOME MONEY THAT I, I SAVED UP. YOU GOT, YOU'VE GOT, YOU'VE GOT SOME. YES, I HAVE SOME MONEY SAVED UP, BUT I AIN'T FINN TELL EVERYBODY HOW MUCH MONEY I GOT. I UNDERSTAND. I UNDERSTAND. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU HAD ANY SPENDING MONEY RIGHT NOW. YES SIR. I DO. I GOTTA EAT. I GOTTA PUT GAS IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I DECIDE TO MOVE AROUND. I I CAN, I CAN MANAGE. ARE YOU ON SSI? YES, I'M ON S-S-D-I-I DONE REACHED THE AGE. THEY TELL ME I GOTTA WAIT 65 TO GET THE OTHER MONEY. OKAY. AND THE HOUSE AUTHORITIES GONNA ASK YOU HOW MUCH THAT IS. HOW MUCH DO YOU GET A MONTH? 7 28. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL WE NEED TO GET YOU OFF THE STREETS. SO MS. WILLIAMS, WOULD YOU NETWORK WITH REBECCA AND Y'ALL CONTACT MIKE NICHOLS, MAYBE EVEN TALK TO SATTER WHITE AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET YOU A RESIDENCE. OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. NEXT ALICIA PIPER TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALFREDO FRANKLIN. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ALICIA PIPER AND I LIVE IN THE ACRES HOME IN DISTRICT B. I'M A COMMUNITY LEADER OF TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT MY LONG-TERM, LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND OUR COMMUNITY AND CITY. MY HOME WAS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE BARREL LAST YEAR, AND LIKE SO MANY OTHER HOUSTONIANS, I'M STILL UNABLE TO LIVE IN IT. I'M CURRENTLY DISPLACED. I'M LITERALLY SLEEPING ON A SOFA IN MY SALON, MY HOME. I ALSO BROUGHT PICTURES OF IF I CAN LEAVE THEM WITH YOU GUYS. UM, MY ROOF HAS BEEN DAMAGED. EVERY TIME IT RAINS OUT OUTSIDE, IT RAINS IN MY HOUSE AND WE JUST KEEP INCURRING MORE AND MORE AND MORE DAMAGE. AND I KNOW I'M ONE OF MANY. I'M ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED AS MANY DOLLARS DIRECTED TOWARDS SUPPORTING [01:30:01] YES TO SUPPORT HOUSING NEEDS AS WE CAN GET. I'M GLAD THERE'S NOT $50 MILLION IN THE LATEST VERSION OF THE DISASTER RECOVERY ACTION PLAN, BUT IT'S SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. THE STATE IS NOT GONNA GIVE US ANY ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. THE FEDS AIN'T GONNA GIVE US ANY ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. SO WE NEED TO MAXIMIZE THE DOLLARS THAT ARE MEANT FOR HOUSING REPAIRS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. MY COMMUNITY CONSISTENTLY FEELS PASSED OVER, LOOKED OVER, REJECTED, TREATED LIKE WE, THE MISFITS. I FEEL LIKE MONEY IS FUNNELING INTO EVERY OTHER AREA EXCEPT FOR HOUSE FIXING HOUSES, HOUSING, REPAIR, UM, EVEN DISPLACE LIKE PLACING US SOMEWHERE WHILE WE CAN FIX OUR HOMES. NOTHING LIKE, THERE'S NOTHING AVAILABLE. THERE'S NO RE RESOURCES ANYWHERE. SO I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT, WHAT'S GONNA BE DONE FOR US. HOW THE HELP THAT WE NEED. HOW CAN WE GET IT? LIKE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S MONEY THAT'S THERE TO ALLOCATED TO FIX THE HOUSES. HOW SOON IS IT GONNA BE AVAILABLE? SOME 'CAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT'S ALREADY OUT THERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT ALFREDO FRANKLIN TO BE FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY BIAS. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ALFREDA FRANKLIN WITH THE HOUSTON MOTORCYCLE SET. UM, I'VE BEEN WAITING TO TALK TO YOU MAYOR WITH MEYER. I'VE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ASK FOR HELP ON OUR ROADWAYS. TOO MANY LIVES HAS BEEN LOST DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE. THE LACK OF AWARENESS AND INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO RIDE THEIR MOTORCYCLES. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACTION TO ENSURE THAT BIKERS ARE SEEN, RESPECTED, AND KEPT SAFE ON OUR ROADWAYS. NUMBER ONE, SAFETY SLOGANS ON BILLBOARDS WOULD HELP BEING CAUTIOUS, NOT RECKLESS ON BILLBOARDS. SAFETY IS NOT A TREND, IT'S A LIFESTYLE. LOOK, TWICE, SAVE A LIFE. THE RIGHT THE RIGHT OF WAY IS GIVEN NOT TAKEN. HOV LANES FOR MOTORCYCLES WOULD HELP BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12:00 PM TO 3:00 PM AND 8:00 PM TO 3:00 AM FLASHING WARNING SIGNS ON OUR FREEWAYS TO TELL MOTORCYCLISTS TO SLOW DOWN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR ALFRED, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, FOR BEING HERE AND COMING. DO YOU MIND SENDING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MY OFFICE? YES. EMAILING THEM? YES. OKAY. THAT'D BE GREAT. AND I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE. I REALLY WANNA TALK TO, UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER AND WHOEVER TOOK, TOOK, UH, SHEILA JACKSON'S LEAVE PLACE BECAUSE THEY REALLY HELPED US. AND THERE THAT SEAT HASN'T BEEN FILLED. WE WOULD LIKE TO HELP THEM. YEAH, THAT SEAT HASN'T BEEN FILLED YET, BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET PEOPLE OUT. YEAH. 'CAUSE WE, WE WON'T HELP FROM YOU. 'CAUSE WE, WE HELP Y'ALL. WE COME OUT, Y'ALL CALL US OUT TO THE CITY. WE COME OUT, WE DO ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT Y'ALL ASK US TO. AND NOW WE'RE NEEDING YOUR HELP, MAYOR. I MEAN, BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY GOING OFF OF 45, 45 IS ONE OF THE BADDEST HIGHWAYS THAT MIKE IS. I MEAN, BIKES ARE RIDING ON AND THEN WE, I MEAN LIKE THEY GOING OFF THE RAMPS. LIKE TWO OF 'EM WENT OFF YESTERDAY. HOW THEY GOING OFF OF TOP OF THESE RAMPS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW? YEAH. THEY PASSED YESTERDAY. TWO OF THEM. AND THEN AN OFFICER JUST GOT HIT AND, AND YOU KNOW, HE GOT HIT AND KILLED. YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT HERE JUST FOR US BIKERS THAT JUST FOR THE ONES IN THE PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR OFFICERS AS WELL. AND WE'RE ASKING THEM, JUST GIVE US OUR DAY. WE WANT YOUR OFFICERS ON MOTORCYCLES TO RIDE THE FREEWAY OF 45 WITH US. ESCORT US THROUGH THERE. I MEAN, JUST TO GET SOME TYPE OF AWARENESS. THAT'S ALL WE WANT. WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE A GOOD DAY. NEXT. ASHLEY BIAS. LINDA MURRAY. CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. IS IT LINDA? OH, OKAY. OKAY. I'M NOT GONNA ASK YOU ALL FOR THE 85TH TIME HOW YOU'RE DOING. IF YOU'RE NOT DOING WELL, YOU CAN'T SEE A DOCTOR 'CAUSE YOU . THEY'RE CLOSED ANYWAY. CENTRAL POINT IS PUNKING OUR CITY COUNCIL. THEY HAVE PUNKED YOU ALL OUT. ARE YOU ALL KIDDING? THEY HAVE ALL THOSE COMMERCIALS. THEY [01:35:01] HAD TRUCKS SITTING IN PARKING LOTS. THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN 15 CENTS TO ONE RESIDENT. THEY HAVE SHUT IT DOWN. WHEN I MOVED HERE, 1980 HL AND P RE REIMBURSED RESIDENTS, THEY'RE STILL CHARGING. THE LADY THAT JUST WALKED AWAY FROM, UH, THIS HAD HER H HOME, UH, DESTROYED BY BERYL AND THE DERECHO STORMS. THEIR CENTER POINT IS STILL CHARGING HER AND SHE'S NOT LIVING IN HER HOME. THEY CHARGED US AND WE HAD NO ELECTRICITY. THEY CAME AND FIXED THE GRID. THEY SHOWED THESE COMMERCIALS 85 AN HOUR ON ALL DIFFERENT STATIONS, $28,000 AND DIDN'T GIVE A CENT. THEY'RE PUNKING. YOU. THEY STILL, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU FOR IT EXPIRING. I'LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT TIME. BRING ME MY COOKIES AND MY TEA CATECH. NOBODY FROM YOUR OFFICE CALLED ME AND IT'S MY FAULT. I APOLOGIZE. BUT I JUST TEXT JASON FROM CENTERPOINT. UM, AND I PUT IN MY OLD EMAIL WHEN I WENT TO THAT THING WHERE THEY GAVE US THOSE STALE SANDWICHES I GAVE, OH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT STALE SANDWICHES. YES THEY DID. ALL BUT I'M ASKING HIM TO REACH OUT TO YOU. ALL THE PEOPLE GAVE US CARDS. HOW MUCH DID THIS COMMERCIAL THING COST? WHAT DID IT COST? YOU ARE SHOWING ADVERTISING. YOU ARE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN. WHAT ARE YOU ADVERTISING FOR? GIVE THE PEOPLE BACK THE MONEY. I'M TEXTING HIM RIGHT NOW AND I APOLOGIZE. UM, AND I'M GOING, JASON WASN'T ONE OF THE ONES THAT CAME OUT THERE. I'M GONNA ASK HIM TO REACH OUT TO YOU SO YOU CAN, YOU CAN GIVE HIM A FIRSTHAND, UH, ACCOUNTING OF YOUR CONCERNS AND MAKE THAT ASK. AND AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD REACH OUT TO YOU. SO I'M TEXTING HIM NOW AND I'M GONNA SHARE YOUR INFORMATION BECAUSE I WANT HIM TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU. I'M HERE ALSO BECAUSE OF MS. THOMAS WHO WAS ON KTSU YES. DEI. AND SHE SAID SHE NEEDED PEOPLE. THANK YOU. SHE NEEDED PEOPLE. TELL MAYOR WHITMEYER WHEN I WAS A TEACHER, HE USED TO GIVE US COOKIES AND I THINK IT WAS ICE TEA. YOU DIDN'T GIVE US COCA-COLA COOKIES AND ICE TEA. YOU CAN BRING A LITTLE REFRESHMENTS. NOT THAT THIS PLACE ISN'T GOOD FOR THE SIX O'CLOCK MEETING. THANK YOU. NEXT CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. I GO, OKAY. HOW MANY MORE WE GOT? WE'RE BACK THROUGH. HUH? I LOVE EVERYONE. GOOD AFTERNOON. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I HAD THREE MINUTES. I'M GONNA RUN THROUGH THIS PRETTY FAST. UH, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, CLT AT TOP. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ABOUT, UH, CCB C-D-B-G-D-R 2024, WHICH LEGISLATE STATES THAT NECESSARY EXPENSIVE ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THE TITLE ONE HOUSING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENTAL ACT. SO THERE SHOULD BE MORE MONEY ALLOCATED TO PROGRAMS THAT HELPS DISPLACED FAMILIES AND PROVE COMMUNITIES AND CITIZENS THAT ARE AT ARE RISK OF BEING HOMELESS WHILE INVESTING IN SERVICES THEY PROVIDE. PROVIDE RESOURCES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE CRITICAL AND UNMET NEEDS SERVICES THAT WILL UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS, UH, PEER SUPPORT AND ON THE JOB TRAINING GROUPS, UH, PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALLOWING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT. AND WE INVEST IN THE PEOPLE THE PEOPLE CAN REINVEST IN THE COMMUNITY. IT'S TIME TO PUT TOGETHER AN INNO SOME INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT PROVIDE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT BEING A SUSTAINABLE LIVING SITUATION BECAUSE OF NATURAL DISASTERS THAT THE PROTECTED CLASSES HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT. THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, A CDA, WHICH CREATED THE CBDG PROGRAM IS CLEAR THAT CBDG FUNDS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REPLACE STATE LOCAL FUNDS. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED REGULAR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES TO BENEFIT AN ENTIRE CITY OR STATE. THANK YOU. HANG ON ONE SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM. AND GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. YOU CAN HAVE THE REST OF MY TIME. OKAY. SO, UH, BASICALLY WITH A LOT OF THESE SYSTEMS, IT IS NOT LIKE A, A DISTRICT THING. SOME OF 'EM ARE LIKE PROGRAM TYPE ISSUES, RIGHT? WITH DEPARTMENTS. AND SO JUST SAY FOR INSTANCE, ONE DEPARTMENT IS SUPPOSED TO OVERSEE, UH, UH, A PROGRAM WHERE SOMEONE WAS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND THEY AIN'T HAVE ANY ASSISTANCE OR ANY HELP TO BE ABLE TO, UH, SAY, HEY, I WAS PUT IN ANOTHER SITUATION AFTER I JUST LEFT A SITUATION. LET'S JUST SAY FOR INSTANCE FROM ME, TWO WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A, UH, EMAIL FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT A COVID SITUATION. BUT I'VE BEEN AFFECTED. I'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY EVERY NATURAL DISASTER. SO UNTIL I GET THAT BACKLOG CLEARED ON MY END, THEN I CAN'T ASSESS MY DAMAGES TO GO FURTHER. SO THE LAST TIME YOU GUYS ASKED WHAT I NEED THAT DAY, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT UNTIL I GET THE PROPER DATA AND INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO ASSESS CERTAIN DAMAGES AND INJURIES THAT HAVEN'T HAPPENED TO MYSELF. BUT I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON PART OF THE COMMUNITY. LIKE I MENTIONED TO YOU GUYS, I'M FROM ACRES HOME. I NOW RESIDE IN SOUTH UNION. UH, WE HAVE SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES, BUT DIFFERENT, BUT LIKE IT'S A DEPARTMENT ISSUE AND NOT A DISTRICT ISSUE. [01:40:04] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT TIFFANY HOGUE TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARIA BRACEDA. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M GONNA GO QUICK BECAUSE I HAVE 60 SECONDS. TIFFANY HOGUE FROM THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT, ALSO FROM DISTRICT C, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. SO ONE, APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE AROUND THE HORSESHOE AND THE OPENNESS OF THE MAYOR AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO AMEND THE INITIAL PLAN. THE ACTION PLAN TO INCLUDE 50 MILLION OF HOUSING NEEDS. TWO, IT'S NOT ENOUGH. THESE ARE THE ONLY DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS AVAILABLE TO PERMANENTLY REPLACE AND REBUILD HOUSING. SO IF WE'RE NOT USING THEM FOR THAT, WE DON'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS FOR THAT CRITICAL NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND LOOKING AT THE LANDSCAPE, I KNOW YOU ALL ARE. EVEN THESE KINDS OF DOLLARS ARE GONNA BE SCARCE IN THE FUTURE. SO BEFORE YOU VOTE TOMORROW, THERE'S TWO OTHER PLACES WE'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER PULLING FUNDS FROM THE POWER GENERATION RE RESILIENCE PROGRAM, EMERGENCY RESPONSE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM, UM, TO MAKE UP FOR MORE HOUSING MONEY. UM, ALSO MAYOR, WE CAN USE OUR RELATIONSHIPS AT THE STATE AND THE SPECIAL SESSION TO MAYBE DRAW DOWN FUNDS TO COVER SOME OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT THE STATE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PAYING FOR, LIKE EMERGENCY VEHICLES THAT I KNOW HAS ALREADY BEEN PART OF THE, UM, HAS ALREADY HAPPENED. AND THEN THE POWER GENERATION FOR POLICE AND FIRE. UM, I APPRECIATED WHAT THE PASTOR SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING. LET US BE ALLERGIC TO MEDIOCRITY AND INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU CHAIRMAN KAMAN. THANK YOU. UM, TIFFANY AGAIN, EARLIER I JUMPED THE GUN AND I APOLOGIZE FOR ALL OF THE, OUR PREVIOUS OR RETURN SPEAKERS. UM, AS I HAD ASKED IF SOME OF OUR PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, IF THERE ARE FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS, CAN YOU PLEASE SEND THAT TO OUR OFFICES SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW THOSE AS WELL? YES, OF COURSE. AND THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR VOICE IN THE WORK. THANKS SIR. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT MARIA BRA, BE FOLLOWED BY SINIA MCQUEEN. GOOD AFTERNOON CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS AMARI GONZALEZ AND I AM HERE, UM, AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TO REPRESENT MARIA ETRA. ONE OF OUR MEMBERS AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. UH, DURING , UM, THE FRONT OF MARIA'S HOME CAUGHT FIRE AFTER A LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE FELL ONTO HER PROPERTY. INSIDE THE HOUSE WAS FLOODED. THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN THE FLOOR MA'AM, MAAM. AND THE WATER DAMAGE, UH, MA'AM FORCED HER TO WOULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT MS. PROTA? NO, I'M THE DAMMAR GONZALEZ SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MARIA. SHE HAD A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT AND COULDN'T BE HERE. MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD SHE SPEAKING ON BEHALF. SUSPEND. YEAH, WE NEED WHAT'S YOUR NAME? DAMMAR GONZALEZ. OH, OKAY. PROCEED. THANK YOU. UM, SO THERE IS A LARGE HOLE ON THE FLOOR INSIDE HER HOUSE AND THE WATER DAMAGE FORCED HER TO THROW ALL AWAY. MOST OF HER FURNITURE. MARIA COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE SHE HAD A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. SHE HAS BEEN VERY SICK AND DOES NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO REPAIR HER HOUSE. PEOPLE LIKE MARIA DESERVE ACCESS TO SAVE STABLE HOUSING. HER NEIGHBOR, MR. NORMAN, ALSO HAS SEVERE DAMAGE ON HER, ON HIS ROOF. HE HAS YET TO RECEIVE HELP FROM FEMA OR ANY OTHER PROGRAMS. THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS SET TO RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING. AND WE ARE ASKING THAT THIS MONEY BE DIRECTED TOWARDS HOUSING. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO TURN A BLIND EYE AND PRETEND THAT THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON ARE THRIVING. WE ARE NOT HOUSTON STRONG WHEN OUR FAMILIES ARE LACKING THE BASIC RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SURVIVE. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, PLEASE. WHEN YOU VOTE, VOTE TO PROTECT YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WHAT WE NEED IS $150 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE UNMET HOUSING NEEDS IN OUR CITY. LET'S INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST. THANK YOU. I ALSO HAVE SOME PICTURES FROM THE DAMAGES TO MARIA'S HOME THAT I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA PASS IF THAT'S OKAY. YEP. TO THAT GENTLEMAN NEXT SINAT MCQUEEN TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH AMARI. GOOD AFTERNOON, MO MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SENATOR MCQUEEN JUNIOR. I RESIDE IN THIRD WARD TEXAS AND DISTRICT B. UH, I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN, UH, AT CITY COUNCIL AND MENTIONED THAT I WAS PART OF A DELEGATION THAT WENT TO DC BACK IN DECEMBER WHERE ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS FROM FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, HAWAII, NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, WHO WERE ALSO IMPACTED BY NATURAL IONS. IN 2024, WE ADVOCATED FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS TO BE MOVED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND MOVED QUICKLY. I MENTIONED THAT I PARTICIPATED IN THAT DELEGATION AND ADVOCATED FEDERAL DOLLARS TO COME TO HOUSTON WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THESE DOLLARS WOULD BE USED ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY'S UNMET NEEDS. [01:45:01] WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND REVISING AN INITIAL PLAN TO INCLUDE 50 MILLION IN HOUSING RELIEF, THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. WE ARE THEREFORE REQUESTING 150 MILLION, 15 MILLION OF THE 300 PLUS MILLION ALLOCATED FOR THE DISASTER RELIEF. WE DISAGREE WITH THE SPENDING LAID OUT IN THE CITY'S ACTION PLAN BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FUNDS TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THOSE WHO WERE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY LOSING THEIR HOMES. THANK YOU. YOUR FOOD AND FAMILY. I WANT IN, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU. AND I WANNA SAY THE MESSAGE IS FROM THE PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE'S GOSSIP. SO I WANNA SAY AMEN TO ALL OUR MESSAGES. THANK YOU MR. SHABA. UH, COUNCILLOR EVAN SHABA. THANK YOU MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD ENOUGH TIME. MR. MCQUEEN, DID YOU FINISH YOUR STATEMENT? NO, I DID NOT. OKAY. WELL, PLEASE USE MY TIME. OKAY, YOU THANK YOU. SO, UM, THERE ARE OTHER, THERE, THERE, THERE ARE NO OTHER HOUSING, UM, AVAILABLE HOUSING DOLLARS. THERE ARE NO OTHER RELIEF DOLLARS FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY BELL OR DECO HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR OTHER D YEARS. DO NOT PERFECTLY OVERLAY WITH THOSE IMPACTED BY LAST YEAR STORMS. ADDITION TO THE LATEST FEDERAL BIG UGLY BILLS SLASH FUNDING TO HOOD AND FEMA. SO WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY MAXIMIZE MORE OF THESE DOLLARS FOR THE UNMET HOUSING NEEDS. IN PARTICULAR, THERE'S NEVER A GUARANTEE OF MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS, BUT IN THIS ADMINISTRATION THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF EVEN LESS. HOUSTON STONE HAVE LOST FAITH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR, FOR EFFECTIVE QUICK ACTION TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES, WHICH WOULD INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITY OF THE CITY TO SUPPORT ALL HOUSTON NEWS REGARDLESS OF RACE, SEX, AND ZIP CODE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. NEXT JOSEPH AMARI TO BE FOLLOWED BY SANDRA ALLEN. HOW YOU DOING MR. MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN? ONCE AGAIN? I ENDED UP ON THE ONE MINUTE LIST. I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GONNA CHECK BACK. FOR THE RECORD, THIS, THIS IS, TODAY IS JULY 22ND, RIGHT? THAT'S ONE WEEK. UH, JULY 15TH. THAT'S ONE MINUTE JULY 15TH. ONE MINUTE JULY 8TH. I AIN'T SPEAK, BUT THAT WAS HAD ONE MINUTE. LAST THREE MINUTES I HAD WAS JUNE 10TH. WHAT? I WANNA KNOW, HOW DO YOU GET BACK? I JUST WANT MY 15 MINUTES IN THE, YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. HOW DO YOU GET BACK TO THE THREE MINUTE TIME? I THOUGHT YOU HAD TO HAVE, I WOULD'VE BE IN COMPLIANCE OF THE RULES. I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE, UH, THREE MINUTES, ONCE A MONTH. YOU LIKE, YOU KNOW, FRIDAY FISH ON FRIDAY OR ONCE A MONTH, YOU KNOW, SO ANYWAY, I WANNA KNOW HOW I GET BACK TO THE THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT IF I GET, I MEAN, I'M JUST SAYING, I MEAN, I END UP AS, AS MY CALENDAR SAY HERE. I READ MY CALENDAR. THE CALENDAR SAID I WAS HERE ON JUNE 10TH WHEN I FINISHED JUNE 10TH. I WANNA KNOW WHY YOU THINK THAT'S A COMMERCIAL. YOU KNOW, YOUR TIME IS UP. I KNOW, BUT I'M NOT AS COMMERCIAL AS, AS CORN EGGS AND, AND DELORE PARKER AND ALL THEM CANCER. WHY YOU GOING TO, I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING SO CONTROVERSIAL. SO I'M SAYING JUNE 10TH, ONE WEEK, JUNE 17TH, TWO WEEKS, JUNE 24, 3 WEEKS. 4TH OF JULY. Y'ALLS OFF. THAT'S FOUR WEEKS. DID YOU BUY, UH, JUNE 8TH, FIVE WEEKS. JUNE THE SIXTH. JUNE 15TH. SIX WEEKS TODAY, SEVEN WEEKS NOW. HOW IS THAT? UH, THE SAME THING. NOW I WANNA KNOW, COUNSEL, HOW DO YOU END UP BACK IN THREE MINUTE ROTATION AGAIN? I, NO, I'M THREE MINUTES NOW. YOU ON THREE MINUTES. OH, YOU DIDN'T TELL ME I GOT ONE MINUTE ON THIS PIECE OF PAPER. OH, BE ON FIVE IN A MINUTE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'M GONNA LET YOU GO TO SOME ONE OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS CUT YOU OFF. I, I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. WE'RE GONNA TRY NIGHT SESSIONS RIGHT NOW. I'M JUST GOING ABOUT WHAT THIS PIECE OF PAPER SAYS. THIS PIECE. SAY ONE MINUTE AND I WANT TO KNOW, SEE, ANYWAY, I'M SORRY. I, I APOLOGIZE. I, FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY EVAN, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABBAT SAYS THIS QUESTION. NO, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU MORE TIME. OH, THANK YOU SIR. BUT I THINK YOU, I THINK YOU TOOK IT. YEAH, I, I'M, I'M TRYING TO GET THROUGH WITH THIS. YOU KNOW, I'M, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT, I'M JUST TRYING TO INFORM MY COMMUNITY WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE WE GOT A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON. HEY, OTHER THAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND THE TIMING, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE? LIKE, I'M GONNA GO TO IT. OKAY, SURE. UH, FIRST OF ALL, I'M SAY WHOEVER IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OPEN FIVE SPACE AND A HOUSTON SIDE SPACE SECURITY, THEY SHOULD BE FINE. AND UH, I'M GONNA SAY, FIRST OF ALL, I WAS BORN IN 1960. I WAS BORN, UH, UH, THREE YEARS BEFORE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY. I WAS BORN FIVE YEARS BEFORE ASSASSINATION OF MALCOLM X. I BORN EIGHT YEARS BEFORE ASSASSINATION [01:50:01] OF DR. KING ROBERT F. KENNEDY. I WAS BORN 12 YEARS BEFORE THE END OF VIETNAM, CONFLICT OF THAT WAR. AND AS A, A BLACK AMERICAN CITIZEN GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH, UH, AND YOUTH AND ADULT, I KNEW NOTHING FOR FREEDOM. AND I KNOW A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS COME TO THE UNITED STATES FOR AMERICA FOR A DOLLAR DIFFERENT REASONS. BUT FREEDOM IS AMERICA'S MOST VALUABLE COMMODITY. AND FREEDOM OF JUSTICE IS PRICELESS. AND I KNOW, UH, IT'S PRICELESS. AND I WANNA SAY THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM ALL AROUND THE WORLD, ALL AROUND AMERICA, ALL AROUND THE WORLD, I WON'T SAY TO THEM THAT THEY LIKED THE LOSING PAIN. 'CAUSE JUST LAST MONTH WE SPENT THE JUNETEENTH, JUNETEENTH WAS THE CELEBRATION OF SLAVE ENDING OF SLAVERY IN TWO STATES OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. UH, THIS MONTH IS 4TH OF JULY, 1770. 76. THE CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM ENGLAND AND FRANCE. I'M GONNA SAY THOSE MEN WHO FOUGHT AND AND LOST THEIR LIFE FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE TO BE FREE, ALL WILL THEY LOSE THEIR LIFE. AND BANG O OKAY, LET'S END IT ON THAT NOTE. OKAY, WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. GOOD JOB, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I'M GONNA TELL YOU WHAT MS. MAY, UH, I'M GONNA GET MY MINUTES. I'M I'LL COME EVERY WEEK. I GET FINISHED SAYING WHAT I'M SAYING. BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU GOING DO. WE, WE'VE GOTTA GET TO WORK. THANK YOU. HE TOOK THANK YOU. COME BACK AND SEE US NEXT. I'LL COME BACK AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. I THINK I WANT SANDRA ALLEN. PLEASE, PLEASE. I NO, YOU'RE TRUE. I WANNA SAY MR. AZZ, I WANNA SAY MR. AZZ, I KNOW YOU REFERRED ME TO MS. MITCHELL AND THAT'S NOT A FAULT, FAULT THAT I DIDN'T TALK TO HER. THAT'S NOT WHERE DID YOU GO? SO I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WAS MY FAULT. I HEARD THAT. I DO THAT WITH HER. OKAY. YOU DROP ALL YOUR PAPERWORK. THANK YOU. DOUG. COUNTER. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMAN MAYOR JOHN WITH MY, HOW ARE YOU TODAY SIR? I'M JUST WONDERFUL. AWESOME. LISTEN, I NEED YOU TO ESCORT ME OVER TO 66 15 LAIER STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 7 7 0 2 1. I NEED YOU TO GET YOUR TWO POLICE OFFICERS. THEY'RE HOLDING MY SON RANSOM, UH, FOR HIS SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY. CHECK, UH, MISS, UH, KANA, UH, V UH, KANA. HER NAME IS MISS KNA. THAT'S ALL I KNOW OF. SHE SAID THAT WE ARE WAITING ON HIS SSI AND I SAID NO, NATHAN, DON'T GET SSI NATHAN GET SSD, HE QUALIFIED FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BECAUSE HE AIN'T NEVER HAD A JOB. HE GETS MONEY OFF OF MY HUSBAND RECORD, WHICH IS HIS BIOLOGICAL DAD. I AM A WIDOW. I'VE ALREADY GOT THE MONEY IN MY BANK. I'VE GOT MY WIDOW'S BENEFITS IN MY BANK. I'VE GOT NATHAN'S DISABILITY IN THE BANK. HE DOESN'T GET SSI, SOCIAL SECURITY TOLD ME NATHAN DON'T QUALIFY FOR SSI MS. ALLEN BECAUSE HE NEVER PUT INTO THE SYSTEM. NATHAN QUALIFIED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BECAUSE, UM, HE'S GONNA GET PAID ON YOUR HUSBAND RECORD BECAUSE HE'S NEVER HAD A JOB. SO THEY HOLDING HIM RANSOM FOR A SSI CHECK IN BURGLAR BARS. I DONE GOOGLE THAT ADDRESS. I'M AFRAID TO GO OVER THERE. I DIDN'T EVEN GO VISIT MY SON BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF MY CHECK. WHAT IS ME? WHAT YOUR ADDRESS? ADDRESS? WHAT'S YOUR ADDRESS? IF I COULD ASK? HUH? YOUR ADDRESS. MY ADDRESS. I'VE BEEN LIVING AT THE HOLIDAY INN FOR THE LAST PAST TWO YEARS. YOU WERE THERE LAST NIGHT? I WAS THERE LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT. AND THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT. WHICH HOLIDAY INN? HOLIDAY INN ON WESTHEIMER. WOW. WEST TIME IN HAYES. MR. KAREEM IS THE MANAGER. WOW. . YOU WANT A PERMANENT RESIDENCE? YOU WANNA GET OUT? I'M A PERMANENT. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN HOTELS SINCE 2018. EVER SINCE. UH, THE MANAGER AT THE SEDONAS PUT ME OUT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T LIKE ME AND I, I PAID MY RENT. I SAID NO ONE WILL EVER DO ME LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN. WOULD YOU CALL YOURSELF HOMELESS? NO. I DO CALL, I DO NOT CALL MYSELF HOMELESS. YOU'RE NOT, I'M NOT HOMELESS. NOT, NO, NOT HOMELESS. OKAY. YOU CAN'T BE HOMELESS AND GO TO PENSACOLA, FLORIDA EVERY YEAR. OKAY. YEAH. VACATION EVERY YEAR IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. LIVE AT THE JIMMY BUFFETT, MARGARITAVILLE HOTEL. LARRY AND I, NATHAN, WE GO THERE EVERY YEAR. HOW DO YOU AFFORD ALL THAT? HOW FAR ALL THAT? I AFFORD ALL THAT ON ALL MY INCOME THAT I GET. OKAY. OKAY. WELL THANKS FOR BEING HERE AND NOW AND, AND I NEED, I NEED TO GET MY SON HOME SO HE CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL. WE'RE CHECKING ON THAT. RIGHT. AND HE NEEDS TO BE RELEASED. YOU, IT'S AGAINST A LAW TO HOLD PEOPLE RANSOM FOR SSD CHECK. MM-HMM . NOW LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, UH, MAYOR, UH, WITH MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE RON REYNOLDS WAS ON ISAIAH FACTOR. HE SAID THAT SOCIAL WORKERS WERE PLANNING CASES ON PEOPLE 'CAUSE THEY WERE LOSING THEY JOB AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE NO CASES. NOW HE WAS ON ISAIAH FACTOR ABOUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND SAID THAT AND THEN, UH, ON UM, MAY THE 24TH OF THIS YEAR, 2025 [01:55:02] ERICA LEE CARLA, WHICH IS SHEILA JACKSON LEE'S DAUGHTER, SHE WAS ALSO ON UH, CHRIS JOHNSON'S MARCUS SESSION. AND MS. DONNA FRANKLIN IMPACT LIVE MC HOUSTON LIVE ON KTSU 90.9. SHE SAID THEY WERE TAKING MONEY FROM SENIORS THAT HAS PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY AND GIVING IT TO OTHER PEOPLE. OKAY? OKAY. MY HUSBAND PAID INTO IT. NATHAN AIN'T NEVER PAID INTO IT. HE DON'T GOT NO ESTATE, BUT HE'S GETTING PAID ON MY HUSBAND'S ESTATE. OKAY. WE GOT SO I NEED THEM TO RELEASE. THEY'RE NOT GONNA GET NO, I'M NOT GOING IN MY BANK GIVING THEM NO MONEY OVER THERE. WE GOT YOU COVERED. RELEASE NATHAN, SO WE CAN MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THAT'S IT. I GOT ALL THE MONEY IN THE BANK AND I DONE BOUGHT ME A BRAND NEW CAR FOR ME AND MY CHILD. ALRIGHT. BE SAFE. WE, WE, WE, WE ARE. WELL, ALRIGHT, SO I NEED TO KNOW WHEN CAN MY SON COME HOME? WE'RE GONNA GET AN UPDATE RIGHT HERE IN A MINUTE. WE DON'T, WE WE NEED TO I NEED TO KNOW. I NEED TO BE, I'M NOT GOING OVER THERE TO VISIT MY SON. I TOLD THAT LADY THAT MS. KHAW KHAW AND HER PHONE NUMBER IS (832) 647-4449 BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THEY MIGHT TRY TO KIDNAP ME. I GOOGLE THAT ADDRESS. THAT PLACE IS DOUBLE HEAVY WITH BURGLAR BALLS. YOU'RE SAFE WITH US. OKAY. THANK YOU. I DON'T BE SAFE. THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU. I CAN GO PICK MY NAME. I CAN GO PICK UP MY SON NATHAN AND MY BRAND NEW COURT THAT I DONE ALREADY ABOUT 'CAUSE I DONE ALREADY GOT THE MONEY IN THE BANK AND BOUGHT ME A BRAND NEW CAR FOR ME AND MY SON. OKAY, WE GOT IT. WE GOT IT. AND UH, I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHEN CAN I PICK UP MY CHILD SO WE CAN, WE'RE GONNA CHECK ON IT RIGHT HERE IN A MINUTE. WHO DO I NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH? UH, MIKE DEDO. I SEEM LIKE YOU WOULD BE A, A GOOD CONTACT . THAT GENTLEMAN RIGHT THERE, MIKE, USE YOUR EXPERIENCE MA'AM, GO TALK TO THAT OFFICER OUT OVER THERE. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ALRIGHT. BE SAFE. THAT'S WHERE SHE OKAY. BE SAFE MA'AM. SHE WANT ESCORT NEXT. EDUARDO DURAN, THAT GENTLEMAN RIGHT THERE. THAT NICE SUIT. RAISE HIS HAND. ALRIGHT, BE SAFE NEXT MUCH. BYE. ALL RIGHT. SO, SO I WAS SAYING ABOUT UH, UH, CITIZENSHIP DE NATURALIZATION AND I WOULD'VE, YOU KNOW, EXPECTED A MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO PUT UP THE, THE CLIP OF THIS GUY TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT I DON'T THINK I'LL HAVE TIME FOR THAT. UM, THERE'S PLENTY OF LEGITIMATE ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATURE BEING PUT IN AS FAR AS CITIZENSHIP DE NATURALIZATION. UM, ALL THE HEADLINES ARE TALKING ABOUT IT. I MEAN THIS GUY, I HAVE TO LOOK SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SPECIFIC COFFEE. GREAT ORGANIC, YOU KNOW, COMMENT THAT HE DOES IN ALL THE SHOW NOTES EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING THAT HE GAVE RESOURCES DOES HAVE THE ACTUAL LEGISLATURE AND ALL OF THE ACTUAL STUFF. SO HERE'S MY QUESTION. UM, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GO OUT AND SAY ANYTHING IN PUBLIC, LET'S SAY WITH A SIGN OR ANY KIND OF WAY THAT IS RIGHT, YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED WITHOUT BEING PICKED UP BY ICE AND THEN BEING DEPORTED OR JUST BEING HELD SOMEWHERE WHERE I'M JUST LEFT, UH, IN, IN THE QUALMS OF OBSCURITY BECAUSE I'VE JUST BEEN BRUSHED AWAY WITH THE REST OF THE POPULATION WHO, UH, ARE BEING DISPLACED, MISPLACED, DELOCATED, ET CETERA. AND THE THING IS THAT THE WHOLE THING WITH UH, YOU KNOW, TRUMP PUTTING PEOPLE IN ALLIGATOR ISLANDS LIKE THAT, THAT'S A PRETTY, YOU KNOW, STRAIGHTFORWARD DEHUMANIZATION PRESENTATION TO THE ENTIRE PUBLIC TO TO START ACCLIMATING TO THEM, TO THAT CONDITIONING AS TO, WELL, OKAY, GO AHEAD AND WRAP. THIS IS HOW WE SHOULD SEE PEOPLE. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. SO THIS IS REALLY STARTING TO GET TO THAT POINT OF EVERYONE'S RIGHTS ARE GONNA BE AT STAKES. SO I NEED TO ACTUALLY HAVE AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT IT IS THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE IF I GO SO AND SO MUCH AS TRY TO SAY ANYTHING FOR SOMEONE OR TO SOMEONE OR, OR ABOUT ANYONE OUTSIDE, I'M GONNA GET PICKED UP BY ICE. OKAY, THANK YOU. YOU TELL ME TO GO TO MY CONGRESS. THEY'RE NOT THE TIME I'LL TAKE FOR THAT TO, THEY'RE NOT GONNA DO ANYTHING. WHO'S YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER? WHO'S YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER? THAT'S IT. I THINK I SAID A COUPLE, AT LEAST SOME POINTS HERE THAT ARE VALID EVEN THOUGH Y'ALL, Y'ALL DON'T TAKE ANYTHING I SAY YOU'VE SERIOUSLY. GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. NEXT HE LOOKS A COUPLE KAPO [02:00:07] COUNCIL MAYOR. UM, GOOD AFTERNOON. I JUST WANT TO QUICK, I'LL BE BRIEF JUST HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CDBG FUNDING. UM, IT SAYS DR 24 DISASTER RESPONSE 24. THIS IS STRICTLY FOR THE STORMS LAST YEAR AND RIGHT NOW THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL IS USING THIS TO FILL IN BUDGET GAPS. I UNDERSTAND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITH REVENUE CAPS, I UNDERSTAND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITH, UM, COMMITMENTS BOTH FISCALLY AND POLITICALLY, BUT THIS MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE STORM. AND RIGHT NOW THE CITY'S OWN PUBLISHED ASSESSMENT SAID THE BIGGEST NEED IS HOME REPAIR. THAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS ENOUGH TO MOVE AS MUCH MONEY INTO THAT BUCKET AS POSSIBLE. LIKE I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S STRUGGLE. I RUN A HOME REPAIR PROGRAM LIKE MAYOR, YOU WENT OUT AND SAW MISS CAROLYN, UM, IN NORTHWOOD MANOR WITH FRED WOODS LAST YEAR AND THERE'S A PICTURE OF YOU IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE. THE CITY DIDN'T DO ANY OF THE WORK TO RESTORE ELECTRICITY IN HER HOUSE ONE MONTH AFTER THE STORM HAD HIT THE CITY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX HER PLUMBING LINE. THE CITY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO GET THOSE TREES OUT OF HER HOME. I'M NOT ACCUSING YOU AND SAYING YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING. I'M JUST SAYING THE CITY'S NOT DOING THE WORK. AND, AND THIS IS A VERY BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO DO SOME REAL WORK FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE IMPACTED. THE STORM LEFT OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER AFTER THE STORM OVER 22 DEAD. WE CAN THINK OF WAY MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO USE THIS FUNDING AND BE A LOT MORE PROGRESSIVE THAN WE ACTUALLY ALREADY ARE. ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT FEMA'S ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT THERE'S NO MORE MONEY COMING FOR THE NEXT INEVITABLE STORM. AND IT ISN'T UNREASONABLE TO THINK FROM A DOCUMENT THAT SAID THERE'S OVER $200 MILLION IN HOME REPAIR. WE'RE ASKING JUST FOR 115 MILLION. AND WE DO UNDERSTAND IT'S HARD TO RUN THAT PROGRAM TO DO IT EQUITABLY FAIR. UM, HOME REPAIR IS A REALLY, REALLY HARD JOB, BUT I THINK THAT DEMAND SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A DEMAND. IT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING. REREAD THE REPORT. UM, AND YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT STORM, WHO'S GONNA BE THERE TO LIKE REMOVE TREES? WHO'S OF OF HOUSES NOT ON THE STREET? IT'S NOT GONNA BE POLICE OR FIRE, IT'S GONNA BE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WEST STREET AND OTHER ORG. 'CAUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW CAN'T LEGALLY REMOVE A TREE OFF OF YOUR HOUSE, WHICH ACTUALLY NEEDS TO CHANGE AND THAT'S MONEY COMING OUT OF OUR POCKETS JUST TO MOVE TREES OUT OF HOMES INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY FIXING THE HOME OR PROVIDING SOME MUTUAL AID OR DIRECT ASSISTANCE. JUST A MOMENT TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND I JUST WANTED, I WANTED TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO. I'VE SEEN YOU AT WORK. LIKE I'VE SEEN ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS AND JUST WEST STREET NACK, ALL OF YOU MEAN ACTUALLY DO IT SO YOU'RE NOT JUST, YOU'RE NOT JUST TALKING THE TALK, YOU ACTUALLY WALK THE WALK. I JUST WANNA TELL YOU THANK YOU. YEAH, I APPRECIATE THAT DR. PLUMMER AND UH, AND I JUST REALLY WANT TO REITERATE EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT HERE WAS IMPACTED BY THAT STORM. $115 MILLION ISN'T ENOUGH BUT IT IS A FAIR WAY TO SHOW THE CITY THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TOWARDS REBUILDING AND TOWARDS PROTECTING. YOU CAN USE THIS MONEY TO LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, BUILD A PROGRAM THAT'LL REMOVE TREES THAT ARE DANGEROUS. YOU CAN USE THIS MONEY TO FORTIFY ROOFS LIKE THEY'VE DONE IN OTHER CITIES SO THEY CAN BE BRACED FOR FUTURE STORMS. THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN DO WITH THIS MONEY THAN WE'RE ALREADY DOING. SO UNLESS THAT HAPPENS, PLEASE VOTE. NO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT THIS COMPLETES THE LIST OF SPEAKERS [RECESS] AND RECESS TO NINE IN THE MORNING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND PUMP SOLUTIONS INC. ITEM 16 ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER THREE AND DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. ITEM 17, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024 DASH 8 91 RELATING TO FY 2024 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. ITEM 18 ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING SUB-AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND BOYS AND CLUB BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HOUSTON ITEM 19 ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2024 DASH 5 39 TO INCLUDE CASH, CASH MATCH FOR URBAN INDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM. ITEM 20 ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE WEST SIDE OF THE 5,200 BLOCK OF BRINKMAN STREET WEST SIDE BETWEEN MONT DRIVE AND WEST DONOVAN STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AS A SPECIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE BLOCK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 42 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. ITEM 21 ORDINANCE RENEWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE 2200 TO 2300 BLOCKS OF TRILLO STREET BETWEEN HUTCHINS STREET AND EMANCIPATION AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AS A SPECIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE BLOCK PURSUANT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. ITEM 22 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 29.1 63 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER [02:05:01] 11. ITEM 23 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 7.869 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER 180 9 ITEM 24 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 23.56707 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER FOUR 10 ITEM 25 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 12.6552 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER 4 5 7 ITEM 26 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 333 POINT 13 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER 4 9 3 ITEM 27 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 27.727 ACRES OF LAND TO SPRING WEST MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT. ITEM 28 ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND CITY OF BEL AIR TEXAS FOR SALE OF APPROXIMATELY 4.544 ACRE TRACT OF LAND 6.537 ACRE TRACT OF LAND AND 2.069 ACRE TRACT OF LAND ALL BEING OUT OF 60.891 ACRE TRACT IN THE JD OWEN SURVEY CONVEYED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON BY FRANK K. MEYER BY DED DATED APRIL 30TH, 1954 AND RECORDED UNDER VOLUME 27 46 PAGE SIX 19 IN THE HARRIS COUNTY DEED RECORDS IN EXCHANGE FOR CONVEYANCE TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON OF A 76.084 ACRE TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE HT AND BRR COMPANY. SURVEY ABSTRACT 3 97 IN CONNECTION WITH THE REFINO HILLS DETENTION POND SITE PROJECT ITEM 29 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO BEST TRASH LLC THE WRIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRAN FRANCHISE TO COLLECT HALL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS. ITEM 30 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO BROWN AEROBIC SERVICE COMPANY INC. THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 31 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO DUTY CALLS LLC THE WRIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 32 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO DOUBLE OAK EROSION INC. THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 33 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION LLC THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 34 ORDINANCE GRANTED TO HOLCOMB ENVIRONMENTAL OIL SERVICES LLC, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 35, ORDINANCE GRANTED TO STREAM ENVIRONMENTAL LLC, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 36 ORDINANCE GRANTED TO SUNCOAST RESOURCES LLC, THE PRIVILEGE AND THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 37 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO SUNNY PRESSURE WASHINGTON, LLC, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT, SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 38, ORDINANCE GRANTING TO VIOLA ES TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 39, ORDINANCE GRANTING TO VICTORIA GARCIA, DOING BUSINESS AS GARZA'S, WASH THE WRIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 40 ORDINANCE GRANTING TO WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO COLLECT, HAUL AND TRANSPORT SOLID WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. ITEM 41 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 11.478 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUD NUMBER FOUR 60. THIS ITEM WAS TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS CAYMAN, EVA SHABA, AND WAS ITEM 25 ON THE AGENDA OF JULY 16. THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE CAPTIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL SESSION OF JULY 23RD AND 22ND AND 23RD, 2025. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT SESSION OF HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 9:00 AM AND WITH THAT, I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND HAPPY HUMP DAY COUNCIL. [RECONVENE] PLEASE COME TO ORDER. WE'VE GOT A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY IN FRONT OF US. BUT FIRST, A LITTLE BIT OF RECOGNITION OR HOW ABOUT A LOT OF RECOGNITION FOR THE US MARSHAL'S OFFICE, ONE OF THEIR K NINE OFFICERS. IF, UH, ROCKY AND MR. NEWSOM WILL COME, COME FORWARD. I'D LIKE TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE YOU AS A HERO [02:10:01] AS WE GO ABOUT OUR BUSINESS ON A DAILY BASIS, IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. IN JANUARY, WE GOT AN URGENT CALL THAT THERE WAS A SUSPECT THAT HAD TAKEN THE LIFE OF BRAZORIA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY JESUS VARGAS, WHO WE WANT TO KEEP IN OUR PRAYERS IN MEMORY, ASSIST HIS FAMILY. HIS LIFE HAD BEEN TAKEN AND THEN THE US MARSHAL'S OFFICE RESPONDED. ROCKY, BEING ON THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED IN PURSUING THIS DANGEROUS SUSPECT WHO HID IN A DUMPSTER SURROUNDED BY OFFICERS LOOKING FOR THIS DANGEROUS SUSPECT. AND THEN ROCKY DOING HIS JOB, JUMPED IN THE DUMPSTER AND WAS SHOT SEVERAL TIMES, LIFE THREATENING. BUT HE SAVED THE LIVES OF OFFICERS AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY WAS SERVED BY ROCKY US MARSHALS, TACTICAL CANINE. IT WAS LIFE THREATENING TO ROCKY, SHOT TWICE. AND THE DPS WHO WAS ON THE SCENE GOT A HELICOPTER IN AND FLEW ROCKY TO THE WESTBURY VETERINARIAN CLINIC. THANK YOU. THEY MADE IT AN EMERGENCY ITEM AND PROBABLY SAVED ROCKY'S LIFE FROM BLEEDING AND LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. SO FOR MONTHS NOW, SINCE JANUARY, I WANTED TO PRESENT ROCKY AND HIS HANDLER, MR. NEWSOM AND THE TEAM THAT, UH, SAVED OTHERS' LIVES. THIS IS A GREAT CITY, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT PUBLIC SERVANTS, AND ROCKY CERTAINLY IS ONE THAT WE WANNA RECOGNIZE FOR MAKING THIS A SAFER COMMUNITY. UM, MR. NEWSOM, IT'S, IT IS BEEN A PLEASURE AND HONOR TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM. CERTAINLY. UH, ROCKY IS A HERO OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND I AM PROUD TO HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT ALLOWS ROCKY TO GET FULL RECOGNITION BY 2.3 MILLION HOUSTONIANS AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS IN OUR REGION. 'CAUSE I DO UNDERSTAND THE US MARSHAL'S OFFICE SERVES THIS NATION IN OUR REGION, AND I'D LIKE TO COME JOIN YOU AND PRESENT THIS TO ROCKY . OKAY, MADAM CHAIR, I'M GONNA READ THIS IN FULL. WHERE IS THE US MARSHAL SERVICE? TACTICAL K NINE OFFICER ROCKY A BELGIUM WITH MORE THAN A YEAR OF DEDICATED SERVICE DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE DURING THE TRAGIC EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ZORIA COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF JESUS VARGAS. AND WHEREAS ON JANUARY 15TH, 2025, CANINE ROCKY ALERTED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO A DUMPSTER, WHICH AN ARMED SUSPECT WAS HIDING DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE SWIFT LOCATION OF THE SUSPECT AND PROTECTING THE LIVES OF THOSE ON THE SCENE. WHEREAS WHILE FAITHFULLY EXECUTING HIS DUTY CANINE ROCKY, WHILE THEN AN 18 MONTH OLD WAS SHOT TWICE BY THE SUSPECT, SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND NOSE. AND YET HIS ACTIONS ARE CREDITED WITH SAVING THE LIVES OF RESPONDING OFFICERS. AND WHEREAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACTED QUICKLY TO RUSH ROCKY TO AT AWAITING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HELICOPTER, TRANSPORTING HIM TO WESTBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WHERE HE UNDERWENT EMERGENCY SURGERY WITH HIS HANDLER REMAINING BY HIS SIDE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND DAYS WHEREAS THE FOLLOWING HIS TREATMENT, ROCKY NINE HAS MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS, AND HE IS ALREADY WALKING, EATING, DRINKING, AND RECOVERING UNDER THE CARE OF HIS HANDLER AND THE MEDICAL TEAM WITH EX EXPECTATIONS THAT'LL RETURN TO DUTY IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON JOINS US MARSHAL SERVICE AND THE GREATER LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IN RECOGNIZING K NINE ROCKY AS A HERO WHOSE BRAVERY EMBODIES AT THE HIGH STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND [02:15:01] SACRIFICE HONORING HIS VITAL ROLE IN PROTECTING OFFICERS AND THE PUBLIC. AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATION US MARSHAL SERVICE CANINE OPERATIONS PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES SPECIALIZED PROTECTIVE AND ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT IS REFLECTED IN CANINE ROCKY ACTION AND IN THE LIFE SAVING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CANINE AND HANDLER. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 23RD, 2025 IS US MARSHAL SERVICE, K NINE, ROCKY DAY, US MARSHAL SERVICE, K NINE, ROCKY DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. CONGRATULATIONS, ROCKY. AND MR. NEWSOM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE IT. I CAN'T COMPETE WITH THIS FLOOR. . WELL, ANY COUNCIL MEMBER MS. NEWSOME, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL, UH, LY TELL US WHAT A GREAT, OH, I WASN'T EXPECTING TO SPEAK, BUT I THANK YOU ALL. IT'S GRATEFUL FOR YOU GUYS HAVING US. APPRECIATE IT. IT'S, IT'S ALL BY HIM. THANK YOU MEMBERS, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE. MAYOR, AND TO THESE OFFICERS, LET ME TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WORK THAT YOU DO, AND ALSO TO ROCKY. UM, AND I SAY THAT SINCERELY BECAUSE AS A VETERAN AND MANY OF THESE PHENOMENAL ANIMALS DO A WHOLE LOT TO SAVE A LOT OF LIVES, AND I EXPERIENCED THAT A LOT DURING MY TIME DOING VIETNAM. SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR WHAT YOU DO AND CIRCLE IT TO ROCKY BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T EVEN IMAGINE THE TYPE OF, UH, SITUATION THAT THESE ANIMALS PUT THEY SELF IN JUST TO SAVE THE LIFE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS AND OTHERS. THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR GOD BLESS YOU BOTH. THANK YOU, CHAIR. MAYOR. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US ALSO, UM, AS WE ARE THANKING ROCKY AND ALL OF THE, UM, HANDLERS AND THE FOLKS THAT WORK WITH ROCKY. I'D LIKE TO ALSO, UM, TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE WORK WAS THAT TOOK PLACE AT WESTBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL. UM, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S IN DISTRICT A, UM, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKED, UM, SO MUCH ABOUT THE SHORTAGE OF VETS, UH, IN OUR CITY AND THE SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE GOING INTO THE VET, UH, FIELD. AND THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO INTO THAT PARTICULAR FIELD AND SUPPORT, UM, THE EDUCATION OF THE STUDENTS THAT ARE LOOKING TO GO INTO THAT FIELD. UM, AND THE WORK THAT THEY DID TO SAVE ROCKY'S LIFE. UM, WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT WAS. SO WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE, UH, MORE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER GOING INTO THAT FIELD AND, AND THANK THE, THE DOCTORS THAT, UM, WORKED ON ROCKY SO THAT HE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK OF OUR SERVICE ANIMALS. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND FOR BRINGING ROCKY AND FOR THIS PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU. AND THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WESTBURY ANIMAL HOSPITAL DID EXCEPTIONAL EMERGENCY CARE. AND, UH, WE WERE VERY PLEASED AND, AND VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THEM TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. SO THANK YOU O'CONNOR WHO COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY, BUT [MISCELLANEOUS] [02:20:20] MEMBERS. UM, BACK TO OUR AGENDA. UH, IS THERE A MOTION, UH, MAYOR PROTE TO TAKE ITEM NUMBER ONE OUT OF ORDER? SURE. UH, MAYOR, I KNOW THAT, UM, YOU WANT TO, UM, MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOLID WASTE. SO, UH, IN ORDER TO GET STRAIGHT TO THAT BUSINESS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TAKE ITEM ONE PRIOR TO THE MAYOR'S REPORT. SECOND MOTION IS MADE. AND SECOND, TAKE ITEM NUMBER ONE OUT OF ORDER. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. DIRECTOR HASSON, IF, IF YOU'LL COME FORWARD, UH, CALL ITEM, CALL THE ITEM, PLEASE. ITEM ONE NEEDS A MOTION. CASTEX TATUM, MOVE I SECOND. MOTIONS MADE AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF, UH, MR. HASSON TO SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR. UH, ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES AS OPPOSED TO NAY. THANK YOU, . ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. MOTION PASSES. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. AND I, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. I KNOW, I KNOW YOUR WIFE'S WITH YOU TODAY. WE WANT TO THANK HER BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE SPENDING LONG HOURS AT THE DEPARTMENT. SO, UH, THANK YOU MA'AM FOR ALLOWING HIM TO BE AWAY FROM THE FAMILY. UH, YOU HAVE GREAT CHALLENGES. WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BUILT UP THROUGH THE YEARS, BUT YOU HAVE REALLY, REALLY, UH, MET, UH, THE EXPECTATIONS THAT CERTAINLY, UH, WE EXPECT OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS. YOU, YOU JOIN A LONG LIST OF DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT I'VE APPOINTED THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE JOB, UH, TRANSFORMING THE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. YES, SIR. I HEARD HOW MANY TRUCKS YOU WERE OUT YESTERDAY. WE'RE GONNA GET YOU THOSE TRUCKS. THEY WON'T BE USED TRUCKS. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I COULD SPEND THE MORNING, YOU, YOU DID A VERY, VERY THOROUGH BRIEFING LAST WEEK. WE WANT TO GET THOSE BRIEFINGS PERIODICALLY TO KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO ASSIST YOU, BUT, UH, THERE'S A NEW DIRECTOR FOR A REASON BECAUSE THE OLD MODEL OF DOING BUSINESS WAS JUST NOT WORKING. SO, UH, I'LL YIELD TO YOU, BUT, UH, THANK YOU. I KNOW HOW HARD YOU'RE WORKING AND YOUR TEAM IS, AND THERE'S SOME, UH, PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE CHANGE, BUT CHANGE IS COMING. YES, SIR. UNDER YOUR DIRECTION. YES, SIR. ANYTHING ELSE? I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER AND THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I'M HERE TO DO A, UH, A JOB FOR THE PEOPLE AND I'M GONNA DO EVERYTHING THAT I CAN TO GET THIS, UH, DEPARTMENT BACK ON TRACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. GO TO WORK COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. DANG. GO TO WORK. COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. OKAY. GOOD MORNING, DIRECTOR. I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I KNOW AS THE MAYOR RECOGNIZED SOME OF YOUR FAMILY HERE WHEN YOU CAME BEFORE US LAST WEEK. YOU ALSO MENTIONED YOUR FAMILY IN LOUISIANA. YES. UM, SEEING HEADLINES ABOUT YOU, AND HOPEFULLY THIS GIVES THEM A NEW HEADLINE, UH, TO CELEBRATE. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE YES, MA'AM. UH, POSITIVE AND YES. RECOGNIZING THAT IN THE TREMENDOUS WORK YOU HAVE AHEAD. BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, UM, A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOGETHER. YES, MA'AM. AND, UH, AN INCREDIBLE TEAM BEHIND YOU AND ALL OF OUR SOLID WASTE EMPLOYEES. YES, MA'AM. THAT TRULY SERVE OUR CITY. BUT I WANTED TO WISH YOU CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. UM, AND I THINK WELL EARNED YOU HAVE COME IN RUNNING. YES, MA'AM. AND WE APPRECIATE THAT DEDICATION. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTO. MAYOR PROTE. THANK YOU, MAYOR, DIRECTOR, UH, WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND ALSO, UM, OFFER OUR CONTINUED, UH, SERVICE TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU. UM, WHEN YOU HAD YOUR PRESENTATION LAST WEEK, YOU KNOW, MANY OF US TALKED TO YOU ABOUT ONE OF THE, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CALLS WE GET IN THE OFFICE IS AROUND SOLID WASTE. YES, MA'AM. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S A SECRET, UM, IN OUR CITY THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDERFUNDED, UM, AND ONE THAT WE, WE NEED TO, UM, MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE CONSTITUENTS NEEDS. UM, WE, WHEN THERE IS TRANSITION, UH, WE KNOW THAT IT TAKES TIME [02:25:01] FOR THE NEW DIRECTORS TO KIND OF WRAP THEIR ARMS AROUND NEW PROCESSES, UM, THE, THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED FOR, UH, EQUIPMENT, UM, FOR HIRING MORE PEOPLE. YES, MA'AM. UM, WE'VE, WE'VE GOT TO HELP YOU TO DO THAT BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, REGARDLESS OF WHO SITS IN THAT POSITION YES MA'AM. IF THE DEPARTMENT IS UNDERFUNDED, UM, IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE. SO I APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING UP, UM, TO THE PLATE TO TRY TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS AS A CITY. YES, MA'AM. UM, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR IDEAS, ACTUALLY, UM, COMING TO FRUITION. YES, MA'AM. I'M SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE ON DEMAND HEAVY TRASH, UH, BECAUSE IT, IT IS SUCH A, SUCH AN ISSUE IN OUR CITY. BUT, UM, PLEASE CONSIDER OUR OFFICE AN ALLY TO HELP WORK THROUGH THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCE IN THIS, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCILOR DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR, DIRECTOR. CONGRATULATIONS. I JOINED MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRATULATING YOU, AND CERTAINLY, UH, I APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US ON MONDAY NIGHT FOR OUR TOWN HALL MEETING. AND YOU FACED, YOU, YOU FACED SOME QUESTIONS AND, AND THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES. YES. BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SOLID WASTE AND THOSE ACTIONS. AND, UH, YOU'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB, GREAT APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR FOR YOU. AND WE ARE CERTAINLY BEHIND YOU AND SUPPORT YOU GOT A GREAT TASK. AND, UH, I'VE ALREADY EXTENDED MY, UH, MYSELF TO DO A RIDE ALONG SOLID WASTE. AND, UH, I'M SCHEDULING THAT TO DO THAT. SO, UH, THANK YOU. AND, UH, I'LL BLESS YOU AND HIS FAMILY. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. I HEARD MR. HASSON REPRESENTED THE CITY AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PUBLIC VERY WELL IN THAT TOWN HALL IN SUNNYSIDE. I HEARD GREAT REPORTS. IT WAS, UH, AS THE MAYOR PROTE MENTIONED, UH, YOUR DEPARTMENT, LIKE MOST DEPARTMENTS ARE UNDERFUNDED AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS, BUT IT'S NOT JUST UNDERFUNDED. UH, THE ERNST AND YOUNG REPORT, AS YOU KNOW, SHOWED THAT THE SOLID WASTE WAS PROBABLY THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL DEPARTMENT IN CITY GOVERNMENT. UH, WEDNESDAY WAS AN OFF DATE, JUST TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THE ALARMING REPORTS. UH, YOU ONLY HAD ONE DROP OFF FOR RECYCLING, ONE FOR THIS ENTIRE CITY. AND I KNOW YOU'RE RAPIDLY MOVING TO HAVE EIGHT, WHICH WILL HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON YOUR EFFICIENCY AND THE SERVICE YOU PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC. SO I COULD GO ON AND ON THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DISCOVERED, SOME, YOU'VE REFERRED TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, BUT THE, THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU'RE A NO NONSENSE PERSON. AND AS WE MOVE, UH, IN THE DIRECTION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING, YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCY AND TO CUT OUT THE WASTE AND DUPLICATION AND THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. YES, SIR. SO THANK YOU FOR THE JOB YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, AS MAYOR PROM SAID, AN ALLY OF YOUR DEPARTMENT. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. LET'S GO TO WORK. YES, SIR. HIT IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND BY THE WAY, YOU ARE CAUGHT UP. IS THAT TRUE? YOU WERE RECYCLING? NO, SIR. IN RECYCLING. WE'RE STILL ABOUT THREE DAYS BEHIND ON RECYCLING DUE TO THE NUMBER OF TRUCKS THAT WE HAD GO DOWN YESTERDAY. AND THAT'S LARGELY DUE TO THE NUMBER OF TRUCKS. YES, SIR. WE HAD THAT ARE DOWN 56 TRUCKS GO DOWN HOW MANY? 56. BECAUSE THE CITY WAS BUYING USED TRUCKS AND THEY WERE JUST WORN OUT. YES, SIR. THEY'RE WORN OUT. ALRIGHT. AND WE, WE HAVEN'T PURCHASED TRUCKS IN TWO YEARS. WE GOT YOU 30 NEW ONES RECENTLY. WE YES, SIR. WE, AND WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAVE AN ITEM THIS MORNING THAT WOULD ASSIST. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [MAYOR'S REPORT] NEXT MEMBER'S ON THE MAYOR'S REPORT, I'LL ASK, UH, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. RANDY, YOU WANT TO COME GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOU CAN BRING CHIEF HARDEN IF YOU'D LIKE. AND I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE A VERY, UH, SHOCKING REPORT THAT I DON'T THINK HAS EVER THE PUBLIC'S EVER HEARD ABOUT, AND PROBABLY MOST COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, THE UNSAFETY CONDITION OF SOME OF OUR VITAL PUBLIC FACILITIES. SO I YIELD TO YOU, THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND I'M LOOKING AT THE SCREEN, I WANNA MAKE SURE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SEE WHAT I SEE, WHICH IS NOTHING, BUT, BUT WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA HOPE THAT TECHNOLOGY IS GONNA CATCH UP REALLY QUICKLY THIS MORNING. UH, CHIEF HARD AND I ARE, I WOULDN'T SAY PLEASED TO PRESENT, BUT, BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO ADDRESS YOU AND BRING TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING SOME THINGS THAT PERHAPS HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE PUBLICLY. UM, BUT SOME LINGERING ISSUES THAT HAVE GONE ON FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS NOW. AND THIS RELATES TO THE CONDITION OF TWO OF OUR, UH, PRIME DOWNTOWN FACILITIES. SIX 11 WALKER [02:30:01] AND 1200 TRAVIS. OF COURSE, SIX 11 WALKER HOSTS MULTIPLE CITY DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC WORKS. 1200 TRAVIS IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. SO THIS MORNING WE WE'RE GONNA BRING TO YOU AND TO YOUR ATTENTION THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THOSE FACILITIES. UM, IF WE GET THE TECHNOLOGY WORKING, I HAVE SOME PICTURES TO SHOW YOU, BUT IF WE DON'T, YOU'LL GET THOSE PICTURES REGARDLESS SO THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND, UH, THOSE THINGS AS WELL. AND SOME OF THE ONGOING CHALLENGES. WE BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION NOW BECAUSE YOU, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S ALSO A FINANCIAL CHALLENGE FOR US. UM, THE DEGREE AND AMOUNT OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IN THESE TWO FACILITIES IS OF SUCH A MAGNITUDE THAT IT IS PUT US AT THE POINT WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT AVENUE WE WILL TAKE MOVING FORWARD. AND SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD. UM, AS BACKGROUND, SIX 11 WALKER IS A BUILDING. IT WAS BUILT IN 1966. IT'S 27 STORIES. IT'S ROUGHLY, UH, JUST UNDER 600,000 SQUARE FEET. ABOUT 528,000 OF THAT IS USABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE. UH, IT HAS A LOADING DOCK WITH FOUR STALLS. THERE'S A SIX STORY PARKING GARAGE THAT CONTAINS ABOUT 220 PARKING SPACES. THE CITY, AND, AND WHEN I SAY THE CITY, I MEAN PUBLIC WORKS THROUGH THE COMBINED UTILITY SYSTEM, PURCHASED THAT BUILDING IN 1995, AND IT RENOVATED IT IN 1997. THAT RENOVATION INCLUDED THINGS LIKE NEW CHILLERS, UH, COOLING TOWERS, A NATURAL GAS BOILER, NEW INTERIOR DOORS, LIGHTING AND FINISHES IN NINE IN 2017. SO 20 YEARS LATER, A A CONDITION ASSESSMENT WAS UNDERTAKEN, UH, BY GSD. IT IDENTIFIED AT THAT TIME THAT THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR CRITICAL ISSUES WAS ABOUT $86 MILLION. YEAH. OKAY. UH, WELL, THERE GOES MY WHOLE PRESENTATION. BRING IT BACK. 2017, A CONDITIONED FACILITY REPORT WAS UNDERTAKEN AND IDENTIFIED $86 MILLION IN CRITICAL REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN. UH, I WILL TELL YOU THAT TO DATE, ONLY $10 MILLION HAS BEEN INVESTED OUTTA THAT 86. AND THE PRICE TAG HAS CERTAINLY BALLOONED SINCE THEN. UH, THE, UH, FOR THE REMAINING SERVICE LIFE INDEX, WHICH IS A TYPICAL SCORE THAT'S USED FOR, FOR, FOR BUILDINGS TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT, UH, EXPECTED LIFE EXPECTANCY IS, UH, AS OF 2021 IS DOWN TO 18%. NOW, 1200 TRAVIS IS A VERY SIMILAR FACILITY ALSO BUILT IN 1966. IT'S 26 STORIES, ROUGHLY THE SAME SIZE, A LITTLE BIT LESS IN TERMS OF USABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE. IT'S ABOUT 450 OR SO THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT AVAILABLE. UM, BUT A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION. ITS REMAINING SERVICE LIFE INDEX IS DOWN TO 15%. SO EITHER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU'VE GOT TWO AGING BUILDINGS, NEARLY 60 YEARS OLD NOW, BOTH OF THEM INCLUDING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. RIGHT. UM, SOME THINGS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN CHANGED OUT ALONG THE WAY. AND AS A RESULT, UH, IT'S, IT'S BROUGHT SOME, UH, SERIOUS ISSUES FOR US. SO, JUST A SECOND. YEAH. OKAY. I GOT, I GOT THE BACKUP. I GOT THE BACKUP. OKAY, WE'RE BACK ON. WE'RE BACK ON TRACK. SO, AS I MENTIONED, PUBLIC WORKS, WE DID A, A CONDITION ASSESSMENT IN 20 17, 80 $6 MILLION. SO IDENTIFIED THEN. I'LL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW TODAY THAT TODAY'S COST TO REALLY CONTINUE OPERATIONS IN THESE TWO BUILDINGS FOR SIX 11 WALKER EQUALS ROUGHLY $323 MILLION. AND 1200 TRAVIS IS ABOUT $252 MILLION. UM, WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH WHAT COMPRISES THOSE ELEMENTS RIGHT NOW, AND I'LL START WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN SIX 11 WALKER. UM, MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING, INCLUDING ALL OF THE ORIGINAL SWITCHGEAR, WHICH IS WHAT ULTIMATELY POWERS YOUR CIRCUITS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. SO THAT'S 59 YEARS OLD. UM, IT IS MISSING A REDUNDANCY IN TERMS OF ITS UPS. SO BACKUP POWER SUPPLIES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, THE SWITCHGEAR NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE MOTOR CONTROL CENTERS, UH, FOR THE ELEVATORS ARE ALSO ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING. IN FACT, UM, HE'S NOT HERE RIGHT NOW, BUT ELEVATORS, IF YOU TALK TO OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAUSES A LOT OF CONCERN. AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE OUR FOLKS FIND THEMSELVES STUCK IN THEM, UH, FAR TOO OFTEN AND SOMETIMES EVEN WORSE. IT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY CAME TO VISIT ME, UH, [02:35:01] UP AT THE 25TH FLOOR OF SIX 11 WALKER. AND AS HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELEVATOR THAT NEARLY CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO HIM, UM, TO THE POINT WHERE SOMEONE SCREAMED AND WE RAN OUT THERE. WHAT'S GOING ON? RIGHT? SO, UH, THESE ARE THE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT, THAT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION TO AND UNDERSTAND, UH, WHAT HAS TO BE DONE. GENERATORS, UH, WOEFULLY, UNDERPOWERED AND WOEFULLY OUT OF DATE. UM, NOT ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING. UH, THE CURRENT, UH, GENERATOR THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS 28 YEARS OLD. IT IS A DIESEL GENERATOR, WHICH REQUIRES US TO HAVE LARGE TANKS AVAILABLE. ONE OF THE TANKS, IN FACT, JUST LAST YEAR, WAS ONE THAT WE HAD TO TAKE OUT OF COMMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING INTO THE GROUND. AND SO WE HAD TO TAKE THAT OUT OF COMMISSION, FILL IT, DO ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL THINGS NECESSARY TO GET IT IN GOOD SHAPE. 1200 TRAVIS IS FRANKLY NO DIFFERENT. UM, YOU'VE GOT THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE PERSISTING THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY THERE THAT CAN, UH, CAUSE, UH, MAJOR PROBLEMS. WHEN I MENTIONED THAT WE'D ONLY INVESTED $10 MILLION IN SIX 11 WALKER, I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THAT CONSISTED OF, OF THAT 10 MILLION, 3 MILLION WENT FOR THE LOBBY CEILING AND THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM UPGRADE. A MILLION AND A HALF WENT TO RENOVATE TWO FREIGHT ELEVATORS. TWO AND A HALF MILLION WERE FOR RENOVATING FLOORS, EIGHT AND NINE, WHICH WERE FLOODED AS A RESULT OF A MAJOR WATER, UH, LINE BREAK PREVIOUSLY. AND 3 MILLION WENT FOR, UH, THE COOLING TOWER FILL REPLACEMENT. UH, A CINDER BLOCK WALL IN THE MECHANICAL FLOORS UPSTAIRS THAT FELL DOWN, ACTUALLY COLLAPSED IN ON ITSELF AND HAD TO BE REBUILT JUST LAST YEAR. UH, EPOXYING THE MECHANICAL ROOM FLOORS AND SOME TOUCHLESS RESTROOM FIXTURES RELATED TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES THAT YOU'LL SEE FROM SIX 11 WALKER. REALLY, THESE ARE JUST ILLUSTRATIVE SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE AGE OF IT. UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE THINGS, AND IN FACT, WE EXTEND AN INVITATION TO ALL OF YOU, IF YOU'D LIKE TO TOUR SIX 11 OR 1200 TO COME AND TAKE A LOOK UP CLOSE, AND YOU CAN SEE IT'LL DO MUCH MORE JUSTICE. BUT IT REMINDS ME A LOT OF TOURING THE ORIGINAL MISSION CONTROL ROOM AT NASA, BECAUSE THAT'S THE AGE OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, LITERALLY. AND IT LOOKS AND OPERATES IN THE SAME WAY. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THESE THINGS. SO, UM, IF YOU ACTUALLY GO UP THERE, AND I, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TAKING THE MAYOR ON A TOUR NOT LONG AGO TO LOOK AT OUR SWITCHGEAR. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BREAKERS, AND THESE ARE LARGE SIZE BREAKERS LIKE THIS THAT ARE POPPED OUT. AND THE REASON THEY'RE POPPED OUT IS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR, UM, TO REPLACE IT WOULD REQUIRE US TO ACTUALLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE SWITCHGEAR. AND TO IMPRESS UPON YOU THE, THE SENSITIVITY OF REPLACING THE SWITCHGEAR, UH, ASIDE FROM THE EXORBITANT COST, IT WOULD REQUIRE US TO VACATE THE BUILDING FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS, IF NOT UP TO A YEAR, UM, RELOCATE WHILE IT WAS UPGRADED. AND THERE'S ALSO AT LEAST A 12 MONTH LEAD TIME ON OBTAINING THE SWITCHGEAR EQUIPMENT IN AND OF ITSELF. SO IT CREATES A LOT OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES FOR US. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE AT 1200 TRAVIS, VERY SIMILAR, UH, SORTS OF CONDITIONS OF THE EQUIPMENT AND, AND WHERE IT IS ON THE MECHANICAL SIDE OF THE HOUSE. UH, A LOT OF WHAT YOU HAVE HERE HAS TO DO WITH THE BOILERS AND THE HVAC SYSTEMS, UH, CHILLERS. UM, AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE ARE SOME OF THE NEWER THINGS THAT WE HAVE AT SIX 11 WALKER. THEY'RE ONLY 14 AND 15 YEARS OLD SINCE THE UPGRADES. HOWEVER, THE CONTROL DEVICES AND THE UNITS THEMSELVES ARE HIGHLY INEFFICIENT AND ARE AT THE POINT WHERE THEY DO ALSO NEED REPLACEMENT. THE BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM, WHICH IS WHAT CONTROLS ALL OF THE THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE, IS IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FAILURE, UH, DIFFICULT TO FIND ADDITIONAL, UM, PARTS FOR THAT. THE, UH, AIR HANDLING UNIT, WHICH IS WHAT HELPS PUSH THE AIR WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING IS ORIGINAL TO IT. 59 YEARS OLD. UM, AND AGAIN, I BRING THESE UP ABOUT SIX 11 WALKER. UH, WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE CITY TWO YEARS AGO, THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAID WAS OUR PLACE IS IN, UH, OUR, OUR BUILDING'S IN BAD SHAPE. AND I KIND OF LOOK AROUND AND I SAY, WELL, IT LOOKS OKAY. THE CARPET IS CLEAN, THE WALLS ARE PAINTED, BUT IT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO PEEL BACK SOMETIMES THE LAYER OF THE ONION TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON THERE. AND WHEN YOU START TO LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT'S HAPPENING, WE'VE PUT A LOT OF LIPSTICK ON A MAJOR PROBLEM HERE FOR US. UM, HERE'S SOME PICTURES OF THOSE CONDITIONS AT SIX 11. ONE OF THE ONES THAT I POINT OUT HERE IS THE ONE AT THE TOP CENTER, WHICH IS A SUPPORT BEAM FOR THE COOLING TOWER. OUR COOLING TOWER SITS ON THE ROOF. THAT IS ACTUALLY A STEEL GIRD THERE THAT IS DELAMINATING FROM ITSELF. [02:40:01] UH, HOW DO YOU FIX THAT? WELL, YOU'VE GOTTA BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP AND PUT SOMETHING NEW UNDER IT, WHICH WOULD BE A, A VERY TRICKY ENDEAVOR FOR US. UM, AS YOU CAN SEE, THE AIR HANDLING UNITS AND EVERYTHING, UH, IS IN PICTURES BELOW 1200 TRAVIS. AGAIN, IT'S ALMOST A PICTURE PERFECT REPLICA OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH ALL ALONG THE WAY. THESE ARE LARGELY ORIGINAL PARTS TO THESE BUILDINGS. NOW, THE PLUMBING SYSTEM IS ONE THAT I ESPECIALLY HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE AGAIN, WHEN I CAME TO THE CITY TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS REALLY SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT YOU COULDN'T DRINK ANY OF THE WATER OUT OF THE FAUCETS OR, AND ALL OF THE WATER FOUNTAINS WERE OFF. AND I ASKED QUESTIONS AS, WHY, WHY WOULD THAT BE? I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS DEGREE OF, I DON'T KNOW IF IRONY IS THE RIGHT WORD, BUT FOR A BUILDING THAT IS OWNED BY THE COMBINED UTILITY SYSTEM, THE WATER UTILITY, WE DON'T HAVE WATER THAT WE WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE DRINKING OUT OF THE TAP. RIGHT? UM, THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST. UM, BUT AS YOU LOOK AT THESE PICTURES, YOU'LL START TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT WHY WE WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO DO SO HERE AT SIX 11 WALKER. THIS IS THE CONDITION OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE PIPES, AND HERE'S THE CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR OF THOSE PIPES. UM, NOW I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY OF THAT IS TOXIC MATERIAL. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOOD OLD TEXAS WATER WITH A LOT OF EXTRA VITAMINS AND MINERALS PERHAPS IN IT, BUT NOT THE TYPE THAT ANY OF US WOULD BE COMFORTABLE DRINKING. AND I'LL TELL YOU, AS WE HAVE DONE REPAIRS IN THE BUILDING AND CUT CROSS SECTIONS OUT, WHEN YOU REMOVE THOSE PIPES, THE SMELL IS ALSO UNCOMFORTABLE TO GO WITH IT. AGAIN, YOU LOOK HERE AT 1200 TRAVIS, AND YOU HAVE ALMOST THE EXACT SAME THING DOWN TO THE SEDIMENT THAT ALSO EXISTS IN THE PIPES FROM A LIFE SAFETY STANDPOINT, THE FIRE SYSTEM, AND OF COURSE, THE THINGS THAT WOULD HELP PROTECT PEOPLE IN THE EVENT. THERE WAS AN ISSUE ALSO UP THERE IN AGE, UH, MORE THAN 32 YEARS OLD FOR THIS FIRE SYSTEM, UH, UH, SPRINKLER PIPING. OKAY? UH, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S IN NECESSARILY THOSE PIPES, BUT I WOULDN'T IMAGINE IT LOOKS TERRIBLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE SEE IN THE DRINKING WATER PIPES. UM, WE DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND IT. THAT'S WHY IT'S RED IN ALL OF THE MECHANICAL ROOMS AS YOU GO THROUGH. AND THEN THERE'S A VARIETY OF MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. I WILL SAY THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS ON HERE, FOR INSTANCE, LIKE AN INTERIOR REFRESH IS CERTAINLY WHAT WE WOULD CLASSIFY AS A, AS A NICE TO HAVE, BUT PROBABLY NOT AN UNDESERVED ONE FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES. BUT THE REST OF THEM, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WATERPROOFING, THE ESCALATORS LEAKING IN THE GARAGE, EXTERIOR WINDOWS ARE ALL THINGS THAT FRANKLY ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF OUR BUILDINGS THAT NEED SERIOUS ATTENTION. THIS IS WHERE A HUGE CHUNK OF THE MONEY COMES INTO WHERE THOSE REPAIRS NEED TO TAKE PLACE, UM, AND HOW THEY NEED TO GO. UH, ELEVATORS ARE LARGELY ORIGINAL IN MOST OF THEIR COMPONENTS. I WAS VERY SHOCKED TO FIND IN THE VERY FIRST TOUR I TOOK OF IT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT ITSELF. IT WAS OLD ENOUGH THAT WHEN YOU PULLED THE CABINET OPEN, YOU COULD SEE THE ARCING OF THE ELECTRICITY FROM WHEN SOMEONE PUSHES A BUTTON RIGHT NOW. THAT'S HOW I USED TO MAKE IT. SO I'M NOT SAYING THAT ONCE UPON A TIME THAT WAS A BAD THING, BUT IT'S NOT UP TO TODAY'S STANDARDS. AND IT CERTAINLY PUTS THOSE THAT ARE WORKING ON THAT EQUIPMENT ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS IN, UH, A DIFFICULT POSITION. THAT'S THE COMPUTER. AGAIN, THINK ABOUT NASA RIGHT THERE. THAT'S WHAT CONTROLS ALL OF OUR ELEVATORS. IT'S A GREEN SCREEN COMPUTER. OUR GARAGES, IF YOU'VE BEEN IN THEM, VERY SIMILAR CONDITIONS. THERE'S FROM THE LACK OF WATERPROOFING AND, UM, UH, UH, INUNDATION DOWN INTO IT. YOU FIND THINGS LIKE ALGAE AND MOLD THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN CERTAIN PLACES. IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE TUNNELS AND ENTRYWAYS THAT FLOOD OUT AS A RESULT OF A REGULAR RAINSTORM. UM, 1200 TRAVIS, I THINK IN SOME OF THESE INSTANCES MIGHT EVEN BE WORSE THAN 600 WA UH, SIX 11 WALKER. AS YOU LOOK AT THESE PICTURES, UM, PERHAPS THE LIPSTICK THAT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING ON SIX 11 DIDN'T MAKE IT OVER THERE, FOR INSTANCE. UM, AND THEN I BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION HERE. THIS WAS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO. UM, NOW I BRING IT UP BECAUSE IT'S A PRETTY REGULAR OCCURRENCE, BUT TWO WEEKS AGO, UH, IT WAS A GREAT MORNING. WE WERE OUT THERE, THE MAYOR AND I, CELEBRATING OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM THAT WAS TAKING CARE OF SOME CRITICAL MOWING IN THE COMMUNITY. UH, WE WERE HAVING A GREAT DAY. I GOT BACK TO THE OFFICE, I SETTLE IN TO MAYBE ANSWER A COUPLE OF EMAILS, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD CLINK. SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM A LITTLE BIT ABOVE ME. AND I WONDERED, OKAY, WELL DID THEY DROP SOMETHING ABOVE ME THAT'S A MECHANICAL FLOOR? AND THEN ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PHONE STARTED RINGING AND THE TEXT MESSAGES STARTED COMING IN. HEY, WE HAVE A MAJOR FLOOD GOING ON ON THE 24TH FLOOR. SO I WALK DOWN THE STAIRS, IT'S JUST RIGHT BELOW ME. AND I GO DOWN THERE AND YOU SEE, UH, A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT'S [02:45:01] HAPPENING HERE. AND LEMME SEE IF I CAN GET THIS VIDEO TO PLAY FOR YOU, BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD TO SEE. BUT WE INSTALLED A NEW WATER FEATURE TO HELP SOOTHE OUR EMPLOYEES. THEY COULD LISTEN TO THE RAIN AS IT FELL WITHIN THEIR OFFICES. THIS IS SADLY, A REGULAR OCCURRENCE WITHIN THE BUILDING. AS IT WENT THROUGH, IT FLOODED A GOOD SECTION OF THE 24TH FLOOR. IT WENT DOWN THE FIRE STAIRWELL TO 23 AND 22. UH, THE COST TO THIS, IT NOT JUST INUNDATED THIS CONFERENCE ROOM AND THE HALLWAYS AND SOME OFFICES. IT GOT INTO THE BATHROOMS, CEILING TILES HAD COLLAPSED. AND, UM, THE RESULT WAS WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ISOLATE THE LINE THAT BROKE, IT WAS A WATER LINE THAT BROKE. UM, AND IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE HAND HOLDING THAT LITTLE PART, THAT IS THE PART THAT CAUSED THIS. IT WAS A LITTLE THREE QUARTER INCH GALVANIZED CAP THAT HAD CORRODED AWAY AND THEN SHOT OFF. AND SO THAT WAS THE CLUNK THAT I HEARD. AND IT SHOT OFF THE LINE AT 180 PSI, SO FORTUNATELY, IT WAS IN THE CEILING NOT WHERE SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE EXPOSED, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS IN AND OF ITSELF. YOU KNOW, IT COST US TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REMEDIATE. BUT WE ALSO HAD TO SHUT THE BUILDING DOWN BECAUSE WE HAD TO SHUT THE WATER OFF. AND WHEN WE SHUT THE WATER OFF IT, SHUT THE HVAC OFF. AND IT WAS JULY. AND I COULD TELL YOU THE BUILDING HEATED UP REALLY FAST. SO WE SENT THEM TO WORK FROM HOME. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, RIGHT? AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT NEEDED. UH, THAT'S WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN JUST FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. WE HAD NO RESTROOMS. WE HAD NO WATER. WE HAD NO, WE AC AND SO THEY WENT THROUGH THERE. UM, THE COMBINED ESTIMATED COST TO REHABILITATE BOTH OF THESE BUILDINGS RIGHT NOW, JUST SHY OF $600 MILLION. UM, I WOULD PROPOSE TO YOU THAT REHABBING THOSE BUILDINGS IS PROBABLY NOT THE WISEST INVESTMENT THAT WE WOULD MAKE. NOW, I'LL ALSO TELL YOU THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE'VE ONLY INVESTED 10 OF THOSE 86 ORIGINAL MILLION DOLLARS IDENTIFIED FOR YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES. OKAY? THEY'VE THOUGHT ABOUT, DO WE BUILD A NEW BUILDING? DO WE BUY A NEW BUILDING? DO WE RAISE THIS ONE AND DO SOMETHING ELSE? DO WE, DO WE START LEASING IN IN CERTAIN SPACES? UH, I'LL LET YOU KNOW THAT OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE RED REDOUBLED THOSE EFFORTS TREMENDOUSLY. I HAVE LOOKED AND I HAVE TALKED WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE FEEL LIKE THE MARKET IS IN A GOOD SPOT NOW TO, IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, PRESENT THAT TO YOU. UH, AS, AS AN OPTION ON HOW WE TAKE CARE OF FOLKS, UH, WE THINK THERE COULD BE TREMENDOUS SYNERGY BETWEEN THE CITY DEPARTMENTS AND EVEN HPD IF WE FIND THE RIGHT PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE IN A WAY THAT WOULD LOWER EXPENSES, BUT ALSO PROVIDE A SE UH, SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO WORK IN. AND CHIEF, YOU LIVE IT OVER THERE ALL DAY LONG. CHIEF, HOW MUCH, UH, IS THE GENERAL SERVICES SPENDING ON YOUR BUILDING THIS YEAR? IT TAKES US, ON AVERAGE ABOUT 15 MILLION A YEAR JUST TO KEEP THE BUILDING UP AND RUNNING. AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE POLICE COMMAND STATION. YES, SIR. YES, SIR. SO WE HAVE DIRECTOR AND I DIDN'T FIND A LOT OF VALUE IN US JUST TELLING YOU THE EXACT SAME NUMBERS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUT I WILL TELL YOU, THE 1200 TRAVIS IS A MERE IMAGE OF SIX 11 WALKER. AND OUR CHALLENGES TO PROVIDE, UH, APPROPRIATE WORKSPACE FOR OUR PEOPLE TO BE ONGOING, WE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. ELEVATORS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, PLUMBING HAS BECOME A MASSIVE ISSUE. WHETHER IT'S, UH, A BATHROOM ON A CERTAIN FLOOR THAT HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN OR, UH, MULTIPLE FLOORS. THE OTHER DAY WE LOST AC FROM THE 16TH FLOOR TO THE 22ND FLOOR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. UH, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN ON A SOMEWHAT REGULAR BASIS. YOU KNOW, LUCKILY OUR TEAM WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK ONLINE SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SEND EVERYBODY HOME. BUT EVERYTHING THAT THE DIRECTOR JUST MENTIONED ABOUT SIX 11 WALKER, WE, WE DEAL WITH AT 1200 TRAVIS ALSO. SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING FROM WORK WITH, UH, FOLKS AT DOWNTOWN, UM, BUSINESS DISTRICT AND OTHER PLACES TO, TO TALK ABOUT AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS EVER SINCE. I TOOK THIS ROLE IN SEPTEMBER, SO SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. SO, AND THIS IS, THIS HAS CERTAINLY BEEN AN INTERNAL DISCUSSION AND AMONG OFFICERS, AND I HATE TO BRING UP OFFICER SECURITY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ON THE STREETS ANYMORE AND NECESSARY. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT 600 DETECTIVES THAT WORK OUTTA THAT BUILDING. AND ANY PUBLIC SAFETY SECURITY OFFICER WILL TELL YOU, YOU DON'T PUT THAT MANY FIRST RESPONDERS IN A HIGH RISE BUILDING BECAUSE IT EXPOSES THEM TO [02:50:01] RADICAL TERRORIST THREATS AND ACTIONS. AND LIKE I SAID, ENOUGH SAID, BUT I WILL SHARE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT FROM THE DAY THAT BUILDING WAS PURCHASED AND MADE THE HIGH RISE WERE CENTRAL AND THE COMMAND STATION, IT'S ALWAYS, ALWAYS BEEN A SECURITY CONCERN. AND, UM, YOU CAN EITHER EXPOUND ON THAT OR JUST SAY DITO, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD IT FOR YEARS. WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE THAT MANY TARGETED PEOPLE IN SOME ARENAS, UH, IN A HIGH RISE BUILDING. YEAH. I, I DON'T DISAGREE. WELL, IT'S SHOCKING Y'ALL EACH, UH, AND I'VE SAID PUBLIC WORKS ARE FIRST RESPONDERS FOR CERTAIN, BUT YOU TWO ARE CERTAINLY, UH, HAD SOLID WASTE EARLIER TO PRIORITIZE IT. BUT, UH, TO, TO SEE YOUR COMMAND ROOM AND ITS ANTIQUATED, UH, TECHNOLOGY IS, IS SHOCKING FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT. AND RANDY, CERTAINLY YOUR DEPARTMENT, UH, WHY SHOULD HOUSTONIANS BE CONCERNED? UH, 'CAUSE IT IMPACTS QUALITY OF LIFE AND CITY SERVICES. AND IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR YEARS, BUT NO ONE WAS ALLOWED TO DISCUSS IT AND ANYONE'S MEMORY. SO THANK EACH OF YOU, UH, GENTLEMEN, FOR TAKING ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY. WE'LL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION. WE'RE, UH, IN ACTIVE, UH, DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ALL OF OUR OPTIONS, BUT WE MUST ADDRESS THIS CRITICAL CONCERN THAT YOU BROUGHT FORWARD. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. BOTH OF YOU INHERITED, NOT TO MENTION MY ADMINISTRATION INHERITED. SO THANK YOU, UH, COUNCILMAN KAMAN. THANK YOU, MARIN. THANK YOU BOTH. AND WHEN YOU SHOW A LOT OF THOSE PICTURES, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE CEILING CAVING IN, I SAID, OH, THAT WAS THE, UH, WOMEN'S RESTROOM AND THE ANNEX ON THE COUNCIL FLOOR. UH, THE, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE PICTURES, WE KNOW BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT WE CAN RELATE TO. AND THAT'S NOT A REFLECTION. I WANNA MAKE CLEAR OF THE WORK OF GSD. UM, THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN AND WHAT COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THEM FOR DECADES, RIGHT? YEAH. AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH DUCT TAPE AT THIS POINT. WHEN YOU COME UP THE STAIRS OF CITY HALL, EVEN THE PAINT IN THE ROOF WE'VE ALL SEEN IT IS, IS PEELING OFF. AND ALL OF THE MONEY THAT THE CITY HAS, RIGHTFULLY SO, HAS BEEN GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. NOT CITY BUILDINGS, BUT OUR CITY BUILDINGS ARE WHAT KEEP THE CITY RUNNING. UM, SO MAYOR, I APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TODAY BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THE STATE OF CITY FACILITIES. AND WE HAVE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER PECK DURING, UH, BUDGET PRESENTATIONS. YOU ASKED A REALLY POIGNANT QUESTION WHEN WE CONTINUED ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. HOW MUCH DOES IT END UP COSTING THE CITY? AND IT BALLOONS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I BELIEVE, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. YEAH. AND SO WE KEEP PAYING IN AND YOU KNOW, CHIEF, I BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING MONEY INTO TRAVIS FOR RENOVATIONS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE THE BUILDINGS ARE SO BIG AND THEY'RE AGING. YEAH. UM, I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. UH, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYOR, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CHIEF MACKAY, YOU SAID, UM, FOR SIX 11, IT'S, IT GOES DOWN TO WHAT WAS THE 18% NUMBER, 18% REMAINING SERVICE LIFE REMAINING SERVICE LIFE. AND MY HOPE IS THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A PRIORITY FOR HPD. AND AGAIN, SIX 11 IS PUBLIC WORKS, BUT IT'S A LOT OF OTHER STUFF TO, IT'S A, IT IS. THESE CITIES ABOUT 14, 14 CITY DEPARTMENTS HOUSED THEMSELVES IN SIX 11. CORRECT. 14. IT, THIS IS A BIG ISSUE. UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ME IN TALKING ABOUT THIS IS TO ALSO UNDERSTAND IN DEPTH MAY OR MAYBE A COMMITTEE, UM, THE LIFE EXPEND EXPECTANCY AND LIFESPAN AND RANKINGS OF SOME OF OUR OTHER CITY FACILITIES. BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEN IN TERMS OF DENSITY AND CRITICAL SERVICES. BUT, AND I, I JUST USE WEST GRADE 'CAUSE IT'S IN THE DISTRICT. WE HAVE THOSE SAME ISSUES. SOME OF OUR, OUR LIBRARIES DO, SOME OF OUR OTHER OFFICES. LUCKILY CENTRAL PATROL NOW HAS A NEW FACILITY, BUT SAME SITUATION THERE. SO THIS IS ALL OVER THE CITY. SO I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT SOME OF THE, [02:55:01] UM, THOSE PERCENTAGE AND CRITICAL NEED RANKINGS AND LIFESPAN RANKINGS ARE FOR ALL OF OUR CITY FACILITIES. BECAUSE AGAIN, YOU CAN MIRROR, AND THAT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS, BUT YOU CAN TAKE ANY OF THOSE PICTURES AND APPLY IT TO OTHER CITY BUILDINGS THAT HAVE CRITICAL NEEDS. ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT, AND IT KIND OF GOT US ALL CHATTING, THERE WERE TWO LINES IN BOTH OF THOSE BUILDINGS RELATED TO ASBESTOS. MM-HMM . HAS THAT BEEN MITIGATED? NO. UH, NO. I MEAN, THE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT IN 66 AND THEY WERE BUILT TO THE STANDARDS OF 1966. AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S EVEN BEEN PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS I THINK THE DEPARTMENTS HAD INTERNALLY FOR A LONG TIME. CERTAINLY IT'S ONE THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED VERY RECENTLY WAS, YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY FOR INSTANCE, LET'S SAY WE MOVE AWAY. WELL, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE EXISTING SITE? YOU KNOW, MOST LIKELY WE WOULD LOOK TO SELL IT OR TO LEASE THE PROPERTY OUT. BUT THE BUILDING ITSELF WOULD PROBABLY BE RAISED AND BEFORE IT COULD BE RAISED, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REMEDIATED FOR ASBESTOS. BEFORE YOU COULD DO THAT, TRAVIS IS GONNA BE THE EXACT SAME SITUATION, AND THE ASBESTOS IS ORIGINAL. AND THAT, AGAIN, AS WE TALK ABOUT ALL CITY FACILITIES, I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT RISK IS AT OUR OTHER CITY FACILITIES FOR EMPLOYEES. UM, THE, ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS IT RELATES TO, AND I'LL DEFER TO CHAIR ALCORN ON THIS, BUT WE HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THIS IS NOT, UH, WE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT IT. IT WAS, WE NEED A GOOD SOLUTION HERE. UH, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, LAND AT TRANQUILITY PARK RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE OTHER THINGS, BUT IT'S THE SALE OF THESE PROPERTIES THAT HAS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING IS QUITE A CHALLENGE GOING BACK ALMOST TWO DECADES NOW. SO IT'S NOT FOR WANT OF ACTION, IT'S HOW DO WE MAKE THIS FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE IF Y'ALL HAVE A, YOU KNOW, A NEW STRATEGY. I'M ALL IN. BUT I WANNA MAKE CLEAR, UM, THAT AGAIN, THIS IS, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS MADE. AND PART OF THAT HAS BEEN THE CHALLENGE OF, LIKE YOU SAID, HOW DO YOU SELL A BUILDING THAT HAS SO MUCH YEAH. THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTED INTO IT. UH, AGAIN, I KNOW THOSE CONVERSATIONS WILL COME LATER, BUT, AND, AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER, IT'S A HUGE CHALLENGE. I I, I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY. IT, IT IS A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE. UM, AND IT'S PART OF THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT WE'RE DOING. UM, WE WANNA BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF IT ALSO, SO THAT YOU'RE NOT SURPRISED WHEN WE COME BACK WITH A, WITH A, A SOLUTION AND SAY, WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE BEST SOLUTION FOR US AND THIS IS HOW WE WOULD DO IT. YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF HOW DO YOU PAY FOR THESE AND DO THAT. THOSE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS WE'RE ALSO HAVING RIGHT NOW. AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THE ENVIABLE AND UNIQUE POSITION THAT WITH SIX 11, IT'S OWNED BY, UH, THE WATER UTILITY. UM, THE WATER UTILITY AS AN ENTERPRISE FUND HAS A VERY DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, FINANCING METHOD. UH, IT'S ACTUALLY GOT A BETTER CREDIT RATING THAN THE CITY ITSELF. SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE TO BOND FINANCE FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWER INTEREST RATES, BUT THERE'S MANY OTHER, UH, AVENUES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST AS WELL FOR HOW WE WOULD DO IT. AND ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION IS, IS HOW DO WE STRETCH THOSE DOLLARS? RIGHT. YOU KNOW, I I, I HAD A, UH, AN INTERVIEW WITH A REPORTER RECENTLY AND I SAID, THE POT IS THE POT. THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND THE POT WE'RE GETTING THE MOST OUT OF IT THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN, CERTAINLY WITH OUR FACILITIES, THAT'S ONE OF IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY ONE OF YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT'S WISE TO SPEND $300 MILLION ON SIX 11 WALKER, UM, THAT FAR EXCEEDS THE VALUE ON CLASS A BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN RIGHT NOW OF SUCH A SIZE, LIKE WAY EXCEEDS IT. OKAY. THE MARKET, IN FACT, IS VERY FAVORABLE TO US. AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE REALLY RED REDOUBLED OUR EFFORTS OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS IS DO WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE? THERE'S AN, THERE'S A NUMBER OF VACANT SPACES ALL ACROSS THE CITY AND INCLUDING IN DOWNTOWN. SOME OF THOSE ARE THINGS THAT COULD BE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO US. AND DEPENDING ON HOW WE DETERMINE TO PAY FOR IT, IT MIGHT SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. INSTEAD OF HPD SPENDING, PERHAPS 12 TO 15 MILLION A YEAR ON BREAK FIX, RIGHT? RIGHT. MAYBE ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW THEY ONLY SPEND TWO OR $3 MILLION A YEAR ON RENT PERIOD, AND THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE EXTRA STUFF THAT GOES WITH IT. THERE'S WAYS THAT WE CAN DO THIS THAT CAN BE REALLY, REALLY SMART. THAT PUTS THE CITY IN A GOOD POSITION, PUTS OUR EMPLOYEES IN A GOOD POSITION, MAKES EVERYONE SAFE, IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF THOSE SERVICES. 'CAUSE THINK ABOUT THIS TOO. THE MORALE THAT HAPPENS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY WORK IN SPACES THAT THEY DON'T LIKE, VERY MUCH PRODUCTIVITY GOES DOWN. AND IT ALSO MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR US AS LEADERS TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE DEGREE WE WOULD LIKE TO, WHEN WE KNOW DEEP DOWN IN THE BACK OF IT'S LIKE, WELL, ARE WE REALLY DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR THEM? SO WE WANNA BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. SO, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO TACKLE 'EM HEAD ON, BUT WE'RE ALSO ACTIVELY WORKING FOR A SOLUTION. AND WE HOPE TO BRING THAT TO YOU EXPEDITIOUSLY. AND I APPRECIATE, AGAIN, I LOVE THE SOLUTION ORIENTED, SOLUTIONS ORIENTED APPROACH TO THIS OF, YES, WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM, BUT LET'S COME UP WITH A GREAT WAY TO ADDRESS IT AND MAKE IT WORK. THANK Y'ALL. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. THE, THE LIST GOES ON AND [03:00:01] ON. I COULD REFER YOU TO THE EMERGENCY CENTER. I CAN REFER YOU TO OUR FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS THAT WE DISCOVERED LAST SUMMER TO EVERYONE SURPRISED DID NOT HAVE GENERATORS AND THE FIRE AND POLICE, AND WE'RE REFERRING PEOPLE TO COOLING CENTERS THAT DID NOT HAVE GENERATORS, WHICH WE'RE GONNA ADDRESS LATER IN THE RECOVERY FUNDING. BUT IT'S JUST SHOCKING THE LACK OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE URGENCY OF THIS MATTER. YES, THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS FOR YEARS, I'VE HEARD THEM, BUT THIS PAINTS A PICTURE THAT REQUIRES ADDRESSING, AND WE'RE NOT GONNA KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD. AND I, I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. I RAN HOUSTON AND TODAY WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING PROBABLY THE MOST TWO IMPORTANT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC THAT ARE, THAT ARE VERY CLOSE TO SHUTTING DOWN FROM YEARS OF NEGLECT. SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE USING THIS TIME THE MAYOR'S REPORT TO SPECIFICALLY POINT TO WALKER AND TRAVIS. BUT WE COULD GO BEYOND THAT FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS DURING THE KINGWOOD FLOODS. I WAS SHOCKING THE SLEEPING CONDITIONS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE KINGWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH HOLES IN THE FLOOR, MOLD IN THE CEILING, UNSAFE BEEN NEGLECTED, POLICE STATIONS WITHOUT GENERATORS, LIBRARIES WITHOUT GENERATORS. SO THIS IS, UH, A CONTINUED PROCESS OF ADDRESSING YEARS OF NEGLECT. IT WILL BE A FINANCIAL DECISION AS WELL AS LOGISTICS. BUT AS RANDY'S MENTIONED, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS CURRENTLY TO LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS, BUT WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO SUBJECT OUR EMPLOYEES TO WALKER AND OUR HPD OFFICERS, UH, TO TRAVIS. NOT TO MENTION TRAVIS IS ACTUALLY LEASING CAR SPACE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. SO THERE'S A HECK OF A MESS HERE. YEP. THAT I WANTED Y'ALL TO, UH, TO APPRECIATE. YEAH. AND I, AND THAT'S WHY MAYOR, I SAID, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE AND HELPFUL CONVERSATION WHEN YOU BRING UP OEM, RIGHT? FROM THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS THERE, BUT EVEN THE COMPUTERS THAT YOU JUST SHOWED THAT OPERATE THE ELEVATORS, THAT'S WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I LOOK AT OUR CAD SYSTEM, RIGHT? THAT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET ONLINE TO NEXT GEN. UH, SO AGAIN, UH, I LOVE THE SOLUTIONS ORIENTED APPROACH AND, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT WE HEAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SENATOR. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. WE KNOW WE'LL HAVE A FUTURE STORM AND WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE WALKING IN WITH THEIR SLEEPING BAGS. WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR 'EM, AND WE WILL. COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND I WOULD SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, BUT MAYBE I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION WOULD BE BETTER. UH, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE A TOUR SO WE CAN SEE IT FIRSTHAND? I MEAN, PICTURES ARE ONE THING AND YEP. CERTAINLY SEE A LOT, BUT I THINK GOING OUT AND SEEING IT FIRSTHAND MIGHT DO US ALL A LOT OF GOOD. YEAH, WE, WE WOULD, WE WOULD LOVE, BOTH OF US. WOULD LOVE TO HOST ANY OF YOU IN OUR BUILDINGS TO TAKE A, A REAL CLOSE LOOK AT IT. WE'LL WARN YOU, OF COURSE, THOSE TOP COUPLE OF OF FLOORS ARE ACCESSIBLE TYPICALLY BY STAIRS ONLY. THERE'S A LOT OF 'EM, BUT WE'D LOVE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. UM, IT'LL BE EYE-OPENING. I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT. COUNCILOR PICK. THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR TACKLING THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN MENTIONED ABOUT THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND THAT NUMBER THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US, UM, DURING THE BUDGET HEARINGS. IT WAS CURRENTLY $760 MILLION AND IT BALLOONS UP TO $1.4 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. AND I'M WONDERING NOW HOW MANY OF THE SPECIFICS OF, UM, THOSE TWO FACILITIES WERE FACTORED INTO THAT NUMBER, BECAUSE NOW THAT NUMBER ALMOST SEEMS LOW. UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT, I SUSPECT IT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE JUST IN THESE TWO FACILITIES ALONE. UM, DO WE HAVE A TIMELINE FOR A SOLUTION ON THIS? OR DO YOU KNOW WHEN? I DON'T, I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC TIMELINE, BUT I, I WILL SAY IT, IT IT IS SOON. UM, WE, WE'VE BEEN VERY DILIGENT ABOUT THIS FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS NOW, AND WE FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME PROMISING PROSPECTS OUT THERE, AND WE HOPE TO, TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK SOON WITH A PROPOSAL ON WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND, AND PART OF THAT IS UNDERSTANDING TOO, LOGISTICALLY, RIGHT? IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST ABOUT THE SPECIFIC FACILITY OR A DOLLAR AMOUNT, BUT THE WHOLE LOGISTICS OF WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE, HOW DOES IT, HOW DOES IT WORK TOGETHER? UH, IS THERE A PACKAGE THAT KIND OF HAPPENS IN THERE WITH IT? WE'RE EXPLORING ALL OF THAT, BUT IT'S, BUT VERY SOON, GREAT. THANK YOU ALCO. COUNCILMAN ALCORN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THAT WAS PART OF WHAT, WHAT VICE MAYOR PRO TEM SAID, BECAUSE WHAT, IT WAS A $760 MILLION DEFERRED MAINTENANCE NUMBER, YOU JUST SHOWED US $500 MILLION. SO WE KNOW THAT NUMBER IS LOW. UH, YOU KNOW, MAYOR, BACK WHEN WE WERE DOING THE FINANCIAL POLICIES, WE DID PUT A POLICY IN. [03:05:01] THERE WAS NO PO. WE, WE'VE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS FOR A LONG TIME. I APPRECIATE THE DETAIL OF THIS ONE AND THE URGENCY OF THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS A NOT SEXY TOPIC OF CITY HALL, AND I TRY TO BRING IT UP EVERY CHANCE. I, I CAN, I'VE PUT DONE MANY BUDGET AMENDMENTS, PUTTING MONEY BACK IN. WE HAVE A CURRENT, WE, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PUT IN 2% OF OUR CURRENT REPLACEMENT, UM, OF ALL OUR FACILITIES IN EACH CIP YEAR. WHEN THAT'S NOT DONE, I'VE DONE BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO PUT THAT BACK IN. WE KNOW THIS, WE KNOW WE PAY WHEN WE DON'T PAY . WE PAY MORE EVERY YEAR WHEN WE DON'T ADDRESS THESE THINGS. SO, UM, WE TRY TO SELL 12, 1200 TRAVIS BACK IN 2012, WE HAD IT ON THE MARKET. NOBODY WANTED IT. UH, THE, YOU KNOW, I'M ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO GET OUT OF THESE THINGS, BUILD SOMETHING NEW. I MEAN, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT WORTH SPENDING $600 MILLION ON. SO HOWEVER WE CAN HELP MOVE THAT ALONG, UM, THESE ARE CRITICAL, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE RIGHT RANDY, WHEN YOU SAY PEOPLE DON'T WANNA WORK, AND I THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN I GO TO BARK SOMETIMES AND THEY'RE OUT THERE AND THAT TEACH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T WANNA WORK IN THESE PLACES. YOU WANNA TAKE A, A LITTLE BIT OF PRIDE IN WHERE YOU WORK. MM-HMM . SO IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. IT'S, THEY'RE HUGE NUMBERS. IT'S HARD TO GET MM-HMM . BUT, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. THE UTILITY CAN HELP. I MEAN, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PUT THIS AS PART OF A BOND DEAL, UM, OBVIOUSLY, AND, UM, JUST LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON THIS. THANK YOU. WE'RE GONNA SOLVE IT. AND I THINK I TOLD YOU A YEAR AGO WHEN WE HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE, IF I SAY WE'RE GONNA SOLVE IT, AND A GOAT CAN PULL A TRAIN, GO AHEAD AND HOOK HIM UP. WE WE'RE GONNA BE BACK BEFORE YOU. WE'RE GONNA BE BACK BEFORE YOU VERY SOON WITH A, A VERY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLE PLAN THAT, UH, WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SOLVING THIS. COUNCILMAN POLLARD. THANK YOU MAYOR, AND GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE INSIGHTS. YOU ALL SAID FOR, UH, THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, YOU'VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS ON OPTIONS. TELL US WHAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE BECAUSE, UM, WHAT HAPPENS A LOT OF TIMES IS WE GET THESE REPORTS OR WE GET PROPOSALS AND THINGS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DECIDED, SO WE'RE JUST HERE. YAY. OR NAYING. IT, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO BE A PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS. SO WHAT, WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? WHAT ARE YOU ALL DISCUSSING? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE, UH, THINGS THAT YOU CAN THINK OF THAT SHOULD BE DECIDED AND THAT YOU'RE PONDERING THAT YOU CAN BRING US IN RIGHT NOW? SURE. I'LL BE HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, SINCE I CAME TO THE CITY, IN FACT, UH, I'VE TOURED MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE BUILDINGS, HIGH RISES, MID RISES. UH, I'VE TOURED MULTIPLE PROPERTIES THEMSELVES. THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD HAVE INCLUDED THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF WHAT COULD, COULD TAKE PLACE. DO WE, DO WE TAKE LAND PERHAPS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE AND BUILD SOMETHING NEW ON IT? DO WE FIND LAND? WHERE WOULD THAT LAND BE? UH, GIMME SOME EXAMPLES. I COUNCIL MEMBER, I HAVE, THERE ARE SO MANY PARCELS THAT WE HAVE, WE WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM. SO A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, LOOK, WE HAVE A 44 ACRE TRACT OUT ON OLD FARM ROAD, RIGHT? UH, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT DO WE BUILD SOMETHING OUT THERE? WOULD IT MAKE SENSE? UM, WE'RE EVALUATING THAT. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC SOLUTION FOR YOU TODAY, BUT THE POINT THAT I'M MAKING IS, IS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THAT. DO WE BUILD OR DO WE BUY? THERE'S A LOT OF VACANT DOWNTOWN SPACE RIGHT NOW. UH, I'VE PROBABLY TOURED MORE THAN 30 BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN ALONE, JUST IN THE LAST YEAR LOOKING AT 'EM. SOME OF THEM ARE IN DIFFERENT STATES OF CONDITIONS. SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT A NICE FIXER UPPER PROJECT, YOU COULD PROBABLY GET IT FOR PRETTY CHEAP, BUT YOU'RE GONNA PAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT. UH, BUT OTHERS ARE IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION WHERE THE INITIAL PRICE TAG LOOKS HIGHER, BUT PERHAPS YOU HAVE TO PUT LESS REMEDIATION INTO IT. THEN YOU ALSO, DO YOU THINK THAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE PRICE TAGS WILL BE? THOSE PRO I CAN TELL YOU, WE, AND WE, WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE PROPERTIES, WE ALSO TALK TO THE BROKERS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, WHAT THEY'RE MARKETING IT FOR. I'VE BEEN IN BUILDINGS THAT COST ANYWHERE FROM $15 MILLION THAT WERE ABOUT 800,000 SQUARE FEET. THAT WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE NEARLY $200 MILLION IN RENOVATION TO GET IT UP THERE TO BUILDINGS THAT COST $300 MILLION. THAT WOULDN'T REQUIRE ANYTHING. I THINK THAT IN THE END, THAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND YOURSELF SOMEWHERE VERY IN THE MIDDLE. IF WE ARE SMART ABOUT HOW WE DO THIS. THE MARKET SUGGESTS THAT YOU CAN PROBABLY GET PROPERTY AT A GOOD PRICE. AND IF IT'S IN GOOD ENOUGH CONDITION, THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE TOO MUCH, THAT YOU WOULD BE FAR, FAR LESS THAN EITHER OF THE PRICE TAGS ON ANY ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS. AND WOULD YOU, ARE THE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING CONSOLIDATING DEPARTMENTS ALL INTO ONE BUILDING, LIKE HPD WOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN THE SAME BUILDING AS MAYBE PUBLIC WORKS? THERE WAS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT NOT HAVING AS MANY OFFICERS IN A HIGH RISE. WHAT, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS THERE THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING? LEMME, IT RUNS THE GAMUT, LIKE DIRECTOR, UH, TALKED ABOUT. SO ONE EXAMPLE IS MAYBE SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS AGO, WE HAD A DOWNTOWN BUILDING COME AVAILABLE. UH, DIRECTOR CALLED AND SAID, HEY, THIS BUILDING HAS THIS MUCH SQUARE FOOTAGE, BUT IT'S SEPARATE IN SEPARATE FLOORS. SO THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY IS THERE'S A SEPARATE SECURITY ELEMENT THAT COMES WITH [03:10:01] A POLICE DEPARTMENT. SO WE'VE LOOKED AT PUBLIC WORKS GOING SOMEWHERE, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TRYING TO GO SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT. WE'VE LOOKED AT COMBINING, BUT THEN WE HAVE THE SAME, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF, IN A BUILDING, FOR INSTANCE, LET'S SAY YOU HAVE 20 FLOORS AVAILABLE, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL TOGETHER. UH, IF I HAVE TWO LAW FIRMS, AN ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND FIVE OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE SAME ELEVATOR BANK AS THOSE AVAILABLE FLOORS, THAT'S NOT GONNA WORK FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT MAY WORK FOR THE FOR PUBLIC WORKS, BUT FOR SECURITY, LET ME INTERJECT MYSELF. UH, THE PURPOSE OF THE MAYOR'S REPORT SMART, WAS TO PAINT THE PICTURE THAT WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING, THE SOLUTIONS ARE BEING PREPARED, AND WE'LL REPORT 'EM TO YOU WHEN THEY'RE PREPARED TO REPORT TO YOU. OKAY. I HAVE A, I HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS. UM, WE'RE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE TWO FACILITIES, AND AS COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN, UH, BROUGHT FORWARD BEFORE, THERE ARE OTHER, UM, CITY FACILITIES THAT ARE IN BAD SHAPE AS WELL. UH, I JUST TOURED BARK THE OTHER DAY JUST TO GET A UPDATE ON HOW THEIR FACILITIES LOOK. AND I KNOW WE HAD A BOND PACKAGE FOR A NEW FACILITY THERE, BUT THEY HAVE TREMENDOUS NEEDS. THE MAYOR'S ALREADY POINTED OUT OEM, OUR CITY ANNEX, UH, WHERE OUR OFFICES ARE, NEEDS SOME, UM, ATTENTION. SO WOULD, ARE THERE DISCUSSIONS ON A, A PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES ALL OF OUR CITY FACILITIES? OR ARE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT THESE TWO? UH, I, I, AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S PART OF, WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THAT, BUT HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS BEEN ONGOING? LIKE WHAT ARE THOSE DISCUSSIONS? UH, ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN, THE QUESTION IS, IS DO IF WE FIND SOMEPLACE THAT HAS IT, IS THAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US? WE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, A BIG PART OF, UH, BEING EFFICIENT AND UNDERSTANDING THOSE THINGS IS WHERE DO WE HAVE SOME DUPLICATION? IF WE HAVE TOO MANY FACILITIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE SPREAD OUT, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSOLIDATE AND COMBINE? IF THERE IS, THEN WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT AND, AND WE'RE DOING THAT. AND IS THERE A DOLLAR FIGURE THAT YOU THINK, UH, YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH PUTTING OUT THERE FOR THE PUBLIC THAT WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS GOING FORWARD? NO, NOT TODAY. I THINK IT'D BE TOO, NOT A RANGE. I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO, TO SAY THAT. UM, WHAT ABOUT A RANGE? UH, I'LL, I'LL START AT A DOLLAR. DON'T WE REFER THAT TO GENERAL SERVICES? WHO'S GOT JURISDICTION OVER ALL? I, I JUST THOUGHT YOU ALL WERE DISCUSSING AND BAR THANK YOU. TODAY WE'RE FOCUSING ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HPD, BUT OBVIOUSLY OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND CJ CAN GLADLY COME BEFORE YOU AND GIVE YOU A REPORT. BUT TODAY WE'RE FOCUSING ON THESE TWO URGENT DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR YEARS. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND I ABSOLUTELY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGES IN OUR PUBLIC BUILDINGS. UM, WHEN YOU COME UP WITH THE NUMBERS AND YOU DETERMINE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, THE ONLY THING I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE, THE BURDEN THAT THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO EXPERIENCE WITH THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES THAT WE ARE ALREADY SEEING JUST ACROSS THE CITY IN GENERAL. SO, UM, WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS AND COMES UP, THAT'S WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING. YEAH, AND WE WILL, WE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE PREPARED TO REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS AND HOW THAT WORKS. WE'VE, WE'VE STARTED RUNNING THOSE DISCUSSIONS. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE WATER UTILITY WERE TO DO THAT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT, UM, BOND FINANCING ON THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN BUILT INTO THEIR BUDGET FOR A LONG TIME, AND IT'S ALREADY BUILT INTO THE CURRENT RATE STRUCTURE. RIGHT. SO, UM, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE, WE'RE VERY EARLY ON RIGHT NOW, EVEN THOUGH I'M PROMISING WE'RE GONNA COME WITH SOMETHING SOON. UH, THERE'S ENOUGH CONVERSATIONS GOING ON. I THINK WE CAN COME WITH SOMETHING SOON. IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT ANY ONE OF THOSE OPTIONS WOULD BE. COUNCILOR DAVIS. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. UM, I, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH, UM, COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER. YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO GO IN AND LOOK AT THESE FACILITIES AND THE TIME, WHENEVER THAT IS, THE PROCESS GOES FORWARD BECAUSE WHEN WE BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL, UM, RIGHT NOW, TO ME, WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS, THE NUM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S FAR OFF. WE CAN'T DETERMINE IT. BUT IF WE SEE IT, THEN WHEN IT COMES BEFORE US, THEN WE'LL KNOW ACTUAL WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND THEN WE WON'T BE HASSLING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY IT'S GOING TO COST OR WHAT IT'S GOING TO NEED IF IT GOES TO A PLAN TO GO TO A BIGGER BUILDING, BUILD A BUILDING, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. SO I, I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH, UH, COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER THAT WE, I WANT TO BE A PART OF SETTING UP TIME TO GO LOOK AT THE FACILITY BECAUSE IT, IT'S BECOME VERY APPARENT THAT IT'S, IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR Y'ALL. WAS JUST SHARING WITH COUNCIL MCCAIN AND, YOU KNOW, FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, OBVIOUSLY. SO, LIKE MANY THINGS HAVE GONE OVERLOOKED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. BUT I, THIS NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO, TO BITE THE BULLET AND DO WHAT WE SUPPOSED TO DO. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT, UH, SIX 11 WALKER HAD ABOUT AN 18% LIFESPAN, [03:15:01] UH, UM, LEFT WITH THE BUILDING. WHAT, WHAT DOES THAT EQUAL OUT IN YEARS? YEAH. UH, IN YEARS. I, I CAN GET YOU AN ANSWER ON THAT. I, I KNOW THE SCORE. THAT'S THE SCORE THAT GSD PROVIDES BACK TO US ON THAT, BUT, AND WHAT ABOUT ON TRAVIS? WHAT'S THE, TRAVIS IS 15%. 15%. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU CAN GET US WHAT THAT MEANS IN YEARS AS WELL. SURE. YEAH. WE'LL GET THAT FOR YOU. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, THANK YOU GENTLEMEN, AND GO TO WORK. THANK YOU, [CONSENT AGENDA] MS. SECRETARY. YOU WANT TO MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA UNDER THE PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS CATEGORY ITEM TWO IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM ITEM THREE NEEDS A MOTION CAST. T MOVE MOTIONS MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES UNDER [CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA] THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY ITEMS 5, 12, 13, 16, 17, 26 AND 28 HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. UH, THOSE NUMBERS AGAIN. 5, 12, 13, 16, 17, 26, AND 28. NEED A VOTE ON THE BALANCE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES, ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. ITEM FIVE NEEDS A MOTION. YES, I'M SORRY. ITEM FIVE IS IN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE THOMAS AMENDMENT FIRST? YES, WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT. UH, I'M GLAD IF I COULD, SO I'M GLAD ITEM FIVE IS A SEPARATE CONSIDERATION BECAUSE IT, UH, HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THOROUGHLY WITH THE PUBLIC. AND, UH, AND THIS COUNCIL. I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT, UM, AND I'M GONNA ASK FOR STEVE. STEVEN HAD COME FORWARD AND GIVE US A DETAIL OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS BEING PUT INTO HOME REPAIRS. I WANNA PREFACE HIS REMARKS WITH THE FACT THAT MEMBERS WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH HARVEY FUNDING, RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION SINCE 2017. THIS BODY IS STILL DEALING WITH RECOVERY FUNDS FROM 2017 THAT ARE BEING PUT INTO HOME REMODELING AND IMPROVEMENTS, REPAIRS. ALSO, WE HAVE COMING FOR COUNCIL VERY SHORTLY, FUNDING FROM YURI 2021. SO LET'S BE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHERE THE PROBLEMS COMING FROM. PART OF THE FUNDING STREAM WAS SUPPOSED TO GET TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND DEPARTMENT. BOTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS WE KNOW WERE IN DISARRAY, HOUSING AUTHORITIES UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR HOW THEY'VE DISTRIBUTED HOME REPAIR FUNDING. THAT'S THE REASON WE HAD TO DISCUSS WITH HUD HOW WE WERE GONNA USE THE DORITO AND THE BARREL FUNDING. THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, WHERE THE FUNDING WAS GOING, WHO WAS GETTING THE CONTRACTS AND THE DELIVERY OF THAT SERVICE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO USE ANY OF THE CURRENT RECOVERY FUNDS THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING FOR HOME REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO TRACKING OF WHERE THE FUNDS WERE GOING. WE HAD TO SHOW THEM THAT WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP AND A HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT THEY'RE INVESTIGATING. AND THEN ALSO, WE HAD TO CONVINCE 'EM THAT MIKE NICHOLS, THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS A PUBLIC SERVANT THAT WOULD MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE'S ACCOUNTABILITY. SO WE LISTENED TO THE PUBLIC, THE PUBLIC WANTED ADDITIONAL MONIES, PUT IN HOME REPAIR, WE DELIVERED. BUT I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW THOUGHTFUL AND TRANSPARENT THE FUNDING FOR THE DERECHO AND BARREL FUNDING HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED. WE MUST DEAL WITH THE GENERATION. IF YOU TALK TO HOUSTONIANS FROM THE STORMS, CERTAINLY BARREL, IT WAS A LACK OF ELECTRICITY, LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS. WE WERE SENDING PEOPLE [03:20:01] TO COOLING CENTERS THAT HAD NO ELECTRICITY. FIRE STATIONS COULD NOT OPERATE FOR LACK OF GENERATION. IT IS A HIGH PRIORITY WITH THE PUBLIC. YES, WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE, AND I'M GONNA ASK STEVEN TO WALK THROUGH. IT COMES TO ABOUT $160 MILLION BEING PUT INTO HOME REPAIRS. WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC ADDRESS, THEIR PRIORITIES, HOME REPAIR BEING ONE OF 'EM, BUT ELECTRICITY BEING THE HIGHEST PRIORITY, ANY TOWN HALL MEETING WILL TALK ABOUT. WE CAN'T FUNCTION WITHOUT ELECTRICITY IN RESPONDING TO THAT. WE'VE BEEN VERY THOUGHTFUL IN OUR DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING. I WILL BE GLAD TO BRING UP THE AMENDMENT, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO PUT IT IN THE CONTEXT. STEVEN, BREAK DOWN WHERE THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM, WHERE THE HARVEY AND THE URI FUNDING FROM YEARS PAST IS STILL NOT BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY THIS BODY. YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING. COUNCIL MEMBERS. UM, AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, THE, UH, WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT, UH, WHAT THIS DISASTER, UH, RECOVERY ALLOCATION IS, IT IS A A POINT IN TIME ALLOCATION, AND IT IS NOT THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AS A MUNICIPALITY TOWARDS HOME REPAIRS AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING GENERALLY. UM, AS THE MAYOR STATED, WHEN WE CAME INTO OFFICE, WE HAD A CONVERSATION, ACTUALLY, THIS IS PROBABLY A, A WEEK TWO CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD. WE HAD A PHONE CALL BETWEEN THE GLO AND WE HAD A PHONE CALL WITH HUD, AND BOTH OF THOSE AGENCIES SAID, WE HAVE CHALLENGES. WE NEED TO TALK THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES. GLO TOLD US WE HAD ABOUT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR LIABILITY SAYING WE OWE GLOA HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. UM, AND THEN HUD INDICATED SOME CHALLENGES AROUND, UM, THE WAY IN WHICH, UH, THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD BEEN COMPORTING ITSELF. THAT WAS A WEEK TWO CONVERSATION. WEEK ONE. AND THIS IS, UH, I, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE ACTUALLY SAID THIS PUBLICLY BEFORE MAYOR, BUT, UH, WE ASKED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO COME AND BRIEF THE MAYOR ON, UH, SPECIFICALLY PFCS. THERE WERE 18 PFCS. IT WAS THE MOST THAT THAT, UH, AGENCY HAD EVER CONSIDERED AT ONE TIME. AND THEY REFUSED TO COME BRIEF THE MAYOR. UM, AND THIS WAS, THESE WERE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE WERE MET WITH WHEN THE FIRST, FIRST ONE TO TWO, UH, FIRST ONE TO TWO WEEKS OF THE ADMINISTRATION MOVING FORWARD. WHAT WE IDENTIFIED WAS THE SLOW, SLOW MOVEMENT OF MONEY. AND I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING, AND THIS IS SOMEONE WHO I WORKED FOR MAYOR AND EAST PARKER. I ALSO WORKED FOR MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER AND NOW MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER. UM, I WAS AROUND DURING HURRICANE HARVEY AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND I WAS A PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS WITH, UH, THE THEN GLO HEAD, GEORGE P. BUSH, AND RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WERE, UH, THERE WAS, UH, A LOT OF BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND GEORGE P BUSH'S ADMINISTRATION AT GLO. BUT THAT LEAF THAT, THAT HAS CHANGED AS WELL. THAT BOOK HAS, THE, THE PAGE HAS TURNED IN THAT BOOK. AND SO WE RECEIVED A BUNCH OF FEEDBACK, UM, AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO, WHAT WE SHOULDN'T DO, AND GOT ADVICE. AND SO THE HOLISTIC PICTURE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE $50 MILLION ALLOCATION WITHIN DR 24. UH, WE HAVE DR. 17 MONEY. SO THIS IS $20 MILLION THAT IS GOING TOWARDS A, UH, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOCUSING ON, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE READY TO MAKE THAT STEP FROM RENTER INTO HOME OWNERSHIP. UM, WE HAVE A, UH, $40 MILLION THAT IS GOING, UH, COMING FROM DR 21, WHICH IS WINTER STORM YURI. UH, AND THAT WAS PASSED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, UH, BY Y'ALL, UM, TO CREATE THE PROCESS TO, UH, BUILD THE FORM AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO BEGIN APPLYING. UM, WE ARE DOING $50 MILLION, UH, FROM D 24. UH, WE ARE PROPOSING $50 MILLION TODAY, UH, 20 OF WHICH WILL GO TO SINGLE FAMILY, 30 OF WHICH WILL GO, UH, TO MULTIFAMILY. UM, AND THAT IS GOING TO BE, UH, A DEDUPLICATED PROCESS. MEANING IF THERE IS A HOME THAT WOULD BE COVERED BY DR 21 MONEY, YURI MONEY FOR HOME REPAIR, AND THEY ALSO RECEIVED DAMAGE, UH, IN DR 24, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT BOTH FUNDS INTO IT. WE'RE GONNA TRY AND MAKE D 24 MONEY GO FURTHER SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE MORE HOMES THAT GET REPAIRS. AND THEN WE ALSO RECEIVED A $50 MILLION HUD GRANT LAST YEAR FOR CUNY HOMES TO REBUILD THE 553 UNITS INSIDE THAT FACILITY. BEYOND THOSE THINGS, WE ARE ALSO COORDINATING WITH DIRECTOR MIKE NICHOLS AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE TO BRING MORE MONEY IN. UM, AND WE LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING MONEY. IT'S NOT THIS HOME REPAIRS. THERE'S A VERY NARROW SLIVER OF THE WAY IN WHICH MUNICIPALITIES CAN, IT CAN IMPACT HOUSING. SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE CAN DO, UH, COC MONEY, WHICH IS WHAT YOU WOULD, UH, CALL AS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. THESE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE READY TO COME OUT OF HOMELESSNESS AND BEGIN, UH, LIVING ON THEIR OWN. AGAIN, THAT IS ALSO HOUSING MONEY THAT WE WORK WITH. AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE COMPLETELY, UH, WE, WE APPOINTED IN WITH Y'ALL'S VOTE, WE APPOINTED NEW MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS GONE THROUGH A COMPLETE AND TOTAL OVERHAUL OF THAT ORGANIZATION. AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST GETTING, UH, BRINGING IN A NEW CEO. THEY HAVE NEW PROCESSES IN PLACE. THEY HAVE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY. JODY LER, THE CHAIR AND JAMIE BRYANT, THE CEO, HAVE GONE AND DONE YEOMAN'S WORK IN BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THEY'VE RENEGOTIATED, UH, PFC DEALS. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO [03:25:01] HAD A, UH, PFC IN INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS. AND, UH, JAMIE WENT IN THERE RENEGOTIATED AND BROUGHT THE COST DOWN BY $10 MILLION JUST BY HAVING A LOOK AT IT. AND THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT THE MAYOR AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT IN PLACE. AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT $50 MILLION NARROWLY LOOKING AT DR 24, IT IS AN INCOMPLETE VIEW OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS GOING RIGHT NOW TOWARDS HOUSING, WHICH IS ABOUT $160 MILLION. BUT IT ALSO DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE LARGER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT AFFORDABILITY IS A DRIVING THEME AND BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN A HOME OR OWN A HOME, UH, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. ANY YOU WANT, UH, COUNCILMAN THOMAS? OH, I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION. THAT'S WHAT I WAS WONDERING. NO, NO, NO. I I I THINK THAT COMPLETES YOUR NO, HE, YEAH, THEY'RE ON THE QUESTION YOU WANT TO ASK STEVEN. COUNCILMAN P*****K? THANK YOU, MAYOR. ALRIGHT, SO WHEN WE SAY DR 17, DR 21, THAT'S DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS FOR THE STORMS THAT WERE IN THAT PARTICULAR YEAR, CORRECT? CORRECT. HURRICANE RV 17, WINTER STORM URI 21. SO WHEN WE HAVE THESE NATURAL DISASTERS, WE, WE SUSTAIN A LOT OF DAMAGE AS A CITY AND BASED ON THAT DAMAGE, WE GET ALLOCATED DOLLARS, CORRECT? UH, YES. OKAY. YEAH. AND THE DOLLARS THAT WE ARE ALLOCATED SHOULD ONLY BE SPENT FOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE STORMS IN THAT YEAR. NO, NO. SO WE CAN GET DOLLARS FOR DAMAGE THAT WAS SUSTAINED IN A STORM THAT YEAR AND USE IT FOR OTHER THINGS AS ALLOWED BY HUD. YES. AND IS THAT THROUGH A WAIVER PROCESS? NO. OR NO? THERE IS A LIST OF APPROVED THINGS. OKAY. OF WHICH WE FOLLOWED EVERYTHING ON OUR LIST WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GENERATORS IS A OUT OF THE BOX ALLOWED EXPENSE UNDER HUD'S REGULATIONS. AND THESE ARE UNIVERSAL REGULATIONS THAT GO BACK MANY, MANY PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS. SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, WE'RE USING DOLLARS THAT CAME IN FOR STORM RELATED, UH, DAMAGE, AND WE'RE GONNA USE THEM FOR THINGS THAT WERE NOT TECHNICALLY CAUSED BY THE STORM THAT YEAR. NO. I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD COUCH IT THAT WAY. HOW IAND THAT I UNDERSTAND. COUCHING IT THAT WAY. MM-HMM . BUT THAT'S NOT HOW I WOULD FRAME IT. WOULD, SO HOW WOULD FRAME WHAT WE RECEIVE? SO WHAT HUD SAYS, SO I I'M GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WAY THAT HUD LOOKS AT THINGS GLOBALLY. UM, WHEN HUD GOES INTO PLACE AND THEY SAY THERE WAS A DISASTER, THEY WANT YOU TO COUNT. THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST COUNT. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, DAMAGES ARE NOT THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH MONEY CAN GO UP. FOR EXAMPLE, POLICE OVERTIME, PUBLIC WORKS OVERTIME, SOLID WASTE OVERTIME, ALL OF THOSE GO INTO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THROUGH, THROUGH DR FUNDING. SO THAT IS A, THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION, THAT IT'S THE WORK THAT THE JURISDICTION HAD TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SURVIVE THE DISASTER. AND DON'T FORGET THE DISASTERS GO IN THREE PHASES. THERE'S THE RESCUE, WHICH IS LIKE, I'M GETTING YOU OUTTA HIGH WATER. THERE'S RELIEF, WHICH IS, I'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE FOR THE NEXT WEEK WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE POWER, YOU HAVE FOOD AND WATER AND COOL AIR. UH, AND THEN THERE'S THE RECOVERY. RECOVERY SPANS YEARS. I'VE GOT ANGELA BLANCHARD BACK THERE ABOUT 10 ROWS BACK, AND SHE COULD COME UP AND SPEAK FOR TWO HOURS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOVERY. IN FACT, IT'S SO WITH THE, WOULD THE PRIORITY, HANG JUST A SECOND. WITH THE, WITH THE PRIORITY. HANG ON, FINISH ON, I KNOW. WOULD THE PRIORITY BE, WOULD THE PRIORITY BE REPAIRING DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE STORM IN YOUR, IN YOUR STRATEGY, OR WOULD IT BE THAT ONLY BE A SLICE OF THE PIE? SO I WAS GONNA GET BACK TO THAT. SO THE WAY THAT HUD VIEWS THESE THINGS IS THAT THEY SAY THE MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE, WE'RE GONNA COUNT THE DISASTER. WE'RE GONNA COUNT ALL THE THINGS THAT OCCURRED, ALL OF THE, THE COSTS THAT YOU INCURRED RESPONDING TO IT, AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND WE'RE GONNA TELL YOU ALL OF THESE PARAMETERS AND ALLOCATIONS WITH WHICH YOU CAN SPEND THAT MONEY. UM, AND ALL OF THE REASONS WHY YOU COULD SPEND THAT MONEY. BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO PRESCRIBE IT. SO SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE NOT ALL DISASTER IS THE SAME. NOT ALL HURRICANES ARE THE SAME. NOT ALL STORMS ARE THE SAME. AND SO EACH STORM APPLIES IT DIFFERENTLY. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, DERECHO WAS A STRAIGHT LINE WIND EVENT THAT COLOSSALLY IMPACTED DISTRICTS A AND C AND E AND A HANDFUL OF OTHER PORTIONS OF THE ONES ADJACENT TO THOSE. BUT HURRICANE BARREL IMPACTED EVERYWHERE. EVERYONE EVERYWHERE, ALL STORMS ARE DIFFERENT. AND SO HUD TRIES VERY, GOES THROUGH GREAT LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE SO NARROWED AND SO SPECIFIC. IN FACT, WHAT THEY ENCOURAGE US TO DO, AND IT'S THE REASON WHY WE HAVEN'T SENT OUT VERY TIGHT DETAILS ABOUT THE MONEY. WE ARE ALLOCATING MONEY BASED ON DATA, BUT WE ARE NOT SAYING WE'RE GONNA BUY X NUMBER OF THINGS, X NUMBER OF WIDGETS BECAUSE WE NEED IT TO FLEX AND CHANGE. AND HUD RECOGNIZES THAT. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE WAY THAT THEY INTERACT WITH US, IS THAT THEY SAY, YOUR CHALLENGES ARE GOING TO BE DEFINED BY YOU. AND WHAT WE DID WITH THIS PLAN PUT FORWARD, THE DRAFT PLAN THAT WE PUT FORWARD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO SAID WE BELIEVE THAT IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT, UH, DAMAGE TO HOMES. THAT IS, AND FULLY RECOGNIZING RIGHT, THAT DAMAGES TO HOMES OCCURRED. WE'RE NOT TRYING TO SAY THAT IT DIDN'T, BUT WHAT WE EXPERIENCED IN OUR DISASTER LAST YEAR, AND I'VE SAID THIS LIKE FOUR TIMES IN FRONT OF YOU ALSO, I'M NOT GONNA BEAT A DEAD HORSE HERE, BUT THE, [03:30:01] WE EXPERIENCED POWER AS A CHALLENGE. WE EXP UH, EXPERIENCED DEBRIS COLLECTION AS A CHALLENGE. WE, WE EXPERIENCED, UH, NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE STAGING SITES TO PUT THOSE DEBRIS, BUT MANY, MANY OF THOSE CHALLENGES ARE WHAT WE EXPERIENCE AS A CITY. CORRECT. BUT THEY AREN'T DIRECTLY THE DAMAGES THAT WERE FELT BY THE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER. SO MANY OF THE, MANY OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE PUTTING FORTH IN THE PROPOSED PACKAGE HELP US AS A CITY MAYBE PROVIDE RECOVERY OR PROVIDE RESOURCES OR TO BUILD UP OUR FACILITIES. BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO THE FACILITY OF THE PERSON. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHEN WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC. AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAYOR WHITMEYER WAS QUITE ADAMANT ABOUT WAS PUTTING TRUCK. CAN I INTERRUPT STEVEN? YES, SIR. THE QUESTION IS, HE'S TRYING TO SAY WE'RE USING IT FOR ONGOING CITY SERVICES, THAT'S TOTALLY INCORRECT. CORRECT. EVERYTHING WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON OR PROPOSING TO IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE STORM. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. RECOVERY CONTINUED SERVICES PREPAREDNESS RELATED. FOR INSTANCE, WE HAD TO HAVE A HUNDRED OFFICERS DURING THE POWER OUTAGE TO COME FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO WORK WITH HPD OVERTIME, DEBRIS PICKUP. IT'S ALL RELATED TO THE STORM. DON'T LET SOMEBODY TRY TO SAY WE'RE USING RECOVERY FUNDING FOR ONGOING DAILY COST OF RUNNING THE CITY. THAT'S CORRECT. WE'RE NOT, THAT'S THAT'S INCORRECT. YES. THAT'S NO, BEFORE I WAS CUT OFF THAT, THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS IN. INSINUATING WHAT WHAT I WAS SAYING IS THE COST THAT WE HAVE AREN'T TO MAYBE FILL BUDGET HOLES OR ONGOING SERVICES, BUT THEY ARE TO, THEY ARE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF CITY RESOURCES, CITY FACILITIES. THAT MONEY COULD BE GOING TOWARDS MORE HOME REPAIR, WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH, WITH THE CITY FACILITIES. IT'S ACTUALLY TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY SO THAT THEIR FACILITIES AND THEIR DAMAGE CAN BE REPAIRED, WHICH IS WHAT MOST OF THE DOLLARS I THINK SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TOWARDS. BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A STORM THAT SUSTAINS DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES ALL OVER THE CITY, AND THIS PARTICULAR PACKAGE IS ONLY THE PROPERTIES THAT THE CITY OWNS THAT IS GETTING, GETTING MOST OF THE ATTENTION. IS THAT TRUE? UH, I WOULD SAY THAT THIS BALANCES, STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN YOUR, ON THE, THE PERSPECTIVE OF PRIVATE HOME REPAIR DUE TO THE STORM AS WELL AS FUTURE PREPAREDNESS. I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HERE IS THAT EVERYBODY WHO HAD DAMAGE TO THEIR HOMES ALSO HAD ABOUT TWO WEEKS OF NO POWER. AND WE HAD NO, UH, PLACES OF REFUGE THAT HAD POWER THIS. SO WOULD THIS PUT POWER BACK AT THEIR HOUSE? NO. BUT IT WOULD PUT POWER IN A PLACE THAT THEY COULD GO, WHICH IS THE POINT AS CITY FACILITY. SO I GUESS MAYBE I'LL ASK YOU A QUESTION TO REFLECT YOUR QUESTION A LITTLE BIT. ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE CITY SHOULD PAY FOR POWER AT EVERYONE'S HOUSE? NO. I'M SAYING YOU'RE MAKING THE POINT THAT PEOPLE LOST POWER. YES. AND BECAUSE PEOPLE LOST POWER, UH, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO WHEN THEY HAVE NO POWER. THAT WOULD BE THE UPGRADE TO A CITY FACILITY. IT DOES NOT HELP THEM. OKAY. IT, IT DOES NOT GO TOWARDS THE ISSUE OF THEM NOT HAVING POWER AT THEIR HOME. IT JUST ENSURES THAT WE HAVE A, A CITY FACILITY THAT HAS POWER IN CASE THEY WANT TO COME THERE THAT IS PREPARED TO RECEIVE THEM. OKAY. SO THEY DON'T OVERHEAT THEIR OWN. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS, WHEN YOU SPOKE ABOUT D 17 AND DR 21 AND HOW WE'RE, WE'RE WE'RE JUST NOW ALLOCATING DOLLARS, UH, TOWARDS HOME, UH, PROJECTS FOR THOSE DISASTERS? THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS PROPOSAL IS WE HAVE HAVE A DIRECT ALLOCATION OF DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WILL BE COMING TO THE CITY. AND THE PREVIOUS DRS UM, IT WOULD GO TO THE STATE. SO 17 WOULD GO, 17 WOULD GO TO THE STATE. AND BASED ON THAT, WE DID NOT HAVE AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY AS A CITY TO MOVE THOSE DOLLARS. IS THAT CORRECT? I WOULDN'T SAY FLEXIBILITY. WE HAD TO, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? WE HAD TO MAKE A CASE TO? WE HAD THE SAME WAY THAT WE WOULD MAKE A CASE TO HUD RIGHT NOW WITH DIRECT ALLOCATION, WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HUD SECRETARY, WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HUD SECRETARY STAFF AND WE SAY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO. THEY SAY IT AS A COMPORT WITH HUD REGULATIONS. IF IT DOESN'T, HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO YOU? WE DON'T NECESSARILY LIKE TO GIVE WAIVERS, BUT IS IF THIS IS IMPORTANT, MAKE YOUR CASE. WE HAVE THAT SAME CONVERSATION WITH THE STATE AT THE GLO. THIS IS THE, WHAT THE GLO BECAME, UH, UNDER D 17 WAS IN EFFECT A MIDDLEMAN, UM, WHILE THE MIDDLEMAN IS, IS CHARGED WITH ENFORCING HUD REGULATIONS. AND SO IT WAS JUST A, A DIFFERENT PERSON THAT WE HAD TO MAKE A CASE TO. AND YOU SAID HUD DOES NOT LIKE GIVING WAIVERS. WHY IS THAT? I'M NOT SAYING THE HUD DOESN'T LIKE TO GIVE WAIVERS. HUD YOU JUST SAID HUD GIVES WAIVERS SELECTIVELY, IS WHAT I SAID. OKAY. NO FURTHER QUESTION. THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. ANY, ANY, ANYONE, UH, ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS OF STEVEN? COUNCILMAN KAMAN? THANK YOU, MAYOR. [03:35:01] DEEP BREATH. ARE YOU GONNA CROSS EXAMINE ME? NO, I'M NOT. UM, JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, STEVEN, BECAUSE YOU, YOU'RE SUCH AN EXPERT AND YOU AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME VERY INTERESTING PFCS, BUT DO YOU MIND JUST SAYING WHAT A PFC IS? ? YEAH. PUBLIC FINANCE CORPORATION. OKAY. SO THIS IS THE ABILITY, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. I APPRECIATE THAT. THIS IS THE ABILITY OF A, UM, A HOUSING AUTHORITY TO, UH, TAKE A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ASSET, UH, VIA TYPICALLY APARTMENT COMPLEXES, ALMOST ALWAYS APARTMENT COMPLEXES. UM, AND SAY THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF AFFORDABILITY, WE WILL LIFT YOU OFF THE TAX ROLLS. AND BECAUSE YOU WILL NO LONGER PAY TAXES TO ANY TAXING JURISDICTION, YOU WILL DRIVE THAT MONEY INTO AFFORDABILITY AND DRIVE THE AFFORDABILITY UP OR IN DECREASE COSTS TO THE RENTERS TAX TAX CREDIT TO BE ABLE TO ABSOLUTELY LOWER THE COST OF HOUSING TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. YES, MA'AM. UM, THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU. YES, ABSOLUTELY. I LOVE MY ACRONYMS. UM, THE, I, BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE ABOUT TO ENTER, UH, AN EXTENSIVE DEBATE ON SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS AND THE FUNDING. I DO WANNA SAY THANK YOU, UM, TO DIRECTOR NICHOLS. I SEE YOU IN THE AUDIENCE. I SEE A LOT OF FOLKS HERE AND THE ADMINISTRATION, UM, WHEN WE ASKED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, UM, SEVERAL TIMES WERE LAID OUT, RIGHT. AND WE WERE TRYING TO MEET THE SCHEDULE THAT WAS LAID OUT TO US BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MM-HMM . UM, AND I HAD SUBMITTED SOME REQUESTS, HEY, CAN WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL PUBLIC MEETINGS? CAN WE MAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THE EVENINGS ON THE WEEKENDS VIRTUALLY? AND THAT WAS ACCOMMODATED. MM-HMM . SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU. 'CAUSE I KNOW WE THEN HAD TO PUSH SOME OF THE TIMELINES BACK AND WE'RE WORKING UNDER A SPECIFIC TIMELINE. IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S ALSO CORRECT. AND IN FACT, THAT TIMELINE HAS BEEN DELAYED ONCE ALREADY. UM, BECAUSE THERE WAS THE, UH, THE REQUEST FROM THE PUBLIC, AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS, I WAS GETTING TO A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, UM, IS THE ORIGINAL DRAFT PLAN THAT WE SUBMITTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO DID NOT INCLUDE MONEY FOR SINGLE FAMILY OR MULTIFAMILY HOME REPAIR. AND MAYOR WHITMEYER AND THE ENTIRE TEAM HEARD OVERWHELMINGLY FROM THE PUBLIC THAT THAT IS IN A VERY IMPORTANT FACET OF WHAT THIS MONEY SHOULD BE ALLOCATED FOR. AND BECAUSE THIS IS A POINT IN TIME ANALYSIS, WE WERE ABLE TO ALLOCATE MONEY FOR, UH, POINT BECAUSE IT WAS A POINT IN TIME REQUEST. THERE WERE SITUATIONS THAT CHANGED SPECIFICALLY WITH PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES, MEANING WE CAME INTO MORE POLICE CARS THAN WE WERE EXPECTING. UM, THAT WAS A REQUEST WE MADE IN OCTOBER OF 24. SINCE THEN, THE STATE OF TEXAS ISSUED $10 MILLION TO US FOR, UH, A NUMBER OF POLICE VEHICLES. WE WERE ABLE TO PER, IN FACT, WE SIGNED THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR 65 VEHICLES, UH, POLICE VEHICLES ON MONDAY, UH, THAT WE WERE NOT EXPECTING. SO THINGS CHANGE AS SITUATIONS CHANGE. AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO ALLOCATE THAT MONEY RIGHT. MOVING FORWARD. AND I APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, THE INCORPORATION OF HOUSING. I APPRECIATE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, MEMBERS OF TOP HERE AND A LOT OF SPEAKERS YESTERDAY POINTED OUT, THIS MAY BE THE ONLY DOLLARS WE GET RIGHT NOW. SURE. UM, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME BECAUSE THIS MAY BE ALL WE GET. WE MAY, WE WILL LIKELY HAVE MORE NATURAL DISASTERS. RIGHT. ALL SIGNS POINT TO THAT. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL GET OR IF ANYTHING IS COMING. SO I APPRECIATE THE RIGOR AND THE DILIGENCE AND THE DEBATE AND THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE THIS COULD BE IT. MM-HMM . UM, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE MONEY BECAUSE OF A NATURAL DISASTER. BUT WE ALSO KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER, PAULA, TO YOUR POINT, IN 2017, CITY OF HOUSTON GOT SCREWED WITH OUR FED WITH OUR FEDERAL DOLLAR ALLOCATIONS. I WORKED FOR THE CITY AT THAT POINT. I DON'T DISAGREE. WE, WE GOT SCREWED. AND THE, UH, THEN THERE WERE CLAWBACKS THAT OCCURRED. THERE WERE DELAYS IN HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT OCCURRED THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY THE CITY'S FAULT. THE CITY WAS NOT PERFECT. I WAS ADVOCATING AT THE TIME, UH, ON OUR HOME ELEVATION PROGRAMS MM-HMM . RIGHT. AND THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GO THROUGH FOR RESIDENTS. BUT AGAIN, NOT ALL OF THIS FALLS ON THE CITY. AND THAT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE DIRECT ALLOCATIONS. SO IT'S HARD FOR ME TO COMPARE A 2017 CDBG ALLOCATION IN THIS, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SIMILARITIES. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS A DIRECT ALLOCATION. BUT THAT BEING SAID, I ALSO RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS, UM, AND THE ADDITIONAL WORK WORKLOAD THAT THAT IS NOW GOING TO PUT ONTO THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS RUN SUCCESSFULLY. I DON'T DISAGREE THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT. ALL OF US, I THINK, AROUND THE HORSESHOE WHEN WE WERE HAVING OUR BRIEFINGS, WERE ALSO ADVOCATING FOR THIS ALLOCATION. SO I WANNA, UM, RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND APPRECIATED IT BEING INCLUDED IN THE FLEXIBILITY THERE. YEAH. AND COUNCIL MEMBER, IF I CAN PLEASE, I THINK THAT'S A WONDERFUL POINT THAT YOU JUST BROUGHT UP. THE, I THINK I SEE, I SEE SOME HEAD SHAKES. UH, WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT THE, THE CHALLENGES OF, OF IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AND WHY DR. 17 MONEY AND DR. 21 MONEY HASN'T SPENT OR IS JUST NOW BEING SPENT. UM, PART OF IT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT A DIRECT ALLOCATION. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT OR DISPUTE THAT AT ALL. UH, THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT PROGRAMS TO ADMINISTER. WE DON'T JUST GET, SOMEBODY DOESN'T JUST GET TO SAY, MY HOME WAS DAMAGED. AND WE SAY, HERE'S YOUR CHECK. RIGHT? THIS IS THE REGULATIONS THAT HUD PUT IN PLACE, WHETHER IT'S GLO OR HUD OVERSEEING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS. WE HAVE TO GO OUT, WE HAVE TO CONFIRM THAT IT WAS DAMAGE CAUSED [03:40:01] BY THE STORM. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WASN'T DAMAGED PRIOR TO THE STORM. AND THEN WHEN WE GET INTO THE HOME, WE HAVE TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S DAMAGE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO LEAVE THAT HOME WITHOUT REPAIRING THOSE THINGS. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S A ROOF THAT'S DAMAGED, BUT ALSO A CRACKED SLAB AND A LIKE SEVERELY, UH, UN UNEVEN ELEVATION WITHIN THE HOME, WE ALSO HAVE TO FIX THAT. THESE PROGRAMS ARE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO ADMINISTER. AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY ADMINISTRATION COSTS ARE SO IMPORTANT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'LL SEE IS, UH, A PERCENT ALLOCATION TO THE ADMINISTER OF THESE PROGRAMS. HULL COME AND YANK THAT MONEY RIGHT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH US, AS WITH HAPPEN CLAWBACKS HAPPENED WITH GLO, WITH, UH, WITH OTHER MONEY. AND SO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, JUST TO YOUR POINT, AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP, ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO ADMINISTER. UH, AND TO THAT POINT WITH THE HOMEOWNERS AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, I THOUGHT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE PUBLIC BROUGHT FORWARD YESTERDAY AS TO HOW TO INCLUDE THOSE HOMEOWNERS WERE HELPFUL. I'M NOT THE HOUSING EXPERT AROUND THIS HORSESHOE, I'LL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUE. UM, BUT I DID FORWARD SOME OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND HOPE THAT, UM, THOSE CAN BE CONSIDERED AS WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS REPAIR PROGRAM MM-HMM . UM, SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE SOME OF THE HEADACHES AGREED. AND, UH, GROWING PAINS, LEARNING LESSONS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. BUT AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT 2017 IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAVE TODAY. AND I DO WANNA RECOGNIZE THIS DIRECT ALLOCATION CAME FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THAT'S RIGHT. AND I WANNA THANK BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS FOR THIS DIRECT ALLOCATION. UM, ENERGY WAS BROUGHT UP MM-HMM . POWER AND ELECTRICITY WAS BROUGHT UP UNDER, IS THERE, BECAUSE IT'S ONE THING AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE BACKUP POWER GENERATION AT OUR, OUR REFUGES, THAT IS CRITICAL. BUT WE ARE HAVING TO PUT THEM THERE BECAUSE THE LIGHTS AREN'T STAYING ON IN PEOPLE'S HOMES. COULD ANY OF THESE DOLLARS HA COULD THEY HAVE GONE TOWARDS BEARING LINES OR HARDENING FOR GRID RESILIENCY, UM, UM, IN NEIGHBORHOODS? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN DONE BEFORE? UH, SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S EVER BEEN DONE. I IMAGINE IF JUST HAVING A, A, A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE, THE WAIVER PROCESS. I IMAGINE WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH WAIVERS. BUT I, THE THING, I'LL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT WAY. WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO STRIKE A BALANCE WITH HELPING AN INDIVIDUAL, WITH HELPING AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 13 SITES OF REFUGE THAT WE LOVINGLY KNOW AS MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS. THE REASON WHY WE'RE PUTTING, UH, THE REASON WHY WE'RE TRYING TO PUT FULL FACILITY, GENERATIVE GENERATIVE POWER IN THOSE FACILITIES IS NOT BECAUSE WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN A POWER BLIP OCCURS, UH, THE, THE SENIOR PROGRAMMING GETS TO CONTINUE. THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT THING FOR US. BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DURING A DISASTER, WE HAD INNUMERATE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE. I MEAN, DURING THE WINTERS, UH, THIS FREEZE THIS YEAR, WE HAD 250 PEOPLE IN FONDE. WE HAD 150 PEOPLE IN WEST GRAY MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. WE HAVE TO HELP MANY PEOPLE ALL AT ONCE. AND SO WHEN WE HAVE TO STRIKE THAT BALANCE TO, TO, I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS IN THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT TO BURY ONE MILE OF POWER LINES IS $22 MILLION. AND THAT, AND THAT WAS, THERE'S 6,600 ROAD MILES ACROSS THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO MULTIPLY THAT TIMES 22 MILLION. AND THAT'S THE, THE COST WHICH IS BLOWING US OUT WATER. AND WE DON'T OWN OUR, WE DON'T OWN OUR THAT'S RIGHT. CENTERPOINT OWNS ALL OF OUR POLES AND LINES. OKAY. AND, BUT AGAIN, AS WE TALK ABOUT THIS, 'CAUSE WE'RE HAVING TO BALANCE REACTIONARY SAFETY VERSUS PREVENTATIVE. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. UM, AND THAT'S HARD FOR ME. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT POWER GENERATION, MAYOR, WE JUST HAD AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION ABOUT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND I SUPPORT THE GENERATORS GOING IN MM-HMM . I WANNA BE VERY CLEAR ON THAT. AT THE SAME TIME, I WORRY ABOUT A CAP FOUR, CAP FIVE SUSTAINED WINDS. AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ROOFS ON THOSE SURE. MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN MAINTAINED. AND THEN, OKAY, WELL WE COULD HAVE POWER, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE ROOF AND WE THEREFORE CAN'T STAND UP THAT, THAT FACILITY AND WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR THAT TOO. I AGREE. SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT THE FIX ALL THIS IS A STEP. UM, BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. AND COUNCIL MEMBER, I WOULD BE REMISS, ACTUALLY, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO DODGE A SHOE COMING FROM, UH, ANGELA'S DIRECTION OF THE AUDIENCE. IF I DON'T SAY THAT THIS, THE $151 MILLION IS NOT THE COMPLETE COST OF WHAT WE EXPECT GENERATORS TO COST. WE, WE'VE PICKED 140 STRATEGIC SITES ACROSS THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO THINK PLACES OF REFUGE WHICH ARE GONNA GET PRIORITY. SO THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS, THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE POWER SO PEOPLE CAN GO TO THEM IF THEY NEED TO. AND, AND THE PHRASING OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, UH, WE AGAIN, WHICH I WAS A PART OF, AND WE WERE ABLE TO, UH, DEFINE THESE THINGS. LILY PADS, THAT'S WHAT WE CALLED THEM. RIGHT. UM, AND SO THESE ARE THE PLACES THAT FOLKS CAN GO AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S POWER THERE. THEY CAN, AND WE CAN PUT POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ALSO PAYS FOR POLICE STATIONS, FIRE STATIONS. THERE WAS A FIRE, TWO FIRE STATIONS THAT HAD A GENERATOR. AND WHAT IT WAS, WAS IT POWERED THE EXIT SIGNS. UH, WE COULD NOT OPEN THE BAY DOORS. THERE WERE, THERE WERE FIREFIGHTERS PHYSICALLY THROWING BAY DOORS UP AND HOLDING THEM WITH POLES SO AN AMBULANCE COULD GET [03:45:01] OUT AND GO DO A RESCUE. UH, BUT ADDITIONALLY, BEYOND PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES, WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT OUR REPU STATIONS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THAT'S A PRIORITY. THE ACRES HOMES, REPU STATION PUMP PRESSURIZES WATER TO 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE. CITY OF HOUSTON'S POPULATION'S 2.3. WE ARE A WATER PROVI. WE ARE A REGIONAL WATER PROVIDER. AND THAT, THAT PARTICULAR REPU STATION HAD ONE DIESEL GENERATOR THAT WAS, THAT THE ONLY DIESEL GENERATOR THAT COULD POWER THAT FACILITY. AND NO JOKE, WE WHITE KNUCKLED IT THROUGH THE ENTIRE TWO WEEKS THAT THAT PLACE DID NOT HAVE POWER. WE WERE ONE BROKEN BELT AWAY FROM 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE HAVING, UH, TO BOIL, DO DO A BOIL WATER NOTICE. IT'S THE REASON WHY THIS GENERATOR IS, THESE GENERATORS ARE SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. THE TOTAL COST ESTIMATED IS GOING TO BE 100, $230 MILLION. THIS IS ONLY 151. THIS $151 MILLION IS NOT A MISSION ACCOMPLISHED MOMENT. WE STILL HAVE TO GO FIND THAT $80 MILLION AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND IT. AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FEDERAL PARTNERS AND WITH OUR DELEGATIONS AND WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS AND OUR LOCAL DELEGATION AT THE STATE AS WELL. THE, THE MISSION IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED WITH THIS $151 MILLION. AND SO THE CHALLENGE THAT WE SEE, AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S AN AMENDMENT COMING FORWARD, IS THAT AS WE PULL MONEY AWAY FROM GENERATORS, THE QUESTION BECOMES WHICH MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS ARE WE GOING TO DEPRIORITIZE? WHICH LIBRARIES, WHICH FIRE STATIONS, WHICH ARE ALL CRITICAL FOR THE RESCUE AND THE RELIEF PHASE OF THESE THINGS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RECOVERY, BUT WE CANNOT FORGET THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES FOR THEM TO COME ADVOCATE FOR HOME REPAIR. AND LAST QUESTION, UM, WE, WE WE'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT POWER GENERATION AND THESE ARE, ARE I WOULD SAY, A TRADITIONAL GENERATOR THAT WE KNOW IS RELIABLE NATURAL GAS, THINGS LIKE THAT. MM-HMM . A LOT OF CITIES THOUGH, ARE MOVING TO, UM, ROOFTOP SOLAR WITH BATTERY, UM, GENERATION AND ACTUALLY TURNING OVER A PROFIT AND BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN NOT ONLY THE COST OF WHAT IT WAS TO INSTALL, BUT THEN SELL BACK THAT POWER AND THEN REINVEST THOSE DOLLARS BACK INTO THOSE FACILITIES. WAS SOLAR OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF BACKUP GENERATION CONSIDERED FOR SOME OF THESE FACILITIES? YES. SO WE'RE NOT JUST SHOWING THE SAME OLD YES, IT WAS. SO WE, UH, ANGELA WAS ABLE TO BRING IN A, A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING NAMED NINA. AND SHE IS A, UH, AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. SHE'S THE LITERALLY THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. SHE HELPS STAND UP THE TESLA GIGAFACTORY. SHE HELPS STAND UP LIKE ALL OF THE AMAZING THINGS THAT WE POINT TO AND SAY, WOW, THAT'S COOL. AMERICAN INNOVATION TYPE STUFF. AND WHAT WE, WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERATION POWER, WE ARE LOOKING AT SQUARE FOOT POWER PER SQUARE FOOT. HOW MUCH POWER CAN WE GENERATE OUT OF THIS SQUARE FOOT? AND AS WE KNOW, WHILE HOUSTON IS 650 SQUARE MILES, THE LAND, THE PIECES OF LAND THAT WE OWN THAT WE WANNA PUT GENERATORS ON ARE GO, ARE ARE SPACE LIMITED. RIGHT. WE CAN'T ALWAYS BUY OUT, UH, LAND NEXT TO US. IN SOME INSTANCES WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO, BUT FOR THE MOST PART WE CAN'T. AND SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WHAT'S THE MOST POWER THAT WE CAN GET? SOLAR PANELS ARE AMAZING. BATTERY BACKUP IS AMAZING. SELLING INTO THE GRID IS A THING. THOSE ARE ACTUALLY CALLED QES. AND THAT'S THE ABILITY TO SORT OF MANAGE AND LOOK AT THE, THE DAY-TO-DAY TRADING MARKET FOR POWER. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE ARE ALL HAVE ALL ENVISIONED. AND I'LL TELL YOU THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE COOLER THINGS THAT WE'D LIKE TO TRY AND DO. UM, BUT THAT'S A STEP TWO, STEP THREE, STEP FOUR. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS GETTING POWER AT THESE FACILITIES AND SOLAR PANELS JUST COULDN'T PULL IT. OKAY. UM, I'D LOVE TO HAVE A SIDELINE CONVERSATION. SURE. 'CAUSE I DO KNOW OF OTHER CITIES THAT ARE DOING THIS NOW AND ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN. UM, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WHAT I, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS A LOT OF TIMES WE LIKE TO LOOK TO THANK YOU STEVEN. THANK YOU SIR. , UH, NO, THERE'S OTHER QUESTIONS. BUT IN YOUR LIST OF THE NECESSITY OF THE GENERATORS, YOU LEFT OFF THE CASHMERE HUB. YES, SIR. WHICH MOST PEOPLE PUT IN THEIR NEWSLETTER, BUT WE FOUND OUT, UH, REFERRING PEOPLE TO THAT SITE, IT HAD NO POWER 'CAUSE IT NEVER HAD A GENERATOR. UH, THANK YOU COUNCILMAN CAMAN FOR MENTIONING MIKE NICHOLS. UH, MIKE'S PRESENT, I DON'T WANT TO NOT YIELD TO HIM. MIKE HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO SEE HOW HIS EXPERTISE WOULD RECOMMEND HOW THESE FUNDINGS SHOULD BE DIRECTED. MIKE, I WILL YIELD TO YOU IF YOU NEED TO, UH, RESPOND TO, TO THIS CRITICAL NEED. AND NOT TO MENTION ANGELA. UH, ANGELA, I'D BE GLAD TO TO YIELD TO YOU. YOU'VE DESIGNED THE, UH, PRIORITY LIST FOR GENERATORS AND UH, YOU HAVE A COMMITMENT, UH, TO GET 'EM IN PLACE, EXPEDITION, AND HAVE MET WITH HUD. AND, UH, THEY SEE THE CRITICAL NEED AS WE MEET OTHER NEEDS AS WELL. SO, ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION OF, UH, STEVEN COUNCILMAN INGER COUNCIL? THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL. STEVEN, HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT FROM THE PREVIOUS DISASTER RECOVERIES FOR HOME REPAIR? SO FROM DR. 21, WHICH WAS WINTER STORM URI, THAT'S $40 MILLION. AND FROM DR. 17, UH, WHICH IS HURRICANE HARVEY, THAT'LL BE $20 MILLION. SO WE STILL HAVE $60 MILLION THAT WILL BE SPENT ON HOME REPAIRS FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED THAT EXIST TODAY. 40 MILLION WILL [03:50:01] BE FOR HOME REPAIRS, 20 MILLION WILL BE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. OKAY. WHICH, AND, AND JUST AS A A POINT OF CLARIFICATION AS TO WHY IT'S DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IS THAT THE, UH, GLO IS STILL THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER THAT MONEY. AND THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE HAVE BEFORE WE CAN CLOSE THE PROGRAM OUT. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE A HISTORY OF TAKING SO LONG DOWN, PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND WE'VE ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS COME BEFORE US AT PUBLIC SESSION OVER THE LAST YEAR WHO HAVE HAD THEIR HOME REPAIRED AND ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE REPAIRS. MM-HMM . SO NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE PROBLEMS SPENDING THE MONEY IN A TIMELY MANNER, APPARENTLY WE'VE GOT ISSUES AND DO IT IN A QUALITY MANNER AS WELL. I MEAN, IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THERE'S REALLY TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT HERE. ONE IS WE CAN GIVE REPAIR ASSISTANCE TO A FINITE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, OR WE CAN SPEND THE MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE GENERATION FOR OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT BENEFIT THE ENTIRE CITY. SO I, I GUESS THAT'S WHAT WE'LL BE VOTING ON TODAY. YES, SIR. COUNCILOR PLUMMER. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO TAG THE ITEM. YOU WANNA TAG THE AMENDMENT OF THE MAIN ITEM? I'D LIKE TO TAG BOTH, PLEASE. YES. OKAY, FINE. JUST GONNA RELEASE FOR DISCUSSION. YOU WANT TO RELEASE IT FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION OR ARE YOU READY TO TAG AND MOVE ON? I, I'D LIKE TO TAG IT JUST BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ALREADY. SO IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, I'D LIKE TO TAG THE ITEM. OKAY. SUITS ME. UH, ALRIGHT. AND RESPECTFULLY, MAYOR, UM, IF WE DO TAG THE ITEM, WE'LL STEVE AND DAVID BE BACK NEXT WEEK TO CONTINUE BECAUSE SOME OF US WE'RE STILL IN THE QUEUE TO SPEAK TO US. I THINK THE PUBLIC THINKS WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS ENOUGH. WE'VE CERTAINLY GOT ADEQUATE INPUT, BUT I CERTAINLY WANNA RESPECT COUNCILMAN PLUMMER'S, UH, POSITION. SO WE'LL HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE. YOU CAN TALK TO MIKE, ANGELA, STEVEN WILL BE AVAILABLE. UM, EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? STEVEN WILL BE BACK. YEP. OKAY. SO THE ITEM'S BEEN TAGGED, ITEM'S BEEN TAGGED. ITEM FIVE IS TAGGED BY A PLUMBER AND THE AMENDMENT. AND THE AMENDMENT. YES SIR. NEXT ITEM 12 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. SORRY. HOLD ON. VICE MAYOR. VICE MAYOR PRO. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, I JUST, OH, VICE MAYOR. YEAH, GO AHEAD COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO, UM, HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM. THIS IS FOR THE OVERDRIVE, UM, PROGRAM FOR THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. AND I ASKED ABOUT, UM, SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. UM, AS I THINK MANY OF US HAVE ASKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, HOW WE CAN COMBINE THE TWO, UM, LIBRARY SYSTEMS. AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY BEGAN SHARING THIS SYSTEM IN FEBRUARY. UM, AND SO FAR OVER, UM, THEY'VE HAD 25,000 DIGITAL BOOKS BEING SHARED BETWEEN THE TWO ENTITIES. SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL ASK ABOUT ALL THE TIME. SO JUST WANTED TO, UM, HIGHLIGHT THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING VERY WELL. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR RAMIREZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, APPRECIATE THE LIBRARY HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH ME EARLIER THIS WEEK. I'D ASKED A QUESTION, HAVE NOT GONE AND GOTTEN AN ANSWER TO IT. UH, AND THUS WE'LL BE TAGGING THIS. HOWEVER, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE COSTS, UH, OF THIS CONTRACT HAVE GONE UP BUT THREEFOLD. SO WE'RE SPENDING THREE TIMES MORE THAN WE WERE THREE YEARS AGO. AND, UM, THAT'S CONCERNING. UH, MAYBE THERE'S A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR IT. BUT I DID, UH, REQUEST SOME INFORMATION THAT I DON'T HAVE YET. SO I'M GONNA TAG THIS ITEM TAG BY COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ. NEXT, ITEM 13 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 16 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. COUNCIL, MCC, AFTER, AFTER THE VOTE, GO AHEAD. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NA. MOTION PASSES. COUNCIL MEMBER MCC CAYMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT THIS ITEM. WE JUST APPROVED AN AMENDED INTERLOCAL BETWEEN, UH, THE CITY, THE COUNTY UMTS THREE AND DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SO THAT HARRIS COUNTY, UM, CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE TS AND IS FUNDING INTO THET. UH, THESE ARE A LOT OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT AT THE HORSESHOE MAYOR THAT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS. AND SO I WANNA THANK, UM, COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR APPROVING THIS ITEM. UH, I BELIEVE THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY IS COMING FROM, UH, PRECINCT ONE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. UH, BUT AGAIN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE [03:55:01] EXAMPLES AND I, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT ITEM. TOTALLY AGREE. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION. NEXT ITEM. NEXT ITEM 17 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE POST NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 26 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. COUNCIL PLUMMER, COUNCIL MEMBER, PLUMMER. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO EITHER TAG THIS ITEM OR REFER BACK TO THE ADMINISTRATION. IT'S THE SAME SITUATION THAT WE SAW IN THE LAST ITEM. 64% OF THIS LAND DOES LIE IN THE A HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD ZONE. SO FINE. YOUR CALL. CAN I REFER IT BACK TO ADMINISTRATION? 'CAUSE IT'S THE SAME QUESTIONS THAT WE ASK IN THE OTHER ONES. SO ONCE WE GET ALL THOSE QUESTIONS BACK, THEN WE CAN BRING IT BACK. SO YOU'RE TAGGING IT. I WOULD LIKE TO REFER IT BACK. MOTION TO REFER BACK. MOTION TO REFER BACK. GIMME. NEED A SECOND? WOULD THE COUNCIL MEMBER ACCEPT A TAG? YES. WHY DON'T YOU JUST TAG IT. OKAY. I'LL, I'LL TAG IT. THAT'S FINE. I'M, I'M GOOD WITH EITHER ONE. I JUST, I'M JUST WAITING FOR SOME INFORMATION TO COME BACK. OKAY, FINE. SO I'D LIKE TO TAG THAT ITEM THEN. TAG BY COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. NEXT. ITEM 28 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY COUNCILOR POLLARD. COUNCILOR POLLARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, THIS ITEM I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, UM, IS REGARDING REFINO HILLS, WHICH IS LOCATED IN MY DISTRICT OFF OF LIKE THE 59 BELTWAY EIGHT AREA. UM, PREVIOUSLY WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE HALF OF THE, UH, ACREAGE FROM WEST U AND NOW WE'RE GETTING THE OTHER HALF FROM BEL AIR. UH, THIS IS ABOUT 150 ACRES THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE USED FOR, UH, MUCH NEEDED ATTENTION IN GREEN SPACE. UM, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS LAND UP UNTIL NOW, SO HOPEFULLY THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH PUBLIC WORKS ON, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS, WHAT ARE THE PLANS, WHAT ARE THE TIMELINES? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS? UH, BECAUSE I DO THINK THIS IS A HUGE BENEFIT, UH, FOR OUR CITY. AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS STEPS, UH, TO OWN ALL OF THE PROPERTY AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE SOME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS WELL IN THE PROCESS. SO, THANK YOU MAYOR. COUNCILMAN, COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. THANK YOU, YOU MAYOR. I TOO WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT THIS ITEM. UH, THIS IS A HISTORICAL, UH, AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US. UH, MAYOR, I DO WANNA LAY SOME OF IT OUT BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED. UM, WE DID NOT HAVE A, A PUBLIC MEETING, UH, OR A COMMITTEE MEETING. SO IN THE FUTURE, I THINK THIS WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO BRING FORWARD AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER SAID. UM, BUT THIS IS A LAND SWAP AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BEL AIR THAT WILL RESULT IN VERY MEANINGFUL FLOOD MITIGATION. UM, OVERWHELMINGLY IN DISTRICT C. ALSO WITH REFINO AND DISTRICT J IN AN AREA THAT HAS NOT SEEN MUCH, UH, IMPROVEMENT OVER THE YEARS. UH, WE ARE REQUIRING THE REFINO TRACK FOR STORMWATER DETENTION. UM, BUT THE CITY OF BEL AIR IS ALSO GONNA BE ACQUIRING THE BEL AIR TRACKS AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BENET IN NEWCASTLE FOR STORMWATER DETENTION. UM, THAT SUPPORTS THE CYPRUS DITCH REGIONAL FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT. AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS IS IN THE GREATER MEYERLAND AREA WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO RAISE EVERY HOME. WE HAVE HAD TO DO SO MUCH IN THIS AREA. AND BEL AIR IS NOW BUYING IN. THE TRACKS THAT WE'RE SWAPPING, UM, HAVE BEEN DILAPIDATED CITY PROPERTIES THAT HAVE SAT THERE FOR YEARS. IT'S THE DECOMMISSIONED HPD STATION AS WELL AS PUBLIC WORKSTATION. AND ALL OF THAT IS GONNA BE TURNED BY BEL AIR INTO GREEN SPACE AND FLOOD, UH, MITIGATION THROUGH DETENTION SPACE. UM, HOUSTON AND BEL AIR. WE ARE ALSO ENTERING INTO A SANITARY SERVICE AGREEMENT. AND BEL AIR WILL SEND SOME OF ITS WASTEWATER TO OUR SOUTHWEST WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SO THAT BEL AIR CAN THEN REDEVELOP THEIR EXISTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR ADDITIONAL STORM WATER. AND THEN THEY'RE GONNA GET CREDITS FOR IMPACT FEES. UH, THEY WILL SHARE IN ONE TIME IMPROVEMENT COSTS WITH US FOR THE CYPRESS LAW DITCH IMPROVEMENT. SO AGAIN, WE'RE TAKING, UM, REFINO OVER BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON AND BEL AIR, UH, JOINT PROPERTY AND THE CYPRESS LAW DITCH, WHERE THEN TDOT IS ALSO COMING IN TO PARTICIPATE. SO ALL EVERYONE IS WORKING TOGETHER, INCLUDING WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, UM, TO IMPROVE ALL OF WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. UH, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS A WIN-WIN FOR THE CITY, FOR BEL AIR, BUT PRIMARILY FOR THE RESIDENTS IN A VERY LARGE, UH, PORTION OF THE CITY THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY REPETITIVE FLOODING. UM, AND I DO WANNA SAY, BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE NOW GONNA BE TAKING SOME OF BEL AIR'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT. MAYOR, YOUR FOCUS HAS ALSO BEEN ON [04:00:01] OUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS. AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE, UM, ADDITIONAL PLANT-WIDE REHABILITATION TO OUR SOUTHWEST WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AS WELL THROUGH THIS. SO ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THIS HAS BEEN VERY WELL THOUGHT THROUGH, UH, THERE HAVE BEEN VERY RIGOROUS NEGOTIATIONS. UH, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE GOING TO SEE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP PROTECT HOMES, WHETHER IT'S FROM FLOODING, WHETHER IT'S WATER QUALITY. AND I JUST MAY WANNA LIFT THIS UP BECAUSE I CAN'T IMPRESS UPON THE BODY ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT AND BIG OF A DEAL THIS IS. THANK YOU. AND IT CERTAINLY DEMONSTRATES, UM, COLLABORATION WORKS, RELATIONSHIPS, WORK, AND I WANT TO THANK THE BELL AIR OFFICIALS ABSOLUTELY. UM, FOR, FOR THEIR COLLABORATION. AND I'M CERTAIN THERE'LL BE MORE IN FUTURE MONTHS AND YEARS, BUT THIS IS GETTING THINGS DONE. APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, WE STILL NEED TO VOTE ON 28TH. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY MOTIONS PASSED. THANK YOU. [MATTERS HELD] ITEM 41 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED TO VOTE ALL IN. SHA COUNCILOR EVAN SHABBAT. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND UM, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL MICROPHONE. THANK YOU MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. YOU KNOW, I FORGET MY JACKIE'S CHEERLEADER VOICE, RIGHT? ANYWAY, LORD. OKAY, I MOVE THAT. ITEM 41, BE DELAYED. UM, FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT CONCERNS OF THE SEWER SYSTEM DESIGN, DISTRICT D WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE CITY ENGINEERING TEAM TO ADDRESS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE NEED FOR A LIFT STATION TO ACCOMMODATE NOT ONLY THE NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, WE ALSO THE OLDER HOMES IN THAT CAN COMMUNITY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARE SUPPORTED, BUT ALSO THAT THE OLDER HOMES ARE NOT IMPACTED BY AN OVERLOAD TO THE SYSTEM WHEN BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE CONSIDERED AND POSSIBLY INSTALLED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. WE DON'T, WE WANNA PREVENT A PROBLEM FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAY BE IMPACTED. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO GET, UH, AN ENGINEERING REPORT REGARDING A POSSIBLE LIFT STATION. CAME IN SECOND. HOW, HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO DELAY AT AT LEAST A WEEK? TWO WEEKS IF YOU LIKE, BUT AT LEAST A WEEK. NO, IT'S WHAT YOU LIKE. . WHAT, TWO WEEKS, MAYOR. TWO WEEKS. . TWO WEEKS. VERY WELL. VERY WELL. CAME IN SECOND MOTION MADE TO DELAY FOR TWO WEEKS. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED. NA DELAYED. THANK YOU MAYOR. COUNCIL NEXT. ALL RIGHT. AND THEN WE JUST HAVE POPOFF. POPOFF. WE HAD A LOT OF POPOFFS. [NON CONSENT - MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS] UH, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ TO BEGIN. POPOFF. HE'S NOT HERE. POLLARD. OH, MR. POLLARD. PASS. COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD. THANK YOU. MAYOR PASS. COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN. PASS, PASS, PASS. NOT A CHECK. WE'RE WE'RE SHOCKED. YEAH, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW. BUT YOU KNOW, IF PEOPLE DON'T HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION, THEY CAN'T FINISH OUT WEEK. GO FOR IT. OKAY. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND COLLEAGUES. AND OVER THE WEEKEND, DISTRICT D SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT ON SATURDAY. WE HOSTED THE STOCK, THE BLOCK, COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION AT THE SUNNYSIDE HEALTH AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPE CITY, HEB, AND E. EVOLVE HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES DROVE THROUGH TO RECEIVE ESSENTIALS, DIAPERS, GROCERIES, SMALL APPLIANCES, TOYS AND MORE. THESE ARE THE KINDS OF INTENTIONAL DIRECT SERVICES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE. AND I'M PROUD DISTRICT D CONTINUES TO LEAD FROM THE FRONT. ON MONDAY EVENING, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIE DAVIS FOR TOWN HALL MEETING NUMBER THREE AT THE SUNNYSIDE HEALTH AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. I DELIVERED OPENING REMARKS AND GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH RESIDENTS ALONG WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS. AND IT WAS A GREAT MEETING FROM THE CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. THE COMMUNITY CAME WITH THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS, AND COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS CERTAINLY MADE SURE THAT THEY LEFT WITH ANSWERS. UH, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO DAIKIN FOR DONATING. AIR PURIFIERS RAISED BARBECUE PROVIDED THE FOOD, AND MANY DEPARTMENTS WHO SHOWED UP AND STAYED AND WHO WERE PRESENT, AND CERTAINLY THE COMMUNITY. IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT. ON TUESDAY MORNING, I DELIVERED OPENING REMARKS AT THE GREATER HOUSTON BUSINESS PROCUREMENT FORUM, PROCUREMENT FORUM AT THE ION. THIS FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER PRIME [04:05:01] CONTRACTORS, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONALS TO SHARE OPPORTUNITIES AND BUILD CAPACITY. IT'S ALWAYS ENCOURAGING TO SEE OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES GET CONNECTED TO CONTRACTS. THANK YOU TO MILTON TIPPI AND THE GHBF TEAM FOR KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING, AND CERTAINLY TO, UH, MAYOR PROTI WHO CAME AND DELIVERED, UH, A WONDERFUL ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. SO, THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, SHE'S A GREAT LEADER IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND IT WAS A PERFECT TIME FOR THEM TO HEAR FROM HER. UH, UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS, CELEBRATION OF PRESIDENT JW CRAWFORD THE THIRD, THE, UH, PRESIDENT OF TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND ROAD TO 100 C CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH. THAT WILL BE TODAY FROM 1230 TO TWO 30 AT THE PODIUM AT PORSCHE RIVER OAKS, HONORING PRESIDENT CRAWFORD'S FIRST YEAR LEADING THE TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND UNVEILING THE BOLD VISION FOR TSU CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN. PROUD TO STAND WITH MY ALMA MATER AND SUPPORT IT. SNICK CHAPTER OF GROWTH ON, UH, THURSDAY, JULY 24TH, TURNAROUND HOUSTON JOB FAIR FROM 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM AT THE HOUSTON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED. 53 30 GRIGGS ROAD, SUITE D IN DISTRICT D THAT'S ON MARTIN LUTHER KING AND GRIGGS IN COLLABORATION WITH WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS IN THE OFFICE OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY. THIS JOB FAIR IS ABOUT ACCESS, CONNECTING RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE WITH REAL EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THERE WILL BE A RIBBON CUTTING FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED KIDS ACADEMY ON FRIDAY, JULY 25TH AT 12 NOON. UH, HONORED TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THIS 24 HOUR EARLY LEARNING FACILITY FOUNDED BY RONISHA DOSSIN, WHICH WILL SERVE CHILDREN FROM SIX WEEKS TO 12 YEARS OLD. THIS INSTITUTION REPRESENTS THE KIND OF VISIONARY, HEART-CENTERED INVESTMENT OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DESERVE. AND THAT CONCLUDES WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION. THANK YOU. I MEAN, I HAD TO TAKE THE TIME. THEY, THEY PASSED. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO JUST TAKE THE MOMENT BRIEFLY, UM, TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ FOR HER SUPPORT, SUPPORTING ATTENDANCE AND OUR TALENT ON MEETING NO MONDAY, BUT I WANT TO CERTAINLY BEGIN BY THANKING MY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK AND PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE, UH, VERY SERIOUSLY ABOUT REACHING THE COMMUNITY, AND I WANT TO, CAN'T THANK ENOUGH. UH, OUR AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER FIVE, UH, COUNCILMAN ALCORN FOR JOINING US. UH, ALSO THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER'S OFFICE WAS WITH US. AND, UH, AND I WANT TO COMMEND ALL OF THOSE. UH, I KNOW OUR MAYOR PRO TEM WAS SCHEDULED TO BE THERE, AND, UH, BECAUSE HER DISTRICT IS INCLUDED, WHEN WE DO THESE TOWN HALLS, WE TRY TO DO THEM ACROSS THE CITY AND TO INCLUDE THREE, AT LEAST CLOSE KNITTED, UH, DISTRICTS. AND WE HAD PEOPLE THERE FROM DISTRICT D, WHICH WE WERE IN. WE HAD 'EM FROM DISTRICT K, AND WE HAD 'EM FROM DISTRICT I. SO WE TRY TO COVER THEM, AND I WANT TO THANK MAYOR PRO TEM FOR HELPING US GET THAT MESSAGE OUT TO, UH, THE DISTRICTS AS WELL AS OF COURSE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JOAQUIN MARTINEZ, WHO'S APPLE TODAY. NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO CALL OUT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT WERE 34 PARTNERS WITH US, UH, IN THIS PRESENTATION. 34 OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTNERS, UH, WITH US. WE HAD TWO SPONSORS, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING AND, UH, AND, UH, ENTERPRISE, UH, MOBILITY WHO SPONSORED US AND THIS, AND, UH, PAID FOR OUR FOOD, WHICH WAS A GREAT, GREAT TURNOUT. UH, I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF. WE SIGNED IN WELL OVER 250 PEOPLE, WHICH WE, UH, CERTAINLY WAS EARMARKED FOR ONE 50, BUT IT WENT OVER AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT. UH, AND DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE A GOOD SHOUT OUT TO NANCY SIMS, UM, WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSISTING US WITH THE GIVEAWAY FROM THE 18, UH, FULL ROOM AIR PURIFIERS FROM, FROM DAIKIN. AND, UH, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THEM MAYOR, UH, FOR THEIR WORK IN THAT. AND SO WITH THAT, WE, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO THAT. UM, BUT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I, I WILL TO NOTIFY EACH OF THEM PERSONALLY AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR ATTENDANCE. AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY SPOKE LOUD ABOUT HEARING, BECAUSE THIS WAS CENTERED ON WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW. DISASTERS, RELIEF, RECOVERY, THAT WAS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE TOWN HALL, AND [04:10:01] I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THEM FOR, FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WOULD DO THE FINAL ONE. THIS WOULD BE OUR FOURTH FOR THE YEAR. IT'LL BE DONE IN ACRES HOMES. WE GO NORTH, WE GO SOUTH, WE GO EAST. WE GO WEST TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT INFORMATION. AND, UH, ALL OF THE GREAT DEPARTMENTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND WE'LL CERTAINLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. SO THAT'LL BE THE ONE WE'LL DO IN OCTOBER. AND, UH, JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE FOR THEIR SUPPORT HERE. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCILOR, FLICKING CHAIR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, THIS EVENING, COUNCILWOMAN CARTER AND I WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A FUNDRAISER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS. UH, THIS IS GONNA BE AT THE, THE TEXAS ROADHOUSE OUT IN KINGWOOD, WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY TYPIC COP. HPD IS INVOLVED WITH THIS AS WELL IN, IN RAISING THE MONEY. AND IN FACT, HPD IS KIND OF THEIR PROGRAM. UH, THERE'S ALSO ONE, UH, ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN IN MY DISTRICT IN, UH, CLEAR LAKE AT 18 1 9 4 GULF FREEWAY. SO ANYBODY THAT WANTS CAN COME OUT. AND FOR THAT, UH, AND KIND OF WHY WE'RE ON THE, UH, TOPIC OF THE POLICE, UH, WE JUST HAD THE CRIME REPORT THAT CAME OUT FOR JUNE. I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYBODY GOT TO SEE IT. IT LOOKED GREAT. UH, VIOLENT CRIME WAS DOWN 17.5% FOR THE CITY. A NON-VIOLENT CRIME WAS DOWN 8.7% FOR THE CITY. UH, DISTRICT D HAD, UH, EVEN BETTER IMPROVEMENTS WITH VIOLENT CRIME DOWN 20.3%, AND NONVIOLENT CRIME DOWN 16.7%. SO, WAS REALLY THRILLED TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS, AND HOPEFULLY THAT'S A CONTINUING TREND. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION. WE'RE DEFINITELY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US. BUT CHIEF DIAZ AND THE COLLABORATION WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES IS REALLY, REALLY, UH, WORKING AS WE GO FORWARD. YOU KNOW, WAS, UH, SPEAKING WITH ONE OF THE OFFICES WITH HPD YESTERDAY ABOUT SOME FUNDING THEY'RE WANTING FROM OUR COUNCIL OF DISTRICT SERVICE FUNDS. THEY COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW THEY THOUGHT THINGS WERE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. UH, MORALES AT AN ALL TIME HIGH, AND CERTAINLY OUR RECRUITING, UH, THE LATERAL TRANSFERS, UH, ARE REALLY SH REALLY IMPRESSIVE. AND WE'RE BEING SHOWN WHERE SOME HPD OFFICERS HAD APPLIED WITH THE DPS. THEY'RE PULLING DOWN THEIR APPLICATIONS. AND ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE BENEFITS FOR HPD, THE IMPACT IT'S HAD WITH THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS WELL, AND THE BENEFITS SOLVED IS VERY, IS VERY NOTICEABLE. YEAH, NO, THE, THIS SERGEANT SAID HE COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW THINGS WERE, HOW WELL THINGS WERE GOING. HE SAID IT WAS FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. THANK YOU. UH, FEW EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SOME THANK YOUS. FIRST, THE MEMORIAL PARK BRIDGE CONNECTOR, UH, IS, UH, A PROJECT THAT'S BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSERVANCY IN UPTOWN PARK, UH, IS IN PROGRESS. UH, SO WE ARE GONNA BREAK GROUND, UM, I THINK SPRING 2026. UH, THE BRIDGE IS UNDER A 10, THE, EXCUSE ME, THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN PLANNED UNDER THE MASTER PLAN. IT'S A $22 MILLION PROJECT. UM, IT'S A CRITICAL CONNECTOR, BUT AGAIN, IT'S BEEN IN THE HEADLINES AND REALLY WANTED TO LIFT UP THAT WORK 'CAUSE WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT IT. UM, LITTLE THICKET PARK CONSTRUCTION, WHICH BEGAN, UH, YEARS AGO, UH, IS GOING TO BE COMPLETED WEATHER PERMITTING EARLY THIS FALL. UH, IT'S NEARING COMPLETION. THIS INCLUDES FITNESS STATIONS, PLAYGROUNDS, PICNIC AREAS, BIKE RACKS, A NEW PAVILION. UM, BUT BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO OUR TOURS IN THE AREA. MEMORIAL HEIGHTS TOURS, UM, OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT, UM, AND A BUNCH OF OTHER FOLKS. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME COMING AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE IT NEARING COMPLETION. UH, WE ALSO, MAYOR, HAD GREAT TURNOUT AT OUR FINAL PUBLIC INPUT SESSION FOR WEST GRAIN MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. UH, THIS WAS THE THIRD, UH, AND FINAL ONE. AND THEN THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GATHERED FROM THESE COMMUNITY MEETINGS, UH, IS GOING TO BE CONSOLIDATED INTO A REPORT AND WILL BE MADE PUBLIC IN EARLY SEPTEMBER ON H PART'S WEBSITE AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEXT, UM, WHAT IS NEXT FOR WEST GRAY. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, UM, AS WELL AS OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS. BUT, UH, SO FAR IT IS GOING VERY, VERY WELL. I DID ALSO WANNA THANK PUBLIC WORKS. UH, LIKE MANY DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS, I DRIVE THE DISTRICT, UH, PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY. AND WE NOTICED, UM, RIGHT AT SIX 10 AND SOUTH BRAYWOOD, UM, WHERE THE CITY HAS, UH, DETENTION PONDS. IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH FLOOD CONTROL. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION NEARBY, AND ALL OF THE DIRT WAS RUNNING OFF INTO THE CITY'S DETENTION POND. MM-HMM . UH, BASICALLY RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. UH, WE IMMEDIATELY FLAGGED IT FOR PUBLIC WORKS. [04:15:01] THEY WENT OUT, UH, GOT IT UNDER CONTROL. IT IS BEING REMEDIATED. SO I JUST WANNA THANK THE PARTNERSHIP. UH, WHEN WE'RE CALLING, THEY ARE RESPONDING, BUT THIS WAS, AGAIN, AS WE TALK ABOUT FLOODING AS WE TALK ABOUT HURRICANE SEASON, THAT JUST SOME RANDOM CONSTRUCTION WAS ABLE TO ALLOW THAT DIRT TO FLOW INTO, UM, THAT DETENTION POND, UH, IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WANT TO, UH, CLOSE MAYOR A GREAT RESPONSE ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, UH, THIS PAST WEEKEND. THE NUMBERS, UH, THE TARGETED APPROACH, UM, WE'RE HEARING REALLY GREAT FEEDBACK ON THAT. I DID WANNA FLAG WHITE LINEN KNIGHT IS APPROACHING, THERE'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FORMAL WHITE LINEN KNIGHT WITH PERMITS, UH, SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE NEIGHBORHOODS INVOLVED, RIGHT ON THE OLD HEIGHTS STRAND ALONG 19TH. AND THEN EVERYTHING THAT IS BLOWN UP SINCE THEN OF BARS AND SHADY ACRES ALONG WASHINGTON, UH, MARKETING IS, UH, WHITE LINEN KNIGHT. AND IN THE PAST WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH HPD AND HFD, AND THE FEEDBACK WE GET IN OUR AFTER ACTION REPORTS IS EMS IS JUST OVERWHELMED BECAUSE IT'S SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS IN ONE AREA. UM, SO I, IT IS IN TWO WEEKENDS. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY. I WANT RESIDENTS TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING WITH, UM, ALL OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS AGAIN, BUT DID WANNA FLAG WHITE LINDEN KNIGHTS COMING UP. AND IT, IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE. UH, LASTLY, WE'VE ALL SEEN THE HEADLINES, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE HOUSTONIANS ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN. UM, THIS IS HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT IT IS GOING TO IMPACT HOUSTON DISPROPORTIONATELY. UH, THE DISCRIMINATORY IMPACT THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE, UH, THE RAMMING IT DOWN PEOPLE'S THROATS DURING A SPECIAL SESSION, JUST A FEW MONTHS, UM, BEFORE SOME DISTRICTS VOTING BEGINS, UH, IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING. UH, I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO STAY ENGAGED, UH, TO SPEAK WITH YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES, YOUR STATE SENATORS, MAYOR. I DON'T, I'M SURE YOU'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES AND FORMER COLLEAGUES, UM, BUT I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED EPA RULING, UM, TO DEREGULATE AND NO LONGER REGULATE, EXCUSE ME, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, UM, WHICH WE JUST GOT THROUGH TALKING ABOUT HURRICANES AND STORMS AND SEVERE WEATHER. SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND THAT WE ARE USING OUR VOICES AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT HOUSTONIANS. UH, WITH THAT, I CLOSE. WISHING MY BEST FRIEND, UH, MY SISTER FROM ANOTHER MR. UH, RAQUEL WALKER, A VERY, VERY, VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY. I LOVE YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, WANTED TO INVITE EVERYONE OUT TO THE SERVICE DELIVERY COMMITTEE MEETING, UM, HAPPENING TODAY AT 2:00 PM UM, WE WILL BE JOINED BY THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY WILL BE GIVING US AN UPDATE ON THE STATE OF SOLID WASTE. UM, WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT TRASH PICKUP RECYCLING, AND SO THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY, UM, TO GET AN UPDATE AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON, UM, IN THE SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT. AND ALSO ON TOMORROW, UM, WE'LL BE HOSTING OUR BE SUCCESSFUL JOB FAIR AT THE ACRES HOME MULTI SERVICE CENTER. UM, IT STARTS AT 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM AND OF COURSE, OUR JOB FAIRS FOCUS ON SECOND CHANCE. AND SO IF ANYONE IS LOOKING FOR A JOB OR IF YOU HAVE ANY EMPLOYERS, UM, THAT ARE HIRING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICE AT 8 3 2 3 9 3 3 0 0 9. AGAIN, 8 3 2 3 9 3 3 0 0 9. AND I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SIGN UP FOR, UM, THE BUS, THE DISTRICT B NEWSLETTER. UM, EMAIL US AT DISTRICT B@HOUSTONTX.GOV SO WE CAN GET YOU ON THE MAILING LIST. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANNA HIGHLIGHT AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE WE'VE STARTED THAT'S CALLED BRINGING HOUSTON TOGETHER. AND THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT I'M DOING ALONG WITH, UH, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, LEAH WOLF FALL. THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS TO HAVE EVENTS WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT, BUT DO IT IN A CIVIL MANNER, UH, THAT HOPEFULLY WILL, WILL PROVOKE, UM, UH, SOLUTIONS TO THE BIG PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE. WE STARTED THIS PAST MONDAY NIGHT WITH AN EVENT AT THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM WHERE WE GOT ABOUT 70 PEOPLE OUT TO ENJOY A DINNER, CATERED DINNER, AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION. AND ITS MANY FACETS. AND THE WAY IT WORKED WAS WE HAD ABOUT NINE TABLES SET UP, EIGHT OR NINE PEOPLE AT EACH TABLE. EACH TABLE HAD DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND INDEPENDENTS, AND OVER A MEAL. WE ALL DISCUSSED, UH, THE TOPIC OF IMMIGRATION, AND WE DID IT IN, IN A CIVIL, UH, MANY TIMES PERSONAL [04:20:01] WAY. AND AT THE END, UH, THE, UH, MOSTLY, UH, MAINLY POSITIVE REVIEWS CAME OUT, AND A SENSE OF HOPE THAT, UH, EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE POSITIVE CHANGE, UH, ON THIS. AND IT'S, IT'S THE FIRST IN A SERIES THAT WE'RE GONNA DO. WE MIGHT, UM, UH, PURSUE DIFFERENT FORMATS, BUT THIS ONE INVOLVED THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLLI HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, TWO ORGANIZATIONS CALLED COMMON GROUND, USA AND PROJECT UNITY. SO THAT WE HAD FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS. I WANT TO THANK MY, MY STAFF FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS AS WELL. SECOND, MAYOR, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE DISCUSSION WE WERE HAVING EARLIER ABOUT SPENDING THE DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS. UNFORTUNATELY, DEBATE WAS CUT OFF. I WAS IN THE QUEUE. THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO BRING UP, UM, THAT RELATE TO WHAT, UH, STEVE AND DAVID WAS TALKING ABOUT AT ONE POINT. HE, WITH, IN, IN REGARDS TO THE AMENDMENT THAT MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS HAD FILED, UH, SHIFTING MONEY OVER OUT OF THE, UH, UH, GENERA, UH, POWER GENERATION RESILIENCE PART OF IT OVER TO MORE, UH, HOUSING PROGRAMS. HE ASKS A RHETORICAL QUESTION, WELL, YOU KNOW, WHERE WOULD YOU, WHAT, WHAT SITES WOULD YOU NOT PUT POWER, UH, GENERATION CAPACITY AT? AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S REALLY AN IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION TO ANSWER BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT. EXACTLY. IT'S A GREAT IDEA. I DEFINITELY SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN POWER GENERATION, RESILIENCE AND DISASTER RECOVERY. ANYBODY WHO LIVED THROUGH THE EVENTS OF LAST YEAR CAN SEE THE, THE, THE CONNECTION. HOWEVER, WE HAVE ASKED A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THIS POWER GENERATION IS ACTUALLY GONNA GO, WHAT COMMUNITY CENTERS, WHAT FIRE STATIONS, WHAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS, WHAT LIFT STATIONS, ET CETERA. AND, UH, THE RESPONSE WE'VE GOTTEN AS WELL. WE NEED THE FLEXIBILITY. UH, AND, AND, UM, WE'RE NOT GONNA, WE'RE GONNA TRY NOT TO GET TOO SPECIFIC. THAT DOESN'T HELP COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, THOMAS, UH, OR ANY OF US. DID YOU ASK THAT TOO? ANGELA WILL GIVE YOU A LIST. WOULD YOU LEAVE ALL THE FIRE STATIONS COMPLETION? WE, WE WILL APPROACH, UH, UH, DIRECTOR BLANCHARD, THEN WE, WE'VE, WE'VE ASKED A NUMBER OF TIMES. SHE'S PROUD OF HER LIST. SHE'S WORKED HARD ON IT, AND, AND, AND I'M SURE SHE SHOULD BE. SO WE, WE WILL ASK HER FOR THAT LIST. . UM, THE OTHER, THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ADDRESS ON, ON, ON, ON THIS DEBATE WAS, UH, THERE I GET THE SENSE THAT, AND, AND I'M, THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM. UH, THE OBSERVATION I I MAKE IS THAT WE DON'T REALLY TRUST OUR ABILITY TO SPEND DOLLARS IN THESE PROGRAMS, UH, HOME REPAIR, UH, WHAT HAVE YOU. UM, AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER ALLUDED TO IT IN, IN HIS, UH, REMARKS AS WELL, UH, THE ABILITY TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR WHAT IT WAS INTENDED IN AN ACCOUNTABLE WAY ON TIME. AND THE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK IS, IF, IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT AT THIS POINT, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO IMPROVE THAT PROCESS? MANY TIMES WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB. KUDOS TO DIRECTOR NICHOLS ABOUT PERFORMANCE METRICS. AND THE MAIN METRIC SEEMS TO BE, DID WE SPEND THE MONEY ON TIME? AND, UM, WE SHOULD HAVE BETTER METRICS THAN THAT. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HELPED, HOW MANY UNITS WERE CREATED, AND SO FORTH. UM, AND SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON HOUSING THIS TIME AROUND, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING THAT POWER GENERATION ISN'T WORTH IT. WE'VE GOT MORE PRIORITIES THAN WE HAVE FUNDING FOR. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO IMPROVE THAT PROCESS? AND LASTLY, UH, TOMORROW AF TOMORROW MORNING, WE WILL HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING, AN IMPORTANT ONE WHERE WE WILL DISCUSS SCOTERS AND THE SAFETY CONCERNS. I KNOW E SCOOTERS, RIGHT? THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT FOLKS WHO LIVE AND WORK DOWNTOWN HAVE. UM, WE'VE INVITED STAKEHOLDERS FROM, UH, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DOWNTOWN ORGANIZATIONS, DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS, TO FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY RENT OUT SOME OF THESE SCOOTERS TO PARTICIPATE. IF YOU WANNA JOIN IN, PLEASE COME TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10. OTHERWISE YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AS WE TALK ABOUT A PROPOSAL TO REGULATE SCOTERS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, THE ITEM WAS TAGGED AND SO, UM, UM, I WILL SHARE MY COMMENTARY, UH, DIFFERENTLY. Y'ALL WEREN'T ABLE TO HEAR ME TODAY, UM, BUT I'M SURE Y'ALL WILL FEEL ME IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK. UM, LAST SATURDAY I WAS AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT KTSU, TALKING ABOUT OUR DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM, DR. 21, WHICH IS NOW ON [04:25:01] THE STREET, AND YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $10,000 OF REIMBURSEMENT AND UP TO A $300,000 RECONSTRUCTION. UM, AND ENCOURAGE THE LISTENERS, WE HAD A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF DISASTER IN THE CITY, AND PARTICULARLY OUR, UM, BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, BY DATA NEED DEEPER INVESTMENT AND OFTEN ARE LESS RESILIENT NEIGHBORHOODS. AND THEN I ALSO SHARED ABOUT THE DR 24 AND THE VOTE. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS, UM, ON SATURDAY JULY 26. REALLY EXCITED TO HOST OUR THIRD ANNUAL SWIM SAFETY EVENT. UM, WE WILL BE BACK AT THE AILEY AQUATIC CENTER. WE HAVE A WAIT LIST. THIS IS A HIGH DEMAND EVENT. UM, AND I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF SWIM SAFETY. ONE, WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF LIFEGUARDS, UM, IN THE CITY SYSTEM WITH OUR PUBLIC POOLS. AND WITHOUT THOSE RESOURCES, RESIDENTS ARE UNABLE TO PARTIC TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FULL ASSET AND THE RESOURCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. BUT ALSO, THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAD 143 DROWNING INCIDENTS LAST YEAR WITH 14 BEING FATAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS. SO I'M EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THE HOUSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT, THEIR EXCEPTIONAL TEAM. HOUSTON SWIM WAVES CLUB COACH, CPR AND OUTDOOR AFRO IS OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR, UM, WHERE THEY ARE WORKING TO INCREASE, UH, 2000 NEW SWIMMERS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY NATIONWIDE. AND THEIR UNDERWRITING SWIM LESSONS UP TO $400 PER FAMILY. SO WE ARE EXCITED FOR THEM. IF YOU'RE ON A WAIT LIST, WE'LL PUT YOU, YOU'RE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH OUTDOOR AFRO, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY HAS THE TOOLS AND THE FUNDING IT NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM. UM, ALSO SHOUT OUT TO TRAPPY MIX FOR THE DONATED, UH, ICY AND TO WALMART. UM, ALSO JUST A HIGHLIGHT. SERVICE DELAYS, WE'RE STILL BEHIND WITH SOLID WASTE. YOU'LL HAVE RECYCLING PICKED UP, HOPEFULLY CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY, IF NOT FRIDAY. UM, YESTERDAY THERE WERE TWO SIGNIFICANT, UM, UH, DIS ON MONDAY. TWO SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSIONS AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. REALLY GOOD INFORMATION AS WE ARE STILL AT THE PEAK OF HURRICANE SEASON. AND I JUST WANNA REMIND HOUSTONIANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALERT HOUSTON. SO YOU CAN RECEIVE UPTODATE ALERTS REGARDLESS OF ANY, UH, WEATHER OCCURRENCE THAT'S HAPPENING. UH, NOT JUST ON THE WEST SIDE, BUT ALL THROUGHOUT THE REGION. BUT THEN ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PREPARING YOUR FAMILY FOR OUR WEATHER OCCURRENCE. AND THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT. UH, CLEARLY DAIKIN IS MAKING ITS ROUNDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND SO WE WILL SEE, UM, OUR, UH, RESIDENTS FRIDAY AT 4:00 PM AT THE A LEAF NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER WITH DAIKIN AS WE PASS OUT AIR PURIFIERS. UH, THIS, UM, UH, DONATION FROM DAIKIN REALLY FALLS WITHIN OUR, UM, AIR QUALITY INITIATIVE THAT WE'RE LAUNCHED. WE ARE ALSO INSTALLING THREE AIR PURIFIERS, UH, IN DISTRICT F AT WILCREST IN WEST PARK, WORKING WITH CENTER POINT BECAUSE WE HAVE A CONCRETE BATCH PLANT RIGHT THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. UM, SO MORE TO COME ON THOSE DETAILS. GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU. AND I WANNA SHOUT OUT THE, UH, NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE AND THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. UH, THEY RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CLEVELAND. THE, UM, URBAN LEAGUE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS RECEIVED THE 2024 DISTINGUISHED CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AND THE 2024 JOIN WEEK AWARD OF THE SOUTHERN REGION. AND THE, UH, CHAPTER PRESIDENT, SPIRIT DUPREE WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENT'S CHOICE, UH, THE, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR FOR THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. AND JESSICA KIMBALL WAS AWARDED THE SOUTHERN REGION MEMBER OF THE YEAR AS AN URBAN LEAGUER AND A PAST NATIONAL, UH, OFFICER AND HOUSTON CHAPTER PRESIDENT. I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY, UH, GREAT REGARDS. THANK YOU. KEEP UP AND KEEP PUSHING ON THE URBAN LEAGUE MOVEMENT MOTTO, ONCE AN URBAN LEAGUER, ALWAYS AN URBAN LEAGUER. AND THEN LASTLY, I WANNA CLOSE WITH SOME, UM, DISHEARTENING NEWS. THE DAUGHTER OF DR. MELBA MOORE HAS PASSED AWAY. KENYATA MARTIN, SHE, UH, PASSED AWAY ON JULY 1ST. SHE WAS 47 YEARS OLD. WE WILL CELEBRATE HER LIFE ON AUGUST 2ND, UM, UH, IN THE DISTRICT. AND SO, DR. MELBA MOORE IS A LONGTIME COMMUNITY LEADER, UM, A A WONDERFUL VOICE, A CONTRIBUTOR. AND SO WE ARE ALL GRIEVING IN MOURNING WITH HER AND HER FAMILY, AND WE WILL SHARE DETAILS IN OUR NEWSLETTER. IF MY OFFICE MAY BE OF ANY SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, OR ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR YOU, PLEASE REACH OUT AT DISTRICT F AT HOUSTON TX GOV. THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTE, CAST TATUM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, BEFORE I START MY COMMENTS, I SEE THAT, UH, MS. JOE AUGUST IS IN THE AUDIENCE. SHE'S A, A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER FROM FORT BEND. I KNOW SHE WAS ON THE LIST YESTERDAY TO SPEAK, UM, AND SHE'S HERE TO SEE HER GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. SO MS. AUGUST, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I SEE YOU THERE AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR SUPPORT. UH, THEN I WANTED TO, UM, ALSO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, UM, FOR THE TOWN HALL MEETINGS. AND I DON'T THINK THAT I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU WHAT BENEFIT THAT IS FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT A ESPECIALLY ALSO TO OUR STAFF, BECAUSE, UM, THAT [04:30:01] HELPS US TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS GET THE, THOSE SERVICES AND THEY CAN ASK THOSE QUESTIONS TO ALL THE PARTNERS THAT YOUR TEAM IS PUTTING TOGETHER TO, UM, MAKE SURE RESIDENTS KNOW WHO TO GO TO WHEN AND WHERE. UM, AND THEN IT ALSO, UM, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN IN THE DISTRICT BECAUSE, UM, YOU'VE PICKED UP THE SLACK ON THAT AND IT REALLY IS HELPFUL AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO, TO SAY THAT TO YOU. UH, AND THEN I WANT TO, UM, LET RESIDENTS KNOW THE FRAN ROAD PROJECT THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXDOT HAS BEEN ON OUR BOOKS FOR A LONG TIME. WE'VE HAD SOME CHANGES TO THE PROCESS. UH, WE ARE HAVING A COMMUNITY MEETING, UH, VIRTUALLY WITH HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS ON TOMORROW, UH, THURSDAY, JULY 24TH AT 5:30 PM THIS IS AN ESTIMATED $28 MILLION PROJECT TO IMPROVE AND UPGRADE, UH, THIS THOROUGHFARE. THERE'LL BE SOME TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. UH, REALLY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTIVITY, UM, FROM BRAESWOOD TO CREEK BEND, UH, TO WEST AIRPORT. SO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED OR, UH, HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THERAN AND ROAD PROJECT. UH, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON THAT CALL ON TOMORROW AT 5:30 PM ON ENGAGE HOUSTON. UH, DOT ORG IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE DETAILS FOR THAT MEETING. AND WE'LL SEND THAT OUT ON CONSTANT CONTACT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE NEAR THE FRAN ROAD AREA HAVE THAT INFORMATION. AND THEN AS WE APPROACH THE END OF SUMMER AND BACK TO SCHOOL, THERE ARE LOTS OF EVENTS HAPPENING IN AND AROUND THE, THE DISTRICT AND THE CITY. UH, HPD SOUTHWEST DIVISION IS HAVING THEIR END OF SCHOOL, END OF SUMMER BASH ON FRIDAY, JULY THE 25TH FROM 10 TO ONE. UH, HOPE THAT RESIDENTS, UM, CAN GO OUT AND ENJOY, UH, THAT FUN FIELD DAY AT THE HAROLD PRESTON POLICE STATION ON NATTA. AGAIN, THAT'S FROM 10 TO ONE ON FRIDAY, JULY THE 25TH. UH, THE JARED VANDERBILT FIFTH ANNUAL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY MAYOR, I LOVE THIS EVENT. UH, JARED VANDERBILT GREW UP IN DISTRICT A, HE USED TO, UH, PLAY BASKETBALL AT MARION PARK IN DISTRICT A AND NOW HE'S A MEMBER OF THE LAKERS BASKETBALL TEAM. AND HE COMES BACK EVERY YEAR AND DOES A BACKPACK DRIVE. UM, IT'S SUCH A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT TO SEE ONE OF OUR OWN HOUSTONIANS WHO MADE IT TO THE NBA AND COMES BACK EVERY YEAR TO DO HIS BACKPACK DRIVE. SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH HIM AT MARION PARK IN DISTRICT K. UH, AND THAT WILL BE SATURDAY, JULY 26TH FROM 10 TO 2:00 PM HOPE RESIDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THAT. AND THEN WE HEAR FROM OUR TEACHERS ALL THE TIME ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY SPEND EVERY YEAR IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. AND I LOVE THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DOING A TEACHER BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT. UH, SO SATURDAY, JULY THE 26TH FROM 10 TO TWO AT THE HI CLARK MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, WE'LL BE PARTNERING WITH THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE THE SUPPLIES AND THE BOOST THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR. SO WE ENCOURAGE OUR TEACHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US FOR THIS FREE EVENT, UM, THAT WE ARE HOSTING ON YOUR BEHALF. SO IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED FOR OUR DISTRICT K NEWSLETTER, MAKE SURE YOU DO SO. UM, BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE IT A GREAT DAY. THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR PROAM PECK. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT. UM, SERGEANT LGA, THEY WORKED ON A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AT GESNER AND KEMP WOOD FOR A LONG TIME, UM, AT THEIR, UM, BUS STATION, BUT THEY ALSO WENT BEYOND THE BUS STATION. THEY CONVINCED, UM, A GAS STATION OWNER TO BOARD UP AN ABANDONED BUILDING. AND THEY ALSO WORKED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FOR ALMOST A YEAR UNTIL THEY FINALLY CONVINCED HIM TO GET, UM, SOME HELP. AND SO NOW HE IS GETTING THAT HELP. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND THANKFUL TO METRO PD. THANK YOU. ANYTHING, UH, COUNCILMAN CAMAN. MAYOR. UM, I FORGOT TO RECOGNIZE THE PASSING OF BOB STEIN, UM, AND WOULD ASK THAT WE, UH, ADJOURN IN HIS MEMORY TODAY. THANK YOU. I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THAT. UM, I THINK IT IS ONE OF THOSE THAT MEMORIALIZED HIM YESTERDAY SAID, UM, ALL YOU HAD TO SAY WAS, CALL BOB. UM, AND YOU GOT THE BEST ANSWERS, THE BEST KNOWLEDGE FROM JUST AN OUTSTANDING, UH, HUMAN BEING THAT LOVED THIS CITY, LOVED HIS FAMILY, UM, AND WE'RE REALLY GONNA MISS HIM. THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. UH, AS I TOLD MARTY AND, AND THE FAMILY YESTERDAY, I PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE IMPACT HE HAD ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO YOU'LL BE MISSED. AND, UH, I WAS, I WAS THINKING AS I WAS LISTENING TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU ALWAYS THINK IF I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK OR IF I WAS ASKED, UH, PROBABLY ONE OF THE GREATEST COMPLIMENTS I CAN MAKE TO SOMEONE IN HIS PROFESSION [04:35:01] IS WE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THOSE OF US THAT ARE IN PUBLIC OFFICE, HIS OPINION ON THINGS, NOT ONLY PERSONALLY, BUT IF HE GAVE YOU A STAMP OF APPROVAL IN THE PRESS OR HE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? HIS POLLS REFLECTING IF YOU LIKED THEM, UH, TO HEAR HIM COME OUT AND STATE THE IMPACT OF ISSUES AND INDIVIDUALS WERE MEANINGFUL, THAT'S A HECK OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT WE ALL, WE ALL WHAT HE SAID WAS IMPORTANT. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. AND HE DIDN'T SAY TOO MUCH. HE SAID, WHAT? BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU. WE, HE'LL BE MISSED. ANYTHING ELSE? UH, WE STAND, ADJOURN. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.