* 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. [00:00:04] THE COUNCIL WILL [PRESENTATIONS] COME TO ORDER. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ FOR A PROCLAMATION TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, HOUSTON CHAPTER, TO RECOGNIZE THEIR HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD CAMPAIGN. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER, IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN, YOU'RE WELCOME TO JACOB, YOUR HONOR. THAT'S OKAY. ALRIGHT. OKAY. ALRIGHT. WHAT? SURE, SURE. MAYOR, UH, THIS AFTERNOON, YOU KNOW, AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON, I WANTED TO BRING FORWARD A PROCLAMATION TO HONOR A LONGTIME PROGRAM HERE THAT DOES GREAT WORK, UH, FOR CHARITY AND FOR HEALTH HERE IN HOUSTON. IT'S THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SOCIETY HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD PROGRAM, WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 28 YEARS. IT'S A PROGRAM WHERE, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THAT? UH, HOUSTON SHOPPERS CAN PURCHASE A CARD FOR $75, ALL OF WHICH GOES TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY TO SUPPORT ITS, UH, PROGRAM, UH, CANCER RESEARCH, PATIENT SERVICES, AND, UH, AND, AND OTHER GREAT, UH, THINGS THAT THEY DO, UH, TO BENEFIT, UH, HOUSTONIANS AND EVERYONE WHO COMES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT HERE IN HOUSTON. BUT THE WAY THE CARD WORKS IS YOU BUY THE CARD FOR $75 AND THAT GIVES YOU A 20% DISCOUNT TO HUNDREDS OF RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS HERE IN HOUSTON. ALL THE MONEY GOES TO SUPPORT THE, UH, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, WHICH AGAIN, DOES GREAT WORK, UH, HERE IN HOUSTON. MAYOR, THANK YOU COUNCIL RAMIREZ, UH, FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOUT OUT A PROGRAM BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. YOU KNOW, I CAN'T THINK OF ANY ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BETTER NAME ID, A POSITIVE NAME BRAND 'CAUSE WE DON'T REALLY CHALLENGE WHAT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY PROPOSES BECAUSE THEY MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN ALL OF OUR LIVES. THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 21ST, 2025 IS AMERICANS CANCER SOCIETY HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THANK YOU, SIR. AND WE'LL LET WILL ASK SOME OF THE LEADERS OF THIS PROGRAM TO COME FORWARD. MAYOR, THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. SO, MAYOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO SEE Y'ALL. SOMEONE WANT TO SURE. UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M SO PLEASED TO BE HERE AND, UM, CELEBRATE THIS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE, UH, WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. AND, UM, HONORING THE IMPACT THAT THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD HAS HERE, UH, IN HOUSTON AND BEYOND. UH, THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IS THE LEADING CANCER FIGHTING ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD. AND, UM, WE HAVE INVESTED MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN CANCER RESEARCH SINCE 1946. UM, HERE, CURRENTLY IN HOUSTON, WE'RE FUNDING $25 MILLION, UH, MORE THAN THAT, UM, IN CANCER RESEARCH. AND, UH, THAT'S BASED RIGHT HERE IN HOUSTON, AS WELL AS PATIENT PROGRAMS SUCH AS FREE RIDES TO TRANS, UH, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS FOR CANCER PATIENTS. AND, UM, FREE LODGING THROUGH OUR, UH, HOPE LODGE HERE IN HOUSTON FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAVELING FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY TO RECEIVE TREATMENT HERE IN OUR AMAZING MEDICAL DISTRICT. SO, UM, WE ARE, EVERYONE THAT PURCHASES A SHOPPING CARD IS HELPING US TO FUND THESE RESOURCES HERE, UM, AND HELPING PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING CANCER. SO, SAVING, UM, NOT JUST MONEY AND SHOPPING, BUT SAVING LIVES. SO, WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DECLARING TODAY THE, UM, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, HOLLY HOLIDAY SHOPPING CARD DAY. GREAT COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, FOR BRINGING THIS PROCLAMATION FORWARD. THIS IS SUCH A WORTHY CAUSE. I JUST BOUGHT MY CARD, UM, ONLINE WHILE RIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING GOT STARTED. YOU KNOW, TWO THINGS THAT ARE GREAT, SAVING LIVES AND SAVING MONEY. I MEAN, DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT? SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M EXCITED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. COUNCILOR CASTILLO, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. MAYOR, GREAT PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU FOR, FOR BRINGING THE ATTENTION TO THIS. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE WORTHY CAUSE AND I DO WANNA SAY HELLO TO A FRIEND AND CONSTITUENT COURTNEY ZAVALA BACK THERE, UH, FOR BEING A PART OF THIS EFFORT AS WELL. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [00:05:13] NEXT, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS FOR A PROCLAMATION TO THE ROSS STERLING AVIATION CLUB FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE HOUSTON AIRPORT AVIATION PROJECT. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM. AND TO, UH, AND TO, UM, MY COLLEAGUES, I'M GOING TO ASK OUR, OH, THAT IS THE, I WAS GONNA SAY TO MY COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION TO JOIN WITH ME HERE IN THIS PRESENTATION, BECAUSE THIS ENDS IN, UH, OUR DISTRICT WHERE WE SERVE AND LIVE. AND MAYOR, I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER GROUP COLLEAGUES THAN TO GIVE IT TO THE, THE GREAT MINDS THAT ARE SITTING OUT IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, BECAUSE CERTAINLY MOST OF US, US GOING TO LOOK FORWARD TO ASSURING THAT WHEN WE TRAVEL, UH, WE'LL HAVE THESE PEOPLE AT THE LEADERSHIP OF FLYING SOME OF THESE PLANES AND SOME OF THESE AIRLINES. STERLING AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL CLUB ROSS SHAW, STERLING AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL AND EARLY COLLEGE HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF AVIATION EDUCATION IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE ITS FOUNDING INSPIRING GENERATIONS OF YOUNG AVIATORS. AND WHEREAS SINCE 2014, IT'S STERLING AVIATION CLUB HAS PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES IN AVIATION LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, PREPARING THEM TO CHART THEIR OWN FLIGHT PLAN TOWARD CAREERS IN AVIATION, AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AND BEYOND. AND WHEREAS THE STERLING AVIATION CLUB HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN CONNECTING STUDENTS TO HOUSTON'S AIRPORT SYSTEMS AND ADVANCING AWARENESS OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY'S IMPORTANCE TO THE CITY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION. AND WHEREAS THROUGH MENTORSHIP, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND STUDENT LED INITIATIVES, THE STERLING AVIATION CLUB CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN HOUSTON AVIATION FUTURE BY TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION LEADERS. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMENDS AND RECOGNIZED THE STERLING AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION CLUB, ALONG WITH ITS DEDICATED STERLING STUDENTS FOR THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF AVIATION EDUCATION AND FOR CHARTING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HOUSTON AVIATION INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY MAYOR ERIC, I'LL YIELD TO COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ TO, WHO'S REALLY PROUD OF STERLING HIGH . OH, THANK YOU MAYOR. AND CERTAINLY THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, FOR GIVING THIS GREAT HONOR. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, EVERYBODY IN DISTRICT D IS SMART, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THESE ARE CUT ABOVE OKAY. AND CERTAINLY I TRAVEL A LOT, AND SO IT GIVES ME GREAT PRIDE TO KNOW THAT A SCHOOL AND DISTRICT D STERLING HIGH SCHOOL IS CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SAFETY AND WELLBEING AS WE TRAVEL ALONG OUR WAY IN THE WRIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD. AND SO, CERTAINLY, UH, I AM HONORED TO BE HERE. I THINK, DO WE HAVE, UH, IS, IS LINDA TURNER HERE? OH, BE, OH. WELL, THAT'S MY, THAT HAS BEEN MY LONG TIME FRIEND. I SEE, I SEE MY FRIENDS OUT HERE, BUT CERTAINLY, THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M GOING TO YIELD TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN COMPLETE THIS PROCESS BECAUSE THIS IS, I'M, I'M TELLING YOU, MY HEART IS BURSTING BECAUSE TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT WE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEM MAKES A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND CERTAINLY THE LIVES OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER AND THANK YOU COUNCIL CHAIRMAN SHABAZZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, YOU BRING TO COUNCIL TODAY A PROGRAM THAT IS MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE. YOU KNOW, WE GO ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES WORKING ON ISSUES AND CHALLENGES, AND THEN YOU PRESENT WITH US SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING SO WELL AND GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR ENTIRE NEW PROFESSION AND PUBLIC SERVICE, THEIR SPONSORS AT STERLING HIGH. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE AND RESPECT YOU. SO IT'S A GREAT DAY TO, TO BE A HOUSTONIAN AND TO GET THE WITNESS RIGHT HERE AT CITY HALL, A MAJOR OPPORTUNITY FOR STERLING HIGH STUDENTS. AND THANK YOU THAT THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU. MM-HMM . SO TRAIN WELL STUDY HARD AND COME BACK AND SEE US. THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMORE MAYOR, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 21ST IS 2025 STERLING AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION CLUB DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THANK Y'ALL. [00:10:08] AND I ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE MY FRIEND AND SARAH ROSS. SARAH FREDDY FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON, UH, AIRPORT SYSTEM. DON'T, I DON'T THINK WE GOT ANY CHOICE FOR GOING TO STUDENTS THAT'S GOING TO SPEAK TO MEET YOU. MR. CAN HAVE MY MIC. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME? YES. YES. ONE SECOND. LET'S GET EVERYBODY RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. I JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE AVIATION CLUB. SO I AM A SENIOR AT STERLING AVIATION EARLY COLLEGE. I'VE BEEN IN THE AVIATION CLUB SINCE I WAS A FRESHMAN. AND WHAT WE DO IS THAT WE GO ON FIELD TRIPS EVERY MONTH AND WE HAVE A PROJECT. SO IN THESE FIELD TRIPS, WE HAVE TO GO BASED ON WHAT THE PROJECT DETAILS ARE. SO AN EXAMPLE OF THIS WOULD BE WHEN WE WENT LAST YEAR, WE HAD A PROJECT WHERE WE HAD TO DO A SUSTAINABLE AND TRANSPORTATION TO THE PORT OF GALVESTON FROM HOBBY AIRPORT. SO WE WENT TO THE PORT OF GALVESTON AND WE GOT TO TALK TO THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONALS IN THE MARITIME. SO NOT ONLY DID WE NOT DO AVIATION, BUT WE GOT INTO AN INSIGHT OF HOW THE PORT OF GALVESTON WORKS AND THE DIFFERENT SHIP TERMINALS. SO ANOTHER EXAMPLE WOULD BE MY SOPHOMORE YEAR WE WENT TO THE ELLINGTON AND WE WERE GOING ON A PROJECT ABOUT THE SPACE PORT. SO THE SPACE PORT, I THINK, UH, IF ANY SITE, IT'S LIKE, HOW DO WE, WE'RE GONNA GO TO SPACE. SO WE DID A PROJECT AND WE GOT TO TALK TO REAL ASTRONAUTS, AND THEY GAVE US IDEAS ON THE PROJECT WE HAD. AND THEN ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY I GOT WAS THAT THEY OFFER INTERNSHIPS. SO I'VE BEEN A TWO TIME INTERNSHIP WINNER MY SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR YEAR, AND I GOT TO TALK TO THE PROFESSIONALS AND WORK WITH THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONALS. SO SOPHOMORE YEAR I WORKED IN SECURITY AND I GOT TO GO WORK IN THE A OA. SO ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE A OA, IT'S LIKE THE TAXIWAYS, THE RUNWAYS, AND THE DIFFERENT, UH, FBOS. SO FBOS ARE FIXED BASE OPERATIONS, SO MILLIONAIRE, WHERE ALL THE RICH PEOPLE LAND . AND THEN I WORKED LAST THIS SUMMER I WORKED IN TERMINAL OPERATIONS AND I GOT TO GO ON WORK ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. SO IF ANYBODY KNOWS, WE'RE WORKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL, UH, TERMINAL AT HOBBY. GOOD. SO THANK YOU EVERYBODY. WE, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN QUEUE. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TE UM, AS Y'ALL MAKE YOUR WAY, I JUST WANTED TO GET THE GENTLE, THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN'S NAME. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? I DIDN'T CATCH IT. MY NAME IS RAMIRO HERNANDEZ. RAMIRO, YES, SIR. UH, AND THEN I SEE THE REST OF YOUR PEERS BEHIND YOU. UM, I JUST WANT TO JUST SPEAK TO YOU ALL, Y'ALL, Y'ALL HAVE A AMAZING, AMAZING OPPORTUNITY. I LOVE THE FBO CONVERSATION. YOU KNOW, I LOVE THE EXPANSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT HOBBY CONVERSATION THAT'S IN DISTRICT. I, UM, JUST, JUST KNOW THAT AS Y'ALL GRADUATE, Y'ALL CONTINUE, YOU ARE Y'ALL, UH, EDUCATION THAT THE HOBBY AIRPORT IS READY TO HIRE Y'ALL AS WELL. AND I'M HOPING TO SEE THE NEXT, UH, DIRECTOR FOR HAS OUT OF THIS GROUP. UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS SHABAZZ AND MAYOR. UM, THIS IS, THIS IS ONE REASON WHY I RAN FOR OFFICE 'CAUSE OF YOUNG FOLKS LIKE THIS. AND SO, UH, KEEP DOING WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING. KNOW THAT THIS HORSESHOE IS SUPPORTIVE OF EVERYTHING Y'ALL ARE DOING, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER. THANK YOU MAYOR PROAM. UH, JUST WANTED TO SAY, UH, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK Y'ALL FOR BRINGING THIS, UH, GROUP FORWARD. I, UH, USED TO RUN PART 91. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THAT IS? GENERAL AVIATION. ANYWAY, SO, UM, I'M, IT'S SO NEAT TO SEE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS TO TEACH AND TO EDUCATE. YOU KNOW, THESE ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE FUTURE, BUT THIS, UH, AVIATION PROGRAMMING IS SO IMPORTANT. AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL ALL LEARN, SOMETHING THAT WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH YOUR CAREERS, WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO. SO, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM. CONGRATULATIONS. GOOD JOB. [00:18:12] COUNCIL, COME TO ORDER. [2:00 P.M. – INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR PROTE CAS SIX TATUM FOR THE INVOCATION. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. TODAY'S INVOCATION. WE ARE JOINED BY CORRINE PENTO. CORRINE IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PHILLY CONNECT, ONE OF HOUSTON'S LARGEST AND MOST TRANSFORMATIVE YOUNG ADULT CO-ED FAITH COMMUNITIES. THROUGH PHILLY CONNECT, WHICH BEGAN IN 20 20 15, CORRINE PENTO HAS SPENT THE PAST DECADE EQUIPPING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL TOOLS TO BOLDLY WALK IN THEIR PURPOSE. INSPIRED BY THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA IN REVELATIONS THREE, SEVEN THROUGH 13, FROM WHICH PHILLY CONNECT DRAWS ITS NAME, THE ORGANIZATION IS A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO GATHER REGULARLY FOR BIBLE STUDY, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES, CREATING SPACES WHERE FAITH AND EVERYDAY LIFE MEET [00:20:01] THE COMMUNITY REPRESENTS A GENERATION COMMITTED TO REMAINING FAITHFUL TO GOD'S COMMANDS WHILE GROWING IN FAITH, LEADERSHIP, INFLUENCE, AND C COMMUNITY. WHAT BEGAN AS A BIBLE STUDY IN THE PARK HAS GROWN INTO A MOVEMENT THAT CONTINUES TO POWERFULLY SHAPE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY ACROSS HOUSTON AND BEYOND. OUTSIDE OF THIS ROLE, CORRINE IS A PROUD HOUSTON NATIVE WHO LOVES HER CITY, HER FAMILY, AND FINDING COZY SPOTS TO UNWIND IN HER FREE TIME. THANK YOU CORINNE, FOR JOINING US TODAY. WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN COUNCIL TO LEAD US IN PRAYER. THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE FOR THE WARM INTRODUCTION. UM, I JUST QUICKLY WANNA HONOR YOU ALL. IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT IF I JUST WENT INTO PRAYER WITHOUT DOING SO. MAYOR WHITMEYER, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, IS BLESSED BY YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR THE DAILY SACRIFICES YOU MAKE TO LEAD WELL, EVEN WHEN MOST MAY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE IT FULLY. SEE OR UNDERSTAND IT. MAYOR PROTI, UM, YOU SAID SOMETHING RECENTLY TO ME, THE ANSWERS IN THE ROOM THAT STUCK WITH ME. UM, I HONOR HOW YOU MOVE WITH SUCH GRACE, WISDOM, AND A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE. YOUR HEART FOR THE CITY IS EVIDENT. AND TO EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER, I HONOR YOU. UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO SHOWING UP AND CARING ABOUT PEOPLE. FIRST WITH THAT, AS I GO INTO PRAYER, I WAS THINKING ABOUT TODAY, AND I WANNA LEAVE YOU WITH THIS ONE SCRIPTURE FROM AMOS THREE. THREE. IT SAYS, HOW CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER UNLESS THEY AGREE TWO OR TRULY BETTER THAN ONE? SO THAT IS MY PRAYER AND HOPE FOR HOUSTON. AND CITY COUNCIL IS ONENESS, IT'S UNITY. SO LET'S BOW OUR HEADS IN PRAYER. THANK YOU, LORD, THAT YOUR MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. THANK YOU FOR EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER IN THIS ROOM FOR THEIR DECISION TO LIVE LIVES OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THEM TOGETHER FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. THEIR WORK DOESN'T JUST AFFECT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT RIPPLES ACROSS THE NATION AND EVEN THE WORLD. WE COMMIT THIS SESSION INTO YOUR HANDS. MAY THIS DAY MARK A SHIFT, A MOVE OF YOUR HAND OVER THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND AMONGST THIS COUNCIL, LET YOUR PRESENCE REST UPON EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR DECISIONS, THEIR HEARTS, AND THEIR MINDS. GRANT THEM FRESH, FRESH GRACE FOR LEADERSHIP AND SUPERNATURAL ORDER. MAY HOUSTON BE A CITY SET ON A HILL, A LIGHT THAT NEVER STOPS SHINING. A PILLAR OF HOPE FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO IT. FATHER, LET US BE MOVED BY YOU TO KNOW YOUR VOICE AND TRUTH CLEARLY. MAY EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER AND EVEN THE PUBLIC BEGIN TO HEAR AND SEE DIFFERENTLY. I PRAY THAT THIS COUNCIL WOULD BECOME ONE WITH YOUR WILL AND SEE UNITY FLOW FROM THERE, EVEN IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD NOT LET ANYONE BE PUT TO SHAME AS THEY OBEY YOU. I PRAY THAT THERE WILL BE PEACE WHERE THERE HAS BEEN TENSION, WHERE THERE HAS BEEN DIVISION. LET THERE BE UNDERSTANDING. MAY NEW IDEAS, NEW POLICIES, NEW STRUCTURES ARISE FROM THIS CHAMBER THAT MAKE HOUSTON A TRUE CITY ON A HILL, ONE THAT CANNOT BE HIDDEN. I PRAY THAT THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, UNITY, AND DISCERNMENT REST UPON THEM THAT YOU WOULD BE THEIR GUIDE, THEIR PEACE, BLESS THE CITY. LORD, FAVOR US EVERY POLICY, EVERY DECISION, EVERY LEADER. YOU ARE A GOOD, GOOD FATHER, AND WE THANK YOU AND JESUS' NAME, AMEN. AMEN. GOD BLESS YOU. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH YOU STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. [ROLL CALL AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING] MR. SECRETARY, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE MAYOR WHITMEYER, PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER PECK HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD. HERE. 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 WILL BE ABSENT. UH, NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7TH AND EIGHTH? HAST A MOVE. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. [PUBLIC SPEAKERS] PROCEDURAL MOTIONS MEMBERS. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD CHRISTOPHER JENKINS AT THE TOP OF THE TWO MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST. JENKINS. SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. THAT'S ALL. MR. SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE FIRST SPEAKER, PRESTON WITT, TO BE FOLLOWED BY KATIE AND CHON. DO GOOD MORNING. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. AS THE CURRENT OPERATOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S NAVIGATION CENTER, HARMONY HOUSE FULLY SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED EMANCIPATION CENTER [00:25:02] WITH TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, HOUSING LOW BARRIER, HOW PROVIDING LOW BARRIER HOUSING TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. HARMONY HOUSE HAS WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE URGENT NEED FOR EXPANSION CAPACITY TO MEET THE GROWING EFFORTS AND NEEDS OF OUR HOMELESS UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AND IN EAST DOWNTOWN KNOWN AS IDO. THE EMANCIPATION CENTER OFFERS A CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES, CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO SHELTER, HOUSING, NAVIGATION, MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO THE LIVES OF SO MANY INDIVIDUALS NEEDING THOSE WITH A LOW BARRIER TRAUMA-INFORMED ENVIRONMENT. MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE AT THE NAVIGATION HAVE COMPLEX HISTORIES OF TRAUMA, INCARCERATION, AND LONG TERM HOMELESSNESS IN A FACILITY. YOUR YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. OH, SO SORRY. PLUMMER. THANK YOU. JUST A SEC. COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU SO MUCH MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE JUST KIND OF ASKED ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE, THE HUB ON EMANCIPATION AND THE NAVIGATION CENTER. CAN YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN JUST FOR OUR LISTENERS TO WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE? SURE. UH, I'D BE HAPPY TO. SO WITH THE UH, NAVIGATION CENTER, WE PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN, UM, REFERRED TO THAT PROGRAM TO HAVE STABLE HOUSING UNTIL THEIR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS AVAILABLE TO US AT THE NEW PROPOSED CENTER. IT WILL BE A SHORT TERM CENTER WHERE WE WILL BUILD OUT THE BACK DOOR AND SEND PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO WHEN THEY COME IN. SO THOSE WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WILL BE ROUTED IN A DIRECTION THAT THEY NEED TO BE ROUTED IN. PEOPLE THAT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION WILL BE ROUTED TO TO HARRIS HEALTH. UH, SO WE HAVE ALSO TO REALIZE THAT WE HAVE TO BUILD OUT HOUSING. RIGHT. UH, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T CONTINUE TO HOUSE THE PEOPLE THAT WE TAKE TO THE NAVIGATION CENTER, THAT I MEAN TO THE PROPOSED, UH, EMANCIPATION CENTER, THEN WE WILL END UP CREATING ANOTHER SUPER, UH, SHELTER. AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING. WE'RE PROPOSING THAT WE, WE ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF THESE FOLKS WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH A STAY OF NO LONGER THAN 30 DAYS. AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEND THEM FORWARD ONTO THEIR PATH TO STABILITY. OKAY. AND THE, THE ONE LAST QUESTION. HOW LONG DO, HOW LONG DO FOLKS, HOW LONG ARE THEY ABLE TO STAY AT THE NAVIGATION CENTER? SO THE NAVIGATION CENTER, UH, WHEN WE FIRST OPENED, WE HAD, UH, APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS, BUT THEN WHEN THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF VOUCHERS AND NEW HOUSING OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AVAILABLE, THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 78 DAYS. OKAY. AND, AND HOW MANY BEDS DO WE HAVE THERE? WE HAVE 112. OKAY. ARE WE FULL? WE ARE AT, UH, ABOUT 72%. OKAY. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CARTER. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND THANK YOU PRESTON FOR COMING. UM, JUST ONE QUESTION. YOU MENTIONED, UM, REFERRAL. SO FOR INSTANCE, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE NAVIGATION CENTER, IF I DON'T HAVE A REFERRAL, I CAN'T GO THERE. CORRECT? CORRECT. AND SO ON THAT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF IN THAT, UH, LINE, YOU KNOW, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COME THROUGH THE NAVIGATION CENTER, LET'S JUST SAY ON A SHORT SIDE, MEANING 30, 60 DAYS THEY'RE PUT INTO HOUSING, THEY'RE GIVEN HOUSING. UM, WHAT DO YOU SEE COMING BACK TO YOU? WHAT'S THE RECIDIVISM RATE ON THAT? SO RIGHT NOW, THE RECIDIVISM IS ABOUT 94%. SO WE REALLY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN GATHERING THEM INTO A CENTRAL LOCATION SO THAT THEY LEARN BASIC LIFE SKILLS AND THEN WE MOVE THEM FORWARD INTO HOUSING. SO WE HAVE NOT SEEN A HUGE RETURN IN OUR PROGRAM. WE ALSO RUN, UH, A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM WITH 200 CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES. SO WE, IN OUR PROGRAM, BECAUSE WE, WE DO PROVIDE INTENSE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR CLIENTS THAT ARE IN THERE. AND I THINK THAT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS WITH, WITH OUR ORGANIZATION [00:30:01] AND WITH OUR SYSTEM IN GENERAL IN THE HOUSTON AREA, IS THAT WE DO PROVIDE INTENSE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR EVERYONE WHO ENTERS THESE PROGRAMS. COUNCIL, COUNCIL SIR. COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND HEY PRESTON, THANK YOU FOR, UM, COMING OUT AND, UM, SHARING, GIVING US AN UPDATE ON, YOU KNOW, HOW THE NAVIGATION CENTER OPERATE. UM, AND SO I KNOW WHEN WE WAS KICKING THE NAVIGATION CENTER OUT, THERE WAS A LOT OF PUSHBACK, UM, AROUND THE CENTER. AND THE PUSHBACK WAS BASICALLY HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE RESIDENTS AROUND, UM, THAT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT, UM, YOU KNOW, FOLKS THAT, THAT'S FROM THE NAVIGATION CENTER JUST HANGING OUT, UP AND DOWN THE STREET AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, CAUSING A NUISANCE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND SO JUST FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, UM, I HAVEN'T, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY, UM, UM, ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT PEOPLE HANGING OUT, BUT JUST LET ME KNOW HOW, HOW THAT HAS BEEN GOING SINCE, SINCE WE'VE OPENED UP. CERTAINLY. SO WE HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY, UH, FIRST I'D LIKE TO SAY WE HAVE HAD NO VIOLENCE MM-HMM . AT ALL IN THE CENTER. UH, WE ALSO MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD BE A SILENT PARTNER IN THEIR COMMUNITY. AND ALSO PROVIDING THE SERVICES IN THAT CENTER TO THE, TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. SO IT, IT'S GONE EXTREMELY WELL. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES, BE MY PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND MYSELF WALK THE COMMUNITY, MEET THE NEIGHBORS, AND MANY TIMES THEY GO, WELL, WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? AND, UH, WE TELL THEM ON JENSEN AND THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF US BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY VIOLENCE. WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THAT COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT ANYONE THAT LEFT THE PROGRAM WOULD BE EXITED FROM THE COMMUNITY. AND WE HAVE HELD TO THAT, UH, SINCE WE HAVE OPENED THE CENTER IN JENSEN. AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY PART OF OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS WHEN WE CHANGE ANY, ANY TYPE OF PROTOCOL IN THAT PROGRAM. AND I KNOW WE HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT'S MADE UP A COMMUNITY THAT KIND OF HELPED YOU GUYS, UM, NAVIGATE OTHER SPACES. AND SO, UM, BUT I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING AND, AND I'M GLAD THAT THE, UM, NAVIGATION CENTER HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL THUS FAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER? YEAH. THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. UH, YOU SAID YOUR RECIDIVISM RATE WAS 94%. 94%. WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? SO WE, WE, WE, WELL, RECIDIVISM RATE OF, I GUESS 6%. RIGHT. OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S, I'M SORRY. SO I GOT IT BACKWARDS. 6%. GOTCHA. EH, YEAH. WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR COUNCIL FROM RAMIR THAT HAD BEEN 95% RIGHT. COUNT FROM RAMIR. SIX IS A LOT BETTER THAN 94 ON THAT ONE. PRESTON. SO JUST CURIOUS, THE NAVIGATION CENTER THAT, THAT YOU RUN, WHAT'S THE CAPACITY AND HOW FULL ARE YOU ALL? SO THE CAPACITY IS 112. CURRENTLY WE ARE AT ABOUT 72%. UH, PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT CLOSED, UH, SOME ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY YET. UH, SO AS ENCAMPMENTS ARE CLOSED, THE PEOPLE COME TO US ARE, ARE EITHER, EITHER, UM, THE HOT TEAM CAN, CAN BRING CLIENTS INTO THE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW. SO WE ANTICIPATED BEING FULL. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN FULL ONCE SINCE WE OPENED. UH, AND THAT WAS BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, WITHOUT HOUSING PLACEMENT, THERE IS NO REASON TO CREATE ANOTHER SHELTER. HMM. AND, AND WHEN THEY GO OUT THE BACK DOOR, WHERE, WHERE DO THEY GO IF THERE'S NOT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AVAILABLE? SO RIGHT NOW THERE ARE, THERE ARE CHALLENGES. THERE ARE MANY HOUSES EITHER THEY SELF RESOLVE. AND THAT'S BEEN THE ONE GREAT THING IS THAT THIS GIVES THE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PLACE, SAY A SAFE PLACE TO STORE THEIR CLOTHING, A SAFE PLACE TO GO. THEY CAN TAKE A SHOWER, THEY CAN LOOK FOR A JOB, AND THEY CAN GO TO WORK. SO WE'VE HAD ABOUT 15% OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PROGRAM THAT HAVE SELF RESOLVED. AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER, UH, HOUSING, UH, OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS, UH, RAPID REHOUSING. WE HAVE, UM, PERMANENT HOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHICH WRAP SERVICES AROUND THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE MOST NEED OF THOSE. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A, UM, GOSH, I JUST LOST THE NAME OF IT. SORRY GUYS. DIVERSION FUNDS. THEN THOSE DIVERSION FUNDS ARE USED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ONLY NEED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SUPPORT SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE ON. GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND ONE LAST QUESTION. I, I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE TODAY, . UM, I KNOW THAT EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT FUNDING AND THE [00:35:01] CHALLENGES WE'RE HAVING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WHAT'S NOT GOING DOWN TO US. ARE YOU SEEING THE NAVIGATION CENTER, UM, THAT YOU ALL ARE IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR COMMUNITY? YES, I DO. I, AND BECAUSE THE CITY HAS SUPPORTED IT AND BEEN BEEN SUPPORTING THAT CENTER FOR, FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT IT'S BEEN OPEN, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT WITH YOUR, YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT HERE IN THIS CHAMBER. UH, I ALSO, UH, WE ARE ALL AT, AT KIND OF ARMS, UH, AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AT A FEDERAL LEVEL OR WHAT MAY BE COMING DOWN AT A FEDERAL LEVEL. SO WE'RE NOT SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT ALL OF US IN, IN THE HOMELESS ARENA WHEN IT COMES TO FEDERAL FUNDING. OKAY. 'CAUSE I DO REMEMBER WE GOT THAT FUNDED THROUGH ARPA. YOU DID. AND SO AS WE'RE SEEING THAT DIMINISHED, I'M JUST WANTING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF FUTURE PLAN FINANCIALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE. YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT, KATIE AND CHANDO TO BE FOLLOWED BY MADDIE EGAN. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WHITMEYER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KATIE STEWART HONDO, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW HOPE HOUSING. BEFORE I JOINED NEW HOPE, I HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS A DISTRICT H STAFFER, AND THAT'S WHERE I, UH, FIRST CAME TO KNOW AND LOVE THE EAST END. TODAY, IT'S STILL HOME FOR ME PROFESSIONALLY AS NEW HOPE'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED ON HARRISBURG, ATOP 175 STUDIO EFFICIENCY APARTMENT HOMES, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO THE FORMERLY HOMELESS. SO OUR CORPORATE STAFF LIVES WHERE OUR RESIDENTS DO NEW HOPE BUILT ITS FIRST EAST END PROPERTY IN 2005 AND CURRENTLY OPERATES FIVE PROPERTIES IN THE EAST END. EACH OF THESE PROPERTIES PROVIDE HOUSING PLUS SERVICES. AND DEPENDING ON THE PROPERTY, WE SERVE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND SENIORS. SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE FORMERLY UNHOUSED, THOUGH CERTAINLY ALL ARE AT RISK, NOW ALL ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE CITY'S PROPOSED PURCHASE OF FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION AS THE FIRST FRONT DOOR SUPER HUB. SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL THAT IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HARVEY, THE CITY ASKED NEW HOPE TO STEP IN AND OPERATE THE VERY SAME SITE ON EMANCIPATION ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAD FLED TO GEORGE R. BROWN. IN THE WAKE OF THE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING OUR CITY EXPERIENCED, WE SAID YES. AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS THAT WE OPERATE AT THE SITE, WE MANAGED A TIGHT SHIP. WE ENFORCED HOUSE RULES, INSURED SAFETY TO THE BEST OF ANYONE'S ABILITY, AND WORKED CLOSELY WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS AND NEIGHBORS MOST IN THE COMMUNITY, FELT WE HANDLED IT WELL. AND WE AGREE, WE BELIEVE OTHERS CAN TOO. PROVIDED THAT THE OPERATION IS RUN RESPONSIBLY AND TRANSPARENTLY WITH REGULAR COMMUNICATION TO RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS ALIKE, THAT'S GONNA BE KEY. NEW HOPE HAS LEARNED THAT WHEN PEOPLE KNOW THE RULES FEEL SAFE AND FEEL INFORMED. THESE EFFORTS WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS AND FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING. AT THE END OF THE DAY, A COMMUNITY THAT'S SAFE, STABLE, AND SUPPORTIVE, THIS SUPER HUB CAN BE A FIRST STEP TOWARDS THAT. WHILE WE DO SUPPORT THE CITY'S PLANS, WE ALSO WANNA BE CLEAR THAT PERMANENT HOUSING IS THE REAL PERMANENT SOLUTION. A SUPER HUB CAN CERTAINLY SUCCEED AS A TRIAGE POINT, A CRITICAL FIRST STEP. BUT TO MAKE THIS A FULL CIRCLE SOLUTION, THE CITY MUST ALSO INVEST IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. WITHOUT THAT, WE RISK BOTTLENECKING PROGRESS WHERE PEOPLE NEED TRUE STABILITY THE MOST. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO REAL SOLUTIONS. YOU, YOU, YOU DO KNOW MA'AM, WORKING WITH THAT POPULATION, THAT THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET THAT ARE NOT PREPARED FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING ABSOLUTELY. IN A HOUSE. SURE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE SPECIFICALLY WANNA PREPARE THEM FOR. YES MA'AM. BUT THEY NEED SOME IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO BE STABILIZED, HELP THEM WITH GETTING IDS, AND THEN MOVING INTO HOUSING WHEN APPROPRIATE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MY PLEASURE. COUNCILMAN CARTER. COUNCILMAN CARTER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU KATIE FOR COMING DOWN. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. NICE SURPRISE. UH, I DO WANNA SAY THAT I, ONE OF THE FIRST INDIVIDUALS I MET WITH WHEN I STARTED KIND OF ON A JOURNEY TRYING TO LOOK FOR A SOLUTION WAS, WAS JOY. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS WHO DO IT RIGHT, UM, WE LEAN INTO THEIR EXPERTISE AND THEIR WISDOM. AND I FULLY EXPECTED HER TO SAY, THIS IS NOT THE [00:40:01] PATH YOU WANNA TAKE. AND I CAN TELL YOU PUBLICLY TODAY, SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CALLS I MADE, AND I SAID, I HAVE SOMETHING I WANNA RUN PAST YOU. AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. AND WE DO KNOW THAT PERMANENT HOUSING IS THE END RESULT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO, IS GET THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO AREN'T READY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING, READY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR SUPPORT ACROSS THE CITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. NEXT, MADDIE EGAN TO BE FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL PATTERSON. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WHITMEYER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MADDIE EGAN, AND I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED HOMELESS HUB PROJECT. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN COMPASSIONATE SOLUTIONS, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE IN RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT AND TRANSPARENT DECISION MAKING. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE WITH THIS PROJECT. FIRST, THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LEFT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PROCESS. THERE HAVE NO TOWN HALLS, NO NEIGHBORHOOD NOTICES, NO OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS OR GIVE INPUT. MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS SHOULD BEGIN WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, NOT AFTER THE FACT EXPLANATIONS. TRANSPARENCY IS AN OPTIONAL, IT'S THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC TRUST. SECOND, THERE IS NO CLEAR DATA DRIVEN PLAN SHOWING HOW THIS HUB WILL REDUCE HOMELESSNESS OR IMPROVE OUTCOMES. WE'VE SEEN OTHER WELL-INTENTIONED PROJECTS IN HOUSTON FAIL BECAUSE THEY WERE LAUNCHED WITHOUT MEASURABLE GOALS OR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING PAID, BEING SPENT. WE DESERVE TO SEE THE RESEARCH, THE DATA, AND THE LONG-TERM METRICS FOR SUCCESS BEFORE ANYTHING MOVES FORWARD. THIRD, THE ACQUISITION OF THE BUILDING RAISES SERIOUS FINANCIAL CONCERNS. PAYING $10 MILLION OVER THE ASSESSED VALUE OF $6.5 MILLION IS NOT ONLY QUESTIONABLE, IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE THAT MONEY COULD FUND MORE DIRECT SERVICES, OUTREACH TEAMS, OR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHO APPROVED THE PURCHASE, HOW THE FIGURE WAS JUSTIFIED, AND WHETHER COMPETITIVE OPTIONS WERE EVEN CONSIDERED. FOURTH, SUSTAINABILITY IS ALREADY IN QUESTION BEFORE THE DOORS EVEN OPEN. THE PROJECT IS ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT TELLS ME THIS PLAN ISN'T FINANCIALLY SOUND. WHAT HAPPENS IN A YEAR OR TWO WHEN THE PRO WHEN THE BUDGET RUNS OUT, WILL OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BE LEFT WITH AN ABANDONED HALF FUNDED BUILDING? AND FINALLY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, SECURITY, HEALTH AND SANITATION IN THE SURROUNDING AREA MUST BE ADDRESSED. RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, LOITERING, AND THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO MANAGE INCREASED FOOT TRAFFIC AND SANITATION NEEDS. WE ARE NOT OPPOSING HELP FOR THE HOMELESS. WE ARE OPPOSING A POORLY PLANNED, POORLY COMMUNICATED, AND FISCALLY QUESTIONABLE PROJECT BEING PUSHED FORWARD WITHOUT DUE DILIGENCE. WE ARE URGING YOU TO EXTEND THE CIVILITY ZONE TO A ONE MILE RADIUS OF THIS SUPER HUB. AT THIS POINT, THE CIVILITY ZONE ENDS AT THE HUB. IN CLOSING, I URGE THIS COUNCIL TO PAUSE THE PROJECT UNTIL THE COMMUNITY IS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE AND THE DATA IS MADE PUBLIC AND THE FINANCIAL DETAILS ARE FULLY VETTED. WE ALL WANT TO SEE COMPASSIONATE, EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS, BUT THEY NEED TO BE BUILT ON TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND REAL EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS. AT NO TIME SHOULD THE MAYOR REFER TO COMMUN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE VOICING CONCERNS AS DISTRACTIONS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THIS COMMENT WAS SAID DURING THE MEDIA EVENT AND REPORTED BY HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA ADDRESSING THE MEDIA BEFORE A VOTE WAS TAKEN, ALONG WITH STATING COMMUNITY MEMBERS OR DISTRACTIONS, CLEARLY SHOWS THE LACK OF DESIRE TO INVOLVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS. I WANNA LEAVE YOU ALL WITH ONE QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT HOW WOULD YOU FEEL AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THIS PROJECT WERE BEING DEVELOPED WITHIN A 10 MINUTE WALK OF YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, LOCAL PARK, AND YOUR HOME? THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU MADDIE, FOR BEING HERE. UH, APPRECIATE SHARING THE CONCERNS THAT, THAT YOU'VE RAISED. UM, MY, MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO MIGHT, MIGHT SPEAK TO THIS, BUT THERE IS A, A TOWN HALL SCHEDULED FOR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, UM, THAT RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND OFFER, UH, FEEDBACK ON AND ASK QUESTIONS OF, OF SOME OF OUR CITY, UH, CITY LEADERS. UM, BUT THE VOTE IS WEDNESDAY. WELL, UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO TAG ITEMS FOR A WEEK. AND, AND THAT MAY WELL HAPPEN ON THIS. WELL, WE, WE NEED A TAG FOR, FOR THE IN TIME FOR US TO BE ALRIGHT. GIVEN INFORMATION. THAT'S, THAT'S NOTED. THANK YOU. UM, BUT JUST, JUST FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE, UM, THERE WAS A COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER THE SIXTH [00:45:01] QUALITY OF LIFE, UH, COMMITTEE WHERE THERE WAS A PRESENTATION ON THIS FACILITY THAT, UH, RECORDING OF THAT MEETING IS AVAILABLE ONLINE. UH, I'D ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO, UH, SEE WHAT WAS PRESENTED AND THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED TO GO TO, UH, HOUSTON TX.GOV/HTV AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FIND THAT QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING ON, ON OCTOBER THE SIXTH. UH, APPRECIATE THAT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. YOU BET. NOW, YOUR, YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE, UH, CIVILITY ORDINANCE BEING EXTENDED IS, IS I THINK, A REASONABLE ONE THAT, THAT COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER, BECAUSE YOU ARE CORRECT THAT PROPERTY FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION SITS SORT OF RIGHT ON THE BORDER OF, OF ONE OF THE ZONES WHERE THE CIVIL CIVILITY ORDINANCE IS IN EFFECT. SO I THINK THE COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER MORE OF THE EAST SIDE, IF IN FACT THIS PRO THIS PROJECT GOES THROUGH MORE OF THE EAST SIDE, SHOULD BE INCLUDED, UH, IN, IN, UH, THAT TYPE OF, UH, ORDINANCE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT ONE MORE. COUNCILMAN CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND YES, COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. I WAS GONNA, UM, ADD IN THAT A COMMUNITY MEETING HAS BEEN ORGANIZED, UH, FOR THURSDAY, 6:00 PM AT THE TBH CENTER OFF OF JENSEN. THERE WAS A MEETING LAST WEEK, UM, AT SET GAS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER. I KNOW WE, WE DID THE MEETING. WE, WE WE INITIATED IT. YES. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE. I APPRECIATE IT. WE WERE THERE AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. NOT A LOT OF INFORMATION WAS SHARED. ABSOLUTELY. IT WAS JUST A HEATED DISCUSSION. AND THE GOAL FOR THURSDAY IS TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO CONSTITUENTS AND TO GET THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY IS BEING PROPOSED. UM, THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND THIS MEETING ON THURSDAY. SO, UM, 6:00 PM TBH OFF OF JENSEN. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. NEXT MICHAEL PATTERSON TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARIA KAVANAUGH. GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL. HOW Y'ALL DOING TODAY? MY NAME IS MICHAEL PATTERSON. I AM SENIOR PASTOR AT 1000 HILLS MINISTRY CHURCH UNDER THE BRIDGE. WE HAVE BEEN, WE'VE BEEN BEEN DOING THIS FOR 22 YEARS, DEALING WITH THE HOMELESS PEOPLE, 365 DAYS A YEAR, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, EVERY SINGLE DAY WE SEE THEM EACH AND EVERY DAY. WE LOVE ALL 'EM. AND WELL LET 'EM KNOW WHAT THE LOVE OF JESUS IS ALL ABOUT. YOU KNOW, I, I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU AND TELL YOU, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE HERE. YOU KNOW, THE BIBLE TELLS US IN GENESIS FOUR AND NINE, WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER. WHY MU WHY MUST WE GO? WHAT ALL THESE TACTICS THAT, AND DIFFERENT THINGS TO, TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. THESE PEOPLE HAVE LOST RELATIONSHIPS OVER THEIR LIVES. THAT'S NUMBER ONE REASON WHY PEOPLE END UP HOMELESS. LOSS OF RELATIONSHIPS. SO THEY'VE LOST THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NO ONE TO SPEAK UP FOR THEM, NO ONE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM. BUT YET, HERE WHERE YOU ARE IN THIS BUILDING, TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD DO WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, IT SICKENS ME. I'M NOT HERE TO, TO SAY WHAT'S GOOD FOR WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE STUFF THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OUT THERE IN THE FIELD. WE'VE GOTTEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOODWILL. WE'VE GOTTEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH HARRIS HEALTH. WE'VE GOTTEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH, UH, UH, UNI UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLINIC. WE'VE GOTTEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH PEOPLE COMING OUT, DOING INSURANCE, MEDICAID, MEDICARE. WE'VE DONE THESE THINGS BY OURSELVES. WE'VE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM ANYBODY ELSE. WE HAVE A VERY LIMITED, LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE CAN USE. WE FOCUS OUR MONEY ON FURTHERING THE WORD OF JESUS AND FEEDING THE PEOPLE EVERY NIGHT. 'CAUSE THEY WILL RECEIVE TWO MEALS EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, EACH AND EVERY DAY OF EVERY YEAR. SO I JUST, AS I STAND FOR, FOR 19 EMANCIPATION, I ASK EVERYONE HERE AS WE GATHER AND, AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO MOVING FORWARD. ARE WE HERE TO WRITE OUR OWN RESUME THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY GIVE TO PEOPLE AND TELL 'EM WHAT YOU DID, HOW YOU DID IT, LAUGH ABOUT IT, JOKE ABOUT IT. GET PEOPLE TO PAT YOU ON THE BACK AND SAY, GOOD JOB. OR ARE WE HERE TO WRITE A EULOGY? OUR OWN EULOGY, OUR EULOGY, THAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER US BY THE ONE THAT PEOPLE WILL SAY, THEY DID GREAT. THEY DID A GREAT JOB, AND THEY DID WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU PASTOR FOR YOUR FAITH AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU, UH, PASTOR FOR COMING. LET ME, UH, IDENTIFY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND CERTAINLY, UH, YOUR COMPASSION AND YOUR WORK. UH, AS YOU KNOW THAT THIS PROJECT IS A COSTLY ONE. YES. AND SO YOU'LL HEAR FROM MANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT IT. [00:50:01] BUT THE HOMELESS IS AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. MM-HMM . ALL OVER THE CITY. YEAH. I, I LIKE OTHERS. I'M GONNA GIVE GREAT THOUGHT TO IT. UM, NOT ONLY AS A MINISTER OR PASTOR FOR 40 YEARS, BUT AS A VETERAN. AND I'VE SAID THAT, BUT I ALSO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE FACT THAT WE NEED THE INFORMATION AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL ARE SATISFIED IN IT. BUT I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR COMING BECAUSE THE CHURCH OF ALL FAITHS HAS A STAKE IN THE LIVES OF THE LEASE, THE LOST AND THE LEFT OUT. YEAH. AND SO WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON A LOT OF THINGS OUT OF THIS CITY. A LOT. YEAH. SO THAT HAS TO GO INTO CONSIDERATION. THE PLACE HAS TO GO INTO CONSIDERATION HOW WE MEET THAT OBLIGATION. SO I, I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND ASK OF YOU AS PART OF OUR MINISTER ADVISORY BOARD TO THE MAYOR AS A GROUP OF PASTORS TO THE MAYOR. WE, WE ARE A SEPARATE GROUP, YOU KNOW, 5 0 1 AND EVERYTHING. BUT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL ISSUES IN THE CITY, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE. CRIME IS ONE OF OUR TOP RIGHT NOW. DISASTER RELIEF AND THE HOMELESSNESS. YEAH. SO I, I LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU AND GET MORE OF YOUR INPUT. 'CAUSE WE GOING TO NEED THE FAKE COMMUNITY IN THIS, EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE CASH DOLLAR SIDE. AMEN. CAN I RESPOND? SURE. HEY, I TURN ON THE NEWS EVERY DAY. CHANNEL ON 13 11, 2 26, WHATEVER IT MAY BE. AND THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF CRIME GOING ON ALL AROUND THE CITY, NOT JUST RIGHT THERE IN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY. THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU. NEXT MARIA KAVANAUGH TO BE FOLLOWED BY WAYNE DOO. HELLO. UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MARIA PAPAYA KAVANAUGH, AND I'VE LIVED IN THE EAST END FOR MORE THAN 11 YEARS. I GREW UP ATTENDING OUR LEADER GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND TODAY I AM PROUD TO BE BOTH A RESIDENT AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. I'M ALSO THE MOTHER OF THREE YOUNG DAUGHTERS WHOM I'M RAISING IN SECOND WARD. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED HOMELESS HUB. I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED. HOWEVER, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY. MANY OF US FEEL THIS DECISION WAS MADE WITH A, UM, WITHOUT MEANINGFUL IN INPUT FROM THE RESIDENTS. I'M ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN. I LIVE ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM THE PROPOSED SITE NEAR RUSK MIDDLE INSIDE AGAS PARK. LIKE MANY FAMILIES IN OUR WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE OFTEN GO FROM PLACE TO PLACE ON FOOT WALKING TO SCHOOL, THE PARK, LOCAL BUSINESSES, DYNAMO ASTROS GAMES. OUR STREETS ARE PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES. AND THAT MAKES SAFETY NOT JUST A CONCERN, BUT A NECESSITY. THE CITY'S GOAL IS TO MAKE HOUSTON MORE WALKABLE. AND WE SUPPORT THAT VISION. WE SHARE THAT VISION, BUT WALKABILITY ONLY WORKS IF FAMILIES FEEL SAFE WALKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN RECENT YEARS, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE FACED SEVERAL CONCERNING ENCOUNTERS. IN 2022, I WAS VERBALLY HARASSED BY A HOMELESS MAN AT A GAS STATION ON 59 IN REYNOLDS. A UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON BASKETBALL PLAYER INTERVENED AND HELPED, HELPED ME GET HOME SAFELY IN 2023 WHILE WALKING, WALKING ACROSS THE BRIDGE NEAR THE PROPOSED SITE WITH MY HUSBAND AND OUR NEWBORN DAUGHTER, A HOMELESS MAN ON A BICYCLE PURPOSEFULLY SWERVED TOWARD US AND YELLED AT US AGGRESSIVELY. IN 2024, AN HPD DETECTIVE CAME TO MY HOME AFTER A SHOOTING AT 25 30 GARROW LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM THE SITE, THAT VACANT PROPERTY HAD BECOME A GATHERING PLACE FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. AND THE SHOOTING OCCURRED BETWEEN THEM. I PROVIDED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FOR THEM. THESE INCIDENTS ARE NOT ISOLATED. THEY REFLECT A PATTERN THAT MANY OF US IN THE AREA HAVE EXPERIENCED. I UNDERSTAND THE HOPE THAT THIS FACILITY MIGHT IMPROVE CONDITIONS, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THIS AREA IS ALREADY OVERWHELMED. WE ARE ALREADY SEEING SAFETY ISSUES, OPEN DRUG USE AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES ON OUR STREETS, CONCENTRATING EVEN MORE INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH THESE ISSUES. SO CLOSE TO HOME PARKS AND SCHOOLS WITHOUT FIRST INCREASING SAFETY MEASURES AND SUPPORT WILL ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE UNHOUSED. CHIEF SATTERWHITE MENTIONED THERE WOULD BE INCREASED HP HPD PATROLS. BUT WE HAVE YET TO SEE A CLEAR PLAN OR TIMELINE FOR HOW THAT WILL HAPPEN. SO I ASK YOU, HOW WILL I KEEP MY, MY CHILDREN? MY DAUGHTER IS RIGHT THERE. THE CHILDREN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE STUDENTS AT RUS MIDDLE SCHOOL SAFE BEFORE THIS HUBS OPEN HUB OPENS. I URGE THE CITY TO PAUSE THIS PROJECT, TO LISTEN TO NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AND ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PLAN WITH CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY. WE'RE NOT AGAINST HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED. WE SIMPLY WANT ASSURANCE THAT THE FAMILIES ALREADY LIVING HERE WILL REMAIN SAFE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. COUNCILMAN CASTILLO. THANK [00:55:01] YOU, MAYOR MARIA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR SHARING ALL OF YOUR CONCERNS SPECIFICALLY AROUND SAFETY. MM-HMM . UM, THESE ARE THINGS THAT, UH, MY OFFICE RECEIVES ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS THAT, UH, WE'RE TRYING TO, TO ADDRESS THAT ARE ALREADY PRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY. AND, UM, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT. AND ALSO, UH, YOU MENTIONED THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED PARTICULARLY WITH THIS MM-HMM . UH, FACILITY AT THE LAST COMMUNITY MEETING. THAT'S SOMETHING, UM, THAT DOES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AND, AND THE COMMUNITY DOES DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE TO MITIGATE ANY POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROXIMITY TO A SCHOOL AND A PARK BOTH UTILIZED BY A LOT OF, UH, FAMILIES AND, AND KIDS. SO THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT. UH, THAT'S ONE THING THAT, UH, I'M PUSHING TO GET ADDRESSED. UH, THURSDAY, WHEN WE DO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING, CAN I RESPOND? MY CONCERN IS THAT WE WON'T, IT WON'T BE ADDRESSED TILL AFTER THE VOTE. SO HOW ARE WE, HOW ARE WE ASSURED THAT IT'LL ACTUALLY BE ADDRESSED OR THAT THERE WILL ACTUALLY BE A PLAN ALONG WITH THE PROPOSED HUB WITH EXTRA SAFETY MEASURES FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? HOW? NO, THAT'S, THAT'S EXACTLY IT. UM, I MEAN, THE, THE VOTE IS TOMORROW, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAG THE ITEM, WHICH WOULD DELAY IT A WEEK. UM, AND THAT GIVES US TIME TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY. DO YOU THINK A WEEK IS ENOUGH TIME TO COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT DETAILS SAFETY FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? WELL, I'M, I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME SOLID PLANS AND INFORMATION TO SHARE ON THURSDAY. WE, WE DO. I'LL, I'LL ENTER. I MAY THE DISCUSSION. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. EVERYTHING YOU'VE DESCRIBED, WE SHARE WITH YOU OVER THE FRUSTRATION. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. YOU KNOW IT, AND WE ALL KNOW IT. THIS IS A NEW MODEL OF GETTING SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE THE COUNSELING AND CARE TO GO ON AND BE PRODUCTIVE. IF WE DO NOTHING, THEY'LL BE ON THE STREETS. I HOPE YOU NOTICE THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE AREA. CERTAINLY UNDER 59, WHERE FISHES AND LOWS WERE, I CAN GO ON AND ON. THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN WE'RE MOVING FORWARD. YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ARE VERY VALID. YOU'RE FIXING TO GET MORE ATTENTION THAN PROBABLY ANY OTHER AREA OF HOUSTON. THE CHIEF IS PREPARED TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE'LL MOVE THE HOT TEAM, THE HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM TO THAT FACILITY. IT CURRENTLY HAS SIX OFFICERS, A SERGEANT AND TWO CLINICIANS ASSIGNED TO IT. HE WILL INCREASE IT BY TWO. THAT WILL BE THE HOME BASE THAT THEY'LL OPERATE OUT OF. THEY ALREADY KNOW A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE. SO THAT PARTICULAR AREA IS FIXING TO GET TOTAL FOCUS OF NOT ONLY HPD, BUT CONSTABLE TREVINO AND OTHER AGENCIES. BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA ALLOW 'EM TO BE ON THE SIDEWALK LAYING AROUND THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THIS IS TO GET THEM BACK PRODUCTIVE. AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET 'EM OFF THE STREET AND OUTTA YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS GET THEM IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING WHERE YOU CAN WORK WITH 'EM. SOME OF 'EM JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP TO MOVE BACK WITH THEIR FAMILIES. AND MANY WILL SAY, GIVE ME TRANSPORTATION TO LUFKIN HUNTSVILLE. AND SO YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. AND ONE OF THE REASONS I RAN FOR OFFICE AND OTHER MEMBERS IS THE DEAL WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS. IT'S GOTTEN TERRIBLE, BUT THIS IS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. YOU SAY WHAT GUARANTEES THE GUARANTEE IS MY VOICE. I REPRESENT THE SAME COMMUNITY THAT YOU REPRESENT HERE TODAY. WE'RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE'RE GONNA PUT THE RESOURCES, WE GOT THE PROFESSIONALS GOING IN THERE. IT'S GONNA BE A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH MED SCHOOLS, SECURITY, JOB OPPORTUNITIES. AND ALL I'M SAYING IS WE DON'T WANNA GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE MIKE NICHOLS AND SATTERWHITE BECAME FULL-TIME ADDRESSING THE HOMELESS ISSUE. GO LOOK UNDERNEATH THE BAGBY BIO PLACE OVERHANG. THERE'S NO HOMELESS THERE. GO ACROSS THE STREET, THE LIBRARY, GO TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND WE LEFT THE LIVING CENTER YESTERDAY MORNING. IT'S AMAZING. IF YOU GET OVER TOWARD THE BALLPARK OR SHELL STADIUM DYNAMO, WE'VE, WE'VE REMOVED THEM AND WE ALWAYS TAKE THEM AT A LOCATION. THE HOUSTON, THE HARRIS CENTER IS A DIVERSION PROGRAM. WE PICK UP [01:00:01] THESE FOLKS AND GIVE THEM THE CARE THEY NEED. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN. WE SHARE IT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS. AND NO ONE WHO SAID, I SAID THEY'RE DISRUPTORS WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HIRED TO BE DISRUPTORS AND THEY'VE HIRED SOME VERY GOOD ONES. BUT THE MISINFORMATION IS VERY DAMAGING. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU. WE'RE IMPROVING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE'RE NOT GONNA HOLD BACK. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK, UM, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I THINK WE ARE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS WANTING TO SEE SOMETHING IN WRITING A MORE DETAILED PLAN, UM, THAN JUST HEARING, UH, YOUR PROMISES. WE WANT TO SEE SOMETHING SPECIFIC, SPECIFIC. I UNDERSTAND YOU, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE SPECIFIC AL QUESTIONS BASED ON PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE DON'T FIT THAT MO. YOU'VE GOT NEW COUNCIL REPRESENTATION, YOU GOT A NEW MAYOR, YOU GOT NEW PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED, BUT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE'RE LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE AND HELPED ONE WAY HOME. THAT'S THE ULTIMATE GOAL. GET PEOPLE INDEPENDENT. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE'VE GOTTA TREAT THE CONDITIONS THAT YOU DESCRIBED. SO WILL WE HAVE SOMETHING ON THURSDAY THAT IS MORE CONCRETE IN REGARDS TO SAFETY? I MEAN, IT, IT, IT DIDN'T GET MUCH MORE COMPLETE THAN I JUST TOLD YOU. WE'RE MOVING AN HPD HOMELESS HOT TEAM TO THAT SITE. OKAY. AND, AND I THINK YOU, QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK IT'D BE GREAT FOR YOU TO VISIT THE SITE, OF COURSE YOU DRIVE BY, BUT SEE WHAT'S GONNA BE PROVIDED ON THE INSIDE. SURE. COUNCIL POLL. COUNCIL POLLARD. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYBODY. I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD. UH, I HEAR THE SAME CONCERNS, UH, WHEN I'M OUT AND ABOUT AS WELL, AND EVEN AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, WANTING TO HEAR MORE SPECIFICS ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT MEASURABLES ARE THERE FOR US TO KNOW THAT THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SUSTAINABLE NOT ONLY FROM A COMMUNITY STANDPOINT, A REHABILITATIVE STANDPOINT, BUT ALSO FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT. RIGHT. I THINK SOME OF THOSE ARE STILL UNKNOWN AND THEY'RE VALID CONCERNS. UH, THE OTHER ISSUE IS HAVING TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS AND TRY TO GET RESPONSES TO THESE QUESTIONS WHEN THIS ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA TOMORROW FOR A VOTE, RIGHT? UH, YOU WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD WAIT. YOU GET THESE ANSWERS, UH, GET MORE COMMUNITY INPUT AND THEN DECIDE IF WE WANT TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR A VOTE. AND SO, UM, I'M NOT GONNA SAY WE'RE MOVING TOO FAST. I THINK THE MAYOR IS RIGHT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. BUT WE WANT TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY. AND THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU DO IT THE RIGHT WAY IS IF YOU INVOLVE THE COMMUNITIES MM-HMM . THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS PARTICULAR ENTITY. AND SO, UM, IT SHOULD, WELL, I'M THINKING IT IS GONNA BE POSSIBLY TAGGED TOMORROW. THAT GIVES US MORE TIME. I ENCOURAGE YOU AND OTHERS THAT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS TO PLEASE REACH OUT TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH WHAT THOSE QUESTIONS ARE SO WE CAN TRY TO GET THEM ANSWERED. UH, BUT WE ALL NEED TO BE WELL INFORMED FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THIS HORSESHOE, UH, BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU. NEXT WAYNE, WAYNE DORINO TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANDREW SNEAD, DISTRICT MAYOR. MAYOR. THERE'S A DISRUPTOR I WAS TALKING ABOUT. I WAS GONNA SAY YOU THANK YOU FOR THE THANK, THANK YOU FOR THE TEASE. YEAH. MY, MY LEFT WING FRIENDS AT THE CHRONICLE CALL ME A HIRED GUN IN THEIR EDITORIAL. SO THAT'S GREAT. LOOK, I'M, I'M, I'M GONNA, I DON'T WANT THE PASTOR TO BE MAD AT ME. OKAY. BUT I'M GONNA SAY A COUPLE THINGS. NUMBER ONE, IT IS GREAT THAT TODAY THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO SEEM TO CARE AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE A VERY UPSET COMMUNITY. THE REASON THEY CAME TO ME, AND I'VE LIVED IN THIS TOWN SINCE 13, SINCE I WAS 13 YEARS OLD, BEEN A JOURNALIST IN THIS TOWN FOR 50 YEARS. THE REASON THEY CAME TO ME IS BECAUSE I HELPED FIGHT CRIME. RIGHT. YOU KNOW, MAYOR, THAT I THINK YOU DOING A GREAT JOB. I THINK YOU HAVE GREAT INTENTIONS. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE ARE GREAT COMPASSIONATE FOLKS. I REALLY DO. BUT THIS WAS DONE SO VAST BACKWARDS THAT I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU THERE'S A NEW STATE LAW. THE REASON THERE'S A NEW STATE LAW THAT SAYS IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONVERT SOMETHING TO HOMELESS SHELTER, YOU GOTTA GIVE 90 DAYS PUBLIC NOTICE. OKAY? NOW, I'M SURE THE CITY LAWYERS WILL FIND SOME, YOU KNOW, SILLY LOOPHOLE OUTTA THAT VAGUE LAW. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO WITH THE LEGISLATURE? MAYOR, YOU WERE THERE. THEY WERE TRYING TO STOP EXACTLY WHAT [01:05:01] YOU ARE DOING HERE. EXACTLY. THEN I HEARD COUNCILWOMAN CARTER SAY YESTERDAY THAT SHE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS BUILDING DEAL FOR SIX MONTHS. I WAS ALREADY OFFENDED THAT PEOPLE ONLY GOT TWO WEEKS NOTICE. THEN I FIND OUT YOU FOLKS KNOW ABOUT THIS FOR SIX MONTHS AND YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TELLING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GONNA HAVE TO LIVE AROUND THIS STUFF. YOU KNOW? AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN A SHELTER FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THAT'S THE REASON IT WAS NOT A SHELTER MAYOR. IT WAS NOT A HOMELESS SHELTER. IT WAS A SHELTER FOR ILLEGAL CHILDREN. UNATTACHED UN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. OKAY. THAT WAS NOT A HOMELESS SHELTER. OKAY. WELL LOOK, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANNA CALL IT FOR YOUR PURPOSE. WE WANT THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND IT. I WOULD GIVE THEM AN OPEN HOUSE AND I WISH THEY'D BEEN THERE YESTERDAY TO HEAR ALL THE PROFESSIONALS. OKAY, WELL, I, BUT WE ARE FOLLOWING STATE LAW. I WISH I'D BEEN THERE TOO, MAYOR, BUT MY VIDEO CREW WASN'T ALLOWED IN. OKAY. WHICH IS A SUBJECT FOR ANOTHER DAY. SORRY ABOUT THAT. BUT LET ME FINISH. UM, IF YOU DON'T MIND, THE OWNER OF THIS BUILDING, THE OWNER OF THIS BUILDING, UM, WANTED TO PAY, WANTED TO VALUE HIS BUILDING AT LESS THAN $6 MILLION IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. JUST FOUR MONTHS AGO HE AGREED TO 5.9 MILLION. WE'RE PAYING 16. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A HOMELESS SHELTER OR, OR WHATEVER, MAYOR, THAT WE NEED TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE IN DETAIL WHY SOMEONE OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT WOULD ACTUALLY PAY $16 MILLION FOR SOMETHING. THE GUY HIMSELF SAID WAS WORTH LESS THAN 6,000,005 MONTHS AGO. SO MUCH I COULD SAY. GO AHEAD. COUNCILMAN CARTER. I WAS JUST GONNA GIVE HIM SOME OF MY TIME. NO, SURE. OH, THANK YOU COUNCIL. I APPRECIATE IT. UM, THEN YOU HAVE THIS, THEN YOU HAVE THIS WHOLE QUESTION BESIDES FOR THAT IS WHO'S THIS OTHER BUYER THAT WANTS TO SUDDENLY SWOOP IN AND TAKE THIS PLACE? LOOK, I'M SURE IT'S A NICE BUILDING. MAYOR, I WASN'T INVITED IN. I'M SURE IT'S LOVELY. NO, NO ONE DISPUTES. IT WOULD BE A NICE BUILDING FOR YOU. THERE'S ALSO AN ABANDONED HIST SCHOOL OVER ON SAMSON AT 45. HEY, HAVE WE CHECKED THAT PLACE OUT? I THINK IT'S GOT SOME BROKEN WINDOWS, BUT WHY DON'T WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A TAXPAYER RESOURCE. IT MAY NOT BE AS FANCY, BUT I'M SURE WE COULD, WE COULD WORK IT OUT. AND THEN I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT PAYING FOR THIS? LET ME PUT ON MY CONSERVATIVE HAT FOR A MINUTE. WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT PAYING FOR THIS, UM, THE HOMELESS COALITION? MR. NICHOLS OLD GROUP, RIGHT? AND MR. NICHOLS NEVER CALLED ME BACK, EVER ON ANYTHING I'VE EVER ASKED THEM ABOUT, BUT THEY HAVE $19 MILLION IN ASSETS. THE NEW HOPE FOLKS, NICE FOLKS, SURE. THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB. 80 MILLION IN ASSETS. WHY ARE THE TAXPAYERS FOOTING THIS? FORGETTING WHERE YOU PUT IT. THE HOMELESS BUREAUCRACY HAS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ASSETS IN THIS TOWN. WHY AREN'T THEY PAYING FOR THIS? WHY IS THIS BEING PUT ON US? THAT'S ONE OF MY OTHER QUESTIONS. YOU'VE RESOLVED SOME OF MY QUESTIONS ABOUT NOTIFICATION, BUT I WILL TELL YOU, THIS WAS DONE BACKWARDS. AND I, PEOPLE ARE SCARED. THEY'VE INVESTED MONEY IN BUSINESSES AND HOMES AROUND THERE, MAYOR, AND YOU KNOW, THEIR VALUES WILL NOT BE AS GOOD ONCE THIS SUPER HOMELESS LIVING CENTER HUB, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, FOR 150 TO 200 GUYS WHO HAVE SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL AND CRIMINALS THAT AREN'T EVEN ALLOWED IN OTHER SHELTERS. THAT'S THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE GONNA BE BRINGING HERE, AND YOU WON'T MAKE THEM HAVE TO STAY THERE. KEEP THAT IN MIND WITH ALL THIS COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE WHO WE ALL WANT TO HELP. TEMPORARY HOMELESS FOLKS, WE ALL DO PEOPLE WITH DOGS, RIGHT? THERE ARE APARTMENTS ALL OVER THE CITY. MAYOR, YOU KNOW, IT. AFFORDABLE HOUSING, APARTMENTS ALL OVER THE CITY THAT WE COULD PUT EVERY HOMELESS PERSON WHO WANTS AN APARTMENT IN TWO TOMORROW. LET'S DO THAT. I, THERE'S SO MANY OTHER WAYS WE COULD ATTACK THIS. THIS WAS DONE WRONG. THE SPIRIT OF THAT LAW WAS VIOLATED. AND I THINK EVERYONE HERE, IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT, READ THE LAW. THANK YOU, MAYOR CARTER. COUNCILMAN CARTER. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND THANK YOU MR. DOLCE FINO FOR COMING DOWN. UH, SURE. YOU, YOU GRACIOUSLY HAD CONVERSATION WITH ME LAST SATURDAY TO TELL ME THAT A, A STORM WAS COMING, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU HAD BEEN HIRED, AND I RESPECT THOSE WHO HIRED YOU, ALTHOUGH THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HIRE YOU. BUT I'M GONNA LET Y'ALL WORK THAT OUT. WELL, I KNOW WHO'S WHO, WHO'S WHO. THAT'S RIGHT. WHO'S WHO. BUT SINCE FROM 1977 TO 2016, THAT FACILITY WAS USED AS A SHELTER. STAR OF HOPE OWNED IT. CORRECT. AND HOUSED WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THERE. IT SO TO SAY IT WASN'T A SHELTER. I'M SORRY. I DISAGREE. THE [01:10:01] OTHER THING I WILL SAY TO YOU IS WHAT I, OR DID YOU NEED SOME TIME TO, YOU CAN CHECK IT. NO, I DIDN'T SAY IT WAS NEVER A SHELTER. I SAID IT WASN'T CURRENTLY BEING USED. YOU JUST, YOU JUST SAID IT WASN'T A SHELTER'S. IF, IF WE'RE GONNA MINCE WORDS, I'M HAPPY TO MINCE WORDS WITH YOU. BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS YESTERDAY, I SAID, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON A SOLUTION. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE I TOOK OFFICE. AND SO I QUESTION WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. AND I RESPECT YOU AS A JOURNALIST. I RESPECT YOU AS A CROWD, IGNITER AND ALL THAT YOU DO. BUT I WILL SAY THIS TO YOU, YOU KNOW, UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN ON THE STREETS AND WORKING IN THE OUTREACH, WORKING TO DECOMMISSION THESE ENCAMPMENTS, WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY SAYS, WELL, THERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS LIVE, FOUR PEOPLE, NOT MEMBERS, FOUR PEOPLE, FOUR HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVING UNDER THE, YOU KNOW, IN THE PARK. FOUR, YOU KNOW, I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW AND I SEE DRUGS, I SEE THIS. I GOT A WHOLE LIST. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS. AND, YOU KNOW, TO, TO SAY THAT WE ARE, THAT, THAT YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. WE ALL HAVE QUESTIONS. THE QUESTION IS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE HUMANITY THAT WE LACK TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE IN OUR CITY THE WAY THAT THEY LIVE. SO IF YOU, YOU KNOW, LIKE TO, TO TALK ABOUT TOWN HALLS, TO TALK ABOUT THIS, TO TALK ABOUT THAT. THAT'S ALL GREAT. I KNOW YOU CALLED A YOU ALL, WE HAD A TOWN HALL, YOU HAD A MEETING. NO, NO, IT'S OKAY. THIS IS MY PERSPECTIVE. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TOWN HALL. THIS RIGHT NOW IS MY PERSPECTIVE. JUST CORRECTING RECORD. THIS IS MY PERSPECTIVE. TRUE. THE, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY, I'VE MET WITH SOME OF THEM. WE'VE TALKED THROUGH THIS. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THINGS. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MODELS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THIS CITY. TO ATTACK A PROBLEM AND TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM, TAKES EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER, EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER, NOT WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER. YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT PRICES ON A TAX ROLL? I'LL GO AHEAD. RAISE YOUR HAND OUT THERE. IF YOU'LL SELL YOUR HOME TODAY FOR WHAT? IT'S LISTED ON H C'S APPRAISAL FOR. RIGHT? WE ALL KNOW THAT, THAT REAL ESTATE VALUES, REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS OR DIFFER FROM SELLING PRICES. THIS IS A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION. I'M SURE MR. NICHOLS IS HERE AND CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE TRANSACTION ITSELF. THERE HAS TO BE AN APPRAISAL FOR THE PROPERTY. IF YOU TOUR THIS FACILITY, YOU WILL SEE THAT ACTUALLY IT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE ON THE STREETS NOW, WHETHER IT'S MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, YOU KNOW, I'M SURE YOU'VE DRIVEN AROUND. SO YOU'VE SEEN THE 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN THAT'S SITTING ON THE STREET CORNER HAVING BEEN DUMPED OUT BY HER FAMILY, AND THERE'S NO PLACE FOR HER TO GO WITH HER BELONGINGS. YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANNA GO ON THE STREETS AND YOU WANNA LOOK AT THE PROBLEM, I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO MEET YOU AND DO IT. I JUST, YOU KNOW, LIKE, I'M SORRY THAT YOU FEEL THE NEED TO INCITE THE COMMUNITY THE WAY YOU DO. YOU KNOW, GOD BLESS YOU. I HOPE YOU CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT. OH MY GOD, THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CARTER. WAYNE, CAN I RESPOND TO THAT NONSENSE? PLEASE. I, I THINK YOU HAVE ATTACKED THE WRONG PERSON THIS MORNING. THIS BODY RESPECTS MIKE NICHOLS GREAT. AND LARRY SATTERWHITE. GREAT. AND FOR YOU TO STAND THERE AND SAY, WE CAN USE A SCHOOL THAT HAS NO KITCHEN, NOT EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS, IS JUST SPIN. AND YOU DO A REAL GOOD JOB OF IT, BUT YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT SO LONG, IT DOESN'T WORK. OH, WELL THEN, THEN FINE, THEN I'M WAST MY TIME. NO, WE, YOURS. WE'RE HERE AND YOU'RE WELCOME. BUT LET ME, BUT YOU DO A REAL GOOD JOB OF MISINFORMATION. FIRST YOU STARTED THAT THE STATUTE WAS GONNA PREVENT US. NO, WE DON'T VIOLATE STATUTES. WE CAN'T TURN TO A SCHOOL. NO. WE'VE ADDRESSED THE PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S GONNA GET MORE ATTENTION THAN ANY AREA IN HOUSTON. WE WANT THIS TO BE A SUCCESS. BUT YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. I'M CERTAIN COUNCILMAN P*****K. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, AND MY, MY QUESTION, AND THIS MAY BE FOR A TOMORROW DISCUSSION, BUT, UM, WE HAVE AN INFLUX OF HOMELESSNESS ALL OVER THE CITY. I KNOW THIS PARTICULAR, UH, ENTITY IS SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING WITH DOWNTOWN EAST DOWNTOWN. UM, HOW, HOW, OH, IF IT'S GONNA BE FOR THE ENTIRE CITY, WHICH IS GREAT TO HEAR, MAYOR, UM, 'CAUSE IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS WE'RE SEEING AN INFLUX OF HOMELESSNESS. HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT ONE, WE CAN GET THEM TO THIS HUB? UH, TWO, HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THEY STAY AT THE HUB? AND THREE, HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT ONCE THE 200 BEDS ARE FULL, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS STILL OUT THERE AND THE DOLLARS THAT IT TAKES TO THEN TRY TO FIND SERVICES FOR THEM? BECAUSE WE'RE PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS ONE PARTICULAR BUILDING, BUT IT'S ONLY GONNA SERVICE A VERY SMALL FRACTION OF THE MOST CHALLENGING INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND I THINK FOR ME, THOSE, THOSE QUESTIONS HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED YET. BUT I THINK IT'S VERY VALID BECAUSE WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY EACH FISCAL YEAR ON THIS JUST TO OPERATE IT. AND IF IT'S ONLY FOR A FRACTION OF THE PEOPLE TO GET THE SERVICE AND THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO GO THERE, HOW DO [01:15:01] WE ENSURE WE GET BANG FOR OUR BUCK AND THAT WE MAKE TRUE IMPACT FOR THE CITY AND FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS LIVES? C THANK YOU, WAYNE. LET'S WRAP IT UP. CAN I? WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, SO, UM, FIRST OF ALL, THE REASON PEOPLE CAME TO ME FOR HELP IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M SHARING WITH YOU. AND YOU KNOW, IT, THIS WAS FIRST MADE PUBLIC LITERALLY TWO WEEKS AGO. LITERALLY TWO WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS A VOTE SCHEDULED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. SO FORGIVE THESE POOR PEOPLE WHO CAME TO ME, WHETHER WHOEVER THEY WERE, WHO CAME TO ME AND SAID, WE NEED SOME HELP. AND I'VE BEEN IN THIS CITY FOR 50 YEARS. I STAYED AT A HOTEL RECENTLY, DOWNTOWN FOR THREE OR FOUR NIGHTS, AND I COULDN'T EVEN GO OUT TO DINNER AT NIGHT 'CAUSE I WAS STEPPING OVER PEOPLE. I GET IT. AND I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING, MS. CARTER, WE, I ALWAYS HEAR THE STORY OF THE 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH THE DOG WHO NEEDS TO BE SOMEWHERE LIKE, I'M, I CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HELP THESE PEOPLE. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THEIR OWN STUDY. THE HOMELESS COALITION MAYOR, 40% OF PEOPLE OFFERED HOMES LAST YEAR, NEVER RESPONDED OR SAID NO. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE SMI, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SAID IN THE THINGS. S AM I, IT MEANS SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL FOLKS. OKAY? IT MEANS PEOPLE THAT ARE CONVICTED CHILD PREDATORS. IT MEANS PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT OF PRISON, THAT ARE ON BOND OR ON PROBATION OR ON PAROLE. AND IN MY PERFECT WORLD, I WOULD PICK UP EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE TODAY AND PUT THEM BACK IN JAIL. SO, GOD BLESS YOU, MAYOR. GOOD LUCK. WELL, THANK YOU. YOU MAY HAVE ONE OR TWO MEMBERS ON COUNCIL THAT SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR FEARMONGERING, BUT WE'RE GONNA MAKE A RATIONAL DECISION. WHY IS THAT FEARMONGERING, LARRY? BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING BETTER THAN ANYONE. TRUTH. AND YOU'VE ATTACKED MIKE NICHOLS, LARRY SATTERWHITE. LARRY SATTERWHITE IS THE DISTINGUISHED VETERAN OF HPD. HE WOULD NOT BE GOING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT OR EVEN THE RISK THAT YOU'RE MENTIONING TODAY. YOU KNOW IT, AND WE ALL KNOW IT. SO YOU DO YOUR JOB AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO ATTEND TO THE CITY'S BUSINESS. OKAY? ANYBODY ELSE? NO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NICE MEETING YOU. ANDREW ANDREW'S NEED TO BE FOLLOWED BY CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. HELLO. WHAT I SAW WHEN I WOKE UP MONDAY WAS UNACCEPTABLE. TAPPED AT WESTHEIMER WAS A PATCH OF RUBBLE. THERE WAS A SMALL ARMY OF POLICE MILLING AROUND. NEIGHBORS WERE TAKING PICTURES IN DISBELIEF HOURS EARLIER. THERE WAS A SMOOTH NEW ROAD WITH A FRESH CROSSWALK THAT PROVIDED EXCELLENT PEDESTRIAN VISIBILITY, A RARITY IN THE MOST, IN THE MOST DANGEROUS CITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AMONG THE TOP FOUR US CITIES. WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IS NOT NORMAL. THE PICTURES OF THE OVERNIGHT REMOVAL ARE DYSTOPIAN. THE REMOVAL OF THE CROSSWALK WAS OPPOSED BY OUR COUNCIL MEMBER AND NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS. THE GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVE LIKELY HAS SERIOUS LEGAL FLAWS. OTHER CITIES ARE NOT REMOVING THEIR CROSSWALKS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MAY NOT NEED TO. HOUSTON LEADERS SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY THIS CHANGE, CONSIDERING THE CITY'S RELATIVELY POOR LEVEL OF SAFETY AND WALKABILITY. YET IT'S COMPLETELY IN LINE WITH THE CITY'S PREVAILING APPROACH TO THESE ISSUES. HOUSTON TAXPAYERS SHOULDN'T BE ON THE HOOK FOR THIS. WE NEED MORE STREET ART, NOT LESS. WE NEED PROPER CHECKS AND BALANCES. SO THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN. AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER WHEN OUR SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THREATENED. THANKS. THANK YOU. NEXT CHRISTOPHER JENKINS TO BE FOLLOWED BY DAVID ESPINOZA. UH, AFTERNOON COUNCIL. YEAH. SEEMS LIKE I WANNA SPEAK. THEY WANNA LEAVE VIBE, BUT IT'S OKAY. MR. NICK, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, SIR. UH, I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. UH, I BORN IN ACRES HOME, UH, HOOD ORGANIZATION, CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY. I'M IN SPEAK ON THE CITY ORDINANCE. UM, SO THE ORDINANCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PASSED BECAUSE APARTMENTS HAVE NEGLIGENCE. AND THEN CODE ENFORCEMENT DIDN'T FOLLOW UP ALONG WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THIS STARTED BACK IN 2019. I'VE BEEN HOMELESS TWICE, SO I NEEDED THAT HUB, BUT A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE 'CAUSE I GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT, RIGHT? AND SO BECAUSE OF PASSING THE PASSING OF THE ORDINANCE, IMPASSE, AND I WITNESSED HUMAN TRAFFICKING ABUSE AND EVERYTHING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY I WAS IN, I BASICALLY HATE ON 'CAUSE I HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE. 'CAUSE I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. THEY AIN'T WANT ME HELPING PEOPLE, RIGHT? AND SO I WAS DISPLACED. I DISTRICT B, WHICH IS MY HOME, GERS HOME, AND I TRANSITIONED DISTRICT J. NOW I'M IN DISTRICT D. Y'ALL UNDERSTAND I'M HAVING ISSUES OVER THERE AS FAR AS CONSTRUCTION. WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER. BUT IT'S ABOUT THE ORDINANCE TODAY. WE NEED CODE ENFORCEMENT TO STEP UP. WE NEED COUNSEL TO BACK THEM UP. WE NEED INVESTIGATORS TO INVESTIGATE THESE PEOPLE, THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT'S LETTING ELDERLY PEOPLE GET ABUSED. SENIORS, VETERANS, UH, AT RISK. AT RISK. YOUTH, CITIZENS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. FIGHT RID MAN DAMON IN JP COURT, RIGHT? MEANING THAT THE COUNTY [01:20:01] HAD RECOGNIZED THAT I WAS BEING ABUSED. I WON THAT CASE. RID MAN DAMON, UH, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. PERMANENT INJUNCTION. THEN WENT TO THE STATE. I SAID A PRECEDENT JUST FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO SAY, HEY, WE CLOSED OUT YOUR CASE. AND THEY DIDN'T DO NO WORK. BUT THE OFFICER INSPECTOR GENERAL SAY, HEY, Y'ALL NEED TO REINVESTIGATE THIS CASE. SO I'M TRYING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THESE DEPARTMENTS. 'CAUSE IT AFFECTS ALL Y'ALL DISTRICT BECAUSE I WORK WITH PEOPLE IN ALL Y'ALL DISTRICT. THEY SENIORS AT RISK, YOUTH, ALL THAT. SO PEOPLE THAT'S GOING AGAINST THAT HUB, I NEED THAT HUB BECAUSE WHEN YOU KNOCK ME OUT, I CAN'T SERVE A FEW MILLION PEOPLE. LIKE I SAID, I'M FROM , MY GRANDPARENTS, I GOT RETENTION FROM 1903. MY GRANDPA WAS 95 YEARS OLD. HE PASSED IN 1998 CAME. MY GRANDMOTHER WAS LOYAL CITIZENS AND YORK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH FOR OVER 50 SOMETHING YEARS. YOU UNDERSTAND? I'VE BEEN IN UNION SINCE 98. SO I ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON EVERYWHERE. I GOT PEOPLE HERE. MY DAD FROM CASHMERE GARDEN STAYED IN FIFTH WARD. SO WHEN PEOPLE TELL MY THEY DON'T NEED THIS AND THAT, WHEN I, I QUESTION PEOPLE. THEY QUESTION PEOPLE THEY WANT TO HELP. GO DOWN TO THE HILL, DROP THE PEOPLE OFF SOME FOOD, GIVE THEM SOME RESOURCES. DON'T COME DOWN COMPLAINING IF YOU AIN'T GONNA HELP. THAT'S, I'M TIRED OF. I DON'T HAVE MY TIME UP, BUT I CAN GO ALL DAY. I GOT BUSINESS DOOR. I'M WALKING. I HAD MY MOM. THEY WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TWICE IN THREE DAYS, HAD TO GO ON CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. THEY PUSHING ME OUT TO THE STREET, TOLD I NEED TO WALK OUT TO THE STREET, GET A TRUCK THROUGH THE, WE FIND ALL OVER THE PLACE. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? LIKE, BEHIND THAT WOMAN, I'LL FIGHT ANYBODY FOR REAL. ANY QUESTION YOU GOT? I TELL YOU WHO'S IN MY WAY AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU, I WHOOP THEY BUTT AND I GOT IT DONE. YOUR YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. I GOT VIDEO EVERYTHING. I GOT TWO COMPLAINTS THAT DID PICK UP MY TRASH THIS MORNING BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ME CALLING THEM NO MORE. . THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DAVID ESPINOZA TO BE FOLLOWED BY LAURA CONLEY. HELLO, MAYOR. COUNSEL. UM, MY NAME IS DAVID ESPINOZA, UM, HERE ON MY OWN ACCORD THIS TIME. UH, DO YOU WANNA TALK IN SUPPORT OF THE APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE? UM, I MEAN, I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE A, A HOMEOWNER. UH, A LOT OF MY FRIENDS ARE NOT. THEY ARE RIGHT NOW SEARCHING FOR APARTMENTS IN THE MONTROSE HEIGHTS, UH, EAST DOWNTOWN AREA. AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF HOMES WITH MOLD ISSUES, BRICK WALLS BULGING OUT FROM TREE ROOTS. A LOT OF STRUCTURE ISSUES LIKE WE SAW, SAW A BALCONY THAT WAS MAYBE TILTING MAYBE ABOUT 10 DEGREES, UM, THAT WAS NOT SAFE. THESE, THEY'RE PAYING A LOT AND OH, AND FOR HOMES THAT AREN'T WEATHERIZED HOMES THAT YOU CAN RUN THE AC ALL DAY AND YOU'D STILL BE 80 DEGREES IN THE HOUSE. THIS PUTS A LOT OF, LIKE ELDERLY FOLKS, UH, FOLKS WITH, UM, LIKE HEALTH CONDITIONS IN, IN PERIL, ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGH HEATS GET EXTREMELY HIGH IN HOUSTON. UM, THEY'RE PAYING HIGH PRICES FOR LIKE A 1400 AND UP FOR HOMES THAT ARE, I WOULDN'T CALL LIVABLE. AND SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS MAYBE ADD A FEW QUESTIONS TO THIS, UH, STOCK PLUMBER, SINCE YOU'RE THE ONE, UH, PROPOSING THIS, UH, ORDINANCE IS MAYBE ABOUT THESE OTHER LIKE, EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE IN HERE BECAUSE I KNOW I'VE HEARD STORIES LIKE RAT STORIES AT, FROM THE, UH, APARTMENTS, UH, MOODY TOWER SPECIFICALLY. UM, AND MAYBE JUST LIKE, WHAT, WHY I, I WOULD SAY THE PENALTIES ARE, ARE APPROPRIATE. LIKE, UH, PURSUE THE FINES. DO YOU WANNA KNOW HOW THIS CAN, UM, WHAT WE CAN DO FOR LIKE LARGER, UH, RENTERS, LIKE FOR PEOPLE WHO OWN, UH, OR CORPORATIONS THAT OWN SEVERAL HOMES? AND, AND MAYBE JUST LIKE WHAT OTHER RECOURSE THERE MAY BE FOR FOLKS WHO MAYBE DON'T, UH, FOLLOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE STATE PROVIDED HOMES, UH, OR FEDERALLY PROVIDED HOMES LIKE WHAT RECOURSES THEY MIGHT HAVE, UH, THROUGH THIS. COUNCILMAN PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I WOULD DEFINITELY LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO YOU. ONE THING THAT WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE HEAR THE WHOLE CONVERSATION TODAY ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, RIGHT? ONE THING WE WANNA BE REALLY CAREFUL OF IS CREATING UNHOUSED PEOPLE. MM-HMM . AND SO WE HAVE TO JUST, WE HAVE TO TR WE HAVE TO TREAD THIS A LITTLE BIT LIGHTLY. WE HAVE TO HOLD THE LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE. BY THE SAME TOKEN, WE DON'T WANT TO, UM, PUSH PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREET EITHER. SO THERE'S DEFINITELY ABOUT A VERY DELICATE BALANCE HERE. UM, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, SAFE HOUSING IS OUR, IS OUR FIRST, IS OUR FIRST, YOU KNOW, PERSPECTIVE AND IT'S IMPORTANT MM-HMM . AND SO WE'RE GONNA WORK THROUGH THIS, BUT THAT THE FIRST STEP IS GETTING A PASS NEXT WEEK. SO, OKAY. SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME WITH FORM ALMOST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS NOW. UH, BUT WE'RE FINALLY TO THE FINISH LINE, SO WE'LL GET IT ON THE AGENDA AND, UM, AND YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT PASSED AND THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD. OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD. I I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR MORE. THANK YOU. JUST WANNA ADD MAYBE A LITTLE BIT, JUST, UH, LIKE FOR THE PEOPLE I SEE THERE WAS LIKE A CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS WILL BE [01:25:01] LOOKING AT THESE INSPECTIONS TO WANNA MAKE SURE LIKE THAT MAYBE THERE'S SOMEONE, MAYBE I'M SAYING THIS AS SOMEONE WHO WENT TO ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL. I'M NOT PRACTICING THOUGH, UH, THAT, THAT THEY ARE PEOPLE QUALIFIED TO LIKE, TO IDENTIFY THESE ISSUES AND CAN OH, MAKE SURE THEY ARE ADDRESSED. ABSOLUTELY. AND I'VE GOT YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND I CAN DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO YOU. BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS. EVERYTHING THAT'S BEING DONE, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, WE'RE WORKING ON INDIVIDUAL ISSUES SEPARATELY. WHAT THIS IS DOING IS KIND OF MAKE BRINGING ALL OF THEM TOGETHER SO THEY CAN ALL WORK IN UNISON. AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS. OKAY. OKAY. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT LAURA CONNELLEY TO BE FOLLOWED BY JUDGE WA WANDA ADAMS. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. UM, YES. MY NAME IS LAURA CONLEY AND I'M HERE TODAY, UM, BRINGING A MESSAGE THAT I DON'T THINK MANY OF YOU NEED TO HEAR, UM, ABOUT THOSE OF US, MOST OF US WHO LIVE IN MONTROSE, HOUSTON, AND BEYOND, FEEL ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF THE RAINBOW CROSSWALK AT TAFT IN WESTHEIMER. AND BY BEYOND, I MEAN THE WORLD. I WAS ACTUALLY INTERVIEWED YESTERDAY BY MEMBERS OF THE FRENCH MEDIA ABOUT HOW I FELT AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER LIVING CLOSE TO THAT INTERSECTION. WE ARE HEARTSICK, WE ARE GUTTED, WE ARE ANGRY. AND MANY IN THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY HAVE TOLD ME THEY ALSO FEEL AFRAID. I TRUST WHAT MOST OF YOU HAVE SAID, INCLUDING YOU MAYOR, THAT YOU TWO FEEL DISAPPOINTED THAT THE RAINBOW CROSSWALK HAD TO BE REMOVED. I'M HERE TODAY WITH SIX POINTS OF COLOR THAT I'VE GAINED AS I'VE WALKED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THOUSANDS OF TIMES, WALKING, DRIVING, UM, OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS THAT I'VE LIVED NEAR THE INTERSECTION SECTION THAT RAINBOW MADE US REMEMBER ALEX HILL ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN 2016 BY LOCAL ARTISTS WITH UP ART STUDIO PAID FOR BY PRIVATE DONATIONS AS A MEMORIAL TO ALEX HILL, WHO WAS TRAGICALLY KILLED BY HIT AND RUN DRIVER. THAT RAINBOW CROSSWALK MADE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME. MONTROSE IS MY HOME AND THE HISTORIC CENTER OF THE L LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, LIFE AND CULTURE KNOWN AS A VIBRANT, DIVERSE AND CULTURALLY RICH COMMUNITY. MANY WOULD EVEN CALL IT HOUSTON'S CREATIVE HEART. AND HAS BEEN A PLACE PEOPLE HAVE MOVED TO FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT WAS SAFE AND INCLUSIVE, THAT RAINBOW HELPED KEEP US PHYSICALLY SAFE. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DON'T WEAR WHITE VESTS. THEY WEAR VESTS, THE COLOR OF THE RAINBOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE. LOWER WESTHEIMER IS IN THE HIGH INJURY NETWORK AREAS WHERE HIGHER INJURIES AND CRASHES AND FERTILITY FATALITIES OCCUR. EXTENSIVE DATA SHOWS THAT COLORFUL ASPHALT ART AT CROSSWALKS CREATE HIGH VISIBILITY, SAFE CROSSING, REDUCING CRASHES AND INJURIES FOR PEOPLE IN CARS, BIKES. AND THOSE OF US WALKING IN SOME AREAS, IT'S REDUCED BY OVER 50% COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR WHITMEYER, I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO READ BLOOMBERG'S ASPHALT ART SAFETY STUDY. UM, IT'S A 60 PAGE STUDY, OR I WOULD'VE PRINTED IT ALL FOR YOU AND REVIEW THAT DATA ONLINE. THIS DATA WOULD'VE INFORMED YOU LIKE IT HAS SAN ANTONIO TO PUSH BACK ON LEGAL GROUNDS, TO FILE AN EXEMPTION TO KEEP THE RAINBOW CROSSWALK AND PUSH BACK AT THE GOVERNOR'S OVERREACH. THAT RAINBOW CAME OUT AT A COST. I KNOW THE EMOTIONAL COST, BUT WHAT WAS THE COST TO HOUSTON TAXPAYERS? THAT CREW DIDN'T SIMPLY COME AND REPAINT THE CROSSWALK. THAT CREW OF AROUND A DOZEN MEN CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, 2:00 AM AND SPENT OVER EIGHT HOURS, NO DOUBT ON OVERTIME. AND THEY DUG IT OUT. THEY DIDN'T PAINT OVER IT. THEY HAD GRINDERS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND SHOVELS, SCRAPING AND SCRAPING FOR HOURS, SEEMINGLY SCARED TO LEAVE EVEN A TRACE OF THE COLOR THERE IN THE INTERSECTION. THAT RAINBOW NOW GONE HAS BROUGHT US TO OUR HOUSTON STRONG. YES, TIME HAS EXPIRED CREATIVE HEART. I HOPE YOU'LL GIMME ONE MORE MINUTE BECAUSE I HAVE AN IDEA. THANK YOU, YOU MAYOR. HERE'S ONE IDEA THAT GETS AT OUR, OUR HOUSTON STRONG CREATIVE HEART. THAT I, THAT THAT RAINBOW GAVE ME THE IDEA WHILE WALKING DOWN WESTHEIMER THIS MORNING. WE KNOW FROM DATA THAT THE COLOR ASPHALT MAKES US SAFER. AND WE KNOW THAT THE SYMBOL OF THE RAINBOW WELCOMES ALL TO MONTROSE. THERE ARE SIX COLORS IN THE RAINBOW FLAG, AND THERE'S SIX CROSSWALKS BETWEEN THAT INTERSECTION AND MONTROSE ALONG WESTHEIMER. WHAT IF YOU ENGAGE THE ARTS COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, HUE ARTS AND HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE, TO CREATE A DIFFERENT COLOR IN EACH OF THE CROSSWALKS, SEPARATELY, BRIGHT AND HIGHLY VISIBLE, TO GATHER A RAINBOW OF CONNECTION THROUGH THE COMMUNITY, EMPLOY LOCAL ARTISTS TO CREATE NOT, UH, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FROM INDEPENDENT COMPANIES TO DESTROY. IMAGINE THIS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY IN THE AMAZING CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICTS, TAKING CIVIC PRIDE WITH COMMUNITY INPUT TO BLEND SAFETY WITH BEAUTY IN OUR CROSSWALKS. WE CAN STAND TOGETHER AND BE STRONGER. UM, AND AS YOU SAY, MAYOR, LET'S GET TO WORK ON [01:30:01] THIS, RIGHT? LET'S GET TO WORK. AND AS I'D LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR CALL OF ACTION AS ANOTHER HOUSTONIAN, BRENE BROWN WOULD SAY, WITH STRONG BACKS, SOFT HEARTS, AND WILD HEARTS TO DO THE WORK THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN CASTILLO. LAURA, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND SHARING YOUR WORDS ABOUT THE CROSSWALK. I I REALLY EMPATHIZE WITH A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAID, BUT I ALSO APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING AN IDEA. UM, RIGHT. YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S BEEN A COMMITMENT, UH, FROM MYSELF AND OTHERS, INCLUDING THE MAYOR, TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO HONOR THE COMMUNITY. AND SO COMING DOWN HERE, UH, WITH AN IDEA THAT, UH, YOU OFFER, YOU KNOW, IT ALL, IT'S ALWAYS HELPFUL AND I DO APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS. THANK YOU. IT'S JUST MY IDEA. THERE'S MANY OTHERS. WE SHOULD ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, JUDGE WANDA ADAMS. REALLY TO BE FOLLOWED BY CAROLYN WEBSTER. GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM WANDA ADAMS AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT SEVEN, PLACE ONE. BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST THANK A COUPLE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE PRESENT PRE, UH, PRE THAT ARE PRESENT TODAY. I WANNA THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTHA CASTEX. I DON'T LIKE READING COUNCIL. MARTHA CASTEX TATUM, OF COURSE, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ, COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER, OF COURSE, SALLY ALCORN FOR, UM, ENGAGING ALCOTT AND ACTUALLY COMING TO JP SEVEN ONE AND LEARNING ABOUT THE EVICTION PROCESS AND THE PROCESS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING AS JUDGES AND JPS IN THE COMMUNITY. BUT ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M HERE TODAY, I WANT TO ASK AND INVITE YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS OR MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COME TO WHAT WE'RE GETTING READY. WELL, WHAT I'M GETTING READY TO HOST IN PRECINCT SEVEN, ALONG WITH THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION, IS AN EVICTION PROCESS MEETING. THERE ARE SOME RULES THAT IS GETTING READY TO TAKE PLACE THAT ARE GONNA BE VERY STRICT AROUND EVICTIONS BEGINNING JANUARY ONE. AND SO WE WANT TO ENGAGE YOUR STAFF BECAUSE MANY OF YOUR STAFF CALL THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OFFICES WHEN YOU GET CALLS AROUND EVICTIONS AND EVICTION PROCESS. WE WANT TO ENGAGE YOU TO BECOME PARTNERS WITH YOU SO YOU'LL KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO REFER. YOU'LL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT INFORMATION TO PROVIDE, AND YOU'LL KNOW WHAT TO SHARE WHEN YOU'RE GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM THESE CONSTITUENTS. SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M HERE TODAY. SO THE EVENT WOULD TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 5TH. I ACTUALLY, MY EVICTIONS ARE ACTUALLY ON WEDNESDAYS, BUT I DELAYED MY EVICTION THAT DAY TO HAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEETING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION, ALONG WITH THE MANY LANDLORDS THEY RESIDE IN PRECINCT SEVEN, THEIR CLERKS, AND HOPEFULLY MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COME THAT DAY. ALSO, I WANNA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, UM, PASSING OUT THE FLYERS TODAY. AND THERE IS A JOB FAIR, JUST AMAZING Y'ALL TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS TODAY BECAUSE IT IS A JOB FAIR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW HOPE HOUSING AND STAR OF HOPE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE HOUSING SERVICES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO FALLS WITHIN THAT POPULATION. AND THAT WHICH FALLS RESIDES IN PRECINCT SEVEN. AND I CALL THOSE OUR BEYOND THE BENCH INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING NOW FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, FOUR YEARS TO THE COMMUNITY TO AFFECT HOMELESSNESS AND MAKE SURE THEIR ECONOMIC STABILITY TO PREVENT EVICTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONGRATULATIONS CITY, UH, UH, MR. CHOI FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT SECRETARY, MR. CHO. I SAW HER FROM, UH, MARTHA'S, UH, SORRY. COUNCIL MEMBER MARTHA'S, UH, FACEBOOK PAGE. HOW SHE WAS JUST SO JOYOUSLY. SO I WANT TO WELCOME YOU WORKING WITH YOU FOR OVER 13 YEARS. JOB WELL DONE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR TIME, JUDGE ADAMS. WE DO HAVE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS IN, IN THE QUEUE. UM, CAN YOU SEND THIS TO US ELECTRONICALLY ALSO TO OUR YES, I'LL SEND IT TO ONE PERSON. IF Y'ALL WOULD JUST SHARE IT OUT. I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT. AND SINCE I HAVE YOUR EMAIL, I'LL BE SENDING IT DIRECTLY TO YOU. OKAY. THAT THAT WORKS FINE. AND THEN MY OTHER QUESTION, IS THIS A PUBLIC MEETING OR IS THIS JUST FOR US AND OUR STAFF? IT IS. IT'S FOR, UH, THE PUBLIC CAN COME IF THEY WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IT. UM, IT'S MORE OFTEN WOULD BE HAPPENING AT OUR COURTROOM, BUT YES. 'CAUSE I KNOW I PUT IT ON FACEBOOK. THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION HAS ACTUALLY SENT IT OUT ON OUR BEHALF, BUT OF COURSE THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT 'CAUSE IT'S VERY DETAILED INFORMATION. ONLY GONNA BE ABOUT TWO HOURS JUST TO SHARE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ. THANK YOU. UH, MAYOR PRO TEM AND CERTAINLY THANK YOU, JUDGE. YOU KNOW, THE JUDGE IS SO HUMBLE. YOU KNOW, I ASKED HER DID SHE WANNA BE MOVED UP? SHE SAYS, NO, I'M GONNA WAIT. UH, YOU KNOW, SO SHE CAN HEAR WHATEVER'S GOING ON. BUT SHE'S SO COMPASSIONATE, YOU KNOW, SHE'S NOT JUST FOLLOWING THE LAW. SHE'S TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES. AND I'VE WORKED WITH YOU FOR MANY YEARS AND CERTAINLY THIS USED TO BE YOU USED TO BE THE COUNCIL MEMBER OF DISTRICT D. SO I LOOK UP TO YOU A GREAT DEAL. AND SO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, HAS ALREADY SAID THAT WE'D LIKE TO GET THIS ELECTRONICALLY BECAUSE I, YOU KNOW, I DO POST THOSE THINGS THAT YOU GIVE ME, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF MY NEWSLETTER HAS GONE OUT MM-HMM . [01:35:01] FOR THIS MONTH. AND I'D LIKE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THIS I SENT TO YOU AS WELL, COUNSEL. AND SO CERTAINLY I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN. YOU KNOW, YOUR HEART JUST FLOWS ALL OVER. UM, AS YOU TRY TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CIRCUMSTANCES AND, YOU KNOW, EVEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOMELESS, YOU KNOW, THEREBY THE GRACE OF GOD GO, I, AND I ALWAYS LOOK AT THAT WHEN I LOOK AT WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO TRY TO HELP THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY CAN HELP THEMSELVES. AND THAT'S THE SAME HEART. SO I THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER. THANK YOU MAYOR PER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE, FOR BEING HERE. I'M JUST SO IMPRESSED FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND, AND COMING TODAY. I THINK LETTING THIS AUDIENCE HEAR THAT OFTENTIMES YOU'RE THE STOP POINT BETWEEN SOMEONE BEING HOUSED AND UNHOUSED MM-HMM . AND BEING, AND WHEN THERE ARE NOT ABLE TO, UM, TO, TO STAND IN HOUSING. THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE CITY IS CREATING, UM, TO GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT. WE'RE WHAT I THINK, I THINK WE'RE, MOST PEOPLE ARE 30 DAYS AWAY. MM-HMM . FROM, FROM, FROM PAYING RENT. I MEAN, A LOT OF US IN THIS ROOM ARE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE, BUT THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT'RE JUST AROUND THE HOMELESSNESS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. SO THANK YOU FOR GIVING PEOPLE THE EXTRA THINGS THAT THEY NEED IN TERMS OF YOUR JOB AWARENESS AND ALL THE OTHER INITIATIVES THAT YOU BRING FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING OTHER PARTNERS ON BOARD. I JUST REALLY WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. YOU'RE WELCOME. BECAUSE YOU'RE, YOU'RE, UM, YOU'RE HELPING US. YOU'RE HELPING US, UM, NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE THAT ARE UNHOUSED. THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS. NOW JUDGE ADAMS , IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU. AND, AND I, I REPEAT WHAT EVERYBODY SAID. UM, WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS SUPER IMPORTANT. UM, WHAT UN I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH SENATE BILL 38. SO WHAT, I MEAN, I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA, THERE'S A WHOLE WORKSHOP AND EITHER I'M GONNA GO OR ONE OF MY STAFFER IS, BUT CAN YOU BREAK DOWN, LIKE WHAT'S THE BIGGEST THING IN THAT BILL THAT'S GONNA, SO IN SENATE BILL 38 IS GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT THE NEW RULES. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES THAT I KNOW THAT, UH, UH, COUNCILMAN MARTHA CASSIUS TATUM, UH, HAS BEEN DISCUSSING WITH HER COMMUNITY THAT A LOT OF YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH PRETTY MUCH IS AROUND SQUATTERS. OKAY. THAT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS IN CONVERSATIONS. YEAH. THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN. UM, IN SENATE BILL 38. AND ALSO SOME OF MORE THE EVICTION LAWS THAT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE, UM, ON HOW LANDLORDS SERVE CITATIONS AND HOW THE VACATE NOTICE HAVE TO BE WRITTEN AND NOW, UM, AND HOW YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT VACATE. NOTICE WHAT IT HAS TO SAY, UM, HOW THE DEPUTIES, HOW MANY DAYS THE DEPUTIES, UM, HAVE TO SIGN, I MEAN, HAVE TO SERVE THAT CITATION. SO IT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF DETAILED INFORMATION SO YOU ALL WOULD KNOW. AND THE PROCESSES, LIKE WHEN THEY CALL YOU, WHO DO YOU CALL? AND I WOULD ENGAGE ALL OF YOU, ESPECIALLY THE DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND THE LARGE, IF YOU HAVE NOT MET, THERE ARE 16 JPS IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND IF YOU HAVE NOT MET WITH JOE JB, WE CANNOT GET INTO A DETAILED CASE OF A CASE. BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU JUST TO GO SIT DOWN AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS. WHAT DO THEY DO? THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS EARLIER, BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY REACHED OUT AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO? BECAUSE WE HAD A PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP. HOW CAN WE COME? SO YOU SENT YOUR STAFF, I ACTUALLY MET WITH YOU ALL PERSONALLY AND JUST COME INTO OUR COURTROOM AND JUST SAYING, OH, OKAY. NICE. AND SO JUST LEARNING THE PROCESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. SO WHEN YOUR MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF GET THAT CALL, 'CAUSE MANY, AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M DOING IT MM-HMM . BECAUSE THEY'LL CALL COUNCIL MEMBER SHA ASK COUNCIL MEMBER TAYLOR, I'M GETTING TEXT. HEY, I GOT SOMEBODY TODAY. AND YOU KNOW, WHICH I DON'T MIND, BUT WE DIRECT THEM IN A WAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE DIRECTED. COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMER JUST SHOWED UP IN MY COURTROOM ONE DAY. SHE MISSED THE EVICTION DOCKET. SHE WAS TRYING TO GET THERE, BUT SHE STAYED AND SHE LISTENED. UM, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ LIVES WAS AROUND THE CORNER. SHE'S ALWAYS STOPPING INTO THE COURTROOM. AND REMIND ME HOW MANY EVICTION CASES YOU HANDLE ON A DAY. OH MY GOD. BETWEEN THE 16 OF US, WE ALMOST AT A MILLION A YEAR. WHY? I MEAN, EVICTION CASES HOLD UP. THAT'S TOTAL CASES WITHIN AN AVERAGE TIME. YOUR DAILY ON YOUR DAILY DOCKET FOR ME, LIKE TOMORROW I HAVE 80. 80. YEAH. JUST FOR TOMORROW ALONE. WOW. SO THE TOTAL CASES THAT WE ALL SEE ACROSS THE BOARD FROM CRIMINAL TO CIVIL, AMONG ALL JPS, ALL FROM CRIMINAL TO CIVIL, UM, IT'S ALMOST CLOSE TO ALMOST TO A MILLION CASES THAT WE HEAR A YEAR ACROSS THE GAMUT. EVICTION CASES IS, JUST DEPENDS. YOU HAVE SOME LARGER COURTS THAT MAY HEAR A HUNDRED, 200 WITHIN A GIVEN DAY. UH, MINE, I TRY TO STOP AT 80 IN THE MORNING AND EIGHT 80 IN THE MORNING AND 80 IN THE AFTERNOON. I MEAN, DO YOU GET TO HANDLE OTHER TYPES OF CASES OR IS IT YES. WHAT'S, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR DAY IS, IS EVICTION? IT'S TOTALLY, I WORK IN ALMOST FOUR DAYS A WEEK. OKAY. ALMOST FULL TIME. FOUR DAYS, FOUR DAYS A WEEK ON EVICTIONS. THE OTHER DAY, THE OTHER DAY. EVERY CASE ACROSS THE GAMUT. OKAY. FROM CRIMINAL TO CIVIL. GOT IT. TO DEBT CLAIM, SMALL CLAIMS. SURE. YEAH. OKAY. SO WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT ALL THAT GREAT STUFF. SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE DEAL WITH. NO, I KNOW, KNOW WHAT CASES, I WAS JUST SAYING HOW, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE, THE CASES THAT YOU HEAR ARE EVICTIONS? UH, I WOULD SAY THE PERCENTAGE OF MY CASES THAT I HEAR A EVICTION, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THEY'RE PROBABLY ABOUT 75%. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, WHICH IS HUGE MM-HMM . AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE ROUGHNESS OF MY VOICE. I'M SO SORRY. NO, YOU'RE FINE. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU. HEY, PASTOR HARVEY. MAYOR TIM. THANK YOU JUDGE ADAMS FOR COMING AND [01:40:01] PRESENTING THIS INFORMATION TO US. AS YOU KNOW, I'VE TAKEN ON DOING A LOT OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS AROUND THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND, UH, INFORMATION IS THE WHOLE KEY IN ORDER TO HELP THOSE BECOME MORE INVOLVED AND INFORMED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREAS AND EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING. UH, INTERESTINGLY, YOU BRING UP EVICTION. I SPOKE TO A YOUNG LADY TODAY, THIS MORNING, UH, AFTER COMMITTEE MEETING. I SPOKE WITH THIS YOUNG LADY WHO, UM, HAD A FIRE IN HER APARTMENT AND SHE WAS PAYING THREE MONTHS OF RENT, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW HER BACK INTO THE APARTMENT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT LIVABLE. BUT YET THEY CHARGED HER AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER RENT FOR HER TO STAY THERE. AND HER BIGGEST FEAR WAS THE EVICTION. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, IT WOULD GO AGAINST HER CREDIT IF SHE DID NOT PAY. SO IT'S ISSUES LIKE THAT THAT'LL PROBABLY END UP IN YOUR COURT. AND, UH, THE EXPLANATION OF THAT. SO, SO, I'M, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NOVEMBER THE FIFTH BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO TO TRY TO STAY INFORMED OF WHAT'S GOING ON. SO THANK YOU FOR THE, FOR THE INFORMATION AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON. YOU'RE SO WELCOME. THANK YOU, JUDGE. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME, BUT I'LL BE REMISS. IT IS NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE DR. LASANDRA JONES, WHO'S THE HEAD OF YOUR VETERANS AFFAIRS. I CANNOT THANK HER ENOUGH, UM, FOR HER ENGAGEMENT. SHE'S A PHONE CALL AWAY. WHENEVER WE HAVE A VETERAN IN FRONT OF US, WE CALL HER RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT, SHE'LL ASK ME TO REFER THEM OVER. AND THEY ARE VERY ENGAGING. SO I CANNOT SAY THANK YOU PUBLICLY TO HER ENOUGH TO HAVING A PASSION. ENOUGH FOR OUR VETERANS WHO ARE FACING EVICTION. AND FINALLY, YOU HAVE 16 JPS. PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM AND GET TO KNOW WHAT THEY DO. AND AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF JP SEVEN ONE, MYSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER SHARON BERNIE, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND OF COURSE ALLOW ME TO BE PRESENT WITH YOU TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON. YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T LET YOU LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING HEY, HEY. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND REMINDING US. I DO WORK CLOSELY WITH MY JP. UM, BUT I'M, I'M HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THE NEW LAW AND SO THAT I CAN LIKE GET WITH HIM AND WE CAN DO MORE WORKSHOPS ABOUT THE, UM, UPDATED POLICY. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US. AND THANK YOU. I'M PROUD OF YOU FOR GRADUATING FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. WHY NOT? YES, , THANK YOU ALLALL SO MUCH. MAKE IT A GREAT DAY. WAS SHE WAS MY MENTOR MENTEE. SHE LIKE REALLY ENCOURAGED ME TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. SO THANK YOU. PERFECT LUCK. GOOD. NEXT SPEAKER. CAROLYN WEBSTER. CAROLYN WEBSTER. NEXT SPEAKER. RODNEY UNDERWOOD. RODNEY UNDERWOOD. RODNEY UNDERWOOD. NEXT SPEAKER, MARK RODRIGUEZ. MARK RODRIGUEZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL SMITH. HELLO, MARK. HELLO. THANK ALL Y'ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR US OUT. MY NAME'S MARK RODRIGUEZ. I'M A RESIDENT OF, OF SECOND WARD FOR 56 YEARS. YESTERDAY I DID TRY TO ATTEND THAT OPEN HOUSE OR WHATEVER THEY WERE HAVING AT 44 1 9 EMACIATION. AND THEY SAID, I'M SORRY, SIR, YOUR NAME'S NOT ON THE LIST. I SAID, WELL, I'VE BEEN A CIVIC CLUB PRESIDENT FOR 14 YEARS. I'M INVOLVED IN MY DAUGHTER'S PTO. THEY SAID, THIS IS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS. AND THEY WOULD NOT LET ME IN. AND I GOT VERY OFFENDED BY THAT. BUT I WANNA START OFF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE 1200 OFFICERS SHORT. HOW CAN Y'ALL GUARANTEE THIS FACILITY IS GONNA BE A SAFE PLACE FOR MY COMMUNITY? I HAVE A FIVE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER THAT WALKS IN THE COMMUNITY. UM, HPD DID A VERY POOR JOB. THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T EVEN ATTEND OUR CIVIC MEETINGS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THEY WEREN'T THERE LAST NIGHT. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE LIBRARIES AND THE PARKS. AND HERE WE ARE. WE WANT TO INVITE MORE INTO OUR COMMUNITY. AND I JUST THINK YOU ARE DOING A VERY POOR JOB AS HELPING THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS MIGHT BE HELPING A SMALL PORTION. WE CAN'T EVEN GET SIGNS ON OUR BIKE TRAIL TELLING PEOPLE THAT IT'S A BIKE TRAIL. WE CAN'T EVEN GET THE STRIPES PAINTED HERE. I MEAN, WE, BUT WE WANNA SPEND 16 MILLION AND WE CAN'T EVEN TRY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BY LITTLE THINGS BY CLEANING UP OUR TRAILS AND CLEANING UP OUR PARKS AND GETTING MORE PATROL OUT THERE. UM, MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AIN'T JUST ON TOP WHEN YOU'RE AN ADULT. MENTAL HEALTH STARTS IN THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW. THERE'S A FIVE-YEAR-OLD KID THAT HAS MENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AT A SCHOOL AND PEOPLE WANT HIM NOT TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL, BUT THE PEOPLE CANNOT DENY HIM 'CAUSE IT'S A PUBLIC EDUCATION. SO WE NEED TO DO A WAY BETTER JOB WITH MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THE HOMELESS PART. UM, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, I'VE BEEN REQUESTING [01:45:01] SOMEBODY FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO COME TO OUR CIVIC MEETINGS ALONG WITH PUBLIC WORKS. AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ABSOLUTE LIKE THEY CAN'T DO THAT. I'VE BEEN ASKING OUR COUNCIL MEMBER, I'VE BEEN TEXTING PEOPLE IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THEY WON'T ATTEND OUR MEETINGS. PUBLIC WORKS BECAME, UH, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS NOW BECAME PUBLIC WORKS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO COME ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR CHANGES TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BEG TO GET THESE SERVICES BROUGHT TO US. UM, IT, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR THIS PROJECT AT 4 0 1 9 AT OCCUPATION, THEY DON'T EVEN LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY, THEY, THEY STAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN AND OH YEAH, THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD LIKE THAT TO BE THEIR NEIGHBOR OR THEIR WIFE HAVING TO WALK TO THE STORE AND HAVE HOMELESS PEOPLE. 'CAUSE THEY'RE IN, IN FRONT. I MEAN, Y'ALL OUGHTA TRY DRIVING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY DOWN HARRISBURG AND MAGNOLIA WHERE COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ IS ALONG WITH OUR DISTRICT. IT LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF GOONS WALKING OUT THERE ON A, ON A WEEKEND NIGHT. AND THAT'S NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY WIFE. WIFE, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. COUNSEL C MR. MR. UM, RODRIGUEZ, I WANTED TO ASK YOU, UM, DID YOU REPORT WHERE THOSE STRIPING NEEDED TO BE IN, IN YOUR, UM, DISTRICT? HAVE YOU REPORTED THAT? WE JUST GOT TWO LANE STRIPERS. UM, THE CITY JUST PURCHASED SOME, SO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF AREAS IN THE, IN THE CITY THAT NEED TO BE STRIPED, BUT IF YOU REPORT THAT THE 3 1 1, THEY ARE CATCHING UP WITH WHERE STREETS NEED TO BE STRIPED. WE, WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THAT. SO HAVE YOU REPORTED IT TO 3 1 1 YET? YES. CAN DO. WOULD YOU, I I KNOW YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER WILL JUMP IN QUEUE, BUT UM, IF YOU DON'T MIND IF YOU WOULD JUST PUT THAT IN 3 1 1 1 MORE TIME, BECAUSE WE DID GET TWO LANE STRIPING MACHINES AND WE'RE GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH THAT. AND THE OTHER THING I'M SURE YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER COULD TELL YOU, UM, UH, THE SIGNS OUR SIGN ADMINISTRATION CAN AND MAKE SOME SIGNS. SO IF YOU'LL REPORT THAT TO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER THO THOSE ISSUES, WE CAN, WE CAN TAKE CARE OF. UM, AND I KNOW THEY'RE HAVING A MEETING TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU WANTED TO TALK TO ABOUT 4 4 19 EMANCIPATION. CAN I PLEASE? SURE. I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ASKING FOR THE SIGNAGE FOR A YEAR THROUGH THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S OFFICE. OKAY, WE'LL WE'LL HELP THEM TO GET, GET GET, GET SOME SIGNS THERE. NOW THERE ARE SOME RULES ABOUT WHICH SIGNS CAN BE PRINTED. UM, BUT WE, WE DEFINITELY CAN CAN WORK IT WITH THE SIGN ADMINISTRATION. IT'S IN ACTUAL HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL ITSELF. IF YOU GO TO SOME OF THE OTHER HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS IN THE CONCRETE, IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT STREET YOU'RE COMING UP ON THAT INTERSECTS THE TRAIL. SO IT'S, IT'S NOT JUST THE SIGN THAT YOU WOULD GET FROM A NORMAL SORT OF STREET SIGN. THERE'S A LITTLE MORE TO IT THERE. AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PARKS TO TRY AND GET THE INSTALLATION INTO THE ACTUAL TRAIL ITSELF. SO IS WOULD THE PARKS BOARD, THE PARKS BOARD CAN HELP YOU? WELL, WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING MORE TOWARDS THE TUR HONESTLY. UH, OKAY. BECAUSE WE'VE HIT SOME ROADBLOCKS WITH, WITH PARKS E OR EVEN SOME YIELD SIGNS OR SOME STOP SIGNS. SO PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FROM OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THERE'S A HIKE AND BIKE ROW WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WALK. THAT THAT WOULD BE A START. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. PAUL SMITH. PAUL SMITH TO BE, TO BE FOLLOWED BY BRIAN RAS. THANK YOU. I I I HAVE RELIED ON THE AUSTIN STREET BIKE LINE TO GET TO DOWNTOWN SPORTING EVENTS. CITY HALL, OUR CAR PARADES RESTAURANTS, THE YMCA, THE TAX OFFICE, DISCOVERY GREEN, THE THEATER DISTRICT TO DONATE BLOOD AND OCCASIONALLY FOR RECREATION. I ALSO CYCLED THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS. THE PHARMACY BARBER SHOPS THE GROCERY STORE TO VOLUNTEER AND TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMERCE FEATURE PROMINENT IN THOSE LISTS. IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING ALL THESE SHORT OR SHORT TRIPS UNDER THREE MILES FOR EVERY TRIP MY WIFE AND I TAKE ON A BICYCLE, THERE IS ONE LESS VEHICLE ON THE STREETS. IT MAY, IT MAKES NO SENSE TO US TO BE FORCED TO GET INTO A CAR AND JOIN THE CHAOS. IT'S JUST OUT COUNTERINTUITIVE. THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT THAT CYCLING IS GOOD FOR BOTH OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. BEING ABLE TO SAFELY TRAVERSE THE AUSTIN STREET BIKE LANE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS HAS BEEN AN IMMENSELY IMPORTANT PIECE OF HOUSTON'S PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE. AS IT HAS BEEN THE SAFEST NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTOR IN THE CITY. I'VE USED IT TO NOT ONLY GET TO DOWNTOWN, BUT ALSO TO CONNECTORS THAT GRANT ME ACCESS TO EVERY WARD IN THE CITY. THE JOY OF DISCOVERING THE CHARACTER OF THESE UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS CAN'T BE OVERESTIMATED EVEN IN THE MOST ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED NEIGHBORHOODS. THE PRIDE HOUSTONIANS TAKE AND THEIR LITTLE CORNER OF THE CITY IS UPLIFTING AND BETTER APPRECIATED [01:50:01] FROM THIS GRANULAR, GRANULAR VIEWPOINT. YOU CAN'T GET THAT ON A DRIVE THROUGH. JUST GREETING FELLOW HOUSTONIANS AS I'M RIDING THROUGH PROVIDES A BRIEF CONNECTION TO PEOPLE THAT DON'T LOOK OR LIVE LIKE ME. HAVING LUNCH AT A HOLE IN THE WALL, WAKE WALK UP, BURGER SHACK HAPPENS WHILE ON TWO WHEELS, NOT SO MUCH ON DRIVING THROUGH. SEEING AN ASTRO LOGO ON A LOCAL LOCAL RESIDENT THAT I MAY NEVER MEET AGAIN GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH FOLKS ON A HUMAN LEVEL WE WOULDN'T EXPERIENCE ON A DRIVE THROUGH THE MAYOR'S MOBILITY PRINCIPLES HARKEN BACK TO 1985. HOUSTON, FOR A CITY THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT ANYMORE AND CONTINUES TO CHANGE, HOUSING GROWTH IN THE INTERLOOP SEEMS TO BE UPWARD. EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBER OF HIGH RISE DEVELOPMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, UNIVERSITIES ARE EXPANDING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE DENYING THESE NEW ENGINEERS, PROGRAMMERS, EDUCATORS, AND SCIENTISTS TO MOBILITY OPTIONS WHICH THEY HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO WHILE IN COLLEGE AND OR IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES, WILL DO NOTHING TO ATTRACT THE TALENT AND STUDENTS THIS CITY WILL NEED TO THRIVE INTO THE FUTURE. TO SUM THINGS UP, THE PRIORITY THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION GIVES TO VEHICULAR COMMUTERS IS IN CONFLICT WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND DIMINISHES QUALITY OF LIFE. HOUSTON WILL NEVER PAVE ITS WAY OUT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION NO CITY EVER HAS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, BRIAN RAS HADLEY HOLLINGSWORTH TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ. GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, MY NAME IS HADLEY HOLLINGSWORTH AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE ABANDONMENT OF POLK STREET WITHOUT WALKABLE, BIKEABLE AND BUSTLE OPTIONS IN PLACE BEFOREHAND. I DO NOT CURRENTLY LIVE IN EAST END, BUT I DID WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AT U OF H. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN SOMETHING NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE TRANSPORTATION ACCESS OF ONE PART OF THE CITY, IT AFFECTS US ALL. CLOSING. A VITAL, VITAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND EDO AT EAST END WILL BE DISRUPTIVE TO WORKERS AT RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS, WHICH MEANS THAT IT WILL BE DISRUPTIVE TO BUSINESSES. HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION CLAIMS TO BE ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN GOOD FAITH AS EVIDENCED BY A MOVE TO TURN LELAND INTO A TWO-WAY STREET. BUT THE REALITY IS A HALF PROMISE TO LOOK INTO MAYBE THINKING ABOUT SEEING IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION DOES NOT HAVE WORKERS OR RESIDENTS BEST INTEREST IN MIND. THIS IS WHY WORKERS AT THE HILTON AMERICAS, WHICH THEY OWN, HAD TO GO ON STRIKE FOR 40 DAYS TO GET A LIVABLE WAGE. AND WHY WORKERS AT GEORGE R. BROWN, A CITY ASSET THAT THEY MANAGE, HAVE ALSO VOTED TO GO ON STRIKE. CLOSING POLK STREET WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SOLID ALTERNATIVE FOR CONNECTING EDO TO DOWNTOWN IS UNCONSCIONABLE. THE CITY'S LINE SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE, TRUST US, WE WILL FIND A SOLUTION AFTER WE CREATE THE PROBLEM. BUT THE CONSISTENT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY, AND COMMITMENT FROM THE MAYORAL APPOINTEES AT HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION MAKES THAT IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE. THANK YOU. NEXT, ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ, RONALD WHITFIELD TO BE FOLLOWED BY LEONARD BEATTY. HELLO EVERYONE, I'M RONALD DWAYNE WHITFIELD AND MAYOR WHITFIELD SPEAK. SURE, . SURE. HELLO EVERYONE. I AM RONALD DWAYNE WHITFIELD AND I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN, MAYOR, I WAS IN THE TEXAN TEXAS PRISON SYSTEM FROM 1991 THROUGH NINE TO 2011, AND I WAS KNOWN AS A RED WRITER. AND SIR, YOUR LETTERS AS A SENATOR WERE EVERYWHERE AND YOU PROBABLY CAUSE A LOT OF PRISON FROM BEING BEATEN AND KILLED. NOW THE REASON THAT I AM HERE IS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS RIGHT NOW NOT ENFORCING TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE. I'M A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS AND I DON'T WANNA MAKE THIS POLITICAL, SO I'M JUST GOING TO TRY TO STATE THE FACTS. RIGHT NOW, EVERY MEMBER THAT IS RUNNING, SORRY, RIGHT NOW, EVERY MEMBER, OKAY? OKAY. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF ELECTION SIGNS. THEY'RE IN VIOLATION OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE MAYOR. AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I'M ASKING YOU TO CONTACT THE, UH, CHIEF POLICE, HAVE THEM TO GO AHEAD AND ENFORCE THEM LAWS, REMOVE ALL THOSE VOTING SIGNS THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY SO WE DON'T BE LIABLE FOR SOMEONE GETTING KILLED. OKAY? PLEASE DO THAT. MOVE THOSE SIGNS TO WHERE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE. NOW, THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS, IS THAT KRISTEN MIN FEE, ACCORDING TO AI, WHICH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS INVESTED OVER $80 MILLION, [01:55:02] I THINK, FROM ALL THESE OTHER COUNTRIES. SO WHEN EACH MEMBER GO TO HOME DEPOT AND YOU BUY SOME, AND AI TELLS YOU THAT YOU OWE THIS MONTH AMOUNT OF MONEY, NONE OF YOU QUESTION THAT, DO YOU? NO. WHEN I TELL YOU THAT HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHO IS NOT NO LONGER HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY, KRISTEN MEN FEE, AND THESE VOTING CENTERS ARE ENGAGED IN A RICO BELIEVE AI BECAUSE AI DID WHAT? NOW? THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A INCIDENT, EXCUSE ME, CORRECT ARTICLE. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INCIDENT REPORT AND AN OFFICE REPORT. THIS OFFICER, THIS OFFICER, THIS ONE BACK THERE THAT CAN TELL YOU WHEN I REPORTED THE CRIMES OF THE WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH STEALING MY ELECTION SIGNS 'CAUSE I'M A CANDIDATE AND I'M EXPOSING CHRIST MEN FEE THE LEAD. OKAY, LOOK, YOU CAN GO TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL SO YOU ALL CAN SEE WE GOT A RICO GOING OVER HERE. MAYOR, FIRST THING I'M ASKING YOU TO DO IS MAKE THE ORDER THE CHIEF OF POLICE. HEY MAN, GO GET ALL THOSE SIGNS AND COLLECT THEM. YOU ARE CREATE THE CHIEF. YOU HAVE TO ENFORCE THESE TEXT TRANSPORTATION CODE. GET THOSE SIGNS THAT ARE IN VIOLATION OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE CREATING A HAZARD FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON. UH, OKAY, I HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO END UP SOMEBODY GETTING KILLED BECAUSE THE LAWS IS NOT BEING ENFORCED WITH THE TRANSPORTATION CODE. REMOVE THOSE SIGNS, REMOVE THE SIGNS. I WANTED TO MAKE THIS ABOUT THEM STEALING MY ELECTION SIGNS. BUT RIGHT NOW WE GOT ALL THIS TSU EVENT. CHRIS MAN. KAY, I'M TELLING YOU, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. ANY QUESTION BY CHRIST, MAN, YOU GOT ALL HIS SIGNS OUT HERE IN PUBLIC AND CAUSING THIS CHAOS. HIS STA HIS SIGNS ARE STALE. HE'S BRINGING THEM BACK. OKAY, I I WANNA RESPECT THIS BODY. THE ORDER. OKAY, THANK YOU. THANK YOU LEONARD BEATTY. JENNIFER DE MULES, JENNIFER TO BE FOLLOWED BY AFAS SQUARE. THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME'S JENNIFER DAMES AND I'M HERE AS A CONCERNED HOUSTON RESIDENT AND TAXPAYER TO RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW OUR CITY'S PRIORITIES ARE BEING MANAGED. IN 2024, MAYOR WHITMEYER CANCELED THE HOUSTON AVENUE SAFETY PROJECT AND SPENT ANOTHER $730,000 TO REMOVE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. AND THEN MOST RECENTLY, RAINBOW CROSSWALKS WERE PAVED OVER AN UNNECESSARY AND SYMBOLIC DECISION THAT WAS WASTEFUL OF CITY RESOURCES. THAT'S NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, THAT'S POLITICS OVER PROGRESS. MEANWHILE, MY COMMUNITY OF LYNDALE PARK IN THE GREATER NORTH SIDE HAS HAD HEAVY TRASH AND YARD WASTE SITTING ON OUR STREETS FOR MONTHS. WE'VE SUBMITTED NUMEROUS 3 1 1 TICKETS AND EMAILS LATER. ENTIRE BLOCKS REMAIN UNTOUCHED. THIS ISN'T JUST AN INCONVENIENCE, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. OVER THE WEEKEND, A FRIEND'S CHILD BIKED INTO A PILE OF DEBRIS WHILE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM AN UNLEASHED DOG. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE OUR SEA STREETS SAFER TO WALK ON AND BIKE ON, PAINT RAINBOWS ON THEM TO FINALLY GET ATTENTION EVERY YEAR? OUR RESIDENTS ALSO HOST A BOOZE AND BOO, A BOO AND BOOZE FUNDRAISER TO HIRE SECURITY PATROLS AND MAKE OUR CROSSINGS AT IRVINGTON SAFER FOR TRICK OR TREATERS. ALL WE WANT IS OUR STREETS TO BE CLEANED UP BEFORE HALLOWEEN FOR THE THOUSANDS OF KIDS WALKING AROUND TO TRICK OR TREAT. ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE HOUSTON FACES A MASSIVE BUDGET DEFICIT WITH EVERY DOLLAR UNDER SCRUTINY. WHY ARE WE SPENDING MONEY TO UNDO PROJECTS INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING BASIC SERVICES? MAYOR WHITMEYER PROUDLY SAID THAT HE WAS THE ONE WHO BROKE THE SHUTDOWN, BUT I'D ASK EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, DO YOU REALLY WANNA STAND BEHIND A LEADER WHO BRAGS ABOUT BREAKING THINGS INSTEAD OF FIXING THEM? IF YOU WOULDN'T SPEND YOUR OWN MONEY THIS WAY, WHY ARE WE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS LIKE THIS? HOUSTONIANS DESERVE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMON SENSE PRIORITIES. AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE COMMITTED TO HAVING OUR STREETS CLEANED UP, BUT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME TO CITY HALL TO GET OUR STREETS CLEANED UP. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND JENNIFER, UH, THANK YOU FOR FOR COMING DOWN HERE AND, AND SHARING YOUR REMARKS. UM, I REALIZE THAT YOU WERE THE [02:00:01] PERSON I WAS MESSAGING, UH, ON INSTAGRAM ABOUT THIS. IT'S BEEN, IT'S BEEN IMPACTING A NUMBER OF DISTRICT H NEIGHBORHOODS. I KNOW THE, THE LINDE SITUATION WELL 'CAUSE THAT'S ALSO WHERE I LIVE, UM, AND SEE IT, AND I KNOW THE TRICK OR TREATERS WILL BE OUT IN JUST A FEW WEEKS. WE DO HAVE THE COMMITMENT THAT GLENDALE PLUS SOME OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, WILL BE, WILL BE SERVICED, UH, BY THE END OF THE WEEK. I DO APPRECIATE THAT. BUT, UH, OUR HEAVY TRASH HAS, HAS BEEN DELAYED AND SOLID WASTE HAS BEEN WORKING ON SERVICE REQUESTS. SO WE ARE ENCOURAGING, UH, FOLKS TO CONTINUE TO SUBMIT THOSE. UH, WHILE THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO TRY AND, AND CATCH UP AND, AND GET UP TO SPEED, WE HAVE SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER AREAS OF THEIR SERVICE. THIS IS ONE THAT, UH, SOMETIMES WE'VE HAD NEIGHBORHOODS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, UH, WITHOUT, WITHOUT HEAVY TRASH SERVICE. AND THAT CAN BE A COMPOUNDING PROBLEM. AS OTHER TRASH GETS DUMPED ON THOSE PILES, YOU GET SAFETY ISSUES FROM TRYING TO WALK. SO, UH, I APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR ADVOCACY AROUND THIS. IT HAS HELPED US GET SOME RESULTS AND, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION. THANK YOU. NEXT AOL SQUARE, ED PITTED IT TO BE FOLLOWED BY GOMESH RETI. THANK YOU COUNSEL. IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN UP HERE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE. UM, I'M GONNA SPEAK ON A COUPLE DIFFERENT ISSUES AND PROBABLY MANAGE TO UPSET A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYONE, WHICH IS, UM, NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME. UH, FIRST I WANNA SAY I SHARE A LOT OF THE CONCERNS RESIDENTS HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT THE FACILITY ON EMANCIPATION, NOT HAVING PROPER ENGAGEMENT AS A SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER IN THIRD WARD, WE EXPERIENCED THIS ON A LOT OF ISSUES. WE'VE EXPERIENCED IT WITH BLOT STREET, BOTH GOING IN AND THE POSSIBLE CHANGES. NOW WE'VE EXPERIENCED IT WITH THE METRO PROJECT BEING PULLED FOR THE BIKEWAY MCGOWAN FOR METRO NEXT, AND WE'VE EXPERIENCED IT WITH POLK STREET, WHICH IS THE LIFELINE TO COLUMBIA TAP AND STUDENTS GOING BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND THIRD WARD. UM, FOR ALL THESE REASONS, WE REALLY NEED THE TRANSPARENCY ORDINANCE AND IT WAS ACTUALLY THE MEETING AT THE, UM, FACILITY AT EMANCIPATION THAT CAUSED THAT FROM BEING PULLED FROM THE, UH, FIDUCIARY BUDGET SESSION. I THINK THAT'S NOW BEEN POSTPONED TILL DECEMBER. I REALLY HOPE FOLKS SHOW UP IN SUPPORT OF THIS TRANSPARENCY ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TURNER ADMINISTRATION AND IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION. ALL THAT BEING SAID, I ACTUALLY SUPPORT THE FACILITY THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED ON EMANCIPATION FOR THREE REASONS. ONE, THE PROBLEM'S ALREADY THERE. TWO, THE SHELTER'S ALREADY THERE, AND THREE, LARRY SATTERWHITE IS AT THE HELM. AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT I DON'T TRUST, AND I DON'T SPEAK, UM, PRAISES ON A WHOLE LOT OF CITY HIRES, BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS MAYOR WHITMEYER MADE WAS HIRING LARRY SATTERWHITE. BECAUSE EVERY TIME I'VE HAD AN ISSUE, EVEN WHEN I COULDN'T GET COUNCIL MEMBERS TO RESPOND, WHEN I COULDN'T GET TEXT OUT TO RESPOND, WHEN I COULDN'T GET POINT OR BUFFALO BODY PARTNERSHIP TO RESPOND, LARRY SATELLITE RESPONDED. HE SHOWED UP, HE WENT OUT THERE PHYSICALLY AND HE HELPED US RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES. HE RESOLVED THE ISSUES AT THE ENCAMPMENT UNDER THE UM, UH, ALLEN'S LANDING AND ALSO THE ENCAMPMENT UNDER I 69. AND HE DID IT COMPASSIONATELY AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND FOLKS HOUSING AND SUPPORT AND GET THEM CONNECTED WITH FAMILY. AND I SAY THIS AS SOMEONE WHO'S EXPERIENCED ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUES WITH HOMELESSNESS. I LIVE TWO BLOCKS OFF OF EMANCIPATION. I DAILY GO BY THE FACILITY TO DOWNTOWN, UH, WHERE THAT FACILITY IS NOW, AND I SEE THE FOLKS ON THE STREET. I WAS ATTACKED BY A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL RIGHT IN FRONT OF, UH, DOWNTOWN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. FORTUNATELY, UH, HPD WAS DRIVING BY AS IT HAPPENED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AID, NOT TO ME, TO THE OTHER GUY. AND THEY TOLD ME WHEN THEY TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL, UH, THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE THEY CAN TAKE HIM AFTERWARDS. HE'S JUST GONNA GET DISCHARGED AND PUT BACK ON THE STREET. NO SERVICES FOR DRUGS, NO SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, WHICH IT SEEMED LIKE HE HAD PROBABLY A MIXTURE OF BOTH. AND SO WE NEED A FACILITY LIKE THIS THAT CAN HELP GET THOSE FOLKS OFF THE STREET INTO SERVICES AND CREATE SAFETY. LAST WEEK, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE, THE COUNTY TOOK DOWN THE CLOSE SIGNS AT JAMES BUTTE PARK. IT'S BEEN CLOSED FOR A DECADE BECAUSE OF THE HOMELESS AND CRIMINAL ISSUE AROUND THAT PARK. CENTERPOINT NOW IS ABOUT TO TAKE DOWN THEIR FENCING OF AN AREA THAT THEY ALSO FENCED OFF BECAUSE OF A HOMELESS ISSUE. SO THESE ARE PUBLIC PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR OVER A DECADE BECAUSE THE CITY HAS BEEN ABDICATING, THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS POPULATION AND TO THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC SPACES HAVE NOT BEEN SAFE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT GOMES RETI TO BE FOLLOWED BY DAVID BRESLAUER. GOOD [02:05:01] AFTERNOON, SORRY. UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR, ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AND EVERYONE HERE. UH, MY NAME IS GOME PRETI, AND I'M FROM KATMANDU, NEPAL. UH, I'M HERE IN US AND I'M HERE IN HOUSTON AS AN EXCHANGE FELLOW, AS A PART OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE COMMUNITY SOLUTION PROGRAM. IMPLEMENTED BY IE UH, DURING THIS FELLOWSHIP, I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FRIENDS OF COLUMBIA TAP, A COMMUNITY LED ORGANIZATION DOING AMAZING WORK IN LOCAL CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. UH, FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON WHO MAKE THE CITY SO WELCOMING. FROM THE DAY I HAVE ARRIVED HERE, I FELT AT HOME. UH, HOUSTON'S ONE COMMUNITY SPIRIT REMIND ME OF MY OWN CITY. KATMANDU. UH, THOUGH WE ARE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE WORLD, KATMANDU AND HOUSTON SHARE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL. BOTH CITIES ARE LIVING MAINLY OF CULTURE, ART, NATURE, SPIRITUALITY, AND RESILIENCE. UH, IN KADU, THE HIMALAYA STAND TAUGHT REMIND US OF NATURE'S STRENGTH. IN HOUSTON IS THE BAYOU THAT TRAILS, THE GREEN SPACES THAT REMIND US HOW DEEPLY NATURE IS WORKINGN INTO THE LIFE OF THE CITY. BOTH ARE COMMUNITIES THAT CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND RESILIENCE, AND BOTH ARE FACING THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITY OF BALANCING GROWTH WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. UH, WHEN I WALK ALONG THE BUFFALO BAYOU OR BIKE ON THE COLUMBIA TAP TRAIL, OR SPEND, UM, HOURS IN ONE OF THE MANY BEAUTIFUL PARKS, I SEE HOW HOUSTON HAS TURNED CONSERVATION INTO THE WAY OF LIFE. THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO RESTORING NATURAL HABITATS, EXPANDING THE TREE COVER AND CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH GREEN CORRIDORS IS TRULY INSPIRING. I FIND THIS NOT JUST, UH, RANDOM ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. THEY ARE THE ACTS OF LOVE FOR THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE. AND I SEE THE SAME LOVE IN THE LOCAL ORGANIZATION LIKE FRIENDS, UH, FRIENDS OF COLUMBIA TAP AND VOLUNTEERS I'VE WORKED WITH HERE. IT'S POWERFUL TO SEE THAT SPIRIT OF GEAR FOR NATURE ECHOES HERE IN HOUSTON. FROM THE EVEREST TO THE ATLANTIC, WE ARE CONNECTED BY THE SAME AIR, SAME WATER, AND SAME HOPE FOR A GREENER AND KINDER FUTURE. UH, THROUGH MY RECENT INTERACTION, THE NEPAL COMMUNITY HERE IN HOUSTON ALSO FEELS THIS CONNECTION VERY DEEPLY. ALL THOSE SMALL INSIGHTS, THEY'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE PLATFORM AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THE CITY PROVIDES THEM TO CONTRIBUTE, UH, TO BE THE PART OF THIS JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY. NOW, AS I PRE-PREPARED TO RETURN BACK HOME, UH, I'M TAKING WITH ME NOT ONLY THE NEW SKILL AND IDEAS, UH, BUT ALSO THE INSPIRATION THAT HOUSTON OFFERS. UH, IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF HOUSTON ONCE AGAIN FOR BEING A MODEL OF INCLUSIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP. I HOPE THE CITY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT AND INVEST IN LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN HOUSTON, IT INSPIRES VERY FAR BEYOND. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT, DAVID BRESLOW TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH JENNINGS. WHICH ONES ON? HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, MY NAME'S DAVID BLAUER. I'M WITH THE, UH, HOUSTON TENANT UNION, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE. UM, AND I ALSO KIND OF MAYBE, UM, I'M ASKING FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY, A FEW OTHER THINGS. UM, BUT, UM, YEAH, SO PRETTY MUCH ANYBODY WHO'S LIVED IN HOUSTON HAS LIVED WITH A, I GUESS, INSUFFICIENT OR IRRESPONSIBLE LANDLORD AT SOME POINT. UM, IT'S ALL ACROSS THIS CITY. UM, LANDLORDS HERE IN THE CITY, THEY TEND TO EXPECT US TO LIVE WITH COLLAPSED CEILINGS, THINGS I'VE SEEN COLLAPSED STAIRCASES, THINGS I'VE SEEN, UNSAFE EGRESSES THINGS I'VE SEEN THINGS I'VE LIVED IN MOLD AND PESTS, UM, EXPOSED WIRING AND CHRONIC FLOODING WHERE CHILDREN LIVE. UM, THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING EVERY DAY. UM, HOWEVER, THERE'S VERY LITTLE RECOURSE FOR THE TENANTS AND THERE'S VERY LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE LANDLORDS. HOWEVER, THEY WILL ALWAYS EXPECT RENT ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH. THERE'S SOMEBODY OUT THERE LIVING IN AN UNSAFE AND UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS WHOSE LANDLORD WILL BE EXPECTING RENT ON THE FIRST. UM, AND SO, BUT HOPEFULLY WITH THIS INSPECTION ORDINANCE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY, UM, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, UH, THESE LANDLORDS CAN BE TRACKED PUBLICLY IN OTHER CITIES. YOU CAN GO TO A CENTRAL WEBSITE AND SEE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD CODE VIOLATIONS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. WE NEED THAT KIND OF TRANSPARENCY. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN, YOU CAN GET FIRE AND SAFETY STUFF, BUT THE HEALTH STUFF, WHO KNOWS. AND ALSO, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INSPECTORS ON THE HEALTH SIDE. I'M TALKING ABOUT MOLD AND PESTS. THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM. AND THOSE THINGS TEND TO NOT GET INSPECTED, UM, AS MUCH AS THEY SHOULD. UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE NEED, WE NEED SOME BETTER POLICIES AROUND THESE THINGS. UM, YOU KNOW, ALSO, UM, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ELECTED, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I'M LOOKING AT, UM, IN ORDER FOR US TO BE YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO STAY WHERE WE'RE LIVING AND WE CAN'T BE CHASING, UM, THE, THE, THE BETTER RENT AND ALSO THE BETTER CONDITIONS ACROSS TOWN. IF WE CAN'T STAY IN ONE PLACE, WE CAN'T GET TO KNOW YOU, AND WE CAN'T BE YOUR CONSTITUENTS. SO I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT POLICIES THAT HELP US DO THAT. UM, [02:10:01] BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, UM, I HEARD EARLIER IN RESPONSE TO THE PERSON WHO WAS ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDINANCE, THAT WE NEED, UM, ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO CONDEMN AND PUT PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. BUT THE SADDEST QUO IS THAT THERE'S NOT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT PEOPLE END UP ON THE STREETS ANYWAYS, OR THAT THEY END UP JUST LEAVING, UM, HAVING TO GO FROM ONE NIGHTMARE TO THE NEXT. UM, AND SO I'M ALSO WONDERING WHAT'S HOLDING THIS BACK AND WHY CAN'T IT NOT BE PUT ON THE AGENDA? UM, WE, YOU KNOW, I HEAR DIFFERENT THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE, AND THAT'S KIND OF PART OF THE PROBLEM. I'VE HEARD THAT IT'S BEEN STUCK UP IN LEGAL AND I'M, I'M WONDERING, OKAY, THEN WHAT ARE THE LEGAL CHANGES? IS THERE MORE OR LESS COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT WITH THE ORDINANCE NOW? WHAT'S CHANGED? YOU KNOW, UM, SO I'M WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT, BUT ALSO, AGAIN, WHY IS IT NOT BEING, WHY IS IT NOT BEING PUT ON THE AGENDA? UM, OTHER CITIES HAVE THESE POLICIES. WE'VE SEEN HOW THEY WORK AND THEY WORK WELL. THEY, AND THEY ARE THINGS THAT WE AS TENANTS WANT. UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST, I'M JUST SENDING THE MESSAGE, YOU KNOW, AS LOUD AND CLEAR AS POSSIBLE. UM, YOU KNOW, THAT WE SUPPORT THE, UM, APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE, UM, AND THAT TO PLEASE PUT ON THE AGENDA. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN POLLARD. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, UH, THANK YOU, SIR FOR COMING FORWARD. UH, WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ORDINANCE WILL BE COMING TO THE AGENDA NEXT WEEK. OKAY. OKAY. EDIT. WE'LL BE BACK NEXT. JOSEPH JENNINGS TO BE FOLLOWED BY NIA COLBERT. GOOD DAY, EVERYONE. I'M, UH, JOE JENNINGS REPRESENTING THE SCHILLER INSTITUTE, THE LAROCHE ORGANIZATION, AND E NEWS. I WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN A LIVE STREAM EVENT THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN AT 9:00 AM TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE THE NEXT TIME YOU GUYS MEET ON AN AMAZING SHIFT IN POLICY. AND, AND THROUGH ONE SINGLE PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE SHOULD BREAK GROUND ON IMMEDIATELY. AND THAT IS A SUB SEA RAIL AND TRANSPORT LINK UNDER THE BEARING STRAIT FROM ALASKA AND THE UNITED STATES TO SIBERIA AND RUSSIA. UH, WE WANT TO PLACE THIS ON THE TABLE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT PUTIN WHEN THEY MEET IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY NEXT MONTH. THINK ABOUT HOW THIS AREA WAS TRANSFORMED BY OUR CITY FATHERS TAKING A MUDDY CREEK CALLED THE BUFFALO BAYOU AND EXPANDING IT AND DEEPENING IT, UH, AND TURNING INTO THE MAGNIFICENT, UH, UH, HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL, WHICH PUT THIS CITY ON THE MAP. NOW, ALTHOUGH THE SCHILLER INSTITUTE HAS BEEN PUSHING THIS FOR DECADES, IT GOES BY MUCH FURTHER. LOOK AT PAGE TWO IN YOUR PACKET. THAT'S A LETTER, UH, UH, UM, A HANDWRITTEN MAP THAT WAS SHARED BETWEEN NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV AND PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO, UH, CHART A PATH FOR PEACE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA IN 1961. UH, SEE THE QUOTE, KENNEDY KHRUSHCHEV, WORLD PEACE BRIDGE COULD AND SHOULD BE BUILT BETWEEN ALASKA AND RUSSIA AT ONCE. AND THE IDEA GOES BACK MUCH FURTHER TO THE, UM, 1876 CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION IN PHILADELPHIA WHEN, UH, THE RUSSIAN SCIENTIST, DMITRI CAME OVER HERE TO CONSULT ON THE AMAZING ADVANCEMENTS IN RAIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE PUT TOGETHER COMING OUT OF THE CIVIL WAR, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD THAT HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED, AND THE SALE OF THE ALASKA TERRITORY TO THE UNITED STATES BY RUSSIA, BECAUSE RUSSIA WAS ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ONLY ALLY AGAINST THE CONFEDERACY DURING THE SLAVE HOLDERS REBELLION WE CALL THE CIVIL WAR, WHEREAS THE BRITISH EMPIRE WAS SUPPORTING AND FUNDING THE CONFEDERACY. NOW, MY MENTOR, LYNDON LAROUCHE, PRESENTED THIS HISTORY AT A 2007 CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW, WHERE HE SHARED THE AGENDA WITH FORMER COMMERCE SECRETARY AND ALASKA GOVERNOR WALTER HICKLE, UH, AND A WHOLE CADRE OF RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. YOU CAN READ THE TEXT IN YOUR PACKAGE, BUT PEACE THROUGH DEVELOPMENT IS WHAT OUR MOVEMENT IS ALL ABOUT. THAT IF PEOPLE ARE WORKING OF, OF SOMETHING, OF THE GENUINE COMMON INTEREST TO ENRICH PEOPLE'S LIVES, THEY CAN OVERCOME THEIR PREJUDICES, THEIR RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES, THEIR HATRED, AND, AND WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD. WHICH IS WHY WE ARE ALSO PASSIONATELY ADVOCATING AN OASIS PLAN TO BRING DESALINATED WATER TO ISRAEL AND PALESTINE FOR A LONG TERM PEACE POSSIBILITY THERE AROUND A COMMON INTEREST TO TURN THE DESERT INTO, UH, FERTILE. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. AND LUSH LAND COUNCIL POLLARD, UH, THANK YOU JOE FOR COMING FORWARD. AND BETTY, GOOD TO SEE YOU. YOU ALL HAVE TRAVELED ALL THE WAY FROM JAY CITY TO BE HERE, SO YOU CAN HAVE THE REST OF MY TIME . WELL, IF WE WORK ON THIS PROJECT, WE WILL ALSO GET ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM THE BRIX NATIONS, INCLUDING RUSSIA, CHINA, AND INDI INDIA. [02:15:01] THESE NATIONS ARE NOT OUR ENEMY, BUT THEY DO TAKE ISSUE WITH THE WAY THE DOLLAR HAS BEEN USED TO KEEP THEM IN PERMANENT DEBT, SLAVERY AND SUBJUGATION, OR FIGURING OUT DIFFERENT WAYS TO FINANCE DEVELOPMENT. BECAUSE GUYS, THE BUBBLE OF SPECULATIVE FINANCE, OF DERIVATIVES, OF BITCOIN, OF, OF SANCTIONS, EVERY, ALL THE GLUE AND TAPE THAT'S HOLDING THE WESTERN FINANCIAL, UM, UH, UH, SYSTEM OF THE RULES BASED ORDER IS COMING DOWN. WHAT MATTERS IS THE PRODUCTION OF THE PHYSICAL BASIS FOR HUMAN LIFE TO SUSTAIN US ALL ON PLANET EARTH. OKAY? AND THIS PROJECT WOULD ENABLE THE US TO LINK INTO THE SPECTACULAR GROWTH THAT'S ERUPTING IN ASIA RIGHT NOW AROUND THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE, WHICH WE SHOULD NOT SEE AS A THREAT BECAUSE IT'S VERY MUCH IN THE TRADITION OF A LINCOLN AND THE CONTINENTAL RAILROAD AND EVERYTHING FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DID HERE DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION. WE WERE ELECTRIFYING TEXAS. WE BUILT THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY. WE LIFTED PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY AND OVERCAME RACISM AND A LOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF A COMMON GOOD. I'M FINISHING HERE. HOUSTON RECENTLY WELCOMED HERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, DMITRI CHENAL OF THE HEAD OF ROSS COSMOS, CAME TO THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER TO TALK ABOUT HOW US AND RUSSIA COULD WORK TOGETHER, CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE IN SPACE EXPLORATION DESPITE ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS. AND I, I THINK THAT I, I ASK YOU TO LOOK FAVORABLY ON THIS PROJECT AND SHOW UP TOMORROW MORNING. IT'LL BE ON YOUTUBE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT, NEIL COLBERT TO BE FOLLOWED BY THERESA COVINGTON. I HAVE COPIES FOR THE CITY SECRETARY, MAYOR, 11 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, FIVE AT LARGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, BEAR WITH ME JUST A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, CITY COUNCIL. SO MAYOR, I WAS THERE AT YOUR INAUGURATION, AND I CANNOT FATHOM THAT YOU STOOD FOR TWO HOURS AS A OLDER GUY BEING SHOOK HANDS WITH PEOPLE, AND YOU LOOK SO DAPPER IN YOUR GANGSTER BLUE SUIT, . HOWEVER, I SHOWED UP HOMELESS WITH TWO FIESTA BAGS, AND I TOOK ISSUE WITH YOU DISDAINFULLY BECAUSE YOU WERE TIRED SAYING, MOVE THAT AWAY. WHEN WE'RE HOMELESS, WE'LL MOVE OUR STUFF. THAT'S, THAT'S MY ONLY BEEF WITH YOU. SOMEONE SUGGESTED YOU SO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN YOU WERE A SENATOR, AND I WAS FIGHTING FOR ELDERS AND THE DISABLED AT A PROPERTY IN BEL AIR, MOSTLY WHITE. AND I PUSHED IT AND PUSHED IT, TOOK THE BLUE PAGES AND THE PHONE BOOK. I CALLED EVERY GOVERNMENT ENTITY. AND I GOT TO YOU AND SOMEONE SAID, JOHN WHITMEYER, GET IT DONE. HEY, LOOK, I GOTTA GO HOME. WE GOTTA TAKE THE, UH, DARKNESS OUT OF THIS NEW ORLEANS GANG SITUATION. I'M GONNA EDIT MYSELF. UH, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ AND RAMIREZ, YOUR STAFF HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT IN HELPING ME. UH, PREVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, DR. SHABAZZ DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD PREVIOUSLY LETITIA PLUM, HOMELESS. HOMELESS, HOMELESS. AND I GOTTA FIGHT. BUT WE SAID BLACK LIVES MATTER. NOW. WE GOT YOUNG BLACK THUGS HERE FROM NEW ORLEANS SAY THEY'RE GONNA BEAT THE S LET YOU OUT OF MY MF. WE KNOW THE REST. I'VE BEEN CALLED BS AND HS. AND A HOE IS A GARDEN UTENSIL, OR, YOU KNOW, FOR THE LAWN. SO I'M NOT A HOE. NOW, IF THEY MEANT W***E, BECAUSE THEY'RE SO ILLITERATE, SO ASS BACKWARDS, SO DISRESPECTFUL, WE ELDERS ARE GETTING BEATEN. SO I'M ASKING TO SPEAK TO A LIEUTENANT BECAUSE WHEN I HAVE TO GO TOE TO TOE WITH THE POLICE, WHEN I CALL THE POLICE FOR HELP, AND I'M IN A METRO VAN BY THE POLICE WHERE I'VE BEEN ASSAULTED, I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY. YOU EVER HAD A HEART ATTACK, A PANIC ATTACK? PTSD CAN FEEL LIKE A HEART ATTACK. I CANNOT TALK, I MAY NOT BE EXPRESSED [02:20:01] MYSELF. I WANNA TALK TO LIEUTENANT BECAUSE FOR THAT YOUNG WOMAN WITH FOUR OTHER YOUNG GIRLS, 20 TO 35, THEY'RE WAITING ON ME. I HAVE BREATHED BLACK MOLD SO THICK IN THAT UNIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING ME GET HOUSING AND OFF THE STREETS. YOU GOT APARTMENTS FROM GULF FREEWAY TO CLEARWOOD. YEAH, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. AND I'M GONNA GRACEFULLY TAKE 30 SECONDS TO WRAP UP. KEEP US HOUSED. NOW, I'M NOT GONNA FIGHT CUT CURSE LIKE THEY DO. I NEED TO TALK TO A POLICE OFFICER. I NEED THE SERGEANT TO TAKE MY REPORT AND GET THOSE PEOPLE ARRESTED. GIVE ME A CHANCE. OKAY? THANK YOU. NEXT, THERESA COVINGTON. BERNADETTE KIKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDUARDO DURAN. PRAISE THE LORD. BLESSED MAYOR AND BLESSED COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S ME AGAIN, BERNADETTE KIKI, DEPUTY ARCHBISHOP FROM MINISTRY OF REPENTANCE AND HOLINESS. SO I'M HERE AGAIN TO BRING YOU GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. AND ALSO TO REMIND ALL OF US AGAIN THAT THE GLORIOUS LORD GOD ALMIGHTY JE YAHWEH, SENDING HIS BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WHO DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS. AND HE HAS SENT THE ANCIENT PROPHET OF THE BIBLE, ANCIENT PROPHET, MOSES AND ELIJAH, THE TWO LIVING WITNESSES OF REVELATION 11 FROM VERSE 3, 2 13. READ IT TODAY CAREFULLY WHAT ELIJAH WILL DO ON THIS EARTH, THE PROPHET OF MALACHI, CHAPTER FOUR FROM VERSE FOUR TO SIX. READ IT CAREFULLY AGAIN TODAY AND KNOW WHO IS WALKING THE EARTH, THE ANGELS OF ETERNITY. THEY ON THE EARTH, AND THEY HAVE SPOKEN IN. THE ISRAELI SAID, THEY HAVE SPOKEN IN THE NATIONAL BRAZILIAN SENATE. THEY HAVE SPOKEN IN THE ITALIAN NATIONAL SENATE. A GROUP OF SENATORS FROM ITALY WENT TO MEET THEM IN, IN KENYA AND RETURNED TO INVITE THEM. AND SO MY QUESTION FOR YOU, MY BLESSED MAYOR AND MY BLESSED COUNCIL MEMBER WE'RE ALL HERE FOR THE WELFARE AND THE SOULS OF OUR PEOPLE. OUR BELOVED HOUSTONIANS. NO ONE LEFT OUR, WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF THEM. AND WHAT WILL IT PROFIT US TO HELP THEM FOR THE EARTH, BUT WE DON'T HELP THEM TO ENTER RAPTURE AND ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. SO MY QUESTION BECOMES MS. KAY, AND I THINK COUNCILWOMAN PLUMBER HAS LEFT, BUT I HAVE A PICTURE FOR HER. MS. WAS IN THIS CA CHAMBER, AND HE, I MET HER IN NETHERLAND A FEW MONTHS AGO. I MET HER IN NETHERLAND. SHE CAME FROM FINLAND, IF Y'ALL CAN REMEMBER HER, SHE CAME THERE TO INVITE THE MEGA ASIAN PROPHET FOR THE REVIVAL OF FINLAND. YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. IF YOU CAN PERMIT ME ONE MINUTE, SIR, PLEASE. SO COUNCILWOMAN CASE FROM FINLAND CAME AND INVITED THE MEGA PROPHETS. WHY THE REVIVAL? WHY WILL ALL THESE PEOPLE INVITE? I SAID, NOW, WHY SHOULD WE HESITATE IN HOUSTON? IF SOME THINGS ARE VERY PROFITABLE, THEN THIS IS THE REVIVAL OF HOUSTONIANS, THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE TO HOLD A NATIONAL REPENTANCE OR A CITYWIDE REPENTANCE WHEREBY THE PEOPLE CAN REPENT OF THEIR SIN AND STOP ALL THIS COMPLAIN OF HOMELESS, OF ALL KINDS OF PROBLEM. GET ME RIGHT. I'M VERY COMPASSIONATE. I TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE, BUT THE SOUL, THE REPENTANCE, THE CONNECTION BACK TO GOD, [02:25:01] I WROTE HERE, I SAID, CAN WE ALLOW GOD TO BE GOD IN THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE? CAN WE ALLOW GOD TO BE GOD? GOD IS THE ONE WHO PROVIDES REFUGE, PROVIDES STRENGTH. THANK MA'AM PROVIDES EVERYTHING. PLEASE, MAYOR COUNCILMAN DAVIS, I THINK YOU HAVE SOME COMPETITION. LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING. WHAT DID HE SAY? I MISSED IT. LET'S DO THE WRITING AND RETURN OUR PEOPLE. YOU WANNA GET MORE TIME? PASTOR , MA'AM, WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. COME BACK AND SEE US, BUT WE'RE PRAYED UP RIGHT NOW, OKAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. PRAISE THE LORD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. COUNCILMAN THOMAS. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ALL PRIVATELY AND WE DISCUSS. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THIS IS VERY BIG. COME BACK TO US. THIS IS VERY BIG AND A BIG BLESSING FOR THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU MIGHT WANNA SIGN UP THE MAYOR'S MINISTER ADVISORY GROUP, JUST . HE'S IN CHARGE. , OH LORD, HELP ME NEXT. EDUARDO DURAN, DON'T SEE HIM. ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY RODNEY UNDERWOOD. HI, MY NAME IS ALEXANDER. I DON'T KNOW. DOES I DO IT RIGHT? UM, I AM COMING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF REGARDING THE RESPONSE TIME OF HPD AND HOW I'M NOT TRYING TO TELL ANYBODY HOW TO DO THEIR JOB AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE, BUT THE SAFETY AND CONCERNS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS VICTIMS, UM, AND HAVE REGARDS TO DCS OR A PS OR EVEN CPS AND WHAT THE IMPACTS OF WHAT THE PERSON HAS DONE OR HASN'T DONE. THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NOT COMING ON WHEN THERE IS AN, A MEDICAL OR A VERY SEVERE EMERGENCY. THE, THERE'S NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, I'VE EVEN ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SUPERVISOR OR THE ATTENDANT IN CHARGE, OR EVEN THE CHIEF, BUT WAS DENIED AT ALL COSTS. WHEN I'VE ASKED QUESTIONS, I'VE BEEN DENIED. BUT WHEN THERE'S PUSH TO SHOVE CCTV TO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING AND ANYTHING TO PROVIDE, LIKE I AM RIGHT NOW FACING IT WITH THE CRIMINAL COURTS, UM, IT'S NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED. THERE'S LIKE SO MANY IMPROPER THE WAYS OF TRAININGS TO PROFESSIONALISM. LIKE ONE OFFICER AT ONE POINT TOLD ME JUST TO SHOOT THE PERSON WHEN THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO AND JUSTIFY ICY OR PROPER, PROPER PROFE PROPER AND GENERAL, UM, THE WAY I SEE THINGS THAT THEY, WE NEED TO BE IZED AND TRAINING TO LEARN MORE AS IN WHAT THE PROPER PROCEDURE SHOULD BE FOR VICTIMS THAT ARE FACING IT, OF THE CRIME THAT IS BEING COMMITTED AT THAT TIME. NEXT, RODNEY UNDERWOOD. KAREN KNAPP, ART WEGER, SCOTT SINGLETON TO BE FOLLOWED BY ROY HIRSCH. HI EVERYBODY. A MINUTE'S, NOT ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH THIS. I'M GONNA STICK TO THE FINANCIAL PARTS OF THIS AND HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULDN'T PAY 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS. $16 MILLION. IT'S DIRTY. 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS RECEIVED THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2018 THAT THEY'RE DOUBLE DIPPING. THEY'RE DOUBLE DIPPING IT. IT'S DIRTY. THE STALKING HORSE BID THAT KICKED OFF THE SECOND APPRAISAL IS NOT CREDIBLE. 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS IS PLAYING THE CITY. THE CITY IS LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE. IT WAS A STALKING HORSE BID. IT IS DIRTY. THE MANAGER OF 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS IS A SITTING BOARD MEMBER OF THE IDO MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BROTHER-IN-LAW DEAL AT BEST. IT'S AN INSIDE DEAL. IT IS DIRTY 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FROM STAR OF HOPE WITH THE INTENTION OF LEASING IT TO SOUTHWEST KEY. THE OPERATOR OF BABY JAILS 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS GOT INTO THE TRANSACTION WITH THAT INTENTION. AND THAT IS MY MAIN CONCERN. [02:30:01] BY LETTING 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS ALMOST TRIPLE ITS MONEY COUNSEL IS REWARDING 4 1 9 HOPE PARTNERS FOR THE INTENTION PROFIT FROM THE BABY JAIL BY APPROVING THE SALE AT THE AMOUNT OF $16. COUNSEL IS APPROVING ALL OF THIS DIRT. MY REQUEST IS THAT THE OFFER BE REDUCED TO $6.7 MILLION. COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, SCOTT, FOR YOUR, UH, COMMENTS. I'M CURIOUS, WHAT, WHAT IS THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ABOUT, UH, AS YOU CALL IT, A STALKING HORSE OFFER OR A FAKE OFFER? YEAH, THE, JUST THE APPEARANCE OF IT THAT CAUSED THE NEXT, UH, APPRAISAL THAT WAS DOUBLE WHAT THE APPRAISAL THAT THE CITY HAD, WHICH WAS THE ASSESSMENT PLUS THE $3.8 MILLION, UH, IMPROVEMENTS. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE HAD TO BE ANOTHER APPRAISAL THAT WAS DOUBLE WHAT THE CITY HAD. DO YOU KNOW FOR A FACT THEY DID NOT GET ANOTHER OFFER, OR THAT THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER INTERESTED BUYER FOR THE PROPERTY? IT'S NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION COUNCIL MEMBER, BUT IT'S, IT SMELLS BAD. OKAY. SO, AND I DON'T THINK, I DON'T THINK THAT, I DON'T THINK THAT THIS BODY HAS GIVEN ENOUGH, UH, PUBLIC CONSIDERATION TO THAT. ALRIGHT, SO I, I I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR. ARE YOU SAYING THERE'S INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT YOU CAN'T REVEAL OR YOU'RE JUST NO, NO, NO, NO. THAT'S MAKING A, A CONCLUSION. I, I AM MAKING THAT ALLEGATION, SIR. THAT'S MY OPINION, BUT IT SMELLS BAD. ALRIGHT. AND YOU SAID THEY HAD RECEIVED $3 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT'S IN THEIR OWN OKAY. REAL ESTATE LISTING, SIR, IS, SIR, THAT'S, THAT, IS, IS THERE ANYTHING IMPROPER ABOUT THAT? I WOULD CONSIDER THAT IF THEY RECEIVED THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FREE AND CLEAR FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THAT THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN, UH, AN AMOUNT THAT THEY SHOULD BE GETTING PAID AGAIN BY THE CITY. AND, YOU KNOW, IF THEY DID INDEED GET THAT MONEY, AND IF THEY DID INDEED PUT THAT INTO IMPROVEMENTS, DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY GOT PERMITS BECAUSE HCA WOULD'VE RAISED THE VALUATION TO $10 MILLION. SO THAT'S WHERE I'M THINKING THAT IT'S IMPROPER AND IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK Y'ALL. COUNCILMAN CARTER HAS COMMENT. MR. SINGLETON, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. HEY, UM, THREE AND A HALF. IT WAS GOOD TALKING TO YOU THE OTHER NIGHT. THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. UM, DID FOUR 19 RECEIVE THAT OR DID THE NONPROFIT WHO WAS RUNNING THE, THAT WAS LEASING THE FACILITY WHO ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS? IT APPEARED THAT FOUR 19 SAID THEY WERE RECEIVED. I, SO I, I BELIEVE ACTUALLY IT'S THE NON-PROFIT THAT HAD LEASED THE FACILITY AND MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS. AND AS, AS YOU KNOW, I'M SURE FROM LEASING SPACE, IF YOU MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT, YOU DON'T TAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS WITH YOU. ABSOLUTELY. AND SO, SO I I THINK RATHER THAN SAY FOUR 19 RECEIVED 3 MILLION OR THREE AND A HALF MILLION, THE NONPROFIT RECEIVED THAT. AND, AND THAT WAS TO RUN THE, THE, THE CENTER THAT, THAT THEY WERE RUNNING. RIGHT. THE APPEARANCE OF MY RESEARCH. BUT SO AGAIN, I, I GO BACK TO INDICATE OTHERWISE WE TALKED THE OTHER NIGHT, WE'RE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES WITH THE HCAD VERSUS AN ACTUAL APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTY HERE. I, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST RESEARCHING IT. THIS IS WHAT IT LIKE. NO, THAT'S FAIR, THAT'S FAIR TO AN OUTSIDE OBSERVER. AND I JUST, JUST WANT, I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH CONSIDERATION. AND I CONSIDER THAT THE ORIGINS OF THE BUILDING WOULDN'T BE CONDUCIVE TO LET THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY TRIPLE THEIR MONEY IN SEVEN YEARS ON IT BECAUSE IT'S EXPEDIENT. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK Y'ALL. ROY HIRSCH TO BE FOLLOWED BY RICHARD GILMORE. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE TRANSITORY NATURE OF THE TIME AND OFFICE HELD BY OUR CURRENT MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, FEW, IF ANY OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS WILL BE IN OFFICE WHEN IMPACTFUL DECISIONS BEING MADE CURRENTLY WILL BEGIN HAVING DIRE CONSEQUENCES, WHICH OUR COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH IN PERPETUITY. YET WE HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THIS PROCESS. IN SPITE OF OUR VALID CONCERNS SURROUNDING THE IRREGULARITIES OF THIS PROCESS AND THE MANY, UH, CRITICAL DETAILS BEING WITHHELD IN THE SHADOWS, WE HAVE BEEN SUMMARILY DISMISSED AND ESSENTIALLY TOLD, JUST TRUST US. SOON THE KOOL-AID WILL BE FLOWING AND HOUSTON FIRST WILL HAVE THEIR WORLD CLASS DISNEY LIKE ENCHANTMENT UNDER THE HIGH RISES EXPERIENCE. IT'S QUITE THE NICE LITTLE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE HERE AT HOUSTON CITY HALL. THANK YOU RICHARD GILMORE. [02:35:10] MARCY INGER TO BE FOLLOWED BY LISA HUNT. HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS MARCY INGER. MY BUSINESS AND MY HOME ARE IN DISTRICT I PEOPLE FOR POLK HAS WORKED DILIGENT DILIGENTLY TO MEET WITH ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR. THE MEETINGS WE'VE HAD WERE GREAT. ONE COUNCIL MEMBER WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT POLK WOULD CLOSE BEFORE LELAND OPENED. ANOTHER WAS SHOCKED BY HOUSTON FIRST'S, LACK OF TRANS FI FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY ON THIS ISSUE. A THIRD OFFERED A SAGE ADVICE, WHICH WE GLADLY FOLLOWED. A FOURTH LEANED INTO SUGGESTIONS ON OPTIONS THAT COULD KEEP POLK OPEN. AND SO THEY WENT, WE KNOW YOU HEARD US. THANK YOU. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THEN CAME RUMOR OF AN MOU. WE WAITED FOR THE CALL READY TO NEGOTIATE OR AT LEAST RESPOND. DISAPPOINTED. AGAIN, THE MOU WAS SECRETIVE, RIDDLED WITH DEFICIENCIES, AND WE RECEIVED IT LIKE YOU AT 8 25 BEFORE A 9:00 AM VOTE IT WAS REMARKABLY LATE TO THE PARTY. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT, LISA HUNT TO BE FOLLOWED BY CESAR ESPINOSA. GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS. I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION AND WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO OUR COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS REGARDING THE PROPOSED POLK STREET ABANDONMENT RELATED TO THE GRB EXPANSION. LAST WEEK'S PROCEDURAL VOTE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FORMAL REQUEST, AN INITIAL STEP, NOT A FINAL DECISION. WE REALIZE YOUR VOTES SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS FINAL SUPPORT OF OR OPPOSITION TO THIS PROPOSAL. THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REPRESENTS MEANINGFUL PROGRESS, UH, BUT IT'S STILL DEFICIENT SOLUTIONS EXIST THAT WOULD MAKE BOTH THE EXPANSION AND SURROUNDING AREAS WINNERS IN THIS PROCESS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU REMAIN COMMITTED TO ENSURING COMMUNITY VOICES ARE HEARD AND MEANINGFULLY INCLUDED. UM, FOR EXAMPLE, WE KNOW THAT HOUSTON DOWNTOWN, DOWNTOWN HOUSTON PLUS, IS CURRENTLY DESIGNING THE D STRUCTURE OF THE CAT PARK. UH, AND THEIR GOAL IS TO HAVE THAT COMPLETED BEFORE THE YEARS END. NO RESIDENTS ARE ON THAT COMMITTEE. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT RECTIFIED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT CESAR ESPOSA TO BE FOLLOWED BY TJ BAKER. SO LAST WEEK YOU INVITED MAYOR, CHIEF, UH, YOU INVITED CHIEF, THE CHIEF, NO IDEAS TO COME UP HERE AND REFUTE A GROWING MOM'S PAIN. SHE'S OUTSIDE TALKING TO EMMANUEL RIGHT NOW. AFTER 17 DAYS OF BEING SEPARATED FROM HER SON. WE ALSO NOW HAVE PROOF, THE PROOF THAT MANY OF YOU REQUESTED 'CAUSE YOU FELT LIED TO AND YOU FELT DECEIVED IN THIS WOMAN'S CHARACTERIZATION OF HER SON. WE NOW HAVE THE ONLY PROOF THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS THE SCHOOL, A SERIES OF TESTS THAT EMMANUEL HAS UNDERGONE AT SCHOOL TO DETERMINE THAT HE IS INTELLECTUALLY DEFICIENT. HE HAS A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT AND HAS HEARING ISSUES. WE'RE HERE TO REFUTE ALL OF THIS BECAUSE FOR US, THIS IS NOT POLITICAL. THIS IS NOT POLITICAL. THIS IS US THAT UP FOR A COMMUNITY FOR A MOM WHO HPD CALLED ISON ON HER SON. AND NOW HE'S AN ORR. AND JUST QUICKLY, FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. WHAT'S THE BABY JAIL? THANK YOU. NEXT TJ BAKER TO BE FOLLOWED BY JACOB CLEMENTI. NEGLECT IS A QUIET CRUELTY. IT DOESN'T SCREAM, JUST GET PASSED OVER. LOVE FADES IN THE CORNERS WHERE CARE FORGOT TO HOVER. WHAT'S LEFT BEHIND STILL MUFFLES WHEN LEADERS' HEART SLIDES UNDERCOVER. LORD JOHN WHITMEYER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, TERRIFIC TUESDAY TO ALL. MY NAME IS MS. TJ BAKER, AND BEING PROACTIVE IS NOT JUST MY MISSION AND MINISTRY TODAY, I AM STANDING AGAIN AND WILL KEEP COMING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN ON THE, ON THE BEHALF OF PASTOR WALTER, UH, AUGUST, WHO GOVERNS THE CHURCH OF ONE CHURCH OF BETHELS FAMILY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO ASK FOR WHAT IS FAIR, JUST, AND LONG OVERDUE CLEAR PLANNING [02:40:01] DATES FOR OUR ROAD SIDEWALKS AND STREETLIGHTS. THE 30 DAY ALLOWANCE THAT WAS ASSURED IS CLOSING IN FAST AND OUR RESIDENTS ARE STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS. THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT COSMETICS APPEARANCES. THEY ARE ABOUT SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. ONE MORE PLEASE. THEY'RE ABOUT CHILDREN WALKING TO SCHOOL WITHOUT FEAR OF TRIPPING IN THE DARK, ELDERLY CROSSING SAFELY WITH CONFIDENCE. AND FOR DISABLED NEIGHBORS IN WHEELCHAIRS, BEING ABLE TO MOVE FREELY WITH GRATIFICATION. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT. THIS IS A CALL TO PARTNERSHIP. WE BELIEVE IN THIS CITY. WE TRY, WE TRY OUR BEST TO TRUST OUR LEADERS, BUT NOW WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND ACTION TO MATCH THAT TRUST. AS AN EXPERIENCED PROJECT MANAGER, WHAT I'VE BEEN NOTICING LATELY WHEN MEDIA EXPOSED A PROBLEM OR SINCERE CONCERN IS QUICKLY FIXED, PLEASE SHARE WHAT'S THE ACTUAL REPAIR DATE. THANK YOU. NEXT. IS THERE A REPAIR DATE? NO MA'AM. JACOB CLEMENT. NOT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH AMARI. I BEGIN WITH AN GIE TOOTH FORM. I'M AN GIE JOKE, BUT HEY, AGGIES ARE IN THE TOP THREE. IT'S JUST MEANT TO BE, UH, MAYOR WILMAR IS WILLING AND CORRECT WHEN HE SAYS, UH, A BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, A BUT OH, I'M TALKING ABOUT A BUT HE'S A BUT AS YOU KNOW, UH, TRUMP IS ACTUALLY NOT A BUT RUMP, UM, TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM, UH, US UH, TAXPAYERS BECAUSE, UH, THEY DIFFER WITH WHAT WE HAVE AS OUR SOCIAL, POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL, UH, THINGS THAT WE PUT DOWN ON THE STREETS. I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE ROLL OVER IT AND THEY SAY, OH, LOOK AT THAT. I'M ROLLING OVER SOMETHING THAT, UH, DOESN'T NEED ANY RESPECT. WELL, SOME PEOPLE RESPECT IT, OTHERS DON'T. SO IT IS BENEFICIAL TO SOCIETY TO HAVE THE THE PRIDE YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU JACOB. BE CAREFUL. JOSEPH AMARI, JUST THE INVESTMENT COMPANY DESIGN CONCEPT COULD BE USED BY MANY BRANDS. , BREAST BY KNEES CAN BE USED BY MANY BRANDS HAVE MANY SAME, BUT JUST IN BATCH COMPANY DESIGN CONCEPT THEY LOVE THE MOST OR START INCORPORATE DESIGN PRODUCT. UH, MY PROBLEM TODAY, CAPEL, I'M A BLACK AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL GHETTO, CO AND ROUGHNECK. THE, I HAD A HAD DIDN'T WANNA SEE HEAVEN BECAUSE I GREW UP LIKING GIRLS AND WOMEN LIKE I SUPPOSED TO. DAVID CAPELLE A LOT. I LOST. I SAW WHAT I LIKED, WHAT I SAW IN THE MIRROR THAT I WAS FINE WITH IT. I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE THAT. DAVID CAPELLE DOING THE, UH, BINDING TERM ADMINISTRATION TO ASK BLACK AMERICAN TROOPS BETWEEN DR. KING AND GEORGE WALLACE. DR. KING, OUR CIVIL RIGHTS, NO PAIR OF PEACE PRIDE WILL JUDGE WALLACE, WHO WAS OUR SEGREGATION GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA. I TOLD THEM BOTH GEORGE WALLACE TO RUN INTO THE UNITED STATES AMERICAN CONSTITUTION ALLOWED BLACK AMERICAN STUDENTS TO ATTEND ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY. HE DID NOT SUPPORT WELFARE PROGRAMMING. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GIVE ONE MORE SECOND. TEN THREE MORE SECONDS. GIMME ONE MORE MINUTE. YOU GOTTA GIVE TWO MINUTES. YOU GOTTA GET AT LEAST TWO MINUTES. ONE MINUTE JUST AIN'T ENOUGH. Y'ALL. TWO MINUTES. YOU GOTTA GIVE TWO MINUTES. TWO MINUTES. SOMETIMES I THINK YOU BE GIVING ME 30 SECONDS. I KNOW I'M A CONTROVERSIAL KIND OF GUY, BUT I'M TELLING YOU MY STUFF IS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY ON THE STREETS. I WANT MY MONEY. I DIDN'T TAKE MY JACKSON. I TAKE THE JACKSON BECAUSE I TOOK THE MICHAEL JACKSON CASE COURSE. I WANT MY MONEY. AMEN. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, I'LL STAY WITH YOU. HOW MUCH, HOW MUCH TIME YOU [RECESS] NEED? WE STAY IN RECESS TILL NINE IN THE MORNING PERCENT HOUSING TAX CREDIT CREDITS FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENTS. ITEM 14, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $16 MILLION FROM I'M FROM ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $16 MILLION APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND FOUR 19 HOPE PARTNERS. LLC ITEM 15. ORDINANCE [02:45:01] APPROPRIATING $52,465 43 CENTS AS AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR TERMINAL A VEGETABLE EFFICIENCY UPGRADES PROJECT AT GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT. ITEM 16, ORDINANCE APPROVED IN AWARD AND CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND KS PLAN ADMINISTRATORS LLC DOING BUSINESS AS KELSEY CARE ADVANTAGE AND EMPHASIS INSURANCE COMPANY, HUMANA TO PROVIDE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG DRUG PPO AND HMO HEALTH PLANS. ITEM 17, ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH RELI STAR LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PROVIDE COVERAGE AND, AND ADMINISTER BASIC AND VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE AND TO PROVIDE EAP SERVICES. ITEM 18, ORDINANCE OF AWARD CONTRACT WITH UNITED INFORMATION SERVICES INC. FOR MAIL PROCESSING SERVICES FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURTS. ITEM 19, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2020 DASH 800 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND PRIME TREES INC. ITEM 20 ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH SOUTHERN TIRE MART LLC ITEM 21 ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023 DASH 2 67 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH SITS MARTIN EMERGENCY GROUP, LLC ITEM 22, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BAKER RIPLEY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR SPACE AT 3000. ALDEN MAIL ROUTE HOUSTON, TEXAS 7 7 0 3 9. ORDINANCE ITEM 23 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER SIX, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS EAST SIDE ZONE APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE ZONE. ITEM 24 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF OLD SIX WARD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 13, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS OH SIX WARD ZONE APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2026. OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE AUTHORITY IN FISCAL YEARS 20 20 26 THROUGH 2030. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. BUDGET FOR THE ZONE. ITEM 25 ORDINANCE RELATING TO FISCAL AFFAIRS OF FOURTH WARD. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 14, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS FOURTH WARD ZONE APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2026. OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE AUTHORITY AND FISCAL YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2030. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BUDGET FOR THE ZONE. ITEM 26, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZED AND IMPROVING REMITTANCE OF FUNDS BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO HOUSTON LAND BANK. ITEM 27 ORDINANCE FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY NO LONGER REQUIRE A 20 FOOT WIDE PRESCRIPTIVE STORM SEWER EASEMENT IN THE LOCATION OF TAX SOLE STREET WEST OF THE RIGHT OF WAY, LINE OF FRAN ROAD BEING ADJACENT TO LOT TWO IN THE TOWN OF JEANETTA EDITION OUT OF THE HTRR COMPANY. SURVEY ABSTRACT 3 95, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS ABANDONING THE EASEMENT TO FRAN. 56 50 LLC ITEM 28 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 350.61 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT. DISTRICT NUMBER 1 5 9 ITEM 29 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 333 POINT 13 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER 4 9 3 ITEM 30. ORDINANCE APPROV IN BROWNFIELD'S REVOLVING LOAN FUND GUIDELINES AND FORMS OF PROGRAM LOAN DOCUMENTS. ITEM 31 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. ITEM 32. UH, SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE SIXTH AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER EIGHT, HEARING DATE 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025. ITEM 33, SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE THIRD AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 11, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS GREATER GREENSPOINT ZONE HEARING DATE, 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025. ITEM 34, SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE THIRD AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCE PLANS FOR REINVESTMENT. ZONE NUMBER 23, CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, HARRISBURG ZONE HEARING DATE, 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025. ITEM 35 SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE REGARDING THE DESIGNATION OF A LANDMARK PROTECT PROTECTED LANDMARK OR CHANGE OF DESIGNATION UPON APPLICATION BY THE PROPERTY OWNERS GREATER PLEASANT HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, THE PITO BUILDING, THE VALENTI DISON HOUSE AT 1505 ALAMO STREET, THE VALENTI DISON HOUSE AT 1507 ALAMO STREET, WEST EDGEMONT DREAM HOUSE, THE ALLEN AND HATTIE GREENHOUSE, GREATER ROSE HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 31 0 9. NUMBER FOUR MORRISON STREET AND THREE 20 EAST 20TH STREET. [02:50:01] HEARING DATE, 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025. ITEM 36 SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE REGARDING THE DESIGNATION OF THE OWENS CORNING ROOFING AND ASPHALT LLC REINVESTMENT ZONE HEARING DATE, 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025. ITEM 37, RECOMMENDATION FROM THE THE DIRECTOR OF GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT THAT HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT THE WORK AND AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT IF ANY OF THE CONTRACT WITH MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC. THIS ITEM WAS TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASTEX TATUM AND WAS ITEM 10 ON THE AGENDA OF OCTOBER 15TH, 2025. THIS COMPLETES THE READING OF THE CAPTIONS FOR THE AGENDA. OCTOBER 22ND, 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 HAPPY HUMP DAY. SO PLEASE COME TO ORDER. [RECONVENE] MR. SECRETARY, WILL [CONSENT AGENDA] YOU PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORY. ITEM ONE, I'M SORRY, ITEM THREE HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED BUT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF IT'S RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING. ITEM ONE HAS BEEN PULLED BY THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM TWO ? MOVE I SECOND. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED TODAY. MOTION PASSES. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LIBRARY FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS. MANY OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE HERE THIS MORNING. I'LL ASK YOU TO STAND REVEREND WILLIAMS. CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE, MS. JIM JIMENEZ, UM, LESLIE BACON, MS. MURPHY JONES, DIMITRI MALAS TO RON SMITH AND JASON SMITH. WE REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL BEING HERE IN YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE. UH, I KNOW YOU QUIETLY GO ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE WORKING WITH MS. GALL. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND, UH, COMMITMENT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR. MAYOR PROTE, CAST TATUM. THANK YOU MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO AMPLIFY THE WORK OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION BOARD WHENEVER WE, UM, MAKE AN ASK FOR THE LIBRARY TO, UH, DONATE BOOKS, UM, TO OUR EVENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. UM, WE KNOW THAT THE FOUNDATION BOARD PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN THAT. UM, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO AMPLIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY ACROSS OUR CITY. UH, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO TO HELP US TO, UH, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE BOOKS AND LITERARY MATERIALS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. COUNCIL CAYMAN, THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, GOOD MORNING AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. UH, SO MANY OF YOU THAT I KNOW DO SO MUCH ALREADY IN OUR HOUSTON COMMUNITY. AND THEN TO ADD THIS SERVICE ON, UH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, THIS IS ALL VOLUNTEER. UH, SO TO REMIND THE FOLKS THAT Y'ALL ARE STEPPING UP SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU CARE, SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU'RE DEDICATED, UM, AND ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE SEEING IN OTHER PARTS, OTHER JURISDICTIONS, RIGHT? THE CLOSURE OF LIBRARIES, THE WORK THAT YOU DO, UH, IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT. SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU. AND I'M SORRY, LESLIE, YOUR BABY IS JUST ADORABLE. UH, SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU FOR THESE POSITIONS THAT YOU HOLD ON THE BOARD. AND PARTICULARLY I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE MY FRIEND AND BROTHER. HE'S ALSO MY PRESIDENT OF THE, UH, MINISTERS AGAINST CRIME, PASTOR FLOYD, WILLIAM II, AND AS WELL AS PART OF OUR MINISTRY ADVISORY BOARD, EXECUTIVE BOARD. WANNA CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU FOR THAT AND ALSO THE POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBER THERE THAT I HAD A CHANCE TO MEET THIS MORNING. BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN POLLARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. THIS IS A STAR STUDY, UH, BOARD THAT YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER. MAYOR, THESE ARE SOME GREAT APPOINTMENTS WITH SOME GREAT PEOPLE, SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL. THANK YOU. THANK Y'ALL. THANK YOU. GO TO WORK, . ALRIGHT, NEXT, UNDER THE ACCEPT WORK CATEGORY, ITEM SIX HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, AND 10? CAST T MOVE SECOND. MOTION MADE AND SIGNAL IN FAVOR, SAY YES. [02:55:01] THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. NEXT, UNDER THE PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS CATEGORY, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 11 AND 12? CASTEX STATE A, MOVE. SECOND. MOTIONS MADE, AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES UNDER THE RESOLUTIONS CATEGORY. ITEM 13 IS A RESOLUTION. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY SINCE YOUR LIST WAS DISTRIBUTED, ITEM 26 HAS BEEN RECEIVED. ITEMS 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, AND 31 HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED, BUT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THEY'RE RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING. ITEMS [CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA] 16, 17, AND 20 HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION ITEMS. 15, 18, 19, 21, 26, AND 30. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES AS OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES, ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER SIX? CASTEX STATE A. MOVE I SECOND. MOTION MADE SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 16 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST ME TO VOTE. CASTEX TATUM. TAG COUNCILMAN POLL. NICK, COUNCILMAN POLLARD. IF IT'S TAGGED, I COULD WAIT. WILL YOU, WILL YOU UH, RELEASE THE TAG REAL QUICK OR NO? YOU DON'T WANT TO ? I CAN. I WAS JUST GONNA, YEAH, CASS X TATUM RELEASED THE TAG. SO I, I KNOW THIS, THIS ITEM IS TAGGED AND WE CAN MAYBE TALK MORE ABOUT THIS OVER THE, UH, UPCOMING WEEK. BUT I DID NOTICE, UM, WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE MWBE PORTION OF THIS, UM, ITEM, IT HAS 10% GOING TO AFFIRM TO DO, YOU KNOW, NOVEL TO USE SOUVENIRS, MAGNETS, KEY CHAINS. UH, ANOTHER 5% GOING TO LIKE GRAPHIC DESIGN. UM, AND I WAS TOLD FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HR THAT OTHER, UM, ITEMS WILL BE MAILING AND CORRESPONDENCE. BUT WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SEE A $151 MILLION PRICE TAG, YOU KNOW, 15, YOU KNOW, 10% IS $15 MILLION. UH, I THINK WE HAVE TO REALLY BE DILIGENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE SPENDING THE MONEY ON? IS IT NECESSARY? IF, IF IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, ITEMS, UM, I THINK WE, WE NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER, UH, IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE OR NOT, AND ENSURE THAT WE ACTUALLY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY ON AS WELL. UM, BECAUSE THAT IS A, THAT IS A LARGE ALLOCATION FOR I WILL, FOR WHAT? FOR WHAT'S LISTED, RIGHT? I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE, UM, TALKED ABOUT IT. THAT WAS A QUESTION THAT I ALSO HAD FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. AND WE MET WITH JED, UM, FOR THE MARKETING AND PRINTING. AND WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS THE WAY THEY LABEL THOSE PRODUCTS AND THAT KEY ITEM, IT INCLUDES EVERYTHING, BUT THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PURCHASE BECAUSE I KNOW AS EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT TIGHTENING OUR BELTS AND MAKING SURE WE ARE ONLY SPENDING ON THE NECESSITIES, WE WANTED TO TAKE THAT, UM, BLANKET LANGUAGE OUT AND PUT IN WHAT WE ARE SPECIFICALLY GOING TO SPEND THAT MONEY ON. THAT'S PART OF THE REASON I TAGGED IT BECAUSE IT IS, UM, YOU KNOW, THE MARKETING AND THE PRINTING, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR MWBE PARTICIPATION, BUT WE ALSO WANNA BE SPECIFIC ON WHAT WE'RE GONNA SPEND THAT MONEY ON. SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY, UM, THINGS THAT PEOPLE WOULD TRADITIONALLY THROW AWAY FOR THINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA USE FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION FOR OUR RETIREES. YEAH, UNDERSTOOD. AND I WAS, I WAS GIVEN THE SAME RESPONSE AS WELL. SO GETTING THOSE SPECIFICS WOULD HELP. I WAS TOLD THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ABOUT 15,000 RETIREES THAT WILL BE RECEIVING, YOU KNOW, THESE MARKETING MATERIALS. WE'VE ALL KIND OF RUN CAMPAIGNS BEFORE WE KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO MAIL OUT AND, AND TO SEND MESSAGING. UH, WE HAVEN'T REALLY SPENT THAT MUCH [03:00:01] ON DOING IT FOR THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE DOLLARS THAT WE DO SPEND, YOU KNOW, UH, ARE BEING PUT TO GOOD USE. THANK YOU. RIGHT. THANK YOU. CASTEX TATUM TAG. I'LL JOIN THE TAG X HEY, JOY. ITEM 17 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE TAG 17 TAG. NEXT ITEM 20 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. MCC KAMAN, COUNCILMAN KAMAN. GOOD MORNING. UH, I WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT THIS, UH, UM, ITEM BECAUSE, UH, THIS IS JUST A BASIC TIRE RETREADING CONTRACT. UM, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WILL REMEMBER. UM, BACK IN 2020, UH, A SIMILAR ITEM CAME TO COUNCIL AND ME AND COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ, UH, WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE CONTRACT, UM, HAD ACTUALLY BEEN ASSIGNED TO, UH, TDCJ BECAUSE THEY HAD THE LOWEST BID AMOUNT BECAUSE IT'S FOR UNPAID PRISON LABOR, UH, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I STAND VERY FIRMLY AGAINST. AND COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ, UH, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THAT PARTNERSHIP. BUT THIS CONTRACT, UM, I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE, UH, CONTINUES WITH THE PRECEDENT THAT WE SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED FOR, UH, TO FOLLOW AND ENSURE THAT EVERYONE WHO DOES WORK FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS PAID FOR THAT WORK. UH, SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. AGAIN, NOT ALWAYS, UH, THE MOST SHINY ITEMS ON COUNCIL THAT COME BEFORE US, BUT CAN HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT, UM, IN THE WAY THAT WE DO BUSINESS AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON. COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABA. COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABA. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KA. AND YOU CAN BEST BELIEVE WHEN I SAW RETREADING, MY EYEBROWS WENT UP, SO I REALLY STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT CERTAINLY I CONCUR. UM, WE WANT EVERYONE THAT WORKS FOR THE CITY TO BE PAID APPROPRIATELY, AND THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT, UH, WAS NOT PALATABLE. AND SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, MAYOR, FOR YOU ALL, BRINGING THIS NEEDED, UH, ITEM, UH, TO US AND CERTAINLY TO NOT INCLUDE THE PREVIOUS UH, VENDORS. THANK YOU. YOU ARE WELCOME. JUST NEED ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 32 [NON-CONSENT - MISCELLANEOUS] IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE SIXTH AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN. IS THERE A MOTION? CASTEX TATUM MOVED TO SET THE HEARING DATE FOR 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 32 IS, IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE FIFTH AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT. ZONE NUMBER 11. IS THERE MOTION YOU WE ON ITEM 33? WE ON 33? YEAH. YEAH, WE RE WE JUST PASSED 32. WE'RE ON 33. ITEM 33 SURE IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE FIFTH AMENDMENT PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT. ZONE NUMBER 11 IS THEIR MOTION. CASTEX TATUM MOVED TO SET THE HEARING DATE AT 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER THE FIFTH. AND TO REITERATE, THIS IS THE THIRD AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 11 IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE GREATER GREENS POINT ZONE I SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. OKAY, ITEM 34 IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE THIRD AMENDED PROJECT PLAN AND REINVESTMENT ZONE FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT. ZONE NUMBER 23. IS THERE A MOTION? HAS A MOVED TO SET THE HEARING DATE AT 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025. I SECOND. MOTIONS MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED TODAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 35 IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE TO DESIGNATE A LANDMARK PROTECTED LANDMARK OR CHANGE OF DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES. IS THERE A MOTION? CASTEX TATU MOVED TO SET THE HEARING DATE? 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025. I SECOND. MOTION MADE. AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 36 IS A SET OF [03:05:01] PUBLIC HEARING DATE REGARDING THE DESIGNATION OF THE OWENS CORNING ROOFING AND ASPHALT. LLC REINVE LLC REINVESTMENT ZONE. IS THERE A MOTION? CASTEX TATUM MOVE TO SET THE HEARING DATE. 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025. MOTION I SECOND MADE IN SECOND. AND ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NA. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 37 IS A MOTION. I'M SORRY. ON ITEM [MATTERS HELD] 37, IS THERE A MOTION? CASTEX SAY A MOVE SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, AND COLLEAGUES. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR, UH, PROTE FOR TAGGING THIS ON MY BEHALF. AS I HAD TO STEP OUT LAST WEEK, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS IS THE FINAL PAYMENT OF THE ALE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AT 30 YEARS $60 MILLION. IT'S A BEACON OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. UM, IF ANY OF, IF YOU HAVE NOT VISITED THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, PLEASE GET THERE. IT'S THE FIRST ITERATION OF THREE DEPARTMENTS. THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND OUR HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN ONE FACILITY, WIC OFFICE, PASSPORT OFFICE RAISED BEDS FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN, UH, SOCCER FIELDS, SKATE PARK, YOU NAME IT. AND THIS WAS REALLY A DESIGN WITH COMMUNITY IN MIND. THE SENIORS LOVE IT. THE YOUNG PEOPLE LOVE IT. UM, OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE FULLY SUBSCRIBED, SO I JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT THIS AND CELEBRATE THE FINAL PAYMENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. COUNCIL MEMBER MA MAYOR PROTE TABLE. THANK YOU MAYOR. JUST WANTED TO AMPLIFY HOW EXCITING THAT, UM, PROJECT WAS. WE WERE ALL THERE, UM, FOR THE GRAND OPENING AND TO SEE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, THE LIBRARY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ALL IN ONE BUILDING THAT WAS SO, UM, WELL DONE. THE INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS THERE, THE EXCITEMENT AROUND THE COMMUNITY. SO MANY, UM, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THAT PROJECT IN DISTRICT F COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, UM, HOSTED US FOR THE GRAND OPENING AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME. UH, THE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, UM, FORMER MAYOR, UH, TURNER WAS THERE. IT WAS A, IT WAS A GRAND TIME, UH, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO WE LOVE THAT. UH, WE HAVE THIS BEACON IN DISTRICT FI KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE, UH, USED TO CALL DISTRICT F THE FORGOTTEN DISTRICT. UM, BUT WE, UH, DON'T CALL IT THE FORGOTTEN DISTRICT ANYMORE BECAUSE, UH, THE ALE CENTER, UH, REALLY HAS PLAYED A TREMENDOUS, UH, ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND THAT, THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF. MAYOR, YES, I WAS THERE. YOU WERE THERE. I WAS THERE. YOU WERE THERE SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW. SENATOR. YEAH, YOU WERE THERE. IT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, UH, FACILITY. BEAUTIFUL, UH, CEREMONY. YES. COUNCILMAN ALCORN. I'M JUST CHIMING IN THAT, THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS ON CITY COUNCIL. TIFFANY, IN THAT BLUE DRESS. YEAH, IT WAS YOUR DAY, MAN. THAT WAS A VERY COOL DAY. AND HOW FITTING THAT WE'RE PAYING THE LAST CHECK THE WEEK OF, UH, BARBARA QUATROS CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND, AND, UH, MAN, HOW INSTRUMENTAL SHE WAS IN THAT WHOLE THING AND GLAD THAT SHE LIVED TO SEE IT COME TO FRUITION. COUNCILOR DAVIS. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE, UH, COUNCILMAN THOMAS. UH, WE DID OUR SECOND TOWN HALL MEETING THERE AT THE FACILITY, AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS, YEAH, IT WAS MY SECOND. WE DID TIT. WELL, FIRST IN THE SECOND, BUT IT WAS JUST PHENOMENAL. THE PEOPLE SHOWED OUT THAT FACILITY IS SECOND TO NOBODY. I MEAN, I, I DROVE UP TO IT AND I THOUGHT, WHAT THE WORLD IS THIS? BUT IT, IT REALLY WAS A LOT OF WORK AND DONE. BUT CONGRATULATIONS AND, AND THE CHALLENGE IS COUNCILMAN DAVIS NOW EVERY DISTRICT WANTS ONE. EVERYBODY I KNOW. EVERYBODY WANTS ONE. I WAS GONNA SAY, YEAH, I GONNA SAY WE, WE NEED TO, CAN WE GET ONE IN K. WEST GRAY, WEST GRAY. YEAH. WE GET, WE SHIRLEY RAISE THE BAR. YEAH. K UH, EAST END EAST. SEE, I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S WEST . SOMEDAY. SOMEDAY THEY NEED SOMETHING. MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE NAY. MOTION PASSES. CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT. UM, ITEM 14 HAS BEEN RECEIVED, I'M SORRY, ITEMS 14 AND 27 HAVE NOW BEEN RECEIVED. I AM. ITEM 14 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. CASTILLO. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, I'VE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF MY CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE, HAVE ASKED FOR SOME MORE ENGAGEMENT AROUND THIS ITEM. I DO PLAN ON HOLDING A COMMUNITY MEETING TOMORROW EVENING, [03:10:01] UH, TO PROVIDE THAT. AND SO I WILL BE TAGGING THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE GLADLY EXTEND THAT OPPORTUNITY. COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ. I'LL SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE ON THAT AND GIVE THE RESIDENTS ADDITIONAL TIME TO, UH, PROVIDE FEEDBACK. I'LL JOIN IT. ITEM FOURTEENS. TAG NEXT. MEMBERS. CASTILLO AND RAMIREZ. YEAH, WE KNOW IT. NEXT ITEM 27 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED. NAME. MOTION PASSES. THIS COMPLETES THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. WOW. COUNCIL [NON CONSENT - MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS] MEMBER HUFFMAN, LEAD OFF ON POPOFF. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T USUALLY GET A LOT OF CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS, UH, WHEN THEY'RE HAPPY. USUALLY WE HEAR FROM THEM WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM. BUT I WAS WITH A GROUP OF CONSTITUENTS YESTERDAY WHO THEY'RE HAVING SOME LINES REPLACED ON REBA STREET, MOVING FROM THE BACK OF THEIR PROPERTY TO THE FRONT. AND THEY SAID THE CREW'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS. THEY FEEL LIKE THE CREW HAS BECOME A PART OF THEIR FAMILY ON THAT STREET, THAT THEY'VE BEEN CLEANING UP AFTER THEMSELVES, THAT THEY'VE BEEN EXTREMELY RESPECTFUL AND THEY'RE REALLY HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESS SO FAR. SO WAY TO GO TEAM. THANK YOU COUNCILOR RAMIREZ. THANK YOU MAYOR. JUST WANNA REMIND EVERYONE, THERE'S AN ELECTION GOING ON. THERE'S SOME IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT. AND, UH, CLOSER TO OUR HEARTS, OF COURSE, THERE'S A CITY COUNCIL POSITION ON THAT BALLOT. THE TURNOUT IS EXPECTED TO BE LOW, BUT WE NEED FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW, UH, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE EARLY VOTING IS GOING ON AND, UH, ELECTION DAY WILL BE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. THANK YOU. I WANNA DE, UM, FOCUS MY COMMENTS ON SOLID WASTE. MAYOR, IF I CAN, UM, HAVE YOUR ATTENTION JUST SPECIFICALLY AROUND SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING, NOT JUST IN OUR INBOX, BUT ALSO DURING OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS. THE WEEK OF NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, WE HAD A COMMUNITY MEETING EVERY NIGHT. TANGO, WILD, WESTMONT, LEEWOOD, IMPERIAL POINT, BEL WEST, BROOKFIELD EAST PARK, RIDGE PARK HOLLOW BRA, VILLAGE EAST, AND GLEN SHANNON HAVE ALL REPORTED DELAYS. AND NOT JUST DELAYS, BUT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF TRUCKS GOING DOWN THE STREET. CLEARING ONE SIDE OF THE STREET, LEE REMAINING. UM, ITEMS ON THE OTHER, WE HAVE FOLLOWED EVERY PROTOCOL WITH SOLID WASTE. UM, FROM DOCUMENTING, SENDING PHOTOS, 3 1 1, YOU NAME IT, UH, THE ITEM IS CLOSED OR THEY'LL SEND A TRUCK OUT AND THEY'LL ONLY SERVICE THE ONE HOME, NOT THE STREET. SO WE HAD A UPDATE THAT WAS SHARED ON THE NEWSLETTER ON FRIDAY. UM, JUST TO REITERATE TO RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROTOCOL OF 3 1 1. UM, BUT THESE ARE JUST THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT INTERRUPTIONS AND DE DELAYS. AND AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, FOLKS ARE FRUSTRATED VIA EMAIL. UM, BUT ON A, A HAPPIER NOTE, AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT ATTENTION. I KNOW THAT'S NOT UNIQUE TO THE WEST SIDE. THAT'S A CITY OF A CITYWIDE ISSUE. AND WE KNOW THE DIRECTOR IS WORKING THROUGH RIGHT SIZING THE DEPARTMENT AND HAS ASKED FOR A SIX MONTH TIMEFRAME TO GET US ON TRACK. UH, BUT THE INTERRUPTIONS ARE SPILLING OVER INTO OUR COMMUNICATIONS. AND SO IF THERE CAN BE, UM, UH, A FORMAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE DIRECTOR, MAYOR, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. UM, BUT JUST AS A HIGHLIGHT, WE CLEARED 197 RECYCLE AND TRASH BINS WERE DELIVERED BY THE DISTRICT F HOTSPOT TEAM. WE CLEARED THE BACKLOG. WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 300 THAT WERE EXPORTED FROM 3 1 1, AND THOSE WILL BE, UH, DELIVERED AT YOUR DOORSTEP BY THE END OF NOVEMBER. I WANNA SHOUT OUT TO THE SOLID WASTE TEAM AND THE DISTRICT OF HOTSPOT TEAM, UH, FOR WORKING WITH US TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO CONSTITUENT SERVICES. UM, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO FOR, UH, TAGGING FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION. LOOK FORWARD TO FEEDBACK FROM THE, UH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS. UM, AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS SIGNIFICANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, AND I THINK EVERYONE HAS A COMMITMENT TO DO THAT. AND I THINK A GREAT EXAMPLE OF OF THAT IS WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE NAVIGATION CENTER AND DISTRICT B WITH THE C COMMUNITY, UH, TASK FORCE. SO WE HAVE ALL STAKEHOLDERS AT, AT THE, UM, AT THE TABLE. AND, AND I ANTICIPATE, UH, YOU LEADING THAT EFFORT AS WELL. SO I WANNA SUPPORT YOU. BUT ON THE WEST SIDE, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION, A LOT OF RESIDENTS WERE ASKING, WHAT ABOUT THE WEST SIDE? UH, SO WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES. WE'RE GONNA HOST A AROUND TABLE OF OUR PARTNERS ON THE WEST SIDE. UM, IN ADDITION, WE HAD INDIVIDUALS AT, AT THOSE CIVIC CLUB MEETINGS THAT WANTED TO PARTICIPATE, UM, UH, IN, IN RESOLVING THE ISSUE, UM, ON HOMELESSNESS ON THE WEST SIDE. SO WE HOPE TO COME BACK TO THIS BODY WITH WHAT WE'VE LEARNED AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOW WE CAN ADVANCE ADDITIONAL SERVICES ON THE WEST, UH, MOVING FORWARD. UH, AND THEN I WANNA HIGHLIGHT, UH, THE SUCCESSFUL SECOND ANNUAL FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT WAS PHENOMENAL. THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE, FOR INTRODUCING, UM, OUR AFTERNOON SPEAKER AND COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD, FOR POPPING IN. WE HEARD FROM, UM, WE HAD PEOPLE WITH ACRES OF TWO ACRES TO 200, UH, WILLING, UH, [03:15:01] TO ALIGN WITH THE CITY AROUND HOMELESSNESS, UH, SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING, MULTIFAMILY SENIORS, YOUTH AGING OUTTA FOSTER CARE, YOU NAME IT. UH, MANY OF THEM WALKED AWAY WITH PARTNERS INFORMATION ON FINANCING CAPITAL STACK. AND, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, NEXT YEAR. UH, WE HAD SURPRISE REMARKS FROM, UH, US SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN DURING LUNCHTIME. SO, UH, UH, DEFINITELY, UH, UH, EMPHASIZING HOW, UH, LOCAL PARTNERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION. UH, AND JUST AS A, A REMINDER, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, UM, FOR, UM, HIGHLIGHTING, UH, THE LATE BARBARA QUATTRO. WE'RE CELEBRATING HER LIFE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH AT, UH, 10:00 AM AT, EXCUSE ME, AT 11:00 AM AT THE ALE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, UM, LONGTIME SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, PRESIDENT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD SECRETARY PASSED AWAY. HER FUNERAL IS ON OCTOBER 25TH AT 10:00 AM UH, AT ST. MARTIN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, CYNTHIA YOUNG. SO WE WILL BE, UH, MOURNING AND CELEBRATING TWO VERY IMPORTANT, UH, LEADERS IN DISTRICT F. UM, IF, UH, MY OFFICE CAN BE OF ANY SERVICE OF SUPPORT, PLEASE REACH OUT TO DISTRICT F@HOUSTONTX.GOV. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTE TATUM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT. UM, WE UNFORTUNATELY HAD A, ANOTHER FIRE IN THE DISTRICT AT 96 0 6, RIDDLE WOOD LANE. UH, DO WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO DIRECTOR MA MACKEY, WHO HAS, UM, MADE DEMO DEMOLITION, UM, A PRIORITY, UM, FOR THIS SPACE, UH, THE BLIGHT AND THE, THE NUISANCE THAT IT'S CREATING FOR THE RESIDENTS. UM, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THEM. SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, TO HPD WHO HAS ALSO INCREASED PATROL IN THAT AREA. THOSE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CONTACTING US ABOUT THE TROUBLES THAT THEY ARE HAVING IN THAT AREA. SO WE ARE DILIGENTLY WORKING, UM, TO GET THAT BUILDING DEMOLISHED AND TO ALSO INCREASE PATROLS IN THAT AREA. SUPER EXCITED THAT BRAZE TERRACE AREA DRAINING AND PAVING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS WELL ON THE WAY. THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER THE 24TH, AND IS A HUGE MILESTONE FOR WESTRIDGE NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING SINCE 2017 FOR THIS IMPORTANT CIP PROJECT TO HAPPEN, UH, IN THEIR COMMUNITY. SO THIS IS A, A VERY IMPORTANT DRAINAGE AND FLOOD REDUCTION PROJECT, UH, IN OUR, IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO, RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT ON OCTOBER THE 29TH. AT FIVE 30, WE WILL BE HOLDING A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING. UM, WE'VE SENT IT OUT IN OUR NEWSLETTER. YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER@ENGAGEHOUSTON.ORG, UH, TO ATTEND THE WESTRIDGE AND BRA TERRACE AREA DRAINING PROJECT, VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING, UH, FOR MORE INFORMATION. AND THEN, UM, UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE GOING TO, UH, THE MUSIC FESTIVAL THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY HAS BEEN CANCELED, UM, DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED RAIN THIS WEEKEND. UH, SO JUST WANNA LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE WILLOW WATER HOLE HAS BEEN CANCELED. UH, HPD IS HOSTING THEIR FALL FESTIVAL. THEY WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE OUT AT THE HAROLD PRESTON POLICE STATION FROM 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM. UH, AND THAT IS, UH, TODAY THEIR SECOND, UH, NEXT THURSDAY, THEIR SECOND ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL WILL BE HOLD HELD AT THE HAROLD PRESTON POLICE STATION. SO BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT FOR AN EVENING FIELD, UH, WITH FOOD AND PETTING ZOO, AND SO MUCH MORE FUN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH OUR HPD OFFICERS, THE FIVE CORNERS MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, THE BRAYS OAKS MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, AND OUR DISTRICT K RESIDENTS. AND THEN FINALLY, UH, WE ARE VERY EXCITED, MAYOR, AND YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE. UM, WE ARE REVITALIZING, UM, SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 40. UH, WHEN REVEREND WASHINGTON PASSED AWAY, THAT SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD WENT WITHOUT LEADERSHIP. UH, THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING, HOW DO WE GET THIS STARTED AGAIN? WE WANNA BE A VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY, , WE WANNA MAKE, UH, IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO ON OCTOBER THE 29TH, UH, NEXT WEDNESDAY FROM SIX TO 8:00 PM AT THE HAROLD L. PRESTON POLICE STATION, WE WILL BE REVITALIZING THAT SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD, LOOKING FORWARD TO REALLY ADVOCATING AND ENCOURAGING THIS NEXT GENERATION OF HOMEOWNERS ON HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BE A VOICE, UH, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO, WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD IDEAS WITH SOME INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS, WITH HAVING SOME, UM, AN ADVISORY BOARD OF SOME OF OUR LONG-TERM CIVIC CLUB AND SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD PRESIDENTS. WE WILL BE, UM, SHOWING OUR YOUNGER HOMEOWNERS ON HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT, ENCOURAGING EVERYONE WHO LIVES IN THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD, 40, UM, ZIP CODES TO COME TO THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 29TH FROM 6:00 PM [03:20:01] TO 8:00 PM AT THE POLICE STATION. BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE IT A GREAT DAY. THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR PROTE PECK. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND OUR, AN ANNUAL DISTRICT, A TOWN HALL MEETING. IT WILL BE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH FROM SIX 30 TO 8:00 PM AT ST. JEROME CHURCH ON HOLLISTER. UM, WE'LL HAVE MANY DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS THERE, BUT IT WILL BE VERY HEAVY ON, UM, OUR CONSTITUENTS BEING ABLE TO ASK US QUESTIONS. SO HOPE EVERYONE CAN JOIN US AT THE TOWN HALL. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR. A FEW THINGS AS WELL. UH, FIRST I ALSO WANT TO, UH, GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, UH, DIRECTOR MCKAY FOR HIS SUPPORT AND, AND DEMOLITION OF, UH, THE OLD BENNIGANS. THOSE IN THE EAST END ARE VERY FAMILIAR OFF OF THE GULF FREEWAY, THAT THIS IS, THIS WAS AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT PEOPLE USED TO GO TO. BUT, UH, WHEN MY TEAM JUMPED ON THIS, UH, LATE LAST YEAR, UH, HIS TEAM HAS BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE IN, IN, UH, IN THIS, IN THIS PROCESS. WE KNOW THAT IT'S ALWAYS A LENGTHY PROCESS, UM, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES FROM THESE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS IS SQUATTERS AND THEN BECOMES A HA A HAZARD OR DANGER TO SOME OF OUR PUBLIC, UH, SAFETY OFFICIALS, SPECIFICALLY FIRE, FIRE, UH, FIREFIGHTERS. AND SO, UH, I ALSO WANNA JUST SAY THANK YOU TO MY TEAM FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS. UH, THIS IS, THIS IS A, A HUGE WIN. UM, AND NOW WE, WE DEFINITELY HAVE ONE LESS NUISANCE IN DISTRICT. I, UH, WELL, I'M GONNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER FOR HIS INVITATION TO DISTRICT EAST TOWN HALL, UH, YESTERDAY EVENING. UM, DISTRICT I IS HAS BEEN REDISTRICTED, WHERE NOW WE ARE IN PARTS OF WHAT USED TO BE DISTRICT E. AND SO IT WAS IN DISTRICT I, BUT, UH, SEVERAL OF THE RESIDENTS ARE IN DISTRICT E. AND, AND I THINK, UH, THE ONE THING THAT, THAT I, I COME, COME OUT OF THAT MEETING IS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE HAVE DISTRICT BORDERLINES. UH, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE RESIDENTS DON'T, DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT. AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE SHOULD BE SERVING, UH, EVERY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'RE ACROSS THE STREET, UM, OR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS ABUTTING TO OUR DISTRICT. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION AND, YOU KNOW, WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU, UH, ENJOY WORKING WITH YOU, UH, COUNCILOR FLICKINGER, UM, AS WE SEE THE SOUTHEAST GET BETTER AS WELL. UM, AND THEN LASTLY, UM, IN THE SAME REGARDS, FOUR 19, UH, EMANCIPATION IN DISTRICT. I, BUT I ALSO AM RESPECTFUL OF MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILOR CASTILLOS TAG. UM, YESTERDAY MORNING I WAS MEETING WITH THE EAST DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT BUSINESS OWNERS, UH, WHICH IS MAJORITY OR ABOUT HALF OF WHAT THE EAST DOWNTOWN IS. UH, SOME OF THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS ACTUALLY LIVE IN, IN, IN EAST DOWNTOWN AS WELL. AND, UM, LISTENING TO THEIR CONCERNS, UH, I THINK AT ALL, AT, AT EVERY POINT OF, OF, OF MY ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO LISTEN. UH, MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOU, UH, ALSO BEING SUPPORTIVE OF, OF THIS PAUSE. UM, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK WE STILL NEED TO MEET THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ARE. UM, I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS SAYING THAT SHE WANTS TO SEE SOMETHING ON THE WEST SIDE. THIS IS NOT A EAST END OR EAST DOWNTOWN ISSUE, OR A DOWNTOWN ISSUE. THIS HAS QUITE FRANKLY, BEEN A CITYWIDE ISSUE. AND I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES WHERE I KNOW I'VE HEARD, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER OR MAYOR PRO TIM CAST THIS TATUM, UH, FOLKS UP IN THE NORTHEAST SIDE, WHERE, WHERE WE CAN CONTINUE TO FIND SOLUTIONS WHERE, UM, PLACES LIKE THIS CAN, CAN, UH, OCCUR. BECAUSE DEFINITELY IT SHOULDN'T BE BURDENED ON ONE COMMUNITY. UH, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. UH, WE KNOW THAT THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF UNHOUSED COMMUNITY IS IN DOWNTOWN AND EAST DOWNTOWN. UH, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE ARE LISTENING TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY AS WELL, WITHOUT FORGETTING THOSE THAT ARE PART OF THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY. AND SO, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, AND OF COURSE, YOU MAYOR, UH, TO ENSURE THAT WE FIND A SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE, ARE BEFORE US. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN POLLARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, I TOO HAVE BEEN, UM, LOOKING INTO ALL THE, YOU KNOW, PROS AND CONS, LOGISTICS ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND, AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND SPACES FOR OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY. UM, THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, AS YOU ALL ARE DOING, YOUR TOWN HALL, IS REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, FOR ONE, THE FUNDING, THE FUNDING PIECE. UM, IT'S A $16 MILLION PRICE TAG FOR THE BUILDING. UH, I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT'S GONNA COST AROUND CLOSE TO $2 MILLION PER MONTH JUST TO OPERATE. UH, WE'RE GETTING MONEY FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT TERRA, UH, AS WELL AS SOME DISASTER RECOVERY, $24. UH, THOSE AREN'T LONG-TERM DOLLARS. UH, SO WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, YOU KNOW, WHAT FUNDING SOURCES WILL WE HAVE LONG-TERM TO SUPPORT THE FACILITY? AND WHEN WE MOVE DOLLARS THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY FOR MAYBE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THESE S TO SOMETHING THAT'S NON-TRADITIONAL, HOW DO WE KIND OF FILL IN THOSE GAPS? [03:25:01] UM, HOW IS IT GONNA BE SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM? AND WHAT, AND, AND WHAT ALLOCATIONS WILL BE THERE TO GIVE US THOSE ASSURANCES THAT WE'RE NOT JUST, UH, PUTTING FORTH MONEY TODAY, BUT CANNOT ENSURE THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE. ALSO WANT TO KNOW, UM, LIKE HOW LONG ARE INDIVIDUALS ABLE TO STAY THERE, RIGHT? UM, IS IT SIX MONTHS? IS IT A YEAR? ARE WE ROTATING PEOPLE IN AND OUT? UH, WHAT ENTITY WILL ULTIMATELY OPERATE IT? UM, HOW WOULD THAT BE CHOSEN? UH, WILL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO COME THERE FOR SERVICES THAT DO NOT LIVE THERE? AND IF SO, HOW IS ONE ELIGIBLE? UH, HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THE MOST CHALLENGING PEOPLE? RIGHT? UH, WE HAVE FOLKS ALL OVER THE CITY, ALL IN OUR DISTRICTS THAT HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THAT STRUNG OUT DOING, UH, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT THEM TO GET SERVICES FOR. UH, HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THEY CAN GET THERE? UM, IS IT ANY WAY THAT WE MANDATE THAT PEOPLE CAN, CAN GET THERE, RIGHT? UH, OR MANDATE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE THERE, UM, ENSURE THAT WE ALL HAVE ACCESS, OR PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FACILITY AND NOT JUST THOSE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. AND THEN WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF BEDS, THERE'S AROUND 200, 250 BEDS I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WILL BE AT THE FACILITY, BUT I THINK THE HOMELESS COUNT IS AROUND 3000 PEOPLE. UH, WE HAVE TWO NAVIGATION CENTERS THAT ARE DOING A GOOD JOB. UM, AND SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE PUT FORTH THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT OVER TIME, UM, THAT WE'RE REALLY GETTING NOT ONLY BANG FOR OUR BUCK, BUT MAKING THE MOST IMPACT FOR THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE SPENDING. AND THAT THE MOST, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE MA, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SERVING, UM, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SERVING ACTUALLY HAVE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE MAKING A REAL DENT INTO OUR UNHOUSED POPULATION. AND SO, UM, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ON MY MIND. UH, I WILL STAY COORDINATED WITH YOUR OFFICE AS WELL ON GETTING SOME FEEDBACK ON THIS, BUT, UH, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE HOMELESS ISSUE IS A BIG, A BIG PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN AN UPTICK OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IN THE CITY. UH, WE WERE KNOWN FOR A CITY THAT, UM, WAS REALLY HANDLING HOMELESSNESS IN A WAY THAT WAS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. UH, AND SO WE, WE WANT TO KEEP THAT TYPE OF REPUTATION. SO WE DO KNOW WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, BUT I THINK WE JUST NEED TO BE VERY DILIGENT ABOUT THE WAY WE DO IT, AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE SPEAKING TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING REAL DIALOGUE WITH THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, TOO. THANK YOU. COUNCILOR ALCORN. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. IT'S TIME FOR THE, UM, PUMPKIN COMPOST PROGRAM, FIFTH, FIFTH ANNUAL. DON'T THROW THOSE PUMPKINS IN THE TRASH. YOU CAN DROP 'EM OFF STARTING FRIDAY, UM, AT THE REUSE WAREHOUSE ON NORTH MAIN OR AT THE WEST PARK, UH, RECYCLING CENTER. AND ANOTHER THING, SINCE WE TALK ABOUT TRASH A LOT AND THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, LET'S, WE, IF YOU COMPOST, YOU HAVE LESS TRASH, AND OUR SYSTEM REQUIRES LESS EQUIPMENT. WE'RE WAY BEHIND. OTHER CITIES IN THIS, OTHER CITIES HAVE CURBSIDE COMPOST AND EVERYTHING. I KNOW WE'RE NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT. IT'S JUST EDUCATING ABOUT PEOPLE NOW. BUT THERE ARE PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT DO IT. UH, PRIVATE COMPANIES CAN COME TO YOUR HOUSE, GET YOUR FOOD WASTED ONCE A WEEK. THOSE ARE ALL LISTED ON MY WEBSITE. OR YOU CAN DROP OFF, UH, COMPOST. YOU CAN, UH, CONTRACT WITH A COMPANY AND DROP OFF YOUR FOOD WASTE. YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE FREEZER AS THE WEEK GOES ON. NOTHING SMELLS, IT'S NO RATS ARE RUNNING AROUND OR WHATEVER, . YOU CAN COMPOST IN YOUR BACKYARD IF YOU WANT TO, BUT I'M TOO LAZY FOR THAT. SO I HAVE SOMEBODY COME DO IT. AND YOU REALLY, IF YOU RECYCLE AND YOU GET RID OF YOUR FOOD WASTE, IT'S VERY LITTLE TRASH. IT'S ALSO, I'VE TALKED TO PUBLIC WORKS, PEOPLE THAT THROW EVERYTHING DOWN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL, BAD FOR THE PIPES. THIS JUST HAS, IT'S A, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD QUALITY. SO I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT JED, UM, GOT OUT THIS WEEK, A AN RFI TO THE COMPOSTING COMPANIES. WERE GONNA OPEN UP OUR RECYCLED, A COUPLE OF OUR RECYCLING CENTERS TO LET THE PRIVATE COMPANIES HAVE A BIN THERE. YOU'LL HAVE TO CONTRACT WITH THEM, NO MONEY, BUT FROM THE CITY. UM, YOU'LL HAVE CONTRACT WITH THE PRIVATE COMPANY, BUT, BUT IT WILL BE THE WAY, A WAY FOR THE CITY TO PARTICIPATE AND AT LEAST, UM, HAVING A BIN THERE. AND YOU COULD, YOU'LL, THAT'LL BE AN ADDITIONAL DROP OFF SPOT FOR FOOD WASTE. SO, UM, KEEP THAT IN MIND. IF YOU'D LIKE TO START, I CAN GIVE YOU SOME TIPS, BUT, UH, BRA FOR SURE, DON'T THROW YOUR PUMPKINS, BECAUSE I'LL JUST END UP IN LANDFILL AND CREATE A BUNCH OF METHANE GAS. AND BE SMART WITH YOUR PUMPKINS. COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN PLUMMER, MAYOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE LOST A REALLY IMPORTANT PERSON IN OUR COMMUNITY. UM, MR. IVY MAHORN PASSED AWAY. AND, UM, AND SO I WANNA SEND OUR CONDOLENCES, OR MY CONDOLENCES [03:30:01] TO MR. JACKIE MAHORN, HIS WIFE, AND OBVIOUSLY HIS FAMILY. UM, HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT THE BREAD OF LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH AT 28 47 SOUTH HOUSTON ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER THE 25TH. UM, AT NINE, AT NINE, FROM NINE TO 11 IS THE VIEWING, AND THEN THE SERVICES AT 11 O'CLOCK. THANK YOU. YOU COUNCILMAN CARTER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A, UH, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHENIERE ENERGY YESTERDAY. THEY DONATED, UH, SIX BATTERY POWERED FANS THAT YOU GO IN ADVANCE. FIREFIGHTERS GO IN AND BLOW THE SMOKE, SO IT'S SAFER FOR THEM TO ENTER, YOU KNOW, THESE, UH, EMERGENCY SCENES. BUT, UM, TRI OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN GREAT ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND CORPORATIONS SUCH AS THESE WILL CERTAINLY BE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE ON THE FOUR 19 PROJECT. IN FACT, UM, I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY THEIR BUDGET IS SET IN NOVEMBER, AND THEY WANTED SOME INFORMATION, ASAP. AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT, UM, THE SUPPORT OF THE, UH, CORPORATE, YOU KNOW, PARTNERS AROUND THE CITY ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE FOUR 19 PROJECT, AS, AS, UH, CERTAINLY WE ALL KNOW. AND ALSO TOO, I WANTED TO SAY, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE WAS A TOUR YESTERDAY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO EITHER WENT OR SENT THEIR STAFFS TO FIND OUT MORE, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING OVER THERE. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS, WERE ON SITE MONDAY WITH US TO SEE, TO TOUR. AND I KNOW THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS, UM, BUT I THINK THEY'RE REALLY GREAT ANSWERS. I'VE MET A LOT WITH THE COMMUNITY, DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ONE-ON-ONE THIS PAST WEEK. AND, YOU KNOW, THEY COME IN WITH A, A LOAD OF QUESTIONS AND WALK OUT WITH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE WANT THIS TO WORK. WE REALLY DO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE BRINGING TO THEY'RE COMMUNITY, IT'S WHAT WE'RE TAKING AWAY FROM THEIR COMMUNITY. AND SO, UM, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT, THE QUESTIONS. UM, BUT I'M STILL SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE END RESULT. UM, SO JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS SHABBAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS PAST WEEK, DISTRICT D WAS FILLED WITH CELEBRATION, LEGACY, AND COMMUNITY PRIDE AS WE CELEBRATED THE TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY'S HOMECOMING 2025, THEMED 98 DEGREES OF EXCELLENCE ROAD TO 100 THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND FAMILIES CAME TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK TO HONOR NEARLY A CENTURY OF TIGER EXCELLENCE AND TRADITION. ON FRIDAY EVENING, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF JOINING THE ALICE C. HUMPHREY FOUNDATION FOR THE TSU HOMECOMING MIX AND MINGLE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER AT THE HISTORIC EL DORADO BALLROOM. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENING OF FELLOWSHIP AND GIVING, FEATURING LIVE PERFORMANCES, WITHE PROCEEDS, GOING TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. ON SATURDAY, I PARTICIPATED IN THE TSU HOMECOMING PARADE, AND AT FIELD CLEBURNE STREET, AND THE PARADE ROUTE WITH MUSIC FLOATS AND SCHOOL SPIRIT SHOWCASING THE STRENGTH AND PRIDE OF THE TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUED AT ALEXANDER DURLEY STADIUM. AND JUST COINCIDENTALLY, UH, MR. DURLEY WAS ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS, UH, GROWING UP. AND SO HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING MAN. UH, BUT THE EVENT WAS HELD THERE WHERE ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS CHEERED ON THE TIGERS TO A RESOUNDING VICTORY AND AN ATMOSPHERE OF UNITY AND JOY. UH, WE BEGAN THIS WEEK WITH A BEAUTIFUL CULTURAL CELEBRATION HONORING HOUSTON'S OWN HORACE ALEXANDER YOUNG, HOSTED BY PROJECT ROWHOUSES AND THE THIRD WARD CULTURAL DISTRICT AT THE EL DORADO BALLROOM. I TELL YOU THAT EL DORADO BALLROOM HAS REALLY, REALLY BEEN A GREAT VENUE FOR A LOT OF EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT. THE EVENT FEATURED AN UPLIFTING JAZZ CONCERT THAT CELEBRATED MR. YOUNG'S REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AS AN ARTIST, EDUCATOR, AND MENTOR. IT WAS THE PERFECT FINALE TO AN OUTSTANDING HOMECOMING CELEBRATION THAT SHOWCASED THE EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT THAT MAKE DISTRICT D THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION. NOW, UH, THE 2025 ST. MARY'S BAZAAR, ALSO KNOWN AS THE GUMBO FESTIVAL, IS OCTOBER THE 24TH THROUGH THE 26TH. AND THE FESTIVITIES ARE LOCATED ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS AT 3006 ROSEDALE. I AM ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE GUMBO COOKOFF. IT'S A HARD JOB, BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT. ANYWAY, SUBSCRIBE TO THE DISTRICT D NEWSLETTER BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO DISTRICT D@HOUSTONTX.GOV. WE HAVE NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND JOB TRAINING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. THAT CONCLUDES WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION. THANK YOU. THE END TO A VERY SHORT YOU THROUGH . [03:35:03] YOU FINISHED? YOU DONE? SHE'S DONE. SHE'S DONE. THANK YOU'ALL. JUST AS A CUE MAYOR, WHEN I SAY THAT CONCLUDES WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION, , JUST A LITTLE CLUE. THAT CONCLUDES PART. JUST, JUST ANSWER. I WOULD JUST ENJOYING LISTENING TO YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW, I KNOW. I, I, I I MISS MY CALLING. I KNOW. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CAN TELL YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EVENTS, UH, THAT TOOK PLACE THIS PAST WEEKEND IN DISTRICT H THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT. STARTING OFF WITH THE SHORT STACK SHUFFLE, 5K RUN ANNUAL MEETING, UH, OUT IN SHEPHERD PARK PLAZA. UM, IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO START THE SATURDAY, UH, FOLLOWED BY A PANCAKE BREAKFAST. THEY DO A GREAT JOB OUT THERE. AND WE GOT TO CHECK ON, UH, SOME OF THE TREES WE PLANTED LAST YEAR, SEEING HOW, HOW MUCH THEY HAVE GROWN. UM, THE JENSEN JUBILEE ALSO TOOK PLACE THIS PAST SATURDAY. PASTOR SMITH, THE GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, UH, THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB OUT THERE. AND, UM, ONE OF THE PROJECTS I DID WITH MY SERVICE FUNDS WAS REPLACING ALL THE GYM EQUIPMENT OUT THERE AT SHADY LANE PARK. AND, UH, THE PARKS EMPLOYEES SHARED, UH, HOW UTILIZED THAT GYM IS NOW, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR IT AND, AND ALL THE, THE GOOD FEEDBACK THEY'VE GOTTEN. UM, SO I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE PASTOR SMITH AND THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, UH, FOR A, A GREAT EVENT OUT THERE. UM, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN'S FAMILY WITH, WITH PRIDE AT DISCOVERY GREEN, WHICH, UM, WAS WELL ATTENDED. A LOT OF RESOURCES, EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF OF RAIN SPRINKLED IN THERE. BUT, UH, IT WAS, IT WAS A VERY GOOD EVENT. UH, DISCOVERY GREEN WAS A GREAT HOST AND GOOD TO SEE ALL THE, THE TURNOUT, ALL THE FAMILIES, UH, THAT WERE THERE. AND THEN FINALLY, THE AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION HAD THEIR, THEIR ANNUAL PICNIC, UH, LAST WEEK AND IN DISTRICT H. SO IT WAS GOOD TO, TO GET OUT THERE AND CONNECT WITH THEM, UM, AND THANK THEM. ONE OF THE, THE QUESTIONS I HAD WAS, YOU KNOW, HOW WAS THE SHUTDOWN IMPACTING THEM? AND THANKFULLY, THEY ARE SORT OF RUN LIKE A BUSINESS AND ALL THE, THE FEES THEY COLLECT ON THE MAIL AND THE POSTAGE, UH, GO TO SUPPORT THEIR WORKERS AND THEIR SALARY. SO THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY NOT GETTING PAID, WHICH IS, WHICH IS GOOD 'CAUSE THEY PROVIDE, UH, AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE. UM, BUT, UH, A LOT GOING ON ACROSS THE DISTRICT THIS PAST WEEKEND. UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE AGAIN, FOLKS ARE AWARE. TOMORROW AT 6:00 PM AT THE TBH CENTER ON JENSEN, I'LL BE HOSTING A COMMUNITY MEETING ON THE PROPOSED, UH, FRONT DOOR SUPER HUB FOUR 19 EMANCIPATION. AND, UM, THE HOUSING DIRECTOR, MIKE NICHOLS, OUR, OUR HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR, CHIEF SATTERWHITE, WILL BE THERE ALONG WITH, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOUTH CENTRAL HPD TO ONE PRESENT INFORMATION ON WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED, TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY ON THEIR QUESTIONS, UH, ON THEIR CONCERNS. AND, UH, USE THIS AS A TIME TO, TO REALLY BE PRODUCTIVE AND TO, UM, COME AWAY WITH SOME CLEAR, SOME CLEAR FEEDBACK AND SOME, AND SOME CLEAR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. SO, UH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE, UH, ANYONE WHO HAS ANY QUESTIONS TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, AND, UH, ALL THE AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU'RE, YOU'RE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS EVENT TOMORROW. UH, I DO PLAN ON SHARING OUT THE FEEDBACK WITH EVERYONE, SO FOLKS, UH, KNOW WHAT, WHAT WAS SHARED AND APPRECIATE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS FOR SHARING THE IDEA ON THE TASK FORCE. I DO THINK THAT IS A REALLY, UM, GOOD TANGIBLE NEXT STEP THAT CAN BE APPLIED HERE AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN DAVIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, TO THE COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO BEGIN TODAY. EXTREMELY THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTICIPATION IN OUR FIRST INAUGURAL FINANCIAL SYMPOSIUM, UM, THAT WE HAD ON LAST FRIDAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY, UM, A GREAT TURNOUT. AND I'M EXCITED BECAUSE I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF. WE HAVE PLANNED THIS FOR A WHILE BECAUSE I, UH, HAVE SEEN AND PARTICIPATED IN ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT IN OUR CITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND ADVANCING IT EVEN MORE. NOW. I'VE HEARD ABOUT FINANCES SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL. WE TALK ABOUT BUDGETS, WE TALK ABOUT, UM, MONIES AND CONTRACTS AND OTHERS. SO I PUT THIS TOGETHER BECAUSE I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IF WE LOVE OUR CITY AND ADVANCE IT. AND, UH, GOING FORWARD. THE CITY DON'T [03:40:01] HAVE ALL THE MONEY. THE COUNTY DON'T HAVE ALL THE MONEY, BUT THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE DOLLARS. AND WE TALK ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW. THE CRRA PASSED ON THE PRESIDENT, JIMMY CARTER GAVE THE POWER TO THE COMMUNITY BY REQUIRING BANKS TO INVEST AND REINVEST BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY TAKE THE MONEY FROM. I WANT TO THANK OUR MAYOR, MAYOR WHITTEN. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND, UM, THE PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES THAT WE PASSED OUT. YOU GAVE THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND WAS EXTREMELY, UH, HELPFUL TO ALL OF THE ONES WHO ATTENDED TO THE PUBLIC WHO CAME OUT. WE HAD PEOPLE FROM EVERY AREA OF OUR CITY, SMALL BUSINESSES, CONTRACTORS, AND PRIMARILY THE BANKS. THE SYMPOSIUM WAS AN IDEA OF HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES LEARN MORE ABOUT RECEIVING CAPITAL AND RESOURCES FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO GROW AND TO COMPETE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT THE CITY THAT'S GOT ALL THE MONEY, BUT THEY DO. NEXT, I WANT TO, I WANT TO THANK, UM, THE PARTNER WITH ME, WITH THIS, OUR DIRECTOR, WHO WAS JUST A EXCELLENT LEADER, EXCELLENT LEADER, DIRECTOR LENCIA OF OBO. WE WERE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO MIND. AND SHE REACHED OUT TO ME AND WE MET, AND WE PUT THIS TOGETHER WITH MY STAFF. AND I CAN'T THANK HER ENOUGH FOR HER, UH, EXTREME SUPPORT THAT SHE DID, UH, IN HELPING PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER PARTNERSHIP AND ALSO FOR THE TED TALK PRESENTATION SHE DELIVERED AT THE EVENT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UH, OUR MAYOR PRO TEM, WHO CAME AND LED THE FIRST, UM, PANEL. WE HAD, UH, FOUR PANELS. AND, UH, I WANT TO THANK OUR MAYOR PRO TEM IN HER LEADERSHIP, AND OF COURSE, HER PARTICIPATING WISDOM IN ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES. UH, AND SO WE CAME, WAS CERTAINLY HAPPY THAT SHE WAS THERE TO PARTICIPATE. WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO COUNCIL MEMBER TWILA CARTER FOR STOPPING BY TO, TO KIND OF SEE PART OF WHAT WE WERE DOING. UH, I WANT TO THANK NIKITA BRO AT SCORE. SHE, TOO WAS A PARTNER ON THIS EARLY PLANNING STAGES. SHE HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO US CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND PARTICULARLY WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. I WANT TO THANK THE, THE PANELISTS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, UH, RANDY MACKEY, AIRPORT SYSTEM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR SCOTT HILL, RAY TECH, CEO, GREG REYES. AND I WANT TO THANK EACH OF THEM FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION. I WANT TO GIVE A BIG THANKS TO HPD OFFICERS FOR PROVIDING THE SECURITY AND ALSO THE HFD HONOR GUARD FOR PRESENTING THE COLORS AT OUR EVENT AND HTV FOR COVERING US LIVE. UH, I WANT TO THANK KRISTEN MASSEY AT THE BIO EVENT CENTER FOR HOSTING US. THEY REALLY, REALLY ROLLED OUT A, A SENSATIONAL MEETING FOR US, AND WE COULD NEVER BE SO GRATEFUL TO THEM. IT WAS A TERRIFIC VENUE FOR AN EVENT OF THIS IMPORTANT SCOPE, I THINK ALL OF THE CITY NEED TO REALLY FOCUS IN ON HOW WE ADVANCE OUR CITY. FURTHER, I WANT TO THANK OUR SPONSOR, STELLAR BANK, WALLACE BANK, VERTEX BANK, PROSPERITY BANK, HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM, HNTB, METRO AND HBDI. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT TO THANK THE, UH, ARGENTINA, JAMES AND ROGER HARRIS AND HILL DAY. UH, WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE HELP AND THE SISTERS OF HILL DAY, THEY, THEY GRASPED A PART OF MY VISION. THEY SEE WHERE WE WERE GOING, AND THEY HELPED ORGANIZE AND PUT IT ALL TOGETHER. AND SO WITH THAT, WE RECEIVED EXTREME POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE CITY. AND I COULD NOT BE MORE THANKFUL AND, AND GRATEFUL FOR THAT. ALSO, I WANT TO LIFT UP TODAY. MOST OF YOU KNOW, I'M HOSTING THE FUNDRAISER. THE MAMBO DONATED THIS YEAR, THE SEAFOOD. SO TODAY, OCTOBER THE 22ND AT 1215, WE, I WANT INVITE ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT. I'M HOSTING IT. THE MONIES ARE GOING TO GO TO NO AUTISM. NO AUTISM, YES. AND, UH, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, YOU SUPPORT IT AND GO DOWN AND GET A PLATE FOR $12, UH, [03:45:01] YOU KNOW, AND GET SOME SEAFOOD. AND I THINK, UH, EVERYBODY WILL REALLY ENJOY IT. IT'S GOING TO A GREAT CAUSE THAT I THINK HELPS EVERYBODY. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE GOING TO START OFF THE YEAR WITH OUR TOWN HALL MEETING, AND WE GOING TO DISTRICT C, UH, IN THE 26TH. AND WE HOPE, UH, ALL OF THEM WILL COME OUT AND, UH, AS WE MEET THE NEEDS AND HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. WELL, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE PROUD OF YOUR FIRST FINANCIAL SYMPOSIUM. IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE. AND I THINK, UH, IT'LL ONLY GROW AND BECOME LARGER. IT'S CERTAINLY A MAJOR EVENT, AND YOU HAD ALL THE PROPER STAKEHOLDERS THERE. YEAH. SO CONGRATULATIONS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU GOING FORWARD. BUT THAT WAS ONE HECK OF A REPRESENTATION. MM-HMM . OF, UH, THE POTENTIAL FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND, AND START UP BUSINESSES. SO, GOOD WORK. THANK YOU. ELECTIONS MATTER. COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, WE HAD OUR THIRD AND FINAL TOWN HALL LAST NIGHT IN, UH, MANOR AT THE, THE CHURCH THERE. AND, UH, AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JOAQUIN'S AND MENTIONED EARLIER. AND HE WAS OUT THERE AND, AND SPOKE. AND IT'S, IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY, UH, LOCATION. THE CHURCH IS ACTUALLY IN HIS DISTRICT. ALL THE RESIDENTS LIVE IN MY DISTRICT. AND, YOU KNOW, THE BOUNDARIES AND THAT WHOLE THING ARE, ARE KIND OF STRANGE RIGHT ACROSS THE FREEWAY IS HIS DISTRICT AS, AS OPPOSED TO MINE. SO IT WORKED WELL. I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UH, ALL THE, UH, AT LARGE MEMBERS WHO ARE OUT FOR, FOR ALL THREE. UH, WE REALLY DON'T WANNA DO THREE, BUT GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT GOES FROM KINGWOOD TO NORTH SHORE TO CLEAR LAKE, I THINK IN ORDER TO GET TO THE RESIDENTS, UH, AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO MEET ALL THE DIRECTORS AND ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WERE THERE, AND HPD AND HFD, UH, WE ALMOST HAVE TO DO 'EM. SO, FINALLY WRAP THAT UP. AND THAT WAS GOOD. UH, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO ALSO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, UH, COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ, WHO WAS OUT AT OUR MEDIAN MADNESS THAT WE HAD LAST SATURDAY. UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S NICE TO SHOW UP THE TOWN HALLS. IT'S EVEN A LITTLE MORE WHEN YOU'RE DOING SOME PHYSICAL LABOR. AND I THINK, UH, COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ LOST A LITTLE BIT OF HAIR FROM A WILD CHAINSAW OR SOMETHING WHEN WE WERE DOWN THERE, BUT, UH, HAD A GOOD TIME ALSO. UH, OUR BOPA WILL BE, UH, THIS SATURDAY AT THE KINGWOOD METRO PARKING RIDE, UH, STARTS AT NINE O'CLOCK AND, UH, LAST UNTIL NOON, OR UNTIL THE TRUCKS ARE FULL. SO, UH, COME ON OUT THERE AND, AND GET RID OF, UH, THE MATERIAL THAT YOU, YOU NEED TO. AND THEN LASTLY, I WANTED TO, TO MENTION THAT ITEM 16 FOR A SECOND. UH, I HAD THE SAME QUESTIONS SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS DID, AND I GOT QUITE A BIT MORE INFORMATION BACK IN AN EMAIL YESTERDAY, WHICH CERTAINLY MADE IT LOOK BETTER THAN, THAN WHAT IT DID AT, AT THE HEADLINE. UM, BUT EVEN WITH THAT, UH, I WAS TOLD THIS MORNING THAT A LOT OF THAT MONEY IS SPENT ON THE PRINTED MATERIALS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, GOING OUT TO RETIREES. AND ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CITY EMAILS, CERTAINLY THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EMAILS. I WOULD THINK WE COULD GATHER A LOT OF THAT AND KIND OF GO INTO, UH, COUNCILMAN ALCORN'S WHEELHOUSE HERE, INSTEAD OF PRINTING THE MATERIALS. IF WE COULD EMAIL IT TO 'EM, WE COULD SAVE A TON OF MONEY, SAVE PAPER, ALL THAT. SO I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO GET DOWN FROM THAT $15 MILLION COST THAT, THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT OVER FIVE YEARS. THANK YOU. AGREE WITH YOU. AND THAT'S THE REASON IT WAS TAKEN OFF THE AGENDA. IT, UH, WE NOT ONLY CAN, BUT MUST DO BETTER, BETTER PROCESSING. AND, UM, SOME OF THE ITEMS WERE MISCHARACTERIZED, SO WE'VE GOT SOME WORK TO DO. BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT BEFORE US. COUNCILMAN CAYMAN. I'M GONNA FIRST PIGGYBACK ON THE WASTE REDUCTION TRAIN. UM, ABSOLUTELY WE NEED TO BE COMPOSTING AT THE SAME TIME. WE NEED TO BE IMPROVING RECYCLING. AND, UH, I'M SO THRILLED THAT OUR MULTIFAMILY RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOLID WASTE HAS LAUNCHED. THIS WAS A GRANT FUND. IT IS NOT AT ANY COST TO THE CITY. UH, BUT WHEN OVER HALF OF HOUSTONIANS NOW LIVE IN MULTIFAMILY RECYCLING, UH, MULTIFAMILY HOUSING AND DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO RECYCLING, THAT IS A LOT OF WASTE GOING TO OUR LANDFILLS. THAT NEEDS TO BE DIVERTED. THIS IS PART OF THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. THIS IS JUST COMMON SENSE IN SAVING MONEY. UH, SO WE HAVE APARTMENTS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FREE YEAR LONG PROGRAM. THERE ARE STILL A FEW SLOTS LEFT. SO FOR RESIDENTS, IF YOUR APARTMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE RECYCLING OR COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVE AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, AGAIN, THIS IS A FREE ONE YEAR PROGRAM, UH, TO HELP US GET THE DATA. WHAT HELPS, UH, WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION MAKE RECYCLING MORE, [03:50:01] UH, EFFECTIVE? HOW, WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SYSTEMS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT? SO YOU CAN EMAIL OUR OFFICE DISTRICT C@HOUSTONTX.GOV. UM, IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY THAT IS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, UH, I DO WANNA BRING UP SEVERAL ITEMS RELATED TO SAFETY. UM, AS MANY OF YOU HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS AND HEADLINES, THE, UM, RAINBOW CROSSWALK IN MONTROSE WAS REMOVED, UH, IN THE COVER OF NIGHT. UH, MAYOR, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS, OR ONE OF THE ISSUES I WANTED TO RAISE WAS, AS THIS WAS HAPPENING, UH, AT NO POINT, EVEN THOUGH HPD WAS STATIONED TO KEEP INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE PROTESTING SAFE WAS THE LGBT LIAISON FOR HPD INFORMED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ON DUTY THAT NIGHT. UH, SO I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HPD WHAT THE PROCESS IS. WHILE WE DO NOT NOW HAVE A COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIVISION, WE ARE STILL SUPPOSED TO HAVE OUR LIAISONS. SO HOW ARE WE INTERACTING WITH THEM? HOW ARE WE ENGAGING WITH THEM? AND HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE INFORMED? BECAUSE THERE WERE TIMES WHERE, UH, OUR LIAISON COULD HAVE EFFECTIVELY DEESCALATED SO THAT THERE WERE NO ARRESTS. UH, AND AGAIN, THAT IS A VALUABLE ASSET THAT I THINK WE NEED TO BE, UH, REALLY UTILIZING WITHIN HPD. UH, ALSO ABOUT SAFE CROSSINGS. UH, TWO INCIDENTS, MAYOR, BOTH AT SINCLAIR AND WALTRIP. UH, VIDEO HAS SURFACED OF A VERY AGGRESSIVE DRIVER. UH, WE HAVE ONE OF OUR CROSSING GUARDS, UH, MR. MICHAEL AT SINCLAIR ELEMENTARY. THIS IS A CROSSING THAT I HAVE TRIED TO PUT FUNDING TOWARDS CREATING A SAFER CROSSING, AS HAS COMMISSIONER BRIANIS, UM, AND PUBLIC WORKS HAS NOT AUTHORIZED THAT, UH, THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. HOWEVER, THE CROSSING GUARD LITERALLY HAD TO PUT HIMSELF BETWEEN HIM, THE CHILDREN IN A VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLOWLY BUMP UP AGAINST HIM AND PUSH HIM WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO PROTECT THE KIDS. SO, I WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR CROSSING GUARDS AND REMIND DRIVERS, YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT WE DO NEED THESE SAFE CROSSINGS. AND THEN I WAS JUST WITH THE PTO AT WALL TRIP, LAST NIGHTMARE. UM, THAT WAS ONE OF THE RAILS THAT WAS FLAGGED AS VERY UNSAFE, UH, FOR CHILDREN AS THEY'RE WALKING TO SCHOOL. UH, IT WAS THEIR UNDERSTANDING THAT WITH THAT RAIL LINE, UH, THEY WOULD NOT BE OPERATING OR SENDING TRAINS DURING SCHOOL, DROP OFF HOURS AND PICKUP HOURS. WELL, THE TRAIN IS BACK DOING 8:00 AM KIDS ARE CROSSING THAT TRAIN TRACK. SO IF WE CAN PLEASE WORK WITH, UM, THE RAIL LINES, BUT ALSO I WANNA BRING ATTENTION ABOUT THE NEED FOR THOSE SAFE CROSSINGS, INCLUDING AT WALTRIP. I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT. UH, I WANT TO END BY THANKING EVERYONE, UM, AND ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, FOR MAKING IT OUT TO FAMILIES WITH PRIDE. I'M NOT GONNA GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE LIST OF SPONSORS, UH, BUT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, FUN CELEBRATION. UH, I WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED, UH, CONGRESSWOMAN FLETCHER, UH, TAX ASSESSOR AND VOTER REGISTRAR, ANNETTE RAMIREZ, REPRESENTATIVE ANN JOHNSON, REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN ASHLEY SIMMONS, AND OF COURSE, STAFF FROM COMMISSIONER BRIAN'S OFFICE. SHE WAS OUT AT KATIE PRIDE. BUT AGAIN, WE HAD TONS OF SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. OUR MAYOR'S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EVENTS, OUR EVENT COORDINATOR, UH, OUR LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHO HAS PARTNERED EVERY SINGLE YEAR WITH US. DISCOVERY GREEN. UH, MY STAFF DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB, ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, BUT AGAIN, THIS WAS ABOUT THE KIDS AND IT WAS ABOUT CELEBRATING. AND MAN, DID THEY HAVE A GOOD TIME? UH, SO TO EVERYONE THAT MADE THAT POSSIBLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LIFTING UP AND STANDING WITH OUR FAMILIES. AND, UH, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE EARLY VOTING. COUNCILMAN JACKSON. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMER MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE LOST, UM, IVORY MAHORN, UM, A PILLAR OF COMMUNITY. WE ARE GONNA BE CELEBRATING HIS LIFE ON SATURDAY. UM, I MET IVORY ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS FIGHTING FOR MY SON. UM, HE WAS FIGHTING FOR HIS KIDS, THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY. HE HAD LUNCH POINT AND HE WAS ALSO THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD PRESIDENT. AND HE'S BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE COMMUNITY SINCE I'VE KNOWN HIM, AND HE'S BEEN A PILLAR COMMUNITY. AND SO, UM, EXCITED ABOUT CELEBRATING HIM. HATE TO SEE HIM, YOU KNOW, GONE. UM, BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, KNOW, HE, HIS, HIS LEGACY WILL WILL LIVE ON. AND SO JUST KEEP JACKIE MAHORN IN YOUR PRAYERS. UM, SOMEBODY YESTERDAY TO SEE HER CHECK ON HER, SHE'S DOING OKAY. SHE'S HOLDING UP. UM, BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR LONG MAY. I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HIM. I'M JUST SITTING DOWN AND TALKING WITH HER. AND SO JUST KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS. AGAIN, THIS, THE SERVICE IS GONNA BE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER THE 25TH. UM, VIEWING IS AT 9:00 AM UM, THE SERVICE ACTUALLY STARTED 11:00 AM BREAD OF LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH, 28 47. UM, HOUSTON STREET IN BOL, TEXAS. OKAY, ON LAST WEEK, UM, MAYOR, WE HAD OUR HELD OUT THIRD THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR THE BE SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE. [03:55:01] WE HAD OVER 600 JOB SEEKERS SHOW UP. IT WAS AMAZING. I WANT TO THANK ALL OUR PARTNERS. WE HAD, UM, WORKFORCE COMMISSION, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, SOLID WASTE, METRO COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN. YOU GUYS SENT SOMEONE THERE. THANK YOU FOR, UM, UM, SUPPORTING US. WE HAD, UM, BAKED POTATOES. I THINK WE GAVE OUT ALMOST 700 BAKED POTATOES. SO PEOPLE WITH DOUBLING UP , YOU KNOW, THAT'S HOW WE WERE USING THE BAKED POTATOES TO KIND OF TRACK, UM, WHO WAS OUT THERE. BUT IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. SO IF YOU WASN'T ABLE TO SHOW UP TO THE JOB FAIR, UM, WITH CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH, UM, CONSTITUENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, UM, WITH OUR NAVIGATORS. SO CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT 8 3 2 3 9 3 3 0 0 9. AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO HELP YOU FIND A JOB. WE BELIEVE EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A GOOD PAN JOB WITH GOOD BENEFITS. UM, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UM, I WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS IN FIFTH WARD. UM, WE, THIS SAT PAST SATURDAY, WE HAD A CLEANUP. AND THE CLEANUP WAS WITH THE IN, WE CLEANED UP THE INGRAM GULLY. UM, THE GULLY IN FIFTH WARD IS NOT CURRENTLY MAINTAINED BY THE CITY OR THE COUNTY. UM, MY COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE WILL ACTUALLY IDENTIFY, UM, WHO OWNS IT. UM, IT'S A SPRING, UM, UM, ERICA HUB WAS LIKE, IT'S A SPRING. YOU KNOW, IF IT'S A SPRING THERE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT AND IT'LL BENEFIT, UM, THE PROPER, THE PEOPLE IN, UM, FIFTH WARD. AND SO I'M, I'M THANKFUL TO EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP. COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ. I KNOW YOU HAD SOMEONE THERE. WE HAD COMMISSIONER ELLIS. UM, IT WAS JUST A COMMUNITY JUST SHOWING WITH STREET RECOVERY COMMUNITY SHOWING UP, DOING WHAT THEY CAN, THEY'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT THEY'RE BEING ABOUT IT. THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS CLEAN. AND SO, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, EVERYBODY HAVE A BLESSED WEEK. THANK YOU, THOMAS FOR SECOND. COUNCILLOR THOMAS. ONE MORE THING I FORGOT TO ADD. I WANNA MENTION ABOUT THE, UH, LPR CAMERAS. UH, I KNOW PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE HOSTED A MEETING AROUND THIS DISTRICT F WE HAVE 55, WE INSTALLED 50 AND 21, 22 ADDED AN ADDITIONAL FIVE AND 23. I PAY 130,000 OUT MY OFFICE BUDGET EVERY YEAR AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPORT. I CAN'T TELL YOU IF THEY SAW FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING ROBBERIES. I DON'T KNOW. AND EVERY TIME WE ASK, THEY'LL, THERE'S ANECDOTAL STORIES ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS, BUT I CAN'T QUANTIFY THIS. SO THEN WE HAVE SET AN EXPECTATION ON THE WEST SIDE THAT WE'VE INSTALLED THESE CAMERAS TO HELP US RESOLVE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES. BUT I CANNOT GO BACK AND ARTICULATE WHAT THEY ARE. UM, MY CHIEF OF STAFF IS ACTUALLY DOING A RIDE ALONG BECAUSE THEY WON'T GIVE YOU A MAP, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE, THE EQUIPMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEDIAN. LIKE IT'S NOT HARD TO FIND. SO I THINK IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO COMMUNITY TO SAY THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS OR IT DOESN'T WORK, OR WE NEED TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE. BUT I MEAN, AFTER, IF I'M DOING 130 EVERY YEAR, I HAVE A BACKLOG OF PANEL REPLACEMENT SIDEWALKS, A DA, THAT I COULD EASILY APPLY 130,000 TO. SO I THINK WHATEVER VENDOR THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND I'LL, YOU KNOW, TALK TO HPD DIRECTLY MYSELF. BUT IT'S AN ISSUE THAT I CAN'T GO BACK OUT AND, AND, AND TALK TO RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING, UM, YEAR AFTER YEAR. AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I PUNCTUATE THAT 'CAUSE I DID NOT ATTEND THE PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING, BUT I DID WATCH AND READ THE NOTES. AND COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON, THANK YOU FOR RAISING THE POINT ABOUT THE, THE GAP OF DATA AND REPORTING BACK THAT A, A DISTRICT OFFICES SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO. HPD PROVIDES US MONTHLY, QUARTERLY REPORTS EVERY OTHER MONTH ABOUT THE IMPACT OF OUR STATISTICS. AND IF WE'RE PUTTING THIS TYPE OF MONEY ON THE STREET, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MEMBERS. WE RECEIVED ITEMS 28 29, 31. BEFORE WE ADJOURN, MS SECRETARY, ITEM 28, 28, 28, 29, AND 31 HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. ITEM 28 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED EIGHT MOTION PASSES. ITEM 29 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. THOSE OPPOSED NAY. MOTION PASSES. ITEM 31 IS AN ORDINANCE. JUST NEED A VOTE. COUNCILMAN KAMAN. THANK YOU. UM, THIS ITEM IS A REALLY BIG DEAL. UH, WE ARE USING, SO CONGRESSWOMAN FLETCHER SECURED EARMARK FUNDING, UH, BACK IN FY 22 FOR THE MEYER GROVE DETENTION BASIN, UH, IN THE NORTH BRASSWOOD AND GREATER MEYERLAND AREA. AND WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL DETENTION BASIN WHERE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER ELLIS FUNDED TRAILS AND TREES SO THAT IT CAN BE A MULTI-USE SPACE. WITH THAT DETENTION, WE HAD A MILLION DOLLARS LEFT OVER AND THIS IS TO CREATE A SECONDARY, UH, DETENTION BASIN ADJACENT TO IT. IT WILL HAVE EIGHT, UH, OVER EIGHT ACRES OF WATER STORAGE. UH, SO I JUST AGAIN, WANNA EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOOD MITIGATION, THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE'RE SEEING, UH, WITH FLOOD CONTROL WITH THE COUNTY. AND I WANNA THANK BOTH CONGRESSMAN FLETCHER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE FLOOD CONTROL LOGISTIC FOR WORKING WITH THE CITY AND OUR OFFICE AND [04:00:01] EVERYONE ON THIS. UM, THE NEW DETENTION POND WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS LED BY FLOOD CONTROL, FUNDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE TYPE OF CITY COUNTY PARTNERSHIP WHERE WE'RE IMPROVING, IMPROVING FLOOD MITIGATION, BUT ALSO QUALITY OF LIFE TIMELINE FOR IT. SO THE RESIDENTS KNOW, UH, THEY'RE ALMOST DONE WITH DESIGN. WE SHOULD GO IN MID-YEAR NEXT YEAR WITH THE GROUNDBREAKING. WE'RE JUST WAITING ON UTILITY RELOCATION. AND I WANNA THANK THE RESIDENTS, UH, FOR WORKING WITH EVERYONE, INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL. 'CAUSE IT WAS BASED ON THEIR INPUT THAT THIS SECONDARY LOCATION WAS DETERMINED. SO GREAT. OVERALL, WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS. JUST NEED TO VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES. AS OPPOSED TO NAY. MOTION PASSES. 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.