[00:00:04]
UH,[PRESENTATIONS]
COUNCILMAN ALCORN, WILL YOU COME PRESIDE, PLEASE.OH, YOU, YOU HAVE A PRO? MY, I, UH, COUNCILMAN MARTINEZ.
YOU HAVE A PROP AND THEN THERE'S YOUR, IT'S GOT A CUP.
DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE IN THAT.
LEMME JUST, YOU, YOU WOULD NEVER SEE YOUR KIDS.
UH, VICE MAYOR PRO 10 PECK, VICE MAYOR PRO 10 PECK FOR A PROCLAMATION TO HOUSTON TRANS STAR IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL CRASH RESPONDER SAFETY WEEK.
HOW YOU DOING PARTY? THANK YOU.
IT'S MY HONOR TO, UM, DO THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY WHERE OUR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING OFTEN DEPEND ON THE SWIFT AND SELFLESS ACTIONS OF FIRST RESPONDERS, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL, SAFETY SERVICE, PATROL OPERATORS, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS CREWS AND TOW OPERATORS WHO RESPOND TO TRAFFIC INCIDENTS AND PERFORM LIFE-SAVING WORK ON HOUSTON'S ROADWAYS.
THESE ON SCENE PERSONNEL PROVIDE CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICE AND ARE CALLED TO DUTY AROUND THE CLOCK IN ALL CONDITIONS, OFTEN PUTTING THEMSELVES AT RISK IN DANGEROUS ROADSIDE ENVIRONMENTS.
AND WHEREAS MANY TRAFFIC INCIDENT RESPONDERS ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR LOSE THEIR LIVES EACH YEAR AFTER BEING STRUCK BY SPEEDING, IMPAIRED, DISTRACTED, OR UNAWARE MOTORISTS, THESE INCIDENTS NOT ONLY THREATEN RESPONDER SAFETY, BUT ALSO ENDANGER MOTORISTS AND PASSENGERS INCREASING THE RISK OF SECONDARY CRASHES AND PROLONGED ROADWAY DISRUPTIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE STATE OF TEXAS ENFORCES SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER AND DRIVER REMOVAL LAWS TO HELP REDUCE RISKS, PROTECT LIVES, AND RESTORE NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW MORE QUICKLY AFTER MINOR INCIDENTS.
AND WHEREAS HOUSTON TRENDSTAR A MULTI-AGENCY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TXDOT, HOUSTON METRO, AND HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT BY COORDINATING REALTIME RESPONSE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION TO SAFEGUARD RESPONDERS AND ROAD USERS ACROSS THE REGION.
HOUSTON TRANS ARE AND ITS PARTNER AGENCIES DEMONSTRATE THE POWER OF COLLABORATION IN IMPROVING ROADWAY SAFETY AND RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THOSE WHO SERVE ON THE FRONT LINES OF TRAFFIC INCIDENT RESPONSE.
AND WHEREAS THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 17TH THROUGH 21ST, 20, 25 MARKS THE 10TH ANNUAL CRASH RESPONDER SAFETY WEEK, A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO HONOR CRASH RESPONDERS AND PROMOTE THE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL DRIVERS TO HELP KEEP THEM SAFE.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON CALLS ON ALL RESIDENTS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR CRASH RESPONDERS BY DRIVING SAFELY, STAYING ALERT AND FOLLOWING, SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER LAWS TO PROTECT THOSE WHO PROTECT US.
THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR PRO PECK, AND CERTAINLY WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT SPEED KILLS.
THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT IF YOU COME UP, UP UPON A CRASH, YOU'RE TO SLOW DOWN, MOVE TO THE LEFT LANE.
SO THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US.
YES, SIR BRIAN, SIR JOSHUA, AND ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
AND IT'S NOT JUST OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, IT'S THE PUBLIC AS WELL THAT COULD BE AND WILL BE, UH, AT THE SCENE.
UH, AND THAT WE, YOU ENDANGER THEM BY SPEEDING.
THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 21ST.
2025 IS CRASH RESPONDERS SAFETY WEEK IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UH, I PREPARED SOME TALKING POINTS HERE, BUT I I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF.
SO, UH, I SIMPLY WANT TO, TO TIP OUR HAT TO THE PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE IN THE ROOM HERE WHO WORK, UH, INCIDENT RESPONSE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR TO KEEP RESIDENTS SAFE, UH, TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING, UM, AND TO KEEP OUR, OUR RESIDENTS INFORMED.
UH, AND I THANK YOU SINCERELY, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR, FOR RECOGNIZING THIS MAYOR, UH, AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
[00:06:23]
RECOGNIZES THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALCORN FOR THE PROCLAMATION TO HONOR THE ROGE FAMILY RO STATEMENT.I AM EXCITED TO GIVE THIS PROCLAMATION TO A FAMILY OF OVERACHIEVERS, UM, THAT MANY OF US KNOW THE AGUE FAMILY.
WELCOME TO ALL, AND I'M JUST GONNA GET RIGHT, GET STARTED.
THIS IS THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEING IN THIS COUNTRY, SO IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR THE FAMILY.
WHEREAS ON OCTOBER 5TH, 1975, SARAH AND DR.
HORATIO JAY AGUE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR FIVE CHILDREN, IMMIGRATED TO UNITED STATES FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, ARRIVING AT LOGAN AIRPORT IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS WITH 14 SUITCASES LIMITED ENGLISH, AND A $5,000 GRANT FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN PURSUIT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
AND WHEREAS IN APRIL, 1978, AFTER BEING RECRUITED BY METHODIST HOSPITAL IN BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, DR.
RAIO J
AS A DISTINGUISHED EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT BAYLOR, HE PRACTICED AND SERVED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AT THE ME METHODIST HOSPITAL AND THE MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER, AMONG OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
HIS CLINICAL AND RESEARCH WORK RESULTED IN NINE BOOKS AND MORE THAN 240 PUBLICATIONS IN LEADING MEDICAL JOURNALS, EARNING HIM INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AS A PHYSICIAN, MEDICAL RESEARCHER, AUTHOR, AND EDUCATOR.
AND WHEREAS HOUSTON BECAME THE PERMANENT HOME OF THE AGA FAMILY, AND FOR 45 YEARS, THEY AND THEIR DESCENDANTS HAVE ESTABLISHED DEEP ROOTS IN THE CITY CONTRIBUTING TO ITS GROWTH, DIVERSITY, AND EXCELLENCE.
AND WHEREAS FOLLOWING THE FAMILY'S TRADITION OF POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ARE THE FIVE AGA SIBLINGS, HONOR, HONORABLE SOPHIA, AGA, DR.
SOLADA, LOTS OF DR AND LAWYERS IN THIS FAMILY, DR.
SOLADA, REGA, CURRY, MATTIAS, AGA, AND MARCOS AGA HAVE EACH PURSUED DISTINGUISHED CAREERS IN LAW AND MEDICINE, CONTINUING TO SERVE HOUSTONIANS WITH DISTINCTION AND COLLECTIVELY EARNING MORE THAN 50 AWARDS FOR LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
CIO, JAY REGA, ARE NOW BLESSED WITH 16 GRANDCHILDREN WHO ARE CONTINUING THE FAMILY'S LEGACY OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, ATTENDING OR GRADUATING FROM PREMIER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING IN TEXAS AND ACROSS THE NATION.
AND WHEREAS THE ROGE FAMILY CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE, THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES, THE CITY OF HOUSTON PROUDLY RECOGNIZES AND HONORS THEIR EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY, ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR BELOVED HOME.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN.
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE PROCLAMATIONS AS YOU SO ABLY, UH, POINT OUT TO PROFILE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT HELP MAKE HOUSTON THE GREAT CITY.
IT THIS THANK YOU DOCTOR FOR THE WISE DECISION TO, AND BRINGING YOUR, YOUR FAMILY TO HOUSTON.
UH, IDENTIFY YOUR FAMILY AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, WHETHER THEY'RE EVER ON THE BALLOT OR NOT.
UH, WE'RE ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS AND YOUR FAMILY CERTAINLY DISPLACED.
SO, SO THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
THEREFORE, I DRAW WHITMEYER MAYOR, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIMED NOVEMBER 20 18TH, 2025 IS THE REGE FAMILY DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
[00:10:04]
SOPHIA, YOU WANNA TALK? WHO'S TALKING? SOPHIA, YOU'RE QUICKLY.ON BEHALF OF THE AGUE FAMILY WITH DR.
AGUE, MY FATHER, PRESIDENT, AND DR.
AND GUE VIA LIVE STREAM, WE'RE REALLY HONORED TO STAND BEFORE MAYOR WHITMEYER, MAYOR PRO TEM CASTEK TATUM, AND OUR ADVOCATE COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN AND, AND OTHERS, MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AS MY FATHER STATED, THE COMPLETE CREW OF AGUE THAT ARRIVED 50 YEARS AGO TO THE UNITED STATES FROM THE ELDEST BEING 32 YEARS OF AGE TO THE YOUNGEST BEING ONE YEAR.
AND THOSE ARE, AND AND THOSE ARE THE GRANDCHILDREN.
AND THE, AND THEN THE FIVE SIBLINGS ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THIS COUNTRY THAT EMBRACED US AND GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL OUR MISSION AND DREAMS. HOUSTON IS A PARADIGM CITY, AS YOU ALL KNOW, A PROPHETIC CITY THAT IS AT THE CUSP OF A CHANGING AMERICA.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, AND LIVE AND BREATHE, MORE THAN 145 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN HOUSTON.
ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR ARE FOREIGN BORN, AND WE ARE A MICROCOSM OF THAT.
ALL MEMBERS BEFORE YOU MINUS MY SON, STEFAN GUEN.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY HOUSTON EGALITARIAN WITH AN ENTREPRENEUR, CAN DO AND WILL DO.
WE'RE THE SPACE, SPACE, EXPLORATION, ENERGY INNOVATOR, WORLD CLASS HEALTHCARE, AWARD-WINNING CULINARY MUSEUMS AND CULTURE INSTITUTIONS, SPORTS TEAMS, AND, UM, GREATEST IMPORT OUR OUTCOME.
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
WE LIKE HOUSTON, ARE BOLD, AND IF WE DREAM IT, WE CAN BELIEVE IT AND BECOME IT.
YOU HAVE ALL HELPED US BE CATAPULTED WITH OPTIMISM AND SOLIDIFIED SUCCESS OR FAILURE IS NEVER AN OPTION IN THE OTHER WAY, FAMILY, IT ISN'T IN HOUSTON EITHER.
THANK YOU TO OUR FEARLESS LEADER, DR.
UH, EXCUSE ME, MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER, MY FATHER, DR.
GUE, MY MOTHER, AND TO YOU THE 16 COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHICH OF COURSE, SALLY ALCO, WE'RE HONORED TO BE STANDING BEFORE YOU.
WE, WE HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE Q UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER.
WELL, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, FOR BRINGING THEM FORWARD, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY.
AND HELLO, SOPHIA, SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR CITY.
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SUCH A VOICE, SPRING SPIRIT.
I MEAN, YOU JUST DO ALL KINDS OF GREAT THINGS AND IT'S, I'M SO PROUD TO KNOW YOU.
OKAY, CAY IN FOR A PROCLAMATION TO HONOR OLIVE WOODS CEMETERIES 105TH ANNIVERSARY AFTERNOON.
UH, FIRST WE HAVE OUR SOME VERY, VERY, VERY SPECIAL GUESTS.
AS I MENTIONED DURING COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK.
UM, WE ARE CELEBRATING OLIVE WOOD CEMETERIES 150TH ANNIVERSARY.
SO I'D LOVE TO INTRODUCE OUR DESCENDANTS OF OLIVE WOOD, WHO ARE INCREDIBLE STEWARDS AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, OF COURSE WE HAVE OUR FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, MARGOT WILLIAMS, CHARLES COOK, UH, WHO'S OUR MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR.
IS THAT CORRECT? DID I GET IT RIGHT? YES.
AND VICE PRESIDENT, EXCUSE ME, MR. VICE PRESIDENT.
AND OF COURSE, MS. JASMINE LEE, OUR PR LIAISON.
AND DID I MISS ANY OTHER ROLES? NO, JUST, WELL, AS I SAID, UM, AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT THE FACT THAT ALL OF WHAT IS HOUSTON'S FIRST INCORPORATED AFRICAN AMERICAN BURIAL GROUND, AND IT IS THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF EMANCIPATION.
EMAN EMANCIPATED INDIVIDUALS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND TRAILBLAZERS.
I WANNA ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME OUT FOR SOME OF THEIR CLEANUPS THAT THEY DO, BUT I ALSO WANNA RAISE THE ISSUES THAT THEY CONTINUE TO FACE,
[00:15:01]
INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH BAYOU EROSION, UH, THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS BEFORE WE LOSE PARTS OF THE CEMETERY.UH, BUT IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO GO OUT THERE.
I HAVE BROUGHT SLADE EVEN RIGHT AS HE COULD START WALKING WITH A WHEELBARROW.
WE PARTNER A LOT TOGETHER, BUT I WANNA BRING MORE FOLKS INTO THE FOLD.
UM, BUT I JUST WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR SAFEGUARDING THE LEGACY AND MAKING SURE THAT THE HERITAGE THAT EXISTS IN HOUSTON IS NOT OVERLOOKED, UH, BECAUSE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT, AND IT'S FOR THEM AS WELL, NOT JUST OURSELVES WITH THAT.
UH, WHEREAS FOUNDED IN 1875, ALL OF WOOD CEMETERY IS HOUSTON'S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN BURIAL GROUND IN A SACRED RESTING PLACE, LOCATED NEAR A BEND IN WIDE OAK BAYOU, ALONG THE RAIL LINE TO CHENEY JUNCTION, WHERE THE HISTORIC FIRST AND SIXTH WARDS MEET JUST NORTHWEST OF DOWNTOWN.
THE SIXTH ACRE CEMETERY SERVES AS A TANGIBLE REMINDER OF HOUSTON'S PAST AND OUR BEGINNINGS.
OLIVE WOOD'S HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE IS RECOGNIZED LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AS A CITY OF HOUSTON PROTECTED LANDMARK, A HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY, A UNESCO SITE OF MEMORY, AND A SITE INCLUDED IN BOTH THE EMANCIPATION NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL AND THE RECONSTRUCTION ERA NATIONAL HISTORIC NETWORK.
THE COMMUNITY-LED WORK OF THE DESCENDANTS OF OLIVE WOOD INCORPORATED HAS PRESERVED AND PROTECTED THIS SITE THROUGH DECADES OF ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND STEWARDSHIP, ENSURING ITS CONTINUED ROLE IN HONORING HOUSTON'S BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE.
ON THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF OLIVE WOOD CEMETERY, OUR CITY REMEMBERS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE LAID TO REST WITHIN THE CEMETERY GROUNDS AND HONORS THE ENDURING LEGACIES THAT INSPIRE CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON CALLS ON RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OLIVE WOOD CEMETERY IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR RICH, CULTURAL AND HISTORIC FABRIC OF THE GREAT BAYOU CITY.
I I STAND HERE THINKING AS COUNCIL MEMBERS READING THE PROCLAMATION, THE CHALLENGES, THE CHALLENGES THAT THE DESCENDANTS MUST HAVE FACED, THE BARRIERS, BUT NOTHING KEPT THE FAMILIES FROM PROTECTING THAT SITE.
SO IT'S, IT'S SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE TODAY.
THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMORE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 16TH, 2025.
IT'S OLIVE WOOD CEMETERY DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
YOU ANYTHING? OKAY, Y'ALL COME ON UP.
MR. PUT A GOOD, GOOD EYES ON HERE.
WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF YOU COUNCILWOMAN FOR YOUR SUPPORT PER FOR HELPING US TO PRESERVE, TO RESTORE AND BRING SOME DIGNITY, SOME RESPECT.
THANK YOU FOR THIS HISTORICAL PROPERTY.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN AGAIN FOR A PROCLAMATION TO UT HEALTH HOUSTON AND CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL, DECLARING NOVEMBER 18TH AS NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY.
YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRE FAMILY THAT IS HERE TODAY, UM, OF COURSE I HAVE WITH US, UH, SARAH BETH ABBOTT, WHO WILL BE GIVING REMARKS.
SHE'S THE INJURY PREVENTION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HERMANN, ALSO JOINED BY MARIS NEVE, UH, FOR FROM UT HEALTH, BASICALLY.
[00:20:01]
ALSO, I'M SORRY, HAVE OTHER PARTNERS WITH US, NOT JUST UT HEALTH, UM, AND NOT JUST, UH, CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HERMANN, BUT WE HAVE HARRIS HEALTH, BEN TAUB HOSPITAL, AND TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND VIOLENCE INJURY PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER.AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALL OF THESE INCREDIBLE INSTITUTIONS COME TOGETHER TO WORK TOGETHER TO PREVENT, UH, INJURIES AND DEATHS FOR OUR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY.
UH, SO WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY, WHICH IS ABOUT RAISING AWARENESS FOR THE REAL AND LASTING IMPACT OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES FOR OUR CHILDREN.
WE WELCOME CRITICAL HEALTHCARE PARTNERS WHO ARE SOME OF OUR STRONGEST ALLIES IN PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEY DON'T JUST TREAT PATIENTS, THEY STEP OUT BEYOND THE HOSPITAL WALLS TO PREVENT MANY HOUSTONIANS FROM ACTUALLY NEEDING TO GO TO OUR HOSPITALS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
AND ACROSS HOUSTON, TOO MANY FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED BY PREVENTABLE HARM, AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE HERE TO PUT AN END TO.
THEIR PROGRAMMING COVERS A BROAD RANGE OF CRITICAL SAFETY TOPICS, INCLUDING VEHICULAR SAFETY, INCLUDING GIVING CAR SEATS TO THOSE IN NEED, SUICIDE PREVENTION, INFANT SAFE SLEEP PRACTICE EFFORTS, WATER SAFETY, POISON CONTROL.
AND I WANNA PUT A BIG EMPHASIS ON MAYOR FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION, UH, AS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES.
UH, SO AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REFLECT ON THE SO SMALL SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS THAT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN KEEPING ALL OF OUR LOVED ONES OUR PRECIOUS ONES SAFE.
SO WHEREAS NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY, WHICH IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON NOVEMBER 18TH, RAISES AWARENESS AND ADVANCES EFFORTS TO REDUCE PREVENTABLE INJURIES AMONG CHILDREN.
INJURIES REMAIN THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AND DISABILITY AMONG CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES FOR AGES ONE TO 18.
LOCALLY INJURIES ARE A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN WHERE UNINTENTIONAL INJURY RATES EXCEED BOTH STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL DO TO CHANGE.
UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN IN TEXAS, AND HOUSTON CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE INFANT AND CHILD MORTALITY RATES THAT ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
MANY OF THOSE INJURIES AND DEATHS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH THE USE OF SAFETY PRACTICES AND EQUIPMENT.
ALONG WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRONG PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION HOSPITALS, STATE AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER PARTNERS ARE ESSENTIAL IN PROMOTING AND SUSTAINING THESE EFFORTS.
SO WHEREAS ON NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY, THE CITY OF HOUSTON URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO HELP CREATE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN'S HEALTH, SAFETY, AND OVERALL WELLBEING.
AND COMMENDS IN PARTICULAR, UT HEALTH HOUSTON, THE INJURY FREE COALITION FOR KIDS, CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL, AND ALL PARTNERS DEDICATED TO PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM INJURY.
THANK YOU TO THE INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTATIVE AND THE PROCLAMATION.
I HOPE THE PROCLAMATION ACCOMPLISHES ITS INTENDED TO GO TO PREVENT INJURY, AND HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER HOW MISERABLE IT'S GOING TO BE IF YOU SUFFER AN INJURY.
IT'S SO MUCH SMARTER AND THE RIGHT PATH TO TAKE TO PREVENT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMAR, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 18TH, 2025, IS NATIONAL ENTRY PREVENTION DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE WORDS.
NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT INJURY PREVENTION AND PROMOTING SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES ESTABLISHED IN 2020.
IT BRINGS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TOGETHER ON NOVEMBER 18TH TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES, AND PROVEN STRATEGIES THAT PREVENT INJURIES AND VIOLENCE.
MY NAME IS SARAH BETH ABBOTT AND I SERVE AS THE INJURY PREVENTION AND OUTREACH EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL.
AND TONIGHT, OUR INJURY PREVENTION COLLEAGUES ARE HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT AND TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WITH THE TOOLS AND INFORMATION THEY NEED TO PREVENT INJURIES AND CREATE SAFER ENVIRONMENTS FOR EVERYONE.
EVERY TWO MINUTES, A PREVENTABLE INJURY RELATED DEATH OCCURS IN THE UNITED STATES.
PREVENTABLE INJURIES REMAIN THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR AMERICANS AGE ONE TO 44.
MOST INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED.
AND WITH EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES THAT WE KNOW WORK TONIGHT IS A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF WHAT COLLABORATION CAN ACCOMPLISH.
BY ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY AND SHARING INJURY PREVENTION MESSAGING, WE MOVE CLOSER TO MAKING OUR CITY SAFER AND HEALTHIER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR WHITMEYER AND COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION FOR PREVENTING INJURIES ON NATIONAL INJURY PREVENTION DAY.
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY FROM POLICY MAKERS
[00:25:01]
TO PARENTS, TO COMMUNITY LEADERS.THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND COLLABORATION, WE CAN REDUCE THE BURDEN OF PREVENTABLE INJURIES AND SAVE LIVES.
[2:00 P.M. – INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
COUNCIL ALCORN FOR THE INVOCATION.HEAVENLY FATHER, WE GATHER TODAY IN SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO CAME HERE THIS EVENING TO SPEAK TO THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.
GRANT THIS COUNCIL WISDOM, CLARITY, AND COMPASSION, HELP US TO LISTEN WITH RESPECT, LEAD WITH INTEGRITY, AND WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF EVERY COMMUNITY IN OUR CITY.
[ROLL CALL AND ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING]
MR. SECRETARY, YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE MAYOR WHITMEYER.COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ.
COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER POLLER WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTEX TATUM WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER WILL BE ABSENT.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN HERE.
NEED SIR? NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12TH AND NOVEMBER 14.
[PUBLIC SPEAKERS]
UH, WELCOME EVERYONE.WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE THAN 150 MINUTES WORTH OF SPEAKERS.
[00:30:01]
THE RULES REQUIRE US TO ONLY GIVE EACH OF YOU ONE MINUTE, EVEN IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR MORE.I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE ALEJANDRA CREEL TO THE TOP OF THE ONE MINUTE NON AGENDA.
I MOVE TO SUSPEND RULES TO ADD IKA FORD TO THE RIGHT BEHIND THE, THE LAST SPEAKER THAT WAS, UH, ADDED, UH, TO THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE BEHIND.
I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE KEVIN MURPHY UP TO THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST AFTER WHOMEVER YOU'VE MOVED UP.
ANYONE ELSE? RAMIREZ IS IN THE QUEUE.
MOVE TO SPEND THE RULES AND ADD RODDO ROSALES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE THREE MINUTE AGENDA LIST.
COUNCILMAN CAYMAN, PERSON PRIVILEGE.
UM, I DID WANNA TAKE A MOMENT.
WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US TODAY.
UM, DISTRICT C RESIDENT AND TROOP LEADER NEIL BILLINGSLEY.
MICHAELSON IS HERE WITH HIS SCOUT TROOP 6 42.
UM, YEAH, EVERYONE, STAN, THEY'RE WORKING ON ONE OF THEIR BADGES.
UM, AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST TROOPS WITH OVER 600 EAGLE SCOUTS.
SO EACH SCOUT IS CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARDS THEIR CITIZEN IN COMMUNITY MERIT BADGE.
UH, ONE OF THE 14 BADGES REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT AS COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ KNOWS ALL TOO WELL, UH, BUT AS PART OF THEIR EX THEIR LEARNING, THEY ARE HERE AT CITY HALL.
THEY ASKED US SOME GREAT QUESTIONS, INCLUDING OF ME, UH, CHIEF 10 AND CHIEF MASON EARLIER.
AND I WANNA THANK ALL THE PARENTS FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO TO SUPPORT THEIR KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ANY OTHER MOTIONS? NOT FIRST SPEAKER, PLEASE.
CHRIS LARSON TO BE FOLLOWED BY RACHEL HOOPER.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR WHITMEYER, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
I AM PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE DOWNTOWN HOUSTON PLUS FAMILY OF ORGANIZATIONS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON IN SUPPORT OF ORDINANCE.
UH, SO THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSING OUR MICRO MOBILITY CHALLENGES IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.
UH, FIRST I WANT TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL AND STAFF, UH, WHO HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY CONCERNS, UH, REGARDING THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE REGARDING HOW SCOOTERS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED, UH, IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.
UM, IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES, UH, FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS, RESIDENTS, UH, BUSINESSES, PROPERTY OWNERS, PARTNERS, PARKS, AND MORE.
UM, I ALSO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR DISCOVERY GREEN.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS IS NUMBER ONE, UM, ON THEIR ISSUE.
UH, LIST OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS.
UH, SO I WANNA THANK CITY COUNCIL, UH, FOR PUTTING TOGETHER A THOUGHTFUL ORDINANCE.
UM, AND ALSO, UH, DIFFERENTIATING THE, THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE, UH, WITH THE PROBLEMATIC UTILIZATION OF SCOOTERS, THE WAY THEY'RE UTILIZED RIGHT NOW, UH, VERSUS FOLKS WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO GET TO WORK, TRYING TO GET THROUGH THEIR DAY.
UM, AND THIS, UH, ORDINANCE THOUGHTFULLY BIFURCATES THOSE TWO THINGS.
SO, UH, WE CONTINUE TO STAND, UM, IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY ON THIS ISSUE.
UH, WE WANT TO VOLUNTEER AS PARTNERS TO LET US KNOW HOW TO HELP.
ALEJANDRA CREEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY SHEIKA FORD.
[00:35:05]
IS THIS WHERE I COME? I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, SO.UM, MY NAME IS ALEJANDRA ELLE AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO FOR OUR CITY.
I AM A MEYERLAND RESIDENT AND I AM HERE TO PROTEST A PLAN THAT IS BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND THE BELAIRE LITTLE LEAGUE.
UM, I WANNA TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PARK.
MEYERLAND PARK IS A SMALL PARK AND IT HAS TENNIS COURTS, A BASEBALL FIELD, A LARGE MULTI-USE SPACE, AND A PLAYGROUND.
WE FOUND OUT THROUGH THE BEL AIR LITTLE LEAGUE, I'M SORRY, THE BEL AIR BUS THAT, UM, THE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAD SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH BAYLOR LITTLE LEAGUE, ALLOWING THEM TO COME AND BUILD A FENCE, UM, I'M SORRY, A FIELD IN OUR PARK.
UH, OUR COMMUNITY HAS NOT BEEN CONSULTED AND NO COMMUNITY INPUT HAS BEEN GIVEN.
UH, ALSO OUR CITY COUNCILWOMAN AB UH, ABBY KIMON HAS NOT HEARD ABOUT THIS PLAN UNTIL WE REACHED OUT TO HER OFFICE.
UM, THERE ARE FOUR POINTS THAT I WANNA MAKE REGARDING THIS, UM, HANDOVER OF PAR PART OF OUR PARK TO BEL LITTLE LEAGUE.
NUMBER ONE IS THAT BEL AIR LITTLE LEAGUE IS NOT SEWN TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I THOUGHT I HAD THREE MINUTES.
WE REALLY HAVE A TIGHT SHEET, BUT YOU ARE BEING HERE.
UH, WE'LL IMMEDIATELY PAUSE THE PROJECT UNTIL WE CAN GET FURTHER DETAILS.
AND JUST SAY THERE'S A PETITION COUNCIL OVER 1500 SIGNATURES.
ALEJANDRA, I WAS, I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG LIST AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE IT'S CIRCULATED.
MAYOR, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING ABOUT THIS IS WE REACHED OUT ASKING PARKS DEPARTMENT, WERE THERE CONVERSATIONS? WAS THERE AN AGREEMENT? WE WERE TOLD, NO, THERE'S NO AGREEMENT.
LO AND BEHOLD, WE LEARNED LATER FROM BEL AIR LITTLE LEAGUE, AND THIS MAY BE BAD INFORMATION 'CAUSE THERE HAS BEEN BAD INFORMATION ALL ALONG THAT PARKS HAD EXECUTED ON THEIR END, THIS AGREEMENT ALREADY, AND I HAVE MADE, NOW BELLA LITTLE LEAGUE SAYS THEY HAVE NOT SIGNED ON THEIR END.
MY PROBLEM IS, I HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING.
ONE, I EXPECT IF IT, IF WE REACH OUT TO DEPARTMENTS, I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER.
BUT TWO, WE HAD EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEFORE ANYTHING MOVED FORWARD.
AND WE WERE TOLD THAT YES, OF COURSE THAT WOULD HAPPEN.
THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE MADE AWARE.
AS OF TODAY, I LEARNED THAT PARKS HAD ALREADY ALLEGEDLY EXECUTED THEIR SIDE OF AN AGREEMENT.
UH, SO I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT, MAYOR, TO PAUSING THIS.
UM, I APPRECIATE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE STEPPED UP AND NOTIFIED OUR OFFICE.
UM, I, I DO RECOGNIZE WITH OUR PARKS, WE HAVE A FINANCIAL CHALLENGE WITH THE CITY WHERE WE NEED PARTNERS TO STEP UP TO DO IMPROVEMENTS, BUT IT HAS TO START WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS.
SO, ALEJANDRA, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN VERY ENGAGED, UH, MCIA, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALL COME TOGETHER AND I JUST WANNA THANK YOU BECAUSE AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT CITY HALL.
BUT, UH, ON BEHALF OF OTHER RESIDENTS, I WANNA MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR THAT THE CITY IS LISTENING AND MY OFFICE IS LISTENING.
UM, AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET ACCURATE INFORMATION OUT.
PARKS HAS AGREED AT OUR REQUEST TO ATTEND THE MCIA MEETING, UH, ANNUAL MEETING TOMORROW, UH, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
MAY, MAY I, EXCUSE ME, MAY I ASK YOU WHO YOU SPOKE TO? I, I HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT EMAILS THAT I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU.
NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
DID YOU TALK TO THE DIRECTOR? I HAVE YET TO TALK TO THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR DIRECTLY.
MY OFFICE HAS FOLLOWED THE STANDARD PROTOCOLS.
I DON'T WANNA GIVE NAMES OUT PUBLICLY AND THROW ANYONE UNDER THE BUS, BUT I'M HAPPY TO SHARE ALL OF THESE EMAILS WITH YOU.
UH, BECAUSE THIS IS, I BELIEVE THE SECOND TIME, UH, THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED.
FIRST I'VE SEEN IN THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE PARKS LETTER TO COUNCIL MEMBERS IS NO ADOPTION AGREEMENT WILL BE FINALIZED WITHOUT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
IT'LL BE PAUSED UNTIL THERE'S MUCH MORE DISCUSSION.
COUNCIL MEMBER, CAN I PASS OUT? YES.
[00:40:03]
TECHNICALLY CANNOT, SUN'S NOT HERE, BUT THE PROCEDURE COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABA.I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE, UH, AL LLOYD ARVA HOWARD AND LIONEL HOWARD TO THE TOP OF THE THREE MINUTE NON AGENDA LIST.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED BEHIND KEVIN MURPHY.
KEVIN MURPHY BEHIND KEVIN MURPHY, BEHIND KEVIN MURPHY.
KEVIN MURPHY HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED TO THE TOP OF THAT LIST.
JEWEL GONZALEZ, SAY LOUIS, ARE YOU JEWEL? THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS JILL GONZALEZ AND I'M HERE TO SHED LIGHT ON SOMETHING THAT I'VE WITNESSED DURING MY WORK PERFORMING COMMUNITY HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE IMMIGRANT CLIENTS, SOME FRAIL AND ELDERLY, HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO REPORT CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST THEM BECAUSE THEY FEAR THAT CONTACT WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY LEAD TO IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES DUE TO HP'S COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH A DOCUMENTED RIGHT TO BE HERE.
BUT BECAUSE OF A, BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND BECAUSE OF UNPRECEDENTED ENFORCEMENT TACTICS PERPETRATED BY ICE, EVEN LEGAL RESIDENTS HAVE VALID FEARS ABOUT BEING UNJUSTLY DETAINED AND POSSIBLY BRUTALIZED.
SOME CHOOSE TO STAY SILENT TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES IN LIBERTY.
WHEN VICTIMS ARE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD, CRIMES GO UNREPORTED.
PERPETRATORS REMAIN AT LARGE AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BECOME LESS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.
I URGE CITY COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN POLICIES THAT CLEARLY SEPARATE LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY WORK FROM FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SO WE CAN ALL FEEL SAFE TO REPORT CRIMES.
TO BE FOLLOWED BY JAMES CONLEY.
THIS CITY GAVE YOU A CHANCE BECAUSE YOU PROMISED SAFETY YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON THIS ISSUE.
WE HOUSTONIANS UNDERSTAND THIS NEED FOR SAFETY, BUT YOU MAYOR ARE EMPOWERING THE VERY ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SEEK TO THREATEN THAT SAFETY.
WHAT DID YOU DO TO PROTECT EMMANUEL GONZALEZ GARCIA? A 15-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC BOY WHO WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS PARENTS, HIS PRIMARY CARETAKERS, WHAT DID YOU DO TO PROTECT THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? WHO WAS REPORTING THEIR ABUSER WHEN I SHOWED UP AND ARRESTED THE VICTIM? THESE ARE RHETORICAL QUESTIONS, BUT I'M GOING TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU BECAUSE I THINK YOU TRULY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND SUFFERING YOU ARE FACILITATING.
THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT DID YOU DO? THE SAME THING YOU DID WHEN THE STATE TARGETED THE LGBT COMMUNITIES CROSSWALK HERE IN MONTROSE.
YOU STOOD ASIDE AND NOW AS UNTRAINED UNQUALIFIED MAS, GESTAPO AGENTS TERRORIZE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOU STAND ASIDE AND NOW YOU LAUGH IN MY FACE.
THIS WILL BE YOUR LEGACY, MAYOR WHITMEYER.
YOU'LL BE REMEMBERED AS A MAYOR WHO NEVER STOOD UP FOR THE COMMUNITIES WHICH MAKE HOUSTON THE AMAZING AND GREAT PLACE IT IS TO BE.
COUNCILMAN THOMAS? UH, THANK YOU MAYOR.
UH, COLLEAGUES, A SLIGHT SHIFT FROM OUR AGENDA.
A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE.
I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE MY GRADUATE COURSES WITH US TONIGHT.
CAN Y'ALL STAND UP? UM, THIS IS THE INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRADUATE, OF COURSE FOR PRAIRIE VIEW A AND M UNIVERSITY IN THE HOUSE.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY SIMULATING A CITY AND HAD THEIR PUBLIC HEARING LAST WEEK IN CLASS.
AND SO THEY ARE WITNESSING A PUBLIC HEARING LIVE.
IN EFFECT, THEY WERE ELECTED BY THEIR PEERS IN THE CLASSROOM TO ASSUME POSITIONS SUCH AS MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, DEVELOPER, SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE, URBANIST, SUPERINTENDENT AND MORE.
AND THEY ACTUALLY WILL HAVE THEIR VOTE, UH, NEXT DOOR AT COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON DECEMBER 3RD FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT DEAL.
[00:45:01]
IS ALVIN JONES' BIRTHDAY.HE'S SPENDING HIS, UH, BIRTHDAY WITH HIS WIFE IN CITY HALL.
SO THANK YOU COLLEAGUES FOR INDULGING ME.
NEXT JAMES CONLEY TO BE FOLLOWED BY ELOY ZAD.
I'M A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND I'VE LIVED IN THE HOUSTON AREA ALMOST ALL OF MY LIFE.
SO I CAN TELL YOU THIS, THE CITY KIND OF SUCKS.
THE ROADS ARE TERRIBLE, THE TRAFFIC'S WORSE, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DOESN'T REDEEM EITHER OF THOSE ISSUES.
AND WE HAVE ONE GOOD WEEK OF WEATHER A YEAR.
THE ONLY THING MAKING THIS CITY WORTH LIVING IN IS ITS DIVERSITY.
A DIVERSITY THAT YOU ARE ACTIVELY DESTROYING BY ALLOWING ICE TO ACT WITH IMPUNITY IN OUR DIVERSE AND BELOVED CITY.
YOU THREATEN WHAT MAKES THIS CITY BEAUTIFUL.
YOU THREATEN THE VERY FOUNDATION OF HOUSTON.
THERE'S NO POINT DENYING THAT ICE TARGETS ALMOST ENTIRELY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
THE VERY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WHOSE MEMBERS ARE OUR FRIENDS, OUR COWORKERS, AND OUR LOVED ONES.
THE PEOPLE ARE THE CITY ICE'S.
RACIALIZED VIOLENCE SERVES ONLY TO DESTROY OUR CITY.
AND BY CHOOSING TO BEND THE KNEE TO THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, YOU BRING DOWN THE ENTIRETY OF HOUSTON WITH YOU.
NEXT NELO AZAR IA, MARTIN NABO TO BE FOLLOWED BY SARAH HIRSCH.
GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I AM HERE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ICE AND THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHAT TROUBLES MANY OF US IS THE COMPLETE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THIS PARTNERSHIP.
RESIDENTS DESERVE TO KNOW HOW POLICING DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE AND HOW INFORMATION IS BEING SHARED.
WITHOUT CLARITY, TRUST ERODES.
NO ONE IN HOUSTON SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR, FEAR OF REPORTING A CRIME, FEAR OF SEEKING HELP, OR FEAR THAT, THAT A ROUTINE INTERACTION WITH HPD COULD LEAD TO A FAMILY SEPARATION.
SAFETY IS BUILT ON COOPERATION, NOT INTIMIDATION.
MAYORS WHIT MAYOR WHITMEYER STRATEGY OF APPEASEMENT, PRIORITIZING POLITICAL OPTICS OVER COMMUNITY WELLBEING DOES NOT HELP HOUSTON GROW OR THRIVE.
WE NEED POLICIES GROUNDED IN ACCOUNTABILITY, OPENNESS, AND RESPECT FOR EVERY RESIDENT.
I URGE THIS COUNCIL TO DEMAND FULL TRANSPARENCY AND ENSURE THAT OUR CITY REMAINS A PLACE WHERE ALL PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND VALUED.
UM, SO I BELIEVE THAT WHEN RIGHT BEFORE THE VOTE FOR, UH, THE VOTE TO VOTE ON THE CLOSURE OF POLK, UM, MICHAEL HECKMAN WAS ASKED WHAT HIS, UH, MASTER PLAN WAS FOR THE PROJECT AND HE SAID IT WAS EVERYTHING ON THE WEBSITE, UM, WHICH, UH, WAS KIND OF ALARMING TO ME 'CAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE.
I PRINTED OUT EVERYTHING THAT I COULD FIND OUTSIDE OF THE TRAFFIC STUDY, THE WHOLE 400 PAGE TRAFFIC STUDY TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST TO THE DALLAS MASTER PLAN, WHICH, UH, ALSO ONLY HAS A SUMMARY OF THEIR TRAFFIC STUDY.
UM, THIS IS A REALLY GREAT DOCUMENT.
UM, I BELIEVE IN YOUR EYES, I THINK YOU CAN READ IT IF YOU CAN'T.
UH, THERE ARE, THERE ARE MAGNIFYING GLASSES, BUT, UM, I PUT A, A CHART TOGETHER, BASICALLY COMPARING THEM AND, OH, YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
ARE YOU, YOU TAYLOR TO BE FOLLOWED BY DAVIN MORROW.
HI, I'M TAYLOR BRIS, A FORMER MILITARY KID.
I'VE BEEN IN QUITE A FEW CITIES AND HOUSTON'S ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE.
RESPECTFUL TO YOUR ELDERS ALWAYS WORK TOWARDS A COLLABORATIVE END.
[00:50:01]
I BELIEVE IN AMERICA AND I BELIEVE IN HOUSTON.AND WHAT I SEE IN THIS COLLABORATION WITH ICE IS SO MEAN AND UGLY AND CONTRARY TO THE PEOPLE THAT I MEET THAT ARE PROUD OF HOUSTON AS A CITY, UH,
AS A TEENAGER, I HAD A REALLY TERRIBLE OLD CAR THAT BROKE DOWN A LOT.
AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME WHEN SOMEBODY STOPPED FOR ME, THEY DIDN'T SPEAK MY LANGUAGE, BUT THEY STILL HELPED ME GET TO MY HOUSE OR TO THE NEXT GAS STATION.
AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T TRY TO EXTEND THAT SAME BROTHERLY CONCERN FOR QUALITY OF LIFE THAT A MERE STRANGER WOULD DO FOR ME.
DAVIN MORROW TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARISSA BOSLEY.
IT'S EASY TO POINT OUT HOW ICE'S ACTIVITY IS PUTTING ALL OF US AT RISK, CITIZEN AND UNDOCUMENTED ALIKE.
I COULD TALK ABOUT THE LOWER CRIME RATES OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS OR THE DAMAGE AND ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND SUSPICION IS DOING TO COMMUNITY POLICING.
BUT THIS IS SUCH A SELF-CENTERED LINE OF ARGUMENTATION.
WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR HAVING TO ARGUE AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTING EFFECTS OF THE GAS CHAMBERS IN AUSCHWITZ.
I AM HERE TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE RISKING LIFE AND LIMB FOR A HAPPY FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILIES BEING THROWN INTO CAGES LIKE ANIMALS OFTEN SHIPPED OFF TO COUNTRIES THEY'VE NEVER BEEN TO AND HAVE NO TIES TO.
THIS IS A MOMENT IN HISTORY THAT WE WILL ALL LOOK BACK ON AND BE FORCED TO ASK, DID I DO THE RIGHT THING? COULD I HAVE DONE MORE? THE HISTORY BOOKS WILL WRITE ABOUT HOW AMERICA FACED THE GREAT SPECTER OF FASCISM, NOT IN WAR ABROAD, BUT RIGHT HERE AT HOME.
I AM IMPLORING THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON AND THE CITY OF COUNCIL TO REPRESENT THEIR DIVERSE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY BY CEASING ANY AND ALL COOPERATION WITH ICE.
MARISSA BOSLEY, JACQUELINE MCJUNKIN, SERENA TIANO TO BE FOLLOWED BY RAFAEL JIMENEZ.
HI, MY NAME IS SERENA AND I AM A REGISTERED NURSE AND A MEMBER OF DSA.
I'M HERE TO STAND IN DEFENSE OF THE RIGHTS TO MY PATIENTS.
AS A NURSE IN ONE OF HOUSTON'S RENOWNED SAFETY NET HOSPITALS, IT IS AN IMMENSE PRIVILEGE TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE DUTY TO CARE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY, HOUSING, AND DOCUMENTATION STATUS.
I KNOW I CAN SPEAK FOR MANY OF MY COWORKERS WHEN I CAN SAY IT'S A HIGH HONOR TO KNOW THAT OUR HANDS HAVE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD CARE ANYWHERE ELSE.
AND DOING THIS UNDER OUR LABOR, DOING THIS LABOR UNDER A SYSTEM THAT SEEKS TO PROFIT FROM EVERY LAST SECOND AND CENT FROM OUR LIVES AS ONE OF THE BRAVEST ACTS OF SERVICE I'M PROUD TO TAKE PART IN, YET I STAND BEFORE OUR CITY'S MAYOR WHO SINGULARLY BRAVE ACT OF SERVICE IS TO BEAR THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT ON A TUESDAY NIGHT ONLY TO LATER ACT IN COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S INTEREST MASS, BRING THOUSANDS OF OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE PEOPLE SWAT FROM OUR STREETS ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS.
A BADGE OF HONOR FOR LAW AND ORDER.
THESE ARE FATHERS, MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, SONS.
ON BEHALF OF MY PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY I'M STANDING WITH HERE TODAY, I URGE UNC COUNCIL TO NHPD COLLABORATION WITH US.
THANK YOU RAFAEL JIMENEZ WHOLE GROUP.
I'M
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DISGRACEFUL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ICE.
BOTH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON ARE GREAT 'CAUSE OF ITS DIVERSITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
I'VE BEEN PIONEERING A PETITION THAT'S BEEN GETTING OVER 3000 SIGNATURES TO KEEP ICE OFF CAMPUS.
IF YOU'RE ABLE TO P**S OFF 3000 STUDENTS, THE DEMOGRAPHIC WHO'S MOST DIFFICULT TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS, YOU KNOW, YOU MESSED UP THIS DIVERSITY AT, AT HOUSTON AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON IS ACTIVELY HURT THE HARRIS HARRIS COUNTY'S ONE OF THE COUNTIES MOST DAMAGED, BUT HE'S UN ICE RATES AND DEPORTATIONS.
[00:55:01]
WHITMEYER, THAT YOU ARE THE MAYOR OF EVERY HOUSTONIAN.THIS, THIS REFUSAL TO PREVENT ICE FROM COMING TO OUR CITY, INVITING TO INVADE AND KIDNAP OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS EQUIVALENT OF SACRIFICING INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN POLITICAL CONVENIENCE.
DO THE RIGHT THING AND PROTECT YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
CITIES LIKE NEW YORK AND SEATTLE HAVE PROVED THAT PEOPLE ARE SICK OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT POLITICS THAT YOU REPRESENT.
IF YOU DO NOT STOP THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ICE, YOU'LL GO DOWN.
AS THE MAYOR WHO DISGRACEFULLY THROUGH HIS OWN CONSTITUENCY UNDER THE BUS TIME HAS EXPIRED MARTIN ARIETA TO BE FOLLOWED BY KIRSTEN BUDIN.
AS EVERYONE IS NOW AWARE, AFTER MONTHS OF LYING, JOHN WIMMER HAS FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HPD IS COLLABORATING WITH ICE.
AS A LIFELONG IAN AND CHILDHOOD IMMIGRANTS, I WISH I COULD LOOK AT MY SERIOUS LEADERSHIP AND FEEL REPRESENTED.
I LOOK AT MAYORS LIKE BRANDON JOHNSON OF CHICAGO AND MAYOR ELECT ZOMAN, DONNY OF NEW YORK, WHO HAVE HAD THE GUTS TO STAND TO TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ADMINISTRATION.
AND I WISH WE COULD HAVE THAT SAME KIND OF LEADERSHIP IN OUR OWN CITY.
INSTEAD, WE HAVE A LEADER WHO CLEARLY DOES NOT REPRESENT OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.
INSTEAD, WE HAVE A LEADER WHO'S TOO CAREFULLY TO STAND UP AND PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
AS A CITY IMMIGRANTS, IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO THE CITY'S CITY'S LEADERSHIP THAT ISIS PRESIDENT IS DEEPLY UNPOPULAR.
THE PEOPLE BEING DETAINED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, COWORKERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
AS A COMMUNITY, WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO STAND IDLE, EXPECTING THE SAME GOVERNMENT THAT PRIORITIZES PROFIT OVER PEOPLE TO PROTECT US.
IF OUR CITY CAN'T PROTECT US, THEN WE MUST PROTECT OURSELVES AND PROTECT EACH OTHER.
UH, RIO HISTONIA RECOGNIZE THAT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY, AND AS SUCH DESERVE TO LIVE DIGNIFYING LIVES.
THEY PROVIDE THE CITY ITS OWN CULTURE AND HEART AND RUN ITS ECONOMY AND IT, AND SO IF NEEDED, THEY CAN SHUT IT DOWN.
WE AS A CITY, DESERVE BETTER AND BETTER TIME, INSPIRED AND REPRESENTS THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR AND WORKS FOR ALL PEOPLE.
AND DO I HAVE ONE MINUTE OR TWO MINUTES? ONE.
I'LL JUST GET TO THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE THEN.
I REPRESENT THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT AND I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT H.
UM, OVER THE WEEKEND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF, UM, ATTENDING A PANEL WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY TIER, UM, WHERE HE SHARED OUR SAME CONCERNS ABOUT THE COOPERATION BETWEEN HPD AND ICE.
ARGUING THAT THIS COLLABORATION, IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS AGAINST UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS, MAKES IT HARDER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
THIS HAS LED TO DA HERE BEING FORCED TO DISMISS CASES BECAUSE COMPLAINING WITNESSES ARE BEING DEPORTED BEFORE THE DISPOSITION OF THEIR CASES.
AS A RESULT OF THIS, HE HAS HAD TO GET CREATIVE BY OFFERING WITNESSES A PHYSICAL CARD THAT THEY PRESENT TO HPD OFFICERS DURING THE TRAFFIC STOP OR OTHER INTERACTION, WHICH THEN DIRECTS THAT OFFICER TO CALL THE DA'S OFFICE INTAKE DIVISION FOR GUIDANCE INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE DATABASE WHICH HHPD HAS BEEN USING TO CHECK FOR CIVIL WARRANTS BEFORE CONTACTING ICE.
SO, UM, TO BE CLEAR, THE, UM, VERY REAL HUMAN IMPACT IS OUR PRIORITY, BUT ALSO WANTED TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THIS COLLABORATION WITH ICE IS DIRECTLY INTERFERING WITH CRIMINAL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
SO IN LIGHT OF THIS INFORMATION, WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS MORE PRESSING NOW MORE THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN FOR HPD TO END ITS COLLABORATION WITH ICE AND FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT ENDS NON-SAFETY TRAFFIC STOPS ENTIRELY.
YOUR TIME HAS KEVIN MURPHY TO BE FOLLOWED BY AL LLOYD.
UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER CITY COUNCIL.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT THE CENTRAL UTILITY PLANT RENOVATION AT IAH AND SPECIFICALLY THE CHILL PROCUREMENT PROCESS, A FACILITY ASSET INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN EIGHT FIGURES AND CRITICAL TO THE AIRPORT'S DAILY OPERATIONS.
I WANT TO SHARE MY CONCERN ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE CHILLER EVALUATION AND THE PLANNED PURCHASE BEING ADVANCED BY THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR.
APPARENTLY, A COMPETING MANUFACTURER WHOSE PROPOSAL CONTAINS SIGNIFICANT DEVIATIONS FROM THE PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS IS MOVING TOWARD APPROVAL AS PART OF THE PENDING GUARANTEED MAX PRICE PACKAGE FOR THE PROJECT.
WHILE OUR WHILE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS CAN CERTAINLY BE CONSIDERED, THE PROCESS MUST BE FAIR, TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENT FOR ALL VENDORS.
IN THIS CASE, IT HAS NOT BEEN THE LACK OF AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD HAS ALMOST CERTAINLY RESULTED IN PRICING THAT IS HIGHER
[01:00:01]
THAN WHAT A TRUE AND FAIR COMPETITION WOULD HAVE DELIVERED ON A TECHNICAL BASIS.THE DEVIATIONS CONSIDERED WITH SUPPLY CHILLERS THAT ARE LESS RELIABLE, LESS RESILIENT, LESS REDUNDANT, LESS SERVICEABLE, AND LESS THREE MINUTES YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
I WAS ON THE THREE MINUTE LIST.
THE, THE RULES ONLY ALLOW ONE MINUTE WHEN WE HAVE A PACKED OUT.
I REPRESENT, UH, THE SOPHOMORE DIRECTOR CIVIC CLUB, WHICH IS PART OF THE GREATER THIRD WARD COMMUNITY.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT TAKING UP BIKE LANES THAT ARE ON BLOT STREET.
UH, THEY'RE BETWEEN ENNI AND SCOTT STREET NOW.
THIS IS A MAIN ARTERY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHICH SERVICES? TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, AND A HOST OF OTHER BUSINESSES.
THE COMMUNITY WAS NEVER ENGAGED WHEN THESE BIKE LANES WERE INSTALLED.
THEY WERE JUST FORCED UPON US.
AND NOW THIS MAJOR ARTERY HAS BEEN CLOGGED AND CUT DOWN.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS FOR EMS AND IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, UH, THERE'S NO WAY TO EVACUATE WITH THESE BIKE LANES THAT HAVE NOW CUT THESE, UH, LANES DOWN TO TWO LANES.
WHAT WE WANT IS OUR LANES RESTORED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, JUST LIKE THEY'RE BEING RESTORED ON AUSTIN STREET.
NEXT ARVA HOWARD TO BE FOLLOWED BY LIONEL HOWARD ONE.
MAYOR WHITMEYER AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ARVA HOWARD AND I'M REQUESTING THE CURRENT BIKE LANES ALONG BLOCK TIER WESTERN STREETS IN THIRD WARD BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH THE DESIGN THAT IS SAFE AND SENSIBLE.
I LIVE, I HAVE LIVED WITHIN ONE BLOCK OF TSU BLOCK AND TSU FOR THE PAST 73 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AND 13 DAYS, AND TRAVELED BOTH STREETS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THESE BIKE LANES ARE VIRTUALLY UNUSED AND ARE NEEDLESS DUPLICATION OF AN EXISTING BIKE LANE ALONG TIGER WALK ON TS U'S CAMPUS.
THEY POSE AN EXTREME HAZARD TO OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BECAUSE THEY REMOVED A CITY TRAFFIC LIGHT REDUCED BLOCK OF MAJOR THIRD FAIR FROM FOUR LANES TO A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION.
THE BIKE LANE HAS CONCRETE POLES AND BARRIERS THAT SEPARATED FROM THE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE LANE.
WHEN AN AMBULANCE, FIRETRUCK, OR POLICE CAR IS TRYING TO COME DOWN BLOT, THEY CANNOT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT PULL TO THE SIDE.
THEREBY HEMMING THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN IMPERILING LIFE AND SAFETY.
UM, MS. HOWARD, YOU CAN HAVE MY TIME.
I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED A HORROR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL OVER TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE TO GET BY.
SAVING A LIFE IS WORTH MORE THAN PRESERVING A POORLY DESIGNED BIKE LANE.
IF THE PROPONENTS OF THIS FIASCO ACTUALLY LIVED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE EVER BOTHERED TO INCLUDE US IN THE DESIGN DISCUSSIONS, THIS CONTINUING DANGER COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
PROPONENTS HAVE MADE SEVERAL MISREPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE NEED FOR THESE BIKE LANES, BUT THE TRUTH IS TSU HOUSING IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM BLOT.
THEY'RE LOCATED ON BLOT AND THEY'RE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE MAIN CAMPUS.
THE TRUTH IS, STUDENTS ARE WALKING, NOT BIKING TO SCHOOL.
AND THE TRUTH IS, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT BIKE TO GET GROCERIES, GO TO CHURCH, OR EVEN GET THEIR HAIR DONE.
BIKE ORGANIZATIONS ARE CLAIMING THAT BECAUSE 29% OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S POPULATION DOES DOES NOT HAVE A CAR.
THEY DON'T HAVE A BIKE EITHER.
AND I ASK THEM THAT YOU REMOVE IT AND REPLACE IT WITH A DESIGN THAT IS SENSIBLE, SAFE AND WORKS.
WE COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER.
SINCE YOU LIVE THERE, I GOT A QUESTION.
HOW OFTEN ARE THESE BIKE BREATHS UTILIZED? I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN IT OR NOBODY.
OR SINCE 2023, I HAVE HONESTLY SEEN TWO PEOPLE ON THAT BIKE LANE.
I AM LESS THAN 50 YARDS FROM BLOT.
I I SEE IT EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
UH, EVAN SHA AGAIN, JUST A SECOND MA'AM.
[01:05:01]
AND THE, I'VE SEEN PEOPLE COMING DOWN BLOT, BUT THEY'RE NOT IN THE BIKE LANES.THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE CANNOT PUT THEIR TRASH OUT WITHOUT IT BEING A PROBLEM.
PEOPLE ARE PARKING IN THE BIKE LANES.
THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT ENGAGED IN THIS, NOR DID COUNCIL EVER GIVE PERMISSION TO USE THE RIGHT OF WAY TO REMOVE THOSE BIKE LANES.
AND SO SHE'S ONE OF MANY PEOPLE THAT IS OPPOSED TO THE BIKE LANES.
NOBODY'S OPPOSED TO BIKE SAFETY, BUT CERTAINLY, UM, IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE.
AND THE PEOPLE ARE HITTING THE LANES, THEY'RE HAVING ACCIDENTS.
AND IF THE CAR STOPS, NO ONE CAN MOVE.
IF THE BUS STOPS, NO ONE CAN MOVE.
IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY ON TEXAS SOUTHERN'S CAMPUS, GOD FORBID, IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO EVACUATE THOSE STUDENTS.
SO THANK YOU MS. HOWARD FOR COMING DOWN AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU MAYOR LIONEL HOWARD.
TO BE FOLLOWED BY SEBASTIAN LONG.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND ESTEEMED, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS LIONEL HOWARD AND I SERVE AS THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE TWO WEST CIVIC ASSOCIATION, WHERE BLO STREET FORMED THE NORTHERN BORDER.
I HAVE LIVED ON A ONE BLOCK OFF OF BLO STREET FOR 50 YEARS.
I HAVE SEEN NEIGHBORS THROUGH, THROUGH STORM CELEBRATION, HARDSHIPS, AND RENEWAL.
AND THIS IS WHY I HAVE COME THIS MOMENT.
I WOULDN COULD NOT LET THIS MOMENT PASS WITHOUT RAISING MY VOICE.
NOT FOR ME ALONE, BUT FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON AND AROUND BLOT WHO RELY ON THESE STREETS EVERY DAY TO ENTER AND EXIT THEIR HOMES, TO REACH THEIR JOBS AND THEIR SCHOOLS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ALTHOUGH THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROJECT WAS DISRESPECTFUL IN ITSELF, MY GREAT CONCERN AND THE CONCERN OF OUR COMMUNITY COMES DOWN TO THREE URGENT POINTS.
FIRST, THE CONVERSION OF FOUR LANES TO TWO LANES STREET TO A SINGLE LANE STREET.
EACH DIRECTION HAS ALREADY BLOCKED EMERGENCY AND FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLES.
WHEN AMBULANCES OR FIRE TRUCKS CANNOT MOVE THE LIVES, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
YOU CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL TERM THANK LIVES ARE NOT SIMPLY INCONVENIENCED, THEY ARE PUT AT RISK.
NO TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS WORTH A SINGLE PREVENTAL PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY.
SECOND, THE DESIGN HAS COMPROMISED ACCESS TO THE FRONT GATE OF TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, ONE OF THE GREAT UNIVERSITIES OF OUR CITY AND OUR NATION.
THE THE TSU DESERVES RELIABLE EGRESS IN AND INGRESS, NOT CONFUSION OR CONGESTION, AND DELAYS CREATED WITHOUT COORDINATION OR CONSENT.
THE THIRD, THIS PROCESS SETS A DANGEROUS PRESIDENT, ALLOWING COUNTY OFFICIALS INFLUENCED BY OUTSIDE ADVOCACY GROUPS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE, WHO DO NOT LIVE WITH THE DAILY REALITIES OF, OF OUR STREETS TO IMPROVE, TO IMPOSE CHANGES ON OUR, OUR ROADS.
WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY, WITHOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WITHOUT RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WE CANNOT CONSULT.
WE CANNOT BE HEARD, AND YET OUR LIVES ARE REARRANGED.
WE ARE NOT AGAINST BICYCLISTS.
BUT PROGRESS CANNOT MEAN IGNORING PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS WITH THIS BURDEN.
JUSTICE DEMANDS, PARTICIPATION, SAFETY DEMANDS, EVIDENCE, AND NOT FRAUD.
DATA AND DEMOCRACY DEMANDS A, A VOICE NOT JUST FOR THE FEW WHO CYCLE THROUGH, BUT FOR THE MANY WHO LIVE THERE AND WHO HAVE BUILT THEIR COMMUNITIES.
SO I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY ASKING FOR NOT FOR FAVOR, BUT FOR FAIRNESS.
NOT FOR CONFLICT, BUT FOR CORRECTION.
WE ASK THE CITY TO RESTORE BUDGET TO A SAFE, FUNCTIONAL ROADWAY AND PREVENT THIS KIND OF OVERREACH FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS DESERVE PROG PRO PROGRESS THAT LISTENS.
OUR ELDERS DESERVE STREETS THAT PROTECT THEM.
OUR STUDENTS DESERVE ACCESS TO PROTECT THEM.
AND OUR CITY DESERVES GOVERNANCE THAT HONOR THEIR ITS PEOPLE.
AND I I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING.
UH, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A FLOOD PROJECT.
THE HOUSES TEXAS SOUTHERN WAS A RIVER RIGHT AFTER THIS WAS INSTALLED.
I MEAN, AND TEXAS SOUTHERN HAD NEVER FLOODED BEFORE.
AND THE HOUSES THAT ARE RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THE BIKE LANES, THEY, THE, THE STREET FLOODS AND THE BIKE LANES, WHEN IT RAINS, IF YOU GO DOWN THAT STREET, YOU WILL SEE FLOODED
[01:10:01]
BIKE LANES.SO IT WAS A POOR DESIGN AND WAS THE, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE PEOPLE WERE NOT ENGAGED WHEN THEY INSTALLED THOSE BIKE LANES.
I HAVE A, UM, QUESTION FOR COUNCIL MEMBER SHABBAT.
SO I KNOW WHEN THESE BIKE LANES WAS BEING INSTALLED, THERE WAS QUITE A FEW, I MEAN, THERE WAS A LOT OF OPPOSITION, UM, TO THE BIKE LANES.
SO NOW THE BIKE LANES ARE DOWN.
SO WHAT, AND I KNOW MAYOR, YOU'RE PULLING UP SOME BIKE LANES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
SO WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE? IS IT WHAT WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE? OH, WE WE'RE GETTING THEM UP.
I'M JUST, I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE YOU, YOU STILL HAVE RESIDENTS SAYING THAT THEY DON'T WANT 'EM.
AND SO LIKE, WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE? AUSTIN STREET, WAS IT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBER? OKAY.
AND THE DISTRICT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER LINES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
I DO THINK THAT THE, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, IN FACT WHEN THIS PROJECT WAS OPPOSED IN THE PAPER, OF COURSE CONSIDER THE SOURCE.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER SAID THE COMMUNITY'S JUST GONNA HAVE TO GET OVER IT BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING IN.
SO I DO THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS.
THAT HAVE TO LIVE WITH THOSE CONDITIONS.
'CAUSE I'VE BEEN HEARING OPPOSITION FROM DAY ONE AND SO I'M JUST CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS, OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T WANT, THERE'S NO ONE LISTENING TO 'EM.
THEY DON'T WANT THE, UM, SPEED CUSHIONS.
AND I KNOW THE ROAD IS VERY NARROW.
UM, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE DURING TSU UH, HOMECOMING, THEY COVERED THE, UH, BIKE LANES WITH AUTOMOBILES.
'CAUSE OF THE LACK OF PARKING.
NEXT SEBASTIAN LONG TO BE FOLLOWED BY BRAD SORAY.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR WITH MINE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE.
I'M THE CEO OF LODGER WITH 135 LISTINGS AND PRESIDENT OF RA, THE TEXAS SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSOCIATION, NEW 5 0 1 C SIX TRADE ASSOCIATION.
REPRESENTING A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY PRIMARY CO COMPETITIVE INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE OURS.
WE SUPPORT FAIR, SENSIBLE RULES, BUT THE ROLLOUT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT WORKING.
AND UNLESS IT'S FIXED RESPONSIBLE OPERATORS, HOUSTONIANS AND VISITORS WILL BE HARMED.
THE CITY'S $1.6 MILLION PERMITTING PORTAL LAUNCHED TWO MONTHS LATE AND THE ADDRESS SEARCH DIDN'T WORK FOR WEEKS.
IT STILL CAN'T PROCESS BULK APPLICATIONS, MEANING ONE BUILDING CAN REQUIRE HUNDREDS OF REPETITIVE UPLOADS.
HOSTS HAVE ONLY A FEW HOLIDAY SEASON WEEKS TO USE A SYSTEM THAT ISN'T READY.
A RA HAS CREATED EXCESSIVE BUREAUCRACY BY REQUESTING DOCUMENTS THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT REQUIRE.
AND BY TRYING TO ADD BACK REQUIREMENTS THAT COUNCIL LABORATORY RE REMOVED, WE'VE SPENT MONTHS WITH THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION TO ADDRESS.
INSTEAD, I SHOULD RELY ON THE ORDINANCES CLEAR REIFICATION PROCESS.
IF AN APPLICANT LIES THIS IS HURTING SMALL BUSINESS COMPLIANCE WILL COST MY BUSINESS $45,000.
NEXT YEAR, WE NEED TO GROW REVENUES 10% JUST TO RECOUP THIS.
NEXT BRAD SORAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARK ANGELIS.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR WHITMEYER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR LODGE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE AS WELL.
UH, OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, I'VE BEEN ACTIVELY TRYING TO HIRE NEW ROLES IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SPECIFICALLY WITH VETERANS THROUGH THE NEXT OP PROGRAM.
DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THIS ORDINANCE AND WHETHER UNITS WILL BE RENTABLE OR LEGAL COME JANUARY 1ST, I'VE HAD TO PUT THE VETERAN HIRING PROGRAM ON PAUSE.
ALSO LIKE TO CITE A STUDY OUT OF EMORY UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ABOUT NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANTS AND THEIR SHORT TERM RENTAL CRACKDOWN.
HAVING SPENT 12 YEARS WORKING IN CITY OF HOUSTON RESTAURANTS, I CAN CITE THAT.
NEW YORK CITY LOST ABOUT $3 BILLION IN SALES AND A 10% DROP IN RESTAURANT VOLUME.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON WERE TO LOSE $1 BILLION IN RESTAURANT REVENUE.
THAT WOULD EQUATE TO ABOUT $10 MILLION IN SALES TAX FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
FROM AN OPERATING STANDPOINT, UH, PERMIT REGIME AND STICKER PRICE OF THE APPLICATION, UH, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, UH, THAT WE CUT INTO ABOUT 10% OF OUR PROFIT MARGIN.
WE'RE NOT ASKING TO PAY NOTHING.
WE'RE ASKING TO PAY WHAT IS PROPORTIONATE AND PREDICTABLE AND TO KEEP OUR UNITS ONLINE AND TO CONTINUE WITH EMPLOYING VETERANS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
SIRI, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I WAS UNABLE TO CATCH YOUR COLLEAGUES' ORIGINAL STATEMENTS.
WHAT ARE YOU REFERENCING AROUND JANUARY AND WERE YOU ENGAGED IN ANY OF THE, UH, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMITTEE SESSIONS AROUND THE SHORT TERM? UM, I'M REFERENCING THE JANUARY 1ST IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON ORDINANCE.
I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE PRIOR, UM, TALKS WITH THAT.
I JUST CAME OUT WITH THE COMPANY BACK IN JUNE.
UH, TRANSITIONING FROM RESTAURANTS IN SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
SO I'M BRINGING MORE OF A BUSINESS INTO IT.
SO WE, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE ENGAGEMENT AROUND THIS.
WE EVEN DELAYED IT SEVERAL WEEKS TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE WITH SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, ACTUALLY CHAIR CLERKED.
[01:15:01]
ITEM.SO WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE JANUARY ONBOARDING? 'CAUSE WE CREATED THIS, UH, GAP IN TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT OPERATORS WOULD BE FAMILIAR YES, MA'AM.
AND WHATEVER THEY NEED TO TIGHTEN UP AND PREPARE FOR, UH, THIS PERMITTING PROCESS WITH A RA, UH, PAUSING UNTIL AUGUST 1ST.
SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT OUR HIRING PROGRAM HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, UM, AND HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FEES AND WHAT IT'LL COST THE COMPANY.
NEXT, MARK ANGELS TO BE FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL ANTONIO
THAT IS OUR FILIPINO GREETING, WHICH MEANS LONG LIVE, SIMILAR TO CHEERS AND ALOHA.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR Z WHITMAR AND ESTEEM MEMBERS OF THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
EVERYONE HERE IN THIS HALL AND ALL JOINING US ONLINE.
I AM MARK ANTHONY SALVA, ANALYST, KNOWN TO US MANY AS MARKY, AN INSPIRING FILIPINO ENTREPRENEUR, SOCIAL INNOVATOR, AND YOUTH LEADER.
I'M THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF ENTREPRENEUR AND ENTREPRENEUR CARES, A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE THAT MANUFACTURES ECO-FRIENDLY BAGS FROM A CYCLE, TEXTILES AND AN NGO DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, PARTICULARLY STAY AT HOME MOTHERS, FARMERS, AND OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH.
AT PRESENT, I'M A PRIVILEGED TO SERVE AS A 2025 COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PROGRAM FELLOW UNDER IRX, FULLY SPONSORED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
I WAS SELECTED AS ONLY ONE OF 56 GLOBAL FELLOWS, AND THE SOLE FILIPINO FROM AMONG 12,000 APPLICANTS REPRESENTING 102 COUNTRIES.
I AM SERVING AS A CONSULTANT WITH THE ASIA SOCIETY, TEXAS CENTER, AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING LAB, USA.
TOGETHER WE ARE DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGY MODULES THAT BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN FILIPINO AMERICAN CULTURE.
NEXT MICHAEL ANTONIO TO BE FOLLOWED BY DEBORAH GANY.
UH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I'M A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AT BLANDS AND TCT HIGH SCHOOL IN DISTRICT I.
AND, UH, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S CUT RIGHT TO THE CHASTE.
LAST YEAR, MY 9-YEAR-OLD SISTER SUFFERED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ALL OVER HER HANDS WHILE TRYING TO MAKE CARAMEL.
WE WENT TO LBJ HOSPITAL, BUT THEY TOLD US THEY COULDN'T PROVIDE THE SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC BURN CARE SHE NEEDED.
THAT NIGHT, WE RODE TWO HOURS BY AMBULANCE TO MEMORIAL HERMANN AND THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH OPERATES A CITY'S ONLY PEDIATRIC BURN PROGRAM.
WHEN I HEARD THIS, I WAS SHOCKED.
HOW COULD THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN THE WORLD HAVE ONE PEDIATRIC BURN CENTER BURNS REMAINING A LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY AND DEATH FOR CHILDREN NATIONALLY WITH ALMOST A QUARTER OF ALL BURN VICTIMS BEING CHILDREN, SCALDS AND CONTACT BURNS ARE AMONG THE MOST COMMON PEDIATRIC CAUSES OF ADMISSION AND LOCAL SPECIAL TIPS.
UH, SPECIAL SPECIALISTS AT THE DUN CENTER TREAT MORE THAN 300 BURN PATIENTS ANNUALLY AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
BUT HOUSTON'S PEDIATRIC BURN CAPACITY IS CONCENTRATED IN ONE MAIN FACILITY.
MY SISTER'S TWO TWO HOUR TRANSFER WAS TRAUMATIZING AND UNNECESSARY.
SIR, SIR, SIR, GO AHEAD AND FINISH YOUR STATEMENT.
UM, NO CHILD SHOULD FACE THAT DELAY FOR SPECIALIZED CARE, I ASKED THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL TO INVEST IN COORDINATED PEDIATRIC BURN OUTREACH FUND TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY ERS, EXPAND PEDIATRIC TRANSPORT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SATELLITE BURN CLINICS OR PARTNERSHIPS WITH REGIONAL CENTERS TO REDUCE TRANSFERS AND TRAVEL TIMES.
PLEASE HOPE, ENSURE HOUSTON'S CHILDREN GET TIMELY LOCAL ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING BURN CARE.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, MY SISTER AND I HOPE THAT YOU ACT.
UH, MR. ANTONIONI, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN? NO, I'M NOT.
IF YOU'LL STEP OUTSIDE, I'LL GIVE YOU MY CARD.
THEY, THEY WILL TREAT YOUR SISTER FOR FREE.
ANY, I MEAN IT'S, WELL, LET'S TALK OUTSIDE.
IT'S WAS ASKING FOR COUNCILMAN ONE.
UH, QUESTION HAVE YOU SHARED YOUR, YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AT ALL? I HAVE NOT.
THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WAS TO COME HERE BECAUSE, UM, DURING LAST MONTH, I, UH, WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE, UH, THIS COUNCIL AND I THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO BE ABLE TO VOICE MY CONCERNS.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR, OUR ATTENTION.
I'LL SHARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF HEALTH FOR THE CITY.
VISIT WITH, UH, THANK YOU MAYOR.
I JUST WANNA SAY I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH YOU BEING HERE AND STEPPING FORWARD AND, AND BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.
CERTAINLY IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE
[01:20:01]
RESOURCES TO TREAT PEOPLE IN BURN UNITS AND WHEREVER, BUT OF COURSE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HERE IS GONNA HELP YOU WITH YOUR IMMEDIATE NEED REGARDING YOUR, YOUR SISTER.BUT CERTAINLY IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.
VISIT WITH COUNCILMAN CARTER RIGHT HERE NEXT.
VICTOR BLEW IT TO BE FOLLOWED BY I ABRAHAM IBRAHIM IBRAHIM.
I'M GONNA MAKE THIS REAL BRIEF, AND I LIKE SOME, I GOTTA GO TO SCHOOL.
UH, I'M HERE FOR RESOLUTIONS, WHICH, UH, THE, THE, UH, HOMELESS AND THE PROPERTY OF THE COUNTIES THAT NEED TO BE CUT AND, UH, REGENTRIFICATION IN A MASSIVE, UH, WAY.
UH, I REALLY JUST WANNA SHARE THAT WITH THE MAYOR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT NOBODY TO RUN OFF OF MY IDEAS.
BUT, UH, THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE REALLY FOR, IS TO CLEAN UP.
I'M, I'M, I, HOUSTON IS A LEADING CITY IN POWER, SO I WANT TO LEAD HOUSTON IN CLEAN CLEANLINESS.
THIS IS FROM EVERY PARTS OF THE COUNTY AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF MY IDEAS, UH, I I, I KNOW THAT'LL WORK.
UH, USED TO NEED A FACE FOR THAT AND A DIRECTION FOR THAT.
AND SO THE IDEAS THAT I, UH, DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON, TALKED TO A LOT OF MASSIVE PEOPLE AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER THINGS WHEN IT CONSISTS OF, UH, THE HOMELESS THAT NEEDS HELP.
UH, I HAVE IDEAS ALSO WITH THE HOSPITAL.
NEXT SPEAKER, ABRAHAM ABRAHAM TO BE FOLLOWED BY ED RISHI.
UH, MY NAME IS IBRAHIM IBRAHIM.
I REPRESENTATIVE OF SUDANESE COMMUNITY HERE, UH, FROM SOUTH AND SUDAN.
I ESTABLISH ORGANIZATION NAMED AMERICAN SUDANESE CHAMBER.
SO, UH, I NEED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF, UH, WHAT'S GOING ON TO OUR COMMUNITY FAMILY MEMBERS BACK HOME.
IF YOU OPEN THE TV, YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S GOING IN SUDAN.
OR LAST TWO WEEKS, WE LOST MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE KILLED BY THE RSF GROUP.
AND THESE ISSUES RISE UP ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THIS RATING ALSO, UH, FOLLOW US UNTIL HERE WHEN IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, WE RECEIVE C RATING.
MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN TARGETING BY GROUPS AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS.
ALSO, WE HAVE A PROBLEM OF, UH, ECONOMIC SITUATION HERE.
WE CAME AS A REFUGEE WITHOUT ANY RESOURCE.
I HAVE 10 YEARS HERE SINCE I ESTABLISHED MY ORGANIZATION.
AND THE OTHER ISSUE, WE NEED TO HAVE RESOURCE AND SUPPORT.
OKAY? ALSO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, RENEE JUST STEPPED OUT, BUT WHEN HE COMES BACK IN, UM, WE CAN CONNECT YOU WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DISCUSS THAT FURTHER.
WE NEED ALSO A DAY ABOUT SUDAN TO SUPPORT SUDANESE.
SO ALL OVER THERE STILL ABOUT SUDAN.
SEE ED GARI, AMINA ACH, I'M TRYING TO SEE TO BE FOLLOWED BY JESS SPEER.
I'M A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISOR WHO HAS SPENT OVER TWO DECADES FIGHTING FOR BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE, FOSTER AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS. I SEE THE SAME TRAUMA NOW INFLICTED BY ICE.
MY MUSLIM FAITH COMMANDS ME TO CONFRONT EVIL.
THE PROPHET MOHAMMED, PEACE BE UPON HIM, SAID THE BEST STRUGGLE IS A WORD OF TRUTH BEFORE A TYRANNICAL RULER, MAYOR WHITMEYER, BY
[01:25:01]
ADMITTING YOU COOPERATE WITH ICE AND ALLOWING A CHILD LIKE EMMANUEL GONZALEZ TO BE HANDED OVER, YOU ARE BECOMING THAT RULER.OUR CITY'S RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED THIN.
HPD AND EMS HAVE MORE CRITICAL DUTIES THAN ACTING AS A FUNNEL FOR ICE.
EVERY TRAFFIC SPOT, THAT TRAFFIC STOP, THAT BECOMES AN ICE CALL DESTROYS COMMUNITY TRUST.
THIS IS A MORAL DEMAND END HPDS COLLABORATION WITH ICE CONDEMN AND WORK TOWARDS ABOLISHING ICE FACILITIES FUND THE HOUSTON IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICE COLLABORATIVE.
OUR NEIGHBORS NEED LAWYERS NOT JAILERS.
DO NOT MISTAKE OUR CIVILITY FOR COMPLIANCE.
WE WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH UNTIL THE INJUSTICE ENDS FREE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT I AND JOAQUIN MARTINEZ IS MY REPRESENTATIVE.
I'M GOING TO SPEND MY TIME SHARING THE STORY OF A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO CANNOT REPRESENT THEMSELVES DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENT OF TERROR THAT YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER, WHO'S COWARDLY NOT HERE, AND CHIEF DIAZ HAVE CREATED BY ENCOURAGING HPD COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
I'M A PROUD CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES.
I'VE LIVED IN THE US FOR 45 YEARS, AND I'VE BEEN A CITIZEN FOR 33 OF THOSE YEARS.
I AM MARRIED AND BLESSED WITH THREE CHILDREN, THREE STEPCHILDREN, AND EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN.
STARTING IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, I MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO STOP DRIVING.
THE CESSATION OF A BASIC FREEDOM STEMS FROM THE DEEPLY SEATED TERROR OF COMMITTING EVEN THE SLIGHTEST TRAFFIC INFRACTION.
MY FEAR IS NOT OF A SIMPLE TRAFFIC TICKET, BUT OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT A POLICE STOP COULD ESCALATE INTO A CALL TO ICE.
SIMPLY BECAUSE I'M HISPANIC AND SPEAK WITH A DISTINCT ACCENT, THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT IS TERRIFYING.
I'VE SEEN MANY VIDEOS AND HEARD REPORTS OF ICE AGENTS ALWAYS MASS EXHIBITING BRUTAL AND INTIMIDATING BEHAVIOR.
I'M HORRIFIED BY THE STORIES OF AGENTS BREAKING CAR WINDOWS, FORCIBLY PULLING INDIVIDUALS FROM THEIR VEHICLES AND USING EXCESSIVE FORCE MERELY BECAUSE THE PERSON IS PERCEIVED TO BE OF A CERTAIN RACE OR ORIGIN.
YOUR YOUR TIME IS I TRUST IF I'M DEALING WITH HPD, I'LL BE TREATED LAWFULLY AND MY RIGHTS WILL BE RESPECTED.
I STRONGLY URGE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO IMMEDIATELY END HP D'S COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, I JUST WANNA REMIND EVERYONE THAT WILL, WE APPRECIATE THE APPLAUSE IF YOU WAVE YOUR HANDS.
INSTEAD, WE COULD, UH, MOVE THROUGH TO THE NEXT SPEAKER AND BE ABLE TO HEAR EVERYONE A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
ARE YOU YOU SANDRA? I AM, YES.
SANDRA CI PETERS WITH WORKERS DEF DEFENSE ACTION FUND.
UM, SO ANYONE WHO IS A PART OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY DIDN'T NEED TO BE TOLD BY MAYOR WHITMEYER THAT HPD AND ICE WERE COLLABORATING.
EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SEEING THAT FOR YEARS NOW AND HAVE HEARD THE TRAUMATIC STORIES FROM COUNTLESS TEXANS BECAUSE REGARDLESS OF STATUS OR IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN HERE A DAY OR 50 YEARS, THEY ARE TEXANS.
WE ARE ESTONIANS, AND WE ARE ALSO ALL YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
WITH THE POWERFUL SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PRESENCE, THE HPD AND ICE COLLABORATION ONLY SERVES TO SUPPORT AND REINFORCE ARCHAIC ANTI-BLACK, ANTI-LATINO, AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT NARRATIVES AND STEREOTYPES THAT DIRECTLY LEAD TO VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ATTACKS BY MASKED UP ICE AGENTS.
AND NO MATTER HOW YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK AT IT, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE OKAYING AS OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, SO AT THIS POINT, WE'RE NOT REALLY ASKING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY ON THINGS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW TO BE TRUE.
WE'RE ASKING FOR AN OUTRIGHT END TO HPD AND ICE COLLABORATIONS.
THANK DAWN WYNN TO BE FOLLOWED BY CAMERON ROWITZ.
I'M A MEMBER OF HOUSTON DSA AND I'M ALSO AN ALMOST LIFELONG RESIDENT OF DISTRICT F.
I WANTED TO SHARE SOME TESTIMONY WITH REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, BUT I GUESS I'LL DO THAT LATER.
I COULD SHARE IT WITH OUR AT LARGE MEMBERS.
UM, RECENTLY ONE OF MY STUDENTS TOLD ME ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES AS AN IMMIGRANT AND WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HER FAMILY.
HER MOTHER LOST HER JOB BECAUSE SHE LOST DOCUMENTATION.
SHE'S TOO TERRIFIED TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE OF THAT.
HER FATHER HAS TO TAKE ON THREE JOBS
[01:30:01]
PREVIOUSLY, FOUR, HE CAN'T SLEEP.THIS HAS TERRORIZED MY STUDENT AND SOMEONE WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE LEARNING, WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE ENGAGING IN SCHOOL IS THINKING ABOUT THAT.
OUR COMMUNITY IS ASKING BUSINESSES TO PUT UP NO EYE SIGNS BECAUSE OF THE COWARDICE OF CITY COUNCIL, Y'ALL AREN'T DOING THINGS.
BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TOLD US THAT THEIR INCOME IS DROPPING.
PEOPLE ARE TOO TERRIFIED TO GO EVEN SHOP TO WASH THEIR LAUNDRY AT THE LAUNDROMAT.
AND SO EVEN IF YOU AREN'T A CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PEOPLE FOR THE WORKING CLASS, AT LEAST STAND UP FOR THESE SMALL BUSINESSES.
I'VE TALKED TO WORKERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR WAGES STOLEN, DAY LABORERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR PAYS STOLEN BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THIS CLIMATE THINKS THAT IT'S APPROPRIATE TO EXPLOIT IMMIGRANT WORKERS.
UM, UNDER THIS MAYOR, THE CITY, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PEOPLE ARE FAILING TO PAY THEIR RENT.
AND IF THERE AREN'T ANSWERS NOW IF THERE ISN'T ACTION NOW THIS CITY IS HEADING TOWARDS CRISIS.
NEXT SPEAKER, CAMERON ROWITZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY TORY ELMORE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MARTIN FELIPE AND IVAN VARGAS.
THEY COULD NOT BE HERE AS MARTIN IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN THE NORTH HOUSTON ICE DETENTION FACILITY.
MARTIN IS A NEARBY NEIGHBOR OF MINE IN THE DISTRICT.
I'M RUNNING FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 11 AND WAS ARRESTED BY SHERIFFS IN LEAGUE CITY ON WEDNESDAY AFTER BEING PULLED OVER WITH NO REASON GIVEN HE WAS NOT ALLOWED A PHONE CALL.
THE FAMILY WAS NOT AWARE OF WHERE HE WAS FOR SEVERAL DAYS THIS MORNING, I WAS ABLE TO GO WITH HIS SON FOR VISITATION AFTER BEING DENIED VISITATION.
YESTERDAY AFTER MEETING WITH MARTIN, I THEN TOOK IVAN BACK HOME WHERE I FOUND THREE GALVESTON COUNTY SHERIFFS PARKED OUTSIDE A CLOSE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.
THEY LEFT AFTER I BEGAN RECORDING THEM.
THERE WAS A MASKED MAN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT I CAN ONLY ASSUME AS AN ICE AGENT.
SB EIGHT IN TEXAS, WHICH WAS PASSED THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, REQUIRES SHERIFFS IN TEXAS TO WORK WITH ICE IN JAILS AND IN THE STREETS.
GIVEN THE POOR CONDITIONS MARTIN CONVEYED TO ME TODAY REGARDING THE FACILITY, I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOUSTON TO END HP COLLABORATION WITH ICE IN OUR STREETS AND REFUSE THE 2 87 AGREEMENT FOR OUR LOCAL SHERIFFS.
WHY HAVEN'T WE, THE WORDS TO MY RIGHT OR SOLEMN OATH? DO NOT FORGET THAT.
DO NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING HPD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH ICE AND THE TERROR OF OUR COMMUNITY HERE.
AND NOW, THE EYES OF TEXAS AND THE CITY ARE ON YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER TO TORY ELMORE TO BE FOLLOWED BY TRAVIS SMITH.
UM, I HAD DIFFERENT REMARKS PREPARED, BUT THEN LAST WEEK MY, UH, PURSE WAS STOLEN.
IT'S A LONG STORY, BUT I GOT IT BACK.
UH, SO I SPENT THE TIME TO DO SOME REFLECTING.
UH, AS AN ENGINEER, I'M TRAINED TO THINK IN TERMS OF SYSTEMS AS OPPOSED TO INDIVIDUALS WHEN IDENTIFYING ROOT CAUSES FOR EVENTS OR ACTIONS.
WHY WOULD A PERSON RISK THEIR SAFETY TO STEAL FROM ANOTHER? WELL, SHE WAS HOMELESS, MENTALLY UNWELL.
BUT WHY, WHY DIDN'T SHE HAVE ACCESS TO A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP OR ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE IN HER TIME OF NEED? WHY AREN'T THERE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HELP HER REDUCING BY A FACTOR OF SIX ZEROS? THE CITY SPENDS ROUGHLY $50 A YEAR ON ITS HEALTH DEPARTMENT, $2 ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THAT'S A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.
WE SHOULD BE INVESTING MORE IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE, ACCESS HOUSING, AND FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL.
WE SHOULD NOT BE COLLABORATING WITH ICE TERROR SQUADS WHO RIP APART FAMILIES AND ERODE PUBLIC TRUST AND SAFETY.
WE SHOULD BE HELPING PEOPLE NOT LOCKING THEM UP.
WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN PEOPLE NOT THROWING THEM IN CAGES.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING COLLABORATION BETWEEN HBD AND ICE.
UH, SINCE TRUMP HAS TAKEN OFFICE, WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF ICE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE SEEN SHOCKING AND DISTURBING VIRAL VIDEOS OF A FATHER HAVING A SEIZURE AFTER HAVING ICE AGENTS PRESS ON HIS NECK.
CHILDREN BEING PEPPER SPRAYED BY ICE AGENTS AND PEOPLE HA BEING SHOT AND KILLED BY ICE AGENTS.
ICE OPERATES WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND THREATENS THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE.
AND I WANNA REMIND YOU THAT ICE IS NOT A MONOLITH.
UH, ICE IS NOT EVEN AS OLD AS THE FAST AND FURIOUS FRANCHISE.
UM, THERE WAS A TIME BEFORE ICE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A TIME WHEN WE CAN LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE ARE NO LONGER SUBJECTED TO THEIR TERROR AND BRUTALITY.
FLOOR, FLOOR HO THE MAYOR COMING BACK.
[01:35:07]
IF EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE CAN PLEASE BE QUIET SO WE CAN HEAR THE NEXT SPEAKER.TO BE FOLLOWED BY PETER FOSTER.
MY NAME IS LINDSAY BURROWS AND I'M ASKING FOR THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN HPD AND ICE.
TO STOP MY GRANDPARENTS IMMIGRATED TO THE US FROM MEXICO 65 YEARS AGO.
THEY WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY AND ALWAYS HELPED OUT THEIR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.
THEY HAVE SIX CHILDREN IN MANY GRANDCHILDREN.
SOME OF THEM BECAME MECHANICS IN THE AIR FORCE, DOCTORS, CARPENTERS, WELDERS, ELECTRICIANS.
MY FAMILY IS AN EXAMPLE OF AMERICA'S PROMISE FULFILLED AND WHAT MAKES THIS CITY BEAUTIFUL.
THIS PROMISE IS BEING BROKEN WHEN OUR POLICE ARE TASKED WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, WHICH NOT ONLY PUTS ALL HOUSTONIANS AT RISK, BUT ALSO THE HPD OFFICERS.
IT SHATTERS THE TRUST THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO REPORT CRIMES AND WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD, THUS MAKING HOUSTON LESS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.
I'M HERE URGING ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR WHITMEYER, TO STOP THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ICE AND HPD IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE TRUST AND SAFETY IN HOUSTON FOR EVERYONE.
I HOPE THAT ENDING THIS COLLABORATION WILL PROVIDE OTHER FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROSPER AS MY FAMILY HAD.
NEXT SPEAKER, MEEK, TIMID AND COWARDLY.
THAT IS HOW I DESCRIBE THIS CITY'S LEADERSHIP IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE ICE RATES, OUR LEADERS ARE CLAIMING THAT WE ARE DUTIFUL DUTIFULLY COMPLYING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES THAT ALLOW ICE TO GO ABOUT ITS BUSINESS, BUT THAT COMPLIANCE HAS NOT BEEN RECIPROCATED WITH ANY LEVEL OF DECENCY OR FAIR TREATMENT.
ICE PROUDLY ANNOUNCED 1500 RESIDENTS WERE CAUGHT IN THEIR LATEST DRAGNET, BUT ONLY 695 WERE CONVICTED CRIMINALS THAT LEAVES 805 RESIDENTS UNACCOUNTED FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM.
THIS CITY'S LEADERSHIP HAS FAILED IN ITS DUTY OF CARE.
FOR THOSE 805, WE NEED OUR LEADERS TO STAND UP FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN THE FACE OF THIS ICE ONSLAUGHT.
NOT BE WEAK, MEEK, TIMID, AND COWARDLY.
THOSE ARE NOT TRAITS I ASSOCIATE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
NEXT SPEAKER, MA MA LUCAS TO BE FOLLOWED BY IRAN TREVINO.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICIZING THE CITY'S AND HPDS COOPERATION WITH ICE.
OUR VALUES, COMMON DECENCY IN HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE HARM TO OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT DONE BY HOUSTONIANS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST HPDS COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
THE REAL HARM IS DONE WHEN OUR MAYOR AND ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES STAY SILENT WHILE OUR NEIGHBORS ARE VIOLENTLY ACCOSTED BASED ON THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.
AND KIDNAPPED BY MA MASKED ICE AGENTS IGNORING GUARANTEES OF DUE PROCESS.
YOU AND I KNOW THE FACTS SHOW THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ABDUCTED BY ICE ARE NOT CRIMINALS.
HOUSTON IS NOT SAFER WHILE ARMED AND MASS FEDERAL AGENTS EMPLOY GESTAPO LIKE TACTICS TO ROUND UP OUR BROWN-SKINNED NEIGHBORS.
MR. MAYORS NOT HERE, BUT HEAR MY VOICE.
MAYOR WHITMEYER YOUR COOPERATION WITH ICE IN THE WAKE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS PERPETRATED BY THAT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CITY, OUR SAFETY AND HUMAN DECENCY REVERSE COURSE.
WHERE'S WE ARE? TRYING TO HEAR THE NEXT SPEAKER.
IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE BE QUIET.
WHERE'S THAT? MY NAME IS ANDINO WITH THE RA COLLAB PROJECT.
AND EVEN THOUGH I FIND IT IRONIC THAT WE STARTED THIS EVENING WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SAYING LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, NOT LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL CITIZENS WHO WERE NOT BROWN.
AND IT IS CLEAR THAT CITY LEADERSHIP IS AFRAID OF STANDING UP FOR THE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEAR THAT CITY LEADERSHIP IS AFRAID OF STANDING UP FOR HOUSTON, THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON ARE STANDING UP FOR HOUSTON.
AND AS CITY IT IS, CRITICS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS SAY THAT THERE'S A RIGHT AND A WRONG WAY TO DO THINGS.
[01:40:01]
HERE BECAUSE THE WAY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IS THE WRONG WAY TO DO THINGS.THE MAYOR HAS SAID THAT THEY'RE JUST FOLLOWING THE LAW, THAT THE CITY IS FOLLOWING THE LAW, BUT THAT'S ASSUMING A WHOLE LOT BECAUSE ICE IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW IN THE WAY THAT THEY'RE PROCEEDING WITH THEIR ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND THAT HAS BEEN CLEAR TO US.
A LOT OF US WITNESSED A 16-YEAR-OLD US CITIZEN BE, UM, ABUSED BY THESE SAME ICE AGENTS WHO ARE UNIDENTIFIED MASKED.
AND SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE WHO LET'S SAY, DID COME HERE THE RIGHT WAY OR WHO WERE BORN HERE? WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE PEOPLE WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN, UM, IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES? AND ANYONE COULD BE LEFT TO, TO DO THE SAME THING.
AND LASTLY, I'LL JUST SAY THAT EVENTUALLY I DO BELIEVE THAT THESE PEOPLE, YOUR TIME WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I HOPE THAT THE MAYOR APOLOGIZES TO EVERYONE.
MA'AM, IF YOU COULD, IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE BE QUIET.
IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE BE QUIET IN CHAMBERS.
WE ARE TRYING TO HEAR THE NEXT SPEAKER.
CAN WHITMEYER THROUGH US? NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
CAROLINA BUSTOS TO BE FOLLOWED BY AUBREY CONTRERAS.
UM, UH, WELL, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'M HERE, UM, TONIGHT, UM, TO, UM, ASK, UH, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT IS THE HOLDUP? UM, YOU KNOW, UM, IT, IT SEEMS THAT, UM, THE PROBLEM IS MY BROWN SKIN, EYES, HAIR.
UM, YOU KNOW, ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A DENIAL OF COLLABORATION WITH, UM, HPD COLLABORATING WITH ICE, UM, AS MANY, UM, PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM HAVE MENTIONED, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS INHUMANE.
WHAT IS GOING ON? AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, HUMANS.
UM, AND, UM, WE MUST FIGHT TO PROTECT THEM.
UM, AND AT THIS MOMENT, I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S FREE OF, UM, THE DECISION THAT THEY MAKE.
AND, UM, I'M ASKING FOR, UH, HPD TO END THE COLLABORATION WITH, UH, ICE MEYER IN HIS WRITING TOO.
I'M A STUDENT AT LINEAR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE RAICES COLLABORATIVE.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE, ABOUT THE CURRENT CITY ACTIONS, PARTICULARLY THE USE OF THE, OF CITY AND COUNTY POLICE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS AND THE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ACCEPT CONTRACTS WITH ICE.
THESE, THESE ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING USED FEDERAL AND LOCAL.
IT IS SAD HOW WE DON'T HAVE A SAY IN HOW THESE, THOSE FUNDS ARE USED.
CURRENTLY, IMMIGRANTS ARE BEING DETAINED IN JAIL WHILE ACTUAL VIOLENT CRIMINALS REMAIN UNACCOUNTABLE.
THIS PRESIDENT, THE PRESIDENT IS CONVICTED A FELON AND SUSPECTED A PEDOPHILE, YET HE'S STILL IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
WE WANT TO SEE A COMMITMENT FOR THE CITY TO STAND UP AGAINST VIOLENT ACTION IN OUR CITY.
HONESTLY, I SHOULDN'T BE HERE RIGHT NOW, NOT BECAUSE I'M A KID, BUT BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY.
UM, FIRST I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE FOR BEING HERE.
UM, IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE FOR SOMEONE YOUNG TO COME AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF, UH, THIS, THIS SPACE.
BUT THEN WITH THE CROWD BEHIND YOU AS WELL, UM, I SHARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACROSS, ACROSS THE STATES, RIGHT? SPECIFICALLY HERE IN IN HOUSTON AS WELL.
UM, JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, THAT YOUR VOICE IS BEING HEARD.
JESSICA RE, ARE YOU JESSICA, JESSICA TO BE FOLLOWED BY KELLY SADLER, IF YOU COULD SPEAK IN FRONT OF THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR WHITMEYER, WHO'S NOT HERE TO LISTEN TO US.
[01:45:01]
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.HOUSTON IS THE MOST, ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT IS OUR STRENGTH.
IT IS WHAT MAKES THIS CITY VIBRANT, RESILIENT, AND SUCCESSFUL.
IMMIGRANTS CONTRIBUTE, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ECONOMY, OUR INSTITUTIONS, AND THE VERY SOUL OF HOUSTON.
AS A CITY, WE SHOULD BE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS TO PRESSURE US INTO HARMING OUR OWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HOUSTON PROTECTS ITS PEOPLE.
BUT TODAY WE ARE HEADED DOWN THE WRONG PATH.
HPD IS COLLABORATING WITH ICE.
A 15-YEAR-OLD CHILD HAS BEEN DECLARED AN UNACCOMPANIED MINOR AND SEPARATED FROM HIS FAMILY, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS A MOTHER HERE WHO IS FIGHTING TO BE REUNITED WITH HIM.
H HPDS COLLABORATION WITH ICE WILL LEAD TO PEOPLE LIVING IN FEAR, AFRAID TO DRIVE, GO TO WORK, OR SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
HOUSTON'S RESPONSE SHOULD BE THE MODEL FOR OUR NATION.
IN TIMES LIKE THESE, YOU, OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
IT IS TIME TO CHANGE COURSE FIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.
HB FOCUS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN THE COLLABORATION WITH ICE PUSH TO REUNITE EMANUEL WITH HIS MOTHER, HE'S CLEARLY NOT AN UNACCOMPANIED MINOR.
AND FUND THE HOUSTON IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICE COLLABORATIVE SO FAMILIES CAN GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
HOUSTON IS STRONGEST WHEN ALL OF US FEEL SAFE.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED THAT HOUSTON HOLDS DEAR.
SPEAKER COUNCILMAN, REVEREND SHAVA.
I WANT TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE JO ANN NATO, UH, AS THE NEXT SPEAKER.
ALL THOSE SECOND, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO VOTE, BUT AS LONG AS NO ONE OBJECTS, WE CAN GO AHEAD.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
CAN YOU SAY THE NAME AGAIN? OH, YOU SENT IT TO ME.
AND IF YOU COULD SPEAK IN FRONT OF THEM.
UH, TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND, UH, MAYOR OF HOUSTON, I'M THANKFUL THAT YOU GIMME THIS TIME.
I WENT TO, UM, GET, GET, GET MOUNT VIEW AS A, UM, A PRISONER IN THE TORTURE CENTER.
I SUPPOSED TO SPEND EIGHT YEARS.
I SPENT FOUR YEARS BECAUSE, UM, IT WAS UNFAIR.
AND, UH, JUDGE WHO REMY GATTOV FOR FOUR YEARS WAS FIRED FOR THAT BY OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.
AND, UH, HE WAS TAUGHT TO ME BY YOUR JADE EVENTS.
AND, UH, I DO NOT HAVE A TEXAS ID AND THAT SHOW HAVE A TEXAS ID.
MY, UH, TEXAS ID WAS TAKEN INSIDE VILLE MONTE VIEW PRISON CENTER IN VILLE, CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A TEXAS ID.
THANK COUNCILOR EVAN SHABA, ARE YOU IN THE QUEUE? NO.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING YOUR STORY.
SO WHAT IS IT, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU WANNA FINISH WHAT YOU WANNA SAY AND THEN, UM, LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'RE NEEDING FROM US.
UM, BECAUSE I'M A REFUGEE, I'M NOT IMMIGRANT.
I WAS FORCED TO COME TO UNITED STATE AND MY COUNTRY WAS ATTACKED BY UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.
I WAS FORCED TO COME TO UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.
I DIDN'T BRING MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
I DIDN'T BRING ANYTHING EXCEPT MY CHILDREN.
I DO NOT HAVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
I CAN'T HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
I CAME HERE THROUGH SO YOU HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION? I DO, I HAVE IMMIGRATION CARD.
I RECEIVED IT AT THE JEFF KENNEDY AIRPORT.
AND THIS IMMIGRATION CARD IS A WORK PERMIT AND IS ALSO INDEFINITE.
AND I WAS REFUSED A GREEN CARD.
AND, UH, UH, OBAMA ORDERED THE, THE, THE, THE, THE, THE HEAD OF AT THE TORTURE CENTER WHERE I WAS IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS GOT OUN VIEW TO TAKE MY ID AWAY.
SO I WON'T HAVE A TEXAS ID WHEN I COME BACK HERE.
SO RIGHT NOW YOU'RE NEEDING A TEXAS ID? YES, BUT I DO NOT HAVE BIRTH CERTIFIC.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ONE CERTIFICATE? YOU DON'T HAVE I HAVE, I HAVE A, A SOCIAL SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION CARD.
SO I'M, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU ONE, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU ONE OF MY CARDS AND LET ME SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TOO, PLEASE.
[01:50:01]
TISHA JACKSON, THANK YOU.WHY DON'T YOU FACE UP IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE BE QUIET.
WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE NEXT SPEAKER.
WHAT A STEP ISAIAH ARE YOU ISAIAH, TO BE FOLLOWED BY JESSICA DUGAN.
WHAT IS MAYOR WHITMAR DOING? ANYWAY, BACK THERE,
UM, BUT YEAH, I'M NOT SURPRISED HE'S HIDING.
I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT HE'S, UM, BETRAYED HOUSTON'S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
IT'S THE SAME MAYOR THAT QUESTION.
IF GULFTON RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME IN THE GALLERIA WHEN DISGUSTING TREND UPGRADES, HE HAS SINCE GUTTED THOSE PLANS, MAKING IT SO THAT INSTEAD OF MORE FREQUENT BUSES, GULFTON RESIDENTS SEE MORE POLICE AT BUS STOPS.
THE SAME MAYOR THAT, UM, GUTTED PUBLIC SERVICES, INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL TO INCREASE POLICE FUNDING TO OVER 1.1 BILLION.
AS WE KNOW, EVERY DOLLAR TO HPD IS A DOLLAR TO FASCIST EYES TERRORIZING OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT'S THE SAME MAYOR THAT DEFENDED HPD CALLING ICE ON A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.
CLEARLY MAYOR WHITMEYER IS NOT THE KIND OF LEADER THAT WILL STAND AGAINST FASCISM.
HE WILL COLLABORATE, HE'LL HIDE.
SO THIS IS ALSO ON NEW CITY COUNCIL.
WILL YOU STAND AGAINST FASCISM? WILL YOU STAND WITH YOUR COMMUNITIES OR CONTINUE GIVING HPD MORE MONEY TO COLLABORATE WITH ICE TERRORIZING FAMILIES? HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED BY YOUR COMMUNITY? THANK YOU.
I HAVE TO ADMIT, I USED TO HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE, THE WAY HE TALKS REMINDS ME OF MY GRANDPA.
MY GRANDPA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON.
THE KKK BURNED A CROSS IN HIS YARD BECAUSE HIS FAMILY HELPED OUT THEIR BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORS.
UNLIKE THE MAYOR THOUGH, HE NEVER COWERED DOWN MORE OF THE TYPE TO GET IN FISTFIGHTS WITH A CIGARETTE HANGING OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH.
HE ALWAYS TOLD ME, YOU'LL NEVER WIN A FIGHT.
YOU AIN'T SHOWING UP TO THAT MAN DID NOT RAISE ME TO SIT IDLY BY WHY A BUNCH OF RACISTS LIKE ICE COME DOWN FROM HOUSTON, UH, FROM COLD CHICAGO TO HOUSTON, THINKING THEY'RE GONNA THAW OUT HERE FOR THE WINTER AND RINK HAVOC ON OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.
AND WORSE YET, OUR OWN POLICE FORCE IS CALLING ICE.
THEY EVEN CALLED ICE ON AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
EMMANUEL, Y'ALL KNOW I'M A MOTHER TO AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT IT HERE MANY TIMES.
I'VE RECEIVED AUTISM TRAINING.
SO I CAN TELL YOU THE WAY THAT HPD HANDLED THAT CHILD IS FAR FROM THE MODEL.
LOOK, IF THE MAYOR DOESN'T WANNA PUT DOWN THE VAPE LIGHTER REEL CIGARETTE AND PUT HIS FIST UP LIKE MY GRANDPA, FINE.
YOUR TIME HAS OF A BAD ROOM DEAL.
SO TELL HIM TO MAKE SOME CALLS AND GET THAT AUTISTIC KID BACK TO HIS MOM.
SURELY THE STAKEHOLDERS WILL UNDERSTAND.
HE JUST HAD DINNER WITH HIS DONORS.
TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARIA HERNANDEZ.
HELLO, MY NAME IS HALEY ROGERS.
I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH THE HOUSTON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST OF AMERICA.
MAYOR WHITMEYER, WELCOME BACK.
UM, HPD IS USING THE NCIC DATABASE AND GENERAL ORDER.
500 DASH FIVE TO COLLABORATE WITH ICE.
USING THIS DATABASE, THE POLICE CHIEF DIAZ AND MAYOR WHITMEYER IS ALLOWING HIS OFFICERS TO CALL ICE AT TRAFFIC STOPS, CALL ICE ON DOMESTIC VICTIMS AND MOST HEINOUS TO DATE HANDING OVER 15-YEAR-OLD EMAN MONROE GARCIA TO ICE DETENTION.
THE ICE ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS IN THIS DATABASE ARE NOT VALID WARRANTS.
THEY ARE NOT SIGNED BY A JUDGE.
THEY ARE NO MORE LEGAL THAN THE PIECE OF PAPER IN MY HAND.
THE POLICY NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED,
[01:55:01]
IT NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN, AND IT NEEDS TO HAVE ALLOW WORDING THAT, UM, ALLOWS MOST OFFICERS DISCRETION POSSIBLE.DURING THE NURENBERG TRIALS, THE NAZIS USE OF FALLACY, JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS TO DEFER THEIR ACTION DURING THE HOLOCAUST.
JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS WAS NOT A LEGAL DEFENSE THEN.
AND IT WILL NOT BE A LEGAL DEFENSE NOW WILL CONTINUE TO JUST FOLLOW ORDERS OR WILL YOU CONTINUE TO TURN A BLIND'S EYE REWRITE.
MANU GARCIA BE RELEASED DO OF HOUSTON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MARIA HERNANDEZ AND I'M WITH MADRES DE PARQUE AND ALSO, UM, PART OF THE COLLECTIVE WITH HOUSTON LEEDS.
AS YOU KNOW, I'M WORKING WITH, UM, THE, UH, COMMUNITIES AND COSTUME SHOPS, TOWN, EAST, EASTERN AND SPRING BRANCH AS WELL.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE SEEING OUR COMMUNITIES IN SUCH A FEAR AND DISTRESS BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATION WITH ICE AND, AND THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS WITH SADNESS TO HEAR THE MOMS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT NOT BRINGING THE KIDS TO NOT FEELING OF FEAR THAT NOT BRINGING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, NOT HOME, GOING HOME, I MEAN GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE TO FEED THEIR KIDS.
SO WHAT I'M HERE TODAY IS TO ASK TO STOP PLEASE.
THE COLLABORATION WITH ICE AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS, IT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART TO HEAR ALL THESE MOMS WITH THEIR KIDS.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE ABOUT THIS COLLABORATION BECAUSE YOU ARE HURTING NOT ONLY, UH, THE SYSTEM, BUT YOU ARE HURTING OUR COMMUNITIES.
OR WHETHER MORE OUR COMMUNITIES DOESN'T FEEL CONFIDENT REPORTING THESE CLIENTS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
SO GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD AND FINISH.
I JUST WANNA SAY ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
OH, THERE HE IS, TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALEXANDER LEE.
NEARLY HALF OF HOUSTON'S POPULATION IS HISPANIC AND IT'S MIND BOGGLING WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE ICE RAIDS AND HPDS PARTICIPATION.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE ARE IN NEED OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIVISION FOR COMMUNITY POLICING.
SO I ASK WHY DID HPD DISMANTLE THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIVISION LEAVING ONLY A HANDFUL OF OFFICER OFFICERS TO COVER OVER 640 SQUARE MILES? WHY DID HPD CUT COMMUNITY LIAISONS TO CERTAIN ETHNIC GROUPS? WHAT'S REALLY SURPRISING THAT THE ONLY PD SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY OUTREACH WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM,
THERE WAS A QUESTION AND ANSWER SEGMENT IN THE PROGRAM THAT HPD COULD PROVIDE INFORMATION OR ANSWER QUESTIONS.
ANOTHER HPD COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM, REMAN ALLIANCE AGAINST CRIME.
ALLIANCE AGAINST CRIME WAS AN HPD FESTIVAL EVENT HELD AT A PARK WITH VENDORS INFORMATION BOOST, STATISTICS DISPLAY A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
THE FESTIVAL WAS MADE UP OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
WHY WAS THIS DONE AWAY WITH? WHY WAS HPD SCHOOL MEET THAT FOOD DRIVE PROGRAM DONE AWAY WITH? WHY DID HPD REDU REDUCE OR DISSOLVE THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAMS, YOUTH AND POLICE ADVISORY PROGRAM? MY BROTHER'S KEEPER PROGRAM WIN-WIN PART OF MY BROTHER'S KEEPER PROGRAM, IT HELPED TO PREVENT NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN YOUTH AND POLICE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS. WHY DID HPD DISCONTINUE COMMUNITY POLICING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ROOKIE OFFICERS? THE CREATE, THE CREATION OF THIS PROGRAM WAS A RESULT OF THE CITY'S COMMITTEE ON POLICE REFORM POST GEORGE FLOYD, THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO COME APART LIKE OTHER CITIES WITH
[02:00:01]
RIOTS AND LOOTING AFTER A RACIALLY MOTIVATED INCIDENT.AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE WHY WE AS A CITY HAVE AVOIDED THAT HAS BEEN DUE TO HPDS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIVISION AND YEARS OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN THESE TRYING TIMES OF OUR NATION, STATE AND CITY.
WE MUST GO BACK TO WHAT WORKED TO KEEP OUR CITY UNITED AND SAFE.
AND THAT WAS COMMUNITY POLICING.
THANK YOU ALEXANDER LEE TO BE FOLLOWED BY BRIAN LAMBERT.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH, UH, RESEARCHER, A SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A PERSON OF COLOR.
THERE ARE MANY MYTHS ABOUT THE CLAIMS OF CRIME AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.
A RECENT STUDY IN 2020 BASED ON DATA FROM THE TEXAS, UH, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SHOWED THAT US CITIZENS ARE TWO TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED FOR VIOLENT CRIME, TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED FOR DRUG RELATED CRIMES, AND OVER FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED FOR PROPERTY RELATED RELATED CRIMES COMPARED TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.
ULTIMATELY, MY MESSAGE IS NOT ABOUT THE CRIME RATES, IT'S ABOUT WHO WE'RE CITING ON.
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE NOT A THREAT.
THEY ARE FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR COWORKERS IN THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY'S WORKING CLASS.
I ASK YOU ALL TODAY TO END YOUR COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
BRIAN LAMBERT INGAS RAHI GARCIA TO BE FOLLOWED BY THOMAS SUTHERLAND.
I'M A PROUD DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE LIVED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES HERE IN HOUSTON.
I REMEMBER THE TRAUMA OF LA MIGRA.
THE FEAR OF THE RAIDS ARE COMMUNITY TREATED LIKE CRIMINAL JUST FOR EXISTING.
AND NOW WE SEE ICE VIOLENCE IN REAL TIME.
LAWLESS, KIDNAPPERS, AIDED AND ABED BY HPD WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS AND AIDED AND ABED BY YOU.
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.
YOU SWORE TO PROTECT PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.
YOU ARE A PUBLIC DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED $25,000 FROM CORE, CIVIC, AND GROUP AND GEO GROUP.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED THAT WHEN YOU WERE SENATOR.
AND THAT MAKES YOU COMPROMISED.
PEOPLE ARE BEING PUT IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
THEY'RE LACKING ANY BASIC HUMAN, HUMAN NEEDS BEING MET AND THEY ARE PROFITING.
AND THOSE PROFITEERS GAVE YOU MONEY.
THOMAS SUTHERLAND TO BE FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINE VO.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CITY COUNCIL MAYOR WHITMERE.
ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, DIANA GALLO WAS VIOLENTLY AND WRONGFULLY DETAINED BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN CHICAGO WHILE TRYING TO GO TO WORK AT A SPANISH LANGUAGE DAYCARE CENTER.
SHE WAS DRAGGED THROUGH THE DAYCARE CENTER.
HER FACE SLAMMED AGAINST A GLASS ENTRYWAY AND SHE WAS PINNED AGAINST A PARKED CAR WHILE THEY HANDCUFFED HER ALL IN FRONT OF SOME OF THE VERY CHILDREN THAT SHE CARED FOR.
THIS IS THE BEHAVIOR OF AN AGENCY GONE ROGUE, A MODERN DAY GESTAPO, WHICH VIEWS ITSELF AS ABOVE THE LAW AND BEYOND REPROACH.
AND YET THIS CITY OPTS TO WILLINGLY PARTICIPATE IN THIS REIGN OF TERROR PERPETRATED BY THIS SHAMEFUL AGENCY.
WHY? WHY ARE YOU COLLABORATING WITH ICE? WHY ARE YOU BREAKING UP FAMILIES? WHY ARE YOU TRAUMATIZING CHILDREN? WHAT HAS THIS DONE TO BENEFIT OUR CITY OR ITS ITS INHABITANTS? I'M CALLING ON THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND, GROW A MORAL BACKBONE, AND OPPOSE THIS FASCISTIC ENCROACHMENT INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND UPON OUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.
[02:05:04]
CHRISTINE VO TO BE FOLLOWED BY GRIFFIN WALKER.UM, GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS CHRISTINE VO AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT A IN SPRING BRANCH AND I'M A CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS.
MY FAMILY HAS WORKED IN IMMIGRATION MY ENTIRE LIFE AND THE COMMUNITY HAS KNOWN FOR MONTHS THAT YOU'VE BEEN LYING TO US.
MAYOR WHITMEYER, WHY ARE YOU ALLOWING ICE TO COMMANDEER CITY RESOURCES AND TERRORIZE THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE HOUSTON THE VIBRANT CITY THAT IT IS? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING YOUR CONSTITUENTS, NOT SERVING YOUR DONORS LIKE CORE, CIVIC, AND OTHER PRIVATE PRISON COMPANIES.
BY COLLABORATING WITH ICE, YOU MAKE IT CLEAR TO ALL HOUSTONIANS WHERE YOUR REAL PRIORITIES ARE.
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED OUTRAGE TO THIS RECENT ADMISSION, I ASK YOU TO DO MORE.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SERVE THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE, AND INSTEAD YOU'VE BOWED YOUR HEAD TO WHITMEYER AND HPD.
I CALL UPON THE CITY COUNCIL, THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER, AND TO END ALL COOPERATION BETWEEN ICE AND THE CITY.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND WORKING CLASS FAMILIES THAT KEEP HOUSTON ALIVE AND KEEP OUR ECONOMY RUNNING.
AS PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE STATED, THE CRIMINALS HERE ARE NOT THE IMMIGRANTS.
THE REAL CRIMINALS IN THIS CITY, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IN THE UNITED STATES ARE THE ICE AGENTS TARGETING, HARASSING AND TERRORIZING OUR NEIGHBORS WITHOUT WARRANTS AND WITHOUT ANY BASIS OTHER THAN RACISM.
AFTER MONTHS OF LYING ABOUT HPDS COLLABORATION WITH ICE MAYOR WHITMEYER HAS BEEN FORCED BY COMMUNITY OUTRAGE TO ADMIT WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW THAT HPD HAS BEEN COLLABORATING WITH THESE UNCONSTITUTIONAL FORCES, BUT THE LYING HASN'T STOPPED JUST YET.
MAYOR WHITMEYER IS NOW CLAIMING THAT HPD NEVER ASKS ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS AND TRAFFIC STOPS.
BUT IF THIS IS THE CASE, THEN WHY ARE TRAFFIC STOPS LEADING TO A THOUSAND PERCENT? MORE CALLS FROM HPD TO ICE THIS YEAR MUST BE BECAUSE HPD IS RACIALLY PROFILING AND TARGETING PEOPLE WHO THEY THINK LOOK LIKE IMMIGRANTS.
THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EMPLOYING RACIST TACTICS TO HARM OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS AND HARM TO THEM IS HARM TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.
YOUR TIME HAS SHAME ON THE MAYOR AND HPD FOR CONSTANTLY FAILING TO PROTECT AND SERVE ANYONE BUT THE INTERESTS OF HOUSTON'S WEALTHY AND THEIR PROPERTY.
DURING ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOPS, CANCEL ALL EXISTING CONTRACTS WITH ICE AND ALL COLLABORATION WITH ICE BEFORE THEY DESTROY THIS AMAZING CITY OF IMMIGRANTS.
JASMINE KABARI TO BE FOLLOWED BY TAYLOR BROWN.
IN THE LAST MONTH, I'VE WITNESSED MORE STATE VIOLENCE THAN I EVER HAVE IN MY LIFE.
I'VE SEEN ICE AGENTS THREATEN TO TEAR GAS CHILDREN IN THEIR HOMES.
I'VE SPOKEN TO TEARY-EYED MOTHERS WHOSE HUSBANDS HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED THIS WEEKEND.
I SPOKE TO DAY LABORERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROFILED, TERRORIZED, BEATEN BY ICE AGENTS.
AND WHAT HAS OUR MAYOR BEEN DOING? MAYOR WHITMEYER HAS BEEN TELLING NEWS OUTLETS THAT IF THE CITY DOESN'T COLLABORATE WITH ICE, THEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD SEND 500 MORE OFFICERS.
IN RESPONSE, THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE THAT HE'S MAKING A STRATEGIC CHOICE FOR OUR SAFETY, BUT THAT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LIE.
IF THIS COOPERATION WAS TRULY ABOUT SAFETY, THEN WHY DID ICE BOAST TODAY THAT THE HOUSTON ICE FIELD OFFICE ARRESTED 3,500 PEOPLE THIS PAST MONTH ALONE? MAYOR WHITMEYER ISN'T CONCERNED WITH OUR SAFETY.
HE IS CONCERNED WITH KEEPING HIS CAMPAIGN POCKETS FULL WITH BLOOD MONEY FROM HIS BILLIONAIRE REPUBLICAN BENEFACTORS.
SO LET'S BE HONEST, MR. MAYOR, YOU ARE NOT A DEMOCRAT.
WILL YOU STAND WITH HIM OR WILL YOU PROTECT US? THANK YOU.
HELLO, I'M TAYLOR, A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN REGISTERED NURSE AND A DSA MEMBER.
[02:10:01]
EVENING.I LIVE IN DISTRICT K, I'M ONE OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
UM, I COME HERE TO SAY, JUST AS SOMEONE WITH CONCERNS AND SOME QUESTIONS, I WANNA KNOW WHY CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES HPD COLLABORATING WITH ICE OPENLY IN THIS CITY.
BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE THAT ACTUALLY BEING SILENT ON THE ISSUE THAT MORE THAN HALF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE SPECIFICALLY CAME HERE TO TONIGHT TO TELL YOU ABOUT, SAYS TO DO NOTHING IS TO DO SOMETHING ACTUALLY IN THESE TIMES.
UM, WHY IS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR HPD TO ONLY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHEN IT COMES TO COLLABORATING WITH ICE? WHY IS IT THAT IT'S SO DIFFICULT FOR ANY ONE OF YOU TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME HERE SPECIFICALLY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT HP'S COLLABORATION? YOU CAN HAPPILY TAKE THE TIME TO GIVE EXTRA TIME TO ANYONE WHO COMES HERE WITH ANYTHING ELSE, BE IT A BIKE LANE, BE IT ANYTHING ELSE.
BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE EXTRA WORD GIVEN TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORS.
WHEN I LOOK UP AT THIS COUNCIL, I SEE INDIFFERENCE.
UM, AND I REMEMBER THESE FACES AND THESE NAMES.
I'VE LOOKED THEM UP, I'VE WRITTEN THEM DOWN, AND I, ALONG WITH ALL MY OTHER FRIENDS IN HERE, VOTING EVERY ELECTION.
I AM GOING TO OUTLIVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANY OF THE US-BORN CITIZENS IN THIS ROOM AND THE IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE BEING WRONGFULLY DETAINED IS THE FACT THAT THEY WERE WRONG, BORN ON THE WRONG SIDE OF AN IMAGINARY LINE.
MY NAME IS KEVIN INE FROM WORKERS DEFENSE ACTION FUND IN HOUSTON.
ALL OF YOU ARE SO AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENDS MORE ENFORCEMENT.
WE ALREADY HAVE A CRISIS AT HAND BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY HERE.
THE COERCION AND ABUSE IS SO RAMPANT THAT EVEN OUR OWN RELATIONS SENSE OF KINSHIP IS BEING DISTORTED.
WE ARE WITNESSING OUR OWN NEIGHBORS BETRAY AND TARGET IMMIGRANT HOUSTONIANS AS BOUNTY HUNTERS BECAUSE FROM THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, WE ARE GIVEN FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT A SOCIETY WHICH ASPIRES FOR THE HUMANITY AND DIGNITY, UH, FOR IMMIGRANTS LOOKS LIKE.
IF THEY CAN'T LIVE IN PEACE, NEITHER SHOULD YOU.
ALL OUR COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCING NEW LEVELS OF CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND HERE IN HOUSTON, OUR LOVED ONES INSIDE REPORT INMATES AS YOUNG AS SIX YEARS OLD, PEOPLE EXPOSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TO COLD AND DETERIORATING CONDITIONS, DENIED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND PROLONGED PERIODS WITHOUT FOOD, I CALL ON ALL OF YOU.
TO END THE POLICE USE OF THE NCIC DATABASE TO TRANSFER OUR PEOPLE TO ICE AND TO END ICE, COLLABORATE ICE NEXT COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
APPEARS NORA TO BE FOLLOWED BY ADAM CONTRERAS.
UM, THIS IS MY SECOND TIME HERE AT CITY HALL.
I HAD A REALLY FUN TIME WITH, UH, SOME FRIENDS, SOME NEW PEOPLE, UM, FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE.
WHEN I WAS HERE IN THE SUMMER, I HEARD SOME OF THE MOST GUT WRENCHING, HORRIFIC STORIES ABOUT COMMUNITIES BEING TORN APART BY ICE PEOPLE TERRIFIED FOR THEIR LIVES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS, THEIR FAMILIES, EVERY ASPECT OF BEING HOUSTONIAN THAT I TAKE FOR GRANTED.
YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU WILL NOT LISTEN AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL UNTIL YOU DO SOMETHING.
THE FACT YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER OR YEAH, MAYOR WHITMEYER.
UM, WERE OUT OF THE CHAMBERS FOR, I'M GONNA SAY LIKE SOME OF THE WORST PARTS OF THIS MEETING IN TERMS OF ME CRYING, REALLY SAYS SOMETHING YOU CAN REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS REALITY.
WHEN MOST OF HOUSTON, MOST OF HOUSTON'S CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN'T, WE HAVE THAT LUXURY.
AND YOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT ADAM CONTRERAS TO BE FOLLOWED BY CHARLIE JONES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR WHITMEYER, DISTINGUISHED GUEST
[02:15:01]
AND MY FELLOW HOUSTONIANS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTOMATION IS ALREADY HERE AND IT'S REWRITING EVERYTHING.IF WE COMMIT NOW TO GOING ALL IN, HOUSTON WILL BECOME THE MOST EFFICIENT, THE MOST TRANSPARENT AND MOST INNOVATIVE MEGA CITY IN AMERICA.
PICTURE THIS, EVERY TAX DOLLAR TRACKED IN REAL TIME.
WATER REMAINS FIXED BEFORE THEY BURST.
BIDS REVIEWED IN SECONDS, NEVER OVERPAYING AGAIN.
SAVING TENS OF MILLIONS PERMITS ISSUED ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY.
THESE TOOLS ALREADY EXIST, ARE PROVEN WORLDWIDE AND CAN ELIMINATE OVER A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
IT'S THE NEW OIL, IT'S THE NEW DEFINING EDGE OF THIS CENTURY.
WE BUILD FROM OIL RIGS TO ROCKETS.
NOW LET'S BUILD YOUR TIME INTELLIGENCE.
LET'S MAKE HOUSTON NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD.
YOU CAN SEE FROM MAYOR
LAST MONTH I TOLD YOU THAT NO TRUTH IS SELF-EVIDENT UNLESS WE EMBODY IT.
AND I INVITED YOU ALL TO EMBODY OUR COUNTRY'S SACRED TRUTH.
TONIGHT I RETURN, BUT THE STORIES STILL HAVEN'T CHANGED.
A MONTH LATER, WE KEEP HEARING THE SAME STORIES OF MOTHERS, ELDERS, CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE SCARED OF ICE ASKING FOR WHAT THEY SHOULD THE SHOULD BE THEIR RIGHT, WHICH IS FREEDOM.
I'M NOT HERE TO PROPOSE OR PLEAD.
I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT A CITY'S STORY IS WRITTEN NOT BY COMFORT, BUT BY COURAGE.
SO WILL THE NEXT SPEAKER STAND HERE AND TELL THE SAME OLD STORY BECAUSE YOU FAILED TO ACT OR WILL TONIGHT BE THE CHAPTER THAT FINALLY CHANGES? THANK YOU COUNCIL.
AN ANTHONY HUBBARD TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALFREDO DOMINGUEZ.
SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT TO SAID HERE TONIGHT, A LOT THAT NEED TO BE SAID.
BUT WHAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MONTHS AND MULTIPLE MEETINGS WHERE YOU PERSONALLY, WITTMEYER HAVE SAID THERE WAS NO COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
I CAN SEE MY TIME, BUT I WANT YOU TO ANSWER THIS.
WERE YOU LYING WHEN YOU SAID THAT? THAT THE, CAN YOU ANSWER? IS IT A DIFFICULT QUESTION OR THIS IS MY TEST.
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT.
WE'RE ASKING YOU AN HONEST QUESTION.
YOU'VE SAID FOR MONTHS WE'VE BEEN HERE TRYING TO TALK TO YOU FOR MONTHS ABOUT COLLABORATING WITH ICE.
AND YOU ASSURED US THAT THERE WAS NO COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
WE WANT TO OPEN THE CONVERSATION.
I'M NOT TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, PRESSURE YOU, I'M NOT TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
IF YOU TRY TO REASSURE IF THERE'S NO COLLABORATION, THEN NICK, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THAT TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO GET OUT.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN HONEST MAN TO BE FOLLOWED BY ETHAN HALE.
UH, FELLOW DOMINGUEZ WITH PEOPLE'S COUNCIL ON THE RISE HOUSTON CAMPAIGN.
UH, I REALLY, I'M, I'M KIND OF SHOCKED AT THE, THE RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL NOT BECAUSE I, I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD GET A, A REJOICE MEN AND WE WOULD END ICE COLLABORATION STATE MORE SO BECAUSE THIS COUNCIL'S BEEN RESPONSIVE TO PEOPLE'S RESIDENTS ABOUT
THEY'VE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO RESIDENTS CONCERNS ABOUT BIKE LANES AND THEIR, IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THEY WERE RESPONSIVE ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND PERMITTING.
BUT WHEN WE'RE IN HERE TALKING ABOUT DEPORTATION, SUDDENLY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN'T RESPOND.
SUDDENLY THE MAYOR CAN'T RESPONDED.
IT'S JUST SHOCKING TO ME THAT THE, THE ISSUES WITH WHICH THIS COUNCIL CHOOSES AND DEEMS WORTHY OF RESPECT AND WORTHY OF INTEREST AND CARE.
UM, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO, TO HARP ON THIS POINT THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE.
WASN'T PROP A PASSED? SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A STRONG MAYOR.
SYSTEM WASN'T, AND THIS COUNCIL
[02:20:01]
GIVEN MORE POWER TO CIRCUMVENT THE POWER OF THE MAYOR WHEN IT NEEDED TO, WHEN IT HAD A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO, DOESN'T THE CITY HAVE A MAJORITY OF OPTIONS, EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE HPD IS JUST ENFORCING THE LAW AND ENFORCING STATE LAW, ISN'T THERE OTHER THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL CAN DO, LIKE LIMITING POLICE INTERACTION LIKE YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, UH, GETTING FLOCK COMMUNITY CAMERAS THAT ICE IS USING OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.AREN'T THESE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE COUNCIL? AM AM I MISUNDERSTANDING THIS NEXT? I DON'T THINK SO.
THANK YOU ETHAN HALE TO BE FOLLOWED BY JACOB CLEMENT FOR MONTHS.
WE'VE KNOWN HPD IN DIRECT COLLABORATION WITH ICE.
IT TOOK MONTHS FOR THIS TO BE DIRECTLY ADDRESSED BY THIS COUNCIL.
THIS COLLABORATION WITH ICE IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT CAUSES PEOPLE TO BE SCARED TO CALL FOR HELP WHEN THEY REALLY NEED IT.
WE HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO CARRY OUT CIVIL WARRANTS.
YOU'RE RIPPING FAMILIES APART, DESTROYING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, VIOLATING THE RIGHTS OF OUR, OF OUR PEOPLE FROM CALLING OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO FREEZE ALL FUNDS TO HP UNTIL THIS COLLABORATION HAS ENDED, WHETHER IT BE DISTRICT FUNDS OR OTHERWISE, IT ONLY TAKES THREE OF YOU TO PUT THIS COLLABORATION WITH ICE ON THE AGENDA.
WE DON'T WANT MORE STATEMENTS.
WE DON'T WANT MORE LIP SERVICE.
I AM NOT GOING SING, BUT I THINK OF JIM BAEZ, UM, BOTH SIDES, SNOW AND HENRY, UH, MAYOR MEYER, AND, UH, ON THE REST OF THE COUNCIL HERE.
Y'ALL DESERVE A, AN APPLAUSE FOR ME BECAUSE WELL, Y'ALL AUTOGRAPH THAT FOOTBALL AND I PLAN TO GIVE IT TO THE HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY.
NOW THE OTHER THING IS MY, MY YOUNGER BROTHER, HE'S A POLICE OFFICER AND HPD AND HE, HE, HE AN IMMIGRANT SON.
NOW ANOTHER IMMIGRANT WAS DR. CHARLES RUSO.
HE'S AN IMMIGRANT AND HE'S PROBABLY ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO, UM, UM, MR. UH, JAMES PINERO, WHO WAS FATHER WAS BORN IN NEW LORETO.
AND HE, HE'S, HE'S MY GUARDIAN AND HE'S AN IMMIGRANT ALSO.
NOW, UM, ALSO THIS MR. LUIS PINEDA.
HE, HE'S, UH, HE WAS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
HE WAS, UH, UM, ARRESTED BY ICE.
JOSEPH AMMA, UH, THIS ALL RIGHT, UH, TALKING STRAIGHT TALK TO YOU SQUARE BUSINESS.
I USED TO BE ABLE TO COME TO THIS.
I USED TO BE ABLE TO COME TO SPEAK AT THE CITY, CITY OF HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITHOUT ANYBODY FOLLOWING ME BACK HOME OR MY HANGOUT.
BUT THAT WAS POOR MINISTRY MARTIAL LAW.
I TOOK HOMESCHOOL OR I DIDN'T GO TO LAW SCHOOL.
BUT CONGRESS PEOPLE, IF YOU ARE THE PLAIN OR THE PLAIN LAWYER, HOW FAST YOU DOING YOUR MONEY? IF YOUR CLIENT FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENT LEAVE CONGRESS PEOPLE, IT SHOULDN'T TAKE OVER FIVE YEARS OR MORE BEFORE A FEDERAL JUDGE COULD SIGN ONE SHEET OF PAPER.
IN HOUSTON, TEXAS CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, THEY BUILD HOUSES WITH COMMUNITIES, STREETS, ROADS, AND PROPER COMPLEX, FASTER THAN A FEDERAL JUDGE COULD SIGN A ONE ORDER OF JUDGMENT THAT SHOULD NOT, SHOULD NOT BE THE NORM IN THE BEST CIVIL COURT SYSTEM IN OUR WORLD, WE'RE ONLY ASKING FOR A FAIR CIVIL COURT SYSTEM THAT'S PLAYED ON A FAIR PLAYING FIELD WITH FAIR REFEREES.
THAT'S ALL WE ASK FOR IN ANY SPORTS.
CAN ANY OF MY BLACK AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNTERPART, BLACK AMERICAN POLITIC LEADERS, RELIGION CAN AND NATION SAYS, CAN SAY IMPROVE.
I LOST ANY CIVIL COURT, YOUR HONOR, WHEN IT COMES TO LOWER INCOME LEVEL REAL ESTATE OURSELVES, REPLACING OUR OLD CHIEF SIT WITH SOME NEW CHEAP SIT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
BUT DON'T ONE EXPENSIVE SHEET BEFORE PEOPLE HAVE PAID 90 YEARS WORTH OF RENT IN THOSE LAND FOR THOSE LANDLORDS, WE GOT THE CONTROL INFLATION.
UH, MY FRIEND, MY FRIEND GIRL TOLD ME I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE SEX WITH HER.
I TOLD HER, YOU CAN'T AFFORD MY PRODUCT DESIGN, MOVIE SCRIPT COLLECTION INVENTIONS.
MY CHEAPEST PROJECT, THOUGHT ABOUT BLACK HISTORY BOND COLLECTION.
I WANT AT LEAST $500 IN ADVANCEMENT.
[02:25:01]
MOOD SCRIPTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS.I WORTH A LOT OF MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO JUST FASHION COMPANY DESIGN CONCEPT.
I WANT A MILLION DOLLARS OFF THE TOP.
OR YOU CAN GIMME $200,000 FOR EVERY PIECE OF CLOTHES THAT YOUR COMPANY DESIGN CONCEPT IS ON A SALE.
AND I WOULD BE, I'D BE IN YOUR POCKET LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON.
UH, SHAPE CENTER, TRYING BLACK, THE DONUT, WILLIE AVENUE FANS, UH, ART, THE ART BRAND, THE NAMES OF THEIRS, BUT THE IDEALISM CONCEPT OF MINE.
AND ONE UNDER ARMOR DID SHOES.
I DID CLOTHES, WALMART CITY TREND AND FAMILY DOLLAR CLOTHES TOO.
BUT THE IDEALISM AND FASHION CONCEPT OF MINE.
AND IF YOU WANT YOUR CLOTHES TO MATCH YOUR SHOES, I WANT A MILLION DOLLAR FOR SHOES TO MATCH YOUR CLOTHES.
AND THEN, AND THEY PUT THIS CHECK YOUR MILLION DOLLAR CHECK IF MY COVERED OKAY.
I'VE BEEN VERY GENEROUS, VERY EASILY.
UM, I JUST WANNA SEE IF, UH, IF SHA SHEIKA, ALICIA FORD IS HERE.
I JUST GOT THE, THE NOTE THAT YOU'RE HERE.
SO SHE WAS MISSED, UH, OR SHE WASN'T HERE WHENEVER THEY FIRST CALLED.
AND THEN I WOULD, UM, MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD SHAMIKA MOTION.
CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? WELL, I'M HERE BECAUSE WE ARE A NEW BUSINESS IN HOUSTON.
WE BROUGHT SOMETHING THAT IS, UH, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HERE.
WE WANTED TO GET SOME, JUST ASK FOR RESOURCES.
UM, PRETTY MUCH PARTNER WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE OUTREACH.
THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS IS THE COLOSSAL MUSEUM.
UM, WE WOULD LOVE TO, WE, LET ME JUST TELL YOU ABOUT THE SPACE VERSE.
SO, WE'RE A NEW MUSEUM IN HOUSTON.
WE, UM, SPECIALIZE IN GIGANTIC SIZE SCULPTURES, BUT PART OF OUR MISSION AND INCLUSION IS TO DO SOMETHING NOT ONLY FOR FAMILIES, BUT FOR CHILDREN, UM, WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AS WELL AS, UM, VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS AS WELL AS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE.
SO IT MADE EVERYTHING IN GIGANTIC SIZES, VIBRANT COLORS, DIFFERENT TEXTURES FOR PEOPLE THAT HAS SENSORY NEEDS AS WELL.
SO WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR RESOURCES, LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO GET THE WORD OUT.
SEE WHAT DO YOU ALL HAVE TO OFFER AS FAR AS LIKE GRANTS FUNDING, UM, THAT WILL HELP US REACH, GET THE OUTREACH.
WE ALSO PARTNER WITH DIFFERENT PORT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
UM, WE JUST HOSTED A, WE SPONSORED A SPECIAL NEEDS EVENT, UM, LAST FRIDAY, WHICH WAS AMAZING.
UH, SHAMEIKA, I THINK SO IF YOU'RE IN THE HEIGHTS, YOU'RE EITHER GONNA BE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, OR COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
UH, WE CAN TAKE YOUR INFORMATION AND MAKE SURE WE CAN CONNECT YOU WITH THEM, BUT ALSO I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT AND JUST SEE HOW WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE AS WELL.
BUT WE WANT TO CONNECT WITH ALL, UM, DISTRICTS BECAUSE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING THAT CAN TOUCH ALL, LIKE WE'RE DOING PART, WE'RE GONNA BE SPONSORING, LIKE WE DO, WE'RE IN EVENT SPACE AS WELL.
SO WE'RE GONNA BE SPONSORING BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR LIKE, SPECIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS UNDERPRIVILEGED.
IF YOU SHARE IT WITH ME, I CAN GET IT TO MY COLLEAGUES.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE AND WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU HERE.
DO YOU WANNA BE BACK? COUNCIL CARTER, COUNCILMAN CARTER? THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, IF YOU'LL JUST EMAIL IT TO ALL OF US.
WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE AND CONNECT WITH YOU.
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE A GOOD THING GOING.
WE'D LIKE TO HELP YOU GET IT OUT THERE.
[RECESS]
IT'S TOO OLD.IT'S TOO, WE STAY IN RECESS TILL NINE O'CLOCK.
[RECONVENE]
[CONSENT AGENDA]
ITEM NUMBER ONE, MR. SECRETARY, GIVE US ONE SECOND.IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM ONE? FACT MOVE SECOND.
[02:30:10]
THE VOTE'S OPEN.ARE WE READY FOR THE VOTE? YES.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM NUMBER ONE.
I WANT TO VOTE ON YOUR NEW MACHINES.
IF, IF YOU, IF BECAUSE YOU CLOSE WITH, THERE'S A REAL, THERE'S A REAL CONCERN ABOUT VOTING ON A LAPTOP THAT THE PUBLIC CAN'T SEE.
YOU KNOW, AT LEAST IN THE TEXAS HOUSE WHEN THEY VOTE ON A MACHINE, THERE'S A, THERE'S A BOARD THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE IN REAL TIME.
TO VOTE ON THE LAPTOPS WITHOUT THE PUBLIC KNOWING HOW YOU VOTING IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT I THINK WE NEED TO MARTA WORK AROUND OR THROUGH.
BUT, UH, I DON'T SEE HOW WE VOTE ON A LAPTOP THAT ONLY YOU CAN SEE.
SO WE NEED TO GO BACK AND REDESIGN IT.
OR FIGURE OUT IF YOU WANT A PUBLIC DISPLAY AS YOU VOTE.
AND WE CAN, OBVIOUSLY, IF IT'S A VOICE VOTE, WE CONTINUE THAT PROCESS.
OR WE CAN HAVE A ROLL CALL IF SOMEONE WANTS TO VOTE INDIVIDUALLY.
SO WE, WE COULD DO THE VOICE, VOICE VOTE AND WE'LL MARK IT DOWN IN THE SYSTEM IF YOU PREFER TO DO IT THAT WAY.
IF, IF IT'S A DIVIDED VOTE, WE OUGHT TO HAVE A ROLL CALL.
I'M, I'M ALL FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUT NOT WHEN WE'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT GET TO SEE IT ANYWAY.
UM, WE JUST VOTED ON ITEM ONE.
WITH THE PO VOTE ITEM TWO, PLEASE.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM TWO? SECOND MOVE.
AND I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE SOME OF OUR WAIT, THERE'S SOME CONFUSING, DON'T KNOW WHO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
NOBODY KNOWS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
OKAY, BECAUSE THERE'S CLICK A BEG.
PARDON? EVERYBODY CLICK THE A.
I CAN REPEAT WHAT I SAID WHILE AGO.
THE LAPTOP IS AN EFFORT TO USE TECHNOLOGY FOR VOTING.
UH, FIRST TIME I'VE WITNESSED IT AND I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN.
IT'S NOT PUBLIC, SO, SO WE'LL JUST DO THE VOICE VOTE.
WE'LL CONTINUE THE SYSTEM IN MY JUDGMENT UNTIL WE CAN HAVE A DISPLAY BOARD GO BACK TO THE BASICS TODAY.
YEAH, LET'S GO BACK TO THE BASICS DAY.
THAT DOWN STACK OF THE BASICS BOARD.
WELL, I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE TRUMAN EDM MINSTER FOR GETTING APPOINTED.
AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DO GET ACR TRUMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND WE DO GET A SCREEN POP UP RIGHT AFTER WE VOTED, SAYING WHO ALL VOTED YES.
COULD THAT SCREEN POP UP BE DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN? IT IT DOES, BUT THE PUBLIC IS NOT SEEING EVEN WHAT YEAH, WE'RE DISCIPLINING.
LET'S THANK, UH, MR. EDM, ADMINISTER KELMAN AND STEVEN MCNEIL, IF Y'ALL WILL RISE AND LET US ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRESENCE AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE MEMBERS.
UH, I'LL TAKE A MOMENT TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE NEXT THURSDAY, 9:00 AM IT SHOULD BE AN ALL TIME BEST WITH THE MASCOTS OF, UH, CLUTCH ORBIT TORO DIESEL BEING
[02:35:01]
PRESENT FOR ENTERTAINMENT.UH, WE DON'T HAVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, CLOSE FOR THANKSGIVING ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
SO EVERYONE ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND BE SAFE.
SECRETARY, YOU WANNA MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES, SIR.
UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORY, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 1, 2, 3, AND FOUR? HECK MOVE SECOND.
THOSE OPPOSED MADE MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ACCEPT WORK CATEGORY.
ITEMS FIVE AND SIX HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION UNDER THE PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS.
CATEGORY ITEM 1919 HAVE BEEN PULLED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM SEVEN THROUGH 18? HECK MOVE.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY.
ITEMS 26 THROUGH 31, 34 AND 37 HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED, BUT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THEY'RE RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING.
ITEM 35 HAS BEEN PULLED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND WILL NOT BE RECEIVED.
ITEMS 20, 25 AND 32 HAVE BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.
IS THEIR VOTE ON THE BALANCE? ALL IN FAVOR? SAY.
[CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA]
FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM FIVE? SECOND.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM SIX? SECOND MOVE.
COUNCIL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
UM, AND I JUST WANT TO, UH, TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK, UH, SEVERAL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, UH, SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE GEORGE R. BROWN AND DISCOVERY GREEN, UH, FOR THEIR PATIENCE.
UM, THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA FOR SOME TIME.
UH, WE'VE SEEN, UM, A LOT OF JOY RIDING IN DOWNTOWN WHEN IT COMES TO SCOOTERS THAT ULTIMATELY HAS ALSO BROUGHT UTVS AS WELL.
UH, IT HAS REALLY BROUGHT A KIND OF A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT, UH, OR REAL, NOT KIND OF, BUT HAS BROUGHT A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT IN DOWNTOWN.
UM, WANT TO THANK MARIA AS WELL FROM A RA, YOUR, YOUR, UH, TEAM AS WELL, MAYOR.
UM, I THINK THIS IS, UH, A GOOD MOVE FORWARD.
UM, THIS, THIS CURFEW, UM, ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO KIND OF REIGN IN SOME OF THE, THE JOY WRITING THAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER.
UM, MY, MY HOPES IS AS WELL THOUGH, IS THAT AS WE, UM, IMPLEMENT THIS NEW ORDINANCE IS THAT, UH, WE COULD START LOOKING AT A, UH, AN RFP TO IDENTIFY A VENDOR, UM, A LEGITIMATE VENDOR THAT COULD ALSO, UH, ENSURE THAT WE CAN STILL HAVE MICRO MOBILITY WITHIN DOWNTOWN.
UH, SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ORDINANCE.
I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WOULD ALSO BE JOINING ME IN SUPPORTING THIS AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
UH, OBVIOUSLY YOUR POSITION ON HOUSTON FIRST HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE.
NOT ONLY THE HOUSTON FIRST ACTIVITIES, BUT OBVIOUSLY DISCOVERY GREEN.
OUR, OUR HOTELS, UH, OUR SPORTS VENUES, UH, ARE BEING JEOPARDIZED.
I WAS LEAVING, UH, THE DYNAMO GAME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND WE HAD TO GET OFF THE SIDEWALKS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE LEAVING.
GET OUTTA THE WAY, BECAUSE HERE COMES THE SCOOTERS.
THEY'RE ENDANGERING THEMSELVES.
THERE ARE MINORS ON THE SCOOTERS RUNNING RED LIGHTS.
WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE TO GIVE CREDIT TO FOR CREATING WALKABILITY IN OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT.
BUT THEY'RE STARTING NEAR THE GEORGE BROWN AND DISCOVER GREEN.
THEY RUN RED LIGHTS ALL THE WAY TO ALLEN PARKWAY, WHERE IT'S STILL DIM.
I'VE RIDDEN WITH THE POLICE CHIEF ON OUR SURGES DOWNTOWN TRYING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
[02:40:01]
IT'S JUST SUCH, I THINK IT'S ONE OF OUR NUMBER ONE SECURITY RISK IN THE CITY RIGHT NOW.'CAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT DISCOVERY GREEN, UH, MS. KINDER'S HERE TODAY, WE KNOW OF THEIR DEDICATION TO DISCOVERY GREEN.
WE CLOSE IT AT 11, PARTLY BECAUSE OF SAFETY ON THESE MILD DAYS.
AND YOU JUST WISH IT COULD REMAIN OPEN, BUT IT'S DONE AS A PRECAUTION BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE ELEMENTS THAT THE SCOOTERS BRING DOWNTOWN.
UH, A RESIDENCE AT THE HIGH RISE ACROSS FROM THE DISCOVERY GREEN HAD A BULLET FIRED TO THE LOBBY ABOUT TWO FRIDAY NIGHTS AGO.
AND HERE'S WHAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE.
IT'S NOT EVEN HOUSTONIANS, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CHIEF, WE TALK TO THE SCOOTER USERS AND THE VENDORS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT SMALL CHILDREN TO RIDE 'EM.
THEY GO THE SIDEWALK, THEY GO THE STREET, THEY RUN THE RED LIGHT.
AND WHEN YOU INTERVIEW, THEY'RE NOT EVEN HOUSTONIANS.
IT'S BECOME, LET'S GO TO DOWNTOWN HOUSTON AND RIDE SCOOTERS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.
SO, IT'S A DANGER TO THE USERS OF SCOOTERS IS RUNNING THE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY A PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
WE'VE REALLY GOT SOMETHING GOING, AND I JUST HOPE WE CAN RESOLVE IT THIS MORNING BECAUSE WE'RE NOW ENTERING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
THE MILE WEATHER IS BRINGING FOLKS DOWNTOWN IN THE EVENING AT LARGE NUMBERS.
THE HOTELS, WHETHER IT'S THE FOURTH SEASON OF MARRIOTT OR OTHERS, CALL ME REGULARLY, THEIR GUESTS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT TRYING TO WALK FROM THE FOUR SEASONS TO THE PAPA STEAK HOUSE.
OUR THEATER DISTRICT THAT WE'RE SO PROUD OF WHEN THEY LEAVE THE THEATERS JONES HALL, THEY HAVE TO YIELD TO PEOPLE ABUSING OUR SIDEWALKS IN OUR STREETS.
SO, LIKE I SAID, WE EMPHASIZE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS IS RIGHT UP NEAR THE TOP IN TERMS OF PROTECTING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR ACTIVITIES, AND WHAT A GREAT CENTRAL CITY THAT HAS BEEN CREATED.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIP, IT PUTS THEM UNDER, BUT WE CAN'T YIELD A SPECIAL INTEREST.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO HOUSTONIANS AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON ACTIVITIES, WHETHER IT'S THE ASTRO ROCKETS, DYNAMO ARTS THEATERS, OUR GUESTS LOOK WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE GEORGE BROWN DOUBLING ITS SIZE, AND THEY'RE GRADUALLY LEAVING DOWNTOWN INTO ALLEN PARKWAY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO LET'S LOOK OUT FOR THOSE THAT ARE MAKING SUCH POOR JUDGMENT TO RIDE THESE WITHOUT A HELMET.
I, I COULD GIVE YOU THE STATS THAT THE FIRE AND EMS RESPOND TO AND NOT TO MENTION, IT'S A HORRIBLE WASTE OF HPD RESOURCES TO TRY TO ENFORCE SOME BAD BEHAVIOR BROUGHT ON TO US BY REALLY BE TALKED TO, TO THE KIDS.
THEY'RE FROM SPRING HUMBLE TOMBALL.
IT'S JUST KIND OF LIKE THE NEW ASTOR WORLD IN THEIR MINDS.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS BY A RA, THE MAYOR'S STAFF, STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE WEIGHED IN, INCLUDING NANCY KINDER AND THE KINDER FOUNDATION.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE FOR THE CITY.
AND, UM, THIS PROPOSAL IS A LOT, LOT BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS A COMPLETE BAN CITYWIDE 24 7.
UM, HOWEVER, THE LANGUAGE ON THIS WAS RELEASED TO THE COUNCIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
I DIDN'T READ IT TILL SATURDAY.
AND, UM, A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DIDN'T GET TO READ IT TILL MONDAY, AND WERE NOT ABLE TO OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT ON IT.
SO, I, I VALUE, UM, THIS, THIS PROPOSAL, UH, AND, AND I ACTUALLY SUPPORT IT.
HOWEVER, I ALSO SUPPORT HOUSTONIANS HAVING A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT AND FEELING THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.
AND A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS COMMUNITY DON'T HAVE THAT FEELING RIGHT NOW.
AND SO, FOR THAT REASON, OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE PROCESS AND TRANSPARENCY AND PEOPLE, PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO WEIGH IN, I INTEND TO TAG THIS MEASURE,
[02:45:01]
BUT I DON'T WANT TO KEEP COUNCIL ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WANNA SPEAK ON IT FROM BEING HEARD.DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WE COULD HELP YOU WITH THIS MORNING? UM, THERE ARE A COUPLE.
UH, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JOSH SANDERS YESTERDAY WHEN I TOLD HIM I WAS GONNA TAG IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DIDN'T, THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT, UH, TO, TO OTHERS.
HE PROBABLY DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU.
UH, HE BELIEVED ME AND HE ACTUALLY TOLD ME HE APPRECIATED MY PERSPECTIVE.
BUT, UM, ONE QUESTION I HAD IS, WHAT ABOUT THE NON-MOTORIZED SCOOTERS? UH, LIKE THE ONE I BOUGHT FROM MY SON 10 YEARS AGO THAT DOESN'T HAVE A MOTOR.
IF YOU READ, UH, THE LANGUAGE IN THIS PROPOSAL, IT INCLUDES HUMAN POWERED SCOOTERS LIKE THAT.
UM, IT WAS AT THE INTENT TO, TO CRIMINALIZE THE USE OF HUMAN POWERED SCOOTERS AFTER EIGHT O'CLOCK, UH, BY, BY YOUTH.
UM, THE PROPOSAL DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SEGWAYS.
SOME IN THE COMMUNITY THINK SEGWAYS ARE DANGEROUS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD AS WELL.
UH, SHOULD THE PROPOSAL INCLUDE SEGUES? SO THOSE ARE A COUPLE QUESTIONS I HAVE, BUT AS I SAID, THIS PROPOSAL IS MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS JUST A FLAT COMPLETE BAN CITYWIDE.
AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT'S GONE INTO IT.
BUT I ALSO WANNA MAKE SURE THAT HOUSTONIANS WHO WANNA WEIGH IN ON THIS PROPOSAL, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
YOU DO UNDERSTAND EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTS THE HOUSTONIANS.
THAT'S KIND OF THE PROCESS THAT WE WOULD REPRESENT HOUSTONIANS.
I, I, I UNDERSTAND HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS.
WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS IN PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR MONTHS NOW, AND, AND I'VE BEEN A PART OF THAT.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT DISTURBS ME.
WHAT NEW INFORMATION OTHER THAN YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SON'S SCOOTERS.
HOW, HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT MAYOR? WHAT, WHAT I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT ARE HOUSTONIANS WHO WANNA HAVE A VOICE IN THIS PROCESS AND HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE.
I THINK THEY OUGHT TO HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE AND WEIGH IN ON THIS.
WHAT'S THE GREATER GOOD YOU DO REALIZE THE DANGER YOU'RE PUTTING THOSE HOUSTONIANS TO AND THE, UH, DISRUPTION OF OUR HOLIDAY SEASON? WELL, I THINK THAT'S A FALSE CHOICE, FRANKLY.
I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS PARAMOUNT IN GOVERNMENT.
WE'VE HAD REPEATED MEETINGS, BUT I RESPECT YOUR RIGHT TO, TO CAST YOUR VOTE AS YOU WISH.
I WISH WE COULD HAVE A VOTE THIS MORNING.
I THINK, UH, IT JEOPARDIZES PEOPLE'S LIVES IN, IN THE, UH, DISCOVERY GREEN CHRISTMAS SKATE RINK.
UH, YOU KNOW, MY EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT IS YOU, YOU LOOK AT THE GREATER GOOD, AND I JUST SO STRONGLY BELIEVE THE GREATER GOOD IS TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO VOTE AND REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICTS.
AND WE'VE GOT SOME CITYWIDE, UH, REPRESENTATIVES THAT SUPPORT IT.
COUNCIL AND, AND COUNCIL, COUNCIL, COUNCIL COUNCIL GET TO VOTE AND EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
COUNCILMAN CARTER? THANK YOU, MAYOR.
UM, YOU KNOW, I, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THIS FOR, FOR A WHILE NOW.
AND CERTAINLY WE ALL GET THE EMAILS, UM, FROM, FROM ALL OF OUR FRIENDS DOWN IN DISCOVERY GREEN AND, AND THE AREA, THE RESIDENTS.
AND, I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
LAST NIGHT WE LEFT HERE, YOU KNOW, I HEADED A DOWN MCKINNEY AS I MET A STOPLIGHT, A THREE WHEELER COMES RIGHT OFF.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TIME WE LEFT HERE LAST NIGHT, EIGHT 20 ISH.
YOU KNOW, A A THREE WHEELER COMES OFF.
HAD I NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, NO HELMETS, I WOULD'VE HIT THEM.
AND THEN TURN THE CORNER AND TWO SCOOTERS COME BLAZING ACROSS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THIS CERTAINLY IS A, IS A FIRST STEP.
I I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING UNTIL WE ACTUALLY GEOFENCE AND BAN THOSE SCOOTERS IN CERTAIN AREAS.
UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, ON A TUESDAY EVENING, YOU KNOW, IT'S WORKDAY AND THEY'RE JOY WRITING THEN.
SO, AND IT, IT'S, IT'S A PROBLEM.
I, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THIS CERTAINLY IS A FIRST STEP, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE.
YOU KNOW, I WAS, I DON'T MIND SAYING IT.
I WAS INITIALLY A FAN OF A PUBLIC BAN ON ALL OF THEM, BUT THIS, I THINK IS A GOOD MEANS TO AN END.
UM, AND CERTAINLY HELPS WITH THE QUESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE USING THEM TO, UH, FOR TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.
AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I EMAIL MONDAY MORNING FROM, YOU KNOW, TOM S AUGUSTA OVER AT THE FOUR SEASONS.
AND THEY, YOU KNOW, OUR CITY BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN, THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, THE BUSINESS IS AT STAKE.
AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO ALLOW THIS BAD BEHAVIOR, PRETTY SOON WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN.
WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT THERE'S GONNA BE A TRAGEDY.
YOU SEE, THERE'S GONNA BE ONE OF THE RIDERS OF THE SCOOTERS.
[02:50:01]
GONNA BE THE PUBLIC.AND, UM, THEN THE PUBLIC WILL WANT TO KNOW WHY WE ALLOW THAT.
WE DID OBVIOUSLY RESPECT THE USE OF SCOOTERS FOR GOING TO SCHOOL OR WORK.
AND THEY WILL BE PROVIDED FOR, UH, BY HPD.
THEY'LL BE APPROVED WITH A MEDALLION NO COST TO THEM.
SO WE'RE ACCOMMODATING THAT PURPOSE.
BUT, UH, I THINK EVERY DAY THAT WE WASTE, WE'RE ENDANGERING LIVES.
THE EMS STATISTICS WILL, WILL SUPPORT THAT POSITION.
AND, UH, A LOT OF WORK'S GONE INTO IT.
YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN A GROWING PROBLEM IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS, NOT JUST DOWNTOWN.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT MY OFFICE HAS RECEIVED IN DISTRICT G HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED SINCE I FIRST TOOK OFFICE IN 2022.
SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ORDINANCE, AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED SO HARD ON IT.
UM, I SPOKE TO THIS ISSUE WHEN THIS FIRST CAME UP.
UM, I, I, I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.
AND I, AND I CAN RESPECT COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ'S, UM, UH, INTEREST AND CONCERN.
BUT I DO THINK THAT WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, ALL OF US, TO LOOK AT THIS.
IF YOU SPENT SOME TIME DOWN HERE, AND I SAID BEFORE WHEN I SPOKE AGAINST THIS, DOWNTOWN IS NOT AN AMUSEMENT PARK.
I REMEMBER THIS CITY WHEN, WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE ALL OF THE, THE BUSINESS GROWING AND THE HOTELS THAT WE HAVE.
I REMEMBER THAT GROWING IN THIS CITY AND GROWING UP.
AND, AND, AND I THINK SOMETIMES THAT MANY OF US WHO TAKE OPPOSITIONS TO THINGS BASED UPON PERSONALITY OR INDIVIDUALS, BUT I, COUNCILMAN HUFFMAN JUST SAID ALL ACROSS THE CITY, WE EXPERIENCED THIS.
I REMEMBER THE NIGHT IT WAS OF COURSE, RAINING THAT NIGHT, NIGHT, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ AND I CAME DOWNTOWN AND SPENT THE TIME, IF YOU ACTUALLY BE HERE AND SEE IT.
I ALSO STATED IN BEFORE, WHEN MY WIFE AND I WAS DOWNTOWN IN THE THEATER DISTRICT, AND, UH, THREE SCHOOLER PEOPLE RAN IN FRONT OF ME AND ALMOST HIT 'EM.
I MEAN, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.
AND THIS IS NO TIME FOR US TO, PEOPLE HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO COME.
THEY'VE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS.
BUT THIS IS AFFECTING THE BUSINESS.
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT GETTING MONEY AND, AND THINGS INTO OUR CITY.
WELL, WELL, YOU KNOW, DELAY IS DENIAL.
AND I, I, I, I JUST IN, IN RESPECT, AND LET ME JUST SAY AGAIN TO COUNCILMAN RAM, I RESPECT THAT.
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ITEM BEING DELAYED ANY FURTHER IS GOING TO SOLVE OR RESOLVE THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
AND WE ARE NOT ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO VISIT OUR CITY, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SCOOTERS.
THERE ARE CHILDREN DOWN THERE AT 10 30, 11 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT RIDING SCOOTERS, RUNNING RED LIGHTS.
NOW, WHAT DO YOU DO? SOMEBODY'S WALKING.
AND THEN WHAT DO YOU HOLLER WHEN YOU COME OUT A SCOOTER? DO YOU GO LEFT? DO YOU GO RIGHT? DO YOU TURN AROUND IN A CIRCLE? WHAT DO YOU DO? THE, THE, THE, THE CONDITIONS AND SITUATIONS OF THIS IS SERIOUS.
AND I, AND I, I MEAN, I HATE TO SEE THIS GO ON, COUNCILMAN.
WE'VE, WE'VE COMMITTED TO KEEP AN OPEN DIALOGUE AND LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SAFE, REASONABLE PLAN.
BUT THE URGENCY OF TODAY IS PUBLIC SAFETY LIVES OF NOT ONLY HOUSTONIANS TRYING TO USE OUR STREETS AND, AND VENUES, BUT ALSO AS YOU SAID, THOSE THAT COME IN.
WEAPONS HAVE BECOME A PROBLEM.
THEY ENJOY THEIR, THEIR DRUGS AND GET ON A SCOOTER.
THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REGULATION.
UH, AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENED.
SPECIAL INTERESTS HAVE GOT INVOLVED.
THEY'VE ACTUALLY, THE VENDORS HAVE TRIED TO BLOCK IT, HIRING GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOLKS.
BUT THAT WON'T CHANGE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CORRECT, THE DANGERS OF USING OUR SIDEWALKS AND STREETS FOR THE WRONG PURPOSES.
AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS REALLY A GOOD ORDINANCE.
THE BAN WAS, WAS HARSH AND, AND WAS NOT GENERALLY ACCEPTED.
I HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN ANY PUSHBACK ON
[02:55:01]
THIS.AND THE PROBLEM I HAVE, COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, WITH A DELAY IS YOU'VE GOT KIDS OUTTA SCHOOL ALL NEXT WEEK.
I MEAN, YEAH, IT'S THANKSGIVING.
YOU'VE GOT BUSINESSES DOWN THERE.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE AT THE HOTELS.
YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE EATING OUT, TRYING TO EAT OUTSIDE ON THOSE PATIOS.
AND, AND I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A SCOOTER BAN OR, OR SOME KIND OF REGULATION FOR OF IT FOR SOME TIME.
MAYOR IS KIND OF WANTING THE LIMES AND THE BIRDS AT SOME POINT TO COME.
AND THEN I SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON DOWN THERE, AND I WAS LIKE, OH, WAIT A SECOND.
THIS ISN'T EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND WITH THE SCOOTERS.
SO I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS A GOOD WAY TO PUT A HANDLE.
JUST, JUST REIN IT IN RIGHT NOW, SEND A MESSAGE, REIN IT IN, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, DOWN THE ROAD, BE ABLE TO WELCOME SOME MORE REGULATED VERSION.
UH, BUT I REALLY, UM, DO NOT THINK A DELAY IS A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE HOLIDAYS AND, AND IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE MAYOR'S DESCRIBED.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN, IN, IN COALITION BUILDING FOR A GOOD ORDINANCE.
IT IS SO CLEAR FROM MY BEING DOWNTOWN AT MIDNIGHT RIDING THE STREETS WITH HPD, THAT IT'S NOT HOUSTONIANS RIDING THEM.
IT'S HOUSTONIANS TRYING TO USE CITY VENUES AND ASSETS.
IF YOU TALK TO THE SCOOTER RIDERS, IF YOU CAN GET 'EM TO SLOW DOWN LONG ENOUGH, THEY'RE FROM TOMBALL, PASADENA, ALL THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
IT'S, LET'S GO TO HOUSTON ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME ON THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
IT'S JEOPARDIZING THEIR LIVES, HOUSTONIAN LIVES, AND A TREMENDOUS DRAW DOWN ON HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF HOUSTON RESOURCES BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO RESPOND TO THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS AND DISCOVERY GREEN CONCERNS.
DISCOVERY GREEN IS HIRED EXTRA LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND HERE'S THE, HERE'S THE PROBLEM MEMBERS.
AND HPD IS NOT GONNA CHASE SOMEONE ON A SCOOTER.
IT'S A, IT'S A HUGE SAFETY RISK.
JUST TAKE OFF AND THERE'LL BE NO ENFORCEMENT.
WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING FORWARD WITH SCHOOL OUT NEXT WEEK, EACH AND EVERY DAY IS A PRECIOUS DAY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND GOOD MORNING.
UM, I GUESS, YOU KNOW, I'M ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO WEIGH IN, BUT CERTAINLY ON YESTERDAY, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK WE HAD ONE SPEAKER, SO THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THEN.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA CHANGE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, OTHER THAN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT.
AND SO I CERTAINLY, UH, SUPPORT THIS.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE TAG, BUT, UH, I THINK THERE MAY BE A MOTION MADE IN REGARDS TO THAT.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, A TAG NORMALLY CARRIES YOU TO THE NEXT WEEK.
THIS IS A TWO WEEK, UH, IT'LL GIVE SPECIAL INTEREST, A LOT MORE REVENUE, BUT WHILE IT'S DOING THAT, IT'S GONNA JEOPARDIZE LIVES.
SO I THINK, I THINK IT'S YOUR DISTRICT AS WELL.
AND I HAVEN'T HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH MY COLLEAGUE YET, BUT I'D, I'D LOVE TO ENTERTAIN THAT AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, INITIALLY MY STATEMENT WAS TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT'S BEEN PUTTING WORK IN.
UM, AND I JUST WANT TO KIND OF FOLLOW A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT, UH, COUNCILMAN ALQUAN HAS, HAS STRESSED, UH, WE'RE ABOUT TO HIT THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
WE KNOW THIS IS A CRIME ISSUE AS WELL.
IF YOU'VE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO IT, IF YOU'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, UM, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S CHRIS LARSON FROM DOWNTOWN PLUS, WHETHER IT IS HOUSTON FIRST, WHETHER IT IS THE HOTELS, UM, DISCOVERY GREEN, IF YOU'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS, AND THEN ALSO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO FOLKS, I'VE SPOKEN AND SAT DOWN WITH SOME OF THE SCOOTER VENDORS AS WELL.
UM, THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, AS COUNCILOR ALCO HAS MENTIONED, THERE'S NOT A HUGE PUSHBACK.
UH, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, MY GOAL IS ULTIMATELY THAT WE SEE AN RFP AND WE SEE RESPONSIBLE VENDORS, UM, WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS, UM, US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MICRO MOBILITY IN DOWNTOWN.
UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON, MAYOR, AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE THERE'S BEEN A GAP FOR MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILOR RAMIREZ AND, UM, FOLKS IN DOWNTOWN, UH, SPECIFICALLY.
'CAUSE THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE MY HUGE INTEREST IS.
UH, BUT THIS CURFEW IS AT EIGHT.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, AS A FATHER OF FOUR, ANYBODY THAT IS A MINOR OR EVEN 19 OR 20 RIDING AROUND IN DOWNTOWN AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING IS NOT SAFE.
UH, IT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF DISRUPTION.
IT HAS CAUSED, UM, YOU KNOW, TO
[03:00:01]
YOUR POINT, YOU KNOW, WHEN FOLKS GET OUT OF THESE STADIUMS OR FOLKS ARE VISITING FROM HOUSTON, UH, SCOOTERS HAVE BEEN RUNNING RAMPANT.ONE THING THAT WE'VE DONE AS WELL, I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYBODY AROUND THIS HORSESHOE KNOWS, IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION, UH, THE MAYOR, UH, DURING AUGUST, THERE WAS A HUGE SUPPRESSION IN DOWNTOWN WHEN IT CAME TO SCOOTERS.
AND WE'VE SEEN SOME BETTER RESULTS, BUT THAT ISN'T SUSTAINABLE.
AND SO WE NEED TO PROVIDE SOME MORE, UM, OPPORTUNITIES SPECIFICALLY IN THIS ORDINANCE TO BE ABLE TO, UM, HELP REIGN IT IN EVEN MORE BEFORE WE START LOOKING AT THIS RFP.
SO, UM, I'D PREFER TO TAKE A VOTE TODAY.
COUNCILOR RAMIREZ, IF YOU'RE WAITING ON, YEAH.
COUNCILOR RAMIREZ, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE WILLING TO RELEASE YOUR TAG SO WE CAN VOTE ON IT TODAY.
UM, IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO, THEN I'M GONNA MAKE A MOTION TO OVERRIDE YOUR TAG.
UH, THAT, THAT'S FINE IF YOU WANNA DO THAT.
UM, BUT, UH, LIKE AS I SAY, YOU KNOW, TRANSPARENCY MATTERS TO ME.
I THINK HOUSTONIANS DESERVE THE CHANCE TO, TO WEIGH IN ON THIS.
UM, I I, I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY ISSUES.
BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN WORKING IN PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, PRETTY MUCH MY ENTIRE LIFE.
UM, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO OVERRIDE THE TAG, OVERRIDE THE TAG, BUT I'M, I'M GONNA TAG THIS.
OH, PORNO, PORNO ORDER, MAYOR, BEFORE WE, BEFORE MY COLLEAGUE DOES JUST A, IT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE WHEN WE START OVERRIDING TAGS OF MEMBERS.
AND SO I, I AGREE IT WOULD IT, BECAUSE THAT'S A COURTESY WE EXTEND FOR DELAY WHEN WE, YOU KNOW, A COURTESY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
BUT IT'S BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THERE'S BEEN DOCUMENTED ENGAGEMENT ON THIS OVER MONTHS.
AND SO I, COUNCIL MEMBER, IF YOU JUST RE RELEASE YOUR TAG AND ALLOW THE BODY TO VOTE, AND IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE, FOR ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK TO COME BEFORE YOUR COMMITTEE, THEY CAN ALWAYS DO THAT.
BUT THEN WE SET A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER MEMBERS WHO HAVE TAGS OR DELAYS TO BE REVERSED, SIMPLY BECAUSE, SO THE WILL OF THE BODY.
WOULD IT SET SOMETHING ELSE IN MOTION IF THERE WAS JUST A SIMPLE REMOVAL, REMOVAL OF THE TAG? AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LOOK FOR INITIALLY, IDEALLY, RIGHT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, UM, THERE HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE, EXTENSIVE, UH, OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, HOW MUCH MORE ENGAGEMENT WILL HAPPEN.
UM, QUITE FRANKLY, I GET THESE CALLS ALL THE TIME, COUNCILLOR RAMIREZ FROM FOLKS IN DOWNTOWN, UH, THE HOTELS, UM, NOT JUST, NOT JUST THOSE FOLKS.
BUT THEN WHEN I GO OUT AND SPEAK TO THESE VENDORS AS WELL, 'CAUSE I'VE HAD SEVERAL SIT DOWNS WITH THESE VENDORS.
I'VE DONE A LOT OF THIS LEGWORK.
'CAUSE IT IS IN DISTRICT ICE SPECIFICALLY THAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON.
I KNOW IT'S ACROSS THE CITY, BUT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER OUTREACH I CAN DO IN TWO WEEKS AS WELL, PERSONALLY, OVER THE LAST MONTHS THAT I'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING IT.
SO MY, MY REQUEST WOULD BE THAT WE COULD VOTE ON IT TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, LET ME THANK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM.
I GREW UP IN A LEGISLATIVE BODY AND I'VE SEEN WHAT A FILIBUSTER CAN DO BY ONE PERSON.
I'VE SEEN OTHER PARLIAMENTARY STEPS.
UH, IF THIS WAS NOT AN URGENT MATTER TO WHERE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, WE WOULD REALLY JEOPARDIZE LIVES.
THIS IS NOT A ROAD OR BRIDGE OR WATER DISTRICT UTILITY DISTRICT.
SO, AND IF IT WAS JUST FOR ONE WEEK, THAT MIGHT MATTER.
BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO WEEKS, THE HEIGHT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
IT IS SO WELL DOCUMENTED BY HOUSTON FIRE, HOUSTON POLICE OF THE CALLS THEY MAKE.
SO THAT MEANS THEY'LL CONTINUE USING THEIR RESOURCES.
SO I'M GONNA ASK FOR A 15 MINUTE PAUSE TO ALLOW THE MEMBERS TO SPEAK AND SEE IF, UH, THERE'S A CONSENSUS HERE TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE STAND IN RECESS TILL, UH, 10 O'CLOCK.
WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 20, AND THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN RAMIREZ.
UM, WANT TO REITERATE THE TIMING OF THIS.
UM, IT HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA A WEEK AGO, ACCORDING TO STATE LAW.
HOWEVER, THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE DIDN'T COME OUT TILL FRIDAY AFTERNOON, RELEASED A COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE TOLD ME THEY HADN'T SEEN IT UNTIL MONDAY, WHICH DIDN'T GIVE THEM TIME TO GET ON THE, UH, COMMENT
[03:05:01]
LIST FOR LAST NIGHT.AND, UH, I VALUE, UH, TRANSPARENCY IN FOLKS HAVING A SAY IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.
AND, UH, MAYOR IN, IN THE, UH, BRIEF, UH, UM, DELAY HERE, UH, YOU AND I HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT, UM, NOT TAGGING IT AND HAVING A COMMITTEE HEARING IN EARLY DECEMBER AT WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD COME FORWARD AND OFFER, COMMENT ON THIS LANGUAGE BEFORE THE COUNCIL, AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS, UH, FOR CHANGES, AMENDMENTS, WHAT HAVE YOU.
AND, UM, UH, YOU STRONGLY COMMITTED TO THAT, IN MY UNDERSTANDING.
AND IN VIEW OF THAT, IN VIEW OF THAT, AND ALSO IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT IT APPEARS TO BE THE STRONG WILL OF THE COUNCIL TO OVERRIDE ANY TAG.
UH, I, I WILL NOT EXERCISE A TAG AND ALLOW A VOTE TO GO FORWARD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'LL HAVE A COMMITTEE MEETING ON THIS IN EARLY DECEMBER AND, AND RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEREAFTER, UM, CONSIDER, UH, TWEAKS IN AND AMENDMENTS TO WHAT WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON TODAY.
AND I PUBLICLY COMMIT TO, UH, YOUR DESCRIPTION OF OUR DISCUSSION.
UH, I'LL PARTICIPATE IN THAT HEARING AND, UH, WE'LL BROADCAST IT WIDELY.
IF PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS, UH, RESIDENTS, VENDORS, ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, CERTAINLY THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED US FOR THIS ORDINANCE NEED TO PLAY A ROLE AS WELL.
SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR, UH, STATESMANLIKE POSITION, AND, UH, I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO FORWARD.
UH, MR. SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM 20.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN? YES.
I HAD A, I JUST HAD A QUESTION ON THIS.
I UNDERSTAND THE, UH, ELECTION DATE FOR THE RUNOFF HAS BEEN SET FOR DECEMBER 13TH, BUT I HAD ASKED, UH, AT A, A MEETING LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE FRIDAY DURING THE CANVASSING, WHETHER THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD HAD BEEN SET.
DOES ANY ANYBODY HAVE AN ANSWER ON THAT? I, I, I BELIEVE IT HAS.
GIVE ME JUST A SECOND AND I'LL, UH, I'LL INFORM THE MAYOR SO HE CAN TELL.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? YES, SIR.
[NON-CONSENT - MISCELLANEOUS]
ITEM.ITEM 40 UNDER THE NON-CONSENT IS A, WAS, HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED AND WILL BE CONSIDERED IF IT'S RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING.
ITEM 41 IS A MOTION TO SET A DATE, NOT LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 19TH, 2025 TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS FOR FOUR POSITIONS.
ALTERNATE AT LARGE POSITIONS OF THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PEC.
[MATTERS HELD]
ITEM 42 IS AN ORDINANCE.YOU WANNA TELL ABOUT THESE? THE ONES THAT CAME IN? WE HAVE SEVERAL RECEIVED THAT WERE NOT IN.
SO IF WE CAN GO THROUGH THOSE.
MR. SECRETARY, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVED ITEMS THAT HAVE COME IN ITEM 27.
[03:10:01]
ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES.ITEM 40 HAS NOW BEEN RECEIVED.
IT'S A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR ONE APPLICANT SEEKING 4% HOUSING TAX CREDITS.
UH, ARTURO, UH, I WAS JUST GOING TO INTERRUPT TO ANSWER THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S QUESTION.
EARLY VOTING WILL BE FROM, UH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH THE TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.
THE NINTH FROM SEVEN TO SEVEN, EXCEPT FOR THE SUNDAY.
[NON CONSENT - MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
POPOFF THIS MORNING STARTS WITH VICE MAYOR PROTEIN PACK.UM, I JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT HD'S OPERATION STOCKING STUFFER IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST HOLIDAY TOY DRIVES IN HOUSTON, AND WE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC TO, UM, DONATE UNWRAPPED TOYS FOR CHILDREN ZERO TO 17 AT ANY HOUSTON FIRE STATION BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER 10TH.
UM, ALSO, I WANTED TO THANK, UM, FORESTRY FOR HELPING US, UM, YESTERDAY TO PLANT 10 LIVE OAK TREES AT COAL CREEK PARK.
THE COMMUNITY WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND JUST WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY PUT INTO THAT.
UM, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE EAST DOWNTOWN TURS, UH, SPECIFICALLY CHRISTIE MILLER AND KYLE MACY, UH, FOR THE WALKTHROUGH, UH, OF THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE EAST DOWNTOWN AREA, IT'S PHASE TWO.
IF SOME OF Y'ALL FAMILIAR WITH, UH, EIGHTH WONDER SIMILAR, UM, SIMILAR, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES ARE GONNA BE HAPPENING JUST, UH, SOUTH OF THAT, UH, TOWARDS LELAND, UM, STAY UPDATED.
UH, WE'LL BE CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE POST, UM, ANY DETOURS THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING.
UM, IN, IN THE NEAR FUTURE EMANCIPATION, WE'LL HAVE A MAIL OVERLAY SIDEWALKS.
SO ALL THIS, UH, UH, GREAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE HAPPENING, RIGHT, UH, RIGHT NOW IN EAST DOWNTOWN.
I ALSO WANNA THANK VERA FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOR, UH, YOUTH EN, UH, WITH THE YOUTH AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT FOR THE WORK THAT SHE'S DOING TO EXPOSE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
UH, THIS WEEK I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK TO MY ALMA MATER, AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL, UH, STUDENTS.
UH, THE, THESE STUDENTS, UH, 30 OF 'EM WERE HERE.
I ENJOYED SPEAKING WITH THEM, JUST KIND OF, KIND OF PULLING THE CURTAINS BACK OF WHAT IS IT THAT WE DO HERE AT, AT CITY HALL.
UH, BUT AGAIN, JUST WANNA THANK, THANK OLIVEA, UM, THIS AFTERNOON.
I LOOK FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE OPENING OF THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR, UM, THE NEW HOPE HOUSING ON ENNI.
UH, THIS IS WORK THAT, UH, WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR, QUITE FRANKLY, THE PAST COUPLE YEARS AS A NINE, 9% TAX CREDIT, SENIOR HOUSING IN DISTRICT.
I, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FOUND AFTER HARVEY WAS THAT, AND I THINK IT'S JUST ACROSS THE CITY, THERE'S A LACK OF SENIOR HOUSING, UH, JUST GENERALLY.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL EVER CATCH UP, BUT THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A, A PRIORITY FOR US IN DISTRICT EYE TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE THAT, THAT, UH, SENIOR HOUSING STOCK.
UH, BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL WITH NEW HOPE HOUSING.
SO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM, UH, PUBLICLY.
AND THEN, UH, LASTLY, UH, THANK THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE'RE HA WE'RE HOSTING A TURKEY GIVEAWAY AT THE MAGNOLIA MULTI-SERVICE CENTER THIS FRIDAY AT 9:00 AM.
UH, LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING SOME TIME WITH SOME SENIORS AND THEN CLOSING.
JUST HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE AND ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS.
ON MONDAY, I VISIT MY TEAM AND I VISITED THE FCC RECYCLING, UH, FACILITY, UM, WHICH I KNOW COUNCILMAN FLICKINGER, I THINK YOU'VE BEEN OUT HERE OUT THERE.
SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE.
AND WHAT, A COUPLE THINGS STRUCK ME.
UH, THE CONTAMINATION RATE AT 40% IS PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS.
AND, AND WE ALL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN BETTER EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT TO PUT IN THE RECYCLING BIN.
WHEN WE DID THE CONTRACT, THAT RECYCLING RATE STATED IN THE CONTRACT OR THE CONTAMINATION THAT THEY WERE KIND OF BASING THEIR MODEL ON WAS 25%.
SO OBVIOUSLY THAT'S KIND OF A BIG MONEY LOSS.
AND, YOU KNOW, I ASKED ABOUT LIKE, IS THAT PRETTY COMMON? I MEAN, A CONTAMINATION RATE, AND THEY SAID THAT IN THE WOODLANDS IT'S
[03:15:01]
LIKE 10% OR LOWER.SO THERE IS, BUT THEY DO A LOT OF, UM, TAGGING OF, OF, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL, THEY'LL BASICALLY NOT PICK UP YOUR RECYCLING IF YOU HAVE STUFF IN IT.
I MEAN, I GUESS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DID THAT PILOT PROJECT WHERE WE TAGGED THE RECYCLE BINS.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE NEED TO BRING THAT BACK, BUT THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE.
THE OTHER BIG ISSUE, AND WE ARE NOT GETTING THE RECYCLING CALLS, LATE PICKUP CALLS THAT WE USED TO, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE FACTORS IS THEY TOLD ME THAT YEAR OVER YEAR RECYCLING'S DOWN 30%.
I THINK PEOPLE JUST STOPPED PUTTING, RECYCLING OUT.
I THINK THEY GOT SO MAD THAT IT WAS NEVER COMING.
THEY'RE JUST THROWING IT IN THE BIN.
SO IT DISTURBS ME THAT THE CONTAMINATION RATE'S SO HIGH AND THE, UH, THE AMOUNT, THE, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE RECYCLING'S GOING DOWN.
SO I KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
MAYOR, THE TRANSFER STATIONS ARE A BIG DEAL.
LOOKING FORWARD TO AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON AT GASSER.
I KNOW WE'RE BUILDING ONE, I DON'T KNOW, 15 OR 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM THIS ONE.
UH, BUT YOU KNOW, JUST I WAS, THOSE WERE KIND OF ALARMING.
IT IS REALLY COOL TO SEE HOW THEY DO IT ALL, AND THOSE SORTERS AND EVERYTHING THAT, THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
AND THEY BRING A LOT OF SCHOOL GROUPS OUT THERE TO SEE IT.
BUT ANYWAY, ENCOURAGE, UM, ANYONE THAT HASN'T BEEN OUT THERE TO SEE, TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
THANK YOU, COUNCILOR MCC CARTER.
UM, JUST WANTED TO, UH, MENTION, I YESTERDAY TOURED, UH, BAYLOR ST.
LUKE'S, UM, WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS.
AND, AND THEY WANTED TO GIVE ME A TOUR OF THE, UH, HEART CENTER.
BUT PRIOR TO THAT, WE SAT DOWN WITH A, AN, I SAT DOWN WITH AN ENTIRE TEAM, UM, AND THEIR TOPICS WERE, UH, HOMELESS AND WATER AND SO ON.
THE, UH, HOMELESSNESS SIDE MAYOR, UM, THE, UH, HOSPITAL SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY BAYLOR OR ST.
LUKE'S IS VERY INTERESTED IN, IN WORKING WITH US ON THE RESPITE CARE, WHICH CERTAINLY IS ON THE RADAR.
UM, BUT IT WAS A GOOD CONVERSATION.
LUKE'S, UH, BEING RIGHT THERE IN THE MEDICAL CENTER, UH, THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC WAS THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
AND SO I THINK THAT, UM, THAT JUST, UH, FURTHERS OUR CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON THE RESPITE CARE PROJECT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
UM, I'M GONNA, THIS PAST WEEK IN DISTRICT D, THE STRENGTH, HERITAGE, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP THAT DEFINES THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION WAS REINFORCED ON FRIDAY EVENING.
WE JOINED THE GREATER HOUSTON SUGAR, GREATER SUGAR VALLEY BLUE RIDGE AND REED WOODS CIVIC CLUB FOR THEIR ANNUAL SENIOR GALA HONORING RESIDENTS AGE 80 AND ABOVE.
THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SPENT DECADES SHAPING THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROVIDING THE STABILITY, ADVOCACY, AND WISDOM THAT KEEP COMMUNITIES STRONG.
RECOGNIZING THEIR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD NOT, WAS NOT ONLY AN HONOR, BUT A REMINDER OF THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH OUR DISTRICT CONTINUES TO GROW.
ON SATURDAY MORNING, DISTRICT D CAME TOGETHER FOR THE NINTH ANNUAL MECCA DAY, SHARE THE FEAST.
HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES RECEIVE MEALS, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT THANKS TO THE COLLABORATION OF VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPONSORS.
THIS EVENT REFLECTS THE CORE VALUES OF OUR DISTRICT SERVICE, DIGNITY, AND COLLECTIVE CARE.
WHEN WE MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS, WE BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE HOUSTON.
ON SATURDAY EVENING, WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE INAUGURAL DISTRICT FALL FESTIVAL AT THE ERISA CULTURE CENTER, LED BY ITS FOUNDING ORGANIZER, DR.
THIS CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTED THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY THAT ENRICHES OUR DISTRICT AND DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERCULTURAL CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.
DISTRICT D IS STRENGTHENED BY EVERY CULTURE THAT CALLS IT HOME.
ALSO, ON SATURDAY EVENING, I WAS PRIVILEGED TO CELEBRATE WITH THE JACK GATES CLASS OF 1970 AS A PROUD PRODUCT OF JACK GATES, MYSELF, A LION, AND JY FOR LIFE.
IT IS ALWAYS MEANINGFUL TO STAND WITH THE LEADERS AND TRAILBLAZERS WHO SHAPED THE LEGACY OF OUR HISTORIC SCHOOL.
THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY UPLIFT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS ACROSS OUR CITY AND ALSO GO LIONS.
WE ARE IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS, AND WE ARE LOOKING TO, UH, GO TO STATE.
ON MONDAY, I PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION TO THE OUTSTANDING YOUNG WOMEN OF THE ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY CHAPTER AT STERLING HIGH SCHOOL.
THEIR, THEIR DEDICATION TO SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE EMBODIES THE BEST OF OUR STUDENTS.
STERLING'S LEGACY REMAINS STRONG, AND THESE SCHOLARS REPRESENT THE PROMISE OF ITS FUTURE.
UPCOMING EVENTS, UH, ON THURSDAY, FAIRWOOD AT FURMAN GRAND OPENING AT 10:00 AM 1 3 5 2 0 FURMAN ROAD.
THIS EVENT MARKS THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FAIRWOOD AT FURMAN DEVELOPMENT, AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY STABILITY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING OUR PARTNERS AT THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THIS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE.
[03:20:01]
ALSO ON TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY AT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF LABORATORY SERVICES.YOU SEE, IT'S REALLY BUSY IN DISTRICT D, RIGHT? OKAY.
REALLY? 2250 HOLCOMB BOULEVARD, HOUSTON, TEXAS, HOSTED BY THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THIS GROUNDBREAKING WILL LAUNCH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BUREAU OF LABORATORY SERVICES FACILITY.
I'M HONORED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND APPRE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP OF AMELA PARTNERS AND THE US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVANCING THIS WORK.
THIS PAST WEEK,
ITS PEOPLE, ITS HISTORY, AND ITS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY.
I WANNA WISH A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING TO ALL.
AND THAT CONCLUDES WHAT'S GOING ON AND THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
UM, COLLEAGUES, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT.
DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PARTICULARLY, BUT JUST WANNA REITERATE THE, UM, THE EXCITEMENT THAT, UH, HOUSTON EXPERIENCING WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT, UH, OF OUR MAYOR, UH, ON LAST WEEK ABOUT THE UNITY PARADE.
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING UNITY PARADE, WHICH IS GOING TO TRANSPIRE, UH, WILL BE GOING ON THIS YEAR, 26.
I THINK, UM, THAT IS OF HISTORICAL MOMENT.
I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO TREAT IT LIGHTLY.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT, UM, ARE ALL HOUSTON.
NO MATTER WHAT CULTURAL RACE YOU ARE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES PARTICIPATE IN THIS.
I THINK IT WOULD SET A PRECEDENT ACROSS THE CITY TO, SO TO SHOW THE UNITY THAT WE, UH, ARE AS HOUSTON TEXANS.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AGAIN, UH, FOR TAKING THE, UH, POSITION AND THE CHALLENGE TO BRING THIS, TO DO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN NEEDED FOR 30 YEARS.
I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE, UH, A MAN WHO GAVE AND SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
AND, UM, AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSTON TO REALLY SHOW NOT ONLY THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT THE ENTIRE NATION, THAT WE ARE UNIFIED AND THAT WE CAN OVERCOME OUR PROBLEMS. AND, UH, I'D LOVE AND HOPE AND PRAY THAT MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES WILL BE PARTICIPANT IN THAT UPCOMING PARADE, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, THE UNITY PARADE.
AND THANK YOU MAYOR AND, UH, YOUR OFFICE.
WELL, LET ME PUBLICLY THANK YOU.
UH, YOU PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE, UH, IN THAT PROCESS.
AND REBECCA WILLIAMS IN MY OFFICE PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE, BUT REALLY, UH, A REAL HUGE SHOUT OUT GOES TO THE TWO, UM, ADMINISTRATORS OF THOSE PARADES, MS. BREWER AND MR. STAMPS.
UH, THE PARADE IS ALREADY BEGINNING TO BE THE LARGEST EVER.
WE'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE ROUTE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NUMBER OF FLOATS THAT WANT TO ENTER.
SO WE'RE CERTAINLY MAKING A STATEMENT.
AND, UH, I'M VERY PROUD THAT, THAT I COULD PLAY A ROLE.
I WAS ADVISED WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS NOT TO GO THERE, THAT IT JUST COULDN'T, COULDN'T HAPPEN.
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME TO THE TABLE AND, UH, LIKE I SAID, IT'S, IT'S A GREAT CELEBRATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR DR. KING.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, JUST WANTED TO KIND OF FOLLOW UP ON COUNCILWOMAN ALCORN'S COMMENTS, UH, ABOUT THE RECYCLING.
UM, YOU KNOW, I WENT AND TOURED THAT FACILITY SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AND AS BAD AS THAT 40% NUMBER IS, THE PREVIOUS NUMBER WAS 50%.
UH, SO WE ACTUALLY HAD AN IMPROVEMENT, UH, A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT.
AND I THINK A LOT OF IT KINDA GOES BACK TO YOUR COMMENTS, UH, ABOUT, WITH WHAT WAS JUST BEING PUT IN THE RECYCLING.
I THINK PREVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE USING THE RECYCLING DUMPSTER AS TRASH BECAUSE THE TRASH WASN'T GETTING PICKED UP THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
SO THEY WERE JUST RESORTING TO DO WHATEVER THEY THEY COULD AND ALSO KNOW ON, UH, AS FAR AS TAGGING THE BOXES, UH, I KNOW OUR OFFICE SIGNED A LETTER OF SUPPORT HERE RECENTLY FOR SOME GRANT MONEY TO HOPEFULLY GO BACK OUT AND DO THAT AGAIN.
SO, YEAH, I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER ON THAT.
IT'S AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF MONEY, UH, TO WHERE IF WE JUST HAD THE RECYCLING BETTER, NOT ONLY WOULD WE GET MORE MONEY FROM THE RECYCLED MATERIALS, BUT WE WOULD SPEND LESS MONEY ON THE CONTAMINATION THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN DOWN TO THE, THE DUMP LAYER ON.
SO, UM, ALSO, UH, WE JUST HAD, UH, ANOTHER MEDIAN
[03:25:01]
MADNESS EVENT SATURDAY, WHERE WE WERE CLEANING UP THE MEDIANS.AND, UH, IT'S REALLY GOTTEN TO BE KIND OF A, A FINE TUNED EVENT.
NOW, UH, I REALLY WANT TO THANK HPD AND, UH, PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, IT USED TO BE THAT WE HAD, UH, A BIT OF A STRUGGLE GETTING RID OF THE MATERIAL THAT HAD BEEN REMOVED, BUT, UH, THEY'VE REALLY GOT THAT DOWN NOW.
AND WITHIN PROBABLY HALF AN HOUR OF WHEN WE FINISHED UP, IT WAS, IT WAS ALL GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
AND IN A WAY, UH, HAD A MEETING SUNDAY WITH THE YOUNG MEN SERVICE LEAGUE OUT IN KINGWOOD.
AND, UH, THEY HAD THEIR BIG REVEAL FOR WHAT THEIR PROJECT IS GONNA BE FOR THE YEAR.
AND IT IS GONNA BE ACTUALLY DOING ONE OF THE MEDIAN.
SO WE'RE EXPECTING TO HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE HUNDRED VOLUNTEERS, UH, FOR AN EVENT THAT WE'RE DOING IN JANUARY.
SO THAT SHOULD BE A REAL GOOD THING.
UH, ALSO WE HAVE BOPA THIS WEEKEND AT, UH, THE KINGWOOD PARK AND RIDE STARTS AT NINE O'CLOCK, GOES ON TO ONE O'CLOCK.
SO COME OUT WITH, UH, THE ITEMS THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE, UH, RECYCLED.
AND THEN, UH, ON A SATURDAY NOTE, UH, MARTHA GALVAN, WHO HAD, UH, WORKED IN THE DISTRICT E OFFICE AND WORKED DOWN HERE AT CITY COUNCIL FOR MY, SOME OF MY PREDECESSORS, UH, SHE PASSED AWAY.
SO CERTAINLY OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HER.
SO ON LAST WEEK, MY OFFICE PARTNERED WITH JOE B. ALLEN IN CLEAN UP HOUSTON TO CLEAN UP THE LEGAL DUMPING IN FIFTH WARD.
UM, WE HAD IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 35 SITES.
UM, THEY BROUGHT, THEY GRAPPLE OUT.
WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO TACKLE 11 SITES.
AND SO I DID REACH OUT TO YOUR OFFICE.
UM, I CALLED YOU, UH, TO CALL, UM, CYNTHIA AND, UM, CYNTHIA, UM, HAD DIRECTOR OF SOLID WASTE REACH OUT, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO COME OUT AND FINISH UP THE PILES.
AND SO I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE, UM, JUST THE PARTNERSHIP.
UM, WE WERE ABLE TO GET 35 PILES OF ILLEGAL DUMPING CLEARED OUT WITHIN TWO DAYS.
AND SO, UM, THE RESIDENTS AND DISTRICT B IS JUST REALLY APPRECIATIVE.
UM, WE KNOW THAT, UM, HEAVY, HEAVY TRASH HADN'T BEEN PICKED UP IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
AND SO I REALIZED THAT THAT WAS A CONTRIBUTOR, THAT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO WHY WE HAD SO MUCH ILLEGAL DUMPING AND PILES IN THE FIFTH WARD A AREA.
UM, IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND, UM, LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING MORE WITH MR. ALLEN.
AND THANK YOU FOR, UM, CONNECTING US TO 'EM.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED.
AND SO I ALSO HAVE A, UM, JUST WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT, UM, JUST OVER THE PAST DAYS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, UM, THE I ICE AND POLICE COLLABORATION.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT HPD WAS COLLABORATING WITH ICE FOR YEARS AS AN ORGANIZER AND AS SOMEONE DEEPLY ROOTED, UM, IN THIS COMMUNITY, I FOUGHT TO END 2 87 G BECAUSE I SAW FIRSTHAND HOW HARMFUL THESE COLLABORATIONS WERE.
IN 2016, THROUGH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT RIGHT TO JUSTICE PLATFORM LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO THE TRAGIC DEATH OF SANDRA BLAND.
WE ORGANIZED, WE MARCHED, WE EDUCATED FAMILIES AND DEMANDED CHANGE.
AND, AND IN 2017, WHEN HARRIS COUNTY FINALLY ENDED 2 87 G IT WAS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS REFUSED TO STAY SILENT.
SO YESTERDAY I RECEIVED WORD THAT ICE AGENTS WERE IN DISTRICT B NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD.
OVER 50% OF DISTRICT B RESIDENTS ARE LATINA, AND MANY ARE LIVING IN FEAR.
THAT'S A, THAT A SIMPLE TRIP OUTSIDE COULD, COULD TEAR THEIR FAMILY APART.
NO CHILD IN OUR DISTRICT SHOULD LIVE IN FEAR.
NO PARENTS SHOULD BE AFRAID TO CALL FOR HELP AND NO COLLABORATION, WHETHER FORMAL OR INFORMAL, BETWEEN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SHOULD EVER PUT OUR RESIDENTS IN DANGER.
AND SO, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT B AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND I'M CALLING FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY, CLEAR COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM HPD.
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE, RESPECTED, AND VALUED, NOT TARGETED.
WE ENDED 2 87 G AND I KNOW THERE'S OTHER POLICIES THAT CAME AFTER THAT, BUT THIS WAS MY FIGHT.
UM, WE ENDED 2 7 2 87 G BECAUSE RACIAL PROFILING AND FEAR-BASED PO POLICING HAVE NO PLACE IN HOUSTON.
SO I STAND WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FAMILY AND DISTRICT BE, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS, CAN LIVE, WORK AND THRIVE WITHOUT FEAR.
SO I HAVE TO GO OUT WITH THAT.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THERE IS A, A ALONGSIDE ROAD DRAINAGE DITCH OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY ALONG MEMORIAL JUST WEST OF WILCREST DRIVE.
AND WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF RAIN LATELY, BUT THIS DITCH HAS BEEN FULL OF, OF STANDING WATER.
WE'VE CONTACTED PUBLIC WORKS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CAME OUT, UM, ON THE FIFTH AND CLEANED ABOUT 200 FEET OF LINES, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION.
SO I'M IN CONTACT WITH PUBLIC WORKS, AND I JUST WANT MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW THAT I ACKNOWLEDGE
[03:30:01]
THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND THAT WE MAY BE SEEING SOME RAIN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.AND IF IT DOES RAIN, THE WATER IS ALREADY AT A LEVEL WHERE IT'S BACKING UP TO THE BACK OF SOME OF THESE HOUSES, AND THE FEAR OF THE RESIDENCES IS THAT IT'S GOING TO FLOOD.
SO THANK YOU FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS, UM, PROBLEM WITH ME BECAUSE, UM, I'VE GOTTEN PHONE CALL AFTER PHONE CALL, AFTER PHONE CALL ABOUT IT.
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN RESOLVE THAT SOON.
I, I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION SITUATION AND ICE AND A LOT OF VIEWS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED.
A LOT OF IRE HAS BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL.
BUT I WANNA REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS, UH, STANDS FOR REELECTION NEXT YEAR, AND THE PRIMARIES COME IN MARCH.
AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO'S COME DOWN HERE TO MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN, UH, IN THE ELECTIONS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT YEAR.
UM, THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO MENTION WAS BEN TAUB HOSPITAL, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT HOSPITALS.
UM, IT'S ONE OF THE TWO LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTERS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY IS PROPOSING TO EXPAND BY TAKING PART OF HERMAN PARK.
AND THEY ARE BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF CONDEMNING PART OF THE PARK THROUGH THE EMINENT DOMAIN, UH, PROCEDURE.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY HOUSTONIAN TO GET INFORMED ABOUT WHAT IS TAKING PLACE AND TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANT RAMIFICATIONS ON, ON THE SITUATION.
OBVIOUSLY, BEN TAUB IS CRITICAL.
UM, OUR PARKLAND IS ALSO PRECIOUS, AND HERMAN PARK IS ONE OF THE CITY'S TREASURES AND ITS INTERESTS NEED TO BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED THROUGHOUT THIS AT ALL.
ANYBODY WHO'S BEEN TO HERMAN PARK KNOWS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO FIND A PARKING PLACE, AND THAT HINDERS OUR ABILITY TO USE AND ENJOY THE PARK.
UM, SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE HOUSTONIANS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THIS SITUATION.
THERE HAVE BEEN TOWN HALLS GOING ON.
THERE WAS ONE MONDAY NIGHT, UH, PUT ON BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THE WEEK BEFORE THERE WAS ONE PUT ON BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THEY PICK UP AGAIN IN JANUARY.
ON JANUARY THE FIFTH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL HAVE ONE AT BAKER RIPLEY ON NAVIGATION.
AND THEN THE FOLLOWING WEEK, COMMISSIONER BRIANIS WILL HAVE ONE.
AND THAT LOCATION REMAINS TO BE DETERMINED.
I UNDERSTAND HERMAN PARK WILL HAVE ONE AS WELL.
SO PLEASE, UH, TRY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THIS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT, THAT OUR HEALTH NEEDS ARE TAKEN, UH, UH, CARE OF, BUT ALSO THAT THAT HERMAN PARK IS PROTECTED THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYONE LEARNING MORE ABOUT, YOU REALIZE WHEN YOU SAY HERMAN PARK, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GREEN SPACE.
IT WAS JUST PART OF THE ORIGINAL TRACK.
SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PERHAPS, MISUNDERSTANDING WHEN YOU SAY HERMAN PARK, WHICH WE ALL VALUE OUR PARKS IN GREEN SPACE, BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARK AND IT WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL TRACK.
SO ANYWAY, UH, IT'S, IT'S BENEFICIAL THAT THEY'RE HAVING THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
'CAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING.
MAYOR, THE, THE TWO TRACKS THAT THEY WANT TO TAKE, UH, ARE ACTUALLY PARKED LAND.
AND, UM, YEAH, THEY'RE SEPARATED FROM ACROSS STREET FROM MOST, MOST PEOPLE.
MOST OF THE PARK PEOPLE CONSIDER PARKED.
BUT THEY HAD PLANS TO BUILD A PARKING GARAGE ON IT.
AND SO I JUST WANT HOUSTONIANS TO BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
UM, I ALSO, UM, WANNA JOIN MY, UH, NAME TO COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON'S REMARKS REPRESENTING A ALE, THE, UM, THE MOST INTERNATIONAL, UH, COMMUNITY IN THE CITY.
THERE'S LOTS OF ANXIETY AND ICE WAS REPORTED IN ALE NOT TOO LONG AGO.
SO I AM WITH YOU AND WITH, UH, HOUSTONIANS AND THEIR ANXIETY.
UM, BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER.
UM, IT'S MY BIG BROTHER'S BIRTHDAY, AND YOU'RE THE BEST BIG BROTHER.
UH, WISHING YOU NOTHING BUT SUCCESS AND ABUNDANCE.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A BIRTHDAY, UH, KATIE BASSETT.
[03:35:01]
SHE'S TURNING 80 YEARS OLD, A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT F KNOWN TO, UH, JUMP ON A, A, A, A TRASH TRUCK WHEN THEY COME INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.AND I'VE HAD TO TELL HER TO GET OFF THE TRASH TRUCKS.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, MS. KATIE.
UM, TODAY WILL BE IN AILEY, ISD.
MY OFFICE IS SPONSORING 300 TURKEYS IN RESPONSE TO THE SNAP, UH, BENEFIT INTERRUPTIONS.
WE HAVE 150 THAT WE'RE MATCHING WITH AILEY ISD TODAY AT CRUMP STADIUM.
THOSE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN PRESELECTED AND IDENTIFIED, AND EVEN SOME EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE SOME FINANCIAL INTERRUPTIONS.
AND THEN ON FRIDAY, WE'RE WORKING WITH HISD, EMERSON ELEMENTARY FOR AN ADDITIONAL 150 TURKEYS, UH, TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
UM, HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE PARTNERSHIPS AS WE ADDRESS, UH, GROWING FOOD INSECURITY, UH, AND LIMITED WAGES.
AND, YOU KNOW, JUST RESPONDING TO, UH, LAYOFFS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY.
UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN TAGGED THE ITEM, BUT I'M EXCITED TO VOTE NEXT WEEK.
WELL, WHEN WE RETURN ON THE $28 MILLION, UH, BISSONNET SAFE STREETS PROJECT, THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING.
UH, THIS PROJECT WAS SUBMITTED IN 2021.
AND WE ALL WROTE LETTERS OF SUPPORT, UH, TO ADDRESS PEDESTRIAN DEATHS, UM, ON THE WEST SIDE.
AND, UM, THROUGHOUT THAT ENTIRE CORRIDOR, WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENTS OF PEDESTRIANS, PEDESTRIAN DEATHS.
AND I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE FINALLY GETTING THIS ON THE LINE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON THAT.
UM, AND SPEAKING OF PEDESTRIAN DEATH, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE HAD A, A 3-YEAR-OLD THAT WAS HIT AND KILLED BY A DRIVER WHO FLED ON OC, WHICH IS CLOSER TO THE EASTERN PART OF THE DISTRICT, CLOSER TO PINEY POINT.
WESTMONT, UH, THIS COMES SHORTLY AFTER A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS HIT, UH, HIT BY A TRUCK AFTER GETTING OFF THE METRO IN SEPTEMBER IN A LEAF.
UM, AND SO JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALSO ABOUT MOBILITY AND IT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT, UM, THAT WE ACCESS THAT FOOTAGE FROM THE LPR CAMERAS.
I'VE TALKED ABOUT THE, THE ISSUE OF, UH, LPR CAMERAS HAVING 55, UM, FUNDED BY DISTRICT F FUNDS, AND THEN OUR MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS HAVE THEM THAT HOPEFULLY THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN IS HELPING US SOLVE THESE CRIMES.
UM, SO THIS GOES BACK TO MY POINT ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE REPORTS AND THE ACTUAL DATA ABOUT THE IMPACT AND NOT JUST ANECDOTAL STORIES.
UM, SO I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT IN MY, UM, UH, HEART AND CONDOLENCES CONTINUE TO GO OUT TO THE FAMILY THAT LOST THEIR CHILD.
UH, TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS IN DC UM, AS A GUEST OF THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHERE THEIR INAUGURAL HOUSING SUMMIT, UM, HOUSTON IS ON THE MAIN STAGE, PARTICULARLY AROUND OUR WORK AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.
UM, UH, THE, UH, PANEL WAS MODERATED BY DENNIS SHEA, THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE, UH, BIPARTISAN, UH, BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER.
AND I WAS JOINED BY A HOST OF OTHERS TALKING ABOUT HOUSTON'S WORK ON DECEMBER 5TH.
I'M HOSTING A BREAKFAST ROUND TABLE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO TALK ABOUT OUR HOMELESSNESS EFFORTS ON THE WEST SIDE.
UH, WE DO NOT HAVE A WARM PLACE TO TRANSFER INDIVIDUALS, UH, THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND SO WE HAVE A, A LIST AROUND 30 STAKEHOLDERS AND WE'RE GONNA CO-CREATE WHAT OUR PLAN LOOKS LIKE ON THE WEST SIDE.
SO WHEN WE WILL BE IN POSITION IN ADVANCE, IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF TRANSITIONAL LIVING SHELTER OR SOME TYPE OF FACILITY FOR US TO GET INDIVIDUALS TO NAVIGATION CENTERS AND LONG-TERM CARE, UM, THOSE INVITATIONS SHOULD GO OUT LATER TODAY.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUPPORT AND THE FEEDBACK THAT WE HAVE AROUND, UH, THIS CONVERSATION.
UH, AND SPEAKING OF TRASH DELAYS, WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF THAT, BUT I REALLY WANNA TEASE OUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASED, UM, UH, JUST, I MEAN, ILLEGAL DUMPING ON TOP OF THAT.
CONTRACTORS, I MEAN, TOILETS, CARPETS, MATTRESSES, AND THIS IS NOT HOUSEHOLD TRASH.
SO CONTRACTORS AND DUMPERS ARE LITERALLY GOING TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND DUMPING DEBRIS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH OVEREXTENDS AN ALREADY LEAN, SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO BRING ATTENTION TO THAT.
AND AGAIN, I'M GONNA GO BACK TO FLOCK CAMERAS.
IF WE HAVE CAMERAS AND FOOTAGE IN THESE COMMUNITIES, WE SHOULD BE PICKING UP ON, UH, THE, UM, THE ISSUES WHO'S DOING THIS AND HAVING REPORTS AND BEING ABLE TO TRACK THIS BECAUSE THIS IS ROUTINE.
MY OFFICE RECEIVES EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, YOU NAME IT, FACEBOOK PHOTOS CONSTANTLY, AND IT'S CONTRACTOR DEBRIS.
THIS IS NOT NORMAL HOUSEHOLD WASTE.
UM, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH, UH, THE SOLID WASTE TEAM WILL BE AT THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TO TALK ABOUT SOLID WASTE DELAYS.
BUT THEY ARE MOVING EXPEDITIOUSLY, EXPEDITIOUSLY ON THE WEST SIDE TO CLEAR THAT.
AND I REALLY WANT TO, UM, SHOUT THEM OUT AND APPRECIATE THAT.
AND, UH, OCTOBER, ALTHOUGH THIS, ALTHOUGH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS LATE, THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, WE HAD TWO MAIN PROJECTS ON RICHMOND FROM DUNVILLE TO HILLCROFT.
THAT WAS AN $18 MILLION CONCRETE ASPHALT REPAIR THAT IS DONE MEN.
AND THEN THE HILLCROFT PROJECT FROM WESTHEIMER TO WEST PARK IS COMPLETE FUNDED BY METRO.
RECEIVE LOTS OF, UH, THANK YOU EMAILS THAT HAVE COME TO THE COMMUNITY FROM THERE.
[03:40:01]
I WAS ABLE TO JOIN A COUNCIL MEMBER, EVAN SHABAZZ IN CELEBRATING ZURI GARDEN'S.HOUSTON'S FIRST 3D UH, PRINTED HYBRID PRINTED DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST HYBRID 3D PRINTING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NATION, WHICH REALLY SIGNALS TO THE POINT THAT HOUSTON CONTINUES TO LEAD, UM, AROUND, AROUND HOUSING.
SO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAS, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT DEVELOPMENT.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ACTUAL RIBBON CUTTING IN THE TOUR.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD RANGE UP TO LIKE $225,000, UM, WHICH IS EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE.
UM, UH, MY OFFICE IS ALWAYS OPEN FOR FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT AND WILL BE IN COMMUNITY ALL WEEK.
I'M WISHING EVERYONE A SAFE AND HEALTHY THANKSGIVING.
UM, BUT DURING THAT TIME, IF MY OFFICE COULD BE OF ANY SUPPORT, PLEASE REACH OUT AT DISTRICT F AT HOUSTON, TX DO GOV.
ANYONE ELSE? WILL YOU STAND ADJOURN TILL DECEMBER 2ND? EVERYONE BE SAFE.