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CHAIR RECOGNIZES[PRESENTATIONS]
VICE MAYOR PRO TEM PECK FOR A PROCLAMATION TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS.I, IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION AGAIN.
UM, EVERY YEAR WE SUPPORT DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS JUST INCREDIBLE, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO GET TO PRESENT THIS EVERY YEAR DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
HOUSTON, SINCE IT'S FOUND, SINCE IT'S FOUNDING IN 1998, DRESS FOR SUCCESS, HOUSTON HAS SERVED MORE THAN 49,500 WOMEN AND POSITIVELY IMPACTED OVER 63,000 CHILDREN.
THE ORGANIZATION EMPOWERS WOMEN TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES, AND A STRONG NETWORK OF SUPPORT, HELPING THEM BUILD CONFIDENCE, SECURE EMPLOYMENT, AND THRIVE IN BOTH THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES.
WOMEN WHO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT ARE INVITED TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY THROUGH THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S GROUP AND ONGOING EDUCATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND ONLINE DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
HOUSTON ADVANCES ITS MISSION ACROSS GREATER HOUSTON THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH MORE THAN 200 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING ITS CHEVRON SPONSORED CAREER CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES JOBS, SEARCH WORKSHOPS, AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT RESOURCES.
THIS WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE STEADFAST DEDICATION OF VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S IMPACT.
THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO COMMITTED TO MEETING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF WOMEN VETERANS BY OFFERING SPECIALIZED CAREER WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIP, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY.
AS A TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE, TO DATE MORE THAN 1,700 WOMEN VETERANS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS, GETTING CONFIDENCE, CONNECTION, AND ACCESS TO NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO CLIENTS, MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS, PARTNERS, AND VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY, BY EQUIPPING WOMEN WITH THE TOOLS FOR LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT AND SUCCESS.
HOUSTON STRENGTHENS FAMILIES, CULTIVATES FUTURE LEADERS, AND FOSTERS A LASTING CYCLE OF EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN RECOGNITION OF ITS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON PROUDLY HONORS DRESS FOR SUCCESS, HOUSTON FOR ITS TRANSFORMATION, TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT, AND UNYIELDING DEDICATION.
THEREFORE, I, MARTHA CASTEX TATUM MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ON BEHALF OF JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 3RD, 2026 AS DRESS FOR SUCCESS, HOUSTON DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
AS WE APPROACH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, I AM SO PROUD TO STAND BEFORE YOU REPRESENTING CHEVRON ALONGSIDE DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
CHEVRON SUPPORTS PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN WOMEN ARE EMPOWERED, BENEFITS EXTEND TO THE WHOLE FAMILY AND HAVE EFFECT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
UM, IF I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS A WOMAN, UH, A MOTHER, A SISTER, A FRIEND, A COLLEAGUE WHO CAN NAME A MOMENT WHEN THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR THEM, IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT CONFIDENCE THAT THEY HAD GOING INTO AN INTERVIEW OR THAT PHONE CALL THAT THEY RECEIVED THAT REALLY CHANGED THE PATH OF THEIR LIFE.
UM, THESE MOMENTS, THESE STORIES, WE ALL HAVE A COUPLE, BUT DRESS FOR SUCCESS HAS MANY HUNDREDS IN FACT OVER THE YEARS, AND WE'RE SO PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THEM.
THE STORY OF THE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHEVRON BEGAN IN 2004 WITH A $5,000 CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE SEND ONE SUIT DRIVE.
NOW THE HER PATH, FORWARD DRIVE.
SINCE THEN, WE HAVE INCREASINGLY INSPIRED, WE'VE BEEN INCREASINGLY INSPIRED BY THEIR SUCCESS AND STORIES, AND THE VISION OF ONE WOMAN, ONE SUIT, ONE JOB CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
COMPARING 2004 TO TODAY, OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS GROWN AS A COMPANY.
OUR ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS INCREASED BY A FACTOR OF 20, EXPANDING OUR COMMITMENT TO HER PATH FORWARD AND CONTRIBUTING TO ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING ON BEHALF OF CHEVRON.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER 25 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH DRESS FOR SUCCESS AND ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO INSPIRE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
MY NAME'S LAUREN LAKI CORVELL.
I'M PRESIDENT OF DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTON, AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE
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OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM, OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR 13 YEARS, AND HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT OF WHAT STARTS WITH PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE IN A SUIT.INSPIRINGLY IS THE COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT.
80% OF OUR WOMEN ARE SINGLE WOMEN.
AND WHEN YOU KNOW YOU ARE NO LONGER ALONE IN YOUR JOURNEY, AND YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY ALONGSIDE OF YOU TO NOT JUST LAND A JOB BUT BUILD A CAREER AND YOU'RE SELF-DEFINED SUCCESS, OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY THRIVES.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, LEAH, CHEVRON TEAM, UH, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON AND COUNCIL MEMBER PECK FOR ALWAYS BEING INSPIRATIONS AND VOICES, UM, TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO UPLIFT AND INSPIRE THE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VICE MAYOR, PRO TEM FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I KNOW IT'S MARCH WHEN IT'S DRESSED FOR SUCCESS.
UM, SO GOD GOTTA GO THROUGH OUR CLOSETS AND, UM, DO YOU, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE ANYONE ELSE WHO'S WITH YOU? OH, I'M LIKE, WE CAN GO THROUGH EVERYONE.
SO, FRANCESCA, KAYLA, KELLY, SUSAN AND CLARISSA ARE PART OF THE DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTON TEAM.
AND THEN WE'VE GOT, I'M LIKE, WAIT, SORRY.
AND THEN FROM CHEVRON, LEAH, OF COURSE, LAURA YMI.
THIS IS JUST A GREAT, A GREAT ORGANIZATION WE ALL KNOW WELL.
AND THANKS FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO.
OH, NAME TAG ON IS THE CHECK STRAIGHT.
CAN YOU CHECK? NEXT, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES MAYOR PRO TEM CASTEX TATUM FOR A PROCLAMATION TO OTIS MARKS.
UM, NEXT, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER FOR A PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH AS THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALCO, VICE MAYOR PROTO, UH, PECK.
UM, I'M PRESENTING TODAY ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN.
UM, AND I'M SO SORRY THAT SHE COULDN'T BE HERE, BUT I'M SO GLAD SHE'S NOT BECAUSE I GOT TO MEET AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG LADY, UM, AMELIA ENDICOTT, WHO IS A STAGE MANAGER FOR THE, UH, WESTCHESTER ACADEMY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES.
AND HERE IN SPRING BRANCH, SHE'S THE STAGE MANAGER FOR A THEATER TROOP.
SHE REACHED OUT WANTING TO JUST BRING AWARENESS TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND SO, UM, LITTLE KNOWN FACT, BUT NOW KNOWN FACT BECAUSE YOU, YOU REACHED OUT
UM, THE ORGANIZATION THEATERS, THEY, THE ORGANIZATION WITHIN THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS A VERY SMALL SCHOOL, LEARNED ALL ABOUT THE SCHOOL.
BUT, UM, THE, THEY WANTED TO SHOW THE POWER OF EDUCATIONAL THEATER AND WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ADVOCACY.
AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MARCH DECLARED THEATER IN OUR SCHOOL'S MONTH.
AND, AND, UH, AMELIA WANTS TO BRING THIS TO, UH, THE CITY'S ATTENTION.
AND WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA BECAUSE EXCITING, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU.
SHE WAS VERY ENERGETIC WHEN I WAS TALKING TO HER, SO I'M MOST IMPRESSED.
MOM AND DAD, YOU'RE BACK THERE.
THEY'VE CLEARLY DONE A GREAT JOB WITH AMELIA BECAUSE SHE IS A GO-GETTER.
I EXPECT TO SEE YOU AROUND TOO.
SO, THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH IN HOUSTON FOR MARCH, UM, THE PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS THEIR THEATER IN OUR SCHOOL'S MONTH IS A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING THEATER, ARTS EDUCATION OBSERVED EACH MARCH AND HIGHLIGHTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY.
AND WHEREAS THIS OBSERVANT RAISE, OBSERVANT OBSERVANCE, I CAN'T READ TODAY, Y'ALL SORRY.
RAISES AWARENESS FOR THE MANY BENEFITS OF THEATER EDUCATION AND POSITIVELY IMPACTS MORE THAN 6,000 THEATER STUDENTS IN THE HOUSTON AREA,
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FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.AND WHEREAS THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY AND AFFILIATE OF THE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION HONORS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATER ARTS AND ENCOURAGES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS.
AND WHEREAS THE TEXAS THESPIANS TROOP 62 96 AND HOUSTON SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE THEATER PLAYS IN DEVELOPING CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP IN STUDENTS.
AND WHEREAS IN MARCH, 2026, THE CITY OF HOUSTON CELEBRATES THE IMPACT OF THEATER EDUCATION ON STUDENT EXPRESSION AND CALLS ON ALL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL THEATER, ATTEND PERFORMANCES, AND OBSERVE THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH.
THEREFORE, I, MARTHA CASTEX TATUM MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ON BEHALF OF JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 3RD, 2026, AS THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF MY ITS TROOP.
UM, I WANNA START BY THANKING COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN AND HER TEAM FOR KIND OF BRINGING MY IDEA TO LIFE.
THEATER ARTS IS SUCH A POWERFUL FORM OF MEDIA.
IT TRANSCENDS ACROSS CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THOUGH, THEATER ARTS TEACHES STUDENTS ALL ACROSS THE WORLD HOW TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CRE CREATIVELY, AND HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM THEM.
I'D LIKE TO THANK MY THEATER DIRECTOR, MS. BENKURT, UM, FOR MAKING MY THEATER A PLACE THAT CELEBRATES ALL A SPACE THAT TEACHES AND A SPACE THAT ADAPTS ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ARTS PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW THEM TO GROW INTO LEADERS.
AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE YOUNG ARTIST IN THE ROOM, ATTEND SHOWS, VISIT PUBLIC ARTS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO NEVER STOP CREATING.
I ACTUALLY GAVE THIS PROCLAMATION LAST YEAR TO THE GROUP AT LAMAR HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN I WENT TO ONE OF THEIR PLAYS RIGHT AFTERWARDS.
SO REALLY, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO HAVE A KID.
I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, ONCE MY KIDS WERE ALL GROWN, I WOULD NEVER GO TO ANOTHER SCHOOL PLAY.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SEE GOOD THEATER IS TO GO TO SCHOOL PLAYS.
ALSO, I WENT TO WESTCHESTER BACK IN THE DAY BEFORE.
IT WAS THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES.
IT WAS JUST WESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL, SO YEAH, BACK IN, WE CALL IT WAS CHESTER NOW.
YOU'VE GOT A GREAT WAY OF SPEAKING, SO I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY GREAT ON STAGE TOO.
THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ FOR A PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING BARRIO DOGS FOR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE.
UM, TODAY I'M, I'M, UH, HAPPY TO HONOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT BODY DOGS IS DOING SPECIFICALLY WITH THE YOUTH AND PAULS PROGRAM, UH, BODY DOGS.
IF Y'ALL CAN COME UP, GLORIA AND YOUR TEAM.
UH, BODY DOGS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2010 AND THEY INITIATED, UH, THEIR PROGRAMMING IN THE HOUSTON EAST END, UH, RAISING AWARENESS.
AND I, WE TALK ABOUT THIS A LOT, MY PREDECESSOR.
AND THEN EVEN, UH, BEFORE THAT, UH, COUNCILLOR GONZALEZ, UH, ED GONZALEZ WAS, UH, ADVOCATE OF IDENTIFYING, UH, THIS THREE-PRONGED EFFORT OF EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT, BUT THEN ALSO SERVICES.
AND SO, UH, BODY DOGS HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN, IN THE EAST END THERE.
YOUTH AND PAUL PROGRAM IS SOMETHING THAT I'M EXTREMELY, UH, SUPPORTIVE OF BECAUSE, UH, HISTORICALLY, UH, I I WAS IN THE, UH, MANAGING YOUTH PROGRAMS AND MAKING SURE YOUNG FOLKS, UH, HAD OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND BE ENGAGED.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO SEE MORE CHANGE IF WE START IMPACTING THE YOUNGER FOLKS, UH, IN, IN THIS TYPE
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OF PROGRAMMING, HOPEFULLY TEACHING, UH, OLDER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO CHANGE, UH, TO BE MORE, UH, RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS.AND SO, UH, SINCE 2010, UH, THROUGH 2024 BODY DOGS, UM, HAS CONDUCTED 124 SCHOOL OUTREACH PRESENTATIONS, UH, REACHING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND PLANTING GRASSROOTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION.
UM, AND IT INITIATED IN THE EAST END, BUT NOW IT'S CITYWIDE.
SO JUST WANT TO DO A QUICK PLUG.
SOME OF YOU HAVE THESE CARDS IN FRONT OF YOU,
UM, ONE OF 'EM TALKS ABOUT BODY DOGS AND HOW THEY CAN GET INVOLVED IN, UH, THEY CAN REACH OUT TO 'EM, SO HOW THEY CAN GET INVOLVED IN YOUR SCHOOLS.
AND THEN THE OTHER ONE, IT'S A, UM, PEDALS FOR PAWS.
UH, AND THAT ONE IN PARTICULAR, IT'S A FUNDRAISING, UH, EFFORT THAT THEY HAVE ANNUALLY.
IT'S A WAY WHERE THEY CONTINUE TO DO THE GREAT WORK.
UM, AND SO I'LL START WITH THE, UH, PROCLAMATION AND, AND IT'S, WHEREAS ON MARCH THE THIRD, 2026, THE YOUTH AND PAUL'S YAP PROGRAM OF BODY OF DOG CELEBRATES 15, ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY MARKING NEARLY 16 YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING AS A GRASSROOTS EFFORT IN HOUSTON'S EAST END.
AND HIGHLIGHTING ITS TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HOUSTONIANS BY IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BOTH ANIMALS AND RESIDENTS.
AND WHEREAS BY BREAKING THE CYCLES OF NEGLECT AND FOSTERING COMPASSION, RESPONSIBILITY, AND HEALING THE BODY OF DOGS, YOUTH AND PAUSE PROGRAM ADVANCES MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING BEYOND TRADITIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE.
BY EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGHOUT HOUSTON, THE, THE PROGRAM NOW ONLY SAVES, NOT ONLY SAVES LIVES OF PETS, BUT ALSO HELPS BUILD A MORE COMPASSIONATE, HEALTHIER, AND SAFER COMMUNITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
THEREFORE, I, MARTHA CASTEX, TATEM MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ON BEHALF OF JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 3RD, 2026 AS BAR O DOGS, YOUTH AND PAWS PROGRAM DAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I'M GONNA HAVE, UH, GLORIA TO SAY A FEW WORDS, BUT I'LL JUST CLOSE WITH THIS.
UM, WE RECOGNIZE THAT, AND I, I KNOW OUR METRO TEMP SAYS THERE'S A LOT, UH, GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO IT ALL.
UH, BODY OF DOGS IS A, IS AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT THEN THEY ALSO HAVE SEVERAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT THEY LEVERAGE AND, AND LEAN INTO TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
SO, GLORIA, IF YOU PLEASE SAY A FEW WORDS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JOAQUIN MARTINEZ, AND THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR AND TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THIS HONOR.
UH, I'M JOINED HERE WITH, UH, SOME OF MY BOARD MEMBERS AND MY HARDWORKING TEAM AND SOME OF OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS.
UM, THE ORGANIZATION, UH, IS CELEBRATING 16 YEARS.
IT STARTED OUT AS A FAMILY FOUNDED ORGANIZATION, UH, JOINED BY MY FAMILY AND, UH, MY LATE GREAT NORMA, MY SISTER-IN-LAW WHO REALLY HELPED US JUMPSTART THE ORGANIZATION WITH HER MUSIC AND HER POPULARITY.
BUT SINCE THEN, WE HAVE GROWN TO A STRONG ORGANIZATION AND, UH, GOING FORWARD, WE ARE INVESTING IN, UH, YOUNG, UM, DEVELOPMENT YOUNG TEAM MEMBERS SO THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN THIS ORGANIZATION AND CARRY IT FORWARD.
WE COULDN'T DO THIS ORGANIZATION WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
I HAVE TO MENTION, UH, LEE ELLA WITH CLEAR CHANNEL THAT HELPED US WITH A BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN ACTUALLY HELPING US GET THE WORD OUT EVEN FURTHER WITH HOUSTON.
THERE'S SO MANY OTHER PARTNERS LIKE COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIKE COMMUNITY FAMILY CENTER, WESLEY HOUSE, UM, TO HANO CENTER THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO BRING THIS YOUTH AND PAUL'S PROGRAM INTO THEIR, UH, CENTERS.
AND SO THAT IS DEFINITELY WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.
BODY OF DOGS WAS PRIMARILY IN THE EAST END, BUT WE ARE ALL OVER THE CITY OF HOUSTON NOW.
SO IN EVERY DISTRICT, WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS PROGRAM TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT'S ANOTHER WAY TO ADDRESS THE ANIMAL WELFARE CRISIS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I'M PROUD TO, UH, SAY THAT WE HAVE A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER.
UH, WE'RE JOINED HERE BY SONYA CARAL, WHO IS THE DEPUTY CEO WITH, UH, HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER.
WE FEEL THAT ALSO THERE IS A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ABUSE.
SO THAT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE CITY AND OUR, UM, OUR CHILDREN TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR PETS AND NEIGHBORS.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
UM, I JUST WANNA SAY, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND THANK YOU BARRIO DOGS AND, AND ESPECIALLY YOU, GLORIA, FOR THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO.
I THINK HOW WE TREAT OUR ANIMALS IS AN INDICATION OF OUR HUMANITY AND OUR VALUES.
AND SO YOU GUYS REPRESENT SOME OF THE BEST, UH, THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HOUSTON.
SO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE GONNA TRY TO TAKE IT CITYWIDE AND, AND I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND LET, LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP.
I WAS TOLD THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER THAT DECIDES TO SIGN UP FOR THE PETALS FOR PAUSES, THAT THERE'S
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A ANONYMOUS, UH, DONOR THAT WILL SAY MY NAME, I DON'T CARE,THAT WILL, THAT WILL, UH, COVER YOUR COSTS.
SO ANYBODY READY TO RIDE IN THE EAST END, COME THROUGH? THANK YOU.
WE'LL, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES MAYOR PRO TEM CASTEX SAD PROCLAMATION TO OTIS MARKS II, WINNER OF THE MLK JUNIOR ORATORY COMPETITION, 2026 COLLEAGUES.
I THINK THE MAYOR'S HEADED DOWN, SO I WANTED TO WAIT TILL HE ARRIVED.
MAYOR PRO TEM, WHILE WE'RE WAITING, WE HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
CAN I GET THE LAST ONE? THANK YOU MAYOR.
UH, VICE MAYOR, PRO CONSTABLE GARCIA.
I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE CONSTABLE GARCIA.
HE IS, UH, CONSTABLE FOR PRECINCT TWO.
HE'S ACTUALLY MY CONSTABLE OUT IN THE HOBBY AREA.
I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
YOU CAN GET THE FEEL OF THE SPACE.
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YOU LOOK SHARP.IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TODAY TO WELCOME OTIS MARKS II AND HIS FAMILY TO CITY HALL.
AS WE CELEBRATE HIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AS THE 2026 REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
ORATORY COMPETITION CHAMPION OTIS DELIVERED A POWERFUL, THOUGHTFUL, AND DEEPLY MOVING SPEECH THAT TRULY CAPTURED THE SPIRIT, COURAGE AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
HIS WORDS REMINDED US THAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS NOT WAITING TO LEAD, THEY ARE DOING IT.
SO TODAY WE ARE ALSO CELEBRATING THE VILLAGE BEHIND OTIS.
HIS PARENTS ARE HERE, HIS FAMILY, HIS TEACHER, HIS PRINCIPAL, THE ENTIRE WINDSOR VILLAGE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY, WHICH CONTINUES TO CULTIVATE YOUNG LEADERS AND SCHOLARS IN DISTRICT A.
THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO ALL OF YOU.
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON OTIS, WE OFFER OUR HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS.
AND IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO YOU TODAY.
AND THE PROCLAMATION READS TO OTIS MARKS THE THIRD FIRST PLACE WINNER, FOLEY, MLK JUNIOR ORATORY COMPETITION.
ON MARCH 3RD, 2026, THE CITY OF HOUSTON JOINS THE COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING OTIS MARKS II FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE.
IN THIS YEAR'S FOLEY, MLK JUNIOR ORATORY COMPETITION, A GIFTED FIFTH GRADE STUDENT AT WINDSOR VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN DISTRICT, A OTIS DELIVERED A POWERFUL AND COMPELLING MESSAGE THAT RESONATED DEEPLY WITH THE JUDGES AND AUDIENCES ALIKE, PROPELLING HIM INTO THE PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT AND EARNING RECOGNITION IN NUMEROUS LOCAL NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS, INCLUDING AN APPEARANCE ON THE SHERRY SHEPHERD SHOW.
THROUGH HIS WORDS, OTIS INSPIRES OTHERS TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION, COURAGE AND SERVICE.
BORN IN HOUSTON AND HOLDING DUAL CITIZENSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION.
OTIS REPRESENTS A PROUD LEGACY OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, PERSEVERANCE, AND PROMISE.
OTIS, MARKS II AND MICHELLE BANKS, HE HAS A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, EARNING HONOR ROLL DISTINCTION.
EACH YEAR SINCE KINDERGARTEN IN 2025, HE RANKED AMONG THE TOP 1% OF STUDENTS STATEWIDE IN BOTH MATHEMATICS AND LANGUAGE ARTS.
ON THE TEXAS STAR EXAMINATION, OTIS'S TALENTS EXTEND WELL BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
IN 2025, HE WAS SELECTED AS CO M MC OF THE PRESTIGIOUS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT HALL OF ACHIEVEMENT CEREMONY, A ROLE TYPICALLY RESERVED FOR OLDER STUDENTS.
HE IS ALSO THE YOUNGEST INDIVIDUAL EVER NAMED AN HONORARY MEMBER OF THE DAWN BREAK'S TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL CLUB IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, A NATURAL COMMUNICATOR, HE HAS BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT MAJOR CIVIC AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, INCLUDING PROGRAMS AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, HOUSTON MEETING OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD, AND CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST.
WHEREAS HE SPEAKS WHEREVER HE SPEAKS.
OTIS BRINGS WISDOM BEYOND HIS YEARS AND A MESSAGE OF UNITY, OPTIMISM, AND POSSIBILITY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXCEPTIONAL ORATORY TALENT AND OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON PROUDLY CONGRATULATES OTIS MARKS II ON HIS FIRST PLACE, VICTORY IN THE FOLEY, MLK JR, ORATORY COMPETITION AND EXTENDS ITS BEST WISHES FOR A BRIGHT AND PROMISING FUTURE MAYOR.
THANK YOU MAYOR PER TEM, CAST SIX TATUM.
I I JUST WONDER HOW OLD ARE YOU? YOU, YOU, YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH.
DO YOU KNOW, MOST OF US WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH ALL YOUR GOOD DEEDS, LIKE WINNING AN ORATORY COMPETITION, YOUR STAR EXAM, YOU REALIZE THAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE SPECIAL.
IS THAT WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY? YES.
AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S HEARING ALL ABOUT YOU TODAY, AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR ALLOWING US TO, TO ENJOY THIS CITY'S FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS.
WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP, THEREFORE, I, JOHN
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WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 3RD, 2026, IS OTIS MARCH THE THIRD DAY ACROSS THIS GREAT CITY OF HOUSTON.BEFORE Y'ALL STAND, UH, OTIS IS GOING TO PERFORM HIS ORATORY SPEECH FOR US.
SO OTIS, IF YOU ARE READY, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
DO YOU WANT ME TO USE THE, DO YOU WANT ME TO USE THE MIC? MARIE MARKS, SHE WAS MY GRANDMOTHER.
SHE PASSED AWAY BEFORE I WAS BORN, BUT I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF HER IN HER PICTURES.
SHE HAD A SCAR GOING FROM HER TEMPLE ALL THE WAY DOWN.
AS SOON AS I SAW THAT SCAR, I ASKED MY DAD HOW SHE GOT IT.
HE TOLD ME THAT IN 1955, WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WAS A COLLEGE STUDENT, SHE AND HER CLASSMATES SAT AT A WHITE'S ONLY LUNCH COUNTER TO PROTEST AGAINST SEGREGATION.
THEY WERE INSPIRED BY THE TEACHINGS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
THEY BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF LOVE TO BREAK THE CHAINS OF HATE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND INSTEAD OF PROTECTING THE PEACEFUL PROTESTORS, THOSE OFFICERS BEAT THEM, INCLUDING MY OWN GRANDMOTHER.
FROM THAT POINT ON, I BEGAN READING MORE ABOUT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
AND HIS MESSAGE TO THE WORLD LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER, I TOO WAS INSPIRED.
MY NAME IS OTIS MARK III, AND I'M A FIFTH GRADE STUDENT FROM WINDSOR VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WE'RE ALIVE TODAY, I BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD SAY, NOW THAT YOU HAVE EMBRACED MY MESSAGE, TAKE THIS TORCH AND CONTINUE TO MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE.
I WILL GRATEFULLY ACCEPT THAT TORCH, HOLD IT HIGH, AND TELL MY GENERATION TO FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE EQUALITY IS NOT JUST SPOKEN, BUT LIVED EVERY DAY.
FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE HISPANICS, EUROPEANS, AFRICANS, AND ASIANS CAN ALL FIND A PLACE OF REFUGE AND THIS LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.
FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS DO NOT HAVE TO HIDE FROM THE AUTHORITIES AND WHERE ICE IS ONLY USED IN KOOL-AID.
FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE CAUCASIANS, AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANICS, ASIANS, AND ALL OTHER CULTURES, CAN SIT AT THE TABLE OF BROTHERHOOD AND HAVE NO CONFLICT NOR BARRIERS.
FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE THERE SHALL BE NO LABELS THAT DIVIDE US INTO RACES, BUT WHERE WE SEE EACH OTHER AS ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE.
FOLLOW ME TO A PLACE WHERE DR.
A WORLD THAT CHOOSES LOVE OVER HATE, HOSPITALITY, OVER REJECTION AND COMPASSION OVER CRUELTY.
IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE EVERY CHILD, NO MATTER THEIR ETHNICITY, CAN GROW UP SAFE, VALUED, AND FREE TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS WITHOUT JUDGMENT.
THAT IS THE WORLD DR. KING DREAMED OF, AND THAT IS THE WORLD WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD.
BUT DREAMS DON'T BUILD THEMSELVES.
THEY REQUIRE ACTION, TRUE SACRIFICES, AND EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM.
SO I ASK YOU, MY FRIENDS, CARRY THIS TORCH WITH ME, CARRY IT PROUDLY, CARRY IT BRAVELY, CARRY IT UNTIL IT'S FLAMES, BUT UP EVERY DARK CORNER OF INJUSTICE.
AND LET US WALK SIDE BY SIDE, STEP BY STEP TOWARD THE WORLD.
DR. KING, TOWARD THE WORLD, DR. KING KNEW WAS POSSIBLE.
A WORLD OF HOPE, A WORLD OF PEACE, A WORLD WHERE TRUE FREEDOM ARE NOT JUST EMPTY WORDS, BUT GUARANTEED PROMISES.
AND IF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WERE ALIVE TODAY, THAT WOULD BE HIS MESSAGE TO THE WORLD.
DID YOU HEAR IT? IF NOT, DON'T WORRY.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL OTIS'S PARENTS ARE HERE.
I'M GOING TO ASK IF THEY WILL COME AND JOIN US FOR A PHOTO.
AND THEN HIS SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, CHANTEL LEWIS IS HERE.
MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE IS HERE, AND HIS ENTIRE VILLAGE IS HERE.
SO WE'RE VERY MAYOR PRO EXCITED THAT Y'ALL ARE HERE.
[00:35:01]
BEFORE WE TAKE PHOTOS, WE DO HAVE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE QUEUE.UM, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ, THANK YOU.
MAYOR PROTE MAYOR, UH, OLDEST.
THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME TODAY.
UM, I THINK THE WORD THAT ALL THAT STUCK OUT A LOT WAS LOVE.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE CAN ALL FOCUS ON THAT PATIENCE AND KINDNESS WITH EACH OTHER, UM, IT, IT WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE.
UH, BUT I ALSO FEEL VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU SPEAK THESE WORDS, UH, BECAUSE IT JUST TELLS ME THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE WORK ISN'T DONE.
THERE'S FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF, A FIFTH YEAR, A FIFTH GRADER, UH, READY TO TAKE THE TORCH AND LEAD.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
UH, CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT ALSO AS YOU DO IT, THINK ABOUT YOUR CLASSMATES AND THEN THOSE THAT ARE THIRD, FOURTH, SECOND GRADERS ON HOW YOU CAN BRING THEM ALONG WITH YOU AS WELL.
AND, UH, I WANT TO SAY TO OTIS MARKS III FROM DISTRICT A, UH, CONGRATULATIONS.
IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE THE WINNER.
UH, AND IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT WHY YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE ACCOLADES ON THE LIST OF THINGS THAT MAYOR PRO TEM JUST ANNOUNCED.
WHAT A PHENOMENAL, UH, YOUNG MAN WHO IS GOING TO EXCEL INTO GREATER THINGS.
THERE IS A WORD THAT SAYS, TRAIN HIM UP THE CHILD IN THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD GO.
AND WHEN THEY'RE OLD, THEY WON'T DEPART FROM IT.
AND YOU STICK WITH WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
CONGRATULATIONS, GOD BLESS YOU.
THANK YOU COUNCILOR EVAN SHABBAT, THANK YOU.
YOU GIVE ME, UH, JUST SO MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE YOUNG PEOPLE SUCH AS YOU THAT ARE GONNA CHANGE THIS WORLD.
AND CERTAINLY I SAW YOU, YOU WERE, YOU WERE KIND OF GLOWING WHEN SHE WAS READING THAT PROCLAMATION, BUT I WANT YOU TO TAKE THAT IN TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE.
AND JUST AS CLOSING, I'M GONNA SAY, THAT'S A PRETTY COOL LITTLE HAIRCUT.
THANK YOU TO YOUR PARENTS BECAUSE IT'S THEIR SUPPORT AND THEIR ROLE MODEL THAT HAS LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER AND RESPECT THAT THEY ARE HERE FOR YOU AND THAT WE ARE SO VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU.
THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR, PRO TIM, UH, OTIS, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY.
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT, UH, INSPIRING SPEECH.
IT'S OBVIOUS YOU ARE A VERY TALENTED YOUNG MAN, BUT I THINK WHAT'S MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THAT YOU'RE USING YOUR TALENTS TO DELIVER A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT CAN INSPIRE PEOPLE.
SO I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.
I FEEL LIKE IN A FEW YEARS YOU MIGHT SITTING, BE SITTING BACK HERE OR SOMETHING, BUT, UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND TO YOUR, YOUR PARENTS AND WISH YOU WELL IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR PRO TIM.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE MAYOR AND TO THE MAYOR PRO TIM OTIS.
AND, UM, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CAN SEE A LOT OF LEADERSHIP QUALITIES WITHIN YOU.
AND, UH, ONE OF THE TRUE QUALITIES OF A LEADER IS USING THEIR VOICE, UH, AND TO USE THEIR VOICE WITH PASSION.
AND YOU WERE ABLE TO HAVE ALL OF US LISTEN INTENTLY TO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING, TO RECEIVE IT AND TO BELIEVE IN YOU AND BE INSPIRED BY YOU.
AND SO I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO YOUR PARENTS.
I HAVE A FOURTH GRADER, AND SO I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES, UH, BEHIND THE SCENES, UH, TO HELP YOU BE ABLE TO RECITE, UH, THOSE WORDS AND TO BE ABLE TO MEMORIZE THEM, UH, ALL THE TIME AND SACRIFICE THAT IT TOOK, UH, FOR YOU TO LEARN THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO RECITE IT FOR US.
AND SO MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS TO GO BEYOND JUST THOSE WORDS, UH, TO CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER, UH, LEAD WITH ACTION, UH, LEAD BY BEING SOMEONE THAT PEOPLE, UH, LOOK UP TO, MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND, UH, BEING KIND TO PEOPLE.
UH, YOU'RE A REPRESENTATIVE, MAYOR, PRO TEM ALWAYS ENDS THE COUNCIL MEETINGS BY SAYING, BE KIND TO PEOPLE AND, UH, DO THAT, HAVE RESPECT FOR OTHERS, CONTINUE TO LEAD, AND I KNOW YOU'LL ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.
AND I JUST WANTED TO PLANT A SEED.
YOU LOOK LIKE A MOREHOUSE MAN.
[00:43:24]
TEMP FOR THE[2:00 P.M. - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
VOCATION.UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, OUR, OUR STAFF IS, UH, ALWAYS SO IMPORTANT TO US.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT, UM, WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A CHIEF OF STAFF, I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE THAT, UH, COULD COME INTO OUR OFFICE AND REALLY BE A CHANGE MAKER AND SOMEONE WHO COULD, UM, HELP TO ELEVATE WHAT WE WERE DOING IN OUR OFFICE.
AND, UM, I I, I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE LORD SENT DEI AND TO DELIVER OUR PRAYER TODAY, OUR CHIEF OF STAFF DEI CHAVIS, UH, WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO, TIM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF WE'LL GET IN POSITION.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
THANK YOU FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, FOR ITS DIVERSITY, ITS RESILIENCE, AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.
AS WE BEGIN THESE COUNCIL SESSIONS, WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM TO GUIDE EVERY DISCUSSION, EVERY DECISION, AND EVERY VOTE.
GRANT US CLARITY OF THOUGHT, FAIRNESS, AND JUDGMENT, AND UNITY OF PURPOSE.
HELP US TO LEAD NOT FROM EGO, BUT FROM SERVICE, NOT FROM DIVISION, BUT FROM A SHARED COMMITMENT FOR TO THE GREATER GOOD.
STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC SERVANTS.
REMIND THEM THAT BEHIND EVERY AGENDA ITEM ARE FAMILIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES WHO TRUST US TO ACT WITH INTEGRITY AND CARE.
AND MAY WE LISTENED ATTENTIVELY, SPEAK RESPECTFULLY
[00:45:01]
AND DELIBERATE THOUGHTFULLY.WE ALSO LIFT UP THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY, THOSE CELEBRATING MILESTONES, THOSE FACING CHALLENGES, AND THOSE SEEKING OPPORTUNITY.
MAY OUR WORK TODAY REFLECT COMPASSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DEEP DEDICATION TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL, AND PROTECT THIS CHAMBER.
PROTECT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND EVERY RESIDENT THROUGHOUT HOUSTON.
GIVE US STEADY HANDS AND COURAGEOUS HEARTS AS WE CARRY OUT RESPONSIBILITIES ENTRUSTED, ENTRUSTED TO US.
WE ASK THIS IN YOUR HOLY NAME.
I ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[ROLL CALL AND ADOPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING]
SECRETARY, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? MAYOR WHITMEYER, PRESIDENT COUNCIL MEMBER PECK HERE.COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CAMAN WILL BE ABSENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER PRESENT.
I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18TH AND FEBRUARY 24 AND 25.
[PUBLIC SPEAKERS]
THANK YOU MAYOR.I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ADD JACOB CLEMENTE TO THE TOP OF THE PREVIOUS ONE MINUTE LIST.
EVAN SHABA EVANS, COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABA ON BEHALF OF MOTION MADE.
ANYONE ELSE? NOT, UH, MS. SECRETARY.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER, JOSEPH BALLARD, TO BE FOLLOWED BY MARION SCOTT ARE THE MICROPHONES.
EITHER ONE TIME I WAS HERE TALKING ABOUT FIFTH WARD AND MAYOR, YOU KNOW HOW I AM ABOUT MY COMMUNITY I HAD WITH, UH, MS. MS. PALMER AND WHEN THE POLICE CAME OUT AND ALL THAT THERE.
I JUST WANNA APOLOGIZE TO Y'ALL.
I DON'T COME DOWN HERE TO FIGHT WITH Y'ALL, BUT I KNOW Y'ALL GOT BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE AND I HAVE BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF ALSO.
SO WHEN I'M RIGHT, I'M LIKE, I WAS RIGHT.
BUT HERE'S WHAT I COME DOWN HERE FOR TODAY.
WHAT IT, WHAT, WHERE, WHERE THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS.
HOUSTON LAND BANKERS GIVING MONEY TO INVESTORS TO BUILD ON CONTAMINATED PROPERTY.
THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF, I GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I'VE BEEN OUT THERE FOR 60 YEARS.
WE NEVER HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO, EVEN, EVEN, I GOT, I GOT PROPERTY OUT THERE.
I NEVER HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO, TO, UH, GET A GRANT, A LOAN TO BUILD SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON MY PROPERTY, YOU KNOW, AND HERE YOU IS, GOT WHATEVER THEY GOT GOING ON WITH THIS, THIS PROGRAM.
AND, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE UNION PACIFIC BEEN THERE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.
MY MOTHER HOUSE BEEN THERE FOR SINCE 1889.
SO, YOU KNOW, MY PROPERTY IS CONTAMINATED.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE OR REWORKED OR, OR REWORDED OR, UH, WHAT, WHAT THE CASE MAY BE.
I THINK THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITY FIRST.
WE'VE BEEN SUFFERING, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, I'M 60 AND LOOK HOW LONG I'VE BEEN LIVING IN CONTAMINATION.
YOU KNOW, I MIGHT HAVE CANCER.
I DONE LOST SO MUCH WEIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I JUST WANT TAKE IT.
I GOT A BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO GOT CANCER.
YOU KNOW, MY MOTHER DIED OF CANCER.
MY, MY WHOLE FAMILY AND YOU AND THEY TALKING ABOUT GIVING PROPERTY TO INVESTORS OR PEOPLE TO COME IN TO DIG THE CONTAMINATION OUT, THAT'S GONNA TAKE 'EM ANOTHER 10 YEARS TO DIG ALL THAT CONTAMINATION OUT.
AND I DON'T, I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT
[00:50:01]
WITHOUT GETTING WITH IT'S, THERE'S NOT THAT MANY HOMEOWNERS THAT'S, THAT'S LEFT OUT THERE.LIKE, ON, ON MY MOTHER'S STREET, I THINK WE HAVE PROBABLY SIX HOUSES.
MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY I OWN ON THE STREET.
'CAUSE IT WAS MY GRANDMOTHER'S.
I REFUSE TO GIVE IT AWAY OR GIVE IT UP UNLESS THEY COME WITH A HELL OF A NUMBER.
BUT NOT LIKELY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
SO I PAY TAXES, I PAY TAXES ON MY PROPERTY OUT HERE IN FIFTH WARD IS HIGHER THAN IN MY TAXES AT, IN MY HOME IN HUMBLE.
SO WHY CAN'T SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT'S, THAT HAVE PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR GET GRANTS AND LOANS OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE AND BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I AND I, AND I'M WITH THE, I'M WITH THE BEAUTIFICATION 'CAUSE I'M TIRED OF SEEING ALL THE TRASH ON EVERY, EVERY NICK OF THE CORNER OF FIFTH WARD ALL OVER HOUSTON.
I'M TIRED OF FIGHTING THAT FIGHT.
SO I-I-I-I-I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO BUILD MORE HOUSES AND, AND YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD HELP THE, THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW.
'CAUSE Y KNOW Y'ALL, I KNOW THE CITY SPEND MONEY, THOUSANDS, MILLIONS, AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON HEAVY TRASH EVERY DAY.
SO IT'S GOT, IT'S GOT TO BE A CHANGE, MAN.
AND I KNOW Y'ALL DOING ALL Y'ALL CAN DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE SOME INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK IT'S A PROCEDURAL VOTE.
THANK YOU, SIR, FOR BEING HERE.
MAYOR, UH, I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADD MR. JOSEPH JENNINGS AFTER A ALFREDA FRANKLIN ON THE THREE MINUTE AGENDA LIST.
MARION SCOTT IRMA MCWELL TO BE FOLLOWED BY KAYDEN FOR GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WHITMEYER, UH, MAYOR PROAM AND THE CITY COUNCILMAN.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK MAYOR WHITMEYER, I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK YOU FIRST, UM, DO YOU REMEMBER SOMEONE SHOUTING, GIVING YOU A BIG SHOUT OUT AT THE PARADE? THE MLK PARADE? DO YOU REMEMBER THAT? SHE CALLED OUT AND SAID, MY WATER BILL IS TOO HIGH.
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT? I SAID THAT TO YOU AND YOU KNOW, AND YOU TOLD ME TO CALL AND I DID, BUT I'M NOT HERE FOR THAT.
I'M HERE FOR SOMETHING MORE, MUCH MORE SERIOUS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH, AROUND FIVE 30 ISH.
UM, I WENT TO FIESTA GROCERY STORE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND I GOT A FEW ITEMS. I CAME OUT, I SAW THIS VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
I, I DON'T KNOW WHY I NOTICED IT, BUT IT HAD A HANDICAPPED STICKER.
SO I LOOKED AT IT, BUT THEN AFTER I DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THAT PERSON DROVE OUT ALONGSIDE, BUT I DIDN'T SEE THEM.
AND I GUESS THEY WERE HOT IN, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT ANYWAY, WHEN I GOT TO THE STREET, I MADE A LEFT TURN ON CULLEN STREET TO GO BACK TO MY HOME.
SO THE CAR FOLLOWED, THEN I WENT TO CULLEN, TO REED ROAD, MADE A LEFT, AND THE CAR FOLLOWED ME THERE.
SO I GOT OUTTA THAT LANE REALLY QUICKLY AND I HEADED ACROSS THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT, NOT RED.
SO I WAS JUST DRIVING, JUST OUTTA MY MIND, TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM WHOEVER IT WAS.
FINALLY, THEY LEFT ME ALONE AND THEN I DROVE AROUND AND WENT BACK, WENT TO MY HOME.
I DIDN'T REPORT IT THAT NIGHT.
SO I WAS TOLD, SINCE IT WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAD TO GO INTO THE SUBSTATION, WENT INTO THE SUBSTATION, MACAU ROAD, AND I WAS TALKING TO THE OFFICER AND HE BLEW ME OFF.
HE SAID, WELL, PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW YOU.
BUT I SAID THERE WAS A CRIME, I WAS FOLLOWED, ALMOST RAN OVER.
LIKE, BUT HE SAID, WELL, WE JUST GOING BACK AND BACK AND FORTH AND THERE WAS NO CRIME.
SO I'M ASKING YOU, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS CAN VIEW THE FOOTAGE? AND THE REASON I WANT THE FOOTAGE VIEWED IS BECAUSE THAT VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE A VEHICLE WHERE I WORKED.
[00:55:01]
I WANNA KNOW WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS AN EMPLOYEE THAT I WORKED WITH.THAT THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.
YOU HAVE THE VIDEO? NO, I DON'T, I DON'T HAVE VIDEO.
I WANT THE FOOTAGE FROM FIESTA LIKE PARKING LOT AND THEN THE FOLLOWING ME.
IS THAT POSSIBLE? I I'M NOT CERTAIN.
I CERTAINLY WILL CONTACT HPD AND GET, GIVE THEM YOUR CONTACT.
UH, WELL THEY HAVE MY INFORMATION.
BUT MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEY HAVE IT.
AND DO YOU KNOW THE NAME, THE OFFICER THAT YOU SAID WAS NO, I DIDN'T GET HIS NAME, BUT AN OFFICER DID CALL AND LEAVE A METH.
WELL, HE LEFT A MESSAGE, UM, YESTERDAY BUT ONLY SAID SO.
WELL, HE ONLY SAID HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, SERGEANT LAHAR.
AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH HIM SINCE AND I HAVEN'T BEEN.
OKAY, WELL I WILL, UH, ASK HHPD IF THEY HAVE RECORDS AND UH, DO YOU KNOW THE OFFICER THAT CALLED YOU? YES.
HE'S THE GENTLEMAN AT THE BACK.
ALRIGHT, LET US GO TO WORK ON IT.
ALFREDO FRANKLIN TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH JENNINGS.
I'M JUST HERE TODAY TO THANK MAYOR WHI MEYER, MARTHA TATUM, MS. REBECCA WILLIAMS AND RASHAD CAVE FOR EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE FOR THE MOTORCYCLISTS IN OUR IN OUR CITY.
LITTLE DID Y'ALL KNOW THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE FOR THEM HAS BROUGHT EVERYONE TOGETHER.
AND, UH, RASHAD AND MS. REBECCA WILLIAMS HAS BEEN THERE TO SEE, UM, THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF YOU GUYS.
AND I MEAN, I'M JUST HERE TO BASICALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING AND TO LET YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT WE DID, UM, GET THE PROCLAMATION PASSED FOR MAY 1ST.
AND INSTEAD OF ME BRINGING 800 BIKES DOWN THE STREET, WE'RE JUST GONNA HAVE A FAMILY REUNION.
I MEAN, BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S TOO MUCH.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU.
AND I DID BRING A GIFT FOR YOU GUYS.
YOU CAN SHOW HIM IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
UM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I HAVE FOR EACH ONE OF YOU GUYS THAT I DID.
NAME MAYOR WHITMEYER, YOU, YOU HAVE ONE IN THE BAG AS WELL.
YOU HAVE ONE RASHAD CAVE AND MS. REBECCA WILLIAMS. AND LIKE I SAID, WE ARE JUST HERE TO BASICALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING AND YOUR DEDICATION TO HELPING THE MOTORCYCLISTS THAT ARE DOING GREAT THINGS IN YOUR CITY.
AND IF YOUR CITY IS GOING INTO A RECESSION, WE'RE THE FIRST ONES TO STAND UP TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.
EASTER, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, YOU NAME IT.
WE'RE STANDING UP BECAUSE, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA STAND UP MORE BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE FOR US AND BRINGING US TOGETHER.
AND THAT DOES KEEP YOUR CITY CALM.
UH, MAYOR PROTE, THANK YOU FOR COMING.
UH, AND CIRCLING BACK WITH US COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU MAY HAVE REMEMBERED, UM, THAT SHE CAME FORWARD AND WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE DECEASED BIKERS IN OUR CITY.
WE DID HOST A RALLY AND THEY, THEY, UM, PLANTED ABOUT 20 TREES IN HONOR OF THEIR DECEASED LOVED ONES IN THE ESPLANADES IN DISTRICT A, UH, AND THEY, IT WAS A SIGHT TO SEE HUNDREDS OF BIKERS COMING DOWN, UH, SOUTH POST OAK INTO THE PARKING LOT, AND THEN GETTING OFF THEIR BIKES, CELEBRATING THEIR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY AND THEN PLANTING TREES IN THEIR HONOR.
SO THANK YOU FOR, UM, BRINGING THIS TO US AND WE ENJOYED EXECUTING IT.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU AND THE OTHER CYCLISTS IN OUR CITY.
AND THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THE, UM, THAT'S TOO MANY BIKES TO BRING FROM POST OAK AND I THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT FOR YOURSELF.
SO WE'RE JUST GONNA DO LIKE A FAMILY REUNION AND WE ARE ASKING YOU ALL TO HELP US.
UM, WE'RE TRYING TO GET MCGREGOR PARK, WHICH, UH, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO, UH, ANIKA PETERS, UM, AND GETTING THAT PARK SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE BIKERS ARE TOGETHER AND WE'RE NOT GONNA
[01:00:01]
'CAUSE THAT, THAT'S TOO MUCH.WE'RE NOT GONNA, I DON'T EVEN WANNA PUT THE CITY OR ANY THE THREAT NOT.
COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ IS GONNA HELP YOU WITH MCGREGOR PARK CHABA.
OKAY? SHE WAS SITTING OVER THERE.
BUT YOU ALL HAVE YOUR SHIRTS AND WE WOULD LIKE Y'ALL TO BE THERE.
WE'RE WE'RE GOING TO DISTRIBUTE THEM IN IN DUE TIME.
AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE IN THE SLING? MAYOR, WE WITH MINE BECAUSE WE, WE GOT A S FOR YOU.
WELL WE HAVE A SLING FOR YOU WAITING 'CAUSE UM, ALSO ONE OF YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE RON REYNOLDS, HE DID LOG ONTO IT.
AND I MEAN, HE'S ACTUALLY ON THE SHIRT.
AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH ONCE AGAIN.
SO IF I GET THE PORK, DO I GET A SHIRT TOO? BABY? YOU GET WHATEVER YOU WANT.
AND WE GOT THAT GOOD OLD SOUL FOOD.
SO I NEED YOU TO GET THAT GOOD OLD SOUL FOOD THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CORN.
THANK YOU JOSEPH JENNINGS TO BE FOLLOWED BY DIANA NWA.
UH, JOE JENNINGS HERE WITH LAR.
HERE WITH LAR AND EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE REVIEW.
I'M PLACING INTO YOUR HANDS PRE-PUBLICATION COPIES OF A SPECIAL REPORT WHICH EIR HAS JUST PRODUCED AND RELEASED, CALLED THE EMPIRE HAS NO CLOTHES, THE END OF OLIGARCHY, NOT JUST EPSTEIN.
BEHIND THE LURID HEADLINES, WHICH YOU HAVE ALL SEEN.
EIR PRESENTS A DISTURBING PICTURE OF PRIVATE MONEY INTERESTS TIED TO OFFSHORE BANKING AND DRUG MONEY WITH THE POWER TO INFLUENCE AND TOPPLE GOVERNMENTS AND TAKE NATIONS TO WAR, TO ENFORCE THEIR RIGHT TO LOO.
SHOULDN'T WE LOOK INTO THIS AS THE US HEADS INTO YET ANOTHER WAR? NOW WITH IRAN, OUR AUTHORITY GOES BACK TO 1978.
WHEN WE RELEASED THIS BOOK, DOPE INCORPORATED.
WE TRACE THE MONEY FLOWS OF THE DRUG TRADE BACK TO THE BRITISH EMPIRES, TO OPIUM WARS AGAINST THE NATION OF CHINA.
THE PROFITS LOOTED FROM CHINA WERE BANKED AND DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THROUGH THE CROWNS HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.
STILL WITH US TODAY AS HSBC DO BANK TEMPORARILY HALTED HSBC'S TAKEOVER MARINE MIDLAND BANK IN NEW YORK WITH DEREGULATION OF BANKING.
IN THE 1970S, THE CARIBBEAN BECAME A SPECIAL HAVEN FOR GUN AND DRUG RUNNING WITH EPSTEIN ISLAND RIGHT AT THE MIDDLE OF IT.
NOW ON IRAN, WE SHOULD RECALL THAT NU BRZEZINSKI HELPED TOPPLE THE SHAH, UH, DURING THE CARTER PRESIDENCY AND BRING IN THE MULLAHS AS PART OF THE ARC OF CRISIS ENCIRCLEMENT OF RUSSIA.
AND THAT FORMER HOUSTON RESIDENT, GEORGE HW BUSH OVERSAW THE FAR-FLUNG IRAN CONTRA COCAINE AND GUN RUNNING ENTERPRISE, THE SMUGGLE WEAPONS INTO IRAN TO WAGE WAR AGAINST NEIGHBORING IRAQ WHOSE PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN NAIVELY BELIEVED HE WAS AN ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES.
1 MILLION PEOPLE KILLED WITH WESTERN FINANCIERS ARMING BOTH SIDES.
SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER, OLAF PALMA HEADED THE UN COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THIS CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.
BUT BEFORE HE COULD RELEASE HIS FINDINGS, PALMER WAS GUNNED DOWN IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.
THE WORLDWIDE MEDIA IMMEDIATELY BLAMED THE ASSASSINATION ON LYNDON LAROCHE.
THE SO-CALLED ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE PUSHED THIS SLANDER AND MANY OTHERS TO POISON PUBLIC OPINION DURING THE GOVERNMENT PROSECUTION THAT RAILROAD IAN TO PRISON IN JANUARY OF 1989, THE WEEK OF BUSH'S INAUGURATION.
NOW MANY OF YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT BUSH BROUGHT THE G SEVEN SUMMIT HERE TO HOUSTON IN 1991 AND HE BROUGHT QUEEN ELIZABETH, THEN PRINCE PHILIP RIGHT HERE.
UM, ACTUALLY 1990 FOR THE SUMMIT 91 IS WHEN THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE STOOD ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL AT A PRESS BRIEFING FOR THE SUMMIT.
OUR CORRESPONDENT HARLEY SCHLANGER THREW THE BRITISH SPOKESMAN INTO AN APOPLECTIC FIT FOR EXPOSING PLANS FOR NEW MID EAST WAR TO QUASH THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE AFTER THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL AND THE BREAKUP OF THE SOVIET UNION FOR GEORGE BUSH'S ROLE IN KICKING OFF THE POST CODE WAR, NEW WORLD ORDER OF PERMANENT WAR.
AND FOR JAILING THE ROOTS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
NOT IN GEORGE BUSH, SIR GEORGE.
CAN I HAVE 10 SECONDS? 10 SECONDS.
UH, I'D ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ AND SHARE THIS PAM, UH, THIS REPORT AND THE PAMPHLET.
THIS ONE IS CALLED THE COMING HALL, UH, FALL OF THE HOUSE OF WINDOR WINDSOR, WHICH FOCUSED ON BRITISH.
UH, RESOURCE LOOTING AND PRINCESS DIANA GAVE IT A THUMBS UP WHEN IT CAME OUT.
NEXT, DIANA NWA, BRANDY ALLEN,
[01:05:01]
SPENCER SWEARINGEN, EDDIE SALAZAR, THEODORE CARRERO, WILLIAM SOWELL TO BE FOLLOWED BY MERCY LAWSON.I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR ON THE LAST MY VISIT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION THAT GOT ON THAT AND SOLVED THAT PROBLEM.
AND, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH ON THAT.
BUT ON ON, ON, UH, BUS 50 HIKES ON A TUESDAY NIGHT, MAY, MAY 26TH, 2015, AT 10:30 PM AT THE END OF A BUS ROUTE, UH, A CONTRACT WORKER, BUS OPERATOR, MR. ROLAND TERRELL ROSS TOOK ME TO THIS LOCATION AT NORTH, NORTH, NORTH SHEPHERD AND GARDEN OAKS BOULEVARD, RIGHT ACROSS WHERE THAT OLD SEARS USED TO BE.
MR. ROSS EXPOSED HIMSELF TO ME.
NOW, THIS WAS 12 YEARS AGO, I GAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION TO METRO.
BUT ON FEBRUARY 11TH, THE 20 20 26 AT 8:00 PM MR. ROSS DRIVING, OPERATING A BUS, 84 BUFFALO SPEEDWAY BUS, 1991 AT EIGHT 20 AT UH, WEST BELFORT AND LAKE SIX 10, MR. ROSS BROUGHT ANOTHER YOUNG BLACK BOY TO THE END OF THAT BUS ROUTE AND THEN TOLD THE BOY TO GET OFF THE BUS AND GET BACK ON THE BUS AND RIDE OFF WITH HIM.
AND, AND, AND THIS WAS REPORTED TO METRO AND I TOOK A PICTURE OF A YOUNG BOY OUTSIDE THE BUS, TAKING A PICTURE OF THE BUS AND THE NUMBER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
BUT THE METRO PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THIS BOY'S PICTURE AND PUT IT IN THEIR INVESTIGATION OR THEIR REPORT.
AND WHEN I CALLED 'EM FEBRUARY 16, THEY SAID, OH, WE ALREADY CLOSED THE CASE.
THEY ALLOW THESE THINGS, THEY COVER UP THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATORS.
AND ANOTHER THING TOO, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, BUT A, A TWO WEEKS AGO, A YOUNG HOMELESS MAN WAS THAT A HOMELESS CHURCH GOT OUTTA THE HOMELESS CHURCH AND WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY THREE POLICE OFFICERS, SHOT THIS BLACK MAN DOWN.
THREE OFFICERS GONNA SHOOT ONE BLACK MAN DOWN.
AND IT'S JUST, UH, THIS BLACK MAN DIDN'T EVEN STAND A CHANCE, BUT THEY ALLOW THE MALE, UH, THE BLACK MAN TO BE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY PARENT YOU KNOW, THAT SOMEONE IS DOING THAT TO YOUR CHILD OR TAKING YOUR CHILD TO A DARK SECLUDED AREA.
YOU WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO SOUND THAT ALARM.
YOU, YOU KNOW? SO I'M JUST SAYING METRO, I DON'T TRUST THEIR POLICE AUTHORITY WHEN, WHEN THEY DOING THOSE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES, THEY NEED TO, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO BE OVER THEM WATCHING THEM.
'CAUSE THEY COVERING UP TO YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED FOR METRO IMAGE.
THEY WANT TO KEEP IT LOOKING GOOD.
I ALREADY WENT TO THE BOARD TOO, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO NO GOOD.
MERCY LAWSON TO BE FOLLOWED BY SOTTA HARDY.
GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
UM, WE DO HAVE BUNCH OF, UM, HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SHOWED UP AT OUR HOMES TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, THEY SAID THEY'VE BEEN TO, THEY'VE BEEN TO THE SHELTER AND THE SHELTER IS FULL AND SHELTER REFER THEM TO US.
UH, THEY, THEY SEND THEM TO OUR HOME AND I TOLD THEM THAT, WELL, WE DO, WE DO HAVE TO GET PAID FOR THEM STAYING AT OUR HOME.
AND, UM, SOME OF THE HOMELESS, UM, INDIVIDUAL SAID THAT AT THE, AT THE, WHAT IS IT CALLED AS A SHELTER.
THEY TOLD THEM THAT WHEN THEY GET TO THE HOME, THAT THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THEM TO STAY WITH US.
SO I'M HERE TO ASK IF THERE IS ANY, UH, IF, IF THERE'S ANY PROVISION FOR THOSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO STAY AT OUR HOME AND GET, UM, FINANCIALLY TAKEN CARE OF.
MS. LAWSON, UH, YOUR ADDRESS IS LOCATED RIGHT OUTSIDE OF
[01:10:01]
THE CITY LIMITS AND, UH, MISSION BEEN ON THE COUNTY SIDE, BUT I'M THE CLOSEST CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT TO YOU.UM, UH, WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRY IN THE CONSTABLE OFFICE ON THAT AREA.
THEY HAVE ENTERED INTO THIS PILOT PARTNERSHIP, UM, UH, WITH RAPID REHOUSING AND ADDRESSING THE HOMELESSNESS SARAY FROM MY TEAM IS RIGHT HERE IN THE STRIPED SHIRT.
I WANNA FOLLOW UP 'CAUSE I WASN'T CLEAR ABOUT THE HOMES YOU WERE ALLUDING TO.
UM, AND WE HAVE, UM, UM, SOME INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND IDENTIFYING ENCAMPMENTS IN INDIVIDUALS.
AND SO WE NEED SOME INFORMATION FROM YOU SO WE CAN BETTER RESPOND IN, IN REGARDS TO THE FUNDING.
UM, AND, AND SO, BUT WE ARE WORKING ON IT, I WILL SAY.
UM, AND, AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING ON OUR CRITICAL, THOSE THAT NEED, UH, MENTAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT AT THIS TIME.
BUT ON THE WEST SIDE, THAT, UM, WHERE YOU RESIDE AND WHERE I REPRESENT, THERE ARE SOME LIMITED RESOURCES THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH.
SO SARAI WILL BE ABLE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH YOU AND THEN WE CAN RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.
I APPRECIATE YOU FOR COMING DOWN.
NEXT RETTA HARDY, STEVE WILLIAMS, WHERE HE AT? JACOB CLEMENT, THAT SHOULD TO BE FOLLOWED BY LATOYA JONES, DRESSED FOR SUCCESS.
THEY MENTIONED THAT JUNE, MARCH 8TH IS A WOMAN'S AND WOMAN'S DAY.
AND WELL, TODAY IS MARCH AND SO IT MARCH.
MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
SO ALL OF Y'ALL WOMEN IN THIS ROOM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND SO I CAN APPLAUD YOU.
AND NOW, UH, I WORK AT THE RODEO.
WELL, HEY, REMEMBER, UH, I WANT MAKE YOU COWBOY, OKAY? OKAY.
WE MAKE IT WORK AND WE'LL LET YOU COME BACK.
WELL, UM, THIS AGGIE POLITICAL SCIENCE, UM, PROFESSOR WAS GIVEN A QUIZ WITH ME ABOUT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHITMEYER AND WHAT WHITMEYER.
AND HE SAID, WELL, ONE IS THE MAYOR OF HISSING AND THEN IS THE, UM, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN.
AND THEN HE WAS ASKED WHICH ONE IS WHICH.
AND HE GOT THE WHITMEYER MEYER FOR THE GOVERNOR OF AMERICAN.
PRAISE THE LORD'S BLESSED EXCELLENCY, THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON, JOHN MEYER AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
HE HAS SENT ME TO TELL US THAT THIS IS VERY, VERY URGENT THAT I BRING TO YOU DEAR MAY.
AND THE REASON IS THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK.
[01:15:01]
BACK AND HE HAS SENT HIS MIGHTIEST, MIGHTIEST MOST DREADFUL, MOST TERRIBLE, MOST TRANSFIGURE PROPHETS, PROPHETS OF JEHOVA, YAHWEH, ASHAMED MOSES NATION, ELIJAH, ARE ON THE EARTH PREPARING THE WHOLE WORLD FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.HOUSTON, AS THE NUMBER TWO MOST SINFUL CITY IN AMERICA IS COMMANDED TO REPENT.
YOUR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED TO PREPARE A HOLY WAY FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
AND IF YOU GIVE ME ONE MORE MINUTE, SIR, THE WAR IN IRAQ, I MEAN IRAN AND ISRAEL RIGHT NOW, THE MEGA ASIAN PROPHET OF THE LORD SPOKE ABOUT IT SINCE 2005.
AND THEY'VE BEEN PROPHECYING IT AND THEY'VE BEEN, UH, TALKING TO ISRAEL, THEY CONNECTED ABOUT IT AND WE HAVE SEEN IT.
AND THIS WAR WILL STILL, AND AT THE END OF IT IS THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
OKAY? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
SO I'M HERE TO PLEAD THAT WE NEED A REVIVAL IN HOUSTON.
WE NEED TO PREPARE, WE NEED TO INVITE THE MEGA ASIAN PROPHETS, JUST LIKE ITALY, ITALIAN PARLIAMENT HAS INVITED THEM, OKAY? BRAZILIAN PARLIAMENT HAS INVITED THEM.
AND EVEN YOUR FRIEND HERE THAT CAME FROM FINLAND HAS INVITED THEM TO FINLAND.
OKAY? SO HOW COME WE CAN DO THE SAME? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I REALLY PLEAD WITH YOU BLESSED, UH, JOHN WHITMEYER BECAUSE ME AND YOU ARE NOT YOUNG.
WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE THE LORD JESUS.
AND HE'S GONNA ASK YOU, BLESSED MAY THANK YOU.
HOW IS, HOW IS YOUR CITY THE NUMBER TWO HIM TO HURRY CITY IN, IN AMERICA? THANK YOU.
BLESS THE MAYOR AND YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU.
WE GOTTA FINISH UP HERE, YOU KNOW, LOVE YOU.
JOSEPH AM OMAR CHILD ONE MINUTE TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDUARDO DORE DOING JAY, UH, YOU KNOW, YOUNG OTIS REMINDS ME OF MY, WELL, ANYWAY, I THINK OLDEST OTI PARENTS SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HIS PRESENTATION.
HE DID A VERY GOOD PRESENTATION.
HE, I KNOW THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF HIS PRESENTATION.
YOU KNOW, I READ ACROSS THIS BOOK, A WHITE FEMINIST WROTE IT CALLED FINISHING RICH.
I LIKE THAT BOOK CALLED, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FINISH AT LEAST WELL DO A COMPANY POOL.
I COULD DO COMP POOL ALL DAY LONG, BUT NO, NO, NO.
I WAS JUST WORKING UP THESE LINE CALLED THIS, UH, 16 STEPS OF BAR ECONOMICS.
AND, UH, I VOTED FOR B BAR OBAMA AND DONALD TRUMP.
THOSE TWO VOTES I REALLY REGRET.
I WISH I COULD TAKE IT BACK, BUT I CAN'T.
BUT ANYWAY, THIS IS 16 STEP BU I HOPE I SEE IN ONE LINE, ONE LINE AS I CAN DO BEFORE I GET OVER WAY RIGHT IN THAT BILL.
EVERY TIME A BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY BLACK AMERICAN HAVE ECONOMIC SUCCESS, YOU GOVERNMENT SHUT IT DOWN.
PREVENT ECONOMIC, ECONOMIC PROCESS FROM THE MASS.
DON'T ALLOW THE NEW RISK TO SEE IF THEY LIKE, LIKE YOU.
USE MILITARY MARTIAL LAW SOLDIERS FOR THE RESERVES TO TAKE QUALIFIED CIVILIAN JOBS AWAY FROM THEM AND PAY NEITHER ONE OR NOTHING.
A LOT OF GOVERNMENT TAKE PRIVATE PROFIT BUSINESS, TAKE YOUR TIME, IS EXPIRED AND PAY NEITHER ONE NOTHING.
A BIG BUSINESS AND GET IN NOTHING.
IF YOU'RE THE CLICK, YOU BIG MADE THIS MONEY PAYROLL.
SHORT WORD BECAUSE YOU DON'T NOBODY HAVE A JOB ANYWAY.
BY PRE LESS, LESS JOBS ALL ACROSS.
AND DON'T ASK THE MEDIA TO TELL THE PEOPLE ABOUT IT.
CALL YOUR PRESIDENT NICK, ED EDUARDO DURAN, WHOM I DON'T SEE.
AND THIS COMPLETES THE LIST OF SPEAKERS.
[RECESS]
STAND, UH, RECESS TILL NINE IN THE MORNING, SIR.I THINK IT'S THE, FOR A RENOVATION OF FIRE STATION NUMBER 74 ITEM 14, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025 DASH TWO 12 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH EASTERN AVIATION FUELS INC.
ITEM 15, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH MORGAN SITE SERVICES, INC.
[01:20:01]
16, ORDINANCE APPRO AN AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH SPAY AND NEUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INC.ITEM 17, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2021 DASH 9 44 RELATED TO CONTRACT WITH MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES, INC.
ITEM 18 ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE TO THE TEXAS OFFICE OF OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE FOR FY 2026, HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
ITEM 19, ORDINANCE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE TO THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT.
LOCAL PARKS GRANT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO AGNES MOFFITT POOL, AGNES MOFFITT PARK POOL ITEM 20 ORDINANCE, APPRO AND AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE TO THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT.
LOCAL PARKS GRANT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO MELROSE PARK.
ITEM 21 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 1.9389 ACRES, ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR 80 ITEM 22 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 2.321 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER 5 4 2 ITEM 23 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 59.254 ACRES OF LAND TO NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE, ITEM 24, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND SOUTHWEST HOUSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
ITEM 25 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT AMONG THE CITY OF HOUSTON, LAKE HOUSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 10.
ITEM 26, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $546,000 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SECOND AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND B GE INC.
ITEM 27, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $5,500,000 APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH GRAVA.
ITEM 28, ORDINANCE APPROVED AN AUTHORIZING FOURTH AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND COROLLA ENGINEERS INC.
ITEM 29 ORDINANCE APPROVED AN AUTHORIZING SECOND AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH FLATIRON DRAGO CONSTRUCTORS, INC.
AND THIS ITEM WAS TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD AND WAS ITEM 22 ON THE AGENDA OF FEBRUARY 25TH.
THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE CAPTIONS FOR THE AGENDA OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE FOURTH.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL SESSION TO BEGIN AT 9:00 AM AND WITH THAT, I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND HAPPY HUMP DAY
[RECONVENE]
COUNSEL, PLEASE COME TO ORDER.[ADMINISTRATION REPORT]
FINANCE REPORT AND RECOGNIZE, UH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR PAULA LICHEN AND OUR CITY CONTROLLER, IF Y'ALL WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.FIRST, I APPRECIATE Y'ALL GIVING ME A CHAIR TODAY.
UH, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, UH, STAFF.
I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2026.
THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE IS PROJECTING AN ENDING FUND BALANCE OF $336 MILLION OR 13.2% OF EXPENDITURES, LESS DEBT SERVICE AND PAY AS YOU GO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
THIS IS $17.5 MILLION LOWER THAN A PROJECTION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WITH THE DIFFERENCE BEING DUE, UH, TO A LOWER REVENUE PROJECTION THAN FINANCE.
BASED ON OUR CURRENT PROJECTIONS, THE FUND BALANCE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $144.8 MILLION ABOVE THE CITY'S TARGET OF HOLDING 7.5% OF TOTAL EXPENDITURES, EXCLUDING DEBT SERVICE AND PAY AS YOU GO IN RESERVE.
OUR REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PROJECTION REMAINS UNCHANGED FROM THE DECEMBER, 2025 REPORT FOR OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
UH, WITHIN AVIATION NON-OPERATING REVENUES INCREASED BY $20.2 MILLION DUE TO LAND SALES AND OPERATING TRANSFERS TO THE AIRPORT.
IMPROVEMENT FUND INCREASED BY $20.2 MILLION.
WE'RE PROJECTING NO CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH'S AMOUNTS IN THE COMBINED UTILITY SYSTEM, UH, CONVENTION AND ENTERTAINMENT OPERATING FUNDS, THE STORM WATER FUNDS, OR THE DEDICATED DRAINAGE AND STREET RENEWAL FUNDS FOR OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER AND BONDS.
THE CITY'S PRACTICE HAS BEEN TO MAINTAIN NO MORE THAN 20% OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING DEBT FOR EACH TYPE OF DEBT AND A VARIABLE RATE STRUCTURE, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH RATING AGENCY GUIDANCE OF 25% FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE CITY'S ENTERPRISE CREDITS HAVE EXCEEDED THIS THRESHOLD ON AN INTERIM BASIS AS THEY'VE UNDERTAKEN LARGE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS OR MAJOR EXPANSIONS.
AS OF JANUARY 31ST, 2026, THE RATIO OF UNHEDGED VARIABLE RATE DEBT FOR CONVENTION
[01:25:01]
AND ENTERTAINMENT WAS 47.98% DUE TO THE ONGOING GEORGE R. BROWN EXPANSION.UH, AS YOU ALL KNOW, UH, OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE ARE UP IN NEW YORK, UH, RIGHT NOW, UH, PRICING BONDS FOR THAT PROJECT.
AND SO ONCE THAT COMES THROUGH, YOU SHOULD SEE THIS NUMBER, UH, GO DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF TURMOIL IN THE MARKETS RIGHT NOW GIVEN, UH, THE ONGOINGS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
AND SO, UH, WE'RE GOING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, HOW THIS PRICING GOES.
BUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE WEEKENDS EVENTS CERTAINLY, UH, HAVE CHANGED.
YOU KNOW HOW WALL STREET IS OPERATING RIGHT NOW, UH, THE RATIO OF UN HEDGE VARIABLE RATE DEBT FOR EACH OTHER TYPE OF OUTSTANDING DEBT REMAIN WELL BELOW THE 20% THRESHOLD.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, UH, AS YOU KNOW, TEXANS WENT TO THE POLLS YESTERDAY FOR OUR PRIMARY ELECTIONS AT A MOMENT WHEN OUR DEMOCRACY IS MORE DEEPLY UNDER THREAT THAN AT ANY OTHER POINT IN MY LIFE.
EVERY SINGLE BALLOT CAST YESTERDAY AND THROUGHOUT THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD WAS AN ACTIVE BELIEF.
THANK YOU TO THE HOUSTONIANS WHO SHOWED UP, THOSE WHO WAITED IN LINE, WHO DID YOUR HOMEWORK, WHO REFUSED TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.
DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT.
IT ONLY WORKS WHEN WE COME TOGETHER AND MAKE IT WORK.
AND TO EVERY CANDIDATE WHO STEPPED FORWARD, WHO PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT, WHO ORGANIZED YOUR NEIGHBORS, WHO KNOCKED DOORS IN THE HEAT AND IN THE COLD, THANK YOU, RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS NOT GLAMOROUS.
UH, IT'S LONG NIGHTS, IT'S TOUGH QUESTIONS.
IT'S THE WILLINGNESS TO BE JUDGED IN PUBLIC AND WIN OR LOSE.
IT TAKES COURAGE TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND SAY THAT YOU'RE READY TO SERVE.
AND SO FOR ALL THOSE, UH, WHO RAN IN YESTERDAY'S ELECTIONS, WE THANK YOU.
UH, WE KNOW THAT CAMPAIGNS CAN BE DIVISIVE, BUT PARTICIPATION STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IN A TIME WHEN TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SILENCE US AND SHRINK THE NUMBER OF SEATS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TABLE, HOUSTON KEEPS SHOWING UP.
AND SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I WANNA WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INCREDIBLE WOMEN AROUND THIS HORSESHOE THAT LEAD THIS CITY EVERY DAY.
UH, WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH COMES ON THE HEELS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND I WANNA THANK ALL OF YOU.
I THINK NEARLY ALL OF YOU WHO JOINED THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE IN CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF INTENTIONAL REMEMBRANCE OF A CRITICAL PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND HONORING BLACK LEADERS WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY, IT WAS A POWERFUL MOMENT THAT EXEMPLIFIED HOUSTON'S DIVERSITY AND COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE AND STORIES THAT SHAPE OUR CITY.
ON MARCH 17TH, UH, WE'LL BE HOSTING OUR 10TH ANNUAL HOUSTON INVESTOR CONFERENCE.
THE ORIGINAL OCTOBER DATE WAS IMPACTED DUE TO THE LABOR STRIKES AT THE HILTON AMERICAS.
AND NOW THAT THOSE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED, WE ARE EXCITED TO BE MOVING FORWARD ON MARCH 17TH.
UH, SOME OF YOU ARE JOINING US AS SPEAKERS AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
UH, BUT ALL OF YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND WE'D LOVE, UH, TO HAVE YOU BE THERE.
UH, AS Y'ALL KNOW, THE HOUSTON INVESTOR CONFERENCE IS THE PREMIER EVENT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER INVESTORS, INDUSTRY LEADERS, AND REGIONAL POWER PLAYERS TO DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL FUTURE OF HOUSTON.
THIS PAST WEEKEND, UH, OUR OFFICE JOINED AN ORGANIZATION CALLED CLEAN THE BLOCK, ALONG WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DA'S OFFICE AND OVER 150 VOLUNTEERS TO BRING BEAUTY TO AN OFTEN IGNORED AREA IN SUNNYSIDE.
IT WAS AN AWESOME EXAMPLE OF WHAT HOUSTONIANS CAN DO WHEN THEY PUT WORDS INTO ACTION AND GET INVOLVED DIRECTLY IN DRIVING THE CHANGE THAT THEY WANT TO SEE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, EVAN SHABAZZ, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS, UH, WERE ALSO THERE GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY, UH, TO CLEAN UP THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS VERY MUCH, UH, IN NEED.
AND SO IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE YOU OUT THERE.
UH, THE CLEAN THE BLOCK CREW IS AWESOME.
THEY DON'T JUST DO THIS WORK ON SATURDAYS.
THEY'RE OUT THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK DOING WHAT THEY CAN.
UH, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT RIGHT NOW THEY COULD USE A TRUCK TO HAUL OFF THE TRASH THAT THEY PICK UP EVERY MORNING.
UH, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE USING THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES, UH, AND THEIR SMALL PERSONAL VEHICLES, AND THAT'S LIMITING THE IMPACT, UH, THAT THEY CAN HAVE.
UH, WE KNOW THAT ILLEGAL DUMPING REMAINS A MAJOR ISSUE ACROSS THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND WHILE THE CITY'S WORKING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE, UH, WE SHOULD SUPPORT LEADERS LIKE ANDREW BREER AND THE CLEAN, THE BROCK, THE BLOCK CREW.
UH, MAYOR, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE MADE A TRUCK AVAILABLE TO, UH, A GROUP ON THE NORTH SIDE FOR A SIMILAR, UH, ENDEAVOR, AND SO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, WE SHOULD TRY TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT TO THIS GROUP AS WELL.
UM, AGAIN, THIS GROUP IS SHOWING UP FOR SUNNYSIDE AND SOUTH PARK, UH, AND FOR ALL OF HOUSTON, AND WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM, UH, IF WE CAN.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, UH, YESTERDAY, DEPUTY CITY CONTROLLER WILL JONES, UH, CAME TO THE BFAA COMMITTEE AND RELEASED A NEW INSIDE REPORT ABOUT OUR ELECTRICITY EXPOSURE, UH, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR BUDGET GOING FORWARD THIS YEAR, THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE CITY'S PROJECTED TO REACH $131 MILLION IN ELECTRICITY COSTS AN INCREASE
[01:30:01]
OF MORE THAN 40% FROM LAST YEAR.UH, THIS ISN'T A ROUTINE FLUCTUATION.
THIS IS A MATERIAL AND SUBSTANTIAL SHIFT, UH, IN OUR COST STRUCTURE THAT'S GOING TO STICK MOVING FORWARD.
MANY OF THE RISING COSTS THAT HOUSTONIANS ARE SEEING, UH, AND CERTAINLY HERE AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH REFORMS THAT WERE MADE IN THE AFTERMATH OF WINTER STORM URI.
UH, DURING THAT FEBRUARY, 2021 EVENT, THERE WERE MORE THAN 200 TEXANS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES, UH, DUE TO THE ANTIQUATED TEXAS GRID.
UH, AND IN THAT MOMENT, WE CAME WITHIN MINUTES OF A TOTAL COLLAPSE, AND WE'RE LUCKY THAT WE AVOIDED IT.
THAT TRAGEDY PROMPTED SOME SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE STATE'S ELECTRICITY MARKET, AND THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE REFORMS WERE PASSED DOWN DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS, INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
TODAY, THOSE STRUCTURAL CHANGES ARE SHOWING UP IN OUR OPERATING BUDGET.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT ROUGHLY HALF OF THE CITY'S ELECTRICITY COSTS ARE ENTIRELY OUTSIDE OF OPERATIONAL CONTROL.
THEY'RE DRIVEN BY TRANSMISSION CHARGES, REGULATORY MANDATES, AND MARKET-BASED RELIABILITY MECHANISMS. AND SO EVEN WITH CONSERVATION EFFORTS, SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THOSE COSTS REMAIN FIXED AND WILL REMAIN AT THOSE ELEVATED LEVELS.
THE CITY HAS CURRENTLY UTILIZED 86% OF THE ORIGINAL $640 MILLION CONTRACT, UH, FOR SPENDING CAPACITY THAT IT HAS WITH RELIANT AND AT PROJECTED SPENDING LEVELS.
THE REMAINING CONTRACT CAPACITY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO FULLY COVER OUR COST THROUGH THE END OF THE CONTRACT IN FISCAL YEAR 2027.
AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING FOR COUNCIL, UH, TO PAY ATTENTION TO.
I WANNA BE CLEAR HERE, UH, THE BAD GUY HERE ISN'T ANYONE AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND IT'S NOT NRG OR RELIANT WHO PROVIDE US, UH, WITH ELECTRICITY, UH, THE SYSTEM THAT GOVERNOR ABBOTT AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE ALLOWED TO BE IN PLACE THAT HOLDS NO ONE ACCOUNTABLE.
AND WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, PASSES THOSE RISKS AND THOSE FAILURES AND THOSE COSTS DOWN TO CUSTOMERS, INCLUDING OUR RESIDENTS AND INCLUDING US HERE AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
UH, NEVERTHELESS, THAT PROBLEM ISN'T GOING AWAY.
PRICES APPEAR TO REMAIN ELEVATED FOR YEARS TO COME.
SO AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND POTENTIALLY A NEW SUPPLY CONTRACT BEYOND FISCAL YEAR 2027, WE HAVE TO EVALUATE THAT RISK, LOOK TOWARDS LONG-TERM PRICE STABILITY, UH, AND OF COURSE PRIORITIZE OVERALL VALUE FOR HOUSTON TAXPAYERS.
YOU WANT TO WAIT AFTER POLL? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CONTROLLER? UM, I WAS, I WAS GONNA SPEAK TO THE CONTROLLER, BUT IF SOMEONE ELSE IS NO, NO, NO.
OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT'S GONNA GIVE A I'LL, I'LL HOLD MY COMMENTS.
UM, MS. MS. PAULA, GOOD MORNING MAYOR.
THIS IS SEVEN PLUS FIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31ST, 2026.
PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON SEVEN MONTHS OF ACTUAL RESULTS AND FIVE MONTHS OF PROJECTION FOR GENERAL FUND.
OUR REVENUE PROJECTION IS 41.9 MILLION LOWER THAN THE ADOPTED BUDGET, AND REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM PRIOR MONTH.
FOR THE SALES TAX RECEIPT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, WERE 88.1 MILLION.
TO MEET THE CURRENT ESTIMATE OF 902.3 MILLION.
THE REMAINING PERIOD WOULD NEED TO COME IN 8.68% BELOW PER YEAR FOR OUR EXPENDITURE PROJECTION IS 9.5 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM PRIOR MONTH.
WE ARE CURRENTLY PROJECTING THE ENDING FUND BALANCE OF 353.5 MILLION, WHICH REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM ENTIRE MONTH AND 13.9% OF ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE LISTED, SERVED, AND PECO.
THE FUND BALANCE IS 162.3 MILLION ABOVE THE TARGETED 7.5% OF EXPENDITURES, EXCLUDING THAT SERVICE.
AND PECO, WE AGREE WITH CONTROLLER FOR AVIATION, UH, PROJECTION CHANGE ON THAT.
AND AS WE HAD, UH, RECEIVED THE QUESTION, UH, FOR THE BFA YESTERDAY, ON PAGE, UH, FOUR FOR THE FY 26 ADOPTED BUDGET OF 387 MILLION, THAT, UH, FUND BALANCE IS BASED ON THE FUND BALANCE AT THAT TIME, AT THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
SO WHEN THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT COMPETE FOR FY 25, UH, THE FUND BALANCE HAD INCREASED TO HUNDRED, UH, MILLION, APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED MILLION.
PRETTY MUCH MAINLY INCREASE IN, UH, THE REVENUE, ABOUT 53 MILLION FOR PROPERTY TAX, SALES TAX.
AND ALSO WE HAVE SOME SAVING, UH, ABOUT 40 SOMETHING MILLION, UH, IN THE EXPENDITURE SIDE THAT WHAT DRIVING THE INCREASE ON THE, THE FUND BALANCE
[01:35:01]
CURRENTLY THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.UM, I WAS GONNA BRING THIS UP UNDER ITEM SEVEN, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE CONTRACT THAT WE'RE DOING FOR ICE, UH, ICE BEING LIKE PHYSICAL ICE, NOT ICE UNDER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, THE COLD ICE, COLD ICE TO KEEP PEOPLE COOL.
UM, IN THE MIDST OF DISASTERS AND CONTROLLER, I ACTUALLY, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR REMARKS IN TERMS OF THE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY THAT WE ARE INCURRING AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON DIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS GENERATIONAL FAILURES OF OUR GRID.
AND WHAT I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ON RELATED TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO NOW CONTRACT FOR ICE, THERE'S ADDITIONAL COSTS EVERY WHICH WAY, MAYOR, WHETHER IT'S BACKUP GENERATORS, UH, THAT COST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, NOT ONLY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES, BUT FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS OF LAST RESORT, WHETHER IT'S ICE, NOW ELECTRICITY, WE ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL, AND RESIDENTS ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR AN UNRELIABLE GRID AND AN UNRELIABLE AND UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION.
UM, SO I, AGAIN, I'LL, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO IT NOW SINCE IT'S GERMANE TO WHAT YOU'RE DISCUSSING IN TERMS OF CITY COSTS, BUT WE LITERALLY ARE HAVING ITEMS ON AGENDA THAT WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE AND SAFE BECAUSE THE POWER'S GOING TO GO OUT.
IT'S NOT OKAY, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT ON SOLELY THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.
SO I WANNA LIFT IT UP AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING A SPOTLIGHT TO THAT COST, BECAUSE THAT'S A STAGGERING NUMBER.
DO YOU HAVE A, UH, MOTION? YES.
I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT DATED JANUARY 31ST, 2026.
[CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA (Part 1 of 2)]
MOVE TO APPOINTMENTS.TAKE MOTION TO TAKE THEM OUT OF ORDER.
IS THERE A MOTION TO TAKE ITEMS 1, 2, 4, AND NINE OUT ORDER.
THOSE OPPOSED ANY MOTION PASSES.
MR. SECRETARY? ITEM ONE IS ONE.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM ONE, CONTEST ITEM? MOVE.
AND SECOND TO, UH, APPROVE TOM JONES FOR THE PORT OF HOUSTON COMMISSION.
SO AFTER COUNCILOR ALCORN, YOU WANT, BEFORE I LIKE IT BEFORE THE VOTE, I'M A BEFORE THE VOTE KIND OF KIND OF SPEAKER.
UH, I AM SO PROUD OF THOMAS JONES AND HIS SERVICE ON THIS BOARD.
UH, I WAS PROUD TO NOMINATE HIM TWO YEARS AGO.
HE HAS STEPPED RIGHT UP, AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A NEW CEO AT THE BOARD.
HE'S BEEN, UM, IN CHARGE OF ALL KIND OF MANAGERIAL AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES.
HE CHAIRS THE PROCUREMENT SOURCE, SOURCING COMMITTEE AND PENSION.
HE'S ALSO ON THE AUDIT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
OF COURSE, YOU'RE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
UH, BUT HE'S, HE'S REALLY STEPPED IN AND, AND DONE A GREAT JOB.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THE PORT IS, UH, COMPLETE ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THIS ENTIRE REGION, FOR THE STATE, FOR THE COUNTRY.
SO REALLY PROUD OF YOUR WORK, MR. JONES.
AND PROUD TO RENOMINATE YOU FOR THIS OR RE WHATEVER.
I THINK I ALREADY NOMINATED YOU, BUT WE'RE ABOUT TO VOTE YOU IN.
UH, SO CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABBAT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND WHAT SHE SAID, BUT I CERTAINLY, I I WANNA JUST UPLIFT, UH, THOMAS JONES OF ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.
HE IS SUCH A WONDERFUL SUPPORT FOR ME AND FOR THE CITY, AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE DISTRICT D COMMUNITY.
AND I'M VERY, VERY PROUD THAT HE IS A CONSTITUENT YEAH.
AND CERTAINLY I KNOW THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO PHENOMENAL AND GREAT THINGS.
IT'S PRETTY CLEAR MY SUPPORT OF, UH, THOMAS, A
[01:40:01]
LONGTIME FRIEND, AND HE DEMONSTRATES TO ALL OF US THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE.THOMAS BRINGS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF, UH, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS.
SO REPRESENTS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE COMPETENT EXPERIENCE AND HONEST INDIVIDUALS ON THE PORT COMMISSION.
YOU KNOW, I'LL LET YOU SAY SOMETHING, BUT I'LL PROBABLY DO YOU IN A FAVOR BY LET, LETTING YOU GO BACK TO WORK.
OH, HE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING.
WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THE FAITH AND CONFIDENCE YOU'VE SHOWN IN ME.
AND, UM, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT, UH, THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN VERY, UH, INTERESTING, INFORMATIVE, UH, EDUCATIONAL, AND VERY PRODUCTIVE.
UH, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE PORT, UH, AS COUNCILWOMAN, UH, ALCORN SAID IS, UH, ONE OF THE LARGEST, IF NOT THE LARGEST PORT CONTAINERS IN THE, IN THE COUNTRY.
UH, WE ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 19%, ALMOST 20% OF TEXAS' GDP, AND, UH, JUST AN INCREDIBLE, CREDIBLE 47 MILE STRETCH OF, UH, TRADE AND COMMERCE.
UH, I WANTED TO ADD, UH, THAT IF YOU DID NOT KNOW, WE'VE, UH, MOVED OUT INTO OUR NEW OFFICES.
UH, RECLA RELOCATED OUR ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS TO A NEW 93,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, UH, SIX STORY BUILDING AT 29 60 RIVER B ROAD WITHIN THE EAST RIVER DEVELOPMENT ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU.
SO WE'RE RIGHT ON THE BAYOU, WHICH MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
UH, THE MOVE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 26, HOUSES 256 EMPLOYEES, AND STRENGTH AND SUPPORTS CONNECTION TO THE HISTORIC WATERWAY.
AND I MIGHT ALSO ADD TO THE COMMUNITY, UM, OUR HEADQUARTERS THAT HAVE BEEN OVER THERE FOR YEARS.
UH, A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO GET TO SOMETIMES, AND NOT THE, NOT THE NICEST DRIVE IF YOU, IF YOU DON'T LIKE RIDING ALONGSIDE BIG TRUCKS.
UM, BUT, UH, WE ARE IN A NEW FACILITY AND, UH, CERTAINLY IS A, A, UM, A WELCOMING AND, UM, AND I, I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO COME BY IF, IF YOU, IF YOU SO DESIRE TO COME BY OUR OFFICES.
UH, WE'VE ALSO, UH, ARE BUILDING A NEW BOAT, REPLACED THE OLD SAM HOUSTON, UH, TOUR BOAT THAT WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF SHOWCASING HOUSTON'S BUSIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WATERWAY.
THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL, THE NEW VESSEL IS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT IN LOUISIANA AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY EARLY 2027, AND CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING CITY OFFICIALS, LOCAL HOUSTONIANS AND VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
AND FINALLY, UM, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF, UH, WE WERE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO HOST, UH, FLEET WEEK, WHICH IS COMING UP, UH, APRIL 12TH THROUGH THE 15TH.
UH, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE HOUSTON, SHOWCASE HOUSTON, BUT ALSO WELCOME VISITORS AND COMMUNITY TO OUR TERMINALS TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE AT SEA AND THE UNITED STATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY.
SO WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD TO HOST HOUSTON, UH, FLEET WEEK.
OH, UNLESS, ANY QUESTIONS? UH, YEAH.
UH, YOU DIDN'T MENTION THE 1997 LETTER
WELL, UH, I THINK YOU'RE GONNA BE REFERRING TO THE LETTER THAT YOU WROTE ON BEHALF OF OUR FIRM, UH, TO THE GOVERNOR AT THE TIME.
UM, SENATOR JOHN WHITMER AT THE TIME, UH, MY PARTNER AND I, WAYNE MCCONNELL HAD JUST FORMED OUR FIRM, MCCONNELL JONES, AND WE WERE LOOKING TO DO WORK AT THE, AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WE WEREN'T DOING MUCH GOVERNMENT, WE WEREN'T DOING ANY GOVERNMENT WORK.
AND, UH, I WAS ABLE TO GET, UH, SENATOR WHITMEYER TO WRITE A LETTER TO, UH, THEN GOVERNOR GEORGE BUSH, UH, EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF THOMAS JONES AND WAYNE MCCONNELL, AND THE FACT THAT WE WERE TRYING TO GET, DO SOME WORK AT THE, AT THE STATE LEVEL.
AND, UH, WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM, UH, ONE OF THE PARTNERS AT, UH, ONE OF THE BIG HCPA FIRMS AT THE TIME.
AND, UH, WE COLLABORATED ON SOME THINGS.
AND, UH, NOW MCCONNELL JONES IS, UH, ONE OF THE LARGEST, NO, WE'RE THE LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN OWNED CBA FIRM IN THE COUNTRY, AND, UH, CERTAINLY OWE A LOT OF A LOT OF THAT TO, UH, SENATOR WHITMEYER, NOW, MAYOR WHITMEYER FOR HIS HELP, UH, EARLY ON IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FIRM.
[01:45:01]
COUNCILOR POLLARD.COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO, UH, CONGRATULATE YOU.
THANK YOU AGAIN ON THIS APPOINTMENT.
UH, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED THAT THAT LETTER WAS BACK IN 1997, SHOWING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN, UH, CONTRIBUTING TO HOUSTON, UH, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, UH, AS A PROFESSIONAL, UH, AS A COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER.
AND NOW IN THIS ROLE, UH, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO, BUT YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF FORWARD, YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME, AND YOU'RE SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR CITY IN THIS ENTIRE REGION.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT SERVICE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO ALWAYS HAVE A OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION, UH, BEING ABLE TO, UH, EXPLAIN TO US WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE PORT, UH, WHAT'S ADVANTAGEOUS FOR US AS A CITY, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO KNOW AND BE MINDFUL OF.
AND YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE THAT WE CAN COUNT ON.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING LESS FROM A ALPHA MAN.
I'VE BEEN HERE 48 YEARS, BY THE WAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, COUNCIL.
IT'S MY HONOR TO VOTE FOR YOU.
UH, WE WERE THERE WHEN YOU, UM, INITIALLY WERE APPOINTED AT YOUR CEREMONY.
UM, BUT I, I REALLY JUST WANTED TO AMPLIFY THE WORK AT THE PORT.
UM, SINCE BEING ON COUNCIL, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE PORT.
UM, THE AMOUNT OF CARGO, THE VOLUME OF, UM, GOODS THAT COME THROUGH OUR CITY'S PORT.
I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE EVEN REALIZE YEAH.
THAT ALMOST EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOUSE CAME THROUGH THAT PORT.
EVERYTHING COMES THROUGH THE PORT, UH, AND WE, AND WE CANNOT, UM, TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WE ARE WIDENING AND DEEPENING, DEEPENING THE, THE PORT, UM, AND, AND THE AMOUNT OF VOLUME THAT COMES THROUGH THERE.
WE NEED GOOD PEOPLE, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK THAT'S HAPPENING, UM, FOR OUR CITY'S ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM IS, UM, ONE THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW BOAT.
UM, I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE TOUR A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I'VE, I'VE TAKEN MY CONSTITUENTS AND SOME OF THE LEADERS IN THE DISTRICT, A COMMUNITY ON THE BOAT TOUR.
I MEAN, UH, YOU KNOW, WE GET TO SEE EVERYTHING THAT THAT'S IN THAT, THAT WATER.
AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN HOUSTON THAT HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO DO THE BOAT TOUR, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND, UM, THAT THEY TAKE THAT TOUR.
UM, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE WHERE WHEN, WHEN PEOPLE THROW TRASH OUT IN THEIR, IN THEIR WATERWAYS, KIND OF WHERE IT ENDS UP.
UH, AND YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT THE VOLUME AND THE CARGO THAT'S COMING THROUGH OUR CITY.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO HAVE YOU WORK ALONGSIDE US TO MAKE HOUSTON THE BEST THAT IT COULD BE.
THESE ALLERGIES ARE KILLING ME VERY WELL.
THANK YOU, THOMAS, FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE.
NEXT ON ITEM TWO, IS THERE A MOTION CAST T TO MOVE MOTION MADE AND SIGNAL IN FAVOR, SAY YES.
MOTION PASSES RIGHT HERE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE.
YEAH, OUR APPOINTEES ARE NOT PRESENT.
ON ITEM THREE, IS THERE A MOTION TO MOVE? SECOND.
AND SECOND, I, COUNCILOR RAMIREZ.
I WANNA APPLAUD YOU FOR THIS NOMINATION OF SCOTT DURFEE TO SERVE ON THE HOUSTON FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER BOARD.
I'VE KNOWN SCOTT AS A COLLEAGUE AND AS A FRIEND FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS.
AND, UM, HE SERVED, UH, HONORABLY AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, UH, IN THE APPELLATE SECTION, AND ALSO AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR MULTIPLE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
AND I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER LAWYER THAN SCOTT DURPHY.
AND WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE, UH, HIS WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON THIS IMPORTANT BOARD.
UH, SCOTT HA REALLY TOOK HIS, HIS, UM, UM, OATH TO HEART AS A PROSECUTOR TO SEE THAT JUSTICE WAS DONE ON EVERY CASE.
HE CONVICTED THE GUILTY, BUT ALSO WORKED TO EXONERATE THE INNOCENT AND, UM, UH, TREMENDOUSLY TALENTED, UH, PERSON WHO ALSO TAUGHT LEGAL ETHICS, WHICH IS, WHICH IS GREATLY IMPORTANT.
AND SO, UH, ALSO WANNA HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM THE FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER WHO ARE HERE.
DR. STOUT, ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER, UH, JONI BARRETT IS HERE, AND WE HAVE OTHERS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO, AND I'LL GLADLY SUPPORT THIS NOMINATION.
I, UM, TOTALLY AGREE THE EXPERIENCE, UH, WILL BE INVALUABLE TO THE, UH, FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER.
MS. STOUT, YOUR COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK.
I KNOW Y'ALL WORK LONG HOURS AND, UH, PROBABLY DON'T GET NEAR THE RECOGNITION YOU DESERVE.
[01:50:01]
IN FAVOR OF MR. DURPHY, PLEASE SAY YES.NEXT ON ITEM FOUR, IS THERE MOTION CAST TELL YOU TO MOVE I SECOND.
AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THEM HERE, BUT WE DO HAVE THESE.
NEXT COUNCIL NUMBER NINE ON ITEM NINE.
AND JUDGE SANTOS AND JUDGE SANTOS.
THANK YOU JUDGE SANTOS, YOU'RE GETTING SOME REALLY FINE JUDGES OVER THERE.
AND I WAS ASKING YOU YESTERDAY, YOUR VOLUME OF WORK IS SIGNIFICANTLY, UH, INCREASED.
IT IS INCREASING AND I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE GREAT JUDGES THERE AT THE COURTS AND STAFF THAT ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN, UH, GREAT SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC AND ENSURE THAT JUSTICE IS SERVED.
I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE JUDGE GORE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VOTE OF COMPETENCE.
UM, HE HAS BEEN AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE WITH THE COURTS ALREADY FOR 12 YEARS AND BRINGS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE FROM THE LEGAL FIELD.
SO, WITH THAT, JUDGE GORE, I WANTED YOU TO, UH, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY.
MY NAME IS JUDGE CHRISTOPHER GORE.
LIKE JUDGE SANTOS HAS SAID, I'VE SERVED THE CITY PROUDLY FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.
UM, I DO HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE FRONT ROW, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
MY TWIN SISTER KRISTA, MY MOTHER, SARAH, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, DOTTIE BIRD, UM, HER HUSBAND, VIC DRISCOLL.
I CONSIDER HER FAMILY, MY HUSBAND BILL, AND A FRIEND OF MINE, LEE BLAS.
SO I'M ALL HAPPY THAT THEY COULD BE HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS FOR YOU.
REALLY MAKE IT POSSIBLE
I UNDERSTAND THAT'S A TOUGH JOB OVER THERE IN DIFFICULT, UH, CONDITIONS.
IT'S STILL AMAZING TO ME, UH, TO SEE WHAT WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN TO THE STRUCTURE OF OUR MUNICIPAL COURT.
WE'VE GOT THE BEST PRESENTING JUDGE I COULD FIND IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THE INCREASE IN YOUR CASELOAD IS COMING ABOUT BY THE MORALE OF THE POLICE AND THEIR HARD WORK, UH, REGARDING ILLEGAL DUMPING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND JUST TRYING TO MAKE THIS CITY SAFE.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT UNDER THE PURCHASE AND, AND TABULATION OF BIDS CATEGORY ITEM SEVEN HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS FIVE, SIX, AND EIGHT? CAST SIX? SAY TO MOVE SECOND.
THOSE OPPOSED NAME MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY.
ITEM 19 HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.
JUST NEED A VOTE ON THE BALANCE.
[CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA (Part 2 of 2)]
REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM SEVEN? CASTEX TATUM, MOVE P.
UM, THIS IS FOR THE BAGGED ICE FOR EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, UM, THE MONIES COMING FROM THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM OPERATING FUND.
AND, UM, WE DID ASK THAT IF WE GET REIMBURSED FROM DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS, IF THAT MONEY WOULD GO BACK TO THAT FUND, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WOULD.
I JUST WANNA THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I KNOW IN THE PAST IT'S ALWAYS QUESTIONABLE ABOUT WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING BACK TO.
UM, BUT THANK YOU FOR ENSURING THAT THE MONEY WILL GO BACK TO THAT FUND IF WE GET REIMBURSEMENTS.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER PECK, I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP, UH, IN LOOKING INTO THAT AND WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
I DID WANNA POINT OUT SOMETHING YOU SAID, WHICH IS IF WE GET REIMBURSED, UH, AND I KEEP GOING BACK TO THE RISK THAT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRA FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF NOT BEING REIMBURSED FOR DISASTER COSTS.
UH, SO WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED TO HAVE ACTION SO THAT WE ARE ACCURATELY AND APPROPRIATELY SETTING ASIDE
[01:55:01]
SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO RESPOND AND MITIGATE DURING DISASTERS.PRESIDENT COUNCIL MEMBER BECK.
UM, THIS IS THE $1 MILLION GRANT FOR AGNES MOFFITT PARK, IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE POOL.
UM, WE, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HPD AND HFD TO BE ABLE TO USE THE POOL IN OFF TIMES FOR THEIR TRAINING.
ONCE, UM, WE GET ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS.
MARY, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, UM, FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS PROJECT AND FOR, UM, REPRESENTATIVE LACEY HU FOR SECURING THE FUNDS IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
AND THIS COMPLETES THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
[MATTERS HELD]
IS AN ORDINANCE.OKAY, NOW THIS COMPLETES THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
[MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS ]
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY WITH THE ELECTION RESULTS.CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLEAGUE, UM, ON HER RACE.
UM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TODAY.
VERY GOOD, MAYOR, I'LL SECOND THAT.
CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
UM, APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO TURNED OUT IN, IN VOTED AND, UM, LET THEIR VIEWS BE KNOWN.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR YOURSELF OUT THERE, UH, AND LEADING FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
UM, I WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT HORSE I RODE ON SATURDAY AT THE RODEO
OKAY, MY HORSE IS BITING JOAQUIN'S HORSE.
IT WAS A MESS, BUT WE MADE IT.
UH, I'LL BE IN THE CARRIAGE NEXT YEAR, SITTING NEXT TO THE MAYOR, UH, IN HIS CARRIAGE.
UH, I WANNA REMIND EVERYONE ON THURSDAY, ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, WE'RE HAVING OUR SECOND AND FINAL APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE MEETING AT 6,300 IRVINGTON.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, PLEASE GET THIS OUT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING FOR MARCH 30TH.
UM, AND WE ARE MOVING EXPEDITIOUSLY SO WE CANNOT HAVE DELAY, SO WE CAN GET THIS DONE, UM, AND MOVE THIS OFF OUR LIST FOR HOUSTONIAN SO WE CAN IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
UM, MY OFFICE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO INSTALL AIR QUALITY MONITORS ON THE WEST SIDE.
A LOT OF ATTENTION IS OFTEN GIVEN TO THE CANCER CLUSTER IN FIFTH WARD OR, UM, UH, UH, CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS IN EACH IN EAST HOUSTON.
UM, BUT ON THE WEST SIDE, WE HAVE A CONCRETE BLACK BATCH PLANT RIGHT THERE IN UH, WEST CHASE.
SO THANK YOU TO THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
JUST SHOUT OUT TO THEM IN THEIR DILIGENCE.
EXCEPTIONAL TEAM AT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE INSTALLED THREE MONITORS, UM, IN WEST CHASE, AND WE'LL BE PROVIDING THE UPDATES ON OUR AIR QUALITY ON THE WEST SIDE.
MORE TO COME, UM, UH, FOR THOSE THAT LIVE IN THAT AREA OFF OF WEST PARK WILL CREST HARWIN.
UH, WE HAVE INFORMATION TO YOU.
UM, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES I, PARTICULARLY FOR MYSELF, I WONDER IF THE WORK THAT WE DO IS IN VAIN.
UM, IF THE, UH, YOU KNOW, EFFORT WE PUT OUT WITH COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND INITIATIVES, IF IT ACTUALLY MEETS THE MOMENT AND SUNDAY, I WAS REMINDED THAT OUR WORK, MY WORK IS MEETING THE MOMENT.
I WAS ABLE TO, UH, JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION FOR A GROUNDBREAKING WITH BOYTON BOYNTON HOUSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
UM, I STARTED THE FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT TWO YEARS AGO TO MEET THE MOMENT FOR OUR FAITH LEADERS THAT HAD A VISION, BUT DID NOT HAVE THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND ON SUNDAY, AT THAT GROUNDBREAKING, IT WAS REALIZED THAT BECAUSE OF THAT, UH, THE 13 INFIELD LOTS, UH, THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THROUGH MIDTOWN, THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND, AND A LOT OF THEIR FINANCING AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WERE AT THE TABLE WAS BECAUSE OF THE FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT.
I WANNA SHOUT OUT PASTOR JONES.
UM, SHE COMPLETED THE ENTERPRISE FAITH COHORT FOR, UH, PASTORS THAT WERE INTERESTED IN DEVELOPMENT.
I WANNA SHOUT OUT, UM, ALVIN JOHNSON WITH TEXAS FIRST BANK, WHO WAS A SPONSOR OF THE, UH, OF THE FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COURTNEY JOHNSON ROSE MIDTOWN DEVELOPMENT FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
THE, THE, AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR PROVIDING THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE UP TO $125,000.
OF THE HOMEOWNER, WHO IS 68, I BELIEVE, SAID THAT HE, HE TOLD HIS FAMILY THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HE COULD CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN 2026 IN A HOME.
UH, I WAS REMINDED THAT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT IN VAIN AND MORE TO COME, BUT JUST SHOUT OUT TO THEM ON THAT.
AND LASTLY, I JUST WANNA SHOUT OUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MONIQUE ON OUR TEAM.
UM, SHE'S OUR OFFICE'S FAVORITE PENGUIN, SO IF YOU SEE HER, SHE'S, I'M CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY TODAY.
[02:00:01]
UH, AT CITY HALL, TELL HER HAPPY BIRTHDAY.COUNCILMAN V MAYOR PROTE PECK, MAYOR PRO.
COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN DISTRICT A DO WANT TO REMIND OUR PRESIDENTS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS IN DISTRICT A THAT THEY ARE INVITED TO REGISTER FOR OUR PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL.
WE ARE SCHEDULING THAT ON APRIL THE NINTH FROM 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM AT THE FOUNTAIN LIFE CENTER.
UM, DURING THIS MEETING, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS ON, UH, SHORT TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS, CHANGES TO THE PROHIBITED YARD PARKING, AND THE, UM, ROLLOUT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, HEAVY TRASH ON DEMAND.
UM, SO WE'LL HAVE LOTS OF UPDATES ON OUR ORDINANCES.
UM, SO WE ARE ENCOURAGING ALL OF OUR PRESIDENTS OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO REGISTER AND ATTEND THAT MEETING ON THURSDAY, APRIL THE NINTH.
UH, AND THAT MEETING, UM, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN CONTACT THE DISTRICT K OFFICE AT 8 3 2 3 9 3 3 0 1 6.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEETING ON THURSDAY.
UM, WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVITE FOLKS IF YOU ARE A TENANT AND YOU WANT TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK FOR THE APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE.
IF YOU ARE A, AN OPERATOR OR A LANDLORD, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
WE, WE HELD THE FIRST MEETING AND WE WERE ABLE TO, UM, GO INTO BREAKOUT SESSIONS, AND I THINK THAT WORKED WELL.
WE'LL DO THAT AGAIN, UM, ON THURSDAY.
SO, UM, PLEASE, PLEASE, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HEAR FROM YOU.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON, UM, THURSDAY.
AND THAT MEETING WILL BE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUILDING AT 6:00 PM AT 6,300 IRVINGTON BOULEVARD.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS ALSO ATTEND, UM, SO THAT WHEN WE GET TO, UM, OUR SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON THE 30TH, UM, WE CAN GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND KIND OF WORK THROUGH THAT ORDINANCE AND GET, UM, THIS ON THE BOOKS FOR HOUSTONIANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND THEN WE GET LOTS OF CALLS IN OUR OFFICE ABOUT OUR SUMMER INTERNSHIP, UM, PROGRAM.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE SUMMER TO CALL US AND SAY, UM, UH, MY CHILD IS LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB.
NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY FOR, UM, SUMMER INTERNSHIPS.
UH, THE LAST DAY TO APPLY IS MARCH THE 13TH.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE THAT KNOWS SOMEONE THAT IS 16 TO 24 LOOKING FOR SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS AWARE THAT THE APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON MARCH THE 13TH.
AND THEN FINALLY, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE CANDIDATES THAT WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO PUT THEIR NAMES ON THE BALLOT.
AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT WENT OUT AND EXERCISED THEIR, UM, RIGHT TO VOTE.
UM, BEST WISHES Y'ALL BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND MAKE IT A GREAT DAY AS MAYOR PROTE
UM, FIRST WE ARE DOING OUR ANNUAL DRESS FOR SUCCESS, UM, SUIT DRIVE.
UM, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE PROCLAMATION YESTERDAY, BUT IN CASE YOU DIDN'T DRESS FOR SUCCESS EMPOWERS WOMEN TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE AND DEVELOPMENT TOOLS TO HELP WOMEN THRIVE IN WORK AND LIFE.
SO WE WILL COLLECT, UM, SUITS, SHIRTS, DRESSES, JACKET, SHOES, SCARVES, AND HANDBAGS, UM, ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL ANNEX THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.
YOU COULD ALSO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION, UM, DIRECTLY TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS.
UM, NEXT CENTER POINT ANNOUNCED A CRITICAL ELECTRIC RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN SPRING BRANCH.
THIS WILL START, UM, LATER THIS MONTH.
IT WILL BE, UM, FROM BINGLE TO ANTOINE, AND FROM I 10 TO HAMMERLY.
UM, MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 7:00 AM TO 6:00 PM THEY ARE GOING TO INSTALL STRONGER, MORE STORM RESILIENT POLES TO BETTER WITHSTAND EXTREME WINDS, UM, DEVICES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF ANY OUTAGES AND TRIMMING AND CLEANING HIGH RISK TREES AND VEGETATION FROM POWER LINES.
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT PROJECT.
AND FINALLY, CONGRATS, UM, TO COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
I KNOW YOU HAVE ONE MORE ELECTION TO GO, BUT I HAVE A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS IN DISTRICT A THAT I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER.
UM, FIRST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE HOUSTON LAND BANK.
THEY'RE ISSUING AN RFP TO SELECT A DEVELOPER, UH, DEVELOPMENT PARTNER FOR 78 11 HARRISBURG BOULEVARD.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER A 1.1 0.5, UH, ACREAGE, UH, IN THE MAGNOLIA PARK.
SO THERE'S TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
UM, THE ENVIRONMENTAL, UM, DUE DILIGENCE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
IT'S CLEAR FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO I ENCOURAGE DEVELOPERS TO LOOK, LOOK TO CONSIDERING SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL.
UM, ALSO THIS PAST WEEKEND, UH, I WAS FORTUNATE TO JOIN TWO GROUPS OF YOUNG FOLKS.
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ONE WAS AT MILBY HIGH SCHOOL.UH, THEY HAD A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT CELEBRATING THEIR, UH, CENTENNIAL THAT THAT'S, UH, UPCOMING.
UH, JAY DEON DE LA DETA, WHO IS WITH GOLD LION CONSTRUCTION, AND THEN THE HOUSTON TOOL BANK.
WE HAD OVER A HUNDRED KIDS THAT WERE THERE, UH, DOING SOME GOOD WORK ON THEIR CAMPUS.
THE OTHER GROUP WAS, UH, WITH THE EAST END DISTRICT AND LISC, UH, THEY HOSTED THE EAST END YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
AND SO MYSELF, UH, COUNCILOR CASTILLO, COUNCILOR ALCORN AND COUNCILOR, UH, RAMIREZ, UH, PARTICIPATED IN A MOCK CITY COUNCIL, UH, MEETING WITH THEM.
IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOUNG FOLKS ENGAGED, INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND, AND SO JUST FOR ME, IT JUST, UH, ENSURES THAT THERE'S, UH, FOLKS THAT ARE READY TO STEP UP IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AND HAPPY TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
UM, AND THEN LASTLY, UM, FOR RESIDENTS THAT ARE QUITE FRANKLY AROUND THE CITY, BUT DISTRICT, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE HEAVY TRASH ON DEMAND HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR SOME TIME.
WE'VE BEEN, WE'VE BEEN SHARING WITH FOLKS THAT IT WAS GONNA KICK OFF MARCH 2ND, BUT WE DEFINITELY WANNA ENSURE THAT THERE'S A GOOD PRODUCTIVE ROLLOUT OF MESSAGING, SO THAT WAY FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, WE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SERVICE THOSE 3 1 1 REQUESTS, UH, WHEN THE TIME COMES.
UH, FIRST WANNA START OUT BY CONGRATULATING, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
UM, EVERY VOTE COUNTS AND YOU AND A HELL OF A RACE.
AND, UH, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORY AND BEST WISHES GOING FORWARD.
UM, TODAY AT COUNCIL, UM, WE HAD AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA, UH, ITEM 24, WHICH WE APPROVED AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, UH, BETWEEN, UH, THE CITY AND 20 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS ON HARWIN DRIVE, UH, AND HILLCROFT AVENUE AT THE INTERSECTION IN JAY CITY.
UH, THOSE, UH, PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING INTERSECTION, UH, TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS, RECONSTRUCTION OF PAVEMENT AND PEDESTRIAN REALMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR STORM WATER AND DRAINAGE.
UH, MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE HARWIN AND HILLCROFT AREAS IS EXTREMELY DENSELY POPULATED, UH, VERY, UH, WELL TRAVELED, UM, LOCATION, UH, THAT NEEDS, UH, THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING AS A OFFICE WITH THE TURS ON THIS FOR SOME TIME.
SO GLAD TO SEE THAT IT, UH, WAS APPROVED TODAY.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S THREE UNPERMITTED PARKING LOTS BEING POURED ON ALONG WASHINGTON AVENUE.
PUBLIC WORKS IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN, CITING THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.
IT JUST, IT COMPLETELY CONFOUNDS ME HOW, HOW, HOW BRAZEN PEOPLE ARE ABOUT, JUST, JUST GET GETTING THE, THEY STARTED AT 5:00 AM ON A SATURDAY MORNING POURING CONCRETE.
SO BY THE TIME EVERYBODY WAKES UP AND GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER, THEY'RE, THEY'RE HALFWAY DONE.
AND, AND IT'S, IT'S A BIG MESS.
SO IT'S JUST ALL WE CAN DO IS KEEP SIDING THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES TO DO THAT.
AND, BUT EVENTUALLY, I MEAN, RIP THE THING UP IF, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PERMIT, I MEAN, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE PRETTY, PRETTY, YOU KNOW, ACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE ABOUT, UM, GETTING PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE PROPER DRAINAGE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE A PERMIT TO EVEN DO THIS KIND OF WORK.
SO THAT'S ONE THING I WILL BE AT THE APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE.
I WENT TO THE FIRST ONE AND I WENT TO THE BREAKOUT ROOM FOR THE OWNERS AND, UH, AND, AND KIND OF MANAGEMENT PEOPLE FOR THE APARTMENTS.
THIS TIME I PLAN ON SPENDING TIME IN THE BREAKOUT ROOM WITH THE TENANTS.
THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ORDINANCE FOR OUR CITY OF HOUSTON.
I REALLY THANK THE MAYOR PRO TEM AND OUR HOUSING CHAIR, TIFFANY THOMAS, FOR LEADING THIS CHARGE.
AND, UM, AND, AND I THINK THIS WILL BE A, A BIG STEP AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE, WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME LISTENING TO PEOPLE COME TO THE PODIUM TO TALK ABOUT HOW, UH, DIRE THEIR SITUATION IS IN CERTAIN APARTMENT BUILDINGS.
SO I'M REALLY HOPING WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.
UH, GOOD BFA MEETING YESTERDAY.
UH, MORE TALK ABOUT THE OPEN SPACE ORDINANCE AND ALSO, UM, THE EAST WATER.
VERY HAPPY TO SEE THE INVESTMENTS IN THE EAST WATER PURIFICATION PLANT MAYOR.
UH, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE GETTING FROM THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PRETTY ASTOUNDING.
AND, UH, THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE PROJECT AND, AND A BIG BOON FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND GLAD WE'RE GETTING IT DONE.
AND, UH, ALSO, COLLEAGUES, I STATED THIS LAST WEEK, UH, WE'VE SENT TO YOU RECENTLY OUR MARCH 17TH EFFORT WE'RE DOING WITH SCENIC HOUSTON AND THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO GET MORE, UM, ESPLANADES ADOPTED.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE GET THESE TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS, TO YOUR CHURCHES IN YOUR AREA, TO YOUR BUSINESSES.
[02:10:01]
EVERYBODY YOU CAN, THE MORE WE'VE SAVED $3 MILLION A YEAR ADOPTING OUT THESE ESPLANADES, WE HOPE TO SAVE A LOT MORE IF MORE PEOPLE GET INVOLVED AND SCENIC, HOUSTON'S GONNA BE INVOLVED IN REALLY HELPING US MORE AGGRESSIVELY MARKET THE PROGRAM.AND FINALLY, CONGRATS TO MY FRIEND ABBY CAYMAN, GREAT RACE.
IT'S RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS, IS, UH, NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
AND YOU WERE OUT THERE HUSTLING AND, UH, REALLY PROUD OF YOU AND ALL THE CANDIDATES THAT PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALINAS.
SO I'D LIKE TO START BY ALSO CONGRATULATING COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
YOUR LEADERSHIP IS INSPIRATIONAL TO ME AND SO MANY OTHERS, AND WE'RE SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
UH, FOR WOMEN'S WI HISTORY MONTH, OUR OFFICE IS PROUD TO HIGHLIGHT THE WOMEN WHOSE LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND BEHIND THE SCENES EXCELLENCE STRENGTHENS OUR CITY.
AND THE FIRST WOMAN I'M HONORED TO RECOGNIZE IS MS. VERINA JONES, WHO IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US TODAY.
AS, AS FOLKS MAY KNOW, MS. MS. JONES HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR MORE THAN 19 YEARS, MANAGING THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL WITH EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, DEDICATION, AND HEART.
IN THAT ROLE, SHE HAS BEEN A GUIDING FORCE FOR DOZENS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS HELPING US NAVIGATE EVERYTHING FROM BUDGETS AND PROCEDURES TO OPERATIONS AND CITY DEPARTMENTS.
EACH TIME A PROJECT IS COMPLETED WITH COUNCIL DISTRICT FUNDS, HOUSTONIANS SHOULD KNOW THAT IT IS IN DUE, IN NO SMART SMALL PART TO THE QUIET LEADERSHIP AND TIRELESS DEDICATION OF MRS. JONES.
I KNOW THAT I COULD NOT DO MY JOB WITHOUT YOU, AND I'M SURE MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES FEEL EXACTLY THE SAME.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME ONCE AGAIN IN RECOGNIZING AND THANKING MRS. NITA JONES.
UM, FIRST OFF, JUST WANTED TO, UH, MENTION, I KNOW I SOUND LIKE BEAT THE DRUM.
WELL, FIRST OFF, CONGRATULATIONS, UH, ABBY, I KNOW YOU'VE, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU'VE BEEN UP FOR 28 HOURS, BUT I'M SURE YOU HAVE.
UM, SO CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP MOVING.
WANNA TALK ABOUT THE PIT COUNT? WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO HOUSTON, LOTS OF WORK TO DO, UM, TO PARTICIPATED IN THE PIN CAP PIT COUNT LAST WEEK WORKED WITH, UM, WAS ON A, ABOUT OUT IN DISTRICT F WITH STAR OF HOPE AND SEARCH.
UNFORTUNATELY, UH, OUR EXPERIENCE THERE WAS ABOUT 20 OF US DID NOT GO AS, AS WELL AS HAS IN YEARS PAST.
AND ABOUT A FOUR, FOUR HOUR PERIOD, I THINK WE TALKED TO THREE PEOPLE, WHICH IS NOT, UH, NOT, YOU KNOW, NOT ACTUALLY GONNA GET THE COUNT DONE, BUT CERTAINLY WE'LL HAVE, BE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH, UH, KELLY YOUNG.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN WE MET UP WITH THE SECOND GROUP, THEY, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY APOLOGIZED FOR BEING LATE BECAUSE THEY HAD COME ACROSS A DECEASED PERSON.
AND, UM, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT EVERY DAY, BUT THIS IS THE REALITY OF HOMELESSNESS.
SO, YOU KNOW, AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS SOLUTIONS, MAYOR, WHETHER IT'S FOUR 19 OR OTHER LOCATIONS, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ALL JUST NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE MINDFUL THAT IT'S NOT WHAT WE SEE, IT'S WHAT WE DON'T SEE.
AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE THAT WE DON'T SEE OUT THERE.
YOU KNOW, WE NEED THE RESOURCES, THE FINANCES, CERTAINLY TO GET IT DONE OR JUST IMMEASURABLE, BUT WE'VE GOT TO GET A HANDLE ON IT.
AND IT'S NOT JUST IN DOWNTOWN, IT'S IN THE, IT'S IN THE GREATER HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, FORT BEND, MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
AND IT'S, IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.
AND IT'S, IT'S QUITE SAD WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU COME UP ON THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO, UM, THEY REALLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE THAT WHERE THEY ARE OR WHAT THEY'RE DOING THERE, THEY JUST, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE JUST THERE.
AND SO, UH, MENTAL HEALTH AT ITS FINEST.
UM, AND I, I HAD ONE OTHER THING, BUT IT'S TOTALLY SLIPPED MY MIND.
SO CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, ABBY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I WANT TAKE A MOMENT TO H HIGHLIGHT CONTINUED PROGRESS HAPPENING ACROSS WHAT I PROBABLY CALL THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
I WAS OUT LAST WEEK ON CITY BUSINESS, SO I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO THANK CONTROLLER CHRIS HOLLANDS FOR PHENOMENAL BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM.
IT WAS ENGAGING AND SO UPLIFTING TO SEE OUR HONOREES.
IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST PROGRAMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED.
AND YOUR BLACK HISTORY PROGRAMS GET BETTER EACH YEAR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT YEAR.
ON LAST FRIDAY, I ATTENDED THE CRESCENT PALMS GROUNDBREAKING, WHICH REPRESENTS SOME MEANINGFUL AND
[02:15:01]
REINVESTMENT IN DISTRICT D AND THE PALM CENTER AREA.THIS PROJECT WILL TRANSFORM A DETERIORATED MOTEL SITE INTO 29 NEW HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, HELPING FAMILIES BUILD STABILITY AND GENERATIONAL WORTH WEALTH.
THE DEVELOPMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AND AMPLIFY CREDIT UNION, UH, WHICH PROVIDED, UH, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINANCING, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL PARTNERS COMMITTING, COMMITTED TO REVITALIZING THIS CORRIDOR.
THESE THREE STORY HOMES, APPROXIMATELY 1,850 SQUARE FEET WITH THREE BEDROOMS AND TWO AND A HALF BATHROOMS WILL PLACE RESIDENTS WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO METRO LIGHT RAIL, THE ALICE YOUNG LIBRARY, YMCA HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND MANY, MANY OPTIONS.
UNIVERSITY, HOUSTON, TEXAS, SOUTHERN, AND NEARBY GREEN SPACE.
PROJECTS LIKE THIS REFLECT THE TYPE OF THOUGHTFUL REDEVELOPMENT THAT CONTINUES TO MOVE DISTRICT D FORWARD.
ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY THE 28TH, OUR DISTRICT D HAD A FOOD AND SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION AT THE SUNNYSIDE HEALTH AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, WHICH WAS TRULY A SUCCESS.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE CONVOY OF HOPE FOR SENDING AN 18 WHEEL OR FILLED WITH FOOD AND SUPPLIES ALL THE WAY FROM MISSOURI.
TOGETHER WE SERVE 353 FAMILIES FROM THE COMMUNITY.
SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTORS, MANNY TIA ARANGO AND THE GARDEN CHURCH SERVANT LEADERS FOR SHOWING UP IN FULL FORCE.
THANK YOU TO MISSION LINK FOR CONNECTING THE LOCAL CHURCH, NONPROFIT PARTNERS AND DISTRICT D SO THAT THIS DRIVE COULD HAPPEN.
THANK YOU TO HPD FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND KEEPING RESIDENTS SAFE THROUGHOUT THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION.
ALSO GRATEFUL TO DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS FOR PROVIDING CHICK-FIL-A BREAKFAST FOR A 163 VOLUNTEERS.
AND CERTAINLY THE GRATITUDE OF DISTRICT D RESIDENTS TO GET PEOPLE STARTED EATING A NICE BREAKFAST AND THEY WORK VERY, VERY HARD.
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR DOROTHY WEST FOR THE CENTER OF RECOVERY AND WELLNESS RESOURCES FOR PROVIDING HYGIENE KITS AND MONICA JONES FOR EVOLVE FOR BRINGING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO OUR FAMILIES.
I CERTAINLY WANNA THANK OUR DISTRICT D HOT TEAM WHO WORKED VERY, VERY HARD TO HELP US TO CLEAN UP, UH, DISTRICT D.
AND I FINALLY WANNA THANK MY CONSTITUENTS DIRECTOR, INGRAM MITCHUM, WHO ALMOST SINGLE-HANDEDLY ORGANIZED AND COORDINATED THIS GREAT EFFORT.
I PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADE, SO WHEN I ARRIVED, IT WAS WELL UNDERWAY AND THE AREA WAS BUSTLING WITH VOLUNTEERS AND RECIPIENTS BECAUSE OF EACH OF YOU.
OUR COMMUNITY WAS SEEN, SUPPORTED AND FED.
LATER, LATER ON SATURDAY, I JOINED PARTNERS FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CLEANER COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE, A COMMUNITY CLEANUP EFFORT ADDRESSING ILLEGAL DUMPING AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS INITIATIVE BROUGHT TOGETHER SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING CLEAN THE BLOCK HOUSTON, WHICH IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY A CITY CONTROLLER, CHRIS HOLLINS, HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT SEVEN.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CONSTABLE JAMES SMOKEY PHILLIPS AMERICAN YOUTH WORKS, THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TRIO BURGERS.
THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRESS CONFERENCE AND COMMUNITY CLEANUP EFFORT REINFORCING THE MESSAGE THAT ILLEGAL DUMPING IS NOT JUST AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN, IT IS ALSO A PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY ISSUE.
THANK YOU TO STATE REV, LAUREN ASHLEY, ASHLEY SIMMONS, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS AND A LARGE AND, AND AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS WHO ATTENDED THE, TO SUPPORT THIS EVENT.
EFFORTS LIKE THESE, UH, DEMONSTRATE WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS WORK TOGETHER.
AND ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST, I FIRST I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE BOYNTON HOUSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, GROUNDBREAKING, WHICH WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY OUR COUNCIL MEMBER, TIFFANY D. THOMAS, UH, CELEBRATING THE START OF A NEW AFFORDABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES DEVELOPMENT IN THE HEART OF THIRD WARD.
UH, IT'S, IT'S DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS REPRESENT CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN SUSTAINABLE HOUSING, NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, AND PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU, UM, TO, UM, JOHNSON DEVELOPMENT, UM, WOMAC DEVELOPMENT, REESE HUNT DEVELOPMENT GROUP, AND CERTAINLY TO PASTOR LINDA DAVIS FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUED DEDICATION TO UPLIFTING, UPLIFTING THE COMMUNITY AND BRINGING PARTNERS TOGETHER TO MAKE PROJECTS LIKE THIS A REALITY.
AND FINALLY, LOOKING AHEAD, I WILL HAVE THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION.
THERE'S A LOT GOING ON Y'ALL FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, MARCH 9TH FROM FOUR TO SIX AT THE JUDY COOK BUILDING LOCATED AT 3002 LEAK STREET.
THIS EVENT CELEBRATES THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, RECEIVING THE CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHICH IS THE DISTINGUISHED NATIONAL DESIGNATION, RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY'S COMMITMENT TO STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
[02:20:01]
AND MEANINGFUL CIVIC IMPACT.CERTAINLY, WE APPRECIATE ALL THE PARTNERS AND THIS IS WHY WE CALL IT THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
AND FINALLY, CONGRATULATIONS TO MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND, ABBY CAYMAN.
SHE WILL DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF DEFENDING OUR COUNTY AND CITY.
I WILL MISS YOU PERSONALLY AND YOUR WATCHFUL EYE REGARDING INEQUITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIKE THE TRE TREADING CONTRACT THAT WE FOUGHT TOGETHER AND GOT REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA.
AND CERTAINLY, UH, WE WILL STAY IN TOUCH AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE KNOWING YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL DO GREAT THINGS.
AND THIS CONCLUDES WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
ARE YOU GOT A FEW CHAPTERS LEFT IN THAT DAY,
I, I WANNA START BY WISHING MY MOM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY, UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH HER TONIGHT.
SHE'S THE MATRIARCH OF OUR FAMILY AND, UH, SHE DESERVES ALL THE, ALL THE LOVE AND CELEBRATION.
TODAY I WILL BE ATTENDING THE APARTMENT INSPECTION ORDINANCE, COMMUNITY MEETING ON THURSDAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS TO DISTRICT H.
AND I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL DISTRICT H RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD IN THE DISTRICT AND SHOW UP.
UH, IT IS A CRITICAL, CRITICAL ORDINANCE AND THEIR INPUT AND FEEDBACK, UH, WILL HELP SHAPE THIS IN THE WEEKS TO COME.
AND SO, UM, I WILL BE THERE AND ENCOURAGE ALL DISTRICT H RESIDENTS AS WELL.
TO ATTEND THIS COMING SATURDAY, WE WILL BE HOSTING OUR SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY EVENT AT SET GAS PARK, 10:00 AM WE DO HAVE FIVE GALLON TREES THAT ARE, THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT H RESIDENTS AND ALSO WHILE SUPPLIES LAST RAIN BARRELS AS WELL.
UM, WE ARE STILL GONNA BE PLANTING TREES IN GUADALUPE PARK PLAZA AND THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED IN THE TREE PLANTING.
BUT, UH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE A FIVE GALLON TREE OR A RAIN BARREL, THEY'RE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, STARTING AT 10:00 AM AT SET GAS PARK.
I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN ON THE ELECTION RESULTS LAST NIGHT.
UH, YOU RAN A TREMENDOUS CAMPAIGN AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST MOVING FORWARD.
AND ALSO TO CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA ON, ON HER PRIMARY VICTORY.
UM, SHE HAS BEEN A FRIEND, A MENTOR, A TREMENDOUS PARTNER FOR, FOR DISTRICT H AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
AND, UH, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER VICTORY AS WELL.
JUST WANTED TO START BY SAYING I WILL BE ATTENDING THE APARTMENT ORDINANCE, UH, ON LED BY OUR CHAIR OF HOUSING, UH, CHAIRMAN THOMAS AND ALSO MAYOR PROTE.
UH, CERTAINLY THAT IS A GREAT INTEREST AND I'VE ALREADY INVITED SEVERAL OF OUR PASTOR LEADERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THAT SITUATION.
SO WE CERTAINLY ARE GOING TO BE IN ATTENDANCE TO SUPPORT.
ALSO, I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THE PIT, UH, PARTICIPATION, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S SUCH A CRITICAL ISSUE ROUNDING OUR HOMELESS, AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN.
UH, ALSO, WE WAS A PART OF THE MEETING THAT WAS HELD IN SOUTH UNION.
MANY OF US HEARD FROM THE GROUP OF SOUTH UNION THAT CAME TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE AROUND ILLEGAL DUMPING.
AND, UH, THEY HAVE A KIND OF A THREE OR FOUR POINT PLAN IN ORDER HOW TO ADDRESS THIS.
AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO KEEP INTEREST IN IT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS EXACTLY HELP OUT EVERY DISTRICT ON THE, UH, ILLEGAL DUMPING SIDE.
I MET WITH MR. BEAVERS AND THE OTHERS.
SO WE HOPE TO KEEP THAT MOVING FORWARD AND, UH, WE, UH, WILL GET BACK AND CERTAINLY ADDRESS IT TO THE REST OF THE COLLEAGUES.
THANK YOU, MR. MEMBER FLICKING CHAIR.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCILWOMAN ON YOUR VICTORY.
UM, ALSO WE PARTICIPATED IN THE, UH, PIT COUNT AS WELL.
UM, I HAD SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS THAT COUNCILWOMAN, UH, CARTER HAD.
UM, WE FOUND A TOTAL OF FOUR HOMELESS, AND WE WENT TO A FOOD BANK WHERE THE HOMELESS SHOW UP BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX IN THE MORNING.
AND THEY HAD SERVED 72 PEOPLE THAT MORNING.
SO OUT OF THE 72 THAT THEY SERVED, AND WE FOUND FOUR MORE.
I MEAN, WE ARE REALLY GETTING A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL COUNT.
I THINK WE'VE GOTTA DO SOMETHING TO,
[02:25:01]
TO, UH, DO A BETTER EFFORT IN ACTUALLY GETTING A TRUE COUNT OF THE HOMELESS AND BEING ABLE TO, UH, ASSIST THEM WHENEVER POSSIBLE.UM, WE HAVE THE, UH, FIRST PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT THE LAKE CONROE, LAKE HOUSTON JOINT OPERATIONS.
UH, IT'S GONNA BE THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, SIX O'CLOCK TO EIGHT AT THE HUMBLE CIVIC CENTER.
UH, ANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS THAT, UH, WOULD LIKE TO COME OUT WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT THERE TO, UH, SEE THEM, UH, GIVE THEIR PRESENTATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS IS GONNA BE DONE.
UH, ALSO WANTED TO THANK, UH, COUNCILWOMAN PECK WHO, UH, RENTED US HER HOT TEAM.
AND WE USED THAT TO CLEAN UP A STRETCH OF, UH, EDA GENOA ROAD.
UH, IT WASN'T, UH, AN AREA WHERE DUMPING HAD OCCURRED, BUT THERE WAS ENOUGH TRASH THAT IT LOOKED LIKE DUMPING.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT HAD BEEN CLEANED AND A DECADE.
UH, AND, AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT IN THE NEWS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT MICROPLASTICS YEAH, ENTERING OUR ECOSYSTEM.
UH, I KIND OF GOT TO SEE THAT FIRSTHAND 'CAUSE I, I HELPED THE, UH, THE GROUP OUT FOR ABOUT THE FIRST HOUR UNTIL I HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.
AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE PLASTICS HAVE, UH, DEGRADED.
UH, THEY'RE DECOMPOSING, UH, YOU KNOW, THEY GET MOWED TWICE A YEAR, WHICH I THINK FACILITATES THAT DECOMPOSING AS WELL.
SO, I MEAN, I THINK THE, THE TRASH AND THE DUMPING IS, IS NOT ONLY A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, UH, BUT THERE'S ALSO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS THAT I, I THINK ARE, YOU KNOW, LONG TERM THAT WE REALLY NEED TO, TO ADDRESS.
SO WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO, TO HELP THAT OUT WOULD BE, UH, UH, GREATLY APPRECIATED.
IT HAPPENS, UH, SOME HOUSEKEEPING BUSINESS.
FIRST, WE HAVE THE MEMORIAL GROVES GROUNDBREAKING AT MEMORIAL PARK TOMORROW.
UH, FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, WE ARE EXPANDING, UH, WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF MEMORIAL PARK.
NEW USAGE, UH, THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO, UH, THE PARK'S HISTORY, INCLUDING THE 24TH INFANTRY.
SO I WANNA LIFT UP THE WORK THAT THE CONSERVANCY IS DOING THERE.
ALSO, NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 9TH AT THREE 30, WE HAVE AN IN-PERSON NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, UM, THAT WILL BE AT THE CHEVRON BUILDING IN MEMORIAL PARK WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD AS THE HOUSTON OPEN COMES IN.
MAYOR, THIS IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU KNOW THIS, WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON TRAFFIC MITIGATION AND CONTROL.
UH, WE HAND OUT PARKING PERMITS.
UH, MOS HAS AN ENTIRE PLAN IN PLACE WITH HPD.
UH, SO THAT IS WHAT THIS COMMUNITY MEETING IS FOR, TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL, BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE A NEW TOURNAMENT, WHICH WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT, COVING.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOUSTON OPEN, WE WILL THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER HAVE THE CHEVRON WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT, WHICH WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
SO PARKING TAGS AND YARD SIGNS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THAT MEETING.
UM, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WANNA THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE WELL WISHES, BUT I, I REALLY WANT TO SPEAK TO ELECTIONS IN GENERAL.
AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT GIVE UP THEIR TIME AND AS THEIR JOB ARE POLL WORKERS THAT ARE THERE FOR HOURS ON END, DAY AFTER DAY, THERE'S VOLUNTEERS THAT PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
UM, OUR, SORRY, IT TAKES A TOLL ON A CANDIDATE'S FAMILY.
AND WE ALL KNOW THAT SITTING AROUND THIS HORSESHOE.
UM, AND I WANNA PERSONALLY JUST RECOGNIZE MY FAMILY, BUT THERE'S SO MANY FAMILIES THAT, THAT GIVE TO THIS EFFORT TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRACY.
BUT I HAVE DUBBED MY HUSBAND ST.
MATTHEW AT THIS POINT FOR JUGGLING TRIALS WHILE ALSO HOLDING DOWN THE FORT AT HOME, UM, AND SLAYED OUR COUNCIL BABY, UH, WHO I PROMISED AS SOON AS THE ELECTION WAS OVER, IT WAS GONNA BE HIS BIRTHDAY.
SO HE HAD SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
SO HIS BIRTHDAY IS NEXT FRIDAY, OUR COUNCIL BABY, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT IS GONNA BE FIVE.
SO VERY, VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LADY BUG NEXT FRIDAY.
'CAUSE I THINK WE HAVE COUNCIL BREAK WEEK.
UM, I WANNA ALSO RECOGNIZE JUST THE VOTERS.
WE SAW UNPRECEDENTED TURNOUT ON HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS.
UH, YOU CAN FEEL THE ENERGY, YOU CAN FEEL THE COMMITMENT, YOU CAN FEEL THE DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRACY.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
SO, TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED, REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU VOTED FOR, WHICH REGARDLESS OF WHAT PARTY YOU CHOSE TO VOTE FOR IN THE PRIMARY THAT YOU TURNED OUT TO USE, YOUR VOICE IS EXTRAORDINARY.
[02:30:01]
WE WANT PEOPLE TO STAY ENGAGED.UH, I ALSO WANNA THANK AND RECOGNIZE MY STAFF 'CAUSE I WANNA REASSURE RESIDENTS THAT DISTRICTS SEE IS NOT MISSING A BEAT RIGHT NOW.
UH, WE ARE STILL HERE TO SERVE YOU AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE OUR DISTRICT.
AND I WANNA RECOGNIZE OUR DISTRICT C STAFF BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO STEP UP TIME AND AGAIN TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT C IN HOUSTON.
AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE KATE LER, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, AND I MADE HER COME OUT HERE.
KATE, KATE, KATE LER IS GETTING MARRIED ON SATURDAY TO ANTHONY RIOS.
SO KATE, WE WISH YOU A VERY EARLY CONGRATULATIONS.
UH, WE TAKE ANY OPPORTUNITY WE CAN TO CELEBRATE YOU, BUT TO GET TO CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY AND THE LOVE IS VERY SPECIAL.
I JUST WANTED TO, UH, GIVE MY, UH, PUBLICLY GIVE MY THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY ABROAD RIGHT NOW.
IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR FAMILIES AND, UH, IT DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED THAT, UM, SIX LIVES LOST, SIX LIVES TOO MANY.
BUT CERTAINLY, UH, THANKS IS NEVER ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY TIRELESSLY.
NO COUNCIL WILL RETURN FOR REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION AT 2:00 PM ON TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH.