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COUNSEL, PLEASE COME TO ORDER.I'M GONNA ASK THE MAYOR PROTE TO PLEASE PRESIDE.
[PRESENTATIONS]
RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS SHABAZZ FOR A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 18TH ANNUAL MS. JUNETEENTH PAGEANT.THAT'S WHY WE GOT QUEENS IN THE ROOM TODAY.
AND COULD I GET MS. DARCE ELLIS TO COME UP? EXCUSE.
HOW YOU, HOW YOU DOING? SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, I RODE IN THAT PARADE AND WAVED AND WHATEVER, NOT YOUR FIRST TIME AND NOT MY FIRST RODEO.
NOT, BUT I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, THE 19TH ANNUAL MILDRED JOHNSON, MR. AND MS. JUNETEENTH PAGEANT.
WHEREAS ON JUNE 6TH, 2026, THE 19TH ANNUAL MILDRED JOHNSON, MR. AND MS. JUNETEENTH PAGEANT WAS HELD AT THE THIRD WARD MULTI-SERVICE CENTER HOSTED BY THE HOUSTON SUN FOUNDATION.
THE PAGEANT PROVIDES YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH WHILE DEVELOPING ETIQUETTE, POISE, CONFIDENCE, PUBLIC SPEAKING, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
AND WHEREAS JUNETEENTH IS A DEFINING MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY, COMMEMORATING THE DAY IN SLAVE, PEOPLE IN TEXAS WERE INFORMED OF THEIR FREEDOM AND HONORING THE ENDURING LEGACY OF LIBERATION, RESILIENCE, FAITH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DORIS ELLIS ROBINSON, THE HOUSTON SUN FOUNDATION CONTINUES, CONTINUES TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND IMPORTANCE OF JUNETEENTH THROUGH MEANINGFUL COMMUN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, CELEBRATIONS, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL MILDRED JOHNSON, MR. AND MS. JUNETEENTH PAGEANT.
AND WHEREAS ON JUNE 16TH, 2026, IN RECOGNITION OF THE 19TH ANNUAL MILDRED JOHNSON, MR. AND MS. JUNETEENTH PAGEANT, THE CITY OF HOUSTON PROUDLY WELCOMES THE OUTSTANDING 2026 JUNETEENTH PAGEANT WINNERS AND HONOREES TO CITY HALL AS THEY ARE RECOGNIZED BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
AND IF, WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, COULD YOU STAND AND COME UP? MY QUEENS BACK THERE.
UH, WE CONGRATULATE PAISLEY MARTIN TODDLER, MISS JUNETEENTH WINNER.
SEVEN WATSON TEAM MS. LITTER, IANNA SMITH, TEEN MS. JUNETEENTH, FIRST RUNNER UP, JULIAN RIDLEY, MS. JUNETEENTH WINNER, AND ISHA STEWART.
MS. JUNETEENTH FIRST RUNNER UP.
AND WHEREAS ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION, THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMMENDS THE 2026 JUNETEENTH PAGEANT WINNERS.
AND EACH OF YOU WILL GET YOUR OWN PROCLAMATION AND SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO HONORING THE LEGACY OF JUNETEENTH AND EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, GRACE AND COMMUNITY PRIDE.
AND FOR MY LITTLE TODDLER QUEEN RIGHT HERE, WE NEED A STOOL FOR YOU TO STEP ON.
SO I HAD, WE WERE BETTER ORGANIZED, BUT LISTEN WE'LL, WE'LL MAKE SURE EVERYBODY SEES YOU IN A MINUTE, A SECOND.
PUT HER IN THIS CHAIR CAREFULLY.
NOW WE GONNA HOLD, WE GONNA MAKE SURE, 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO CATCH YOU.
CAN YOU STAND ON THIS CHAIR? STAND CHAIR STAND.
WE KNOW THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, BUT WE WANT YOU TO BE SEEN.
THERE WAS NO WAY WE WERE GONNA GO FORWARD, WOULD YOU? NOT ABLE TO LOOK IN OUR EYES AND TELL YOU HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE.
AND TO THE QUEEN, THE RUNNER UPS.
MS. ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS OUTSTANDING GROUP OF YOUNG LADIES TO CITY COUNCIL
[00:05:01]
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS CELEBRATION.THE, UH, PAGEANT, UH, IS SPECIAL.
AND, UH, ALSO Y'ALL ARE MENTORS, BUT OTHER YOUNG LADIES COMING BEHIND YOU.
SO I'M SO EXCITED THAT YOU'RE HERE AND THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 16TH, 2026 AS THE 20TH, 26TH, MILDRED JOHNSON.
MR. AND MISS JUNETEENTH PAGEANT WINNERS RUNNER UP DAY ACROSS THIS GREAT CITY OF HOUSTON.
THESE ARE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT REPRESENT HOUSTON.
OR YOU COME BACK AND SEE US, THE YOUNG LADIES AT THE INTERVIEW.
WANNA SAY SOMETHING? YOU DON'T HAVE TO, BUT IF YOU WANT TO, CERTAINLY WOULD YOU LIKE TO? THIS IS YOUR TIME.
REALLY? THEY NEED A THERE YOU GO.
I AM MS. JUNIOR JUNETEENTH, AND MY NAME IS ZION ELEANOR DAVIS.
I'M 10 YEARS OLD AND I'M BORN ON JUNE 23RD, 2015.
I'M THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF TRICIA DAVIS AND DR.
MY DAD, HE'S A PASTOR AT MY CHURCH AND MY MOM, SHE IS THE FIRST LADY AT MY CHURCH.
ALL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WANT TO BE, UM, A PART OF THIS PAGEANT YOU SHOULD REALLY DO BECAUSE IT'S REALLY FUN.
YOU GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AND I THINK IT'S JUST A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
I SEE SPELMAN COLLEGE ON ALL OF THEM.
HELLO, MY NAME IS SEVEN BROXTON.
I'M 14 YEARS OF AGE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR MY MOTHER AND MY FATHER FOR LETTING THIS OPPORTUNITY HAPPEN.
AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WEREN'T FOR THEM.
THIS PAGEANT HAS BROUGHT ME SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES.
I'VE GOTTEN TO MEET SO MANY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
I ALSO COME FROM A FAMILY OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS NAMED AS THEIR HARMON HARMON SISTERS.
AND I WOULD JUST LOVE TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THEM SO MUCH AND ALL THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR, FOR ME TO BE HERE TODAY IN THIS MOMENT.
AND WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU ATTEND? I ALSO ATTEND IOWA COLONY HIGH SCHOOL.
IOWA COLONY HIGH SCHOOL AND MS. JUNETEENTH GREETINGS.
I AM JILLIAN CHAEL RIDLEY, THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF JACQUELINE BANKS, AND JONATHAN RIDLEY AND THE GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF YVETTE CALLOWAY, WHO THE PARK AND THIRD WARD IS AFFECTIONATELY NAMED AFTER.
CURRENTLY I AM 17 YEARS OF AGE, AND THIS PAGEANT HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT HONOR TO BE IN.
I ADMIT AT FIRST I WAS A LITTLE RELUCTANT.
IT WAS VERY LAST MINUTE FOR ME TO JOIN, BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
LIKE I'VE, A LOT OF THE STUFF WE'VE DONE, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF EVENTS SO FAR AND WE BARELY STARTED.
AND IT HAS BEEN REALLY IMPACTFUL.
LIKE THIS PUBLIC SPEAKING, I'M, I ADMIT I'M A VERY, I GET VERY NERVOUS WHEN I PUBLIC SPEAK, BUT THIS HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH.
LIKE THE FACT THAT I'M ABLE HERE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL IS SO INSPIRING AND AMAZING.
AND OH GOODNESS, THIS IS SUCH AN HONOR.
THANK YOU MS. DORIS AS WELL FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO THIS AND FOR MY PARENTS.
DID YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? I THINK WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE, THE TODDLER TO SAY SOMETHING.
HOUSTON, YOU HAVE WITNESSED WHAT THE HOUSTON SUN FOUNDATION HAS BROUGHT TO YOU FOR THIS YEAR AS THEY REIGN.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT WITH YOUR SUPPORT.
I APPRECIATE YOU AMPLIFYING JUNE TEAM.
WE DO HAVE, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN QUEUE.
WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, I'M SORRY.
AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU GIRLS.
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TO KEEP PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE.CONTINUE TO DREAM GIRLS THAT DREAM, BECOME WOMEN WITH VISION AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT Y'ALL ARE GONNA DO NEXT.
UH, JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, DORIS, UH, SO MANY YEARS THAT WE GO BACK AND ALL THE COMMUNITY WORK THAT YOU DO WAY BEYOND JUST THE HOUSTON ON PAPER.
AND I'M ALWAYS HONORED, YOU KNOW, TO SUPPORT YOU AND BE A PART OF IT.
AND, UH, TO ALL OF THESE, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GIRLS TODAY AND, UH, PARTICULARLY TO THE PK KID
SO WE WILL BE, UH, AT THE BREAKFAST.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
UH, MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR AMPLIFYING THIS.
UH, ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU CONTINUE TO DO WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.
UH, WE CAN NEVER GROW TIRED OF AMPLIFYING THE STORY OF JUNETEENTH AND THESE YOUNG LADIES DEFINITELY, UM, EXHIBIT THE BEST OF US.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
NEXT, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS FOR A PROCLAMATION TO MEMBERS OF HOUSTON ROSS STERLING, SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, BICENTENNIAL CLASS OF 1976.
AND, UM, I'M GOING TO ASK OUR COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE, UH, DISTRICT D, AND, UH, SHE KNOW HOW TO SAY IT A LOT BETTER THAN I DO.
UH, AND SO LET ME ASK AS I, THEY WOULD COME UP.
YES, THIS IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROSS SHAW STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BICENTENNIAL CLASS OF 1976.
WHEREAS ON JUNE 16TH, 2026, THE CITY OF HOUSTON PROUDLY WELCOMES THE ROSS SHAW STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BICENTENNIAL CLASS OF 1976 TO CITY HALL AS ITS MEMBERS GATHER IN THE MARBLE HALL OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBER TO BE RECOGNIZED
[00:15:01]
AND CELEBRATED ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT GRADUATION.AND WHEREAS THE ROSS SHAW STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1976 HAD THE DISTINCT HONOR OF GRADUATING DURING THE NATION'S BICENTENNIAL, COMMEMORATING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND EARNING THE HORRIFIC TITLE OF THE BICENTENNIAL CLASS.
AND WHEREAS ROSS SHAW, STERLING HIGH SCHOOL BICENTENNIAL CLASS OF 76, ONCE AGAIN, HAS DISTINGUISHED, UH, OF CELEBRATING 50 YEAR CLASS REUNION DURING THE 250 ANNIVERSARY NATION'S FOUNDING, MARKING FIVE DECADES OF LASTING FRIENDSHIP, SHARED MEMORIES AND NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AND WHEREAS ROSS STERLING HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED IN SOUTHEAST HOUSTON WAS FOUNDED IN 1965.
TODAY IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS STERLING'S AVIATION EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, AND IS HOME TO THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S AVIATION SCIENCE MAGNET PROGRAM.
AS A SCHOOL CELEBRATES THE ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY, IT CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A HUB OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY.
AND WHEREAS THE BICENTENNIAL CLASS OF 1976 UPHOLDS THE SCHOOL'S PROUD LEGACY THROUGH ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EDUCATION, BUSINESS, PUBLIC SERVICE, MILITARY SERVICE, FATE LEADERSHIP, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, JOINING THE RANKS OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SUCH AS GOSPEL RECORDING ARTISTS, YOLANDA ADAMS, UH, TENNIS CHAMPION, ZENA GARRISON, NBA HALL OF FAMER, CLYDE DREXLER MM-HMM
AND NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR, RONNIE COURTNEY.
AND WHEREAS ON THIS MILESTONE OCCASION IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, JOINS ROSS SHAW STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, BI SENIOR CLASS OF 1976 AND CELEBRATING HIS 50 YEAR REUNION AND CONGRATULATES ITS MEMBERS ON THEIR COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOUSTON AND ITS COMMUNITIES THEY CALL HOME.
MAY THIS GOLDEN REUNION BE A CHERISHED AND MEMORIAL OCCASION FILLED WITH JOY, PRIDE, AND THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALL WHO ATTEND.
MAYOR THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DAVIS AND EVAN SHABAZZ, THANKS FOR JOINING US AND PARTICULARLY TO THE GRADUATES.
UH, TIME FLIES AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE SINCE YOU REALLY GRADUATED, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO HELP HOUSTON BE A GREAT CITY.
AND OF COURSE, WE ALL KNOW THE BEST IS YET TO COME, BUT YOU AND I KNOW I FINISHED WALTRIP A FEW YEARS BEFORE Y'ALL, HOUSTON WAS A DIFFERENT CITY, YET DIFFERENT CITY THEN WASN'T NEARLY AS INCLUSIVE AS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.
AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO, BUT CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
I WISH TIME ALLOWED TO HEAR EACH AND EVERYONE'S PERSONAL STORY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO THANK YOU AS A GROUP AND AS THOSE EDUCATORS THAT, UH, CHALLENGE YOU AT THAT POINT IN YOUR, IN YOUR LIFE AND YOUR PARENTS DID A HECK OF A JOB.
SO ANYWAY, I COULD GO ON AND ON AND I'VE GOT A PASTOR NEXT TO ME HERE, THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIMED JUNE 16TH, 2026 AS ROSS SHAW STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BY CENTENNIAL CLASS OF 1976 DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY, I'M GONNA SAY THAT I'M SO VERY PROUD OF ROSS SHAW STERLING, THAT AVIATION SCHOOL IS REALLY SOARING, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD.
AND SO I KNOW YOU ALL ARE VERY PROUD.
I'M VERY PROUD THAT IT IS IN DISTRICT D, THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
AND CERTAINLY WE KNOW THAT THOSE PILOTS AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA COME OUT ARE GONNA FIND SOME EVEN GREATER DESTINATIONS.
SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
AND I THINK, RON, ARE YOU GONNA SPEAK FOR THE CLASS? RON JACKSON.
WE WANT TO THANK MAYOR COUNCILMAN DAVIS AND FOR YOU ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, FOR RECOGNIZING US ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
WHEN WE, UH, GRADUATED IN 1976, FOR SOME REASON THEY KEPT EMPHASIZING YOU ALL ARE THE BICENTENNIAL CLASS.
SO AS WE HIT THESE 200 ANNIVERSARY, THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY, IT KEPT ON RINGING, UH, OUT TO US.
SO, UH, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING EVENTS FOR
[00:20:01]
THIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY MM-HMMAND AS WELL AS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROSS STERLING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, COUNCILMAN DAVIS ATTENDED, UH, OUR, UH, 60TH ANNIVERSARY AS WELL AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, SHABBAS.
SO FOR OUR CLASSMATES, WE WANNA SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL, AND I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT CAROLYN SHABAZZ LET US GET OUTTA HERE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THAT JACKIE YATES, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE WERE RIVAL, SO SHE DIDN'T HEAR ME RIGHT NOW.
I'M JUST SO PROUD WE GOT AWAY WITH THAT.
ALRIGHT, COME ON THEN WE'LL TAKE YOUR PHOTOS WITH
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EDWARD KRAFT AND KIMBERLY ENGLAND UP TO THE PODIUM.
I'M KIMBERLY, WHEREAS HOUSTON'S DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CHURCH IS A MINISTRY OF THE LANDING AT AUGUSTA WOODS, LED BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO WORSHIP IN A SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.
AND WHEREAS THE CHURCH BEGAN WHEN A RESIDENT EXPRESSED HOW MUCH THEY MISSED ATTENDING CHURCH, INSPIRING THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE A SERVICE THAT WOULD MEET THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA.
ESTABLISHED IN 2023 BY HOUSTONIANS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, ALONG WITH EDWARD KRAFT, ACTIVITY DIRECTOR AT THE LANDING AT AUGUSTA WOODS, HOUSTON'S DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CHURCH EMPHASIZES THE ABILITIES AND STRENGTHS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA.
THROUGH FAITH SUPPORT AND MONASTERY INSPIRED METHODS FOCUSED ON INDIVIDUALIZED PERSON CREATED CARE.
AND WHEREAS OF 2026, MORE THAN 500,000 TEXANS ARE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, AND THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO RISE AS A RESULT.
IT'S INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT FOR FAITH ORGANIZATIONS TO ADOPT, BECOME MORE INCLUSIVE, AND ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA CAN CONTINUE TO WORSHIP AS ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR FAITH COMMUNITIES.
WHEREAS HOUSTON'S DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CHURCH CONTINUES TO GROW AND EXPAND AND MINISTRY, THE, THE CITY OF HOUSTON EXTENDS ITS CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATION'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND ITS DEDICATED SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, SUPPORTING THEIR SPIRITUAL NEEDS, AND ENRICHING THEIR LIVES THROUGH THE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP.
I, UH, WITNESS MY YOUNGEST, SARAH, MY YOUNGEST CHILD WAS DIAGNOSED IN KINDERGARTEN AND SHE WAS JUST NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS.
SO THEY SUGGESTED SHE BE TESTED AT TEXAS CHILDREN AND HAD DEMENTIA, BUT SHE WAS FORTUNATE.
WENT TO BRIARWOOD, GOT A LOT OF SPECIAL INSTRUCTION, BUT SHE'S NOW A PSYCHOLOGIST HELPING OTHERS.
AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE CHURCH, BUT WE WILL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE CHURCH BECAUSE I'VE WATCHED HER, UH, TRY TO BE AS INVOLVED AND SUCCESSFUL, UH, WITH HER DEMENTIA.
AND, UH, THERE IS A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE WITH DEMENTIA AND CERTAINLY NOW WE'RE LEARNING
[00:25:01]
OF A FAITH BASED, UH, ASSISTANT.SAY ANYTHING THEREFORE, I, JOHN WHITMEYER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 24TH, 2026 AS HOUSTON DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CHURCH DAY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, UH, FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
OUR RESIDENTS COULDN'T MAKE IT TODAY FOR TWO REASONS.
UM, IT WAS FLOODING AND THEN ALSO ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS, JUDY HOBSON, IS CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY TODAY, SO SHE LOWERED OUR OTHER CHURCH MEMBERS WITH CHOCOLATE CAKE.
UH, SO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY.
IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU ALL.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU INVOCATION.
[2:00 P.M. - INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ]
RAMIREZ FOR THE INVOCATION.NADIA IS VICE CHAIR OF I AM HOUSTON, FORMERLY INTERFAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER HOUSTON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND IN THE DAYTIME IS ACCOUNTING MANAGER FOR ECS COMPANIES, A LOCAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
SHE CAME TO HOUSTON 40 YEARS AGO, LEAVING A COUNTRY WHERE SHE FACED PERSECUTION FOR HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE BAHAI FAITH AND WAS DENIED BASIC RIGHTS THERE, INCLUDING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP.
SHE FLED HER HOMELAND IN SEARCH OF A PLACE WHERE SHE COULD PRACTICE HER FAITH, PURSUE AND EDUCATION, AND PARTICIPATE FULLY AS AN EQUAL CITIZEN.
SHE FOUND IT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES IN HOUSTON AS A CITIZEN, NADIA IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES SHE HAS RECEIVED HERE AND CHANNELS THAT GRATITUDE INTO MEANINGFUL ACTION.
SHE CURRENTLY SERVES NOT ONLY ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF I AM HOUSTON, BUT ALSO IS A FORMER BOARD OF HGA COUNSELING AND SUPPORTS OTHER LOCAL NONPROFITS, INCLUDING THE TEXAS CENTER FOR THE MISSING, THE WOMEN'S FUND, THE MENGER CLINIC IN SEVERAL OF OUR LOCAL MUSEUMS. THE BAHAI FAITH OF WHICH SHE IS A MEMBER HAS ABOUT A THOUSAND ADHERENCE HERE IN HOUSTON AND ABOUT SEVEN TO 8 MILLION WORLDWIDE.
LET ME START BY THANKING COUNCILMAN JULIAN RAMIREZ FOR INVITING ME TO THE TODAY'S SESSION.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING COLLABORATION AMONG OUR CITY'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY.
OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS REMIND US OF IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER IN SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
WE LIVE IN A TIME OF BOTH OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE.
WHILE OUR CITY, OUR NATION, AND OUR WORLD CONTINUE TO FACE COMPLEX ISSUES, WE HAVE ALSO WITNESSED REMARKABLE EXAMPLES OF RESILIENCE, COMPASSION, AND SERVICE.
IN MANY WAYS, RECENT YEARS HAVE REMINDED US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND THE VALUE OF COMING TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF ONE ANOTHER.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD, WE ARE PRESENTED WITH AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
HOW CAN WE HELP BUILD A MORE JUST COMPASSIONATE AND UNITED SOCIETY? THE ANSWER LIES NOT ONLY IN THE ACTIONS OF INSTITUTION AND LEADERS SUCH AS YOURSELVES, BUT ALSO IN THE CHOICES EACH OF US MAKES EVERY DAY.
THROUGH ACTS OF KINDNESS, SERVICE, AND GENUINE CARE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS,
[00:30:01]
WE CAN STRENGTHEN THE BONDS THAT CONNECT US AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLBEING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.AS PEOPLE OF FAITH AND GOODWILL, WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE SOURCES OF HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
WE CAN REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING, SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED, AND FOSTER MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS THAT PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND UNITY.
BY DOING SO, WE HELP CREATE A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE FEELS VALUED, RESPECTED, AND SUPPORTED.
AT THIS TIME WITH THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER AND HOPE, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A PRAYER FOR AMERICA, WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ABDUL BAHA IN CHICAGO IN 1912.
ABDUL BAHA, BEING THE SON OF PROPHET, FATHER OF BAHA FAITH, BAAH ALL TH KIND LORD, THIS GATHERING IS TURNING TO THEE.
THESE HEARTS ARE RADIANT WITH THY LOVE.
THESE MINDS AND SPIRITS ARE EXHILARATED BY THE MESSAGE OF THY GLAD TIDINGS.
OH GOD, LET THIS AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BECOME GLORIOUS IN HIS SPIRITUAL DEGREES, EVEN AS IT HAS ASPIRED TO MENTAL, TO MATERIAL DEGREES, AND RENDER THIS JUST GOVERNMENT VICTORIOUS.
CONFIRM THIS VERT NATIONS TO APPRAISE THE STANDARD OF THE ONENESS OF HUMANITY.
TO PROMULGATE THE MOST GREAT PEACE TO BECOME THEREBY MOST GLORIOUS AND PRAISEWORTHY AMONG ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
OH GOD, THIS AMERICAN NATION IS WORTHY OF THY FAVORS AND IS DESERVING OF THY MERCY.
MAKE IT PRECIOUS AND NEAR TO THEE THROUGH THY BOUNTY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW ME TO SHARE THIS PRAYER WITH YOU.
MAY WE ALL CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH HUMILITY, COMPASSION, AND A SHARED CONTRIBUTION TO BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR ALL.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE, OUR PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
[ROLL CALL AND ADOPT MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ]
SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ WILL BE ABSENT.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN HERE NEED A MOTION TO DELAY THE ADOPTION OF MINUTES.
MEMBERS, UH, BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR AGENDA TODAY, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO GET A CURRENT AND ACCURATE, UH, STATUS REPORT ON OUR WEATHER.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S DOMINATING EVERYONE'S CONVERSATIONS.
A LOT OF FLOODED VEHICLES YESTERDAY EVENING.
UM, THE EMERGENCY CENTER OPENED YESTERDAY AT FIVE.
UH, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THOSE DEDICATED CITY EMPLOYEES LED BY BRIAN MASON, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
EVERYONE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED TO FULL, UH, SERVICE.
SO, UH, WE'VE GOT SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, A TROPICAL STORM IN THE GULF, AND, UH, BRIAN IS MONITORING IT BY THE HOUR.
SO I WANTED EACH OF YOU TO HAVE THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE GET FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
SO, UH, WE DON'T LOOK AT YESTERDAY'S, UH, MISFORTUNES AND CONCERNS.
I, I WOULD EMPHASIZE AND THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXPRESS TO HOUSTONIANS AND OUR GUESTS DO NOT DRIVE INTO STANDING WATER.
WE KNOW IT'S HOUSTONIANS THAT JUST DOES NOT WORK.
RYAN, IF YOU'LL COME FORWARD AND GIVE US A STATUS REPORT, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I THINK YOU'RE THE BEST IN, IN THE PROFESSION.
I'LL GIVE YOU GUYS KIND OF A QUICK UPDATE AND ALLOW YOU GUYS TO
[00:35:01]
ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS MAY HAVE.SO, CITY OF HOUSTON, OFFICE OF E EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
WE'VE BEEN TRACKING THIS POTENTIAL RAIN EVENT FOR THE LAST FOUR TO FIVE DAYS.
STARTED PUTTING THINGS IN PLACE REALLY ON SUNDAY.
UH, WE STARTED A LOWER LAKE HOUSTON AFOOT, WHICH MEETS OUR NORMAL PROTOCOL.
UH, WE DEPLOYED BARRICADES AROUND THE CITY.
UM, OUT OF, OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION WITH THE FORECAST, WE WENT AHEAD AND CONVERTED, UH, SOME DUMP TRUCKS INTO HIGH WATER RESCUE VEHICLES.
AND WE WORKED WITH FIRE AND POLICE TO STAGE BOATS AND HIGH WATER RESCUE VEHICLES AROUND THE CITY.
SO THE INITIAL FORECAST WAS SHOWING SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES.
AS THE FORECAST HAS UNFOLDED THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, UH, THIS MORNING, THEY ACTUALLY ISSUED A, UM, POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE IS THE NEW TERM THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE STORM THAT'S OUT THERE.
UM, IT WILL MOST LIKELY BECOME TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR, UH, LATER TOMORROW, KIND OF LATE MORNING, MAYBE EARLY AFTERNOON.
THE CURRENT PATH HAS IT GOING OFFSHORE TO, TO THE EAST OF GALVESTON ISLAND, WHICH WILL HAVE HOPEFULLY MINIMAL IMPACTS FOR US HERE INSIDE THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
WE WOULD BE ON THE CLEAN SIDE OF THE STORM SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE ALL THE WIND AND RAIN THAT WOULD BE ON THE NORTH AND EAST SIDE OF THE STORM.
UM, SO JUST SOME OF THE GENERAL PREPAREDNESS ITEMS I ALREADY MENTIONED.
UM, LOWERED THE LAKE STAGE BARRICADES.
OUR HIGH WATER RESCUE VEHICLES ARE STAGED.
UM, FACTORING IN, OF COURSE IT WOULDN'T BE HOUSTON IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE WORLD CUP GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.
UH, JUST TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING.
SO FIRST COUPLE DAYS OF WORLD CUP, WE DEALT WITH A LOT OF SEVERE HEAT.
UM, THE LAST FEW DAYS WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MOISTURE.
UH, THE PLAN TODAY IS IT LOOKS LIKE THE WEATHER'S GONNA BREAK.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN FAN FEST.
UH, WHO'S SPEAKING? WE'RE FINE.
UH, AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN UP FAN FEST LATER TODAY, SIX 30 FOR THE 8:00 PM GAME TONIGHT WITH ARGENTINA.
AND THEN TOMORROW WE HAVE A MATCH HERE.
SO THE WAY THE FORECAST IS SHAKEN OUT RIGHT NOW, UM, WE DO HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF SOME RAIN, SOME LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN TOMORROW DURING MATCH TIME.
UH, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON GETTING PEOPLE TO AND FROM THE STADIUM.
I SAY ALL THAT WITH CAUTION BECAUSE IT IS VERY MOIST AND HUMID OUT THERE.
SO MY REQUEST TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE RESIDENTS IS PLEASE MAKE SURE PREPARED, PLEASE MAKE SURE WE ARE MONITORING THE WEATHER FROM TRUSTED RESOURCES, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, HOUSTON OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
JUST DON'T FOLLOW SOME RANDOM BLOGGERS OUT THERE.
AND IT'S A GOOD REMINDER TO EVERYBODY.
WE HAVE A KIT, WE'RE GETTING INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED RESOURCES AND ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY LIKE TO FOCUS ON IS MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GETTING CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER, CONNECTED COMMUNITIES RECOVER FASTER AND THEY'RE MUCH MORE RESILIENT FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT.
SO THAT'S KIND OF A HIGH LEVEL OF, UH, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE WEATHER.
AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
YOU GUYS MAY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MEMBERS.
IF NOT, THANK YOU BRIAN, FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND I KNOW YOU'LL BE IN A PROCLAMATION ROOM IF THE PRESS HAS ANY INQUIRIES.
I SEE RANDY IN THE BACK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THEY'RE AT FULL FORCE PREPARING THEIR EQUIPMENT, OBVIOUSLY SO IS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
SO WE'RE PREPARED AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK AND BLESSING, IT WILL GO EAST OF US AND, UH, WE CAN GET BACK FOCUSED ON THE WORLD CUP.
TONIGHT SHOULD BE AN EXCITING EVENING.
AND, UH, METRO IS DEALING WITH THE HEAT AND THE LINES THAT WERE AT NRG YESTERDAY.
UH, EVERYTHING'S REALLY GOING WELL BECAUSE OF THE PLANNING.
ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, IS THERE ANY PROCEDURAL MOTIONS? COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER HAS A PROCEDURAL MOTION.
UH, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MOVE MCKENZIE NA AND CHARLOTTE NALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TWO MINUTE.
AND TO ADD JACOB FERMENTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ONE MINUTE HUFFMAN SECONDS MOTIONS MADE.
[PUBLIC SPEAKERS]
SECRETARY, PLEASE CALL OUR FIRST, UH, SPEAKER.DARRYL HARPER TO BE FOLLOWED BY AMY.
[00:40:17]
WHEN EVERYONE RECEIVE ONE, I WILL YIELD BACK MY REMAINING ALLOWING TIME AND I THANK YOU ALL.AMY, GOOD TO BE FOLLOWED BY ELISKA.
I THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
I'M A NATIVE TEXAN, A HOUSTONIAN FOR 32 YEARS, A HOCKEY MOM, PLAYER AND COACH, A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE HTX STORM GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.
AND TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP TO AVOID OR DELAY THE DESTRUCTION OF A LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY ASSET.
MEMORIAL CITY RINK HAS BEEN USED BY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOUSTONIANS OVER 20 YEARS IN OPERATIONS, IS OWNED BY METRO NATIONAL AND IS DUE TO CLOSE IN 44 DAYS.
AND TO BE DEMOLISHED THIS FALL FROM BIRTHDAY PARTIES TO NUTCRACKER, LEARN TO SKATE FIGURE SKATING, HOCKEY, ICE THEATER.
MEMORIAL CITY RINK HOSTS 1500 REGULAR SKATERS, ANOTHER THOUSAND OCCASIONAL SKATERS EACH WEEK IN HOUSTON.
OPENS AS EARLY AS 6:00 AM AND RUNS THROUGH 11:00 PM EACH DAY WITH A CHOCKFULL SCHEDULE.
THERE ARE ONLY FIVE REGULATION SIZE ICE RINKS IN HOUSTON, WHICH PALES IN COMPARISON TO DALLAS, WHICH HAS 23 FULL SIZE SHEETS OF ICE RINKS LIKE THIS, TAKE A MINIMUM OF THREE TO FIVE OR EVEN 10 YEARS TO DEVELOP AND BUILD WITH COSTS RANGING FROM 15 TO $20 MILLION FOR A SINGLE SHEET FACILITY TO WELL OVER A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FOR MULTI-SPORT ARENA FACILITIES.
TO SEE A RINK THAT'S THRIVING, PROFITABLE, AND IN GOOD REPAIR TO BE DEMOLISHED WITH NO PLANS FOR REPLACEMENT IS DEVASTATING FOR OUR ICE SPORTS COMMUNITY.
THE ABSENCE OF A CENTRALLY LOCATED ICE RINK IN HOUSTON CAN MAKE COMMUTES PROHIBITIVE AND SIMPLY RAISE TOO HIGH A BARRIER FOR MANY HOUSTONIANS TO EXPERIENCE OR EVEN TRY ICE SPORTS.
ON BEHALF OF OUR ICE SPORTS COMMUNITY, OUR ASK OF CITY COUNCIL IS TWOFOLD TODAY.
ONE, TO EXTEND THE LI THE LIFE OF MEMORIAL CITY ICE RINK BY DENYING ANY COMMERCIAL OR PERMITTING REQUESTS THAT EXPEND HOUSTON TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DESTROY THIS COMMUNITY ASSET.
AND TWO, TO WORK WITH OUR NEWLY FORMED HOUSTON ICE SPORTS COALITION NONPROFIT TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR THE CITY TO ASSIST WITH DEVELOPING A NEW CENTRALLY LOCATED ICE RINK AS A COMMUNITY ASSET TO SERVE HOUSTON RESIDENTS.
THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MODEL HAS BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY ACROSS THE US TO DEVELOP RINKS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABLE OVER TIME.
WE'D WELCOME YOU TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION THIS SATURDAY.
YOUR YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED AT 1 45.
NEXT SPEAKER, ELISKA GOODE TO BE, TO BE FOLLOWED BY MACKENZIE NALL.
AND I COME BEFORE YOU ALL TODAY TO DISCUSS THE PROSPECTS OF REOPENING THE MEMORIAL CITY ICE RINK.
AND IF THAT'S NOT A FEASIBLE OPTION, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT ANOTHER ICE RINK BE BUILT IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA.
LEMME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
I'M ONLY 15 YEARS OLD, BUT I PLAY FOR THE 19 U DALLAS STARS ELITE TIER ONE TEAM, WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF YOUTH HOCKEY IN THE COUNTRY.
BUT BEFORE ANY OF THESE TOURNAMENTS, ANY OF THE PRACTICES, ANY OF THE WORKOUTS, I WAS JUST A LITTLE KID LEARNING HOW TO BALANCE ON SKATES AND MEMORIAL CITY'S ICE RINK.
AND I'M GLAD MEMORIAL OPENED THIS PATHWAY.
TO ME, HOCKEY HAS GIVEN ME COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES.
IT'S GIVEN ME EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORT FRIENDS, AND MOST OF ALL, A PURPOSE IN LIFE.
MY DAD LIKES TO TELL ME THAT I'M EITHER PLAYING HOCKEY OR I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.
BUT ONE OF MEMORIAL CITY'S BEST TRAITS IS ITS PROXIMITY TO THE CENTRAL HOUSTON AREA.
THE TRAINING THAT BROUGHT ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY REQUIRES ME TO WAKE UP AT 5:00 AM IN THE MORNING TO ATTEND MORNING PRACTICES AT MEMORIAL.
THAT'S EARLY, BUT IF IT WERE TO BE MOVED TO OTHER RINKS, I WOULD HAVE TO WAKE UP EARLY LIKE 4:00 AM AND I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS OTHER PEOPLE OVER HALF OF, UH, SORRY.
A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF HOUSTON'S FIGURE SKATING AND HOCKEY COMMUNITY LIVE CLOSEST TO MEMORIAL CITY.
MOVING THIS RINK PUTS THEM IN LIMBO BETWEEN SPORT AND LIFE.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE MALL MEANS TO I AND COUNTLESS OTHERS GET TO SHARE OUR LOVE FOR THE SPORT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
WHETHER I'M COACHING MY BROTHER'S AU TEAM OR ENDURING A LONG PRACTICE, I CATCH BYSTANDERS OVERCOME WITH CURIOSITY WATCHING ESCAPE.
MY FAVORITE PART IS SEEING THE LITTLE KIDS AND TODDLERS ASK THEIR PARENTS TO TRY ON A PAIR OF SKATES.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO REOPEN THE RINK SO THAT I CAN PRESERVE MY MEMORIES.
I'M ASKING YOU TO REOPEN THE RINK SO THAT OTHER CHILDREN LIKE ME CAN MAKE THOSE MEMORIES SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME CAPTIVATED BY THIS AMAZING SPORT IN WAYS THAT CANNOT BE DESCRIBED IN WORDS.
I'M HONORED TO HAVE GOTTEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU ALL, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL COLLECTIVELY HELP SAVE MEMORIAL CITY RINK.
NEXT SPEAKER, MACKENZIE NALL TO BE
[00:45:01]
FOLLOWED BY CHARLOTTE NALL.I SPOKE AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST MONTH AND I WANTED TO COME BACK.
NOW THAT METRO NATIONAL IS ASKING THE CITY FOR SOMETHING TO TEAR DOWN THE ICE RINK.
I'VE BEEN, I'VE BEEN FIGURE SKATING FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS NOW, AND ICE SKATE MEMORIAL CITY IS PART OF MY DAILY LIFE.
I JUST CAME FROM THERE AND I'M THERE SIX DAYS PER WEEK.
MY SKATING TEAM, THE HOUSTON ICE THEATER SKATERS, LEAVES FOR NATIONALS ON MONDAY.
AND AS ALWAYS, WE ARE PROUD TO REPRESENT BOTH HOUSTON AND MEMORIAL FIGURE SKATING CLUB.
I UNDERSTAND REDEVELOPMENT DECISIONS CAN BE COMPLICATED, BUT I'M ASKING THE CITY TO HELP BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE THIS COMMUNITY ASSET IS LOST.
WHETHER THAT MEANS EXTENDING THE RINKS OPERATION, HELPING NEGOTIATE A TRANSITION, OR EXPLORING WAYS TO PRESERVE IT, I HOPE EVERY OPTION WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THE MEMORIAL ICE RINK CANNOT BE PRESERVED.
WE ARE HOPING TO BUILD A RINK, BUT THAT TAKES TIME, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE ASKING THE CITY FOR HELP IN AT LEAST EXTENDING THE RINKS OPERATION.
WE HOPE THAT THE CITY WILL PARTNER WITH OUR NEW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, HOUSTON EYE SPORTS COALITION, AND BUILDING A NEW RINK FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS RINK GIVES KIDS, YEAH, GO AHEAD, WRAP UP.
THIS RINK GIVES KIDS LIKE ME A SAFE, STRUCTURED PLACE TO SPEND THEIR TIME, LEARN, DISCIPLINE, BUILD, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND WORK TOWARDS THEIR GOALS.
I HOPE YOU'LL HELP ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.
I HOPE YOU ALL WILL CONSIDER ATTENDING THE POLICE VERSUS FIREFIGHTER HOCKEY GAME AT THE RINK ON JULY 11TH WITH THE PUCK DROP AT 8:15 PM WE WILL RESERVE A SPACE FOR YOU TO ENJOY THE GAME.
JUST EMAIL, SAVE MEMORIAL CITY ICEFRANK@GMAIL.COM.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MS. NOLL.
MS. NOLL, WE DO HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER WITH A QUESTION.
THANKS FOR FOR COMING BACK AND THANK YOU TO OUR OTHER, OTHER SPEAKERS.
I SEE WE ALL GOT FLYERS FOR THE, UM, GUNS AND HOSES, UM, HOCKEY GAME, SO, UH, THAT'LL BE GREAT AND WE'LL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HOUSTON ICE SPORTS COALITION.
NEXT SPEAKER, CHARLOTTE NOLL TO BE FOLLOWED BY DARNELL FENNEL.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY WORKING TO PRESERVE ICE SKATE MEMORIAL CITY.
I SPOKE AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST MONTH, AND I THINK SOME OF YOU ALL FELT LIKE YOUR HANDS WERE TIED BECAUSE IT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT FURTHER TODAY.
METRO NATIONAL RESPONDED TO MY PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST REQUESTING A A AND IT SHOWS, SORRY.
THEY RESPONDED WITH A LETTER THAT SHOWS THANK YOU.
UH, THEY'RE REQUESTING A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY FOR THIS VERY PROPERTY WHERE IT PLANS TO DEMOLISH A COMMUNITY ASSET.
IF A CHAPTER THREE 80 AGREEMENT TURNS PARTICIPATION OR ANY FORM OF PUBLIC INCENTIVE IS BEING CONSIDERED, THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING REQUESTED AND WHAT IS BEING EXCHANGED AS A FORMAL OR INFORMAL CHAPTER 3 80 80 REQUESTS BE BEEN MADE AND WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF ANY INCENTIVE PACKAGE? IS ANY PUBLIC FUNDING OR TS PARTICIPATION BEING PROPOSED TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OR REDEVELOPMENT COSTS? AND WHAT PUBLIC BENEFITS ARE BEING REQUIRED IN RETURN FOR THAT PARTICIPATION? I WOULD ALSO ASK THAT AS PART OF EVALUATING PUBLIC BENEFIT, THE CITY IN TURT CONSIDER THE IMPACT ON EXISTING COMMUNITY ASSETS WITHIN THE AREA.
HAS THERE, SORRY, CAN I CONTINUE? GO AHEAD.
UM, HAS THERE BEEN ANY ANALYSIS OF HOW REDEVELOPMENT WOULD AFFECT LONGSTANDING RECREATIONAL USES LIKE THE ICE RINK AND WHETHER PRESERVATION, RELOCATION, OR REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN? PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SHOULD CLEARLY DEFINE BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTNERSHIP.
IF PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE INVOLVED, THEN PUBLIC BENEFITS NEED TO BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AND MEASURABLE, NOT ASSUMED.
I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE CITY TO USE ITS INFLUENCE TO BRING THE PARTIES TOGETHER AND EXPLORE OPTIONS THAT WOULD KEEP THE RINK OPERATING LONGER, WHILE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS ARE BEING EVALUATED.
IF PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE BEING REQUESTED, THEN PRESERVING COMMUNITY VALUE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ALONGSIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
I, I PASSED, UM, I PASSED OUT THE LETTER AND HIGHLIGHTED AND THEN I PASSED OUT MY RESPONSE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
WE DO HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER IN Q UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, THANK YOU FOR, UM, COMING FORWARD AGAIN, UM, TO KEEP US UPDATED ON THIS.
I HAVEN'T BEEN BRIEFED ON, UM, ANY OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS YET, BUT, UM, I'M GONNA READ YOUR LETTER AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE.
BOL ICE COUNCIL MEMBER ICE BREAK COUNCIL.
MS. NOLL, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WITH A QUESTION.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING US TO OUR ATTENTION.
LIKE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN SAID, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE CITY HAD ANY ROLE
[00:50:01]
IN THIS POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT, SO THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR HOMEWORK AND BRINGING THIS TO US.I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN AND ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL TO GET ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS.
UM, AND IF IT'S OKAY, I'LL STEP ASIDE AND GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION SO WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU WITH THE FIRST THING WE LEARN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING.
DARNELL FENNEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY SHARON WHITE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AS MEMBERS OF, AS A MEMBER OF CLERGY, I UNDERSTAND THAT LEADERSHIP CARRIES BOTH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND A SACRED OBLIGATION.
SERVING PEOPLE REQUIRES EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND COMMITMENT TO BEING QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, OFFICES AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.
ON JUNE 12TH, I POSTED A SIMPLE QUESTION IN A THIRD WARD COMMUNITY FACEBOOK GROUP, ASKING ABOUT OTHERS' EXPERIENCES COMMUNICATING WITH DISTRICT D.
I DID SO BECAUSE COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN CHALLENGING FOR ME.
OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ WAS TAGGED IN THAT DISCUSSION BY THE GROUP'S ADMINISTRATOR.
SHE DIDN'T ASK ME TO PRIVATELY SHARE MY CONCERNS TO HER FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
I DID SO RESPECTFULLY AND GRACIOUSLY.
SHE INFORMED ME THAT HER TEAM WOULD GIVE BACK TO ME BY THE END OF DAY WHEN I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HER OFFICE.
THE STAFF MEMBER INDICATED THEY NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH ANOTHER TEAM MEMBER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON.
LATER THAT EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ RETURNED TO FACEBOOK TO A PUBLIC FORUM TO ADDRESS ME AND SAY THAT THE OFFICE HAD BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH ME IN THE PAST AND ACTED IN GOOD FAITH.
THE PUBLIC RECORD SHOULD REFLECT.
SHE SAYS THAT HER OFFICE HAD PREVIOUSLY CONNECTED ME WITH RE AM I, HANG ON ONE SECOND.
YEAH, JUST PAUSE FOR A MINUTE.
BUT I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HER OFFICE.
THE STAFF MEMBER INDICATED THEY NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH ANOTHER TEAM MEMBER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON.
LATER THAT EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ RETURNED TO THE PUBLIC FORUM TO ADDRESS ME AND STATED THAT HER TEAM HAD BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH ME IN THE PAST.
SHE WANTED THE PUBLIC RECORD TO REFLECT THE FACTS.
SHE SAYS, SHE STATED THAT HER OFFICE HAD PREVIOUSLY CONNECTED ME WITH RESOURCES BY EMAIL, AND THAT I HAD BEEN UNRESPONSIVE.
I FOUND IT CONCERNING THAT THESE CLAIMS ARE MADE PUBLIC RATHER THAN BEING VERIFIED THROUGH ME THROUGH A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH THE CONSTITUENT, I HAVE PROOF HERE.
I HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT DISTRICT D'S OFFICE WITHOUT ANY WRITTEN RESPONSE.
AFTER RECEIVING LITTLE PROGRESS THROUGH DISTRICT DI EXPANDED MY REACH TO SEVERAL AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR OFFICE RESPONDED PROMPTLY, PROVIDED GUIDANCE AND HELPED MY CONCERNS FORWARD.
THROUGHOUT THOSE EXCHANGES, DISTRICT D WAS COPIED BY ME, BUT DID NOT EVER CHIME IN.
MY PURPOSE TODAY IS NOT TO LITIGATE A FACEBOOK POST, HOWEVER IT IS.
HOW WOULD CITY COUNCIL MEASURING RESPONSIVENESS TO CONSTITUENT CONCERNS, WHAT SYSTEMS OR TECHNOLOGIES ARE WE SEEKING TO REPORT MECHANISMS THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED SO THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED SO RESIDENTS CAN TRACK REQUESTS, KNOW WHO'S RESPONSIBLE, AND UNDERSTAND WHAT ACTION IS BEING TAKEN.
HOUSTON RESIDENTS DESERVE TRANSPARENCY.
WE DESERVE COMMUNICATION AND WE DESERVE CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN WE REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICIALS, OUR CONCERNS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED, TRACKED, AND ADDRESSED.
DID YOU SAY YOU REACHED OUT ON, ON FACEBOOK? I ASKED A COMMUNITY QUESTION ON FACEBOOK.
WELL, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, SHABAZZ IS IN THE QUEUE.
UM, I'M, I'M JUST GONNA FIRST SAY THAT THE PEOPLE SITTING IN THESE SEATS ARE ALL HUMAN AND WE HAVE HUMAN FEELINGS AND WE TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT OUR OFFICES DO.
AND I PERSONALLY, WHEN I FIND THAT THEY MAY HAVE FALLEN SHORT, I DO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.
UM, MY INITIAL REACTION, CERTAINLY WHEN I SAW YOUR POST WAS CONCERN BECAUSE MY PUBLIC REPUTATION AND MY NAME IS ON THE LINE, WHENEVER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DISTRICT D AND I INITIALLY APOLOGIZED TO YOU BECAUSE IF WHAT YOU HAD CONVEYED WAS ACTUALLY THE FACTS, THEN I CERTAINLY HAVE A PROBLEM.
AND I FELT THAT THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE.
[00:55:01]
WELL, AFTER, UM, INVESTIGATING AND GIVING MY TEAM THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ME INFORMATION, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS ENGAGEMENT FROM MY OFFICE AS WELL AS ENGAGEMENT FROM AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS.AND THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM AS WELL, BECAUSE WHEN WE FIND THAT ONE COUNCIL MEMBER IS HANDLING A SITUATION, WE NORMALLY DON'T DUPLICATE THEIR EFFORTS.
AND SO THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY, BUT I FELT THAT WHEN YOU WENT PUBLIC, THEN YOU PUT THAT OUT THERE FOR ME TO RESPOND PUBLICLY.
AND SO THAT, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE FACED WITH WHEN YOU DO THAT.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF MAYBE YOU AND I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO SAY, CERTAINLY, BUT MAYBE IF YOU WOULD'VE GONE ON YOUR POST AND ASKED FOR ME TO RESPOND, BECAUSE WHEN I DID FIND OUT THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO REACH ME, I RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY.
I WAS NOT TRYING TO REACH YOU.
THE POST DOES NOT REFLECT SUCH.
WELL, NO, YOU JUST WANTED TO GET FEEDBACK FROM MY OFFICE, FROM MY FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOU THAT I GOT IT FROM MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACTUALLY.
SO, AND, AND I'VE SENT THAT YOUR OFFICE, YOU GOT WHAT YOU NEEDED.
I'VE SINCE MET WITH YOUR OFFICE AND YOUR OFFICE HAS OWN I'LL LET YOU TALK THAT THEY ARE, I'LL LET YOU EXCUSE ME, SIR.
IT'S HER TIME TO RESPOND BACK TO YOUR COMMENTS.
WELL, AGAIN, UM, I, THE QUESTION WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED, IT, IT SEEMED MORE LIKE YOU WERE CALLING, CALLING MY OFFICE OUT.
AND I'M VERY, VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT.
UM, AND SO WHEN YOU DID THAT, AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE FACTS MAY HAVE BEEN JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN I DID RESPOND PUBLICLY.
AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO OUT AND, I MEAN, YOU'RE HERE TODAY PUBLICLY, AND I THINK MY OFFICE HAS SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME WITH YOU THIS MORNING TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
AND, UH, I BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED, ESPECIALLY SINCE THAT PARTICULAR STREET OF YOUR CONCERN HAS BEEN CLOSED OFF.
SO IT'S REALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S STILL A NEED FOR THE SIGNAGE THAT YOU ASKED FOR, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I'M GONNA DO BETTER, SIR.
HOPEFULLY I WILL NOT BE AS SENSITIVE.
I CAN'T PROMISE THAT THOUGH, BECAUSE WHEN YOU SPEAK OUT AGAINST MY OFFICE, WHO I KNOW THEY'RE WORKING VERY, VERY HARD AND WE GET A PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS THROUGH EMAIL, PHONE CALLS.
HAVE WE MISSED SOME? I'M CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THAT'S JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.
BUT WE HAVE OUR HEARTS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
I THINK WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD RECORD OF RESPONDING.
AND SO CERTAINLY I'M GOING TO JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN.
UH, BUT WHEN YOU CHOOSE A PUBLIC FORUM, THEN YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO GET A PUBLIC RESPONSE.
JULIO SANA TO BE FOLLOWED BY CARRIE RICE OF CYPRUS.
YOU STILL READING THIS? UH, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR.
UH, LAST YEAR, DECEMBER 18TH, UH, MY LIFE CHANGED.
UH, I WAS ARRESTED BY HPD AND I WAS, UH, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A 2025 CAMARO.
WELL, ANYWAY, THEY WERE THE GUYS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ROBBED THE ARMOR TRUCK.
I LOST MY VEHICLE AND UH, I ENDED UP IN THE HARRIS CENTER.
UH, I SPOKE WITH, UH, ONE OF THE MAYOR'S SECURITY DETAIL LAST WEEK, AND HE TOLD ME TO COME OVER HERE, HAVE A BEATING WITH, UH, ALL OF Y'ALL.
UH, I WAS INJURED IN THE INCIDENT, YOU KNOW, SO I CAN'T WORK THAT MUCH.
I JUST GOT A JOB WITH METRO, A THIRD PARTY, UH, UH, LIKE A COMPANY.
AND, UH, RIGHT NOW I'M STRUGGLING 'CAUSE WITHOUT MY VEHICLE, IT HOUSTON'S A BIG CITY, YOU KNOW? AND, UH, I'M GOING THROUGH A LOT OF PAIN ALL OVER MY BODY.
[01:00:01]
SO THAT'S WHY I CAME TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE, SEE IF I CAN GET SOME HELP GETTING MY VEHICLE BACK, YOU KNOW.UH, MR. SANA, CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM YOUR ZIP CODE? ARE YOU 7 72 OR 73? UH, 73.
AND THERE'S A BEER, BUT I'M, I'M NOT TEMP THERE NO MORE BECAUSE I LOST EVERYTHING.
AND I COULDN'T PAY THE APARTMENT, SO I ENDED UP AT THE HARRIS CENTER, WHICH JUST OPENED UP.
UM, WHO'S 73? IS THAT JAY? IS THAT B YOU GOT IT? OR YOU WANT ME TO? OKAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON'S GONNA FOLLOW.
IS IS ANYONE? HE'S 74 HHPD THAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP HIM.
NOW CAN Y CAN Y'ALL TALK TO HIM NOW AND HELP HIM FIND HIS VEHICLE? NEXT SPEAKER.
CARRIE RICE, JANET HARRIS, THE PASADENA, JANET HARRIS.
SOMEBODY MAYBE THEY'RE LEAVING.
GEORGE LAB BLANC
NEXT SPEAKER, JOSEPH JENNINGS.
JOSEPH JENNINGS TO BE FOLLOWED BY JESSICA LEBERT, THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE SPEAKING TO THE MIC.
THE ANONYMOUS DECLARATION OF THE 13 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS BECOMES NECESSARY FOR ONE PEOPLE TO DISSOLVE THE POLITICAL BONDS THAT HAVE CONNECTED THEM WITH ANOTHER AND ASSUME AMONG THE POWERS OF THE EARTH.
THAT SEPARATE AND EQUAL STATION, WHICH NATURE'S LAWS AND NATURE'S GOD ENTITLE THEM.
A DECENT RESPECT FOR THE OPINION OF MANKIND REQUIRES THAT THEY DECLARE THE CAUSES THAT HAVE LED THEM TO THAT SEPARATION.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS.
THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
AND THAT TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS, GOVERNMENTS ARE INSTITUTED AMONG MEN, DERIVING THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERN.
AND THAT WHEN ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE OF THESE ENDS, IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO ALTER OR TO ABOLISH IT.
AND INSTITUTE NEW GOVERNMENT LAYING ITS FOUNDATIONS ON SUCH PRINCIPLES AND ORGANIZING ITS POWERS IN SUCH FORMS AS TO THEM THAT SHALL BEST AFFECT THEIR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS.
PRUDENCE INDEED WILL DICTATE THAT GOVERNMENT'S LONG ESTABLISHED SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED FOR LIGHT AND TRANSIENT CAUSES.
AND ACCORDINGLY, ALL EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MANKIND IS MORE DISPOSED TO SUFFER WHILE EVILS ARE SUFFERABLE, THAN TO WRITE THEMSELVES BY ABOLISHING THE FORMS TO WHICH THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED.
BUT WHEN A LONG CHAIN OF ABUSES AND US PATIENCE PURSUING INVARIABLY THE SAME OBJECT, INVENTS A DESIGN TO REDUCE THEM UNDER ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM, IT IS THEIR RIGHT.
IT IS THEIR DUTY TO THROW OFF SUCH GOVERNMENT AND TO PROVIDE NEW GUARDS FOR THEIR FUTURE SECURITY.
THESE ARE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE GEOGRAPHIC SPACE OF THE CURRENT UNITED STATES, BUT ALL FOR ALL HUMANKIND.
AND AS WAS SUCH PRINCIPLES, USE THEM OR LOSE THEM.
KNOW THAT JESSICA LEBERT, JESSICA LEBERT TO BE FOLLOWED BY KEVIN BRADLEY.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JESSICA LEBAR AND I'M A DISTRICT H RESIDENT LIVING AT EAST SUNSET HEIGHTS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A BREAKDOWN IN CITY COORDINATION.
IT'S ACTIVELY EXPOSING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO CATASTROPHIC FLOODING LIABILITY.
OUR COMMUNITY IS ALREADY HYPER VULNERABLE.
[01:05:01]
FEMA RECENTLY UPDATED OUR LOCAL FLOOD MAPS, SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDING THE HIGH RISK FLOOD ZONES ACROSS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.THIS INCREASED DANGER IS DRIVEN BY RAPID DENSE OVER DEVELOPMENT.
OLDER 1000 SQUARE FOOT HOMES LIKE MINE ARE BEING TORN DOWN AND RE PARCELED INTO TIGHT 3000 SQUARE FOOT LOTS TO BUILD MASSIVE ZERO LOT LINE TOWN HOMES.
THIS EXPLOSION OF IMPERVIOUS CONCRETE COVER HAS STRIPPED AWAY THE SOIL THAT'S USED TO ABSORB RAINWATER, FORCING MASSIVE VOLUMES OF NEW STORM WATER RUNOFF DIRECTLY ONTO OUR STREETS.
RECOGNIZING THIS CRITICAL THREAT, THE CITY OF HOUSTON SPENT APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS ON MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS TO WIDEN, DEEPEN AND ENGINEER THE ROADSIDE DRAINAGE DITCHES ON OUR STREET TO HANDLE THIS EXACT BURDEN.
YET RIGHT NOW, THE CITY IS ALLOWING A SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER AT 8 3 9 EAST 27TH STREET TO COMPLETELY UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET.
THEY FILLED THE ENGINEERED PUBLIC DITCH WITH GRAVEL TO CONSTRUCT AN UNPERMITTED PRIVATE PARKING PAD INSIDE A HIGH RISK AE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN.
CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS HAVE VERIFIED THIS HAZARD AND ISSUED THREE SEPARATE RED TAG VIOLATIONS.
THE HOMEOWNER HAS, HAS NOW HAD ALMOST 365 DAYS A FULL YEAR TO REMEDIATE THIS PROBLEM THEMSELVES.
SINCE RECEIVING THAT FIRST OFFICIAL NOTICE, YET THEY'VE CHOSEN TO DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
I, WHEN I WENT TO DISTRICT H STAFF, THEY ADMITTED THEY CLOSED TICKETS BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL MISCOMMUNICATION.
WHEN I WENT TO THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT OFFICE, THEY CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T ACT BECAUSE THE ILLEGAL FILL IS ON STEADY PROPERTY IGNORING CHAPTER 19 OF OUR OWN CODE, WHICH GIVES THEM SOLE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT.
MOST STEMMING OF ALL THIS BUREAUCRACY CANNOT CLAIM IGNORANCE.
I HAVE A COPY, COPY OF A COMPREHENSIVE EMAIL DIS DETAILING THIS ENTIRE CRISIS THAT I SENT DIRECTLY TO DEAR TO MAYOR WHITTIER'S OFFICE, TO CITY OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR CHOICE MOREAU, AND TO THE DISTRICT AGE OFFICE.
FURTHERMORE, I'VE SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH THE CITY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE PENDING MUNICIPAL CITATION.
THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE COURT CASE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR A MONETARY FINE.
THE MUNICIPAL COURT CANNOT ORDER THE PHYSICAL REMEDIATION OR RESTORATION OF OUR DRAINAGE DITCH.
WAITING ON THE COURT WILL NEVER SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
THE GRAVEL IS AN ILLEGAL PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTION INSIDE A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, SITTING ON PROPERTY CITY PROPERTY THAT THE CITY OWNS.
AS YOU I HAVE FORMALLY FILED MY A COPY WITH THE CITY SECRETARY ESTABLISHING ACTUAL NOTICE UNDER THE TEXAS TORTS CLAIM ACTS IF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FLOODS, THE CITY CANNOT CLAIM IGNORANCE.
MAYOR WHITMEYER, I'M ASKING YOU TO DIRECT PUBLIC HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS LEADERSHIP TODAY TO BYPASS THE COURT'S FINE PROCESS AND ORDER AN EMERGENCY RIGHT OF WAY ABATEMENT, SEND A SEND A CITY CREW TO DIG THAT GRAVEL OUT OF OUR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, PROTECT OUR HOMES, AND SECURE OUR $3.5 MILLION TAX PAPER INVESTMENT BEFORE THE NEXT HEAVY RAIN.
AND JESSICA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I KNOW YOU'RE, UM, QUITE FRUSTRATED BY THE SITUATION AND RIGHTFULLY SO.
IT'S, IT'S BEEN A NUMBER OF MONTHS THAT MY TEAM HAS BEEN ENGAGING WITH YOU ON THIS AND NOT MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.
UM, I WILL SAY THAT THE COURT DATE THAT'S COMING UP, UM, AS YOU MENTIONED, IS FOR MONETARY CITATIONS.
AND SINCE THE RED TAGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND INSPECTIONS, UM, HAVE GONE ON, THE LOCATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO FIELD INSPECTIONS TO VERIFY IF THE, UM, UNPERMITTED WORK HAS BEEN REMEDIATED.
IF IT'S NOT, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CITATIONS AND THAT IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET COMPLIANCE FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER, UH, EVEN IF IT IS JUST MONETARY CITATIONS.
BUT, UH, I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PUBLIC WORKS ON POTENTIAL WAYS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
UH, I HAVE SEEN THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE DONE TO THE STREET, THE, THE WIDENING OF THE DITCHES.
UM, IT IS A DRAINAGE PROJECT AND I KNOW THE, THE VULNER VULNERABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY THERE.
SO, UM, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU.
MY TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU.
UH, WE HAVE PUBLIC WORKS HERE AS WELL.
IF, UH, YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH THEM DIRECTLY, UH, TO GET THE MOST LATEST UP TO DATE.
UH, BUT I KNOW THE FRUSTRATION IS THERE.
UM, KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA JUST KIND OF LET YOU HANG OUT TO DRY.
[01:10:01]
SO THE JUDGE CAN'T ISSUE A STRUCTURAL MEDIATION ORDER TO CLEAR THE CITY RIGHT OF WAY.I WOULD, UH, DEFER TO OUR, OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON THAT.
UH, I VETTED THAT WITH THE CITY PROSECUTOR.
GO AHEAD AND, UM, MEET WITH SAL.
SAL FROM PUBLIC WORKS IS HERE.
HE CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.
NEXT SPEAKER, STACEY FAIRCHILD.
ANTONIA WARREN TO BE FOLLOWED BY JESUS BEDELL.
WOULD YOU SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE? GOOD DAY ALL.
SO TODAY IS THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD.
I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY, SIGNIFICANCE, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS.
THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD IS COMMEMORATED ANNUALLY ON JUNE 16TH, ACROSS AFRICA AND AMONG AFRICAN COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE.
THE OBSERVANCE SERVES AS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF THE STRUGGLE, SACRIFICES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE AFRICAN CHILD OR CHILDREN.
IT HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, ENSURING ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, PROMOTING CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATIONS AND ABUSE, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY, OAU, KNOWN AS THE AFRICAN UNION.
THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD COM RAISED THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE 1976 SOWETO UPRISING IN SOUTH AFRICA.
THEIR PROTESTS AGAINST EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITIES AND RACIAL, UH, OPERATIONS BECAME DEFINING MOMENT IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST APPETITE AND REMAINS A SYMBOL OF RESISTANCE AGAINST INJUSTICE WORLDWIDE.
SO TODAY, THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD PROMOTES AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATORS, CIVIL, UH, SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND, UH, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AND COMMUNITIES TO ACCESS PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS IMPROVING, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, WHILE ADDRESSING PERSISTENT CHALLENGES AFFECTING MILLIONS OF AFRICAN CHILDREN.
SO, UM, THE HOUSTON TRAILBLAZERS BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN TO COMMEMORATE THIS DAY, WE ARE DONATING THESE BOOKS TO LIBRARIES WITHIN CERTAIN, UH, ZIP CODES.
ZIP CODE 0 3 3, ZIP CODE 0 0 4, ZIP CODE 0 5 1 TO KEEP THIS DAY CONTINUOUSLY IN THE MIND OF THE COMMUNITIES OF OUR NATION.
SO, AND THIS THE TOPIC IS WHY THE MOSQUITO BARS IN PEOPLE'S EARS AS A TITLE OF THIS BOOK THAT WILL BE DONATED TO DAYCARES AROUND OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND THIS IS DONATED BY THE HOUSTON TRAILBLAZERS BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN HERE IN HOUSTON.
SO WE, UH, WANT TO ADDRESS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE OBJECTIVES, THE PROMOTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, ADVOCATE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION, ADDRESS, CHILDREN'S PARENT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED ISSUES AND ENCOURAGE POLICY REFORMS. THESE ARE AMONGST THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR BEING HERE.
JESUS MADE TO BE FOLLOWED BY RIA STEPTO.
[01:15:02]
I JUST, UH, GREETED YOU IN ONE MY NATIVE, UH, LANGUAGES AND UH, I'M HERE TO PROPOSE THE RENAMING OF THE HISPANIC AND HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER TO READ HISPANIC AND CHICANO RESEARCH CENTER.I PRESENTED A RESOLUTION TO, UH, LULAC COUNCIL 49 67 ON JANUARY THE 29TH OF 2026.
AND IT WAS, UH, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THAT, UH, COUNCIL.
SO I WILL READ BRIEFLY THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS APPROVED BY LULAC COUNCIL 49 67, WHEREAS MU GUADALUPE ASLAN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL SIDA PARTY AND THE LAN EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR MORE CULTURAL DIVERSITY BY RENAMING THE HISPANIC HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER TO READ HISPANIC AND CHICANO HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER.
WHEREAS PATRONS OF HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT FROM JESUS DEL GUADALUPE LANS COLLECTION THAT IS CURRENTLY HOUSED AT THE HOUSTON ME METROPOLITAN RESEARCH CENTER.
SINCE EO LOPEZ ASLAN'S FOUNDING IN 1994, IT HAS PROVIDED A RICH CULTURAL HISTORY VIA ITS ANNUAL EVENTS THAT INCLUDE SCENIC PAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, CHI CHICANO AWA DIGITIZING PROJECT LAN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT, AND ITS ANNUAL DI DE LOS MUTO CELEBRATION, WHEREAS THE SELF SUBSCRIPTION CHICANO SERVES AS A TRIBUTE TO BOTH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS OF OUR CITY.
IN CLOSING, WE, UH, WANT, AS THE SUPPORT OF CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR TO RENAME THIS, UH, HISPANIC, UH, HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER TO READ HISPANIC CHICANO HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER.
MY CARD IS HERE IF ANYBODY, UH, WANTS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE.
UH, THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
RIA STEPTO, ROGER ALEXANDER, SIR PAMENTE MATHIS.
MARIAN WRIGHT TO BE FOLLOWED BY DORIS ELLIS ROBINSON.
I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, UM, THE HIRE THAT MS. SALINAS JUST DID FOR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, I BELIEVE IS THE TITLE.
SHE HIRED SOMEONE THAT HAS ON FACEBOOK WHEN HE WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING FOR POSITIONS.
SO IT'S A VERY PUBLIC POST, SAME FACEBOOK, UM, HAS MADE SOME VERY, UM, TROUBLESOME COMMENTS, UM, AND VIDEOS.
HE WENT AHEAD AND POSTED PICTURES OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, MR. FLICKINGER AND MR. DAVIS WITH COWARD, WRITTEN UNDER THEM FOR VOTES THAT THEY'VE MADE.
UM, HE'S REFERRED TO THE MAYOR AS MAYOR WHITMEYER.
I MEAN, FLIP MEYER, MAYOR WHITMEYER.
UM, HE'S ACTUALLY DONE IT BEFORE AT CHAMBER AT PUBLIC SESSION.
WHEN I ASKED, UM, MS. SALINAS WHY SHE DID THAT, SHE SAID, WELL, HE DID ALL OF THAT BEFORE I HIRED HIM.
WELL, IT JUST SEEMS THAT YOU SHOULD KIND OF LOOK AT WHO YOU'RE HIRING BEFORE YOU HIRE HIM AND KNOW WHAT THEIR BACKGROUND IS LIKE.
SHE PROMISES THAT HE WON'T DO THAT AGAIN.
MOVING FORWARD, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
I BELIEVE MOST OF THE VIDEOS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, BUT I DO HAVE SOME SCREENSHOTS OF THEM.
AND, UM, MAYOR WHITMEYER, THERE WERE SOME SKATERS HERE EARLIER FROM MEMORIAL CITY ICE RINK.
YOU WERE NOT HERE, BUT THEY WERE WANTING TO ASK YOU IF YOU WOULD DROP THE PUCK AT A GAME THAT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE BETWEEN THE FIREMEN AND THE POLICEMEN.
SO IF YOU COULD CONSIDER DOING THAT, THAT WOULD BE NICE.
I'LL, I'LL CONSIDER THAT COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, THANK YOU FOR COMING MS. WRIGHT.
AS WE DISCUSSED FOR QUITE SOME TIME THIS AFTERNOON, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH A LOT OF YOUR CHARACTERIZATIONS OF MY STAFF.
I'M VERY PROUD OF MY TEAM AND THE WORK WE'VE DONE TOGETHER,
[01:20:01]
AND YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME TO COUNCIL.BUT AS YOU KNOW, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH YOU IN SOME OF THE STATEMENTS YOU'VE MADE.
IF YOU, IF YOU'RE GONNA DISAGREE WITH ME ABOUT SOMETHING I SAID, YOU CAN DISAGREE.
EVERYTHING I'M SAYING IS FACTUAL.
THE COMMENTS WERE MADE, THE COMMENTS ARE THERE.
I HAVE SCREENSHOTS OF THE ACTUAL IMAGES, SO YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH WHAT I'M SAYING.
DORIS ELLIS ROBINSON TO BE FOLLOWED BY LUCIA MORENO.
GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN, COUNSEL.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO YOU TODAY, UH, ABOUT THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD.
THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD BECAME SIGNIFICANT TO ME WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT IT MANY YEARS AGO.
AND, UH, AS PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON TRAILBLAZERS, WE HAVE TRIED TO, UM, AGAIN, USE THE WORD, AMPLIFY IT SO THAT, UM, WE CAN DO THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD IS BECAUSE CHILDREN WERE KILLED IN SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA, AND BECAUSE THEY WERE KILLED.
I THINK IT'S UP TO US TO, UM, UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE FAMILIES ARE STILL EXPERIENCING EVEN TODAY, AND LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT, UH, WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE.
AND, AND IT'S UP TO US TO DO THAT.
AND SO, UM, MY COLLEAGUE BROUGHT THE BOOK UP.
WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ AND PEOPLE EARS.
I REALLY WANTED TO PURCHASE IT FOR ALL OF YOU, BUT I'M GONNA ASK YOU ALL, JUST GO BUY IT FOR YOURSELF.
UH, IT'S GOOD FOR THE COUNCIL.
THEY GO TO THE COUNCIL AND TO, TO LOOK AT IT.
YOUR TIME HAS, SO WE ARE ALSO PRESENTING THIS BOOK AND, UH, LIBRARIES AND ZIP CODE 21, 22, 26, AND 88.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH EVIDENCE, SHABAZZ.
I'M JUST GONNA TELL YOU, MS. DARRIS, THANK YOU FOR COMING.
NOW, TAKE YOUR PHONE THIS TIME.
THE LAST TIME SHE WAS HERE, SHE LEFT THE PHONE.
I HAD TO TAKE HER TO OFFICE, MY PHONE.
I DON'T, BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
COUNCIL WOMAN, SHE BROUGHT MY PHONE TO ME.
JOSEPH AMARI TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDUARDO DURAN.
HOW DO MR. MAYOR, THE COUNCIL, UH, I SAY IF YOU, IF ANY, ARE INTERESTED IN
ALLALL, JUST CONTACT ME TO FIND THE CO UNAUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE MEAN.
AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK TO ANYBODY ELSE AT ALL.
WE CLOSE DEALS, HONEY, I WON'T MAKE YOU GO THROUGH A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT HOOPS ANYWAY.
THE MILITARY DO NOT HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL JURISDICTION IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
YOU HAVE JURISDICTION DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, THE STATE POLICE, THE DA OFFICE, THE STATE ATTORNEY OFFICE, GENERAL OFFICE, US ATTORNEY GENERAL, NOR THE FBI, US MARSHALL, THOSE JURISDICTIONS ON THE UMBRELLA.
JUDICIAL PRACTIC GOVERNMENT, IF NOT THE EXECUTIVE, LET STATE BROTHER GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION CASE IS ALSO FILED FOR THE UMBRELLA JUDICIAL GRAPHIC GOVERNMENT.
IMMIGRANTS LEGAL S MUST HAVE AN IMMIGRATION HEARING AND HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVE DUE PROCESS OF LAW BEFORE ANY CONCLUSION.
DEPORTATION PROCESS FOR THE COURT SHARE THEIR TESTIMONY AND THEIR
HOWEVER, LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN TRANSPORT, SHARE INFORMATION RELATED CRIMES BETWEEN OTHER UNITED STATES.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SUSPECTS AND DEPENDENTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY COURT OF LAW.
COPY FINISH UP MY LAST DAY HERE.
ALL I CAN SAY ON BARACK OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, UH, UH, AND AMERICA, PUBLIC, PUBLIC IN AMERICA, PUBLIC TO PUBLIC ON THE MILITARY MOTHER, I WOKE UP TO A IZED CONVENT.
A COMMUNIST PARTY PLAYED TRAP, A PART OF THE HATE OF POOR AND THE RICH.
I WANT TO BE FAMOUS AND RICH AND SUCCESSFUL.
ALL I WANNA KNOW WHOSE JOB IS, IS THE INVESTIGATIVE CHARGE OF THE REST.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO KIDNAPPED MY MOTHER, MS. BEVERLY JOHNSON, WHOSE JOB IS THE REST OF PEOPLE WHO STOLE BY THREE BOOMER SCRIPT AND COMPANY, WHICH WHICH WAS BY COMPANY BOX OF $350 MILLION.
WHO JOB IS ADD OFF THE SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENT BACK, PAY MONEY, TIME, MONTHS AND YEAR TO MAKE SURE THE CHECKS GET UP IN THE MAIL MAILBOX EVERY MONTH.
WHO JOB IS MAKE SURE THE HOUSE RECEIPT BALANCE ARE REPLACED FOR THEY STOLEN JOB.
OKAY, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO WRAP IT UP.
[01:25:01]
UH, WHOSE JOB IS TO CHARGE THE ARREST? THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE STARTED AND STOLE THE HIGHLY RECIPIENT VOUCHERS, THEY HAVE BENEFITS, IF NOT THE JUDICIAL GOVERNMENT, BUT TO JOB, TO INVESTIGATE, CHARGE THE ARREST, THE TRIAL TO CONVICT AND QUIT THE ALLEGED PERPETRATOR OF THE CRIME AGAINST ME, MY FAMILY, UNITED STATES OF MIRACLE GOVERNMENT.SOME PEOPLE THE GOVERNMENT FRAMED ME IF HER JOB, HER JOB IS WHEN GUILTY.
WHEN GUILTY, HER JOB, WHEN GUILTY, WHEN THE JOB IS, TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME.
NATHANIEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY JACOB CLEMENT.
WELL THANK YOU, UH, COUNCIL OF JUSTICE, MR. WHITMEYER.
AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION THAT I'VE GOTTEN AND STUFF.
I'M GOING TO LOOK INTO IT FOR JUSTICE BECAUSE OF A COUNCIL OF JUSTICE THAT REMINDS ME OF THE BIBLE.
AND UH, I'M GONNA CHECK INTO THIS TO SEE IF I CAN GET, UH, MY CIVIL RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND EVERYTHING BACK THAT WAS CUT OFF FROM ME OVER 20 YEARS AGO FROM A BIGOT SHERIFF AND STUFF AND GET, HAVE MY LIFE PUT BACK TOGETHER AND, UH, NOT GETTING A WHOLE BUNCH DONE FROM ME OVER AT, UH, WEST SIDE BY OFFICER SMITH AND, UH, ANY OF HIS PEOPLE.
I'M OVER THERE JUST A BLOCK AWAY AT 3007 DAIRY ASHFORD THAT'S JUST, JUST SLEEPING OUT IN FRONT OF, UH, RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM WEST SIDE POLICE STATION.
BUT ANYWAY, IF I CAN GET THIS HELP WITH, UH, BEN CRUMP, I DO THANK Y'ALL FOR Y'ALL HELP WITH THAT AND HEARING THAT AND I HOPE TO GET SOME JUSTICE AS THIS COUNCIL SAYS.
WELL, JUNETEENTH IS COMING UP THE, FOR TODAY, THE 19TH AND MEET MY PERSONAL BODY CARD AT END RATE HAS THE BEST NETWORK.
THAT'S WHY THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO GET COMMERCIAL ON.
WAIT, SHOULD THAT MUSIC GET THE IPHONE? OKAY, JACOB GOT IT.
DAMN, YOU NEED SOMETHING? COME ON NAKED.
DO YOU KNOW WHY ION, I TOLD HOW MANY DEGREES WHEN THAT HE TRIED TO RUN THE MAN TO, TO THE PROBLEM OR HE TRIES TO BOTH SIDES.
OKAY, YOU GUYS HAVE A, ALRIGHT.
[RECESS]
IN RECESS TILL NINE IN THE MORNING? TWO SEVEN THROUGH[READING OF THE CONSENT AGENDA]
2031 IMPROVEMENT PLAN, ITEM TWO.RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS THAT HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT THE WORK AND AUTHORIZED FINAL PAYMENT IF ANY OF THE CONTRACT WITH CI CSI CONSOLIDATED LLC DOING BUSINESS AS AIMS COMPANY ITEM THREE HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEM FOUR, RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS.
THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT THE WORK AND AUTHORIZED FINAL PAYMENT IF ANY OF THE CONTRACT WITH JFT CONSTRUCTION INC.
ITEM FIVE, RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS, THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
ACCEPT THE WORK AND AUTHORIZE FINAL PAYMENT IF ANY OF THE CONTRACT WITH TEXAS PRIDE UTILITIES LLC
[01:30:02]
ITEM SIX APPROVED SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF EXTRICATION AND RESCUE TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AWARDED TO ADVANCED RESCUE SYSTEMS LLC.ITEM SEVEN, APPROVED SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE FOR PURCHASE OF MESSAGING, SWITCH SOFTWARE SUPPORT DISPATCH, SOFTWARE LICENSE UPGRADES, PAGING SUPPORT AND RELATED MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES AWARDED TO CUSTOM LOGIC DESIGN INC.
ITEM EIGHT, AMEND MOTION NUMBER 2021 DASH 6 32 TO EXTEND THE AWARD TO NOVEMBER 17TH, 2027 FOR PURCHASE OF E COLI WATER TEST KITS AND SUPPLIES AWARDED TO IDEXX DISTRIBUTION INC.
ITEM NINE, ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 EXHIBIT A OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES NUMBER 2015 DASH 1300 REPLACING EXHIBIT A WITH A NEW EXHIBIT A RELATING TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
ITEM 10, ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 36 DASH 62, 36 DASH 64 AND 39 DASH 62 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON, TEXAS RELATING TO THE WATER AID TO ELDERLY RESIDENCE FUND.
ITEM 11 ORDINANCE ADOPTING EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GUIDELINES FOR THE CITY'S HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
ITEM 12, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENTS TO FORM.
SECOND LIEN DEED OF TRUST AND NOTICE OF OCCUPANCY RESTRICTIONS, DEFERRED PAYMENT LOAN NOTE AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ALIGN WITH THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GUIDELINES ITEM 13, ORDINANCE APPROVING FIFTH AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER.
ITEM 14, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PROPERTY RADIO EQUIPMENT AND TOWER INSURANCE RENEWAL AND ACCEPT PROPOSAL FROM TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK POOL.
ITEM 15 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $200,000 $291,098 FOR MATERIAL HANDLER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT ITEM 16 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $1,988,000 FOR PURCHASE OF VARIOUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.
ITEM 17, ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH CONTRACTS WITH CEC FACILITIES, LLC POWER SECURE INC.
AND TITAN POWER LLC FOR ELECTRICITY RELIABILITY SERVICES.
ITEM 18 ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH I THREE IMAGE SOFT LLC ITEM 19 ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025 DASH THREE 80 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH RALPH RALPH RALPH TEIS FINANCIAL INC.
ITEM 20 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $8,525,000.
$2,501,000 AND $20,000 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BUT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON PARKS BOARD LGC INC.
ITEM 21 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $372,220 54 CENTS APPROVING, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH TY KHAN GROUP INC.
ITEM 22, ORDINANCE APPRO AND AUTHORIZING JOINT PARTICIPATION IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS COUNTY.
ITEM 23 ORDINANCE PROVEN AND AUTHORIZING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMONG THE CITY OF HOUSTON UPTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 16.
ITEM 24 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF 0.884 ACRES OF LAND TO SUNBELT FRESH WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT ITEM 25 ORDINANCE CONSENTING TO THE ADDITION OF SIX 11.9 ACRES OF LAND TO HARRIS WALLER COUNTY'S MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT, ITEM 26.
ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $370,891 50 CENTS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING INTERLOCAL COST SHARING AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS COUNTY.
ITEM 27 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $3,300,000 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH TOTAL CONTRACTING LIMITED ITEM 28.
ORDINANCE APPROPRIATE $93,771,329 APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH CDM SMITH INC.
ITEM 29, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $26,437,655 APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH KIWIT WATER FACILITY SOUTH COMPANY.
ITEM 30, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $14,860,167
[01:35:03]
70 CENTS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH INDUSTRIAL TEXAS CORPORATION.ITEM 31 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $15 MILLION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF EASEMENTS AND THE OTHER INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY AND PAYMENT OF THE COST OF SUCH PURPOSES AND OR CONDEMNATIONS WITH ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR APPRAISAL FEES.
TITLE POLICIES AND SERVICES EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE PURCHASE INTEREST, RELOCATION EXPENSES, RECORDING FEES AND OTHER SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH CONNECTION WITH NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE PURCHASES, COURT COURT COSTS AND EXPERT WITNESS FEES FOR AND IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES FINANCED BY THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM.
CONSOLIDATED CONSTRUCTION FUND.
ITEM 32, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $21 MILLION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF LAND AND OTHER INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY AND PAYMENT OF THE COST OF SUCH PURCHASES AND OR CONDEMNATIONS WITH ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR APPRAISAL FEES.
TITLE POLICIES AND SERVICES EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVING IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE RIGHT OF WAY, RELOCATION FEES, RECORDING FEES AND OTHER SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE PURCHASES, COURT COSTS AND EXPERT WITNESS FEES FOR AND IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES FINANCED BY THE DEDICATED DRAINAGE AND STREET RENEWAL CAPITAL FUND AT VALOREM TAX.
ITEM 33, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,133,787 11 CENTS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH SES HORIZON CONSULTING ENGINEERS INC.
ITEM 34, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $11,077,521 1 CENTS.
$1,494,942 59 CENTS APPROVED AND AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH TOTAL CONTRACTING LIMITED ITEM 35, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $10,500 APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY.
ITEM 36, ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $78,750 APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY.
ITEM 37 ORDINANCE FINDING AND DETERMINING PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY INTEREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT KNOWN AS THE CRMP PACKAGE.
SEVEN AREA ONE BASIN IB 0 4 3 PROJECT ITEM 38 ORDINANCE FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY NO LONGER REQUIRE THE CONTINUED USE OF A PORTION OF A 40 FOOT WIDE PINE ROAD LANE.
SAID PORTION BEING PLUS MINUS 24,222 SQUARE FEET BEING FROM PINE HOLLOW LANE NORTH TO GREENTREE ROAD.
SAID PORTION BEING OUT OF PINE HOLLOW SECTION TWO SUBDIVISION AND LASER RIVER.
ADDITION BEING ALL OUT OF W WHITE ONE THROUGH THREE.
LEAH SUBDIVISION AND ALL SITUATED IN THE WILLIAM WHITE SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 8 36.
ITEM 39 HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEM 40 IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 42, DIVISION SEVEN PARKS AND PRIVATE PARKS.
SUGGESTED HEARING DATE OR HEARING DATE, 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, JULY 8TH, 2026 AND ITEM 41, MOTION TO SET A DATE OF JULY 8TH, 2026 TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS FOR POSITIONS 10 AND 11 OF THE HOUSTON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES PENSION SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THIS COMPLETES THE READING OF THE CAPTIONS FOR THE AGENDA OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH, 2026.
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL SESSION TWO BEGIN AT 9:00 AM AND WITH THAT I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY WEDNESDAY.
[RECONVENE]
[MAYOR'S REPORT]
COLLEAGUES.FIRST WITH THE EXCITING MAYOR'S REPORT TO ANNOUNCE AND INTRODUCE OUR PARTNERS AT UT HEALTH IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WE PASSED ON COUNCIL THIS COLLABORATION WITH UT HEALTH AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BECOME OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FIRST IN OUR NATION TO SEE SUCH COLLABORATION AND KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION TO COME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE HOUSTONIANS THE BEST HEALTHCARE POSSIBLE.
CERTAINLY, UH, THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION OF DR. TRAN AND DR.
BO WINKLE, WHO'S THE DEAN OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT UT.
[01:40:01]
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET ADDITIONAL, UH, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND, UH, ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION.UH, IT'S THE, UH, LEADERSHIP THAT IS GONNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YEARS TO COME.
BUT I WANT THEM, UH, DR. TRAN TO COME AND TELL US WHY SHE'S EXCITED AND THE PRACTICAL EFFECT IT WILL HAVE ON HEALTHCARE FOR OUR GREAT CITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
UH, DR. TRAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PASSION OF, UH, PROVIDING THE BEST HEALTHCARE, YOUR COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS HEALTH.
AND NOW YOU'RE PRESENTING TODAY THAT WE'RE GONNA PARTNER WITH THE GREAT MEDICAL CENTER AND ONE OF ITS LEADING INSTITUTIONS.
SO I YIELD TO YOU AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR WHITMEYER.
UH, I'M THERESA TRAN, LIKE THE MAYOR, SAID DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY.
AND, UM, MAYOR, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR FULL SUPPORT OF OUR ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
UM, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, SO THERE ARE ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN THE NATION, BUT NEVER IN A COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT THE WAY THAT WE ARE DOING IT.
SO MOST ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OR EVERY OTHER ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS A COLLABORATION OR AN MOU BETWEEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH HERE IN HOUSTON.
WHAT WE'VE DONE IN WHAT NATIONALLY OTHER CITIES ARE TAKING NOTICE OF MAYOR, IS THAT WE ARE AN ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL SEVEN INSTITUTIONS UNDER UT HEALTH HOUSTON'S UMBRELLA THAT GIVES US ACCESS AND PARTNERSHIP TO THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ALL OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS UNDER THE UT HEALTH HOUSTON UMBRELLA.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR, UM, LETTING US SHOW ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THEM.
SO THIS UNION REALLY BRINGS TOGETHER THE STRENGTH OF UT HEALTH HOUSTON, WHICH IS A LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTION WITH THE REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE OF A MAJOR METROPOLITAN HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
AT ITS CORE, THIS PARTNERSHIP IS ABOUT TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION BY CONNECTING WITH UT HEALTH HOUSTON, UH, WITH THEIR FACULTY, THEIR RESEARCHERS, THEIR STUDENTS, THEIR STAFF, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, UM, AND UT HEALTH HOUSTON TO TOGETHER WORK TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS, FOSTER REAL INNOVATION.
AND WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT INNOVATION, AND WE THINK ABOUT INNOVATION IN THIS WONDERFUL MEDICAL CENTER WHERE IT'S SO FUN TO BE A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, SO FUN TO BE A RESEARCHER, A LOT OF TIMES WE THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE RARE CANCER THERAPY OR SURGICAL ROBOTIC IN, IN, UH, INNOVATIONS OR, UM, YOU KNOW, NEW THERAPEUTICS.
WHAT THIS INNOVATION IS, IS INNOVATION THAT IMPROVES THE LIVES OF 2.3 MILLION EVERYDAY HOUSTONIANS, THE ONES THAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT, THE INNOVATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO CLOSE THE EQUITY GAP BETWEEN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND FOR OUR, UM, CONS FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS CITY.
SO THANK YOU MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FOR GIVING US THE PLATFORM FOR THAT INNOVATION TO TAKE PLACE FOR OUR DEPARTMENT.
THIS COLLABORATION MEANS GREATER ACCESS TO RESEARCH EXPERTISE AND EMERGING IDEAS THAT CAN DIRECTLY SUPPORT OUR WORK FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
IT MEANS THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE BECOMING MORE COMPLEX, AND HAVING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING TOGETHER IS NOT ONLY ASPIRATIONAL, BUT ESSENTIAL.
SO THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING AND REAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, THE STUDENTS AT UT HEALTH HOUSTON ARE GOING TO GAIN THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO BECOME TOMORROW'S PRACTITIONERS AND LEADERS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
THIS COORDINATES ACCESS ACROSS PUBLIC HEALTH, ACADEMIA, AND HEALTHCARE, WHICH WE KNOW HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN SILOS EVEN THOUGH BOTH OF OUR INSTITUTIONS HAVE, UM, EXISTED FOR DECADES.
SO HOUSTON HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR A CITY OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION.
AND BY BRINGING UT HEALTH HOUSTON AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT TOGETHER, I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE POSITIONING THE CITY OF HOUSTON AS A MODEL.
AND I'M HEARING IT THAT WE'RE POSITIONING OURSELVES AS A MODEL FOR HOW PUBLIC HEALTH AND ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS CAN TRANSLATE INTO MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY IMPACT AND MEANINGFUL RESEARCH.
SO THIS IS MORE THAN A PARTNERSHIP.
THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR WORKFORCE
[01:45:01]
AND A COMMITMENT TO OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND THE FUTURE WELLBEING OF EVERY COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE.UM, THANK YOU TO UT HEALTH HOUSTON, THANK YOU TO THE LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU TO MY TEAM AT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE TEAM AT UT HEALTH HOUSTON THAT HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND WHO WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK AFTER TODAY.
UM, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS VISION AND WE ARE READY TO MAYOR JOHN WHITMEYER, AS YOU SAY, GET TO WORK
AND I'LL CALL UPON OUR, UM, THE PRESIDENT OF UT HEALTH HOUSTON.
PRESIDENT KIBBY, WE RECOGNIZE YOU.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF UT HEALTH HOUSTON.
AND THANK YOU FOR, UH, INVITING US HERE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
SO FIRST OFF, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK, UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER ANN, DR. TRAN, WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THIS PROJECT FOR MANY YEARS TO ACTUALLY COME TOGETHER.
SO I THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.
AND WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO WORK EVEN CLOSER TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE HEALTH OF HOUSTONIANS.
SO, UT HEALTH HOUSTON IS PROUD, VERY PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH AN ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT STRENGTHENS HOW WE SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY.
SO THE PARTNERSHIP CONNECTS ACADEMIC EXPERTISE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
TOGETHER WE WILL PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING AND REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE IN HOUSTON COMMUNITIES.
TOGETHER WE WILL EXPAND RESEARCH AND DATA SHARING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND DELIVER EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS.
TOGETHER, WE WILL STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE BY ALIGNING EDUCATION, PRACTICE, AND INNOVATION TO MEET THE CITY'S NEEDS.
NOW, THE WORK IS POWERED AS DR. TRAN MENTIONED, THROUGH ALL SEVEN SCHOOLS OF UT HEALTH HOUSTON, AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD ABOUT THAT.
THE MCGOVERN MEDICAL SCHOOL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY, THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE CSIC SCHOOL OF NURSING, BOTH TOP RANKED SCHOOLS IN TEXAS AND IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, WHICH HAS MORE THAN A CENTURY OF TRAINING STUDENTS, THE SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SCIENCES, THE FIRST GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THIS KIND ANYWHERE, THE MCWILLIAMS SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL INFORMATICS, WHICH IS THE NATION'S ONLY GRADUATE LEVEL HEALTH INFORMATICS SCHOOL.
AND OUR JOINTLY RUN MD ANDERSON, UT HEALTH, HOUSTON GRADUATE SCHOOL, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY.
SO AGAIN, I APPRECIATE MAYOR WHITMEYER AND DR. TRAN REALLY, TRULY INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION WITH TF HOUSTON TO MAKE THIS AGREEMENT HAPPEN.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HOUSTONIANS.
SO I WOULD NOW LIKE TO CALL OUR DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, DR.
ERIC BOERWINKLE, UP HERE TO THE MICROPHONE.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS THIS MORNING.
ON BEHALF OF UT HEALTH HOUSTON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ADVANCING ACADEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
MAYOR, WE'RE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LONGSTANDING SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF HOUSTONIANS.
YOUR RECENT COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE UNHOUSED IS A VISION AND ACTION PLAN THAT WILL BE ADOPTED BY OTHER CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE DR. THERESA TRAN FOR HER INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN BRINGING THIS PARTNERSHIP TO LIFE.
SHE'S A FIERCE AND VALUED FRIEND AND PARTNER IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
KIBBY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND IN TURN, THE HEALTH OF HOUSTON COUNCIL
[01:50:01]
MEMBERS BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE UT HEALTH HOUSTON AND THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE WILL STRENGTHEN, EXCUSE ME.WE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR WORKFORCE, EXPAND TRAINING US AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND DELIVER DATA-DRIVEN AND PROVEN SOLUTION TO HOUSTON'S MOST PRESSING HEALTH NEEDS, PROVIDING IMPORTANT RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR BOTH OUR CITIZENS AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPACT WE WILL ACHIEVE TOGETHER.
AND THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND, UH, WHAT YOUR INSTITUTIONS BRING TO HOUSTON.
CERTAINLY WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR, CERTAINLY THE TWO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS NOW, AND THE CHALLENGE IS TO GET IT INTO OUR COMMUNITIES WITH BETTER DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE AND, UH, YOUR STUDENTS, YOUR PROFESSORS WORKING WITH DR. TRAN AND HER ADMINISTRATION.
SO I JUST THINK IT'S A REAL EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
DR. TRAN, THANK YOU FOR, UH, THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS COLLABORATION.
UM, UT HEALTH AND THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT JOINING TOGETHER IS, IS EXCITING.
UM, SO MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE, UM, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTHCARE.
UH, THE COST OF HEALTHCARE, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, UM, ANY DATA HELP THAT WE CAN, UH, SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS GOING TO BE VALUE ADDED.
UH, WE SAY THIS AROUND THIS HORSESHOE ALL THE TIME IS GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO THIS WORK ALONE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE PARTNERS TO HELP US TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ENSURING THAT OUR RESIDENTS, UM, ARE LIVING THEIR BEST, UM, HEALTHY LIVES.
BECAUSE WE CAN ALL AGREE OUR HEALTH IS OUR WEALTH.
UM, SO ANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, UM, HEALTHY LIVES BETTER FOR OUR RESIDENTS IS GOING TO BE VALUE ADDED FOR US IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
SO THANK YOU FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING, UM, MORE INVOLVED AND, AND BRINGING THIS INFORMATION TO OUR COMMUNITIES TO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND TO DR. TRAN AND UT HEALTH, THIS IS A, A VERY EXCITING, UH, UPDATE TO RECEIVE.
I REMEMBER WHEN THIS ITEM CAME TO COUNCIL AND THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO HAVING ALL SEVEN SCHOOLS BE A PART OF THE AGREEMENT, UM, THAT IS GOING TO HELP STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN A, IN A BIG WAY.
ONE THAT SO MANY HOUSTONIANS RELY ON FOR, FOR ALL THE VARIOUS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, AND ESPECIALLY IN IN TIMES OF DISASTER, UH, WHEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PLAYS SUCH A, SUCH A BIG ROLE IN RESPONSE AND RECOVERY.
AND SO, UH, I WANNA CONGRATULATE Y'ALL ON THIS MILESTONE AND LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, CONTINUING TO SEE HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP GROWS AND DEVELOPS, UH, BECAUSE THE CITY WILL BE A STRONGER AND SAFER CITY BECAUSE OF IT.
ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU DR. TRAN, FOR YOUR INNOVATION AND YOUR PARTNERING AND EXCELLENT PRESENTATIONS.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
ANYTHING ELSE? COUNSEL AT THIS TIME? MR. SECRETARY, LET'S MOVE TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.GIVE, GIVE US ONE QUICK SECOND.
UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORY, ITEM ONE NEEDS A MOTION.
CAN I SECOND STATE? MOVE SECOND.
I WANT TO, I, I WANT THAT CIP.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE THAT TO THE, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THAT TO THE NON-CONSENT.
WE JUST SEEING IF YOU WERE AWAKE WE'RE OKAY.
YOU MOVE SOME, YOU GONNA MOVE IT? NO.
[01:55:02]
MA'AM.UNDER THE ACCEPT WORK CATEGORY, ITEM THREE HAS BEEN PULLED, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEM FOUR HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.
NEED A MOTION FOR ITEMS TWO AND FIVE? YES.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE PURCHASE AND THE TABULATION OF BIDS CATEGORY.
NEED A MOTION FOR ITEM SIX THROUGH EIGHT? CAST TO MOVE.
MOTION PASSES UNDER THE ORDINANCES CATEGORY.
SINCE YOUR LIST WAS A FEW ITEMS OR THERE ARE JUST A FEW CHANGES.
UM, ITEM 39 HAS BEEN PULLED, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ITEMS NOT RECEIVED, BUT WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE, IF THEY'RE RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING, OR 15, 19, 28, 33, 34 AND 35.
AGAIN, NUMBERS, ITEMS NOT RECEIVED BUT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF THEY RECEIVED BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING.
15, 19, 28, 33, 34 AND 35 ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION ITEMS. 10, 11 AND 12.
AGAIN, THOSE NUMBERS ARE 10, 11, 12, 20, 21.
NEED A VOTE ON THE BALANCE? NEED A VOTE? DOES NEED A VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES.
[CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA]
ITEMS REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION.COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS ON A ON AMENDMENT 1 4 4 0.01.
ANY COMMENT? UH, ANY COMMENT? YES, MAYOR.
SO WE HAVE PUT FORTH ONE CIP AMENDMENT, AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELATED TO REAR LOADER SOLID WASTE COLLECTION TRUCKS.
UM, IN OUR REVIEW OF THE CIP BUDGET, WE DID NOT SEE FUNDING FOR PURCHASING MORE RELOAD TRUCKS IN THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
GIVEN HOW IMPORTANT THESE TRUCKS ARE TO COLLECTION SERVICES AND ILLEGAL DUMPING, WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT INVESTMENT MOVED UP.
AND THAT'S THE BASIS FOR OUR RECOMMENDATION AND WE HOPE WE ARE IN THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT.
NEXT, UH, VICE MAYOR PROTE PECK.
I HAVE SIX CIP AMENDMENTS THAT I WILL LAY OUT NEXT WEEK.
UM, I HAVE TWO AMENDMENTS THAT I WILL DISCUSS NEXT WEEK.
UH, LAST, UH, MAYOR PROTE CASICK TAYLOR.
ALSO HAVE, UH, TWO AMENDMENTS, OF COURSE.
OUR ALAMEDA PLAZA DITCH, UM, AND THE DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT FOR WESTWOOD SUBDIVISION.
AND WE'LL LAY THOSE OUT NEXT WEEK.
ANYONE ELSE? IF NOT, UH, MAYOR, LIKE TO TAG ITEM ONE, MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES TO TAG ITEM ONE.
THERE'S THIS, THE AMENDMENTS AND ITEM ONE.
UM, AND THE ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES TO OPPOSED? ANY MOTION? IT'S TAGGED.
ITEM FOUR NEEDS A MOTION THAT SAY A MOVE.
YES, MAYOR, I JUST WANNA THANK THE ADMINISTRATION.
UH, THIS IS THE, UH, FLOOR AMENDMENT I HAD PUT FORTH LAST WEEK TO AMEND THE WATER FUND TO ADD IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.
YOU WILL AGREE TO BRING IT BACK TO THE AGENDA.
AND YOU DID SO WITH EXPEDITIOUS SPEED AND WE'RE VOTING ON IT THIS WEEK.
SO I JUST WANNA THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP ON THIS.
I THINK THIS IS GONNA PROVIDE REAL RELIEF TO HOUSTONIANS WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE UPCOMING FEE.
AND I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR
[02:00:01]
YOUR LEADERSHIP ON IT, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.I THINK YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO SEE IT BACK WITHIN TWO WEEKS AND WE DID IT IN A WEEK.
AND WE'RE PROUD OF YOUR WORK AND THE COLLABORATION OF EVERYONE.
UH, I JUST WANNA SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 10, UH, THE WATER FUND AND THE IMPORTANT EXPANSION THAT THIS FUND WILL ALLOW TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE RELATED TO THE SOLID WASTE FEE.
AND I WANT TO CERTAINLY THANK MY COLLEAGUES, UH, AND YOU MAYOR FOR BEING EXPEDITIOUS IN BRINGING THIS TO COUNCIL, UH, THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS AND DURING OUR DISTRICT D COMMUNITY MEETINGS, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS WE HEARD DIRECTLY FROM RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY SENIORS, FAMILIES ON FIXED INCOMES, AND THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP UP.
AND SO CERTAINLY WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO, UM, MAKE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL DECISIONS, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO, UH, SAY THAT I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE AGENDA.
UH, I JUST WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS.
UM, IT'S, IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING BEFORE THE FEE GOES INTO EFFECT.
AND I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT WHO EXPRESSED ANXIETIES ABOUT WHAT A $5, UH, FEE ON THEIR, ON THEIR BILLS WOULD DO TO THEIR BUDGETS.
AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RELIEF, UM, HAPPEN WHILE THE FEE IS, IS BEING WORKED ON AND IMPLEMENTED, PUTS THAT, UH, COMFORT OUT THERE, REASSURES THEM THAT NOT ONLY WERE THEY HEARD, BUT THE CITY IS TAKING THE ACTION, UM, PROACTIVELY.
AND SO I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR, FOR DOING THAT SO FAST BECAUSE IT IS, UH, SOMETHING THAT FOLKS WERE WORRIED ABOUT.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN NOW LOOK AT SOME OTHER WAYS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE WATER FUND SO THAT, UH, IT CAN SUPPORT BOTH THE WATER AND THE TRASH, UH, RELIEF.
SO THANK YOU AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON OFF OFFERING THIS AMENDMENT AS WELL.
IF WE WORK TOGETHER, UH, WE'LL SEE THAT THE WATER FUND PROVIDES THAT ASSISTANCE THAT WE ALL, UH, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.
UM, I WANNA ECHO WHAT WE'VE ALL JUST SAID HERE.
UH, IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE INVEST IN HOUSTON'S UTILITIES AND THIS FEE IS A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT, UH, LOW INCOME HOUSTONIANS.
AND THIS AMENDMENT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SO AGAIN, I SUPPORT COUNCIL SALINAS HERE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING ON THIS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
UH, THE MAYOR PRO TAG, IF SHE WANTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
AND, UH, IT'LL BE BACK BEFORE COUNCIL VERY SOON.
SOMETHING WE'RE ALL VERY PROUD OF.
THIS NEED A VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO IN THE QUEUE.
THANK YOU MAYOR, THIS IS ON 22, WHICH WAS JUST PASSED.
I DO WANT TO THANK, UH, MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAYOR, YOUR, YOUR TEAM WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP.
UH, THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP THE COUNTY, UH, FUND SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SPEED CUSHIONS, UH, THROUGH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE.
AND THESE ARE FOR THE THREE THAT ARE IN MY DISTRICT.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE LARGEST APPLICATIONS THAT WERE IN THE QUEUE THAT WOULD HAVE, UM, TAKEN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDING FROM THE LIMITED CDSF THAT, THAT I HAVE.
SO FOR, FOR THAT, I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIS PARTNERSHIP.
I KNOW SO MANY FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR THESE PROJECTS, CONTINUED TO ASK FOR THE UPDATES.
SOME OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE, UH, OVER 40
[02:05:01]
CUSHIONS.AND SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH THAT, HOW LONG DID YOU, IS GONNA COST.
SOME OF THESE PROJECTS HAD HAD 40, 40 PLUS CUSHIONS.
THEY WERE IN THE QUEUE FOR, UM, A LOT LONGER BEFORE I GOT HERE.
AND AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE, SOME OF THEM FOUR YEARS, SOME OF 'EM I UNDERSTAND.
FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST.
AND SO IT JUST SHOWS WHAT COLLABORATION WITH, WITH THE COUNTY AND OTHER LEVELS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
'CAUSE THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP.
UM, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR, FOR ALL, ALL OF THOSE YEARS.
UH, I WANNA THANK YOU AND RANDY FOR, FOR WORKING THIS OUT LEGAL, FOR WORKING OUT THE ILA AND, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THESE, UH, CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
BUT THIS IS A, A GREAT STEP IN, IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK IT'S A APPROPRIATE, UM, TIME TO, TO DISCUSS THE TRIPLING OF THE COST OF THE SPEED BUMPS.
UM, BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ASKING FOR THESE SPEED BUMPS, UM, I I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO, UM, MAYBE, UM, HAVE SOME TYPE OF DISCUSSION IN ONE OF THE COMMITTEES BECAUSE WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ASKING FOR SPEED BUMPS.
AND THE MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE IN CDSF JUST CANNOT COVER 40 SPEED CUSHIONS IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, ESPECIALLY WITH THE COST TRIPLING.
UM, I KNOW AT ONE POINT PUBLIC WORKS HAD STOPPED FUNDING, UM, SPEED CUSHIONS BECAUSE THEY SAID THE, THE COST VERSUS FOLKS SLOWING DOWN ONE TO THREE MILES WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, NOT EFFICIENT.
UM, I'D REALLY LIKE FOR US TO GET SOME UPDATED DATA ON THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF REQUESTS IN QUEUE FOR SPEED CUSHIONS, AND IF THE COST HAS TRIPLED, I JUST DON'T SEE HOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS GETTING, UH, SPEED CUSHIONS WITHOUT SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING COMING, LIKE IN PRECINCT TWO.
AND CERTAINLY I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH AS Y'ALL ECHO, UH, RANDY IN PUBLIC WORKS HAS REALLY MADE THIS A TOP PRIORITY IN OUR FINDING THE RESOURCES.
AND I DON'T WANNA PUT A TIMETABLE ON IT, BUT WE WILL HAVE NO BACKLOG SOONER THAN LATER, MAYBE AS, AS LATE AS, UH, EARLY AS THIS END OF THIS YEAR.
UH, ON THE TOPIC OF SPEED CUSHIONS, THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE HEARD ABOUT, UH, A LOT SINCE I'VE STARTED HERE.
UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, UH, WHILE THEY CAN BE EFFICIENT AND SLOW DOWN CARS AND MAKE STREETS SAFER, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES TO MAKING STREETS SAFER THAN JUST SPEED CUSHIONS.
IT COULD BE HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKS, IT COULD BE WIDER SIDEWALKS, REALLY JUST, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DESIGN STREETS THAT SLOW CARS DOWN.
AND SPEED BUMPS, SPEED CUSHIONS ARE A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT, BUT AS WE JUST HEARD, THEY'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.
SO STREET REDESIGNS ARE ANOTHER WAY TO DO THAT TOO.
UM, I, I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE ISSUE AROUND SPEED BUMPS BECAUSE WE, WE GET, I KNOW I OFTEN GET A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT SPEED, UH, BUMPS, SPEED CUSHIONS, AND, UM, MAYOR PRO TEM MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THE COST, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING MARY, WE HAVE TO TAKE IN, UH, CONSIDERATION THE COST OF THIS EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITIES WHO WANT SPEED BUMPS AND, AND, UH, THEY GENERALLY WILL SAY IF THE, IF THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S ACTING SLOWLY OR WHATEVER, BUT IT'S DUE TO TO DOLLARS.
I MEAN, WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
SO I I I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE SUPPORT IN TERMS OF WHAT MAYOR PRO TEM TATUM INDICATED THE COST AND CERTAINLY SOME PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATORS, UH, ATTITUDE THAT IT JUST WASN'T COST EFFECTIVE.
AND CERTAINLY RANDY AND THE ALL OF US HAVE HAVE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY.
AND GONNA GET KNOCKED OUT THE BACKLOG.
THOSE BOTH ELLA, COUNCILMAN PANERA SINCE WE'RE TALK ON IT.
UM, I'D LOVE TO HIGHLIGHT THIS PROJECT.
THIS IS REALLY AWESOME TO SEE AGAIN.
UM, THIS ITEM IS IMPROVING CRITICAL CONNECTIVITY FOR RESIDENTS VISITING MEMORIAL PARK TO UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ARBORETUM AND MORE.
THIS PROJECT WILL INSTALL A SAFE HIKE AND BIKE BRIDGE OVER THE BAYOU CONNECTING EXISTING TRAILS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
AGAIN, THIS IS AN AMAZING PROJECT AND ONE THAT HIGHLIGHTS, UH, WHAT A LOT OF HOUSTONIANS ARE ASKING FOR, WHICH IS BETTER CONNECTIVITY AND BETTER MOBILITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND WHILE THIS PROJECT IS FUNDAMENTAL AND REALLY BIG AND FLASHY, WHAT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTORS AS WELL.
[02:10:01]
TO BUFFALO BAYOU THROUGH WEST DALLAS, WHICH IS A HIGH INJURY NETWORK STREET.THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE STREETS, UH, THAT HAS A LOT OF REALLY DANGEROUS CRASHES REGULARLY.
AND SO AGAIN, WIDER SIDEWALKS, BIKE FACILITIES FOR THESE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTORS ARE EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT.
AND I JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT.
ITEM 29 IS AN, AN ORDINANCE, JUST ME TO VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR, CAST SIX, TATUM TAG COUNCIL, UH, TAGGED BY THE MAYOR PROM.
[NON-CONSENT AGENDA]
IS A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 42.DIVISION SEVEN PARKS AND PRIVATE PARKS.
MAYOR PROTE CAST MOVE TO SET THE HEARING DATE FOR 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, JULY 8TH, 2026.
ITEM 41 IS A MOTION TO SET A DATE OF JULY 8TH, 2026 TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS FOR POSITIONS 10 AND 11 OF THE HOUSTON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES PENSION SYSTEM.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CASTEX TATUM MOVED TO SET THE DATE OF JULY 8TH, 2026 TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS FOR POSITION 10 AND 11 OF THE HOUSTON MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES PENSION SYSTEM, BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THIS COMPLETES THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
[MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
COUNCIL MEMBER PANZA, IS THIS YOUR FIRST OFF OF MANY? I BELIEVE IT WILL BE.COUNCILMAN PZA, UH, THIS FRIDAY, COMMUNITIES IN HOUSTON AND ACROSS OUR NATION WILL COMMEMORATE JUNETEENTH THE DAY IN 1865 WHEN TROOPS ARRIVED IN GALVESTON TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE LE THAT THE LAST ENSLAVED PEOPLE WERE FREE.
I'LL BE HONORED TO JOIN THE FREEMANS TOWN CONSERVANCY LATER TODAY AS WE COMMEMORATE JUNETEENTH AND JOIN HOPE THIS FRIDAY FOR THEIR CELEBRATION AS WELL.
WE MUST PROTECT THE LEGACY OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY AND OUR NATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN.
AND I JUST WANT TO WELCOME, UH, INTERNS TO THE DISTRICT G OFFICE.
WE HAVE DAWSON GRAHAM JOINING US AND ELLIE CUNNINGHAM.
I KNOW WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF INTERNS WALKING AROUND, UH, THE OFFICE SINCE SUMMER HAS STARTED.
COUNCIL MEMBER TIFFANY D. THOMAS.
SO WE'RE KICK WE'VE KICKED OFF OUR ANNUAL SUMMER SAFETY INITIATIVE WITH OUR FOURTH ANNUAL SWIM SAFETY CLINIC.
IT WAS A BLAST AT THE AILEY AQUATICS CENTER.
I WANNA THANK THE HOUSTON PARKS DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR UNMATCHED PARTNERSHIP EVERY YEAR, ESPECIALLY THEIR AQUATICS DIVISION.
UH, COACH, CPR, HOUSTON SWIM WAVE CLUB, OUR LOCAL DISTRICT F BUSINESSES AND OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS, WALMART AND OUTDOOR AFRO.
THE KIDS HAD A BLAST AND ONE OF THEM SAID, I'M HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE.
UH, AND SO WHILE WE HAD FUN, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE LIFE SAFETY, LIFE SAVING, UH, TRAINING, UH, TO THE ADULTS AND THE FAMILIES, AND DEFINITELY MORE TO COME.
UM, KEEPING IN THE SAME VEIN AROUND OUR ANNUAL SUMMER SAFETY INITIATIVE, WE ARE ALSO ADDING A COMPONENT AROUND GUN SAFETY.
UM, RECENTLY ON THE WEST SIDE AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS OF GUN VIOLENCE.
UM, AND SO WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING THAT WITH A NEW PARTNER.
AND I JUST WANNA, UM, RAISE SOME OF THE POINTS.
EVERY WEEK IN THE NEWS CYCLE, THERE'S AN ISSUE AROUND GUN VIOLENCE.
SEAN BREE WAS MURDERED ON JUNE 6TH.
A WOMAN WAS FOUND DEAD ON JUNE 13TH IN WEST CHASE.
AND A BURGLARY, A BURGLARY HAPPENED ON JUNE 12TH IN ALE, UM, ACTUALLY IN MY FATHER'S SUBDIVISION, ALL DOCUMENTED ON THE NEWS.
AND SO WE HAVE GUN SAFETY LOCKS.
AND JUST A REMINDER TO THE COMMUNITY, OCTOBER OF 2021, WE HOSTED THE SECOND, UH, GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM IN THE CITY.
UM, AND AT THE TIME WE, UM, SECURED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF GUN RETURNS NATIONWIDE.
OVER 1200 GUNS WERE SECURED ON THAT DAY.
UM, SO WE ARE KEEPING IT IN THAT SAME VEIN MORE TO COME ON THAT ISSUE.
AND I JUST ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THAT AS WE ENTER THE SUMMER SEASON, YOUTH TEEN VIOLENCE ALSO
[02:15:01]
INCREASES.UM, AND SO WE'RE NO STRANGER OF THAT.
WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE TEAM TAKEOVER, AND THERE'S JUST OTHER THINGS THAT ARE EMERGING THAT WE HAVE TO GET A HANDLE ON.
SO MORE FROM MY OFFICE AROUND THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
UM, ALSO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR INTERNS ARE HERE, JUST FS IN THE HOUSE.
CAN Y'ALL STAND UP? ALRIGHT, STAND UP.
AND KEEPING WITH THE SAME ENERGY ON THE WEST SIDE, ON WE, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, OUR PRIORITY TO, UH, MAKE SURE THAT WE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, I'M GONNA, I'M, I'M GONNA INTERRUPT YOU BEFORE Y'ALL LEAVE.
ITEM 15 CAME BEFORE WE LOSE QUORUM, WE WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON ITEM 15.
ONCE COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS IS FINISHED.
AND, AND, AND JUST WELL, LET'S GO VOTE AND THEN I'LL, YOU'LL FINISH.
SECRETARY, IF YOU'LL CALL ITEM 15.
COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER IN THE QUEUE.
CAN I DO AFTER THE, AFTER THE VOTE? OKAY.
ANY OPPOSED? THE ITEM CARRIES.
DO, WAIT, DO YOU NEED TO LOOK AT IT? OH, NO.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? ITEM PASSES.
THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND REALLY WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER PECK AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO FOR HELPING OUT WITH THIS.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY DURING BARREL WE SAW WHAT A BIG ISSUE IT WAS, UH, HAVING, UH, FOREST OR URBAN FORESTRY BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE TREES AND THIS EQUIPMENT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO HELP 'EM DO IT.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS.
THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY MUST GET HANDLED.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM STARTING FROM SCRATCH.
WE SAW YOU SWIMMING AT, OH, WE SAW YOU SWIMMING IN THE POOL, TURNING DOWN IN THE WATER UNDER THE SEA.
UM, BUT I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE OUR INTERNS.
UM, WE HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION WITH HAVING STRONG YOUNG PEOPLE, UM, AS AN EXTENSION OF THE DISTRICT F OFFICE, AND IMAN AND ALLAH ARE JOINING US.
IMAM IMAN IS A, A SENIOR AT ALE EARLY COLLEGE, AND ALLAH IS AT ALE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL.
AND SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR CONTRIBUTION, UH, THIS SUMMER AND BEYOND AS THEY MOVE OUTSIDE OF THEIR INTERNSHIP.
UM, DUTIES ALSO HAPPENING NOW.
THE, UH, BUILDINGS AND STANDARDS COMMISSION IS HAPPENING IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE ANNEX.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I HAD TOOK A, A BRIEF DEPARTURE, UM, TO TALK ABOUT 31 38 ASH LOCK.
THIS IS A, UH, A DANGEROUS BUILDING THAT IS SET OUT THE CORNER OF RICHMOND IN THIS SUBDIVISION FOR YEARS AND HAS ALSO BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO FIRE.
SO I JUST WANNA THANK THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE DOWNSTAIRS ACROSS THE STREET ON PUBLIC COMMENTS ADVOCATING FOR THE PROTECTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE.
AND I WANNA THANK THE COMMISSION FOR MAKING SURE THAT THESE BUILDINGS ACTUALLY GET TO THE FINISH LINE.
UM, THERE'S A POOL, THERE'S BEEN A FIRE, THERE'S BEEN COMPLICATIONS WITH THE PRIVATE PROPERTY AND IT'S DEFINITELY A HAZARD.
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO, UM, MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT SUCCESS.
UH, AND ALSO JUNETEENTH THIS FRIDAY.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, UH, LIBERATION IS FOR ALL OF US.
EVERY WEEK WE, WE, WE STAND HERE AND WE, UH, UM, REPEAT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
UM, AND WE REMIND OURSELVES ABOUT THE VIRTUES THAT ARE TRUE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL OF US IN OUR, UH, GOAL THAT WE WALK TOWARDS.
AND PARTICULARLY ON THE WEST SIDE, THE HISTORIC PINEY POINT.
UM, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEM NOT JUST ON JUNETEENTH, BUT THROUGHOUT THE, UM, 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.
AND SO THERE ARE A BUNCH OF, UH, EVENTS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, ESPECIALLY THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
I'M GONNA BE HANGING OUT ON FRIDAY,
UM, THOSE TICKETS ARE, ARE OF NO CALL.
SO IF YOU WANNA BE ANYBODY, YOU WANNA BE SOMEBODY IN DISTRICT D ON FRIDAY.
UM, AND THEN ON FRIDAY MORNING, I WILL BE WITH THE CONGOLESE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT, UH, UH, WHAT, WHAT'S, WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE TEAM? THE LEOPARDS.
CAN YOU GET ME ONE OF THOSE BAGS? THEY, I WAS LOOKING AT ONE OF THE MEN
UH, WE'LL DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO.
UH, WE'LL BE WITH THEM ON FRIDAY.
THE, UM, AMBASSADOR TO CONGO TO THE US WILL JOIN ME IN OUR DISTRICT AT THE SAID INSTITUTE FOR A CONVERSATION.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD, UH, TO THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND WHAT THEY DO ON THE WEST SIDE AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND THE ENERGY THAT THEY'RE BRINGING, UH, NOT TO TO THE SPORT, BUT TO OUR AREA.
UM, AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR COMMENTS FOR TODAY.
IF THERE ARE ANY, UM, ANY ASSISTANCE THAT MY OFFICE CAN PROVIDE FOR YOU, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO DISTRICT F@HOUSTONTX.GOV.
COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, WHEN YOU MEET WITH THE CONGO TEAM, CAN YOU SEE IF THERE A LINK TO THAT BAG THAT THEY ALL HAD? WE'RE GONNA GET THE BAG, WE'RE GONNA GET THE JACKET, WE'RE GONNA GET.
THEY, THEY WERE DEFINITELY REPRESENTING THEIR COUNTRY AND STYLE.
THEY ABSOLUTELY WERE VICE MAYOR, PRO TEAK.
UM, I JUST WANT TO THANK PUBLIC WORKS FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK, UM, IN THIS LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH ALL OF THE, THAT WE'VE HAD, WE'VE HAD A FEW AREAS IN DISTRICT A THAT HAVE SEEN SOME FLOODING, SO I JUST WANNA THANK PUBLIC WORKS FOR GETTING OUT THERE AND, AND DOING ALL THE GREAT WORK.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER, I'M GONNA GIVE MY TIME TO THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
[02:20:04]
WE'RE READY.UM, OH, COUNCIL MEMBER CAROLYN EVANS SHABAZZ HAILING FROM THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
WELL, THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIMM.
AND YOU KNOW, THIS PAST WEEKEND, DISTRICT D CONTINUED TO CELEBRATE LEGACY COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STRONG.
ON SATURDAY, I WAS PROUD TO JOIN THE CLOVER LAND SPRING RE REUNION AT CLOVER LAND PARK.
AND THIS GATHERING BROUGHT TOGETHER FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS.
I CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK ANTHONY SCOTT, UH, KELLE, KELLY D RED, AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED ORGANIZE THIS REUNION AND TO CREATE A SPACE FOR FELLOWSHIP, FOOD, MUSIC, DOMINOES, LAUGHTER, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
UH, CLOVER LAND HAS A RICH HISTORY AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO HONOR THAT HISTORY AND KEEP THAT SPIRIT ALIVE.
I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR WILLY LEE GAY AT A TIMELESS CELEBRATION, HONORING THE 96TH BIRTHDAY OF THE LEGENDARY EDUCATOR, HISTORIAN AND COMMUNITY TREASURE.
ACTUALLY, THE CELEBRATION WAS IN THE HALL THAT WAS NAMED AFTER HER AT THE HOUSTON CITY COLLEGE.
AND SO SHE WAS SITTING THERE ALL SUPREME, UH, ENJOYING HER CELEBRATION AND IT WAS MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THAT CELEBRATION.
UPCOMING, UH, JUNETEENTH EVENTS, DISTRICT D AS ALREADY MENTIONED, UM, JUNETEENTH ON ALAMEDA HOSTED BY MY SOUTHERN BRAND.
THIRD WARD CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY PARTNERS, VENDORS, AND RESIDENTS WILL BE FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH, UH, AT 4:00 PM TO 9:00 PM AT THE PEGGY PARK, WHICH IS, UH, LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE POST OFFICE.
FOR SOME OF YOU THAT MAY NOT KNOW 41 0 1 ALAMEDA ROAD, UH, JUNETEENTH ON ALAMEDA IS A COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY FEATURING VENDORS, IMMERSIVE ACT ACTIVATIONS, MUSIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND FIFA MATCH WATCH EXPERIENCE FEATURING BRAZIL AND HAITI.
UH, THERE WILL BE THE REUNION AT THE EMANCIPATION PARK HOSTED BY THE EMANCIPATION PARK AND CONSERVANCY, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ARTISTS AND CULTURAL PARTNERS.
THAT WILL ALSO BE ON FRIDAY, UH, AT THE EMANCIPATION PARK.
UH, AND THEN, UH, THERE WILL ALSO BE, OH, AND ALSO THERE WILL BE R AND B, GOSPEL, SOUTHERN SOUL, HIP HOP, JAZZ AND MORE.
AND THEN, UM, IN THE, UM, MILLER AT THE MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER, THERE WILL ALSO BE A CELEBRATION FEATURING SHANTE MOORE AND MAZE.
SO IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE AT THAT PARTICULAR VENUE, WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT IT'S GOING TO BE BACK OPEN AND READY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME OUT AND ENJOY FREE ENTERTAINMENT.
AND SO AS YOU SEE, THERE WILL BE A LOT GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION.
UH, BUT I WANNA CLOSE ON A SAD NOTE.
UH, A CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF MINE, ROBERT ELLIOT MOTLEY, WAS HIDDEN KILLED LAST WEEK.
AND HE IS SOMEONE THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY NOT KNOW.
HE WAS DOWN ON HIS LUCK, BUT THEREBY THE GRACE OF GOD GO.
I AT ONE TIME, ONE TIME, HE WAS A GREAT MUSICIAN WITH THE TSU TODOS AND A MASTER PLUMBER.
THE DRIVER HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED, BUT HPD IS LOOKING FOR YOU.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT TO GIVE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND ALSO INDICATE THAT ALL LIFE IS IMPORTANT.
AND SO CERTAINLY STAY SAFE TODAY AND COME OUT AND ENJOY THE DISTRICT OF DESTINATION, BUT BE ON GOOD BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WE DO HAVE PLANS OF ACTION FOR THOSE THAT COME AND DON'T WANNA ACT LIKE GOOD HOUSE GUESTS.
SO PLEASE COME AND ENJOY AND I'LL BE THERE SHAKING THE TAIL FEATHER.
I BELIEVE
OKAY, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO.
I WANT TO START BY REMINDING EVERYONE AS WE ARE, HALFWAY THROUGH JUNE, ALL MONTH OF JUNE, I HAVE SPONSORED ADOPTIONS AT BARK FOR FOLKS TO, UH, GO AND ADOPT AN ANIMAL FROM OUR SHELTER.
THERE'S, UM, A NUMBER OF FANTASTIC PETS THERE WAITING FOR NEW HOMES.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES, UH, THE ADOPTION FEES, THE SPAY NEUTER SERVICES, THE MICROCHIPPING AND THE VACCINES.
LAST JUNE, WE SAW 475 ADOPTIONS AND 269 FOSTERS, UH, WHEN I DID THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH BARK.
SO WE ARE CONTINUING IT AGAIN AND WANNA ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO, TO GET OUT THERE IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO GROW YOUR FAMILY WITH A PET.
ALSO, SATURDAY I WILL BE HOSTING MY SECOND SHRED DAY IN DISTRICT H.
IT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL
[02:25:01]
IOC 51 AT 30 30 NORTH FREEWAY AND OUR PARTNERS AT TEXAS SECURITY SHREDDING.YOU DRIVE UP, UH, THEY'LL TAKE THE THE BOXES OUTTA YOUR CAR, SHRED 'EM, AND THEN YOU CAN DRIVE AWAY.
UM, SO THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF, UH, INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HAVE PERSONAL, UH, INFORMATION AND WHATNOT, AND KEEP YOUR PRIVACY PROTECTED.
SO THAT IS SATURDAY, JUNE THE 20TH, 9:00 AM TO 12:00 PM AT THE IATI LOCAL 51 30 30 NORTH FREEWAY.
ALSO, AS WE WRAP UP JUNE, WE'RE ENDING THE FIFTH COHORT OF THE DISTRICT H HORIZONS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
AND I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE'VE HAD TWO FANTASTIC INTERNS, JESUS AND FERNANDO.
IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND STANDING, FERNANDO.
AND WE, UH, FERNANDO, REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND JESUS FOR BEING A PART OF THE DISTRICT H OFFICE.
THEY HAVE HAD A SIX MONTH COMPREHENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND PART OF THIS INTERNSHIP, THEY GET TO PICK SOMEBODY.
UM, FERNANDO SHADOWED CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA FOR A DAY WHEN SHE WAS IN TOWN.
JESUS SHADOWED CON OR, UH, CHAIRWOMAN ELIZABETH BROCK FROM METRO.
AND, UH, WE'RE GONNA MISS Y'ALL.
Y'ALL DID A GREAT JOB AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.
AND THEN FINALLY, UM, FOR JUNETEENTH, I WILL BE WITH FRESH ARTS HOUSTON AT RICHARD BROCK PARK THIS COMING FRIDAY FOR THEIR JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OVER IN FIRST WARD.
THAT'S GONNA BE AT 11:00 AM AND WE WILL INVITE FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR, UH, A DISTRICT H SPOT TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH, UM, THAT WILL BE HOSTING A FESTIVAL TO HONOR THE LEGACY RESILIENCE AND JOY OF JUNETEENTH, UH, THIS COMING FRIDAY.
WE'LL, UH, WRAP UP A POP OFF WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM DISTRICT K FIRST, UM, COLLEAGUES WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OOH.
I WOULDN'T BE REMISS IF I LEFT OUT THE RIGHT REVEREND, NOT THE DOCTOR.
WELL, RIGHT NOW, I'M THE WRONG REVEREND.
NO, I WOULD NEVER FORGET YOU
I'VE BEEN LOOKED OVER LOT IN LIFE.
THAT'S A, THAT, THAT'S, I WANT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I SEE YOU.
YOU ARE VALUE ADDED, YOU AS KIND, YOU AS SMART, AND YOU AS IMPORTANT.
YOU CAN SKIP OVER ME FROM NOW ON EVERY WEEK.
UH, I JUST WANT TO FIRST BEGIN BY, UH, MAYOR PRO TIM, REAL SHORT, NOTHING MUCH.
JUST WANT TO IDENTIFY MY TWO, UH, INTERNS IF YOU WOULD STAND.
UM, BROTHER ZY, UH, IS A, UH, THREE-PEAT WITH US IN OUR OFFICE.
JUST OUTSTANDING YOUNG MAN AND, UH, MAJORED IN KINESIOLOGY AND, UH, ATTENDING THE HCC COLLEGE.
AND WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HAVE KAZIE WITH US.
AND THEN NEXT TO HIM IS LEILA JOHNSON.
AND SHE'S A, A STUDENT GOING INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
AND, UH, AND SHE'S GOING TO BE DOING IT IN CULINARY.
SHE'S A GREAT COOK AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE HER BOTH ON OUR TEAMS AND I'M JUST HAPPY TO HAVE THEM.
AND ALSO, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UH, MAYOR PRO TIM AND, AND COLLEAGUES.
THERE'S A LOT OF, UH, INTERNS HERE, UH, TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF MANY OF THEM WERE, SOME OF THEIR, UH, WHO THEY'RE WORKING WITH, BUT ALL OF THOSE, I JUST LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM, IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE.
WOULD THEY STAND ALL OF YOU THAT ARE INTERNS? OUTSTANDING.
IT'S JUST GOOD TO HAVE YOU AND SEE THE PROCESS, UH, WORKING FORWARD FOR THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR CITY.
AND WE DEFINITELY WISH OUR INTERNS AN INCREDIBLE SUMMER HERE AT CITY HALL.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PROAM
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS IN GENERAL AND ROMAN AGUILAR IN PARTICULAR.
UH, WE HAD A MEETING OUT, UH, IN THE COMMUNITY LAST THURSDAY FOR THE MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
AND, UH, ROMAN HAS COME OUT, UH, TWO YEARS IN A ROW AND PUT THAT ON.
UH, I THINK WE HAVE A NUMBER OF GROUPS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DOING PROJECTS TO HELP MAKE THE COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE AND, AND CAN'T WAIT FOR IT.
AND THEN, UH, WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE, ONE OF, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I
[02:30:01]
DEALT WITH FROM THE VERY FIRST WAS A SQUATTER HOME OUT IN FREEWAY MANOR.AND FROM THAT AND DIGGING INTO IT, FOUND OUT THAT THAT HOUSE WAS RECEIVING A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND ELDERLY EXEMPTION, WHICH IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR.
UH, I WENT UP AND SPOKE ABOUT THIS UP AT AUSTIN, AND, UH, WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON TRYING TO GET SOME, SOME LEGISLATION DONE, BUT THE MEDIA HAS BEEN WORKING ON A STORY DIGGING THIS UP AND TURNS OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS MUCH LARGER THAN WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS.
AND THERE IS ACTUALLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR THAT ARE NOT COLLECTED IN TAXES THAT ARE LEGALLY OWED, UH, BECAUSE OF THESE EXEMPTIONS THAT THEY'RE BEING RECEIVED AND, UH, THAT THEY'RE NOT QUALIFYING FOR.
SO THERE'S GONNA BE A STORY COMING OUT HERE PRETTY SOON, KIND OF UNVEILING ALL THIS, AND, UH, I THINK IT'LL BE PRETTY INTERESTING FOR EVERYBODY TO WATCH.
NOW WE'LL ROUND IT OUT WITH OUR, OUR DISTRICT A ANNOUNCEMENTS.
UH, DO WANT TO REMIND YOU COLLEAGUES THAT TODAY AT 2:00 PM HERE IN THE CHAMBERS, WE WILL HOST OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.
THERE WILL BE ONE PRESENTATION FROM CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR HOUSTON AND OUTFRONT MEDIA ON DIGITAL BILLBOARDS.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT 2:00 PM TODAY HERE IN THE CHAMBER, UH, WITH ALL THE RAIN THAT'S HAPPENING, UH, AT THE RESIDENTS ALONG WEST AIRPORT THAT DRIVE ALONG WEST AIRPORT NEAR
SO, UM, THIS LONGSTANDING DRAINAGE CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT 150 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE ACTUAL PROJECT, BUT, UM, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IMPROVEMENT FOR THOSE RESIDENTS AND THE RESIDENTS THAT DRIVE ALONG IN THAT AREA.
UP ART STUDIO DOES HAVE A CALL FOR ARTISTS.
UM, IF YOU GET OUR NEWSLETTER, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UM, THOSE INTERESTED TO APPLY, UM, CAN LOOK AT THE BUFFALO TRAIL HEADS APPLICATION.
THE APPLICATION DOES CLOSE ON JUNE THE 30TH AT 11:59 PM SO IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR CALLS FOR PROJECT, WE DO HAVE ONE AVAILABLE, UM, FOR PAINTING OF THE BUFFALO SPEEDWAY AND SIMS BAYOU GATEWAYS, UM, FOR THAT REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORK, OF COURSE, WANT TO SAY HAPPY JUNETEENTH, WE ALL KNOW IT.
UM, WHEN UNION MAJOR GENERAL GORDON GRANGER ARRIVED IN GALVESTON, TEXAS, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT ALL THE EXCITEMENT HAPPENING, UH, NOT ONLY IN DISTRICT D, BUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UM, CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH IS A COLLECTIVE PROMISE Y'ALL TO KEEP BUILDING A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE AND ENSURING THAT TRUE FREEDOM BELONGS TO EVERYONE.
UH, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR DISTRICT K INTERNS.
UH, OLIVIA GERLING PEREZ IS A RISING SENIOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
SHE IS PURSUING A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A MINOR IN LEGAL STUDIES.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE HER ON THE DISTRICT, A TEAM THIS SUMMER.
AND CECIL ALVA REYES IS A RISING SOPHOMORE AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, MAJORING IN PUBLIC POLICY.
SO WE MAY HAVE SOME POLICY COMING OUTTA DISTRICT A THIS, UH, SUMMER FROM OUR, OUR YOUTH.
UM, YESTERDAY WE TALKED TO THEM AND THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING A PODCAST, UM, AND REALLY WORKING ON, UH, MY SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA SO WE CAN MAKE GOVERNMENT COOL AND ENGAGING FOR THEIR PEERS.
SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO, TO SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH.
UM, IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET ENGAGED IN GOVERNMENT AND THEIR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BOTH ON OUR SUMMER TEAM.
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT, A TEAM, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR INTERNS.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, YOU'RE BACK IN THE QUEUE.
BEFORE WE WRAP UP, WE WERE JOINED BY THE SECOND DISTRICT H HORIZONS INTERN.
I WANNA MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZE HIM AS WELL FOR, UH, HIS SERVICE THIS PAST SIX MONTHS.
THEY HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC AND WE'RE GONNA MISS THEM, AND THEY'RE GONNA DO GREAT THINGS.
I THINK SINCE WE HAVE SO MANY INTERNS, IF WE WILL COME INSIDE THE HORSESHOE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
LET'S GET A PICTURE WITH ALL OF OUR INTERNS AND DO SOMETHING FUN.
SO Y'ALL, I WANNA SEE IT ON YOUR INSTAGRAM POSTS.
I WANNA SEE IT ON YOUR TIKTOK PAGES.
I WANNA SEE IT ON YOUR, ARE Y'ALL ON FACEBOOK? SOME OF Y'ALL'S, FOR MY, MY FRIENDS TELL ME FACEBOOK IS FOR OLD PEOPLE, BUT I WANT SEE THE PICTURE.
UH, BUT RIGHT NOW AND HALF THE CHAMBER, WE STAND ADUR FROM.