Council, please come to order.

I'm gonna ask the mayor pro Tim to preside while we tend to some business.

The chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez, who will recognize Arturo Mejia for his 31 years of service to HPD.

Thank you.

Thank you.

If I can have Arturo and we have um joined by my colleague uh Julian Ramirez as well, who I would uh like for him to also share some words.

Um but you know, many times we we honor, we recognize organizations.

Uh every every so often as uh council members, we get to honor somebody that's a friend.

Um, and somebody like Arturo, um, him and his wife, many of y'all know his wife as well, Christina, um, are public servants, and the mayor says a lot, you know, he puts a high premium on public service.

Um, I agree.

Um full uh lockstep with with those uh sentiments.

Arturo has uh has displayed a lot over his 32 years in HPD, and so in his retirement, we want to wish him all the best.

We know he's not going too far, and as a friend, I know he's not going too far, whether it's a national game or somewhere afterwards to celebrate with uh adult beverage.

Um just want to say that uh I'm I'm proud of you.

Um I'm honored and blessed to be able to honor you today.

Arturo.

And so I'm gonna go ahead and start the proclamation.

On September 12th, 2025, the City of Houston is proud to celebrate Detective Arturo Mejia as he retires from the Houston Police Department after a stellar 31-year career.

Mejia brought uh began his law enforcement career at North Shepherd Substation before becoming a detective and joining HPD's robbery division in 1995.

In 1996, Mejia played a key role in the investigation of the Houston tourniquet uh killer.

Many of y'all um might might remember this as well, helping to identify uh critical patterns that link multiple murders.

His meticulous evidence preservation later led to a DNA match and the arrest of the serial killer.

The case gained a national attention, and Mejia was later featured in AE documentary.

During his time in the robbery division, Mejia was sworn into a federal task force as part of the SB FBI's gang initiative, where he was instrumental in dismantling organized crime rings and preventing violent home invasions across the city.

In 2001, Mejia was handpicked to join the Spanish-speaking robbery squad known as the Latino Squad.

His inf his fluent his fluency in Spanish, deep knowledge of gang operations, cultural awareness, and strong investigative instincts made him a vital team asset.

Mejia trans transitioned to Houston HPD's major offenders division in 2008, focusing on complex investigations involving swindles, fraud, and home invasions by police impersonators.

In 2012, following a rigorous vetting process, Mejia was recruited and sworn in as United States Marshal.

He joined the Bureau of Acohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, where he was tasked with investigating firearms trafficking and assigned to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network Squad.

In this role, he helped ballistically link violent crimes across the Greater Houston and Harris County area in 2023.

As part of his work, he testified before the Texas legislative session, uh, the 88 session, advocating on behalf of HPD for adoption of felony charges related to possession of machine gun conversion devices.

Beyond the investigative achievements, Mejia committed to mentorship and community engagement.

He participated in Chris Christina Morales' uh foundation career days, mentoring youth, recruiting future officers for HPD.

He was also an elected representative for the Houston Police Officers Union, advocating on behalf of his fellow officers.

As Detective Arturo Mejia retires, the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department congratulate and honor him for his dedicated decades of outstanding police work, dedicated service for Houstonians, and significant contributions to public safety safety.

Thank you, Councilmember Martinez and Councilman Ramares.

Thanks for joining us.

Nice to see a long time friend working together, not only in the community, but in Austin.

And thank you for helping us with our public safety.

But let me just emphasize something everyone can hear.

This gentleman, when he entered the department, it was not the city of Houston that we are witnessing today.

It was not nearly as diverse.

Language skills are not what they are today.

So Detective Mejia helped us transition.

Community engagement.

We've come a long ways because of leadership, but we have a long ways to go.

So let me just publicly thank you for helping the city and the department to grow to the diverse city that it is today, and our department is diverse.

And uh we did it better than other large cities.

We did it uh together.

And uh see on the north Coleman, her husband John played a vital role in that.

So there's a lot to celebrate with your career, and I'm so glad that you've got the drop benefit, sir.

I know for a fact.

Which I was proud to be among your supporters.

Therefore, I John Whitmeyer, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaimed chair September 12th, 2025 as Detective Arturo Mejia Day in the entire city of Houston.

Oh, you're not just selling her.

I would, I yield, I would.

Thank you, thank you, Mayor.

First of all, thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, City Council members.

Uh what a great honor.

Uh I am beyond words.

I particularly like to thank uh Councilman uh Joaquin Martinez, uh Julian Ramirez for sponsoring this and making this proclamation uh a reality today.

Um very appreciative.

Uh perfect opportunity here to take and and acknowledge the leadership Mayor Whitmeyer has demonstrated by making public safety a number one priority, and I know all of you played a huge role in that.

Uh we are under a new contract, uh, and also in conjunction with the newly appointed chief Noe Diaz, morale at HPD, it's at its highest.

Uh recruiting the division, because I'm very involved still with recruiting.

Uh they're knocking at our doors.

And it's because of the leadership of Mayor Whitmeyer and the body of council.

Also would like to acknowledge Sally Acorn, good friend.

Uh we you know run into each other in a lot of events.

My city councilwoman, Marin Ann Huffman, big promoter with HPD and before HPOU.

Uh public service runs in our family deep, deeply uh for decades.

And it started many years ago with my father Juan Mejia, World War II veteran, combat veteran, the Battle of the Bulge.

Uh his wife, my mother, and Adina Reyes Mejia, a nurse, and the true silent hero of our family.

Um we have doctors, we have a judge, we have attorneys, we have firefighters, we have uh West Point grads, uh we have nurses, we have teachers, and of course, to round it all off, we've got a couple of cops mixed up in the family.

There, yeah.

Uh so I'm going to be transitioning and and and stepping into another role.

Um after 32 years of service.

I'm going to be joining the Harris County Public Defender's Office effective uh September the 15th.

I'm super excited to take on that new uh challenge.

It's uh under the direction and leadership of a newly appointed chief, and many of you may know, uh Judge Genesee Draper.

Uh I'm very excited to do that, and uh looking for the challenge.

Our family, all of our family for generations, we're lifelong learners, and we never stop giving back, and that's the legacy that I want to build on, and and that's the reason why my family is here, and I'd like to just acknowledge them if you would allow me, please.

Um, start off with my nieces that are here, my sister Cecilia is here.

Uh, I've got uh my daughters, Jessica, Erica, my granddaughter Danielle, my son Vicenta, my son Alejandro, my mother-in-law, Mary Cabra.

Thank you for just always being present.

Uh time is everything.

When you give of your time, it it you can't put a dollar sign on that.

And of course, last but not least, uh, my biggest supporter, my advocate, my beautiful wife Christina.

Yes, and again, uh, thank you so much.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, City Council.

I'm gonna end with Mayor Whitmeyer's.

I I I hear him talk all the time, but he always ends it's by let's go to work because the work hasn't been work at the moment.

We do have two council members in queue.

We'll start with Councilmember Alcorn.

Arturo, oh my gosh, congratulations.

This is wonderful.

This is just I mean, list I I love hearing Lakin all the thing all the things you solved.

You solved a lot of things.

And and I didn't know that much about the details of your career, but that was super interesting.

And it's not an easy job, it's not a safe job.

It's a it's a hard, hard job, and you did it for thirty-one plus years.

And thank you from a very grateful city.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cayman.

Thank you.

Um to our council members and mayor, thank you for taking the time to to do this important recognition in Arturo.

Um, I'm so happy that as a community we still get to have you in service.

I was just with our public defender, um, who I know is going to do incredible work, and to have you there to have a law enforcement perspective coming to the table with public defense is a really big deal.

So thank you for continuing your family's incredible legacy of service beyond anything we could ever ask for.

Uh, I also want to, as you did, thank your family.

As we were talking earlier, uh when you have a family member that is in law enforcement, it is the family that is in law enforcement.

It is the sacrifice of the entire family.

So to your daughters, your granddaughter, your beautiful wife, your mother-in-law, your sons.

Thank you all for the sacrifice and service that you have provided to the city of Houston as well.

So thank you.

Congratulations.

And uh as as a city council member, I want to say thank you for giving thirty-two years of your life to the city of Houston.

We talk about public safety a lot here, but it it doesn't happen unless we have guys like guys and women like you who make the sacrifices and work hard and uh do it right.

I was privileged to work with uh art uh many years ago, almost thirty years ago, uh at the district attorney's office when you were with the uh divisional gang unit working the north side, going after some of the most dangerous gang members on the north side.

And uh was always professional thorough, steady.

What you see here is is the way he's always been.

And um I just I just thank you.

I was privileged to work with you.

Uh I've got stories, but I won't tell them.

I'm gonna save them for Friday.

Uh at your retirement celebration at the Union Hall.

Uh I'll share a couple.

But um you you did it the right way.

And uh you went on to to uh bigger and better things uh after you left that gang unit.

You were a better officer for it.

And uh I just say thank you and best of luck to you as you continue to seek justice.

Thank you, sir in our justice system.

Thank you.

If you would allow me just and please forgive me, I just forgot this, and I I it's my fault.

I'd like to acknowledge my friends and fellow uh fellow workers that are out there.

My sincere thank you for allowing me to lean on you for your mentorship, your guidance, and most importantly, just your friendship.

It means everything to me for you to sacrifice the time and be here.

Thank you so much.

Well deserved.

Thank you.

How are you?

Congratulations.

I know it's a good one.

Next, the chair recognizes Councilmember Cayman in celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Local Foods Group.

All right.

Uh, we're gonna take a little bit of a pivot uh to celebrate local foods group day in the city of Houston.

I am joined by Benji and Erica Levitt, uh, local foods group founders and owners, and Dylan Murray, one of our uh partners and chefs, right?

Okay, I need some lessons from you.

And then uh Carla Gomez, uh, who's also on staff.

So it is my privilege to recognize local foods group.

We all know their restaurants that have defined and elevated Houston's dining culture for over three decades.

And colleagues and city staff, there are some cookies in the back from you all, so thank you for that special treat to celebrate.

Uh look, y'all have been an absolutely incredible supporter of our schools, our nonprofits, countless local organizations, and through their business model, they support other local businesses throughout the region, and that's what you'll hear about in just a moment.

Many of Houston's leading chefs and entrepreneurs got their start with Local Foods Group, which is a testament to their investment in people.

And they have the best staff and some of the best employees, some working, I believe, over 20 years, uh, which speaks to just the environment that you all have in your restaurants.

Today we recognize three decades of their commitment to Houston and legacy of quality.

Clearing up a little miscommunication.

As you do very well, sir.

Thank you.

We don't worry about it.

Whereas the room can hold.

Whereas for 30 years, Local Foods Group has proudly served Houston with nourishing food made from locally sourced ingredients, exceptional hospitality, and strong community partnerships, beginning with Benji's in 1995.

They currently operate beloved concepts such as Milton's Trataria, Lee's Cocktail Lounge, Maximo Progressive Mexican, and five local foods locations.

Shout out to the Crunchy Chicken Sandwich.

All local foods group restaurants offer a haven of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from more than 50 local farmers and purveyors, along with a family-friendly atmosphere that fosters camaraderie, celebrates special occasions, and creates positive memories for more than 21 million customers over multiple generations.

Founders, co-owners, and native Houstonians, Benji Levitt and Dylan Murray have focused on giving back to the community in numerous ways, including supporting and partnering with local businesses and nonprofits, as well as contributing over one million dollars to causes ranging from childhood education to supporting teachers and hospitality worker wellness.

And I think that's especially important, Mayor, today as we have so many of our hospitality workers here.

Local Foods Group has provided employment for roughly 5,000 individuals throughout its legacy of Houston dining institutions, many of whom became successful entrepreneurs shaping the city's hospitality scene, such as Boggy Bobby Hugel of Anvil Bar and Refuge, Matt Pack of Burger Joint, Russell Theodhoad, I'm sorry I'm mispronouncing it, of Laylo, Carrie Pauly of KP's Kitchen, and Felix Flores of Cherry Blossom Smoke Block Smokehouse.

Cultivating a culture of positivity, loyalty, and development, and adhering to the philosophy that investing in your team means investing in your business, customers, and community.

In 2025, Local Foods Group celebrates 30 years of operation, advancing the concept of local sourcing and sustainability, offering approachable, healthier options for communities ranging from Rice Village to Post Oak to the Heights and more, giving back to the communities it serves and those beyond, providing employment, training, and development for the hospitality industry, and welcoming guests with outstanding service and ambience throughout Greater Houston.

Thank you, Councilmember Cayman.

And uh I regularly talk about what a great city this is.

It didn't become a great city by itself.

It's entrepreneurs and our friends, such as yours in the local food group.

Uh I'm gonna be honest with you.

I just saw some establishments that I need to go visit.

They're delicious.

And thank you for uh the jobs that you've created, and also the quality of life.

So, you know, I know it's a good experience for Houstonians and our guests to visit one of your businesses.

So thank you, Councilmember Kamen.

It's my honor.

I John Whitmar, mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaimed September 9th, 2025 is local foods groups day in the city of Houston.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

If you want to say anything, on behalf of Local Foods Group, it's a tremendous honor to be recognized by Mayor Whitmeyer, Councilmember Cayman, and all the city officials gathered here today.

It's rare for a hospitality group to reach 30 years of age because running restaurants takes grit, tenacity, and a little bit of craziness.

We're able to celebrate this milestone thanks to thousands of Houstonians who have formed part of our team and enabled our growth, and the millions of guests who have come in, dine with us and champion local foods group.

We hope to have the opportunity to cons continue serving up delicious food and drinks, hospitality, and fun times to Houstonians at Local Foods, Maximo, Milton's, and Lee's for many years to come while giving back to the community where we can.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Okay.

The Chair recognizes Vice Mayor Pro Tem Peck, who will present a proclamation to Dr.

Peter Stout and Dr.

Amy Castillo in recognition of their outstanding 10 years of service at the Houston Forensic Science Center.

Thank you, Mayor Pretem.

It is my honor to um present these proclamations for both Dr.

Stout and Dr.

Casillo for their decade of exceptional um service to the City of Houston.

And since there are two proclamations, I will um read the highlights of both of them.

First, Dr.

Stout, on September 9th, 2025, the City of Houston joins the Houston Forensic Science Center, HFSC, in celebrating Dr.

Stout for his 10 years of service as president and chief executive officer of HFS HFSC.

That's hard to say.

And for his dedicated work in the criminal justice system.

Under Dr.

Stout's leadership, HFSC served Houstonians by providing forensic analysis in seven disciplines, completing over 25,000 analysis requests annually, with a staff of 200 and more than 100,000 square feet of facility space for operations and evidence storage.

Dr.

Stout has positioned HFSC as a national leader in forensic quality standards.

HFSC's quality assurance program now serves as a model for other states.

Dr.

Stout has been known as an innovative leader and the gold standard in laboratory management among his peers in the forensic community.

We are also recognizing Dr.

Amy Casillo for her tenures of service as the chief operating officer of HFSC.

As COO, Dr.

Casillo personally oversees all forensic disciplines at HFSE, including forensic biology, DNA, toxicology, firearms, latent prints, digital multimedia, seized drugs, and the crime scene unit.

She is lauded by her staff for her innovative approach to challenges, advocacy for employee wellness, passion for forensics, humility, and genuine care for personnel.

Dr.

Castillo began her career in forensic science with the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory in 2010 and has served as an active member of the Governor's Task Force on Sexual Assault Survivors since its inception.

Dr.

Castillo's commitment to solving sexual violence crimes has led to major changes in Texas through her passion for improving the response to sexual violence.

Thank you, Councilmember Peck, and thank you, Dr.

Castillo, Dr.

Stout.

Probably two of the smartest people I know.

And you know, without the forensic lab, there would be no public safety.

And uh you each have played such a key role in bringing to the attention of the legislature to this council how important the forensic lab is.

And uh just the fact that you would take over our property road, freed up about 60 uniformed officers to be out on the street, and I could go on and on.

But uh I understand your office, Dr.

Stout, Dr.

Castillo are recognized around our country.

People come here to see how you do so much with so little.

And the fact that you would be so open about the backlog of the sexual assault kids.

And so you just make our city uh operate a lot better.

I'd hate to think what it's like about your expertise and intellect at the forensic lab.

So thank you, Councilman Peck.

Heck of a job.

Uh no particular order, but I, John Whitmai, Mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaim September 9th, 2025 is Dr.

Amy Castillo Day.

And at the same time, I would say, therefore, I John Whitmar, Mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaimed September 9th is Dr.

Peter Stout Day.

So there's enough to go around for both of you.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

I think you all have been subjected to way too many of my long-winded stories.

But I I think all of you have also been subjected to where I usually start the story about the laboratory is the 2003 New York Times headline, the worst crime lab in the country.

That's where this started.

Now, as flattering as it is, for the credit to Amy and I for the work that we've done and appreciate that.

It doesn't happen just us.

It happens because of the 200 people in the laboratory, and it happens because of you all, and it happens because of the citizens of Houston.

It is an unusual thing that you all have had the courage to do to do something different with a crime lab.

And it shows.

And of course, we want to recognize uh former Mayor Pro Tim Ellen Cohen for being back in chamber as well.

And the entire team.

Thank you all for being here.

We do have a couple of council members in queue.

We'll start with Councilmember Kangman.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Mayor, Chairwoman Peck, uh, Dr.

Stout, uh, Dr.

Castillo.

We've we've been through a lot together.

Uh I was thinking back to when we couldn't apply certain ARPA dollars to addressing the backlog and working to get an additional over half a million on the budget through an amendment.

Um, but every step of the way, y'all have uh stood your ground in the belief of what your staff can do, and how important the forensic science center is.

So thank you both for your leadership, our appreciation to your entire staff.

Uh those are not easy conditions that they have worked in.

Um, but again, thank you for being the gold standard that you're talking about.

Uh I do want to give a very special shout out to my predecessor, uh Mayor Pro Tem Cohn, for everything you have done under your leadership.

Uh you have been at the forefront of advocating, especially when it comes to um assault survivors, and that goes hand in hand with the work of the Houston Present Science Center.

So thank you and the entire board for everything and everyone standing with you today.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

And uh Dr.

Stout and Amy, I just want to say thank you for all the hard work that you do.

I think few people understand how really difficult, how complex, and how important the work is that you guys at the Forensic Science Center do.

Um and the challenges continue.

You've worked through a lot of the challenges in the past.

Uh we are light years uh from where we were when the Forensic Science Science Center opened, but you still work under some very challenging circumstances.

So I appreciate the work that you and all of you do.

I know Dr.

Stout, you you are nationally renowned now for having uh put the forensic science center in the position where it is, and I know you've been working through the legislative process as well to try to improve not only our own lab, but labs across the state.

And so thank you for that service.

Thank you for all everybody else who's here, your board members and staff from the forensic science center.

Councilmember Alcorn.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for the great work you've done for so long.

Uh Dr.

Stout, you've really educated me about property and about evidence and about disposition of evidence and about all the labor-intensive and problems that are associated with that.

And I look forward to budget time because uh we want to keep the good progress that you're doing as far as evidence and property room, everything that's going on there.

Keep it going.

So thank you.

Congratulations to y'all.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Cayman for the invocation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh District C's houses of worship reflect uh Houston's rich religious and cultural diversity.

And today I'm pleased to introduce uh Petita Pavana Das, a resident monk of Iskon Houston, uh the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which is right off of Thirty Fourth Street.

Um Iskon focuses on a message of community and peace, and they have a very rich history in District C beginning in Montrose in nineteen seventy-two.

Uh and if you know the location on thirty-fourth street, it's also uh home to Govindas, where everybody should try uh the incredible vegetarian food that is there.

The temple and its members provide wonderful public programs, school outreach, and interfaith events that foster understanding and inclusion, like their inaugural festival of bliss.

I may be pronouncing this incorrectly, Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra, and their Jan Mastami celebration that was just a few weeks ago.

I did okay.

Thank you.

They're a committed partner in times of disaster with our office, standing up distribution points in case there's a need.

And I want to thank Petita Pavanadas, who has dedicated his life to spiritual practice and sharing the uplifting power of sacred sound.

And I believe you will now lead us in an offering of peace and goodwill.

Yes, I'll just recite one Sanskrit and English prayer by a boy saint, and then we'll sing the names of the Lord for the spiritual liftment of all beings.

May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified.

May all living entities become calm by practicing loving devotional service.

For by accepting devotional service, they will think of each other's welfare.

Therefore, let us all engage in the service of the Supreme Transcendence, Lord Shri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of him.

Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Hadi Rama Ramarama Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Rama Ramay Hot Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hardma Rama Rama Thank you.

We please stand for the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the back of the United States of America and to the Republic for which he stands.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Present.

Councilmember Peck.

Here.

Councilmember Jackson.

Here.

Council Member Kamen.

Present.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz.

Here.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas.

Present.

Councilmember Huffman.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo?

Here.

Council Member Martinez?

Here.

Councilmember Pollard?

Here.

Councilmember Castle.

Here.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Here.

Councilmember Davis.

Council Member Carter.

Councilmember Plummer.

Councilmember Alcorn.

Yeah.

Mayor approach him castrichatum.

Uh Mayor would like to uh suspend the rules to move Jacob Clementec to the top of the agenda.

The non-agenda.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed to naight.

Motion is approved.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

I would move to suspend the rules to add under the three minute non-agenda behind Jacob Clemente the following speakers.

Carla Mayfield.

Keneta Otis.

Marcella Zaletta.

Amber White.

Brittany Lasso.

Eileen Alvarez.

Rosa Leon and Willie Gonzalez.

Came in second.

Motion made in seconded.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion is approved.

Anyone else?

If not, Mr.

Secretary, please call our first speaker.

Jacob Clementec.

I'm gonna read to y'all two letters that I think you not that I received from a Texas rep and the Texas Senator.

The president's from Amanda Wally, and he is for the state representative for Hos District 140.

Mr.

Clemens, thank you for visiting my office and for bringing back the bringing by the U of H plac.

Go to And then he signed it.

Now the other last letter that I received was from say Senator Brian Burrow, and he says, Dear Jacob, thank you for giving me a copy of the walls are talking.

I am current encouraged by your pro life stance, and I value your friendship.

God bless you and God bless Texas.

And now Devin and Corner, I will see the f official contact from the dynamo for a player of the day.

Play for the day.

And it's an official contract that has been signed by me and Hector Herrera.

And now for the Aggie joke.

You know you are relevant playing the well versed, well equipped, Aggie and test when they take their pawn and go to the opposite side of the textboard where the pun is lined up and say king me.

Very good, Jacob.

Thank you, Jacob.

Next.

Carla Mayfield.

Hello.

Good afternoon.

My name is Carla Mafia.

I've been a cafeteria attendant for 17 years at the Hilton America's Houston.

When I first started, uh there was a manager, two supervisors, five attendants.

That number dropped.

It went from one supervisor to two attendance.

After the pandemic, they only brought back two attendants.

So I am one of the two people responsible for feeding all the employees at the hotel.

My schedule, my ship is from two from 6 a.m.

to 2 30 p.m.

For six of those hours, I work by myself alone.

I set up breakfast, lunch, and help with make with part of dinner.

I also assist the dishwasher.

Almost anything dealing with the cafeteria falls on me.

Since coming back from the okay.

I also have a degree in pastry arts.

In Seattle, you are paid upon your experience.

When moving here, I thought having that I would be able to make more money.

And that was not so.

When I first started, I wasn't able to get, I was promised 32 hours to 40 hours, and I don't get those hours.

We want to be able to enjoy our city, come to work, and do what we love without worrying about choosing between lights and food.

We want our fair share.

And just like that science of the Hilton, we are the people of the city, and we want to be respected and felt that way just like they are.

Thank you.

My name is Marcela Salita and I'm a cook at 1600 Bar and Girl at Hilton America.

I'm a mother of three who works three jobs to be able to afford groceries, utilities and necessities for my family.

It takes an hour in the morning to get my kids to school and an hour to get to work.

With the time I have left, I spent resting and getting ready for the next day to do it all over again.

Even though I work so many hours, I'm barely making it.

I'd like to have another job to be I'd like to have another job to be able to afford everything, but I just don't have the time for that.

Every time I get paid, I have to spend it all.

And some weeks I don't have enough to cover everything.

So I wait until the next week to see what I have left.

Your time has expired.

So I know we heard from some that said they're only being given six hours a day, which we know is not enough.

So I'd like to know that would be helpful information for us when you're coming up to speak.

Amber White.

I answer the guest phone calls.

I talk to the guests directly through chat systems.

Whenever you go in the hotel, you don't have any information about the hotel.

I'm the one that texts you that information.

And if I'm not there to text you, you won't get it.

You will call me to ask, what do you have?

What what are the amenities?

So if you don't get those texts, you're not gonna get any information.

I'm my department is the one that does that.

Also, I do the job of concierge, lounge attendant, and a bell captain when needed.

They stretch me out.

If I'm losing hours, I'm asking, where can I be put to work so I can make my hours up?

Um and as far as the uh vacation, we get 14 days of vacation, two weeks.

That's it.

Um, and every year we that we get evaluated for our work performance, and for the past three years, I've exceeded expectations.

I've helped make this hotel over three billion dollars in revenue last year.

That blows my mind.

My wages are not enough.

I cannot feed my family.

If we were making $23 an hour, I'd be more excited to come to work.

I do care about my guests, I care about my job, and I just want to help the people, help me, help us.

You know, I I want to be proud to say I work for this hotel.

I literally tell my family not to come stay at my hotel because we are work to the max, and the Hilton just needs to come through.

They just okay.

I'm a mother of three girls, and I also take care of my mom.

I'm a full-time college student studying for my bachelor's, and it gets really hard.

Some days I don't make enough, and I have to sacrifice eating just so my kids can eat.

And I've had to do that a lot this past year, honestly.

With such a big company as the Hilton, it's time for them to show that they care and appreciate their workers.

We're the oil and we are the grease that makes this hotel run.

It's time that we they make a real offer.

Hilton, that was your chance.

Why not start now?

Brittany Lazo.

To be followed by Aileen Alvarez.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Thank y'all for being here.

I really appreciate y'all taking your time to listen to us.

We are a community at Hilton.

We are a family, and that is what Houston is at its whole.

My name is Brittany Lazo, and I'm a Starbucks barista at the Hilton Americas.

I've been there for about two years.

Um I'm a mother of a 12-year-old daughter.

I also have um anxiety, depression, ADHD.

So I have internal struggles that I deal with every day.

But I put those aside to provide for my family.

I shouldn't have to worry about whether I can afford my copay to go to the doctor or see my therapist because scheduling there is unfair.

They don't provide us with enough time to anticipate our needs of the following week.

Yet they know years in advance, their scheduled projected sales and the bookings.

I shouldn't have to worry about if I have to buy groceries or check my car's uh check engine light has been on.

Um having to prioritize my necessities is really just a rough system that I'm living in right now.

And it's frustrating to know that while me and my co-workers live like that, there's plenty of people that work there that don't ever deal with these struggles.

The MIT living wage calculator says that an average adult in the city of Houston with one child should earn at least $30 and 97 cents an hour.

I currently make $16.50.

So I know that asking for $23 is not unreasonable, and that we aren't we could be asking for more.

Since I have been on strike, I actually was able to see a beautiful thing.

I was able to sit and have dinner with my child for the first time in a long time.

I usually get home from work and I'm exhausted, and then to have to get ready for the day and cooking dinner.

I'm just exhausted to take care of the basic needs for her.

So it was nice to just sit there and have it.

I also um I'm a full-time worker and occasionally I'm scheduled only four hours a day, sometimes six.

Um it's not enough.

I also pick up shifts bartending outside of that, but I have to make flexible things work in order to have transportation for my child and care, but I also need a paycheck so she doesn't go hungry and she can have a future that America promises us.

Thank you.

Hi, good afternoon.

My name is Eileen Alrez.

I'm kind of nervous, just have a little bit patience for me.

All right.

I've been working at Hilton as a housekeeping for two years already.

My what my payment, like well, my hourly pay is 1650 an hour.

Well, one year ago, when my son wasn't a NICU, he was born with uh um with a birth defense condition.

So he had to spend like he was in the Nikki for almost two months, so I was out of work for six weeks.

So I have to I had to go back to work because I didn't have no money to cover up my spenses and my son in the in the hospital for all this time.

So um one year ago, my son had a small surgery, so I had to take two weeks out of work so I could stay with my son, take care of him.

And um I asked for them if I would have um what was it called?

Give me a sec.

Medical leave, and they told me that I didn't qualify because I was in the sick person, so I had to take them two weeks and how to pay I have a I had to cover up my like my off days with my vacation time and my sick days so I could get a check or something to come home with.

So I feel like it's not fair for us to leave pay to um paycheck to paycheck because we work hard for them, and it's really hard to leave like that, you know, like everything has go up, like bills, we gotta pay bills out of it, um, pay our groceries, everything I go up, and we're still at the same like waste salary, and it's not fair, you know, like we are poor people, like as you can see, like we struggle a lot.

I have to pay for daycare for my son for somebody to take care of him, and it's not fair.

So I feel like Hilton should be do better and have and pay us more because they win a lot out of us, so we we decide better.

Rosa Leon to be to be followed by Willie Gonzalez.

Uh buenas tardes, gracias for receiving at all.

Yo no voy a hablar mucho porque ya todo lo que ya vivieron lo vivi yo.

My name is Rosa Leon.

I am a housekeeper and I've been housekeeping for 21 years.

I'm not gonna say much because everything that they have already said is exactly what I'm going through as well.

Yo traje antes in Otto Hilton cinco años and cinco centaurs in cinco años.

I worked in a Hilton prior to the Hilton Americas, had a different Hilton for five years, and I only got a um a race of 25 cents.

I've been working up in Hilton America's now for twenty nine years.

Um, and how I came here to this hotel with empty handed, I am leaving empty handed again because they did not provide a good retirement plan for me to leave.

Me being the one with most of the I'm getting ready to retire, but I can't even do that because the Hilton doesn't help me retire comfortably.

For favor, let's get us a points con esto.

Yo ya voy para fuera, pero those personas todavía and necessitan de su ayuda, por favor.

I'm here to ask you for your help.

I'm already grown and I'm already ready to retire, but these young people that are here are waiting for your guys' help and are waiting to be heard, and hopefully you're gonna support.

And if you guys can please give them a good retirement plan, because I don't want them to go through what I'm going through right now.

First of all, I want to thank everyone here who's been supporting us during the strike, where they're behind the scenes, where they're coming out to visit the strikers, march the picket line, bring us water, bring us food.

These workers, these are the workers that covered that came during hurricanes, left their families to take care of the first responders in that hotel.

These are the workers that came during the pandemic to welcome the few guests and help that hotel survive.

And the way they're being paid back is they're forced to strike because of greed of the Hilton and of Houston first.

It's that simple.

No one can deny that hotel is extremely profitable.

It's doing well.

But the people who have made that hotel a success, that hotel that was built with public money, that hotel that was entrusted to do right by the people of Houston has betrayed these people and the city of Houston.

So now I and I don't often do this, but there's a passage sometimes in organizing.

It's a very hard time for these folks.

They're very courageous, but it says, When I walk in faith, I have no fear.

And you're looking at a bunch of people that may not have a lot of money, may not have a lot of power like Hilton does, they don't have all the name recognition, but standing together, they have respect, they have dignity, and they're in this fight for respect, dignity, and a livable wage and decent working conditions.

So I also think so.

We're standing here to ask your help with two things.

Number one, these are the people you count on.

As we talk about the expansion of the convention district, and we support it.

That can be a good thing.

Don't forget that it's going to be these people you count on.

You're going to count on them.

So now they're asking to be able to count on you.

To support them to push Hilton to the table and make a real offer so that the city can say with pride, so the city of Houston can say with pride, our largest hotel, look how well we treat our employees, and look how well they treat the guests that come here, so they keep coming here.

So we ask for your help with that.

And we will also ask for help with another thing.

Some of you that have been here for a while, I have spoken here before about Houston First.

We had a fight because they tried, the Hilton tried to maneuver something because of lack of hours to drop people from their health care.

A few years ago, this was before your term, Mayor.

I was right here fighting with them.

During the pandemic, they tried to leave these folks without health care.

And we came and fought.

Okay.

So we're we're asking here, number one, for you to support these workers and push Hilton and Houston First to come to the table.

And we're asking for four things from Houston first.

Because Houston First has not lived up to its promise.

Number one, this city should conduct an audit of Houston first.

Not that are posted two days before and nobody knows when they're happening.

On said days, just like the council does, just like you do for your committees.

Number three, those meetings should be video.

Why is there no why does no one know what actually goes on in those meetings?

There should be a video of those meetings so any citizen of Houston can see what is happening with Houston First, just like they do here.

And number four, the meeting minutes.

They should be detailed and have the backup agenda.

Because when I fought for the health care here, we couldn't figure anything out.

It was like a labyrinth, figuring out what had been said by who, who had approved what.

There was no transparency.

So Houston first, if it seeks public money, it gets tax money and other revenue.

It should be transparent to the public.

It should be able to handle an audit and show this is our books.

This is what we're doing.

It should be transparent so people can attend the meetings, know when they are, and see the reports.

Again, I thank you for your time, and I ask you to remember that these are the people that stood up for this city in the worst of times, and now it's time to remember them.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Willie, just first want to say thank you for your leadership and to everyone that is in here.

Thank you for the risk that you are taking.

At this time you are picketing, you're not working, and so there is an unclear pathway forward for you all.

But I wanted you to know that I stand with you.

When the visitors economy, the convention economy is doing well, then you should be able to reap those benefits as well.

Councilman, you say que ahorita is muy difficile.

But Madam Antiqua de la Vicentantes y los com uh convenciones is tan sino bien.

Ustedes también necesitan hacer bien.

Um mayor, I just want to say thank you.

Um that early Monday morning, uh, there were a whole bunch of phone calls being made, and um because of your help, we were make sure we were able to make sure that no one would be arrested for picketing.

And because of your support, your cause, we were able to make sure that these individuals were able to do what is in their rightful duty to voice their concerns about how what fair wages means.

And so uh I appreciate that, Mayor.

I thank you for that.

Uh for you all out there, I just want to say that I stand with you and I'll be with you through the end.

Thank you.

Councilman Cayman.

I I also wanted to um express my solidarity but also my gratitude.

First, at the I think it's important to note the historical nature of the strike that you all are leading, right?

As the first of its kind in the State of Texas, and that all eyes are on you right now, not only fighting for yourselves and your families, but all hospitality workers in the State of Texas.

And in the same time as we talk about the importance of history, I want to be very clear that I I recognize that we're talking about your livelihoods and your lives.

And that is very personal as well.

Uh so I thank you all for the courage and the voice that you are providing.

I thank you all for what you have done in Willie.

I remember the health care fight.

I remember the janitorial fights.

I I remember it, and you are not wrong.

And we've talked about y'all being there through the storms.

We have talked about being there through the pandemic, but we also talk about you have been there for the good days because you are creating the good days for Houston and you are creating the economy that we all depend on.

So I just want to make sure that everyone here today, although not every one of you spoke, we hear each and every one of you, and we see each and every one of you.

So again, thank you for those that did speak, but thank you for the collective voice that you are lifting up as all eyes are on Houston right now.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor, and good afternoon to everyone.

Willie, I want to thank you for your leadership.

I think the four things that you outlined are very reasonable, and I would ask for Houston first to really um be reasonable in that request, because I think that is important not only for your members, uh, but also for the public at large.

And I also want to thank you all for your stance.

And even before that, as you mentioned during the storm, I can recall uh families were trying to find uh somewhere to stay when there were power hours all over the city, and the Hilton had power, and people were trying to get into the Hilton.

And it was the workers that were there to be able to help make that hotel functional and to make it comfortable for those who are in an uncomfortable situation.

And so, even in the midst of a storm, while you all are dealing with some of the same circumstances that everyone else is dealing with, uh the Hilton and the city uh was relying on you all to uh to support us, and it's important for us to support you.

So continue to stay strong and thank you for being here.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

And Willie, thank you for your remarks.

I think your remarks, especially as they relate to uh transparency are well taken.

Uh Houston First performs a vital function.

Uh a lot of money flows through Houston first.

And we tend to think of them as as being separate from the City, but really they are the city.

It's just like another department within city government and they should be transparent.

My understanding is they meet quarterly they should be meeting monthly and minutes should be published promptly.

And so your points as they relate to transparency are well taken and I think this council should look at ways in which they can be more transparent.

So thank you for being here.

Mayor Pro Pimper Thank you, Mayor Willie, thank you for being here.

I did want to just kind of reiterate the four things that you suggested.

A couple of those are happening and I did want to remind everyone that we do have two council members that serve on the Houston First Board that represent the Council body, Councilmember Martinez and Councilmember Carter.

So any time that you or your members have concerns I would hope that those conversations would not only happen with all of the Council members, but specifically with them because they are in those meetings and can get you the information that you need from those meetings.

They are public meetings it is not the intent to keep any information from you.

If that is happening we need to know that so I hope that you would let us know that specifically to our two representatives on the Houston First board.

We will definitely keep pushing to make sure that the information that you are looking for we can share with you.

And then I also I don't know how how it works with your negotiating but um from what I hear folks are currently making 1650 what what's the what's the ask now?

So we have asked for a $23 rate.

Okay.

Okay.

For it to be the bottom rate at the hotel starting year one.

They have not denied we have set the table can you afford it?

You have and they have not argued debated that is what we are arguing on the wages.

And then there are other issues mixed in there like the hours and other things that are part of it.

Is it is it fair to say where we are now with the rate can legally can they talk about the rate in public where the Hilton is how far are we apart?

I think that that we need to figure out where the sweet spot is how far apart are we with the negotiation?

Hilton was proposing a dollar not even retroactive to the expiration of the contract which is your Hilton was offering 1750 $1 retroact not even retroactivity upon ratification and 75 cents in January and 50 cents every six months which to be clear is comparable if not less when you look at the overall contract than what we settled for on a two year extension coming out of the pandemic when the hotel was still struggling.

So in essence they have made these workers strike to make a proposal that is comparable to what we got during the pandemic coming out of the pandemic.

That is this is part of a two year extension and they have made them strike and where they are at is comparable where they were coming out of the pandemic when the industry wasn't even as strong.

So right now the Hilton is at 1750 and your your ask is 23 dollars?

Yes.

1650 now is even retroactive that dollar is not even retroactive.

But generally in negotiations you get to raise retro to the expiration date.

Okay.

I think that we we that's helpful information to the council to kind of know where we are and where we can actually land.

We have to find the sweet spot for it mayor I don't know if you have some additional information as we are not at the negotiating table but we do want to encourage a resolution that we can all be happy for.

We want the Hilton to be our our shining jewel and we know that it takes people in our city to make that happen and we want to get to the sweet spot of the wages that you are asking for and can live on and that what the hotel will agree to award to our employees.

May I say something Council Alcorn May go ahead so just to be clear Hilton's came to the table we have 58 proposals.

They rejected without a counter proposal, 39.

They didn't say here's 39, we're saying no, but we're going to counter something.

They just said no.

They rejected very simple proposals based on seniority.

They rejected proposals.

The Hilton, in that hotel, there was a manager in the kitchen.

We talk about respect.

And I will say this in front of them.

There is a manager that walked in and told people, you can't speak in any other language, you can't speak in Spanish amongst yourselves.

That's true.

And we said, and then they came back and said, yep, that wasn't a policy.

We told the manager not to do that.

We questioned if that's even legal.

And then we had a very simple proposal to them, okay, about respect, about acknowledging the value of people and allowing them it acknowledges that English is the language you speak with the customer, and they didn't even want to agree to that.

They agreed to it later on in another proposal we have around immigration, but the simple thing of respect.

See, I hope you understand why they're out here.

Okay?

They're out here because they didn't even bother to say, I'm sorry.

It was a mistake.

We shouldn't have done it.

They said to them, eh, move on.

Okay.

How would you feel?

How would you react?

They they are they are doing all kinds of things in that hotel.

As an example.

Leche, after 18 years.

What happened to you?

What did they do?

I had to go out for a telling me replacement and they wanted to take my job and take my insurance and my job wasn't taken.

And I had to call a meeting.

Let's be clear.

They fired Lachey.

The union had to file a grievance to bring her back to work.

After 18 years, she hurt her knee, they fired her.

The reason they fired her, we had to file a grievance, as those that deal with the laborers in the to say we're not going to let you fire her because you have been there 18 years and hurt her knee.

And we brought her back to work.

So Hilton, maybe a good thing to do is and bring Houston first too.

They should be here.

I'm not afraid to tell them the truth.

So we do have a couple of other council members in queue that want to want to address you, and we want to we want to be able to hear everyone that wants to speak.

Councilman Alcorn.

Well, thanks for coming, and thanks to all of you for coming.

And I respect you and the dignity of work is so important.

And I want to better understand the hours.

Several of the speakers spoke about hours, like they they can't get their hours.

Will you explain?

I kind of remember the health care fight when when that was going on.

Can you talk to me about how that works?

Like you think you are getting eight hours, but you only get four hours.

Help me understand that.

That's where what they do is they will call you and you have your schedule, and for the most part, you have your scheduled hours, but then they try and send you home early.

Okay, to save money, and what they'll do is they'll add more work to the people that are left.

So that's that's what one of the ways.

And some ways they just schedule short hours, so we have to fight about that.

Okay.

But that's one of the things we are fighting about in the contract.

Thank you.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for coming and your information provided.

Without you under a contract.

We are the contract's expired.

It expired.

We are good.

Okay.

Now, question.

You mentioned about the dollar amount, and I'm just for information around the council.

You're talking about a dollar amount that you are asking for.

Do that number, you're talking an annual number every two years, three years, what what?

What are you comparing the ask to?

I am sorry, the ask for the raise?

Right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, we think the Hilton has fallen behind.

Just to be clear, you know, they've agreed in other cities in Texas to significant raises like this.

Okay.

Okay.

They've done that in other cities.

And then here they come and compare it to a 10 hotel.

Just to be clear, I negotiated the contract in Austin in the Hilton, same convention center hotel, and they went from 15 to 23 years ago.

They went five dollars.

Okay.

So my question is five dollars, but I asked Hilton, what's the difference?

Oh no, it's a different and it's I guess it right here.

My question I was asking in regards to you was that you you made a comparison as we are learning when when Mayor Pro Tim asked you what was your ask, and it's you indicated.

But you also earlier indicated how much money that the Hilton made.

You you you quoted a number.

Right.

Yeah.

So exactly, it was revenue.

So I'm saying is that was that an annual revenue amount you were speaking about or over a period of time.

I we it's not it this is nothing with Houston First.

We don't have the exact revenue data.

Okay.

We know they have been substantially profitable.

Very good.

In the tens of millions of dollars every year.

I can't give you the exact number because isn't that totally out there?

Okay.

So there is no way that they absolutely can afford to do that raise and not miss a beat.

Good.

That was the reason for my question.

Okay, thank you.

You see what I'm saying?

Yeah, yeah.

That was the reason why I was asking.

Their revenue, we're talking about yearly revenue.

Uh-huh.

Okay.

Right.

Right.

And that's why I was getting it from my information to make the point that you asked the four things.

One was an audit, right?

And the public meeting and that process.

And that's the reason why I was asking those questions, if they're not providing you with what you need to know in order of profit and that type of thing in order to make your case or make reach the cause of your case, because it would have to be profit versus expenditures versus other we said that at the table.

Yeah.

Now they have not, and this is Houston First has not given us even the operating agreement is so redacted, you would think it was a CIA document.

Just to be honest, if you look at the operating agreement, what they give us, it's one of those documents you get you see on CNN that they the FBI gave out some redacted document.

So as far as how much they make, I said to at the table to the negotiator, I said if at any point in time you feel like this is going above and beyond what your profit level is, I'm welcome to we're welcome to hear that.

But we're not going to be able to do that.

We're open to you come and say that.

Right.

He said nothing.

He said he ducked the question.

Okay.

Because we've heard numbers inside that hotel that are substantial that they made in profit.

Okay.

So and these workers aren't asking for a ton.

They're just asking enough to make a living.

Right, right.

No, we we support.

I I want to say that I commend all of those that hear um to stand for what you believe and what you feel is so, but in the process, that information would be valid.

We would love to see their profits.

I got you.

So and if and if it was something they said would hurt the bottom, we would hear it.

We would love to see their profits.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank thank you for being here.

Uh obviously, as a union member, you know where my heart and my passion is.

I expect all the parties to deal in good fate.

I know you're good people.

I know no one with Hilton, but I do think it would be beneficial.

First of all, I don't think negotiating in public is going to get it done.

And I'll due respect to our discussion.

It's difficult for us to appreciate your negotiations because we don't know the history of you're not here in Hilton.

I have visited with you in years past, certainly watched the strike in Las Vegas.

So there's a lot of personal feelings and experience that goes into your job and certainly your international president.

I think it would be beneficial if you're going to bring up that there's been 58 proposals made.

And I think you said they immediately discorded 39.

I think it would help this council if we saw what the 58 proposals are.

It would start educating us to at least some of the issues that are beyond the financial picture.

So I I would welcome seeing it uh as we go forward.

I I would ask you, why did you set a 10-day strike?

I uh they've been around labor enough and and participating in strikes.

What was the nature of saying 10 days, which I understand now you have extended 10 days, but I don't understand how you put a timeline on a strike.

Uh what impact that has, not only for your members, but the negotiations.

So uh and thank you for that.

We are extending the strike.

There's a press release on that, because Hilton has decided not to make strikes are hard.

Um look, strikes are hard.

So these are people that don't have a lot of money.

Sure.

Okay.

And we have a strike fund and we're helping them out, but it's hard.

It's really hard on people.

And I want to just say when we talk about courage and heroes, sure.

You're looking at them.

Because these are people that are putting it on the line that don't have a lot of money.

And there was a I don't want to get into all the reasons for it, but generally, if a party is bargaining good faith, you would think if there's a nine-day strike, they would reach out and say, Let's try and get us done.

That might be an impetus to get it done.

Hilton never followed up till one time after we asked.

So to be frank, I'm gonna just be for Frank.

It doesn't seem like they're very worried about what happens, the impact on this city on your hotel and your convention.

They're worried about themselves.

Because they had one conversation, and they moved on a couple of small proposals, a little bit of money, and then I countered back with several.

I withdrew some proposals.

I have the documents.

So I want to bargain.

We want to get to a deal with Hilton.

Okay.

We want to get to a deal with Hilton, but it takes two to tangle.

Are you the primary negotiator?

Are you the primary negotiator or is it international union?

I am.

Okay, good, good, good.

Okay.

Well, send us those proposals that you said they didn't take serious, and uh we'll uh we'll stay in contact.

Absolutely.

Thank you for all your members being here.

It does take courage.

It's a hardship, and it speaks to your needs to make the sacrifices that you have.

So good luck from all of us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I said I feel like we have to do this.

Roy Hirsch.

To be followed by Amy Erickson.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer.

Council members, I'm Roy Hirsch.

I live in the East End.

I'm a member of the People for Polk.

This is unscripted, so it's gonna make my comment run a little bit longer.

But I have to I have to make a statement as to the commonality of the thread and the purpose that runs through our cause and the people that you just heard from.

I can only begin to venture how many of them access their jobs through Metro Line 4041 and how much of a hardship the closure of Polk Street is going to add to their situations.

Thank you for your continued.

Thank you for continuing to meet with our advocates for Polk Street and the future of Houston's East Stand.

This isn't just about Polk Street.

It's also about legacy.

Both are vital.

Mayor Whitmeyer, you have a rare opportunity to reshape how Houston connects physically and politically.

This could be your legacy project, a symbol of equitable infrastructure, economic vitality, and community pride.

Houston First is jeopardizing that vision.

Their refusal to design the GRB to maintain Polk Street isn't just a bad plan.

It creates unnecessary controversy and underlines and uh undermines public trust.

This closure is not wanted.

It is not needed, and it is not aligned with the values you have championed.

People for Polk have brought forward real solutions.

We've shown how Polk can remain open while still enhancing the convention district.

Um we've rallied support from across the city.

And next week's evening session, over 50 Houstonians will show that support.

Those people who understand why Polk Street matters and and uh and it more than just an East End issue.

It is a Houston issue.

The chorus of concern from community leaders to elected officials is growing.

Last Sunday, State Representative Yolanda Jones met with us for several hours to brainstorm, strategize, and offer her support, reflecting the legitimacy of our cause and the urgency of this moment.

She stands with us.

Our charge.

Establish a healthy uh two-way dialogue with the community and find a viable uh win-win solution for Polk.

Mayor Whitmeyer, you can make that announcement this week.

Earning enormous credibility and support.

You have done this before.

I'm if I may.

Yeah, go ahead and wrap it up.

We when concerns arose around the Astros partnership for the Herman Park Golf Course, you and Councilmember Evan Chavaz, listen.

You made space for community voices, and you paused the process.

That was real leadership.

Do that again here and now.

Make this legacy one that we can all be proud of.

Thank you.

Next.

Amy Erickson.

To be followed by Will Johnson.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Mayor and Council members, for the time to speak today.

I'll begin by expressing solidarity with the Unite Here Local 23 workers in their negotiations and their call for reform and accountability at Houston First.

Local government corporations hold great power, but with that power must come responsibility and accountability to their workers, to this council, and to every Houstonian.

In a state that prides itself on a tradition of hospitality, we should be leading the way in uplifting and supporting these workers you heard from.

Before any abandonment vote has even come before you, Houston First has already moved forward with street closures to construct a 40 million dollar parking garage on Bell Street.

Did you know that their plan includes demolishing the perfectly functional Hilton America's Garage, a garage that actually has more spaces than the one they're building?

The greed and negligence with these public dollars should alarm all of us, especially as Houston First enters a $2 billion expansion.

Consider the hotel occupancy tax that funds this project through SB 1057.

Hot dollars do not have to go solely to a convention expansion.

Those dollars can fund art projects that promote tourism and strengthen our convention and hospitality industries as well.

Will Houston First have exclusive access to this revenue stream while arts and cultural organizations across the city are starved for the next 30 years.

At the March 6th press conference, Houston First CEO touted a convention district transformation master plan.

Their website references it, and he cites it in the media.

But where is it?

The only master plan available, dated 2011, actually preserves access on Polk.

Where is the updated version?

And where is the budget?

Will you be asked to approve street abandonments before a budget is even vetted?

If Houston First overruns its cost, it is the city and Houston taxpayers that will be on the hook.

Over the past seven months of advocacy, we've consistently asked to see alternatives that preserve preserve POLK as a vital East West thoroughfare.

Houston First has refused to provide those.

Please use your position to demand a presentation of alternatives.

Thank you to the many council offices who've met with people for POLK over the past weeks regarding a community benefits agreement tied to this project.

Your interest, your time, and your advocacy matter deeply to us and the residents you serve.

We ask you today, stand with Houstonians, make Houston First accountable, ask the hard questions and demand real answers.

Please don't allow Houston First to use public dollars to cause permanent harm to communities.

Put Houstonians first.

Thank you.

Next Will Johnson.

Elijah Markham.

Ed Pettit.

Cadrian Jones.

To be followed by Jessica Dugan.

Hello.

My name is Cadrian Jones.

Excuse me.

I am here to display my dissatisfaction with the Houston Police Department.

I am the mother of Tomorrow Ray Sean Jones, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Houston, Texas on July the 1st, 2023.

It has now been over two years, and I am still searching for answers.

From my very first interaction with the Houston Police Department, it was clear that they had prematurely concluded that Tomoria's death was due to a drug overdose.

Since then, the communication from HPD has been inconsistent and often conflicting.

On April the 10th of 2025, I received an email from Christina Nowak, the Deputy Inspector General of Office of Police and Reform and accountability stating that H HPD had officially classified Tomoria's death as a drug overdose and that no further investigation would be conducted due to the lack of additional evidence.

However, after I filed an internal, a complaint with the internal affairs, I received a letter on June 26, 2025 from Sergeant Vogue indicating that due to the nature of the substance involved, further investigation was warranted.

These two statements directly contradict each other.

I am not seeking to place blame.

I am simply asking for the truth.

My family disorder deserves transparency, and Tomorrow deserves a thorough and respectful investigation.

Regardless of anyone's personal opinion about her, she was a daughter, a sister, and an aunt.

She mattered.

The Houston Police Department has failed tremendously in its handling of this case.

I am asking for accountability, clarity, and justice.

No other family member should have to go through what my family went through.

The Houston Police Department still has yet to contact me to advise me if these statements are actually true as far as if her investigation is open is still available open.

My plea is that someone just reaches out to try to assist to clarify the contradictory statements that I have received.

Thank you.

Ms.

Jones, first let me just say how um sorry I am for your loss.

I knew your daughter.

Thank you.

Um and she was a shining light.

Thank you.

Um I will um see what we can find out.

Though those two letters are contradictory.

Um, and I know as a mom, you will want to have closure on what actually happened.

Um we can I don't I don't know who's here with HPD.

Uh we we do have an HPD officer here.

If you'll talk with um the HPD officer that's here and see if we can um get you the answers that you need for your closure.

Um, and if we can't do that today, if you'll just reach back out to me, we'll try to get you the answers that you're looking for.

Thank you.

You're very welcome.

Why don't you talk tomorrow, please?

Rebecca Williams or put your own.

She'll facilitate you talking to an investigator.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Jessica Dugan.

Hi.

I brought some papers.

Can I hand them out?

Right over here.

Hi.

My name is Jesse Dugan.

I am a mom to two twins that are uh in kindergarten this year.

They just started at HISD, and one of them is autistic and is going through the special ed process right now.

Um I'm here to talk about the HISD takeover.

Uh I came to you guys in I think it was last month or maybe last uh week of July, uh asking for you to call Superintendent Mike Miles back into City Council to uh since his contract has been extended, uh much to the uh community's dismay.

Um we have some questions uh for Mr.

Miles, and we're hoping uh that we can get some answers.

So I brought you a little homework.

Uh it's just an article from Texas Monthly that was released this summer, and I think it does a really good job of explaining uh a lot of our the discrepancies between what Mike Miles is telling everyone and what the community believes to be true.

Uh and so if you I it's a little extensive and a little it's about star scores, so it's a little boring, but I think uh it's really important.

So if you can read it and I'll come back next week before he comes in on Wednesday, and happy to discuss further if you guys have any questions.

Uh but I wanted to provide it to you today.

I also sent it to you guys in the in an email as well.

And then on the front is just my little like recap of what the article is about, what other questions we have, like uh the fact that teacher and student retention rates are very alarming since the takeover has started.

Uh but anyway, all that can be discussed next week.

I just wanted to end today with a little story.

Um like I said, I've been involved in the fight against the HS HISD takeover for two years.

I got involved before my kids were even at HISD because I was so horrified by what I had been reading about it.

And when they cut autism services, that's when I decided to step up and start talking.

Um anyway, now it's been a little bit more than that.

We went and lobbied, uh, took the biggest group to lobby uh the state reps uh this past before the special session, uh, you know, uh in the spring.

And so we're working really hard on that.

But there's a lot of stuff that city councils can do to help fight takeovers.

And so I've been researching takeovers of the past.

And uh one of the really important ones is Newark Public Public Schools in New Jersey.

Uh just to give you a little background.

At the time, um the governor was Chris Christie, the mayor of Newark was uh who oh yeah, Cory Booker.

And also there uh there was a really important principle that uh kind of helped bridge the gap between the community and the teachers uh and the city council to start working together to restore local control.

And that man's name is Ross Baraka.

And uh if you're thinking, huh, maybe I uh recognize that name, he uh your time has expired.

Uh it's I'll wrap up here.

Uh he was the first, he is now mayor of Newark, uh, one fighting the Newark uh public school takeover, and he was the first mayor to be arrested by ICE uh during this administration.

Um so that's why that name might sound familiar to some of you.

Anyway, I just thought it was a story of hope and shows it goes to show like how we can all work together.

And so I have a lot more ideas of how we can do that, but I really do appreciate you guys bringing in Mike Miles this next week.

So I just wanted to say thanks.

The Mayor Pro Team, Cat Six Tater.

Thank you, Mayor Colleagues.

Uh Superintendent Miles will be at our next economic development committee meeting on the 17th.

Uh he did reach out and say that he wanted to give an update from the last economic development committee meeting, and so he is scheduled to be here on the 17th.

Uh if you'd like to send us some information you'd like for us to review prior to the 17th, please send those to our offices.

We'll do.

And um I'll you know, with the star scores, uh, there's a lot of folks in our community that can explain it even better than me.

So we'll all be here next week to talk about it during the public session, and I'll make sure to email you guys beforehand.

Councilman Kamen.

Thank you.

Um Jessica, as a district C resident, I want to thank you.

I know you're standing here, but there's a whole army of parents behind you that you have been working with um throughout the course of the takeovers.

So I just want to make sure you know that I know the work that you have put in and the time you have put in.

Um to the Mayor Pro Tem's point, if there are specific questions that you would like asked.

I know we're gonna be the ones up here for that meeting, but if on behalf of residents there are questions that y'all would like asked, um please send them to us.

I can't promise I'm gonna get to every question, right?

But uh you have continued to speak with our office and provide information, which has been very helpful, and we want to make that available to you too.

I appreciate that.

Thanks.

And I'm hoping that uh the article can give shed some light on some of our questions, and so that way when I send you particular ones to look at, it makes more sense.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you, ma'am, for your presentation.

Just question in your opening, you mentioned uh autism that you have an artistic child.

Yes.

Okay, well, let me give on to you in regard to that.

So is that something relevant to what the Superintendent Miles are doing now that focuses on autism because that's one of the bigger uh issues that I personally uh have a grandson who's autistic and some other issues.

So I'm always in regards to that.

So did I hear you say that that's an elimination of those resources?

Because I've heard different, so I just wanted it.

Yes, sir.

At the at the beginning of the takeover, uh they eliminated a program called Autism Services, and it was a training program that helped teachers learn about how to um, you know, uh uh get training on how to deal with uh autistic kids in a general ed environment.

Um as far and I wrote in my little So that was just one part, it wouldn't be eradicated.

Correct.

Yeah, it didn't remove autism.

They removed it.

It got cut.

Well, I mean the students within the school they still within HISD.

No, they don't they don't have that anymore.

But what uh the the other issue that I that I wrote about is uh special education.

We got a two-page update at the beginning of the takeover two years ago.

And it is one of the primary reasons that uh the takeover will, you know, when we know it will end, is to fix special education.

Mike Miles has provided us with a two-page update two years ago, and since then it's been nothing they've talked about a parent committee, which I would be happy to be on, you know, so I don't have to come here so much and I can just talk about that.

But uh there's been no movement about a parent committee.

And uh as far as I I I often go to the um uh board of managers meetings to express my concerns, and uh there has been no movement from any of the board members to uh uh you know engage in this information.

Okay, thank you, Mayor Portin.

We'll we'll be there.

Thank you.

That's it.

Okay, thank you.

Appreciate it.

Me too.

Next, Scott Parker.

Stephanie Cruz.

To be followed by Lauren Fielder.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer and Council members.

Hi.

Um my name is Stephanie Cruz.

I'm a native Houstonian and a mom of two and a member of our Briar Meadow HOA board, and I also work full-time, though at times advocating for my neighborhood is feeling like a full-time job.

I apologize from reading from my notes, but I want to make sure that I stay within my time and communicate clearly on behalf of our neighborhood.

Our neighborhood has two major complaints or concerns for today, which include construction surrounding our neighborhood and flooding.

Richmond Avenue has been under construction for a long time, but when the east and west ends of our neighborhood were completed, Briar Meadow has skipped over until now, finally beginning earlier this year.

The work, which is resurfacing asphalt, replacing some curbs and stone storm inlets and restriping is limited in scope and does not meet our long-term infrastructure needs.

But even with that smaller scope, the project from Dunvale to Hillcroft has dragged on for more than six months.

And instead of finishing Richmond first, that same contractor has now opened up Stony Brook, which is the main north to south artery through our neighborhood, um, causing additional traffic concerns and issues with low faith that they'll be able to complete the project in a timely manner.

At the same time, Metro has reduced Richmond to a single lane or Hillcroft to a single lane each way from West Timer to West Park.

The result is a perfect storm of gridlock for our neighborhood.

And for a portion of our neighborhood that lies between Hillcroft, Stony Brook, and Richmond.

That means all three sides of our neighborhood are blocked.

Um there are days where the access points are blocked or significantly restricted, and when you do get out of the neighborhood, you can only get into one lane.

And you're left wondering when you're coming home which way to go or which one will actually be open on that day.

With poor signage, you don't know which way to go, and so you'll just circle until you find an open entrance.

Every day is unpredictable.

One morning you might need 15 minutes to get to your destination, and the next day it could take an hour.

Just this morning at 8:30, the Hillcroft and Richmond intersection was closed with all traffic being forced onto a single lane of Hillcroft.

A situation that makes tensions run high, has people acting irrationally and creates an unsafe situation for commuters, neighbors, and thousands of students who travel to and from wisdom each and every day.

We've been patient.

But we do ask that the city support coordination, communication, and resources to reduce the unsafe challenges and chaos that residents are now facing.

Right now, every agency points to someone else, and accountability is absent.

We've got the list of people and players for each project, but it doesn't matter who's doing what project when nobody wants to hold the hole.

So that's our construction challenge.

Similarly, we have major issues with drainage that have been known for years.

After Harvey, the city identified a 17 million dollar drainage and paving project, project M-41009-0001, um, to protect our homes in our community.

That project was canceled.

And our neighborhood now faces a whole bunch of systemic issues.

That have been made worse.

Um I'm sorry, I'm just gonna finish this one piece about the flooding.

So to be clear, for the record today, Briar Meadow homes are going to flood, and it is going to be a result of the lack of action from the city and a failing drainage system, which has been known for years.

We have filed plenty of 311 tickets.

Poor council member Thomas is tired of hearing from us about the flooding, and it's not just on her.

So today I bring it to each and every one of you to know the issue and to take action.

Thank you.

Councilmember Clara.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh thank you, Ms.

Cruz, for showing up.

And then and Council, um, you've heard me talk about um the delay with the Richmond project as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

This is a long, we were really excited about this asphalt concrete um project.

Is I believe it's 15 million dollars, but at the same time, Metro has the same project Councilmember Huffman mentioned last week, two weeks ago.

Metro initiated uh a project as well.

Uh, and when they sent us the notice, it was three days before the start.

So, in terms of coordination that has to improve.

Um, there's an LDP project happening on Stony Brook that our office was not made aware of.

We was requested the notice to proceed for that.

We as a practice send out the construction notices so residents can be empowered to contact the project manager and have those conversations uh closest to the issue.

Uh the project manager for this project, Mr.

Castex and I forget his other colleague have been fielding responses from this uh from this community.

Councilmember Alcorn is just as much uh involved with this um project as well.

And and in addition to Chris Street, so that's that, right?

So you know one oftentimes we have residents come here because they want projects and they feel like they don't get enough projects.

The opposite end of that is that we have a lot of activity happening in this corridor from local drainage, street rehab, and CDSF that West Park Gestner, we're doing uh panels and sidewalks.

So that entire corridor, um, lots of activity, it needs to be coordinated better.

In addition to that, there's a blighted home.

Ms.

Cruz and uh a come a few of her neighbors participated on the dangerous buildings uh hearing not too long ago.

Chris Street that is scheduled to come down.

I believe um uh Veronica Hernandez out of the mayor's office is coordinating routinely with those updates, and we're actively working on mitigating the old Wells Fargo on Hillcroft in Richmond.

Um we do have Sal from Public Works here.

So can you raise your hand?

And so Sal um is willing to talk to you about any additional information, and then also for your awareness, my office um pulled all of the inquiries together from the various emails.

I mean, it was hot like fire.

Umganized, got with the public works department, and we have outlined in detail the scope of the project.

Um Grava is the firm doing Richmond and Stoney Brook.

Yeah, they're doing the Richmond Dunvale.

There were significant delays.

We were actually supposed to be done May of 25 before the summer.

Um workforce has been an issue, um, issues with supplies have been an issue.

We are expected to be completed October 25th, barring weather.

Um, and so we will share that uh correspondence with your offices just in case, especially for at-large members if you receive any inquiries from uh residents about the update.

But Salle is here, the director of the Department of Neighborhoods is here to talk about Chris Street and any updates with that.

But I know uh Miss Hernandez from the Department of Neighborhoods and the mayor's liaison has been actively doing that.

So we'll make sure that you y'all have that information as well.

Thank you.

Next Lauren Fielder, Geneva Colbert, Theodore Carrero, to be followed by Chris Christopher Cato.

Okay, gratuity.

Do you leave a tip at your church in the 288 area, Mr.

Davis?

Do you make a choice to park valet, Mr.

Councilman Flickinger?

Do you take the time?

Miss Councilman uh came in to dine out or dine in.

Uh what's a fair hair salon tip usually, Councilman uh Mary Nan Huffman?

Do you often leave a great tip at your local Houston restaurant, Councilman Latisha Promer?

Do you have a do you have do you leave a tip as a good Christian during mass?

Mr.

Ramirez, um for the DSF, particularly you're to your parents that you frequent.

Do you leave your students?

Do y'all leave student barbers at Acres Homes Barbershop College a tip after they cut your sons or daughters councilman, uh, Miss Jackson?

What does a great tip look like after receiving uh after receiving your tab, Councilman Mrs.

Peck?

Do our vice mayor, councilman Catrix Tatum leave a great tip after her manicure pedicure gets done?

What's the biggest tip that a councilman Martinez has left?

Where what's your favorite Asian restaurant to dine at, Mrs.

Thomas?

Is it appropriate to leave a tip after facial massage, Mrs.

Alcorn?

Do you remember the biggest tip that you left, Councilman Pollard?

Was it cash or credit as an advocate for pure justice, Councilman Evan Shabazz?

Do you choose to make a donation to your church parish weekly, monthly, or annually?

Has there ever been a time that you've left a tip or a restaurant before the service or food issue, Councilman Carter?

What is the best Latino Hispanic or um Spanish restaurant that we know about, Mr.

Councilman Castillo?

And finally, Mr.

Mayor Whitmer, have you tried a suya food restaurant from our native African constituent prisoners?

Uh next, finally, Mr.

Mayor, are you a good tipper?

And it was just gratuity, it was made to have fun and incorporate all the members.

So nothing personal was trying to see if we can get somebody to appreciate gratuity on this day.

Because he knows he knows what kind of heart I have.

It was meant to be fun.

And you know, you guys had a lot of people here, so it was all about gratuity, all in fun, and it was meant to kind of get people to be thinking about gratuity.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Great job.

All right.

Yeah.

Christopher Cato next.

They should have had you at the barbershop.

James Ronge.

To be followed by Kelly Sadler.

How's it going, everybody?

Uh today's my last day working for the city of Houston.

Uh so I wanted to take a moment to uh say thank you for the opportunity to work alongside you.

This has truly been the greatest honor of my professional life.

Uh, four years ago, I was running a one-man swimming pool company, uh, harboring a dream of working in the government.

And uh my wife, after our daughter was born, said, James, it's time to go back to school.

So being a smart husband, I listened and went back to school to finish my degree.

It was during that time that my life's trajectory changed immensely.

Uh my final requirement in order to graduate was an internship.

So wanting to be involved in local government, I cold called Senator Whitmeyer's office and was promptly told to shut up because I talked to the Senate office, and he said, I can't talk to you about the campaign.

Call the campaign.

I said, Well, I don't have the campaign's phone number.

So I got a phone number that I definitely should have gotten.

I got Austin's phone number.

I cold called him, talked myself up, and he said, Come in tomorrow and let's see what you got.

So that phone call led to an internship on the campaign, which led to a job on the campaign, which allowed me to follow you here to City Hall.

For the past 17 months, I've had the privilege of living my dream.

Uh I would be remiss though if I didn't take a moment to recognize the incredible team at the mayor's assistant's office.

These are dedicated public servants who defy the tired stereotypes of government workers.

They don't seek recognition, they simply show up every day to make life a little bit easier for Houstonians.

To Claudia Guerra, Darina Parker, Eldridge Pugh, Jesse Carbillo, Coco Williams, Mariah Jacks, Veronica Hernandez, and Anita Ivory, whom I lovingly call my children's third grandmother.

Thank you.

You guys are a definition of what it means to serve.

And I'm honored to have worked alongside you.

Duranda Sauter, my division manager.

Thank you for your steady leadership, unwavering support, and the trust you placed in me, even when you thought I was the mole.

You are the model of what thoughtful and compassionate leadership looks like.

Then there's Renee Ruiz.

He's gonna kill me for saying nice things about him in public.

But what's he gonna do?

Fire me?

I clock.

I clock out in a couple of hours.

But he's the backbone of the MAO.

Always ready to answer questions, always ready to help whenever needed.

He's been an amazing colleague to work with, but more than that, he's been a better friend.

So I want to say thank you again from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance to serve the city all of it.

James.

Thanks.

Come back.

Come back.

Councilman Peck, Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck.

Thank you, Mary James.

Thank you so much for your service to the city.

It's been such a pleasure working with you.

Thank you.

And I know that there is going to be a lot of district A constituents very upset that you're leaving.

One that might be happy.

But since you are our constituent, I know you're not going very far, and so please keep in touch.

And I know also that you're um uh delegate now for the super neighborhood, so we're very excited about that.

So I know we'll continue working together, but thank you so much for everything that you've done.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

I too want to say thank you for your service.

Uh you've always been a pleasure to work with.

You make no no issues about some of the issues that we uh task upon you all on a weekly basis, and then this is the opportunity just to to thank your colleagues as well.

I mean, you all don't get the recognition uh and sometimes the appreciation uh that you deserve, but uh you do a lot behind the scenes for a lot of people and make real impact.

So uh best wishes for you in your next chapter.

God bless you.

Councilman Cayman.

You know, I'm so glad you came forward.

Um we don't always get to thank everyone uh when they are going on to bigger and better.

Um and I just want to thank you, James, for everything that you've done, specifically for district C, uh representing and showing up at multiple neighborhoods, super neighborhoods, helping us reactivate and get restarted, fourth word super neighborhood.

Um there's right the overgrown lots that you've worked on, the nuisance properties, even along Washington Avenue, and the list goes on.

But I think what's most telling is I think every single district council member could talk about the impact you have made in our respective districts and what you have the impact you have had on the city, and you can tell from whether it's the director, Renee, Ronda, um, just them standing here, but also I'm not gonna Rhonda call you out, but how much you know that Rhonda cares how much you mean to the city, to City Hall, and to each of our offices.

So thanks to you, but also thank you to your family, your beautiful family for their support.

Uh there's a lot of hours you spent away from home, including the evenings.

So please relay our appreciation to them as well.

Oh, well, thank you.

Councilman Alcorn.

James, that was a beautiful speech, and people like you are why I love city government.

Thank you.

Well, hopefully one day I'll be on the other side of the course.

Okay.

Now we see.

Come on, Jay.

Do your thing.

Wow.

First of all, thank you so much for uh just kind of being who you are.

You're you're very pleasant person, and it shows that you're very committed to uh to the folks that you're helping.

And uh first of all, you do know they kept it from me that you were leaving.

Or you know I wouldn't have let you leave.

In fact, I'm sitting here, I'm not gonna say what I am, but I'm aggravated.

How's that?

No.

Somebody steals my good employees, and it's one of my friends that stole one of my good employees.

And I'll I'll I'll remind her.

But listen, uh, we're gonna be in touch.

You've got a lot of friends around the horseshoe.

You've got some valuable experience.

Now take it and and run with it.

But uh, you know, your best is in front of it.

You're young ish.

You've got the passion, so go put it in the right place.

I have no doubt you're gonna make a difference after you leave here.

So stay in touch with us and be safe.

And uh we're all certainly a phone call away.

Thank you, sir.

Uh be safe.

Bye.

Next.

Kelly Sadler.

Richard Gilmore.

That's what he does.

Joseph Omari.

Parental visitation right between parents and children should always be granted, and they'll be denied in United States of America family courts.

Maintaining bonding relationships with parents, children, and family members is not only civil rights or constitutional rights, it's also a human rights that should always be granted in United States of America course.

I was told the Willow Justice Grands Club is always due grind.

I became a victim of digital harassment.

I'm victim of spy gate.

Just recently, that's talking to you guys.

Uh, my Facebook page has been stable.

Have pointed in Wick Witch of North East Baseball PV, my computer.

Recently I got six hundred emails stored on my Gmail accounts.

Use the emails stole up by Yahoo Cop, dictator act the American people to give up something for privacy right to protect us against terrorists.

I disagree.

Big mistake, bad political positive.

The government requested a starship enterprise to drop its effective shields, uh computer walls, uh computer off on their security, an Obama military martial law, so I allow financial economic credits through our South Bay backdoors and windows.

We'll allow global haggard behind our South Bay lines and South Bay Gates and South Bay zone.

The red flag.

Your time has expired.

30 seconds, please.

30 seconds, please.

I know you got a lot of time left because it's still early today.

Okay, thank you.

Uh place of social security number on my bank account.

Yes, supposedly use the only blasphemous numbers.

The kidnapped of the digital rest of us, did it arrest and attracted to our senior citizens.

Thank you.

This completes the list of speakers.

We stand recessed to nine in the morning.

First members, I'd like to recognize today's appointees.

Is there a motion to take items 26, 1, and 2 out of order?

Cast next data move to take item 26 first, and then items 1 and 2.

Heck second.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 26 needs a motion.

Cast text Tatum move.

Hex second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Dr.

Trans here with her family.

Dr.

Tran.

Right on the Dr.

Trent, let me publicly uh thank you for joining public service.

Your resume speaks for itself.

I personally have worked with you in legislative matters.

I have uh watched you teach a course, which I want all the members to uh have the opportunity to sit through.

Uh the chief is already planning to have you speak and have the cadets use your course, which I think you ought to speak to the council about.

It's uh one of the more popular and important courses at Texas Medical School here in Austin uh Houston.

Um I've watched you in emergency room.

Your language skills are remarkable, so I'm uh I'm very pleased.

You're you have some huge shoes to fill, but I think you can take the health department to the next generation, and certainly using collaboration with Harris Health and other providers of the med school, the med center.

So uh you're just another example of the great team that I've put together, and many of them are here today, some are getting reappointed to other positions, but uh you're a standout, and nothing's more important, certainly with actions being taken in Washington.

Your MBA experience from Rice.

I don't think too many people know that.

And certainly your medical experience.

So thank you.

I couldn't be more proud, and I will yield to you at this time.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning, of course, Mayor and Council members.

So first off, thank you, Mayor, for believing in my ability and my judgment, and for giving me the opportunity to even be standing here today.

Council members, thank you for meeting with me and for openly sharing with me the issues that matter to you and to your constituents.

I'm grateful for your faith in me to lead the health department.

Thank you to my Houston Health Department family.

Raise your hands.

They've really helped me on board and have embraced me and made me feel just so welcome.

I'm so lucky that this team that you really last week or two weeks ago during Stephen Williams proclamation, you gave the highest regards to the health department.

This is the team that was behind Stephen Williams, and I'm so proud to be a part of it.

And I'm so proud to be employed by the Houston Health Department.

Um the Houston Health Department's strength, optimism, and kindness is really what makes public health such a noble profession in my mind.

I also have to thank family, friends, professional colleagues, and community members, some of which are watching on HGTV or HTV, excuse me.

I also have some very special people with me here in this first row that I'd like to thank.

Um bead and lean gone v T Chow Gunlan Vatinho, um the Gaman Burmely and Zay Gone Tun Yat La Tung Chuo Quimen, waiting and you're Nini, Mimi is not here, Judith, for um apoyarme, yeah, me family, siempre cada día especialmente con cuidado, y amor para boited.

And my husband Bill.

Um, you know, when I said that I was gonna take this job, uh we knew that it was going to be a family effort, and it's not without my loving and amazing husband who not only is always supporting me and the baby that's just saying mama right there, um, but reminding me that my most important job, even on the toughest days here, is uh being a a wife to him and a mother to my wonderful very well-behaved children.

Ava and Teddy.

So um, you know, in all seriousness, though, this is a time when scientific trust and public health infrastructure, as you know, are dangerously being rocked at the very core from the highest levels of government.

At this time, Houstonians more than ever need a steady, trustworthy source to turn to for evidence-based, empathetic, community-engaged health information and services.

And we don't always think about it this way, but public health is one of the pillars of public safety, and we know how much you care about public safety, mayor.

With this appointment, you have my deep commitment to provide that safety for our residents.

What does that look like?

That commitment starts by ensuring the health department's heroic workforce are supported in our critical mission by supporting an environment where they feel safe, empowered, and respected.

And that extends to all health workers and anybody who cares about health in our community.

Um it means advancing partnerships from neighborhood grassroots efforts to national coalitions and everything in between, even if those partnerships don't always traditionally fit into the public health arena.

It means improving the department's reliability to the consumers of our essential services while thinking critically and innovatively about how we obtain funding streams, manage taxpayer dollars, and use our resources for the most meaningful impact, whether it's responding to a crisis or even more importantly, preventing one.

I'd like to recognize um executive director Leah Barton of Harris County Public Health, who's also here to support me today.

We together understand that teamwork makes the dream work.

I know it's cliche, but it's true.

And I'm committed to working with her and her colleagues at Harris County Public Health, our colleagues at Harris Health, the Harris Center, and really any public, private or academic organization or individu or individuals that will ally with the Health Department on our mission to foster healthy, self-sufficient families and communities in Houston.

I look forward to working with you in your office, Mayor, to each of you council members and your staffs, and to the other city departments and organizations on a joint vision for a healthy, thriving Houston now and into the future.

So thank you for this opportunity.

Very good.

Would you briefly have I know it wasn't in your thoughts, but would you tell the council members a little bit about your simulator of what it's like to be a patient that comes in the emergency room?

Thanks for giving me that opportunity, Mayor.

Which was your creation.

Go ahead and Well, I brought a um it was it's a simulator that was created by the community um action network of Missouri.

But we brought it to UT Health Houston.

It's called the Community Action Poverty Simulator.

Uh it is a requirement for all clinical students to go through.

That's all of your nursing, dental, dental hygiene, and medical students.

Providing an education that I didn't receive because we just didn't think as much about these non-medical drivers of health back in our clinical education.

And so what we do is all of the students come through.

It's about eighty to eighty-five students at a time, and it's an intra-professional collaboration, and we also invite community members who come in.

Most importantly, we have lived experience experts, uh, those that have experienced homelessness and um trafficking and the justice system.

And we also have community members and uh representatives from organizations and agencies that provide services to Houstonians, actual Houstonians.

And we all come together, do a simulation to understand what it's like to walk in the shoes of somebody who lives in poverty, because we truly we all understand that poverty, um, if we were able to fix that would fix so many of the resource and health issues that people face.

And so they walk in these shoes, not only just to walk in the shoes, but to believe the stories that they hear from their patients and to understand the stories that are not being told and and to be better clinicians.

So uh thank you, Mayor, for giving me an opportunity to speak about the.

I mean, you you impress me with the medical students, many of them are privileged, have no clue the background of the people that they see in the emergency room.

They they they know to tend to their health and emergency needs, but they have no clue where that patient's uh what is he or her he or she's experience is.

So you make them listen, you bring guest speakers, and like I just said, after the chief heard of your simulator, he wants our cadets to hear and participate.

And I think I would invite counsel.

It's really remarkable to medical students, have to absorb and can never deny the hardship that they witness with their patients in the in the in the Bentov emergency room.

And thank you.

You've been working in the Bentube emergency room and the LBJ emergency room for years, and so uh I'm I'm really excited that you are now going to be leading our health department.

Mayor Pro Team Casting Statement.

Thank you, Mayor.

Dr.

Tran, uh I read your resume before I had an opportunity to meet you, and I will tell you that um after reading your resume, I was extremely express uh uh impressed with your extensive experience.

Um but when I had an opportunity to actually meet you and talk to you, I saw your heart for service, and I had an opportunity to express some things that are important to us in our community and in the district and throughout the city of Houston, and you immediately went back to your health department team and talked about how we could collaborate.

I just wanted to let you know how excited we are to have you leading the health department.

Um as the mayor said, there there are big shoes to fill, but I think that um you have already expressed um how much you want to be involved in the the health of our city.

We all know that our health is our wealth.

Um with without our health, we we really um struggle to do anything.

And so to have you at the helm is a benefit for the City of Houston.

Um I think the health department team is um very excited about your collaborating spirit.

Um and we are very happy to have you here and welcome to the City of Houston, and we look forward to uh the great work that we should do together.

Thank you.

Councilman.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Director, uh, just want to say congratulations first and foremost and echo a few of the sentiments that uh the Mayor Pro Tem has also uh stated.

I think uh the opportunity to be able to sit down with you and just have a candid conversation about uh life and you being a mother, a wife, and bringing that perspective, those lenses to the to this department.

It's important.

Um a lot of times we we dive into these jobs and you know we forget about who we really are at times, and I think uh you bringing that to this to this uh department is gonna be very helpful.

Make sure that we are looking at families just in general, right?

A healthy family is a healthy community, and so I'm excited to also work alongside with you.

Uh some of the things that I definitely want to make sure that we continue to partner with our my brothers keeper second chance and just making sure that our community centers, our multi-service centers are are well equipped to uh handle any anyone that walks through those doors.

And so just congratulations, congratulations to you the rest of your team, and I look forward to working with you as well.

Thank you.

Councilmember Studium, thank you, Mayor, and Dr.

Tran, congratulations to you, and thank you for your willingness to serve and to step up and lead our health department.

It plays such a vital role in the city, and you bring uh excellent experience and credentials to this position, and and I do think you will be able to be very successful in taking our health department uh to the next level.

And I I appreciate you know, in your remarks, your willingness to work with others like the county, like uh Harris Health and and um other partners, because as you mentioned, the challenges that are facing public health right now.

Um that is gonna be a necessary step to help mitigate that.

And you being willing to do that and look at it from day one is is gonna be helpful and and help get us through some tough times.

And I look forward to continuing to work with you on behalf of District H.

Thank you.

Councilmember Romares.

Thank you, Mayor, and uh Director Tran.

Thank you for your willingness to serve the City of Houston.

I enjoyed meeting with you last week and visiting about your priorities, especially end user optimization and working with uh Harris County Public Health.

I am glad you recognized uh Leah Barton, who is here from the county.

I think we're gonna need more city and county collaboration going forward, and I think that is a great priority that you have.

I also agree that our health department needs to be a source of credible information about health.

I think that is more important than ever now.

I appreciate your listening to my concerns from our conversation and from reviewing your curriculum vitae, you are well qualified to hold this position.

Again, I thank you and look forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh yeah, Mel Summer, I've lost us in Espanioli.

I must see much gracias.

Uh then can sta listo para que pueden uh.

Councilman Alcorn.

Councilman Alcorn.

Congratulations, Dr.

Tran, and just letting everyone know on October 7th at the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, Leah Barton and the new director will be coming to talk about all this collaboration we have been clamoring for.

So thanks and congratulations, and I love a baby in the chamber.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Dr.

Tran.

Congratulations.

I I think it would be appropriate for your parents.

It's a wonderful uh immigration, immigrant refugee story.

And uh what a what a success story and and remarkable two lives.

So why don't you ask your parents to stand?

Mosa Papa.

Thank you all for being here.

How many daughters do they have?

Sorry.

You have four.

Four daughters.

All of them have been such successful in contributing to our our great country.

So thank you.

You are always welcome to the city of Houston.

Thank you.

Thank you, Doc.

Mr.

Secretary, you want to call it one.

Item one needs a motion.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Jody Proler, would you please stand?

Don Sanders, Laura Mario could not be here today.

Mr.

Woods.

Thank you, Jody.

You're doing such a spectacular job at the Housing Authority.

And I know you're going to be a contribution at the Sports Starting.

Don, thank you.

You're an icon in Houston in sports circles.

Thank you.

Your contribution will be appreciated, and it will make the Sports Start in next year's World Cup even better.

So thank you for your willingness to serve.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just want to uh also give a quick shout out to Dr.

Morillo, who's not here.

Uh she's been a great asset to the Sports Authority, but also uh just a quick uh thank you and lifting up uh Don Sanders.

Uh I shared with them earlier.

My kids go to KIP uh Explorer, and I think you're at the ribbon cutting mayor as well as the Senator when we opened up the ball field over there at uh KIP Explorer.

And so uh thank you for your contributions to our city, uh Don, and I appreciate your work and look forward to working with you as well.

Thank you.

Very good.

Oh, Councilmember.

Councilman.

Well, I just want to say uh Don Sanders has done so much for this community for such a long time.

Grateful for your willingness to serve, sir.

And Jody Proler as well, Mayor, uh is doing a great job at the housing authority.

When was the last time we heard anything about the second?

Hold on.

Timeout.

Let's uh everybody just stay in their seat for the time being.

Okay.

Item uh number two, please, Mr.

Secretary.

His lights not lit up.

Uh just want to say thank you and keep keep up the good work of the housing authority, Jody.

Thank you.

Item two, please.

Item two needs a motion.

Cast X tata move.

Motion made.

Segment.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Nay.

Uh motion passed.

Councilman Martinez.

First, I would Councilman Martin.

First, uh Don Lynn.

Would you please stand?

Bobby Seems.

Sophia Gonzalez, Paul Pintake.

Thank y'all for your willingness to serve.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And uh just want to, as y'all standing, just want to say thank you for your service to Houston First.

Um as an ex official uh uh member of the board as well.

I look forward to working with you all.

It's uh it's definitely gonna be a heavy lift.

There's a lot of things going on, great projects, the George Arbron expansion.

Uh but also um and just want to make sure that I I uh recognize this.

We all know where we are now uh when it comes to the visitors conventions and how we're thriving, and I just want to make sure that if you can always keep on top of mind our working families.

Uh but with that, I just want to say I appreciate you all.

Uh and and really let's get to work.

Thank you.

Council Ramirez.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Bobby and Paul, thank you for your desire to continue serving.

Don, you did such great work at the Southwest Management District.

I know you will bring great energy to uh this this board.

And so thank you for your willingness to serve.

Sophia, uh congratulations.

Uh you have done so well in business, and you'll bring great knowledge of workforce issues.

And so look forward to working with you as well.

Thank you all.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to congratulate the board and those new appointments, especially to Don, the Queen of Southwest Management, and we're so grateful to have you on board and uh got a lot to do going forward, but we know we got a good group to do it.

Thank you.

Before y'all leave, uh next, we're going to do the mayor's report, and if you'll uh wait, uh then I will join you for exchanges of friendship.

Um the mayor's report.

Umbers and guests, uh this is a significant day.

It's a continuation, an example of the difference we're making in city government.

The expertise, the professionalism, competency, honesty of the people that I've appointed stands out.

And to our directors, uh, you're doing a great job.

We have just about put our team in place that I started 20 months ago.

Twenty months ago I was sworn in at the request of Houstonians to fix Houston, and I don't have enough time to talk about all the different things that needed addressing, certainly public safety.

We've dealt with 260,000 suspended cases.

The morale has never been higher in HPD or Houston fire.

We used to lose more to retirement in HPD than we could recruit.

That's just not the case today.

So today, after 20 months, I will tell you I'm excited to give the state of the city, which will be in a couple of weeks.

But today, with the swearing in of some of our leadership, it's appropriate that I pause and let everyone know we're making a difference.

In just 20 months, now I understand some of my critics that are unhappy with the results of the last election are just that critics.

But we have a team, and we're making a difference each and every day.

And I could give you a laundry list of the difference we've made.

When I got here in January 24, we had 1,900 broken water mains.

Today there's 500.

We have more work to do.

Public safety, fire and police, the morale's at an all-time high.

We no longer have HBD officers applying to go to the DPS.

It's just the reverse.

And of course, you've seen what our good works have done to the county.

Constables, deputy sheriffs want to work for the city of Houston.

What difference does that matter?

Just recently we went to less than six minutes for first responders on a code one at HPD.

First time in a long time that is below six, and we have more to do.

But it's an exciting time to be working at the City of Houston to serve as mayor.

You won't read about a lot of our accomplishments because that's not what makes the headlines.

And normally I can tolerate the criticism, the misinformation, the politics, but not when it starts affecting city government.

We had an outstanding, in fact, other cities are traveling here.

And Chris Newport's going to other cities to show how he did an efficiency study.

No other city.

We are the only major city in the U.S.

that's not in turmoil right now.

We had actually had the most successful march a couple of months ago against the king.

No disturbances, because our HBD is so professional.

And we also, let's speak to our great community.

Our people know that we're stronger together than we are separate.

But I can normally handle the criticism.

Been at this 22 years, my whole adult life.

I understand.

I understand even the negative stories in the press.

That's what gets headlines.

But I'm not going to sit back any longer and let somebody damage the fine reputation of city workers, whether it's human resources or any other department.

We did an incentive program to help people that had served this great city.

Unlike any other city.

Our previous Houston administration, we gave them a three-month incentive pay, which they got on their May check.

And then you read headlines.

Whitmire's retirees are not getting paid.

They got paid in May.

They're happy.

They're pleased.

No one in my administration mentioned how long the retirement system would take to process 1,058 people.

I don't have time for politics or imaginary city.

We're fixing people's issues.

But when you start misrepresenting things, that human resources could not handle the paycheck or process retirements.

Because I have no control over the pension fund.

We've explained that repeatedly, provided the data to our daily paper, but that's not what they want to write.

And neither does one of my critics want to show the facts.

I've handed out the pension fund.

The membership of the pension fund.

I don't have an appointment there.

Previous mayor had an appointment, and that person is serving.

I will have one in the future.

Council has two appointments.

Councilmember Cayman recommended someone that's serving over there.

So did David Robinson.

The members that were here when I got here voted on this group.

The controller has a member on the pension board.

We don't I don't affect their budget.

I don't have an appointment.

And about all I do is have friends over there, the current chairman, Sherry Moses, and then Rhonda Smith, both city employees.

I gave them a little tough love over the phone.

Y'all have got to make this more urgent.

They said we're there, mayor.

The ones that we're still working on have not returned their paperwork.

Some only applied for their retirement in July and August.

So all I'm saying is to the critics, you missed.

Because Houstonians don't get to hear the collaboration.

We're going to have one Martin Luther King parade.

First time in 30 years.

The parades in Midtown and downtown, we've been doing that for 30 years.

African American mayors could not change it, and the white mayors wouldn't even attempt.

But I knew it was a safety issue.

You can't spread your law enforcement that wide.

It's $300,000 to HPD for each parade.

But more importantly, it's not respectful to Dr.

King.

You can't have two parades at the same time honoring one of our country's special iconic heroes, saying it don't have a larger MLK parade than Houston.

What are you talking about?

So now we're going to have one.

So I'm pretty fired up this morning.

And I want y'all to be fired up.

And I want this council to be fired up.

We're improving Houston.

I've seen polls, people know it.

And I don't govern by polls.

But people are responding to our transparency, our collaboration.

They look around the country at the other large cities and say, thank God John Whitmire is the mayor.

They look over at the county turmoil.

Thank God for the city of Houston stability.

So quite frankly, I want to call Sherry up to tell us about the status of the pension board.

You can address the makeup of the pension board or whatever you'd like.

I'm sorry.

In fact, you don't get the criticism.

Our daily paper and some members put it on my back.

Our retirement system worked well.

Jane Cheeks, I can't say enough about her people.

I went down there when they were getting their papers.

I never got so many hugs in all my life.

Thank you.

You and I have known each other 30 years.

In fact, you're fixing to retire after 36 years with the city finance department.

And I appreciate your public service, but shed some light on what is going on in the pension fund and the misinformation that goes out that this mayor has nothing to do with the operations.

And it's by design, actually, a legislator named John Whitmark separated the mayor's office from this operation.

So past mayors who were trying to influence where you would invest your money.

We wanted a wall between the mayor's office and city government and the pension fund.

You're elected by the retirees and the active members.

I yield to you and thank you for being here.

And don't hold back.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning, everyone.

Speak up.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Thank you, Mayor Whitmire, and good morning, Council members.

I know a few of you, and I certainly looking forward to meeting the rest of you.

It's hard to follow that, Mayor, but I will try my best.

And what I'm going to do here this morning, just give you an update as to where we are with the retirement incentive plan that was provided to city employees in April, May.

So my name is Sherry Mose, and I'm chairman of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System.

I've been chairman for about 17 years.

I'm dating myself, but 17 years, and I'm working with a great group of people.

We have an 11-member board.

We have four appointees on this board.

The other members are retirees and city employees like the rest of us here.

The Houston Municipal Employees Pension System is a governmentally defined benefit, not contribution, but a benefit plan under the Texas statute, and is independent and separate from the city, as the other two pension systems are here in Houston.

HMEPs, as we uh call it, as I said, is governed by 11 member Board of Trustees and administered by the H-Meep's staff.

The pension system is not governed by the mayor.

But HMeets and the City, we do work together.

The mayor and his administration have certainly done their part, as the mayor stated, uh Director Cheeks worked in her staff, with respect to the extraordinary number of retirements related to the city's incentive program.

Under HMET's pension plan, the retirement eligibility and lifetime benefit are determined in large and part through the city employment records, and I'll name just three other factors.

The city has expedited delivery of required employment records to HMETs.

Thank you, Jane, and your staff.

Assisted with the early distribution of retirement request forms.

The third thing, the city with HME staff, sent out an e-blast notifying with notification about the retirement process to all retirement eligible employees.

We are in the final weeks of the city incentive surge in retirements.

We're very process oriented, as I'm sure all of you know.

And we do not deviate from that, because when you're receiving this benefit as a lifetime benefit, you don't want anything wrong with that.

This is an addition to the many hundreds of other retirement related transactions over that same time period.

Refunds, survivors benefits, and it goes on.

To date, HMES has processed and paid over 700 of these individuals with this program.

Their payments were retroactive to June 1st.

We will have the remaining city incentive retirements on September on the September 2025 payroll this month, all completed.

In summary, HME's leadership and staff have worked diligently, hired additional staff members, streamed line processes, extended payroll deadlines in order to process the historic number of retirements while maintaining a prudent discipline process to help ensure that as fiduciaries, HMEP's board and of trustees, which approves and make sure all benefits are correct for all of our participants in the City of Houston.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor Done.

Mayor Protein.

Ms.

Mose, thank you for being here today.

This is a good opportunity for us to get some real clarity on what exactly has taken place.

We've all seen the headlines, we've seen the stories, and as a council, I know that no one wants our retirees to be without their well-deserved retirements.

From what I understand, the retirees received their three-month incentive pay in May.

Did every 1,052 retirees received their incentive pay in May?

Correct.

Every single retiree got the three-month incentive pay in May after their retirement.

That is my understanding also.

Three months pay.

Yes.

And then what we saw that was being reported were over 300 retirees had not received their retirement benefits.

Because if I'm one of the 300 people, I want to make sure that I get my retirement benefits.

Regardless of what's going on in the world, if I accepted the package, I want to be compensated.

Can you kind of talk us through what happened with those 300 people that were reporting they had not received their benefits?

Timing.

A lot of these individuals did not submit the proper paperwork in order to be processed early on.

They received the packet, and of course, it's a lot of paperwork involved in reviewing it.

Some of it was completed incorrectly.

So therefore the counselors had to meet with them one-on-one in order to make sure the information was correct.

There was missing documents attached to their paperwork.

So it's all in processing with getting that done.

Out of the 300, there are over 40 or so that staff is unable to reach them.

They've sent out the necessary paperwork, but they're not receiving any information back from those individuals.

So it's things like that that's happening to tell you exactly on the participants' end, why they're not returning the necessary documents.

We're still waiting to hear from several of them on that.

But it's all a matter of process.

So right now, how many retirees have not received their benefits for whatever reasons?

We're still looking at about 270?

About 270.

And then what's the date that every single retiree will have received their benefits?

With this incentive from this incentive plan?

Yes.

So by the end of this month, every single person who elected into the retirement plan should have received their incentive pay and their retirement benefits should be kicked in.

Correct.

By the end of this month.

Provided that the all of the paperwork is in order, and we're anticipating that to be the case.

And staff is planning on having the rest of it completed by the end of this week.

So what happens to those 40 or so individuals that have not turned in their paperwork?

I mean, is there are we assuming there is a process of sending certified letters or I don't know if somebody will knock on their door or what, but I mean I don't know.

What happens there?

They will continue to try to reach out to those individuals like phone, uh emails, because we have email addresses for the ones that we do have it, they will continue trying to reach out to them.

So by the end of this month, all 1,052 of our retirees should be receiving their benefits, less the number that have not responded back.

Yes.

Thank you.

And I know that going from 39 on average retirees a month to 1,052 was a monumental task.

So we appreciate your leadership as chairman of the board.

Thank you.

You are very welcome.

Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor, and good morning to everyone.

Ms.

Mose, thank you for being here and your fellow colleagues from the board.

This pension package that the mayor put out to eligible retirees stated that they would be receiving their payment within 30 to 60 days of accepting the package on May 1st.

Is that correct?

I can't speak to that, Councilmember, because I don't recall.

So was there was there a message to retirees that they were expecting to receive pay within 30 to 60 days?

I do know the communication we sent out, the pension system, it was 60 to 90 days.

Okay.

So what all was included?

Was that every single payment, the lump sum plus the um the additional incentive uh pay that they were supposed to receive?

Which on the communication piece, which which part?

All right, let me simplify this.

Okay.

You say that there are almost 300 people that still have not been paid, correct?

On their pension.

On their pensions.

Yes.

That took the package back in May.

Right.

So that would be almost 120 days since they have received that pay.

But keep in mind, based on their submission, they received the packet, but they have to return the information.

So based on when they returned the information, that could be the reason why is Councilmember Castic Tatum pointed out, why they were not on an earlier payroll.

So you all usually do around 39 processing payments for retirees a month on average.

So what was done to ensure that you had the necessary resources and personnel, the capacity to do 1,000 in 60 to 90 days?

Just with getting with staff, and we hired about 20 percent more individuals, brought them on board and helped in processing the paperwork as they were received.

So why weren't you all able to get it processed within the 60 to 90 days that was was put out to the retirees?

Because if they didn't submit their paperwork, with that paperwork, it requires documentation, marriage licenses, birth certificates.

A lot of people didn't submit that.

So when that happened, they were ending up back to the end of the line.

So if it was submitted in order, they were processed and put on payroll.

So if it was only 39 people there, like it usually is on a monthly basis, that line wouldn't have been as long and they could have got processed quicker.

Only if they submitted the paperwork.

But if they did not submit the right paperwork and something had to be revised if it was only 30 people that you were having to process, wouldn't it be a quicker process for them to be back in front of you to correct those changes to get the payment out?

I wouldn't say that, because the staff, they were prepared, knowledgeable, and they knew what to do in the instances like that.

All right.

I was told that about 10,050 calls came into HMEPS regarding retirees wanting information regarding their payment.

Is that correct?

That's about 10,000, 13,000 calls.

About 13,000 calls.

Why do you think that you received that many calls?

There could be several reasons.

One, their calls were not answered at the time they called, and a lot of participants continue to call back, call back without leaving messages.

So there could be a number of reasons for that.

Have you ever received that many calls before?

We have never had an incentive program like this.

So is it the first time you have done an incentive program?

What were the coordination efforts beforehand to set up the resources and capacity necessary to get the payments processed on time?

Within our system, we met with staff.

Staff received the additional training.

They provided all of this information as to what processes, if any, needed to be added in.

So we did that internally.

So how how far in advance did you start working on that?

I would say early March.

Okay.

And so what would you say the reason?

Were there any other reasons besides inaccurate applications that led to almost 300 people to this day still not receiving payment?

No.

That's about right.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Ms.

Mose, for your presentation and explanation.

I just wanted to say of the deed of doing this incentive.

I am glad you indicated that this is the first time that this was done, which is credit, but to uh our president administration, mayor in this council.

Thank you for the efforts of the work that you are doing.

I personally called to get information concerning the process.

Because it's legitimate to be concerned.

Yes.

All of us around this table is concerned about that.

I was at my barber, and um one of my the guy that was in there getting the his haircut along with myself, wife worked for the city, and he confronted me about the issue because his wife had retired but had not gotten the money.

So I took the approach to look into it myself.

As a new council member, um learning all of these things, and I don't claim to know all of it, but it's a process of learning.

So looking at it at this point right now, it became clear to me when I spoke with the board and in terms of what actually happened.

So with what you just the information you have given us, the details that the Mayor Pro Temp brought out, it gives more clarity to the issue.

I don't think anybody would intentionally not pay people when they're doing it.

It is, but it's the process.

And I think that's that's the thing that we're trying to get to.

But not trying to ignore the fact that the fact it is a deep concern that people should get that money.

But I do want to just say I commend you and the board and the pension board in clarifying it so that we don't, you know, go out with the impression that these people, who does that?

Who would give an incentive to get people uh an opportunity?

Thank God nobody was laid off.

That's right.

Thank God that they got a check, severance pay, it carried them for so long.

But we know that our city is going through matters unlike before in a lot of areas.

So thank you again for me for your clarification, and I think with that being said, then we can we can have better days going forward and thank God for the effort that's being done to help these people.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor approach Jim.

Thank you, Ms.

Mose.

I just want to clarify that all 1,052 of our retirees have received their incentive pay in May.

Um if they had vacation or sick pay, was that paid in May also?

I think it was, yes.

Okay.

Because I know that I I had one of the members at my church who told me she she had a vacation in sick pay.

I want to make sure that all of our retirees receive their vacation and sick pay and they receive the three-month incentive.

Incentive, correct.

In May.

That is the same thing.

And then now you're saying that all of our retirees that elected to opt into this system should have received their retirement benefits.

Those should kick in by the end of this month.

So we should not have unless they have not filled out their paperwork or they have not been in touch with the department to finalize their application.

Correct.

Yes.

And they will, with the applications that are all in order, they will receive their check the last around the last day of this month, which I think is September 28th or 29th.

Okay.

Yes.

And I know that you know Okay, go ahead.

I'm sorry.

It will be retroactive.

So they would have initially have been on payroll June.

So since for the ones that were not, it would be retroactive, so they will receive their June, July, August on the September check.

Thank you.

And I know that I don't want to, you know, feel like I'm deposing you, but I want us to be able to have the facts.

Right.

Because if people call us and they are saying that they are not receiving their payments, I mean, this gives us the information that we need to say, have you filled out your application?

Have you turned in your paperwork?

Did you do all of the things that are necessary?

Because this is a two-way street.

It is.

Thank you.

And if I may, I think some of my board members are here.

I would ask if they could stand.

Sure.

Rory is here.

Everyone knows Roy.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Second, Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to end by saying I do want to thank you and your board for the work that you have done.

I don't think that it is based on a lack of effort that the situation has turned out to be what it is, and that there are almost 300 people who have still not been fully paid.

But we do need to look at the seriousness of what has taken place, because you didn't get 13,000 calls for no reason.

You got 13,000 calls because there were so many people who were expecting a certain amount of pay, who for whatever reason was not getting the pay.

And I do think there was a lack of or it may have been a lack of communication or some misinformation and misinterpretation on what was expected.

But people took this package that was up against the fiscal year deadline to ensure that they could receive a certain amount of money within a certain amount of time, and that did not fully happen.

And because of that, 13,000 calls came into HMEPs.

Because of that, on numerous media outlets, you have retirees saying that they regret taking that package.

They regret taking it because they don't have the money that they felt that they were promised to get to be able to sustain themselves.

And when you are already going into retirement and have a certain level of expectation on what you should be anticipating, and you do not receive it, that is going to put you in a bind.

The only reason that you are standing before us is to try to give us clarification on what happened.

But what truly happened is there was an issue regarding getting all the payments out that has created a lot of financial burden for hundreds of people.

You're getting 13,000 calls.

We're all getting calls.

Everywhere we go, as the Mayor Pro Tem said, people coming up to you at church, people coming up to you at the grocery store.

Why haven't I been paid?

So regardless of what the specifics and variables that went into why we are where we are today as a city, if we make a promise to retirees to take a package, then those promises must be kept.

And at the moment, we're going into mid-September, you're saying that almost 300 people still have not been fully paid.

That took the package back in May.

That's an issue.

That's a problem.

And so I think this council body with the administration plus HMEPS has to do a better job in coordinating and collaborating with one another to ensure that you all have the resources necessary, one to fill those calls, one to have staff to do those applications to get out the communication and make sure things are processed properly.

It's not fair for a system that only does 39 processing payments a month to then be asked to do over a thousand in a short amount of time.

And that's only a thousand based on who took the package.

What if all three thousand people took the package?

If all three thousand people took the package, we may be going into six, seven months of no of some people not getting a check.

So there couldn't have been proper coordination from the beginning.

Because there's no way that is realistically possible to happen.

You know that.

So in order for us to have some credibility as a city when it comes to our city employees, I think we do need to do a much better job of communicating real um expectations for them to have before they sign their line, their name on a dotted line and give up their job for what they were promised.

And in this particular instance, it has been shown that that is not the case.

Thank you.

Let me thank you.

And your board members more importantly, your rank and file.

You certainly cleared up that the city commitment of incentive pay was delivered in May.

Yes.

That's my understanding.

You never made a promise to the retirees how quick it could be processed because they are all very unique and individually treated.

Even those that filed in July and August are just now being processed.

So I'm sorry for misinformation that you have to deal with.

So this is not what you normally do.

And I'm sorry that people try to put words in your mouth, but you've got a product at this point that you can be proud of.

And certainly the city.

The reference that the city did this and this, you've well established that the pension board is independent, and your board members are only appointed, one by the mayor, and I haven't had an opportunity to make that appointment, two by council, which incumbent council is approved, and then Mr.

Hollins got one.

So that independent board is the one that is processing and unfortunately being unjustly criticized.

So you need to wherever you go, continue the distinction.

You're proud of your independence from the City of Houston.

Yes.

You are elected by City employees.

You're not chosen or elected by this.

Your method of processing things are not directed by the City of Houston.

The City, through the Earn Sheen Young incentive program was completed in May when everyone got their paycheck from the City.

Then, depending on the actions of the retirees and your abilities is what is being so misrepresented.

I thank you.

It's unfortunate.

And I'm sure it's not the last time we will hear it.

But the you can't rewrite history, the facts are the facts.

Thank you to the council members.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

And Sherry, uh, do the very best you can, and thank you for be sure your rank and file.

I will.

Thank you, everyone.

And again, we're going to keep this train on the track and keep it moving.

Thank you.

And we may very well have another incentive program.

And I'll let you know when it's coming, as we did this week.

I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Carter.

Thank you, Ms.

Yes.

Consent.

Consent agenda.

Consent agenda, please.

Under the miscellaneous category, items three and four have been pulled by the administration and will not be considered.

Item five has been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items one and two.

We already didn't have to do that.

Oh, we did those numbers.

All right.

No, we don't want to do them again.

Under the property category, item eight has been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items six and seven.

Castex say to move.

Hex second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Under the purchase and entablation of bids category.

Items 10 and 11 have been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items 9, 12, and 13.

Cast X tater move.

Hex second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the ordinances category, item since your list has been distributed.

All items have been received.

Item 17 has been pulled by the administration and will not be considered.

Item 14 has been removed for separate consideration.

Need a vote on the balance.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item 5 needs a motion.

Cast sex tater move.

Made and second.

All in favor, say yes.

Those appear no.

Motion passes.

Item 8 needs a motion.

Cast sex Tater move.

Hex second.

Motion is made and second.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Have a good day.

Item 10 needs a motion.

Cast X say to move.

Heck second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 11 needs a motion.

Cast say to move.

Hex second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 14 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

This completes the items on the agenda.

Very good.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to start by um highlighting an event I attended this past Saturday, the 9-11 day of service and uh memorial ceremony at the Houston National Cemetery.

It was a great um a great event.

A lot of folks out there to uh perform service at the cemetery.

Councilmember Carter, I gave some very moving remarks as well.

And um, as we come up on the anniversary tomorrow, it was a it was a great way to honor uh the victims and and give back to the community.

I want to welcome a new chip intern to the District H office, Keoni Holman, who starts today and will be working alongside our District H Horizons interns, uh Brianna and Madison, as well as the rest of the District H team.

Very excited to have Keoni come on board.

This evening, I'll be hosting uh another public safety round table.

This one will be in Independence Heights, and these are designed to really bring stakeholders and uh different resources together from uh nonprofits, social services, law enforcement, elected officials, and others, and really work with some of the more consistent uh issues that communities are facing, and so we've done a number of these across the district.

Um tonight will be independence heights and look forward to uh another good discussion and uh getting some time with the community there.

This coming uh next Saturday, not this Saturday, but the following Saturday on the 20th of September.

Um myself and Councilmembers Martinez and Ramirez are gonna host a community meeting around the Hispanic History Research Center project that has been ongoing.

So we will be um out at the HCC Felix Fraga Academic Campus.

Uh we do have a location confirmed, 10 a.m.

to 1130, and this will be on Saturday, September 20th.

And so uh you can check out social media to RSVP and get the flyer, and we'll be sending out uh a mass uh email today to promote that.

But now that we have a location, want to make sure you mark your calendars and we'll be providing an update on the status of that project and also uh hearing from the community on their thoughts and their feedback.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim, and to uh my colleagues, I today briefly I do want to um uh take the opportunity to thank uh the public works and the Southwest Management District for their response to uh a public safety issue, colleagues, that was brought to my attention a few months back.

An elderly pedestrian was killed as she uh attempted to cross the street at the busy intersection of Bel Air Boulevard and Ranchester Drive at night.

A driver had made an improper turn and hit her, and she was crossing to the median.

The pedestrian crossing sign was on, and he should have waited for her to finish Crawlson, but he was driving so fast and he did not see her in time.

Constituent brought this to my attention, and I met with him personally.

Uh, then I met with the Southwest Management District who lauded in the past for their focus on public safety to ask them for solutions to reduce this kind of tragedy in this area along Bell Air Boulevard.

Uh they then worked with uh work with Public Works to have a traffic study conducted and to implement uh commended public safety measures based on the findings from the traffic study.

The measures being implemented now by public works include refreshing refreshing pedestrian crosswalk buttons, retiming the traffic lights, and installing pedestrian crossing signs along the busy stretch on Bell Air Boulevard.

I want to commend uh Director Mackie and Public Works in the Southwest Management District for working with our office, and I also want to thank uh Hebe, the constituent who first brought it to my attention.

Uh is this kind of collaboration that helps make our city safer place for everyone.

And finally, I want to thank the hardworking men and women of Solid Waste Department, Mr.

Jesus uh Gonzalez and DeAndre Huddleston in particular.

They were kind enough to invite me on a ride along this past Monday morning.

Uh we start off about 5 30 in the morning so that I could get a first hand experience of what it's like to work with these men and women in solid ways in a trash pickup route.

We get a lot of that to the city.

We started around that time, and uh it was really an eye-opening issue that I witnessed that impeded their work.

There are a lot of things in regards to solid waste.

They do a phenomenal job, but there are challenges that they have to endure in order to meet that service.

If residents park their cars right next to their garbage cans, their cans won't be serviced, and they call the news or complain the city isn't doing the job that the men and women of this department aren't doing their jobs.

When they mix in heavy trash with regular trash in their garbage cans, when they leave their cans only inches away from their neighbors' cans, and it's required that it's a three feet distance.

Solid waste can get blamed for not picking up their trash.

I witnessed this so many times during the ride-along.

We need to improve public awareness of regulations related to garbage and heavy trash.

It is imperative that our residents, we want to hear them and we want to certainly serve them, but they have to do their best to not cause these issues.

And so uh I'm sure to mention also that is tracking reporting devices and all of the solid waste trucks, garbage trucks.

This whole notion of trucks going into neighborhoods and not picking up anything needs to be dispelled.

We don't need to do that.

If the truck only picked up one side of the block, it could very well be that the truck is not or is a at a capacity and they have to dump it.

Or that was an issue with the cans on the other side of the block.

I understand that we need to listen to our constituents, but we also need to understand the field challenges that are facing the workers in solid waste.

So, with that, I would say that we could uh really do better, all of us on both sides of the aisle.

That's my comments.

Thank you.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Pro Tam.

Um we've got our kind of season of town halls coming up.

We've got three of them that we'll be doing, uh one in Kingwood, one in Clear Lake, and then also one in Edgebrook.

Uh if everybody can mark their calendars, the King Wood is going to be September 30th at the Kingwood Community Center in uh Clear Lake on the 14th at the Space Center Houston.

And in uh October 21st in Edgebrook at the One Movement Bible Church.

They'll all start at uh 6 30.

So we've got uh quite a few of the city departments, uh, other elected officials.

We'll have information tables out there, so if the public could come out there, it would be great.

Uh we've got recycling in Clear Lake this Saturday, starting at 9 o'clock at uh Ellington Field until the uh trucks are full.

So uh get out there early because they usually fill up.

So thank you very much.

Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you.

Um I just want to say that our thoughts and prayers go out to Captain Um Zach Becker, his wife unexpectedly passed away on Sunday from a suspected uh pulmonary embolism.

Um he was the he was the captain at Midwest, did so many great things for District G.

Now he's the captain over vice.

Um, but just we keeping you and your family in our prayers.

So sorry to hear that.

Councilmember.

Councilmember Thomas.

Are you standing for me?

I think you are.

Um wonderful.

Uh uh, those that are watching, District F continues to set the trends.

Shout out to the District F hotspot team.

Ninety of the 178 replacement bins have been delivered to residents on your front step.

Kudos to them and kudos to the Solid Waste Department um for moving moving towards innovation uh and reducing the bottleneck so we can continue to serve our constituents.

Um also just want to underscore public safety last week.

Yes, as I as I've mentioned over the last couple of weeks, we visited Crossview Courts apartments uh in Midwest Houston off of Fondren, Crossview West Timer.

We met with Midwest HPD.

Uh the hall the property owner has already filed suit against the convenience store and preve, the nightclub.

Uh there, the residents, the owners.

We had a whole meeting.

We're co-creating a community action plan to mitigate squatting, um uh break-ins, you name it, parking crisis all along Crossview.

So, shout out to Midwest.

We have a follow-up meeting with them next week.

More details to come.

Yesterday, my chief and I visited with the Westside HPD so we could address the issues happening on Ashford Point.

Ashford Point is located between Richmond and West Timer, and it has the highest calls for service in the city of Houston as of last month.

Um, they're also uh dealing with squatting, drug use, um, unhoused population, vacant units.

So we are working with them, the DRT team and the crime suppression unit again co-creating a plan to mitigate what's happening there.

Also, there's some gang activity, more to come.

Um, as promised, we are scheduled to meet with the subdivisions, the super neighborhood to provide an update on the plan as we roll out those community meetings.

I expect and hope that you are there to help us to contribute to um uh reducing crime in that area and improving quality of life.

I want to highlight public infrastructure.

Yesterday we met with the public works uh transportation and drainage team to review all of our major projects from SWAT, uh street lights, concrete asphalt replacement.

We are excited that we have an uh aggressive agenda in terms of public infrastructure on the west side.

That information will be rolling out in the newsletter this upcoming Friday.

I want to highlight Shelford City.

This has been a long process, a three-phase project addressing our wastewater crisis.

We are facing uh we are uh uh closing out that project, and the panel replacements that were damaged within the scope have been repaired.

Panel replacements that are outside the scope of Richmond and Senate.

We have them in the queue for a cost estimate.

So Parkland subdivision, we hear you that's in the queue.

Um allow us some patience and grace to get a cost estimate so we can get that scheduled for repair.

Um, as mentioned yesterday during the public session, the Richmond Concrete Asphalt Project.

We are close to completion.

Um that will be done October 20 uh 2025.

Um we also have a local drainage project happening over there.

Uh a detailed update will be provided in the newsletter and has been provided to all of the residents that reached out to our neighborhood.

Shout out to Public Works for their diligence in working with our office to communicate clearly and accurate information so we can make sure that residents are informed.

Also, shout out to Brays Village.

We're coming to your neighborhood.

We have a hundred and sixty thousand dollar sidewalk improvement um uh program coming to your subdivision.

So we are doing our community pop-up to share with you the updates uh with our public infrastructure.

I want to highlight a public hearing with the uh planning commission on September 18th.

District F has an item um on review.

The residents of Piney Point, Pilgrim's Rest, uh Missionary Baptist Church, and the friends of Rasmus Park.

I'm encouraging you to participate.

There are two residential lots on that agenda to be uh transition replatted to commercial for a mechanic shop to be placed in the middle of your neighborhood.

Many of y'all are familiar with me talking about about Piney Point in that neighborhood, erasing due to mechanic shops and um uh you name it, uh tire shops in that area, and this remnant of a freedmanstown will no longer exist.

So I'm asking you to participate to make sure that your voices are heard because removing residential lots and changing them to commercial reduces our housing footprint in our neighborhood.

So I want to highlight that for you as well.

And then lastly, National Night Out is coming up.

Please sign up.

We are uh scheduled, we are working with our police departments, our West Side and Midwest to coordinate so we can have a better reach.

Sign up.

We want to visit with you, we want to hang out with you, and more importantly, we want to create relationship with our neighbors so we can create safer neighborhoods.

Please reach out to the district F office um at District F at Houston TX.gov.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Vice Mayor Pro Tempek.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

Um, I want to invite everyone this Saturday.

Councilmember Huffman and I are doing a um morning at the Marquee event.

It is to um get to know local public safety leaders.

HPD will be out there in a number of organizations.

Um it will be from 10 a.m.

to noon this Saturday at the Marquee 7620 Katie Freeway.

It will be in the parking lot between Common Bond and LA Fitness, so please join us for that event.

And also wanted to wish a happy birthday to Josie in the District A office.

We're so thankful for her service to District A and she does an amazing job.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

First, I want to start off by welcoming our chip uh Fall Chip intern, uh Panos uh Jogantes.

He's part he's joining our district guide team.

He is a senior at the University of Houston studying public policy and nutrition.

He's also a district I resident, so it's it's a great opportunity for him to really uh be hands on with what's happening in his Pacific neighborhood, but just also just seeing what's happening in District I.

So if you can just stand real quick.

Thank you.

I want to welcome him to the team.

Um then since we're giving shout-outs for birthdays as well.

I definitely want to recognize uh my agenda and policy uh uh director uh Christina Camarillo.

Uh it was her birthday this past Monday.

We're wanted to celebrate her as well, and we're thankful to have her on the team.

Um wanna just reflect a little bit on a uh ribbon cutting that we had uh just yesterday.

It's the OST Lofts.

Uh it was a project that I was able to work on as a board member for the How Center.

So this this uh housing uh project was in partnership with the Honor Center, who has a standalone uh early childhood center uh education center, and we've talked about this.

There are several of uh my colleagues that have uh similar projects.

Uh it was a great opportunity to come back to a ribbon cutting after spending time in 2023 at a groundbreaking, and so to see it full circle.

Uh it was exciting.

It's good to see uh some of the stories of the family members that have their children that are literally walking distance to the school.

Um and and just to also recognize all of the the efforts, it was a collaborative efforts uh from the Federal Government all the way down to the county and of course the city.

And so I just want to congratulate everyone uh that was a part of that project and uh and look forward to the next one, which we're hoping to hit in the hobby area soon.

Um and then just lastly, I just want to uh make sure that uh the civic clubs and district I uh know that I'm in my second um part of the year civil civic club tour.

I make sure that I spend a lot of time with these civic clubs to make sure to ensure that they know that uh they can always see my face, I can always take the arrows, I can always uh you know my team members go out there, and as a former staffer, I think it's important for, of course, office to show up, but ultimately, whenever the elected official shows up, it's our responsibility to take those hard questions.

And so we're talking about trash fee, we're talking about the RevCap, we're talking about right-sizing departments, we're having all these conversations uh open, honest with uh constituency, and so I look forward to seeing everyone over the next coming months.

Thank you.

Councilmember Alcorn.

Thank you.

Colleagues, as you know, yesterday the point in time homeless numbers came out.

3,325 individuals uh shelter both sheltered and unsheltered, sixty-one percent sheltered, thirty-nine percent unsheltered.

Um nationwide since twenty twenty two, homelessness has grown 32 percent.

Houston since that time has grown just 3.3 percent over that same time period.

So we have laid great groundwork here in Houston.

I know these numbers mean nothing when you pass an encampment or you have a problem in your area.

It it doesn't it one is too many.

Uh, but I do want to thank uh everybody that was involved in the point in time count.

So much of our funding and different things are are based on these numbers.

So it's important to have the data.

Very interesting data to dig into reasons why people are homelessness if it's their first time to be homeless.

Lots of good information there, so I encourage you to look at that.

And then to remind everybody on September 22nd, the first day of fall, I'll be in the district of destination with Councilmember Evans of Vaz having my annual false prevention event.

So mark your calendars.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Councilmember Carolyn Evans Shabez.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

On Professional Development Day for the Houston Independent School District, there was a presentation at Blackshire Elementary, the anti-gang presentation, and I want to thank the Department of Neighborhoods, Office of Gang Intervention and Prevention for a timely presentation.

The teachers receive tools and resources that will help keep students safe and supported.

And I appreciate the dedication of the department in serving our educators and youth.

On Friday, we had Zoo Day at the Houston Zoo in District D.

And we had the pleasure of hosting families and elected leaders from a behind the scenes zoo day.

We witnessed the incredible work of those caring for our wildlife.

A special thank you to Jackie Wallace for her leadership and a warm welcome to Lisa Peterson, who officially assumed the role of president and CEO.

Looking ahead to upcoming events in District D, the virtual design update meeting at Edgewood Park Detention Basin Project will be Thursday, September the 11th at 5 30 p.m., hosted by Houston Public Works.

You will get the latest on design progress for this critical and long-awaited flood mitigation project.

And I encourage everyone to attend and share your input.

On Saturday, I have something in the district that is near and dear to my heart because I see the challenges that people have in regards to having things on their record.

There will be an expunction clinic and job fair on this Saturday from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

at the Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Road.

You will get free legal assistance for expunctions, tenant landlord guidance, child support questions.

There will be a job fair and community services.

And I certainly extend my gratitude to District Attorney Sean Tier, Constable Smokey Phillips, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Department of Neighborhoods, and our partners for bringing these resources to our community.

But I want to be clear, I know when we say that people's records can be cleared.

There are things that can be removed, but if it was a final judgment, in all likelihood it cannot, but certainly you can come and get some legal advice regarding that.

I know how important it is to have a clean record because some people cannot get jobs and they cannot get quality housing.

And so certainly we invite everyone to come out again.

That's this Saturday the 13th from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

at the Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center.

Please come out and partake of any legal services that you may need on a on a personal, not a personal level, but on the level uh where people have to go to an attorney, these services can cost a great deal of money.

So please come out and take advantage of a free service.

Thank you so very much.

Thank you, uh Councilmember and colleagues.

I'll finish up with my pop off.

I do want to give a special shout out to HBD's DRT, our district K High Team, and the Department of Neighborhood staff for the efforts at 14, 630 White Heather.

This particular location was just riddled with trash.

The building needed needs to be demolished.

It's been an ongoing concern due to trespassing, squatting, drug use, and they really did pull out some coordinated efforts to get that property looking better.

The community members are grateful for ensuring that we have clean spaces in District K.

Then I want to just kind of shout out public works because we have completed the Magnee Street rehab project between Kirby Drive and Main Street near NRG Stadium.

This is a really good investment so that residents can have smooth and safe uh roadways to travel on.

So special thanks to Public Works and our project partners for making sure that project got done in a timely manner.

Reminder, our next economic development committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, September the 17th.

We will have a presentation by Superintendent Mike Miles, who'll give an update on HISD, and we will also have an update on our Texas Enterprise Zone.

We always talk about when do we find out how many jobs were actually presented.

So this will be a good time for us to see how these TEZs uh help us in the city of Houston.

Uh just a reminder we are hosting a Meet the Team event next Saturday at the Starbucks at 10888 South Sam Houston Parkway from 9 to 11.

We've got two um new-ish staff members in the district K office.

Would love for our residents to come and get to know them and enjoy some Starbucks coffee, some pastries, fun giveaway.

It's gonna be a fun event.

Um we're looking forward to having you all there.

And then I see that our CHIP intern has entered the chamber.

Um colleagues, uh, welcome Tasim Hassan.

She is a U of H student majoring in political science, and she has a minor in legal studies.

We look forward to working with you in the district K office.

Y'all be kind to each other and make it a great day.

We stand adjourned.