The chair recognizes Councilmember Alcorn for a proclamation to the incomparable Beth White to honor Beth's life and work for the city.

Okay, hi everybody.

I know everybody's excited about this proclamation because we've all just grown to love Beth White and the work that she does for the City of Houston and our just our green renaissance that's been going on since she's been here.

So I'll get started with the PROC.

The City of Houston joins the Houston Parks Board in celebrating Beth White as she approaches retirement at the end of 2025 and concludes her tenure as the organization's president and chief operating officer.

A renowned parks and green space leader, Beth White brought vast experience and a distinguished career to Houston, having overseen Chicago's Trust for Public Land and leading major initiatives in transportation, housing, and parks, including Chicago's elevated park and trail system known as the 606.

She has earned national appointments from Presidents Obama and Biden to help federal agencies develop long-term plans for public space usage, served as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, and received national recognition from Lambda Alpha International with a public service award for her work in Chicago, Washington, D.C.

and Houston.

Since joining the Parks Board in 2016, Beth White's strategic guidance has helped advance the Bayou Greenways, the region's more than 150 mile interconnected linear park system, as well as the revitalization of more than 30 neighborhood parks through transformative projects such as McGregor Park Renovation in partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Kinder Foundation, the development of Hill at Sims in partnership with Harris County Precinct One and Let's Play Houston, a 25 neighborhood park initiative led by Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

Her leadership is defined by strong collaboration across public and private sectors, working closely with city, county, community, and philanthropic partners.

Throughout her Parks Board tenure, Beth White oversaw substantial organizational growth with nearly $300 million invested in parks and green space projects, maintenance and conservation work.

The Parks Board has more than doubled in size.

Yet she maintained a hands-on approach, mentoring employees who now lead its public-private partnership projects and extensive community engagement efforts.

Her leadership at the Parks Board earned her the Houston Business Journal's 2021 Most Admired CEO Award.

As Beth White concludes her formal leadership, she leaves a strong foundation for the future, including her guidance in developing Beyond the Bayous, a long-term framework for improved equity, access, and natural resource development in Houston over the next 50 years.

The City of Houston, along with the Houston Parks Board, recognizes Beth White for her passionate work to enhance the region's green spaces for her decade of transformative leadership and for the enduring legacy that will benefit today's Houstonians and generations to come.

And I want to thank you for your passion.

But it's easy to have the passion when you have such a great subject.

And I can't add to this proclamation other than the personally thank you on behalf of all Houstonians.

Personally thank you.

You've made us all better.

You've changed the culture, the mindset.

You have a unique people skill to make people want to do the right thing.

Not force them, but just make it their purpose in public office as administrators.

So you know, we hate to let you go, and I don't think we're really letting you go.

Because you've assured me I can call you.

We're all going to work with you going forward.

And you've certainly uh passed the baton to a fine team.

So that's another compliment to you.

So therefore, I John Whitmire, Mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaimed December 2nd, 2025 is Beth White Day in the City of Houston.

Congratulations.

Oh, this is um a little overwhelming.

Uh this is quite an honor.

Thank you so much for um this recognition and also for your partnership and your support.

Uh the minute I got to Houston, um, I felt I was embraced and welcomed, and you know, I raised my hand, was willing to work, and you all put your faith and trust in me to be a partner, and together we accomplished a lot.

I was drawn here by the vision and challenge of the idea of Biogreenways, a 150 mile plus system that the city had put a hundred million dollars behind.

Our organization offered to raise 125 million, and it's and it's here, and we're continuing to build it out.

And that really speaks to our partnership.

And I want to thank uh Councilmember Alcorn, who I worked with long before she became a council member on sustainability issues, and you know, really as you were just saying, getting people to do the right thing.

And just think about our space together here in a very different way.

And it's it's just been a joy to be part of the green renaissance of Houston.

And I get to work head notes here, I'm not looking at them.

Um I get to work with people who inspire me every day, um, some of whom are here with me, our amazing board, our talented staff, our incredible volunteers.

Um I've learned so much from them, and we've accomplished so much together.

Um, Mayor Whitmeyer asked me recently why do I care so much about parks?

And of course, he was being a little smart, Alec.

When did you get your first kiss there?

I was like, I'll never tell.

But um I I really do think parks bring people together, and you know, we come together in common purpose.

We're connected to nature, connected to one another and the things that matter, and uh and great cities need great parks.

So the work that you all do every day is so important to carrying that on, and the legacy of Houston Parks Board will continue as the mayor said.

Justin Schultz is going to be our next president and CEO, and he'll be back before you in just a few weeks with uh request for an interloco to keep working on neighborhood parks together.

And um finally, I'd love to thank my husband who's been our number one volunteer.

Um he also is the one who encouraged me to call the headhunter back.

Um Steve Newton, who many of you know, who is the best salesperson for Houston you will ever have.

But he said, Well, what the heck, go talk to him and and see what you think.

And one trip, and I was hooked.

So again, thank you.

Houston is an amazing place.

Um we're proud to be Houstonians now, and um I I just don't know how to thank you for the opportunity.

It's been quite a ride.

So thank you very much.

Councilmember Alcorn, thank you for um presenting this proclamation on behalf of all of us, because Beth, you said it, parks do bring people together.

Um, what you've done in the city of Houston is incredible, and we'll always remember you even when you leave when we are um strolling through the green space along the bayou.

We will always thank Beth White for your contributions.

We do have a couple of council members in queue.

We'll start with uh Vice Mayor Pro Temp Peck.

Thank you, Mayor Pratem, and thank you, Councilmember Alcorn for presenting this today.

Beth, congratulations, and thank you so much for your service to the city.

I started making a list of some of the things that we've worked on together over the years, and the list just kept going longer and longer, but I wanted to highlight a few things.

Um, the Oak Brook, Oak Brook Green Space, White Oak Bayou Trail, Spring Branch Trail, Vogel Creek, Erin Le Day Park, Langwood Park, and the upcoming Hayden Park and Schwartz Park um projects.

All of these have really been transformative in District A, and I'm just so appreciative of all of the work that you've done.

So thank you so much.

Thank you.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Temp.

Um, Beth, uh, for the last two years I've been here.

It's been a pleasure to work with you.

I'm sure we're gonna miss you.

You know, uh talking with uh Councilman Martinez this morning uh about the parks, and uh was talking to him uh there's one I drive by pretty regularly at 610 in Homestead early in the morning, and I think it's more of a walking trail really than a park.

There's lots of times where you know it'll be full of people.

It's just great to see, and nice be nice for people to be out getting exercise.

It's it's just an all a good thing, and we're gonna miss you congratulations.

Thanks.

Thank you and congratulations again.

Thank you.

Oh, I thought recognizes Councilmember Davis for a proclamation to the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater to recognize their 50th year.

We have Jill Reese, Executive Director of Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater, and Nelson Madrogal, Artistic Director.

Did I see it right?

Yes.

Okay, good dear.

Very good.

And we are here today as we are preparing to represent these talented and great organizations south of our city.

Whereas the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater on December 2nd, the City of Houston proudly recognizes and congratulates the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater as it celebrates 50 years of grace, passion, and performance.

And whereas Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater was founded with a bold and ambitious vision to bring world-class dance and theater to the south side of Houston and to create a home where artists and audience could share in transformative power of performance, and whereas the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater honors the rich heritage of classical ballet while embracing the innovation exploration and limitless possibilities of contemporary dance, theater, and performance art.

Each season, it presents a full slate of productions at the Bio Theater at the University of Houston, Clear Lake, making high quality performing arts accessible to thousands of patrons across Bay Area Houston, remaining true to its goal of offering diverse and engaging performances.

It has expanded its repertoire to include musical theater, providing dancers with opportunities to explore Broadway style performance while strengthening the company's versatility and community reach.

And whereas, since its early years, Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater has welcomed world-renowned guest artists, choreographers, and teachers whose talent and guidance have shaped its artistic identity.

In 2015, International Acclaimed Ballet Luminary, Nelson Mendrigal, joined as artistic director, elevating its training to world-class standards and reaffirming its mission to nurture dancers with professionalism, integrity, and passion.

And whereas what began as a small community effort has grown into one of the region's most respected cultural institutions.

Today, as Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theater celebrates its 50th anniversary, it continues to shine as a vibrant force in the performing arts, enriching the cultural landscape of the Bay Area Houston region through creativity, excellence, and dedication.

So, Mayor, we would give it over to you.

I'm going to ask my good friend Fred Flickinger of District E to come over and join with us as we present this wonderful group of people before, of course, also in his district.

Amen.

Well, listen, uh, we're all in this together, and you're showcasing why Houston is such a great city.

We have activities such as this all across Houston.

That you know, if you don't bring it to our attention, the rest of you will not be aware of it.

So thank you to the Bay Area.

A community that may not be able to come to Central Houston, the Houston Ballet cannot be everywhere.

So with your uh record of your uh your influencing the next generation with the young people here, and you're giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

So we're all excited that you're day, Councilman Flickinger.

Uh we never want to overlook the Bay Area.

Uh Councilman can't referring to South of Houston, you know.

As far as I'm concerned, you know, we need to showcase the Bay Area.

We need to showcase the Bay Area as often as possible.

So today is a celebration of therefore I, John Whitmar, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaimed December 2nd, 2025 is Bay Area, Houston Ballet and Theater Day across the city of Houston.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, darling.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Am I allowed to say you are right?

I cannot thank you enough.

Um, Congressman Davis and Congressman Flickinger and Mayor and the rest of the city council.

We are so proud of our product.

And 50 years is a long time in the arts to be sustainable, and we are so proud of it.

And your recognition of that today, it truly means the world to us.

It really does.

Also, your support to us is invaluable for over 30 years.

Uh, support from the city of Houston has enabled us to really make our mission grow and be bigger and better.

We um today I brought uh a few of our professional dancers here.

One, the little sugar pump fairy.

You gotta have that for a photo up, right?

We are moving into the theater, of course.

We're gonna be performing 21 shows of the nutcracker at the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Would love for you to come down, email me, text me, whatever you need to do.

I know you can find me.

Uh, and I would love to give you tickets.

I want you to see the product that you are supporting because it's phenomenal.

Nelson Madrical is world renowned, and he brings in to the city in the summertime.

We had dancers from Taiwan from all over the world that have come just to be trained under him.

And it is truly a testament to how Houston believes in the arts and how we are keeping it strong in the south end of Houston.

Uh, I do want to state too, uh, starting on Thursday, we bring uh three thousand Title I students to the theater, bust them in so that they can see the production of the nutcracker as well.

And it's all because of your support that we're allowed to do that, as well as our educational initiatives all over um for the year.

So thank you so very much.

We really appreciate you, and we love the city of Houston and all that you do for the arts.

Thank you.

Yes, we did.

I love it.

Can we do some photos?

Yeah.

Willie, you're there.

I said you meet us, did you?

Oh, okay.

Recognizes Mayor Whitmire for a proclamation to the Calderon family, honoring their public service and legacy.

Members bear with me.

This uh this is material that movies are made out of.

I want everyone to really let it sink in what we're proclaiming today.

Six veterans of HPD, how are you?

Six brothers.

Can you imagine their mother and father and some sleepless nights that they had?

But these gentlemen are role models, they're public servants, they're mentors.

They have helped create the great city that we have.

Because when they were trailblazing, Hispanics were not always welcome in HPD.

They started in 1975.

My career started in 72, so there's nearly always been a Colleron brother on HPD during my 50 years of being in the legislature.

So I've been looking for the opportunity to bring them together.

We got organized.

Their families are here.

And let me just take time to read this proclamation.

It is really almost impossible to imagine that six brothers in the same family put their lives on the line at the same time.

On December 2nd, 2025, the City of Houston recognizes the legacy of the Colleron family whose six brothers, Robert, Rick, Rudy, Ruben, Ray, and Renee collectively contributed 212 years of public service in the Houston Police Department, protecting Houstonians with honor, courage, and duty.

The Cotterron story began with the eldest brother, Robert Cotteron Jr.

joined the department in 1975 as class number 70.

For more than 35 years, he served the Northeast Patrol, Vice Auto Thefts, earning honors that included HPD Officer of the Year Awards, 93 and 2007, a Chiefs Commendation, 2008, and recognition by the 100 Club before retiring in 2011.

Ricardo Rick Calderon joined HPD in 77 with the cadet class number 78.

His career spanned over 40 years, culminating in promotion to sergeant.

He served in North Shepherd Park Place, Northwest Patrol, and nearly three decades with the major offenders division.

Served with professionalism and excellence until retired.

Raul Rudy Calderon joined HPD in 77 with Cadet Class 79.

Served over 39 years.

We're getting towards that 212 members.

He created and helped taught Dare program to thousands of HIST fifth graders and later served nearly 20 years in the juvenile division, followed by assignments in Kingwood Patrol and Airport Division.

His awards included a Chief's Commendation, a mayor's combination, and Minerator's award in 1996.

Ruben Calerona joined the department in 1982 as part of Cadet Class 104.

Over 40-year career.

He served as Northeast Patrol, the Leighton Print Unit, the Kingwood Patrol Division.

His awards included an award dominee, an assistant chief commendation, and numerous accommodations from supervisors and citizens for his dedication and professionalism.

Ray Colleron joined HPD in 85 with Cadet Class 129.

In his 20 years of service, he worked in North Shepherd, the Burglary and Theft and Command Center Division.

In 1991, he was named also the year by the 100 Club and received the Paul Edo Life Saving Award before retiring in 2005.

Renee Calderon joined HPD in 1989 with a cadet class 136.

Over a 38-year career, he served in North Central, Kingwood, South Gestern, Jail Traffic Enforcement Divisions, promoted to sergeant in 2010.

He concluded his service at Bush Airport in 2024.

His honors included four life savings, a hostile engagement award, three Chiefs' commendations, and more than 45 supervisor and citizen commendations.

While the Colleron brothers served their wives and children, made profound sacrifices enduring long absences and unpredictable hours, holidays apart, and stress of citywide emergencies, providing resilient support.

City of Houston proudly honors the significant legacy of the Colleron family and thanks all the members for their decades of outstanding service, sacrifice and commitment to people in the city they love.

The proclamation doesn't do justice to the personal sacrifice that y'all have made in your families, your parents.

We're a better city for y'all's service.

Thank you.

I know you probably had some close call, but that's what your calling was, and we're here today as a city in 2.3 million Houstonians.

So thank you.

I can't thank you enough because I know what it does to the family challenges.

Your children.

I'm sure you missed some little league games.

I'm sure you missed some school programs.

But we're here today to thank you publicly.

Therefore, I John Whitmar, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaimed December 2nd, 2025 is the Cotterron Family Day in Houston, Texas.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Brothers, then it was an honor serving citizens of Houston.

And like you say, over 212 years.

And um the city's been good to us too, though.

So we're all retired, healthy, and good to go, and um, hopefully, we can be here a long time as citizens after providing the service that we did.

We appreciate what you've done for us also.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you, and thank you so much, Mayor, for bringing this proclamation forward.

What an incredible family you have.

What great examples for your children, your nieces, nephews.

I'm sure that they are all very, very proud.

So thank you, thank you for your service to the city, your dedication.

Um we should all aspire to be the Counter on family.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

Uh, Mayor, thank you for bringing this to us as well.

Uh to the Calderon family.

Um, just thank you for for stepping up and as a family, right?

Uh, taking care of each other.

Uh, blessings to your parents, uh, your uncles, everybody that was older than you that instilled you know, this work, I think, as well.

Um, and then everything you're gonna be able to pour back, or you've been pouring back to your kids.

Uh, really appreciate your service to the city.

Um, I just uh as Mayor said, you know, this is the least that we can do.

Um, my hope is that you know, that folks know about the Calderon family and the the things y'all have done for the city of Houston, uh, that inspire other folks to do, not just with HPD, but in any other thing, any other departments from the city that that we're here as well.

Thank you.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Member Tim.

Mayor, thank you for this presentation to this wonderful family.

As I was listening attentively to the years of the six of you who serve, and uh, it said a whole lot to me because as a native Houstonian, and I grew up doing those times, being a proud Houstonian there in third ward, kind of east in, and I knew it was a different time when I heard the first, yeah, I think it was 75 or 72, somewhere in there.

And uh just to think of all of the service of you committed to this city.

When I hear the word service, I think of it on all levels, whether it's police, fire, military, because to serve is a major word.

So thank God for each and every one of you, and certainly thank God for your families for your sacrifice and service.

God bless you.

Councilmember Evan Shavez.

Thank you, Mayor Potem.

I'm gonna make it roll just like Councilmember Martinez.

Uh, thank you very much for the Cal Ron family.

Beautiful, beautiful.

I've tried to try to make it work.

But you guys look great.

I think you ought to suit back up and come on out to District D and help us with all the things we have going on.

But certainly, I certainly thank you for your service.

And I mean, it's quite a sacrifice, and I know that there were many nights of worry for your families, of wondering whether you were going to come home safely.

So thank God that you did, and thank God that you're here today, and thank you, Mayor, for bringing this uh wonderful proclamation to this family.

Councilmember Councilmember Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem, and thank you, Mayor, for bringing this forward.

Thank you, gentlemen, for all your service to our city.

What what a remarkable thing, six brothers from the same family all become police officers and and serve honorable careers, protecting uh the people who who live in Houston.

Uh, we may never see this again.

Uh, but I just want to say thank you.

Uh, over the course of your careers, you've done a lot of good for the city in keeping us safe and fighting crime.

And uh, you all look healthy.

I hope you're all in good health and uh wish you all uh many years of enjoyment in retirement.

But thank you.

Councilmember Alcorn for the invitation.

Thank you, Mayor.

And Councilmember Plummer could not be here today, but she has invited Reverend Dr.

Alejandro Montes, if you'd like to join us at the and let me tell you a little bit about um about Dr.

Montez.

Originally from Peru, he's a retired Episcopal priest whose lifelong ministry has profoundly shaped the Houston community.

He served as vicar and later as rector of Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo for more than twenty years, becoming a leading voice in Hispanic Latino ministry.

Deliberation to bring about what is best for our city.

Please stand for the Players.

No, I think that's a firm.

Escuchando those perspectives.

Amen.

Thank you.

Thank you, Pardon.

Please stand.

Under God's for all.

Secretary, you please call the road.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Councilmember Pick.

Here.

Council Member Jackson.

Council Member Kamen.

President.

Council Member Evans.

Here.

Council Member Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas.

President.

Councilmember Hoffman.

Present.

Council Member Castillo?

Here.

Council Member Martinez.

Here.

Councilmember Pollard.

Here.

Council Member Castax Tatum.

Councilmember Ramirez?

Here.

Council Member Davis.

Councilmember Carter.

Councilmember Plummer will be absent.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Need a motion to adopt the minutes of November November 18th and 19th.

Cast extent a move.

Next second.

Motion is made in a second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

No, we don't have anything.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council members.

Um I'm here to speak about agenda item number eight, the resolution to adopt the city's investment policy.

I was unable to obtain a pro the proposed policy for the upcoming vote, so I'm assuming that uh there's not m any significant difference from the current policy.

I'm here as I was last year to advocate for an amendment to remove section nine point one zero that lists the bonds of the state of Israel as authorized and suitable investments.

Last year, one of your colleagues proposed an amendment to strike the section, but then withdrew it after city legal raised the concern of preemption by the state.

This was convenient since I suspect that there is perhaps as much or greater fear of many on council than state preemption than any discussion about Israel.

But it's time to read the shifting political winds.

People are no longer longer blindly supporting Israel and accusations of anti-semitism because of criticism of Israel have become tiresome.

It's time to adopt an amendment to remove Section 9.10.

And let me help you shed this fear of preemption.

First, consider that other major cities in Texas, including Dallas, do not authorize the purchase of Israel bonds, yet they have not suffered any repercussions.

Secondly, because the public funds investment act has no requirement to authorize Israel bonds.

It only gives the option to include them as an authorized investment.

So there's really no valid risk of state preemption.

As for arguments for striking section 9.10, first consider consistency.

Mayor and several council members have claimed you won't support any resolution concerning foreign affairs.

But the provision in the resolution that allows the purchase purchase of bonds issued by a foreign government inherently concerns international politics.

If you aren't going to touch fair and foreign affairs, then be consistent and remove Section 9.10.

Secondly, consider how allowing for the purchase of Israel bonds indicates that our city leaders are perfectly fine with investing in a country whose military in a little over two years has overkilled over 70,000 people and wounded almost 171,000, mostly women and children.

And despite the October 10th ceasefire, the Israeli military continues its assaults and air strikes in Gaza.

Just a couple of days ago, the military murdered these two children, eight-year-old Fadi and his 11-year-old brother, Juma, while they were out collecting firewood for their injured father.

Many of us will be ashamed if our city leaders once again find it suitable to authorize investment in any entity that puts so little value on human life.

Amend the investment policy to remove Section 9.10.

Thank you.

Next Darren Jenkins.

To be followed by Randall Callanan.

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council members.

You have to excuse me if I'm a little nervous.

This is the first time I've ever spoken in this capacity.

I live at the 1600 block of Wheeler, right at the corner of Almeda.

And the address in question is it going to be at 4306 Almeda?

It's a vacant lot with four walls but no roof.

And it's operated as a event space essentially.

While 90 percent of the time the event space is absolutely fine and the events are pleasant.

The other 10 percent comes at the most inconvenient times and has some of the worst neighbors you could ask for.

So they have literal frat parties directly behind the house.

My house is a townhouse, it has no yard, and it's directly adjacent to the rear of this lot.

Um this frat parties, and I mean that in a literal sense, go on from nine at night until about three or four in the morning or until whenever I call the cops and they eventually show up.

Um the uh the problem extends beyond the noise, however.

They'll have portagons that they will place so close to the property line that I can smell the uh Portagon fluid and the uh excrement from inside of my home until the Portageons are removed or replaced.

Um after their events, maybe 10, 15 industrial-sized bags of trash find their way to Peggy Park and the Peggy Park trash receptacles.

And while I appreciate them bagging their trash and putting it somewhere, uh the homeless people and the local wildlife seem to love it.

And after about a day or two, you'll find their trash strewn all about for quite some ways around Peggy Park.

And I do particularly love Peggy Park.

Um you'll have alcohol, you'll have discarded food items, you'll have uh broken glass all around the walkways uh to the point where I can't walk my own dog.

You can go ahead.

Uh let me ask you this.

Have you brought it to the attention of HPD?

That's correct, sir.

Um I've called HPD uh numerous times over the last couple of years, and having been a prior HPD officer, I know what the the uh noise ordinance policies are.

And whenever HPD does make their way out, and don't get me wrong, I did train at South Central, so I understand that they are busy.

However, I know that the South ordinance policy states that you come with the sound meter and you check, and that never happens.

How often are the parties?

Whenever there are your your regular events, regular holidays, for example.

One under conditions you described is too many.

What is your badge?

I'm just curious.

Say it again, sir.

Your your badge that you were displaying.

Metro, sir.

Metro Police?

Yes, sir.

Hmm.

Okay.

Well, thank you for coming down.

We will definitely uh make calls and have some intervention.

I appreciate that, Mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you, City Council members.

Just a second.

Councilman Evans Shall.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, thank you for coming down.

Um I don't know if you have been in touch with my office, but certainly we would try to assist you in this.

I don't know.

Ingram is normally here.

I don't see her, but I'll make sure that I give you a card and I'll make sure I give her your number so that we can try to assist you with this.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you so much, City Councilmember.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Procedural.

Sorry.

No, we're fine.

Uh it's another matter.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor, and good afternoon to everyone.

Do want to take a point of personal privilege to announce that we have uh students from Sharpstown High School that are within chambers with us.

If you all will please stand.

Thank you.

They're visiting City Hall today, and uh want to thank you all for your uh participation in local government.

Thank y'all.

Come back and see us soon.

Have a good day.

Uh next Randall Callanan.

Ian Lavalchick.

To be followed by Astor Marr.

Good afternoon, Council.

For weeks, Easton residents have been dealing with multiple street closures that seem completely uncoordinated in Edo.

Polk, Leland, Jefferson, and Pease have all been closed.

Fortunately, Leland and Bell are now open, thank goodness, and Polk is open for walking and biking.

That matters a lot, and I think y'all have a lot to do with that.

So thank you all for getting those open.

But this chaotic mix of projects has been extremely harmful to East Enders, especially transit riders, and I want to highlight that ongoing harm.

People who rely on metro buses to reach the GRB, Discovery Green, and downtown jobs have had their commutes completely compromised.

Riders who used to board and exit buses on the same blocks as the GRB now walk long distances, multiple blocks, waiting at multiple lights.

The people who ride these buses are diverse.

Some are working professionals like myself, many are hotel workers, restaurant staff, janitorial crews, security guards.

Some are disabled and use wheelchairs.

Closing Polk will punish these Houstonians with thousands of hours of additional commute time every year.

Many of these transit riders work multiple low-wage jobs without much time for their families.

Many can't afford cars.

Recently, downtown hotel and restaurant workers fought for and want higher pay through their unions.

This council supported them, but many of those same workers now face hours of wasted time on detoured buses and long walks through blistering summer.

We're not gonna have a fire emergency or something, do we have a imagine doing all that in a wheelchair?

Their voices matter, but right now they don't have an advocate.

Easton community members have worked hard all years to ensure that neighbors have a voice in this process.

That effort continues tomorrow night at a town hall hosted by Super Neighborhood 6488 at 6 p.m.

at Holy Family HTX on Navigation.

I encourage you all to attend.

We desperately need you to put yourselves in our shoes before you vote to close Polk Street.

Please ride the 40 and 41, walk from a bus stop to Discovery Green and the GRB, experience the impacts before you lock them in forever.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Members, I understand from Marta that's a fire alarm, so let's uh recess for 10 minutes to we get a understanding of the seriousness of it, and we'll advise everyone.

We stand in recess.

CJ says it was fresh paint in the control room here on the third floor.

Fresh paint.

Councilman Huffman.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to move Kevin Murphy up to the top of the three-minute non-agenda list for three minutes.

Second.

Motion made in segment.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed name.

Motion passes.

Next.

Next speaker.

Aster Mark.

No.

Cesar Espinosa.

To be followed by Maria Garcia.

Hello, um City Council, Mayor.

Uh I come before you as a none other short than a miracle.

After 50 days of being detained, uh Emmanuel Garcia was freed from uh ORR or federal detention, immigration detention after 50 days.

All because HPD under John Woodmeyer's supervision called ICE and ICE referred them to ORR.

You have Emmanuel here.

I want you to question him, like you question him without him being here.

I want Mary Ann Huffman to tell him that there's nothing wrong with him to his face when you question whether or not he had a disability because there was no official record.

And thank thank you to Mr.

Davis for stepping in and to and for questioning him as though we had his mother crying outside as a as a ploy for political gain for whatever.

I'm not running for anything.

I don't have a uh elected position in the city.

We're not charging this family a single dime.

In fact, we've good gotten them pro bono representation because of the failures that the city has had with this family, because of the cities that the department had with this family.

So explain to me how this is for me, how this is for them, how this is for the immigrant community here in Houston.

How is this a political ploy?

How is this political for us when it's our lives?

Emmanuel's right here, mayor.

Ask him what you need to ask him.

Emmanuel's right here.

Ask him what you need to ask him.

We're now going having to undergo a very difficult and very costly process to try to get him what he deserves.

And we brought you some receipts for you, if you want to take them.

It's a certificate that says thank you for nothing.

We want you to have this as approved.

Who do we turn this into?

Thank you.

City Secretary Renai.

Next.

Maria Garcia.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I just I just had a conversation with Alana as well.

I know first you know, thanks for the work that you've always been doing.

Um thank you for bringing him back home to his mom.

This is and you know this as well, this is super complicated.

Absolutely.

And what I've been asking is for us to be a bit more thoughtful, and I'm trying to do that about how we go about actions and what we say, and I don't know all the answers.

I want to be able to be helpful in the space that not not just locally, but at the state level and a federal level.

Um just not it's not healthy for our communities, specifically the immigrant community.

I shared with with Alan that um two Fridays ago I was gonna show up to a Cafe Compolicia with a community leader that has been helping lead these conversations with HPD.

I I need your help to help to assist in figuring out a way where HPD is not totally not like not being trusted at all because there are good folks there that are trying to do the work.

We need to figure that out together, and I want to have that conversation with you with the challenges that we are seeing.

I know that there's been a prop A that has been brought up.

But as we do these kind of um these kinds of things as well, uh it does present even more danger as well, where other laws can be created.

And so as and this is just me just literally just kind of pouring out to you like I need your help in a constructive way, as best as possible.

Councilmember Martinez, I ask you to ask the same thing from from everybody around the horseshoe, including our mayor, who when he when he he has said before, and you have said it before that you are collaborating with ICE, and then when it's convenient, you say that it's not collaborating with ICE.

And that sends the wrong message to the community.

We want to see a mayor that stands up with a population of what one in four Houstonians is foreign-born.

We're not talking about just legal migrants, I mean undocumented people.

We're talking about legal migrants as well.

And we want to see a mayor that says that puts their foot down and says we are we are protecting the community, not calling what happened to them, not calling the model that we currently are working under a model for other cities to follow.

That that's that has been said, and we have proof of all of that in writing of comments that have been made by this administration and this chief where where he has.

Now, in my defense, I've served on a lot of people I got a lot of slack for serving on the last mayor's uh uh police reform task force.

I got a lot of crap from activists, but I did it because I believe, and I still believe that having these conversations is better at the end of the day makes communities more safe rather than less safe.

I don't want to see a tragedy happen from people running from ICE or HPD or anything like that.

We believe in that too.

It's just we're falling on deaf ears at this point.

And I won't speak for the mayor, but I do want you to know that I have been having conversations with him.

Thank you.

We appreciate that.

And this is a tough, complicated space that we're in.

Absolutely.

And he recognizes it as well.

I I don't want you to leave here thinking that he's not supportive in any way, shape, or form.

I just need to make sure that for me, I need to know I need some help as well.

And we're trying to.

We still, on record, I want it to be said that we still tell people that if they're victims or witnesses of a crime, they should call HPD.

That is on record.

And I want to say this, and I know after this, you know, a lot of people are going to say, why is us up doing that?

Because that's what we believe.

There's no hidden agenda here.

We want people to report victims as witnesses, as as victims of crime, because at the end of the day, that's what keeps our community safe.

But at the end of the day, we can't have that conversation if there's things being put out on the media, not just from us, but from the other side too, of saying that that we are following what Trump says and we are collaborating to the full extent.

That doesn't help us either, trust me.

I know.

I know, and I hear it as well.

Um sit down.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

And I invite every one of y'all to sit down with this family if there's a will to do so.

Mayor Protein Castle Statum.

Thank you.

Um Cesar, I guess for me, I'm trying to understand what what they ask is now.

We all had an opportunity to look at the video, um, the police worn body camera video, and I watched the video, and I thought the police officer was trying to gather information about this young man and where he should uh how to how to get him back to his parents.

Um when I watched the video, I didn't feel like there was any malice or any thing that was trying to do harm to him, but it was more of a fact-finding, trying to figure out what do we do next.

And so when you come and say that things were handled wrong, you have to understand the complexity that we sit in because I watch the video and then I hear you talk, and I'm trying to find out what what is what is the ask now, how how would you like for us to proceed?

Because based on what we saw, um, you know, the the police officers were fact-finding and trying to get him back where he should be with his his parents or his legal guardian.

So um I I think there's and thank you for asking that question.

I think the immediate ask, the immediate ask, um del video.

Okay.

So um the immediate ask for is for the family to have access to that video as well.

Um because they we are only going by what actually happened.

I mean, 50 days in federal detention after the police report was filed with HPD, the missing child report was filed with HPD.

What what lapse or what happened in that procedure that although the officers might have been acting in good faith, why didn't they check the other system for the missing kids report?

That that's that's that's really a huge question that we have.

Why if the police report was filed less than 24 hours after after the police had an engagement with Emmanuel, what what happened in that interim period that they just couldn't go look at the other system or make some calls within the system, uh now does that lead us to believe that the system is that flawed within HPD, that there's no communication?

That that leads us down a rabbit hole, really.

So and then the second ask would be that the instead of having the chief come up here and and the day after we came and spoke and talked about the truth of what Emmanuel really is.

He I mean he's he's he's uh he has the mentality of a four or five-year-old.

And then for them to say that he was that when it was an old picture, when it was a new picture, there was a lot of not there was a lot of facts that were talked about as facts that were assumptions.

This is Emmanuel.

Right.

He's 15 years old, yet he is look how small he is.

Right.

And so for them, there was so many things, and we've we have the transcript, and we went through the transcript, and we have uh an answer for all the questions that the mayor and the chief asked within themselves of when the picture was taken, of why was an old picture, it wasn't none of that was true.

And and till this day.

I want to have it on record saying that this family has yet to hear from the City of Houston in in terms of even even having a dialogue, not with me, I don't care about me, but call them.

Okay.

Mayor, I don't know if um there's still an investigation, and so you know what all we can say and do.

Um, but I think you know, we've heard from both sides.

I know we had some answers from the chief as well.

Um so there there has to be a sweet spot in here where we can contact this family after the investigation and try to bring some resolutions so that both sides can feel like they've been heard.

Absolutely.

And I totally agree with you.

And thank you for your leadership and Councilman Martinez.

We've all seen the documentation of four hours, then a paper of of intervention by HPD, answering a 911 call, doing everything possible to reunite Emmanuel with his mother.

After exhausting all options, they did refer him to CPS, which you would normally.

CPS made many attempts to relocate the family, then they referred him to the Immigration Center where he needed health care, and he had an operation at the Texas Children's Hospital.

I wish everyone could see the tape, because it certainly creates a visual, a paper trail, and clarifies what really happened.

What concerns me most is what's in the mother and child's best interest.

I think they're not a good idea.

He's using them and giving them huge exposure right now to their status in our community.

I think it's an injustice.

These are no charged this family, but he routinely asked undocumented immigrants.

For monies, it's a business.

That's what we're dealing with today.

That is a sir, that is a lie.

Give me the paper.

He knows.

I don't want to get heated.

I don't want to get heated here.

He knows.

I don't want to get heated here, but mayor, you screamed down the chief and that's one reason.

I am not screaming.

You have proof?

You already have talked to you.

Thank you.

You have proof.

Okay.

There you go lying again.

That's the reason you don't have access to the liar.

That's the reason we don't have access.

You are Mayor Whitlaw's.

You know, you're smart enough to be able to do that.

You're exposing this mother and child to the authorities and you're using them for the wrong reason.

Mayor.

No, I'm not.

Show me.

Thank you.

Show me.

She's the next witness, Mayor.

Council Flickinger.

When I started this?

I just wanted to kind of go on to Mayor Pro Tem's comments.

I watched the video as well.

One of the things that we were told repeatedly was that he was nonverbal.

And you watch the body cam footage, and that's just not correct.

Now, whether or not he's autistic, I from watching the body cam video, I couldn't tell if that was the case or whether he was nervous talking to the police.

Certainly very believable that he is.

I'm certainly not going to dispute that.

But the comments that he was nonverbal just were not true.

It wasn't accurate, and I too wish the body cam video would be released, because it portrays an entirely different story than what has been portrayed out in the media.

Everything I saw the police doing, they were looking out for the best interest of the child, wanting to help.

That they sent him to what the office of refugees resettlement or something like that.

I mean, you know, what has been portrayed in the media is 180 degrees from what we saw in the body cam video.

Councilmember uh Flickinger, correct?

Yes.

Um manual, that I we want to also put it on record that we may with that we did uh make a mistake based on what the mom had told us about him being nonverbal and he does not speak English.

But I invite you to ask Emmanuel yourself right now.

Oh, and like I invite you.

I thought you to do it.

I thought it was very viable.

I don't want to do a show with the case.

I just want you I just want you to I want I want you to to talk and I want you to explain to this family why didn't HPD check with the other system and why Emmanuel was detained in federal detention for fifty days.

Do you have children?

Because if you would have had children and you would have had your son strip away from you for fifty days because somebody didn't check another computer, I think you would be standing here in the same spot.

And for the mayor to take personal shots and say that we're charging people money, I want I want you to hold him accountable and have him show all of you proof of where that's true.

Because at that point, it's his word against mine, but he owes you all receipts.

Not me.

He owes you all receipts.

I'm not interested in my own.

We're not hiding.

We are we brought him here so that y'all can see for yourselves who Emmanuel really is.

Okay.

Again, I'm not interested in making a show with a minor in front of City Hall, but I will grant you neither am I that you're I will grant you that from looking at the video, I can see that yes, autism certainly could have been in the realm of possibility.

I don't disagree with that at all.

But I also thought that it might well have been that he was nervous dealing with the police officers.

I mean, in my point of view, would be the same as the police officers who've never dealt with him.

Now, obviously, knowing the child, you would know something differently.

Okay.

But from what I saw on the video, the police acted completely appropriately.

Now, maybe they could have run through another database or got the names, they reversed the names or or whatever.

But you look at the body cam footage, they acted appropriately.

Okay.

Thank you.

Councilman Cayman.

Thank you, Mayor.

And um, I want to say to Ms.

Garcia, I am so glad that you have been reunited with your son.

I think of everything we have we're discussing right now, the fact that your son is back with you is what matters most.

Um Mayor, I know in the past, I think one of the ask is for the family to be able to review the body cam footage.

I know in the past we ha HPD has even if it's privately, because we have to wait a certain time to release it to the public have made those exceptions for the family to view that body cam footage.

So I I am hoping we can possibly make um that available to the family itself.

Uh additionally uh, in in terms of what I viewed of the body cam footage, I do believe sincerely that HPD was doing everything that they could with the information they had.

That being said, what many of us have discussed is we have systems and where in the system did this did this fail.

Uh we had two names that right, one that HP was going off of, one that you had given.

But why wasn't that caught and why wasn't that cross-checked?

So I'm not as focused on the video because I'm not saying that HPD in that interaction necessarily did something wrong, but something along the way happened, and we have to get to the bottom of what happened so that this doesn't happen again.

Um I'm so sorry for what you and your son went through.

Um but I'm grateful that you had so many people around you fighting for you.

Uh and this again brings up the importance of legal counsel and legal representation in the in these fights.

But I am glad to see that your son is safe and that you are well.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilmember Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

You know, uh certainly uh say agree with Councilmember Flickinger and Councilmember Cayman.

Um see in the body cam, it's it's very clear that HPD uh took good care of your son, and the fact that your son was in someone's custody when he needed an emergency surgery is is a blessing.

And the fact that your son was in someone's custody when he needed an emergency surgery is is a blessing.

Because certainly without that care, it it could not have ended well.

You know, rather than then go back and forth in front of the media, you know, if you're working with attorneys, work with your attorneys to to gain access to the to the body cam and and to sit down and have a conversation.

But I don't think there's a whole lot to be gained here.

With having your son who is already traumatized in front of all of these people, hashing it and rehashing it.

You know, to provide closure, work in private and and don't allow you and your son to be on public display as something that we're trying to achieve.

We're trying to get resolution, they're trying to get resolution for you.

So work privately to allow them to do that.

And and you know, let the media die down.

I mean, people say, oh, you were snatched.

Well, when you see the body cam, they talk to him perfectly normal, very calm.

I mean, if it was my child, I would be grateful that they treated him with the care that they did.

And so I wish you all the best of luck and and you know, but don't allow yourselves to be on display any longer.

Work privately with your attorney to get resolution.

Thank you.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Carter, may I just ask a question?

Uh how is it how is it just that you all got to see something that we haven't seen yet, and you have public access to it, Councilmember Davis?

Cesar, let us ask the questions, please.

Uh Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I I want to I want to say that first and foremost.

Thank you for your approach today.

A lot better.

You know, I understand the passion and the compassion.

I have a grandson.

I want to speak to viewing the film and the issue around some of this.

I have a grandson who is autistic.

In the extreme, you were using the s height of your of her son and got being 15.

My grandson is 11, and he looked like he's 16 because he's tall, he's a bigger kid.

And I I understand that too.

But from a question, I was just alluding to the fact that they said uh Chief uh Dia said that there was an old picture of him uh when he was 10 years old when that picture was taken on January 20th, 2024.

Okay.

Okay.

That's what I was alluding to.

Okay.

Well, here's the thing I want to I wanted to allude to in terms of the issue.

He is back.

He is with his mother, right?

So the goal was sure that he be with his mother, correct?

Now, so there also was a doesn't happen again.

Well, see, here's the point.

There were a lot of issues around the case based on the viewing.

Um he indicated he came with friends, uh a friend's father and did mention the mother.

He did he didn't in view, he didn't mention the mother in that in that piece, in that he didn't mention the mother.

Other issues with name differences.

That was another issue.

Okay.

So I guess what I'm what I'm trying to get to is it is the job of that you don't be miss we misunderstand you uh you us.

And to indicate the mayor could speak for himself.

I don't have to speak for the mayor.

I don't speak for the council.

But but to indicate those things, I couldn't police the police.

That's what we pay them to do.

And you as a citizen the same, respectfully.

So I think that oftentimes these issues can be very touchy, but you want to make sure, and I'm I'm a person, I'm not trying to tell you to be me, but it's the approach of a lot of matters that make the difference about how the matter is handled and the way it gets solved.

You know?

And so hopefully proudfully this will move forward and that thank God for this mother having a son back, and I just believe that HPD did the job, we saw it.

They they they followed the rules.

They were not doing anything out of line or out of order.

And so the question of not checking another database is going to remain unanswered, or that's a question that I ask all of y'all.

Because he was detained 50 days, and if somebody were to question your grandchild was autistic, would you be would you have the same position that you have right now in terms of them assuming that he knew what he was talking about, and he ends up in detention for 50 days?

Councilmember Evan Shabazz.

Yeah, the time is go ahead.

Thank you, Mayor.

And certainly, Cesar, you know, I have a great deal of respect for you and all of the work that you have done.

Likewise, ma'am.

But I certainly, you know, I I work with young people.

I'm a former educator, and I do believe that some of the information you got, you got from the young man.

I do know that stories change with children.

I think it would be very beneficial for the family to see that video.

Because we saw something totally different.

We didn't see any mistreatment, and I think everybody up here would be incensed if there was any mistreatment of that young young man.

Um but I think, you know, you you have a valid question as to why some another database wasn't checked.

But I I, you know, and I can't answer that.

But certainly I from what I saw, I saw he was not mistreated in any way.

We were told he was nonverbal and he was verbal.

Uh I did work with special needs children, and so just me and my professionalism, I didn't immediately detect that he may have been autistic.

Because sometimes you can tell and sometimes you can't in a visual manner.

But I think it would be so beneficial after the investigation if this family would see that video.

And of course, this is a learning experience to do it better the next time.

And so I I don't know, you know, what the objective is now, other than to maybe push forward to get that video.

And I would certainly support you and the family seeing it, because I do know young people, stories change.

I do know that he didn't identify his mother, and that's my understanding.

He said he didn't want her to be called.

Also that he came to this country with an older gentleman and his son.

So he conveyed a totally different story from what you are being told.

But if you see that video, they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I think we could alleviate this, we could maybe move past any of this animosity that may be carrying forth.

But again, I always am honored to be in your presence.

I appreciate what you do, and certainly I know that you will push forward for justice, but justice in this case, I think would be to allow this family to see that video.

And I want to make it very much.

Hopefully that can be done.

Councilmember, and I want to make it very clear.

At no point did we say that they HPD harmed Emmanuel.

There I I want to make sure that's that's very clear.

We don't we don't we don't say the question there's two questions, I guess, that arise from this.

Number one is is why wasn't the missing child's this is a child?

Why wasn't the missing child's database consulted?

Number one, and number two, uh ICE themselves released a statement, and maybe this is something that you can call ICE and clarify with them, because they released sustainment because we had said nothing about HPD until until we have the statement from ICE that said HPD called ICE and ICE called ORR.

And that is something that uh of a very low ass that you can that we can ask you is to clarify that, because they are the ones that said that they're the ones that said, and there's the media, and and we were sent that statement as well, and then that's something that from our point that worries us.

Councilmember Martinez, thank you for your leadership and being responsible.

Um we've been in communication.

And know that HPD members is doing what's in the child's best interest by not prolonging this discussion because the mother and the child together, they have serious exposure.

HBD has handled this, as I've said earlier, the way it should be.

They're not ICE, they're not immigration, they're not concerned about someone's immigration status.

They treated this like parents.

They're men of faith.

They're men and women of faith.

And that's what's guiding them.

And policy, my policy.

Responding and treating everyone the same.

The young man was taken to Texas Children's Hospital.

That's the way I want my grandson to be treated.

And I would suggest at this point.

The publicity and the notoriety are bringing them to City Hall is doing them severe damage.

There were language skills used.

There was every attempt to reunite this family.

We celebrate that they are tonight.

This has a good conclusion.

Thank you, Mayor.

I feel like there's still some work to be done though.

I really do.

I think they deserve the video.

And I've seen the video as well, and I can't.

We can't deny what the interaction was.

But we're not focusing on what the ask is.

And the ask is if this happened to him, could this happen to someone else?

And that's what I want to work on as well.

I don't want that this to happen to anyone else.

And the other thing that I want to that I want to stress is there's a lot of courage going on right now.

I think the immigrant community understands the challenges talking to several folks even in the last couple of weeks.

Undocumented for 20, 30 years.

They know the risk before this year.

Those risks have always been here for them.

This community is such a strong community.

Resilient, spoke to about 40 mothers three weeks ago who understand that they have to now prepare and find someone else to drop off their kids to avoid avoid I stopping them.

We are definitely in some ugly times, but there is still work to be done, and I think we can address some of these by first and foremost.

Giving them what they deserve.

Making sure that no one else goes through this as well.

And then as we do all that, I'm gonna stay committed to my statement.

Be thoughtful about your privilege, everyone.

Because this is not going to end any time soon.

And it is gonna get harder.

And we have to stop finding each other in opposite sides.

When there is not just the Hispanic communities, but the immigrant community that looks like a lot of us that is suffering right now.

And that's what I'm I would hope that's in our thoughtful conversations that we can continue that we can find some opportunities to ensure that every family feels safe.

Because right now ten years ago, people didn't feel safe.

Folks are getting deported ten years ago.

But today is such a more extreme space that we need to be very we need to acknowledge it at the end of the day.

And thank the courage that is in front of us.

Because they do know that they're at risk and they're still here.

And I appreciate that.

In the same context, there's a lot of folks that won't be here or won't stand here because they are very scared.

And so we can have the video for them there.

If we can find ways that we can avoid these challenges that have happened already.

I appreciate the open dialogue that we've had in such a complex time right now.

I just think that there's work to be done, and I want to make sure that we're fulfill this work for this immediate family in front of us right now.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Be safe.

Next.

Maria Garcia.

First of all, thank you everybody for giving us a space.

But I understand.

Thank you for allowing us to be here this afternoon.

I came to look find help from the beginning.

Because of what's happening with my son.

But I did not have anything.

I was opening to any meeting to policy, any meeting with the police with you with anybody with the evidence with the video.

But I was not successful at it.

And that's one of the things.

But nobody else was doing it.

Except for Cesar and Field and all the community is who have supported people who have been here with me or so that my son could come home.

And nobody is charging me to help in my son's case.

I am here to fight for my father, but for all the parents who are detained, for all the parents who are deported.

Renovation at Bush Airport, specifically the children procurement process, a facility assessment assessment investment worth over 10 million dollars.

Approving equipment that reintroduces similar vulnerabilities is in my view short-sighted and risky.

Any savings and upfront costs will be quickly overshadowed by the financial and operational risks that follow.

The best path, and the one that ensures the highest reliability, resiliency, redundancy, and serviceability is to approve the pending guaranteed max price based on the fully compliant specifications.

Okay.

Councilmember.

Thank you.

I would like to have request a meeting with you to uh summarize this and appreciate the Councilmember Hub.

Sir, Mr.

Murphy.

So just to clarify what the ask is today, just to make sure that I understand.

So bids were submitted under certain specifications.

And are you saying whoever won the bid now is trying to change the specifications for the chillers at the airport?

No, there's been submitted to specs.

One of the competitors did not comply with the specs.

It's a lower price.

So the guaranteed max price for the project is based on that lower price.

So you're going to get the GMP eventually.

It is going to come to the City Council.

Right?

But you all you all are being shortchanged because they are not fully compliant with the specs.

The specs were written in response to the airport chiller failures of the summer of 2023.

Those spec items are there for to prevent it from happening again, or at least minimize the risk.

So they are saving a few bucks in order to save you a few dollars, that's all it is to it.

And so there were there was a recommended spec.

There were recommended specs, and most people complied with the specs.

I don't think I am understanding.

Yes, there's a recommended spec page, the big architecture firm wrote a specification addressing resiliency, right?

That costs money to get more, obviously.

So some competitors decided not to follow the spec and bid their own offering out of compliance at a lower price, naturally.

So now you all are getting less than is specified.

So no one really realizes the fact that those items that are being removed greatly impact the reliability of the plant.

So when it happens again, ten years, five years from now, someone will be asking the questions, why did we do this?

Why was that allowed to go through?

No one is going to know unless I bring it up right now.

So I just ask maybe for a review or meeting to look at it in greater detail.

Very good.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard would like to address it.

Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you for bringing this to our attention.

How were the vendors able to submit their own specs outside of what was put forth in the in the original bid that that was different?

Yeah, any vendor can do anything they want any time.

So, you know, a lot of times price just is all that matters.

So they submitted the pricing to the general contractor on this project.

I forgot the project number, it's the CUP upgrade project.

And so you know the pricing is lower, and the GC sees it and just go with it.

They usually don't have a detailed spec review.

In this case, these specifications were reviewed by Page, rejected by Page, and somehow is still getting sent through channels for approval in the GMP.

I don't understand that.

I am not in the process.

If you would send all of our offices an email with kind of detailing this out for us to understand more, and then uh we'll take a I'll definitely take a look at the Okay, thank you.

I have my speech written.

Can I give that to a copy of you all?

Yeah.

Did the city or airport procurement accept an award to contract?

It is pending.

See, I don't think it has been awarded yet, but the GM guarantee maximum.

Airport procurement or cities.

Airport.

Yeah.

And I have been in touch, try to get in touch with the Director at least six times.

Okay.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Just a sec.

We have other questions.

No?

Okay.

Got it.

Thank you.

These are proceeding.

Thank you for your time.

Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to add Ivan Garcia to the agenda and be the next speaker.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed no.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Cayman.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to move Hannah Walker to follow the speaker that Councilmember Pollard added.

Ivan, excuse me, Ivan, I apologize.

So Hannah Walker to follow Ivan.

Is there a second?

Motion made in the segment.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Motion passes.

Okay.

Next.

Ivan Garcia.

Good afternoon, Mayor.

Good afternoon, Council.

I have one question.

I just want to know what actions are being taken by the City to prevent families, nonviolent families from being separated by ICE because it is crazy that families have to live in fear of being separated, losing their moms because they got pulled over, losing friends, family, and never seeing them again.

Or should we understand that the city thinks that is okay?

Very good.

Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Ivan, for coming forward.

Ivan is with Sharpstown High School, and we just spoke to his class earlier today.

With my office, we've been doing some online uh know your rights uh seminars.

We've also been in touch with different nonprofits that are providing legal uh aid and representation for families, uh reaching out to our apartment complexes and management companies uh directly on ways in which to have uh certain safeguards in place for families.

Uh but there's no one size fits all plan uh right now.

Uh it's it is a scary moment.

Uh there are individuals who are very anxious and um afraid of uh the uncertainty of being here and being detained and possibly deported.

Uh what I can say is um from my office's perspective, if there's specific individuals who uh have questions uh to reach out to us directly and we'll speak to them on a case-by-case basis, uh, and to be very aware of your surroundings and um just know that there are people within the city, me specifically that are very compassionate and sympathetic of this topic, and uh we're doing all that we can to uh keep community safe.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh that's it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman.

Uh Councilman Caitlin.

Yeah, no, uh Ivan, I wanted to thank you.

And since we do have a group of high school students here, and I know that you all are very engaged in seeing what's happening.

I'm sure you have uh classmates that are being impacted by this.

And one of the things in addition to know your rights, um resources and legal support services, what I've been talking a lot about are what are can U.S.

citizens be doing as allies to help as well.

So when you know that there's a family whose parents may be afraid or unable to now take their children to school, can other parents step up to coordinate carpools?

What can we be doing?

Those when Councilmember Martinez spoke about privilege.

Uh what are those of us that that do have privilege or do feel more secure right now?

What are we able to do to help as well?

And that's a question that I would pose to you and your classmates uh so that we're all looking at what we can be doing to help too.

Okay, but it seems uh not okay that like I said, nonviolent families being arrested and deported.

I understand people getting arrested for DUIs, uh aggravated assault, stuff like that.

That's completely understandable.

They lost their chance that they had here.

But getting pulled over for speeding, stuff like that, it ends up them going to a detention center and from there maybe not even getting uh a trial like it's been happening for months.

They just get deported without any trial, no jury, nothing.

And and I think many of us do not support that.

Um I also think we have issues that we need to be talking about, even those with, like you said, that aren't breaking the rules that don't pose um a risk, a public safety risk to the community.

We have people going in for their uh standard green card hearings with legal temporary status, with legal status here that are now being detained.

Uh that's not necessarily HPD, but this is the city of Houston, and it's happening in our backyard.

So I I just want to thank you for talking about this issue uh for asking us hard questions as well, because each one of us needs to be uh doing what we can to protect all of you all Houstonians and families.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you, Ivan.

Next, Hannah Walker.

Hello, everyone.

Thank you for having me.

I'm Hannah.

I'm the rec coordinator and the facility manager at the Metropolitan Multiservice Center.

I know you all have visited us in the past.

We're our recenter for people with disabilities, and we have our big event coming up this weekend.

We move into George R.

Brown tomorrow.

We are still looking for volunteers, but this year is exceptionally exciting because we are already registered over 400 adaptive athletes.

So we have wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball.

We have our kids, the Little Rockets.

If you haven't seen the Little Rockets, please come out.

They're fantastic.

Our youngest kid is four years old, so they're gonna be out there competing against other teams from around the state and Louisiana.

So that'll be exciting.

Their families are all coming.

We have power wheelchair soccer.

Wheelchair rugby is huge.

Our military division has grown a lot this year.

We're partnered with Wounded Warrior Project.

We have an Air Force team, a special operations command unit team, a Navy team, a Marine Corps team.

Is that everyone?

I think that's everyone.

We have all the service leads there, and they're all coming out.

This is all wounded warriors or people who have been separated from the military.

So I just wanted to invite you to come.

I wanted to say that also we're looking for new people with disabilities.

And I want everyone in Houston to understand if they have a disability, they can come to West Gray.

We have a place for them, we have a sport for them, we have wheelchairs there.

We have all the things for rehab and recovery journey.

So if anybody from a rehab hospital would like to bring patients out, I would love to meet with them, or even aside from this event this weekend, West Gray is always there.

And if you know anybody with a disability, we want to know all Houstonians have a place to go in a home at West Gray.

Um we're known around the country.

We're the biggest event of its kind.

So please pass through GRB this weekend if you can.

Um I think I'm on some of your agendas already, so thank you so much.

We're looking forward to showing you what we have out there.

Thank you for what you do.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, for those that don't know Hannah, uh, she's with our parks department, and uh the energy you see here is the energy and love and kindness that she brings, and the entire parks department staff brings every single day to West Gray Multiservice Center.

Uh and I think you mentioned it's not just local folks participating uh at GRB this weekend.

I think you said there's some international players coming in as well.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm sorry, I got that notification while we were here in session that I have three athletes from Ghana flying in to participate in our event.

So that'll be the first time for that.

And we're trying to grow our international presence and provide these opportunities for for other countries to come and play with us.

So that'll be a first for us.

It's very exciting.

Thank you.

Yeah, no, and thank you.

And I know recently we also had veterans from the Ukraine uh actually come to tour West Gray Multi-Sent Service Center because of the adaptive and rehabilitative sports programming that we have there.

Uh, I just want to lift up the work that you all are doing, the importance of West Gray Mayor.

I really appreciate how supportive you have been uh when it comes to the investment uh and the improvements that are desperately needed at West Gray, but regardless of how um in poor condition the multi-service center is, you all continue to bring a caliber service to our disability community and their families every single day.

And I see Director Ponce also in the back, and I want to thank him as well and your team, Angel, for everything y'all do.

But Hannah, thank you for bringing this.

I hope people are able to attend.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next Connor Clifton.

Gabriela Hamdy.

To be followed by Lucretia Allen Wien.

Hi, y'all.

Uh well, good afternoon, Mayor and City Council.

My name is Gabriela Humdia, and I'm the Waste and Recycling Associate for Environment Texas.

Uh, we are a nonprofit advocate with one mission uh to protect the natural world, and we believe we have to stop trashing our planet.

Every day we extract natural resources to produce goods that are used, often just for a few minutes before they're thrown to landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment.

I run the Reliable Recycling for Houston campaign.

Our efforts to shift Houston towards a system where all materials are reused, recycled, or composted in a continuous cycle.

As you still means, we know the topic of trash and recycling pickup continues to be a major concern for our neighborhoods.

Appreciate Council members Wickinger and Alcorn's discussion on the contamination rate for recycling, while council members Jackson and Thomas talk about legal dumping.

We have been continuing to meet with their offices providing studies on efficiencies and comparisons to other programs that Texas Cities have made and updates on our campaign.

We applaud many of the reforms Director Hawson has been making, including more trucks, more transfer stations, and more public education.

However, we believe a critical way to permanently improve services is more resources.

To learn more about our campaign and our program, we invite your offices to join us for a webinar on Thursday, December 4th at 12.

This webinar will give communities the tools to understand and improve solid waste management in Houston.

We are very honored to have Councilmember Joaquin Martinez participate on our panel, as well as Solid Waste employees from Hope, along with experts on best practices.

We've emailed all of our offices with more information on this webinar, and we are happy to follow up with answering any questions y'all may have.

We believe it's all waste fee will improve the reliability of trash and recycling pickup.

As you know, Houston has a recycling rate of about 16% with a goal adopted in this budget of 18%.

This is more than 15 percentage points below the national average of 35%.

And we must do better.

In addition to increasing recycling, a solid waste fee incentivizes citizens to reduce waste production and utilize reusable items in their everyday lives.

Cities have reported an average trash reduction of 28% after implementing a paycrophy.

We also join other organizations across the city in calling for the end of the chemical recycling program, starting under the prior administration.

Chemical recycling only functions as another name for burning plastic and actually generates massive amounts of toxic air pollution.

And as the only major metropolitan city without solid waste fee, Houston has a responsibility to protect public health and safeguard the environment by ensuring that solid waste can properly perform its duties.

And as Houston, we are the best city in Texas, so we got to measure up.

Thank you for your time today and for all you do to make Houston a better place to live, work, and play.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Randy Wilkins.

To be followed by Sharita Buford.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I'm Randy Wilkins, CEO of Old Funds you pick up, a five-star company.

We have been serving Houston and the surrounding areas for nearly six years.

The reason I'm here is because illegal dumps has been making the news a lot lately.

And I want to partner with the city to have my team to remove all dumps any time, any day.

Thank you.

Councilman Power.

Randy, I want to thank you for coming forward.

Uh I've seen your work in the private sector.

You don't you do good work.

Uh, we do need a lot of help with clearing out illegal dumping.

Uh many of our district offices have uh crews that are uh trying to address that issue, and I know the city is uh putting together a strategy to address it as well.

So if you want to email our offices your contact information, uh I'm sure uh we'll we'll try to find a way to collaborate.

All right, Dean, thanks for your time.

Thank you, sir.

Next Sherida Buford.

Regina O'Kerr.

Christopher Jenkins.

Kevin Hawkins.

To be followed by Desiree Taid.

Good afternoon, fine people of Houston and our fine mayor.

I come up with a different note, no complaint whatsoever.

Smiling faces, call me a neighbor.

I come with the uh initiative to help the homeless.

I am a vocational trainer.

I want to do something as far as uh a larger dynamic.

So I'm asking for the partnership of the city of Houston.

As far as I'm looking more or less for the parts of the land that are kind of sporadic throughout the city to to build tiny home communities for the uh homeless sector.

Uh something that's passionate within my heart.

Uh I know it's available, it's no it's necessary because there are many homeless people out there.

Uh the the flight that I have is not a hard one because when you walk outside, compassion just falls upon you.

You know, it's not really a convincing point.

Should we?

It's like how fast can we?

So, that being said, I would love to partner with the city of Houston and make this pretty much the genesis in our headquarters for this dynamic.

It's not something that I want to predicate only on Houston alone.

It is something that I want to take to all the major cities and kind of eradicate or minimize as much as possible homelessness on the street.

There are some really good people out there that are caught between places.

Uh it's not not necessarily always their fault.

It might be a victim of circumstances, and we know that falls upon many.

So, with that being said, I would love to have a moment to get with whoever you have, mayor, to be a liaison to help.

I understand that there has to be some type of coordination with different um nonprofit organizations, probably want to see three programs, uh churches, different initiatives of the sort.

And I'm here for that purpose.

So I want to connect, I want to align with whomever is available to make that initiative happen.

But there is a part that I need from Houston itself.

And I'm here, and I want to asset like I said again to make this my headquarters, and I appreciate you.

Thank you, Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'll give you my card.

Happy to have a conversation with you because I do know a few nonprofits who are in the business of tiny homes, and maybe we can connect you and see how y'all could work together.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thanks.

Thanks, sir.

Desire Kayed.

To be followed by Alma Perez.

Ms.

J uh Jezre?

Yes, and this Rika IP.

She has requested uh interpretation.

I know the speaking.

And I am here to um address the call that's been pertinenting uh at council in particular mental health, in particular mental health.

The situation that we've been hearing for the past five months involving the family uh with this crisis is cinquados.

And further out.

I'm not here to ask for any type of uh ask uh regarding um uh something that's sexual in nature.

Any sexual orientation um that gets brought up is something of the past.

Um whatever whatever sexual orientation uh comes across has nothing to do with the situation.

Uh what we want to focus on is on mental health.

And what's happening is unacceptable.

This family that I'm speaking of needs help.

And to me, the the mental health crisis is the pandemic of the century.

And I want to say that that this particular item uh coming across uh all forms of uh of society across schools, across any platform.

And it is a problem that needs to be addressed by the state immediately.

And certainly um over a case that has to do deal with mental health.

Mayor, I'm coming to you to ask.

And also to all of you, my friends and everybody who is witnessing me at the moment.

Received the help that they need in urgency.

Everybody who has the privilege of having a positive financial situation is not going to encounter the situation that this family is encountering at the moment.

Roy Hirsch.

To be followed by Nyaz Zama Zamanov.

Right now, East End communities are struggling with multiple seemingly uncoordinated roadway projects and street closures that are impacting our commutes, our businesses, and our lives.

Everything we've we're experiencing now will be amplified ten times over.

During that construction chaos, we'll need every street connection we have.

Every route will matter, every option will be critical.

So let me ask, what is the rush?

Every sign points to the 2028 Republican National Convention at the Toyota Center, which uh activity with activities at the GRB.

What deal is Houston first struck uh first cut with the RNC that requires them to push through the shameful process, a process that ignores Houston communities, ignores data, ignores best practice.

Whatever the deal is, this body of honor and justice should not be party to it.

Houston first uh has other options.

Every other major convention center city found ways to expand with their closing critical public streets.

Dallas and Philadelphia built over their streets.

San Francisco found creative solutions.

They all understood that connectivity matters more than convenience.

Houston first can modify their plans.

They can build over Polk Street.

Yes, it will be an expensive headache.

Yes, they may not finish before the RNC, but that is a price absolutely worth bearing.

Because here what's not worth bearing, permanently isolating the East End just prior to years of NHHIP chaos, sacrificing Houston communities for a one-week political event, making this council complicit in a decision you'll regret for decades.

Please, for the sake of the East End, for the sake of all Houstonians, for the honor of this council, deny the request to abandon Polk Street.

Make Houston First do this right.

Thank you.

Thank you, Nick.

Nayez Zamanov.

To be followed by David David Harmon.

Good afternoon.

First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to our city leaders and our Honorable Mayor Wittmeyer.

And thank you for your time.

And I would like to ask, would it be okay?

Because we signed up under the same vehicle for hire, and my colleagues are here.

It will be easier.

Can they join me again as well?

You may have like questions too.

I'll just continue.

My colleagues and I would like to address on an important issue concerning vehicle for hire pedicabs, specifically regarding public safety in our city.

We believe that priority should be given to local businesses that operate legally and pay taxes.

As a result, many individuals work illegally, often showing up.

ARA often usually show up 15 to 16 days off the during the rodeo.

They are never present even at the barbecue kuckoff, which is a kickoff for the biggest event in Houston rodeo.

Additional pedicabs don't fit safely within many of the venues.

This is not a tourist district designed for high pedicab volume.

Most people trying to earn a living are working concerts, sporting events, where the physical space simply can accommodate excessive number of pedicabs.

The average pedicab is four to six feet wide, six and a half feet wide, and imagine um hundred of them on each street makes it clear that this would create a serious congestion and safety risks.

For um these reasons, we strongly believe permits should be kept at approximately 7275 total to maintain safety, efficiency, and productive working environment.

We are prepared to support an increased permit fee two to three times to current current amount and um recommend raising annual permit cost from ten dollars to two hundred dollars with responsible local operators and proper regulation and without an influx of out-of-town town workers, we can collaborate as a unified team and continue providing excellent service to our community.

Thank you so much.

David Harmon.

To be followed by Lisa Hunt.

Hello, my name is David Harman, owner operator of Independent Petticab.

I've been an operator for over 16 years, and the safety of not only the future of our jobs but our of our passengers is of importance to us.

With upcoming events such as the World Cup coming to Houston, we are worried about an influx of out-of-towners coming in and jeopardizing our ability to operate, putting a cap on the number of permits, I think would help ensure all of our local success.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Councilman Alcorn.

Thank you, sir, for coming.

And the previous speaker, do you um do you know how many uh permitted petty cabs that currently exist?

I mean, that's a question I can ask our ARA department.

That I don't know.

Uh I'm assuming about three to four hundred.

Three to four hundred permitted ones.

It's always been an issue, Mayor, about ones that come in that aren't permitted and they don't have the seal on them, and they're just running through, and I can really see that being an issue at at FIFA.

Um so whatever we can do, I think your ask is to make sure that we're just having the regulated, you know, the people that are playing by the rolls.

Thanks.

Kudos to the guy that said we can up the fee to 200 from 10 bucks.

Yeah.

I'm all about you know getting some more revenue in here.

So that sounds good to me.

Um but uh we'll take a look at that, because that is going to be an issue.

I was just in Austin and there were pedicabs galore um after a football game.

So, you know, this is something we want to look into.

We want to make sure that people are safe and that the good Houston operators that are playing by the rules um are protected.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Just a second, Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

What would what would you uh estimate that the illegal pedicabs are for major events?

Like is it you think it's 30 percent of the pedicabs that's out there, 50 percent of them that's out there?

What would you say?

I would easily put it at 20 to 30 percent.

Okay.

Um what's the enforcement like when they when when we do have people out there to enforce and regulate the pedicab uh space.

Are people getting a ticket?

Are they getting a boot?

Are they getting confiscated?

Uh last October the city uh ARA was uh threatening to impound, but I very rarely ever see eviden any enforcement.

Okay.

Um beyond just the cabs that are legal, I would like to see repercussions for people that are acting irresponsibly, whether they're speeding or driving erratically.

Um hit them with fines, you know, get some hit them hit them, hit them in the pocketbook, make them know that that type of behavior is not acceptable.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

Next Lisa Hunt.

Good afternoon.

In my house, when we have company coming, we make a real mad dash to pick up and clean up so things look good and that folks um think we know what we're doing because the way we live generally and the way we present to visitors can be different.

I think that that's common to Houston too, as we're preparing for FIFA and the Republican National Convention.

I think in terms of our roads and our transportation, we're wanting to make uh a good impression and put our best foot forward.

Um but I think as we are experiencing the closure of Polk Street and the uh repaving of up to 60 streets in the downtown area, we're realizing um that it can be chaotic for those who live here, as well as for those who are coming into downtown uh for our events because we live here.

I want to commend the council and you mayor for being open for uh to a memorandum of understanding as we're coping with these transportation challenges.

And I want to raise our attention now to the uh conflicts around implementation, specifically around communication of road closures and the lack of information about timelines.

It's evident that um construction is moving forward, that we're working to get FIFA here and uh for folks to have a good time, but we really need to be coordinating our communication and plans and timelines across agencies.

We have county uh work going on, we have uh Text Ot work going on, we have City of Houston work going on, and the left hand is not knowing what the right hand is doing, and it's going to make for danger both for pedestrians and bicyclists and emergency responders.

So I would like to invite you all to request of the departments uh to be coordinating their communications with the residents of Houston so that we know how to access our roads.

Finally, I'd like to invite you to a town hall meeting that we're going to be having uh with the super neighborhoods.

Uh that announcement got kind of garbled as we left for the fire uh drill today.

Um it will be uh tomorrow night at six o'clock at Holy Family HTX on Navigation.

Uh, we're looking forward to engaging uh multiple neighborhoods around priorities as we're living into this new stage of implementation.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Next.

Shila Salas.

To be followed by James Zumwalt.

Hi, good afternoon, Mayor.

Good afternoon, Council.

Um First of all, I know it's been a long day, so I thank everybody for just holding this space for us.

Well, my name is Shaila, and I'm actually a local performance artist.

I've had the privilege to perform at Blaffer Art Museum, the hobby center.

I'm a search and rescue volunteer, and I am a proud small business owner who's been operating petty cabs and working in tourism for a decade.

And I'm proud to say that I actually am part of the hidden gems as a tour guide in downtown.

Now I am aware of the stigma that we face as petty cabbers, and I can't speak on everybody, but I can say on behalf of my team today that we really value public safety in our city, which is why today we are asking for your support on a simple yet urgent issue, which is to finally establish a cap on petty cabs.

Because the truth is it's it's getting really dangerous out there.

Now I saw the sense of urgency council demonstrated with scooters, which is why we're asking for the same urgency here, given the Houston rodeo and the World Cup is approaching.

And I want the city to know that I've been very patient with the ARA, but being ten years in this industry, I am growing frustrated.

You know, I was approached by them to review 28 pages of their revisions, and we were only given three brief revisions about petty cabs, which had nothing to do with my initial meeting that I had with them.

And I want the city, I want the council to know that I wrote 16 solutions.

I did my best to make all of our jobs easier, and it's frustrating to hear the ARA say, well, we gotta wait till next spring to revisit this topic.

And we can't do that.

We can't afford to do that.

So and and I'll be honest here.

We know this is a business.

We understand that it comes down to money.

We're not afraid to talk about it.

We work with it on a daily basis.

And that's why we as a community are willing to chip in to pay more for our permits and to cap it.

And just because we have insured or permitted riders, doesn't mean that all of those operators are the best out there, if I'm gonna put it that way.

And lastly, I agreed to uphold my word for the ARA, which was to advocate for an additional peace officer.

It was made known to me that in order to legally tow petty cabs, they have to have a peace officer present.

They do need more resources.

ARA needs night shifts, those are the shifts that we work.

And lastly, I just want the mayor and I want the city to know that we're on your side on this.

We take pride in what we do.

We see the upgrades that are happening in our city, and as a tour guide, I think that's beautiful.

And it's time for our services to reflect those upgrades as well.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, thank you for coming forward and good to see you.

Good to see you again, by the way.

We met at IEP.

Um couple questions.

One if if if there was a cap, what what would the number of permits you think be?

Well, I think realistically, especially for something as massive as the rodeo, a hundred would be feasible.

And the question I have is even with a cap, it seems like the real the real issue is is enforcement more than anything.

Because you can have a cap on the permits, but if you're not addressing those who don't have permits with real enforcement, then it it it is the same thing.

So I think there has to be more of an urgency and a priority and strategy around the enforcement to ensure that those that do currently even have uh permits and are doing things the right way, uh that we address those who are not.

And even with a cap, I still see that being an issue.

So I think we as a city have to find a way in which to address um the bad actors and and really to stress enforcement.

This is an issue that we hear every year about petty cabs.

Yes.

It's not a it's not a very difficult issue.

I just think we have to prioritize it, and we have to ensure that we put parameters in place to make sure that there is real enforcement that uh sends a message to those who are not complying that if you if you come to Houston and you are not properly permitted, then there's going to be uh consequences to that.

So may I add on to that?

So the main reason why we need a cap, and uh I just I don't know if the city is aware of this, but we wouldn't be the only city who does it.

Austin has a cap, San Antonio has a cap, Miami has a cap.

The reason why we need this cap is because we work in isolated areas.

It's far too oversaturated.

It's a real issue, and I want y'all to know that I am actually somebody who survived a very serious accident in Austin.

I was a passenger on a petty cab, and I can speak first hand what it's like to go through that struggle.

What would the what would the cap be?

Is it like a first come first serve, or is there gonna be certain parameters in place to ensure who gets within that 100 caps?

Yes, so what we discussed as a community was a monopoly clause because apparently this was an issue that they've had in other markets.

So we've agreed as a community that we want to chip in.

We want a combined capital to cover those permits and and making sure that it's fair for everybody.

Okay.

Uh look forward to talking to you more about it.

Yes, absolutely.

Thank you.

Council Mayor Flickinger.

Yeah, just wanted to chime in.

I I think you really need to direct efforts, or we need to direct efforts at enforcement.

Because even if you have a cap and you have all sorts of people coming in that aren't part of the program, it really doesn't make any difference anyway.

Uh so if you take care of the enforcement, that will eliminate a lot of it, and then you can look at it after that to see whether or not a cap's actually needed at that time.

But until you actually get the to where it's only regulated operators that are operating, it really doesn't make any difference.

Thank you for your comments today.

Yes, thank you.

Next speaker.

James Zumwalt.

James Zumwalt, next speaker.

Lorenzo Reyes.

Florencio Reyes.

To be followed by Joe Ortiz.

Good afternoon.

Um I'm I'm also here with uh my constituents uh urging um you know for the city of Houston for the safety, uh, especially for the events coming up.

Uh for one of the revisions for the ARA to if we can uh go ahead and and probably enact a uh drug testing uh where we are vehicles for hire.

Um but I have experienced out there working in the streets with some of these uh individuals that don't follow the rules, even though they do have permits, um of them will be under the influence of certain things.

And uh in my case, my business, the um the public's safety is top priority, and that's what I take uh you know the most thing and and pride in in the work that I do, and I believe that uh a form of uh and a solution to this enforcement is maybe um reinstating the uh drug pa drug testing that we once had before uh in this in the city with within the ARA.

Um I've witnessed people um overdose in a during an event.

Um well and then try to get back on petty cabs, giving uh customers' rides and everything, and and it's that's extremely uh is extremely disturbing and is extremely unsafe.

Um we never I'm not the one per kind of person who would ever want to put somebody in like that, so um that's my thing.

I just come here so we can put that to the drug testing and things.

Tell me, when did y'all take the drug test?

You took the drug test before you went out to drive the petty cabs on the day of the event.

Uh no, ma'am.

We used to uh when we we would get our permits, we'd have to go through a background check, a warrant check, and also uh have to provide a physical and a drug test um uh to provide the ARA uh in uh prior years, I think it was 17, and then um it was the same time that AR ARA also um followed the um the Ubers at that time, and when uh the governor signed that thing, then all drug testing went out the window.

There was none required, and yet we are still vehicles for hire.

Right.

Um I believe um that if you go through the ARA, I'm not sure if they're I was just curious because I was thinking if um you did a drug test when you did your application it could be a totally different result the night of the event.

So I was curious to add how they handled that.

That is, but it keeps, you know, it it will keep some people that can stop.

So I got it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I appreciate you being here.

Yes, ma'am.

Next speaker.

Joe Ortiz.

To be followed by Daisy Moreno.

Well, I was gonna say hello to the mayor, but he's not here, but hello to everybody else.

Uh I've been pedicabing in the city of Houston since 2013.

I started in Galveston Island 2012, so I've been doing it for a while.

I work um major cities like Austin, Texas, Dallas Fort Worth area, I've worked in Indianapolis, I've worked big uh conventions, I've worked big events like Coachella and Bonaroo.

I have experience, and I our community nationwide is a very small community.

If you don't know somebody, you know somebody who knows someone.

And the worry I have, as my fellow colleagues have said, uh a cap would really help because enforcement.

One problem I see with enforcement, sometimes when I see illegal riders or riders doing the wrong thing or riders not showing professional courtesy to other riders, and I've seen officers and I'm officer, hey, this guy's doing this, this guy that I've been told by an HP officer, take them in the alley and beat them up.

Which is ridiculous, because if I saw a drunk driver on the street and I could say, uh officer, there's a drunk driver out there, it's the officer's job to do something about them.

And to tell me to take him in the alley and beat him up is commit a crime to fix a crime is a ridiculous answer to my concerns about the illegal riders out there.

The other issue sometimes that happens that I see is when there are many of us that are falling to laws, following the rules, following the regulations, everything's legal, everything's permitted, everything's insured, and we're doing everything right.

We're faced with too many riders coming in, whether they're illegal or whether they're legal, and they're running lights, they're doing this, they're running sidewalks, they're doing all the bad negative things, and all of us that are doing things right face repercussions.

And collective punishment is illegal under Geneva conventions.

Yet when it comes to pedicabs, we all at times face the punishment, including those of us that do it right every time.

And it puts a strain because I'm just trying to make a living, pay my bills, take care of my wife or my girlfriend and her dying mother and and provide for family.

And when I'm sitting at a red light waiting for it to change so I can go and pick up people and drop them off at Dyk and Park, Minute Made, formally, and I have illegal riders running the light, it puts pressure and strain on me to continue to do the right thing, and I want to do the right thing, but when I see five riders doing the wrong thing, and I'm trying and I'm struggling, it really negatively affects us all.

And just enforcement would help a lot.

And if there are any questions about what would work, what could work, please please, please.

We have a pedicab committee here.

We have several companies in this city that could uh would gladly provide insight.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here, and we're definitely follow up.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Daisy Moreno.

Daisy Moreno.

To be followed by Nana Sampong.

Hi, good afternoon.

I'm here with uh Space City Rides.

I'm also a fellow pedicabber.

Um my colleagues here kind of touch space on a lot of things that we're here for mainly.

Um one of them, of course, is the cap.

Um, because we do have a Facebook page where all of the U.S.

kind of contacts them each other through there.

And before this rodeo, actually, somebody posted, like, oh, you know, City of Houston is really cracking down, and it kind of scared a lot of people from showing up.

So it kind of does help um if we had a cap as well as enforcement, right?

But um I know yeah, we're asking, like, okay, well, if we have a cap, they're still gonna show up.

Um, yeah, but as you see, you know, we have a Facebook page where we're all in contact still with them, like, hey, you know, don't come up because they will tell you they will do this.

Um, but of course, uh enforcement is really needed because um I think they were saying that ARA poly showed up maybe just for the rodeo, and then the rest of the year we didn't even see them at all, which was pretty crazy because that's what they're there for, and then you're you're putting everybody else at risk out here, like they said, we have people crazy drivers riding freely on these petty cabs, you know, with kids' families and everything.

Um a lot of these cops that we work around with at NRG and at Titanhead Park, they try to give us um what's it called a little place to work with, but uh over time all these people who are not following the rules who come from out of town just to get their money and leave.

Obviously, they're not there to deal with that, they're they're there to deal with the traffic and whatnot is going on in the events, right?

So, yeah, we definitely do need more enforcement.

Um that would definitely help all of us out there.

Thank you for your comments.

We appreciate you being here today.

Next speaker.

Nana Sampong.

To be followed by Sylvia Opu Sanju.

Good afternoon to everyone.

Um my name is Nana Sam Pong.

I'm a visual artist, and I've been operating and um also an owner of a pedicab for the last 20 years.

And I want to touch on specifically the CAP issue of um CAP and pedicabs in Houston.

And um specifically, you know, I remember I've been pedicapping even before um regulations um kicked in.

And the reason that triggered um the regulations was over saturation and over saturation, as you all know, we we work in very specific areas, and um if there's too many petty cabs that show up, there's always an issue.

And my colleague Shyla and I had a meeting with ARA and they um made it known that they want to push an ordinance that would allow um not only Texas or Houston residents, but anyone from you know the nation with a driver's license to be able to um come in to work.

Um and that's an issue because statistically there's a higher percentage of um outer towners that they show up to petty cap.

And um with Wall Cup coming, if if an ordinance is is pushed for it to allow um all residents, you know, across the nation to be allowed to have a um a petty cab license, then obviously this oversaturation issue would be um pandemic would be, you know, it will be an issue.

So um with a cap an issue, we want to the approach that we're looking at is to grandfather in the companies and independents that it already exist in Houston, and then um people that are coming from out of town, um we would, you know, implement some type of like lottery system, you know, so there's like uh just you know, a limited amount of people or riders that come from out of town.

You know, that way um we can control or have like um just a a number of petty cabs that operate um in Houston, because it is an issue.

I mean, we've working petty cabin for over these years, I've seen industries uh collapse and fall because of this issue of of oversaturation.

So um we would appreciate it if your time has expired.

You know, this this issue is um is addressed.

Thank you.

Thank you very much for being here today.

Next speaker.

Sylvia Opusanju.

Next speaker.

Richard Stoitzitz.

Richard Stoitzitz.

Next speaker.

Are you Richard?

Oh.

Sorry, Mr.

To be followed by Crystal Piper.

It's come to my attention that Councilwoman Plummer has put forward an amendment to the ordinance which governs the HPD and ICE interaction.

Currently, if the police are doing a routine background check and they come up with a federal immigration alert, they're required to report the person to immigration authorities.

The wording of this uh amendment would change leave it to the discretion of the officers to report.

Given the fact that the City of Houston is a known hub for drug and human trafficking, that ICE is focused on removing career criminals.

I believe that this ordinance, this change the ordinance would not be in the best interest of the residents of the City of Houston.

Furthermore, immigration is a Federal responsibility.

Federal law takes precedence over State law and local ordinances.

People who interfere with ICE operations open themselves up to prosecution.

Councilwoman Plummer is running for State or District Judge, County Judge.

And that in that race, crime is going to be a major issue.

Her opponents are going to point to this amendment that she has put forward as evidence that she is weak on crime, and that is going to be very detrimental to her campaign.

So much so one might conclude that she is wasting her time and money running that race.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Scotty Joseph.

Scotty Joseph.

To be followed by Bernadette Kiki.

Hello, Mr.

Joseph.

Hello.

It's good to see you.

I'm sorry that our mayor ran out on us, but I need a I need to get some information from y'all.

What's going on with the scooter ban?

What's going on?

If you could just articulate to me what is going on with the scooter ban, I'd appreciate that because I don't understand it.

What's going on with the scooter ban?

You know?

Any anybody have any ideas what's going on with the scooter ban?

So there was a vote on the um council agenda two weeks ago for the curfew.

Um that information um came from, I guess, a compilation of HPD occurrences.

Um the administration put forth a um ordinance to ban scooters or to have a curfew for scooters.

Uh so the council voted for that.

It did pass.

I believe there is um a committee meeting that is going to happen to oh, it happened yesterday.

Oh, the committee.

The committee meeting.

And my friend, good friend of mine who likes to ride a scooter, y'all all know him, um, Mr.

Pettit, wants to ride a scooter to my house.

He can do that.

Okay.

So the scooter ban only is for the independent operators, or is it for everybody?

It's for people that are bringing their scooters to allow entertainment riding after 8 p.m.

After 8 p.m.

But if you are an individual that owns a scooter and you are riding for mobility or transportation, it does not negate you from riding to your friend's house.

If you want to ride your scooter to your friend's house, you can st you can still ride your scooter to your friend's house.

So this is all about the uh the independent operators, the tents that set up downtown, and the kids are riding the scooters downtown for entertainment.

That is what this is all about.

We we have had lots of concerns about um scooter riders going the wrong way up and down the street at night.

Um we have had um dangerous accidents that have huh.

We have had dangerous accidents that have happened from scooter riding, so this was an attempt to try to alleviate um the problems that have been reported to the administration with the with the scooter riding downtown.

Thank you.

Uh last question.

Does this only is this only to the scooters or is this any other type of uh transportation when it comes to the uh when it comes to that?

What's your question again?

Uh because as you know, uh I was I've been here before, and in regards with the bikes.

So a lot of the bike community is afraid because they don't know if this trickles over to them with the scooters.

So it's not a bicycle, it is considered micro-mobility devices, so which would be the scooters.

But this is your personal scooter and you want to ride your personal scooter to your friend's house.

I'm all about bikes personally, but my question is is that I have a lot of friends who ride scooters.

You know, we all ride together, and a lot of them are afraid because they have not heard any clear language explaining exactly what is going on with this, so I appreciate you giving us some type of explanation.

And we can get you a copy of the actual ordinance, be exempt personally owned scooters.

So if you and your friends own your scooters and you ride your scooters, this this does not apply to you.

Okay.

All right.

Well, thank you for thank you for that.

We do have a couple of council members in Q.

They would like to talk to you.

Councilmember Pollard.

Okay.

Committee chair.

Premieres.

Committee chair.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Oh, okay.

Thank you, Mayor Pertem.

Scotty, thank you for coming forward and asking questions.

So we had a committee meeting yesterday where ARAs, some representatives came and uh explained it.

Council voted on it two weeks ago and passed it unanimously.

Basically, it comes down to this.

It's it's a it's a scooter curfew between the hours of 8 p.m.

and 4 a.m.

citywide.

All right, and it applies to all uh uh motorized scooters, not just those that you rent.

But if you own your own scooter, that curfew applies to you as well.

That's there are some exceptions.

The exceptions are if you are commuting to or from your place of employment or school, or if you are responding to a personal or family emergency.

Uh there's some more limited uh uh exceptions that apply to law enforcement, EMS, and special events permitted by the city.

But those are the the basics.

It also prohibits renting uh from a temporary structure or a brick and mortar establishment between the hours of 8 p.m.

and and 4 p.m.

So basically me and Ed Petty can ride after 8 o'clock.

That's what you are just telling me, right?

There's a curfew unless uh it falls under one of those exceptions that I mentioned.

And the council passed this a couple weeks ago.

I don't know how.

I don't know with what I don't know who you've been speaking to, but this is preposterous.

Come on, y'all.

How do you expect people to stop riding their scooters at 8 o'clock when they are I'm sorry, I'm I'm at a loss for words right now.

Um I'm not going to take too much of your time.

The mayor is gone.

But this is a this is a mistake, y'all.

This is a mistake.

You need to read.

Hank hang tight.

We do have a cup another council member and kid.

Are you in Q?

If I could I think I am.

Offer one last uh thought, Scotty.

I I appreciate your perspective.

Um this is a first step with scooters.

So there will be additional discussion about uh other steps that can be taken.

But uh this this process has been going on for several months, if not years.

Uh and we had a committee meeting earlier this year where about 40 people uh gave comment expressing views all over the spectrum.

So there has been a lot of engagement on this, and um at least two committee meetings, and so this is where we are.

If if you want to offer uh comment, we're happy to take it.

Uh happy to answer additional questions as well.

But as I say, this is this is a first step on uh regulating the use of motorized scooters, and and there will be action in the future.

Councilmember Pollard.

Sorry, thank you for coming forward uh in there's a lot of discussion regarding this topic.

I I was actually out of town on the day of the vote, so I did not get to chime in or vote on this topic.

But I do think there needs to be some regulation with scooters downtown because there have been many calls of service and frustrated individuals based on the actions of some riders.

I agree.

So there does need to be some regulation.

Agreed.

Uh I do believe that the regulation needs to be focused more on uh the vendors, more so than personal riders.

Agreed.

I do believe that uh those with personal scooters really shouldn't be barred from moving around the city at at their free will.

Uh I do think we need to concentrate on certain areas where there is a proliferation of scooters and look at the vendors and put regulation on top of them.

I do think we need to crack down on the vendors, uh brick and mortar and the pop-ups to where there may need to right now be a ban on all vendors until we have a uh strategic and comprehensive approach to how we're going to uh provide access to those who want to have scooters in the city.

But I do think the issue for me, uh and I would have addressed this if I was there is on personal use.

I think if there are individuals who have personal scooters, uh they should be able to move around freely, however they want, uh, as long as they are doing it in a safe and lawful manner.

Um I think when we take this blanket approach and this one-size-fits-all approach with the curfew, it has a lot of unintended consequences to this.

I do respect uh the work of my colleagues and the ongoing work uh within the committee and any amendments that they will put forth.

Uh, but I do think there's a separation between personal use and and those who are renting from the vendors.

Those who have their own personal use are usually the ones that um are abiding by the laws.

What we see is people who are renting from the vendors, usually young people, and sometimes the vendors aren't following the laws by checking uh driver's licenses and other things.

They're the ones that are really causing a lot of the chaos.

And so uh I think this is uh one step in the direction of trying to find a way to provide a safe environment uh for people downtown.

But I do think uh we should continue to talk about this topic and include the stakeholders to ensure that we have something that works for for uh the majority of us.

And those would be some of the things that I would like to see uh continue to be discussed as well.

So thank you.

Thank you for that, Ed.

And uh just to just to add to that, Mayor.

Mayor, um, you're absolutely right.

When it comes to the pop-ups and when it comes to these uh brick and mortar as well as the pop-ups, there needs to be some education with this.

When you have someone who doesn't own a thing, they don't care for a thing.

So when you take away places like Astro World, and people have to figure out some type of form of entertainment, all they have is a scooter for 30 $35 for half an hour with no training.

That's the reason why we have the proliferation of the foolishness that we've been having downtown.

However, to penalize anyone with the scooter, to your point, Ed, I agree with you.

I'm surprised I'm I'm sorry that you weren't at that meeting because they needed you.

That's foolishness.

So that needs to be changed.

Councilmember Evans Shabbaz.

Thank you, Mayor Potem.

I believe it's too broad.

There's no data that supports that this ban needs to be all over this city.

I have students at Texas Southern University, University of Houston, who need to be able to get back and forth to class in different places.

My problem with it is that how do you identify those that are exempt?

I do believe that there has to be some more discussion, because I don't think that I can be riding a scooter and you stop me, which creates the situation that I am engaged with the police when maybe there's a helmet or something, some kind of something you can put on there to show that you are exempt.

I don't think you need to be riding, and then you have to be stopped to prove that you should be able to ride your scooter.

I do know Ed Pettett.

I know he uses his scooter to go everywhere.

And he should be able to.

So we certainly are gonna have to look at this again.

But the problem is the discussion on that day was downtown.

I don't even think we were looking at the verbiage of the actual ordinance, which says citywide.

So, you know, I uh my bad, as they say.

But I think this is something that we're gonna either have to do uh get the mayor to look at to change the verbiage to to amend that.

Because the people downtown are off the chain.

Oh, I I I think that we are certainly getting commended for this, but to preclude people who use this for their mobility all over the city, I think is is a broad reach.

And so I certainly agree with you.

I'm glad you came today.

I did go to the committee meeting.

I have to commend the chair uh Ramirez because his initial thought was to wait and vet this.

But we moved forward because we were concerned about the holidays coming and what was going on downtown.

Yes.

And so for that, that is very important.

I even reached out and asked the mayor if he could do uh order to not have it citywide and and determine what area.

So I there certainly needs to be some look uh some adjustments and amendments.

Thank you, and I think yes, ma'am.

Councilmember Davis, did you have something you wanted to add in?

Yes, I do real quickly, Mayor Pro Tim, thank you.

Uh thank you, Brother Scotty, for coming.

And uh, yes, a lot of discussion been around these scooters, right?

And uh and let me just say, even on the basis of the fact that maybe people making some great points to the issues about where it's going.

This is the first step, is the way it's being brought before.

But now, but let me just put another point on your mind.

Prior to the downtown process, nobody was complaining about school school.

That's not true.

Not one person.

In terms of it, so let's be clear.

Number one, the whole issue around it was about downtown, right?

And it's not an amusement park.

You had malls, nobody was taking their school to the malls.

They wasn't riding all over.

So let's be clear, you know, as to why and what made this businesses versus businesses.

Money versus money.

Okay.

So uh when the idea came up from council member regarding this, there's been several discussions about this for a very long time.

Yes, sir.

A very long time.

This was not a quick fizz, stamp it and move on.

No, it was not.

And so hopefully we can make some revisions and amendments and do change it.

Oh, you're gonna have to make some revisions.

But uh thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Ramirez, are you back in the queue?

I'm back in the queue.

Please.

Uh thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

And just, you know, last thought here.

Um, I I wanted to delay it a week so we could uh give the public a little more time to to review it.

Uh we had received the language Friday afternoon, and we ended up voting Wednesday morning.

I didn't get to review it till Saturday, and and I thought people uh should have had more time to review it.

Uh I'm concerned now because we've had a couple of council members indicate they didn't fully understand the the scope of it.

Uh and and that's unfortunate.

However, um there were there were significant and serious safety concerns that that made uh the council want to act when it did.

Um it is a first step.

We will revisit this this this uh topic again.

And so I encourage you to stay engaged.

Oh in the process of the case.

I have no choice but to stay engaged.

Thank you.

I have no choice.

Um and you know, to that right there, and and I'll leave you.

I know you guys are ready to wrap it up.

Um that's gonna be a hard sell.

I mean, you already passed it.

You said after 8 p.m., scooter ban anybody.

That's gonna be a hard sell.

So just understand that.

Well, thank you for your thank you for your comments, and we appreciate your engagement.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Bernadette Kiki.

Bernadette Kiki.

No, she's next speaker.

Eduardo Duran.

Edward O'Doran, next speaker.

Jacob Newsom.

Jacob Newsom.

Hello, Jacob.

Hi.

Well, good afternoon, Council.

I am so happy to be back.

So if you remember, two months ago, I told you that no truth is self-evident unless embodied.

And last month I reminded you that the story of a city isn't written by comfort, but by courage.

And today I returned because Houston's story has not changed.

The same wounds, the same voices, and as we've heard, the same talks about ice.

I saw a mom today who didn't know English, but her love needed no translation.

Every speaker here naming pain is an act of courage.

This chamber is our forum, and the question remains who are we becoming and what story are we choosing?

And pain may have brought us here, but courage says where we go next.

Happy holidays, counsel.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Uh Joe Joe Shabbed Henley.

Joe Shabed Henley.

I think she's here.

Next speaker.

Joseph Amari.

Joseph Amari.

Hello, Mr.

Amari.

How are you, sir?

I'm I try to write this in one minute.

See, he just probably don't try to get over one minute.

Um to your screen business with you.

Uh, this is my company, call right license agreement, and this is my make believe Michael Jordan.

One minute check.

You put them together, we got a deal.

Otherwise, you plan with a losing hand.

Uh I don't like people to think that I like suing people or the government.

I really don't know.

That's like I need is a pro say another pro se lawsuit.

I used to have enjoy the freedom come to speak at the city council meeting and join the freedom of speech without somebody showing up at my place of residence, family estate, I'm a hangout, but that's for a minute motion.

Well, I think everybody needs an ice criminal background check, just not the people who look like they need one.

Uh, cause we have a lot of people come from Houston, come to Houston for all the world.

But a black American city citizen.

Uh, if my paperwork ought to be right, I feel everybody got a paperwork gotta be right.

As long as your paperwork right.

You are right.

Your time has expired.

Can I have my last 30 seconds?

Mr.

Amari, thank you for being here today.

We appreciate your comments.

Okay, we'll pick up.

See, I know tell me that shot.

I know.

We'll see you next week.

We appreciate you, Ben.

I understand y'all have a long meeting.

Now I'm telling you, Miss City Councilman, if Mr.

Whipmouth's hitting there, he would give my 30 seconds.

You government.

Get that last 30 seconds.

You missed Mr.

Amari.

Get your 30 seconds.

Okay.

Why do you remit charity martial law when there's no civil unrest?

Uh we don't we don't need it.

President Bruffery Hayes ordered the Union Soldiers to evacuate the South out of the Civil War.

Houston has become a sanctuary city.

If the government have lost some type of NATO form legion to land in Houston, Texas America, we are demanding that they vacate the Texas State Texas and exclusive atom.

Little government should be tracking us down the progress of America's citizens and a word of America Citizen.

They should be only monitoring their own citizens living in America or living uh and not America's citizens.

Mr.

Amara, we appreciate you being here, and we thank you for your comments.

Council, we stand in recess until tomorrow morning at nine.

District.

Item two, recommendation from Director of Houston Public Works that Houston City Council accept the work and authorized final payment, if any, of the contract with Tycon Group Inc.

for citywide concrete panel replacement project number one.

Item three, recommendation from city attorney to deposit the amount of the award of special commissioners into the registry of the court to pay all costs of court in connection with imminent domain proceedings style City of Houston versus Hedwig Investments LLC.

Item 4, ordinance appropriating $62,517 44 cent to provide for redesign of the content management system.

Item five, approved spending authority for a content management system awarded to Carasoft Technology Corporation.

Item six approved spending authority for purchase of fertilizer awarded to Helena Chemical Company.

Item seven, resolution approving assignment of private activity bond authority by Houston Housing Finance Corporation to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Item 8 Resolution approving and adopting investment policy for the city of Houston.

Item 9, ordinance appropriating 16,551,274.51 cent.

Four multifamily disaster recovery activities, homelessness, and administrative funds to administer housing and community development, affordable home activities.

Item 10, ordinance appropriating 273,620.32 cent to a contract with HNTB Corporation.

Item 11, ordinance approving and authorizing execution of compromise settlement release and indemnification agreement between Jonathan Zuniga Wong.

Item 12, ordinance appropriating $850,000 to provide planned data center refresh project.

Item 13, ordinance appropriating $65,000 to provide planned network refresh project.

Item 14 ordinance appropriating 100,000 to provide plan for public facing computer refresh project.

Item 15 ordinance appropriating 250,000 to provide analog plain old telephone system service for replacement project.

Item 16 ordinance amending ordinance number 2024-685 related to contract with Honesty Environmental Services Inc.

and Fern Environmental LLC.

Item 17 ordinance approving and authorizing contract with GE Vernova Electrification Software LLC.

Item 18 ordinance approving and authorizing First Amendment to contract with impact strategic consulting LLC.

Item 19 ordinance designating Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt LLC reinvestment zone.

Item 20, ordinance approving and authorizing tax abatement agreement between City of Houston and Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt LLC.

This item should only be considered after passage of item 19 above.

Item 21, ordinance relating to fiscal affairs of memorial heights, redevelopment authority on behalf of reinvestment zone number five, memorial heights zone.

Item 22.

Gulfgate zone.

GovGate Zone.

This item should only be considered after passage of item 22 above.

Item 24, ordinance enlarging boundaries of reinvestment zone number 11, Greater Greens Point Zone.

Item 25, ordinance approving fifth amended project plan and reinvestment zone financing plan.

Four reinvestment zone number 11, Greater Greenspoint Zone.

This item should only be considered after passage of item 24.

Item 26, ordinance enlarging boundaries of reinvestment zone number 23, Harrisburg, Harrisburg Zone.

Item 27, ordinance approved and third amended project plan and reinvestment zone financing plan for reinvestment zone number 23.

This item should only be considered after passage of item 26.

Item 28 ordinance providing for advalorum tax exemption on historical site located at 4158 Mirewood Drive.

Item 29 ordinance providing for Avalorum tax exemption on historical site located at 4411 Dallas Street.

Item 30 ordinance providing for Avalorum tax exemption on historical site located at 807 Arlington Street.

Item 31, ordinance providing for Avalorum tax exemption on historical site located at 509 Teeth Sean Street.

Item 32, ordinance providing for Avalorum tax exemption on historical site located at 2 Waverly Court.

Item 33, ordinance appropriating 69,499 seventy-seven cent.

Approved and authorizing interlocal agreement for street improvements to Mesa Drive by and between City of Houston and Leland Woods Redevelopment Authority.

Item 34 motion to receive nomination for appointments to positions 1 and 2 and two alternate at-large positions of the Houston Galveston Area Council Board of Directors.

Item 35, ordinance accepting and authorizing grant agreement between the City of Houston and the U.S.

Department of Transportation, Safe Streets and Roads for All Program for the BisNet Corridor Safe Street Projects.

This item was tagged by Councilmember Alcorn and was Item 32 on the agenda of November 19th, 2025.

This completes the reading of the captions for the agenda of December 3rd, 2025.

Stay tuned for the next council session to begin at 9 a.m.

And with that, I wish everyone a blessed and happy hump day.

Um we have item one, a public hearing, the banner district hearing.

She's present.

Ms.

Clark.

Good morning, Mayor.

Good morning, Council members and staff.

Thank you for having me here this morning.

Uh hope you can hear me well.

Um I'm here today.

My name is Joanna Clark.

I'm the deputy city engineer with Houston Public Works with the Public Works Engineering Service line.

And I'm here to give you a briefing about the Houston Design District, which has this year requested the designation of banner district.

So I will provide you some details about what this request entitles and the criteria and the scrutiny that we have been conducting the past few months.

Next slide, please.

So the street banner district is guided by the Code of Ordinance 40-30, titled Banner Districts, which sets up all the criteria and the processes that needs to be followed to designate an area as a banner district.

It does require um council approval.

The Houston Design District approaches already with an agreement with Center Point Energy, which has approved for them to install specific uh the banners on a specific street light poles for the initial banners.

Which, as you see on your right side, it consists of two banners, two uh by four feet each, uh, with a different color pattern depending on the location.

It's a pretty straightforward forward, simple design that they are proposing.

The district anticipates the installation of additional banners in the future.

For that, we will require an amendment so we can review the criteria and be sure that the locations on the design has not changed or that it meets still the criteria per ordinance.

Next slide.

So this is the area you see on the map on your right.

This is the area that the Houston District Design District covers, and the specific corridors or streets where the banners are being proposed.

So the Houston Design District has boundaries, the 610 feeder road, I-10, and Hempstead Road on the North side.

The corridors that they are proposing are Katie Road, Old Kitty Road, Washington Avenue, Hempstead, part of the 60 West service road, and the uh Port of West and Port Way 2.

The total that you see on this table is 62 banners.

Originally they had asked for 66.

The reason why we subtracted four is because four fall within the text dot feeder road, which we don't have the jurisdiction to approve.

So we have removed those from their request.

The district is uh open and they have the the capability to address this with text dot if they want to install those four.

But as part of the City of Houston approval, we have reduced them to 62.

Um part of the criteria that is established on Section 40-3 has been evaluated and demonstrated by the district.

Particularly, we are talking about the subject area needs to be paved streets with paved streets with right away no less than 60 feet wide, which they meet.

The land use in the proposed district is primarily non-residential.

And finally, the designation of the proposed district will not endanger the health, safety, welfare, and public convenience of the citizens of the city.

So in public in the opinion of Houston Public Works, the criteria per court of ordinance is met.

And that's what we're here today.

Part of the process that is described on the ordinance is to have a public hearing and a briefing to the mayor and the council districts.

Um we will be coming back to you in a few weeks for the final approval as a motion.

So with that, I'm open to any questions.

Any questions?

None at this time, Ms.

Clark.

Uh thank you for your presentation.

All right, thank you.

Anyone present that would like to testify on this matter.

If not, I have a motion to close this hearing.

So moved.

Second.

Motion made and seconded to close the public hearing on the banner district.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Members, a couple of items that I would bring forward.

Um obviously everyone's invited to Saturday night's uh Mayor's holiday tree lighting.

Activities will begin at four.

Um activities for the children, gingerbread village, winter wonderland, cross street at the library.

Then at six, there will be entertainment, and then following the entertainment, there will be a tree lighting.

Let's cross our fingers for good weather.

Uh also I'm pleased to announce this morning that Solid Race started in Southwest Houston this morning with a contract with Ashbridge to pick up uh heavy trash.

There'll be significant crews working.

Uh we signed we had the money still from the Dorito and Hurricane Barrel.

So again, Larry is doing an outstanding job of managing that department and being very creative and uh proactive.

So that begins in Southwest Houston's more and heads north and east.

Also, I'm pleased to announce that HUD approved our uh plan on the uh recovery funds, the 314 million.

If you recall, we put extensive work in it and uh listened to the public and that 314 million was approved last week.

Interesting note that the county got 60 million, but that's a obviously different level.

But thank you.

Uh for all the work that went into this.

I think uh it's really the way a hearing should take place.

But uh home repairs, the generators, public safety, homelessness, administration.

So that was a real positive thing that HUD approved last week.

With that, things are moving right along.

Um secretary consent.

You want to move on the consent calendar?

Under the except word category, is there a motion for item two?

PEC move.

Take it.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the property category, is there a motion for item three?

Pack move.

Second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the purchase and a tabulation of bids category.

Items four and five have not been received, but will be considered if they are received before the end of the meeting.

Is there a motion for item eight?

Move.

Second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

I'm sorry.

Is there a motion for item six?

Okay, don't second.

Item six.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Under the resolutions category, item seven has been removed for separate consideration.

Item eight needs a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed.

Plumber, no.

Beg pardon?

Plumber no.

Okay.

So Councilman Plumber, no.

All others in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Under the ordinances category, since your list was distributed, items 12, 14, 15, and 33 have been received.

Items 9, 10, 13, 16, and 17 have not been received, but will be considered if they receive before the end of the meeting.

The following items have been removed for separate consideration.

Items 11.

I'm sorry, not 11, 21, 24, and 25, 26 and 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.

Again, those numbers are 21 and 24 through 33.

Is there a vote on the balance?

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item 7 is a resolution.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say.

I'm sorry, Councilman Thomas.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh colleagues, I just want to take a few moments and relay my strong support of the Houston Housing Finance Corporation's partnership program.

This resolution that's on the agenda for vote today.

This is an opportunity that provides families with housing pathways, permanent pathways through home ownership.

They were in the they attended the November Housing Committee meeting.

A representative of the executive from the TDCHA and the executive director of the Houston Finance Corporation visited to talk about the program and explain that they're willing to invest a million dollars in marketing to promote this program for hardworking Houstonians, such as our staff aides to purchase homes and other municipal employees.

So this is an exciting item, and just congratulations to the housing department for getting this on the agenda expeditiously, and then also the Houston Finance Corporation for expanding their uh tool bank.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 21 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Councilman Kiman.

After the vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Councilman Kayman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning, colleagues.

I just want to lift up the work that Memorial Heights TERS and read of all read a man.

Excuse me.

The Memorial Heights Zone is doing.

Whether it's the North Canal Project, which is going to help drainage and flood mitigation throughout the city, whether it's Durham Shepherd, we just finally reopened Little Thicket Park.

They're doing a lot of infrastructure investments in the neighborhoods themselves.

So really want to lift up the work they're doing because it is making a very uh visible and important difference for the district.

Very good, thank you.

Next.

Next item 24 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay, motion passes.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed nay, motion passes.

Item 26 is an ordinance just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Councilmember Pistilio.

Thank you, Mayor.

I wanted to express my support for item 26 uh and 27 related to the Harrisburg Tours.

Um this tours has done some fantastic work.

Um they recently received a grant to make significant improvements to the Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail.

Um they're also doing a project to improve Flores neighborhood library, and so uh these items are gonna continue to allow them to do work um throughout the neighborhood and the community, and I fully support them.

Very good.

Just need to vote.

Uh vote on item 26.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay, motion passes.

Item 27 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay, motion passes.

Item 28 is an ordinance, just need to vote.

Flickinger.

Councilman Flickinger.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, I'm gonna be voting no on each of these items while certainly the restoration of these locations has an aesthetic value that I think we can all appreciate.

I just don't think that our financial position really affords us the opportunity to do so.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Uh all in favor of number item 28, vote yes.

Flickinger, no.

So councilman flickinger, no, all in favor say yes, those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 29 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

So Flickinger, no, and all in favor, say yes, those opposed nay, motion passes.

Item 30 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

No.

Councilman Flickinger, no.

All others in favor, say yes, those opposed nay, motion passes.

Item 31 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

No.

Flickinger, no.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, nay, motion passes.

Item 32 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in Flickinger, no.

Uh all in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 33 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay.

Jackson.

After the vote?

Okay.

After the vote.

Motion passes.

Councilman Jackson.

Thank you call me, Mayor.

I'm so excited about this.

I just jumped right in.

Um, yes.

Excited about this partnership with um the Leland Turs, we use in our district service funds to, you know, upgrade, um, create new crosswalks, upgrade our intersection, put new um fresh pavement paint um down to something that the um residents have been like really complaining about about um over alpha, Mesa Drive, traffic nick signals, ADA ramp, um sidewalk enhancements, and so again, we're using our district service funds to kind of speed up the process.

So I'm happy to see that this is on um the agenda, and we're voting, and we have passed it today.

I mean, it is just a reflection that um public safety is one of our priorities.

So thank you, Mayor, for your support on this.

Thank you.

Yes, we took a vote, and we thank y'all all for y'all's support.

Appreciate you.

Good work on your part.

Thank you.

Uh next.

Item 34 is a motion to receive nominations for appointments to two positions one and two and two alternate at-large positions of the Houston Galveston area council board of directors.

Councilman Alcorn.

I happily nominate Joaquin Martinez to the board of the Houston Galveston Area Council.

As a primary member, I am being demoted, thankfully.

Honorably demoted to alternate happily to pass the torch.

Is there a second?

I'll second it.

Martinez.

Councilmember uh Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

I've um enjoyed my time on HCAC, but happy to um pass the tort as well.

So I move to nominate Councilmember Flickinger for position two.

Very good.

Okay, Councilmember Flickinger.

I'd be glad to accept.

Thank you.

No, you're gonna nominate.

Nominating Councilwoman Huffman.

It's alternate.

It's alternate.

Very good.

And I move to nominate Sally Councilman Sally Alcorn as an alternate as well.

Very good.

Are there nominations?

Second for Hoffman, second for Huffman, second, second.

Okay.

Motion made in second.

I didn't know I was supposed to do that.

Are there any other nominations?

Thank you.

Not sure motion, closed nomination.

Motion made in the segment closed nomination.

I missed that.

Very good.

Next, item 35 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor, and good morning to everyone.

I want to thank um Councilmember Alcorn for tagging this item for me last week.

This is uh a very anticipated um project, um, primarily in District J, but also in District F and I believe District C.

Um, the bipartisan under the Biden administration, the bipartisan infrastructure act, we were awarded um the highest single award of the state for for an infrastructure project uh which is going to be on Bissinet between Dairy Ashford and Hillcroft.

Um as you all know, specifically in J City, that that stretch of Bissinet has been a challenge not only for um accidents, um, but also for um public safety related matters, trafficking, prostitution, uh, and we look at this street as a gateway into the Mareland area going one way and then the A-Lif area going into a different direction.

Um public works on this.

There was a lot of community engagement.

There will continue to be community engagement on this.

Um but this is something that I'm glad to see finally getting pushed forward.

Uh there will be a lot of urban design with this, wider sidewalks, more lighting, uh, and for a stretch of Bissinet that has not had a lot of investment over the years.

This is a welcome um project for those residents and business owners.

Um we've done a lot on Bissinet to try to clean it up from a public safety standpoint with the barriers uh that have curbed a lot of the uh prostitution.

Um we've had a conscious effort of looking at uh ways in which to clean up a lot of the illegal dumping.

Um there's you know, additional uh cameras in the area and other amenities that we've put forward to really improve um that stretch of Bissinet.

Um but this infrastructure project is really going to be something that makes a transform transformative change.

And so I'm glad to see it here.

Um I'm sure my other colleagues may speak on it as well.

Um but this is something that that area desperately needs, and I'm glad that we're gonna be able to vote on it today.

So thank you.

Councilmember.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cayman.

Uh yes, I just wanted to add um my support uh for this and the acceptance of this.

I remember back in 2022 when we were all submitting our letters, working with the department um to advocate for this project.

I just want to point out that Bisonet is currently one of the most dangerous corridors listed in the high injury network.

It accounts for the highest number of fatal crashes, the second highest number of serious injury injury crashes across all city-owned streets.

Uh this is a corridor, as Councilmember Pollard pointed out, that is a corridor to multiple neighborhoods uh throughout the Southwest, but it's also heavily, heavily traversed.

And we want to make sure that everyone is safe, and this is putting money where our mouth is.

Uh so very grateful for the extensive and magnitude, the scale of the funding uh for this, and uh my hope, again, there's been a lot of community engagement on this, and I want to make sure as this continues that we continue to see neighborhood and community engagement and input uh because it is a very long-term implementation.

Thank you.

Council Mr.

Thomas.

Council person comes.

Uh thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

I uh join my colleagues in the excitement of this.

Uh I see Bill Kelly in the audience who was harassing us, making sure that we had these letters of support attached to the federal grant.

And so this is a long time coming.

And I think this is also an example of of public services that no matter where it's initiated, we all have a responsibility to pass the baton.

Um and although this project should be completed by 2028, the next iteration of investment on Bisonet will continue after our terms conclude.

And so uh from uh the far west side all the way to the southwest side, Bisonet is will be transformed, which is so critically important because Bisonet has had a narrative for so long, right?

Prostitution, human trafficking, you name it crime.

And slowly but surely in very inmeasurable ways, we can see that transformation, not just from public safety, but also investment in public infrastructure.

I do want to highlight that at Bissinet in Kirkwood, not only are we investing in uh uh safety with this project, but at Bissinet and Kirkwood, the old Dottie Landfield, what was known as Sugar Heel uh golf course has been acquired 140 acres to be reimagined with commercial and residential development.

So at that corridor, we're adding housing, green space detention, adding infrastructure.

TURS 20 expanded their boundaries to make sure that they can support the infrastructure improvements, the drainage improvements along Bisonet for this very reason.

So this is just another example of how all of us are working together, colleagues, government relations, federal partners, local entities to make sure that residents, no matter if they're riding a bike, driving in their car, are walking, getting off the metro bus, that they can get safely home.

And I will just say when we um I had a PSA that I posted announcing the council action today, and there was a pedestrian and uh an older gentleman who uh hit he was moving at the maximum speed, but his mobility was very limited, and the lights, the uh the intersection wasn't even working.

You couldn't you you know, we didn't know when to walk across the street.

Monico and my team had to dart across Bissinet and almost was hit because that's just the gamble that people have to pay at those intersections.

So with these funds, um the sidewalks, the turning lanes, the the lighting, all of that, it will transform.

And so hopefully we don't have to stay at this horseshoe and talk about another hit and run death, but we could talk about how people are increasing mobility at those intersections because of this project.

It's a great day on the West side.

It's a great day in the city of Houston.

Thank you, colleagues, for your support.

Just need a vote.

Thank you.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Motion passed.

Congratulations.

Poor Adams had just arrived.

What number?

During the course of the meeting, items four, five, ten, and thirteen have been received.

Item four is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Is there a motion for item five?

Tech move.

Motion is made and segmented for item five.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Motion passes.

Item 10 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Motion passes.

Item 13 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 Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh first want to start off by thanking Councilmember Thomas uh for attending the New Hope Housing uh ribbon cutting yesterday.

Uh last year in February, we had the groundbreaking.

Uh and I've shared around this horseshoe.

Um I've had the privilege of being on staff for district guide for ten years and working on 9 percent tax credits and specifically senior housing has been a uh very important um initiative.

Uh after Harvey, we were receiving a lot of calls from seniors that were in homes that were unfortunately, you know, had been impacted.

And as we're looking for places for them to move into, uh, we knew that there is about a three-year waiting list for seniors.

And so um District I is going to continue to focus on senior housing.

Uh and we appreciate New Hope Housing uh their partnership.

Um we have another one that will be coming, and my hope is that Mayor, if we could have you attend the the one uh coming up in May of next year, New Hope Housing.

Uh it's in the Magnolia Park area.

It's about 13 units uh there in Magnolia Park and uh just appreciate the work that they're doing.

This facility that was just uh opened up yesterday, got to speak to a couple of the residents.

Um it just reminds me of seniors that have you know been caretakers for such a long time and for them to have their own space now wanting to volunteer at their location as well.

It's it was such a just a great great time to be able to uh make it there uh um eventually.

And so I just want to say uh thank you to New Hope Housing.

I also want to um remind folks uh you've heard a lot about a town hall meeting that the super neighborhood is hosting this evening.

I will be there uh sharing some updates about the George O'Brien expansion, uh some of the impacts that are happening with the tech stop projects as you all know.

Polk is not the only street that is closed.

We have several uh streets east and west coming into downtown that have been closed because of the textile expansion, and so we want to make sure that there's clarity in that.

Um we will be talking about the um the rest of the JRC process with with folks and the MOU, which uh I'll continue to stress that the spirit of the C BA that was shared with me from community is within that MOU, and I want to thank uh you, Mayor, uh you know, Director Mackai and of course Michael Hackman for um willingness to ensure that community have a a voice at the table there as well.

Um and then uh finally I just want to um of course everyone knows that FIFA is is coming next year.

My hope is that uh Houstonians uh really understand uh what is coming.

Uh I I think we hear it uh a lot around the horseshoe, so we we uh expect a large crowd, uh hundreds of thousands of folks.

Um what we're looking at at East Downtown at the FanFest is about 15,000 uh folks coming in on a daily basis for 39 days.

So as we prepare for that, I also want to just share some of the excitement.

Tomorrow is a draw for the FIFA World Cup of 2026.

Uh so if you're available, if you can come out, um we will be able to really wrap our our our hands around uh what the expectations are once we know what countries are coming into the uh Houston area.

So uh excited to be there.

Um and I'm sure many of y'all will be there as well.

But just for Houstonians, uh pay attention, uh root for your team, but also just be prepared as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um recently I received an email from Executive Chief Harden with HPD.

Um I want your attention on this one.

Um in the email it stated that HPD will no longer accept overtime dollars from our office uh for their department.

Now those overtime dollars were dollars that we submitted through our portal that went through your office that was designated for certain overtime initiatives, um, specifically the District J Patrol, which is our community policing model that has DRT officers go and address issues that are submitted by the residents uh in their neighborhoods.

Um issue that are that that happened was we submitted some overtime dollars to HPD, but they used those dollars on activities that you know we didn't approve or or we did not have any agreement upon.

And so based on that, my office reached out uh to be able to get clarity on why our our overtime dollars from CDSF are being used on things that we did not approve.

Now that's that's kind of like if um we give money for sidewalks but public works does speed bumps instead.

Or uh we give money for a playground but parks does a basketball court instead, right?

We should have ultimate say so and where our dollars are going and how they're being utilized when when it's our CDSF dollars that we're providing to the department.

Um the response going forward is that since HPD does not agree with how we are allocating our dollars and what we're allocating our dollars for, they just said we won't even take your dollars anymore, which to me is a detriment to the residents who want more community policing, right?

The whole reason we came up with the District J Patrol is because we knew that HPD was spread thin.

Right.

They're gonna prioritize the high crimes first, the rapes, the assaults, the murders before the junk motor vehicles, the parking on the lawn, uh some of the nuisance violations around the community.

So we came up with this program so that officers would be able to use overtime to solely focus on the neighborhood related quality of life crimes and violations.

And so to use that money for anything other than what we submitted it in the portal for is um I think disrespectful to our office.

And it doesn't really understand that we have a limited amount of dollars.

Right.

We have $500,000 in this discretionary pot to try to make the most of.

And we're trying to do the best that we can with those dollars.

We've been running this program for the past five years.

It is a nationally the other $500,000.

And I think one day could be a citywide model.

So I'm asking you to speak to your chief about ensuring that they accept those overtime dollars.

The officers are benefiting from this overtime program, and the residents are benefiting from this overtime program.

So I don't know why I would get a response over an email saying that we will no longer take overtime dollars from your office.

I don't think any other district office has had to go through that, and every other district office is able to submit whatever money that they want as long as it's legal to be used for that purpose.

And I'm asking for the same.

Thank you.

Next.

Colleagues, um, December 9th, next Tuesday at 10 a.m., an important BFA and economic development committee meeting.

We'll be reviewing the or uh the CIP amendments that were brought forth by Councilmember Ramirez, the transparency, you know, when when projects change, public works projects change.

Um the the amendment from Councilmember Kamen on the budget stabilization fund, um, preparedness for disasters, and the amendment from Councilmember Vice Mayor Pro Tempeck about establishing a work group to look at the CIP process and uh uh you know fair distribution of CIP dollars.

We are gonna take votes at that at that meeting, you know, what for favorable consideration by the full council.

So I'm really encouraged your attendance.

Uh, we'll also be having some important Houston First items, the Houston First Budget, as well as a discussion of of the financing of the expansion and the expenditures on the expansion.

So see you on 10 o'clock Tuesday.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Councilman McCarter.

Thank you.

Uh, just wanted to highlight that we're having a my office is hosting a coat for a cause drive, and it will support the residents at uh or the clients at Harmony House Navigation Center.

So donate men and women's clean, gently used or new coats in the lobby at Annex.

We're also partnering with uh the Houston Fire Department to collect coats for those that are experiencing homeless and coming through the Navigation Center.

Thank you.

Through the 23rd.

Uh can I get an item it just came in?

Council Member Shabbat.

I'm sorry.

We have an item that just came in.

Item came in.

I'm gonna get to it before we recognize you.

Item number nine.

Item number nine is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

So suppose motion passes.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and good morning.

Uh I want to take a moment to spotlight an important opportunity for residents of District D and across our city to help shape Houston's housing future.

The Housing and Community Development Department will host its in-person fall community meeting next Tuesday, December the 9th, from 6 to 8 p.m.

at the third ward multi-service center.

This meeting is more than an update.

It's a true engagement moment.

Residents will have the opportunity to speak directly with the housing and community development department staff, learn about ongoing programs, and most importantly, provide input on how the department should prioritize funding and programming for the year ahead.

Let us continue to stay engaged and strengthen the future of District D and all of Houston.

And residents can learn more by visiting WW.houst.gov slash housing.

I also want to reflect briefly on an important event that took place yesterday at the historic El Dorado Ballroom.

The Diaper Foundation's Changing Lives Luncheon.

This event reminded us that security and stability began with the most basic needs being met for parents and children.

I congratulate this year's honoree Kira Nelson and commend the Diaper Foundation for their continued work to support families, uplift parents, and promote dignity through access to vital resources.

I don't think people really realize that it's needs such as diapers that are not being met, you know, through SNAP through any other uh means.

And so sometimes these parents don't have diapers for their children, and they even provide diapers for the elderly uh for incontinence.

And so I'm gonna make a I did make a donation, and I think I'm gonna make it a recurring donation uh to do that because it's so very important, and it's something that people don't really think about when they think about the needs of parents.

Um certainly I want to uh the founder was actually one of my students uh when I taught middle school.

Uh her name is is Hope, and she is providing hope for some of these parents.

So I thought I think that's so significant as well.

And finally, I want to share our upcoming milestone for District D.

On Tuesday, December the 9th, from 10 a.m.

to 12 noon.

I will join the Volunteers of America, National Services, and Wallap for the groundbreaking of the Wallop Senior Residence Expansion.

Now, Wallop is located at 5120 Scott Street, but the new uh project, the ribbon cutting, will be right behind it on Grant Wood Street, which is 5100 Grant Wood.

This project represents a meaningful investment in senior housing and community stability, and I'm gonna tell you Wallop has been a tremendous resource to our elderly in uh District D.

They offer uh clean and sustainable housing uh at reasonable cost, and certainly this expansion is going to be welcome.

There they will be one bedroom units, and I know that I certainly appreciate being able to house our elderly in a safe uh environment.

And this project represents a meaningful investment in senior housing and community stability, and I look forward to celebrating the start of this important development for our district.

And that concludes what is going on in the district of destination.

Councilmember uh Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

On Tuesday, December the 9th, my office will host a meeting around the Flores Library Improvements uh with Tours 23 and the Houston Public Library System.

This will be at 5 30 p.m.

It will be at Flores Library 110 North Milby in the meeting room.

And these are uh for some potential improvements that are um in the TURS budget that we're proposing and and are seeking uh some feedback and input on from the neighborhood.

So that will be next Tuesday, 5 30 p.m.

at the Flores Library.

Yesterday I was able to join a group um brought together by the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the PJM Foundation to talk about AI in Houston and what that looks like in our landscape.

Um there were a lot of folks in the room, including Councilmember Alcorn that were from government, philanthropy, business, education, and community voices.

Um we have uh an opportunity here to really be a leader in this field, as we have had opportunities to and and have been leaders in a lot of other fields throughout the city.

And it was a good step forward in learning how other foundation and and philanthropic entities can get involved in this space, and the city can also play a role in this as well, and we should.

Um there are so many ways that that technology can impact how we govern and how we engage with our residents.

Um, but we have to take advantage of that.

We have to initiate it and make it a priority, uh, which is something that I'm gonna continue to do, but would also encourage folks to uh learn more about and get involved in because it can really transform in a positive way the way that we do our business here at the City of Houston.

I also want to encourage everyone to get out and vote for our special election that is underway at the moment.

Um you can early vote now through December 9th.

Election day is Saturday, December 13th.

It's uh a very important runoff election.

And uh you can go to Harrisvotes.com if you need more information on where to do that.

The Irvington Patent roundabout is currently under construction and will be converted to a traffic light.

Um this started yesterday, and uh you can already see the equipment out there.

I have gotten uh a number of my questions answered around this project.

Uh mayor, I am still waiting on one piece of information around um the grant dollars that were used for the roundabout and what is happening with that now that is turning into a traffic light, so I would appreciate some help in getting that information.

And also um, you know, I think this speaks to Councilmember Ramirez's amendments around us being able to have this uh knowledge and information because we are we are getting questions from constituents and as we look at dollars and how they are spent and what was spent versus what we're spending now.

Uh these are things we need to be able to communicate to folks and fully understand as well.

So uh look forward to that budget meeting when we when we talk about those.

Thank you.

Very good.

Thank you.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Flickr.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um this weekend Saturday, we've got the electronic recycling at the Kingwood Metro Park and Ride.

Starts at 9 o'clock, lasts until the trucks are full or 3 o'clock, whichever comes first.

Uh also on Saturday, uh I've got uh several of the uh trails associations that uh are participating in the community matching grants.

Um are going to be having uh some volunteer work done on the mediums this Saturday.

Uh the Hunters Ridge and the Bear Branch Trails Association.

They'll be hosting uh that program, doing some tree planning and that type of thing.

And if you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Chris Block at Chris B G I M at Hotmail.com.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Councilman Kaman.

Yesterday uh I was joined by doctors, community leaders, and countless partners for the launch of the first of its kind firearm injury dashboard, which we're calling at the Houston Health Department Safe Watch Houston.

Uh this has been three years in the making.

Uh those of you that have served uh we served in our first terms together, remember uh the discussions, the debate, and the the hard work that we set out to accomplish.

Uh the dashboard compiles data from our three uh Texas Medical Center, Level 1 trauma centers, uh, Houston Emergency Department visits, HPD reports, 911 and EMS calls, and medical examiner fatality data.

And I just want to spotlight a few of the numbers that we're seeing.

Uh there's a significant reporting gap.

We all pour over HPD crime statistics.

That's part of our job.

But what we've been not seeing is this gap.

Almost 70 percent of all firearm injuries are not actually reported or captured in HPD data.

They're going to the ER.

And now we have this information, and with that data, we can start to implement health-based interventions.

We can focus on zip codes with higher rates of unintentional shootings of children.

And I want to point out that nearly half of all no, sorry, more than half of all unintentional shootings last year were children and young adults under the age of 24.

And it amounted to at least one child a week being rushed to a trauma center uh, which has its own implications.

If a child lives, there's insurmountable medical costs, there's trauma, there's all of this stuff, and we can be preventing it the same way we do with uh car seat safety education, with pool safety, the list goes on.

So we know that this can work, and I really want to thank uh everyone that was in attendance, but at the health department, Director Tran has been incredible prior to that.

Uh Director Williams was an at very avid supporter.

Uh but Camel and Caviar, the IT team in the health department, all of this is going to live and continue to live at the health department under Houstonhealth.org/slash safe watch.

So it is available to everyone.

It is public data that will remain as such, just like we track strokes, just like we track diabetes, just like we track infections in the water.

Uh this is going to be transformative, and it is a blueprint that other cities can model so that we can stem the tide of firearm injuries.

I also want to thank our trauma center partners, Harris Health and Ben Taub, Memorial Herman, Texas Children's, and all of our dashboard partners.

Uh my staff has done an incredible job, especially Anna Smith, and I really want to recognize her for working side by side with me uh to see this through.

So I guess I want to encourage everyone to check out the dashboard, play around with it.

You can use this in your districts.

That is the intent of this.

We want to expand the firearm uh lock and gun safe distributions.

We want to be working with pediatricians.

This is a tool that we know will save lives.

And uh despite how concerning the numbers are that we're seeing, there's now something that we can do about it because it's no longer invisible to us.

Uh on a different note, I wanted to, I know giving Tuesday was yesterday.

Um I hope everyone will step up and help.

Uh I got a call uh from Houston Area Women's Center.

Uh they have over a hundred children in their care.

And during the holidays, they have this beautiful initiative of uh like a Christmas toy shop, and the moms can come in and pick out toys for the kids and the moms can get something too.

They are still in need of toys and support for their holiday efforts.

They have an Amazon wish list.

So I want to encourage if anybody can either contribute funding or go out and purchase some gifts.

This is a plea to the community, a call to the Houston community to make sure that these kids have some joy this holiday season.

So please support where you can with Houston Area Women's Center and the life-saving work that they are doing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to start off by thanking every partner, volunteer, organization, and community member who helped feed constituents this Thanksgiving.

Together we fed more than 14,000 people, which is a powerful reminder that we can accomplish anything if we come together.

And so I want to give a spatial special thanks to all the organizations destined for empowerment, community work CDC, Grace International Church, Meet the Streets, Greenhouse International Church, Chox Woods Church of Christ, Willing Workers, Forest Lawn, MBC, Reconnect Church, the Opportunity Center, New Beginning Church, Supernatural, Fifth Level, Peasant Vale Baptist Church, Peasant Hill Baptist Church, and many, many others.

Just want to thank them just for the collaboration.

We say we were going to feed 10,000 people, and it was 14,000.

So I'm looking forward to next year.

Maybe we can get up to 20,000 people.

But if we work together, we can do anything.

Thank you.

Oh, and then last but not least, I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to the Mr.

Herbert Mitchell's family.

Representative Safrania Thomas, that's his right that was her right hand.

His service will be on Friday at the at what Brooks Brookside Memorial, located at 13, 747 East Techs Freeway.

The service, the viewing is at 12 p.m.

and the funeral is at 2 p.m.

Again, Falcon Press to his family.

Thank you.

Council Person Hoffman.

I'll pass.

Thank you.

Councilman Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor.

First, I want to thank Council Members Alcorn and Castillo for highlighting the Budget and Finance Committee meeting, which will be held next week, at which we'll take up some transparency amendments.

I encourage all my colleagues to be there and for uh residents to tune in or come by and offer comment.

Second, I wanted to address uh continued um controversies surrounding HPD's um cooperation with ICE.

We have heard a lot of folks come down and offer public comment.

Um there's a lot of compassion felt by members of the community and members of council at the situation and and what is going on.

And a lot of people have called on City Council and the mayor to just stop cooperating with ICE and not have any contact.

Not much of the discussion has touched on our legal obligations under state law, and I wanted to touch on that.

I touched on it a couple of weeks ago and referred to Senate Bill 4, which was passed by the legislature in 2017 and has been upheld by Federal Court.

I think that many members of this council understand that there is a hierarchy of laws in our country.

You know, at the top you have the U.S.

Constitution and Federal laws, which include Presidential Executive Orders and Federal regulations promulgated by Federal agencies.

Then below that you have the State Constitution and State laws.

And farther below that, sort of at the bottom, you have uh city governments and city council and ordinances.

The city is a political subdivision of the State of Texas.

The only reason the offices of mayor and city council member exist is because state law allows us to exist.

And so everything we we do has to conform or at least not conflict with state law.

And that is what prevents the city from having being able to do some of the things uh residents may want us to do as it relates to HPD's cooperation with ICE.

Senate Bill 4, which was passed and signed by the governor, was challenged in court by the City of Houston and many other cities in Texas.

And uh the case made its way to the Fifth Circuit U.S.

Court of Appeals, and it was upheld.

So it remains the law in the state, and our city government must follow it.

And so I wanted to touch on a little bit about what that law said, and it's codified now in Texas government code, subchapters, subchapter C in Section 75 2.053.

And what it says is a local entity, meaning a city may not adopt enforce or endorse a policy that prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of immigration laws, nor can we by pattern or practice prohibit or materially limit the enforcement of immigration laws.

And we cannot intentionally violate those limitations.

If we do, we are subject to being removed from office.

The law specifically states that the Attorney General can file a lawsuit to remove any elected official from office who intentionally violates Senate Bill 4.

And again, this was upheld by the Fifth Circuit.

So when people say HPD should not have any cooperation with ICE, that is simply not possible under state law.

And to enact a policy or an ordinance to say otherwise would violate state law.

Now you may ask what, if anything, can the city do?

Are there is there any wiggle room under Senate Bill 4?

And there is a little bit, perhaps, as it relates to officers operating at a place of worship.

But it is very limited.

Exception.

And we may ask, has HPD operated at all at any place of worship and then had contact with ICE.

I doubt that has occurred or if it has occurred, that it's been very extensive.

But I think if as we go forward, we need to be mindful of our obligations under the law.

I have heard that there is a council-sponsored initiative floating around out there.

I haven't seen it, nor have I talked to any colleagues who have seen it.

But there have been news reports about it.

Our city attorney has apparently seen it in weighed in and come to the conclusion that that particular proposal cannot legally be implemented.

And so I would just encourage colleagues and residents to become informed on what the city can do to address what's going on.

And the answer is at this table at least not much.

Last time I spoke on this a couple weeks ago, I encouraged folks to get out and vote in their congressional races.

That's where Federal laws are made.

Not at this table.

We cannot pass or change immigration law here.

And as I've explained, we're limited by laws passed by the State Legislature.

Thank you.

Councilmember Thomas.

Okay.

I needed some time.

I got a question.

Okay.

I want to talk about trash.

Mayor, thank you for bringing the um update that we're going to hire private contractors that are going to start out on the Southwest side.

I appreciate that.

I just want to bump up to residents.

We've escalated over 400 cases by subdivision to solid waste regarding delays, but I really want to speak to our HOAs during this time.

Please do not issue citations to homeowners that have heavy trash outside of their doors.

Yes, this is an issue, and we have received uh inquiries from residents asking for assistance.

This is uh to no fault of their own.

So please allow the City Department solid waste, the courtesy and the time to self-correct, remove the heavy waste.

Um, because as the heavy waste accumulates, also illegal dumping and construction waste has now accumulated at those sites.

So we're asking you to just pause on that.

This is not their fault and allow us to self-correct and cure that so we can get back on schedule.

So that's number one.

Um and if there's formal communication, additional formal communication that needs to come from my office, we will do so.

We shared this in the newsletter on Friday.

Um, I want to highlight some environmental issues that were shared in Friday's newsletter in District F.

I want to first thank the Houston Public Works Water Department since day one.

They routinely issue uh water reports on chromium six in District F.

We have um that has been a known issue over decades, and we have um uh consistently shared those reports.

I will have to host a community meeting and come back to you about the issues of chromium six and how that's fluctuating within our zip codes.

But we have worked on this for years together, and so um look forward for an update on that.

But the uh reports in the newsletter, and it's also on our district F micro site with the city, so you can look at that report and see how the um the levels have changed within your zip code.

Number two, I want to highlight that we are one step closer to installing air quality monitors in District F off of West Park and Woolcrest.

We have a concrete batch plan.

And a lot of attention is you know typically given to the North Side or the East End around uh you know environmental concerns, but we have them on the West side as well.

Um my office has sponsored uh uh three air quality monitors with the Houston Health Department.

We're working to install them at various installation, install various intersections.

Uh Judson Robinson, West Chase Library on Willcrest, Willcrest in West Park, and Harwin in Willcrest, and we'll provide you routine updates around the quality of your air.

Um I mentioned earlier uh uh on the Bissinet Safe Streets project about Bissinet and Kirkwood and talked about the old Dottie Landfield and Sugar Heel Golf Course.

Um there have been extensive TCEQ uh regulations and improvements and requirements on that property to cure so we can move forward on commercial and residential development.

I'm having a briefing with the developer and the attorney in a couple of weeks.

Look forward to providing some updates on uh on that 140 acre development site because I believe that um we have an obligation to reimagine locations where we were not good neighbors, we can fix it and then offer that public prop that property back to community that's that will serve a purpose.

So I want to highlight those are uh environmental issues and and topics that we're working on on the West side, and I'll need your participation with community input and surveys in in the future.

Uh I also mentioned last weekend in the newsletter uh dangerous buildings that are scheduled for demolition.

We have six in District F that are in the queue from legal status all the way to abatement prep in terms of removing those structures.

I do believe that there is a backlog list, and we are working um in my office with City Legal and Public Works and the Department of Neighborhoods to identify the dangerous buildings that are in in the queue that have not yet been assessed so we can provide accurate information so we can continue to remove blight in your uh neighborhood.

I also want to close with uh on Friday, you know, we've been talking a lot about homelessness, and on Friday, December 5th, I'm hosting a small round table with community stakeholders on the west side so we can co-create our response to homelessness, um, so when we can be prepared for an opportunity when it's time for us to have a some type of front door facility to welcome those who are unhoused so we can get them processed either for housing or mental support or workforce readiness.

And so I look forward to coming back to you with our co-created plan.

Um, and I know I was in support of 419 emancipation with the idea and the intent that when it's time for the West Side to address our homeless encampments, the eight to ten that are identified, we'll be able to move with community engagement built in on the front end.

So I I I I want to come back with some uh priorities around that, and where we can have community and mayor and department and colleagues hopefully can have your support.

So as we're looking for expanding these front doors throughout the city of Houston, the West Side will be included in that.

Um, if my office can be of any uh support or additional resource, please don't hesitate to reach out at District F at Houston TX.gov.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I also wanted to mention about heavy trash collection.

I appreciate um you hiring the contractors to help with collections.

Um I know that um we have some great changes in the works in the Solid Waste Department, but just wanted to make sure that while we're working those changes out, that in the future, in times when we know that collections might be a problem during holidays, that we proactively hire the contractors because now we're at the point where a lot of neighborhoods in District A and throughout the city have not been collected for over two months.

So but I do appreciate hiring the contractors, and I know that will help a lot in the neighborhoods.

Um another note, um, we have some firefighters who were injured recently, and um a few police officers as well that were assaulted in the line of duty, and just wanted to thank all of our first responders and let them know that they are in my thoughts and appreciate everything that they do.

Thank you.

That's it.

We stand adjourned.