OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Houston City Council Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyHouston, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:18:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

I'm going to ask the Mayor Pro Tim to preside.

0:19

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation to Unite it against Human Trafficking Coalition in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

0:30

Councilmember Martinez.

0:32

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

0:33

Thank you, Mayor.

0:34

Colleagues, if I can have Tamika Walker and Titus Benton, they can both.

0:42

And they're with United Against Human Trafficking.

0:45

Before I get started on some human remarks, I just uh full disclosure, uh, one of my former bosses is up here.

0:51

Uh is Tamika Walker when I was a young 21, 22, 23 year old uh doing youth programming.

0:57

She was she really like poured a lot into me, so I definitely have to recognize you a point of personal privilege to say thank you.

1:05

Um so uh human trafficking is happening as we all know in our neighborhoods online and even within our school systems.

1:13

As we get closer to FIFA, uh, which we're all expecting to have uh a great time, but I think it's also important that we act now to strengthen our city before the challenges get ahead of us.

1:22

As leaders, we must continue to do our part to provide resources, make sure our constituents are informed and offer support through essential services.

1:30

Uh today I'm proud to recognize United Against Human Trafficking Coalition for their critical work supporting survivors.

1:38

They deliver education and prevention programs aimed at protecting our vulnerable uh populations, particularly Houston's youth from exploitation.

1:47

And this proclamation is a call to action for all of us to stay vigilant, informed, and united in the fight against human trafficking.

1:55

Um before I start the proclamation, I just want to remind my colleagues.

1:58

Uh I know some of y'all were down uh stairs at the legacy room just a bit before uh public session, but uh Department of Neighborhoods, which I want to say thank you to, uh, is hosting a uh a reception after the proclamation, so please uh stop by um after public session.

2:14

And so whereas human trafficking is profound is a profound violation of human rights that jeopardizes the safety and dignity of individuals across the globe, including the United States, where victims of all ages, backgrounds, and vulnerabilities are affected.

2:29

And whereas Houston is home to a network of dedicated organizations, including law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups, and service providers that work collaboratively to combat human trafficking by increasing awareness, delivering compassionate and trauma-informed care for to survivors, and holding offenders accountable.

2:48

And whereas throughout January 2026, Houston will host events and initiatives that foster a more informed and engaged and unified community working together to prevent human trafficking and enhance public safety.

3:01

Mayor.

3:03

Thank you, Councilmember Martinez, and uh thank you for bringing these heroes so we can recognize your good deeds.

3:10

Uh you know, we can pass a lot of legislation.

3:14

I've been involved in enhancement of penalties.

3:18

Uh no traffic zones.

3:22

We can put notices in our airports, our ballparks.

3:26

I think we need to focus on the FIFA World Cup games.

3:31

There's just a lot of work to do.

3:33

But all the laws will not be effective if we do not have you and your organization on the ground.

3:41

So thank you for collaborating with us and uh let us know what we can do at the city.

3:47

Therefore, uh John Whitmeyer, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim January 2026 is human trafficking awareness month in Houston, Texas.

3:58

Congratulations.

4:07

Councilman, thank you, Mr.

4:09

Mayor, thank you to the whole council.

4:11

Uh we appreciate so much your support, not just this year, but for many years now.

4:16

Lots of familiar faces, smiling faces every year, so we're very appreciative of that.

4:21

Before uh our CEO, Tamika Walker shares a few words.

4:26

Uh we did uh just speak to the collaborative effort that this takes.

4:31

And this is not a proclamation uh that is in honor of our organization, but our coalition.

4:38

And many members of that coalition are present here today, and I just wanted them to be recognized as well.

4:45

So if you all would please stand.

5:00

Uh dozen or so organizations represented here today working together year-round to combat this issue and the councilman's uh point recently uh actively working together on uh the World Cup uh coming up in July.

5:11

Uh we got a meeting about that in just a couple weeks.

5:13

So we'll continue the good work, but we continue we continue to appreciate your partnership as well.

5:19

And with that, uh I want to introduce you to our CEO, Tamika Walker.

5:24

Can I have one more time?

5:28

Oh wow, thank you, and Mayor, Mayor, thank you so much just for your love and support.

5:32

I appreciate you.

5:33

It means the world to us to be able to be here to stand before you uh in a in a very humble place as leader of the organization for almost 11 years.

5:41

We've seen a lot.

5:42

Uh and I think the biggest piece that has helped us as an organization is to have the support uh from the many mayors and also making sure that the council members understand that you too can have an impact on this issue in the city.

5:55

I think that for uh our survivors of human trafficking, knowing that folks are gonna always be advocates for them, that people are gonna always elevate their voices is critical to the movement.

6:06

We made a lot of beautiful strides over the past 20 years as an organization.

6:10

But I think the the what mark what I'm so proud of is the fact that we continue to unify the community.

6:15

Uh leading the coalition has been a blessing for an organization we started as a coalition, right?

6:20

And so having to work day in and day out to make sure we all stay on one accord to really elevate the voice of survivors has been key to our success as an organization.

6:29

So know that we love and appreciate you.

6:31

We're grateful for all that you do for the city, each and every one of you.

6:35

But as you think about what how you can best serve the community, think about how you can get engaged in your districts and really elevate the conversation around human trafficking.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Human Trafficking Awareness█████5%
Procedural█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Immigration████4%
Infrastructure████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Houston City Council Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026

The January 13, 2026, meeting of the Houston City Council began with ceremonial proceedings, including a proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month and a legislative report on state funding. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to Public Comments regarding ICE operations, property issues, and public safety, followed by Council Members' reports highlighting ongoing infrastructure and community projects. The Council approved routine legislative items but paused specific contracts and grants for further legal review to ensure compliance and transparency.

Consent Calendar

  • Proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Recognized the United Against Human Trafficking Coalition; Councilmember Martinez expressed full support for their work, and Mayor Pro Tem Tim acknowledged the collaborative effort with the organization's CEO, Tamika Walker.
  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the January 6th and 7th meetings were approved unanimously upon motion by Castex Tatum.
  • Routine Appointments: Dr. Anthony Mays was appointed as I.S.D. Superintendent; Jay Shawnee was reappointed to the International Management District (supported by Councilmember Thomas).
  • Various Ordinances and Resolutions: Approved items regarding park acquisitions, utility district land additions, lift station rehabilitation projects, drainage improvements (Turkey Gully), and safety improvements on Wall Drive and Highway 6.
  • HUD Grant Approval: Item 41 regarding the Turkey Gully Drainage and Paving Project was approved despite the Mayor's earlier concerns about the item. (Note: Item 41 was approved; Item 47 was pulled).*

Public Comments & Testimony

  • ICE and Policing Concerns:
    • Isidro Garza, Randall Callanan, Stephen Alvarez, and UA Lewis expressed strong opposition to perceived police cooperation with ICE, citing fears generated in the community and referencing the killing of Ms. Good in Minneapolis. They argued that Houston Police Department (HPD) should investigate alleged crimes committed by ICE agents, including official oppression and assault, rather than just cooperating.
    • Diane Guzman (President, AB Almos East End Council 22503) pleaded with the Council to address the terroristic fear affecting the Latino community, noting lost attendance in after-school programs due to deportation fears and personal fear of being stopped due to her appearance.
    • Councilmember Martinez responded to these comments, expressing that conversations with the Mayor and staff are ongoing to prevent harm and build trust with HPD, particularly in undocumented communities.
  • Infrastructure and Property Issues:
    • Dominique Mazat discussed the sovereignty implications of the Harris County taking maintenance of Moody Park for the World Cup and called for public hearings on future events.
    • Clevins Janot requested assistance regarding rusty water at Fonday Park and noise complaints against BNSF.
    • Bill Kelly (First Ward Civic Club Secretary) advocated for the installation of stop signs at Crockett Street and Silver Street to protect pedestrians near Crockett Elementary, citing recent near-miss accidents during bridge closures.
    • Roland Curry reported patterns of unlawful entry and police inaction in his home, alleging service inequities based on zip code, and shared a personal experience of being detained due to racial profiling despite carrying a passport.
    • Crystal Rodriguez complained about harassment by apartment inspectors and caseworkers regarding a former homeless individual, alleging privacy invasions and incorrect eviction notices.
    • Tremel Kokoy (Pronto Shipping and Storage) appealed for help with illegal dumping and drug activity at a South Park gas station, reporting that the property owner has been indicted for tax fraud.
    • Lee Perry (veteran) requested HPD investigation into a real estate fraud scheme, claiming the court system has classified the issue as criminal and noting that the company paid back two years of funds after demand letters.
    • Brenda Rodriguez presented concerns regarding property encroachment and fraudulent tax sale attempts near Independence Heights and her family's deed to the church.
  • Mental Health and Citizenship: Ashton Pope provided positive feedback on the outpatient competency restoration program but called for Massachusetts-style procedural safeguards for involuntary hospitalization in Houston. She also questioned public figures regarding constitutional residency requirements for the President.
  • Personal Remarks: Illy Montoya Reeves addressed past conflicts with Councilmembers, asserting her status as a U.S. citizen and veteran. Jacob Newsom thanked City employees (Mr. Van and Ms. Wilson) for their proactive problem-solving. Jacob Clementich requested assistance with travel to Austin and made personal remarks about Councilmembers' families.

Discussion Items

  • Legislative Report: Representative Armando Wally reported on the Texas Legislature session, highlighting a record 260 million dollars in state funding for the City of Houston, including 200 police cars, park improvements ($17 million for 12 parks), water infrastructure ($215 million), and rail safety measures. Wally expressed strong support for collaborative budgeting despite political differences.
  • City-County Park Agreements:
    • Commissioner Adrian Garcia detailed the transfer of maintenance for Moody Park (35 acres) and Keith Weiss Park (75 acres) to Harris County Precinct 2. Councilmembers Castillo, Davis, and Martinez expressed full support for the partnership, citing the historical significance of the parks and the financial benefit (saving the city maintenance costs while ensuring county-funded improvements).
    • Garcia emphasized that the county's commitment includes not just maintenance but significant capital improvements to make the parks destination-level facilities, coinciding with World Cup soccer field additions.
  • Healthcare and Herman Park: Commissioner Garcia and Councilmember Shabazz discussed the need for further public engagement regarding the proposed Ben Taub Hospital expansion and potential condemnation of parts of Herman Park. Garcia promised that the public would have a seat at the table before any final decisions.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 34 and 35 Passed: Ordinances consenting to the transfer of Moody Park and Keith Weiss Park maintenance to Harris County Precinct 2 were approved unanimously.
  • Item 11 and 24 Pulled: The Mayor moved to pull Item 11 (contract with Arturo Neary/retainerage) and Item 24 (settlement payment) for further legal review due to concerns regarding liability, HUD compliance, and the presence of the vendor. Councilmembers Salinas, Cayman, and Castillo supported this delay to ensure public integrity.
  • Item 36 Tagged: Councilmember Cayman requested further clarification from City Attorney regarding DOJ grant language on citizenship information exchange, leading to a motion to reconsider the item.
  • Item 19 and 25 Passed: Ordinance 19 (increasing affordability in CHOTO/choto program) and Ordinance 25 (renovations for McNodia Multiservice Center) were approved unanimously.
  • Unitary MLK Parade Approved: In the Mayor's Report, the decision to combine the historically separate African American Anglo parades into one Unity Parade for Martin Luther King Jr. Day was confirmed and supported by Mayor Whitmeyer, Charles Stamps, and Councilmembers Davis, Carter, and Shabazz. The combined parade is expected to exceed 400,000 attendees.
  • Texans Playoff Support: Council members expressed strong support for the Houston Texans heading into the playoff game against New England, emphasizing the event's role in uniting the city.
  • TURS Funding: Several items related to Texas Urban Renewal and Suburban (TURS) funding were approved, including the allocation of funds for the Downtown Edo Cat Park (estimated $150 million total project) and Main Street 2.0 improvements.
  • Safety and Infrastructure: Council members highlighted ongoing work on the Turkey Gully drainage project (Item 41), ditch rehabilitation in District C, and the need to address violent crime on Metro buses (referencing recent incidents).
  • Community Engagement: Multiple Town Halls for District H, District D, and Super Neighborhood 40 were announced, along with a community worship service for the King Holiday.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after brief discussions on police overtime funding disputes and the future of the Unity Parade.

Meeting Transcript

I'm going to ask the Mayor Pro Tim to preside. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation to Unite it against Human Trafficking Coalition in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Councilmember Martinez. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. Thank you, Mayor. Colleagues, if I can have Tamika Walker and Titus Benton, they can both. And they're with United Against Human Trafficking. Before I get started on some human remarks, I just uh full disclosure, uh, one of my former bosses is up here. Uh is Tamika Walker when I was a young 21, 22, 23 year old uh doing youth programming. She was she really like poured a lot into me, so I definitely have to recognize you a point of personal privilege to say thank you. Um so uh human trafficking is happening as we all know in our neighborhoods online and even within our school systems. As we get closer to FIFA, uh, which we're all expecting to have uh a great time, but I think it's also important that we act now to strengthen our city before the challenges get ahead of us. As leaders, we must continue to do our part to provide resources, make sure our constituents are informed and offer support through essential services. Uh today I'm proud to recognize United Against Human Trafficking Coalition for their critical work supporting survivors. They deliver education and prevention programs aimed at protecting our vulnerable uh populations, particularly Houston's youth from exploitation. And this proclamation is a call to action for all of us to stay vigilant, informed, and united in the fight against human trafficking. Um before I start the proclamation, I just want to remind my colleagues. Uh I know some of y'all were down uh stairs at the legacy room just a bit before uh public session, but uh Department of Neighborhoods, which I want to say thank you to, uh, is hosting a uh a reception after the proclamation, so please uh stop by um after public session. And so whereas human trafficking is profound is a profound violation of human rights that jeopardizes the safety and dignity of individuals across the globe, including the United States, where victims of all ages, backgrounds, and vulnerabilities are affected. And whereas Houston is home to a network of dedicated organizations, including law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups, and service providers that work collaboratively to combat human trafficking by increasing awareness, delivering compassionate and trauma-informed care for to survivors, and holding offenders accountable. And whereas throughout January 2026, Houston will host events and initiatives that foster a more informed and engaged and unified community working together to prevent human trafficking and enhance public safety. Mayor. Thank you, Councilmember Martinez, and uh thank you for bringing these heroes so we can recognize your good deeds. Uh you know, we can pass a lot of legislation. I've been involved in enhancement of penalties. Uh no traffic zones. We can put notices in our airports, our ballparks. I think we need to focus on the FIFA World Cup games. There's just a lot of work to do. But all the laws will not be effective if we do not have you and your organization on the ground. So thank you for collaborating with us and uh let us know what we can do at the city. Therefore, uh John Whitmeyer, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim January 2026 is human trafficking awareness month in Houston, Texas. Congratulations. Councilman, thank you, Mr. Mayor, thank you to the whole council. Uh we appreciate so much your support, not just this year, but for many years now. Lots of familiar faces, smiling faces every year, so we're very appreciative of that. Before uh our CEO, Tamika Walker shares a few words. Uh we did uh just speak to the collaborative effort that this takes. And this is not a proclamation uh that is in honor of our organization, but our coalition. And many members of that coalition are present here today, and I just wanted them to be recognized as well. So if you all would please stand. Uh dozen or so organizations represented here today working together year-round to combat this issue and the councilman's uh point recently uh actively working together on uh the World Cup uh coming up in July. Uh we got a meeting about that in just a couple weeks. So we'll continue the good work, but we continue we continue to appreciate your partnership as well. And with that, uh I want to introduce you to our CEO, Tamika Walker. Can I have one more time? Oh wow, thank you, and Mayor, Mayor, thank you so much just for your love and support. I appreciate you. It means the world to us to be able to be here to stand before you uh in a in a very humble place as leader of the organization for almost 11 years.

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