Houston City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026
Houston City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026
The Houston City Council met on February 3, 2026, to consider several proclamations, hear public comments on immigration enforcement and public safety, discuss financial reports and overtime spending, and vote on numerous agenda items.
Proclamations
- Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex Tatum presented a proclamation to Damian Walker of Cognitive Justice International (CJI), recognizing their youth development work in schools. CJI reached over 2,000 individuals in 2025. February 3, 2026, was proclaimed CJI Day in Houston.
- Councilmember Abby Kamen presented a proclamation to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for its 160th anniversary, highlighting its history as Houston's first African American Baptist church. February 3, 2026, was proclaimed Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Day.
- Councilmember Martinez presented a proclamation for the Nuestro Ambiente Latino Shaping Houston exhibition, celebrating Latino contributions to architecture and culture. February 3, 2026, was proclaimed Ambiente Day.
- Councilmember Carter presented a proclamation for the Real Abilities Houston Film and Arts Festival 2026, a month-long celebration promoting inclusion of people with disabilities. The festival opened that day with the film "Deaf President Now" at River Oaks Theater.
Consent Calendar
- Routine approvals and unanimous actions, including acceptance of work items, purchasing, and ordinances, were adopted en bloc with several items removed for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Immigration Enforcement: Multiple speakers opposed city collaboration with ICE, citing fear, trauma, and incidents of violence by ICE agents. Hadley Hollingsworth, Matthew Banzer, Emma French, Grace Kesterson, Christine Wardwell, Sandra Burnett, and Keith Porter Sr. (whose son was killed by an off-duty ICE agent) urged the council to limit cooperation with ICE, require judicial warrants, and increase transparency. Mayor Whitmire and several councilmembers expressed condolences and committed to follow-up.
- Public Safety and Traffic Stops: The RISE Coalition (Christopher Rivera, Alfredo Dominguez, Kristen Budwine, Selena Bray) presented data on racial disparities in non-safety traffic stops and proposed an ordinance to prohibit HPD from initiating stops for secondary violations. They argued that such stops waste resources, yield little contraband, and disproportionately affect Black and brown drivers. Councilmembers Pollard and Thomas supported exploring the ordinance; Councilmember Ramirez raised concerns about conflict with state law. Speakers also called for strengthening event safety ordinances after the death of Corey Young (Danetta Hill and Ray Woods).
- Infrastructure and Housing: Rodney Underwood recommended eliminating parking minimums and reducing speed limits. Ruben Garza advocated for eliminating minimum parking requirements and implementing dynamic pricing. Michael Bastian requested relief from a lien on his property due to a squatter dispute. Crystal Rodriguez requested reconsideration of a plat approval over drainage concerns. John Nix requested better sidewalks, bus stops, and communal water heater regulation.
- Other: Derek Shaw requested city recognition for volunteer cleanup efforts. Ryan Schornberg complained about lack of police investigation and body camera footage. Sandra Allen requested release of her son under the Sandra Bland Act. Several religious speakers addressed the council.
Discussion Items
- Financial Report and Overtime: Finance Director Dabowski and Controller Hollins presented the monthly financial report for December 2025. The general fund is projecting a $41.9 million revenue shortfall and a fund balance of $353.5 million (Finance) or $336 million (Controller). Overtime spending is significantly over budget: police (89% over), fire (87% over), and solid waste (70% over), totaling an estimated $54 million over budget. Councilmembers debated the accuracy of budget assumptions and the need for better planning. Some praised operational changes by department heads; others called for more aggressive cost control and a garbage fee. The council accepted the report.
- Traffic Stop Ordinance Proposal: The RISE Coalition detailed a proposed ordinance to deprioritize non-safety traffic stops. Legal arguments were presented that the city has authority to regulate traffic enforcement. Councilmember Ramirez questioned potential conflict with state law; Councilmember Pollard noted the difference from the previous quota ordinance. No vote was taken; further discussion expected.
- Civilian Oversight and Enforcement: Councilmembers discussed campaign finance enforcement (related to item 5) and apartment inspection reform. Councilmember Thomas announced upcoming community meetings on apartment inspection reform.
Key Outcomes
- Proclamations were unanimously approved.
- Consent calendar items (2,3,4,8-11,13,15,18,19,20,21,23) were approved en bloc.
- Items removed for separate consideration: Item 1 (West Timer corridor work) approved with discussion about repeated road work; Item 4 (Sheldon City wastewater) approved; Item 5 (campaign finance management tool) approved with praise for modernization; Item 6 (data analysis platform for HPD) approved with clarification it is not related to ShotSpotter; Item 14 (telecommunications lease) approved; Item 16 (winter storm home repair program contractors) approved; Item 17 (library contract amendment) approved; Item 22 (engineering services) approved; Item 24 (Trinity River Conveyance project funding) approved, with request for committee hearing.
- The meeting adjourned in honor of retired HPD officer Janelle Scott, one of the first Black women in the police academy.
Meeting Transcript
The Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Martha Castex Tatum for a proclamation to Cognitive Justice Damian Walker in recognition of their youth development in schools. Thank you, Councilmember. Mayor and Council today I'm very excited to present this proclamation to Damian Walker. He is the director of cognitive justice. He's a voice of hope. We're very excited that he and his team have joined us today. And the proclamation reads whereas Cognitive Justice International is a Houston-based nonprofit at advancing cognitive justice. The belief that all forms of actionable knowledge, especially those rooted in lived experiences, indigenous traditions, and community wisdom deserve respect, recognition, and the power to shape our systems. And whereas in 2025 alone, CJI reached over 2,000 individuals in the Greater Houston area through workshops such as Opportunity Center Entrepreneur Workshop and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Peace workshops, youth development programs, and initiatives focused on voting rights, empowerment, and restorative justice. And whereas CJI's work is anchored in three core commitments epistemic transformation, challenging dominant narratives by uplifting the knowledge of directly impacted communities, interpreting cycles of harm, providing healing-centered alternatives and systems shaped by violence and restorative education and dignity, designing educational experiences that restore civic power, resilience, and human dignity. And whereas the City of Houston appreciates the work of Cognitive Justice International in serving marginalized communities, providing tools for empowerment, and advancing the concept of cognitive justice. Mr. Walker, welcome to your city hall. You know, it I'm I'm always impressed when I get to meet people that are going about making this a great city. And we really don't get to experience your mission until you're brought before council. So maybe part of that's my fault, but it's also I think because you're out there doing the job and not looking for publicity or notoriety. So today's the purpose is to bring you to your team to City Hall, and thank you for keeping these young people busy. Yes, sir. Sounds to me like you're keeping them really occupied. So this is kind of your day in the city of Houston. We look forward to hearing from you. And therefore, our John Whitmeyer, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaimed February 3, 2026, the CJI Day in the City of Houston. Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. I want to thank Mayor Pro Tem and also the Mayor, um, John Whitmeyer and Ms. Tatum for allowing cognitive justice to have this opportunity, but also allowing community. Um we all serve a community. Everybody that you see here, some of you have seen me before. Um my story is unique. I know your good friend Albert Yancey. Um I was a kid that was certified as an adult back in 1993. I've been home 15 years after 17 year sentence. And so my purpose is to not only serve community but uplift others who don't have the chance that I have. I'm a graduate of a University of Houston, and I'm also working on my doctoral program. So we have members here as part of our team and my family, but our goal is to make sure that those in community understand that they have a voice and that we can allow them to understand what public safety is for their community. Because as you guys know, you can't call South Park Sunnyside. You can't call Eggers Home Trinity Garden. So because we understand community, we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be recognized for the work that we do, and I also thank the team and the many people around Houston that have came and helped with this work as well. And let me add that you're living proof that second chance works. Yes, sir. And our mutual friend Albert Yancey spent 27 years in TDCJ due to a 17-year-old drive-by shooting. And so now he, like you are out mentoring our young people. So what a great lesson for all of us. Thank you for being here. Councilmember. Mr. Mr. Walker, Councilmember Cassick Tatum. Mr. Walker, would you like to introduce your family?
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