Mayor Pro Tim to preside the chair recognizes Councilmember Castillo for a proclamation to Friends of Bark for saving animal lives.

Colleagues, today, as we continue to celebrate Love Your Pet Month in District H, we are recognizing Friends of Bark, which is a group that supports a lot of efforts at Bark, and we know Bark, they continue to do so much across our city for our animals with limited resources.

We saw what they did during the freeze, uh, rescuing animals, getting them off of the street before freezing weather hit.

Um and they have support from Friends of Bark in their efforts, and Friends of Bark has been a tremendous partner.

They have contributed to a lot of success, and so today we are going to honor them with a proclamation.

Whereas Friends of Bark, a nonprofit 501c3 organization composed of dedicated volunteers, has served as an essential partner to Bark, the City of Houston's animal shelter and adoption center by supporting life-saving efforts in advancing the well-being of Houston's homeless pets, and whereas Friends of Bark volunteers help connect bark with rescue organizations, fosters and adoptions by creating videos, photographs, and behavior profiles of shelter animals for use in social media and public outreach, increasing the pet's viability and adoptability, and providing potential placement partners with the information they need to welcome these animals into safe and loving homes.

And whereas throughout the past year, Friends of Bark has expanded its support to include sponsoring multiple surgery rally days, allowing Houston residents to access free spay or neuter services at Bark, helping the city reduce unwanted litters, prevent shelter overcrowding, and promote responsible pet ownership.

And whereas Friends of Bark continues to raise critical funds to provide emergency medical care for animals pulled from the shelter, donate essential supplies to shelter and medical staff, and sponsor components of major community events, including Pick Your Pet and Bark Aween, strengthening Bark's outreach and enhancing the experience for participating families.

In observance of Love Your Pet Month, the City of Houston recognizes Friends of Bark for its spirit of volunteerism and compassion and commends its members and volunteers for their ongoing commitment and support.

Thank you, Councilman Castillo.

And I'm listening to you and thinking how many friends we all have that would love to be here.

We probably just are either working at home or did not get the notice, but uh we don't have enough space here in the chamber.

Uh if people wanted to show up to support Bark or certainly uh friends of Bark and Love Your Pet Month.

Most of our friends, including the council member and I love our pet.

Every month.

It's amazing that we're going to designate there, but we won't get in a love contest.

Because it would be pretty strong.

Thank you for what you do.

Thank you to Bark, his leadership.

We all know the tough job you have.

People disagree in our community about how you'd go about caring for our four-legged friends.

Um know the council.

My office is always there.

We do have significant plans going forward for maybe more user-friendly for our community to maybe adopt what's the way what's he what's your dog's name?

Benny.

Benny.

Is Benny part of the family, or you bring him down here to see if somebody will adopt him?

Mayor, I got suckered into this dog.

Choose my dog.

Your dog.

She's a bark.

I know I heard a story of Chief Sadderwatch going talking to you about working with us on the homeless population.

He left with a pet.

Either we're really good salesmen or he's a big old sucker.

Great job.

Therefore, I, John Whitmore, mayor of the city of Houston, here by proclaim February 10th, 2026 is Friends of Bark Day in the City of Houston.

Thank you all for what you do.

Okay.

You want old Benny to come talk to you.

Sorry, daughter.

Okay, first of all, hello, and thank you for having us here.

Um I want to introduce our team.

We have Mike, we have Tim, we have David, we have Rachel, we have Jason, we have a couple people who couldn't be here, and that is Steve.

We have Erica and Dr.

Wittenberg.

Okay.

Um first of all, Mayor Whitmeyer, I'd like to thank you, members of the council, and certainly special thanks to Councilman Castilio for this uh special recognition.

Oh, I'm usually so loud.

Uh Friends of BARC is a 501 C3 that started in 2003.

We are one of the longest running animal welfare groups in the city of Houston.

We have served over eight administrations at BARC.

Our mission is a simple one.

We raise money to help animals.

We help pets in need.

We never say no.

We do whatever needs to happen.

Um we raise this money, and we are all volunteers.

100% donations.

We work the weekends.

We walk, we photograph dogs, we work youthless dogs, we give dogs love, we give dogs confidence, we spend all of the time we can just try to build rapport with the BARC team that we love, and of course, the dogs that need us.

We never say no.

Mike goes to the store every single week and buys kitty food, dog food, laundry detergents, snacks for the BARK employees, snacks for the people coming to visit the people who are coming to look at dogs for bark.

So thank you, Mike, for all of that.

Everybody is cared for and everybody gets treats.

I'll make it speedy.

2013 through 2019, we had a grant and we were able to subsidize a heartworm program that took all of the dogs that had heartworms, paid for it, and saved hundreds of dogs.

We've done and paid for uh two spade and neuter events um this past year, and we're hoping to be able to do more this year.

We want to do one a quarter, and um basically what that will do is stop births and prevent euthanasia going forward.

Um trap spade and neuter and return feral cats to their neighborhoods.

Um we have a six-week obedience program for folks that come to bark and adopt dogs.

This way the family and the dogs stand a chance.

So you see love fests like what's happening over here.

Um and lastly, our our biggest um program is the Trays Foundation, established over 15 years ago.

Um, this foundation was established for a dog that obviously had to have a limb amputated.

We help fosters, we help people, we help rescue groups, we help animals, anything or any emergency situation, over 50k a year for emergencies to subsidize this.

We have so much more work um ahead of us.

We are working on a multitude of programs, but I understand time is relevant.

So I'm just gonna say this in finale.

We are proud to serve the community of Houston.

We are proud to work with BARC.

We hope that you guys, members of council, will continue to support us in these initiatives so that we can continue to do the work we're doing and work on spade and neuter and animal education and people education so that we can make Houston a better place for all of our animals.

So thank you very much, everybody.

We do have Councilmember Martinez in the queue.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

Uh Councilman Castillo, Mary, thank you for highlighting the friends of BARC.

Uh, we understand the work that you're doing is important, vital.

Uh as you mentioned, it's the education, but then also the the services.

Um District I has been uh uh great partner with BART.

Thank you, Jared.

I want to give you a shout out.

Um always answering the calls whenever we do have uh challenges with multiple dogs out in the in the community.

Uh we just want to say uh thank you for lifting them up.

The work continues.

We're here to continue to support you as well.

Thank you.

That's all thank you very much and congratulations.

Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation recognizing Ann Collum for her 20 years of leadership as president of Glenbrook Valley Civic Club.

There you go.

So this is uh a bit special for me.

Um Ann practically raised me as a staffer.

Uh I think she raised several district uh, I think even Councilmember former Councilmember uh James Rodriguez as a staffer.

Um and she's actually my civic club uh president as well, or now former civic club president.

So when we found out that Ann was gonna pull back, um, you know, she's been doing this for over 20 something years, and so to be able to bring up new leadership within our particular neighborhood, uh, quite frankly, it just speaks to uh just what leadership is.

Um I think you always step into these roles when in being asked to serve, but then whenever uh the opportunity comes to identify new folks, it's important to make sure that you lift them up.

And so I wanted to honor Anne uh today in front of uh my colleagues and of course the mayor.

Um so I'll start off reading the proclamation.

No Ann Collum serves as served as the president of Glenbrook Valley Civic Club for 20 years, advocating tirelessly for Glenbrook Valley in Southeast Houston and its residents to do strong partnerships with the City of Houston, County, and state officials, and public agencies.

During her tenure, she led the creation of Glenbrook Valley Historic District, Houston's first historic district outside of Sixth Ten Loop, making it the first post-World War II historic neighborhood in the United States, the largest in Texas, and one of the largest in the nation.

A Glenbrook, a Glenbrook Valley resident since 1972, and kept neighbors informed by writing and publishing a community newsletter for 20 years, reaching more than 1200 homes.

She also has also served as as a longtime board member of the Hobby Area Management District, a former member of the City of Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, and member of the Glenbrook Valley Architectural Review Board.

In January of 2026, Ann retired from her leadership role with the Glenbrook Valley Civic Club in recognition of her extraordinary dedication to the City of Houston.

The City of Houston proudly honor honors Anne Column, whose service exemplifies how one individual can make a lasting and meaningful impact through civic engagement and community leadership.

Thank you, Miss Ann.

You know, as we cross Houston, you can tell what communities have a strong civic club.

It's one of the keys to uh community uh viability.

You can pull back, and you'll still be doing a heck of a lot.

So you certainly deserve it.

And thank you, Councilmember, for uh giving us this opportunity to honor a public servant.

You've never been on the ballot except maybe in the civic club, but we consider consider you a public servant.

So therefore, I have John Whitmeyer, mayor of the City of Houston hereby proclaimed February 10th, 2026 and column day in the city of Houston.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

As you know, as we age, time just flies.

It was really shocking when I realized that I'd been doing that 20 years.

And of course, that was after teaching 40 years.

But you know, one thing when there's a need, you have to step up.

You can't wait for somebody else to do it.

I thank you, Joaquin.

It was great helping you grow up.

Thank you.

Councilmember Alcorn.

Thank you, Mayor Protamin.

And you were just here last week.

I mean, she never stopped.

She was here last week talking about parking in the yard, Mayor.

So she's she's uh she's still gonna be active.

You're amazing.

The problem with taking on these roles in the civic clubs is you end up doing them forever because nobody else wants to do them.

Um so thank you for all your service to our city.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm gonna sing then.

We're ready.

Um good afternoon.

Uh thank you, Mayor Potem, and certainly thank you to the mayor.

Um, just a quick note.

Uh I am a retired educator if there's any such thing, and when I decided to retire, I became very active with the Houston branch of the NAACP, and it actually kind of catapulted me into where I am today.

Uh certainly my activism and uh advocacy started with the NAACP as the education chair uh and a member of the executive committee.

And I am currently the second vice president of the Houston branch.

But I am so very honored to uh certainly bring this proclamation, and again, thank you, Mayor.

Uh, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Colored People, Houston Branch, whereas the NAACP was founded on February the 12th, 1909, in response to the urgent need to confront racial justice injustice and inequality, and for 117 years has remained the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, committed to securing the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all people and boys so still fitting.

Whereas throughout its history, the NAACP has played a defining role in advancing civil rights in the United States, including landmark legal victories, policy reforms, and grassroots advocacy that have helped shape a more just and equitable society.

And whereas the NAACP Houston branch has served as a pillar of leadership and advocacy in Houston, working tirelessly to protect civil liberties, promote voter engagement, expand educational opportunity, and address systemic inequities affecting communities across the city.

And whereas through sustained community organizing, civic education, youth engagement, and strategic partnerships, the NAACP Houston branch has empowered generations of Houstonians to participate fully in civic life and to advocate for fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity.

Whereas on the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the City of Houston proudly recognizes the organization and the NAACP Houston branch for their continued leadership in the pursuit of civil rights and social justice, the legacy of inclusion and respect for the rights of all and their profound impact on Houstonians and beyond.

Mayor?

Thank you, Councilmember Evans.

I'm listening to and I'm thinking about the progress that I've witnessed Houston as a state representative and a senator.

I can't imagine what our city or our nation would be like without the NAACP.

We're standing on the shoulders of those that founded it.

Preserved it.

I can't keep not mentioning my here for our Jefferson who protected the Godfather.

I hope you do it fine.

But you know, the team makes a difference.

Certainly come a long way.

Great opportunity to recommit ourselves.

We have a long ways to go for quality in our community, in our nation.

So thank you.

I'm just really pleased that allowed us to pause and recognize major reasons by name other certain leadership.

Maybe not WHC.

Reverend Lawson, I could go after Williams, and I can go Sylvester Turner, and I could just go through the list, the leadership that we're celebrating today.

Therefore, I have John Whitmer, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby propane, February 12th, 2026, NWHC.

Houston Branch Day.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I would like to certainly uh bring uh Reverend Bishop Dr.

James Dixon up front to speak on behalf of the branch, but look at all of these faces of wonderful committee chairs and leadership, and certainly our wonderful director, Yolanda Smith.

And so I'm very honored to work with such a wonderful group and Bishop Dixon.

Not a sermon now, Bishop.

If you do bring a good word now, Bishop.

So do you.

Thank you, sir.

Okay, you recognize that too.

I haven't been called for that, though.

You freaking out come right on in to Reverend Shabazz.

Oh, wait a minute.

And certainly to uh our mayor, Mayor Whitmeyer, uh thank you for this esteemed recognition of the Houston branch of the NACP and certainly to our our board member and Vice President, Dr.

Carolyn Every Shabaiz, and to all of you, uh, ladies and gentlemen of the council, we're honored to stand with this astute committed, sacrifice sacrificial group of leaders who stand here today, uh representing the real fabric of the power of the Houston president of the NACP.

Uh, Yolanda Smith has been there for about 70 years.

Yeah.

And uh uh the amazing work that she has done uh through several presidents, uh including Howard Jefferson and others, and now in this administration has done a stellar job, and these board members, our vice president, first vice president here.

Uh, we want to honor them, Chivon Steuben and so many others.

The NACP 117 years ago founded, as you know, by the likes of the great W.E.B.

Du Bois, as well as uh individuals like Ida B.

Wells, uh persons who understood along with different racial racial groups who understood that justice is not a color, uh justice is an ethic and a moral value.

And our branch continues to fight.

Uh I've been a part of the branch since uh Congressman Al Green was the president and Howard Jefferson and so many others.

They too didn't admit most of us.

We're here today standing on broad shoulders.

And the point is for such a time as this, as we celebrate our anniversary on February 12th, uh, we still have a couple of tables available, I think Yolanda, at that event at the ensemble.

Uh but our theme is in the spirit of our founders we fight on.

And to your point, Mayor, we made progress.

Uh, but we've got an ocean to cross, uh, a chasm to cross where oppression, uh, voter suppression, inequities, racial gaps, wealth gaps, education gaps, home ownership gaps still exist because of the systemic issues that our nation faces, and that touches Houston.

We count ourselves a partner to this mayor, to the council, and to all leaders who understand that the best of us are better when the rest of us become the best of us.

It means that we lift from the bottom.

You're no stronger than those you lift.

And if you stand on a high peak by yourself, that suggests that you didn't get it.

We are here to lift those from the bottom to the top, no matter your ethnicity or race or gender or religion, we stand for freedom justice for all.

So thank you, Mayor, for this opportunity, and we hope that all of us will see the NACP as an extension of your offices to make Houston the city that is supposed to be a city on the hill that looks like the beloved community that Dr.

King envisioned and articulated.

That's why we're here.

Thank you, Dr.

Shabazz again, and thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Council, for this wonderful opportunity.

You need to lawyer Councilmember Cayman.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Evan Shabaz, I want to thank you so much, not only for bringing forward the NAACP to be recognized, but also for your work with the NAACP, your leadership.

Um, you know, we and Mayor, thank you for the proclamation.

You know, it is Black History Month, but we continuously have to tell people loudly that every day is Black History Month.

And it's not just honoring the past, Bishop Dixon is you preach.

It is about continuing that work into the future.

And all of us as allies have our work cut out for us, but it is you all standing before us that gives me that hope that that work continues.

Whether it's in the courts, whether it's in the community, um, Bishop Dixon, your leadership, I see Jackie, Nick, Janice, I'm gonna get in trouble now because I started calling out people, but uh not only do you give your time to the work of NAACP, which has forever shaped our nation's history, and will continue to do so.

Each of you in your own respect give so much to the community in so many other ways as well making a difference.

So I just want to thank you all for being the stand that this moment in history calls for.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim, and good afternoon to everyone.

Mayor, thank you for the proclamation, Councilmember Evan Shabazz for bringing it forth.

Uh to the organization.

Uh the organization was created out of necessity.

And the organization still exists out of necessity.

So to Ms.

Smith and Bishop Dixon and all who are there with you, uh, I want to say thank you.

Um there are many within our community uh that may not have the time to make it to every board meeting, to every press conference to speak out on every issue.

But your collective voices are what we lean on, and we provide strength, provide encouragement, provide support.

So I want you all uh to know that as you volunteer your time, many of you uh to this work, know that it's on behalf of an entire community who appreciates you.

And I'm a member, I don't show up to as many meetings as I need to, but I I do thank you all for that because it is still a necessity, and you all are still necessary.

Thank you very much.

God bless you.

Thank you, Council.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

Mayor, Councilwoman Shabazz, thank you again for reminding us of the 117 year celebration to Reverend Dr.

Bishop James Dixon, uh fellow colleague in the Word, preaching of the gospel, and to my friend Yolanda who we go back way back, probably more than we want to count, and the work with uh NAACP as a regional coordinator when Carol Douglas was there, and I was responsible for five states, as you remember.

So the work of the NAACP stands above so many, you know, and there are many of us who did the work.

We don't always have to talk about it or brag about it, just be about it.

And that's what you all represent, and I can't thank God enough for each and every one of them for your efforts.

God bless you all.

Thank you, Pastor.

Absolutely.

Bishop Dixon and everyone that is here, um Janice Weaver, so good to see you.

Um to all of the members, uh, 117 years deserves to be celebrated.

And I'm so glad that you came to City Hall so that we could celebrate the NAACP.

We must continue to share our stories, amplify our unsung heroes, and continue to fight for justice.

So, congratulations on 11 years of doing the work, and we look forward to working alongside you for another 117 years.

Congratulations.

Council member Ramair for the invocation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Today we welcome a global scholar, imam, and leader of dialogue across cultural and religious divides.

Abdullah Antepley.

And I would note we also have Rothco board chair Troy Porter in the audience as well.

As you all know, the chapel is a sacred space, an international center for human rights, and a place for solitude and gathering that receives more than a hundred thousand visitors of all faiths each year.

Imam Anteple comes to Houston from Duke University, where he was one of the nation's few scholars working at the intersection of religion and public policy.

He became a national advocate for pluralism and interfaith dialogue and was recognized with the Anti-Defamation League's Daniel Pearl Award in 2022 and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2023.

In his capacity as a bridge builder, Imam Antepli has built multiple organizations and initiatives to facilitate religious and spiritual life across America's college campuses.

He joined the chapel in September 2025, following his service at Duke University as an associate professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Divinity School.

He is currently a senior fellow on Jewish Muslim relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, where he founded and co-directs the Muslim Leadership Initiative.

We are blessed to have him in Houston now.

Imam Antepley, would you please lead us in prayer?

Mayor Rittmeyer, Councilmembers, Fellow Historians, on behalf of Rothcoe Chapel family and all the cultural organizations of Houston.

Thank you for this honor of a lifetime.

Would you please pray with me?

The most merciful, the compassionate holy one.

We turn to you, source of all light, all justice, and all healing.

You, holy one, who breathe life into every corner of this vast universe, and who gather us into a single human family, despite all the different ways we name you and all the different paths through which we seek you and your presence in our lives.

Bless the city of Houston, its leaders, its workers, its millions of residents, as we heard from the beautiful first proclamation today, including its non-human residents who call it home.

May we be worthy of those non-human residents.

Bless this council as they carry the sacred responsibility of serving one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in our nation and around the world.

Fill their hearts with humility, their minds with clarity, and their actions with courage, rooted in compassion and forgiveness.

The Holy One, guide us to transform our differences into sources of richness and strength.

Teach us to see in each other not strangers but neighbors, not rivals but partners, not opponents but fellow stewards of the common good for Houston and beyond.

Help us turn our disagreement into a dialogue, frustrations into understanding, and division into a deeper commitment of the dignity of every single historian.

Bless this chamber, a place where decisions ripple far beyond the walls of this building.

May every debate, every vote, and every conversation here reflect justice, mercy, hope, and compassion.

Let this be a house where the vulnerable are seen, where the unheard are uplifted, and where unity prevails over difference.

Grant the city's leaders and citizens the grace to preserve what needs to be preserved, the courage to transform what needs to be transformed, and the wisdom to discern the difference.

The most forgiving holy one, make us a city a model, exemplary in creating and transforming our differences into human partnership.

And if we and especially if we if and when we forget you, and what you thought us through the many wisdom traditions represented in this beautiful city of Houston, especially when we forget you, please do not forget us.

In your most holy, beautiful and sacred names we pray.

Amen.

Please stand to the pledge.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all the row call, please.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Councilmember Peck.

Here.

Councilmember Jackson will be absent.

Councilmember Kaman.

Present.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz.

Here.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas will be absent.

Councilmember Huffman?

Present.

Councilmember Castillo?

Here.

Councilmember Martinez?

Here.

Councilmember Pollard?

Here.

Councilmember Castax Tatum?

Here.

Council Member Ramirez?

Here.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Carter.

Councilmember Selinas.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Here.

Need a motion to adopt the minutes of February 3rd and 4th.

Cast next to it a move.

Next second.

Motion made and seconded.

All in favor say yes.

I was opposed to nay.

Motion passes.

Procedural motions.

Mayor Protende.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to move uh Jacob Klementec to the top of the one-minute non-agenda and also Janine Sizak to the bottom of the three-minute agenda.

Okay.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

I was opposed to you.

Motion passes.

Anyone else?

If not call our first speaker, Mr.

Secretary.

Amy Erickson.

To be followed by Kyle Kyle Rogers.

Mayor.

Stands with this one.

Yes, ma'am.

You're on the list.

Okay.

Mayor, Council members, good afternoon.

Amy Erickson speaking on agenda items 16 through 21, which asks you to approve $2 billion in bonds for Houston First to expand the GRB convention center and to demolish the Avenida South Park and Garage.

One year ago, people for Pulp formed.

Through sustained community advocacy, we brought transparent transparency to a process moving forward largely out of public view.

Houstonians now better understand what is being asked of them and importantly who is being asked to sacrifice.

Seven public streets and four development lots are being surrendered.

These are not abstract lines on a map.

They are public assets connecting people to jobs, schools, and transits.

Houstonians are now navigating long and consistent detours that add minutes and miles to their daily commutes.

While Houston First remains fully operational.

Other cities have paused convention business to share construction impacts.

Houston has chosen a different path, one that shifts sacrifice outward into neighborhoods and onto commuters and small businesses.

A 1,400 space public garage is being removed.

Just as Houston prepares to host the World Cup.

The city is sacrificing long-term parking revenue.

Houston First owned 2025 annual report shows hot tax collections at 59 percent, down nearly 9 percent from 2024.

Yet this expansion concentrates hot tax revenue within Houston First.

Arts, cultural, and entertainment organizations across Houston that also depend on these funds are being asked to sacrifice their share.

And now Houstonians are being asked to sacrifice financially.

As of December 2025, the ratio of unhedged variable rate debt for convention and entertainment reached 48 percent, nearly twice the advice ratio.

While exceedance is acceptable on an interim basis, these bonds lock Houstonians into an estimated 900 million in interest over 30 years, nearly a billion dollars, not for services, not for neighborhoods, but for debt service.

Houston First aggressively projects 20 billion dollars in economic impact to justify this project.

Houston needs revenue grounded in concrete economic realities, not aspirational models.

Texas SB 1057 is a great piece of legislation that creates real tools to fund projects like this.

However, the state enabling authority does not absolve local elected officials such as yourselves from oversight of such development.

Despite the scale of this request, oversight amounts to an October 2025 MOU weighted in heavy heavily in Houston First's favor, offering little enforceable public protections.

With two billion dollars on the table, a design preserving Polk Street access should be achievable.

If not, the funding is sufficient to build meaningful alternatives, not simply eliminate access and ask communities to absorb the loss.

So I asked Council to pause and question who is sacrificing and who is not.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Kyle Rogers.

Scott Singleton.

To be followed by Donna Rickenbacker.

Hello, Mayor and Council.

I would like to also I would like to address agenda items 16 through 21 as well regarding the issuing of bonds for the benefit of Houston First.

The four bonds total two billion dollars that only represent the ante to clean up old debt and pay for what Houston First has already spent.

Other than that, the December 9th budget and fiscal affairs committee presentation had very few details.

There's no transparency, public reporting or public oversight of how these funds have been spent or committed or how whatever is left over is intended to be spent.

This is only phase one.

Houston First will have to return to council to ask for more bonds later to continue much much less complete the project.

Bonds are dead.

By approving these bonds, council is putting the city into debt for a very dubious future revenue model.

The Hyden study has never been released.

And the wonderfully optimistic $20 billion in future hot tax revenue is unlikely to materialize.

When it doesn't, the city, indeed, our children will be on the hook for this debt.

And then item 21 is going to tear down an existing 1,400 spot parking garage just in time for World Cup to be replaced with a 900 spot parking garage sometime later on.

Socialize the risk, privatize the profits.

You can't build a hundred-year infrastructure project on a four-year election cycle.

If you're going to give Houston first a blank check, you need to hold them accountable.

Thank you for your time.

Donna Rickenbacker.

To be followed by Janine Sissek.

Good afternoon.

My name is Donna Rickenbacker, and I'm here in connection with agenda item 24.

I'm here to be responsive to any questions you may have on this agenda item, which is an award of home funds to an affordable housing development, a senior housing development that's located in district in Mayor Pro Tim, Bartha Castic Tatum's district.

If there are no questions, then I'm also here to thank you very much to Mayor Pro Tim for all the hard work that she's done for this project and to get it to this point.

And for the City of Houston's housing department, you all have a fantastic housing department.

They've done a tremendous job, and I very much appreciate their patience on this award and getting us across the finish line.

That's it.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Next Janine Sisak.

To be followed by Jacob Klemitich.

Hi, good afternoon, Council members.

My name is Janine Sisak.

I'm senior vice president and general counsel of DMA Development Company, and I'm here to talk about the Sunstone, which is one of the projects that's included in agenda items 12 and 15 for your consideration.

I'm sorry that I was not able to attend the Housing and Affordability Committee last week.

However, one of my associates was present and was able to huddle up after the meeting to discuss with the stakeholders some of the concerns shared during that committee.

And I want to be clear that we as developers met with the MUD in January about drainage.

And the meeting was very productive, and we left there with an understanding that if DMA could come up with an engineering solution that dealt with the drainage in accordance to the higher standard set for set forth by Atlas 14, um, that there would be no objections from the MUD.

And I want to be clear that state law is pretty established that every site that's developed in Texas needs to handle their drainage on site and not result in negatively impacting any neighbors with additional water that you know they wouldn't have incurred without this development.

So I'm here to say we are committed to working through drainage.

Our engineers and the mud engineers are already in contact.

Um processes, permitting state plan development, and of course, this in our case, this mud approval that needs to happen down the road.

But I guess the surprise for us last week was that one of the neighbors asked that the city of Houston make no approvals until the drainage studies are complete.

And just the way the timing of this process works, I mean that effectively would kill our deal before we even got to sit down with the engineers to look at the drainage.

So I encourage you all to think about the resolution process uh in in terms of you know, does our project meet the policy objectives at as set forth by staff?

And did the slate of projects that you're approving um honor the um distribution policy that's outlined in in that um submittal process.

Um in full transparency, their neighbors, other neighbors in the area have raised other concerns.

Um Super Neighborhood 17 has told us that there was another tax credit developer.

Your your time has expired.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

But in closing, I will say they've raised other concerns.

We've addressed it by lowering our units to 72 units.

I'm sorry, 65 units, and promising not to go more than two stories.

So we've tried to address the other concerns of the neighborhood.

Thank you so much for your service and your time today.

One second.

Councilmember Hubman.

Thank you.

And so you mentioned the um engineering.

Do we know when that will happen or when there will be an answer?

Um I think probably we could get an initial our arms around it initially in 30 to 60 days.

But quite frankly, since we met with the MUD two weeks ago, our engineers have been playing phone tech.

I mean, it just takes several weeks in this environment to get people to have the time to get together.

So it just it cannot happen by the tax credit deadline of March 1st.

I mean, that's just simply not possible given the timing.

And so if the tax credit deadline comes and we don't have that information, are you saying that if the information comes later and there's not an engineering solution, then the project won't go forward?

Right.

We need the MUD's approval, and so if we can't convince the MUD that we've solved the problem, then it won't move forward.

Got it.

Um last week, I think uh during the meeting, there was a issue that came up about um on the application that said that um letters of community support have been received for this project, but there really hadn't been any.

I think there was a challenge with the way the form was.

We wanted to attach something that showed that we were in the process of gaining support, and in order to attach it, we clicked the button.

And maybe there was a better way we could have done it because it's been perceived as being dishonest or misleading on our part, and you know, in retrospect, and for next year we'll handle it differently.

But we wanted to show you in particular as the council member that we had reached out.

We reached out to Super Neighborhood Um 17 in December, we were talking with them, and the feedback again was someone tried this before, it wasn't well received, and we said tell us why.

And they gave us their reasons, and we said, okay, how about we do fewer units in two story, we'll agree to a 30-foot buffer, we'll agree to a wall as high as the city of Houston will allow us to build.

So we were clicking the box to tell you we're working on it.

Got it.

That's all.

So I apologize for that.

I looking at it again, there was definitely a better way that we could have done it.

No problem.

And it seems that the super neighborhoods meeting tomorrow evening, and so y'all will be present for that.

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Happy to follow up with your office to tell you how that goes.

But again, in full transparency, they have told us multiple times that our chances are very, very slim.

So, you know, I just I don't get that the I I I feel bad that the whole slate of tax credit deals is getting might get tagged because of this issue.

But whatever.

You guys leave room for error.

Um it's just I I just I guess what I'm saying is I'm going tomorrow.

I have three minutes to plead my case, and we'll see.

We'll see how I do.

But I don't expect to change that many minds, but I'll do it if I change three mines.

Still worth my time.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

No, ma'am.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez has a procedural motion.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Mayor, uh move to uh we arranged the list to where Robin Fournette goes prior to James Warren Ards on the speaker's list under the two-minute non-agenda.

Second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes as opposed to the motion passed.

What's cooking?

Well, I wanted to tell him this barbershop and I got something that you can't get, and that is uh a haircut.

But you can get it.

Thank you, Jason.

Wait, wait, uh I wanted as soon as I got out uh step.

I have something to say to Councilman Kiman, Councilman Hubman, Councilman uh Catholic Tatum, Councilmember Peck, Council Member Alcorn, Council Member Telena, Councilmember Carter, and especially Councilmember Catilio.

Two days from now is a special day.

Oh, you lovely.

You got my vote.

Thank you, Jason.

Thank you.

Next, Ridney Underwood.

Jacob.

Sandra Evans.

To be followed by Robin Fournette.

Fournae.

Yes, I apologize for stepping up a minute ago.

Um I've been here.

This is my third time coming.

I have the same issue with my neighbor, and it's gotten worse.

And I know that you all hooked me up with two different uh agencies, the police department, and um Shabazz.

So I have a gotten any help.

The situation has gotten worse, and I don't feel good coming back in front of y'all.

I hope y'all don't get offended, but it's the only thing I know to do to try to get some help.

Um listening devices around my house.

I haven't been able to live in my own house, and I'm paying mortgage.

You know.

So it's just getting next to me, and I need some help with it.

I can't afford $3500 to have professional people to come out.

I've called about that, about coming to uh find and remove the devices.

The police said they're not able to do it.

So if I can be referred your time has expired.

Councilor Evans.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Miss Evans.

And I don't know if we're related or not, but I'm gonna try to see what I can do for you, certainly.

That that was just a little joke.

Yes.

Anyway, I have uh Ingram over there by the door, and she can help you to perhaps get some uh relief from from what you're dealing with.

And so if you will talk to her, let's see what we can do.

Yes, no.

Okay, thank you.

Next Robin Fournette, Robin Fournay.

To be followed by James Warren Ords.

Hello, and thank you for saying my name right.

Uh good afternoon, Mayor and members of City Council.

My name is Robin Fournay, and I'm here to raise some concerns about the waste duplication and the unjust treatment of several employees from the Houston Airport system.

First at IAH, uh the Airport Operations Center, or I AOC is the heart of the airport.

Uh, we are the department, passengers and employees call when they need help.

The team that ensures the safety and security of travelers 24-7, 365 days a year, and we have done so successfully for many years.

Our employees are highly tenured with with decades of experience handling emergencies, managing security-related events, and keeping the airport secure.

Yet HAS leadership is in the process of creating a new division, terminal operations that duplicates the very work the AOC performs.

This is not innovation.

This is duplication.

In 2025, the Ernest Ernst and Young study identified the issue of duplication and waste.

HAS leadership is moving forward with this duplication, which goes against this study.

Recently, City Council approved the master classification plan 2025-783 item eight.

They created a new position at pay grades 24 and 26.

These rows directly do duplicate existing AOC positions currently at pick grades 14 and 23.

This represents a significant and justified increase in pay at Terminal Ops.

At a time when the city budget is under extreme scrutiny.

A wealth of knowledge within the AOC is being sidelined when city dollars were spent recreating a system already in place.

Meanwhile, the AOC was forced into a hiring freeze, despite an overtime budget that exceeds 99,000 and growing.

Per HS leadership, the hiring freeze is being justified because of the Ernest and Young study.

But the study is being used to add higher pay for terminal op positions instead of investing in the AOC.

This hiring freeze has resulted in employee burnout, rising overtime cost, and a critical department being ignored again.

Councilman Cayman.

Thank you.

I wanted to thank you all for being here.

I know I believe we have another speaker coming.

Um do you have any specific asks of counsel?

Um I I know you are raising some of these issues, especially as it pertains to duplications and overtimes.

Could you clarify for us some of the specific asks?

And maybe the next speaker can also clarify that.

He will finish the speech actually.

But I I'm actually the admin for this department, so this doesn't actually affect me at all.

I have been with this department for 22 years.

We I started out as the C3.

We've been changed to the ACC, and now we're the AOC underneath the ICC, believe it or not.

And um, we have asked numerous times, please let us have some people.

We we're running 19 people dispatchers in a 24-7, 365 department.

They're working doubles, they're staying 12 hours a day.

They're exhausted, they're tired.

We we even haven't, they even they even stopped us trying to keep us from coming to City Council today.

They try to keep us from coming, stopped us at the door, and pretty much begged us not to come because they're embarrassed of what they have done to us.

You'll see here more details about we have an ICC.

Cheryl Hamilton designed the ICC from the terminal for the technology to the blueprint on the floor.

She designed the whole center, she should be running that center on Thursday last week.

They moved her into infrastructure instead of allowing her to stay with us.

They are doing things that are not right, and we are tired of watching them hurt us and hurt our employees.

And it's just time to be here.

We brought you overtime sheets, we brought you rosters.

We can show you so many things.

And I I hate that it's come to this.

We sent a message to our director and our COO on Thursday when they sent Cheryl out the door begging them to please meet with us because we want to talk to you.

They did not even respond to us.

We've been begging people for decades to please help us.

Please let us staff our department.

Please take care of us.

Please do the right thing.

Everybody around us has gotten promotions and pay raises in the friend circle.

Well, we've been ignored.

We're at desperation point, City Council.

We need your help.

We desperately need you to do a deep dive of the Houston Airport system and the HAS leadership at this point.

I am putting my job on the risk on the table, and it doesn't even affect me.

This is the dispatchers and the supervisors on the line.

I'm secure.

I'm safe, I'm the admin.

And I'm here fighting for them and my team because this is how bad it is.

Thank you for coming.

Um I don't know if there's any other speakers, but I know that any employee has the right to come and speak at council, so we appreciate your voice.

Thank you.

Would you like to let him?

Yes, ma'am.

Just a second.

Councilman Pollard.

Yes.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.

The entire team.

Uh and for your voice and your leadership.

Thank you.

It takes a lot of courage to stand before us uh to publicly announce what you have stated.

Yes.

Especially when it does not directly affect you.

So that takes real leadership.

And that's the type of appreciation that we need to show you as an employee and your entire team, because we know that you all go above and beyond.

And there should not be any impediments to you all communicating to supervisors or to us or to anyone that helps you uh create a more uh enjoyable workplace environment for you all and to give you the resources uh that you all need to perform at your best.

So uh lean on this council, you can lean on my office uh for any type of communication in ways in which we can uh work on you all's behalf.

Thank you.

Uh but you being here is necessary, and you being here has uh been able to give us more insight on the things that we need to do uh to make you all's department better.

So thank you.

I greatly appreciate those words.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So that's not something we wanted to do, but we felt it was necessary.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, James Warren Ords.

To be followed by Sarah Sam.

Um I'm here to continue that uh part of the speech.

Uh Terminal Ops has added about five supervisors and an additional 15 coordinators at a higher pay grade.

The AOC is already has six supervisors and nineteen operators currently doing the same job functions.

This is a clear waste of uh funds and research and resources.

We respectfully ask that you rescind the master classification plan, halt the creation of these uh redundant positions, thus further explaining the department and investigate why the AOC has pretty much been put on the sideline.

Uh furthermore, as of Monday, February 9th, uh our tenured leader, her name was Cheryl Hamilton, AOC division manager, uh, over 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Houston uh was moved out of the AOC and put to another department.

That department is called the enterprise uh asset management system as a staff analyst, which is sub substantially below her wealth of knowledge, skill set, and potential uh in the ICC uh manager.

Uh Ms.

Help Ms.

Hamilton has spent a career dedicated to the City of Houston, working for uh the Houston Houston Police Department, Houston Emergency Center, HAS, a variety of security roles.

Uh she was managed several departments with HAS and was worked on numerous capital uh uh improvement uh projects.

Uh Cheryl has worked, she worked tirelessly on the various system we use for the ICC AOC uh access control cameras, uh, as far as uh door alarms as well, uh in addition to terminals, in addition to the terminals, et cetera, and the installation of the communication equipment at both hobby and bush.

Uh her most recognized accomplishment is the center that was uh just moved out of, that she was just moved out of was the ICC, and that is uh the integrated coordination center.

Uh she took uh sh she took a shell space in the blueprint and turned it into turned it into a nervous system that helps the uh HAS system today at the airport.

Your time has expired.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you for coming as well.

Uh so what reasoning are you all uh been given for for these changes?

Uh as far as that, I think it was the the uh the Ernst Young, the Ernst Young study, that's what they have been telling us uh to make the decision that they've made so far.

And you all are claiming that uh you believe that this is duplication, which contradicts what the Ernst and Young study was meant to try to uh highlight that we should steer away from, correct?

That is correct.

Okay.

I will I know I will uh I would say they they are weaponizing the Ernst Young against us.

They're using this to continue their bad practices, they're weaponizing it against us.

They're saying that they had too many managers in the ICC.

They have brought somebody in from United and made him the ICC manager.

He does not have half the knowledge that she has.

She has been in security and technology and safety her whole career.

He worked for United.

It has been a chaos since he moved in there.

He he they tell him what to do and he does it.

And it's not always correct, in my opinion, you ask most of the airport.

You come out there and talk to employees.

Come out there and talk to us, please.

Come talk to us.

Yeah, I'll take you up on that offer and I will uh schedule a time to talk to you all further.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

And again, I apologize.

I just am trying to get to the bottom.

So I hear there's been somebody that's been replaced and moved over.

And it sounds like you want that individual back and fighting for her.

Well, I don't know if she'll come back, but honestly, okay.

When when before the study came out, they had decided they were going to hire two duty supervisors for the ICC.

They offered both jobs, two jobs to allowed to say names?

We already said the Cheryl's names.

I I prefer to not say names just offered no one else's.

Two duty supervisors to these two individuals.

The Ernst Young study came out, and neither one of them are going to have direct reports.

So they retracted these two duty supervisor positions because of the Ernst Young study.

Both of them were offered the position.

And then somehow or another, this gentleman got the job and they gave him a few direct reports so he'd be safe.

She did not get the position anymore, even though she was more qualified.

You also were talking about overtime and that there's a a staff that is working pretty much double shift right now.

That's us.

And so is there an ask related to that?

Obviously, I'm assuming additional I'm just trying to get to the heart of what the ask.

They're telling us that they're going to make this new division tops and topps is going to come in and take some of our duties and make it better.

And if we're just patient, it's going to be okay.

But in the meantime, our dispatchers are working 16 hours, are working 40 hours a pay period to try to just answer the calls, the radios, and keep the airport secure, working minimum staffing 24 hours a day.

Why this TOPS is not even in the section?

Okay.

While we're waiting, I I just procedurally, I don't want to, because again, I think James, you were up speaking.

Did you have anything you wanted to add?

Um haven't seen this.

Thank you.

Oh, they're just that they're creating a new division, Tops, and we got people who are already doing the doing the job functions that toppers is, you know, about to take over, I'm guessing.

Okay, that's that's really helpful.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Next.

Sarah Sarah Sam.

Pedro Maheya.

Arjumon Mubarak.

Menju.

John Malborough.

Kimberly Alexander.

To be followed by Nicole Hilliard.

Good afternoon.

My name is Kimberly Robinson Alexander, and I'm coming to introduce the Freedom Fast.

Mayor, members of council.

When this country was still an idea, not a guarantee, the weight of what America might become rested on the shoulders of a small group of people facing an uphill battle that had no reason to believe, they had no reason they to believe they would win.

They were divided in background, belief, and interest.

The odds were against them.

Freedom was uncertain.

It was at that point when the colonies felt the most fragile that the Continental Congress called for a day of fasting and prayer, a sacred pause for a civil renewal.

They fasted knowing there was something worth fighting for, and they could only carry that fight together.

It won most of their freedom.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the idea of freedom did not include people who look like me.

Despite that, today I stand before you believing in the possibilities that still exist for all of our men and women.

No matter the differences, to live the basic premise this country was built on the American idea of freedom.

Many of us feel the weight of an uphill battle toward unity in a nation that has always struggled for unity more than ever.

The division in our country can feel so large that some quietly wonder whether we will ever achieve the dream that was a united country regardless of difference.

Some wonder whether the hope of true acceptance, understanding, fairness, and freedom will ever truly be realized.

But here in Houston and in cities across this nation, we are living proof that unity is not a myth.

We have hope and that hope has birthed a movement towards a realized freedom.

Some have never seen in this country.

Right.

This is an invitation to be part of a nationwide movement to bridge the space between anger and understanding, between division and shared purpose, to take part in a powerful act of collective sacrifice, choosing once a month to give something up in order to make room for reflection, listening, and unity.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country, we invite the city of Houston to participate in this historic moment, joining Americans across the nation who believe that freedom is sustained not only by laws and institutions, but by the habits we practice together.

Let us commit to making this a more perfect union today by joining the Freedom Fast.

Visit WWW.freedomfast.us to get involved.

Thank you.

Nicole Keelyard.

To be followed by Alfrieda Franklin.

Good afternoon, Mayor, members of the City Council.

Thank you for allowing me to speak today.

My name is Nicole Hillard, and I'm here on behalf of our ministry, our recovery home, Restoration Houston Ministry.

We are a Christian recovery home helping men and women and women and their children that are struggling with addiction.

We have been here in the city of Houston for 17 years, not operating as a business, but of a place of restoration and hope for people that need change in their life.

As I come as I uh come here to the uh uh to the mayor's office, um we walk past all the hurting souls that are right outside the front door.

Reminds me of the Poverty Bethesda.

Um but I wanted to introduce uh introduce our ministry uh to let everyone know that we're here and we want to be um an essential part of helping Houston clean the streets up and help those that we can help and those that want help.

Um I don't know if there is um maybe emails or some way I can contact uh you all and send you more information of who we are.

Our ministry is really unique in the way that we uh help and reach out to people of the number that we give the people and the literature that we give them when we uh speak to them.

They're able to call this number 24 hours a day, even two o'clock in the morning, and we'll send a vehicle to pick them up.

We're down here at this library, sometimes 11, 12 o'clock at night with the van, filling that van up and taking the people in and um and helping them, uh helping them get restored stronger so that they can uh get back into society as pr productive members, amen.

And uh that's all I wanted to say.

Introducing myself and also asking for some type of uh partnership and helping God's people.

Thank you.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Miss Hilliard, thank you so much for coming.

Um we often say around the horseshoe that we can't do this work alone.

We need partners in the community to help us um to do the work that needs to happen in the city.

Um so I really appreciate you coming to introduce your ministry.

Um we all have email addresses that you can um shoot us the information.

I'd like to have the phone number to utilize also as a resource um when we come across constituents or um Houstonians that may need the service, and I'd like to know more about the ministry that you and your team are are providing.

Um if you go to City of Houston uh com, it it'll pull up the city's website.

It has all of our email addresses and contact information.

Um I'm happy to give you a card too, but I'm definitely interested in learning more about the ministry that you speak of today, and thank you for having a heart for helping people.

Thank you.

Uh just a second, ma'am.

Councilmember Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Well, thank you, Ms.

Hilliard, for coming to uh speak uh before us today.

And Donnell in my office would get with you to maybe get some information.

We have an initiative that we call Back on Track Houston, both, and it's about doing good work together, you know.

And so we have uh a resource fair coming up in uh March, and would like to maybe invite you to be a part of that because you you you certainly fill a gap that's very necessary out there.

So Danelle is standing over by the door.

If you'll visit with her, we'll get back in touch with you and get you on our list.

Thank you.

Ma'am, Councilmember Davis.

Yes.

Thank you, Mayor.

Ms.

Thank you for coming.

This is a good day.

That a lot of people jumping out to him.

That's beautiful.

I just want to ditto what our Mayor Pro Tim just stated, as you may or may not know.

There is a mayor's ministry advisory board, pastors.

Okay.

That's what we have to do.

Uh we tend to oftentimes uh generally when it comes to ministry work, people like to work at silos, but the whole objective is the administrative advisory board.

We have a tremendous number of pastors who are doing some of the similar things.

The only thing is some don't know what the others are doing.

And I'm glad that you came to make your presentation so we'll know who's doing what.

Uh I will step out and speak with you.

We meet uh the second third of every month right here in City Hall and Mayor's Conference Room.

We have at least about 70 average 65 to 70 ministries of all colors, all denominations, and we meet.

And we're dealing with several issues, uh, primarily with homeless, uh, emergency management issues, and crime.

Those are the three areas that we're dealing with.

We have an organization executive board, we have a judicatory board, and we work in collaboration.

So I'm gonna step out, of course.

My chief of staff is over there too, but uh I'm happy to hear what you what you're doing.

It's very interesting because as Mayor Pro Tim said, and kind of re-emphasizing what our mayor says, everything's about collaboration.

It's better when we can do it as a unit and joint.

It's you know, it's not about show horses, it's about work horses.

And so I would love to as well to see you and invite you to uh that ministrial group uh because I think you'll see the benefit of it.

Oh, great.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next Alfreda Franklin, Cerna Patterson, Kelsey Powell, James Moore, Robbie Mack.

To be followed by Joshua Bullard.

Hi guys doing today.

Um my name is Robbie Mack.

Uh, and uh I am the owner of a media company, a mass media company here in the United States.

Um I've been running into some uh some issues.

Um so I wanted to bring this to City Council and uh a lot of government bodies uh here in the U.S.

Um like I said, uh my mass media company.

Um dealing with about maybe 30 to 50,000 people.

Um, you know, it's a lot of people to deal with, and uh also a lot of people to tame.

Uh so uh I have I've done the numbers on social media uh did about 50,000 uh views uh over the last uh 120 days or so.

Um so uh my issue is it's just um it's um just getting everything to come together.

Um I've been engaged with the small businesses in the city.

Um so uh with me dealing with uh um you know the the amount of people that I'm dealing with, um, you know, there are some issues.

Uh I'm going through issues of piracy and um you know things of that nature, which are bringing issues to uh the business that I'm trying to produce.

Um so uh, you know, with me having this large following, supposedly uh I'm coming to you guys because I plan on uh approaching the FCC office as a public figure.

Um so I wanted to bring this to the city of Houston along with my home state, uh Chicago, Illinois.

Um because you know, this is uh a huge uh situ um issue going on here in the cities right now.

Um so uh, you know, uh I'm asking that uh we can all get together, um, you know, all of the major cities to deal with this issue that's going on.

Uh like I said, uh roughly up okay.

Your time has expired.

Okay.

Okay.

All right, all right.

I do have an email, AI America that's spelled A is an Apple wise and w uh yellow, wise and yellow is an elephant, A is an Apple, Ellis and Larry, Isa and Idea America at gmail.com.

Appreciate your time.

Thank you, sir.

Joshua Buller.

Lorraine Adamore.

Julian Adamore Joseph Naemi.

To be followed by Coffee Ailbay.

Uh good afternoon, Mr.

Mayor, Council members.

Uh my name is Joseph Naimi, and I'm here today to ask for accountability and a review of an incident that happened to me uh in Houston while I was experiencing uh mental health uh crisis.

On August 11, 2022, I was um tr uh uh transport uh transported to the hospital uh by uh city police.

During that time, my uh dog, my personal property and emotional support companion was taken into custody by the city.

Official police and animal control records clearly documented my name, my date of birth, and um the fact that I was being transported to the hospital.

However, while I was hospitalized, I was I um and uh unable to treat my dog.

The animal was classified as uninclined um uh stray.

I was never contacted.

I was never uh I was never given uh uh an opportunity to reclaim my uh my bed during my hospitalitation.

And when I went to park, they told me with all due respect that police officer failed to give my information to the shelter and uh but uh um and my my dog was already being transferred uh uh to uh uh to our rescue organization after only 48 hours.

I was there on August uh fifth the morning of August 15 uh to 2022.

This situation had a long last emotional impact on me and I'm uh on my well-being and I was in vulnerable medical condition and instead of receiv uh receiving uh uh coordinated care and protection of my property, um there was a breakdown in communication between b uh police and animal control and the shelter system.

I'm not here today for anger or blame.

I'm here to respectfully uh request a formal review of how how owned animal are hundred uh are handled when their uh um when their uh owners are hospitalized, a review of interdepartmental communication between Houston police and park uh uh during emergency custody situation, a policy and bull uh improvement to ensure that vulnerable uh residents are notified and given a fair opportunity to reclaim their animals before irreversible outcomes occur and uh hopefully to get in touch with the family who adopted my dog and if possible for retra uh retrieval.

Um no resident is uh taken uh to hospital during a crisis should lose their companion uh animal to uh to uh uh due to an uh administrative failure or lack of communication.

I appreciate your time and commitment and commitment to protect uh for pro uh to protecting uh both public safety and dignity of Houston resident during vulnerable moments.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor, and Mr.

Naemi, did I say that right?

Yes.

Um I want to thank you so much for coming.

I know this is an incident, uh an unfortunate incident that happened in 2022.

You reached out to our office in 24, okay, and we connected you because the disconnect seems to be when HPD had transferred the animal um I I'm assuming to BARC.

They didn't notate that there was an owner, so it showed up as abandoned, and that's when it was fostered.

On document it says no, it was documented that it was my name and my date of birth and then the name of the So did so did that get to BARC is my question.

Which one?

This is from BARC.

This is from the police.

Right, that's from HPD.

No, I but so there was a situation that occurred and your dog was that's from the park.

Right.

Um they already have it.

No, I I understand that, and I know that we had referred you also to the mayor's office uh for uh in the OIG's office, policing reform and accountability, and they also spoke with you and had looked into the matter.

Um I do believe I don't have the memo in front of me that uh since that time I can't speak to the policies then, but that standard operating procedure at BARC where dogs go, is there's a certain amount of days.

I understand that.

And um to which an owner can claim their animal if they're sent to the hospital or there's an unfortunate incident like you experienced yourself.

Um I I've been told that you're also coming not just to speak about your case, but to make sure it doesn't happen to someone else, which is why again I can't speak to your specific case, but I I do believe there are protocols in place to make sure that this this doesn't happen to others.

Um, but we will certainly, as a counsel office, inquire further and verify that uh with BARC uh to make sure that those those procedures are in place.

I know we have dealt with cases before where um they have held animals for their owners.

Um but I again I can't speak specifically to um your specific situation because we had referred it.

Uh I tried every possible way to retrieve my dog.

Uh I uh um uh put uh uh like uh uh to the internal uh affairs.

I did uh report to uh uh Houston uh reform uh police reform.

I did everything I tried, but I couldn't retrieve my dog.

They they lost it.

It's not my fault.

Like probably my my my I call my daughter is missing me and I'm missing her, and I don't know what to do.

They lost it and uh they said time passed, but uh uh I don't know what to do.

I'm waiting for the police to do an investigation, and uh just waiting and waiting.

Um I'm I don't know what to do.

I uh like let me Councillor and Cameron, did you handle this in 22?

This incident happened in 2022.

Our office was contacted in 2024, and now um Mr.

Naimi is still um looking for question uh has still has remaining questions and about the location of his dog that he would like to treat, but again, it's been the dog's been adopted out.

I tried with the police in 2023, then when I failed to get any information from the police, I tried to contact you.

That's when happened in 2024.

So I didn't stop looking for my dog.

I mean it's all on paper.

This is from the police, this is from the shelter, so it's my name, show the picture of my dog when they had it.

The show it's under my name.

Give Rebecca Williams.

Ms.

Williams.

You talked to her in and out of a bundle caution.

We'll have my office called Bark and see if they have any record, but it sounds to me like uh it's been several years here.

I asked them to respectfully be here to hear my case and I understand.

Well, we're all listening.

I understand.

Let Ms.

Wilson get your name and contact, maybe some ID for your dog.

Yes.

And we'll uh we'll verify or attempt to find out the outcome.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Rebecca, will you get Ms.

Wilson?

Yeah, she knows.

Coffee Al Bang.

To be followed by Art Smith.

Hello, how y'all doing?

I'm bringing a verbal complaint before city council today.

It's an emergency complaint for the record, in reference to a corrupt HPD sergeant by the name of Matthew K.

Simon, he keeps coming out to my husband and our residents, threatening our life.

We fear for our life that he's gonna kill us because he keeps bringing an outdated seizure warrant that was supported by a falsified affidavit by City of Houston employee Michael Expedia saying our home was vacant and it is not.

That's what allowed a seizure warrant to be granted by a municipal court judge by the name of Pile Gilligan and court number 12.

And the application was put in by a tour Michelle and a city attorney named Laura Mansfield.

All of this is fraud.

Michael Expedia lies so tough uh committed official oppression to the point where in his own exhibits attached to his affidavit.

It's fraud affidavit.

It shows pictures where our vehicle is parked in front of our home with our lice on alarm and everything active in us in our front yard with our uh puppy.

So that falsified affidavit caused um five calls of H police offices to come out on January 23rd, 2026 with four central plaque energy utility trucks, right after Governor Greg Abbott announced the state of emergency, declared that in reference to the Arctic freeze, they came out there while we was in our home at 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m.

They cut our electrical line, they remove our electrical meter, they removed our gas line, and we was freezing.

And all of this is corrupt organized crime in reference to City of Houston attorneys, in reference to City of Houston employees, Mike Expedia, Tamika Graves, all of these people.

Now this off this sergeant, he came out to our home yesterday.

He kicked our gate, he cut our chain, and he cut our lock, and he threw this falsified seizure warrant from November the 4th, 2025 on our porch.

He went in our mailbox, he's not a postal worker, and it's dated November the uh 4th, 2025.

So this seizure warrant is 95 days old.

According to the state law, you only have three days to execute a three-day weekday active seizure warrant.

So he feels that since he has uh access to this this uh floor seizure warrant, we can kick our gate in, cut our chains and locks and come into our property when he gets ready.

Now, my husband already have a lawsuit against the city of Houston.

That's not what this subject here is about.

This is another subject for a potential lawsuit.

So I'm not talking about that lawsuit that's pending in the 14th Court of Appeals.

That case number is 14-25-00581-C.

So we was in our home, man, while you was out with Center Point Energy saying that y'all trying to keep the people of Houston well, we were freezing because they came out there illegally and cut our electrical line, removed our electrical meeting, bills paid and everything lights on.

So y'all was promoting uh uh people saying well, we were freezing in our home.

And four people died after that Arctic freeze, and we could have died, so I consider that attempted murder upon our lives.

And we prom and we have been presenting documentation to all of the city of Houston employees in reference to our home.

We tried to get permits, they didn't want to give us permits.

We permitted information about when uh those national disasters hit Hurricane Barrel trying to get the home fixed from being damaged by two national disasters back to back.

They denied it, and now the home is in a condition that is in.

We have our driver's license, our address, we receive utility bills and everything to prove that we live here.

Yet Mike is Pitya lied and a notarized affidavit saying the house is vacant.

Thank you, ma'am.

Speaker.

Thank you.

So you don't have any solutions?

No, you the legal department's been in contact with you and understanding.

Okay, well, I have an incident report on that sergeant in the number 0182518-26, because I had to call 911 on the police on a sergeant.

Call the police on a sergeant that worked for HPD.

Because we are in fear of our lives.

Now the legal department is corrupt because our tour of Michelle keep referring to something that happened on Silario Street.

It's been reviewed.

So it's a conflict of interest to have him involved in anything.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I they contacted me yesterday, and of course I told them that uh Councilmember Tarsha Jackson is out on the medical.

But if someone could perhaps uh engage them, they were very, very concerned and pretty afraid of the uh alleged actions of the police officer.

So if somebody can, you know, sit down and at least find out if there's validity to what they're saying.

I was certainly not uh like for us to not overlook the thing.

This could be a real problem.

Now I know they come up here and they speak out on various occasions, but this is the first time I've heard them speak that they were in fear of their lives.

Sure.

And so I don't want to look the other way if there's an opportunity for them to talk to somebody that may be able to help them.

Uh can share with you legal documents.

So it's been the court, been dismissed.

And uh it's been it became illegal matter.

And the city went to court and the judge uh dismissed the lawsuit.

No, it's not dissolved.

So it's not it's not the see.

They don't get it, they don't want to get involved until it's dead bodies laying everywhere.

All of this happened once I announced that I was running.

No, all this happened once I announced that I was running for the U.S.

Congressional TX 18th district, and announced that I am a Republican.

We have been attacked.

That's what all of this is about.

That's a bold free slide because it's targeted because I said I am a Republican running for the US TX 18th uh district, congressional city.

And we've been targeted every since.

Thanks for being here.

Good luck.

What I will do, Mayor, I will consult with uh Council Member Jackson's chief of staff.

Yeah, and see if if they want to uh give them an audience.

I don't like being in danger, it's not a legal matter.

He just lied.

This is a criminal matter in reference to this storage.

Thank you.

Okay, thank y'all.

Thank you.

Listen to your lawyers.

Don't make no speech.

This is the science.

Okay, here we go.

At this particular moment in time, I don't like to see that our mayor just told y'all a bold phrase lie.

Because he just said that our case has been dismissed.

My wife just called out the case number.

And the case number is what is the case number, Coffee?

14 days, 25 days, 00581 dance TV, and it is not a good idea.

Okay, so why would the mayor why would the mayor manipulate the city council?

Why would the mayor manipulate the city of Houston and just come up here and lie and say that our case is dismissed?

Our Turo Michelle is a person that always doing things that's focused on.

He defrayed my name and said that I always file adverse positions.

That's a lie.

I never file adverse position until uh I filed at 4225.

This officer that keeps coming to our property, man, this man is coming to kill us, man.

He has no other motive to keep coming onto our property at will.

When he gets ready, it's gonna be a ride in fifth war.

I'm telling you, everybody is not gonna sit back and allow my wife and I to get assassinated in our community while everybody sits back and be quiet.

I am very disappointed in you, Mayor.

When I came down there before I said, Man, I'm rooting for you.

So please explain to me with our case being active in the 14th Court of Appeal, and while I was in the 14th Court of Appeal, your rogue officers in the public works.

They went down to the municipal court.

If we're crazy in the higher court, you cannot go to a municipal court, which is a law court and get a ruling based on a lie.

At the same time, while the city of Houston at the same time, we're not we're not gonna resolve it today.

I'm gonna advise you to listen to your lawyers because I'm representing myself.

Well, you don't have no respect for post that I know that.

Okay, you've had an opportunity to talk to us.

Good luck.

I would say listen to your lawyer.

Can you remove your lie that you just said to everybody by saying that it's your time's up?

Your time's up.

Thank you.

Can you can you remove your lie?

Can you take the law back?

Your time is up.

Can you take your lie?

Can you take the line back?

Hey, take the line back.

We didn't think we are reaching out to Councilmember Jackson's chief staff.

Oh, did you want to be recognized?

Just letting you know that we did reach out to uh councilmember Jackson's chief of staff for them to deal with the situation that we're gonna do.

Thank you.

Uh next Ashley Wilkerson to be to be followed by Yasmina Savan.

Hello, everyone.

Sure.

So the reason that I've come here today is because I need some assistance with getting some records completely corrected.

I came to visit Houston in 2022 with my kid.

I essentially, um, before leaving, going back to San Francisco to my job in my life, I decided to report a crime network, expecting that I could do so with all of the reports about self-weapons crimes and so forth.

What happened was the same thing that has happened since I found out about it in 2008.

Um the officer documented fraudulently that I said a higher power was carrying out crimes against me.

They then weaponized the mental health authority.

Um after that, officials started following me, telling me, sitting outside of the job, that I was working to recoup the money before I returned back to San Francisco.

Uh, when I tried to go downtown to report it, um, essentially they searched me, a bunch of officers gathered at the table.

Um, essentially, what I discovered is that those actions were intentional, and that Houston police department officers have been concealing a large-scale crime network that is involved in carrying out child exploitation, race conspiracies crimes, and because of their fabricated reports, they've obstructed my ability to seek federal intervention.

I would discover that though I found out about the crime network in 2008, that at the age of 16, that would be the first interaction that I had with law enforcement, where I was unlawfully stopped, a pattern of abuses would continue, and basically I was deprived of my entire life because of this group and officials.

I just didn't know it.

So the reason I'm here now is because I have been investigating this crime since I've been trapped here, and I need those records corrected so that I can get the FBI and other agencies to investigate the crimes, honestly.

They would have access to the records, and that's what I'd recommend.

Can I say something?

Sure.

So in Stanford, the reason I came here to visit is because I went to the FBI to report child exploitation crimes about this network.

I gave um photo booklets information.

They pulled your records and they dismissed my reports.

In the reports, it says that I am mentally ill.

All of the reports are fabricated.

All of them do not include statements that I have made.

Some of those uh reports I can supplement recordings, and they are drastically different from the conversation that I've had.

So, because of those reports, they will not assist me.

And this is a large-scale crime.

Okay.

Uh Councilman Chabonis, do you want to be recognized?

No, I think that's from before.

That was previous.

Okay, ma'am, good luck.

I would I would stay in touch with the authorities.

Okay.

Thank you.

So, question do you guys have any options, recommendations, anything?

I really don't at this time.

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Be safe.

Next.

Yasmina Sabek.

To be followed by Steve Williams.

Hello, good afternoon.

I have three minutes, correct?

Three minutes.

Okay.

Okay.

My name is Yasmina Seabek.

I've lived in Houston for about 20 years and once had an established career, home, and family.

Between 2022 and 23, I gradually lost it all, mainly due to my phone being hacked, also my lack of self-aware or lack of awareness, and a group of people that have a lot of power to make things happen in their favor.

There's been an ongoing hacking epidemic over the last few years.

People are utilizing artificial intelligence to hack into phones, intercept calls, and impersonate voices.

I've seen ATMs, one on the corner of Hillcroft and Fountain View, that has fake software.

They can hack into any security device, change footage, and change audio.

They have the ability to take money out of anybody's bank account without a trace.

When police utilize uh phone tracking to go after a criminal, the hacker can virtually switch the devices, which leaves the criminal free roaming and an innocent person behind bars.

They're creating fake apps and change the prices to either keep some for themselves or traffic people.

Okay.

They have the ability to hack slot machines, and I have seen that happen.

I'm not even a little bit tech savvy, but since experiencing this for almost six years, I can spot a hack device easily.

In addition, several phone retailers are also involved in this corruption.

In 2020, I had the same phone number for about 15 years, one email account.

Since then I've had to close, I've had several.

The objective is that I either kill myself or be institutionalized.

All evidence of their crimes are created to make me the guilty subject.

I'm a victim of modern day trafficking.

These individuals have complete control over my content, calls, emails, and texts.

I can't get a job or contact any authority.

I've been to the police, the FBI, and nobody will listen.

They turn me away.

I've told them I know organized crime, the 10 most wanted fugitives, and they turned me away.

So with that said, um, as you know, and I'm not making any accusations, but with today's technology, any disguise can be created that can replicate anyone.

For example, several of the individuals that put me in this position look exactly like many of you, or they showed me pictures of you.

People that look just like you, excuse me.

Okay.

Um, why are the police not checking my phone or verifying my claims before turning me away?

Um I am thankful for this experience because being homeless for several months showed me uh clear perspective of the corruption happening in our city.

Okay.

Is this country prepared to take on the responsibility of millions of visitors security during the World Cup?

We're not just talking about phones, we need enhanced security and better ID verification for all citizens, including children.

We need immediate laws in place to protect the people.

To be honest, I don't feel like I'm in the America anymore at all.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next.

Oh, you don't have anything to say?

No, ma'am.

We're fine.

Thank you.

Steve Williams.

I don't think he's here.

Emma French.

To be followed by Joseph O'Mauri.

Good afternoon.

I'm here today today to call on this council to stop its collaboration with ICE.

Some members of this council may believe that a different ICE operates in Houston and in Texas than in other parts of the country.

And that's easy to believe when your city isn't on the news every night as an active domestic war zone.

But understand this: the same ice that is killing people in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Virginia is the same ICE that operates in Houston.

They are trained the same way and they do the same thing.

They are taking away people's freedom.

Is your commitment as a public servant in this country not first and foreman foremost a commitment to the Constitution and upholding our rights?

That includes the Fourth Amendment, which is the freedom of unwanted search and seizure, the Fifth Amendment, which is the right to do process, the First Amendment, the right to speak your ideas, opinions, and beliefs.

All of these are being violated by ICE in Houston.

And you're not doing anything to stop it.

One of the recipients of a proclamation this today said that when there's a need, you have to step up.

Your time has expired.

I don't think this there's a situation that statements.

I saw this this council pray to God today.

And it's hard for me to believe that that God isn't weeping at what ICE is doing in Houston.

Please do something.

Please look at me when I'm talking to you.

Please do something about ICE.

Thank you for letting me speak today.

Thank you.

Next, Joseph Amari.

To be followed by Illy Montoya Reeves.

How are you doing today?

Happy Black History Month.

I reported uh my Social Security benefit problem to the Social Security Program as well, the DA office and the Text Attorney General.

While the little boy living in the project is Freeport, Louisiana, my mama had a godmother named Miss Brown, the oldest widow living in the project.

No matter what happened, Ms.

Brown always got an old picture check in a mailbox at the first of the month.

Even when President Kenny and Malcolm X, Dr.

King, Robert F.

Kennedy got assassinated, Ms.

Brown chick was always in the mailbox.

Even during the war Vietnam War complict, a check never stopped coming.

The day her goddaughter, my mother, was kidnapped by our own daughters and daughters-in-laws, and her son and her daughters have to turn two is unable to get theirs.

Make you wonder who managed the American government, Treasury Department, Social Security Administration Department in this high-tech area of military martial law.

They as we debate America's immigration policy, many immigrants and undocumented work want to go back home because there's no place like home.

Black American ex-slavers bring out the civil war after slavery was abolished after we became free black American people.

The problem we had, we did not know what country they were came from.

Your time has expired.

Thank you, sir.

At least they know what country they got to go back to.

Thank you.

Um the reason of me being here is because I pulled a uh pistol on somebody days ago.

They waited for me outside of Iceland's Caribbean grill.

Um I U.S.

citizen.

I have the right to bear arms.

Uh they follow me.

I took pictures, he started bullying me.

He was upset about uh he was with his wife about Melaluca business, and then he started following me robaration in 1960.

So from vehicle to vehicle, my pistol is inside the holster.

I reached out to her, she lowered the window, uh, said I pointed the weapon at the on fire.

It had the uh what is it called the luck?

And I told them it's still bullying me, it's still doing this to me.

They have been doing this to me for quite some time, and they start in the 18th Congressional district in Canswick because supposedly we are under investigation.

Um I caught up to their stupid game, and I tell them, okay, uh, if you continue, I say I have the right to bear arms.

You try to hurt me, I will shoot.

Your time has expired.

Thank you.

And this completes the list of speakers.

We stand recessed to nine in the morning.

Come to order.

Uh short mayor's report.

Remind everybody Monday is off.

We'll have a combined session Wednesday, so everyone enjoy it and be safe.

And at this time we'll get started on the consent agenda.

Under the miscellaneous category, items two and three have been pulled and will now be considered.

Is there a motion for item one?

Cast X Tatum move.

Hex second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the accept work category is there a motion for item four.

Hex second.

Motion is made and seconded.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Passes.

Under the purchase and interpolation of bids category.

Is there a motion for items five through eleven?

Cast sex Tatum move.

Motion is made and seconded.

All in favor say yes.

Those Carter, no for five and six.

No for five and six.

We can only record a no on consent on the total item.

Motion passes.

So now I'll all double check over.

Under the resolutions category.

Items 12, 13, 14, and 15 have been removed for separate consideration under the ordinances category.

Since your list was distributed, all items have been received.

Items removed for separate consideration are 22, 23, 25, 29, 30, 32, and 38.

Again, those numbers are 22, 23, 25, 29, 30, 32, and 38.

Need a vote on the balance.

All in favor say yes.

All opposed, nay.

Motion passed.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item 12 is a resolution.

Just need a vote.

Thomas Tags.

Castex Tatum join the tag.

12.

Item tagged by Councilmember Thomas and Mayor Pro Tim.

Item 13 is a resolution.

Just need a vote.

Thomas Tags.

13 tagged by Councilmember Thomas.

Councilmember Davis, you're joining?

Yes.

Item 14 is a resolution.

Just need a vote.

Thomas Tags.

Thomas Tags Item 14.

And Davis.

Joined by Councilmember Davis.

Item 15 is a resolution.

Just need a vote.

Thomas Tags.

Thomas Tags Item 15.

David.

As well as Davis tags.

Item 22 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor.

You want to talk?

After.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Item passes.

Chair recognizes Mayor Pro Tim Castick's Tatum.

Thank you, colleagues, for supporting this item.

This is one of the tax credit uh senior developments that will be built in uh district K in partnership with New Faith Church.

Um we are looking at um $4 million of federal funds that will come to this project that is so important for our community.

Um the seniors that live in District K that are downsizing that want to remain in their community, they need places where they can move to and still be able to go to the places that they like to go to that they've been accustomed to going to.

They can stay at that in a location near their their church that they've been members of for years.

Um they can still be around their family members.

However, um so many of them have decided that they know link no longer need those three and four bedroom homes, and they want to uh downsize and they want new places that they can afford and move to in the community.

And I think that this uh senior apartment development is going to be uh one of uh the finest uh in our community, and we are really looking forward to having uh those additional one hundred and five units um of affordable places for folks to live.

And these um, you know, this four million dollars of federal funds is really going to be instrumental gap funding for us in the city of Houston, especially in district K.

So thank you for your support.

Thank you for your councilmember Thomas.

Thank you, Mayor.

Congratulations, Mayor Pro Tim.

And I just want to join my um thanks uh to her comments to our colleagues for supporting this and the housing department for getting this across the line.

And really, it just amplifies how important working with our faith institutions that have land to help the city meet uh meet our housing goal and our um our obligations, particularly with seniors that choose to age in place.

And I also want to just highlight the visionary leadership of the uh pastoral leadership of New Faith and their willingness uh to do something big and daring in the community and continue to be an anchor.

So I just wanted to highlight that work.

Thank you much.

Thank you.

Next item.

Next item 23 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

Oh, after the vote, after the vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

I do want to highlight the significance of this item in establishing an academic health department uh with our City of Houston Health Department with UT Health.

Um, this is something that other jurisdictions have done.

Uh we now join Travis County, Fort Burn County, Dallas County in this kind of partnership.

And it's with UT Health, not just with the public health school, it's with all of the schools in their health science center, nursing, medicine, dentistry, biomedical informatics.

And that is to um Director Trans credit for going beyond just the public health school here.

This will allow for potential uh partnerships, community-driven decision making, and also open up avenues for potential grant dollars and funding sources for our health department, which we know relies heavily on those outside funding sources.

So I do want to uh give a shout out to Director Tran, her leadership for this, and this model can be used as a template for other academic health partnership agreements with different academic institutions, not just UT Health.

So there's hopefully more to come here.

Thank you.

Very good.

Thank you for your remarks.

Next item.

Next.

Item 25 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those supposed nay.

Motion pass.

Item 29 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay.

Motion pass it.

Item 30 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favors, premier's tagged.

Item 30 is uh tagged by councilmember Mayors.

Next.

Item 32 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Councilmember Thomas after?

Yes.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed, nay, motion passes.

Councilmember Thomas.

Thank you.

Councilmember Jackson is not here, so I just wanted to shout out uh Tidwell Park, the Tidwell Aquatic Facility construction.

She's been talking about this project for years and has been working on this.

And so in her absence, I wanted to make sure on record that we celebrate the advancement of moving this application forward because this is one of her priority projects for this community.

Thank you.

Item 38 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Next.

Mayor.

I did want to make a comment on item 38.

Go ahead.

Um, this is the Fondan Road and Brazewood Boulevard project.

Um several of us in the community have been very concerned about the crash record in that community and what is happening.

Um wanted to amplify that this partnership with TechSdot and these uh Federal dollars that we are receiving here is going to be important for us because what is happening is we are implementing some countermeasures to the number of crashes that we have had in this area.

And by upgrading these um signals and reach, you know, refiguring the um underneath the text dot um roadways.

Um we'll propose there's some proposed ADA ramps with ADA push buttons.

We'll be able to restripe the intersection along with the necessary signs.

Um the report is expected to achieve a 10 percent reduction in the total crashes with a substantial decrease in severe turning and angle crashes.

And I know that intersection has been targeted and identified as one of the most dangerous intersections.

So I really thought it was important that we amplify um the work that's been done for the Fronden Road and Brayswood Boulevard area with these uh Federal grant funds through HSIP.

So thank you, colleagues, for your support on this.

Thank you for your comments.

Next, Mr.

Secretary.

Item 40 is a motion to set a date not less than seven days from February 11th, 2026 to receive nominations for position two of the Board of Houston authority of Harris County.

This completes the items on the agenda.

Very good.

It's right here.

Councilmember Flickinger for pop up.

Thank you, Mayor.

We've got the uh clear lake recycling that will be held Saturday, February 14th, starting at 9 o'clock and go until 3 or until the trucks are full.

And that is going to be at Ellington Air Force Base.

So come on out for that.

And then also Saturday, I'm going to be participating in the steps for students, fundraiser for the Catholic schools.

We had 10,000 participants last year looking to do even better with that.

And if y'all get there early, uh I'll be cooking breakfast and y'all can have a free pancake on me.

Councilman Kamen.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Yesterday I was joined by Councilmember Alcorn out at Sinclair Elementary to celebrate Mr.

Michael, the crossing guard, as many of you know.

Um an unfortunate situation unfolded.

We've been working uh with the residents in the area for years trying to get a safer crossing for the kids there, and the crossing guard had to put himself between him, some k children, and a very aggressive driver.

Um so we went out to celebrate Mr.

Michael yesterday, and uh Commissioner Brionis was there, Marlene was there, mayor representing your office.

Uh we, in addition to having the exciting announcement, my office is contributing 60,000, and Commissioner Brionis' office is also contributing money for those safety improvements.

Uh Mr.

Michael actually proposed to uh Miss Vivian, who is the one that had gotten him the crossing guard job years ago at the press conference or at the so it was this whole uh very special celebration surrounded by pretty much the parents of the school.

It was lovely.

So congratulations uh to Mr.

Michael and Miss Vivian, and thank you to all the parents uh who have just really lifted up the work and his dedication to children's safety.

Uh our TC Gestern White Oak Bayou Safe Crossing Project has been installed.

Uh so we appreciate uh the work, the effort to create safe connections for neighborhoods to our trails, uh, encourage residents to go take a look at it.

Um it's in the boundaries within Lazy Brook Timber Grove, but it impacts Cottage Grove and the Heights and residents that did not have a way to safely get to the trails crossing a very, very busy road.

Uh we also have the drainage component of the South Rice project, which is underway.

It started last month, and then we'll do the street rehab of South Rice after that.

Uh it should take five to six months to complete, so we appreciate uh the department working with uh our businesses and schools in the area.

Uh we had over the past month, I wanted to lift up the work related around firearm safety.

We have given out over 100 free gun locks and gun safes in the past month alone.

Um if anybody is interested in either I know some council members have reached out asking for some to give in your communities at your civic clubs.

We're happy to provide those.

We're happy to come out to any group to talk about education and uh councilmember Davis, what a terrific town hall you had in District C.

Um, thank you for coming to District C lifting up West Gray and uh having just all the departments there was wonderful.

We appreciate that.

Lastly, the district C annual 2025 report is out.

It does take a month concluding the year because we have so much uh to document to get that report out, so you can find that on our website or email us or join uh our email list so you can get a copy of it.

District C at Houston TX dot gov.

Have a wonderful day.

Happy Valentine's Day uh to my special Valentine's uh my Slade, Matt, and of course my daddy.

Very well, Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you.

And um Mayor, I know your commitment to homelessness in the city.

Um a lot of effort has gone into it, and we really appreciate that.

There's a detention base in there.

We also have uh a homeless encampment up under the Katie Freeway.

And HPD has been great in going out there and um every time every time that we ask them, but we need tech stocks cooperation in this.

You know, under the I-10 freeway.

Um the last time HPD went up there, there were two wanted felons living up there.

Um it's dangerous, obviously, to have them up there.

We need that area secured.

We need, you know, tech stot.

We had talked to them originally about maybe moving the hatch to make it less easy for um people to access it.

But then that detention basin at I-10 and the beltway.

Um it's fenced off, but the fence has been cut, and so there's an encampment in there too.

And we've seen a rise in crime in the area lately when last time HPD went back in there.

There was a bunch of bikes that had been stolen.

They were kind of being stored back there.

So any help that we can get on the west side, you know, we'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

In contact with TechSot, obviously they're good partners, and HBD, as you say, has been responsive.

It just points to the need for emancipation and other shelters or transition living, which we're actively working on.

Uh Councilman Carter is leading the effort to get more than one additional housing proposal for the homeless with treatment.

Certainly uh the warming centers, certainly Fondi, uh Moody Park, uh West Gray.

Uh it was full of primarily homeless people, and it was heartbroken and concerning that when the temperature lowered, they were returned to the streets of Houston.

We must have a better plan, which we do, but it's going to require resources.

We're working actively with HUD.

Um team is going to Washington next week.

We're very optimistic that uh HUD has seen our plan.

They're visiting our locations, and it's just going to require us all working together to not scatter the homeless because of intervention, but uh have a destination.

We're currently using the sobriety center, the navigation center, Houston Harris Health.

Uh, but there's just a demand, and there has been for years for people.

When I leave around 7 o'clock and go around the corner by the library, uh, we've got to address the feeding of the homeless at that location.

It uh and in the hope I want to invite y'all to watch what happened.

It's happening as we talk at Tranquility Park.

That park for years has been ignored.

It was becoming a homeless encampment.

Uh the fountains weren't working.

I can go on and on.

That's a separate subject that we're very proud of.

But you know, it's amazing in the in the shadows of City Hall across the street, the neglect that's been allowed, and it was brought strongly to our attention by the hobby center.

It had become an issue.

And I would ask you to go on down Bagby and look at the bioplace overhang.

Remember how horrible that was?

Drive by today at Allen's Landing.

So we're moving in the drive the correct direction.

Strong plans being carried out.

Central Houston's been a partner uh addressing the homeless.

But you're right.

It's out in the neighborhoods, under the freeways.

I see it.

Across Street from the Oak Forest Library.

Lady camped out there for months, and she'd be removed.

She returned.

So we need a destination for the homeless where they can receive mental health services, drug and alcohol.

You can't imagine how many when you visit the homeless in the warming centers, they need an ID so they can apply for work.

And uh I've raised hell for years with the prison system not to release someone with so without social security or driver's license and what I call being street ready.

They also need a re-entry location.

So thank you.

It's a passion of mine, and I'll uh work with you to get TechSot to focus on that location, but that's not the ultimate solution, as you know.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, I just want to give a shout out to a staff member, Sarah Davidson.

Sarah, would you stand up?

Sarah's been with us for uh quite a while now.

She's done excellent policy research and constituent work.

And uh sad to say she'll be leaving us.

She's taking a position at the Baker Institute at Rice University as a research uh analyst.

We'll be working with Bill King.

So uh thank you, Sarah for your service to the city.

I think in your uh next position, you'll still be helping out the city with the research you're doing.

So uh we'll be anxious to see your your progress as you as you go along throughout your career.

But thank you for your service to the city.

Uh, last thing I want to say is I'll be out at Eagles Trace tonight, Super Neighborhood 17 meeting, speaking to that group.

Look forward to that.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Councilman Thomas.

Thank you.

Uh first congratulations are in order for Christian Menifee.

He was elected to fulfill the remaining term of the late Sylvester Turner on Saturday, January 31st.

He was sworn in by the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson on Monday, February 2nd.

And Congressman Minnefee has a small connection to the West Side prior to moving to City 18.

He attended A.

Leaf Hastings High School.

Um, this is a reminder to uh residents as we enter and prepare for the March 2026 primary with the off-cycle redistricting.

It's really important for you to check and verify your um your um voter registration to know so you are informed about who you get to vote for um in District F through due to the redistricting.

We now have three, four congressional members.

So it's in it's it's it it's important um for you to be clear that this election is like no other.

Um I also want to highlight um some of the work um that we've been taught that I mentioned uh last week about the uh apartment inspection ordinance that we are working through.

There are two community meetings that have been scheduled.

We have uh shared this information on Thursday, February 19th at 6 o'clock at the A Leaf Neighborhood Center.

Um, and then Thursday, March 5th at 6 p.m.

at the Harris County Department of Education at 6300 Irvington.

City Department representatives will be there.

We'll have translation services.

This will be live streamed from HTV so we can hear from you if you are a leaseholder, property manager, owner, operator.

Um, we are inviting you to join us so we can massage the proposed language and make sure that before this item gets to uh the uh joint committee between housing and economic development that it has the best reflection and you get to hear from city departments about the current the the current rule on the books and then how we move forward with enforcement.

So everyone is on the line.

Excited um to um deploy this with Mayor Pro Tim.

Um I think we're gonna have a robust, uh robust uh conversation.

Council members, we are instructing um inviting particular districts at certain days.

They are not limited to that, um, but for convenience, because we we are looking to move this item to committee quickly so we can um go to a vote within the 30 days.

So I want to encourage you to send this out through your newsletter, your social media, and we hope to have you in attendance as well so you can listen to some of your constituents' concerns around public safety, quality of life, habitability, and more.

That's number four.

Okay.

I also want to talk about council district service funds as we move forward in fiscal 27 next summer.

Currently, we have proposed in the queue 276,000 panel replacement of Bra Brazewood estates, a 230,000 dollar sidewalk on Lima Drive, and 51 speed cushions in Leewood that cost 242,000 dollars.

That already puts us at a 518,000 of our council district service funds for the next fiscal year.

If you are a subdivision, and I've instructed you to do an audit of your community ash Ashton Village Section 6 in Tanglewild, I want to ask you to move expeditiously to get that information into 311 so we can make sure that we have a cost estimate and we are ready for construction as we move forward in July 1.

I want to close out my remarks with community and cultural celebrations happening throughout the city and on the west side.

We know it's Mighty Gray all, and as a New Orleanian, we know we gotta we gotta celebrate Texas and Louisiana has a shared uh relationship around that celebration.

And so if you're in uh the move for some king cake, you can always try out Three Brothers Dessert Gallery or our beloved HB H E B.

But if you're like me, you're gonna order that from New Orleans.

So you can go to Gambinos Randazzles or Lorettas, and you'll get it for Fat Tuesday.

Happy Mighty Gras, y'all.

Also want to shout out Lunar New Year is coming.

Um many of you will be on the West Side this Saturday on Valentine's Day at the Chinese Community Center from 10 to 4 at Fort 9800 Town Park and also at the 29th annual Texas Lunar Festival on Saturday at the same time at the A-Lif uh Advanced Career Center at 1216 Richmond.

I will be at the grand opening ceremony on February 26th.

Happy Chinese New Year to all that participate.

So 2026 was rough for y'all, and it was.

You get to start over on Chinese New Year.

I'm also wanna highlight uh again as we continue to celebrate Black History Month.

I want to thank the Houston Public Library for their author talk at Julia Idison on Saturday with Michael Harriet.

It was great.

It was phenomenal.

Thank you for your exceptional programming.

And then you all can join me on February 19th at the West Chase Robinson less library.

Well, I'll be reading during Black History Month.

And then I'll also be at O'Donnell Middle School that later that evening for their Black History program.

I believe that's it.

If there's anything that I can do on the West side, please do not hesitate to reach out to District F at Houston TX.gov.

Thank you.

And thank you for your leadership, particularly you and the Mayor Pro Tim having the community engagement meetings on the uh housing excellent deliberative way to reach the best uh product.

Yeah.

And I plan to be there to listen.

All right, thank you.

You're welcome.

Council Mayor Pro Tim Castrich Stater.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Thomas, thank you for um amplifying that uh Christian won the election.

I I love to tell people that uh I know many of us attend uh participated in Leadership Houston.

He's my leadership Houston class, 36 best class ever classmate.

Um but also uh think it's important that we do continue to encourage people to um understand what's happening uh with this next round of elections starting February 17th early voting.

Uh our lines have changed um and so people need to understand whether or not they are in the 18th, um, that the ninth has moved to Liberty, Texas.

Um so make sure you are checking your address, checking your voting status so that you don't miss um the opportunity to decide who you would like to see to represent you in this uh next election.

And then I want to um let residents know that on Saturday, February the 21st, in partnership with New Face Church, we will have another shred day.

We had lots of folks come by.

Some folks called us and told us they forgot and they still have lots of stuff they want to shred.

It's not limited to folks in District K.

Um and we have plenty of capacity.

So I want people to understand if you have items you want to get shredded on Saturday, February 21st from 9 to 12, we'll be at New Faith Church at 4315 West Fuqueway Drive.

And it's a drive-thru.

You can drop your things off.

It's shredded on site.

Um, and we're happy to um provide that service to our community members.

Councilmember Thomas already talked about um the dates for our apartment apartment inspection ordinance community meetings.

I'll reiterate that as February 19th from 6 to 8 at the A-Leaf Neighborhood Center, March 5th from 6 to 8 at the Harris County Department of Education on Irvington.

Look for some additional um communication uh in our newsletters and also um online as we encourage the tenants, the landlords, the owners, the property managers, all of the stakeholders to participate in these two meetings so that we can have a comprehensive uh ordinance to move forward for the city of Houston.

And then um, colleagues remember we voted on our um donation box ordinance.

We've seen an increase in donation boxes just being dropped on properties.

Um those property owners have to agree to have those donation boxes on their property.

If there is not an orange decal that says they have paid and permitted those donation boxes, we can have them removed.

We're finding that these donation boxes have become magnets for illegal dumping.

We want to make sure that these property owners that come to um their their place of business and all of a sudden there's a donation box on their property.

They there is a mechanism in place to get those removed.

So if you see these unpermitted boxes, call it in the 311.

You can um call our office.

We're happy to help usher those um and get those donation boxes removed.

If they do not have the orange sticker on front of the donation box, it's an unpermitted box, and we need to get those out of our communities.

Uh, then want to tell the folks in Westwood and Willow Meadows.

Um, if you see neighborhood crews, the um there are some repairs being done to the outfalls.

Um, this is some drainage and infrastructure work happening through public works.

That work started on February the second.

We received a couple of calls about folks out there in those areas, but it is because we are repairing those drainage outfalls to produce to reduce uh structure flooding and making sure we are prepared for future rain events.

Uh and Friday, as we continue celebrating Black History Month, very excited about the Go Trail Riders event happening at the Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center.

I'll be there from one to four.

There will be story time, uh petting zoo, tech link activities.

Uh Mayor, and I think that uh I know we talked about this last week.

What great programming the um Houston Public Libraries curating for Black History Month, but want to continue to amplify that and encourage Houstonians to participate.

Um thank you, colleagues, for the wonderful gifts.

Uh and y'all have a happy Valentine's Day, and of course, be kind to each other.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor approach Henry Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um we have a tax credit proposal in District A, the Vista Arbor Trace on Conrad Sauer.

And our neighbors um from Royal Oaks and Shadow Oaks are going to host a meeting on Tuesday, February 17th at 6 30 p.m.

Um with the developers.

That will be at Fairhaven Church 130 Gessner.

So if you would like to hear more about the proposal, I encourage everyone to attend that meeting.

Thank you.

Councilman Mark Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, in celebration of Lunar New Year, um participating in a gift distribution with one of our Vietnamese American communities at St.

Joseph condominiums.

I'm excited to be able to do this.

Uh, but I also want to uh just give a quick shout out to Deputy Dow Wynn with uh Constable Precinct 2, Jerry Garcia's office for helping organize this.

Also um ahead of uh Valentine's Day, my team and I uh were continuing to visit with our seniors and uh essentially you know want to make sure that we give them their flowers literally, but also of course figuratively.

Um I was always enjoying spending time with our seniors.

You know, a lot of times you know when they're meeting together, they find they find that uh joy in being able to uh come together alone.

But when someone else goes to visit them, um it's a reminder of you know that that uh family uh unity that they I know many times uh also need as well.

Um and then with that, I just want to wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day, a reminder that uh we need to show some love to the City of Houston.

Uh we can do that by reporting to 311 as well.

Thank you.

Very well, Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I first want to start by highlighting that my office was able to give uh 25,000 dollars to the Houston Houston um to HMAC, the Houston Museum of African African American Culture.

Uh that was the first uh allocation of public dollars that that museum has ever received.

Um they told me that they were the only African American museum around the country that does not get public dollars, and so we were we were ecstatic that we were able to do that for them.

Uh those dollars will go towards these virtual reality uh headsets that we will be able to take to schools, libraries, community centers all over the city, but specifically in J City, uh, that will bring those students in the community to the uh museum without having to actually be there.

So uh big shout out to HMAC.

If you have not been to the Houston Museum of African American Culture on Caroline Street, I encourage you all to please go visit.

Um last night I was excited that Club Creek Park, which is a park in J City near 59 and Bissinet, uh was awarded the top uh open space uh in Houston award last night by the Urban Land Institute.

And there was a uh big reception at uh the good company off of Kirby.

And I want to give a huge shout out to uh TERS 20, uh the City of Houston Parks and Recs Department, uh SWA Group, uh Millis Development and Construction, Walter P.

Moore, uh the Harris County Flood Control District, ENC Engineers and Consultants, and specifically my office staff and my chief of staff, Paul Young.

Uh we did a lot of work at transforming that green space off of Club Creek into one of I think Houston's most special parks.

Uh not only is it a detention basin to help with flood mitigation, uh, but there's also hike and bike trails, playground equipment, exercise equipment, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, uh, which is probably one of my proudest accomplishments as a council member is constructing that Vietnam Veterans Memorial to ensure that all the veterans from the Houston area have a proper welcome home and a proper thank you for their service.

We have been notified that we are now going to be switching to an on-call heavy trash strategy.

I am hopeful that that works, but I do want to be on the record of saying I don't agree with that route.

I don't have confidence in it, uh, and I hope I'm proven wrong.

Um, but I do think there is other ways in which we can address the heavy trash and tree waste problem that is rampant all throughout the city.

Mayor, uh again, I want to stress that my office still wants to utilize our Council District Service Fund dollars for overtime with HPD.

Um since I have been on council, my office has been able to put forth a lot of dollars towards overtime for community patrol and uh presence within our neighborhoods.

And over the past year or close to a year, we have been prohibited from putting forth our overtime dollars in our district.

And that is a real detriment to the residents of J City.

And I'm not sure why I am the only office that is prohibited from giving those overtime dollars, but when it is already shown that the city is going above budget when it comes to overtime, and that we understand that uh these neighborhoods need as much presence as possible to address public safety.

I am asking again that you approve the overtime funding that my office has budgeted for community policing in J City.

Um tonight I will be the speaker for the Black History Program at Houston Christian University.

Uh that is something I look forward to doing every single year.

Um I do want to give a shout out to the crew of Poris.

Uh they put on a Mardi Gras Gala the First inaugural Mardi Gras Gala in the City of Houston that was at the Thompson Hotel.

They did a phenomenal job of putting that together.

Uh so props to them.

And uh to everyone, happy Valentine's Day.

Thank you.

Councilman Alric Corney.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Mayor, I was happy to represent you at the Houston Galveston Area Council Parks and Natural Areas Awards program, and the park you just mentioned, um Club Creek won an award there too for the projects over 500,000.

That is a great park, and the Vietnam Memorial is uh really cool too.

Also winning awards were Burnett Bailin, Columbia Tap, Camden Park, Lockwood Park, Wasau Park, Pittner Pocket Park, A-Leaf Pocket Prairie, and Greens Up, Greens Bayou.

Um, another uh thing that happened yesterday was the um the maps, the FEMA maps.

Um, the draft has been released.

Although search as I will on the FEMA site, it's not really user-friendly to find.

My biggest my best way to kind of look at the new maps is on the Chronicles Interact interactive map.

You can literally put in an address and it will tell you whether you're you've moved up like from the 500 to the 100, or you have gone to the from the 100 to 500, or if you're not in it, if there was no change at all if you're not in it.

But I think there's going to be a more public uh it sounds like there's going to be a more public user-friendly release coming soon.

The Commissioner's Court will be discussing the maps at uh Commissioner's Court this week.

So stay tuned on on Atlas 14.

Thank you.

Council Salinas.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

I am excited to share that our office will be launching our monthly office hours on February 19th from 3 to 7 p.m.

I will be available to meet with anyone in the community that would like to meet.

You can visit our website to sign up.

But we hope folks in the community that have any questions or want to learn more about City Hall or share their issues will do so.

And I am thrilled to share that we have the two newest members of our team here if they can stand up.

Uh Bryce Randall is our new policy and advocacy director, and he is joining us from Commissioner Ellis' office.

And Ashley Guevada is joining us from Lone Star College, and she is our new operations and external affairs director.

They are phenomenal young leaders.

I am thrilled to have them on the team, and they are excited to do the people's work.

Thank you.

Sounds great.

Counselor Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, you know, uh to acknowledge Councilmember Huffman, although she has left the room, uh, her comments on the homeless.

Uh just this morning, you know, coming down Capitol, turning on to Maine, you know, they're everywhere, right?

We're starting to see them, you know, uh in more pockets than maybe before, but it's I think the awareness has really makes you look around, you know, just the conversation.

But we've got to stay focused and certainly we're making progress on that front with other facilities and continuing those conversations and to pursue that, but certainly it's going to take participation and it's going to take everyone working together.

And when it comes to funding, we need to be sure that we're looking at what we're funding.

You know, um, you know, when we're funding park supplies, when we're funding, you know, contraception, we need to be sure that we're voting to fund to help our homeless population.

On that note, the pit count is excuse me, February the 24th through the 26th training.

There's one, I think tomorrow is the final uh virtual training for that.

My team will be participating in the pit count.

It's one thing to talk about the homeless, it's another to go out and to see them and to see who's out there.

Um certainly um, you know, the street feeders, ironically enough, you know, I meet with street feeders a lot, and I've had a couple of them have called me this past week and said, Hey, can you help us to help understand what it is we're trying to do?

Because we're not feeding just the homeless anymore.

We're feeding those who come out of literally come out of the woodwork.

And this is the group over on Congress.

Um, I'm uh been an active conversation to try to figure out can we get them to a consolidated site where the cleanup isn't just so vast that it's costly and it's it's becoming an issue even without loaves and fishes.

You know, once emancipation gets online.

Um I know we'll be in a better place, but this is a this is a topic that we're going to continue to have to tackle, and I know you are, and I know around this horseshoe everyone is, but it's citywide.

It's it's not limited to downtown, it's not limited to District G, it's an E, it's everywhere.

And I think holistically, we've got to continue to look at a big picture, re-entry being a huge part of it.

When you talk to people that don't have an ID, they don't have the resources to get to where they need to get an ID.

It's a problem.

And it's a it's a huge conversation.

Um, and it's not uh an overnight fix and it's not a one-stop solution.

There are many aspects to tackle, whether it's the re-entry or the respite care, it's it's the big picture.

Um but uh on that note, today I'm happy to represent your office uh at the United Way for the 211 day.

And 211, in case you don't know, is the helpline for United Way to gain access for food, child care, um, you know, resources for the aging, domestic violence, just it's their helpline.

And uh certainly that's a great service to the city.

Um again, pit count.

If you haven't gone on the pit count with the coalition for the homeless, I strongly encourage everyone to do so.

And also too, when you start to identify other pockets in your community.

I know you all work with the coalition, but you know, I call them and say, here's a new group, here's a new group, and try to make sure that they're seeing these new encampments and these new pocket communities of the homeless, because I I I really believe it's because we're having the conversation, the awareness is is making us really look at it.

So thank you.

Thank you for your leadership.

Council.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I just want to first start out saying that the Jack Yates alumni gathered at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church this past Sunday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Jack Yates Senior High School, a century of excellence, resilience, scholarship, leadership, and pride.

For 100 years, Jack Yates has produced educators, judges, artists, pastors, physicians, engineers, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and community builders.

It is more than a school, it is an institution, it's more than an education, it's an experience.

A training ground for excellence, a pillar of third ward.

The centennial was not simply a celebration of the past, it was a dec declaration about the future.

Uh also on this Friday, uh Channel 39 will have a one-hour uh video participation, uh, a love letter to J.Y.

we love Jack AIDS, as y'all know JY for life.

And it's a call to alumni to come out and celebrate the law for for Jack Yates, it will be at 9 a.m.

at the new school, 3650 Alabama in the lobby.

And so 100 years later, the Lions are still roaring.

And District D is proud to be the home of this historic legacy.

Uh on this evening, you then park Super Neighborhood Council will have a virtual meeting from 5 30 p.m.

to 7 p.m.

On tomorrow, um, the state of the NAACP Houston branch will be at the ensemble theater from 5 30 to 8, 3535 Main Street.

This is an annual address that will highlight the Houston branches priorities and ongoing work in civil rights, economic equity, and community empowerment.

On next Thursday, the Arts and Culture Committee meeting will uh take place from two to three here in the chambers.

Uh the committee will continue discussions on programming investments and strengthening Houston's cultural ecosystem.

On Thursday, February the 19th from 5 to 7 p.m.

There will be a financial readiness tackling barriers to home ownership at the Blue Triangle Community Center, 3005 McGowan Street.

And this workshop will provide residents with tools around financial literacy, credit readiness, and sustainable pathways to ownership.

I want to thank my colleagues, Councilmember Martinez and Councilmember Pollard for the wonderful Valentine's expressions.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

And I'll take that candy for Councilmember Jackson since she's not here.

Okay.

Yeah, I'm just saying.

Thank you, colleagues.

And this concludes what's going on in the district of destination.

Thank you.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

This past Saturday, I participated in the African American Literature read-in at the Carnegie Library, put on by Houston Public Library Systems to celebrate Black History Month.

I do want to uh thank Director Gall for being present at the event as well and hosting it at Carnegie and all of the community members who showed up.

I was able to read some African proverbs.

Um it was it was a great experience.

It was my first time participating in at the read-in.

Uh so I look forward to doing more of the uh Black History Month events in District H.

This coming Tuesday, February 17th, there will be a town hall at Moody Park with Commissioner Garcia, the office, Houston Parks Department, and myself around the agreement for precinct two to maintain and operate Moody Park.

This is going to uh be an opportunity for the community to learn uh about this transition and also ask the questions.

Uh, I know we've been getting a few already and hear directly from the folks that are involved in this as we look to a new phase for Moody Park and one where the park will uh continue to be utilized by community members uh and groups and and see some upgrades and uh some improvements coming its way.

That will be Tuesday, February 17th at the Moody Park Community Center.

And then finally, the Pets Mobile Unit for Spay neuters is going to be at two locations coming up uh for District H residents that do require appointments.

So I want to encourage folks if you're looking for low-cost spay neuter services that includes vaccine and microchips.

February 13th and 16th, they will be at Wabash Feed and Garden off of Shepherd, February 20th and 22nd at Zoomy's in 2nd Ward off of Canal.

You can go to Petset.org/slash spay neuter to reserve your appointment.

They are available from 6 45 a.m.

uh all the way to 4.

And this is for district age residents only uh to receive the Spay neuter services.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um to all, I just want to begin by thanking everyone who came out to our town hall meeting on Monday night in the Montrose at the Metropolitan Multiservice Center.

Uh, you know, we take very we take a lot of pride in presenting these town hall meetings uh as we started.

This is uh beginning of the year uh of 2026 in our town hall meeting, and uh we are very proud of the work that we do in participating with allowing the community to engage with us, which is critical to all of us as we serve our city.

We had a little over 150 people in total attendance.

We are we were able to provide a forum to those who attended to voice their concerns and ask questions about city government.

I want to thank the uh certainly I want to thank our department officials, uh panelists and facility staff for making our event a success because we couldn't do it without the participation from the departments of our city.

I also want to thank Councilmember uh Abby Cayman and also who joined us and council at large uh Sally Alcorn, both of them for speaking at the event, and uh had members representing from Councilmember Ramirez's office and Councilmember Carter's office.

Want to thank them for participating and joining us.

I'd like to also want to thank KHOU for covering our event and emphasizing some of the uh advancements and the changes that's being participated through Solid Ways.

I want to thank them for that because that has been such a big issue as we hear it often around the horseshoe, and so we're grateful for that.

I also want to thank Nathan Kelly and the Blazer Building for sponsoring uh our event and helping to uh pay for and facilitate some of the uh catering that we had from uh Cafe Ginger.

One last shout out I'd like to give is to our wonderful volunteers, the people who came to help and assist us.

We try to get the community engaged in much of what we do, and so want to thank Monica Mason and the volunteers at the Young Society of Houston uh who came out and served, which was really, really uh a big help, and we thank them.

Our next town hall meeting will be in May at the Chinese Community Center in Southwest Houston, and we look forward to bringing City Hall once again to that area and to that community, uh, which is what we generally try to do.

I also in my last statement, I want to lift up two particular things.

Number one is that we've started the initiative of the PPP.

Uh I talked about this last year in presenting stats on the increase of crime among young people, uh, which deals with uh police and other faith leaders as well as business people in the community.

So we're gonna be rolling that out through our Minister Advisory Board, and uh we're grateful for that, and certainly working with HPD.

We also are in the process of planning our second annual financial symposium on banking in your business, which was a very huge turnout last year.

We did the first one, and uh, we had an attendance of about 347 people that attended businesses, non-for-profits, uh, for profits, businesses of all denominates, all businesses culture wide.

And it was a great, great turnout, and we want to do it again.

You know, I hear often around Hart Shoe about monies and what we spend, and uh as I often say the city don't have all the money, the county don't have it, banks got the money.

I think that we often educate ourselves around the community reinvestment act, which is a federal law.

We often talk about what the federal government does, we talk about cuts, but let's talk about what the federal government is required to do, and that is by them to tell banks they're required.

You follow the law, it doesn't ask them to do it, it says they're required to invest in our community, whether it be housing projects, uh when I heard Mayor Pro Tim talk about the New Faith Church and their project, those are the type of things that we need to see get done in all of our communities.

But the people who helped to help us to do that are the people with the money, and it is the bank.

So we thankful for that, and we'll be hopefully rolling that out very soon.

But uh that will be all.

Thank you.

Thank everyone.

Uh we're gonna stand adjourned to Wednesday, February 18th, 9 a.m.

for consolidated session.

Everyone be safe.