Houston City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026

The City Council of Houston held its regular meeting on February 18, 2026, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council adopted minutes from February 10-11, 2026, and moved through a consent agenda, several separate consideration items, and a lengthy public session. Key issues included support for affordable housing tax credit applications, community engagement requirements, immigration enforcement cooperation with ICE, preservation of historic theaters, and infrastructure projects.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1-4 (miscellaneous) were approved unanimously.
• Item 5 (accept work) passed.
• Item 6 (property) passed.
• Items 7-8 (purchase and tabulation of bids) passed.
• Item 9 (resolutions category) passed.
• Item 10 (resolution) passed with Councilmembers Flickinger and Ramirez voting no.
• Items 12,13,14,16,24,25,27,30,31 (ordinances) were received and voted as a batch; each passed.
• Item 21 (ordinance) passed; Councilmember Ramirez thanked state and federal partners for $15 million for FIFA security drone countermeasures.
• Item 23 (ordinance) passed; Councilmember Flickinger highlighted state funding for Meadow Creek park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Parik (Lakes of Parkway resident) opposed the Sunstone on SH6 9% housing development, citing unresolved drainage validation, traffic/safety concerns on Highway 6, and lack of transit access. He stated Super Neighborhood 17 voted majority against the project and presented a petition of 533 signatures.
• Ben St. Martin (Canterbury Development) introduced a proposed senior affordable housing project (Oasis Gardens) in A-Leaf and stated outreach to Councilmember Thomas’s office and super neighborhood.
• James Cosier advocated for a drone-to-ship delivery service corridor at the Port of Houston, asking for clarity on land use, infrastructure synergies, and local regulatory framework.
• Patricia Redman (Lakes of Parkway HOA) reiterated opposition to the Sunstone development, citing MUD 355’s open requirement for a drainage plan. She noted that within 1.8 miles there are 2,821 high-density housing units (including existing low-income projects) with no infrastructure updates. Traffic from Westside High School (2,825 students) adds congestion.
• James Keyser (chemical engineer, MUD 355 attendee) opposed the development due to lack of flood control: converting three acres of permeable soil to impermeable would generate 487,000 gallons (2-year storm) and 1.5 million gallons (100-year storm) runoff, and MUD 355 stated it cannot accept more runoff.
• Janine Sisak (DMA Development Company) asked council to support the project, noting they agreed to limit to 65 units, two stories, and a 30-foot setback. She acknowledged Super Neighborhood 17 voted 5-2 against (two delegates in support, one neutral). She requested a waiver of the two-mile rule since they serve a different population.
• Emily Ardwent (Preservation Houston) and Maureen McNamara (Art House Houston) urged preservation of the Garden Oaks Theater (1947, Art Deco) on North Shepherd, recently purchased for redevelopment likely a shopping center. They requested facilitated conversation with the developer. Councilmember Castillo confirmed the new owner is willing to meet. A petition has nearly 2,000 signatures.
• Paul Roberson discussed concerns about the Boy Scouts of America class action lawsuit and alleged omissions in the questionnaire affecting survivor compensation. Council advised him to consult his attorney.
• Michelle Bouchard and Barbara Denson opposed any ordinance limiting HPD from contacting ICE. They cited statistics: 15,000 deportations from the Houston ICE office, two-thirds from jails, and HPD encountered only 160 ICE warrants in 2025 (70 picked up, 90 released). They argued the current process works without confrontation.
• Rebecca Broom spoke about finding “rape tree” dresses in her neighborhood, indicating human trafficking, and urged HPD cooperation with ICE.
• Gilda Bygon (Precinct Chair, representing ~2,000 constituents) expressed alarm over rumors of council interfering with HPD's ability to stop vehicles for non-moving violations or contacting ICE. She warned against making Houston “another Minneapolis.” Councilmember Salinas clarified state law (SB4) prohibits preventing officers from notifying ICE.
• James Shriver urged common sense enforcement of traffic laws (e.g., broken taillights) to fight crime.
• Joseph Amari spoke in support of Black History Month.

Discussion Items

• Item 33 (Resolution supporting tax credit applications) : Extensive debate on community engagement. Councilmember Thomas moved to separate and refer back four applications (26019, 26164, 26238, 260112) to administration due to insufficient genuine community outreach. Motion passed. Then the main item passed. Councilmember Kaman asked about timeline impact; Thomas said deadlines could still be met.
• Immigration enforcement and HPD policies: During public comments, multiple speakers argued against any restrictions on HPD cooperation with ICE. Councilmembers engaged in a lengthy discussion balancing public safety, immigrant rights, and local control. Councilmember Pollard shared a story of a long-term resident deported after a DWI, arguing focus should be on violent criminals. Councilmember Kaman distinguished administrative vs. criminal warrants and highlighted inhumane conditions in detention centers. Councilmember Shabazz called on white women to organize against ICE abuses. Councilmember Carter emphasized letting HPD do its job without comparing Houston to other cities.

Key Outcomes

• Referrals: Four tax credit applications (26019, 26164, 26238, 260112) were separated and referred back to the administration for additional community engagement, per Councilmember Thomas’s motion (seconded by Huffman), which passed.
• Item 33 (main resolution) passed after the referrals.
• Item 37 (TIRZ 18 budget) passed despite Councilmember Ramirez’s vote against, citing board conflicts of interest and insufficient capital improvements. He deferred to Councilmember Jackson (absent). He noted a conversation with the mayor’s chief of staff about upcoming board appointment changes.
• Item 13 (Tidwell Park Aquatic Facility) passed. Councilmember Thomas read a statement from Councilmember Jackson (recuperating from surgery) thanking for $14.6 million (mostly state funds, secured by Rep. Symphonia Thompson) to build a year-round pool, enabling swim lessons and revenue-generating events.
• Item 32 (Port of Houston Authority nomination) : Councilmember Alcorn nominated Thomas Jones for position two; nominations were closed, and vote scheduled for next week.
• Item 16 (RMS system extension) passed; Councilmember Kaman requested a full cost projection for future extensions.
• Item 31 (drainage and flood risk reduction) passed; Councilmember Castillo highlighted partnership with Commissioner Garcia Precinct 2 for near north side improvements.

Other Highlights

• Councilmember Kaman announced a citation against a developer who removed 120 bricks from Freedmanstown without following historic preservation protocols.
• Councilmember Thomas reminded of two community meetings on the apartment inspection ordinance: February 19 (A-Leaf) and March 5 (District H).
• Councilmember Peck announced an adopt-an-esplanade program event on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 11 a.m. virtual.
• Councilmember Ramirez noted early voting runs through February 27; election day March 3.
• The meeting adjourned in honor of Reverend Jesse Jackson.