Council, please come to order.

Um Jackson, you want me to now or you want me to save it to publicly say how glad we are to have you back to our guest, Councilman Jackson had made your back surgery and has been out two months.

So she's been monitoring council and uh some days I missed her, some days not so much.

But she's a great asset to uh city government, and uh we're really so pleased to have you back.

Your district is so special, and you do such a great job of representing it and working with all of us with your years of experience.

I've worked with you in criminal justice for many years, and I really sincerely welcome you back.

Thank you all.

Thank you for thank you the thoughts and the prayers and the flowers and the candy and the cookies and so uh but I'm happy to be back.

Thanks to District B for allowing me to recover.

Um was always on the phone with them daily, but again, happy to be back.

Well, you're looking great.

Thank you.

Sound great.

Uh at this time I'll ask Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck to preside while we speak to our guests from the front mic.

The chair recognizes Councilmember Davis for a proclamation to the Houston Grand Opera for the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording of Intelligence.

Yes, uh Vice Mayor Pro Tem and to Council members and mayor, I I want to say that this could not be more of a celebratory day for the city of Houston.

Uh, I don't know.

I think this uh presentation today stands out among many.

I don't know if there's anyone else that's fit the category that they fit today and how it makes all of Houston proud, not just uh our mayor and the council, but the entire city of Houston.

Uh today we've got the privilege, as I have to present to the Houston Grand Opera Grammy celebration.

Whereas on February 1st 2026, Houston Grand Opera HGO received the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for his commissioned opera intelligence, recorded live during the world premiere run at the Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston, marking the first such honor for HGO since 1989 and representing a landmark moment in the company's distinguished history and whereas intelligence is the first release on the new Houston Grand Opera recording label established in 2025 to expand access to American opera for national and international audiences and to ensure the extraordinary ATT created in Houston reaches listeners around the world.

And whereas the historic 2026 Grammy Award underscore HGO's position at the forefront of Americans Opera and demonstrates the company's continued leadership in commissioning and premiering groundbreaking works centered on the youth human voice and shaping the future of the art form.

And whereas the recognition brings international distinction to Houston as a major cultural destination, contributes to the local economy, and enriches the lives of residents across the greater Houston area while affirming the world-class caliber or artistic excellence produced in our city.

And whereas on this momentous occasion, the City of Houston proudly commends the creators, the artists, the musicians, the recording engineers, crew, and staff on who brought intelligence to life and extends heartfelt congratulations to Houston Grand Opera on receiving the 2026 Grammy Award for the best opera recording.

Recognize that the company's continued mission to enrich Houston's diverse community throughout the art of opera.

To you, Mayor, I present it to you as we present it to you.

Well, thank you so much.

It's a great opportunity to recognize what are Houston's really assets.

And uh I'm gonna just make a public confession as a way to compliment you.

I grew up in Northwest Houston.

We didn't have the exposure to the opera that today's students have.

Our community, your inclusion, and really going to communities that have not been included.

So I grew up in a Northwest Houston, and uh opera leadership at that time.

City government did not reach out to us.

And I'm certain you could speak to your experience from work.

Absolutely.

So times have changed, and congratulations on your Grammy.

But thanks, everyone.

When I came to my desk or my seat, I was look across a good audience, a good crowd, and start recognizing folks.

Uh I knew we had a bunch of new visitors to see.

Now, what civic club is that group?

What are they protesting?

This is a celebration.

This is a great for making it happen, Madam CEO.

Uh all the leadership and the rank and file that make the opera the great uh quality of life issue that we are so familiar with the city of Houston.

So thank you, Councilmember Davis.

And therefore, our John Whitmark, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaimed March seventeenth, twenty twenty six as Houston Grand Opera Grammy celebration day across this great city.

Yes, we go there here.

Possibility and welcome.

International in spirit, boundless in ambition, and generous at heart.

Thank you all so very much.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Davis, before we do the Councilmember Davis, before we do the photos, we do have a council member in the queue to address Councilmember Cayman.

But if you can just look around this horseshoe at how big we are all smiling right now, uh, because we know how great our grand opera is.

Uh is incredible and so well deserving.

Uh I know this is the third.

I know we will have more to come, but I just want to recognize how far the opera has come.

We have gone through a lot together, uh, through the pandemic, through the challenges, mayor, through the funding that the city has provided to support the arts and get them through hardships.

But the testament is really to you all, to the board, to the staff, to the musicians, to the singers, um, and to all of the stage hands, the people that work behind the scenes every single day.

Uh, we're just so grateful for the joy that you bring, the education that you bring, but the essence of what Houston is about.

So really thank you all, and huge congratulations.

Up next, the chair recognizes Council Member Salinas for a proclamation to Goya Foods to celebrate their 90th anniversary and Goya Gives Day.

How are you doing?

So I have the pleasure of recognize of reading the proclamation to Goya Foods on their 90th anniversary.

A nationwide initiative dedicated to supporting hunger relief efforts through the donations of one million pounds of food across thirty cities, including Houston.

Whereas in Houston, Goya Foods has partnered with more than thirty local organizations to donate a hundred thousand pounds of foods and family to food to families in need throughout the city and surrounding communities.

If our homeless shelter is open, we're gonna open it in June, the chair recognizes Mayor Whitmire for a proclamation to highlight March as procurement month.

I'm looking for you.

I'm here.

I thought you were working.

Council members and guests, thank you for being here.

Um this is uh procurement month, and uh I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank uh Mr.

Greenfield and his staff to kind of go about their daily chores and help make this great city operate.

Uh you know, after we had the Ernst and Young recommendations, how to consolidate matters and be more efficient, and uh you're carrying out that mission.

So thank you, Ched.

I'm enjoyed working with you.

And it speaks to uh how valuable the procurement process is to any operation, but certainly the city of Houston.

I know you've assumed greater responsibilities.

So with this being your month, I wanted to bring this proclamation, and therefore I John Whitmar, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaim March 26th is procurement month in the city of Houston.

Thank you for the job you do.

We certainly appreciate the recognition.

Um I recognize my executive staff here and all of my team who's filling up the chambers here, but uh it's important to recognize the hard work that they do.

Um, as we think of the importance of procurement, mayor in the city of Houston.

We think of police and fire not having the equipment and the vehicles they need, but for these public uh servants.

We think of the libraries not having the technology or the books they need, but for these public servants.

Uh and we can go through all the city operations and city departments and and understand and recognize that because this great team shows up every day and looks for opportunities to uh meet the needs of the city, and then also mayor under your leadership to look for those efficiencies, and we're grateful to uh your support and helping us in finding ways that we can continue to move uh move that needle and become a great operation in the city of Houston.

So we're grateful for the support of you for the council, uh grateful for uh our city department support, uh, for our legal department team who we work with very closely in Martin Buzek with our contract section.

Uh Director Hord and OBO, uh certainly uh Melissa Dubowski and Finance, uh Mayor and you and Council, and so just thank you for all the support, and we look forward to many great years coming ahead with great things to do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor Mayor, we do have some council members in the queue.

Um Councilmember Alcorn.

Jim.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Potem.

Um, Jed, man, you've come a long way.

I mean, Jed used to talk to us about dangerous chemicals under the municipal setting designations.

Um but you've been such a good and loyal city employee, and you just excel at every position you've had, and I know you're taking on a lot more, and I'm so excited, Mayor, with the EY with the strategic purchasing, something that I've been around a long time and we've really never looked at procuring our goods more strategically and putting things together.

So I know you're right at the forefront of that, and thanks for all you do.

And for all that all of you do.

You know, procurement's not the sexiest department, but you're you're getting the job done.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Vice Member Protect.

Uh and I just want to echo some of the same sentiments, Jed Mayor.

Um, when I go out to civic clubs, uh, it's not the sexiest thing to talk about, but when we start talking about centralizing, you know, the procurement process, what does that look like?

When we're right sizing departments, y'all are at the lead of all of that conversation, really.

Um, and ultimately, after having that conversation, residents actually are like, whoa, y'all are really trying to do better for the city, right?

Save those dollars, make sure that we'll be more efficient as well.

And so um, yeah, I deserve not just a month.

I think y'all need to highlight y'all all year long.

Um, because the work that y'all have been doing has really helped us to uh work to exhaust all options.

Ultimately, before we start uh identifying ways that we need to increase the revenue, right?

So uh but at the end of the day, the work that y'all are doing um is is is important.

We need to make sure uh that we uh we are showing residents that we are doing the best that we can and take a point of personal privilege to recognize a good friend Carla, who's in the audience and your team.

Uh, when I was an intern at the district high office back in the late 90s, she was uh I think constituent services director for the council member at that time, so I just wanted to highlight her for a bit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Kingman.

Thank y'all councilmember Cayman.

Thank you.

Um Mayor, thank you.

Again, normally we're celebrating right women's history month, but the fact that we also get to recognize the hard work of procurement.

Um I don't think people fully in the public understand how critical to government operations procurement is.

It is the lifeline of government operations, and to have such an important role being played out by so many dedicated employees of the city of Houston.

Um procurement's tricky.

We rely on it, but we also have to follow the rules with it.

And you all are so rigorous and so diligent in making sure that we're we are sticking to the book, sticking to the rules while being creative and making sure that we can get what we need done and your solution oriented.

So, Director, I want to thank you.

I want to thank the entire team, because without you all, nothing in the city of Houston happens.

And we mean that.

So, really thank you and congratulations and mayor, thank you for bringing forward this recognition.

Sure, thank you.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Just wanted to say thank you for the work you're doing and the effort to try and make the City of Houston as efficient as possible and get the most out of our tax dollars.

Uh, you know, we talk about affordability all the time.

That's in the headlines everywhere.

Obviously, using the tax dollars that we get from the citizens to the most efficient manner is going to help with that.

So thank you for the work you do.

I appreciate it.

Absolutely.

Thank you, Jen, and to your entire team.

I appreciate everything you do.

Without your team, I mean nothing would happen at the city, as Councilmore Heyman said.

So, really appreciate your whole team.

And um, all over the years, all the questions that I've asked you, and all of the information that you've given us over the years.

Always appreciative of that.

Thank you.

Always my pleasure.

Thank you.

Very good.

Vice Mayor Tim Peg for the invocation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Chaplain Johnson, if you'd like to come up, please.

Chaplain Johnson is a sergeant with the Houston Police Department and has spent the last eight years serving as the department's chaplain.

Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and letters of recommend of commendation.

Chaplain Johnson also served his country honorably as a United States Marine and is a combat veteran.

He is a graduate of Wayne State University and the University of St.

Thomas.

Finally, he is a senior pastor of Mount Rose Baptist Church, where he exercises his gift in ministry and faithfully serves his community.

Good afternoon.

This is a day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

First and foremost, thank you, City Council, for this opportunity to pray.

I know you could have contacted a numerous amount of pastors and preachers, but thank you for allowing the chaplain to have this sweet and special occasion.

Now, City Council and citizens of Houston, would you pray with me?

Our Father and our God, we thank you for today.

We thank you for your grace and we thank you for your mercy.

We thank you for the partnership that the city has with its citizens.

Now we ask that this meeting be held decently and in order, and we ask that all that we do be for your glory.

We thank you for this opportunity to gather.

We thank you for the celebration that has just taken place, acknowledging those who deserve recognition.

Again, Lord, we ask that you just continue to be in our midst.

Allow your presence to be here, and we thank you for this opportunity.

We thank you, Lord, in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

Thank you.

Mayor Wilmeyer, present.

Councilmember Peck.

Here.

Councilmember Jackson.

Here.

Councilmember Cayman.

Present.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas will be absent.

Councilmember Huffman.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo will be absent.

Councilmember Martinez.

Here.

Councilmember Pilot.

Councilmember Castex Tatum will be absent.

Councilmember Ramirez?

Here.

Councilmember Davis.

Councilmember Carter.

Councilmember Salinas.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Here.

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

Peck move.

Came in second.

Motion made and seconded.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember.

Davis is first.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to add tomorrow bill to the three-minute top of the three-minute null agenda list.

Second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to add Kathy Blueford Daniels at the top of the three-minute non-agenda lists behind Mrs.

Bell.

Motion is made and seconded.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Mayors.

Thank you, Mayor.

Move to suspend the rules and add Carol Churchill to the top of the three-minute non-agenda list right after Kathy Blueford Daniels.

Motion made and seconded.

All in all in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Anyone else?

If not, Mr.

Secretary, let's call our first speaker.

Bruce Nichols.

To be followed by Dominique Mazop.

Good afternoon.

I'm here to thank you, Mayor and Council, for your continued support of Tour 17 with the appointment and reappointment of board members this week.

As a homeowner living in Frostwood Subdivision adjacent to Tourist 17.

We see it as a force for good in the Memorial City City Center area of West Houston.

With the supervision and support of the City of Houston, Turf 17 has fueled economic development within its boundaries while protecting the quality of life in residential neighborhoods around it.

It has planned and financed important commercial infrastructure improvements, helping to make our area one of Houston's most convenient for shopping, medical care, restaurant, and other services.

It has developed and continues to develop stormwater drainage and detention projects that reduce the risk of flooding in and around Tour 17.

And now it is funding a combined public safety center and detention project that will improve fire and police protection while further mitigating flood risk.

I want to salute retiring board members Dave Durham, Brad Friels, Dan Moody, and John Rickle for their years of service helping to improve our community.

We welcome new board members Alex Massa, Marlon Trujillo, Ben Pislack, Pete Delonchamp, and look forward to working supporting them and the rest of the board and continued good works with the reappointment of the very effective Ann Gibbons as chair and public spirited Zach Hodges and Andy Iverson as continuing board members.

We see a bright future ahead for our area.

Thank you.

Well, thank you for being here.

I want to hasten to say you've had some great uh council representation, Councilman Peck, Council Hub, and our at-large council members.

Uh we recognize what a vibrant community that uh that they serve from, and it's really a lot of community involvement, such as yourself.

So thank you for coming and the feedback is always welcome.

Councilmember Peck.

Thank you, Mayor Bruce.

Thank you so much for coming in for your comments today.

We appreciate you being involved in and supportive of all the projects that TUR 17 is working on to support our community.

Thank you.

Councilor Hupman.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Nichols for coming.

You know, TUR 17 really has done some incredible projects over the years, and we couldn't have done any of it without our incredible board.

And so we really do appreciate all the hours.

Um, all of these board members have served making sure that TUR 17 is you know doing what it intended to do.

We also appreciate your involvement also, even though you're not on the board, you technically are.

I mean, you are a pseudo board member who attends all the meetings and is a great participant, and so we really appreciate all your hard work too.

And we continue to do good things in Ter 17.

Well, they do the work.

Uh I just run my mouth.

Next.

Dominique Mazot.

To be followed by Marcy Heisinger.

Good afternoon.

Um, I'm here at C Hall.

Okay.

Um, one thing I do want to mention today, I think we've got something.

March 17th in the Western Catholic Church is St.

Patrick's Day.

So our ward colors for today.

The violet is for Lint, and the Laturch Go color for St.

Patrick is not green.

It's white.

Anyway, getting back to how I got here is that I took the 96 to the red line, and I walked, got off, and I had to go through the promenade, which I'm for.

I'm for the promenade.

We need this sort of pedestrian development downtown.

You don't have to pay to get there.

Uh, and so on.

However, there's two concerns I have about it, in the sense of it's going to be a homeless magnet.

And uh I've been talking to Metro PD.

Uh, they they see what I'm saying.

In fact, I see a problem on Metro.

I got uh cheat uh TN's phone number, I was got Tom Jason.

I text them and work with them meaningly, so I'm collaborating.

Second of all, uh I think there might be opportunity for the downtown district and the Eastern Force Corporation, maybe we put out some money to have better enforcement in this zone.

And lastly, it's how this thing developed, is what concerns me.

We have two entities in here.

We have the the problem that, but in the middle, you have the Metro Red Line.

When that was put in, that was a major controversy about the red line.

And there was a thing that was put into the charter, city charter.

If Metro was going to put in a major operation like that, it had to go for the voters on a referendum.

And ever since, when they've had other referenda where it's possibility of uh using major changes to city right of way, that my election also fulfills the city charter.

But here's the thing.

Metro had to have an election to get their get their line in.

But an entity comes in and they're changing the environment of downtown.

And there's no vote.

Remember, Main Street and East Street belong to the city who uh the people who are the city.

So I really think here on out to make it fair for all entities involved.

I'm not talking about somebody coming in and putting in trees or you know, some nice park benches or plant some trees.

I'm talking about major infrastructure improvements on city right of way, but if not the city itself, I think we need to have an election on it.

Then because two.

Marcy Heisinger, to be followed by Lisa Hunt.

Good afternoon, City Council.

My name is Marcy Heisinger.

There is a political strategy, specifically for infrastructure projects, referred to as a manufactured inevitability.

It is when incremental approvals and financial commitments are pushed forward in a way that makes a project feel inevitable, even when key requirements, safeguards, or promises have not yet been fulfilled.

In other words, it puts the cart before the horse.

And it pressures decision makers and the public to accept something as a done deal.

Sound familiar.

For the past 13 months, people for Polk has been showing up consistently, respectfully, and with specific concerns.

We have engaged in good faith around the memorandum of understanding, believing that it could result in real measurable improvements for the community.

But that implementation has not yet materialized.

And yet, despite these gaps, you are being asked to move forward again with financial commitments tied to a larger strategy that remains murky and a process that is not following the city's own rules.

This is how a fate accomplished takes shape, step by step, decision by decision.

Until the ability to meaningfully question the project is effectively gone.

This is not just a process concern, it's a trust issue.

When the community is told that there are protections and mitigations, and then decisions move forward without those in place, it undermines confidence in the entire process.

We are not asking for perfection.

We are, however, asking for sequencing that makes sense.

We are asking for mobility.

We are asking for safety.

Show the voters that this process works.

Demonstrate that the promised mitigations to mobility and safety do function as promised.

Then come back and ask for these approvals.

Until then, moving forward with this premature commitment of resources places financial and structural commitments ahead of voters.

Please, will you check into this process?

Confirm that the steps are logical and legal and respectful to the boat voters that call this city home.

Put Houstonians first.

Thank you.

Lisa Hunt.

To be followed by Randall Callan.

Good afternoon.

I'm Lisa Hunt with People for Polk, and I'm here to ask you to keep your commitments.

You're being asked to enter into an internal interlocal agreement between Houston First Corporation and TechStot.

They, along with Houston Public Works Department, have been meeting for months to adjust the design of streets and highway exits to create a coordinated plan.

The public has yet to be informed of these design changes.

In spite of your approval of a memorandum of understanding, none of the parties has implemented its stipulations.

There's been no sharing of detours, timelines, an alternative multimodal design for Leland Street, and no council appointments of a citizens advisory group.

There's a serious lack of coordination in the design work on the GRB.

While Houston First Corporation has timelines for construction, they have not made these public.

Similarly, pre-design work for the CAP park is being done, but residents of the East End are not at the table.

People for Polk anticipates that you will vote tomorrow to approve the interlocal agreement.

We ask that when the final vote of the GRC process comes to your agenda, you vote to revise the MOU so that it has teeth, ensuring there will be transparency and accountability, and showing that you can keep your commitments.

Put Houstonians first.

Thank you.

I want to I want to ask you is there any other specific steps you would like this council to take.

We've yet to be able to get clarity on the changes in the exits off of the proposed 45 extension.

And it seems like the vision of the impacts into our neighborhood have not been fully assessed.

We also know that the contract for Leland has been uh let uh to Walter P.

Moore uh by Houston First, and it's not clear how that um contract who who is the client for that and how the public will be made aware of the progress on the alternative of Leland Street.

We also understand that's going to be a year in the offing at least.

Uh so we're going to be um we're concerned about the status of Leland and how that unfolds.

Do you believe we need to get answers to those questions before we proceed on this agreement?

I do.

Okay.

Then I will work with you to get answers to those questions.

Thank you so much, Councilmember.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Lisa, just uh some clarity, because uh Walter P.

Moore has been given uh the opportunity to do the design, and I think that was the last update that I shared with the super neighborhood.

I want to say about two months ago, three months ago.

Um until then, there really isn't anything because we haven't met any 30 percent, 60 percent design to come back to community.

I'm still committed to continuing to share this information.

So um quite frankly, um we do have we still have time to have these conversations.

Um so my hope is that uh you continue to reach out to our office for any other changes that you think might be happening.

The detours, we have been having those conversations with TechSot, which is a larger project than the Polk or George R.

Brown convention.

And so those those street closures are really majority Text Ot um street closures, and so we will continue to make sure that we can get them to open up a bit more about when they're gonna be closing in in unanticipated closures.

I would also recommend that you reach out to your State Rep and your State uh Senator for some of that information from TechStot.

We will continue to do whatever we can within our capacity.

Uh but again I think the some of the confusion is that uh there's layered upon layer of of different projects.

Uh then you also have the you know the um the the 80 streets that we're milling and overlaying as well inside of downtown.

So uh we've been sharing a lot of that information already on on on uh on you know uh from our social media pages but also emails.

Uh we'll continue to do that, but if there's something specific, a specific closure that you have seen that has not been shared, let me know, and then we can make sure that TechStot can begin to share that more frequently as well.

With all due respect, Councilmember, I think that the lack I think there is a lack of coordination between TechSot and the city, and I totally agree with you about how complex this project is.

My concern is there doesn't seem to be one point of contact to be able to convey that information from public works with the city.

And I think this um project affects all of Houstonians, not just those in District I.

Correct.

So I I'm uh wondering what a communications tool could look like because we're going to be living with this reality for at least the next decade.

Yes as um 45 um gets reconfigured.

So I think it's worth time and investment right now in communication because as my colleague said, trust is um precious and it's been hammered as we've been in this design process.

So we've been sharing out of my office, uh, quite frankly.

Um whenever we get anything changed out of TextOt, that's a whole other monster that we're having to address.

Um we'll continue to work with them to share that information.

What they've done told us is go through their website and that's where everything is at.

Uh so we're funneling as much as we can within my office.

If there is anything that you see that is closed that you don't think should be closed because it wasn't shared, share that with us and then let us have that conversation with TechSot as well.

And again, Councilmember, I think it's a citywide issue and not just district I.

I get it, but I bear a lot of that responsibility because it's in District I.

And so I will carry it as much as I can.

But uh I agree with you.

This is a citywide project.

When talking about 45, you know, having to be uh reconfigured the way it is, it impacts uh Eastwood, East Downtown, specifically downtown residents, which is in District I, and so I will bear that responsibility, and so I will do my best to carry that burden as much as possible.

And so that's why I ask you to let me know whenever there is any miscommunication or misunderstanding, and then we can go ahead and speak speak to the community the way we can.

Uh but we'll continue to do what we can within our capacity, is what I'm trying to share as well.

Well, and I guess I'm just suggesting also that we need an overarching sense of what the project is and the staging.

Um that's not just one closure, but it's the overarching plan of the design.

And we know that those timetables exist, Councilmember.

We just need to know when what's envisioned.

Um I appreciate your effort.

Yeah, the last meeting that I would attend that I attended, um, Textdot was there.

Um I shared a lot of the George O.

Brown expansion uh construction and then even a little bit of the mill overlay, but we can make sure that Textot is at more of these super neighborhood meetings as well.

Thank you, sir.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Next.

Randall Callanan.

To be followed by Jeff Rees, good afternoon, Councilmembers and uh Mayor Whitmire.

I'm here today to talk about the closing of the HPD Community Affairs Division.

Um I'm here also with uh LULAC NAACP, members of various uh community organizations who um are very concerned.

And uh Johnny Mata of LULAC and the GI Forum urged us to be here, but he is ill, and unlike last time we were here, he could not make it, but he wishes that you all will listen to us uh on his behalf.

Uh the community affairs division in cities throughout the United States is used to get with the community.

The community many communities often don't trust the police.

And as a result, crimes aren't reported.

And that's uh and uh also when it comes to the immigrant communities, which in Houston is a lot, those individuals don't know exactly what is happening with the policies regarding the Houston Police Department, for example.

So if an immigrant were to try to report a crime against a Houstonian, I saw a crime against a Houstonian in River Oaks.

Will they go to the police and say I saw that crime against that River Oaks Houstonian?

Or will they say, I don't know what the policy is?

I don't know what's happening.

I can see on the news that 17 individuals were hand-delivered to ICE by the Houston Police Department, which, as a civil rights lawyer, is against the Supreme Court case of Rodriguez versus the United States.

An ICE warrant is an administrative warrant not put out by a court.

It is not evidence of a crime.

Many uh courts have already determined this.

So when a Houston police officer holds on to a person because they have an administrative warrant, that's not evidence of a crime, that violates the Fourth Amendment.

I make my money suing governments.

And I if someone comes to me and say, hey, HBD held me for ice, what am I going to do?

Say I don't need no any more money?

I don't want to help the people.

That's not what I'm going to say.

Now I have no client now, but apparently there's 17 out there who, if they catch wind of it, might call me up, or one of the other civil rights lawyers in town.

So there is monetary problems and monetary concerns with picking up people and delivering up to ICE or even holding them for ice for 30 minutes.

It violates the United States Constitution, and you can sue in Federal Court under 42 USC section 1983.

Your time is Kaman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I wanted to thank you for coming.

I know we have a lot of speakers, so I'm just going to speak to you while recognizing I am speaking to uh everyone that is coming before us and the organizations that have deep roots and protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of people in this nation.

Um we're listening today.

We hear you, but I want to thank you for your voice.

Uh and I want to thank you all for the support of also, in fact, HPD, because one thing that Houston does right is things like setting up what was historic at the time, the community affairs division, and building bridges within communities to build that trust.

So I want to thank you all for coming today for spending time when you could be elsewhere.

Uh, but I want to emphasize, again, as a body, many of us are listening today, and we appreciate uh I think you've hit the nail on the head with a lot of legal precedent uh related to multiple issues that as a city is cities around the country are grappling with, right?

Very uh critical uh legal jurisprudence that we need to be discussing right now.

And we need to be discussing openly right now.

But I I did want to thank and recognize all the organizations that are here today to use your voice to speak out.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Evan Shibaz.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you for coming today.

Of course, I can start out saying that I certainly support HPD Community Affairs Division.

Um in District D, they've been very, very helpful in being able to talk to our citizens and helping them to navigate through the process.

But I want to just ask you a question.

You said as a civil rights lawyer that 30 minutes is a violation of the Constitution.

Is there a time limit in terms of saying how many minutes or is it just whenever you complete the stop you're supposed to release?

I just want to know what the what the legal standing is regarding that.

Yes.

When you have finished the business with the stop, such as handing out a ticket, then you have no more reasonable suspicion to main uh retain anybody, so I do not believe that any length of time is uh proper.

Right.

So you just can't say a length of time.

You just when the business is completed, it should be completed.

Okay.

And then reasonable suspicion has gone away.

You're done with your business, and you gotta let them go.

Okay.

Thank you.

Next.

Jeff Reese.

To be followed by Nicholas Little.

Hi.

Um my name is Jeff Reese.

I appreciate you uh hearing me.

Um I'm not here to accuse anybody, point fingers and say, hey, somebody's doing something wrong.

I much rather focus on a solution.

And I think we all have the same solution if we we change our perspective.

I mean, we have conservatives and we have liberals, we have white, black, brown, but everybody wants the same thing.

We all do.

And for me, the problem again deals with money.

It's a monetary issue when you deal with the community affairs division.

I was with the Sheriff's Department for 26 years.

I taught crisis intervention, I was mental health officer.

So maybe my sanity is not all there.

But in the few seconds I have left, I'd like to change people's perspective.

So you focus on what's the solution is, not what the problem is.

But before you focus on the solution, you really have to understand the problem.

And the problem with the community affairs division, um, we took an oath as a police officer to the Constitution, but we also swore to protect and serve the public.

So there's it goes hand in hand.

How many crimes were solved from the public interacting with a police officer in a meeting and saying, Oh, by the way, I saw something last week.

You know, we want to see something and say something, but the wrong message is getting out now.

They're not understanding this is a budgetary item, and that you're trying to achieve the same thing but doing it with less money, that's what law enforcement is all about.

Okay.

So the issue is, again, going back to the ICE problem, the same thing.

It would save money to disassociate from ice.

It would save money, it would save officers' time on the street.

And what about even thinking about using civilians as like PIOs, I think Channel 2, I'll give them credit.

She brought it up.

What about using less cost-effective methods to interact with the public in that in that respect?

But I think you know, no one wants to get out here and go get murdered when they leave here.

No one wants to get robbed, no one thinks that a murderer should go free, right?

I don't care what side of the spectrum you you consider yourself, you know, Republican or Democrat.

The issue is not partisan.

It's not about who you what party you represent.

It's representing the people.

And I think if we all have the same goal, it would be much easier to achieve.

And before I forget, Mayor, there's a mutual friend named Barry Klein that's in Ben Tobb.

I just wanted to mention that before I forget.

My brain is not that large, so I'm sorry, I apologize.

So anyway, what I what I learned, I guess, in teaching police officers, they have the uh you know attention span of a toddler, you know, and probably the utility level of a bag of hair, no not prison company not excluded, but to be able to teach somebody and show them what to do, it's not an easy thing.

And I know I'm not gonna be able to do this in two minutes, but I thought I'd just throw this out here.

And uh I mentioned before this what's called the invisible gorilla test, and psychologists will take their students and show them a film.

And in this film, it's like a basketball game is going on.

Okay, well, see there.

Your time has expired.

Okay.

All right, finish your comment.

Oh, thank you.

So somebody wants to know what the invisible gorilla test was.

Very good.

Anyway, the psychologist would tell the students, he says, hey, look, I want you to watch this film.

Tell me who how many times the basketball is dribbled, what color of the shirt is that the person has the ball, and and how many baskets they make.

And so the people watch this film, and in the background, a man in a gorilla suit walks by eating a banana.

Then he goes back the other way.

So when the film's over, he the psychologists ask all the students if anyone noticed a man in a gorilla suit, and no one ever does, because they're not looking for it.

See, I guess to solve a problem, my point is you've got to know, you've got to see it, and you've got to be looking for the solution.

Thank you.

Nicholas Little.

To be followed by Mark Rodriguez.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer.

Council members.

For 50 years, Houston's community affairs division is more than just a division within the Houston Police Department.

It was our city's conscience.

It was formed in the wake of the 1977 killing of Jose Joe Campos Torres, a tragedy that forced Houston to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the people which they serve.

For decades afterwards, the divisions liaisons, often officers who grew up in the very neighborhoods they patrolled, work side by side with residents, clergy, youth leaders, and small business owners.

They translated law enforcement into community understanding.

Since its dissolution in 2025, we've seen a gap widen against again.

Grassroot leaders from Third Ward to Gulfton say that they no longer have a direct line of HPD.

The Houston's Houston LGBT political caucus called the loss a setback for transparency and safety.

With current debates over HPD's cooperation with Federal Immigration Agents, trust has never been more critical and more fragile.

Reinstating the community affairs division isn't about optics.

It's about prevention through partnership.

According to HPD's own annual reports, community affairs staff held over 1,200 public meetings and youth events annually, partnering with more than 300 faith-based and civic organizations and maintaining liaison programs to reach tens of thousands of Eastonians each year.

Since the division's dissolution, measurable engagement has dropped.

HPD's community outreach interactions fell by over 40 percent in 2026, and reports of cooperation between residents and police and neighborhoods surveys decline for the first time in a decade.

Safety requires trust, and trust requires presence.

Let's restore the division that once made Houston a national model for community policing.

Public safety and trust are not competing priorities.

There are mutually reinforcing strategies.

Let's rebuild that structure, reinstate the division, and make Houston a model of evidence-based policing again.

Bring back the community affairs division, and let's bring Houston back together.

And I thank you for your time.

Council Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you, Nick, for coming down.

I just want to point out that I look forward to your Saturday or Sunday morning text with pictures of what's going over on Congress.

Yes, ma'am.

Nick, it's uh always uh very good to provide me with pictures of the street feeders, and you you've got a good eye on the community.

So I really do appreciate what you do, and and thank you for coming down to speak on this.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you, Mayor, and certainly always great to see my NAACP colleague.

Um excuse me.

Don't talk what I'm talking.

Anyway, uh thank you so much for coming.

And I guess again, I'm gonna say my I support the community affairs.

I don't know that it was broken, so I don't know what why it needed to be fixed.

And certainly uh this this city is too large to not have a community affairs division because uh police officers most times don't have the time to give that personal attention to a lot of things that are going on.

So I certainly support the reinstatement of that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember.

Uh Councilmember.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you uh for coming forward.

Um there have been discussions regarding what has taken the place of the community affairs division.

Um, as a council member, I'm not sure what that is.

But you as an advocacy advocate with the advocacy group, have you all had any communication with HPD or the administration on what has taken the place of the community affairs division to continue the dialogue and the communication uh within community?

Uh Chief Diaz stated in the press conference last week that there was some new division that was on steroids uh version of this community affairs division.

Would you have any correspondence with the department on what that is?

And have they been in communication with you at all based on you all's efforts of reaching out on this topic?

Um as the criminal justice chair for the Houston branch, I can say no.

Um I personally, uh because I work in law enforcement and L level, I interact with HPD personally.

I'm actually a member of APOL, so I work real closely with HPD officers, whether it be at the Houston Astros, whether it be behind the scenes.

So as far as getting receiving any type of communication or correspondence from them, no.

But I do make it my my effort to make sure that as an organization that we reach out to them, let them know our concerns, what we're seeing, what's going on, and um usually I have to literally go there and just show my face and oh okay, and then we have the conversation, but it's never really any type of liaison where someone's coming to us.

It used to be whenever this was good when everything was going, we it was a constant thing, but now it's more along the lines.

If you're not literally there at 1200 Travis, it's pretty much unheard.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Mark Rodriguez.

To be followed by Joy Davis.

My name is Mark Rodriguez.

I'm the president of a civic group.

Also on Two Businesses of Second Ward.

I want to start off by thanking Mayor Whitmire, along with Councilmember Martinez, along with Councilmember Castillo, along with Julian Ramirez, Willie Davis, Twila Carter, Alejandro Salinas, and Sally Alcorn.

Y'all made a field trip to a zoo possible for our entire school.

At first, I only wanted to take pre-K3-4 and first and second, but now I talk to the principal, and we're going to be able to take the entire school.

But thank all of y'all for making that possible.

Um I'll let y'all know the date if any of y'all want to show up.

I believe it's the 10th of next month.

Now I want to start off on uh the why I believe uh the use of police department uh public affairs is important.

Last night we held a community meeting.

We had about 25 residents there, and nobody from HPD showed up.

My problem with that, how can we expect the community to engage with HPD when HPD don't want to engage with the community or when they tell us there's no resources?

I have an active civic group.

Um we report a lot of issues with the homeless situations, with people selling drugs, with people breaking in cars, and I really encourage all to please try to bring that back to our community where we can make HPD accessible to the people.

Some people say, well, they can do it online.

I said, Well, you know, when you talk to Ms.

Gonzalez at 75 years old, she don't have a computer.

She don't even have a she has a flip phone, she don't even have a regular phone with internet.

But I would really encourage all to please try to bring policing back into the community to make it where people can work with the community, the police department, where kids aren't afraid of the cops, and the only time they get to see the cops when they're getting pulled over.

I think that's a very important part that we need to bring back to our community.

I appreciate y'all.

Thank y'all.

Thank you.

Joy Davis.

To be followed by Stephanie Wilkins.

Um sorry, my name is Hai Mui.

I'm the founder of We the People Organize.

Nice to see you again, Mayor.

It's counsel.

Uh she's passing out my press release for this morning.

And in my press release, there's 11 questions I like to ask.

But I that took too long for that two minutes.

So I just want to focus on question seven and question eight.

Question seven is HPD participating with ICE 287G agreement programmed the reason why HPD closed HPD Community Affairs Division.

And question eight was the same question I asked at earlier at the press conference.

Was HPD Community Affairs Division closed because HPD officers are needed on the streets to detain immigrants violators for 30 minutes for ICE.

If you guys can answer those two questions when you've got a chance to read all 11, I would really appreciate it.

I'll end it with this statement.

Houston families deserve police officers who are focused on safety, not immigration theater.

A traffic stop should not become an immigration dragon.

If there's no separate criminal offense, HPD should not be prolonging stops.

Or holding people over civil administrative warrants.

HPD is here to protect Houstonians, not to act as a backup force for ICE.

Public safety means trust, and trust dies when HPD act like ICE.

Thank you.

Stephanie Wilkins.

To be followed by Baldro Garza.

Good afternoon.

I am Reverend Dr.

Stephanie Wilkins, and I am here supporting Pure Justice as one of the organizations that I am a part of.

I'm a part of the NAACP.

I'm sorry, let me back up.

Good afternoon, Mayor.

Good afternoon to everyone.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

I don't think that I have much more to add because you've heard from some very dynamic people and some dynamic advocacy groups.

The part that I want to speak about is the traffic stops.

You have data that shows that black and brown gets stopped at a much higher rate than others.

And I know that everyone is talking about the community affairs division, and it is very, very important.

But whatever you've come up with, whatever title you put on it, whatever you decide, I want you to make sure that you keep the black people at the forefront as just as important as any other group.

I'm not saying anybody else is less than, but we are not less than either.

I have been personally affected by a stop that I it was there was really no reason to be stopped.

The police officer came behind me.

He came with his lights on, and he stopped.

I'm telling y'all, I had a heart stroke on that Sunday.

I had just come from church, and he really didn't have any reason to stop me.

He did not even write a ticket.

He said, I'm gonna let you go with a warning.

A warning for what?

I have two sons.

They are God fearing, hard working, family men.

I can't tell you how many times they've called me to tell me that they have been pulled over.

I'm praying every day that they make it home safely.

I'm asking that you come up with proactive ways of dealing with black and brown and those that you might see as other.

There is no other.

We're all worthy of dignity and respect.

Be proactive.

Not so reactive in what you do.

It is to the point that I do not trust that when a police officer comes into my circle, my community, that he's there to help.

I'm wondering who is he gonna pull over?

Who is he going to snatch out of their car?

It has been that way since my Sora Sandra Bland found herself pulled over, and she did not make it home.

What was her crime?

Driving while black.

I need for you all to come up with a solution that sees all the people.

I see some of you giving side eye.

It's okay.

We're gonna keep coming before you because it is important and it's worthy of being spoken about.

I thank you.

Member Kevin Shabazz.

Thank you, Mayor, and certainly thank you, Reverend Dr.

Wilkins.

It's always good to see you.

I have long spoken about the need to look at this.

Uh because I I mean, maybe I shouldn't be, but if a police officer comes behind me, it frightens me.

And sometimes uh, you know, when you are nervous, even if you haven't done anything wrong, you may make a bad move or bad decision.

And so, you know, I think we need to cut down on the unnecessary engagement uh with the non-safety uh traffic stops.

Now, I'm thinking in terms of something like the toll.

When you get a ticket on the toll, you don't get stopped, they send you a ticket in the mail.

Right.

So there are other ways to handle these uh tickets and you know, get the revenue that goes along with them.

So I I certainly support what you're saying, and I uh commend Pure Justice as well because they originally brought this to me and I think other council members back in 2020, certainly.

And so um I would be one that would support uh changing that policy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Salenis.

Thank you for coming to speak.

I want to echo what the councilwoman, the councilmember said, your voice is powerful.

What Pure Justice does is powerful, and you have the commitment of myself, and I know many of us are just horseshoe that want to work on this issue and tackle it together.

So I look forward to working with you to get something done on the issue.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mayor, and Stephanie.

Uh too, want to just thank you for your leadership, uh, your efforts and your dedication to community.

You don't have to be here, you volunteer a lot of your time, uh, but it is necessary.

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next baldomero Garza.

Tomorrow Bell.

To be followed by Kathy Blueford Daniels.

Good afternoon, you all.

I know you've never seen me come here with handouts with this too damn much to sit up here and try to remember.

I am here on Harris County Chapter 26 compliance hearing.

I'm sending you all a copy of the letter that was sent out to Judge Hidalgo and the commissioners in reference to the takeover of Herman Park.

Dear Judge Hidalgo, Commissioners and County Attorney Fonbon, these comments are respectfully submitted to the Harris County Commissioner's Court hearing regarding compliance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code arising from the proposed condemnation of 8.9 acres of Herman Park.

These comments are submitted on behalf of both Protect Herman Park, a loose affiliation of park supporters, and the Bayou City Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on flooding.

By the by this letter, we are challenging Harris House assertion that they comply with Chapter 26 2 standards for the review of a conversion of public parkland to a non-park use, that there are no feasible and alternatives, and that all reasonable planning has been taken to minimize harm to the land, which are summarized below.

A feasible and prudent alternative.

They have not tried a reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land.

They ain't give a damn.

Refusal to share hospital facility with a master plan and meeting.

The non-transparency of this transaction is alarming, and I have not heard from any of you all about this.

At the end of the day, Harris County Commissioners will vote to condemn, but at the end of the day, y'all get the money.

This is City of Houston land.

Once it's condemned, it becomes y'all's and the Winurkey family.

The fact that this is moving forward at this speed, we have gone to the state attorney general.

They will not give us any documents.

We haven't seen their feasibility study.

We haven't seen their alternative.

They will release nothing.

When I was at Leslie Brionis' town hall meeting on this hearing, I asked Dr.

Porsche to his face.

What about the old Ben Tobb site?

He said on record, on tape, I'm not familiar with that building.

Hell, the old Ben Tob has been staying there since the 60s.

It's still there.

They use the first floor for the pharmacy, the tower for psychiatric, and the fifth floor for unhoused patients who have nowhere else to go.

They don't need no health care.

They don't need nothing.

They just need somewhere to go.

So they banned them up there.

The fact that the hearing is this Thursday, and I have not heard from y'all is appalling.

Herman Park is not just a park, it's our central park.

Everybody feels welcome at Herman Park.

Nobody in this building on this street around here hasn't had a happy time at Herman Park.

Why the hell should we start giving it up for this?

This doesn't make any sense.

You don't have to punish some citizens to bless the others.

Like the people here from the police department said.

And like the lady said, who was here against the way they doing the damn Polk Street.

Everybody matter.

Everybody.

And the fact that you all would even go this far to get to this.

The forefathers of this state knew Parkland would be at risk.

That is why they put in there.

The only way you ask and take it is if you condemn it and prove you have done everything that can be done.

They have proven nothing.

This does not need to move forward.

Your time has expired.

Thank you.

Next.

Kathy Blueford Daniels.

To be followed by Cheryl Churchill.

I need to follow tomorrow.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

Either one.

Okay.

Thank you, first of all.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Mayor.

And all the council members.

Thank you all for allowing me this opportunity.

I said if I started singing opera, perhaps the rest of the council members would come back in.

But thank you all for allowing me this opportunity to stand before you and speak on something that is important to many of us in the fifth ward and surrounding community communities, and that's the renaming of Tufley Park.

Councilmember Jackson has been communicating with us, and thank you for that regarding the renaming, but I want to remind the remaining council members to realize and understand the importance of this renaming.

Alvin Byrd, as many of you all know, and Joe Balor started this request from Ms.

before Mr.

Byrd passed in 2023.

And it has he was instrumental in gathering necessary support for the renaming.

Mr.

Hall, who we're asking this park to be renamed after, has since passed in October 2024, and he too was not able to see this renaming.

So I'm here to petition Mayor Whitmeyer and the council members to add up to an upcoming agenda that uh the renaming of Tufley Park.

So hopefully, Mr.

Lemon, you can nudge him a little bit and remind him again.

Um to James rename it from James T.

Hall Park to James, I'm sorry, from Tufley Park to James R.

Hall Park.

And while Mr.

Lewis Tufley was an American historian specializing in Texas history, who lived in Houston and most of his youth and later graduated from Kervin High School in Galveston, Mr.

James Hall, on the other hand, grew up in one of the poorest areas of Fifth Ward, playing baseball in the Kitty Courts.

He attended the original Bruce Elementary, E.O.

Smith, and graduated from Wheatley High School in 1957.

After graduation, he went on to play baseball at Prairie View AMM, AM, received a bachelor's in physical education, and Mr.

Hall, in his second year of college at Prairie, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Farm Club to play baseball, becoming one of their top switch hitters.

After a life of ch life-changing legacy and injury, he went to Prairie View and earned his master's in counseling and in guidance.

Mr.

Hall taught Dr.

Shabazz and and was an educator for more than 45 years.

45 years while shaping the minds of youth in the classroom and more than 45 years as a coach, continuing to stress resilience, accountability, teamwork, perseverance, started the free youth ball programs, and baseball and football programs at Tufley Park.

At a time when community at this time, right now, while communities are changing, when someone gives so much of themselves to young people, to families, and to the neighborhood as a whole, their impact doesn't fade.

It lives in the lives they shaped.

Ms.

Kathy, thank you for being here.

It'll be on next week's agenda if you want to bring family or neighbors to council.

We were actually waiting out of respect for Council Member Jackson's health to uh allow her to participate next week.

So mission accomplished.

It's a great honor to uh recognize uh such a figure.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you for your it worked.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you, Ms.

Daniels, for being here.

Um the park has some incredible history.

Yes.

Can you name some more success stories that have come out of that park?

Absolutely, and thank you for that question, because obviously uh all of this can't be measured, but it can be recognized.

But some of the success stories are Carl Crawford, who was a major league baseball player, Lester Hayes, who is my classmate at Wheatley, I'm Wheatley, not JY.

Wheatley, and he played with the Raiders.

Uh Xavier Howard, who went later on who played with the Miami Dolphins.

So there are a lot of success stories, many of which I don't have, I have not accounted for, but of course, with proper research, we can do that.

So thank you for that question.

Thank you for your leadership.

Councillor Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just want to say thank you, Kathy, for um, you know, just staying on this.

Um I know this was something that Alvin was working on before he passed, and then when uh Mr.

Hall passed some new policy kicked into place that we didn't know about and foresee, but I'm happy that we finally didn't this renamed um for the community because obviously Mr.

Hall has done a lot of great um work throughout the community.

And so just you know, just thank you guys for making sure our legacy our living legends and legends that passed on are being recognized.

So thank you.

And thank you for your leadership.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Council Romers.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Kathy, for bringing attention to this.

H.

Part reached out to me a few weeks ago and and uh I reviewed it and asked some questions, and and I think it has great merit, and so I'm happy to support honoring uh this gentleman for what he did for the community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next Cheryl Churchill.

I'm sorry, Carol Churchill.

To be followed by Sidney Jones.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your time.

Um I own China Garden Restaurant downtown by the Toyota Center.

Um what I'm here today for is either help or information because after 22 years, the Toyota Center was built in 2003.

They've never had to close the street down at Pease in Crawford, which makes my clientele go all the way around to Leland.

And so I get a lot of people yelling at me.

This is what it looks like.

I don't know if y'all can see this, but they have a full road closure right at where people turn in to go to the restaurant.

And so we've been trying to get information, but it's it's Houston first, it's HPD, it's you know, nobody can give me an answer why they have that closure.

But it's only for rocket games, not for concerts.

So I'm I'm just out.

Thank you, Carol.

Thank you.

Uh Rebecca, you you want to I mean, I don't need the information.

I've been there longer than you and I want everybody to know.

Yes, sir.

Thank you for your and your family, your mother, your parents, and uh let me see.

There's a communication gap there.

So Miraz is in the queue.

Councilmember Mayor's.

Thank you, Mayor.

And and Carol, thank you for bringing your concerns forward.

I know that's uh that's a historic small business here in in our downtown area, and uh I know the city wants to support uh you guys and and should be able to find a way uh to make it easier to get to your restaurant when they have rocket games.

Um you and I have spoken many times about it.

You know, Michael Hickman has been helpful.

I know Randy Mackai has tried to be helpful.

Uh the problem seems to lie with Apex security and their unwillingness to to understand uh what it does to your business when they completely shut that street down.

And so hopefully uh with with more communication, we'll be able to to let your business thrive again even when the rockets uh play.

So, you know, with COVID, you know, it was a hard time for us.

And then um with you know, for 22 years, they never had to close the street down, and then all of a sudden this in uh October when the season started for the rockets in October is when they started shutting that main street down for people to come into China Garden.

So I just need help in finding out work.

We're on top of it.

We'll know in a little while.

Okay, thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Council members.

I appreciate your time.

You know you were there before the uh Toyota Stadium was here.

We were fifty-seven years in April.

All right, thank you.

We just want to wanna award for Preservation Houston, too.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Next Sydney Jones.

John Nickson to be followed by Larry Cooper.

Howdy may howdy, Mayor Rettmeyer and fellow city council members.

My name is John Nix.

I'm a resident of Spring Branch, and and Amy Peck's Council Member Amy Pex District A.

I'm coming to say several things too.

I would love to have the you know the city stop working all together with ICE and be a full sanctuary city again.

Not even work with any of Trump's or Abbas tyrannical policies and just go find them out tooth and nail to it on that.

Another issue I came to bring up is I want to see the city fight again for bringing another Hero 2.0 from our ICR rights protections against for people like my, including for people like myself that need it here in the city.

People like myself, even through the ADA has been around for so long, still face discrimination to this day, even in Spring Branch, even in District A.

I experienced it all the way through on that stuff.

Other issues I like to see my city work with work on improving sidewalks and spring branch.

Some areas like where I live is like so so narrow that you can't even really turn around when I'm trying to get to the bus stop, or some are just not even there at all, and you have to go in the street to where you need to go to, like if you're coming from the bus to get where you need to go.

It's like really, really awful in Spring Branch.

Another option is to work with Metro for a is to work with Metro for like a Kerb de Curve Microtransit for Olive Spring Branch, and that it would also connect to Memorial City for the express buses in front of the mall, and maybe even work to build with Metro to build right the transit center there by the mall to where it could easily connect between like the buses 26 and 46 from Spring Branch and area to make it easier to connect to the 161-162 by there as well.

That's that's probably what's needed, needs a lot of work done, but that would be my concerns.

I know I'm probably running out of time.

So I'm gonna wish you the best of luck and uh have a have a great day and go team whatever team you're rooting for.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, Mr.

Nix, you have sent some locations to our office um for sidewalks, and we've been working with the um Office for People with Disabilities to um see where we can um either you know change the sidewalks or add sidewalks, and so they are actively looking at it and working on it, and so as soon as we have an update on that, we will give you a quick because it's horrible as it is.

I know they were the city was trying to do some sort of draining and like blocked off the access to the bus stop going west yesterday on it yesterday.

I noticed it was a little bit difficult with me getting on the bus going towards the morning yesterday on it, but it but they could do a lot better with that sidewalk.

And it used to not always be that way.

If you look at it on Google Street View, in fact, like 2007, it looks like our normal street lock.

We had the curb cuts on the east side of bunker on the east side of bunker hill, but but it was removed.

So it needs to be restored and make it a lot better and work for more of a curb to curb work with city funds and metro funds and maybe even the management district to all come together to build more of a curb to curb like they have in across like they have in Acres Homes or Cashmere Maxi or Memorial City in Spring Branch.

Thank you.

No problem, and have a great day and go team out every team you're in for.

Thank you.

Next Larry Cooper to be followed by Eric Sanchez Thank you.

Thank you for allowing me this time to address the council.

My name is Larry Cooper to this issue to this council.

Uh and I would like to request that would you immediately issue directives to the Department of Public Safety and permits to inspect and investigate all Lewis Foodtown stores operating within the city of Houston for noncompliance with city regulation and statutes and safety and building codes.

Based on records obtained and reviewed, there is credible evidence indicating that some, but not all Lewis Foodtown stores located operating within the city's jurisdiction, have allegedly been conducting business without required certificate of occupancy, and have maintained ongoing building safety and fire safety violations during this period.

Similarly, other food town stores located within Harris County jurisdictions have been operating in noncompliance.

This disparity raised substantial concerns of unequal enforcement and regulatory oversight failures, and conscious indifference to the public safety.

Over the last two decades, numerous employees and customers, injuries have reportedly occurred inside these non-compliance stores, including incidents involving minor injuries, amputees, and fatalities.

There is my personal injury occurring while shopping a losetown food store.

These risks directly affects the welfare of this of all city of Houston residents, store employees, and families who rely on these stores for essential services.

The mayor and city council have a statutory duty to ensure all businesses operated within its jurisdiction complies with Texas building safety and fire code's requirements.

This company for 20 years of prolonged operations, multiple non-compliance stores indicated systematic failure in oversight and enforcement that warrants immediate inspection and enforcement by the city council.

For the sake of redundancy, this matter directly concerns the public safety, health, and welfare of all residents.

Allegedly, some Lewis Food Town stores continue with non-compliance, thereby putting the public at unnecessary and preventable risks.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir, for coming.

I don't know about your specific case or injury, but I do know that there are often we run into businesses that don't have a current um CO.

So if you can uh I'll step out with you, if you can give me some specifics.

I don't know that we can blanket every food line or every one of these stores, but if you know specifically about ones, we can certainly have our code enforcement and go out and check it out.

Well, thank you, uh Councilmember.

I uh I'm also going to uh Commissioner Court on Thursday because these stores also operated and for 20 years they've been operating, and people and people have died in these stores of the Okay, like I said, just you know, if you have a specific address of a store that you know uh we can work on that, but I don't think we can issue a blanket um well I uh I have attached with the city and with the mayor's packet uh some documents.

Okay have locations.

Okay so I didn't have enough money to give all y'all none.

So if uh if the city secretary would do that, then you would look into that.

Thank you very much, sir.

Eric Sanchez.

Joetta Stevenson, to be followed by Selena Brabels.

Good afternoon, Mr.

Mayor and uh council members.

Uh my name, as they stated, is Joetta Stevenson, and I'm the president of the Greater Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood No.

I'm here to comment on the problem of increased traffic stops in Houston.

Um I guess for the past several years there has been an increase in those traffic stops, and it's um this has been kind of maintained.

It hasn't escalated too much.

I believe it there was a little uptick in 2025, according to the research that I've done.

And while half of those traffic stops resulted in warnings, there has definitely been a noticeable shift towards more tickets and arrests.

And at the same time, this data clearly shows disparities in who is being stopped and how those stops are being handled.

Particular black and brown uh drivers, uh, they make up a disproportionately high share of traffic stops, particularly black drivers compared to their population.

Like the lady stated earlier, I've been stopped by police out of the blue.

So we're looking at these disparities being they're more pronounced with low-level, non-moving violations.

Things like expired registrations and and broken lights, and these types of stops often are discretionary.

So the cops can make a choice whether or not to stop someone with these types of uh stops.

However, one thing is sure, they contribute to more unequal outcomes.

Additionally, black drivers are more likely to be searched or arrested during these stops, even though searches don't consistently yield contraband.

They just don't.

So uh my the question would be what what can be done?

And and I'm here to offer a few little suggestions uh to take under consideration.

First, uh our HPD need to limit or deprioritize stops for minor non-safety violations.

This reduces unnecessary interactions between the citizens and the police department.

And it also cuts down on areas where these disparities are most likely to occur.

Secondly, let's shift enforcement toward dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, DUI, reckless driving that's swerving that people do nowadays.

Thirdly, I'm sorry, um, let's look at increasing transparency and accountability.

Let's track stop data in real time.

And let's look at those patterns.

Let's see, look at those patterns regularly.

So you can identify problems early and take corrective action.

Your time has expired.

Thank you, Ms.

Stevenson, for coming forward.

Did you want to uh finish your statement and then I have a yes I would thank you.

Uh let's tighten some rules around these searches, especially consent searches.

Um basically let's require clearer justification and documentation, which helps ensure consistency and fairness.

Finally, eliminate quotas or what I call informal expectations for the number of stops officers make.

That removes pressure from our officers to conduct unnecessary stops, particularly for minor infractions.

So the bottom line, I'm not here to ask for less policing.

I'm here to ask for smarter policing and more efficient policing.

And both of those could certainly improve public trust and help maintain efficient law enforcement.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

This body uh a year or two ago through a proposition A proposal was able to stop HPD from having any type of quotas regarding traffic stops.

Uh and so that no longer exists or should exist.

Um as it pertains to disparities, uh, which you always can be able to uh identify through just data.

The question becomes why is there a disparity?

The root cause of why there is a disparity that goes deeper than just changing the policy, but uh the mindset or the uh rationale on why the disparity occurs in the first place.

And I think that is something as a body and as a community we need to look at as well because the stats are what they are.

And even if we change the policy, uh that's one level, we need to also look at uh the mindset of our law enforcement officers as well, and why the disparity uh exists in the first place.

And so I want to thank you for your comments.

It is an issue that needs to continue to be at the forefront, and something that we need to uh really consider what changes uh may need to be made so that uh individuals in all communities from all backgrounds feel safe.

Thank you.

Selena Bray Bulls.

To be followed by Harold Scott.

Hello, good afternoon, y'all.

I'm Selena, a policy organizer for pure justice and a resident of District C.

Mayor Whitmeyer and City Council, as always, I'm grateful for the opportunity to come before you and speak about various concerns of the most impacted Houstonians, from surveillance technology like Flock to the ballooning of HPD's budget that limits our resources for housing and infrastructure and arts like the opera, to the problematic nature of traffic stops for an expired registration, leading to detention at the Harris County jail, deportation, or in worse cases, death.

Even though we have been speaking about these pressing community concerns at different times on different days, sometimes with different folks before this podium, they are all a part of the same larger issue.

The increasingly powerful snare of the criminal legal system in this city.

It is expensive and effective at promoting public safety, and these related interactions are making it possible for black, brown, immigrant, disabled folks, and others to be discounted, disregarded, and effectively disappeared from our communities.

Now, the city of Houston should be should not be complicit or complacent when it comes to protecting Houstonians from political, administrative, or corporate forces that are actively eroding and stifling our civil rights.

The city should stand firmly in defending residents across communities and advance an inclusive solution that addresses the linchpin of the issue without alienating any groups, like deprioritizing non-safety traffic stops.

These stops yield contraband less than five percent of the time, are 29 times more likely to involve violence against black drivers than white drivers, and are a primary entry to system involvement and subsequent destabilization for so many people and their families.

I understand wanting to strike while the iron is hot, but I caution this City Council against burning some Houstonians as a mean to give others a temporary band-aid.

I am proud to stand with my fellow black organizers and leaders, along with those of all other backgrounds, as we ask for you to make policy decisions with all of us in mind.

We're here because we know that we'll get farther together.

Mayor Whitmeyer and City Council, do you not agree?

People say the comparison is the thief of happiness, and we know that the comparison, along with finger pointing and dancing around the root causes, is not making us happier, it's not making us healthier, and it's not creating safer or more whole communities.

For the sake of our elders who thought that these times wouldn't come like this again, for all those that will come after me that were actively shaping the world for those that can't wait and need us to act with courage today.

Please do not let alienation be the thief of our solidarity, our unity, our progress as a city.

We cannot lose sight of the unifying threat that underpins all of our concerns.

This widening criminal legal lasso that's roping in our community members through unnecessary interactions, and we cannot lose sight of why we must stand together on this.

While other actors want to sow division among us and reap benefits of splintered communities, diluted power and infighting, y'all have an opportunity to do the right thing, unify as a legislative body and demonstrate the shared strength of our communities, representation and the city.

Again, Mayor Whitmeyer and City Council, I urge you to support policy options like deprioritizing non-safety traffic stops rather than any measures that won't meaningfully limit these problematic interactions for the most Houstonians.

You have an opportunity to move forward with a policy that will embolden our local power, improve out outcomes for those most at risk, and show that we're strong.

Houston strong.

Your time has expired.

Just moment, Councilmember Evans.

Thank you, Mayor.

Selena, have you finished your comments?

Yes, thank you, Council.

Every time I see you, my heart just bursts.

You make me so proud.

And you give me hope.

And it lets me know that everybody's not misbehaving at the rodeo.

You are handling your business, and you are here trying to make a difference.

And we've had this discussion before.

I I think you know we're talking about you going to law school and and really being a productive uh person in the legal field.

But certainly I just wanted to let you know that we do hear you.

Your articulation is just superb, and certainly I appreciate you coming.

Thank you, Council.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Harold Scott.

Samuel Mayers.

To be followed by Aston Allison.

Afternoon, Mayor.

And everybody else, my name is Samada's.

Uh I have a issue with uh I was at a funeral and uh get a call that my house is getting uh broken into, so I call the police to meet me there.

I go over there and there's an abatement uh uh uh neighborhood inspector there gave me the telling me that there was a warrant on my property that they're gonna uh and they I had to I put my truck in front of them and they already cut the chains, they already busted the gates open, and they started taking things off of my property.

I said, wait, wait, no, I didn't get no warning.

I didn't get no uh ticket, I didn't meet nobody.

They had my number, they have everything they need to get a hold of me if they wanted to.

I never got a warning, they never got a ticket.

And uh on that note, uh that's already happened three or four times to three or four different properties, and another time uh they come on uh my house and took four vehicles, it took me fourteen hundred dollars to get out.

Never even met an officer.

So this is uh like uh I reported uh to internal affairs, one officer and one of the cops there at my property that I called to come and meet me there, told me you gotta get off the property.

So they handcuffed me, put me in the police car, got me off my own property, and they're telling me it is retaliation from an officer that uh I took went to internal affair and told about, and he said that's what that was all about.

And uh they took they left uh they took all my property from when I was a kid.

It was on my property, all right there, pipes and my material to build, I was rebuilding the house, and uh they left just nothing but the house and the garage and dirt for the whole thing, whole property.

And this is happening, uh Crooked happened to me, one of my properties there.

And then while I was doing doing this, another one of my properties about three blocks away from this one, gets taken, and they took everything off of there.

So uh if they're if they're gonna do that, it should be a warrant with a ticket in their hand.

I you know, they start this mailing their tickets to people.

I didn't know nothing about getting mailed.

And uh I told the judge when I went to court that uh, you know, if I sign a ticket and I go to court, I know what day to go to court, but you mail me a ticket.

I don't I don't even know if it was a ticket in the mail, so it was all new to me.

I need some help to find out where my stuff is.

They took my truck, my trailers, my motorcycles, they said they were just gonna cut the grass and stuff.

They took everything, they took everything off the property, I can't find it.

I went to the police force, they didn't know where it was, went to internal fair, nobody knew where it was because I didn't get no names or anything because they they escorted me off the property.

I said, come back.

That uh I was gonna get arrested.

After two days, I was out there securing the property because people were breaking into the house and stuff, and they came into escorted me off my property again two days later.

And uh here then that's when they took everything, and then I have people breaking in now.

So I needed to find out what I could do to get some help to help me find what's going on.

Your time has expired.

Mr.

Mayors, um, you are my constituent.

We didn't look into this um before you came today.

Um, and it it sounds like the property went through an abatement process.

I know you said that you didn't get that information.

We want to make sure that you get all the information that you need.

Um, Renee, can you help connect him with public works?

I don't know if anyone's here, but if you could speak with Renee right over here, we're gonna get you in contact with public works and make sure you get all the information that you need.

I went there.

I went there and uh talked to the vice uh investigator, and he told me that they were wrong doing this and they had two investigators come.

They were bombarding me with tickets one year, I got 95 tickets one year.

It's just just it sounded like the retaliation that the officer told me that it was right because they're bombarded me with tickets and taking my vehicles without a warrant or anything.

It's take up off the property and have to get it on found.

Okay, well, let's get all the information that you need.

Um if you could talk to Sal over here and Renee, we'll get make sure that you get all the information and we'll follow up with you as well.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Aston Allison Eddie Salazar.

To be followed by Randall Bishop.

How are y'all doing this evening?

I'm here with the uh plea from the uh Main Street Market Square District.

Uh the current safety environment within the downtown Houston Main Street Night Life Corridor has reached a critical juncture.

For the venue owners, security professionals, community members who operate here every weekend.

The reality is clear.

Our current fragmented approach to safety is failing under pressure.

While law enforcement and individual private security firms are dedicated, they operate in isolation, leading to communication gaps, response delays, and risk multipliers that threaten our economic vitality.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the systematic weaknesses pose a direct threat to Houston's global reputation.

We are not representing a I mean, we are not presenting a business pitch.

We are presenting a community plea for the order and prevention necessary to protect our workers, residents, and visitors.

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council members.

My name is Edward Salazar.

I'm the director of the downtown nightlife safety collective and a regional manager for Total Alliance Security.

More importantly, I am here representing dozens of business owners along the main street corridor who have signed their names to a mandate for a change.

As we stand less than 90 days from the World Cup, the eyes of the world are moving toward Houston.

We have invested millions in our downtown infrastructure, but we have a critical gap in our human infrastructure.

Our police, EMS and EMS are at capacity.

On a busy Saturday night, the service gap between private venue doors and sidewalk is where chaos happens.

Through our joint command, our three agencies move as one, bridging the gap between hospitality and law enforcement.

We protect the investment.

We ensure that Main Street Promenade remains a world-class environment for international tourists.

The funding is there between the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program and FEMA's World Cup grant.

The federal government has set aside dollars to pay for this surge.

We are asking the city and the management district to partner with us now to activate activate this shovel ready safety net.

The proposed solution is the DNSC ops response division.

The DNSC proposes a district level public safety improvement framework, not another independent security contract, but a unified operating system of for the corridor.

Featuring a fee uh a phased 15, 30-day and 45-day rollout plan to ensure stabilization before peak international events.

The financial framework, this is a necessary investment.

This proposal acknowledges a required financial commitment from the district.

However, this is structured as a strategic investment.

Your time has expired.

Very good.

Councilmember Davis.

What is it that you're asking?

Well, so at the end, I'm just looking for for y'all support in getting this together with the district and the uh public safety partners, uh, getting a joint meeting together with with our currents and see if this is something that's feasible for the main street district.

I am a part of the hospitality industry uh and I've seen it.

I've seen I've seen so I created this a few days after I created this.

I realized there's already something in place, which is the block the the uh public safety uh block by block and and the other contractors that the public safety department already has, but I didn't see it because I'm part of the nightlife.

So I only see the effects.

I I mean the homeless issues seems a little more uh problematic than it has been.

Uh the fights uh I've seen a little a little out of hand.

Uh and I just I just I just I feel like we need to get ahead of the curve before World Cup, man.

It just it's a but it concerns me, it concerns a lot of the business owners, a lot of the employees.

Uh we're just concerned that we're just not ready for the are you suggesting that that there's not a positive approach to what's already being done.

Absolutely.

No, I think the idea is there.

It's it's just it's this is this is something that has been gathered uh with the like part of my personal relationship with the owners, the the uh service industry workers as well.

I think it could be uh it could be run a little more cohesively for something, you know, to not be to be more uh how would we say uh just represent you know when World Cup comes, we're gonna have so many international people here uh visiting.

I mean, it could be uh future business prospects for Houston.

I mean, you're you're looking at all the money that we're putting into it, but after 11 o'clock, all the public safety stuff stops, and and our prime hours are from 11 to 3 o'clock, and that's the safety of the workers, safety of the of the uh of the patrons uh you know out there.

We would have EMS on staff.

Uh so it would be the minor triage out there, like for intox, things like that to alleviate some of the city, you know, we wouldn't have to call the you know police or or medical services, something that we could treat on it on its own.

I mean, just setting a new standard for the the nightlife district.

Very good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, thank you very much.

Randall Bishop, Opal Jackson.

Anthony Wynn.

Andrew Gustavo.

Dre Antoine.

Julia Juliana Robbie.

To be followed by Leslie Burrow.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for allowing me to speak today.

Um, just as a disclaimer, I have a health condition that can cause me to be short of breath.

So please just bear with me as I speak.

This afternoon I want to talk about the difference between killing and euthanizing, because they are not the same thing.

Euthanasia is a merciful decision made to relieve suffering for animals who are hopelessly ill or irremediably suffering.

But when healthy, treatable, manageable, or rehabilitatable animals are intentionally destroyed because of space limitations.

That is killing.

Bark uses killing as an inventory control method.

It is not euthanasia, and there's nothing humane about it.

We as taxpayers and Houstonians do not approve of this representation of us.

Part of the problem is that in the animal welfare field, these words have been used interchangeably.

When these words are used casually, it lowers the standard of humane treatment and creates confusion.

Houston Spark Shelter takes in roughly 25,000 to 30,000 animals every year.

And its live release rate was only about 80 percent in 2025, well below the 90 percent benchmark that humane sheltering communities across the country have achieved.

This tells us something important.

This is not simply a resource problem.

It is a policy choice.

Better policies lead to better standard operating procedures, better accountability, and better outcomes.

Unfortunately, Houston is becoming widely known on social media for how many animals are dying in our shelters, and that should concern us all.

Houston is one of the largest and most influential cities in America.

We should be known for leadership and compassion, the same compassion we have seen time and again from our citizens during our own natural disasters in emergencies.

Not for how many animals die in our shelters.

How can we help BARC provide life-affirming options for every animal every time?

And adopt humane treatment as a core value.

Animals should not should only die in our shelters when they cannot be saved, not when we fail to try.

The rest of the country is watching us.

We must do better.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next Leslie Burrow.

To be followed by Benny Freeman.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer and Councilmembers.

Thank you for allowing me to speak this afternoon.

My name is Leslie Burrow.

I'm a 21-year resident of Harris County.

I'm a business professional, a mom of four kids, avid dog lover and owner, and in recent years, an animal welfare advocate.

I specifically have rescued from the kill list and fostered many dogs from this city's shelter, three of which that are still currently in my home and care.

The reason I am here today is to plead for your support as the authority that oversees the Houston City Shelter BARC.

The number of wonderful healthy dogs that are being killed there each week must stop.

The policies there must change such that killing, quote unquote, euthanasia should only be allowed as it is intended when medically necessary and to prevent further suffering.

This can be achieved by allocating the proper amount of funding and support to these abandoned animals that need our help.

God has given us, and specifically you, in this case, dominion over the care of these angelic creatures that he sent here to nurture us.

One of these angels is being lethal injected as we speak, and the others are right behind them.

This goes on daily at this shelter.

And there are wonderful, all wonderful dogs, all wanting to be loved, wanting a home, wanting their person.

Look at these innocent, voiceless faces of these pups each day that are terrified there and then lethally injected.

If you do, I believe that you will want to work with me and my team, Harris County, Paul and Order, to cultivate immediate and future change for the city of Houston's pets.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Benny Freeman.

Michael Bloodworth.

To be followed by Dennis Sullivan.

Mayor, Council, good evening, good afternoon.

Last time I was here, Mayor Bob was in that chair.

So it's been a while.

I am the volunteer at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport, which you may have been seeing lately in the news since it has unfortunately closed down from a lack of funding.

I've been a volunteer there for 28 years.

I am the historian there.

I do the educational community outreach.

And during that time, I've done over 250 meetings around the city with groups, civic groups, and at the museum two groups.

I initiated the studies that resulted in what's called Houston's Black Aviation History and also women's history of Houston's women in Houston's aviation history, which this is women's month.

And I've been doing those presentations for the past six years.

But I will not be able to do one Saturday because the building is closed.

Thanks to Facebook, I'll be doing it online but to a different audience because I've been able to reach out directly to citizens.

As you know, we are also coming up to the 100th anniversary for the Houston Airport.

Choose your date, 1927 or 1928.

But we're coming up to 100 years.

Our building, and it's our building, it's my building.

It's your building, as I say in my presentations, if you're a citizen, this is your building.

Our building is going to be, should be focused in the center of the 100-year anniversary that is coming up.

However, the city wants to celebrate it, but at the moment we're closed.

Which means we're not open to the public or anyone anyone else coming in.

I took an un under my own endeavor years ago to come up with a program called Houston's Aviation History.

And thanks to the museum being there, thanks to its archives, I've been able to do research that has revealed things like Houston's Black Aviation History, which goes all the way back to 1925.

Women go back to 1919 in Houston's aviation history.

So there are a lot of uh there are a lot of schedules coming up.

As you know, the uh state has put forward its phase two of acquiring the building for the uh the Texas Natural Resources or whatever STHC.

Currently it is a city property, and uh we hope we can maintain it as a city property.

Of greater concern to me, the building itself is protected as a National Historic Site as well as a protected Houston landmark, which I was able to get a few years ago.

But there are other buildings on the West Ramp.

Your time has expired.

Thank you for your work.

Uh I do know the State Historical Commission is reviewing operations.

And uh, I know John now, Houstonian is very much focused on it.

So I think very soon something good will occur at the terminal, and it will be city property.

Well, we're looking forward to it.

Yeah, we have a couple of comments, uh questions.

Councilor Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

And so the mayor just shared.

Uh, we've started looking into it as soon as we found out as well.

It's in district I it's uh it's it's really a gym to be there at the hobby area where a lot of civic clubs have actually met there.

I know that there's different events, uh weddings have happened there as well.

Uh want to say thank you for your work, Mr.

Bloodworth, for volunteering and sharing that history uh with the residents, not just there in the hobby area, but quite frankly, with the Houstonians.

Um there currently are no plans.

Uh the Houston Airport system does own own or manages the building, and it is a city property.

Uh, but we'll look into uh more information to see what what is going on in my office.

Is happy to keep you connected to that information as well.

Well, I have that information on the history of the other historic buildings on the West Ramp.

I know that you've been out and visited the building.

Has anyone else here been out to visit the 1940, your 1940 or Terminal Museum?

Well, you're all welcome.

I used to fly out of there all the time.

Just kidding.

Counselor Flickinger.

Counselor Flickinger.

Me and Willie Davis, Councilman Flick.

Councilman Flickinger.

I thought I read that there was a fundraiser or something that was canceled.

Is that correct?

Or we have a variety of fundraisers uh during the year.

I mean, I've been a volunteer event since 98, and they try and have a fundraiser every year.

Uh the leadership of the museum has been negligent in many areas and trying to get back together and do the fundraising.

Uh and it's uh we are a volunteer organization.

No one gets paid, and believe me, right now, no one is getting paid.

So we do what we can with what we got.

And that's what I'm looking here is to solicit support and recognition recognition.

Well, last time I met with a Houston first person at the airport at the at the other side of the airport, and I said, Did you know that the city of Houston and the airport department have a museum?

And he said, Well, you know, I've heard of that.

And I said, Well, if you look out the window there, you can see it over on the other side.

Well, how about that?

He says, I'll have to come visit sometime.

And that's uh the level of support that we have not received.

We're not on the list.

We receive no funding from a hotel motel tax.

We receive whatever money comes through the door.

And I'm here to solicit your support.

We need another 40 years.

Thank you much.

You're welcome.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

Next.

Dennis Sullivan.

To be followed by TJ Baker.

Good morning.

All right.

So I just want to get straight to the point.

This rodeo has been a mess.

I think we all can agree.

You guys have seen me come up here and speak about this culture before.

And I feel like this is a perfect time to really like put a spotlight to everything that was going on.

Once once again, I'm not putting the spotlight on myself.

I'm returning with attention and stepping forward and help guide this conversation forward.

There's been a lot of conversation.

I know you guys have been tired.

And the people that I'm connected to and the voices that I hear every single day, we're tired as well.

Speak solely to the black community that has showed out at the rodeo this year.

And we want to make sure that we're saying the high quality side of this culture.

We don't agree with this.

We don't agree with people coming in and you utilizing this as propaganda, you putting this out, the wrong message, everybody coming here just to look good and all kind of stuff.

We gotta cut this out.

So I wanna I mean I'm a part of a um, I'm part of the organization, agriculture education committee for the rodeo, and um I stand here with deep reverence for the lifestyle that we truly represent.

Okay.

There's a professionalism that that we need to uphold when we have when we're a part of this.

We wear these badges with honor, you know.

We take the time to volunteer and really recognize the foundation of the rodeo and what it really means to our lifestyles.

Um I wanna recognize a few few voices.

Um Larry Callis, he's the owner of the Black Cowboy Museum out in Rosenberg, who's pre he's preserving our history, is making sure that we all know the richness and the the quality and the importance behind where we've come from as Texans.

Um Ms.

Tammy McKnight, she's rodeo queen out here in Houston, Texas, the Villary sisters, my dear friend Mary Heel, Eight Seconds, Margaret Fritz, Sherry Reed, and other voices who are making sure that the visual side of things are putting out.

And me myself, I'm a photographer long-term, um, I'm a designer.

I've I've worked for the city um for for a little bit, and this is something I see every single day.

My neighborhood, district D, um, there's been a low quality that a lot of the people who need who need help, they're not getting the recognition that's needed.

And when we have things like this going on at the rodeo, it kind of clouds what we're really trying to get people to understand.

And we need help.

We need help.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to say thank you for coming down.

You represent the class and the quality of the rodeo, and something that that I, as a Texan, native Texan, am so proud to have grown up with, and and just, you know, you're exactly right.

The tradition, the respect, the reverence, that the entire show to be put on by volunteers, three weeks, so many people who come through.

And um, you know, thank you for representing that level in which you're trying to convey and the heritage and all that goes into it, because it's important.

I hear what you're saying, and I'm sorry that the other side of it has this year, seems like it showed out across the board, you know, and I I think that there's I had the opportunity to speak to uh Houston Sports Authority the other day, and I said, you know, there's when you start when you start mark trying to give a black eye to the rodeo, that's that's kind of a bad bad deal.

So thank you.

Uh Councilman Evans.

Thank you, Mayor.

And certainly I appreciate that you are representing the best of District D.

Um, but I don't know if you finished.

Did you give your ask?

I know you said that you wanted help or whatever, but you have not been specific in your ask.

So if you want to take the opportunity for just a few minutes.

I need help getting connected to the people who can really like put this out.

Um the rodeo committee, uh, the board of directors, people who we can tell the story and put it out properly so that next year, when people come, they understand that it's way deeper than just looking good and wearing short clothes.

You understand?

We want to make sure that they're going to the actual competitions, learning about the livestock, learning about the market, you know, understanding what really goes into the rodeo because that's eas that's that's been missed.

There's many people who think that the cook-off is just the rodeo.

They come and they say, Oh, I went to the rodeo, but they only went to the cook-off.

It's way deeper than that.

And this is how people take care of their lives.

So I just want to connect with the people, the mover and the shakers who can help put this message out the right way.

Could you give it a lady right there, and we'll see if there's any way we can facilitate your ass.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank y'all.

Next, TJ Baker.

Ali Khan.

To be followed by Kenya Johnson.

Hi everyone.

Hope you're having a hello everyone.

Hope you're having a good day.

Um excuse my daughter here.

I brought her, picked her up straight from school.

Um it's actually my favorite part of the day.

Um we have this ritual where she writes her name down when we get to school, and she does the cutest little backward Z every time she comes into the school, and then she gives me a big hug when she picks me up.

And it's it's it's honestly my favorite part of the day.

On February 28th, unfortunately, 175 fathers weren't able to pick up their daughters from school.

They never got picked up.

And it was our government's missile that actually struck this specific school and killed 175 innocent little girls.

And what I wanted to talk about today is Houstonians specifically do not benefit from the war morally, economically, or strategically.

And the ask that I have today is can we divest the city of Houston's portfolio commercial paper interests from BNP and BNY that finance this specific war machinery.

On a moral level, you know, the war targets innocent civilians.

UNESCO's World Herit Heritage Sites and puts Iranians and Americans in harm's way.

We send our fathers, our brothers, our sons and daughters into a conflict that points missiles at schools, uh, hospitals, and mosques.

And this war has already claimed the lives of thousands of Iranians and dozens of American soldiers.

On an economic level, we live in a rich city right off of I-10, the energy district where I live, where there's Conaco Shell, Exxon Mobile.

Those companies, thousands of residents, are at risk of losing their jobs because of this the disrupted capital flows through through the Gulf.

And so at home, Houstonians are at risk for losing their jobs for a war that the majority of us don't support.

In fact, a poll recently came out that 60% of Americans do not support this war.

And most Americans are going to feel this at the gas pump, volatility in capital markets, and disruption throughout our lives.

And finally, on a strategic level, this war does not advance the interests of American people, the world, or the climate.

It advances the interests of a very small percentage of people who benefit from war and conflict.

And don't take my word for it.

In fact, Joseph Kent, who resigned today, the uh director of counterterrorism, quote, as a veteran who was deployed on 11 times as a gold star husband, who lost my beloved wife Shannon, a war manufactured by Israel.

I cannot support sending the next generation off to die in a war.

That serves no benefit to the American people.

But not today.

Houston currently holds 300 million in commercial paper from BNP Parabus and Bank of Montreal together, making up 10% of our portfolio.

I call on this city uh to divest begin suspending new investments and divesting from these specific companies.

And this isn't uh precedented, and I'll I'll I'll wrap up my comment here.

Um this isn't precedented.

We've done this before in the case of South Africa, where we collectively divested from these funds.

Your time has expired.

Okay.

And I'll conclude with this.

I wanted to leave these two specific notes with with the chambers here to call on divesting.

The same way it took for Rosa Parks to stand in the bus that day.

I wanted to ask this council to divest from these specific funds.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Kenya Johnson.

Crystal Piper.

To be followed by Clemente Mathis.

Hello, my name is Crystal Piper.

If I could have your undivided attention, that would be great.

Pull the mic down just slow.

There you go.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um, one of your HPD officers severely beat me.

I have a million dollars in medical bills from that beating.

So I have a brain injury also, so if I forget something, please bear with me, give me a little time.

Once your officer beat me, and I came forward, your HPD officers at the Greens Point station to retaliate against me for coming forward on November 23rd.

They took my daughter.

She's 15.

They held her at the Greens Point police station.

They severely beat her and they raped her.

Nine of your officers.

I have been reaching out to the council members and to your office, Mr.

Mayor, since November 24th.

I want my daughter back.

One of the HPD officers, when he approached me, he said, You will never see her again.

It has been four months, and I have not saw my daughter.

I have never been away from her, with the exception of her going to school.

I want my daughter back.

He said that he knew a CPS worker.

He called her on his phone.

She filed a false report.

She assigned herself to the report.

And I have not saw my daughter.

She walked up to me in plain clothes and she said, Bitch, we know who you are, and you will never see your daughter again.

When she told me to stand by my car, I walked up to where my daughter was and the officers and the CPS worker.

She told my daughter, you better say Crystal did this to you.

When the officers and the CPS worker realized that I was standing behind her, she told the officer, hurry up, put her back in the car.

She drove out of the parking lot so fast I thought she was gonna hit the gate.

The officer then proceeded to key up on the radio to call the other officers that were in the police station to come out.

They surrounded me and my daughter with their hands on their guns, and they had a look in their eyes like give me a reason to kill you.

And they told me to get off the property, and then I better not try to reach out to my daughter.

And I have not saw her yet.

And I just want to know what you guys are gonna do about it.

Because I want my daughter back.

Okay.

Um I able to No ma'am.

We're gonna have uh our chief staff contact HPD and uh look into the mayor.

Oh, internal affairs?

No, ma'am.

We'll go above then.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

That's what I was suggesting as well, so thank you.

Cynthia.

Clement next.

Clemente Mathis.

I don't think he's here.

Maximiliano Diaz.

Jacob Klementich.

Jacob.

To be followed by Joseph O'Mari.

Look, look.

Five days left for the rodeo, so please go there like we are whitmire and doing good job with the city, okay?

Thank you.

And anyway, this employee of the rodeo named Angela Hernandez.

Was on the K the Houston Hello Houston Radio show.

And uh you were talking about an employees at the radio.

And I said, I wish you can come into her that uh even though I am physically and mentally dis disabled.

I'm an employee of NRG Park and I love working with the rodeo.

Now the next two days, Mayor uh Whitmaier was there, and uh he he uh he's uh I said Dr.

Chris Coleman, and I I asked him, am I a good uh promoter of the rodeo?

And and well, that's what I wanted to say.

Am I a good promoter of the radio, Mr.

Wilmere?

Oh, and uh one last thing.

Uh is Ms.

Councilmember Shelly Alcorn.

Alcoin has uh uh uh green jacket on, and you know what it is?

It's St.

Project's days.

So look, I have a green pants on, and this uh councilmember Garner, she's a good average lady, also Jacob.

Good job.

Thank you, next Joseph Omari.

Uh the difference between regular numbers for rock economics is that uh we didn't have people for stealing your work for the government, steal your food stamp, your housing volunteer, SSID guy.

Did not kidnap the mama and your grandmama.

I mean, it's gotta be outrageous.

They don't know people, poor people, especially poor mother, not to be able to buy food uh uh soda water and cookies with a food stamp card.

That's ridiculous about a Democratic Party.

Decreasing social spirit and increasing power by creating less less job across America last year.

All we part was a collar with Richard Fame of the Democratic Political Party for contribution in the clearly liberal ha ha ha ha.

Use military marshal laws to everything with camp for the master people, still still la la just tell truth.

That's the way to be a good citizen, good soldier.

Ha ha ha ha.

Import all good citizens, august soldier practical witchcraft, dead worship on the job because never can do anything for because suicide uh make a decision to move.

Important memory for government for free.

Ha ha ha.

I got three on the.

No, no, we've been here a long time.

I like your green tie, too.

It looks like I love you.

You don't say what you politician guys, especially men, you know.

Well, you also well dressed men.

You look yeah, I love the way you look at your suit.

Man, let me get these three things down.

Two more, I'm through.

Two more I'm through, brother.

And you won't have to worry about you think I think you're trying to protect y'all.

I know y'all brock a bomb of fans and stuff.

But let me get these three, and I'll be through with you 16.

Okay, we've been nice.

We've been a big bit of government.

I gotta get across town uh without a paycheck style.

Uh-huh.

Everybody must show up and work the shop, go to the college.

Okay, tell you what, let me get to the next speaker.

And then all black people must learn to speak white.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Keep the poor public and never look at the seat if they have already.

Don't even pay the politician no money.

Ha ha ha ha.

Don't pay the people.

Don't pay a teacher.

Thank you.

Next.

Eduardo Duran.

Which I don't see.

This completes the list of speakers.

Oh, I'm sorry here.

I didn't see it.

Increased computing power with the data centers, the AI data centers, also brought to us in the United States by John Donald Trump with his half a trillion dollar um uh uh uh initiative.

I forget what he called it now, the name of an escape thing, but he announced it on his first full day in office.

Stargate.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Start Project Stargate, half a trillion dollar uh plan to partner with big tech to build out all these data centers.

Uh so between the uh the the increased AI infrastructure with the new data centers and the decreased population through World War III and vaccines and and and poisoning our food and air and everything that we see going on, it's all related.

They will be able to control the life from cradle to grave of every single individual on earth.

That's the plan, okay?

Whether they'll pull it off by 2030 or even in my lifetime, I'm turning 65.

That's good four years old.

Um I was just uh following Patrick Wood.

Your time has expired.

I'll bring some handouts next time.

All right, thank you.

Nine in the morning.

Of reinvestment zone number sixteen, city of Houston, Texas Uptown.

Item two, request for mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the Uptown Development Authority Board of Directors.

Item three, request for mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the board of directors of reinvestment zone number 17, City of Houston, Texas Memorial City.

Item 4, request for mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the Memorial City Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors.

Item five recommendation from city attorney to deposit the amount of the award of special commissioners into the registry of the court to pay all cost of court in connection with imminent domain proceedings style City of Houston versus Reserve at Highland Heights LLC for Booker Landfill West Donovan Drainage Project.

Item 6 approved spending authority for purchase of signal monitoring solutions.

Item 7 approved spending authority for purchase of public safety radios and accessories.

Item 8 Amend motion 2024-697 previously amended by motion number 2025-659 to extend the award through September 30th, 2031, and to increase spending spending authority on award to Texas Outhouse Inc.

for purchase of portable restroom rentals and services.

Item 9 resolution authorizing submission of project application to Harris County Precinct 2 Partnership Project for fiscal year 2026 through 2027.

Item 10 amended and restated ordinance authorizing the issuance of one or more series of City of Houston, Texas Public Improvement Bonds, Series K1, Item 11, Ordinance, Repealing Ordinance Number 2023-199 in its entirety, amending the code of ordinances by adding Article 23, managed pedestrian area to Chapter 40, Streets and Sidewalks, amending sections 22-15, 40-8, and 40-10.1 by adding references to the new article.

Item 12 ordinance designating certain blocks of Main Street and the pedestrian areas of certain blocks of adjacent side streets as a managed pedestrian area in accordance with Article 23, Chapter 40 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Houston, Texas.

Item 13 ordinance accepting individual proposals from insurance carriers listed, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, Arch, Specialty Insurance Company, Aspen Specialty Insurance Company, Access Surplus Insurance Company, Beasley Excess and Surplus Insurance Inc.

Calais Reciprocal Insurance Exchange, Canopius U.S.

Insurance Inc., Columbia Casualty Company, Croman Forrester Specialty Insurance Inc., Columbia Casualty Company, Crum and Forrester Specialty Insurance Company, Emerald Base Specialty Insurance Company, Endurance American Specialty Insurance Company, Evanston Insurance Company, Everest Indemnity Insurance Company, GeoVera Specialty Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance Company, Ironshore Specialty Insurance Company, Lexington Insurance Company, MS Transverse Specialty Insurance Company, MSIG, Specialty Insurance USA, Inc., Mount Howley Insurance Company, Renaissance RE, National Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Nautilus Insurance Company, Navigator Specialty Insurance Company, Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company, Old Republic Union Insurance Company, Partnere Insurance Solutions, Bermuda Limited, Princeton ENS Lions Insurance Company, RSUI Indemnity Company, South Lake Specialty Insurance Company, Specialty Builders Insurance Company, Spinnaker, Specialty Insurance Company, Star Surplus Lions Insurance Companies, Starstone Specialty Insurance Company, Sutton Specialty Insurance Company, Swiss RE, Corporate Solutions Capacity Insurance Corporation, Texas Insurance Company, Tokyo Marine America Insurance Company, Underwriters of Lloyd's, United Specialty Insurance Company, Westchester Surplus Lions Insurance Company, and Westfield Insurance, which are participating in the layered property insurance program and approving and authorizing the purchase of general property insurance for the proposed citywide insurance policy for all scheduled city of Houston locations, excluding Houston First Corporate Corporation leased properties.

Item 14 Ordinance accepting individual proposals from insurance carriers listed, National Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Arch Specialty Insurance Company, Aspen Specialty Insurance Company, Access Surplus Insurance Company, Beasley Excess and Surplus Insurance Inc.

Canopius U.S.

Insurance Inc.

Columbia Casualty Company, Dellwood Specialty Insurance Company, Endurance American Specialty Insurance Company, Evanston Insurance Company, Harley's Harleysville Insurance Company of New York, Hitzcock Syndicate Limited, Ironshore Speciality Insurance Company, Kinsale Insurance Company, Lexington Insurance Company, Nautilus Insurance Company, Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company, Palms Insurance Company Limited, Princeton EA ENS Lines Insurance Company, RSUI Indemnity Company, Scottsdale Insurance Company, Specialty Builders Insurance Company, Star Surplus Lions Insurance Company, Starstone Specialty Insurance Company, Sutton Specialty Insurance Company, Swiss RE, Corporate Solutions America Insurance Corporation, Texas Insurance Company, Underwriters of Lloyd's Velocity Speciality Insurance Company, Westchester Surplus Lions Insurance Company, and Westfield Specialty Insurance Company, which are participating in the layered property insurance program, and approving and authorizing the purchase of general property insurance policy for Houston First Corporation Leased Properties, excluding the George R.

Brown Convention Center.

Item 15, ordinance accepting proposal from Hartford Fire Insurance Company.

Approving and authorizing purchase of general property insurance for George R.

Brown Convention Center for proposed citywide insurance policy for all scheduled city of Houston locations.

Item 16 ordinance accepting proposal for underwriters and Lloyds.

Approving and authorizing purchase of terrorism insurance for the proposed citywide insurance policy for all scheduled city of Houston locations.

Item 17 ordinance appropriating 46,438,787 to contract with Hensel Phelps Construction Company.

Item 18 ordinance appropriating $782,300.

Approved and authorizing contract with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects Inc.

Item 19 ordinance appropriating $25,790,778.

To provide construction phase services for contract with Spall Glass Construction Corporation.

Item 20, ordinance appropriating $4,079,000 for playground improvements and replacements at various facilities.

Item 21 ordinance appropriating $48,088,463.9 cent.

Approving and authorizing contract with Alstom Transport USA Inc.

Item 22 ordinance appropriating $2,313,513.

Approving and authorizing contract with Network Cabling Services Inc.

Item 23 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Contract with Airports Council International.

Item 24 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Contract with ICF SHE Inc.

Item 25 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Second Amendment to Contract with AIDS Foundation Houston Inc.

Doing Business as Allies in Hope AIDS Health Care Foundation Fundate Fundacion Latino Americana D Oxion Social Inc.

Legacy Community Health Services Inc.

and St.

Hope Foundation Inc.

to provide community-based HIV STD Counseling Testing Referral and Linkage Services.

Item 26 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Second Amendment to contract with Harris County Hospital District doing business as Harris Health System and B Busy Learning Academy Wellness Center.

Item 27 Ordinance approved and authorizing Second Amendment to contract with the Montrose Center.

Item 28 Ordinance approved and authorizing the Second Amendment to contract with B Busy Learning Academy Inc.

Item 29 ordinance approving and authorizing submission of application for grant assistance to the office of the governor for FY27 Active Attack Response Equipment Grant Program Item 30 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Submission of Electronic Application for Grant Assistance to the Officer Office of the Governor for FI27 North East and West Side Houston Violent Game Crime Suppression Grant.

Item 31 Ordinance Relating to East Aldean Management District.

From sorry, for a transfer of plus plus minus 68,948 square feet of land, parcel IT 25-004 from Houston Public Works to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

Designate and said land for parks purposes.

Item 33, ordinance approving and authorizing interlocal agreement with Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority.

Item 34, ordinance appropriating 78,750.

Approving and authorizing interlocal agreement for construction of Harbor and Drive and Guestner Road Intersection Improvements Project.

Item 35, ordinance approving and authorizing in a local agreement with Houston First Corporation.

Item 36, ordinance appropriating $65,000 30 cent.

Approving and authorizing infrastructure reimbursement agreement with Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority.

Item 37, ordinance appropriating 262,500.

Approving and authorizing joint participation in a local agreement with Harris County.

Item 38, ordinance finding and determining the public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interest in connection with the public improvement project known as the drinking water distribution rehabilitation and replacement project along U.S.

59 Southwest Freeway between South Gestner Road and Beechnut Street.

Item 39, ordinance granting to AAA Action Septic Service LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the right privilege and franchise to collect haul and transfer solid waste and industrial waste from commercial purp properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 40, ordinance granting to JAS Septic Services Corporation, a Texas corporation, the right privilege and franchise to collect, haul, and transport solid waste and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 41, ordinance granting to Masters Advanced Remediation Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the right privilege and franchise to collect haul and transport solid waste and industrial waste from commercial purposes, commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 42, ordinance granting to Red Zone Robotics Inc., a foreign corporation, the right privilege and franchise to collect, haul and transport solid waste and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 43, ordinance granting to refresh threads cleaners, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the right privilege and franchise to collect haul and transfer solid waste and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 44, ordinance granting to SESCO, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Company.

The right privilege and franchise to collect, haul and transport solid waste and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

Item 45, ordinance granting to Texas Mint Commercial Washington LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the right privilege and franchise to collect, haul, and transport solid waste and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the city of Houston, Texas.

This completes the reading of the captions for the agenda of March 18th, 2026.

Stay tuned for the next city council session to begin at 9 a.m.

And with that, I wish everyone a blessed and happy hump day.

Council, please come to order.

You want to do the appointments?

Yeah.

Mark.

Motion to take them out of order.

Yeah.

Motion to take items 134 out of order.

Motion take items number.

Cast six T move to take items one through four out of order.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion.

Is there a motion for item one?

Cast X Tatum move.

Can't you got it?

Motions made in segment.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Uh, is well sent to the same panel.

Okay.

Item two.

Is there a motion for item two?

Castax Tatum move.

Team second.

Motion made and segment.

All in favor say yes.

I suppose nay.

Congratulations.

Gentlemen.

And Michael, uh public servant, Stephen Lerner is here.

Uh our public servant, Stephen Lerner is here.

Thank you.

Ramon Ventura Guzman.

Thank you.

Clayton Friels.

Welcome to the public service.

Anyone else?

If not, gentlemen, stand and let us thank you for your public service.

Huge responsibility.

Thank you.

Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you and congratulations.

Thank you so much for the reappointments.

Um being willing to continue to serve.

And then to the new appointments, welcome.

Tur 16 is an incredibly special place.

And there is a lot of vision and forethought that has been put into all the projects there.

And I know that you will continue this momentum and keep going.

So congratulations.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Now you go to work, Michael.

Thank you.

Next.

Is there a motion for item three?

Huffman tags.

Tag Councilmember Huffman.

Huffman tax.

Fine.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next.

Under the property category.

Item five needs a motion.

Cast sex tight a move.

Martine and second.

Motion made in segment.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under them purchasing and tabulation of bids category.

Item 6, 7, 8, need a motion.

Cast X take a move.

Routine a second.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the resolutions category.

Item 9 needs a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the ordinances category.

Item 21 has not been received, but will be considered if it's received before the end of the meeting.

Items 11, 12, 18, 20, 24, 25, 29, 30, 35, and 36 have been removed for separate consideration.

Again, those numbers are 11, 12, 18, 20, 24, 25, 29, 30, 35, 36.

Need a vote on the balance.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 11 is in ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 12 is in ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Councilman Martinez.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

So this also is in uh is in alignment with uh item 11.

So I just want to give a shout out to Chris Larson and Downtown Plus, who's here.

Uh the work that they've been doing for the uh Main Street 2.0, which is essentially now from Commerce to Dallas.

Uh we had a pilot program, I guess but during COVID, so six years ago.

Um, and it it worked really well.

There is some uh some questions with some of the businesses, but I think they all see the benefit of it now and looking forward to this being uh a huge spotlight, especially during uh uh FIFA where we'll have a lot of uh visitors.

If you haven't seen some of the renderings of what's been uh what what is going to be coming soon, I'd encourage all to see it.

This is gonna be great for businesses, for pedestrians alike, and then of course just Houstonians that will be visiting downtown.

So appreciate everyone's support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let me echo your words.

Uh Chris, thank you.

Uh colleagues, he central Houston in collaboration with the city, the tours.

We're going to repave 85 blocks in central Houston.

They blew by that under budget on schedule ahead of time, and now going to over a hundred blocks.

Give me a shout out.

What's your last plans?

120, sir.

20?

120.

And be done before FIFA's here.

Long overdue.

It's not just in preparation for FIFA, but all of our downtown residents and workers.

Great work, and uh I'm using you as a model.

As I talk to other uh projects, uh certainly Metro.

Got to move faster, quicker under budget, and get it done.

Thank you so much.

Good job.

Um I think we need to vote on 12.

All in favor say yes.

Those nay.

Motion passes.

Item 18 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Suppose nay.

Motion passes.

Item 20 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Comment before you want to comment now?

Why are they tagging the playground?

Councilmember King.

Councilmember King.

You don't want the kids to have a playground equipment.

No, well, I was I'll say it, I guess two weeks in a row then because it's such a big deal.

But mayor, I really wanted to spotlight this this item and thank our Parks Department, uh, GSD, uh, but really our residents.

This is a sweeping over $4 million investment in our community parks.

And one I wanted to spotlight in particular, though, um, and let residents know it was coming, is Mangum Manor, uh, which in 2023, just after national night out, uh, we basically had to condemn the playground.

And the Parks Department had to remove the entire playground.

So since 2023, it's just been an empty field.

And thanks to the work of residents working with our office with the Parks Department, uh, there is a not just an allocation, but the complete playground is now going to be installed uh with it completed by the end of this year.

And that's just a huge win for this community.

And I I just wanted to express my gratitude to parks and GSD for working with us.

Uh but again, you're seeing all across uh multiple districts investments in our parks, which are critical.

Well, you need to talk to Councilmember Davis.

In fact, we'll let y'all go in the back and next.

You I'll recognize you in a moment.

Counselor Councilmember Alcorn.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just want to highlight how great this is.

$4 million going towards our parks.

This is the this is money from the open space ordinance, something we've been discussing at City Council, and that we're taking a hard look at.

Um it's been, it's kind of a 20-year-old ordinance, and there's some disparity in where all the money goes in the sectors.

So we're looking at changing it so 30 percent of this money can be it doesn't, you know, right now all of the money has to be spent in that specific sector.

So obviously the money, the where there is more development, you get more money, and your parks are better.

So to make that better, the administration is recommending we take 30 percent of that, kind of like we do on sidewalk fee in lieu of to spread that out, and also like we do with the affordable um housing tours funds, which can go anywhere.

So that's something we are looking at, and I personally want to also look at the fee that we charge, which has not been changed in in 20 years and is already one of the lowest fees in the state for this purpose.

And uh it will be there's some important dates coming up on the open space ordinance.

This will be coming, the final red line um will be out on April 23rd.

The it will be placed on the planning committee agenda April 24th and a hearing on April 30th and potentially an extra hearing on May 14th.

So um would it really appreciate everybody taking a look at that ordinance?

This is this is a good source of funding for ordinance for for parks, and we know how low we are on funding for parks, although, Mayor, there's more on the agenda today.

You are working with other entities to get more county participation in parks.

All of this is good.

And um I don't know why you tagged that, Councilmember Davis, but looking forward to hearing why.

Me too.

Council Vice Mayor, uh, Mayor Pro Team.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just wanted to amplify that there are three parks in District K that are receiving these funds.

So I I too was not sure why our dear friend Councilmember Davis tagged this.

But we have been waiting uh for months for the um Windsor Village Park to get their playground equipment again.

The parks department did a a sweep and they looked at um where the parks were uh we had dangerous equipment um that was old and failing, and they removed those, and so now these parks are are all waiting for their playground equipment to be replaced.

Um we get calls periodically about how soon are we getting our playground equipment back at Windsor Village Park.

So very excited that Beulamaxi Park, South Maine Estates Park, and Windsor Village Park are included in uh the funding for um improvements in our parks.

So very anxiously awaiting this to happen.

Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

I echo everyone's comments.

But also too, you know, when you look at these playgrounds that are not up to standards, they are dangerous.

I was over in District B, and you know, it's a beautiful little park, and there's a playground that's fenced off.

And I said, well, what to parks?

I said, why is that fenced off?

And they said, oh, the equipment is has been damaged.

And you know, so potentially, well, not potentially, it is a liability.

And to be able to replace the equipment and have you know a park open, the entire park for play is is very important.

But you know, uh one lawsuit away when you start looking at it uh poorly maintained or aged uh playground equipment.

So I look forward to being able to uh get more done like this.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Kaman.

Thank you.

I just I wanted to thank all the council members for the robust discussion on how we fund our parks, because I think there is a bigger issue at hand uh when we have such constrained resources.

And I I thought this was such a great item.

One, because we are using dedicated funds that are for this, and Councilmember Alcorn, thank you for your leadership to see how we can grow these funds in an equitable manner.

And two, the cost of playground equipment.

What people don't realize is how expensive playground equipment really is.

And to Councilmember Carter's point, when we continue to defer on maintenance, whether it is our buildings, whether it's our playgrounds, the costs continues to go up tenfold.

And one of the things we have been looking at that I just want to plug for, as we are improving our playgrounds, what is increasingly necessary is shade for playgrounds.

Even like when we use better materials, the equipment is getting too hot now because of climate change, because of increased heat.

That is an additional cost.

So it is not just about replacing what was there, it is about making it safe for the future, and we have to include even more.

So the fact that we are able to cover this many parks for a little over $4 million is actually remarkable in terms of the cost that it normally takes to do these improvements.

So again, huge shout out to all the departments that worked on it, all the civic clubs and residents that have been engaging for their parks locally.

And I think we all look forward to moving this item as expeditiously as possible.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

And uh certainly let me be clear that this was not the objective was to stop the proven to parks.

We definitely support that.

But I wanted to, the purpose of the tag was there's some designated uh parks, and I asked Councilmember Flickager which particular one in his area.

I just wanted to know where the dollars were going to what particular parks, because Yellowstone Park in the South Union community uh started a little league baseball team.

That's not even a disability preparation for people that are disabled to attend the park.

I kicked off the little league, as we know much we complain about our kids not having activity in their local communities to reduce the crime and other things.

That park don't have lights, it doesn't have a lot.

So I'm not against parks, absolutely not.

But I just wanted to, the purpose of the tag was to assure that that park gets what it needs.

We'll do it in District B.

Got it?

Then I'll be more than happy to remove it.

I think that's a great uh coming together.

That Yellowstone Park will talk to Director Allen today and give it some uh special attention.

Good.

And uh not interfere with the progress of moving forward on the parks that have received uh this support.

Beautiful, great.

I remove the tag.

Good job.

Thank you.

Councilman Alcorn.

Thank you, Councilmember Davis, and really respect your your voice on that.

And uh I did want to say earlier something I forgot and neglected to say.

I heard loud and clear from Council members and community members when we last discussed the open space ordinance, and especially if we are looking at at the fee, we want to know where those funds have been spent through the years.

And I am working with parks to compile that.

I have a pretty good list right now.

I have asked them to add some detail to it, and I will make sure everybody gets that.

Now this goes back 20 years, so you know, we'll have probably better information for the last 10, you know, or more.

I mean, they are going back as far as they I mean, of course, all of it is accounted for, and we voted, council has voted on every single dollar coming out of this fund.

But the um some of the real detailed information might not be available real far back, but we'll get as detailed as we can.

Um 65 acres of land have been purchased since this parkland has been purchased, and then numerous improvements in numerous parks, and we're getting as much detail as we can on that to share with everyone.

So there is great transparency in where these this funding has gone.

Thank you to everyone.

Councilmember.

Yes, uh, Councilwoman Alcorn and I had some discussions about this as well.

And you know, although I don't know all of the details in changing the zones, we really thought that changing the zones would give us more flexibility in order to spend this money, because I mean we we all talked about the money coming in doesn't necessarily match where the money is needed.

So I agree.

Thank you, Councilmember Alcorn for your leadership.

Uh, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes, those opposed.

Motion passes.

Item 24 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed to any motion pass.

Item 25 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed.

And before we vote.

After we vote?

Before or after the vote.

Before.

Councilmember Evans.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh colleagues, this item is about saving lives and protecting public health in Houston.

Right now, nearly one in 200 Eustonians living with HIV, and we are seeing alarming trends, particularly a 200 percent increase in congenital syphilis, which means babies are being born already infected.

What makes this even more urgent is that about 40 percent of the new HIV infections come from individuals who don't even know their status.

That's where counseling, testing, and linkage services become critical.

These services don't just diagnose, they connect people to care, prevention tools like PrEP and ongoing support, which ultimately reduces transmission across our city.

I also want to recognize the work of allies in Hope, who are on the front lines providing culturally competent care and helping us reach the communities most impacted.

And certainly this amendment ensures we continue that life-saving work, and I strongly support it.

Thank you.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Okay, members, all in favor say yes.

Those opposed may motion passes.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, colleagues, for supporting item 25.

I did um see trustee Erica Davis Rouse from San Jacino College has joined us today.

I know she was interested in the vote.

Um, but want to send a special shout out to Jeffrey and everybody at Allies in Hope for the work that they continue to do to strengthen public health.

So thank you for being here today and all of the great work that you do as the Senior Director of Advancement for Allies of Hope.

And um, we look forward to continuing the work that we do alongside your organization.

Next.

Item 29 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 30 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

Councilmember Pollard.

Councilmember Pollard.

Good morning, everybody, and thank you, Mayor.

Um, I was looking at item 30.

Uh the backup says that this ordinance is to approve authorization of the submission of an electronic application uh through the Governor's Office for FY 27 North East and West Side Houston violent game crime suppression grant.

And this grant is to provide overtime funding for HPD's Northeast Division and West Side Division.

And it struck me because the West Side Division is within J City.

Uh my office has been trying to provide overtime dollars to HPD for the entire fiscal year.

Uh and the Department has declined our overtime dollars.

So I was trying to figure out why this grant is being applied for, and we're asking the governor for money when your favorite colleague here has been offering overtime dollars uh to HPD, and HPD is not accepting it.

And again, this is my ask formally to uh have my office be able to provide overtime dollars for community policing.

Um the West Side Division, just like this ordinance is proposing to provide overtime dollars uh to the West Side Division.

Is there a reason why my office is not being allowed to provide overtime dollars to HPD in a different manner than why the governor is able to provide overtime dollars to HPD?

Can you give me a reason why you believe it's a dialogue?

Turn on your mic.

The microphone can hear my position.

Uh totally different funding, and uh I'm not gonna have a debate with you about your uh overtime.

We appreciate everyone's contributions, but this is necessary to continue this overtime game task force, which is uh being received by the Governor's office.

So you don't believe your conscience.

I have you're very familiar with your conversation and your demands upon the department to politicize uh the department in your area with your decals and um make believe city.

So I'm just not gonna I'm just not gonna have this dialogue.

Everyone knows how important police overtime is.

We appreciate your offerings, and I would urge you to continue to work with the leadership at HPD.

Well, I can tell you, Mayor, that the unfortunate part about it is the residents of J City are the ones that are being being hurt by your decision not to allow overtime dollars for HPD that will be for community policing.

The same community.

I appreciate your perspective.

Well, I appreciate you appreciating it.

Um I'm saying is over the last five years, my office has been able to provide overtime dollars for community policing.

Great.

Um your office has approved those dollars in the past, and I don't understand why all of a sudden those dollars are not being accepted to be used for community policing.

Every other council member up here is able to provide overtime dollars for their districts.

I don't understand why mine is not, especially at a time now where we are accepting overtime dollars for the totally different subjects.

I would urge you to talk to police chief, and if y'all can reach a uh accord where he doesn't believe that you are trying to direct things and politicize law enforcement.

We only have one police department in this city that I'm proud of.

They're doing outstanding work, and quite frankly, your politicizing it is nothing but a distraction which is hurting public safety.

So I'd suggest we move on, accept the state funding from the governor's office, and uh why is your voice getting so eloquent?

I'm not going to continue this dialogue.

Take it up with the police chief.

He's the outstanding law enforcement officer.

He has the support of the community.

And uh good try.

Um tagged by uh Councilmember Park.

Next, sorry.

Item 35 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

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

Item 36 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay, motion passes.

Sir.

I thought I had who's in Cayman was in the committee.

Selena is saying it was on the previous item.

No, it was it was 35.

I had squared.

35.

Which number?

35.

Selinas would like to address item 35.

No, I squared it just to make a comment.

Uh Councilmember Salinas.

Thank Oh, go ahead, Count.

No, no, I I just wanted to make a comment on the vote, which is why I had squared it.

Um I was wanted to first thank Councilmember Martinez for all the work and leadership you have done on this issue regarding the George R.

Brown Convention Center.

I want to thank community for coming out and raising their questions.

We know that it remain questions that they want answered.

I'm looking forward to working with Councilmember Martinez to get those questions answered.

Um I know folks wanted us to delay this vote.

I'm going to support moving forward, um, but I hope we can all work together to get all the community's questions answered.

But thank you, Councilmember Martinez, for your leadership on this.

Councilmember Kamen.

I have a comment.

I'm happy to wait until after 36 is voted on.

After 36.

Yes, please.

Nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Knight.

For her Councilmember Km.

Thank you, Mayor.

I wanted to also spotlight this item.

We have been working with the Memorial Heights Tours and Precinct for Commissioner Brionis on several safe crossings in this particular area.

So in addition to Ella Grovewood, which is under construction right now as we speak, which we have allocated district dollars to, and I want to thank again Commissioner Brionis for her partnership at Sinclair Elementary.

We are working with the Memorial Heights Tours District C has allocated over $65,000 for safe crossings at 11th and Shirkmir and 11th in Shelterwood.

These are additional ways that families not only walk to and uh bike to school, but also to Mayor uh at Park Uh deeply care about, which is the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve.

And this allows families to safely cross from one side of Timber Grove to get to the park to get to school.

So we appreciate the partnership with Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority and the neighborhood and civic club leadership, PTO leadership for identifying these crossings and allowing us to work with you to make sure that our families can be safe in our neighborhoods.

Thank you for your leadership.

Probably wouldn't have happened without all the collaboration.

Thank you.

And certainly the Commissioner Breenos.

Very good.

Next.

Members 21, I believe.

Is now in.

Yes, sir.

Just take some vote.

Item 21 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

This completes the items on the agenda.

Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just want to remind my constituents in District C there's an election going on.

A special election to uh choose a successor to our colleague Abby Kamen as the district representative there.

And I would encourage all registered voters in District C to come out and vote.

These positions are very important.

And the turnout is usually pretty low, sad to say.

We selected another council member just a few months ago, and in the runoff for that election, only 3.6 percent of registered voters in the entire city turned out.

Now we have got a great councilmember as a result of that.

But um I wish that there was more voter participation.

I am reminded of how important these positions are when I see what is going on in uh one of our cities to the south, uh, Corpus Christi, which is dealing with some really serious water issues.

You might even say existential water issues unless things get better.

They could completely run out of water within a year, uh as crazy as that sounds.

Now, I don't want to alarm anybody here because Houston has plenty of water, so long as we can continue to deliver it to residents.

Uh and we're working on that.

But um these positions where important decisions are made are so important.

Um, and I would encourage all residents of District C who are registered to educate yourselves on who the candidates are and come out and vote.

Early voting has started today.

It will continue through March 31st, and the election day for this position we will be on April the 4th.

So go out and vote if you live in District C.

Thank you.

Uh, thank you, Mayor.

A couple of announcements.

Uh wanted to invite everyone to the unveiling of the Charlotte Baldwin Allen statue on tomorrow at 4 p.m.

at the Julia Idison Library.

Um we've talked about uh Charlotte Baldwin before and how um she used her inheritance to purchase the land that became Houston and really has never um been giving her just due.

Well, the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce have worked with some organization.

They have commissioned a statue that has been donated to the City of Houston.

The unveiling will be on tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Um Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck uh and I met with some members of the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce um several months back and um kind of looked for the perfect space and we're we're glad that we settled in on uh Julia Idison Library.

So if you are available, we'd love to see you there as we honor her vision and commitment and generosity, especially during women's history month.

And again, that's tomorrow at 4 p.m.

And then uh Saturday, March the 21st at the Stemley Blue Ridge um neighborhood library.

The library will be hosting a sensory festival from one to four p.m.

Uh it should be a great event, um, embracing all members of our community through music, art, exploration, and sensory friendly activities.

A big reminder for our community members that the next Super Neighborhood 40 community meeting will be held on Tuesday at the Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center at 6 30 p.m.

We're inviting all of the residents to join us as we will be reviewing the final bylaws, um, learn about our community delegates and the election of the new board for the revitalized super neighborhood 40.

If you have any questions about that, you can definitely call the office.

Uh the Willow Waterhoe Music Festival is back.

Uh the weather prevented the initial date, but on March the 28th, from 11 a.m.

to 8 p.m.

at 5300 Dryad Drive.

If you have never attended the Willow Water Hole Music Festival, this year is a great year to start.

Lots of fun, lots of music.

Uh it's a great time uh for folks to see the Willow Water Hole, which is a hidden gym uh in the city of Houston.

If you've never been there, I invite you to um join us at the Willow Water Hole Music Festival.

Um then want to let the residents at West Ridge embrace Terrace Airs area know that their street improvement projects are set to start this fall.

Um we've gotten several calls from those uh neighborhood residents about their project, um, and they can also follow that project on Visit Engage Houston.org.

But the purpose of this project, of course, is for safety, drainage, and mobility in the West Ridge Embrace Terrace neighborhood.

So looking forward to having that project completed um soon.

Y'all be kind to each other and make it a great day.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um we have a number of events coming up in District A that I wanted to highlight.

Um the first one is tomorrow at Freed Park at 9 a.m.

Um we will have office hours at our satellite office there.

It will be from 9 a.m.

to noon.

Anyone who wants to stop by um to talk to um the district A team or myself, we will be there in no need to make an appointment.

Please join us um for that.

Then this Saturday we will have our annual Battle of the Branch event.

It will be at um Spring Spirit at their Pittner location, 8526 Pittner Road.

Um this is our annual event where the um the students um from Spring Spirit play a softball game um with HVD officers and HFD um firefighters, and it's just a fun event.

Um so please join us for that.

Um it's free for the community.

And then finally, our um District A Super Neighborhood and Civic Club Informational Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25th.

And that is um for anyone interested in starting up their super neighborhoods again or um a civic club and not really sure where to start.

That will be an informational meeting about that.

Um Wednesday, March 25th at 6 30 p.m.

at the Faith Center Church, 8009 Long Point Road.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh tonight is the opening night for the Houston Latino Film Festival.

I'm honored uh that I'll be able to present a proclamation recognizing their 10-year anniversary, highlighting a decade of Latino storytelling, culture, and filmmakers.

The location for the event is at the in the at the match in Midtown, and there's still tickets available.

You can go to Houston Latino Fest Film Festival dot uh org.

Um this Saturday, uh March the 21st is Dixie Little League's uh 76 uh uh Little League opening day.

Uh this is the oldest chartered Little League in the in the inner city uh servicing the East End community at Ingrando Park.

Uh kids that are four to sixteen get to play there, and I want to just congratulate uh the Little League on their 76th anniversary to the dads, the coaches, the team moms, uh all the volunteers, uh specifically Jesse Martinez, Roberto, Charles, Arturo Salas, Philip Cantu, who helped lead a lot of the or the or helped lead the organization there at the park.

Um and then lastly, um I have my chip intern, Jorge Palomo.

Uh I want to recognize him if he can stand.

Um you know, we take pride in bringing in U of H chip interns uh out of the district office.

Uh he's majoring in in history and a minor in political science.

Uh we're happy to have him join the team and for those that might attend a U of H game, he's also part of the band as well.

Um so uh multi-talented, and we're happy to have him part of uh district I team as well.

Thank you.

Councilman Poward.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I first got to uh council um when I was first elected.

Um I brought on a chief of staff, Paul Young, who is behind me.

Uh my deputy chief of staff is David Briswell, my office manager is uh Francis Ellis.

Uh we all came in together, and I was notified that they have reached their five years of service to the City of Houston.

So I want uh Francis and David to stand.

Please.

Thank you.

And let's give them a round of applause for making it five years.

As you all know, the City of Houston recognizes um city employees every five years for their service.

So after this meeting, I just want to I will give you all your recognition, but I do want to publicly uh thank you all for your service.

Nothing that we can do in the J City office can be done without you.

Uh I lean on you all for everything, and um I want to make sure that everyone knows who you are and who does the heavy lifting in the office.

So thank you very much.

That's it.

Thank you.

Councilman Alcorn.

Thank you.

And congrats now you're vested in the pension program, right?

Five years.

Um than everybody that participated in the town hall with Scenic Houston and the parks department yesterday about um adopting an Esplanade.

We had over a hundred participants, a lot of interest.

So we're gonna adopt out those medions, man.

We're gonna have to start stop mowing those things.

Umly other thing super fun that I've done three or four times before is the Buffalo Bayer Regatta this weekend.

I'll be George and I will be out there in the canoe going our 15 miles down the bayou from everybody shaking the reeking regatta, they used to call it.

But uh anyway, raises great money, and there's a bunch of participants, and it's really, really fun.

Y'all can shake your heads all you want, but it's fun.

It's not bad.

To the members to leave it for.

Uh first off, I want to just remind folks we have a few slots left for our office hours on March 25th.

This is an opportunity for anyone in the community to come and meet with me, whether it be in person, uh virtual, or by phone.

I'm available from 3 to 7 p.m.

Please sign up on our website, come meet with me, share with me what you're thinking, what what matters to you and what the city can do better.

Um and then to continue our women's history month recognition of unsung heroes.

I have the honor of recognizing senior police offer, police officer Melson Torres, who is here with us today.

Officer, please stand up.

Officer Thores has dedicated her life to public service, first answering the call to defend our nation as a proud member of the United States Marine Corps, joining in September 2001 and serving in the Iraq War in 2003.

Officer Thoris continued her public service by joining the Houston Police Department, where she has faithfully served the residents of Houston for 19 years in various roles across the department.

On top of her excellent public service, Officer Thoris has raised two wonderful children and shared 23 years of marriage with her husband Manuel.

So, colleagues, please join me in thanking Officer Thoris for her immense contributions to the City of Houston.

Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I just want to, in in honor of Women's History Month, I just want to welcome back our colleague Tarsha Jackson.

It's good to see you back around.

She does look rested.

Councilmember Evan Schwazer.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I want to begin by thanking you and your team, specifically Joe Allen and Stefani, for the work being done in District D to address heavy trash and illegal dumping through your new initiative.

And these are issues our residents experience in real time and the coordination between your office and our district to respond clean and stay engaged, has not gone unnoticed.

We appreciate the continued partnership and the intentional focus on keeping our neighborhoods clean, safe, and respected.

That level of responsiveness matters to our communities, and we thank you for it.

Looking ahead, we have several important community engagements and what we proudly call the district of destination.

This Thursday, March 19th, we will be out in the community for two important engagements.

At 6 30 p.m., we will join the McGregor Super Neighborhood number 83 meeting at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 3015 North McGregor Way.

This meeting will continue important conversations around neighborhood conditions, including non-permitted structures, short-term rental activity, and overall community stability.

Later that evening at 7 p.m., we will join the Hall Gill General Body Meeting at 1301 Texas Avenue.

We appreciate the Hall Hall Gilles continued advocacy and partnership in addressing quality of life issues across our neighborhoods.

And this Saturday, March the 21st at 9 a.m., we will celebrate the Ann Taylor Park reopening ceremony.

That family has such a wonderful history, especially during the Livestock Show and Rodeo.

At 1145, uh Almita Road, I've known Molly Stevenson for many, many years.

My brother was a cowboy, and so he kept us engaged, and he would ride down the street and his horse and parking in my mother's backyard.

This reopening marks a meaningful investment in green space and quality of life for residents in the area, and we look forward to joining community for that celebration.

District D continues to move forward through partnerships, which are very important, responsiveness and community engagement.

I want to highlight and certainly congratulate our colleague Councilmember Ramirez for participating in the MS 150.

I did a little a few rides back in the day.

I didn't never made it to that ride on the bike, but I was a SAG, which is the one that comes in the truck to rescue people, and hopefully you won't have to utilize that.

But but I used to be uh one of the drivers of the SAG.

And certainly, I don't think she made it down here, but I certainly want to highlight CeC Scott.

Cece Scott is new to my office, but she is certainly not new to the council office.

She also has uh gotten her five-year pin.

And I'm very, very glad that I inherited her.

But she's always been a person that has worked with District D unofficially.

Uh, and so now she's there officially, and I want to certainly highlight her and her service.

And she's she's hit the ground uh running and is doing a tremendous job.

And so I want to uh urge the constituents to certainly reach out and get the district D at Houston TX.gov, reach out to that email address so that you can get the newsletter.

And so certainly this is a beautiful week, and certainly I do appreciate everything that is being done to uplift District D.

And certainly this can this concludes what is going on in the district of destination.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I first like to thank Public Library Director Sandy Garr and her staff, uh, Chief Diaz, Chief Collie, Rebecca Williams for a great meeting held last week uh with the Minister Advisory Board to the Mayor at the Central Libraries Concourse Meeting Room.

As you know, Mayor, you gave us the opportunity each month to meet at the mayor's conference room, but due to the size of the meeting uh with almost a hundred pastors, we could not further there, so we reached out to the public library director, welcomed us, and it was a phenomenal meeting.

Chief Diaz, I want to thank Chief to speak to us about issues related uh to crime and homelessness.

Uh Diaz spoke to us, Chief Diaz spoke to us and emphasized the continued need for all of us to work together to address these issues.

I also want to thank the mayor's office of new Americans and immigrant communities for providing translation services for our meeting.

We have a robust group of pastor faith leaders of all races, all denominations.

We all come together uh in one place, so we uh want to thank the mayor, your office for providing us the ability to communicate with them as we bring in different uh department heads addressing the group of faith leaders.

The Ministry Advisory Board, as we know, um, is started off in with the sisters of the mayor's office and have been supportive of that, in which we are faith leaders who are involved in the community.

They we our faith leaders do so much that uh is not spoken much of, and so we really want to thank them for that.

Also, I want to thank Roberto Medina, Saul Rudeau, and the public works government relations team for their assistance.

They've always been helpful, and this week we're able to help out with issues where an intern subdivisions water was turned off mistakenly.

Within 90 minutes uh of reaching out, our office contacted Rob Roberto's team, an inspector came out, got the residents water turned back on.

They actually uh called our staff yesterday to say thank you and also to send thanks to public works team.

Uh we appreciate their assistance because quick actions like that makes a big difference uh in the public and certainly it shows the residents that the city is trying to assist them in matters that are critical, especially those levels of matters.

Next, I want to remind everyone to attend the housing department's upcoming annual spring action plan meeting taking place on Tuesday, March 31st at the A-Leaf Community Center.

This is residents' opportunity to let us know how to spend uh their dollars in their community with regards to housing needs.

Uh I cannot stress how important this is as the vice chair of the uh housing affordability, and we certainly want to send out to everyone to attend.

All of your feedback will be heard and will inform uh us how the department allocate millions of dollars to address affordable housing among other important things in uh in your community.

And lastly, but not complete last, I just wanted to send warm thoughts and prayers to Army Corporal Lonnie Fields, family and loved ones.

He was a native Houstonian, a career war veteran whose body was never returned home until his remains were officially identified last year.

Uh he's being honored and memorialized today at the Houston VA Cemetery and finally getting the welcome home.

He truly deserves and his entire family, and certainly uh as most of you know, I'm always out there representing uh this council uh as well as myself as a veteran and how we work.

I want to last Mayor to highlight colleagues.

Um the initiative that I uh proposed to Mayor Whitmeyer and uh Chief Diaz called PPP.

Most of us of recently have heard that there's a rise in crime among our young youth and teenagers, which has become a direct concern, not only of the mayor and and chief Diaz, the HPD, but to our faith community and everywhere.

We saw recently some of the actions that went on at the rodeo, and uh these are the type of things that we don't want to spread across our city, and especially when we are holding events that promote the city, and uh, and so we have taken the leadership uh in working with these the law enforcements, not only HPD, but our constables, our sheriff department, uh in introducing this plan called PPP, which stands for police, pastor, and people.

We can complain about issues, we can, you know, but we have to be involved.

We have to take the opportunity to allow ourselves to participate and how do we curtail it.

Uh each year at the juvenile detention center.

Uh we go over.

Uh I've went there and uh during the Christmas time to kind of reach out to even young people who are in those facilities.

But if we can prevent that before they get in those facilities, it's very important.

So I want to uh Chief Diaz met with us a couple of weeks ago, his office, and we're meeting with Eric Carr and Brandon Love uh as part of this initiative.

We also have been reached by the DA's office who wants to assist us and work with the plan.

Crime Stoppers is already working with us.

So we we want to reach out and do as much as we can to help curtail the crime and the rising of crime in our communities.

So we pray that all would go well, and that's what we have all that we have for the uh at large too.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, this past Saturday we completed uh another media and madness event out in Kingwood.

Want to thank Councilwoman Alcorn for making the long trip out to Kingwood and helping us out up there.

Uh had about 60 volunteers, a lot of youth.

Uh it was really nice to see with uh all the kids.

Uh also wanted to thank uh HEB and Chick-fil-A who kind of uh sponsored the event with uh donations and then obviously HPD and Houston Parks were were out there to assist, so it was it was a really great event.

Uh yesterday uh I was at the uh Bayhap event for the Swedish delegation in Clear Lake, and it is a space as an arena event they had.

And uh they're talking with a lot of different industry about doing business with them and uh a lot of good economic development down there.

The Sw Sweden's Crown Princess was there uh along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, so it was uh really quite the event and Beyhep really did an outstanding job.

Uh something else I wanted to talk about, not sure if everybody saw it, but the Baker Institute just came out with the study uh showing how much we are giving out in tax abatements for low-income housing.

In 2020, it was 7.7 million dollars.

In five years, it grew 15-fold to 124.5 million dollars.

Uh we also had some issues at uh with the reporting they're supposed to be doing to show that they're actually giving low-income housing.

Uh HCAD recently revoked three of the uh tax abatements.

The state reinstituted two of the three.

They didn't tell them why they did it, and they didn't have to come into compliance with the reporting.

So I think there's really some gaps there.

Uh the other kind of troubling thing is they are projecting that the tenure cost is going to be 2.2 billion dollars to the county.

So I think we really need to look at are we getting our money's worth with these tax abatements?

Are they providing the housing they're supposed to be providing in and we're really getting the bank for our buck?

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Uh Councilman Aaron Shabaj.

She wants to go again at the end.

I can later.

Uh Councilman Cayman.

Thank you.

Um district, but she is being honored on Friday, and she's an honorary for the 2026 women making history tour, which is the slidey and city hall ceremony.

This tour goes to Atlanta, Montgomery, Yale, Baltimore, and so the event is um 5D March 20th.

Uh the doors open at 5.

The program begins at 5 p.m.

in the in the legacy room.

And I just want to highlight for her to let her know that we do appreciate the continued work, and I look forward to the councilman Kamen.

I'm sorry.

No, no problem at all.

Thank you.

Um Mayor, I have two issues that we need help with in the district.

Um in 2020, we put we worked with the department um and a barrier was placed at um Travis and Dryden near the medical center because so many folks from the Med Center were cutting through.

And a barrier was put in place to allow traffic out of that street, but pre prohibited, so it became kind of a one-way exit out.

There was a water leak in 25 that required the removal of that barrier.

However, the barrier was never put back.

And we've had multiple very close calls between neighbors and residents and drivers coming in, and all residents are asking for is that barrier to be put back, the way that it was.

Um we have escalated, we are working.

Um Houston Water is the one I believe that removed it, but they couldn't put it back.

So we're trying to work with TDO within public works, but I promised residents, again, we're working through the system, but I promised residents I would discuss it because they're so concerned right now.

Um this was again something put in place years ago, but we need it put back.

Uh the second issue is we talk about um affordable housing and multifamily housing on 21st Street in between Durham and Shepherd.

Uh multifamily housing went up, I believe affordable housing, great partners.

We put no if you're in your very familiar with the area.

It's a very narrow street in between Durham and Shepherd on 21st.

We did no parking on one side, but all these cars, even though the apartments have a parking garage or parking, and it becomes at all hours a one only one car can fit, but it's two-way traffic.

And there's literally gridlock going in.

We've asked parking to go out multiple times to see if we can get some type of remediation because it's getting so dangerous.

You're having cars turning from Shepherd and Durham and literally grid locking head to head on this intersection.

So if we can get some type of relief there for drivers because it's just dangerous at this point, we would really appreciate uh support and help there.

Those are our issues.

I want to spotlight some great things.

Uh our annual rain barrel sale uh is going to be in April, and residents of district C can register through our website starting this week.

Again, these are subsidized at $10.

Usually rain barrels cost $150.

And I want to thank Public Works for working with us yet again another year.

It's a terrific partnership.

Rain barrels are awesome.

Uh and so district C residents can get those.

Councilmember Ramirez, thank you for elevating that there is an election going on.

Um District C always turns out.

We know whether it's engaging at uh through 311, through our office, through public session, but district C also votes.

And I want to encourage everybody to participate in this upcoming election as hard as that is for me to say, but election for the special for District C begins today, March 18th through uh early voting is through March 31st.

Election day is April 4th.

Polls are open 7 to 7, except Sunday, noon to 7.

Uh you can always go to HarrisVotes.com to find your early polling locations.

But in District C, again, we know uh where those are.

We're we're tested and true to participation.

I want to thank all the poll workers and volunteers.

Uh that again, this has been a very busy election season.

There are multiple races uh over the next few months, and we appreciate them very much.

Lastly, um two recognitions.

I didn't ask Kate to be here because we embarrassed her enough right before her wedding.

Uh but congratulations again to her and Anthony.

She also um just received her five-year uh mark.

So we'll be celebrating her, and I wanted to publicly thank her for her service to the city of Houston and to our office.

She's absolutely incredible.

Lastly, I want to wish a happy anniversary uh to my husband Matt.

We celebrated 14 years together, eight married uh yesterday.

So we always have our St.

Patrick's Day anniversary, and I love you uh with all my heart.

Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I just want to take a moment to thank everyone again um for your thoughts and your prayers as um I recovered um from surgery.

I'm doing good.

I'm not 100, it's normally a nine-month hilling process process, but um, but I'm doing okay.

Um I also want to thank my staff, you know, just for holding it down why while I was out and the constituents, the leaders in district B for holding it down and allowing me the time to uh recover, and so um just thank you and it's just been a blessing to um you know have folks around you that that is okay with you healing.

So um thank them.

And then Mary, uh Mary, this is her fifth year as well.

Um, want to thank her for just the amazing work when we came in, we came through during COVID.

Um everything was shut down when we came into the office.

We came a year after um of the other council members, because you know there was a lawsuit.

Yeah.

Yeah, but we came in, we figured it out.

You know, the first time being in public uh public service, um, she came in and she just did what we did what we knew how to do because we were working with the top um together.

Um and so we just came in and started organizing our constituents and setting up meetings is what we knew how to do.

And so I just want to thank her for just sticking in there with me.

Um and everyone have a blessed day.

Councilman.

Thank you.

And I just want to kind of um add on to what Councilmember Davis said um about you know the events that went down on at the rodeo on Saturday and throughout the city of Houston while people were here on spring break.

I want to thank law enforcement for their quick response out there, and I want to recognize the rodeo leadership for um taking swift action and closing down the carnival early.

I think that was absolutely the right decision.

Um behavior like that happens in Houston, it really overshadows the spirit of the rodeo, which is about scholarships and kids and families and all the good work that they've done in Houston.

So we can do better, Houston, and thank you, law enforcement.

Thank you.

Uh mayor probe here.

Thank you, Mayor.

I did want to remind everyone uh that we are having a live chat um with the Texas housers on tomorrow.

Councilmember Thomas and I will be um online.

Um you can catch all of the conversation at 11 a.m.

And it will be on Facebook, YouTube.

Um feel free to follow us on all of the socials.

Uh would love to see you join us for that live chat tomorrow with Texas Housers.

And then also I found out that uh Dee Dee is also celebrating her five years with the City of Houston.

So cannot let that recognition go without being said.

So very excited to have her uh on our team.

She's so reliable, and um, we could not do the great work we do together without her at the helm of our staff.

So thank you, Dee Dee, for your five years of service.

Anyone else?

If not, we stand adjourned.