OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Houston City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Proclamations, Immigration Ordinance, and More

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodyHouston, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:40:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

The chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation recognizing Houston Soccer Day to celebrate the sport's impact on the community.

0:13

Councilmember Martinez.

0:14

Thank you, Mirabal Tim.

0:16

If I could have Elva Trevino, Blanca Betran, and Jim Walker.

0:20

Come up.

0:23

Hi, yeah, yeah.

0:29

Hello, man.

0:30

Awesome.

0:33

Perfect.

0:33

So uh first I just want to say uh to the council and to the chambers that what we wanted to do today uh was really to lift up the game of soccer.

0:43

We know, and some of y'all see that I have not just the Real Madrid from a from a good friend, but also FIFA.

0:50

Uming that FIFA 2026, and I think the mayor Tim and I have been really diving into it because you have seven games that are going to be at NRG, and then we have 34 days of the FANFES in East Downtown.

1:02

And so what today has been uh a culmination of is we've gathered a lot of folks that have invested in soccer.

1:09

This is not something they just started this year, this is decades, and you'll have some stories that we'll be able to share with you.

1:15

And so generations of soccer that have been in Houston, and so we wanted to lift up soccer today at the city of Houston to ensure that um as we continue to see the great things happening, being on the world platform uh for FIFA after FIFA, what what happens and what continues to happen.

1:31

And so um, I want to thank you, Mayor, for allowing us to honor these these gentlemen, these these uh women as well, everybody that has contributed to the to the game uh here in the city of Houston.

1:42

Um and again, this is not just about the professionals, but this is also the little leagues, um, and I shared with folks, you know, for me being able to be in the community, knowing to be able to play on a baseball field, this same same kind of uh uh is received as well for young folks and families that come together on soccer days.

2:00

So whereas Houston is recognized as one of the most globally connected cities in the world, where sports such as soccer serve as a powerful force that brings people and communities together, and whereas these individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to sustain pro soccer programs, soup support soccer related businesses, and advocate for the sport while creating opportunities for the youth, families, and communities across the city.

2:27

And whereas in further recognition, the city of Houston Houston proudly designates April the 7th, 2026 as a day to celebrate the game of soccer and recognize the vital role in continu and continues to play, it continues to play in bringing people together and strengthening the spirit of this of the city.

2:47

Thank you, Councilman Martinez.

2:49

What an excellent idea, and obviously we see it brings people together.

2:53

So this is really uh hitting the um not the restart button because we if we hit the restart button, we'd go back in time and I would publicly confess that when I was in HISD, we did not have the pleasure of being exposed to soccer.

3:13

Graduating from Waltrop High School, it just was not a subject.

3:17

So it is somewhat a recent phenomenon brought to us by our international community, certainly our Hispanic community, but really all communities are brought together because of soccer now is bringing the world together, and Lord knows we need an event that brings people together with turmoil in the world.

3:41

So thank you for allowing us to pause our busy schedule.

3:46

It could not happen without a lot of work and dedication by our host committee, the sports authority, the sponsors that you brought forward, and all of our communities.

3:57

So whether it's your grandson playing it or your colleagues playing it, it's really an exciting time to be in Houston and experience the soccer experience.

4:10

FIFA tells us that we're ahead of all the other major cities in preparation.

4:15

They call us the grown-up city because of the way we conduct our business.

4:19

So we're certainly an international city.

4:21

We've been discovered.

4:24

We regularly get briefings from all of our departments, all of our stakeholders, first responders to see are we prepared?

4:32

And I can assure everyone that we've done everything humanly possible, and I can't wait for Houston to be on display those seven days.

4:41

And it's not just for fans and it's gonna be for small businesses.

4:47

Great opportunity for people to be involved in the supply and the success, and not to mention opening up the proud east side of Houston.

5:00

The fan fest, we're going to have cooling centers because there's going to be some of our friends and visitors not familiar with our heat and humidity.

5:07

But that's just going to bring us together too.

5:10

So therefore, I John Whitmore, mayor of the city of Houston.

5:13

Hereby proclaim April seventh, twenty twenty-six is Houston Soccer Day in Houston, Texas.

5:36

Obviously, Elva and Blanca and all the council people.

6:32

So I I think my message here today is first of all the amazing group of people in the room that put this event together, amazing people showing up.

6:41

This gentleman behind me, Jim Walker was the general manager of the Houston Dynamos in the eighties.

6:47

Also, he was involved in the North American Soccer League during the times of Palay.

6:52

He's got more stories than you would ever know.

6:55

But I really want to remind that the legacy's already here.

6:59

We're not creating a new legacy.

7:01

We're getting a bump.

7:02

We're getting a bump, and the sport's going to continue to thrive with participation and people involved.

7:09

But um, I really want to make it clear that we're up here today, myself, Jim, and everybody on on behalf of our amazing soccer community that reflects cultures from all over the world.

7:21

Um, so that's it for me.

7:23

Uh, we really appreciate everything today, and also from you, Mayor.

7:27

Thank you.

7:34

Thank you.

7:35

Pledge.

7:37

Oh, you want to like say something?

7:38

Sure, help you so thank you very much.

7:42

Glenn is a great spokesman for our game, so I'll keep this short.

7:46

This has been a great day because I've seen after over the years that I've been here, I've seen so many people that uh have so much to do with our game and the growth of our game.

7:59

And we're gonna all see that in a short time.

8:02

We're gonna see how important our city is to the game of soccer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Procedural████████████████16%
Legal Considerations██████████10%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Immigration█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Housing and Community Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Houston City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Houston City Council met on April 7, 2026, to issue proclamations, hear public comment, and debate a major ordinance modifying the city's immigration enforcement policies. The meeting featured two proclamations—recognizing Houston Soccer Day and the Southwest Management District's March on Crime—followed by public testimony and extensive discussion on Item 28, which amends Chapter 34 of the City Code regarding interactions with federal immigration authorities. The council also considered consent agenda items, including public hearings on housing tax credits and various contracts.

Public Hearings

  • Items 1 and 2: Public hearing to provide a resolution of no objection for applicants seeking 4% housing tax credits. The Housing and Community Development Department presented three properties: Mariposa at Ella Boulevard (182 units, senior rehab, developer Bonner Carrington, total cost ~$38 million), Stirlingshire Apartments (200 units, family rehab), and Mariposa at Reed Road (180 units, senior rehab). No speakers signed up, and the public hearing was closed. The resolution recommended approval.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 3–27 were approved en masse, with several removed for separate consideration (Items 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22). Key consent items included:
    • Item 3: Approved spending authority for IT assessment and transition services to Ernst & Young LLP.
    • Item 4: Approved spending authority for business optimization services to Civic Initiatives, LLC.
    • Item 5: Approved spending authority for traffic optimization to Texas Highway Products Limited.
    • Item 6: Resolution supporting waiver of local match for federal off-system bridge program.
    • Item 7: First amendment to sub-recipient agreement with Catholic Charities.
    • Item 8: Second amendment to sub-recipient agreement with SEARCH Homeless Services.
    • Item 9: Ordinance appropriating $287,000 for SQL disaster recovery infrastructure migration.
    • Item 10: Ordinance approving increase for legal services with Husch Blackwell LLP.
    • Item 11: Ordinance appropriating $1.56 million and $2 million+ for fire alarm modernization at City Hall.
    • Item 12: Ordinance approving contract with Zone Industries LLC.
    • Item 13: Ordinance amending contract with RBEX/Apple Towing Company.
    • Item 14: Ordinance establishing special minimum lot size on Waverly Street.
    • Item 15: Ordinance appropriating $10 million for joint agreement with Harris County Flood Control District.
    • Item 16: Ordinance appropriating $10,500 for joint agreement with Harris County.
    • Item 17: Ordinance appropriating $642,000 and $8.93 million for FY26 petroleum storage tank projects.
    • Item 18: Ordinance appropriating $1.05 million and $539,000, approving contract with Spall Glass Construction Corporation.
    • Item 19: Ordinance approving final settlement with Southern Brothers Concrete and JP Sewer Main Repair.
    • Item 20: Ordinance appropriating $262,500 for joint agreement with Harris County.
    • Item 21: Ordinance appropriating $745,854.80 with Cobb Finley and Associates.
    • Item 22: Ordinance approving advanced funding agreement with TxDOT.
    • Item 23: Ordinance approving first amendment with Oxy Vinyls LP.
    • Item 24: Ordinance amending contract with MC2 Civil LLC.
    • Item 25: Ordinance appropriating $50,656,043.10 with Durwood Green Construction.
    • Item 26: Ordinance appropriating $20,497,353 with VNS Construction Company LLC.
    • Item 27: Ordinance appropriating $1,801,648.73 + $5,731,432.69 + $1,642,25.28 with VNS Construction Company LLC.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Teodoro Aguilouz spoke in support of the proposed amendment to Chapter 34 (Item 28), stating it establishes "real transparency and clear limits" that ensure respect for people's rights and dignity.
  • Paloma Medina (member and organizer, Unite Here Local 23) spoke in support, saying the amendment is a "great step forward" and helps the community feel safe enough to call for help without fear of ICE.
  • Maximo Cortez spoke in opposition, asking the council to "vote no on number 28" and go back to the drawing board to include key carve-outs present in Dallas and Austin. He also called for removal of ALPRs, calling them "a liability to all of us."
  • Don Cooper detailed the deaths of HPD officers Rodney Johnson (2006), Kevin Will (2011), and Sergeant Harold Preston (2020) allegedly caused by illegal immigrants, arguing that "when our borders are not secure and our laws are not enforced, American lives are lost." He demanded real border security and an end to policies that "put politics above public safety."
  • Amber Fannin (research analyst, Unite Here Local 23) spoke in support, describing how fear is showing up in workplaces: "Workers are afraid to drive to work, afraid to speak up, afraid to call for help." She said the ordinance helps restore a sense of safety.
  • Melissa Powell (North Harris County Regional Water Authority Board Member) spoke about public trust in Houston Public Works and Houston Water, citing reports of fraud, waste, corruption, P-card misuse, and oversight failures. She also referenced approximately 1,800 water leaks and asked for the current leak number, steps to reduce water loss, and oversight improvements.
  • Letty Ortega (organizer with Mijente) spoke in support, noting that administrative civil warrants are not signed by a judge and that the current version of the ordinance ends the mayor's 30-minute wait policy and brings transparency.
  • Regina Solfus (from Hockley) spoke in opposition, arguing that the government can revoke people's rolls and probation, and criticizing immigration policy.
  • Eduardo Duran was the final speaker.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation: Houston Soccer Day (April 7, 2026) – Councilmember Martinez presented the proclamation, highlighting that FIFA 2026 will bring seven games to NRG and 34 days of FANFEST in East Downtown. Mayor Whitmire noted Houston is "ahead of all the other major cities in preparation" and called it "the grown-up city." Jim Walker, former general manager of the Houston Dynamo, spoke about the legacy of soccer in Houston.
  • Proclamation: Southwest Management District March on Crime Day (March 26, 2026) – Councilmember Carter presented the proclamation recognizing the district's annual event honoring HPD and law enforcement. Peter Aquera, chair of the district's public safety committee, thanked the council and noted the event recognized the Kerr County Texas Task Force and HPD Dive Team.
  • Item 28: Ordinance Amending Chapter 34 – Immigration Procedures – This item was called out of order for discussion. Councilmember Salinas, lead sponsor alongside Councilmembers Pollard and Cayman, described it as a "positive step forward" building on prior actions. He stated it codifies current HPD practices respecting the Fourth Amendment and requires quarterly reporting on interactions with ICE.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 28 PASSED (12-4) – The ordinance amending Chapter 34 was approved. Voting yes: Mayor Whitmire, Councilmembers Jackson, Cayman, Ibn Shabazz, Thomas, Castillo, Martinez, Pollard, Castigatolli, Ramay Rose, Salinas, Alcorn. Voting no: Councilmembers Peck, Flickinger, Huffman, Davis. Councilmember Carter did not vote.
  • Councilmember Cayman's post-vote remarks expressed deep concern about the city legal department's opinion that prevented inclusion of a provision giving officers discretion not to contact ICE for administrative warrants. She called for a hearing on the issue and requested that the mayor get back to the council this week. Mayor Whitmire noted the discussion but did not commit to a hearing.
  • Councilmember Pollard clarified that the ordinance was necessary because the prior 30-minute policy could be deemed unconstitutional, and that council's role is to set lawful policy.
  • Councilmember Thomas announced the passing of Jenea Carmouch, a former City Hall staffer, and offered condolences.
  • Consent Agenda Items: All items passed as noted, with separate votes on Items 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, and 22.

Announcements

  • Next Public Safety Committee meeting: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 10 a.m., with updates from the Houston Forensic Science Center and SafeWatch.
  • District B Job Fair: April 8, 2026, at Acres Home Multi Service Center, 10 a.m.
  • District H: Virtual meeting with Houston Public Works on drainage improvements in the Near North Side (April 8, 5:30 p.m.).
  • District K: Community bike ride at Blue Ridge Park on April 25, 2026.
  • Keep Houston Beautiful Day: April 11, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

The chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation recognizing Houston Soccer Day to celebrate the sport's impact on the community. Councilmember Martinez. Thank you, Mirabal Tim. If I could have Elva Trevino, Blanca Betran, and Jim Walker. Come up. Hi, yeah, yeah. Hello, man. Awesome. Perfect. So uh first I just want to say uh to the council and to the chambers that what we wanted to do today uh was really to lift up the game of soccer. We know, and some of y'all see that I have not just the Real Madrid from a from a good friend, but also FIFA. Uming that FIFA 2026, and I think the mayor Tim and I have been really diving into it because you have seven games that are going to be at NRG, and then we have 34 days of the FANFES in East Downtown. And so what today has been uh a culmination of is we've gathered a lot of folks that have invested in soccer. This is not something they just started this year, this is decades, and you'll have some stories that we'll be able to share with you. And so generations of soccer that have been in Houston, and so we wanted to lift up soccer today at the city of Houston to ensure that um as we continue to see the great things happening, being on the world platform uh for FIFA after FIFA, what what happens and what continues to happen. And so um, I want to thank you, Mayor, for allowing us to honor these these gentlemen, these these uh women as well, everybody that has contributed to the to the game uh here in the city of Houston. Um and again, this is not just about the professionals, but this is also the little leagues, um, and I shared with folks, you know, for me being able to be in the community, knowing to be able to play on a baseball field, this same same kind of uh uh is received as well for young folks and families that come together on soccer days. So whereas Houston is recognized as one of the most globally connected cities in the world, where sports such as soccer serve as a powerful force that brings people and communities together, and whereas these individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to sustain pro soccer programs, soup support soccer related businesses, and advocate for the sport while creating opportunities for the youth, families, and communities across the city. And whereas in further recognition, the city of Houston Houston proudly designates April the 7th, 2026 as a day to celebrate the game of soccer and recognize the vital role in continu and continues to play, it continues to play in bringing people together and strengthening the spirit of this of the city. Thank you, Councilman Martinez. What an excellent idea, and obviously we see it brings people together. So this is really uh hitting the um not the restart button because we if we hit the restart button, we'd go back in time and I would publicly confess that when I was in HISD, we did not have the pleasure of being exposed to soccer. Graduating from Waltrop High School, it just was not a subject. So it is somewhat a recent phenomenon brought to us by our international community, certainly our Hispanic community, but really all communities are brought together because of soccer now is bringing the world together, and Lord knows we need an event that brings people together with turmoil in the world. So thank you for allowing us to pause our busy schedule. It could not happen without a lot of work and dedication by our host committee, the sports authority, the sponsors that you brought forward, and all of our communities. So whether it's your grandson playing it or your colleagues playing it, it's really an exciting time to be in Houston and experience the soccer experience. FIFA tells us that we're ahead of all the other major cities in preparation. They call us the grown-up city because of the way we conduct our business. So we're certainly an international city. We've been discovered. We regularly get briefings from all of our departments, all of our stakeholders, first responders to see are we prepared? And I can assure everyone that we've done everything humanly possible, and I can't wait for Houston to be on display those seven days. And it's not just for fans and it's gonna be for small businesses. Great opportunity for people to be involved in the supply and the success, and not to mention opening up the proud east side of Houston. The fan fest, we're going to have cooling centers because there's going to be some of our friends and visitors not familiar with our heat and humidity. But that's just going to bring us together too. So therefore, I John Whitmore, mayor of the city of Houston. Hereby proclaim April seventh, twenty twenty-six is Houston Soccer Day in Houston, Texas. Obviously, Elva and Blanca and all the council people. So I I think my message here today is first of all the amazing group of people in the room that put this event together, amazing people showing up. This gentleman behind me, Jim Walker was the general manager of the Houston Dynamos in the eighties. Also, he was involved in the North American Soccer League during the times of Palay. He's got more stories than you would ever know. But I really want to remind that the legacy's already here. We're not creating a new legacy. We're getting a bump. We're getting a bump, and the sport's going to continue to thrive with participation and people involved. But um, I really want to make it clear that we're up here today, myself, Jim, and everybody on on behalf of our amazing soccer community that reflects cultures from all over the world. Um, so that's it for me.

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