Order.

I'm going to ask the Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck to please preside.

The chair recognizes Councilmember Huffman for a proclamation to recognize Evie Lascotis for her work with Checkmate for Girls.

Thank you.

I'm excited to introduce you to Evie today.

She's making huge strides in the chess world for children and girls.

And actually, right now, Evie is ranked number 17 in the nation for girls age 17.

And so I'm proud to be able to present this proclamation to you and all your hard work.

Whereas Evi Lasgaris is a student at St.

John's School, founder of the nonprofit organization, Checkmate for Kids, and a dedicated chess player.

And whereas during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Evie, then 11 years old and unable to compete in chess tournaments in person, turned a challenge into an opportunity by sharing her passion for chess with children and underserved communities through virtual instruction and later through engaging in in-person programs.

And whereas for the past five years, through Checkmate for Kids, Evie has provided free chess education to children across Houston by leading workshops, camps, and mentorship programs that promote confidence, critical thinking, academic resilience, and leadership, while also mentoring students to become chess teachers and coaches and encouraging greater participation among girls in the game.

And whereas as the only girl actively competing in chess tournaments at her school, Evie's become a strong advocate for gender equity and chess, helping create greater encouragement, community, and competitive opportunities for girls in a traditionally male-dominated environment and organizing the girls' checkmate tournament in Houston.

And whereas Evie's contributions to the chess community have been recognized by the U.S.

Chess Federation, local Houston radio stations, and regional publications, reflecting her leadership, excellence, and commitment to expanding access to the game, and whereas on May 23rd, 2026, as the school year concludes and summer chess programs begin, the city of Houston proudly recognizes Evie for her dedication to youth empowerment, educational opportunity, gender equity, and commends her efforts to inspire and empower young girls in competitive chess throughout Houston.

Councilmember Huffman, thank you for this opportunity.

I've got two grandsons, 10 and 12.

I'll expose them to your teachings, but you'll have a lot of work to do.

Family did not introduce me to it, so I still have a lot to learn, and I look forward to following your career.

Councilmember Cayman would like to address Evy.

Councilmember Huffman and Mayor, thank you all so much uh for spotlighting this, and I see I think you have some very proud family members in the audience, so uh really want to recognize just I'm sure you have the whole village around you, but that you are standing out on your own as a leader, and Councilmember Huffman, your staff was just sharing.

I think you're doing something pretty cool this summer.

Uh where are you going?

Oh, that's rapper training.

Summer.

Yep.

Um, so I decided to apply to various summer programs, and in July, I will be doing astronomy research at Yale University.

So she'll be at Yale working with astrophysicists, which is absolutely incredible.

And Mayor, I know you and I didn't have the chance to grow up with public education in chess, but one of my favorite programs that the city of Houston now does with our parks department is with some of our parks employees, they actually teach chess in these free programs after school to children in the community.

And I'm teaching my son who's five, but I have a hunch that you could take on pretty much anyone in the city at this point.

So congratulations.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations to you, yes, next, the chair recognizes councilmember Cayman for a proclamation to recognize the Polichek family for their contributions to the city of Houston.

Well done.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Today I have the special honor of recognizing a family that has made a lasting imprint on our city, the Polychek family, and today we have Abe and Jack with us.

Through their work in the construction real estate industries, they have quite literally helped build Houston's future, including right here at City Hall.

They've done so with integrity and a deep commitment to our communities and our city.

They have shown a dedication to expanding pathways for women and underrepresented groups, opening doors that have historically been closed and paving the way, of course, for future generations.

Has been equally hands-on, sharing resources, volunteer hours, and lending their expertise.

And Jack has served on the board of the Houston Jewish Federation and is a lifetime ambassador for Texas Children's Hospital.

And other members of their family, including their wives, Karen and Faye, have demonstrated the same unwavering dedication.

They don't just support the Houston Jewish, not only Jewish community, but the Houston community.

So it is my privilege to present this proclamation, whereas the Polichek family has hauled called Houston home for more than a quarter of a century, with four generations now rooted in the city and actively contributing to its growth and vitality.

They have helped build a stronger Houston through decades of work supporting the development of high-quality housing, strengthening the city's infrastructure, and contributing to economic opportunity and workforce development across the region.

The family has played an important role in shaping our city's environment by promoting industry excellence, advancing workforce diversity, and beyond their economic contributions, they have demonstrated a deep commitment to Houston's civic life through their years of service, philanthropy, and leadership.

Supporting causes ranging from education and youth mentorship to community development.

As long-standing members of Houston's Jewish community, the Polichek family has actively supported our local synagogues, schools, and nonprofit organizations, serving residents of all faiths and backgrounds throughout the Greater Houston area, guided by the values of faith, family, and service.

The Polychek family continues to give back generously to the city they proudly call home.

Thank you, Councilor Cayman, and uh great opportunity to recognize a family that helps make Houston a great city.

Our inclusion, our diversity.

I met you as contractors for the city of Houston.

You were actually working when I came into the building.

So we met, and you gave me the history of the Harvey recovery and the impact it had on the city uh facilities.

But through that introduction, we became family friends, and your inclusion of me and my family and your faith in your community is meant so much and gives me strength and the opportunity to say thank you.

Uh we're certainly making a difference, and I know the best is yet to come, so thank you.

Stay active, spread your influence across this great city.

Therefore, I, John Whitmore, mayor of the city of Houston hereby proclaim May 13, 2026, is a Polychek family day in the city of Houston.

Congratulations.

I know you're about to say a few words, but please relay our gratitude as well to Aaron and the rest of the family.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Kamen, for your kind words.

Um, and thank you, City Council, for all that you do uh for the city.

Um I think you don't hear the word thank you enough.

There's a lot of noise that goes on sometimes in this room, but thank you.

Uh is probably the most appropriate.

We uh we appreciate obviously the relationship and the opportunities, and we brought something uh that we'd like to leave with you uh in return.

So this is a uh puzzle, this is a puzzle that uh our team has uh built when they're not building uh structures.

It's the uh the uh mayor's uh conference room that we built uh down in the basement, and I'll just read the caption.

It says uh 1,000 pieces, one purpose, one Houston, Hurricane Harvey City Hall uh Restoration Project with gratitude, Dunn Construction, Houston Strong, then we're doing one right here, ready for you to do one?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks for the work you do.

Next, the chair recognizes Mayor Whitmire for a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week.

Thank you.

Randy, you know, uh, as y'all have observed, I'm pretty stingy on the proclamations I do, because there's so many great influences in our city.

In fact, right here at City Hall, each of you know I could have a proclamation for the finance team, the public health, our first responders, fire and police.

But today it gives me an opportunity because of the national recognition of our public works, workers and departments, to take this moment to thank Randy for his leadership.

You're a can-do director.

The morale is great, but it really starts right here on the ground with public works.

I've been there during the storms, and when I said public first when I said first responders, you know, you've heard me say y'all are first responders.

In fact, I guess we could say everyone that keeps this city together during our challenges, our storms, our freezes.

Thank you, thank you to the public works department.

I've seen you come in to your workplace with a sleeping bag.

When you're holding Houston together, you have families at home too.

You have property at the storm standard, the retail, barrel, the freezes.

Thank you, thank you on behalf of all of us.

So 2.3 million Houstonians, they need to know.

Yes, we have our fire and police that we support.

But I know who keeps the lights, so I know who keeps us on our feet.

And so that's the reason I'm so excited about recognize the National Public Works Week in Houston.

Thank you, Randy.

Thank you all.

We're moving in the right direction.

Thank you all.

More infrastructures being completed, thousand miles this year of road improvement, 500 million plus for water drainage, water.

So Houstonians know we're moving in the right direction, and I won't hesitate to publicly recognize the hard work that public works.

Randy, thank you for your leadership.

I have this proclamation that essentially says what I just said.

We couldn't make it without y'all.

So thank you to Public Works.

And therefore, I, John Whitmar, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as 2026 National Public Works Week in Houston, Texas.

Thank you, Randy.

Mayor, thank you.

Council members, thank you.

On behalf of the 4,000 dedicated army of public servants that we have in the city of Houston, the largest accredited public works agency anywhere in the world.

It's such a privilege to be able to stand with these wonderful people for all of the things they do.

You know, we're not just the biggest in terms of size or in even in terms of budget, but we do the most in terms of work in terms of the disciplines that we attack, and it's a true testament to the experience, the expertise, the dedication, the commitment to our team, of which this is just such a small representation for all they do.

At the same time, I want to make sure I acknowledge not just their sacrifices, but the sacrifices of their families.

As the mayor mentioned, while they are in our plants sleeping on the floor, their families are at home or elsewhere.

They leave behind a lot of their own personal care to make sure that they can deliver service for Houstonians every single day.

And that's not just during the storms, that's during blue sky days, just like now, when in the middle of the night you've got to go and rescue a neighborhood because a water main has broken and it is flooding those streets.

They are there all the time, and we couldn't do it without them.

And so I thank all of you and everyone else.

And I also want to take a moment to acknowledge that joining with us this this uh year are folks from the solid waste management team as well, and we're grateful and excited to welcome them into the department, and we're grateful for all they do as well.

So thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Council member's uh Vice Mayor Pro Tempe.

Thank you, Mayor Pratem.

Um Director Mackai, thank you so much for all the work that you do and everyone who works in public works.

I cannot say thank you enough to each and every one of you.

Um, we recently went out with some members of Public Works to look at um a ditch situation, and we had to walk through some um kind of overgrown areas to get to the ditch.

And public works uh members said watch out for the poison ivy, and we were like, Oh, no, poison ivy, and they were like, Oh, this is nothing compared to what we normally you know have to deal with, and so just the working conditions that they have to deal with all the time.

And they just had a smile on their face, and we're so professional and so wonderful, and just cannot say thank you enough to everyone in public works.

Thank you.

Councilmember Kaman.

Uh, and our entire public works team uh on behalf of the council office that gets the most three-one one calls to public works as district C.

Uh, we just want to say thank you for your service.

Director, you're on call 24-7.

Your team is on call twenty-four seven.

Uh, as the mayor put it, uh, when it's a disaster, the the first federal or state reimbursement we apply for public works.

And uh, the work that you do, without it, we don't have a city that runs and operates.

Uh, we don't have the ability to move throughout our city.

So, truly thank you uh for all the work that you do, but especially on behalf of District C.

Uh, because we use y'all a lot.

Thank you.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor Vice.

Uh, Pro Tim, Mayor Pro Tim.

Mayor, I want to thank you, and certainly in your choice to pick Randy because ever since he's been here, it has been an awesome as an at-large council member.

I have to tell you, I know how much you help the districts, but as an at-large, every town hall meeting, you were there uh to speak to the to the city to the community.

And we've done just out of my office, we've done now ten town hall meetings, and you've been at all of them, or your team has been in all of them.

And then I recall when I first got the council, one of the things I expressed to uh Mayor Whitmark was the fact that I saw public works in a different perspective, and since then he changed it.

And of course, we do know the mayor did some things to recommend uh you and your position to be where you are and the city of Houston the better for it.

Thank you so much, my friend.

I just want to make sure from me at large two, thank you for the work you do in in the entire public works because you all are really heroes, and you're doing a great job in our city.

Thank you, friend.

Thank you.

Councilmember Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor Tim.

Um Mayor Director, just uh definitely want to lift y'all up as well because uh we do have some of the oldest neighborhoods in district guy as well.

Uh, but more so I think to recognize that the amount of work that we're doing now compared to historically in the city, uh, from the East Water Plant, you know, to mill overlays, pavement conditions to drainage projects.

It's just I think everywhere we go, people are complaining because there's a lot of work being done.

But quite frankly, uh, we understand that construction planning is real, but quite frankly, it was needed.

The for maintenance has been happening for decades, and so uh to all the public works uh employees, thank you for your hard work, your dedication.

And those that are inside of waste as well.

Um, y'all are in good hands, man.

Um, we're gonna be continuing to do good work with you all.

So appreciate your work day in, day out because y'all are definitely those first responders that answer to community.

So thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Director, and you all uh appreciate you all as well.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Okay.

Counselor Davis.

I guess you're always ready to pray, huh?

You don't have to get ready.

You stay ready.

They say you got to stay prayed up, Mayor.

I'm I'm right there with you.

Chair recognizes Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

I am certainly honored today to present to lead our us in prayer, great friend, the known for a very, very long time, who has a long history of recognition, not only in Houston, not only in Harris County, but also in Brazouria and across this nation.

Dr.

Rick Scarborough, founder, president of Recover America, pastor, author, and national Christian leader with decades of influence across churches, education, media, and civic engagement.

He's founder of the Vision America and Recover America, equipping pastors to engage cultural and civic issues from a biblical worldview.

Personally address twenty-five thousand plus pastors and faith leaders nationwide, encouraging them to be salt and light in the public square.

He gained national attention in the early nineteen ninety after exposing explicit sex education content in Texas, public high school, sparking increased Christian involvement in local governance, encouraged believers to pursue public service, resulting in service on school boards, city councils, and in Congress, strong advocate of biblically grounded school board leadership, particularly in Houston area, ASAP ISDs.

Led Bible studies for leaders in Congress and the State Department and the Pillagon during his time in Washington, D.C.

And I'm happy to have Dr.

Scarborough to come and join with us and lead us in prayer.

He told me I could pray for an hour and a half.

Let's pray.

Shall we?

Father, it is a joy to be here.

It's a joy in order to see those who've dedicated their lives to the city of Houston.

Or we thank you for the remarkable improvements that we are witnessing right now as we speak under the leadership of Mayor Whitmeyer, and we pray a special anointing and blessing upon him and his leadership.

Father, I couldn't say in the brief time I have enough thanks for knowing Willie Davis and watching his life.

Father, we know that all authority was given to Jesus.

And he on the eve of his crucifixion, he talked to his disciples and said, all authority is given unto me.

And then he said, I give you that authority.

So our authority that we exercise is a delegated authority.

It filters all the way down to these city council members.

Help us understand that ultimately we will answer to God for how we use that delegated authority.

Lord, I bless you for who you are.

I praise you for all the things you've done.

I pray your blessings on our city.

I pray your wisdom be given to these council members, and I pray that righteous decisions would be the outcome.

Thank you, Lord for what I witnessed even a few moments ago.

The police officer downstairs who protects us, the the these workers who uh deliver services night and day, regardless of the conditions.

We pray your blessings on them and their families as well.

Father, we pray that today's meeting would be a meeting that would advance your kingdom values in our city in Jesus' name and for his sake.

Amen.

Thank you.

Please rise for them.

Please call the roll.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Councilmember Peggy here.

Councilmember Jackson, Council Member Cayman.

Present.

Councilmember Evan Shabaz.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas.

Councilmember Huffman.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Council Member Martinez.

Here.

Councilmember Pollard.

Councilmember Castax Tatum.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Here.

Councilmember Davis.

Here.

Councilmember McCarter.

Councilmember Salinas will be absent.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Here.

Need a motion to adopt the minutes of May 5th and 6th.

Cast say to move.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed.

Nay.

Motion.

Passes.

Procedural motions.

Hearing none, please call our first speaker.

Darrell Harper.

To be followed by Alfredo Alfredo Blanco.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Because you all uh have my uh statement before you at this time I will yield my remaining time, and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Thank you, sir.

Councilmember Carter, sir.

Sir.

Sir.

Councilmember Carter has a comment or question.

Yes.

Mr.

Harper, thank you for coming down.

And I I read your statement as I sat down, and you're exactly right.

That place is a huge nuisance in your community.

I've spent some time out there.

Uh worked with Air Alliance to get the air monitor.

Uh we got that place, and I I do take a look at that pretty often to check the air quality, but I attended uh there was a a hearing that was set last year.

Some of the community members, we I joined them to attend a hearing, and of course, the respondent was a no-show, and they're I think they've had they've been issued several bench warrants, and they just pay fines and keep moving.

So I'm happy to try to work with council member Jackson and continue to try to get y'all some help out there because you're exactly right.

Gold Star Medal is is a problem in that community, and and uh I can only imagine what what you and your neighbors endure so I'll I'll uh step out and talk to you a second thank you very much ma'am next alfredo Blanco to be followed by Christine Nunley.

Hi very good Meyer first of all thank you for sending us our homeland security to our neighborhood a couple of weeks ago apparently we solved the problem that we have there but today I come over here also to remind all the council members that please uh do your work we need to go back to the CIP meetings once a year so the community can express what they need because when you do something you do something privately like in the last time you open uh a storefront and we're hiring for only 10 people if business people uh attended the community were not attended today I'll come thinking about this street this is logwood 109 I think this is Mario Castillo council members is the district the sidewalk is so bad and uh you're gonna pass the flyer there just give it to the larger whoever but I want you to work to know that because they need to work together in this terrible this is the Lagwood 109 logwood in front of one of the very nice person in the community we need to fix that.

Secondly this is the old other one right there in Widris the people when you drive you hardly see in the floor so you need to put signs under the sandwich they say these two lines you can turn left left the one straight so the people can see it every time you walk out of the H E V going turn right on the wheel like going to the freeway is very uh tight lot of people a lot of traffic nowadays and the media so we hear this but ten feet you need to reduce that they put something small in the middle can divide it.

Like the one you hit the body you hear on the freeway this is one of the things that is dearly important for our community.

East end is apparently everything bad things happen in the center to East End.

A lot of homeless people I know the lot of people a lot of them are community and people look like me because we look panic from Mexicans or whatever.

And a lot of these homeless I can guarantee you they don't even have an ID with them.

Your time has expired pretty council second councilman Carter what Carter goes Councilman Martinez.

Thank you man uh Freddie you want to go ahead and finish up your comments.

No I say well I mean I I I see uh I do live was technical uh all over the city a lot of the Hispanics being targeted a lot of the homeless because their color or the way they look like they don't even talk to them and I can guarantee a lot of those people they're not even having idea a week you can homeland can be also pick them up send it to Venezuela like you guys do with the Latinos.

Not your particular but homeless whoever is in charge of this thing.

We need to respect especially in the east end.

I've been living there since almost 50 years in the East End.

It's really really bad all the homeless and I believe that one of the and one of the meeting some guy from Homeland Security when it's picking from you created like a big building on emancipation you're supposed to move the greyhounds out of there.

I don't know when you're gonna start to do that too.

Um th first of all Freddie thank you for coming uh first one uh talk about this one okay this is very important yeah so this one uh we'll we'll start working with text out so it's gonna be part of something that we have to work with Texot on to make sure signage is also well whatever it is that has to do with their right of way but also with public works to make sure that we'll address it.

So we'll keep you in in the loop um on the homeless side um as you mentioned 419 emancipation uh uh you know and the American correct me if I'm wrong but I think before the end of this month they should be open operating uh there are um we are looking at trying to do something where community can probably go and see what's going on as well I've talked to uh Satter White and also Terry who works with uh Chief Satter White um once 419 is open then we'd be we will be able to address you know some of the the unhoused community especially that have been moving over to the east end on the Greyhound and i've said this plenty of times um there's not much that can be done it's uh it's a private transaction it's private property they're leasing the that that facility i will share that i've been meeting with them actually it's just you know coincidentally uh my team is meeting with with them right now uh follow-up meeting the conversation is that they're they're wanting to move but we have to figure out a pathway for that uh and so as we can start uh working on on identifying uh real uh movement uh with greyhound then we'll be going out to the community sharing but uh we can't just pick them up and move uh move them unfortunately there's no zoning and um and again quite frankly um that that transaction is done on the on the private side so the property owner and flex uh flex is is who uh are are working you know where greyhound is at right now so in the meantime um as you mentioned the uh the storefront that metro metro uh pd put out there it's a pathway to you know start working on enforcement you know this is something quite frankly that we were all caught off guard I wasn't in office yet and nothing was being done to you know have a plan moving forward so once I came into office been working with the mayor to make sure that we start increasing I've given overtime for HPD uh so right now enforcement is one of them but also another pathway is gonna be with 419 emancipation so um as as 419 emancipation opens up we'll definitely be sharing with you all uh more work that is being done intentionally out on Harrisburg uh at the Greyhouse specifically okay well but thank you for what you're doing what came but uh the homeless population is very bad and our community they're not used to be like that now they also set up and the track between the golf course there that leave it there and nobody they get those people come out at night and do damage in our community and the store the yoga whenever you send the homeless to help me uh young uh uh apparently we'll get rid of those four or five people this is the call in the uh the portal desk cloud they've been clear my we need we need help with those people we're really removing those five because they're selling drugs to our kids and they don't allow the people to walk into the store and buy things I mean everything happened to these stands then it's somewhere else I mean I don't know I mean this is this bad this is bad.

Council mayor castelio thank you mayor and Freddie thank you for uh bringing light to the sidewalk issue here on Lockwood that's in District H.

District H has a 109 yeah I got I got it written down looked at it on the map saw it uh right there on Google maps uh District H has a safe pathways initiative that works to address things just like this that you brought up so I want to thank you for all the advocacy uh that you continue to do and someone from my team is gonna be in touch with you um on this specific location okay thank you thank you thank you Freddie next council castillo thank you mayor i move to suspend the rules to add one gallegos to the bottom of the three minute non-agenda list say yes those proposed name motion passes Christine nunley to be followed by Rosanna Ramirez Bobbitt.

Good afternoon all yes yes good afternoon everyone I'm here today to what's my concern about the five dollars fee that I saw on the internet for the proposed amount for the trucks or transportation for services we've recently had a 7.87% on the water and water waste service and I'm uh asking that you cancel this proposed five dollar fee that you're looking to have due to the 7.87%.

Greenwood Park on the east side since COVID 19, we haven't had any lifeguard.

So the park, the pool hasn't been open uh a niece parker back in her time when she was mayor to start a recycling being in our community, that you would get a card that dispersed uh monies on it.

That never happened.

So I'm gonna ask the board and everyone to consider these money saved over the years to make up the difference that you want to increase his five-dollar fee.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Rosanna Ramirez Bobbitt.

To be followed by Yvonne Mince of Roche Aaron.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer.

Honorable.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer, honorable members of City Council, distinguished guests, family, and friends.

My name is Rosanna Ramirez Bobbitt.

I am the proud daughter of a man who gave everything he had to his country, to his community, and to the people of this city.

I stand before you today to ask that Houston honor one of its own, Master Sergeant Joe Chaco Ramirez.

My father was born and raised here in Houston in the heart of Magnolia Park.

He walked these streets, attended Sam Houston High School, and in January of 1950, he answered the call.

He enlisted in the United States Army.

I know you have already heard all about my father's military military career, but when he was repatriated in 1953 and returned home to Houston, one of the first things he did was visit the mother of a fellow soldier, a young man who had died in my father's arms on the other side of the world.

No one ordered him to do that, but that was who he was.

When he finally retired and came home to Houston, he never stopped serving.

He spent countless hours at the Veterans Administration, making sure that veterans and their spouses were receiving every benefit they had earned and were entitled to.

He showed up for the people who didn't know how to navigate a system that was supposed to take care of them.

He made sure it did.

Every Christmas he dragged Santa Claus around the community, visiting veterans and neighbors, distributing gifts and food to anyone who needed them, even a washing machine to someone in need.

That was not extraordinary to him.

That was just the man he was.

Every child in the neighborhood knew him as Popo, and they never hesitated to ring that doorbell because Popo always had a coke, a piece of candy, a cookie, or whatever else they needed.

Nobody left empty-handed.

And on fight nights, fight nights were something special.

When a big boxing match came on television, my father would drag his enormous TV right out into the front yard and set it up for the whole neighborhood.

No tickets, no cover charge, no invitation required.

All you had to do was bring your own chair.

Cars would slow down on the street, drivers rolling down their windows asking how much to watch the fight, and my father's answer was always the same: no charge.

Before he passed in August of 2020, he made generous donations to the American Legion Post 472, the American Legion Color Guard, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, giving back to his brothers and sisters in his arms until the very end.

That is who Joe Chaco Ramirez was, a prisoner of war who kept serving, a soldier who comforted the grieving, a veteran's advocate, a community servant, a man who loved Houston as deeply as Houston who should love him back.

Naming a street after my father is not simply an honor for our family.

It is a statement about what Houston values, that we remember our heroes, not just for what they endured, but for how they lived.

That sacrifice has a name.

That generosity has a name.

The love of the community has a name, and that name is Joe Chaco Ramirez.

I humbly ask the city to give my father the recognition he so deserves.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Yvonne Yvonne Mintz of Roche Aaron.

To be followed by Diana Reed.

My name is Yvonne Mintz.

I am the daughter of the late Judge Ruben Guerrero and Mary Guerrero.

I drove here from my home in Brazoria County, for my work in Brazoria County, actually, um to speak on behalf of my Wellow.

The Ramirez family knew me first as Rubina because I looked so much like my father when I was a baby.

Master Sergeant Joe Ramirez Sr.

was my Wellow.

My parents both worked when I was young.

So from the time I was an infant, my Wella was my babysitter.

I was practically raised in their home on Avenue O, and Wellow and Wella were my the biggest and best support my parents could have ever asked for.

Half the time I cried so hard when it was time for me to go home with my tired, overworked parents that we ended up staying for dinner or beyond.

I was as welcome in that home as I was in my own.

Rosanna told you a lot about my Wellow and his service to his country.

You see, he was a hero long before I understood.

I was a hero to me, my hero, long before I understood he was an honest to God hero to his country and to his community.

I grew up watching him live a life of service, especially to his East End community.

I remember meals, fundraisers, auctions, meetings, lots of meetings, but lots of fun too at the American Legion Hall just around the corner.

That was a huge influence on me and on my parents who themselves live life of lived lives of service.

My father is a state judge and an advocate for the Hispanic community through being the Lulak president for several terms, a union supporter, and so much more.

And my mother as a community liaison in the East End for Commissioner Jim Fontino at the time and eventually Commissioner Garcia and Commissioner Mormon succeeded.

Throughout their lives, my parents called on my Wellow for guidance.

I remember my mom seeking his counsel when the commissioner's office was building the East End Service Center.

My mom helped design, staffed and ran that center during her time in that position.

And my Wellow lent his credibility to the project.

And the day that they cut the ribbon on it, he was there and brought a lot of his friends along with him.

This man was beloved.

When Mawello was on his deathbed, I went to see him, and I was amazed by the sheer number of people who came to say their goodbyes.

I laughed that it was like a parade of people he had walking through his home.

And little did I know they literally threw a parade in his honor, a literal parade not long after.

The community has asked for this change through a vote uh at the uh American Legion Hall that I went to a million times as a kid.

And I'm here to speak on behalf of it.

I can't think of any more fitting person to have this honor bestowed upon them.

And I'm here to speak for myself, but also for my parents who I know with everything in me would be here if they could to loudly voice their support for the renaming of Cesar Chavez for my Wellow.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Ma'am.

Yes, I'm sorry.

One second.

Councilmember Davis.

I apologize.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just did you finish.

Just want to make sure you.

Yeah, pretty much.

Good.

I just want to thank you for your service of Ms.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, thank you for uh allowing me to an out-of-towner to speak.

I grew up in Houston.

I still feel like it's my home.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you for sharing that.

And uh the personal touch really means a lot to us.

Um I happened to know your dad when he was a judge and had many, many uh conversations with him, and I never knew the connection, but it's it's great that you filled in uh that missing piece.

But thank you for being here and for sharing that.

Absolutely.

He Marwello was there, they were their family's a huge part of my life still today.

Councilor Alcorn.

Thanks for coming, and I also I back when I worked in the housing department.

Your dad was there for a while.

He was right next door to my office.

What a great guy.

Thanks for coming.

It brings me a lot of joy to hear things like that.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Diana Reed.

Okay, so I'm following up.

Same thing.

Um, my husband Robert Reed played for the Rockets before he passed, and he was very active in this community.

He was a um retired, you know, or military family.

We're both military family.

Um, we were introduced to the family through our now adopted sister, Dolores Garza.

Uh, everything that we did with the American Legion with Mario Gallegos and golf tournaments and everything in that community.

It spoke to us, and Tia Chaco, which he became our Teo Chaco, was so much of that community.

And I felt compelled to come for a lot of reasons, mostly because Robert would be up here talking for 10 minutes about what a great guy he was and how important it is to support the people from that community that did things in that community to be honored, not somebody that, you know, probably is very good for the community and activists and other things, but somebody that really was part of that community.

And so I'm speaking here, and then I've also heard that uh everybody thinks this is a man thing, and that all the men are getting behind Teo Chaco.

But these women in this room, and every woman behind those men are here to also say we support him.

So thank you.

Thank you.

One second, Councilor Alcorn.

I think she's from last time.

That completes it.

Thank you.

Next, Mary Martinez.

I'm also a follow-up to talk about Joey Ramirez.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council.

My name is Mary Martinez, and my purpose of being here is to speak on behalf of my great uncle, Joe E.

Ramirez, in consideration of renaming Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

I am the grandniece of Joey Ramirez, as we, or Uncle Chaco, as we called him.

I'm a native Houstonian, as was my mother and her siblings.

Joe E.

Ramirez was the uncle of my mother, and both of them with their families grew up in Magnolia Park.

As you already know, my Uncle Chaco was a Korean war POW.

He went missing for 33 months, and his family not only didn't know where he was, but what his status was.

He befriended a Catholic priest, Father Emile Capan from the state of Kansas.

Father Capan was an army chaplain who was also in the POW camp.

My uncle never ceased being devoted to this priest and his cause towards sainthood, and I hadn't the opportunity to hear him speak so glowing about this priest on more than one occasion.

After the war, my uncle re-enlisted in the army, met and married his wife Lupe, and started his family.

My uncle was such a family man.

And trust me when I say he was in love with his family.

All of them.

First came Joe Jr., who was a Texas AM graduate, became a brigadier general, then Commandant of the Aggie Corps cadets, followed by vice president for student affair.

He was absolutely his pride and joy.

His other son, Frank Ramirez, also spent several years in the military.

In addition, he was equally proud of his daughters, Rosanna and Rochelle.

Rosanna worked her entire career as a court reporter.

Daughter Rochelle graduated from Texas AM with a degree in petroleum engineering, who later went on to study nursing and become an operating room nurse.

Over the years, I would see my uncle at family gatherings.

He never hesitated to let me know all the things and accomplishments his family was doing.

He was a very mild mannered and a humble man, but was proud of his family.

And most importantly, I ask that you consider renaming Cesar Chavez Boulevard to Joe E.

Ramirez Boulevard.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, ma'am.

Uh huh.

Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

I moved to suspend the rules to move Mr.

Khan.

Cosome Khan up.

Um after Denise Rios.

Huffman second.

Maiden second, all in favor say yes, those opposed to a motion passes.

Next.

Geraldine Sanchez.

To be followed by Crystal Jimenez.

Oh, yes.

This one.

Okay, this one.

Okay.

Okay.

Good afternoon, Mayor Whitmeyer and Council members.

My name is Geraldine Sanchez, and I was born and raised in the Magnolia in Magnolia Park.

I'm here to speak on behalf of Joe Chaco Ramirez.

He is an American hero.

He was also a father.

So with that said, I would like to read some words of his daughter, Rochelle Ramirez.

So she starts out by saying how do I put into words the life of a man who has been so many things to so many people?

Joe Chaco Ramirez was not only a military hero, but a man who endured hardships most people could never imagine.

Yet he carried himself with dignity, strength, and courage long after the battle ended.

He asked he has shown all of us true bravery, not only found in survival, but in the ability to come home and still choose kindness, compassion, and service to others.

My father was a devoted son, brother, father, someone who understood the meaning of loyalty and family.

These values carried into every part of his life.

As a father, he was a protector, a provider, teacher, a true leader.

He served for he stood firm when life demanded strength, and he softened when needed when comfort was needed.

He knew when to be stern, when to hold us accountable, and when to simply remind us we were loved.

My father taught us core values that became the foundation of our lives: integrity, respect, humility, hard work, sacrifice, and compassion.

But the greatest lesson was always encouraging us, uh encouraging us to be true to ourselves.

He never imposed upon us to become a copy of him, but gave us the confidence to become the people we were meant to be, while knowing we were always we always had his support.

My father was more than a father, he was the emotional anchor of our family, the steady presence we could always count on.

In moments of uncertainty, uncertainty, he gave us wisdom that grounded us in moments of pain, he loved us.

In moments of success, his pride lifted us even higher.

His heart for serving others extended far beyond our family.

He invested himself fully into his community, helping others not only because he had to, but but because of who he was a true human humanitarian, mentor, and friend, who gave his time, knowledge, and his compassion freely.

He made others feel seen, valued, and protected.

The legacy he left is not your time has expired.

Go ahead and finish, Mayor.

Thank you so much.

The legacy he left is not measured only by his accomplishments, but by the lives he touched, the character he molded, and the love he poured into everyone, everyone's person that knew him.

No matter how much time has passed, his lessons, his voice, and his love continue to guide us.

We, his children, carry pieces of him in everything we do.

His strength, his strengthened lies within us.

His values shape us and love surrounds us surrounds us still.

Thank you so much.

Councilman Martinez.

Ma'am.

Jeremy.

Yes.

One second.

I'm sorry, Councilman Martinez.

No, um, so I don't know if the other two are street name changes for or against.

This is the last one that says Cesar Chavez.

So uh the other ones are as well.

I just want to first uh Joe Dina, as a district guy resident, want to say thank you for coming.

Uh thank you for sharing uh uh you know uh more of the history of Chaco.

Um and I've shared this last week.

We had folks show up last week, folks show up the week before, and I know we're getting to a point where the comment period is already over with, but we're that information is being gathered.

Uh so everybody that's coming today, again, it's also it's helpful in order to really uh have my my colleagues, you know, um have a better understanding of where we should move forward, right?

And so just want to say thank you, Geraldine, for voicing, you know.

Uh your your uh advocacy for for Joe Chaco Ramirez as well.

Um, and if the other two are also a part of it, just want to say to the entire uh to I guess it's all all women uh thank y'all for showing up as well, um expressing your your views um today.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

May I say one more thing?

Sure.

Like I stated earlier, I grew up in Magnolia Park.

Um, my family is four generations deep in Magnolia Park.

The roots in Magnolia Park, that's tree, and I wear my magnolia flower.

It's it's everything to me.

That's my heart.

Um, my grandmother, she was one of the founding mothers of Magnolia Park.

There was an organization called the Magnolia Mothers' Club.

When uh Chaco came back from uh being a prisoner, all these mothers of the Magnolia Mothers Club took the whole community with them to the airport to meet him, to open their arms up and receive their son back.

He was a son to all of the mothers there in Magnolia Park, and that's what I remember most about.

You know, that's our family.

That's our home.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for sharing that, Joe D.

Thank you.

Next, Chris Crystal Jimenez.

To be followed by Denise Rios of Paraland.

Council, good afternoon.

And my agenda today is about addressing renaming of Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

How can we let that Mexican girl win?

That was told firsthand, and it was what echoed in her time and that in her life.

It was the sentiment that echoed.

The soul I'm talking about is Maria Jimenez.

My family calls her Hela, and that's how I know her by him.

Hela's legacy was her love letter to Mexican American identity and cultural pride.

She understood if you knew your culture, you know oneself.

And she helped embolden me.

And that's the point.

Since its inception, she fought for those who could not help themselves.

Here in a national platform.

She actually carried the torch for immigrant rights and dignity and never let up.

But also wisely laid that blueprint, sorry, that blueprint, passing on that torch by mentoring the next generation, including in that her two grandbabies, who, despite not meeting her, will be schooled on her lasting impact.

It is with immense honor to recognize my late Anna Law's life's work and being included in the weight of the decision with the renaming efforts.

I leave you with this.

When the Cesar Chavez signage first happened, it symbolized and recognized us, and Helen bodies just that.

How fitting that she's nominated for the first Latina named street.

Thank you.

Denise Rios of Paraland, to be followed by Kasim Khan.

Good afternoon.

My name is Denise Rios, and I'm here to speak in support of renaming Caesar Chavez Street to Master Sergeant Joe E.

Chaco Ramirez.

Bravery, self-sacrifice, true servant, inspirational, and influential are only a few characteristics that can cross one's mind when the people of Easton Magnolia see his name displayed on a street sign.

Children will ask, who is Master Sergeant Joe E.

Chaco Ramirez?

Once they are told this story, it may help instill in them the values of loving their country, taking responsibility, being involved in their community, and loving and caring for others.

He did not wear a red cape, but he was so proud to wear all his army hats, and yet he was so humble.

His family, whom he loved and adored, is his evidence of being a great man.

With all these qualities and achievements, how can you not honor his legacy with a street sign?

It is our turn to say thank you for everything he endured.

It has come to my attention that Lulak Council number sixty is considering another individual for naming.

Elias Ramirez, Joe E.

Chaco Ramirez's father, was a co-founder of Blue Lack Council number sixty in 1934.

Another Ramirez role model who was active in early Mexican American civil rights.

I want to thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Mayor.

Next Cassim Khan.

To be followed by Shonza Branch.

You know who I am.

Imam Qasim, the son of Ali Khan.

You also know of the comprehensive community service campaign of Master the Tawheed, through which I've been providing free groceries, clothing, furniture, school supplies, prepared meals, and disaster items for thousands of Houston families and homeless individuals.

But most of all, I have led the charge to provide hope for the hopeless by consistently demonstrating love and compassion to everyone we come in contact with, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.

Mr.

Mayor and City Council, you also know that I'm obviously Muslim and that my religion is Islam.

However, I will extend to you the benefit of the doubt by assuming that you do not understand that the law that inspires me, the law that governs my disposition, the very law that demands that I respect, defend, and assist all of humanity is the Sharia.

The reason I'm assuming that you do not understand this is because, in spite of your clear knowledge of my dedication to the betterment of the city of Houston, and in spite of my thoroughly documented and recorded public display of advocating peaceful coexistence throughout Houston and Harris County, your lack of understanding must be the only reason why you are complicit in quietly allowing Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz to publicly vilify me, threaten to have me arrested and slander me without one word from you.

In addition, these two public figures, along with their supporters stubbornly seek to not only outlaw the Sharia, which is the law that actually governs my beneficial proactivity, but they stubbornly seek to criminalize viable civic organizations, namely Council on America and Islamic relations care, which I have personally been working with for more than 30 years.

I distributed to each of you today a flag of the city of Houston, which I proudly fly at the entrance to Master the Talhed as a bold statement, serving notice to the world that this is my city, and I plan to take to my grave efforts to improve it.

If you truly acknowledge my efforts, I'm sorry, if you truly agree with my efforts, if you truly support my efforts, if you sincerely respect my efforts of good for the benefit of the beautiful citizens of this great city, then I cannot understand.

Well, you will not at least speak up against the injustice that is waged against me, against my religion, and against the very law, the sharia that you also enjoy, whether you understand it or not.

I don't think this is too much to ask.

I voted for you for goodness sakes.

What is so hard about defending me as your constituent?

We may always, we might not always agree on political issues, but I have always always defended you on principle.

Brother, your complicity is not an option.

Thank you.

Councillor Cayman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and I wanted to thank you so much for coming.

And while I I haven't heard um the mayor in any way condone uh what is happening at the state level, I do want to recognize what is happening at the state level.

And council members like Councilmember Ramirez, myself, others um have been standing very firmly and strongly, and I say this as a woman of Jewish faith, that uh an attack against any one of our vibrant faith communities here in Texas is an attack against us all in the discriminatory way in which um the state is targeting our Muslim community right now is not okay.

So I want to thank you for the work that you do for the city of Houston.

I want to thank you for um speaking out against what's happening because we are seeing, you know, I can speak to the very dangerous uh rise of anti-Semitism, and we always ask people to speak out and stand with us, and the same must be done in our Muslim community.

So I just want to thank you for being here and acknowledge uh the pain that is happening right now for many Texans.

I appreciate you.

May Allah bless you.

Just a second, sir.

Council Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

And Brother Khan, thank you for coming in and um, you know, sharing, you know, the your concerns.

And um, you know, I stand with you.

Um, thank you for everything you do in District B on creating jobs and feeding folks, and you uh your doors are always open.

I think 24 hours a day, you're you're out doing working in the community.

So just thank you for your commitment.

Um, you your family, um, and so anything that my office can do to continue to support you, you know we're here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollock.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good afternoon to everyone.

I just want you to know that um the effort and the work that you have put in through the city of Houston and your sacrifices and your contribution are noted, and we value it and we are appreciative of it.

There are people who may be in positions of authority uh around our state, around our nation, that may think differently and may say or do things that are divisive.

Um I don't want that to deter you.

I don't want that to deter us, but I want you to be encouraged and to understand the support that you do have from not only this body, but those who you serve, and those that you serve are the ones that I think need to truly be the ones that we focus on, and not the voices of those who are trying to divide us.

Thank you.

So I want to thank you for your continued leadership, your continued efforts, uh, and it's very well very much uh noted and valued.

Thank you for coming.

I appreciate you may Allah bless you, and I see you as a true uh example of a true leader.

Thank you.

Mayor Protein, Brother Khan, thank you for being here today, and I will tell you your words were very heartfelt.

It's very disheartening when we hear harmful or hurtful comments from folks about um people that we know have been value added to us as a community and as a city, and you definitely are one of those people.

We say it all the time that the government cannot do everything for the people, and we need problem solvers in our communities.

We need people who are willing to um do things that make our communities better.

And when we list out the people in the city of Houston who are making a difference, you definitely are on that list.

And so I hope you know that we appreciate your efforts.

Um, the people who you serve appreciate your efforts, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with you and the Muslim community.

Thank you.

May Allah bless you as well.

By the way, we do have another open gate grocery giveaway this coming Saturday.

And before I leave the state, I would like to echo the sentiments of the former mayor Sylvester Turner when he said that we should leave this city in better condition it was when we arrived.

And that's what I'm trying to do.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

To be followed by Doris Brown.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Shonza Branch.

As a resident of Houston and in the context of demands and discussions over the budget over climate disaster and over flooding infrastructure, I want to highlight the uh alarming problem of transparency and capacity that the city of Houston is toying with.

The cuts to public works and the removal of city workers presents a fundamental obstacle to addressing the infrastructure problems of the city.

The demands for ditch reestablishment and drain for drainage funding and for stormwater funding are all critical, and yet none of them can be truly met without the essential city workers that make up the basic capacity for improving the city.

Furthermore, other the other last few months, we have witnessed a stark contradiction regarding the capacity of the city to tend to infrastructure problems that plagues it residents in the financial center of the city.

Sweeping renovations have been prepared, preparing the often treacherous streets of Houston of the World Cup.

Renovations that have been absent for years and continue to be both critical and absent in the peripheres of the city.

This raises the questions.

Who does the city govern govern for?

Who votes for the mayor for the city council, the lifelong residents of this city who see capacity be mobilized for investors and not for us, would like to know investing in public works and protecting city works is fundamental to ensuring that we are all able to receive the support that we desperately need.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Doris Brown.

Dana Jones.

To be followed by Rodney Thomas.

Good afternoon, Mayor Council.

My name is Dana Jones, and I live in District H.

I did receive help with rebuilding my home, and I appreciate the city for that.

But there's a little little peace of mind if the infrastructure surrounding it does not protect the investment that the city made.

I am deeply frustrated as to how I'm living.

My message today carries the weight of communities that have been overlooked.

Flood mitigation isn't, it's not a policy, it's a matter of basic survival.

Voters have already approved bond money to find the necessary work for to help us to prevent us from flooding, but evidently the city and you mayor do not understand what bond money is, but it's a social contract between government between the government and the people.

When the projects sit idle while funds are redirected elsewhere, it arose to public trust for necessary public trust for a necessary for a city to function.

Redirecting 30 million million dollars from drainage to dangerous building removal creates a difficult trade out.

Both issues impact the same vulnerable population, seniors, the disabled, and the working poor.

We the people was not written for me at the time, the U.S.

Constitution was written, but I am asking the mayor and I'm asking this council to include us in making the decisions for the 2027 tax um budget.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Rodney Thomas to be followed by Jim Tucker.

Hello, Mayor and City Council.

Hello, Mayor and City Council.

I'd like to thank you for giving me the time to speak.

I'm here to talk about the budget being cut as far as the sewer main.

I am one of the individuals that's been calling since 2007.

I have a copy of uh the uh calls that I've been making.

I also have pictures that I'd like to hand out to you guys so you guys can kind of understand what I've been going through since 2007, uh 17.

I'm sorry, when I purchased the home and remodeled it.

We redid the sewer main, and one of the biggest problems about it was the sewer main constantly calling.

Here's a copy of all the emails that I've received in the from the city on it.

These are also the claims that I've put in, the 311 calls that constantly went in.

One time I've even had to call three times in one day to get any action just to get my sewer main unclogged.

So I'm here advocating that the money goes back into the sewer main for me.

Also, if you look at the pictures that I have here enclosed, you'll see that this we call so much that the city had to come out and put a clean out in front of my home.

That particular home has that clean out.

Every time it rains, it knocks that clean out out, it overflows.

Waters consul there.

I also have enclosed in these documents where I've had to come where the uh health department had to come out two different times.

And uh when they came out for the two different times they wrote and said that I had called three different times about the water that hit my ditches that knocks it out.

As for the ditches that goes there, every time it floods, the water come out the ditch into the sewer main, and it knocks the sewer out on May the first.

We only had two to three inches that came in my area.

You can see in the pictures that it cleared.

The water clearly went over the city sewer uh clean out that they put in front of my yard.

Those things like that continuously causes damage to my area in my community.

It also has a bunch of problems with the backup and floor of the traffic he wrote in the sall in that area, and I would like for the city council to also give me any kind of help that they can.

I've had two different plumbers to come out.

The first plumber that came out and plumbed my home in 2017 prior to that.

He informed me that this was a constant thing that was going on because of the whole Fifth War community, has what they call a community service line.

This line has never been anything done to it over the years since I've been in there in 2017.

I've also would like for you guys to look into that and try to help us to revamp our sewer main.

Your time has expired.

Thank you for coming in and um sharing the um the issue that's happening at your house.

Are you at the Leventing Well Street?

Okay.

So I'll have Mary, my chief of staff, reach out, and we will, you know, try to look into what's happening over in your area.

I'm looking at the ditches that, yeah.

I see what you're talking about.

So we also have pictures.

Okay, we'll follow up with you.

All right.

All right.

Okay.

Thank you.

Next.

Jim Tucker.

To be followed by Jerry Tony.

Mayor and Council, good afternoon.

I hope everyone had a great Earth month in April.

It was gratifying to hear last week that we're considering a solid waste fee for residential customers.

The past few years, my amateur comparison of top line numbers indicated that we have been paying 17 to 20 dollars per month per customer from within general funds.

So this is overdue to free up funds for other needed services.

However, we should not merely do more of the same practices that got us where we are today.

Let us take the opportunity to take a clean sheet of paper and design systems for this century using available learnings from the past.

Since the reported diversions from the single stream green bin service have not changed in recent years, they run 20 21% by volume.

Improvements in landscaping debris collection and management, composting and toxic collection will have qualitative and economic safety benefits.

But if waste reduction efforts are to be successful, residents need to see economic benefits.

A quarterly varying basic charge reflecting our successes in safe waste reduction should incentivize residents to reduce waste by regularly reporting how well we are performing.

Again, let's take a clean sheet of paper and design a system for our present and for our future.

Waste management was a significant carbon contributor in Houston's 2020 climate action plan.

Even though our landfill waste is deposited outside of Houston proper.

We still need to report on how well we're doing on our cap targets.

On an encouraging note, I hope that the reduced park and public era mowing schedule reported last year will continue as that is healthier for our grass turf, improving drainage and water retention.

Refreshingly, the city of Fulshire, just southwest of Houston, recently reported that they'll start using graywater to irrigate public areas.

So progress occurring all over.

Thank you, and ever onward for a better Houston.

Thank you, Councilman Cayman.

Jim, it's always a pleasure to have you here.

You bring such insight and expertise to a realm that you are extremely passionate but also knowledgeable about.

What I heard you say, and I want to make sure I've captured it all.

Um you'd like to see more climate action plan reporting and targets that are shared publicly, in terms of looking at the garbage fee that's being proposed, um, reworking the system so that it's pay as you throw, right?

Uh, so you're increasing the cost for more waste that you're creating, as well as expanding um the type of recycling services that we are providing instead.

Is that correct or no?

I just want to make sure I got it.

And the effectiveness.

And I mean, we made some great prize on the way over here.

I dropped off an old radio at the West Park uh drop off.

It took about 30 seconds, and uh so there are things that we have gotten better and better at, and I think you know we need to be aware of that.

Great.

And I also thank you, and I also heard you say that you would like to see different bin size options for waste so that it's not everybody paying for the largest bin if they don't need that necessarily.

Yes, I think because I imagine when we pay to take it to the landfill, it's probably volume-based, and so volume for the ordinary waste for the gray bin stuff is uh what we're already paying for.

Thank you very much did I miss anything else?

Uh no, and I'll uh send a copy of my comments here office.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Alcorn.

Thank you, Jim.

And we really appreciate those comments.

Send them send them around to everybody.

I think everybody will be interested.

Um next to Monday, Tuesday, next Monday, the 18th at 1 30.

We'll be having the budget workshop um for solid waste and public works.

It'll kind of be in one block since it's moving into the public works division, and we'll be talking a lot about a lot about specifics of operational changes and things.

So I invite you if you if you have time to come or at least tune in to that, because we'll be asking specific questions about that.

I think a lot of people want to see um, you know, what changes are going to come.

I know some changes have already been.

I think this is going to be kind of a gradual, you know, improvements that we're going to see.

You mentioned composting.

I talk about composting, I do personal composting at home.

If you don't, if you recycle and compost, you have very little trash.

One thing I have heard about pay as you throw, um, a negative on it is that human nature sometimes has people ask for the smaller bin, but then they put you know stuff in it that's not um so that's that's kind of something we'd have to look at that I've heard that from other cities that have payers or throw.

Sometimes it's a big contaminated mess because you know unfortunately people just want the cheaper bin and then they don't use it properly.

But I'm I'm willing to explore that and and a lot of things.

I would invite you to take a look at the Burns and McDonald report if you haven't already.

It's online, it is the city's operational, kind of what backs up the the cost of the fee, the fee analysis, and um I can send you a link, it's on the city's uh the mayor's budget page, and it's called the Burns and McDonald Report.

And and I've read through that.

It's it's got a lot of really good things in it, um, a lot of different ways different perspectives to look at at this trash issue.

But uh appreciate your continued engagement on this, and I I think we're on our way to um to a better system overall.

And 1 30 Monday here, 1 30 Monday right here, okay.

Well, thank you.

And it'll be online too.

And you can call in from online too.

So that's good.

We have a clean sheet of paper opportunities.

Okay, okay.

One second.

Councilmember's.

Thank you, sir.

Appreciate your thoughtfulness on this issue.

Do you have any thoughts on reducing the high contamination rates for recycling?

FCC tells us that the contamination rates are north of 40 percent.

And so curious to know if you have any thoughts on getting that down.

I haven't been out there.

I was out there right after they uh took on the uh uh the service for the city a few years ago after quite a bit of round and round.

Um I think we're all dependent on our neighbors, as uh uh councilwoman Alcorn just said, and uh that's where perhaps a quarterly modified fee would let everyone know how well we are all doing, and there is you know uh maybe occasional walk around policing of people's bins con contents and and just a little stick-on reminder or something would be effective.

Uh people have been doing this all over the country uh and certainly other areas for a long time, and uh things we don't measure, we can't analyze.

I'm a science guy, so uh but we're all in this together, and and we're drowning in waste.

That we are.

Thank you for the comment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Jerry Tony.

To be followed by Brandon Reeves.

How are you doing, ladies and gentlemen.

My name's Jerry.

And uh this is my first time here.

I'm not from here, but I live here.

I've been here 15 years, and the problem I see right now is not it's the system that's messed up.

It's really uh, you know, they got a lot of homeless people out there, they got people ain't got no job, and they can't get no job, and he can't get a house and stuff like that because the system, the system got it where your credit get bad, you can't get no house, you've been incarcerated, you can't get no house.

So, what you want them to do?

You can't do nothing but stay out there in the streets.

So if you don't fix it here in the system and correct it, this is what it won't be like, which thank God my life is better than the way it was, and I got myself together, but it starts right here in this system right here.

If y'all don't fix it here, because we all make mistakes.

Ain't nobody sitting up here that made a mistake in life.

We all make mistakes.

And if you can't get a house because your credit bag, you can't get a job because you've been incarcerated.

Well, what y'all want us to do?

Do what they're doing.

That's why we have a lot of robbery, murders, killings out there, and stuff like that.

All the for the stop it, you got to get a man a second chain.

Even when you incarcerated, what they're doing, nothing.

You're not trying to help them, rehabilitate them or nothing.

They're just sitting there.

Got to start with y'all, ladies and gentlemen.

And I'm here to tell y'all.

Y'all ain't no better than us.

You know, we all make mistakes, you know.

Come on now.

We're trying to find a solution.

This is the solution.

You know, you go fill out an application, or you've been in country, or your credit bag.

So what you want me to do?

I got to survive.

No.

So I'm asking y'all today.

Take him and sober of yourself, see the mistake you made, come back with it.

You know.

This way it started.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, thank you, Mr.

Tony, for coming.

Okay, I also want to say something about the trash, too.

You know, we're paying, you know, you see HOH, and home association ain't one P.

But who won't pay?

The low class people.

There you go, taking money out of our pocket again.

You know, we already struggling.

Now you're trying to fix your buggy off of us.

Thank you, Mr.

Tony.

And don't don't refer to yourself as a low-class person.

Okay.

Yes, ma'am.

Power, life and death lies in the tongue.

You are not a low-class person.

Oh, I'm not.

No, sir, you are not.

And the fact that you are here.

I apologize to myself.

And the fact that you are here speaks volumes that you're coming to speak on behalf of not just yourself but others.

And you know, but some of the things that you mentioned are at a higher governmental level.

They're not necessarily with the city, but certainly I certainly believe in second, second, third, fourth, fifth chances if need be, uh, as long as people are trying to work in the right direction.

And so I do appreciate you coming.

Um, and you know, we do uh from time to time have job fairs and certain things that people can come to, and you can have a record for some of these positions.

So we do recognize that we all make mistakes, but certainly if we're gonna become better, we're gonna have to look at those that have had those problems and help them to come up as well.

So thank you so very much for coming.

You're welcome, ma'am.

Thank you, sir.

Y'all, y'all have a nice evening.

Brandon Reeves, Benny Freeman, Christopher Graham.

Dale Tolliver.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Dale Tolliver.

And uh I'm here today because I'm a victim of gun violence.

Uh last year.

On July 25th, a bullet came through my apartment.

I don't know if I was there or not, but I didn't recognize it till the next day.

It came to my front window.

It landed in my television screen.

I immediately called HPD.

The officer came out, did a report.

I went downstairs to talk to management.

The manager didn't even want to come up into my look at my apartment.

I was hysterical because I had the gunshot that came in, it was splattered.

I guess the pellets from the uh the bullet was splattered over my furniture.

And uh I contacted everyone I could think of through email.

I even sent you, mayor, I sent you an email.

Kissing housing.

The property management at this time is uh Columbia Residential.

To this day, they never got back to me.

They made promises through email, and they told me that they would get back and let me know as soon as that something would probably come available.

Thanks to Houston Housing Authority, they did reach out.

They offered me a transfer, reasonable accommodations.

And because of my disability, they also offered me a uh medically necessary living aid.

I am not safe in that apartment, and I don't feel safe.

And I voice that several times.

So later on this year, Houston House improved the Lemonade in November.

We haven't had any openings in the 2100 memorial until the end of December.

I'm going back and forth to that front office checking when I was told that they were gonna check on me.

No one's checked on me.

And that's mentally emotionally affected me.

The management company stated that they're gonna call me.

My living aid, which is my daughter, contacted the vice president, which is Rhonda Brown, within the last two weeks.

She promised she was gonna contact her and let her know what's going on.

Started my packet.

I got a wrap packet, and we started on January 7th.

It's taking her four separate packets to get this paperwork done.

Your time has expired.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Premier ship.

It's to June 2nd.

So I was called, contacted, uh about the 21st of April from the manager and say, hey, we got an inspection date.

And if the inspection passed, Miss Tolliver, you can move in.

Two days later, I'm told to come to the front office.

Because now compliance wants to talk to me about my living aid and my discrimin uh about my uh disability.

I provided four doctors' letters, four verification letters from my doctor, and this is what they required.

I brought it in, and they're still questioning it.

So at this point, I've made a Zec decision.

I don't even want to stay there anymore because they don't have any concern for me.

They haven't shown any compassion, and still to this day I haven't heard from anybody from Columbia Residential since September.

So only thing I need I want to ask from you guys is to make sure that I can move on to my new apartment.

All I need is in the sign that continuation uh form for me to move on and let housing continue making the payment till I get transferred to the new uh complex.

Councilman Cristiano.

Thank you, Mayor and Dale.

Uh, thank you for coming down here.

Um, sharing your story, can see how it has impacted you.

I do want to let you know, I'm gonna have someone on my team come and visit with you.

We're gonna reach out to Columbia on your behalf, so we can push forward to get some some resolution here, as well as to the housing authority now, housing alliance HTX, but um we will be doing that with you to support you in this and get some resolution.

And also let you know, it's been two other incidents since then, and they're aware of it of one of them.

And so they told the lady she could move out.

And you know, we're all we're older, we don't have we live on fixed incomes.

We can't just up and get up and move every day.

We when I move there, I plan to stay there for quite a while.

Now there's another senior, she's 75.

She doesn't even want to come out.

She don't even want to talk about it.

That bullet is still lodging her apartment today.

Today that bullet is still there.

Well, with uh with your help, we'll also reach out to her as well.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, Deborah Deborah Stevens.

To be followed by Brandy Harris.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council Member.

Bear with me.

I have mental illness.

My name is Deborah Stevens, and I'm a resident at 2100 Memorial.

I'm here today because I no longer feel safe in my apartment community.

In May 2025, my car loan with four other vehicles was broken into inside our gated garage.

I believe this could have been prevented if the gates had been working properly, and if our regular security guard had been on site.

When I reported the incident, I was simply told to file a claim with my personal insurance.

And no resident has been notified about any of these gunshots, so we can take steps to protect ourselves.

In addition, I experienced unusual high water bill.

Although maybe later repair the problem, manager did not properly address my concern.

Due to the crime that has been happening at 21 Memorial, I want to be released from my lease because I do not feel safe or comfortable in my home.

And I have mental illness, and I pray that I'm won't be retaliate for coming down here.

Thank you.

Council Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor, and Deborah, thank you for for raising these concerns.

It's uh hard to hear you talk about how you don't feel comfortable in your own home because that's what we all want to feel comfortable in our own homes.

Um, but this is the same property that uh the previous speaker was also talking about.

So we will be working with you, reaching out to the property management, reaching out to HTX Housing Alliance, and uh pushing forward to get some uh answers and some resolutions to your concerns and to the security issues that you've raised.

So somebody will be uh speaking with you shortly here.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, ma'am.

Ma'am, ma'am, counselor Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Miss Steve was coming.

Um question.

Um you said your gates are not open.

The gates are open.

They're closed now, but the these used to have security guards there, and at the time when my car was broken in with other fellow for with other four other cars there, the gates was open, and the security guard wasn't there that day, and it could have been prevented, and they don't have security guards, strange people be there at night when I come in from taking care of my mom, it's homeless people, young people there, and it's very scary, and I'd be scared to go on the elevator, and I'm terrified.

Okay, so uh you said the gates are closed now.

It's closed now.

They are closed now.

So has it been how recent were they closed?

But for the last couple of weeks, it's been closed.

Okay.

Okay, good.

All right.

We'll we'll we'll keep in touch along with thank you.

Ma'am, ma'am.

One more council flickinger.

I just wanted to say thanks for coming down here.

Um, I think a lot of times when it comes to crime, we lose sight of the victim story.

Yes, sir.

Uh, and how much it impacts people.

Uh, you know, you talk about being on a fixed income.

You know, you can't afford to have the kind of setback that you have financially being the victim of a crime.

No, and I had to pay for my car when to be fixed and also rent was at the same time.

Yeah, so no, it's very difficult.

And I just appreciate you coming down and telling us your story, reminding us of what it's like to be on the victim end of it.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you, Nick.

Brandy Harris.

To be followed by Roderick Durham.

Good afternoon, mayor, city council, Brandy Harris.

Houston is preparing to host FIFA for 21 days with seven matches bringing 60,000 to 70,000 people per game to the NRG area.

That's nearly half a million visitors moving through our neighborhoods, and we welcome FIFA with open arms.

We're proud that Houston is on this stage.

But while the city focuses on protecting NRG and the visitors, the people who actually live around the NRG continue dealing with the daily crime, neglected streets, and unsafe conditions.

HPD's own reports show that Westridge NRG corridor faces aggravated assaults, weapons calls, drug drug activity, disturbances, and apartment-related crime on a regular basis.

It's bad.

I myself have hit my floor so many times, jumped out of my bed, recalled the apartments next to mine, baby Iraq.

I start screaming, and I say, I'm my spouse who's sitting back here, he went to the corner store one day to get a pack of cigarettes, and he had to push the elderly man down because there was a drive-by and he got hit in the arm.

And he's calling me from the store.

Baby, I'm in the back of the ambulance.

I got hit.

You know, and so every every evening, and it's one particular apartments.

I think a bank has taken them over.

They're half of them are boarded up.

And the address for that is 2401 Westridge Street.

It's the Allegra apartments.

They also own 2400 South Loop West.

They're full of squatters, constant foot traffic at night.

I mean, the police are ambulance are there every day.

And it affects FIFA because when they have the traffic blocked off on Kirby and Maine, people that can't park in those parking, they come through our streets, they come through Lantern Point, they come through Hertz Street and Bartel, and they come through, and there's nobody in those blocks to direct the traffic.

We can't get in and out of our homes.

If you ask me, I think there needs to be a traffic light at lantern.

Because it's just that bad there, especially, I mean, Westridge gets, we get the noise from NRG, we get all the back end of NRG, but we don't get any of the privileges of being near NRG.

You know what I mean?

We don't get to hear the free concerts or anything.

We just get the trash and the fights and everything else that's going down the road.

And we're tired of being overlooked.

Um, my apartment complex now has new managers.

I live at Villisolano.

I actually moved there because um Hawk moved me there.

I was dealing with domestic violence, and I thought I was moving into a safe air area, and lo and behold, was not.

Thank you.

And one second, Councilman Cassie's table.

Ms.

Harris, thank you for coming.

I'm very sorry that that's happening in the NRG corridor.

That area is very dense, and we have had quite a few problems in that area.

I do like the idea of a possible traffic light at Atlanta.

I will submit that to public works so that they can come out and do a traffic study because if it warrants a traffic light, then we can work on trying to get a traffic light there.

I will tell you that the police station on Natita.

Um there are some officers that have been working in that West Ridge area to try to mitigate some of that stuff that's happening.

But I will submit a an alert slip to them again to tell them that you came here today and um to to let's take a visit um to the Allegra apartments because we've had another apartment complex that has a lot of vacant units that are boarded up and then we get the squatters and all of the things that that come with those vacant units.

So let me send that over to uh the Natita station and ask the officers if they can help with that area.

Um and then the other uh thing you mentioned about FIFA.

I did have a meeting with the uh FIFA team about the logistics around um FIFA.

Um I know that Kirby Street will be um blocked off on game days.

Do you get our newsletter?

We have a newsletter that's coming out tomorrow that has the information about FIFA and it it lists the days that the games will be played at NRG Stadium, um, and we'll be able to talk through the community members about when Kirby will be closed.

I was told that the streets will be closed six hours before the games.

Um, so I want to make sure that we have somebody directing traffic on those other streets.

Um, so thank you for coming.

Um look to uh I do want to get your email address so we can put you on our distribution list so you can get that information around FIFA, but I want to also uh follow up with you about what HPD says about the Allegra apartments and then the request for the street light on Lantern.

Yes, ma'am.

Um I just like to respond to you about the electro apartments.

I mean, we have drug dealers over there that have the windows, their doors open with sheets hanging in the windows and it's constant traffic and just I mean it's right there in broad daylight.

They shoot in broad daylight there, and this is why it also affects the event because you know there's guys that pedal you on the carts, they cut through there because people park up, I guess, somewhere up by the freeway or somewhere like that, and they wheel them right through these apartments because they go from they span from the highway to Westridge, so they cut through all day long with the bikes that are, you know, with people right through there.

And me personally, my suggestion is put blockades up on um, you know, from the highway, so they can't access it there.

Only people who come through make it foot traffic only for the event because it's it's already been chaos with the rodeo.

The rodeo totally let the area down.

It totally did.

It was chaotic.

It was it wasn't good at all.

Well, thank you for your comments.

We definitely will take all of your suggestions and advisement.

Thank you.

Counselor Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I also wanted to uplift the point about uh the other thing that's the concern in that particular area is the sidewalks.

Many of the sidewalks um we may need to also address that with public works because people walking up and down those sidewalks in the area are pretty deplorable, especially with holding water and a lot of sidewalks are broken up.

Yes.

And we might need to address that issue as well as it relates also to lights.

We want to bring that to the attention of public works as well.

I don't know if you know what I'm talking about.

Yes, sir, I do the restriction of middle of the sidewalks around NRG.

That means several people have complained about it, that they can't be mobile.

So if curb is going to be blocked off, that's something that we might want to lift up as well.

It is, especially right actually in front of Villa Solano to the Allegra right there.

It's all crumbled.

I mean, it goes in like this.

So the elderly people in the we do have people who take the bus because I go to Houston City College every morning.

I need to look at that schedule.

Yeah.

To see if, because I just get on the bus right there and take the train right now.

So I need to look at that.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Roderick Durham.

Roderick Durham.

How are you guys doing today, City Council?

Uh I was unprepared at accident over Mother's Day weekend, so I didn't get a chance to get prepared.

But this is strictly about D restrictions.

I'm in the process of building a duplex.

And in the middle of the duplex, I got I had someone call in on me and said, I'm not supposed to build a duplex in this neighborhood.

I grew up in this neighborhood.

So I know everybody in the neighborhood.

So what that did was I had to do I had a legal hold.

I have a legal hold.

So first I transformed it back into a single family home.

Uh that consists of one address, one water meter, one light meter.

I did that.

So then I went back to the city's attorneys.

They say, oh, that's not good enough.

What determines a single family home?

What makes it a single single family home?

I'm losing money.

I'm not a big investor.

I'm a small time.

I'm losing money.

So where I'm at with this is the D restrictions is too much red tape in order to get things done.

I know bigger investors that do not want to come in the city due to the D restrictions.

And the red tape behind it.

So what I'm asking y'all to do is just look at the D restrictions and what it takes to get things done in the city.

Like I said, I'm unprepared today.

I had an accident.

I have nothing written down.

I'm going off the top of my head.

But it's it's it's I'm losing money.

I got 200,000 tied up into this deal.

I got $60,000 in number sitting outside in the rain, house framed up.

I cannot move any further.

So if it would have been told of me from the beginning, hey, you need to look at your deed restrictions.

Nobody advised me of that.

Nobody.

So now I'm in the middle of this, and I'm just a duck sitting in water.

Okay.

Okay, I'm just here you go.

Mr.

Mr.

Durham, when you apply for the permit for building the duplex, did you fill out the application for the permit?

I had a uh to be honest with you.

That's what I've been hearing from different lawyers.

It's literature inside of that that I might have missed.

Honestly, I might have missed.

I had my architect do a lot of that footwork for me.

Okay.

So I'm quite sure he might have missed it.

It's been missed somewhere.

So there's a form that you fill out when you apply for a permit, and on that form, it um asks you to fill out an affidavit that says, have you read the D restrictions prior to submitting for the permit?

I did do that.

You did or you didn't I did read the D restrictions, but the D restrictions doesn't say the city of Houston has the right to involve themselves in it.

I understand that in 1965, City of Houston do it because we have zoning laws.

We have no zoning laws.

Take that back.

I'm sorry.

We have no zoning laws for the city of Houston.

So the C City of Houston relies on D restrictions to help out in that area.

So my D restrictions clearly state that my fight is not with the city of Houston.

It doesn't say it like that.

But my fight is with the overseers of my D restriction, which there's nobody.

We have no committee set up in my neighborhood for the D restrictions.

You your civic club.

What's the name of your neighborhood?

Uh South Glenn Section 5.

Okay.

But we call it Meredith Mountain.

Okay.

They have a civic club.

Who's over?

There is a um I'll look at our list in our district K office.

They have a civic club.

Now, and they have a um, oh my goodness.

I cannot think of of the latest name.

But they do have a civic club.

And the concern that I have is we fight very hard for civic clubs to have D-restrictions.

Because the D restrictions are the because the city doesn't have zoning, the D-restrictions are what protect the integrity of the neighborhood.

Um and so I I want to try to help because you said you you initially started with the duplex and then you agreed to do a single family home.

And I'm assuming that those D restrictions say single single family dwellings.

So I'm going to ask uh Randy with the city attorney's office to see you know where you where y'all are with the with the legality.

I suppose to know something tomorrow.

I'm sorry?

I'm supposed to know something tomorrow.

I've been battling with that from the permitting department or that is from the legal from the city of Houston's legal department.

Legal department.

Okay.

Uh we is we have your your phone number here.

Um we can check with Randy from City Legal to kind of see where that is and make sure you have the information that you need so we can kind of get to the bottom of whether or not you'll be able to move forward with building that single family home and if that actually meets the requirements of the D restrictions.

Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

I studied like I'm I'm completely, I had an accident.

I'm completely off my bearings today with this.

Okay, because I was supposed to have sat down and went over this thoroughly before I came up here, but I didn't.

But some things you said, I got the answers for them already.

Okay.

Uh I transformed it to a single family home.

They said it wasn't sufficient.

Who has the right to tell me how I want to design my single family home?

If it has one address, one address, one light meter, one water meter, one gas meter.

That deems it a single family home.

Right.

So now they're telling me, oh no, you gotta do something different.

Can we ask the city attorney to see if he has any information on it now, and then we can try.

If he doesn't, then we can set up a time to because I'm I'm I'm I'm in D.

No, we want we want to try to resolve it for you.

Okay, um councilman, my understanding is that the inward services department and HPW is reviewing the changes.

Um, and I'll make sure that someone gets back to them by tomorrow.

Okay.

So but I have my answer tomorrow from the legal department, regardless of it.

It is the legal department.

Or what department?

D restrictions, because it's different departments in the legal department.

I'm not over D restrictions, but I will get them, get within to make sure that get you an answer by tomorrow.

But like I'm giving you.

And we'll look at we'll look at what you submitted and we'll we'll try to find the solution for you.

Because it's nothing, there's only one person over there giving me the blues.

What person over the one?

I'm sorry.

One person in my neighborhood.

I grew up, I know the uh everybody in that neighborhood from beginning to end.

There's only one gentleman giving me the blues.

That's all because my grass went over there on his grass when I cut the grass.

Boy, that is it.

And I'm I'm I'm looking.

But we're gonna look at what you submitted, and we'll look at your deed restrictions, and we want to make sure we do it right for the neighborhood.

Because I know you've been in the neighborhood a long time, and we want you to be able to invest.

No, I know.

We want you to be able to invest in your neighborhood, but we want it to be in alliance with what the D restrictions say.

We'll we'll do what we can to help you, sir.

So, we have your phone number here, and we'll get with legal and make sure that you get what you need by tomorrow.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you guys.

Thank you, sir.

Next, Wendell Johnson.

Geneva Colbert.

Andrew Patterson.

To be followed to be followed by Walter Milburn of Sugarland.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members.

I am here before you talk about uh an issue which I'm not clear about, and hopefully you can give me an answer to it.

Number one, we have a governor who stepped their his foot into Houston politics and forced the city of Houston a hundred percent support what he deemed for ice.

Then he touched HPD as to what he wanted them to do about ice.

Yet I have no idea what the governor's issue was that we had with Houston, that he had to put his foot into it and tell the mayor, city council, the city of Houston what to do.

And if he didn't do it, hold back a hundred and ten million dollars in grants, which, in my opinion, he turned around and quite frankly said that if anything happened because he didn't get the grants, it's not my fault that the thing happened, but it's gonna be your fault, the city of Houston.

It's gonna be HPD's fault.

So, mayor, I'd like a very condensed version, short version of the response.

What you saw, what the governor was asking, what the city wasn't doing, that the compliance with it, the same thing for HPD.

What the city was going to have to do in order to be compliance with what the uh governor had.

I'm sorry, all right.

Your microphone.

Yeah, talk to Miss Wilson, she'll bring you up to speed.

She has the answers, chief staff.

Yes, okay, because I don't think anybody has it in mind, nobody seems to know what the response is.

She'll get you the uh statement.

Excuse me, please.

She will answer your questions and get you the directive.

Thank you.

The next thing I have here is because we don't have this right now.

It's a national immigration legal service directory, which I've made out available to all of you if you have one of your staff here passed around.

What simply states, putting your zip code will tell you the groups are out there that are doing pre-service, legal service for immigrants.

It doesn't be Hispanic, it doesn't have to be Indian, Chinese or whatever it is, just a legal service.

Underneath that, it has a detention facilities where they're being located if you happen to be caught and sent someplace else.

And I'm gonna be honest with you, popping that uh drop box down and looking at the locations where they're saying they're keeping people in there.

I wouldn't trust the dog to be in it.

I mean, it's absolutely horrible.

It's not the bloody 10,000 square foot they're building right there to keep detention centers.

So anyway, it'll tell you like if anybody says, hey, my husband, my uncle, somebody has been detained, and the drop-down, it'll tell you the location and the address, too.

Mayor, thank you for your time.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, thank you.

May I just say one thing, please?

Beg your pardon?

May I say one thing, please?

Sure.

All right.

I don't know about the city secretary, the problem they're having over there.

Last week, we're that I had called early enough, and last week I wasn't even on the list.

I was put on the list at the back of it, and I told the young lady there, get me off of it.

I'm not gonna stay here all night to speak.

This time I called Wednesday, gave the information, asked to be put on the list.

Here I am, towards the bottom of the list.

People who put for me had called on Monday or Tuesday, but this week.

Yet I was one of the persons to call in, and I don't know the procedure that the city has to allow me or anybody else to speak and get prioritized.

I mean, I don't want to call the council members.

Say, can you push me up?

I can do that, but I don't.

We'll check on it.

Thank you, sir.

Well, I also filed a clank to you, and he never got with me on that.

Complaint to the city of Secretary.

All right.

You want these or not?

Thank you, sir.

Next, Walter Muleburn of Sugarland.

Regina Solfus.

Michelle Igenbor of Hockley.

Steve Williams.

Eduardo Duran.

To be followed by Juan Gallegos.

I'm across some reasons some recent news that was think would be to everyone's attention.

Joy to my heart to see the COVID House of Cards finally starting to crash down.

We have a former senior advisor to Dr.

Anthony Bauchy, Dr.

David Morens, indicted for his role in the COVID 19 cover-up.

Hopefully he will throw Fauci under the bus.

Now this guy and his co-conspirators literally falsified reports to try to suppress the fact that this virus came out of the lab.

He used his personal Gmail account instead of his official email to avoid FOIA.

Hopefully Fauci will be next.

And uh folks, this is so huge.

I mean, it's so huge.

Hopefully it's the first domino of many.

Uh Representative James Comer on the House Oversight Committee says I applaud the Trump Justice Department for taking action to hold this public official accountable for hiding information from the American people.

So hopefully accountability is here.

We need a whole lot more.

Now Morens was actually bragging about he and Fauci were able to bypass FOIA using Gmail and deleting their emails before the official searches started.

You can actually see some of these that we got a hold of.

Uh he says Fauci is too smart to let people get these documents through FOIA.

He says the FOIA lady, Marga Moore, taught him how to avoid FOIA, and of course he hates FOIA.

This is ridiculous, folks.

Now Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana says more indictments are coming.

Well, I remember when these allegations first surfaced about Dr.

Fauci and and the other um the other minions.

And we were all told that it's that it's a conspiracy theory and we're all a bunch of nuts.

Uh we're gonna have to we now know we're gonna have to get some new conspiracy.

The time has expired theories because all the old ones turned out to be true.

Yeah, they all turned out to be true.

Thank you, sir.

Time's expired.

Uh most of what's occurring right now, if not all of it, a lot of it, and the seeming progression of the narrative that are being, you know, forced, asserted, enforced, propagated, whatever.

Everything that's occurring right now isn't an effort to wrap up the fact that there is uh this continua continuous continuation of this major war, is the major crime ethic, that is both encroaching on us both on the the side of the pharma pharmaceutical industrial uh side, yes, and also from the political warfare paradigm.

All righty, thank you, thank you.

Alright, so I mean Bauchi is pretty much what we need to be kind of taking a look at here.

Have a good day.

Next, Juan Gallegos.

Okay, we'll get back to him in a moment.

Next.

Juan Gallegos.

To be followed by Regina Sofus.

I also have a couple of these for you.

Alright, give him that gentleman.

Can we take a look at them?

Yes, sir.

Make the print out.

Half an hour, but wherever we turn.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Songayos.

I'm a resident of District H.

I had no intentions to be on the mic today.

But um I'm here.

I can speak for days or somehow I'm having trouble talking.

But um I want to publicly thank uh members of District H for supporting me in efforts of making Monty Beach Park uh safe space for all.

As a father of a five-year-old uh non-verbal autistic child, I'm hyper aware of my surroundings, and at times it feels like I'm fighting the world.

Um, from the funny looks, right, and having to educate um individuals about autism to HISD leadership, calling my child a liability, and stating that in my fa, stating in my face that under the law, because of his condition, that he shouldn't even be in school.

And I have all this documented, I have audios, and I'm gonna save all the negativity for Thursday because there's gonna be uh HISD meeting, but it's exhausting, and it does my heart well to know that I have people on my side.

So your support, like makes a difference, and has made a difference.

So many families have reached out to me, and I want to express my gratitude on their behalf.

So I want to say thank you to Ty.

I feel he's like he's a powerhouse Russell.

Mario Castillo, especially for his post during autism awareness.

H.

Part for his continu HPARD for a continued support, mayor for thanking, thank you for selecting our park, Monty Beach for renovation, and my greatest thank you to uh Sergeant Graham, which is not here from the differential response team, and some of his members, Officer Ayala, Officer Bing, and Officer Kang.

Like, I feel like he did like more than what I expected.

He went far beyond.

So me personally, I've I've actually been like uh when I run into an officer, I thank him.

It changed my mind a lot.

So thanks to all the police officers that are here and every and everyone's from the department.

So I just want to say that Mario, my advocacy is just starting.

My organizing is just starting, and I'm hopeful that District Gates will continue to be my highlight, and maybe next year, next April, which is autism awareness.

You can recruit some of the rest of the members and help me spread awareness.

So, as y'all know we have a lot of bad stuff going on with HISD.

You know, I speak about that for days.

I can share audios, but I just want to highlight the fact that I'm very grateful.

Thank you.

Councilman, sir, sir.

One second.

Thank you, Mayor and Juan.

Thank you for for coming down here.

I know you weren't uh planning on speaking, but here you are.

I want to just congratulate you for your advocacy and what you have been able to do for your community, um, with respect to the safety, with respect to the park, and with respect to the autism awareness um component, you know.

That has had an impact on me as a public servant and just being able to understand uh better how different parts of the community and different constituents, um, you know, how these rules, regulations, ordinances impact uh everyone and ways that we can make our parks more welcoming for all.

Uh, you know, that's uh been impactful to me.

So I want to thank you for that, and it just speaks to what can happen when folks in the neighborhood, you know, get involved, um, be active in their parks and in their civic groups, and want to just make a positive impact in their communities.

Uh, we need it, and I look forward to continuing to work and support you in your efforts uh in the Monte Beach area.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, sir.

Next, Joe Bailey Jr.

Joseph Ballard, Joseph Amari.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor.

I've known many of my black American minority, but the Democrats may have went to Jesse Jackson uh School of Potters, but I did not went to Michael Jackson School of uh entertainment and music.

And who made the most money?

Michael Jackson or Jesse Jackson, Micah Jackson or Both Jackson, Michael Jackson or Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson and Barack Obama.

Sooner later it would be about the money and economy.

I didn't come to Houston Chelsea.

You get stuck public with city council meeting cumulative activism.

I can't use to create an Austin Entertainment Company, a chat of company, the product development vision.

The best thing I learned is how the financial deal.

Thank you.

Regina Solfus.

I'm just here to speak on behalf of my rights.

Okay, I have no health care.

If you all can assist me, it's just basic information, but it's my rights.

No health care.

I have a letter of writing that I'm in need of from my last employer.

They laid me off because they wanted to deduct my salary, stating I make too much.

I'm a part of the nursing career.

Okay, and I had to cancel all my appointments.

From the hips down.

Also I receive community threats.

My landlord has five eviction.

I'm with the 55 plus with the seniors, and I pay 1,500 a month.

And I checked into the sub decide.

I supposed to be paying 500.

And the city of Houston, Harris County, I'm sorry.

Supposed to pay the thousand.

But so claimed the list is closed.

The waiting list is closed.

It's been closed since 2020.

So if you all can assist me in that area, I appreciate it.

So she's filed her eviction.

She's trying to put me out.

They have stopped 18 jobs.

I've been trying to venture out for jobs.

And they're stopping because they want me out that apartment.

I can't keep moving.

I can't afford to.

So you have no income.

That means you they want they want you out.

And I have a state certification, which is my nursing.

And I'm a part of the company of LLC, Corporal Lodge.

I haven't been paid behind the judgment of them using this apartment.

And my car was vandalized under a carport, which I paid, and I had to observe all that with plan Possum.

I haven't received none of my money.

So it's all about my rights.

And my nursing have been uh submitted to 2028.

So I have been receiving threats, which is fine.

And this is the corporate large, and the letter of writing that I need from this employer.

They keep dodging me.

I just need a letter.

That's just a small thing.

Just a letter of writing saying why I was laid off to renew my health care.

So they're they're not renewing it at all.

So my doctor is no longer, he no longer wants to be a part of HMO.

He wants to be a part of PPO.

They're not paying them.

He has no payments from my health care provider.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Thank you, ma'am.

We stand reached.

Of the code of ordinances relating to food and drugs.

Item 12 ordinance making certain findings related to the expansion of the existing surface site within Eisenhower Park for pipeline assessment purposes required by federal regulations from pipeline operators.

Item 13, ordinance appropriating $5 million.

Two derivative agreements with Chamberlain Dallas LLC and D7 Roofing and Metal LLC.

Item 14, ordinance appropriating 1,364,399.

To contract with Daifuku Airport America Corporation.

Item 15, ordinance appropriating 758,750 for Northwest Transforestation Project.

Item 16, ordinance appropriating $850,000 for playground improvements.

Item 17, ordinance appropriating $493,000 for improvements at Hager Park.

Item 18, ordinance appropriating $887,000 to renovate the existing friendship pavilion.

Item 19, ordinance appropriating $2,333,000 for renovations to the BisNet maintenance facility.

Item 20, ordinance appropriating 1,379,000 for roof replacement at the Marion Recreation Center.

Item 21, ordinance approving and authorizing contract with Mr.

Sweeper LP.

Item 22, ordinance approving and authorizing contract with Harris County to provide election services for the runoff election to be held on May 16th, 2026.

Item 23.402,296.89.

Approving and authorizing joint participation in a local agreement with Harris County.

Item 24, ordinance consenting to the addition of 2.6035 acres of land to Bridgestone Municipal Utility District.

Item 25, ordinance consenting to the addition of 9.032 acres to Harris County Municipal Utility District number 393.

Item 26, ordinance finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of a 10-foot wide sanitary research easement situated in the Samuel M.

Williams Abstract Number 87, Harris County, Texas, abandoning the easement to Michelle A.

Eamons, now known as Michelle A.

Emons Madrid, and Jason Madrid, the abutting owners.

Item 27, ordinance finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of Temple Drive from West Walker Avenue to Tab Street, which include two 10-foot wide utility easement, a 20-foot-wide sewer easement, and four tracks of fee-owned land, all out of the John Austin Two League Grant.

Abstract number one, Harris County, Texas.

Abandoning said portions to RLW Caporal Holdings LLC, the abutting owner.

Item 28, ordinance finding and determining public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interest in connection with the public improvement project known as the paving and drainage improvements in the A.

Leaf Forest South Area Sub Project 1.

Item 29 ordinance authorizing conveyance from City of Houston to Harris County of easement being plus minus 0.058 acre tract being the north 11th foot of a city fee owned tract of land containing plus minus 1.4514 acres and being out of lot 73 in the more acre subdivision situated in the E.

Williams survey abstract number 834, Harris County, Texas.

Item 30, ordinance approving and authorizing contract with Reliance Construction Services LP.

Item 31 has been pulled by the administration and will not be considered item 32 ordinance appropriating 210,000 as a second additional appropriation, approving and authorizing second amendment to professional engineering services contract with civil tech engineering LLC.

Item 32 is a motion to set a public hearing date on the proposal to use 0.1692 acre of Chimney Rock Park for a 20-foot-wide utility corridor for sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Hearing date 9 a.m.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Item 34 ordinance repealing section 18-37 of the Code of Ordinances, Houston, Texas, relating to the limitation on repayment of personal loans from campaign contributions.

This completes the reading of the captions for the City Council session of May 13th, 2026.

Stay tuned for the next session to the next session of Houston City Council schedule to begin at 9 a.m.

And with that, I wish everyone a blessed and happy hump day.

Council, please come to order.

Mayor's report is one of excitement.

For collaborating on the near North Side.

Yesterday we had a groundbreaking on equipment in front of the North Side High School.

Thank you, Randy, Public Works again.

Your improving neighborhoods, 48 million dollar drainage street mobility project.

Thank you to Commissioner Garcia and thank you to our team, Public Works.

These things happen regularly, don't get reported, but as excited as I am today, certainly during Public Works National Recognition Week, our team is getting the job done.

Another thing before we hear from our friends with such exciting news about the World Cup and its great impact on the city of Houston.

I don't want something to not get the recognition that it deserves.

I've asked for a handout today to disclose the contract that was agreed to yesterday by our friends at SCIU.

Thank you, Michael Heckman.

Thank you to Elsa Flores.

We can all celebrate that our lowest paid public servants been overlooked for so many years.

Got an immediate five dollar increase going from $15 to $20.

That's a 46% historic raise.

Most have never had several thousand dollars at one time.

They're rejoicing.

Play catch up, home repairs, transportation, kids' clothing.

It's really something to be recognized for.

And I wanted to bring it out before we hear the subject that's going to get so much attention for the next several months.

But thank you to Elsa and SCIU.

Thank you, Michael Heckman.

Congratulations to the workers.

Over the next couple years, their pay will reach $22 an hour.

And that's outstanding.

Moving forward, I can recall the celebration when Houston was announced as a recipient of the World Cup Games.

I wasn't in city government, but it was a successful effort by our host committee.

Chaired by John Arnold.

But I have this visual of a room full of Houston leaders.

The previous mayor leading the charge, did a great job.

Laura Maria, it was everybody wanted to take credit for it, okay?

Which is not surprising because it's something you want ownership in.

But we have met regularly.

You've heard me say and quote FIFA that we're more prepared than any other city in America.

They call us a grown-up city.

We have done such preparation for public safety, some of which I can't even discuss publicly.

High tech, drones, collaboration with all the agencies involved.

We know the benefits that are coming to Houston.

Not a financial drain or hardship, but more hotel occupancy tax, more sales tax, more jobs, more state assistance.

So any negative comments, I just have a hard time understanding it, except to ignore it.

Traffic, yes.

It'll be equivalent to a big rodeo night.

The games are at noon.

So it's just the I guess a political media environment that we find ourselves in, but it's just so unfair and misinformation.

So how do we celebrate going forward?

You get the experts to talk about we're not doing anything for FIFA that we're not doing for our communities, including the legacy soccer fields that'll be left behind.

The effort to address traffic concerns, and certainly our mayor pro Tim has been involved to see that no one's apartments, condos around NRG are going to be blocked.

We have a health department major facility across the street.

We're actually preparing for those employees to be have have access to their offices.

So I could go on and on.

I've been involved.

I don't think we could have a better team anywhere in the world than the leadership that's been exhibited.

Now, are we prepared for the unexpected?

Yes, they play out those circumstances as well.

So we don't need to hear my excitement, enthusiasm any longer.

Chris, Juan, Mr.

Walsh, what order y'all would like to address this successful story, and the best is yet to come.

Juan, heading the Sports Authority, was one of the smartest things I've done.

You're not only a leader today, but we're expecting great things from you going forward.

Being the first Hispanic on the Rodeo Executive Committee and the respect across the Houston communities and your leadership.

Thank you for your service.

Mayor Pro Tim.

After the presentation.

Juan, you recognize and take your time.

Thank you, Mayor.

Houston, we're ready.

We are ready to host the World Cup here.

And Mayor, thank you for the kind words, but uh more importantly, thank you for your leadership.

Uh, we we couldn't be here without you.

And you say we are the most prepared city in America, we are the most prepared in all of North America, of all Mexico, Canada, United States, there is no one closer to being prepared than we are here in Houston.

And I want to thank you for your leadership and your assistance, council members also for your involvement.

One of the goals that we had early on in this process is to make sure that we were transparent, that we were accountable, and that our teams were accessible to your teams.

And I think we've done that.

We've gone in there and listened to you, your staff to make sure that your constituents are being uh informed and are ready for this World Cup.

And we are ready.

I want to thank you.

And one of the things you mentioned, Mayor, that I'm most proud of, is we're not just ready for the World Cup.

We're we're we're more than ready.

But what's going to happen after the World Cup for the citizens of Houston?

What the World Cup is preparing us here for is for years to come for a dynamic change to our youth here in Houston that we will impact for decades based on the programs that you've helped establish here, mayor.

So I want to thank everybody, and I and I don't want to leave this uh podium without saying it couldn't have happened without the leadership of the two gentlemen that I have standing behind here, Ryan Walsh and Chris Kennetti.

They've established teams, unbelievable teams, to make sure that we are prepared in everything in every aspect of this World Cup.

And so uh with that, I have the huge honor and pleasure of presenting our CEO, our leader of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, Mr.

Winewash.

Ryan.

Thank you, Juan.

I you introduced me like that.

That was impressive.

I don't know how to follow that.

But uh certainly it is an honor for me to be here, Mayor.

Council members, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you all this morning.

And overall, mayor and council members, thank you for your support.

Um to Juan's point, we couldn't do this without the support of you all in this room today, and certainly grateful for that.

And Juan's right.

It's not just about today, it's not just about the matches that are going to happen in June and July.

It's about what happens after.

It's about the legacy programs that the Sports Authority Foundation will be having for years to come that are going to benefit the youth of our city.

It's about the impact that these matches are going to have long beyond the last match and the last whistle, in that the events that will continue to come to Houston and Harris County and showcase why Houston really is a global destination for sports.

We're super excited about this, and we really do have the best team in the planet that's running this.

Uh, and nobody better than Chris Kennedy to head up.

Our host committee, the the efforts for the World Cup here in town, and certainly the team that he's put together in making sure that this effort is going to be the most successful and the safest event that cities ever seen.

It is the largest sporting event in the world, and it's certainly the largest that he's ever seen.

But if you ask me, it's just the start.

I think truly the best is yet to come, so I appreciate you.

And I'd like to introduce Chris to tell you a little bit more about where we are in the planning.

And as Chris will tell you, we've gone from planning now to execution.

I think Chris and I were talking about, he said, you know, I've been planning it for so long.

Now, you know, you've caught the car.

Now what do we do with it?

So it's time to to bring the games on and make them happen.

So, Chris.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ryan, and thank you, Juan, and good morning, council.

Uh, it's great to be here today.

As Ryan said, uh, we've been working on this for uh eight years now, and it felt like the planning was was gonna go on forever.

And uh here we are.

If we can go to the first slide, we'll we've got a little slide presentation for you here.

It's hard to believe that we're 29 days away from the start of the world cup when the first match will be played in Mexico City, and that will coincide with the opening of our fan festival uh down in East Downtown in Edo.

So, four weeks from tomorrow, uh the festivities um will kick off, and there's a lot of work to do in the next four weeks.

But as Juan and Ryan both said, we are ready.

Um, and also as the mayor referenced earlier, four weeks ago, we had two of the top officials from FIFA come to Houston uh for their final briefing, and they they left that that um briefing saying that Houston is the most prepared host city and that made great headlines across um across uh North America.

So 29 days till the event begins and 32 days until the first match is played on uh Sunday, June 14th uh at uh NRG Stadium, Reliance Stadium now, uh, when uh Germany will take on carousel.

So we can go to the first slide here.

I'm gonna give you a quick update.

Some of this might be a refresher, but I think it's important information.

You can go to the next slide.

Um so we have got a great draw.

Uh, this is a random draw uh for competitive purposes, and uh Houston landed up with one of the best um draws out of all the host cities.

We have three of the top teams in the world coming to Houston and Portugal, the Netherlands, and Germany, all ranked in the top 10 in the world, and we're lucky to have Portugal playing here on two occasions.

And then the excitement also builds around three teams that will be making their World Cup debut in Cape Verde, Curacao, and Uzbekistan, who will play here.

Uh, and then uh rounding out the field are the is the Democratic Republic of Congo, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.

So, all of those teams will be playing matches here.

You can go to the next slide.

Uh, there's the group stage schedule.

It's a 20, it's this these are all taking place between June 14th and June 26th.

Pretty much every three days there will be a match and all of these matches kick off at noon except for the Friday June 26th match which is 7 p.m.

You can go to the next slide.

And then of course two of the biggest matches we have here will be the round of 32 and the round of 16 knockout matches.

We don't know who's playing in those games yet.

However if the seatings hold which sometimes they do sometimes they don't uh the first game would end up being Brazil versus Japan which would be absolutely amazing for our city.

So look out for the round of 32 and 16 games coming through you can move to the next slide.

So let me tell you some points of interest some things to look out you can go to the next slide as well.

In case you don't know I'm guessing most people know who this is Portugal has uh features one of the most decorated players in the history of the game and one of the greatest footballers of all time and Cristiano Ronaldo he's made he has 668 million Instagram followers.

I I believe he's the most popular person on the planet and I say that with all seriousness I mentioned earlier that Portugal's playing here on two occasions so with Portugal comes the circus that comes with Cristiano Ronaldo.

He's 40 years old he's almost scored a thousand goals in his career and this is his final world cup so will there be a fairy tale ending to his career with a World Cup trophy we all wait to see next slide.

So I we may have the eventual champion passing through Houston as well.

That's kind of a neat thing to be on the lookout for Portugal's one of the best teams in the world but has never won it.

Again maybe this is their turn with Ronaldo the Netherlands is also one of the best teams in the world seeking their first world cup they've lost three times in the final and then Germany who will debut here as I mentioned before has four World Cups second most all time behind Brazil.

So some really great teams coming here and you go to the next slide and with great teams the these these teams have very very organized passionate big fan bases so those fans will be traveling from abroad and even they have a lot of domestic fans.

What you're seeing here is uh what's called the orange march to the match this is a big tradition that is uh very very well known worldwide by the Dutch they will be doing this on Saturday June 2nd marching uh from somewhere around Rice University on down to the stadium uh that morning uh the expectation is somewhere in the neighborhood of five to ten thousand fans dressed in orange uh making that coordinated march down that bus you see there again is very historic it arrived at the port of Galveston a couple days ago we've got a lot of social media worldwide on its arrival uh and it will be involved in that parade but these three fan bases will will help travel uh large numbers of fans uh into the market you can go to the next slide so I want to show some of the quick progress that we've made here uh this is down at the stadium uh as you all know or as I think you know we have to install a grass field there it's a concrete floor uh this work began on May 1 and um really really complex very very expensive high tech innovative process to build this grass field in the stadium and to make sure that it can remain uh top quality and alive over the course of uh several weeks so this is underway uh the grass will be installed in a couple of weeks and uh by the time the first match is played it will look like we've had a permanent grass field inside uh the stadium forever so you can go to the next slide uh this is down in Edo right now this is again the site of the fan festival and if you've been down in that neighborhood uh there's so much work going on right now and it's gonna be in great shape here in a couple of weeks uh we've taken over these several blocks south of uh Shell Energy Stadium uh where we're starting to build out uh the fan festival it's a massive project right now with a lot of coordination uh we will have a soft opening of the fan festival on uh Tuesday June 9th two days before it officially opens on the 11th and we would welcome everybody to come on down and come through uh and see the the what's going to be just an amazing setup and and a great quality improvement to the neighborhood.

You can go on to the next slide.

So as it pertains to fan festival, real quickly here, just show some images and give you an idea of that's what it looks like now.

But what it's gonna look like, we've created and branded and announced this thing called Football fiesta.

Football fiesta is the is the neighborhood.

It's the brand destination that we've given to the neighborhood.

And we want to invite Eustonians and people from around the world to come down to Football Fiesta.

You can go to the next slide, kind of flip through it.

Oh, by the way, that's what a that's what a fan fest looks like, in case some of you have never seen one.

Um this was in Russia in 2018.

This is what's coming to Edo.

Um so you can flip to the next slide.

Uh, the fan festival is going to be open for 34 of the 39-day tournament.

The only reason why it's not open for for five days is because there are no matches being played on those days.

There's a rest period.

Uh so we will be viewing all 104 matches between June 11 and July 19.

It's totally free to the public.

So again, we want to invite all Houstonians to come down to football fiesta, enjoy the bars and the restaurants in the neighborhood while attending the official FIFA fan festival.

We're expecting uh over 500,000 attendees to the fan festival over this period of time.

You could flip through uh real quickly here.

There's the footprint.

Uh for those of you just um might need a visual of that.

Again, several blocks south of uh Shell Energy Stadium taking over the promenade space there, parking lots, and warehouses and and streets uh to make up the footprint of the venue.

You can go to the next slide.

And that's what it's going to look like.

This is uh there's a big stage and big screens uh underneath a big um tent that we're calling a magic sky.

Uh that's designed to help keep keep people cool and safe uh from the heat, but that's kind of an idea of what's gonna look like.

You can flip to the next, another one, and you can flip to the next.

Another view with this with the city skyline in the background.

We will have these two VIP tents that you can see uh in this picture.

Next next slide.

And again, just another another look of the same thing.

You can keep flipping.

Uh, that's a big giant soccer ball there.

That's the match ball called Trianda that FIFA's using this year, and and we're branding this experience as Fera.

Um fans will be able to go inside there, it's air conditioned and cooled, and there will be an immersive experience around space that will take place in there powered by Space Center Houston.

So that'll be a cool feature.

You can go to the next, and of course, heat mitigation and uh concern for for heat safety is a big thing.

So we're gonna have several of these misting stations and cooling stations set up around the footprint where people can only get cool, but they can get water and uh towels and things of that nature to stay cool and stay safe.

Uh so again, football fiesta is the brand destination with the bars in the neighborhood with the official fan fest in the middle.

You can flip to the next three sides real quickly just so everybody can see the various destinations that probably everybody's familiar with.

Uh, and then lastly, as it pertains to fan festival, these are the road closures that I know is everybody's very interested in.

What's in red right now is currently closed.

They closed uh back on May 1.

What's in purple will eventually close uh in the coming weeks, Holly, or days?

June 6th.

Uh, and then what's in blue will be temporary closures on the day of the event, and though that all the blue is for public safety uh to make sure people are safe.

You know, a lot of there'll be a lot of foot traffic in that area.

So we want to make sure people are protected.

So that's the that's the planned uh street closure for the area.

Um then on the safety and security, I'll do my best to cover this.

We do have our safety and security expert here and chief safety security officer Tommy Calabro.

If anybody has questions for him afterwards, but the emphasis is on prevention, preparedness, protection, and rapid response.

So that's what the focus has been on in the planning, uh, and that's based around the World Cup, while at the same time maintaining our core public safety services for the city and the county.

Uh our safety efforts are being led by the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department and the Houston Office of Emergency Management.

Been an awesome uh it's been awesome to sit and watch the great work uh led by the people of these departments uh and the incredible collaboration.

And while they're taking the lead, uh there's support coming from the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff's Office, the Fire Marshal's office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and many, many other regional, state, and federal public safety partners who've all come together to build this safety plan.

You can go to the next slide.

So we do have, like I said, a very comprehensive team of stakeholders involved.

Um, they include um law enforcement, public safety, transportation, the fire marshals, uh, and medical, the host committee, and the emergency operations center.

Uh they lead the five uh planning main planning committees, and then there's 24 different subcommittees under these five committees uh that has created a large network of agencies and experts uh who are in who are creating this plan and executing this plan.

You can go to the next slide.

Nearly $80 million will be invested on our plan to protect our city and our residents and our visitors.

This funding came from the federal government through the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA in coordination with the White House Task Force on the World Cup.

So this funding is coming from those sources, and it's going to support personnel, response operations, operational readiness training, technology, target hardening, and then counter drone mitigation uh capabilities.

So we got 65 million for just general safety and security, and about 15 million uh for the counter drone technology.

Next slide.

And while we have a lot to do and a lot to focus on, this law enforcement will be highly visible and have a presence across all areas, and I wanted to show the focused areas, which include the airports, uh Metro, the hotels, the fanfest, the team training sites, which is uh Shell Energy Stadium, the base camp, which is Sabercat Stadium, and of course uh Reliance Stadium, and then all the fan MART groups.

So while we have more more uh presence in other places, those are the focal points uh where the safety and security planning uh will be.

Next slide.

And then uh again, we're while while that's the plan, we're gonna have dedicated support units positioned uh for crowd management, SWAT, bomb squad, investigative response again, counter drone and traffic mobility, while at the same time the fire and EMS operations will be embedded into this as well.

So that's again my uh best effort to summarize the the safety and security plan.

Tommy's here at the end.

If uh if you guys have any questions for him, but we can move on to the next slide.

And this is sort of my last piece here.

Um, while the host committee and the sports authority and the sports authority foundation have uh played a big role in organizing the entire event.

Uh, we've seen so many different third parties across Houston stepping up on their own uh to help Houston shine to put our best foot forward with roads being repaired, with trees being planted, with things being painted.

Um you can flip to the next slide.

Uh, on and on from IAH to Metro to Center Point, you know, agency after agency in coordination with us uh have stepped up to really help beautify the city and put us um in in position to shine here with uh 500,000 estimated visitors planning to uh schedule to arrive in Houston in the coming weeks.

And I'll close with this this uh what the mayor wanted me to read here this morning, which was an update we got from our PR team this morning.

Over the last five days, uh Houston, the host committee, and our community stakeholders have racked up millions of impressions from all over the world following our media events with major national media outlets reporting on the transformation of Houston everywhere from Peru, Luxembourg to Mexico.

Uh so that was an interesting thing.

Just over the last five days, millions and millions of impressions coming from our city as a result of hosting this event.

So uh the last slide is just a question slide.

So I think we can all come up and handle any questions you may have.

Council members came in first?

Let me say, real quick, I just want to recognize we mentioned the fantastic team we've assembled.

We've got several of those here this morning.

Holly, Alva, Tommy Calabro, and certainly the best board chair ever, one.

Uh, and then Diana and Jen as well.

So just wanted to make sure they were recognized.

Um Councilman Kamen.

Thank you, Mayor, and uh thank you all, not only for the presentation, but to the entire team for the exceptional and extraordinary work.

Uh Chris, to your point, how many years that is now coming to fruition?

So just a heartfelt thank you on behalf of Houston.

Uh in terms of our messaging and what we want to be communicating to Houstonians as we gear up for this.

Um, we've seen some really important and positive messaging from even HGAC, you know, about being to the mayor's point, traffic aware, but this is Houston.

We can do this.

Are there other things as Houstonians that we can be doing our part with in terms of not only messaging but day-to-day throughout this spectacular event?

Yeah, I think um, you know, what the message we've been trying to convey is what is this has been an incredibly coordinated effort across multiple different stakeholder groups.

Like I said, the airports have done a great job.

They've they've got their plan, metro, uh, fire, safety, security.

Everybody's stepping up to be able to welcome you know all these visitors to Houston while at the same time maintaining our core level of services to our residents that exist, and that's across all metrics.

So the plan is there, we're ready to go, and um, you know, ready to help make Houston really stand out here in the coming weeks.

Again, thank you for all of the incredible work.

Thank you.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning to everyone.

Uh, thank you all for the presentation.

Thank you to the entire team for your leadership.

Um the presentation was extremely impressive.

It looks like we are very much well prepared, and as you mentioned in your remarks, eight years is a long time uh to be working on something like this.

So thank you again.

Um you speak to uh the anticipation we should feel from like hotel bookings, ticket sales, um, event venues that are um maybe being um pursued by outside vendors uh for events.

Have we been seeing um record numbers of hotel bookings or what are the ticket sales looking like?

So, I know we're well prepared, but what can we expect on that front?

So uh we're expecting all the start with the ticket sales.

We're expecting all seven matches to be sold out.

There still are some tickets remaining, and fans can go and and get those tickets if they want still.

Uh our projections are for 500,000 visitors to come to Houston and a 1.5 billion dollar economic impact to the region.

There's no reason for us at this point to be backing off of those projections.

Uh we see ticket data from FIFA every now and then, and the uh some of the latest ticket data we saw was that 74 percent of the ticket buyers for for matches in Houston are coming from outside of Houston.

So that would that would follow uh the data that says there's going to be a lot of people coming here.

Um at the I don't want to give inaccurate numbers, but these numbers are publicly available on Houston First website.

But the last time we looked at them, um the the hotel bookings for the region were up 11 percent.

That's it's a big area.

Um, so eleven percent increase year over year for for June and the first week of July, which is the period of the World Cup.

Um, downtown home hotel bookings were up substantially, again, although I I don't remember this the percentage, but it was high.

Um, and short-term rentals are up very, very high.

So all the data shows that we're going to see an increase here in Houston.

Um, even just sort of the you know, just uh the stories that you hear.

I was up with Jim at the airports on Friday, Cesniak, and um his team reported to me that there are 2900 people from curr from Curacao coming in on charter jets that they've got scheduled um for the first match.

So you hear a lot of those those uh kind of stories as well to back the data.

Thank you all.

Yeah, thank you.

Uh Mayor Pro Team.

Thank you, Mayor, and uh Chris and Ryan and the whole team.

Thank you for always um keeping our district aid team updated on the progress and what's happening.

We've had um residents who have expressed you know the need to know that everything is going to be okay, and we have been able to assure them that your team has worked um diligently on logistics around NRG, especially on game day.

Um we know there will be some street closures, so we want to get that information to our constituents as early as possible so they can plan for these games that will be here in Houston.

We're very excited about the benefits of um having these games.

I mean, Houston should be very proud.

They exposure that we will gain as a city with Houston being on this world stage is tremendous.

Um, but I think that um making sure that our our business owners and the folks that live around um NRG have the most information is going to be critical in these last 30 days.

Um so we are definitely wanting to share the presentation, the lane closures, um, any information that you have that we can put in our FIFA edition of the newsletter.

Um we want to gather that information and share it with our constituents.

And then I want to just say that the flags of all of the teams that are flying downtown is amazing.

We had an opportunity to be downtown last week for some visitors that were here.

And I think that that welcome alone is so special because every team will see themselves reflected in our in our downtown.

She was there.

She was recruiting all of us to be outside in front of the George R.

Brown when the FIFA folks came to garner this big event for the city of Houston.

I know she's moved on, but did not want her to think that her works were in vain because we remember how she advocated for FIFA to come to Houston.

And then this team just took the reins by the helm and have carried us thus far.

I'm sending best wishes to each of you as we get closer.

This this thus far to make sure we have a great experience in the city of Houston and that our visitors also have a wonderful experience in our city.

So thank you for all of your dedicated efforts.

Thank you.

In response to a couple of those things, our website, FWC 26Huston.com will post all of the road closures.

Uh so that's where the public can go to get that FWC 26 Houston.com.

At the same time, we will be circulating all that data to all the council members here soon so that you can send that off through your measures as well.

The flags downtown were the work of sent uh downtown Houston Plus, who's done just an amazing job and their impact on this um, you know, shouldn't go unrecognized as well.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and I also want to definitely share my uh my huge thank you to you all as well, Chris, Ryan, and Juan, and the rest of the team.

Um, you know, the fanfest, you know, we're gonna have the games at uh reliant, but the fanfist is gonna be very critical.

Um I've been very happy to to just just share that.

You know, we've been able to have these consistent communication going back and forth, knowing that there's a whole bunch of work going on, as you mentioned, you know, HGAC tearing up, you know, with downtown plus now over 120 or about 120 streets.

Um it's exciting to see uh that those were not city dollars, right?

Tax dollars, those coming from the Houston Galveston Area Council.

Um, but then also uh want to thank the mayor and his team for ensuring that public safety remains a priority because I think that's always top of mind, and to be able to have those federal and state dollars to make sure that they're here, uh, ensure that uh not just visitors but specifically Houstonians are are kept in mind when it comes to public safety.

Um, and for me, the core services, right?

Making sure that that we continue to ensure that in east downtown we still have trash pickup.

Uh we still have uh lights that sometimes go out or a water leak and making sure that we still can address Houstonians' concerns during that time.

Uh, I can't say enough how much you and your team have been able to provide uh the support that we've needed.

Um speaking to street closures and road closures.

Um I know that it's it's already been uh discussed.

I've shared that a lot with uh folks in East Downtown specifically, and then in the East End, Eastwood, the closest neighborhood, but then quite frankly, everybody east of Eastwood as well.

Um the anticipation of having these road closures and what it'll do um to just daily daily uh life for at least 34 days, right?

Um, I I want to uh make sure and we'll continue to do it as well, but I want to make sure that uh folks know that TechStop will pause construction during that time.

Um we'll have all the construction along um emancipation done, the sidewalks, the the mill overlays, uh the ones that are in downtown, they're already wrapping up as well.

So hopefully it gives some folks a little bit of uh ease.

Um the one project that will continue is the George Iran expansion, um, and it's a small footprint, so it shouldn't be as impactful as folks might think.

Uh so to that I just want to say uh thank y'all uh Tommy uh for the work that you're doing on the security side.

Uh again, I think that's always gonna be the highest priority.

Uh, but then how do folks get uh to and from work on a day-to-day basis, but then to and from the fanfest.

Uh your team has definitely stepped up.

And and I'll I'll close with this uh in light of what the mayor shared earlier.

Uh the George R.

Brown uh workers that are gonna see an impact in their pay raises.

When events like this come to the city of Houston, uh this kind of um everybody should have a livable wage at the end of the day, and this type of event uh everyone should feel that impact as well in their pockets.

And so I'm excited.

I want I know we see Tracy here with Houston First, but uh just want to say thank you to Houston First, of course, the mayor and his team, and uh huge shout out to Elsa and Risha uh with SEIU because again, when events like this happen and they're successful, then Houston's successful as well.

So just again, just huge kudos to everyone.

Thank you.

Let me follow you by responding to core services and city activities that will not be interrupted.

I want everyone to envision July 4th, celebrating our country's 250th birthday.

There is a soccer game at noon.

Ricardo and his team have anticipated the increased participation for Freedom Over Texas that evening of actually going to erect a large, a large screen TV for the four o'clock soccer game in Philadelphia.

So if you just want to imagine the fan fest, Freedom Over Texas, which starts around three o'clock with fireworks that night, people leaving our soccer event at noon to come downtown.

Think of the welcome they're gonna get our our visitors to Freedom Over Texas.

It will be an amazing day in the history of the city of Houston.

And so thank you to Ricardo, and just think also of the responsibility in the preparation of our first responders to have multiple events that eventually join up.

It's not that far a uh visit from FanFest to Allen Parkway and the celebrations that are going to take place.

So it's pretty exciting.

And we couldn't have this would not be possible without our workers at SCIU.

Councilmember Maris.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to salute you guys uh for doing a great job or organizing and planning.

Uh the three of you have been the face of this, but as you pointed out, there's a lot of folks working behind the scenes who who haven't been visible.

And one of them is is Tommy Calabro, who's local and been in charge of our safety and securities.

HPD, former HPD SWAT, had the opportunity to meet with him almost a year ago.

And uh I want to tell Houstonians the preparation on the on the security side has been robust and extensive and uh appreciate that and and look forward to uh what we're gonna experience here in the next several weeks.

But just want to say thank you all.

Thank you.

Uh Counselor Aaron Shabon.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh and certainly we know that um District D will be partying on steroids.

All right, so we gotta be ready.

We gotta be ready, Mayor.

Uh but uh I want to ask a question uh and thank you for this wonderful report.

We are all so excited.

But are there any plans for cult for the cultural economy, such as public art?

I'm the arts and culture committee, and I gotta look out for my peeps.

So I need to know.

Uh so really, so uh to help sum it up, everything that happens at the stadium is controlled by FIFA.

It's gonna be very, very consistent.

What happens at the stadium in Houston as Atlanta and everywhere else, but the opportunity for us to display culture and to promote Houston is at the fan festival.

That is 100% controlled by us at the host as the host committee, and you will see a full display of Houston culture from the food side from the art side uh at the Houston Fan Festival when when you attend that.

Um so again, the goal is to have these visitors come in from out of town and and uh learn about Houston and share in our culture.

One of the things that we're very proud of is aside from the matches that are being shown, there will be several hours, hundreds of hours of live entertainment on the stage.

And what we decided to do is to conduct an open talent search for local Houstonians to have the right to perform on the stage.

So all of the talent, about half of it's musical, the other half is different variety of acts, dancing things, will all be Houston talent with the opportunity to play on the big stage and to showcase themselves.

Okay, let me know about the auditions, right?

You're gonna try out.

Thank you.

Okay.

Councilman Thomas.

Thank you, good morning, colleagues.

Uh very impressive report uh and presentation.

I keep telling people, and I think I shared this with Ryan this morning that when FIFA comes, I was getting out of town, because there's gonna be so many people in the city.

Uh, but definitely you have presented a reason to stay and really to experience how our city is going to transform.

Um I am uh definitely watching how you transform the East End with particular interest, because I represent the West side, and I think the um city of Houston is a is a uh a small example of the global majority, and there's so many Houstonians that have a love culturally um for the sport, right?

Because they represent uh so many regions throughout our globe, and so if there's ever any opportunity between leading up to the games to demonstrate any of uh the games or the energy throughout the city, would love to do that.

Um, and I just want to shout out Mayor.

I know you talked about uh the lasting impact of FIFA in our city.

Uh the parks department when we're partnering on June 6th for an activation, um, so we can make sure that on the west side of Houston that the energy continues throughout.

So happy to um see how you transform the east side, happy to that the legacy programs will continue to benefit our neighborhoods once FIFA ends, and I really think this is gonna be an exciting time.

And I didn't know who what's his name, Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo.

What's his name?

Ronaldo.

He has more fans than Beyonce on Instagram.

Unbelievable, mind blowing.

So now I know he's the truth.

So I'm gonna follow him on Instagram just because of that.

He beat Beyonce, which is unheard of.

So now I know he's legit.

But um, I'm I'm excited about how, and I didn't realize that 4th of July was happening at the same time.

I mean, I think Houston is really gonna be put on a national main stage, and so I'm excited to see that.

Well overdue.

Congratulations in advance.

Thank you.

Councilor and Cateman.

Thank you.

Uh very quickly, um Mayor Pro Tem, thank you for recognizing Janice for all of her work, because again, years in the making, and we're building on that progress.

I also just wanted to recognize Kenny Friedman, who is instrumental uh as well in that effort.

Uh the you touched on it, and I certainly don't want to go into details on sensitive information regarding all the work from a public safety perspective.

Uh the highly, highly collaborative approach that the city is taking, but I do want to thank all of our law enforcement partners and the partnerships around this.

The other factor of safety that we talk about with fan safety, you mentioned it, fan fest, we're gonna have the shaded structures.

Uh, this is going to be peak Houston heat.

Uh, and there's a lot of folks coming into town, especially that may not be as used to that heat.

Do we have free water and other things that are going to be available to folks uh throughout the events, especially those that are outdoors and not inside some of the stadiums?

It might be a good time to call Holly up and talk about the whole heat mitigation strategy around public safety at the fan festival.

Good morning.

Happy to address that.

So heat mitigation has been a crucial part of our planning.

There's a lot of elements that go into that.

The few that you referenced, of course, shade structure.

I think Chris mentioned in one of his photos.

Uh, the magic sky, which is a huge structure that's actually, going to go over the main viewing area to allow for shade for those who are coming out for soccer watching specifically.

There are also uh three other misting stations, so large 30 by 30 structures that will have fans, missing units on it for for heat relief.

Um, there is free water stations throughout the grounds, um, as well as engaged with our medical planning team and our in our fire department in regards to ice, cooling towels, all of these elements that are just additive pieces.

And then, and then of course, the other part when we talk about the benefit of football fiesta and a free event is we're really encouraging people come out and watch some games and then go into the bars and restaurants and the other establishments in the area, cool down and come back.

It is free and it's free flowing, and so we have all those pieces adding together.

So take it uh full advantage of Houston's uh incredible air conditioning through all of our our establishments thank you.

Anything else?

Council Davis.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh guys, thank you so much.

I am it's extremely excited about the work that you all have done and putting this in, even the planning prior to the excitement of what's getting ready to happen in Houston.

Uh I, for one, am overly excited.

Houston first, the host committee, the whole plan of the safety, because you know, in two in 2009, I would had the privilege of serving in Chicago, and all of the money and the planning that went into that to host the Olympic in 2009 was kicked out.

Chicago lost in the first round with even some high profile people uh putting in their efforts and dollars and whatever.

But you know, the reason wing was while I was there, it was due to a safety issue because of some of the violence.

And we I want to commend our mayor as well as the holds committee, as well as our law enforcers, because Houston is going to be forecast.

You've already stated some of the the international press and around it.

And I hope that we as Houstonians get the opportunity to appreciate the fact that we're going to have international presence in this city, and I'm excited about it.

Uh, course I will be participating in it because I've got a soccer person in my house, and and uh we already planning to do it and to get involved, but I just think Houston ought to really be appreciative as to what's going on right now and what's getting ready to happen in this city like never before.

So thank you, Mayor, to the whole committee guys.

Uh, what a wonderful job.

God bless you all.

Thank you.

Chris, before you leave, the affordability.

Um, obviously, it's written about and discussed among us how expensive it is to get into the game.

That's the purpose in the fan fest and the other venues.

But would you emphasize that FIFA does control the admission and the uh terms of operating the game?

Yeah, no.

But we've done everything we can in terms of Metro, did not raise rates as other cities have, and uh the fanfest is free.

So we're can we're very sensitive.

Y'all have done a great job of making it as affordable as possible and giving alternatives to the games so you can watch it in real time uh with pre-admission.

And thank you to Metro, thank you to the airport.

No one is raising local rates, yeah.

No, uh unfortunately ticket prices are going up with all these major events, right?

And FIFA is among them.

Uh, but to your point, those ticket prices are 100% controlled by them, and we as a host committee or as a city have uh have no control over what the what the ticket prices are, unfortunately.

We will, however, be as a host committee uh be making ticket donations to underserved youth and allowing them an opportunity to come out to matches.

So we're proud to be taking some of the ticket inventory we have and making sure that uh some young kids could come out free of charge.

So, how do those what's the best means for contacting for those youth that uh uh I mean if they could have to they can just go to our website is probably the best way to go to our info line?

So that's the best to put it there, yeah.

So go to our website, there's an info thing, and they could request through that.

That'd be the best.

On behalf of the council, let me, and Houstonians, let me thank y'all.

Um it's exciting, and you've not left anything unplanned, and so keep up the great work.

Juan, Ryan, your team.

Excellent work.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, buddy.

Uh next, uh, the consent.

Thank you, Mayor.

I um requesting a moment of personal privilege to recognize two folks from the audience.

Sure.

Um, colleagues, today we have with us uh the founders of as we famously know them of space city weather, Eric Berger and Matt Lanza.

And if y'all will please just stand for a second.

Tracy, they're right by you.

Um leaving us to move closer to family this summer.

Uh the timing I was assured has nothing to do with the start of hurricane season.

Uh, but while he'll still be very involved with space city weather, I did want to take a moment just to recognize what an incredible institution space city weather has become, thanks to you both.

Um we have relied ever since Matt, I think we connected even before I came into office through Hurricane Harvey.

And coming into office, everyone relies on space city weather as the no hype.

Reporting and forecasting.

And throughout Houston, people lean on y'all, and the accuracy is extraordinary.

But even when there are missteps or misforecasting, the transparency with that, the explanations of why that we weren't able to predict that accurately, has built so much trust in Houston.

And on top of that, your leadership, we think of meteorologists as you know, just forecasting the weather, but they are leaders in science, and you have sounded the alarm on the cuts to funding, the uh shortage of tools, including weather balloons to predict what may be coming, and the nexus with public safety, and you have brought together these network of scientists throughout the country, and you have started to bring us into the fold as well.

So I really wanted to thank you and recognize you because that level of trust is not easily earned, and we are going to miss you, although you're not going far, and I know you'll still be involved.

And Eric, you are so not allowed to leave.

Uh we got to keep you.

I also just wanted to recognize your families, uh, because this is a labor of love.

Y'all don't make a lot of profit off of this.

Uh Matt, I know you've held down other jobs, Eric as well.

Um, but Matt, your wife Denise and your children, and Eric, your wife Amanda, and your children.

So please also thank them as well for just the contribution to the city of Houston.

And y'all have gone national now, which is a also with it's the eyewall, right?

Uh, where other cities around the country are now watching and using the resources that you're putting out.

So, whatever you're doing is working, it's saving lives, and we are very, very grateful.

Thank you.

Next, yeah, under the accept work category, item three has been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items one and two.

Okay, six to you to move.

Motion made and second.

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

Motion passed.

Under the property category, item four needs a motion.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes, those opposed, no.

Motion passed.

Under the purchasing and tabulation of bids category, items eight and nine have been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items five, six, and seven.

Motion made and saying, all in favor say yes, those opposed to make motion passes.

Under the ordinances category since your list was distributed.

All items have been received.

Items removed for separate consideration or 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 25, and 28.

Again, those numbers are 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 25, and 28.

Also, item 31 has been pulled and will not be considered.

Need a vote on the balance.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Thank you.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item three needs a motion.

Yes, next to you to move.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item eight needs a motion.

Okay.

Councilmember Salinas.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to just take a moment for us to think about and reflect on this item.

Uh this I believe is a second set of AI cameras that we will be voting on to install.

And while they do pose potentially great benefit to something like traffic management, they also pose a great risk of mass surveillance.

Surveillance by the company that we're uh engaging to install the cameras, surveillance by law enforcement that may be given access to the data, and surveillance by those that the data may be sold to.

Now I hope and trust uh that the contract we ultimately sign will ensure that the data is maintained locally and will ensure that it will not be used for any purpose other than traffic management.

But I do think it's incumbent on us on council to be mindful and vigilant of this because this is an ex-frontier surveillance.

And if we're not making smart decisions now to ensure that Houstonian civil liberties are protected, it may be too late down the road.

Um but I trust Mayor that we're gonna make the right decisions and we're gonna sign a thoughtful contract that protects Houstonians.

But I wanted to flag it, make sure that all of us are thinking about this as future AI uh cameras come before council for a vote.

Thank you.

We need a motion on this.

All in favor say yes, those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item nine needs a motion.

Okay, say to move.

Motion made and segment, all in favor say yes, those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 15 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

Councilmember Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, this item is appropriating the demolition costs related to the improvements at the Northwest Transfer Station at the Summermeyer depository.

And I'm very happy that this is moving forward, it's definitely needed.

Um, but the depository will be closed for two years while it's undergoing this um this renovation.

And so I've already talked to you, Director Hassan, but Mayor, whatever we can do to make sure that there is an alternate location for people to take their um their trash during this time.

I'm worried about um illegal dumping happening in district A while this depository is closed.

So happy to work with you and the director on moving forward on that.

Thank you.

Very well.

Thank you.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Item 16 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

This item I want to recognize uh State Representative Armando Wally and State Representative Anna Hernandez for their partnership.

This is uh improvements to two parks in the district, Melrose Park District or Denver Harbor Park, and we're talking playground equipment, drainage, lighting, uh, and they helped secure and shepherd through some funding.

Uh that are making these projects possible, and I want to recognize them both uh as these are much needed improvements in neighborhood parks in district H.

Thank you.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay, motion pass.

Item 17 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, and supposed to motion pass.

Mayor mayor pro team.

Thank you, mayor.

Want to send a big thank you to the director of parks.

Um, he has heard from the residents near Hager Park for years about the improvements needed at this park.

I re our residents in the Westbury area are ecstatic about this appropriation.

Um, we know we haven't engaged the design team yet, but for the rendering, but we are definitely looking forward to um getting together and making sure that Hager Park is one that the community can all be proud of and really enjoy.

So um thank you, colleagues, for your support on this item as well.

Thank you.

Next item item 20 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed name.

Motion passes.

Thank you, Mayor.

This is a great day for parks in our city.

We've got lots of good park items.

We have been struggling with uh roof leaks and the roof has been needing an update for years.

Um very happy that we have the appropriation here for the roof replacement at Marion Park for that center.

I hope that Angeli Ryan is listening.

Um and I hope that the members in our Brays Oaks uh management district are also listening.

They have been really good advocates for the recreation center at Marion Park, and we will definitely celebrate when the roof has been replaced so that we don't have those leaks in the community center.

Thank you.

Next item 22 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 23 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say, Councilman, Mayor Pro Tim Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

This is the joint participation interlocal agreement with Commissioner Ramsey for Campbell Road from Clay to Hempstead.

I just wanted to thank you and Commissioner Ramsey for this project.

Mayor, you know how bad this street is, and it has been bad for many, many years.

It's often on the list, you know, when when different media sources do the worst of the worst streets in Houston.

This one is always on that list, so thank you both for um getting this project moving.

Thank you.

All in favor say yes, those supposed nay.

Motion passes.

Just need a vote.

All in favor, say yes, those opposed nay.

Motion approved.

Item 28 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor saying after the vote.

All in favor say yes, those opposed nay.

Item passes.

Councilman Thomas.

Thank you, colleagues and mayor for your support of this item and for uh residents that are watching council.

We have a series of actions related to this project.

Um this is the um acquisition of land as we move forward to uh uh moving forward with the A Leaf South for CIP project, and then the next step would be the acquisition of the old A Leaf Library.

So stay tuned as we continue to invest in public infrastructure on the west side.

Next, maybe thank you.

You heard anybody?

Okay, we voted.

Item 33 is a motion to set a public hearing date.

Castax Tatum move to set the public hearing date at 9 a.m.

on Wednesday, June the 10th, 2026.

Second.

Motion made and second, all in favor say yes.

Those opposed to motion passed.

Item 34 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

Thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

Um as you all may know, in 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that putting caps on campaign finance loan repayments was unconstitutional.

Uh it violated the first amendment as it related to free speech.

Uh, we currently have an outdated local ordinance that is in conflict with that ruling, and so this Prop A repeals that ordinance to ensure that our local ordinances no longer in conflict with state with federal law.

I ask for your support.

Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, you know, I was looking at this, and certainly the uh limitations were put in place in 2016 under the Turner administration, and um while I'm not opposed to limitations, I think we need to be more in line with that with the uh state level.

Um, and uh I think certainly um I'd like to refer it to the uh ethics and governance committee and let us take a look at it and make sure that the reason that it was the caps were placed in 2016 aligns with what it is we really want to do for the long for the long haul.

I mean, I I I certainly am willing to to refer it back and to to uh the committee and let us take a look at it and work with you and make sure that the decisions made are for the for the body as a whole.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I would also support it going to committee um before we go further with this ordinance.

Um just to have a more thoughtful solution here.

I don't think that eliminating all the reimbursement caps alone is the best answer here.

My concern is that we if we remove every single guardrail, we risk a system where only wealthy individuals can afford to run for office.

Um, one of the strengths that we see here on city council is um having different people from different backgrounds and experiences because that's that really reflects the city that we serve.

Um, Houston may be one of the few major municipalities without the or with the reimbursement caps, but it has remained in um it it has caused us to remain in a place where people can run for office and win, um, where regular people can run for office and win.

Um this concern is not new in the 1990s.

The state of Texas um reviewed their reimbursement caps for statewide offices, and lawmakers considered whether those limits should be expanded or changed.

Ultimately, they did not make a change because of in part concerns about access to um public office for people who are not independently wealthy.

So I believe that we can address the legal concerns raised by the Supreme Court case without completely abandoning the principles behind our ordinance.

Um, rather than removing all the limits entirely, we should explore approaches that are more likely to withstand legal scrutiny while still protecting access to public service for everyday Houstonians.

For example, we could re we can um consider reasonable time frames for post-election fundraising to repay loans, stronger disclosure requirements, identifying contributions used for loan repayment, and other transparency measures that address corruption concerns while preserving the fairness of our elections.

So I would agree to send it to committee to work through some of those concerns.

You guys are funny.

Um Michelle.

Um, the arguments that were made in reference to uh the first amendment and violating free speech as it relates also to our local ordinance and how uh the language could be deemed in conflict with that, and how that would probably be seen by a judge through a court of law if someone was to challenge it.

Well, the language of our ordinance is similar to the uh federal regulation that Senator Cruz challenged under federal law.

And uh the memo I had written under the last administration and also with the lawfulness memo addresses a concern that our ordinance may not be legally supportable.

Say that again, the um the opinion uh letter that I've done and also the lawfulness memo call into question whether our current ordinance is legally supportable.

So right now we have a local ordinance that is in direct conflict with the ruling by the Supreme Court that campaign finance loan repayments are deemed unconstitutional and violate free speech.

Now, this body just a few weeks ago wanted to have the whole conversation about how we don't want to have any local ordinances that are in conflict with state or federal law.

Now all of a sudden, on something like this, where it is a true ruling by the Supreme Court that's on its face says that it violates First Amendment free speech protections, and now we want to refer it to a committee and have all these other discussions about it.

That when I sent this out to you all months ago when it comes to the ethics committee, um no one ever brought up any of these issues and concerns.

We just spoke about this yesterday.

We never had any of these issues and concerns that were brought to me about referring it to a committee.

And so the fact that we want to bring this up now when the city attorney has already put out a legal memo stating that our local ordinance, as put forth on the books right now, is in conflict with that ruling.

So you all seem to be contradicting yourselves today, as opposed to the arguments you were making just a couple weeks ago on the ICE issue.

On the ICE issue, on the ICE issue, the biggest question was we didn't want to have any language in violation of state or federal law.

Now we have something that's in direct violation of federal law, and now we want to have a conversation about referring it and getting all these other protections or all these other discussions.

Which is fine if you all want to do that, but it just seems as if things are not consistent.

And when you have a ruling, I mean you can always vote no on it.

If you don't agree with it, you can always vote no.

But there's a ruling by the Supreme Court on this exact issue, showing that our um language is in conflict, then why would you want to challenge that?

That just seems odd to me.

Councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I think it's definitely not the same because even with the prop A for uh ICE, there were still some things that we were able to work through.

Uh, didn't go through a prop A committee or uh any other committee, but we still work through that around this horseshoe.

So, yeah, there were some conflicts with the state, but and similar to this, there's conflicts right with the federal government, but I think there's opportunities to actually work through some some of these conversations, and I just take um, yeah, uh as my my colleague to my right uh mentioned if if someone could loan themselves however much money at a local level, it just to me that there's some some challenges there, personally, uh that could definitely win races right off the bat.

And so I think that we definitely need to have a more open dialogue about it.

You know, it's in conflict, it's in conflict, but is there another way where we're not ensuring that millionaires can win races?

So I I'm good with referring it back to the committee as well.

Councilman Martinez.

As the chair of the ethics committee, can you assure us that you will have a comprehensive hearing and give common cause and other uh ethics group the opportunity to testify, perhaps even organize labor, that often does not have the money to match someone's individual contribution.

Uh the Supreme Court ruled on the Senator Cruz opportunity to reimburse himself.

Uh they did rule, but what I'm interested in is a comprehensive look at all of our election limits or requirements, such as looking at what other cities and states do.

Uh Austin only allows a 400 contribution, a limit on individual contribution of Saw where LA's is 1700.

Uh would you look and see why and you can pull records of why this limit was in place or some version of this limit to make certain it's a level playing field.

I got elected the first time knocking doors, literally.

Well, if you don't have a limit for millionaires to come in and essentially buy the election, it's not in the public interest.

It's not the good government.

Because furthermore, how does that individual repay themselves?

It was placed in law and rules to keep special interest.

There's two two prongs here.

One, you don't want just the wealthy able to run and win, and then also you don't want special interest to repay their personal loan.

So I think it's high time to allow the council to review our ethics requirements.

Financial reporting.

You know, when I got ready to run for office, I had to do it was required to do an open records request if you want to see.

I had to do an open records request.

So there's a lot of ethics reform that we could use this prop as an opportunity to visit.

Yeah, I'm definitely committed to it, and of course, my vice chair is as well.

Uh but she's raised some concerns.

Um and we've started tackling, you know, uh I don't know if folks know this uh, but prior to me being the ethics chair mayor, there was really no ethics committee meetings for at least a decade.

Uh so we have been tackling Chapter 18 uh uh amendments, um, and this is one that we'd love to also have a conversation about.

Uh so again, uh definitely committed to making sure that we bring uh other interested parties that might not have seen this uh prop A out in the community, specifically labor as well.

Um so definitely committed to it along with my vice chair.

Councilmember Romares.

Thank you, Mayor.

I think Councilmember Pollard's um measure raises some really important questions about campaign finance and enforcement.

Uh the fact of the matter is the city doesn't enforce anything when it comes to campaign finance or reporting.

So for all intents and purposes, the ordinance that is proposed to be repealed is a dead letter, because we just don't do anything in this sphere, which which is unfortunate.

Um we had an ethics committee meeting several months ago where I put forth a proposal to require that when people make their campaign uh finance filings, they include documentation on where their money came from and what it was spent on, and uh got nothing but pushback really.

So these questions deserve to be hashed out.

Councilmember Pollard, you are correct in uh city attorney Michelle's uh assessment that in it's likely our ordinance conflicts with uh political speech freedom under the U.S.

Constitution.

My my concern is that if we just repeal this without doing more to require documentation of what we put on these finance forms, and it it opens up the possibility that that a corrupt candidate could essentially launder payments, launder money through their campaign account.

And I'm not in any way suggesting that uh uh of any any individual uh has has done anything or is contemplating doing anything like that, but you know, I could I could report that I got a uh 50,000 that I loan myself fifty thousand dollars um and then take the fifty thousand dollars from campaign contributions to repay myself with without any proof of that, and and that's dangerous in my view, and so um I understand councilmember Pollard doesn't want this referred to committee, but I think this general area uh needs to be looked at, and and the last time we discussed this, I pointed out that the Court of Criminal Appeals had issued an opinion in my view opening up enforcement by the city of Houston of campaign finance requirements and and and so forth.

So so I would welcome a robust discussion of campaign finance requirements in committee.

Thank you.

Councilman Kayman.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

I was not planning to speak on this item.

Um, but to say that something was done differently from the ICE conversation when something was just thrown up without time for council to vet it, is completely false.

And I gotta say that on the record.

Back to the issue at hand.

I want to thank council member Pollard for bringing and elevating the issue of campaign finance and campaign what I hope will be campaign finance reform to the horseshoe because it is long overdue.

In addition to the failure of the city to enforce in terms of campaign finance, we do not enforce other rules on the books when it comes to our elections, including residency requirements.

So there is a lot that we need to tackle and address because there are candidates that file that do not meet the residency requirements.

There are people in the past that have served that do not necessarily meet residency requirements, and I would hope that we have a very serious in-depth thorough, not just conversation, but layout of proposals and action that provide access for other people to run.

We've talked a lot about that council members are paid on a part-time salary, and many Houstonians don't realize that, but even that limits access to running on the ballot, because you have to be able to afford to have a privilege or a family that's willing to sacrifice more than they should to serve publicly when there are or work multiple jobs.

There are people around this horseshoe that have to work multiple jobs while serving every single day the people of Houston.

And I have the utmost respect for everyone around this horseshoe that has to do that, but it also limits perspectives and it life experiences of people that could otherwise bring something valuable, but they can't afford to.

Thank you.

I think you made a great argument for going to ethics committee, and I want to thank Councilmember Pollard for giving us the vehicle to have that robust discussion.

And you're bringing up new items as we talk.

So it is past time for us to review city campaign finance, look at examples of other jurisdictions.

So this is excellent discussion that is long, long overdue.

Councilmember Evan Shabbos.

Thank you, Mayor.

You know, we can uh legislate integrity, and you know how we could beat this to death, but certainly, you know, I want to know.

I'm not one that that actually takes in a lot of campaign financing because that's just not my forte.

But I'd like to know when I put my million dollars in that I'm gonna give my money back, because I could not afford to do it other than that, and so it it is the problem to me that now we want to go to a committee when we have clearly stated that we don't want to violate federal uh hearings, and so uh I mean we can take it to committee, but I think we do need to look at residency and and regulating that because some people run and they don't know that they are not there, which means that somebody needs to let them know, but then there are those that willingly run for office and know that they don't live where they need to live.

I got a problem with that because off the muscle, you have been dishonest, and so those discussions need to also be included, uh since it's probably going to end up in a committee, although I don't understand why because it's kind of cut and dry, and then we have the support of our legal counsel, but certainly I just wanted to say that uh council member came and you're right on with that.

Uh because it's really irritating to me to know that there are people that are really trying to follow the rules.

Sure.

And there are those that are not and just want to get in where they fit in.

Thank you.

Most of us join you in not having a million dollars to put in a campaign.

So put it put us on your team.

If in fact someone does that.

Thank you.

Council member Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I just want to be clear that I don't think any of us is saying that we want to violate the law in this instance.

I certainly am not saying that.

What I'm saying is that I don't think that the proposed ordinance is the best or only way to avoid being in conflict with this Supreme Court case.

I think that there's other ways of accomplishing it, and while we might end up doing this, I think that we need the added pieces that I mentioned before about um about disclosure requirements to make sure that there is some safeguards in place about how people are paid back and who is donating money in order to pay people back for these campaigns so that there's no conflict of interest.

So I think that we really need to look at that further, and in addition to everything that all the other concerns that people have raised related to this issue.

And you know, it that piece of it and all the pieces that everyone has talked about today.

I think that we need to take a deep dive into all of these concerns so that we put forth ordinances that really um tackle these issues, but also um work for the city of Houston and what we're trying to accomplish here.

Councilmember Carter.

Thank you.

And certainly I I agree with Councilmember Peck and Councilmember Pollard with respect to to your prop A, um, it's not that I am opposed.

I think we we really need to take a hard look because I don't know who was around in 2016 under the Turner administration when the limits were put in place, but there was likely a reason, right?

I don't think they just decided one day we're gonna limit, we're gonna cap it at this, and so I think perhaps we we look at that and and talk about it and come up with what best fits the body as a whole.

And you know, I that's that's what I what I feel we should do.

And you know, if I've got a million dollars to throw in, and you know, my brother-in-law pays me back, and I get to repay myself, that seems to be a little bit of an ethics violation.

So, you know, I think we need to make sure that we're not cutting out our nose to spite our face.

Councilmart.

Thank you, Mayor.

And just just for some clarification.

So again, there no ethics committee for over a decade.

None.

And so those meetings that we kicked off in 24, and we've had we've had at least a half a dozen or so, they've really been education educational for even our colleagues.

I remember the first one that we had as uh we had somebody from the city legal came in with just talking about you know what you can and cannot do as a elected official, and then also what staff members can and cannot do.

And it was eye-opening to even my colleague uh Councilmember Alcorn, who's been here for a while.

Again, a lot of the the work that we're doing out of the ethics committee is really laying a foundation of what is it that we need to be aware of.

Um we brought OIG, we brought legal, and there are there are steps to work into it, and I know um, you know, folks have come in and said, Hey, can we put this on?

It was really very intentional about making sure that we laid the groundwork to understand where we are, where we've been around this horseshoe, because again, there is a lack of knowledge even from council members that have been former staffers that have been around here for a long time.

And so the work is continuing, as my colleague to the right has mentioned.

There's a prop A that we're looking at.

We're looking at OIG as well.

What does that look like?

You know, Councilmember Ramides has submitted some stuff as well.

But again, my priority as uh chair for ethics and governance has been to make sure folks have a level playing field of what is going on, because for a long time folks didn't know what was going on or had a any any understanding of it.

Uh, now that we uh again have uh Councilmember Pollard's prop A.

There's some work with Council Ramidez as well.

Some work with, of course, Councilmember Peck and Councilmember uh Carter.

There is an intentional deep dive in chapter 18 ordinance, and that is where you know those ethics uh amendments can come in.

So again, I'm happy to take this on.

Uh I appreciate the uh, you know, leaning into me, Mayor, to make sure that we can see this through as well.

Um, and again, this is a conversation that needs to be had with folks coming to the ethics committee.

Um I've posted again about half a dozen, and I would want, because my my committee is a committee of all, and I would really love to see more than five or six council members.

I'm just you know that's where the work happens.

Thank you.

Councilman Evans.

Thank you, Mayor.

I guess what what I'm not understanding the limits to the donations that won't change, nor will the reporting requirements.

So I'm I'm trying to understand why we are feeling that this particular issue has to go to a uh committee when we're just trying to follow the federal guidelines.

So but no limits.

Uh you know, you still gonna have to report if if uh if somebody with a criminal background and activity or whatever is gonna whatever give you to your campaign, you're gonna still have to put it out there, put it out there, and so um I'm not understanding, and there's a limit to the donations.

They're not just gonna come in and give you a wish, uh a million dollars, uh, just because you loan yourself that money.

Uh you're just having an opportunity again.

I don't raise a lot of money.

I mean, that can be corrected at any point, but uh, but certainly I'd like to know that if I have to go into my personal finances that uh, because and it's going into my personal finances because it means something to me, uh, and and and then wait because it's a waiting game.

You may not ever get enough money donated to you to pay yourself back, but I don't think that there should be a limit, and neither did the federal government.

Thank you.

Councilman K.

Because I think again the issue of campaign finance reform is critical and imperative.

So I I want to emphasize that.

And I think there's some confusion.

So councilmember Pollard, just a quick question for you and a question for city attorney.

One does this item relate to anything other than personal loans from oneself.

This isn't talking about campaign transactions from anyone else.

Is this about all of that, or is this about personal loans from a specific candidate to oneself?

This is very specifically tailored only to personal campaign finance loans.

Okay, and City Attorney Michelle.

Um the Supreme Court ruled on, I believe, a particular matter pertaining to federal campaigns, fine campaign finance laws.

Is that correct?

Yes.

Does that decision because I'm not as familiar with it?

Um also applying or pertain to state and local campaign finance laws, or is that a um did they address all limitations, or were they only speaking to federal?

Uh only the federal regulations.

I mean, the concern with local is the um the logic used by the court.

That it could be challenged by extension, but there was no clear directive from the Supreme Court.

Can we get it to repeat that?

What did you say about that?

The case applied to federal regulations, it applied only to federal regulations, it did not apply to state or local laws, but the concern is the logic that the Supreme Court used that this type of limitation could impinge on uh political freedom, First Amendment rights.

Understood, so it could by extension be interpreted, but there was not a direct ruling on that at the moment.

Okay, thank you.

Correct, Council Flickr.

I can make a motion or to call for a vote on the motion.

You can get second, what was the first motion?

Go ahead and have a getting close.

Yeah, it wasn't a motion.

Oh, okay.

Let uh councilman Pollard close.

Thank you, Mayor.

A few points I want to make.

One, I've spoken with over half of you all on this item personally.

Get your thoughts, get your ideas, your opinions on this.

Um, most of you all said that you understood it, you were supportive, it was straightforward, no issues at all.

It's only until in this moment right now that I'm hearing discussion about all these other issues, sending it to committee, needing to dive deeper.

This is a very specifically tailored prop A that I'm bringing forward based on a local ordinance that's in direct conflict with the federal supreme court ruling.

Although the federal supreme court ruling spoke to federal campaign finance, personal loan repayments, that same argument will be applied by any jurisdiction that would like to um challenge that.

I don't care if you're in Houston, Austin, Charlotte, North Carolina, it doesn't matter, it's the same argument that the Supreme Court has deemed that personal campaign finance loan caps are unconstitutional, they violate free speech within within the legal opinion of the city attorney that we always seem to take.

He's also put forward that, and correct me if I'm wrong, Arturo, that if anybody was to challenge this ordinance locally, that it is very highly likely that a court is going to rule that our local ordinances in violation with free speech in the First Amendment.

Is that correct?

Yes, so our own city attorney is saying that if anybody challenges our local ordinance as it is stated today, it is going to get struck down because it's in violation with what the Supreme Court has already already heard.

The Supreme Court has already heard this case.

Now you all are talking about all these other ancillary variables to campaign finance reporting and overall finance reporting and requirements has nothing to do with this one single issue.

This one single issue has already been ruled on.

So it seems as if there is some type of coordinated effort to either prolong or sabotage this prop A for someone else's benefit or agenda or motive.

I don't know, but no one brought these issues up before, and I actually emailed this over to the ethics chair and members early on, a month or two ago, and said, hey, you all are talking about campaign finance, look at this issue.

Way before it was a prop A submittal, right?

And so it's all good.

What I'm saying is it's already before us, the legal memo has already come out from the city attorney's office.

Not only did they do a lawfulness memo for the proposition A, they did a whole legal memo on this particular issue before it was a prop A.

So this is very clear-cut in my opinion, and we're trying to make it convoluted, and we're trying to make it um, we're trying to overanalyze it when I don't think that's appropriate when the Supreme Court has already ruled on this issue.

It doesn't matter what you think, or to me this, or we need to add in that, or it could be an ethics violation for something.

The Supreme Court has already ruled on it.

And when you look at the supremacy clause, whatever is there binds down to everything else that's below it.

So Arturo, once again, before we close out, if anyone was to if anyone was to challenge our current ordinance on personal campaign finance loan caps, do you believe that it would be ruled unconstitutional?

Likely so.

Thank you.

It is to refer property item 34 to the ethics.

We need to have a vote.

Committee, uh roll call vote, please.

On the motion, this is third back.

Referred to the ethics committee.

Refer to ethics committee.

Road call, please.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Yes.

Councilmember Pegg?

Yes.

Councilmember Jackson?

Yes.

Councilmember Kaman?

No.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz?

No.

Councilmember Flickinger?

Yes.

Councilmember Thomas?

No.

Councilmember Huffman?

Yes.

Councilmember Castillo?

Yes.

Councilmember Martinez?

Yes.

Councilmember Pollard?

No.

Councilmember Castax Tatum.

Councilmember Ramirez?

Yes.

Councilmember Davis?

Yes.

Councilmember Carter?

Yes.

Councilmember Salinas?

No.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Yes.

12 yeses, five no's the motion passes.

Next.

This completes the items on the agenda.

Councilman Carter.

I'm gonna pass and give you my time because you're in a council Evan Shabazz.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Councilmember.

Yeah, I'm leaving on a deadline.

Anyway, I want to begin by recapping a few meaningful events that continue to reflect the strength leadership and community spirit of District D.

This past Saturday.

I had the honor of attending the 62nd Founders Day Scholarship Luncheon, hosted by the Houston League of Business and Professional Women Incorporated at the Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center.

This annual luncheon continues a proud legacy of service, scholarship, leadership, and investment in future generations.

I want to commend the Houston League of Business and Professional Women for their continued commitment to uplifting students, recognizing excellence, and supporting the advancement of women and families in our community.

The privilege of participating as a panelists.

Oh, and thank you, Councilmember Pollard, and thank you for telling them to ask us all those questions as you walked out.

Anyway, our city, our voice, a town hall, was an extraordinary event in the city hall legacy room.

This youth-led conversation created an important platform for young people to discuss civic engagement, local government programming, and community impact.

I want to thank the mayor's youth council, youth ambassadors, you, Mayor Whitmeyer, and my colleagues who participated in this important discussion.

As a retired no-such thing educator, I know how powerful it is when young people are given space to lead, ask questions, and see themselves as part of the future of the city.

Their voices matter and we must continue creating opportunities for them to be heard.

Upcoming event I'm which I'm going to miss, the Carpenter for Family Scholars Grand Opening and Community Art Unveiling, who brings sure development community partners and invited guests, the grand opening and community art unveiling of the Carpenter for Family Scholars, which was today at 10 a.m., 3707 Holman Street.

And this event will honor Pastor Manson Johnson, celebrating a meaningful community development project that supports families, housing opportunity, and continued investment in District D.

I personally miss Pastor Manson Johnson.

He was such a force, and he loved the community.

And so uh District D continues to lead through education, youth engagement, community investment, and opportunity.

That concludes what's going on in the district of destination.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor and Christie.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to start by highlighting the groundbreaking that took place yesterday for the Northside High School Area Drainage and Paving Project in partnership with precinct to Commissioner Garcia, the 48 million dollar investment in drainage, street reconstruction, sidewalk construction in the Near Northside community.

This is one of many projects taking place in the area along with the Quitman Street Reconstruction, along with sidewalk installation around the Wesley Community Center.

It's building out a network of drainage improvements, sidewalk enhancements, and significant investment into a historic district H community.

So I want to thank Commissioner Garcia for his partnership.

Mayor, you were present there and your team with public works.

Uh it is a collaborative effort that is a demonstration of all of the different uh entities, local governments coming together to bring dramatic improvements to communities that are going to keep them safe from flooding, improve drainage, and improve quality of life to allow them to access our parks, schools, hike and bike trails, etc.

So that kicked off yesterday.

This coming Saturday in the East End at Finca Thress Roblist, there will be the Salsa de Mayo Festival from 3 to 8 p.m.

It is uh free and open to the public, and it's a celebration of the east end uh culture.

There will be food, games, music, uh salsa competition as well.

Uh I'm excited to be one of the the judges for that.

Uh, but I do want to invite everyone to come on out and celebrate this Saturday, 3 to 8 p.m.

at the Finca Thress Roblis uh in Second Ward.

And then this coming Saturday uh will be the in-person budget town hall, 10 a.m.

at the Fondee Recreation Center with Councilmember Alcorn and um some other departments represented.

But this is a great opportunity to come out, learn about the proposed budget, ask questions, share your feedback.

Uh 10 a.m.

at the Fondee Rec Center.

Thank you.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

First, uh want to welcome Ms.

Shirley King back to the city of Houston.

She has been joined by with our office to assist with our growing number of items administrative duties that my office has taken on.

And as you may know, on top of uh quarterly town hall meeting, my office this year is working on rolling out the uh police pastor and people initiative.

Um, the second annual City of Houston Financial Symposium will be coming up this October, uh in this fall.

Upcoming prompt item that address public safety as well as continuing monthly meetings of Minister Advisory Board to the Mayor.

I want to thank Shirley for a willingness to come and serve with us.

And finally, I want to remind everyone again of our town hall meeting taking place next Monday, May 18th at the Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Drive, starting at 545 p.m.

Um, we'll have a resource tables from new from nearly every city of Houston Department as well as partner organizations such as Metro, Texas General Land Office, Crime Stoppers, United Way, AARP, the League of Women Voters, Signa, and more.

Uh, our sponsor is the Southwest Management District, is providing food and drink for all of the attendees.

I want to thank them for their partnership with uh with my office, the board and staff have been so helpful to my office since day one, and I'm really grateful for that.

At the event, also, we're gonna have QA with city department directors, deputy directors, where residents can have their questions and concerns addressed.

Uh, I believe that when you take that to the community, it allows them to engage and be involved, and we hear directly from them.

Uh, questions to be uh Chief Diaz, Chief Saddle White, Solid Waste Director, uh Mr.

Hanson, Housing Director, Mr.

Nichols, and more.

The event takes place Monday starting at 5 45 p.m.

at the Chinese Community Center, and we certainly would appreciate all that participate, and that's what we're doing at large too.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

First of all, I'd like to wish one of my staff members, Yukari Ramiers, a very happy birthday.

Thanks for giving her up.

Um also uh I did attend the youth council along with uh Shabazz and um Councilman Joaquin and Councilman Pollard.

Thought it was a great event, Mayor.

Uh in fact, I had a couple other people ask me about it yesterday as well.

They didn't know that it was still in existence and that they expressed some interest in it.

Uh was also able to uh do a uh proclamation out at uh King Kingwood Park High School for the tiny homes.

Um the students at four schools in Umbull ISD build tiny homes that are actually given to homeless veterans.

Uh there is uh a development uh a bit outside of town where they actually put all these, and uh really think that maybe this is something that we can try and encourage some of the other school districts to do.

I mean, besides the the uh students getting some additional skills, uh, anything we can do to help with uh eliminating homelessness, I think is a great thing.

And uh certainly it's uh it's a low cost item, so it'd be great if we could do some more with that.

Um, also uh we're having uh pop-up uh for the Houston Parks Board May 13th uh from three to five o'clock at JP White Park.

So please come out to that.

Uh you'll have an opportunity to complete a survey, give your input on future improvements to the park.

Uh attendees can also learn more about let's play Houston initiative.

Uh and uh lastly, uh we'll have uh Kona Ice and Tacos for the attendees.

So please come out to JP White Park May 13th, 3 to 5.

Thank you.

Councilman Cayman.

Thank you.

Uh a few quick announcements.

Um, first, I want to thank the health department.

We have rolled out our new um pilot program in partnership with the health department.

Uh, since the launch of Safewash Houston, the first nation's most comprehensive firearm injury dashboard, we have been able to look at data in a very new way.

And as part of our commitment to reducing unintentional firearm injuries, especially with children, uh, we are distributing for the first time free gun locks and gun safes in areas with high incidence of unintentional injuries through the health department.

So we're starting with three health clinics, uh, North Side Health Clinic, Sunnyside Multiservice Center, and Sharpstown Health Clinic.

Um, each facility will receive a hundred uh gun safes and locks to start funded by district C.

And then um they will be able the navigators will be able to help support families in providing these additional resources and education.

Um so thank you to the health department, director train and the entire team, Dr.

McKay, um, and HPD as well uh for being our sponsoring department.

Uh, few construction updates um after a long stretch of advocacy with neighbors, new four-way stop signs have been installed on Nicholson at 8th, 9th and 10th Street.

Uh, we are very grateful.

Uh, want to thank our civic leaders, Heights Association, Tail of Two Bridges, and Houston Public Works for their partnership.

Uh, also wanted to give a huge shout out.

Mayor, yesterday we did the um groundbreaking to begin uh what has been years in the making, the massive uh interjurisdictional partnership with the city of Bel Air.

Uh for the detention.

Uh Councilmember Pollard was there, Congresswoman Fletcher, uh Representative Ann Johnson was there, but of course, Mayor Pappas and the entire team at the City of Bel Air Um are just outstanding partners with the city of Houston.

This is going to bring uh much needed detention to the area, but it wouldn't have been possible without public works and all the work behind the scenes to get this deal um over the edge, Mayor, including uh others on your team.

So I just wanted to say that you know, as I'm looking back uh over the past six and a half years, we started with flood mitigation, we're continuing with flood mitigation, and this is going is already so well received in our communities, whether it's in Myeland or Gulfden uh flood waters don't distinguish between boundaries they don't distinguish between the city of Houston or the city of Bel Air or West You uh we have to continue to keep the pressure up to get shovels in the ground but yesterday was a huge step in the right direction and we're very grateful for that partnership and all of the things that I just listed out uh all of the progress that we're making would not be possible without my district C staff and I'm gonna try to not get emotional um it's my second to last council meeting and I'm gonna reserve a lot of my remarks uh for next week uh to recognize constituents and our district but I wanted to take a moment if y'all can stand please district district C is uh very special and that we have the most engaged constituency in the city and whether it's 10 to 20 times the amount of calls the thousands and thousands of emails that we get every single day or the comprehensive projects and programs that you all have worked on Anna, Cole, Jacob, Cruz, and Kate, you don't just show up to work the work you do is an expression of who you are and your commitment to the people that you serve every single day.

A lot of times people don't know how late at night you're working or the weekends you've given up the never ending on call way of being that you are in service and I am so grateful for each of you because of all the things we highlight in spotlight none of that is possible without the staff that stands with us every single day.

So I'm truly grateful for everything you do.

You guys deserve so much of the credit and kudos that we get as a district when I go around our district I can't tell you how many times it's I love Kate I love Cruz I love Jacob I love Cole I love Anna and I love you all too thank you.

Council member Hope thank you lately we've had quite a bit of rain and we had one at least one significant flooding issue in the district because of a collapsed outfall and I just want to say thank you so much to Houston Public Works for always being so responsive for coming out taking care of the residents they are so grateful.

The kids weren't able to bike home because of the flooding or even walk home from school so just thank you public works for always being so responsive.

We really appreciate you and then just a reminder that next week starts early voting in the primary runoff so early voting will be from May 18th to 22nd with election day being on May 26th this will be voters last chance to help decide who's gonna be on the November ballot and just a reminder that even if you didn't vote in the March primaries you can still vote in these runoff elections.

Thanks Councilmember mayors thank you mayor I want to note that this is national police weekend this was established in 1962 by President John F.

Kennedy and in Houston uh we start by having uh police memorial service every year the Houston police department puts on a police memorial service this year it was Friday evening at the Fonday recenter because of of the weather but during that um ceremony we honored and remembered the the memory of a hundred and twenty three men and women, police officers who have given their lives in trying to keep the city uh safe.

And it's a sobering reminder that uh that's dangerous work, and um I think it's also appropriate that we honor the 5,000 plus men and women who continue to put the dark blue uniform on every day and their bulletproof vests and an effort to keep us safe.

The numbers up to 123 since last year.

Two more were added to the list.

So I hope we uh honor their memory this week as uh we uh observe National Police Week.

Also, want to note that Saturday morning had the opportunity to participate in Harrisburg bike and hike and bike trail uh cleanup.

A lot of trash was picked up, heavy heavy trash was put to the side.

This was an effort uh sponsored by uh Harris County precinct to Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Uh that trail is in that precinct, and I was happy to join East End residents for a few hours Saturday morning in picking up a lot of a lot of trash.

Uh I would also note that that area is prone to flooding, and I was dismayed to see that many of the drains were already half full with with debris and and vegetation.

Um I spoke to Director Mackkay, who tells me that that particular hike and bike trail is under the parks department.

So I just want to highlight the need to make sure the drains along our hike and bike trails are kept clear uh to avoid flooding.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I am not passing this week.

Um, so I just have two reminders for the listening public on May 18th, which is next Monday.

Um, TCEQ will be in town for a public hearing regarding the old Dotty landfield, also known as the Sugar Hill Golf Course.

It's 145 acres, and there's a permit, a wastewater permit, and so I know residents have reached out uh to me about this.

I will be there on record, um, speaking in support of the permit.

Um, and this just speaks to our obligation to clean up areas throughout Houston so we can activate that land for commercial and residential use to meet our economic development goals.

And so I want to ask you to join me on May 18th at 7 p.m.

at the Marriott West Chase at 2900 Briar Park.

This information will also be in our newsletter that goes out on Wednesday.

I want to bring to your remembrance again the 45 project.

We know for the last few years there's been a lot of protest against the expansion of 45, but I want to remind you in 2022 an MOU was established and agreed to, and there is a $30 million allocation around housing construction and also to mitigate displacement.

T Shack, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, they are managing that fund, and they are um open for public comment on the use of those dollars and written comment is due May 22nd by 5 p.m.

Uh, this project directly impacts neighborhoods, Greater Fifth Ward, Third Ward, Independent Heights, and near North North Side.

There's also a group that concluded public engagement meetings in each of those neighborhoods.

It concluded at the end of April.

I want to encourage you, if you were protesting and opining about the project, this is your opportunity to stay engaged in the next phase to make sure that the dollars get to the projects that are going to benefit uh the neighborhoods that are closely impacted.

And then lastly, I just want to shout out another Houston legend, Sylvia K.

Brooks.

She will receive honorary alumni status from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work on Friday.

I was honored to meet Mrs.

Brooks and my time as an urban leaguer.

Um she is uh one of the longest serving CEOs of the Urban League prior to Judson Robinson, and she made history as their first female CEO.

Congratulations, look forward to celebrating with you on Fridayor Program.

Thank you, Mayor.

A couple of announcements.

Uh want to remind the residents that the South Gessner PIP meeting will be held on Wednesday, May the 20th at 6 30 p.m.

at the South Gessner Police Station at 8605 West Place Drive.

This month they will have a representative from the HPD Air Support Fox team as the guest speaker.

So residents that are interested in that, um, please attend that meeting.

Uh then we have a community engagement meeting.

So this is a reminder for Thursday, May the 21st from 6 to 8 p.m.

That meeting will be held at Fountain Life Center, hosted by South Pole Stoke Redevelopment Authority, the Five Corners District, the Harm Corp for Being Redevelopment Authority.

This is just another opportunity for residents, stakeholders, community partners to come together, share their ideas, and stay informed on developments that are shaping the community in and around District K.

And another event we have coming up.

Uh colleagues, like to invite um our at-large members to attend as well.

We're having a pizza and partnerships at the drop of the creator on Chimney Rock on June the 11th at 6 to 8 p.m.

This will be an evening of networking, collaboration, and community building.

We are connecting our civic club members, our super neighborhood leaders, and enjoying some free food and drinks.

So we encourage the residents to carpool because uh parking is limited.

We are excited about supporting a community business, drop of the creator, and then also um allowing our community members to come together to build these types of partnerships.

We do have a public hearing coming up.

Want to let residents know that the planning commission will hold a public hearing on uh plat application at Wildcat Industrial.

This is a subdivision plat application, uh, and they are um looking for variance requests and this is located at 222 Homes Road between Haram Clark Road and Buffalo Speedway.

So the site is described as undeveloped.

Um want to let residents know that if they have concerns about the uh plat to attend the hearing on Thursday, May 28th at 2 30 p.m.

at the City Hall Council Annex.

Be kind to each other and make it a great day.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Pro Team Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um the Houston Parks Board is hosting a community engagement meeting at Schwartz Park to discuss the park improvements.

It will be on Saturday, May 30th at 9 o'clock a.m.

at Schwartz Park 8203, Vogue Lane 77055.

Please join us for this important meeting to discuss the improvements.

We're really excited about it.

Um there'll be community vendors and Kona Ice Trucks.

So we're we're looking forward to seeing everyone at that meeting on uh May 30th.

And finally, I want to wish a very happy birthday to District A Chief of Staff Liz Miranda.

Um, I've had the pleasure of getting to work with Liz for since we started at the city 12 and a half years ago, and just so thankful um that she's still here working for district eight because she does an amazing job.

So happy birthday, Liz.

Councilman Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

I have some questions for the city attorney.

Can you explain the supremacy clause?

Um, there's a hierarchy of laws that generally uh federal law will rule over state law, will rule over um a statute and over our ordinances when when they're in conflict.

So as it pertains to the proposition A proposal that we had today, uh with the supremacy clause coming to effect in that instance in your opinion.

I think the logic of it would.

I don't think the our current ordinance is unenforceable because of the crew's uh opinion.

So you just stated that you believe our current ordinance is unenforceable.

Is that correct?

Yes, so that that would make that current ordinance moot in the discussion that we had today moot, correct?

Yes, I would refer to it as unenforceable, but yes, I think effectively the same.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, today on item 18 was a bunch of improvements to parks um out of the park dedication fund, which is the open space ordinance, which I keep talking on and on about, but we're discussing it tomorrow at the planning commission.

Um we'll be uh discussing reallocating 30 percent of those funds across the sectors so all the funds don't stay in the sectors where some sectors are getting all of the money for the park improvements.

Um, and we're also aligning things with state law.

So we're gonna go ahead and get get that before the planning commission and before council, and then I want to keep talking about the fee.

Um, once we're done with budget, and once we've had stakeholder engagement, I want to keep talking about the fee, um, and getting more more funds into that into that fee.

So that'll be tomorrow at 2 30 when we'll be discussing that.

Today at 1 30, we will start uh budget workshops.

We have planning, housing, and airports.

And we they each have an hour block, but if we run a little early on them, we just roll into the next one after about a five or 10 minute break.

So you might not be there that whole time.

So we'll um see you guys this afternoon.

And uh thank you.

Thank you, Councilman's.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, just a few items I want to spotlight that we've had the privilege of working with your administration on.

The first, I am so excited to share that the grants liaison uh uh position is now live.

Um we were very excited to partner with your office uh to work together on collaborating on identifying the job description, but basically, this is going to be somebody at the city of Houston that's going to coordinate all grant applications, ensure that we're not having overlapping applications, and just ensure a whole bunch of efficiency moving forward.

So we were so grateful to work with your administration on this and excited to have a lot of great applicants come forth to help the city of Houston in its grant application process.

The second item I want to spotlight that again we were very excited to work with your team on was filing a notice of intent to participate in the Union Pacific merger.

Um, as many of you know, uh there's a merger that's being proposed by Union Pacific and another major railroad that's going to have immense impacts on the city of Houston.

And the best way for the city to have a seat at the table is by filing this notice of intent to participate.

So I was so grateful to see the administration do so, was grateful to work with your team to make sure that it got done, and really excited to make sure that we push as aggressively as possible to make sure that we get as many concessions as possible from the corporations before this merger goes into effect to ensure that Houstonians are protected from an environmental standpoint, but also from the impact that the increased traffic and pollution is going to have on the city.

Um and lastly, um, mayor, as you know, I sent a letter last week, and I would hope all of us continue to reflect on this increased administrative fee for garbage.

Um it's certainly a necessary step to help address the budget deficit that we have.

Um we have made a public commitment that we will raise that fee to $25.

Um, I believe it's imperative that we also make a commitment that we will impose discounts for communities that needed most.

I think that'll give Houstonians a lot of comfort to know that we're not just making a promise of increased fees, but we're also making a promise of ensuring that we're gonna take account for those that are the least among us and don't have the resources to pay the fee.

Um I have no doubt that we'll reach a good solution on this, but but once again, want to encourage us all to make that public commitment now that we will in fact impose discounts for senior citizens, veterans, and low income individuals.

Thank you.

Councilman Kmer.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I neglected to recognize I many of us, especially on budget season, um, incredible residents turn out to comment and to participate.

And one of those organizations has always been uh the Northeast Action Collective.

And uh I saw online recently and just wanted to recognize Benjamin Broadway, who time and time again gave his time, his voice uh passed away.

And um, so I just wanted to recognize one the loss.

I think they uh lovingly call him Big Ben.

And that he was such a giant, uh, not just in stature, but just in terms of his voice, his passion for the community, and I know that this is a big loss, not only for that organization, but for Houston.

So I really wanted to recognize uh Benjamin's legacy, and uh hopefully, mayor, we can adjourn in honor of him today.