Just bang on that gal.

Council come to order.

Councilmember Flickinger for the invocation.

As we gather today, we thank you for the privilege of serving our city and community.

Grant us wisdom in the work before us and humility and how we lead and serve others.

Help us act with integrity, compassion, and unity in all we do.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

We have thanks for their courage and sacrifice, and we pray for the families who continue to carry the memory with strength and grace.

May we never take for granted the freedom secured through their sacrifice, and may our actions reflect gratitude and respect for all who served.

In your holy name we pray.

Amen.

Thank you.

Please rise for the pledge.

I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America.

Mr.

Secretary, you call the roll.

Mayor Whitmeyer.

Councilmember Peck.

Here.

Council Member Jackson.

Council Member Kamen.

Present.

Councilmember Evan Shabazz will be absent.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Councilmember Thomas will be absent.

Councilmember Huffman.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Martinez.

Councilmember Pollard.

Councilmember Castax Tatum.

Here.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Councilmember Davis.

Here.

Council Member Carter.

Councilmember Salinas.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Need a motion to adopt the minutes of May 12th and 13.

Cast extate to move.

Next second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Procedural motions.

Councilmember Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to add Carmel Johnson to the top of the three-minute non-agenda.

Very good.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay, motion passed.

Councilmember Ramirez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Procedural motion to add Brian Kelly, Shirlanda Brisby, Sarah Sayed, and Latanya Payne to the bottom of the three minute agenda list.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

I don't have procedure motion.

Just wanted to uh take a moment to recognize some of our guests who are present with us today.

Now wait till afterwards.

Us Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

I like to suspend the rules and make a motion uh to move Travis McGee to the top of the three-minute non-agenda list, followed by Therese Covington.

Huffman Secretary.

Well, motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes.

Any other motions?

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

I um certainly is honored.

I just wanted to take the opportunity, and I know that the mayor's the mayor's office is already recognized the guest that I'm about to uh introduce uh on behalf of uh the booker T Washington High School.

Uh we have some delegates that are here from Liberia who will be here visiting the city uh in the council meeting today.

Uh they have a project, and I'm gonna ask them to stand, all of them that are with the Liberia delegation to stand uh and uh they are here visiting with us because it is a uh project that I've come to know about and learn about that they are working with Buca T High School.

Um they have a program that is connected with students here at Booker T on engineering and agriculture, and so they are kind of uh an exchange program, and it's a phenomenal pride program, and I'm just honored to have them here with us.

Ms.

Kimberly Lanier has an organization that is partnered with them in going forward and certainly Booker T Washington Institute.

Uh, Miss Freeman, who's the principal there, and uh also we have uh honorable uh Emmanuel Lawrence, uh who's with us, uh, Queen and Departing on Sunday.

She's the ex-office CO of the president of the of the president of Liberia.

And so we're happy to have them in the city.

And I just want to welcome them here and uh and tell them how we certainly appreciate it.

We also have the principal, vice principal, and also the engineer, teacher, as well as the um ag teacher.

And I literally thought they were students, mayor.

I didn't have no idea looking at them that they were literally the teachers and the process in the school.

So we're just happy to have them honor them for being here today.

Very good.

Mr.

Williams.

John.

Who's representing the community?

Yes, Gills.

Come on.

Yes.

Bring your bring your principal.

Ms.

Smith, why don't you give us about two minutes of your uh your mission for Liberia and what you hope to accomplish?

I'm very familiar with it.

Okay.

Everyone needs to go visit Booker T Washington and see the marvelous development you've created.

Yes, sir.

Um so we are currently working with Renewable Energy with certain continents, primarily Africa.

Um, maybe through something we went to Zimbabwe for our first project.

Um, this time we're in Liberia at Booker Washington Institute.

Um Booker Washington High School is a high school that was the first high school that's taking the free slaves in Houston, Texas.

We have a long history working with kids with our Magnet program.

So our mission is to visit Liberia to partner with them to work with different projects to help sanitation issues and also other issues they face on their campus.

They're actually a deficit for.

So that's our mission here today to represent them and to collaborate.

Very good.

Thank you for your leadership.

Thank you.

And thank you to our guest.

Yeah, John.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Booker T Washington High School, High School for Engineering Profession.

Um, we celebrated 50 years.

The school or university, Booker T Washington Institute has the same name in Liberia.

So I know I saw people looking because they kept here at Booker T Washington, Booker T Washington.

And I want to think the mayor, because he was very instrumental in uh procuring some funds that we got the vision park.

And as a result of the vision park, we have a wind turbine.

We have uh a podium with a rocket on it.

Booker T Washington has built rockets that we launched with NASA Oversight and Texas and participation.

I want to thank the mayor for participating in that and uh uh Thompson.

She was interested in in uh asking for that.

So we want you to come and see the vision park.

We have a statue of Booker T Washington on the campus.

Now with this, we go to Zimbabwe and dealt with uh wind turbines over there.

Now we're going to Iberia taking solar panels, and we want to ask that you would help us because y'all don't know what anything that's going on.

We need some funding, and we will be coming back individually, knocking on doors, you know, to ask for some funding.

But Mr.

Mayor, thank you so much for this time, and uh thank you so much for receiving us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anything else members?

Members uh with the addition of speakers.

Uh this afternoon, the secretary says we've triggered the one-minute rule.

So I'll ask our guests to limit their testimony to one minute.

And uh thank you for being here.

Call our first speaker, please.

Alexandra Morara School.

To be followed by Brian Kelly.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Alexa Murarescu, and I am the volunteer and outreach manager with the League of Women Voters of Houston.

Um, and most importantly, I am a resident of District G.

Um, I'm here this evening in support of the creation of online public session registration.

While the league is widely known for our work in voter education, outreach, get out the vote efforts.

We are equally committed to increasing civic participation at every level of government, including engagement with city council.

That's why we're excited to support the expansion of online public session registration by creating additional and more accessible ways for residents to sign up to speak before council.

We help reduce barriers to participation and create more opportunities for his Houstonians to make their voices heard.

Expanding access to this body strengthens transparency, civic engagement, and public trust in local government.

In addition, this proposal reflects how people already interact with institutions every day.

Most residents routinely use online forms to schedule important appointments, submit official documents, access local government services, and communicate with organizations.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Brian Kelly.

Shalanda Brisby.

Sarah Sayed.

Natanya Payne, Angela Ross.

Carmel Johnson.

To be followed by Travis McGee.

Good evening, mayor and city council members.

My name is Carmel Johnson.

I'm here today about the same issue I brought to this council in 2022.

I'm a resident at Clan Manor Apartments.

For years, my unit has experienced repeated flooding sewer backups involving contaminated sewer water entering my home through the tubs, toilets, and sinks.

Despite multiple complaints and attempts to get this resolved, the problem is still happening today.

This is not just frustrating, it's a serious health and safety issue.

No residents should have to live with this sewage backing up into their unit, damaging property, causing unsanitary conditions, and disrupting daily life.

I came before this council nearly four years ago asking for help.

I am disappointed that I still have to stand here today with the same complaint.

It's an ongoing nature of this issue, shows that the problem has not been properly addressed.

Tonight, I am asking the city to take immediate action by investigating the recurring sewer backups, holding the responsible bodies accountable, and ensuring safety safe living conditions for my children and I.

I am simply asking your time.

Did you just say you appeared in 2022 here?

Yes, sir.

And what results?

The unit is still flooding, and it's even worse.

And I'm very more nervous now, hurricane season is approaching again.

I have four children with two of them being sick and one being disabled.

Okay, Cynthia.

Talk to that lady right there, and let's get thank you.

Health and public works involved.

Thank you, ma'am.

Travis McGee, to be followed by Teresa Covington.

Uh good evening.

I'm here.

I'm concerned about how tourist dollars are being used last year.

We voted, you all voted on it.

Uh Livery Park bill, which was supposed to stand expand the park, but now today they're building a 30,000 square foot, pretty much private resort.

Private is the complete opposite of public.

Tourists are still all tax dollars.

They're still they're still public dollars.

Now, when I came down here and spoke to you all about this, I suggested that the vote should have been yes for the infrastructure, no for the park.

Coincidentally, it was a water main break less than a block away from the park, and that water has not drained yet.

So, and and this coincides with the city budget.

I think when the city do get in trouble, they should go and look for look at the tourist dollars first before they come and ask us for any more money.

We're scratched too thin already.

Each time they ask for these additional fees, they always find another something else to use those monies for anyway.

Our taxes have already tripled in the Sunnyside area due to poor ordinances like chapter 42.

So when we continue to give money away.

Your time is expired.

Can I have a few more minutes, anybody?

Yeah, go ahead.

A couple minutes, go ahead.

Okay, because when my checking account gets low, I have to go to my savings account.

My saves account get low, I might have to go to my credit union and get a loan.

So that's the same thing we should do.

We allow the tourists to pile up billions and billions if of dollars out of the out of these tourists.

How many actual fit the criteria for blighted, underserved, neglected communities?

Not many.

So we need to reform this.

But if you all go and look at that thing that they're bidding over, it's a private wine social club, and next month the city of Houston might be on the water.

That doesn't make any sense.

And it requires a membership.

Very good.

Councilmember Pollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

And Travis, thank you for flagging this.

It's not my district, so I'll I'll kind of defer to the council member, but I do recall us having this discussion, and I do recall that what I thought we were voting on was the expansion of green space, and that the tourist dollars was gonna be to enhance Levy Park and not put you know a private enterprise there.

Um I don't know the details of the tours and how the dynamics happened around that development or that project, but uh there should not be public dollars going toward a private purpose, uh, especially when we were I thought told that it was gonna be for a park expansion, and we wanted to ensure Levy Park had green space that was on the frontage road of Richmond.

Uh so I'll defer to the council member on that because I don't have all the answers, but I do appreciate you continuing to flag flag these issues.

Thank you, Councilmember Alcorn.

Uh I'll also defer to Councilmember Kamen, but I did see I was at Levy Levy Park, uh on Sunday doing the Cygna um Sunday in the park.

Fabulous park, love that park.

We were sitting having a bite to eat at the little um restaurant right there, and and there is this big construction going on on Richmond.

And Travis comes up to George and me and he said, You know, that's a private club over there.

I'm like, there's no way.

So straighten us out, um, and maybe you don't have the answers.

I'm actually meeting with Travis at from Upper Kirby this week.

We're meeting on a separate issue, but I'm gonna definitely ask him about that.

So I you know, I went online, I Googled it, and sure enough, it's like a private membership thing on this property.

And yeah, I like Councilmember Pollard, when we voted to add uh funding to that, um, certainly Councilmember Ramirez has been critical of even that measure to add green space to Front Richmond to expand that footprint.

I never in my wildest dreams thought it might would be a private club.

I don't even think that's that could be legal.

So um anyway, somebody somebody prove me wrong, prove this wrong.

We'll check it out.

Councilmember Cayman.

Yeah, my understanding is because of the criticism, right?

We wanted to use public funding to expand the green space, and that was to afford the tours the opportunity to bid on that land.

That doesn't necessarily mean that that land where there's private building going on is being used by the TURS.

So again, we can get to the bottom of that, but just because there's building there doesn't mean that that's the tours.

We were hoping to be able to utilize that for green space, but just because that that was in order to participate in the bid to try to secure the land for that.

Well, let me let me say this.

I don't think no points, it was 8.5 for the the land acquisition, then it was another six million.

One thing about me, you don't have to ever hear about he say she say they gonna they're not gonna never say he don't know what he's talking about, and it was another six billion dollars for improvements on the park.

That's 14 million dollars that should not have gone to this project.

If they was going to build this private thing, they should have built it with their own money.

Very well.

Councilmember Maris.

Thank you, Mayor.

Travis, you and I are a choir of two people, apparently.

I voted against it uh for just the sort of thing that you're talking about.

More than $36 million dollars of our tax money has gone into this park.

Now you look at the other parks in the city and tell me that that's fair.

But you know what you're saying concerns me, and and I'm gonna um continue looking at it uh to see uh just just exactly what you're talking about.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cayman.

Yeah, and no, and I appreciate you elevating the issue again.

Let's talk separately about the what is going on at what I believe is still private property, not the park itself, versus when we use like the criticism of public dollars going to a park that is used by the entire region.

I was just there, council member with you, and people were visiting from all over.

And yes, we need more community parks, but it is a incredible model for what can be done.

So I would caution folks at picking apart what is a model example for the rest of the city.

That being said, yes, absolutely.

Information needs to be provided about what I believe, and I could be completely mistaken, is still private property with a private development that is unrelated to what the Tours had wanted to do there.

But when we just carte blanche start attacking parks like Levy Park, that pro are a model for the rest of the city and how this can be done.

I would just caution us as a body from issuing sweeping statements like that.

This is the problem though.

Uh council.

The city did a needs assessment on all the parks, not Travis, and Levy Park came dead last for need assessment, meaning they didn't need anything else.

District D had 10 of the worst 18 parks on that list.

Some of our parks, if you all was here, we still haven't gotten that porty pity.

Some of our parks don't have trash cans, some of our parks don't have swings.

So we can't when we say the model for the red, well, the city is a city of the halves and have nots, that has not been a model for the whole city.

If you ask people in this room how their parks look, now I I don't feel comfortable taking my grandkids to some of the parks in my area.

Sure.

Just a second.

Yeah, sorry, I can't.

I think we're getting off onto a different discussion.

My only discussion that I want to want to have at all, that's a great discussion to have.

I'm um, but right now, my biggest concern is I guess I want to know whether the city, the tourers actually purchase that property where the private things go in.

If it's private property and they're building a private club on private property, then you know that's their right.

So, I just guess I need to know what part we did the TURS did buy or not buy or any of that.

And we'll get that straight back.

That's correct.

Councilman Kayman.

Yeah, no, sorry, Mayor, just to go back to that.

What the TURS is able to do, and Councilmember Alcorn, this goes to the initiative that you're talking about with the more green spaces initiative and the need to publicly fund our public parks.

What came to council with Levy Park was an authorization for the TURS to be able to expend TURS dollars with their increment back into expanding the park, not city dollars that would be taken away from other parks to go to that.

The TERS are constrained by investing in the areas in which they represent and taking that increment.

Now, there's genuine and uh valid criticism that TERS is investing in those areas, right?

So you're building more and more improvements, and that's not going to other places around the city.

But at no point on council did we say here's eight million dollars of city funding to go to Levy Park.

It was to permit the TURS to expand their own budget, taking their own increment to try and go get land to increase the park.

So when they acquire the land, do they use it for park land or do they do it?

Use it for commercial?

When we had discussed it, it was for park land, my understanding, but I don't want to say it on the record because I don't I'm not representing the TURS, is that that's still private property.

The tourists didn't get that property.

That's not TURS property.

So we had been hoping with that authorization when there was the debate, and then it was stopped.

Thank you.

We'll all do our due diligence.

Thank you.

All right, before I go on tour on tourist dollars still our tax dollars.

Yes, sir.

Okay, we're on top of it.

I want to clarify that for I leave because we keep trying to separate it.

Uh when when the hurricane come next month.

And June, we don't care where the dollars come from.

We just want the water out of our neighborhoods.

Thank you.

Councilman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to suspend the rules to move Kelly Sadler to follow Hayden Cohen.

Very well.

Motion made in segment.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, nay motion passed.

Next.

Theresa Covington.

Stelina Villarreal.

To be followed by Susan Richards.

I am here to urge you to talk.

I'm here to talk about Cesar Chavez Soulevard, and I'm urging you to rename it after Mariachi Menez.

I'm saying that not just because she was my mother, but because her activism was both nationally and internationally recognized.

Rosa Parks nominated her name to be part of an electronic mural in Alabama.

She was one of the first few people who was able to lay a wreath on Martin Luther King Jr.'s grave.

And when Mexico finally recognized dual nationality, she was one of 100 people selected to uh become a dual national and also one of ten people to shake the hand of the president and one of three people to give a speech.

Her local activism has helped shape many residents.

She was a resident of Magnolia Park for the majority of her life, as am I, and so her activism has helped people get residency and citizenship.

She's helped people with uh environmentalism as well.

Uh thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Susan Richards.

To be followed by Sandra Edwards.

Hello, my name is Susan Richards.

I'm a concerned Houstonian here to talk about the proposed monthly trash pickup fee.

This fee would affect all of us, but let's face it, monthly fees don't affect everyone equally.

More importantly, monthly fees disproportionately impact our most vulnerable neighbors, like the elderly or anyone trying to live on a fixed income or minimum wage jobs.

Last year, one in five of our Houstonians fell at or below the poverty line, and I can only imagine at this point, it's more than 20% of us.

So we can see how standard fees would be a much bigger piece of the monthly pie for some of us than for others.

With this in mind, I'm here to ask that we find a more fair way to meet our budget shortfalls.

For example, we could stop giving almost a billion dollars in tax breaks to the polluting industries in our county, like the 198 million dollar tax abatement we gave to Exxon, one of the most profitable companies in the world.

Your time has expired.

Thank you, ma'am.

Could I speak further?

We're really on a tax schedule.

Go ahead.

Okay.

The thing is, we also gave 77.4 million dollars to occidental petroleum.

That's 38.7 million dollars per job.

And we as a community are already paying the price in health consequences like cancer and respiratory diseases and environmental consequences like increased flooding, more extreme heat, water depletion, and they're all associated with air and water pollution.

Alrighty.

I'm just asking that we make them pay their fair share.

Thank you.

Next Sandra Edwards.

To be followed by Doris Brown.

Good evening.

I'm here.

I'm like the lady from Clinton Manor.

I've been here 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, about the budget.

I want to talk about the budget, but I'm going to talk about me.

I've been put on the side burner for getting my house repaired, for getting it rebuilt four, five times.

And then last month I get a call telling me that it's off again because of the EPA.

Then I find out I'm not even under the EPA.

I want to know what's going on.

I'm here in front of all y'all today.

Somebody give me an answer.

And that budget that they threw at us is crazy because only people being the fit from it is I want to say y'all or the other people because we are not.

The people in the community is not.

Y'all taken from the garbage.

Y'all talk taken from the uh taxpayers.

You're taking from the homeowners.

You take it from everything.

Do I need to wait for you to take your phone call?

Because it's it's okay.

Now that bill don't mean nothing to me.

Okay.

Let me okay, because I need to finish.

Your time has expired.

No, it hasn't.

I hadn't started.

I wanted to wait for the mayor to get off the phone.

Okay.

Anyway, I'm trying to find out where do we as a community as a resident become our time.

When do we get that what we pay for for our taxes, our trash and all that?

We barely got a pickup, but now y'all want to change and start charging us with something that we already getting halfway getting.

So we're gonna pay to get halfway trash picked up again.

I mean, getting it halfway picked up.

Y'all taking money from the entities that's needed and giving it to people that really don't need it.

Uh defund the police, defund the fire department, do a little break, some tax break with them and give us some money back so we can fix our houses.

I've been flooded since Harley.

I've been hit by four storms.

And have I gotten any help yet?

No.

Cause I keep putting on the back burner, but I done jump jump through hoops with gasoline drawers on to get your taxes caught up.

Get you this, get your house in your name.

I done did all that.

And I'm still right back at square one.

My house is falling down now from the last storm.

My house is sitting on my pipes.

My water in my bathroom in my room doesn't even work anymore because the house is leaning.

My roof is gone.

I had it repair, it's patched, but I don't have insulation.

So I'm smelling everything on the eye side.

So when is it our time as a community?

I'm a community activist.

I work hard in my community.

I work hard on the other communities.

Your time's up, ma'am.

But we still I still don't have no answers.

When do we get the answers that we're asking the questions to?

Thank you.

Oh, that's all we hit.

Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor.

I think Sandra.

I think um, so Sandra, I know one of the um issues is that you're trying to get your home repaired, right?

I don't even want to be and I don't want it to repair.

Right.

And because it's in the area of the cancer cluster, they are not moving forward with the repairs because everything is on hold.

So I think Mayor, we just trying to determine when folks can start getting their homes repaired.

That's in that's in the council cluster area.

Because everything has been on hold since permitting is on hold, re you know, building is on hole in that area.

And so that's slowing down your own.

For progress, period.

Progress is slowing it down.

So I'm fed up.

I'm frustrated now.

I don't mean to put it out here like this.

I understand you're frustrated.

You understand my because I talked to you on a regular basis.

I'm freaking frustrated.

It's no more I can do.

I can't keep putting band-aids over open heart surgery and thinking ain't gonna ooze through the band-aid.

That's why I'm mad now.

This is where I'm at.

So Sandra, so we so basically she's provided all the paperwork, everything there.

Are you familiar with it?

Yeah, I'm if you've got the paperwork familiar with it.

Let's sit down and go see what the next step is.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sandra.

Doris Brown.

To be followed by Hayden Cohen.

Sagutations.

My name is Doris Brown.

I am a lifelong resident of District B.

Y'all are not being honest about the trash fee.

Once again, myself and my community are being asked to pay the price for a budget deficit that City Council helped create by approving irresponsible police spending, and all of y'all know this isn't right.

We have a trash problem in Houston, but this fee isn't going to solve it.

There is no clear answer on how this fee will improve service when it doesn't come close to addressing the underlying problems with our solid waste department.

Understanding her horrible working conditions and worker retention rates and outdated equipment.

Worst of all, there is no exemption for those who cannot afford the fee.

And despite Whitmire and direct the Malikai's claim, we all know that we are being locked into eventually paying $25 a month at least.

Right now, Mr.

Woodmile, a big percentage of my neighbors in my neighborhood are on a fixed income, and many of my friends and have disabilities.

Your time has expired.

Yes, I know, but I want to say this.

As elected officials, you should be good stewards of our tax and drainage money.

It should benefit the citizens and not impact us.

I knew you were going to cut the three minutes.

Next, Miss Brown.

Yes.

Thank you.

Um first and foremost, thank you to you for your voice and to NAC.

You all don't just show up during budget season.

Y'all have been engaging for years and years on this.

So I just want to thank you for your voice.

Um I also wanted to extend our condolences to the loss of Benjamin Broadway.

Yeah.

We mentioned it at council last week, but since you're here and others are here, um, we lost a giant.

Yes, we did.

And uh I know that work will continue in his honor, but I also wanted to recognize that loss.

Thank you.

As it pertains to the garbage fee and other things, we're one of the only cities in the we're the only major city in Texas that doesn't utilize a garbage fee.

I know there had been other proposals, for example, of um not a one size fits all approach to every household.

Uh, do you have any recommendations if let's say a track a garbage fee needs to be implemented?

Do you have recommendations of a more equitable way to do so?

Well, you could charge everyone uh one cents in a property tax, and they would raise the same amount of money that this five dollars is now April the first, it went up 8.76 percent.

My water bill went up 20 already, so that's an extra two hundred and forty dollars every year that I'm already paying for the same thing.

And now you want to go up five more dollars?

That's 300 something dollars uh extra every year.

People on fixed income cannot afford that.

You know, so now you got to decide whether you want to buy the baby some milk that you want to eat, uh, you know, do you want to pay your rent or something like that?

You know, I mean, it's just it's it's just not right.

We need to find some other way to fund this.

Doris out.

Thank you.

Next Hayden Cohen.

To be followed by Kelly Sadler.

Good afternoon.

My name's Hayden.

I live in district C.

Before I begin, I just want to thank council member um Cayman for her years of public service and wish her the very best in her new role.

I'm here today to ask you to include the LGBTQ plus economic empowerment coordinator position in the city's general fund budget and transition it into a full-time city position.

I'm grateful this position exists at all because if Councilmember Castillo and Ramirez's office stepped up and pulled together funding, and it demonstrates the leadership and recognition that the LGBTQ plus Houstonians deserve support and investment.

But I also think that model shows exactly why change is needed.

Right now, this position depends on contributions and it creates uncertainty and limits growth and economic opportunities.

Should be a part of the Office of Business Opportunity.

Over last year, there were resume workshops.

Participants connected with workforce support, job seekers received ongoing assistance, and businesses connected to city resources and certification opportunities.

Mayor Whitmeyer has emphasized the importance of connecting the city budget to strategy.

So expanding this position creates stronger partnerships with nonprofits that support employment pathways for youth.

May I continue?

Yes, 30 seconds.

It also supports economic growth by helping small businesses connect with city resources, pursue certification, and compete for city contracts.

LGBTQ plus young people facing housing and stability employment barriers or navigating early careers need more than occasional workshops.

They need sustained support in this.

Thank you.

Councilman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor and Hayden, thank you for being here.

I know there are a couple of others as well speaking on this topic, and you did a great job describing the impact that the position has had as a part-time role and one that wasn't even on the ground for a full year yet.

Really will expand on that impact, including, you know, the support for job placement, the support for business certification here at the city, the engagement uh with communities and employers as well.

So I I thank you for your advocacy and for the others that will also um come up to speak in support and will do um my best to make that full-time position uh a reality.

For sure, we're looking to this amendment.

Thank you.

Next Kelly Sadler.

To be followed by Scott Singleton.

Hi, good evening, Council members, Mayor.

Um, the LGBTQ economic coordinator position is working.

We have the results, resume workshops, job support, queer owned businesses getting certified with the city.

Queer Houstonians like me are benefiting.

We appreciate council members Castillo and Ramirez for funding this part-time role, but part-time is not enough for a community that is full-time exhausted, full-time extracted from, and full-time ready to work.

A full-time coordinator in the office of business opportunity is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

Queer Houstonians don't stop being queer when the part-time hours run out.

Our economic needs don't clock out after 20 hours.

Please fund this position fully.

We've proven it works.

Now let's finish the job.

I also want to thank uh Councilmember Cayman.

Uh she has been a great supporter, and I wish her luck.

Um, and shout out to Joaquin, who's my council member.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Scott Singleton.

Courtney Revels.

To be followed by Anthony Hubbard.

Uh good afternoon, y'all.

My name is Courtney Revels.

I'm a member of the Northeast Action Collective.

It's good to see all again.

Um, I'm here for it's like, like they said, since 2022, 23, 24, asking that we have an equitable and fair budget.

Um, uh, like like others have said, the water bill increase that is the increased water bills are really hurting folks in our community, like people that are on fixed incomes, but especially people like Standard that in unlivable homes, we're asking people that can barely afford like that can't even live in their homes to pay increased fees.

I'm urging you to rethink how we can equitably um service these fees and also um we also want you guys to rethink using the CUS fund to decrease the deficit that was created by this council.

We have come here.

We said that increasing police pay in the amount that it was increased would put our city in a bad position.

Now taking this money from the CUS fund will also put our city in a bad position.

We need to be funding water systems and waste water systems.

We already have a consent decree that we need to fulfill so that people aren't having sewage backups in their homes.

I've personally experienced it.

It's not okay.

So we need to reconsider.

We do not have a city that's broke, we have a system that's broken.

Thank you, Councilor Cayman.

It's it's on something else, so thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

Separate subject.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh no, thank you, Mayor, for the moment of uh personal recognition.

I did confirm uh with the TERS, just so everyone is clear with the uptown turn not uptown, Upper Kirby TERS.

That is private property with a private members only club.

I cannot think of something other than a bar or nightclub that could be worse to go across from public green space, but while we were debating whether or not we should authorize the TURS to go into negotiations to try to obtain that land, it actually went under contract privately, and it's a members only club on private property, not the TURS.

Okay, next.

Anthony Hubbard.

To be followed by Felix Kapoor.

We just said you have a chance to be so much better.

Mayor Whitmar, you ran on being able to deal with Abbott, and you capitulated completely to him in the time that we really need to stand as a city.

There's no reason we should get into the fight that easy.

There's no reason that we should just pretty much let the rule of law go challenged.

You said yourself, as well as the city attorney, that what the ICE ruling that we all hear.

That we all here agreed that was legal.

Was pretty much decided illegal by not an attorney, not by the judicial system, but by governor.

This is more than just the people here.

This is about the nation.

This is about the state.

If we let the sit the time has expired, the governor just pushes it around.

What does that say about us as a city?

Thank you.

Next, Felix Kapoor.

I want to say one more thing about the budget.

Next, Felix Kapoor.

You should represent the people here.

Five dollars a month can do a lot.

Just think about those that disabled and fixed income.

Those may not be afforded that.

Very good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Felix Kapoor.

Followed by Vivian Lee.

Uh good evening, Council.

Oh.

Um, good evening, Council.

Uh Councilmember Kamen.

Um, I wanna say thank you for acknowledging Big Ben and uh his passing, um, and Councilmember Jackson.

I want to take this time to thank you for the proclamation that your office gave uh in honor of his um of his name.

Um I wish he was here today, but uh but the work goes on.

Um, in the words of the great organizer, Miss Sandra Edwards, uh, I need the council to help me make this fee make sense.

Um how is it that we've paid into a water fee for years to meet a consent decree uh due to negligent um due to the negligence of the city of our sewer infrastructure?

Um, how is it that we have a fee when over 20% of Houstonians live below the federal poverty line?

Um, and we're charging a flat fee with uh no escalator, and it's expected to grow and it's going directly towards salary, and it's not going directly towards salary or safety of workers within solid waste.

They're new floodplain maps that were just released, and we aren't allocating additional funds to neighbors who have ditches to move water away from their homes.

The time has expired.

Very briefly, the ask is to put an additional 20 million dollars towards the ditch reestablishment program.

We need an equity provision for the trash fee immediately, and we need to protect the C US.

Charge us the penny and property taxes, find new revenue like capping overtime and abatements, mayor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Stop giving tax breaks to oil and gas.

Thanks.

Vivian Lee.

Sherlonda Brisby.

She's here.

To be followed by Sarah Sayed.

Originally requested three minutes, but I understand the time has put us in a different time signal.

So if you give me one second to bring this back up.

My name is Vivian Lee.

I am with Coalition of Barrier Free Living.

I'm an advocate and training.

I'm here today to personally ask for infrastructure repairs that we have been requesting prominently from the disability community.

I have been rescued by the Houston Fire Department no less than five times from a sidewalk that has been so damaged that when you attempt to go around, you get stuck.

And there's nothing that you can do except hope they can come.

And when we repair these things, we don't repair them in the areas actually need to be repaired.

So I'm asking, what can you do?

Because you and I met at St.

Francis of Assisi, Mr.

Mayor, where I was the only person who walked up to you and spoke to you in a completely crowded parking lot from an ad accountability meeting by TMO.

I know you don't remember, it's okay.

It was during election season.

But I walked up to you and asked you to please remember the disabled community.

And you said I will do what I can for all of us.

But this was after I'm in, and after that, I met you again or saw you again at the state capitol, where they asked what was going on after the storm, and you said, and I'm a coach you, I've only had this job for seven months, and I inherited a myth.

And honestly, even though it's embarrassing as that statement was, it's true.

We are a myth of all kinds.

But I just have the simplest question.

When you said you would do your best, is this your best?

Thank you.

Just a second, ma'am.

Oh, Miss Lee.

Thank you, one second Councilman Hovman.

What is the location of the sidewalk that you would like repair?

If you really want to look at the areas we're talking about, you would be surprised where most of them are.

During COVID, they blacktopped West Hammer, a street that didn't need to be done, but they did it.

And they destroyed all the curb cuts, so we had to wait for the state to come back and put those back in.

But a busy street like where I live on West Hammer.

You can go every other block and find a hole in the sidewalk that's there by a city water meter.

Those little bitty meters that make just enough of a hole and is just enough of a pathway that you try to go around, you're either gonna drop this side or that side.

If it's not level ground, or take a chance, pull out of a driveway, into the street, and go as quickly as you can to the next driveway and get back on.

Or turn around, go back to the light, go across the street and hope you don't have the same problem on that side.

And you can find this all over town.

We're not just talking here and there, it's everywhere.

I can guarantee you you can go downtown right now and you're gonna find a sidewalk you can't go.

It's got a hole in it, or it's got a piece missing.

It's it's it's not the worst thing in the world, but it is for people like myself.

If I can't get around a hole, I'm stuck.

And sometimes we're not talking about one block.

We're talking about going back two, three blocks, going over, coming back, going across, hoping that you can make it where you're going.

And if you look through the Coalition for Barrier Free Living, that's our main uh office, and the Houston Center for Independent Living is our grouping.

We have people from all over who call 311 regularly.

We have them set up to do just that.

People call them and tell them where the problem is.

We call 311.

And we know 311 is not totally funded completely as it could be.

But our biggest problem is priority.

Where does the priority lie?

Whose area gets fixed first?

Because it's gonna make a difference.

It's gonna make a difference where you start.

If you pick areas that look easy, that's where you're gonna start.

And that's fine because easy is fast.

But some of these places are terrible.

Well, thank you, Miss Lee.

And um, I'll have somebody from my office reach out to you so we can learn more.

Thank you.

Okay, and and our my teacher, my advocacy teacher, Miss Annabelle, she's going to speak again on this.

She is the head of our advocacy ILS at Houston Center for Independent Living.

So she's one of the people who can also have information that you might need as far as our people.

But that's all I'm asking.

That was promised.

Thank you, ma'am.

Shalanda Brisby.

To be followed by Sarah Sayed.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Shalanda Brisby, and I'm a lifelong Houstonian.

I'm here to speak on the I'm here to speak on.

Um, wait a minute, I'm sorry.

I'm a lifelong Houston.

I'm here to speak on the need to make the trash fee affordable for residents like myself and make it better a better deal for workers.

My neighbors and I cannot afford this fee.

The U.S.

Census data shows Houston's poverty rate is double the national average and heavily affects children, with nearly one in three children experiencing poverty.

Right now, the main impact of the proposed fee is not to improve trash pickup or help solid waste workers.

It's meant as a way for the city to access a fund called the CUS.

The CUS will now be used to pay for the large budget deficit the city is facing.

My asks to you are very simple.

If this trash fee is going to pass, we need an exemption for the residents who are disabled, who are on a fixed income, who need to feed their children, who are living below the poverty line.

This fee increase to $25 a month is in just five years.

Just like what is happening with our water rates.

This fee will cause a shock to home outside the wealthy areas.

The city needs to step up and do a job to protect and provide essential services for our city.

Thank you.

Next, Sarah Sayed.

To be followed by Latanya Payne.

Okay.

Good evening.

My name is Sarah and I'm an organizer and a member with the Northeast Action Collective.

We've been engaging with you for many years.

Today I'm here to speak about the growing financial pressure.

Uh people are facing what that what many people call fee stacking.

Many city fees already increase automatically each year through inflation adjustments tied to consumer price index or CPI.

At the same time, property taxes rise with home values, businesses pass costs through consumers, and now the city is adding recurring solid waste fees.

The concern is not one single increase, it's the cumulative effect over time on working families, renters, seniors, and small businesses.

As council moves this budget cycle, I encourage you to prioritize solutions that reduce pressure on residents while protecting core city services.

That includes allocating 45 million dollars for the ditch reestablishment, expanding hiring for public works and reducing overtime so we can improve basic infrastructure services, creating low-income exemptions or assistance programs for any future solid waste fees, and opposing the proposed 5% right-of-way fee from combined utilities from the CUS that would ultimately be passed down to customers.

Your time has expired.

I will add one more thing.

I asked the council to review considerations about the property tax rate to the voter approved CAP, which could generate millions in revenue and help reduce reliance on layered monthly fees and keep water infrastructure funds focused on water.

If the city is going to rely more heavily on fees moving forward, there must be safeguards and offsets for residents.

I appreciate your time.

To be followed by Christiana McKee.

Good evening, everyone.

Residents already face the aggregation of rising cost, a fee increasing to $25 a month over a five-year period may seem small on paper, but for working families, seniors, and at-risk communities, it becomes another recurring burden pulled from the same household pot.

Families re rely on for groceries, medication, child care, and transportation.

Historically, systems presented as equal often impact communities unequally with lower-income residents carrying a heavier proportional board board burden while wealthier households absorb the increase more easily.

At some point, we must ask: Are we improving our city for residents or slowly pricing working families out, pushing them out all together?

If city ordinances give this council the authority to create an exemption to these fees, then I urge you to use that authority.

One more thing.

And if any uh increase is deemed necessary, there must be transparency, a hard cap, exemptions for at-risk communities, and subsidized or income-based application of the fee.

Equity is not everyone paying this the same amount.

Equity is recognizing who can actually absorb the impact and making sure we support those who can.

Thank you.

Next, Christiana McKee.

To be followed by Christopher Graham.

Good evening.

My name is Christiana McKee, and I'm a resident of District A.

I'm here today because flock cameras were recently installed at the entrance of my neighborhood, which means every time I leave or return home, my movements and my family's movements are being photographed, logged, and stored in a private corporate database.

And I want to be very clear about what these cameras actually are.

Flock markets them as a simple license plate reader, but their own patents and public records tell a different story.

These devices are AI powered surveillance systems that capture every passing vehicle and person and upload that information to a private corporate cloud that the city of Houston does not control.

Residents have no public records rights over that data.

We cannot see who accesses it, how often, or for what purposes.

Yet this information is being harvested by a multi-billion dollar corporation that answers to venture capital investors, not to the people who live in our neighborhoods.

Next, Christopher Graham.

To be followed by Eric Sanchez.

Good evening, council.

I was coming to um and to address some concerns in the community.

First of all, I'm a good um, I'm a good person of the community.

I live here for a long time.

Now it's a lot of things going on in our community that shouldn't.

Um putting them on the alert with things that shouldn't be.

I don't have a history of things.

Uh things are happening.

It's not safe for myself or them.

And with me saying that, also basically the 911 system.

When you call 911, it's emergency.

You're supposed to come regardless.

You know, you don't get to pick and choose.

Well, I'm gonna come just with more important than that.

Um, or they don't show up at all.

So I have several instances where 911 didn't show up, things happen, but when another person called they show up.

Um basically, 911 should be a merchant responsible, whether everyone, like the file truck and one comes to another.

Your time has expired.

Basically, there's some things going on in the community, and I need to know why, who's around it, where there's no history of it, when no one is in danger, and it's not it's not fair for the community to be put on alert with things like that when it's never been a history or the person that's just done those things.

So basically, if we can get that together, and I need some answers on that.

All righty, thank you, sir.

Next, Eric Sanchez, Amaka Yunako.

Ashley Butler.

To be followed by Annabelle Rios.

Alright, good evening, everyone.

So I'm here today because last year I met with my civic association, and I asked them why had the playgrounds in my neighborhood been demolished.

They said that they would get on it.

However, a year later, we still don't have a playground in my community, but the city of Houston has spent millions of dollars to host foreigners to come into the city and watch soccer games with the FIFA World Cup.

And our kids don't even have a playground.

Also, sorry, in 2010, Houston voters voted against the traffic cameras.

However, all around the city, cameras are popping up.

So I don't understand how it's okay when just 16 years ago we didn't agree for the cameras, and now all of a sudden, without our permission, we have to be surveillant surveyed.

Um, and then my last concern.

Sorry.

Um, also in my community on the street or MLK, I've counted countless gas stations.

In fact, they're building a new gas station.

Okay.

Annabelle Rios.

Hi, Mayor.

My name is Ann Val.

I know you see us here before.

We are part of the coalition for barrier free living.

So, this is a nonprofit that advocates for the independence of people with disabilities.

And twice a year, we host an advocacy class where we prefer individuals and teach them skills uh to not be afraid to speak up about their rights and the issues in the community.

So, as Miss Vivian brought up most of the issues and some of the streets that are a major concern, I'm not gonna go into uh uh some of the uh problems that I had, I might be rather I'm gonna speak from the heart.

You know, I myself have run into situations where I'm in stuck in the middle of the street due to a pawn hole not being able to cross the street until somebody comes to my rescue and gets me unstuck to be able to cross the street on another occasion I rode the city bus with no problem getting off the bus, but yet having to write three flocks on the street before being able to write an existing but they should not be happening in the city.

You work for better infrastructure and more funding for because we know that we have the people with disabilities today streaming program, but we know that more funding is needed.

So I heard the city, Houston to prove it's a healings high walk in high traffic and high need areas, repairing damage, or obstructive, and ensuring that new development include media combined structure policies, investing in a more equitable, historically underserved communities.

It is a need that increases mobility and access and with the city as big and diverse as Houston.

Houston needs to work better in making an accessible community for our studio.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next.

George LeBlanc.

Chaz Sampson.

To be followed by Olivia Hassel of Paralyon.

Good evening, city council, mayor.

My name is Chad Sampson, and my nighttime gig is being an NFO agent.

But during the day, I'm a chief executive in the real estate space.

Um I'm standing in front of you not only as a landowner but also as a friendly neighbor, but also someone that wants to partner with the city of Houston to create a safer, more compliant, and more professional STR ecosystem.

Houston's at a critical point right now.

We are no longer debating whether short-term rentals exist.

They're not a permanent part of Houston's tourism, housing, housing, and small business economy.

The real question is whether we create a system that rewards responsible operators while aggressive removing bad actors.

I want to give you guys a few pointers that I also was able to point out while being in this space.

Uh April 22nd, 2025 was the effective day for ordinance number 25, 2025-2032, which is short-term mental ordinance.

Um, right now there's 3500 plus registered STRs.

83% are compliant, but the 17% are not.

That's what I'm concerned with.

Mostly in part is um, your time has expired.

Completed.

Okay, thank you so much.

Um, so here's my ask very quickly.

Uh, I I firmly believe there's a balance between neighbors and STR investors that can exist.

Um the current ordinance, I think is a solid separate right direction, but I think it's missing teeth, mostly in part to make sure that there's a good balance between investors in the community as also neighbors.

Um, I also would like to petition for industry partnership council that consists of investors as well as community uh leaders as well to make sure that those that are compliant staying compliance, like myself, I'm in the business, but also those that are not compliant are also penalized in a proper way.

That's where those that are not compliant does not overwhelm those that are compliant by myself as well.

We also have an event tomorrow.

We do have the ARA that will be there uh in attendance.

Uh, this event is to educate the general public about short-term rentals, um, how to manage them and how to be compliant with the city of Houston.

Counselor Peck.

Yep.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you so much for coming.

Um, my office spoke with you earlier.

Well, yes, yeah.

We'll reach out to you to set up a meeting so we can discuss all this further.

Yeah, absolutely.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thanks to the council.

Thank you, sir.

My pleasure.

Next, Olivia Hassel.

Of Paralyon.

To be followed by followed by Jennifer Edmondson.

Good evening.

My name is Olivia Hassel, and I'm an occupational therapy doctoral student at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Throughout my experience working in healthcare and adaptive recreation, I've realized that many individuals with disabilities, families, healthcare providers, and even community members are unaware of the adaptive sport opportunities available here in Houston.

Because of this, I am organizing a Houston Adaptive Sports Day event on Saturday, June 27th at the West Gray Multi-Service Center.

This event will bring together adaptive sport programs from across Houston to allow individuals with disabilities and their families the opportunity to learn about, explore, and try different adaptive sports in a welcoming and supportive environment.

While the event primarily targets individuals with mobility and visual impairments, all individuals with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Whether you know someone with a disability, are interested in volunteering or simply want to learn more about Houston's adaptive sports community, I would love for you to come out and support this event.

My hope is that this event will increase awareness, accessibility, inclusion, and long-term participation in adaptive sports throughout our community.

Today I'm asking for your help and spreading awareness of this event, whether through thank you.

Mayor.

Councillor McCayman.

Yes, Olivia.

Thank you so much.

And I'm sure if you circulated that information to all of council, council members would be more than happy to share it out, participate, and it's a beautiful thing that you're doing.

I wanted to personally thank you for the work that you do.

And Mayor, we've had a lot of folks from our disability community coming forward today to talk about the challenges that they face every single day because of how our city is built or not maintained.

West Gray is that gem, not only of hope, but of support a supportive network that exists nowhere else in the country.

It's why we have fought so hard to secure additional funding for West Gray to re envision it, to do the community and public engagement around it.

So uh was not didn't know what you were coming to speak on, but you mentioned West Gray, so I really just wanted to lift up not only your work but the work that's being done there every single day and how important it is for the city of Houston uh to not only continue that programming, but to build upon it in a way that reflects the dignity uh that our disability community deserves.

Yes, thank you.

I have flyers.

If anyone is.

Okay, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next Jennifer Edmondson, Ferdinand DeRisso of Missouri City.

James Turner, Walter Rivera, Lemulaki Davis of Dickinson.

To be followed by McKenzie Knoll.

Good evening.

My name is Lee Malaki Paulavite Davis.

I am 19 years old and I'm a competitive figure skater who skates and trains at Memorial City Ice Rink.

Today I am here to speak about what the closing of our ice rink and what it really means for me and so many others.

Down south, there are very rare opportunities for hockey players and figure skating.

And if this gets replaced by a parking lot, it's not just an inconvenience.

It is wiping away chances for young and future skaters to train and grow and to learn.

They are taking away opportunities from athletes who have dedicated years of their lives to this sport, and they're taking away a training facility from athletes who love what they do.

If they take this rink away, they will be tearing down a community that has helped so many families in so many different ways, and it's tearing down dreams.

Memorial City sits near the middle of Houston.

It's the easiest facility for many families to travel to.

Without this, I can guarantee you that many young skaters will not be able to continue their skating journey due to the commute.

With parents trying to balance their work life, their children's school, and then just life in general.

This one section.

It can be exceedingly difficult.

I mean, my me, myself, I have to travel about an hour to an hour and a half one way just to get to the easiest rink.

And it hurts knowing that it's gonna be replaced with asphalt.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, McKenzie Nall.

To be followed by Charlotte Nall.

Good afternoon.

I'm McKinsey Knoll.

I've been figure skating for almost six years now, and I skate at Memorial City six days per week.

I called my second home.

For figure skaters, we have to train consistently, or we can lose our jumps.

Our edges are balanced in our progress in the sport.

I participate in off-campus PE so that I can train.

I'm also part of Houston Ice Theater Skaters Hits, which is Houston's own nationally and internationally recognized feeder on ice team.

Our junior level team was selected to represent the United States of America in the 2026 Nations Cup and World's Cup.

And Memorial City Ice Rink is our team's home rink.

Through figure skating, I've learned time management, accountability, and gained confidence in handling challenges both on and off the ice.

I have learned how to set goals and how to work to attain them.

Through my experience on hits, I've learned how to work as a part of a team and develop problem-solving skills.

I'm sure a whole community of ice sports athletes can say that this is our health and fitness outlet, our happy place, and our social support network.

If Memorial City ice rink closes, there's nowhere for me to do my sport consistent constantly.

The other regulation size rinks.

Can I please continue?

The other regulation size rinks are far away, and both of my parents work full-time.

There also isn't enough ice for our community to go somewhere else.

A lot of my friends will quit skating altogether, and I really hope that I don't have to.

My off-campus PE application was just denied for the next year because there's not another approved ice rink to go to.

We do not have a fair shot at competing academically and athletically without an accessible full-size ice rink in Houston.

Houston deserves the same opportunities ever as every other major city.

I respectfully I respectfully ask city leadership to support community-centered solutions so that we can have access to our sports.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Come back, come back.

Mayor.

Councillor McCorter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, thank you, McKenzie, for kept for bringing this to council.

I've read quite a bit about it.

Do you all know who owns the facility?

The ice rink.

Uh can you repeat the question?

I said, do you do do you all know who owns the facility, who owns the ice rink?

Uh Metro National.

Okay.

Um, it is a it is a privately owned uh uh I think we maybe know some of the owners, but it the city doesn't own it.

My my uh chief of staff is a competitive ice skater, and she's talked about it quite a bit.

And so um certainly I know it's an asset for the community and the value of having that in your community because it it does teach the young athletes so much in a second home, and um I'm not sure what we could do about it other than you know carry the message to the owners, but I'm sure there's many business decisions based on whatever they're doing.

But thank you for coming down, and I know it means a lot to you, and hopefully things will work out in your favor.

I'm not sure what that looks like, but thank you for for bringing your voice down.

Thank you.

Oh, no problem.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

No, no, no, no.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Ms.

Mall for coming down.

You know, we've heard from a lot of residents inside of District G and outside of District G that utilize the Memorial City ice rink.

You know, we know that most Olympians um start skating between the ages of three and seven years old.

And so, you know, reducing these ice rinks that they can practice on will ultimately you know hurt the future Olympians, you know, coming out of the Houston area.

Um, like Councilmember Carter said, um, you know, there are private businesses making decisions, and I know that doesn't make it any easier for y'all.

I know that there's been a large group that has um gotten together.

I've spoken with state representative Lacey Hole.

She's kind of taken the charge on this.

I know her son is an avid hockey player and uses that rank all the time.

I know that they're looking into other potential locations.

I know that um there's an ice rink committee that is looking at not only temporary fixes because the ice rink will permanently close in July, but also a long-term fix and something you know in the general area that would be easy to get to.

I know that um I think last week a couple of individuals went and looked at a space around Westview and Beltway 8 as a potential place.

I know to have an ice rink that's big enough to compete on, like you know, the galleria has an ice rink, but it's not large enough to for the type of competitions that you're doing.

So finding a place and a space that doesn't have, you know, has one big open space without the metal beams and things like that, you know, interrupting the rink is really important.

Um, we're gonna keep working on this.

I know that Representative Hole has talked to um potential corporate sponsors that may you know sponsor something like this, maybe center point or or one of these other businesses out there.

You know, the city we can't do everything, and obviously this isn't isn't a silly f city facility, but it takes, you know, private and public partnerships to continue to have these great things in our area.

So thank you so much for coming down.

Oh no problem.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next, Charlotte Nall.

To be followed by Princess Helene.

Hi, I'm Charlotte Nall.

That was my daughter.

Um, I'm speaking on behalf of the broad community of supporters working to preserve ice skate memorial city.

Houston's the fourth largest city in America, yet the city has extremely limited year-round ice access and falls behind every other major metropolitan metropolitan area in recreational infrastructure for ice sports.

Houston has 30 to 40 times less access than top markets.

Dallas, for example, has 22 sheets of ice, and Houston will have four after the closure of Memorial City.

Losing this facility with displaced athletes eliminate opportunities for children, impact scholarship pathways, and reduce access to unique sport that serves families from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.

It affects thousands of families and displaces programs that have been operate that have operated for decades.

More than 8,500 people have signed our petition supporting continued ice access in Houston.

Multiple elective representatives, including Councilmember Mary Nan Huffman, and public officials have publicly expressed support for maintaining ice sports access in our Houston community.

Local businesses have supported us and confirmed rink the rink brings customers to their businesses.

So this is not just a rink, it's a youth development hub, a health and wellness resource, a safe structured after-school activity, and supports a lifelong sports ecosystem.

But without access, the entire pipeline collapses.

Closing Moral City Ice Ring takes away scholarship opportunities and pathways to college for many of these student athletes.

Houston is already underserved, and even if there was enough ice elsewhere in Houston, losing or restricting rink space creates barriers to entry and financial burdens, families are not able to overcome, especially for the middle and lower income families.

So it's even more than just a sports issue, it's an equity issue.

We urge you to protect this mental health infrastructure.

Additionally, the rink has economic and social value, it's a profitable rink that hosts regional competitions, tournaments, and promotes tourism.

So the issue is more than just a building, it's about whether Houston will continue investing in community infrastructure that supports youth development, healthy recreation, and long-term quality of life.

This is an opportunity for Houston to demonstrate that growth and community infrastructure can coexist successfully.

We're not here to oppose growth or redevelopment, but we're asking for collaboration, transparency, meaningful exploration of preservation, integration, and replacement options before this community asset is permanently lost.

We respectfully ask the city to help facilitate stakeholder dialogue and support community centered solutions.

But they don't exist on an island, they do have public works, emergency services, fire marshal, tier 17.

So they do benefit from public uh public funds as well.

So I know that there is there's there's a lot of different things that we just don't have a lot of time.

It takes three years to vote a rink.

My daughter graduates in five.

So anything that y'all can do to help us, we would really appreciate it.

May I approach and pass these?

Catherine Hoffman.

Isn't the kid?

Councilmember Hoffman.

Thank you, Miss Nall for coming down.

I we really appreciate your advocacy and keeping my office informed with the developments as they move along.

We will continue to pursue this and look for alternatives.

Um I know that you know the way that it went down, it seemed like you know, quite a surprise for everybody in the community.

So we'll we'll keep working, but thank you for your advocacy.

Thank you, Nick.

Princess?

Okay.

Good afternoon.

My name is Princess Helene.

I'm here with uh for the same issue.

I'm asking the council to help facilitate the development of a new rink to replace Memorial City ice rink.

I'm here as a parent of a 22-year-old daughter who have skated for eight years, and she is teaching ice skating at Memorial City to young kids.

Facilities like Memorial City Ice Rink promote physical health, support mental health, mental well-being.

I know this for sure from my daughter, and keep young people engaged in positive activities that build discipline, resilience, and community.

Houston has very limited iSports infrastructure.

The increased distance and cost for families to travel further will simply be impossible for them to for their children to continue continue participate in ice skating.

I ask the city to help bring together private investors, community organizations, and stakeholders to make a new rink in West Houston possible via public private partnership.

Thank you, Nick.

Franz Haling.

To be followed by a Courtney Nicholas.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor, ladies and gentlemen of the city council.

I'm Franz Halin.

I'll be brief.

Uh the other speakers have done a great job representing the need uh for a replacement skating rink for Memorial City.

Um I just want to reinforce that the demise of a well-managed, centrally located, uh, and very uh comfortable serving ice rink is a tragedy.

Uh so I would ask you to do anything in your powers to support the public and private partnership to uh enable a new rink uh in the general uh West Houston or central Houston area.

Thank you.

I yield the rest of my time.

Thank you, Nick.

Courtney Nicholas.

To be followed by James Kritchmer.

Thank you, Council.

It's an honor to speak in this chamber.

I started figure skating seven years ago as a 42-year-old.

I've learned that small victories really add up, and that everyone has a place on the ice.

I've watched kids gain confidence and leadership skills, and I've met friends who have told me that they have skating has literally saved their life.

So I'm not just thinking of myself being here today, but of the child out there who has yet to discover skating.

We need to preserve resources like the Memorial City Rink, which has made skating accessible to the broadest range of skaters.

It is the only full-size public access rink which you can reach by Houston Metro bus.

It's the only one.

Students, church groups, and all members of the community have enjoyed a healthy screen-free family activity there.

And similar to the Explore Act, many cities and advanced nations have laws in place to protect community activity resources.

We are asking our elected officials to help facilitate further discussion with Metro National to preserve or replace Memorial City Ice Rink.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next James Kretschmer.

To be followed by Larry Aguirre Jr.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is James Kretschmer.

First, I'd like to say I'm a person in long-term recovery.

What that means for me is I haven't found a need to take a drink or use a mind-altering substance since February 5th, 2023.

I'm a member of Oxford House and the citywide chair.

I live in Oxford House Twin Hills since February 5th, 2023.

We are sober living housing.

And wants to be in recovery.

And we are now over 4,000 houses.

Your time has expired.

We have over 4,000 houses across the nation.

We have 36 in the city of Houston on there.

And we've got other people that we'll speak.

Thank you.

Next.

Larry Aguirre Jr.

to be followed by Alain Harris.

Hi, I'm Larry Aguirre Jr.

I'm also in long-term recovery.

Hadn't found a need to put a drug or use alcohol since 1119-2019.

I'm also inviting you all to this Oxford documentary that we have here on the first.

Helped me achieve this recovery milestone that I did.

Okay.

That's all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next.

Eileen Harris.

To be followed by Kirsten Bogart.

Thank you, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Eileen.

Okay.

I'm Eileen Harris, and I'm long-term recovery also.

I am now an alumni of Oxford House.

And I will tell you I'm a recovering alcoholic since two six of 2022, and I have battled the disease of alcoholism.

I have not gotten in any trouble with the law.

I put myself in there.

I will tell you my recovery is in the main thing in my life and the structure of my life.

And that is what Oxford House has given me.

So I would extend the invitation to you and all the City Council member mayor to please come and see what we're all about.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Next Kirsten Bogert.

Hello, my name is Kirsten Bogart.

I'm also a member of the one of the Oxford houses, Oxford House, Shelby Marie.

Um I am here today with my two-year-old son David.

So what's special about my story is I was actually um I've struggled with addiction since my early 20s.

I'm 37 now.

And after having my son, um, I chose to go to the Oxford Sober Living, and I've been there since July of 2024 with with my little boy.

Um, and this film that we're talking about that we're inviting everyone to, it's just really to spread awareness and hopefully that we can get some more houses set up for people, especially as a mom with a child, and staying sober and focusing on my recovery.

This has given me the opportunity to actually restart my life in a way that I wouldn't have been able to do so.

I've been able to build my relationship back with my parents and my siblings, and also it's just it's really there's something that's under focus, there's no not enough focus on it for those members that are coming out of treatment centers and not having a place to go or coming out of institutions, and we would just like to forward the uh invitation to come and check out our film.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, Maria Gonzalez.

To be followed by Mary and Scott.

Good evening, uh, Mr.

Mayor, fellow council members, good to see lots of friends here.

I want to thank you all for holding evening sessions.

It's important so all our citizens can participate.

Um, I want to encourage uh you all to support changing the name of Cesar Chavez Street.

We've got plenty of names.

Also, you might consider there are always new streets being built in the city.

So I do encourage Maria Jimenez be recognized.

Um the other thing I I want to point out to um council members Salinas, I want to thank you for your leadership on trying to address the issue of ice.

I would like to encourage all of you all to reconsider look at this again.

I have had students who, when you guys were considering addressing the issue of ice, felt safe and more comfortable being at the University of Houston.

Their family members are scared.

If we can just send a message out, your time has expired.

Thank you.

Yes, we were.

Thank you so much for coming, Maria.

It's always great to see you.

Um I just wanted to share an update we received today.

We will be getting the first public reporting about HPD's cooperation with ICE on July 15th.

Um, I assume that reporting will be public, but if not, as soon as our office receives it, we will provide it.

And so I hope you will encourage others to use this information to hold HPD accountable.

Please, I we really need to get the message out that we are not allowing this city to become a place where our my students' families are scared.

And if we can just keep sending that message out, that will help help.

And I do want to slip in here.

I really also want to support the LGBTQ plus empowerment initiative and encourage you all to continue to support it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mary and Scott.

Walter Milburn of Sugarland.

Bernadette Kiki.

Oh, Councilmember Thunder Meyer, uh greeting so in the name of Jesus Christ.

So I am here today to ask a few questions.

Does the entire Houstonians know that the Messiah is coming?

Does the entire Houstonians, Texas, and all of United States know that rapture of the church is at hand?

Does the entire Houstonians know that we must prepare seriously like the five wise virgins to make rapture?

Do we agree that the prophets in the Bible?

Please can you all listen to me?

I think some of you are talking, and maybe some of you are not paying attention, but this is very serious.

This is the most singular serious information coming to this city hall today.

And the question I had for the mayor and blessed beloved council members is that the prophets in the Bible was sent to the leaders, like me and you.

Okay.

Essential Elijah was sent to who?

Ahab.

Even Jonah, when Jonah went to Nineveh, Jonah had to convince the king and all the leaders to get into sacklot.

And I've come here and I have asked Houston as the number two most sinful nation in the earth.

Are we going to be raptured?

Are we going to be raptured?

And the other question I have for you is that the Lord Jesus Christ is saying, every human being on the earth, repent, repent, repent, because the Messiah is coming.

And I see myself here.

Sometimes I see people thinking that the Lord God Almighty gave us must be reversed back.

Even when we pray here, we pray, we say, in the whole in your holy name.

People are shamed.

Christmas are shame to call the name of Jesus Christ inside this city hall.

And I come as a concerned Houstonian to say, blessed leaders.

Time is over.

The most singular never returning back.

Destruction is coming to the end.

And Houston be prepared.

Tribulation is at hand.

We are the figure at the line.

At the edge, the Strait of Pomuse is close by the Lord Himself.

The war in Russia is struck by the Lord Himself.

And he's telling me and you go prepare Histonia.

Don't let us go to His.

Please, I would go to hell.

I don't want my children to go to her.

Thank you, ma'am.

Prepare the city.

Please don't go to her.

Thank you.

We're okay, officers.

We're okay.

We got you.

We needed that.

Amen.

Sarah Bell Edwards of Conroe.

She said, Kendrick Johnson.

She says, get right.

Nathaniel Leonard.

Jeremy Peel.

Thank you, sister.

We'll see you next week.

To be followed by Max Diaz.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Jeremy Peel.

I'm an attorney with the Houston Eviction Advocacy Center, and I'm here to ask counsel to allocate more funding to homelessness prevention as a solution to the housing crisis.

Housing instability is one of the most important issues Estonians face.

Every day I see people push toward eviction because of a medical emergency, a temporary loss of income, or rent rising or rising rent costs.

And once someone loses housing, the city often ends up paying for that instability anyways through homelessness outreach programs and other support services.

However, preventing homelessness is more cost-effective than responding to displacement after it occurs.

And when people have stable housing, they are less likely to commit crime and more likely to maintain employment and support their families.

In addition to the mayor's in in street homelessness fund, I ask council to allocate more money in the general fund to eviction prevention, emergency rental assistance, and even leak uh legal aid programs that help keep house people housed.

Our city cannot succeed if the people who keep it running cannot afford to live in it.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Next Max Diaz Nathaniel Leonard to be followed by Isaiah Lopez.

Mike, please okay.

Yeah, uh I've been waiting for your uh your counselor or secretary she has not uh called uh office smith over at Westside police station I've been waiting to uh hear from you as far as me getting some help with the uh bigot sheriff situation and getting me with this says council of justice as far as Texas goes and Houston goes to get some justice done as President Barack Obama said to weed out bigots and people who do things like that people who which this guy targeted and sabotage my life for 20 years and I do need some help with uh Ben Crump the civil rights lawyer to get some justice done for my life not having to come back here every uh week and uh uh tried to wait and hear I haven't heard anything from you or your office or your uh secretary okay thank you sir next Isaiah Lopez you want me to come back or uh okay I mean do I call the office or y'all how do I do that okay thank you Isaiah Lopez West West Houston please Aubrey Contreras Carolina Bustos to be followed by Jacob Klementach.

Hi good afternoon council my name is Carolina Bustos I um a community organizer with the races collaborative and I'm here to talk about uh money you know um Houston anywhere you go you'll find a little bit of Houston I urge you to protect your city our communities are already suffering so much my daughter came home last week and told me one of her classmates ate their teachers' chips and got yelled at in July twenty twenty five the starting salary for Houston police officer was eighty one thousand six hundred last year city council voted that officers would receive a total bump pay of nearly 37% and now we have HPD overtime spending at an all time high seventy four million surpassing the 45 million budget by 29 million dollars one senior officer Matthew Davis annual salary was ninety thousand Davis received a hundred and seventy thousand and just over time please protect us next Jacob Klementich to be followed by Joseph Omari.

Okay the best for last IG joke okay um I was talking about athletes well when I was a member uh I competing athlete uh the ninety six Olympic Columbus uh we had a team uh competing team of uh males and females and so, well, when the females took off for me, I didn't pay that much key to it but they're on I passed up, and so I was glad.

And so um all I can say is uh a biological man, XY comes um companion against females or your ex comes on.

Then that ain't right.

Now it's Aggy Tone.

And I was asked what is Cinco de Mayo, and he was from Mexico, Veracuce, and so he said, Oh, it's 5526.

And then the same question, what's that?

American IG.

And he said, Oh, that's easy.

It's 5526.

And then uh, well, that confused the other IG, and he said, Why is that?

And the uh uh Americans at Cinco Noyo and the Aggie from Veracuz, Mexico, said um Maya DeZinko.

Very good, Jacob.

Let's go.

Next Joseph Amara Joseph Amari.

To be followed by Eduardo Duran.

I'm doing today, Mr.

Mayor.

City Council.

I end up with some Eddie Mercury Trading Places Club, but tips came out.

I say, I won't do this A.

But anyway, uh, you don't have to like me or like my working.

Uh, you don't have to buy, but if you don't want to buy it, you know, you know, but once you buy it, you can do anything you want with it.

But until then, I really don't like integrating and collaborator, making that crossover move with my off one without that contract being in place to establish how much the deal is worth.

And how much did it close?

I really don't care about uh new or old white periods as long as you pay me for the contract that agreed upon.

And I'll ask you, please, because nobody like these lawsuits and non necessary lawsuits and please don't still use my hoodie with the number, the breasts and thighs as number, don't have a deal with it.

I don't want to see you get hurt in it and uh don't say I just warn you.

Until then I keep my form on my side of the table and my side of the road and I side track.

You keep your form on your side of the road, don't try to track.

Yeah, you're gonna be able to do that.

Thank you.

Eduardo Duran.

See you next week.

And this completes the list of speakers.

We stand adjourned.

No recess.

Reset.

Recess.

Yes, reset.

Council Chamber.

I will now read the captions for the agenda of May 20th, 2026.

Item one, request for mayor for confirmation of the appointment of Alvin Johnson, the fourth to position two of the Houston Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors.

Item two, recommendation from the Director of Houston Public Works at Houston City Council accept the work and authorized final payment if any of the contract with the Industrial Texas Corporation.

Item three, recommendation from the director of Houston Public Works at Houston City Council accept the work and authorized final payment.

If any of the contract with JFT Construction Inc.

Item four recommendation from the director of Houston Public Works at Houston City Council accept the work and authorized final payment, if any of the contract with Vortex Services LLC.

Item five, recommendation from the director of Houston Public Works, reviewed and approved by the joint referral committee on request from John Shaddocks and Schweiler Corrigan Ogden declining the acceptance of rejecting and refusing the dedication of it of an 11-foot wide alley from Teeth Shawn Street north of its terminus within the yeoman edition out of the John Austin 2 League Survey A1.

Item 6, amend motion 2026-129 to increase spending authority from $525,000 to $598,000 on award to Ernst and Young LLP.

Item 7, approved spending authority for professional grant support services, awarded to the response group LLC.

Item 8, tactical support equipment ink for sole source purchase of criminal intelligence tracking gear upgrades.

Item 9, TetraTech Inc.

for emergency payment for emergency SCADA support services.

Item 10 resolution of the City Council amending resolution 2026-18.

Setting the public hearing at 9 o'clock a.m.

on June 3rd, 2026 in the City Council Chamber of City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Second Floor, Houston, Texas, 7702, on the city budgets for the time period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Item 11, ordinance relating to retail gas utility rates of Center Point Energy Resources Corporation.

Doing business as Center Energy Intex and as Center Point Energy Texas Gas.

Item 12, Ordinance Accepting Proposal through Member Company, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Item 13, ordinance appropriating $900,000 for replacement of protective gear and equipment.

Item 14 has been pulled and will not be considered.

Item 15 ordinance appropriating 45,134, appropriating $30,000, appropriating $790,857.46 cent.

Approving and authorizing agreement for project enhancements and supplemental funding, Buffalo Bio East Park Projects between City of Houston and Buffalo Bio Partnership.

Item 16, ordinance appropriating $333,000 and $90,000 for Brock Park Improvements.

Item 17, ordinance appropriating $1,084,000 and $153,000 for Cloverland Park Improvements.

Item 18 ordinance appropriating 1,250,000, approving and authorizing interlocal agreement with Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority.

Item 19, ordinance appropriating $585,000 and $1,220,000 for Ingrando Park Renovation.

Item 20 ordinance amending ordinance number 2021-95 related to contracts with All Terra Engineering Inc., Alpha Testing Inc.

Associated Testing Laboratories Inc., Avila's Engineering Corporation, Braun Intertech Corporation, ECS Southwest LLP, Day and Associates Limited, HBJ Associates Inc., Kleinfelder Inc., Nino and More Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences Sciences Consultants, Paradigm Consultants Inc., QC Laboratories Inc., Robba Kissner Inc., Terracon Consultants Inc.

and Tulenay, Tolenay, Wong Engineers Inc.

to provide material testing and engineering services.

Item 21, ordinance approving and authorizing telecommunication equipment license between Methodist Hospital and City of Houston, Texas for space at six sixty-five sixty five Fannon.

Item 22 ordinance approved and authorizing contract with Alpha ICare Associates PLLC.

Item 23, Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Contracts with AAR Incorporated, FNL Landscaping Construction Inc.

ISL Contractors LLC, Paramount Builders of Texas, and Top Choice Solutions.

Item 24, Ordinance Appropriating $1,188,000 44 cents for reinvestment zone number 28 Medical Center Area Zone for payment to medical center area redevelopment authority.

Item 25, ordinance approving and authorizing submission of application for grant assistance to the U.S.

Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance for the Pathways for Pre-Apprenticeship and Readiness Training Project.

Item 26 ordinance approving and authorizing submission of application for grant assistance to the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division for FY 27 Body Warren Camera Program.

Item 27, ordinance approving and authorizing submission of application for grant assistance to the Office of National Drug Control Policy for the FY26 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program Grant.

Item 28 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Form of Interlocal Agreement Related to FIFA World Cup Grant Program to be executed by Harris County and other entities.

Item 29, ordinance approved and authorizing reimbursement agreement with Sports Authority Foundation related to contract contracted security personnel for FIFA World Cup Fan Fest Events.

Item 30 ordinance approved and authorizing interlocal agreement with Harris County related to counter unmanned aircraft systems grant program.

Item 31 has been pulled by the administration, will not be considered.

Stay tuned for the next public the next council session to begin at 9 a.m.

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

Which is under order, and the mayor's report is being yielded.

To council member Kamen, take your time.

There's not a mayor's report more important than your report.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning, everyone.

Um I didn't say you're the mayor.

I said thank you.

I said thank you, Mayor.

Uh, and I've yielded my time.

I appreciate that.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I uh I'll reserve most of my comments uh for after council today, but we have two very special guests with us.

Uh, our council baby Slade and my husband, Matt.

Matt, if you'll come up for a second, stand right there.

Oftentimes, colleagues, you know, when we have um people that are willing to serve and serve on boards, serve as electeds.

I thank them also for their family service.

And today I get to thank my family.

Um, it's my last day on council and slade.

You have shared so much of you with this body and with this city, and I am so grateful for everything that you've done.

And uh to my husband Matt, I could not do what I do.

Hey, hey, hey, I could not do I could not do what I do for the city of Houston without you and everything that you did to support our family, uh, to support the work that we do, but just to be an extraordinary partner.

So I just want to thank you all for the time um to recognize my family because many of you know what a sacrifice it is, and I'm just so grateful that I have such an extraordinary partner.

My entire family, my mom, my dad, my sister, but really Matt, uh, you're it.

And he didn't know that this is what I was doing today.

He just thought he was coming down to support me.

But you deserve so much uh acknowledgement and recognition for who you are.

And I love you, Matt Hansel.

So thank you for everything.

And Slade.

You're just the best, dude.

Sorry.

Thank you all very much.

Thank you.

We all know the impact that public service has on your family.

Great opportunity to meet interesting people, but also the demands on your time and attention to the job is uh family sacrifice, and my daughters have been raised by public servant their entire life, and we could go around the horseshoe and it's it's a wonderful experience, but it also is a challenge.

So we recognize that.

I appreciate it, and I think I think out of everyone, Slade was uh the most sad because he heard I wasn't gonna be coming back to his he loves hanging out back in chambers and uh but this our council family has really embraced my family, and I'm very grateful for that.

Very good.

This code of consent counting.

Under the miscellaneous category, item one has been removed for separate consideration under the accept work category.

Category, uh, need a motion for items two, three, and four.

Castate a move.

Heck, second.

Motion made and segment.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the property category, need a motion for item five.

Castex take a move.

Heck, second.

Let me uh pause right here, Mr.

Johnson.

Who we just voted on.

No one yet.

Not yet.

Not yet.

Not yet.

Not yet.

I wanted to recognize you, not here yet.

Okay.

We haven't voted on it.

It'll come back in a minute.

Or we can call it now.

What difference is it matter?

You might as well do it.

Okay, we can call we can call number one.

Yeah, call number one.

I was I was mindful of his time.

Uh Mr.

Johnson.

We recognize it, and we're gonna vote on you in a moment, but I feel pretty good about your vote.

Come forward.

Thank you for your public service.

Anyone have any questions before we vote?

You need to move to pull it off.

We're fine.

I thought you maybe had a scheduling issue, but you're here for a long time.

Thank you, brother.

Thank you.

Is that your family with you?

Yes.

Thank her.

Thank you, ma'am.

Ditto to my words.

It's a it's a family challenge to be a public servant.

So thank each of you for being here.

Item one needs a motion.

Castax say to move.

Motion is made in second on item one.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Passes.

Thank you, Mr.

Johnson.

Mrs.

Johnson.

Thank you, Mayor and colleagues, uh, for your support of this appointment.

Um, as you know, um the Houston Housing Finance Corporation, and we uh nominated and appointed a series of new appointments, and Alvin represents um the addition to that as we move to uh meet our demands around affordable housing in the city.

Uh, excited about uh his work.

Um you've heard me mention some of his work at the horseshoe.

Um the bank that he's uh uh affiliated with Texas First Bank did some of the funding at Bonton and CDC with those 13 lots.

Um, also he's the president of the Thur Ward uh little league club uh that is has a resurgence that's been in the news then lately.

So excited.

Mayor, you're absolutely correct.

Public service is a deep commitment.

Um, so thank you for contributing to your city.

Happy to have you appointed.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Thank you, Mrs.

and Mr.

Johnson.

Congratulations, congratulations.

Okay, next.

Under the purchase and interpolation of beards category.

Needle motions for items six through nine.

Tell you to move.

Motion made in the segment.

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

Under the ordinances category, items 14, 31, and 32 have been pulled and will now be considered.

Items 15, 29, 28, 29, and 30 have not been received, but will be considered if they receive before the end of the meeting.

1431 32.

Items 11 and 12 have been removed for separate consideration.

Need a vote on the balance.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay, motion passes.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item 11 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 12 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 37 is a motion to set a date not less than seven days from May 20, 2026 to receive nominations for position one of the Lake Houston Dredging District.

Cast X Tato move.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion.

Item 38 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

Councilmember Salinas.

Thank you.

Um I just want to take a moment to introduce this ordinance.

I'm really excited to bring it forth along with Councilmember Alcorn, Councilmember Damitas, Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Castillo.

This is a much needed improval to our sign-up process, allowing folks to sign up online to participate at City Hall.

I think this is a great continuation of the work that council's already been doing to make City Hall more accessible by having evening meetings.

And I hope there are more initiatives like this that we can push forward.

But I'm excited about this.

I appreciate colleagues the opportunity to visit on this.

Thank you.

Thank you for your leadership.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Congratulations.

This completes the items on the agenda.

I'd give you the gavel, but we physical responsibility.

We got to keep using this.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to start by highlighting a item that was passed today, item 18, which is an interlocal agreement between the city and TURS 5 for improvements to Stude Park.

This is a partnership that's going to implement the vision that Turs 5 was spearheading with regard to Stude Park.

It's highly utilized.

It's right along our hike and bike trail on the wide of bayou.

And so I want to uh highlight the partnership with uh Memorial Heights, TURS 5.

They they do fantastic work and look forward to continuing to work with them for the enhancements to Stude Park.

District H will be hosting a shred day in partnership with AARP.

This is gonna be May 30th, 9 a.m.

to noon at the Denver Harbor Multiservice Center.

Um there's no cost to the residents, you just need to register and uh you can bring your paperwork and um boxes of four of papers that you'd like shredded.

This will be again on Saturday, May 30th, 9 a.m.

to noon at the Denver Harbor Multiservice Center.

And if you want to register, um, you can reach out to District H at Houston TX.gov for information there.

I want to congratulate um one of the members of my team, Wendy, who graduated from the University of Houston Honors College last week.

Uh we are very proud of her, she accomplished something very significant.

Um, so she is now uh officially a honors college graduate from the University of Houston, and I appreciate all her hard work and dedication to the District H team and the community.

Later tonight, Councilmember Alcorn and I will be hosting a virtual budget town hall.

This will be our last budget town hall.

It'll be at 6 p.m.

Um you can reach out to District H at Houston TX.gov if you would like to RSVP, and this is a chance to learn about all the proposed changes in the upcoming budget.

Share your feedback, ask your questions 6 p.m.

tonight.

Um, and this past Saturday, I want to thank Finca 3 Robles for uh inviting me to be a judge for their salsa de mayo salsa tasting competition.

We had a great time out there.

Uh it raised money for the nonprofit, the urban farm finca Tres Robles, which uh does a lot of great work promoting access to quality, healthy food.

They also run a grocery store on site that operates on a sliding scale.

If you are in need of quality, fresh produce, um, but are concerned about prices.

Uh this is right in the second ward on canal, and they do they do fantastic work.

So I was proud to be there supporting them for that.

I want to thank them for having me.

And then finally, I want to wish my colleague, Councilmember Kamen, well, uh, you know, District H District C.

They share a lot of border together, and I have been uh so grateful for the opportunity to work with you on so many things.

Uh since I've been here, you know, for the two and a half years on council.

Uh you've been able to help in so many ways.

You were willing to meet and uh offer your guidance and your support without uh you know any hesitation or reservation.

It's been great to work with you to get to know you.

I'm proud to call you a friend, and we'll miss you on council.

Yes, yes, we did get items in.

All in favor of 28.

Say yes, those opposed, nay.

Item 29 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

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

Item 30 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

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

Motion passed.

Thank you, sir.

Uh thank you.

Councilman Davis.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, we want to uh start off just briefly by thanking first of all my staff again for our uh our 10th uh town hall meeting.

Um was with very successful.

We held it at the Chinese Community Center, and uh it was very, very well attended to those who were able to arrive, and we had a great turnout.

Uh, we want to thank the Southwest Management District for their support and sponsoring us and for all of those, and certainly want to um extend our appreciation to the panelists.

Uh Chief Diaz uh from our police department, uh brother Derrick Lewis from Metro Police Assistant Chief, Larry Saddle White, uh for the Mayor's Office of uh Public Safety and Homeland Security, Kristen Butler, HPW, Lawrence Hanson, Houston Solid Waste, uh Mike Nichols, Houston Housing Community Development, Prentice Collins from Houston Park Recreation, and uh also Twee Law from the Office of Emergency Management, and we're certainly grateful to all of the resource tables who were there with us.

We had 22 uh resource tables, and it was very, very well uh supported, and the community really appreciate it.

So we really want to thank all of them for that, and also to uh our uh participation of our mayor who popped in and thank you, Mayor, for coming by, and uh as you can see, most of the people were pretty excited to have you there.

So thanks again to all of the work that those put in place.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Flickinger.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh item 37 today had to do with the Lake Houston dredging district and gets us uh one step closer to getting that board uh uh initiated.

And Kathleen Jordan is who I'll be nominating.

Kathleen, why don't you stand up?

Um Kathleen was actually uh recommended by the bill's author, uh Representative Cunningham.

Uh so I thought it was appropriate deference, and besides the fact uh I'm thrilled with Kathleen as well.

So uh we'll be putting that uh nomination in place next week and uh look for everybody's support.

Thank you very much.

Councilman Cayman.

You want to come back and let you wrap things up?

It would be a nice way to close today, I think.

You want to do both.

This is your day.

Uh seriously, you want to get any announcements out of the way for the district, and then or or let's let you wrap things up today.

Uh I'll just say one district announcement.

Can't can't miss that opportunity.

Um, we'll be releasing an not just our annual report, but pretty much throughout my time on council issuing a report, ideally by the end of the week.

It's long, but it's a roadmap for all residents to know where their projects still stand, where all of that funding is, um, so that we can ensure that that work continues.

So just be on the lookout for that.

We'll be emailing a link, but it'll also be on the district C website.

Okay, and we'll uh visit with you in a little while.

Uh Councilman Hoffman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Caitlin.

I have really really enjoyed getting to know you and your family and your mom.

You know, one of your great strengths is your ability to form relationships and foster those relationships.

Um I have appreciated, you know, since we share a boundary, also your willingness to work with me on so many different things for the good of both of our districts.

And um, I'm so proud of you.

You're gonna do great in your next job.

And you know, what I think of you, really the word that comes to mind is limitless.

Like you are limitless.

So congratulations, love you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, had a busy uh weekend, started off Saturday attending the National Alliance for Mental Illness, Greater Houston Walk, and saw you there, Mayor.

Um, they do uh commonly known as NAMI, they do wonderful work raising awareness and funds to uh address mental health uh issues, and uh I was happy to support them.

I know that uh as a city we do some things to uh make sure we're uh addressing mental health issues appropriately when there's potential interaction with the criminal justice system.

For instance, the crisis call diversion uh folks that we have working uh behind 911.

And we we need to make sure to do our part uh to help those with mental illness to make sure they don't end up in in a jail cell when when it's not needed.

Anyway, I'm thankful for NAMI and the work they do.

Also had the opportunity Saturday to attend one of the demolition day projects.

This was on Nettleton Street, and again I encountered uh Mayor Whitmire there.

Demolition days is an opportunity that the Houston Contractors Association takes to partner with the city and with public works and with the administration to to donate uh time and assets to bring down um dilapidated buildings.

So I want to thank the Houston Contractors Association and its uh uh leadership, including John Harper, whose company uh brought down that building on Nettleton Street.

Um also want to thank Councilmember Alcorn and her staff uh with assistance from uh Vice Chair uh Castillo for their work on uh the budget workshops, the budget town halls, the budget survey.

That's all very helpful to council to understanding what's in the budget and the complexity of it, and so uh everything went smoothly.

Uh we would expect nothing less from Councilmember Alcorn, but I very much appreciate their efforts on that.

I would request an additional session to be held where we can hear more about uh some of the things that have been uh raised with regard to the uh CUS.

So if we could have another session on that, that would be great before the vote.

Um we had another special election, and we will be getting a new council member in district C.

Um we've had two special elections in the last few months, and um the thing that I take away from those elections is the low voter turnout in those special elections.

I think that the city should be doing a better job of publicizing uh elections, especially uh the special election, so that we can get more Houstonians out to the polls.

I'm not suggesting in any way that results would have been different if more people had turned out, but I think that uh I'd love to see Houstonians take a uh a bigger role in in the democratic process and selecting their leaders.

So hopefully we can come up with ways, uh council members to uh to help better publicize these elections.

And finally, if I could direct a few remarks to uh my colleague uh at the last meeting, uh councilmember Kamen.

I have really appreciated the opportunity to work with you on council.

Um your passion for representing your district is evident, and and there's no one more passionate about your constituents than you are.

So I greatly respect and appreciate that.

I uh appreciated the collaborative spirit that you and I have had.

We don't always agree on everything, but uh I appreciate your willingness to look for those things where we do agree and to work with me as as a partner.

There have been times when you were the only one who supported me and and took up for me.

Absolutely.

Yeah, right.

You do.

Uh, but uh truly I will never uh forget that.

So thank you for that.

And uh, you know, if I take away anything from from our meetings, it will be the compassion you show for the regular folks who come up to that day there and and address us with problems.

Your your true compassion for them uh has come through many, many times loud and clear.

So um I will I will miss working with you on this council, but look forward to seeing uh ways we can work together in the future.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Thomas.

Thank you.

Um on Monday, uh, we all celebrated the uh renaming of Terminal E.

Uh, I really appreciated the remarks of my colleagues, especially Councilmember Pollard's story about the Congresswoman.

Uh and and mayor, I was thinking about some of the remarks you you you made when you said that you know she was running her her campaign out of your office, and I just was imagining, you know, um a 45-year-old you and her, and uh what those interactions would have been like.

And so whenever you write that book, I definitely want to uh uh I want to pay attention to the chapter of Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire.

Um but uh kudos to the uh airport, uh phenomenal event.

Kudos to the Jackson Lee family and every person who touched uh the event and then the process.

Thank you to council um for your support of this.

It was uh truly a wonderful day.

The family walked away, uh truly touched, happy to be there.

Uh on Monday night on the 18th in District F.

We had hosted TCEQ for a public hearing regarding a wastewater permit at Bissinet in Kirkwood.

And I will tell you uh we have to do a better job of a couple of things, civic literacy and communicating accuracy, and in an age where misinformation dominates, uh, much of the conversation, my commitment to District F residents uh will be that we will uh visit and partner with the A Leaf Super Neighborhood to talk about the 138 acres of redevelopment at Bissinet and Kirkwood, which fits into our larger uh revitalization uh initiative.

Um prior to serving on council and or even on the school board, but just living in the community.

Um, everyone would ask what are we going to do about Bisonet and Kirkwood?

And we have a series of major improvements that are happening from Bisonet Safe Streets to the Turz boundaries expanding to help with infrastructure, a series of detention projects, and this 138 uh acre project will transform Bissinet that needs more attention uh on the west side, and they're getting that attention.

So I will come back to you soon with details and we'll have a conversation in community, and I'm sure you will be pleased.

I want to remind my colleagues and those who are interested that the housing and affordability committee will be back in chambers on Tuesday, May 26th at 10 a.m.

Uh, the agenda should be posted either today or tomorrow on our website.

And if you can sign up, if you want to be a speaker for public comments, you can sign up before 5 o'clock, or you can sign up in person.

Looking forward to discussing those items to you.

And in closing, to my colleague, Councilmember Kamen.

Uh campaigning in 2019, being sworn in in 2020.

I don't think Mayor Turner knew what he had in store.

I think we were the rowdiest uh incoming freshmen of council members.

His hands were truly full.

Uh we came in with a big ideas, big hope, and then the global pandemic happened.

Um we experienced the pandemic, COVID-19, eviction crisis, uh George Floyd, social and civil unrest, uh, hurricanes, freezes, you name it, we did it, and uh uh we are better for it, you are better for it.

And so I'm sure when you said yes to representing the people of District C, you never thought that you would have an opportunity to represent Harris County.

And now I get to witness your growth and I get to witness your star shine.

I'm so excited on what is in store for you, the commitment and the fervor um and the fierceness that you represent your uh constituents.

My hope is that they will always say we've never had another council member like Councilmember Cayman, um, because of the commitment that you stood with them in times that were tough, even when you were the lone voice, even when you were raising a flag of an issue that no one else possibly were paying attention to, or making a connection to what the imp implications of Houston and the state and the federal government.

They have a good council member in you, and I know that we'll have a good county attorney in you.

So, congratulations.

Um, looking forward to all of the partnerships, all of the good things, and um I'll make sure to have Councilmember Ramirez's back while you're gone since you say I don't know.

I'll be over here holding it down for him.

He don't even know.

Um, but congratulations to you and to your family.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, Councilmember Thomas, thank you for mentioning the um renaming ceremony uh this week at the airport.

It was an incredible opportunity for us to remember the legacy of uh the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Very honored to be able to participate in that naming ceremony.

I thought that it was very well done.

So thank you to everyone that had a hand in um that actual ceremony.

And then um, colleagues, uh, this week I also had an opportunity to represent the mayor in the city at the 78th uh Independence Day of Israel.

Um, Councilmember Flickinger was there, and Councilmember Alcorn was there.

Um, this was the last event um Independence Day that we will have with Council General Livia Linked Raviv.

Um she has been an incredible uh representative of Israel.

Her successor has been named.

Um she will be leaving shortly, but wanted to just thank her for always um allowing the city to celebrate and the incredible friendship and opportunity that we've had to do some great work together uh on behalf of Israel and the city of Houston.

A couple of announcements for the residents in District K.

Uh, the South Gessener PIP meeting will be held this evening at 6 30 at the Gessner Station at 8605 West Place Drive.

The presentation tonight will be from HPD Air Support Fox team.

Um, they will be the guest speaker and they'll discuss the critical role they play in enhancing community safety and their contributions to emergency response operations.

So residents want to attend that PIP meeting.

It is again tonight at 6 30.

And then we're also hosting a community engagement meeting on tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m.

at the Fountain Life Center.

It'll be hosted by South Post Oak Redevelopment Authority, the Five Corners District, Hiram Clark Fort Being Redevelopment Authority.

So it's divine designed to give everyone a seat at the table to discuss the ongoing developments that directly face our community.

And then I want to give a special um acknowledgement to my council colleague, council member Abby Kamen.

Councilmember Cayman was uh probably the first person outside of myself that I actually went and block walk with.

Uh when she was running for city council, I met her.

Um, we connected and I said, you know, I would love to have her as a colleague on city council.

I have been on council for about two years, and um we block walk and I got to know her better, and you have been a staunch advocate for District C, for the District C residents.

Um the thing that I loved working with you the most has been the passing of paid parental leave.

So many times we um are in situations where um they're male dominated sitting around city council over the last couple of years.

There have been more women on council than men.

Um the issue of paid parental leave passing in 2022 blows my mind that the city of Houston did not have paid parental leave.

Um, but it was your fierce advocacy, your lived experiences that really helped us to see why that was important as a city.

Um, and you led that charge, and now we have paid parental leave in the city of Houston.

And I want you to know that we appreciate your voice.

Uh we stand with you, we encourage you as you move to your next role.

Uh, we uh councilmember Alcorn and I are hosting a community celebration for Councilmember Cayman on next Tuesday at the Ismaili Center at 5 p.m.

If you have not registered, we hope that you will register to attend.

Mayor, I know you told me that you will be there, so we want to give her a beautiful send-off uh to the county, and I wish you the very best.

I know you're gonna give it to them when you get there.

Congratulations to you.

Thank you.

That's Mayor Protein.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, first I want to remind everyone that we are having our next coffee with the council member and cops Thursday, May 28th at 10 o'clock AM at the White Oak Conference Center.

We hope to see all of our constituents there, and our at-large council members are welcome to join too.

Um, next, I want to thank Councilmember Alcorn and Councilmember Castillo and their staff for all the budget workshops and the town halls and all the work they put into that.

They were great workshops.

Very much appreciate those.

Um, want to wish a very happy birthday to Marta, whose birthday is on Monday.

Happy birthday.

Just for you.

And Councilmember Keeman, it has been such a pleasure to work with you on council.

I've seen firsthand how much you care about your constituents and your advocacy for your constituents, and I'm I know that that's going to translate to all of the residents now of Harris County.

I'm so excited for you in this new role.

I'm excited for the concrete batch plants that we're gonna take down together and the slum apartment complexes that we're gonna take down.

Um, I'm excited about the nuisance um issues that I'm going to bring to you, but most of all, I'm very excited that now no one will say to me, Wait, which council member are you?

Are you Peck or are you Kimmy?

We get that all the time.

But all kidding aside, I'm very excited for you and hearing you overall.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh first uh just a reminder that early voting started for primary runoff elections.

They're in the way, so please uh have a plan to vote.

This is important, and you can always find your nearest polling location at uh uh Harrisvotes.com.

Uh secondly, uh last week I had the privilege and uh the pleasure to hang out with several of our young folks.

Um I was able to uh participate at the teen court graduation, the Mayor's Youth Council, Fireside Chat, and then Millby High School had uh the National Honor Society had a mental health conference.

Uh and it was just it's always good to be able to um see some of our future leaders uh in these different spaces, and so I just want to lift up the uh the mentors, the teachers, the volunteers, all the adults that have been pouring into them and uh some of my uh my words to them were everything that's being poured into you.

Make sure that you pour that back into the community.

Um secondly, uh we are 20 days away from FIFA uh fanfest uh loaded in the east end, and so just want to make sure folks get the updates on road closures activities.

Uh you can visit FWC 26Huston.com.

Uh my office will be hosting another community uh meeting in East Downtown on June 6th to provide more updates related to World Cup and FanFest activities uh taking place in the community.

Uh the meeting will take place on Saturday, June the 6th at Pegaso HTX, that's at 2619 Polk Street.

Um this is from 9 to 10.

Um also uh I know Martha wanted to wish you have a birthday as well, but also my chief of staff, Edith Santa Maria.

Today's her birthday.

Uh wanna lift up my chief of staff.

She's a she's a great asset to our team.

Um leading and leading our office to make sure that we're serving our community.

Um I also want to uh take this opportunity for uh the kids, all the kids are about to get out of school.

Uh as school wraps up uh over the next few weeks.

Just want to wish everybody a safe, fun, and happy summer.

Um I'll be able to visit with my 10-year-old at his graduation today, uh, later on.

Um, and just for the for the parents, I know that there's always um, you know, what's next, right?

With summer programming and you know, where am I gonna put my kids?

Uh we're my office will be announcing a partnership with Department of Neighborhoods, uh anti- uh the gang prevention office um on June the first.

We'll be providing more information on some of our activities for young folks throughout the district.

Uh so you can subscribe to the uh newsletter to find out more information or follow me on social media.

And then um, last but not least, of course, uh Councilmember uh came in.

Um I think we all understand that the work is the work, right?

Uh, but what I've always appreciated from you is being a parent first.

I think we can't take that away whenever we're around these horseshoes, uh, this horseshoe.

And the way that I've been able to connect with you in that in that fashion, I want to lift up.

I know Matt and Slade are not here, they're probably in the back right now, or they left already.

Yeah, they have school.

Exactly right.

These are the things that as parents around the horseshoe that we juggle.

Um, and I just want to say thank you for being a great mother, a great partner, uh, because again the work is the work, but that part we can never forget, and ultimately that's why we I think we serve as well.

We want to make sure that our kids have a better Houston.

Um, and so uh thank you for the work that you've done around the horseshoe first and foremost, but thank you for being a great mother and a great partner.

Thank you.

Councillor McCollard.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um this past week, uh my office co-hosted a job fair at Burnett Bayland Park.

Um it was put on by the Office of Business Opportunity.

I want to give a shout out to Director Hoard, uh to Brandon Jones, uh to Commissioner Leslie Brionis' office and all those who helped uh usemble that job fair.

Um the job fair started at 10 a.m.

when we got there a little before 10.

There was a line already wrapped around the building, and it just really makes you aware of how great the need is for meaningful employment that's out there.

And so my office will continue to uh try to work with as many entities as possible, putting on these job fairs uh for those who are looking for employment.

Um you can always go to more jobshouston.com.

That is a one-stop site that my office uh has uh created for job seekers.

Um there's over 4,000 jobs on there right now uh in the greater Houston area for any type of um industry space you're looking for at different positions from entry level all the way to things that require a postgraduate degree.

So if you're looking for a job, um, or you know someone who's looking for a job, please go to more jobshouston.com.

Also, um, to my colleague, councilmember Kamen.

Um, before I met you, I met your mom.

Uh our moms were both at the early voting locations, um, helping us to pass out literature for those who are coming to vote.

And your mom was pretty spunky.

She was out there and she was running around, and my mom was doing the same.

My mom has passed away now.

But I I do remember how much pride both of our moms seem to have of being out there for us as we were campaigning, and we were both young in our like early mid-30s when we were embarking on uh running for counsel, and then once elected, we sat next to each other for my first four years.

And I recall when I the first several meetings, uh, we'd be looking at the agenda and you would be leaning over and you would be telling me things like you need to look at this and you need to look at that.

And I'm like, who is this?

Who is this woman?

It's all in my ear.

But um, you have a dynamic personality, and I wrote some words that I thought best described you, which is smart, well prepared, informed, prudent, compassionate, sympathetic, bold, thoughtful, direct, and vocal.

And vocal is the one that stands out the most because you use your voice, even in times that are that aren't always the easiest, uh, you use your voice.

Around this council, we we lean on your voice, we listen to your voice.

Your voice matters in the discussion.

We know that when you speak on a topic that uh you understand the subject matter, you are well prepared, you are studied, and um that's something that I'm going to miss.

Uh, I try to use this microphone as much as I can, and you're someone I know uses her microphone as well, and we're going to miss you.

But I know you're gonna do great things in your next chapter, and we look forward to supporting you in that.

So God bless you.

Thank you, Councillor Alcorn.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to my colleagues and all the department directors that participated in the in the budget workshops to my vice chair, Mario Castillo, who helped me run uh some of those, and and uh just really appreciate Mayor.

Your directors brought their A game.

They they endured hours of questioning, not just here in the chamber, but also in written questions.

Um, you know, nobody can say they don't know line by line of this budget.

We really covered it thoroughly, so really appreciate everybody's work and everybody's participation in that.

Ah, Abby.

I mean, you you are a family when you're out there on those.

Tiffany Thomas said it.

When you're out there campaigning together, you just man, it's a whole bunch of people you didn't know before, but you bond and you're like, we are in this fight, man.

And the people that win, the people that lose, I mean, you're just like a group out there, and there's nothing like it.

So I've written a poem for Abby on her last day of counsel.

It's not that great.

Y'all don't be too excited.

All right, here goes nothing.

Six and a half years of service in every breath, a chapter closing with quiet depth.

From pothole pleas to crosswalk fights, from parental leave to broken pipes.

She fought and fought for drainage money.

Watching her try to keep her cool was really funny.

The marathon public safety meetings, the gun safety lock, the no locks, the noise ordinance, the constant greetings.

No one has worked harder for District C.

A needy bunch.

You heard their please.

Then came the storms, literal ones.

When hurricane swallowed our Houston sons, Abby was there with disaster relief, clipboard in hand, boots in the grief.

She mapped out shelters, hauled supplies, held trembling hands with steady eyes, and learned that leadership's truest test is showing up when hope feels pressed.

And your greatest accomplishment, Council Baby.

Slades far out, funky, cool, and shady.

Abby Kamen, you have made your mark.

I'll miss you like crazy as you disembark.

So cheers to Abby on her last day.

But guys, our meetings will sure be shorter, I have to say.

I don't really know how to follow that up.

Um I just want to say, Abby, I've obviously known you the shortest on this on this horseshoe, but in the time I've gotten to know you, I have been constantly impressed by so many things other colleagues have said, but for me, what has really stood out is your bravery.

At every step, you have always been willing to do the right thing, no matter who it bothers, no matter who it upsets, because it's the right thing to do, and that takes real bravery.

And that's an inspiration to me.

I know it's inspiration to your college to your constituents, district C, and now you will be an inspiration to the county.

So don't ever lose that bravery.

You will remain an inspiration to all of us.

Please don't mind.

I will continue to call on you for advice and counsel, but truly thank you for everything you've done.

And Joe has very big shoes to fill.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I too wanted to just give a shout out to Kathleen Jordan, the nomination uh nominee for the uh dredging uh board.

Uh Kathleen's a trusted voice in the community, and I think she certainly understands the needs, and and I hope you all will support uh her nomination and and uh next week.

Um yesterday we hosted coffee conversation on human trafficking, brought some uh respected voices to the community, and you we talk a lot about FIFA.

It wasn't just about FIFA, it's about Houston.

Um and uh Texas is a no trafficking zone, and you will continue to see we're really trying to push out that message as the numbers uh go up.

And uh FIFA certainly will bring an elevated element there.

So thank you, Mayor, for participating.

Also, too.

Who knew Starbucks is a second chance uh reentry employer?

So learned something new yesterday.

I had a great uh they hosted helped us with coffee and pastries, and they do a lot of great community service.

So just wanted to give a shout out on that.

And then uh council member Kamen.

I I met you when you were pregnant with uh Slade, and um I remember saying, who is that?

I think it was with uh then Councilmember Cohen, right?

Um, or yeah, I think about anyway.

I I remember just I remember seeing you who is that she's so young is what I said, because you know, gray hair.

But um, your advocacy for domestic violence is um you're unrelenting, and uh, don't worry, I'll carry that torch, and I'll look for you at the county to to help to continue that work.

Um, you know, when I think about you, I some you know we sit eye to eye, and sometimes we we make eye contact and we can laugh, and sometimes we make faces back and forth about what we disagree on.

But um, your steady and unwavering strength is admirable, and um it reminds me of a um of a uh a quote from one of my all-time favorites, Maya Angelou, and it's courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently, and I think that that speaks volumes to who you are.

And I know you'll do a great job over at the county.

I've uh I told you I'm giving you my list of uh right after Councilmember Peck, or is it Council Member Kamen, whoever she is.

I didn't make the comparison until today, actually.

So um, but anyway, I wish you all the very best.

And and uh we'll miss we'll miss the the uh commonality we have across the horseshoe here, so uh God bless you, and I wish you well.

Very well.

Um, I recognize Councilman Kamen.

Items 15 has arrived.

Mr.

Secretary, if y'all would one last vote.

Consider item 15, item 15 is an ordinance, just need a vote.

Everyone had a chance.

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

Motion passes, and uh councilman Maris, thank you for bringing up the Houston contractors who contributed our time and resources to the demolition of houses on Saturday.

And now, Councilman Cayman, you know the premium output on public service.

I think it's a calling.

And you've definitely answered that calling each and every day as a council member.

I know you will do it going forward.

I think the greatest tribute any public servant elected official can have is what their colleagues speak and uh and recognize them.

And so you that calling uh as you also know, I believe we're all gonna be judged someday by our public service, and you're gonna get extremely good grades.

So thank you and continue it.

It will be as a public official, it's gonna be very interesting to watch you make the transition, which I know you will.

Take your legal knowledge and your seriousness to that job, and uh kind of shape up those commissioners, would you?

We enjoy the collaboration, and you bring that spirit to uh to co-commissioners' court.

So we wish you nothing but the best.

And uh our time is your time now.

Thank you, Marion Colleagues.

I'm I'm just moved.

Uh I have loved serving the city every single day.

Uh, this is not just a job.

I think for those that are sitting around here with me as my colleagues, you all know that this isn't just a job, this is love for our city and for the people that we serve every single day.

This is the most incredible district that anyone could have the privilege uh to represent, and it's a precious responsibility, and I want to thank the people of District C for that privilege for that honor.

They are the most engaged, compassionate, um, committed residents that I have ever seen.

Uh, the way in which they work together, the way in which they not only work with our office but look out for one another.

So I really just want to thank District C.

Um, because the residents deserve nothing less than giving this everything that I have had, and they are what comes first.

Uh so I want to also congratulate um the incoming council member elect uh because this has been the privilege of my life thus far to serve district C in the city of Houston, and to each of you, we would be here all day if I went around the horseshoe to talk about the ways in which we have worked together, the ways in which you have not only lifted me up but lifted up your own districts or the city at large.

Um I was looking over photos.

Uh first off, I started off as a blonde.

Councilmember Carter, little more gray hair.

Um but we had three weeks into office, the Watson plant explosion, three weeks in, then the pandemic.

It was disaster after disaster from storms to freezes to grid failures, George Floyd's murder, civil unrest, the demand for civil rights and civil liberties, October 7th.

I've already mentioned the pandemic, but that just overshadowed everything.

But we have somehow found a way through it all, not only to lift up Houston, but to continue the work that we set out to do, and for each of your friendships, for each of your commitment to what we do around this body.

I just want to say thank you to each of you as well.

Um, your passions, your experience, your expertise is something that I have taken so much from.

And as I move on to the next, I'm not going very far, and I'm here for each and every one of you, and I am here for the people of Houston.

But I want to close with saying that we have to protect the voice and the power of this body, and the power and the voice that we have in governing to safeguard the rights of the people of Houston, to not allow anybody to chip away at that or anything to chip away at that.

Benjamin Franklin at the 1787 Constitutional Convention was asked if they had created a republic or a monarchy.

And local government impacts every single person most directly, and it is a precious responsibility.

Our mission and our mantra, if you will, in district C has always been to leave our district and the city better than when we got here, so that the next person can build upon that, that nobody has to go back.

And I am so grateful, again, for the honor, but the privilege to have gotten to come to work every single day and read the words freedom, equality, justice, council, but the people are the city.

And each of you has made a profound impact on my life.

I'm grateful for each of your leadership, but above all, I am so grateful to the people of District C.

Again, the words I'm just left with are thank you.