Houston City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Houston City Council convened on May 19, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge, followed by roll call and adoption of the minutes from May 12–13. Council members suspended rules to add several speakers to the public comment list. The bulk of the meeting consisted of public testimony on a wide range of issues, including a proposed monthly trash fee, the use of tourist development funds for a private club at Levy Park, recurring sewer backups, support for an LGBTQ+ economic empowerment coordinator, the closure of Memorial City Ice Rink, homeless prevention funding, and infrastructure accessibility for people with disabilities. Council members responded to many of these concerns, and later voted on consent agenda items and ordinances. The meeting concluded with a farewell to Councilmember Abby Kamen, who was leaving to become Harris County Attorney.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Motion adopted unanimously to approve the minutes of May 12–13, 2026.
• Procedural Motions: Several motions passed to add speakers to the public comment list: Carmel Johnson (top), Brian Kelly, Shirlanda Brisby, Sarah Sayed, Latanya Payne (bottom), and Travis McGee followed by Therese Covington (after other adjustments).
• Consent Items Adopted: Items 2–4 (accept work and final payments for contracts), Item 5 (rejection of alley dedication), Items 6–9 (purchase and contracting authorities), Items 11–12 (ordinances), Items 15, 28–30 (ordinances received during the meeting), and Item 37 (motion to set date for nominations for Lake Houston Dredging District).
• Appointment: Item 1 – Confirmation of Alvin Johnson IV to the Houston Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors passed unanimously.
• Online Registration Ordinance: Item 38, an ordinance allowing online sign-up to speak at city council, was introduced by Councilmember Salinas and passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sewer Backups – Clan Manor Apartments: Carmel Johnson, a resident, stated she first raised the issue in 2022 and that raw sewage continues to back up into her unit through tubs, toilets, and sinks, creating health hazards. She asked the city to investigate and hold responsible parties accountable. The Mayor directed health and public works to follow up.
• Levy Park / Tourist Development Funds: Travis McGee argued that tourist dollars approved for Levy Park expansion are being used for a 30,000-square-foot private membership club, contrary to the public green space intended. Councilmember Pollard expressed concern about public dollars going to private purposes. Councilmember Alcorn confirmed via search that a private club is under construction on Richmond. Councilmember Kamen clarified that the TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) authorized use of its own increment to negotiate for land, but the property in question is private and was not acquired by the TIRZ. Councilmember Ramirez noted she voted against the funding, raising equity concerns about park investment. Councilmember Peck supported checking the facts.
• Proposed Monthly Trash Fee: Multiple speakers opposed the proposed $5/month fee (planned to increase to $25/month over five years).
  • Susan Richards argued that the fee disproportionately impacts vulnerable neighbors (elderly, fixed-income, minimum-wage workers) and proposed instead reducing tax breaks for polluting industries.
  • Doris Brown stated the fee does not address underlying solid waste problems (working conditions, outdated equipment) and that no exemption exists for those unable to pay; she suggested a property tax increase instead.
  • Courtney Revels (Northeast Action Collective) said increased water bills already hurt fixed-income residents, and urged the council to reconsider using the CUS fund to cover the deficit created by police pay increases.
  • Felix Kapoor emphasized that $5/month can be burdensome for disabled and fixed-income residents.
  • Sarah Sayed (Northeast Action Collective) warned of “fee stacking” from multiple automatic increases and asked for a low-income exemption and 45 million dollars for ditch reestablishment.
  • Christiana McKee stressed that equity means not everyone paying the same amount; some cannot absorb the impact.
  • Shalanda Brisby requested exemptions for disabled, fixed-income, and poverty-level residents, noting that Houston’s poverty rate is double the national average.
• LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment Coordinator:
  • Hayden Cohen (District C) asked the city to fund a full-time LGBTQ+ economic empowerment coordinator in the Office of Business Opportunity, shifting from a part-time, grant-funded position. He cited results (resume workshops, business certifications).
  • Kelly Sadler echoed the request, stating the part-time role is insufficient for a community that is “full-time exhausted.”
  • Councilmember Castillo expressed support and said she would work to make the position full-time.
• Memorial City Ice Rink Closure: Several speakers urged the city to help preserve or replace the ice rink, which is set to close permanently in July 2026.
  • Lemulaki Davis (figure skater) warned that losing the rink will force many young athletes to quit due to long commutes.
  • McKenzie Nall said she trains six days a week and called the rink her second home; losing it would eliminate her off-campus PE program and end her skating.
  • Charlotte Nall (McKenzie’s mother) presented a petition with over 8,500 signatures, noting Houston will have only four sheets of ice after the closure, compared to Dallas’s 22. She asked for city-facilitated dialogue to find a replacement.
  • Princess Helene and Franz Halin also asked for public-private partnerships to build a new rink in West Houston.
  • Councilmember Carter acknowledged the value but noted the rink is privately owned; Councilmember Huffman said her office is working with state Representative Lacey Hull to find temporary and permanent solutions.
• Sidewalk Accessibility: Vivian Lee (Coalition of Barrier Free Living) described being rescued by firefighters five times because of damaged sidewalks. She asked the city to prioritize sidewalk repairs, especially for people with disabilities. Annabelle Rios added that funding is needed for accessible infrastructure. Councilmember Huffman offered to follow up.
• Homelessness Prevention: Jeremy Peel (Houston Eviction Advocacy Center) asked the council to allocate more general fund money to eviction prevention and emergency rental assistance, arguing that preventing homelessness is more cost-effective than responding to displacement.
• Oxford House Recovery: Several members of Oxford House sober living homes spoke to invite council to a documentary screening and to highlight the need for more recovery housing. James Kretschmer noted over 36 Oxford Houses in Houston.
• Other Testimony:
  • Maria Gonzalez thanked the council for evening sessions and supported renaming Cesar Chavez Boulevard after Maria Jimenez.
  • Anthony Hubbard criticized the mayor for capitulating to Governor Abbott on ICE enforcement, urging the city to stand firm.
  • Sandra Edwards expressed frustration with delays in home repairs in the cancer cluster area; Councilmember Thomas acknowledged the hold due to permitting issues.
  • Christopher Graham raised concerns about 911 response failures.
  • Eric Sanchez asked why playgrounds in his neighborhood were demolished while city funds go to FIFA World Cup events.
  • Chaz Sampson, an STR operator, asked for a more robust short-term rental enforcement system and proposed an industry partnership council.
  • Several speakers also raised budget equity, water rate increases, and the need to stop tax abatements for polluting industries.

Discussion Items

• Levy Park / TIRZ Funding: Council members debated whether public funds were used for the private club. Councilmember Kamen provided clarification that the TIRZ authorization allowed them to use their own increment to bid on land, but the land was sold privately before the TIRZ could act. The private club is on private property. Councilmember Pollard and Alcorn expressed doubts and said they would investigate further. The Mayor assured the speaker they would look into it.
• Trash Fee Equity: Councilmember Thomas asked speakers for recommendations; Doris Brown suggested a small property tax increase instead of a flat fee. Councilmember Huffman thanked the Northeast Action Collective for sustained engagement.
• Ice Rink Closure: Councilmembers Carter, Huffman, and others acknowledged the issue, noted that the rink is privately owned, and said they are working with state and local partners to explore a replacement. Councilmember Huffman mentioned a potential site near Westview and Beltway 8.
• LGBTQ+ Coordinator: Councilmember Castillo thanked advocates and committed to pursuing a full-time position.
• Farewell to Councilmember Kamen: Multiple council members gave heartfelt speeches thanking Councilmember Abby Kamen for her service. Councilmember Alcorn read a poem. Councilmember Thomas noted Kamen’s leadership on paid parental leave. Councilmember Pollard called her “smart, well-prepared, informed, … vocal.” Councilmember Huffman praised her bravery. Councilmember Ramirez said her voice matters. Councilmember Kamen thanked District C residents, her colleagues, and her family, and urged the council to protect its governing authority. The Mayor recognized her calling and public service.
• Other Discussion: Councilmember Davis introduced a Liberian delegation visiting Booker T. Washington High School for an exchange program on engineering and agriculture. Councilmember Thomas reported on a TCEQ hearing regarding a wastewater permit at Bissonnet and Kirkwood and commitment to community engagement. Councilmember Flickinger announced nomination of Kathleen Jordan for Lake Houston Dredging District board.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All consent items passed, including approval of minutes, procedural motions, work acceptances, property rejections, purchase authorities, and ordinances.
• Online Registration Ordinance (Item 38): Passed unanimously, allowing residents to sign up to speak at council meetings online.
• Appointment: Alvin Johnson IV confirmed to Houston Housing Finance Corporation Board.
• Lake Houston Dredging District: Motion (Item 37) passed to set a date (not less than seven days from May 20) to receive nominations for position one. Councilmember Flickinger will nominate Kathleen Jordan.
• Budget Workshops: Councilmember Alcorn announced completion of thorough budget workshops, praising department directors and the administration. A request was made for an additional session on the CUS fund.
• Levy Park Follow-up: Council to investigate the private club development and report back.
• Farewell: Councilmember Abby Kamen’s last day; she will assume the role of Harris County Attorney. Council expressed gratitude and best wishes.