Council, please come to order.

I'm gonna ask the mayor pro Tim to please preside the chair recognizes Councilmember Evans Shabazz for a proclamation recognizing the 18th annual Miss Juneteenth pageant.

That's why we got Queens in the room today.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

And could I get Miss Dars Ellis to come up?

Oh you wait.

Thank you, Miss Stars, for all that you do for the community.

And certainly, you know, I rode in that parade and waved and whatever.

Not your first time.

And not my first rodeo.

But I appreciate what you do in the community.

Mr.

and Miss Juneteenth Pageant.

Whereas on June 6, 2026, the 19th annual Mildred Johnson, Mr.

and Miss Juneteenth Pageant was held at the third ward multi-service center, hosted by the Houston Sun Foundation.

The pageant provides young people with an opportunity to learn about the significance of Juneteenth while developing etiquette, poise, confidence, public speaking, cultural awareness, and leadership skills.

And whereas Juneteenth is a defining moment in American history, commemorating the day in slave people in Texas were informed of their freedom and honoring the enduring legacy of liberation, resilience, faith, family, and community.

Whereas, under the leadership of Doris Ellis Robinson, the Houston Sun Foundation continues continues to preserve and promote the history, culture, and importance of Juneteenth through meaningful community community programs, celebrations, and educational opportunities, including the annual Mildred Johnson, Mr.

and Miss Juneteenth pageant.

And whereas on June 16, 2026, in recognition of the 19th annual Mildred Johnson, Mr.

and Miss Juneteenth Pageant, the City of Houston proudly welcomes the outstanding 2026 Juneteenth Pageant winners and honorees to City Hall as they are recognized before the people of Houston.

And if when I call your name, could you stand and come up?

My queens back there.

Seven Watson.

Team Miss Juneteenth Winner.

Jillian Ridley, Miss Juneteenth winner.

And Hanisha Stewart, Miss Juneteenth first runner-up.

And whereas on this special occasion, the City of Houston commends the 2026 Juneteenth Pageant winners, and each of you will get your own proclamation.

And supporters for their dedication to honoring the legacy of Juneteenth and empowering the next generation through education, leadership, grace, and community project.

Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Evan Shabazz.

And for my little toddler queen right here, we need a stool for you to step on.

We were better organized.

But listen, we'll make sure everybody sees you in a minute.

Put her in this chair carefully.

Okay, we're gonna hold, we're gonna make sure because we don't want to have to hit you.

There you go.

Put her up here.

Okay.

Can you stay in on that?

Okay, come on, stand in the chair.

We know that's not appropriate, but we want you to be seen.

Yeah, there was no way we were gonna go forward.

Would you not be able to look in our eyes and tell you how special you are to the queen, the runner-ups?

Uh everyone's a winner.

Miss Ellis, thank you for bringing this outstanding group of young ladies to city council, and we look forward to continuing this celebration.

The pageant uh is special, it's part of our culture, and uh also y'all are mentors, but other young ladies coming behind you.

So I'm so excited that you're here, and therefore I, John Whitmeyer, mayor of the city of Houston here by proclaim June 16th, 2026, is the 20th, 26th, Mildred Johnson, Mr.

and Miss Juneteenth Pageant, winners, runner-up day across this great city of Houston.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Well, Miss Doris Morgan.

I'm gonna say thank you.

These are all council members that represent Houston.

How old are you?

Five.

Oh, okay.

Well, you come back and see us the young ladies.

And then you want to say something.

You don't have to, but if you want to, you certainly would you like this is your time.

And thank you to the parents.

Really?

They need a um hello everyone.

Hello.

I am Ms.

Junior Juneteenth, and my name is Zine Eleanor Davis.

I'm 10 years old, and I'm born on June 23rd, 2015.

I'm the proud daughter of Trisha Davis and Dr.

Reverend Joseph Davis.

My dad, he is a pastor at my church, and my mom, she is the first lady at my church.

All people out there who want to be um a part of this pageant, you should really do it because it's really fun.

You get to meet new people, and I think it's just a good experience.

So I think you should do it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I see Spelman College on all of them.

I just say.

Hello, my name is Seven Broxton.

I'm 14 years of age, and I would like to say that I am very thankful for my mother and my father for letting this opportunity happen, and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them.

This pageant has brought me so many opportunities.

I've gotten to meet so many amazing and wonderful people.

I also come from a family of freedom fighters named as their Harmon Harmon Sisters, and I would just love to say that I appreciate them so much and all they have fought for for me to be here today in this moment.

Thank you.

I also attend Iowa Colony High School, thank you, Iowa Colony High School.

And Miss June Teen.

Greetings.

I am Jillian Chael Ridley, the proud daughter of Jacqueline Banks and Jonathan Ridley, and the great granddaughter of Yvette Callaway, who the Park and Third Ward is affectionately named after.

Currently, I am 17 years of age, and this pageant has been such a great honor to be in.

I admit at first I was a little reluctant.

It was very last minute for me to join, but it was so worth it.

Like I've a lot of the stuff we've done, we've done a lot of events so far, and we barely started.

And it has been really impactful.

Like this public speaking.

I'm I admit I'm a very I get very nervous when I public speak.

But this has helped me so much.

Like the fact that I'm able here to be able to speak to you all is so inspiring and amazing.

You are such amazing people.

Oh, goodness.

This is such an honor.

Thank you, Miss Doris, as well for allowing me to do this.

And for my parents, this isn't really great.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Did you want to say something?

I think we're gonna have the the toddler to say something.

Just say thank you.

Hello, everyone, thank you.

All right, Miss Darren.

Okay, Houston.

You have witnessed what the Houston Sun Foundation has brought to you for this year as they rain, and we will continue to do it with your support.

I appreciate you amplifying June team.

Thank you.

We do have a couple of council members in queue.

We'll start with Council Member Huffman.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Continue to dream.

Girls that dream become women with vision.

And I can't wait to see what y'all are gonna do next.

Thank you so much.

Councilmember Davis.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim.

Uh, just wanted to thank you, Doris.

Uh, so many years that we go back and all the community work that you do, way beyond just the Houston Song paper.

And I'm always honored, you know, to support you and be a part of it.

And uh to all of these congratulations to the girls today and uh particularly to the PK kid.

But we know what that's all about.

So we will be uh at the breakfast.

You'll be at the breakfast.

We'll be at the breakfast.

All right.

Thank you.

God bless you.

Thank you, Doris.

You thank you.

Council Member Shabbaz, thank you for bringing this forward.

Uh Mayor, thank you for amplifying this.

Ms.

Doris, uh, all the great work you continue to do with our young people does not go unnoticed.

Uh, we can never grow tired of amplifying the story of Juneteenth, and these young ladies definitely um exhibit the best of us.

So thank you for all that you do.

Next, the chair recognizes Councilmember Davis for a proclamation to members of Houston Ross Sterling Senior High School Bicentennial Class of 1976.

Thank you, Mary.

We'll approach him and uh I'm gonna ask our council member of the uh district D, and uh she knows how to say it a lot better than I do, uh in this presentation because this great school resides certainly in her district, uh Councilmember Cowler Shabazz.

Uh so let me ask as our label come up, yes.

This is the 50th anniversary of the Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School Bicentennial class of 1976, whereas on June 16th, 2026, the City of Houston proudly welcomes the Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School Bicentennial class of 1976 to City Hall as its members gather in the Marble Hall of the Council Chamber to be recognized and celebrated on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of that graduation.

And whereas the Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School class of 1976 had the distinct honor of graduating during the nation's bicentennial, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and earning the horrific title of the Bicentennial class.

And whereas Ross Shaw Sterling High School, Bicentennial Class of 76, once again as distinguished of celebrating 50 year class reunion during the 250th anniversary, nation's founding, marking five decades of lasting friendship, shared memories, and notable accomplishments.

And whereas Ross Sterling High School, located in Southeast Houston, was founded in 1965.

Today it is also known as Sterling's Aviation Early College High School and is home to the Houston Independent School District's Aviation Science Magnet Program.

As the school celebrates its 60th anniversary, it continues to serve as a hub of academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity, and whereas the bicentennial class of 1976 upholds the school's proud legacy through its members' accomplishments in education, business, public service, military service, faith leadership, and civic engagement, joining the ranks of distinguished alumni such as gospel recording artist Yolanda Adams, our tennis champion Xena Garrison, NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, and National Coach of the Year, Ronnie Courtney.

And whereas on this milestone occasion, the city of Houston joins Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School by Senior Class of 1976 and celebrated this 50-year reunion and congratulates its members on their collective achievements and enduring contributions to Houston and its communities, they call home.

Thank you, Councilman Davis and Evan Shabaz, thanks for joining us, and particularly to the graduates.

Your contribution to Houston be a great city.

Of course, we all know the best is yet to come.

But you and I know I finished Walter a few years before y'all.

Houston was a different city.

Different city then.

It isn't nearly as inclusive as we've been able to accomplish.

And we still have a lot of work left to do.

But certainly, thank you for your contributions.

I wish time allowed to hear each and everyone's personal story.

But we're gonna thank you as a group, as those educators that uh challenged you at that point in your in your life, and your parents did a heck of a job.

So, anyway, I could go on and on, and I've got a pastor next to me here.

Therefore, I John Whitmire, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaimed June sixteenth, twenty twenty-six is Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School by Centinial Class of Nineteen Seventy Six Day in the City of Houston.

Congratulations.

So thank you so very much for coming.

And I think Ron, are you gonna speak for the class?

Ron Jackson, thank you.

Good afternoon.

I want to thank Mayor, Councilman Davis, and for you all, City Council members, uh, for recognizing us on this special occasion.

When we uh graduated in 1976, for some reason they kept emphasizing you all are the bicentennial class.

So as we hit the East 200th anniversary, the 250th anniversary, it kept on ringing uh out to us.

So uh we have been having events for this 50th anniversary.

And as well as the 60th anniversary of Royal Sterling Senior High School, uh Councilman Davis attended uh our uh sixtieth anniversary as well as uh council member uh Shabazz.

So for our classmates, we want to say again thank you all.

And I just can't believe that Carolyn Shabbaz let us get out of here without talking about that Jack Yes, you know, because we were right about that.

So she didn't hear me right there.

I'm just so proud we got away without that.

Thank you, Mayor.

All right, come on, they will take your photos.

Next the chair recognizes Councilmember Huffman for a proclamation recognizing Houston's Dementia Friendly Church.

Hi there.

At this time, I'd like to welcome Edward Kraft and Kimberly England up to the podium.

I'm Kimberly.

Whereas Houston's Dementia Friendly Church is a ministry of the landing at Augusta Woods, led by people living with dementia for people living with dementia and their care partners, providing opportunities to worship in a supportive and welcoming environment.

And whereas the church began when a resident expressed how much they missed attending church, inspiring the community to create a service that would meet the spiritual needs of individuals living with dementia, established in 2023 by Houstonians living with dementia, along with Edward Kraft, activity director at the landing at Augusta Woods.

Houston's Dementia Friendly Church emphasizes the abilities and strengths of people living with dementia through faith, support, and monastery inspired methods focused on individualized person-created care.

And whereas of 2026, more than 500,000 Texans are living with dementia, and that number is expected to rise.

As a result, it's increasingly important for faith organizations to adopt, become more inclusive, and ensure that individuals living with dementia can continue to worship as active members of their faith communities.

Whereas Houston's Dementia Friendly Church continues to grow and expand in ministry that the city of Houston extends its congratulations on the organization's achievements and its dedicated service to individuals living with dementia, supporting their spiritual needs, and enriching their lives through the faith and fellowship.

Thank you, Councilor Huffman.

And this is so special.

Got a lot of special instruction, but she's now a psychologist helping others.

And I'll be honest with you.

Certainly now we're learning of a faith-based assistance.

So that's that's wonderful.

It's a win-win.

Therefore, I John Whitmeyer, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaimed June 24th, 2026 as Houston Dementia-friendly church day in the city of Houston.

Thank you.

Thank you all so much for this proclamation.

Our residents couldn't make it today for two reasons.

It was flooding, and then also one of our residents, Judy Hobson, is celebrating her birthday today.

So she lured our other church members with chocolate cake.

So thank you all so much for this proclamation.

Thank you so much for having us today.

It really means a lot to our residents and our community.

So thank you all.

Very good.

Thank you.

Thank you for the work you do.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Mayor.

I've invited Nadia to Jolly.

Nadia, if you could come up.

Nadia is vice chair of IM Houston, formerly Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston Executive Committee, and in the daytime, is accounting manager for EvTech's companies, a local commercial real estate company.

She came to Houston 40 years ago, leaving a country where she faced persecution for her religious beliefs.

She's a member of the Baha'i Faith and was denied basic rights there, including access to higher education and citizenship.

She fled her homeland in search of a place where she could practice her faith, pursue an education, and participate fully as an equal citizen.

She found it here in the United States in Houston.

As a citizen, Nadia is very grateful for the opportunities she has received here and channels that gratitude into meaningful action.

She currently serves not only on the executive board of IM Houston, but also is a former board of HGA counseling and supports other local nonprofits, including the Texas Center for the Missing, the Women's Fund, the Meninger Clinic, and several of our local museums.

The Baha'i Faith, of which she is a member, has about a thousand adherents here in Houston and about seven to eight million worldwide.

Nadia.

Is it better?

Great.

Let me start by thanking Councilman Julian Ramirez for inviting me to today's session.

I'm grateful for all of your leadership and for your commitment to fostering collaboration among our city's diverse community.

Opportunities like this remind us of the importance of working together in service to the people of Houston.

We live in a time of both opportunity and challenge.

While our city, our nation, and our world continue to face complex issues.

We have also witnessed remarkable examples of resilience, compassion, and service.

In many ways, recent years have reminded us of the importance of community and the value of coming together in support of one another.

As we look ahead, we are presented with an important question.

How can we help build a more just, compassionate and united society?

The answer lies not only in the actions of institutions and leaders such as yourself, but also in the choices each of us makes every day.

Through acts of kindness, service, and genuine care for our neighbors, we can strengthen the bonds that connect us and contribute to the well-being of our community.

As people of faith and goodwill, we can continue to be sources of hope and encouragement.

We can reach out to those who may be struggling, support those in need, and foster meaningful conversations that promote understanding and unity.

By doing so, we help create a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

At this time, with the spirit of prayer and hope, I would like to share a prayer for America, which was spoken by Abdul Baha in Chicago in 1912.

Abdul Baha being the son of Prophet Founder of Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah.

Oh, thou kind Lord.

This gathering is turning to thee.

These hearts are radiant with thy love.

His minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of thy glad tidings.

Oh God, let this American democracy become glorious in its spiritual degrees, even as it has aspired to mental to material degrees, and render this just government victorious.

Confirmed this revered nations to appraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the most great peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world.

Oh, God, this American nation is worthy of thy favors and is deserving of thy mercy.

Make it precious and near to thee through thy bounty and bestow.

Thank you again for the opportunity to allow me to share this prayer with you.

May we all continue to serve our community with humility, compassion, and a shared contribution to building a better community for all.

Thank you so much.

I pledge allegiance.

Secretary, please call the road.

Mayor Witmeyer President.

Council Member Peg?

Here.

Council Member Jackson.

Here.

Councilmember Panzarello.

Here.

Councilmember Evans of Oz.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Council Member Thomas?

Here.

Council Member Huffman.

Present.

Council Member Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Martinez will be absent.

Councilmember Polo.

Council Member Castax Tatum.

Here.

Council Member Romero's here.

Councilmember Davis.

Here.

Council Member Carter.

Council Member Salinas.

And Councilmember Alcorn.

Need a motion to delay the adoption of minutes.

Cast X-Tatum move.

Next second.

Motion second, all in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Members, before we get into our agenda today, I thought it would be appropriate to get a current and accurate status report on our weather.

Obviously, it's dominating everyone's conversations.

A lot of flooded vehicles yesterday.

The emergency center opened yesterday at five.

Our first responders.

Everyone has been activated to full service.

So we've got some recent developments of tropical storm in the Gulf, and uh Brian is monitoring it about an hour.

So I wanted each of you to have the best information that we get for the National Weather Service.

So we don't look at yesterday's uh misfortunes and concerns.

I would emphasize and that everyone needs to express the Houstonians and our guests do not drive into standing water.

We know as Houstonians, that just does not work.

Ryan, if you'll come forward and give us a status report, we thank you for your service.

I think you're the best in the profession, and uh the floor is yours.

Thank you, sir.

Uh good afternoon, everybody.

I'll give you guys kind of a quick update and allow you guys to ask any questions you guys may have.

So, City of Houston Office of Emergency Management.

We've been tracking this potential rain event for the last four to five days.

Started putting things in place really on Sunday.

Uh, we started a lower Lake Houston a foot, which meets our normal protocol.

Uh, we deployed barricades around the city, um, out in of an abundance of caution with the forecast.

We went ahead and converted uh some dump trucks into high water rescue vehicles, and we worked with fire and police to stage boats and high water rescue vehicles around the city.

So the initial forecast was showing some pretty significant quantities as the forecast has unfolded the last couple of days.

Uh, this morning, they actually issued a um potential tropical cyclone is the new term that they have for the storm that's out there.

Um, it will most likely become tropical storm Arthur uh later tomorrow, kind of late morning, maybe early afternoon.

The current path has it going offshore to uh to the east of Galveston Island, which will have hopefully, minimal impacts for us here inside the city of Houston.

We would be on the clean side of the storm, so we wouldn't have all the wind and rain that would be on the north and east side of the storm.

Um, so just some of the general preparedness items I already mentioned, um, lowered the lake stage barricades, our high water rescue vehicles are staged, um, factoring in.

Of course, it wouldn't be Houston if we didn't have the World Cup going on at the same time.

Uh, just to make things a little bit more challenging.

So, first couple days of World Cup, we dealt with a lot of severe heat.

Um, the last few days we've been dealing with moisture.

Uh, the plan today is it looks like the weather's gonna break.

We should be able to open fanfest.

One second, Randy.

Uh who's speaking?

We're fine.

Go ahead, Randy.

Uh, as of right now, we should be able to open a fanfest later today, 6 30 for the 8 p.m.

game tonight with Argentina, and then tomorrow we have a match here.

So the way the forecast is shaken out right now, um, we do have a good chance of some rain, some light to moderate rain tomorrow during match time, uh, but it shouldn't be any significant impacts on getting people to and from the stadium.

I say all that with caution because it is very moist and humid out there.

Uh weather forecasts change, so my request to your constituents and the residents is please make sure prepared.

Please make sure we are monitoring the weather from trusted resources, National Weather Service, Houston Office of Emergency Management.

Just don't follow some random bloggers out there.

And it's a good reminder to everybody.

It is hurricane season, so make sure we have a plan.

We have a kit, we're getting information from trusted resources.

And one of the things I really like to focus on is make sure that our communities are getting connected with each other.

Connected communities recover faster and they're much more resilient following an incident.

So that's kind of a high level of uh what's going on with the weather, and I'm available for any questions you guys may have.

Any questions, members?

If not, thank you, Brian, for your public service.

And I know you'll be in the proclamation room if the press has any inquiries.

I see Randy in the back.

If you have any questions of public works, they're at full force preparing their equipment.

Obviously, so is our first responder.

So we're prepared and with a little bit of luck and blessing, it'll go east of us.

And uh we can get back focused on the World Cup tonight.

Should be an exciting evening.

And um Metro is dealing with the heat and the lines that were at NRG yesterday.

Uh everything's really going well because of the planning.

Anything else?

If not, is there any procedural motions?

Councilmember Carter has a procedural motion.

Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, I move to suspend the rules to move McKinsey Nall and Charlotte Knall to the bottom of the two minute and to add Jacob Comented to the bottom of the one minute.

Motion is made in second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Anyone else?

If not, Mr.

Secretary, please call our first uh speaker.

Lauren Simmons.

Darrell Hopper.

To be followed by Amy Good.

We are not a whenever one would see one, I will yield back my remaining allowing time, and I thank you all.

Thank you, sir.

Next speaker.

Amy Good.

Amy Good.

To be followed by Aliska Good.

Thank you.

Mayor Whitmaier, thank you, City Council, for having me today.

I'm a native Texan, a Houstonian for 32 years, a hockey mom, player, and coach, a founding member of the HTX Storm Girls Hockey Association, and today I'm here to ask for your help to avoid or delay the destruction of a long-standing community asset.

Memorial City Rink has been used by tens of thousands of Houstonians over 20 years in operations.

It's owned by Metro National and is due to close in 44 days and to be demolished this fall.

From birthday parties to nutcracker, learn to skate, figure skating, hockey, ice theater.

The Memorial City Rink hosts 1,500 regular skaters, another thousand occasional skaters each week in Houston, opens as early as 6 a.m.

and runs through 11 p.m.

each day with a chalk full schedule.

There are only five regulation sized ice rinks in Houston, which pales in comparison to Dallas, which has 23 full-size sheets of ice.

Rinks like this take a minimum of three to five or even ten years to develop and build with costs ranging from 15 to 20 million dollars for a single sheet facility to well over 100 million dollars for multi-sport arena facilities.

To see a rink that's thriving, profitable, and in good repair to be demolished with no plans for replacement is devastating for our ice sports community.

The absence of a centrally located ice rink in Houston can make commutes prohibitive and simply raise too high a barrier for many Houstonians to experience or even try ice sports.

On behalf of our ice sports community, our ask of city council is two-fold today.

One, to extend the link the life of Memorial City Ice Rink by denying any commercial or permitting requests that expend Houston taxpayer dollars to destroy this community asset.

And two, to work with our newly formed Houston Ice Sports Coalition nonprofit to explore options for the city to assist with developing a new centrally located ice rink as a community asset to serve Houston residents.

This public-private partnership model has been used successfully across the U.S.

to develop ranks that are accessible to our community and sustainable over time.

We'd welcome you to see our community in action this Saturday at 145.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

To be to be followed by McKenzie Knall.

Good afternoon.

My name is Aliska Good, and I come before you all today to discuss the prospects of reopening the Memorial City Ice Rink, and if that's not a feasible option, I would like to request that another ice rink be built in the same general area.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Aliska.

I'm only 15 years old, but I play for the 19U Dallas Stars Elite Tier 1 team, which is one of the highest levels of youth hockey in the country in the country.

But before any of these tournaments, any of the practices, any of the workouts, I was just a little kid learning how to balance on skates in Memorial City's ice rink.

And I'm glad Memorial opened this pathway to me.

Hockey has given me countless opportunities.

It's given me educational opportunities, support, friends, and most of all a purpose in life.

My dad likes to tell me that I'm either playing hockey or I have no idea what to do with my life.

But one of Memorial City's best traits is its proximity to the central Houston area.

The training that brought me to where I am today requires me to wake up at 5 a.m.

in the morning to attend morning practices at Memorial.

That's early, but if it were to be moved to other rinks, I would have to wake up early, like 4 a.m.

And I'm not alone in this.

Other people, over half of you, uh, sorry, a significant portion of Houston's figure skating and hockey community live closest to Memorial City.

Removing this ring puts them in limbo between sport and life.

Most importantly, the public environment of the mall means to I and countless others get to share our love for the sport with other people.

Whether I'm coaching my brother's AU team or enduring a long practice, I catch bystanders overcome with curiosity watching escape.

My favorite part is seeing the little kids and toddlers ask their parents to try on a pair of skates.

I'm not asking you to reopen the rinks so that I can preserve my memories.

I'm asking you to reopen the rink so that other children like me can make those memories so that they can become captivated by this amazing sport in ways that cannot be described in words.

I'm honored to have gotten the opportunity to talk with you all, and I hope that we can all collectively help save Memorial City Rink.

Thank you.

Next speaker, McKenzie Knall.

To be followed by Charlotte Knoll.

Good afternoon.

I'm McKenzie Knoll.

I spoke at the City Council meeting last month, and I wanted to come back now that Metro National is asking the city for something to tear down the ice rink.

I've been a f I've been figure skating for almost six years now, and ice skate memorial city is part of my daily life.

I just came from there and I'm there six days per week.

My skating team, the Houston Ice Theater Skaters, leaves for Nationals on Monday, and as always, we are proud to represent both Houston and Memorial Figure Skating Club.

I understand redevelopment decisions can be complicated, but I'm asking the city to help bring people together to find a solution before this community asset is lost.

Whether that means extending the rink's operation, helping negotiate a transition, or exploring ways to preserve it, I hope every option will be considered.

If the memorial ice rink cannot be preserved, we are hoping to build a rink, but that takes time, which is why we are asking the city for help in at least extending the rink's operation.

We hope that the city will partner with our new nonprofit organization, Houston Ice Sports Coalition, and building a new rink for our community.

This rink gives kids.

Go ahead.

This rink gives kids like me a safe structured place to spend their time, learn discipline, build build community, and work towards their goals.

I hope you will help ensure future generations have the same opportunity.

I hope you all will consider attending the police versus firefighter hockey game at the rink on July 11th with the puck drop at 8 15 p.m.

We will reserve a space for you to enjoy the game.

Just email Save Memorial City IceRink at gmail.com.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for being here.

Ms.

Noll.

Miss Nall, we do have a council member with a question.

Uh Councilmember Huffman.

Hi there, thanks for for coming back and thank you to our other speakers.

I see we all got flyers for the um guns and hoses um hockey game, so uh that'll be great, and we'll encourage everyone to attend.

Thank you.

And I look forward to working with Houston Ice Sports Coalition.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Charlotte Knoll.

To be followed by Darnell Finnell.

Good afternoon.

I'm Charlotte Knoll.

I'm speaking on behalf of the community working to preserve Ice Skate Memorial City.

I spoke at the City Council meeting last month, and I think some of you all felt like your hands were tied because it is on private property, so I wanted to address that further today.

Metro National responded to my public information requests requesting a uh and it shows sorry, they responded with a letter that shows uh they're requesting a public-private partnership with the city for this very property where it plans to demolish a community asset.

If a chapter 380 agreement, TERS participation or any form of public incentive is being considered, the public should be able to understand exactly what is being requested and what is being exchanged.

Has a formal or informal chapter 380 requests being been made, and what is the estimated value of any incentive package?

Is any public funding or tours participation being proposed to support infrastructure or redevelopment costs, and what public benefits are being required in return for that participation?

I would also ask that as part of evaluating public benefit, the city inters consider the impact on existing community assets within the area.

Sorry, can I continue?

Okay.

Okay.

Um has there been any analysis of how redevelopment would affect long-standing recreational uses like the ice rink and whether preservation, relocation, or replacement has been considered as part of the overall plan.

Public private partnership should clearly define both sides of the partnership.

If public resources are involved, then public benefits need to be clearly identified and measurable, not assumed.

I respectfully request the city to use its influence to bring the parties together and explore options that would keep the rink operating longer while long-term solutions are being evaluated.

If public resources are being requested, then preserving community value should be considered alongside economic developmental goals.

Thank you so much for your time.

I passed um I passed out the letter and highlighted, and then I passed out my response if you're interested.

Thank you.

We received it.

We do have a council member in queue.

Uh Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you for um coming forward again to keep us updated on this.

I haven't been briefed on any of those conversations yet, but um I'm gonna read your letter and we'll go from there.

Okay, thank you so much.

Great.

Councilmember, Councilmember, Miss No, we do have another council member with a question.

Uh Councilmember Selena.

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention.

Like uh Councilmember Huffman said, I was not aware that the city had any role in this potential redevelopment.

So thank you for doing your homework and bringing this to us.

I look forward to working with Councilmember Huffman and anyone else on council to get answers to these questions.

Um if it's okay, I'll step aside and get your contact information so we can follow up with you with the first thing we learn.

Thank you so much for listening.

You're welcome.

Next speaker.

Darnell Fennell.

Darnell Fennell.

To be followed by Sharon White.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members.

First, thank you for your service to the city of Houston.

As members of as a member of clergy, I understand that leadership carries both great responsibility and a sacred obligation.

Serving people requires empathy, compassion, and commitment to being quick to listen and slow to speak.

I'm here today because of concerns about communication and accountability and transparency between elected officials' offices and the people they serve.

On June 12th, I posted a simple question in a third ward community Facebook group asking about others' experiences communicating with district D.

I did so because communication has been challenging for me over the last six months.

Councilmember Shabazz was tagged in that discussion by the group's administrator.

She didn't ask me to privately share my concerns to a Facebook messenger.

I did so respectfully and graciously.

She informed me that her team would get back to me by the end of the day.

When I received a call from her office, the staff member indicated they needed to speak with another team member to better understand what was going on.

Later that evening, Councilmember Shabazz returned to Facebook to a public forum to address me and say that the office had been in communication with me in the past and acted in good faith.

The public record should reflect, she says, that her office had previously connected me with research.

Hang on one second.

Just pause for a minute.

When I received a call from her office, the staff member indicated they needed to speak with another team member to better understand what was going on.

Later that evening, Councilmember Shabazz returned to the public forum to address me and say that her team had been in communication with me in the past.

She wanted the public record to reflect the facts, she says.

She stated that her office had previously connected me with resources by email and that I had been unresponsive.

Council, this is not true.

I found it concerned that these claims are made public rather than being verified through me through a private conversation with the constituent.

I have proof here.

So residents can track requests, know who's responsible, and understand what action is being taken.

Houston residents deserve transparency.

We deserve communication and we deserve confidence that when we reach out to our officials, our concerns are acknowledged, tracked, and addressed.

Thank you for your time.

Did you say you reached out on Facebook?

I asked a community question on Facebook.

Okay.

Well, Councilmember uh Shabazz is on in the queue.

Councilmember.

Thank you, Mayor Potem.

Thank you, Reverend Fennell.

Um I'm just gonna first say that the people sitting in these seats are all human, and we have human feelings, and we take pride in what our offices do.

And I personally, when I find that they may have fallen short, I do talk to them about it.

Um my initial reaction, certainly when I saw your post, was concerned because my public reputation and my name is on the line whenever you're talking about District D.

And I initially apologize to you because if what you had conveyed was actually the facts, then I certainly have a problem, and I felt that that was unacceptable.

Well, after um investigating and giving my team the opportunity to give me information, I found that there was engagement from my office as well as engagement from at-large council members, and that could be a problem as well, because when we find that one council member is handling a situation, we normally don't duplicate their efforts, and so there may have been an opportunity to do something differently, but I felt that when you went public, then you put that out there for me to respond publicly, and so that and that's what you are faced with when you do that.

And I don't know if maybe you and I can't tell you what to say, certainly, but maybe if you would have gone on your post and asked for me to respond, because when I did find out that you were trying to reach me, I responded immediately.

I was not trying to reach you.

The post is not reflect such.

Okay, well, no, you just wanted to get feedback on our fellow community members.

I got it from my community members actually, and so you got that.

And we can have sense of that.

I'll let you tell you that they are.

Excuse me, sir.

It's her time to respond back to your comments so let's just let her talk.

Thank you.

Okay.

Well, again, um, I the question when it was presented, it it seemed more like you were calling calling my office out, and I'm very, very sensitive about that.

Um, and so when you did that, and I found out that the facts may have been just a little bit different than I did respond publicly, and that's what happens when you go out, and I mean you're here today publicly, and I think my officer spent a great deal of time with you this morning talking about this issue, and uh I believe that the issue has been resolved, especially since that particular street of your concern has been closed off.

So it's really I don't know if it's still a need for the signage that you asked for, but at the same time, I'm gonna do better, sir.

Hopefully, I will not be as sensitive.

I can't promise that though, because when you speak out against my office, who I know they're working very, very hard, and we get a plethora of complaints through email, phone calls.

Sure.

Have we missed some?

I'm certain that we have, because that's just the nature of the beast.

But we have our hearts in the right place.

I think we have a pretty good record of responding, and so certainly I'm going to just say that you know we do the best that we can, uh, but when you choose a public forum, then you have to be ready to get a public response.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you, sir.

Next speaker, Sharon White.

Sharon White.

Sharon White, Gary Fleming, Gary Fleming.

Gary Fleming.

Next speaker, Gary Ruby, Gary Ruby, Gary Ruby.

Next speaker.

Sereva Page.

Sariva Page, Sariva Page, next speaker.

Richard Collins, Richard Collins.

Richard Collins.

Next speaker.

Julio Saldano.

Julio Saldania.

To be followed by Carrie Rice of Cyprus.

You're you still reading this.

Good evening, Mayor.

City Council members.

Last year, December 18th, my life changed.

And they were looking for a 2025 Camaro.

I had a 2006 charger.

Well, anyway, there were the guys that they were looking for robbed armored truck.

They smashed my car.

I lost my vehicle, and uh I ended up in the Harris Center.

I lost everything.

Uh I spoke with uh one of the mayor's security detail last week, and he told me to come over here, have a meeting with uh all of y'all.

I was injured in the incident, you know, so I can't work that much.

I just got a job with Metro, uh third party uh uh like a company, and uh right now I'm struggling because without my vehicle, because Houston's a big city, you know, and uh I'm going through a lot of pain all over my body.

So that's why I can't speak to someone, see if I can get some help getting my vehicle back, you know.

Just one second, uh, Councilmember Thomas.

Uh Mr.

Saudani, can you just confirm your zip code?

Are you 7772 or 73?

Uh 73.

Are you 73?

Okay.

But I'm not tempting there no more because I lost everything and I couldn't pay the apartment, so I ended up at the Harris Center, which just opened up.

Sure.

So who's 73?

Is that Jack?

Is that B?

You got it?

You want me to tell you?

Okay.

Council Member Jackson's gonna follow.

We'll I'll follow up.

Okay.

Thank you.

Is anyone he's seventy-four?

HPD that can actually help him now.

Can you can y'all talk to him now and help him find his vehicle?

Next speaker.

Carrie Rice.

Carrie Rice.

Janet Harris.

Somebody back here.

Maybe they're leaving.

Next speaker.

George LaBlanche.

George LaBlanche.

George LaBlanche.

Next speaker.

Joseph Jennings.

Joseph Jennings.

To be followed by Jessica LeBaire.

The unanimous declaration of the mic.

The unanimous declaration of the 13 United States of America.

When in the course of human events becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds that have connected them with another.

A decent respect for the opinion of mankind requires that they declare the causes that have led them to that separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

And that when any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and institute new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such forms as to them that shall best affect their safety and happiness.

Prudence indeed will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for life and transient causes, and accordingly, all experience has shown that mankind is more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long chain of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same object, invinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security.

These are universal principles, ladies and gentlemen, not just for people that live in the geographic space of the current United States, but all for all humankind, and as with such principles, use them or lose them.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for being here.

Next speaker.

Jessica LeBayer.

To be followed by Kevin Bradley.

Good afternoon, Mayor and members of city council.

My name is Jessica Labar, and I'm a District H resident living at East Sunset Heights.

I'm here today to bring to your attention a breakdown in city coordination.

It's actively exposing our neighborhood to catastrophic flooding liability.

Our community is already hypervulnerable.

FIMA recently updated our local flood maps, significantly expanding the high risk flood zones across our neighborhood.

This increased danger is driven by rapid dense overdevelopment.

Older 1,000 square foot homes like mine are being torn down and reparceled into tight 3,000 square foot lots to build massive zero lot line townhomes.

This explosion of impervious concrete cover has stripped away the soil that's used to absorb rainwater, forcing massive volumes of new stormwater runoff directly onto our streets.

Recognizing this critical threat, the city of Houston spent approximately three and a half million dollars of taxpayer funds on major capital improvement projects to widen, deepen, and engineer the roadside drainage ditches on our street to handle this exact burden.

Yet right now the city is allowing a single property owner at 839 East 27th Street to completely undermine the integrity of that infrastructure asset.

They filled the engineered public ditch with gravel to construct an unpermitted private parking pad inside a high-risk AE 100-year floodplain.

City code enforcement inspectors have verified this hazard and issued three separate red tag violations.

The homeowner has has now had almost 365 days a full year to remediate this problem themselves since receiving that first official notice.

Yet they've chosen to do absolutely nothing.

Instead, the city is stalled.

Ignoring chapter 19 of our own code, which gives them sole enforcement authority over floodplain development.

Most scamming of all, this bureaucracy cannot claim ignorance.

A copy of a comprehensive email detailing this entire crisis that I sent directly to Mayor Whitmire's office to city floodplain administrator Choice Moreau and to the District H office.

It was completely ignored.

Furthermore, I've spoken directly with the city prosecutor's office regarding the pending municipal citation.

They confirmed that the court case is exclusively for a monetary fine.

The municipal court cannot order the physical remediation or restoration of our drainage studge.

Waiting on the court will never solve this problem.

The gravel is an illegal physical obstruction inside a public right away sitting on property city land property that the city owns.

I have formally filed my a copy with the city secretary establishing actual notice under the Taxes Towards Claim Acts.

If our neighborhood floods, the city cannot claim ignorance.

Mayor Whitmeyer, I'm asking you to direct public Houston Public Works leadership today to bypass the court's fine process and order an emergency right of way abatement.

Send it send a city crew to dig that gravel out of our public infrastructure, protect our homes, and secure our $3.5 million tax paper investment before the next heavy rain.

Thank you.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and Jessica.

Thank you for being here.

I know you're quite frustrated by the situation, and rightfully so.

It's it's been a number of months that my team has been engaging with you on this and not much progress has been made.

Um I will say that the court date that's coming up, as you mentioned, is for monetary citations, and since the red tags have been issued and inspections have gone on.

The location will continue to be subject to field inspections to verify if the unpermitted work has been remediated.

If it's not, they will continue to receive citations, and that is an attempt to get compliance from the property owner, even if it is just monetary citations.

But I am continuing to have conversations with public works on potential ways to remedy the situation.

It is a drainage project, and I know the vulnerability of the community there.

So I will continue to work with you, my team will continue to work with you.

Uh we have public works here as well.

If uh you would like to speak with them directly uh to get the most latest up to date.

Uh, but I know the frustration is there.

Um that we're not gonna just kind of let you hang out to try.

Okay.

So the judge can't issue a structural mediation order to clear the city right away.

I would uh defer to our legal department on that as I'm not a lawyer.

Uh, I betted that with the city prosecutor.

Go ahead and um meet with Sal.

Sal from public works is here.

He can talk to you about that.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

Next speaker.

Kevin Bradley.

Kevin Bradley.

Kevin Bradley.

Next speaker.

Osby Bradley Jr.

Osby Bradley Jr., next speaker.

Stacy Fairchild.

Stacy Fairchild.

Next speaker.

Anthony Warren.

Anthony Warren.

To be followed by Jesus Medale.

Good deal.

Would you speak into the microphone?

Good day all.

So today is the day of the African child.

I'm going to talk about the history, significance, challenges, and future prospects.

The day of the African child is commemorated annually on June 16th across Africa and among African communities worldwide.

The observance serves as a powerful reminder of the struggle, sacrifices, and aspirations of the African child or children.

It highlights the importance of promoting children's rights, ensuring access to quality education, promoting children from exploitations and abuse, creating opportunities for their holistic development.

It was established by Organization of African Unity OAU, known as the African Union.

The Day of the African Child commemorates the courage and sacrifice of thousands of black school children who participated in the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa.

Their protest against educational inequalities and racial oppressions became the fining moment in the struggle against appetite and remains a symbol of resistance against injustice worldwide.

So today, the day of the African child promotes and provides an opportunity for governments, educators, civil, society, organizations, and development partners and communities to access progress made towards improving improving the welfare of children while addressing persistent challenges affecting millions of African children.

So the Houston Trailblazers Business and Professional Women to commemorate this day, we are donating these books to libraries within certain zip codes, zip code 033, zip code 004, zip code 051 to keep this date continuously in the mind of the communities of our nation.

So, and this the topic is why the mosquito balls in people's ears, as a title of this book that will be donated to day careers around our communities.

So we want to address a little bit about the objectives, the promotion of children's rights, advocates for quality education, address children and protections issues, and encourage policy reforms.

These are among the objectives for the day of the African child.

Thank you very much for your thank you very much.

We appreciate your being here.

Whereas patrons of Houston Public Library benefit from Jesus Cantumel, Museo Guadalupe Slans collection that is currently housed at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center.

Since Museo Guadalupe Aslan's founding in 1994, it has provided a rich cultural history via its annual events that include Cinecoatemoc Pan American Film Festival, Chi Chicano and Nahuac Digitizing Project, Sembradores, the Aslan Oral History Project, and its annual Dia de los Muertos celebration.

Whereas the self-inscription Chicano serves as a tribute to both the Mexican American and Indigenous populations of our city.

In closing, we uh want to ask the support of City Council, the mayor, to rename this uh Hispanic uh history research center to read Hispanic Chicano History Research Center.

My card is here.

If anybody uh wants more information about this initiative, uh thank you.

Uh mayor and council members.

Thank you.

Roger Alexander, sir.

Mathis.

Marion Wright.

To be followed by Doris Ellis Robinson.

Hi, I'm here today because I am very concerned about um the hire that Miss Salinas just did for communications director, I believe is the title.

She hired someone that has on Facebook when he was actually running for position.

So it's a very public post, same Facebook, has made some very um troublesome comments um and videos.

He went ahead and posted pictures of this council members, um, Mr.

Flickinger and Mr.

Davis with Coward Britain under them for votes that they've made.

Um he's referred to the mayor is Mayor Whitmeyer, I mean Flipmeyer, Mayor Quitmeyer.

Um he's actually done it before at Chamber at public session.

When I asked Um Ms.

Selinas why she did that, she said, well, he did all of that before I hired him.

Well, it just seems that you should kind of look at who you're hiring before you hire them and know what their background is like.

She promises that he won't do that again moving forward.

I believe most of the videos have been removed, but I do have some screenshots of them.

And um Mayor Whitmeyer, there were some skaters here earlier from Memorial City Ice Rink.

You were not here, but they were wanting to ask you if you would drop the puck at a game that they're gonna have between the firemen and the policeman.

So if you could consider doing that, that would be nice.

I'll consider that council.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, thank you for coming, Miss Wright.

As we discussed for quite some time this afternoon, I respectfully disagree with a lot of your characterizations of my staff.

I'm very proud of my team and the work we've done together.

And you're always welcome to come to council, but as you know, I respectfully disagree with you in some of the statements you've made.

If you're gonna disagree with me about something I said, you can disagree.

Everything I'm saying is factual.

The comments were made, the comments are there.

I have screenshots of the actual images, so you can disagree with what I'm saying, it's factual.

These things were said.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Nick.

Doris Ellison, Doris Ellis Robinson.

To be followed by Lucia Moreno.

Good afternoon again, Council.

I appreciate the opportunity to come to you today about the day of the African child.

The day of the African child became significant to me when I learned about it many years ago.

And uh, as president of the Houston Trailblazers, we have tried to um again use the word amplify it so that uh we can do things in our communities to protect our young people.

The day of the African Child is because children were killed in Savoyto, South Africa.

And because they were killed, I think it's up to us to um understand what those families are still experiencing even today, and let the world know that uh we want to protect our children regardless of where they are, and and it's up to us to do that.

And so my colleague brought the book up why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears.

I really wanted to purchase it for all of you, but I'm gonna actually all just go buy it for yourself.

It's about six or seven dollars.

It is on Amazon, and and read it.

It's a real message.

Uh it's good for the council.

I'm serious.

They go to the council and to look at it.

So we are also presenting this book in uh libraries and zip code 21, 22, 26, and 88.

So thank you so much.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'm just gonna tell you, Miss Doris, thank you for coming.

Now take your phone this time.

Last time she was here, she left the phone.

I had to take it to our phone.

I don't know.

But anyway, thank you so much for all that you do.

I did.

I did.

That's what we do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next Lucia Moreno.

Eric Sanchez.

Joseph Omari.

To be followed by Eduardo Duran.

I don't know, Mr.

Mayor City Council.

Uh I said if you uh if any of you are interested in also not a cooperator, just living back the company, uh, international property that you saw on my Facebook page.

All right, just contact me, the founder, TAO, and only authorized representative, and you don't have to talk to anybody else at all.

You got the money, we can close deal, honey.

I won't make you up to a whole lot of different hoops.

Anyway, the military does not have constitutional jurisdiction in the public and private sector of the United States of America.

Do not have jurisdiction of the police department, the shelf department, the state police, the DA office, the state attorney office, general office, U.S.

Attorney General, nor the FBI, U.S.

Marshall.

Those jurisdictions are the umbrella of judicial branches of government and not the executive or legislature budget.

But when it comes to immigration cases, is also filed by the umbrella judicial branch of government, immigrants and leaving airs must have uh immigration hearing and have legal representation to ensure they receive due process of law before any conclusion of deportation process for the court to hear their testimony and their salary, declare their innocent guilty for alleged offenses.

I have a law enforcement can transfer and share information related crimes between other time has expired.

In the United States of America, suspects and dependents are innocent until proven guilty by court of law.

Can I finish up my last day here?

Yes.

And successful.

All I want to know who job is to investigate charge of the rest of those people who kidnapped my mother, Miss Bramley Justin, whose job is the rest of people who stole my three moves script and company with the opportunity of $350 million.

Who job is to add up the social security receipts back pay, money, time, months and years to make sure the checks did up in the mayor mailbox every month?

Whose job is to make sure the houses are about to are replaced with their stolen.

Okay.

One more 10 seconds.

Thank you.

Be safe.

Thank you.

Nathaniel Leonard.

Okay.

To be followed by Jacob Clementich.

Well, thank you, Council of Justice, Mr.

Woodmeyer.

And uh thank you for the information that I've gotten and stuff.

I'm going to look into it for justice because of a council of justice that reminds me of the Bible.

And uh I'm gonna check into this to see if I can get uh my civil rights, constitutional rights, and everything back that was cut off from me over 20 years ago from a bigger sheriff and stuff and get have my life put back together.

And uh not getting a whole bunch done for me over at uh west side by officer Smith and uh any of his people.

I'm over there just a block away at 3007 Dairy Ash.

We that's just sleeping out in front of uh right down the street from West Side Police Station.

But anyway, if I can get this help with uh Ben Crump, I do thank y'all for y'all help with that and hearing that, and I hope to get some justices.

This council says, Thank y'all.

Thank you, sir.

Well, Jacob Clementich.

Well, June 10th is coming up the day, the 19th, and meet my personal body card.

That's right.

That's why there's no better place to get the commercial iPhone 17 profile.

Okay, Jacob.

Got it.

Thank you.

Come on, right here.

Thank you, Jacob.

Stay dry.

Do you know why?

I don't know how many degrees.

When is that called?

He tried to go to the problem.

Or he he tried to see both sides.

Alright, thank you.

Be safe.

We stand recessed to nine in the morning.

Seven through twenty thirty-one, capital improvement plan.

Item two, recommendation from the director of Houston Public Works that Houston City Council accept the work and authorize final payment.

If any of the contract with CICSI consolidated LLC doing business as Ames Company, item three has been pulled and will not be considered.

The Houston City Council accept the work and authorize final payment.

If any of the contract with Texas Pride Utilities, LLC.

Item six, approved spending authority for purchase of extrication and rescue tools and accessories for the Houston Fire Department.

Awarded to advanced Rescue Systems, LLC.

Item seven, approved spending authority for purchase for purchase of messaging switch software support, dispatch software license upgrades, paging support and related maintenance and support services awarded to Custom Logic Design Inc.

Item 8 Amend motion number 2021-632 to extend the award to November 17th, 2027 for purchase of E.

coli water test kits and supplies awarded to IDEX Distribution Inc.

Item 9 Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 Exhibit A of the City Code of Ordinances Number 2015 1300 replacing exhibit A with a new exhibit A relating to solid waste management department Item 10 ordinance amending section 36 62 36 64 and 39 62 of the code of ordinances Houston Texas relating to the water aid to elderly residence fund item 11 ordinance adopting eighth amendment to amended and restated guidelines for the city's homebuyer assistance program item 12 ordinance authorizing and improving amendments to form second lien deed of trust and notice of occupancy restrictions deferred payment loan note and terms and conditions for use in the city of Houston's Home Buyer Assistance Program to align with the Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Home Buyer Assistance Program Guidelines Item 13 Ordinance Approving Fifth Amendment to Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Houston and Harris County Relating to Construction and Operation of the Joint Processing Center Item 14 Ordinance Approving and Authorizing Property Radio Equipment and Tower Insurance Renewal and Accept Proposal from Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool.

Item 15 ordinance appropriating $200,000 $291,098 for material handler equipment replacement.

Item 16 ordinance appropriating $1 million $988,000 for purchase of various vehicles and equipment.

Item 17 ordinance approving and authorizing contract with contracts with CEC facilities LLC Power Secure Inc.

and Titan Power LLC for electricity reliability services.

Item 18, ordinance approving and authorizing contract with I3 Image Soft LLC.

Item 19 ordinance amending ordinance number 2025-380.

Approving and authorizing First Amendment to contract with Ralph RAFTELS Financial Inc.

Item 20 ordinance appropriating $8,525,000 $2,501,000 and $20,000.

Approving and authorizing interlocal agreement by and between the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board LGC Inc.

Item 21 ordinance appropriating 372,220.54 cent approving approving and authorizing First Amendment to contract with Tycon Group Inc.

Item 22 ordinance approving and authorizing joint participation in a local agreement with Harris County.

Item 23 ordinance approved and authorizing public improvement development agreement among the city of Houston Uptown Development Authority and Reinvestment Zone Number 16.

Item 24 ordinance consenting to the addition of 0.884 acres of land to Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District.

Item 25 Ordinance consenting to the addition of 611.9 acres of land to Harris Waller Counties Municipal Utility District number 8.

Item 26 ordinance appropriating 370, 891.50.

Approving and authorizing interlocal cost sharing agreement with Harris County.

Item 27.

Ordinance appropriating $3,300,000.

Approving and authorizing contract with total contracting limited.

Item 28, ordinance appropriate $93,771,3 million seven hundred seventy one thousand three hundred twenty-nine dollars.

Approved and authorizing professional engineering services contract with CDM Smith Inc.

Item 29 ordinance appropriating 26,437,6 million four hundred thirty-seven thousand six hundred fifty five dollars.

Approving and authorizing contract with Kywit Water Facility South Company.

Item 30, ordinance appropriating 14,860, 167.70 cent.

Approving and authorizing contract with industrial Texas Corporation.

Item 31, ordinance appropriating $15 million.

Approving and authorizing purchase of easements and other interests in real property and payment of the cost of such purposes and or condemnations with associated costs for appraisal fees, title policies and services, expenses associated with removing improvements from the purchase, interest, relocation expenses, recording fees, and other services in connection with connection with negotiations to settle purchases, court costs and expert witness fees for and in connection with construction of facilities financed by the water and sewer system consolidated construction fund.

Item 32, ordinance appropriating 21 million dollars, approving and authorizing purchase of land and other interest and real property and payment of the cost of such purchases and or condemnations with associated costs for appraisal fees, title policies and services, expenses associated with removing improvements from the right-of-way, relocation fees, recording fees, and other services in connection with negotiations to settle purchases, court cost, and expert witness fees for and in connection with construction of facilities financed by the dedicated drainage and street renewal capital fund at valorum tax.

Item 33, ordinance appropriating $2,133,787.11.

Approving and authorizing professional engineering services contract with SES Horizon Consultant Engineers Inc.

Item 34 Ordinance Appropriating 11,077,521.1 million four hundred ninety-four thousand nine hundred forty-two dollars fifty nine cent.

Approved and authorizing contract with total contracting limited item 35.

Ordinance appropriating $10,500.

Approved and authorizing reimbursement agreement between the City of Houston and Union Pacific Railroad Company.

Item 36, ordinance appropriating $78,750.

Approved and authorizing reimbursement agreement between the City of Houston and Union Pacific Railroad Company.

Item 37, ordinance finding and determining public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interest in connection with the public improvement project known as the CRMP Package 7, Area 1 Basin, IB 043 Project.

Item 38, ordinance finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of a portion of a 40 foot wide pine road lane.

Said portion being plus minus 24,222 square feet, being from Pine Hollow Lane North to Green Tree Road, said portion being out of Pine Hollow Section 2 Subdivision and Laser River addition being all out of White 1 through 3 Leah subdivision and all situated in the William White survey abstract number 836.

Item 39 has been pulled and will not be considered item 40 is a motion to set a public hearing date on amendments to Chapter 42 Division 7 Parks and Private Parks suggested hearing date or hearing date 9 a.m.

Wednesday July 8th, 2026, and item 41 motion to set a date of July 8th, 2026 to receive nominations for positions 10 and 11 of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Board of Trustees.

This completes the reading of the captions for the agenda of Wednesday June 17, 2026.

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

And with that, I wish everyone a happy Wednesday.

Please come to order.

Good morning.

Colleagues, first with the exciting mayor's report to announce and introduce our partners at UT Health and the Health Department.

About three months ago, we passed on council.

This collaboration with UT Health and the Health Department to become our health department and academic health department.

First in our nation to see such collaboration and knowledge and passion to come together to provide Houstonians the best health care possible, certainly, through the administration of Dr.

Tran and Dr.

Kebby and Dr.

Bowinkel, who's the dean of public health at UT.

So it's a great opportunity for us to get additional health care providers and academic leadership with the city administration.

It's the leadership that is gonna make a difference for years to come, but I want them, uh Dr.

Tran to come and tell us why she's excited and the practical effect it will have on health care for our great city.

Uh Dr.

Kibby, we welcome you, Dr.

Bowwinkle, thank you for your public service and this great opportunity.

Uh Dr.

Tran, thank you for your continued passion of uh providing the best health care, your collaboration with Harris Health, and now your presenting today that we're going to partner with the Great Medical Center and one of its leading institutions.

So I yield to you at this time.

Thank you so much, Mayor Whitmire.

Um, hi everybody, hi council.

Uh I'm Teresa Tran, like the mayor said, director of the Houston Health Department and our local health authority.

And Mayor, I want to thank you for your leadership and for your full support of our academic health department.

Um, you know, like the mayor said, so there are academic health departments in the nation, but never in a collaborative agreement the way that we're doing it.

So most academic health departments or every other academic health department is a collaboration or an MOU between the health department and the School of Public Health.

Here in Houston, what we've done in what nationally other cities are taking notice of, mayor, is that we are an academic health department in partnership with all seven institutions under UT Health Houston's umbrella.

That gives us access in partnership to the School of Public Health and all of the other schools under the UT Health Houston umbrella.

And so thank you for um letting us show actual implementation of innovative ideas and not just talking about them.

So this union really brings together the strength of UT Health Houston, which is a leading academic institution, with the real world experience of a major metropolitan health department.

At its core, this partnership is about turning knowledge into action by connecting with UT Health Houston, with their faculty, their researchers, their students, their staff, our public health professionals, um, and UT Health Houston together work to create new opportunities to advance evidence-based programs, foster real innovation.

And when I'm talking about innovation, we think about innovation in this wonderful medical center where it's so fun to be a practicing physician, so fun to be a researcher.

A lot of times we think about things like rare cancer therapy or surgical robotic and in uh innovations or um you know new therapeutics.

What this innovation is innovation that improves the lives of 2.3 million everyday Houstonians, the ones that we don't think about, the innovations that are going to close the equity gap between our neighborhoods and for our um for the constituents of the city.

So thank you, Mayor and City Council for giving us the platform for that innovation to take place.

For our department, this collaboration means greater access to research, expertise, and emerging ideas that can directly support our work.

For the city of Houston, it means that this partnership is workforce development in public health.

Public health challenges are becoming more complex, and having the next generation of healthcare and public health professionals working together is not only aspirational but essential.

So through hands on learning and real community engagement, the students at UT Health Houston are going to gain the experience needed to become tomorrow's practitioners and leaders for our communities.

This coordinates access across public health, academia, and healthcare, which we know has been happening in silos, even though both of our institutions have existed for decades.

So Houston has always been known for a city of innovation and collaboration, and by bringing UT Health Houston and our health department together, I believe that we are positioning the city of Houston as a model, and I'm hearing it that we're positioning ourselves as a model for how public health and academic partnerships can translate into meaningful community impact and meaningful research.

So this is more than a partnership.

This is an investment in our workforce and a commitment to our healthcare system and the future well-being of every community that we all have the privilege to serve.

Thank you to UT Health Houston.

Thank you to the leadership.

Thank you to my team at the Houston Health Department, as well as the team at UT Health Houston that has worked tirelessly to put this together and who will continue to do the work after today.

And we are so excited about this vision, and we are ready to Mayor John Whitmire, as you say, get to work.

Very good.

And I'll call upon our um the president of UT Health Houston, Dr.

Kippy.

We recognize you.

Good morning, everybody.

So my name is Melina Kippy.

I am the president of UT Health Houston, and thank you for inviting us here and the opportunity to speak today.

So first off, I would also like to thank uh Mayor Whitmeyer and Dr.

Tran, who have been working for this project for many years to actually come together.

So I thank you both for your leadership and for your partnership in making this possible.

And we really look forward to being able to work even closer together to make a difference in the health of Houstonians.

So UT Health Houston is proud, very proud to partner with the Houston Health Department to establish an academic health department that strengthens how we serve the people of this city.

So the partnership connects academic expertise with public health practice to improve education, research, and service across our community.

Together, we will prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on learning and real world experience in Houston communities.

Together, we will expand research and data sharing to better understand the health challenges and deliver evidence-based solutions.

Together, we will strengthen the public health workforce by aligning education, practice, and innovation to meet the city's needs.

The School of Dentistry, which has more than a century of training students, the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, the first graduate school of this kind anywhere.

The McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, which is the nation's only graduate level health informatics school, and our jointly run, MD Anderson, UT Health Houston, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, all working together to support this community.

So again, I appreciate Mayor Whitmeyer and Dr.

Trans really truly innovation and collaboration with UTL Houston to make this agreement happen.

And we look forward to making a difference in the lives of Houstonians.

So I would now like to call our Dean of the School of Public Health, Dr.

Eric Borwinkel up here to the microphone.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Dr.

Kibbe.

Good morning, Mayor and Distished Council members.

Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words this morning.

I'll be brief.

On behalf of UT Health Houston, thank you for your leadership in advancing academic health departments.

Mayor, we're especially grateful for your longstanding support and commitment to improving the health of Houstonians.

Your recent commitment to improving the health of the unhoused is a vision and action plan that will be adopted by other cities around the country.

I also want to recognize Dr.

Teresa Tran for her instrumental role in bringing this partnership to life.

She's a fierce and valued friend and partner in public health.

Dr.

Kibby, thank you for your leadership and unwavering support of the School of Public Health and in turn the health of Houston.

Council members, by bringing together the UT Health Houston and the Houston Health Department, we will strengthen, excuse me, we will strengthen our workforce, expand training as and opportunities, and deliver data-driven and proven solution to Houston's most pressing health needs.

Providing important return on investment for both our citizens and our business community.

We are proud to partner with the city and look forward to the impact we will achieve together.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And thank each of you for your contributions and uh what your institutions bring to Houston, certainly working together with the public and private sector, certainly the two public institutions now.

And the challenge is to get it into our communities with better delivery of health care and uh your students, your professors working with Dr.

Tran and her administration.

So I just think it's a real excellent opportunity to become a role model for other major cities.

Councilmember Castic Satan.

Thank you, Mayor.

Dr.

Tran, thank you for uh the work that you've done for this collaboration.

Um UT Health and the Houston Health Department joining together is exciting.

Um, so many of our residents and our communities are very concerned about health care, uh, the cost of health care, access to health care, any data help that we can share with our community members is going to be value added.

Uh, we say this around this horseshoe all the time, is government cannot do this work alone.

We have to have partners to help us to make sure we're ensuring that our residents um are living their best um healthy lives because we can all agree our health is our wealth.

Um, so any opportunities that we have to make um healthy lives better for our residents is going to be value-added for us in the city of Houston.

So, thank you for this partnership, and we look forward to getting um more involved and in bringing this information to our communities to serve our residents in the city of Houston.

Councilman Castro.

Thank you, Mayor, and to Dr.

Tran and UT Health.

This is a very exciting uh update to receive.

I remember when this item came to council and the innovative approach to having all seven schools be a part of the agreement.

Um that is going to help strengthen our health department in a big way.

One that so many Houstonians rely on for all the various services and programs, and especially in times of disaster, uh when the health department plays such a such a big role in response and recovery.

And so uh I want to congratulate you all on this milestone and look forward to uh continuing to see how this partnership grows and develops uh because the city will be a stronger and safer city because of it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Thank you, Dr.

Trent, for your innovation and your partnering and excellent presentation.

So thank you.

Go to work.

At this time, secretary, let's move to the consent calendar.

Give us one quick second.

And options, your agenda, good.

Under the miscellaneous category, item one needs a motion.

Say to move.

Motion made and second.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed, no.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

No, no.

Stop.

Stop.

Very well.

I want to wear.

We're gonna move that to the we're gonna move that to the non-consent.

Yes, ms.

Right.

Settle down.

Sorry, sorry.

We're just seeing if you were awake.

We're okay.

Give our Mr.

Secretary Little.

No, no.

Now, under the except work category, item three has been pulled and will not be considered.

Item four has been removed for separate consideration.

Need a motion for items two and five.

Motion and made in the second.

All in favor say yes, those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Under the purchase and etabulation of bids category, need a motion for item six through eight.

Motion made in the second.

All in favor say yes.

Under the ordinances category, since your list was distributed, a few items or they are just a few changes.

Um item 39 has been pulled, will not be considered.

Items not received but will be considered before if they are received before the end of the meeting are 15, 19, 28, 33, 34, and 35.

Again, numbers items not received, but will be considered if they receive before the end of the meeting.

15, 19, 28, 33, 34, and 35.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Items 10, 11, and 12, 20, 22, and 23, 27, 29, and 36.

Again, those numbers are 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 20, I'm sorry, 22, 23, 27, 29, and 36.

Need a vote on the balance.

Need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passed.

Items removed for separate consideration.

Item one needs a motion.

Councilmember Salinas.01.

Any comment?

Yes.

Yes, Mayor.

So we have put forth one CIP amendment, and this is particularly related to rear loader solid waste collection trucks.

In our review of the CIP budget, we did not see funding for purchasing more reloader trucks in this upcoming fiscal year.

Given how important these trucks are to collection services and illegal dumping, we'd like to see that investment moved up, and that's the basis for our recommendation, and we hope we are in the administration's support.

Thank you.

Next, uh, Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck.

Thank you, Mayor.

I have six CIP amendments that I will lay out next week.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I have two amendments that I will discuss next week.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Uh, uh Mayor Pro Tim Cat Sticks Tate.

Thank you, Mayor.

Also, have uh two amendments.

Of course, our Almeida Plaza Didge and the drainage infrastructure project for Westwood subdivision, and we'll lay those out next week.

Very good.

Anyone else if not?

Um, may I like to tag item one?

Mayor Pro Tim moves to tag item one.

There's the amendments and item one.

Amendments to item one.

Um, all in favor, say yes, those opposed to nay.

Motion, it's tagged.

It's tagged.

Next almost injected.

Okay.

Got it.

Item four needs a motion.

Cast X take a move.

Next, second.

Motion made and second.

All in favor, say yes.

Those opposed nay.

Motion passes.

Item 10 is in ordinance.

Just need a vote.

All in favor say yes.

Councilmember Salinas.

Yes, Mayor.

I just want to thank the administration.

Uh this is the uh floor amendment I had put forth last week to amend the water fund to add in the administrative fee.

We had a great discussion.

You will agree to bring it back to the agenda, and you did so with expeditious speed, and we're voting on it this week.

So I just want to thank you, Mayor, for your cooperation and partnership on this.

I think this is going to provide real relief to Houstonians who are worried about the upcoming fee, and I just want to thank you for your leadership on it.

And thank you for your leadership.

I think you said you wanted to see it back within two weeks, and we did it in a week.

And it's working, and we're proud of your work and the collaboration of everyone.

Councilman Evan Shabazz.

Thank you, Mayor, and good morning.

Uh, I just want to speak in support of item 10, uh, the water fund and the important expansion that this fund will allow to provide assistance related to the solid waste fee.

And I want to certainly thank my colleagues, uh, and you, Mayor, for being expeditious and bringing this to council.

Uh, throughout the budget process and during our district D community meetings, this was one of the main concerns we heard directly from residents, especially seniors, families on fixed incomes, and those who are already doing everything they can to keep up.

And so certainly we have a responsibility to um make difficult financial decisions, but also to provide solutions.

And so I just want to uh say that I will be supporting this, and thank you very much for bringing this to the agenda.

Thank you.

Councilmember Cristiano.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to echo my colleagues on this.

Um, it's it's so important that this is happening before the fee goes into effect.

And I think there were a lot of folks in my district who expressed anxieties about what a five-dollar uh fee on their on their bills would do to their budgets, and to be able to have the relief um happen while the fee is is being worked on and implemented, puts that uh comfort out there, reassures them that not only were they heard, but the city is taking the action um proactively.

So I want to commend you for for doing that so fast because it is uh something that folks were worried about.

And you know, we can now look at some other ways to help strengthen the water fund so that uh it can support both the water and the trash uh relief.

So thank you and to Councilmember Salinas for her leadership on off offering this amendment as well.

And thank you if we work together.

Uh we'll see that the water fund provides that assistance that we all uh are concerned about.

Councilmember Panzarelli.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I want to echo what we've all just said here.

Uh it's critical that we invest in Houston's utilities, and this fee is a step in that direction, but it's also important that we support uh low-income Houstonians, and this amendment is a step in the right direction.

So again, I support Council Salinas here and I look forward to voting on this.

Thank you.

Thank you for your leadership.

Just need a vote.

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

Very good members.

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 to vote.

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

Item 20 is an ordinance, just need to vote.

All in favor, tag.

Tagged by the mayor pro team.

We have a tag.

Sorry, no.

There you go.

What again?

Thank you.

Yeah, uh, the mayor pro team tagged.

She wants additional information.

And uh it'll be back before council very soon, something we're all very proud of.

Next, item 22 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

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

Councilmember Castillo's in the queue.

Councilmember Castillo.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

This is on 22, which was just passed.

I do want to thank uh my colleagues for the support and mayor, your your team with public works and commissioner Garcia for this partnership.

Uh, this is a partnership program that will help the county uh fund some of our neighborhood traffic management programs speed cushions uh through Commissioner Garcia's office.

And these are for the three that are in my district, these are some of the largest applications that were in the queue that would have um taken significant amount of funding from the limited CDSF that I have.

So for that, I'm grateful for his partnership.

I know uh so many folks in the community were advocating for these projects, continue to ask for the updates.

Some of these projects have uh over 40 cushions, and so you can imagine how much that is gonna cost.

Some of these projects have had 40 40 plus cushions.

They were in the queue for um a lot longer before I got here, and and it's because of four years.

Some of them I understand four years have been on the list.

Yes, yes.

You hear what I said four years.

I I hear you loud and clear.

And so I'm I'm great.

So it just shows what collaboration with with the county and other levels are making a difference.

100%, because this wouldn't have happened without that partnership.

Um, and these are things that the communities have been advocating for for all of those years.

And so I want to thank him.

Uh I want to thank you and Randy for working this out legal for working out the ILA and uh look forward to seeing these uh continue to move forward.

But this is uh a great step in in the right direction.

Thank you.

Mayor Protein.

Thank you, Mayor.

I think it's uh appropriate um time to discuss the tripling of the cost of the speed bumps because so many of our communities are asking for these speed bumps.

Um I really would like for us to um maybe um have some type of discussion in one of the committees because we have a long list of communities that are asking for speed bumps, and the million dollars that we have in CDSF just cannot cover 40 speed cushions in one neighborhood, especially with the costs tripling.

Um speed cushions because they said the costs versus folks slowing down one to three miles was um you know not efficient.

Um I'd really like for us to get some updated data on that because we have a lot of requests in queue for speed cushions, and if the cost has tripled, I just don't see how we're gonna move forward with all those neighborhoods getting uh speed cushions without some additional funding coming, like in precinct two.

And certainly I can't say enough as y'all echo uh Randy and Public Works has really made this a top priority in our finding the resources and I don't want to put a timetable on it, but we will have no backlog sooner than later, maybe as late as uh early as this end of this year.

Councilmember Panzerell.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh on the topic of speed cushions.

This is something I've heard about uh a lot since I've started here.

Um I just want to say that uh while they can be efficient and slow down cars and make streets safer, there are a lot of different alternatives to making streets safer than just speed cushions, and that's street redesigns, it could be high visibility crosswalks, it could be wider sidewalks.

Really, we just need to make sure that we design streets that slow cars down, and speed bumps, speed cushions are a great way to do that, but as we just heard, they're getting more and more expensive.

So street redesigns are another way to do that too.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Davis.

Um I just wanted to echo the issue around speed bumps because we we get I know I often get a lot of calls about speed uh bumps, speed cushions, and um Mayor Pro Tim mentioned the fact that the cost, I think that's something maybe we have to take in uh consideration the cost of this effective because there are a lot of districts and communities who want speed bumps, and uh they generally will say if the if the council members acting slowly or whatever, but it's due to to dollars.

I mean, we know what the problem is, so I I just wanted to echo the support in terms of what Mayor Pro Tim Tatum indicated.

The cost and certainly some previous administrators uh attitude that it just wasn't cost effective, and certainly Randy and the all of us have heard from the community.

It's it's a top priority, yes.

Okay, thank you.

And going to get knocked out the backlog.

Um, anyone else?

Item 23.

Item 23 is an ordinance just made a vote.

All in favor say yes, those votes.

Councilman Panzerella.

Since we're talking, thank you, Mayor.

Appreciate that.

Um, I'd love to highlight this project.

This is really awesome to see again.

Um, this item is improving critical connectivity for residents visiting memorial park to uptown neighborhood, the arboretum, and more.

This project will install a safe hike and bike bridge over the bayou, connecting existing trails and infrastructure.

Again, this is an amazing project and one that highlights uh what a lot of Hustonians are asking for, which is better connectivity and better mobility throughout the city.

And while this project is fundamental and really big and flashy, what's equally important are local neighborhood connectors as well.

Freemanstown is connected to Buffalo Bayou through West Dallas, which is a high injury network street.

That's where, you know, one of the streets uh that has a lot of really dangerous crashes regularly.

And so again, wider sidewalks, bike facilities for these local neighborhood connectors are equally as important, and I just want to highlight that.

So thank you.

Very good.

Just need to vote.

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

Item 27 is an ordinance just need a vote.

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

Item 29 is an ordinance.

Just need a vote.

I'm in favor, six Tatum tag.

Counts uh tag by the mayor pro Tim.

Thank you.

Next.

Item 36 is an ordinance.

Just need to vote.

All in favor say yes, for supposed nay, motion pass.

Item 40 is a motion to set a public hearing date on amendments to Chapter 42.

Division 7 Parks and Private Parks.

Mayor Protein.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026.

Motion made in the segment.

All in favor say yes.

So suppose they motion passed.

Item 41 is a motion to set a date of July 8th, 2026 to receive nominations for positions 10 and 11 of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Board of Trustees.

Castax Tata moved to set the date of July 8th, 2026 to receive nominations for position 10 and 11 of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System Board of Trustees.

Motion made in second.

All in favor say yes.

So suppose name motion passed.

This completes the items on the agenda.

Councilmember Panzerella, is this your first pop-up?

I believe it will be.

Go for it.

Okay.

Councilmember Panzerella.

This Friday, communities in Houston and across our nation will commemorate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when troops arrived in Galveston to announce for the let that the last enslaved people were free.

I'll be honored to join the Freemanstown Conservancy later today as we commemorate Juneteenth and join Hope this Friday for their celebration as well.

We must protect the legacy of those who came before us in the history of our city and our nation.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilmember, Councilmember Huffman.

Thank you.

And I just want to welcome uh interns to the district G office.

We have Dawson Graham joining us and Ellie Cunningham.

I know we've seen a lot of interns walking around the office since summer has started.

So welcome everyone.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Ramirez.

I'll pass this week.

Thank you.

Okay.

Councilmember Tiffany D.

Thomas.

I'm taking all his time.

Thank you so much.

Um, so good morning.

So we're kicked we've kicked off our annual summer safety initiative with our fourth annual swim safety clinic.

It was a blast at the A Leaf Aquatics Center.

I want to thank the Houston Parks Department for their unmatched partnership every year, especially their aquatics division.

Uh Coach CPR, Houston Swim Wave Club, our local district F businesses, and our national partners, Walmart and Outdoor Afro.

The kids had a blast, and one of them said, I'm having the time of my life.

Uh and so while we had fun, we were able to provide life safety, life saving uh training uh to the adults and the families, and definitely more to come.

Um keeping in the same vein around our annual summer safety initiative.

We're also adding a component around gun safety.

Um, recently on the west side and all throughout the city, there have been incidents of gun violence.

Um, and so we are highlighting that with a new partner, and I just want to um raise some of the points every week in the news cycle.

There's an issue around gun violence.

Sean Bree was murdered on June 6th, a woman was found dead on June 13th in West Chase, and a burglarly, a burglary happened on June 12th in A.

Leaf.

Um, actually in my father's subdivision, all documented on the news, and so we have gun safety locks, and just a reminder to the community.

October of 2021, we hosted the second uh gun buyback program in the city.

Um, and at the time we um secured the largest number of gun returns nationwide.

Over twelve hundred guns were secured on that day.

Um, so we are keeping it in that same vein.

More to come on that issue, and I just also want to point out that as we enter the summer season, youth team violence also increases.

Um, and so we're no stranger of that.

We saw what happened with the team takeover, and there's just other things that are emerging that we have to get a handle on.

So, more from my office around that, and looking forward to community participation.

Um, also I want to acknowledge our interns are here.

District F is in the house.

Can y'all stand up?

All right, stand up, don't be shy, in keeping with the same energy on the west side.

Um, we um, and you know, our priority to uh make sure that we can member Thomas.

I're gonna I'm gonna interrupt you before y'all leave.

Item 15 came before we lose quorum.

We're gonna vote on item 15 once council member Thomas is finished.

You want me to we no go ahead and and just well let's go vote and then I'll you'll finish okay.

Secretary, if you'll call item 15.

Item 15 is an ordinance, just need to vote.

Councilmember Flickinger, Councilmember Flickinger.

Can I do after the after the vote?

Okay, all in favor, uh item 15.

Any opposed that item cares, let me see.

Wait, do you need to look at it?

Um, all in favor, any opposed?

Item passes.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Thank you.

This is an item that we've been working on for over a year now, and really wanted to thank Councilmember Peck and Councilmember Castille for helping out with this.

I mean, obviously, during barrel, we saw what a big issue it was.

Uh having uh forest or urban forestry be able to take care of the trees and this equipment will be able to help them do it.

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Councilmember Thomas, I apologize.

Um all good.

The business of the city must get handled.

I totally understand.

I have no problem starting from scratch.

We saw you swimming.

Okay, we saw you swimming.

But I want to acknowledge our interns.

Um, we have a great reputation with having strong young people as an extension of the district F office, and Iman and Allah are joining us.

Imam Iman is a senior at A Leaf Early College, and Allah's at A.

Leaf Taylor High School, and so we're excited about their contribution uh this summer and beyond as they move outside of their internship um duties.

Also happening now, the uh buildings and standards commission is happening in council chambers at the annex, and so that's why I had took a brief departure.

Um, to talk about 3138 Ashlock.

This is a uh dangerous building that is sat out the corner of Richmond in this subdivision for years and has also been damaged due to fire.

So I just want to thank the residents who are downstairs across the street on public comments, advocating for the protection of quality of life, and I want to thank the commission for making sure that these buildings actually get to the finish line.

Um, there's a pull, there's been a fire, there's been complications with the private property, and it's definitely a hazard.

So looking forward to uh moving forward with that success.

Uh and also Juneteenth is Friday, and so you know uh liberation is for all of us.

Every week we we we stand here and we uh um repeat the pledge of allegiance um and we remind ourselves about the virtues that are true and accessible to all of us and our uh goal that we walk towards, and particularly on the west side, the historic Piney Point.

Um, we acknowledge them not just on Juneteenth but throughout the um 365 days of the year, and so there are a bunch of uh events happening throughout the city, especially the district of destination.

I'm gonna be hanging out on Friday in the district of destination at Miller Outdoor and Emancipation Park.

It is going down.

Um, those tickets are are of no cost.

So if you want to be anybody, you want to be somebody in District D on Friday.

Um, and then on Friday morning, I will be with the Congolese community.

We are excited about uh uh what what's the what's the name of the team?

The leopards.

Can you get me one of those bags?

I was looking at one of the men.

Uh but sure.

Uh, we'll do what we gotta do.

Uh we'll be with them on Friday.

The um ambassador to Congo to the U.S.

will join me in our district at the said institute for a conversation.

So we're looking forward uh to their contribution and what they do on the west side and all throughout the city and the energy that they're bringing, uh, not to just to the sport but to our area.

Um, and that concludes our comments for today.

If there are any um any assistance that my office can provide for you, please do not hesitate to reach out to district F at Houston TX.gov.

Thank you.

Councilmember Thomas, when you meet with the Congo team, can you see if there is a link to that bag that they uh we're gonna get the bag, we're gonna get the jacket, we're gonna get they they were definitely representing their country and style.

Absolutely were.

Vice Mayor Pro Tempek.

Thank you, Mayor Pratem.

Um, I just want to thank Public Works for all their work.

Um, in this last couple of days with all of the rain that we've had.

We've had a few areas in District A that have seen some flooding, so I just want to thank Public Works for getting out there and and doing all the great work.

Thank you.

Councilmember Carter.

I'm gonna give my time to the district of destination.

She's got a lot to say, um, Councilmember Carolyn Evans Shabazz hailing from the district of destination.

Well, thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

And you know this past weekend, District D continued to celebrate legacy community and the people who make our neighborhood strong.

On Saturday, I was proud to join the Cloverland Spring reunion at Cloverland Park, and this gathering brought together families, neighbors, and friends.

I certainly want to thank Anthony Scott, uh, Cachelle Kelly, D.

Red, and everyone who helped organize this reunion and create a space for fellowship, food, music dominoes, laughter, and community connection.

Uh Cloverland has a rich history, and it was beautiful to see so many people come together to honor that history and keep that spirit alive.

I also had the opportunity to honor Willie Lee Gay at a timeless celebration honoring the 96th birthday of the legendary educator, historian, and community treasurer.

Actually, the celebration was in the hall that was named after her at the Houston City College, and so she was sitting there all supreme, uh enjoying her celebration, and it was my honor to be able to attend that celebration.

Upcoming uh Juneteenth events in District D as already mentioned, um, Juneteenth on Almeda, hosted by my Southern Brand Third Ward Cultural District, community partners, vendors, and residents will be Friday, June 19th at 4 p.m.

to 9 p.m.

at the Peggy Park, which is uh located across the street from the post office.

For some of you that may not know, 4101 Almita Road, uh Juneteenth on Almeida is a community block party featuring vendors, immersive act activations, music, community engagement, and FIFA match watch experience, featuring Brazil and Haiti.

Uh there will be the reunion at the Emancipation Park, hosted by the Emancipation Park Conservancy, Community Members, Artists, and Cultural Partners.

That will also be on Friday uh at the Emancipation Park.

Uh and then uh there will also be, oh, also there will be RB Gospel, Southern Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz, and more.

And then in the um Miller at the Miller Outdoor Theater, there will also be a celebration featuring Shantae Moore and Mays.

So if you want to come out and celebrate at that particular venue, we're so excited that it's going to be back open and ready for the public to come out and enjoy free entertainment.

And so, as you see, there will be a lot going on in the district of destination.

Uh, but I want to close on a sad note.

Uh a childhood friend of mine, Robert Elliott Motley was hit and killed last week, and he is someone that you would probably not know.

He was down on his luck, but there by the grace of God go I.

At one time, one time he was a great musician with the TSU tornadoes and a master plumber.

The driver has not been located, but HPD is looking for you.

And I just want to say that I want to give condolences to his family and also indicate that all life is important.

And so certainly stay safe today and come out and enjoy the district of destination, but be on good behavior, because we do have plans of action for those that come and don't want to act like good house guests.

So please come and enjoy, and I'll be there shaking the tail feather.

I believe I believe the event at the park is supposed to be all white, but certainly come as you are and enjoy yourselves and welcome to the district of destination.

Thank you.

Okay, Councilmember Castilla.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.

I want to start by reminding everyone as we are halfway through June, all month of June.

I have sponsored adoptions at Bark for folks to uh go and uh adopt an animal from our shelter.

There's um a number of fantastic pets there waiting for new homes.

This also includes uh the adoption fees, the spay neuter services, the microchipping, and the vaccines.

Last June we saw 475 adoptions and 269 fosters uh when I did this partnership with Bark.

So we are continuing it again, and want to encourage folks to get out there if you're looking to grow your family with a pet.

Also, Saturday, I will be hosting my second Shred Day in District H.

This will be from 9 to 12.

It's in partnership with the local IATC 51 at 3030 North Freeway and our partners at Texas Security Shredding.

There's no cost to this.

You drive up, uh, they'll take the the boxes out of your car, shred them, and then you can drive away.

Um so this is a great way to safely dispose of uh information that might have personal uh information and whatnot and keep your privacy protected so that is Saturday, June the 20th, 9 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

at the Ayati Local 513030 North Freeway.

Also, as we wrap up June, we're ending the fifth cohort of the District H Horizons internship program, and I do want to recognize we've had two fantastic interns, Jesus and Fernando.

Fernando is here, if you wouldn't mind standing Fernando, and we uh really uh appreciate you and Jesus for being a part of the District H office.

They have had a six-month comprehensive experience and part of this internship.

They get to pick somebody they get to shadow um Fernando shadowed Congresswoman Garcia for a day when she was in town.

Jesus shadowed uh chairwoman Elizabeth Brock from Metro.

And uh we're gonna miss you all.

Y'all did a great job, and best of luck to you and the future.

And then finally, um for Juneteenth, I will be with Fresh Arts Houston at Richard Brock Park this coming Friday for their Juneteenth celebration over in First Ward.

That's gonna be at 11 a.m.

And we'll invite folks who are looking for uh a district H spot to celebrate Juneteenth.

Um, they will be hosting a festival to honor the legacy resilience and joy of Juneteenth, uh, this coming Friday.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll uh wrap up a pop off with the announcements from District K.

First, um colleagues want to remind everyone about the economic so so sorry.

I wouldn't be remiss if I left out the right reverend.

Not the good doctor, Dr.

Willie Davis.

Well, right now I'm the wrong reverend.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

No problem, Mayor Pro.

No harm done, no harm done.

Uh I've been looked over a lot in life.

I don't want to add to your trauma.

And so I want I want you to know that I see you.

I know you do.

I hear you.

You are value added.

You as kind.

You were smart.

You is important.

You can skip over me from now on every week.

Uh I just want to first begin by uh Mayor Pro Tim, real short, nothing much.

Just want to identify my two uh interns.

If you would stand, um brother Kazi uh is a uh three peak with us in our office, this outstanding young man and uh a major in kinesiology and uh attending the HCC college, and we always happen to have Kazu with us.

And then next to him is Leela Johnson, and she's a uh student going into the University of Houston, and uh, and she's gonna be doing it in call Larry.

She's a great cook, and we're happy to have her both on our teams, and I'm just happy to have them.

And also, last but not least.

Uh Mayor Pro Tim and colleagues, there's a lot of uh interns here uh today.

I don't know if many of them were some of their uh who they're working with, but all of those, I just like to recognize them if that's appropriate.

Would they stand all of you that are interns?

Outstanding.

Look at that.

Wow.

Outstanding.

Thank all of you.

It's just good to have you to see the process uh working forward for the future leaders of our city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember, and we definitely wish our interns an incredible summer here at City Hall.

Councilmember Flickinger.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tan.

I see you.

I would like to thank the Department of Neighborhoods in general and Roman Aguilar in particular.

Uh, we had a meeting out uh in the community last Thursday for the matching grant program.

And uh Roman has come out uh two years in a row and put that on.

We had some great attendance.

I think we have a number of groups that are going to be doing projects to help make the community a better place, and can't wait for it.

And then uh, when I first came into office, one of one of the problems I dealt with from the very first was a squatter home out in Freeway Manor, and from that and digging into it, found out that that house was receiving a homestead exemption and an elderly exemption, which it did not qualify for.

I went up and spoke about this up at Austin, and uh we're currently working on trying to get some some legislation done, but the media has been working on a story digging this up, and turns out that the problem is much larger than what I thought it was.

And there is actually millions of dollars every year that are not collected in taxes that are legally owed uh because of these exemptions that they're being received, and uh that they're not qualifying for.

So there's gonna be a story coming out here pretty soon, kind of unveiling all this, and I think it'll be pretty interesting for everybody to watch.

Thank you.

Is that everybody?

Yes, yes.

All right.

Now we'll round it out with our our district K announcements.

Uh, do want to remind you, colleagues, that today at 2 p.m.

here in the chambers, we will host our economic development committee meeting.

There will be one presentation from Clear Channel Outdoor Houston and Outfront Media on digital billboards.

Again, that's at 2 p.m.

today here in the chamber.

Uh, with all the rain that's happening uh the residents along West Airport that drive along West Airport near Hill Carl, they're very excited to know that um construction will begin on June the 22nd for a drainage improvement project.

That area, it when it's raining, sometimes you see stalled cars in that area because of the amount of rain um that piles up in that in in that area and creates that flooding.

So this long-standing drainage challenge is going to be taken care of.

It's gonna take about 150 days to complete the actual project, but um we are looking forward to that improvement for those residents and the residents that drive along in that area.

Up art studio does have a call for artists.

Um, if you get our newsletter, you can see that um those interested to apply um can look at the Buffalo Trailheads application.

The application does close on June the 30th at 1159 p.m.

So if you are an artist and you're looking for a calls for project, we do have one available um for painting of the Buffalo Speedway and Sims Bayou Gateways for that regional trail network.

Of course, want to say happy Juneteenth.

We all know it commemorates June 19th, 1865.

Um, when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas.

We've heard about all the excitement happening uh not only in District D but across the entire city of Houston.

Um celebrating Juneteenth is a collective promise, y'all, to keep building a more equitable future and ensuring that true freedom belongs to everyone.

So happy Juneteenth.

Uh I do want to recognize our District K interns.

Uh Olivia Girling Perez is a rising senior at the University of Houston.

She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in legal studies.

So we're very excited to have her on the District K team this summer.

And Cecile Villalva Reyes is a rising sophomore at Georgetown University majoring in public policy.

So we may have some policy coming out of District K this uh summer from our youth.

Yesterday we talked to them, and they are interested in doing a podcast and really working on uh my social media and their social media so we can make government cool and engaging for their peers.

So I'm very excited to see what they come up with.

Um it's never too early for young people to get engaged in government and their civic engagement.

So I'm very excited to have you both on our summer team.

Welcome to the District K team and congratulations to all of our interns.

Councilmember Castillo, you're back in the queue.

I am.

Before we wrap up, we were joined by the second district H Horizons intern, Jesus.

I want to make sure we recognize him as well for uh his service this past six months.

They have been fantastic, and we're gonna miss them, and they're gonna do great things.

Thank you.

Sounds good.

I think since we have so many interns, if we will come inside the horseshoe council members, let's get a picture with all of our interns and do something fun.

So y'all, I want to see it on your Instagram posts.

I want to see it on your TikTok pages.

I want to see it on your.

Are y'all on Facebook?

Some of y'all.

My friends tell me Facebook is for old people, but I want to see the picture.

Uh let's come inside.

Uh but right now, can we stand adjourned?