Houston City Council Meeting – September 29, 2026

The Houston City Council convened on September 29, 2026, for its regular meeting. The agenda included adoption of minutes, routine consent items, public comments on multiple topics, consideration of the Mayor’s Report (focusing on former Controller Chris Brown’s employment), a financial report from the Controller and Finance Department, and councilmember announcements. Key issues included opposition to the Model Cities Grant, calls to recognize Filipino American History Month, concerns about Flock camera surveillance, and a contentious debate over the value and productivity of Senior Advisor Chris Brown.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Adoption: The minutes of September 22 and 23 were adopted.
• Appointments: The council confirmed appointments to the Houston Commission on Disabilities, the Houston Zoo Development Corporation Board, and three municipal court associate judges (Ruth Mendez, Chad Peace, Jerry Boone).
• Consent Items: Numerous items (purchasing, ordinances, utility district consents, etc.) were approved en bloc with no debate except where items were pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Valero Refinery Air Permit (Reem Tariq, Air Alliance Houston): Tariq noted the Valero Houston Refinery on Manchester Street is permitted to emit over 1,000 tons of volatile organic compounds per year and has released more than 46 tons of unauthorized pollution (mostly benzene) since 2019. 7,500+ households, 10 schools, and 12 parks lie within a two‑mile radius. She urged the council and especially Councilmember Martinez to attend a TCEQ public meeting on October 1 to support strengthening the permit.
• Flock Cameras and Surveillance (Katie Thibodeau, Dylan Forbes, Tara Destori Nadal): Multiple speakers criticized the Flock camera system, citing privacy violations, potential abuse for tracking abortion seekers, and ties to immigration enforcement. Tara Destori Nadal presented a map showing disproportionate camera density in Black and Brown neighborhoods (e.g., 11 cameras in one square mile of Third Ward vs. 0 in River Oaks) and called on six Black councilmembers to end the contract.
• Model Cities Grant Opposition (Juan Rubio, Ronaldo Salgado, Jennifer Canales‑Pelaez, Auraseli Garcia, Norma Gonzalez, Susie Duran, and others): Numerous speakers opposed the city’s consideration of the U.S. Department of Justice Model Cities Initiative, arguing it would mandate cooperation with ICE, endanger immigrant communities, and undermine trust in local police. Ronaldo Salgado, whose father Lorenzo Salgado Arauco was killed by ICE agents, pleaded with the council not to apply. Jennifer Canales‑Pelaez cited DOJ guidelines requiring certification that the city will not protect immigrants. Susie Duran referenced a similar “Model” in Memphis that led to deaths. Several speakers noted the council had previously weakened an anti‑ICE ordinance under state pressure.
• Filipino American History Month (Michelle DeBaylon, Sybil Palubna Science, Anthony Guevara, Sergeant Major Pascual Jackson): Speakers requested the council enact a formal ordinance designating October as Filipino American History Month in perpetuity. They highlighted historical contributions and invited councilmembers to upcoming community events (Oct 11 at The Post, Oct 17 in Sugar Land, Oct 26 Rockets Filipino Heritage Night).
• Other Comments: Sherry Browning described a chaotic experience at a Social Security office where veterans had benefits cut; Jaime Perez complained about crime and neglect along Jensen Drive; Sandra Evans spoke about a divine revelation regarding an oil reserve; Amos Sims asked when he could retrieve his son from a juvenile detention facility, drawing a comparison to ICE releases; and additional speakers denounced the Model Cities grant and demanded accountability for Lorenzo Salgado’s killing.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report – Chris Brown Employment: Former Controller Chris Brown appeared to defend his role as Senior Advisor for Financial Integrity. He presented a plan to combine AI and robotics with voluntary retirements to close the structural deficit. Brown stated he works on a project‑based, non‑hourly basis and estimated his weekly hours at around 15 before the recent media scrutiny, but said that varies. He accused Controller Hollins of not meeting with him and questioned the productivity of the Controller’s audit division (27 audits completed during his tenure vs. 16 under Hollins, despite a budget increase). Councilmember Gwendolyn Shabazz pressed Brown on his hours and value, citing a Houston Chronicle report that he worked 13 days and sent 12 emails. Mayor Whitmire defended Brown, saying he was hired for experience, not hourly work. Councilmember Alcorn commended Brown’s past work on pension and OPEB reform.
• Financial Report:
  • Controller Hollins presented the August 2026 financial report, projecting a General Fund ending balance of $294 million (11.2% of expenditures), which is $45.5 million lower than the Finance Department’s projection due to lower revenue estimates. He warned that if the proposed right‑of‑way fee ($104 million) is not implemented, the balance could fall to $190 million (7.3%), below the city’s 7.5% reserve target. He criticized the administration for using stormwater funds to pay for car washes (a $2.6 million contract with Mr. Car Wash), arguing it violates the dedication of those funds. He also noted a $4 million shortfall in garbage fee revenue because the $5 monthly fee included sales tax and was implemented late. He provided an update on the Chris Brown investigation, stating the administration resisted information requests for over 100 days and then retaliated with public information requests on his office.
  • Finance Director Melissa Dubowski responded, presenting data showing that historical practice uses stormwater/drainage funds to maintain vehicles purchased by those funds, and that the same funding sources were used in prior years under the previous administration. She also noted that the garbage fee remains $5 inclusive of sales tax, and the sales tax impact is about $1 million (not $4 million). She demonstrated the open finance portal.
  • Councilmember Peck raised concerns about the sales tax on the administrative fee and potential future impacts if the fee rises. Councilmember Alcorn pressed on the $3.7 million shortfall. The report was accepted on a motion by Councilmember Peck and seconded by Castillo.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items: All routine appointments, purchasing, ordinance items (except those pulled) were approved unanimously. Items 4, 12, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24, 28, 37, 38, 40, 43, and 44 were voted on separately and passed with few no votes (e.g., Councilmember Ramirez voted no on item 28).
• No votes taken on Model Cities Grant or Flock cameras; these were discussed but not on the agenda for action.
• Financial Report: The council voted to accept the August 2026 financial report as presented.

Remarks and Announcements

• Councilmembers noted upcoming events: Voter registration deadline October 5; Parking Day on October 3; National Night Out on October 6; Faith and Affordable Housing Summit on October 10; Domestic Violence Awareness Month events; and the untitled art fair.
• Condolences were offered for Dr. Steven Purce (former city health physician) and former State Representative Garnet Coleman.
• Councilmember Shabazz reported on the McGregor Park renovation groundbreaking.
• Councilmember Castillo reminded residents to register to vote and prepare for predicted heavy rain.
• Councilmember Davis noted attendance at the National Night of Remembrance.
• Councilmember Panzarella announced the return of Pride banners on Westheimer.
• Councilmember Ramirez introduced his new communications director, Reyes Ramirez, Houston’s poet laureate.