All right, we are back for the Department of Neighborhoods budget presentation for 2027.

And I welcome Director Herbert Sims and the floor is yours.

All right.

There we go.

Can you hear me now?

All right.

Good morning.

I want to thank y'all for your time on this Friday morning.

I would like to start by recognizing the Department of Neighborhood staff who is joining us this morning behind us.

Would y'all please stand?

Don't just wave, stand up.

So these individuals work in our neighborhoods and partners daily.

They answer the calls from the community.

They attend events and meetings in the evenings and on the weekends.

They solve problems and remove obstacles to improve residents' lives and communities.

They make it easier for residents to participate in government for them to be involved in their neighborhoods.

When I tell you that we have collaborated with more than 200 partners, when I tell you that we have collaborated with 14 city departments, every council district, thank you so much for your collaboration and all you do to get us what we need.

So now that I know you have other responsibilities, everybody's on this side.

And commitments to get back to I won't take up too much of your time this morning, but you're welcome to go.

But if you want to see me present, you're more than welcome to stay.

But thank you guys so much for all you do.

All right, we're gonna get started here.

Council members, I would like to thank you for your support and partnership with our department.

It is our honor to serve the city of Houston.

As the Department of Neighborhoods moves forward and builds on partnerships and outreach we've established, we will continue to sharpen our focus on finding ways to help residents feel heard, included, and empowered.

And with that, I'll begin my budget presentation.

So please skip the strategic alignment side for me.

So our work is centered around partnerships and collaborating with uh community stakeholders.

As you can see on the first slide, most of our programs aligned with mayor's quality of life priority, with the exception of human trafficking and gain prevention and intervention, which fall under the public safety uh priority.

The government that works priority, administrative services is about 48% of our budget because it includes all indirect restricted and department costs that supports other programs.

Next slide.

So our plans to eliminate the gap.

Um the department uh implemented about 286,000 in targeted reductions through operational efficiencies.

These reductions included one vacant position, adjustments to program expenses, focus reductions in community engagement and language access, which included language access software we anticipated needing, but um we were able to um achieve our goal without that hardware and software.

We also um have reductions in super neighborhood fund, but it still leaves us 170,000 to work with our neighborhoods.

We spend 100,000 about each year, so we have plenty of dollars to expand that program and to offer more um super neighborhoods grants as well as administrative costs as we move forward in FY27.

Um these actions were taken without compromising course service delivery, and so um we will be able to get our core services completed with these reductions.

Next slide.

On this side, you'll see that our FY27 proposed budget reflects a 9% increase over 26 adopted budget.

This variance is primarily due to the inclusion of the reduction impacts and the full accounting for the Office for People with Disabilities expenditures, which were not included in last year's budget.

And as you can see, all funds are allocated to the general fund.

We do not have um any other fund in the department of neighborhoods.

Next slide.

So here, personnel versus non-personnel.

I'm sure this has been quite redundant with you all.

We're about 79% personnel, one percent supplies, 12% services, and 8% in restricted accounts in the department.

Next slide.

So here you see expenditures by program.

Um, this slide illustrates the expenditures by program.

You can see the reduction in community engagement, which I explained before, which is our super neighborhood fund, as well as an FTE that we um through the department reorganization and the volunteer retirement move to the New Americans division out of MAO.

And so as mentioned earlier, also includes this year the Office for People with Disabilities, which is now included, and that 1870 K is there represented on the last row.

Next slide.

This slide aligns with mayor's government that works priority.

Our administrative support includes the director's office and funding for our restricted accounts.

These funds benefit all divisions.

There was also about a 45,000 reduction here too for department wide needs, such as relocation, training, and things of such.

So next slide, please.

As in all programs to follow, included are the current KPIs as well as our newly developed FY27 KPIs that are utilizing the turn the curve process.

Next slide.

Community engagement.

Our primary division here is Mayor's Assistance Office.

It aligns with our quality of life priority.

The significant budget items include personnel, pension obligations, as well as super neighborhood support.

The reference account is fund 1000, and it is 1.365 million dollar budget.

Next slide.

We estimate to be on track with our performance measures for community engagement, especially in the number of residents served through civic engagement programs.

Next slide.

Next slide, please.

Next slide.

But we've also updated these KPIs to include percent of youth participants assessed as needing additional services who are referenced to and connected with appropriate external support services and percent of youth who complete the goals stated in their case management service plan within 90 days.

Next slide.

Neighborhood initiatives aligns with our quality of life as well.

Significant items include personnel and pension obligations as well as youth leadership, constituent education, and volunteer initiatives.

The reference account is 1,000.

The amount is $883,000.

Next slide, please.

We estimate to exceed the total number of projects completed using volunteer labors this year at an estimate of $503,000 in savings to the city and area nonprofits.

Next slide.

Updated KPIs here include number of residents participating in city supported civic engagement activities and estimated dollar value of volunteer hours provided to the city of Houston and of services provided to the community through department partnerships during the fiscal year.

Next slide.

Significant budget items include funding for personnel and pension obligations as well as for translation and interpretation services.

The reference account is fund 1000 and in the amount of 438,000 dollars.

Next slide.

We essayed to meet our performance measures in most categories.

Many of you have met our new language access coordinator, Katie Fan, who will be assisting us to increase the number of city employees trained in language access, which is where we're currently having a deficit.

Next slide.

Updated KPIs include percent of city departments with staff who successfully completed language access programming.

I mean training, I'm sorry, and percent of outreach materials meetings establish language acts language and accessibility standards.

Next slide.

Human trafficking.

It aligns with public safety priority.

Significant budget items include funding for personnel and pension, as well as our shelter collaborative with Houston Area Women's Center and Salvation Army.

The division is funded through police special services fund.

The reference account is fund 1000 and the amount of 243,000.

Next slide.

Despite the recent organizational and staff turnover, program manager Tanisha Mosley has ensured that the program is on target with their current KPIs.

We plan to take more of a direct services approach to the partnership with local stakeholders than the previous policy-focused program.

Next slide.

The reference account is 1,000 in the amount of $870,000.

Next slide.

Updated KPIs include number of ADA focused meetings, community meetings and outreach engagement events, trainings organized, and percentage of outreach materials meeting established language and accessibility standards.

Next slide.

Office of Education and Youth Engagement is funded via the department neighborhoods.

However, administrative oversight continues to be provided by the mayor's office.

Education aligns with the mayor's quality of life priority.

Significant items include personnel and pension as mentioned before and other programs.

It includes budget and supplies for partnerships that provides access to education, job opportunities for youth.

Reference account is 1,000 in the amount of 238,000.

You can go next slide.

Next slide.

So revenue, um, it's quite different this year.

I don't have to report any inspection revenue, but revenue uh human trafficking and domestic violence program is funded via a settlement agreement.

Funds from HPD paid by sexual oriented businesses, and that amount totals 243,000 as mentioned before through the expenditures.

Admin support revenue is produced by TPIA requests and office for people with disabilities expenditures are reimbursed via HPD Fund 2312.

Next slide.

Next slide, and I think we're ready for questions.

Thank you, Director Sims.

You are a small but mighty department, and I am so grateful for all of the work that you do.

I we go to these neighborhood meetings all over town.

I saw somebody out in Fort Ben Houston till there he is.

Eldridge, yes, until 9 p.m.

So I know how hard you guys work, and you really offer a very valuable service to our city and make people feel more engaged in how to how to interact with all of us.

So very grateful for everything you do.

I'll start with questions.

Oh, I want to make sure and welcome council member Mary Nan husband, who's been here and also Vice Mayor Pro Tem Peck who joined us.

So Council Member Romeris.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I want to second that.

I mean, I see your people everywhere, and uh you all do a great job.

So thank you for your service to the city, really appreciate it.

Had the opportunity to meet a couple weeks ago with Katie Fenn, who's here, uh language access coordinator.

And uh I'm just so happy that um that position has been renewed and that we were able to get some grant support as well.

You'll recall that's from a couple years ago.

Um myself, Councilmember Castillo, Councilmember Martinez put some money in to start that position, and then you were able to multiply that by getting a grant from the Houston endowment.

Yes, was it?

Yes, sir.

Yeah, and visited with Katie about all the great things that she's doing in that position.

It sounds really exciting.

So just thank you for for uh the work to continue that.

And we're excited as every time we see that QR code when um council meetings it it um shows how far we've come and that's what happens when you have someone dedicated to the project to move that work forward, and so we appreciate what Katie's done, and we appreciate um Councilmember Castillo, Rodami's and Martinez for that support because that in-confunding did assist us in in getting the the endowment grant.

So thank you.

Great point, and thank you guys for for doing that.

You guys made that happen.

Um council member, staff from council member Thomas's office.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and good morning, Director.

Thank you for the presentation.

Um Councilmember Thomas also would like to thank um the Department of Neighborhoods and Katie um for piloting the uh I speak program at the apartment inspection ordinance community meetings.

Um it was a huge success, and then of course the first of those meetings was in District F, which is um one of the most international districts in the city, and so um I'm sure as Veronica knows, being posted up at the neighborhood center all the time that you know there's a variety of people who speak a multitude of languages, and so that service was extremely helpful.

And we appreciate her for allowing us to pilot it there.

No, it was wonderful, and um we look forward to watching it expand um in the coming year.

Um, are you able to speak to the volunteer program that Don um utilizes and how if residents in you know our council district, for example, wanted to get involved with volunteering and you know um providing services um alongside your department, how would that work?

Sure, um our volunteer initiatives coordinator is Roman Aguilar, and what he does is leverage resources and the economies of scale with um I am which used to be Interfaith Ministries and Volunteer Houston.

We utilize their galaxy program.

Um the city we procured Galaxy as well, and you know, as we're sitting here talking about budget, it was a great way to become efficient, and so we um just partnered with Volunteer Houston to also use Galaxy.

So they're the city of Houston has a page, and when you go to the City of Houston's page, you can identify ARA, Department of Neighborhoods, Houston Police Department, Houston Airport System, Health Department, and I'm sure there's more I'm not mentioning, and you can see all the volunteer efforts there.

So if City Council wants their volunteer efforts to be on the page to help recruit, you can't beat the economy scale to get you on volunteers.

If we started on database, we would take a while to reach the levels that volunteer Houston has and the number of people that are in that database.

And so um work work with Roman or his division manager Paul Green to help get that started and um we definitely track those volunteers, their hours.

We have projects from um from the department from cleanups to um assisting in department events to airport has um greeting, health has you know gardening projects that they have volunteers work with them on.

The department has wheel clinics with volunteer lawyers, ro um notaries.

So there's there's the opportunity, and would we can definitely work with you on that?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um staff from Council, Mayor Pro Tem's office.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Director Sims, thank you for the presentation.

And um Mayor ProTem Cassex Tatum echoes what everyone else has stated.

Um kudos to the Department of Neighborhoods to all your staff um for the work and efforts that you do um in the city and in uh and beyond.

Um acknowledge the work from the Department of Neighborhoods and helping the Central Southwest Super Neighborhood uh 40 being revitalized.

You know, Ronda Sider and team and Caico, thank you guys for your effort and getting that done.

Um we're excited to have uh the super neighborhood um and district K and a portion of district D um back in action, and we're looking forward to great things happening um with the engagement.

Um I know you know that Mayor Pro Tim Cassextatum is an advocate for the districts having a dedicated code enforcement officer, and she would like that you know to come to fruition.

Um, also want to thank um the representatives who attended um her impact meeting in April and and um and also Houston Public Works, and that was voiced, you know, at that time that a code enforcement officer is is very well wanted um for the individual districts.

I know that um she'll be advocating for that um again as well.

And I'll advocate with Randy for her with her.

Thank you, Vice Chair Castillo.

Thank you, Chair Director.

Thank you for your presentation.

I just want to echo all the the praise that has been put upon you and your team for always supporting uh whether it's public safety round tables and you're there representing you know all the human trafficking efforts that are provided, or super neighborhood uh re-establishment or establishment, um the neighborhood forums uh that y'all went around and did across all the districts.

Um you're present, you're responsive, and there's a lot that y'all help facilitate for um district H.

I appreciate it and look forward to continuing to work with y'all.

Thank you.

And I want to thank that your answer, you answered my written questions already.

I just felt like I just submitted them, so thank you, and they were good answers.

I really appreciate um the work all of you do.

It doesn't look like we have any more in the queue, so we will go straight to um public.

Doug, you want to come up for Department of Neighborhoods?

Um, uh first thing I have to do is uh find out uh for the you know all the super neighborhoods get an allocation of money from the department, and I've gotten our two thousand dollars, and hopefully all the other super neighborhoods have gotten theirs, but we need another two thousand dollars somehow to be found in this budget uh for the super neighborhood alliance uh because we have expenses and we have no way of paying for them.

The main thing we've got to have happen right now is to uh get a new uh mailing system because of what the thing we're using email system I'm talking about, the one we're using is not it's working, but just barely.

Like, for example, for the last time we had a meeting, I got four notifications that we were gonna have a meeting.

So if we could get two thousand dollars if they could find that in their budget, we would certainly very much appreciate it.

Uh next, um, as far as the administrative services, I was surprised to see this because I know the people in the mayor's assistance office.

I know Rhonda and Renee and Veronica, who is our representative, but I see they also have 10 people in that department, and if I could get a breakdown of who those people are and and what their jobs are, I would appreciate it.

And then regarding there are two departments, Office of Veterans Affairs and Office of People with Disabilities, and they are very unevenly funded.

There are five people in the Office of Disabilities and one person in the Office of Veterans Affairs, and I think that department certainly with the number of veterans we have in our area deserves more attention given how much they're focusing on the uh people with disabilities.

And fine, well, no, uh the last thing uh there are two departments, Office of Neighborhood Engagement and Mayor's Assistance Office.

And when I saw that when I reviewed the budget I thought you know what's the difference between these two and there are slight differences but the thing I think is most important is that both of their goals are to build civic capacity fostering community and connecting and improving residents access to services.

So they both have the same goals do there have is does there have to be two separate departments to handle what they're doing or and I guess it wouldn't maybe do too much difference as far as the budget but it's it's confusing to see those two when they seem so much the same I asked that very question in writing and I'm gonna send I'll email to you their response they had a good response to that's it thank you very much Doug anyone else like to oh come on up Laura Gallier.

Thank you for thank you for letting me come up I just wanted to say in regards to the gang prevention efforts that I have been involved with the uh people who are doing the credible messenger program for a long time I've been at a number of their trainings I'm I'm uh I have watched the leaders of that program but also the graduates of that program and I think it's doing miraculous work and I'm putting a plug in for that to be continued and expanded.

I know the pilot was in District B, I believe and I don't know if that's the gang prevention that's in Department of Neighborhoods but it's really a powerful and effective program.

Yes and I asked another question about how they work with the health department and municipal courts on all of this and and got a good response so we can get that to you.

All right any other public speakers on the department of neighborhoods okay seeing none happy Friday department of neighborhoods out late every night go go go back to work I guess I can't say go home.

Have a good weekend we'll take about a five to ten minute break and then we'll do the um our last presentation today from City Legal