Notes on the Houston City Council Meeting on October 4th + October 5th, 2022

Agenda

1. Public Comment
2. Monthly Financial Report
3. Mayor’s Report
4. Consent Agenda (items that require a vote, like purchases, resolutions, ordinances, etc)
5. Council Member Pop-Off

Public Comment

I don’t always watch the public comment portion of the meeting but redistricting was on the menu this week and I knew there were people organizing around this issue. There were 24 public speakers. I will go over their talking points in broad strokes below. Thank you to everyone who takes time to do this, I can’t thank you enough.

• Two people from SAFE Diversity Communities plugged a “Showdown” event on Wednesday 10/12 at Dyer Stadium. I could be getting these details wrong because I couldn’t find info online to verify.
• Four people from Petland, including the owner of several locations, commented on an ordinance they say will put them out of business by not allowing them to buy puppies from breeders. BARC wants Petland to commit to spaying/neutering every animal they sell as a compromise, and the Petland owner seems open to that, although he did qualify he doesn’t think it’s his business to tell pet owners what they should do.
• Speaker #7 asked for help dealing with a $7k water bill he received. Everyone agreed that is egregious and a representative from Houston Public Works talked with him at the meeting to get it sorted.
• Speaker #8 complained she has been treated unfairly by HPD after her husband, a former police officer, passed away in 2021.
• Speaker #10 asked for help combatting racism she and her son have experienced. Unfortunately she lives outside the city’s jurisdiction, but CMs offered county resources and promised to follow up with her.
• Speaker #11 alleged she was wrongfully terminated from BARC and is seeking help resolving her case.

• Speaker #12 is worried that a convenience store under construction behind his property will cause his home to flood because they are elevating the ground level. He claims the permitting department is giving him the runaround. He is seeking clarification on if the construction is properly permitted and if an impact-study was done on how it will affect drainage onto his lot.
• Speaker #13 gave emotional testimony about being discriminated against because she does not conform to “normal” societal rules and has spent time in jail.
• 9 people spoke on redistricting and support the proposed map from Houston In Action. Several people used a Spanish translator. No offense to the person providing this service, but I do not think it was adequate and I fear much of the speakers’ intent was lost.
  • Palwasha Sharwani with Engage Texas (and a very old friend of mine Hi Pali!!!) advocated for precinct 311, which makes up Chinatown, to be united in District F. It is currently split between F and J.
  • RoShawn Evans with Pure Justice emphasized how important it is to “amplify the voices of the under-resourced.”
  • Houston In Action’s Juan Cardoza-Oquendo said the city mostly did a good job with the new maps but had a few suggestions, including a “rationale report” from the city explaining their decisions.
  • One pro-HIA map speaker also commented on their poor experience trying to get tested and vaccinated for monkeypox. They described terrible communication and organization at the city’s health department, which is just so cringe. How are we not applying COVID-19 lessons here? This is disappointing.
• Speaker #23 outlined racism she has experienced in the Near Northside neighborhood.

The Mayor’s Report

• Mayor Turner awarded two proclamations having to do with Hispanic Heritage Month: a Youth Activist Award to Aylin Rodriquez and a Community Activist Award to Sandra Rodríguez. The Mayor and many CMs had very nice things to say about these people and the work they do.
• Mayor Turner alluded to TIRZ but because the awards took a long time, he said he will talk about this next time. I wonder if this is because of Mike Morris and John Tedesco’s TIRZ reporting in the Chronicle?? Link in the final slide.
• The second gun buyback event is this Saturday October 8th from 8am-12pm at the Metro Westchase Park and Ride in District F. Ghost guns will not be accepted.
• The Bayou City Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday in downtown Houston.
• Mayor Turner acknowledged Yom Kippur.
• CM Kubosh objects to the gun buyback event because he thinks it is the same as gun laundering, but would be okay with it if we tracked who was turning in the guns. Mayor Turner defended the event, pointing out that it was designed by HPD. Turner wants the state legislature to do something about guns, “because they haven’t done a darn thing.”

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Agenda Item 1 approved ten amendments to the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). The MTFP makes sure that developments take roads into account, keeps an eye on long term road needs, and is used to make policy decisions. I liked this one! It was fun to read through the amendments and see if I recognized any of the neighborhoods. HMU if you think you might also enjoy this and I’ll send you the link.
• Agenda Items 16, 17, and 18 all approved big ticket construction for the airports, ranging from $15M to $129M.
• Agenda Items 19, 20, and 21 each provide grants using CARES Act funds to three organizations providing emergency housing assistance and related services to vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness or on the cusp of becoming unhoused.
• Agenda Item 31 approved a ten-year, $1.3M lease for new office space for the Psychological Services Division of the Houston Police Department. “The Psychological Services Division is responsible for psychological services within HPD. Due to the sensitivity of these services, HPD determined that this function should be isolated from City and other HPD functions and services.”
• Agenda Item 35 would have approved the new redistricting plan, but CMs Martin and Thomas tagged it because there were several CMs out today due to Yom Kippur. Will they use this extra time to work more on the new map? Only time will tell.

Agenda Item 24: Agenda Item 24: Funding for a Library Program

which CM Knox opposes due to “redundancy”

Agenda Item 24 approved an $822K five-year contract with Brainfuse, Inc. for education services for the Houston Public Library. Brainfuse provides 24/7 online tutoring in English and Spanish for K-12 students and some introductory college subjects. They also help with foreign language assistance, test prep, digital literacy, career services, and writing.

• CM Knox opposed this item because it is redundant as most school districts offer similar services. Mayor Turner responded that many schools work with the library on such programs, so this item supports those efforts.
• CM Alcorn wishes we were using grant money for this rather than the general fund.
• CM Plummer pointed out that almost all library funding comes from their own foundation, so $822K spread out over five years is a reasonable ask. She said COVID-19 really set kids back and we need to do all we can to support them. Mayor Turner agreed on both points.
• CM Cisneros “very strongly” supported this item. She said, “The success of our children is not just up to the school districts. We all have a role in this. … This is something the city has control over, with our libraries, and the incredible resources that we can make available to families through the public libraries. This is an important thing to pass.” I was glad to see Cisneros pushing back on Knox on this item, because this is her area of expertise.
• CM Martin pointed out that many people don’t have computers at home and use computers at the public library. He also broke down the cost to $1.30 per use. Compelling!
• This item passed, CM Knox voted no.

Agenda Item 48: A New (Lower) Property Tax Rate

• The state imposes a property tax revenue cap on all municipalities. In 2015, Houston voters imposed an even more restrictive revenue cap. When the county adjusts property tax values, Houston must also adjust our property tax rates to comply.
• CM Kubosh is concerned about public safety funding once ARPA money dries up. He suggested an amendment on the ballot which, if approved by voters, would let money currently restricted by the revenue cap be available specifically for police and fire. Surprisingly, Mayor Turner was amenable! He committed to getting an amendment prepped for the November 2023 ballot which would exempt police/fire funding from the revenue cap. At least that is how I understand it, this was an off-the-cuff discussion so I am looking forward to seeing documentation.
• CM Martin said he “feels like the earth is spinning counter clockwise” because the Mayor “is going to allow a CM to make a suggestion to put an item on the agenda.” This received many lol’s. Martin said “this is the first time in my ten years on council that I have heard a council member make a suggestion to the mayor to put an item on the agenda, and you agreed to it.” Martin was joking and the vibe was jovial, but it’s not an exaggeration to say that Turner has ruled the council chamber with an iron fist. I have literally quoted him saying “What I say goes,” and it is a well known fact that every CM must curry favor with him in order to forward their agendas. Honestly, this lighthearted treatment of what I consider to be a harmful policy was concerning and, at the very least, out of touch.
• CM Thomas asked that public infrastructure projects should also be considered for such an amendment because they are in high demand and often get deferred because of funding.
• After the unanimous vote to approve the new tax rate, Mayor Turner joked, “We are all here and accounted for, except those celebrating Yom Kippur. The tax rate has been lowered. We have done it unanimously. Now shall we go to the county and show them how to do it?” LOL at jabs like this, they spice it up for me. I recommend reading about the recent Harris county budget shenanigans, if you haven’t yet.

Council Member Pop-Off

Every CM, except for CM Huffman, commented on successful National Night Out events on Tuesday. National Night Out is an annual event that aims to foster healthy police and community relationships. CM Plummer described it as a “city-wide block party.” The most notable of these remarks was from CM Pollard, he said, “Special shout out to HPD … that night is really for them, and to support them and encourage them, and let them know that we thank them for their outstanding service.” I’m pointing this out because that is absolutely not the mission of NNO and reflects Pollard’s own opinion, not the stated intent of this event.

• CM Gallegos has been protesting a merger of two large rail companies that would bring more rail traffic to Houston and exacerbate the stopped-trains-blocking-crossings problem. He wished all a Happy Indigenous Peoples Day this coming Monday, 10/12.
• CM Thomas plugged the gun buyback event this Saturday, 10/8 from 8am-12pm at the Metro Westchase Park and Ride.
• CM Plummer mentioned Domestic Violence Awareness Month and shared the number for the Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) hotline, 713-224-9911.
• CM Jackson went over the launch of her BeSuccessful initiative, “a comprehensive community approach to addressing poverty, violence, and improving the quality of life for residents in District B.” BeSuccessful includes the next training session for the Credible Messengers program 10/17 – 10/21. http://www.be-successful.org
• CM Cisneros plugged the 43rd Annual Festival Chicano at Miller Outdoor Theater this weekend and wished CM Alcorn a happy birthday (tomorrow).
• CM Martin plugged an electronic recycling event this Saturday 10/8 at 9am at the Clearlake Ellington Recycle Center.

Who took these notes? And what resources did they use?

My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, producer of the monthly storytelling series Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official. I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, and are not comprehensive. Your notes will certainly be different, and I would love to read them if you attend.

I watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/

While compiling these notes I used the following sources:

https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/

Home

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/unfair-burden/article/TIRZ-lucrative-tax-incentives-Houston-financing-17460536.php

Home

https://www.be-successful.org/

Home

You can find your City Council Member and their contact info at: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/whoismycm.html

My Patreon is patreon.com/emilytakesnotes.