Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Agenda

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

Public Hearing

Today’s public hearing regarded Centerpoint’s proposed natural gas rate changes and division consolidation.

Patrick Peters from Centerpoint explained how the last officially filed rate change was in 2017, although there have been several “interim” rate adjustments since then. Centerpoint also wants to consolidate separate service areas into one, making one single rate structure. As justification for rate increases, Mr. Peters outlined Centerpoint’s past and proposed investments, including intelligent gas meters. The case is already making its way through the Texas Railroad Commission court (which is normal) but a settlement could be reached before then.

• Mayor Whitmire asked what benefit Houston will see from consolidating several divisions into one rate structure. Mr. Peters said that it would help spread investment cost out, so all areas could share the cost burden. Whitmire seemed unconvinced and skeptical.
• CM Pollard asked why some regions are seeing a rate decrease while Houston’s is increasing. Mr. Peters explained that costs are often higher in Houston because of infrastructure, like Centerpoint having to drill through concrete. Peters said that consolidating can spread costs and enhance response times. CM Pollard asked if consolidation would help lower costs for Houston, Mr. Peters said no.
• CM Castex-Tatum asked what consumers could expect on their bill if the rate increase is approved. Mr. Peters said the average customer could expect their monthly bill to be $5 higher. She asked what happens if Council votes no on the rate increase; Mr. Peters said the case would continue to be heard at the Texas Railroad Commission. Mayor Whitmire painted this as ceding control to a state agency that might not have Houston’s best interests in mind.
• CM Kamin clarified that Centerpoint is not the supplier of natural gas, only the distributor, and many of the rate hikes post-Winter Storm Uri were due to suppliers jacking up their prices. She recognized the investment that Centerpoint has made to protect systems against future winter storms but countered that Council needs to be mindful of rate increases and make sure they are fair.
• CM Flickinger asked about “economies of scale” like he was making some kind of mic drop.
• CM Davis asked about discounts for seniors. Mr. Peters explained that Centerpoint has several assistance programs.

Alton Hall, an attorney representing Houston in this case at the Texas Railroad Commission, made remarks. He does not think a rate increase is warranted, especially considering the interim rate increases since 2017 totaling $100M. “It’s not as though we’ve been waiting since 2017 with stagnant rates.” Hall recommends the City delay this increase and let the case play out through the Texas Railroad Commission courts — there will always be opportunity to settle down the road.

• CM Pollard asked if the City delays the increase, as Hall suggests, and lets the case continue with the Texas Railroad Commission, if there’s a chance the City could end up with a higher increase than is currently proposed. Attorney Hall said no, Centerpoint couldn’t legally ask for more than what is currently proposed. He implied that there’s no reason not to let it play out in court, because we could end up getting a better deal.

There were no public speakers, so the hearing concluded.

The Mayor’s Report

• Mayor Whitmire announced the appointment of Gwen Tillotson-Bell to take the place of Andy Icken as Chief Economic Development Officer. According to the City website, this position is “responsible for the administration and relationship management of all Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs), Industrial Development Agreements, Management Districts, and Special Districts.” Chief Tillotson-Bell made grateful remarks and many CMs praised her integrity, commitment to transparency, and knowledge of the industry.
• Mayor Whitmire remarked on some drama going down with the Montrose Management District. The Montrose Management District has effectively been defunct since 2018 but is apparently trying to make a comeback. Whitmire alleged that Texas State law requires a five member board, while the current District only has three. He ordered the “renegade” district to “cease and desist” until they have their legal affairs in order. CM Kamin agreed with the Mayor.

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Item 4 approved $63K for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for HPD to use during chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or explosive emergencies.
• Item 5 approved $5M for daily wear materials for HPD, including 7,006 bullet proof vest plates, 3,503 ID panels, and 3,503 laser carriers.
• Item 7 approved two apartment complexes in District H to apply for the State’s 4% Affordable Housing Tax Credits: Meadowbrook Plaza and Yale Village.
• Item 12 approved $16M for airport checkpoint screening systems at IAH’s Terminal D. I’m including this as an example of the investment Houston routinely makes (every week) on the airports. This is for one terminal at one airport. Item 13 approved a further $1.7M for Terminal D scanning equipment.
• Item 16 approved $1.1M spread over four vendors for residential repair and chore maintenance services for the Houston Health Department – Harris County Area Agency on Aging.
• Item 18 approved $6.3M for dental care for elders through the Houston Health Department.
• Item 20 authorized TIRZ 24 to issue a $65M bond for infrastructure improvements. The bond debt will be repaid by the County’s incremental property tax revenue from the TIRZ only, not from the City itself. CM Kamin used this opportunity to highlight a similar bond from 2021 that authorized infrastructure improvements on Montrose Boulevard, currently receiving attention because of tree removal and replacement. I think her point was that the City can’t change what a bond will be used for, but I’m not totally sure.
• Items 27 and 28 approved applications to FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, which funds house elevations and drainage improvements for flood prone properties.

Council Member Pop-Off

My internet was in and out for a bit here so I didn’t catch everyone.

• CM Flickinger plugged an electronics recycling event this Saturday 3/30 at 9am at Ellington Field.
• CM Kamin highlighted the PGA’s Houston Open Tournament this week at the Memorial Park Golf Course. Visit tchouopen.com for road closures, parking info, and more. She lauded a new book vending machine at the African American Library at the Gregory School in Freedmen’s Town.
• CM Jackson plugged a couple of “Spring Blast” events this Friday. There is a Second Chance Job Fair on 4/4 at 10am.
• CM Ramirez plugged an open house at the proposed Hispanic Archive Center on 4/13. He wished the Astros a good opening day.
• CM Thomas lamented retail theft at the Home Depot on Beltway 8/Bellaire and implored people not to buy stolen items at nearby street sellers. She called for people to sign up to be summertime lifeguards, the Parks Department is offering a $500 incentive. She plugged a deed restriction workshop on April 27 that will address short-term rentals. She encouraged people to get their steps in on National Walking Day (4/3) and wished a good celebration to those celebrating the Iranian new year.
• CM Pollard disagreed with the Mayor’s recent statement that the City is “broke.” He asserts Houston’s credit rating is strong, there is a good fund balance, and higher than expected sales tax revenue. He is concerned about irresponsible spending and asked City Attorney Arturo Michel questions regarding the HFD pay settlement.
• CM Alcorn plugged the joint Budget and Fiscal Affairs / Labor Committee meeting on 4/2 that will address many questions around the HFD pay settlement.

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

My name is Emily Hynds and I am a writer, 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.

While compiling these notes I used the following sources:
https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/
https://houwatch.com
https://houstontx.gov/moc/2024/gwen-tillotson-econ-dev-officer.html
https://houstonlanding.org/mayor-whitmire-speaks-out-against-montrose-management-district-comeback-cease-and-desist/

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

Thank you to ACLU TX for supporting these notes.
My Patreon is patreon.com/emilytakesnotes.