Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Agenda

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

Monthly Financial Report

Controller Hollins and Finance Director Dubowski both made their respective reports.

• Hollins transitioned sales tax projections from the conservative scenario to the “base case” scenario, which, while still conservative, more accurately reflects the rise in sales tax revenue. Adjusting these estimates has been something the Mayor and several CMs have advocated for in the past. Controller Hollins advocated for more auditors, an investment that will “more than pay for itself.” He also responded to a question CM Alcorn posed yesterday at the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee Meeting regarding the “11.8 cents” (I think he’s talking about the drainage fee lawsuit; I will include a link in the final slide if you want to read more). Hollins said this would amount to ~$340M in revenue. I have no context for these numbers, just sharing for those who might.
• Dubowski made her report but nothing stood out to my untrained ear.
• CM Kamin asked about the potential cost if the drainage fee lawsuit ruling stands. Director Dubowski said it could be $100M for fiscal year 2025. Controller Hollins said the City is fortunate they aren’t asking to go back to previous fiscal years. He suggested we keep money held in reserve just in case.
• CM Kamin asked for a report on the amount of money the City has received in infrastructure grants. Controller Hollins said it’s around $300M (unsure over what period of time, I’m assuming one year?) and said his office will pay attention to this during the FY25 audit.

Public Hearing

Today’s public hearing was on a potential 4% housing tax credit for Cordova Apartments, a new senior affordable housing complex in District D. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers the tax credit, but a public hearing and a resolution of support from the City is required.

• Erica Scott, a representative from Kittle Property Group (the developer), and Shannon Davis, their legal counsel, were present. Scott remarked on the type of development, amenities (security, management, activities, etc), and local need. Scott said that CM Evans-Shabazz, the District D council member, is supportive (Evans-Shabazz was absent today). Davis emphasized that the developer needs City approval to get the State tax credit, otherwise the funds will be allocated elsewhere.
• CM Thomas supports this project and advocated for affordable housing in general.
• CM Ramirez shared concerns about another Kittle affordable housing complex where residents have complained about mold, security issues, and other (unnamed) unsafe conditions. Scott pushed back on mold allegations, but did accept responsibility for mistakes made and assured Council that they are being addressed.
• Mayor Whitmire remarked on the need to not only build affordable housing, but to adequately maintain and manage it going forward.

There were no other public speakers so the hearing ended. The vote to approve the tax credit will likely be on the agenda next week.

The Mayor’s Report

• Mayor Whitmire plugged the Cinco de Mayo parade this Saturday 5/4 at 10am downtown.
• He expressed condolences for the family of Deputy John H. Coddou with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Coddou was hit and killed by a vehicle during a traffic stop last week.

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Item 13 approved $643K for various disease test kits for BARC. CM Castillo advocated for more resources for BARC and suggested that BARC should investigate becoming a local government corporation, similar to the zoo. Mayor Whitmire agreed and also called on the County for more collaboration, complaining that when Houston residents go to the County animal shelter, they are directed to go to BARC instead. Mayor Whitmire still can’t pronounce CM Castillo’s name; today it was variations on Cuh-still-ee-yoh and Cuh-still-yoh.
• Item 14 approved $319K for ambulance cots and stretchers for the fire department.
• Item 16 approved $43K for a remote firing device kit for HPD. “Remote fire transmitters are used in “render safe” procedures to disrupt improvised explosive devices as well as used in disposal operations and explosive demonstrations.”
• Item 17 approved $205K for 25 augmented and virtual reality laptops for the library system.
• Item 26 approved increasing the contract ($22M → $25M) with the company that provides emergency power generators for water treatment facilities, bringing the City into compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations. CM Kamin remarked on the importance of measures like this, especially as hurricane season approaches.
• Item 28 approved $2.7M for COVID-19 wastewater testing, performed by Rice University.
• Item 31 designated the Glenwood Forest neighborhood in District B a “prohibited yard parking area.” CM Jackson congratulated the community on the success of their organizing efforts.

Item 19, a Solid Waste Study

Item 19 approved $176K for a study to assess the Solid Waste Department and make recommendations.

• CM Peck supported this item but hopes “the recommendation isn’t just that we need a garbage fee. I hope that it actually shows other recommendations. Even if we do move to a garbage fee at some point in time, we are still going to need efficiencies within that department.”
• Whitmire confirmed the study will be all inclusive and praised the Solid Waste Department for doing so well with so little.
• CM Kamin applauded solid waste employees for their hard work.
• CM Alcorn praised the study and how it can update the Solid Waste long range plan. She said, “There’s no way we can keep operating Solid Waste like we’ve been operating it; it doesn’t work.”
• As an aside, Whitmire expressed dismay with personal attacks made against CM Peck yesterday during the public comment session, when her children were apparently named. I didn’t watch that meeting so I can’t comment further.

Council Member Pop-Off

• CM Jackson wished a happy birthday to her Dad, who turned 85 today.
• CM Thomas plugged the Tour de West bike ride on May 4th.
• CM Castex-Tatum shared that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. She applauded HPD’s mental health programs and offered a mental health awareness guide her office made as a resource.
• CM Martinez will be at Coral Sword Coffee Shop this Saturday at 8am for “Coffee With a Council Member.” He plugged the Cinco de Mayo parade on Saturday downtown starting at 10am. He mentioned that Union Pacific is starting railroad crossing maintenance which will probably make blocked crossings even worse.
• CM Alcorn remarked on the drainage lawsuit and advocated for finding a solution that might involve circumventing the revenue cap, saying that more money for infrastructure is “a win for all.” She doesn’t want to spend money on lawyers and legal fees when the outcome is not assured. She plugged her budget survey and read a few of the comments. So far, reported priorities are 1) infrastructure, 2) public safety, and 3) solid waste services.
• CM Carter congratulated the recent HFD cadet class. She complained about the bike lanes on Kelly Street. Mayor Whitmire agreed and said property owners along Kelly Street aren’t happy with them.
• CM Castillo plugged the Cinco de Mayo parade on Saturday and an infrastructure info meeting on 5/9 at the Felix Fraga HCC Campus.
• CM Flickinger plugged an electronics recycling event this Saturday, remarked on the Lake Houston flooding, and suggested using the Hotel and Occupancy Tax to deal with short term rentals.
• CM Kamin shared an update on the City’s program to make period products more accessible. There is a disaster readiness info session for people with disabilites on 5/4 at the West Gray Multi Service Center. Cigna Sundays in the Park has an event at Love Park on 5/5 from 12-4pm. District C is partnering with the LGBTQ Chamber for Families with Pride on 6/1 at Discovery Green. She thanked the Department of Neighborhoods for sponsoring a matching grant for a Lazy Brook Civic Club irrigation and tree project on TC Jester.

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
HPM article: https://tinyurl.com/an97tds8
https://www.lulacd8.com/

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.