Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds
Agenda
- Consent Agenda (items that require a vote, like purchases, resolutions, ordinances, etc.)
- Council Member Pop-Off
Agenda Items, Selected Works
- Item 1 confirmed the appointment of Sandy Gaw as Director of the Houston Public Library System. There were no remarks, CM Pollard circled back later on, saying he wanted to hear from the new Director. Mayor Whitmire told him he is welcome to have as many meetings with her as he liked. CM Pollard accused Whitmire of being confrontational and a short argument ensued. Anywayssss, we have a new Library Director.
- Item 4 would have approved a $23M final contract with J.E. Dunn Construction for work done at IAH in District B, but it was tagged by CMs Martinez and Jackson. Martinez took issue with the prime contractor not paying out their subs and advocated for more oversight.
- Item 8 approved $1.4M for helicopter parts and repair for HPD.
- Item 9 approved $88K to repair a thermal camera on an HPD aircraft.
- Item 10 approved $100K for air quality monitoring equipment.
- Item 11 supported the nomination of CM Castex-Tatum to the National League of Cities board of directors. Item 12 supported the nomination of CM Kamin as the Vice Chair of both the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee and of the Large Cities Council of the National League of Cities.
- Items 13 and 14 both approved large financial resolutions ($25M and $35M) that will eventually support affordable housing in District B.
- Item 15 approved changes to chapter 44 of the Code of Ordinances that ease requirements for tax abatements (incentives) for green stormwater infrastructure (environmentally friendly building).
- Item 23 approved $400K to modernize HTV’s equipment, which will enhance HTV’s operations. As a regular HTV user, I appreciate this.
- Item 25 approved the lease update for the office of the Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program in District J. They are moving to a larger office in the same building. Rent will increase from $3.2K per month → $4.8K per month.
- Item 26 authorized the sale of a parcel of land in District H from the City to the County for $18.5M. CM Castillo explained the County’s plans to develop the land into a mixed-use transit-oriented development that might even have a grocery store. It’s very close to the Burnett St stop on the rail. CM Flickinger supported the sale but complained about real estate fees.
- Item 30 approved the submission of a grant application to the US Department of Agriculture to support the Solid Waste Department’s compost pilot program. CM Alcorn explained that the City didn’t get the grant last year but learned from their mistakes and is submitting again. She said that food waste makes up 25% of landfill waste and creates methane gas. CMs Castillo and Kamin expressed support and remarked on the importance of reducing what goes to the landfill. CM Kamin used the opportunity to advocate for recycling at multi-family homes (apartment complexes).
- Items 33, 34, and 35 designated various properties as “landmarks” or “protected landmarks.” CM Flickinger voted no on all three without explanation, all three still passed.
- Item 51 approved a 3-year $4.8M contract with Wharton County Junior College for paramedic training for the Fire Department. CM Thomas questioned the City’s choice of Wharton College, pointing out that Wharton has a 65% passing rate while HCC has a 95% passing rate. Mayor Whitmire said that HCC could not accommodate the Fire Department’s needs, and that an agreement couldn’t be reached. He agreed that we should explore other options before the next contract. CM Thomas didn’t seem satisfied. Thomas and CM Pollard voted no on this item, but it still passed.
Item 52: Affordable Housing in District B
- Item 52 would have approved the creation of a Multiple Utility District (MUD) in District B for a tract of land that developers plan to turn into single-family homes, some of which will be affordable housing.
- CM Jackson initially proposed to refer it back to the administration for further review. She had issues with the lack of community awareness, lack of written commitment from the developers on their promise of 100 homes at $180K, clarity on down payment assistance, and unclear MUD boundaries.
- Many CMs were eager to see this item approved, but expressed deference to CM Jackson, who represents the area.
- CM Pollard agreed to defer to CM Jackson, but warned against scaring off developers who want to invest in affordable housing.
- CMs Kamin and Peck supported this item but cautioned that inner city MUDs sometimes have consequences down the line, like inadequate infrastructure and rising taxes.
- CM Thomas suggested that rather than refer it back to the administration, the item could be delayed two weeks so it has time for review at the Housing Committee. CM Jackson agreed. This item is on hold until then.
Council Member Pop-Off
- CM Jackson asked for Mayor Whitmire’s help getting the old Hempstead K-Mart shopping center torn down, which has been derelict and awaiting demolition for decades.
- CM Huffman lamented the drowning death of a child over the weekend and encouraged everyone to be vigilant around water.
- CM Ramirez complained that Houston’s Noise Ordinance is weak. Mayor Whitmire agreed and complained about protesters at his house.
- CM Peck asked people to contact 311 to report broken traffic signals.
- CM Martinez plugged the premiere of The Chicano Squad on AMC on 9/2 and 9/3. He advocated (again) for a post-Beryl report from Solid Waste.
- CM Pollard shared statistics on the success of the clean up of the Bissonnet Corridor. He plugged District J’s Good Neighbor Program, which uses district service funds to help the elderly, disabled, and veterans with exterior home repair.
- CM Castillo complained about homeless people in District H parks.
- CM Davis asked for a monthly report from HPD, similar to the monthly financial report. Mayor Whitmire agreed that it’s a good idea and criticized CM Pollard’s clean up of the Bissonnet Corridor, saying that it has only pushed criminals into other districts and that crime is a City-wide problem. Whitmire and Pollard were at odds today! But aren’t they always.
- CM Flickinger praised the Port of Houston for providing solid employment and economic stimulation.
- CM Kamin remarked on the murder/suicide at Rice University over the weekend, saying, “Our thoughts continue to be with the family of Andrea Rodriguez Avila.” She said, “In a domestic violence situation, firearms make it five times more lethal.” She also criticized the State’s recent purging of voter rolls, encouraging everyone to check their status. She asked the Mayor what the City is doing to educate residents and support people’s right to vote. He said, “We all stand in opposition of intimidating people. Elections matter.” He said we should hold people accountable.
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://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/crime/2024/08/28/498003/rice-university-apparent-murder-suicide-highlights-deadly-link-between-guns-and-domestic-violence/
You can find your City Council Member and their contact info at: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/whoismycm.html
Thank you to the volunteers who proofread these notes.
My Patreon is patreon.com/emilytakesnotes.
