Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Agenda

1. Monthly Financial Report
2. Several Public Hearings
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 monthly reports.

Hollins brought up a potential $850K settlement to a former firefighter because of a workplace harassment incident. Hollins said that one CM proposed reopening contract negotiations with the firefighter’s union to change the 180 day rule, which restricts when certain employees can be disciplined. This is relevant because until recently, the accused firefighter was still employed with HFD because the incident was not discovered until years after it occurred, so he could not legally be terminated. Hollins reminded Council that they unanimously approved the current firefighter contract, including the 180 day rule, but that when the contract comes up for negotiation again, Council *could* use this situation to negotiate potential a pay raise, because “the [contractual] requirements for that raise had not been met.”

• Mayor Whitmire outright interrupted him, saying, “The firefighter’s settlement and contract is not on the agenda today.” He said that discussion of the settlement is “harming the victim” and politicizing her, “much to her distress.” He urged Hollins “to give us an accurate … monthly report, and let City council … work on other matters that are on our agenda today.” It was very ~mind your business~ vibes.
• Unruffled, Controller Hollins continued his remarks, encouraging Council to review the triggering language for raises in the firefighter contract.

Director Dubowski mentioned that Houston First Corporation is returning $2.7M which was previously earmarked for the repair and maintenance of the lights on bridges going over highway 59 in Montrose.

• CM Kamin pointed out this funding was approved by Council and asked what the plan is now to repair and maintain the lighting, which she maintained is a safety issue for pedestrians and drivers. Director Dubowski said that TxDOT examined the bridges and determined they are safe without the lights.
• CM Kamin persisted, saying that the bridges may be structurally sound, but without lighting they are not safe for bridge users. Kamin repeatedly pushed back that these lights are not purely decorative and that any action or funding approved by Council should not be overruled by anyone but Council.
• CM Pollard asked what legal mechanism the administration is using to override the previous Council authorization of the funding for the bridge lights. Director Dubowski deflected to the legal department, who didn’t have an answer either.

Four Public Hearings

The first three public hearings regarded enlarging the boundaries of and increasing the term limits of TIRZ 17 (Memorial City), TIRZ 20 (Southwest Houston), and TIRZ 25 (Hiram Clarke / Fort Bend). Jennifer Curley from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development made each presentation.

• CM Ramirez asked some finance questions that felt like Ms. Curley was getting cross examined while on the witness stand.
• One public speaker complained about potential TIRZ inequity. He is concerned that TIRZs might not conform to Title 6 regulations and don’t have appropriate public oversight. He complained that materials from public hearings should be made public (I, too, would appreciate this) and said that meetings are inaccessible. For instance, he asked why the public hearing for the Southwest TIRZ isn’t held within the Southwest TIRZ boundaries?
• CM Huffman defended the Memorial City TIRZ because much of their work is flood mitigation, which benefits the surrounding area as well.
• Ms. Curley warned against pitting TIRZs against each other.
• CMs Flickinger and Castex-Tatum defended the accessibility of TIRZ meetings, saying they are announced publicly and anyone can attend. CM Castillo advocated for making both Council and TIRZ meetings more accessible by changing location and time.

The fourth public hearing was for a proposed tax abatement (tax break) for Integra, a company that manufactures data center equipment. Integra plans to lease and develop a building in District B. The City presenter outlined the economic boost, including the company’s plans to hire formerly incarcerated people. CM Flickinger asked critical questions, expressing doubt that a tax abatement is actually enticing.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Whitmire thanked the special events department for a successful Thanksgiving Day parade. He plugged the annual tree lighting ceremony at Hermann Square on Saturday, December 7th. “Everyone’s invited.”

Item 7: Houston First Corporation

Houston First Corporation runs several of the City’s venues, prominently the George R. Brown Convention Center, and markets Houston to attract tourism and business. Today’s item 7 approved Houston First’s 2025 budget.

• The 2025 budget forecasts $242M in revenue and $224M in expenses, including expenses paid to the City or on behalf of the City, such as:
  • $22M of hotel occupancy tax revenue for arts-related contracts
  • $460K to the City for “the promotion of business travel and hotel occupancy, as the City determines appropriate.”
  • Payment on the City’s behalf of $1.3M to Discovery Green, $1.2M to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, $570K to Buffalo Bayou Partnership and $225K to MATCH
• The support document highlighted $17.7 million in capital improvements but didn’t go into details.
• CMs Kamin, Martinez, Evans-Shabazz, Huffman, Castex-Tatum and Mayor Whitmire all praised Houston First.
• CM Pollard circled back to the 59 bridge lights, saying they were a highlight and everyone liked them. He asked if it is even legal for the administration to remove funding for them that was approved by the Council. “If we approve something, then only we should be able to have the say-so on if the dollars go forward or not. If not, then I don’t see the point in why we’re sitting up here.”
  • Mayor Whitmire aggressively interrupted Pollard and said, “I’ll take full responsibility.” CM Pollard responded with, “I didn’t ask you.” (lol). The Mayor said, “No, but I’m going to interject myself at this time. I’ll take full responsibility for diverting funds for decorative lights.” The Mayor said the funds will be used to combat crime instead. He said that management districts and TIRZ can take on the responsibility of decorative lighting and asked Pollard to stop politicizing the issue.

• CM Kamin asked Attorney Michel if “only by an act of Council can a previous act of Council be changed or amended?” Attorney Michel said that is correct. She also clarified that a vote to approve this budget did not cement this $2.7M as being returned to the City — that is somehow a separate action. I’m confused on the ins and outs on this, but it seems like some Council Members were as well so at least we’re all sitting in our confusion together.
• Mayor Whitmire and the Houston First president urged Council to approve the budget today, Whitmire saying that we must trust Houston First to use their good judgement on how to direct funds.
  • CM Kamin pushed back saying, “This is about Council authorizing and approving and voting on items that are then being changed down the road without … council approval.”
• Towards the end of the conversation, Mayor Whitmire said, “It is the Mayor’s job to administer the budget and actions of the Council. The previous fiscal year saw a change in Mayor and Council halfway through. So I get the opportunity to disagree and change direction.” This is a pretty authoritarian statement to make and definitely counts as ~saying the quiet part out loud~.
• Ultimately, Houston First’s 2025 budget was unanimously approved by Council.

Item 13: The City’s Investment in Israeli Bonds

Item 13 would have adopted a revised investment plan, which must be done annually, but was tagged by multiple CMs.

• CM Plummer initially proposed an amendment that would remove language from the investment plan that allows Houston to invest in Israeli investment bonds. She said the City does not currently pursue these bonds and sees no reason to keep the language in the policy. “This amendment is not against the people of Israel, but takes a stance against leadership in government, against government actions that have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes by the International Criminal Court.”
• Attorney Michel expressed concern that this language change would go against Texas’s “Super Pre-Emptive (aka Death Star) bill.” He said the City of Houston is involved in a lawsuit challenging the bill but it could take years to resolve the case. He recommends the City wait until that plays out to make any changes like the one CM Plummer suggested.
• CM Plummer agreed, withdrew the amendment, and said that she plans to talk with Controller Hollins to ascertain whether he intends to continue the (unofficial) policy not to invest in Israeli bonds.
• CM Kamin urged CMs to read a memo from the Anti-Defamation League and to have “meaningful conversations” before this item is brought back to Council. CM Plummer defended herself and said she has had extensive background conversations prior to bringing forth this amendment.
• CMs Pollard, Plummer, and Ramirez tagged the item, so it is on hold.

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Item 6 approved $2.4M in fees to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Item 10 approved $110K for a rapid response truck for the Police Department.
• Item 12 increased spending from $1.8M to $2.3M for parts and repair services for HPD’s helicopter units. “Funding for this award was exhausted earlier than anticipated due to unplanned maintenance and price increases.”  
• CM Pollard tagged item 19, which would have approved a reduction in funding from the Texas General Land Office. There was no discussion.
• Item 26 approved $550K for HVAC work at the Fire Department’s Val Jahnke Training Facility. Item 27 approved $1M for HVAC work at a Health Department building in District I.
• Item 30 approved a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) tax abatement (aka a tax break) agreement with a developer planning to build a “mixed-use center” in District G. CMs Kamin and Huffman praised the GSI tax abatement program in general.
• Item 31 would have approved a tax abatement for Integra, the company that the public hearing was for today, but it was tagged by CM Flickinger. Before it was tagged, CM Ramirez said he planned to vote no, citing a study that said 90% of developers would still come to the same area if no tax abatement was offered.
• Item 36 would have approved the 2025 budget for TIRZ 18 (Fifth Ward), but was tagged by CMs Carter, Plummer, Davis, Alcorn, and Ramirez.
  • CM Carter raised concerns about conflicts of interest on the TIRZ 18 board, calling for Harvey Clements to step down. She cited concerns at an apartment complex in the area that he is involved with (I guess?). I don’t have a lot of background on this and they weren’t very clear on the details. Carter said that District B’s CM Jackson shares similar concerns and has not seen the proposed budget. (CM Jackson was absent today).
  • CM Plummer agreed with Carter and wants the item on hold until we can hear from CM Jackson. She used the opportunity to advocate for Apartment Inspection Reform and said she will be bringing an ordinance to Council soon, “Come hell or high water.”
  • CM Davis, who was the first to tag the item today, said, “I wish, since I was the one that went out to the facility, I wish some of the conversation would have referred to me as well, since I was the one that initiated.” He said he wasn’t trying to take credit … even though that’s really what it sounded like he was trying to do.
  • Mayor Whitmire made some rambling remarks on TIRZs and ended by blaming CMs for letting them get away with corruption. He once again cast aspersion at “pretty” renovation projects (like the freeway lighting) saying this issue with the TIRZ and housing is what Council should be focusing on.
• Item 37 would have approved the 2025 budget for TIRZ 19 (Upper Kirby), but was tagged by CMs Kamin, Alcorn, and Ramirez due to concerns about a large and perhaps unnecessary expense for Levy Park and other unanswered questions.
• Item 42 agreed to provide temporary financial assistance, potentially up to $45M, to the Trinity River Authority while they pursue financial aid from the federal government. The funding is needed to repair the Lake Livingston Dam which was damaged during record rainfall this past Spring.
• CM Castillo tagged item 57, which was previously tagged by CMs Thomas, Huffman, and Carter. The item deals with an abstinence education grant from the State. There was no discussion.

Item 58: A Settlement for a Firefighter Harassed in the Workplace

Item 58 would have approved an $850K settlement to a former firefighter “who alleges that she was subjected to a hostile work environment based on her sex” between 2007-2009 by John Barrientes, who only recently resigned. This prompted a discussion on the “180 day rule,” which restricts when disciplinary action can be taken.

• CM Flickinger asked if the City and the Firefighter union could come to an agreement to remove the 180 day rule from their contract. Attorney Michel said yes and that the Police Department has already made similar changes.
• CM Kamin said this issue is about protecting “victims and survivors and addressing sexual harassment wherever it may be in the workplace,” but said it’s also a financial issue for the City.
  • Mayor Whitmire agreed and said the alleged perpetrator should have been fired because he lied and destroyed evidence. He said that debate on the 180 day rule is not appropriate at this time, that it is politicizing an issue that has already traumatized the victim. He urged Council to handle this settlement and deal with contract language later.
• CM Kamin asked Attorney Michel if the City tried to change the 180 day rule during contract negotiations with the Fire Department this year. Michel said, yes, “It was a major point.”
• CM Pollard read a statement from the victim encouraging Council to take up this matter in order to prevent future occurrences, refuting the Mayor’s insistence that she wouldn’t want this “politicized” in order to change policy. He said, “This has nothing to do with politicizing anything. That’s a term that people use when they want to skirt around the issue.” He urged the Mayor and the firefighter’s union to “do what’s right.”
• Attorney Michel said this settlement is fair and we should put it to bed.
• CM Kamin tagged this item, so it’s on hold for now.

Council Member Pop-Off

• CM Castillo plugged the Horizon Internship, a paid 6-month program. 
• CM Kamin complained about (unspecified) issues at the Heights Library. She plugged the reopening of the Montrose LIbrary on 12/14 from 10am-1pm. There is a virtual meeting for Turkey Gully updates on 12/12 at 5:30pm. She complained about bars and clubs in the Shady Acres neighborhood, straining the neighborhood and police resources.
• CM Ramirez encouraged year-end contributions to local charities like Coalition for the Homeless, Connect Community, West Street Recovery, and Justice Forward.
• CM Martinez plugged a design workshop for 78th street + Harrisburg on 12/7 at 10am at the Magnolia Park Multi-Service Center.
• CM Evans-Shabazz plugged the McGovern Centennial Park anniversary celebration on 12/7 from 9am-12pm. She encouraged everyone to take care of their mental health and call the 211 hotline run by United Way if needed.
• CM Castex-Tatum plugged a meeting for two drainage projects on 12/12 at 5:30pm.

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.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/firefighter-liable-lawsuit-18512872.php
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2024/12/04/507824/houston-city-council-can-continue-investing-in-israeli-bonds-despite-push-for-policy-change/

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.