Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Agenda

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

The Mayor’s Report

Mayor Whitmire invited Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi to remark on the water bill / water meter situation. But first he threw some shade at the previous administration, including former HPW leadership.

• For some background, some water meters have computerized remote-read devices and some must be read manually. All of them are aging and/or failing, sometimes causing higher than usual water bills. Combine this with general failing infrastructure and poor customer service at HPW, and this became a priority for both the last administration and the new one. There was a five-year plan to replace all the remote-read devices with many customers on average-use billing while it gets sorted out.
• Director Macchi explained that every remote-read device (that they have access to) has been assessed. “We’ve been able to go through and take a five-year plan and condense it into a few months.” Director Macchi outlined the plan to assess the remaining remote-read devices, the water meters in general, and a maintenance schedule that won’t strain the City.
• Several CMs praised the work done and asked a few questions. At one point, Director Macchi said, “There is no profit in Houston water.” Meaning that the revenue the City generates from water usage does not cover maintenance costs.

Mayor Whitmire remarked on the death of Sergio Rodriguez, a Milby High School student killed by a train while crossing the tracks near his school. Whitmire advocated for a skywalk, which could cost $6.5M.

• Referencing an upcoming meeting with the Union Pacific CEO, Whitmire said, “We can do it the easy way or the hard way.” Whitmire lamented that federal law favors railroads but plans to appeal to them “as a parent and as a human being.” Whitmire wants to explore funding partnerships with other entities. Whitmire also said that HISD has a responsibility to counsel students not to cross train tracks no matter what, suggesting that peer pressure might have been at work here.
• CM Martinez said that trains provide economic benefit to the communities but that doesn’t mean they can shirk responsibilities.
• CM Ramirez criticized Union Pacific and said, “Certainly a life is worth more than six and a half million dollars.”
• CM Kamin said, “We have safety projects in queue that are still paused,” while people are getting hit in those very crosswalks. “There are intersections with shovel-ready projects where children have been hit.” She strongly advocated action on projects within the City’s control asap.
• CM Castillo highlighted a similar train crossing situation at McReynolds Middle School.
• CM Evans-Shabazz wants HISD to make sure students know their safety is more important than getting to class on time.
• Mayor Whitmire concluded by repeating that the railroads control the right of way which sometimes ties the City’s hands. But, “Nothing that we control, such as money, will prevent us from doing that skywalk there at Milby.”

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Item 1 approved the permanent closure of a portion of Wanda Lane in District J. CM Pollard criticized the lengthy bureaucratic process and thanked his colleagues for their support.
• Item 8 approved the $63M annual budget for the Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network. Because this is an intergovernmental organization, the budget must be approved by the Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network Board of Managers, Harris County Commissioners’ Court, and the Houston City Council.
• Item 13 approved $177K for two Chevy Tahoes for the Office of Emergency Management. CM Kamin voted no because these vehicles get terrible gas mileage. She advocated for the use of electric and hybrid vehicles when possible.
• Item 17 approved $500K for two Winnebago mobile classroom vehicles for the library system.
• Item 18 approved $75K to renew and upgrade the system the police department uses for towed and impounded vehicles.
• Item 21 approved $250K in grant funds for The Wesley Community Center, which CM Castillo said provides “education and job training.”
• Item 22 approved a $100K grant to an organization that provides services to young homeless parents and their children.
• Item 30 approved $73K for an Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) for HPD’s dive team. The ROV will aid in underwater search and recovery efforts and in the securing of critical infrastructure and vessels. It has sonar and video capabilities and a robotic arm.
• Item 32 proposed spending $30.5M on three companies for IT professional and consulting services across City departments, but CM Thomas tagged it. She said $30.5M is a large price tag for such a complicated item that did not go to committee.
• Item 33 approved $677K for restrooms and locker room renovations at HFD’s Val Jahnke Training Facility.
• Item 34 approved the 2025 City Council holiday schedule. CM Kamin proposed an amendment that recognizes Rosh Hashanah and consolidates meetings that week. She consulted other religious calendars but didn’t find any other schedule conflicts that aren’t already accounted for.
• Item 38 enlarged the boundaries of the Southwest Houston TIRZ to include the south side of Bisonnet (amongst other boundary enlargements), which CM Pollard said will aid the Bisonnet clean up.
• Remember those public hearings a few weeks ago for several properties to receive historic landmark status? Items 44-48 approved them all.
• Item 59 approved the City’s investment policy plan, which was tagged last week by CMs Pollard and Plummer after a discussion on Israeli investment bonds.
• Item 61 approved a tax abatement (a tax break) for Integra, a company that plans to lease a building in District B and provide 291 jobs, some of which have been promised to formerly incarcerated people. CM Ramirez voted no because he thinks Integra would have come to the area anyways. CM Flickinger also disparaged this tax abatement because Houston is practically at full employment and the benefit is “marginal.” CM Jackson, who negotiated with Integra to hire formerly incarcerated people, disagreed because jobs for them are hard to find.

Item 62: the Fifth Ward TIRZ

Item 62 approved the 2025 budget for the Fifth Ward TIRZ.

• Last week, CM Davis tagged this item after he and several CMs raised concerns about mismanagement. This week, CM Jackson advocated for approval of the item, outlining agreements she has made with TIRZ management to increase communication and transparency, have more meetings and community engagement, and host yearly budget workshops.
• CM Ramirez complained about this TIRZ’s weak budget, high administrative expenses, and conflicts of interest.
• CM Pollard suggested a motion to delay because the TIRZ can continue to operate without this budget vote and then everyone could have more time to work things out.
• CM Jackson complained that the problems discussed today are City-wide and that the Fifth Ward TIRZ should not be made an example of.
• Mayor Whitmire suggested that rather than delay the item, it could be referred back to the administration, perhaps for review at a committee. He referenced a forensic audit of all TIRZs, an effort to placate CM Jackson’s concern that Fifth Ward TIRZ is getting singled out.
• CM Kamin warned against using this TIRZ as an example and lauded TIRZs in general for relieving financial burden from the City.
• The vote to refer this item back to the administration was evenly split and therefore failed:
  • CMs who voted not to refer back: Kamin, Evans-Shabazz, Huffman, Castillo, Pollard, Carter, Alcorn
  • CMs who voted yes to refer back: Whitmire, Peck, Flickinger, Thomas, Martinez, Castex-Tatum, Ramirez, Davis,
• Despite Whitmire and CMs Peck, Flickinger, Ramirez, and Davis voting no, Item 62 approving the Fifth Ward TIRZ budget passed.

Item 63: The Upper Kirby TIRZ

Item 63 approved the 2025 budget for the Upper Kirby TIRZ.

• CM Ramirez took issue with an $8M line item that could possibly buy some land to expand Levy Park. He said Levy Park is nice enough already and spending that much money on it is irresponsible.
• There was a lot of debate on this but I’m not sure I really need to go into it. Several CMs advocated for park expansion whenever possible and ultimately won the day. This item passed with only CM Ramirez voting no.

I wanted to highlight this item because CM Kamin used it to criticize the Mayor’s administration for directing the TIRZ to reduce public amenities and public engagement in the redesign of West Alabama, something she has “grave concerns” with.

• Kamin cited the robust community engagement of the West Alabama project, the collaboration between three TIRZs to get it done, and the vast safety improvements, especially for the children who attend multiple schools along West Alabama and often cross the road before, during, and after school.
• When she asked what policy this change was coming from, she was advised “the Mayor’s new transportation policy.” She has requested a copy of this policy but has yet to receive it.

Item 65: A Settlement for a Firefighter Harassed in the Workplace

Item 65 approved an $850K settlement to a former firefighter who “alleges that she was subjected to a hostile work environment based on her sex.”

CM Pollard advocated for addressing employee contracts in the future, specifically the 180-day rule, which restricts when certain employees can be disciplined and is relevant to this case because the accused perpetrator was still employed by HFD until recently. “We should always be proponents of safeguards for our employees, … especially the employees who are a little more vulnerable based on sex or gender.” He pointed out the police have already adjusted their contract not to include the 180-day rule.

CM Kamin said, “Other departments, including the police, have joined the 21st century.” She said rules like this tarnish the reputation of the City and pointedly asked the Mayor, “Are we going to get this changed?”

Mayor Whitmire said the victim asked him to speak for her and let Council know that her case did not have to do with the 180-day rule, instead it was mishandled by the previous Mayor and Fire Chief. He said the settlement delay is harming the victim and her family. He defended the firefighter settlement and said the 180-day rule is not on the agenda today.

• Kamin responded that there is no question the settlement will be approved today, but asked, “When is the proper time? Because I am fully aware of PTSD as it relates to sexual assault and the pain that that causes, as do I believe many women that are in this chamber today.”
• CM Pollard said, “Even if [the 180-day rule] didn’t have anything to do with this case, the rule needs to be changed.” Mayor Whitmire reminded Pollard that he voted for the firefighter contract, which would have been the appropriate time to raise the 180-day rule. Pollard retorted, “We did raise it many times. You never answer the questions when we ask you the questions.”

This settlement was approved unanimously.

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/education/2024/12/10/508372/houston-isd-offers-to-help-cover-funeral-cost-for-teen-killed-in-train-collision-defends-school/

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.