Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Notes on the Houston City Council Meeting on June 3 and June 4, 2025

Budget Meeting Part 1 of 3

Agenda

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

Public Comment

I don’t normally cover public comment because it occurs on Tuesdays and I only watch on Wednesdays. I figured budget-vote week was a good reason to make an exception.

There were 35 public speakers. Here is a selection:

• 2 people supported CM Ramirez’s proposed budget amendment to fund two dedicated attorneys in the city legal department, one of which would work on human trafficking-related issues.
• The director of the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 89 offered their building for use during disaster relief. They advocated for more accessible public comment sessions, criticized the city’s disaster preparedness, and criticized the use of drainage funding for police equipment.
• 19 people criticized the mayor’s proposed budget.
  • Recurring themes:
    • The proposed budget = “austerity plan.” One speaker said, “You’re telling future generations that the city they inherit will be less prepared, less equitable, and less vibrant because you chose austerity and policing over care and community.”
    • The incentivized retirement plan and hiring freeze are harmful.
    • The proposed budget is financially risky: it puts the city in debt, irresponsibly spends the general fund, and puts the city’s credit rating at risk.

• Too much money on law enforcement; policing does not make people safer, especially vulnerable populations. Several people criticized HPDcollaborating with ICE. The city especially should not use disaster funding for police.
  • “Just a weeks before hurricane season, you all just approved a $832M contract with HPD knowing the city already has a $200M deficit. That’s a slap in the face to every Houstonian struggling to make ends meet, waiting on basic city services, trying to stay afloat, sometimes literally.”
• Departments besides police and fire need more staff; the current funding is not equitable. People want more funding for drainage, clean air and water, due process, safe sidewalks, infrastructure, the Department of Neighborhoods, mental healthcare, affordable housing, solid waste, youth programs, the arts, water leaks, disaster response, METRO access.
  • “Budget for people thriving and you will ensure public safety.”
  • “Vulnerable residents will be left without resources. And these aren’t luxuries. They are essential city services. Gutting them doesn’t make the city leaner, it makes it weaker.”
  • “This is not a political issue. This is a human rights issue.”
• General disappointment in budget process
• Pleading with mayor and city council to listen
• Disappointment that the mayor left the meeting; another speaker called out CMs for being on their phones
• One youth cited a book report they recently did on Rosa Parks. They said, “… be brave like Rosa Parks, to stand up for what’s right and vote no on this city budget.”
• Organizations represented: Collective Action for Youth, Northeast Action Collective, Pure Justice, Recall Houston, Texas Freedom Network, Texas Rising, The People’s Council, West Street Recovery, 50 Fathers Movement

• 1 person supported CM Jackson’s proposed budget amendments.
• 1 person representing Environment Texas supported all amendments that deal with Solid Waste and Parks. They remarked on the need to divert waste from landfills via recycling or the city will need another landfill.
• 4 people supported CM Castillo’s proposed amendment to create a LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment Coordinator. Organizations represented: The Montrose Center, Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.
• 1 person spoke in support of the mayor’s proposed budget. He said policing makes him feel safer.
• 2 people expressed concern about the decentralization of HPD’s Office of Community Affairs.
• Several people spoke on individual and specific neighborhood issues. Sometimes a CM would offer resources to get it resolved.

For budget-related discussion, the budget vote, and non-budget business during the 6/3 and 6/4 meetings, see parts two and three.

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

My name is Emily Hynds. I am a writer, small business owner, 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.

I watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/

While compiling these notes I used the following sources:
https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic
https://houwatch.com

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

Thank you to the volunteers who proofread these notes.
My Patreon is patreon.com/emilytakesnotes.