Houston City Council Notes, prepared by Emily J Hynds

Notes on the Houston City Council Meeting on July 9, 2025

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*

*I am not reporting on the monthly financial report, the public hearing, or pop-off today.

The Mayor’s Report

Mayor Whitmire invited Mike Nichols, Director of the Housing and Community Development Department, and Larry Satterwhite, Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security and formerly of HPD, to present on a proposed update to Houston’s civility ordinance. Under the current civility ordinance, it is illegal to sit, lie down, or store belongings in public spaces, like parks and sidewalks, between the hours of 11pm and 7am. The civility ordinance is only enforceable in 12 zones which must be instigated by residents and approved by council. The administration wants to change the hours to 24/7 in the Downtown Management District and Eastside Management District only (for now). City council will need to vote on this but I don’t know when.

Mayor Whitmire said this change is a tool to get people the help they need and that it does not criminalize homelessness. He said, “It’s wrong for people to live in those conditions and it’s wrong for the public to have to engage this population in public spaces.” The mayor criticized people who feed the homeless at the downtown library for perpetuating the problem by keeping homeless people in that location. And finally, he said, “I’ll say one more time, the team I’ve put in place is probably one of my biggest accomplishments.”

Director Nichols made general remarks on homelessness and the city’s plans, reinforcing the idea that this change will help law enforcement help people and that it does not criminalize homelessness.

• Like the mayor, he commented on how public spaces should be usable by the general public. Nichols shared an anecdote about a woman named Mary with “severe untreated mental illness,” who was picked up in a Chartres sweep and is now in psychiatric care after years on the street. “Without the civility ordinance and our strengthened partnerships, particularly with law enforcement, who knows where Mary would be today.”
• Director Nichols said this ordinance change will “break the habits and cycles of all the folks, not just the folks experiencing homelessness, but the folks who are out there trying to help.” He also complained about “groups who want to come help and they bring food and forget to bring the trashcans.”

Director Satterwhite remarked on the complexity of homelessness, the dangers to homeless people themselves, and the damage to the community. He praised the success of the city’s “humane and compassionate” initiative, with over 100 people on the path to housing since “the end of last year.”

• He said law enforcement is hampered by the civility ordinance ending at 11pm and that most other cities are already 24/7.
• He complained about the lack of funding and housing.
• Satterwhite outlined a coalition between HPD, METRO police, Harris County Precinct One, and The Harris Center. He said these officers are specially trained, signed up for these positions, and “they really like doing this work because they’re going out and they’re offering help.” Satterwhite said they are focusing on small areas to avoid displacement.
• The process: non profits go in first and offer help. Law enforcement goes next and A) offers help; B) issues warning(s) if people are still violating the civility ordinance; C) after multiple warnings, citations can be issued and arrests can be made.

Mayor Whitmire praised Mike Nichols and mentioned his faith … for some reason. He remarked on the diverse needs of the homeless population; not everyone needs the same care. He said we should listen to these “two clear experts.”

CM Carter shared several anecdotes about helping homeless people. She has identified spaces to house people and estimates it would cost $50M. She said that HISD estimates 6,360 students are homeless. She said changing the civility ordinance hours will help address urgent needs so that other needs, like keeping these students from entering true homelessness, can be addressed.

CM Kamin praised Satterwhite and Nichols and asked several questions.

• Kamin asked what level of citation this would be. Satterwhite said the citation is a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum $500 fine, and then immediately said “this is not a criminalization of the homeless.” Satterwhite said that a homeless person “won’t pay it, but it might give us another tool for approach.” Translation: they can threaten people with citation and/or arrest to force cooperation.
• Kamin disputed Satterwhite’s claim that $500 is minor, especially to a homeless person. She asked what happens if someone refuses to move.
  • Satterwhite said, “Everybody’s entitled to walk on the public sidewalk as long as they’re not interfering with anybody else’s rights.” If a person refuses to get up, law enforcement can take action. If they have been warned before, law enforcement can issue a citation or even arrest them, in which case they might be diverted to The Sobering Center or The Harris Center. Satterwhite said very few people are actually arrested unless they have other warrants.
• Kamin asked about the mental health training and when they would partner with Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOTs are clinician only, no law enforcement) and Crisis Intervention Response Teams (CIRTs are clinicians paired with HPD). This is important because METRO doesn’t have the same training standards as HPD.
  • Satterwhite said that all law enforcement has mental health training, some more than others depending on experience. He said officers are provided with standard operating procedures and can call a supervisor when needed.
• Kamin asked about barriers at shelters. For instance, some shelters run by churches force occupants to attend religious events. Some shelters are for women and children only and separate fathers from their families. Some shelters don’t accept pets or won’t let people bring their belongings.
  • Director Nichols said they offer choices.
  • Kamin asked for a breakdown of available beds with and without restrictions, including substance use restrictions. She continued to advocate for beds with no barriers.

CM Plummer asked when MCOTs are used. Satterwhite did not offer a clear response but reiterated that law enforcement officers have mental health training and can call for MCOTs, CIRTs, or a supervisor if they feel it’s needed. Plummer advocated for standard deployment of MCOTs. She asked for confirmation that the city has enough low-barrier beds for this civility ordinance expansion, and Director Nichols said yes.

There was discussion on advocacy at eviction courts, which Director Nichols said is a county-led effort, and on various ways the District Attorney’s office pursues charges.

CM Ramirez pointed out that if someone is given a citation, they would need to show up in court; if they don’t show up, the citation could turn into a warrant. Some discussion ensued on how courts address homelessness but it seemed very disconnected from the city initiative. Satterwhite said that DA Sean Teare is on board and his office has their own protocol in place about when to pursue charges, etc.

CM Carter said this ordinance change is a tool to allow HPD to address encampments, not necessarily people isolated individually. CM Kamin said, if that’s the case, then the language of the ordinance needs to reflect that. “We’re creating ordinances that outlive us and we have to take that into consideration.” She advocated for better indigent defense and protections for people at shelters.

Agenda Items, Selected Works

• Item 2 appointed Connie Cochran as chair of the “Community Benefit Agreement, The Ion district in Midtown, Community Advisory Council.” CMs Evans-Shabazz (although absent, CM Castex-Tatum spoke for her), Thomas, Plummer, Ramirez, and Davis celebrated her appointment.
• Item 11 accepted final work and approved the final payment of $21M for for a drainage and pavement project in Garden Oaks and Shepherd Park (West). CM Kamin explained this was a CIP project, was under construction from 2021-2024, and thanked her colleagues for their support. 
• Item 13 provided an additional $105K (on top of $502K) for one more Houston Financial Empowerment Center at the Kashmere Garden Multi-Service Center. CM Jackson explained that the centers “offer financial counseling, help people set up bank accounts, pay bills. It’s just a great resource for communities that are struggling and trying to get on track.”
• Item 14 expanded the electrical technician and solar installer certificate programs to ten Houston Community College campuses. There is no additional fiscal requirement.
• Item 15 authorized the acceptance of two grant awards totalling $1.6M from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for homeless programs.
• Items 25, 26, and 27 deal with upcoming reconstruction of Shepherd and Durham from 15th Street to I-10. From one of the support documents: “The project includes drainage and public utility improvements necessary to satisfy city design standards.” Federal funding will cover ~$58M and the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority will cover ~$4M. The city will also contribute funds but I am unclear on the amount. I wanted to include it for those interested and because it’s a lot of money, but I am surely getting some details wrong so please dig for yourself if you want more information.

Item 47 – Making Public Comment Session More Accessible
Subtitle: you can have one evening session per month, as a treat

Currently, public comment takes place on Tuesdays at 2pm. Today’s Item 47 approved an ordinance change that will make the last public comment session of the month at 6pm instead of 2pm. This item was brought by CM Castillo using Proposition A and co-signed by CMs Alcorn and Peck. CM Castillo amended his proposal to sunset the program on December 31, 2025, at which time council can adjust or discontinue. He wanted to start the change in July, but after much vocal hullabaloo from other CMs who apparently already have plans this month, they agreed to start in August.

CM Kamin supported this change but pointed out other cities that are less accessible than Houston. She advocated for staying on topic and adhering to time limits. CM Alcorn pointed out other places in Texas that are more accessible and agreed with enforcing time limits of public speakers.

CM Castex-Tatum thinks traffic will keep people away from evening sessions and that CMs should spend more time in the district to increase engagement, like attending civic clubs and PIP meetings. She advocated for allowing virtual, phone, and written public comments. She said, “I will go with the will of the body. However, on Tuesdays at 5:30, I won’t be present.”

CM Castillo agreed about the benefits of hybrid meetings. He said the policy can be adjusted, “But we can’t do that if we don’t try it. This is a way to do something that has been talked about for a long time.”

Regarding enforcing time limits, Whitmire said, “If people have something to say and they’re contributing, I personally hate to cut them off because they contribute. It’s some of the folks that are here on a regular basis, normally organized groups that just want to go on and dominate and filibuster…” and he trailed off.

CM asked that security hours be extended for evening sessions. Whitmire said, “We’ll do better than that. We’ll have HPD in larger numbers.”

This ordinance passed with only CM Davis voting no. Starting in August, the last public comment session of the month will begin at 6pm on Tuesday evening.

Item 48: Discriminatory Dress Codes

Item 48 proposed creating an ordinance requiring businesses that have a dress code to post that dress code near the entrance. This item was brought by CM Pollard using Proposition A and co-signed by CMs Evans-Shabazz and Plummer. From the support document: “This ordinance is necessary to prevent operators of establishments from arbitrarily selecting who gains entry based on attire. It also gives operators the ability to demonstrate to individuals that a

certain dress code is required, and it gives individuals clarity on what the expectations are for entry without any ambiguity.”

CM Pollard explained how dress codes can be used to discriminate. As to enforcement, Pollard said that if constituents complain to CM offices, they can fine the business with a Class C misdemeanor. This policy will also help protect businesses and plaintiffs in the case of litigation. He emphasized the city is not requiring dress codes or dictating what is in a dress code, only saying that if you have a dress code, it should be posted in public view near the entrance.

CMs Huffman and Flickinger said this is government overreach, creates additional burdens for businesses, and puts stress on the city to enforce. Flickinger went further and said that discrimination is already illegal and people can sue if they have been discriminated against.

CM Pollard explained how businesses use dress code policies to discriminate and shared a personal anecdote about being out with Controller Chris Hollins, who was denied entry because Hollins was wearing tennis shoes, even though there were other people inside wearing tennis shoes. Pollard explained how the city will not be expected to enforce. He said that posting the dress code is the responsible thing to do. “The only reason you would not want to do so (post the policy) is because you want to have such wide latitude to be able to arbitrarily decide who comes in.”

CM Davis said he doesn’t support discrimination at any level but does not agree that we can assume discrimination is happening because of dress code shenanigans. I will take this opportunity to remind you that Davis advocated for the repeal of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance in 2014 and was quoted at the time saying that “sexual preference is a choice.”

CM Plummer supports this ordinance and shared anecdotes about her sons being discriminated against using the pretense of a dress code.

CM Flickinger continued to not understand how a dress code could be used to discriminate. He said discrimination is already illegal, and if people have been discriminated against, they can and should sue.

CM Kamin asserted that discrimination still happens despite the fact that it is illegal. She said, “And in a civil rights case, the burden is so high in terms of prosecution,” meaning that the person suing needs to have really clear evidence, like a posted dress code policy. She criticized Flickinger for refusing to recognize that discrimination is happening. “When our colleagues say that this has happened to them … we need to listen.”

Pollard again attempted to explain how dress codes are used to discriminate. “You are correct that there are laws in place that preclude establishments from discriminating based on race. So because of that, the establishment will use something else. They will use a dress code, okay? Because they know they can’t do it for race, but they can select based on dress code. And that’s why this is important, because it now sheds light on what that dress code is.”

CM Thomas supported this ordinance. She said, “There’s nothing on the books. So how do you document it? (for litigation purposes). This is a shared experience and business owners know you can’t discriminate by race, ethnicity, language, all of these things. That’s easy. It’s not Jim Crow we gotta fight, it’s James Crow, Esquire.”

CMs Ramirez and Flickinger tagged this item, ostensibly for review by The Restaurant Association. It is on hold for now.

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://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2025/07/02/525550/city-of-houston-seeks-to-remove-homeless-people-from-downtown-east-downtown-areas/
https://www.houstoncit.org/
https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2014/08/meet-the-pastor-trying-to-overturn-houston-equal-rights-ordinance-august-2014

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.