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City of Houston City Council met July 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Pat J. Daniel, City Secretary read the description or captions of the Items on the Agenda.
A Consolidated City of Houston City Council Meeting at 9:00 a.m.. Mayor Sylvester Turner presiding, with Council Members Amy Peck, Tarsha Jackson, Abbie Kamin, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Dave Martin, Tiffany Thomas, Greg Travis, Karla Cisneros, Robert Gallegos, Edward Pollard, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mike Knox, Michael Kubosh, Letitia Plummer and Sallie Alcorn; Arturo Michel, City Attorney, Marta Crinejo, Agenda Director present. Council Member David Robinson out of the City on personal business.
At 9:05 a.m., Mayor Turner called the meeting of the Houston City Council to order and requested the City Secretary to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
Council Member David Robinson out of the City on personal business.
Mayor Turner recognized Council Member Knox and he invited Pastor Will Cover (Arise Baptist Church) for the Invocation after which he led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Castex-Tatum moved to delay the minutes and Seconded by Council Member Martin, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION ADOPTED
Due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams, a web-conferencing platform and streamed as usual on the City’s website (https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/index.html).
Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/pg/HoustonTelevision/videos/) and the municipal channel on public television. On Wednesday some Council Members will be participating by videoconference in accordance with the provisions of Section 551.127 of the Texas Government Code that have not been suspended by order of the Governor, and some Council Members will meet in-person in the City Hall Council Chambers, 901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.
In the interest of public health and safety, members of the public may only participate virtually in accordance with the Governor’s orders. Members of the public may call in to listen to the meeting, and public comment will be allowed on Wednesday during the public session portion of the meeting via teleconference at (936) 755-1521; Conference ID# 161 483 183#. Details for signing up and participating are posted at https://www.houstontx.gov/council/meetingsinfo.html.
REPORT FROM CITY CONTROLLER AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE CITY including but not limited to, a revenue, expenditure and encumbrance report for the General Fund, all special revenue funds and all enterprise funds, and a report on the status of bond funds - Was presented, City Controller, Chris Brown and Director of Finance Department, Tantri Emo, reviewed the Monthly Operation, Financial Report; copies of which are on file in the City Secretary’s Office for review.
Members of Council commented and questioned Controller Brown and Director Emo.
Council Member Martin moved to accept the Monthly Financial Report and Seconded by Council Member Castex-Tatum, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0408 ADOPTED
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Turner stated for the Mayor’s Report he wanted to touch on a few things. He wanted to thank Susan Christian and Special Events for the Freedom Over Texas celebration that took place on Sunday, July 4, 2021. It was weather challenged but they made it work. He also wanted to thank Lee Brice and Jimmie Allen for being here in the City of Houston. He wanted to thank all of the departments from the City of Houston that worked to make this event happen. He was surprised to see the number of people that came out for the fireworks after the rain. There were thousands of people that poured into Eleanor Tinsley Park once the clouds cleared. They are going to have to continue to address, for example, fireworks because we had the Eleanor Tinsley Park fireworks and then there were fireworks all over Houston. If he is not mistaken, there was a time we could stop people from bringing fireworks into the City of Houston, but he thinks state law changed that. He thinks that the state law prevents them from stopping people who purchase fireworks outside of the City of Houston and bringing them in. If they bring them into the City, they are going to use them in the City. Then on top of that, it’s the gun firing up in the air.
Later on, this morning, he will join the Office of Business Opportunity for the launch of the 2021 Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition. This year marks the 9th year of the program, which has awarded over $240,000 to local aspiring entrepreneurs to make their business dreams come true. Council Members are welcome to join at 1:00 p.m. in the Legacy Room.
The Delta Variant is out there and very present and he wants to encourage people who have not gotten their shots to please get your shots. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs is announcing today that they are rewarding $5.6 million in grants to arts and cultural non-profit organizations and the grants will fund sponsor projects across the City. They will offer public exhibitions, presentations and performances in 2021. Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, July 14, 2021. It is the official groundbreaking for the 57,000 square foot Sunnyside Health Center and Multiservice Center. It’s located at 4410 Reed Road.
Mayor Turner stated that he wanted to review some of the procedures for conducting the Virtual Public Session. He is requesting for Council Members to speak slowly and clearly because this will help the City Secretary, the Closed Captioner and the General Public. After roll call, they established there was a quorum. If by chance, for example, they have to leave, just let them know on the chat screen if they are leaving temporarily or if they are leaving for the duration because otherwise, they will assume that Council Members are present. If they are making the motion or seconding a motion, they will need to state their name and their action clearly so they can have it down for the record. The Agenda Director will be monitoring the chat and will provide him their names. Please don’t use the chat room just for chatting. Please mute themselves when they are not speaking and unmute themselves when they are recognized to speak. For the general public, in order to be recognized as a public speaker, they have to sign up for the meeting on Monday by 3:00 p.m. in the Office of the City Secretary and then they will call the Speakers name in the order that they have signed up. When their name is called, press *6 to unmute themselves. They may only speak when recognized and to please note that if they speak during the meeting and he hasn’t recognized them, he will have to mute and/or remove them off the call.
At 9:30 a.m., Mayor Turner requested the City Secretary to call the list of speakers
#1 - MAZIN KHAN – 5506 Darschelle Dr. – 77069 – 713-899-9126 – Rental assistance.
Mayor Turner stated to Mr. Khan to follow up with Baker-Ripley or Catholic Charities. Those are the two organzations that are handling our Rental Assistance Program because he knows that there are dollars that are availiable. He would have to see what their qualifications are.
Council Member Pollard commented and questioned Mr. Khan‘s statement.
JACK O’CONNOR – 1217 St. Johns Wood – 77077 – 832-771-7007 – Private streets/City tax. NOT PRESENT
LOUIS DARLING – 427 Corwin St. – 77076 – 281-763-3620 – Street/Nordling & Corwin. NOT PRESENT
ADOLPHUS SQUARE – Post Office Box 91512 – 77092 – 346-606-4090 – Homelessness and crime. NOT PRESENT
BRITTANY VEAL – 12411 Glen Meadow Dr. – Stafford, TX – 77477 – 832-757-3076 – Nightlife in Houston. NOT PRESENT
STEVEN WILLIAMS – No Address – No Phone – Will appear to express peronal opinion. NOT PRESENT
GREGORY POLITTE – 500 Jefferson St. – 77002 – 713-875-8861 – Reinstatement of Captain Gregory Green. NOT PRESENT
Mayor Turner stated that this has already been addressed because Chief Peña is recommending the reinstatement of Captain Gregory Green.
BRENDA MURCHINSON – 3106 Webster St. – 77004 – 713-650-8510 – FEMA not responding to request for help from freeze. NOT PRESENT
MARSHA DANTON – 2600 Nantucket Dr., Unit D – 77057 – 713-781-6585 – Development in Galleria area/ West Hevan Estates. NOT PRESENT
#2 - RENNEISHIA UDECHUKWU – 1334 Brittmore Rd., Suite 1000-B – 77043 – 832-802-5556 – Water and Wastewater Rates.
#3 - JEFF BERG – 5454 Washington Ave. – 77007 – 337-453-6188 – Washington Ave. noise and nuisance bars.
DUSAN VRABEL – 12326 Zavalla St. – 77085 – 979-922-0193 – Prosecution by Inspector. NOT PRESENT
#4 - JAN LIGHTFOOT – 12319 Chesterbrook Dr. – 77031 – 832-800-1302 – Not receiving City services.
Note: During the public session motions may be offered to extend time for questions of various speakers, and votes taken, which were not prepared in written form and may be viewed on HTV Houston or on disc.
At 9:50 a.m., Mayor Turner requested the City Secretary to call the Consent Agenda
CONSENT AGENDA NUMBERS 2 through 21
RESOLUTIONS - NUMBERS 2 and 3
2. RESOLUTION approving the issuance and sale of Houston Housing finance Corporation Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds (Temenos Place Apartments) Series 2021 - DISTRICT D - EVANS-SHABAZZ – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. RESOLUTION 2021-0025 ADOPTED
3. RESOLUTION approving the issuance and sale by Houston Housing Finance Corporation of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds (Summit at Renaissance Park) Series 2021 - DISTRICT B – JACKSON - The City Secretary advised that Item 3 had been pulled by the Administration and would not be considered. ORDINANCES - NUMBERS 4 through 21
4. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Loan Agreement between City of Houston and TEMENOS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, joined by TEMENOS PERMANENT AFFORDABLE, LLC, to provide a loan of Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block grant Disaster Recovery Funds for the City of Houston's Harvey Multifamily Program, Home Investment Partnerships Program Funds and Homeless and Housing Bonds, to finance the acquisition of new construction of Temenos Place Apartments, a 95-unit affordable rental housing community, located at 1703 Gray Street, Houston, Texas - DISTRICT D - EVANS-SHABAZZ – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0589 ADOPTED
5. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Performance-Based Loan of 2017 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program Funds by City of Houston and TXZNH, LLC, in the amount of $14,900,000.00, as evidenced by a Promissory Note, Loan Agreement, and other Related Documents, to assist with the financing of construction for a 325 unit senior affordable housing community, located in the vicinity of Greenspoint Mall near 12300 N. Freeway, Houston, Texas - DISTRICT B – JACKSON - The City Secretary advised that Item 5 had been pulled by the Administration and would not be considered.
6. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Interlocal Agreement between City of Houston and TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE by and through it’s Wildlife Services Unit for Wildlife Hazard Management Services at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport, providing a maximum contract amount - 5 Years - $1,293,733.00 - Enterprise Fund - DISTRICTS B - JACKSON; E - MARTIN and I – GALLEGOS - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0590 ADOPTED
7. ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2013-409 (Passed on May 8, 2013) to increase the maximum contract amount for agreement for the purchase of Co-Location Data Center Services for Houston Information Technology Services - $1,483,427.93 - Central Service Revolving Fund - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0591 ADOPTED
8. ORDINANCE approving and awarding contract to ACROSS THE STREET PRODUCTIONS for Blue Card Certification Training for Firefighters for the Houston Fire Department; providing a maximum contract amount - 3 Years with two one-year options - $1,791,500.00 - Grant Fund - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0592 ADOPTED
14. ORDINANCE establishing the north side of the 2600 and 2700 block of Eagle Street, within the City of Houston, Texas, as a special minimum lot size block pursuant to Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances, Houston, Texas - DISTRICT D - EVANS-SHABAZZ - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0593 ADOPTED
15. ORDINANCE consenting to the creation of HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 569, containing approximately 568.04 acres of land within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas authorizing the district to issue bonds, subject to certain conditions - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0594 ADOPTED
16. ORDINANCE consenting to the creation of WALLER COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 35, containing approximately 696.16 acres of land within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas authorizing the district to issue bonds, subject to certain conditions - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0595 ADOPTED
17. ORDINANCE finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of: (1) five prescriptive sanitary sewer easements; (2) six prescriptive water line easements; and (3) eleven prescriptive storm sewer easements, all located within the John Austin Survey, Abstract No. 1, Harris County, Texas; abandoning such portions to 401 FRANKLIN STREET, LTD and 401 FRANKLIN SOUTH LTD, the abutting property owners, in consideration of their payment to the City in the amount of $1,990,800.00, and other consideration - DISTRICT H – CISNEROS - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0596 ADOPTED
18. ORDINANCE finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of a 10-foot-wide prescriptive sanitary sewer easement, located within the Garden Oaks Shopping Center Seventh Section, out of the S.W. Allen Survey, Abstract No. 94, Harris County, Texas; abandoning said easement to the HARTMAN GARDEN OAKS ACQUISITIONS, LLC, in consideration of its cash payment to the City in the amount of $7,020.00, and other consideration - DISTRICT H – CISNEROS - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0597 ADOPTED
19. ORDINANCE finding and determining that public convenience and necessity no longer require the continued use of a portion of Hardy Street, from Sterrett Street north ± 250.31 feet, or a ± 0.0276 acre tract of City fee-owned public right-of-way, both public rights-of way being out of Hardy Street, located in the John Austin Survey, Abstract No. 1, Harris County, Texas; abandoning and selling said public rights-of-way to UG OLD HARDY, LP, the abutting property owner, in consideration of its payment to the City in the amount of $929,515.00, and other good and valuable consideration - DISTRICT H – CISNEROS - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0598 ADOPTED
20. ORDINANCE relating to the Retail Gas Utility Tariff and Rates of UNIVERSAL NATURAL GAS, LLC d/b/a UNIVERSAL NATURAL GAS, INC; approving Universal Natural Gas, LLC’S Tariff; setting Universal Natural Gas, LLC’s Rates and Rate Schedules; containing findings and other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability - DISTRICTS B - JACKSON; D - EVANS-SHABAZZ and E – MARTIN - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0599 ADOPTED
21. ORDINANCE granting to UNIVERSAL NATURAL GAS, LLC d/b/a UNIVERSAL NATURAL GAS, INC the right, privilege and franchise to construct, install, extend, retire, operate and maintain its facilities within the public rights-of-way of the City of Houston, Texas, for the transportation, delivery, sale and distribution of natural gas; containing other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; containing a repealer; providing for severability and providing an effective date - DISTRICTS B - JACKSON; D - EVANS-SHABAZZ and E - MARTIN - FIRST READING - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0600 PASSED 1ST READING
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
1. DELL MARKETING LP for approval of spending authority to purchase Refresh Mobile Technology Devices through the Texas Department of Information Resources for the Houston Police Department $592,069.80 - Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund – Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0409 ADOPTED
9. ORDINANCE awarding Sole Source Contract to SIRSI CORPORATION d/b/a SIRSIDYNIX for an Integrated Library System and Discovery Services for the Houston Public Library; providing a maximum contract amount - 3 Years with two one-year options - $1,013,060.00 - H.A.L.A.N. FUND – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORINANCE 2021-0601 ADOPTED
10. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Various Agreements between City of Houston and 1) A-1 PERSONNEL OF HOUSTON, INC, 2) LANESTAFFING, INC, 3) RECRUITING SOURCE INTERNATIONAL LLC, and 4) THE RESERVES NETWORK INC. dba EXECUTEAM STAFFING, respectively, for contingent workforce services for the Human Resources Department; providing maximum contract amounts - 3 Years with two one-year options - $25,000,000.00 - Central Service Revolving Fund – Was presented and Tagged by Council Member Thomas
11. ORDINANCE awarding contract to CODE STUDIO, INC for Consulting Services for the Livable Places Initiative for the Planning and Development Department; providing a maximum contract amount - 2 Years with one one-year option - $399,975.00 - P&DD Spec Revenue Fund – Was presented and Tagged by Council Member Travis
12. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Economic Development Agreement between City of Houston, Texas and A-S 154 WESTHEIMER RANCH, L.P. for Redevelopment, Construction and Operation of a Retail Commercial Development - DISTRICT G – TRAVIS – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none.
ORDINANCE 2021-0602 ADOPTED
13. ORDINANCE designating the property municipally known as 3428 Piping Rock Lane and also known as “Mr. & Mrs. Alfred E. Reidel House” being located within the City of Houston, Texas, as a protected landmark - DISTRICT G – TRAVIS – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2021-0603 ADOPTED
NON CONSENT AGENDA - NUMBER 22
PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS
Council Member Castex-Tatum moved that rules be suspended for the purpose of reconsidering Motion 2021-0166 and Seconded by Council Member Martin, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0410 ADOPTED
Council Member Castex-Tatum moved that Motion 2021-0166 be brought back to Council for reconsideration and Seconded by Council Member Martin, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0411 ADOPTED
22. Motion by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member to AMEND MOTION #2021-0166, 4/7/2021, previously amended by MOTION #2021- 0248, 5/12/2021 and further amended by MOTION #2021-0361, 6/8/2021, TO INCREASE spending authority from $3,072,000.00 to $4,096,000.00 on award to CHANCELLOR’S BALL ROOM dba LEMOND KITCHEN to provide meals to areas within the City of Houston with food insecurities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic - REQUIRES THREE MOTIONS – Was presented, MOTION 2021-0412 ADOPTED
MATTERS HELD - NUMBER 23
23. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the INDEPENDENT POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD, for a term to expire January 31, 2023:
Board Chair - STEPHEN IVES, appointment
Panel Chair - KIARA GRADNEY, appointment
Panel Chair - RHODA CHANIN CLAMEN, reappointment
Member - STEPHANIE BUNDAGE JUVANE, reappointment
Member - MATTHEW M. SWEENEY, appointment
Member - TOBIAS A. COLE, appointment
Member - JOHNNY SOLIS III, appointment
Member - CORTLAN J. WICKLIFF, appointment
Member - BIANCA ROBERSON, appointment
Member - SONIA CORRALES, appointment
DELAYED BY MOTION #2021-0403, 6/30/2021
This was Item 4 on Agenda of June 30, 2021 – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0413 ADOPTED
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS - Council Member Peck first Members of Council announced events and discussed matters of interest.
There being no further business before Council, the City Council adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Council Members Travis, Gallegos, Knox, Kubosh and Plummer absent.
https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/