City of Houston City Council met Jan. 11

City of Houston City Council met Jan. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Houston City Council was held at 2:00 p.m., with 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, David W. Robinson, Michael Kubosh, Letitia Plummer and Sallie Alcorn, Randy Zamora, Legal Department, and Marta Crinejo, Agenda Director, present.

At 1:50 p.m., Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and recognized Council Member Plummer for a proclamation.

Council Member Plummer presented a proclamation recognizing Mohammed Nasrullah, President for the COVID-19 Wall of Memories, honoring, remembering and memorializing victims of COVID-19 in the U.S. Accepting the proclamation was Mohammed Nasrullah.

Mayor Turner presented a proclamation to United Against Human Trafficking recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Accepting the proclamation was Chief Executive Officer, Timeka Walker.

Mayor Turner recognized Council Member Alcorn for the Invocation. Council Member Alcorn invited Larry Payne (President of the Educational Excellence Resource Group LLC) after which she led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

All Present

Council Member Castex-Tatum moved to adopt the minutes of November 30 – December 1, 2021 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 offer the options to participate by videoconference or in-person. The meeting will be open to the public but restrictions regarding masks, allowable room capacity, and seating arrangements may be in place.

The public meeting location will be City Hall Council Chamber, 901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. The Mayor, as presiding officer of City Council, and some Council Members will be physically present. Other Council Members will be participating by videoconference in accordance with the provisions of Section 551.127 of the Texas Government Code applicable to a governmental body that extends into three or more counties. The meeting will also be 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.

Members of the public may also provide public comment during the public session portion of the meeting at (936) 755-1521; Conference ID# 423 928 753#. Details for signing up to speak in-person or virtually are posted at https://www.houstontx.gov/council/meetingsinfo.html.

Members of the public may attend the Wednesday Council session in-person, or via Teams at (936) 755-1521; Conference ID# 548 495 687# but no public comment will be allowed.

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.

Mayor Turner recognized Council Member Travis for a procedural motion. Council Member Travis moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of moving Bruce Nichols to the top of the 3 minute Non-Agenda List of Speakers and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0012 ADOPTED

Mayor Turner recognized Council Member Evans-Shabazz for a procedural motion. Council Member Evans-Shabazz moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of moving Linchi Lopez after Bruce Nichols and Seconded by Council Member Castex-Tatum, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0013 ADOPTED

At 2:27 p.m., Mayor Turner requested the City Secretary to call the List of Speakers

#1 - JONATHAN DAY – 1825 Albans Rd. – 77005 – 713-305-4202 – Item No. 28 – Chapter 46 Houston Building Code/Houston Sign Code – (Virtual) - jday@akllp.com.

Members of Council commented and questioned Mr. Day’s statement.

#2 - HEATHER HOUSTON – 1858 Norfolk St. – 77098 – 713-705-0018 - Item No. 28 – Chapter 46 Houston Building Code/Houston Sign Code – (Teleconference).

#3 - RANDALL BAXLEY – 4601 Beggs St. – 77009 – 713-494-1981 – Item No. 16 – Axiom Space, Inc/Aerospace Operations and Technology Facility – (Virtual) – randy7771026@gmail.com.

#4 - SHAWNNA FATJO – 2807 Ferndale St. – 77098 – 713-705-7783 - 2736 Virginia St./Five Central Bar and Grill (In Person).

#5 - JOHN DAILY – 2814 Ferndale St. – 77098 – 281-731-4506 - 2736 Virginia St./Five Central Bar and Grill – (In Person).

Council Member Kamin wanted to thank John, Shawnna and all the residents that are coming today, to speak about this issue. This has been over a decade that families have been dealing with this one property, whether it’s the parking, the sound or the trash.

Mayor Turner stated that they do have their own noise ordinance as it presently is composed. It deals with 68 dB(A) levels and then there are certain hours that if it exceeds that, citations can be issued. One of the problems that they have, though, is that establishments/businesses are not mandated to have permits for noise and they are taking a look at that as we speak.

NIKHIT BHATIA – 1825 Morehead Ridge Dr., - Charlotte, North Carolina – 28208 – 518-944-9232 – Police accountability – (Virtual) – nikhit@truleo.com. NOT PRESENT

#6 - JOSE GUZMAN – 7116 Gillen St. – 77087 – 713-516-1129 – Unwanted speed cushion in front of home – (In Person).

Council Member Castex-Tatum stated to Mr. Guzman that typically when a neighborhood requests speed cushions, they send out a form for the number of residents that are for the speed cushion and the residents that are against the speed cushions. Council Member Castex-Tatum suggested for him to contact his council member’s office, so that the leadership in the neighborhood and the City can have a conversation to determine the best solution based on the traffic flow.

Mayor Turner stated to Mr. Guzman that there were a number of people in that community that returned comments in support of the speed cushions and that is why they were placed in that community. He stated that he will pass this to his council member and then they will go from there.

#7 - BRUCE NICHOLS – 12439 Huntingwick Dr. – 77024 – 713-249-7133 – TIRZ 17 – (In Person).

Council Member Travis stated to Mr. Nichols that he appreciates him coming up before council. He has been a big champion in Frostwood. He has been an advocate and has been there before he was on council. He has been fighting hard for it and they are seeing some improvements. Council Member Travis stated to Mayor Turner that he thinks that Mr. Nichols is right on this because they do need to get an extension for the TIRZ out there. They are doing a great work out there. They are doing some work on Memorial, they’re adding a number of acre-feet of detention out there but they need to get these ball fields done out there as well. A number of homes flooded out there a couple of days ago when they had their 6 inches of rain and its not surprising because Frostwood has issues out there. If they can get moving on that and make sure that TIRZ is around because they are seeing results and they want to keep this up.

RANDY WILDE – 8915 Prairie Dr. – 77064 – 443-739-4139 – High cost to attend the Houston Zoo – (In Person). NOT PRESENT

#8 - ART SMITH – 4019 Chapman St. – 77009 – 713-691-9206 – Safety issues in the community – (In Person).

Council Member Cisneros stated to Mr. Smith that she can follow up on his issue regarding the tall grass on the adjacent property. Regarding the yellow cab site, she doesn’t know that he is aware that the City of Houston is building an affordable housing complex there. Request for proposals have been received for the projects.

#9 - LINCHI LOPEZ – 2418 Rosedale St. – 77004 – 832-397-9235 - Riverside Terrace Historical District – (Teleconference).

Council Member Evans-Shabazz stated to Ms. Lopez that there is a meeting tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. for them to discuss this. We do need to know the pros and cons in making this a Historical District. She is looking forward to the meeting and the input from her along with other community members to determine how to proceed.

Mayor Turner stated that in order for it to be characterized as a Historical District, it requires 67% of the property owners to say yes. If two-thirds of the people in that area say yes, it then qualifies for a Historical District.

#10 - ILY MARION RIVAS – 9390 FM 1960 Bypass Rd. – Humble, TX – 77338 – 832-795-6272 – Rental Assistance – (In Person).

Mayor Turner stated to Ms. Rivas that based on the note he has before him, her application was processed by BakerRipley for rental relief. They initially granted $11,000 on rental relief but they discovered a discrepancy and that was reduced to $7,000. He referred her back to BakerRipley since they are the ones that processed her application.

DR. RICHARD JOHNSON – 901 Congress Ave. – 78701 – 281-541-2648 – 2903 Jensen Dr./Building utilization for a school – (In Person). NOT PRESENT

#11 - NATALIE JOHNSON – 4018 Shelby Circle – 77051 – 713-443-7858 – Probate – (In Person).

VINCE BALKCOM – 12101 Northpoint Blvd., Apt. #5204 – Tomball, TX – 77377 – 917-244-9779 - Small Business Assistance – (In Person). NOT PRESENT

#12 - GARY RUBY – 2903 Virginia St. – 77098 – 713-409-1435 – 2736 Virginia St./Five Central Bar and Grill – (In Person).

Mayor Turner stated to Mr. Ruby that there are a couple of factors; 1) the people in this city have consistently voted against zoning; and 2) in the State of Texas, property owners have a strong claim in terms of how they utilize their property. All of the issues which he has raised, they will take a look into that.

Members of Council commented on Mr. Ruby’s statement.

#13 - ALAN LOTRAKUL – 2804 Kipling St. – 77098 – 281-935-6268 - 2736 Virginia St./Five Central Bar and Grill (Virtual) – lotrakul@gmail.com.

Members of Council questioned and commented from Mr. Lotrakul’s statement.

#14 - FREDDY WARNER – 2803 Ferndale St. – 77098 – 713-392-9750 - 2736 Virginia St./Five Central Bar and Grill – (In Person).

Council Member Kamin thanked Mr. Warner for coming down in person. She knows that they have spoken with a lot of residents in that neighborhood. Mr. Warner advised her that they have reached out many times to the new owners. Council Member Kamin asked that prior to these owners if they had a point person from the ownership that he and other residents could contact directly to work through some of the issues. Mr. Warner stated to her that that was correct. Just to give the residents some context, she and Council Member Alcorn have been having meetings with some of the neighborhood leadership with planning. They have been very responsive and working on things. They have been checking off the box with residential permit parking. Next up, she has been working with Mayor Turner, Council Member Alcorn and others to try and facilitate a sit down meeting with the owners to bring the residents together.

Council Member Alcorn thanked Mr. Warner and other residents for coming. She recognizes a lot of these names because Council Member Kamin and herself have been hearing from these residents on a regular basis. She knows that they are fed up because it’s been going on way too long. It’s just not about noise. It’s noise, disorderly conduct, valet parking problems, illegal parking, permitting issues, failure to have the correct certificates of occupancy, health issues with the dumpster and other crimes in that area. She agrees that a lot of these issues can be settled with a sit down meeting and she will help do anything she can to make that happen with help from Council Member Kamin and Mayor Turner. People do have property rights but so does these residents. They have the right to enjoy the comfort of their own home. All of these violations are violations of City Code. In her opinion, we definitely need to get what we can done on enforcement of each violation of City Code. We can’t just continue to give citations that get ignored and paid.

We really have to crack down on these habitual offenders. There’s no reason for these neighbors to keep having a negative quality of life that has impacted them for over 10 years.

THOMPSON AKWO – Post Office Box 1671 – 77091 – 832-322-5426 – Financial Reports/Bad numbers of coronavirus in Houston – (In Person). NOT PRESENT

#15 - SAVEOR HAGAN – 5300 Coke St., Apt. #115 – 77020 – 713-321-8782 – Sewage water/Flooding in apartments – (In Person).

Mayor Turner asked Ms. Hagan when this started to happen and she advised it was August 22nd. The second time was December 17th through December 25th. Mayor Turner stated to her that the note he is looking at from Houston Public Works stated they came out and the issue had been resolved. Ms. Hagan then stated to Mayor Turner that they did not come out. Mayor Turner advised her that they will send the Health Department out there.

Council Member Jackson thanked her for coming in to make them aware of this situation. She just learned about the issue and if she has any concerns or issues at the apartment to contact her office.

#16 - KARMELL JOHNSON – 5300 Coke St., Apt. #113 – 77020 – 713-245-6965 - Sewage water/Flooding in apartments – (In Person).

Council Member Pollard moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose to allow Ms. Porter to speak on behalf of her husband and Seconded by Council Member Castex-Tatum, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION ADOPTED.

#17 - JULIUS PORTER – 8241 Creekbend Dr. – 77071 – 281-961-4569 – Homeless from mold and water damage – (Virtual) – jd8307@gmail.com – HEARING IMPAIRED.

DAWN BURTON – 2312 Rosedale St. – 77004 – 713-256-5319 – Riverside Terrace Historical District – (Virtual) dbearles@gmail.com. NOT PRESENT

At 3:25 p.m., Council Member Thomas left the meeting.

At 4:07 p.m., Council Member Jackson left the meeting.

For more information and details from the speakers list, please click here: houstontx.swagit.com/play/01132022-522

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 4:14 p.m., the City Council was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 Pat J. Daniel, City Secretary, read the description or captions of the Items on the Agenda.

The Houston City Council reconvened at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 with 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, David W. Robinson, Michael Kubosh, Letitia Plummer and Sallie Alcorn; Arturo Michel, City Attorney Legal Department, and Marta Crinejo, Agenda Director, present.

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

All Present

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Turner stated that January 2022 is officially School Board Recognition Month. In the midst of what we all are facing, he wanted to acknowledge all of their School Board Members. There are about 17 school districts that crisscross the City of Houston. He wanted to give a huge shout out to all of the school boards, the Superintendents, the Board of Trustees and all of them that have the responsibility of looking out for the education, health and safety of all of our children. They are on the front line every single day and he wanted to acknowledge the educators, the volunteers and all of these individuals.

Mayor Turner stated that they are still dealing with this Omicron Variant, which is highly contagious. He wants to again remind people to get fully vaccinated because that will help to minimize their symptoms if you should contract the virus. He wants to remind all City of Houston employees that they have to be fully vaccine and if they choose not to be vaccinated, they have to be tested on a bi-monthly basis. That is not optional. Failure to do so, you can be subject to disciplinary action. As of yesterday, we had over 600 employees that were out because of COVID. Roughly 350 were municipal employees, over 200 police officers and a little less than a 100 firefighters were out. It is having an impact on our services. He does want to ask Houstonians to be patient. For example, in the Solid Waste Department, we have operators that have contracted the virus and they are out. That will impact services. The same with police and fire. There are 5 mega testing sites that have been set up (Kingwood, Butler Stadium, Delmar Stadium, the parking lot at Dave and Buster and Minute Maid, Lot C Downtown.) We are looking at working with the operators for the Dave and Buster’s site to set up additional sites, especially for the underserved communities. People who are transportation challenged, we are looking at operating mobile sites that can get to apartment complexes. Then they are looking at opening a site on West Gray at the Multiservice Center, where the focus will be on people with disabilities. They want to make it as easy as possible for people to get tested, so people don’t have to wait in long lines. Then the focus is getting the test results back as soon possible. Ideally it’s within 48 hours. At the latest, it should be 3 days. If we work together, we will get through this. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, this virus will peek and the numbers will start to go down after that. After saying all of that, we have to continue to work through it and adhere to the safety protocols. For example, the Martin Luther King parade will move forward on Monday morning with Vanessa E. Wyche, as the Grand Marshal. She is the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She is the first African American female to be the Director and certainly the first African American female of any NASA Center anywhere. The parade is downtown on Monday promptly at 10:00 a.m. The Chevron marathon will take place on Sunday morning. Also, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo parade is planning to go forward.

With respect to rental relief, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced additional funding to the Houston/Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. He thinks that those dollars will be targeted toward people who are in the eviction proceedings. Subject to additional dollars that are provided, we may be able to do even more. But at this point, since the program’s inception, nearly all of the $283 million have been spent, preventing almost 70,000 local families from becoming homeless. Almost 22,000 properties were in the system represented by almost 12,000 landlords. He wants to acknowledge the City of Houston is one of six to receive a National League of Cities grant to promote equitable career opportunities for youth. The Mayor’s Office of Education will invest $150,000 grant in the Hire Houston Youth Program to provide job training and mentorship. He wants to emphasize that they are looking forward to the Hire Houston Youth Program for this summer. Even last year, in the midst of COVID, they provided opportunities 9,500 kids. This year the goal is to go higher than that. That effort has already started and he wants to thank the Director of the Office of Education for taking the lead on that.

CONSENT AGENDA NUMBERS 1 through 27

MISCELLANEOUS - NUMBERS 1 through 6

1. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOUSTON RECOVERY CENTER, LGC, for a term to expire September 30, 2024:

Position Three - HENRY L. (HANK) RUSH JR., appointment

Position Four - JOHN M. MILLS, reappointment

Position Six - BONNIE CRANE HELLUMS, reappointment

Position Seven - SCOTT F. BASINGER, reappointment

Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0014 ADOPTED

4. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works for approval of the 2022 Operations and Maintenance Budget for the LAKE HOUSTON FACILITIES PROJECT operated by the Coastal Water Authority - $3,485,500.00 - Enterprise Fund - Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0015 ADOPTED

5. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works for approval of the 2022 Operations and Maintenance Budget for the LUCE BAYOU SYSTEM PROJECT operated by the Coastal Water Authority - $4,998,100.00 - Enterprise Fund - Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0016 ADOPTED

6. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works for approval of the 2022 Operations and Maintenance Budget for the TRINITY RIVER WATER CONVEYANCE PROJECT operated by the Coastal Water Authority - $23,773,700.00 - Enterprise Fund Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0017 ADOPTED

PROPERTY - NUMBERS 8 and 9

8. RECOMMENDATION from City Attorney for settlement of eminent domain proceedings styled City of Houston v. Alta Med Main LP, et al; Cause No.1164320, Westridge Regional Lift Station Construction Project - $72,636.00 - DISTRICT K - CASTEX-TATUM Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0018 ADOPTED

9. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works, reviewed and approved by the Joint Referral Committee, on request from Oviedo Pena, Owner, 201 Burbank Street, Houston, Texas, 77070, declining the acceptance of, rejecting, and refusing the dedication of Highlawn Street from Burbank Street north to its terminus, located within the North Highlawn, Second Addition, Parcel SY20-055 - DISTRICT H – CISNEROS Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0019 ADOPTED

PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS - NUMBERS 10 through 12

10. ORDINANCE appropriating funds in the amount of $169,473.15 out of Miscellaneous Capital Projects/Acquisitions CP Series E Fund for the issuance of Purchase Order to KRAFTSMAN L.P. dba KRAFTSMAN COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUNDS AND WATER PARKS (KRAFTSMAN) for Construction Services for Cullen Park Sprayground; providing funding for contingencies relating to construction of facilities financed by the Miscellaneous Capital Projects/Acquisitions CP Series E Fund - DISTRICT A – PECK - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0021 ADOPTED

11. KRAFTSMAN L.P d/b/a KRAFTSMAN COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUNDS & WATER PARK for sole source purchase of Proprietary Replacement Parts and Construction Services for General Services Department on behalf of Houston Parks & Recreation Department - $169,473.15 - Miscellaneous Capital Projects/Acquisitions CP Series E - DISTRICT A - PECK

This item should only be considered after passage of Item 10 above – Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0020 ADOPTED

12. GLOBE ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO. INC for purchase of Reflective Vinyl Tape for Houston Public Works - $25,488.00 - Enterprise Fund - Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0021 ADOPTED

ORDINANCES - NUMBERS 14 through 25

14. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing contract between City of Houston and HARRIS COUNTY relating to District G Special Election to be held on January 25, 2022, providing a maximum contract amount - $300,000.00 - General Fund – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0022 ADOPTED

17. ORDINANCE appropriating $274,000.00 from Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund (1800) for the Planned Mobile Data Computer Replacement Project for Houston Fire Department and Houston Information Technology Services - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0023 ADOPTED

20. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing an increase in spending authority for the Lease Agreement between HAZARI, LLC, Landlord, and City of Houston, Texas, Tenant, approved by Ordinance No. 2021-248 - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0024 ADOPTED

21. ORDINANCE consenting to the addition of 266.10 acres of land to VALLEY RANCH MEDICAL CENTER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas, for inclusion in the district - The City Secretary advised that Item 21 has been pulled by the Administration and will not be considered.

22. ORDINANCE consenting to the addition of 13.74 acres of land to FORT BEND COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 58, for inclusion in its district - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0025 ADOPTED

23. ORDINANCE consenting to the addition of 11.917 acres of land to REMINGTON MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1, for inclusion in the district - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0026 ADOPTED

24. ORDINANCE finding and determining public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interests in connection with the public improvement project known as the Wilson Gully Storm Sewer Repair Project; authorizing the acquisition, by gift, dedication, purchase, or eminent domain proceedings, of fee simple title or easements in and to three parcels of land required for the project and situated in the William White 1/3 League Survey, Abstract No. 836, Harris County, Texas; authorizing payment of the costs of such acquisitions, including the purchase prices for the property interests and costs associated with Relocation Assistance, Appraisal Fees, Title Policies/Services, Recordation of Instruments, Eminent Domain Proceedings, Court Costs, and Expert Witness Fees, and authorizing the retention of special counsel to be selected by the City Attorney in connection with the acquisition of fee simple or easement interests to three parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT G – TRAVIS - The City Secretary advised that Item 24 has been pulled by the Administration and will not be considered.

25. ORDINANCE appropriating $262,500.00 out of Dedicated Drainage And Street Renewal Capital Fund – Drainage Charge as an additional appropriation to Professional Engineering Services Contract between City Of Houston and INFRATECH ENGINEERS & INNOVATORS, LLC for FY2019 Local Drainage Project Work Order Design (Contract #3) (as approved by Ordinance No. 2020-0270, as amended); providing funding for CIP Cost Recovery relating to construction of facilities financed by the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0027 ADOPTED

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

2. ORDINANCE appropriating $31,336.40 out of Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge and $6,795.00 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund as an additional appropriation to contract between the City of Houston and CONRAD CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD for Neighborhood Street Reconstruction No. 460 (Subproject 1) (Approved by Ordinance No. 2019-0625); providing funding for CIP Cost Recovery relating to construction of facilities financed by the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge - DISTRICT C – KAMIN – Was present, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0028 ADOPTED

3. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works for approval of Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $36,281.40 for Neighborhood Street Reconstruction No. 460 (Subproject 1), Granberry Street, East 10th Street - DISTRICT C - KAMIN This item should only be considered after passage of Item 2 above - Was presented, moved by Council Member Robinson and Seconded by Council Member Castex-Tatum, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2021-0022 ADOPTED

7. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Airport System for approval of final contract amount of $1,472,443.95 and acceptance of work on contract with GADBERRY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC for Construction of Parking Operation Office Building at William P Hobby Airport - 0.32% over the original contract amount and under the 10% contingency amount - DISTRICT I – GALLEGOS – Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0023 ADOPTED

13. LOPEZ NEGRETE COMMUNICATIONS for approval of spending authority to purchase Marketing and Media Services to promote testing and vaccinations to prevent widespread COVID-19 Infections within the schools and the community for the Houston Health Department - 6 Months - $3,978,500.00 - Grant Fund – Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, Council Members Peck, Thomas, Travis, Knox, Kubosh and Plummer voting no, balance voting aye. MOTION 2022-0024 ADOPTED

15. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Professional Services Agreement between City of Houston and KGB TEXAS MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC d/b/a KGB TEXAS COMMUNICATIONS for On-Call Comprehensive Communications Services for the Houston Airport System; providing a maximum contract amount - 3 Years with 2 one year options - $800,000.00 - Enterprise Fund DISTRICTS B - JACKSON; E - MARTIN and I – GALLEGOS – Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0029 ADOPTED

16. ORDINANCE appropriating $39,950,000.00 from Airports Improvement Fund and approving and authorizing Ground Lease and Use Agreement between AXIOM SPACE, INC and City of Houston for an Aerospace Operations and Technology Facility at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport DISTRICT E – MARTIN - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0030 ADOPTED

18. ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2018-0410, as amended, to increase the maximum contract amount for contract between City of Houston and PREMIER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for Financial Services for Veteran Directed Home and Community-Based Services Program $5,318,279.00 - Special Revenue Fund – Was presented and Tagged by Council Member Pollard.

19. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing agreement between City of Houston and STERLING INFOSYSTEMS, INC, d/b/a STERLING, for Background Investigation Services for the Human Resources Department; providing a maximum contract amount - 3 Years with 2 one-year options $1,560,000.00 - Central Service Revolving Fund – Was presented and Tagged by Council Member Pollard.

26. ORDINANCE appropriating $21,210,192.00 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund; awarding contract to LEM CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC for Almeda Sims Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements; setting a deadline for the bidder’s execution of the contract and delivery of all bonds, insurance, and other required contract documents to the City; holding the bidder in default if it fails to meet the deadlines; providing funding for testing services, CIP Cost Recovery and contingencies relating to construction of facilities financed by the Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund - DISTRICT D - EVANS-SHABAZZ - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0031 ADOPTED

27. ORDINANCE appropriating $165,257.89 out of Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Ad Valorem Tax as an additional appropriation; approving and authorizing first amendment to Professional Engineering Services Contract between City of Houston and GC ENGINEERING, INC for University Boulevard Paving and Drainage from Kirby Drive to Main Street, now Kirby Drive to Morningside Drive (Approved by Ordinance No. 2015-0369); providing funding for CIP Cost Recovery relating to construction of facilities financed by the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Ad Valorem Tax DISTRICT C – KAMIN - Was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0032 ADOPTED

MATTERS HELD - NUMBERS 28 and 29

28. ORDINANCE providing a review period for Chapter 46 of the Houston Building Code, the Houston Sign Code; temporarily prohibiting the issuance of permits for and the erection, construction, reconstruction, placement, relocation, alteration or use of signs governed by Chapter 46 during said review period; preserving the Sign Code; providing for penalties; providing for severability

TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS MARTIN, KNOX, KUBOSH AND ALCORN

This was Item 8 on Agenda of January 5, 2022 – Was presented,

Council Member Knox presented a written amendment on Item 28: I move to amend Section 2 of the Ordinance in Item 28 to:

(1) Add the following sentence to the end of Subsection (3):

“Current sign permits set to expire during the Review Period will instead expire 90 days after their original expiration dates.”

(2) Add new Subsections (5) and (6) to read as follows:

“(5) This section does not apply to the issuance of a permit during the Review Period for a sign damaged to the extent of affecting its structural integrity rendering it unsafe, provided that the damage occurred no earlier than 14 days prior to the commencement of the Review Period and provided the issuance of the permit complies with all applicable provisions of the Sign Code, including but not limited to Sections 4605(e)(5) and 4607.

(6) This section does not apply to the application for sign permits by the holder of a valid permanent Certificate of Occupancy issued for nonresidential purposes, provided such certificate is issued due to a new tenancy, and the signs would be associated exclusively with the site of the new tenancy. Such holder may secure a permit for provisional signs only, valid for no more than 120 days, and otherwise complying with the provisions of Sections 4603 and 4605(b)(12) of the Sign Code as if permits for permanent signs on the site had been issued under the name designated on the certificate.”

AMEND MOTION 2022-0025 ADOPTED

The following is a redline showing the changes to Section 2 of the Ordinance:

Section 2. The following provisions shall apply to all signs, as defined in Section 4602 of the Houston Sign Code:

(1) That there is hereby designated a Review Period, as defined herein, to enable the City Attorney and the City Council to review the Houston Sign Code in response to the opinion issued by the U.S. Supreme Court in City of Austin, Texas v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas Inc. and to undertake any necessary amendments to the Code as a result of said opinion.

(2) The Review Period shall be defined as that period extending from and after the issuance of any formal order or opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court in that case styled City of Austin, Texas v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas Inc., and for an additional sixty (60) days thereafter. Provided, however, the City Council may at any time by subsequent action, extend, shorten, or repeal the Review Period adopted herein.

(3) During the Review Period, no new permits shall be issued for the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, revision, or use of new or existing signs, nor shall any application be accepted for the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, relocation, revision, or use of any sign subject to the provisions of the Houston Sign Code. Current sign permits set to expire during the Review Period will instead expire 90 days after their original expiration dates.

(4) During the Review Period, it shall be unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, relocate, revise, or use any sign or sign structure regulated by or subject to the terms and provisions of the Houston Sign Code for which a permit has not been issued prior to the date of the Review Period. Failure to comply with this provision shall subject the violator to any and all enforcement provisions of the Houston Sign Code.

(5) This section does not apply to the issuance of a permit during the Review Period for a sign damaged to the extent of affecting its structural integrity rendering it unsafe, provided that the damage occurred no earlier than 14 days prior to the commencement of the Review Period and provided the issuance of the permit complies with all applicable provisions of the Sign Code, including but not limited to Sections 4605(e)(5) and 4607.

After discussion, Mayor Turner called for a vote, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2022-0033 ADOPTED AS AMENDED

29. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works for approval of final contract amount of $2,640,489.62 and acceptance of work on contract with TIKON GROUP, INC for Safe Sidewalk Program - Work Authorization Project - 2.77% over the revised contract amount - DISTRICTS A - PECK; B - JACKSON; C - KAMIN; D - EVANS-SHABAZZ; F -

THOMAS; G - TRAVIS; H - CISNEROS; I - GALLEGOS; J - POLLARD and K - CASTEX-TATUM

DELAYED BY MOTION #2022-10, 1/5/2022

This was Item 31 on Agenda of January 5, 2022 – Was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and Seconded by Council Member Robinson, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2022-0026 ADOPTED

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS - Council Member Knox first Members of Council announced events and discussed matters of interest.

There being no further business before Council, the City Council adjourned at 11:08 a.m. Council Members Travis, Pollard, Knox and Kubosh absent.

https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/

City of Houston City Council met Jan. 11

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