Houston Daily

City of Houston City Council met Sept. 9 - 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Houston City Council was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Mayor John Whitmire presiding with Council Members Amy Peck, Tarsha Jackson, Abbie Kamin, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Fred Flickinger, Tiffany D. Thomas, Mary Nan Huffman, Mario Castillo, Joaquin Martinez, Edward Pollard, Martha Castex-Tatum, Julian Ramirez, Willie Davis, Twila Carter and Sallie Alcorn; Randy Zamora, First Assistant City Attorney, and Marta Crinejo, Agenda Director, present. Council Member Letitia Plummer absent on personal business.

At 1:36 p.m., Mayor Whitmire called the meeting to order and requested Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum to preside. Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum recognized Council Member Martinez for a proclamation.

Council Members Martinez and Ramirez presented a proclamation recognizing Arturo Mejia for his 31 years of service to HPD.

Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum recognized Council Member Kamin for a proclamation. Council Member Kamin presented a proclamation celebrating the 30th anniversary of Local Foods Group.

Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum recognized Council Member Peck for a proclamation. Council Member Peck presented a proclamation to Dr. Peter Stout and Dr. Amy Castillo recognizing their outstanding 10 years of service at the Houston Forensic Science Center.

At 2:13 p.m., Mayor Whitmire recognized Council Member Kamin for the Invocation. Council Member Kamin invited Monk Patita-Pavana Das with (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) for the Invocation after which she led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Whitmire recognized Council Member Castex-Tatum for a procedural motion. Council Member Castex-Tatum moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of moving Jacob Klementich to the top of the three (3) minute Non-Agenda List of Speakers and seconded by Council Member Kamin, all voting aye, nays none. Council Member Evans-Shabazz absent. MOTION 2025-0630 ADOPTED

Mayor Whitmire recognized Council Member Martinez for a procedural motion. Council Member Martinez moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of adding Carla Mayfield, Kenyetta Oatis, Marcela Zaleta, Amber White, Brittney Lazo, Aylin Alvarez, Rosa Leon and Willy Gonzalez after Jacob Klementich on the top of the three (3) minute Non-Agenda List of Speakers and seconded by Council Member Kamin, all voting aye, nays none. Council Member Evans-Shabazz absent.

MOTION 2025-0631 ADOPTED

At 2:19 p.m., Mayor Whitmire requested the Interim City Secretary to call the List of Speakers.

1 - JACOB KLEMENTICH - Texas Rep and Texas Sen.

2 - CARLA MAYFIELD - Hilton Americas Houston.

3 - KENYETTA OATIS - Hilton Americas Houston.

4 - MARCELA ZALETA - Hilton Americas Houston.

5 - AMBER WHITE - Hilton Americas Houston.

6 - BRITTNEY LAZO - Hilton Americas Houston.

7 - AYLIN ALVAREZ - Hilton Americas Houston.

8 - ROSA LEON - Hilton Americas Houston.

9 - WILLY GONZALEZ - Hilton Americas Houston.

10 - ROY HIRSCH - Abandonment of Polk St.

11 - AMY ERICKSON - Abandonment of Polk St.

WILL JOHNSON - WJC ROV Training Program Outcomes. Not Present

ELIEJAH MARKHAM - Social Security. Not Present

ED PETTITT - Columbia Tap Trail broken. Not Present

12 - KAYDRIAN JONES - HPD.

13 - JESSICA DUGAN - Public school.

SCOTT PARKER - Hermann Park and the expansion of Ben Taub Hospital. Not Present

14 - STEFANIE CRUZ - City construction projects surrounding Briar Meadow and flooding concerns.

LAUREN FIELDER - Housing and crime issue. Not Present

GENEVA “NIA” COLBERT - Mayor Whitmire’s campaign pledge: Everyone gets a seat at table. Not Present

15 - THEODORE CARRERO - Gratuity.

CHRISTOPHER CATO - HPD no show. Not Present

16 - JAMES RONJE - Thank you DON/MAO.

KELLY SADLER - Polk St. Not Present

RICHARD GILMORE - Polk St closure. Not Present

17 - JOSEPH OMO OMAURI - Black America international free trade agreements a must. At 3:48 p.m., City Council was recessed until 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

For more information and details from the list of speakers, please click here. houstontx.new.swagit.com/videos/354868

Troy D. Lemon, Interim City Secretary, read the description or captions of the Items on the Agenda.

The Houston City Council reconvened at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2025, Mayor John Whitmire presiding with Council Members Amy Peck, Tarsha Jackson, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Fred Flickinger, Tiffany D. Thomas, Mary Nan Huffman, Mario Castillo, Joaquin Martinez, Edward Pollard, Martha Castex-Tatum, Julian Ramirez, Willie Davis and Sallie Alcorn; Arturo Michel, City Attorney, and Marta Crinejo, Agenda Director, present. Council Members Abbie Kamin, Twila Carter and Letitia Plummer absent on personal business.

At 9:12 a.m., Mayor Whitmire called the meeting of the Houston City Council to order and recognized Council Member Castex-Tatum for a procedural motion.

Council Member Castex-Tatum moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of considering Items 26, 1 and 2 and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none.

MOTION 2025-0632 ADOPTED

26. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment of DR. THERESA TRAN as Director of the Houston Health Department

TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASTEX-TATUM

This was Item 1 on Agenda of September 3, 2025

- was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0633 ADOPTED

1. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the HARRIS COUNTY-HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS, for a term to expire August 31, 2027

Position Three - JOSEPH “JODY” PROLER, appointment

Position Four - DON SANDERS, appointment

Position Five - LAURA G. MURILLO, reappointment

Position Eleven - ROBERT WOODS, reappointment

- was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0634 ADOPTED

2. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals on the HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Class A terms to expire December 31, 2027:

Position One - DAWN FU-KUEI LIN, appointment

Position Two - BOBBY V. P. SINGH, reappointment

Position Three - SOFIA T. GONZALEZ, appointment

Position Four - PAUL J. PUENTE, reappointment.

- was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, Council Member Thomas voting no, balance voting aye. MOTION 2025-0635 ADOPTED

At 9:35 a.m., Mayor Whitmire moved to the Mayor’s Report.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Whitmire stated after 20 months, he was excited to give the State of the City, which will be on September 25th. Given the time, he could give a laundry list of accomplishments but those are things that won’t make headlines. Normally, he could tolerate the criticism, the misinformation and the politics but not when it starts to affect City government and damaging the reputation of city workers. An Incentive Program was done in May to help those city workers who had served this great city. They were given three (3) months incentive pay, in which they received on their May check only to read in later headlines, “Whitmire’s retirees are not getting paid.” No one in his Administration mentioned how long the retirement system was going to take to process a 1,058 people. But when you start misrepresenting that Human Resources could not handle the paycheck or process retirements, it’s time to stand up and speak up because he has no control over the pension fund. It's been explained repeatedly and data was provided to the daily paper but that’s not what they want to write. Mayor Whitmire invited Sherry Mose, Chairman of the Houston Municipal Employee Pension System, to the podium to give an updated status of the pension payouts.

At 10:14 a.m., Mayor Whitmire requested the Interim City Secretary to call the Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

MISCELLANEOUS

3. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER TWO (also known as the MIDTOWN ZONE) BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Position Three - MICHAEL LEWIS, reappointment, for a term to expire December 31, 2026

Position Four - LINDA DAVIS, appointment for a term to expire December 31, 2026

Position Five - ALLEN DOUGLAS, appointment, and as Chair, for a term to expire December 31, 2026

Position Six - ABE S. GOREN, reappointment, for a term to expire December 31, 2025

Position Seven - CHRIS WILLIAMS, appointment, for a term to expire December 31, 2025. The Interim City Secretary advised that Item 3 has been pulled by the Administration and will not be considered.

4. REQUEST from Mayor for confirmation of the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the MIDTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Position Three - MICHAEL LEWIS, reappointment, for a term to expire December 31,2026

Position Four - LINDA DAVIS, appointment for a term to expire December 31, 2026

Position Five - ALLEN DOUGLAS, appointment, and as Chair, for a term to expire December 31, 2026

Position Six - ABE S. GOREN, reappointment, for a term to expire December 31, 2025

Position Seven - CHRIS WILLIAMS, appointment, for a term to expire December 31, 2025.

The Interim City Secretary advised that Item 4 has been pulled by the Administration and will not be considered.

PROPERTY

6. RECOMMENDATION from City Attorney, to deposit the amount of the Award of Special Commissioners into the Registry of the Court to pay all Costs of Court in connection with eminent domain proceeding styled City of Houston v. Re-Mart Investment, et. al, Cause No. 1252430 for BOOKER LANDFILL-WEST DONOVAN DRAINAGE PROJECT, Parcel LY21-014 - DISTRICT B - JACKSON - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0636 ADOPTED

7. RECOMMENDATION from City Attorney, to deposit the amount of the Award of Special Commissioners into the Registry of the Court to pay all Costs of Court in connection with eminent domain proceeding styled City of Houston v. Creston and Holly Inderrieden, et. al, Cause No. 1251482 for BOOKER LANDFILL-WEST DONOVAN DRAINAGE PROJECT, Parcel LY21-018 - DISTRICT B - JACKSON - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0637 ADOPTED

PURCHASING AND TABULATION OF BIDS

9. PENTEX CORPORATION dba PENTEX EQUIPMENT for Toro, Kohler & Kawasaki Tractors & Mowers Replacement Parts & Repair Services for the Fleet Management Department - $1,494,063.99 - 3 Years with 2 one-year options - Fleet Management Fund - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0638 ADOPTED

12. AMEND MOTION #2025-0459, 06/17/25, to designate the Chief Procurement Office as the signatory on the lease agreement with and authorize lease payments to be made to PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, for the Lease of Golf Carts for the Parks and Recreation Department from TEXTRON E-Z GO, LLC - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0639 ADOPTED

13. 216 RESOURCES INC to Furnish Type D Cold Mix-R, Asphaltic Mixture for Houston Public Works - $283,500.00 - 3 Years with 2 one-year options - Special Revenue Fund - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0640 ADOPTED

ORDINANCES

15. ORDINANCE denying application of CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC for approval to amend its Distribution Cost Recovery Factor filed with the City of Houston, Texas on August 15, 2025; providing for severability - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0771 ADOPTED

16. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the Director of the City of Houston Health Department to accept and expend a Grant Award between City of Houston and RISE COLLABORATIVE INC for Elder Abuse or Self-Neglect of the Elderly for the Houston Health Department; authorizing the Director to expend the Grant Funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0772 ADOPTED

17. ORDINANCE appropriating $3,409,000.00 out of Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Construction Fund, $16,565,000.00 out of Fire Consolidated Construction Fund and $1,571,000.00 out of Police Consolidated Construction Fund for purchase of Various Vehicles and Fleet Maintenance Equipment for Various City Departments - The Interim City Secretary advised that Item 17 has been pulled by the Administration and will not be considered.

18. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Compromise, Settlement, Release and Indemnity Agreement between City of Houston, Texas, and CHARLES SPRINGER to Settle a Lawsuit; Civil Action No. 4:24-cv-03811; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division - $150,000.00 - Property & Casualty Fund - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0773 ADOPTED

19. ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-0842 (Passed October 19, 2022) to increase maximum contract amount for contract between City of Houston and WORKQUEST for Plastic Meter Box and Cover Installation and Reading Services for Houston Public Works (as approved by Ordinance No. 2022-0842) - $13,179,600.00 - Enterprise Fund - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0774 ADOPTED

20. ORDINANCE appropriating $18,144,141.00 out of City of Houston, Texas, Tax Increment Funds for REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBERS ONE (SAINT GEORGE PLACE ZONE), TWO (MIDTOWN ZONE), THREE (MAIN STREET/MARKET SQUARE ZONE), SIX (EASTSIDE ZONE), SEVEN (OLD SPANISH TRAIL/ALMEDA CORRIDORS ZONE), EIGHT (GULFGATE ZONE), TWELVE (CITY PARK ZONE), THIRTEEN (OLD SIXTH WARD ZONE), FOURTEEN (FOURTH WARD ZONE), FIFTEEN (EAST DOWNTOWN ZONE), SIXTEEN (UPTOWN ZONE), and EIGHTEEN (FIFTH WARD ZONE) CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, for payments to City’s Affordable Housing Costs, payments to Houston Independent School District Educational Facilities Project Costs, and payment to Midtown Redevelopment Authority - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0775 ADOPTED

21. ORDINANCE appropriating $21,831,956.17 out of City of Houston, Texas Tax Increment Funds for REINVESTMENT ZONES ONE (LAMAR TERRACE ZONE), TWO (MIDTOWN ZONE), THREE (MAIN STREET/MARKET SQUARE ZONE), ELEVEN (GREATER GREENSPOINT ZONE), FIFTEEN (EAST DOWNTOWN ZONE), EIGHTEEN (FIFTH WARD ZONE), TWENTY (SOUTHWEST HOUSTON ZONE), TWENTY-THREE (HARRISBURG ZONE), and TWENTY-FIVE (HIRAM CLARKE FORT BEND ZONE), for payment to Harris County, Texas, payment of Administrative Expenses, and Payments to certain Redevelopment Authorities, as provided herein - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0776 ADOPTED

22. ORDINANCE appropriating $115,867.20 out of Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund for Cash Match to Fund Installation of Natural Gas Emergency Generators at three City of Houston facilities for the Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department; authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of award from the TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Fiscal Year 2025 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund such project, including the Cash Match - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0777 ADOPTED

23. ORDINANCE establishing the south side of the 1100 Block of Merrill Street, between Studewood Street and Norhill Boulevard, 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 H - CASTILLO - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0778 ADOPTED

24. ORDINANCE consenting to the addition of 0.6932 acres of land to HARRIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 84, for inclusion in its district - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0779 ADOPTED

25. ORDINANCE awarding contract to TEXKOTA ENTERPRISES, LLC for Miscellaneous Small Diameter Waterline, Fire Hydrant and Valve Rehabilitation and Repairs - Package IV; 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 and contingencies relating to construction of facilities financed by the Water Sewer System Operating Fund; providing a maximum contract amount - $4,817,744.00 - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0780 ADOPTED

END OF CONSENT AGENDA

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

5. RECOMMENDATION from Director Planning & Development to designate an Honorary Street Marker for DR. L.F. CHANEY, SR located at 1000 block of Court Street at Center - DISTRICT C - KAMIN - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0641 ADOPTED

8. RECOMMENDATION from Director Houston Public Works, reviewed and approved by the Joint Referral Committee, on request from Joyce Owens of Owens Management Systems, LLC, declining the acceptance of, rejecting, and refusing the dedication of a 38-foot-wide alley, between North Durham Drive and North Shepherd Drive within Block 23 out of the Houston Heights Subdivision, out of the John Austin Two Leagues Survey, Abstract 1. Parcel SY23-102 - DISTRICT C - KAMIN - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0642 ADOPTED

10. LAKE COUNTRY CHEVROLET, The Interlocal Purchasing System supplier, for Purchase of Chevrolet Tahoe Vehicles for the Fleet Management Department on behalf of the Houston Police Department - $655,000.00 - Police Consolidated Construction Fund - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0643 ADOPTED

11. LAKE COUNTRY CHEVROLET, The Cooperative Purchasing Program supplier, for Purchase of Chevrolet Tahoe Vehicles for the Fleet Management Department on behalf of the Houston Police Department - $627,450.00 - Police Consolidated Construction Fund - was presented, moved by Council Member Castex-Tatum and seconded by Council Member Peck, all voting aye, nays none. MOTION 2025-0644 ADOPTED

14. ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Director of City of Houston Health Department to accept and expend Grant Award between City of Houston and HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION for Women, Infant and Children Nutrition Grant Program for the Houston Health Department; authorizing the Director to expend the Grant Funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the Grant - was presented, all voting aye, nays none. ORDINANCE 2025-0781 ADOPTED

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS - Council Member Castillo first There being no further business before Council, City Council adjourned at 10:41 a.m.

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