Staff at Houston’s stable waste division attended the assembly to complain about working situations.
Emily Hynds has been independently masking Houston Metropolis Council conferences since June 2020. In her month-to-month Houstonia column, she shares all the most recent intel about what’s taking place at metropolis corridor. Wish to test the conferences out for your self? Learn this companion information.
On this month’s dispatch: a legislative replace, main infrastructure spending, night public remark periods, discriminatory costume codes, and criminalizing homelessness(?)
A legislative flex
On June 25, Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) crew members Josh Sanders and Alexa Aragonez introduced on this 12 months’s legislative session. Mayor John Whitmire famous that their crew has shrunk significantly, from 17 members over the last session to 6. Whitmire implied the earlier crew was bloated as a result of former mayor Sylvester Turner employed his buddies and doled out political appointments. Sanders, pointedly refusing to remain humble, described Houston’s legislative system as “so fully flawless, it’s the envy of each different municipality.”
Sanders and Aragonez went over profitable payments, together with a movie incentive program and a psychological well being invoice that can make it simpler for town to involuntarily commit people in disaster. Town additionally efficiently lobbied for the downfall of Senate Invoice 1065, which Sanders described as a “weapons in public locations invoice.” He defined that SB1065 would have prevented non-public contractors from banning firearms inside venues, just like the Houston Rodeo and main occasions on the George R. Brown Conference Heart.
A number of councilmembers claimed the newest legislative session was profitable as a result of state legislators at the moment are happier with Houston. See a rundown of a wider number of payments and budgetary appropriations right here.
Large cash strikes
The Capital Enchancment Plan (CIP) is a rolling, $16.7 billion, five-year define of infrastructure tasks funded by a number of sources, like specialised funds within the metropolis finances, TIRZ cash, and partnerships with the state and federal authorities. Much like the overall finances course of, a number of councilmembers proposed amendments, however most of them withdrew. Mayor Whitmire and lots of councilmembers criticized the CIP course of. The mayor known as it “basically a want record” and blamed previous administrations for creating the present system. Councilmembers Amy Peck and Sallie Alcorn each advocated for utilizing the Devoted Drainage and Avenue Renewal Fund (DDSRF) for CIP tasks and pushed again when informed that this simply isn’t potential. “I’m not satisfied,” Alcorn declared.
It’s tempting to tune out when the DDSRF comes up in conversations, however I like to recommend perking up your ears when it’s talked about: Not solely does it play a serious function in lowering flooding, but it surely’s additionally concerned in a number of entertaining drama.
Evening mic
Conferences for public feedback have traditionally been held on Tuesdays at 2pm. On July 9, councilmembers voted to maneuver the final public remark session of every month to 6pm as an alternative. Councilmember Mario Castillo proposed this merchandise utilizing Proposition A, cosigned by councilmembers Alcorn and Peck. Castillo amended his proposal to sundown. Many councilmembers doubted the necessity for this and questioned whether or not the general public even needs it, however none greater than councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum. She inspired councilmembers to make themselves obtainable to the group in different methods, significantly at civic golf equipment and “optimistic interplay with police,” or PIP conferences. Concerning future night public remark periods, Castex-Tatum mentioned, “I received’t be current.”
Civility, rewritten
Beneath the present civility ordinance, it’s unlawful to sit down, lie down, or retailer belongings in public areas, similar to parks and sidewalks, between 11pm and 7am. Opponents are involved that the ordinance criminalizes homelessness, a situation that’s typically out of an individual’s management.
The civility ordinance can solely be enforced in 12 zones, which have been instigated by residents and accredited by the council. On July 16, the council voted to make the ordinance hours 24/7 within the Downtown and Eastside administration districts solely (for now). On July 9 and July 16, Mayor Whitmire invited Mike Nichols, director of the Housing and Neighborhood Growth Division, and Larry Satterwhite, director of Public Security and Homeland Safety (previously of HPD), to current on the proposed replace.
Whitmire, Nichols, and Satterwhite all repeatedly claimed that the ordinance doesn’t criminalize homelessness and, as an alternative, permits officers to encourage individuals to simply accept assist. Councilmember Letitia Plummer strongly advocated for approaches that de-emphasize regulation enforcement, similar to Cell Disaster Outreach Groups, that are clinician-only, and Disaster Intervention Response Groups, which pair clinicians with HPD.
Plummer’s strategies obtained main pushback from Satterwhite, Nichols, and Mayor Whitmire, who argued this is able to hamper officers who want to have the ability to use their discretion within the discipline. It is a deeply nuanced concern and, as such, deserves a deeper dive.
Costume code discrimination
On July 16, the council accredited an ordinance requiring companies with a costume code to prominently show it close to the constructing entrance. Councilmember Edward Pollard proposed this ordinance utilizing Proposition A, and it was cosigned by councilmembers Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and Plummer. Pollard mentioned the merchandise was impressed by a current outing, when he and controller Chris Hollins, who’re each Black, have been denied entry to a enterprise as a result of Hollins was carrying Nike sneakers, although they may see different individuals inside additionally carrying tennis sneakers. Pollard’s story was frustratingly imprecise. The place have been they? What have been they doing, and was there dancing concerned? The individuals want solutions.
Pollard did clarify, nonetheless, that as a result of racial and gender discrimination is illegitimate, costume codes can function a enterprise’s loophole or cowl for prejudice towards patrons. Councilmember Mary Nan Huffman known as the ordinance authorities overreach, and councilmember Fred Flickinger urged that individuals ought to sue in the event that they’ve been discriminated towards. Pollard repeatedly (and patiently, IMO) defined how this ordinance will set clear expectations and shield individuals from being discriminated towards by companies primarily based on how they costume. Flickinger and Huffman voted towards the ordinance, but it surely nonetheless handed. Enforcement received’t be simple and even anticipated, however the ordinance may very well be useful to these looking for recourse in instances of “costume code” discrimination.
Arising: trash discuss
Staff of town’s stable waste division spoke on the July 8 council assembly to specific issues about their working situations. On July 16, Mayor Whitmire invited Stable Waste’s interim director, Larrius Hassan, to ship a candid report on the division. And, candid he was. Hassan described mismanagement, gear failures, potential fraud, and exhausted employees. Keep tuned for extra updates in subsequent month’s Metropolis Corridor column.
Houston Metropolis Council conferences happen virtually each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 901 Bagby Avenue or on-line through HTV.
