Kenneth Allen

The agenda outlines a multi-day City Council meeting commencing on February 10, 2026, and continuing on February 11, 2026. Key activities include procedural motions, public speakers, and a recess. The main business on February 11th involves a Consent Agenda covering 39 items, including the Mayor's request for confirmations of appointments/reappointments to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports Directors, the East End District Board of Directors, and the North Houston District Board of Directors. Other Consent Agenda items address the acceptance of work from a construction resource, approvals for spending authority on various purchases (including Nexplanon implants, recreational supplies, library materials, water service connections, pumps, and software), contract amendments, and multiple Resolutions confirming support for Affordable Rental Housing developments and applications for various grants. Additionally, numerous Ordinances are scheduled, focusing on issuing Hotel Occupancy Tax and Special Revenue Bonds (including refunding bonds), agreements related to the George R. Brown Convention Center expansion and Hilton Hotel Parking Garage demolition, loan agreements for senior apartment development, interlocal agreements, contracts for testing and waste disposal services, budget approvals for redevelopment authorities, and the abandonment of a street easement in exchange for cash payment and easement conveyance to Harris County Hospital District.

The multi-day meeting included significant public comment time dedicated to speakers discussing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaboration with the Houston Police Department (HPD), as well as requests for increased investment in Solid Waste. The Mayor's Report acknowledged staff efforts during Winter Storm Fern and announced that First Robotics would return to Houston for seven years due to a state-funded expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Consent Agenda covered numerous actions, including confirming appointments to the Board of Directors for Reinvestment Zone One and the St. George Place Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors, approving 2026 Operations and Maintenance Budgets for various Lake projects operated by the Coastal Water Authority and Trinity River Authority, and extensions of Injury on Duty Leave for a Senior Police Officer. Several ordinances were adopted, covering appropriations for facility projects, including the Municipal Courts Replacement Facility and the Environmental Health Administration Building repair, amendments to maintenance contracts, and establishing Special Minimum Lot Size and Building Line Blocks on Wheeler Street and Lauderdale Street, respectively. Ordinances related to the Fiscal Years 2026 Operating Budgets for the Saint George Place and Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authorities were also approved.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included suspending rules to address a non-agenda speaker regarding a medical trip, receiving reports from various speakers on community concerns such as senior care, recycling, solid waste, and funding for the GRB expansion. The Council accepted the Monthly Financial Report. The reappointment of Joshua Weisman, Azeb Yusuf, and Tammy Rodriguez to the Board of Directors of the Gulfport Area Municipal Management District was confirmed. Spending authority of up to $30,000,000.00 was approved for Job Order Contracts for Construction, Asbestos Abatement and Demolition Services for Houston Public Works. A Public Hearing was held regarding a Resolution of No Objection for the Bernicia Place multifamily development seeking Housing Tax Credits. The Consent Agenda saw approvals for spending authority related to Federal Aviation Administration agreements, Auto Car Replacement Parts and Repair Services, purchase of Public Safety Replacement Radios, procurement of Heavy-Duty Trucks, services for Magnesium Hydroxide Slurry, an amendment to increase spending authority for Wastewater Force Main Support System Repairs, and the purchase of Trailer-Mounted Pumps. Several ordinances were adopted, including amendments to Subrecipient Agreements with Wesley Community Center, Inc. of Houston, Texas, and SEARCH Homeless Services, a new agreement with AIDS Foundation of Houston, Inc. dba Allies In Hope, appropriations for Runway Rehabilitation & Lighting Upgrades at the airport, a Telecommunications License Agreement with Verizon Wireless, and a Derivative Agreement for Central Utility Plant Operations and Maintenance Services. Other ordinances involved applying for Victims of Crime Act Program Grant Assistance, the sale of land, land acquisition for a water line project, appropriations for Neighborhood Greenway Phase 2 Safety Improvements, a contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Hazard Mitigation, an award for FY2025 Street & Drainage Work Order Contract #4, an award for Wastewater Process Unit Cleaning and Evaluation, and appropriations for the Easthaven Wastewater Treatment Plant Flow Diversion Package. Matters removed from the consent agenda included accepting work and authorizing final payment for Lift Station Renewal & Replacement and awarding a contract for Structural Repair Services for the Chlorine Basin C Structure, and approving an agreement for services for homeless individuals with THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH & IDD. An amendment was adopted regarding the rescheduling of the regular meeting for the calendar week commencing November 1, 2026. The Council also set a public hearing date for January 14, 2026, regarding the designation or change of designation for several properties as Landmarks or Protected Landmarks.

The meeting commenced with a proclamation recognizing the United Against Human Trafficking Coalition and included the Pledge of Allegiance following the invocation. Key actions included approving the transfer of operation and maintenance responsibility for Moody Park and Keith-Wiess Park to Harris County. A public hearing was held regarding landmark and protected landmark designations for several properties, including Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church and The Valenti-Dissen House. The Council confirmed reappointments to several boards and authorities, including Reinvestment Zone Number Two, Midtown Redevelopment Authority, Greater Southeast Management District Board of Directors, and International Management District Board of Directors. Additionally, approvals were granted for contract acceptances related to ditch maintenance, drainage improvements, and a sewer stoppage cleaning contract. Several ordinances were adopted concerning water and sewer rates, appropriations from the Airports Improvement Fund, settlements, budget approvals for various redevelopment authorities (Old Spanish Trail/Almeda Corridors, Gulfgate, Memorial City, Downtown), and consent to the addition of land to public utility districts. The Council also approved spending authority for mobile printers and software licenses, and considered amendments to the CHDO Single Family Home Program Guidelines.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of several proclamations, recognizing Vecino Health Centers' 25th anniversary, Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the Southwest Management District's 25th Anniversary, and VICO Manufacturing's 40 years of excellence. Following procedural motions to adjust the speaker list order, the Council addressed public comments on various topics, including Filipino American History Month, the Polk Street closure (Item 5), GRB expansion, the Hilton strike/negotiations, METRO Rail's red line delays, apartment ordinances, and homelessness issues. The Council also confirmed mayoral appointments/reappointments to the Reinvestment Zone Number Two (Midtown Zone) Board of Directors and the Midtown Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors. Significant actions included approving spending authority for Spay and Neuter Services, apparel/uniforms for the Fire Department, helicopter training services, various pump purchases, and landscaping/lighting repairs. Several ordinances were adopted, including those related to issuing General Obligation Commercial Paper Notes, authorizing Subrecipient Agreements for HIV/AIDS-related housing programs, approving amendments to the 2025 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP), and the awarding of construction and professional services contracts for various public works projects (water/sewer improvements, taxiway construction). Final readings were passed for ordinances granting franchises for solid waste and industrial waste collection from commercial properties. The Council also set public hearing dates for property tax rate discussion and applications for Housing Tax Credits.