City Council Meeting

Meeting notes - June 3, 2009

Kristen Wright, Jun 03, 09.

Tagged with government, city of houston, budget, council

City Council meeting
June 03, 2009, 9:00 am

Houston Tomorrow publishes notes from public meetings to help local governments in their mission to provide transparency and to allow a greater pool of Houstonians to participate in important policy discussions. These notes are not official meeting minutes, nor do they record every agenda item.

City Council agenda, June 03, 2009

Veterans Affairs

Mr. Buddy Grantham, the Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, opened the meeting by highlighting several of the Office’s recent programs. He discussed the Returning Veterans Initiative, begun in June of 2007. This program allows veterans to receive benefits, and connects them to the organizations that will process their documents.

Vincent Morrison, the Service Officer in the Harris County Veterans Service Office, came to the podium. He characterized his organization as the “only agency that makes house calls.”

Later, Grantham introduced Gene Tulich, a retired Coast Guard Commander and the Chairman of the Houston Military Affairs Committee. Tulich’s organization is intended to boost the image of the military in the Houston area. They create a weekly bulletin that is disseminated to the entire City Council. The organization is also responsible for the Armed Forces Ball.

Grantham introduced Shane Lanell, who stated that there are 200,000 veterans inside of Harris County alone. However, he also stated that 40% of servicemen and women return home after 3 years of service.

Like Morrison, Army Colonel Mark Campsey of Richmond came to the podium. Campsey characterized the Army as the “epitome of team sports.” He thanked the Office of Veterans Affairs for their willingness to assist families (in addition to veterans), and gave Mayor Bill White a “coin of excellence.”

After Mayor White received his award, Grantham took the floor once again. Grantham argued that there are several categories of veterans. He continued, declaring that the needs of the veteran must be identified before services can be offered. Veterans must receive medical, mental, and employment assistance.
Council Member Jarvis Johnson asked Grantham to cite specific programs that are being implemented to assist veterans. Grantham replied, discussing the VA’s efforts to expand mental health programs, additional grants to MHMRA, the 211 referral system, and the Work Life program. He also cited efforts to team up with the USO and other military organizations, and the creation of the Homeless [Veteran] Coordinator position.

Grantham introduced Marcus Smith, the GWOT Outreach Specialist for the Houston Veterans Resource Center. Grantham cited the Resource Center as an off-site organization that can address veterans’ needs without the bureaucracy associated with many city agencies.

Controller’s Report (connected to FY 2010 Proposed Budget)

In her report, City Controller Annise Parker argued that projected revenues will be above the amended budget. 25 million dollars will be transferred into the General Fund from other funds, and General Fund expenditures will be up by 1 million dollars.

Operations expenses will be up approximately 400,000 dollars, but operations revenues will fall 8 million dollars. Parker cited many problems with automated parking meters, but still argued that the Convention and Entertainment Fund will rise by 573,000 dollars. She attributes this rise to “current trends in personnel and parking contracts.” Post-Ike expenditures are “holding in there.”

Finance Department’s Report

Michelle Mitchell, the Director of Houston’s Finance Department, presented an alternate fiscal report. According to Mitchell, last month’s sales tax receipts were 1.20% higher than they were at the same time in 2008. There was also a 4.27% property tax increase, and General Fund expenditures were 1 million dollars higher than they were last month. Police Special Service revenue increased by 2.6 million dollars, and the City has submitted Ike aid and recovery documents to FEMA worth 165.8 million dollars.
Mitchell also warned the Council to be mindful of the combined utility system on the meters.

Council Member Peter Brown asked why the Controller’s report was more “pessimistic” than the Finance Department’s. Parker replied, arguing that it was the Controller’s job to look for problems with the budget.

Consent Agenda and Matters Held

During the May 27, 2009 City Council Meeting, Council Member Ronald Green tagged an item that offered consulting services (from Katzenbach Partners LLC) to the Adminstration and Regulatory Affairs Departments. These services are designed for “Process Improvement, Reorganization and Best Practices for Purchasing and Payroll Operations” (Agenda 7). Green questioned why the services are only being used for 2 departments. He saw the item as an excellent opportunity to bring “in-house consulting expertise.”

However, Green also questioned Katzenbach’s long term goals. Mayor White replied, arguing that services like Katzenbach’s are often used by for-profit organizations that don’t want to spend money on consulting contracts. He continued, arguing that it is difficult for people working “in the box” to see things outside of the box. Council Member Anne Clutterbuck wanted to ensure that suggestions made by Katzenbach would actually be implemented. White replied that the “will to implement” would be “key.”

Council Comments

Council Member Sue Lovell used the Council Comments period to promote her new graffiti website, which offers resources for stopping graffiti, and links to organizations that provide “positive alternatives to graffiti.”

Council Member Johnson discussed abandoned homes in Kashmere (some of which have been abandoned for 10-15 years), and argued that these homes make it difficult to revitalize the neighborhood. Mayor White proposed having an August Council hearing about the properties.

Council Member Pam Holm discussed the steep fines given for minor parking offenses in deed restricted communities (she specifically cited the Afton Oaks neighborhood).

Council Member Brown promoted the new Environmental Service Center on 11500 South Post Oak. Brown was excited that the Center processed environmental waste as well as recyclable materials, but was less pleased with the “urban clash” on Washington Avenue. He specifically cited how noise and “uncivil” behavior from bar and club patrons is a nuisance to residents. He also suggested imposing a “sin tax” on game room patrons.

Council Member Clutterbuck discussed the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program. This program helps federal, state, and local agencies comply with alternative fuel mandates. She also mentioned the H-GAC’s efforts to update 911 in surrounding counties.

Council Member Wanda Adams shifted the conversation to drainage issues in South Park. “When it rains, it floods,” she continued, and even Mayor White conceded that the area’s drainage systems were underdeveloped. Adams asked if funds would only be going to areas with management issues, and the Council suggested providing major thoroughfares in the neighborhood with drainage systems.

More Initiatives