City Council Public Hearing

Meeting notes - June 9, 2009

Kristen Wright, Jun 11, 09.

Tagged with government, city of houston, budget

City Council Public Hearing
June 9, 2009 1:30 pm

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.

Public Budget Hearing

During Tuesday’s (June 9) City Council meeting, the floor was open to the people of Houston. All of the speakers at the 1:30 pm budget meeting were members of HOPE (Houston Organization of Public Employees), the 3-year old union for city employees.

Truman Cummings, an employee at Hobby Airport (and HOPE’s secretary), criticized the City Council for failing to implement a formal process to hear and discuss the budget-related ideas of city employees.

Bobbie Jo Taylor, a Bush Airport employee, argued that the city should permit more dumpsters. If all of Houston’s large dumpsters had permits, then Taylor estimates that the city could collect 6 million dollars in revenue. She also suggested raising the passenger facility fee to $4.50.

Daniel Box, a Public Works employee, suggested developing an employee timeshare. If this arrangement is used, then city employees would be able to work in multiple departments. Box also argued that many city employees have expressed a desire to be cross-trained in other capacities. Citizens will not have to wait for a highly specialized team to solve municipal problems.

Presentation of Awards

Before the 2:00 pm round of public speakers, two Council members presented awards to members of the community. Council Member Melissa Noriega came to the podium with Frank Rollins, a 93 year old former Pullman Porter. After a brief speech, Council Member (and Vice Mayor Pro Tem) Sue Lovell joined Noriega, Rollins, and his wife at the podium. Lovell declared that June 9 is Frank Rollins Day.

Council Member James Rodriguez gave a similar speech about Third Ward’s Emancipation Park. The Friends of Emancipation Park came to the stage, and Lovell also proclaimed that June 9 is Emancipation Park Day.

Public Speakers (Agenda)

Most of the public speakers presented their concerns about the new Heights Recycling Center. The Recycling Center will operate in the middle of a residential neighborhood (Super Neighborhood 22). It will also be located roughly 50 yards from Martin Preferred Foods on Silver Street.

Chris Avery, a Super Neighborhood 22 resident and the president of a civic association, spoke first. He believes that the Center will lower property values, causing Houston to lose money. Avery also believes that the presence of the imposing Center will challenge the pedestrian-friendly nature of the neighborhood.

Ross Matthews was equally skeptical of the Center, and plainly stated that placing a recycling facility next to a food processing plant was a bad idea. Harry Hayes, Houston’s Director of Solid Waste, countered Matthews. Hayes argues that the center is a recycling drop-off, not a waste processing facility. The Center would not produce any offensive odors or toxic chemicals that may harm meat products. Council Member Lovell seconded Hayes’ notion, and argued that the Center is a “new facility with expanded capabilities.”

Hayes also explained that the Solid Waste Department looked at other properties, including one on Heights Boulevard, but the site required too much remodeling. Other prospective sites were far from “the beaten path.”

According to Hayes, the Center’s prospective Spring Street location is easily accessible, and requires few upgrades. Council Member Pam Holm justified the citizens’ concerns, arguing that the public is just “looking for some good information.” However, she supports the Center, arguing that it is economically viable.

Gracie Saenz, the lawyer representing Martin Preferred Foods CEO Mike Tapick, asked the Council if the Center would take in any hazardous chemicals. She was followed by Preferred Foods’ Chief Operating Officer Mike Minihan, who referred to the Center as an example of “bad public policy.”

In light of these concerns, Council Member Jolanda “Jo” Jones agreed to make a motion to refer the issue back to the administration. The Center would be located in District H, and the District H seat is currently vacant. The winner of the June 13 runoff election will be pushed to the forefront of this issue.

Mayor Bill White argued that the City should contact the Grocer’s Supply located near an existing recycling center. The experiences of the employees at the Grocer’s Supply may be of use to the people at Martin Preferred Foods.

Council Member Holm asked Minihan if he was concerned about not meeting USDA regulations. Minihan countered, arguing that there are no established guidelines for running a meat processing plant. Each plant is responsible for creating its own, and the USDA must accept or reject the guidelines.

Preferred Foods’ CEO Mike Tapick came to the podium next. He is concerned that his plant will be forced to relocate. If the company had to relocate, he argues, they would not be allowed to exist next to a recycling plant.

Council Member Lovell asked Hayes if locating a plant by a recycling center violated USDA regulations. Hayes said no. Lovell proposed getting a letter from the USDA approving the Center’s location. Mayor White asked her to yield, arguing that public discussion and transparency are important.

Public Speakers (Non-Agenda)

Sam Harris presented a brief proposal for a “Get on the Bus” tour of America. The tour is intended to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS. It is Harris’ goal to test 10,000 people for HIV/AIDS, and he told the Council that he intends to partner with the healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline. Council Member Jarvis Johnson asked Harris to ask for specific things from the city, and Council Member Jones also echoed Johnson’s desire for specificity.

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