2026-09-15 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes (No. 2026-0512-1). The meeting ran in two sessions, Tuesday September 15 and Wednesday September 16.

Tuesday session called to order at 1:42 PM with Mayor Whitmire presiding; recessed at 3:14 PM. Thomas was out of the City on City business and Carter was absent.
Wednesday session called to order 9:10 AM; adjourned 10:20 AM.
Procedural motions adding two speakers to the non-agenda list passed unanimously.
Public hearing on a fourth amendment to the Spring Creek Utility District strategic partnership agreement: staff presented, no one spoke, hearing closed.
Item 15, the Model City grant application, was pulled by the Administration.
Consent items passed unanimously; Evans-Shabazz was absent for most votes.
IMD Bikeways land acquisition (held item) was referred back to the Administration, unanimous.

Item 15 (U.S. Department of Justice FY26 Model City Initiative Grant Program application) was announced as pulled by the Administration and not considered.

A non-agenda speaker asked allies to create urgency to safeguard against ICE and HPD cooperation; others raised police misconduct and public safety. No Council action.

Resolution confirming no objection to affordable rental developments applying for non-competitive 4% housing tax credits (District B, Jackson) adopted unanimously (Resolution 2026-0031).

The no-objection resolution above (2026-0031) was adopted for the listed developments; the minutes do not name Hays Street.

Loan agreement with the Houston Area Community Development Corporation, joined by NHH-Canal Street Apartments, Inc., for $6,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to help rehabilitate a 134-unit affordable rental community (District H, Castillo). Adopted unanimously (Ordinance 2026-0786); Evans-Shabazz absent.

Spending authority up to $20,400,000 for on-demand plan review and code enforcement services, 5 years, Building Inspection Fund, awarded to Safebuilt Texas LLC through an OMNIA Partners agreement. Pulled from consent, then moved by Castex-Tatum, seconded by Peck, unanimous (Motion 2026-0523).

Item 29, acquisition of five parcels (possibly by eminent domain) for IMD Bikeways from Dairy Ashford Road to Arthur Storey Park, District F. It had been tagged by Thomas on September 9. Castex-Tatum moved to refer it back to the Administration, seconded by Peck, all in favor (Motion 2026-0524).

Gulfgate Redevelopment Authority FY2027 operating budget and FY2027 to 2031 capital plan adopted unanimously (Ordinance 2026-0790).
Hiram Clarke/Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority budgets adopted unanimously after removal from consent (Ordinance 2026-0800).

Four ordinances adopted unanimously (2026-0791 to 0794): new blocks on Columbia Street (1600 block), Milart Street and Redan Street, and a renewal on Oakdale Street.

Proclamations for a Sister City volunteer, Daikin, the American Legion's 107th anniversary and a Third Ward business owner.
Mayor's report: Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Allen updated Council on Grimes Parks and the agreement with HISD; members commented and asked questions.
Sale of decommissioned firefighting bunker gear to the Sister City of Guayaquil, Ecuador approved.
Consent purchasing: security equipment ($1,500,000), traffic signal controllers ($6,915,742.93), generator repair ($1,302,974.08), medical supplies ($260,000), website services ($200,000), metering pumps ($404,666.07).
Senior services contracts amended ($6,724,000), Nurse-Family Partnership grant application, motor carrier safety grant application, Buffalo Bayou bridges study grant, Mansfield Off-Road Ditch easement acquisition and the DHAWK Grease Transport franchise (third and final reading) all adopted.
Minutes of September 9 adopted.