This month at city council: money talks, but so does trash.
Emily Hynds has been independently covering Houston City Council meetings since June 2020. In her monthly Houstonia column, she shares all the latest intel about what’s happening at city hall. Want to check the meetings out for yourself? Read this companion guide.
IN THIS MONTH’S DISPATCH: arguments over federal disaster relief funding, drainage updates at an old landfill, new garbage trucks, and an upcoming city council election.
Housing vs. Generators, a funding showdown
Mid-May 2024, a derecho wreaked havoc in Houston (and beyond), knocking out cell towers and power for days. Less than two months later, the city was slammed by Hurricane Beryl. It’s been over a year since that awful one-two punch, and now, the city has finally unveiled how it plans to spend related disaster recovery money, which includes $314 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The city’s original plan was to spend the funds on generators at city facilities, police and emergency vehicles, and debris removal, but no funding was allocated for housing or storm-related repair. Houston Mayor John Whitmire claimed this was a directive from HUD, noting its disappointment in the previous administration’s management of housing programs, which led to public outcry. Councilmembers advocated, and eventually, after a hard fight, $100 million of the HUD dollars were allotted for housing, reducing the amount dedicated to generators. At the final tally on August 13, councilmembers Amy Peck, Fred Flickinger, and Mary Nan Huffman were the only naysayers voting no.
Old Booker Landfill is getting a new look
On July 30, the city council approved the purchase of land adjacent to the Booker Landfill on Neiman Road in District B. Councilmembers say the parcel of land is for raised banks and basins for runoff and storm sewer drainage lines (otherwise known as “berm and swale”). On August 13, city council approved funding for eminent domain proceedings for more land abutting the landfill. Landowners, apparently, did not want to sell, but eminent domain, the government’s power to acquire private property for public use, meant they had to. Typically, eminent domain is known for big public infrastructure projects like rail and freeways, but it’s alive and well here in city government, too. The Booker Landfill ceased operations decades ago, though it’s still classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Superfund site.
Garbage’s Ultimate Hype Man: Mayor Whitmire
You have likely noticed that it takes a while to get your trash, especially recycling and heavy waste, picked up. For weeks, trash has been the hot topic of discussion and a source of drama at city council meetings. In July, solid waste workers showed up at a public comment session en masse to complain about working conditions. Solid Waste Director Larius Hassan updated the council on his “trying” first 90 days in office, and Mayor Whitmire hasn’t stopped disparaging the previous director, Mark Wilfalk, accusing him of conflicts of interest, falsifying information, and manipulating overtime rules.
Director Hassan has tried to sum it all up, noting that morale is at an all-time low, mismanagement is rampant, and the city’s fleet of garbage trucks is old and broken down. Whitmire, Hassan, and several councilmembers are blaming it on the previous administration’s decision to purchase used and faulty garbage trucks that have resulted in breakdowns and service delays.
Council has come up with a solution: new trucks! Sixty-two to be exact. On July 30, they approved spending $12 million of the city budget on 31 new garbage trucks, and another $9.3 million on August 13 for another fleet of 31 new trucks—all of which will apparently be white. The city reportedly saved $3,000 per truck by not painting them. So, if you see an unpainted garbage truck making the rounds, you’ll know it’s one of the new ones. Mayor Whitmire said that 50 of these new trucks should be in operation by October, and it seems he wants Hassan to get the credit.
Mayor Whitmire kicked off an August meeting, advising councilmembers that, “[Director] Hassan should get a phone call from each one of you telling him what a great job he’s doing.” He praised Director Hassan’s “can-do attitude” and his efficient use of personnel and resources.
Still, some councilmembers are calling for a garbage fee to ease budget strains, which could manifest as a cost to new developers or a recurring charge on homeowners’ water bills. Councilmember Joaquin Martinez, a proponent of on-demand heavy trash pickup, has especially championed implementing this garbage fee, but Mayor Whitmire says he doesn’t want to throw more money at a broken system.
While trash pickup is one of the most basic city services, it’s clear that Houston has not been delivering. Delays in trash pickup are known to contribute to blight, disease, and general mobility issues because of blocked roads and sidewalks. Only time will tell if Director Hassan lives up to Mayor Whitmire’s hype and is able to get the trash picked up on time.
Coming up: evening public comments and early voting
On August 26, meetings for public comments will officially move from their historical time on Tuesdays at 2pm to 6pm. Councilmembers voted in July for the change in hopes of making the meetings more accessible. This move is temporary, held only through the end of 2025, and seemingly experimental. If people don’t show up, the council will likely revert to daytime public comment. Nonetheless, not everyone is pleased with this new arrangement.
Councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum, the loudest opponent of evening public comment sessions, is living up to her word and says she will not attend Tuesday’s evening meeting. Instead, she’ll be at the Southwest HPD PIP (positive interaction with police) meeting.
Houstonians should also mark their calendars for the special election on Tuesday, November 4. Councilmember Letitia Plummer is resigning her At-Large 4 seat to run for Harris County judge, and many people, including Dwight A. Boykins, Miguel Herrera, and Al Lloyd, have already thrown their hats in the ring. Early voting starts Monday, October 20.
Houston City Council meetings take place almost every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 901 Bagby Street or online via HTV.