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Update: Houston at odds over non-discrimination equal opportunity ordinance

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Houstonians protest equal opportunity ordinance
Houstonians protest equal opportunity ordinance

Wednesday, May 14th, the City Council body will vote on the non- discrimination equal opportunity ordinance, during their regular city council meeting at 9 am in council chambers.

The day before the Wednesday City Council meeting Councilmember Jerry Davis along with Mayor Parker decided to change the language of the ordinance in order to compromise with Houstonians who weren’t so receptive to the ordinance as is.

The section that states the businesses open to the public cannot deny a transgendered person entry to the restroom that is consistent with his or her gender identity caused controversial debates and even protest that had faith based leaders preaching on the steps of City Hall and community members singing Hallelujah loud enough outside to be heard inside on the second floor.

Taboo as the issue maybe it has brought out the worst fears in many who believe that the ordinance can be an opening for predators. Yet during Tuesday’s public session many Houstonians came up to support the ordinance saying it is not a safety issue but a safety issue.

“Have you ever heard of a man in a dress hurting anyone,” said Councilmember Ellen Cohen, who avidly supports the Mayor’s ordinance.

Laughter has been the tension breaker throughout many testimonials, pro and con. The ordinance has served many Houstonians already as it was a way for them to be vocal about the LGBT rights and a platform for those who were living in secrecy to come out and have support as Matthew Williams did during one public session.

Houstonians gather in City Council chambers in support of equal opportunity ordinance.
Houstonians gather in City Council chambers in support of equal opportunity ordinance.

Mayor Parker believes that the language has become a distraction from the essence of her ordinance which is to give civil rights protections to gender identities.

“People ought to have the right to have safe and public bathrooms… it is inhuman that someone who is transgender would have to search for a gender neutral bathroom. Who knew people would focus an issue on transgender use of bathroom,” said Mayor Parker.
Section A of the ordinance will be amended and will strike the paragraph of the ordinance that would allow transgendered persons entry into the restroom they identify with but the rest of the ordinance will stay the same.

They gender identity clause has overshadowed the other attributes of the ordinance for non- discrimination such as race and gender, which is a reason Councilmember Jerry Davis, District B, is such a strong advocate for the passing of the ordinance. His leadership and outspokenness is tied into his work towards bring contracts to minority business owners in the city. Even former Councilmember for District D, Jolanda Jones asked for the passing on the ordinance on the stance of racial and gender discrimination.

Councilmember at Large, C.O. Bradford tagged the item for it to revisited in two weeks so he and his colleagues examine the clauses A &B in the ordinance before voting. The language was changed just hours prior following the Tuesday session.

City

Councilmember Dwight Boykins host Capital Improvement Meeting

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City Councilman Dwight Boykins at District D CIP Meeting at Cullen Middle School.
City Councilman Dwight Boykins at District D CIP Meeting at Cullen Middle School.

By: Myra Griffin

Recently elected District D Councilmember Dwight Boykins has hit the ground running and with speed as he hosted his first Capital Improvement Plan at Cullen Middle School, Thursday February 20, 2014.

Councilmember Boykins had representatives from the City’s Finance Department, Public Works and Engineering Department,and Parks and Recreations come out to address his constituents. Each department gave a brief overview and status update on the current issues they are working on such as streets, drainage, Emancipation and Hermann Park.

City officials explained about the cost, debts and bonds that go along with the repairs requested. The model showed the phase of Repair, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

After presentations the audience was allowed to ask questions and receive responses from the city departments that handle that specific issue.

At Large Councilmembers were present, C.O. Bradford, Michael Kubosh, David Robinson and Jack Christie.

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-Full article in Houston Sun Newspaper

City

Mayor Parker visits South Africa for summit 2014

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Mayor Annise Parker returned from a week- long visit to South Africa where she represented Houston at the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Mayor’s Summit.

“This will be the first visit of a Houston mayor to South Africa in more than a decade,” said Mayor Parker. “I look forward to meeting with my C40 colleagues from around the world to share knowledge and discuss ways to impact climate change. It’s also wonderful that the GHP was able to coordinate a trade mission at the same time. We will be pursuing opportunities to strengthen economic ties, promote the planned spaceport at Ellington Field and grow our international air service. It will be a very busy, but productive week.”

Mayor Annise Parker
Mayor Annise Parker

Mayor Parker’s cued time to speak to was February 5, 2014 and she spoke on “Measure to Manage: Measurement & Data in Advancing City Climate Agendas.” Parker highlighted the 26 percent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction the City has achieved since 2007 and the City’s leadership in renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative transportation. She also participated in the release of the Climate Action in Megacities 2.0 report, a quantitative study of efforts to reduce GHG emissions and improve urban resilience to climate change.

“Our economy is diverse and robust, and it matches up well with the types of industries that South African entrepreneurs and business people are pursuing,” said Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey.”

Many other representatives came from Houston such as State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), Councilmember Jack Christie, as well as, city staff accompanying the mayor such as Sustainability Director Laura Spanjian, Aviation Director Mario Diaz, and Chief Development Officer Andy Icken.
More than 370 Houston companies report business or trade ties with South Africa. Of the 214 firms in the Houston region affiliated with subsidiaries in South Africa, 14 are headquartered in Houston, according to the Mayor’s office.

City

2014 Great Texas Warrant Round Up

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Hundreds of Law Enforcement Agencies Across Texas Unite For the 2014 Warrant Round Up

HOUSTON, Texas – The City of Houston’s Municipal Courts Department and Houston Police Department (HPD) will be among 300 law enforcement jurisdictions across Texas that will participate in the 2014 Great Texas Warrant Round-Up. For the 3rd year in a row, HPD will be assisted by the Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit to search for individuals with outstanding warrants beginning Saturday, March 1, 2014. Neighboring jurisdictions joining this statewide initiative as regional participants include, Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties. A complete list of regional participants is listed below.

“This is by far the largest concerted law enforcement effort in Texas,” said Director and Presiding Judge Barbara E. Hartle. “We do this program simultaneously with other jurisdictions to bring about greater public awareness, which will hopefully encourage someone to resolve their case or cases before they are arrested,” said Judge Hartle.

Once the Warrant Round-up period begins March 1st, HPD and other law enforcement agencies will aggressively target those defendants on the warrant list. Authorities warn that arrests can take place at any location, including the defendant’s home, school or workplace. Additionally, a special task force will focus solely on locating defendants with outstanding warrants through a license plate recognition program and whose parked vehicle has been documented multiple times at specific locations.

“With the assistance of law enforcement, we fully intend to use the entire scope of our resources, and we want to make everyone aware that ignoring your court matter is not an acceptable practice,” stated Judge Hartle. “The License Plate Recognition program has been in force since September of 2011 and has been extremely helpful in allowing us to locate scofflaws,” she added.

As the regional coordinator of this effort for the past eight years, the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department has thousands of active warrants it is seeking to clear. Municipal Courts officials are encouraging defendants to take advantage of the options available to resolve outstanding warrants. There will be no amnesty offered during the Warrant Round-Up effort.

Notices are being mailed to all Houston Municipal Court defendants with active warrants. Citizens with warrants in jurisdictions other than the City of Houston should contact those jurisdictions for information about how to clear those warrants. A complete list of participating regional partners can be found at www.houstontx.gov/courts.

For more information about warrants or citations visit the website at www.houstontx.gov/courts or contact City’s Helpline at 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311, if outside the City of Houston.

2014 Great Warrant Round-Up FAQ’s

Why are you doing this?

To close cases for which all other means of resolution have been unsuccessful.

Why do this now?

Statewide cooperation with other entities provides broader public awareness. Tax refund season creates better opportunity for some defendants to have the ability to pay their fines.

How many warrants are outstanding?

This number is not constant and changes all the time. In the month of January, in the City of Houston alone, there was an average of about 300,000 active warrants in the court’s system. Some defendants have multiple warrants.

How can I find out if I have warrants?

For Houston Municipal Court warrants, dial Houston’s Helpline at 3-1-1, visit the website at www.houstontx.gov/courts or visit any City of Houston Municipal Court location (see chart below). For information about warrants issued out of the Harris County Justice Courts, visit the Justice Court’s website at www.jp.hctx.net. For warrants issued out of surrounding municipal and justice courts, contact the Court in that particular jurisdiction for further information.

What are my options if I find out I do have warrants?

You may pay the fine and court costs, or post a bond and have your case(s) reset for a new court date. You may also seek legal advice from an attorney.

If I come to court to pay, will I be arrested?

No, defendants are encouraged to come in voluntarily to resolve cases during the Warrant Round-Up.

Will there be an amnesty offered to reduce the cost of any of the fines or fees?

Not at this time.

If I want to pay for my warrants, what are my payment options?

Payment options for warrants issued by the City of Houston Municipal Courts are as follows:
•ONLINE – www.houstontx.gov/courts/OnlineTicketPayments.html
•BY PHONE – Call 713.221.0288 (24 hour payment line)
•BY MAIL – Municipal Courts, P.O. Box 4996, Houston, TX 77210-4996
•WESTERN UNION (use code: Ticket Texas)
•IN PERSON – at any of the six court locations listed:

COURT LOCATIONS

MAIN LOCATION

HOURS

PHONE

Herbert W. Gee
Municipal Courthouse
1400 Lubbock
Houston, TX 77002

Monday – Friday
8am to 10pm

Saturday
8am to 4pm

713.247.5479

ANNEX LOCATIONS

HOURS

PHONE

Acres Homes/North Command Station
9455 West Montgomery
Houston, TX 77088

Monday – Friday
8am to 5pm

281.405.5319

Clear Lake Sub-Station
2855 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058

Thursday
8am to 5pm

281.283.4946
281.283.4947

Kingwood (Municipal Court Annex)
3915 Rustic Woods
Kingwood, Texas 77339-5203

Wednesday
7:30am to 4:30pm

281.361.6574

Southeast Command Station
(Courts 13 & 14)
8300 Mykawa
Houston, TX 77048

Monday – Friday
8am to 5pm

713.731.5155
713.731.5156

Westside Command Station (Court 18)
3203 South Dairy Ashford
Houston, TX 77082-2320

NOTE: All courtrooms are closed Noon to 1 P.M.

Monday – Friday
8 am to 9pm

281.584.4889

City

Shape Up Houston challenges Houstonians to lose one million pounds in the Million Pound Challenge

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SunPhoto/Myra Griffin Mayor Annise Parker joins Lan Bentsen, founder and chairman of Shape Up Houston-Million Pound Health Challenge and city employees such as Griselda Garza (far right) in the plight to reduce obesity in the city of Houston in 2014 with the million pound challenge.
SunPhoto/Myra Griffin
Mayor Annise Parker joins Lan Bentsen, founder and chairman of Shape Up Houston-Million Pound Health Challenge and city employees such as Griselda Garza (far right) in the plight to reduce obesity in the city of Houston in 2014 with the million pound challenge.

By: Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

The city of Houston will sponsor and participate in Shape Up Houston’s Million Pound Health Challenge that will launch in the month of January 2014. The challenge is for Houstonians to lose one million pounds collectively.

Shape Up Houston’s campaign will last a year and address an issue that is plaguing cities all around America, obesity.

“Two-thirds of our adults are overweight or obese, as well as a third of our children,” said Lan Bentsen, founder and chairman of Shape Up Houston- Million Pound Health Challenge.
They will tackle other health related issues such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
“The campaign will be voluntary, educational, fun and competitive,” said Parker. “Within the city we will see friendly competitions between HEB stores, YMCA branches, fitness centers and ideally, hospitals and corporations.”

Houstonian and city employee, Griselda Garza, modeled as she has lost 40 pounds over the past two years as she has helped fellow colleagues lose the weight and get in shape. She volunteers five days a week to teach a fitness class during the lunch hour.

“I just saw what a healthy lifestyle can do and now I want to share it,” said Garza.

Shape Up Houston’s approach has found success in other U.S. cities. They also have found a partner with HEB stores as a “Gold Sponsor” where they will engage in the challenge as well.

“I encourage companies across Houston to organize teams and participate. By challenging fellow employees, we will see real results as employees and our community join together to appreciate the benefits of good health,” said Mayor Parker.

Bentsen noted that State Comptroller, Susan Combs reports that the indirect and direct impact of obesity on the state economy was 5 million in 2000, it doubled to 10 billion in 2010 and it is projected to triple t0 32 billion by 2030 if it is unaddressed.

City

City of Houston to annex land

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By: Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

Within the next two years the city of Houston will annex land in two areas for general purposes. City Council voted unanimously to annex land east of the city limit line and west of the San Jacinto River and north of the Navigation District.

According to the Texas Local Government Code requires that the city identifies areas it intends to annex to be in compliance with the Annexation Plan.
“We annex on a routine basis and areas on the outside ask to be annexed,” said Mayor Parker.
Houston has a extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) that is a five mile band around the city’s general- purpose boundaries.

“A general purpose annexation is most commonly used. The city must meet a public notification requirement. Upon annexation, all affected property becomes part of the general- purpose boundaries and is effectively subject to all regulations, taxes and services provided by the City. Residents within this property are residents of the City of Houston and have all the rights and responsibilities afforded thereby. Property considered for general – purpose annexation must be included in a City’s annexation plan at least three years prior to the annexation. One instance where the three- year requirement is waived is if the property owner requests annexation,” according to the City of Houston Annexation Plan 2014-2016.

City

Colon Cancer Awareness makes City Hall BLUE

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blue city hall

March is colon cancer awareness month, and to kick it off, City Hall will be lit up in blue lights, starting on March 4th. Please join us at City Hall that Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m for the lighting ceremony. The blue lights will stay lit every night from March 4-8, so feel free to check out the light display any evening that week. Dark blue is the color designated for colon cancer awareness. Hope Through Grace, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that works to promote awareness of this deadly disease, which is the #2 leading cancer killer of men and women. Please help us to bring attention to colon cancer, and join us at this special lighting event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

Sincerely,

Hope Through Grace, Inc.

City

UPDATE ON HOUSTON WEATHER – JANUARY 25, 2014

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Houston made it through an usually cold day and has returned back to the moderate temperatures for the weekend. All highways are open and flowing.
January 25,2014 Weather Forecast
Low: 41°
Mostly Cloudy
Dew Point: 31°

Visibility: 10.0 miles
Humidity: 70%
Pressure: 30.30 in. 0
Sky: Mostly Cloudy
Wind: WSW 9 mph
Wind Chill: 34°

Forecast for the next twelve hours
9am Clear – 37°

12pm Overcast – 54°

3pm Overcast – 63°

6 pm Partly Cloudy – 57°

9 pm Overcast – 50°

City

Houston City Council amends ordinance for wage theft

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Houston’s City Council made a unanimous vote to try and shut down wage theft within the city through contractors and businesses by amending chapters 1 and 15 of the city ordinance.
Organizing groups such as Texas Organizing Project and Fe y Justicia Worker Center populated much of council chambers as they stood firm and continuing a fight that has been ongoing for the past two years.

“Today is a very exciting victory and very meaningful. Not only does it tackle wage theft but it essentially endorses and respects the value of everyone’s work in Houston,” said Laura Perez- Boston, Executive Director at Fe y Justicia Worker Center. “It doesn’t matter if you’re cleaning floors or if you are building homes and work places, the work matters.”

The ordinance states that upon relation to wage theft; declaring the policy of the City regarding wage theft; defining certain terms; providing for the creation of a wage theft database and procedures relating to its use; providing sanctions relating to wage theft; containing findings other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability; providing an effective date.
This may sound like a foreign jargon but what they are saying is there will be a place for employees of any company in Houston to go and file a grievance if they are being victimized through wage theft. There will be a coordinator to monitor the city website, listing companies that are accused while investigating the claims made. This ordinance is a tangible way for employees to see that their voices are heard as the ordinance prior to amending; ruled that companies that did commit wage theft can be banned from city work.

“Any business found guilty of wage theft in an administrative or legal proceeding would be ineligible to work for the city and would be unable to receive or renew city permits or licenses,” said David Feldman, City Attorney.

This ordinance has been a constant movement as organizers have worked for two years to get city council to pass the type of ordinance they felt would help the average worker.

“This is a huge problem that is really affecting Houston workers who sometimes are already earning minimum wage and living in poverty,” said Perez- Boston. “Wage theft throws them further and further into economic instability. It’s also an issue for responsible businesses that are trying to do the right thing and paying their employees benefits and then are under cut by business that aren’t paying their employees and cutting back on cost.”

Councilmember Ed Gonzalez noted that Houston has a large amount of buying and purchasing power along with lots of contracts but he also wants contractors to know the city won’t do business with people who are found guilty of that type of activity.

“More than 100 wage and hour violations occur each week, affecting workers employed across multiple industries. A recent report estimates that more than $753 million in wages are illegally withheld from low-wage workers in the Houston area each year and nationally studies found that 68% of low-wage workers experienced wage violations each week,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Compliance Action Data and “Houston, We Have a Wage Theft Problem” (Fe y Justicia Worker Center, 2012) & “Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers (National Employment Law Project, 2009).

The Sun spoke Alejandro Zuniga, a supporter and victim of wage theft at City Hall and his story is like many who also came out to support the ordinance.

“I had an accident at my work. I wasn’t paid for damages for the accident or the day’s pay and my boss did not pay for my medical cost. I wasn’t paid for the day’s work because my employer didn’t have insurance for the workers. And now it’s been two and a half years and nothing has still been fixed,” said Zuniga.

He no longer works for the company and had to leave because of non-payment. Zuniga allegedly suffered brain damage for about two months and mental issues because of the damages. For the last two years he has been on medication for respiratory issues.

“I was working at a school cleaning floors and I used a machine powered with gas that was not supposed to be used, but neither did the contractor or the school paid any attention to that or the worker,” said Zuniga.

Due to pending litigation, Zuniga can’t release the name of the school or the company he was working for as an independent contractor.

As of now Houston is the only city in Texas to have an ordinance as such. The website will be monitored and inquiries will be taken seriously. If companies are found not guilty of such complaints they will be removed from the watch list.