In City Council elections, residents in West University Place can vote on no more than four candidates for West University Place City Council. Following the tallying of the votes, the top four vote-getters will be elected as council members. All council members serve two-year terms.
Two incumbent council members—Shannon Carroll and John Montgomery—have thrown their hats in the ring alongside challengers Clay Brett, Buckley Morlot and Matt Hart. All candidates participated in a candidate Q&A with Community Impact, providing responses to three questions as well as relevant experience and background information.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Early voting for the election begins April 24.
* denotes incumbent
Clay Brett
Experience:
West University Place Zoning Board of Adjustment (2019-21); advocated before City Council and organized neighbors in support of the Edloe Street Pathway; Shelters to Shutters Houston Advisory Board (2019-21); Houston Center for Literacy Advisory Board (2012-15)
Occupation:
Energy investment professional
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/claybrettforwestu
Contact Information:
713-452-1661
Why are you running for West University Place City Council?
West U is such an exceptional place that it invokes a sense of duty. I saw a need for a new voice on behalf of West U’s families and all pedestrians during my experience successfully advocating for the Edloe Street Pathway, which will better connect our side of Albans [Street] (3700 block) with the rest of the neighborhood. I feel passionately about keeping West U a safe and prosperous city for all generations.
If elected, what would your top priorities be with flood mitigation control?
I support the east and west flood control projects, and expedited repair of the Poor Farm Ditch. We still have many, many homes and roads in the 100-year floodplain, and we all know that Houston receives a “100-year rain” more often than every 100 years. My vision for West U is a city supported by modern infrastructure that removes home flooding risk for all residents.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing residents of West University Place?
Residents are concerned about street safety and crime. Our residents feel a deep sense of nostalgia for the days when those privileges were not threatened. I do not take those privileges for granted. We must focus and devote city resources to them. I want our residents of all ages to be able to enjoy West U as a walking city without fear, and I will work with law enforcement and city professionals to provide solutions.
Shannon Carroll*
Experience:
City Council member (incumbent), West University Place; Senior Services Board Council liaison; West U Good Neighbor Team; West U softball auxiliary; St. Luke's United Methodist Church Sunday school teacher; Harris County Meals on Wheels; Kid's Meals, Fulfilling Families; ACE scholarships; The Forge; Breakthrough Houston
Occupation:
Senior commercial insurance litigation adjuster
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/carroll4westu
Contact Information:
346-802-7471
Why are you running for West University Place City Council?
As an incumbent, I’m running to continue the work and accomplishments of my first term. A recent survey found 90% of residents believe West U is moving in the right direction. Improvements to drainage, safety and sustainability include the on-time, under-budget Buffalo Speedway completion; increased first responder pay; Edloe Street Pathway construction; and citywide composting implementation. As senior board council liaison and a mother of young children, I’m working for all West U residents.
If elected, what would your top priorities be with flood mitigation control?
[I will prioritize] continued collaboration with Southside Place and [the Harris County Flood Control District] to address repairs to Poor Farm Ditch south of University [Boulevard], completion of the feasibility study for Poor Farm Ditch north of University, and ensuring completion of the east and west side drainage projects. In addition, I will prioritize seeking continued resident feedback and input on the projects, and identifying and obtaining detention land in and around West U.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing residents of West University Place?
The recent citizen satisfaction survey, which showed that an overwhelming 93% of residents would refer a friend to West U, also listed respondents’ top issues: police services, maintaining utility infrastructure, fire/[emergency medical] services, upgrades to storm drainage, and preparedness for natural disasters—i.e. safety and flooding. Our council is addressing these issues head-on with pay and benefit increases for first responders, improvements to Poor Farm Ditch, and the east and west side drainage projects.
Buckley Morlot
Experience:
2022 West U Citizens Academy graduate; co-chair of the Auction Committee 2022 Friends of West U Parks Gala; career in business development focused on government transparency, education reform and workforce freedom
Occupation:
Development
Candidate Website:
https://www.buckleyforwestu.com
Contact Information:
720-308-3053
Why are you running for West University Place City Council?
I am running for City Council to bring more transparency to local government, work with law enforcement to take the necessary steps to keep our neighborhood safe and to maintain the city we all love.
If elected, what would your top priorities be with flood mitigation control?
My main focus as an officeholder will be to hear what my constituents think on any given issue, especially a vital one like flood mitigation. I will meet with the city manager, engineers, urban planners and other experts to find a solution that will address the flooding issues West U residents face. Our city streets should not flood several times a year. It’s unacceptable and should be a top priority of the next City Council.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing residents of West University Place?
The biggest issues right now are public safety and infrastructure. While West U has not experienced the same crime wave Houston has, there’s no denying rising crime is at our doorstep. I will work with law enforcement to fill positions and invest in innovative technology to keep our neighborhood safe. I will also work with council and city staff to maintain and improve our city's infrastructure, including drainage, water and waste management, streets, and sidewalks.
Matt Hart
Experience:
Practicing corporate attorney at Simpson Thacher focused on financing, governance and projects; adjunct professor, University of Houston Law School; previous government service as federal law clerk on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Houston (Judge Carolyn Dineen King); previous experience as a cost and technical consultant on major department of defense acquisition programs; bachelor's in electrical engineering; master's in applied economics (Johns Hopkins University); juris doctorate (University of Pennsylvania); member of the Penn Club of Houston, Greater Houston Partnership and Council on Foreign Relations
Occupation:
Attorney
Candidate Website:
https://matt-hart-for-west-u.com
Why are you running for West University Place City Council?
I was born and raised in Louisiana; received my engineering, economics and law degrees on the East Coast; and built my career in New York and London. I moved to West U because it’s a great place to raise a family. Now, I’m running for West U City Council because I want West U to be a great place for families for decades to come. I’m running for you, for West U.
If elected, what would your top priorities be with flood mitigation control?
We should accelerate plans to complete the west side and east side drainage improvement projects. There are important decisions to be made to implement these projects economically, effectively and inclusively, but they must be done. Planning for the continued future of Poor Farm Ditch is also of critical importance. The ditch and its surrounding features can be a community amenity, but its primary purpose is drainage.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing residents of West University Place?
West U is a great place for all families, and we can continue to improve our city. Safety of our families and homes is what attracted many of us to West U. And we need to ensure that reality continues to match that promise by: supporting our police and public services; completing drainage projects competently and efficiently; improving our roads and sidewalks for all users; and ensuring other governmental entities provide good service to us.
John Montgomery*
Experience:
Currently serving as mayor pro tem, West University Place City Council; currently serving as City Council liaison to West U Parks and Recreation Board; 27 years of business experience with leadership positions at Navigant Consulting, Shell and Citibank; started and managed an independent, energy price risk management consulting practice; requisite financial education and professional experience to thoroughly understand complex city budgeting and bond issues
Occupation:
Vice president, commercial risk and development at Alta Resources
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090287130019&sk=followers
Why are you running for West University Place City Council?
I am running again for the opportunity to continue the positive momentum we have built in key areas, including our balanced budget, long-term infrastructure, ensuring public safety and sustaining best-in-class resident services. I believe West U should be a family-friendly city that creates opportunities for our children to learn, grow and play in a safe environment. West U should remain a city that helps secure the future for seniors as well as welcoming newcomers.
If elected, what would your top priorities be with flood mitigation control?
Execution of the East Side Street & Drainage project starting in 2023; urgent advancement of design plans for the West Side Street & Drainage project; execution of the joint [Harris County Flood Control District]/West U/[Southside Place] agreement to repair the Poor Farm Ditch, south of University Boulevard; initiate plans for repair and replacement of the [Poor Farm Ditch], north of University Boulevard; acquisition of mandatory HCFCD acre/foot of detention
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing residents of West University Place?
As West U residents we are fortunate to enjoy the benefit of a well-run, organized city. However, we must remain vigilant around key areas to ensure a continued, secure future: continued investment in public safety personnel, training and equipment; rapid improvement in storm water drainage to protect resident safety and property; [and] sustained investment in long-term infrastructure, including stormwater drainage, drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, sidewalk improvements and our public-use buildings.
