What’s new
Ramirez said during an Aug. 26 joint meeting with the Economic Development Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee that the amendments are to provide council members with information about project changes as soon as possible.
“This is about arming members of this council and future councils with information so that council members can do their job in a better way,” Ramirez said.
The first amendment would require Mayor John Whitmire’s administration to provide monthly reports to every council member on changes made to major infrastructure projects in their districts, such as delays, cancellations or alterations. The report would include:
- Location of each project
- The council district
- The total cost of the project
- A note on the delay, cancellation, redesign or alteration in scope
- If it’s a delay, the note would include the estimated delay length
- Estimated dollar change in project costs
Amendment three would allow council members to request a public hearing on proposed changes, giving the public a chance to weigh in and provide their input.
The background
Throughout Whitmire’s first year as mayor, his administration pulled multiple street projects that were previously approved to review and make changes.
For example, in December 2023, medians and curbs were implemented on Houston Avenue as part of a $100,000 project spurred by then-District H City Council member Karla Cisneros to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. However, Whitmire’s administration reversed this in February 2024 by removing the medians, with officials citing that the reduced lane capacity restricted vehicles from turning.
In March 2024, Whitmire paused all transportation projects that would modify or change the use of vehicle lanes, giving the administration time to review projects and decide which roads needed to be redesigned. These projects included the 11th Street Bikeway project and the Shepherd-Durham reconstruction project, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Another example is a raised crosswalk installed back in 2023 across Katz’ in Montrose, that was eventually removed in March 2025 to the shock and outcry of Montrose residents, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
What council members are saying
Council member Sallie Alcorn said she wondered what the difference is between Ramirez’s amendment to have the city provide monthly updates and the Houston Public Works’ Engage Houston website, as the website is used to provide updates on city projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum said she believes having the city and Houston Public Works provide council members monthly reports “may be a little cumbersome.”
Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi said HPW is open to providing council members updates when needed, but providing updates monthly might be too much.
“Rather than preparing a monthly report, why don’t we just obligate ourselves to make council members aware immediately when we make changes?” Macchi said. “I don’t have a problem with it. I am concerned about potentially adding layers of bureaucracy where maybe they're not necessary just to check certain boxes.”
Council member Abbie Kamin said there have been instances where projects were delayed, canceled or redesigned without council members being aware of them.
“When there are changes, district council members and at-large need to be made aware and given the time to let the community know, get that feedback and engage in such a way to ensure that the project moves forward as intended,” Kamin said.
Council member Mario Castillo said he appreciates the amendments, but suggests instead of monthly updates that city council members could be notified three to five business days before projects are canceled or redesigned.
“As someone who has had a project removed, people come to me for questions and answers, and I don't have the information,” Castillo said. “It's frustrating for constituents, and it's frustrating for the district council members. So having something that will at least reassure us that we will be notified and we will be informed, that’s important.”
What’s next?
Ramirez will return with changes to the amendments that will be presented at a future Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting.
