The item was brought forth by Council Member Adrian Hernandez. The committee could be useful in light of dealing with the coronavirus but also as the city of Pearland has grown, Hernandez said.
“Pearland has really put itself into a position to where we have the potential to lead our region, being the third-largest city in the Houston metro,” Hernandez said.
Some council members expressed concern that the committee could be a duplication of other committees in the city.
“I appreciate the intent. I think maybe before we create a city committee we need to lean in a little more to the chamber committee,” Council Member Trent Perez said.
Pearland's Chamber of Commerce has a health care committee, which helps policy and advocacy for bringing in health businesses rather than health education, Hernandez said. Perez replied it might be easier to add health education to that group, rather than create a new committee, as the city of Pearland does not have a health department.
The city’s committee could be made up of a few council members, chamber members, medical professionals and concerned residents, Hernandez said. The goal would be to assist groups the city works with, including city and county officials, the chamber and health care providers, Hernandez said.
No action was taken on the item, though council may discuss it again in the future.
