Overview
- City Council passed the measure 9–7 after tense remarks from Mayor John Whitmire and Controller Chris Hollins.
- The plan targets structures tied to drainage problems, with eligibility based on factors such as placement in floodplains or proximity to inlets, ditches, channels or outfalls.
- Hollins argues the spending violates the stormwater fund’s limits and criticizes a procurement shift to expand an existing contract, while City Attorney Arturo Michel defends the program’s legality.
- Community groups including Northeast Action Collective and West Street Recovery opposed the vote and indicated they may pursue legal options.
- Houston Public Works lists more than 2,300 structures in the demolition queue, the administration estimates about 340 could be funded initially, and the city plans to recover costs through property liens.