Houston City Council today voted 14-2, with Michael Sullivan and James Rodriguez opposed, to approve a new two-year contract with Johnson and Johnson to represent the city before the 83rd Texas Legislature and state agencies.  Listen

Sullivan was upset that he had never been briefed on the issue, admitting that the one time a spokesman was available to talk with him he was away from City Hall on district business.

“My concerns are just lack of accessibility,” Sullivan said. “I’m concerned about items that might be on the lobbyist’s list of things to do for the City of Houston.”

Rodriguez had a similar concern.

“I don’t want to vote on a lobbying contract for legislative priorities that are going to be involved in going after firefighter pensions, for example,” he said.  “I will not do that.”

The city council voted 15-1, with Helena Brown opposed, to create the new Office of Business Opportunity.  Carlecia D. Wright, director of the department attended the city council meeting.

Three other items were approved on 15-1 votes, with Brown opposed.

• An ordinance authorizing a $100,000 contract with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for the provision of homeless services in connection with the Texas Homeless Housing and Services Program;
• An ordinance authorizing a $7,299.67 contract with Search Homless Services for the provision of adult literacy services to 70 homeless persons;
• An ordinance to reduce a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Grant allocation by $113,421; appropriating $116,837 out of the Park Consolidated Construction Fund; approving and authorizing a first amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with George Saji for 2213 and 2215 Tuam Street, to increase the square footage to 15,961 square feet and the purchase price to $223,454;

The city council voted unanimously to approve the Capital Improvement Plan of the Greater Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority, which includes a skate park. News Release

“This project will help fill a recreational void in the Greenspoint area, allowing children to play close to home” said Mayor Annise Parker.  “In addition to being a draw for residents from the immediate neighborhood and all over Houston, it will entice skateboard enthusiasts from around the country.”

The city council voted unanimously to approve a motion by Ed Gonzalez to delay for two weeks consideration of a lease with 7100 North Loop East, Inc. for office and warehouse space for the storage of city documents.

A proposed ordinance related to vacation, sick days and holidays of certain classified firefighters was removed from the agenda and was not considered for action by the city council.

All other agenda items were approved unanimously, with Ellen Cohen absent.

At her news conference following the city council meeting Mayor Parker announced the recipients of the 2012 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards, “an honor that is part of the city’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month”.  Listen  News Release

“This year’s honorees have each contributed in their own way to the Hispanic community of Houston, and it’s time we gave them a special recognition for their efforts,” Parker said. “In addition to this year’s awardees, I am grateful to my Hispanic Advisory Board for all they do to help the community.”