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Joint Economic Development and Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committees
Agenda Item 5: CIP Amendments 1.01, 1.02, 1.03

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The City of Houston’s Joint Economic Development Committee and Budget and Fiscal Affairs (BFA) Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM. One of the key items under consideration is Agenda Item 5, a set of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) transparency amendments introduced by Council Member Julian Ramirez (At-Large 1). These amendments would improve how the City communicates delays, cancellations, or scope changes to infrastructure projects, including sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, pedestrian improvements, drainage, and road work.

These committees review major policy and budget items before they advance to the full City Council. Their decisions shape how public dollars are allocated and how quickly infrastructure reaches neighborhoods across Houston.

Why these amendments are needed

Today, significant changes to infrastructure projects can occur with limited notice to Council Members and little or no advance communication to the public. Projects may be delayed or altered without clear explanations, making it difficult for residents to understand what is happening in their neighborhoods. The proposed amendments aim to create a predictable and transparent process so that both Council and the public are informed early and consistently.

Summary of CIP Amendments 1.01, 1.02, and 1.03

1.01
The administration would be required to provide monthly reports, or maintain a searchable online database, listing any project that is proposed for delay, cancellation, redesign, or a scope change of 10 percent or more or $100,000. This applies to work in the public right of way, including roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, parks, bridges, and drainage. The report must include the location, district, cost changes, reason for the modification, and the expected length of any delay.

1.02
If three or more Council Members object in writing to a proposed delay, cancellation, or redesign, the matter must be placed on a full City Council agenda within two weeks for discussion. This ensures that significant changes receive public consideration.

1.03
Council Members may hold a public meeting before the City initiates work that would install or remove improvements in the public right of way, including pavement rehabilitation, street reconstruction, intersection or signal changes, and pedestrian or bicycle facilities.

How this moves forward
The Joint Committees will review and vote on whether to advance Agenda Item 5 to the full City Council. If approved, the amendments will be scheduled for Council consideration. Adoption would require the administration to begin issuing regular project reports and provide notice before altering infrastructure projects.