HTX-HRM: Impact 8/28/2025

Houston City Council has passed an ordinance during an Aug. 27 Houston City Council meeting that bans pedestrians from standing or sitting on medians, with some council members citing a need to keep pedestrians safe from oncoming traffic.

The details: According to the proposal, the ordinance will prohibit sitting, standing and walking on medians that measure 6 feet or less in width, as well as on divided roadways where no median strip exists.

Medians are the area between opposing lanes of traffic, excluding turning lanes, and can be defined by either pavement markings, raised medians, or islands to separate vehicles and pedestrians, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s website.

Council member Mary Nan Huffman, who pushed for this ordinance alongside council members Amy Peck and Fred Flickinger, said this ordinance is about keeping Houston residents safe and preventing fatalities if people standing or sitting on medians are struck by cars.

Huffman said pedestrians who are caught standing or sitting on medians would face a Class C misdemeanor and a $500 fine.

Erik and Myriam Navarro are planning to open their 100% family-owned and operated Mexican café in the Heights in October, with the intention of serving authentic Mexican comfort meals and beverages.

At a glance: Co-owner Erik Navarro said the intention is for the restaurant to sell breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day, including items such as chilaquiles, mole poblano, enchiladas and tacos, as well as classic beverage options such as aguas frescas, café de Olla and espresso-based drinks. In-house, freshly baked pan dulce will also be available.

"Our goal is to serve authentic, flavorful and unforgettable meals and beverages that reflect the rich traditions of our heritage," Erik said.

• 2409 Airline Drive, Ste. 100, Houston

At-large council member Julian Ramirez is still pushing for more transparency from the city with three amendments that would require the mayor’s administration to provide council members more transparency on changes made to major infrastructure projects. 

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.

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 second amendment would allow council members to object to changes made by the administration after three or more council members report their opposition to it. The change would then be voted on by the City Council to ultimately decide on the infrastructure change.

Amendment three would allow council members to request a public hearing on proposed changes.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will sit down with state Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, to address resident questions and concerns at a September town hall. The elected officials will discuss updates from the recent Texas legislative sessions as well as local issues affecting Harris County residents, per the event notice.

The details: Briones and Cook will host the town hall Sept. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Freed Community Center, located at 6818 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston. 

Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.

The details: Under Senate Bill 3:

• The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
• Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
• The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.