After questions of conflict of interest, chaos, Houston elects new mayor, deputy mayor

What was supposed to be a routine special meeting for the city of Houston to select a new mayor and deputy mayor turned chaotic when a 10-minute recess was called turned into over an hour of discussions in council chambers and the former mayor asking for the Alaska State Troopers to be called.

The recess was called following a discussion and call for a vote about a conflict of interest ahead of the vote for the mayor position as two members of the council, Callie Courtney and Jason Kahn, are married.

Council member Carter Cole, who served the last year as the city’s mayor, questioned whether the spouses should be able to vote for the other if they were nominated for mayor or deputy mayor. There is nothing in the Houston Municipal Code that speaks to a married couple serving on city council, making this an unprecedented event for Houston.

He said that on the advice of the city attorney, council members should determine whether they have a conflict of interest, financially or otherwise, when voting for mayor and deputy mayor. No council member declared a conflict of interest, nor did any council member when asked, say they know of any conflict of interest between any other members.

A 10-minute recess was called, which turned into a lengthy delay and word of heated discussions in the chambers spread through the audience and on social media as the recess continued.

When members of the council finally returned, the meeting turned into a waiting game for someone to yield and either call the meeting back to order or have the audience leave the building. Eventually, the meeting came back to order and discussion resumed over the city attorney’s recommendation that Courtney and Kahn recuse themselves from voting in case either were nominated for mayor or deputy mayor.

In the end, the majority of the council voted there was no conflict of interest.

Then the council got to the business of selecting a mayor. Council member Cole’s bid for re-election failed 4-3, and one week after being sworn into office, council member Kahn was elected mayor. Newly elected Council member Dan Lewis was elected as Deputy Mayor. Both are one-year terms.

Unlike Wasilla and Palmer, Houston residents do not select their mayor. It is a second-class city and the responsibility falls to the council. In years past, the elections were held immediately after the council members were sworn in. The election of the mayor and deputy mayor is now held during a special meeting the first Monday following the certification of the election.

The meeting started off with tension and anger as, during public comments, residents were equally divided as to who should be selected to lead Houston for the next year.

“You’re all making a very important decision today. Your vote and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor—it will have consequences for our city,” said Carla, reminding the council that includes three freshmen members of some projects coming up.

“We need people in place that are already familiar with these projects and know how to bring them to completion.”

She went on to say that she has no doubt the three new council members will do a great job but urged them to take the first year to get familiar with the inner workings of the city council, foster political relationships, gain some knowledge to put current and future projects forward.

Former council member Laurie Faubert had planned to say something else, but as she took time to comment, she said during her tenure on the council that she knew she didn’t have the knowledge or stamina to be mayor. “You guys need to look at yourselves and really do some assessment about if you have what it takes to be the mayor and dedicate the time that Mayor Cole has dedicated to the city and to see all that projects he’s gotten and if you’re going to be able to do your very best for this city as a whole.”

One resident, Debra Fanin commented that she agreed that the residents put forth a “very clear mandate from the people that change needed to happen, I don’t think anybody is against growth or improvement in our city. But I think the manner in which it has been done has caused a lot of anger, has caused a lot of stress to people.” She told the council that it has had a huge effect on her ability to make a farm plan, that it has taken a toll on her health as she says she does not know one minute to the next if she will be allowed to initiate any projects on her property or if someone from the council will put forward something she will have to pay for. “You don’t from one minute to the next if you’re even going to have a home.”

“People were very clear, and they voted for change, and that will include a new administration,” commented Lance Wilson, former Deputy Mayor for the city.

Patricia Faye Brazelle echoed those comments that people voted for change. “I’ve never seen an election like this in all the years that I’ve lived in this community. It’s unmistakable. Change must happen and I know that the people who want to resist that, who don’t understand that things will go on no matter what. But the people voted for change.”

There were several heated exchanges between residents and the mayor, as one resident accused former Mayor Cole of a “long laundry list of illegal acts.” Several residents made comments from the audience without being addressed or going to the dais to speak.

Mayor Cole took the unusual step of addressing the council and audience

“You’re gonna have some people upset because you’re doing the will of the people. You have to look at the majority of the people. We certainly have disagreements on how things would be.”

When the dust settled and the new mayor and deputy mayor were sworn in, the temperature in the room changed, and the public commenters congratulated the new leaders, calling for unity for the community, bringing the city forward in a positive light, and looked forward to what the new council could accomplish as a team, and appreciated the efforts by Council member Mitchell as he kept the tone of the meeting calm when the meeting reconvened.

Deb Mitchell advised the council and new mayor that with their new positions comes new responsibilities, as well as substantial criticism, pressure and scrutiny from the community. “In our current society, it’s easy to shout from behind the keyboard without direct and immediate consequences. But words do carry impact. Intent might not be there to hurt others, but the impact can’t be ignored.”

The council members thanked Council member Cole and former Deputy Mayor David Childs for their hard work and dedication, and looked forward to seeing progress and solutions, and even when there are disagreements, to remember why they all ran for council in the first place, and encouraged them to communicate and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Give them grace, give them patience,” said Councilman Mitchell to the audience for all council members. “And give them solutions, please come to the council with solutions, not complaints...help us help you.”

Mayor Kahn told the council and audience that he believes a good mayor is a visionary, one that is ethical and communicative, a good leader who prioritizes the community’s well-being and is dedicated to being fiscally responsible. As mayor of Houston, I will be a strong leader with vision, lead with integrity and accountability, effective communication with council and employees and citizens.” He said he would also serve with community engagement and empathy while focusing on key services. “I will dedicate (myself) to enhance the lives of the Houston residents.”