May 4, 2009

Harold R. Hurtt, Chief of Police
Houston Police Department
1200 Travis, 16th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

Re: Meet and Confer Agreement, Article 40, Parking

Chief Hurtt: 

I am writing you regarding the parking problems faced by employees of the Houston Police Department.  These problems center around a lack of adequate parking space for employees working at the 1200 Travis and 61 Riesner locations.  The Meet and Confer Agreement states “(E)ach officer will be provided free parking at a City owned or leased parking facility when reporting to work at his/her primary duty assignment”.   I have received a number of complaints that officers are unable to locate available parking space and must drive around for some time before being able to park. If an officer parks in a remote lot, then the officer must rely on the shuttle to reach his or her workplace.  Both situations waste a number of man hours. 

After hearing these complaints I checked out the situation first hand and found that the complaints are well founded.  It appears there is inadequate parking at the 1200 Travis duty assignment, the 61 Riesner duty assignment and at remote lots.  This lack of parking is resulting in wasted man hours for the reasons described above.  I look forward to visiting with you about this problem so we may jointly construct an efficient and workable solution for the employees of the Houston Police Department.

       Very truly yours,

       Gary Blankinship
       President

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