A Houston entrepreneur demonstrated an underwater robotic vehicle and asked the council to help fund workforce and youth‑training partnerships to teach robotics, manufacturing and related skills to underserved residents.

William Johnson, founder of W Johnson Consulting, told the council he has operated underwater robotic systems commercially and for the U.S. Navy and that the same modular platforms are used in inspection of bridges, ports and energy infrastructure. "We're using this robot to manipulate this robot with an Xbox controller," Johnson said, showing a portable unit in the meeting room.

Johnson described outreach to local schools and juvenile detention centers and said exposure to robotics could create career pathways. Council members encouraged partnerships: Council member Pollard suggested the presenter explain the robot to the council and explore partnerships; a council staffer noted the city's Case for Kids after‑school funding as a possible source of support; Council member Joshua Jackson and others offered to connect Johnson to credible messengers and workforce programs.

What was requested: Johnson requested funding and partnerships to scale after‑school and job‑training programs and asked for help acquiring grants or district service funds to support programming for youth and justice‑involved young people.

Status: Council members expressed interest and recommended Johnson follow up with council offices and city youth programs to pursue Case for Kids funding and other partnership opportunities.