HOUSTON -- Members of the Houston City Council voted to delay for two weeks a proposal to hire two local law firms to study the polices and procedures inside the Houston Fire Department, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

The proposal to hire local law firms Lemond and Lemond LLC, along with Thompson and Horton LLP, would have cost taxpayers an estimated $190,000.

Councilwoman Wanda Adams says she supports hiring an outside firm, but believes that the city should consider a nationwide search to find the best firm that has a track record of examining allegations of racism and sexism within a large agency.

The proposal was "tagged" for two weeks by Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, who says she is concerned that the contract for the law firms was being rushed through council.

Noriega, who chairs the city's public safety committee, says she plans to hold a public meeting on Monday.

She wants to hear from people who have concerns about the allegations in the Houston Fire Department.

"I think people are hurt and angry," said Noriega. "It's hard to have a public meeting to address issues like racism and gender issues, but I think we are going to go ahead and do it."

The Houston Fire Department has been surrounded by controversy in recent weeks, after allegations were made by two female firefighters who work at Station 54.

Jane Draycott and Paula Keyes claim they found racist and sexually offensive graffiti on their work lockers.

In a show of concern and support, several city leaders attended a "R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Rally" on the steps of Houston City Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

The female firefighters did not attend, but their attorney, Joe Ahmad, spoke on their behalf at the event attended by more than two dozen people.

"This isn't about those two," Ahmad told the crowd. "It's about changing the future."

Meanwhile, Houston city councilwoman Jolanda Jones said she has been contacted by the U.S. Department of Justice, and hopes that means that the DOJ is preparing to open an investigation into the alleged problems in the fire department.

Jones says she has been frustrated by the pace and tone of the city-conducted investigation into the outcry made by the female firefighters.

"The official line -- the victims are not targets and they are being made to take polygraph tests," said Jones. "Quite frankly, I am ashamed and disappointed how we're treating these women."