4 P’s – People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants 

When temperatures drop, it’s important to remember to protect the 4 Ps (People, Pets, Pipes and Plants) during cold temperatures.

• People should dress warmly, in layers, to avoid hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature).
• Pets should be brought indoors or provided with a warm place to sleep.
• Pipes that run outside or under a house should be wrapped in pipe insulation to avoid cracks due to water freezing in them.
• Plants may need to be covered or brought inside to avoid frost damage.

Driving Conditions

As with any type of precipitation, such as rain, sleet or snow, residents who are driving vehicles should take steps to protect themselves, including:

• Give themselves extra stopping distance. Wet conditions mean it takes longer for vehicles to come to a complete stop.
• Ensure windshield wipers are in good working condition before heading out on the road. When conditions are wet or dark, be sure to use headlights.
• Never use high beams in urban areas. Highway overpasses and bridges pose the highest risk of icing.
• Take extra precautions when driving over them.
• Slow down. Rain, sleet, and snow can limit visibility, giving drivers less time to recognize danger.
• Slowing down gives provides extra time to adjust to changing conditions.

Tree Waste Operation Update as of January 20, 2022
Crews are working to complete 3rd week Tree Waste routes. Please leave your debris at the curb.

Operaciones de recolección de árboles: 20 de enero de 2022
Nuestros equipos están trabajando para completar las rutas de 3ª semana de recolección de árboles. Por favor, de dejar sus despojos en la acera.
Recycling Operations Update as of January 18, 2022
Recycling services are delayed for Week-B. We’re working to complete these routes. Please leave your container at the curb.

Actualizaciones de Operaciones de Reciclaje: 18 de enero de 2022
Los servicios de reciclaje esta atrasados para la Semana-B. Estamos trabajando para completar estas rutas. Por favor, deje su contenedor en la acera.
For more information, visit the Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Center web page or call 3-1-1. You may also use the following resources.
Facebook – Updated daily
Link: City of Houston Solid Waste Management – Posts | Facebook
HTX Collects- an app used to update you about your service in real-time. You can also use the link on the website to get an update.

Link: https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/htxcollects.html

January 20, 2022Item #15- Passed

The Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA) requests the approval of various changes to Chapter 6 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances.

Chapter 6 was last amended in May 2014. Since that time, there have been substantial changes in State law and improvements in animal licensing and tracking technology. Specifically, new State laws enacted include revisions to aggressive and dangerous dog procedures; dog restraint standards for sheltering outside animals, and mandated access to clean drinking water and adequate shelter at all times for these animals.

The proposed amendments also include mandatory microchipping for all owned animals, eliminating the traditional rabies tag and replacing it with a microchip. A City pet license will still be required; however, rather than issuing a physical metal tag for the pet’s collar – which can easily be lost or damaged – BARC will use the microchip number as the proof of licensing. This change will allow BARC Animal Enforcement Officers to scan and return a pet to its owner while the officers are in the field, eliminating the need to bring the animal back to the shelter for intake. BARC is also proposing to reduce the stray hold from 72 hours to 48 hours for animals without a microchip allowing for quicker adoptions and transfers.

The proposed amendments would also require all pet stores located within the city limits to sell only dogs and cats sourced from a humane organization or a municipal/county animal shelter. A humane organization is a not-for-profit organization that does not breed animals or does not obtain a dog or cat from a person that breeds or sales animals. Currently, there are five pet stores in the Houston area that sell puppies and kittens from breeders. It is important to note that although this provision will be effective immediately for any new entrant to the Houston market, existing pet stores will be given one year to come into compliance.

Other matters addressed by the proposed amendments include updates to the several definitions in Chapter 6, as well as correcting scrivener’s errors from the 2014 amendments.

*Please note that District F has one store that will have to comply with the ordinance.

Item #25- Tagged

Ordinance altering and establishing Prima Facie Speed Limits in certain zones in the City of Houston; containing findings and other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing a repealer; containing a savings clause; providing for severability; declaring certain conduct to be unlawful and providing a penalty; and declaring an emergency.