| Dear District F:
Let’s talk infrastructure.
This summer, our city experienced many water main breaks – a historical increase. Houston Public Works created an FAQ document for the general public to familiarize themselves with the timeline to complete and restore water main breaks. Please keep this document handy and share it with your neighborhood networks and e-lists.
Over the last few years, I have asked you to complete surveys to help me prioritize street repairs and speed bump projects with my council district service funds. This means most of my council district service funds are obligated through June 30. I have a balance of $138K (roughly) and a cost estimate on future projects that must be approved in the next fiscal year (June 30/July 1) – caveat, during election cycle years, our budgets are minimized by half.
Here is a listing of projects received by constituents with cost estimates – yet to be approved.
- Richmond Ave from W. Houston C. to Synott panel replacement, $2,160,000
- Richmond on Walnut Bend to W. Houston Ctr, panel replacement, $289,000
- Richmond from Synott to W. City Limit, $175,000
- Lima Dr. (Brookfield subdivision), sidewalk replacement $230,000.00
- Dairy Ashford Rd near Bellaire, panel replacement, $595,8000
- Cook Rd, $116,400.00, panel replacement
As you can see, the cost estimates are expensive and extensive. I am working on how to prioritize the above projects with Houston Public Works.
Let’s talk city budget.
A few years ago, the city adopted an outcomes-based budget to provide Houstonians, our stakeholders, with a budget that reflects priorities and impact. Here is your opportunity to help us craft our effort moving forward. Please take the time and complete the 8-question survey.
Reminder, city budgets are typically presented in May by all departments and to the council in June for a vote. I hope to have active participation by District F residents.
Let’s talk water bills.
Yes. There is an increase in water bills, and I am working with each of you and Houston Water to address the abnormality in meter readings. We have been able to resolve many of the bills, but for others, it is taking time as we work through the administrative review process.
Let’s talk about city parks.
District F boasts seven city-operated parks – Briarmeadow, Tanglewilde, Rasmus, Harwin, Alief, Hackberry, and Boone. Tanglewilde and Harwin Parks are designated as 50/50 Parks, and over the last year, the Houston Parks Board, dedicated residents, and my office have worked together to enhance our green spaces. Please note the updates below:
Tanglewilde Park is at 60% design, and the planned improvements include a new playground, lighting, and other upgrades at the picnic pavilion and better drainage for the sports field.
Harwin Park is under construction with a substantial completion date of mid-January. The playground was recently installed, and we are waiting on the picnic pavilion and exercise equipment to be delivered.
Friends of Alief Parks recently reignited to focus on preserving our green space in Alief. I want to extend the same invitation to the Tanglewilde and Briarmeadow communities to consider creating something similar as we invest in our parks in multiple ways. For example, one of the responsibilities is to help steward the park. Please let me know if you are interested in starting a Friends of the Park in your area.
Here are a few updates by neighborhood:
Alief: The anticipation is over. Please join me, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Department Directors, and the Alief Super Neighborhood on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 11 AM for the ribbon cutting of the New Alief Neighborhood Center. Come ready to sign up for programs and resources and tour your community asset.
Imperial Point: As promised, please see the notice to proceed for various sidewalk and street projects in the body of this email. Also, look for a notification from your homeowner’s association.
Bellaire West: I will attend your annual HOA meeting and provide updates from city hall and your speed bump application. Please join me and bring your questions on January 12, 2023, at 730PM at 11511 Rowan Ln.
Westchase: Join the Westchase Management District for the groundbreaking of another anticipated greenspace – Wilcrest Park. This 3.5-acre park will be on Wilcrest just north of the Library Loop Trail and the Robinson-Westchase Library. It will feature a children’s play area, performance pavilion, dog park, table games area, botanical garden, restrooms, café, food truck terrace, exercise stations, outdoor reading room, and a 30,000-square-foot activity lawn for movie nights, yoga, tai chi, and concerts. The park will be more than a neighborhood park; it will be a destination park for all of West Houston. Please RSVP here so arrangements can be made for lunch/snacks:
Tanglewilde/Westmont/Piney Point: As mentioned at the council on Wednesday to Mayor Turner and on social media, the old Luby’s on Fondren is permitted as a poker club. Currently, the city does not have an ordinance to address this business. However, I understand the complaints and concerns received by my office. Here is my commitment to you. I will work with city legal to present something to the Administration; I need you to sign up during public comments and amplify why neighborhoods need more protective measures. Let me continue to hear from you on this issue. You are my extra set of eyes and ears.
Lastly, please be safe during this holiday season. We have much to be thankful for and look forward to in the next year. The last council meeting of the year is December 14, and my office staff will be virtual starting Monday, December 19. Please schedule with us soon if there is anything we can assist with before that time.
P. S. Do not forget to visit the Houston Zoo for their annual Zoo Lights program. I still have a few Zoo tickets available. Email us at[email protected] and let us know if you would be interested in attending.
P.S.S. December 13th is my Daddy’s 68th birthday. Happy Birthday, old man!
Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas
|
