The Thomas Telegraph: Vol. 3, Issue 22 – 09-16-2022
Vol. 3, Issue 22 – 09.16.22
Dear District F,
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! District F is proud to be home to a diaspora of Latino Americans. We have the Mexican and Costa Rican Consulates in our district, an active El Salvadoran and Guatemalan community with traces of history and culture sprinkled throughout our neighborhoods. Their influence is evident throughout our community and city. Please make it a point to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and participate in the various luncheons, galas, and the2nd Annual Dios de los Muertos parade on Nov 5.
Although submitted, District F did not have any recipients of the Mayor’s 2022 Hispanic Heritage Award. However, if you know of any phenomenal resident in District F of Hispanic descent doing extraordinary things – send me an email at [email protected] with a photo, bio, and a few highlights of why your neighbor or friend is impressive. Let me highlight you in coming newsletters, on social media, and during my council comments. We can celebrate each other!
This week I chose to use my council comments to highlight the constituent concerns we are working on in District F. In the past month alone, we received 447 calls related to water (bills, sewage, leaks), traffic lights, trash/recycle delays, and potholes. As you can see, we are focused on our core services provided to you by the city and will continue to do so. Please make sure you call or use the 311 app to initiate your constituent complaint and share the SR# so we can track the progress and status check with the respective departments in the system. Remember, “closed” does not mean “resolved.”
Thank you for your extra set of eyes and ears with issues in the community. Your effort helps District F remain clean, liveable, and safe.
Context: District F has between 4 to 5 CIP projects that are either planned or deferred for two CIP cycles due to limited funding to complete. $332M could fund all projects and more.
Let’s make the math, math! HCAD appraises my home value at $136K; per the formula, my portion paid to the city in 2022 totals $569.48. However, the amount collected does not compare to the services I demand from the city daily (water, trash, HPD, libraries, or streets)—something to consider for yourself.
Regardless of your position, please participate in the public hearing to support or against the proposed tax rate. Details will be provided once confirmed.
For those of you that submitted projects for council district service funding via the jotform earlier this spring and summer, I am reviewing the projects with various departments. I hope to return with the next steps and hopefully good news.
Tanglewilde: I am working with city legal to enforce the deed restrictions to limit investors from purchasing single-family homes and renovating them into multi-family units. I will also work with the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) to help preserve single-family neighborhoods. I will provide an update after the city’s legal investigation and recommendations.
Briarmeadow: My office has only received three sidewalk applications for review. There are no additional sidewalk projects scheduled outside of Pagewood Ln. Please complete the applications provided to see if your sidewalk qualifies. In addition to the Pagewood sidewalk project, ADA-compliant ramps are scheduled for installation. The ADA ramps will extend to the walking trail from Richmond S. / Stoney Brook to Pagewood for additional access.
The Storm Water project is scheduled for completion at the end of Sept 2022, weather permitting. Upon substantial completion, an invitation will be shared to walk through with the project manager to receive feedback on the project. As a reminder, please do not engage with construction teams on site but rather with the assigned project manager to reduce miscommunication and delays. Photos are always good to include with your notes.
Alief: As we prepare for the opening of the NEW Alief Neighborhood Center, the Parks Department would like to meet with the Friends of Alief Park to prepare for the ribbon cutting to ensure the park will continue to maintain its resources after the opening. If you are a former member or interested in joining, please complete the link here.
Carver Crest/Piney Point:Agenda item 13 on this week’s city council agenda approved $13M of TIRZ funds in support of the New Home Development Program. This item included budgeting for the proposed Amanda Ln project. Now that funding is approved, please expect a mailed letter to each homeowner, including a FAQ and next steps, such as the first community charrette where you can provide feedback. I am requesting each homeowner to actively participate in this process and help the city advance all economic development tools to preserve your neighborhood.
As mentioned two weeks ago, the gun buyback program is coming to the district in October. We are in the planning phase but are working to ensure the day is smooth for law enforcement and residents. The city council voted (13-4) to increase the incentives by spending $534,000 due to the high demand for the first event. Once the official flyer is released, I will share it for broad promotion.
In closing, we are approaching National Night Out on Oct 4, and I want to ensure we have you on the list for acknowledgment and added resources. Please confirm your event so we can help you promote it on social media and in the newsletter. Let’s get back to knowing our neighbors and our community. Let me hear from you at [email protected].
Be well. Be kind. Be you.
DISTRICT F NEWS
HOT SPOT TEAM HIGHLIGHT
WEEK OF AUGUST 22ND
Total Work Orders Completed: 21
Hotspot of the Week: 7900 Riptide
Total Man Hours Worked: 56
Tree Waste: 210 lbs.
Mattresses: 1
Furniture Waste: 5 pieces
Tires: 7
Trash Debris: 120 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 3
Bandit Signs: 117
Landscaping: none
Schedule: Kevin Out, Ray and JB 7-3 MTTHF.
SOLID WASTE OPERATIONS UPDATE
As of September 13, 2022
Please be advised that Solid Waste Management has been impacted by the national driver shortage, causing vacancies within our recycling and yard waste collections. As well, the Labor Day holiday has set us back with Yard Waste experiencing a high level of delays in all quadrants of the City. Please utilize one of the six Neighborhood Depositories to dispose of their yard waste.
A SKATE PARK, HEALTH CENTER, AND LIBRARY WILL OPEN UNDER ONE INNOVATIVE ROOF IN HOUSTON
With a goal of fostering intergenerational connection, the Alief Neighborhood Center is a new model for what a community center can be. Read more in the Texas Monthly and get ready for the opening of the center.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS PARTICIPATES IN MAYORS LITERARCY BREAKFAST: A SALUTE TO ADULT LITERARCY
Councilmember Thomas joined The Houston Public Library, Mayor Turner and her colleagues at his signature event on September 15th. Learners and educators were there to celebrate the successes of the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy and recognize an individual, a local institution, and a corporation who have made literacy history. Did you know that Harris County performs more poorly than the state average, with 32% of adults having literacy proficiency levels at or below Level 1? Councilmember is committed literacy. She has dedicated funding to West Houston Assistance Ministries to increase the number of adults served by their English as a Second Language instruction. The funding also includes the establishment of a language learning computer lab with 10 laptops.
PARTNERS GATHER AT THE HYATT REGENCY TO DISCUSS HOMELESSNESS
On September 14th, Councilmember Thomas joined Director Marc Eichenbaum, her colleagues, and executives from Denver and Aurora, Colorado to discuss Houston’s work around homelessness, encampments, and coordinated care.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS ATTENDS EAD TO THE FINAL FOUR ON BEHALF OF MAYOR TURNER
On September 8th, Councilmember Thomas joined NCAA, Reading with A Rapper, and ISD leadership to welcome students as they enter the read to the final four competition. Thousands of 3rd graders, like District F’s Rees Elementary, joined and celebrated their love for reading. Stay tuned for more information about our partnership with Reading With A Rapper.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS MEETS WITH LEADERS OF THE RESILIENT CITIES NETWORK
On September 16th, Councilmember Thomas and community leaders, city departments, and leadership of Resilient Cities Network to provide a tour of high impact ponding, flooding, and heat areas within Alief, District F’s complete community.
Alief superstar, Lizzo, received her first-ever Emmy Awards nomination for her show “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.” On September 12th, she took home the award in the Outstanding Competition Show category. During her speech, she expressed that “we didn’t do this for the awards, we did this for ourselves.”
Congratulations!
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
DISTRICT F COUNCIL ITEMS
September 7th
Item #2
Approval of Director Houston Public Works final contract amount of $2,234,827.35 and acceptance of work on contract with TEXAS PRIDE UTILITIES, LLC for Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation and Renewal
District F: 44 locations
September 14th
Item #6
Motion passed to approve the final contract amount of $24,055,352.96 and acceptance of work on contract with ISI CONTRACTING, INC for Concrete Panel Replacement for City Streets. The project was located in 28 locations.
Phone messages in English and Spanish notify residents about city services, new programs & civic engagement opportunities
Voice/text messages a convenient service for residents without easy access to internet sources
The Department of Neighborhoods (DON) invites residents to subscribe to Neighborhood Updates to receive brief voice or text messages in Spanish or English about essential services and resources.
The messaging service is for everyone, especially for seniors and others who may not have easy access to online information, persons with disabilities who need information in audio or written format, and residents who prefer notices in Spanish.
Apply Now for the Evolve Houston
eMobility MicrograntSubmit your grant idea to Evolve Houston, a nonprofit organization focused on improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing EV adoption. Apply now at apply.evolvehouston.org. The deadline has been extended to Friday, September 30.
Mayor Turner & Bun B’s Trill Burgers will host a burger pop-up at City Hall on Sunday, September 18, from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. The family friendly pop-up will feature Trill Burgers’ full menu, including the OG Trill Burger, Grilled Onion Burger, Vegan Smashburger, and seasoned fries.
Bun B’s Trill Burgers recently was named the Best Burger in America by Good Morning America.
Burger Pop-up at City Hall Sunday, September 18 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.$12 for burgers only $15 with fries
2022-2023 YOUTH POLICE ADVISORY COUNCIL (YPAC)
The new school year is underway and the Houston Police Department is looking forward to working in tandem with young leaders in our high schools.
HPD is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2022-2023 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
In addition to meeting with Police Chief Troy Finner and other HPD leaders to discuss issues affecting youth and the community, YPAC members also give back by participating in community service projects. The students also attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state.
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis Street in downtown Houston.
The application deadline is October 1, 2022. For more information, email rhonda.holmes@houstonpolice.org or call 713-308-3200.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NEW FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR: TUITION-BASED PRE-K AND FULL-DAY PRE-K PROGRAM
Alief ISD is now offering tuition-based Pre-K at all sites, including the newly opened Jefferson Early Learning Center and Martinez Early Learning Center. Alief ISD’s innovative interactive Pre-K Program is a full-day program.
For more information or to apply online, visit
Chris Labod2022-09-17T19:47:19-05:00September 17th, 2022|
