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Residents of District E,
Hurricane Harvey continues to dominate day to day operations in the District E office. Staff continues to work with Houston Public Works and Harris County Flood Control District on projects to reduce the risk of flooding in both parts of District E. Recently Mayor Turner took the time to sit down with Representative Dan Huberty, Senator Creighton, and myself to discuss a plan moving forward to address major flooding in the Lake Houston Area.
All parties in the meeting agree that the dredging of the River and Lake are necessary due to the settling of sediment which has created islands and sandbars blocking the natural flow of the River. Other items discussed included the construction of flood control gates on Lake Houston. Additionally, the effects of sand mining along the San Jacinto River were a topic. Representative Huberty passed crucial legislation in the 82
nd Texas Legislature to put harsh regulations on illegal sand mining operations and is now working with the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to increase enforcement of those regulations.
The Lake Houston Area sits at the bottom of the
San Jacinto Watershed which is comprised of nearly 452 square miles. The ten tributaries that have a significant impact on flooding in the Lake Houston community include: Lake Creek, Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, Caney Creek, Peach Creek, East Fork of the San Jacinto River, Tarkington Bayou, Luce Bayou, West Fork of the San Jacinto River, and Lake Conroe. Currently, the Lake Houston Spillway Dam has no flood control measures as part of its infrastructure. The Spillway consists of two radial gates and two flashboard gates. This puts our area at a huge disadvantage in storms like Harvey because we have ten other tributaries filling up the
watershed and barreling down the San Jacinto River in to Lake Houston from the west and east.
The City of Houston is considering a proposal that would add eight
tainter gates to the Lake Houston Spillway Dam which will greatly increase the amount of water that can be released during inclement weather. The dredging of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston along with a request for funding of additional gates at Lake Houston will be submitted to the Texas Water Development Board by the City of Houston.
In the south part of District E, there are six storm drainage and water sewer projects on the Capital Improvement Project Plan scheduled to begin over the next four years. These projects will greatly transform the drainage of Arlington Heights, Freeway Manor South, Freeway Manor North of Edgebrook, Gulfway Terrace, and Crenshaw from Shaver to Allen Genoa. These projects in the south sector add up to more than $50 million dollars in improvements for the area.
In addition to the Capital Improvement Projects mentioned above, Council Member Martin and staff continue to work with Chief Resiliency Office Stephen Costello to identify future local drainage and Storm Water Action Team projects. These projects will all work together to benefit the area and reduce effects of future flooding. If you are aware of severe street ponding or poor drainage in your community please contact our office for assistance.
Council Member Martin is working adamantly to stop not just the next thousand-year storm but the next Tax Day and May Events we endured in 2016. As always, it is a pleasure to serve you. Please contact the District E office if we can assist you in any way by contacting our council office at
[email protected] or by calling (832) 393-3008.
Sincerely,
Dave Martin
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The District E Office
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Contact Information
Phone: (832) 393-3008
Fax: (832) 393-3279
District E Team
Jessica Beemer
Chief of Staff & North
Katherine Cunningham
Deputy Chief of Staff
Jordan McGinty
South Sector Manager
Javier Gonzalez
District E Intern
City of Houston Contacts
City of Houston 3-1-1
(713) 837-0311
Mayor's Citizens
Assistance Office
(832) 393-0955
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Contacts
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce
Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council
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District E CIP Dates
This month, Council Member Martin will host the annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) town hall meetings in the north and south sectors of District E. Please save the date for the following meetings:
Kingwood
Tuesday, March 6
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Kingwood Community Center
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Houston, Texas 77345
Southeast Houston/Clear Lake
Thursday, March 22
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lone Star Flight Museum
11551 Aerospace Avenue
Houston, Texas 77034
Members of the public are invited to attend to hear from various city departments as well as community representatives about ongoing projects, issues and community news related to District E. In addition to discussing CIP projects, post-Harvey updates will be provided from various departments and local agencies.
For more information, please contact Council Member Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or by email at
[email protected].
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District E Spring B.O.P.A. Dates
Council Member Dave Martin and the City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department are holding their spring Batteries, Oil, Paint (latex only) and Antifreeze (B.O.P.A.) recycling collection events in the coming months. Council Member Martin invites District E residents to save the following dates:
Southeast/Clear Lake
Saturday, March 24, 2018
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ellington Airport Neighborhood Recycling Center
Highway 3 at Brantly Avenue
Houston, Texas 77034
Kingwood
Saturday, April 28, 2018
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kingwood Metro Park & Ride
3210 W Lake Houston Parkway
Houston, Texas 77339
The events are free and open to all City of Houston residents and will be held rain or shine. A valid Texas driver's license or other proof of residency, such as a water bill, will be required.
In addition to B.O.P.A. items, residents may drop off scrap metal and large appliances. Large appliances include stoves, refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.
Many common household materials are considered hazardous and need special disposal. When Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is disposed of in the trash, it can contaminate landfills and subsequently our groundwater. This event provides a free and safe alternative for residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous materials. Below is a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items for the March 5 collection event:
- ACCEPTED ITEMS: rechargeable, Lead Acid, NiCad and Lithium Ion batteries, used motor and cooking oil (15 gallon limit each), antifreeze (15 gallon limit), latex paint (15 gallon limit), appliances and scrap metal including refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.
- ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: Alkaline batteries, electronic waste, oil-based paint, paint without labels, household hazardous waste/chemicals, business waste, medical waste, radioactive waste, PCB's, Dioxins, ammunition, explosives, compressed gas cylinders, smoke detectors, household trash or tires.
Please also note that there is no need to bring empty latex paint cans or those that have hardened. These can be discarded with household garbage.
Residents may call 3-1-1, the City of Houston's Customer Service Hotline, for additional information or check online at
www.houstonsolidwaste.org.More information on the Solid Waste Management Department and its services is also available on
Facebook and
Twitter.
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Council Member Martin Visits San Antonio
On Thursday, February 8, Council Member Dave Martin had the opportunity to present the City of San Antonio with a proclamation and award to recognize their efforts in the Kingwood area following Hurricane Harvey.
The City of Houston commends and appreciates the City of San Antonio for their compassion during a historic disaster, as their selflessness is greatly appreciated by many people who benefitted from their unwavering generosity.
Council Member Martin extends his gratitude to Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Solid Waste Director David McCary, the entire City of San Antonio - Municipal Government for allowing him to represent the City of Houston and Mayor Turner at their council meeting to declare February 8, as "City of San Antonio" Day in the City of Houston.
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Proposed Changes to Chapter 19 Floodplain Ordinance
City Council Member Dave Martin is requesting residents participate in providing public input on proposed changes to
Chapter 19 of the City's Code of Ordinances. The City of Houston is considering
revisions to Chapter 19 to ensure new dwellings are built high enough to save lives and property in the event of future flooding. As District E will be heavily impacted by new regulations, participation from residents is highly encouraged. The deadline to provide feedback is Monday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m.
APPROACH
The City of Houston hopes to reduce the risk of flood loss for future development and redevelopment by ordinance revisions, new regulations, building codes and design guidelines. Existing development will be improved through Capital Improvement Projects, buyouts, home elevations and demo-rebuilds. Buyouts will be determined based on repetitive flooding and are only considered when residents
volunteer to participate in the program. Additionally, home elevations utilizing pier and beam methods are being researched by Houston Public Works.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Houston's current code only applies to property in the 100-year floodplain and protects 1 foot above 100-year flood elevation. The proposed revisions would include property in the 500-year floodplain and protect "X" feet of 500-year flood elevation. It would also include no net fill in the 500-year floodplain.
"X" feet in the proposed revisions is still to be determined following the public input period. It is believed that the City is looking at changing the ordinance to 2 feet above the 500-year floodplain, but the City would like input on if that is too much or too little.
The 100-year floodplain is land that is predicted to flood during a 100-year storm, which has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The 500-year floodplain has a .2% chance of occurring. For residents outside of the 100-year and 500-year floodplain, these changes to the ordinance will have little or no affect.
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PUBLIC INPUT AND NEXT STEPS
The ordinance will be presented to Council on
March 21, 2018.
RESOURCES
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Direct Assistance Limited Home Repair Program
The Direct Assistance for Limited Home Repair (DALHR) Program provides repairs to homes with moderate damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. This program is FEMA funded, but administered by the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department. Repairs made under this program help homeowners remain in their homes, but are not intended to fully restore homes to pre-storm condition.
Home repairs are limited to items like heating, plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning, walls, floors and ceilings. Structural repairs do not qualify.
- Needed repairs cannot cost more than 50% of the home's market value or exceed $60,000
- Repairs requiring architectural or engineering services are not covered
- Repairs cannot be made to items eligible under other assistance programs or covered by insurance or a SBA loan
- The City of Houston assigns contractors through a state-approved contractor pool
- To prevent a duplication of benefits, homeowners participating in the DALHR Program will be asked for documentation of any FEMA benefits already received
To qualify, you must have:
- Already registered with FEMA
- Owned the home prior to Hurricane Harvey
- Undergone a FEMA-issued inspection
- Experienced a FEMA-verified loss of at least $17,000
More information about current HCDD programs can be found
here,
here and
here.
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Harris County Flood Control District Updates
In January, Council Member Martin met with residents of the Kingwood community and Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) representatives were in attendance. As a result of that meeting, HCFCD committed to assessing the major drainage channels in Kingwood and has now created a Kingwood information page on their website. Following this
link you can view the information gathered up to February 16.
HCFCD has been working diligently to package projects in the most efficient manner. Currently, there is a silt removal project on Tributary G103-46-00 located in Forest Cove, leading into the San Jacinto River. After an environmental contractor conducted material testing on the sediment in the area, the soil analysis came back clean and the contractors were able to mobilize in the area on February 23. The contractors began the excavation and removal process in February 23rd, however there have been some delays due to the inclement weather.
Once construction equipment can fully access the area, the project will begin to remove sediment to open up G103-46-00 to provide positive drainage. The anticipated duration of this project is 10-14 days, weather permitting.
Following this
link there is additional information and photographs of the project.
HCFCD is also conducting channel assessments for G103-33-02 and G103-33-01 in Bens Branch, and will provide information about any work in that area on the website.
As more projects come online. HCFCD will post them on the Kingwood information page with
maps and description.
In addition, our office will provide information as it becomes available utilizing social media and our monthly newsletter.
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HCFCD Interactive Mapping Tool
HCFCD utilizes geographic information systems extensively to identify needed drainage network repairs and debris removal. Residents throughout District E can utilize this
map to see areas identified for repair and debris removal. The purpose of these assessments is to identify damages caused by flooding and prioritize them for immediate and future repair. The HCFCD is utilizing this information to prepare requests for millions of dollars in additional storm related funding from federal partners like the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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CenterPoint Energy Warns Customers About Potential Utility Scams
CenterPoint Energy warns customers about potential utility scams. The company warns that scammers have been posing as employees and will use various tactics like phone calls, emails, texts and even door-to-door contact to make people believe they are behind on their bill, and if they don't pay immediately, their service will be shut off.
The CenterPoint
website lists some tips on how to avoid scammers including asking to see ID before allowing a utility worker near your home, hanging up on a possibly fraudulent call and calling the number listed on your bill, and not clicking on links sent via email or text without first calling to verify that it is legitimate.
CenterPoint employees will never request banking or credit card information over the phone, payment via cash, money wires, prepaid or gift cards, Paypal or other similar services. Nor will they disconnect your services without mailing an overdue notice and a disconnection notice with the approximate disconnection date and time.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, CenterPoint is advising you to report it to the local police, FBI, Federal Trade Commission, and the local Better Business Bureau.
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State of Texas Action Plan
The GLO has posted our Hurricane Harvey action plan for use of the first allocation of
$57.8 million in Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.
To see the plan, click
here.
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Houston 3-1-1
Council Member Martin reminds all District E residents to continue to report storm debris by calling 311 or (713) 837-0311. Residents can also use 3-1-1 to report traffic signal problems, potholes, missed trash pickups and any other city-related concerns one may have.
Mayor Turner and the Solid Waste Department have announced that City Junk Waste/Tree Waste crews will resume the regularly scheduled Tree Waste and Junk Waste collections effective March 1, 2018.
Remember odd months are Tree Waste and even months are Junk Waste.
Once reported, individual requests can be tracked through the city's 311 website, accessible
here, or through the city's 311 mobile application available on smart phones. As always, should further follow up be needed, the public is encouraged to contact Council Member Martin's office as well.
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Lake Houston Trash Bash
Save the date! The 25th annual River, Lakes, Bays N' Bayous Trash Bash will take place on Saturday, March 24. Participating residents will have the opportunity to help clean up 15 sites across the Galveston Bay Watershed including the Texas Adaptive Aquatics Shoreline located at 111 Old Atascocita Road, Huffman, Texas 77336. Registration for the event will begin at the Aquatic Shoreline at 8:00 a.m., along with the distribution of collection and safety equipment at 8:00 a.m., cleanup time from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and lunch, entertainment and prizes from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The area to be cleaned will be the FM-1960/McKay Bridge waterfront and the waterfront and park areas of additional sites listed. Other areas accessible by boat are up to the discretion of the individual boat owner. Shoreline, park and on-the-water trash collection may also be done.
For more information on the Lake Houston Trash Bash scheduled for Saturday, March 24 please click
here.
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Kingwood High School Reopening
After nearly 8 months of rebuilding after Harvey, Kingwood High School is excited to welcome students back to their campus on March 19!
Council Member Martin encourages residents and commuters to be patient as there will be an influx of student drivers and parents during school drop off/pick up times. In an effort to assist those commuting from the back of Kingwood up to US59/69, Humble ISD has a traffic control plan in place to help facilitate these drivers coming from the back of Kingwood into the KHS student parking lot. However, some traffic delays should be expected.
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Election Day
Tuesday, March 6 is Election Day, the day to make your voice heard. Council Member Martin encourages all registered voters who did not vote early to go to the polls on Election Day. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. To view your polling location as well as a sample ballot, please go to
www.harrisvotes.com.
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Combined Arms' Second Annual Veterans Golf Tournament
The Combined Arms' Second Annual Veterans Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, March 19th at The Golf Club of Houston.
Originally scheduled for the fall of 2017, this tradition was postponed due to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. During and immediately following the storm, Houston's veterans made recovery their foremost priority and rallied together to serve our community. Action in a time of crisis brought Houston's veterans together and demonstrated how, when United After the Uniform, veterans are our city's greatest asset.
Almost seven months to the day that Harvey made landfall, the Veterans Golf Tournament is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our veterans, support their work to accelerate their impact on Houston and enjoy an afternoon on the green.
More information about this event can be found
here.
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LISC Small Grants Programs
Houston LISC is excited to launch the 2018 cycle of two small grants programs. LISC's small grants are tools to support resident-led initiatives, spark projects that advance the community's vision and build neighborhood capacity.
These grants are made available through LISC's
GO Neighborhoods initiative, a place-based and neighborhood-driven approach to comprehensive community development in Houston.
Journey Seed Grants
Through generous support from the Journey Charitable Foundation, Houston LISC offers the Journey Seed Grants for projects, activities or campaigns that focus on community organizing and engagement. Funding is available to all GO Neighborhoods as a priority, and other neighborhoods on a case by case basis.
Applications accepted NOW through July 15, 2018 (or while funds are available). Projects must be completed in 2018 to be eligible.
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Houston Arts Alliance Festival Grants for Arts & Cultural Programming
The Festival Grant program provides support for arts festivals or the arts components of cultural festivals, which celebrate Houston's diversity and promote the city's creative identity as a unique arts and cultural destination. Festivals are defined as special events that are periodical (often annual) occurring within a limited time period, and should be inclusive and accessible to the general public. Festivals can present various performing, visual, and folk arts, or could be specific to a particular artistic discipline. Collaborative efforts utilizing the strength and knowledge base of more than one organization are highly encouraged.
- Max Award: $10,000
- Deadline: April 9, 2018 at 5:30 pm
- Grant term: July 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
For more information, click
here.
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TxDOT SH3 Access Management Meeting
The purpose of access management is to provide vehicular access to land development in a manner that preserves the safety and efficiency of the transportation system. This
SH 3 Access Management Study aims to identify short, medium, and long-term access improvements to reduce crashes, improve mobility, and support existing and future development along the heavily traveled roadway.
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback about the roadway. This is your opportunity to request what you would like to see changed on SH 3. Comments must be received on or before Wednesday, March 14, 2018 to be a part of the official meeting record. Please make sure to reference the following project number, 0051-01-104, when providing your comments via
email, or by mailing your comments to:
TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251-1386
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Neighborhood Depositories, Westpark & ESC Return to Normal Days and Hours of Operation
Effective Thursday, March 1, 2018, the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) Neighborhood Depositories, Westpark Consumer Recycling Center and HHW Environmental Service Centers will return to normal days and hours of operation.
Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Centers
Open: Wednesday - Sunday; 9am - 6pm
Material Accepted: Debris, junk waste, tree waste, recycling, tires, mattresses, furniture, concrete. Visit our website for a complete list of acceptable materials.
Westpark Consumer Recycling Center
Open: Monday - Saturday; 8am - 5pm
Addresses: 5900 Westpark 77057
Material Accepted: Recycling only (ex. Paper, cardboard, carton, plastic bottles and containers, aluminum and bimetal cans, glass containers, tires, electronics, BOPA, Styrofoam)
Environmental Service Center (ESC) -SOUTH
Open: Tuesdays & Wednesdays; 9am - 3pm
2nd Saturday of each month 9am - 1pm
Addresses: 11500 South Post Oak 77035
Material Accepted: Household Hazardous Waste (ex. paint, cleaners, fertilizer, batteries, etc.)
Environmental Service Center (ESC) -NORTH
Open: 2nd Thursday of each month 9am - 3pm
Addresses: 5614 Neches St
Material Accepted: Household Hazardous Waste (ex. paint, cleaners, fertilizer, batteries, etc.)
Proof of City of Houston residency is required at the Neighborhood Depositories and the Environmental Service Center. Please bring a current Texas Driver's License or Texas ID and a current water/utility bill or city property tax receipt. For a detailed list of the materials accepted at each location please see the website at
www.houstonsolidwaste.org.
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Upcoming Events
Please refer to Council Martin's District E
website for location, time and more event details. Email the District E office if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!
City Wides
March 13-14
City Council Break Week
Kingwood
March 3
Kingwood Electronic Waste Recycling
March 6
Kingwood CIP Town Hall
March 8
Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce YEP Awards
March 14
Kingwood Service Assocation's Public Safety Committee
March 20
Kingwood PIP
March 21
Kingwood Super Neighborhood Meeting
March 27
Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Luncheon
Southeast Houston/Clear Lake
March 10
Clear Lake Electronic Waste Recycling
March 20
Clear Lake PIP
March 22
Clear Lake/SE Houston CIP Town Hall
March 24
Clear Lake B.O.P.A. Recycling Event
March 28
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's General Membership Luncheon
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