Greetings!
 
Welcome to the September Issue of The Edwards Edition! I hope you have had an enjoyable summer. As the temperature slowly begins to cool off, City Hall remains focused on several hot topics that impact our city.

As Vice Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs committee, I have been working closely with the Mayor's office and Planning Department on the implementation of Plan Houston. Consistent with Plan Houston, we have developed an enhanced budgeting process, in which we will obtain resident input regarding issues that are most important to them. We will use this resident input to help shape select initiatives to include in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. More details about this exciting initiative are included below.

Another key issue we are facing is the upcoming 2017 Texas legislative session, which will commence in January. I was honored to serve as a member of the Legislative Ad Hoc Advisory Group. As part of our efforts, we made recommendations to the Mayor that will help drive our City's legislative agenda. Many of our recommendations coupled with other substantial measures, such as the recently announced pension reform plan, will be up for consideration in Austin this legislative session.

As always, it is an honor to serve you on City Council, as we move all of Houston forward. Let me hear your thoughts and concerns regarding the issues most important to you by 832-393-3012 or emailing atlarge4@houstontx.gov.





Sincerely,
 
Amanda K. Edwards
Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 4


ON THE ISSUES : PLAN HOUSTON + YOU

"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." - Warren Bennis

This fall, we are embodying this type of leadership by transforming words in action in connection with Houston's first strategic long-range general plan, better known as Plan Houston. Specifically, we will commence an enhanced budgeting process that will consult our residents first about the issues most important to them. For the first time in our City's history, we will have a budgeting process that will involve resident input to shape select Plan Houston initiatives to be included in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Engaging residents about their priorities before developing our budget will allow residents to have more influence on the actions taken by their government, which will be more customer (resident) friendly and consistent with our strategic plan.

More About Plan Houston

Plan Houston outlines the core strategies and vision for our City. After months of public meetings, significant stakeholder input and policy research, City Council passed Plan Houston late last year. As the first of its kind, Plan Houston sets the framework for our City's long-term goals. The core strategies of Plan Houston are the foundation of the plan and outline the community's vision for Houston. It is now time to put these ideas into action in a manner that will also include funding.
To read more about Plan Houston, including the final report to City Council, please click here.

We Need Your Help

While many major cities have some form of a general plan, few are tied to the actual budgeting process. Connecting our general plan to the budget demonstrates the City's commitment in making these goals a reality. Houston is leading the way with prioritizing resident input in the annual budgeting process in concert with Plan Houston. In order to make this novel approach a success, we need Houstonians to participate so please spread the word!  In the coming weeks, the Planning Department will release an online survey tool to engage Houstonians to get their feedback about what is most pressing to them so please make sure to share your feedback online.

Soon, we will be engaging civic club and community organizations in soliciting input on Plan Houston. If you would like our office to come to your next meeting to discuss Plan Houston, please call 832-393-3012. 

AROUND THE CITY

Transformative Urban Gardens & Community Farms

Urban Gardens and Community Farms are transforming communities in metropolitan cities across the country.  They provide access to nutritionally rich foods that may otherwise be unavailable, add green space in neighborhoods and communities, and promote community engagement.  Council Member Edwards has been on the move visiting some of Houston's Urban and Community Gardens in order to raise awareness of the importance of these sites!


 
Founded by brothers Thomas and Daniel Garcia-Prats, Finca Tres Robles is a privately owned urban farm located in Houston's East End.  It was created upon the belief that quality, local food should be made available to all people regardless of location and income.  Finca Tres Robles produces herbs, fruits, and vegetables to be sold to individuals and restaurants directly from the farm and at area farmer's markets. Memberships to the farm are available as well as food education classes.   

For more information on touring, attending a class, or visiting Finca Tres Robles, please visit their website at: www.smallplaces.org/fincatresrobles  or their location at 257 N. Greenwood Street. 


In addition to privately owned community farms, Houston touts public community gardens, as well. On August 31st, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-constructed public Fruit Orchard and Community Garden was held at Herman Brown Park in District I.  This community garden was fruit of the labor of a partnership between the Green Ambassadors, Furr High School and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department who worked tirelessly throughout the summer designing, constructing and planting. The Fruit Orchard and Community Garden consists of ten raised vegetable beds, an orchard of 50 fruit trees, pollinator gardens and a shed for storage of maintenance and gardening tools.  This project was one of 15 projects selected by public vote to receive $20,000 in grant funding from the National Recreation and Park Association in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company!



The City of Houston has a number of different ways to get involved with public gardening initiatives. For more information about volunteering or to learn more about a nearby community garden or urban garden, please check out the following:

Community Gardening Program

Houston Health Department - 832.393.5169

Urban Garden Program

Houston Parks and Recreation Department - 832.395.7000


COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

CafeCollege



Calling all students preparing for college, or individuals looking to return to college or a vocational program: 

Check out the many resources available at Houston's CaféCollege! Houston's CaféCollege, a one-stop clearing house of information, resources, and experts offering free guidance to Houstonians preparing for, applying to and enrolling in a higher education institution, is a key resource for Houston.  With over 3,442 visits since its grand opening in December 2015, this project is supported by the City of Houston and managed by the Houston Public Library in partnership with Project GRAD. The services available focus on career awareness and preparation, college access, financial aid, and college success through various group forums, workshops, seminars, and one-on-one consultations for both teens and adults. CaféCollege Houston is located at Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning at 1050 Quitman Street.  



To find out more information about upcoming events and programs, visit www.cafecollegehouston.org or call 832-393-1737.