Inside District I Newsletter

Tomorrow, November 7, is Election Day in the City of Houston. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hurricane Harvey impacted some voting locations, so please verify that your normal voting place has not changed by contacting the Harris County Clerk's Office at 713-755-6965.

This election, Houston voters are being asked to consider five City Bond Propositions, none of which will require a tax increase.

About the Propositions:

Proposition A: $1 billion in Pension Bonds to pay off the city's pension debt, protect retirement for city workers and cap the city's future costs.
Proposition B: $159 million in Public Safety Bonds to replace police and fire vehicles, renovate some fire and police stations
Proposition C: $104 million in Park Bonds to improve and expand numerous parks
Proposition D: $109 million in Public Facilities Bonds to repair several multi-service centers and health clinics
Proposition E: $123 million in Library Bonds to repair or renovate libraries.

Again, the Bond Propositions Houston voters are being asked to consider this November do NOT require a property tax increase. In fact, City Council voted in October to LOWER the City property tax rate for 2018. To learn more about the propositions, visit www.liftuphouston.com/about-the-bonds.

Finally, as many of us prepare for the Holiday season, please keep all those who have been impacted by Harvey in your prayers. If you're able to open your home to friends or neighbors in need, please do so; If you're able to volunteer your time, volunteer; or if you're able to make a monetary contribution to your charity of choice, please donate. Together we will emerge stronger!

Best wishes,

Robert Gallegos

Houston Council Member

District I

Curbside Recycling Resumes November 13

Beginning Monday, November 13, residential recycle pick up will resume operation as normal. Residents can place their GREEN CART at the curb between 6 p.m. the day before and 7 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

"B Week" collection will begin the week of Monday, November 13 and "A Week" collection will begin the week of Monday, November 20. You can check your service date by visiting Solid Waste's service schedule page.

As curbside recycling collection reboots, customers are encouraged to place only the following items in their green recycling carts: paper, cardboard, clean food cartons, plastic containers #1-5 and #7, aluminum cans and bimetal cans. Residents are also reminded that glass is not accepted in the curbside containers, but can be recycled at all City recycling drop-off locations, which are open 7 days a week with extended hours:

North - 9003 N Main 77022

Northwest - 14400 Sommermeyer 77041

Northeast - 5565 Kirkpatrick 77028

Southeast - 2240 Central Street 77017

South - 5100 Sunbeam 77033

Southwest - 10785 SW Freeway 77074

While recycling will return November 13, please note that Junk Waste and Yard Waste services remain suspended until further notice. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/harvey

TxDOT Work on Gulf Freeway

Beginning Nov. 4th, TxDOT will close several northbound mainlanes on I-45 starting at Telephone through downtown Houston. The closure is necessary to place concrete barrier along the mainlanes and complete the construction of the new St. Joseph/Pease Street two-lane exit ramp.

Beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, crews will close three of four northbound mainlanes of I-45 from Telephone Road to just before the I-45/I-69 interchange. Motorists will still be able to access the I-45/I-69 direct connectors.
Beginning at 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, crews will open an additional lane to traffic.
One final lane will open at 5 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. The new three-lane configuration will last through Dec. 1.
The I-45 Scott Street northbound entrance ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, through 5 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.

Motorists should expect delays and are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes.

Ribbon Cutting for New Dog Park in EaDo - Nov. 27

Join Councilman Robert Gallegos, the East Downtown (EaDo) Management District and EaDo TIRZ for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the EaDog Park!

Monday, November 27 - 5 p.m.

EaDog Park

2216 Polk Street

The fenced-in dog park measures approximately 7,700 square feet in size, divided into two sections - one for big dogs and one for smaller dogs. Both sections feature shaded/covered areas, trees, trash receptacles, benches, lights, and drinking fountains. The dog park is easily accessible from the Polk Street bike route and nearby Columbia Tap Hike/Bike Trail. Funding for the green space was provided by Councilman Gallegos, the EaDo TIRZ and EaDo Management District.

For more information, call the District I office at 832-393-3011.

Storm Debris Removal Continues

The City of Houston Solid Waste Department and contractors continue to focus on storm debris removal. While most areas have been serviced on one or two occasions, the City has committed to making three separate passes until all debris has been collected. If you still have debris, please place it at the curb separated into the following piles:

Vegetation - leaves, logs, plants, tree branches (do not bag).
Construction & Demolition Material - carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, mattresses
Appliances - dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, washers, water heaters
Electronics - computers, radios, stereos, televisions, other devices with a cord.
Household Hazardous Waste - cleaning supplies, batteries, lawn chemical, oils, oil-based paints, stains and pesticide

Please remember: yard, junk, and tree waste collections will be suspended until further notice due to the need of extra personnel for debris collection related to disaster recovery.

Veterans Day Celebration & 9/11 Heroes Run - Nov. 11

Houston is proud to pay tribute to our men and women in the military by providing an annual "Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration". This civic celebration honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who pay the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and freedom.

The celebration this year will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2017 with the 9/11 Heroes Run which was cancelled on 9/11 this year due to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. All proceeds from registration (excluding cost of shirts/fulfillment) will be donated to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

The salute continues with the AARP Veterans Job & Resource Fair complete with Symbols of Freedom - military displays and activities surrounding the reflection pool in Hermann Square at City Hall.The traditional Veterans Day Ceremony presented by H-E-B will begin at 10 a.m. on the steps of City Hall ending with a moment of silence in memory of the signing of the WWI Armistice.

The entire event will take place from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 1.

Home Repair Tips from the Houston Permitting Center

The Houston Permitting Center would like to offer homeowners a few safety and repair tips for storm recovery (Repair Brochure: English | Español).

AVOID SCAMS

Consumers should be on alert for potential scams. For any repair work, it is recommended to get three bids and review each bid carefully.

LICENSED VS. UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS

General contractors are not required to be licensed. Check with the Better Business Bureau or other similar sites for reported scams and complaints.

Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors must be registered with the City of Houston and licensed by the State of Texas. Out of state licenses are not accepted except for those under the State of Texas' reciprocity agreement.

Visit the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to verify licenses or to view complaints against Master Electricians and HVAC technicians and/or Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to verify licenses or to view complaints against Master Plumbers.

REPAIR PERMITS

Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors making repairs must purchase a permit. Visit the Sold Permit Search to check if a permit has been purchased.

All electrical work must be completed by a licensed electrician.

Permits are NOT required for:

Tarping
Replacing wooden or metal fences (less than 8 feet in height)
Painting, papering, tiling, wood flooring and carpeting
Replacing cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
Repairing damaged sheet-rock or drywall (except when part of a shared wall in a townhome/condo)
Replacing bathroom or kitchen faucets

FLOODPLAIN PROPERTIES

Property located within the floodplain (i.e. Special Hazard Area,100-year floodplain or floodway) may require a Floodplain Development Permit. Contact the Floodplain Management Office prior to starting any repairs at fmo@houstontx.gov or 832-394-8854.

FEMA extends deadline to apply for disaster assistance to Nov. 24

FEMA has extended the disaster assistance deadline to Friday, November 24, and is urging residents affected by Harvey to apply for assistance as soon as possible.

Applicants may apply for help from FEMA by registering on the website DisasterAssistance.gov. If you do not have access to internet, you may sign up by calling 800-621-3362. If your application is pending and you need additional assistance, you can go to the FEMA Recovery Center at the George R. Brown Convention Center between 7 a.m and 7 p.m.

Depending on the damage, applicants may be eligible to receive: rental payments for temporary housing, unemployment payments, loans to cover residential losses not covered by insurance, and grants for home repairs and replacement of personal property, as well as other disaster-related needs.

Individuals who have speech disabilities or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; those who use 711 or Video Relay Service should call (800) 621-3362. Both toll-free numbers will be operational from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice, according to FEMA.

If you need questions about other disaster recovery services that may be available, call 2-1-1.

H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade - Nov. 23

Join the City of Houston on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2017, at 9 a.m. for the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Parade will be held in downtown Houston and is free for all.

The Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1949, when Santa arrived at Union Station and rode his sleigh to the downtown Foley's. Since then, the Thanksgiving Day parade has gone through a few changes but today, it remains a 68 year-old holiday tradition showcasing the Houston community and entertaining parade-goers lining the streets on Thanksgiving morning.

Join Houstonians of every age again this year as we embrace the holiday spirit on Thursday, November 23, 2017 with the 68th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade.