Inside District I
May 2019 Newsletter 
Greetings!

Communities in District I and throughout east and southeast Houston continue to experience the negative impacts of trains blocking crossings for extended periods of time. The blockages are particularly problematic in the early morning and afternoon hours when pedestrians and commuters are trying to reach their destination. 

Last week, I invited area elected officials from the state and federal levels to join me in highlighting these issues at a meeting with Union Pacific officials. We expressed our frustration and those of our residents regarding the repeated, extended blockages, as well as the issues caused by malfunctioning gates and crossing signals. We also urged them to review local operations to help mitigate the impact on surrounding neighborhoods, including finding ways to lessen the blockages at primary thoroughfares, especially during rush hour. We will continue to monitor their operations over the next few months.

UP and all railroad companies are important economic drivers in our country, but just as important is the need for them to be considerate of the communities in which they operate. If you experience issues at a crossing (stalled train, malfunctioning signal or gate), please report it immediately to the appropriate railroad company: 800-848-8715 for UP, and 800-832-5452 for BNSF.


Respectfully,
Robert Gallegos
Houston Council Member
District I
Weather Alert!
The National Weather Service has placed our region, including the City of Houston, in a Flash Flood Watch until 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Forecasted rainfall totals estimate about 5-8 inches widespread, with isolated 9-12 inches possible through the weekend. Residents should monitor weather reports and avoid traveling during periods of heavy rain.

As the National Weather Service has campaigned for years: “Turn around, don’t drown!” If you must drive, stay informed with weather and traffic updates through the National Weather Service and live Houston traffic updates .

Follow these safety tips when it’s raining:
  • Drive with caution and slow down
  • Be alert at intersections, as traffic lights may not be working
  • Be aware of the potential for falling trees and storm debris on the road
  • Provide extra braking distance
  • Stay away from puddles to avoid hydroplaning
  • Don’t drive near barriers or through high water
Work on Mulford Street Resumes
Repairs have resumed on a project aimed at repairing the roadway and sidewalk on Mulford Street. Work had temporarily paused while additional funds were appropriated to cover the costs associated with additional and unexpected repairs.  

"Last week, I walked the project site to inform residents of the ongoing work and to assure them that the city would address and complete all necessary repairs and associated work," noted Councilman Gallegos.

Public Works believes the remaining work will be completed by the end of the month. I appreciate our residents’ patience and if anyone has any questions please call the District I Office at 832-393-3011.
FREE Community Health Fair - May 18
A Busy Spring at the Houston Botanic Garden
Things are starting to get busy over at the Houston Botanic Garden. The Garden has been featuring a “Saturday Series” of special events and classes on a variety of topics connecting people with plants and nature. Coming up, in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day on May 11th, the Garden is partnering with Houston Audubon to present a family workshop discussing birds, conservation, migration, and more - complete with live hawk and owl visitors. To register and get more information about other programming, visit: www.hbg.org/engage

Houston Botanic Garden is also joining 150 gardens across the country to celebrate National Public Garden’s Week, May 13-19. If you are in the area, you will notice both City Hall and the Montrose Bridges over Highway 59 glowing green the evening of Monday, May 13 in honor of public gardens. The following evening, May 14, the Garden will host a free neighborhood social. All are invited to participate and enjoy educational games, Garden updates, and guided tours. Attendees can also take the “Grow it Forward Pledge” and take home their own citrus tree to plant (while supplies last). The idea of “Grow it Forward” is that participants promise to care for the tree and then share some of the fruit it produces with friends and neighbors. 

Now that construction is underway, residents can expect more news and events from the Garden. There is a lot to look forward to! Check out Houston Botanic Garden on social media— Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates! 
METRO Pass Offers Students Free Rides All Summer
Get your Student METRO Q® Fare Card and ride for FREE all summer long from June 1 – Aug. 31, 2019. If you are a K-12 or college student and you already have a Student METRO Q® Fare Card, you are good to go thanks to the METRO Summer of Fun program.

Simply use your current Student METRO Q® Fare Card, and enjoy unlimited rides on any METRO local bus, Park & Ride or METRORail service free of charge. After Aug. 31, 2019, when the Summer of Fun program ends, your same card automatically converts back to your discounted Student METRO Q® Fare Card, which is coded with a 50 percent student discount.

For more information, go to www.ridemetro.org or call 713-635-4000.
Asphalt Overlay Underway on S. Lockwood (I-45 to Polk St.)
Houston Public Works (HPW) - Transportation & Drainage Operations (TDO) began an asphalt overlay rehabilitation project on South Lockwood between I-45 and Polk in the Eastwood area. The work began at the beginning of April and is estimated to take approximately 3 months to complete, weather permitting.  

The overlay project is meant to extend the life of the pavement and provide a smooth riding surface. The $650,000 project is partially funded through District I Service Dollars allocated by Councilman Gallegos.

For additional information, contact Councilman Gallegos' Office at 832-393-3011.
Summer Jobs for Houston's Youth
Hire Houston Youth, in partnership with the McDonald’s Owners/Operators Association of Greater Houston, hosts various hiring events for summer jobs positions open to all youth ages 16 to 24. These events are open to the public and do not require applicants to pre-register or be pre-screened.

All positions offer at least 7 weeks of employment, and employers are asked to compensate youth at least $8 an hour. Wages are paid by the participating private employers. Most opportunities begin June 10, 2019 and end August 1, 2019.

Youth MUST bring documents to prove their eligibility to work. To view a list of acceptable documents.
Assistance Available for Homeowners Impacted by Harvey
The City of Houston, through the Housing & Community Development Department, will administer a $1.17 billion program funded by the federal government to assist Houstonians affected by Hurricane Harvey. One of the primary programs being funded is a Homeowner Assistance Program (HoAP) to help homeowners whose homes were damaged during Harvey. There are five options within HoAP to assist homeowners at different stages of recovery and with specific recovery needs. If eligible, homeowners may qualify to participate in one or more of the program options described below.

REIMBURSEMENT: If you have completed repairs on your home you may be eligible for reimbursement of some expenses. Any work considered for reimbursement must have been performed prior the date you submitted your application and must pass an environmental clearance and an on-site inspection.

ACQUISITION: If your home was substantially damaged, you may be eligible to have your property purchased by the City. You may also be eligible to apply for additional assistance to purchase a new home.

CITY-MANAGED REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION: The City will use a pool of contractors to rehabilitate or reconstruct storm-damaged homes. The City will manage and complete the construction process on your behalf.

INTERIM MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: If you are making both a mortgage payment on your storm-damaged home and making a rental payment for a temporary home, you may be eligible to receive up to 20 months of mortgage assistance.

HOMEOWNER-MANAGED REHABILITATION: This option is only available if you have already started construction on your home and are under contract at the time of applicatio n, but need financial assistance and technical expertise to complete repairs.

Because funding is limited, the Homeowner Assistance Program will have priorities for people who need the most help first. For more information about the programs, please call 832-393-0550 or visit www.Recovery.Houstontx.gov . Additionally, residents may visit one of four recovery centers the City has opened across Houston. 
Explore the Spring of Latino Art
Latino Art Now! (LAN!), a signature event of the Inter-University for Latino Research consortium and hosted by the University of Houston Center for Mexican American Studies, explores and celebrates Latino/a/x and Latin American visual artists in the United States while advancing awareness, education, scholarship and knowledge. Houston is the fifth US city to host such an effort that targets both local and national audiences.

A special feature of LAN! is the Spring of Latino Art (SOLA), an outgrowth of partnerships with area arts organizations and artists. SOLA features more than 100 art exhibitions and other forms of cultural engagement at UH, area museums, galleries and cultural centers through Friday, May 31. Visit the Spring of Latino Arts Calendar of Events for a complete list of programs, exhibitions and performances.
City Consolidates Residential Alarm Permits
Helpful Numbers
District I Office
832-393-3011

Houston Help & Info 
3-1-1 or 713-837-0311

Air Pollution Concerns 
832-393-5730

BARC
713-837-0311

Citizens' Assistance
832-393-0955

Dept. of Neighborhoods 
832-393-1038
HPD (non-emergency)
713-884-3131

Report Dumped Tires
832-393-0460

Solid Waste Department
713-837-0311

Report trains blocking intersections
Union Pacific: 800-848-8715
BNSF: 800-832-5452

Utility Customer Service 
713-371-1400