Inside District I
April 2019 Newsletter 
Greetings!

As you may know, the City of Houston is working to implement the 29% pay raise firefighters were granted when Houston voters approved Proposition B in November. Firefighters will receive a lump sum payment in May covering their 29% pay raise from Jan. 1, 2019.

Since there was no funding source associated with Prop B, the City had proposed phasing in raises over a period of five years to avoid layoffs and drastic cuts in City services. However, the fire union wants the raises over a three-year period retroactive to July 1, 2018. The administration recently proposed implementing Prop B over three and half years with fewer layoffs. The cost will come from the City's fund balance (reserve funding for emergencies such as hurricane responses), and reductions across other City departments.

Last month, Councilman Boykins proposed charging a monthly garbage fee of between $19 to $27 per household to balance the cost of the pay raises. All of the revenue from the fee would have gone to pay for raises, not to maintain or enhance garbage collection. City council voted 16-1 against the garbage fee proposal.

Many of you expressed your concerns to me about the proposal, and my office received dozens of calls and emails in opposition. We also surveyed hundreds of District I residents who overwhelmingly told us they did not support a garbage fee to pay for Prop B. Ironically, many of those who opposed the garbage fee are residents on fixed incomes who supported Prop B initially. They supported it because proponents told them it could be implemented with no new fees.

I'll continue visiting with the administration over the next few weeks to look at other ways to lessen the impact on City operations. Since the City of Houston operates under a property tax revenue cap, we should consider going back to the voters for approval to collect additional revenue for public safety, like we did in 2006, or to revise the restrictions established by the cap.

Like many of you, I believe our firefighters deserve a pay raise, but one that is sustainable in the long term and fair to taxpayers.

Respectfully,
Robert Gallegos
Houston Council Member
District I
Bayou Greenway Festival Returns to Mason Park - April 6
On Saturday, April 6, 2019, Houston Parks Board will host the fifth annual Bayou Greenway Day along Brays Bayou Greenway at Mason Park! Bayou Greenway Day is a celebration – a free, family festival open to all.

Houstonians from all neighborhoods are invited to experience the transformation happening along their bayous as part of Bayou Greenways 2020, one of the most ambitious parks projects in the country that will transform our bayou system into 150 miles of linear parks and hike-and-bike trails. 

Bayou Greenway Day is a day to walk, bike, run, stroll, play and picnic along the Bayou Greenways and connect with new friends in Parks By You!

Event Schedule
Event festivities will start at 9 a.m. with a 5k Run/Walk, followed by fun activities for the whole family starting at 10 a.m. 

Activities include live music, an Easter egg hunt, soccer games with Houston Dynamo staff, and much more. 

Follow the Houston Parks Board on Facebook for event details.

Bayou Greenway Day 2019 is an event of Houston Parks Board in collaboration with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. This family event is free to the public and everyone is welcome to join!
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. 
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.
Hobby Fest 2019 - April 20
Hobby Fest is an annual family-friendly day of celebration, aviation sightseeing, music, entertainment, prizes, and a BBQ cook-off contest. The festival offers an up-close look at rare, specialty, and high-tech aircraft on the tarmac. Admission is free, but we encourage you to bring a canned food donation. 

Hobby Fest 2019
Saturday, April 20, 2019 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Hobby Airport, East Ramp - 8402 Nelms St.

The event will take place on the East Ramp at Hobby Airport, 8402 Nelms St., 77061. Once you arrive at Hobby Airport, follow the "Special Events" signs to find parking. 
HBG Spring Saturday Series with Urban Harvest - April 27
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. In 2019, Houston will serve as 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 beginning Friday, Feb. 1 through Friday, May 31. Visit the Spring of Latino Arts Calendar of Events for a complete list of programs, exhibitions and performances.
Summer Jobs for Houston's Youth
Hire Houston Youth offers youth ages 16 to 24 internship and job opportunities at public and private employers throughout the Houston area. All positions offer at least 7 weeks of employment, and employers are asked to compensate youth at least $8 an hour. Most opportunities begin June 10, 2019 and end August 1, 2019. The application deadline has been extended through May 3, 2019.

Youth interested in a summer internship should apply online by visiting www.HireHoustonYouth.org/youth .
City Consolidates Residential Alarm Permits
Baker-Ripley Offering FREE Tax Preparation
FREE Quality Tax Preparation
Open through April 15, 2019

Who is eligible?
Families and individuals earning up to $58,000.

Free Services:
*Tax returns for 2013–2018
*Amended returns for 2013–2018
*Free e-filing & direct deposit
*ITIN applications and renewals
*No appointments, walk-ins only

For services, hours of operation and address click here .
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
888-877-7267

Utility Customer Service 
713-371-1400