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September 3, 2021 Issue 104 |
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Dear Residents,
This time last week Hurricane Ida was starting to form in the Gulf of Mexico, right as we were reaching the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. Our prayers are with our neighbors in Louisiana and Mississippi as they struggle to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
The City of Houston is assisting with their relief efforts and if you would like to assist by providing donations or volunteering you can reach out to the National Association of Christian Churches (NACC) Disaster Services by calling (832) 626-7111.
Since Hurricane Harvey, the City of Houston has worked tirelessly to put the City in a better position than we were in, four-years ago. Today, I can say with confidence the City is more resilient and continues to add more projects in District E that will reduce future flood risk. Over the last four years, the City of Houston has invested approximately $800 Million in infrastructure repairs and improvements.
- 42 Capital Improvement Projects completed and an additional nine that are in construction, totaling $501 Million in total investment in stormwater infrastructure.
- 124 Local Drainage Projects totaling over $21 Million, by the end of this Fiscal Year an additional 40 projects will be completed. These are projects are less than $3 Million in costs and are usually delivered at a faster pace.
- 124 SWAT projects have been constructed totaling $34.7 Million. An additional 18 projects are under construction or in the design phase and are estimated to be completed by the end of this Fiscal Year, bringing the total number of projects to over 142.
- Six large-scale TIRZ inter-agency projects have been completed, exceeding $33 Million, and three more are in construction, adding over $76 Million in investments for drainage infrastructure.
- Ten properties have been acquired for detention at the cost of $70.5 Million and resulting in 357.6 acres of added detention.
- $120 Million combination funding of Federal and State funds resulted in the dredging of 3 million cubic yards of sand/sediment from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.
The City of Houston has also been successful in securing additional project funding to continue to develop projects. To date the City has received funding for:
- $57 Million indirect allocations for local infrastructure projects from Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation grant funds.
- $300 Million from FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funds for regional detention and flood damage reduction projects. (Inwood, Lake Houston Dam, North Canal, TIRZ 17).
- $50 Million in State grant funds for additional dredging of Lake Houston.
- $32 Million in State subsidized loans and grants for two flood-damaged reduction projects.
- $23 Million in CDBG-DR funds for infrastructure planning recovery and resilience projects.
The Recovery Office will present a 4th-anniversary report to City Council in the coming week, which my office will share via social media: including a comprehensive overview of recovery, hazard mitigation, and housing. I would be remiss if I did not mention my continued advocacy for the Texas Coastal Study which would fortify the Houston Ship Channel and Texas coastline preserving industry as well as residences against the threat of storm surge.
I am committed to continuing the prioritization of drainage, stormwater, and any projects which reduce the risk of flooding through the remainder of my term. Thank you for your support of my office, and these projects. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District E.
The District E office will be closed Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day.
Sincerely,
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Mayor Pro Dave Martin
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 393-3008
The District E Team
Jessica Beemer
Chief of Staff
Katherine Cunningham
Deputy Chief of Staff
Dustin Hodges
North Sector Manager
Mark Mitchell
South Sector Manager
Jorge Torres
Intern
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
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Mayor Turner Encourages Houstonians to Support Local Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts |
Mayor Sylvester Turner encourages Houstonians to support local relief efforts in response to Hurricane Ida's devastating impact on the people of Louisiana. An unknown number of Louisiana residents have evacuated to Houston and need shelter and other assistance.
The City is partnering with the National Association of Christian Churches (NACC), The Kroger Co., and Gallery Furniture owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale to assist storm evacuees.
On Monday, August 30, NACC opened its doors to provide shelter for more than 120 people who had evacuated before the storm devastated parts of Louisiana. NACC is providing hot meals, shower facilities, a change of clothes, and hygiene items.
The shelter follows all health and safety protocols with social distancing and provides face masks and sanitizer for families and individuals. Volunteers and NACC staff members will remain ready to assist our Louisiana guests with immediate needs and shelter for the next several days. To volunteer or donate supplies, please call NACC Disaster Services at (832) 626-7111.
Kroger has launched a relief drive in more than 100 Greater Houston and Louisiana stores to support the communities and families affected by Hurricane Ida. Customers can donate a bag of non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods for $6 at checkout. The bags will contain staples such as tuna, peanut butter, oatmeal, and apple juice. The bags will go directly to NOLA to support families in need.
Kroger, Gallery Furniture and the City of Houston will distribute trailers of food and water to the community, with banners emblazoned with the phrase “We Are Here for You”, a message of support to a community in recovery.
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District E Welcomes Newest CHIP Intern |
Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to give a warm welcome to the newest member of the District E Team, Jorge Torres. Jorge will be interning with the District E Office this Fall, and we are all looking forward to working with him.
Jorge was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to The Woodlands in August of 2015. He is a senior majoring in History at the University of Houston and plans to enroll in Law School after he graduates. Some of his hobbies include tennis, CrossFit, traveling, gastronomy, movies, and history.
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HPW Launches Website Ahead of Water Rate Increase |
Houston Public Works has launched a website to assist customers and provide more information ahead of the water rates increase. New water and wastewater rates went into effect on September 1. The new rates pay for the increased cost of service for each type of customer while ensuring everyone pays their fair share.
The Houston Water Rates website features a tool where customers can calculate how much their utility bill will change with the new rates. The community can find tips on how to lower their utility bill and resources for those who need assistance paying their water bill. Houston Public Works will continue to share ways to fix leaks and save money on social media @HouPublicWorks.
Customers with questions about their utility bills are can contact Customer Account Services at 713.371.1400.
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Exploration Green Art Installation |
Mayor Pro Tem Martin is happy to announce the temporary art inst11lation at Exploration Green Phase 1, “Sounds of Tomorrow – The Oracle Tree” created by Artist Lina Dib. The Oracle Tree is a beautiful and majestic pine tree located in a prominent spot within phase one of Houston’s Exploration Green Conservancy. Currently on view, around the tree are benches that offer park goers somewhere to sit and enjoy the brilliant surroundings of the island in the center of the lake. Even though Exploration Green Conservancy is relatively new, it is already home to hundreds of birds including ducks, egrets, and more.
Viewers can stop to enjoy this stunning vantage point; they may notice that this pine tree is no ordinary tree. Two small speakers mounted in the tree play sounds relating to tomorrow’s weather. The soundtracks, recorded by Dib, feature various textures and open-air recordings from the park, as well as collected sounds of insects, birds, and other species. Park visitors can sit on Dib’s benches and listen to Sounds of Tomorrow – The Oracle Tree to hear tomorrow’s forecast and learn about current inhabitants of the conservancy through her installation.
Dib’s installation highlights the multi-faceted possibilities of public art and is revolutionary in its multi-sensory capacity, engaging audiences and inviting them to experience the sights and sounds of the Exploration Green Conservancy in a new and exciting way.
The Oracle Tree and Exploration Green Phase 1 is located at 16203 Diana Ln., Houston, TX 77062.
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The Lake Houston Safety Plan provides Lake Houston residents and visiting recreational users with information preparing them to better identify their location on the lake and how to best report a lake incident to 9-1-1 dispatchers.
The "Know Your Zone" map was created by District E in collaboration with the Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, Houston Planning Department, Houston Office of Emergency Management, Houston Emergency Center, and the Houston Public Works Department. To date, signs have been installed at Deussen Park, East End Park, River Grove Park, Kings Harbor, W Lake Houston Parkway Bridge and on the FM 1960 Bridge. Houston Public Works has been hampered by the weather but is still working to install signs that have been requested by community groups and private community boat dock owners.
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is proud this safety plan is already making a positive impact, in early April 2021 a caller reported a kayaker in trouble on the Lake and knew they were located in the Orange Zone. First responders reached the kayaker in trouble, wearing a life jacket, and pulled them and their boat out of the lake within twenty minutes.
To learn more about the plan visit www.houstontx.gov/knowyourzones. There you can print your own maps, share with neighbors, post on social media and #knowyourzone.
Should you like to request a presentation for your group (HOA, Civic Club etc.) or receive resources directly, please email the District E Office at districte@houstontx.gov.
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Backpack Delivery to District E Schools |
Just in time for the school year kicking off across District E, Mayor Pro Tem Martin had the privilege to donate 600 backpacks full of school supplies to Cimarron Elementary located in the North Shore area and Elm Grove Elementary in Kingwood, thanks to Mayor Sylvester Turner and his annual "Back 2 School Fest". |
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City of Houston Street Rehab Initiative Underway in Kingwood |
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Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin would like to make Kingwood area residents aware Houston Public Works will begin a street rehabilitation project on Tuesday, September 7, starting on Forest Way.
The scope of work includes rehabbing the concrete streets of Forest Way, Royal Forest Drive, Rockmead Drive, Stonehollow Drive, Green Oak Drive, and Chestnut Ridge Road north of Kingwood Drive.
The cost of the project is $920,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund. The project is a product of Mayor Turner's Street Rehab Initiative that was launched in September 2020. The initiative will focus on extending the life of existing infrastructure by rehabilitating street surfaces, fixing curbs, storm drains and bringing ramps up to accessibility standards.
Crews will be mobilized on-site beginning Tuesday, September 7 and the project is anticipated to be completed by Wednesday, December 29, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
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Interactive Map to Browse Census 2020 Data |
Recently released Census 2020 data shows that Houston's 2020 population is 2,304,580, representing an increase of 9.8% (205,129) from the 2010 Census; this is also an increase of 7.5% (145,820) from the previous decade.
Of the top 10 largest cities in 2020, Houston had the second-highest population increase by percentage (9.8%) after Phoenix (11.2%).
The Planning Department's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) division created this interactive story map to visualize the Census 2020 data and at the same time compare it with the 2010 data to understand how variables like race/ethnicity, voting age population and housing units have changed over a decade. This web app enables users to interact with two web maps simultaneously in a single scalable view. The map works best when viewed on Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge internet browsers, and is not compatible with Internet Explorer.
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Willow Terrace Panel Replacement Scheduled |
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin would like to make Kingwood area residents aware Houston Public Works will start a panel replacement project on Willow Terrace Drive beginning Tuesday, September 7, weather permitting. The scope of work includes replacing damaged concrete panels along the north and southbound lanes of Willow Terrace from Kingwood Drive to Palisade Falls Trail. The cost of the project is $101,800 and is funded through Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Council District Service Funds.
Crews will be mobilized on-site beginning Tuesday, September 7 and the project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, October 15, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
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Desilting Under Kingwood Bridges |
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin wants to remind Kingwood area residents Houston Public Works maintenance crews are performing desilting under certain bridges in Kingwood. Crews began desilting underneath the Kingwood Drive bridge over Bens Branch on Monday, August 23. This work is being funded through the City's general maintenance and operation funds.
The scope of work includes removing accumulated silt and sediment from underneath the bridge and in the immediate vicinity of the bridge apron. Once crews are finished at this location, they will perform desilting underneath the Kingwood Drive bridge over the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. These specific bridges are being addressed in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District to complement their recent desilting efforts on Bens Branch and Kingwood Diversion Ditch. Other bridges are being investigated for desilting as well and we will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Crews mobilized on-site Monday, August 23 and the project is expected to be completed by Friday, September 10, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place from 7:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Residents should be aware of possible lane closures and delays when traveling through this area.
As a result of the construction activities, the guardrail on the south side of the bridge has been removed due to a lack of access to the work area. Safety measures are in place while work is going on. Please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that may be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone.
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Harvey Economic Development Program |
Hurricane Harvey generated long-term impact and challenges for Houston’s small business sector. The Harvey Economic Development Program (HEDP) provides support to impacted small businesses and communities through small business loans and grants.
The program prioritizes microenterprises, which are defined as small businesses consisting of 5 employees or fewer, including the owner. This program will complement existing projects that focus on providing jobs and housing assistance to communities that are most vulnerable to the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey.
Find out more! Eligibility, application requirements, etc. here.
Am I eligible? Take the quiz here.
Frequently Asked Questions: scroll down to “Additional Questions” on the website.
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Solid Waste Management Department
Launches HTX Collects Mobile App
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The Houston Solid Waste Management Department has launched HTX Collects, a mobile app that will allow residents to stay better connected with the City’s waste and recycling collection programs.
The Solid Waste Management Department collects curbside service for over 395,000 residential homes within the city limits. With both garbage (black can) and recycling (green can) as the core operations for curbside collections, the mobile app will help residents keep track of weekly services, updates, and collection delays.
HTX Collects, will include collection reminders for garbage, recycling, yard waste and tree/junk waste specific to their service address. The mobile app will also send a reminder to residents of their collection days.
Residents can find and download the mobile app for Apple and Android devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for the keywords Houston Trash and Recycling. We encourage residents to use the following features of the new app:
Collection Calendar: Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, Junk/Tree Waste services. Set reminders and receive alerts via email, push notifications, and phone call.
Waste Wizard: Searchable solid waste directory, curbside services, and drop-off location information.
Waste Sorting Game: Fun, interactive educational tool to engage, challenge and change recycling behavior.
Those who do not have an Apple or Android device can visit our website HoustonRecycles.org and search their home address in the My Schedule tool. They can also:
- Sign up to receive waste collection reminders by email or phone call.
- Download their collection schedule into their iCal, Google calendar, or Microsoft Outlook calendar.
- Print their personalized collection schedule.
- Residents can also search the Waste Wizard on HoustonRecycles.org to learn how to recycle or dispose of materials properly.
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Join Council Members David W. Robinson and Sallie Alcorn for a virtual Houston Sidewalk Summit on Sept. 21. The Sidewalk Summit will bring together decision-makers and stakeholders for a candid discussion of current sidewalk regulations, municipal policies, and critical investments being made in Houston. We’ll also discuss new ideas for addressing the city’s sidewalk challenges and improving the overall pedestrian experience.
The summit will be broken up into a series of panels, each focused on different policies and investments related to sidewalks, with opportunities for public input and discussion. Planning and Development Department Director Margaret Wallace Brown and Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock will start the program with an overview of the state of sidewalks in the city.
Houston’s Complete Communities Director Shannon Buggs and Chief Transportation Planner David Fields will discuss the role sidewalks play in our communities and transportation network. City staffers will also speak on how sidewalks tie into our resiliency, sustainability, and accessibility initiatives. Smart Growth America, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, AARP, LINK Houston, and other organizations in the transportation sphere have also been invited to participate.
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City of Houston Leash Ordinance Reminder |
Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like remind District E Residents of Division 2, Article I of Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances also know as the Leash Ordinance. Recently, it has been brought to the District E Office’s attention that many residents are allowing their dogs to run off leash at city parks, that are not in an established off-leash site.
Dogs are to remain on leash at all times while at a City of Houston Park that is no designated a Dog Park. Residents can report dogs running off leash at a city park to Houston 311, or they can call Urban Park Rangers Dispatch 24/7 at 832-395-7100.
For the safety of your beloved pets, and neighbors, please remember to keep your pets on a leash when out and about. For more information about Houston Parks and Houston Parks and Recreation Department please visit https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/contact.html .
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Houston Public Works Extends Survey for Lead & Copper Testing |
Houston Public Works has extended the survey to offer free water testing for qualified homes that may have lead & copper pipes. Lead and copper enter drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. Exposure to lead & copper may cause health problems. This survey should take no more than two minutes and will determine if customers qualify for free lead & water testing.
If customers qualify and are selected for free lead & copper water testing, Houston Water will send an email before the end of the year. A test kit will be dropped off at the front door with instructions on how to sample water from the kitchen or bathroom sink. Leave the sample outside the front door. Houston Water will pick it up within the week. Email questions to LCRProgram@houstontx.gov.
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Mark your calendars! The annual 9/11 Heroes Run will be held on Saturday, September 8 at City Hall.
The 9/11 Heroes Run unites communities internationally with the goal to Never Forget the sacrifices of the heroes of September 11 and in the wars since: veterans, first responders, civilian, and military. This year, the event will be held in over 55 cities and numerous military installation around the world.
Founded in honor of 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who gave his life while serving in Iraq in 2009, the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) assists American veterans and the families of the fallen in addition to organizing a number of charitable initiatives including the 9/11 Heroes Run.
Interested participants can register online here.
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COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information |
Residents should continue frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks. Find free, fast, and safe COVID-19 testing sites here.
As of Monday, May 10, 2021, everyone age 12 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations. All vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 12 and older.
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CASE for Kids City Connections is an initiative funded directly by the City of Houston to support nonprofit organizations that address the need for youth services outside the school day.
Projects funded by the CASE for Kids City Connections program will take place in each Houston city council district in a variety of locations, including schools, community centers, and churches.
The deadline to apply is September 13, 2021, at 2 p.m.
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See a pothole, report it by calling (713) 837-0311 or use a Smartphone App.
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Get the latest on COVID-19 including locations of active testing sites can be found here.
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Tune in to HTV Houston to watch live and recorded City Council and Committee Meetings.
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