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September 2, 2022 Issue 116 |
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Dear residents,
We have hit the start of the school year running and are already gearing up for National Night Out on Tuesday, October 4. Since its founding in 1984, National Night Out has served as a national crime-prevention initiative aimed at furthering police-community partnerships, fostering neighborhood camaraderie, and deterring criminal activity. Each year my staff and I enjoy visiting as many neighborhoods as possible across the district, interacting with the community. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to participate in these events by reaching out to your local community or homeowner’s association.
With public safety being a priority heading into the fall, I wanted to share how my Council District Service Fund is being utilized this fiscal year. At the beginning of each fiscal year, July, I submit projects for approval to the Mayor’s Office and City Legal Department. If approved, these projects are to be completed over the next fiscal year, which ends June 2023. Council District Service Funds are provided to each District Council Member through the City’s General Fund and separated in two buckets. One bucket is for infrastructure related projects used in District E mostly for panel replacements while the other is utilized for more diverse district needs.
I just received the approvals for non-infrastructure related projects. Those submittals include our monthly weekend electronic recycling events, right of way mowing in Kingwood and Clear Lake, removal of dead and dangerous trees along Kingwood major thoroughfares, FLOCK Security Cameras, matching grants for Harris County Department of Education CASE program and over $300,000 dedicated to increasing public safety for District E through Houston Police Department Overtime Initiatives and equipment. Each of these projects is carefully selected to keep a level of service within District E as well as provide specialized care to the District E resident. We look forward to working with our City Departments to complete these projects over the next fiscal year. The infrastructure projects should be approved by the end of this month in time for our next newsletter.
As we transition to fall, the days will begin to shorten reducing our day light hours. In an effort to make sure our pedestrian paths and streets are illuminated please alert CenterPoint Energy to any street light outages you see along our roadways by calling (713) 207-2222 or using the online map. Additionally, if you are walking or biking at night please make sure to wear reflective clothing and/or reflective lights to increase your visibility to those driving motor vehicles.
The District E Office will be closed in observance of Labor Day, on Monday, September 5. We look forward to returning to serve the residents of District E on Tuesday, September 6.
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
Dustin Hodges
North Sector Manager
Mark Mitchell
South Sector Manager
Michael McKnight
Executive Assistant
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
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The District E Office Welcomes Michael McKnight to the Team |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin is happy to announce Michael McKnight, a Kingwood resident who recently graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Political Science at Sam Houston State University has joined the District E Office team as our new executive assistant.
Michael hopes to attend law school starting in 2024. Michael’s hobbies include visiting with friends and family and using the greenbelt trails in Kingwood.
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Happy 80th Birthday Mrs. Marie Flickinger |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to wish a special Happy Birthday to Marie Flickinger. Mayor Pro Tem Martin and District E staff had the privilege to attend Marie’s birthday celebration at the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce on September 1, 2022. Mayor Pro Tem Martin presented Marie with a proclamation from the City of Houston and Mayor Turner, as well as Certificates of Special Recognition to Marie’s Doctors and Nurses who recently saved her life. Marie is a major force in the South Belt-Ellington community. She is the co-founder and publisher of the South Belt-Ellington Leader newspaper, as well as the chief organizer and founding president of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce. Southeast Houston would not be what it is today, with out Marie Flickinger.
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Storm Management Protocols |
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The 2022 Hurricane Season has been relatively quiet. As a reminder to all District E residents, since 2017 the City of Houston has enacted active storm management protocols which includes a lake lowering strategy. The City of Houston’s active storm management protocol goes in to effect anytime there is a forecast predicting three inches of rain within the San Jacinto Watershed over twenty-four hours, while Lake Houston is at full pool, 42.5 ft, the Lake is lowered a minimum of six inches. This happens ANYTIME regardless of season. Lake Houston currently can be lowered one foot within twenty-four hours and the City of Houston is constantly watching incoming weather patterns.
This weekend is expected to be rainy but lowering of Lake Houston is unlikely, due to the forecast not reaching the 3-inch threshold in a 24-hour period. Anytime the protocol is enacted, the District E office will immediately send out notification with additional instructions.
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Unusually High Water Consumption?
Here's What You Need to Know
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin Dave Martin has been looking into the reports of high-water bill cases as he committed to. Investigations have taken roughly twenty-one days to reach a resolution with three outstanding from July. To date, 96% of the cases submitted the District E Office have resulted in water meters reading accurately when tested. Mayor Pro Tem Martin and the District E Office staff have been able to successfully assist nearly 80 people since July resulting in a bill adjustment, transmitter replacements, escalation to the Water Appeals Board, payment plans, or further collaboration with Customer Account Services.
The District E Office has limited access to the review of accounts due to privacy laws in Texas Utilities Code 182.052 restricting Mayor Pro Tem’s view of account details and case notes. As will all District E constituent casework, the District E Team remains committed to assisting District E residents with any concerns. If you believe your water bill is unusual it is important to contact Houston 3-1-1 (713-837-0311) first.
After residents have called Houston 3-1-1 a unique service request number is generated, which triggers an investigation. Once you receive your service request number after calling Houston 3-1-1, please send your service request number along with your most recent water bill to our office at districte@houstontx.gov for the District E office to monitor. The District E Office provided this information in an earlier press release this summer found here. Please keep in mind a Houston 3-1-1 report needs to be submitted each time an issue occurs.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's Office by calling (832) 393-3008 or by emailing DistrictE@houstontx.gov.
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Preparing Your Home and Property for Heavy Rain |
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There are actions you can take to keep the threat of rising water to a minimum and reduce ongoing storm drain maintenance costs.
- Keep ditches clear of debris. Mow weeds and tall grass, and don’t block culverts.
- Remove or secure large objects that are on the property that may end up in the ditch during a storm.
- Keep curbs and gutters clear of debris that may prevent water from flowing into inlet drains.
- Keep inlet drains clear of debris. Storm drains are not trash receptacles
- Call the 3-1-1 (713-837-0311) to make a request to clean the drainage system.
- Never put grass clippings in a storm drain. This will clog the system and cause rainwater to back up into streets and yards. Any person caught dumping into the storm sewer system can receive a fine of up to $2,000. Report violators to the 3-1-1.
- Keep trash cans at least two to three feet behind the curb on pick-up days.
Property owners are responsible for cleaning ditches abutting their property. This includes weed removal, mowing, and trash/rubbish removal. However, if there is a drainage problem the property owner should contact 3-1-1 and request an investigation by the Public Works Street and Drainage Division.
Residents can help be our eyes and ears on the streets. Alert Houston Public Works via 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 of potential problems that could cause flooding or high water in your community. Once you've reported a problem please follow up with our office by emailing your case number and information on the issue to our office at districte@houstontx.gov so that we can help make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner.
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Collins Aerospace Houston Spaceport Facilities Ribbon Cutting |
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District E staff attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 120,000 square-foot state-of-the-art Collins Aerospace facility at the Houston Spaceport on August 31. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Representative Brian Babin, along with Mayor Turner and many other state and local representatives attended the ceremony.
The increased footprint allows for expanded operations, manufacturing, and testing and is also expected to add an additional 300 jobs in the coming years. To read the Collins Aerospace press release click here.
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NASA’s Artemis 1 Launch Cape Canaveral Visit and Houston Launch Party |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin, along with Council Member Alcorn, and Council Member Robinson, attended the attempted launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket and the complete Orion spacecraft, at Cape Canaveral on August 29. Over that weekend, Mayor Pro Tem Martin was able to meet and speak with NASA Astronauts, NASA officials, Federal Representatives, visit Pad Site 39 B, and the Apollo 1 Mission Memorial Pad Site. Even though the launch was scrubbed, it was an amazing experience and Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to thank NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Lockheed Martin for the invitations and for being such gracious hosts. For updates and information about the Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket and rescheduled launch dates please visit here.
Additionally here in Houston the District E team had the chance to attended a launch party at Space Center Houston. The District E Staff would like to thank NASA Johnson Space Center for the invitation to their Artemis 1 Launch Party at Space Center Houston. The next tentative launch date for the Artemis 1 is September 3, 2022, at 1:17 p.m. CDT. To watch a live stream of the Artemis 1 launch, visit NASA Live.
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Greater Houston Partnership Legislative Policy Forum |
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District E Staff attended the Greater Houston Partnership Legislative Policy Forum at the San Jacinto College LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, and Technology (CPET) Center. Legislative staff from all levels of government convened to discuss emerging issues relating to education and the workforce pipeline, and exploring ways that industries are partnering with local educational institutions to grow the skilled workforce that Houston needs to compete in the global, 21st century economy and create opportunity for all Houstonians.
Speakers included Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College, as well as experts from industry leaders including LyondellBasell, Dow Chemical, and Ineos.
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Applications Being Accepted for HPD Youth Police Advisory Council |
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The new school year is underway, and the Houston Police Department is looking forward to working in tandem with young leaders in our high schools.
HPD is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2022-2023 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
In addition to meeting with Police Chief Troy Finner and other HPD leaders to discuss issues affecting youth and the community, YPAC members also give back by participating in community service projects. The students also attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state.
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis Street in downtown Houston.
The application deadline is October 1, 2022. Applications are available here.
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As Labor Day weekend approaches, it’s important to “Know Your Zone” when you’re on Lake Houston. The Lake Houston Safety Plan provides Lake Houston residents and those visiting 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.
To learn more about the Lake Houston Safety 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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The Best Water in Texas is there for all of us to enjoy - a resource all of our communities treasure. Boating is a wonderful recreational activity, and you can help keep it fun by following basic boating safety principles. When boating on our Texas lakes, keeping safety first in mind will help all of us to enjoy our beautiful lake now and in the years to come!
Texas law requires all boat operators born on or after September 1, 1993, who will be operating (a personal watercraft, a motorized boat over 15 hp, or a sailboat over 14 feet in length) to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card. Go to https://www.boat-ed.com/texas/ to get your Official Texas Boating Safety Course Online, and secure your Boater Education Certificate!
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Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion
September Community Meeting
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Houston Public Works
Adopt-A-Drain Program
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Houston’s Adopt-A-Drain is a partnership between Houston Public Works, Keep Houston Beautiful and community partners.
Houston Public Works currently has more than 100,000 inlets in our drainage system. Houston's Adopt-A-Drain program allows the community to help prevent future flooding, save taxpayers’ dollars, and keep our neighborhood storm drains clean and litter free. Nearly two thousand drains have been adopted since the program launched. Our goal is to get as many adopted before the next major storm or rain event.
To adopt a drain: visit www.HoustonAdoptaDrain.org, enter your email address, and follow the link you are sent. There is a short video on the website to help walk people through the process.
By adopting a drain, you are making a commitment to keep the drain clear of leaves and trash by cleaning it at least 4 times a year (especially before it rains).
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Intersection Improvements Scheduled for
E Lake Houston Parkway & FM 1960
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Houston Public Works will begin an intersection improvement project at E Lake Houston Parkway & FM 1960 on Monday, September, 12. The scope of work includes the addition of a dedicated right turn lane for southbound traffic, an audible pedestrian signal system, mast arm traffic signal poles, pedestrian ramps, and crosswalks. The cost of the project is $850,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage & Street Renewal Fund. This project was initially submitted for consideration back in 2016 and Mayor Pro Tem Martin is thrilled to finally see this project come to fruition bringing necessary safety and traffic improvements.
The project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, June 23, 2023, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 occasional lane closures. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times. Residents may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.
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District E Electronic Recycling Events |
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District E Upcoming Monthly Events
Please refer to Mayor Pro Tem Martin's District E website for location, time, and more event details for City of Houston Events. Email the District E office (districte@houstontx.gov) if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!
September 03 – NASA Artemis I Launch
September 08 – HPD Northeast Division Positive Interaction Program
September 13 – Northeast Water Purification Plant Virtual Community Meeting
September 14 – KSA Public Safety Committee Meeting
September 14 – Gulf Coast Protection District
September 19 – HPD Eastside Division Positive Interaction Program
September 20 – HPD Clear Lake Division Positive Interaction Program
September 20 – HPD Kingwood Division Positive Interaction Program
September 21 – Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council
September 24 – Family Promise of Lake Houston's Chicks and Hogs BBQ Cookoff
September 28 – Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce General Membership
September 29 – TIRZ 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting
October 04 – Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee
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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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