Houston City Council Action
is a Big Win for Flood Reduction in District K
 
On Wednesday, September 2nd, my city council colleagues, Mayor Turner and I passed an ordinance approving the acquisition of three tracts of land for the Spellman Detention Basin Project. This detention basin has a proposed maximum volume of 208 acre-feet, which will help mitigate flood risks in the Willow Waterhole Bayou drainage area and Brays Bayou watershed.
 
The property is located near the 6400 along West Bellfort Ave., adjacent to the Fondren Diversion Channel, north of Willow Waterhole. For more information: https://houston.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/Coversheet.aspx?ItemID=20303&MeetingID=445
We also passed an ordinance appropriating $1,474,600.00 for Westbury Area Drainage and Paving Improvements Subproject 1. This project consists of the design of storm drainage improvements, concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways and underground utilities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
District K Census 2020 Update
 
District K is currently reporting a 61% completion rate. Ten years ago in this same area, 75% of residents completed the census. Time is running out, so we need everyone who has not filled out their census to get it done soon. Find your census track and see how your neighborhood is performing. To view an interactive version of this map visit: januaryadvisors.com/census-2020-houston-response-rates/.
 
It’s not too late, you can still complete the census today. It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail- all without having to meet a census taker. Today you can respond online, by phone or by mail. Hundreds of thousands of temporary census takers will use smartphones to follow up with households that don’t respond. Say YES to Census 2020. www.my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 to complete over the phone.
 
“Illuminated Community Reflections”
is Installed
On December 15, 2017 we held the grand opening of the Southwest HPD Station on Nitida. Although we were ecstatic about the new state of the art station in our community, we were all disappointed that the civic art would not be installed simultaneously. The long-awaited artwork has been installed.
 
When I drove in to take pictures of the sculpture I looked up and smiled. I remember how excited CM Larry Green was when he chose the winning art piece for the station. He loved the colors, the meaning and everything about Koryn Rolstand’s vision for this space.
 
The 6,000 custom fabricated pieces were installed by the Houston Arts Alliance. Ride by and see our newest art installation, “Illuminated Community Reflection.” The artist wanted the piece to be a contemplative experience while making the entry lively, interesting and calming. She wanted everyone to be drawn to the piece as an expression of our community commitment to high quality representation. I miss Larry and Donald everyday and I’m grateful to carry on the legacy of District K. Let us know your thoughts when you see it. Art inspires!
Applications Being Accepted for Police Chief’s Youth Police Advisory Council
 
The Houston Police Department is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2020-2021 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
 
Students will address issues affecting youth and the community, participate in community service projects and attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state. Additionally, the YPAC meets regularly with Chief of Police Art Acevedo and other top HPD officials.
 
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis in downtown Houston. Applications are available online at https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/forms/ypac-app-2019.pdf The deadline to apply is Monday, October 5, 2020.
 
For more information, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/ypac.htm, email 
rhonda.holmes@houstonpolice.org or call Ms. Holmes at 713-308-3200.
 
Notice and Opportunity to Comment
Fondren Road
 
Purpose:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with the City of Houston, is proposing to widen, reconstruct and improve Fondren Road from Airport Boulevard (Blvd) to Braeswood Blvd in Harris County, Texas. This notice is affording an opportunity to comment as part of the environmental review process for this project. Comments must be received in writing on or before Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 to be part of the official record.
 
Description:
TxDOT Houston District is proposing to improve traffic circulation, drainage and safety in the service area. The project includes:
  • Widening and reconstructing 2.16 miles of Fondren Road from South of West Airport Blvd to South Braeswood Blvd
  • Reconstructing the Fondren Road from West Airport Blvd to Sanford Dr
  • Widening the roadway from a four-lane divided roadway to a six-lane boulevard between Sanford Drive to South Brasewood Blvd with curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways and street lighting
  • Reconstructing the storm sewer drainage system
 
Although additional right-of-way would be required, no residential or non-residential structures are anticipated to be displaced at this time. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction can be obtained from the City of Houston by calling (832) 395-2225.
 
Memorandum of Understanding:
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, and executed by the FHWA and TxDOT.
 
Downloads:
 
Contact:
Reference the following project numbers: CSJ: 0912-72-381
 
TxDOT Houston District
Public Information Office
P.O. Box 1386
Houston, Texas 77251
(713) 802-5077
 
Dear Community Member,
 
Are you interested in giving students a firsthand look at the democratic process? In Texas, high school students aged 16 years and older can get paid to work on Election Day. We would like to encourage students across Harris County to apply to work in the upcoming November 3, 2020 General Election.  
 
 
Students can apply online at http://www.harrisvotes.com/studentclerks. Please feel free to share this link!
 
When students serve on Election Day they receive:
  • $17 an hour
  • Paid training
  • An excused absence from school
  • A letter of recommendation from Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins
 
We encourage students to apply by our priority deadline of September 11, 2020. 
 
In addition, a member of our Outreach staff will be available to speak to your group virtually.
 
 
Kristina Nichols
Voter Logistical Coordinator 
Office: 713-274-9559
Mobile: 713-870-3315
 
City of Houston Partners with Local Businesses to Help Hurricane Laura Victims
 
Donations are now being accepted for residents recovering from Hurricane Laura.
 
The Mayor’s Health Equity Response (H.E.R) Task Force is working with Kroger President Joe Kelly, Gallery Furniture owner Jim McIngvale and the Relief Gang to coordinate “Houston’s Paying It Forward” Hurricane Relief Response to Hurricane Laura.
 
All donated items will be sent to our neighbors in Port Arthur, Orange, and Beaumont, Texas as well as Sulphur and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The supplies will be distributed to residents trying to recover after their homes and personal belongings were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Laura. 
 
Donations can also be made at: http://houstontx.gov/laura-fund.html.
 
Help Beautify and Improve Your Neighborhood with a Matching Grant!
 
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program affords the opportunity for beautification and improvement projects by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grant reimbursement from $500 to $5,000. I encourage neighborhood organizations to apply for the matching grant; access the application here: https://www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods/Matching-Grant-App-Packet-FY2021.pdf.
 
I also invite you to join me and fellow committee members of the Council Committee on Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs when we meet on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. We will learn more about the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program. The virtual meeting can be joined via this link: http://bit.ly/Sept8RN. To sign up for public comment for this meeting, please do so by Monday, September 7, 2020, before 5:00 P.M., by completing the form at http://bit.ly/Sept8RNAPublicComment.
Fort Bend Houston Complete Communities, We Need Your Input!
 
 
We have been working over the past year to recognize what is important to you. We’ve listened to your recommendations and have identified programs and projects.  However, our work is just beginning!
 
Help us by completing the prioritization survey and joining a working group team. Please visit https://www.letstalkhouston.org/ and register today!
 
Glenshire Park Walking Trail Resurfaced!
 
The walking trail at Glenshire Park (12100 Riceville School Road, 77031) recently got a facelift! Thanks HPARD and all of the residents who patiently and consistently advocate for improvements in our community parks. Partnerships definitely make our district stronger. Grab a friend, get some fresh air and steps in today. Happy walking!