District K October 2022 Newsletter

District K Friends,

Happy Fall! This is by far, my favorite season for so many reasons. My number one reason is the amazing Houston weather during this time of year. I hope you all make time to enjoy some outside activities with your family and friends.

 

October 12th, City Council voted to approve and adopt the new redistricting plan for the City of Houston that will become effective January 2024. The redistricting plan was developed based on the 2020 Census data, public input, legal counsel and planning analysis. The good news is District K remains unchanged! The new district boundaries will be used for the purpose of electing District Council Members at the City General Election to be held on November 7, 2023. Thank you to all of the District K residents that filled out your census forms.

 

This month I also completed my term as the President of the Texas Municipal League, during the annual conference in San Antonio. I have enjoyed leading this dynamic group of Texas elected officials for the past 16 months. During my tenure we have held record breaking conferences in both Houston and San Antonio. We have built stronger partnerships with our legislative partners, trained hundreds of newly elected officials, visited small and large cities to problem solve and are prepared with our policy priorities for the 88th Legislature beginning January 2023. I have officially joined the TML Past President’s club and will serve as the immediate Past President next year on the board. I’m proud of the phenomenal work we have done together to protect local authority and shape good policy for Texans in over 1,600 Texas cities.

 

The District K Team and I have visited several civic clubs and HOAs to provide updates, discuss projects, concerns and successes throughout our neighborhoods. If your civic club or HOA would like to have us come visit please send an e-mail to Joe.Gatson@houstontx.gov for scheduling.

 

Last weekend, I was thrilled to kick off my MPAC (Martha’s President Advisory Committee) meeting with many of our neighborhood and super neighborhood presidents. There were 46 of the 96 Civic Clubs, POAs, or HOAs represented. Mayor Turner was our guest speaker and answered questions from our community leaders. Executive Assistant Chief Satterwhite presented the One Safe Houston program along with District K crime statistics. Alyce Coffee from Solid Waste Department also participated in the meeting. I discussed Deed Restrictions, the Donation Box Ordinance, the Camera Ordinance, Engage Houston, Department of Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, the 2022 Bond Election and upcoming Voter’s Information & Schedules for Harris County and Fort Bend County. It was a great opportunity for all presidents to network and learn what is happening in our city in order to share with our District K residents. I hope to see more neighborhood presidents at our next meeting. If your civic club, POA, HOA or super neighborhood is not active, let’s work together to get it active again. We need good leadership in each neighborhood to keep our District thriving. Ask your president to share the information with you at your next meeting.

 

Our Houston Astros will hit the road for games 3, 4 and maybe 5 of the American League Championship Series. Let keep rooting for our beloved home team. I’m ready for another parade.

 

In service,

Martha

 

Residents are encouraged to visit the Bond 2022 Election web page to get information on both the City and Harris County bonds.

 

 

Additional information on the City Bond Election can be found here: November 8, 2022 Bond Election Information (houstontx.gov).

 

Be informed and vote November 8, 2022! Early voting starts October 24 through November 4, 2022.

Residents in Brays Oaks will see much needed improvements to Fairmont St. soon. Vice Mayor Pro-Tem has identified this street as needing immediate repair and Houston Public Works has started the asphalt overlay of Fairmont Street from Bob White to Fonmeadow. Please drive slowly through the construction and watch for pedestrians in the area. We look forward to this improved driving surface.

Thank you to the residents in Fort Bend, Houston who have been vigilant in reporting the flooding concerns near 15015 Fondren Rd. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Castex-Tatum has worked with Houston Public Works Transportation and Drainage Operations for the drainage improvements and outfall repair to take place. The work is currently happening and is expected to be completed around December 30, 2022. The contractor is DL Glover, Inc.

 

Residents in Fort Bend Houston have reported concerns in this area and should see improvements immediately once work is complete. Teamwork makes our communities stronger and better!

Houston Public Work’s Walk for Water event is scheduled for Saturday, October 29^th at Allen’s Landing. The event is being hosted in partnership with Grundfos and spreads awareness for those around the world without access to clean drinking water. The non-profit Water Mission receives 100% of the funds raised through the event to build safe water solutions in developing nations and disaster areas. Participants will carry a bucket and walk 1.5 miles along Buffalo Bayou to a water source where they will fill their bucket and then walk 1.5 miles back to the starting point (simulating the voyage that many people worldwide make to bring clean water back to their homes). So far the 2022 walk has raised over $100,000!

 

Event Details:

Anderson Elementary School Spark Park is getting a make over. The existing SPARK Park, dedicated in 1998 was in serious need of replacement. We are excited to see the work happening to the play areas and can’t wait to see all the new equipment. Mark your calendars for the November 14th ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

SPARK Parks are available for public use after the school day has ended and on weekends and holidays. This new and improved park will be a welcome addition to our community.

Residents in Glenshire will soon see street improvements along Roark Road from Bellfort Avenue to Murphy Road. The work is scheduled to begin on October 24, 2022, and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2022. The project contractor is Durwood Greene Construction Co. We are looking forward to this improved roadway in our community.

Council District Service Funds at Work! Construction began October 3, 2022, and is expected to be completed by mid November, for the replacement of concrete panels between 3250 and 3899 W. Fuqua Street near Meredith Manor and Wild Heather communities. The contractor is JFT Construction, Inc. We are looking forward to smoother driving surfaces along this route.

 

Congratulations Willow Meadows Civic Club! I was proud to present a proclamation to an outstanding District K neighborhood for their recent awards from Neighborhood USA. The Willow Meadows Civic club received 2nd place in the NUSA 2022 Neighborhood Newsletter Competition for their print format publication. Steven Polnazek, received the Who’s Who Neighbor/Volunteer of the Year for 2022. We are super proud to work alongside these dedicated community leaders. It was a pleasure to recognize you at your city hall. Keep up the great work!

Houston Housing and Community Development (HCD) hosted a virtual pre-proposal conference for prospective developers for the new homes for Stella Link and Cityscape on October 13, 2022. Clickhere to watch the webinar recording, including the live question and answers. To download the slides used during the presentation, click here.

 

Please note, applications are due on November 16, 2022, by 3 PM. Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) documents, supporting exhibits, and the application portal can be viewed at HCD’s Funding & Contract Opportunities website. 

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) is hiring to fill several positions in our community centers. Click on the positions to view the full job description:

 

Share with your family member, friends, and neighbors!

Join us for the Tri-Party hybrid public meeting, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM. If you would like to attend in person, meet us at The FountainLife Center, 14065 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77035, or virtually via Zoom. To attend virtually, register here Tri-Party Zoom Registration, or scan the QR code below. The Tri-Party includes TIRZ 9, TIRZ 25 and the 5 Corners Management District. This is a great opportunity to hear about plans happening throughout District K.

Application Deadline – November 4, 2022, 5 p.m.

The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program supports neighborhood beautification and improvement projects by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grant reimbursements ranging from $500 to $5,000. Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. The application deadline is Friday, November 4, 2022, 5 p.m.

 

Eligibility Requirements

• Neighborhood-based organizations and civic clubs with State of Texas 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit certification are eligible to apply.

• Neighborhood-based organizations without official nonprofit status may apply in partnership with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organization as co-applicant.

• Grant projects must represent a specific geographic area located within the Houston city limits.

 

The Matching Grant Program is designed to encourage civic activity among neighbors, promote volunteerism, and support projects that help build stronger communities. The program is administered by the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) in partnership with participating Houston City Council offices.

For the application form and guidelines, go to Matching Grant Program (houstontx.gov). For more information, call DON’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement at 832-393-1043 or email Roman.Aguilar@houstontx.gov).

The Planning and Development Department has sent to residents in Hiram Clarke a Notice of Variance for the proposed development, Buffalo Way Villas. The applicant, Pioneer Engineering, LLC, has filed a request on behalf of the developer, to not extend White Heather Dr. through the proposed site. The applicant is also requesting a special exception to exceed intersection spacing along West Airport Blvd. by not providing a north-south public street.

 

The Houston Planning Commission will hold a public meeting to consider the applicant’s request. Members of the public may make comments and or express concerns about the proposed development by either attending the Planning Commission meeting in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams. For instructions on how to join the Microsoft Teams meeting visit the Planning Commission website, www.houstonplanning.com, or call 832-393-6624.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING INFORMATION:

Thursday, November 10, 2022, beginning at 2:30 PM

City Hall Annex Building, 900 Bagby Street

City Council Chamber, Public Level, Houston, TX 77002

 

The Notice of Variance (right); click the image to view the full notice. An image of the proposed development is below.

Book-tober is here, so crack those spooky spines or fall into an autumnal book! This month-long reading challenge for ages 0-18 is the perfect time to explore stories of merrymaking and mischief or thrills and chills! Visit: Houston Public Library Book-tober.

 

October 1 – November 1, 2022

The National Flag Foundation (NFF) has partnered with the Military Order of the Purple Heart (the only Congressionally Chartered Purple Heart Organization in our Country) to honor the 240th Anniversary of the Purple Heart Award. To celebrate, the NFF is planning a LIGHT TO UNITE night on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022. Houston BOMA and the Downtown District have partnered with the National Flag Foundation to promote the initiative.

 

As part of the initiative, Houston BOMA and the Downtown District have encouraged building owners and managers to participate by lighting their buildings in purple (or, if not possible, red, white, and blue) on November 11 to bring much-needed attention to the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the many deserving Purple Heart Medal recipients who find themselves in need on multiple levels. Participating buildings will be joining One World Trade Center, Pittsburgh’s Koppers Tower (home of the NFF), and dozens of other buildings and organizations across the nation in this display of solidarity and unity for those that served and paid a dear price to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy daily.

 

Check out our District K Gateways on November 11th!

In an effort to keep you informed about the Harris County Flood Control District’s continuing improvements in the Brays Bayou watershed, we want to notify you of an upcoming project in your area.

 

In fall 2022, the Flood Control District will begin construction of a maintenance project along an approximate 2-mile stretch of Keegans Bayou from Kirkwood Drive to US 59. The project will address the channel conveyance capacity issues and restore the channel back to its original design capacity. The project is expected to remove approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sediment from the channel.

 

The contractor will use heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers. Motorists are urged to be alert to truck traffic when passing near construction access points and along truck routes. For safety reasons, hike and bike trail closures are also expected along Keegans Bayou from Kirkwood Drive to US 59 for the duration of the project.

 

The Flood Control District appreciates your patience through the duration of this project. More information about the Flood Control District’s maintenance projects can be found at hcfcd.org/maintenance. Should you have any questions or comments, please visit hcfcd.org/contact-us.

 

Keegans Bayou Maintenance Project

Project ID#: D118-00-00-X009

Contractor: LECON, Inc.

Contract Amount: Approximately $7.2 million

Construction Start: Fall 2022

Construction Contract Duration: 515 calendar days