District K Post- Harvey Community Town Hall Meeting
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and havoc the storm brought to Houston, Council Member Green hosted a District K-wide community town hall meeting last month at The Power Center, 12401 South Post Oak Rd. @ South Main St.
“It was paramount that I connected our District K constituents to the various resources who can better provide recovery following this storm,” stated Council Member Green. Invited participants included the following:
- FEMA
- Solid Waste Dept.
- Public Works & Engineering Dept. (Code Enforcement/Floodplain Management Team)
- Housing & Community Development Dept.
- Dept. of Neighborhoods
- HPD
- Health Dept.
- Mayor’s Office
- Harris County Flood Control District
- Harris County Appraisal District
In addition to these participants, informational tables were arranged outside the meeting room to handle one-on-one questions among the attendees.
“Overall, the community meeting went well and the District K office has received a number of positive comments expressing their appreciation of the office for making the connection needed as constituents continue to go through this recovery process.”
Post-Harvey Updates
Unusually High Water Bills Reported as a Result of Harvey Flooding
Council Member Green takes seriously the fact that some properties in District K affected by flooding have received unusually high water bills. There are approximately 5,000 customer accounts that have water bills that are twice as much (or more) as the previous billing cycle.
Council Member Green is working with the Administration and Houston Public Works to better understand how this happened and how to correct it. For updates, and steps you can take if you have experienced a high water bill related to Harvey, visit houstonrecovers.org/highbills.
Please call the Contact Customer Account Services at 713-371-1400. Eligible accounts will be placed on hold. Penalties will not accrue and accounts will not be disconnected.
Rental Assistance
If you need more rental assistance because you’re still unable to return to your Harvey-damaged home, let FEMA know. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.
To be eligible for continued rental assistance, you must complete a form and mail it to FEMA. If you did not receive the form, visit any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). For a list and interactive map of DRCs in the Houston area, visit houstonrecovers.org/disaster-recovery-centers.
Report Your Debris
The District K office is coordinating with the Solid Waste Management Dept.to remove debris as quickly as possible throughout the council district. The Dept. has temporarily suspended all recycling and junk/tree waste service. Do NOT place your green bins and heavy trash/yard waste debris on the curb.
The Solid Waste Management Dept. is asking residents to remove all parked vehicles from the streets when debris crews are working in your neighborhood. Debris should be placed close to the side of the road away from mailboxes, trees, meters, fire hydrants and other structures. Please do not place debris in the roadway. If debris crews are unable to pass safely along the streets, they will not be able to remove your debris.
Be sure the City knows about your damage and debris by submitting a report on houston311.org or on the Houston 311 App for Smartphones. Please note that calling 311 repeatedly will not increase the speed by which your debris is collected. For information on debris management, visit houstonrecovers.org.
Harvey by the Numbers
The City announced the launch of the “Harvey By The Numbers” web site on Friday. The site provides visualized information about Houston’s response to Harvey, as well as on storm debris collection. This site will be updated periodically as Houston’s recovery from Harvey continues. To access the latest numbers, visit houstonrecovers.org/numbers.
Governor Abbott and Mayor Turner Announced Funding For Houston
On September 29th, Mayor Turner and Governor Greg Abbott held a news conference at Houston City Hall to announce that the State of Texas will provide $50 million to the City of Houston to offset the cost associated with Houston’s response to Harvey. This additional funding will mean that Houston will NOT need to raise property taxes slightly to cover the cost of response. Watch the press conference online at twitter.com/houstontx.
Residential Repair Permitting Guidelines
As District K constituents continue to work through the recovery process, below is some important information regarding the City’s permitting process. NOTE: all properties located in the floodplain must contact the Floodplain Management Office at 832-394-8854 or email fmo@houstontx.gov prior to making repairs.
Flood damage repairs in the floodplain: http://www.houstontx.gov/council/g/harvey20170913/permitting.pdf
More information: https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/floodplain.html
Residential Repair Permit Guidelines:
The following is the procedure for repair of properties not in a floodplain:
APPLY FOR THE PERMIT
Step 1: Complete the Building Permit Application and the Residential Repair Spec List. Applications are located behind the Information Desk at the entrance lobby.
Step 2: Obtain a ticket by selecting Permits —> Building Construction Permits —> Project Number/Single Trade Permit from any of the four kiosks located by the entrance. A Customer Service Representative will assign a project number.
Step 3: Obtain a ticket by selecting Plan Review —> Building Plan Review —> Residential and/or One Stop Plan Review from the kiosk and proceed to the One Stop Section on the third floor.
Step 4: A Plan Analyst will review the Repairs Spec List to ensure repairs are for replacing like-for-like building elements and compliance with applicable codes.
Step 5: Once approved, the Plan Analyst or a Customer Service Representative will create a sales order.
Step 6: Proceed to the cashiers’ booth on the first floor to pay the sales order and receive your permit.
Step 7: If the project involves plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work, each licensed contractor must purchase a separate permit for that portion.
SCHEDULE INSPECTIONS
Step 8: Inspections must be scheduled before any drywall is replaced. See the back of the permit for inspections schedule. (Note: If work within walls is covered without inspections, the drywall must be removed before the permit can be final).
Step 9: Once all work is completed, schedule final inspections by contacting the Structural Inspections Section at 832-394-8840 or online at www.pdinet.pd.houstontx.gov/cohilms/webs/Inspection_Lookup.asp
NOTE: All permits must be final.
Electrical Repairs
All electrical work requires a permit and must be completed by a licensed electrical contractor. For questions, contact Electrical Inspections at (832) 394-8860. To verify Master Electricians and HVAC licensees, visit www.tdlr.texas.gov
Mechanical Repairs
Permits are not required for the installation or replacement of air outlet grills, thermostats, and return air filters or grills. Permits are required for replacing condensing units and evaporator coils, relocating a condensing unit from its original location, replacing a condensing unit with one of a different tonnage rating, and installing or replacing ductwork or furnaces.
For questions, contact Mechanical Inspections at (832) 394-8850.
Plumbing Repairs
Permits are not required to replace lavatory or kitchen faucets, ballcocks or water control valves, garbage disposals, or water closets. Permits are required for reconnecting fixtures to the water/wastewater system. For questions, contact Plumbing Inspections at (832) 394-8870. To verify Master Plumbers, visit tsbpe.state.tx.us/consumerinformation.html
Structural Repairs
- Permits are not required for:
- Tarping
- Repairing wooden and metal fences less than 8 feet in height
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
- Repairing damaged gypsum board (a.k.a. sheetrock or drywall)
- Repairing exterior wood facia, trim and soffits
Permits are required for:
- Structural damage such as walls being moved or knocked down or a roof collapse
- Repairing siding that exceeds 128 square feet
- Roof covering that exceeds 100 square feet
- Replacing exterior doors and windows
For questions, contact Structural Inspections at (832) 394-8840.
Please note that in addition to the Houston Permitting Center at 1002 Washington Ave. (77002), flood repair permits may also be obtained at the temporary satellite office at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr. (77074) (both are open Monday-Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.) or at The Shops at Memorial City, 12311 Kingsride Dr. (77024) on Wednesday and Thursday only.
Structural 832-394-8840
Electrical 832-394-8860
Mechanical 832-394-8850
Plumbing 832-394-8870
Occupancy 832-394-8880
Multi-discipline 832-394-8880
Sign Administration 832-394-8890
Glen Iris Waterline Replacement Project Starts Soon
The southern portion of the Glen Iris subdivision will undergo a waterline replacement improvement project which will replace and enlarge the existing waterlines for the following streets:
3100-3499 Wuthering Heights Dr. (Townwood to Ambrose)
3100-3499 Tidewater Dr. (Townwood to Ambrose)
3100-3499 Knotty Oak Trail (Townwood to Ambrose)
3100-3499 Trail Lake Lane (Townwood to Ambrose)
3100-3499 Ebbtide (Townwood to Ambrose)
13200-13499 Townwood Dr. (Dragonwick to Ebbtide)
13300-13499 Waterloo Dr. (Wuthering Heights to Beran)
13200-13499 Ambrose (Dragonwick to Ebbtide)
13400-13499 Woodring (Knotty Oaks Trail to Trail Lake)
13400-13499 Boonway (Knotty Oaks Trail to Trail Lake)
The waterline replacement project is expected to start October 16. The District K office is hosting an informational meeting on October 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center to further explain the project scope and introduce the PWE and assigned construction company.
District K Initiates Fall Arbor Day Tree Planting Event
SAVE THE DATE – October 28
The District K office, in partnership with Trees for Houston, Centerpoint Energy, the Five Corners Management District, and the Parks and Recreation Dept., will host a Fall Arbor Day tree planting event along the West Orem Dr. corridor from Waterloo Dr. to Almeda Rd. This tree planting event is a continuation of the trees planted along the West Orem Dr. corridor from the Arbor Day event the District K office sponsored in 2014.
“I’m thrilled to have dynamic community partners like Trees for Houston and Centerpoint Energy that have repeatedly stepped-up regarding the tree canopy along our District K esplanades,” states Council Member Green.
This tree planting event will involve the planting of over 100, 15-gallon trees which will consist of crepe myrtles and live oak trees. The staging location for this event will occur at The Community Crossing Church, 3225 West Orem Dr. where volunteers will register at 8:00 a.m. and the tree planting event will begin at 8:30 a.m. The Five Corners Management District will sponsor light breakfast for the volunteers.
For more information about volunteering for this upcoming tree planting event, contact the District K office at 832-393-3016.
2017 Westbury Fall White Elephant Sale
The Westbury Civic Club provides fall and spring community garage sale events to their members. The Fall White Elephant Sale will be on Saturday, October 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend Blvd. The rain date is November 4.
Booths are on sale at the civic club office. Cash or check only. You must be a paid current member of the Westbury Civic Club to purchase a booth. This means you must have paid your 2017 Westbury Civic Club membership dues of $50. If you have not paid your dues, you must do so at the same time that you purchase your booth space. The booth price for individual Westbury residents will be $20-$25. The booth price for non-residents and groups is $70-75.
The Westbury White Elephant Sale allows residents the opportunity to sell unwanted household items at a highly visible central location with security provided. The Westbury Civic Club provides location, security, bathrooms and publicity for the sale; however, it does NOT provide tables, chairs, or shade. Garage, estate, yard, moving sales, etc. are not permitted at Westbury residences.
Come out and shop over 50 garage sales in one location! PUCS coffee truck will be on site as well as Trick or Tree! This event is open to the community!
National Night Out was a BIG Hit in District K
Across the nation, National Night Out was celebrated on the first Tuesday in August; except for the state of Texas. The Texas date is the first Tuesday in October (due to the heat). However, this didn’t stop the District K civic associations from organizing and coordinating big and small National Night Out events earlier this month. Like the mission of National Night Out, the event encourages community involvement toward building a safer and better neighborhood.
“One of my favorite events of the year is National Night Out” states Council Member Green. “Our District K neighborhoods are truly our greatest asset and I want to make sure we do all we can to preserve the quality of life for our residents. I want to thank those District K neighborhoods that reached out to the council office to attend their block and neighborhood parties,” states Council Member Green. This event offered neighbors an opportunity to meet the folks across the street, down the street, and next door as well as celebrate the positive initiatives of your civic association and provide important information about public safety and security concerns.
“Thank you to each of the neighborhood civic clubs, HOAs, and CIAs that planned and executed events. Let’s continue to show unity against criminal activity.”
