On Thursday, June 12th, Council Member Fred Flickinger and staff attended the 33rd Biannual Spring Graduation Ceremony of the Community Reentry Network Program (CRNP). 65 participants were recognized for completing the program and taking significant steps toward rebuilding their lives.

District E Clerk, Atalia Lewis, was officially sworn in as Secretary of the newly established CRNP Alumni Association. This graduate-led initiative aims to provide continued guidance, leadership opportunities, and community engagement for alumni as they navigate life beyond incarceration. Successful reentry requires more than determination, it also demands strong community support and access to meaningful opportunities. CRNP plays a vital role in creating that foundation by offering returning citizens job readiness training, life skills development, mental health services, and peer mentorship.

Council Member Flickinger remains a steadfast supporter of second-chance initiatives across the city. He is also a strong advocate of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), a nationally recognized organization that equips incarcerated men with business skills, mentorship, and a renewed sense of purpose, paving the way for more successful reentry into society.

Council Member Flickinger would like District E residents to know how anyone experiencing an unusually high water bill can have their concern investigated. It is important to understand all water bill issues are handled on a case-by-case basis as no two addresses are the same and water usage changes month to month, which is why it is crucial to report these issues to Houston 3-1-1 by calling (713) 837-0311.

If you believe your water bill is incorrect 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. Please keep in mind a Houston 3-1-1 report needs to be submitted each time an issue occurs.

The City of Houston has established a “Consumption Awareness Program” for residents to use which alerts homeowners as soon as usage at your address increases. To register for that program, sign up here. You can also estimate your upcoming bills by using this calculator.

It is important for residents to use Houston 3-1-1, as this is the only way for the City of Houston to know a problem exists. Additionally, the District E office compiles information and can identify a trend, based on 3-1-1 reports. Based on historical information most cases investigated show increased usage by customers.

When leaks are investigated and discovered to be on the private side of the meter a one-time leak adjustment can be submitted. If you do find a leak and would like to submit a one-time leak adjustment you may use this form (once a year). Please continue to pay your bill until your form is approved/denied.

If you do experience unexplained usage over 200% of the average usage you may submit an “unusually large bill application” (once a year). It is important in this instance as well, to continue to pay your bill until your form is approved/denied.

Keep in mind, leaks may not always present as gushing water, sometimes it is an area of your yard that appears greener than the rest, or a running toilet in a part of your home you don’t use often. I encourage you to please visit the City of Houston Water website for tips on how to find a leaking toilet, how to test for a leaking toilet, and tips on in-home conservation.

For more information, please contact our office by calling (832) 393-3008 or emailing DistrictE@houstontx.gov.

On Friday, June 13th, District E staff joined the Houston Parks Board for a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC). The Houston Parks Board, a nonprofit organization committed to creating, improving, and protecting parks and green spaces throughout the city, participated as part of its ongoing efforts to build partnerships that promote innovation, education, and community engagement.

The visit offered a rare opportunity to explore one of Houston’s most iconic and impactful institutions. Attendees toured the historic Apollo and International Space Station Mission Control Centers, the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, and the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, gaining firsthand insight into current NASA missions, including Orion, Gateway, and the ISS. The experience helped strengthen collaborative efforts between civic leaders and organizations dedicated to expanding public access to science and space exploration.

Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make Kingwood area residents aware that Houston Public Works is underway with a cleanout of the drainage ditch near Kingwood High School. The scope of work includes clearing and grubbing approximately six acres of land, removing and disposing of debris, trash, and tires at a landfill, as well as the removal of trees. Any trees removed for the purpose of accessing the ditch will be replanted at a later date by Council Member Flickinger’s office with the help of Trees for Kingwood. The project cost is $350,568.00 and is funded through the Houston Public Works Dedicated Drainage & Street Renewal Fund (DDSRF).

Crews are currently mobilized on-site, and the project is estimated to be completed by Friday, August 29, 2025, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sundays upon approval from the project manager. There are no planned impacts to the sanitary sewer system. During the course of the work, some minor water line adjustments will be necessary. Citizens will be notified 72 hours in advance of any water outages.

As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that may be present on-site to guide traffic as needed. However, this project is not expected to cause any traffic or mobility issues, such as lane closures or a significant increase in truck traffic. Please also note that there may be elevated noise levels during this time due to the use of construction equipment and vehicles in the area.

For more information, please contact the District E office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov.

Phase II of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is well underway. This phase focuses on the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Additional Gates Project, which will add eleven new tainter gates to the dam, increasing its controlled discharge capacity by an additional 79,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Earlier this week, the Harris County Flood Control District presented an update on the 2018 Flood Bond projects. Due to a $1 billion funding shortfall, Commissioners Court voted not to proceed with the lowest equity-ranked projects—unfortunately, this included Flood Control’s portion of the funding for the Lake Houston gates. Despite this outcome, design and permitting efforts continue to move forward. The schedule laid out at last year's townhall will be met with the support of State Senator Creighton, State Representative Cunningham, and Mayor Whitmire.

The engineering firm Black & Veatch has completed the 30% design plans, and field activities are progressing. Ongoing efforts include ground and bathymetric surveys, with geotechnical soil borings and environmental investigations—such as wetlands assessments, endangered species studies, and archaeological site evaluations.

In parallel, the design team is actively engaging with regulatory agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE-Galveston), and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), to discuss project details and streamline permitting review schedules. The Coastal Water Authority (CWA) met with TCEQ in December and continues to work closely with USACE-Galveston and TPWD to explore options for expediting the approval process.

The District E office remains actively involved in this project, participating in bi-weekly coordination meetings to ensure progress continues efficiently and transparently.

On Wednesday, June 25th, District E proudly partnered with AT&T and Compudopt as part of the 2025 H-Town Summer of Connectivity initiative to distribute laptops to students and families in our community. The event was hosted at Cimarron Elementary School in North Shore, where families gathered to receive devices that will help support digital learning and access to online resources.

This initiative is part of AT&T’s broader effort to distribute 550 laptops across Houston this summer, helping to bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for education and connection. District E appreciates AT&T and Compudopt for their continued partnership and commitment to building a more connected and equitable future for all Houstonians.

On Thursday, June 5th, Council Member Flickinger and staff had the privilege of visiting the Rescued Pets Movement shelter to witness their transportation operation in action, helping animals find their forever homes. Since its founding, Rescued Pets Movement has saved over 73,500 pets from BARC, many of whom wouldn’t have had a chance without intervention.

Each week, hundreds of dogs and cats leave the care of foster families and the shelter, heading to a network of over 50 rescue partners in northern states where demand for adoptable pets is high. Unlike Houston and much of the South, where homeless pets outnumber available adopters, these regions have a critical need, making the Rescued Pets Movement’s transport program a vital bridge to loving homes. We deeply appreciate the dedication and compassion of everyone involved in this life-saving work, making a meaningful difference in the lives of countless animals. If you’d like to lend a helping hand, learn how to volunteer by visiting https://rescuedpetsmovement.org/rpm-volunteer-program/.

Council Member Fred Flickinger recently hosted two “Coffee with a Cop” events, giving residents in both Kingwood and Clear Lake the opportunity to connect with local law enforcement in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

On Friday, June 27th, residents gathered at Coco Crepes & Coffee in Kingwood to meet and engage with HPD officers, including acting Captain Lieutenant Goldwater. This event also marked the exciting arrival of the Polaris UTV for HPD’s Kingwood Division—an important tool that will help officers better navigate local trails and improve response time in hard-to-reach areas.

Earlier that week, on Monday, June 23rd, Council Member Flickinger hosted a similar event at the Starbucks on Bay Area Boulevard in Clear Lake, where residents had the chance to ask questions, share concerns, and build meaningful relationships with officers from HPD - Clear Lake Station.

These events play an important role in fostering trust, encouraging open dialogue, and strengthening the relationship between residents and the officers who protect them. Council Member Flickinger extends his sincere thanks to the participating HPD officers, the local businesses who graciously hosted, and the many residents who showed their support in both communities.

On Thursday, June 26th, Council Member Flickinger had the honor of witnessing a truly historic day for Houston. In a momentous ceremony, 102 cadets took their oath and officially became Houston firefighters, marking the largest cadet graduation in the department’s history.

This incredible achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of these new firefighters, as well as the strong leadership of Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz and the Houston Fire Department’s Command Staff. The graduation also highlights the unwavering support from Mayor John Whitmire and city leadership, who continue to prioritize public safety and invest in our community’s future.

Council Member Flickinger congratulates all the new firefighters on this significant milestone. Their commitment to serving Houston with bravery and integrity is a source of pride for the entire city. As these newest members join the Houston Fire Department family, they carry forward a legacy of service, dedication, and resilience that keeps our community safe every day.

On Friday, June 27th, Council Member Flickinger coordinated a site visit with staff from Houston Public Works to visit several locations throughout Kingwood and assess areas of concern related to underground utility lines.

These site visits help ensure that issues are documented and prioritized for necessary maintenance or improvements. Proactive efforts like these are essential to addressing infrastructure concerns before they become larger problems.

On Wednesday, June 25th, District E staff attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce June General Membership Luncheon hosted at Landry’s on the Kemah Boardwalk. The event featured an engaging presentation by Jorge Franz, Senior Vice President of Tourism & Industry Relations at Houston First Corporation.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jorge shared valuable insights into Houston’s dynamic tourism landscape and the impactful work being done by the Tourism Department and the Houston Film Commission. This presentation was informative and a well-attended event celebrating Houston’s growing presence as a premier destination for visitors and filmmakers alike.