During the September 10th Council Meeting, Houston City Council unanimously approved an Interlocal Agreement with Coastal Water Authority to begin Phase II of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project. Phase II includes the final design engineering and construction of eleven gates being built into the existing embankment on the east side of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway. Building the new gate structure in the east embankment removes the high-construction risk of modifying the existing gate structure. It also allows continued use of the existing gate structure during construction. Each gate will be 20 ft x 20 ft and release approximately 7,100 cubic feet of water per second (cfs) per gate when fully open. The combined total water release of all 11 gates will be approximately 79,000 cfs.

The current timeline is to have the final design and construction plans completed by December 2025, bid and award the contract for construction in 2026, and begin construction by Q4 2026/Q1 2027. The District E office continues to sit on bi-weekly coordination meetings for this project.

At the August 21st City Council Meeting, Mayor Whitmire appointed former State Representative Dan Huberty to fill the vacant seat on the Coastal Water Authority Board. CWA Director Huberty provided the update on the gates at the September 19th Kingwood Town Hall meeting which you can view below.

On Wednesday, September 25th, Council Member Flickinger attended the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership General Membership Meeting, where leaders from the region gathered to hear from Charlie Jenkins, the new CEO of Port Houston.

During his speech, Jenkins highlighted future plans for Port Houston, including upcoming expansion projects aimed at increasing capacity and enhancing efficiency. He also addressed the region's preparations for the impact of the, now ended, labor strike, emphasizing the importance of maintaining smooth operations and protecting the economic vitality of the port. Council Member Flickinger expressed appreciation for Jenkins' insights and reaffirmed the City's support for ensuring the Bay Area remains a hub of economic activity.

Over the past month, significant progress has been made on the Tree Lane Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Contractors completed the backfill and installation of the corrugated metal pipe associated with Change Order 1, as well as sloped paving on the south side of the bridge. Additionally, piles were installed, and columns were poured under Change Order 3, along with the initiation of excavation and riprap installation on the south side.

Looking ahead, the project is currently scheduled for completion by October 30, 2024, with the contractor estimating that it may wrap up in the first week of November. Upcoming tasks include completing the riprap installation and concrete pour for the bottom of the channel underneath the bridge, as well as finishing the installation of riprap and paving on the north side. Finally, cleanup and seeding efforts will be finalized.

On Wednesday, September 25th, District E staff attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (CLACC) General Membership Luncheon (GML). The event featured a keynote address from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Houston-Galveston Sector Commander, Captain Keith Donohue.

Captain Donohue shared insights into the five key roles he plays in overseeing regional security and operations. He highlighted the vast area monitored by his sector, including critical waters connected to the Houston Port. As the port expands, Captain Donohue emphasized its growing importance to the region’s economy and security. In addition, he encouraged local recruitment efforts for the U.S. Coast Guard, stressing the vital role the service plays in safeguarding our coastlines and supporting maritime activities.

On Friday, September 27th, Council Member Flickinger attended and took part in a panel discussion at the Advanced Air Mobility Symposium. This symposium provided insights into the future of advanced air mobility (AAM) and explored why Houston is an ideal region for its implementation.

Key topics included the potential for AAM to revolutionize transportation in the area, with discussions on how Houston's infrastructure and resources make it well-suited for this cutting-edge technology. The symposium also emphasized the importance of workforce development and education to support the growth of this new industry, ensuring that the region is prepared to meet the demands of this emerging field.

Council Member Flickinger contributed valuable perspectives on the role of local government in fostering innovation and supporting the necessary infrastructure for future transportation systems.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Council Member Flickinger received gift cards, donated by Kroger and Union Pacific, for food distribution to support recovery efforts. Understanding the impact of food loss across the area, he divided the gift cards and distributed them throughout City of Houston District E to help residents in need.

This thoughtful initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, provided much-needed relief to families who were affected by the storm, ensuring that they had access to essential resources during this challenging time.

Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make Kingwood residents aware that Houston Public Works will begin drainage improvements on Chestnut Ridge. This $1.6 million project, funded by the drainage and street renewal capital fund, includes ditch regrading, culvert replacement, and the installation of underground stormwater lines and inlets.

Crews have mobilized on-site with an anticipated completion date of March 30, 2025, weather permitting. Construction will occur Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with no planned impacts to the sanitary sewer system. Minor water line adjustments may occur, and residents will be notified 72 hours in advance of any outages. Please be aware of flagmen and traffic cones on-site, as one lane may be closed at times. Access to driveways and sidewalks will be maintained, though some noise from trucks and equipment is expected. Thank you for your patience during this important project.

Council Member Flickinger actively participated in a park clean-up event held at Greenwood Park on Saturday, September 28. This community-driven initiative was organized by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. The event aimed to restore the park's beauty, and Council Member Flickinger’s involvement underscored the importance of local engagement and collective effort in the recovery process. Volunteers worked together to remove debris, paint benches, and clean the park, demonstrating the community’s resilience and commitment to maintaining beautiful public spaces.

Council Member Flickinger attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Ball, on Friday, October 4th, celebrating the Chamber's 62 years of service to the community. This special event honored the outgoing Chair of the Board, Rebecca Lilley, for her outstanding leadership, and welcomed the new board of directors. The new Board Chair, Jacob Bigger, was sworn in alongside the incoming board members, marking the start of a new year for the Chamber as it continues to support the economic growth and development of the Clear Lake area.

A special highlight of the evening was celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Chamber’s Vice President, Shari Sweeney, who has been a dedicated leader in driving the Chamber's success for three decades. Her remarkable service has been instrumental in fostering the growth and development of the Clear Lake area. Council Member Flickinger expressed his gratitude for the Chamber’s longstanding contributions to the community and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Clear Lake Area Chamber team.

TIRZ 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA) are in the schematic design stage for Phase 2 of the Northpark Drive Project, while construction continues on Phase 1 of the Northpark Drive Overpass Project.

TxDOT approved the proposed schematics for Phase 2 earlier this year, Phase 2 will expand Northpark Drive from Russell Palmer Road to east of Woodland Hills Drive from four to six lanes, replace both bridges at the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, and the roadway crossing at Ben’s Branch. The addition of a 90-acre foot detention basin as a part of Phase 2 adds a significant stormwater mitigation component to the project. Now that TxDOT has approved schematics for Phase 2, LHRA is conducting land surveys, obtaining rights of entry, and preparing documents needed to acquire roadway right-of-way and drainage easements.

Private utility relocations have been substantially completed on Phase 1, allowing for the first concrete pours, which started in September. Work is expected to begin on the frontage roads over the UPRR tacks in January. Motorists can expect a 3-day closure of Northpark Drive in either January or February as UPRR crews remove and replace over 200 feet of railroad tracks. Construction on the bridge structure itself is still a year away.

As a reminder, the next TIRZ Board meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 8:00 AM at the Kingwood Community Center. Every TIRZ Board meeting is open to the public. Visit the LHRA website for more information on the Northpark Drive Overpass Project and view the 2024 Board of Directors Calendar.