Council Member Fred Flickinger's September Newsletter

Monthly Newsletter

September 2, 2025 Issue 15

Dear District E Residents,

In August, City Council approved the submission of a plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for how the City will allocate nearly $315 million in federal disaster recovery funds from the Derecho storm and Hurricane Beryl last year. Council Members Huffman, Peck, and I co-authored a joint op-ed explaining our vote against the proposed plan. We submitted this to the Houston Chronicle for publishing, but they refused to do so. You can read what we wrote below:

Why We Voted Against the $100 Million Home Repair Amendment

As Houston City Council Members, our responsibility is to make decisions that improve the quality of life and safety of Houstonians in the most responsible and fiscally prudent way possible. That’s why, when faced with a $315 million disaster recovery action plan, we could not support an amendment that would have redirected $50 million away from critical disaster recovery tools and into additional home repair funding.

The amendment proposed raising home repair funding from $50 million to $100 million, split evenly between single-family and multi-family homes. While the intention was noble, the extra dollars would have come from the budget set aside for generators at essential city facilities. These generators power community centers, sewage lift stations, and police and fire stations—places that become lifelines when disaster strikes.

We are deeply sympathetic to Houstonians whose homes were damaged by storms. But we voted no for three key reasons:

Generators are vital for disaster recovery.

When the power goes out, safety risks increase dramatically. Community centers must be able to provide shelter, and first responders need reliable facilities to do their jobs. We must continue to make sure that our water and wastewater plants have electricity to provide these services as well. A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey found that 88% of registered voters in Harris County are concerned about outages lasting more than a day this summer. That is not an abstract fear—it is based on lived experience. For the first time, we have an opportunity to obtain generators, and cutting the funding jeopardizes public safety at the very moment Houstonians need it most.

The home repair program is inefficient.

Currently, the program doesn’t just fix storm damage—it often rebuilds entire homes. Instead of only fixing storm damage, the City pays for repairs needed in the rest of the house, whether the damage was due to a storm or not. What might begin as a small roof repair can become a complete home rebuild. This drives the average cost per home to about $200,000, per Mayor Whitmire’s office. For $50 million in single family home repairs, that would mean that we are only able to assist approximately 250 homes. In a city of 2.3 million people, while incredibly impactful to the small number of people receiving the benefit, it is negligible for the rest of the population. With smarter policies, we could stretch these dollars further and help more people. Until those changes are made, pouring in more money only perpetuates inefficiency.

Furthermore, the multi-family housing aspect of this program is even more problematic. Multi-family housing essentially means apartment complexes. While we must make sure that people have safe places to live, apartment complexes are businesses that almost without exception should have had insurance for protection. Businesses are crucial to our economy, and apartments are no exception; however, paying to essentially remodel an apartment complex with this money does not help prepare anyone for future storms.

The actual need is unclear.

Damage estimates are made immediately after storms, but we are now more than a year out from the derecho and Hurricane Beryl. Many homeowners and multi-family owners have already completed repairs. Based on past storm data, the final need may be much lower than $100 million. The City of Houston still has $40 million in home repair funding from Winter Storm Uri that Houstonians can access for home damages that must be addressed as well. Scaling up to manage a program of this size could require additional staff and new systems—raising the risk of falling short on federal requirements and jeopardizing future HUD funding. We have already seen this exact scenario play out in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Although we know Mayor Whitmire and his administration will handle this process with care and accuracy, we do not know yet the scale on which we would need to increase this program in order meet the demands."

We continue to support Mayor Whitmire’s commitment towards disaster recovery and response, and he and his team have done a phenomenal job in recent storms to make sure that Houstonians were cared for. He faced a difficult task in shaping this action plan, and we commend him for listening to residents who called for home repair assistance. His decision to shift $50 million toward repairs—when the original plan had none—was a fair and thoughtful compromise. At this stage, however, $100 million does not advance our goal of preparing Houston for disasters. Given the choice of repairing 250 homes and an indeterminable number of private apartment complexes versus addressing needs for 2.3 million people, we chose the latter.

We remain committed to supporting Houstonians in times of crisis. But we must do it in a way that is sustainable, efficient, and does not undermine other critical recovery tools."

Finally, I want District E residents to save the date for upcoming town hall meetings.

Kingwood/Lake Houston

Tuesday, September 30

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Kingwood Community Center

4102 Rustic Woods Drive

Kingwood, Texas 77345

Clear Lake

Tuesday, October 14

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Space Center Houston

1601 E NASA Pkwy

Houston, Texas 77058

Edgebrook

Tuesday, October 21

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

OneMovement Bible Church

10120 Hartsook Street

Houston, Texas 77034

I have also extended invitations to several city departments, including Houston Public Works and Houston Parks and Recreation, as well as a range of community speakers and elected officials. In addition to various information tables for residents to peruse before the meetings begin. I look forward to everyone hearing these updates and addressing community questions, comments, and concerns. This is the perfect opportunity to engage with your community and have your questions answered. If you would like to submit questions for the town halls click here. We hope you will join us. Please feel free to invite a neighbor, friend or colleague! Everyone is welcome to attend.

Sincerely,

The District E Office

Council Member Fred Flickinger

900 Bagby, First Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Email: districte@houstontx.gov

Phone: (832) 393-3008

The District E Team

Dustin Hodges

Chief of Staff

Demari Perez

Deputy Chief of Staff

Sloan Sweeney

South Sector Manager

Yucari Ramirez

Executive Assistant

John Branch

Community Outreach Specialist

Atalia Lewis

Council Clerk

City Resources

Kingwood Community Center

(281) 348-2570

Houston 311 (713) 837-0311

City of Houston Solid Waste Department

City of Houston Office of Emergency Management

Community Resources

Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce

Partnership Lake Houston

Kingwood Service Association

Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Houston Secures $966 Million for East Water Plant

The City received a critical $966 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board via the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) to help overhaul the aging East Water Purification Plant—an essential facility serving around 1.9 million residents in east Houston.

This 70-year-old plant, located on Federal Road, is on the brink of collapse with only one to two years of service life remaining on many components. Despite having the capacity to pump 362 million gallons per day, it currently delivers just 239 million gallons on average .

The newly approved funding will support planning, design, and the construction of a brand-new facility—offering the fastest operational transition and minimizing disruption to daily water service.

Construction is slated to begin in 2029 and wrap up by 2034, with total project costs projected between $3 billion and $4.2 billion.

To cover the massive investment, Houston is exploring additional funding through the $2 billion Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, $1.1 billion in revenue bonds, and a local $45 million contribution—bringing total raised to about $2.1 billion so far.

Kingwood Bizcom

On Thursday, August 28th, Council Member Flickinger was honored to speak at Kingwood BizCom, hosted by Partnership Lake Houston. The program also featured Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Meredith LeBlanc, Principal of Kingwood High School, Superintendent Roger Brown with Humble ISD, Nicole Keenan and Marcy Young with Lone Star College, and Tony Austin with the Town Center Park Association, who each shared important updates on education, business, and community priorities for the Lake Houston area.

Council Member Flickinger highlighted ongoing District E initiatives, including the Median Madness beautification effort led by volunteers and civic groups, the City of Houston’s Neighborhood Matching Grant Program that provides funding for local community projects, and the Lake Houston Spillway Improvement Project, noting the restored $20 million in funding, continued design work by Black & Veatch, and the long-term importance of expanding gate capacity to strengthen flood resiliency for residents. He also thanked Partnership Lake Houston for creating opportunities that bring together business leaders, educators, and government officials to collaborate on the future of Kingwood and the broader Lake Houston community.

North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce

Coffee with a Cop

On Friday, August 8th Council Member Flickinger and staff joined the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce for “Coffee with a Cop” at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Karissa Court.

This event offered residents a welcoming space to connect directly with law enforcement, ask questions, and build stronger relationships with the officers who serve their community.

Strengthening trust and communication between residents and law enforcement remains the central goal of these gatherings, and we are grateful to the Hampton Inn staff for their continued hospitality.

Mark your calendars — the next “Coffee with a Cop” will take place on Friday, December 15th from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at the same location.

City Weighs Future of Deteriorating Bob Lanier Public Works Building

Council Member Flickinger and Council Member Willie Davis recently took a tour of the Bob Lanier Public Works Building after a recent report to the Houston City Council cast a harsh light on the state of the building. The report revealed alarming levels of structural decline and deferred maintenance. The 1960s-era office tower is showing signs of serious deterioration, including corroded water pipes, malfunctioning electrical systems, failing elevator equipment, structural cracks, and mold growth. Recently, a pipe burst on the 24th floor, flooding multiple floors.

City officials estimate that repairs alone would require a staggering $323 million, and even then, restoration may not be the most cost-effective solution. As a result, Houston Public Works and Houston City Council will be weighing alternative strategies such as selling, leasing, or relocating the department entirely. With a final recommendation expected soon, City Council will have to choose between investing heavily in an aging asset or forge ahead with new, optimized facilities that better serve both city staff and taxpayers.

Want to do Business with the City Workshop

On Tuesday, August 12th Council Member Flickinger and District E staff hosted a “Want to do Business with the City” workshop at OneMovement Bible Church. This event provided local business owners with valuable resources on how to get certified as a Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) or Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and the steps needed to become an official vendor for the City of Houston. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from city officials, ask questions, and learn how to expand their business opportunities with the city.

A special thank you to Council Member Martinez and Council Member Shabazz for their partnership on this event, and to Office of Business Opportunity Director Hoyrd, her business development team, and Fran Shewan from Strategic Procurement for sharing their expertise and guidance with participants.

100th Anniversary of Fire Station 19

On Monday August 4th , I had the honor of attending the 100-Year Anniversary Celebration of Houston Fire Station 19, a significant milestone for the Fifth Ward community. Since 1925, Station 19 has served with dedication, resilience, and pride and today's event celebrated that enduring legacy.

The celebration was a heartfelt tribute to that legacy. The ceremony featured a proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, as well as moving remarks from Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz, who spoke passionately about the station’s century of service and the enduring bond between first responders and the communities they serve. It was a powerful and emotional reminder of the critical role Fire Station 19 has played and continues to play in the Fifth Ward community.

Future of Texas ft. Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck and Council Member Mario Castillo

On Wednesday, August 13th, District E staff attended the Future of Texas event hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership. The program featured City of Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem Peck and Council Member Castillo, Jr., who provided thoughtful perspectives on Houston’s path forward.

Key topics included the City’s financial outlook, resiliency planning to address future challenges, and the importance of collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. Both leaders emphasized that building strong relationships across all levels of government is essential to ensuring Houston continues to grow while remaining safe, prepared, and sustainable for residents and businesses alike.

The conversation reflected the Greater Houston Partnership’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue around Houston’s future and the role civic leadership plays in shaping a resilient and prosperous city.

District E Tours FCC Recycling Center

On Monday, August 18th, Council Member Flickinger and the District E staff had the opportunity to tour the FCC Recycling Center, an incredibly informative experience that gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how our recyclables are sorted and processed. The tour highlighted the important work that goes into managing our city’s waste in a sustainable and efficient way.

We sincerely thank the Solid Waste Department and the Keep Kingwood Green organization for joining us and sharing valuable insights into local recycling initiatives. This experience emphasized the importance of responsible recycling and the role community partnerships play in promoting sustainability and protecting our environment.

Houston Association of Realtors

Elected Officials Reception

On Monday, August 19th, Council Member Flickinger was honored to attend the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Elected Officials Reception. The event, brought together a diverse group of elected officials, community leaders, and real estate professionals from across the Greater Houston area.

The reception provided a unique and valuable opportunity for open dialogue on the issues that matter most to Houston’s communities. Council Member Flickinger expressed appreciation for HAR’s commitment to building strong partnerships between public officials and the real estate industry.

The Houston Association of Realtors continues to serve as a key connector between local government and the business community. Council Member Flickinger extends sincere thanks to HAR for hosting such a meaningful event and looks forward to continued engagement with stakeholders in the real estate community.

Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon

On Wednesday, August 27th, District E staff attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort. The sold-out program featured a fireside chat with U.S. Congressmen Dr. Brian Babin, moderated by Government Affairs Division Chair Kelly Page.

Congressman Babin, who chairs the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, emphasized his leadership in advancing America’s role in space exploration, scientific discovery, and innovation. He outlined plans to reduce regulatory barriers that hinder innovation, support U.S. competitiveness in quantum information sciences, and oversee legislation that promotes NASA’s return to the Moon and a pathway to Mars. Congressman Babin also highlighted ongoing efforts to reauthorize NASA programs, move much of exploration efforts forward, and ensure federal research agencies remain focused and efficient.

Representing the district that includes the Johnson Space Center, Congressman Babin stressed his commitment to regional growth—supporting local business, workforce development, and the intersection of federal priorities with the needs of Bay Area Houston.The luncheon provided Chamber members and community partners with valuable insight into federal priorities that directly affect Bay Area Houston’s future.

Paws in the Spotlight: District E Dog of the Month

Meet Cappuccino! This 3-year-old brown and white Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is truly a special blend of joy and comfort.

Cappuccino is the perfect pick-me-up. She’s warm, sweet, and always ready to brighten your day. She adores being held and snuggled up close, turning every moment into pure bliss. With her gentle personality and friendly spirit, Cappuccino is ready to be your daily dose of happiness and love.

If you’ve been searching for a loyal friend to warm your heart, Cappuccino is ready to pour all her affection into you.

Click here to learn more about adopting this sweet girl. We’re also happy to share that last month’s Dog of the Month

Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala

On Saturday, August 23rd, District E staff attended the Clear Creek Education Foundation (CCEF) Awards Gala, a record-breaking evening with more than 500 guests celebrating hope, generosity, and endless opportunities for Clear Creek ISD students. The gala highlighted the incredible impact of CCEF classroom grants, which continue to change lives for students and teachers across the district. The evening featured inspiring stories, a successful live auction and paddle raise that generated over $280,000 for grants, programs, and classroom resources, and the Voyager Bookmobile on display a program that has already provided more than 3,000 free books to students since May.

Congratulations to this year’s five honorees for their outstanding contributions: Harv Hartman (George B. Carlisle Distinguished Service Award), Shari Sweeney (Alumni Impact Award), Kevin Kiersh, Owner of Red River Restaurants (Dennis Johnson Small Business Award), Col. Stuart Glenn (Valor Award), and Dr. Peter Wuenschel (CCISD Citizen of the Year).

Unusually High Water Bill?

Here's What You Need to Know

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.

Utilizing 3-1-1 to Report Issues

Residents may act as extra eyes and ears on the streets, and soon you'll be able to report a pothole, a malfunctioning traffic light, or a drainage problem while you're out and about. Houston 311 has launched a new smartphone app that makes reporting issues like these easier than ever. The app uses GPS to identify your location and also allows you to snap a photo to add to your service request. The new app allows for reports to be automatically routed to city departments for resolutions.

You can still alert the City of Houston of issues by dialing 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 of potential problems in your community. Houstonians can also access this helpful service via an e-mail to 311@HoustonTX.gov. A self Service Request (SR) form is available online at www.houston311.org. Once you've reported a problem please follow up with the District E office by emailing your case number and information on the issue to the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov to help ensure the problem is addressed promptly.