Greetings from
Council Member Mike Knox
September Newsletter
Happy Birthday Houston!
August 30, 1836 - Still Going Strong!
2640 Fountainview Project
Mayor Sylvester Turner does not plan to present the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) proposed housing project for 2640 Fountainview to City Council for consideration.  HHA had requested Council consideration of a Resolution of No Objection, which is required to obtain federal funding provided through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.

I am very pleased that Mayor Sylvester Turner listened to concerns from Council Members and community members about the proposed Houston Housing Authority (HHA) project at 2640 Fountainview. Not only did he listen to the community, but he understands the unique quality of Houston neighborhoods. Houstonians don't want to move to a better neighborhood, they want their neighborhood to become better!

HHA had proposed to build a 233-unit apartment complex on property it owns near its administrative headquarters on Fountainview.  23 of the apartments were to be set aside for extremely low-income tenants and the remaining 210 units would have been reserved for a mix of workforce and market rate housing. The price per unit was approximately $240,000, which included a $6 million developer’s fee to HHA.

The Mayor and I agree that this money could be better spent and more effective at another location. 

Disaster Recovery 2015 Flood Events Public Hearing Scheduled for       Thursday, September 8th

Childcare Development Associate Certification Program
The Houston Center for Literacy has a great opportunity for those interested in a Childcare Development Associate Certification Program! Houston Center for Literacy is in partnership with Houston Community College, offering a high quality and low cost Childcare Associate Training Program. The full cost of the program is $900, but those who sign up only pay $20. Classes begin Monday, September 19th.

For more information, please contact Elmer Romero at 713-294-5996, elmer.romero@houliteracy.org.


2017 Visit Houston Tourism Marketing Matching Grants Program
Houston First Corporation (HFC) and its tourism marketing arm, Visit Houston, announce the second annual Marketing Matching Grant Program. The 2017 program will foster and encourage partnerships in the leisure tourism industry in Greater Houston and the surrounding counties. By providing a funding opportunity previously unavailable in our region, grants will assist partnering organizations in launching new and innovative marketing campaigns.

HFC‘s strategic tourism plan includes a focus on leisure tourism, regionalism, and marketing partnerships. The strategic plan recommends cooperative marketing programs, increased horizontal partnerships across tourism industry stakeholders, a commitment to actively market the region’s assets to the leisure tourist, themed promotions, and advertising and public relations aimed at niche audiences.


The Marketing Matching Grant Program is designed to:

  • Increase tourism revenues and economic benefit through unique and effective marketing opportunities  
  • Increase out-of-market visitation by strengthening the region’s image as a competitive, attractive, culturally-rich and diverse destination 
  • Leverage limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor attendance, spending, revenue, and jobs  
  • Combine HFC resources (financial and technical) with those of tourism partners to extend and amplify the region’s collective marketing efforts 
  • Encourage the development of innovative and active tourism marketing programs by attractions, the hospitality industry, and the corporate community 
  • Promote collaborations within and across sectors of the tourism industry
  • Encourage creativity and the creation of projects beyond those normally offered 
  • Support projects that reach targeted niche markets  
  • Contribute to the development and improvement of local communities through enhancement, expansion, and promotion of the leisure tourism industry
The Marketing Matching Grant Program provides applicants with a unique opportunity to: 
  • Access significant grant dollars to be used for leisure tourism marketing 
  • Develop beneficial marketing partnerships  
  • Extend marketing plans to additional audiences and to wider geographic areas beyond what might be possible with a single organization’s marketing budget  
  • Enhance your organization’s ability to attract leisure visitors with expanded offerings  
  • Create packages that are attractive to your tourism audience 
  • Play a significant role in the region’s commitment to leisure tourism
More information may also be found at the following website http://www.visithoustontexas.com/travel-professionals/tourism-matching-grant-program/
Watch for Traffick Media Campaign Helps Houstonians Recognize and Report Human Trafficking

Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the launch of Watch for Traffick, a city-wide media campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage Houstonians to report it.  The new multi-media campaign is one element of a broader anti-human trafficking strategic plan unveiled earlier this year.

Watch for Traffick ads about the nine different forms of human trafficking will be displayed at various places including taxis and buses, television and social media.  Printed materials will also be available in five languages.  The City’s partners in this campaign are United Against Human Trafficking, the Harris County District Attorney, the Houston Police Department, Yellow Cab, METRO, and Fubu TV. The creative concept behind Watch for Traffick is the work of Deutser, a Houston-based management consulting firm which donated its services.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery,” said Mayor Turner.  “It can occur anywhere and at any time, but its warning signs often go unnoticed.  Watch for Traffick will alert Houstonians about what to look for and how to report it.”

Dubbed by the Polaris Project as the nation’s first comprehensive, municipal-level response to human trafficking, Houston’s strategic plan lays the groundwork for advancing policy changes, raising awareness, supporting efforts to coordinate victim services and implementing joint initiatives of Mayor Turner’s task force, the Houston Area Council on Human Trafficking.

Partner cities and organizations can gain access to the Watch for Traffick Media Campaign Toolkit, the mayor’s strategic plan and other information at www.watchfortraffick.org or www.humantraffickinghouston.org.

To report suspected cases of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1-888-373-7888.

State Rep. Jarvis Johnson Job Fair
Public Hearing for Proposed HEB Grocery @ 288 and MacGregor
Help Combat Illegal Dumping
Glass Recycling Update
The City of Houston Solid Waste Department has partnered with Strategic Materials Inc., the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Salvation Army, and the Houston Health Department to launch a glass drop-off program with locations around the City. There are currently eight (8) locations operational, with an additional two (2) to come online within the next few months. 
Mayor-to-Mayor / City-to-City  Relief Efforts for Baton Rouge 

Donations for Baton Rouge Flood Victims Accepted:

August 26, 2016 -- September 4, 2016

Help is on the way soon to the thousands of flood victims in Louisiana, thanks to a call to action by Mayor Sylvester Turner. After speaking to Mayor Kip Holden of East Baton Rouge Parish this week, Mayor Turner has recruited several faith leaders to open their churches as collection sites for essential items which are desperately needed.
To put the need into perspective, the catastrophic flood is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago.  


Houstonians can help by taking their boxed, unsealed, and shipment ready items to any of the collection sites listed. Faith-based organizations will collect items until September 6. The City of Houston will arrange to transport the items to Baton Rouge by September 9. 

Scholarship for Latino High School Students
The Youth Awards program is presented by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and its sponsors. Celebrating its 18th year the Youth Awards honors Latino high school students across the nation, we believe the talented Youth Awardees we honor each year are the leaders of today, not tomorrow and their impact will be felt in the classrooms, communities and the workforce. Join us as we identify, inspire and prepare our students to meet America’s priorities.

Scholarship Categories & Sponsors are: 

  • Business & Entrepreneurship: sponsored by BBVA Compass
  • Community Service: sponsored by Colgate Palmolive.
  • Education: sponsored by Southwest Airlines
  • Engineering: sponsored by ExxonMobil
  • Health & Science: sponsored by CVS Health
  • Mathematical Sciences: sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)

To access the application click here: https://app.reviewr.com/hispanicheritage/site//hispanicheritage

To find out more about Hispanic Heritage Foundation click here:   http://www.hispanicheritage.org/programs/youth-awards/

Minor Critical Emergency
Home Repair Program
The Minor Critical Emergency Home Repair Program (MCEHRP) is open!  Please call the Housing and Community Development Department (832.394.6161) for more information. Please see requirements: 
  • Minor critical emergency home repairs are those repairs critically needed to alleviate life, health or safety hazards
  • Applicants must be qualified to participate in the program; applying does not guarantee approval for or acceptance into the program
  • Rebuilding Together Houston will provide critical repairs UP TO $10,000 per home to qualified applicants
  • Specific repair services are determined based on condition of home, cost of repairs and availability of funds
For more information, please contact the MCEHRP at 832.394.6161 , or the Department at 832.394.6200 .
Turnaround Houston
August Events
8th Annual Pastor Appreciation at God's Holy Way Church

Celebrating eight years of service to God's Holy Way Church with Pastor Charles Morris and his lovely wife Verna Morris. This man is clearly loved by his congregation. 

Council Member Knox Recognizes HPD Officers

Council Member Mike Knox wanted to honor two HPD pilots for a job well done but when the Chopper Pilots couldn't "abandon" their posts to come to City Hall, Council Member Knox took the Certificate of Appreciation to the Air Support Team of HPD. Great job guys!

MFAH Visit
Thanks to Docent Mary Pauline McElroy for the tour of American and Impressionism Art at the Museum of Fine Arts. My staff and I enjoyed the cultural field trip. We encourage all residents to take advantage of the cultural opportunities available in our City. Mfah.org
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Eye Center of Houston
Really excited for Dr. Faheem Inayatali on the opening of his brand new eye clinic in S.W. Houston. The Eye Center of Houston is located at 10101 Bissonnet near the West Belt.  Dr. Faheem Inayatali and his family took me on a tour of their eye clinic. Dr. Inayatali is a graduate of both Rice and U of H.
Fire Fighters Foundation News Conference
The Fire Fighters Foundation of Houston dedicated three new rescue boats purchased by the Foundation with the help of LyondellBasell and donated to the Houston Fire Department. 
Real Life 360 Community Partnership Breakfast

Celebrating a successful summer with young folks who mowed yards for seniors.Thanks Kim Dillard and Joe Jackson for your leadership. Jones United Methodist Church welcomed us with open arms. Thank you and congratulations! 

wwwreallife360.com 

Mayor Sylvester Turner's Back to School Fest
Big crowds gathered at U of H for Mayor Turner's Houston Back2School Supply Drive. Thank you Shell Oil for once again stepping up to help out more than 25,000 students be prepared when the school bell rings.
Ben-Hur Premiere
Great seeing Scott Arthur from Star of Hope Mission at the " Ben Hur" premiere.  www.sohmission.org
HPD Northeast Police Station Dedication to Hiram "Art" Contreras

I was pleased to attend the dedication for the renaming of the HPD Northeast Station to honor Hiram "Art" Contreras. I swapped old cop stories with my long-time friend and supervisor. It was great catching up.

Adventure Eating with Mike

Mike Knox is an at large council member which means the whole city is his beat. What better way to celebrate the diversity of Houston than taking a culinary tour of Houston’s great restaurants. “ Adventure Eating with Mike”  showcases the global foods of our town.  The international table is set in H-town. The show will be seen weekdays on http://www.houstontx.gov/htv/


Welcome our new
Director of Communications
Lanny Griffith is a Baytown native who graduated from Lee High School and later earned a B.A from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.  He was a free lance reporter for the Associated Press for many years before working at KTRH 740 AM and sister station KLOL 101 FM.  From radio he transitioned to television at Fox 26 News where he featured positive impact stories.  After 15 years of television Griffith returned to radio at News 92 FM, a 24 hour, all news radio station.  In 2011, Griffith was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame for his 30 years of broadcast excellence.   More recently Griffith served as Media Coordinator for the 2016 Mayoral Inauguration at Jones Hall handling the needs of print, radio, tv, and websites assigned to cover the event.  A social media strategist, Griffith excels in community relations and enjoys market wide recognition.  In the past Griffith has served as Media Adviser to a number of non-profit agencies.   As Communications Director for At-Large Position 1 Council Member Mike Knox, Griffith handles all media relations in the office.
Service Requests:
Important Information:
(832) 393-3014

311 or (713) 837-0311

Emergency
911

HPD Non-Emergency 
(713) 884-3131

(832) 393-0955

(832) 393-1100

Mayor Sylvester Turner
City of Houston
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251
311 or 713.837.0311 


Staff Information:
John Moss
Chief of Staff

Carla Hulsey
Deputy Chief of Staff

Lanny Griffith
Director of Communications
City Council Member Mike Knox, At-Large Position 1 | 900 Bagby St., First Floor | Houston, TX 77002 | (832) 393-3014 | Atlarge1@houstontx.gov
Stay in touch!