Robert Gallegos

    Houston Council Member

    District I

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Councilman Robert Gallegos and City of Houston Department representatives will hold a community meeting to discuss Hurricane Harvey's impact on District I, how this affects capital projects, what is being done to make neighborhoods more flood-resistant and resources that are available to help. 

For additional information call the District I Office at 832-393-3011.

Join Councilman Robert Gallegos and Houston Botanic Garden President & General Counsel Claudia Gee Vassar at a community meeting Thursday, March 22 to discuss next steps toward the creation of a world-class botanic garden in southeast Houston. 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Park Place Elementary School

8235 Park Place Blvd.

7 to 8 p.m.

On March 7, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the Houston Botanic Garden Board had exceeded its end-of-2017 fundraising goal - reaching nearly $22 million - to begin work on Phase One.

For more information contact the District I Office at 832-393-3011.

The City of Houston is considering revisions to Chapter 19 to ensure new dwellings are built high enough to save lives and property in the event of flooding. The proposed changes could require elevation of new development or additions to existing structures located within the 500-year floodplain, not just 100- year  floodplain. For example, a new home in the 100-year floodplain could be required to be built X feet above the 500-year flood elevation.

 

*** X feet in the proposed revisions is still to be determined.

APPROACH

The City of Houston will reduce the risk of flood loss for future development and redevelopment by ordinance revisions, new regulations, building codes and design guidelines. Existing development will be improved through Capital Improvement Projects, buyouts, home elevations and demo-rebuilds.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Houston's current code only applies to property in the 100-year floodplain and protects 1 foot above 100-year flood elevation. The proposed revisions would include property in the 500-year floodplain and protect X feet of 500-year flood elevation. It would also include no net fill in the 500-year floodplain.

The 100-year floodplain is land that is predicted to flood during a 100-year storm, which has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The 500-year floodplain has a 0.2% chance of occurring.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Chapter 19 impact anyone outside the 100-year or 500-year floodplain?  This Ordinance does not apply outside the 100-year or 500-year floodplain.

• Thursday, March 15 - draft ordinance posted
• Monday, March 19 - second presentation to council committee
• Wednesday, March 21 - draft ordinance presented to Council for vote

In February 2017, Councilman Gallegos launched a pilot initiative to pick up shopping carts abandoned on public property in District I. The office partnered with the Solid Waste Department to conduct the collections Monday through Friday on a twice monthly basis. The pilot program is funded with District I Service dollars and is expected to continue through August of this year.

"Abandoned shopping carts are not only unsightly, but they can create road hazards and even lead to drainage issues if they end up in ditches," said Councilman Robert Gallegos. While the final numbers of the pilot have not yet been calculated, in just 8 months of collection (February - October) 1,628 shopping carts were retrieved from roadways, sidewalks, esplanades, ditches, and parks in District I. This is in addition to the shopping carts picked up by retailers such as Fiesta Mart, Walmart, and others during the same time period.

carts pulled from a clogged drainage box

Despite efforts by some retailers to collect their abandoned carts, significant numbers of carts remain within the public domain. While most of the larger retailers have measures to keep carts from leaving their property, such as through the use of electronic perimeter barricades, or regularly scheduled collection, many smaller and mid-size retailers do not.

That is why during the budget discussion last May, Councilman Laster offered an amendment to create a citywide collection program that would require retailers to come up with better solutions to this problem. Unfortunately, the administration did not support the amendment and it was defeated. " This continues to be a priority for for me and many in our community," added Gallegos. "I'll continue working with my colleagues until we develop a permanent solution to eliminate this blight from our neighborhoods."

The Solid Waste Management Department has resumed regularly scheduled Tree Waste and Junk Waste collections:

• March 2018: Regular Tree Waste Schedule
• April 2018: Regular Junk Waste Schedule 

Tour de Houston is a fundraising bike ride that benefits Houston's Parks and Recreation Department. The ride will take place Sunday, March 18, 2018. This annual event offers Houstonians and visitors a unique way to view the city with bike routes winding through Houston's historic neighborhoods, scenic districts and parks.  The route this year  will bring thousands of cyclists through parts of District I. 

With three ride length options, the Tour de Houston is the perfect event for leisure riders or cycling enthusiasts. In addition, it is a BP MS 150 recommended training ride.

The ride begins and ends in Hermann Square at City Hall located at 901 Bagby. Riders and volunteers will enjoy a post-ride party that includes live music, free food and beverages. Registration is $35 for adults through February 16, and $40 through March 17. 

To register visit www.houstontx.gov/tourdehouston.

The City of Houston offers a Homebuyer Assistance Program that provides financial assistance up to $25,000! This program is available to qualified low-to moderate-income first-time homebuyers in the City of Houston to help reduce some of the costs associated with purchasing a home - including down payment and closing costs. 

Contact the City's Housing Department at 832-394-6200 or visit www.houstontx.gov/housing/hap to begin your application and start the road to homeownership!

The Festival Grant program provides support for arts festivals or the arts components of cultural festivals, which celebrate Houston's diversity and promote the city's creative identity as a unique arts and cultural destination. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply.

• Max Award: $10,000
• Deadline: April 9, 2018 at 5:30 pm
• Grant term: July 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018

Festivals are defined as special events that are periodical (often annual) occurring within a limited time period, and should be inclusive and accessible to the general public. Festivals can present various performing, visual, and folk arts, or could be specific to a particular artistic discipline. Collaborative efforts utilizing the strength and knowledge base of more than one organization are highly encouraged.

Apply online by visiting  www.houstonartsalliance.com/new-grant-opportunities