Monthly Newsletter

February 4, 2022 Issue 109

Dear Residents, While much of District E faired well during last night’s hard freeze this instance of extreme weather reminds us how important it is to be prepared for weather threats. We will continue to be in the 20s with windchills in the teens for much of the day today. Please make sure you are bundling up and using caution if you must get out and about tonight. Temperatures will return to the 50s tomorrow. When the City of Houston experiences weather threats we turn to the National Weather Service, Houston Office of Emergency Management, Harris County Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Houston Transtar, Houston Public Works, as well as local first responding groups like Houston’s Fire Department and Houston’s Police Department. Take some time today to familiarize yourself with these resources and make sure you have access to these credible groups during the next event. National Weather Service – https://www.weather.gov/hgx/ https://www.facebook.com/NWSHouston Houston Office of Emergency Management – https://www.houstonoem.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HoustonOEM Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management – https://www.readyharris.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ReadyHarris/ Houston Transtar – http://www.houstontranstar.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HoustonTranStar/ Houston Public Works – https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/home https://www.facebook.com/HouPublicWorks Houston Fire Department – http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/ https://www.facebook.com/HoustonFireDept Houston Police Department – http://www.houstontx.gov/police/ https://www.facebook.com/Houstonpolice In closing, I would like to thank and acknowledge Partnership Lake Houston and Bay Are Houston Economic Partnership for honoring me last week. It was truly humbling to be thanked for my years of service to these communities that make up District E. Partnership Lake Houston honored me with the Dr. Hayden McKay Award and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership honored me with the Quasar Award. I am not one to seek accolades or easily accept thanks for my work as I consider it my duty to serve these communities that elected me. I was truly blown away by the gratitude that I received for my efforts and sincerely appreciate all that were involved in making those acknowledgements possible. Thank you most of all to my wife, of 38 years, partner for 44 years, Julie Martin, for sticking by my side and being my number one supporter. I also want to thank my staff Jessica Beemer, Katherine Cunningham, Dustin Hodges, Mark Mitchell, Jordan McGinty, Evan Austin, Clarissa Perez, Lauren Laake, and Allie Smart for their contributions to the office. We are a great team at District E and I am blessed to work with them each and every day. I look forward to the rest of 2022 and all that it brings serving you as your City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem and District E Council Member. Sincerely,

The District E Office Mayor Pro Dave Martin 900 Bagby, First Floor Houston, TX 77002 Email: [email protected] Phone: (832) 393-3008 The District E Team Jessica Beemer Chief of Staff Dustin Hodges North Sector Manager Mark Mitchell South Sector Manager Carolina Hernandez Executive Assistant Ivan Baque Intern 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    Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce    Kingwood Service Association   Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council

Carolina Hernandez, District E, Executive Assistant Carolina is a native Houstonian who attended The University of Texas at San Antonio and received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently attending Sam Houston State University for her Masters of Business Administration. Carolina will be handling Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s schedule, office management, and supporting the District E Team. Carolina has worked in the hospitality industry and hope to bring her customer service skills and cultural awareness to serve Houston’s diverse community. She looks forward to being a part of District E and learning how to make a positive impact.

Ivan Baque, District E, Intern Ivan is a senior at the University of Houston with six classes left until graduation. Ivan is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Law, Values, and Policy. He was born in New York City and moved to Houston after high school graduation. He is hoping to make new connections during his time with the District E Team and hone his administrative skills for the betterment of the office. Ivan is trilingual (English, Spanish, and French), enjoys playing water polo for the University of Houston, being a USA certified swim coach, and has gone skydiving. Ivan will be assisting the District E Office answering phones and supporting constituent services.

Spaceport Trust Fund This Houston Spaceport Development Corporation was awarded $5M in grant dollars from the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism through the Spaceport Trust Fund. This grant is a financial tool to support the development of infrastructure at the Houston Spaceport. The Governor’s full press release on this award for Houston Spaceport can be found here.

City W Lake Houston Parkway Panel Replacement Completed Houston Public Works panel replacement project on W Lake Houston Parkway was completed on January 14th. The scope of work included replacing damaged concrete panels along the north and southbound lanes of W Lake Houston Parkway from Kingwood Drive to Magnolia Cove Drive. The cost of the project is $38,200 and is funded through District E Council District Service Funds.   This was the second panel replacement project completed this fiscal year, the first was Willow Terrace in October. There are still two additional panel replacement projects funded through District E Council District Service Funds that will get underway this spring or early summer. Our office will provide updates once those projects are scheduled to begin.

Street Rehab Initiative Scheduled for Easthaven Blvd

Houston Public Works will begin a street rehabilitation project on Monday, February 14th, on Easthaven Blvd. The scope of work includes rehabbing the asphalt street of Easthaven Blvd from College Ave to the Gulf Freeway. The cost of the project is $200,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund. The project is a result of Mayor Turner's Street Rehab Initiative that was launched in September 2020.   To find the full press release visit the District E webpage. If you have any questions, please contact the District E Office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].

Laurel Springs Lane RV Resort The District E office is aware of the RV Park development on Laurel Springs Lane. The District E Office has requested several investigations and made many inquiries into their plans to make sure they are complying with City of Houston Codes and Ordinances. Prior to the last few weeks, the developer has been in full compliance.   There has been significant activity on the property recently that prompted our office to request additional investigation to ensure the developer is still following all requirements, regulations, and following their approved site plans. Please keep in mind these investigations are currently active and will remain a fluid situation until project completion. District E is closely monitoring the progress of this development, especially since a small portion of this development is in the 100 – year flood plain. Even though, only a small portion is in the 100 – year flood plain, all new stricter, regulations as part of City of Houston Chapter 19 must be applied to the entirety of the development.   It is important to make this statement, as it has been noted trucks with “fill” material have been noticed entering this development site and per Chapter 19 guidelines the development must be “zero net fill”. This means the developer is charged with providing notification to the City of Houston of all fill material being removed and any new fill material brought on to the property.   The developer has noted they have removed some fill from the site because it is unusable, which is permissible, and is replacing it with new fill to utilize for the development. The City of Houston is working closely with project management of this site to ensure “zero net fill” and all other requirements per Chapter 19 are met. The Office of the City Engineer and Floodplain Management Office are also integral inspecting agencies working to enforce City of Houston codes. District E continues to grow at a rapid pace throughout the district. This growth means a plethora of new developments and even redevelopments of existing areas.   Anyone building a home, commercial property, etc. must adhere to City of Houston Codes. These codes include subdivision, building, construction, and flood plain management to name just a few. If you see a development or private construction with unusual activity or possible code violations, you should report it to Houston 3-1-1 by calling (713) 817-0311. Please follow up with our office by emailing us ([email protected]) the 311 Service Request number you’re given, so we can assist with tracking the case.

Street Rehab Initiative Scheduled for Conklin Lane

Houston Public Works will begin a street rehabilitation project on Monday, February 14th, beginning on Conklin Ln. The scope of work includes rehabbing the asphalt street of Conklin Ln and 2nd St. The cost of the project is $280,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund. The project is a result of Mayor Turner's Street Rehab Initiative that was launched in September 2020. To find the full press release visit the District E webpage. If you have any questions, please contact the District E Office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].

Lake Houston Dredging Update

The City of Houston, through contractor, DRC Emergency Services, LLC (DRC), performed mechanical dredging of the mouth bar throughout 2021. DRC is currently completing the scope of work for dredging in two phases.   Phase I: removed accumulated materials near and at the mouth bar on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. During this phase 400,000 cubic yards (CY) of material was removed from the mouth bar. Just before completing Phase I, DRC dredged in the area immediately north of the mouth bar, removing approximately an additional 260,000 CY of materials.   Phase II: dredging focuses on removing accumulated materials in the East Fork of the San Jacinto River and other locations in Lake Houston. For DRC to begin dredging the East Fork they had to dredge a route for the boats to travel back and forth from the disposal site, located on the West Fork, to where they would start their work on the East Fork. To date, approximately 254,000 CY of silt and sediment has been removed from the East Fork.   DRC also began dredging at Rogers Gully last month. DRC expects to dredge approximately 250,000 CY of accumulated material at Rogers Gully.   The grant funding for Phase I & II was made possible thanks to State Representative Huberty through the passage of Senate Bill 500.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 2022 Quasar Award

The District E Office had the pleasure to attend the 2021/2022 Bay Are Houston Economic Partnership Quasar Award Ceremony on January 28th, where Mayor Pro Tem Martin was honored with the 2022 Quasar Award alongside the 2021 recipient State Representative Greg Bonnen, M.D. Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to thank Mayor Turner, Council Member Gallegos, Council Member Alcorn, Council Member Robinson, Director Diaz with Houston Airport Systems for attending and joining in on the celebration. A special Thank You goes out to Bob Mitchell and his team at BAHEP for everything they do for the Bay Area, and for the City of Houston.

Partnership Lake Houston's Award Extravaganza

Mayor Pro Tem Martin received the Haden McKay, MD Citizen of the Year Award at Partnership Lake Houston’s Annual Awards Extravaganza Presented by Houston Airport System. Mayor Pro Tem Martin was awarded the Haden McKay, MD Citizen of the Year Award for his show of proven business and government leadership skills, his strong desire to ensure conservative principles are applied in City government and for being very influential in providing sound business and prudent decision-making skills to the council in dealing with notable issues facing Houston today

I-45 Homeless Encampments Decommissioned On January 20, 2022 The Mayor’s Office for Homeless Initiatives along with the Houston Homeless Coalition decommissioned encampments along the I45 corridor. Mayor Pro Tem Martin had the opportunity to go out and see their amazing work in action, and to meet some of the hard-working staff that are out in our city, aiding those most in need.   For more information about The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Initiatives please visit their website.

One Safe Houston Mayor Turner Releases Comprehensive Plan to Combat Violent Crime, Holistic Approach Invests Resources in Houston Police, Community Programs and Root Causes of Crime  The plan outlines a commitment to put more officers on the streets through overtime and cadet classes and creates a $1 million gun buyback program. It also provides $1.5 million in additional funding to the Houston Forensic Science Center to address backlogs and funds domestic violence programs with an additional $3 million to provide more services for survivors and prevention efforts. You can read the full press release here.

District E BOPA Events Happening This Spring

Solid Waste Management Department Launches HTX Collects Mobile App The Houston Solid Waste Management Department has launched HTX Collects, a mobile app that will allow residents to stay better connected with the City’s waste and recycling collection programs.   The Solid Waste Management Department collects curbside service for over 395,000 residential homes within the city limits. With both garbage (black can) and recycling (green can) as the core operations for curbside collections, the mobile app will help residents keep track of weekly services, updates, and collection delays.   HTX Collects, will include collection reminders for garbage, recycling, yard waste and tree/junk waste specific to their service address. The mobile app will also send a reminder to residents of their collection days.   Residents can find and download the mobile app for Apple and Android devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for the keywords Houston Trash and Recycling. We encourage residents to use the following features of the new app: Collection Calendar: Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, Junk/Tree Waste services. Set reminders and receive alerts via email, push notifications, and phone call. Waste Wizard: Searchable solid waste directory, curbside services, and drop-off location information. Waste Sorting Game: Fun, interactive educational tool to engage, challenge and change recycling behavior.   Those who do not have an Apple or Android device can visit our website HoustonRecycles.org and search their home address in the My Schedule tool. They can also: Sign up to receive waste collection reminders by email or phone call. Download their collection schedule into their iCal, Google calendar, or Microsoft Outlook calendar. Print their personalized collection schedule. Residents can also search the Waste Wizard on HoustonRecycles.org to learn how to recycle or dispose of materials properly.

HFD Safety Tips for Heating Devices With the temperature forecasted to drop into the 40s and 50s for the next several days, the Houston Fire Department urges citizens to be careful and follow some simple safety tips when using space heaters, fireplaces, and other supplemental heating sources. Citizens should always keep in mind that Space Heaters Need Space. The Houston Fire Department recommends the following safety tips when using supplemental heating sources: Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and a working carbon monoxide alarm if you use gas or a fireplace (including a wood-burning fireplace) for your heating. Never leave children unattended in a room with a space heater. Children may also stick paper or toys in the grates of the space heaters especially gas space heaters. Keep all combustible materials, including yourself at least 3 feet from the heater. Open face heaters should have a screen. Provide ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning* Vented Gas / Fired Heating Appliances Tips - Central heating units, floor furnaces, recessed wall heaters, and vented space heaters. Inspect annually by a qualified service technician. Do not use these type units without a proper vent pipe. Vent pipes must exhaust to the outside! If your flame is not blue, it is not burning properly. It is producing Carbon Monoxide, which can't be seen, smelled, or tasted. Turn it off. Use flexible metal tubing with threaded ends to connect the heater to the gas valve. There should be a cutoff valve for the heater at the wall. Never use a rubber hose to connect a space heater to the gas valve! Use soapy water to check all connections and valves for leaks. NEVER use a match to test for a gas leak! Look for the American Gas Association label and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper usage. Electric Heart Tips: Never overload outlets or breakers Don't use extension cords for the heater. If the cord is hot to the touch, turn off the heater and unplug it! Electric heaters permanently installed in the wall or ceiling should have lint and dust removed regularly. Just like a space heater, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from a fireplace, and create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires. Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room Never leave a fireplace fire unattended, particularly when children are present. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container and kept at a safe distance from your home. Make sure you open your fireplace flue, if applicable. *Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can kill you before you are even aware of it. Carbon Monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, and fatigue, often mistaken for the flu. Have a working carbon monoxide alarm if you use gas appliances and/or a fireplace (gas and wood-burning). When your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, ventilate the house with fresh air by opening windows and doors.

Houston Public Works Engage Houston Website

Houston Public Works has launched a new website ENGAGEHOUSTON.ORG which allows residents to find and follow upcoming and ongoing Houston Public Works projects in their area. Residents can signup to receive updates on specific projects, and leave questions and comments about a project, for City Engineers to answer.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information Residents should continue frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks. Find free, fast, and safe COVID-19 testing sites here. As of Monday, May 10, 2021, everyone age 12 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations. All vaccines are authorized for people age 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 12 and older. The City's vaccination sites are accepting appointments and walk-ins. For availability please go to HoustonEmergency.org/covid19. Booster doses are now available for people in certain groups who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. All COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide strong protection for most people, but a booster shot can help strengthen protection against severe disease in populations whose immunity may have started to wane and who are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 or complications from severe disease. While boosters will help protect people in these groups, the key to ending the pandemic and preventing future surges remains more people getting their first and second doses. More information about boosters and additional doses can be found at houstonemergency.org/covid19.

NORTH SECTOR RESIDENTS Cancelled for February SOUTH SECTOR RESIDENTS Cancelled for February

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