Dear residents of District E,
This week, Houston City Council approved the City’s $5.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 operating budget in a 15 – 2 vote that took place on Wednesday. At-Large Council Member’s Mike Knox and Michael Kubosh were the only City Council Members to vote in opposition to the FY 2023 operating budget. This year’s budget process involved public participation through both virtual and in-person public speakers which added to a very productive dialogue throughout the five-day budget workshop process. At-Large 5 Council Member, Sallie Alcorn, did a tremendous job for the third year in a row with her “Your 2¢” budget survey, which I believe continues to add thoughtful input from the public.
The FY 2023 operating budget prioritizes public safety, service and infrastructure, as well as Complete Communities. This year’s budget is balanced and includes a 6% pay raise for Houston Fire Fighters, 4% pay raise for Houston Police, and 3% pay raise for municipal employees over the next fiscal year.
Like many municipalities, the City of Houston continues to bounce back after closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Fiscal Year 2023 budget maintains a healthy fund balance and includes contingency funds for the above-mentioned pay raises and hurricane preparedness efforts. Moving forward, I will continue to work hard alongside my colleagues to make fiscally conservative decisions regarding the city's finances and fight for District E residents. If you missed this Wednesday's budget discussion you can watch online here.
Finally, as June 1st marked the start of Hurricane Season, we have included tips and resources in the contents of this newsletter to encourage you to stay informed and be prepared for upcoming storms. Make sure you and your family are prepared by following a four-step preparedness process: make an emergency plan, have an emergency kit, be informed about disasters, and help members of your community prepare themselves.
It is a pleasure to continue to serve you as your District E Council Member.
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Mayor Pro Dave Martin
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002
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
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
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Houston’s Axiom Space and Collin’s Aerospace Awarded NASA Space Suit Contract |
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Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is ecstatic about the announcement made by NASA Johnson Space Center yesterday, regarding NASA's new partnership with both Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace, bringing a $3.5 billion Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) contract solicitation to Houston. It is important to note both companies broke ground within the last year at Houston Spaceport, located in District E.
The xEVAS contract enables the companies to compete for individual task orders for missions that will provide a myriad of capabilities for NASA's spacewalking needs through the year 2034. As part of the xEVAS contract, the two will compete for missions on the International Space Station while also advancing spacewalking capabilities in low-Earth orbit as well as on the Moon, in addition to updating spacesuits and spacewalk systems improving the ability to work outside the International Space Station, explore the lunar surface on Artemis missions and prepare for human missions to Mars.
These advancements are truly unique and bring attention to the American influence on space travel to levels not seen since the 1960s. Mayor Pro Tem Martin looks forward to watching how this contract transforms the economy of the City of Houston as the aerospace community flourishes in Space City.
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Hurricane Season Started June 1, are you prepared? |
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Just a reminder that now is the time to prepare you and your family for the upcoming hurricane season. Make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, recognize warnings and alerts, including those with disabilities, review your important documents, strengthen your home, get tech-ready, and gather your supplies.
Make an Emergency Plan
Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plans. Include the office, kids’ daycare, and anywhere else you frequent in your hurricane plans. Ensure your business has a continuity plan to continue operating when disaster strikes.
Know your Evacuation Zone
You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household and pets, and identify where you will stay.
Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and partners. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
Recognize Warnings and Alerts
Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts with Alert Houston and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no sign up.
Those with Disabilities
Identify if you may need additional help during an emergency if you or anyone else in your household is an individual with a disability. Also, make sure you are registered for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry www.stear.tdem.texas.gov/Login
Review Important Documents
Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents, such as ID, are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.
Strengthen your Home
De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture, and consider hurricane shutters.
Get Tech Ready
Keep your cell phone charged when you know a hurricane is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
Help your Neighborhood
Check with neighbors, senior adults, or those who may need additional help securing hurricane plans to see how you can be of assistance to others
Gather Supplies
Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies and pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk. You may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks after a hurricane.
Please watch this video to make sure you are prepared
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Southeast Houston/Clear Lake Area Redistricting Town Hall Meeting |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin would like to thank all the residents that attended the District E South Redistricting Town Hall at Space Center Houston, and of the City of Houston Employees that made it possible. |
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Kingwood Fire Station Dumpster Enclosures |
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Earlier this year the Houston Fire Department reached out to our office regarding issues they were having with illegal dumping in their dumpsters. Our office worked with HFD and the General Services Department to provide Council District Service Funds to ensure Kingwood Fire Stations had their dumpsters properly enclosed to deter help deter illegal dumping.
If you are looking for a place to get rid of large items you can take them to the Environmental Service Center at 5614 Neches Street 77026. They are open the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If you have any electronic items you can always drop those off the first Saturday of each month at the Kingwood METRO Park & Ride from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or until the trucks are full).
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East Houston Medical Center Demolition |
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The last building at the East Houston Medical Center was demolished by the Harris County Flood Control District in May of 2022. This is a huge step in cleaning up the area, after Hurricane Harvey’s devastation to the complex. For more information on the future of the East Houston Medical Center, please reach out to the Harris County Flood Control District or visit the Z-04 East Houston Medical Center Stormwater Detention Basin webpage.
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Clear Lake Area Chamber Luncheon |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin attended the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, where he presented Chamber President, Cindy DeWease, with a District E Proclamation.
The proclamation declared May 25th, 2022, as Cindy DeWease Day in District E in honor of Cindy’s birthday, and her 38 years of service to the community.
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TPC Group’s Mark of Excellence Scholarships Awarded |
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Congratulations to our District E resident, Servando Avalos (pictured) who is one of four recipients of the 2022 TPC Group’s Mark of Excellence Scholarship
His fellow recipients are Ashley Cao, Erika Muralles, and Sai Varthika Gelivi. TPC Group also presented the TPC Group’s Sons and Daughters Program scholarships to Kinley Dupuis, Ava Medico, Abigail Nelson, and Isabella Valenzuela.
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Axiom Space Groundbreaking |
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Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin was honored to be a part of Houston Spaceport’s new groundbreaking at Axiom Space. The 400,000 square-foot headquarters on 22 acres at 13200 Space Center Blvd.
Axiom will initiate a lot of firsts such as the world’s first commercial space station along with training private astronauts. In addition, Axiom has already made history with its own private astronauts when their first mission to the ISS launched on April 8th this year.
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Aegis Aerospace and Intuitive Machines Team Up |
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Two District E aerospace companies, Aegis Aerospace and Intuitive Machines, have made history by announcing they have entered into the first Texas-based business-to-business contract to deliver a commercial science payload to the surface of the moon.
For more information about the contract and details of the mission visit www.aegisaero.com
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With summer here it’s important to “Know Your Zone” when you’re on Lake Houston. The Lake Houston Safety Plan provides Lake Houston residents and those visiting with information preparing them to better identify their location on the lake and how to best report a lake incident to 9-1-1 dispatchers.
The "Know Your Zone" map was created by District E in collaboration with the Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, Houston Planning Department, Houston Office of Emergency Management, Houston Emergency Center, and the Houston Public Works Department.
To date, signs have been installed at Deussen Park, East End Park, River Grove Park, Kings Harbor, W Lake Houston Parkway Bridge, and on the FM 1960 Bridge. Houston Public Works has been hampered by the weather but is still working to install signs that have been requested by community groups and private community boat dock owners.
To learn more about the Lake Houston Safety Plan visit www.houstontx.gov/knowyourzones. There you can print your own maps, share with neighbors, post on social media, and #knowyourzone.
Should you like to request a presentation for your group (HOA, Civic Club etc.) or receive resources directly, please email the District E Office at [email protected].
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Bay Area Blvd Road Rehab Project |
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Houston Public Works began a street rehabilitation project on Tuesday, May 31st, on Bay Area Blvd. The scope of work includes replacing concrete panels on Bay Area Blvd. from Space Center Blvd. to Graduate Dr. The cost of the project is $800,000 and is funded through the METRO Dedicated Drainage & Street Renewal Fund.
The project is anticipated to be completed by Tuesday, July 12th, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure, but two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.
Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area. There are no utility outages planned.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].
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Kingwood Drive Panel Replacements Underway |
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Houston Public Works began a panel replacement project on Kingwood Drive on Tuesday, May 31. The scope of work includes replacing damaged concrete panels along the westbound lanes of Kingwood Drive from Kings Forest Drive to Woodland Hills Drive. The cost of the project is $76,300 and is funded through Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Council District Service Funds.
The project is anticipated to be completed by Saturday, June 25, weather permitting. Construction activities will take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area.
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Summer Boating Safety Tips |
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Summer is in full swing and boat traffic continues to increase along with the temperature. We would like to share some tips with you to keep in mind over the weekend this summer as you enjoy your time on Lake Houston. Keep in mind that in addition to fellow boaters, there are also ongoing dredging operations near Rogers Gully/Walden. Dredging operations involve the constant ferrying of dredged silt deposits to/from Rogers Gully and the collection site located on the east side of the lake.
Here are a few tips from Officer Garcia with the Houston Police Marine Unit:
- Remember, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence. BUI's are not worth it!
- Life jackets for everyone. We have loaners, NO EXCUSES!
- Pay attention to your surroundings such as stumps, boaters, kayakers, and anything else on the water.
- Know the weather/water report for Lake Houston.
- Know your location on the water in the event of an emergency.
If you have any questions regarding boater safety, please contact HPD Lake Patrol at 832-394-9854.
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Dredging Near Completion at Rogers Gully |
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Ongoing Dredging Operations
The City of Houston, through its contractor, DRC Emergency Services, LLC (DRC) began dredging at Rogers Gully in March. DRC has dredged approximately 240,000 CY of accumulated material at Rogers Gully, which has utilized a secondary disposal site on the east side of Lake Houston near the old marina off of Fairlake Lane south of FM 1960.
While dredging has been ongoing in Rogers Gully, the contractor has been surveying the channels/canals in Atascocita Shores. They recently completed the surveying of Atascocita Shores and will now proceed to survey channels/canals on the east side of Lake Houston.
San Jacinto River Dredging
DRC performed mechanical dredging in the West and East Fork of the San Jacinto River throughout 2021. DRC is currently completing the scope of work for dredging activities in two distinct phases.
Phase I
The first phase removed accumulated materials near and at the mouth bar on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. During phase one of this project, 400,000 cubic yards (CY) of material was removed from the mouth bar. Prior to completing the last strip of the mouth bar, DRC dredged in the area immediately north of it removing approximately 260,000 CY.
Phase II
The second phase of 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 first dredge a route for the boats to traverse back and forth from the disposal site located on the West Fork to where they would start their assignment on the East Fork. To date, approximately 254,000 CY of silt and sediment has been removed from the East Fork.
The grant funding for Phase I & II was made possible thanks to the efforts of State Representative Dan Huberty.
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CNP Gears up for 2022 Hurricane Season |
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Hurricane season has begun and CenterPoint Energy has committed to preparing their teams across their company by participating in their annual emergency operations drill. CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to be prepared especially if they depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment.
According to the guide below, customers should be prepared to be without electric service according to the following guidelines:
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For the latest information on electric power outages:
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See a pothole, report it by calling (713) 837-0311 or use a Smartphone App.
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Get the latest on COVID-19 including locations of active testing sites can be found here.
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Tune in to HTV Houston to watch live and recorded City Council and Committee Meetings.
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