Dear Residents,
The City of Houston Budget process is getting underway later this month with Department Budget Workshops, May 12, May 17 through May 20. The whole schedule is posted online here. All workshops will be held virtually and broadcast online utilizing HTV Houston as well as Facebook Live. Mayor Turner will release the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 11, and city council will begin hearing budget presentations from departments the next day. A public hearing on the city's budget will be held Wednesday, May 26, and the budget vote will take place Wednesday, June 2.
At-Large 5 Council member, Sallie Alcorn, has kicked off the budget discussion with a resident survey and as Council members it is important that we hear from you. I encourage you to participate in Council member Alcorn's "Give Us Your 2¢", City of Houston budget survey.
As in years past, 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.
As we get closer to our summer months, please keep in mind Hurricane Season starts June 1 and being prepared for upcoming storms should be a priority now.
Prepare you and your family today 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.
The City additionally offers a free Disaster Preparedness Guide for all Houston residents, which is available for download at houstonoem.org.
For a free, printed copy of the guide, residents can call 311 at (713) 837-0311. This guide aides Houstonians through the emergency preparedness process, which include having an emergency kit, a disaster plan, staying informed, and knowing your neighbors.
As always, it is a pleasure to represent you. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your District Council Member.
Sincerely,
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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
Katherine Cunningham
Deputy Chief of Staff
Dustin Hodges
North Sector Manager
Mark Mitchell
South Sector Manager
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
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COVID-19 Pop Up Vaccination Clinic |
District E will be hosting a Popup Covid-19 vaccine clinic at the Sagemont Church Annex located at 11600 Hughes Rd from 9am to 3pm on Saturday May 8th.
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SWD Experiencing High Volume of Junk & Tree Waste |
The City of Houston Department of Solid Waste Management experienced higher than anticipated amounts of junk waste placed at the curb last month.
As a result, city crews and contractors are running approximately one week behind schedule. The department is working to bring in additional resources to assist with collections as crews continue to collect junk waste.
The city rotates between junk waste and tree waste collection monthly with April being a junk waste month and May being a tree waste month.
- Residents are asked to hold additional junk waste until their next scheduled collection in June.
- Residents are asked to not mix any junk waste in with the tree waste as it affects the ability of tree waste to be recycled.
Junk waste and tree waste are also accepted at the Department’s Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Centers. All Neighborhood Depositories hours of operations are being extended to 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday.
For more information on what waste is accepted and not accepted and to look up your scheduled collection date please visit www.houstonsolidwaste.org. Don’t forget to follow The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department on Facebook.
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The purpose of the Lake Houston Safety Plan is to provide both Lake Houston residents and visiting recreational users to Lake Houston with information that will prepare them to better identify their location on the lake and how to best report a lake incident to 9-1-1.
The "Know Your Zone" map was created through 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. This safety plan launched April 1, 2021.
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is proud this safety plan is already making a positive impact, in early April 2021 a caller reported a kayaker in trouble on the Lake and knew they were located in the Orange zone. First responders reached the kayaker in trouble, wearing a life jacket, pulled them and their boat out of the lake within twenty minutes.
The District E Office is actively working with communities on the lake to distribute this information. Numerous boat and lake safety resources to increase public safety this summer are available by visiting www.houstontx.gov/knowyourzones. Please use the resources found on that site to print your own maps, share with neighbors, post on social media and #knowyourzone.
Additionally, if your community would like to post one of these signs at your community's boat dock, boat ramp, or pier, please contact the District E Office with the management association's contact information for assistance with obtaining approval to post signage at those locations. The City of Houston will print, install, and maintain these signs. Signs are available in two sizes 6 ft by 3 ft or 3 ft by 1 ft. The signs will be metal wrapped with the image above. Requests for these signs need to be made by close of business by Monday, May 10. It is District E's goal to have all signs printed and in place in advance of Memorial Day.
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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District E and Precinct 2 Teamwork |
Over the weekend of April 30, 2021, a major watermain was damaged in the North Shore area leaving many residents without water. While Houston Public Works Department worked around the clock to isolate and repair the main, Harris County Commissioner Garcia with Precinct 2 and the City of Houston teamed up to distribute bottled water to residents in need.
A special Thank You to Commissioner Garcia and his Precinct 2 Team for all the help! And a Thank You to Galena Park ISD for allowing the use of Cimarron Elementary School as the bottled water distribution center.
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TWDB Approves Financing for Taylor Gully Project |
The Harris County Flood Control District (Flood Control District), Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 10), and City of Houston, teamed together to conduct a drainage study for the streams within the greater Kingwood area. As part of this drainage study, F-14 General Drainage Improvements Near Kingwood, Taylor Gully was identified as one of the five streams in their scope to investigate.
The proposed project, along Taylor Gully G103-80-03, consists of channel improvements that will upgrade the conveyance capacity of the channel to provide a 100-year LOS. The improvements include channel widening, deepening, and lining. The project would construct a concrete rectangular channel in the center of the existing channel while maintaining the 3:1 grass-lined side slopes which are in good condition. The recommendation aims to minimize channel slope impacts and maintain existing channel banks, with proposed improvements. The project will allow capturing increased sheet flow from Montgomery County, at the upstream end of Taylor Gully, which primarily floods due to riverine conditions.
The project will benefit more than 400 structures, 387 directly benefitted from 100-year stream inundations. An additional 62 structures would be indirectly benefited. This project is one of several projects envisioned in the Kingwood Drainage Analysis. Once the funds are received, the project team will begin on the design and permitting phase portion with an overall timeline for 3-4 years, weather permitting.
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Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD)
Projects Status Updates
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The Region 6: San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning Group, chaired by Harris County Flood Control District's Executive Director, Russ Poppe, is having a Pre-Planning Public Meeting on May 18, 2021, from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Information about this meeting can be found on the Texas Water Development Board’s website here.
Please note that on this page are the following two items:
- Meeting Flyer
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Meeting Agenda
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Bens Branch Repair North of Kingwood Drive
HCFCD completed repairs on Bens Branch from Rocky Woods Drive down to Kingwood Drive in mid-April. The purpose of the project was to restore the conveyance of Bens Branch. The channel’s functionality has been reduced over the years due to erosion and sedimentation.
The project included implementing erosion repairs, repairing side slope failures, repairing or replacing outfalls, rectifying flow lines, and removing excess sediment.
This was the fourth and final phase of Bens Branch restoration. Previous projects addressed Bens Branch from:
- Montgomery County Line to Woodland Hills
- Woodland Hills to Rocky Woods (de-snag only) through the natural portion of the stream.
- Lake Houston YMCA to Kingwood Drive
- Kingwood Drive to Rocky Woods
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Forest Cove Townhomes
On January 9, 2021, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a mandatory acquisition (declared a public necessity) for the 7 remaining townhomes in Forest Cove. On February 9, they mailed initial offer letters based on the completed appraisals to the owners of these remaining townhomes.
30 days after the initial offer letter is sent, a second – and final – offer letter will be sent. For those who do not respond by 60 days after the final offer, their file(s) will be sent to the County Attorney’s office to schedule a hearing with the special commissioners for condemnation. HCFCD is scheduling demolition as they complete the acquisition of entire building units.
In the meantime, HCFCD began regular cleanups of the properties this past month. City of Houston Solid Waste is assisting with the cleanup by clearing illegal dumping within City Right-of-Way. Mayor Pro Tem Martin continues to work closely with HPD-Kingwood, County Commissioner Precinct 4 Jack Cagle, and Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Mark Herman to increase presence in the area to deter illegal dumping or any other illegal activity.
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Sagemont Civic Club Concerns |
Concerned residents of the Sagemont Civic Club reach out to Mayor Pro Tem Martin regarding inconsistencies with the Harvey Housing Recovery program’s design of the homes being rebuilt by the General Land Office and the Harvey Recovery program.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin reached out to Land Commissioner George P. Bush by letter, expressing these concerns and asking the GLO to do better.
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The City of Houston, through its contractor, DRC Emergency Services, LLC (DRC), performed mechanical dredging of the mouth bar throughout last year. DRC currently completing the scope of work for dredging activities in two distinct phases.
Phase I Dredging
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 it is expected that a minimum of 400,000 cubic yards (CY) of material will be removed. To date, DRC has removed approximately 385,000 cubic yards of material from the mouth bar and is 95% complete. The remaining strip of the mouth bar is being utilized to assist dredging operations for Phase II before it is completely removed prior to total completion.
Phase II Dredging
The second phase of dredging focused on removing accumulated materials in the East Fork of the San Jacinto River and other locations in Lake Houston. DRC completed their assignment in the East Fork in January, having dredged approximately 5,500 CY and clearing floatable debris. DRC is now dredging in the area immediately north of the mouth bar and has removed 65,000 CY of the approximately 260,000 CY expected before finishing the remaining section of the mouth bar.
The grant funding for Phase I & II was made possible thanks to State Representative Huberty through the passage of Senate Bill 500.
Lake Houston Maintenance Program Legislation – HB2525/SB1892
The most critical aspect within phase two revolves around the City of Houston, Harris County, HCFCD, SJRA, and Coastal Water Authority (CWA) working to develop and execute a plan for the City of Houston or CWA to assume long-term dredging and maintenance operations on Lake Houston. Earlier this week, Mayor Pro Tem was successful in securing unanimous support from Houston City Council Members of HB 2525/SB1892.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin is excited to announce that State Representative Huberty filed HB2525 on March 1 which, if passed, will create the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District. Currently, HB 2525 was voted out of committee on April 27th and was considered and passed its second reading on the House Floor around midnight this morning. HB 2525 was back on the House Floor today for its third and final reading where it passed once again. The bill will now head to the Senate. If you would like to watch these hearings tune in here.
State Senator Brandon Creighton filed the companion bill in the Senate, SB 1892. SB 1892 has been referred to the Local Government Committee awaiting a date to be set for a hearing. The City of Houston submitted a letter of support signed by every council member prior to the bill’s consideration on the House floor.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin has worked diligently with Rep. Huberty and Senator Creighton to get these necessary pieces of legislation filed. The legislation will establish the first ever long-range plan for the dredging and maintenance of Lake Houston. This District will allow for sediment and floatable debris to be removed throughout the year, which will improve capacity and flow through the river and lake year-round.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin, again, would like to offer a very special "Thank You" to State Representative Dan Huberty for his commitment to seeing this project through and his dedication to the long-term maintenance activities on Lake Houston. Representative Huberty has been a champion for his residents and a great ally in seeing these additional dredging efforts come to fruition.
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Benefits of the Coastal Spine Video |
The health of the Texas economy is heavily dependent on coastal commerce, industry, and the communities of workers supporting these operations. Despite the price tag of the Coastal Spine, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Watch the video to view a breakdown of the key Benefits of the Coastal Spine.
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Dead and Dangerous Tree Removal |
District E and the City of Houston are working hard to prepare for the 2021 Hurricane Season. Earlier this year, Houston Urban Forestry identified trees for removal, based upon declining health and danger, along the major thoroughfares in Kingwood. The Dangerous Tree Removal Program started in November and have completed W Lake Houston Parkway and Northpark Drive with Kingwood Drive remaining. The cost of this project is $50,678 and funds are provided through Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Council District Service Funds.
The trees being marked for removal are dead, extremely unhealthy, and/or the most dangerous. Work order(s) will then be generated by block then issued to the City's contractor, Prime Trees, to schedule removal of the dead and most dangerous trees. Prime Trees is working along Kingwood Drive having started near Loop 494 on March 24 and working towards W Lake Houston Parkway in the coming weeks.
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 will require 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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Since August 2019 the City of Houston and Coastal Water Authority have been hard at work on Phase I of the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project (Flood Gates).
The final preliminary engineering report is expected in the coming weeks as the project nears the end of Phase I. The City of Houston has submitted the cost-benefit analysis to FEMA and is working to address the comments received from FEMA before resubmitting. The project will move from Phase I to Phase II once the final Cost-Benefit Analysis is submitted to FEMA along with the preliminary engineering report, environmental surveys, and drainage analysis. Upon approval from FEMA the additional funds provided to the state of Texas for this project will be made available for reimbursement to the City for commencement on Phase II construction. The two phases of the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project are expected to be completed within 36 months, with the possibility of an extension if needed.
Houston Public Works and Coastal Water Authority are working together under the direction of Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello to plan a public forum to discuss the progress of the gates in the next few months. As updates for this project become available the District E Office will notify residents utilizing the office newsletter and social media platforms. If you do not already, please follow @cmdavemartin on Twitter and like Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Facebook Page.
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HCA Kingwood Celebrates 30 Years |
The District E office had the pleasure of celebrating HCA-Kingwood’s 30th anniversary yesterday. HCA-Kingwood has provided the community with high-quality, cost-effective healthcare for 30 years now. Conveniently located at the intersection of Highway 59 and Kingwood Drive, HCA-Kingwood is the premier healthcare provider for the Northeast Houston area, including North Harris, East Montgomery and Liberty counties.
Since 2011, HCA Kingwood, a member of the HCA hospital system, has added more than 300,000 sq. ft. to their footprint. At HCA Kingwood, they believe in “Patients First,” and a commitment to providing patients with quality healthcare close to home has never been stronger. As a full-service 419-bed acute care hospital, HCA Kingwood has more than 500 physicians on staff, supported by 1,500-plus healthcare professionals, and is home to award-winning programs that improve the care and life of their patients. It was an honor to present HCA-Kingwood with a Proclamation naming May 4, 2021 as HCA-Kingwood Day.
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Curbside Recycling Education Pilot Program |
Beginning May 3, 2021, Houston SWMD put "Feet on the Street" to monitor and tag recycling bins. The Cart-Tagging Project is supported by a grant from The Recycling Partnership and a solid waste reduction from the Houston-Galveston Area Council passed through from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and awarded to the department.
The goal of the program is to improve the quantity and quality of recyclables collected in the curbside recycling cart. Currently, more than 35% of what is collected in the single-stream program is contamination. The contaminants include but are not limited to trash items with food residue, bagged recyclables, batteries and electronics, long easily tangled items such as cords, hoses and chains, yard waste, household items, scrap metal, scrap wood and shredded paper.
How it Works
Inspectors will visit a study area of 60,000 homes over a period of six months to observe the contents of residents’ recycling carts. If the visual inspection shows non-recyclables or trash in the cart, an Oops Tag will be attached to remind the residents of correct recyclables as well as the contaminant found. If the cart has non-accepted items in it, the resident will receive a warning tag like the one pictured below. Residents will receive one warning, and if on the next visit non-accepted items are found the resident will receive a red tag and the cart will not be collected. The cart will be re-checked the next collection cycle, and if the issue has been corrected the cart will be collected.
Oops! What to do if your recycling cart receives an Oops tag.
- Remove the noted items and make sure that only empty, clean, dry cardboard, paper, metal cans, plastic bottles & jugs are placed loose in the recycling cart –do not bag recycling.
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If you need help figuring out what is and is not accepted refer to ACCEPTED ITEMS Quick Guide.
- Once your cart has been corrected remove the Oops tag from your cart and wait until your next service day to put your recycling cart at the curb. Your corrected recycling cart will be serviced.
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Tropical Storm Imelda Homeowner Assistance |
- Repairing and rehabilitating homes
- Reconstruction
- Improving a damaged home so that it is stronger against natural disasters
- Elevating homes above flood level
- Temporary relocation assistance
- Reimbursement up to $50,000 for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred for repairs including:
- Reconstruction
- Rehabilitation
- Mitigation
- Repayment of SBA loans
A single application can be submitted for reimbursement and repair assistance. An application must be submitted along with required documents for consideration. HARP is on a first-come, first-served basis and all homeowners are encouraged to apply immediately. Households applying for reimbursement that do not meet the low-to moderate-income (LMI) threshold will be processed after the first six months from application opening, but may receive construction assistance prior to then, based on their application date. HARP is only available for a main home (primary residence).
Potential applicants should review the HARP Checklist to have all applicable documents ready prior to applying. Interested homeowners should visit recovery.texas.gov/harp to apply online or download a printable version of the application. For assistance, interested participants can email [email protected] or call 1-844-893-8937.
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COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information |
Houston’s latest 14 day average positivity rate is 12.7%. It is up to us to stop the spread of COVID-19. Residents should continue frequent hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks. Find free, fast, and safe testing sites here.
As of Monday, March 29, 2021, everyone age 16 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 16 and older.
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Summer Boating Safety Tips |
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 is also ongoing dredging operations near the mouth bar. Dredging operations involves the constant ferrying of dredged silt deposits to/from the mouth bar and collection site.
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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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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