Residents of District E,
It’s that time of year again and the City of Houston Budget process is getting underway later this month with Department Budget Workshops, May 11, May 16 through May 19. The full schedule is posted online here. All workshops will be held in-person and broadcast online utilizing HTV Houston, public speakers will be permitted to participate virtually. To sign up as a public speaker for our upcoming budget workshops you may do so here. Mayor Turner will release the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 10, and city council will begin hearing budget presentations from departments the next day, Wednesday, May 11. A public hearing on the city's budget will be held Wednesday, May 25, and the budget vote will take place Wednesday, June 1.
At-Large 5 Council member, Sallie Alcorn, has kicked off the budget discussion with a resident survey and 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 infrastructure improvements, flood mitigation, and public safety initiatives.
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 starting now.
Start preparing 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.
Additionally, the city 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.
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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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City Council Redistricting Town Hall Series |
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Visit www.LetsTalkHouston.org/redistricting for more information, to get updates on meeting locations and ask questions about the redistricting effort. All content will be in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese by selecting languages in the upper right corner of the webpage.
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Association of Business and Professional Women |
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Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin had the privilege to attend and speak at the Association of Business and Professional Women meeting held at the Bay Oaks Country Club. During the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Martin provided the group with updates on the City of Houston budget process as well as City of Houston projects.
A special “Thank You” to the Association of Business and Professional Women President Teresa Kay Vencil, for allowing Mayor Pro Tem Martin this honor.
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Kingwood Drive Culverts Cleaned Out |
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Over the last two months, Houston Publics Works Storm Sewer Maintenance staff have utilized their cleaning/vacuum combo unit to clean the culverts on Kingwood Drive near the Kingwood High School which were severely silted.
The truck is equipped with a jetter and a vacuum hose which extracts debris using a vacuuming system. We are thankful for all of HPW's hard work in District E!
As a reminder, if you see culverts in need of maintenance please call 3-1-1 (713-837-0311) to report the issue and follow up with an email to our office, at [email protected].
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Axiom Space's Ax-1 Mission to ISS |
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Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) was the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and is a pivotal step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.
Ax-1 launched from Cape Canaveral on April 8, 2022, and returned to Earth on April 25, 2022, after spending 17 days at the ISS.
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Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Forum |
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The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted a Candidate Forum for Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner, featuring candidates Jack Morman and Jerry Mouton.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas State Pledge.
Election Day is tomorrow, Saturday May 7th.
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BMW of Clear Lake Grand Opening |
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin joined the grand opening of BMW of Clear Lake on April 26, 2022, along with Texas State Representative Dennis Paul, Kelly Waterman with Congressman Brian Babin’s Office, and Jason Fuller with Senator Ted Cruz's office. |
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Mills Branch Drive Drainage Project Underway |
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Houston Public Works began a drainage improvement project on Monday, April 4th. The scope of work includes upgrading the open ditch system to an underground drainage system along Mills Branch Drive from Dunnam Road to Northpark Drive. The cost of the project is $318,625 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund.
Crews mobilized on-site beginning Monday, April 11 and the project is expected to be completed by Wednesday, September 21, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place from 7:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Residents should be aware of possible lane closures and delays when traveling through this area.
As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be used to help with traffic flow through the construction zone. Residents and businesses will have access to driveways at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area. Patience is appreciated as City crews work in this area.
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Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin had the honor of kicking off the first annual Ascend x Texas: Accelerating the Business of Space Exploration event, hosted by the Bay Area Economic Partnership at the U of H Clear Lake Campus.
Mayor Pro Tem Martin participated in an open forum conversation with NASA Johnson Space Center Director Venessa Wyche. Director Wyche and Mayor Pro Tem Martin discussed many topics including, how the City of Houston can play a major role in the development of the commercial space exploration industry, not only in Texas but across the country.
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Kingwood Region III-6A Golf Tournament Winners |
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Congratulations to the Kingwood Highschool Golf team! Kingwood took the lead at Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu redeeming themselves from placing second at last year’s state tournament. The girl’s team led the win by a whopping 44 shots over Memorial while the boy’s team won by a single shot, 619-620.
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Left to right - Luke Lohman, Jackson Becker, Eli Anderson, Brooks Pawlak, Andrew Tucker and coach Jeff Bellknap |
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With Memorial Day Weekend and Summer quickly approaching it’s important to “Know Your Zone” when you’re on Lake Houston. The Lake Houston Safety Plan provides Lake Houston residents and visiting recreational users 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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Kingwood Drive Panel Replacements Scheduled |
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Houston Public Works will begin 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 are expected to 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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NASA Johnson Space Center Commemorating Mark S. Geyer |
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District E Office staff had the honor of attending a tree dedication ceremony at NASA John Space Center on April 29, 2022, commemorating Mark S. Geyer, a former NASA Johnson Space Center Director. Geyer led the space center from May 2018 to May 2021.
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Houston Public Library Receives NASA Community Anchor Award |
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The Houston Public Library announces a grant award of $25,000 from the NASA Community Anchor Award program to support the launch of "Astronomy Dome: Linking Youth to the Universe," a mobile planetarium experience.
The initiative aims to increase access to educational and STEM-centered programming implemented throughout the greater Houston area by Houston Public Library’s Community Engagement Team and Youth Services librarians.
For more information on this program and on Houston Public Library Department please visit www.houstonlibrary.org.
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City Council Unanimously Approves
$400k Grant for The Village Centers
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Earlier this week City Council unanimously approved an additional $400,000 grant for The Village Centers during the May 4th City Council Meeting. The Village Centers will utilize the funding to provide vocational training and supportive employment services to 120 low-to-moderate-income Houston residents with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
"As the District E Council Member, I am excited to see The Village Centers receive this funding. Supporting our nonprofit communities, especially those that support creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is crucial to the strength of our community as a whole."
The Village strives to create the support and services needed to affect positive change in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and our local community, so that these individuals may reach their maximum potential and level of independence.
For more information, please contact the District E office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at [email protected].
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Hueni Road Street Rehab Completed |
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Houston Public Works completed the Hueni Road rehabilitation project in early April. The scope of work included a mill and overlay of Hueni Road from Mills Branch Drive to Morningside Drive.
The project cost was $470,000 and was funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund.
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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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