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October 1, 2021 Issue 105 |
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Dear Residents,
The District E Office is happy to be participating in next week’s National Night Out events from Clear Lake to Northshore to Kingwood. District E staff will be stopping by with contact information and some goodies.
The Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office, and surrounding law enforcement agencies will participate in the 38th Annual Houston/Harris County National Night Out campaign on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thousands of people throughout the city will step out of their homes to meet their neighbors and renew their commitment to public safety. The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) has announced that it will commemorate the October date in 2021 for the entire State of Texas.
I hope to encourage each of you to participate in National Night Out. As you meet your neighbors, building friendships and connections that lead to unifying neighborhoods, streets, subdivisions, and communities against crime. Together with law enforcement, your neighbors can become your allies against crime, and together we will improve the quality of life in our city.
For more information and planning ideas, please contact Officer J. Robles of the Houston Police Department’s Office of Community Affairs at 832-584-4671.
I hope you will come outdoors on National Night Out and be a part of this wonderful event.
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
Jorge Torres
Intern
City Resources
Kingwood Community Center
(281) 348-2570
Community Resources
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Desilting Under Kingwood Bridges |
Houston Public Works maintenance crews are continuing to perform desilting under certain bridges in Kingwood. Crews began desilting underneath the Kingwood Drive bridge over Bens Branch on Monday, August 23. This work is being funded through the City's general maintenance and operation funds.
The scope of work includes removing accumulated silt and sediment from underneath the bridge and in the immediate vicinity of the bridge apron. Once crews are finished at this location, they will perform desilting underneath the Kingwood Drive bridge over the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. These specific bridges are being addressed in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District to complement their recent desilting efforts on Bens Branch and Kingwood Diversion Ditch. Other bridges are being investigated for desilting as well and we will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Crews mobilized on-site Monday, August 23 and the project is expected to be completed by Friday, September 10, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place from 7:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Residents should be aware of possible lane closures and delays when traveling through this area.
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Clear Lake Area Residents: Solid Waste Trash Cart Fee Correction |
As many know, on July 1, 2020 the City of Houston began charging a Solid Waste Cart Fee. The following information is only for District E residents that have their water survives provided through the Clear Lake City Water Authority:
- The annual Trash Cart Fee bill will be going out in October of each year
- The 3-month bill that was sent out was a clerical error, and residents can disregard that bill. Residents who did pay the 3-month bill will show a credit to their annual bill in October.
- The bill has been corrected to reflect Trash Cart Fee not Drainage or Water Fee.
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Residents can go online to www.houstonwater.org to pay the bill online, Quick Pay (by Check Only).
- The payment page has updated language advising customers to enter the first 11 digits of the account number without the hyphens.
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Harris County Flood Control District
Projects Status Updates
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Kingwood Diversion Ditch
The Flood Control District’s goal for this project is to ultimately provide a 100- year level of service to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and alleviate some of the flood risk along Bens Branch.
The project is currently in the Preliminary Engineering stage and has completed boundary and topographic survey field activities a month ahead of schedule. Fieldwork for the geotechnical and environmental analyses is anticipated to be completed later this month. Once the fieldwork has been completed, the Hydrology & Hydraulics analysis will begin.
The Flood Control District expects to be finished with Preliminary Engineering by Summer 2022 and will then move into Design. If all goes according to plan, the project will be in Construction within 3 years from now. You can find more information by visiting the Kingwood Diversion Ditch project website.
The Flood Control District is planning to hold a virtual community engagement meeting before the end of the year.
Taylor Gully:
The Flood Control District's goal for this project is to ultimately provide a 100- year level of service to Taylor Gully. The City of Houston has secured partnership funding for the construction of this project from the Texas Water Development Board. The project team has begun the Preliminary Engineering stage activities that include survey work and various assessments to establish baseline conditions.
The Taylor Gully project will also look at the Woodridge property that the Flood Control District purchased in Montgomery County as a potential location for mitigation for impacts created by increasing the stormwater carrying capacity of Taylor Gully.
To get things moving along at the Woodridge property, Excavation and Removal (E&R) activities will be underway as soon as the E&R plans are finalized. The Flood Control District expects to be finished with Preliminary Engineering by Summer 2022 and will then move into Design. If all goes according to plan, the project will be in Construction within 3 years from now. You can find more information by visiting the Taylor Gully project website.
The Flood Control District is planning to hold a virtual community engagement meeting before the end of the year.
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Mills Branch Road Rehabilitation
Project Completed
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Mayor Pro Tem Martin is excited to see the completion of the Mills Branch Road rehabilitation project. Houston Public Works began the road rehab project in late July. The scope of work included rehabbing the roadway along Mills Branch Road between Northpark Drive and Clover Valley Drive.
Crews put the final touches on the project in mid-September with fresh striping. Crews also added curbing along portions of Mills Branch Rd as a traffic calming measure. The cost of the project was $500,000 and was funded through the City of Houston Metro Projects Construction Fund.
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50/50 Parks Initiative Update |
Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) are excited to share an update on Mayor Turner’s 50/50 Park Partners initiative and the park improvements slated for Freeway Manor Park.
Based on the input received and available funding, the improvements at Freeway Manor Park will include resurfacing the parking lot, repairing the walking trail, replacing park benches, regrading the baseball field, updating the picnic areas, repurposing the tennis court to a soccer mini-pitch, and improving park lighting. Construction is expected to begin in late 2022.
City Council approved an agreement between the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board on August 25, 2021. The agreement underscored the partners’ commitment to this public/private partnership by appropriating $3,225,000.00 out of the Park and Recreation Dedication Fund for work to begin on the first eleven 50/50 parks. HPARD’s role is to provide the public funding commitment, review and approve plans, and provide ongoing operation and maintenance of the parks.
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City of Houston Street Rehab Initiative Underway in Kingwood |
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Houston Public Works began a street rehabilitation project on Tuesday, September 7, starting on Forest Way.
The scope of work includes rehabbing the concrete streets of Forest Way, Royal Forest Drive, Rockmead Drive, Stonehollow Drive, Green Oak Drive, and Chestnut Ridge Road north of Kingwood Drive.
The cost of the project is $920,000 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund. The project is a product of Mayor Turner's Street Rehab Initiative that was launched in September 2020. The initiative will focus on extending the life of existing infrastructure by rehabilitating street surfaces, fixing curbs, storm drains and bringing ramps up to accessibility standards.
Crews will be mobilized on-site beginning Tuesday, September 7 and the project is anticipated to be completed by Wednesday, December 29, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 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 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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Greg Piegari Walking Trails Dedication |
On September 8th, 2021 the District E Office was proud to attend the Brook Forest Community Association’s dedication of the Greg Piegari Walking Trails to Mr. Greg Piegari for his unwavering love and support of family and community, in recognition of 12 years as a director of the Brook Forest Community Association.
Thank you, Greg, for your hard work and dedication to your neighborhood and the greater Clear Lake Community. Your spirit of community service will live on in these beautiful walking trails.
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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.
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, and pulled them and their boat out of the lake within twenty minutes. Callers have continued to make reports using their zone information since this program's inception and we could not be more thankful to have this plan in place.
To learn more about the 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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Cyberonics Street Rehabilitation |
Houston Public Works began a street rehabilitation project on Monday, September 27, on Cyberonics Boulevard. The scope of work includes rehabbing the concrete street of Cyberonics Boulevard from Space Center Boulevard to Moonrock Drive. The cost of the project is $114,080 and is funded through the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund. The project is a product of Mayor Turner's Street Rehab Initiative that was launched in September 2020.
For more information, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].
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Willow Terrace Panel Replacement Underway |
Houston Public Works started a panel replacement project on Willow Terrace Drive this past Monday, September 27. The scope of work includes replacing damaged concrete panels along the north and southbound lanes of Willow Terrace from Kingwood Drive to Palisade Falls Trail. The cost of the project is $101,800 and is funded through Mayor Pro Tem Martin's Council District Service Funds.
The project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, October 15, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 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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Solid Waste Management Department
Launches HTX Collects Mobile App
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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.
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Ford Driving Skills for Life Clinic |
Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills with the return of their award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program. An eight-city tour featuring free, hands-on training clinics for newly licensed teen drivers stops at NRG Stadium in Houston Oct. 2-3, 2021.
Now in its 18th year, Ford Driving Skills for Life pairs newly licensed drivers with professional driving instructors for next-level instruction. Developed by Ford Fund, GHSA and a panel of safety experts, the program addresses issues and critical factors that influence crashes, including vehicle handling, hazard recognition, speed and space management, distracted driving and impaired driving. The hands-on training clinics focus on necessary skills for safe driving beyond what is learned in traditional driver education courses and is being conducted with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Since 2003, Ford Fund has invested more than $60 million in its Ford Driving Skills for Life program and provided free, advanced driver education to more than 1.25 million newly licensed teen drivers in all 50 U.S. states and 46 countries worldwide. For more information and updates on tour locations as well as COVID-19 safety protocols, visit drivingskillsforlife.com.
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Help Houston prioritize American Rescue Plan Act dollars by sharing your opinions and comments in our ARPA survey. What programs under policing, solid waste and housing do you believe the City of Houston should allocate ARPA funds?
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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.
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.
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District E Electronic Recycling Events Postponed |
Please be advised both Kingwood and Clear Lake E-Waste Recycling events have been postponed.
The Kingwood event, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 2, has been postponed due to inclement weather, and will take place on Saturday, October 9.
The Clear Lake event, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 9, has been postponed due to traffic associated with the Wings Over Houston Airshow, and will take place on Saturday, October 16.
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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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