On Monday, November 3rd, Council Member Flickinger participated in a ride-along with the Solid Waste Management Department to see the new trucks in action and gain a firsthand look at field operations. During the visit, he met with crew members, observed the upgraded equipment, and learned more about recent fleet improvements. The department has added 34 new collection vehicles, including recycling side loaders, rear loaders, a grappler, and tractor trailers, as part of the City’s effort to strengthen core services.

Council Member Flickinger expressed his sincere appreciation to both the drivers and the department staff for their dedication and hard work. The new trucks improve reliability, reduce maintenance downtime, and help the department stay on schedule, with their factory finish left unpainted to save $3,000 per vehicle.

On Saturday, November 16th, Council Member Flickinger and District E staff held the fourth round of Median Madness. Dozens of Kingwood volunteers of all ages turned out, armed with loppers, determination, and a strong sense of community, to de-vine another section of Northpark Drive just east of West Lake Houston Parkway. 

Volunteers did an incredible job cutting, pulling, and stacking mountains of overgrowth that had been creeping into the roadway and reducing visibility for drivers. It’s always inspiring to see neighbors working together to improve both the appearance and safety of our shared spaces. 

We extend a huge thank-you to the City of Houston Parks Department, HPD, and Houston Public Works for assisting with the effort. We are also grateful to our sponsor, Chick-fil-A, for providing biscuits to our hardworking volunteers, and to Houston ToolBank for consistently supplying the tools that make this project possible. Thank you to Kroger for providing water and Gatorade, and to Comcast for their continued support of cleanup efforts in Kingwood.

Our next Median Madness event will take place on January 10th, where we will be working on the medians in front of Kingwood High School alongside the Young Men’s Service League. 

Interested in volunteering? 

Please contact our office at districte@houstontx.gov — we’d love to have you join us! 

Additionally, Hunter’s Ridge and the Bear Branch Trails Association will be hosting a Neighborhood Matching Grant Program tree-planting and median work event on Saturday, December 6th. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Chris Bloch at chrisbgim@hotmail.com.

On Saturday, November 16th, Council Member Flickinger had the honor of attending the Ultimate Gift event with the Young Men’s Service League, where he announced Median Madness as their selected volunteer project. Approximately 100 young men will be participating in this initiative, and the Council Member had the opportunity to meet them, share the history of the project, and explain why this work is so important — not only for beautifying the area, but also for improving sightlines and overall driver safety along one of Kingwood’s busiest corridors. 

The young men will be focusing their efforts on the medians in front of Kingwood High School, making a meaningful and visible improvement in a location they pass every day. Their commitment reflects the strong spirit of civic engagement and service in our community, and the Council Member expressed his appreciation for their willingness to step up and make a difference. 

On Friday, November 7th, District E staff attended the Salute to Military and First Responders Luncheon, co-hosted by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kemah Boardwalk. This special event honored Veterans, Active Duty service members, and First Responders from across the region, bringing the community together in gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Held on the second floor of Landry’s at the Kemah Boardwalk, the luncheon provided an opportunity for networking, recognition, and fellowship.

Attendees heard from distinguished speaker Astronaut and Veteran Fred Haise, the Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot, who shared reflections on leadership, resilience, and his remarkable experiences in service to our nation. The program also featured special check-in and recognition for honorees, along with spotlight tables highlighting community partners.

District E staff was honored to participate in this meaningful event and extend our deep appreciation to all Veterans, Active Duty service members, and First Responders for their continued service, courage, and commitment to our community and country.

On Thursday, November 6th, Council Member Flickinger and staff attended the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo & Health Fair at Armenta’s Reception Hall. We were grateful for the opportunity to join community stakeholders, residents, students, veterans, and first responders at this well-organized and impactful event. The Expo & Health Fair highlighted local businesses, connected attendees with valuable health resources, and showcased the strong community partnerships that make the North Channel area so special. 

A sincere thank-you to the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting and coordinating such a successful event, and to the sponsors, booth participants, partners, volunteers, and attendees who contributed to its success. We appreciated the chance to attend and support this important community gathering. 

On Monday, November 10th Council Member Flickinger attended the Honoring Veterans Dinner at the Kingwood Country Club. Congressman Dan Crenshaw was in attendance, along with many other distinguished veterans whose service, sacrifice, and dedication have protected our freedoms. The evening featured heartfelt tributes, shared stories of courage, and moments of reflection on the profound impact veterans have had on our nation and on the Kingwood community. 

Council Member Flickinger expressed his deep appreciation for their unwavering commitment to service and emphasized the importance of continuing to support veterans and their families. It was a powerful and meaningful event honoring those who have bravely served. 

On Thursday, November 9th, Council Member Flickinger had the honor of attending the grand opening of Zuri Gardens, Houston’s first 3D-printed hybrid home community. Several other Council Members were also in attendance, along with Housing and Community Development Department Director Mike Nichols, underscoring strong City support for innovative and resilient housing solutions.

This groundbreaking 13-acre development pairs robotic 3D-printed concrete on the first floor with traditional construction above, creating durable, energy-efficient homes designed for long-term affordability. Priced in the mid-$200,000s and available to buyers earning up to 120% of the area median income, these homes are engineered to withstand flooding, mold, fire, and termites while offering significant energy savings.

The opening of Zuri Gardens marks an important milestone in Houston’s housing innovation, demonstrating how advanced construction technology can deliver resilient, sustainable, and accessible homes at scale.

On Thursday, November 13th, District E staff attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s Commerce Club Luncheon, featuring guest speaker Commissioner Christi Craddick. Commissioner Craddick, who has served on the Railroad Commission since 2012, shared insights on Texas’ evolving energy landscape and the Commission’s efforts to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and modernization within the state’s oil and gas industry. 

During her remarks, Commissioner Craddick highlighted initiatives to expand recycling in oilfields, increase the use of reclaimed water, and improve technology systems that enhance public access to data and streamline inspections and permitting. She also spoke to the importance of public education on the impact of the energy sector in Texas. 

A native of Midland and a University of Texas graduate with a background in oil and gas, water, tax, and environmental policy, Commissioner Craddick continues to serve her community through involvement in several statewide and nonprofit organizations. District E staff appreciated the opportunity to attend and hear her perspective on the issues shaping Texas’ energy future. 

On Friday, November 14th, Council Member Flickinger had the honor of attending the Houston Police Lateral Class L-14-25 Graduation. This class marks the latest group of experienced officers who have joined the Houston Police Department through the lateral program, bringing valuable skills and expertise from other law enforcement agencies. The ceremony celebrated the dedication, discipline, and commitment of the graduates, who completed an intensive training and orientation program to prepare them for service in Houston.

Council Member Flickinger congratulated each officer on their achievement and expressed his sincere appreciation for their willingness to serve the community. He also recognized the Houston Police Department for its ongoing efforts to recruit and train highly skilled officers, ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of Houston residents.

On Monday, November 17th, Council Member Flickinger was honored to attend a roundtable hosted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) with Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan and her delegation. The discussion focused on current business conditions and long-term trends shaping Houston’s rapidly growing aerospace economy, bringing together industry, government, and community leaders to share insights on the region’s expanding commercial space sector.

Participants highlighted the increasing role of private-sector investment in human spaceflight, cislunar operations, and space-based manufacturing, as well as the evolution of a more distributed national aerospace supply chain. President Logan and her team engaged in targeted dialogue about the region’s economic outlook, emphasizing how these local perspectives help inform the Federal Reserve’s planning and regional economic modeling.

Council Member Flickinger shared the City of Houston’s continued commitment to supporting aerospace growth, emphasizing Houston’s identity as “Space City” and the critical role of the Houston Airport System—particularly Ellington Airport and the Houston Spaceport—in enabling next-generation aviation, advanced manufacturing, and commercial space operations. He noted how strategic municipal investments and infrastructure improvements have helped companies such as Intuitive Machines and Axiom Space expand, supporting thousands of jobs in Houston and District E.

The meeting provided the Federal Reserve delegation with a comprehensive view of how Houston’s public-sector investments, long-standing institutional strengths, and emerging commercial cluster are positioning the region for sustained growth across the broader space economy.

Phase II of the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project is well underway. This phase focuses on the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Additional Gates Project, which will add eleven new tainter gates to the dam, increasing its controlled discharge capacity by an additional 79,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The schedule laid out during this year's town hall will be met with the support of Congressman Dan Crenshaw, State Representative Cunningham, and Mayor Whitmire.

The engineering firm Black & Veatch has completed the 30% design plans, and field activities are progressing. Ongoing efforts include ground and bathymetric surveys, with geotechnical soil borings and environmental investigations—such as wetlands assessments, endangered species studies, and archaeological site evaluations.

In parallel, the design team is actively engaging with regulatory agencies, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE-Galveston), and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), to discuss project details and streamline permitting review schedules. The Coastal Water Authority (CWA) met with TCEQ in December and continues to work closely with USACE-Galveston and TPWD to explore options for expediting the approval process.

The District E office remains actively involved in this project, participating in bi-weekly coordination meetings to ensure progress continues efficiently and transparently.

To view the video from the September 2025 town hall, where CWA provided an update on the project, click here.

TIRZ 10/Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA) is progressing on Phases 1 and 2 of the Northpark Drive Project. Phase 2, which will expand Northpark Drive from four to six lanes, replace bridges, and add a 90-acre-foot detention basin, is moving forward with land surveys, right-of-way acquisitions, and easement preparations.

Contractors on the Northpark Drive Overpass Project (Project T-1013) have begun shifting bridge construction to the east side of the railroad and Loop 494 tracks, reversing the initial plan to start from the west. Piling equipment is already staged near Public Storage.

Meanwhile, the west-side drainage box has been completed and covered, though it still requires connection to an 8-foot culvert under Loop 494.

Along eastbound Northpark, crews are continuing storm-sewer installation and reinforced-concrete pipe placement east of the railroad tracks toward Marco’s Pizza. The dirt crew is preparing the subgrade in front of Dunkin’ Donuts and excavating for the retaining-wall leveling pad, while also backfilling behind the roadway edge between Advance Auto Parts and Shipley’s Do-Nuts. Concrete paving is ongoing eastbound from U.S. 59 to Whataburger and will extend toward Marco’s Pizza. The electrical subcontractor is on-site boring conduits for the future fiber-optic system along the north side of Northpark from Interstate 69 to PNC Bank.

As a reminder, the next TIRZ Board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 11th at 8:00 AM at the Kingwood Community Center. Every TIRZ Board meeting is open to the public. Visit the LHRA website for more information on the Northpark Drive Overpass Project and view the 2026 Board of Directors Calendar.

Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make Kingwood area residents aware that Houston Public Works will begin improvements on Mills Branch Drive starting Monday, December 8, weather permitting. The scope of work includes mill and asphalt overlay improvements along Mills Branch Drive from the City Limit to Northpark Drive. The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million and is funded through Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund. 

Crews will be mobilized on-site beginning Monday, December 8th, and the project is anticipated to be completed by Saturday, January 17th, 2025, weather permitting. Construction activities are expected to take 40 days, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., weekends vary. There are no planned impacts or interruptions to water or sewer service.  

For more information, please contact the District E office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov. 

Meet Merlot! This adorable 6-month-old brown and white Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix greets everyone with a wiggly body and a fast-wagging tail. She’s easy to leash, walks calmly, and stays relaxed and curious while out and about.  

At just 35.4 pounds, Merlot is a perfect companion. She has a friendly, gentle nature that makes her instantly lovable. She’s the perfect blend of puppy charm and calm, eager to bond with a family who will help her continue to grow with confidence and love. 

If you’re looking for a sweet, loyal companion who will brighten your days with affection and joy, Merlot may be the perfect match. Click here to learn more about adopting this lovely girl. 

Residents may act as extra eyes and ears on the streets, and soon you'll be able to report a pothole, a malfunctioning traffic light, or a drainage problem while you're out and about. Houston 311 has launched a new smartphone app that makes reporting issues like these easier than ever. The app uses GPS to identify your location and also allows you to snap a photo to add to your service request. The new app allows for reports to be automatically routed to city departments for resolutions.

You can still alert the City of Houston of issues by dialing 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 of potential problems in your community. Houstonians can also access this helpful service via an e-mail to 311@HoustonTX.gov. A self Service Request (SR) form is available online at www.houston311.org. Once you've reported a problem please follow up with the District E office by emailing your case number and information on the issue to the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov to help ensure the problem is addressed promptly.

District E Upcoming Monthly Events

Email the District E office (districte@houstontx.gov) if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!

December 10 – KSA Public Safety Committee Meeting

December 11 – HPD Northeast PIP

December 15 – HPD Clear Lake PIP

December 15 – HPD Eastside PIP

December 16 – HPD Kingwood PIP

December 17 – Kingwood SNC

December 24 – Christmas Eve Day - City Holiday

December 25 – Christmas Day - City Holiday

December 31 – New Year's Eve

January 1 – New Year's Day - City Holiday