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District E September 2019 Newsletter

9/12/2019
Residents of District E,

Tuesday, October 1 is National Night Out. Since its founding in 1984, National Night Out has served as a national crime-prevention initiative aimed at furthering police-community partnerships, fostering neighborhood camaraderie and deterring criminal activity. Each year my staff and I enjoy visiting as many neighborhoods as possible and interacting with the community. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to participate in these events.

Additionally, as this year is an election year, and I encourage everyone to register to vote. If you are not already, you can register online by visiting VoteTexas.gov or by visiting the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's office, which has many branches across the city. I am proud to announce that I formally submitted my paperwork to run for another term for the District E City Council position.

Finally, I cordially invite you to mark your calendars for the following upcoming Town Hall Meeting that will be held in District E:

Kingwood
Thursday, October 17
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kingwood Community Center - Main Room
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Houston, TX 77345

As always, I have extended the invitation to several city departments including Houston Public Works as well as Houston Parks and Recreation, and a variety of community speakers. In addition to various information tables for residents to peruse before the meetings begin. In Kingwood, we will have the opportunity to hear from Chip Place of the Houston Parks Board, which is currently finalizing design for a new trail system along the San Jacinto River as part of Bayou Greenways 2020. Additionally, Stan Sarman, the Chair of the TIRZ 10 board, will be discussing exciting news regarding the path forward for the expansion of Northpark Drive. Chuck Gilman, with the San Jacinto Water Authority, will also be in attendance to provide an update on the Governor's mandated Regional Watershed Study.

Thank you to all who have supported me thus far and for the privilege to serve. I feel honored and blessed to have had the opportunity and hope to be able to continue to represent the constituents of District E.


Sincerely,

Dave Martin




Council District Service Funds - HPD Kingwood Division and Lake Patrol


This Fiscal Year, Council Member Martin was happy to allocate $14,456 of his Council District Service Funds to assist the HPD Kingwood Division. These dollars were used for HPD support equipment such as a new radar unit for patrol, hitch adapters to transport bike units, a 24 volt jump box for a high water rescue vehicle, as well as equipment to combat illegal dumping throughout the community.

In addition to this equipment, Council Member Martin was able to provide $29,065 to fund overtime initiatives for the Kingwood Division as well as Lake Patrol.

Woodland Hills at Northpark Intersection Overlay Project

Council Member Martin is happy to report the Woodland Hills at Northpark Intersection Overlay Project is now complete. The project began Tuesday, July 23 and the resurfacing of the intersection was completed on Friday, July 26. Striping was completed on Wednesday, July 31 and loop detectors were installed on Friday, August 2. The cost of the project was $134,415.70, which was funded through Council Member Martin's Fiscal Year 2018 Council District Service Funds.

Council Member Martin is excited to see this intersection project come to fruition as it has been on Houston Public Works' queue since it was first submitted in 2017.

Backpack Delivery


On August 3, District E staff headed out in the district to distribute 500 donated backpacks from this year's Back to School Fest, hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The Mayor's Back to School Fest provides Houston area students with some of the resources they need to start the school year off right.

Thanks to the Mayor's Back to School Festival which helped supply Humble ISD and Clear Creek ISD students with the school supplies!

Taylor Gully

On Monday, July 15, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) began a desilt project on the upstream portion of Taylor Gully from Bassingham to the Harris County line. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this month, weather permitting. The work effort has include desilting the channel, reconstructing the backslope interceptor structures, installing new backslope interceptor pipes, regrading backslope swales, installing new gates and signs, and resetting the covers of the "E type" inlets that have been damaged.

This maintenance project became a priority for Council Member Martin after the May 2019 rain events that flooded over 300 homes in the Kingwood community. During these rain events, intense rainfall rates greatly exceeded internal and primary drainage system capabilities resulting in significant and at times deep street flooding and sheetflow. On May 8, City of Houston contractors, as well as Harris County Flood Control District, investigated their designated drainage systems and determined the flooding was potentially caused by development upstream in Montgomery County that sent large volumes of sheetflow into the Elm Grove subdivision and Taylor Gully (G103-80-03-1).

After completing this reach of channel, HCFCD staff will investigate Taylor Gully further downstream, where HCFCD completed a desilt job in the spring of 2019. HCFCD will open up any constrictions and desilt the channel if necessary.

City of Houston Garbage Service Improvements with New Contract

On August 7, City Council voted to approve experienced disaster relief companies to augment the city's trash pickup operations while the City Solid Waste Management Department (SWD) continues to receive new vehicles to replace its aged truck fleet.
DRC Emergency Services, LLC and Nola Construction and Development Group, LLC will be paid up to $1.9 million from the city's fund balance to supplement the city services through December 2019.

The contractors' crews will work with city forces to collect junk waste and clear illegal dump sites across the city. Removing illegally dumped material from ditches and roadsides reduces the threats of drainage blockages during hurricane season and disease-carrying pests.

The City has ordered 175 new SWD vehicles, including 90 garbage/recycling trucks, which will replace half of the SWD fleet. Residents should already see the new trucks in their neighborhoods as the additional units are being delivered through April 2020. Since early 2019, the City has leased eight trucks and hired 10 driver/pickup crews from outside companies to supplement curbside pickup service while cities around the country have dealt with a shortage of drivers.

Bens Branch Conveyance Restoration Project

Bens Branch, a channel within the Kingwood community stretching from Northpark to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, was completely inundated with water and sediment during Hurricane Harvey. As a result, a considerable buildup of sediment infiltrated the southern bends of the channel south of Kingwood Drive around Town Center and behind the Lake Houston YMCA. This stretch of Bens Branch Channel from Kingwood Drive to about 1,800 linear feet downstream of West Lake Houston Parkway, is owned by the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD).

As property owners of this channel, HCFCD began their Conveyance Restoration Project on August 19. The project will include removing and disposing of approximately 76,285 cubic yards of sediment accumulations. This will be a multi-step process. First, HCFCD's contractor, Solid Bridge Construction, LLC, must remove the soil from the creek. Then the soil must drain and dry. Finally, dump trucks will remove the excavated material. Based on the current timeline, the project is scheduled to be complete by summer 2020, weather permitting.

Please be aware that construction equipment will access the work area via the established access points from Kingwood Drive, Bens View, West Lake Houston Parkway, and Denmere. The contractor will use heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers. Motorists are urged to be alert to truck traffic when passing near construction access points.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Harris County Flood Control District by calling (713) 684-4197 or visiting https://www.hcfcd.org/contact-us/. For more information on HCFCD projects in the Kingwood area, please visit https://www.hcfcd.org/hurricane-harvey/kingwood-information/

LHACC Focus on Federal Government Luncheon

On Thursday, August 27, District E staff attended the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Focus on Federal Government Luncheon featuring Cal Thomas, a veteran of broadcast and print journalism. Thomas discussed his perspective on current federal politics and shared insight on how those issues will affect the Lake Houston Area.

Thank you to the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing another successful event and to Cal Thomas for taking the time to speak with the Lake Houston community.

BayTran Luncheon

Thank you to BayTran for inviting Council Member Martin to introduce Mayor Sylvester Turner at the August 27th luncheon.

Summer Creek Rotary

On Tuesday, August 27, Council Member Martin had the pleasure of speaking with the Summer Creek Rotary Club. Council Member Martin discussed ongoing projects in the Lake Houston area, as well as how far we have come since Harvey.

Thank you to community member, Deborah Rose Miller, for the invitation to attend and speak with the members of the Summer Creek Rotary Club.

Please note that if you live in the Summer Creek and Summerwood communities, the District E Office is happy to verify your jurisdiction within the City of Houston. You can contact the District E Office with your verification request by calling (832) 393-3008 or emailing districte@houstontx.gov.

Forest Cove Townhomes Cleanup

On Tuesday, August 14, the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department, under the direction of Harry Hayes, removed large piles of debris and tires located at the Forest Cove Townhomes on Marina Drive.

District E would like to thank the following staff members from the Solid Waste Management Department: Carolyn Wright, Javier Frutos, Daniel Rojas, and Director Hayes, as well as the following staff members from the Department of Neighborhoods: Director TaKasha Francis, Landon Taylor, Alvin Byrd, Reggie Harris, and Stephanie Mingo-Byrd for their quick response to this request. Your efforts in keeping our community beautiful are greatly appreciated.

The District E office continues to monitor the purchase and demolition of these properties located in the Forest Cove Townhome Community as part of the Harris County Flood Control District Home Buyout Program. (https://www.hcfcd.org/hurricane-harvey/home-buyout-program/)

HCFCD has purchased all units in the following buildings: 1102 Marina, 1050 Marina, 1060 Marina, 1040 Marina, 1030 Marina, 930 Aqua Vista, and 803/5 Timberline. There are approximately 19 more units to purchase to have complete ownership.

The following buildings have been demolished: 1050 Marina, 1060 Marina, and 803/5 Timberline. HCFCD is in the process of demolishing 1102 Marina, 1040 Marina, 1030 Marina, and 930 Aqua Vista. As HCFCD completes ownership on the 19 remaining units, the demolitions of those buildings will follow.

Kingwood METRO Park & Ride

Council Member Martin would like to make Lake Houston residents aware that METRO has decided against relocating the Kingwood METRO Park and Ride, located near the intersection of West Lake Houston Parkway and Kingwood Drive.

This is great news for the community and the District E office thanks those that contacted METRO in opposition of this project.

TxDOT Construction on the I-69 Eastex Southbound Bridge Over Little York


The Texas Department of Transportation will begin major work on the I-69 Eastex Freeway southbound bridge over Little York this weekend. Crews will demolish and reconstruct the bridge deck.

The project begins today, September 6 and is anticipated to take a month and half to complete.

Starting Friday, September 6 at 9 p.m. through Monday, September 9 at 5 a.m., crews will close all mainlanes of I-69 Eastex southbound at Little York to prepare the roadway for the reconfigured lanes. Traffic will be detoured to the I-69 Eastex southbound exit to Hopper, continue on the frontage road through the signalized intersections to reenter the I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes.

There will also be additional closures during construction:
•     I-69 Eastex southbound from Mount Houston to Little York, two alternating mainlanes will be closed starting on Monday, September 9 at 5am until Wednesday, October 16 at 5 a.m.
•     I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Mount Houston will be closed starting Thursday, September 5 at 8 p.m. until Wednesday, October 16 at 5 a.m.
•     I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramps to Jensen, Saunders and Parker will be closed Monday, September 23 at 5 a.m. until Wednesday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to the Tidwell exit ramp and U-turn onto the I-69 Eastex northbound frontage road to reach Jensen, Saunders and Parker.
For more information on this project, please visit http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/hou/ih69-closures-1d.pdf. For scheduled lane closures in the Houston District including this project go to www.houstontranstar.org. All closures are subject to change due to inclement weather.

To stay updated on TxDOT projects, please follow them on Twitter @TxDOTHouston and Facebook at www.facebook.com/txdothouston.

Lake Houston Maintenance Program

As residents in the Lake Houston and Kingwood Area see local projects starting, Council Member Martin is continuing to work behind the scenes on a long-term maintenance program for the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. This program will regularly address issues like sedimentation levels in the river and lake as well as the removal of floatable debris.

This fiscal year, Council Member Martin proposed a budget amendment that for the first time creates a funding mechanism for a Lake Houston Maintenance Program utilizing existing revenue during this year's budget process and it achieved full support of City Council. Before Council Member Martin's amendment was passed this year, a program to maintain Lake Houston for any other purpose than as a drinking water facility did not exist.

This program will use revenue from boat dock and permit fees on Lake Houston that previously went into the City of Houston General Fund to kick start regular maintenance of the river and lake to reduce the risk of flooding increasing public safety. Council Member Martin has been working diligently with Houston Public Works, Coastal Water Authority, Harris County Flood Control, San Jacinto River Authority, and the State of Texas to identify a more robust, sustainable, and reoccurring funding source for these activities. Additionally, the Council Member is looking to these agencies for partnerships in maintenance to further the benefits for the community.

The District E office is currently is in the preliminary steps of creating this program and will continue to update the community as progress is made.
Lake Houston 10K 5K

On Sunday, September 22, 2019, the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce will host the tenth annual Lake Houston 10k 5k 1K at Kings Harbor.

During the race, the northbound lanes of West Lake Houston Parkway from Kings Parkway to Kings Crossing will be closed from around 6:00 am to 9:45 am, and the southbound lanes will be turned into two lanes. There will be officers at all intersections to help with traffic flow.

This annual event features the Lake Houston Area as a center for health and wellness activities, as well as business growth. In addition, the Lake Houston 10k 5k 1K promotes the attributes of the Lake Houston Area to the entire Greater Houston region. Last year's event proved successful with nearly 850 runners from across the state and country. This year the Lake Houston Area Chamber is preparing for more than 1,000 participants.

To ensure the safety of the community and participants, the District E Office encourages drivers to avoid these areas during the time of the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (281) 446-2128.

Shredding at Village Learning Center


The Village Learning Center is offering shredding services to the general public at 3819 Plum Valley Drive in Kingwood, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are providing shredding as a community service project which in turn will provide a vocational training opportunity for their clients.

All documents received will be kept secure until shredding occurs. Staff that work in the shredding area are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and all undergo criminal background checks as part of their employment. There is no shredding fee for this service but the Center will accept donations if patrons are so inclined. Certificates of Destruction are available for a nominal fee of $1.00.

The shredded paper will be used in the Village Learning Center's organic garden, chicken coop and compost pile or will be given to organizations and individuals who have a need for the material.

Applications Being Accepted for HPD Youth Police Advisory Council


The Houston Police Department is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2019-2020 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
Students will address issues affecting youth and the community, participate in community service projects and attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state. Additionally, the YPAC meets regularly with Chief of Police Art Acevedo and other top HPD officials.
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis in downtown Houston.

Applications are available online https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/forms/ypac-app-2019.pdf. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
For more information, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/ypac.htm or email
rhonda.holmes@houstonpolice.org or call 713-308-3200.

Hurricane Dorian Relief Supplies Donations

As people start recovering from the massive destruction and heartbreaking loss of life in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking Houstonians to donate relief supplies to assist those in need.
"Houston still remembers when communities across the country came to our assistance after Harvey and we want to continue to Pay It Forward. Therefore, I am asking those who can donate to help with this effort. We will continue to show the world that we are Houston Strong, and Houstonians have big hearts."

Items needed:
•     Cleaning supplies (especially with bleach)
•     Personal hygiene items
•     Nonperishable food
•     Bottled water
•     Pet food and supplies
•     Buckets
•     Trash Bags
•     Backpacks
•     Mops
•     Brushes
•     School Supplies
•     Rubber Gloves
•     Masks
•     Push brooms
•     Squeegees
•     Pillows/Bedding
•     Tarps
•     Car Seats
•     Baby Formula
•     Diapers
•     Paper Towels

Drop off location for donated items:
Helping Hands to the Community
600 Kenrick Dr. Ste. C-16
Houston, TX 77060
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

In addition to donations, Helping Hands requests volunteers to assist with coordination, sorting, and loading of donations. If you can volunteer, please email grayr85@yahoo.com with the day and time you can help. Volunteer shifts will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Financial contributions can be made directly to the Bahamas Relief Fund: https://www.bahamas.com/relief

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Renea Gray at grayr85@yahoo.com or by phone at 832-882-5341.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run

Mark your calendars! The annual 9/11 Heroes Run will be held on Saturday, September 7 at City Hall.

Founded in honor of 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, who gave his life while serving in Iraq in 2009, the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) assists American veterans and the families of the fallen in addition to organizing a number of charitable initiatives including the 9/11 Heroes Run. Interested participants can register online https://911heroesrunhoustontx.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=9432

The 9/11 Heroes Run is more than the race, there are opportunities to become a foundation ambassador. TMF's Character Does Matter Program provides veterans and their families with an opportunity to inspire young adults to develop their leadership skills, live with character, and call them to serve within their communities in honor of fallen heroes. For more information on the foundation click https://www.travismanion.org/

Southeast Texas Academy and ROTC (S.T.A.R.) Seminar


The 2019 S.T.A.R. Seminar, jointly hosted by Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz, as well as Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Michael McCaul, Congressman Randy Weber, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Congressman Pete Olsen, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, and Congressman Brian Babin, D.D.S., will be held Saturday morning, September 14th at The Center For Petrochemical, Energy & Technology at San Jacinto College. This informational forum will provide interested students in grades 8-12 the opportunity to learn more about our nation's service academies, requirements for admission and the selection process.

Southeast Texas Academy and ROTC (S.T.A.R.) Seminar
Saturday, September 14, 2019

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Registration opens at 7:15 AM
Note: This is a "come & stay" event!

San Jacinto College
Center for Petrochemical, Energy & Technology
7901 W. Fairmont Pkwy.
Pasadena, 77507

In addition to staff from congressional offices, representatives from all five academies (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy), current academy cadets and midshipmen will all be on hand to answer questions. Also present will be representatives from Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps ROTC, along with representatives from Academy Prep programs from Marion Military Institute, New Mexico Military Institute, and Greystone Prep.

Southeast Texas students, parents, and educators will be able to hear from and meet with these representatives on a one-to-one basis to become informed about the excellent possibilities associated with attending these premier educational institutions and the sorts of careers they generate.
The Forum is free and open to the public; no pre-registration is required. It will be held from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM; registration opens at 7:15 AM.

For more information, please contact:
Jared Bargas, Field Representative
Office of Congressman Randy Weber
Phone: 281-316-0231
Email: jared.bargas@mail.house.gov

Wings Over Houston

Council Member Martin invites all Houstonians to Ellington Airport on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 for the Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow. This year, Wings Over Houston is honored to host, not just one, but two national military jet demonstration teams, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Both teams will put on jaw-dropping demonstrations highlighted by precision formation flying (separated by only a few feet) at hundreds of miles an hour.

Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. on both October 19 and 20. For more on the Wings Over Houston Airshow, including ticket information, please visit www.wingsoverhouston.com.


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