The Thomas Telegraph Vol. 5, Issue 3 – August 18, 2023

This bi-weekly newsletter is lengthy and full of updates on priorities in our district. Please take your time reading through each section.

Below you will see public infrastructure projects funded by my office or through various citywide initiatives to address panel replacements, speed cushions, sidewalk repair, and intersection signal upgrades. As you can see, we are investing millions of dollars into improving the basics in our neighborhoods. Please pay special attention to projects funded by the council office and the limited remaining funds available.

I have mentioned this in previous newsletters to keep it on your radar, and now that we are in an election year, financial protocols require the City to limit funds until 2024.

FY 24 (JULY 2023) is 80% subscribed with speed bump, sidewalk, and panel replacement projects. NEW applications will be considered for FY25 (JUL 1, 2024)

Briarmeadow: Repairs to the sprinkler systems should occur within the next few weeks, pending the contractor’s availability.
The long-awaited reconstruction of Richmond from Dunvale to Hilcroft is currently in final design. Stay tuned for a notice to proceed that will signal the start of construction.

Bellaire West:
Good news! The speed cushion application ($79K) is approved and scheduled for installation; however, I also approved a street repair improvement that must happen before we install the speed cushions — the good news is we are addressing the poor quality of specific street segments and addressing safety. Once the repair begins, my office will notify you with an official notice to proceed. See the image below.

Ashton Village:
The design should be complete by the end of September or early October; then, the project will go to bid. The $5.6M upgrade will enhance inlets from 24 inches to 36 in or 42 in to prevent flooding and excessive ponding. Once completed, the long-awaited speed cushions will be installed. This might be an excellent opportunity to revisit the original submission to ensure each street is included.

Piney Point:
The Piney Point Civic Club hosted a meeting with the Houston Planning Department to discuss Conservation Districts and their boundaries. This group will continue to meet and establish their protocols and guidelines. This is an ongoing discussion.

Let’s talk about homeless on private property:
I have received a series of email complaints from business owners and property managers dealing with an influx of either problem patrons, squatters, or unhoused individuals requesting assistance. If you are a business owner or property manager of a commercial business and have trouble with unhoused individuals that present danger, please file a non-trespass affidavit and work with Houston Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) for additional resources to protect your property. With a filed affidavit, law enforcement has more teeth to address the issue. Also, please consider leveraging the public safety resources available through the management district, such as International, Westchase, and Southwest. Additional resources are available if your business operates within the footprint of any above.

Let’s talk about the Alief Neighborhood Center:
I recently received several comments about the inability to participate in the senior programs at the Center due to the high demand. There are no time limits today, and groups have occupied the space, seating, and lunches without considering rotating. To create space for as many seniors interested in the programs, I will raise this issue with the Houston Health Department and attempt to create an alternative.

Labor Day soon come, meaning city services will cease in honor of the federal holiday.

Please pay attention to the press release from solid waste below in the body of this email.
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I want to give a big shout-out to my exceptional staff – team members and colleagues. Daily they work through high emotions, complaints, and complex agenda items and still manage to keep the office atmosphere light and in good energy despite the news cycle and my impending requests. They demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and a deep commitment to public service, making my job a whole-lot-easier. Thank you for keeping me organized, digging deep, and helping me keep the west side, the best side.

Special shout-out to Ms. Denise V. She gifted the District F office with the BEST Lady Di brownies this side of the Buffalo Bayou. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas

• Panel Replacements/S. Dairy Ashford & Wispwind Dr (Oak Harbor Subdivision)–$20,000
• Remove/ Replace Sidewalks and ADA ramps along Wispwind Dr from South Dairy Ashford Rd to 7202 Valeview Dr and to 7315 Treewater Dr.–$130,000

Additional FY24 estimates and updates, include:

Bellaire West:

• Speed cushions–$79,300

Laurel Point Senior Apartments:

• New sidewalk /6170 Westpark Dr–$57,297

Paster Jones has shepherded The Church through renovations, updated sanctuary furnishings, and a baptismal pool. He has ministered to those seeking guidance, cared for the elderly, and comforted the ill. The impact Pastor Jones has made on the community and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will be remembered for years to come.

Congratulations and thank you Pastor Jones on this momentous occasion. District F commends and salutes you!

Click here for more information on Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

The District F team also handed out “Student Teen Mom Survival Kits” to 30 teen moms. The kits included back-to-school essentials, such as notebooks, binders, pencils, pens, and a ruler. But the Team also added some ‘Mom essentials,’ including diapers, wipes, baby snacks, and a lavender-scented bath kit for stress relief.

Alief alum/actor/stand-up comedian/show creator Mo Amer joined Councilmember Thomas center court to thank everyone for coming out and for all the support. These types of events don’t just happen. District F would like to thank Alief SN 25, JPDS Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Breaking Bread Saturdays, Youth Be Known, Heads Up Houston, Alief ISD Education Foundation, Finding Destiny, KRBE 104.1, and all of our volunteers, partners, and sponsors for a GREAT event! You guys are why the westside is the BEST side!

A highlight of the afternoon was the Alief Alumni Charity Basketball Game between Elsik and Hastings high schools. Elsik won the game and secured bragging rights for a year.

Have a GREAT school year District F!

Originally created in 1996, UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) uses the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to build a roadmap for establishing safer, more just, equitable, inclusive, and child-responsive cities and communities around the world.

As a Child Friendly City, Houston hopes to utilize the newly expanded Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement to continue to connect young people to the many youth supporting programs in the City including Hire Houston Youth and Out 2 Learn.
Click here for more information.

Led by founder, Kevin Kebede, the organization gives kids and young adults the opportunity to participate in outreach, as well as enrichment and leadership programs. It raises money to fund programs, participation fees, and scholarships for high school students. It also provides English as a Second Language courses and GED classes in partnership with apartment complexes. Some of the complexes offer rent rebates when residents complete the courses.

Click here for more information.

Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers during normal business hours. The Central Library downtown is unavailable as a cooling center. Community centers operated by Houston Parks and Recreation Department will open to the public after the conclusion of daily programming for enrolled participants.

Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at any of the following city buildings designated as cooling centers during the heat emergency.

The National Weather Service indicates a Heat Advisory is in place until at least 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The YMCA of Greater Houston will also provide a resource for people needing to seek relief.

People without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO or zTrip. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.

• Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty.
• Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or eveningwhen temperatures are not as high.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.

Led by head coach Mike Miller, the Clovers have served the Alief community for more than 10 years.  During the 2023 AAU Track and Field season, the Alief Clovers supported 60 athletes. With more than 80% of the athletes on the team being new to the sport this year, the organization and its leadership was ready to train, to inspire, and to direct the youth to greatness.

Click here for more information.

If you value the work done by the Alief SN, please consider making a donation. They are a 501(c)(3) organization and are not funded by the City of Houston even though the esplanades and parks are City property.

For more information, please email Barbara Quattro at [email protected].

• Bistro Le Cep – Lunch and Dinner Menu
• Pacha Nikkei – Lunch and Dinner Menu
• Palazzo’s Westchase – Lunch and Dinner Menu
• Thai Cottage Westheimer – Dinner Menu

No INTERRUPTION in collection services on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. All Solid Waste facilities re-open, including all drop-off facilities and administrative offices.

Click here for more information.