Vol. 5, Issue 3 – 08.18.23
District F(riends):

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.

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

OAK HARBOR COMMUNITY POP-UP &
PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES
On August 15, Councilmember Thomas hosted the Oak Harbor community pop-up meeting at the Alief Neighborhood Center. Residents voted to move forward with the more budget-friendly option for sidewalk improvements and replacements in the neighborhood.

  • 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
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS: ELMSIDE DRIVE
Work Authorization has been issued to remove and replace new concrete sidewalk on Elmside Drive (West side) between W. Rivercrest Drive and Meadowglen Lane. The project will take 30 days to be completed. Construction is scheduled to begin on August 15, 2023 and is anticipated to end by September 19, 2023.
PASTOR JONES CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE AT FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
On August 13, Councilmember Thomas joined the congregation at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate and honor Pastor J. Amos Jones and his wife, First Lady Odessa Jones for their 50 years of service. The Councilmember was joined for the proclamation presentation by Janet Spurlock, Alief ISD Trustee.

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.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY, STUDENT TEEN MOMS, & ALIEF ALUMNI BASKETBALL EVENT
On August 12, Councilmember Thomas hosted the District F “Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway” at the Alief Neighborhood Center. More than 300 families came out for the free event, which included the distribution of backpacks loaded with school supplies.

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!

HOUSTON RECOGNIZED AS THE FIRST UNICEF
“CHILD FRIENDLY CITY” IN THE UNITED STATES
On August 9, Councilmember Thomas joined her fellow City Council members and Mayor Sylvester Turner to announce the City of Houston as the first UNICEF “Child Friendly City” in the United States. The announcement reaffirmed Houston’s dedication to be responsive to the needs of children and youth and showcases Houstonians’ active commitment to protecting children’s rights.

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.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING PRESS CONFERENCE

On August 9, Councilmember Thomas joined Children at Risk and Uber to support HB 2313. The legislation will require Transportation Network Companies (TNCs such as Uber and Lyft) to provide human trafficking training materials to their drivers regarding awareness and how to report such instances of trafficking.

There have been recent reports of drivers with TNCs unwittingly transporting human trafficking victims in the course of their trafficking. The aim is to help TNC drivers better recognize the signs of human trafficking and report suspected activities to relevant authorities. These reports could help law enforcement in identifying victims and preventing further harm.

Human trafficking is a brutal crime, one that disproportionally affects women and children, and is something that we as Texans can no longer tolerate. More than 300,000 people are victims of some sort of human trafficking–sexual exploitation or forced labor–each year in the state of Texas. Altogether, traffickers make an estimated $600 million a year off of exploited victims.

Please click here for more information.

HEADS UP HOUSTON AT CITY HALL
On August 2, Councilmember Thomas gave a “shout-out” to the future leaders from Heads Up Houston (HUH). She also thanked them for stepping up and helping out during the aftermath of the 2021 winter freeze.  Like many neighborhoods across the City, District F needed the extra help, and the group from Heads Up Houston, and their families, were on hand to help pass out water and supplies.

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.

BEHIND THE SCENE: THE SHARPENER INTERVIEW
On August 2, Councilmember Thomas was interviewed and shadowed by Kace Conaway, a reporter from The Sharpener, the Sharpstown area newsletter. The article will be a day-in-the-life of a City of Houston Council member.  Check here for a link to the article in the coming weeks.
EXTREME HEAT CONTINUES
The City of Houston is re-activating its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan, providing resources for people to take refuge from extreme heat.

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.

STAY COOL HOUSTON
The Houston Health Department recommends the precautions below to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

  • 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.
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
CM Thomas Speaks at Anti-Human Trafficking Press Conference
CM Thomas Delivers Pop Off for August 12
CM Thomas Delivers Pop Off for August 2
District F City Council Items
To View City Council Agendas
To Watch Videos of Previous City Council Meetings
DISTRICT F NEWS
ALIEF CLOVERS: THE ROAD TO THE JR. OLYMPICS
The 2023 Track and Field season was the best showing for the Alief Clovers thus far. Hezekiah Maxwell, an up-and-coming track star, finished the indoor season ranked #2 in the nation at the age of 9. Yensin Miller also earned a national ranking in 8-year-old boys shotput ranking #8 in the nation. The Alief Clovers had a total of 17 athletes qualify for multiple events at nationals.

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.

ALIEF NEEDS TREES
The Alief Super Neighborhood Council (Alief SN) has been planting trees on Alief esplanades and in Alief City parks for twenty years. Last planting season, they planted 1,200+ trees on Wilcrest and Bissonnet, but much more work needs to be done!

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].

HOUSTON RESTAURANT WEEK:
FOUR WESTCHASE HIGHLIGHTS
Houston’s most anticipated foodie event of the year runs through Labor Day, September 4th, 2023. Four Westchase District restaurants are participating and serving specially priced, multi-course prix fixe menus for lunch ($25), or dinner ($39 or $55) available for dine-in and take-out. Stop by and get food from one of these restaurants and $5-$7 from each meal purchased off the special menu will go to the Houston Food Bank.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT LABOR DAY SCHEDULE
There will be NO INTERRUPTION to the collection service on the Labor Day Holiday, Monday, September 4, 2023. You can expect your garbage, tree waste, and recycling to be collected on their regular schedule. However, please note that all drop-off facilities and administrative offices will be closed during this time.

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.

AUGUST 2023 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

There are several opportunities for you to engage with your neighbors and receive accurate information from community partners, elected officials, and public safety leadership regarding District F and the greater Houston area.

Schedule
SN – 17 (West Oaks and Eldridge): No meeting July and August

SN – 25 (Alief): Every 4th Tuesday at 6:30PM
Location: Alief Neighborhood Center

Westside PIP Meeting: Every 3rd Thursday at 6:30PM
Location: Westside Station, 3203 S. Dairy Ashford Street, 3rd floor

Midwest PIP Meeting: Every 3rd Wednesday at 7PM
Location: 7277 Regency Square Boulevard

AARP-ALIEF #3264 Meeting: Every 1st Thursday at 10AM
Location: The Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road

Briarmeadow: Every 2nd Tuesday at 6PM
Location: 3202 Freshmeadows Drive

Westmont Civic Club: Every 4th Thursday every quarter at 7PM
Location: Treemont Retirement Community, 2501 Westerland

Piney Point: Every 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 PM
Location: Pilgrim Rest MBC Activity Center, 3402 Amanda Lane

Huntington Village HOA: Every 3rd Thursday at 7PM
Location: Clubhouse, 9511 Cook Road

UPCOMING EVENTS