Vol. 6, Issue 6 – 04.05.2024
Dear District F:
I hope you enjoy the spring weather and experienced an Easter weekend of rest and reflection. Below are updates on items in our communities and the city. Please take your time reading this week’s newsletter.
On April 1, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas approved a consent decree between the City of Houston, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the State of Texas to improve Houston’s wastewater system. City Council voted to accept the action in summer 2021. Since then, we have issued a series of contracts to perform the work, and I wanted to provide you with an update here. District F had over 600 311 calls related explicitly to wastewater issues in 2020/2021. This report is detailed, and I have requested an update on the consent decree from the Administration that is more digestible at the district level.Similarly, Mayor Whitmire has released a water bill initiative to address the 100,000 bad sensors identified in 2023. Please see details of the proposed solution here.

Fortunately, Houston Public Works has already started replacing sensors reporting inaccurate meter readings in District F. As always, if you are experiencing high water bills, please alert the office so we can begin processing a review/resolution.

The following neighborhoods are approved and funded for speed cushions:

Westpark Village $19,900

Brays Forest $19,900

Ashford Point $67,900

Westhollow $60,000

Parkridge $24,9000

The following communities are approved and funded for concrete panel replacements – construction may have started after the announcement date:

Bellaire West

Concrete Street Replacement

March 25-July 23rd (120 days)

S. Dairy Ashford at W. Belfort

Concrete Street Replacement

March 25-September 26th (24 weeks)

In an effort to increase public art throughout the District, we have identified the following electrical boxes eligible for the Houston Art Alliance partnership.

Alief:

  • Community Clean Up, April 6 from 1030AM-12 PM at Crump Stadium.
  • International District’s Annual Kite Festival on April 13 from 10 AM-1 PM at the Alief Nature Center on 8409 1/2 Dairy View Ln.
  • The Wow Project is hosting the “In the Garden Series” on April 20, May 25, and June 15 to promote holistic well-being and community engagement in partnership with the Houston Health Department, IMD, Alief Neighborhood Center, and the District F Office.

Tanglewilde: Scenic Houston has expressed interest in partnering with the Tanglewilde Civic Club for a small neighborhood activation, such as improving the medians and gateway to the neighborhood. More information is soon to come. Please take advantage of this opportunity and keep the momentum of your newly minted Tanglewilde Park.

Westchase: Goodwill Industries Houston is opening a Westchase location at 10770 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042, and is accepting donations.

Also, our partners in the Westchase Management District have provided a series of updates related to the various construction projects and park improvements happening in the area. Please read here.

Lastly, I am hosting the 2nd Annual Deed Restriction Workshop on Saturday, April 27, from 10A-to 1 PM at Tracey Gee Community Center. Based on participant feedback, we are expanding the resources available and want to encourage each of you to secure a copy of your deeds. Rice and Rice Law Firm will join us again, with Frost Bank, the Department of Neighborhoods, and Harris County Tax Assessor, and we are working on additional partners. Please see the save the date below. This is critically important to attend, so please make this a priority.
Sincerely,


Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas
HOT SPOT TEAM UPDATE
WEEK OF APRIL 1
Total Work Orders: 44
Hotspot of the Week: 11500 NOBILITY
Total Man Hours Worked: 72
Tree Waste: 660 lbs.
Mattresses: 5
Furniture Waste: 18 piece
Tires: 21
Trash Debris: 900 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 5
Bandit Signs: 96
Landscaping: none
System: 0 pending illegal dump site and 0 pending missed yard waste, with 2 pending landscaping locations as of 3.28.2024
DISTRICT F NEWS AND UPDATES
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS PASSED
3/26 – Agenda Item #18: Approving and authorizing 7 Agreements between City of Houston, one of which is the IBN SINA FOUNDATION, INC, located in District F for Aging and Caregiver Supportive Services for senior adults through HARRIS COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING for the Houston Health Department;
3/26 – Agenda Item #27: ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of two applications for Grant Assistance to the TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD for Community Flood Mitigation Assistance through the FY23 Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program; declaring the City’s eligibility for such assistance in areas and homes affected in District F.
HAPPY NOWRUZ DAY!!!
3.24 marked Nowruz Day in the City of Houston. There is no shortage of celebrations in District F because we are the cultural currency of the city. Thanks to the Iranian Cultural Foundation for organizing the 15th annual Norwuz event in Houston.
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES MEELS ON WHEELS
Great meeting with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. Did you know IM provides Meals on Wheels to 500 seniors in District F? I’m working to assist more qualifying residents in accessing this service on the west side. More to come.
UNHOUSED COMMUNITY MEETING
On Tuesday, I discussed local efforts to address the unhoused community at SN 25. We provided updates on:

Beechnut/Cook
Beechnut/Wilcrest
Bissonnet/Kirkwood
Old Westheimer/Westpark

Our success is because of our housing first model, housing choice vouchers, federal funding and our amazing non-profit partners such as West Houston Assistance Ministries-WHAM, Coalition for Homeless of Houston and others.
NCRC CONFERENCE
On Thursday, I had the opportunity to speak on this amazing panel in Washington D.C. at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’sAnnual Just Economy Conference discussing the community reinvestment, housing and how local cities can benefit. Sharing the stage with Cincinnati Mayor, Goldman Sachs Foundation president, and former Mayor of Dayton. The NCRC’s Just Economy Conference was the perfect place to discuss where Houston gets private partnerships right especially in District F.
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES GRANT AND
PRECINCT 4 FUNDING
U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher, Commissioner Lesley Briones and myself remain committed to connecting communities. Thanks to partners at all levels, the recent $1.2M Reconnecting Communities Grant, alongside $300K from Precinct 4, will fund a plan to reconnect Alief after it was split by the Westpark Tollway.
BISSONNET STREET COMMUNITY MEETING
The first Community (Public) Meeting for the Bissonnet Corridor Safe Streets Project was Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Bayland Community Center. Your presence and input are invaluable as we work towards our shared goals. Houston Public Works looks forward to a future meeting in District F, details will be forthcoming. Let’s continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community together.
BELLAIRE MARKET SHOPPING CENTER GROUNDBREAKING
Join us in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Bellaire Market District Shopping Center to be built at 12925 Bellaire Blvd on 2.9 acres of land! Houston real estate investor Washington Ho who stars along with his family, in the hit TV reality show “House of Ho” is leading the project which comprises 20 units, 2 pad sites, 235 parking spaces, and 8 EV charging stations. Council Member Tiffany Thomas proudly supports this exciting project, bringing economic growth, job opportunities, and support for small businesses in District F. 
SAVE THE DATE
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

3.27 District F Pop Off
IN THE NEWS
Right now, paid parking is enforced between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., which leaves 13 hours of free parking, and all-day free parking on Sundays and holiday. CM Tiffany D. Thomas speaks with ABC13.
Is Houston broke? Two council members said there’s enough money to avoid being classified as such, but an economist told ABC13 otherwise after looking into the city’s finances. CM Tiffany D. Thomas speaks with ABC13 about the city’s finances.
Houston City Council member Tiffany D. Thomas reacts to KHOU 11 report on problematic short-term rental properties.
Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas says extending the parking hours could bring in more money for the city. “Houston is a global city. We have a lot of conventions coming to town. NCAA was just here. Lots of convention business. World Cup is coming. That’s a soft opportunity for the city to make revenue so we can continue to provide additional services,” she said.
Houston City Council members are poised to vote on a new idea that could do away with free metered parking downtown after a certain time. CM Tiffany D. Thomas speaks with CW39 on why the move would be beneficial for the city.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
PERMITS
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.

Super Neighborhood 17 (West Oaks and Eldridge): Every 2nd Tuesday at 7:30PM
Location: Eagles Trace Austin Square Catering Room, 14703 Eagle Vista Dr

Super Neighborhood 25 (Alief): Every 4th Tuesday at 6:30PM
Location: Alief Neighborhood Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd

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

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

Westmont Civic Club: Every 4th Thursday every quarter at 7:00PM
Location: Treemont Retirement Community, 2501 Westerland

Piney Point Civic Club: Every 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 PM
Location: Pilgrim Rest MBC, 3401 Jeanetta St

Huntington Village HOA: Every 3rd Thursday at 7:00PM
Location: Clubhouse, 9511 Cook Road

Tanglewilde Civic Club: Quarterly
Location: Los Tios, 9527 Westheimer, in the meeting room