The Thomas Telegraph | Vol. 6, Issue 16 – September 7, 2024

Please take a moment to read through this important update.

Tragic Incident: Earlier this week, Deputy Constable Maher Husseini from Harris County Precinct 4 was shot near Richmond and Fondren. Though reports indicate the victim knew the assailant, this does not lessen the impact of this tragic event. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts.

Fire Safety: District F has recently experienced two fires:

• Alief: A fire in Park Glen West resulted in a fatality. This underscores the critical need for fire safety. We are providing FREE smoke detectors through the Houston Fire Department. If you or your neighbors need one, email [email protected] to request a smoke detector.
• Piney Point: A fire at an auto-mechanic shop near residential homes did not cause injuries, but it highlights the ongoing issue of auto-mechanic businesses in residential areas. I will address this issue again with the Planning Commission to find a solution.

Hurricane Beryl Volunteer Thank You Reception: We continue to refine our District F Disaster Plan and clear debris. To thank our volunteers who assisted during Hurricane Beryl, Union Pacific is hosting a volunteer thank you reception on Saturday, September 28, at 11 am at Alief ISD Field House at 12321 Alief Clodine Rd, Houston, TX 77082. Save the date—we look forward to celebrating your support. Consider signing up for the District F Volunteer Committee to assist us in various events and activations throughout the District. Help us take care of each other.

Fill The Fridge: Union Pacific, Kroger, and HTNB have donated 75 $100 gift cards for those affected by Hurricane Beryl. The first distribution will be for residents of One Orleans Place, who have faced delays since their building burned down in 2021. Further distributions will be made to other identified individuals in District F.

2021 Texas Winter Storm Uri Recovery: I want to flag this item for you as you may qualify for reimbursement and/or home repair. The City of Houston has accepted a $50M award in response to the damages experienced during the freeze. Many of you struggled with repairs, exhausted savings and or borrowed to return to normalcy. Please read the Action Plan approved last year that outlines the use of funds and programming. During the August 26, Housing Committee meeting an item to redirect funds to develop additional multi-family, fortunately, the Administration agreed that we should hold the program in tact as intended. Please go through your records and locate receipts in the case you may qualify for reimbursements. As a rule of thumb, keep receipts during all storms because when and if the city receives funding (often years later) you will be in a better position to apply.

Tanglewilde Civic Club: I will be attending the Tanglewilde Civic Club meeting on Thursday, September 19, at 7 pm at Los Tios on Westheimer Rd. Please join us to discuss updates on solid waste, the prohibited yard parking ordinance, the poker club issue, and to celebrate the removal of the old car wash on Richmond Ave.

Blighted Areas: Our new seated lawn mower is helping the District F Hot Spot team tackle blighted areas. If you see them working on medians, removing debris, or improving our community, please honk and thank them. Their hard work, often in challenging weather, is greatly appreciated. Currently, the easement on Spring Grove has been secured by Centerpoint Energy and we do not have a key to mow the area. We have made a couple of attempts to gain access. If not, we will gain access the good ole District F way, cut the grass and keep the area maintained. Report blighted areas or unkept easements to 311 and send service request number to [email protected] and we will add to our maintenance list.

CDSF Funding: We have updated our CDSF funding submission tool to help you suggest qualifying projects. These include concrete panel replacements, speed cushions, sidewalks, and ADA ramps. Please use the tool to propose projects that meet these criteria.

Pending Infrastructure Projects: There are dozens of projects happening in District F. Capital Improvement Projects, Storm Water Action Projects and CDSF funded requests. Please know these projects are subject to delays due to various factors like bidding process, council actions or weather. Once scheduled, we will provide official notices with contractor details and start/completion dates. I will have a detailed update on project selections for District F in late October.

Public Safety Report: According to the latest report from the Houston Police Department, violent crime in District F is expected to decrease by 12% in 2024. However, there is an increase in sexual assaults, often involving intimate partners. Please stay vigilant and share the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788) with anyone in need. I have authorized an additional 5 LPR cameras on the east side of the District (Tanglewilde, Piney Point, Westmont, Briarmeadow) to support our efforts. The locations were recommended by Houston Police Department and should be installed by the end of 2024 bringing our investment in LPR cameras (55) closer to $150,000 annually. Westside and Midwest both have lively PIP meetings where you can work directly with officers to address your concerns around noise, illegal activity and to make them aware of other issues.

YES, In God’s Backyard (YIGBY): Faith leaders are invited to the Faith and Affordable Housing Summit on Saturday, October 12, at First Methodist Church in Westchase. The flyer is included in this newsletter. Please register and bring leaders from your congregation to collaborate on creating affordable and dignified housing for our community. We will be joined by leaders in industry from developers, architects, real estate brokers, financial institutions and more. Please take advantage of this opportunity to activate your mission in partnership with the City of Houston.

Have a great weekend!

1. Richmond Ave. Panel Replacement Project (Between Walnut Bend Dr. & Rogerdale Rd.) See map here.

Cost: $179,300.00
Status: Completed
Details: Originally scheduled for Summer 2024, this critical panel replacement project has been successfully completed ahead of time. The improvements are expected to provide a smoother and safer driving experience for our residents and visitors.

2. Oak Harbor Subdivision Panel Replacement Project (Near S. Dairy Ashford & Wispwind Dr.) See map here.

Cost: $20,000
Status: Upcoming
Details: This project was initially set for Spring 2024 but has now been scheduled for construction beginning on September 16, 2024. Our office will provide the Notice to Proceed as soon as it becomes available. This panel replacement will address much-needed repairs in the Oak Harbor Subdivision, improving roadway conditions for local traffic.

Newly Submitted Projects
We are committed to continuing improvements across District F, and our office has recently submitted the following projects:

3. New Sidewalk Project (Cook Rd. between Spring Grove & Pine Knoll)

Cost: $126,750
Status: Scheduling in Progress
Details: Houston Public Works is proceeding with project scheduling, with an anticipated start date of November 2024. This new sidewalk will provide a safer pedestrian pathway along Cook Rd., adjacent to the overgrown easement.

4. Remove/Replace Sidewalk Project (Stoney Brook, South of Richmond Ave.)

Cost: $47,500
Details: This project focuses on removing and replacing the deteriorated sidewalk along Stoney Brook, improving accessibility and safety for pedestrians.

Stay tuned for further updates, and thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance infrastructure across District F.