Vol. 6, Issue 17 – 09.20.2024
Dear District F:

We’re making great strides on the west side, and I want to highlight several important items for your attention:

TAX RATE: Last week, Finance Director Melissa Dubowski presented several options for a potential tax rate increase to City Council. You can watch the meeting and hear the questions raised. Historically, we have voted on the tax rate in October, with the rate decreasing each year. Currently, the rate is .52 per $100 valuation. However, discussions are ongoing among council members, stakeholders, and the Mayor’s administration.

While many of us are still recovering from past disasters and the costs that came with them, our city services require additional funding to meet growing demands.

As this issue is slated for discussion in October, I want to hear your thoughts. With upcoming Alief and Houston ISD bonds and a potential Harris County rate increase, I need to understand how District F residents feel about this matter so take this survey tolet me know.

I’ll keep you informed as discussions progress, but it’s important to stay engaged on this topic.

FIRE SAFETY: Many of you responded to the offer for free smoke detectors from the Houston Fire Department mentioned in the last newsletter. For those who reached out, we’ve handled your requests. If you’re still interested, please fill out the form, and we’ll facilitate your request.

DISTRICT F CDSF BUDGET SUBMISSION: To streamline requests related to sidewalks, panel replacements, and other qualifying projects, we’ve created a centralized tool for easy submission. Please note that submitting a request doesn’t guarantee approval. All requests will be verified, and we’ll provide updates once approved and funded.

FAITH & AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT: Faith leaders, join us on Saturday, October 12, at 10 AM at First Methodist Houston in Westchase for the inaugural Faith and Affordable Housing Summit. Did you know that faith organizations are some of the largest landholders in Houston? To keep our city affordable, we need everyone at the table. Register here and watch the PSAs from our partners to learn more.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: October 1 marks National Night Out in Texas, and in District F, it’s a chance to connect with neighbors on important issues like safety while enjoying some fun along the way. Currently, five neighborhoods are signed up to host National Night Out events. Please share your event details so we can help promote it and bring the community together.

We look forward to visiting neighborhoods and sharing updates. Register your National Night Out event here.

POKER CLUBS: During the 2024 inauguration, I committed to addressing the safety concerns posed by poker clubs in our area. Neighborhoods like Tanglewilde, Westmont, and Carver Crest have voiced frustrations over increased noise and crime near these establishments. The good news is, next week, I’m meeting with the city’s legal department, in collaboration with Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Peck, to review our current ordinance.

I need your input at the upcoming public safety committee meeting—share your experiences with us. Let’s keep the conversation going on this issue over the next few weeks.

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas
HOT SPOT TEAM UPDATE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20
Total Work Orders: 21
Hotspot of the Week:  South Drive at South Course (Recurring)
Total Man Hours Worked: 72
Tree Waste: 700 lbs.
Mattresses: 3
Furniture Waste: 11 pieces
Tires: 5
Trash Debris: 550 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 0
Bandit Signs: 92
Landscaping: 10,000 sq. ft.
System: 2 pending illegal dump sites and 0 pending missed yard waste, with 2 pending landscaping locations as of 9.20.2024
DISTRICT F NEWS AND UPDATES
PROJECT UPDATES
The latest update about the Chelford City Diversion Package 3 project (Richmond Ave to from Westhollow to Green Crest, see map above) was published on EngageHouston this week. Tunneling crews are out working on pipe installation and traffic control devices are being deployed. The project remains on track to be completed for Summer 2025. Go here for more information.

The project along Westpark Drive from Dairy Ashford to Wilcrest is also ongoing. CenterPoint has completed installation of new streetlights and the contractor has addressed sidewalk gaps previously occupied by the old streetlights. Keep up with this project on their page. 
MONTHLY CRIME STATISTICS
This above report is a snapshot of verified crime totals from the previous month in District F. It comes directly from the Houston Police Department. It can also be viewed on the HPD website. 
TANGLEWILDE CIVIC CLUB
Council Member Thomas was pleased to join about 30 residents at the Tanglewilde Civic Club at their quarterly meeting on September 19. She spoke about road projects along Gessner, fire safety, and more. Thank you to Morgan, Sheldon, Seth, Bruce and Kevin for their leadership. Council Member looks forward to joining Tanglewilde and Westmont for their joint National Night Out event on October 1. 
PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION TO MIA X
Rice University’s Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) inducted Mia X into the Hip Hop Archival Collection held at the Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center on September 18. Council Member Thomas was honored to present a proclamation to her for Mia X Day on behalf of the City of Houston. 
MEETING WITH HUD-HOUSTON FIELD OFFICE
Council Member Thomas met with Eric Cobb, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Houston Field Office Director, and Jasper “J.C.” Crutison, Supervisory Management Analyst, on September 18 at City Hall. Director Cobb handles all administration and oversight of HUD programs in the Houston region. Council Member spoke to them about the ongoing challenges in Houston’s affordable housing market and Director Cobb shared his office’s vision for further outreach to residents. Look out for more events geared toward affordable housing developers. 
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS EVENT
On September 18, Council Member Thomas joined Houston Airport Director Jim Szczesniak, 2026 World Cup Committee President Chris Canetti, Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking Director Minal Patel Davis and key stakeholders for a check presentation to Shield Bearer and The Landing. These organizations and others have worked tirelessly to combat human trafficking in our city. The seven World Cup matches in Houston from June 14 to July 4, 2026 will be a test of the human trafficking awareness and vigilance for everyone in our city. Go here to learn more about indicators of human trafficking. 
STATE OF THE CITY
Tuesday, September 18 marked Mayor Whitmire’s first State of the City. Council Member Thomas invited Alief ISD Board President, Dr. Darlene Breaux, to the festivities, and they had a wonderful time networking with leaders from across the region. 
NCRC PANEL
On September 12, Council Member Thomas participated in a panel hosted by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, titled Bridging the Gap: Affordable Homeownership and Anti-Displacement Strategies in Washington, D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus Conference. She had the honor of addressing a national audience about Houston’s initiatives to protect affordable homeownership for its residents and shared strategies to expand homeownership opportunities to even more individuals. 
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

September 11, Item #18 – ORDINANCE approving and authorizing second amendment to Subrecipient Agreement between City of Houston and WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRITES, INC to extend term of agreement for continuing administration and operation of Rapid Re-Housing and Case Management Services to households who have been impacted by COVID-19 – DISTRICT F – THOMAS
FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT
Watch Council Member Thomas and Felicia Guidry, Houston Black Real Estate Association, and Victor Lee, Asian Real Estate Association of America – Houston, promote the upcoming
Faith & Affordable Housing Summit.
Watch the PSAs from our partners. Victor Lee (top-left), Felicia Guidry (top-right), Pastor Hernan Castano in Spanish (bottom-left), Zahoor Gire (bottom-right).
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
PERMITS
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
You can engage with your neighbors and receive accurate information about District F and the greater Houston area from community partners, elected officials, and public safety leadership.

Alief AARP: The Alief AARP Chapter 3264 will have its next meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX.

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

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

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

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

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

Westmont Civic Club: Every 4th Thursday of every quarter at 7:00 PM
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 7:00 PM
Location: Clubhouse, 9511 Cook Road

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