Vol. 7, Issue 9 – 5.9.2025
Dear Friends,

I greet you in friendship and service with several important updates related to infrastructure, drainage, neighborhood concerns, and more. Please read through carefully—if something is not included, it means there is no meaningful update to provide.

City Budget Update: The FY26 city budget has been released with no proposed fees or tax increases. However, there will be significant departmental consolidations potentially affecting city services. As of April, 1,054 employees retired, with 882 positions not eligible for backfill.
Breakdown by department:

  • Houston Public Works: 249
  • Police: 107
  • Houston Airport: 72
  • Health: 79
  • Parks & Recreation: 56
  • Municipal Courts: 38
  • Fleet: 38
  • General Services: 37
  • Solid Waste: 29
  • ARA: 21
  • IT: 18
  • HR: 21
  • Remaining Depts: 80

I’ve requested detailed information from the Administration regarding how these workforce reductions and consolidations will affect service delivery.
Read more about the budget proposal here.

Council Member Sallie Alcorn, chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, is interested in your feedback on the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget. This survey focuses primarily on the General Fund. To learn more about the General Fund and the city’s overall budget, click here.

Take the City Budget Survey here.

Trash Talk: Solid Waste collection is experiencing delays, particularly with recycling pickup. Please leave containers curbside as routes are being cleared. There’s no need to call 311—the routes are known and being addressed.

Public Safety Update: Please welcome Lt. Trometer as the new Westside HPD Commander. He previously served as DRT Sgt. in the area. Thank you to Commander Clinton for your dedicated leadership; we wish you success in your new role leading the gang unit.
We are closely monitoring an active investigation following a shooting at The Gables at Richmond (3400 Ocee). HPD and my office are actively engaged with community members advocating for increased attention and resolution to this incident.

Disaster Preparedness: With hurricane season approaching preparation is critical. Please visit [email protected]  for essential resources to protect your home, pets, and assets. Additionally, due to reductions in federally funded NOAA translation services, District F seeks volunteers for our translation team to ensure critical communications reach all community members during emergencies. Sign up here.

Public Art Initiatives: In partnership with Houston Public Works, my office is sponsoring several public art projects:

  • Alief: Ranchester & Harwin, Cook & High Star
  • Midwest: Celebrations of Piney Point heritage and pedestrian safety enhancements near Tanglewilde, commemorating Lilia Vasquez. A $5,000 reward remains available for information leading to the arrest in the tragic hit-and-run incident.

Public Infrastructure Update: The FY25 Council District Service Fund (CDSF) budget is fully committed. Proposed projects with detailed cost estimates will be reviewed for FY26 and FY27. After FY25, my office will publish a comprehensive overview of projects submitted via District F portals, emails, and community meetings.

Save The Dates:

  • May 13: National Nurses Week at City Hall, Celebrating Filipino Nurses
  • May 20: 27th Annual Delta Day at City Hall
  • May 21: Immigration Roundtable at Alief Neighborhood Center in collaboration with SAID Institute, Nigeria Center, Houston Haitians United, Texas African Chamber of Commerce, and others.

Staffing Update:
Welcome Lambda Green!
Lambda Green joined the District F staff on April 14th as Deputy Chief of Staff and graciously accepted the role of Chief of Staff, effective May 2nd. Please join us in welcoming her to the neighborhood. Lambda returns to Houston from Washington, D.C. and has already made an immediate impact. Her extensive background in executive administration, operational leadership, and community engagement aligns well with our westside community. A wonderful bonus—her parents also reside in District F.

Best Regards,


Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas
Houston City Council, District F
HOT TEAM UPDATES
Total Work Orders: 44
Hotspot of the Week: 11500 Pender (recurring)
Total Man Hours Worked: 128
Tree Waste: 1,425 lbs.
Mattresses: 2
Furniture Waste: 27 pieces
Tires: 16
Trash Debris: 950 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 8
Bandit Signs: 134
Landscaping: None
System: 4 pending illegal dump sites and 2 pending missed yard waste, with 2 pending landscaping locations as of 4.29.2025
District F Updates 
Disaster Preparedness
As disaster season approaches, Council Member Tiffany Thomas and the District F team encourage all residents to take proactive steps to ensure their safety and preparedness. From hurricanes to flooding and other emergency events, being informed and equipped can make all the difference. In the coming weeks, stay tuned for important updates, resources, and preparedness tips tailored to our community’s needs.

We are committed to helping you stay ready and resilient. For comprehensive guidance on how to prepare yourself, your family, and your neighborhood, please visit READYHOUSTONTX.GOV.

Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe.

 Watch the PSA here!

Alief YMCA Closure Announcement
The closure of the Alief YMCA, announced to take effect in May due to federal funding cuts, marks a significant loss for District F residents. Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas has shared her concerns about the impact this will have on our community and is committed to advocating for resources to fill the gap left by this closure.

   Read the Council Member’s full statement here.
   Watch her interview with ABC13 for more insights.
  En Espanol.

Wellington Park Street Panel Replacement Project
Work is set to begin on the replacement of damaged concrete pavement panels along Wellington Park Dr, stretching from S Dairy Ashford Rd to Dairy View Ln. Construction started on April 21, 2025, with an anticipated completion date of May 20, 2025.

This project, managed by DCE Construction, Inc., will take approximately 60 days. Residents with questions or concerns may contact Marcos Pereira, Project Manager, at 832-395-2411.

Stay tuned for updates as we work to enhance the safety and accessibility of our neighborhood streets!

Westhollow Traffic Calming Devices Project
Work is set to begin on the installation of traffic calming devices along Westhollow. Construction started on May 6, 2025, and is expected to be completed by June 15, 2025.

This 40-day project, managed by DG Medina Construction, LLC, and has an estimated cost of $60,000. Residents with questions or concerns may contact Marcos Pereira, Project Manager, at 832-395-2411.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue working to improve traffic safety and street conditions in our community!

Transforming Boone and Hackberry
The Boone and Hackberry Park Detention Basin Project, with a budget of $8,183,191, is set to revolutionize these beloved parks in District F. The project will include the design and construction of detention ponds to improve street drainage and mitigate the risk of structural flooding.

Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2027 and conclude by Spring 2028. For more details, contact Cuong Nguyen, Project Manager, at [email protected].

Expunction Clinic & Job Fair
On April 19th Council Member Thomas attended Expunction Clinic & Job Far at the Alief Neighborhood Center hosted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

The event provided free legal resources, including assistance with expunctions, U visas, tenant/landlord disputes, and child support questions, alongside a job fair and community services. This initiative aimed to assist residents in clearing eligible criminal records, facilitating improved access to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
The event was part of Council Member Thomas’ broader efforts to promote equity and second chances within District F.

  Watch her interviews with ABC 13 and KHOU 11 for more insights!

Houston Caricature Expo
Council Member Thomas attended the Caricature Expo on showing her support for local artists and Houston’s creative community!
The event featured live caricature sessions where attendees received multiple portraits from various artists, celebrating artistic expression and small business engagement.
Meadows on the Mews HOA Meeting
The Council Member attended the recent HOA meeting with residents and property owners of the Meadows on the Mews community to address growing safety concerns.

Attendees expressed serious issues related to squatters, trespassing, and suspected gang activity in the area. The Westside Disaster Response Police Unit participated in the discussion, working alongside the community and Council Member Thomas to identify solutions. Efforts are ongoing, and updates will be provided as progress continues toward improving neighborhood safety.

Thank you to the Meadows on the Mews HOA and residents for their active participation and commitment to community growth!

Unite Here! Local 23
On April 23, 2025, Council Member Thomas joined hospitality workers and fellow city leaders at a UNITE HERE Local 23 summit in Houston to advocate for a $23-an-hour minimum wage for hospitality employees.

The event highlighted the disparity between the city’s booming tourism industry and the financial struggles of its hospitality workforce, who often earn between $16 and $17 per hour.

Council Member Thomas emphasized the essential role these workers play in Houston’s success and expressed her support for their efforts to secure fair wages. She stated, “Every year, millions of people visit our great city and it is our hospitality that brings them back. Workers are at the front line of our hospitality industry and I support them in their efforts for fair wages.”

Zikaron BaSalon “Memories in the Living Room”
Council Member Tiffany Thomas attended Zikaron BaSalon, hosted by Consul General Livia Link Raviv in commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day).

The event featured Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld and her daughter Fredda Friedlander, who shared their family’s powerful story of survival and resilience.

An Evening with Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock 
On April 25th Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock visited The Imani School in Houston as part of his book tour for We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunch Box. During the event, he engaged with students, reading from his new children’s book and discussing its themes of generosity, empathy, and community. The story, inspired by the biblical account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, follows a young boy named Leo who discovers the joy of sharing when his lunchbox miraculously multiplies its contents.

Council Member Thomas was also in attendance, showing her support for The Imani School’s mission and its impact on shaping future leaders.

This event underscored the value of uplifting young people, supporting educational excellence, and strengthening community-focused efforts in Houston.

12th Annual National Arab American Heritage Month Celebration
Council Member Thomas attended the 12th Annual National Arab American Heritage Month celebration at the Arab American Cultural & Community Center in Houston. The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Abdelkader Jamoussi and a documentary screening, both focusing on Estevanico (Mustafa Azemmouri), the first known Arab and African explorer of North America.

Council Member Thomas continues to highlight her dedication to celebrating the diverse cultural histories that shape Houston’s vibrant heritage.

Sierra Leone’s 64th Independence Day 
On Saturday, April 26th, the Leonet Community of Greater Houston hosted a vibrant celebration at Amity Park in Alief to mark Sierra Leone’s 64th Independence Day.

The event brought together Sierra Leonean residents, community leaders, and supporters to honor the nation’s history and culture. Council Member Tiffany Thomas  attended the celebration, demonstrating her commitment to recognizing and uplifting the diverse cultural communities within District F.

50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War 
Vietnamese Community of Houston hosted a commemoration ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The event provided an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and cultural expression. Community members gathered to honor the experiences of those affected by the war, preserve historical memory, and celebrate the resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora.

Council Member Thomas attended the event and delivered remarks, recognizing the contributions of the Vietnamese community to Houston’s cultural fabric and affirming the importance of remembrance and unity.

Elsik High School JROTC Awards Presentation
Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas had the honor of returning to her alma mater, Elsik High School, to attend the JROTC awards presentation. She proudly celebrated the achievements of the cadets and commended their leadership, discipline, and commitment to service—values that continue to strengthen the community and shape future leaders.
Hastings High School Teacher of the Year Presentation 
Council Member Thomas was pleased to attend the Hastings High School Teacher of the Year presentation, celebrating the achievements of Stephanie Kitsos Masaryk. As a dedicated educator, Ms. Masaryk has consistently gone above and beyond to support and inspire her students, fostering an environment rooted in respect and excellence. In recognition of her unwavering commitment and the positive impact she continues to make in the lives of young people, Council Member Thomas proudly presented her with a certificate of appreciation.
Immediate Action Approved for 3206 Chris St
Following a Department of Neighborhoods Buildings Administrative Hearing, the property at 3206 Chris St., long identified as a safety hazard by residents, is now slated for city action. Council Member Thomas addressed the public safety concerns and fully supports the hearing’s decision, which grants the city the authority to demolish and clear the abandoned property if the owner fails to take corrective action.

Next steps include:
– An inspector posted a copy of the Order of Building Officials (OBO) at the property on 4/16/25.
– OBO inspections will follow in 30, 60, or 90 days, based on the hearing date.
– If the property remains non-compliant, the city will abate violations, including demolition.

We will keep you informed as the process progresses.

Water Leak Update: Wildflower Green Tempo Townhomes
We’re pleased to share that repairs for the reported water leak at 13002 Leader St./Greenway Chase have been successfully completed by Houston Water under Work Order #15455049.

Thank you for your patience throughout the process and for your continued engagement in helping us keep our community safe and well-informed!

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Houston City Council voted this week on proposed amendments to the city’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program, based on findings from a 2024 disparity study conducted by the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO).

This study assessed city contracting data from 2017 to 2022 to evaluate the participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in municipal contracts.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Get Involved in District F!
District F is calling on passionate residents to join our efforts! Sign up for volunteer opportunities and make a difference in your community.

Sign up here for general Volunteer Team opportunities.

Sign up here for our Volunteer Translation Team to assist with outreach and ensure all voices in our diverse district are heard.

Together, we can strengthen and support District F!

The Chinese Community Center is hosting the following events the month:May 10 Mother’s Day Special Flower Arrangement

May 24 Beginner’s Mahjong Workshop

May 31 Vietnamese Eggrolls (Chả giò) Class

PERMITS
CONTACT THE DISTRICT F TEAM

LAMBDA GREEN
Chief of Staff
[email protected]

MYRA ROCK
Director of Operations
[email protected]

TIFFANY D. THOMAS
Houston City Council Member, District F
(832) 393-3002
[email protected]