The Thomas Telegraph | Vol. 7, Issue 11 – June 20, 2025

INFRASTRUCTURE: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Last week, the proposed FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was tagged for Council Members to review projects and offer amendments. During the committee briefing, the Finance Department confirmed what many of us feared: most projects are being delayed by one to two fiscal years due to funding constraints.

In District F, there are no new projects slated—only existing ones with extended timelines:

• Boone & Hackberry Parks Detention (FY26)
• Huntington Village Streets (FY27) I need to visit the neighborhood to discuss the complexity of this project.
• Alief Forest South Drainage (FY27)
• Gessner from Buffalo Bayou to Richmond (FY28)
• Bissonnet Corridor Safe Streets Project (FY28, construction phase)

What’s even more concerning is the postponement of key infrastructure work beyond the five-year CIP cycle, including:

• Alief Forest Area (delayed)
• Catalina Area – Design & Construction (delayed)
• Ashford Park Area – Design & Construction (delayed)

CIP meetings, which are typically held in every district in coordination with Houston Public Works to ensure public engagement, have not taken place in District F for the past two years. Because of this, I’m making it a point to communicate directly with you about the status of infrastructure projects as information becomes available.

I am not offering amendments to this current CIP cycle because many of our District F projects rely on third-party funding, which is outside of my control.

Watch the CIP Special Called Meeting here.
Read the CIP Plan here.

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATES

• Briarmeadow: 3206 Chris Street 77063 is slated for demolition per city legal. This is a long time coming. Once a construction notice is available it will be shared with the HOA and newsletter for broad awareness. 9410 Richmond is in legal review awaiting a response for a hearing. This case has been referred to the Dangerous Building team for abatement. Department of Neighborhoods will continue to provide updates as they are available.
• Ashton Village: 3138 Ashlock 77082 is in the queue for legal review and a potential approval to go to a hearing. This is a multi-step process. Once legal opines on the status an update will be provided by the Department of Neighborhoods.
• Alief: The old Long John Silver’s on Bellaire/Kirkwood is finally secured after years of citations, removal of debris and illegal dumping challenges.
• The District F Hot Spot team is organizing a summer grass cutting schedule to maintain the easements on Amanda Ln, Windswept, Spring Grove and near Richmond. If there are easements owned by the city that need to be maintained please report to 311 and send to [email protected] for the hot team to investigate and include.

FEDERAL HOME REPAIR FUNDING – CDBG-DR24
As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, Houston received $314 million in federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration in 2024 to address the impacts of the Derecho, and Hurricane Beryl. Initially, the Mayor’s Administration proposed using these funds to purchase emergency vehicles—instead of prioritizing housing repair, reimbursement, construction, or small business recovery. I strongly opposed this move, and thanks to your advocacy, we secured a partial redirection: $50 million will now be allocated toward housing—targeting home repairs, multifamily development, and reconstruction.

If you were impacted by Derecho or Beryl this is your chance to speak up. This proposal will come to Council for a vote, then go to HUD for final approval. Let’s make sure these dollars return to the people who need them most.

Submit your comments to: [email protected] by June 30, 2025.

SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Annual Swim Safety Day
Join us Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Alief Aquatic Center for our Annual Swim Safety Event—a partnership with Houston Parks Department, Houston Swim Waves, and Coach CPR.

This event fills up fast, and for good reason. It’s part of our ongoing effort to close the swim safety gap and keep our kids safe. Registration info coming soon.

160th JUNETEENTH
Harris County is home to 14 known Freedmen’s Towns, and two of them—McGee and Piney Point (Old Town Jeanetta)—are located near or within District F. A third, Lily White (in Hedwig Village), also played a role in Black settlement in west Houston.

These towns were founded around three pillars: a church to worship in peace, a school to educate their community, and a cemetery to bury loved ones with dignity. Many of these communities no longer exist, but fragments remain—and they remind us of the deep legacy of our ancestors’ pursuit of uninterrupted freedom. As you enjoy the extended weekend, remember: Juneteenth isn’t just a celebration—it’s a charge. Freedom isn’t free, and we must continue protecting it.

DISTRICT F STAFFING NEWS
Please join me in welcoming Sarai Robinson to the District F team! Sarai joins us as a part-time Public Service & Community Engagement Associate. She’ll support constituent services and stay visible across the community. Sarai is a Texas A&M University graduate who previously interned at both The White House and the Texas Legislature—and now she’s bringing that experience home to the Westside.

UNUM FELLOWSHIP IN NEW ORLEANS
From June 25 to June 27, I’ll be in New Orleans participating in the Unum Fellowship, hosted by the E Pluribus Unum Fund. This leadership development program is focused on giving local leaders tools to tackle our most pressing challenges. For me, that means working on disaster preparedness and resilience in our neighborhoods—because whether it’s hurricanes or derechos, our communities deserve to be equipped and protected.

P.S. Happy 49th Birthday to my dear friend and Soror, Lynn Munford! Wishing you a beautiful year ahead.

P.P.S. Happy belated Father’s Day to all the amazing dads in District F. Fathers matter. My own dad taught me how to swim, do math problems (even though I struggled), and how to ride the METRO bus alone. He taught my brother how to tie a tie, mow the lawn, and fix things around the house. To the dads still with us, those we hold in memory, and those raising the next generation—we honor you.

Best Regards,

Agenda Item #31: ORDINANCE appropriating $24,025,604.51 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund, awarding contract to SERVOX, LLC for Ground Water Facility/Re-Pump Station/HVAC & Ventilation System Improvements at Various Locations – Package 2; setting a deadline for the bidder’s execution of the contract and delivery of all bonds, insurance, and other required contract documents to the City; holding the bidder in default if it fails to meet the deadlines; providing funding for CIP Cost Recovery relating to construction of facilities financed by the Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund, contingency, and testing services – DISTRICTS A – PECK; B – JACKSON; F – THOMAS; G – HUFFMAN and K – CASTEX-TATUM. Read more here.

Tagged Item: Council Member Thomas tagged Agenda Item 62 concerning the proposed non-acceptance of Buttercup Street, a 60-foot-wide undeveloped roadway running north from Beverly Hill Street in the Blossom Heights Subdivision.

The request, submitted by local property owner Binh Van Nguyen, seeks to prevent the City from accepting the street as public right-of-way. The property is currently unpaved, unused for utilities, and proposed to be incorporated into private property for parking and storage, including use by the neighboring Garden Montessori School.

Although Houston Public Works and the Joint Referral Committee recommended approval of the request, CM Thomas tagged the item to allow for further review and community input, ensuring transparency and alignment with District F priorities.

Strengthening community connections is a key part of our work, and Council Member Thomas emphasized the resources available through the Department of Neighborhoods and City of Houston Legal Department to support enforcement and education around deed restrictions.

We honor her bravery, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. Deputy Chavis was a proud U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and had served with the Harris County Constable’s Office—Precinct 7—for over a year, assigned to the Toll Road Division. She is remembered as a devoted public servant, mother, and daughter. She leaves behind her young son, mother, sister, brother, and nephew.

“Houstonians are very clear that housing is a priority,” said CM Thomas. “We’re spending over $40 million on homelessness, which is a noble cause, but homelessness is a housing issue. If we’re not investing in actual inventory and stabilization, where will people go after a disaster?”

CM Thomas continues to advocate for a plan that reflects the needs and voices of residents, especially those still struggling to recover. We encourage District F residents to stay active in making your voice heard. Resilience takes a community effort.

Watch Council Member Thomas on KHOU here. Read the article here.

Later at Legacy Hall, Council Member Thomas gave remarks reflecting on her own ROTC experience and the impact of women’s military service. We thank our women veterans for their strength, leadership, and unwavering service.

We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers and partners, including Alief ISD, community leaders, and elected officials who made this event possible. The program featured remarks from CM Tiffany D. Thomas, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, At-Large Council Member Julian Ramirez, and Alice Lee from Harris County Precinct 4. Alief ISD was represented by Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays and Trustees Dr. Darlene Breaux and Dr. Lily Truong, along with students from every Alief high school.

District F is proud to support youth-centered programs that empower the next generation of environmental and civic leaders.

The space, once just an open field, was described as a “blank canvas” with potential for features such as shaded seating, bioswales, pollinator areas, a loop trail, and improved access. Landscape architects from SWA Group shared initial design concepts, and neighbors offered feedback on safety, accessibility, and preserving the park’s natural character.

Waloon Greenspace is named after a local resident and sits at the intersection of Brays Village East and West. While Brays Village East hosted the meeting, Brays Village West residents will be engaged through future mailings.

Share your thoughts on Waloon Greenspace by completing the community survey here: bit.ly/WaloonGreenspaceSurvey

As we celebrate emancipation, we also recommit to equity, inclusion, and justice for all Houstonians.

Council Member  Thomas and her team are also actively working with HPW to assess the feasibility of a private gate and improved lighting in the area. The community has begun submitting trespass affidavits, and interviews are underway for off-duty officers to help deter criminal activity and monitor problem zones.

The NTMP aims to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety through targeted infrastructure improvements such as speed cushions/

️ Submit your comments by July 8, 2025
By mail: HPW NTMP, P.O. Box 1562, Houston TX 77251
Online: http://popms.houstontx.gov/ntmp/rptFeedback_Pub
Email: [email protected]

Let’s work together to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone—especially children walking to school and families in residential zones. Your feedback directly influences what safety features are installed, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in.

Join AliefVotes, the Resilient Cities Network, District F, and the National Wildlife Federation on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Alief Community Garden (8409 ½ Dairy View Ln, Houston, TX 77072) to help build a pocket prairie—a space that supports pollinators, reduces heat, and brings native beauty back to our neighborhoods.

This is a family-friendly event with snacks and water provided. Expect hands-on work—please bring sunscreen, wear long pants, and prepare for the heat. Company volunteer groups are welcome!

Need a ride? Transportation is available. Contact Tommy Wan at 832-209-6616 or email [email protected] with your name and address to arrange.

Future Founders is a week-long, hands-on entrepreneurship program designed to equip students with skills in money management, public speaking, marketing, and business development.

Small businesses are the heart of our community, and this program empowers the next generation to dream big and build strong foundations for future success. Register here.

Services will resume the day following each holiday, and customers are urged to review the information below to ensure they are prepared for the holiday schedule.

• Juneteenth Day – Thursday, June 19, 2025
• Independence Day – Friday, July 4, 2025

Please review the chart below for changes to the residential collection schedule for each holiday week:

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!