The Thomas Telegraph | Budget Season Begins, Previewing 419 Emancipation and Protecting Tenants | Vol. 8, Issue 11 – May 15, 2026

Buckle up—it’s a lengthy one.

On Wednesday, City Council passed Item 28, allowing the acquisition of property tied to the CIP plan known as Alief Forest South (Catalina Square, Imperial Point). This is a $36.7M project, with construction expected to begin in September 2027.

Stay tuned to the newsletter and upcoming council agendas, as we expect additional actions—including the potential acquisition of the former Alief Library on Kirkwood for expanded detention use.

While we’re on infrastructure, Council also approved a new contract for open ditch maintenance. We are currently reviewing 311 cases for prioritization. If you live near an open ditch that needs attention, please call 311 and send your service request to Sarai at [email protected]. I am especially looking at Synott between Bellaire and Alief Clodine to complement upcoming improvements. I need your eyes and ears so we can maximize this work.

Now, let’s talk about a site many of you know well—the old Doty landfill, later the Sugar Hill Golf Course at Bissonnet and Kirkwood. After years of remediation, the TCEQ will host a public hearing on May 18 at 7 PM at the Houston Westchase Marriott to discuss a wastewater permit tied to future development. I will be there to provide a comment on the record. Please consider participating—this is your neighborhood, and your voice matters.

Switching gears, Africa Day is back. Since 2018, Houston has recognized the impact of the African diaspora, and this year’s District F celebration will take place on May 16 from 2–6 PM at the Alief Neighborhood Center. If you’ve never attended, this is a beautiful expression of culture, community, and connection. Contact [email protected] for details.

As we continue our work to address homelessness on the westside, I want to flag the opening of 419 Emancipation on the East End—a “Super Hub” with 220 beds, case management, and coordinated public safety support. It is expected to open late May/early June. We are watching this model closely as we explore what a similar “front door” could look like for our district, especially as we ramp up our efforts to create a canvassing infrastructure with our nonprofit partners.

Now, let’s talk about something more fun—FIFA is coming.

While the world will be downtown, the westside will have its own moment. Save the date for June 6 from 9 AM–12 PM at the Alief Neighborhood Center for a community soccer festival, FutFest powered by District F, Houston Parks, the International District, and Alief ISD. We are bringing that energy home! We are planning for 300 kiddos and their families to join us for a day of excitement as we show the world how Houston does it!

And just as we prepare for summer, our 4th Annual Summer of Safety is back—focused on hurricane preparedness, air quality, smoke detectors, and our highly anticipated youth Swim Safety Clinic on June 13. We’ve added a third cohort this year to meet demand, so be sure to register your babies early.

Finally—and I need you to lean in here—the FY27 budget.

You’ve likely heard about Mayor Whitmire’s proposed solid waste administrative fee, which starts at $5.00 and increases over time to $25.00. I am sharing resources, including the third-party study and Controller Hollins’ analysis, so you can fully understand what’s being proposed. Every household is making financial decisions as the economy worsens, inflation rises, and gas prices are through the roof. If you’re wondering how this will affect your household, I encourage you to use this Revenue Comparison Tool.

Let me be clear:
Budget season is a contact sport.

My office will be sending out questions to gather your input, and I encourage you to watch hearings, submit comments via email, and stay engaged. We use your feedback to inform our advocacy. The scheduled vote is Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

• Houston Defender: Houston’s west side brings showers, services to the unhoused
• Houston Chronicle: What do Houston City Council members think of Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed $5 monthly trash fee?

A Personal Privilege: Recognizing Our Vietnamese Community

During the public session on Tuesday, May 5, Council Member Thomas rose on a point of personal privilege to recognize seniors from the Vietnamese American Cultural Association (VACA).

Before the session, she hosted the group for a private tour of City Hall, sharing the history of the building and the legislative process. On the heels of presenting a certificate to commemorate the solemn anniversary of Black April, it was an honor to welcome these community elders to the heart of city government and celebrate their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of District F.

Budget workshops for the City of Houston kicked off with a special-called Budget and Fiscal Affairs (BFA) Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 6, where the Finance Department presented its five-year forecast and budget overview.

Beginning May 12–19, 23 individual city department workshops will take place in the Anna Russell Council Chamber at City Hall. All sessions are open to the public. See the schedule below.

Each workshop includes a department budget presentation followed by Q&A with council members and the public. Questions may also be submitted through the city’s internal portal.

For those unable to attend in person, all workshops will stream live on HTV and will be available for later viewing on the HTV website.

To expand public participation, BFA Chair Sallie Alcorn and Vice Chair Mario Castillo will host two public budget town halls:

• Saturday, May 16, 10 AM – Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine Street, 77007
• Wednesday, May 20, 6 PM – Virtual town hall via Microsoft Teams

Click here to RSVP for either.

Additionally, take Council Member Alcorn’s “Your Two Cents” budget survey here.

Improving Accuracy: The Move to Remote Water Meter Reading

Residents are encouraged to report all non-emergency concerns, including trash, recycling, heavy trash delays, potholes, and drainage, through the City’s 311 system by calling 3-1-1, submitting online, or using the app. After submission, a case number will be provided and should be saved for reference.

To receive assistance from the District F office, constituents should submit a 311 request, keep their case number, and email it to Sarai Robinson, Public Service and Community Engagement Specialist, at [email protected] or [email protected] for follow-up and escalation.

Additional Guidance

• Trash, recycling, or heavy trash delays: Email the case number and photos of the issue to assist with follow-up
• Requesting a new trash or recycling bin: Submit a 311 request first, then send the case number to the District F office
• Parking violations: Provide the vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate number when filing with 311

Important
311 cases may show as “closed” while departments continue working internally. Constituents are still encouraged to send their case number to the District F office so staff can provide accurate updates and timelines. We cannot escalate or address concerns without a valid and recent 311 case number.

Sidewalk Requests
Sidewalk maintenance and repair requests fall under the purview of the neighborhood and are typically initiated through the City’s 311 system. The District F office does not process individual sidewalk requests directly.

For neighborhood-wide or HOA-led requests, it is recommended that the HOA submit a single, coordinated application to the District F office, along with the associated 311 case number. This ensures the request is properly documented and can be reviewed for potential next steps.

Depending on the scope of the project, the District F office may be able to explore funding options through Council District Service Funds (CDSF). If the request involves ADA compliance concerns or required accessibility upgrades, the office may also coordinate with the Mayor’s Office and appropriate city departments to pursue additional funding opportunities. As with all service requests, a valid 311 case number is required for follow-up and escalation assistance.

Council Member Thomas presented an official City of Houston proclamation to the Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries (ACAM) during their 4th Annual Celebrating Resiliency Luncheon on May 8. For over 22 years, ACAM has spearheaded collaborative efforts to tackle housing instability, food insecurity, and workforce development across the region, critical issues that align directly with Council Member Thomas’ core priorities and community-driven work.

Celebrating Our MVPs in Alief ISD

Alief ISD Superintendent Dr. Mays recently hosted the annual MVP Breakfast, a special event dedicated to honoring the teachers and administrators who consistently go above and beyond for their students. The breakfast served as a powerful reminder of the “best and brightest” talent driving the Westside, including partners from the Westchase Management District, SN25, and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

The highlight of the morning was the presentation of the Community Award to Barrell Richardson of the Alief Children & Youth Ministry Network. A tireless and humble advocate, Richardson was recognized for his unwavering support during local crises—ranging from three-alarm fires to natural disasters, ensuring that teachers and students always have the resources they need to succeed.

The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department has simplified the application for the Single-Family Home Repair Program, making it faster and easier for homeowners impacted by Winter Storm Uri to apply for recovery assistance. Yes, funds are still available for eligible homeowners to receive up to $100,000 for home repairs (rehabilitation), up to $300,000 for full reconstruction, and up to $10,000 reimbursement for out-of-pocket storm repairs.

Don’t leave money on the table. Learn more by visiting: houstontx.gov/hcdrecovery/dr21

Obtain additional information about permits by contacting Houston Public Works (HPW) via 311, or by visiting their Permitting Center website at www.houstonpermittingcenter.org. If you have further questions about any permits, please contact the Code Enforcement Group at 832-394-9494.

Additionally, the Plat Activity Report contains biweekly information from PlatTracker about plats, replats, public hearings, variances, and special exceptions to plats that will be considered at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting.

The report provides application information for each agenda item; compiled by the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. The excel format can be sorted based on particular data, such as location or council district.

The new PlatTracker is now available online. To access the portal, please visit https://plattracker.powerappsportals.us

For questions or additional information contact the Development Services Planner of the Day at (832) 393-6624.