Vol. 2, Issue 37 – 11.18.21
Dear Friends,

I love the month of November; it reminds us that we are close to the finish line and days from enjoying rest and a good meal with our loved ones.

Before we break and close our laptops and turn off our phones, I want to share a few important updates with you. First, I am fully aware of solid waste, recycle and tree waste delays. I have received many messages, and my office is working hand in hand with the department to address the delays – the reality is, this issue is city-wide and a problem that the new solid waste director will address in the next few months. I appreciate your patience and understand your frustration. The solid waste department provides updates via social media and the HTXcollects app (details below). Please take a few minutes to connect with the pages and share with your neighbors as we work to close the gaps.

The first installation of the Vietnamese historical markers will be on November 22, at 10 AM, on the corner of Bellaire and Boone. Please join me, State Rep. Hubert Vo, and the board leadership of the International Management District for this occasion. Also, in partnership with VietTV, we are working together to collect oral histories from the families of the fallen war heroes of the Vietnam war. If you would like to participate, please email the office at [email protected].

Specifically, for the Tanglewilde community, the Mayor’s 50/50 Park Initiative is underway. If you signed up to serve on the community advisory committee to work with Houston Parks, please check your email soon for an update. There is still time to sign up if interested. The Parks Board is adamant about having community input, and your help and support is requested. Interested? Send an email to me at [email protected]

Since early 2020, the city of Houston responded to the looming eviction crisis due to COVID19 with a short-term rent relief program. To date, the city and county have preserved housing for over 50K households, and many of those households were in District F. The program is currently fully subscribed. I will provide a graphic update once the program officially closes out. However, we are fully aware and sensitive to the number of households still in need and are working through the possibilities and hope to have a meaningful resolution soon.

Veterans Day may have been on November 11, but we are celebrating all month long. I want to thank the men and women in District F who served our country. I want to give a special shoutout to my high school AFJROTC instructors (TX-947), who shaped my life, exposed me to leadership principles, and encouraged me to excel in everything I pursued.

(Ret.) USAF Major Stephen Himber
(Ret.) USAF MSgt. Cookie Johnson
(Deceased) USAF SMsgt Benjamin McAdams
(Deceased) USAF Lt. Colonel Michael Laughlin

I owe an unmeasurable amount of gratitude to you.

Lastly, we have so much to be thankful for this year. I am grateful to each of you. Many of you serve our community in various ways, and for that, I say thank you. Thank you for attending civic club, HOA, church, and community organization meetings advocating for a better quality of life because we deserve it. You are great partners and some of the BEST people in the city of Houston. I hope to see your face in person for our 2nd Annual District F meeting on December 9, 2021, at 6(CST). Let’s celebrate the new year with cake, each other, and updates from our office.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Tiffany

P.S. If you see my “Big Brudder” around, please wish him a happy birthday (November 19).

DISTRICT F NEWS
HAPPY VETERANS DAY
This month we celebrate our veterans! We appreciate our District F residents for their service to our nation. We’d like to give a special thanks to Mr. Damon Sedita, Sgt. E-5 of the U.S. Marine Corps who join staff at the West Houston Chamber Veterans’ Salute!

Thank you to the following District F constituents for their service.

  • Stephen Sherman, US Army 1LT, 1965-1968
  • Jon Pafford, Air Force, Sargent, 1969-1973
  • Doyle E Smith, US Army Special Forces (deceased)

We appreciate the many brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces but were not able to complete the form at this time.

SOLID WASTE OPERATIONS UPDATE
As of 11/17/21-

Crews are working to complete 4th week Junk Waste routes. Residents who receive 1st week Tree Waste collections are asked to place their debris at the curb.

Those who received 2nd and 3rd week Tree Waste, please HOLD your debris until further updates.

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Center web page here or call 3-1-1. You may also use the following resources.

Facebook- Updated dailyLink: City of Houston Solid Waste Management – Posts | Facebook

Link: http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/htxcollects.html

COLLINS ELEMENTARY SPARK PARK DEDICATION
On November 15th staff joined administrators of Collins Elementary at the re-dedication of their SPARK park. During FY21, we authorized $5000 of Council District Service Funds to support this school.
VieTV 10 YEAR CELEBRATION

On Friday, November 12th, VieTV celebrated its 10 year anniversary on the air. They are the largest news outlet for Viet culture and entertainment. Check out their station on DirectTV’s channel 2036.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

On November 16th, Council Member Thomas honored the Houston Area Coalition of Chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for their 110 years of service to the world. Happy founders’ day to the men of Omega Psi Phi and special thanks to you very own, Na’Shon Edwards Sr.
November 16th Pop Off
DISTRICT F COUNCIL ITEMS PASSED

November 10, 2021
Passed a motion approving Change Order No. 3 for Ground Water Well Rehabilitation Various Sites.This project is part of the City’s program to upgrade and rehabilitate ground water production facilities and is required to meet the area’s water demand and ensure compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations.

The proposed Change Order No. 3 is in the amount of $869,000.00 or 34.70% above the original contract amount and extends the contract time by 117 days.  This will increase the original contract amount to $3,373,072.10, leaving the 5% contingency balance for completing the remaining work.  District F wells include are below.

  • District 54, Well No. 3A on 3322 Crossview
  • Brookfield, Well No. 1 on 9007 Dairy View Lane

November 17,2021
Passed an ordinance approving and authorizing the assignment and transfer of a 20 foot-wide drainage easement to Harris County Flood Control District as part of the Asset Exchange Program. Parcel SY22-049

Each party has overlapping jurisdiction for planning, implementing, and maintaining flood damage reduction and drainage infrastructure. The District’s expertise lies in design, construction, and maintenance of primary drainage systems such as open channels and detention basins, while the City has expertise in design, construction and maintenance of enclosed storm sewer systems. The City has determined that the exchange of drainage facilities and real property interests with the District will benefit the public interest of the City and help with effectively maintaining its public purpose.

The Agreement establishes the processes and procedures necessary to facilitate an exchange.  The City of Houston assigns the portion of this easement beginning 235 feet west of Belle Park Dr continuing west to South Kirkwood Road to Harris County Flood Control District, and the City retains the portion of the same easement beginning 235 feet west of Belle Park Drive continuing east to Brays Bayou.

To View City Council Agendas
To Watch Videos of Previous City Council Meetings
COMMUNITY NEWS

DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT OUR PIPES!

70% of sanitary sewer overflows in Houston are caused by clogs from fats, oils and grease poured down the drain and wipes flushed down toilets.

Put grease in its place! Dispose of leftover cooking waste with these easy steps: pour it in a jar, can, or bag, cool it, and once full, toss it in the trash.

Also, only flush the Three P’s – pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Everything else should go in the trash. Together, we can all prevent clogs and harmful overflows! Learn more: www.ProtectOurPipes.org.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO APPLY FOR THE HURRICANE HARVEY HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY- APPLY BY NOVEMBER 19TH

Application processing will continue, but time is running out to submit applications to the GLO.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) announced the application for the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) will close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2021. All potential applicants must submit completed applications by the deadline to be considered for eligibility so long as funding is available.
The HAP regional offices will remain open, and processing of applications will continue indefinitely until program funds are fully expended. Applications will be considered for award on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the priorities outlined in the Regional Housing Guidelines. Submitting a complete application does not guarantee eligibility nor funding availability, but applicants must submit a complete application by the deadline to be potentially considered for assistance. Those residing inside the Houston city limits should apply at recovery.texas.gov/hap/houston, while non-Houston residents of Harris County should apply at recovery.texas.gov/hap/harriscounty. New applicants can also call the toll-free intake center line at 1-866-317-1998.
Harris County and the City of Houston received direct allocations of funding for residents in their jurisdictions. Applicants who previously applied to and are receiving assistance from Harris County and the City of Houston directly should continue to work with their program representatives.

NEW REPRESENTATIVE
CONTACT INFORMATION

Jack Cagle, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner
Harris County Precinct 4
1001 Preston, Suite 950
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713-755-6444

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, TX-7
Houston Office5599 San Felipe Road Suite 950
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: (713) 353-8680

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
During this meeting the public heard presentations from the City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department who discussed planning & grants management, public services, multifamily properties, a financial update and director comments.
ENGAGE HOUSTON

Houston Public Works has launched a new website which allows the public to follow projects, updates, and leave questions/comments. Please assist us with sharing the link below.

www.engagehouston.org

HOT SPOT TEAM UPDATE
Our hot spot team has put in a lot of effort keeping our district clean. Here is progress from the week of November 8-12.

Total Work Orders Completed: 19
Hot Spot of the Week:  9700 Court Glen (recurring)
Total Man Hours Worked: 72
Tree Waste: 900 lbs.
Mattresses: 11
Furniture Waste: 8 pieces
Tires: 29
Trash Debris: 600 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 7
Bandit Signs: 226
Landscaping: 0 sq ft

UPCOMING EVENTS
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer with CM Thomas and the District F team this Monday, November 22nd at West Houston Area Ministries.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:1. STUDENTS AND ADULTS – Please use this link to register as a WHAM Volunteer: https://a106182.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/2db218c1-7ef3-4b92-be43-ff02b188ae762. Download, fill out and sign the attached documents below digitally, or you have the option to print, and sign them manually.  Please return signed documents to [email protected].

  • Students sign the Code of Conduct, Waiver and Media Release Form, and Volunteer Acknowledgement Form
    • Parents sign as “Witness” to the student’s signature on the Waiver
  • Adults must sign ALL of the attached documents, including the three noted above for student signatures (Please see the note highlighted in yellow below for exceptions).
3.  ADULTS ONLY – sign the attached HR&P Release of Records for your background check, return the signed document to me, OR contact me for encrypted access to the form.***Please note that the Nondisclosure Agreement and the Background Check Policy and Procedure are for reference purposes only…Please DO NOT sign or return them.  Sign the Nondisclosure Signature Page instead.4.  Please send your T-shirt size to [email protected] WHAM provides a free WHAM T-Shirt to all volunteers.Feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any questions. We appreciate your interest in assisting us and your commitment to WHAM!
The background check takes up to 48 hours for processing, so please ask volunteers to complete the form asap.