Announcements

We are sending out the District E newsletter which has information about the proposed high-rise in Kingwood. All comments for or against should be submitted in writing by 1/29. If no comments are received by that date, it will be considered that there are no objections. More details can be found in the newsletter below:

Residents of District E,

As we head into 2019, we look forward to the many exciting things taking place in Houston. The Legislative Session will begin shortly, and the District E office will be actively watching and participating in the legislative process; we look forward to creating relationships with newly elected officials to continue advancement of key Harvey recovery projects while planning for future flood risk reduction; and of course, we will continue to pursue much needed infrastructure and drainage improvement projects within the council district.

In 2019, the City of Houston is tasked with implementing Proposition B. Mayor Sylvester Turner has asked that I, as the Chair of the City's Budget and Fiscal Affairs (BFA) Committee, host a Special Called BFA meeting this month. The sole purpose of the meeting will be to discuss how the City will implement Proposition B.

In addition to tackling Proposition B, the District E office has begun planning our annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) town hall meetings.

Please save the date for the following two meetings:

Southeast Houston/Clear Lake
Tuesday, March 19
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Space Center Houston, Special Events Building
1601 NASA Parkway
Houston, Texas 77058

Kingwood
Thursday, March 21
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Kingwood Community Center
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Houston, Texas 77345

Members of the public are invited to attend to hear from various city departments as well as community representatives about ongoing projects, issues and community news related to District E. Information on confirmed speakers will be provided in next month's newsletter, stay tuned for updates.

I wish each of you a very Happy New Year and know 2019 has great things in store for the city and the council district. As always, please contact my office if we can assist you in any way.

Sincerely,
Dave Martin


Solid Waste Department Collection Issues

Due to the City of Houston Solid Waste Management's busy holiday season and higher than usual volumes of materials at the curb, they have unfortunately fallen a bit behind the posted garbage and recycling collections schedule.

While the department did anticipate minor delays due to the holidays, the addition of several fleet maintenance issues is exaggerating the delays in service citywide. I understand this is frustrating to homeowners, and to us City Council Members as well. Many of my colleagues and I have brought this matter up at several past council meetings, sharing our frustrations with the Administration as this issue is causing strains on our individual offices as well.
The District E office has been aware of this issue of fleet maintenance contributing to the delayed service long before the holidays and is doing all they can to respond to each resident concern as quickly as possible. Recently, City Council approved the purchase of 69 new pieces of equipment which is expected to arrive this summer. Council Member Martin appreciates your patience during this time as the District E office continues to receive multiple calls regarding collection services.

Texas Bowl Proclamation

On Tuesday, December 11, Mayor Turner and Council Member Martin had the honor to present the Academy Sports and Outdoors Texas Bowl with a proclamation, declaring December 11, 'Academy Sports and Outdoors Texas Bowl Day' in the City of Houston. The Texas Bowl is a signature event held at NRG annually. Each year, we look forward to welcoming the invited teams and their fans to our City of Houston. This year, the Baylor Bears defeated Vanderbilt.
As an avid sports fan and former board member of Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, these sporting events are very important to our City. Council Member Martin looks forward to the 2019 Texas Bowl!

SWAT Project on Frey Road

The Storm Water Action Team (SWAT) is currently wrapping up a roadside ditch rehabilitation project on Frey Road, from Hartsook Street to Almeda Genoa Road. The project's scope of work includes: regrading and reestablishing of the roadside ditches, replacing of the culverts and resetting them to match the flow line of the ditch, replacing the driveway where the culverts are replaced, increasing the capacity of any culverts less than 24 inches in diameter, and removing unpermitted culverts or other encroachments in the City Right of Way.

The SWAT team was created in 2016 to help proactively improve drainage and mitigate flooding citywide. The goal is to expand maintenance capabilities and improve the movement of water from day-to-day storm events through rehabilitation and upgrade of existing drainage infrastructure. Council Member Martin is thrilled with the success of these SWAT projects in District E, and looks forward to continuing the SWAT program.

Leadership Lake Houston Government Day

On Tuesday, December 11, Council Member Martin attended the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce's sixth annual Elected Officials Reception honoring local, state and federal elected officials from the Lake Houston Area. Joining Council Member Martin at the event were members of the Humble ISD school board, Mayor of Humble Merle Aaron, Humble City Council Member Norman Funderburk, Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner Precinct 4 Jack Cagle, Constable Mark Hermann, and a number of additional support staff representing the area.

Council Member Martin thanks the Lake Houston Area Chamber for hosting the annual event, their dedication to promoting economic development, and enhanced quality of life in the Lake Houston Area.
Following the reception, Council Member Martin had the privilege of addressing the Leadership Lake Houston Class of 2019. In his remarks, Council Member Martin discussed the process of becoming an elected official and the importance of being active within your community. Mayor Turner also took the time to speak to the group regarding his role as Mayor and his expectations for the upcoming year.

Taco With a Cop

On Wednesday, December 12, staff from Council Member Martin's Office attended Kingwood HPD's Taco with a Cop Event. It was a great opportunity for residents to get to know the officers that patrol the Kingwood area.

Council Member Martin commends Kingwood HPD for their constant community involvement and the exemplary service they continue to provide the Kingwood area.

Big Heroes, Tiny Homes Holiday Wall-Raising and Tree Lighting

On Wednesday, December 12, students from Summer Creek High School and Kingwood Park High School proudly showcased the recent developments on their tiny home project titled 'Students Helping Veterans: Big Heroes, Tiny Homes'.

The mission of the Big Heroes, Tiny Homes Project is to create a tiny home community for the homeless veterans of the Houston area through partnerships with non-profits, businesses, and private individuals in the community. Students seek to provide a sense of community and safety to these individuals who have lived on the streets.

Council Member Martin would like to recognize the following students for their hard work on the project: Nicholas Logan, Natalia Andrade, Blayne Adams, Sarah Dalby, Abner Flores, Stuart Hebert, Stephen Wilson, Claire Slaughter, Kaylie Lyle, Alyssa Irvin, Melissa Rasmussen, Addison Young, Chloe Berry, Madison Taylor, and Madilyn Engelhardt.
We look forward to seeing the completion of this tiny home and all the great things these students will continue to accomplish in the future.

Christmas Tree Recycling

City of Houston residents can recycle their Christmas trees by dropping them off at one of twenty-five free, drop-off recycling sites located throughout Houston. The program will run through January 13, 2019.

Traffic Signal Tour with Houston Public Works

On Friday, December 21, Council Member Martin took a tour with Houston Public Works to evaluate the timing of the traffic signals along Kingwood Drive. They took several passes and when they went 40 mph (the speed limit) they hit all green lights from the very back of Kingwood to the very front.

The lights are looked at on a weekly basis but operate on 5 different schedules which is unique for the City of Houston. Barring changing the speed limit, the traffic signals were operating as programmed.
The District E office will continue to look at ways to improve mobility and synchronization. If you experience issues, please call them into Houston 3-1-1 by calling 713-837-0311 and email the District E office at [email protected] with your service request number.

Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan Amendment: Ellington Road

On December 19, Houston City Council approved the Planning Department's proposal to add Ellington Road, a major thoroughfare, between Old Galveston Road and Interstate 45 to the City's Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). The MTFP identifies right-of-way needs and proposes roadway alignments within the city limits of Houston and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). View MTFP by going to http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/MTFP.html

It is important to note, the MTFP does not initiate the timing of right-of-way acquisition or construction activities related to the roadways, and design and construction will not occur immediately if passed. Ellington Road between Space Center Boulevard and Old Galveston Road was added to the MTFP in 2003.
Council Member Martin thanks his colleagues on Houston City Council for their support on this item as it will improve mobility and quality of life for the residents of Clear Lake as the Houston Spaceport flourishes in the future.

Army Corps of Engineers and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Soliciting Comments on High-Rise Development Near River Grove Park

The District E office is aware of a proposed project in which Romerica Investments, LLC has applied for a permit to develop wetlands, flood plain, and floodway in the area around Barrington and River Grove Park in Kingwood. There is a public comment period that has been posted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Residents are highly encouraged to participate in this process.

To review the complete text of the public notice, go to https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/regulatory/PN%20Dec/PN%20upload/PN_201600384.pdf?ver=2018-12-28-103821-793

To review the proposed plans, locations and schematics, go to https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/regulatory/PN%20Dec/PN%20upload/Plans_201600384.pdf?ver=2018-12-28-103944-263


Comments are used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity. For accuracy and completeness of the record, all data in support of or in opposition to the proposed work should be submitted in writing. Concerns should contain sufficient detail to furnish a clear understanding of the reasons for support or opposition. Prior to the close of the public comment period on January 29, the Corps' District Engineer will determine whether sufficient cause exists to hold a public hearing.

All comments should be submitted by January 29, 2019. If no comments are received by that date, it will be considered that there are no objections.

Comments and requests for additional information should reference USACE file number, SWG-2016-00384, and can be submitted by calling 409-766-3869, by faxing 409-766-6301, or by emailing: [email protected]

Written comments may be mailed to:

Evaluation Branch, North Unit
Regulatory Division, CESWG-RD-E
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 1229
Galveston, Texas 77553-1229
The City is aware of the project, but the developer has not started the City of Houston permitting process. The City of Houston cannot act on a proposed plan, the City can only act on an actual project submission, which has not occurred yet. Council Member Martin is very aware of the project and negative implications that it poses to the community. He has voiced his concerns directly to the developer, and encourages residents to engage in the public comment period with the USACE and TCEQ. At the appropriate time when the City of Houston receives the submitted project plans, the City will also have a public comment period. The District E office will notify residents of such public comment period to ensure the community has another chance to be heard.

Construction Schedule Update for Freeway Manor Safe Sidewalk Project

Council Member Martin would like to make residents aware the Freeway Manor area safe sidewalk project originally scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 3, has been delayed due to begin in February 2019 due to an issue with the contractor. The repairs will be made to an existing sidewalk on the south side of Rodney Street and the east side of Shawnee Street, in the Freeway Manor area. The project will start at 2307 Rodney Street, and crews will work their way towards 1022 Shawnee Street.

The project's scope of work includes removing the existing 4 foot sidewalk and replacing it with a 5 foot sidewalk, and installing the safe sidewalk across driveways. Should any damage to private property occur as a result of the project, please contact the District E office immediately for assistance with repair. Per the City of Houston contract, the City is responsible for leaving property in a construction zone in better, if not the same, condition as it was before construction began.
Crews will operate between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The sidewalk will be closed during construction. As a result of the construction activities, please be aware of flaggers and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone.

Upcoming Events

Please refer to Council Martin's District E website at http://www.houstontx.gov/council/e/calendar.html for location, time and more event details. Email the District E office if you would like us to include your upcoming event in future newsletters!

City Wides

January 8
Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee

January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - CITY HOLIDAY (All City Offices Closed)

Kingwood

January 5
Kingwood Electronic Waste Recycling

January 9
Kingwood Service Association Public Safety Committee

January 15
Kingwood PIP

January 16
Kingwood Super Neighborhood