Inside District I

June 2014 Newsletter

The Metro board approved a plan last month to build an overpass along Harrisburg near Hughes Street to complete the East End rail line.

Five years ago, I stood with residents, community leaders and public officials to advocate for an underpass. We attended dozens of meetings and spent countless hours to convince Metro officials that the alternative - an overpass - would be a monstrous visual blight and divide the community. We strongly believed that an underpass would promote pedestrian and vehicular safety in the area and encourage community development, and enhance overall mobility in the East End.

Metro agreed and spent millions on environmental studies and to design an underpass. In January 2014, Metro officials informed the community that an underpass, due to potential legal liability that could stem from disturbing contaminated soil, was no longer feasible.

Over the last 5 months, the community has sought advice from professional and academic sources to identify possible ways to mitigate liability. Those recommendations were presented to the board for consideration, to no avail.

The approved overpass is expected to cost between $30 and $40 million and could take up to three years to complete.

Thank you,

Robert Gallegos

Houston Council Member

District I

More District I Neighborhoods to Receive Single Stream Recycling Service

The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) is expanding the curbside recycling program to an additional 62,000 households, including nearly 6,000 in several District I neighborhoods.

Residents in the neighborhoods included in the expansion received one 96-gallon green recycling cart, similar to a black garbage cart, in May. The first collection for Week "A" homes is the week of June 23rd and the first collection for Week "B" homes is the week of June 30th.

Recyclable items that can be placed in the containers include: newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, cardboard, paperboard, paper bags, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, tin and steel cans and plastics 1 - 5 and 7.

According to the Solid Waste Department, the 62,000 home expansion brings total homes covered to over 273,000, which is more than 72 percent of all homes directly serviced by the department.

Visit the interactive map at www.houstonsolidwaste.org if you would like to check if your address is part of the 2014 expansion. Note: addresses in the purple shaded area are included in this expansion. Click on the shaded area to find your service day.

Council Approves Funding for Mason Park Hike & Bike Trail Improvements

City council approved a funding agreement for a new hike and bike path and the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Mason Park this week.

"This is one of the projects I helped initiate as a community leader over two years ago and i'm excited that we have secured funding," said Council Member Robert Gallegos. "I appreciate the support of community leaders and State Representatives Carol Alvarado and Ana Hernandez who helped get us to this point."

The project consists of the construction of a 14-foot wide hike and bike trail and a 520-foot long pedestrian suspension bridge across Brays Bayou. Construction is expected to commence in 2016.

80 percent of the $4.4 million project will be federally funded through the Transportation Enhancement Program administered by TxDOT. The Houston Parks Board, as part of its Greenways 2020 project, will fund the remaining 20 percent of the construction cost.

The 2020 project is meant to significantly expand and enhance Houston's parks system by creating a continuous system of 150 miles of parks and trails along Houston's bayous. In the November 2012 election, Houston voters overwhelmingly approved a major bond referendum providing $166 million in parks funding, $100 million of which is dedicated to the 2020 project.

BARC Seeks Increase in FY 2015 Budget

The City of Houston's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC), a division of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department, has proposed a $2.9 million increase to its Fiscal Year 2015 budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2014.

The proposed increase would fund 12 new animal control officers and 6 new vehicles to increase animal enforcement operations and better address the public safety dangers posed by stray animals. In addition, BARC has proposed increased pet placement programs and more frequent educational campaigns on responsible pet ownership.

"As we all know, District I has had a stray animal problem for many years in part due to BARC being understaffed and underfunded, lack of comprehensive spay/neuter strategy and no proactive educational campaign on responsible pet ownership," said Council Member Robert Gallegos. "I strongly urge my colleagues to support BARC's proposal."

BARC receives approximately 50,000 calls for service each year. Its current budget allows for only six animal control officers on the street at a time that can respond to 25 percent of those calls. With the increase, BARC will be able to respond to approximately 40 percent of calls for service.

City council could vote on the city budget as early as June 11, 2014. To view the full FY15 proposed budget, visit www.houstontx.gov/budget/15budprop.

Are you Ready for Hurricane Season?

Hurricane season officially began June 1st and lasts until November 30th. As we prepare for this upcoming hurricane season, the City of Houston offers the following tips to help you and your family prepare:

Know Your Risk - Visit the Houston Storm Risk Calculator at www.houstonstormrisk.org to find out what your level of risk is for flooding, storm surge, wind damage and power outages.

If you live in a hurricane evacuation area, know your zone, and be prepared to evacuate when the order is given. Southeast Houston, including all of District I, is in a hurricane evacuation area.

Get Prepared - Take a moment to review your emergency plan with your family, as well as make sure you have all the necessary supplies to be able to sustain yourself without electricity and running water for 5-7 days, including:

Non-perishable foods & water
Portable radio with extra batteries
Flashlights and extra batteries
First-aid kit, along with any prescription medicine
Special items for babies and the elderly
Toiletries and hygiene items
Pet care items

Be Informed - During hurricane season, it's always a good idea to pay attention to developing storms. Pay attention to local television and radio weather broadcasts, and sign up for AlertHouston emergency notifications from the City of Houston by visiting www.alerts.houstonoem.org.

If you are ordered to evacuate, you should do so without delay. Evacuation information and contraflow lane maps out of Houston are available on the Texas Department of Transportation website.

In the event of an emergency which requires evacuation, some individuals may need additional assistance leaving their homes. If you need help evacuating, dial 2-1-1 to register in advance for a ride. You can also register online.

City Pools Open for Summer

As temperatures rise and schools let out for the summer, the Houston Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD) reminds residents that many of the city pools are open for the 2014 swim season. Through August 17th, city pools will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 1pm to 8pm.

The department offers free learn to swim classes for youth through the H2OSafe program. Fulltime lifeguards and trainers lead water fitness classes and FREE exercise periods for people with disabilities.

All City of Houston swimming pools are free and open to the public between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The pool at Eastwood Park, which is undergoing repairs, is expected to open later this month.

Visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/aquatics for a complete list of city pools or to learn more about programs and activities offered by HPARD.

Houston's Fourth of July Celebration

Fireworks will ignite the sky, and country tunes will set the stage for Houston's signature annual patriotic celebration, Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas from 4pm to 10pm on Friday, July 4 at the newly renovated Eleanor Tinsley Park on Buffalo Bayou (along Allen Parkway).

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8 per person or purchased at the gate for $10. Admission is free for children under 5.

National country recording artist Jennifer Nettles will headline the annual event at one of her first solo performances that will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display.

This year's festivities include the Southwest Airlines Sky Stage, featuring vintage aircraft flyovers; the Walmart All-American Kids Zone, a children's entertainment area with a stage featuring entertainment for young and old, alike; KBR Liberty Park brings military assets such as tanks and helicopters to the event along with all five branches of the military; and ending the evening with an exciting fireworks finale sponsored by Nation Waste.