City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
The District Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J
 
Monday, September 21, 2015
Mike Laster - Flipped
832.393.3015
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562

Chief of Staff
  
Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director
 
Constituent & Community Affairs Director
  
Community Links


District J Parks 

Anderson Park

 Bayland Park (Harris County, Pct 3)

Bonham Family Nature Park

Brays Bayou Hike and Bike Trail
City Contacts 

HPD (non-emergency) 

713.884.3131

 

Anti-Gang Office 

832.393.0931

 

Mayor's Citizens' Assistance 832.393.0955

 

Department of Neighborhoods 832.393.1038

 

Health & Human Services

832.393.5169

 

Parks Department 

832.395.7000

 

Public Works & Engineering 832.395.2511

 

Solid Waste Management 713.956.6589


Join Our Mailing List
New ALDI's to Serve District J!
      
As District J residents, we have long awaited a new grocery store development in Southwest Houston. On September 17, 2015 I was pleased to attend the groundbreaking for the new ALDI's grocery store at Beechnut and Bissonnet! Having visited with multiple Houston Aldi exectives, I can say that I am proud to welcome this grocery store to our neighborhood! 

Aside from being a new brand to the area, ALDI's has a fresh take on responsible shopping. Customers are invited to bring their own bags or buy reusable bags in the store. There is a 25 cent deposit to use a shopping cart, which ensures that these carts stay on the property and do not migrate to a bus stop or into the neighborhood. I only hope some other retailers in the area take note and choose to adopt some of these standards in their own stores.
 
I look forward to the completion of ALDI's and their presence in our community!
 

Thank You,
 

Mike Laster - signature
- Council Member Mike Laster, District J 
Meeting with TxDOT to Address Maintenance 
On Friday, September 18th, Council Member Laster hosted a ride-along with civic leaders, the Southwest Management District, and TxDOT maintenance personnel to tour US- 59, located in District J. Thank you Ugonna Ughanze (Director of Maintenance) and Walter Hambrick (Maintenance Administrator) for joining and seeing firsthand what constituents see on a daily basis when it comes to feeder roads, underpasses, and vagrancy.

In ongoing conversations with TxDOT, the District J office has continually urged that better maintenance and litter abatement efforts be made in Southwest Houston. While there have been recent maintenance improvements on the corridor, when it comes to the cleanliness of feeder roads and underpasses, an ongoing effort is necessary to ensure continued upkeep.
 
Please assist your District J office in reporting freeway concerns to your local state representative, as they are the most direct avenue for contacting TxDOT.
Fire Station 68 & Braeburn Glen Park Improvements
On September 9th, City Council passed an agenda item to pay for an expanded parking lot at HFD Station 68 and fund various improvements to Braeburn Glen Park adjacent to the fire station.

Limited space at the fire station has long been an impediment to the exit and return of fire equipment. to address these issues, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department agreed to allow the fire station to use a small sliver of land from the park to facilitate the expansion.

In exchange and as compensation, HFD will provide additional monies to improve Braeburn Glen Park. Improvements will include a renovated park entrance, a concrete parking lot, security lighting, relocation of the dumpster enclosure, and various other landscape and site improvements.
New App for Trash Schedules 
 
The new Rollout! Houston app allows Houston residents the ability to see their neighborhood's trash schedules via their smartphone! The app was the winner in this year's 3rd annual Citywide Hackathon.
 
The app will send you notifications to remind you to roll your bin out for collection. It is available for both iPhone and Android phones. Please tell your neighbors and help us fight early trash placement violations.
Farmers Market at SW Multi-Service Center
  
The Houston Health Department has undertaken an initiative to provide easier access to affordable fruits and vegetables in various Houston communities.

On Wednesday, September 23rd, from 11am to 2pm, the Southwest Multi-Service Center will be holding their next Farmers Market. There will also be a health department educator onsite providing health tips and covering various health topics. Hope to see everyone there!
Community Events Calendar
Upcoming Events

Please refer to the Community Events Calendar on our website for the time, and other event details. New events are added every week. Be sure to check it often!

 
Tuesday, September 22
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -City Council - Public Session
 -Alief Super Neighborhood Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 23
 -City Council

Thursday, September 24
 -International District Board of Directors Meeting
 -Sharpstown Civic Association Meeting

Monday, September 28
 -Southwest Management District Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 29
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -City Council - Public Session
 -Shenandoah Civic Association

Wednesday, September 30
 -City Council
 
 Tuesday, October 6
 -National Night Out
 -City Council - Public Session

Wednesday, October 7
-City Council