City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
The Distric
t Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J
 
Monday, March 7, 2016
Mike Laster - Flipped
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562
  
Chief of Staff

Jonny Flores
Deputy Chief of Staff/Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director

Eric Widaski
Constituent & Community Affairs Director

District J Parks 
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

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2016 CIP Recap
I wanted to extend a very special thank you to all of the constituents and City employees who were able to make it out to our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) meeting last Wednesday! Many new projects and upcoming improvments were highlighted. You can click here to see a full list of projects for District J.
 
If you would like to propose a project or have questions about these or any other projects, please do not hesitate to reach out to your District J office.
 
Thank You,
Mike Laster - signature
-Council Member Mike Laster, District J

Christina Wilkinson's 100th Birthday
Council Member Laster was pleased to recently present a proclamation to a resident of District J!

Christina Wilkinson was born in Clydebank, Scotland, but moved to Pittsburgh at the age of twelve. She has lived most of her life in Pittsburgh where she became an avid Steelers and Pirates fan. Christina supported her family as a housewife and now has retired to Houston where her son now lives. We congratulate Christina Wilkerson on her 100th birthday! February 28, 2016 was proclaimed Christina Wilkinson Day in Houston.

The W.A.T.E.R. Fund

Have you heard about the Houston W.A.T.E.R. Fund? This City of Houston program is designed to provide financial aid to senior citizens with financial needs. To qualify you must be:

- 60+ years of age.
- Be a residential customer of the City of Houston.
- Live in a single-family dwelling.
- Assistance is also available to disabled or other low-income customers.

How do I apply? Simply fill out an application and provide complete documentation of: 

- Income
- Identity 
- Residency
- Disability of all residents in the household.

This aid can assist with up to $100 every six months towards your water bill. You may re-apply every 6 months as needed.

Good Samaritans out there can also donate to the fund! This option is available by checking a box on your bill stub. Larger contributions may be made by special arrangement by clicking here.
Houston Bike Plan Workshop

The Houston Bike Plan team will be holding a neighborhood workshop in District J! The workshop will be on Saturday, March 19th from 11 am - 2 pm at the Baker Ripley Neighborhood Center, Chase Opportunity Center
 
This workshop will be an oppurtunity for free bike repairs, bike safety classes, bike bells, lights, and a chance to tell city planners where to build safer streets and bike trails in the neighborhood. Kids are welcome!
2016 Warrant Roundup
The Houston Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies throughout the Gulf Coast will be participating in the 2016 Great Texas Warrant Round Up. If an individual has an outstanding warrant they are advised to go to the court of proper jurisdiction to take care of the warrant immediately or run the risk of being arrested, even at their place of employment. 

For information about warrants issued out of the Harris County Justice Courts, visit their website at www.jp.hctx.net.
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, March 8
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -City Council - Public Session
 -AARP Chapter 50 Meeting

Wednesday, March 9
 -City Council

Thursday, March 10
 -Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 15
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -No Public Session - Council Break Week
 -Braeburn PIP Meeting

Wednesday, March 16
 -No Council Session - Council Break Week
 -Midwest PIP Meeting

Thursday, March 17
 -Westside Division PIP

Monday, March 21
 -Gulfton Super Neighborhood #27 Meeting
 -Sharpstown Civic Assc. Board Meeting
 -Brays Bayou Association Meeting

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

Wednesday, March 23
 -City Council

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

Monday, March 28
 -Southwest Management District Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 29
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -City Council - Public Session

Wednesday, March 30
 -City Council