Council Member Dave Martin's

District E Newsletter

Issue 28

April 2015 

 

 

Dave Martin

Council Member

District E 

 

 

Contact:

 

900 Bagby

First Floor

Houston, TX 77002

 

17629 El Camino Real

Suite 415

Houston, TX 77058

 

 

Office: (832) 393-3008

Fax: (832) 393-3279

 

[email protected] 

 

 

  

Lauren Laake

Chief of Staff 

 

Evan Austin

South Sector Manager

 

Jessica Beemer
North Sector Manager

 

City Contacts
City of Houston 311
(713) 837-0311

Mayor's Citizens Assistance Office
(832) 393-0955

   Kingwood 
Community Center
District E Community Contacts



 
 


Clear Lake Super Neighborhood

Residents of District E,

 

When City Council passed the budget last year we included the allocation of dollars to what is referred to as Council Service Budgets. Each district council member was given a total of $1 million to spend on projects that would benefit their respective council district. As a result, over the past year I have met with city departments and constituents regarding recommended needs and projects that would positively affect the quality of life and public safety for District E constituents, and am happy to announce all that have been requested have been approved by the Administration. These projects include:

 

  • Increased frequency of mowing from a 21-day cycle to a 14-day cycle in District E parks, esplanades, libraries and multi-service center grounds
  • The purchase of three (3) additional lifeguard stands at Wilson Memorial Park Pool
  • Beautification of the Clear Lake City Boulevard medians between Highway 3 and I-45 with the planting of 100, 15-gallon trees
  • Funding to revise the Sylvan Rodriguez Park Master Plan to include the design and construction of a Clear Lake Community Center
  • Installation of Wi-Fi at the Kingwood Community Center
  • Design and Construction of new street signage for the Kingwood Community Center
  • Improvements to all fire stations throughout the district, including but not limited to the purchase of new storage sheds for Fire Stations 65, 72, 94 and 105
  • Modular building repairs to Fire Station 53
  • Construction of a "watch office" at Fire Station 102
  • Replacement of the "Booster Trucks" at Fire Stations 65 and 103

We look forward to seeing all of these projects be carried out and will keep the public updated with the progress of each.

 

This week those of us of the Christian faith have celebrated what is known as Holy Week in anticipation of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is a special time for me each year and allows time for reflection and celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I also would like to wish those of Jewish faith a Happy Passover, which begins this Friday, April 3 and runs through Saturday, April 11.  Please note, in observance of Good Friday, my office will be closed this Friday, April 3. My staff will look forward to responding to all calls and emails when they return on Monday, April 6. With that said, I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Easter! 

 

As always, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you as the District E Council Member here at City Hall. It is a true honor and privilege.


Sincerely,

 

 

Dave Martin

 

Save the Date: Final Kingwood Mobility Study Stakeholder Meeting

Council Member Martin, Gunda Corporation, LLC. and the Kingwood Area Mobility Study Steering Committee will be hosting the final Kingwood Area Mobility Study Public Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Kingwood Community Center located at 4102 Rustic Woods Drive. 

The meeting has been scheduled to discuss the final outcomes and recommendations of the mobility study conducted by Gunda Corporation, LLC. over the past year. A brief synopsis of the study as well as the final report will be presented by members of the Kingwood Area Mobility Study Steering Commitee and Gunda Corporation, followed by an opportunity for public comments and questions. 

For more information, please contact Council Member Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].
 
Save the Date: Kingwood B.O.P.A. Recycling Event

Council Member Martin and the city's Solid Waste Management Department are hosting a Batteries, Oil, Paint, and Antifreeze (B.O.P.A.) recycling event on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Kingwood Metro Park & Ride located at 3210 West Lake Houston Parkway. The event will occur rain or shine and is free and open to all City of Houston residents. A valid Texas driver's license or other proof of residency will be required. Business waste will not be accepted.

 

In addition to B.O.P.A. products, the city is pleased to announce that residents may also drop off scrap metal and large appliances. Large appliances include stoves, refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.

 

Many common household materials are considered hazardous and need special disposal. When Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is disposed of in the trash, it can contaminate landfills and groundwater as a result. This event provides a free and safe alternative for residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous chemicals. For more information on the City of Houston's B.O.P.A. recycling events, including a list of accepted and not-accepted items, please click here.

 

For more information, please contact Council Member Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or at [email protected].

 

Save the Date: Public Meeting on TxDOT FM 2100 Widening Project

On Thursday, April 16 the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be holding an open-house public meeting to gather input and present on a proposed project to widen FM 2100 in the Lake Houston area. The project, which proposes to widen FM 2100 from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, is intended to reduce congestion and enhance pedestrian safety by accommodating traffic volumes which are expected to increase by approximately 57% in the next 20 years. The area of FM 2100 to be affected by the widening project would stretch from South Diamondhead Boulevard to 2.1 miles North of Wolf Road.

 

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Newport Elementary School

430 North Diamondhead Boulevard

Crosby, Texas 77532

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

 

At the meeting, TxDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and concerns. Maps illustrating the proposed project's location and geometric design will also be available for viewing. Written comments on the project may be submitted either in person or by mail to the TxDOT District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251 or via email to [email protected]. Written comments must be received, postmarked or emailed by April 30, 2015 to be included in the public meeting summary.

 

St. Andrews Road Drainage Assessment

Earlier this year, the District E office received reports from concerned residents along St. Andrews Road in Kingwood regarding the safety and efficiency of their drainage infrastructure. In response, the city's Public Works and Engineering Department performed a preliminary inspection of the road and determined that drainage improvements are needed to maintain positive flow. In order to conduct a more thorough assessment of the area's drainage infrastructure, a drainage assessment has been scheduled for Fiscal Year 2016.

 

The assessment, which will cover approximately 1.7 miles along the three blocks where the reports originated, will consist of visual inspections, reporting and surveying, and will provide a work plan to maintain positive flow throughout the existing drainage infrastructure. In addition, a ditch maintenance work plan will be created to address the condition of roadside ditches and the flushing of existing culverts. Additional maintenance of the culverts and the ground surrounding them will be the responsibility of abutting property owners.

 

The District E office will continue to provide Kingwood residents with updates on the St. Andrews Road drainage assessment as well as a work timeline when more details are made available. For more information, please contact our office at (832) 393-3008.

 

Sandy Forks Drive Safe Sidewalk Project

This month, the District E office was notified of an upcoming City of Houston Safe Sidewalk project to be conducted along Sandy Forks Drive in the Bear Branch Village neighborhood in Kingwood. The project, which will seek to improve sidewalk infrastructure and pedestrian safety on Sandy Forks Drive in between Woodbridge Drive and Maple Park Drive, was scheduled to begin in late July. After receiving notice of the project in March, the District E office notified the Kingwood Service Association which shared information on the project with members of the Bear Branch Village Home Owners Association.

 

In response to questions and concerns about the project received from members of the community, Council Member Martin visited the project site and subsequently requested that the project be put on hold until further input is gathered. The District E office is accordingly requesting feedback from homeowners affected by the Sandy Forks Drive Safe Sidewalk project. To provide feedback on this project, please contact (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].

 

Village Learning Center Agreement 

On Wednesday, March 4 City Council passed an agenda item approving and authorizing an agreement between the City of Houston and The Village Learning Center, Inc. The agreement provides a grant of $3,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the acquisition of a 16,000-square-foot facility which will be used to provide services to low to moderate income individuals with developmental disabilities. The new facility will allow The Village Learning Center to expand its programs to serve an additional 150 individuals daily. These programs are specialized for individuals with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, severe learning challenges, head injuries, and others who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. This facility will further enable the expansion of the center's day habilitation, vocational education/training and speech therapy activities, and will also serve as an emergency shelter for those with special needs in times of crisis.

 

Founded 15 years ago in Kingwood by the mothers of two children with developmental disabilities, Kimberely Brusatori and Linda Schuiten, The Village Learning Center began with an initial investment of $9,000 for the purchase of a van to transport developmentally disabled individuals to a program in Conroe. Today, The Village has grown to approximately $7 million in assets and provides over 170 clients in the Kingwood area with a variety of beneficial programs and a number of essential services. For more information on The Village Learning Center, please visit villagelac.org.

 

ShowBiz Cinemas Kingwood Ribbon Cutting Event

On Wednesday, March 18 Council Member Martin attended a ribbon cutting event with the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce celebrating the expansion of ShowBiz Cinemas Kingwood. At the event, Council Member Martin presented a certificate of special recognition commemorating the occasion to Kevin Mitchell, President and CEO of ShowBiz Cinemas, and attended a special movie screening showcasing the theater's new amenities.

 

The expansion of ShowBiz Cinemas Kingwood, located at 305 Northpark Drive, includes a new SDX (Superior Digital Experience) auditorium, a remodeled box office, an additional event room and additional restrooms. The SDX auditorium features oversized high quality leather seating; a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall, 70-foot screen; and Dolby Atmos sound. The seats in all other auditoriums were replaced as well.

 

More information on ShowBiz Cinemas Kingwood can be found online here.

 

Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Peace Officers and Firefighters of the Year Luncheon

Each year, the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce honors the brave men and women who serve and protect the Lake Houston area during its annual Peace Officers and Firefighters of the Year Luncheon. At the event, the chamber recognizes individuals chosen by their respective local departments as Peace Officer or Firefighter of the Year. On Tuesday, March 24 Jessica Beemer, District E's North Sector Manager, attended the chamber's 2015 luncheon and presented certificates of special recognition on behalf of Council Member Martin to each of the recognized individuals. Also present at the event was Houston Police Department Chief Charles A. McClelland, who gave a speech on the importance of first responders throughout the City of Houston.

 

Council Member Martin thanks all of the peace officers and firefighters in the Lake Houston area for their selfless and admirable service.  More information on this year's luncheon and the individuals who were recognized can be found on the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page, accessible here

 

Save the Date: First Annual Lake Houston Day

On April 25, the Lake Houston Sports & Recreation Foundation and Texas Adaptive Aquatics are hosting the first annual Lake Houston Day at Texas Adaptive Aquatics, located at 103 Page Lane in Huffman. This family friendly event will feature fishing for all ages and a fishing contest for those under 12 as well as live music and other attractions for all to enjoy. Lake Houston Day will also feature free on-site boat inspections from the Texas Department of Wildlife, who will additionally have representatives present to give demonstrations on a fully completed vegetation habitat which will benefit the lake. Members of the Houston Police Department's Lake Patrol Division will also be present at the event for a meet and greet. Tickets for the first annual Lake Houston Day will cost $10 for adults at $5 for children under 12 and will include lunch.

 

The Lake Houston Sports & Recreation Foundation also asks you to save the date for its annual Take a Kid Fishing Day on Saturday, May 2 at Cedar Landing on the Lake. For information on both of these upcoming events, please visit www.lakehoustonsports.com

 

Lake Houston Family YMCA's Summer Programs 

This summer, the Lake Houston Family YMCA is offering a variety of programs catering to children of all ages and interests during the months of June through August. Programs available for this summer include Day Camp for children ages 5-11; Teen Camp for those ages 12-14; swimming lessons for those of all ages and swimming abilities; and Youth Sports programs for a number of different sports and age groups.

 

To search and register for all summer programs being offered this year at the Lake Houston Family YMCA, please visit

https://search.ymcahouston.org/search/programs.

 

Indianapolis Street and Joliet Street Safe Sidewalk Projects

In the coming months, the City of Houston's Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE) will be constructing two Safe Sidewalk projects to improve sidewalk infrastructure and enhance pedestrian safety in the North Shore area of District E. The first, affecting Indianapolis Street from Beresford Street to Uvalde Road, is scheduled to commence in early April. The second, affecting Joliet Street from Beresford Street to Uvalde Road, is currently expected to begin in early May. Door hangers notifying affected residents will be delivered 72 hours in advance of construction for each project.

 

During the duration of construction, the contractor will work approximately 10 hours per day from Monday to Friday and occasionally on Saturday. One curb lane is allowed to be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in each work zone during construction and will be reopened daily. Standard traffic control measures will be utilized and advanced warning signs will be placed at all affected intersections.

 

The Indianapolis and Joliet Street Safe Sidewalk Projects are currently anticipated for completion by the end of June 2015. Please note that all project timelines are subject to change based on inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances. For questions, please contact our office at (832) 393-3008 or [email protected].

 

Berry Bayou Tributary Channel Improvement Projects

A number of projects overseen by the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) are underway or planned for Berry Bayou in Southeast Houston. District E residents, such as Mr. James Muecke, have worked with HCFCD for several years to bring attention to the need for flood control infrastructure improvements in the area, which includes the Berry Bayou Watershed. Once completed, these projects will complement the upcoming City of Houston Drainage Improvement projects in Freeway Manor and Arlington Heights to mitigate the risk of flooding in the Southeast Houston area of District E.

 

Construction on Phase II of Berry Bayou Tributary Channel Improvement Project C106-03-00 from Dakota to the South Houston City Limits, which will remove the 100-year floodplain from hundreds of homes and businesses in the area, began in March and is currently scheduled for completion by spring 2016. Design on Phase III of this project, which extends from the South Houston city limits to I-45, is currently rated at 50% completeness, with topographical survey and geotechnical field work complete and bids expected to go out in late 2015.

 

To provide stormwater storage for the Berry Bayou Tributary Channel Improvement Project C106-03-00, construction is additionally underway on the South Richey Stormwater Detention Basin located in between South Richey Street, Berry Bayou and Kolb Road. Current work on the basin is expected to be completed by fall 2015.

 

Further Flood Control District projects in the area include Phase III of Berry Bayou Tributary Channel Improvement Project C106-08-00. Construction on this project, which extends from Coronation Street to upstream of South Shaver Street, began in March and is being accompanied by the excavation of the Crenshaw Stormwater Detention Basin. The Crenshaw Stormwater Detention Basin is bordered by Crenshaw Road, South Shaver Street and Galveston Road; work on the basin is expected to be complete by summer 2015.

 

More information on the Berry Bayou Tributary Channel Improvement projects currently underway or planned for the Southeast Houston area can be found online here.

 

Clear Lake/Southeast Houston Capital Improvement and Town Hall Meeting

On Tuesday, March 3 Council Member Martin hosted a joint Capital Improvement Project and Town Hall meeting for the Clear Lake and Southeast Houston residents of District E. The meeting, held at Space Center Houston, provided approximately 200 people with information on a number of projects affecting the south sector of the district as well as an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to city and community representatives.

 

Those present received updates from a number of city departments including Finance, General Services, Parks & Recreation, Planning and Development and the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs. Dale Ruddick, Director of the city's Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE), was also present and provided information alongside other PWE representatives on several current and upcoming Capital Improvement Projects in the southern portion of District E. Projects discussed included the South Shaver Road Reconstruction project presently nearing completion and the Freeway Manor and Arlington Heights Drainage Improvement projects scheduled for the coming fiscal years. Also discussed by a representative from the General Services Department was the construction of Fire Station 95 in Clear Lake, which is set to receive funding beginning in Fiscal Year 2019.

 

For more information and specific details about CIP projects in your area visit www.houstontx.gov/cip. To view project specific information on street, drainage, water and sewer CIP projects, visit http://pwecip.houstontx.gov.

 

Additionally in attendance at the town hall was David Herbert with the Houston Airport System (HAS), who provided a presentation and answered questions on the city's proposal to operate a commercial spaceport out of Ellington Airport. In his presentation, Mr. Herbert discussed the commercial spaceflight industry and other spaceport locations around the U.S., the timeline for the Houston Airport System's application for a spaceport operators license with the Federal Aviation Administration, and what a spaceport would look like for Ellington Airport and the surrounding area. For comments or concerns on the Houston Spaceport proposal for Ellington Airport, please contact our office at (832) 393-3008 or

[email protected].

 

Also present at the meeting was Collins Pier with Trendmaker Homes, who gave attendees an update on the status of The Reserve at Clear Lake City, the residential development currently under construction north of the intersection of Clear Lake City Boulevard and El Dorado Boulevard.

 

Mary-Jean McArthur with Fidelis Realty Partners provided a further update on the Clear Lake Marketplace, the HEB-anchored commercial development being built south of The Reserve at Clear Lake City. In response to questions from the audience, both representatives also discussed plans for the infrastructure improvement projects to take place at the intersection of Clear Lake City Boulevard and El Dorado Boulevard. The improvements, which will include the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection and the widening of both Clear Lake City Boulevard and El Dorado Boulevard, are currently awaiting bids from contractors.

 

A taped version of the March 3 Joint Capital Improvement Project and Town Hall Meeting can also be viewed here.

 

Clear Lake City Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project Update

 

Work is nearing completion on the Clear Lake City Boulevard Intersection Improvement project, which commenced on January 5 and is being undertaken by contractors overseen by the city's Public Works and Engineering Department. The project involves the replacement of existing traffic signal poles, the revising of intersection signal timing based on current traffic patterns, improvements to intersection sidewalks and wheelchair ramps and the extension of the left turn bay on Clear Lake City Boulevard northbound to accommodate existing traffic. 

 

The installation of all traffic poles and appurtenances for the project was completed in late February. Concrete removal and replacement was subsequently completed in March, with signal turn-on occurring at the end of March. Striping for the project was delayed due to inclement weather and is now expected for completion in early April, with the restoration of the work zone anticipated to be complete by the end of April 2015. Please note that all project timelines are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

Through project completion, the contractor is scheduled to work Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to avoid rush hour traffic and possibly on Saturdays to expedite construction. During this time, one lane will be closed. Council Member Martin's office has notified the Houston Police Department's Clear Lake Substation to coordinate traffic prevention efforts and has asked that officers routinely patrol the area during their respective shifts.

 

Save the Date: 7th Annual Aeros & Autos Event

On Saturday, May 16 the Houston Airport System will host the 7th Annual Aeros & Autos event from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Ellington Airport. This yearly family-friendly event, which offers exciting displays and activities relating to planes and automobiles, will feature exhibits from the Houston Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, NASA, the Commemorative Air Force, the Lone Star Flight Museum and more. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Texas Lions Camp, an organization dedicated to assisting physically disabled, hearing/vision impaired and diabetic children from the State of Texas, as well as the Lone Star Veterans Association.

 

This year's show, while still located at Ellington Airport, will be held in a new location to utilize actual runways. The entrance to the event will now be located off of Genoa Red Bluff Road on the north side of Ellington Airport. 


More information on the 7th Annual Aeros & Autos Event, including registration information, directions, and ticket prices can be found online at www.fly2houston.com/AerosandAutos

 

I-45 Widening Projects

In response to questions posed at Council Member Martin's March 3 Joint Capital Improvement Project and Town Hall meeting, the District E office reached out to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for information on two projects underway near the Clear Lake area to widen Interstate 45 (I-45). The first, an $108.89 million project stretching 1.67 miles from Nyack Drive to approximately three quarters of a mile south of FM 1959 (Scarsdale Boulevard), began in June of 2011 and is currently rated at 66.6% completed by TxDOT with completion expected in summer of 2016. The second widening project along I-45 ranges 1.25 miles from approximately half a mile south of El Dorado Boulevard to south of Medical Center Drive. This project is currently rated at 39.3% completeness and is estimated for completion in summer 2017 with a total cost of $100.48 million.


Questions and concerns about the two I-45 widening projects underway by TxDOT in the Clear Lake area can be directed to Mr. Lucio Ortiz, Area Engineer for TxDOT's Southeast Harris County office, at (
281) 464-5500. More information on these and other TxDOT projects taking place throughout Harris County can also be viewed online here.

 

Bay Area Houston Legislative Tour

Last month, Council Member Martin joined approximately 60 state legislators and guests on a tour of Houston's Bay Area hosted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), Senators Larry Taylor and Sylvia Garcia and Representatives Greg Bonnen, M.D., Wayne Faircloth and Dennis Paul. The trip, which educated participating state legislators on the economic and cultural assets the region has to offer, featured visits to NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston as well as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Council Member Martin thanks BAHEP and the state elected officials who hosted the trip and looks forward to legislation that could positively benefit Houston's Bay Area. 

 

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's State of the Economy Luncheon

Council Member Martin was in attendance as the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) held its Annual State of the Economy Luncheon on Tuesday, March 24. Serving as the featured speaker at this year's event was Dr. Robert W. Gilmer, Director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting at the University of Houston's C.T. Bauer College of Business. In his presentation, Dr. Gilmer discussed the economy of the greater Houston region and the varying impact of the recent drop in oil prices on the upstream and downstream energy companies housed throughout the city. An electronic copy of Dr. Gilmer's presentation, entitled, "Oil in Freefall! And the Economic Outlook for Houston," can be accessed here.

 

Bay Oaks Community Association's Annual Meeting

Council Member Martin attended the annual meeting of the Bay Oaks Community Association (BOCA) on Thursday, March 26 and visited with approximately 100 homeowners in attendance from the neighborhood. Located in the heart of Clear Lake, the Bay Oaks neighborhood covers nearly 700 acres and includes over 1,100 homes in addition to a number of recreational facilities and the Bay Oaks Country Club and Golf Course. Council Member Martin thanks Shep Perrin, President of the Bay Oaks Community Association, for the invitation to meet with Bay Oaks homeowners at the annual event. 

 

Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District Study Update

The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District (GCCPRD) has released the Phase I Report of its Storm Surge Suppression Study for public review and comment. The report is available for download, review and comment at www.GCCPRD.com.

 

The initial phase of the Storm Surge Suppression Study, completed in February 2015, required collection and analysis of existing studies, reports, and background data for the six-county region.  The GCCPRD will use this existing data to avoid the duplication of past efforts and to inform the efficient expenditure of research dollars. The Phase I Report presents an inventory and review of technical information discovered, including storm surge and drainage models, economic data, different types of surge protection methods commonly used domestically and internationally, and a summary of the study team's public outreach efforts to date.  The report also identifies potential alternatives for analysis in Phase 2 and outlines the methodology associated with this future analysis. 

 

Comments on the GCCPRD's Phase I report may be submitted through the "Get Involved" page of the study's website, via email to [email protected], or via mail to:

 

Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District

c/o Col. Christopher Sallese

3100 West Alabama Street

Houston, Texas 77098

 

For more information about the study or to join the Storm Surge Suppression Study mailing list, please visit  www.GCCPRD.com.

 

Houston Airport System and Sierra Nevada Corporation Agreement

Staff from Council Member Martin's office was in attendance as the Houston Airport System (HAS) and representatives from Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Space Exploration Systems group held a special event on Tuesday, March 24 to announce and sign a new agreement relating to commercial spaceflight in the City of Houston. At the event, Arturo Machuca, General Manager of District E's Ellington Airport, discussed the city's plans to construct a commercial spaceport at Ellington and the positive economic development expected to result from the project.

 

Representatives from Sierra Nevada Corporation then discussed their newly-developed Dream Chaser Cargo System spacecraft, a variant of the company's Dream Chaser commercial crew vehicle, with which SNC is pursuing a commercial cargo contract under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) 2 program. If awarded part of the contract, Sierra Nevada will use the Dream Chaser Cargo System to bring cargo and science experiments to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Former NASA astronaut Steven Lindsey was also in attendance and spoke to the crowd on the technological advancements which will allow the new Dream Chaser spacecraft to safely and efficiently transport cargo to and from the ISS.

 

In anticipation of Ellington Airport's spaceport status and Sierra Nevada's involvement in future commercial cargo missions for NASA, representatives from SNC and HAS signed an agreement arranging for the Dream Chaser Cargo System spacecraft to use Ellington as a landing site after returning from missions to the ISS. The airport's proximity to NASA's Johnson Space Center and the Texas Medical Center will allow NASA and Sierra Nevada to unload and transport precious scientific experiments and other cargo in a fast and convenient way. Dan Seal from the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership additionally spoke on the economic benefits this partnership will bring to Bay Area Houston and the greater Houston region by positioning Houston as a leader in the growing commercial space exploration industry.

 

"NASA Night" at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

On Thursday, March 19 Council Member Martin attended a reception for "NASA Night" at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The event, which annually recognizes Houston's legacy and continual involvement in space exploration, was attended by representatives from District E's NASA Johnson Space Center, leaders from the aerospace industry and a number of elected officials. Council Member Martin thanks NASA's Johnson Space Center for the invitation to attend the event and for helping Houston to proudly retain the title of "Space City U.S.A." 

 

NASA's In-flight Education Downlink Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) is looking for educational organizations interested in participating in its In-flight Downlink Program, which provides students and educators the opportunity to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station during live, 20-minute question-and-answer sessions. The downlink program, facilitated by NASA's Johnson Space Center Office of Education, is designed to enhance student learning, performance and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and also provide audiences the opportunity to learn from space explorers firsthand what it is like to live and work in space.

 

Opportunities to host a downlink session will be available during Expedition 45/46, which runs September 2015 to March 2016. All interested organizations are required to submit a letter of intent to [email protected] no later than Monday, April 27, 2015. Additional information on the application process and requirements, including the letter of intent, can be found in the NASA In-flight Education Downlink Program Guide 2015-2016, which is linked online on Council Member Martin's website here

 

Interested organizations are also highly encouraged to attend an online information session, accessible here, at one of the following times:

 

Thursday, April 9 at 12:00 p.m.

Monday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m.

 

For questions about NASA's In-flight Education Downlink Program, please contact [email protected].

 

Clear Lake B.O.P.A. and Electronic Recycling Collection Event

On Saturday, March 28 Council Member Martin and the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) hosted the Clear Lake Batteries, Oil, Paint and Anti-Freeze (B.O.P.A.) and Electronic Recycling Collection Event at the Ellington Airport Recycling Center. Approximately 22,565 pounds of recyclable materials were collected from 325 residents over the course of the event. 24 volunteers from the Clear Lake area aided in the effort, which ended up yielding 885 pounds of batteries, 1,920 pounds of used motor oil, 9,760 pounds of latex paint, 1,200 pounds of antifreeze, 1,500 pounds of scrap metal and 7,300 pounds of recyclable electronics.

 

Council Member Martin thanks the Solid Waste Management Department for coordinating the successful event and all the hard-working student volunteers who helped collect the recyclable materials.

 

Final Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, March 10 City Council held the final meeting of the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee, which has convened five times this year to review potential amendments to the City of Houston's City Charter. At the meeting, council members reviewed the committee's January 29 vote to recommend the replacement of the city's current model of three two-year terms for elected officials with two four-year terms. To complete this recommendation, members present discussed when the proposed change should go into effect. After debate and discussion, the committee voted to recommend that the switch from two to four-year terms go into effect in 2019.

 

Also discussed at meeting were "Miscellaneous Proposed Charter Clean Up Items" presented by the city's Legal Department. After some deliberation, committee members voted to recommend the formation of an additional Charter review committee or commission with the purpose of considering additional Charter clean up items and revisions at greater length.

 

Mayor Annise Parker will now consider all of the recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee for possible placement on the ballot for voter approval in November. The recommendations put forth by the committee include changing the city's terms for elected officials from a maximum of three two-year terms to a maximum of two four-year terms, effective 2019; allowing six council members to place an item on the agenda of City Council; and creating an additional committee or commission to review further Charter changes. The committee voted against recommending the creation of executive sessions, lifting the voter-approved cap on property tax revenue and removing term-limits for elected officials.

 

More information on the City of Houston's Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee, including meeting agendas and copies of presentations, can be found online here. Taped versions of the committee's meetings can also be found online along with all public City of Houston meetings at www.houstontx.gov/htv/index.html.

 

Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

March was rodeo season in the City of Houston, and Council Member Martin was honored to show support for our troops during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's (HSLR) Armed Forces Appreciation Day on Wednesday, March 4. The day's events, which recognized the brave men and women who are currently serving or have previously served in the U.S. military as well as their families, featured a welcoming ceremony with remarks from a number of Rodeo officials including former HSLR President Leroy Shafer. Also featured during the ceremony was a presentation by Mayor Annise Parker, who proclaimed March 4, 2015 as "Armed Forces Appreciation Day" in the City of Houston. Following the welcoming ceremony, a number of new military recruits were formally inducted into the Armed Services by publicly taking the military oath of office. Council Member Martin thanks these brave young men and women for their commitment to serve and will pray for them and their families during their service to our country.

 

International Days at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's International Committee hosts a weeklong series of events known as "International Days" where visitors from around the globe attend and enjoy the rodeo's educational and entertainment activities. For the third year in a row, Council Member Martin had the opportunity to welcome the committee's international guests to the City of Houston and presented each of them with a certificate of special recognition.

 

In 2014 alone, 2,054 guests from 70 countries worldwide visited Houston for the Rodeo. For more information on "International Days" at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, please click here.

 

Greater Houston Partnership's State of the Airports Address

On Monday, March 23 Council Member Martin attended the Greater Houston Partnership's (GHP) Annual State of the Airports address held to present an update on the Houston Airport System (HAS) and provide insight into the future of air transportation in Houston. Council Member Martin sat with the Houston First Corporation at the event, where Bob Harvey, GHP President and CEO, offered remarks on the economic and cultural connectivity made possible by Houston's airports which have enabled the city to become a leading hub of international business and leisure.

 

Also featured at the event was Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz, who gave the keynote address. In his remarks, Director Diaz highlighted the growth of air transportation in Houston over the past several years, citing the addition of 12 new international flights since 2010 and a 400% growth in the number of seats traveling between Houston and Asia in the past two years. Director Diaz also provided updates on major projects at all of HAS' three airports, including the upcoming opening of an international terminal at Hobby Airport, a $1.5 billion expansion at Bush Intercontinental Airport slated for completion by 2021 and the plans to construct the nation's 10th commercial spaceport at District E's Ellington Airport. HAS expects an answer on its application to the Federal Aviation Administration for a launch site operator's license for Ellington Airport by the end of June 2015.

 

Plan Houston

To guide regional growth and development and ensure a positive quality of life  for Houstonians in the coming years, the City of Houston has initiated Plan Houston, a project to develop a general plan for Houston's future. The purpose of the plan is to establish a common vision and goals to guide the city's future and cultivate high-level strategies to help city leaders achieve these goals.

 

Plan Houston builds on existing plans, studies, policies, practices and regulations that make Houston a prosperous, healthy and sustainable city. By visiting http://planhouston.org, residents can receive updates, review established goals and learn more about the City of Houston's new planning initiative. Residents visiting the website can also submit feedback on a draft vision statement created by the city and other organizations as a part of the Plan Houston process. Comments on the drafted vision and goals statement will be accepted until April 17, 2015.

 

Questions or comments on Plan Houston, the City of Houston's new planning initiative, can be directed to [email protected].

 

Houston Public Library's MY Link Library Card

The Houston Public Library Card, MY Link, provides Texas residents with free access to a number of resources the Houston Public Library (HPL) has to offer. Benefits to the MY Link card include access to more than six million books, e-books, DVDs, magazines and research material that make up the Houston Public Library (HPL) collection; access to 130 electronic resources which include streaming music, videos, images, audiobooks, and countless other subject-based websites and databases; access to books and materials at other libraries, national and international, through HPL's Interlibrary Loan program; free Wi-Fi and computer access at all HPL locations; and more.

 

Residents can obtain access to certain My Link resources by registering online here. Online registration provides temporary access to Houston Public Library resources, including the ability to access library databases and place holds on materials. Only one hold may be placed using the temporary registration, and online registration does not allow access to downloadable e-books, e-audiobooks and online courses. For full MY Link privileges, bring the HPL's Library Card Registration Form, accessible here, to any Houston Public Library location along with a valid photo I.D. with a current address.

 

Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage Update

Following a discussion with the City of Houston and Houston First, the board of directors of the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage announced last month that construction on the Center would be put on hold. John L. Nau III, chairman of the board and the project's lead donor, cited rising construction costs and the difficulty of raising the target $80 million in a short period of time for the decision. The project's stakeholders will reconvene at a later date to determine how and when construction on the Nau Center can continue.

 

Originally scheduled to open between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park in 2016, the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage was to feature immersive galleries and interactive thematic exhibits highlighting Texas history and culture. The Center was promoted to serve both as a gateway connecting tourists to the region's many historic sites and attractions and as an experiential learning facility providing technologically innovative educational opportunities for students across the greater Houston area. 

 

To view the full statement regarding the current status of the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, please visit http://naucenter.org.

 

AlertHouston Emergency Notification System

To alert residents in the event of an emergency or impending storm, the City of Houston operates the AlertHouston notification system. AlertHouston uses a variety of methods to reach Houstonians in the event of an emergency in their neighborhood or if an emergency affects the entire City. Those registered with AlertHouston may receive alerts in the form of an email, a "push alert" on their mobile phone, or through social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. 

 

To sign up to receive emergency notifications through AlertHouston, please click here

Upcoming Events 

 
Please refer to Council Martin's District E website 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

March 30 - April 5
Shell Houston Open

April 3
District E Office Closed for Good Friday

April 9
Mayor's Earth Day Breakfast

April 11
Keep Houston Beautiful Day 2015

April 11
28th Annual Houston Art Car Parade

April 16
Greater Houston Partnership's State of the City 

April 21-22
Council Break Week

Kingwood
April 2
Kingwood Service Association's Parks Committee Meeting

April 8
Kingwood Service Association's Public Safety Committee Meeting

April 10
Humble ISD Education Foundation GALA

April 15
Kingwood Super Neighborhood Meeting

April 16
TxDOT FM 2100 Widening Project Public Meeting

April 21
Kingwood PIP

April 21
Final Kingwood Mobility Study Stakeholder Meeting

April 25
Kingwood B.O.P.A. Recycling Event

April 25
Lake Houston Day

April 30
Lake Houston Family YMCA's Dancing with The Lake Houston Stars

Southeast Houston/Clear Lake    

April 15

BayTran's State of the Counties Luncheon

 

April 16

Super Neighborhood 75 Meeting

 

April 21

Clear Lake PIP

 

April 24

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region's 30th Anniversary Tree Planting Event

 

April 29

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's General Membership Meeting

 

May 7

Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's Buy Into Bay Area Business and Wellness EXPO

 

May 29-31

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base Commissary Sale