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Residents of District E,  many of you may have seen my interview last night with FOX 26 reporter Greg Groogan regarding the reprioritization of Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) bond projects. I stand firmly that income should not be used as an equalizing factor for these projects because natural disasters do not strike based on income. Last summer, HCFCD hosted 23 community meetings on the proposed projects to be included in the bond and there was never a mention of adding income-based criteria to the ranking criteria. It was understood and presented to voters in these community meetings that projects would be completed based on hardest hit areas and the number of residents that would benefit from the projects.  

This item is expected to be discussed at the March 12, 2019 Commissioners Court meeting. Commissioners Court meetings are open to the public, and begin at 10:00 a.m. at 1001 Preston Street, Suite 934, Houston, TX 77002. Commissioners Court meetings are also streamed online here and you can get more meeting information by visiting the Commissioners Court website.  

Earlier this week, I traveled to Austin to participate in Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Day and Bay Area Economic Partnership’s Space Day at the State Capitol. I joined members from across District E in advocating for legislation related to Sand Mining, Post Disaster Recovery, Taxation, as well as the impact of the aerospace industry in Texas.  

Representative Dan Huberty has been instrumental in authoring House Bills 907, 908, and 909 which seek to establish best management practices for aggregate production operations, increase penalties related to illegal aggregate production operations, and increase oversight associated with aggregate production operations. All three of Huberty’s bills have been referred to the House Committee on Environmental Regulation. We appreciate Representative Huberty’s hard work on these pieces of legislation that, once passed, will have a tremendous impact on the communities in the Lake Houston Area.  

Senator Brandon Creighton has authored Senate Bill 1800, which seeks to amend the Texas Constitution for the purpose of creating a Texas Resilience Infrastructure Fund (TRIF), which would assist in the financing of resiliency projects. The TRIF would be a special fund in the state treasury outside of the general revenue fund for the development of flood prevention and mitigation projects. This bill has been referred to the Texas Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs, which Senator Creighton is the currently the Vice Chair.

Thank you to Senator Creighton for working hard on this piece of legislation that seeks to better prepare the state of Texas for future natural disasters.   Thank you to Representative Dennis Paul for authoring House Bill 303 and Senator Larry Taylor for authoring it’s companion bill Senate Bill 1039 which seek to establish a spaceport development corporation in Houston, Texas. Representative Paul will be presenting this bill to the Texas House International Relations and Economic Development Committee this coming Monday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m. More information on Monday’s committee meeting can be found here.  

The Texas Legislature is hard at work on a myriad of issues and we thank these state representatives for their tireless work for the betterment of our area. If you do not already subscribe to your legislators’ weekly newsletter, I highly recommend getting added to their distribution list for more timely updates.

Sincerely,

Dave Martin

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District E CIP Town Hall Meetings
Council Member Martin asks residents to 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 
Kingwood, Texas 77345

UPDATE: Ben’s Branch Conveyance Restoration Project

Ben’s Branch, a channel within the Kingwood community stretching from Northpark to the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, was completely inundated with water and sediment during Hurricane Harvey. As a result, a considerable buildup of sediment infiltrated the southern bends of the channel south of Kingwood Drive around Town Center and behind the Lake Houston YMCA. This stretch of Ben’s Branch Channel from Kingwood Drive to about 1,800 linear feet downstream of West Lake Houston Parkway, is owned by the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD).  

As property owners of this channel, HCFCD, has completed their field survey of the reach to remove sediment accumulations within the system and restore channel conveyance capacity. HCFCD has also completed final design of the conveyance restoration project. They are now preparing the project for bid later this month. The next steps for HCFCD once bids have been accepted is to award the project and begin construction for Summer 2019. HCFCD is funding 100% of this conveyance project. 

Other channels in Kingwood and the Lake Houston communities within the City of Houston are also being evaluated by HCFCD for projects. There is one portion of Ben’s Branch, between Woodland Hills and Rocky Woods Drive, that is currently under final review with City of Houston Legal, HCFCD and the Bens Branch Trail Association. Once that final review is complete HCFCD will be the owner’s of the Bens Branch channel from Northpark Drive to 1,800 linear feet south of the channel’s intersection with West Lake Houston Parkway. 

Eventually all open and natural channels will be maintained by HCFCD while the City of Houston maintains all closed storm sewer systems and drainage. To monitor progress of this and other Harris County Flood Control projects please visit their website.

HAR Lake Houston First Quarterly Meeting
Council Member Martin had the opportunity to be a keynote speaker at the Houston Area Realty First Quarterly Meeting on Friday, February 8.

The presentation included a round table discussion with Council Member Martin, Representative Dan Huberty, and Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen. They each shared their latest updates and discussed the future of the Lake Houston Area.  

Council Member Martin would like to thank Houston Area Realty for the invitation to speak and the opportunity to provide updates to those who attended.

CASE Grants Photoshoot
On Monday, February 11, I had the privilege of meeting with the CASE for Kids, City Connections Grant Recipients from District E. Congratulations to The Village Learning Center, St. Martha’s Catholic School, Communities in Schools, and Fotofest International.  

CASE for Kids is an after school division of the Harris County Department of Education and annually accepts grant applications from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the City of Houston for the City Connections program. The City Connections initiative, funded by the City of Houston, offers grant support to out-of-school time programs that meet City Council District needs and addresses gaps in services to youths outside the school day.

Humble ISD: 100 Years in the Making District E Staff attended the Humble ISD Centennial Celebration at Turner Stadium on Saturday, February 16.

The program featured speakers, historical information, musical performances, and fireworks. Pastor Joel Osteen, a 1981 Humble High School graduate, was the keynote speaker for the event and shared memories of growing up in Humble ISD. Musical entertainment was provided by Gary Kyle and The Kin. Kyle graduated from Kingwood High School in 1995.

Council Member Martin was happy to provide a City of Houston proclamation commemorating this centennial celebration, and congratulates Humble ISD on 100 successful years!

District E Sidewalk Repairs Completion
Council Member Martin is pleased to announce that Houston Public Works crews recently completed the installation of a new safe sidewalk on the west side of Mills Branch Drive, between Riverpoint Village Drive and Clover Valley Drive, in the Kingwood area.

The implementation of this sidewalk became a priority for Council Member Martin after concerned parents contacted our office requesting this sidewalk to increase safety for students attending Shadow Forest Elementary School. Council Member Martin was happy to allocate $129,699 from Council District Service Funds to accommodate this request.

In the south sector of District E, Houston Public Works crews recently completed repairs to an existing sidewalk on the south side of Rodney Street and the east side of Shawnee Street, in the Edgebrook area. The project’s scope of work included removing the existing 4 foot sidewalk and replacing it with a 5 foot sidewalk, and installing the safe sidewalk across driveways. 

As public safety is very important to Council Member Martin and the District E office, we are happy to see the sidewalk repairs completed and improved pedestrian mobility in the area.

LHACC Economic Outlook Luncheon
On Tuesday, February 19, staff from Council Member Martin’s Office attended the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Luncheon featuring Congressman Kevin Brady in Texas District 8 and Patrick Jankowski with Greater Houston Partnership.  

The luncheon was a great opportunity to engage our local business community in a conversation about the present economic forecast and what to expect locally, statewide, and nationally.

CLACC Governmental Affairs Division Luncheon
On Thursday, February 21, District E staff attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Division Lunch and Learn. The event featured a presentation by Texas Association of Business’ (TAB) President and CEO, Jeff Moseley on TAB’s 2019 key legislative priorities, including economic development, education and workforce, transportation and infrastructure, and more. For more information on those priorities, please visit: https://www.txbiz.org/state-priorities  

TAB serves as the Texas State Chamber of Commerce and is united to drive public policy issues for Texas businesses. TAB works in a bi-partisan matter to enhance the Texas business climate and make the state’s economy strong.   Council Member Martin thanks the Clear Lake Area Chamber for organizing this presentation during each Legislative Session to update Clear Lake business owners and elected officials.

San Jacinto River Watershed Master Drainage Plan
Last month, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) received a grant from the Texas Division of Emergency Management to provide necessary funding from FEMA to complete a comprehensive San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan. The local match cost will be shared between the SJRA, Mongomery County, Harris County, and the City of Houston. 

HCFCD will work along these entities to develop a comprehensive set of models for the entire Upper San Jacinto River watershed. The models will use consistent, cohesive methodology and rainfall rates regardless of the county in which those channels are located. The study is expected to be complete on or before January 2022, which will include community engagement meetings to gather public input and comments to further refine the study results. 

The results of the San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan will be used to update the Montgomery County Mitigation Plan and to identify future flood mitigation projects that can be implemented in the near and longterm to reduce flood risk to people and property. Other participating communities may also incorporate the results in updates to their Hazard Mitigation Plans to use for guidance on regulations for future growth within the study area. Information to be developed includes inundation maps for the studied streams that show the extent and depth of riverine flooding for an array of simulated storm events. 

Additionally, information will be gathered about the number of structures, acres of land, parcels, and miles of roadway that are located within the modeled floodplains. Although results from the study may be utilized in the future, this project is independent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insurance Rate Map process.

The project will prioritize flood risk reduction strategies, quantify the mitigation implementation costs, and develop information to help improve public awareness of flood hazards along the major tributaries.

More information about the Regional Watershed Mitigation Plan can be found here. 

Storm Surge Forum
Houston Region Concerned Citizens and AIAA Houston will be hosting the Bay Area Houston Storm Surge Flood Forum on Thursday March 7 at 7 pm at Clear Lake’s Bay Area Community Center. 

The Flood Forum speakers include experts and thought leaders including a United States Corps of Engineers representative, Rice University’s SPEED Center leader Jim Blackburn, Bob Stokes of Galveston Bay Foundation and additional authorities.  

Speakers will explain the current storm surge plan, address critical issues and past mistakes, and present proposals to protect the Houston region and Bay Area residents from dangerous, deadly storms like Hurricane Harvey and Ike. The public is invited to attend, ask questions, make statements and help guide this incredibly important decision.

Mayor Turner’s Pothole Initiative
Mayor Sylvester Turner announced an impressive 100% success rate in next-day pothole repairs called into 311 for the year 2018 as part of the mayor’s signature pothole initiative. 

The program, launched in January 2016, promises to assess and address each pothole by the next business day after its reported. Since its inception, the program has filled 165,000 potholes and counting. City repair crews have maintained consistent performance in the aftermath of  major disasters such as the Tax Day Flood, Memorial Day Flood and Hurricane Harvey, 

Mayor Turner also challenged Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock and her team to replace more street panels. A street panel removes a severely worn section of the street and replaces it with a new one, This allows the City to  extend the life of a street and improve mobility without a complete reconstruction. Houston Public Works currently replaces about 900 concrete street panels per year. 

The City of Houston recognizes that a pothole patch is only a short-term fix and wants to make sure streets are safe for drivers until long-term solutions can be implemented. 

Mayor Turner reminds the public that Houston Public Works relies on the community to help  identify areas in need.  If you see a pothole, call 311 at 713-837-0311 or report it using the City of Houston 311 app. For more information on the City of Houston’s pothole initiative, visit: http://www.houstontx.gov/potholes/.

Humble Area Assistance Ministries Disaster Recovery Program
With the help of a grant from the American Red Cross, HAAM is now able to provide Behavioral Health services free of charge including counseling, community presentations, and groups for individuals, families or staff affected by Hurricane Harvey.   HAAM is also able to provide needed case management to those still dealing with long term effects of Hurricane Harvey. HAAM’s Disaster Recovery Program utilizes a team approach offering wraparound services including Case management, Financial Coaching, Needs Assessment, Individual and Family counseling, Community Outreach, Support Groups, and Education presentations.
For more information contact HAAM at 281-446-3663 x.100. 

Water Discoloration in Kingwood
The District E Office and Houston Water recently received reports of water discoloration in the Kingwood area. Council Member Martin would like to make residents aware that this temporary discoloration is caused by naturally-occurring minerals such as iron and manganese. These naturally-occurring low-levels of iron and manganese will not impact your health. However, you may notice a change in your water’s taste, clarity and color.

Discolored water can usually be corrected by Houston Water flushing the water system through a fire hydrant, followed by flushing the water from the pipes of your home or business.

To facilitate removal of sediment from your household plumbing:

• Turn on the COLD water in your household tub and allow it to run for up to 10 minutes (or until it is clear). Please note that running the hot water BEFORE your system has been flushed with cold water may allow the sediment to build up in your home’s water heater.
• To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.

Council Member Martin encourages residents to contact the City of Houston’s 3-1-1 system by calling (713) 837-0311 to report each individual instance of discoloration. A service request will be created, and your water will be assessed and addressed.  

It is important for every resident to report their own discoloration issues as the City uses this information to map the occurrences throughout the affected area. Information on the City of Houston’s water quality, including water quality reports for the past 21 years are available here. 

Loop 494 Widening Project
Staff from Council Member Martin’s Office attended the monthly Super Neighborhood Council #43 Meeting on Wednesday, February 20, and received an update on the proposed Loop 494 Widening Project from the Texas Department of Transportation.   The project plans include:

• Widening 1.7-mile facility to a 4-lane divided highway
• Continuous left-turn lane from Kingwood Drive to Crescent Springs Drive
• Raised median from Crescent Springs Drive to Sorters-McClellan Road
• Reconstruction of the Kingwood Intersection and elevate intersection to remove dip at RR
• Sidewalks adjacent to developed areas

The Texas Department of Transportation has finalized a contract and will provide a timeline on the project once those details have been finalized. The summary of the Public Meeting that occurred on March 29, 2017 can be found at this link. You can also find a summary of the Public Hearing that occurred on November 9, 2010 by visiting this link.

Kingwood Traffic Signals Update
Council Member Dave Martin is pleased to announce the intersection improvements on West Lake Houston are nearing completion.  

The traffic signal light at Kings Crossing and West Lake Houston has been turned on. The scheduled turn on for the traffic signal at Northpark and West Lake Houston has been postponed until May 2019, due to equipment delays.  

The District E Office will continue providing updates to residents on the progress of these intersections as they become available.

District E BOPA Dates
Council Member Dave Martin and the City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department are holding their spring Batteries, Oil, Paint (latex only) and Antifreeze (B.O.P.A.) recycling collection events in the coming months. Council Member Martin invites District E residents to save the following dates: 

Southeast/Clear Lake
Saturday, March 30, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ellington Airport Neighborhood Recycling Center 
Highway 3 at Brantly Avenue 
Houston, Texas 77034

Kingwood
Saturday, April 27, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kingwood Metro Park & Ride
3210 W Lake Houston Parkway
Kingwood, Texas 77339

The events are free and open to all City of Houston residents and will be held rain or shine. A valid Texas driver’s license or other proof of residency, such as a water bill, will be required.

HPD Safety Tips
Council Member Martin and HPD would like to remind residents of important safety tips to keep in mind while in the community:

• Always stay alert to your surroundings and avoid locations/situations that make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys or dark parking lots.
• Avoid distractions that decrease your awareness level, i.e.. talking on a cell phone or wearing headphones.
• Walk with a purpose to communicate a message of confidence. Make eye contact with people, however do not engage in conversation with strangers on the street.
• Travel with family and friends. Walking in a group decreases your chances of becoming a victim.
• Stay in well-lighted areas and avoid short-cuts through deserted areas.
• Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting items, such as expensive jewelry and clothing.
• Always trust your instincts. If a person or place makes you uneasy, leave.
• Try not to walk alone. It’s a lot safer if you walk with at least one other person.
• Be alert, walk with your head up and do not let your mind wander. Frequently scan your surroundings, that includes behind you.
• When walking at night, consider a taxi cab even for short trips.
• Trust your instincts, avoid uncomfortable situations. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Be observant for groups of males/females driving or just hanging around.
• Do not take shortcuts through unlit, sparsely traveled paths such as trails, stairwells or alleys.

In the case of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency related police services, please call (713)884-3131.

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 5Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee
Kingwood 
March 2
Kingwood Electronic Waste Recycling
March 13
Kingwood Service Association Public Safety Committee
March 19
Kingwood PIP
March 20
Kingwood Super Neighborhood
March 21
Kingwood CIP Town Hall

Southeast Houston/Clear Lake 

March 9
Clear Lake Electronic Waste Recycling 
March 12
Arlington Heights Civic Club Meeting
March 14
Meadowcreek Civic Club Meeting
March 19
Clear Lake/SE Houston CIP Town Hall
March 30
BOPA Recycling Event