National Night Out
In-Person Celebration Postponed
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Due to COVID-19, the Houston Police Department has decided to postpone the in-person celebration of National Night Out this year. It was a difficult decision, but one that is necessary due to the health and safety risks posed by COVID-19. A full celebration of this wonderful annual event would be extremely challenging.
If your neighborhood is hosting a virtual National Night Out, please let our office know so Council Member Peck can join. Please contact our office at [email protected] with the meeting information. We realize that some neighborhoods have decided to do small get togethers. In order to not have a conflict with these events, we decided not to do a district-wide virtual event on this night. Please look out for more details about a virtual District A town hall coming up soon! If your neighborhood does plan to meet for National Night out, please be safe! Make sure to socially distance and wear a mask!
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Artwork at Northbrook Middle School’s SPARK Park
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The Northbrook Middle School SPARK Park artwork is complete! This hand is dedicated to District A for being a sponsor of the park (through our Council District Service Funds). The Spark School Park Program works with schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds.
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Drinking Water Statement
from Houston Public Works
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The City of Houston’s priority is our customers’ health and safety, and our team is always working to provide the safest possible drinking water to our customers.
Reports about drinking water contamination over the weekend are not connected to the City of Houston’s water system.
Houston Water meets the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s drinking water requirements, including disinfection requirements designed to ensure safe drinking water free from contaminants, such as the amoeba naegleria fowleri.
Houston Water’s approved water treatment processes eliminate 99.9% of giardia and viruses, which ensures that other pathogenic organisms such as naegleria fowleri are also eliminated.
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District A is Now on Instagram!
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Join us on Instagram for photos of District A! Please tag us, and share photos with us. Let’s show Houston all the best of what District A has to offer! Look for the page at https://www.instagram.com/districtahouston/
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Houston Health Department
COVID-19 Mental Health Support Helpline
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The Houston Health Department is launching a new effort to support mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s Beat COVID-19: Health Education, and Support Services includes a mental health helpline and other resources to help people adjust mentally and emotionally.
The helpline launches October 1 and is open 7 days per week from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. through December 24. People may call 713-999-9442 to reach a trained mental health professional who will provide appropriate intervention and follow-up.
In addition to the helpline, the program will also offer virtual support groups, toolkits, trainings, and other resources to support people’s mental and emotional needs.
The program, supported by $340,326 of CARES Act funding, will focus on high positivity zip codes, parents dealing with virtual learning stressors, and city staff working on the frontlines of COVID-19.
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During Tropical Storm Beta I visited Sherwood Oaks to check on flooding conditions. Here is the follow up during council session on September 23rd where I talked to the mayor about the need to move forward with maintenance and a flood mitigation project.
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Solid Waste Management
Seeks Feedback on Long Range Plan
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As part of its charge of sustainable environmental management and fiscal responsibility, the City is in the process of completing an updated Long-Range Solid Waste Plan. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that proper steps are being studied and adopted to ensure proper waste management practices for current and future Houstonians.
Mayor Sylvester Turner has appointed a Task Force to lead the Plan’s preparation; part of which included the hiring of an expert solid waste and environmental consultant to ensure alignment with federal, state and local stewardship laws and regulations. Key components of the plan’s study are to include the following:
- Achieve Financial Sustainability for Solid Waste Services
- Increase Reuse, Recycling and Organics Diversion and decrease environmental risks of waste disposal in landfills
- Continue to Provide Quality Solid Waste Services to the residents and businesses of Houston
- Ensure Long-term Disposal Capacity and Sustainable Solid Waste Infrastructure
- Provide solid waste management services in a safe, equitable, responsive, and environmentally responsible manner
As part of the planning process, the City is seeking community feedback. With the projected growth in both the number of residents and businesses, long-range solid waste management planning is a priority.
The Solid Waste Management Department has posted the proposed Long-Range Solid Waste Management Plan and a survey that residents can complete to share feedback for the draft plan on the project website. The survey is open through October 31, 2020.
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The City is hosting a series of virtual meetings that residents are encouraged to attend to hear an overview of the plan, ask questions, and share feedback. Those meeting dates and times are below. All meetings will be held via Microsoft TEAMs. Information on how to call in or join online can be found on the website: http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/longrange/Wednesday October 7, 2020 from 6pm-8pm
Tuesday October 13, 2020 from 2pm-4pm
College and high school students are invited to a special Leaders of Tomorrow discussion on:
Wednesday October 14, 2020 from 5pm-7pm
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‘Name That Drain!’ Contest
Extended Through October
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Houston Public Works, along with City Council Member Sally Alcorn, have extended the entry deadline for the “Name That Drain!” contest through October. The contest is part of the city’s Adopt-a-Drain program launched two years ago. The City of Houston spends $13 million annually to address flooding. The volunteer effort helps the city save taxpayer dollars by helping to maintain over 100,000 storm drains. To enter, visit HoustonAdoptADrain.org, click on the ‘Contest’ tab, claim a drain near you, give it a fun name, and make a promise to keep it free of debris, especially before storms. The contest is a partnership with Houston Tool Bank, Volunteer Houston, and Keep Houston Beautiful. The first-place winner will receive a $500 DeWalt power tool kit (donated by Houston Tool Bank), drain maintenance tools, and a custom blue tile plaque displaying the winning name(s). Contest rules can be found here.
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Sharing just a few of the many community meetings from September!
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Another successful food distribution in District A on September 24! Thanks to Target Hunger, all of the volunteers, the Carverdale Civic Club Association, the Houston Police Department, Council Member Sallie Alcorn for sending staff and masks, Council Member Mike Knox for donating masks, and Francisco Hernandez from the Chick-fil-A at 290 and Hollister for donating meals for our volunteers.
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On Friday, September 25th, I attended the retirement celebration for Lieutenant Paul Ryza, Sergeant Brian Raymond, and Officer Robert Taylor. Thank you for your service and happy retirement!
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I attended the Candlelight Vigil in honor of Victor Peterzen on September 19th. Victor’s life was taken too soon at 10-years-old after he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle.
This should not happen again to anyone’s children. My office is working closely with the neighborhood and Houston Public Works to improve the safety for our children, bike riders, and pedestrians.
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