District A: Election Day Voting Information, Shadowdale Drive Project, COVID Relief, and More

November 3, 2020

Election Day Today

Today is Election Day! You can find your closest voting location here and a sample ballot here.

Reminders:

You can vote at any of the 800+ voting centers.
Free rides are available on METRO to vote. Visit ridemetro.org/vote
You need one form of ID to vote. Click here for more information.
Track your vote by mail ballot here.

Visit www.harrisvotes.com for more information.

Property Tax Rate

Houston City Council recently voted on the 2020 tax rate. I voted against placing it on the agenda and against the tax rate, but it ultimately passed. Although the tax rate adopted is lower than last year, the rate should be even lower. The City used a loophole in the Texas Tax Code that allowed them to increase the rate slightly from what it should have been. I recognize the constraints of the City’s budget right now and understand the necessity to keep providing core services in a growing City; however, with so many people struggling right now, I did not want to add to this burden.

Now more than ever, we must prioritize and make cuts to anything that is not a necessary function of our government. Houstonians do not have the luxury of just collecting more money when times are tough. They make cuts and find innovative ways to make ends meet. We as a City should have to do the same. While no time is a good time to increase taxes from the lowest rate it should be, this certainly is the worst time to do so.

Shadowdale Drive

Roadside Ditch Rehabilitation

Project Update: The Shadowdale Drive Roadside Ditch Rehabilitation Project (to reestablish the ditch from Westview to Shadow Oaks Dr.) is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and tentatively scheduled to end by Tuesday, February 9, 2021. If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact the District A office at [email protected] or 832-393-3010.

Huge Oaks Sidewalks

Saw tooth curb and gutters are being installed on the east side of Huge Oaks from Long Point Road to Montridge Drive. The curb was left off when the City performed work on this street many years ago.

Harris County/Catholic Charities

COVID Relief Fund

The latest COVID relief fund launched today from Harris County and Catholic Charities. Harris County has earmarked $40M of CARES funding for Harris County residents (inside and outside city limits), which will provide $1,200 payments to over 30K families in need. Catholic Charities is administering the fund.

The application period is through Friday (11/6), at www.CatholicCharitiesHelp.org.

The funds can be used for any household/urgent expense (not just rent). Applications are expected to exceed funding. However, it will NOT be on a first-come/first-served basis.

Eligibility requirements:

Your household must be located in Harris County.
If you already received other COVID-19 related assistance from Harris County, you are not eligible.
Your household must have at least one member enrolled in a public assistance program or have total household income less than 60% of the HUD Area Median Family Income at the time of application.
Households must demonstrate impact on income due to COVID.
Limited funds may be available for individuals who do not meet federal funding requirements.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Week of November 2, 2020

Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Centers’ Hours

Due to End of Daylight Savings Time

Effective Sunday, November 1, 2020 the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) will be changing hours of operation at all six (6) Neighborhood Depositories (junk waste & recycling drop-off sites). For the safety of our customers and staff now that daylight savings is ending, the locations listed below will be open Wednesday through Sunday, except city-approved holidays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow adequate time to unload.

Houston residents may bring their recyclables or dispose of their Junk Waste at the following Depositories:

Each user must provide proof of residency, including a Texas Driver’s License or any other valid Texas ID and a current water/utility bill or city property tax receipt. The Depositories accept furniture, tree limbs, stoves and other large appliances. Appliances containing refrigerant must have a tag attached to them certifying that a qualified technician has removed the refrigerant. Depositories will also accept up to (5) automobile tires per month per residential unit. A maximum of 4 cubic yards of building material (not to include roofing shingles, brick, plaster) will be accepted; however, Depository ramps will not accommodate trailers over 16 feet long or 4 feet high.

All Depositories also accept recyclables. Materials accepted include wood waste, concrete, mattresses, aluminum and tin cans, plastic bottles and jugs (#1 – #5 and #7), newspapers and magazines, glass bottles and jars, and used motor oil. Clothing & shoes are accepted at the North and Southeast Depositories.

Upcoming Events

October Events

Sharing just a few of the many community meetings from October!

I had the honor of speaking at the Federation of Mid South Korean Associations (FEMSKA) Young American Leadership Forum at the Korean Community Center in District A. They presented me with this commemorative medal of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. Such an honor!

My staff and I attended the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association meeting. Harris County Flood Control District and Houston Public Works provided an update on the Stormwater Detention Basin Project and other drainage projects in the area. So many great things happening in Inwood!

For more information on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project, please click here.

We celebrated the groundbreaking of Alabonson Park! Commissioner Cagle is doing a wonderful job turning this once unused park space (with weeds and high grass) into an amazing park that will be a great asset for the entire community. Amenities for the 50.21 acres include: softball/baseball fields, a concession stand, community room, soccer fields, football fields, and trails. And a lot of detention (it also connects to many more acres of county property for detention).

So thankful for this partnership, and special thanks to all our partners who have made this possible: Texas Parks and Wildlife, Friends of Alabonson Park, Houston Parks, the State of Qatar, and Near Northwest Management District.