Heavy Trash/Tree Waste Collection Delays
I am aware of the significant delays with heavy trash collections in our district and citywide.

Tree waste collections have not started at this time since heavy trash is behind. The department will be completing last week’s (4th week) bulk waste collections as soon as possible (still ongoing). Tree waste collections will most likely begin this week due to heavy trash delays. Before the storms over the weekend, the Solid Waste Department anticipated being caught up with heavy trash collections and on schedule for tree waste by the end of the week. They are still trying to determine how the storm will impact this timeline.

Last week, we passed a contract at City Council to study the Sold Waste Department to determine the issues and to offer efficiency solutions. I look forward to the results of this study and hope that it leads to significant changes within the department.

Park Rangers and Reporting Suspicious Activity in Parks
Preserving the beauty of our parks is important. If you notice any suspicious activities in your local park, please don’t hesitate to report it to 832-395-7100 (Houston Park Rangers).

Dedicated Park Rangers are here to address and resolve any concerns you may have. Whether it’s vandalism, littering, motorized vehicles or any other issue, they rely on your vigilance to help keep our parks safe and clean for everyone to enjoy.

You can also contact the HPD non-emergency number at (713) 884-3131. In case of an emergency, please call 911.

BARC Houston to Expand Stray Animal Intake through Limited (no appointment needed) Hours Every Sunday
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, will open intake on Sundays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM for Houstonians with a stray animal.

During this time on Sundays, residents who want to turn in a stray animal will not need to schedule an intake appointment online and may turn in a stray animal on a first-come, first-served basis, until shelter capacity is reached.

Residents wishing to surrender owned pets will still be required to schedule an intake appointment online and will not be eligible to turn in an animal during non-appointment hours.

Planning & Development Department Update
The Planning & Development Department will begin conducting all commission, board, and committee meetings in person only. This is being done to ensure compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and brings them into alignment with current City Council meeting procedures.

All meetings will adhere to the previously stated schedules and locations, but Microsoft Teams participation will no longer be available as an option. Anyone wanting to provide comments may continue to do so in person or by email, phone or mail.

HTV will continue to broadcast meetings live and maintain a video archive of proceedings on their website here.

CASE for Kids Youth Services for Afterschool and Summer Request for Proposals
The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) announced the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Youth Services for Afterschool and Summer programs under the HCDE CASE for Kids initiative.

As part of their commitment to providing high-quality afterschool and summer programs for youth, HCDE is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to partner with in delivering enriching and engaging experiences that promote positive youth development, academic achievement, and social-emotional learning.

For more information, please visit https://www.hcde-texas.org/.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

Comcast RISE
Comcast RISE will award a total of $500,000 grants to 100 small businesses in the Greater Houston area for technology make-overs, marketing support, consulting and education support. Eligible small businesses can apply from May 1-31. For more information and to apply, click here.
Road Condition at Clay and Hempstead
Last month, I visited Clay and Hempstead to look at the road condition with Houston Public Works and residents in the area. Public Works is going to assess the condition and come up with an action plan to get this intersection fixed! We recognize that there are many streets that have deteriorated, especially around railroad tracks. Many of those are already in the queue to be repaired. Although each council member only is allotted a small amount of lane miles per year to repair, we are doing everything we can to maximize repairs throughout the district.
Disaster Preparedness Training
The Houston ToolBank is partnering with Texas Congregational Disaster Readiness to offer a Disaster Preparedness training in preparation for this upcoming hurricane season. The training will cover: Muck & Gut, Roof Tarping and Compassionate Care.

Date: Saturday, May 11th, 9:15AM – 11:30PM

Location: Houston ToolBank, 1215 Gazin St., Houston, TX 77020

The training is free, and open to all, please just register ahead.

Chief’s Citywide PiP Program
The Chief’s May Citywide PiP Program is on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00pm. The focus of this meeting will be on addressing elder abuse.

This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with HPD officers, ask questions, and voice concerns about your neighborhood.

🏠 Address:
1602 State St.
Houston, TX 77007

The meeting will be also be streamed live with sign language interpretation on HPD’s YouTube channel

Closed captioning can be enabled on the YouTube video,
or found here.

Inclusive Job Fair
6th Annual Boots & Heroes Event
BARC May Events
Houston Public Library Events
Join the Houston Public Library for many activities in May including English lessons, book clubs, and more!

For more information on all upcoming events, please click here.

Community Events From April
Highlighting some of the many community events from the previous month!
Congratulations, Spring Branch Independent School District Chief Larry Baimbridge  for receiving the Johnny Klevenhagen Award at Crime Stoppers of Houston! So thankful for everything our SBISD Police do in our community! It is such an honor to represent SBISD communities with CM Mary Nan Huffman.
Thanks to everyone who attended Battle of the Branch on April 13th! Congratulations to Houston Fire Department for beating Houston Police Department in the softball game!

Special thanks to the Spring Branch Management District for sponsoring the event, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton for being a great commentator, the Northbrook High School Band, Angie’s Munchie’s Restaurant, SpringSpirit, and the District A Team!

Vogel Creek Community Champions Event! Thanks to the community for putting on this great event!

With Council Member Plummer, Ron Delaney, and Council Member Alcorn.

Photo credit: Ron Delaney

Great time meeting with the Houston Apartment Association 2024 Leadership Lyceum today! HAA created this leadership development program in 2008 to identify high-caliber, well-informed industry professionals and educate them on the strategic objectives of the association.
We had our first Proposition A Committee meeting on April 23rd. Great discussion about the rules to make sure we are fulfilling the will of the voters who supported the Charter amendment to allow council members to put items on the agenda. Thanks Chair Houston City Council District G Mary Nan Huffman and Vice Chair Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz!
Great time honoring so many wonderful volunteers at the Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards from City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods (DON)! Congratulations to District A’s very own Ron Delaney for his award!
Congratulations to Spring Branch ISD for the groundbreaking of the new The Guthrie Center! Students at the Guthrie Center receive the highest technical,professional, and leadership skills training in a simulated workplace environment to prepare them for success in any future career.
Congratulations to our new Houston Firefighters from Cadet Class 2023D!
We had the ribbon cutting for the new sign at James Lee Park! Thanks to the community for working with us, and thanks to Houston Parks – HPARD for this great sign!