News from District A: Public Safety Town Hall Rescheduled, FEMA Assistance, Property Tax Rate, and more!

Public Safety Town Hall & Community BBQ

Thursday, October 17, 2019

5:00 PM-6:00 PM Community Social with music
6:00 PM-8:00 PM Town Hall and BBQ (food served from 6-7 PM)

The Post Bingo Hall (NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR)
9101 Long Point Road
Houston, Texas 77055

Special guest: Dave Ward. Dave is a Crime Stoppers advocate and the longest running television anchor worldwide.
Please bring used ladies handbags if you have any to donate for veterans at the VA hospital!

FEMA Assistance Available for Those Affected by Imelda

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now offering assistance to Houston residents affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.

Applications for FEMA Individual Assistance for Imelda recovery will be open until February 28, 2021. FEMA may provide Houston home owners, certain types of renters, and businesses with the following types of assistance:

Home/Primary Residence: FEMA provides assistance to individuals and families who have lost their homes as a result of a presidentially-declared disaster. If you are a renter or homeowner you may qualify for assistance. By law, FEMA assistance cannot duplicate the assistance you receive from your insurance company, but you may receive assistance for items not covered by insurance. If your home was impacted by a major disaster, FEMA recommends that you apply for assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
- NOTE: FEMA does not offer assistance for a secondary home. Federal guidelines only allows FEMA to provide housing assistance when your primary residence is impacted by a presidentially-declared disaster.
Business: FEMA does not offer assistance for small businesses impacted by a presidentially-declared disaster. However, FEMA partners with the Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers low interest loans for business damages. Learn more about the business loan application process: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Other Needs Assistance: FEMA offers disaster assistance for some of your other disaster-caused expenses including, medical and dental, child care, funeral and burial, essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle, and some clean-up items.

Stay Informed
Visit https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance or call 1-800-621-FEMA for more information.
Residents can visit www.houstonrecovers.org for additional recovery information at www.alerthouston.org.
Información en español: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/es

After Tropical Storm Imelda, I met with some of the neighbors in Spring Shadows who flooded. We need this Spring Shadows South Project to start right away! I am continuing to work on this project and other solutions to address the flooding.

Vote to Lower Property Taxes in Houston

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, I honored the will of the voters for the property tax cap and voted to once again lower the City’s portion of your Ad Valorem (property tax) rate from $.588310/$100 of taxable value to $.567920/$100 of taxable value. This is the fourth time in five years that the City has lowered its rate to remain under the property tax cap.

I encourage you to contact your county commissioner and ask them to lower your property tax rate at the County level too. Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8th is the Commissioners Court meeting where they will be deciding on an increase from $0.62998 to $0.65260 per $100 valuation. Please either contact your commissioner here:https://www.harriscountytx.gov/ or attend the meeting in person. You can sign up to speak here: https://appearancerequest.harriscountytx.gov/

Spring Branch ISD’s LeadSBISD Program: Apply Today!

The Spring Branch Board of Trustees proudly announces LeadSBISD, a new program to encourage, engage and develop leaders across our school district community.

The year-long program will focus on all aspects of our school district, with bi-monthly meetings giving cohort members a deep-dive into one or more aspects of SBISD operations and initiatives.

LeadSBISD Cohort 1 will be comprised of up to four representatives from each of our seven middle school feeder patterns, selected by lottery.

There is no cost to participate and translation/interpretation will be available.

Apply Today!
Applications will be accepted online at this link, and via paper application available through your school’s front office by request, between Oct. 1-25

Learn More!
Guiding Principles, Expectations, and Calendar of Meetings are available here https://www.springbranchisd.com/engage/lead-sbisd

Questions?
SBISD Community Relations
[email protected]
or
713.251.2468

Cigna Sunday Streets

Save the Date!
Sunday, October 20, 2019
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Route: Mathewson Ln between Gessner Rd & Conrad Sauer Dr, Conrad Sauer Dr between Mathewson Ln & Westview Dr, Conrad Sauer Detention Basin & Trails
Distance: 0.84 miles

Cigna Sunday Streets is an initiative to promote and improve the health of Houstonians. Cigna Sunday Streets Houston opens a stretch of streets normally reserved for cars and other vehicles to allow cycling, walking, dancing, socializing and provides a family-friendly opportunity to be physically active.

For more information, visit: https://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/sundaystreets.html

HPD Northwest Division Positive Interaction Program (PIP)/
Citizens Patrol Meeting

Tuesday, October 15, 2019
6:30 PM Citizens Patrol
7:00 PM PIP

“Faith Center” Sanctuary
8009 Long Point (at Wirt)
Houston, Texas 77055

HPD North Division Positive Interaction Program (PIP)

North Command PIP Meeting
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
7:00 PM

HPD North Command Station
9455 W. Montgomery
Houston, Texas 77088

Acres Homes PIP Meeting
Thursday, October 24, 2019
7:00 PM

Acres Homes Multi Service Senter
6719 West Montgomery Road
Houston, Texas 77091

In the News

HPD officer recovering after being shot; suspect dead

“The wounded officer is a family friend of Councilwoman Brenda Stardig, who chairs Houston city council’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. She said she spoke with him from his hospital bed Friday morning.

“‘He wanted to express how grateful he was with the immediate response and for the care he was given that saved his life,’ Stardig said. ‘He truly believed that and understands that. He has a long road ahead, and we want to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.'”

Interview with Houston City Council Member Brenda Stardig
Interview with Council Member Stardig from Houston Association of Realtors (HAR)

City lowers property tax rate for fourth time in five years

“Martin and Councilwoman Brenda Stardig chided court members for considering the tax rate hike and urged Houston residents to read the breakdown of their tax bills, instead of just the bottom line.

“‘I have a real problem when we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing by adjusting tax rates, and they’re increasing tax rates,’ Stardig said.”

Why Houston’s Tax Rate Is Going Down While Harris County’s Rate Might Go Up

“District A Councilmember Brenda Stardig said the county’s tax increase negates the city’s tax cut.

“‘I don’t know where the net gain is for the taxpayer, the property owner, and that’s my concern,’ Stardig said.”

Dozens of city employees disciplined for recycling violations

“Several other committee members, including council members Brenda Stardig, Karla Cisneros, Michael Kubosh and Dwight Boykins said they were disappointed recycling was not put on the agenda.”

Faced with ride-sharing competition, Houston changes approach to taxicab regulations

“The city’s taxicab regulations include the same accessibility requirement as well as further reduced fees for wheelchair-accessible vehicles aimed at incentivizing their use. Council Members Brenda Stardig and Robert Gallegos expressed concern that if taxicab companies known to supply accessible vehicles fail because the city’s new approach to deregulation does not do enough to boost the industry, there will be even fewer options for people in wheelchairs.”