Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2020
The regularly scheduled meeting was convened at 6:30 pm by Barbara Quattro. Board members present were Ms. Quattro, Chair, Noreen Smith, Vice Chair, and Cynthia Young, Secretary.
Guests: Officer Tim Whitaker, Westside Command Center; Mercedes Santos-Garay, Director of Development and Communications, West Houston Assistance Ministries; CM Tiffany Thomas, Veronica Hernandez; Connie Camarillo; Richard Vela and Du Ha Nguyen, Harris County Clerk’s office.
Treasury Report: It was announced we have $6610.41 in our bank account.
Program Speakers:
Tiffany Thomas Councilwoman District F- Service: CM Thomas announced that over $200,000 has been spent on District F projects, including sidewalk repair, drainage, and a HOT team to clean up illegal dumping. She would like ASNC to partner with Ms. Vanessa Lipscomb, WOW Group, who has started community refrigerators that have food and water for the hungry.
Richard Vela, COH General Services Department: – Mr. Vela provided an update on the multi-service center. The contractor has all the subs contractors’ bids and the project is within budget. Work is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2020.
Officer Tim Whitaker – Westside Command Center: Crime statistics for the Alief area in the last 30 days:
Offense Previous Current % of Change
Murder 1 0 -100.0%
Sexual Assault 5 4 -20.0%
Robbery 39 46 17.9%
Aggravated Assault 52 59 13.5%
Violent Crime 97 109 12.4%
Burglary Habitation 16 26 62.5%
Burglary Building 24 22 -8.3%
BMV 123 87 -29.3%
Theft 108 91 -15.7%
Auto Theft 55 64 16.4%
Non Violent Crime 326 290 -11.0%
Mercedes Santos-Garay, Director of Development and Communications, West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM):
(Address: 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, Texas 77042, 832-266-1489 (direct), www.whamministries.org)
WHAM has served the community for 38 years. They have a food pantry as well as a resale store. They also help people with bills and rent in the event of a crisis due to illness or job loss. They assist individuals with job placement by providing help with resumes and allow use of WHAM’s computers, printers, and fax machines. WHAM assists with purchase of work-related clothing, including shoes or supplies. Three times a week, WHAM has a food distribution by drive up. Normally, the organization serves approximately 2,200 families a week. In May, they served 5,000 a week. The resale shop accepts donations and provides up to 40% of the annual funds. WHAM also receives donations from corporations. On September 15, 3030, WHAM will be having a virtual fundraiser dinner. Information is on their website, along with the guest speaker information. They also hold a 5K run in the spring which is a big fund raiser as well.
Du Ha Nguyen, Office of CHRIS HOLLINS – Harris County Clerk: For the general election in November, Harris County will provide ten locations with drive-up voting. Du Ha will provide additional election information at the September meeting.
Connie Camarillo: HOPE Clinic West now offers Rapid COVID-19 test with SAME DAY results! Rapid antigen tests are nasal swabs which detect viral protein in an actively infected person. Testing is $120 and is covered by major insurances and an appointment is required. HOPE Clinic offers sliding fee assistance for individuals needing assistance. To learn more about the specificity and sensitivity of rapid tests, visit https://www.quidel.com/immunoassays/rapid-sars-tests/sofia-sars-antigen-fia. Testing is available Monday-Friday starting at 1 pm. There are two locations in Alief. Call the main number at 281-558-2749. There are always slots available.
Veronica Hernandez with the Mayor’s Office stated that they are still asking the community to take surveys regarding the Complete Community initiative. There was a good push last weekend during the City’s food and mask distribution but we need more.
Meeting was adjourned by Ms. Quattro at 8:00 pm
Minutes written and submitted by:
Cynthia Young
Secretary
