ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 7:00 PM, at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
PROGRAM:
Chairperson, Barbara Quattro called the meeting to order at 7:08 P.M. Roll Call of Council members was done by sign-in sheet. A quorum was met (see attached).
GUESTS: Veronica Hernandez (COH Mayor’s office); Catherine Le (Congressman Al Green’s office); Boy Scout Troop 1113; representatives from several local HOA’s; City Councilman Mike Laster; Brian Cummings (Houston Planning Dept); Representatives Hubert Vo and Gene Wu (Texas House)
HOSPITALITY –Hospitality was provided by the ASNC for this meeting. Hospitality providers are encouraged to volunteer.
MOTIONS MADE:
1. Neeta Sane motioned to approve the July Minutes. Seconded by Mike Kreinsen. Council voted, motion passed.
2. Frank Garcia motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded Dorothea Pindell, motion passed.
COMMITTEE & STANDING REPORTS
CHAIRS REPORT Barbara briefly talked about the proposed widening of Synott as a 2014 CIP request, and introduced the speakers attending this meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT –Current balance is $1947.11
ELECTIONS/NOMINATING COMMITTEE No input.
PROJECTS/SNAP COMMITTEE No input.
NEW BUSINESS
GUEST SPEAKER
The Honorable Hubert Vo and the Honorable Gene Wu, TX House of Representatives This is Gene Wu’s freshman year. These gentlemen announced that there was one regular session and three special sessions of the House this year. An attempt was made to restore educational funding which had been cut in a previous legislative session. It fell short by one billion dollars. Other legislative issues considered in the House included: franchise tax reduction on small businesses (the tax now only applies to sales in excess of one million dollars); the disparity in funding between rich and poor school districts; cutting mandated school testing from 15 to 5; and fast start for special certification to enter the workforce. Discussions included Texas water problems and guaranteed backup funding from the Rainy Day Fund. Local jurisdictions will choose the projects and do the work but the State of Texas will guarantee municipal water project bonds. Other discussions briefly mentioned were much needed road projects, health care -$275MM into mental health care bill;and privatization of prisons. The latter issues are expected to be seen on the November ballot. Both representatives answered questions from the floor.
Mike Laster, City Councilman, District J and Brian Cummins, Houston Planning Dept. CM Laster and Mr. Cummins discussed Chapter 42, an ordinance which went into effect May 24th, 2013 and addresses urban density of new building outside the 610 Loop. The protection from this rule are local Deed Restrictions governing set backs, minimum lot sizes, and right-of-ways (ROW’s) in single family housing against certain types of new development. Often viewed as a negative by HOA’s, Chapter 42 actually protects HOA’s from encroaching high density housing through their DCCR’s which preserve and protect private property. Brian’s group will review DCCR’s and assist HOA’s in updating or creating their DCCR’s to prevent over density and commercial properties within single family housing developments. Areas like Sharpstown and Alief already have a lot of high density housing in apartments, town houses and condos. For HOA assistance from the Houston Planning Department, call Brian at 713-837-7833 or go to www.houstonplanning.com or contact Melvin Calfee at Melvin.calfee@houtontx.gov. Mike and Brian answered questions from the floor and distributed literature on Chapter 42.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS- The following speakers are scheduled:
September International Management District
October Candidates Forum at the HCC Campus on Bissonnet. District F, HCC, and AISD School Board candidates invited
November: Meeting date changed to 3rd Tuesday of the month. Speaker will be Alyce Coffee on the subject of recycling in Houston
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PUBLIC SESSION
Public Session and Announcements.
• Alief Taylor playoff game will be held September 2nd and will be on ESPN. Support for the team is requested
• The YMCA celebrated its building’s 10 year anniversary August 26th with guests from the ASNC present
• The Alief Community Association Parade will take place September 21st. from the ITC to Cook Road and on to the Hastings Ninth Grade Center. Expect to see local dignitaries attending
• Therewill be an effort to get Synott widened through a CIP from Westchase SNC
• August 29th, Guatemalan interests will host a demonstration at Westheimer and Montrose to raise the minimum wage
• Adult Volunteers are needed for the first IMD Fall Festival to be held October 12thnd at the Alief Spark Park and Nature Center on Dairy View 10-2PM
• The annual ACA Alief Parade will take place September21st, traveling west from the ITC to Cook Road and on to the Hastings Ninth Grade Center. Expect to see local dignitaries attending
• Bear Creek Community Center is again offering numerous classes including AARP defensive driving
• Construction continues on the new $8M Salvation Army facility at Cook and Beechnut
• City Construction continues on the drainage project on Beechnut as the Bellaire project winds down
• Alief Homeless Outreach Project (AHOP) hosting a concert, Back to School, at 722 Emile Saturday September 28th at 1:00PM.
• Alief schools are back in session after Labor Day. Watch out for school kids and obey all traffic warnings including no cell phones in operation
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 PM, September 24th at the Centerpoint location.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Attendees were encouraged to talk to speakers and guests after the meeting.
Minutes approved ____________
Compiled, Written and Submitted by
V. M. Sugar, Secretary
