ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 22nd, 7:00 P.M at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
PROGRAM:
Chairman, Barbara Quattro, called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. Roll Call of council members was done by sign-in sheet. A quorum was met (see attached).
Hospitality: Hospitality was provided by the ASNC.
GUESTS: Veronica Hernandez (COH Mayor’s office); Catherine Le (Congressman Al Green’s office); Shen Gao (COH); HPD Officers Ed Barber and Don Posadas; 311 Representatives Kendall Banker and Ossimelha Augustine; and Dawn Hurd (District F Councilman Hoang’s office)
MOTIONS MADE:
1. Mike Kreinsen motioned to approve the minutes for January 2011 with one correction. Seconded by Karen Loper. Council voted. Motion Passed.
2. Vivien Sugar motioned to approve the cost of publication of 1000 monthly flyers announcing the ASNC Agenda to be delivered to local businesses. Marie Lee Seconded. Council Voted. Motion Passed.
3. Dorothea Pindell motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mike Kreinsen. Council voted. Motion passed.
COMMITTEE & STANDING REPORTS
CHAIRS REPORT –Barbara Quattro announced that there would be a clean up at the Alief Community Park from 9-12, Saturday, February 26th. The IMD has partnered with AISD to create a tree farm and urban garden on a piece of land located at Dairy Ashford and Beechnut to be leased. Barbara asked the council about spending money to advertise meetings. See motions, above. Barbara also asked the council how they felt about writing a letter protesting a developer building another low income apartment complex on Dairy Ashford at Beechnut. Karen Loper noted that the Honorable Hubert Vo is introducing a bill in Austin to offer relief to high density areas deluged with low income units to no more than 60 per square mile. She also shared a flyer offering free computer courses for seniors. Barbara asked the Board if anyone disapproved of publishing 1000 (2-sided) ASNC brochures for $55. Finally, Barbara addressed the CIP requests outlined on the Agenda noting there will be a CIP meeting: March 9th/ 6pm-8pm @ Sharpstown Community Center-6600 Harbor Town Dr. All CIP meetings will be similar. There will also be: Redistricting Meeting: March 31st/ 6:30pm-8pm @ Sharpstown Community Center- 6600 Harbor Town Dr. and City Council Flooding and Drainage committee meeting: Feb.3rd at Southwest Multi-Service Center (6400 High Star) from 6-8pm.
TREASURER’S REPORT –Monique Pham, Treasurer, stated the current balance to be $3161.47.
ELECTIONS/NOMINATING COMMITTEE Steven Le was seated as Councilman representing the Asian Chamber of Commerce. A membership certificate was presented to him.
SECURITY/ INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT:.
ALIEF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Marie Lee stated that there was a (50) replacement tree planting in Boone Rd. Park February 12th for trees that were accidently mowed down by the city mowers and thanked all who participated.
PROJECTS/SNAP COMMITTEE .See Chair’s Report, above
TREE PLANTING – See above. Karen Loper noted that over 200 15-gallon oak trees were planted in Hackberry Park.
NEW BUSINESS
GUEST SPEAKERS: –
Officers Barber and Posadas, Houston Police Department, Westside .The officers stated that there has been an 18.8% decrease in crime in the area. Questions were raised about panhandlers which is a Class C Misdemeanor. The panhandler must be in the street to be cited and arrested. So far judges have been lenient on these people, some of whom need mental health assistance. In addition, Officer Posadas noted that thieves often use a ceramic piece of a spark plug to break open car windows. Both officers urged the public not to leave valuables visible in their cars.
Mr. Kendall Banker, City of Houston 311 Service Mr. Banker gave a brief history of the 311 concept that evolved from the late 90’s to reduce the number of non-emergency calls to 911. It was implemented in 2001. The 68-person call line is open seven days a week, 6AM to midnight, including holidays. Busiest times are Monday and Tuesday, with Sunday being the least busy. They average 10,000 calls per day: 50% of which are for municipal court issues such as tickets. 311 has a computerized system that links residents’ complaints to all city services. This department is not under the mayor. The computer system is expected to receive an upgrade this fall. Mr. Banker noted that an easy way to remember solid waste schedules is that even numbered months are tree limbs and junk, odd months are tree limbs only. 311 can be accessed on-line through 311@houston.tx.gov or by phone at 713-837-0311. Mr. Banker direct line is 713-221-0907. Some cell phone services do not support the 311 option.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS – The speaker for March will be Alyce Coffey with the City of Houston Solid Waste Department. April’s speaker will be a representative from Urban Harvest (Community Gardens) and May’s meeting will be a repeat of the very successful 2010 Public Safety Program at the Hastings 9th Grade Center.
PUBLIC SESSION
Public Session and Announcements.
The Alief Y provides a “silver sneakers” exercise program for seniors.
There is line dancing in Alief Community Park on Wednesdays at 6PM
Gyms are located at both Hackberry and Alief Community Parks and are available for sports teams
Alief Park Clean up Saturday, February 26, 9-12. Volunteers are encouraged to attend.
CIP Meeting 2011: March 9th/ 6pm-8pm @ Sharpstown Community Center-6600 Harbor Town Dr
Redistricting Meeting: March 31st/ 6:30pm-8pm @ Sharpstown Community Center- 6600 Harbor Town Dr.
City Council Flooding and Drainage committee meeting: Feb.3rd at Southwest Multi-Service Center (6400 High Star) from 6-8pm
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011, at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.
Minutes approved on: March 22, 2011___
Compiled, Written and Submitted by V. M. Sugar, Secretary
