ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, 28, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. at the Hastings
High School Ninth Grade Cafeteria at 6750 Cook Rd.
Chairman Dan Hrna called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. Roll Call of council followed (See attached.) A quorum
was met.
MOTIONS made:
1. Dan Hrna: to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded: Barbara Quattro. Council voted. Motion Passed.
2. Dan Hrna adjourned the meeting at 8:40. Council voted. Motion Passed.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
The Honorable Bill White, Mayor – Bill White discussed the numerous community concerns of Alief including parks,
traffic, security, graffiti, economic development, education; & congratulated community action by organizations like
ASNC#25 for their guidance and direction. He stated City Hall is dependent upon these contributions and information.
Please see attached for details.
DIST. F CITY COUNCILMAN, M.J. KHAN -Mr. Khan recognized the various city officials and their contributions to
the community. In addition, he stated that Mayor Bill White has inspired confidence in the constituency illustrated by his
overwhelming election to a second term.
COMMITTEE & STANDING REPORTS
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS:
1. TREE PLANTING – Barbara Quattro. Ms. Quattro stated 1000 trees would be planted in 2006 and another 1000
in 2007. There is an ongoing need to help mulch and water existing trees. Volunteering is encouraged for both
trees and parks upkeep.
LIBRARY – Due to closing the Downtown library for renovations, starting April 10, the Alief Library expanded hours
will be Monday to Thursday 9-9, Friday & Saturday 9-6 and Sunday, 1-5.
Due to the length of our planned speaking program (Mayor White), and the question and answer session, there were no
other committee reports.
OLD BUSINESS
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT – Donald Perkins distributed flyers on the City Planning Department ‘Planned Plats
Report’ and encouraged people to go to the website, www.houstonplanning.com. Dan Hrna stated that many goals have
been met due to Donald’s efforts.
NEW BUSINESS
US CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN – A reception for the new office of US Congressman Al Green will be held on Sat.
March 18, from 2:00-4:00 PM at 11110 Bellaire, suite 210 ( just east of Boone Rd.).
PUBLIC SESSION
The public session was abbreviated due to the speaking program. See attached for details.
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at the CenterPoint Energy
Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Minutes approved on _____________________
Respectfully Submitted
Henry Williams, Secretary
ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD
FEBRUARY 28, 2006
Attachment to minutes
MAYOR BILL WHITE, SPEAKER
The following is an overview of the speech by our Mayor and City officials regarding issues pertaining to the Alief area.
SECURITY: Mr. White suggested that “neighbors looking out for neighbors” assists in the promotion of community
security. In addition, he stated that new police classes were forming, officers were performing overtime work and the
police in the jails were being released into service to increase the lack of patrols in the Westside area. The demand for
police was highest at Westside. In addition, the suggestion was also proffered that apartment complexes with high crime
be required to provide additional security at their own expense. He stated that an ordinance was in the works to
accomplish this. He said although crime is down in numbers per 1000, homicide is up, but we are greatly increasing in
population.
PARKS: Mr. White expressed agreement with the needs of Alief for additional park space with the caveat that if
the parks are not utilized by residents, the criminal elements will take over, spoiling the parks; therefore; programs are a
necessity. He noted $800K City, and $300k Federal have been acquired for Boone Road and Alief Community Parks,
respectively. He said the city selects park areas with several criteria in mind.
ENERGY: Mr. White stated that all consumers should follow the lead of industry to shop for power providers. He
said the city has currently sent out a Request for Proposal to all providers for quotes on service which will be available to
citizens soon. In addition, he encouraged energy conservation/weatherization practices in both homes and businesses.
TRAFFIC Mr. White stated that the RTTS system which computerizes synchronization is expanding to 2000 lights;
however, there are still old traffic signals that have not been upgraded to computers. He can provide a list of which ones
have/have not been done.
311: All citizens were encouraged to utilize the 311 service along with Neighborhood Protection. The city reviews all
311 calls (4365 calls from the 77072 zip code last month alone) logged in. Additional Inspectors have been added to the
Neighborhood Protection Division.
SUBSIDENCE: Mr. White is well aware of the subsidence issue in Houston: Many places that never flooded before are
flooding. A great deal of money has been applied to drainage issues. He stated that 70% of Houston’s water is surface
water as opposed to well water of the past. Rates will continue to rise with demand. New drainage maps are being
compiled. This is a painstaking, costly endeavor.
GRAFFITI: Mr. White said graffiti efforts have been working. Shell & KHB were recognized for their donations to
graffiti abatement.
CIVIC CENTER: Mr. White stated that many neighborhoods are requesting community facilities but should look
first to those already in the district. He cited the schools as an example, specifically the Hastings 9th Grade Center
cafeteria where this meeting was held in lieu of Centerpoint.
CLINICS: Similarly, Mr. White stated many communities are in need of additional health service clinics. Non
profits have done a lot in this regard. He recognizes the need, especially with the increased populations from Hurricane
Katrina.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Mr. White stressed the efforts of maintaining affordable quality of life which
means not raising property taxes to accomplish it. He mentioned fiscal discipline and senior tax relief.
SCOUTS: Mr. White acknowledged the presence of the boy scouts and encouraged parents to take time out to help
other children like scout leaders do.
February 28, 2006 Summary Continued
EDUCATION: Again, Mr. White acknowledged the efforts of educators, noting the drop out rates are high and
only 70% of Alief students actually graduate. This is a job for parents, citizens, leaders and organizations, not just one
for the educators. He also mentioned curfews being expanded and reinforced.
BANDIT SIGNS: Ray Moon mentioned going after the few companies that provide the many bandit signs. Mr.
White stated that many businesses consider fines the “cost of doing business” but he has the power to advise the courts
regarding levying fines. Repeat violators should shoulder the burden of bigger fines.
CITIZENS ON PATROL / NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: A citizen asked about these programs and the police
department will assist in their organization if they have volunteers. COPs are important, since crooks know where
citizens do not watch out for each other, and they move in considering such areas “fair game”.
BOOM BOXES: A citizen asked about this type of neighborhood nuisance. The city will have patrol officers stop
vehicles with boom boxes heard blaring beyond 50 feet, to “issue a citation – sign on the dotted line” Thank You.
