ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at the
CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
Chairman Dan Hrna called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. Roll Call of council followed (See attached.)
Memorial: Mr. Allen Rees died Saturday, January 22, 2005. Alan was actively involved with the Alief community and
the Alief Super Neighborhood. His funeral will be Sat. Jan. 29 at Forest Park Funeral Home on Westheimer.
Thank you to Greg Gonzales, and Bobby Moore, who delivered the desserts, which were donated by Kroger.
MOTIONS made:
1. Ray Gibb: to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded: Ray Moon. Council voted. Motion Passed.
2. Ray Gibb: to approve the change in wording relative to the Chamber of Commerce definition for stakeholder
group # 10, as presented previously to the council. Seconded: Marie Lee. Council voted. Motion Passed.
3. Ray Moon: to accept the SNAP as presented. Seconded: Dave Williams. Council voted. Motion Passed.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
DR. JAMES BENSON, principle of Youens Elementary School, – expressed gratitude that the ASNC is a partner for their
grant application. We should know by March or April if the grant will be awarded to them. The staff is looking forward
to the extra training and after school programs they will be able to afford if Youens does get the grant.
ERNEST McGOWEN, from the office of city councilman MJ Khan– Business owners need to sign and return the
petitions which have been sent to them for the establishment of the INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIR’S REPORT – Chairman Dan Hrna reported he had a very positive meeting with our councilman, MJ Khan,
regarding the Alief Community Park. He is hopeful that all will be pleased with the outcome.
BYLAWS Committee – Ray Gibb stated that in Oct. the committee had suggested the change in wording for position #10
to read: Community Development Corporations: Recognized and reputable area Chamber of Commerce or
similar organization: one (1) vote. There are no further recommendations at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE – Michael Manning reported that on Dec. 4, 2004, with a very large turnout from
several groups, 300 more trees were planted at Alief Community Park (ACP). The ASN held a meeting Jan. 24, to
discuss the subject of the ACP and the possibility for an inter-local improvement agreement between the city and the
county; or giving the property to the county for building a medical health and wellness clinic. Residents, sports
enthusiasts, and ASN members, as well as councilman MJ Khan and the mayor’s representative, Henry Nielsen, attended.
The consensus was that the though the inter-local agreement would be good, it is a no-go and that the park activities and
green space is too precious to give up. Paul Fikac suggested the former Boone Rd Metro Park & Ride site be investigated
as a possible site for the proposed health clinic, which is very needed in our area.
EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS COMMITTEE – Paul Fikac reported that before our November elections there were
many terrorist reports. However, the situation has settled down now and our code level is yellow. Our troops in Iraq need
our support and prayers as they help to prepare for those elections.
ALIEF BUSINESS BREAKFAST – Marie Lee reported it will be on Tuesday, February 15, from 7:30 AM to 9:30 A.M.
Sponsors are still being accepted to help defray the costs. Tables will be set up for businesses to display their wares and
information. A speaker from HCC will discuss marketing.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS – Barbara Quattro reported that they are getting signs donated to recognize HOAs and
other groups who work to plant and improve an area. She showed us a sample sign recognizing Braewood Glen
Subdivision. It will be posted for the esplanades that the subdivision has adopted. Volunteers will plant and water the
trees for two years. So far this fall and winter over 1,300 trees have been planted and 2,000 more seedlings will be
planted in February. A thank you to Mike Rippert for all he does.
SNAP COMMITTEE REPORT – Ray Gibb thanked the people who worked on the committee: Marie Lee, Michael
Manning, Helen Poole, Alan Rees, Elsie Smith, Bonnie Su, Anne Williams and Henry Williams. The suggestions were:
(See notebook for complete details)
1. Identify and Acquire a suitable site for a Health/Multi-Service Center. Estimated Cost = Unknown
2. Review and Restore Patrol Officer Staffing for HPD’s Westside Division. Estimated Cost = $2MM (salaries &
benefits).
3. Extend Operating Hours for Alief-Hennington Library. Estimated Cost = $500M ($125M for each of the four
regional libraries)
4. Increase Alief Park Acreage by 25% (approximately 25 acres) – Estimated Cost = $6.5MM (25 acres X 43,560
sf/acre X $6.00/sf average cost)
5. Develop Hike & Bike Trails in a 3-Phase Process between 1) South Kirkwood to Boone Road Park; 2) Boone
Road to Wilcrest; and, 3) Wilcrest to Storey Park. Estimated Cost = $200M
6. Install Playground Equipment for the Physically Challenged at Boone Road Park. Estimated Cost = $100M
7. Widen Bissonnet (Beltway 8 to City Limits) from a 4-lane Major Thoroughfare to a 6-lane Major Thoroughfare.
Estimated Cost = Unknown.
8. Install Walking/Hiking Trails in Alief Community Park.
Long-term Issues/Concerns
1. Convert Water Supply from Ground Water to Surface Water Sources.
2. Support Development of Federally-Funded Public Health Centers in the ASNC Service Area.
3. Increase Number of Fire Stations in Alief Commensurate With Anticipated Population Growth.
OLD BUSINESS
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT – Donald Perkins suggested that since many departments have new directors, we may
wish to invite some to them to speak at future meetings. (Health, Building Services, Library, Parks, Public Works, Metro,
Toll Rd.) He stated he still needs neighborhoods to update their information with the Planning Dept. Donald distributed
Door Hangers for Heavy Trash Day Notice, (please share with your neighbors).
HPD Officer Julie Beckworth stated that large cuts in the budget and the Neighborhood Protection department have
affected the response time on reports of dumping and the Rat-On-A-Rat program.
Laura Klubert, AISD Safe & Drug Free Schools, reported that the school district is very concerned about graffiti. Judge
Yoemen, HPD, and local businesses work together and get paint donated to cover it. The Anti-Gang office works to abate
graffiti. It is a property damage violation. First, photograph it for evidence, then remove it as quickly as possible.
NEW BUSINESS
ROSEMARY McGREER, ALIEF YMCA Wellness Director – discussed a proposed International Festival, “The Faces of
Alief”, to be held Nov. 12, 2005. She plans for it to be free to attendees, and to charge a vender fee to cover costs. The
YMCA is looking for sponsors. Rosemary may be reached at 281-495-9100.
PUBLIC SESSION
PAUL FIKAC – The new Knights of Columbus Reception Hall, 11611 Beechnut is available to rent. It holds 500 and is
the largest in Alief. Everyone is invited to a dance there with the Wild River Band, on Sunday, Feb. 13, from 3-7 PM.
ELSIE SMITH – The YMCA Partners Campaign is raising funds for scholarships. A dance will be held on Sat. Feb 12 at
new Knights of Columbus Reception Hall, 11611 Beechnut. Free Babysitting $10. pp.
RAY MOON – To help keep Alief clean, he encourages everyone to pick up bandit signs. They are illegal.
BONNIE SU – On Feb. 5, is the Asian-American Real Estate Gala. See her for tickets.
CLAUDIA LOZANO – The next committee meeting for the S.A.V.E ALIEF Health Fair will be Mon. Feb 7, at 7 PM. at
the Notre Dame Church parish office on Boone Road. Volunteers of all denominations are quite welcome!
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at the CenterPoint Energy
Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
Minutes approved on _____________________
Respectfully Submitted
Henry Williams, Secretary