ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
PROGRAM:
Call to Order:
Chairman Michael Manning called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Vice Chairman and Acting Secretary Chet Machen conducted the Roll Call of council members. He announced a quorum was present. (See attached.)
Hospitality: Donated by Unity Adventist Youth Ministry. Thanks were expressed for their support of the ASNC and the Alief community.
Introduction of Guests:
Mr. Donald Sampley, (Asst Dir of Houston Housing & Community Development);
The Honorable Hubert Vo, (Texas State Representative District 149);
Nancy Mercado, (Harris County Public Health Dept, Tobacco program);
Officer Scales, (Houston Police Dept Westside Command);
Tai An Miao, (Planner, City of Houston);
Ernest McGowan, (Houston City Council District F MJ Khan);
Katherine Le, (representing US Representative Al Green);
Liz Lyles, (representing Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis);
Willie Pratt, (Neighborhood Protection).
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from prior meeting not available to be read at meeting, but those present acknowledged receiving copy from Secretary Henry Williams via Anne Williams by email. Chair Michael Manning requested approval, & council agreed.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Ray Moon reported ASNC has a total $3,281.18. No questions for Treasurer.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Mr. Donald Sampley, Asst Dir of Housing & Community Development, City of Houston, spoke on how their department administers four federal grants that come out of the US Dept of Housing & Development. He explained that all the monies their dept approve come strictly from these federal sources; none comes from city related sources. Emergency Shelter Grants of $2M go for the homeless shelters, $8M goes for HFPWA (Housing for People with Aids), $16M for Home Investment Partnership housing program. HIP is for down payment assistance (up to $15K grants) matched with $5K from other sources for $20K. In certain select areas the grants can be as high as $30K. Another Home program is involved with financing for rehab & new construction of single family units. He also spoke about Community Development Block Grants for about $35M. Mr. Sampley reports he works mainly with developers, both for-profit & non-profit, in 3 areas: housing for individuals in single room occupancy (SRO); tax credits; apartments to standards. He shared that ultimately the purpose of all these programs is to improve the lives of tenants & attract better tenants & increase occupancy rates.
The Honorable Hubert Vo, Texas State Representative District 149, gave a quick sampling of the most notable bills passed in the recent legislative session: in the schools the TAKS tests are being replaced by end of course testing; teachers were given a pay raise of $430; all new school buses will have to have seat belts by 2010; parents will now be able to lock in college tuition at state schools; CHIPs program has been restored; property taxes will be reduced; commercial property taxes have changed; more stringent measures to supervise the Juvenile Justice system; International Management District from Beltway 8 to Hwy 6 to include Bellaire, Beechnut, & Bissonnet; for the City of Houston a bill was passed allowing less stringent college requirements to recruit experienced police officers; LLPs have been included in the state franchise taxes. Mr. Vo also advised he was able to negotiate with Mayor White to add 6 more officers per shift to areas in Alief.
Committee & Standing Reports:
Nominations Committee: no new nominations
Chair Michael Manning announced council seat positions for Management Companies, Social Services Provider, & Neighborhoods Area #2 are open. He recommended those interested get the requisite petition forms signed by residents & submit it to the council for consideration.
S.A.V.E. ALIEF: Liz Lyles briefly spoke about Alief Health Fair planned for August 18, 2007 at Alief Middle School. To date, they have 64 vendor entrants but are still seeking vendors & sponsors. Chair Michael Manning advised that hundreds of attendees were there last year.
Alief Community Association:
Michael Kreinsen reported on their efforts on trash pickup project. Next ACA meeting Mon, July 16 & plan a BINGO Night for August.
Emergency Preparedness:
Joe Sousa reports he has taken the CERT (Community Emergency Response Training), sponsored by Homeland Security. Seeking to find a sponsor to disseminate the info he learned through an area venue. There should be no cost to the attendees for the class.
Council Business:
Proposed new Westpark Tollway exit/entrance ramp near Wilcrest Dr:
Kimberly Mathes reports West Houston Medical Center welcomes an additional ramp to improve access for emergency vehicles, patients, & patrons to the hospital. Barbara Quattro countered that the ramp construction might force some local businesses along the right-of-way to close & re-locate. She also mentioned that while the Westchase community has been heard from, the Alief community has not yet voiced their position. State Rep Hubert Vo advises he will be coordinating a community meeting soon to analyze the proposal to assess pros & cons. A member of the audience also asked about whether Kirkwood Dr portion in Alief would be extended through the Westpark Tollway to the other section in Westchase. Barbara Quattro advised she believed it was unlikely due to costs.
Proposed new ASNC logo:
Council present briefly discussed changing the logo & decided not to vote on changes yet.
Proposed new Residential Development:
At a prior meeting it was announced that a new residential community was being proposed for the area on Synott Rd & West Bellfort. The location is in Houston city limits but out of Harris County inside Fort Bend County. The developer had requested through Councilman MJ Khan to have the ASNC make a resolution, but the Council decided they do not have sufficient expertise or specific knowledge about the proposed project to do so.
Announcements:
Chinese Community Center is having its 9th Annual Community Fair on Thursday July 18 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Vice Chair Chet Machen is coordinating volunteers for a table to be shared with the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce.
Harris County Job Fair will be at Bear Creek Park on July 27.
Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce is having its monthly luncheon on Thursday June 28 at 11:30 am at Tay Do restaurant.
PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Ernest McGowan reported on a recent joint cleanup project.
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
Minutes approved on _____________________
Respectfully Submitted,
Chet Machen, Vice Chairman and acting Secretary