ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
PROGRAM:
Vice-Chairman Chet Machen called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. Secretary Henry Williams conducted the Roll Call of council members. He announced a quorum was present. (See attached.)
Hospitality: Donated by board member, Ray Moon, of Beechnut Auto. Thanks were expressed for his support of the ASNC and the Alief community.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: – Catherine Le (US Congressman Green’s office), Liz Lyles (TX Senator Rodney Ellis’ office), and Political Candidates: Roy Morales (City Council), Kirk Bailey (Constable District 5)
MOTIONS made:
1. Barbara Quattro: to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded: Ray Moon. Council voted. Motion Passed.
2. Ray Moon: to adjourn the meeting at 9:00. Seconded: Marie Lee. Council voted. Motion Passed.
CHAIR’S REPORT: Chet Machen announced that the VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE luncheon is Thursday, March 29, at the KIM SON Restaurant on Bellaire Blvd. from 11:30-1:00.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Shell Global Solutions, Westhollow, donated $2,000. That brings our bank balance to approximately $3,600.
GUEST SPEAKER:
HONORABLE RONALD GREEN, Houston City Council Member At-Large, District 4 – The Councilman was introduced by ERNEST McGOWEN, Chief of Staff for M.J. Khan, Council Member, District F. Ronald Green is a lawyer, and a native Houstonian. He is chairman of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee. The city council will begin reviewing the proposed city budget in May. Each council member will have to defend their section of the budget. Houston has a “Zero-based budget”, meaning it starts at zero and builds up. The council is currently scheduled to pass an ordinance that strip centers must enclose their dumpsters. Also being considered are extra fees for recycling and heavy trash pick-up. Those programs are currently operating at a deficit. Seven Police Cadet Classes are scheduled for this year, unfortunately, they are not full. Many potential cadets are serving in the military. Nevertheless, community policing is helping to reduce crime. Specifically for Alief: WIC is opening a new mobile center in the Alief Community Park on Saturdays. HB 4004 would create the long awaited International management district. IBN SINA will formally open their new medical/dental clinic at 11226 S. Wilcrest Dr, just north of W. Bellfort. They offer low cost care and medicines.
COMMITTEE & STANDING REPORTS
a. STAKEHOLDER NOMINATIONS – Secretary Henry Williams reported:
Elsie Smith presented endorsement papers to be seated as the FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS representative.
School board member, Ray Simmons, presented endorsement papers to be seated as the A.I.S.D. representative. Laura Klubert, Safe and Drug Free Schools Counselor, is the alternate.
b. S.A.V.E. ALIEF: HEALTH FAIR – Anne Williams reported that the community wide Health & Civic Resources Fair will be Saturday, August 18. All are invited to join the next planning meeting on Monday, April 23, from 5:30-6:30 at the fair site, Aleif Middle School. The fair brings much needed medical services and civic information to the Alief area. Volunteers and donations are need for the event. Information: 281-498-5018
c. ALIEF CEMETERY – Marie Lee reported that ACA took over operations for the cemetery in January 2006. Volunteers are working on improvements. A fence is needed, but will cost $100,000. Brick pavers are for sale to raise money. For information: 281-568-5992.
d. ALIEF LIBRARY – Librarian, Tomika Price, distributed an April events calendar. Grant Writing and other research help are available at the library.
e. CITY UPDATES: – Mayor’s Office representative, Veronica Hernandez, announced that KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL has scheduled a city cleanup for Saturday, April 14. An area volunteer is needed to organize Alief. Volunteers are needed to participate in the cleanup.
f. TEXAS LEGISLATURE UPDATE – Karen Loper, District Director for State Representative Hubert Vo reported:
® HB 478, to require utility companies to honor the postmark date as the paid date, is stuck in committee. Therefore Rep. Vo is searching for another bill to which it can be attached.
® Comment sheets were distributed for the TX Dot proposed Highway 6 overpass at Westheimer. They are due by April 3. TxDot would like to install overpasses at several intersections all along Highway 6. They would repeatedly decrease to 4 overhead lanes, increase to 6 lanes and decrease again. Stoplights would be at several other intersections. Most nearby businesses and neighborhoods are opposed to the projects.
Liz Lyles, representative of State Senator Rodney Ellis reported he is working on the following bills:
® SB 95: to increase the minimum wage
® SB 1906: TX Clean Air Bill
® SB 337: to restore coverage and benefits to CHIP
® SB 670: for AISD to have joint elections with the city of Houston
® Others to protect against ID theft, Smoke Free environment
Due to the legislative session in Austin, the Alief office on Kirkwood is temporally closed until the end of May, since the Houston staff is either in Austin or downtown.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS:
1. CLEAN-UPS – April 14- sponsored by Keep Houston Beautiful; local contact needed
May 19- sponsored by Houston City C3 District F –Pat Davis is the local contact: 281-498-7406. She is requesting several trash dumpsters be located at Alief Community Park (ACP) before and after so that people can clean up their neighborhoods. Ernie McGowen, Chief of Staff for Council member Khan, requests that all get involved.
NEW BUSINESS
ALIEF YOUTH ASSOCIATION – 4 signed Astros’ Baseball Cards were auctioned to benefit AYA. The cards were sold for $125 to highest bidder, Laura Klubert. The check will go directly to AYA.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS –April: Trent Rondot, Houston Parks Board
PUBLIC SESSION
ALIEF NOON LIONS – Pat Davis- invited all to the 11:30 AM. meetings on the 1ST & 3RD Thursdays at KIM SON on Bellaire Blvd near Wilcrest. The Lions provide free eye glasses to needy Alief students. Please contribute to their recycling project (paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, pie tins or foil). Call: 281-498-7406
ALIEF BUSINESS BREAKFAST – Marie Lee reported the next one will be on Tuesday, May 8
ALIEF EVENTS – Elsie Smith reported: Many activities for April 14: 8 AM is the AISD Family Fun Walk (1.5 mile) at O’Donnell Middle School; 10:00- 1:00 is the YMCA HEALTHY KID DAY; 12:00-5:00 is the KERR Karnival.
The Alief YMCA is currently holding it’s PARTNER’S CAMPAIGN to raise $10,000 for student scholarships to the Y. A charity Golf Tournament will be Monday, April 16, cost is $125 per player.
APRIL 21: the Houston Community College INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL at the ALIEF campus on Bissonnet.
HARWIN PARK – Barbara Quattro reported the MI Swaco Co. is adopting the park. Improvements such as lighting, a pond, a gazebo, and flower gardens are being considered.
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Minutes approved on _____________________
Respectfully Submitted
Henry Williams, Secretary
