Minutes for Tuesday, October 23, 2007

ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Minutes for Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.

PROGRAM:

Chairman Michael Manning called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Secretary Henry Williams conducted the Roll Call of council members. He announced a quorum was present. (See attached.) He also announced that Youth Services Representative, Karen Lievre has resigned, due to her move and a new job.

Hospitality: Donated by Mr. Zaf Tahir, Candidate at-Large Position 5. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented and thanks were expressed for his support of the ASNC and the Alief community.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Ms Tina Tran (Senator Rodney Ellis’ office), Ms Ricci Sanchez (HCHD, Boone Rd Clinic Director), Ms Catherine Le (Congressman Al Green’s office), Ms. Kitty Wang (New Tang Dynasty Television)

MOTIONS made:

1. Ray Moon: to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded: Chet Machen. Council voted. Motion Passed.

2. Marie Lee: to adjourn the meeting. Seconded: Chet Machen. Council voted. Motion Passed.

CHAIR’S REPORT – Michael Manning read invitations from:

VN Teamwork: Oct 29th, 2 PM, Ground Breaking Celebration for the Golden Bamboo Village Senior Housing Project, 12010 Dashwood Drive

HCC HEALTH FAIR – FREE on Nov 7 from 5:00-7:30 PM at the Alief Campus, 13803 Bissonnet.

Harris County Hospital District: Nov 13th, 10:30 AM Groundbreaking Celebration for the new Alief Health Center, 8901 Boone Road. RSVP: 713-566-6761. This was read by clinic director, Ms. Ricci Sanchez.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Ray Moon reported the balance is $3,299.70

COMMITTEE & STANDING REPORTS
a. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE – Secretary Henry Williams reported that Dorothea Pindell has presented the Stakeholder Endorsement form for the Neighborhood Area 2 position, Seat # 15, for the 2008 & 2009 term. She was seated for that position, and welcomed to the board.

b. ALIEF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Mike Kreinsen reported that the Nov 13 Business Breakfast will be held from 7:30-9:30 AM at the Southern News Group on Bellaire @ Boone Rd. The speaker will be former HPD Chief Bradford.
Nov. 17 is tree planting day at the Alief Cemetery. Volunteers are needed. ACA received a $2000 grant to purchase the trees.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

MS. SARAH WINKLER, AISD board vice-president, introduced DR. LOUIS STOERNER, AISD superintendent. Dr. Stoerner reported on the school district. A brief history, demographics, and growth patterns were presented. There are now 43 campuses, 44,716 students: 43% Hispanic, 37% Black, 14% Asian, 6% Caucasians. 70% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch; 50% live in apts., however more condos are currently being built. There are more after-school programs, bilingual campuses; all day kindergartens and pre-schools and increased AP classes. Since there is much movement within the district, there are pacing guides for the teachers, so that if students move to a different campus they will not miss out on instruction. The SOAR program; a drive to get dropouts to return to school; alternative campus settings and night school for working students are some of the programs which have been implemented by the district. For safety, additional personnel have been employed to monitor hallways and more cameras have been installed on buses and in schools. In the past 10 years, the Alief school board has not increased the tax rate beyond the $1.50 per $100 property valuation for operation and maintenance. For the past two years the Texas legislature has limited the ability of school districts to raise tax money and state funding is frozen so AISD has no means to raise additional funds.. The current taxable value of property in Alief is about $10 billion. In the next five years, the school district will retire 40 percent of its debt. Alief retired 72 percent of its debt within 10 years, compared to the state average of 41.6 percent. Stoerner said the data clearly shows that Alief ISD has been in the forefront in fiscal responsibility statewide.

NEW BUSINESS

CERT TRAINING: Joe Sousa reported this program is sponsored by Homeland Security to train volunteers with the skills needed to help emergency responders to save lives and property. The training lasts 8 weeks; for 3 hours once a week; then you are assigned to a fire station. See Joe if you are interested.

2007 SNAP COMMITTEE – Chairman Michael Manning requested volunteers to form this year’s committee. The SNAP or SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLAN will be addressed next month, the committee will then consolidate the input and suggestions from the community and present the final edition at the January meeting, which will be sent to city council as our CIP requests. Elsie Smith requested that the committee be comprised of different members this year, so that a fresh viewpoint could be presented. Those volunteering: Dave Williams, Ray Simmons, Dorothea Pindell, Elsie Smith, Martha Barrera, Ernie McGowen (from MJ Khan’s office).

UPCOMING SPEAKERS – NOV: All attending may participate by breaking into groups to decide on suggestions for the Super Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP)

PUBLIC SESSION

The secretary of the Braes Village Patio Homes stated that the businesses/night clubs along Wilcrest, which back up to some of the homes play very loud music until quite late, creating a severe disturbance. The businesses have been requested to turn the music down; Council Member MJ Khan’s office, 311, and the police have been called repeatedly A few tickets have been issued, but the problem persists. Suggestions were to continue with those strategies and that Section 30 of the municipal Code should help. Ernie McGowen, Chief of Staff for City Council District F, also said he would further investigate the problem.

Marie Lee and Ray Moon both expressed concerns about a wrecker company that parks its large trucks and junk cars in the middle of the street (in the turn lane) in Old Alief, on High Star, across from the AISD police station. It is mostly done at night, and in the dark it is quite dangerous.

Ernie McGowen, Chief of Staff for City Council District F, reported that a new Senior Citizen facility, “HOMETOWN ON BELLFORT” will be opening soon at the corner of Dairy Ashford & W. Bellfort.

Kerr High School Students invited all to attend the Thursday, Nov. 8th, Outback in Alief Supper at the Kerr High School Cafeteria (on Sugarland-Howell at Beechnut). The fund raiser for the music dept. starts at 6:30, and includes “live music, delicious desserts and a great auction”. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students.

Veteran’s Day Celebration: Sat. Nov 10th, Kerr HS Fine Arts Dept. will honor our Veterans at the Taylor H.S. Auditorium. Free admission. 5:30 PM – Food, Fun & Demonstrations. 7 PM – Musical Celebration.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, November 27, 2007, at the CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.

Minutes approved on _____________________

Respectfully Submitted,

Henry Williams, Secretary