First Ward meeting summary A Night with Mayor Parker

9/9/2013 at 6:30 PM Initial comments from First Ward President Rob Griffith: There will be a garden event this Saturday from 9 AM to Noon. Noah Brenner to post further information to the group Facebook. There is a Historic District initiative members the First Ward can obtain yard signs David Brown, a local artist with a photo studio at Spring Street Studios reports that the First Ward has now been designated a cultural district this was approved last Thursday. There will be a community cleanup Saturday, 9/28/2013. Community members will meet at the park for this service. Noah is to post this also. There is current work to address the nurses quarters that burned down recently. There is hope that an investor will purchase this building and restore this. Patrick reports on 10/12/2013 The Walk for Mental Health Awareness will take place at Spotts Park. Registered for this can be found at www.the Houston walk.org. This walk is been successful in changing the perception mental health issues.

Summary of point made by Mayor Parker She has a strong stance for improve my neighborhood Houston is a city of neighborhoods for which is reported to reorganize efforts from the neighborhood level up Houston has the highest economy in the United States and we need to look at this as an opportunity Homelessness Initiative - homelessness has decreased by 25% with a strong focus on veterans Sobering Center - noting that the proximally 17,000 people per year are rest with public intoxication, the center will help shunt those not requiring processing in a courthouse. This center offers a mental health triage and costs one third as much. Bike Share - Mayor Parker has worked to bring Bike Share to Houston. There is also an expansion of the hiking/biking trails along the bayou with an ultimate focus for linear parks for the city. Sidewalks Mayor Parker reports that she hopes to improve the conditions of local sidewalks. This be a change in policy where it is currently the residents job. This would be a change in ordinance. The standard would be a 5 foot wide sidewalk and that the city would remove hazards. They are hoping to instill a system where the city can remove damage sidewalks and the neighborhood can pool their funds to have the city put a new one down. There is an example of this Complete Streets Ordinance (parking, bikes, pedestrians in harmony) along Bagby through Midtown/Downtown.

Questions from the Audience 1) A question about brownfield sites and possible repurchasing. This is not technically a brownfield site in her neighborhood. The goal is to hopefully find a developer to repurpose and follow guidelines for use. 2) When you expand bike trails into the neighborhoods? This is done by the Parks Board that has mass and fundraising. There will be some North/South connections and short trail segments to the neighborhood parks. 3) Question about TRZ expansion. These are areas of focus dollars for new development. These are not new tax requirements but a change in allocation. At this current time there is no reported plan for expansion. 4) Will the neighborhood get recycling? Mayor Parker reports that they have recently doubled the curves that offer recycling with a goal to expand. The challenges that this is more extensive than trash collection. Currently, the city of Houston does not have a garbage fee. Expansionist area will likely follow route optimization. 5) Will there be restrooms along the bike trails? Permanent restroom structures bring crime and embolization. Mayor Parker reports that she will look into the possibility of Port-a-potties on our bike trails. 6) Does the city regulate what builders are allowed to do within First Ward? The city does not work with them directly. There are certain design standards for Dennis follow include setbacks, hypertension, and some green space requirements. 7) Is there any instruction on business growth in First Ward? Mayor Parker does encourage local business and non-chain businesses. There are currently no restrictions. Their business incentive programs and the 380 Agreement with the city works with local businesses that benefit their community. These programs offer reimbursement for our development, roads, fences and other amenities that improve the community but that did not directly give to the business itself. 8) A question on flood warning systems near the overpass. The current flood warning system in First Ward is reportedly nonfunctional. In event of acute flooding, the police department is noted to barricade this for public safety. Mayor Parker reports that the current flood warning system does not work, it needs to be repaired. 9) Historic designation question. Obtaining this designation requires overcoming significant hurdles with difficult regulation and high standards. Mayor Parker reports this forces a public conversation and becomes ultimately a City Council vote. These the regulation and standards to gauge the community interest in this designation.

10) A question on I45 expansion. This is done by the state of Texas with noted current funding issues and no new developments. When developers do occur, it is up to Mayor Parker in the city Houston to accommodate for these changes. 11) A question about stray dogs. If citizens are threatened or see an attacking dog they are urged to call 911. If they notice a pack roaming on the streets they are directed to notify 311. If the city does not know about these issues they are not able to track them nor are they able to intervene. Mayor Parker discusses the significant challenges with these dogs to include notification, programs to address this, endemic pathogen such as heartworms, and comparing Houston other cities that do a better job of this.

Additional Key Points If there is something nonfunctional within the community or that requires reporting, she recommends citizens call 311. There is also a free app at 311 that citizens can use to document this report. Houston is an un-zoned city the best recommendation for local neighborhoods to maintain desired standards would be a Historic designation. Mayor Parker reports that the light rail at Fulton is expected to be completed by Christmas time with others completed next year and to ultimately have four light rail lines.