The following individuals were confirmed by City Council to the Spring Branch Management District Board of Directors: C. David Schwab, Jr., Thomas G. Sumner, Catherine M. Barchfeld- Alexander, Sherri Oldham, Victor Alvarez, Mauricio Valdes, and Dan Silvestri.

Council Members approved the appropriation of $19,560 from the Woodlands Regional Participation Fund to purchase and install log cabin furniture in four new cabins within the Lake Houston Wilderness Park. Furniture pieces include beds, bedside tables, lamps, dining table and chairs, couches, end and coffee tables, and rockers. The new cabins, with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, will be available for rent by the public. The 4,986 acre Lake Houston Wilderness Park is the only park in the city’s system offering overnight camping in addition, people are able to bring their own bikes, horses, and watercraft to use on the hike and bike trails. For more information on the park, please call 281.354.6881.

Houston will host the Microsoft Convergence Convention with its 9,000 attendees beginning March 18, 2012 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park, Hilton Americas and Galleria areas. City Council approved an ordinance allowing for the temporary display of signs and banners at official event venues.

Council Members approved the acceptance of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to facilitate the Houston Public Library’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. WiFi antennas will be installed at sixteen libraries, eleven Multi-Service Centers and fifteen Community Center throughout the Houston area. The funding allows for improved computer access and expansion, digital literacy training, the creation of sixty plus program and technical support jobs and workforce readiness job-skills training.

City Council approved funding to improve Beverly Hill, Barrington, Judalon, Lincrest, Pagewood, Schumacher, Windswept, and Yorktown streets. Future improvements will include concrete roadways with curbs, sidewalks, storm drains and underground utilities.

The minutes of this council meeting can be viewed at this link: http://www.houstontx.gov/

Council Member Noriega would like to take this opportunity to thank each member of the task force for their long hours of service to our city. The task force’s final report will assist city leaders with the challenging task of balancing the city’s budget.

Council Member thanks the Finance Department Director, Kelly Dowe and his staff for their extensive efforts and support to the task force.

Council Member would also like to thank Council Member Costello and his staff, especially Chris Attar, for their coordinated efforts in maintaining the open lines of communication between the city and the task force.

All presentations and information relating to the Long Range Financial Management Task Force can be viewed here.

City Council members approved the confirmations of appointments and reappointments of the following individuals to the Board of Directors of the Greater East End Management District: Bolivar M. Fraga, Nory Angel, Daniel E. Jenkins, III, Taryn Sims, Robert D. Tanner, Virgil H. Cox, Marjorie Peña, and Carlos De Aldecoa Bueno.

The following individuals were confirmed by City Council to the Greater Northside Management District Board of Directors: Carmen Silguero, Jose A. Galindo, Sandra R. Clark, Duy Bui, and Mary M. Lawler.

City Council members approved a “Compromise and Settlement Agreement (CSA) to settle a Civil Action No. 4:10cv4545,” between the City of Houston and American Traffic Solutions. To review the ordinance and back up materials relating to this agenda item, please visit this: http://www.houstontx.gov/citysec/backup/2012/020712.pdf

Community Development Block Grant Funding (CDBG) was approved and authorized by council for the administration and operation of the H.E.A.R.T. program. The H.E.A.R.T. program founded in 2006 provides innovative, educational opportunities, employment programs, housing and training as well as promotes structured independence for individuals living with developmental disabilities. The CDBG funds will provide for job training services to about 46 individuals.

Two ordinances issuing permits to Kinder Morgan were approved by council members. One permits allow Kinder Morgan to operate, maintain, repair and replace twelve existing pipelines used for underground transportation of materials under certain portions of street right of ways. The second permits allows for operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of thirty-one existing pipelines.

A contract was awarded by City Council to replace and upgrade water lines in two areas, one bordered by West Park on the north, Bellaire Boulevard on the south, Hilcroft on the east and Fondren on the west and the second bordered by Briar Forest on the north, Westheimer on the south, Fondren on the east, and Westerland on the west. Improvements to water lines assure residents of increased water availability, enhanced circulation and fire protection.

Council members approved a public hearing to receive community input regarding a third amendment to the Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone financing plan for TIRZ 13, Old Sixth Ward Zone. The proposed amended plan would reinstate the goals and objectives in both plans and includes affordable housing, cultural and public facility improvements, design and construction of public streets and roadways, historic preservation, parks, and utility systems as well as enlarge the Zone by 100 acres. The community is invited to provide comments on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall, 901 Bagby, Houston, Texas 77002.

View minutes of this council meeting

Upcoming Events and Meetings

FREE Houston Symphony Performance
Thursday, February 2, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Music Director Hans Graf and the Houston Symphony will present a FREE performance of Anton Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston, Texas 77002

Dr. Bernard A. Harris
Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 6:00 p.m.
Come support the University of Houston’s Urban Experience Program Mentorship Series as they present Dr. Bernard A. Harris, first African American astronaut to walk in space, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator, inspirational speaker and dynamic humanitarian.
University of Houston Main Campus, University Center, Underground World Affairs Lounge,
Area 50, Houston, Texas 77204
For more details please call 713.743.6032 or email uep@mail.uh.edu

City of Houston Planning Commission Community Meetings
The public is invited to hear and provide comments on the proposed changes to the Land Development Ordinance, Chapter 42. These changes will result in changes to the Building Code and PWE Infrastructure design manual. Topics of discussion include:

• Average lot size/lot width in new subdivision plats
• Creation of guest parking for certain single-family residential units
• Redefining the width and length of shared driveway developments
• Requiring sign posting in residential subdivisions with certain reserves
• Establishing a protocol on naming of partial replats
• Extending the Urban Area beyond the 610 Loop to the Beltway
• Building line overhangs encroach 30 inches, five foot for outside stairs
• Require surveyed site plans for single-family residential plats
• Resolve the conflict between chapter 42 and the Design Manual for Lift Station sites

Join the City of Houston Planning Commission on one of the following days
to learn about the proposed changes to Chapter 42.

Monday, February 13, 2012, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington, Houston, Texas 77051

Thursday, February, 23, 2012, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding, Houston, Texas 77016

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sharpstown Community Center, 6600 Harbor Town Drive, Houston, Texas 77036

Thursday, March 8, 2012, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Trini Mendenhall SOSA Community Center, 1414 Wirt, Houston, Texas 77055

Beginning in February, community members in Houston and the 13-counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton, will be given the opportunity to express their ideas, provide input and suggestions to assist in shaping the goals and vision of the regional long-range plan.

The Houston-Galveston Regional Plan will provide an opportunity to examine and develop priorities and sustainable solutions for the projected 10 million people living in our 13-county region by 2040. H-GAC and its partners, with the assistance of a $3.75 million grant, will develop a plan to offer alternatives for improving communities, housing, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, and the economy.

Many have asked, “What does sustainable mean?” This term carries different definitions to different communities but most would agree that sustainability includes a way of making informed decisions today while thinking of the future to ensure the availability of those things we need and want for our communities such as, clean air and water, good employment opportunities, security in our neighborhoods and schools, affordable and quality housing, transportation alternatives, and green spaces.

This plan cannot move forward without your participation and recommendations, please consider attending one of the following Houston and Regional community meetings.

Houston Meetings:

Saturday, February 11, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center
3810 West Fuqua
Houston, Texas 77045
(MAP)

Saturday, February 18 2012
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
717 Sage Road
Houston, Texas 77056
(MAP)

Saturday, February 25, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center
4410 Navigation
Houston, Texas 77011
(MAP)

Houston ranked No. 19 on Brooking’s Global MetroMonitor report, which analyzed large metropolitan areas’ gross domestic product, employment, income and population rates.

Although Houston fared well — the report found income increased 5.5 percent and employment increased 2.5 percent since 2010— almost all other North American markets fell in the rankings.

This is part of a worldwide trend, as more market growth shifts to developing economies in Asia and Eastern Europe, the report found. Surprisingly, half of the 40 weakest metropolitan markets were either in the U.S. or the U.K.

Dallas was the only other U.S. market to get a strong economic growth ranking at No. 36.

The other markets that beat Houston were mainly in China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which all had multiple cities in the top 10 ranks.

Click here to see an interactive map of the metropolitan areas’ economic performance.

Click here to view the full report.

Council Member Melissa Noriega is pleased to announce her appointment as Chair of the new Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. Her colleague, Council Member Oliver Pennington will assume the role of Vice Chair of this twelve member committee.

Council Member Noriega is honored to be appointed by Mayor Parker and looks forward to continuing the work of the city.

Council Member Melissa Noriega urges all community riders on these routes to participate in the METRO workshops by providing their valuable input and concerns to METRO.

48 Navigation

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
William S. Holland Middle School – Cafeteria
1600 Gellhorn Drive
Houston, Texas 77029
(MAP)

49 Chimney Rock Crosstown

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Westbury High School – Lecture Hall
11911 Chimney Rock
Houston, Texas 77035
(MAP)

30 Clinton

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Ellis Memorial Church of God in Christ – Fellowship Hall
412 Massachusetts Street
Houston, Texas 77029
(MAP)

Council Members confirmed the appointments of Mr. James H. Cox, Jr., Mr. John C. Rose, Mr. Thomas L. Seymour, Mr. Lee Allen Krause, Mr. Julius B. Johnson, Mr. Tracy D. Whitehead II, and the reappointments of Mr. John L. Martinec, Mr. Gary F. Shirley, Mr. Wally Huerta, Ms. Christy B. Smidt, Mr. Johnny R. Gant, Mr. Hugo C. Alvarez, and Ms. Ann M. Collum to the Airport Board of Adjustment. This board is entrusted to hear and decide on appeals, special requests, and requests for variances to the Airport Land Use Regulations Ordinance (Code of Ordinance, Chapter 9, Article VI) relating to Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby Airport, and Ellington Field.

City Council approved the following ordinances as well:

• Appropriating Airports Improvement Funds to realign existing fuel pipes at George Bush Intercontinental Airport
• Appropriating Equipment Acquisition Consolidated and Fleet/Equipment Special Revenue funds for ambulance cabs and chassis for the Houston Fire Department
• Appropriating Water and Sewer System Consolidated Construction funds for the East Water Purification Plant on 12555 Clinton Drive and 2300 Federal Road
• Delegating the Mayor with limited authority to select, approve and authorize an Electric Supply agreement with a retail electric provider and a maximum contract amount

Following the approval of all council agenda items, City Council heard from public speakers on non-agenda items.

I’m looking forward to the holidays, and I’m anxious to kickoff 2012! I’ll begin my 3rd term as Houston City council member, and I’ll have the opportunity to get to know and work with new colleagues who will bring fresh perspectives to City Hall.

Most importantly, I look forward to partnering with you in the months ahead. Your input, ideas, and support are what allow our office to do our very best in serving the people of Houston. Thanks for every email, letter and phone call!

From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of all of us at City Hall and the entire extended Noriega family, I want to wish you and yours a truly happy holiday season.

Melissa

Several Council Members voted to delay action by one week on amending Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances. This chapter regulates on-street parking, booting, residential parking permits, and valet parking.

City Council approved the adoption of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code to amend the city’s Residential Energy Conservation Code and Construction Code. In addition, Council amended a five percent increase above the International Energy Conservation code with an additional five percent increase to be considered by Council prior to the end of 2012 and 2013.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the Housing and Community Development department’s application submission for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – IKE/Dolly Hurricane Disaster Recovery funding.

After much discussion, City Council delayed action (by two weeks) on amending Chapters 8 and 28 relating to automotive businesses.