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Year: 2013

May 16, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

Eastside P.I.P. Meeting – Monday, May 20

Please make plans to attend our monthly P.I.P. meeting on next week, Monday, May 20.  The meeting is at 6:30 pm and takes place at the HPD Eastside Station located at 7525 Sherman.
At this month’s meeting we will honor our friend, retired Officer Rick Trejo, with placing a plaque on the Wall of Honor.  Please join us in this expression of appreciation to Rick for his years of service.
Thank you,
Ramiro Fonseca
President/Chair, HPD Eastside P.I.P.

May 10, 2013 in Neighborhood News

Houston Passes Ordinance to Protect Cyclists

Houston Passes Ordinance to Protect Cyclists,
Others from Vehicular Traffic
New Law Defines Space Needed to Maintain Traffic Safety for all Road Users

Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council this week unanimously approved an ordinance to protect Houston’s cyclists and other vulnerable road users by requiring cars and other motor vehicles to keep a separation of more than three feet while passing, and trucks or commercial vehicles to keep a separation of more than six feet. The ordinance is effective immediately.

Vulnerable road users are defined as a walkers or runners; the physically disabled, such as someone in a wheelchair; a stranded motorist or passengers; highway construction, utility or maintenance workers; tow truck operators; cyclists; moped, motor-driven cycle and scooter drivers; or horseback riders.

In addition to requiring safe passing and trailing distances from vulnerable road users, this ordinance prohibits any motor vehicle occupant from throwing or projecting any object or substance at or against them.

BikeHouston, several state and local leaders and other groups advocated and/or voiced support for this ordinance, including: Senator Rodney Ellis, BikeTexas, AARP, Better Houston, Bikin’ Babes, Citizen Transportation Coalition, Houston Access to Urban Sustainability Project, Houston Tomorrow, Northwest Cycling Club and Richmond Rail.

Similar ordinances have already been enacted by Austin, Fort Worth and San Antonio.

The Safe Passing ordinance is another initiative, led and/or supported by Mayor Parker, to encourage more cycling in Houston. Others include the launch of Houston Bike Share last month, closing gaps in Houston’s bike trail system; the voter-approved Bayou Greenways initiative; and approval of HB200, which will allow Houston’s utility easements to be used for hike and bike trails.

For more information on cycling in Houston visit http://bikeways.publicworks.houstontx.gov/.

Amendments Adopted to Increase Minority/Women-Owned/
Small Business Contracts Citywide
Citywide Goal Increases to 34%

Houston City Council has approved enhancements to the City’s 30-year old goal-oriented Minority/Women-owned/Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) contracting program. Due to council’s action, women-owned businesses will be reinstated to the program, the citywide goal for construction contracts will increase from 14 percent to 34 percent and the participation requirements for disabled veterans will be relaxed. The changes are the end result of a new study comparing the number of MWSBE firms utilized on city contracts to the number of companies available in the marketplace.

The City of Houston implemented its MWSBE program in 1984. It remained largely unchanged until 2009 when a lawsuit required the removal and replacement of women owned businesses with small Business Enterprises until a comprehensive construction industry disparity study could be performed. The results of the study completed in April 2012 indicated a need for doubling of the citywide MWSBE construction contracts goal.

In addition to the reinstatement of women owned firms and the higher goal for construction contracts, OBO is implementing the following procedures to enhance the program’s effectiveness.

  • Review the MWSBE Program every five years
  • Expand the geographic boundaries to include two new counties: San Jacinto and Austin Counties
  • Revise the Good Faith Efforts Policy
  • Require contractors to submit their plans for meeting the Good Faith Efforts at the time of bid submission
  • Implement a three-year MWSBE certification
  • Standardize department accountability for monitoring of contract compliance and goal waivers
  • Utilize the Disabled Veterans definition of the Department of Defense or Veteran Affairs when considering disabled veterans for inclusion in the Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise portion of the program.

Only certified MWSBE firms are eligible to fulfill goal requirements on city contracts. City of Houston Certification is also accepted by the following agencies:

  • METRO
  • Port of Houston Authority
  • Houston Independent School District
  • Houston Community College
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Houston Housing Authority
  • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Airport Transportation Agencies Statewide

Visit http://www.houstontx.gov/obo/certification.html for more information on certification.

 

May 6, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

Violations Codes

Texas Transportation Code
Signage is not normally posted for parking regulations included in the Texas Transportation Code because they are provided in the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver’s Handbook. The parking regulations included in the Texas Transportation Code are available at the link below.
codes below effective 05.03.2011
CODE
VIOLATION
CURRENT FINE
AFTER 30 DAYS
APK-4
Parked on wrong side of street
$30
$55
APK-5
Parked on street more than 24 hours
$30
$55
APK-6
Parked non-commercial vehicle in truck zone
$40
$65
APK-7
Parked in bus zone
$50
$75
APK-8
Parked in reserved zone
$45
$75
APK-9
Parked in a fire lane
$305
$355
APK-10
Parked in emergency no parking zone
$60
$80
APK-11
Parked blocking private driveway
$40
$65
APK-12
Parked within 15 feet of fire hydrant
$105
$155
APK-13
Blocking or parking on sidewalk
$40
$65
APK-14
Parked within 20 feet of a crosswalk-intersection
$40
$65
APK-15
Parked within 50 feet of rail crossing
$40
$65
APK-16
Parked in a tow away zone
$70
$105
APK-17
No parking anytime
$40
$65
APK-18
Parked in a school zone
$55
$80
APK-19
Other parking violation
$40
$65
APK-20
Parked more than 18” from right-hand curb
$40
$65
APK-21
Parked in a handicapped zone
$500
$600

 

May 4, 2013 in Neighborhood News

PetroLogistics – Compressors tripped, Fri. 5/3/2013 @ 9pm

One of our compressors tripped after power was interrupted to a critical analyzer.  This resulted in a big drop in steam usage and the boiler steam production could not be reduced quickly enough to prevent the relief valve from lifting.  We are reviewing this incident to see if we can do anything different and minimize the relief valve from opening if possible.

We are working very hard to eliminate these types of events.  You have my full commitment to continue driving improvement here as our goal is to be the most reliable plant and best neighbor we can be.  I apologize again for not being available Friday night since I was out of town.  Everyone in the community is important and providing information is not a task anyone at PetroLogistics takes lightly.

Community safety is very important to us.  I can assure you that should there ever be any type of event that we feel is a threat to the community we will not hesitate to notify the Houston emergency management folks and HFD so they can take the appropriate action in the community.  I apologize again for the event Friday.

 

Thanks,

John

John Parkinson

VP Operations

PetroLogistics

9822 La Porte Freeway

Houston, Texas 77017

May 1, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

Harris County’s Countdown to the 2013 Hurricane Season

Harris County, TX – The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM), in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor, will launch its virtual countdown to the 2013 hurricane season on May 1st via digital billboards.*

These public service announcements are part of HCOHSEM’s annual preparedness campaign urging residents to get ready for the upcoming hurricane season which starts on June 1st.

“We’re always looking for new ways to efficiently communicate with residents about hurricane preparedness,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.  “Digital billboards provide the ability to update our message with the latest information.”

A total of six digital billboards will display the actual countdown to the start of hurricane season. In addition, five traditional billboards also will display preparedness messages throughout hurricane season in Harris County.

Clear Channel Outdoor is providing the billboards at no charge to the county.  “Harris County residents read and use billboards every day.  Providing public service messages such as these has been a long tradition by our company,” said Lee Vela, vice president for public affairs at Clear Channel Outdoor.  “Clear Channel supports local programs to promote public safety.”

Preliminary predictions are calling for an above average 2013 hurricane season.  Planning ahead can help you protect yourself, your family, and your property before disaster strikes.

Get hurricane preparedness tips and sign up for emergency alerts for Harris County at www.readyharris.org.  Follow HCOHSEM on Facebook and Twitter.

###

*Media opportunity:  Clear Channel Outdoor will freeze countdown for 30 minutes on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 10 a.m., billboard panel #1024 facing south on Eastex Freeway (Hwy. 59) in Humble, south of FM 1960 on the west side of the street. Clear Channel Outdoor and Harris County representatives will be available for interviews

April 29, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

TPC Group Operations Update – Flare System

Dear Neighbor,

TPC Group Houston Operations, located at 8600 Park Place Blvd. will commission its new flare tip beginning Monday, April 29, as part of the upgrades to its flare system.  As part of this start up and initial operating process, as with any commissioning, the potential exists for noise and visual distractions in the way of flame for a short period of time until steady state conditions are established.  This activity is expected to occur throughout the week.

Should there be any changes to this situation, we will utilize the CARE Line (281.476.2237) to provide updates to our neighbors and the surrounding community.

We apologize for the inconvenience and if you have any questions, please contact me at 713.475.5243.

 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sara Cronin Director, Corporate Communications

April 28, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

A Neighborhood Sweep was done and the results are in!!

Inspections & Public Service

 

The Department of Neighborhoods Inspections & Public Service (IPS) aims to defend and improve the quality of life of Houston neighborhoods through the active enforcement of city ordinances and the reduction of blight and substandard living conditions.

 

As a division of the Department of Neighborhoods, IPS enforces Chapter 10 related to the Code of Ordinances for:

 

  • Open and vacant buildings
  • Nuisances on private property
  • Junk motor vehicles
  • Weeded lots
  • Graffiti

 

A Ride – A – Long is done to ensure that we as Homeowners are in compliance with the Deed Restriction that was implemented for the maintenance and the increase of property value. The following addresses have been repoted for having a violation of the city ordinance that could result in a citation. Please remove as soon as possible to refrain from being cited by the City of Houston.

STREET BLOCK NUMBER

 

  1. 900 Aubert – JMV
  2. 1100 Aubert – JMV
  3. 1400 Aubert – Bldg. Materials
  4. 1200 Christine – JMV
  5. 500 Evonne – JMV
  6. 800 Evonne – JMV
  7. 800 Evonne – Furniture
  8. 5200 Falvey – Furniture
  9. 900  Toni – Furniture
  10. 800 Woodbine – Bldg. Materials
  11. 800 Woodbine – JMV
  12. 700 Forest Oak – Tree Waste on the curb should not be placed till the Friday before Heavy Trash Pickup date.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me and I will get back with you in a timely manner.

 

Michelle Miranda – President

713-584-3532

April 27, 2013 in Important RemindersNeighborhood News

Remember: May is a Tree Waste Month

tree 2 waste

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 6. 2013 – HEAVY TRASH PICK UP

 

Placement Instructions:

 

  • Tree Waste should be placed adjacent to the front curb in a location easily accessible to the collection vehicle between the hours of 6:00 p.m. the Friday before, and 7:00 am. on the scheduled collection day.
  • Tree Waste material should not be stacked under low overhead electrical wires or other cabling, signs, or mailboxes; next to fences or posts; or on top of water meters, gas meters, fire hydrants, or other exposed utility components.
  • Materials should not be placed in the street, on the sidewalk, or other right-of-way, or in any manner which would interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
  • Tree Waste collection is limited to residential units and vacant residential lots only if the waste generated is in connection with the maintenance of the property.
  • Styrofoam blocks or loose packing material should not be mixed with Tree Waste/Junk Waste piles. Styrofoam does not decompose. We encourage you to bring your styrofoam to the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center or the Environmental Service Center South.  The last alternative is to bag your styrofoam and put it out for your weekly garbage collection.

 

Restrictions:

  • No more than 8 cubic yards of junk waste or tree waste may be placed at the curb for collection.
  • A maximum of four cubic yards of building material (not to include roofing shingles, brick, plaster or concrete) generated by the resident in connection with the maintenance of the residential property may be collected by Solid Waste Management Department crews.
  • Appliances containing refrigerant must have a tag attached to them certifying that a qualified technician has removed the refrigerant.
  • The Solid Waste Management Department is not allowed to collect any material that was generated by contractors who were retained by a resident to perform work on his or her residential property. It is the responsibility of the contractor to remove all debris that may arise from the contractor’s activities. These contractor-related activities include, but are not limited to: trimming and removal of trees, remodeling, new construction and roofing.
  • If authorized items placed for collection are mixed with unauthorized items, department personnel shall not be obligated to sort the materials and may refuse the entire load.
  • Solid Waste Management Department collection services are not available to multi-residential structures of more than eight units.