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Author: Michelle

Updated scheduled event for Oak Meadow Park Ribbon Cutting SCENARIO will be December 20, 2023 at 3:00pm.

  • Date / Time: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2023 / 3:00p.m.
  • Site: Oak Meadow Park, 500 Ahrens St., Houston, TX 77017
  • Point of Contact: Oneika Peters, Sr. Community Liaison, HPARD, 832-755-0293(cell)
  • Chanelle Frazier, Outreach Manager, Houston Parks Board, 713-
  • Parking: Speaking program participants and VIPs will park along Ahrens Street near the playground; general public parking will be around the park
  • Weather Provisions: Event will be outdoors; umbrellas will be provided in case of light rain; in case of moderate rain, speaking program will be under the park’s picnic pavilion
  • Language Provision: This is a bilingual speaking program through interpretation headsets provided to people who prefer to listen in Spanish
  • Confirmed Speaking Program Participants (in order of appearance):
    • Kenneth Allen, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department
    • The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mayor, City of Houston
    • Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member Dave Martin, District E
    • Beth White, President and CEO, Houston Parks Board
    • Dean Corgey, Commissioner, Port Houston
    • Michelle Garcia, Vice President, Oak Meadows Civic Club
  • Confirmed Elected Officials, Partners, and Guests
    • Sara Cronin, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs; Gwendolyn Kimble, Communications Coordinator; Nick Gill, Houston Operations Plant Manager; Jason Sanders, Environmental Manager, TPC Group
    • Sara Montelongo-Oyervidez, Manager, Refinery Public Affairs, Valero Energy Foundation
    • Jesus Gonzalez, President, and Rita Snow, Secretary, Oak Meadows Civic Club
    • Eileen Puente, Principal, Rucker Elementary School, HISD
  • Scenario Snapshot
    • 01:30 p.m. Event Load-in Begins
    • 02:30 p.m. All Event Elements in Place 03:05 p.m. Opening Remarks Begin
    • 03:26 p.m. END of Program & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony BEGINS 04:00 p.m. Event ends
  • Speaking Program – 21 minutes
    • 3:05 p.m. Kenneth Allen, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, thanks participants for coming and offers remarks (4 mins)
    • 3:09 p.m. Mr. Allen introduces The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mayor of The City of Houston (1 min)
    • 3:10 p.m. Mayor Sylvester Turner offers remarks (3 mins)
    • 3:13 p.m. Mayor Sylvester Turner introduces Mayor Pro-Tem and District E Council Member Dave Martin (1 min)
    • 3:14 p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Martin offers remarks and turns program back to Mr. Allen(2 mins)
    • 3:16 p.m. Mr. Allen introduces Beth White, President and CEO, Houston Parks Board (1 min)
    • 3:17 p.m. Ms. White offers remarks (2 min)
    • 3:19 p.m. Ms. White introduces Dean Corgey, Commissioner, Port Houston (1 min)
    • 3:20 p.m. Mr. Corgey offers remarks and turns program back to Ms. White (2 min)
    • 3:22 p.m. Ms. White introduces Michelle Garcia, Vice President, Oak Meadows Civic Club (1 min)
    • 3:23 p.m. Ms. Garcia offers remarks and turns program back to Mr. Allen (2 min)
    • 3:25 p.m. Mr. Allen offers closing remarks and thanks everyone for attending! All
    • speakers, VIPs, and electeds move to the ribbon cutting location (1 min)
    • 3:26 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Photo Opp
  • PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: All Program Participants gather at the ribbon-cutting location
  • Oak Meadow Park Improvements Description and Background – This event celebrates the grand opening of improvements at Oak Meadow Park, located in the Oak Meadows Neighborhood.
  • Improvements made by the Houston Parks Board and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department
    include:

    o Replaced the playground’s equipment for ages 2-5 and 5-12 and the adjacent concrete plaza
    o Replaced swing set and added adjacent site lighting
    o Upgraded asphalt walking trail to new concrete and installed two new benches along the trail
    o Renovated basketball area with resurfaced court, repainted lines, new backboards and posts, and
    installation of new seatless benches for players to lean on
    o Converted the baseball field into a soccer field and established new turf
    o Added picnic pavilion area with lighting and four new picnic tables
    o Enhanced volleyball court with new sod, posts, and corner markers
    o Refreshed and reconfigured site furnishings, such as benches, picnic tables, and grills
    o Repaired park water fountain
    o Addition of bollards around the park perimeter
    o Detention area for improved drainage for the park
  • Houston Parks Board served as the project manager, with Times Construction as the construction
    firm. The landscape architect was Clark Condon Associates, Inc. The overall total project cost is
    $1,095,000.
  • Upgrades to this neighborhood park were made possible by 50/50 Park Partners, a Mayor
    Sylvester Turner initiative led by the City of Houston, Houston Parks and Recreation Department,
    Houston Parks Board, and Greater Houston Partnership.
  • The 50/50 Park Partners framework provides an opportunity for corporations to play a
    leadership role in supporting neighborhood parks and their surrounding communities, catalyzing the
    process of reinvigorating an under-resourced park.
  • In addition to a City of Houston public investment of $14 million to the 50/50 Park Partners
    Initiative, we would like to acknowledge over 30 philanthropic partners who together invested over
    $10 million, including Houston Endowment, Port Houston – the official Park Partner for this park.
  • Houston Endowment has played a leadership role in parks across the city through its history of
    investments and recognizes the value of smaller neighborhood parks.
  • Port Houston played a pivotal role in this park’s transformation by pledging $1 million to the
    50/50 Park Partners program, partnering with both Oak Meadow Park and Hidalgo Park, and inspiring
    the maritime-themed playground.
  • In addition, three companies contributed funding towards improvements at Oak Meadow Park:
    INVISTA, TPC Group, and the Valero Energy Foundation – collectively contributed over $30,000 to the
    project.
  • The initiative included a coordinated process for determining park improvements focused on
    collaboration with the Oak Meadows Neighborhood and the District E Office.
  • For this park, an initial community listening session was held on December 8, 2021, during
    which residents provided their ideas and feedback on key aspects of the park.
  • An in-person pop-up on December 14, 2021, and additional meetings were held with the community
    to refine the park’s improvements and design further.
  • A survey was also distributed to the neighborhood via email and yard signs.

Update: Oak Meadows Park Renovation/Opening

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Tuesday, November 14 – 10AM
Attendance: COH Mayor Turner, COH Councilman and other elected officials
Every Resident is invited to attend!

The following items have been added:

4 – 8ft tables (1 – pavilion w/handicap access, others on Christine side)
Soccer field will be marked
BBQ Pits
3 – Wooden tables refurbished (No graffiti allowed)
Walking trail covered with black top – will be redone
Retention pond – not holding water

Thank you to Mayor 50/50 Park Partners, Houston Parks Board, City of Houston, TPC, Invista, OMCC worked together in making this park a success!

TPC Group Exceeds $2 Million Raised For Non-profit Organizations Across Southeast Texas Since 2006HOUSTON (October 3, 2023) – TPC Group (TPC) announced today that it will donate more than $230,000 to 16 non-profit organizations benefiting from TPC Group’s 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Since 2006, TPC Group’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament, the Company’s largest community investment initiative, has collectively donated more than $2 million for more than 50 non-profit organizations across Southeast Texas.

“TPC Group’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament has become our flagship event with increasing participation every year in support of many worthy organizations,” said TPC Group Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs Sara Cronin. “This incredible journey of philanthropy and representation of our commitment to community would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated business partners. Together, we continue to transform lives and inspire positive change, one swing at a time.”

More than 60 applications were submitted by non-profit organizations to be considered for funding from the 2023 Tournament.

TPC Group Annual Charity Golf Tournament’s continued success relies on its sponsors’ support. This year’s Presenting Sponsor was Next Wave Energy. Other top-level sponsors included Crosby Tugs, Kirby Inland Marine, Baker Botts, Southwest Shipyard, Ardent Services, BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals LLC, Baker Hughes, Trafigura and IRISNDT Inc.

About TPC Group
TPC Group, headquartered in Houston, is a leading producer of value-added products derived from petrochemical raw materials such as C4 hydrocarbons, and provider of critical infrastructure and logistics services along the Gulf Coast. The Company sells its products into a wide range of performance, specialty and intermediate markets, including synthetic rubber, fuels, lubricant additives, plastics and surfactants. With an operating history of more than 75 years, TPC Group has a manufacturing facility in the industrial corridor adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel and operates product terminals in Port Neches, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION and click on the “Donate” tab on the homepage!

Your contribution improves community safety, operations, and progress. OMCC appreciates support from community residents who are willing to invest in enhancing the Oak Meadows experience.

Su contribución mejora la seguridad, las operaciones y el progreso de la comunidad. OMCC agradece el apoyo de los residentes de la comunidad que estén dispuestos a invertir para mejorar la experiencia de Oak Meadows.

STAY IN THE KNOW & SPREAD THE NEWS!

Get the latest updates, news, and information on the OMCC website and tell everyone all about it!

Community involvement promotes responsibility, creativity, and intelligence.  Being involved is so crucial because the goings ons of your community directly affect everyone!

OMCC Minutes July 18, 2023 Meeting

Mr. Gonzales called meeting to order at 6:48pm. Announcement was made of our guest speakers. Due to time restraints, Mr. Gonzalez made a motion to not have any old nor new business. R. Castro 2nd the motion.

Daria Glasscock with CM Martin’s office began. She announced how she took over Mark Mitchell’s place and handles issues on the south Side of Houston in Dist E. She has brought up the issue of a new traffic light on Allen Genoa at Ahrens to traffic and transportation. She also advised that our Park will be reopening in Sept, this year and has addressed the handicap issue stating all park playground equipment is handicap accessible. And that she will be speaking with getting access from the Christine and Ahrens side from the street over curb.

Constable Garcia advised that he has no major crimes to report and that his constables are available for calling if HPD is tied up on other calls. His constables are still patrolling our neighborhood for more visibility and assisting HPD on any illegal doings.  Commissioners court has approved an overtime program for 4 hours shifts when they are needed within Oak Meadows. They are able to supplement HPD’s Patrol Dispatch 713.477.4070.

Richard Nguyen with Solid Waste gave us a great example of what can be recycled and what cannot. We all need to be helping with making Houston a clean city and report illegal dumping. He is also a candidate for Council at large position 3. Please remember his name when voting comes around.

We welcomed Office Silva with HPD  20 yrs, now our DRT officer. He reported on stopping many 18 wheelers cutting thru OM, the many H/T violations and running of stop signs. In June he issued 36 tickets and in July he issued 27 tickets. Officer Silva provided his email address to those that would like to contact him on certain things they see going on that they may not want to do publicly. He advised people need to get cameras and especially the ring camera at front door. He also advised that a drug house within OM has been raided and homeowner arrested.

Our meeting then adjourned at 748pm.

Minutes were taken and prepared by R. Castro.

OMCC Minutes of 5.16.23 Meeting

Our meeting was called to order at 6.34pm by Pres., Jesus Gonzalez. Our meeting began with a prayer by JG and Hernan Arce recited prayer in Spanish.

Minutes were read by Secretary, RC and were accepted as read by Cathy Carnes. This was 2nd by Mr./Mrs. Giberson.

Treasury balance was given by Ms. Gonzalez with a beginning balance of $345.00. Expenses of $302.00 Added membership of $50.00 leaving a balance of $95.48.

JG then advised that there was no Old Business to discuss and introduced our guest speakers Mr. Paul Barnes, attorney for COH in Deed Restrictions Dept. and Mr. Byron King, for COH Code Enforcement Mgr. in Permits and/Building Projects.

New Business consisted of the OMCC website & our formed Architectural Review Committee, consisting of Mr. Sergio Mendoza, Mr. Paul Taveras & Mr. Hernan Arce. JG explained what the Architectural Review Committee is all about and that any new home additions must first go thru our committee to assist residents with receiving proper permits for all construction.

JG spoke of our newly formed Deed Restriction Committee introduced Ms. Cathy Carnes and acknowledged her Research Assistance helping the CC.

6:51pm Lt. Marco Leal with Constable’s office for 20 yrs. is in charge of evening shift over Patrol. Has 30 deputies and believes that they are here to serve the community. They listen to what the people need and provide services. Please learn about what suspicious activity is, so that you will use the proper wording when reporting this type of activity.

7:00pm Sgt. Tapia advised that overall non-violent activity has INCREASED consisting of theft of property, buildings, burglary of motor vehicles, fraud, and aggravated assaults along with sexual assaults. HPD is patrolling OM more along with the Constables assistance. Sgt. Tapia advised that school will be closing soon and HPD will be more visible during this time. Now we move onto ROAD RAGE incidents, this is happening more thru out Houston. Become aware of the Mental problems people are having. GUNFIRE is also on the rise in OM during night time hours. Sgt. Tapia took questions from those in attendance. He announced next PIP mtg will be on June 26 due to holiday on 6.19.   JG announced to all that Officer Silva has achieved 20 yrs. of service with HPD.

7:17pm Attorney Paul Barnes started off by stating that he cannot give legal advice on neighborhood services. He advised how some DR date ack to the 1920’s here in Houston and how strong the DR are to the community it houses. Houston does not have zoning, so when you purchase a home you are normally given a copy of the DR at that time.  Mr. Barnes went on to say that a Civic Association can enforce DR. Even a neighbor can file a complaint, or a lawsuit against. Civic Association in regards to fences can regulate height & what the fence is made of.  COH does not represent the civic associations or the property owners. 1) Report 2) COH will investigate           3) get the evidence    4) take action by sending letter.

7:43pm Byron King w/COH 33yrs began as an inspector and now has worked his way to the top position over building code enforcements. The permit assist in making sure the work is done correctly. All permitting can be done via computer. This began during COVID and is still going on. DR are a STRONG example as a STOP WORK issue. Relying on DR to make sure your neighbor hood stays good. The DR are very useful. Pls call in any work you see being done without a permit.

8:11pm Ms. Garcia took floor to explain about the OMCC website. Explained what all is going to be on the website to make it easier for residents to get information and be informed of what is going on.

We had 24 neighbors in attendance at this meeting and meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.

Minutes were taken and prepared by Rita S Castro.

OMCC Minutes September 19, 2023 Meeting

Meeting called to order at 6:48pm by VP Michelle Garcia. Question was put to audience if they wanted to hear minutes & Treasury report of previous last two (2A) meetings or go straight into hearing from Guest speakers. A vote was taken by hand and all approved going with guest speakers. Ms. Cathy Carnes seconded motion.

CM candidate Fred Flickinger was 1st to speak. He advised that our COH needs to be run more like a business and he has that experience. He went onto say that in every place he has spoken people are acknowledging that they have been forgotten with City Services by COH. Police and Firefighters both deserve decent pay and with COH they are not receiving it. He stated that COH has 14% more in tax dollars than it did 7 yrs ago. He went on to say that COH has no responsibility for Education yet they have on staff a director, Asst. Director and other staff being paid out of our tax dollars. Mr. Flickinger understands the need for infrastructure in our old neighborhood.

Also said that when he becomes CM for Dist. E that he will make sure our area is not forgotten and will hold meetings on our side of town.

Conchita Reyes running for at large Pos. 1 was raised and educated here in Houston. Has a degree in accounting. She along with other at large ofc holders would like to assist each CM District on requirements. She stated that she will not be YES person to the new Mayor and states how customer service, the budget and taxes are her specialty.

Erica McCuthcheon came on and stated how the COH Budget is and has not been balanced under this current Mayor. She is a Prop. A supporter which would allow 3 CM the opportunity to place an item on City Agenda for discussion and Vote. She supports affordable housing, Infrastructure Repair thru out COH, our Sea Port, Police and Fire Fighters.

Officer Angel Silva started off with how the CRIME stats have gone up. Burglary of cars and habitation, fraud all up. Spoke of how HPD arrest the Criminals yet Harris County keeps releasing them. Magnolia Eastside now has active gang units and specialized depts to assist other divisions. HPD made several arrests of prostitutes on Howard/Winkler and Hwy 45. Some as young as 14.

Constable Garcia began by stating that his guys will always supplement the short handed HPD on all crimes. He gave his dispatch # 713.477.4070 and advised after you have called it in to HPD, then call it into his dispatch. Our County Commissioners office only gave the Precinct 2 constable $400k to assist with costs inside Precinct 2. Constable Garcia has requested enough funding to hire 4 more deputies and received nothing from Comm. Adrian Garcia. Constable Garcia was able to achieve a No Trespass from TXDOT so he can keep our underpasses free of people staying overnight. He has requested 50K go to overtime for the deputies and always remember that they work for you.

Meeting Adjourned at 758pm. Rita made announcement that this was to be the last meeting of the Civic Club for the year of 2023.

These minutes were taken and prepared by Rita Snow.

Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale Now Open

  • Register Now for the 2023 Walk for Water Join Houston Public Works and our partner, Grundfos, in the fight against global water insecurity. The Walk for Water event spreads awareness for those worldwide without access to clean drinking water. The non-profit Water Mission receives 100% of the funds raised from the event to build safe water solutions in developing nations and disaster areas. Participants will carry a bucket and walk 1.5 miles along Buffalo Bayou to a water source, filling their bucket and then walking 1.5 miles back to the starting point (simulating the voyage that many people worldwide make to bring clean water back to their homes.) We walk so others don’t have to.   Register Here: bit.ly/2023Walk4WaterHouston
       When you register, select “Join a Team” and be sure to join the Houston Public Works Team!  
    Event Details:

    When: Saturday, October 14, 2023 between 10 AM – 12 PM
    Where: Allen’s Landing, 1005 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002
    Registration fees: $25; registration includes an official event t-shirt   Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale Now Open Order your discounted rain barrel and/or compost bins by October 8. Then pick your items up on October 21 at the Houston Permitting Center (1002 Washington Ave. Houston, TX, 77002).

    For information and updates visit www.rainbarrelprogram.org/Houston   Questions?
  • Email: WaterConservation@houstontx.govHouston Public Works – CAS Support4200 Leeland St., Houston, TX 77023Unsubscribe – Unsubscribe Preferences