Houston Environmental News Update December 11, 2019

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Elections, Christmas Bird Counts, Brews & Bayou Celebration, Holiday in the Gardens, Holiday with the Cranes, Green Jobs, and more

Collage of Tx License Plate letters spelling "VOTE"

In case you hadn’t heard, there are runoffs in elections on Saturday, December 14, for Houston mayor and several City Council positions (find the full list and polling locations at houstontx.gov) as well as in Bellaire and other municipalities in the greater Houston-Galveston region. Find details about voting at the Texas Secretary of State website at sos.state.tx.us. Please make your voice heard! (The “Vote” image above is courtesy of Kiki Neuman Creations. Kiki, in addition to being civically engaged, is passionate about creative reuse.)

At the end of 2018 we asked you to let us know what you see as issues or events of importance to the greater Houston region’s environmental community for 2019. This is what you told us:

  • Kids aren’t connecting with their natural environment
  • Fewer miles driven
  • Land conservation around Houston for greenways, habitat conservation, farm land
  • What our mayor is doing to help clean up Houston dumping, and how the city is cleaning the bayous
  • Converting open lots after Harvey into spot parks or wildlife habitat
  • Flood mitigation, water resource conservation, ecological restoration, youth education events

Now that are approaching the end of 2019, what do you, our readers, believe have been the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region so far this year?

When we checked in with you in June, you told us that the ITC fire was especially notable, along with various items from the Texas Legislature, progress on the City of Houston Climate Action Plan and Resilience Plan, and hearings relating to the Ike Dike and to the I-45 Expansion Project. Please share your thoughts, and specifics, using this Google Form. We’ll report back!

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

CEC NOTES

Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour

Audience at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at River Oaks Theatre.
VOTE

Join CEC for two nights of inspiration at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the River Oaks Theatre on January 28 and 29, 2020. Each night will feature a different selection of films. The event will also feature local films from Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Environmental Defense Fund, all winners of the Wild About Houston Film Festival in October. Consider sponsoring the festival or ordering a block of tickets for your coworkers, neighbors or extended family. Visit the CEC website or Facebook page to purchase your tickets today.

Earth Day Houston: Exhibitor Registration now available

Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

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Memorial Park Conservancy seeks to fill several positions

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The Memorial Park Conservancy has several open positions, including: Visitor Services Supervisor; Maintenance Technician; Native Horticulture Supervisor; Park Programs Manager; Turf Care Supervisor; and Horticulturalist. For full job descriptions and application instructions, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

Houston City Council Agenda – December 10, 2019

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The City will consider the following agenda items at the Houston City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in the City Hall Chamber at 1:30 PM (public comment) and at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.  The agenda includes recommendations pertaining to the transportation of solid and industrial waste, acceptance of work for the Wastewater Collection System and Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation. The agenda also includes multiple ordinances pertaining to the approval of addition of acres of land being added to the Generation Park Management District and Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 423, prohibiting the use of designated groundwater in a specific location, replacement of the Manifold Meter Array, and Intercontinental Airport Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion. 

Agenda Item 19 is a recommendation from Direction Houston Public Works for acceptance of work with PM Construction & Rehab LLC for Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation and Renewal. 

Agenda Item 20 is a recommendation from Director Houston Public Works for acceptance of work with REPIPE CONSTRUCTION, LLC dba IPR SOUTH CENTRAL LLC for Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation by Cured-In-Place Pipe Method. 

Agenda Item 40 is an ordinance approving to the addition of 201.19 acres of land to the Generation Park Management District, for inclusion in its district. 

Agenda Item 41 is an ordinance approving to the addition of 150.590 acres of land to Harris County Municipal Utility District NO. 423, for inclusion in its district. 

Agenda Item 43 is an ordinance prohibiting the use of designated groundwater beneath a tract of land at the Target Corporation site known as 2580 Shearn Street, Houston, Harris County, Texas; supporting an issuance of an MSD by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

Agenda Item 44 is an ordinance prohibiting the use of designated groundwater beneath a tract of land at the West Alabama Holdings, LLC site located at 3609, 2611, 3615, 3617, 3619 W. Alambama, Houston, Harris County, Texas; supporting an issuance of MSd by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

Agenda Item 45 is an ordinance approving and authorizing Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and the City of Pasadena for the replacement of the Manifold Meter Array at the Southeast Water Purification Plant (SWPP). 

Agenda Item 48 is an ordinance approving a Professional Engineering Services Contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for Intercontinental Airport Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and appropriate funds i.e. $3, 696,100.00. 

Agenda Item 50, 51, 52, and 53 are ordinances approving appropriate funds out of the Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund to pursue projects relating to construction of facilities e.g. engineering, testing, and contingencies relating to construction of facilities. 

Agenda Item 54 is the first readings of ordinances that , if passed, would grant Sprint Communications Company L.P the right, privilege, and franchise to collect, haul, and transport solid and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the City of Houston. 

Agenda Item 55 and 56 are second readings of ordinances that, if passed, would grant two companies the right, privilege, and franchise to collect, haul, and transport solid and industrial waste from commercial properties located within the City of Houston. These two companies are Access Data Supply INC and Rapid Waste Solutions of Texas LLC.