Houston 311

11/10/2020

www.houstonsolidwaste.org

Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD)
Collections and Facility Schedule for Veterans Day

Houston, Texas, November 10, 2020: In observance of Veterans, the following are changes to the City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department’s (SWMD) collection and facilities schedules.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 (Veteran’s Day)
City Holiday: NO COLLECTION SERVICES. Solid Waste Management facilities and operations services will be closed. Neighborhood depositories, Westpark and Reuse Warehouse are closed.

Thursday, November 12, 2020
All facilities and collection operations will resume services. The Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Centers Westpark Recycling Center and The Reuse Warehouse open.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow us on Twitter @HoustonTrash, email: [email protected] or call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.

About the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department
The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.

11/05/2020

New Relief Program Will Help Houston's Musicians and Music Venues That Are Currently Facing Economic Challenges Due to COVID-19

Relief Program for Musicians

November 4, 2020--- Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council announced a new relief program today for musicians and music venues that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Houston's Musicians and Music Venues Economic Relief Program is being funded with $3 million of the City's allocated CARES Act 2020 funds.

Musicians will be eligible for up to $5,000 in relief funding, and music venues will be eligible for up to $50,000 or $100,000, depending on budget size.

"As a city, we have provided rental assistance and supported small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we will focus on Houston's musicians. Music venues, and iconic performance spaces are a big part of our city and an important segment of Houston's cultural life," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "They were delivering great live music before the pandemic, and we want them to be able to do that again, as soon as they can, and by being safe."

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Houston venues to close and events to get postponed. The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) created the program as a resource for Houston musicians and for-profit and non-profit music venues to sustain their operations during and after the pandemic.

"During a community meeting hosted by MOCA and the Texas Music Office, we heard from a diverse group of Houstonians in the music industry that one of the most pressing concerns is survival," said Debbie McNulty, Director of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs. "Beyond economic relief support, MOCA is actively looking at other forms of assistance for our Houston music sector."

Applications for the program are currently being accepted and must be completed online at www.houstoncaresaboutmusic.org by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

To qualify, applicants:

Must be a live music venue whose principal place of business is located within the City of Houston's city limits.
Must be a musician whose principal residence is located within the City of Houston's city limits.
Must provide evidence of how business revenue has significantly decreased because of government restrictions or other challenges due to COVID-19.
Must be in good standing with City requirements (e.g., property taxes, personal property, grounds for debarment, etc.).
Guitarist PerformingIn addition to these requirements, a weighted scoring matrix will be used to ensure the equitable distribution of grant funds. Applications will be ranked by objective scores, and funding will be applied until the program runs out of funding.

MOCA has tapped Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) regional arts organization, to administer the program. This summer, MAAA distributed nearly $600,000 of federal CARES Act funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and awarded its portion of the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund, seeded with a $10 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

MAAA will host the following information sessions for applicants:

Zoom Info Webinar: Tuesday, November 10, at 10:00 a.m. for venue applications.
Zoom Info Webinar: Tuesday, November 10, at 3:00 p.m. for artist applications.

Zoom Meeting Information

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83427875439pwd
=THVOVzJLS0V3ejh6TWdRb2cvZkRYUT09

Meeting ID: 834 2787 5439
Passcode: 322197
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 834 2787 5439
Passcode: 322197

Office Hour Sign Ups: Monday through Friday, November 16 – November 20 at 12:00 p.m.

Sign up for 15-minute spots through this link: https://doodle.com/poll/zt5pmn2d9f9b74y3.

Staff is also available by email or can set a convenient time to meet by phone or Zoom outside of office hours.

For more information, contact:

Christine Bial
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Director of Arts & Humanities Grant Programs
Email: [email protected]

10/19/2020

www.houstontx.gov

The City of Houston Announces Recommendations for Reopening Sanctuaries and Faith-Based Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Click image above to review report
October 18, 2020 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor's Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force announced guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as sanctuaries and faith-based organizations reopen their doors for religious services.
The Mayor was joined by Dr. Irishea Hilliard of New Light Church and Reverend Rodrigo Vargas of Union Houston. Both are members of the H.E.R Task Force's Faith and Community Leaders Subcommittee, a group of religious leaders who provided input and recommendations for creating the guidelines.
The task force strongly encouraged limiting the occupancy of facilities at 25% capacity and offering members the option to pre-register.
"Many Houstonians are people of faith and want to return to in-person worship services. The recommendations give people a road map on how to move forward without risking their health and safety," said Mayor Sylvester Turner.
The H.E.R. Task Force reviewed three critical questions; How do we protect congregants? How do we assure communities we are doing all we can to protect them? And, how do we minimize the risk of transmission?
"As a faith leader, I closed my house of worship services and went back to virtual services. I wanted to make certain my parishioners and members were safe," said Pastor Irishea Hilliard.
Additionally, the guidelines recommend that employees and members of a house of worship avoid touching and sharing audiovisual equipment such as microphones, instruments, and the removal of hymnals, pens, and offering envelopes.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be on the task force," said Pastor Rodrigo Vargas. "I thank the Mayor and others for their leadership. I appreciate the opportunity to invest our time, innovation, and faith, into making our city safe, while at the same time respecting our worship centers."
"Since the pandemic began, our number one priority has been to keep Houstonians safe," said Shannon Buggs, Director of the City of Houston Complete Communities Initiatives, and head of the Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force leader. "Early on, the Mayor's Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force recognized places of worship as foundational elements in our society. I appreciate and applaud the diligence of the Faith & Community Leaders Sub-Committee for bringing together faith and civic leaders who spent several months discussing and developing the sanctuary reopening guidelines for the protection of all Houstonians."
The set of guidelines also include the use of clear signage in parking lots, halls, and entrances, the availability of hand sanitizing stations, and possible temperature checks.
The recommended guidelines for reopening sanctuaries and faith-based organizations can be found on https://www.houstontx.gov/Best-Practices-Sanctuaries-Faith-Based-Organizations.pdf.
"I was proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside the spiritual leaders of our community, who regardless of their beliefs, joined forces in providing their feedback to create such a comprehensive set of recommendations,” said Janice Weaver, Director of Community Relations, who coordinated the efforts of the Faith and Community Leaders Sub-Committee.

Mayor's Office Links
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10/15/2020

www.houstonparking.org

Houston City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting parking of motor vehicles in dedicated bicycle lanes. A dedicated bicycle lane is a portion of the roadway separated from vehicle traffic with striping and/or physical barriers for the exclusive use of bicyclists.

When the Houston Bike Plan was adopted in 2017, the City committed to making Houston a safer, more accessible, bike-friendly city by 2027. Approval of the ordinance supports the Bike Plan, protects the City’s investment in the bikeway infrastructure and further strengthens the City’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

“We have listened to bicyclists throughout our city, and we are taking this step to protect them and keep the lanes clear for everyone to enjoy. The ordinance is an opportunity to promote safety and educate those who park in dedicated bicycle lanes without realizing how it impedes access. Together, we can balance the needs of drivers and bicyclists in our city,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

“With the passage of this ordinance, we have provided a means to not only protect the safety of bicyclists but also to demonstrate our commitment to Vision Zero,” said Tina Paez, Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department director. “The City has invested significantly, and we must ensure bicyclists feel safe while using these lanes. Bicyclists are no different from the vehicle drivers who want safe and clear roadways.”

The citation carries a $100 fine but for their first violation, offenders have the option to take a Bicycle Friendly Driver Training Class to have the fine waived. The class is designed to teach the best practices in considering the road safety of bicyclists and other non-motorists on shared rights-of-way. In order to take the course, the driver must see a hearing officer.

The ordinance approved by City Council will not require posted signage as it has previously. The prohibition will not apply to on-street bikeways where travel lanes are shared by vehicles and bicyclists and where the City permits on-street parking; i.e.: Washington Avenue.

This flyer (.pdf) will be distributed during a 90-day warning period.
Bicycle lane parking FAQs (.pdf)
About ParkHouston
ParkHouston, a solution-focused division of the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department, creates sound parking management strategies for commercial and residential areas that enhance pedestrian safety, ensure a smooth flow of traffic, and allow emergency vehicles to reach their destinations. In addition to actively maintaining over 10,000 parking spaces across the City, ParkHouston also works to create more sustainable communities by reducing congestion and supporting alternative modes of transportation.

For more information visit www.houstonparking.org.

10/14/2020

Mayor Turner kicked off the first day of early voting with students from the University of Houston (UH) and Texas Southern University (TSU).

The Mayor announced the Mayor’s Early Vote College Challenge, a challenge encouraging students from the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University to cast their ballots during early voting. Mayor Turner will receive a daily report of the turnout on local campuses and will announce the winning school after the election.

During his visit to Texas Southern University, Mayor Turner took part in TSU's Student March to the Polls. The Mayor joined TSU students by marching down the campus to the TSU polling location where he casted his ballot.

On the first day of early voting, Harris County smashed a record previously set in the 2016 election cycle.

Early Voting at Texas Southern University

Mayor Turner marches down to the TSU polling location and is joined by TSU students and faculty.

Mayor Turner is asking young people to vote early and on election day by sharing their experiences on social media.

"Our students are the future of this country and their voices must be heard," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "This is the most important election of our time and you simply cannot sit it out and expect to be heard. Voting is a fundamental right and the most powerful way to express one’s self. I am encouraging everyone to participate in early voting this year and vote all the way down the ballot."

The mayor also released a public service announcement on the first day of early voting.

09/25/2020

Bike to Wherever Day 2020 – Houston Bikeways

Hey #HoustonTX! Rrescheduling Bike to Wherever Day to next Tuesday, Sept. 29 due to Tropical Storm Beta. Looking forward to seeing where you bike to! Visit our website for more bike tips and safety resources: http://houstonbikeplan.org/btwd2020
#BTWD2020 #IBikeHTX

The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily interrupted life as we know it. With many still working from home, we thought we’d celebrate the nation’s rescheduled Bike to Work Day by encouraging Houstonians to try biking wherever their day takes them. We realize the importance of maintaining an active,...

09/24/2020

Municipal Courts

CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS CLOSED TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT
2 P.M. DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, OFFERING RESETS

HOUSTON – Due to inclement weather, the City of Houston Municipal Courts were closed Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. and resumed normal operations on today, Wednesday, September 23, 2020, with a 10:00 a.m. delayed start time. If you missed your court date due to the inclement weather closure on September 22-23, 2020, resets will be given in person at all City of Houston court locations Wednesday, September 23, 2020 through Friday, October 2, 2020, until 5 p.m. Please visit the Municipal Courts’ website at www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on all court locations and hours of operation. It is important to note that if an individual fails to reset their case(s) during the reset period (9/23/2020 through 10/2/2020), an arrest warrant may be issued.
As a reminder, all Jury Trials and Jury Duty are suspended due to COVID-19 until November 30, 2020. All Jury Trials and Jury Duty will resume on December 1, 2020.
Following Mayor Sylvester Turner’s and CDC guidelines to protect the public and MCD staff from the spread of COVID-19, members of the public will be required to wear face masks/facial coverings and have their temperature taken prior to entering the courthouse.
For additional announcements and information please call the City of Houston Helpline at 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 if outside of the City of Houston, or visit the Municipal Courts website at www.houstontx.gov/courts

DUE TO COVID-19, MANY OF YOU ARE PART OF THE VULNERABLE POPULATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE OLDER THAN 65 YEARS OF AGE, SUFFERING WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS, SUCH AS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, DIABETES, OBESITY, ASTHMA, OR WHOSE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED DUE CHEMOTHERAPY FOR....

09/18/2020

Mayor Turner's Statement on Governor Abbott's Plans to Reopen the State During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 17, 2020 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner today released the following statement in response to Governor Abbott's announcement about reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I listened to Gov. Abbott's announcement and believe the plan is a little more aggressive than I would prefer in announcing the next round of reopenings. The virus is still in our community. The state has taken an approach that comes with high risk.
The governor is only utilizing the number of hospitalizations as the primary matrix to make decisions about reopening, and hospitalizations represent a lagging indicator.
We have been here before. Our hospitalizations were low at the end of April, but then those numbers shot up, and the results were horrendous. Houston is still reporting too many positive cases and deaths at a level higher than in March, April, and May.
This is not the time to take a victory lap, because it undermines the messages we have given the public to take this virus seriously and mask up and get tested.
If people think we have conquered the virus, it makes it more challenging to get them to continue to wear face masks, stay home if they are sick, wash their hands, and get tested – all the measures we need them to take to contain the virus until there is a vaccine."
Mayor Turner also announced the death of 10-year Houston Airport System employee Richard Sable from COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the City of Houston has lost seven municipal employees and three Houston firefighters as a result of the coronavirus.
"I ask all Houstonians to keep Richard Sable's family and former colleagues in your thoughts and prayers," Mayor Turner said. "Please honor all victims, especially City employees, who lost their lives as a result of COVID-19."