Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 1 Have you paid your Annual membership dues? Pay online at: www.braeswoodplace.org Next Board Meeting: February 10 - 7 pm St Vincent de Paul Church 6800 Buffalo Speedway Index: Calendar/Reminders 2 Security 3-4 Letter Writing Info 6-9 Street Reconstruction 9 Brays Bayou & Flood Control 10-11 Recycling Program 11 Mothers of Young Children 12 Twain, Pershing 12,13 Remember When? 14 Residents Survey 15 Advertisers 15-23 Contact Information 24 Braeswood Place Area Storm Water Detention A record attendance at the January 13, 2011 BPHA Board Meeting, with all but a few members present, welcomed Anne Clutterbuck, Houston City Council, District C and Mark Loethen, City of Houston Acting Deputy Director for Public Works and Engineering. A very informative discussion of Braeswood Place Area Storm Water Detention was followed by a question and answer period. The key points covered were as follows: Two permanent restrictors in the Braes Blvd. portion of the Houston storm water detention project were installed before the Meyer Tract was acquired. Improvements to Poor Farm Ditch north of Holcombe Blvd. were performed by the City of Southside Place and the City of West University Place with temporary restrictors installed at the Holcombe Blvd. Bridge and Poor Farm Ditch. The City of Houston is evaluating the remaining detention capacity available in the Meyer Tract to determine what detention will be required for projects contemplated under “Rebuild Houston”. BPHA has expressed opposition to the City of Houston selling or relinquishing any detention capacity from the Meyer Tract to any other municipality. To read Clutterbuck’s summary of the meeting, please refer to Page 5 for full details. Project Brays: E-Mail, Letter Writing Plan to Lobby for Funds The Harris County Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Project Brays, designed to reduce flooding risks for thousands of area homes and businesses, is in severe jeopardy of coming to a halt! District representatives have asked the community to help by contacting federal officials to approve the funding required to continue the project. Please refer to Page 6 for guidelines on how to construct your letter and the addresses of the contacts in Washington. This information is also posted on our website at www.braeswoodplace.org . For further information, contact Bob Schwartz, President, Brays Bayou Association at 713-723-7230 or [email protected]or our own Billy Pilgrim at 713-661-6513 or [email protected]. Support for Mark Twain Elementary Magnet School Program A recent report that revealed Mark Twain Elementary was in jeopardy of losing its magnet school designation and accompanying funding fortunately has been reversed. However, state funding for public education at all levels is at risk and a request has been issued to petition state representatives to support public school funding from Pre-K through college. For information on how to participate, please see the Mark Twain Elementary School column on Page 12. Continued on page…. Sentinel February 2011 President’s Message by Rosemary Gendusa-Glick Braeswood Place Homeowners Association A Deed-Restricted Community 4010 Blue Bonnet Suite 112 Houston, TX 77025 713-666-7248 [email protected]Of Special Interest: *Buffalo Speedway Street Reconstruction Meeting – Wed., March 23, SVDP Cafeteria *C.I.P. Program-Mayor Parker, CNL Clutterbuck- Tues, Mar 1, 6 pm, St. Vincent de Paul RESERVE THE DATE - BPHA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING! Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 7 pm, St. Vincent de Paul, 6800 Buffalo Speedway Special Presentation – “How to Secure and Protect your Home” By Capt. John Kovar, Harris County Precinct 1 – Constable Patrol Program DOOR PRIZES! HOT DOGS!
Transcript
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 1
Have you paid your
Annual membership
dues?
Pay online at:
www.braeswoodplace.org
Next Board Meeting:
February 10 - 7 pm
St Vincent de Paul
Church
6800 Buffalo Speedway
Index:
Calendar/Reminders 2 Security 3-4 Letter Writing Info 6-9 Street Reconstruction 9 Brays Bayou & Flood Control 10-11 Recycling Program 11 Mothers of Young Children 12 Twain, Pershing 12,13 Remember When? 14 Residents Survey 15 Advertisers 15-23 Contact Information 24
Braeswood Place Area Storm Water Detention
A record attendance at the January 13, 2011 BPHA Board Meeting, with all but a few members
present, welcomed Anne Clutterbuck, Houston City Council, District C and Mark Loethen,
City of Houston Acting Deputy Director for Public Works and Engineering. A very informative
discussion of Braeswood Place Area Storm Water Detention was followed by a question and
answer period. The key points covered were as follows:
Two permanent restrictors in the Braes Blvd. portion of the Houston storm water
detention project were installed before the Meyer Tract was acquired.
Improvements to Poor Farm Ditch north of Holcombe Blvd. were performed by the City
of Southside Place and the City of West University Place with temporary restrictors
installed at the Holcombe Blvd. Bridge and Poor Farm Ditch.
The City of Houston is evaluating the remaining detention capacity available in the
Meyer Tract to determine what detention will be required for projects contemplated
under “Rebuild Houston”.
BPHA has expressed opposition to the City of Houston selling or relinquishing any
detention capacity from the Meyer Tract to any other municipality.
To read Clutterbuck’s summary of the meeting, please refer to Page 5 for full details.
Project Brays: E-Mail, Letter Writing Plan to Lobby for Funds
The Harris County Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Project Brays,
designed to reduce flooding risks for thousands of area homes and businesses, is in severe
jeopardy of coming to a halt! District representatives have asked the community to help by
contacting federal officials to approve the funding required to continue the project.
Please refer to Page 6 for guidelines on how to construct your letter and the addresses of
the contacts in Washington.
This information is also posted on our website at www.braeswoodplace.org.
For further information, contact Bob Schwartz, President, Brays Bayou Association at
713-723-7230 or [email protected] or our own Billy Pilgrim at 713-661-6513 or
Investigations: active residential alarms; noise disturbances
(barking dog, loud music); suspicious vehicles.
Assistances: Assisted resident who was locked out of
home; checked home for resident who arrived home to find
exterior door open; responded to “Lifeline” device call for
assistance.
SOME GOOD NEWS…..
This month, two residents, one living within the
neighborhood and one residing nearby, alerted Precinct 1
and HPD respectively of suspicious males:
* Our resident noticed a man trying to get his parked car
started. The resident knew this person did not live on the
street. The deputy responded to the call and suggested to the
man that he go to the nearby Valero station for help, which
he did. Fortunately, the clerk recognized the man as one who
had burglarized the station the past week! The deputy
arrested the man.
* The other person alerted HPD to 3 males on bikes who
were suspiciously checking out parked vehicles.
Apparently, these males fit the description of the suspects
who were just involved in a burglary. Our deputy on patrol
south of the bayou was scanning HPD calls for anything
pertinent to our neighborhood. He drove to the area in
question and saw 3 males fitting the description given out by
HPD. Meanwhile, HPD was searching by car and by
helicopter. Our deputy followed the 3 males and
apprehended them at the YMCA. He notified HPD and
turned them over to them.
SECURITY IDEAS FROM CONCERNED
RESIDENTS
*Schedule a Home Inspection Survey – available to
Constable Patrol members ONLY! A specially trained
Precinct 1 deputy will come to your home and advise as to
best way to protect your home.
*Use high quality deadbolts that extend six inches into
door and have heavy duty striker plates. Use deadbolts
that use keys for locking. Do NOT leave key in deadbolt
lock.
*Reinforce frame around door. Look up “Strike Master
II” on web for an available product.
*Burglar-proof sliding doors. Check web for devices to
secure these doors.
*Consider installing windows that are difficult to break.
Check out “Brute Force”.
*Retrofit your doors with wide-angle peep holes. And
never open your door to strangers, especially after dark!
*Program 9-1-1 into your phone’s speed dial for quick
access.
*Illuminate the inside and outside of your home.
*Always close and lock your garage doors.
*Use of home security cameras – available in wide range
of prices. Consider professional installation.
*Make sure your home address is prominent for
emergency services to identify.
*Photograph/videotape your valuables and engrave them
with your driver’s license number. Store this information
off-site or in a safe place where it, too, cannot be stolen.
“Hope these suggestions
help…but they will only if you
act on them and soon!” -Concerned Neighbors
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 4
*SOME CLARITY ABOUT SECURITY by Janet Maxian
Recently a home in our neighborhood was burglarized. Unfortunately, this incident occurred at a shift change. Our
deputy ending his shift was headed to the Precinct 1 office on North Shepherd to drop off the patrol car and turn in
paperwork. The oncoming deputy was then on his way to our side of town. The closest deputy was dispatched to the
scene of the burglary. He was coming from the Montrose campus of the University of Saint Thomas. Naturally, if the
deputy for our area was already back in the area, the response time would have been much less than the 10 minutes
recorded by Precinct 1and the 15 minutes reported by the homeowner. Since some confusion and questions have arisen
from this incident, additional clarity about the Constable Patrol may be helpful.
Harris County Constable Patrol programs throughout the county allow for contracted deputies through Harris County,
such as we have with our program. We are in Precinct 1, under Commissioner El Franco Lee, with the deputy constables
headed by Precinct 1 Constable Jack Abercia. All such contracts within Harris County stipulate that those contracting
for deputies will pay for 80% of the deputy’s salary and will then be allotted 80% of the deputies' time. The remaining
20% of the salary is paid by the county and covers such things as the patrol car, equipment, insurance. The 20% of the
deputy’s time is available for county business such as serving warrants to residents of this county. We contract for 5
deputies, which is the number needed to give us coverage 7 days a week, night and day. For decades, Constable Abercia
has worked to give us much more than the 80% by routinely allowing the deputies to be in our contract area 100% of the
time. In times of disaster, he has actually added District Deputies to our area to help our five deputies. This was evident
when, during the days and weeks following the disasters of Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Ike, he put multiple
deputies in our area 24/7, without any additional fees to our community. As a rule, the deputy’s role in a call for service is
the initial response, taking care of the problem, and making a report. Follow-up investigation then becomes the job of
HPD. Captain Kovar of Precinct 1 has now worked out a process whereby the responding deputy will be able to give the
resident the name of the HPD policeman responsible for the follow-up.
As many of us have seen for years in the Houston area, there are crazy boundaries of the various precincts. For example,
Precinct 1 covers areas from north of IAH Bush Airport all the way south to almost Fort Bend County. People have
questioned why everyone doesn’t pay for this program which obviously benefits all of us. They have asked why BPHA
does not have mandatory dues. There are 33 different deed restrictions in our neighborhood. Except for one small area,
32 of the 33 areas' deed restrictions call for voluntary membership. (The restrictions apply to 100% of the properties, but
actual memberships in the Homeowners Association and the Constable Patrol are voluntary). To achieve mandatory
membership or mandatory Constable Patrol membership would require amendments to all sets of deed restrictions. In
order to amend them, we would need 75% agreement (and signatures) of homeowners, not renters. BPHA has had to go
to great lengths with volunteers getting 51% signatures required to just "renew" our existing deed restrictions as written
every 10 years. We have many lots, renters, vacant houses and people who simply do not want change, do not want to
sign documents related to their homes, etc....hence the monumental efforts just to renew what we have. Failure to renew
would open up our community to all sorts of undesired things that, by being in place, have helped to keep Braeswood
Place the great place that it is.
Crime is on the rise throughout the city. The residential areas near Rice University experienced five home burglaries
recently within a two week period. These occurred during the daytime with no one at home. This area also has a security
program with Precinct 1. It is called RACS – Rice Area Constable Service. RACS has gone from a 3 deputy program,
then a two deputy one, and now to a program of just one deputy - due to decreasing membership. This means that their
one deputy is on patrol in those neighborhoods on a limited basis.
BPHA has the lowest crime statistics of any of our surrounding neighborhoods. You can click on this link to view crime
statistics: http://mycity.houstontx.gov/recentcrime/index.html. The BPHA Board feels this is because of the high
visibility of the deputy on patrol. Heartfelt thanks goes to all the residents who have paid to have the deputies here on
patrol. You are largely responsible for our relatively secure neighborhood. Any and all residents are welcome to stop by
or call the BPHA office for further discussion. Plus, any BPHA Board member is glad to answer any questions or listen
to concerns at any time. And, of course, all residents are welcome to attend any of the BPHA Board meetings, as we are
always looking for volunteers to help keep our community stable and strong. I hope this information is helpful.
If you have an emergency situation, ALWAYS call 911 first, and then the Constable Patrol. More is always better than
less. If the situation is not an emergency, i.e. your life is not in danger, consider calling Precinct 1 first. The deputy just
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 5
SECURITY, cont…
may be in the neighborhood and will be able to respond quickly. HPD may have emergency calls ahead of nonemergency
ones.
The deputies advise that items that are currently being sought by the thieves are flat screen TVs, guns, jewelry, computers
(especially laptops). They recommend that we keep the serial numbers of our valuables in a secure place but not on a
computer that potentially may be stolen. They also advise us to engrave our TDL on valuables and obtain certified
appraisals for our jewelry. Precinct 1 now has a trained inspector available to perform the Home Security Inspection
Survey for Constable Patrol members. The successful compliance with the survey items usually results in a reduction of
your homeowner’s insurance. The deputy will evaluate how secure your home is and will also offer ways to increase this.
Call the BPHA Office to arrange an inspection - 713-666-7248.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, continued from Page 1:
C.I.P. Program
The Honorable Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, and Anne Clutterbuck, Houston City Council – District C, will hold
a meeting for area residents at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at St. Vincent DePaul Church, 6800 Buffalo
Speedway. The topic of discussion will focus on annual Capital Improvement Plans (C.I.P.) for District C.
Welcome, Mark Murrah!
Mark Murrah, an attorney with Phillips & Reiter and a resident of Braeswood Place, has agreed to chair the very
important BPHA Deed Restrictions Committee. The community of Braeswood Place, population of approximately 2,200
residences, encompasses 33 different subdivisions and, therefore, as many sets of deed restrictions. Our sincere thanks to
Mark for making this significant contribution to BPHA!
Your Input is Important!
In an effort to be as fully responsive as possible to residents of Braeswood Place, please take the time to complete and
return the survey on Page 15. The Board will welcome all volunteers, all comments, and will seriously consider all
requests.
BRAESWOOD PLACE AREA STORM WATER DETENTION – CLUTTERBUCK LETTER
The following is a letter from Anne Clutterbuck, Houston City Council, District C Representative, summarizing matters
discussed in a BPHA Board Meeting held on Thursday, January 13, 2011:
From: Anne Clutterbuck, City Council Member, District C
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 4:17 PM
To: BPHA
Subject: Braeswood Place Area Stormwater Detention
Thank you for allowing me and Mark Loethen of our City of Houston Public Works Department to address your
homeowners association meeting yesterday. I thought it would be helpful to summarize briefly the pertinent matters
expressed in the meeting, both for those who attended the meeting as well as for the next elected Council Member who
will represent BPHA in regional flood control matters:
The two restrictors in the Braes Blvd. portion of the Houston storm water detention project were designed and
constructed before the Meyer Tract was acquired. These restrictors were intended to be permanent. The project
was designed with enough mitigation capacity underground to allow for flood relief with the permanent restrictors
in place.
Improvements to Poor Farm Ditch north of Holcombe Blvd. were performed by the City of Southside Place and
the City of West University Place. There is a removable/temporary restrictor in place at Holcombe Blvd. Bridge
and Poor Farm Ditch. Harris County Flood Control District requires that the restrictor will remain in place until
adequate mitigation detention is satisfied for the project. The City of Houston will continue to oppose removal of
the temporary restrictor in place until adequate mitigation detention is satisfied for the project.
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 6
The City of Houston is evaluating the remaining detention capacity available in the Meyer Tract to determine
what detention will be required for projects contemplated under “Rebuild Houston”.
As of this date, the City of Houston has not received a request from any municipality to purchase or acquire
detention capacity from the City of Houston. Should we receive a request, I will let BPHA know so that BPHA
can monitor the proposal.
Due to the shortage of detention space in the Braes Bayou watershed, it is unlikely there will be any detention
capacity available from the Meyer Tract after “Rebuild Houston” projects are completed.
I heard “loud and clear” that BPHA is opposed to the City of Houston selling or relinquishing any detention capacity from
the Meyer Tract to any other municipality. You have my commitment to continue to be your advocate on this, and to work
to ensure that the restrictor at Poor Farm Ditch is not removed until adequate mitigation detention is acquired. It is our
goal to leave maximum flexibility in the City of Houston’s storm water detention and mitigation capacity and not
jeopardize our protection.
GUIDELINES, CONTACT ADDRESSES FOR BRAYS BAYOU FUNDING REQUESTS by Rosemary Gendusa-Glick
As mentioned in my President’s letter on page 1, the following are guidelines on how each of us can contact our
representatives to ask that Project Brays be kept on track and funds made available. Note that this information is
posted on our website at well: www.braeswoodplace.org. Below are Sample Letters, Titles and Salutations for
Administration Officials, and talking points that may be used in the body of the letters. Email using cut and
paste is the preferred way – quick, easy to include copies to other people, no postage, and no delay while the
Post Office opens the envelopes to check for toxic substances. Please consider writing a letter. The need is
urgent.
NOTES FOR COMMUNICATING USING E-MAIL:
1. E-mail is a preferred method of communication. It is fast, doesn’t require postage, and is easy to provide
copies for additional addressees. Further, it does not result in an inspection delay to make sure there is
no toxic powder in the envelope.
2. Always be respectful and use the recipient’s proper title. Remember, we are asking them for something,
and we want to persuade them.
3. You are not limited to just one letter. If you feel like communicating with other addressees, please do so. 4. Please do not use the words reimbursement, earmark, or congressionally directed spending in your
letter. While it may mean one thing to us, in Washington these carry an unwanted connotation.
5. Lastly, time is of the essence. The Budget has to be presented by the President to Congress in early
TP 1 The Harris County Flood Control District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1937 to
serve as a local partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build projects that reduce the risk of flooding from major
bayous and streams in Harris County. Project Brays is the District’s largest project, an approximately $500 million effort
in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the risk of flooding to tens of thousands of homes,
businesses, and facilities. Invoices to USACE for the Federal share currently total $36 million and will rise to $49 million
next year. A $20 million per year appropriation until the project is completed is being requested to maintain project
progress and limit flood risk.
Continued…
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 7
Talking Points, cont…
TP 2 The Flood Control District’s largest undertaking is Project Brays, an approximately $500 million effort in
partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to widen 21 miles of Brays Bayou, replacing or modifying 32 bridges,
and excavating four detention basins with a combined capacity of nearly seven Astrodomes of stormwater storage.
Project Brays, by increasing channel capacity, is expected to lower flood elevations, reducing overbank flow and
shrinking the 100-year floodplain, thus removing tens of thousands of homes, businesses and facilities from flood risk.
The project includes tree and wetlands plantings and restoration of existing trails to make it aesthetically acceptable in a
highly urbanized environment. Invoices for the Federal share of the project through USACE now total $36 million and
will rise to $49 million next year. A $20 million per year appropriation, until the project is completed, is being requested
to maintain project progress and limit flood risk.
TP 3 The Flood Control District launched Project Brays by using local funds to build the project and relying on federal
reimbursements to keep construction going. Unfortunately, available local funds have declined and federal funding is
dwindling because of a struggling economy, a growing national deficit and the war on terrorism. Invoicing for the Federal
share of the project has reached $36 million with $13 million more to be added next year. $20 million, roughly half of the
invoiced amount is being requested to keep the project going at a reasonably rapid pace. Indications are that less than $4
million is being considered for the coming year. This will significantly extend project completion, putting it roughly 30
years behind schedule. There will be significant costly impacts, if this occurs. Construction costs will likely rise, the risk
to residents will increase, the increased flood insurance fees for this longer period will be costly to the occupants of the
watershed and, from a Federal point of view, the risk to FEMA, who backs the flood insurance policies, will be very
significant. The portion of the watershed yet to be protected is very affluent, and insurance payouts can be costly.
TP 4 Accrued invoices for the Federal share of Project Brays have reached $36 million with $13 million more to be
added next year. A $20 million appropriation is being requested for each of the succeeding years until the project is
completed. The outlook at this time is for significantly less funding. The future pace of Project Brays and other Flood
Control projects will largely be determined by the amount of federal funding we receive during these challenging
economic times. If the District does not receive sufficient federal funds, it must further slow the pace of Project Brays and
other projects. Overall project costs will likely rise since construction costs at this time are low. Project completion will
be dramatically extended, risks and costs to occupants will be expensive, and FEMA will be at large risk.
TP 5 Slowing the pace of Project Brays will inevitably have adverse effects on residents, businesses, critical facilities
and areas of significance including the Houston Ship Channel, the East End, the Texas Medical Center, the University of
Houston, Hermann Park, Rice University, the cities of Bellaire and West University Place, Sharpstown and the Westchase
District. The longer it takes to complete construction on Brays Bayou, the longer structures in these areas will remain at
risk for flooding. Completing construction sooner to avoid future flood damages will save money on federal and local
levels: The Federal Emergency Management Agency would recognize a savings in flood insurance claims paid to Harris
County, and the District could continue taking advantage of the current climate of low construction bids. A $20 million
appropriation per year until completion will keep the project close to schedule.
TP 6 Harris County Texas is located in a tropical zone subject both to Hurricanes and sometimes frequent tropical
storms. Residents and occupants of the Brays Watershed, one of the most highly developed watersheds in the County are
subject to substantial risk from such storms, and also expensive flood insurance premiums. The longer the project takes,
the more the citizenry has to pay, reducing their discretionary resources. As the project progresses, the flood levels are
reduced, shrinking the flood plain extents, reducing the number of homes and businesses in the flood plain, and reducing
the risk and flood insurance policy costs to the owners. Failure to appropriate funds at the $20 million annual level can
cause the project schedule to be extended from 10 to 35 years to continue increasing costs to the citizens.
TP 7 The risk of flooding to individuals residing or working in the watershed is significant both as to life and to
property. Losses include damage to structures, contents, loss of pets, individual loss of life, and inability to reach and
provide emergency services for heart attack, stroke, birth, etc. during flood events. An appropriation of at least $20
million per year until completion will reduce flood loss claims to FEMA. By example, the Texas Medical Center, as a
result of Tropical Storm Allison, lost over $2 billion in damages plus loss of lab animals and research equipment which significantly set back federally supported research projects. There are also a number of universities with federal projects within the
Brays Watershed.
Braeswood Place Sentinel * February 2011 * Page 8
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Contacting the President of the United States:
A letter should be addressed as follows and the salutation is the most common form used:
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
However, a faster method is online. Go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and fill in the boxes that includes a message box with
2,500 characters for the body of your letter.
Contacting the Office of Management and Budget:
The best contact at OMB is the head of the Energy, Science and Water Division. Address the letter as follows:
Mr. Richard A. Mertens, Deputy Associate Director Energy, Science and Water Division, Office of Management and Budget, New
Executive Office Building 725, 17th
Street NW, Room 8002, Washington, DC 20503
Dear Mr. Mertens: or by email: [email protected] (there is an underscore “_” between richard and mertens)
Contacting the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works:
The Honorable Jo Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, 108 Army Pentagon, Room 3E446, Washington,
