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Category Archives: City
Colon Cancer Awareness makes City Hall BLUE
March is colon cancer awareness month, and to kick it off, City Hall will be lit up in blue lights, starting on March 4th. Please join us at City Hall that Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m for the lighting ceremony. The blue lights will stay lit every night from March 4-8, so feel free to check out the light display any evening that week. Dark blue is the color designated for colon cancer awareness. Hope Through Grace, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that works to promote awareness of this deadly disease, which is the #2 leading cancer killer of men and women. Please help us to bring attention to colon cancer, and join us at this special lighting event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Sincerely,
Hope Through Grace, Inc.
UPDATE ON HOUSTON WEATHER – JANUARY 25, 2014
Houston made it through an usually cold day and has returned back to the moderate temperatures for the weekend. All highways are open and flowing.
January 25,2014 Weather Forecast
Low: 41°
Mostly Cloudy
Dew Point: 31°
Visibility: 10.0 miles
Humidity: 70%
Pressure: 30.30 in. 0
Sky: Mostly Cloudy
Wind: WSW 9 mph
Wind Chill: 34°
Forecast for the next twelve hours
9am Clear – 37°
12pm Overcast – 54°
3pm Overcast – 63°
6 pm Partly Cloudy – 57°
9 pm Overcast – 50°
Houston City Council amends ordinance for wage theft
Houston’s City Council made a unanimous vote to try and shut down wage theft within the city through contractors and businesses by amending chapters 1 and 15 of the city ordinance.
Organizing groups such as Texas Organizing Project and Fe y Justicia Worker Center populated much of council chambers as they stood firm and continuing a fight that has been ongoing for the past two years.
“Today is a very exciting victory and very meaningful. Not only does it tackle wage theft but it essentially endorses and respects the value of everyone’s work in Houston,” said Laura Perez- Boston, Executive Director at Fe y Justicia Worker Center. “It doesn’t matter if you’re cleaning floors or if you are building homes and work places, the work matters.”
The ordinance states that upon relation to wage theft; declaring the policy of the City regarding wage theft; defining certain terms; providing for the creation of a wage theft database and procedures relating to its use; providing sanctions relating to wage theft; containing findings other provisions relating to the foregoing subject; providing for severability; providing an effective date.
This may sound like a foreign jargon but what they are saying is there will be a place for employees of any company in Houston to go and file a grievance if they are being victimized through wage theft. There will be a coordinator to monitor the city website, listing companies that are accused while investigating the claims made. This ordinance is a tangible way for employees to see that their voices are heard as the ordinance prior to amending; ruled that companies that did commit wage theft can be banned from city work.
“Any business found guilty of wage theft in an administrative or legal proceeding would be ineligible to work for the city and would be unable to receive or renew city permits or licenses,” said David Feldman, City Attorney.
This ordinance has been a constant movement as organizers have worked for two years to get city council to pass the type of ordinance they felt would help the average worker.
“This is a huge problem that is really affecting Houston workers who sometimes are already earning minimum wage and living in poverty,” said Perez- Boston. “Wage theft throws them further and further into economic instability. It’s also an issue for responsible businesses that are trying to do the right thing and paying their employees benefits and then are under cut by business that aren’t paying their employees and cutting back on cost.”
Councilmember Ed Gonzalez noted that Houston has a large amount of buying and purchasing power along with lots of contracts but he also wants contractors to know the city won’t do business with people who are found guilty of that type of activity.
“More than 100 wage and hour violations occur each week, affecting workers employed across multiple industries. A recent report estimates that more than $753 million in wages are illegally withheld from low-wage workers in the Houston area each year and nationally studies found that 68% of low-wage workers experienced wage violations each week,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Compliance Action Data and “Houston, We Have a Wage Theft Problem” (Fe y Justicia Worker Center, 2012) & “Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers (National Employment Law Project, 2009).
The Sun spoke Alejandro Zuniga, a supporter and victim of wage theft at City Hall and his story is like many who also came out to support the ordinance.
“I had an accident at my work. I wasn’t paid for damages for the accident or the day’s pay and my boss did not pay for my medical cost. I wasn’t paid for the day’s work because my employer didn’t have insurance for the workers. And now it’s been two and a half years and nothing has still been fixed,” said Zuniga.
He no longer works for the company and had to leave because of non-payment. Zuniga allegedly suffered brain damage for about two months and mental issues because of the damages. For the last two years he has been on medication for respiratory issues.
“I was working at a school cleaning floors and I used a machine powered with gas that was not supposed to be used, but neither did the contractor or the school paid any attention to that or the worker,” said Zuniga.
Due to pending litigation, Zuniga can’t release the name of the school or the company he was working for as an independent contractor.
As of now Houston is the only city in Texas to have an ordinance as such. The website will be monitored and inquiries will be taken seriously. If companies are found not guilty of such complaints they will be removed from the watch list.
Inauguration held to swear in Houston’s new City Council
The City of Houston welcomed into office the three- time elected Mayor Annise Parker, Comptroller Ronald Green and 16 City Council members at the Wortham Theatre on Wednesday, January 2, 2014.
The mayor and comptroller were sworn in by the Honorable Vanessa D. Gilmore, US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Mayor Parke then turned and administered the oath of office to members of City Council.
This will be Mayor Parker’s final term as Mayor as she is at the end of her term limit which is six years.
“I believe this is the best job in America. To serve you is my greatest honor. I remain excited to go to work each and every day,” said Mayor Parker.
Council will look different in the 2014 year as many new faces will appear in the c shaped city council chamber. Brenda Stardig of District A will return after a 2 year sit out due to losing to Helena Brown in 2012. She will regain her seat after winning the run-off election. Dwight Boykins will represent District D, replacing Wanda Adams who termed out, Richard Nguyen beat out Al Hoang in District F, Robert Gallegos won District I and will replace James Rodriguez who also termed out. At- Large City Councilmember Andrew Burks, Jr. won’t be returning and will be replaced by David Robinson, At- Large Position 3 will be represented by Michael Kubosh as Melissa Noriega has reached her term limit.
Parker addressed many projects she has lined up and some that are already underway in her inaugural speech such as chronic homelessness, the non-sexual discrimination and infrastructure.
“It is time that you see real progress in the street and drainage system in Houston,” said Mayor Parker.
The ceremony was integrated with music from the Inauguration Orchestra, honor guards from the Police and Fire Departments, and children led the pledge of allegiance from the Star of Hope.
Now that the pomp and circumstance is done, City Council will resume on Tuesdays at 1:30pm, public forum and on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at 900 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002 on the Second floor.
City of Houston provides medical benefits for legally married same sex couples
Mayor Parker has announced that legally married same- sex couples are now be eligible to receive the benefits of their spouse who works for the city.
Mayor Parker made her decision promptly after the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a ruling that legally married same- sex couples could access federal benefits, which left an umbrella for Houston to fall under.
“I’m sure there was a time where it was contemplated that same sex couples would be in legally based sanction relationships that could ever be recognized in a state or by the federal government but after a careful review we can determine that case law is such and with what’s happening around the country that we cannot continue to treat employees differently based on their sexual orientation if they are in fact legally married,” said Mayor Parker.
Due to the voter approved City Charter referendum in 2001 that said the city could not grant same sex benefits, the new policy will amend that amendment and provide benefits to legally married same- sex couples whose marriages weren’t recognized in Texas.
“Based under the equal protection under the law it is unconstitutional for the city to continue to deny benefits to the same sex spouses of our employees that are legally married. This is not the legal thing to do it is the right thing to do,” said Mayor Parker.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced in August that all legally same sexed couples will be recognized as married for tax purposes even if they live in states that don’t recognize same sex marriage. This decision also was an incentive for the mayor to make her decision.
“The procedure is the same in filing for the benefits. You would bring in a copy of your marriage license and proof that you have been married in a place that recognizes your relationship,” said Mayor Parker. “This policy doesn’t extend this to domestic partners; we still have a prohibition against that in the city charter it applies only to legally married couples.”
Mayor Parker responded to the question of her own partnership and expressed that it wasn’t a personal decision as she and her partner of almost 24 years are not married.
Although the mayor may not be partaking in the benefits package, but city employee Noel Freeman, a Public Works Engineer, can’t wait to get his husband medical insurance.
Freeman was married for 3 years ago in Washington D.C. and is the only one in the family with insurance which is provided by the city.
“He hasn’t had insurance his entire adult life and it’s a struggle for us to try and find an affordable policy for us and for the first time in many years he will be able to have medical coverage,” said Freeman. “We’re married just like any other couple but we haven’t been able to receive the benefits. What this does is level the playing field.”
As a result of this policy change same sex spouses of city employees will be eligible for the same healthcare and life insurance benefits previously only offered to heterosexual married couple. This mandate goes into effect immediately.
USPS consider closing six post offices in Houston
Sandra Rybicki, the real estate specialist for the United States Postal Service (USPS), spoke at Houston’s City Council’s public forum on December 18, 2013, where she dropped a whopper of a notice to the city’s elected officials. Within three weeks, the USPS will begin to inventory six postal locations to see if the buildings are utilized to the max potential.
Southmore Station, Medical Center Station, University Station, Greenbriar Station, Julius Melcher Station and Memorial Park Station are all in question for closure if the USPS finds that the stations have too much excessive space within the retail area.
“This is an effort to optimize the network, as a result we are looking for ways to reduce cost, consolidate operations and increase efficiency,” said Rybicki.
These particular locations house both the retail and delivery side of the postal service.
USPS is legally mandated to inform the city government and the constituents of a post office change. The first step is to notify the city of the project, the second is to notify all city officials in the community where the changes could be, and then there will be a 15 day waiting period to see and evaluate responses from city officials and the public. USPS will formalize the process by sending written notification to the Mayor. The letter will be posted in each of the target post offices. Then there will be a 30 day waiting period for comment from the Mayor’s office or the community. During that waiting period they will assess the market for potential sites that meet USPS requirements and by the end of that period they will meet with USPS officials to
review those sites. Another letter will go out to the Mayor to outline the contending sites. That letter will also be posted to the door of the post offices in jeopardy and then another 30 day waiting process will begin. Once the final decision has been made there will be a final letter sent to the Mayor indicating the selected sites and that letter will be posted at each of the post offices and then there will be the last 30 day waiting period, according to Sandra Rybicki.
“The idea is to stay within a two to three mile radius if we have to relocate,” said Rybicki when Mayor Parker began to question the process of how the post office changes will affect Houstonians.
Councilmembers fired many questions about why there would be a change or the evaluation process. Councilmembers Wanda Adams, Oliver Pennington, Andrew Burks, Jr. expressed the importance of their community post office such as the historical value of the Southmore Station that has a historical marker on site.
“This is a very, very dense area and it’s getting denser. As it happens, I go by there often about two or three times a week. I was by there about 10:30 yesterday and both of the parking lots were full and that’s the retail and the service center,” said Councilmember Pennington about the Memorial Park Station. “I don’t think you can find a better location to service the area. It is a very valuable community asset.”
Pennington also stated that Congressional officials were not notified.
The public has to January 17, 2014 to write Sandra Rybicki with comments about saving their post office location.
Southmore Station, 4110 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004, Medical Center Station, 7205 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77054 , University Station, 1319 Richmond Ave, Houston TX, 77006, Greenbriar Station, 3740 Greenbriar St. , Houston TX, 77098, Julius Melcher Station, 2802 Timmons Ln., Houston, TX 77027, Memorial Park Station, 10505 Town and Country Way, Houston, TX 77024.
Vice President, Facilities
c/o Sandra A. Rybicki, Real Estate Specialist
USPS Facilities
PO Box 667180
Dallas, TX 75266-7180
Georgia Provost for City Council District D
Andrew Burks for Houston City Council At- Large Position 2
Houston Parks and Recreations Dept. receives grants for four hike and bike trails
Enhancement Program grants were given to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department totaling $6,594,406 to go toward the completion of four major hike and bike trail projects.
Three of the four projects will connect existing trails, parks, bus and METRO rail stops with neighborhoods along Brays Bayou. The fourth will connect with an ongoing flood control project on Hunting Bayou.
“These four grants will help us provide Houstonians with connections to existing off- road trails that will have long lasting positive impact on current and future generations,” said Mayor Annise Parker.
The four projects qualified for TxDOT Transportation Enhancement
Program grants under Category 1: Provision of facilities for Pedestrians and Bicycles.
The projects include: Mason Park Pedestrian Bike Bridge, funding $3,544,579, for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Brays Bayou, along with 200 feet of new trail on each bank that will link existing paths with neighborhoods, business districts and community service institutions.
University Connection, funding $1,844,655, will provide a safe pedestrian/bicycle crossing for Brays Bayou near two new light rail transit centers, two universities and many neighborhoods in the MacGregor Park area. It will connect paths along Brays Bayou and Martin Luther King Blvd.
Hunting Bayou Gaps, funding $607,430, will connect 1.5 miles of trails along Hunting Bayou with one mile of new construction. It will use work underway as a Harris County Flood Control project to connect Mickey Leland and Hutcheson Parks.
Hermann Park/Brays Bayou Connectors, funding $597,742, are a part of a comprehensive plan to connect 35 miles of existing trails stretching from the Houston Ship Channel to West Houston. It will also complete trails in Hermann Park and increase pedestrian connection to several universities and the Texas Medical Center.
“This helps toward our goal of stringing our green spaces together to provide expanded recreation options and improved quality of life for our residents,” said Parker.
The total overall cost of the project is estimated at $12.6 million, $6.6 million in Federal funds and a combination of public and private funds of $6 million for the local match.
“The Houston Parks Board (HPB) is providing the local match totaling $4,087,978 for construction of 3 projects- Mason Park Bike/Pedestrian Bridge, University Connections and Hunting Bayou Gaps,” according to the Mayor’s Office.
“The match will be funded with the City of Houston Bond funds appropriated through the BGC2020 Inter local Agreement.
The HPB is using private funding estimated at $1,650,303 to pay for the design of the 3 projects.
The Hermann Park Conservancy is providing the local match for construction and design totaling in $179,916 for the Hermann Park/ Brays Bayou Trail Connectors.
TxDot administers the Transportation Enhancement Program which is federally funded. The projects that are taken on with enhancement funds are eligible for reimbursement of up to 80 percent of allowable construction cost.