NORTHEAST HOUSTON At their regular public monthly meeting, held last Tuesday March 18 at 7 p.m., directors of the East Aldine Management District hear reports on the following business:
Water Rate Increase
Resident of Castlewood subdivision Steven Adame told the board that 325 homes in his area were expecting a 50% increase in their water bills from Suburban Utilities. He said that the utility had not made state mandated improvements to the system, and that a hearing on the increase was scheduled for April 4th in Austin.
Identity Signage
Executive Director David Hawes said that the district had been working with TxDot, and expected two signs identifying the District to be erected soon on the Hardy Toll Road, telling the public that they could exit into the District. This is only the first of a total Identity package that is planned to be implemented this year.
Public Safety grant
For several years the EAMD has teamed with the Airline and Greenspoint districts in a program to stop auto thefts. This program includes additional police that conduct surveilllance and decoy autos in high crime areas, and has been very effective in arrests of this type of crime. In 2007 this unit ran 1218 investigations, and recovered $1,665,357 in the Aldine district alone.
Water and Sewer
Progress is being made on implementing new utilities in several areas, Hawes reported. EAMD recently met with the state TCEQ agency to further work on grants that will bring new water and sewer lines into the area. Bonds will be issued in the next few months, so that work can start on the North Houston Heights project.
At a special meeting that was held on March 4th, the board approved the funding arrangement with Harris County, to proceed on water and sewer in North Houston Heights. The commitment from the EAMD will amount to $2,800,000. It is anticipated that the new system will be operated by Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District for the East Aldine District.
In addition, a resolution was passed by the board, authorizing the sale of up to $20,000,000 in bonds, to fund additional improvement projects to be determined later.
Director of Services
It was reported that Mike Ledbetter, current Director of Services for the district, and the person that most citizens interface with in the districts offices at 5202 Aldine Mail Route, has resigned and will leave the district in the next 90 days. The district will seek a qualified replacement as soon as possible, Hawes reported. The candidate must have economic skills, an outgoing and aggressive personality, and a knowledge of the area, he said.
Budget surplus
The financial report for the month of February continued the trend toward sales tax collection exceeding expectations and budgets. For February, the collections were approximately $252,000, in sales tax revenue, and $12,000 in interest, which was put in the general fund.
Public Nuisances
Board member Reyes Garcia questioned Hawes on what action has been taken on several areas on concern to local residents. On the ordinance to regulate Taco stands, Hawes reported that no enforcement action has been taken, because the County must formulate rules and this has not yet been done. Reyes also said that a noise ordinance was needed, and enforcement, but Hawes noted that this is a matter for the legislature and no action on this item has been taken over several sessions. Additionally, he said that some of the problem comes from after hours bars, but that it is extremely difficult to policethis situation.
Grants Committee
At the last meeting, grants were approved for the following: Aldine YOUTH Business Works! program $40,100; YMCA Aldine-Greenspoint, for the Growing Strong Kids after school program, $55,000; Hinojosa Public Fountain project, $3,000; Boy Scouts, camp scholarships and personnel expenses, $7,500; and Aldine Scholarship Foundation, $15,000 for annual endowment of this college scholarship program.
