East Aldine District simplifies name, gets sewer/water funding approval


EAST ALDINE – It’s been known as the “Improvement District” and the “Management District.” Now just call it by it’s nickname, the “District.” In a move to simplify and strengthen the area’s identity, the board decided last week to use the new term on its signage, planned to go up around the perimeter of the district in the near future.

In other board action, the financial report was reviewed, and the status of a bond sale and grant funding was heard.

Accountant Jack Roland reported that sales tax receipts for the month of March were up 11.5% from the previous year. This means the district received $281,991 from sales tax collected in February by the state. For the year to date, the state has forwarded $986,446 to the district. The projection for the whole year is expected to be almost $4 million.

Discussion ensued on the status of bond sales, and grants to accomplish the sewer and water projects for the District.

Executive Director David Hawes reported that TCEQ, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, has given approval to issue about $13 million in revenue bonds, to be used for new sewer and water lines in the area east of US59 known as Service Zone 11, and North Houston Heights. The bonds will also be used for about $2.7 million of Transportation and Mobility projects, according to the TCEQ documents.

In addition, the TWDB, or Texas Water Development Board, has put on its agenda for early action, a grant of $450,000 to be used by the EAMD for two subdivisions water and sewer lines. These are Sherwood and Benton Place. This money would be matched by a later grant of $3.5 million for construction, according to Hawes.

A new committee structure for the board was announced. There will now be a Mobility and Transportation Committee, headed by Art Murillo; an Environmental and Urban Design Committee, headed by Debra Foster; and a Facility Development Committee, headed by Bill Townsend. The latter committee will be investigating the potential for constructing a multi-service center in the district to house a number of agencies, educational institutions, social service agencies, government offices, and the district offices. Plans for this facility are only in a very preliminary discussion at this time.

The sheriff’s office reported that they were looking into equipment to analyze noise, which could be used in conjunction with new legislation that may be passed in Austin to help abate the noise problem.

Reports were received from the Proactive Sheriff’s unit, the Nuisance abatement officer, Grafitti abatement, Neighborhood Clean-up, Bike Patrol, and Economic Development directors. Residents can contact the abatement officer at 281-449-1800, or the Director of Services at 713-595-1220.