Major Expansion for Recycling Program
The Solid Waste Department has expanded its single-stream recycling program to another 70,000 homes throughout Houston. In District C, over 15 neighborhoods will receive their 96-gallon green bins through this expansion, including parts of 4th Ward/Freedmen’s Town, Oak Forest, Richwood Place, Shady Acres, and West End. Solid Waste now includes over half of our city in the single-stream recycling program, and plans another expansion in spring 2014 to an additional 60,000 homes.
Public Input Meeting: Memorial Park Master Plan
The Memorial Park Conservancy (MPC) will host the first public meeting to give citizens an opportunity to help with the creation of a new long-range master plan for Memorial Park. The MPC plans for several more meetings throughout the fall and winter to ensure ongoing opportunities for public comment throughout this process. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30PM in the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.
Jewish Family Service Centennial
Mayor Parker and Council Member Cohen proclaimed October 22nd, 2013 as Jewish Family Service Day in Houston in recognition of their 100th anniversary. Since 1913, Jewish Family Service has provided assistance and professional resources to Houstonians in need with a focus on strengthening family life and laying the foundation for self-sufficiency.
On the Agenda
A city employee who is on active military duty and whose military salary is less than her/his city salary is entitled to compensation for the difference during time of war or a state of emergency. The events of September 11, 2001 began this period but it is set to expire. In order to avoid undue disruption for these veterans, Council authorized a two-year extension. Currently, 16 City of Houston employees are serving on active military duty.
What’s Happening in the Annex
Council Member Cohen met with Houston GLBT Political Caucus President Noel Freeman to discuss the possibility of implementing a non-discrimination ordinance in our city. Houston is the only top-10 city in America that does not have an ordinance to protect its Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) residents and veterans from discrimination. Mayor Parker, Council Member Cohen, and several other council members support the implementation of these protections for Houstonians.