Council Approves FY2015 Budget
After over 11 hours of debate, Council passed a balanced budget totaling $5.2 billion for FY2015, which will take effect July 1, 2014. Highlights include an additional $10 million towards pothole repairs and street overlays; expansion of single-stream recycling to the entire city; and the creation of a discretionary fund that will allow each district Council Member to expedite solutions unique to the local issues in their districts.
On the Agenda
Council approved a contract between the City of Houston and Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation to begin the design phase of an infrastructure project that will reconstruct T.C. Jester Blvd. from Washington Ave. to I-10. The proposed project improvements will include concrete roadways with curbs, an underground storm sewer system, new inlets, sidewalks, streetlights, and necessary underground utilities. This project is currently slated to begin construction in FY2017.
What’s Happening in the Annex
Council Member Cohen met with Lindsay Munoz and Michael Larson, both current members of Leadership Houston Class XXXII, to discuss their class project. Through a partnership with METRO, Munoz and Larson were able to equip four Houston-area bus shelters with solar-powered lighting and with artwork by local artists. Going forward, they hope to expand this program at bus shelters throughout the city. Representatives from theHouston Arts Alliance also attended to lend their expertise to this endeavor.