This Week: Public Feedback Sought on New Flood Prevention Regulations; FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and the elevation of 40 flood-prone homes; Junk Waste Collection Services to Resume
Public Feedback Sought on New Flood Prevention Regulations
Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and her colleagues received a presentation at a Special-Called Joint Meeting of theTransportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Committee and theRegulation and Neighborhood Affairs Committee regarding proposed changes to Houston’s building code ordinances relating to flooding.
Houston Public Works DepartmentDirector Carol Haddock and Chief Resiliency Officer Steve Costello led discussion on proposals to require stricter guidelines for new construction to reduce the risk of flooding.
Public Works is seeking feedback from the public on this proposal and Mayor Pro Tem Cohen successfully advocated with Mayor Turner to extend the deadline to March 5th to ensure the community has the opportunity to review. Comments may be sent topwe.director@houstontx.gov or you may complete an online survey.
On the Agenda
Council approved an agreement between the City of Houston and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) regarding the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Through this grant program, the City will be able to provide $12.4M in funding for the elevation of 40 flood-prone homes and will be reimbursed by the TWDB. These homes volunteered during the 2016 grant application process. They were selected using FEMA’s cost-benefit analysis that elevation would be less expensive to FEMA than continuing to pay out multiple flood insurance claims to policyholders. The majority of the homes to be elevated are located in District C.
Junk Waste Collection Services to Resume
The Solid Waste Department has announced that residential curbside junk waste collection services will resume April 1st, 2018. Junk waste is defined as items such as furniture, appliances, and other bulky material. These should be placed adjacent to the front curb in a location easily accessible to the collection vehicle before 7AM on the scheduled collection day.
Junk Waste Months: February, April, June, August, October, and December
Yard Waste Months: January, March, May, July, September, and November
Please note that yard waste may be collected during junk waste months; however, the materials will not be recycled.