This Week at City Hall

May. 31, 2013Office of Council Member Ellen Cohen

Departmental Budget Reviews Underway

Council has begun reviewing the budgets of each City department in advance of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2013. Council Member Cohen and her colleagues received presentations this week from several departments, including Public Works & Engineering, Planning & Development, and the Department of Neighborhoods. Mayor Parker has unveiled a $4.9 billion proposed total city budget for the new fiscal year (FY2014) and there will be a public hearing to discuss the proposal on June 11, 2013, in Council Chambers at City Hall, at 9:00AM.

Drainage Design Manual to Be Upgraded

Following the recent changes to Houston’s development ordinance, Chapter 42, the City plans to update stormwater drainage requirements (Chapters 9 and 13 in the Public Works & Engineering Infrastructure Design Manual). Council’s Transportation, Technology & Infrastructure (TTI) Committee will host a public meeting to consider draft revisions for these rules. The meeting is set for Wednesday, June 12th, 2013, in Council Chambers at City Hall, at 5:00PM

On the Agenda

Council awarded the contract to replace aging water lines in Shepherd Forest, a small, friendly neighborhood located just north of the 610 Loop in District C. This will increase the availability of water for residents, as well as improve circulation and fire protection. Construction on this project is expected to begin over the summer.