This Week at City Hall

Apr. 19, 2013Office of Council Member Ellen Cohen

Water Safety Awareness Month

April is Water Safety Awareness Month in the City of Houston, and in honor of this designation, Council Member Cohen presented a City Proclamation at Tuesday’s Council Meeting. Accepting the proclamation was the founder of Bria’s House, an organization dedicated to educating parents about pool safety and accident prevention. With summer quickly approaching, please be sure to check out these tips and have a conversation with your children about pool safety!

An ‘International’ Farmer’s Market

City Hall hosts an expansive farmer’s market every Wednesday at lunchtime. Fresh, local produce and food truck lunches are available around the reflection pond just outside City Hall. This week market-goers were able to get a sneak peek at the 2013 International Festival (downtown during the next two weekends: April 20-21 and 27-28), which will highlight Brazil.  Market hours are 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Visitors may select metered street parking; or garage parking at the Tranquility Park garage (400 Rusk) or Hobby Center (800 Bagby).

On the Agenda

Council authorized an extension of an agreement between the City and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a pilot project in Cottage Grove. This project will implement a low impact development (LID) drainage design in the neighborhood, which will utilize natural features and pervious pavement rather than concrete pipe to contain and manage runoff. The Cottage Grove LID pilot will be evaluated over a two-year period to help determine whether these ideas could be applied in other parts of the city.

What’s Happening in the Annex

The near-northwest side of Houston, a portion of which is included in District C, is an area undergoing exciting transformation. After having received a Livable Centers Grant, the Near Northwest Management District has been advancing an impressive vision for development of the area.  Council Member Cohen met with NNMD’s president, Wayne Norden, to discuss implementation of these plans.