at work on your behalf

The following information was presented at the April 4 MPNA Meeting. In our continuing efforts to keep neighborhood concerns regarding the Wheeler encampment before the Mayor and his staff, MPNA submitted a letter to Mayor Turner, with a copy to our CM Dwight Boykins, Tuesday, April 3 thanking the city for their clean up and enforcement efforts. Please see the attached letter. MPNA contacted Marc Eichenbaum, in the Mayor’s Office on Homeless Initiatives, for information regarding current efforts by the city.  He shared the following: Mayor Turner and his staff continue to work toward opening additional lower barrier shelters.   The Mayor's Office on Homeless Initiatives is seeking funds to open a lower barrier shelter as soon as possible. Mayor Turner plans to re-purpose the area beneath SH 59. HPD will continue to enforce removal of excess property under 59 on a regular basis.  Police officers will enforce, but additional city staff and vehicles are required to bag and tag goods that will be removed to storage for individuals to claim at a later time.  During the most recent clean up (March 23) and excess property enforcement (March 30), 80 bags of belongings were put into storage and nine tons of debris were removed from the area. MPNA also requested an update and perspective on the Wheeler Encampment from Marilyn L. Brown, President and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, homelesshouston.org.  She provided this overview: The Coalition for the Homeless knows that permanent housing programs combined with supportive services is the answer to homelessness. The Way Home has housed more than 12,000 homeless individuals since 2012 with incredibly high rates of retention. The Coalition for the Homeless agrees that encampments are NOT acceptable, suitable living environments for the safety and health of homeless individuals NOR for those living in the neighborhoods near them. In conjunction with the City of Houston's most recent cleanup, partners of The Way Home provided outreach and engagement to those living at the Wheeler encampment.  Here's what we found:  60% of the individuals living in the encampment were found to be chronically homeless and qualify for The Way Home's Permanent Supportive Housing programs.  Most of these have had more than one housing assessment.  This is why:   The process from assessment to move-in involves several steps including obtaining identification, completing paperwork, verifying eligibility for Permanent Supportive Housing, finding a safe, affordable unit, and being accepted by the property. This process is time consuming and can be overwhelming to the homeless individual.  This means we often lose them in the middle of the process and have to start over. Background checks are also barriers to housing for chronically homeless individuals, leading to longer amounts of time and multiple attempts between applying and moving into housing.  This speaks to the complexities of working with this population. We know the solution is Permanent Supportive Housing but we acknowledge that the path to get there can take time.  We don't want people to languish in an encampment while they are working to get into Housing.  The Coalition supports the creation of some type of "bridge" shelter that would be appealing to homeless clients living in encampments, and give them a safe place to stay that is not an encampment while they work through the housing process. Consider making a difference by contributing to www.meaningfulchange.org where your dollars will go toward providing permanent housing programs with supportive services.

 at a

(c) 2018 Museum Park Neighborhood Association

Contact email:  info@museumparkna.org

For the latest information regarding the closure of the Southmore Bridge at SH 288, see below or check out TXDoT's Drive 288 website here. For a map of detours see the attached document.

Continuously, from 4/20/18 at 9pm – 2/8/19 at 5am
All Eastbound and Westbound lanes of Southmore Blvd will be closed at SH 288.

 Detour for Eastbound traffic: Take SH 288 Southbound Frontage Road to Calumet St. U-Turn at Calumet St to SH 288 Northbound Frontage Road.

Detour for Westbound traffic: Take SH 288 Northbound Frontage Road to Blodgett St. U-Turn at Blodgett St to SH 288 Southbound Frontage Road.

Continuously, from 4/20/18 at 9pm – 4/23/18 at 5am

All Northbound and Southbound lanes of SH 288 will be closed at Southmore Blvd.

Detour for Northbound traffic: Take Southmore Blvd exit, continue towards Blodgett St. U-Turn at Blodgett St to SH 288 Northbound Frontage Road.

Detour for Southbound traffic: Take Southmore Blvd exit, continue towards Binz St. U-Turn at Binz St to SH 288 Southbound Frontage Road.

The Houston Police Department is today, March 30, beginning strategic implementation of ordinances passed by City Council in 2017 to address camping on public property. 

The first step of implementation includes removing excess property beneath US59.  Those living under US59 can keep with them one tent, one working bicycle, any necessary medical equipment, and personal items that can be stored in a 3x3x3 container.   Uncontaminated personal belongings (contamination must be documented by the Health Department) can be stored in lockers provided by the City of Houston.

According to Marc Eichenbaum of the Mayor's Homeless Initiative Office, today's effort is led by HPD and includes various city departments:  HPD's Differential Response Team, HPD's Homeless Outreach Team, and officers from the South Central Division, all of whom have been working under US59 for many months.  Also assisting in this enforcement step are the City of Houston's Health Department, General Service's Department, Parks Department, and Midtown Management District.

A Houstonian who lives near downtown recently wrote a public letter to Mayor Sylvester Turner about an encampment of homeless people near his residence. The mayor responded with a letter whose entire contents can be viewed by clicking here. 

The Southmore Bridge demolition has been postponed.  The Southmore bridge across Highway 288 will be undergoing construction and will be closed for 12 to 18 months starting March/April 2018.  

Access detours are shown on the attached document.  

Look for an update soon on this link. 

Take the Precinct One Parks & Trails Survey!

Provide your feedback on how Precinct One parks and trails can be improved. This survey will help them find out more about what is working well, and what they need to improve. 

Security efforts launched in July 2017 by Museum Park Super Neighborhood are yielding results.   Steps towards the comprehensive solution that we’re all working towards were discussed at the Nov. 8 meeting.  

• HPD has provided continuous coverage in the area beginning October 23^rd including patrol cars and mounted police.  Our thanks to Cpt. Salam Zia, Lt. Shamara Garner, and Sgt. Eric Flores, our South Central HPD officers, who coordinate HPD’s Homeless Outreach Team, Narcotics, Homicide, and various social service providers.  TXDoT has requested that HPD notify them of any fires adjacent to TXDoT structures. 
• City of Houston Solid Waste Management continues to conduct bi-weekly Solid Waste clean up.
• HouSE (Southeast Management District) has contracted HPD motorcycle officers who make two checks in the area near the encampment Monday-Wednesday during their three-hour shifts.  Sgt. Frank Gans, who leads the HouSE contract-team, is conducting 4-6 checks of the area near the encampment during six-hour shifts Thursdays and Fridays. These checks are part of the normal HouSE patrol route that takes the patrols south to Griggs Road and Palm Center.
• Midtown Management District is currently providing dumpsters for solid waste management. Precinct 7 Constable Patrols pass through the encampments generally twice a day at varying times, among their other duties for Midtown.  S.E.A.L. security also provides patrols in Midtown including the area near the encampment regularly.
• Chris Erickson was recognized as the incoming Safety and Security Committee Chair.  Chris will steer the Museum Park Security Alliance effort that includes Management Districts, businesses, institutions, churches, schools, residents, and all who have an interest in enhancing a thriving Museum Park environment.  

MPSN Council will continue to work in collaboration with the Houston Police Dept., Houston Southeast Management District, Midtown Management District, and METRO to as effectively as possible manage safety, security, environmental, health, and solid waste issues surrounding the US 59 encampment within Museum Park.   HPD, the City of Houston, social service and health agencies continue to offer outreach services to those living in the encampment. 

The November 1st MPNA meeting included discussion regarding how best to make our voices heard by Kenneth Hoyt, Judge for the Southern District of Texas, where the ACLU suit challenging the City of Houston's no-camping ordinance is being heard.  One MPNA member at the meeting reported that she had sent a letter to the Judge recounting the impact of the encampment on her as a Museum Park resident.  Discussion followed regarding a possible letter writing campaign from the neighborhood. 

After the meeting, Kathleen O'Reilly and I reached out to two attorneys--one working in another federal court of the Southern District (not Judge Hoyt's) and to our very own board member and municipal attorney, Kim Mickelson requesting their input.  Here is a summary of their thoughts:

1.      Letters, photos, etc  from the neighborhood are not helpful, and are not entered as evidence.  The MPNA member's letter was stamped as filed with the Court to acknowledge that it was received and is part of the record to avoid improper unilateral communications (ex parte communications).   It isn’t considered evidence or material to the matter at hand, which is limited solely to the constitutionality of the ordinance and unfortunately doesn’t include or consider impacts to adjacent properties, property owners, or the neighborhood.

Appearing at hearings, etc., doesn’t influence the judge’s thinking.  It shows community interest, but Judge is, or should be, indifferent to presence; he is evaluating merits of the case based on the law, not how many people are in the courtroom.
 
2.      It is possible, but unlikely, that individuals in the neighborhood could be called as witnesses.  However, the case is about the constitutionality of the ordinances and enforcement, not criminal activity or any impact on the neighborhood.  Criminal activity can be addressed by other ordinances, not those that are being challenged.

 3.     An attorney can be hired to file an amicus brief if the neighborhood would like to be involved.   However, the case is about constitutionality of the ordinances, rather than neighborhood impact.  The legal costs of that approach may outweigh the benefits involved as well as having the potential to further delay the resolution of the case.

Based on the professional advice of these two attorneys, the Board does not believe spearheading a letter-writing campaign is way forward at this time. 

Individuals, of course, should pursue whatever course they feel appropriate. 

I have asked the ad hoc committee to continue their evaluation in determining an effective path forward. Please contact me at president@museumparkna.org if you have questions.

Sandy Stevens, President

at work on your behalf...

Museum Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA), in conjunction with Museum Park Super Neighborhood (MPSN), continues to seek resolution of the issues in our neighborhood arising from the health and safety concerns in the Encampment under US 59 from Caroline to Almeda.

October 24, 2017 – MPNA adopted a Resolution (Click on “Resolution” to download a copy) Requesting Relief, followed by MPNA presentation to City Council.

Here is the link (Select 'Public speakers” on right hand side, and go to time of 11:00 to 36.40 on the video) to view the presentations, as well as to hear the informative responses by the Mayor and several Council Members, 

SUMMARY:

•       MPNA Resolution seeks immediate relief in the form of additional patrols     and lighting, in and around the Encampment area.
•       CM BOYKINS gave enthusiastic support for our Resolution and offered the Mayor $30,000 of his CM District budget to provide overtime for bicycle patrols to frequently ride through the Encampment.
•        Mayor Turner explained:

1.     Federal Hearing on the TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER (TRO) is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31, 2017. The TRO was issued to restrain the City from implementing the Ordinances adopted on 4.12.17 regarding No Camping and Panhandling

2.     The Mayor continues to be optimistic that the City will prevail in getting the TRO lifted. Evidence to be presented by the City, at the hearing may include information on the increased number of tents, crime reports, and health violations since the TRO was ordered. The City Health director has made a recent visit to the Encampment and declared the area a public health hazard.

3.     In the meantime, the City does not want to do anything that might be perceived by the Judge as violating the TRO or risk any charges of harassment. HPD has and will continue to respond to reports of crime, investigate, and make arrests, as determined appropriate.

4.     It is important for the City to prevail in this hearing to have the TRO lifted.  Consequences of having an INJUNCTION issued instead would result in an appeal process while leaving the Encampment in place; in any event the lawsuit is likely to continue and will be ongoing.

Please review the entire video

THANKS to all who participated in initiating, drafting, and finalizing the Resolution:

Kathleen O’Reilly, Museum Park Super Neighborhood (MPSN) President and MPNA Board member and Quality of Life/Infrastructure Committee Chair, for initiating MPNA presentation at City Council and for her actionable items to the MPNA resolution, among her many other efforts for this neighborhood.

Lindsay Williams, for drafting the initial resolution and submitting it to the MPNA Ad Hoc Committee for further review.

Louis Selig, Chair, Gene Voss, Matt Shafley, Chris Ericksen, Christine West, and Kristy Bridges, as members of the Ad Hoc Committee, along with MPNA Board members Sandy Stevens and Greg Quintero, for reviewing, making revisions to the draft resolution, and submitting it to the MPNA Board, with a request for adoption.

MPNA Board members, particularly Kathleen O’Reilly and Kim Mickelson, for reviewing and making revisions to strengthen the wording of the Resolution prior to adoption by the MPNA Board.

Sandy Stevens, Barbara McGuffey, and Cindy Woods, MPNA Board members, for presenting the Resolution at the 10.24.17 City Council session. (See link above to view the presentations)

History

April, 2017 – City of Houston adopts No Camping and Pan Handling Ordinances

Kathleen O’Reilly worked closely with the Mayor’s Office, and others, to draft and finalize the Ordinance wording.

Kathleen O’Reilly and Sandy Stevens met individually with District D CM Boykins and At Large CM’s to seek support for the passage of the ordinance.

Kathleen O’Reilly, Sandy Stevens, and Barbara McGuffey spoke on behalf of MPNA Residents at the 4.11.17 Council meeting to ask for Council to vote in favor of the Ordinances. To see those presentations, please use this link.  (See Public Speakers, Part 1 of 3 and go to time of 60:15 to 69:37 in the video.)

 For More Information:                             

NEWS updates posted on our website during the past year include information regarding this issue and other MPNA Board efforts.

If you have questions or want to get more involved, please send us an email at info@museumparkna.org.

Museum Park Neighborhood Association

Resolution Requesting Relief

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OBJECTING TO THE CONDITIONS UNDER HIGHWAY 59/INTERSTATE 69, BETWEEN CAROLINE STREET AND ALMEDA ROAD, AND REQUESTING RELIEF BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON 
 
WHEREAS, the Museum Park Neighborhood Association (“MPNA”) is one of the oldest civic organizations in the City of Houston; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Museum Park Neighborhood, bordered by West Alabama Street, Main Street, State Highway 288, and Hermann Drive, is a cluster of cultural, educational, and faith institutions, businesses, varied residential properties, as well as commercial establishments and health care providers; and
 
WHEREAS, an increasing number of individuals began erecting tents and placing cooking equipment, furniture, electronics, bicycles, and other items  on the property underneath the Highway 59/Interstate 69 overpass within neighborhood boundaries (“Encampment”); and

WHEREAS, the Encampment is leading to a proliferation of illegal activity and public health and safety violations that threaten the health and wellbeing of MPNA residents; nearby businesses and institutions; and the individuals in the Encampment.

 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 
 
Section 1: That the above recitals are hereby found to be true and correct, and are incorporated as if fully set out here. 
 
Section 2: That the MPNA finds that effective regulatory and ordinance enforcement is lacking regarding violations of criminal, environmental, public health, and safety regulations; including public defecation, public urination, and littering, leading to potential viral disease transmission; and bacteria, plastics, and other debris entering the surface waters of the United States through the immediately adjacent storm drains; violent assaults involving lethal weapons (with two fatalities); illegal activities of prostitution, lewd activity, public nudity, illicit drug use, illicit drug sales, and littering are occurring in and around the Encampment while law enforcement is seemingly hindered. 
 
Section 3: That the MPNA finds it in the best interests of the residents of Museum Park and other nearby neighborhoods, as well as the individuals living in and around the Encampment, and the cultural institutions, businesses, that the City of Houston must, in the interest of public health, safety and order, offer more frequent and enhanced enforcement and protections against the criminal activity and public health concerns occurring with great frequency at the Encampment.  

Section 4: That there be continued coordination efforts between Houston Police Department, Houston Solid Waste Division, Houston Health Dept., Midtown Management District, Houston Southeast Management District, TXDoT, and METRO to provide an increased frequency and level of security, regulatory enforcement, and waste management necessary and commensurate to the issues at hand to maintain a secure, well-lighted (with a high level of downward facing, shielded, night-time illumination), clean, and healthy public environment until the Mayor’s six-point, holistic solution announced in March, 2017 (The Way Home, Shelter System, Encampment, Panhandling, Charitable Feeding, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse) has been implemented in full and the Encampment removed. 

BE IT RESOLVED THIS 24 DAY OF OCTOBER 2017.
 
                                                      MUSEUM PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.

                                                                   

                                                                 Sandra Stevens, President

ATTEST:

 

Sara Gladden, Secretary