TO KEEP YOU INFORMED - MARCH 6, 2019 MPNA Meeting

Sgt. Flores, South Central Division HPD DRT*

HPD is selecting a special focus each month:

• February was the Bars Education Initiative - HPD initiated visits with bars to educate the owners on over-serving alcoholic beverages to patrons, noise ordinance, and the After Hours Task Force.
• March is designated MARCH ON CRIME and all convenience stores will be inspected for compliance with Robbery Ordinance Enforcement that requires public safety items, e.g., drop safe, digital cameras, panic alarms, height strip (to help assess height of robbery suspects) etc.
• Each inspection takes 1-2 hours and can be a tool for monitoring and closing down problem stores. Please email Sgt. Flores (eric.flores@houstonpolice.org) with concerns about any specific convenience stores.

Sgt. Flores encouraged all to attend the March 19 PIP meeting at 7pm at HPD Station, 2202 St. Emanuel, 77003. Guest speaker is Harris County District Attorney Investigator, Chuck Cornelius, with the After-Hours Task Force who will be discussing the topic of bars/clubs over-serving alcoholic beverages to their patrons. Museum Park Crime Statistics – Overall crime is up 2%:  The biggest increase is in Auto Theft, up from 3 in Feb 2018 to 13 in Feb 2019.

           *DRT: Differential Response Team members receive specialized training using non-traditional methods of police work.

METRO NEXT: Moving Forward

Metro’s Chena Karega detailed expansion plans to be funded by $7.5 Billion Bond Issue, which will appear on the November 2019 Ballot. These meetings are held to give the public an opportunity for input before plans are finalized.

Introduction of Justice of the Peace (JP), Judge Jeremy Brown

Judge Jeremy L. Brown was sworn in as Presiding Judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 7-1) on November 16, 2018. Judge Brown encouraged all to utilize the Justice of the Peace Court. For more information about Judge Brown, visit http://www.jp.hctx.net/7-1/judge.htm or to learn more about JP Court, visit http://www.jp.hctx.ne/info/TEXAS%20RULES%20OF%20CIVIL%20PROCEDURE.pdf

 Museum Park Community Parking Ordinance and Parking Benefit District Ordinance Update

Attached is MPNA letter of support to MPSN comments for proposed ordinances.  To review the current proposed ordinances along with public comments/responses from Parking Management, see PM website.

Welcome Brittani Flowers as new MPNA Safety and Security Chair

Sandy Stevens announced that Brittani Flowers has volunteered to serve as MPNA Safety and Security Chair. The MPNA Board has unanimously approved Brittani to fill the unexpired term of this open position. Brittani has a Masters degree in Urban Planning from Texas State University (TSU) and we are fortunate to have her expertise on our MPNA Board.

Brittani will initially focus on Almeda Corridor issues, as she lives adjacent to Almeda; while VP Pam Campbell will continue her focus on the Coalition for the Homeless, Neighborhood Task Force, and other Wheeler Corridor and Museum Park issues.

Caroline Promenade

Pre-design for the Caroline Promenade, a project outlined in Museum Park's Livable Centers Study, is currently underway.  SWA, landscape architects for the project, will hold public meetings in the spring to gather input.  Although the Caroline Promenade project did not receive implementation funding in the 2018 H-GAC grant awards, completion of the design will better position the project for future grants.

Variance Request – Calumet @ Chenevert

Kim Mickelson (QoL Chair) recently reviewed variance request on the south side of Calumet@Chenevert with input from neighboring MPNA member.  Because the variance request aligned with the goals of the Livable Centers Study and supported preservation efforts, MPNA did not protest the request, which was subsequently approved by the Planning Commission.

Please email info@museumparkna.org if you see any variance signs in Museum Park, so that we can assist in getting information and evaluating for possible further action.  Also, please email if you see development in the neighborhood and have other concerns

April 3, MPNA Meeting

Rice Management Team will present plans for the ION (former Sears Building) & the Innovation District.