Howdy WHA Members,
As compared to June, July has been a quiet month across the greater West Houston region. No details have been announced regarding the Harris County Administrator and Alan Black is still the Interim ED for HCFCD. At the state level things are at a standstill with the Texas House Democrats not in attendance for the special session. The Governor has said he will immediately call yet another special session when this one ends on August 7th.
Here at the West Houston Association, we hosted our first West Houston City Council Forum on July 22nd. Over 130 people attended the in-person event held at the Westchase Marriot, where Houston City Council members Amy Peck, Tiffany Thomas, Greg Travis, Edward Pollard, David Robinson, and Sallie Alcorn discussed infrastructure, budget, crime, and the livable places initiative. Thanks to WHA Vice-Chair Marlene Gafrick (MetroNational) for serving as the moderator for the forum.
Next week, on August 12th, we will be hosting the WHA Flood Control Forum. This has become an annual event as we continue to recognize that flood control and drainage are critically important challenges facing the greater West Houston region and beyond. We will be featuring speakers from the federal, state, and county levels to provide updates on regional flood control challenges and opportunities, including discussions about the USACE’s Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study, the regional flood planning process, and how money is being spent locally in the West Houston region. Speakers include, Andrew Weber, project manager with the US Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, Kathleen Jackson, Director on the Texas Water Development Board, and Jonathan St. Romain, project manager with the Harris County Flood Control District. The event will be moderated by the Chair of the WHA Flood Control and Drainage Committee, Tim Buscha (IDS Engineering).
We also have three more big events coming up this year: the Public & Elected Officials Reception (September 9th), a special state and local update with Senator John Whitmire (October 14th), and our new and improved WHA Awards event (November 17th). More information about those events will be coming soon, but please mark them on your calendar. If you have any questions about these events, please reach out to me or Jennifer Boggs.
Thank you for what you do for the Greater West Houston Region!