Brays Oaks Super Neighborhood Council #36 – Community Updates

Out of concern for the weather, the ribbon cutting event has been postponed.

CM Edward Pollard is committed to having this ceremony in recognition of everyone’s hard work. It is only deserving at the very least.

Everything will be the same regarding the location, agenda and speakers. We are expecting for the ceremony to still be on a Friday near or at the same time.

Thank you all for your patience, cooperation and understanding.

Council Member Edward Pollard
District J

Public Safety Remains My Top Priority

Today at Council, I spoke about the crime and public safety issues in our city. Subsequently, the Mayor recently released his 44 million dollar plan to combat crime and invest in making communities safer. We will provide that entire plan in electronic form in next week’s Pollard Press. 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY’S TIPS TO STAY SAFE & WARM IN COLD TEMPS

CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to have an emergency plan, particularly if they depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment and natural gas or electricity to heat their homes. The company is offering these tips to ensure safety and adequate heating in the coming days:

Natural gas:

• Make sure your heating system is working properly. Malfunctioning home heating equipment can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check outside furnace vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice. Keep your furnace filter clean for safe, efficient operation.
• Use space heaters safely. Use a space heater with an automatic shut-off feature, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away. A space heater using gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
• Check your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms. These devices are essential to warn you of a fire or dangerous condition involving a furnace, water heater, fireplace or stove. Test your alarms monthly and change batteries as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If you smell the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036. Don’t use electric switches/outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or in close proximity to the location, or do anything that could cause a spark.

Energy Efficiency

Cold temperatures also mean increased energy usage. CenterPoint Energy recommends the following tips for more efficient heating:

Furnace: A furnace is the largest natural gas-consuming appliance.

• Set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees. If possible, set it at 65 degrees when you are home and 60 degrees when you are away from home.
• Lowering your thermostat can help you save on your annual heating costs. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you automatically control your heat usage. Add on extra layers of clothing to keep warm.
• Change your air filters monthly. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can increase the operating cost of your furnace by as much as 10 percent. A good reminder is to change the filter each time you receive your natural gas bill.

Other appliances: Although they consume less natural gas, you can still maximize their efficiency.

Run your washing machine, dish washer and gas dryer only with full loads.

Make your home more airtight and keep cold air outside:

• Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping. The most common places where air escapes in homes are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents and electrical outlets.
• If it has been a while, consider adding more insulation in your attic. On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let the sun’s warmth in. Close them at night to insulate against the cold air outside.

Electric:

Winter weather can result in downed power lines in isolated areas. Always assume downed lines or wires are energized and potentially dangerous if contacted.

• ​Do not go near downed lines or fallen wires.
• Keep your distance from objects touching downed lines (tree limbs, vehicles, fences, etc.).
• If someone is actively being shocked due to contact with a power line, do not try to rescue them – you can’t help if you become a victim. Instead, call 911 immediately.
• Report downed power lines to 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143.
• Never use an electricity generator inside your home or any other building.

Since the February 2021 winter storm, CenterPoint Energy has taken additional steps and measures to ensure the company is ready and prepared for winter weather across greater Houston and surrounding communities. In addition, CenterPoint Energy is closely monitoring grid conditions and information from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

For the latest information on power outages:

• Sign up for Power Alert Service for information on individual outages;
• Follow @cnpalerts and visit Outage Tracker for general outage locations; and
• Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter for electric and natural gas safety tips and other resources.

Brays Oaks Management District welcomes input on master plan for re-development of the Gasmer Drive property at Willow Waterhole Greenspace

At the request of the city of Houston, the Brays Oaks Management District is developing a master plan for the property the city bought from Shell adjacent to the Willow Waterhole Greenspace.

A portion of the property will be the home of the Levitt Pavilion Houston, a community performing arts venue. The design team preparing the master plan is led by Lionheart Places in association with Natalye Appel & Associates Architects.

The Lionheart team seeks your input on the future of the site. On Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, neighbors and other interested members of the public are invited to an “open house” to learn about the site and project goals, as well as share their ideas about the future! 

Because of the nature of the industrial complex and research equipment that Shell left on the property, access must be limited for now. So, the public sessions will take place along the Dryad Driveway (enter from Chimney Rock Road) with open views of the property.

Attendees are asked to sign up for one of four open house sessions that day. They start at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Each session is limited to 50 people. 

Parking will be available at the end of Dryad next to the Willow Waterhole Gazebo. We encourage individuals to carpool because parking there is limited. Overflow parking will be available at Westbury High School, a 10-minute walk away.

For more information, go online here or call (210) 889-5815.