Precinct 4 Your Information 2024 Issue I

PRECINCT 4 YOUR

INFORMATION A YEAR IN REVIEW

CONNECTING PRECINCT 4 TO YOU

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STRATEGIC APPROACH TO SAFETY

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IN YOUR COMMUNITY

LISTENING TO YOU

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TRAILBLAZING FOR TOMORROW

MINDING OUR BUSINESS

LEADING THE ENERGY TRANSITION

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2024 ISSUE I

UNITED IN

progress A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES

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erving as your County Commissioner is the honor of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and am energized by the progress we made during our first year in office.

My Precinct 4 team of more than 400 public servants and I have been honored to engage with so many of you, and we look forward to continuing to listen to, learn from, and serve you with heart, hustle, and higher standards.

Everything we do at Precinct 4 is grounded in our commitment to serving you and your family. Our mission is to advance opportunity and justice for all.

Our top priorities are justice and safety, infrastructure, health, education and economic opportunity, and good government.

By improving public safety, strengthening flood resilience, maintaining our 1,600 miles of roads, 55 parks, and 10 community centers, and expanding access to healthcare and economic opportunity, we are improving the lives and livelihoods of the 1.2 million residents of Precinct 4.

Everything we do at Precinct 4 is grounded in our commitment to serving you and your families.

When we made significant investments in our justice system — raising salaries for law enforcement officers, diverting people from the system and connecting them with mental health resources, funding six additional criminal district courts to more effectively move cases and keep up with our growing population, and providing services to help justice-involved women get back on their feet — we thought about building communities where parents can safely raise their children.

When we kicked off our community planning efforts to renovate two major parks in the Precinct, expand mobility capacity of the Westpark Tollway, and make improvements across our sidewalks, trails, and green spaces, we thought about building connections not only between places, but also between people.

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When we committed federal funding to increase access to free, high-quality child care, we thought about investing in our children to help them reach their full potential and assisting parents to get back to work.

And when we moved forward with Harris County’s climate action plan and broke ground on major flood resiliency projects, we thought about protecting Harris County so that it will continue being a great place to raise a family for decades to come.

With your partnership, I look forward to building upon our progress as we continue moving Precinct 4 forward.

Together—we will make 2024 another amazing year!

All my best,

COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO

KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE

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ublic safety is, and will remain, the top priority for Precinct 4. As a mother of three young daughters, a former judge, and someone who has been a victim, Commissioner Briones believes in investing in all parts of the justice system. In 2023, Commissioner Briones:

CHAMPIONED 6 NEW CRIMINAL COURTS Commissioner Briones worked with colleagues at the Texas State Legislature to secure six additional criminal district courts and one additional probate court in Harris County, with the goal of improving the quality of justice by delivering a quicker, fairer court process.

EXPANDED HART INTO PRECINCT 4 Commissioner Briones successfully advocated for the expansion of the Holistic Assistance Response Teams (HART) program into Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) District IV, located primarily in Precinct 4, and later District II, located primarily in Precinct 2. HART deploys trained clinicians and EMTs to respond to nonviolent, mental health-related 911 calls, freeing up law enforcement to focus on violent crimes.

RAISED LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY Commissioners have granted 7% raises over the past two years to all law enforcement officers; detention officers received a 12% raise in 2023 to improve the safety of all people within the Harris County jail.

DISTRIBUTED GUN SAFES AND LOCKS, COLLECTED HUNDREDS OF UNWANTED GUNS Precinct 4 partnered with the HCSO and the City of Houston for Harris County’s fifth gun buyback event.

Houston-area residents turned in over 550 guns and received gun safes and locks as part of a multifaceted approach to violence prevention.

INVESTED TO REDUCE 911 RESPONSE TIMES Commissioners approved $1.7 million in federal funding to enhance the HCSO TeleDeputy Unit, in which officers working overtime handle low-priority, non-urgent 911 calls remotely. With this additional support, patrol deputies can more rapidly respond to 911 calls involving urgent, critical matters, including calls related to violent crime and domestic violence.

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STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS CONNECTING

PARTNERS, PLACES & PEOPLE

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n addition to maintaining over 1,600 miles of roads and over 14,000 acres of green space, Precinct 4 worked to preserve and create infrastructure to support and connect communities. Major infrastructure accomplishments in 2023 included:

$170 MILLION IN COMBINED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THROUGH PLACES 4 PEOPLE

REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO RE-ENVISION WESTPARK TOLLWAY

Places 4 People leverages $88 million in Precinct 4 funding and $82 million in partner funding to deliver a $170 million investment in sustainable infrastructure projects.

More than half a million people live within a mile of the 22-mile stretch of the Westpark Tollway, and the demand is growing.

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32 capital projects and 20 project partners

One project that is emblematic of the effort to connect places is the Buffalo Bayou Greenway Connector.

Commissioner Briones partnered with the Houston Parks Board to connect Memorial Park to Buffalo Bayou Park to join the west end to the east end of town and two of the most used greenspaces in the region. This $13 million project will have an $8 million investment from Precinct 4.

MOVING FORWARD WITH OVER $1 BILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FROM THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE The Texas General Land Office (GLO) directed a $750 million grant to Harris County for flood mitigation and over $300 million for disaster recovery in 2022 and 2023.

Commissioner Briones and her colleagues approved a ten-project list worth $140 million to get started on improving flood resilience directly in their precincts.

Precinct 4 will leverage $37.5 million for several key projects.

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In this regional partnership with HCTRA, METRO, Fort Bend County, and others, Precinct 4 is working to re-imagine the tollway corridor with multimodal infrastructure to keep pace with rapid urbanization out west and to provide more transit options into the major business districts in Precinct 4 such as the Energy Corridor, Westchase, Uptown, Greenway Plaza, as well as reconnect communities previously severed by transportation infrastructure.

PROGRESS ON FLOOD MITIGATION EFFORTS Through partnerships with Harris County Engineering, the Flood Control District, and the Texas GLO, Precinct 4 has broken ground on major flood resilience projects to protect communities from future storms. ●

$20.2 million project in Bear Creek Village

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$6.1 million project in Westfield Pines and Village Subdivision

FOR THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY: PRECINCT 4 LAUNCHES PLANS TO TRANSFORM PARKS & NEIGHBORHOODS Precinct 4 is empowering communities to shape the future of their parks, green spaces, and infrastructure. Through its first-ever planning division, Precinct 4 is bringing together infrastructure experts and residents to develop plans that will revitalize signature green spaces, increase mobility and connectivity, and enhance the quality of life in its communities.

“I grew up by a park, and so many of my best childhood memories were created there. Everyone deserves to live within walking distance of quality green space.”

- COMMISSIONER BRIONES

THE PRECINCT 4 HEALTHY PARKS PLAN is a comprehensive, precinctwide park and trails master plan to create a healthier and more connected parks and green space system. The planning process began in October 2023 and will be a 14-month effort.

THE BURNETT BAYLAND PARK MASTER PLAN will reimagine the sole green space for the Gulfton community in Southwest Houston, as well as bring amenities and resources to invigorate the community within a 15-minute walk.

Master Plan Timeline: Summer 2023-Spring 2024 Final Design: Spring 2024 Permitting and Construction: 2024-2027

THE BAYLAND PARK MASTER PLAN will provide recommendations for

creating an inclusive park with improved facilities, programming, and connectivity to better serve the active and passive recreational and open space needs of the community in Southwest Houston.

Master Plan Timeline: Summer 2023-Spring 2024 Final Design: Spring 2024 Permitting and Construction: 2024-2027

THE KATY EAST COMMUNITY PLAN AND MOBILITY STUDY will focus on examining existing land use, mobility, infrastructure, and economic development challenges and opportunities in unincorporated Katy, culminating in a list of projects, policies, and program recommendations.

THE EAST SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY PLAN will foster economic growth and educational opportunities, ensure access to healthcare, improve transportation and mobility options, prioritize safety, and provide well-maintained parks and recreational spaces. Precinct 4 will engage in robust community outreach and will capture the unique character of the east Spring Branch area in the Plan.

TOP: Commissioner Briones hosted a Winter Festival to kick off the Bayland Park Master Plan workshop series in Dec. 2023. BOTTOM: Aerial view of Burnett Bayland Park.

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ecinct 4 moved the needle on critical infrastructure investments and economic development joining two tax increment reinvestment zones, or TIRZs, located primarily within the ecinct: TIRZ #1 St. George Place Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ #20 Southwest ouston Redevelopment Authority.

DEVELOPING A SKILLED & SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE

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very resident in Harris County deserves access to high-quality education, housing, and job opportunities. In 2023, Precinct 4 moved the needle on the following:

STRENGTHENED WORKFORCE WITH HISTORIC APPRENTICESHIP INVESTMENT Commissioner Briones and her colleagues on Commissioners Court bolstered the region’s workforce through a $10.9 million investment in the Apprenticeship Advantage program, which doubled apprenticeship opportunities in traditional and high-growth industries within Harris County.

EXPANDED AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE Harris County invested over $26 million in federal funding for the Early REACH program to provide free child care to at least 800 children aged 0-4 in Harris County childcare deserts.

PASSED GROUNDBREAKING CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY Commissioners adopted a contractor safety policy to require contractors to provide OSHA safety training for workers. This policy protects the health and safety of our workforce.

AWARDED MORE CONTRACT DOLLARS TO MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) were awarded over 27% of the County’s contract dollars during FY23. This is an over 40% increase from FY22, and a 201% increase from before the program started.

EXPANDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS All residents and their families deserve affordable, quality housing options. Commissioner Briones approved multi-million-dollar investments in single-family and multi-family housing options for lowincome and working-class families.

JOINED TWO TIRZs Precinct 4 moved the needle on critical infrastructure investments and economic development by joining two tax increment reinvestment zones, or TIRZs, located primarily within the precinct: TIRZ #1 St. George Place Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ #20 Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority.

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ABOVE An apprentice sheet metal worker learns to fabricate, install, and repair sheet metal products for construction and manufacturing.

ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY & JUSTICE I

n addition to delivering critical County services, Commissioner Briones is focused on building a diverse coalition of leadership in Harris County. This means working toward an equitable distribution of resources and empowering communities to have a seat at the table.

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From trailblazing board and commission appointments, to increasing language access, to championing minority- and women-owned businesses, Commissioner Briones continuously strives to advance opportunity and justice for all residents.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO AND ADVOCATE FOR ALL PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND TO DELIVER GOOD GOVERNMENT IN THE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT WAY OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE,” COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID. “WE WILL KEEP BUILDING ON OUR PROGRESS—WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EQUITY AT THE FOREFRONT.”

AND MORE!

To see the full list, visit bit.ly/CP4appointments.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES LEADS CREATION OF THE

LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION

Commissioner Briones spearheaded the creation of the first-ever Harris County LGBTQIA+ Commission, which will advise the Court on economic, social, health, and safety issues affecting LGBTQIA+ residents.

TRAILBLAZERS DR. CODY PYKE, AFSHEEN

DAVIS APPOINTED TO HARRIS HEALTH BOARD Receiving unanimous approval as Commissioner Briones’ appointee, Dr. Cody Pyke became the first openly transgender and nonbinary individual to serve on the nine-member Harris Health board, which oversees a $2.3 billion, fully integrated healthcare system that includes community health centers, same-day clinics, multi-specialty clinic locations, a dental center and dialysis center, mobile health units and two full-service hospitals in Harris County.

Commissioner Briones also proudly appointed Afsheen Davis to the Harris Health Board. Davis currently serves as the Vice President and General Counsel at Texas Children’s Hospital and brings extensive healthcare knowledge of the healthcare field to this critical role. She and Sima Ladjevardian are the first Asian American trustees ever to serve on the Board.

LINDA MORALES

DR. ANDREW JUAN BRINGS

APPOINTED TO GUIDE SPORTS

EXPERTISE TO FLOOD TASK FORCE

IN HOUSTON

Commissioner Briones appointed Linda Morales to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority Board ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Morales brings a lifelong passion for sports and an extensive background in advocacy for healthcare and labor, as well as Latino and LGBTQ+ rights, to the 13-member board, which oversees professional sports venues and promotes major events for the region.

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Commissioner Briones appointed Dr. Andrew Juan to the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force. As an associate research scientist at the Institute for Disaster Resilient Texas with nearly 15 years of academic and practical experience in flood mitigation, Dr. Juan will advise the County on equitable flood resilience planning that centers the needs and priorities of communities.

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LEADING THE ENERGY TRANSITION H

arris County received $1.6 million from the Department of Energy to support the planning and implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan, which will include energy efficiency upgrades at two Precinct 4 buildings.

$1.6 million from the Department of Energy for the County’s Climate Action Plan and will include energy efficiency upgrades at Precinct 4 buildings.

“As a mother of three young daughters, I believe we owe it to our children to urgently seek forwardlooking solutions to ensure they have a healthy and safe environment,” Commissioner Briones said.

Precinct 4 was also part of a coalition that received $15 million from the United States Department of Agriculture to restore urban forests in Harris County.

Precinct 4 will receive about $680,000 of that funding to plant and maintain trees in areas with a high urban heat island effect.

Commissioner Briones noted that while she is proud of the progress she and her team have made to make Harris County more resilient – including implementing the Alief Linear Forest, working collaboratively on flood mitigation projects across the Precinct, and emphasizing walkability in placemaking efforts – there is much more work to do.

“Creating a stronger and more resilient future in Harris County is a critical, massive effort, and we need all hands on deck to support this process,” Commissioner Briones said.

Harris County gets $1.6 million from U.S. Department of Energy to fund its Climate Action Plan as seen in the Houston Chronicle on Oct 13, 2023.

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Commissioner Briones, in partnership with The Energy Corridor District and Shell USA, announced the opening of Energy Hill at Terry Hershey Park in December.

This unique community gathering space features a 40-foot mural painted on a repurposed shipping container. The space also features 10 park benches, picnic tables, and planters constructed from upcycled wind turbine blades.

LEFT Commissioner Briones is pictured at the ribbon cutting for Energy Hill in Dec. 2023.

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LISTENING TOURS

LISTENING TOURS AMPLIFY COMMUNITY VOICES

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pon taking office, Commissioner Lesley Briones launched a 12-stop listening tour to hear directly from Precinct 4 constituents. Hundreds of residents attended to meet the Commissioner and provide constructive feedback about the issues most important to their communities. Each event also featured presentations from key stakeholders, including Harris County Flood Control District, Harris Health, and the Harris County Department of Engineering, along with booths where resources were made available.

With comments ranging from sidewalk gaps in Katy to flood resilience in Meyerland to transit needs in Alief, constituents shared real-time information about their priorities directly with the Commissioner and members of her team.

“Being a commissioner isn’t about having a platform to take hold of the megaphone and tell people what you want to do — it’s about turning that megaphone around to listen to and learn from the people,” Commissioner Briones said. “I launched this listening tour because it’s critical to hear what matters most to those I am serving so I can advocate for policies and resources that best improve their quality of life.”

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ALIEF GULFTON WESTPARK BEAR CREEK MEYERLAND SPRING BRANCH, MEMORIAL, AND BRIAR FOREST

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TOMBALL SHARPSTOWN KATY SPRING BRANCH EAST, LAZYBROOK, AND TIMBERGROVE HOCKLEY VIRTUAL

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

More stops on the listening tour are planned for 2024.

To learn more, visit cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Listening-Tour.

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IN YOUR COMMUNITY PRECINCT 4 EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2024:

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ommissioner Briones is proud to offer year-round programming at the 10 community centers and 55 parks throughout Precinct 4. From familyfriendly events and educational workshops to health classes and resources, Precinct 4 facilities are a place for people to connect, learn, and grow. In addition to inclusive programming, Commissioner Briones supported and participated in events that celebrate diversity and equity such as the Precinct’s first Iftar event, Liberty Fest, the Houston Pride parade, and the Women’s History Month luncheon. The 2024 calendar is packed with events, including:

SPRING Family-Friendly Activities for Spring Break Iftar Spring Egg Hunt Classic Car Show Memorial Day Ceremony Cinco de Mayo

SUMMER Summer Reading Programming Family Movie Nights Pride Parade Independence Day celebrations Back-to-School Supply Drives and Vaccinations

FALL Hispanic Heritage Month Activities National Night Out Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival Hummingbird Festival Budget Town Hall TOP: Precinct 4 participates in the Houston Pride Parade for the first time in the precinct’s history.

MIDDLE: Families joined Precinct 4’s annual pumpkin patch.

BOTTOM: Precinct 4 joins the Sharpstown and Southwest Houston community at Liberty Fest to celebrate the Fourth of July.

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WINTER Educational Winter Break Programming Holiday Festival Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Black History Month Events

JOIN IN ON THE FUN:

Find family-friendly programming in an area near you!

See the full list of Precinct 4 programs, events, and festivals online: cp4.harriscountytx.gov/events.

TOP LEFT: Residents attend Precinct 4’s inaugural Iftar event.

TOP RIGHT: Children participate in a story time activity during summer programming. BOTTOM RIGHT: A boy strikes a piñata during the Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off event. BOTTOM LEFT: Residents participating in Lunar New Year programming.

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P R E C I N C T 4 YO U R I N F OR M AT ION

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. HOUSTON TX PERMIT NO 257

1001 Preston, Suite 950 Houston, TX 77002

“ SERVING AS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER IS THE HONOR OF MY LIFE.” - COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES

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2024 ISSUE I

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