ALERT! Council Committee on Human Services & Technology meeting on August 3, 2009

Council Committee on Human Services & Technology
Council Member Jarvis Johnson, Chair
Council Member Wanda Adams, Vice Chair

Monday, August 3, 2009
3:00 pm
City Council Chambers, 901 Bagby, 2nd Floor


1. Welcome & Call to Order – Council Member Jarvis Johnson

2. Discussion on proposed contract with Gerard Fusco Consulting for turnaround services for the
Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care - Risha Jones, Bureau Chief, Health and Human
Services Department

Public Comment
Adjourn

Action may be taken on any or all of the above items.
Committee meetings are open to the public.
For information about this committee, contact Deidre Rasheed at 832-393-3288.

Save Your Community From Drugs.....Attend the two-day Drug Prevention and Drug Free Conference

For more detailed information visit my website at: http://www.jarvis-johnson.com

SAVE THE DATE! 2009 Neighborhood Leadership Institute Workshops

SAVE THE DATES!

The City of Houston Planning & Development Department will host its 2009 Neighborhood Leadership Institute workshop Tuesday evenings starting Tuesday, September 1 and ending Tuesday, October 20. This exciting series of seven (7) sessions, covering one topic each week, will hone the skills of community leaders and other essential leaders toward strategizing new approaches to the everyday challenges civic leaders face and enhancing your neighborhood's capacity to develop and implement community projects.

The cost of enrolling in the Neighborhood Leadership Institute is $25 per person; however, the amount is fully refundable upon attending ALL SEVEN (7) sessions.

The course curriculum includes:

Week 1: Responsibilities of a Leader - Tuesday, September 1

Week 2: Building upon Your Neighborhood Organization - Tuesday, September 8

Week 3: Strategically Thinking Outside the Box - Tuesday, September 15

Week 4: Bridging the Communication Divide - Tuesday, September 22

Week 5: Volunteer Organizing for Your Neighborhood - Tuesday, September 29

Week 6: Networking for Your Neighborhood - Tuesday, October 13

Week 7: Resources for Your Neighborhood - Tuesday, October 20

Location: City of Houston Clayton Library (Carriage House facility), 5300 Caroline St. (@ Calumet St.) - between Southmore Blvd. and Binz St. (Museum District)

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

For a copy of the 2009 Neighborhood Leadership Institute brochure, click the weblink: http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/ComPlanning/ldrship.htm to download the information and register! The class is limited to the first 40 attendees - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE! You aren't fully registered until receipt of the registration form and payment.

Anyone interested in learning more details or attending the Institute should contact Donald Perkins @ 713-837-7803 (phone) or email Donald.Perkins@cityofhouston.net.

Councilmember Johnson quoted in Houston Chronicle newspaper regarding growing HFD issues

In one of the front cover stories of the July 9, 2009 edition of the Houston Chronicle newspaper, Council Member Jarvis Johnson is quoted in an article regarding the escalating issue of racism being exposed in the Houston Fire Department.

“An isolated incident is one isolated incident, but when an isolated incident becomes a pattern, you may have an inherent problem in the department,” said Councilman Jarvis Johnson to the Houston Chronicle.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Council member Johnson has also called for a citywide zero-tolerance policy on racism.

To read the full article log on to: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6518362.html

Join Councilmember Jarvis Johnson at the Halls Bayou Trail Ribbon Cutting

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, July 18, 2009, 9:00 am - 10:00 am. Join the City of Houston Bikeway Program at Tidwell Park for the Halls Bayou Trail Ribbon Cutting.

We hope you will be able to attend!

Recent District B Agenda Items passed at Council Session.

1. RECOMMENDATION from Director Department of Public Works & Engineering for approval of final contract amount of $10,280,893.86 and acceptance of work on contract with TRIPLE B SERVICES, L.L.P. for Mesa Drive Reconstruction from Tidwell Road to Little York Road - 1.59% under the original contract amount - DISTRICT B - JOHNSON - PASS

2. RECOMMENDATION from Director Department of Public Works & Engineering for approval of final contract amount of $1,309,825.90 and acceptance of work on contract with INDUSTRIAL TX CORP for Northgate and MUD 203 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements - 1.32% under the original contract amount - DISTRICT B - JOHNSON - PASS

3. ORDINANCE authorizing the sale of a Drainage Easement on 0.2865 acre, more or less, out of Lot 9, Jerry C. Hayes Subdivision, M. McCauley Survey, A-577, Houston, Harris County, Texas (2542 Peyton Road) to CCI-B Peyton Road III, LLC - DISTRICT B - JOHNSON – PASS

To view the entire list go to:http://jarvis-johnson.com

COUNCILMEMBER JARVIS JOHNSON CO-SPONSORS SUCCESSFUL HOUSTON TWEET UP!! FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER!

On July 1, Houstonians from across the city came together on the outer skirts of downtown for a Tweet Up. Yes, a Tweet Up! Sounds strange, right? Well, if you are not one of the millions of Twitter users around the world, it would sound strange! (smile)

But a Tweet Up (like 'Meet Up') is hosted for Twitter users to come together face to face offline to share, grow and learn from one another. To hear about the opportunities to connect with one another beyond 140 characters. But it's also for those who don't know anything about Twitter.

The Tweet Up was the brainchild of Michelle Price (@prosperitygal) who brought on board a team that included Garrett Maddox (@FinancialCents), Jennifer Haubein (@jhaubein) and myself! (@brotherjesse).

The theme of this Tweet Up was "Tweet For Our Troops" in order to show support for those who have husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, or children in the armed forces. Attendees donated to the purchase MRE (meal ready to eat) that will be shipped to troops in Iraq.

Michelle did a great presentation about the power of Twitter and helped people set up accounts the same night. People shared business cards, dialogued about their ventures, enjoyed food and music. Council member Jarvis Johnson (@jarvisjohnson) helped to sponsor the event and shared a few words. Food was provided by Beaucoup Bar & Grill and music courtesy of DJ CrazyDredz, a hip-hop radio show host for KTSU.

Thousands of dollars in door prizes was donated by Bille Baty, Donnie Moreland, John Morgan, and James Dutton. Everyone walked away with something!

Thank you to Isiah Carey of the INSITE blog and Alex Green of Rolling Out Magazine Houston for the coverage.

How will you connect offline?

(Tweet Up Committee: Jesse Muhammad, Michelle Price, Jennifer Haubein, and Garrett Maddox)