Brays Oaks Management District Business & Economic Development Committee met June 8

Brays Oaks Management District Business & Economic Development Committee met June 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Business and Economic Development Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference at 10:00am.

District Board and Committee members present: Sheri Cortez, Ralph Rieger, Cindy Chapman, Steve Moore, Ronald Plotkin, Sylvia Rivas, Etan Mirwis

Staff members present: Xavier Herrera, Josh Hawes, Cosme Garcia, Alan Bernstein, Public present: Sylvester L. Reeder III, Brenda Jackson, Angelee Rhyne

Committee Chair Sheri Cortez called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 10:54 AM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

a. No public comment was made.

3. Minutes of 05/04/22 B&ED Committee Meeting

a. Committee meeting minutes submitted for reference.

4. District Updates & Recommendations

a. Development Properties

i. Executive Director Herrera updated the committee on a request made in May to provide a list of convenience stores within the district. The list along with a map of the locations is included in the committee packet.

ii. Committee Chair Cortez advised the committee that convenience stores are required to follow a certain checklist and are accountable to HPD. If there are any issues the community should alert DRT and can contact Sgt. Juarez directly via e-mail at Jose.Juarez@houstonpolice.org.

iii. BOMD Board Chair Rieger advised there is another store near the Lucky Store that is an issue. Committee Chair Cortez advised to contact Sgt. Juarez.

iv. Ms. Rhyne inquired as to an ongoing issue at the Fallas Paredes store on W. Bellfort regarding parked trucks. Committee Chair Cortez advised Ms. Rhyne to contact her to discuss the issue further.

v. Director Rivas reported there is a new business at Gessner and S. Braeswood, suggests promotion. Mr. Herrera will work on possible promotion on BOMD website. Mr. Bernstein advised that a write-up may have already been done on this particular business.

vi. Director Mirwis advised that a property has been purchased by Young Israel of Houston for a new school this Fall on a property across the street from the HPD station on S. Gessner. Director Mirwis to forward owner contact information to Chairperson Cortez.

b. Community Engagement – S. Gessner Upgrades

i. Committee Chair Cortez advised, in an effort to improve the station she has engaged the Committee Chair of BOMD Public Safety Starla Turnbo, District J Councilmember Pollard, Commissioner Pct. 4 Cagle, Gulfton MD and Southwest MD; and a list of items for purchase for the S. Gessner station was agreed upon.

ii. Mr. Hawes advised that Gulfton MD will be approving $7,500.

iii. BOMD Board Chair Rieger recommended the committee investigate on-going issues related to contractors at the S. Gessner before a check is disbursed to cover the requested items. Additionally, Chair Rieger has requested a letter be written to the city pointing out the deficiencies at the S. Gessner station. Committee Chair Cortez agreed to write such a letter.

iv. Ms. Rhyne reported that she has seen these issues city-wide regarding janitorial issues.

v. Committee Chair Cortez proposed recommending to the BOMD board to consider support funding request for S. Gessner command furniture, not to exceed $7,500. Without opposition the item has been recommended for board consideration. c. Branding – SNR Creative

i. Committee Chair Cortez reported that there is an effort between SNR Creative and Friends of Keegans to collaborate on the design of potential trail signage.

d. Permits & Platting

1. Permits

a. Executive Director Herrera reported the number of residential and commercial permits for the month of May. Detailed report available in committee packet. Two points of interest are an Indoor Sports Academy at 11821 S. Sam Houston and New Retail Shell Building at 9530 W. Bellfort Ave.

2. Plats

a. Executive Director Herrera reported the number of plats for the month of May. Detailed report available in committee packet.

b. Ms. Rhyne inquired as to the adoption status of medians on W. Bellfort near the Turkish House. BOMD staff is investigating the issue at the direction of the Beautification and Urban Design Committee Chair, Cindy Chapman.

i. Committee Chair Cortez requested Director Chapman investigate as to whether council districts are going to be responsible for hiring and monitoring landscaping contractors within their districts.

ii. Mr. Reeder also mentioned an area with high grass at the corner of W. Airpot and Gessner. Committee Chair Cortez is going to contact GC Services regarding the issue and will include Directors Chapman and Rivas on the correspondence.

e. Business PIP

i. Committee Chair Cortez advised that she is working with Sgt. Juarez on this and will send an e-mail with an update.

f. Business Incentives Program

i. Executive Director Herrera advised that a couple of businesses were nominated, and he will follow-up with Committee Chair Cortez regarding next steps.

5. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Consider support funding request for S. Gessner command furniture, not to exceed $7,500.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/who-we-are/board-materials/