Houston Daily

Brays Oaks Management District Beautification and Urban Design Committee met March 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Beautification and Urban Design Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference on March 06, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

District Board and Committee members present: Cindy Chapman, Ralph Rieger, Marsha Fisk, Sheri Cortez, Jodi Hamilton

Staff members present: Josh Hawes, Cosme Garcia Andrea Duhon

Public present: Sonia Chavez – SMC Logistics, Evan Rodriguez – SMC Logistics, Stephen Polnaszek – NTT, Brenda Jackson, Karen Rogers – M2L, Naomi Ostfeld, Kenny Jones – M2L, Mike Mauer – M2L, Jeanie Spriggs, Jerry Helfand – NTT, Jeanie Spriggs, Leonel Rodriguez, Angelee Rhyne, Erika Tapia, Donald Buaku – HPW.

Committee Chair Cindy Chapman called the meeting to order at 2:02 PM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 3:15 PM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING: 

1. Call to order

2. Public Comment

a. No public comments.

3. Minutes of 02/06/25 B&UD Committee Meeting

a. Committee meeting minutes were submitted for reference and review.

4. Receive a report on landscaping and porter services from Price Wagener and SMC Logistics for the month of September, and proposals for recommendation to BOMD Board for consideration. 

a. Landscaping - Price Wagener

i. Executive Director Duhon gave the report for Price Wagener.

b. Porter Services - SMC Logistics

i. Ms. Chavez presented the report for SMC Logistics for the month of February. Full report available in committee packet.

ii. Cmte. Chair Chapman inquired if District K still wanted bandit sign information. Staff will reach out to the District K office.

5. Field Service Operator Report

a. Mr. Rodriguez presented the FSO report and answered questions from the committee. The detailed report is available in the committee packet.

6. Discussion, Updates and Recommendations

a. Parks & Facilities in BOMD

i. Cmte. Chair Chapman mentioned the WCG Founders Breakfast and community event.

b. Willow Waterhole Greenway Conservancy

i. No update.

c. Mini Mural Update

i. Director of Services Garcia gave an update on the mini mural project. The Hillcroft location is in progress. UpArt is waiting on final approval from CoH to proceed painting the HFD box.

d. Bissonnet Corridor Safe Streets Project

i. Mr. Buaku gave an update on the project and answered questions from the cmte. The grant for the project has been paused by Federal Highway Administration. FHWA is awaiting guidance from new administration before grant funding can be un-paused.

1. The Director of Public Works and Mayor’s office have chosen a non signalized elongated esplanade (which will function like a roundabout)

ii. Ms. Spriggs mentioned her concerns regarding the flow of traffic. Mr. Buaku answered her questions regarding the flow of traffic and requirement for traffic to yield.

iii. Cmte. Chair Chapman advised that at the last presentation the overwhelming consensus was for a traditional “T” signalized intersection and inquired if public opinion be sought. Mr. Buaku advised that after further analysis the designs were presented to HPW and CoH Admin – at which time Alt 2 or non-signalized (peanut) design was selected as it had the highest crash reduction potential. Public engagement will likely be part of the engineering and design phase.

iv. Director Rivas agreed that the proposed design is not preferred and that normal pedestrian signs may not be enough to keep pedestrians safe in crosswalks.

e. Esplanade enhancement options

i. Mr. Mauer gave an update and answered questions from the committee.

ii. Mr. Jones reviewed the design options / plant materials.

iii. Executive Director Hawes advised the presentation will be sent to the board for review and feedback. The board should choose a design option at the next board meeting.

f. Neighborhoods to Trails SW

i. Mr. Helfand gave a presentation and answered questions from the cmte.

ii. Ms. Rhyne expressed her interest in advocating for the trail projects presented. Mr. Helfand will follow-up with Ms. Rhyne.

iii. Mr. Helfand advised an event along Brays Oaks Trail will be held on April 26, 2025.

7. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• The committee recommended forwarding the W. Bellfort esplanade options to the board for discussion.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/meeting-schedule/