By: Kathy Arthur, Secretary
The Downtown Super Neighborhood Council (DSNC) met at Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA. President, James Dinkins, called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM.
City Council Member, James Rodriquez, spoke to the DSNC about the new map for redistricting. Mayor Parker will present to City Council the new boundaries map and take vote to approve the map on May 18, 2011. As to the homeless in the downtown area, Council Member, Rodriquez, is pushing the Mayor for new ordinances to prohibit aggressive panhandling. He asked the DSNC members to work with our respective resident and stakeholder organization’s to track and report instances of panhandling and bad behavior to Bob Eury with the Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD).
Captain, Zera, with the Houston Police Department (HPD) was in attendance and explained new ordinances to include sidewalk Cafes and ATM machines where people are vulnerable. He invited anyone who was interested to attend the Positive Interaction Program (PIP) tour of the HPD Mounted Patrol facility.
1st Vice President, Seth Hopkins, suggested signs giving instruction to I-10 and I-45 be made simpler for tourists in the downtown area. He agreed to be the committee Chair. Captain, Zera, suggested he contact Bob Eury; as he could be working on this project as well
2nd Vice President, James Stafford, gave a synopsis of an initiative regarding the homeless versus street people. He said that Dallas, Texas / Fort Worth, Texas, addressed the same problem with ordinances. He will meet with Council Member, Rodriquez, Guy Hagested, and a representative from the HDMD.
Funds will be needed to aid our group’s participation in the National Night Out to be held the first Tuesday in October 2011. James Stafford pledged $600 to get the fundraising started. DSNC Member, Linda Knight, spoke of raising funds through Facebook. James Dinkins is the committee Chair for National Night Out and will work closely with Angie Bertinot with the HDMD.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 PM
