Super Neighborhood Alliance Monthly Meeting – October 13, 2025
Super Neighborhood Alliance Monthly Meeting – October 13, 2025
The Super Neighborhood Alliance held its monthly meeting on October 13, 2025, chaired by Vice Chair Cheryl O'Brien in place of Chair Letitia. The meeting began at 7:00 PM CT via Zoom, featured a presentation by the Harris County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Bureau, updates on constitutional amendments, super neighborhood reports, and candidate statements. The meeting adjourned around 8:30 PM.
Minutes Approval
- The approval of the August meeting minutes was deferred after Greg Smith (Super Neighborhood 17) requested corrections concerning notice provisions. The minutes will be revised and resubmitted for approval.
Presentation: Harris County Domestic Violence Bureau
- Chief Mary McFadden of the Harris County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Bureau (DVB) presented an overview of the bureau's work. DVB has about 70 staff (including attorneys, investigators, and advocates) and handles felony domestic violence cases from third-degree felonies to capital murder. The office files approximately 15,000 coded cases annually, with about half (7,500) being felonies. McFadden described the high-risk team, which uses danger assessments to identify survivors at greatest risk, and works with community partners for case management. She also outlined the protective order process, noting that the office provides free representation and does not ask about immigration status. A new initiative aims to co-locate advocates in community centers to increase accessibility. The bureau is open to presentations and tabling at super neighborhood events; contact Sherry Cortez for scheduling.
Discussion Items
- Constitutional Amendments (Voter Update): Doug Smith (Super Neighborhood 25) provided an overview of the 17 amendments on the November ballot. He highlighted Proposition 2 (permanent ban on capital gains tax), Proposition 3 (denying bail for certain felonies), Proposition 9 (property tax exemption for small businesses up to $250,000), and Proposition 13 (increase in homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000). He cautioned that many amendments create constitutionally dedicated funds that bypass normal legislative oversight, reducing accountability. Cheryl O'Brien added that Proposition 8 (water infrastructure) would allocate $2 billion per year for 10 years outside the normal appropriation process.
- City Budget and Solid Waste: Jack Felinski (Super Neighborhood 25) expressed concern over the city's budget deficit, estimating a $126 million shortfall next year, and criticized the mayor's reliance on efficiencies. Harold Eaton (Super Neighborhood 31) reported improvements in solid waste collection, noting that recycling pickup has become more reliable after previous delays. Darlena (unidentified super neighborhood) announced 16 new recycling trucks being deployed the next day.
- Super Neighborhood Updates: Presidents reported on local events. Stacey Fairchild (SN22) described a tour of Houston TranStar and encouraged others to tour city facilities. Keith Downey (SN52) celebrated the ribbon-cutting for a permanent backup generator at the Cashman Garden Resilience Hub. Greg Smith (SN17) noted a successful National Night Out and the upcoming Houston Fleet Week (Nov 5–12). Vicky (unidentified) proposed a litter enforcement program to generate revenue and improve cleanliness. Kevin (unidentified) discussed efforts to reactivate downtown super neighborhoods. Bert Ruiz (SN30) asked about the lack of response from city department heads to speaker invitations; Cheryl O'Brien confirmed that no department heads have confirmed for future meetings, prompting discussion of a letter to the mayor.
- Economic Development Committee Update: Lindsay Williams (SN64/88) reported on the September 17 meeting, including a presentation by Integra on a new data center in Northeast Houston (41 MW, 500 jobs) and a presentation by HISD on education-to-wage outcomes. The August meeting covered TIRZ budgets: $205 million in projects for FY2026, including $96 million for streets, $44 million for flood mitigation, $22 million for pedestrian infrastructure, and $20.9 million for parks.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Candidate Statements: Alejandra Salinas, candidate for At-Large City Council, introduced herself as a trial lawyer and democratic organizer, pledging to increase grant writing to bring federal dollars to Houston. Dwight Boykins, also a candidate for At-Large, highlighted his previous council service, including community policing, the Sunnyside TIRZ, senior home repair program, and the Rebuild Houston fund. Both emphasized their commitment to reliable city services and safer neighborhoods.
- Council Member and Staff Updates: Representatives from District K (Didi Chavis), At-Large Council Member Ramirez (Sarah), Precinct 4 Commissioner (James Brenner), and At-Large Council Member Carter (Danielle Fields) provided brief updates. Fields highlighted the "I'm OK / You OK" domestic violence awareness campaign. Chavis announced the revitalization of Super Neighborhood 40 (Southwest Houston) with a meeting on October 29.
Key Outcomes
- The August meeting minutes were deferred for corrections.
- Cheryl O'Brien will bring the suggestion of a letter to the mayor regarding department head accountability to Chair Letitia.
- The next regular meeting will be in November; the December meeting will be held in person (location to be announced).
- The meeting was adjourned by general consensus.
Meeting Transcript
That's cute, Lindsay. Um, we'll go ahead and call the call the meeting to order. And the um, I'm Cheryl O'Brien. Uh Letitia had a prior commitment tonight. Um, and Willie uh uh council member will Willie Davis isn't here tonight because they were having a town hall meeting and they're recognizing Letitia at that meeting, and so I am stepping up as vice chair to share the meeting for her tonight. So the first order of business, Amy. I'm gonna turn it over to you for roll call. Okay, here we are. So I am going to call uh super neighborhoods by those that have been here uh for the past four meetings or more. Um, and if you're here, say here and announce uh your name if you could for the roll call and then um anybody that I miss uh you we can catch you on the end or feel free to put your name in the chat. Um so I'm gonna start with super neighborhood five. Yeah, Ricky Miller here is here. Okay, super neighborhood six super neighborhood 14 Marie Carlisle president here okay, super neighborhood 15, super neighborhood 16, Rex Sergey Scanner Memorial Super Neighborhood 16 representative, and just one little correction. Cheryl said you're at Webec City, you were saying Eastern time, we're actually 631. Well, I was sorry, you're right. It's 631 your time. Sorry. I was looking at my watch. I understand. All right, super neighborhood 17, Jeff Baker's here. Super neighborhood 22, Stacey Fairchild's here. Super neighborhood. Jack Felinski, President Superneighbor 25. Doug Smith representative. Okay, super neighborhood 27borough 28. At the Easterly University place. Oh, thank you, Willie. Gotcha. A supernaval 47. Jackie Mayo, I'm present. Super neighborhood 48. Super neighborhood 49. Super neighborho 50. Super neighborhood 52. Keith Downey, present super neighborhood 55. Super neighborhood 57. Bridget Murray, present. Super neighborhood 63. Ricky Cardina's here. Super neighborhood 64. Lindsay Williams is here. Super neighborhood 66. Super neighborhood 67. Super neighbored 68. Super neighborhood 71. Super neighbored 76. Again. Amy. Yeah, for eight. 82.
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