Super Neighborhood Alliance Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Super Neighborhood Alliance convened virtually on February 9, 2026, with representatives from multiple super neighborhoods and city and county officials. The meeting featured presentations on Metro's new fare system, the proposed condemnation of Hermann Park land for Ben Taub hospital expansion, and extensive discussion of upcoming changes to heavy trash pickup. Votes were taken on the agenda and meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sherry Cortez (Harris County District Attorney's Office, Domestic Violence Bureau) reported that the DA's office completed over 560 trials in 2025, a 13% increase, and issued 38 life sentences. She encouraged community members to seek protective orders without a police report and offered resources for Teen Dating Violence Awareness.
• Mark (Third Ward resident) raised concerns about a developer (KGM Properties) converting single-family homes into large rooming houses (e.g., 22 bedrooms) and described plans to sue the developer with community fundraising.
• Kevin (district unknown) complained about a vacant lot at I-10 feeder and Heights Boulevard that has not been mowed for years, with 311 tickets closed without action. Herbert Sims (Department of Neighborhoods) asked for the ticket number to follow up.
• Greg (super neighborhood representative) questioned the absence of weekly permit reports and suggested that super neighborhood boundaries should be reviewed due to population disparities (ranging from <5,000 to >55,000).
• Willie (super neighborhood representative) voiced strong opposition to the planned shift in heavy trash pickup from 12-13 pickups per year to 4 call-in pickups, citing failure of a similar system in Sugar Land and concerns about increased illegal dumping.
• Vicky (super neighborhood representative) complained about slow turnaround for the $2,000 administrative reimbursable grant, noting that approved items still face delays. Herbert Sims explained that the process is slower because it involves auditing of general fund tax dollars and that items must be clearly related to super neighborhood activities.
• Carol (Super Neighborhood 45) echoed heavy trash concerns, noting no pickup since October 2025, insufficient public outreach about the March 2 rollout, and lack of clarity on how the call-in system will work for residents in apartments or without utilities.
• Tamara Alexander (Super Neighborhood 83) warned that the heavy trash change is a step toward paid trash pickup and urged all neighborhoods to contact city council members.
• Lindsay (super neighborhood representative) added that many residents have not seen pickups since October or November and that illegal dumping is rampant, asking for more city engagement and a dedicated meeting on the issue.

Discussion Items

• Metro New Fare System (Wilfredo Santa Maria, Metro Public Engagement)

  • Soft launched in November 2025. Old Q cards will be invalid after April 4, 2026; no new funds after March 1, 2026.
  • New Ride Metro fare card available online, at eight mini ride stores, and at participating retailers.
  • Riders can also pay by tapping credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or the Ride Metro app (QR code).
  • Discounts: 50% for students (K-12, university, trade school), seniors 65-69, and people with disabilities; free for seniors 70+ and decorated veterans (verified through VA).
  • Every 10 paid trips earns one free ride with the card.
  • Questions from community: Doug Smith asked if seniors need a new card (yes). Greg asked what constitutes a decorated veteran (handled by VA). Retired military Dexter asked for streamlined process. Catherine Easterly asked for discount amounts (50% off, e.g., 60 cents for local bus).

• Ben Taub Expansion and Hermann Park Condemnation (Jim Blackburn, environmental lawyer)

  • Harris Health (Ben Taub) seeks to condemn 9 acres of Hermann Park for a 100-bed expansion, contrary to 2023 bond election language that stated expansion would be within the Ben Taub campus.
  • Concern about lack of transparency: seven letters sent to Commissioners Court, open records request for documents denied (case pending with Attorney General).
  • Opponents argue expansion can be done on existing campus (e.g., using old Ben Taub building, building upward). Flooding risk: the site is in a mapped 100-year floodplain, and building there would make the trauma center inaccessible during floods.
  • Tamara Alexander added that the old Ben Taub building is still usable and that the current hospital has reduced beds from 550 to 400 by choice. She noted potential flooding impacts downstream if the floodplain is built on.
  • Keith supported building upward, noting a structural engineer has offered free services to evaluate options. Jim Blackburn stated that Dr. Porsa dismissed alternatives and that the reverter clause in the land deed likely necessitates condemnation.
  • Next steps: a Chapter 26 hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026, before Commissioners Court. Advocacy urged: contact county commissioners and city council members.

• Committee Report: Budget & Fiscal Affairs

  • Chair Jack reported the city is on track to overspend $55 million on overtime for public safety and solid waste. Next meeting March 3, 2026.

• Voter Information (Melanie Young)

  • Early voting for March 3 primary: Feb 17-21 (7am-7pm), Feb 22 (12-7pm), Feb 23-27 (7am-7pm). Ballot by mail deadline Feb 20.
  • Some super neighborhoods are split into new congressional districts; urged checking voter registration.

• New Business

  • Congratulations to new super neighborhood presidents and board member Scott Singleton (Super Neighborhood 63).
  • Proposed in-person meeting schedule: March at First Houston United Methodist Church (downtown), May (northeast), September (Acres Homes), December (southeast). Greg requested a location in the west.
  • Upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in April.

• Public Safety Announcement (Sherry Cortez, HCDAO) - see Public Comments.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Meeting Agenda: Motion by Tamara Bale, second by Cheryl O'Brien. Passed with ayes; one nay (Jeff Baker initially confused).
• Vote on December and January Minutes: Motion made, seconded. Approved with one opposed (Greg), who questioned whether minutes were reviewed and noted November minutes were not circulated to all prior to previous meeting.
• Decision on Heavy Trash: A call to invite the Solid Waste director back to a future meeting was widely supported; informal agreement to raise the issue with the agenda committee.
• Referral for Neighborhood Concerns: Herbert Sims (Department of Neighborhoods) offered to follow up on Kevin's lot mowing issue and will review the grant process for speed. He also agreed to discuss super neighborhood boundary adjustments with planning.
• Next Meeting: March 9, 2026 (in-person at First Houston United Methodist Church, location details to be confirmed).