Mayor Sylvester Turner's statement on today's water line break

HOUSTON -  Please attribute the following statement to Mayor Sylvester Turner.

"In light of today’s wide-spread water outage, I have authorized Houston Public Works to take all necessary steps to isolate the water line break, drain the lines, and make the necessary repairs to return water pressure to normal levels as soon as possible. Repairs will take six to eight hours so we are asking the public to conserve water to help relieve water pressure. We are currently under a boil water notice and you will be notified when it is rescinded.  

A City of Houston contractor was doing exploratory work for a City of Houston water line project in east Houston near 610 and Clinton Drive. When soil was moved from the line, the 96-inch line burst.

Food service establishments without water or flushing toilets must cease operation. The Houston Health Department has dispatched sanitarians to the area.

I want to thank our first responders for acting quickly and getting drivers to safety. Thankfully, no water entered any homes in the affected area.

Today's water line break is a reminder of the aging infrastructure that Houston and other major cities face as we work to make improvements each day."

Mayor Turner's statement on the death of City Secretary Anna Russell

"Houston will have other city secretaries, but there will never be another Anna Adams Russell. Today, my heart is broken following news of Anna’s death. Employees all over the city can claim dedication to their jobs; some can claim top seniority at their workplaces. Anna humbly made no claims and didn’t need to. She tirelessly personified public service throughout her nearly 68 years as a city employee, which made her our longest-tenured worker. I ask every Houstonian to join me in sorrow at the death of Anna Russell, age 88, and in lifting her three daughters, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
I’d ask God to rest her soul, but she was hardly interested in rest. Getting the job done for the public was her constant quest. Part of her job was to tell each member of the public who addressed the City Council that “your time has expired.” Now that her own time has expired, we will remember Anna as someone whose occasionally tough veneer barely hid the warm and sharply humorous person underneath.

Anna, a native of Lubbock, started work for the City of Houston in 1950 at age 18. She was a junior clerk paid $150 per month. She left the job in 1951, returned in 1952, and was appointed City Secretary in 1972 by Mayor Louie Welch. After Kathy Whitmire became the city’s first woman mayor in 1982, some called her “the other woman at City Hall” in deference to Anna’s strong, enduring presence. I was honored to be the ninth consecutive mayor to appoint her to the job of city secretary.

"On July 30, 2019, Anna Russell was honored for over six decades of service to the Office of the City Secretary and the City of Houston. She was a true gem of City Hall, and her unforgettable personality and demeanor  earned her the admiration and respect of her staff, the mayors, city council members and residents of Houston she diligently served. 

"The City of Houston is truly grateful to Anna Russell for over two-thirds of a century of outstanding public service. Her commitment to a job well done exemplifies the best in service to others.

Well done, Anna Russell, well done. You will be missed always."

Mayor Turner's statement on expanded White House travel ban

"I am deeply concerned that the White House has expandedthe
travel ban to six new countries. Public safety should be a top priority
at every level of government, but there is no room in a civil society to
ban travel to the United States based on a country’s predominant
religion, race or culture. The rationale for the expansion of the travel
ban cannot be based on discrimination.

"Houston has more than 150,000 residents of Nigerian descent which is
one of the largest Nigerian communities in the United States.

"Our city is the national leader in refugee resettlement These
immigrants and refugees contribute greatly to our economy, our culture,
and as our neighbors.

"They come here seeking freedom and opportunity. They find it in Houston. We are glad to welcome them to our city."

Mayor Sylvester Turner is proud to announce the release of the Living With Water Houston report

HOUSTON - Houstonian’s know that the abundance of rainwater has continuously challenged our city and has  exacerbated housing, mobility, and economic resilience challenges, among others. Now, more than ever, it is the time to transform and build forward to not only protect communities at risk, but also improve quality of life for all Houstonians.

“This report serves as a guide and a call to action, not only to City departments but to all Houstonians, to make sure that our city is ready for a future where we live with water and will thrive as a place of opportunity, equity, and resilience,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “I encourage everyone with a stake in our city to use it as a guide.”

The City of Houston partnered with The Water Institute of the Gulf, New Orleans-based architecture firm Waggonner & Ball, and the Royal Netherlands Embassy to host two Living With Water workshops in November 2018 and May 2019. These workshops were part of Houston’s resilience program, as a sponsored member of 100 Resilient Cities, now the Global Resilient Cities Network, through a $1.8 million-dollar grant from Shell.

Living With Water Houston brought together local, national, and Dutch experts representing multiple disciplines to solve site-specific water and resilience challenges alongside local governments, state and federal agencies, and community stakeholders. The Living With Water Houston report summarizes the outcomes of the workshops and provides recommendations at the regional, city, bayou, and neighborhood scales for addressing flood risk in the future.

“Houston is a big and fast-changing city, with large scale water challenges. With its economic power and positive spirit come opportunities to address these challenges, reinforce the safety of its neighborhoods and residents, and strengthen the city’s character and identity,"said David Waggonner, Principal, Waggonner & Ball Architecture / Environment. “Our team is grateful to all those who contributed to this project, and for the many innovative local ideas that grounded our work. We hope these recommendations inspire Houston’s diverse communities to embrace nature and realize the many benefits of living with water."

Living With Water Houston was undertaken as part of the Resilient Houston strategy development process. In August 2018, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Mayor Sylvester Turner, 100 Resilient Cities—Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, and Shell joined forces to name Houston as the 101st member of the 100 Resilient Cities Network, now known as the Global Resilient Cities Network.

“In Houston and elsewhere, water brings and takes away, leavening its considerable risks with immeasurable rewards. The living with water approach and the Resilient Houston strategy should enable the Bayou City to better manage its ever-growing flood risks, re-imagine bayou neighborhoods, and lead other ‘water cities’ to a safer, more resilient future," said Dale Morris, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Water Institute of the Gulf.
These efforts have culminated in an extensive set of strategies that will be further evaluated for implementation in three of Houston’s most vulnerable communities: Greenspoint, Independence Heights, and Kashmere Gardens. These strategies can then be applied to other neighborhoods in Houston that face similar challenges. It will require additional engagement with Houstonians to identify what their communities want.

“Implementing a living with water approach is possible by partnering with existing and future efforts, including Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities program, the Houston Park Board’s Bayou’s 2020 program, and integration with the City’s Capital Improvement Projects. We hope that all Houstonians will act to embrace this living with water approach to increased resilience for our people, places, and systems," said Marissa Aho, Chief Resilience Officer

It is the first step forward into the implementation of an extensive Resilient Houston strategy that will set the direction towards a Houston that is equitable and prepared, providing opportunities for all. 

The Mayor appreciates the participation of all local and regional experts, as well as guidance from The Netherlands, and hopes that the continued partnership brings future opportunities to collaborate on the similar issues that plague our residents.

To access the Living With Water Houston report click here https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/chief-resilience-officer.html

Mayor Sylvester Turner is proud to announce the release of the Living With Water Houston report

HOUSTON - Houstonian’s know that the abundance of rainwater has continuously challenged our city and has  exacerbated housing, mobility, and economic resilience challenges, among others. Now, more than ever, it is the time to transform and build forward to not only protect communities at risk, but also improve quality of life for all Houstonians.

“This report serves as a guide and a call to action, not only to City departments but to all Houstonians, to make sure that our city is ready for a future where we live with water and will thrive as a place of opportunity, equity, and resilience,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “I encourage everyone with a stake in our city to use it as a guide.”

The City of Houston partnered with The Water Institute of the Gulf, New Orleans-based architecture firm Waggonner & Ball, and the Royal Netherlands Embassy to host two Living With Water workshops in November 2018 and May 2019. These workshops were part of Houston’s resilience program, as a sponsored member of 100 Resilient Cities, now the Global Resilient Cities Network, through a $1.8 million-dollar grant from Shell.

Living With Water Houston brought together local, national, and Dutch experts representing multiple disciplines to solve site-specific water and resilience challenges alongside local governments, state and federal agencies, and community stakeholders. The Living With Water Houston report summarizes the outcomes of the workshops and provides recommendations at the regional, city, bayou, and neighborhood scales for addressing flood risk in the future.

“Houston is a big and fast-changing city, with large scale water challenges. With its economic power and positive spirit come opportunities to address these challenges, reinforce the safety of its neighborhoods and residents, and strengthen the city’s character and identity,"said David Waggonner, Principal, Waggonner & Ball Architecture / Environment. “Our team is grateful to all those who contributed to this project, and for the many innovative local ideas that grounded our work. We hope these recommendations inspire Houston’s diverse communities to embrace nature and realize the many benefits of living with water."

Living With Water Houston was undertaken as part of the Resilient Houston strategy development process. In August 2018, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Mayor Sylvester Turner, 100 Resilient Cities—Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, and Shell joined forces to name Houston as the 101st member of the 100 Resilient Cities Network, now known as the Global Resilient Cities Network.

“In Houston and elsewhere, water brings and takes away, leavening its considerable risks with immeasurable rewards. The living with water approach and the Resilient Houston strategy should enable the Bayou City to better manage its ever-growing flood risks, re-imagine bayou neighborhoods, and lead other ‘water cities’ to a safer, more resilient future," said Dale Morris, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Water Institute of the Gulf.
   
These efforts have culminated in an extensive set of strategies that will be further evaluated for implementation in three of Houston’s most vulnerable communities: Greenspoint, Independence Heights, and Kashmere Gardens. These strategies can then be applied to other neighborhoods in Houston that face similar challenges. It will require additional engagement with Houstonians to identify what their communities want.

“Implementing a living with water approach is possible by partnering with existing and future efforts, including Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities program, the Houston Park Board’s Bayou’s 2020 program, and integration with the City’s Capital Improvement Projects. We hope that all Houstonians will act to embrace this living with water approach to increased resilience for our people, places, and systems," said Marissa Aho, Chief Resilience Officer

It is the first step forward into the implementation of an extensive Resilient Houston strategy that will set the direction towards a Houston that is equitable and prepared, providing opportunities for all. 

The Mayor appreciates the participation of all local and regional experts, as well as guidance from The Netherlands, and hopes that the continued partnership brings future opportunities to collaborate on the similar issues that plague our residents.

To access the Living With Water Houston report click here https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/chief-resilience-officer.html

Mayor Turner calls company's decision to withdraw concrete batch plant application a victory for local residents

"I am relieved to learn that Soto Ready Mix has withdrawn its application to build a concrete batch plant in Acres Home. This is a great victory for residents who did not want to live with unhealthy air emissions, specifically particulate matter, heavy trucks and noise in their neighborhood.

"During a news conference earlier this month, I, along with other elected officials, residents and community leaders urged the TCEQ to vote against issuing a standard permit for a concrete facility or for the company to withdraw its application for a new permit.

"The company chose to withdraw the application, but the action proves the TCEQ must have more tools to protect vulnerable neighborhoods and prevent companies from building concrete batch plants near homes and parks where our children play.

"Last legislative session, the city of Houston advocated for two reforms that would have been very helpful. I will direct my government relations team to continue working on protection for residents in communities without land use regulations.

"I thank the Houston Police Department, Houston Public Works, the Houston Health Department, Municipal Courts, along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Senator John Whitmire, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson and many others who helped to bring this situation to a desired outcome."

Mayor Turner encourages Houstonians to donate supplies to aid Puerto Rico; Astros Foundation will assist with shipping items to help citizens recover

HOUSTON - In the aftermath of several earthquakes rattling Puerto Rico, Mayor Sylvester Turner joins NACC Disaster Servicesinencouraging Houstonians to donate disaster relief supplies to help with recovery.

Donations may be dropped off Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
at 121 Esplanade Blvd, Houston, Texas 77060. The warehouse phone number is 
(832) 626-7111.

The Astros Foundation has generously agreed to assist with some costs of shipping donated items to Puerto Rico.

List of requested items
Diapers
Baby formula
Toiletries
Men's, women, boys & girls clothes (new and used)
Men's, women, boys & girls underwear - undergarments
Men's, women, boys & girls shoes
Generators
Tents
Sleeping bags
Toys
Small appliances
bedding

More information may be found at www.nacchelp.org and on the NACC Disaster Services social media pages, @NACCHelp.

All items collected during the donation drive will be sorted, packed and shipped in  approximately two weeks. 

Mayor Turner's statement on the Houston Astros

"Being loyal fans of Houston sports teams means that we stand with them in good times and during times of challenge. Today is a difficult day. As a city, we extend our hearts to an Astros' organization that is hurting.

"The Houston Astros carried us on their shoulders during the 2017 World Series championship season. We will never forget how they played with passion and made us proud.

"Now, it is our turn to carry the Astros on our shoulders and lift the owner, coaches, and players as they focus on moving the organization beyond this challenge.  

"I commend Houston Astros' owner Jim Crane for going over and above what was required by Major League Baseball.

"As a city, we look forward to the start of spring training and the next season.
The Astros are world-class champions on and off the field at all times."