August Civic Association Meeting Recap

You can view the slides from the meeting here or read through the meeting minutes below. Recording is viewable here.

Cottage Grove Community Meeting Minutes

August 13, 2025, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Quick recap

The meeting began with accepting previous meeting minutes and the creation of a Resource Committee chair. Updates were provided on membership numbers, financial status, and various community events, while discussions covered open committee positions and the importance of paid dues for funding community programming. The conversation ended with updates on local infrastructure projects, emergency preparedness measures, and transportation services, along with discussions about community issues and a proposed concrete batch plant.

Meeting Notes

Welcome - Bobbi Jo

• Motion to approve May 2025 meeting led by Bobbi Jo. Brandon Bell seconded; motion approved.

• Bobbi Jo highlighted open chair positions for a Security Committee and Resource/Philanthropic Committee, emphasizing the importance of dues for funding community programming. 

Membership Update/Financials - Brandon Bell

Brandon reported on $5,312.82 remaining balance and 114 total members, including 62 with paid dues.

Important Issues & Updates - Bobbi Jo, Drew, Victoria Calvillo (Precinct 4), Anna Smith (Abbi Kamin office)

• Infrastructure Updates and Safety Measures

Anna Smith provided updates on several local infrastructure projects and emergency preparedness measures. She reported that Centerpoint's utility pole relocation work for the Cottage Grove SWAT project had not yet begun, despite being expected to start the previous week. Anna also discussed a $70,000 District C funded project to improve pedestrian safety along the White Oak Bayou Trail near TC Jester, which includes planned rapid flashing beacons and pedestrian refuges. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of hurricane preparedness, encouraging residents to sign up for the District C newsletter for weather alerts and resources, and recommended obtaining weather radios for emergency situations.

• Infrastructure Projects Status Update

The meeting covered updates on several infrastructure projects. Drew reported that the Cottage Grove project has been delayed to fall 2025 and is not yet out for bid. He also provided updates on road reconstruction phases, noting that phases 1A through 1B are complete, while phases 1C and 1D are nearly finished, with all phases expected to be completed by the end of the year. Regarding the Hempstead Highway project, Drew mentioned that crews are working on the remaining retained wall, with final paving expected to take place in September and the project potentially concluding by the end of the month.

• Transportation and Park Maintenance Updates

Drew encouraged residents to complete the survey for the Houston Galveston Area Council's 2050 regional transportation plan, emphasizing support for the "no higher, no wider" proposal for the ITIN expansion. 

Victoria Smith provided an update on the maintenance of Cottage Grove Community Park, which will now be managed by Harris County Precinct 4, with specific details on mowing, litter and trash removal schedules, and reporting procedures. 

Bobbi Jo shared information about trash and recycling services, including contact details for reporting delays and the fact that recycling is canceled on holidays, with collections resuming two weeks later.

• Community Events and Updates

Victoria Dubinski organized a successful first teacher supply drive and expressed gratitude for community participation. She announced upcoming events, including National Night Out on October 7th, for which she requested donations of projectors or screens, and Santa at the Park in December. Request for volunteers to assist with these events. 

• Downtown Direct Service Launch Update

Colin, METRO announced the launch of the downtown direct service, which offers rides from George R. Brown Convention Center to Intercontinental Airport for $4.50 one way. He also mentioned a partnership with HISD to provide free transportation for qualifying high school students, with about 800 students having signed up so far. 

Stacie, SN #22 provided an update on the "No Higher, No Wider" project, explaining that funding for the first phase had been secured, but federal transportation dollars had been clawed back, making the funding unavailable. She noted that Commissioner Brionis was looking into alternative solutions and would speak at a super neighborhood meeting in November.

• Open Q&A

Stacie provided updates on the super neighborhood meetings, including an upcoming presentation by the new solid waste director and a discussion about the Greater Heights connection plan.

She also addressed concerns about increased homelessness in the area, advising residents not to engage with homeless individuals and to report any dangerous situations to HPD. 

The conversation ended with a discussion about a proposed concrete batch plant at 1110 Northwest Freeway, which could impact several neighborhoods, and Victoria mentioned a recent protest organized by parents.

Next steps

• Victoria to follow up on when the community will be able to engage on the trail around the park with the trailblazers.

• Cottage Grove Civic Association leadership to follow up on yard signs for the Association.

• Cottage Grove Civic Association leadership to contact contractors working on Hempstead update to clean out drains that are full of debris causing road flooding when it rains.

• Victoria Calvillo to keep the community updated on the concrete batch plant protest and connect Cottage Grove with the parents organizing against it.

• Cottage Grove community members to reach out to Cottage Grove Secretary if they have or know someone with a projector and screen for National Night Out on October 7th.

• Cottage Grove community members to volunteer for upcoming National Night Out  and Santa at the Park  events.

• Commissioner Lesley Briones to provide an update on I-10 project alternatives at the Super Neighborhood meeting in November.

Thanks to all who were able to attend. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to info@cottagegrovehouston.org. We look forward to continuing to serve and improve our community.