Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones held a town hall on May 17 at the Weekly Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Road in Cypress with over 75 constituents attending. It was Briones’ 20th town hall to be held in Precinct 4 since she took office two years ago. “Commissioner Briones has an amazing ability to be accessible and to listen,” said Jon Rosenthal, Texas State Representative for District 132, who introduced the Commissioner.

Recent accomplishments highlighted by Briones included establishment of an apprenticeship advantage program, an increase in the Harris County property tax exemption for residents over age 65, work with the Harris County District Attorney and Public Defenders office to improve conditions in the Harris County jail, and initiatives to combat domestic violence.

Briones also announced the completion of nine new sidewalks in the immediate Cypress-North Katy area, which connect residents with local schools. Earlier in May, Briones and her staff celebrated completion of 23 miles of sidewalks located in Katy ISD.

The commissioner also announced free programs for area youth during the summer, including free summer camp, STEAM camp and after-school programs, to be held at community centers in the precinct.

Walter Hambrick, Director of Roads and Bridges for Harris County Precinct 4, spoke about his department’s work in storm clean-up and in promoting emergency preparedness as hurricane season begins on June 1.

Tina Peterson, Executive Director of the Harris County Flood Control District, spoke about her agency’s role in managing the channels and bayous that carry stormwater away from municipally-managed detention facilities and storm drains, which are governed by cities and MUDs. The department is working on Addicks Reservoir and on improvements to stormwater draining on Greenhouse Road and detention ponds at John Paul Landing Park. Harris County Flood Control is also working with the Texas General Land Office on a project at Dinner Creek on Greenhouse Road, to make a more significant storage facility for stormwater. The HCFCD is also working on maintenance issues, with the passage of the flood control bond last fall. Some of the projects involve channel rehabilitation, removing excess sediment deposited by the Tax Day floods and subsequent storms.

Other presenters included Precinct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton, who thanked the commissioner for funding for 26 extra deputies to patrol parks within her precinct.

A question-answer session followed the presentations.