Harris County ESD 9 board to review fire chief employment for second time
The Harris County ESD No. 9 board called a special meeting for Aug. 28 to “deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal” of the Cy-Fair Fire Department chief, according to a public notice. This will be the second time in three months that the board reviews CFFD Chief Amy Ramon's position.
Some context: ESD 9 commissioners heard lengthy testimony from district employees, community members and Texas lawmakers in support of Ramon during a May meeting regarding her employment. The board ultimately took no action on her dismissal after a nearly five-hour meeting, according to past Community Impact reporting. Specifics as to why the board called the Aug. 28 special meeting are unknown as of press time.
Stay tuned: The special called meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Cy-Fair Fire Department administration building, located at 10710 Telge Road, Houston. The board will begin its regularly scheduled August meeting at 6 p.m. in the same building.
Arabisca officials said the eatery is in the soft opening stages and is now serving Lebanese cuisine in Cypress.
On the menu: According to the business Facebook, Arabisca offers homestyle dishes including grilled chicken dishes, Lebanese style wings and falafel. For dessert, the eatery offers ice cream dishes and Lazy Cake made with creamy ice cream and rich chocolate drizzle.
Harris County officials open $41M residential campus for at-risk foster youth
A new affordable housing campus in Harris County serving unhoused youth and young adults exiting the state foster care system has opened near downtown Houston, nearly five years after Harris County commissioners first approved the $41 million project’s construction.
The details: The HAY—Houston Alumni & Youth—Center Foundation, operates a program in partnership with the Harris County Resources for Children and Adults Department that provides resources and services for youth and young adults. One part of the project included the 41,000-square-foot, 50-unit residential facility with a community space, kitchen, small gym, and private study rooms, according to the organization’s website. The second part of the campus includes a 17,000-square-foot commercial building that will provide wraparound services and life skills training rooms for youth and young adults transitioning out of the state’s foster care system.
The impact: Every year, at least 40 foster youth in the Harris County region are at risk of becoming homeless by their 18th birthday, according to the news release.
H-GAC launches regional clean air survey, public meetings
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of clean air and climate action through a new survey and a series of public meetings beginning Aug. 27, according to an Aug. 22 news release.
The Regional Clean Air, Healthy Communities Survey will collect input on strategies to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across transportation, energy, industry, waste and land use, per the release. Community feedback will guide the Regional Clean Air Action Plan, a roadmap for improving air quality and public health through 2050.
What you need to know: According to the release, the plan is funded by a $1 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. Residents can take the survey online through Oct. 31, and a series of public meetings will be held across the region.
Fort Bend County: 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City
13-County Focus (Hybrid): 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, or join online
