What a chilly start to the year! We hope everyone is staying safe and warm!
Earlier in January, the Super Neighborhood board met to discuss goals and vision for 2026. Most importantly, we want to hear from you!
We took the concerns residents shared in 2025 and want to understand your thinking as we move into the new year. This is anonymous.
You can fill out the form here.
In addition to hearing from you, we want to share that we have established 3 committees:
- Community Outreach
- Quality of Life and Beautification
- Transportation Advocacy
If you want to join one of the committees or learn more, come on out to the next Super Neighborhood meeting or email us at superneighborhood64and88@gmail.com
Resources from Super Neighborhood Meeting
We covered a lot of information at our January Super Neighborhood meeting. If you missed it, you can see what we talked about here.
Our Next Super Neighborhood Meeting
Our next Super Neighborhood meeting is going to be:
- Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Magnolia Multiservice Center, 7037 Capitol S,t. Houston, TX 77011
Officer Elections this February 2026 Meeting
We will be holding officer elections at the February 25 meeting. To be eligible to hold office on the Council, candidates should be familiar with the Council, have some involvement in any of the member organizations, or live, work, or have a business interest in the boundaries of the Super Neighborhood identified in Article II. You can read the bylaws here.
- President – The president shall preside over all general meetings and any executive committee meetings. The president shall have the authority to conduct meetings and to maintain order. The president shall appoint all committee chairs.
- Vice-President – The vice-president shall preside at meetings in the absence of the president. This office shall assist the president and shall perform various duties and serve on committees as assigned by the president.
- Secretary – The secretary shall keep an accurate record of proceedings of all general meetings, attend to correspondence, act as custodian of current records, and file and maintain up-to-date membership lists and attendance records.
- Treasurer – The treasurer shall maintain up-to-date records of all financial transactions, receive all funds, and deposit them in the bank. This officer shall disburse money as authorized by the Council.
If you are interested in running for an officer position, please attend the February 25 meeting and let us know at the beginning. We will give candidates 1-2 minutes to introduce themselves.
Metro Fare Update
The METRO Q® Fare Card is being phased out and replaced by the new RideMETRO card. Reloads will be allowed through March 1, 2026, and full discontinuation will occur on April 4, 2026. Riders should switch to the new RideMETRO card or app, which allows tapping with credit/debit cards, phones, or new physical cards, while maintaining the 10-ride-for-free benefit.
Key Updates and Actions
- Transition Period: Current Q Cards can be used until April 4, 2026, but cannot be reloaded after March 1, 2026.
- New System: The new RideMETRO system features tap-to-pay using credit cards, smartphones (Apple/Google Pay), or a new physical RideMETRO card.
- Rewards: The free ride benefit continues: after 10 paid trips, additional trips are free.
- How to Switch: Create a new account at the METRO Online RideStore or use the new RideMETRO app.
- Existing Balance: Use up the balance on your old Q Card, as it cannot be transferred online.
- Q-Ticketing App: The old Q-Ticketing app is being phased out in favor of the new RideMETRO app.
For the most up-to-date information, visit www.ridemetro.org.
Houston City Council actions in January
ICE / HPD Cooperation & Immigration Enforcement
- This was the single hottest topic of the month. About 100 people filled the council chambers, shouting at council members and urging the city to cut ties with federal immigration enforcement.
- Multiple speakers said they believe HPD officers are using traffic stops and routine calls to funnel people to ICE, including crime victims and even minors, and that the practice is creating fear and mistrust across immigrant neighborhoods.
- Council Member Edward Pollard wrote to ICE requesting that agents be prohibited from wearing face coverings during enforcement operations and required to identify themselves.
- Mayor Whitmire pushed back, stating that HPD does not ask people about their immigration status, but that if a warrant is found during a traffic stop, HPD is obligated by federal law to contact the issuing jurisdiction.
Storm Water Fund & Blighted Building Demolition
- A deeply contentious fiscal debate dominated the January 7 meeting.
- The item proposed spending $30M through January 2027 for construction, asbestos abatement, and demolition services for dangerous buildings throughout the city, using the Storm Water Fund.
- Controller Hollins strongly opposed it, arguing that the Storm Water Fund is not intended for demolition and that misusing restricted funds undermines the trust Houstonians place in their leaders.
- Mayor Whitmire defended the item, saying it was legal per the city attorney’s opinion. Item 35 ultimately passed with 9 yes votes versus 7 no votes.
Winter Freeze Emergency Response & Warming Centers
- During a City Council update, officials emphasized the city was mobilizing resources to prepare for freezing temperatures, icy roads, and prolonged cold expected from Saturday through Monday.
- More than 940 people sought warmth from the bitter cold at the city’s 12 warming centers.
$180M Vehicle Purchase & Fleet Electrification
- The Council approved $180M over three years for vehicle purchases.
- Council Member Kamin tagged the item the prior week, and the purchasing department ultimately agreed to comply with the city’s climate plan and purchase hybrid and electric vehicles when feasible.
Homelessness & Housing Grants
- The Council approved several grants to address homelessness and housing instability.
- These included a $948K grant to The Harris Center for Mental Health for a program to end homelessness, a $125K grant to the Wesley Center for an education program for low-income families, a $376K grant to SEARCH Homeless Services for a housing program, and a $2.3M grant to the AIDS Foundation for their housing program.
Helpful resources from committee meetings in January
Quality of Life Committee
Budget And Fiscal Affairs Committee
Economic Development Committee
Government Operations Committee
- No meeting in January
Housing and Affordability Committee
- No meeting in January
Public Safety Committee
- No meeting in January