4/17/2026 – Harris County Commissioners Court erupted into open hostilities yesterday when County Judge Lina Hidalgo publicly blasted Dr. Tina Petersen, head of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). This issue had to do with the potential loss of close to a third of a billion dollars in federal Community Development Block Grants for disaster relief (CDBG-DR).
Specifically, Hidalgo received a status report on the endangered projects at 5:00 AM, just hours before the start of the meeting. Hidalgo said the report did not include status information and timelines that she had previously requested showing how the projects would be completed before deadlines.
“I would be embarrassed to show this to any member of the public,” said Hidalgo, “I’m totally baffled by this.” Before yielding the floor, Hidalgo added, “I just lost my confidence in you.”
County Judge Lina Hidalgo holding up transmittal that arrived hours before commissioners court with 2-year-old timeline.
Petersen tried to be apologetic. She said she misunderstood what the Judge requested. Hidalgo retorted, “How do you NOT know this, Director? I spoke with you directly.”
What Commissioners Court Requested
The discussion had to do with two items on the agenda – #300 and #366.
#300. Request for discussion and possible action regarding the status of the Harris County Flood Control District’s CDBG-MIT and CDBG-DR programs, including updates on the project-level schedule. These updates must include a timeline with benchmarks for all projects and information on how they will meet the necessary deadlines.
#366. Transmittal by the Flood Control District on project status updates for the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs.
What Commissioners Received
HCFCD submitted two reports, neither of which the public could see. However, I have since obtained them. The first shows a timeline. But it stops in 2024. In fairness, it also shows a table that indicates the current “phase” of each project. But that wasn’t enough for Hidalgo. She said, “I ask for a timeline and what I see here is the timeline between February 2018 and July 2024. That already passed!”
The two-year-old timeline in HCFCD report to Commissioners Court
Here is the other report. It contains a table showing when projects were amended into HCFCD’s contract with the Texas General Land Office, which administers HUD funds in Texas. With one exception, the dates range from 2024 to 2025.
Hidalgo: “There’s not a project-by-project summary here!”
Petersen: “So, what’s the point?”
“The public is seeing that we might miss the deadline and you’re saying, here’s the deadline. How is that helping, Director?”
Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge
Hidalgo continued, “People have been waiting for these projects. We report the projects are behind and you’re not providing anything that provides any sort of assurance to the community, much less to me, that you’re on track.”
“I requested a timeline that showed where we are, what the deadlines are, and what we’re going to do to meet those deadlines,” she added.
“We secured this money back in 2021. I don’t know at what point we got behind, but it’s well past time for there to be a clear timeline. And so, I am really demanding that, Director.”
Ramsey Concerns
Earlier in the discussion, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, addressed many of the same issues but more diplomatically.
Ramsey focused on specific deficiencies in Petersen’s reports. He expressed desire to see accurate construction estimates and pointed out two errors totaling approximately $15 million.
He also emphasized the need to communicate clear project start times, duration and completion dates. “None of those can be left blank,” he said.
Ramsey lamented the fact that projects were reported by Bond IDs, not individual projects. (A bond ID can contain multiple projects, masking project delays.)
He also lamented that HCFCD has taken up to TWO YEARS to execute new contracts. “You just can’t do that,” he said.
Ramsey also wanted the “percentage of completion” of construction, because that’s “what the GLO needs.” He then proposed a three-part motion, laying out exactly what the Court and GLO want to see.
Ramsey Motion Passes Unanimously
Ramsey’s motion says:
“I move that the Harris County Flood Control District provides Commissioners Court with monthly project-level schedules and financial reporting for all CDBG-DR and -MIT flood mitigation projects. The monthly report shall include, for eachproject, the:
Estimated design completion date
Estimated construction start date (and actual start of construction when applicable)
Total expected construction duration in calendar days
Estimated construction completion date
Total project budget
Amount encumbered
Bid award amount
Amount spent to date
Any project delays.
“I further move that HCFCD will submit this information in a consistent monthly format that clearly identifies any schedule changes, delays, or financial variances from the prior month, so that Commissioners Court can exercise meaningful oversight and ensure transparency in project delivery.
“I further move that the first monthly report will be due on May 1, 2026, and all other monthly reports will be due on the third Monday of every month thereafter.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Briones Reaction
Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones agreed with Ramsey and his motion. She felt information was crucial to the success of the CDBG program.
Ellis Reaction
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said, “Judgment day is coming soon.” He asked Petersen what she would have done differently, but she dodged his question.
He ended by saying, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed; but I’m very concerned.”
Garcia Reaction
In contrast, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia was full of sunshine. He blamed delays on the previous administration.
For More Information
To see video of the entire discussion, go to this page on the Harris County website. Click on Departments 3 of 3. Then scroll forward to approximately 4:13:40.
Click on the tab in the right hand panel to see a transcript of the discussion.
For a history of the CDBG projects, search ReduceFlooding.com using “CDBG”.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/17/2026
3153 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Hidalgo-Holding-Up-Status-Report.png?fit=1622%2C884&ssl=18841622adminadmin2026-04-17 18:09:362026-04-22 17:24:07Hidalgo Publicly Blasts HCFCD Leader: “I Just Lost My Confidence in You”
4/16/2026 – Join volunteers from around Kingwood for “Median Madness: Round 7” this Saturday, 4/18/2026, starting at 8:30 AM along Kingwood Drive at Trailwoood Village Drive.
Help trim back underbrush. Remove vines. Improve traffic safety. And beautify Kingwood. While you have fun. Exercise. And make friends. All at the same time. The event will last until noon.
About Median Madness
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger began Median Madness in 2024. Since then hundreds of volunteers have made a visible difference in their community by trimming back vines and underbrush that were spilling out into major traffic arteries.
This weekend, an army of volunteers for Round 7 of Median Madness will tackle another sore point near the entrance to Trailwood Village.
What to Bring
Wear close-toed shoes and bring your work gloves and water. If you have sheers, bring them. If not, no worries. The Houston Tool Bank will have some there that you can use.
Everyone is welcome, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Remember the ten two-letter words that make all the difference in the world: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
You can make your community safer and more beautiful.
Parking
The closest side streets near the Trailwood Village Median are Hidden Creek Dr. (on the Trailwood Village side) and Pine River Dr. (on the South Woodland Hills side). These also have access to the trail entrances to safely access the median.
A Thank You to Sponsors
This event is supported by the Trailwood Village Community Association, the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Public Works, HPD, Trees for Kingwood, the Houston Tool Bank, H‑E‑B, and Chick‑fil‑A.
Trees for Kingwood is working with the Texas A&M Forest Service to plan improvements to Kingwood’s medians. They include replacing invasive species with native species to make growth in the medians more sustainable and maintainable. The invasive species have totally crowded out native species in numerous places.
Once registered, you’ll receive an email with a waiver and helpful tips to prepare for the event. Be sure to complete the waiver and bring a printed copy with you on the day of Median Madness, April 18th. Thank you!
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/16/2026
3152 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Median-Madness-Flyer-_1_-_1_.jpg?fit=1100%2C564&ssl=15641100adminadmin2026-04-16 10:43:472026-04-16 18:29:28Make a Visible Difference in Your Community at Median Madness
4/15/2026 – In the quest the build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, there’s still much work to do. But contractors have made significant progress on Northpark in the last few weeks.
The two ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at the US59 entrance are getting deeper. Meanwhile, the bridge abutment east of the railroad tracks is getting higher. And Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark is getting wider.
Also of note: concrete for the surface lanes that will flank the bridge is creeping ever closer to the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.
See details and photos below.
Entry Ponds Deepen
Contractors are deepening the two entry ponds at US59. Last week, it appeared that they had reached the designed depth in the north pond. Then came the rains. As you can see in the photo below, it had some significant erosion. And in this photo taken this morning, it appears contractors have returned to remove more silt.
North pond at Northpark and 59 on 4/15/26Work on the south pond had paused this morning, while the focus returned to the north pond.
It appears that contractors made significant progress on the south pond. But you can clearly see the effects of erosion from the heavy rains.
To prevent similar erosion in the future, the ponds will be lined with concrete. That work should be completed by the end of next month.
Abutment Getting Higher
An abutment is a structure at the end of a bridge that absorbs lateral forces and moves traffic from ground level onto the clear-span portion of the bridge. Contractors are building the first of two abutments east of the railroad tracks in front of Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See below.
They started erecting walls last month. And now, they’re filling the area between them with layer after layer of stabilized sand and dirt.
Eastern abutment as of 4/15/26. Looking east.Reverse angle shows how dirt between the walls is being layered in and compacted. Side shot shows the work is already much taller than vehicles.
Drainage Ditch Widened
A drainage ditch (Ditch One) will take excess stormwater from Northpark and route it through a drainage ditch behind the businesses that line the north side of Northpark.
Ditch One has been widened and deepenedback to its original dimensions. It had not been cleaned out for approximately 18 years!Ditch One from ground level. Hydromulching will begin soon to protect the banks from erosion.
UPRR Crossing
Two surface turn lanes will flank each side of the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. Below, you can see the status of their completion.
Looking slightly E over the UPRR tracks.
On the north (l), pavement is complete up to the last two or three feet on each side of the tracks. On the south (r) pavement also stops short, but more work still needs to be done on the surface lanes themselves.
Keep in mind that after contractors complete paving, UPRR needs to install gates. And after that, a signal crew must make the temporary signals operational before the crossings become operational.
Loop 494
Loop 494 is virtually complete, but the Northpark intersection is not. This will be the focus of work in the near future.
Wider shot looking N along 494.From opposite direction, you can see how wide Loop 494 will be where it approaches Northpark.
Other News
In coming days, crews will also:
Complete patches of sidewalks skipped due to utility conflicts on the project
Backfilling medians in preparation for final sod and seed
Install permanent traffic signals at Russell-Palmer Road and Northpark (expected completion by mid-April)
Please pack your patience, especially at the Russell-Palmer Intersection. Kings Mill residents use the intersection to make a U-turn. The new traffic signals require significant underground work, a new traffic-signal control box, new signal poles, new conduit, new wiring and new programming.
Caution
Please note: Work will continue in the center median of Northpark in preparation to put traffic in its final configuration. There are and will be many obstructions and potential hazards in this area, including construction workers and vehicles.
DO NOT cross into the work zone. Make turns only from delineated cross over areas.
For More Information
Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website Northpark Overpass Project page. This includes a 3-week look-ahead schedule, plans, simulated videos of the completed project, and more.
Hidalgo Publicly Blasts HCFCD Leader: “I Just Lost My Confidence in You”
4/17/2026 – Harris County Commissioners Court erupted into open hostilities yesterday when County Judge Lina Hidalgo publicly blasted Dr. Tina Petersen, head of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). This issue had to do with the potential loss of close to a third of a billion dollars in federal Community Development Block Grants for disaster relief (CDBG-DR).
Specifically, Hidalgo received a status report on the endangered projects at 5:00 AM, just hours before the start of the meeting. Hidalgo said the report did not include status information and timelines that she had previously requested showing how the projects would be completed before deadlines.
“I would be embarrassed to show this to any member of the public,” said Hidalgo, “I’m totally baffled by this.” Before yielding the floor, Hidalgo added, “I just lost my confidence in you.”
Petersen tried to be apologetic. She said she misunderstood what the Judge requested. Hidalgo retorted, “How do you NOT know this, Director? I spoke with you directly.”
What Commissioners Court Requested
The discussion had to do with two items on the agenda – #300 and #366.
What Commissioners Received
HCFCD submitted two reports, neither of which the public could see. However, I have since obtained them. The first shows a timeline. But it stops in 2024. In fairness, it also shows a table that indicates the current “phase” of each project. But that wasn’t enough for Hidalgo. She said, “I ask for a timeline and what I see here is the timeline between February 2018 and July 2024. That already passed!”
Here is the other report. It contains a table showing when projects were amended into HCFCD’s contract with the Texas General Land Office, which administers HUD funds in Texas. With one exception, the dates range from 2024 to 2025.
Hidalgo: “There’s not a project-by-project summary here!”
Petersen: “So, what’s the point?”
Hidalgo continued, “People have been waiting for these projects. We report the projects are behind and you’re not providing anything that provides any sort of assurance to the community, much less to me, that you’re on track.”
“I requested a timeline that showed where we are, what the deadlines are, and what we’re going to do to meet those deadlines,” she added.
“We secured this money back in 2021. I don’t know at what point we got behind, but it’s well past time for there to be a clear timeline. And so, I am really demanding that, Director.”
Ramsey Concerns
Earlier in the discussion, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, addressed many of the same issues but more diplomatically.
Ramsey focused on specific deficiencies in Petersen’s reports. He expressed desire to see accurate construction estimates and pointed out two errors totaling approximately $15 million.
He also emphasized the need to communicate clear project start times, duration and completion dates. “None of those can be left blank,” he said.
Ramsey lamented the fact that projects were reported by Bond IDs, not individual projects. (A bond ID can contain multiple projects, masking project delays.)
He also lamented that HCFCD has taken up to TWO YEARS to execute new contracts. “You just can’t do that,” he said.
Ramsey also wanted the “percentage of completion” of construction, because that’s “what the GLO needs.” He then proposed a three-part motion, laying out exactly what the Court and GLO want to see.
Ramsey Motion Passes Unanimously
Ramsey’s motion says:
“I move that the Harris County Flood Control District provides Commissioners Court with monthly project-level schedules and financial reporting for all CDBG-DR and -MIT flood mitigation projects. The monthly report shall include, for each project, the:
“I further move that HCFCD will submit this information in a consistent monthly format that clearly identifies any schedule changes, delays, or financial variances from the prior month, so that Commissioners Court can exercise meaningful oversight and ensure transparency in project delivery.
“I further move that the first monthly report will be due on May 1, 2026, and all other monthly reports will be due on the third Monday of every month thereafter.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Briones Reaction
Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones agreed with Ramsey and his motion. She felt information was crucial to the success of the CDBG program.
Ellis Reaction
Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said, “Judgment day is coming soon.” He asked Petersen what she would have done differently, but she dodged his question.
He ended by saying, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed; but I’m very concerned.”
Garcia Reaction
In contrast, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia was full of sunshine. He blamed delays on the previous administration.
For More Information
To see video of the entire discussion, go to this page on the Harris County website. Click on Departments 3 of 3. Then scroll forward to approximately 4:13:40.
Click on the tab in the right hand panel to see a transcript of the discussion.
For a history of the CDBG projects, search ReduceFlooding.com using “CDBG”.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/17/2026
3153 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Make a Visible Difference in Your Community at Median Madness
4/16/2026 – Join volunteers from around Kingwood for “Median Madness: Round 7” this Saturday, 4/18/2026, starting at 8:30 AM along Kingwood Drive at Trailwoood Village Drive.
Help trim back underbrush. Remove vines. Improve traffic safety. And beautify Kingwood. While you have fun. Exercise. And make friends. All at the same time. The event will last until noon.
About Median Madness
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger began Median Madness in 2024. Since then hundreds of volunteers have made a visible difference in their community by trimming back vines and underbrush that were spilling out into major traffic arteries.
This weekend, an army of volunteers for Round 7 of Median Madness will tackle another sore point near the entrance to Trailwood Village.
What to Bring
Wear close-toed shoes and bring your work gloves and water. If you have sheers, bring them. If not, no worries. The Houston Tool Bank will have some there that you can use.
Everyone is welcome, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
You can make your community safer and more beautiful.
Parking
The closest side streets near the Trailwood Village Median are Hidden Creek Dr. (on the Trailwood Village side) and Pine River Dr. (on the South Woodland Hills side). These also have access to the trail entrances to safely access the median.
A Thank You to Sponsors
This event is supported by the Trailwood Village Community Association, the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Public Works, HPD, Trees for Kingwood, the Houston Tool Bank, H‑E‑B, and Chick‑fil‑A.
Trees for Kingwood is working with the Texas A&M Forest Service to plan improvements to Kingwood’s medians. They include replacing invasive species with native species to make growth in the medians more sustainable and maintainable. The invasive species have totally crowded out native species in numerous places.
Sign Up NOW
Please join the team. Confirm your attendance by signing up at: Median Madness Round 7.
Once registered, you’ll receive an email with a waiver and helpful tips to prepare for the event. Be sure to complete the waiver and bring a printed copy with you on the day of Median Madness, April 18th. Thank you!
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/16/2026
3152 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Update: Ponds Get Deeper, Bridge Abutment Higher, Ditch Wider
4/15/2026 – In the quest the build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, there’s still much work to do. But contractors have made significant progress on Northpark in the last few weeks.
The two ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at the US59 entrance are getting deeper. Meanwhile, the bridge abutment east of the railroad tracks is getting higher. And Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark is getting wider.
Also of note: concrete for the surface lanes that will flank the bridge is creeping ever closer to the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.
See details and photos below.
Entry Ponds Deepen
Contractors are deepening the two entry ponds at US59. Last week, it appeared that they had reached the designed depth in the north pond. Then came the rains. As you can see in the photo below, it had some significant erosion. And in this photo taken this morning, it appears contractors have returned to remove more silt.
It appears that contractors made significant progress on the south pond. But you can clearly see the effects of erosion from the heavy rains.
To prevent similar erosion in the future, the ponds will be lined with concrete. That work should be completed by the end of next month.
Abutment Getting Higher
An abutment is a structure at the end of a bridge that absorbs lateral forces and moves traffic from ground level onto the clear-span portion of the bridge. Contractors are building the first of two abutments east of the railroad tracks in front of Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See below.
They started erecting walls last month. And now, they’re filling the area between them with layer after layer of stabilized sand and dirt.
Drainage Ditch Widened
A drainage ditch (Ditch One) will take excess stormwater from Northpark and route it through a drainage ditch behind the businesses that line the north side of Northpark.
UPRR Crossing
Two surface turn lanes will flank each side of the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. Below, you can see the status of their completion.
On the north (l), pavement is complete up to the last two or three feet on each side of the tracks. On the south (r) pavement also stops short, but more work still needs to be done on the surface lanes themselves.
Keep in mind that after contractors complete paving, UPRR needs to install gates. And after that, a signal crew must make the temporary signals operational before the crossings become operational.
Loop 494
Loop 494 is virtually complete, but the Northpark intersection is not. This will be the focus of work in the near future.
Other News
In coming days, crews will also:
Please pack your patience, especially at the Russell-Palmer Intersection. Kings Mill residents use the intersection to make a U-turn. The new traffic signals require significant underground work, a new traffic-signal control box, new signal poles, new conduit, new wiring and new programming.
Caution
Please note: Work will continue in the center median of Northpark in preparation to put traffic in its final configuration. There are and will be many obstructions and potential hazards in this area, including construction workers and vehicles.
DO NOT cross into the work zone. Make turns only from delineated cross over areas.
For More Information
Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website Northpark Overpass Project page. This includes a 3-week look-ahead schedule, plans, simulated videos of the completed project, and more.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/15/26
3151 Days since Hurricane Harvey