Issue 33
December 2023
Team celebrates achievements during year-end engagement event
Team members from the Flood Control District gathered at NRG Center to celebrate success, share gratitude, and foster team spirit – with a few prizes thrown in as well! Attendees enjoyed breakfast and heard from executive leadership about wins from the past year and priorities for 2024.
Here’s to another year of hard work, collaboration, and achievements!
Flood Control District hosts Texas Water Development Board
Recently, we had the honor of hosting representatives from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on a tour of sites across Harris County. Together, we discussed innovative flood risk reduction measures, sustainable water management, and the power of collaboration in safeguarding our communities.
On the tour, leaders from the Flood Control District showcased examples of how funding from TWDB and from other partners has helped realize flood risk reduction projects. These included the Keith Wiess Park Stormwater Detention Basin, the Lauder Stormwater Detention Basin, Channel Conveyance Capacity Restoration on Pillot Gully and the gage network.
On the following day, the Flood Control District hosted the TWDB's December 7 board meeting at the Michael Talbott Service Center, where the board heard comments from speakers from a variety of organizations and elected officials, including State Representative Armando Walle, representatives from the City of Houston and Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, and Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen.
Learn more about TWDB at www.twdb.texas.gov.
Native Seed Mix study highlighted at press conference
Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen spoke at the Southeast Texas Native Seed Mix Press Conference, hosted by Houston Wilderness.
She joined subject-matter experts and elected officials to highlight the study and development of a native seed mix for a 13-county region in the Gulf Coast region. The Flood Control District is funding the study.
Learn more at https://www.hcfcd.org/Activity/Maintenance-Programs/Vegetation-Management/Native-Seed-Study.
Work Continues
Construction is underway on HCFCD Unit ID: J114-00-00 in the Spring Creek watershed. The contractor will repair concrete channel lining, an inlet, and certain outfall pipes. This maintenance effort is expected to be complete in 35 calendar days, weather permitting.
.png)
Teams conduct prescribed burn of Katy Hockey Mitigation Area
Teams from the Flood Control District conducted a prescribed burn in the 440-acre Katy Hockley Mitigation Area located south of Cypress Creek and just west of the intersection of Katy Hockley Road and House & Hahl Road.
Controlled burns are used for large tracts of land where mowing and herbicide use is less effective. They consist of small, controlled fires to reduce invasive vegetation, promote the growth of native plant species, and improve the quality of wildlife habitat on the property.
For more information, visit https://www.HCFCD.org/Our-Programs/Prescribed-Burn.
Team members recognize colleagues for exemplary work
Check out our exemplary staff, the wins they’ve achieved and, the kudos they’ve received from colleagues. The purpose of the High Five Program is to recognize employees at all levels (contractors and senior leadership, too) for their day-to-day efforts that contribute to getting the job done. This program allows Flood Control District employees to recognize one another for their exemplary work. Whether it's a big project that took extra time or a small effort that saved the day, employees can complete a High Five to spread good will and reward good work.
If you work for Harris County Flood Control District and would like to give one of our teammates a High Five, click here.
Julio Castrellon
What is your title and Department?
Section Lead – Encroachment Removal Program – Asset Management Division
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
3.5 years total – 2 years as a contractor – 1.5 years officially
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
I was the first employee hired as an Encroachment Coordinator during the middle of the pandemic, under the then-Section Lead: Jason Wilkinson.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
Our team is responsible for approaching property owners prior to construction start regarding encroachments located on Harris County Flood Control District property interests. We educate the owners about the need for the removal of these encroachments, show them where the rights-of-way exist, why they’re not allowed to place encroachments on Harris County Flood Control District property interests, and how the coming project will help reduce flood damage risk in their area.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District?
Having spent months gutting residential properties for customers, friends, family, and co-workers following Hurricane Harvey, I take great pride in being able to connect intimately with property owners who are most at risk and explain that our work can help reduce the devastation of going through that extended traumatic experience.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the work happening near Cypress Creek. I live near the area and vividly recall which properties were inundated with water during Harvey and what streets were impassable. It’s fascinating to see the infrastructure being replaced and the new hydrological efforts being used to remove and detain flood water.
What has been your favorite project so far?
K100-00-00-X084. It was my very first project from beginning to completion. Our group was new, our efforts were untested, but our mettle was proven when dealing with the public. I’m from El Paso, which is part of the arid Chihuahuian desert, which sits at mile high at its peak and 3,500 feet elevation at its lowest. This area was complete culture shock to me, from both an elevation and climate standpoint. Through work, I’ve received an education on how the channel systems function, what problems belay them, and it’s captivating. El Paso does not have this extent of infrastructure, but it badly needs it as well, even if its use is far less consistent. Following Hurricane Katrina, our area was devastated in some areas that lacked flood control infrastructure.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
This is hyper-specific to the work I do deescalating when engaging with someone hostile and I’ll give a little bit of background: I learned this trick from the comedian named Greg Fitzsimmons, whose podcasts I listen to. He’s not an energetic performer, but occasionally must follow another comedian who has incredibly high energy and has transferred that same energy to the crowd. To refocus and engage the crowd in his comedy, he has to reduce the energy of the crowd by talking slower and quieter to the point where the crowd has to make an effort to hear him. When I deal with someone with high energy, I draw out my words and speak at reduced volume, until they lower their energy so they can hear me. If you don’t lower their energy, they will talk over you and won’t let in a word edgewise.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week?
The Cowboys beat the Eagles.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
I used to be in bands during my teens and very early 20s. I was the lead singer. I wasn’t terribly good.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I was really into video production in high school. I’ve placed first numerous times in local, state, and national competitions.
What was your first job?
Career-wise, I spent some time working for a concrete recycler in Conroe, TX, before I received my internship. As a teen, I first worked at a baseball sports complex that ran the gamut of little league to adult leagues.
What do you like most about your job?
Work-from-home days are an absolute game changer in respect to work/life balance. When I worked for a luxury homebuilder post-Harvey, I spent maybe six months driving two hours to work, then two hours back home. It was soul crushing.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
Knowing that I carved my own little slice of life within the community.
Current Projects
