Mayor answers questions surrounding grant money to elevate 42 flood-prone homes in Meyerland

HOUSTON – The mayor said Monday he will review why a grant designed to help flood victims in Meyerland seems to be mired in red tape.

"If we are standing in the way or if there are personnel decisions that are standing in the way and not moving at the top speed, they're not going to be with the city very long," Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

Turner was quick to point out that he is not yet convinced the delays in distributing the $14.5 million were because of city employee errors or incompetence.

Federal, state and local governments are involved in the project, which would elevate 42 flood-prone homes in Meyerland, many just south of Brays Bayou.

The grant proposal was submitted in 2015. The funds were available through FEMA as a direct result of the Memorial Day Flood of 2015, which ravaged the Meyerland area.

"Get something done now. Stop wasting our time spinning your wheels," Mark Katzenellenbogen, a Meyerland resident, said.

Katzenellenbogen and his family, including his autistic son, stayed in their attic for 14 hours during the Memorial Flood, before they felt it was safe to descend into their flooded home.

His home and 41 others will be raised approximately 5 feet to alleviate future flood concerns.

To date, Katzenellenbogen's home has seriously flooded at least four times since 2000.

The mayor said he would further investigate the delays and would be able to provide a more accurate timeline for distribution of the funds, which go directly to contractors, as early as Tuesday.

Monday, the Texas Water Board, a state agency overseeing the disbursement of the money, said that Houston's contract had been approved, and the contractor qualification process would start Friday.

That process typically takes an additional 90 days, but the city is seeking to shorten the period significantly. However, it was not immediately clear Monday if that request had been approved by the Texas Water Board.