Luna new inspector general at Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Roland D. Luna (pictured), former director of Ports of Entry for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), has been chosen by the Board of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as TJJD's inspector general. He will lead the agency's Office of Inspector General, which investigates crimes committed within the TJJD system.

Luna began his career at TABC in 2010 as a lieutenant with the Office of Professional Responsibility (Internal Affairs) and was promoted to the Ports of Entry post in 2011. Before joining TABC, Luna was a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Division of the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General. He also is a former criminal investigator in the Texas Department of Insurance's Fraud Unit. He is a former Texas State Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety and has served in other positions which include a lead agent on the Protective Detail for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Criminal Investigations Division sergeant and a lead lieutenant and supervisor for a Special Investigative Response Unit responsible for combating fraud, waste and abuse.

Luna holds a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Arts in Legal Studies from Texas State University.

TxDOT issues RFP for improvements to IT functions

Saying Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) employees have told him that lack of information technology resources and inefficiency with the current IT system "were compromising their ability to do their jobs," TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson announced this week that the agency has issued a request for proposals from the private sector for improving the agency's IT functions.

In an e-mail to TxDOT staff, Wilson said the agency is considering the possibility of privatizing at least part of the agency's IT. He said repeated expressions of frustration with the current IT system from employees statewide led to an internal assessment of TxDOT's IT system. The assessment, Wilson said in the e-mail, proposed an improvement plan that addresses baseline performance, update of applications, improved disaster recovery, improved contract management skills and the possibility of privatization. "That is what we are doing in the coming weeks," wrote Wilson.

Wilson said the RFP allows TxDOT to see how people outside the agency could improve its IT functions. But, he also stressed that no decisions have been made on how the agency will proceed. Wilson said the assessment also gives TxDOT an opportunity to see how some of the necessary tasks can be done internally. "We're providing our team additional resources to help demonstrate our ability to drive our own improvement program," he said. "To accomplish our goal of being a Best-in-Class agency, we must have world class IT and this process is leading us down that path."

TxDOT seeks private partner for SH 183 project in Metroplex

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development of the SH 183 (Airport Freeway) Managed Lanes Project through a Comprehensive Development Agreement with a private sector partner is expected to be issued by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) later this month or in early March. The project has been expanded from its original span of SH 161 to I-35 East to include the area from SH 121 to I-35 East. The project will improve connectivity for the citizens in both the eastern and western sides of the region as well as to DFW Airport.Additional roadways that connect could be added to the project if the Texas Legislature approves them.

"This is a major step in relieving traffic and improving safety on one of the most congested corridors in the Metroplex," said Russell Zapalac (pictured), TxDOT chief planning and project officer. "We look forward to working with private industry to accelerate the construction schedule, providing a high-quality project at the greatest value to taxpayers." State Highway 183 is No. 47 on TxDOT's list of 100 Most Congested Roadways and carries 120,000 to 168,000 vehicles per day, up to 50 percent over capacity daily, according to TxDOT.

The first phase of the project will replace some of the infrastructure that has deteriorated and will add two managed or tolled lanes in both directions. It carries a cost of approximately $1.4 billion and expands 13.5 miles of the corridor in the western portion of Dallas County and the eastern portion of Tarrant County. Work on the project could begin next year.

Talks continue on future of new Travis County civil courthouse

Looking for a completion date in five years, Travis County officials have recommended a November bond election to finance a new $343 million civil courthouse at the corner of Guadalupe and Third in downtown Austin. Before such an election, county commissioners will be faced with the decision of either going it alone on financing the courthouse or collaborating with a private sector partner.

Commissioners previously have discussed the possibility of a public-private partnership to construct the facility. Under that scenario, the county would pay some $205 million of the cost, with the private partner picking up the final $138 million.

Commissioners next week likely are to be asked to approve seeking a project manager from funds already allocated for the project.

DARS selects Karin Hill as agency's new internal audit director

Karin Hill (pictured), a 20 year veteran of state government internal auditing, has been selected as the new internal audit director for the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Hill for the last 11 years has been chief internal auditor for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. She also is a former staff auditor for the Texas Commission for the Blind.

A United States Air Force veteran, Hill spent three of her nine years in military service as a cost analyst and administrator for an internal control review program.

Hill holds an associate's degree in financial management from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor's degree from Park College and a master's degree from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University.

Sixth DPS Driver License Mega Center opens in Fort Worth

The last of six Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Mega Centers funded by a $63 million allocation by the 82nd Legislature has opened in Fort Worth. The official opening was today, Friday.

The funding provided by the Texas Legislature was to open the six centers, hire 266 additional employees and purchase equipment and technology aimed at improving customer service and the efficiency of the state's driver license system.

Other centers that have opened are in Pflugerville, Spring, Rosenberg, Garland and serving the San Antonio-Leon Valley area. The latest center features 24,000 square feet with 22 customer service stations and will have 44 full-time employees and can process more than 700 transactions each day. New technology will allow customers to reserve a spot in line without being at the office.

Frank Grassler (pictured), has been appointed Vice President for Technology Development at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He will head both the Office of Technology Development and the BioCenter at Southwest Medical District, which encourages the development and commercialization of university-created technologies.

Grassler's previous work experience has been as a consultant for Genentech Inc., as Vice President for Intellectual Property at Gilead Sciences, Vice President of U.S. Intellectual Property for GlaxoSmithKline and was previously in private practice as an attorney and worked in patent law for Merck.

He earned degrees in pharmacy and law from the University of Colorado, and did additional coursework in mechanical engineering, materials science and immunology at the University of Colorado, Denver.

HISD to seek bids for professional services to build new schools

The Houston Independent School District, which last November passed a $1.89 billion bond election that focuses on building, is seeking professional services firms to participate in the construction and renovation program involving 40 schools in the district.

Professional services contracts in 14 areas related to school construction will be awarded. Included in the bid are categories such as geotechnical services, environmental services, HVAC systems, hazardous materials consulting, cost estimating, code consultants, accessibility consultants, air-quality testing and monitoring, roofing inspections and enhanced commissioning.

School officials say the goal is to find firms to deliver high-quality services as the schools are being built and ensure the district and its taxpayers get the best value. Firms interested in submitting qualifications for professional services consulting should attend a Feb. 12 pre-submittal conference. All proposals are due on Feb. 19. The district hopes to have approved contracts in place by mid-March.

McLennan Community College looks at $1.3 million ranch project

To create space for new science-based studies, McLennan Community College officials recently began discussion on a proposed 1.3 million renovation of its Highlander Ranch facility, a 200-acre ranch in Bosqueville that currently houses veterinary technology, agriculture programs and special events.

Adding new classrooms, offices and a conference room at the stallion barn on the ranch will allow the college to expand current programs and create new courses in environmental sciences, said Donnie Balmos (pictured), vice president of instruction for MCC. The ranch also could offer space for existing biology, botany and chemistry classes as the science building opened in 2009 already is out of office space, Balmos said.

After discussing splitting the project into two phases, the MCC president suggested spending $570,000 to add three new classrooms and offices to half of the barn for the first phase and in the second phase spend $730,000 to add more classrooms labs and an elevator for accessibility. Board members most likely will make a decision on the ranch project this summer, MCC officials said.

Kyle moves forward with $35.3M bond proposal for roads

Kyle City Council members recently instructed city staff to prepare a resolution scheduling a $35.3 million bond proposal on May 11 to fund the upgrade of four roads and extending another.

Council members previously discussed a $52 million bond proposal with five completed projects and then discussed saving costs by designing all five road projects, but rebuilding only three. The $35.3 million proposal, however, includes rebuilding four roads, Burleson, Lehman, Goforth and Bunton, and extending Marketplace Ave. to Burleson Road rather than the scaled-down version. Council members are expected to vote on the resolution to finalize the bond election on Feb. 5.

Public-private partnership geared to roadside upkeep

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) this spring will launch a public-private partnership that will allow the agency to accept private donations to help pay for roadside upkeep. The sponsorship program, approved this week by the Texas Transportation Commission, will also help with maintenance and upkeep of safety rest areas and highway litter control. Officials say a successful program could bring in up to $3.5 million in revenue each year.

"Partnering with the private sector just makes sense as we seek new ways to address the state's ongoing funding challenges," said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. "This is another tool to establish more partnerships that help us pay for these services and could reduce the cost of roadside maintenance around the state."

TxDOT can now accept and acknowledge through signage private-sector donations for services including litter pick-up, mowing, vegetation management and maintenance at the state's travel information centers and safety rest areas. TxDOT will continue to manage highway maintenance services, but revenue generated from the sponsorship program will be used to offset the costs. Some 78 safety rest areas and 12 travel information centers in Texas could benefit from this program.

Dell Foundation commits $50 million for Dell Medical School

A $50 million commitment from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to establish the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin was announced this week. The $50 million is in addition to $10 million the foundation has committed to Austin and Travis County community health quality and access programs over the next decade.

"Between the generosity of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the great citizens of Travis County who voted to transform health care in the community, a powerful public-private partnership has emerged," said Gene Powell, chair of the UT System Board of Regents. "Austin is the new beneficiary of enhanced health care and countless economic development opportunities."

To be named The Dell Medical School, the school is scheduled to enroll its first class of 50 students in 2016. It will provide community-focused medical services, bring more medical professionals to Austin and create jobs. Campus officials are currently seeking accreditation, working on state approvals, searching for permanent leadership and examining building sites for the medical school.

University of Houston OKs plan to create health science center

Regents for the University of Houston recently approved a plan to merge all of its health programs into one health science center. The Texas Legislature, however, must approve the plan for the health center before it is finalized.

President Renu Khator (pictured) told regents that creating a health science center is key to the university meeting the needs of the community and filling gaps in health care services even though the plan for the center does not include a medical school. UH officials six years ago performed a study on creating a medical school, but took no action on the proposal. Khator said she has not given up on creating a medical school at UH in the future.

UH officials plan to launch the health science center in 2014 if the plan wins approval this legislation session. UH also plans to conduct a national search to select a vice president for health to lead efforts to develop and expand the health science center that include current programs such as pharmacy, optometry, speech and language pathology, clinical psychology and social work.

Toll authority approves pact to extend SH360 as toll road

North Texas Tollway Authority board members recently approved a preliminary agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to move forward with a $600 million project to build a tolled extension of State Highway 360.

The agreement calls for TxDOT to finance, design and build the toll project to extend SH360 some 9.7 miles from the vacinity of Interstate 20 in southern Tarrant County to US287 in Ellis County and then turn the toll road over to the NTTA. No firm construction date has been decided, but NTTA officials said construction could begin within two years.

Plans call for building a four-lane-wide highway along most of the extension, but would narrow into two lanes in Mansfield. The frontage road will remain free and NTTA plans to use revenues to reimburse TxDOT for the cost of the project and to maintain and operate the extension of SH360. NTTA and TxDOT officials must approve a final agreement no later than March.

Savani takes on communications role at UT Southwestern

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has named Nimisha Savani (pictured) as Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs. She will be responsible for leading all of the Medical Center's communications and marketing programs.

Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Savani spent 11 years at ConvaTec Inc., a New Jersey-based manufacturer of medical devices, her last four years as Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Communications and Executive Operations. She is also the former Director of Brand Equity and Product Management for InvestorForce Holdings, and held roles in brand marketing for the Campbell Soup Company. She began her career in marketing and management for Royal Bank of Canada.

Savani has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Villanova University. 

Llano Independent School District board members recently agreed to ask voters to approve $5.8 million in bonds on May 11 to pay for unspecified capital improvements.

A team of district administrators are expected to identify priority projects such as technology upgrades, air conditioning/heating systems and roof renovations that will be paid for with bond funding. Trustees also passed a resolution agreeing to reimburse the district for the purchase of new band uniforms if voters approve issue of the bonds in May.

Midway ISD may boost bond issue to $33 million

Midway Independent School District trustees recently began discussion on asking voters to approve $33 million in bonds in May rather than $23 million originally discussed. Board member Susan Vick (pictured) said she supports keeping the May bond issue small so that the district can schedule another bond election in a few years to pay for a new middle school.

The school district can afford to issue $10 million more in bonds while maintaining the current debt service rate without a tax increase, district officials said. Projects discussed for the bond proposal are security cameras, technology upgrades, tablet notebooks for students and several maintenance projects, district officials said.

By adding an additional $10 million, the district could add more projects such as renovating space for the theater at the high school or preliminary work on a multipurpose indoor facility for high school athletics, trustees noted.

Denton City Council members recently agreed to issue certificates of obligation to pay for rebuilding three aging fire stations after rejecting a recommendation to ask voters to approve $15 million in bonds that most likely would cause a tax increase.

To avoid a tax increase this year and begin work sooner on improvements to crowded, aging fire stations, city officials can issue $1 million in certificates of obligation to pay for land acquisition and design services to rebuild Fire Stations 2, 3 and 4, said Assistant City Manager Bryan Langley (pictured).

The city can issue another $3 million in debt in 2014 to rebuild one fire station, but would most likely need to ask voters to approve bonds to rebuild the remaining two fire stations, Langley told council members.

Bushland ISD eyeing $3 million bond proposal for technology

Bushland Independent School District officials recently began considering whether to ask voter approval of $3 million in bonds to pay for technology upgrades throughout the district. A capital improvement committee appointed by board members is in the process of studying and then making a recommendation on technology upgrades the district should pursue.

The distrct needs more iPads, notebook computers and smartboards for technology-based education to better prepare students as the use of texbooks declines, the director of curriculum told trustees. Many sudents routinely use computers, smartphones and other technology at home and need those tools in school to be better prepared for higher education and successful careers, she added.

TDLR no longer to perform private AB inspections

Officials with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) remind that the agency will no longer accept requests to perform private Architectural Barriers (AB) inspections beginning Feb. 1. Although the agency may continue to perform these inspections for state leases and other state agencies, it will no longer be part of the private market. Registered Accessibility Specialists (RAS) already perform 96 percent of the inspections.

The change will mean more opportunity for private sector RASs and allows TDLR inspectors to focus on inspections that are best performed by agency staff.

TDLR hosts the Texas Accessibility Academy, a comprehensive study of the Texas Architectural Barriers Act (TABA), Architectural Barriers Administrative Rules and the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) several times a year. During the course, attendees also receive general information about how the TABA and TAS relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. The Academy is required for people seeking departmental certification as an RAS. More information about RAS qualifications and requirements is provided in Architectural Barriers Administrative Rule 68.70.

TDLR officials point to the RAS program as an example of a successful public-private partnership and note that the private-sector RAS industry is capable of handling the additional workload. A list of licensed Registered Accessibility Specialists is available on the TDLR Web site.

Greenville eyeing $30M bond proposal for road improvements

Greenville City Council members recently began consideration on whether to include several road projects in a proposed bond election tentatively planned in May.

The discussion followed a briefing from the city engineer on 11 proposed street projects that total about $30 million, City Manager Steven Alexander (pictured) said.

The three projects topping the priority list are a $1.43 million project to rebuild Stonewall Street between the I-30 service road and Mockingbird, a $1.22 million upgrade of Webb Avenue and a $4.8 million project to upgrade Roy Warren Parkway to open up a new corridor between I-30 and FM1570. The most expensive project is a $6.8 million project to upgrade Shelby Street. Council faces a deadline in about a month to decide whether to add the road bond proposal to the ballot in May.

Hidalgo County to issue $84M in bonds for drainage upgrades

Hidalgo County commissioners recently approved the sale of $84 million in bonds to begin a series of upgrades to the county drainage system. County officials expect to seek bids early in February for the first phase of the $184 million bond proposal approved by voters in November.

This first phase calls for building about 24 specific projects to help the flow of floodwaters through a network of pumps and gates to empty into the Laguna Madre.

The remaining $100 million in bonds will not be issued until the proposed Raymondville Drain project to alleviate strain on the entire county drainage system receives environmental clearance and congressional approval to proceed, county officials said.

Tomball ISD eyeing $168 million bond election in May

Trustees for the Tomball Independent School District recently held a public forum to give voters a chance to share their priorities for a proposed $168 million bond election in May. District officials propose using the bond funding to build four new schools to accommodate growing enrollment.

Bond committee members are eyeing a five-year plan to use most of the proposed $168 million in bonds to build an elementary school and junior high school in The Woodlands area. Also included is an elementary school to serve kindergarten through fourth grades and an intermediate school for fifth and sixth grades in the southern area of the school district.

Committee members also discussed using $30 million to expand and renovate existing facilities and $28 million for upgrades to technology and transportation. Committee members are scheduled to make a final recommendation on the bond proposal to trustees on Feb. 11, who will then decide by March 1 whether to call a bond election on May.

Grayson College approves $4.3 million expansion project

Grayson College officials recently agreed to build a new 18,000-square-foot, $4.3 million building for the campus in Van Alstyne to meet growing enrollment needs.

The college is using a $2 million grant to help pay for the new building that will facilitate the addition of new programs.

New programs will be offered for welders, electricians, occupational safety and health, all of which will be added at the south campus in Van Alstyne, said Shelle Cassell (pictured), marketing director for the college.

Greenville group eyeing $15 million event center, YMCA

A bond committee appointed by Greenville City Council members recently met to finalize details on plans for a $15 million combined event center and YMCA. Committee members will then present their recommendation to council members, who will decide whether to call a bond election to pay for the proposed 70,000-square-foot facility.

Current plans for the combined events center and YMCA include a hotel-style lobby with restrooms, truck service entrance and storage space for tables and chairs to accommodate 600 people at tables of 10 in the gymnasium of the YMCA for events such as banquets and parties.

The YMCA also would feature a walking track, climbing wall, indoor recreation and lap pool, wellness center, teen center, IT center and some areas designated for use only for YMCA partnerships. Council is expected to decide in about a month whether to include the bond proposal in the municipal election on May 11.

Rosenberg seeks task force to push for November bond election

Rosenberg city officials recently began looking for seven citizens to serve on a bond election task force to help convince voters to support a possible November bond election to pay for capital improvements.

The task force, which also will include two city council members, is tasked with reviewing possible projects and the estimated costs to include in a bond proposal. The group will send a recommendation to council in July to provide adequate time to meet the August deadline for scheduling a November bond election, said City Manager Jack Hamlett.

Missouri City approves $67,765 for sidewalk study

City council members in Missouri City recently awarded a $67,765 contract to a Houston-based consultant to perform an evaluation of city sidewalks to help determine their condition.

The last sidewalk evaluation study was completed in 2003 and an update is needed to determine the scale of sidewalk repairs to include in a proposed bond package city officials are considering in May, said Assistant City Manager Scott Elmer.

Leander ISD moves forward to upgrade campus security

Leander Independent School District trustees recently approved a contract with an architecture firm to identify security needs at district schools. Superintendent Bret Champion told the board the district has $1.5 million in unspent bond funds to pay for some of the security upgrades needed, but more funding will be needed.

A recent study by the director of capital improvements found that at least 15 schools currently need more secure entries. The architect's study will perform a review to identify schools needing updated security entrances and also identify other areas that need improvement. The architect's study should provide a cost estimate and timeline of security upgrades for trustees to consider.

Straus names new committees, announces membership

Three new select committees in the Texas House of Representatives for the 83rd Texas Legislature were announced this week by House Speaker Joe Straus as he appointed House members to legislative committees. The new select committees are the Committee on Criminal Procedure Reform, the Committee on Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility and the Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations.

"All of the committee appointments highlight the House's strong mix of experienced leaders and newer Members who are ready to take on greater responsibility," Straus said in making his announcement of House members who will serve on the 38 standing and three select committees. "These appointments will allow every Member of the Texas House to make a meaningful contribution to the serious work of this legislative session."

Committee appointments were announced by committee and by member.

San Jacinto County mulling upgrade of technology

San Jacinto County commissioners recently began discussion on whether to update a $200,000 computer and software system bought in 1998 for the office of the county judge, district clerk and county clerk or find another vendor. The current vendor no longer will provide technical support for the 15-year-old filing software, county officials said.

The county judge and one commissioner supported looking at the county as a whole, considering other vendors to upgrade technology and using the same computer and software system throughout the county. They said that would make for easier communication and information transfer between departments. Commissioners took no action.

Fort Worth taps Porter

as new chief financial officer

Fort Worth city officials recently tapped Horatio Porter (pictured) as the new chief financial officer. Currently the head of the budget and research division, Porter will oversee the budget office and the four divisions in the financial management services department in his new post as chief financial officer, City Manager Tom Higgins said.

Porter, a Certified Public Accountant, also was in the private sector for 15 years. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas Christian University.

Friendswood committee

deciding projects for bond

A Friendswood bond group recently met to continue prioritizing which projects to include in a recommendation to city council members. The recommendation would advise whether the city should schedule a bond election to pay for several capital improvement projects.

Committee members have discussed projects to expand the public library, buy land for parks, road upgrades and improvements to the sewer system and are expected to report their findings to council in February.

UT's Powers named senior

advisor for 'Lincoln Project'

The Lincoln Project: Excellence and Access in Public Higher Education, an initiative to advocate for the importance of public colleges and universities across the country, was announced this week and University of California Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau will lead the project. Among the senior advisors for the project is Dr. William Powers Jr., president of The University of Texas at Austin.

As public colleges throughout the United States are dealing with declining financial assistance from the state and federal governments, this project will explore financial and other problems that threaten public higher education. Among the goals of the project, named for President Abraham Lincoln to commemorate his role in signing legislation that laid the groundwork for the nation's public university system, will be to develop recommendations that will ensure the strength and diversity of those colleges and universities.

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal ISD mulling $243M bond proposal

Trustees for the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal Independent School District recently held a public meeting to gather feedback on a proposed $243 million bond election tentatively planned in May.

Board members plan to use the bonds, if approved, to pay for new schools, renovation of existing schools, technology upgrades and to buy land for new schools.

Eden joins Strategic Partnerships Inc. as senior consultant

Florence ISD taps Atwood

as interim superintendent

Florence Independent School District trustees recently selected Sam Atwood, a retired superintendent and a resident of Bastrop, as the interim superintendent. Atwood replaced Karla Moyer, the former superintendent who resigned in December to accept a position at the Region 13 Education Service Center in Austin.

Trustees plan to schedule interviews on Feb. 11 with a group of candidates chosen from applications received by the Jan. 15 deadline. The goal is to hire a new superintendent by the end of March.

Texas teacher's group taps Littlejohn as president-elect

Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) members recently selected Terrill Littlejohn, an elementary teacher in Midland, as the new president-elect of that organization.

A 10-year member of TCTA, Littlejohn chaired several state-level committees and was president of the Midland Classroom Teachers Association. TCTA is a professional association for educators with no affiliation with labor unions.

Littlejohn, a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, began his career in education in 1979 as an elementary teacher, worked several years in the private sector and returned to teaching in 1996.

Kerr County District Clerk

Uecker plans retirement

Kerr County judges recently appointed Robbin Burlew as district clerk to succeed Linda Uecker (pictured), who is retiring from the post she has held since 1986.

Burlew, who served as chief deputy district clerk for almost 10 years, was selected from dozens of applicants for the post and was recommended for the promotion by Uekcer, a 44-year county employee.

Kilgore approves revolving

loan fund for developers

Citing the need to attract more homebuilders to provide badly needed housing in the city, Kilgore City Council members recently approved creation of a revolving loan fund to help housing developers obtain funding for infrastructure such as roads and drainage.

City Manager Scott Sellers said the revolving loan fund, once established, is limited to providing loans only for infrastructure projects and is restricted from providing loans to developers for home construction.

Paris moves forward with $50 million water project vote

Paris City Council members recently instructed City Manager John Godwin to begin work on the ballot language for a proposed $50 million bond election on May 11. The bonds will be used to replace aging water pipes and other improvements to the city's water system.

Dallas selects Winters

as new park director

Dallas Park and Recreation Board members recently selected Willis Winters (pictured) to oversee city parks and recreation facilities that include 100 miles of trails, a nature center, zoo and increasing attendence at Fair Park.

Winters, an architect, joined the city in 1993 to manage planning, design and construction of parks and recreation facilities and rose to assistant director in 1998. He replaces Paul Dyer, who retired in the fall. Winters won selection over another finalist, a former parks director in Wisconsin, after a three-month national search for a new park director.

Check the GOVERNMENT NEWS section of the SPI Web site for these and other press releases.

• Project aims to reduce wildfire hazards around W. Texas community

• Parker introduces new Houston 311 smartphone app

• Richardson State of City address cites successes

• Forest Service employee honored for leadership in incident response

Austin eyes P3s as option

for affordable housing

After Austin voters rejected a bond proposal to help develop more affordable housing, the Bond Oversight Committee of Austin recently began considering a recommendation to use public-private partnerships as one possible option to build or renovate the 1,500 affordable housing units necessary to fill the need for affordable housing in the city.

City officials have spent or committed all $55 million in affordable housing bonds approved in 2006 and expect to complete 12 remaining projects within two years so little funding is available to fill that gap in affordable housing, city staff reported.

Rebecca Giello, the assistant director of the neighborhood housing and community development office of the city, offered several options for providing affordable housing including the use of public-private partnerships similar to the Mueller development that features more than 25 percent affordable housing units. Giello also suggested using the general fund rather than bond funding for the projects.

Jones leaving post as assistant superintendent for Beeville ISD

Dr. Nancy Jones, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Beeville Independent School District, recently told trustees she is leaving that post to accept a position as a math consultant with the Region 2 Education Center in Corpus Christi.

Before joining the Beeville district nearly 18 years ago, Bitten was a teacher in Louisiana. She has a master's degree from Southwest Texas State University, a mathematics certificate from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Garland ISD selects Morrison

lone finalist for superintendent

Trustees for Garland Independent School District recently selected Dr. Bob Morrison (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Currently superintendent at Mansfield ISD, Morrison will replace Curtis Culwell, who retired in December after 14 years at the helm of the Garland school district.

Morrison worked as a teacher in Moore, Oklahoma, a principal in Edmond, Oklahoma, and as a deputy superintendent at Mansfield ISD before becoming superintendent in 2009.

Anderson County to seek bids

for county jail roof design

Anderson County commissioners recently agreed to seek bids to design a new roof for the county jail. The county judge urged commissioners to replace the flat roof on the jail facility with a new metal roof in the future, but noted the county needs to repair the current roof immediately as it now has more than 100 leaks, which could cause the building to deteriorate.

Carthage appoints Pierce

as new city secretary

Carthage city officials recently appointed Debbie Pierce as the new city secretary, Previously a manager in data processing and for the Main Street program, Pierce will replace City Secretary Donna Sickel, who is retiring on Feb. 28.

• Bruce Bagelman of Dallas, Texas Bioenergy Policy Council
• Michael Doguet of Nome, Texas Bioenergy Policy Council;
• Michael Kerby Jr. of Houston, Texas Bioenergy Policy Council;
• Jeffrey Trucksess of Austin, Texas Bioenergy Policy Council

Robstown wins $1.3M FEMA

grant for community safe room

The city of Robstown recently won a $1.35 million grant to pay for building a 15,000-square-foot community safe room.

The grant is from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is expected to pay for 75 percent, or $1.35 million, of the $1.8 million project. Plans call for building a concrete dome-shaped safe room that also will serve as a multi-purpose gymnasium and community center.

Under the Texas Safe Shelter initiative, FEMA requires that the community safe room provide near-absolute protection from hurricanes and tornadoes for essential personnel and identified persons with access and functional needs as well as those with special medical needs. The new combined safe room and multipurpose center will be located adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club.

Round Rock superintendent Chavez to retire in December

Round Rock ISD Superintendent Dr. Jesus H. Chavez (pictured) has announced his plans to retire Dec. 31, ending what will be close to seven years as head of the district. He was named superintendent in February 2006.

Chavez began his education career, which covers 35 years, as a third grade teacher in Brownsville in 1979. He was named assistant principal there in 1983 and held that post until 1983. His first stop in Round Rock was in 1985 as a central office administrator, director and assistant superintendent. He then was named superintendent of the Harlingen CISD in 1995 and superintendent of the Corpus Christi schools in 2001, returning to Round Rock ISD in 2006.

Chavez holds an Associate of Arts degree from Texas Southmost College and earned his bachelor's degree with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his master's degree from Pan American University and his doctorate from UT-Austin.

Denton transportation group 

OKs pact for bus shelters

The board of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) recently approved an agreement with Denton city officials to install 20 bus shelters at several bus stops in that city.

City council members must still approve the right-of-way agreement before work begins on the bus shelters that will feature a covering over a bench and a trash receptacle for those waiting for buses. DCTA officials plan to seek bids to install the bus shelters soon and complete the project in about three months.

Round Rock studies $44 million upgrade of public libraries

Round Rock City Council members recently began review of a proposal to build a new $39 million public library, lease two branch libraries at a cost of about $1.3 million each and increase staffing at all libraries.

A national consulting firm specializing in libraries made the proposal following an online survey and a poll of library patrons. The results showed that a majority of those surveyed were willing to consider a tax increase to upgrade libraries, while 13 percent opposed a tax increase for that purpose.

The consultant urged the city to increase the size of the current library from 42,000 square feet to 113,000 square feet or to build a new facility; add two branch libraries at a cost of between $1.5 million and $1.8 million in addition to $425,000 in annual operating costs; and to increase staffing at all libraries. Council members are expected to review a final version of the plan to upgrade public libraries later this year.

Watauga suspends Neils

from post as city manager

Watauga City Council members recently suspended City Manager Scott Neils from his job. The council also plans to hold a public hearing this month to determine whether to terminate Neils' employment agreement with the city.

Council members also appointed Fire Chief Bill Crawford as acting city manager to replace Neils.

Rio Grande City mayor will

replace suspended city mgr.

After terminating the employment of City Manager Juan Zuniga, Rio Grande city commissioners voted to appoint the current mayor, Ruben Villarreal, to serve as acting city manager for 90 days. Villarreal will not be paid for that service, the city attorney said.

Commissioners earlier this month suspended Zuniga without pay after he was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. The city commission also appointed Finance Director Maria Barrera as the acting city manager until a new city manager is onboard. Barrera has too much responsibility as finance director to continue performing well on both jobs, the city attorney said.