TxDOT allocates $2B for multimodal transportation projects All aimed at improving mobility, mitigating traffic congestion throughout state  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) isn't all about roads anymore. It's about mobility. At a meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission Thursday, commissioners underscored that sentiment by approving the allocation of millions of dollars for a variety of multimodal and transit projects to government entities of all sizes throughout the state. The allocation of grant funds was from the Unified Transportation Program (UTP), a 10-year statewide program that supports the development and construction of transportation projects and projects involving aviation, public transportation and the state's waterways and coastal waters.
Some of the state's largest cities reaped some of the largest awards. Capital Metro in Austin was awarded a $50 million grant. "It's encouraging that TxDOT is looking for and supporting multimodal strategies to help tackle our congestion challenges," said State Sen. Kirk Watson (top) of Austin. "It's not possible to meet the demands of a thriving economy and fast growing population by only investing in roads. We need to embrace every available option to provide relief."  CapMetro will spend $28 million of its award on four new MetroRail cars, doubling the capacity on the system. The remaining $22 million will be used to toward the $30 million to $35 million cost to replace an existing temporary station with a new permanent station.
VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio was allocated funding of $35 million from the UTP. The agency will use the funds for added bus transit centers, shelters, park and rides and to expand its compressed natural gas (CNG) efforts. That expansion includes a CNG fueling facility and purchase of additional buses that operate on CNG. VIA President and CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt (bottom) praised the Transportation Commission for seeing "that we need all the tools in the transportation toolbox to address mobility in our rapidly growing community and that we are making an unprecedented investment in public transportation." Arndt said the funding will help the agency move forward with its transportation plan that is intended to touch all sectors of the city.
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TWDB to publish draft rules for funding state water plan projects Citizen input incorporated in draft; public to have chance to comment again  Draft rules for the administration of voter-approved funds that will be used to finance water projects in the current state water plan are about to be published. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) this week voted to publish in the Texas Register the draft of the proposed rules for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT). The funds, which will become available in 2015, are the result of a voter referendum. And, before they are made available, rules must be approved that define standards for rural, conservation and reuse projects, as well as prioritize projects that are seeking financial assistance. TWDB Chair Carlos Rubinstein (pictured) called publication and ultimate approval of administrative rules a "critical step" in moving forward to provide billions of dollars to help finance much-needed water projects throughout the state. "These draft rules will provide a roadmap to addressing our future water needs," he said. The draft rules were promulgated following stakeholder meetings and work sessions in different areas of the state, at which time the public was invited to offer its input. Once published in the Texas Register, a comment period will begin and continue through Sept. 1. Public comments will also be taken during upcoming work sessions and board meetings in San Antonio, San Angelo, Fort Worth and Austin. With the publication of the draft rules in the Texas Register, the formal comment period is officially open. The draft rules also are currently available on the TWDB Web site. |
Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars  Kevin Hegarty, vice president and chief financial officer, The University of Texas at Austin Career highlights and education: I am a two-time graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, 77' BBA Accounting with honors and 79' MPA. I am thankful for what this campus did for me in preparing me for the future. My career is a bit unique in the higher education world in that I spent nearly 25 years serving large for-profit companies before coming to work at a public institution of higher education. Having worked in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds has been a huge opportunity for continued personal growth in my career and personal life. Over my career, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best CEOs in the for-profit world including Trammell Crow, William "Bill" Ford and Michael Dell. But, I have also had the opportunity to work with the best of the best in higher education, Dr. Larry Faulkner and Bill Powers. I learn from watching how people lead, particularly in challenging times and under difficult circumstances. The opportunity over the last two years to stand with Bill Powers to fight for high quality higher education for all Texans has to be the highlight of my career.
What I like best about my job is: The people...whether faculty, students, staff or my colleagues in the administration, the people are simply the best thing about my job. I am surrounded by really smart people with an abundance of perspectives and ideas and are passionate about what it is that they do. I learn something new nearly every day from people who care about each other. The opportunity to interact and work with the people that are The University of Texas at Austin is by far the best thing about my job, hands down!
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Seek opinions, listen hard and be patient, as it will lead you to making better decisions in the long run.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Take responsibility for your career, after all, it is your career. Seek opportunities, not money, opportunities lead to career growth. Never undervalue a relationship, the world gets smaller over time, every relationship is valuable. The truth matters, at times telling it may seem to put you behind, but in the end the truth wins. I learned these from my parents and from those with whom I have worked. They are time-tested and, if followed, will lead to a long, satisfying career in whatever one chooses to do.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: working on an old car in my garage. I have always loved cars, even though I did not grow up working on them; I am self-taught. I have a passion for taking something nearly lost and bringing it back for the next generation to appreciate and enjoy. I am working on my sixth full auto restoration, so I guess you could call me a "serial auto restorer." People would be surprised to know that I: was a working DJ spinning records at Eli's club in my college years. I had long black hair, sideburns and a very thin waist. My sons look at the old pictures and wonder if that was every really me! One thing I wish more people knew about my university: How hard people at The University of Texas at Austin work and how passionate they are about helping students. When I first decided to go into public service, a colleague from the for-profit world sent me an email announcing the latest oxymoron in the not-for-profit world to be "state-worker." At the time, it seemed funny. Now that I have been on the inside of a nonprofit, I see how hard people work and how passionate they are about their work and I am offended by the suggestion they do not. I wish more people knew more about the dedication and commitment of the people who work at The University of Texas at Austin for the benefit of all Texans!
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More than 100 new State Troopers commissioned by DPS  | More than 100 Texas State Troopers were recently commissioned by the Texas Department of Public Safety. (DPS Photo) |
More than 100 new law enforcement officers will be making Texas a safer state following the recent Texas Department of Public Safety commissioning ceremonies. The department commissioned 107 men and women as Highway Patrol Troopers in an Austin ceremony. "Today these men and women join an impressive force of front-line officers defending Texas against the numerous threats facing our state," said DPS Director Steven McCraw at the commissioning. "These dedicated recruits have proven themselves, and each possesses the character and specialized skills necessary to be called a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper," said keynote speaker State Rep. Allen Fletcher, who serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. The new troopers will now report to duty stations across the state and spend their first six months in on-the-job training. They began the 23-week training academy in January and were schooled in more than 100 subjects, including counterterrorism, traffic and criminal law, arrest and control procedures, accident reconstruction, first aid and Spanish. They also received training in use of force, communication skills, firearms, driving, criminal interdiction, cultural diversity and physical fitness. |
For HUD Secretary... U.S. Senate Banking committee approves Castro nomination  Banking Committee members of the U.S. Senate recently approved the nomination of Mayor Julian Castro (pictured) of San Antonio to become the next head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Castro was nominated to replace Shaun Donovan, the current Secretary of HUD, who is leaving to become the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Homeland Security and Governmental Reform Committee also approved Donovan's nomination, which will now head to the full Senate along with the Castro nomination for a full vote before the appointment becomes official. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, Castro was the youngest mayor at age 39 elected to lead San Antonio when he won election in May 2009. |
Royal chosen director of Lottery's Charitable Bingo Division The Texas Lottery Commission's Charitable Bingo Operations Division will have a new director on July 7, when Alfonso Royal begins in that position. Until Royal joins the agency, Debbie Parpounas will continue serving as acting director. Parpounas has been offered the position of deputy director of the Charitable Bingo Operations Division. Royal comes to the Lottery Commission from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), where he was responsible for CPRIT's $300 million annual budget. He is also a former budget and policy advisor in the Governor's Office and has held positions with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas Youth Commission, the Legislative Budget Board and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He has more than two decades of experience in finance with nonprofits, private-sector firms and municipal and state government. Royal holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Prairie View A&M University and is a graduate of the Governor's Executive Development Program at The University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and the 2010 Texas Fiscal Officers Academy. |
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Odessa tables proposed contract to sell treated wastewater Odessa City Council members recently agreed to table discussion on a proposed contract with Pioneer Natural Resources. The propose contract would have permitted the city to sell treated wastewater to the company to use for fracking and other purposes in the oil fields in that area. Representatives from the city and Pioneer are negotiating on a payment plan for an agreement that would run between 10 to 20 years, according to City Attorney Larry Long. The mayor estimated the contract could be up to $100 million. Council members, however, agreed that negotiations on the contract must be finalized before they vote. City officials expect the vote on the proposed contract with Pioneer will occur at their meeting on July 8. In Midland, council members in mid-June approved a 20-year agreement with Pioneer calling for the company to pay between $89 million to $100 million to upgrade the water treatment plant in Midland. |
Boehm wins selection as president of Hill College  Dr. Pam Boehm (pictured) recently won selection as the new president of Hill College. The only internal candidate to be named a finalist, Boehm will replace Dr. Sheryl Kappus, who retired earlier this year. She was selected from a field of 37 applicants with the six finalists coming from Athens, Temple, El Paso, Arkansas and Illinois. Boehm began her career at Hill College as a secretary to the dean of instruction and worked on earning a bachelor's degree from Tarleton State University. She also was a vocational counselor while obtaining a master's degree from Tarleton. Boehm also served as dean of students and vice president of student services. After receiving a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce, Boehm became the coordinator of the sociology and behavioral science department at Hill College. |
Nine appointed to Judicial Branch Certification Commission Nine inaugural members have been appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to the newly created Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). The commission will combine the certification, registration, licensing and compliance functions for court reporters and court reporting firms, professional guardians, process servers and licensed court interpreters. David Slayton, administrative director of the Office of Court Administration, said the commission was formed to create government efficiency and consistency across the regulated judicial professions. Although the JBCC is administratively attached to the Office of Court Administration, the Supreme Court appoints members and has rule-making authority for the commission. The commission will begin operations on Sept. 1, at which time the Court Reporters Certification Board, Guardianship Certification Board and Process Server Review Board will cease to exist, and the Licensed Court Interpreter program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. will be transferred to the JBCC. Each profession will continue to have advisory boards. The inaugural board, which will serve staggered terms, includes: Hon. Lee Hamilton, Chair, 104th District Court, Taylor County, Abilene; Hon. Garland (Ben) Woodward, 119th District Court, Tom Green, Runnels and Concho Counties, San Angelo; Hon. Migdalia Lopez, 197th District Court, Cameron County, Brownsville; Hon. Sid L. Harle, 226th District Court, Bexar County, San Antonio; Hon. Polly Spencer, Probate Court No. 1, Bexar County, San Antonio; Velma Arellano, Official Court Reporter, Corpus Christi; Don D. Ford, Attorney, Houston; Mark Blenden, Attorney, Bedford; and Ann Murray Moore, Attorney, Edinburg. |
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San Antonio looks to public-private partnership for new high-rise San Antonio officials gathered Thursday to announce a proposal featuring a public-private partnership that would bring a new high-rise to the city. Included in the proposal is the exchange of several properties. The city would take control of the Frost Bank tower. Frost would build a new tower and Developer Weston Urban would be involved in development of 300 residential units in the downtown area. The plan calls for the city to transfer five downtown properties to Weston Urban and take over the Frost tower, allowing the city to end leasing space for city employees and consolidate them all into the Frost building. The city also would take control of the Frost parking garage's 700 parking spaces. Frost would build a new 400,000-square-foot high-rise and use 250,000 square feet of the facility itself. The public-private partnership that could lead to the new building downtown is the result of an unsolicited proposal from Frost and Weston Urban. A more detailed proposal is forthcoming, after which the city will be open to considering proposals from competitors. |
Lamar University taps Dodson as dean of new Honors College  Lamar University officials recently tapped Kevin Dodson (pictured), the interim dean of the Lamar University Honors College, as the founding dean of the Honors College, effective on Sept. 1. As the dean of the Honors College, Dodson will be the chief executive officer with budgetary and program authority as well as the academic leader. The college is set to open its doors to more than 300 students this fall. Dodson joined Lamar University in 1991 as an assistant professor and in 2004, he became the assistant director of the Honors Program and in 2008 the director of the program, which was first inaugurated in 1963. Dodson will be in charge of transitioning from the Honors Program to the Honors College. Dodson has a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. |
Merten named as alumni relations director for Blinn College  Kyle Merten (pictured), a seven-year employee of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, recently won selection as the alumni relations director for Blinn College. At the Extension Service, Merten was an assistant professor and specialist who coordinated the Texas 4-H Leadership Conference and the beekeeping essay contest. Merten studied at both the Brenham and Bryan campuses of Blinn College. He earned his bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. |
Killeen proposes $20 million in capital improvement projects Killeen city officials recently requested city council members to approve $20 million in capital improvement projects that include a new $8 million fire station, renovation of a community center and $7.4 million in street improvements. City officials propose using $6.1 million in bonds approved in 2002 and issuing $13.9 million in certificates of obligation to pay for the proposed capital improvement projects. A $1.4 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation also will be used to pay for some of the upgrades, according to the proposal prepared by city staff. The capital improvement proposal for the 2014-2015 fiscal year would allot $4.6 million for parks and recreation projects that include a $735,000 upgrade to the Killeen Community Center and $3.6 million in general park upgrades, maintenance and improvements to the Gilmore Senior Center. |
TxDOT proposes new toll lanes on North Central Expressway  In a recent meeting with the Plano City Council, officials of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) proposed transforming the North Central Expressway in Collin County into a partial toll road at a cost of about $11 million and open for business in early 2016. The North Central Expressway is one of the last free highways in the region. TxDOT officials also proposed charging motorists to use existing HOV lanes on US 75 from the LBJ freeway in Richardson to McDermott Drive in Allen. The plan calls for single riders from the LBJ Freeway to pay the posted toll rate to use HOV lanes for faster travel, while cars with two or more occupants would be required to register for the week or 15 minutes before using the previously free HOV lanes without a charge. The proposal to add toll lanes is a stop-gap measure, said Plano Mayor Harry LaRosillere (pictured). The mayor also said he plans to have Plano conduct its own study to determine if the TxDOT plan for adding toll lanes to the North Central Expressway is feasible and in the interest of Plano residents. |
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Miller new interim director of state operations for A&M service  Dr. Travis Miller (pictured), who has been the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service associate head and AgriLife Extension program leader for soil and crop sciences since 2001, has been named the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service interim director for state operations. Miller, through his expertise in crops and their production systems, has been assisting farmers throughout the state for 35 years. He is currently based at Texas A&M University.
Miller, who has conducted educational programs for farmers in about 75 percent of the state during his career, joined AgriLife Extension in 1979 as an agronomist based in Weslaco, where he worked with farmers and did programming, primarily with cotton, grains and soybeans in the Rio Grande Valley. He became the state agronomist for small grains and soybeans in 1982. Miller earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M-Kingsville and his master's and doctorate from Texas Tech University. |
Houston approves plan for terminal building at Bush airport Houston City Council members recently approved a phasing plan and funding to build a new international terminal building at George Bush Intercontinental Airport to replace the existing Terminal D, the Mickey Leland International Terminal Building. The memorandum of agreement secured support from United Airlines through logistical phasing issues and also enhanced an existing funding mechanism used by Houston Airport System in securing the necessary funding for infrastructure upgrades. Current plans are for the new terminal to feature 15 gates, all capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft. The new terminal will have a modern and open design relying heavily on natural light, airport officials said. |
Garland ISD looking at $500 million bond election in November  After Garland Independent School District officials identified $1.7 billion of upgrades and improvements needed to bring its 84 campuses to standards, board members are looking at asking voters to approve $500 million in bonds in November to pay for campus upgrades. Trustees focused on upgrading security, technology and building systems in their efforts to prioritize projects to include in the bond proposition, noted Rick Lambert (pictured), president of the Board of Trustees. The front entrances of many facilities in the district need to be more secure to meet current standards and all facilities need cleaning, especially electrical rooms, storage rooms and ductwork, he added. Voters last approved bonds in 2002, Lambert said. |
Jefferson moves forward on convention center, hotel, water park Jefferson County commissioners recently authorized the county judge to finalize an agreement with a developer to build a new convention center, hotel and water park at Ford Park. Noting that the draft agreement contained information only for a hotel and convention center, one commissioner said he would not support the project without a water park. The county judge assured commissioners that the water park is a part of the project and that the water park would be added once the company developing the park finalizes the name of the corporation. Commissioners expect to vote on the final draft of the agreement authorizing the project in the next few weeks, county officials said. |
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Harris County approves $305M in capital upgrades, renovation Harris County commissioners recently approved $305 million in capital improvement projects, including construction of the $65 million Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and a $100 million city/county jail inmate processing center. Commissioners also approved $191.4 million in flood control projects. A majority of the 75 capital upgrades approved are for renovations and repairs to existing facilities, including a building on South Loop 610 recently purchased to serve as library administrative offices. Other projects approved are $12.5 million to renovate and expand the TransStar facility and parking lot, $5.5 million to complete courtrooms in the civil courthouse to house two family courts and $8 million to abate asbestos and make other modifications to the now-vacant Astrodome. Construction on the Institute of Forensic Sciences to house the crime lab and county medical examiner is expected to begin this fall and be completed in about two and one-half years. To be built across from the main county jail, the 254,000-square-foot inmate processing center is expected to expedite booking by bypassing some processes. |
Highland Park prioritizes $29.3 million in capital projects  Highland Park Town Council members recently prioritized 26 possible capital improvement projects to begin work on in the next budget year. The projects include improving Preston Road in a two-phase project in the next three years and completing the replacement and rehabilitation of infrastructure for water and sanitary sewer service in a partnership with neighboring University Park, noted Mayor Joel Williams (pictured). Council members also included entering into the proposed Project 25 Dallas city/county radio system for police, dredge and removing silt from Exall Lake, improving two parks and upgrading parts of Lakeside Drive and Armstrong Parkway, Williams said. The latest list of capital improvement priorities will be forwarded to finance and audit committee members |
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New Braunfels approves architect to design new city hall  New Braunfels City Council members recently hired an Austin-based architectural firm to oversee the remodeling of a former grocery store into a new city hall. Council members approved $2.65 million last year to buy the building and property at the intersection of Landa Street and Walnut Avenue. The architects agreed to perform preliminary design services, help city officials evaluate the structural status of the building, including the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The company also agreed to help determine space requirements for departments to be housed in the new city hall and to study the feasibility of building a combination of a municipal courtroom and a council chamber to hold meetings, noted City Manager Robert Camareno (pictured). The second phase of the city hall project includes preparing construction documents and overseeing remodeling of the facility, according to the director of city support services. |
Texas State Aquarium approves $50 million for expansion Texas State Aquarium officials recently approved $50 million to pay for a new 65,000-square-foot expansion to house a new exhibit called Caribbean Journey and expand space to rehabilitate the fish, birds and reptiles. Officials of the Corpus Christi-based aquarium plan to include sharks, tropical fish, birds and reptiles from the western Caribbean in the new wing of the aquarium with a goal of attracting more visitors to the facility. This new addition completes the final phase of the original master plan adopted by the 24-year-old aquarium. The expansion also adds an education center and more space for conservation and wildlife rehabilitation programs, aquarium officials said. |
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Victoria County approves $400K to develop airport master plan Victoria County commissioners recently approved $40,000 in county funds to augment a $360,000 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to pay for creating a master plan to further develop and upgrade the county-owned airport in Victoria. The proposed master plan will focus on commercial air services, the lease and sale of property, issues with pavement, needed improvements and the water and sewer system, according to the county judge. The master plan is expected to be completed in a year to 18 months. |
Bastrop ISD approves $2.5M to privatize maintenance services  Bastrop Independent School District trustees recently approved a $2.5 million agreement to transition maintenance services to GCA Services Group, a private facility service provider, in the next five years, said Henry Gideon (pictured), chief operations officer for the school district. The agreement calls for all current maintenance staff members to keep their jobs and receive no decrease in pay as a result of the transition. The move to a private maintenance services company, however, will affect options for retirement benefits the district previously offered to maintenance staff, Gideon said. The company has agreed to offer a matching 401k savings plan, social security retirement opportunities and comparable medical benefits for full-time employees as well as options for paid time off previously offered by the school district. The company also agreed to invest $1 million into new and existing maintenance and janitorial equipment to improve infrastructure and aesthetics on campus, including catching up on fleet management concerns, he added. |
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Bastrop County approves $10M in bonds for capital projects  Bastrop County commissioners recently agreed to issue up to $10 million in revenue bonds and certificates of obligation to pay for several capital improvement projects in the county. The bond funds will be used to pay for building two new county annex facilities in Elgin and Smithville and about $1 million for road repairs and maintenance in each of the four precincts. These are in addition to maintenance funds already included in the annual operating budget, said County Judge Paul Pape (pictured). County officials also plan to spend about $500,000 of the bond funds to upgrade information technology with the purchase of additional servers and more backup capability and to purchase about 30 new vehicles for the sheriff's office and animal control, Pape said. |
Leverett Chapel ISD sets $400,000 bond election in November Leverett Chapel Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $400,000 bond election in November to pay for converting an existing practice gymnasium into classrooms. The project involves removing the existing wooden floor, installing air conditioners and restrooms to convert the facility into four classrooms, according to a Tyler-based architect. |
Richardson resigns as director of public health in Amarillo  Dr. Matt Richardson (pictured), director of public health for the city of Amarillo, recently resigned to accept a new job as director of the Denton County Public Health Department. Amarillo City Council members also appointed Assistant Director Casie Stoughton as the interim director of public health until a new director is selected. Richardson had served as director of public health in Amarillo since 2005. |
El Paso approves land exchange agreement with El Paso ISD El Paso City Council members recently approved an agreement with El Paso Independent School District calling for the city to build a park and a walking path on land owned by the school district in exchange for the city using land at two schools owned by the school district. The agreement calls for the city to lease land at Wainwright Elementary School to use for a park, using quality of life bonds approved by voters. The city will also lease land near Austin High School to build a walking path around a drainage facility. El Paso Water Utilities agreed to pay for building the path and maintenance costs during the 99-year lease without cost to the city. Under the agreement, school district officials will continue to use city-owned land across from El Paso High School on which four portable classrooms are now located and to lease city-owned land near Memorial Park to expand Crockett Elementary School to build a multipurpose room. The room may be used as a meeting area, for after-school programs, gymnasium or other purposes. All of the leases expire after 99 years and require no payment from the school district or the city. |
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TEXAS DESAL 2014 event slated for Sept. 11-12 in Austin The Texas Desalination Association's conference, TEXAS DESAL 2014 - Best Practices & Emerging Technology, brings together a diverse array of topics, presenters and attendees to build understanding and opportunities for desalination in Texas. Attendees are assured lively and informative discussions among industry experts, policymakers, regulators, researchers and water planners on the leading edge of new water supplies. Confirmed special guests include Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Director Bech Bruun and State Reps. Todd Hunter and Lyle Larson, who will address desalination from policy, funding and legislative perspectives. For sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, contact kford@waterpr.com. Full conference details at TexasDesal.org. Earlybird registration ends July 15. For more information and to register, click here. HCC, Jacobs networking event, workshop for small businesses Houston Community College and Jacobs Program Management are hosting a "GameChanger" small business networking event and workshop on Friday, July 11. HCC's small business engagement program is called GameChanger. The event, which is free, will be from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Houston Community College West Loop Center Auditorium, 5601 West Loop South in Houston. Those attending will have an opportunity to meet the prime contractors who will be involved in Houston Community College's bond program projects. HCC officials note that 35 percent of the overall construction work will be going to small business enterprises (SBEs). Industry experts will also be on hand to provide advice to SBEs about bonding, banking and insurance.Breakout sessions will be held on related topics that will be helpful to SBEs. Partners are currently being sought for construction that will result from the passage of the bond issue. Small businesses are encouraged to attend and join in for networking, breakfast and the opportunity to become part of the prime contractors' and HCC team. Desalination Summit planned for Aug. 5 in Corpus Christi Three statewide hearings regarding water desalination are planned in June by the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination, co-chaired by State Rep. Todd Hunter and Sen. Craig Estes. The three hearings will lead up to an Aug. 5 Desalination Summit in Corpus Christi at the Town Club. The remaining two hearings are set for June 23, 10 a.m., Ortiz Center-Nueces Room, Corpus Christi; and June 30, 11 a.m., the Kemp Center for the Arts, Great Hall - Wichita Falls. The Corpus Christi summit is designed specifically to discuss local issues and solutions. The half-day event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is organized by the local task force on water in Corpus Christi and Rep. Hunter. The event is free, but registration is required. |
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| | | | Mayors take the spotlight!  By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. There's been an inversion of power in the United States, according to U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Kevin Johnson. While federal and state government officials were once looked to for leadership, city officials have now taken on that role, Johnson said at the USCM 82nd annual meeting in Dallas last weekend. Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, noted that cities are now leading the way - experimenting, taking risks and making the hard choices necessary to keep government moving at the local level. They are also looking for ways to leverage relationships with Congress and they are collaborating with private-sector partners in innovative ways. I just returned from spending two and a half days with a group of mayors who joined private -sector leaders, state officials, nonprofit organizations and industry association executives at the Clinton Global Initiatives Conference in Denver, Colorado. Many came directly there from the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Dallas. I left late Wednesday afternoon, somewhat exhausted because we were in back-to-back meetings for two days, but feeling good about local government and the leaders I had been working with in Denver. I left believing that collaboration is possible and I'm convinced that mayors are the new heroes when it comes to elected officials. Mayors from the largest cities in America were in attendance each day in working sessions in small groups with private-sector leaders talking about ways to build new infrastructure, discussing alternative funding options for public projects and collaborating in ways that can only result in positive outcomes. They didn't seem too concerned about partisanship and they didn't appear to care about how the credit was allocated for positive results if partnerships could be forged. I left very impressed and feeling good about the future of this country. [more] |
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Group chosen to redevelop Plaza Saltillo District area  Eleven acres in East Austin will be redeveloped as a transit-oriented development when Endeavor/Columbus Realty will help transform the Plaza Saltillo District into a revenue-producing, mixed use development to serve the community. Capital Metro's board of directors this week chose the group to begin the project. Plaza Saltillo will continue to serve as a MetroRail station.
"Our process has resulted in a proposal that will meet our adopted transit-oriented development goals while honoring what the community has said it wants for their area," said Capital Metro president and CEO Linda Watson (pictured). Among the features of the proposal are an estimated increase in ridership from 7,500 to 16,000 new riders each year; integration of affordable housing in the plan; and providing space for a full-service grocery at I-35. Watson said the goal is not just to provide revenue, but to also create an asset for the community. Since 2004, approximately $153 million in new development has occurred around the MetroRail stations, and more than $1 billion in development is under way or being planned. The property is zoned for high-density and transit-friendly mixed use development. |
Texas Government Insider to publish day early next week Because the July 4 Independence Day holiday falls on a Friday this year, the Texas Government Insider scheduled for publication on Friday, July 4, will be published a day early, on Thursday, July 3. Because the July 3 edition will be abbreviated, our popular Lone Star column will not be published next week, but will return when we resume our regular Friday publication dates with our Friday, July 11, edition.
The offices of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. will be closed Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will reopen on Monday, July 7. |
Beaumont ISD denied temporary injunction against TEA actions A Travis County District Judge has ruled that appointment of a board of managers and a new superintendent of the Beaumont Independent School District will not cause the district irreparable harm and denied a request for a temporary injunction against the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Education Commissioner Michael L. Williams recently ruled that the beleaguered district will replace its school board with a board of managers and replace Superintendent Timothy Chargois. School officials sought a temporary injunction against the TEA action. Because that injunction was denied, TEA will move forward with the appointment of a board of managers and selection of a new superintendent. |
Sawyer retires as chief of Harris County Department of Education  Superintendent John Sawyer (pictured), who has spent the last 12 years leading the Harris County Department of Education, recently announced plans to retire from that job. Sawyer is credited with obtaining both federal and state grants to help fund programs such as Head Start, teacher education and adult education. |
Williamson approves master plan for new expo center Williamson County commissioners this week approved a master plan for a new expo center in Taylor. The facility will feature an indoor arena, a covered area for competitors to warm up prior to competition, horse stalls and a multipurpose building. The long-awaited facility will seat up to 3,000 people in its arena and will be available for a variety of events. It will be built around the former East Williamson County Events Center and will feature 50,000 square feet of space for an estimated cost of $10 million. |
Tyler ISD appoints Tunnell as interim superintendent  Tyler Independent School District board members recently appointed Kim Tunnell (pictured), the chief leadership and performance officer for the district, as the interim superintendent. Joining the Tyler school district in 2001, Tunnell also has served as the executive director of strategic planning, executive director of curriculum and instruction, a coordinator for staff development and an acting principal for the Tyler district. Tunnell also was a teacher and administrator for the Sierra Sands United School District in California. Tunnell also will serve as the school district's liaison with the city of Tyler, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Junior College, The University of Texas at Tyler, Texas College and other nonprofit organizations and agencies. |
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Shepherd ISD selects six to interview for superintendent Shepherd Independent School District trustees recently selected six applicants for superintendent as semi-finalists to bring in for personal interviews. Board members, who planned to interview the six semi-finalists this week, declined to identify the six applicants. The new superintendent will replace Superintendent Jody Cronin. |
Greenville appoints Wright as director of public works  Greenville city officials recently appointed John Wright (pictured) as the new director of public works and city engineer. An employee of the Texas Department of Transportation for 23 years, Wright is a registered professional engineer in Texas who has also worked as a consultant for a Fort Worth-based company. Wright has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. |
Save the date!
The Ninth Biennial Legislative Communications Conference is set for Oct. 1. More information will be made available as we get closer to that date.
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Bullard ISD selects Goode as new community relations liaison Trustees for Bullard Independent School District recently selected Amanda Goode as the new community relations liaison and secondary curriculum instructional specialist, effective in August. In her duties as community relations liaison, Goode will provide information to the public regarding policies and goals. She also will inform residents of activities occurring within the district as well as assist in preparing publications in addition to overseeing the Web site and social media accounts for the district. As an instructional specialist, Goode will assist secondary teachers in developing curriculum. Goode previously was a middle school teacher and studied at Apple Academy and the Buck Institute to help master 21st Century learning. |
Nolen agrees to serve as interim city manager in Joshua  Chester Nolen (pictured), a former Cleburne city manager, recently agreed to serve as interim city manager in Joshua, effective July 1. Now the vice president of the search firm the city hired to help find a new city manager, Nolen will replace City Manager Paulette Hartman, who is leaving that post. Nolen served as city manager in Cleburne from 2001 until 2010 and also was city manager in Hereford. |
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Harlingen taps Richard Bilbie as new city attorney Harlingen city commissioners recently tapped Richard Bilbie, who has served as interim city attorney since June 2013, as the new city attorney. Bilbie, who has 30 years experience in municipal and local government law, replaced former City Attorney Roxann Pais Cotroneo, who resigned last year. The hiring of Bilbie now provides the city with one full-time attorney rather than two, noted City Manager Chris Boswell. If additional legal services are needed, city officials plan to use specialists on a case-by-case basis, he said. |
Andreas resigns as public works director in Lampasas  After a year on the job, Public Work Director Phil Andreas (pictured) of Lampasas recently announced his resignation from that post. Andreas, who had more than 20 years experience in the public utility sector, began his duties in Lampasas in July 2013. During that time, he has overseen more than $2 million in improvements to the city's infrastructure, with some projects still ongoing. City officials appointed Shane Brown, the superintendent of the public works department, as the interim public works director to replace Andreas, who said he is returning to New York. |
Longview ISD places hold on search for new superintendent Trustees for Longview Independent School District recently voted to make no decision on whether to hire Horace Williams, the lone finalist for superintendent, and agreed to place any search for a new superintendent on hold. Williams is still the lone finalist for superintendent and remains as assistant superintendent of education services for the Longview school district, according to the board president. Williams' current contract runs through the 2014-15 school year, he added. Interim Superintendent James Wilcox will remain as leader of the district at this time, he added. The contract with Wilcox expires at the end of this year. |
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Longview interviews four for development services Longview city officials recently interviewed four finalists for the post of director of development services for the city. The finalists include two current city employees, Michael Shirley, now serving as the interim director of development services, and Brent Brevard, the city architect. Mark Sweeney, who was employed 13 years with the East Texas Council of Governments, and Kay Carpenter are the other finalists being interviewed. The new director will replace Kevin Cummings, who resigned on April 21. The director oversees the environmental health division, building inspection, engineering services and planning and zoning. |
Ysleta ISD selects Chacon as associate superintendent  Ysleta Independent School District trustees recently selected Brenda Chacon (pictured), currently the interim assistant superintendent at Socorro ISD, as an associate superintendent. Along with three other associate superintendents, Chacon will oversee schools in that district when she begins her new duties on July 1. Chacon has a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She currently is working on completing her Ph.D. at UTEP. |
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Wilde selected as new administrator for Jonestown Ronald Wilde, who has held public service jobs in Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, recently won selection as the new city administrator in Jonestown. Wilde, who began his new duties in Jonestown on June 15, graduated from Weber State College in Utah and also earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Brigham Young University. Wilde previously was a community recovery manager for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a provincial governance advisor in Iraq for a 14-month period. |
McCurley retiring as water superintendent for Chandler  Stanley McCurley (pictured), the water superintendent for Chandler, recently said he is retiring from that post after more than 25 years on the job. McCurley joined the water department in the late 1960s as a contract worker when it was known as the Henderson County Water Authority. He also signed a contract to become water superintendent in 1986 and has continued to work under contract instead of as a city employee, McCurley noted. |
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Eight new representatives join board of Texoma COG Eight new representatives recently joined the board of directors of the Texoma Council of Governments. Board members welcomed to the board five new directors, including Phyllis James, a county commissioner in Grayson County; J.D. Roane, the mayor of Valley View; Bill McFatridge, who represents Grayson College; and Sarah Somers, representing community members in Grayson County. Three other new board members - Kate Whitfield of the Sherman Independent School District, Teresa Adams, a council member in Denison, and Chris Burch, the mayor of Ladonia, were unable to attend the meeting. Board members also re-elected Creta L. Carter, Fannin County judge, as president, and John Roane, representing Valley View, as vice president of the board of directors. Cary Wacker, mayor of Sherman, also won re-election as the secretary to the board. |
Tornillo ISD hoping to fill seven administrative jobs in summer After announcing the hiring of two new principals, trustees for Tornillo Independent School District recently announced they are still looking for a new elementary school principal and an assistant principal. Trustees also are hoping to fill vacancies for a high school counselor, a district data coordinator, payroll supervisor and accounts payable coordinator before school starts later this summer. These positions are critical to the district, noted Superintendent Jeannie Meza-Chavez. |
Texas Government Insider Archives |
Governor's appointments Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments: - Susan Simpson Hull of Grand Prairie, State Board for Educator Certification;
- Judy Raab of Alvarado, Texas Radiation Advisory Board;
- Cherry Sears of Sugarland, Interagency Council for Genetic Services;
- Craig Benson of Austin, Interagency Council for Genetic Services;
- Dan Key of Friendswood, Texas Emergency Services Retirement System;
- Ronald V. Larson of Horizon City, Texas Emergency Services Retirement System ;
- David Allex of Harlingen, presiding officer of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority;
- John Clamp of San Antonio, presiding officer of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority;
- Will "Bill" Hubbard Jr. of Tioga, presiding officer of the Grayson County Regional Mobility Authority;
- Linda Ryan Thomas of Longview, presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
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