Two long-time TxDOT employees announce their retirement

Two long-time employees of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), who collectively boast more than 50 years of service to the state and the department, have announced they will retire from the agency.

David Casteel (left), assistant executive director for field and district operations in the TxDOT headquarters in Austin, is retiring after 28 years with the department. TxDOT officials noted that Casteel's TxDOT career has led him to 12 different cities during that time.

Albert Quintanilla (right), P.E., district engineer in Laredo, is hanging up his hard hat after 26 years with the agency. Quintanilla was presented with a resolution of appreciation during Thursday's meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission. Casteel will be formally recognized at the Commission's next meeting.

TCEQ hosts first Central Texas Environmental Summit in November
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will host an environmental summit for people who live and work along the Austin/San Antonio I-35 corridor on Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center.

The summit gives all interested parties - including residents, business owners, students and local and state leaders - an opportunity to discuss solutions to environmental challenges in this fast-growing part of the state. 

"I am pleased that the TCEQ is hosting this summit in Central Texas," says TCEQ Commissioner Carlos Rubinstein (pictured). "Similar programs elsewhere in the state have been successful in identifying concerns and coming up with local solutions." 
 
The summit is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

Big Spring ISD, Howard College partnering on initiative

Officials of Big Spring Independent School District and Howard College recently joined together in planning an early college initiative program to help high school students graduate with college credits, an associate degree or certification in a career.

The proposed initiative will allow students to take college-credit courses as early as their freshman year in high school, said Dr. Cheryl Sparks (pictured), president of Howard College. The goal is for students to graduate from high school with an associate's degree or a certificate, a marketable skill or transferable college credits, she said.

Texas Education Agency officials gave permission to school district and college officials to research the feasibility of beginning such a program. Officials from the college and school district plan similar programs in the state. Some programs are located on the college campus while others are offered only at the high school or in both facilities, she said. The goal is to begin the new initiative as early as fall 2012.

Obama nominates SMU Dean David Chard to education board

Southern Methodist University Dean David Chard (pictured) was recently nominated to the 15-member board that oversees and directs the Institute of Education Sciences.

The Institute, which serves as the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, collects, analyzes and funds education research data to improve education outcomes for students, particularly those at risk.

Chard was nominated by President Barack Obama. 

Odessa College recently won approval of a request to rezone 1.6 acres of land to allow construction of a new Lifelong Learning Center. Expected to break ground in April 2012, the new learning center and a new adjoining parking lot will consolidate all continuing education classes to one area of the campus.

College officials also plan to use proceeds from a $68.5 million bond proposal to build a new math and science building, a campus center, a fire training center and tower and a vehicle technology center, all scheduled to begin construction in 2012.

Three join 'Foundations of Excellence' initiative benefiting students

Lone Star College-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood and LSC-Tomball recently joined "Foundations of Excellence," a national program designed to enhance learning and retention of first-year and transfer students.

LSC-Montgomery and LSC-North Harris already participate in the program.  

"We are extremely proud that each of our colleges will now be participating in this (Foundations of Excellence) initiative to help these students reach their educational goals and beyond," said Donetta Goodall (pictured), Lone Star College System vice chancellor of academic affairs and student success.

Donna, Edinburg districts win nearly $3.8 million in energy grants

The Texas Comptroller's Office recently awarded a $1.8 million grant to the Donna Independent School District and a $1,998,250 grant to Edinburg ISD to pay for upgrading heating and cooling systems in their schools.

The Texas Comptroller's Office awarded the two federal stimulus grants that require that each upgrade affect only classrooms rather than auxiliary buildings, the central office or field houses. The stimulus grants, however, require no matching funds.

Donna ISD plans to replace two chilling units and four heating and air conditioning systems at six campuses, the deputy superintendent said. This should result in about $205,896.44 in annual energy savings, he added. Edinburg officials expect to save about $237,000 in energy costs each year by replacing several chillers, air handling units and control systems at four middle schools and four elementary schools.

City of Eden officials recognized with two conference awards

The City of Eden recently was named a "Community of Achievement" and an "All-Star Community" at the annual conference for the Texas Midwest Community Network.

To be named a "Community of Achievement," applicants were required to submit a detailed community-wide plan that included beautification efforts, a Web site and student participation on local projects. Other recognized communities include Ballinger, Colorado City, Eastland, Miles, Haskell and Winters.

To be named "All-Star Community," which is awarded to just one recipient each year, communities must first be designated as a Community of Achievement and then submit several essays.

In the accompanying photo, Eden Mayor Eugene Spann (center) and Economic Development Coordinator Kathy Keane (left) receive the Community of Achievement Award from TMCN President Jimi Coplen, Knox County.

Carrie Miller named director of marketing at TAMU-Corpus Christi

Carrie Miller (pictured), who has worked at Texas A&M-University-Corpus Christi for six years, has been promoted to director of the marketing department.

In her new position, Miller will oversee direction of the university's branding initiatives through several media outlets including print, video and the Internet.

Miller, a native of Corpus Christi, earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Dallas and is currently pursuing a master's from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

The Regional Transportation Council recently approved $15 million in federal funding to continue construction of the first of three new bridges connecting downtown Fort Worth to the Trinity Uptown project. Construction on the new $62.8 million Henderson Street bridge could begin as early as fall 2012, Fort Worth officials said.

The additional $15 million will be combined with $23 million in federal funds previously allotted to the project and $24.8 million in local funds to build the three bridges, the Fort Worth mayor said.

Design and engineering for the Henderson Street bridge should be completed by summer so construction can begin in late 2012 while construction of the bridge on North Main Street should begin in fall 2013. Construction on the third bridge over White Settlement Road most likely will begin in five or six years, the mayor said.

DART picks new leaders for commuter rail, marketing positions

Officials at Dallas Area Rapid Transit recently named Norma Navarro (left) vice president to oversee commuter rail, and Nevin Grinnell (right) vice president and chief marketing officer.

Navarro, who joined DART in 1990, will oversee the day-to-day leadership of the Trinity Railway Express and will serve as DART's liaison in Fort Worth. Previously, she served as assistant vice president over commuter rail administration.

Grinnell, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience, most recently served as senior vice president of marketing for an international pet products company, where he was responsible for strategy and new product innovation.

Arlington Chamber officials studying possible technology-swap

Officials at the Center for Innovation, a nonprofit created by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and The University of Texas at Arlington, have completed the framework for a new initiative that aims to boost the state's technology-based research and development.

The new program, TechComm, will link federal laboratories and research universities with manufacturers, corporations, entrepreneurs and economic development groups.

The program, which is expected to hit full stride in five years, could streamline technology transfer between the public and private sectors.

The board of the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority recently selected John Valls (left) as their new chairman to replace Chairwoman Crystal Lyons.

After board members voted to remove Lyons as chairwoman, she requested reappointment as a member of the board, but failed in that attempt. Board policy requires that once a board member is elected chair, that member no longer is considered an appointment and must reapply for reappointment if removed as chair.

To fill the vacancy created by Valls' promotion, Corpus Christi City Council members instead voted to appoint Tony Elizondo (right) to the 11-member transportation authority board. Elizondo is a vice president of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Corpus Christi.

Midland to spend $651,000 to upgrade sports complex technology

Midland City Council members recently agreed to ask for bids for a new video board and control room equipment at the football stadium, and a new control room and field pads at the baseball park.

City officials are seeking bids for an estimated $75,000 in upgrades to technology at the baseball park, including new cameras, video switches, monitors, three-channel replay and an in-house television system along with Web streaming. The estimated cost for new pads is $76,000. The improvements to control room equipment at the stadium are expected to cost about $100,000, city officials said. The upgrades should be done by February of 2012.

A five-member committee recently urged the Corpus Christi City Council to consider instituting a new street user fee to pay for the estimated $88 million needed to maintain city streets.

The city now spends about $10 million annually on street maintenance, but that is well below what is needed, according to a street analysis prepared by city staff. While Councilman John Marez (pictured) noted the city most likely could not raise the full $88 million recommended, he hopes the discussion educates the public that the city must raise adequate funding to maintain streets.

Committee members suggested the street user fee to be based on the estimated average number of road trips on city streets taken by each household and business and then add that fee to each utility bill. Initial plans call for households and commercial businesses to be charged the street user fee on different standards because of a different level of traffic based on land use. Committee members did not submit details on how the city should calculate the fee, but expect to finalize the report by the end of December.

While council members reached no consensus on the new street user fee, most agreed some kind of new tax or fee is needed to pay for the necessary street repairs. Several council members suggested that voters should decide the issue.

Killeen ISD sees cost of new science labs rise by $1 million

Trustees for the Killeen Independent School District recently learned that the estimated cost to add new science laboratories at four existing schools could cost more than $1 million more than originally estimated.

The new estimated cost of the laboratory project is $6.6 million. District officials planned to use a $6.5 million grant from the Texas Education Agency to pay for the new laboratories, but will need to pay the remaining cost of the labs according to the preliminary schematic design documents given to board members.

Architects already reduced each design by 2,200 square feet and cannot reduce any more space, said a representative from the design firm. Building into existing structures often is more expensive because extensions of hallways and doors are needed, he said. The grant will pay only for additions and not for new construction, he added.

Gallardo joins TAMU-Corpus Christi as director of communications

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi officials recently named Gloria Gallardo (pictured) director of Communications and Public Affairs.

In her new position, Gallardo will lead the university's communication strategy and build awareness of the university's relationships in the community.

Gallardo, who earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, has worked as a television news anchor and executive producer in Texas and Louisiana.

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD approves $267,000 to repair facilities

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District board members recently approved spending $287,000 to upgrade seating and stairs at the football stadium, repair the batting cage at Grapevine High School and make improvements to softball cages.

The repairs to the stadium seats and stairs are needed due to extreme weather causing deterioration, district officials said. The seats need bracing and the concrete stairs need upgrading as soon as possible to ensure safety. Funding for the upgrades to athletic facilities will come from interest earnings from proceeds of a 2005 bond election, district officials said. The booster club also raised $53,000 to provide the district with funding to pay for upgrades to the indoor practice facility to avoid improving existing batting and pitching cages.

Ector County seeking $60,000 grant for airport runway

Ector County Commissioners recently agreed to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation for a $60,000 grant to help pay for a new taxiway at Odessa-Schlemeyer Field. Plans call for the new runway to be located parallel to a new $1 million airport terminal currently slated for completion in May 2012, the county judge said. 

Nueces Co. seeking applicants for two seats on port commission

With two members of the Corpus Christi Port Commission set to end their terms in December, Nueces County commissioners are seeking applicants to fill the two new openings on the governing board of the fifth largest port in the United States. The deadline for the application is 5 p.m. on November 2.

Commissioners, who are appointed to serve three-year staggered terms, advise port staff, approve contracts and approve the port's annual budget. The two new port commissioners will replace Richard M. Borchard, a former county commissioner, and Robert J. Gonzalez, Sr., a former prosecutor, municipal court judge and attorney.

Weatherford city officials plan to kick off construction on two major transportation projects that are part of the Pass-Through Toll project with the state. The Pass-Through Toll program allows local governments to build and pay for projects on state roads and later receive state reimbursement for those projects.

The first project on South Main from I-20 to Bethel is scheduled to break ground in early 2012, while work on the frontage road from Bethel to South Bowie should begin in spring 2012, said City Manager Jerry Blaisdell (pictured). 

Aransas County moves forward on Aransas Pathways project

Aransas County Commissioners recently approved the budget for the first year of the Aransas Pathways project, a job description for a project manager and an agreement with the city for a consultant to assist on the project.

Revenue for the ecotourism project initially was to come only from the annual venue tax collections that total about $300,000 for 2011, the chairman of the Pathways Steering Committee said. Commissioners, however, decided to use revenue from the hotel occupancy tax to supplement the annual budget to pay about $202,000 on the bonds and for the operating and maintenance expenses, including the salary for the project manager, office equipment and a project consultant. Commissioners agreed to supplement the project with $127,000 over the next five years.

Two federal grants will help fund rapid bus service

San Antonio's mass transit agency recently received two federal grants totaling $6 million to help fund the city's first bus rapid transit line, called VIA Primo.

One of the $3 million grants comes through the Federal Transportation Administration's State of Good Rapid Program, which will pay for improvements at the bus yard maintenance facility and headquarters. The FTA's Bus Livability Program will provide a second $3 million grant to extend the service into Leon Valley.

VIA Primo, set to launch in 2012, provides a more modern, rail-like feel by controlling traffic signals, improving fare collection systems and using high-capacity vehicles.

Commissioners discuss restoring Jefferson County Courthouse

Jefferson County commissioners recently discussed applying for a $6 million state grant to help restore the courthouse, which has already cost more than $7 million in taxpayer money.

Even if the county received the Texas Historical Commission grant, taxpayers would still have to pay an estimated $9 million to complete the project.

Commissioners Eddie Arnold and Bo Alfred want the public to vote before any additional money goes toward restoring the courthouse.

Starr County water supply company nabs $1.4 million for water lines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded $1.4 million in grants and loans to the El Sauz Water Supply Corp. to replace water lines in rural ranch land extending about 100 miles north of Rio Grande City.

Corporation officials plan to use the $859,000 grant and a $541,000 loan from the Rural Development Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replace existing small water lines with 51,000 linear feet of water lines serving Starr County, said Tomasita Guerra, president of the water supply corporation. The new water lines should solve the problem of low water pressure and disrupted service caused by existing small water lines when the project is completed near the end of 2012, Guerra said.

 

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Public officials in local governmental entities are struggling. They have all been impacted by budget cuts at the state and federal levels of government. And, most do not believe the funding that once flowed to them from other sources will ever come back completely. That is likely true - at least, the funding will not return in the next decade, according to most experts.

There are not a lot of options for meeting the budget challenges being faced by cities, counties and school districts. Innovation and consolidation can only go so far. Local governmental organizations have service mandates. Roads must be built. Water, police and fire protection and emergency services are not optional. Schools must provide teachers, classrooms, curriculum and technology. Hospital districts were created to provide health care services - the list of expectations is endless.

Most counties are struggling with identical issues - budget shortfalls, hiring freezes, delayed maintenance on buildings, staff reductions and more. The National Association of Counties confirmed the common dilemmas in a recent survey of its members. Here are some interesting facts that resulted from county officials from throughout the country.  

• Only 35 percent of counties adopted balanced budgets this year. The rest anticipated shortfalls.
• The counties with shortfalls, 24 percent, said that the anticipated shortage has increased since the beginning of their fiscal year.

Dean Danos takes over as AACOG executive director

Dean J. Danos (pictured), who has been serving as interim executive director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) since the retirement of former Executive Director Gloria C. Arriaga, has been unanimously chosen by the board to take over the position full-time.

Danos has been with AACOG for more than a dozen years, serving most recently as deputy director of the Government Services division. He also has a long military career that includes 30 years of service, with his last assignment as Support Commander of Randolph Air Force Based. After that, he was manager of a global Learjet program with a private sector firm.

Central Health of Travis County backs new teaching hospital

Officials of Central Health of Travis County recently announced support for a proposal to rebuild University Medical Center Brackenridge as part of a plan to open a medical school and upgrade health and mental health care in the county. The proposed 10-point plan could cost as much as $250 million to $300 million, the chairman of Central Health said.

Board members of the taxing authority that manages health care programs for low-income residents of Travis County said they support backing the establishment of a premier teaching facility, a trauma center for training physicians in primary and specialty care proposed by a state senator from Austin. The board will need to issue bonds or increase taxes to pay for the project, another board member said. Officials have not decided whether to extensively renovate the current hospital facility or rebuild, he said.

The 10-point plan includes opening a comprehensive cancer treatment center, expanding mental health services, upgrading the medical examiner's office and improving community health clinics over a 10-year period.

Vandergriff won't seek Senate seat; staying with NTTA, DVM

Victor Vandergriff (pictured), a member of the boards of the North Texas Tollway Authority and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is staying put. Vandergriff had previously indicated he would run for the Texas Senate.

He now says that because two other members of the NTTA are leaving and because he served as the initial chair of the then-new state agency, the DMV, he has decided not to seek the Senate seat and will instead stay on with the two government subdivisions. 

Navarro County commissioners recently appointed Amanda Putman as a new county court-at-law judge to fill a position created by the county and approved by legislators. Putman, who is set to begin her duties in two to four weeks, will serve as judge until the 2012 election and must seek election if she wishes to remain in that position.

Plano city officials recently agreed to look for five corporate sponsors to contribute to the city's general fund in return for naming rights for public parks and recreation centers.

The city would like to collect $1 million over a five-year period from the corporate sponsors to supplement existing revenues, said City Manager Bruce Glasscock (pictured). The city in the last three and a half years has reduced the general fund budget by about $40 million and the city needs more funding to maintain existing public facilities Glasscock said.

Faced with a record drought and an almost dry reservoir, Midland city officials recently joined with San Angelo and Abilene leaders to partner in efforts to increase the water supply for all three cities.

Midland city leaders also are asking for proposals from water suppliers across the state to find a more secure future water supply, said Jim Nichols, an assistant city manager. City officials are looking at a water supplier who can transport water, treat that water and provide operational services at a reasonable price, Nichols said.

Levelland ECD transfers land

for new animal shelter

Levelland Economic Development Corporation (EDC) officials recently agreed to transfer land in the city's industrial park to serve as a site for a new $125,000 animal shelter. The animal shelter is critical to the new pet adoption program the city is instituting, city officials said.

Wood is Flower Mound's new

economic development director

Flower Mound city employee Mark Wood has been named the new economic development director.

Wood has worked in Flower Mound five years, most recently serving as assistant to the town manager.

He replaces Melissa Glasgow, who stepped down in the spring to take a similar position in Florida.

Sullivan City tags Davila

as new city manager

Sullivan City Commissioners recently selected Judy Davila (pictured) as the new city manager. Davila, who is currently an assistant city administrator in La Villa, will replace Rolando Gonzalez, who retired in February. She holds a master's degree and has completed the Certified Public Manager program at The University of Texas-Pan American.

Van Alstyne selects Rodriguez

as its new city manager

Van Alstyne City Council members recently selected Phillip Rodriguez (pictured) as the new city manager. Rodriguez previously worked in city administration in San Antonio and Cedar Park, including with the office of city manager and in economic development departments.

Bellmead City Council members recently appointed Anne Smith as the interim city manager following the resignation of City Manager Victor Pena. Council members agreed to give Pena a severance payment of three months' salary and an additional three month's salary from his insurance. City officials said they plan to find a new city manager very soon.

Bloomington receives state grant to help repair sewage system

Bloomington recently received a $263,000 state grant to improve an aging sewer system that has become a community health risk. The Texas Department of Agriculture awarded the grant, which will be supplemented by $3,000 from Victoria County.

The 70-year-old system, which has several broken lines, backs up into streets and ditches after heavy rainstorms.

County officials, who are seeking to hire an engineer to draw up plans, expect construction to begin in summer 2012.

Kerr County commissioners recently began reviewing proposals from eight architectural firms to design and build a 48-bed jail next to the existing county jail. Commissioners also approved an agreement with Bandera County to pay $45 a day to house local prisoners in the Bandera County Jail.

The new minimum/maximum security lock-up is needed to take care of the county's growing inmate population, said Sheriff Rusty Kierholzer (pictured). The existing jail, which has 192 beds, recently housed 170 prisoners, he said. Kierholzerf also said he would have a recommendation on his preferred design for the new jail facility in two weeks. 

The State Energy Conservation Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts recently awarded $100,000 to the Houston Independent School District to help pay for 20 new propane-fueled work vans to join the district fleet.

The school district also won a $2.4 million grant to buy 27 clean-burning, propane-fueled school buses as well as build a fueling station, noted Leo Bobadilla, the chief operating officer of the district.

The grants permit the district to diversify and renew its fleet that is cost-effective, more environmental friendly and reduce fuel and maintenance costs, Bobadilla said. During the 2010-2011 school year, the district began using bio-diesel fuel in all of its school buses and diesel light-fleet vehicles and recently received nation recognition from a transportation industry magazine as one of top five green fleet school districts in the country, he added.

Ross named Liberty-Eylau ISD's new chief financial officer

The Liberty-Eylau school board recently named Darla Moss chief financial officer.

Moss has previously served as district controller.

Gillespie County commissioners recently took another step forward on building a new jail complex by appointing a nine-member facility advisory committee.

Advisory committee members are expected to attend at least three meetings with representatives of a construction management company hired to provide conceptual plans for a new jail complex. The management company also will provide city officials with an estimate of construction costs and help educate voters for a bond election planned in November 2012.

Penitas wins $9 million federal grant, La Joya gets $7 million

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently presented grants and loans totaling $9 million to the city of Penitas and $7 million to the city of La Joya.

City officials of Penitas plan to use the federal funding to extend sewer service to residents residing north of the city, while La Joya city officials plan to build a new city hall.