Benette Zivley resigns post as Texas Securities Commissioner

Benette Zivley (pictured), Texas Securities Commissioner, has resigned his post as head of the Texas State Securities Board, the state agency that regulates the securities industry in Texas. Zivley was installed as securities commissioner on March 1.

Officials at the agency say Zivley met in executive session with board members earlier this week and Zivley submitted his resignation. He had served as commissioner for less than a year after replacing former Commissioner Denise Voigt Crawford, who retired in February after serving for 17 years. Zivley had served a dozen years at the agency and was director of the Inspections and Compliance Division when he was elevated to commissioner.

The board appointed Deputy Securities Commissioner Carla James as interim commissioner.

Thomas earns fellow designation to American Academy of Nursing

State nursing leader Katherine Thomas was recently named a Fellow to the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), a professional organization that generates, synthesizes and disseminates nursing knowledge to contribute to health policy and practice.

Thomas, who has served as executive director of the Texas Board of Nursing since 1995, joins approximately 1,500 other fellows who are selected based on nursing leadership and accomplishments. Fellows are expected to contribute their time and energies to the Academy, and to engage with other health care leaders to improve the country's health care system.

Thomas represents nursing at the national level through her service as Director-at-Large for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). In the accompanying photo, Thomas accepts her ANN Fellowship certificate from Catherine L. Gilliss (right), president of the American Academy of Nursing.

Texas Forest Service honors employees during awards ceremony

Hundreds of Texas Forest Service employees recently gathered to recognize the year's accomplishments at the agency's annual awards ceremony in Crockett.

Sponsored by the Texas Farm Bureau, the event enabled agency officials to reflect on an unprecedented wildfire season, when fires burned almost 4 million acres of state land.

The following Texas Forest Service employees received awards at Thursday's event: Paul Johnson, Director's Award, Technical Forestry; Ronnie Jones, Charles Krenek Resource Specialist Award; Jan Amen, Director's Award, Support Staff (field); James Polasek, Director's Award, Support Staff (professional); Sherri Noack, Director's Award, Support Staff (office); Fire Field Exercise Team Daniel Duncum, Ricky Kirkpatrick and Nathan Carroll, Director's Award, Team Effort; John Boyette, D.A. "Andy" Anderson Award; Michael Easley, Billy Whitworth, Jason Ellis and Bernie Buckner, Outstanding contributions to the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program; Les Rogers and Marty Martinez, Good Samaritan Awards.

Richardson leaves post at UT Health Science Center

Arlan Richardson (pictured), the head of a geriatric research program at The University of Texas Health Science Center, recently announced he is leaving his post as head of geriatric research programs.

Richardson joined the health science center in 1990 and became director of the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, whose research has resulted in several high-profile findings on the cellular process of aging. Richardson, who was honored with the Nathan Shock Award from the National Institute on Aging, said he plans to continue research in his own laboratory.

Houston Metro's in line to receive $900 million grants Nov. 28

After major delays due to federal grant violations, Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority will soon receive grants totaling $900 million to build two light-rail lines, according to a recent announcement by Metro officials.

Two Federal Transit Administration grants, each for $450 million, will help fund the North and Southeast lines, which are under construction.

Last September, federal transit authorities suspended the $900 million grants because Metro violated several rules, including purchasing foreign-built rail cars. But, Metro officials are now back on track: The foreign contracts were canceled and an American company will build the rail cars following all made-in-America rules.

Rodriguez-Zuch joins Lone Star-CyFair as dean of academic affairs

Michel Rodriguez-Zuch (pictured), who was named dean of academic affairs at Lone Star College-CyFair in August, recently said she plans to pursue more grants and start up new programs.

Rodriguez-Zuch previously worked at Blinn College as director of enrollment management, director of student development and dean of student services.

She holds a bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. and teaches in the online MBA program at Tarleton State University.

UT Southwestern's Evans named Cancer Society president

Officials at the American Cancer Society recently named cancer researcher Phil Evans (pictured) the national president, a year-long service position.

Evans, a cancer survivor and 25-year ACS volunteer, currently serves as director of the UT Southwestern Center for Breast Care and professor of radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Evans attended medical school at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Baylor University Medical Center.

$3 million gift from Holland family to complete Jackson Center at UT

The Holland family of Houston recently gave The University of Texas at Austin $3 million to build a new student center for the Jackson School of Geosciences.

The Holland Family Student Center will create a central hub for geoscience students to study, collaborate and meet with advisers. The 11,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be complete by August 2012, will include a public commons area with coffee bar, a student study area and a 6-foot-in-diameter digital display of the Earth for technical instruction and outreach presentations.

Scotty Holland, former CEO of Pennzoil Exploration and Production Company, earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and has served as a member of the Geology Foundation's Advisory Council since 1986.

Officials with the Austin Community College District and members of the Elgin community recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 98-acre ACC Elgin Campus, which is expected to open in fall 2013.

The first phase of the campus will accommodate 1,500 students and includes a 65,000-square-foot building for classrooms, a library, testing center and computer lab.

"The partnership between Elgin and ACC is an investment in the future of this community and our region as a whole," said ACC president and CEO Richard Rhodes (pictured).

Officials at Capital Metro Transit in Austin are considering borrowing $20 million to meet costly state and federal mandates and also replace dozens of outdated buses.

About half of the money would purchase 24 buses in the 2012-13 fiscal year and the other half would go toward 23 buses the following year. Each bus costs about $400,000 or more.

The agency, which has an operating budget of about $173 million, has depleted its savings on capital spending that includes the MetroRail and related projects. A new federal law requires train systems to install safety measures that will cost Capital Metro an estimated $33 million.

At the same time, the legislature recently mandated that Capital Metro have $30 million in reserves at all times. The agency currently has about $20 million in savings.

McMurry University looks forward to $2.2 million stadium upgrade

Officials at McMurry University in Abilene plan to put $2.2 million toward renovations of Wilford Moore Stadium - just the latest of several construction projects on campus.

Thanks to private donations, the university has invested $26 million in renovations and new construction since 2007.

Officials had already put $8 million toward renovations of Old Main, the original building on campus, and upgrades to the biology and physics labs at the Finch-Gray Science Building. Several other buildings - the band hall, bookstore, several residence halls and library, among others - will also get upgrades.

TEA Commissioner issues order for HISD to annex North Forest ISD

Texas Education Agency officials recently ordered the underperforming North Forest school district to be absorbed by the Houston Independent School District, effective July 2012.

"While HISD did not seek this annexation, we stand ready to welcome the entire North Forest community into the HISD family," said HISD Board President Paula Harris (pictured).

HISD officials plan to work with the North Forest community to build strong neighborhood schools by placing an excellent teacher in each classroom and effective principal in each school.

Longview ISD to spend $10 million to upgrade three campuses

Longview Independent School District board members recently approved $10 million in renovations to be completed on three campuses.

Plans call for renovating the G.J. Foster campus to house the Playing for Keeps program, Head Start and special education program by upgrading the electrical system and making the facility compliant with the Americans With Disabilites Act, district officials said. Another campus, J.L. Everhart, will be remodeled into a central district warehouse by installing a new roof, removing the cafeteria, covering and closing existing windows and improving accessibility. Both of those projects should be completed when the 2012 school year begins, district officials said.

A former middle school will be renovated to serve as the new home for the Dade Center, the Letting Education Achieve Dreams (LEAD) Academy and Seesaw programs. District officials plan to upgrade the electrical system, install a new energy management system, replace some windows, add new flooring and ceiling finishes, demolish the annex building and remodel the library into a cafeteria. That project should be completed in January 2013.

El Paso approves $22,000 for car-charging stations

El Paso County commissioners recently agreed to spend $38,366 to install nine electric-vehicle charging stations at selected county sites. County officials next plan to allocate $38,386 to enter into an agreement with the city to install public charging stations at a later date. A $236,000 state grant awarded to the city in December 2009 is paying for the charging stations.

The county charging stations will be placed at the Northeast and Ysleta county annexes and two parking garages. The stations will generate no funding for county or other government entities, said County Judge Veronica Escobar (pictured). The plan is to provide incentives to use electric vehicles in the community, Escobar said. City officials plan to place charging stations at the airport, city hall, Sun Metro transit stations and The University of Texas at El Paso. El Paso Electric also will receive two of the 32 charging stations.

Montgomery County to privatize county animal shelter operation

After voting to privatize operation of the county animal shelter, Montgomery County commissioners recently agreed to form an advisory board to oversee operation of the newly privatized shelter.

The agreement followed complaints by members of a veterinary medical organization that the new animal shelter was to be placed under control of a corporation created by Precinct 3 Constable Tim Holifield and his wife, who previously had operated the shelter as part of his duties as a county constable. The veterinary group claimed conditions at the shelter were bad and the new arrangement could focus on profit rather than care of the animals. The group also asked commissioners to hire an acting chief operations officer with the education and experience to adopt the necessary procedures to make sure appropriate care is given to the animals.

Several volunteers and shelter employees, however, disputed claims that conditions at the facility were bad. The county judge said the county plans to develop the most efficient method to operate the shelter without pitting one group against another.

Tarleton receives $6 million, largest single donation to university

Tarleton State University officials recently announced a $6 million gift, the largest single donation to the university in its 112-year history.

The gift, which is from Mrs. W.K. Gordon Jr. and the W.K. Gordon Jr. Foundation, includes $1 million for general scholarships and $5 million for continued funding of the W.K. Gordon Center for the Industrial History of Texas, a Tarleton facility in the ghost town of Thurber.

The gift will enable the center, which opened in 2002, to continue telling the story of the birth and death of Thurber, a company-owned mining town that was once the largest city between Fort Worth and El Paso, said T. Lindsay Baker (pictured), director of the W.K. Gordon Center.

Department of Veterans Affairs cites plans for Kerrville housing units

In an effort to end veteran homelessness, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced plans to build 3,000 new housing units across the nation - including 100 units in Kerrville.

Financing for the project, which is slated for construction in 2013, has not been secured and the project is not definite. The VA will seek federal tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to pay for the housing units.

Despite local veteran support, Kerrville leaders are hesitant to support the plan, which is an expanded version of a prior plan that City Council did not support. Kerrville leaders worry that the homeless vets will strain social services and that non-veterans will be allowed to live in the facility.

Mission planning to reallocate funds for new elementary campus

The Mission school board recently voted to reallocate $15.7 million that was part of a 2008 construction bond to build a new elementary campus.

The elementary school would have enrolled children from a planned development of an estimated 1,000 homes, but that deal fell apart, leaving the district with millions to spend elsewhere.

Trustees want to put $10 million toward major renovations at the high school, but have not decided how to spend the remaining $5.7 million. Before the district can negotiate with contractors, the Texas Education Agency must OK the redistribution of bond money.

Alamo Regional Mobility authority plans workshops on I-35 issues

The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority recently held two public workshops to discuss improving Interstate 35 between downtown San Antonio and FM 1103 in Comal County.

While Alamo RMA collects community input and searches for funding sources, the Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a $1.25 million environmental study of the area, said Leroy Alloway (pictured), the Alamo RMA director of community development.

Interstate improvements could cost between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, officials estimate. Toll roads could help fund the project.

Grapevine eyes plans for new public safety, court complex

Grapevine City Council members recently got their first look at plans for a new public safety administration building to house operations of the police and fire departments as well as municipal court operations.

Architects presented two options for the complex. The first option is a four-story building with three levels of underground parking located on the property on which the current police building is located. The estimated cost of the first option is $33.4 million. The second option features two buildings and a two-story parking garage to be built on eight nearby tracts of land that the city would need to purchase. The estimated price tag for the second option is $33.5 million. Both options include 94,423 square feet of space for police, fire and municipal courts.

Following the presentation, the mayor expressed surprise at the estimated cost of the public safety complex. Additionally, council members requested more options, including building the safety complex somewhere other than the location where the police building is now located. One suggestion for another location was a 4.5-acre site near the convention center that is owned by the city. The city manager told the council he and city staff will explore other options, look at alternative sites for the project and report back to council.

Parkland officials say they need more time to consider interim chief

Parkland Memorial Hospital officials, who recently named the top three candidates for interim chief executive officer, have interviewed all finalists, but will gather more information before making a selection.

The trio includes:

• Otis L. Story, Sr., a former CEO of Grady Health System in Atlanta;
• John A. Guest, president and CEO of Teaching Hospitals of Texas; and
• Dr. Thomas C. Royer, former CEO of CHRISTUS Health, a Catholic hospital chain based in Irving.

The interim chief replaces Ron Anderson, who has held the position since 1982.

Beeville to ask for proposals to design and build new skate park

Beeville City Council members recently gave authority to a construction management company to ask for proposals for designing and building a new skate park. The deadline for receiving the proposals for the skate park is Nov. 30, city officials said.

The city has budgeted $200,000 for the new skate park and city officials are looking at three locations for the new facility. After citizens residing near Flournoy Park objected to the possible nuisance of a skate park, city officials began looking at two other city parks to serve as a site for the skating facility. City officials also plan to hold a public hearing on the proposed skate park on Nov. 30 to hear public opinion on the proposed site and preferred features. The park will have facilities for skateboarders and in-line skaters, but will have no facilities for bicyclists, city officials said.

Tyler mulling new convention center, multipurpose center

Tyler city officials recently approved a $58,000 contract with a consultant to conduct a market and feasibility study to help city officials decide if the city should build a new conference center or a multipurpose facility by entering into a public-private partnership.

Scheduled to be finished in three months, the study is expected to include realistic options for building, financing and operating a facility that will attract more tourist dollars to Tyler, said Mayor Barbara Bass (pictured). The city will be looking closely at public-private partnerships for the proposed facility, she said.

Options under study include a conference or convention center, an arena or related facility or a multipurpose facility. The study also includes provisions to provide information on economics, financing, planning as well as support to the city to develop preliminary models for development, the mayor said. The city is using funding from a newly authorized additional 2 percent hotel occupancy tax from lodging establishments in Tyler to fund the study. The new tax is expected to raise about $500,000 annually and must be used for construction, expansion, maintenance or operation of convention center facilities.

Kendall County leaders recently made moves to hire a construction manager to oversee building of the $1.21 million Kendall Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center, which will include three miles of trails, a pavilion, restrooms, seven birding towers, two observation decks and picnic tables.

The center, a joint project between the Kendall County 4-H Horse Club and the Kendall County Junior Livestock Show, uses no county funds. The building owners have raised more than $600,000 cash and in-kind contributions to match a $500,000 state grant, which the county is overseeing on behalf of the two groups.

The project is expected to take about 180 days to complete, but no opening date has been set.

Federal grant to help RTA with transportation call center for veterans

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority recently secured an $848,480 federal grant to establish a call center, which veterans can call to get information about available transportation to work, health care and other services.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Veterans Transportation and Community Living program.

The transportation authority plans to house the regional call center inside a proposed customer service center, which will be built across the street from City Hall. Officials expect the call center to be running in two years. 

Oak Ridge North eyeing two new, larger water storage tanks

Oak Ridge North city officials recently agreed to spend $500,000 for design and engineering services to replace two existing water storage tanks with larger tanks at a cost of about $3.5 million.

The two new water storage tanks are needed to replace aging storage tanks, said City Manager Vicky Rudy (pictured). Construction on the two water storage tanks most likely will begin in about two years, she said. Under an agreement with the San Jacinto River Authority to reduce groundwater use, city officials have a 2014 deadline to upgrade the water system. The agreement also permits Oak Ridge North to receive surface water from Lake Conroe as soon as 2013.

City officials also plan to begin phase three of a $4.6 million plan to upgrade the sewage system by replacing and repairing sewage pipes in an area located between Robinson and Woodson roads, she said.

UT-San Antonio garners $4.2 million STEM grant

The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded a $4.2 million grant to the Academy for Teacher Excellence at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The grant will be used to increase the number of bilingual and culturally diverse students who want to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at schools that serve students who are predominantly low-income and Hispanic.

UTSA officials plan to use the grant funds to strengthen collaborations between community colleges that serve Hispanic students and to expand outreach to Hispanic students to improve graduation rates through mentoring and coaching. The goal of the collaboration with community colleges is to align STEM courses to ensure a smoother transfer from the community college to UTSA.

Two donors offer $2.5 million for new Southlake senior center

Two private donors recently offered to contribute as much as $2.5 million to build a new 21,820-square-foot senior center in Southlake if Southlake city officials and surrounding cities match their donation toward the proposed $5 million facility.

Current plans call for the center to feature a 5,000-square-foot ballroom with a stage, workout room, billiard room, card room and classroom space along with two 1,500-square-foot spaces adjacent to the ballroom that will house a library, a catering kitchen and feature two wrap-around patio areas. The new center will be located near the existing senior center on city-owned land near Byron Nelson Drive if funding is raised, the mayor said.

In a 4-3 vote, Galveston City Council members recently agreed to return $25 million in federal funds allotted for public housing. The action resulted when the Galveston Housing Authority failed to make changes to plans for the public housing made by the council.

Elizabeth Beeton (pictured), a council member, objected to the housing authority plan for mixed-income development of market rate, tax-credit and public housing units proposed to replace 282 of the 569 public housing units destroyed by Hurricane Ike. That mixed-development plan could flood the city's housing market with too many housing units and further depress the market, Beeton said.

The federal funding will be returned to the Texas General Land Office and then to the Houston-Galveston Area Council, where the money could be directly committed to the housing authority or reallocated to other cities or organizations. The Galveston Housing Authority built 40 units at one location and has plans to develop 50 units scattered throughout the city.

Under the agreement with the city, housing authority staff proposed using $9.5 million of the $25 million for housing units on scattered sites and the remaining $15.5 million for public housing units in mixed-income development.

Corpus Christi City Council members recently applied for a $12.5 million federal transportation grant to pay for a new bridge connecting Lake Padre with a nearby residential canal system. The proposed bridge along Park Road 22 is a key factor in a proposed water park resort in that area.

Voters in 2004 agreed to pay $1.4 million for the bridge that is needed to improve water quality exchange between the lake and canals. City officials have spent $1.1 million of the bond money to pay for design plans for the bridge. Those plans should be completed and the city should be seeking construction bids for the bridge project in about one year, city officials said. Texas Department of Transportation officials declined to pay for the bridge after engineers determined the proposed bridge was an environmental project with no transportation-related need.

City staff also urged council members to consider using about $6 million in funding remaining from bond projects that came in under budget if the city does not win a federal grant. Even with a federal grant, the city will need to kick in about $2.5 million in matching funds to qualify for a grant. Council members are expected to vote in 2012 on a construction agreement with the developer, city officials said.

Round Rock City Council members recently agreed to rezone land and authorized the mayor to enter into a contract to build a new $12 million indoor sports facility. Voters approved a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax increase earlier this month to pay for the new facility located on 22.7 acres of land on Chisholm Trail Drive. Council members authorized the mayor to finalize an agreement with a San Antonio-based architectural firm to design the new sports complex.

City officials plan to host indoor youth sporting events such as basketball and volleyball tournaments at the new facility and set a goal to generate as much revenue as the $8 million a year the city's other sports complex earned last year. Construction on the new indoor sports complex is expected to begin in October 2012.

Kilgore City Manager Scott Sellers (pictured) recently urged city council to create a new position as public works director. The decision to create the new post as an engineering position followed the recent resignation of Tim Hobbs as street superintendent, Sellers said.

Under the new plan, the public works director will oversee streets, parks and recreation services, cemeteries, utilities and equipment services, Sellers said. He recommended council fund the new position with the existing salary and benefits paid to the former streets superintendent supplemented by funding currently used to pay an engineer now under contract with the city.

The new post is needed because the city will be working on several capital improvement projects in the near future, he said. Meeting with a public works director with an engineering background is more efficient than meeting with several department heads on different projects, Sellers said. The plan also calls for transferring some duties such as overseeing parks and cemeteries now performed by the general services director to the public works director. This should help the general services director to better focus on his duties as the chief building inspections official and in health inspections, Sellers said.

Following allegations of mismanagement, Galveston County commissioners recently placed three top information technology department managers on paid administrative leave for an indefinite period of time. Placed on leave until an investigation into alleged misuse of the county's e-mail and Internet system by a former employee is completed were Rob Powell, the director of information technology, and two assistants, Brad Bricker and Kirk Green.

An outside consultant will conduct the investigation into alleged misuse of county e-mails and the Internet by Chris Gonzales, a Galveston City Council member and a former employee of the information technology department. The department has an annual budget of $10.1 million and currently has 53 employees.

County officials are expected to approve $160,000 for a 90-day contract to the consultant to investigate the allegations of misuse of the county e-mail and Internet systems. A preliminary investigation has alleged that the former employee used a county e-mail account to conduct personal business, manage a side business, plan poker games, send personal messages and manage his campaign finances, the county judge said.

El Paso moving ahead on proposed quality of life bond vote

El Paso city officials recently kicked off a round of public meetings to hear from the public on what they would like included in a proposed 2012 bond election on projects focusing on quality of life.

In the meetings that continue through January, the focus will be on libraries, museums and cultural affairs, the zoo, parks and recreation facilities and public art, said Steve Ortega (pictured), a City Council member. Each district in the city should have a project it desires along with one or two significant projects for downtown that will not only improve the quality of life of residents, but also have an economic development impact, Ortega said.

From March to August, city staff will use public comment to develop the scope and cost estimates for the proposed bond projects and draft language for council members to consider for approval. Voters in El Paso previously approved $75 million in bonds for quality of life projects in 2000.

Longview City Council members recently agreed to spend nearly $1 million to demolish the Longview Rodeo Arena and build a new grandstand with an elevated announcer's booth and lighting.

The new grandstands will seat about 5,000 audience members and replace the old arena grandstands that were closed because of structural damage. Council members are expected to take a final vote to approve the arena project on Dec. 8.

Eagle Ford Shale Forum slated in San Antonio for Dec. 6

 

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

Local governments in Texas continue to make purchases of goods and services worth millions of dollars each month. Dallas County's Parkland Hospital recently awarded a $14+ million contract for construction of a new logistics center. The Port of Galveston is in the process of finalizing a $118,000 contract for IT staffing services and school districts throughout Texas passed million dollar bond packages that will fund construction, renovation and technology purchases. Contracting opportunities in the Texas public sector marketplace remain plentiful.

Recent spending by Texas cities, counties, hospital districts, transit authorities, institutions of higher education and public utilities reflects the need for a variety of products and services.

Examples of recent purchasing recommendations include the following:

Technology and telecom products and services:

• City of Forth Worth - $779,890 for in-car digital video recording systems;
• City of Plano - $300,000 for voice and data wiring services;
• Fort Bend County - $137,147 for a video conference agreement;

[more] 

Board members for Kilgore Independent School District recently began seeking subcontractors for a project to renovate and expand an intermediate school and an elementary school. The two construction projects will need contractors from almost 50 trades, including electrical wiring, roofing, ground leveling and plumbing.

Renovations to Kilgore Intermediate School include adding two new sections to the building that will include three science labs and remodeling a space for additional restrooms. If funds are available, district officials also hope to add covered sidewalks adjacent to pick-up ramps for parents and school buses. District officials expect to begin accepting bids for both projects in early 2012. Final plans for the project should be available within the next two months.

Hutto Assistant City Manager Mitchell chosen interim manager

The Hutto City Council recently named Assistant City Manager David Mitchell (pictured) the interim city manager, effective Jan. 1.

Mitchell replaces Ed Broussard, who will step down in December for a position in Missouri City.

Mitchell, who has served as assistant city manager since 2009, previously worked in the City of Harker Heights.

Joshua Comprehensive Plan updates planned for next year

Joshua city administrators have plans to update their comprehensive plan, which details the vision of roads and land use in the future 20 years.

Updating of the current plan, which dates from 2008, can take as long as a year to complete.

City leaders expect to begin updating the plan in late 2012.

Thrall ISD selects Hooker as sole finalist for superintendent

Trustees for the Thrall Independent School District recently selected Tommy Hooker (pictured) as sole finalist for superintendent. Hooker, who currently is a principal at Cameron ISD, previously was employed at Huntsville ISD. He has a master's degree from Sam Houston State University and received a superintendent certificate in 2007.

Burnet CISD selects unnamed interim superintendent

Trustees for the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District recently selected an interim superintendent. The interim superintendent will replace Dr. Jeff Hanks, who begins his new duties as superintendent for Weatherford ISD on December 1.

Board members declined to identify the new interim superintendent until a formal vote is taken on Nov. 21. The interim superintendent will serve in that position until trustees hire a new superintendent.

Brownsville ISD tags Montoya

as sole finalist for superintendent

Brownsville Independent School District board members recently selected Carl A. Montoya (pictured) as the sole finalist for superintendent to replace Brett Springston, who resigned in June to serve as superintendent at Bartlett ISD.

Montoya, who has served as interim superintendent since June, previously was superintendent at Aransas Pass ISD and held other positions at school districts in Dallas, Rivera, Albuquerque, Gallup and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Kermit ISD plans to spend $500,000 to upgrade technology

Kermit Independent School District officials recently agreed to spend more than $500,000 to upgrade technology for the district.

Plans call for adding smart boards, laptop computers in classrooms and placing smart boards in classrooms, said Superintendent Bill Boyd. Funding for the new technology is from $550,000 remaining from construction of a new high school that recently opened, Boyd said.

Cedar Park asking for bids

on old city hall property

Cedar Parkcity officials recently began seeking bids to buy the old city hall on North Bell Blvd. The property includes 2.22 acres of land. Under the terms of the proposal, city officials are not required to accept any bids. The sealed bids must be submitted to the city before 3 p.m. on Dec. 1.

Ure resigns as assistant city manager in Victoria

After eight months on the job, Bruce Ure (pictured) recently resigned as an assistant city manager in Victoria. Ure had served as police chief in Victoria since 2007 until he began his duties as assistant city manager. He also was an acting fire and police chief and coordinator of BootFest.

City Manager Charmelle Garrett said she plans to begin a search to find a new assistant city manager in the next few weeks.

Port officials considering selling or leasing terminal property

Port of Houston Authority officials are considering selling or leasing the 100-acre Woodhouse Terminal in Galena Park.

Although the Woodhouse Terminal will likely bypass last year's handled cargo load of 298,577 tons, officials believe a nearby terminal could easily handle the cargo of turbines, steel and scrap metal.

Additionally, the port could sell the land for a good price due to current interest in industrial land.

Coryell County moving ahead with plans to build new jail

After county voters approved acceptance of an $18.8 million bond from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Coryell County Judge John Firth said county officials plan to work with the Texas Attorney General to determine if the county actually needs a new jail and if funding is available to make payments on the $18.8 million bond.

County officials have considered building a 65,000-square-foot jail facility. However, the vote to accept the bond does not commit the county to building a new jail, the county judge said.

Hunt ISD welcomes Dockery as district's new superintendent

The Hunt school board recently announced that Crystal Dockery will serve as superintendent to replace the retiring David Kelm. Dockery beat out 24 other applicants for the top administrative job in the one-campus district of 175 kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

Dockery, most recently assistant superintendent for the Spearman district, signed a contract that runs through 2014.

Dublin superintendent Barnett picked to head Stamford ISD

The Stamford school board recently named Shaun Barnett (pictured), current superintendent of the Dublin district, the lone finalist for superintendent.

State law mandates that the district wait 21 days before offering him the job.

Barnett plans to complete the semester in Dublin and begin at Stamford in January. The Dublin school board will now begin a search for a superintendent to replace Barnett.

Premont ISD voters approve tax hike in effort to avoid closure

In an effort to convince state regulators to allow the Premont Independent School District to continue operating, voters in that school district recently agreed to increase the tax rate after previously rejecting two proposals to raise taxes.

Texas Education Agency officials in October announced that Premont ISD would be closed and annexed to San Diego ISD because the district did not have adequate reserves to cover emergencies and pay employees. This week, district officials met with TEA officials to inform them of the vote to increase the maintenance and operations tax rate by 13 cents to the maximum of $1.17 per $100 valuation and request the district be allowed to remain in operation.

TEA officials said they plan to consider the increased tax rate approved by voters, but that action will not be the only factor considered in the agency's decision on whether to allow Premont ISD to continue operation.

Irving advised to pare down $250 million entertainment center

Financial advisors for Irving recently warned city council members to consider paring down the proposed $250 million Irving Entertainment Center at Las Colinas.

 Inflated revenue projects along with tax collections that may be lower than expected could place the city at too much risk that could lower its municipal bond rating, the financial advisors said. Council members are expected to decide on the future of the proposed entertainment center in the next few weeks, city officials said.

McKinney EDC selects Valencia director for emerging technology

The McKinney Economic Development Corporation recently selected John Valencia (pictured) as the director of business retention and expansion and emerging technology.

Valencia previously served as general manager of a private company that sells, distributes and assembles microphones and small speakers. He replaces Greg Simms, who resigned to serve as an director of the EDC in Greenville.

Tatum ISD taps Longview architect to oversee bond vote

Tatum Independent School District board members recently selected an architect based in Longview to oversee a proposed bond election in 2012.

A bond committee recently urged trustees to ask voters to approve bonds to pay for a new elementary campus on 23 acres of land located on SH149. Enrollment at the district has grown 4.5 percent in the last five years, with the elementary school showing a 47 percent growth in student enrollment since 2005-2006, district officials said.

Midway ISD names Allen

as interim superintendent

Midway Independent School District trustees recently named Chris Allen (pictured) as the interim superintendent. He will replace Dr. Brad Lancaster, who resigned to serve as superintendent at Lake Travis ISD. Allen currently serves as assistant superintendent for administrative services at the district.

Galveston city officials recently began mulling an offer from a local developer to add 80 condominium units, restaurants, retail space, expand a hotel at Pier 21, build another 50 boat slips and install a boardwalk. It is contingent on if the development company can buy piers 19 and 22 at the Port of Galveston.

City officials are holding a series of public hearings on the offer to help council members decide whether to ask residents to vote on a charter amendment to allow the development company to buy 16 acres of port property. Pier 21 could remain available for port use under the proposal. Even if voters approve the charter amendment, city officials will be required to place the port property for public bid so that others can submit bids for the property.

Carroll ISD seeking bids for intermediate school campus

Trustees for the Carroll Independent School District recently agreed to seek sealed bids from parties interested in buying the former Carroll Intermediate School campus. The facility has been used for district offices since being closed as a campus in 2003.

A church that currently rents space at the intermediate campus has expressed interest in purchasing the facility, district officials said. School officials hope to generate money from the sale of the property to close a projected budget shortfall in 2012-2013. After reviewing the bids, trustees have the choice of accepting a bid or rejecting all bids, district officials said.

Trustees for the Pampa Independent School District recently approved a contract to buy a building that formerly housed a grocery store to serve as new administrative offices for the district.

Board members also met with a representative of the Region 16 Education Service Center to discuss finding a new superintendent to replace Superintendent Barry Haenisch, who is leaving the district.

Wylie ISD mulling classrooms

to relieve overcrowding

Wylie Independent School District trustees recently discussed the need to build additional classrooms to address overcrowding in elementary schools. Board members also made preliminary plans for a workshop or special board meeting on Dec. 1 to further study the need for more classroom space.

Trustees also authorized the superintendent to continue discussions with district officials and architects on options for the location and basic layout that may be used if trustees decide to add the new elementary classrooms.

Community improvement

project in Bangs still on track

Bangs city leaders recently appointed an eight-person committee to study how the city should spend $1.5 million in certificates of obligation.

Possibilities include: a swimming pool, an events center, a walking trail, ball field and park improvements and a downtown pavilion. Members of the committee include the entire City Council, the city administrator, city secretary and Officer in Charge Troy Grusendorf.

Taylor going forward with $3.5 million YMCA recreation center

Taylor City Council members recently authorized city staff to go forward with building and financing a recreation center. Council also agreed to ask the YMCA of Greater Williamson County to operate the facility. YMCA officials had notified city officials the organization could no longer operate in Taylor after 2012 unless a new recreation facility is built.

To be located on a five-acre tract of land donated by Williamson County, the new recreation center will have 15,000 square feet of exercise and health care space, an indoor pool with lockers and showers, an activity pool and parking lot, said City Manager Jim Dunaway (pictured). City officials plan to use funds from bonds issued in 2008 and 2010 to pay for about $2.4 million of the cost. The Taylor Economic Development Corporation is researching whether the organization can use $1.2 million in debt to contribute to the city for utility costs associated with street construction in order to free up city funds for the recreation center.

• Alex Meade III of Mission, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee;
• Walker Moody of Houston, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee;
• Annette Burrhus-Clay of Lockhart, Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve Child Welfare;
• Pamela Russell of Clarksville, Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve Child Welfare;
• James Castro of Bergheim, Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve Child Welfare;
• Nancy Harper of Corpus Christi, Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve Child Welfare;
• Janetta Michaels of Plano, Task Force to Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve Child Welfare;
• Barry Williams of New Braunfels, Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board;
• Fred Buckwold of Houston, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• David Fleeger of Austin, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Matthew Hamlin of Argyle, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• James 'Jim' Martin of Austin, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Edward Marx of Colleyville, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Kathleen Mechler of Freder, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• William 'Bill' Phillips Jr. of San Antonio, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Judy Powell of The Woodlands, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• J. Darren Rodgers of Dallas, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Stephen Yurco of Austin, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation;
• Jennifer Rangel of Austin, Texas Health Services Authority Corporation.

After closing the application process to find a new city manager, Cleveland city officials will have 58 applicants to review before selecting finalists to interview for the job, the mayor said. The search firm hired by council in August will work with local officials to complete the review process and help city officials select a new city manager within 60 to 90 days, the mayor said. The new city manager will replace Philip Cook, who council terminated in September 2010. Since that time, City Secretary Kelly McDonald has served as interim city manager.