Nationwide Emergency Alert System test planned for Nov. 9

The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. (CST). Conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, the test should last approximately three minutes and will interrupt broadcast programming. The public should hear or see a message indicating "This is a test." The EAS is a public alert and warning system that allows local, state and federal emergency officials, and even the President if necessary, to address the public during extreme emergencies. The nationwide test is expected to be similar to frequently conducted local tests, but will be initiated by the federal government simultaneously to all local radio, television, cable and satellite service providers in the United States. Emergency officials encourage the public not to make calls to their local 9-1-1 service for information about the test as too many such calls could result in a delayed response to a real emergency. For more information in the nationwide test and the EAS, click here.

TxDOT submits four applications for TIGER grant funding

The Texas Department of Transportation recently submitted four applications requesting more than $93.8 million in federal grant money for rail and highway projects across the state.

TxDOT is requesting TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants, which come through the U.S. Department of Transportation, for the following projects:

• $53 million for the second phase of the North Tarrant Express project in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex;
• $9.6 million to rehab the South Orient Railroad line from Sulphur Junction to Fort Stockton;
• $10 million to build additional track and make other rail improvements at the Port of Corpus Christi; and
• $21.3 million for the multi-state Sunbelt Rail Rehabilitation project to upgrade the Dallas, Garland and Northeastern Railroad, Kiamichi Railroad and Texas Northeastern Railroad lines in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Randall County Sheriff Richardson chosen as chair of TCLOSE

Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson (pictured) has been named chairman of the nine-member board that oversees the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLOSE).

Richardson has served four years on the board and holds a bachelor's degree from West Texas State University.

TCLOSE aims to ensure that Texans are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement and corrections personnel through screening, developing, monitoring resources and setting standards.

CPRIT awards more than $100M for cancer research, drug projects

With its announcement this week, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded more than $550 million in funding for cancer research, prevention and commercialization in the last two years. This week, CPRIT announced the award of more than $100 million to Texas cancer research and drug development projects.

Among the projects are funding for: a Houston genetic sequencing facility that will allow scientists to better characterize different types of cancer to develop more personalized and effective treatments; two drug development projects at Texas companies to refine and test drugs targeting blood cancers; and an El Paso program to provide cancer patients better access to clinical trials and new cancer treatments and to better serve cancer care needs of active duty military and their families in the El Paso area.

This week's announcement includes funding for Individual Investigator Research Awards, High-Impact, High-Risk Research Awards, Core Facility Support Awards and Company Commercialization Awards.  In addition, CPRIT has recommended funding that will help attract leading cancer research scientists to the state through its CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research recruitment awards.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials and property owners near Strawn recently finalized an agreement to pay $7.6 million to buy three tracts of land near a lake for a future state park.

The purchase includes 3,335 acres of ranch land surrounding Tucker Lake in Palo Pinto and Stephens counties, said Brent Leisure (pictured), director of state parks for TPWD. State officials will work with community members to develop a vision for the new park, which will be about four miles from Strawn and provides diverse wildlife and sufficient acreage and terrain to offer backcountry hiking, he said.

Texas Forest Service draws high praise from TAMU Regents chair

Firefighters with the Texas Forest Service (TFS) drew high praise Thursday from Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Chair Richard Box. The Texas Forest Service is part of the TAMU System.

During a regent's meeting, Box noted that until last Friday, Oct. 28, TFS firefighters had worked 259 consecutive days "without a weekend or day off" fighting wildfires throughout the state. Their efforts on the fire lines have dated back to Feb. 11. Last Friday was the first day since Feb. 11 that the Texas Forest Services had no requests for state assistance relating to wildfires in the state.

"That's incredible," he told TFS Director Tom Boggus.

Since fire season began on Nov. 15 of last year, firefighters have responded to 28,249 fires that have burned more than 3.9 million acres. Some 215 of Texas' 254 counties remain under burn bans.

The Texas Forest Service joined hundreds of volunteer fire departments in fighting wildfires across the state and has set up a VFD Emergency Assistance Fund where tax deductible donations can be made and even earmarked for particular counties, regions or departments. For more information on how to donate, click here.

Two named to leadership posts at Prairie View A&M University

Officials of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at Prairie View A&M University recently selected Dr. Alton B. Johnson (left) as the new associate dean in the Cooperative Extension Program and Dr. Carolyn J. Nobles (right) as the associate administrator.

Johnson previously served as the interim assistant dean of research in the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences at Alcorn State University. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Liberia in Monrovia, a master's degree from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas.

Nobles formerly served as the interim associate administrator and program leader at the Cooperative Extension Program and was a county agent for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Prairie View A&M University and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.

UT officials continuing negotiations over prison medical care

Officials with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston recently said the system will stop providing medical care to state prison inmates if the hospital loses money.

Hospital and state officials will continue negotiations, which have been in a deadlock, for 30 more days. If no agreement is reached, UTMB will terminate its contract for medical care to about two-thirds of Texas' 153,000 inmates at the end of December. The state will find a different provider.

State officials have said that they are considering a plan to run the prison health care program using a network of regional hospitals instead of UTMB. State officials believe this plan would cost less, but have not released details of the plan.

UTMB has served as a primary partner - as has Texas Tech University - since the current managed care system was created in 1993.

TAMU System appoints Ashley, Diedrich as new vice chancellors
Two new vice chancellors have been appointed for the Texas A&M University System by System Chancellor John Sharp. Frank B. Ashley III (left) has been named vice chancellor of recruitment and diversity and Guy K. Diedrich (right) has been tapped to be vice chancellor for federal and state relations.

Ashley has served as vice chancellor for academic affairs for the A&M System since May 2007 and will continue to serve in an acting capacity in that role during an interim period. Before joining the A&M System, he was interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he was also dean of the College of Education and a professor of health kinesiology and sports studies. He has been with the TAMU System for 18 years and previously served as director of admissions and a faculty member of the Department of Health and Kinesiology.

Diedrich is the founder and current president of a consulting firm that provides services for software, hardware and biotechnology companies. He served the TAMU System as vice chancellor for federal relations and commercialization from 2005-2010. Diedrich also was managing director of Texas A&M University's Technology Commercialization Center from 2004-2005. Prior to his association with Texas A&M, Diedrich served for 11 years as president and CEO of a software development and consulting firm that he cofounded as a startup.

In addition to the naming of the two new vice chancellors, Dr. Stanton C. Calvert, current vice chancellor for governmental relations for the A&M System, was granted the title of vice chancellor emeritus and will begin serving as a special advisor to the chancellor.

TxDOT issues RFI for strategy on SH 183 project in Dallas County

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to assist in creating a strategy for project development for the 6.7-mile SH 183 project in Dallas County. The RFI will close Feb. 29, 2012.

State Highway 183 - also known as the Airport Freeway - connects western Dallas County with eastern Tarrant County, south of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The RFI addresses two sections of highway listed among the 50 most congested in Texas. It focuses on SH 183 from SH 161 to Carl Road, and from SH 114 to Empire Central. These sections fall between the North Tarrant Express project on the west and Project Pegasus/Trinity Parkway on the east.

Construction costs for the 6.7 miles of construction covered under the RFI are estimated at more than $900 million. The RFI excludes the diamond interchange at SH 114 and Loop 12. State Highway 183 was among a number of projects approved for development through a public-private partnership. The RFI seeks innovative ideas on development and risk balance under all possible business models from individual firms or teams with experience in developing and/or financing large transportation infrastructure projects.

Texas Southern University officials recently were approved for a $68.3 million loan through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) that will save the college about $20 million on the purchase of student housing and garages.

The low-interest loan will help pay for two facilities to serve as student housing and the East/West parking garages, said Louis Edwards (pictured), treasurer of the university. These facilities were originally financed as privatized transactions, he said. The loan is from a DOE program targeting historically black colleges and universities, Edwards said.

A&M regents appropriate $8.8 million for Player Development Center

Regents of the Texas A&M University System at their meeting Thursday appropriated $8.8 million for construction services and project costs related to the Player Development Center, a state-of-the art facility previously approved under the name of the Sports Performance Center. The facility will be used to further develop football student athletes.

Two other construction projects were also approved by the regents - the $21 million project to construct new facilities for Texas A&M University's health and kinesiology departments and $16 million in Kyle Field stadium renovation that will include dining facilities, a multipurpose room, kitchen area and staff offices. Part of the funding - $1.6 million for pre-construction costs - will come from the 12th Man Foundation and most of the remainder of the funding will come from donors.

A&M System hires consultants to evaluate operational efficiencies

The Texas A&M University System has hired a national consulting firm to evaluate the A&M System's organizational, management and business practices.

Recommendations may include short- and long-term changes to the A&M System's organizational structure, possible cost savings, business practices, shared services provided and staffing requirements.

"This is another example of the A&M System working to ensure that we remain good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us by the citizens of Texas," said John Sharp (pictured), chancellor of the A&M System.

Central Texas College hires Klincar as new chancellor

Central Texas College trustees recently named Thomas Klincar (pictured) chancellor, effective Jan. 16, 2012. He replaces Chancellor James Anderson, who is retiring after serving 25 year in the position.

Klincar currently serves as president of John Wood Community College in Illinois.

Although details of Klincar's contract have not been released, the retiring Anderson collects $287,000 each year.

East Texas transportation group names Thomas interim chair

Longview businesswoman Linda Butter Thomas has been named interim chair of the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority, an independent government agency created to speed up transportation projects in the area.

Thomas, who has served as vice chair of the agency since 2004, replaces Jeff Austin III, who stepped down to serve as a member of the commission that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

Several area transportation officials voiced approval of Thomas' promotion - and said they hoped the governor would make the position permanent.

Baynum leaving Coastal Bend; Goodson named interim president

Former Victoria College President Dr. Jimmy Goodson (right) has been selected to serve as Coastal Bend College (CBS) interim president. Goodson served 19 years at Victoria College, until his retirement in 2008. He also is a former president of Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, having led that school from 1982 to 1989 as president, and during his 21 years there also serving as dean of instructional services and teaching history and government.

"One of the things that appeals to us about Dr. Goodson is his experience with two colleges similar in size to our own," said Paul Jaure, CBC Board Chairman. "He brings a lot of experience and is familiar with building a good, successful foundation. That is important to us right now." Goodson will work part-time until he takes over full-time as interim president in January of next year. CBC officials have contracted with a Washington, D.C.-based organization to help conduct a national search and hope to have a new president hired by the end of the spring semester. Current President Dr. Thomas Baynum (left) has accepted the presidency at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois, and will take over there in January 2012.

Goodson earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Sam Houston State University and his doctorate from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He serves in leadership roles on committees within Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Texas Association of Community Colleges. 

Dallas County DHS director Chambers removed from office

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins recently fired Lisa Chambers (pictured), who had served as the county's director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management since June 2010.

"As the elected official in charge of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Dallas County, I have a duty to put the safety of the people of this county first," Jenkins said. Jenkins later said Chambers was fired because she reportedly often was not at work at her office, was not mindful of her duties and because she drew less than rave reviews from her staff. Chambers denied all of the allegations.

Scott Greeson, planning section chief in the county's Office of Emergency Management, will serve as interim director. 

Water project solicitation for SFY 2013 State Revolving Funds

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will soon begin taking applications for two State Fiscal Year 2013 programs aimed at providing clean water.

The programs, which provide low-interest financing including special loan subsidies, are:

• The Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which entities can use to fund wastewater collection and treatment, nonpoint source pollution control and estuary management projects; and
• The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for projects that will bring existing public water systems into compliance with drinking water rules and regulations, and for source water protection projects.  

Additionally, water board staff will host a financial assistance workshop to discuss the programs and how to obtain financial assistance. The workshop will be held in Austin on Dec. 15.

City of Georgetown to request proposals for waste collection service

Georgetown officials will request proposals in early 2012 for city waste collection service - a position that has been under contract with the current provider since 1998.

Members of City Council, who voted to not accept a proposal from the current provider just yet, wanting to shop around to ensure taxpayers are getting the best service for their money.

The current contract expires in September 2012. City officials expect to present Council with all proposals by May.

Emmett hires mental health expert to take on future challenges

In a restructuring plan aimed to prepare for future issues, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett recently hired a mental health expert to serve as his mental health policy advisor, a newly created position.

Wiliam B. Schnapp (right), a former district court judge, will work to improve the current system that jails instead of treats the mentally ill.

Schnapp is a past member of the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and past chairman of the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments. He also has served as faculty at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston.

Emmett also hired former private attorney and district judge Bill Henderson (left) to serve as the office's legal counsel. Henderson is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and The University of Texas School of Law.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack OKs funding to improve rural housing

Four Texas entities have been awarded a combined $630,000 in federal grants to make critical repairs and improve housing conditions for low-income rural residents.

The following grants were awarded:

• $67,815 to the East Texas Council of Governments of Gregg County;
• $201,600 to the Economic Opportunity Advancement Corporation of McLennan County;
• $200,000 to the Fort Bend Community Revitalization Projects of Fort Bend County; and
• $160,000 to the Panhandle Community Services to benefit residents of the Texas Panhandle.

The grants, which were awarded in 50 states and Puerto Rico, come through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Housing Preservation program.

In a recent discussion, Burleson Independent School District board members agreed not to use a pay-per-ride system to help reduce the cost of transportation for the district.

Adopting a pay-for-ride system could mean the district could lose its $424,000 state transportation allotment, the assistant superintendent said. Other school districts in the area that adopted a pay-per-ride system have experienced a drop of more than 40 percent in riders, the superintendent said. District officials also would need to consider fees for families with multiple students and how to address the requirements of students from lower socioeconomic families, he said.

Board members are still studying whether to eliminate bus service for students residing within a one- or two-mile distance from their school. That decision would mean an end to the current transportation contract the district has with a transportation company, the assistant superintendent said. Board members also have the option of eliminating all student transportation services or to make no change in current transportation services. The superintendent expects to make a recommendation on student transportation based on research before mid-January, he said.

Harris County entities announce crisis intervention response team

Several Houston-area agencies - including the city, Harris County and the Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County - recently joined together to form a team that aims to reach the needs of the local mental health community.

The Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), made up of law enforcement officers and mental health clinicians, will work together to help people experiencing emergency mental health crises.

The new approach allows participating agencies to combine resources to serve the entire Harris County region.

Arlington hires Rodriguez as marketing communications manager

Arlington city officials recently named Rebecca Rodriguez (pictured) the new marketing communications manager, effective Oct. 31.

In her new role, Rodriguez will manager the Office of Communication and oversee communication and marketing efforts that include the city's Web site, cable channel and media relations.

Previously, Rodriguez has worked as a television news anchor in Waco, Austin and Seattle. She also has network experience as a correspondent for CNN and the Fox News Channel. In 2006, she founded a communications company based in Arlington.

TreeFolks establishes reforestation fund to support wildfire relief

The nonprofit organization TreeFolks, which aims to plant trees in cities, is taking donations to buy and give away saplings to Central Texans affected by the recent wildfires. All donations are tax-deductable.

The Reforestation Fund will finance a tree giveaway for Bastrop's Arbor Day celebration, which will be held Nov. 4 at Bob Bryant Park. For more information or to donate, click here.

TreeFolks has assisted in past disaster relief and reforestation efforts in New Orleans and Galveston - both independently and in partnership with local, state and federal agencies including the Texas Forest Service. 

Commissioners want shelter location moved in San Jacinto Co.

San Jacinto County officials recently changed the location of a proposed community shelter from across the street from the courthouse to land connected to the sheriff's office.

Commissioners made the change on a state grant application that would fund the shelter.

The project will be delayed several months. The previously proposed site near the courthouse will be made into a parking lot.

Dianna Walker (pictured), principal of San Jacinto Intermediate School of the Pasadena Independent School District, recently issued a new laptop computer to all seventh grade students at the school.

Under the pilot program to immerse students in technology at an early age, the students are allowed take the computers home and use them to input text or browse the Internet until they enter high school, Walker said. The students will use the computers for instructional purposes and to learn responsibility as they also will get instruction on Internet safety, care and basic troubleshooting for the laptop, ear buds, chargers, sleeve and backpack, she said.

At the end of each school year, the computers will be collected and issued again to students the next year. When eighth graders enter into high school, they will turn in the computer, which will be issued again to new seventh and eighth grade students the next year, Walker said.

De Leon City Council members recently agreed to borrow $800,000 to pay for remodeling the city hall building to bring the historic structure up to code.

The vote followed several citizens who argued that demolishing the structure built in the 1930s would destroy history. After the mayor and city administrators advised council that grant funds for the project are limited because of the economic situation, council agreed to borrow money for the project. City officials have not yet developed a timeline for the city hall renovation project to begin, the mayor said.

In an effort to get the most bang from taxpayer bucks, Fort Worth city officials and Fort Worth Independent School District trustees recently held a joint meeting to discuss several partnerships. Included in the discussion was working together on building a natatorium in the southeast area, a community center in the Como area and a library in northern area, all with a goal of benefiting students as well as residents.

City and school district officials discussed building a multipurpose building in the Trinity River Vision, a flood control and economic development project stretching north of downtown to Gateway Park, said Mayor Betsy Price (pictured). Working together means getting more for less taxpayer money, Price said.

Galveston City Council members recently agreed to wait until Nov. 10, the state deadline, to approve an agreement with the Galveston Housing Authority for a $25 million award to rebuild public housing. The proposed agreement calls for using $9.5 million for public housing units on scattered sites and $15.5 million for mixed-income development.

Council members deferred the vote until a final plan for a mixed-income development is available. Housing authority officials adopted three goals in rebuilding 569 public housing units destroyed in Hurricane Ike. These goals were: completing 40 public housing units at The Oaks IV, which were completed earlier this year; building a minimum of 50 units on scattered sites; and developing a mixed-income community consisting of public housing, tax-credit and market-rate units.

The proposed mixed-income community, however, drew opponents who complained that the mixed-income development could further threaten the city's housing market and produce more empty rental units, which could lower rental prices.

 

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

As public officials seek ways to trim spending, most resort to purchasing technology. It seems to work every time.

At the local levels of government new technology solutions are abundant. Consider the following examples:

• In Cook County, Illinois, four of the county's villages are involved in a pilot program to integrate e-ticketing for traffic violations instead of using conventional paper tickets. Officials expect another 18 communities to become part of the project by the end of this year. The clerk of the circuit court expects her office will save nearly $200,000 per year in printing costs and $438,000 in data entry costs. Although the technology costs $900,000, officials hope to see a return on investment in 18 months.
• "Going green" is working well for Butte College in California. The college installed 25,000 solar panels at a cost of approximately $34 million. It became the first solar-powered college in the Unites States, generating 102 percent of its electricity from the sun. Estimates are that the solar project will save the college between $50 million and $75 million over 15 years, even after paying the cost of the project and interest.
• Government subdivisions throughout the country are substituting paper instruments for electronic documents that they read on lightweight tablet computers. Board members of the Mundelein High School District in Illinois applaud the process.

[more]

 

 

Rule on withholding 3 percent

for tax evasion may be tweaked

A Nevada lawmaker, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said he plans to rewrite a bill passed recently by the U.S. House that repealed a rule mandating that governments withhold 3 percent of their payment to contractors who have past-due tax bills. Reid said he wants to make sure the repeal would involve only those government contractors who are current on their tax payments.

The rule was set to go into effect in 2013. Reid said the rule should be amended to that people who are not delinquent on their taxes are not affected and those who are would continue to have the 3 percent held. If Reid's proposal passes the Senate, it would have to be returned to the House for a vote.

At the urging of Mayor Billy Davis (pictured), Crowley City Council members recently voted against hiring an outside search firm to find a new city manager. A new manager is needed to replace Truitt Gilbreath, who plans to retire on May 2.

Council members partnered with city staff in the past to conduct successful searches, Davis said, but may consider hiring a consultant if qualified candidates fail to appear. City officials plan to advertise the opening on Web sites and publications associated with municipal and employee organizations as well with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The mayor said his goal is to have a new city manager in place before Gilbreath retires in May.

Officials of two Texas cities, Fort Worth and Corpus Christi, recently applied for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to pay for new bridges in each city.

Fort Worth city officials are seeking a $26.4 million TIGER grant to pay for building the White Settlement Bridge estimated to cost about $40.6 million. Located near the northwest area of downtown, the new bridge is being built to span a new bypass channel, part of the Trinity River Vision - Central City Project. If the TIGER grant is approved, the Tarrant Regional Water District has agreed to provide a $14.2 million matching contribution to the bridge project. Construction could begin in the summer of 2013 if the grant is awarded.

Corpus Christi city officials are seeking the TIGER grant to revive a project to build a bridge near Park Road 22 to connect Lake Padre to the canal system on Padre Island. City officials decided to revisit the bridge project after developers of a Texas-based water park announced plans to develop a water park near the area.

Caldwell County Tax Assessor-Collector Mary Vicky Gonzalez recently resigned from that post, saying she was unable to obtain a surety bond required by state statute to continue her duties. County officials plan to accept applications for a new tax assessor-collector for commissioners to appoint to take over as tax assessor-collector, the county judge said.

State officials recently ordered Premont Independent School District to end operations and merge with San Diego ISD. Premont officials, however, appealed by requesting a records review with a goal of keeping campuses in town open even if managed by another school district. State officials also appointed two monitors to oversee Premont operations as well as the annexation transition.

Premont officials also plan to go forward with a tax rate election on Nov. 15 asking residents to raise maintenance and operations tax rates in the district to the state maximum of $1.17 per $100 valuation to pay for facility upgrades, Superintendent Ernest Singleton said. Ignacio Salinas, superintendent of San Diego ISD, met with his trustees and the district attorney in a closed-door meeting to discuss legal implications, but the district will take no action until the appeal is decided. He also expressed support for the Premont appeal.

Pampa accepts $300,000 grant

to rebuild airport terminal

The Pampa Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recently agreed to accept a $300,000 grant to help pay for a $629,000 terminal at the Pampa Area Airport. The Aviation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation awarded the grant.

The new terminal, which will feature a private lounge, conference room and a larger area for flight planning, also will serve as the administration building at the airport. Gray County officials agreed to pay for demolishing the existing building, including relocation of electric lines, a spokesperson for the Pampa EDC said.

Henry Cisneros will serve on national Housing Commission

Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, has been named to a new national commission that will examine the housing crisis.

The Bipartisan Policy Center, a public policy think tank, created the Housing Commission to draft policy recommendations over the next year.

The commission, which includes former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez and former Sens. Kit Bond and George Mitchell - will begin meeting in December. 

Huntsville city officials plan to use a federal grant to pay about 90 percent of the cost of a $3.44 million project to upgrade Huntsville Municipal Airport.

City officials expect to pay about $344,000, or 10 percent, toward the project that includes replacing lights, installing a new windsock, replacing a rotating light, repaving runways, upgrading drainage and erecting a game-proof fence around the airport, said Public Works Director Aron Kulhavy. The airport upgrade, which will be done in two phases, should be completed in about two years with planning and design to be completed in 2012 and construction work performed in 2013, he said.

Phil Jimerson recently resigned as chief of construction services for the Dallas Independent School District to accept a position as construction project manager at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Jimerson joined Dallas ISD in 2005. Dallas ISD officials expect to place a job announcement this week asking for applicants for the position of chief of construction services.

Trustees for Woden Independent School District plan to use a $333,224 Texas Cool Schools grant to buy energy-efficient air conditioners to help reduce energy costs for the district.

The new air conditioners are expected to save about 33 percent on utility costs for the school, which should result in $5,000 to $7,000 in energy savings each month, the superintendent said.

Fillpot resigns from West Lake Hills City Council to take city job

David Fillpot recently resigned from the West Lake Hills City Council to accept a job in the newly created position of city planner. He joined the council in 2009 and won re-election in May.

In his new position, Fillpot will be responsible for helping commercial and residential property owners better understand city ordinances, recommend changes to city codes and ordinances and help in the development of long-term development plans.

After winning $275,000 in grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security that Blanco County had not used, Llano County commissioners recently agreed to use the funds to build 300-foot radio towers to improve emergency radio communications.

The new radio towers will complete the new communications system used for emergency communications among entities in Burnet, Blanco and Llano counties. The towers will be located on CR216A, south of Llano and on RR2342 near Kingsland, county officials.

San Antonio utility pulls plug

on bid for solar manufacturing

After reaching the second round of bids for a solar power manufacturing facility that would create 400 megawatts of solar power to serve 80,000 residents and bring jobs to San Antonio, CPS Energy officials recently agreed to reopen the bidding project after studying more options for renewable energy. CPS officials received 11 proposals from 32 companies for solar energy projects and had narrowed those to two finalists who remain unidentified.

The need to take another look at the renewable energy issue arose when it became apparent that utility officials needed to expand their vision of renewable energy and consider other methods of producing energy that would provide jobs and compete well with less expensive solar manufacturing available in China, said a representative of the utility. CPS officials now plan to begin a third round of bidding after rewriting the specifications that will keep the cost of electricity as affordable as possible and also create jobs, she said.

El Campo picks Brodsgaard

to be back-up city judge

El Campo city leaders recently named long-time court administrator Michelle Brodsgaard as a back-up municipal court judge. In her new role, Brodsgaard will serve as city judge whenever Municipal Court Judge Irvin Foytik is unavailable.

Brodsgaard will continue to work as chief clerk, a position she has held since 1997, but will earn $9,360 per year more to serve as a back-up judge.

State OKs funds for Arlington, Fort Worth airport projects

Fort Worth Meacham Airport and Arlington Municipal Airport both recently received state grants for improvement projects.

The Fort Worth airport will receive about $3.1 million for apron construction while the Arlington airport will receive $6.4 million for taxiway improvements.

The funds come through the Texas Transportation Commission, a five-member board that directs the Texas Department of Transportation.

S.A. awarded $25 million grant to improve access to facilities

San Antonio recently received a $25 million federal Defense Department grant that will help improve access to Fort Sam Houston and the San Antonio Military Medical Center.

The money, awarded through the Office of Economic Adjustment, will pay for a right-exit and flyover connector off southbound Interstate 35 to Loop 410. The change eliminates a congested left exit.

The funding was part of nearly $300 million the Defense Department awarded to four medical military sites affected by the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

City manager search in Rockport whittled down to six candidates

Rockport city officials recently winnowed the search for a new city manager to six candidates.

From 100 applications, officials have selected the following finalists: Dale R. Brown of Palestine, Kevin Carruth of Paris, Thomas Ginter of Beeville, Timothy Kelty of Red Oak, Ivan Landford of Little Elm and Michael Stohl of Lampasas.

 

Current City Manager Tom Blazek, who has served in the position about 12 years, plans to retire in January.

• Calvin Mundinger of Baytown, San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board;
• Richard Alpert of North Richland Hills, Texas Forensic Science Commission;
• Vincent Di Maio of San Antonio, Texas Forensic Science Commission;
• Robert "Bobby" Lerma of Brownsville, Texas Forensic Science Commission;
• Nizam Peerwani of Fort Worth, Texas Forensic Science Commission;
• Michael Puhl of McKinney, chair, Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists

Plano school board designates Matkin as interim superintendent 

The Plano school board recently named Richard Matkin (pictured), associate superintendent for business services, as interim superintendent to replace retiring leader Doug Otto.

Matkin, who takes over in February, will continue his usual responsibilities and also assume the additional duties while trustees look for a permanent replacement. The search could take up to six months.

Matkin, who received bachelor's and master's degrees from Austin College in Sherman, served as a bus driver, coach and classroom teacher before earning credentials as a certified public accountant.

Gregg County commissioners recently agreed to permit engineers to complete the design for $2 million in renovations to the terminal at East Texas Regional Airport.

Plans call for enlarging and adding restrooms to the passenger waiting area, installing a new front façade and building a sky bridge to allow passengers to be covered while boarding. Commissioners approved $274,000, of which the county will pay $13,000 and the remaining will be paid by a grant from the Federal Aviation Authority. The renovation should be completed in 2013, county officials said.

Citing health issues, Robert Stinnett recently resigned as superintendent of the Maud Independent School District. Trustees have not yet selected an interim superintendent to replace Stinnett.

TxDOT approves $1.5 million funding for Paris' Cox Field

Texas Department of Transportation officials recently OK'd more than $1.5 million for improvements to Cox Field Airport in Paris. The money will pay for pavement upgrades at the former United States Army training base. Work will begin two months after completion of the bidding process.  

The funding is provided through TxDOT's Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which will award about $60 million to community airports this year. 

San Angelo City Council members recently approved a city budget with $1.7 million allotted to pay for upgrades to roads and address flooding issues. City officials expect to upgrade portions of several major streets, such as Main Street and Bell Street, by grinding the top layer of pavement and repaving them at a cost of about $1 million. The project to ease flooding issues on Avenue P is expected to cost about $700,000.

City workers currently are testing streets to determine which of the streets are in the best condition to handle the mill and overlay process, the city engineer said.