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Legislators, HHSC sorting out health care reform bill
Impact of federal legislation on Texas - and Texans - to be discussed
 The final piece of the federal health care puzzle was completed Thursday with passage of legislation that completes the sweeping reform of health care in the United States and how Americans purchase, use and keep insurance coverage. This legislation includes "fixes" to a version that passed the U.S. House last week.
The bill, coupled with the health reform bill that passed and was signed into law earlier this week, is expected to have a major impact on the states. Texas legislators are wasting little time in dissecting the legislation to see how Texas - and Texans - will be affected. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has been working round-the-clock trying to determine how the reforms will impact the state.
On Wednesday, March 31, a joint meeting of the Senate State Affairs and Senate Health and Human Services committees is scheduled. Committee members will hear testimony regarding the implications the legislation will have on Texas, the health care industry and public and private insurance. Also at issue will be the impact the legislation might have on the state budget, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
When the bill was signed, Sen. Jane Nelson, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said she was concerned about the impact the plan will have on the state budget. She said the new mandates from the federal government will "exacerbate our medical work force shortages and harm small businesses at a time when many are struggling to survive."
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
Joyce James, deputy commissioner, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Career highlights and education: I started my professional career as a Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworker in my home town of Port Arthur in 1980 and have worked for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) under its various names for the past 30 years. I worked my way up the career ladder, serving as a regional director for CPS, Adult Protective Services and the Child Care Licensing Programs within DFPS. I also provided leadership as a CPS district director of three regions of the state. In 2004, I was honored to be selected to serve as the assistant commissioner of CPS, where I served for almost five years before being promoted to deputy commissioner in January 2009. I headed the CPS program at the state level during the 79th and 80th Legislative Sessions that brought about major reforms and sweeping changes for our agency. With the generous support of the legislature, we were successful in making major improvements in outcomes for children, youth and families in the Texas CPS System. I earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from Lamar University and am a Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Practitioner (LMSW-AP).
What I like best about my job is: that at DFPS we really do make a difference! I am a social worker who stayed in this profession because of my passion for working to remove barriers to families seeking help from systems. I have been given the opportunity to work with children, youth, families, the elderly and the disabled either through direct practice or as a manager focused on ensuring staff are developed around a common vision and a set of values that guide our work and speaks to the important role we play in the lives of those we touch. My job has allowed me to seek and to value relationships with internal and external stakeholders who play an important role in helping DFPS to accomplish its mission of protecting the unprotected.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: To use my 30 years of experience as a foundation for my new position, but always be open to new ideas and collaborative efforts that will move our organization forward in achieving our mission.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: I have had the opportunity to speak to many new hires over my 30-year career. I always tell them how important the work they do is and that working at DFPS will provide them the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of people. I also caution that our work is often difficult and challenging and requires a high level of accountability, but that we strive to put the necessary supports in place to help staff develop the skills and knowledge to do the very best job possible. I warn that the nature of our work can sometimes result in criticism and that we may not always hear the good stories; however, we must take responsibility for telling the good stories because there are far more of them and they will keep us energized and passionate about continuing the work, even during difficult times.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: shopping for new shoes or a new suit at my favorite store.
People would be surprised to know that I: am a great-grandmother of two of the most beautiful children in the whole wide world!
Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: Because of my interest and work efforts around addressing disproportionality in systems, I was very intrigued by the article below.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVES NEW RULE REGARDING RACIAL
AND ETHNIC DISPARITY IMPACT STATEMENTS
If approved Wednesday, Connecticut would become second state in the nation
to create such a policy-analysis tool
HARTFORD - On a unanimous voice vote, the Judiciary Committee today approved the creation of a new rule that would allow lawmakers to consider the potential racial or ethnic impact of a particular piece of criminal justice legislation well before it becomes law.
If the new rule is approved by the full House and Senate tomorrow, on the opening day of the 2009 General Assembly session, Connecticut would become just the second state in the nation - behind Iowa - to enact such a legislative rule.
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TxDOT N. Tarrant Express agreement earns recognition  A leading trade publication, Infrastructure Journal, recently recognized the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) North Tarrant Express (NTE) managed lanes comprehensive development agreement and finance package as the 2009 Global Transport Deal of the Year.
The $2 billion TxDOT agreement with NTE Mobility Partners, which includes private sector firms as well as the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System, closed on Dec. 17, 2009. The agreement calls for NTE Mobility Partners to plan, finance, design, construct, operate and maintain 13 miles of Northeast Loop I-820 and SH-121/183 from I-35W to SH-121. The agreement is financed with $573 million in public funds, $427 million in private equity, $400 million in unwrapped private activity bonds and a $650 million loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the agreement, long-term operations and maintenance expenses are not included, but will remain the responsibility of the developer.
The recognition signals that partnerships with the private sector can help governments deliver needed infrastructure using innovation and limited public funds, said Bill Meadows (pictured), a member of the Texas Transportation Commission.
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TETF invests $1.5M in solar energy technology
The Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) is investing $1.5 million in SolarBridge Technologies Inc. for the development and commercialization of the company's solar energy technology.
SolarBridge's micro-inverter device attaches to solar panels, providing greater reliability by eliminating the most failure-prone components in solar cell technology.
The TETF has so far allocated $129.5 million in funds to 100 start-up and early-stage companies as well as $153 million in matching grants to universities for research.
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Former A&M provost named to post at Kansas University
 Former Texas A&M Provost Jeffrey S. Vitter (pictured) has been named provost and executive vice chancellor of Kansas University.
Vitter resigned from his previous post six weeks after the departure of TAMU President Elsa Murano last July. He has remained at the university as a tenured computer science professor.
Vitter begins his new charge at Kansas University in July, where he will also serve as a professor in the electrical engineering and computer science department.
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DSHS awards $1.75 million to assist Texas vets
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has awarded $1.75 million in competitive grants to communities to help veterans find access to treatment, expand trauma therapy services and promote peer support for them and their families. The goal of this and other previous grant funds is to improve and expand mental health support programs for Texas veterans and their families.
Another $2.66 million in non-competitive grants was awarded in January by DSHS to the state's 38 local mental health authorities to facilitate community-based peer support groups and coordinate community resources like housing and employment for veterans. This recent allocation brings the total amount of grant funds to $4.4 million.
The recipients of the grants are in areas of the state where there are large numbers of military families. Each will receive a $175,000 grant for projects that help veterans and their families find access to treatment. They can also be used to expand trauma therapy for veterans, initiate or enhance family-to-family peer services and train veterans to provide peer support. Receiving the grants are the Center for Health Care Services in Bexar County, Central Texas Collaborative (20 counties in Central Texas; lead agency is Austin Travis County Integral Care), East Texas North Collaborative (41 counties in north East Texas; lead agency is the Andrews Center), East Texas South Collaborative (16 counties in south East Texas; lead agency is the Gulf Coast MHMR Center), El Paso MHMR Center, Harris County MHMR Authority, Hill Country MHMR Center (17 counties in Central Texas), Lubbock Regional MHMR Center, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority and Tarrant County MHMR Services.
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Howard Payne University gears up for Celebration Week
 Howard Payne University officials are gearing up for Celebration Week, April 12-16, which will feature the inauguration of the institution's 19th president, Dr. William N. Ellis (pictured).
The agenda includes faculty presentations on "Heritage, Purpose, Unity" at noon on Monday, April 12, and Tuesday, April 13, followed by the Currie-Strickland Distinguished Lectures in Christian Ethics on Wednesday and ribbon cuttings for Mims Auditorium and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center on Thursday.
A pre-inaugural concert presented by the School of Music and Fine Arts held at Mims Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Inaugural Convocation for Ellis will round out the festivities.
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Applicants sought for Texas Game Warden Academy
Applications for the 56th Game Warden Cadet Class will be taken by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department until May 31. The current class of 46 that will graduate in July had more than 500 individuals apply.
Those applying must be 21 years old and hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A number of other requirements must also be met. Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements and complete a regional interview, extensive background check and agility test.
Upon graduation, new Game Wardens will be assigned to vacant stations throughout the state. For more information, click HERE.
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Houston ISD looks to California for teacher recruits
Officials of the Houston ISD this week were in California, recruiting teachers and offering signing bonuses for many of them. California recently laid off nearly 5,000 teachers because of budget constraints and as many as 20,000 total could face that same fate. HISD is looking for teachers in its three shortage areas - bilingual education, secondary math and secondary science.
"The individuals we hire need to operate under a no excuses mindset, use data to drive their instruction, hold their students to the highest expectations and believe without a doubt that every child can and will learn," said Carmen Rowan, HISD recruitment team leader.
Among the hiring bonuses HISD included were $6,000 for bilingual education, secondary math and secondary science teachers, $5,000 for special education teachers and a $1,500 relocation incentive for the critical shortage areas.
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Texas Tech names FP&C vice chancellor
 Michael Molina (pictured) has been named vice chancellor of facilities, planning and construction (FP&C) at Texas Tech University. He replaces Mike Ellicott, who retired in September.
In his new role, beginning April 1, Molina will work to expand the research facilities on campus.
Molina, the owner and CEO of a private architecture firm, previously served as vice president for facilities, design and development of a major supermarket chain from 1998 until April 2009. Prior to that charge, he spent seven years in various roles with Texas Tech's FP&C and physical plant operations.
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Dallas police chief finalists set for interviews
The finalists for the position of Dallas police chief are set to interview at the end of the month, according to Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm.
Suhm made the announcement to various city officials - including the city auditor, city attorney, three assistant city managers, an administrative law judge, the city public information officer, current police chief, assistant to the city manager and the director of human resources - in an invitation to have dinner with the applicants on Wednesday, March 31.
Interviews are slated for March 31 and April 1.
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Metro moving forward with park-and-ride service
 Houston Metro officials have voted to move forward with plans for a park-and-ride service for the Pearland area with the Board of Directors approving the purchase of a 12-acre parcel of land.
Officials have worked out an agreement with Gulf Coast Service to handle the day-to-day operations of the transit service. Local authorities have agreed to fund operating costs for the first five years.
Houston Metro Board Chairman David S. Wolff (pictured) said there's a "tremendous demand from people in Brazoria County and the Pearland area for transit."
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Subcommittee to study ARRA energy project issues
State Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. of Corpus Christi has been named to chair the Energy Subcommittee of the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization. Other members of the subcommittee include Reps. Jim Pitts of Waxahachie and Rep. Craig Eiland of Galveston. The subcommittee will study issues relating to energy projects funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $1.3 billion in Recovery Act funding to Texas as of March 5. The subcommittee will monitor the use and effectiveness of these funds, adherence to state and federal reporting requirements and any possible increases in funding from ARRA. The subcommittee will study issues relating to the Weatherization Assistance Program, Smart Grid Investment grants, Clean Cities grant programs, the Conservation Block Grant Program and Biorefinery programs.
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Smith County supports grant for broadband  Smith County commissioners recently agreed to support a proposal by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) to participate in a grant application for $20 million to $40 million to pay for a high-speed broadband network to serve a 14-county region of East Texas.
The grant would require a 20 percent local match, or about $200,000, if Smith County officials decide to participate, said David Cleveland, executive director of the East Texas Council of Governments. The grant would pay for building the "middle mile" for high-speed connectivity to remote, underserved and areas with no broadband service in the 14 counties served by ETCOG.
The increased broadband capacity will benefit rural health clinics, ambulance operators, public computer centers, emergency facilities, libraries, rural workforce development offices, as well as community and senior citizens located in rural areas, Cleveland said.
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Three Texas cities to benefit from TDRA disaster funds Three cities in Cass County have been awarded $350,000 each for disaster recovery. The funds were awarded by the Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) to the cities of Avinger, Atlanta and Hughes Springs. They will be used to repair damages to roads and other public infrastructure damaged by floods last year.
Avinger will use its funding to repair roads and drainage culverts damaged by flooding last summer. Atlanta's allocation will be used for repair of roads and culverts damaged by floods in April and May of last year. Hughes Springs will repair roads and drainage structures with its allocation. The damages were caused by flooding in April and May of 2009. Construction in all three cities is expected to begin in April.
"The cost of rebuilding after a storm can overwhelm small cities with limited resources," said Mark Wyatt, director of TDRA's community development division. "This agency is one of the few sources of federal disaster recovery funds available to local governments in Texas." The funds are from the Texas Community Development Block Grant program.
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Houston officials petition IMO meeting in London Houston officials are petitioning the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London to accept the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's application to establish more strident fuel and engine standards for large ships that create 200-mile-wide buffer zones along the United States-Canada coastlines.
Harris County - home to the Port of Houston, the largest port in foreign tonnage in the United States and the third largest county in the nation - also houses the 52-mile Ship Channel that brings in heavy maritime traffic.
Four county commissioners and the county judge, concerned about quality-of-life and clean-air issues, have adopted a resolution urging IMO's acceptance of the EPA request. The Port of Houston Authority and City of Houston have also submitted letters of support.
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Houston/Harris Co. closer on Dynamo stadium deal Officials of the City of Houston and Harris County recently moved closer to agreeing to pay for $20 million in infrastructure upgrades if soccer team owners agree to pay the $60 million cost of building a new 20,000-seat stadium just east of downtown Houston. Plans call for the stadium to be used by the soccer team and by the Texas Southern University football team. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, which oversaw construction of Minute Maid Park, Reliant Stadium and the Toyota Center, agreed late this week to be the landlord for the stadium.
Once Houston City Council members and Harris County commissioners vote on the formal agreement, construction on the stadium could begin as early as October, said Councilman James Rodriguez (pictured), who represents the area where the new stadium and a new city-county jail facility are planned. Plans call for the infrastructure improvements for the stadium to use debt issued through a tax increment reinvestment zone that Harris County will join to finance its portion of the improvements if the agreement is finalized. The county also will pay the city $7.5 million to become co-owner of the stadium land that the city bought for $15.5 million in 2008.
The proposed agreement also includes provisions for funding initiatives for the homeless, an affordable ticket mandate and a role for the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority in lease negotiations overseeing construction and acting as property manager once the stadium is built. The proposed agreement also calls for the creation of two new tax increment reinvestment zones, one in northeast downtown that could play a role in plans to build a joint city-county booking facility, and a TIRZ in the Astrodome area, which could help pay for redevelopment of the empty Reliant Astrodome. Houston City Council members are expected to vote on the Dynamo stadium agreement on March 31, while Harris County commissioners are expected to vote on the pact on April 13.
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Attorney general approves transit election in Richland Hills
An opinion issued by the Texas Attorney General's Office recently cleared the path for Richland Hills officials to proceed with a referendum on Nov. 2 asking voters if they want to withdraw from the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.
Supporters for withdrawing from the Forth Worth transit authority said the city should receive better service for the $800,000 in sales tax the city provides annually to the authority and could use that funding for projects that will benefit more residents. Those who support keeping the transit service - known as the T - said many Richland Hill residents depend on the T to travel to work, school, medical visits and shopping and that the city should continue to participate in the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.
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Splendora ISD to buy new laptops to reduce use of paper
 Trustees for the Splendora Independent School District recently agreed to spend $3,815 to buy seven new laptop computers to help school board members go paperless. District staff now create seven board packets for each of the 12 regular school board members.
The district now spends about $1,932 annually in paper, copy and labor costs to produce the packets needed for each school board meeting and spends even more to produce packets for about 20 special meetings held each year, said Dana Daniels (pictured), president of the board of trustees.
Using the laptops will eliminate the paper packets and should pay for themselves within two years with the savings from no longer copying, creating and distributing the packets at each meeting, Daniels said. The new laptops should be available to the board members in mid-July, he said.
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Insiders say McClelland to be next HPD chief Insiders predict that Charles McClelland will be tapped as Houston's next police chief pending completion of a background investigation. He has worked as the city's acting police chief since Harold Hurtt resigned last December. A spokesman for Mayor Annise Parker, however, said the mayor will not make an official announcement earlier than next week.
McClelland joined the Houston Police Department as a patrolman in May 1977, rising through the ranks to become executive assistant chief in May 2004. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Houston.
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Georgetown to issue $18M in bonds for improvements
Georgetown City Council members recently approved the issue of $18 million in bonds to pay for water treatment upgrades, fire station improvements and road work.
City officials plan to spend $1.37 million to complete work on D.B. Wood Dr., $10.2 million for Lake Georgetown Water Treatment and $6.56 million for upgrades to a fire station and for widening of Williams Drive.
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Galveston College buys $1.5M site for new training center
 Officials of Galveston College recently purchased a former auto dealership for $1.5 million to serve as a new vocational-technical training center.
Plans call for the vocational-technical center on Broadway Blvd. to open this fall and house three technical training programs, welding technology, heating and air conditioning and industrial systems technology, said President Myles Shelton of Galveston College. The three programs will take up about half of the space in the existing shop and office space on the 4.3-acre site, he said. This will leave room for the college to add more programs. Work should begin on renovating the facility by this summer, Shelton said.
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Austin to upgrade meters to accept credit/debit cards
Following the success of the city's year-old solar-powered parking meters, Austin city officials are planning to upgrade 550 existing single-space parking meters to accept credit and debit cards.
With the installation of the 700 new solar-powered pay stations, the city now earns 60 percent of its total parking revenue with credit card transactions, said Steve Grassfield, acting parking enterprise manager. Another benefit of the new meters is that maintenance calls decreased from an average of 1,500 calls to 65 maintenance calls per month, he said. The new parking meters accept credit cards, debit cards and coins, but do not accept paper cash, he said.
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Pleasanton approves $1.49M for new library/center
Pleasanton City Council members recently approved $1,491,710 for Phase I and Phase 2 of a project for a new community center and library.
Phase 1, with a price tag of $640,224, will pay for a new main entrance, removing of ceiling tile and renovating restrooms, but no exterior work for the new library, said City Manager Kathy Coronado. Phase 2, with a price tag of $851,486, will pay for the new community center, new parking lot and exterior work.
Work should begin as soon as possible on the new library so that the old library can be sold and that revenue will be available for the community center project, she said.
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Kerrville opts out of $2.85 million contract for city hall site  Kerrville City Council members recently opted out of a proposed $2.85 million contract to buy a building on Water Street to serve as the new city hall.
The city issued $2.1 million in bonds to spend on relocating the city hall to downtown or for utility projects if no structure could be found. The building's tenant had a lease through 2011 and would not agree to relocate, city officials said. As a result, city staff will renew efforts to find a new site for city hall, said Mayor Todd Bock (pictured).
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| Belton looking to upgrade city recreation facilities
Belton City Council members recently began review of an updated parks and recreation strategic master plan created by gathering public input on their top priorities for recreation facilities.
In the study, residents ranked hike-and-bike trails, water recreation, natural open spaces, playgrounds, disc golf, a skate park, picnic pavilions and a dog park as their top choices, said a consultant who worked with the Parks Board and city staff to update the strategic master plan for city parks and recreation.
The consultant urged city officials to apply for a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to build additional hike-and-bike trails, to explore the possibility of having an unfenced dog park along the current hike-and-bike trails, to create water recreation projects along the Leon River and Noland Cree this year. City officials should consider planning a skate park next year, the consultant said. Council members are scheduled to vote on the plan in mid-April.
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Corpus Christi to improve parking to attract developers
Corpus Christi city officials recently approved a plan to spend as much as $575,000 to improve a parking lot at the intersection of Chaparral and Schatzell streets in order to attract an apartment developer to build apartments in a nearby city-leased building.
By covering and adding gating to the parking lot, the Downtown Management District would offer parking space leases for $80 per month and use that revenue to reimburse the city for money spent on the parking improvements, said Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez. The Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation would provide the funding for upgrading the parking lot that also offers easy access to another apartment development in the area, he said.
City officials plan to look for a contractor next month to redevelop the parking lot and to find an apartment developer to convert the old city-owned building into apartments within the next year. The city is exploring the possibility of using Community Development Block Grants to pay for recruiting a developer for the property, Martinez added.
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Austin Community College moves toward Hays Co. campus
The North Hays County Steering Committee recently collected more than the 1,350 signatures necessary to place a proposition on the ballot in November asking the Austin Community College Taxing District to annex northern portions of Hays County into the education district.
The law requires that 5 percent of registered voters in the Hays County Independent School District sign the petition to place the proposal on the ballot. Supporters of the proposition said that ACC officials are interested at three sites in Hays County for a new campus, but an ACC spokeswoman declined to comment on real estate negotiations until an agreement is reached.
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UT Dallas hires first conservation, sustainability chief
 UT-Dallas is serious about energy conservation and reducing its carbon footprint on campus. To that end, it has hired its first conservation and sustainability manager. Donna Riha (pictured) brings more than two decades of experience with a major energy company to her new role. In addition to energy conservation, she will be charged with helping promote the university's sustainability policy of considering environmental, social and economic impacts in using its resources. The university already has instituted a number of green initiatives, from using solar panels to power emergency call boxes to using energy-saving, light-emitting diodes (LED) for some outdoor electronic signs. The dining hall is going to start recycling its cardboard products, which will produce four tons of cardboard each month. Riha holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. |
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School district to close by order of Education Commissioner
In a rarely used action, the Kendleton Independent School District's authority to operate as a public school district was revoked this week by Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott. Chronic academic problems and failure to turn the district around in recent years led Scott to announce that the district will be annexed into the neighboring Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. The move first must have preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice. State-appointed conservator Dr. Shirley Johnson will help facilitate the annexation process, which will be effective July 1. Kendleton has only one school, an elementary that serves 78 students in early childhood through sixth grade. Middle school and high school students already attend Lamar Consolidated schools. Kendleton officials asked the Texas Education Agency for a review of the decision to revoke its accreditation and after a February meeting, TEA officials found no reason to change their decision to recommend revoking accreditation. |
Missouri City using stimulus funds for intersections
Officials of Missouri City recently began work on an Intersections Improvements Project that will be paid for using $530,872 in funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Under the original agreement, the city would have been required to pay for 20 percent of the cost of the project, but the stimulus funding required no match, city officials said.
The projects include improvements at the intersections of SH-6 and Glenn Lakes, SH-6 and FM-1092, FM-1092 and Cartwright Road and FM-1092 and Lexington, city officials paid. The project also includes the building of a raised median between FM-1092 and Glenn Lakes Boulevard on SH-6, rebuilding traffic signals and adding more turn lanes to improve safety and mobility at the intersections. The projects should be completed in about five months, city officials said. |
Leon Valley FD awarded $24,700 federal grant
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded a $24,700 grant to the Leon Valley Fire Department. The grant will be used to purchase safety and rescue equipment and help pay for training, fire department officials said.
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Tech HSC program addresses physician shortage
 The first three-year medical degree ever approved by the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education has been announced by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. The new Family Medicine Accelerated Track program will allow primary care students at the medical school to complete their degrees in three years at half the cost of the standard four-year program. "This is a program of national importance as we work to ensure that all Americans will have access to a primary care physician, said Steven Berk, M.D. (pictured), dean of the School of Medicine. The program is expected to allow outstanding family medicine students to reduce the length of medical school by 25 percent and cut their debt in half. The program not only shortens from four to three years, but also provides scholarships to qualifying students. The program is designed to ensure the educational experience of each student will satisfy the requirements for awarding a Doctor of Medicine degree. Students from the incoming class will be accepted this summer. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has presented its approved program to the national Council of Deans and other medical schools are expected to pursue similar programs in the future. |
Austin weighs $40M performing arts center location
The Austin ISD school board is considering whether to build a $40 million, 1,200-capacity performing arts center at the Mueller neighborhood in East Austin or the former site of Concordia University Texas in Central Austin. Paul Turner, the district's executive director of facilities, said a decision could arrive as early as next month.
Developers of the Mueller neighborhood have submitted a proposal to the school district, while developers at the former Concordia site have expressed interest in serving as a location for the center.
In 2004, district voters approved a $519.5 million bond package that included plans for a district facility to be aligned with the Long Center for the Performing Arts. That partnership fell through, prompting voters to approve a $40 million stand-alone performing arts facility in 2008.
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Galveston Housing Authority to seek $22M federal grant
A consultant for the Galveston Housing Authority recently urged the agency to seek about $22 million Hope VI federal grants to rebuild the Magnolia Homes development on The Strand.
GHA will create a steering committee of community leaders to seek the grant for Magnolia Homes, which is located on the trolley route between The Strand historic district and the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch, said Executive Director Harish Krishnarao. The grant funding, if approved, would be used to rebuild 120 units on the site of the demolished public housing development. The new housing could act as a catalyst to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood with mixed-income housing, he said.
The Hope VI grants are very competitive and the announcement on recipients of 2010 awards will not be made until Spring 2011, he said.
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Design under way on four Hays County intersections
Design work on four intersection safety improvements is under way on RM 1826 in Hays County. Voters approved the projects at Nutty Brown Road, Crystal Hills Drive, Darden Hill Road and RM 967 as part of a 2008 bond election. The county will work with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for bidding and construction oversight.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Karen Ford and the bond program manager selected two firms to design and implement the improvements. "We were interested in matching up the capabilities of each firm with the specific needs of the projects," Ford said.
Preliminary work has begun with survey crews and traffic counters. Once the firms present conceptual designs, the public will have their chance for input. Residents can follow the status of the projects by clicking HERE.
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Beeville group urges up to $5 million in park upgrades
Members of the Beeville City Parks and Recreation Commission recently recommended the city add two combination football and soccer fields to Veterans Memorial Park.
As outlined by Commissioner Gilbert Herrera, the proposed plan with an estimated price tag of $3 million to $5 million greatly differs from the master plan created last year by students at Coastal Bend College at the request of the former parks commissioner. The new plans no longer recommend building a veterans' museum, but urges the city to tear down the existing Little League baseball complex near the golf course and build a new four-field complex across Poesta Creek with fields radiating outward from a central restroom and concession stand area.
Herrera also recommended the city use the site of the existing Little League complex to build a new municipal swimming pool complex and skate park. The parks commissioner also urged the city to apply to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a state grant and to ask voters to approve bonds to pay for the park improvements. City Commissioners took no action on the recommendations for park improvements.
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El Paso police, other agencies seek $5M border crime grant
El Paso police officials will team with three other law enforcement agencies to apply for a $5 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to battle border crime following a recent approval from city council. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office and police officials in Socorro and Horizon City will share in the grant from the Operation Stonegarden program if the grant is approved.
The grant will require no local matching contribution, said Assistant Police Chief Jerome Johnson of the El Paso Police Department. The Operation Stonegarden grant can be used to pay for overtime and fuel costs to fight drug and gun smuggling, human trafficking and potential terrorism, but cannot be used for immigration enforcement, Johnson said.
El Paso police officials also sought and won permission from council to spend $66,000 from the federal Urban Area Security Initiative grant to buy four bomb suits, four helmets and two searchlights to attach to the helmets, Johnson said. The additional equipment will allow the bomb squad to respond to two or three simultaneous incidents, he added.
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Houston mayor appoints five to Metro board
Houston Mayor Annise Parker recently appointed five new members to the board of directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Parker nominated Gilbert Garcia, an investment banker; Christof Spieler, an engineer and analyst for the Citizens' Transportation coalition; Dwight E. Jefferson, a lawyer; Carrin S. Patman, a lawyer; and Allen Dale Watson, an engineer, to the board. City council members, however, must approve the appointments before they are final. If council approves the nomination, Garcia will serve as chairman, Parker said.
The nine-member Metro board of directors also includes two members appointed by Harris County Commissioners and two members appointed by the mayors of 14 Metro member cities. Parker previously stated that she plans to "shake up" the agency, bring renewed accountability to Metro and pledged to replace Frank Wilson, the current president and chief executive officer of Metro.
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SPI to host webinar on Texas bond elections
"Selling to Local Government - a Bond Election Special," a webinar hosted by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), is slated for 12 to 1:30 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, April 8. Those participating will hear current and former government decision-makers talk about how to become adept at selling to local government entities. SPI is an Austin-based government procurement and national research firm that has successfully partnered public and private entities for the last 15 years. Hear from a sitting city administrator, veteran procurement experts and sales, marketing and research experts. Each attendee will receive a list of upcoming bond opportunities related to the upcoming May bond elections as part of the package. For more information and to register, click HERE.
Notary law, procedures seminar set by CAPCOGA three-hour Texas Notary Law and Procedures Seminar for current, new and non-notary participants who want to become notaries is set for Thursday, April 8. Hosted by the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), the event will be in the CAPCOG Pecan Room, 6800 Burleson Rd., Austin, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Dixie Lucey, director of education for the State Notary Commission will conduct the seminar. The course will include information on the application and renewal process, state record keeping requirements, certifications, overview of legislative changes from the 81st Legislature and more. To register for the seminar, contact Dixie Lucey at dixielucey@prodigy.net or 512-497-2253. For registration form, click here.
CAPCOG to host Open Meetings Act workshopAn Open Meetings Act Workshop, sponsored by the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), will be held Tuesday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to noon in the CAPCOG Pecan Room, 6800 Burleson Road, Austin. The workshop will be beneficial to elected officials, members of boards, committees, planning and zoning commissions and economic development corporations. Attorney Trish Carls will conduct the workshop. The workshop will open with basics regarding the Open Meetings Act followed by a more extensive look at major open meeting issues. There will also be a session on parliamentary procedures. To view the agenda, click here. To register, click here. For more information, contact David Partlow, Regional Services Coordinator, at dpartlow@capcog.org or 512.916.6045.
AACOG to host benefits counselor trainingThe Alamo Area Council of Government's Area Agencies on Aging will host Statewide Benefits Counselor 1 Training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, April 13-15, at Courtyard San Antonio Northwest at The RIM. Topics will include Medicare Basics and Coverage Options, Social Security, Appeals/Administrative Law, Medicaid, Long-Term Care and Other Health Insurance and Veteran Benefits. For more information, click here.
Last two BOP sessions with TxDOT are announcedThe last two sessions of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services Small Business Briefing conferences have been announced for April 1, 2010, in Dallas and June 15, 2010, in Texarkana. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT. Information will be available to help them do business with the agency and the State of Texas. The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allows them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also allows the agencies to show the myriad of opportunities available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information, click here or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2.
Workshop to address fighting cancer in the community
A two-day workshop, "Tools for Texans: Helping Communities Fight Cancer," is planned for Thursday and Friday, April 22 and 23, at the Doubletree Hotel in Houston, near Intercontinental Airport. The workshop was developed for community stakeholders, health care professionals, cancer survivors, volunteers and anyone who wants to work toward fighting cancer in the community. The workshop is intended to enhance the capacity of participants to implement cancer prevention and control programs in communities throughout the state. The conference is presented by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Cost of the conference is $50 per person, which includes meals both days and Cancer Control Toolkit materials. For more information, click here and look under "Resources." Travel scholarships are being offered.
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Hundreds of construction opportunities on the drawing board in Texas! |
 By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
As state and local governments throughout the nation seek ways to trim budgets, many are finding relief through two bond programs - Build America Bonds and Qualified School Construction Bonds. The bond funding is being used for capital projects, roads, schools, infrastructure projects, public buildings and hospitals.
Build America Bonds (BABs) provide funds at lower borrowing costs. The bonds allow a direct federal payment subsidy. Here's how it works: the U.S. Treasury makes a direct payment to government entities issuing the bonds and picks up 35 percent of the interest payment. In other words, if a bond is issued at an 8% interest rate, the federal government will reimburse the public entity for 3.5 percent of the interest. So instead of a borrowing cost of 8 percent, the real cost is 4.5 percent. This allows many projects that could have been in jeopardy to be launched.
Texas is one of the biggest issuers of BABs. Some recent examples include:
- The City of Dallas issued $388 million in BABs for construction of a convention center hotel;
- The Texas Department of Transportation sold $1.2 billion in BABs;
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Alamo Heights ISD seeking $44 million bond approval
Trustees for the Alamo Heights Independent School District recently agreed to place a $44 million bond proposal on the May 8 ballot. If approved, the bond funding will pay for upgrading technology, expanding fine arts facilities, creating more parking and several renovation and maintenance projects, including the installation of solar panels on district facilities, district officials said.
Growth at Fort Sam Houston and parents taking their children out of private school to enroll in public school has caused increased enrollment for the district, said Superintendent Kevin Brown (pictured), who explained that buying a computer from the district's general fund will cost taxpayers $1,650 while it will cost taxpayers $1,000 using bond funding because Alamo Heights ISD is considered a property-rich district.
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Bowie approves $2.2M in debt for community center
Bowie City Council members recently agreed to issue $2.2 million in certificates of obligation to help build a new 22,000-square-foot community center. The proposed community center, located on the grounds of Second Monday, also will be available for Second Monday vendor rentals, city officials said.
City officials also expect to allocate another $750,000 for the community center project using revenue from the hotel/motel tax. Current plans call for the bonds to be sold in May, with bids for the new center to be opened in July and construction beginning in mid-August. The project should be completed 10 months after ground is broken, city officials said.
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Sunset staff reports to be heard on four agencies
Staff reports and public testimony will be taken on four state agencies when the Sunset Advisory Commission meets on Tuesday, April 6. The meeting will be in room E1.036, the Senate Finance Committee Room, in the State Capitol Extension.
Agencies on which staff reports will be made include the Texas Public Finance Authority, the Commission on State Emergency Communications, the Coastal Coordination Council and the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
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Beeville selects Vela as interim finance director
Beeville City Council members recently selected Rosa Vela to be the interim finance director for the city.
Vela, a certified public accountant, recently retired as finance director for San Marcos and was previously employed by the City of Corpus Christi. She will replace former Finance Director Robert Aguilar, who recently retired. City officials said they hope to find a new finance director within six weeks.
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Somerset ISD to decide
fate of $13 million bond
 Voters in the Somerset Independent School District will be asked in May to approve a $13 million bond proposal to build a new junior high school.
The overpopulated district has grown by about 3,500 students since 1986, when the current school was built, according to Superintendent Saul Hinojosa (pictured).
District leaders plan to use $3.9 million from the general fund to build the $17 million campus if the proposal is approved.
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Northwest ISD buys 193-acre tract for new school
Trustees for the Northwest Independent School District recently purchased a 193-acre tract of land in Northlake that once housed a well-known dude ranch. District officials said the land could become a future campus or be used for alternatives such as an outdoor learning center.
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Where do folks go when they leave government? Some go to work in the private sector or for nonprofits. Some transition to executive-level positions in higher education while others may seek elected local government positions. And some just retire and spend a lot of time with their grandkids at the fishin' hole. This column focuses on where former state government officials and private sector employees are now.
 Bob Bolen served as mayor of the City of Fort Worth from 1982 to 1991. After leaving the mayor's office, he joined the staff of Texas Christian University as the Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, a position he still holds. He is also a visiting lecturer and advisor to the dean in the Neeley School of Business at TCU.
 Edward D. Garza began his political career in 1997 as a member of the San Antonio City Council. He served two terms, from 1997 to 2001, before being elected San Antonio's mayor in 2001. His two terms as mayor ended in 2005, but his public service did not. He was elected in 2009 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the San Antonio Independent School District, a post he will hold until 2013. Garza currently is president and CEO of an urban development and investment firm in San Antonio.
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Medina County votes down
THC grant for courthouse
Medina County commissioners have eschewed plans to commit to a $5.7 million courthouse restoration for the time being, citing public opposition, other pressing needs and disapproval of a $372,000 state grant laden with stipulations. The Texas Historical Commission design grant called for the removal of two wings added to the courthouse, built in 1893, some 70 years ago.
The courthouse still requires about $5 million in upgrades, which is expected to be funded locally, without the historic restoration.
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Windcrest city manager
takes leave before retiring
Windcrest City Manager Ronnie Cain has resigned from his post. The city council granted Cain's request to take a paid administrative leave until his retirement takes effect April 1.
The Bexar County district attorney's office has instigated a criminal probe into allegations that Cain's brother, developer Gary Cain, reportedly improperly received funds from a corporation Cain negotiated a lease with on behalf of the city. The council has so far deferred naming an interim replacement for Cain.
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Kerrville Council to OK
proposal for facility, hotel
The Kerrville City Council has received five proposals, one of which was rejected for non-compliance, to build a multi-use facility and adjacent hotel.
A city staff review committee met recently to consider the four proposals in contention. The committee will rank the proposals and looks to submit a recommendation for final approval to the Council on April 27.
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Midland city secretary
Kaylah McCord retiring
Midland City Secretary Kaylah McCord has announced plans to retire, effective March 31. Her job duties include attending city council meetings, generating minutes and overseeing the election process and records management, among other charges.
McCord retired early from the private sector before being appointed to her city secretary post. She said she would like to now "do something a little less demanding."
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Copperas Cove delays decision on new school
 Citing the need to provide more detailed specifications to potential bidders, trustees for the Copperas Cove Independent School District recently delayed plans to discuss and approve construction of a new 800-student elementary school.
District officials are optimistic that the interest shown by so many contractors in the construction project means that will translate into a better price for the project, said Superintendent Rose Cameron (pictured). If the bids come in low enough, the district can build the school using available fund balances rather than calling a bond election, Cameron said. The bidding process was scheduled to begin last week, but district officials postponed opening the bidding until this week. Trustees plan to take action on the bids at their board meeting in April.
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Orange advancing on $12 million downtown project
The Orange City Council recently approved contracts with two architecture firms for schematic plans to improve two downtown areas by adding a riverfront park and boardwalk area. Once the schematic plans are complete, city officials will use those plans to obtain construction estimates for the projects that are now estimated to cost about $12 million.
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Lone Camp VFD wins
$61,750 federal grant The Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $61,750 federal grant to be used for training, support operations and to buy new safety and rescue equipment. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, awarded the grant.
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Olson joins Strategic Partnerships as consultant
 Leonard Olson, who has worked in state government for nearly 30 years, has joined Strategic Partnerships, Inc. as a senior consultant specializing in state and local government. Olson began his public service career with the Water Development Board in 1979. He held a variety of positions until leaving the agency in 2003, developing strong relationships with both state and local government officials.
Olson later spent four years with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, serving the agency as director of intergovernmental relations. Over his career, he has developed expertise in both environmental and regulatory matters. |
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Kingwood moving forward
on new community center
 Reversing an earlier decision, Houston city officials have reconsidered and now plan to provide a firm time schedule for construction of a new community center in Kingwood in about a month, Councilman Mike Sullivan (pictured) told Kingwood residents at a recent town hall meeting.
The building that housed the old Kingwood branch library will be demolished for construction of the community center, he said. City officials were able to drop or delay other capital improvement projects in order to build the new community center, Sullivan said. City officials also are adding turn lanes at four intersections to improve traffic flow in the Kingwood area.
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Pamela Morris resigns as superintendent of Sealy ISD
Superintendent Pamela Morris recently resigned as superintendent for the Sealy Independent School District to accept a job as assistant superintendent for Alvin ISD. She served as superintendent for three years.
Trustees selected Assistant Superintendent Scott Kana as the interim superintendent to replace Morris.
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Cain retires as city
manager in Windcrest City Manager Ronnie Cain recently announced his retirement as city manager in Windcrest. City officials appointed Assistant City Manager Lori Harris to assume Cain's duties and said they expect to make a decision soon on hiring an interim city manager.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
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Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
- Dean Bernal of Austin, One-Call Board
- Julio Cerda of Mission, One-Call Board
- Jason Hartgraves of Frisco, One-Call Board
- Janie Walenta of Quitman, One-Call Board
- Jeff Austin III of Tyler, Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority
- Gigi Bryant of Austin, chair, Family and Protective Services Council
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Kendall Co. urged to use more local contractors
 Dan Rogers (pictured), president of the Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, recently urged Kendall County commissioners to award additional points to local contractors and companies pledging to use local sub-contractors for county construction projects.
Citing rising unemployment in the county as the reason for the recommendation, Rogers noted that commissioners usually rank contractors bidding on county projects according to a check of items, with certain points awarded for each item. He said they now should consider giving more points for the use of local subcontractors and contractors. Commissioners took no action on the recommendation.
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Fish, Wildlife Service
awards state $8.9M
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded $8.9 million in stimulus funds to 37 preservation projects across the state. The federal agency plans to award additional funds for a combined total of $16.1 million on 58 projects.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will help support 25 refuge projects, 22 fisheries and 11 private-land initiatives.
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Burnet to seek grants, loans for water, sewer projects
 After awarding engineering and surveying contracts for repairs to some water and sewer lines, Burnet city officials will seek grants or zero-interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board to complete those repairs and for construction of water tanks.
The projects are necessary so even if the city does not receive the grants or awards, the water and sewer work must be done and the engineering and surveying work will be ready to proceed when funds are available, said City Manager Michael Steele (pictured). The water line and tank upgrades are located in the northwest side of town, he noted.
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Devine ISD voters
to decide $9.6M bond
Devine Independent School District voters will be asked to approve a $9.6 million bond proposal to fund construction projects and refinance existing debt in May. Officials hope to secure state funds to cover 55 percent of the proposal's cost.
About $7 million of the funds will go toward construction projects - which include a $3.5 million middle school cafetorium, a $2 million gymnasium and a $1 million refurbished library. About $2.6 million will be allocated to refinancing. District officials held a public briefing this week.
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Kendall Co. seeking grant to build new recycling facility
Kendall County officials recently applied to the Alamo Area Council of Governments for a $65,533 grant to build a recycling facility for paper, plastic, steel and aluminum products.
The county will be required to provide a $40,000 contribution to qualify for the grant, said Precinct 3 Commissioner Darrel Lux (pictured). A decision on the grant should be made this summer.
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Splendora ISD agrees to grant for propane buses
Trustees for the Splendora Independent School District recently agreed to participate in a Texas Railroad Commission grant that will provide $134,514 to install a propane tank and help buy two propane school buses.
The two new propane buses will be used as route buses and not for out-of-district travel, district officials said. The district currently has 26 route buses, but has set a goal to replace all of those buses with propane buses, said Regina Young, finance executive director for the district. The propane buses are better for the environment and reduce fuel costs, Young said.
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The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers
The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.
To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.
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